[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

whoops a)

[openedthebasket]

He had thought it to be just another day -- a day to train with Lee, to teach the Uchiha children, perhaps to find some time for himself to perhaps purchase some tea or something of the like. Instead, as he exited the house, there was someone there. A familiar presence, one he had finally given up searching for.

He turned slowly and just looked up at her, lips parting in visible surprise. "...Naruto...?"

[fire_fox]

She hiccuped and pulled away from her hands, rubbing her eyes. She's acting stupid. What kind of a kunoichi she is if she's crying over a prank?...Cruel prank, but prank nonetheless.

It was prank, right? She pulled them all the time too! She stood up and leaned against chimney, slightly wobbly. She should get down and just go on with what she was doing

...and then memory of what it was written on paper made her break into another onslaught of tears, making her slide dangerously since she's not paying any attention or using chakra to stand.

[openedthebasket]

She wouldn't have had the time to fall, anyway -- as soon as she wobbled, Neji was on the move, all that vaunted speed from being a member of Team Gai bringing him to the roof to take her arm, heart pounding in his throat.

"Naruto...? It is...?"

[fire_fox]

To say she was surprised at the sudden grab was understatement. She gasped and really lost her balance, but both Neji's grip and (finally) remembering to use chakra in her feet, got her steady.

"Ne-Neji? What are you--?" Crap. She hoped that no one would see her in this state, with eyes red and cheeks wet from tears. Tough luck.

[openedthebasket]

What was he supposed to say...? After all this time, was it truly her? He had given up hope completely, but now...

He shifted his sleeve to cover his fingers to lightly wipe at her tears, feeling his heart aching as he did. "Naruto... I had thought you gone."

[fire_fox]

That gesture... it was so familiar but she wasn't sure why. This is Neji. And what did he mean by 'gone'?
"B-But Neji, I never left." Something's missing here, or at least that's how she feels at the moment. It's as if something very important is slipping out of her grasp.

"What are you..." she glanced nervously at his hand then back at him. Did he... did he also... Stop it Naruto! Neji can't die so easily.

[openedthebasket]

He drew his hand back when she didn't pursue it, lip firming even as he felt something within him starting to crumple all over again. She didn't... whether it was her, or another her, or if she had only forgotten...

It took all of his self-control to smooth his face into its customary impassiveness. Voice short, he took a step back to a more proper distance and asked, "Please, forgive me. What is troubling you, Naruto?"

[fire_fox]

She waved her hand, rubbing her cheek and eye again:"No it's fine... fine, 'tebbane." She sniffed slightly and rubbed back of her neck.

"And i-it's nothing. Just some really mean prank, 'tebbane," she tried to laugh it off, but she didn't meet his eyes. She just couldn't do it for some reason. She tired to fix herself:"So-sorry that you had to see me like this. I am not usually..." crying "...this bothered and all."

[openedthebasket]

"What kind of prank could have inspired a reaction such as this?" The question he truly wished to ask was who had hurt you and how close to death shall I bring them, but he forced those thoughts away. They were meant for... another woman, someone he had thought he had loved. Perhaps it had been admiration that he had mistaken for love, or respect, or thankfulness, but it had no bearing on the woman before him now. He would not allow himself to project upon her that way.

[fire_fox]

She mumbled quietly:"Someone... someone left really mean note in my room downstairs, 'tebbane. I know it's a prank but it didn't have to be--" that mean! She hiccuped and then pressed hand to her lips to stop any other embarrassing hiccups.

[openedthebasket]

So she was in that room. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a breath, centering himself. The same woman, then, but she did not remember him...

In some ways, that was for the best, but in others...? It hurt, taking all of his willpower not to show it on his face. "I am certain it is merely another... trick of this village," he said finally, folding his hands within his sleeves and exhaling again. "Please, pay it no mind. Whatever the note said, I am certain it is not true."

[fire_fox]

She shook her head:"E-Easier said than done. Especially if..." if it was true. After all, how many people died because she didn't finish her training on time and stopped Pain from blowing up the village?

She hiccuped again and blushed- damn it was embarrassing. Note to self- never, ever to cry this much again.

[openedthebasket]

"What did it say...?" He looked to her for another moment, then closed his eyes and shook his head. "If you do not wish to speak of it, that is your prerogative. Please, why don't you come down from the roof, and have a cup of tea."

Even speaking hurt like this, knowing what he knew, what he was not about to tell her. What right did he truly have...?

[fire_fox]

She moved back up against the chimney again, shaking her head. "I... it said: 'they died b-because of you...' " she hiccuped again as she shuddered, trying to keep back the tears. "I... I can't go down. I can't..." look anyone in the eye.

She crouched again, leaning forehead on her knees. She needed a moment to calm down again. Why was this stupid prank affecting her this much?!

[openedthebasket]

...He could not have been more grateful that she had chosen that moment to rest her head against her knees instead of look to him, as a distinct flash of pain crossed his face before he hid it again. A breath of hesitation before he moved in close, eyes falling shut again. "You and I both know that is not true, Naruto. Please, take that note, and burn it."

[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."