one_long_mission

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If this, then, was home, then for some, it was the only thing they knew.

For one teen girl, the life of a shinobi was all she truly knew. Her mother had died not long after giving birth to her, and her uncle and rest of family did not exactly approve of her suddenly being thrust upon them. Neji was somehow less than their own flesh and blood, and chafed under her reduced station.

If there were a way out, she would take it. As long as she did not dishonor her mother's name, she would take it.

Today was an uncharacteristically peaceful day as she sat atop one of the many tree branches around Michi no Sato. Border guarding was vital, if uninteresting. At the sound of approaching footsteps, she tilted her head; the direction was from the village itself. Likely no threat.

If they wanted her attention, they would request it; if they continued walking, she would have them halt to learn their purpose.

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"Tell me then. What would you do, in my place?" he asked in a low voice.

"Whatever I wished to do," she answered simply, fingers splaying open atop the table before elaborating, "With your freedom, I might... travel, perhaps. An extended scouting mission for the village, attempt to find what else may be out there for me. Perhaps rebuild the clan anew, in time."

Well, he couldn't say there was nothing out there for him, could he? "They wouldn't object to scouting... but if it's just me..?" they certainly would. There is no way a single shinobi can go by himself unless they are highly trusted. "My level isn't high enough."

there was a pause. "..rebuilding.. my clan.. might definitely be an option, but it involves much support."

"Accompanied by a partner, perhaps," she suggested quietly. Had she been able to see, her gaze would have been downcast to the table. "Even still, I must admit that I envy your freedom."

She tilted her head again at the mention of his clan, humming softly in acknowledgement. She would support him how she could in such an endeavor, but she had already assured him of such previously. There was no need to reiterate it. "You would do so within this village?"

"..and there is but one partner I can trust." he gave a light chuckle. "I can see why you'd want... freedom too. This whole place outside sure feels oppressive." he shuddered lightly before claiming some tea.

"There were many things, within this temple, and I still have much to explore within that tome I brought back, but... here seems to be the best place... for the phoenix to rise from its ashes..."

Her cheeks flushed lightly, fingertips gently rubbing at the table in something that was almost a nervous gesture. Perhaps it was the lack of her own vision, but she felt hyper-aware of what had to be his stare on her.

As soon as she realized she was fidgeting, she stopped immediately. "I am honored, she answered quietly, tilting her head as if to indicate the entire space. "But this is where I am bound. Would that I could be... But if I am bound to this family, I would never have such an opportunity to stray so far."

A small smile graced her lips. "Though I look forward to seeing just what does rise from the ashes."

"I see..." so then... she -was- indeed bound that strongly. He claimed a deep breath. He could only hope to either be granted the permission to go alone.. or find someone else he could trust. "This is all in a far future, however. First, there is an advancing foe to take care of." and by his tone, he was ready to face them. A full night of rest had done wonders, unplagued by nightmares.

"I will not repeat the mistake they did..."

"Indeed." It was far easier to only agree with him. The traitorous thought, that if she were to come to be bound to another family passed through her mind only long enough to bring a flush to her cheeks before she quickly shoved it away.

"When battle comes, the village will be ready."

"Hopefully they'll remember who to thank." then again, aside from reports and getting the money for missions handed in? It was a thankless job. "A force like this... to think they were waiting for even more, with an advance force to see our inner defenses? This could have gotten really ugly, really quick."

There was a strange inflection to his voice then. "Why don't they use Hyuuga as scouts more often anyway?"

"Hyuuga tend not to leave our borders." She exhaled through her nose, fingers of one hand touching the bandages covering her temple. "Our bloodline is still developing. Who knows how far it will go in the future...? For now, best to keep ourselves safe, within the confines of our village."

There was a curious edge to her voice then, something not quite like bitterness, but close to it. "They fight to protect not only the village, but also themselves and their future."

"Still developing... right." Well, he couldn't say much else. From his reports, these eyes were perfect for scouting and doing it without detection.

...and yet the clan heads were being foolish, overprotective. He claimed a deep breath, feeling his temper flare again.
What kind of village was this, to not use its strengths to its fullest? He was not bound here, but he was not exactly looking to leave. "I suppose the future will tell then..."

"In a manner of speaking." Her fingers lingered over the bandages a moment longer before she dropped her hand, expression fading into an impassive frown. "Keeping the bloodline pure is the most important thing, to them."

Not that she agreed with it. She wanted to be of service to the people who gave a damn, to the village. To Sasuke.

She turned her head toward him and added, "Indeed it will. It is one I hope to see... while standing beside you."

"Keeping a bloodline pure?" he sounded incredulous, and then laughed. And laughed. "That isn't even an option I have! I -am- the last." so basically, he gets to make his own rules if he even wants. "And whoever tells me there -is- a way, if it's the way I think, I'll kick their asses to the moon since it's thoroughly disgusting."

He sipped the last of the tea and placed the cup down. "...strange... how bleak your future sounds, and yet, mine is.... the opposite after its darkest hour."

She flinched at the unexpected sound of laughter, expression drawing slightly pinched and defensive. Perhaps it was not the most intelligent or noble of sentiments, but it was still the one she had been raised with, and she didn't appreciate being laughed at!

"It is the way of the Hyuuga," she answered stiffly, fingers falling to her knees and clutching the fabric there. "Though perhaps your clan in the future will be able to avoid such methods."

He had not laughed at her or her clan though... but at his own situation. His bloodline could not be pure from now on.

"...whatever was the way of the Uchiha anyway, it doesn't matter now." he would make the rules.. all by himself. "It isn't ideal for children of a same parent to procreate either way, so there will need to be at least two dillutions, and even then..." he gave a sigh.

This... was not a future. "There's no sense in making my children share my fate."

Had she been able to see his face, she would likely have not made the same kind of misunderstanding, but she still tilted her head, expression staying warily defensive.

Best to switch to follow his topic. "And to which fate do you refer...?"

"...the one of being forced to rebuild a clan." he murmured. "They shouldn't have... to worry about any proper way, about having to build their lives with a given predetermined person.."

"While you should?" Her brow furrowed again, hand touching near the corner of her eye again. "Sasuke... Do not trap yourself in a fate of your own making. You have the freedom I lack. Please do not waste it."

He gave a heavy sigh. "I don't even know if I love anyone enough for that..." a pause. "You know, it,s been a few hours. You can try taking them off if you think it improved."

You do not have to was the obvious answer, but it wasn't her place to say so. A beat, then she brought a hand up to slowly unravel the bandages, keeping her eyes closed for another long moment before starting to crack them open.

She immediately hissed in pain at the comparative brightness, but held up a hand so Sasuke wouldn't think something was terribly wrong. "I can see... shapes," she answered finally, after she had given her eyes time to adjust. "The outlines are hazy, yet I am well enough to function on my own, should have you have other responsibilities."

As much as she wanted to hope that he wouldn't leave her here, now that she had had a taste of the freedom of staying elsewhere for a night... she could hardly force him to stay any more than she could easily leave.

"I don't have other responsibilities... or at least, not ones that I care to go to now." besides, should he be summoned for battle, he could be found. Besides, he did not think shapes and hazy outlines was good enough yet. "..unless you're tired of my company."

"I am not." She wrapped the bandage around her eyes again and rose to her feet. "The only thing I would be able to do in this condition is meditate, and that can be done at any time."

A beat of hesitation. "I apologize for being a poor host."

"I wasn't entirely that great either... never had much practice." he snorted. "Goes for both of us, doesn't it?" he tried to forget how much they had in common.

"I have been trained for such things. To be a proper wife for them to give away, someday," she shook her head and let her palms rest on the table, though her lips quirked into a soft smile. "Please do not take offense, but when I am with you, I do not feel the need to be so formal as I have been trained to be."

"Taking offense? I wouldn't After all, if it's less a burden... you can be natural." he murmured. "I'll never say anything against it." he gave the lightest of smiles.

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