[Letters]

[fire_fox]

They died because of you.

It was lying innocently on the desk in her room, window open and making other papers on the table flutter softly and then fall on ground.

Naruto was nowhere in sight.


Scenarios:

a)Sitting on the rooftop of Mikoto-san's house, Naruto stared at the village below her and let out a shaky breath. That's not true... right? They can't be dead... not because of her. She will protect them all so they will not die! A small, choked sob escaped her before she buried head into her hands.

b)Naruto dashed madly through the people on the open market. She had to get away. Somewhere... somewhere to clear her mind. With bag slung over her back, she tried to reach the exit of the village while not being noticed by anyone... well anyone she knew. She can't look them in the eye now...

Comments

[fire_fox]

She sighed:"I am trying to tell myself that too but... but it doesn't feels that way." She looked up at him:"How can I be sure that it is not true?"

[openedthebasket]

"Because were someone to choose to give his life, he would not wish you to shoulder the guilt for his own decision." His words were firm, then, as he approached the edge of the roof, ready to jump down. "He would not wish to see you cry, or cause you pain."

[fire_fox]

She stood up and followed him, with firm look on her face:"But you would still have to live with it." She sighed and slid next to him.

"I don't want anyone dead, dattebane. Anyone..." it was impossible, she knew that. But it still didn't change the fact that it hurt. And was it only her or did Neji sounded as if he knew someone who died for her already?

...probably just imagining things. He's speaking in general.

[openedthebasket]

It seemed a bit too dark to say but the aforementioned person wouldn't, and inside just shook his head. "Then you will do as you have always done, and protect those... closest to you. As they will do for you. That is what a comrade is, Naruto."

[fire_fox]

She gave him a pout:"I... I know that, dattebane. I will always be there to protect everyone- that goes without saying." But how to explain and admit that she is scared losing anyone close to her? That note... she really hoped that it was just a quirk of the village and that everything... that everything is fine.

[openedthebasket]

"Please, pay that note no mind, Naruto." Just briefly, he let his hand touch her shoulder, swallowing hard at the memory of her skin, her touch, the way her smile had turned on him...

"You are strong and determined. Certainly nothing can happen that is not your will."

[fire_fox]

She sighed heavily:"I am trying not to... it's hard though, dattebane." She wondered how Neji always found right words to use. She was always clumsy with stuff like that and just talked- speaking whatever comes to her mind.

She gave him a smile:"Thanks a lot."

[openedthebasket]

He closed his eyes and bowed his head at her smile, just gesturing to the ground. "Please... come down from the roof?"

[fire_fox]

"Ah yes, let's go. Are you..." she blinked, slightly confused, "...are you okay, 'tebbane?" Did she say something wrong?

[openedthebasket]

"Fine," he answered shortly, not trusting himself to speak much more than that as he leapt down from the roof, catching himself easily. "Come, let's get you inside."

[fire_fox]

She scowled a bit but shrugged anyway, still feeling as if she missed something important right now. It was that bad vibe again.

She jumped down from the roof, dusting off her clothes and fixing hair. "...that crying kind of made me hungry, 'tebbane... Let's go get something to eat!" She threw hands in the air and grabbed Neji for the sleeve, tugging him with her.

[openedthebasket]

Being tugged, as if nothing had changed between them...

It was a smooth, quick motion to rotate his arm and shoulder, tugging his sleeve out of her grasp. "I am sorry, but I have an prior obligation," he answered, inclining his head. "Perhaps another time, Naruto."