[OPEN] Body Snatchers

[openedthebasket]

Curious, these pieces of paper. He was reluctant to touch them, but they appeared harmless enough, even as he surveyed them with his Byakugan. Perhaps a child had been overly excited for Tanabata?

In spite of his own foreboding, he bent to pick up an ivory-white one, turning it over between his fingers. Strange...

<img src="LINK">

Comments

[perfectcosmos]

"I can see the benefits." She gave him an impish smile. "But I'm behaving, even if I don't know how long this will last."

[openedthebasket]

"What benefits are those?"

[perfectcosmos]

"You can't tell me you've never once been curious about what it's like to be the opposite gender."

[openedthebasket]

His response is flat and immediate. "No."

But now she's put the idea in his head...

[perfectcosmos]

"Never ever?" She leaned in, peering into his eyes.

[openedthebasket]

His cheeks started to flush from the proximity, not used to being the one looking up, and hardly at his own eyes.

"Never."

[perfectcosmos]

"But you're thinking about it now, right?"

[openedthebasket]

He didn't deign to answer that, staring up at her as if challenging her to do something.

[perfectcosmos]

"If you keep making that face I'll do something Neji."

[openedthebasket]

His jaw tightened, then he turned and glanced elsewhere with a 'hmph.' "It would be best if you did not."

[perfectcosmos]

There was a beat of pause... then a sigh. "...Right. Of course it would."

[openedthebasket]

His own eyes closed as he kept his face turned away. "I am sorry..." he murmured, glancing back and reaching up to just gently touch his hand to her shoulder. "I am... unfair and callous to you."

[perfectcosmos]

She rested her hand over his with another sigh. "It's fine Neji. You need time before even teasing would be taken well, right?"

[openedthebasket]

He couldn't answer that himself, only bowing his head and avoiding her eyes. "I do not mean to put you in such a position, Ino. You deserve better than I can offer you right now."

[perfectcosmos]

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "It's alright Neji, I'm patient, remember?"

A moment later, and there was a dizzying sensation of being rather more forcefully than she was used to returned to her body.

[openedthebasket]

His eyes opened wide, first at the unexpected kiss, then the sharp jerk as he suddenly felt himself thrust into his own body. A hand reached out to grab her shoulder tightly, whether to support her or himself, he couldn't be sure. Once he was fully aware, it was his lips pressed to her cheek, and he drew back, glancing away.

"You should not let me hold you back," he murmured after a moment, choosing not to question the abrupt return.

[perfectcosmos]

She smiled up at him, then threw her arms around him. "How could that possibly be holding me back?"

[openedthebasket]

He stood there with both hands out at his sides, not certain what to do in the face of her hug. "By focusing your attention on me..." Neji just sighed and shook his head, though one hand came to rest between her shoulder blades.

[perfectcosmos]

"I'm not losing anything by doing so."

[openedthebasket]

"Yet you cannot be certain you are gaining anything, either." He sighed and shook his head, only gently letting a hand rest between her shoulder blades.

[perfectcosmos]

"Don't be silly Neji, I have a good friend, what more could I possibly ask for, mm?"

[openedthebasket]

He relaxed a fraction, hand firming against her back. "Yes... And that means more to me than many would realize."

[perfectcosmos]

She gave him a tight squeeze. "Right. I'm not going anywhere."

[openedthebasket]

His voice was soft as he just let himself hold her. "Thank you, Ino."

[perfectcosmos]

"You're always welcome Neji. Promise." She just leaned into it, content to support him how she could at the moment.