[closed] Egotistic Darkness-Obsessed Lady Geniuses...

[boundgenius]

Neji still wasn't certain just what to make of the Uchiha rookie. To be sure, she was powerful, in definite need of an attitude adjustment. She would dearly like nothing more than to show this rookie just how far the differences in their power were...

But for the sake of the mission, she had kept herself relatively civil. Now that it was over, she was rather curious if she could keep her vaunted control long enough to return to the village without sealing a few of the other girl's Chakra points.

That said, Uchiha Sasuke was certainly worthy of the title of genius. For an Uchiha, that is. Neji respected her, to a point. Enough so that she was willing to engage in at least an attempt at conversation as she laid out her bedroll and finished making sure the campfire was small enough so the smoke wouldn't spread and give away their position.

"Tell me, do you know if you are to continue working with our team in the future?"

Comments

[boundgenius]

At the flash of metal, Neji's other hand had a kunai as well, ready to deflect or catch the other's weapon as need be. Instead, she only studied the younger girl's face, keeping her kunai out long enough for the other girl to see it, before slipping it away and shifting from a crouch to rest more comfortably on her knees.

"You were dreaming." She narrowed her gaze again and rested her hands on her upper thighs. "I can tell you wish to speak with someone, so, speak."

[guiltoftruth]

"... No. There isn't anything to talk about."

[boundgenius]

"You were dreaming of your brother."

Her gaze didn't waver as she studied the other girl's expression. "Of the destruction of your clan. You are distressed and in need of a person to speak with, that much is clear. Seeing as how there is no one else available, I will have to suffice."

[guiltoftruth]

She shook her head, keeping her gaze lowered as she caught her breath. She had even broken out into a cold sweat this time... She hated it when it happened in the middle of missions. Kakashi would usually bail her out for it but...

"There isn't anything to talk about, Neji. The only thing I can do about it is avenge them."

[boundgenius]

"And then your nightmares will stop? That does not help you right now, nor on missions in the future. Until your clan is avenged," she hesitated at that thought, stomach twisting with the reminder of the thought that it very well may have been her being the hunted for such a thing, "Then it will remain a problem."

A longer pause as Neji looked over the younger girl, then slowly, so Sasuke could see what it was she was doing, reached to touch her shoulder in what she had seen given before as a gesture of comfort. "You are not alone."

[guiltoftruth]

More than the hand on her shoulder, the words made her uneasy. She lifted her gaze to meet Neji's for a brief moment, unable to help the slight quiver beneath her shoulder before forcing herself to harden.

"I am."

[boundgenius]

"Perhaps when you return to Konoha, you will be." Neji didn't look away from the other girl's eyes, meeting them without difficulty. "At this present time, you have someone offering to listen. I suggest you take advantage of it now rather than only let it plague your dreams."

[guiltoftruth]

"... It's not something I like to talk about," She was murmuring when she said it, no longer meeting Neji's gaze as she sighed and made to slip back into the bed roll properly.

[boundgenius]

"For the moment, we are teammates. Will you be adequately rested to continue the mission if you do not?"

[guiltoftruth]

"I always am," Sasuke nodded as she turned her back, frowning at the trees before her when she did. Damn... It felt like the Hyuuga could see through her, and that was unnerving. She wanted her secrets - her burdens to remain hers alone. It was better that way, if only so that it would stop there from being any more pain than she was already feeling.

[boundgenius]

She only stared at her a moment longer then sharply shook her head. "Very well. I shall not be the one losing sleep over it."

[guiltoftruth]

"I'm not going to lose sleep over it," The words were murmured as she closed her eyes, sounding just a little annoyed when she did.

[boundgenius]

"You already have," she pointed out, returning her gaze to the other. "Darkness is difficult to walk through unaided."

[guiltoftruth]

"... It doesn't change the fact that the darkness is my burden alone to bear. No one else's."

[boundgenius]

She huffed through her nose -- a snort was too crude, even if she thought the sound more appropriate. "And you will permit no one to walk beside you as you bear it? How childish."