Fated

[openedthebasket]

You deserved to die.

The piece of paper was snatched out of the air before it could hit his face, leaving him pausing and frowning down at it with a sudden chill. Where could it have come from? A moment as he formed the seals to activate his Byakugan, but -- no one to be seen who could have tossed this at him. Troubling, somewhat cruel, but seeing as how he could see other papers drifting to the ground before other people...? Hardly something to be concerned about, lest this were another seal of some kind.

Still, he couldn't let it fall, running a thumb over it before letting it slip into his pocket. It hadn't been much more than another few steps when a second paper fell, snatched before it could land on his shoulder.

You deserved to die.

Comments

[openedthebasket]

He only could hum quietly in agreement, a hand brushing against the small of Sasuke's back before he took a step backwards. "I do not wish to be in the way, should the two of you choose to do-- anything."

Maybe now he's wishing he hadn't been quite so hostile to Tenten. Her advice right now would be sorely appreciated.

[perfectcosmos]

"That doesn't mean we can't all do something Neji. We don't have to all be together at once, and we don't all have to be separate pairs, right?" She paused a beat, smile turning a tad wry. "Especially since I bet you two are a bit more involved than anything I've done."

[guiltoftruth]

Sasuke stiffened, but the fact that she had probably spoke miles about Ino's guess being on mark. It was only once but...

[openedthebasket]

Neji stiffened as well, clearing his throat and glancing away. "In any case, I..." An exhale as he finally left what shreds of propriety he could behind. "I am willing to do as you both think best. In any situation of this nature."

[perfectcosmos]

Ino sighed, realizing the poor boy didn't quite grasp the mechanics here, and she leaned up, kissing him this time.

[guiltoftruth]

She blinked at Ino when she did that before sighing, leaning in and leaning on Ino while she kissed Neji. Part of her felt a little possessive and wanted to pull her off of him but... She'd get over it.

[openedthebasket]

He froze, unsure whether to return the kiss, incredibly aware of Sasuke's presence. This was improper, but... He raised a hand, just gently cupping Ino's cheek as he returned the kiss for a brief moment before pulling back, glancing to Sasuke again in unspoken question.

[perfectcosmos]

"Now." She looked to Sasuke too. "Are you okay with that? I know you're okay with me, but are you okay with us all being an us?"

[guiltoftruth]

"I came to Neji with this. I'm fine," She nodded, determined and telling herself that it could work.

Even if she was still kind of jealous.

[openedthebasket]

"Sasuke..." His eyes flicked over her face, measuring her body language and what little he could read, before he reached up with his other hand to brush his fingers over her cheek as well, at a loss as to how to properly communicate his feelings.

[perfectcosmos]

Ino gave the other girl a wry smile. "I'll just have to figure out how to make you happy then huh?"

[guiltoftruth]

She didn't know how to take that smile or Neji's touch at the time, caught a little off guard but nodding all the same. It was definitely going to take some getting used to... But she'd try. She cared for both of them so it'd be worth it.

[openedthebasket]

He... truly didn't know what to do. This was hardly something he could draw on tradition for, and asking Tenten was rather out of the question. He flicked his eyes toward Ino in an unspoken gesture for help.

[perfectcosmos]

"Good! Now, have you two eaten? If not how about I make you dinner?"

[guiltoftruth]

"... We left the restaurant before ordering anything," So that would be a no.

[openedthebasket]

He just nodded his agreement with Sasuke, lowering his hands and taking an uncertain step back. "I could assist you, if you would permit."

[perfectcosmos]

"I would love if we all cooked something together." She took one of their hands each and started backing toward the stairs.

[guiltoftruth]

She nodded, following and a little flushed before she walked a bit faster to keep up with Ino, "I don't mind."

[openedthebasket]

"Then that we shall do." He nodded in agreement, allowing her to take his hand and following without resistance.

[perfectcosmos]

Ino pulled Sasuke closer as she headed up the stairs, making a line straight for the kitchen.

[guiltoftruth]

She let herself be led, finally walking into the kitchen a little ahead of Ino before looking over her shoulder at the two, "What did you have in mind?"

[openedthebasket]

He glanced around the kitchen before answering quietly, "Something with tomatoes and noodles wouldn't be objectionable."

[perfectcosmos]

Ino laughed softly. "We have the noodles for him and the tomatoes for us. We can do something good with that, mm?"

[guiltoftruth]

"... We can," She nodded, making her way to the fridge to grab the latter ingredient before she started looking around, "What spices do you have, Ino?"

[openedthebasket]

Was it cheating to use the Byakugan to find where Ino kept her things? A beat as he activated it, scanning her cupboards before releasing it to reach up and grab them. "Spices are over there," he pointed out, gesturing to where he'd seen them.