sunshineverse | [OPEN]

Entry tags:

[OPEN]

Who: Neji & OPEN
When: All week; April 6th- 12th
Where: Konoha Library
Notes: Ninja cram session go

It was difficult to not feel like an Academy Student all over again. Neji had done more reading and gone through more practical lessons in the past two months than he had in roughly five years. Though he wasn't entirely sure one particular set of short 'lessons' was really necessary. But with those lessons over, it was time to seriously begin pulling his new style together and rather than bother a dozen Jounin over concepts and details of varying jutsu, the library offered a vast source of information he just had to find.

Which basically amounted to a lot more reading.

Neji set to work and pulled a dozen books from their shelves, swiped another handful of scrolls, then commandeered half of one long table and approximately three chairs to begin his research in earnest. He only bothered forcing himself to sit upright for the first few hours before he inevitably slunk down and stretched his legs out over the chair in front of him, feet propped on the last. It wasn't as if anyone would come looking for him here of all places, and he was tucked behind a bookshelf to avoid being immediately spotted by the casual quick visitor.

Books detailing various intricate uses of chakra with primarily earth and water ninjutsu lay open to particularly informative pages, while a few scrolls on the specifics of select techniques were unraveled down the length of the table. Neji recoursed to them with varying frequency and idly flipped pages to newer, more pertinent information to peruse.

But the book in front of him had most of his current attention, held loosely in his lap with one hand while the other propped his head up, expression singularly dull while he read from carefully inked pages.

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Obito hadn't been back in town long, and honestly, he regretted that he'd had to cut his part of the visit short, but there were things he had to take care of. That happened to be a downside of being a Hokage really. When things came up, they stayed that way. So, after he'd sorted out the meeting that the Diamyo had insisted on this morning, he'd set out to the library to check on a few things he'd been researching after he'd picked up a few strange bits of information while out and about.

He didn't know why he was surprised to see Neji there, but he did veer off to go peer at his reading with interest. "Neji-san."

...and through the correct string of seals, ninjutsu is performed. But where they're often overlooked, each seal provides its own properties and lends a specific aspect to the end technique. And so it's through unique combinations of these that different jutsu are created, though with great difficulty..

Neji flicked an irritable glance in the general direction of a hovering chakra signature. His back was to the wall for a reason, but he tipped his head up to find one Uchiha Obito peering over his shoulder. Neji snapped the book closed and immediately twisted in his seat to straighten, legs dropping from the chairs they'd occupied until he was sitting properly at the table.

"Hokage-sama," he breathed, looking half-ready to stand. Weren't you out of the country? "Did you need something?"

The reaction clearly amused him, and an amused smile came to his lips as he lifted his hands in a quelling gesture. "You looked more comfortable a minute ago. And no, I was just doing some research into something and was surprised to see you back here."

Neji grimaced, caught off guard even if he wasn't on duty. To be fair, he wouldn't have straightened for anyone other than Obito or Hinata- or his direct supervisor. But those first two were out of the country as far as he'd known.

Neji relaxed, set the book on the table and gave the Hokage his full attention.

"I've been studying the deeper intricacies of ninjutsu," he explained mildly. "As well as searching for new techniques to learn that will suit me."

He knew better than to inquire after Obito's own research, though he was curious. "I assume Hinata-sama's mission went well?"

"I had braids in my hair when I came home." His tone was heavily laden with humor. "I have no idea how you manage to avoid having braids in your hair constantly, honestly." He shook his head, looking to the book thoughtfully for a moment. "You should dig into the books on the top shelf of the D-rank section. Almost no one looks at them, but what was considered 'basics' was from closer to the Nidaime's time and they're pretty fascinating... and somewhat more dangerous than the current basics."

Neji lifted an amused eyebrow with a glance toward Obito's hair like he might catch any wavy hints of the braids that had dressed it before. He knew about Hinata's strange fondness of braids, had suffered through enough of it in his younger years.

"Fortunately, Hinata-sama has a younger sister now," he said mildly. That and he hadn't been at the Hyuuga compound much until recently.

But he flicked his eyes toward the indicated shelf with a hum. He wasn't looking up basics per se, but if Obito thinks they'd be worth a look, there'd be no harm in at least skimming them for useful information.

"I'll look into it, thank you." Then with a tip of his head, "Don't let me keep you from your research, Hokage-sama."

"If you were keeping me, I wouldn't have paused. I think I can take a few minutes to speak to one of my shinobi." He would head off to his research soon enough after all. It would be interesting seeing what Neji thought of the 'basics' books he'd found though. They really... weren't.

People were a bit more hardcore back in the day.

"I undid the braids hours ago, by the way."

Neji couldn't really argue with that- not politely at any rate. Obito would hang around as long as he wished, and that was fine, but he did have a substantial amount of reading to do.

"I see. You're fortunate your hair isn't much longer, or it would've noticeably curled." It was almost too bad the village hadn't been privileged enough to see their Hokage with braids in his hair.

He snorted softly, leaning on the table and wandering his attention over Neji's spread of materials, carefully taking in what exactly he seemed to be focusing on. Interesting. He had to wonder if he'd thought to take his advice about going to Hinata. "Ha, like anyone would be able to tell with the way my hair sticks out."

Neji watched Obito look, shoved down the brief wave of self-consciousness. Because he was a Jounin, but didn't have much in way of ninjutsu. Not to say he was poor with it, it had just never been a focus until now- probably never would have been, without the mark on his shoulder.

"I finished my training a week ago," he said mildly, like it was any normal training exercise and not a series of intensive training courses, tests, and studying that took him roughly two months to complete. "So now I have time to focus on this more heavily."

Edited 2014-04-17 23:53 (UTC)

He finally looked back to Neji's face and gave him a very warm smile. He was aware of what stoic discomfort looked like by now, after all. He didn't let it pass uncommented, though perhaps not the way someone else might have.

"I have no doubt that you will excel. When you're finished, tell me. I'll spar you to see exactly what's come to you."

Neji shifted, nodding. He didn't need Obito's assurance, knew he'd do well with ninjutsu, because his chakra control was flawless. He could command it outside his body as well as in. The only problem he ran into with most techniques however, was simply the amount of chakra they demanded.

"That won't be for at least a few months," he noted. "Perhaps more, as Kushina-san is adamant about making me master Dai Bakusui Shōha." Neji shook his head, felt the urge to sigh. "Such a technique couldn't be more incompatible with me."

Edited 2014-04-19 01:35 (UTC)

He blinked, then his expression brightened all at once. "She can be a cruel and demanding teacher." His tone was rather... fond as he said this. "But I believe that might actually be rather perfect for you. I know I had to use a bit of brute force with Hinata at first to get her to expand her chakra pool, and she hadn't had as long to get set in her ways as you."

Don't mind the brilliant smile he's got on now. "Do keep me updated on that progress?"

Neji lifted a brow, wondering who else might have been unfortunate enough to suffer Kushina as an instructor. He really hadn't been searching for one, but it wasn't as if he could really refuse. And while he did agree that he needed to expand his chakra pool a bit, he wasn't sure if forcing a largely demanding technique on him was the best way to manage it.

He couldn't bring himself to trust that smile, however. Obito looked far too pleased about Kushina instructing him. Still, he couldn't refuse.

"If you insist, Hokage-sama," he said, not sounding terribly enthused. He didn't expect he'd have much good to report for awhile. "She did teach me the fundamentals of Suiben while she was in the village."

"Look, you'll be the better for it, okay? Trust me, the woman is the one who taught me swordwork." He shook his head slightly, laughing quietly. "It was the most painful and horrifying training experience of my life, and I've had to deal with you sensei." He pointed at him here, a smirk touching his lips. "In full blown 'let me get you back up to standard' mode. But! I can also freely say it was worth every second, and you will too, someday."

Neji hummed a short note of amusement. So it was Obito. He wasn't sure if that was meant to make him any more enthusiastic, but he fully understood that Kushina's training would be a great boon to him. It was simply her training methods he wasn't looking forward to. But he'd never backed down from anything in his life, and Kushina's reputation certainly wouldn't be the first.

"I'm sure it will be," he said, raising a brow at Obito's outstretched finger. Sometimes, the man didn't seem old enough enough to be Hokage. "I'll let her know you're interested in my progress when she sends me her next bird."

"And I'll remind her you're Gai's student next time I talk to her." He flashed him a rather wide, and possibly horrifying, smile then. After all, it's entirely possible Kushina didn't realize, and it's not like she hadn't been more than exposed to Gai and his habits over the years.

Neji grimaced, glancing off because he was beginning to suspect Obito had spent a little too much time around Gai in the past if that smile was any indication.

"That's not necessary," he said with a shrug. "She's in Uzushio most of the time, and Gai-sensei.. Well we haven't had regular meet-ups in awhile."

He sobered, his amusement in spooking Neji fading under that news. "There's no reason to fall out of touch just because you're not on the same path, you know that right? He'd work with you if you talked to him. He's not half bad at this stuff, and I figure you'd be one to know that."

"I know," he said, because he did, and glanced across the table at his studies. These weren't the type of things he'd ask Gai's help for exactly.

But really, it was more the separation from his team as a whole that was starting to get to him. It was something everyone went through he was sure, as shinobi careers began to take them down separate paths. He loved Lee and Tenten and they'd share everything, but he couldn't share this with them. The gap that had started with his promotion to Jounin had widened. It wasn't just taking missions outside the team anymore, but something they couldn't breach.

"..I plan on asking for his assistance in shifting the focus on my taijutsu."

And that too, would need to be kept from Lee and Tenten- or worse, he'd have to outright lie to them.

Edited 2014-05-07 05:13 (UTC)

"He'd like that." His voice was soft, and he was reading the boy, taking in his somber attitude. That was no good. He leaned his hip on the table, leaning forward a little as he felt a small frown touch his lips.

"You know it's okay to still have friends, right?"

"Yes," he returned with a half-smile, though a part of him wondered if he was really so transparent. Or if Uchiha were in fact mind-readers. But no point in denying it now.

"I just haven't had much time to spend with them lately. Which would be fine, but they're not the type to take excuses easily." And it was tiring, thinking of excuses and keeping things straight. They weren't supposed to know, but Tenten in particular could be shrewdly perceptive. If he even told her it was just a matter of confidentiality, she'd jump on it like a ninken trailing a scent. And that scent would lead to suspicions about ANBU, if his sudden lack of time hadn't already.

Not to mention his entire clan was known for its insight and visual prowess. As if he didn't have enough to worry about.

"But don't mind me, Hokage-sama. It's not my intent to complain- just something I need to handle better."

It was just a lot of pressure and a delicate dance of half-truths and careful omissions. No wonder ANBU swiftly got good at lying.

"Maybe you should just... take a day and spend time with them. I've never been ANBU, myself, if you didn't know that, but..." He paused, trying to figure out how to explain this.

After a long moment, he finally sorted it out, nodding to himself. "I've been on the other side of the ANBU. The person who was being hidden from and avoided. It's better, sometimes, to simply say that it's not something you can share, and let them guess, but not confirm, if they care about you that much. I don't want any of you to be hurt by you being in ANBU. Not like this."

Neji lifted an eyebrow, but guess he should have known that Obito might suggest something like that. He'd just been so focused lately.. But to set his studies aside for a day to see to his team, even if they ended up guessing at his new rank. Tenten would he was sure, but they'd both play a game where he'd pretend she didn't and she'd roll her eyes and ask him things he couldn't answer anyway, and that would be all the confirmation she needed. As for Lee.. he didn't know how much Lee might understand, or how subtle he'd be if he did suspect.

But in any case, it was better than him cutting himself off from them completely.

"I appreciate it, Hokage-sama. I'll be sure to do so."

He looked at him thoughtfully for a long moment, then relaxed. "Good. I would not want to worry for your welfare because you isolated yourself."

Ah... Neji. Adela blinked as she entered the library, raising a brow at him before she decided to look around for whatever book she needed to look at...

... Except the jutsu he was looking at seemed familiar. Familiar to the point where she couldn't get it out of her head. It didn't take long for the red head to approach, peeking at the pages before her eyes went up to Neji, "You're learning suiton and doton?"

Huh... She thought Neji was more experienced than her, but even he had areas he wasn't as strong in, if what she was guessing was right. Well, maybe, she didn't know for sure.

"Adela."

Neji glanced up with a smile, and followed her eyes to the scrolls and nodded.

"I've focused almost exclusively on taijutsu and mastering my clan's style, and I feel it's time to branch out a fair bit. Typical ninjutsu has never been efficient for me, so I'm looking for a handful of jutsu with the right properties to compliment both my strengths and shortcomings."

He waved a hand to the books and scrolls laid out over the table. "Feel free to borrow any of these however if you need them. I can get them another time."

"Don't need them... Well, unless I wanted to learn the conventional way of using those techniques," Without asking she sat down beside him, looking over the scrolls absently. Huh...

"I'm actually pretty good with Suiton and Doton - always have been. Elemental jutsu like this aren't for everyone though... I always thought the Hyuuga taijutsu were almost invincible just from seeing some of it in action."

Conventional..?

"That's right, you have three chakra natures," he said, just remembering. He typically didn't remember people's natures longer than he needed to until he saw them through the Byakugan again, but Adela's struck him as strange because she's a Chuunin, and even Jounin rarely held skill with more than two. "I've wondered how developed they were."

But he wouldn't ask further, simply hummed an amused note and set his book down in his lap.

"Our style is certainly flexible and versatile enough on its own to handle most situations, but we often struggle with long-range," he explained. "We typically have excellent chakra control, but the steady drain on chakra the Byakugan provides renders large-scale ninjutsu mostly inefficient, as it drains those without large chakra pools rather quickly. So I've been searching for more flexible techniques that are more effective with high control, rather than demanding large amounts of chakra."

"It's because of my bloodline," The words were spoken nonchalantly, with Adela glancing over the texts as she ran her finger along them to keep track of where she was reading. Still, she was listening to Neji speaking about it and nodding at it - it made sense. So he wanted to learn more long range to become more well-balanced... Hm.

Wait a minute. She turned to him, lighting up a little when she addressed him again, "I could do some demonstrations for you if you want. I know most of these jutsu, but learning the proper hand symbols for them couldn't hurt for me and if it's basically the same jutsu then I should be able to show you how they're supposed to be done."

Neji nodded, accepting that. A bloodline would certainly explain the three natures, though he hadn't been aware she was descended from any clan. Milani..?

Filing that away for sometime later, he turned his attention to her offer, considered it with a mild hum.

"If you have the time and wouldn't mind, it would likely be a great help to me. Particularly if I can watch them through the Byakugan to better understand the appropriate flow of chakra before I attempt them myself."

"Sure thing. I haven't really been sent on difficult missions lately, so I should be in the town for the next while in order to help with that. Even if I use different hand signs, the chakra should flow the same for the same techniques, right?"

"Should be," Neji returned with a mild tip of his head. "Unless your bloodline alters the way you perform techniques in some fashion. But for now.."

He set his book aside and glanced over his scrolls, fingers trailing over two jutsu in particular. "Do you know either of these?

"... No, those're new," Frowning at them, Adela looked over the techniques as she stood and tried to look through them. Those hand seals, huh... Interesting. She'd have to wonder what they'd do, if she did them right.

"Maybe I should practice these ones with you."

Neji blinked, but wasn't all that surprised. Having three elements meant less of a broad focus on jutsu types in any one area, and she wasn't an Uchiha.

"That sounds ideal," he said with a hint of a smile. "We'd both practice new techniques and exchange input."

"And we could both get better with them for it," His smile was returned with her own as she stood a bit straighter, hands clasping behind her back while she nodded to him, "Wanna go and try them out now?"

Neji hummed shortly, glanced over the rest of his reading material, then nodded. While he could use a bit more reading up, there was also a need for practice and application.

"That sounds ideal," he said, deciding he could use a break from reading anyway. The books and scrolls would probably be there later. "Just give me a moment.."

The Jounin stood and set to tidying the table in the chance someone else wanted to make use of it while he was gone. Closed up the open books and rolled up scrolls, but held onto the two they intended to work from.

"We're going to practice with these," he informed the librarian, holding them out for brief inspection. "I'll return them when we're finished."

Turning back to Adela, he gestured to the door. "When you're ready then."

"Then let's go!" She wasted no time, opening the door and holding it open for him to follow her through. It'd been a while since she'd learned any new techniques, and the ones in those scrolls seemed pretty cool. Granted, she had no idea just what the results were going to be when none of them had any idea of just what they were supposed to look like, but how were they supposed to learn if they didn't try?

And, admittedly, getting to spend time with her friend was an appealing prospect. Heh... Who knew she'd end up friends with a former 'bodyguard'.

It didn't take Gai long to find his studious Hyuuga. The boy had always known that information was key to preparation, and so where else would an often self-guided, self-taught student find the information he would need? The Library. Never mind that he could already name offhand several able jounin and even a few chunin with the skills that would help Neji achieve his goals... If only his student wasn't so shy and...headstrong that he would not seek out a mentor!

No... That was really an unfair assessment. Gai was the same way. He would have been out there running himself into the ground, bloodying his knuckles and making up his own directions, rather than seeking a teacher. Neji pursued his course more...academically, but nevertheless, on his own, and Gai genuinely admired that quality about Neji. His Hyuuga student didn't ask for handouts or to be spoon-fed the answers--he put his nose to the grindstone and worked to figure things out himself.

Gai was so proud of Neji and all the hard-work he was putting into this! Still, he couldn't help but be a little nosy and try to look after Neji. After all, he was still Neji's ~~sensei~~...teammate.

"Such poor posture will not serve you well, Neji," Gai reprimanded lightheartedly, stealing the middle one of the chairs in Neji's possession for himself and forcing his student to move--and his posture to correct itself--lest he wind up sliding unceremoniously to the floor.

Gai turned the chair around backwards before taking a seat, and picked up one of the scrolls from the table. Although he had given all the material a good once over upon arriving, Gai took this opportunity to get a closer look at the subjects his student was studying. Earth and Water ninjutsu, by the looks of it.

"A strong mind does not always make an able body," he said, skimming over the contents of the paper in his hands. "While I applaud your intense studying, I hope you do not think you will master these skills by simply reading about them!" His voice rose to above-library volumes. He didn't care. "Do you have a training regimen in place for practicing these yet?"

A familiar green shape moved at the edge of his vision, and Neji barely had time to grunt before Gai was pulling a chair from underneath his legs. His feet dropped to the floor and Neji straightened into a vaguely correct sitting position. He'd been in the library for hours straight and five days running now.

But he didn't protest, took a moment to stretch his back and winced as something popped. A little too much studying, perhaps.

"I know better than that, Gai-sensei," he returned dryly, glanced quickly toward the librarian's desk as his mentor's voice spiked predictably. He was surprised the older Jounin had yet to be barred entry for the sheer volume that inevitably followed Maito Gai everywhere inside the village and out.

"Uzumaki Kushina-san has taken it upon herself to aid me with my Suiton training," he said, shrugging like it either wasn't a big deal, or else he didn't have a choice in the matter. It was something of a mixture of both, but mostly the latter. "She sends birds a few times a week to check on my progress."

But even if he sounded vaguely annoyed by it, there was a trace of fondness in his voice. He did appreciate her help, even if he hadn't quite asked for instruction in more than a single jutsu.

"I've already learned one defensive Doton ninjutsu as a replacement for Kaiten," For ANBU he didn't say, but there was no other reason he needed a replacement for his own natural technique. The people around them didn't know that though. "As for these other techniques.. I'll tackle the lowest rank first and work from there."

Immune to any glares he might be getting for the volume of his voice, Gai nodded as he took mental inventory of the things his student had learned and how that would fit into Neji's repertoire of techniques. He tried not to look like he was fretting over the information. But...a sensei always worried. Was Neji balancing a good assortment of attack and defense? Were they complimentary and well-rounded or was he unnecessarily pulling himself in multiple, unrelated directions? How would this affect his placement in a team roster and how might Neji balance out the team dynamic? How, too, would these support ANBU's methods and motives? ~~Were there medics on ANBU squads?~~

Those two elements would undoubtedly be useful against enemies if a war was to break out again, but neither were overtly thought of as assassination techniques. Well, not a very clean assassination. Though if Neji could perfect a Water-Release, Gai supposed one might be able to simulate an "accidental" drowning...

Gah! He was not going to think that way. Thinking like ANBU led one down a very dark path.

"Good, good! You should be quite proud to be working with someone so skilled and powerful as Kushina-san." The Yondaime's wife was one of the greatest ninja Konoha had ever been allied with, though the trouble with being under her tutelage was that she wasn't...actually...in...the village these days. Neji needed someone who would look in on him, not just send him report cards and check for status updates! Gai would have to have a talk with the Hokage about having someone generally oversee all of Neji's studies.

"And these techniques you have learned," Gai asked, rolling up one scroll and trading it out for another. "How many times have you practiced them? Learning them is not enough." He wagged a finger at his student's nose as if scolding him. "You must know everything about them--in practice, not just in theory." Neji knew Kaiten like the back of his ...well, that idiom had little meaning to a Hyuuga. But Neji knew the ins and outs of Kaiten. Against another Kaiten user, Neji could go toe-to-toe and teach them a thing or two. But this was new territory for his student, and Gai believed in repetition, letting your body memorize skills so you mind would think on reflex...as automatic as breathing. With ANBU and the S-class enemies they would face, this would be essential...even for these new, peripheral skills.

Neji nodded, glancing over at Gai through his peripheral. He could read and tune out Gai at the same time, but his mentor rarely took being ignored very well. At least when he noticed, and wasn't engaged in a thorough lecture no one but Lee was actually paying attention to. But then, he often suspected they were more for Lee's benefit to begin with. He didn't begrudge their teammate for it, as he needed Gai's inspiration and all-encompassing determination. And yes, flowery speeches.

But he could see Gai was worried about him. It was in the tight grip and pinch of the older man's eyes, the subtle tension in his body. Kakashi had been ANBU, though he didn't know much more about it than that.

Despite knowing Gai's reasons and good intentions, it didn't make him feel anymore charitably about his somewhat overbearing way of showing it. Like he was an unruly child in need of a lecture.

"I've dedicated a week to each technique," he said with a patience he'd developed over the years. "Anymore and this'll take a year instead of months. Not-" he forestalled before Gai could protest. "That I have any intention of being under-prepared. It's simply that the thorough perfection of each comes after the foundation is set."

He had examinations to pass, and ANBU wouldn't care if in those months he'd spent preparing, all he managed to do was thoroughly master a single technique or two. No, his entire style had to change.

"But ninjutsu still won't be my focus, Gai-sensei," he said with a significant Look. "It's inefficient for me, and taijutsu has ever been my strong point."

It was just the manner in which he performed it had to change, and the best man for that was sitting right next to him.

Gai had to grit his teeth and remember he couldn't delay Neji's training intentionally. Ah, to go back to those days when he could watch them enjoy their youth! When they weren't yet Jounin or Chuunin or ...ANBU! His precious little children were all grown up.

He looked over and met Neji's eyes at that Look. "Good." Good. It wasn't pride in Taijutsu that made Gai feel better about Neji's choices. No, Neji had focus, he knew himself, his own talents and how best to use them. The jutsu spread over the table were wise choices for Neji's arsenal, well-considered and the work of man who have given a lot of thought to what he was doing. They may even have been brilliant choices, though Gai was unsure if he was in a position to pass such a judgement. He was a little biased. Regardless, Neji knew not to turn his back on the foundation of his skills. Kaiten would always be his skill foundation, no matter where he branched out to.

"It is always best to focus on your strengths!" he said. But that kind of cliched wisdom had no meaning here, not with Neji, and though the library was no place for a serious conversation... Gai would take what he could get.

After a moment, he pulled abruptly on the leg of Neji's main chair, hauling jounin and chair closer in a flash, the annoying screech on the marble floor barely an afterthought of noise. He wanted to be sure he had his student's attention. "Neji," Gai said, leaning closer and bowing his head into the private discussion. His voice was lowered. Pretty speeches would never win over Neji. Gai always struggle with the words to get through to his genius. "I can see you have put a lot of thought into this choice. If you are certain this is the path you want to take, I will stand by your choice. I will always stand by you. Just remember, your true foundation is your father and your teammates: Lee and Tenten. Make sure you let them keep you grounded and do not let the darkness blind you from their light, okay?"

ANBU was such an easy place for a ninja to lose himself. Gai wasn't ready yet to lose Neji.

Neji hummed a mild note in response to Gai's proclamation to indicate he was listening while he flipped through a few pages of the book he'd been reading, idly wondering about the focus of the next chapter-

And found himself tugged into a space a little too private for his comfort. Understandable for the low tone Gai took, but if they were going to talk, it shouldn't be there.. The words were a reminder, a warning, and reminded of the haunted looks he'd occasionally glimpse around Headquarters when he'd studied there, Neji understood what Gai was trying to say. He couldn't guarantee he wouldn't ever look like that, but he had the strength and conviction to follow through with this path, to endure.

A pale hand touched Gai's shoulder in a brief measure of reassurance before it fell away.

"I'll remember," he promised with a barely-there smile, then raised his voice to a relatively normal volume in an effort to allay any suspicion about their sudden low tones. Sounding a little haughty, but warm. "And stop acting like you won't be there to drag me back if necessary."

Edited 2014-04-21 09:00 (UTC)

Gai appreciated that fleeting gesture of Neji's hand on his shoulder. It felt like a ghost touch even after the hand dropped away and reminded him that of all his students, Neji was often the first to understand and generally saw the deepest.

"I hardly think you can get rid of me, Neji," Gai teased merrily and with a broad grin. Deep down, he wasn't so sure. He had already dealt with his fair share of ANBU members and their PTSD, their darkness, their loss of humanity and recovery. He wasn't sure he could go through that again, least of all watching his student--his precious little Neji--fall down that path. He looked into Neij's pale, bright eyes and tried to fix in his mind this image, this Neji. The one yet untarnished by war, by assassinations and dark, clandestine deeds done in the name of Duty. How he wanted to preserve this Neji forever, safely here in Konoha's library where these books were still filled with his dreams and not yet his nightmares. But...no, he understood. Neji needed to do this.

So, as long as Gai was alive, he would never stop fighting for his students.

"When did you last eat? Come!" he slapped Neji's knee in a declarative gesture and stood. "I shall treat you to lunch!"

Neji's smile was a tepid thing in contrast to Gai's bright, blinding grin, but the pause of those dark, searching eyes to his told him of his mentor's lingering concern. He held the man's gaze with an opaque stare that most found discomforting on varying levels, but never seemed to affect Gai.

It was broken by a return to what passed for normal to those that knew Gai, but the others in the library were steadily making their irritation known through sharp, cutting glances. Glares that had fallen to him once they'd gone completely unnoticed by the actual offender. And lunch was as good of an excuse as any to get Gai out of the library, so Neji stood and rolled up the scrolls, stacking the books nearby. He'd leave them there and return later- or tomorrow if Gai managed to side-track him for the rest of the day. He did need to bring up that other part of his training after all..

"Sounds good, Gai-sensei," he said neutrally, tipping his head at the librarian behind the desk to silently let her know that yes, they were going and he'd be back later. Neji smoothed his hands down his front to briefly iron out any errant wrinkles, and moved for the entrance.

"Let's go, then."

Edited 2014-04-22 06:03 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[OPEN]

The 8th over here

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April 12th

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how about the 11th? Are you free to be harassed the 11th?

Always free to be harassed :D unless on a mission

You are opening Neji up to a lot of harassment, or a wish for a lot of missions

I firmly believe Neji harassment is good for his well-being

Yes, but does he?

Nope. But no one should listen to Neji

I shall remember that for the future...

His life is beautiful suffering~