"Come on, train with me" I said tugging Yuziko's arm
"I can't, I have a mission"
"But I have nothing to do"
"What no missions?"
"No" I frowned "nothing until my team gets back"
"Well consider yourself lucky, I have to go"
"Yeah alright" I sulked "good luck"
"If you want to train ask Lee or something" he called out
"I want to live through the training" I thought with a sigh
I walked around asking if anyone was free but they all seemed to have something to do but when I saw Sakura leaving the hospital I hoped that meant she was free for the day.
"Sorry I can't, Tsunade has me teaching some of the young medical ninja"
"And that's everyone" I sighed
"Why don't you as.."
"If you're going to say Lee don't"
"I was going to say Neji"
"Neji huh" I frowned
"Unless you would rather Lee" she said walking away
She was right, Neji would be a good training partner, he was hard and strict and he wouldn't make me walk around on my hands for hours on end. I found him in the same place he always was but today he was training alone. I had only just put my shoes back on and stood up when he stopped what he was doing and folded his arms.
"Do you need something?"
"Yes actually, I was wondering if you would like a training partner"
"You want to train with me?" he asked facing me "don't expect me to go easy on you"
"I wouldn't be here if I wanted something easy" I smirked
"We will begin then"
We had been training for over an hour but during the time something was bothering me, he wasn't going easy on me that much was certain but his attacks seemed more imperfect which just wasn't him. Neji calculated every attack, every move, that's why he was the genius but today his mind seemed to be somewhere, I still wasn't a match for him though, got a few hits sure but desecrated or not he was good.
I didn't mention anything, I thought maybe he was tired from his own training but when I got here Hiashi wasn't in sight and he wasn't refining his attacks, just attacking.
"Wait stop a second, time out" I called out jumping back
"What is it?"
"Are you ok? I mean has something happened?"
"You have barely touched me"
"No I mean you're acting different... you're attacks, even you're defence is flawed today, Neji if there's something bothering you then..."
"You call my attacks flawed" he huffed cutting me off
"No I just meant..."
"I'm done" he said walking away
"You're done? Why won't you talk to me?"
"Why won't you talk to me?" he said facing me once more
"What?"
"You have been avoiding me for no reason then you just come back? Make up your mind, do you want to stay or go?"
"Make up my mind?" I whispered lowering my head
Tears slowly started to fall to the ground below me, for years I have stood by his side unwavering, waiting for him to once and for all say what he wanted and yet...
"No" I whispered wiping my eyes "you're the one who..."
I lifted my head and walked closer towards him standing tall while my head screamed for me to shut my mouth.
"You're the one who needs to make up your mind Neji, the choice is yours; it always has been I thought a genius like you would have gotten that by now. So Neji, tell me, am I staying? Or is this goodbye?"
He didn't say a word, not a single thing and I couldn't stand the silence, one of us had to make a choice, right here and if he wasn't going to then there was only one thing to do.
"Goodbye Neji Hyuga" I whispered jumping up to the roofs
I managed to make it home before I completely broke down, the second I left, before that even, the second the words left my lips I regretted it all but there are some things in life you can never take back. I spent the better half of an hour crying then I switched to nearly destroying everything in my house and finally I shoved everything I could fit into my bag before walking out the door.
"Yuko, where are you going, I wasn't aware you had any missions today" Kotetsu said
"Oh I don't, my team isn't back until late morning tomorrow so I'm going to get some last minute training in before they return" I said with a smile "since they left all I've done is laze around so I'll see you guys tomorrow morning then"
"Oh, alright... take care"
With a wave I walked outside the village, after finding a place to set up I got to work training. I trained until my chakra and energy were completely gone; I spent that night collapsed on the ground fast sleep with only my hands for a pillow and my coat for a blanket. In the morning I was still tired, more drained than anything and sore all over, bruises were starting to show under the dried blood from many cuts. In all I was a mess.
The walk back to the village was long, I didn't realise how far I had gone but I only had one thing on my mind, a nice warm bath to soak in. by the time I got back to my place though I didn't really have time for that so after washing away the dry blood as best I could I got changed into clean clothing and was about to leave when there was a quiet knock at the door.
Whoever it was I didn't really have time for nor was I really in the mood for talking anyway so I decided to wait until they left. That didn't exactly work though.
"I know you're there" Neji called out
"Why did it have to be him?" I groaned silently
"Let me in"
There was a small chance that if I didn't he would just let himself in but either way I didn't want to face him so instead I went out my window hoping that I could get far enough away before he got out the building.
I had no idea if he was actually following me or not or why he was even there, I was actually beginning to feel rather foolish for running like that. What if he was just telling me the Hokage needed me? Or relaying a message from someone and I just ran away like a frightened child! But there wasn't much I could do about it now.
My team should be returning any time now so I headed towards the gate, once I got there I was informed they had arrived a few moments ago so then I went to the Hokage's office but I didn't see my team there. The sensei they left with was there but my students weren't.
"Ah Yuko good you're here" Tsunade said with a sigh
"Where is my team? They should be here... right?" I asked with a lump forming in my throat
"I'm sorry Yuko" Ren muttered rubbing the back of his head "there was nothing I could have done, honestly"
"What happened?" I asked with my voice breaking
"It happened on our way back... things were fine, mission was a success but... we heard a cry for help, you're students didn't hesitate to find whoever was calling. It was a lady, her child had fallen off the cliff and was only just hanging on, before I could say anything those three jumped into action. Koji pulled a rope out and Luna tied it around her waist, I couldn't reach her in time before she jumped from the edge. The boys tied the rope to a tree and kept a firm grip on it while Luna rescued the child. They were all amazing, how they worked together and so quickly. The boys where pulling them up when the cliff wall started to crumble, she used her body to shield the boy but was hurt"
"Is she ok? Please tell me Luna is ok" I shouted slamming my hands on the Hokage's desk
"She will be fine" Tsunade said looking up at me "she got a pretty nasty cut but give her a couple of days rest and she will be back on her feet"
"I'm sorry Yuko... I should have stepped in; I should have gone and helped her..."
"She's alright then?" I whispered standing up straight
"Koji and Neru wanted to stay with her at the hospital"
Without saying a word I left the building but I didn't get far until someone grabbed my wrist, I turned around to yell at them, now wasn't the time to stop me but Ren was standing there looking incredibly guilty still.
"I'm sorry... I ju..."
"It's ok" I cut in "she is safe and she saved a life"
"You're students... there strong and kind, they work together really good to"
"Thanks, look Ren these things happen so don't worry about it, if I was in your position I would have done the same. If you don't mind though I would like to go see my students"
"Of course" he said letting my wrist go
With a small smile and nod I was once again off. When I entered her room they were all sitting around laughing which put my mind at ease. I sat there talking with them for hours until Sakura kicked us out saying Luna needed rest, even though I'll admit the day hadn't been that good having my team back safe and sound made everything seem better.
"Yuko"
I was nearly home; the building was in sight when Neji called out behind me. I turned around to face him as he pushed himself away from the fence he was leaning on, every fibre told me to just get out of there but I couldn't run from him forever.
"Oh hello Neji, how are you this evening" I smiled
"I need to speak with you"
"Ok sure, do you need help with something? I can't really go on any missions right now, Luna is in hospital and I would like to stay near her"
"It's not a mission"
"Then I'd be happy to help out"
"Stop it" he hissed
"Eh?"
"Stop being so happy"
"Neji you're not making any sense, I can't be happy now"
"Is that how you really feel"
"Well sure, I mean why wouldn't I be happy? Anyway Neji if that's all you wanted I'm going to get some rest now"
"So you wanted to leave all along" he asked folding his arms
"So you wanted to talk about that then... I have told you countless times, shown you as best as I can and you think that I wanted to... idiot" I hissed turning away from him "how can you be so blind? You're meant to see everything right? Then why can't you see me?"
"I do see you, every time you hold my hand or lean on me I am happy, when you cook for me I savour every bite, when you sleep next to me I don't dare close my eyes in case you vanish. The best part of every day is when you're around"
"Neji" I whispered facing him "but you never said anything..."
"I always left you flowers when you were sick and Hinata's special ointment when you were hurt, gave you time to rest and took you're duties so you wouldn't be in trouble..."
"Wait" I said cutting him off "how was I supposed to know you did any of that?! You never once said anything! You never left a name or any clue that it was you so how was I meant to know!" I shouted
"Who else would it have been?"
"Who el... oh it doesn't matter" I sighed
"What?"
"Let's face it Neji, were we ever more then friends? So it doesn't really matter does it? Not like anything has changed but... can you do me one favour? Just leave me alone for a few days ok... it's to ha... I just... a few days, that's all I need... please?"
"No" he said stepping closer
"What?"
With every step he took my heart pounded louder and faster in my chest, I wanted to step back but it felt as though my feet were frozen in place and there was nothing I could so. Without saying a single word he wrapped his arms around me pulling me in closer almost squishing the air from my lungs.
"Ne-Neji" I whispered with tears welling in my eyes
"I will do whatever it takes to make you only mine"
"Idiot" I mumbled "I've always been yours"
"Then" he said pulling back "prove it"
I was going to ask what he was on about but right before me Neji got down on one knee grabbing my hand.
"Marry me"
"Wha-what?" I asked staring down at him
"I don't have a ring... but I will get you one"
"Neji what are you..."
"I love you Yuko"
That was my final straw, I couldn't hold my tears in any longer, my legs finally decided to work again, too bad all it did was make me fall. I pulled my hand free from Neji's covering my eyes as I sat there sobbing, I didn't understand what was going on, this made no sense.
"Yuko, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm not ok" I sobbed "Neji why are you doing this to me?"
"I don't want to lose you" he said grabbing my shoulders "I'm sorry"
"Then wh-why didn't you... say anything... why..."
"I don't know" he said hugging me once more
"Neji" I whispered shuffling back as much as I could
He loosened his grip on me and with a shaky hand reached for his face with a smile.
"We should move, if someone sees us..."
"Let them"
He pulled me towards him once more but instead of hugging the life from me his lips met mine. After a few seconds he pulled back and I remained sitting there gently touching my lips with my fingers.
