one_long_mission

"No." he protested at the last part. "We both know that not 'any' villager would have gone so far as to get the necessary papers to scout with someone of their choosing..." and that last part she would relate to in a way. "...and I can count the number of people who would have gone against a chakra beast instead of running on the fingers of on hand."

The Hyuuga were, after all, more liked than the Uchiha. Sasuke had never made much of any friends, being so cold and distant, focused on the issues this country had.
"...but we're both safe and relatively uninjured." aside from eye strain, which he knew he had a part in. She had probably never used her byakugan so extensively without proper rest.

"...is it feeling better today?" he inquired, light concern marring his voice. "I mean, your eyes."

"Had I not retrieved the papers, you would have gone regardless. I would not see you receive the stigma that would occur as a result."

She went still at the mention of her eyes and finally shifted to sit up, bring both hands to her head. There was a bandage around her forehead, as always, but the one she removed was the one around her eyes. A few cautious blinks as she looked to Sasuke, then shook her head. "It is still far too blurry." Perhaps the tone of frustration in her voice could be excused as she sat up further and let the bandage drop to her lap, both hands coming up to massage the sore areas. Even without being able to see it, she almost fancied she could feel the irritation of those larger Chakra channels built to funnel Chakra to her eyes.

"It is rather painful still."

He shifted o sit up then, and gently pushed her hands away, wordlessly starting to massage from her temples to the sides of her face, where he would see the visible veins when the byakugan was active. It may not help much, but he was certain it could not do any wrong.

"Relax..." he murmured, voice close to her left ear. "..they did say it would be a while." he reminded her.

"M-mm," she agreed quietly, not daring to nod as she went stiff with the touch near her eyes. She'd almost flinched away but... it was Sasuke, and she knew that right now she trusted him more than anyone.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned slightly forward, shivering lightly from his voice near her ear as she felt some of the soreness start to melt away beneath the warmth of his touch. "...Thank you."

"..shh.." he continued massaging gently. "It's all right. Take your time and heal properly." the least he could do was shield her from that family he had never fully trusted to be good individuals.

The Hyuuga and Uchiha, he knew, had been in positions of power in town, but the fire ravaging the part of town where the Uchiha housings were had eradicated the Uchiha, and now the Hyuuga were the main force in Michi, the one everyone relied up.

When he had finished, he got out to fetch clean bandages and carefully worked them around her eyes. "I'll put the cloth back on in case even indirect light might not be good."

She only leaned further into his hands at the gentle touch. Something like this almost felt more intimate than sleeping together, what with the closeness to her eyes and the vulnerability of allowing someone else to touch those veins, so crucial to her bloodline.

Neji remained still as the bandage went back around them, making sure her hair didn't get caught in it. "Thank you," she repeated again, listening for the sound of him breathing and reaching out to just lightly touch his cheek with her fingertips.

"Miso soup and rice balls sounds fine?" he inquired, slowly getting out of bed. He searched for another robe to wear, this one simply ornated with large red and white threads an its sleeves and lower trim, sporting the Uchiha crest upon its back, as with all its wardrobe. He would need his previous garment fixed although it was no hurry. He felt it had been the best option to ruin it and provide her eyes cover from the sun in the trip back home, even if she spent most of it asleep... or unconscious.

"I don't have any pickled vegetables though. Sorry."

"That is fine, yes, thank you. I can provide compensation for the meals you have given me so far." She her hands up to make sure the bandage was securely in place, letting her own fingertips brush over her skin as she fancied she could still feel his warmth near her eyes, before she rolled out of bed and adjusted her borrowed robe more securely.

"Though I'm afraid I should not impose too long, I... my things are at my home, and wearing the same clothing several days in a row is never something I enjoy."

"I can wash it." he recalled her saying she would rather not go there, after all. "Unless you think that's imposing." he donned his two belts, still wearing his blade unsealed, the tome he had taken from the temple still stored inside the belt's seal.
"As for compensation, it's only meals, really." and he needed no compensation at all, he seemed to say.

"It would be an imposition on you," she pointed out, one hand holding her robe closed as she followed the sound of his voice to approach, one hand extended to map the lay of his room.

"I... am fine to return. I am certain you have your own duties to return to, Sasuke."

"...right. It isn't that much trouble to have something washed, but... since you insist." after all, he knew when arguing was pointless. He would have at least saved her a full day of being shamed by her extended family, right?

"My duties are similar to yours. I protect this village." Strangely enough, before he went on his quest, he had held a different speech, had he not...?

She tilted her head toward where she thought his face to be, wishing yet again that she could read his expression. That was certainly different from before...

"Would you be so kind as to escort me to the compound itself?" she asked quietly, moving forward with one hand still outstretched to find the doorknob. One hand against the wall, she started toward the bathroom to retrieve her clothes from before.

"I will.. after breakfast." he pointed out, headed towards the kitchen to prepare the soup and riceballs. The miso soup was a simple affair, with tofu and seaweed in it.

He could already imagine the looks on their faces. An Uchiha guiding a Hyuuga. "You have no one you trust to come fetch you? I could contact them if it'd make it easier."

She nodded in agreement, breaking away to dress herself before making her way back to the kitchen. It was odd how she was starting to familiarize herself with the layout, even though she couldn't see it at all...

When she reentered the kitchen, she answered, "There is no one I wish to contact, no."

Well, it was worth it to ask, regardless. "It'll be ready in a few minutes... Want tea, or you'd rather have orange juice?"

After, as promised, a few minutes, the appropriate drink was served and the food ready. "Ugh.. Careful.. it's hotter than I thought still." he gave a light hiss, having almost burned his tongue.
The rest of the meal was spent in relative silence. After all, he knew she wanted to make her way back to the compound...

"Tea, please."

She exhaled and moved across the kitchen with surer steps, remembering exactly how far it had been to the table from where she was. Huffing through her nose at the warning, she just shook her head and blew carefully on her mouthful before starting to eat, in no particular hurry to return, though she said she had to.

"...Will you be alright, on your own?"

Perhaps a question better suited for him to be asking her, but she was referring to his nightmares.

She had spent three nights with him in the wild, and one here. She could deduct...

He did not need, nor wish to answer the question. "Will you?" he returned it instead... just because he didn't wish to stay silent.

"I am accustomed to being alone in my own home, and I know where all my things are." She nodded once, holding her teacup and taking a small sip. "My... eyes will not be a problem there."

She paused for a breath, face toward the table as she mentioned, "If you would like to accompany me within the borders of the compound, I would not object."

Well, that sure made him glad his mouth wasn't full, he would have choked to his death in shock.
"You wouldn't object, but I can think of a lotta others that would." these Uchiha-Hyuuga relations were very much strained, and with their eyes, they could undoubtedly see that strange purple chakra flowing thinly into him.

"I am already considered lower than the lowest Hyuuga." She lifted her head, and if there hadn't been a bandage covering her eyes, she'd have fixed him with a piercing stare. "They may object all they like, yet I am still the one in possession of my mother's house. They will not dare do anything against you."

Lower than the lowest.... In his case, he had no one to consider him.

"That settles that. So we can grate on their nerves all we like? I might enjoy that." he gave a light snicker.

She nodded, and in spite of herself, a bit of a smile crossed her lips. These little acts of defiance against her family...

Neji could get used to this.

She's finished with her own breakfast, though she has no way of knowing when Sasuke is, so she just waits, fingers around her teacup.

"I think just me being there is going to seriously tickle at their territorial property." he finished his own tea, gulped down the rest of his soup and collected the empty plates and cups.

"All right. ready?" and since she was, he would waste no time in leading her back to he compound. Of course, he made certain to also take his blade along in case he was needed to join the fray.

She spent the walk over listening more than speaking, trying to hear the bustle of a village preparing for impending assault. Had her eyes been back to top form, she would doubtless have been one of them, using the opportunity to escape her compound. But with Sasuke here...?

She raised her chin high as they entered the grounds. Though she could not see, as soon as she was informed she was beyond the main gate, it was her leading Sasuke forward. Whether her clan members were walking around outside or within their own homes, she could almost feel their stares on her -- more likely, on the Uchiha behind her -- but she paid it little attention, steps as sure as if she could see.

She led him to a small house in the very back of the compound, the edge of what was considered Hyuuga property, and unlocked the door. It was a small, traditional home, and yet far too large for one person. It was obvious a family had been meant to live there, and yet now it was only her.

"Make yourself comfortable," she murmured, closing the door with a decided click behind her. The air within the compound might be more oppressive than elsewhere in the village, but here in this house... this was home. There was little in the way of decor; a few paintings of birds and landscapes against bare walls. She slipped her sandals off to walk across the bare floor, past a low traditional table with a single cushion set for eating, past the couch, to enter her own room.

That's when she tilted her head, listening to see where she'd left Sasuke. Had he followed her here?

When she switched to lead him, he had to admit he was impressed. She apparently did not even need to see to get to her home, and was able to tell exactly how many paces away the door was. Amazing!

The stares he received were sent right back. He may never be able to read feelings or intent as clearly as those with the byakugan, but these people weren't hiding much.

His home was small because he had moved away, not about to inhabit a burned ruin. This house, however... He knew little of Hyuuga history, but he could guess. He made himself as home as she requested, taking off his sandals. He stopped following once it was clear this was her room, and went back to inspect the paintings.

He knew.. not one of those outside would ever have done any of what she did for him. "I almost told'em the autograph session was later, but I didn't want em to be too disappointed."

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