[Open] Momento Mori

[twinlionfists]

She had noticed the villagers running around preparing things for the past few days. Every time she attempted to speak to one of them about what was going on, however, they seemed to be too busy to answer her questions. Finally, she'd braved asking Kakashi-sensei's landlady—the owner of the bookstore—and was informed about the festival to honour the dead.

Hinata had quite a few dead to honour, here or not, and she purchased her own candles and some ingredients to make dishes to put before the shrine. It would be awkward since she didn't have any photographs of her mother and putting one of her cousin would seem a bit morbid, but she hoped that they would appreciate the thought anyway.

That was what counted, right?

Perhaps she wasn't the only one of the shinobi intent on doing so as well.

Comments

[openedthebasket]

"Of course." He fell silent himself, thoroughly occupied with his own movements for this ritual. He counted himself fortunate that at this point, the only one of his ancestors that he truly cared to honor.

Closing his eyes and bowing his head, he concentrated entirely on his prayer.

[twinlionfists]

When she was done, she contemplated leaving. She could tell that he wasn't comfortable around her and that saddened her. Perhaps she should return to the house and spend time with Naruto-kun and Kushina-nee-san. It would be easier than the distance that had grown between them.

However, that wasn't what she really wanted. So, instead, she waited until he was done praying and dove right in. "You have been avoiding my company, cousin."

[openedthebasket]

He was already still, and so could not still further as he opened his eyes, keeping his attention on the incense. There was no point in lying to someone with the Byakugan, even were he to desire to.

"Yes," he answered softly, hands flexing into open palms atop his knees. "Please forgive me. I... have not been myself."

[twinlionfists]

She sighed heavily. "Why?"

[openedthebasket]

"There has been... much on my mind, that I have had difficulty coming to terms with. I have been unfair to... many people in my life, recently. I will endeavor to change that. Hinata-sama."

[twinlionfists]

"And you feel that I am one of them? What is it that you could have done that you felt you could not speak to me, Neji-nii-san?" She closed her eyes on the hurt, burying the urge to cry like some weakling. "I cannot imagine you doing something so severe."

[openedthebasket]

"Please do not misunderstand." He looked to her then, expression unchanging as always, though he tried to convey his sincerity. "I appreciate your attention, but there are times in which I do better thinking by myself to reach the best conclusion. I have done so."

[twinlionfists]

"I understand needing time to one's self, cousin. If there was anyone here who did, I suppose it would be myself, no?"

[openedthebasket]

"Perhaps," he allowed, inclining his head again with a soft sigh. Gestures of affection were still rather foreign, but... a beat, then he reached up to just lightly touch her shoulder. "I have been remiss in my duties as your cousin. Please forgive me."

[twinlionfists]

"Neji-nii-san, you do not owe me some sort of fealty like the clan Elders seem to think that you should. All I have ever wanted from you was your companionship." She sighed heavily before patting his arm awkwardly. "I hope that whatever it was has been resolved."

[openedthebasket]

"That was not..." he almost protested, meeting her eyes with a small frown. "That was hardly what I intended to imply, Hinata-sama. And I believe..."

He closed his eyes at her touch, willing away other thoughts. "I believe that it has, yes."

[twinlionfists]

She pulled away from him with a weak smile, still hurt that there was something that had grown between them that she didn't understand. "I am glad."

[openedthebasket]

"Please do not be offended, Hinata-sama. It is not fault of your own." He reached out again, but stilled his fingers before he could touch her. "It is only... a weight of experience, compounded by problems of a... personal nature."

[twinlionfists]

She watched the way he hesitated to touch her again and to the conflicted tone he spoke with. "Is there nothing I can do to help, Neji-nii-san?"

[openedthebasket]

He looked to her for another long moment, at once grateful for, and loathing those eyes of his family. Secrets were not something he was to be permitted, it seemed. Instead, he scooted back slightly, shifted on his knees, and bowed, pressing his forehead to the ground. Something he had not been able to ask for then, and still could not truly do so now.

"I only ask that you forgive me. That is all."

[twinlionfists]

She eyed him curiously. This wasn't something that he'd done for years now. Not since after the chunin exams. Whatever he felt was wrong must have been important, but she had no idea what she could do to help.

Except give him what he was asking for. Which wasn't really an ordeal.

"Of course. Please, stop that now."

[openedthebasket]

"Of course." He shifted back to his knees, letting his hands rest on his thighs as he let those all-seeing eyes of his close. "I know I am not proficient at displaying such, but you are... a precious cousin, and an important comrade to me. I will endeavor to do nothing to cause you pain again."

[twinlionfists]

She smiled softly, letting a hand rest on his arm. "You are very precious to me as well, Neji-nii-san. Please, do not think otherwise."

[openedthebasket]

He dipped his head in a nod, eyes staying closed even at her touch. "In that case... I suppose I should tell you that one of the things on my mind is the matter of Uchiha Sasuke."

[twinlionfists]

"Please forgive me, but to which Uchiha Sasuke are you referring?"

[openedthebasket]

"Ah..." A pause as he contemplated that. "Not the one who is all but engaged to Naruto, but the other female. The one who has experienced more pain in her life than anyone can possibly deserve."

[twinlionfists]

She nodded to show that she was aware of whom he spoke. "I have seen her time to time as I am going to visit Itachi-san. What of her, Neji-nii-san?"

[openedthebasket]

He cleared his throat uncomfortably and stared elsewhere as he attempted to discern how to phrase it. "Due to... extenuating circumstances, we have become rather... close."

[twinlionfists]

She blinked a few times before a blush covered her cheeks. "Oh...Oh. Are...are you happy with her?"

[openedthebasket]

He closed his eyes, the smallest of smiles making his way to his face in spite of himself. "Yes. And perhaps more importantly, she is happy... to be with me."