Sorry if this chapter's a little short. I got a whoosh of inspiration, and it went pretty dang quick. :)
SilentlyDoomed: Hahaha. Well, Kiba's a jerk, so. . . ;)
Kygolie: Hahahaha. I agree with all of those things. :D
Pyrozia: Thanks!
tennisxdork: Hahahaha.
SparkDazzleDuez: Thanks very much!
vicious-fluffy-bunny-llama: Thank you. :)
bright-rebellious: Aw, thanks! I really enjoy impressing you guys. ;D
.Poisoned Scarlet.: Yep. Lockdown Raw was pretty much my best friend while writing this chapter. :D Thanks for the review. :)
Toph43: Thank you!
Disclaimer: Is it just me, or is Kishimoto using some Star Wars parallels? Just wondering. . .
Intellect.
Neji liked to spend the majority of his days reading.
He'd always been smart, incredibly smart, and higher education had only fueled his need of knowledge.
His current incarceration did not change this fact.
However, it did limit his selection drastically.
As February gave way to March, Neji was forced to re-read a collection of science fiction novellas he'd bartered off a guard.
Neji wasn't particularly fond of the short stories, but was saved from them by a distraction.
A guard tapped on the open metal door of Neji's cell, glancing in.
"Hyuga, you've got a visitor."
Neji kept his face composed, though inwardly he wasn't sure of who to expect.
He shirked the book aside and stood, following the guard out of the cellblock and to the area where visitors were intercepted.
The guard led him into a semi-large room filled with basic sets of tables and chairs. A few were occupied, but it was fairly empty in the room's great size.
Neji looked around as he waited for the guard to shackle his wrists, trying to pinpoint his visitor.
He succeeded; she was sitting alone at a table near a corner, beside the only window in the room.
Neji blinked; it was strange to see someone so pure sitting in a place of such depravity.
Neji swallowed. It was his fault she was here in the first place. It was his shame to bear.
Thoughtfully, Neji picked his way around the tables and chairs to the one his visitor occupied.
He sat himself carefully, measuring his visitor's countenance.
As usual, Hinata's wide eyes betrayed her feelings. She had always been easy to read.
Neji waited for his cousin to begin the conversation, though there were questions he was itching to voice.
When Hinata finally spoke a few moments later, her voice was its usual quiet, soft soprano.
"I would have come earlier, Neji, but I'm sure you can understand that it was inappropriate, considering. . ."
Neji nodded; he did understand.
Hinata fell silent again, seemingly unsure of what to say. Neji interceded.
"How have things been for . . . everyone?"
A light frown covered Hinata's pale mouth.
"Those who know understand the circumstances. But—well, you know that not everyone was aware. . ."
"Yes," Neji agreed.
Hinata met her cousin's eyes for a brief second.
"How are you doing? It isn't as bad as most people portray it, is it?"
"It's about as fitting as the name represents. . ." Neji answered, noncommittal.
Hinata sighed and glanced out the window.
"I'm sorry, Neji. For how things transpired. I never thought that—," she shook her head, unable to finish.
"No, Hinata. It's my fault. I am responsible for all of this."
Hinata just stared at him, unable to deny his words.
"I would have brought money for bail, but—!"
"It would have been too much anyway," Neji interrupted. "Crimes like mine have high prices. It gives the court system some control."
Hinata blinked, comprehending.
"Hinata? Will you do me a favor?"
Hinata paused for a second, but eventually nodded.
"Please continue to visit me."
Hinata's face took on a pained expression, but then she nodded again.
"Yes, I will. I promise."
Neji attempted a smile.
–
"Morning," Ino murmured to TenTen as she came in the next day.
TenTen replied with a sleepy smile.
After settling down in Admissions, Ino brightened enough to inform TenTen of the jail's gossip from the previous day.
"Neji Hyuga got a visitor yesterday."
TenTen's cheeks flushed a little.
She hadn't spoken to Neji since her argument with Kiba, which, for now, had satisfied her fiancé.
But this struck her curiosity sharply.
"Who was it?" TenTen asked nonchalantly.
Ino shrugged.
"I didn't catch a name, but it was a woman, maybe my age or so. Really pretty. She had that classic beauty, you know? High cheekbones, dark hair, pale skin."
TenTen frowned, trying to piece together physical features.
She pushed aside the feeling of jealousy in the pit of her stomach.
–
"You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend."
Neji blinked once, then twice. He glanced in his peripheral vision to see TenTen, waiting.
He turned to face her, studying her eyes. In her features, he saw something akin to vulnerability.
"I don't," he answered.
"You don't what?" TenTen retorted.
"Have a girlfriend."
TenTen blushed a little, and broke the intense gaze that Neji had been upholding.
She sighed and sat down next to him, ignoring Neji's probing eyes.
"Why did you ask?" Neji inquired.
TenTen rubbed her eyes, tired.
"Ino said something about you having a visitor yesterday. I guess I assumed. . ."
"That it was someone I was involved with romantically?" Neji concluded.
TenTen nodded, embarrassed.
Neji couldn't help the smug smile that graced his lips.
"You're jealous?" he prompted.
TenTen quickly sent him a glare, though it lost some of its fierceness in the face of Neji's smirk.
"I am not jealous," she lowly vocalized, emphasizing every word.
"Good," Neji responded. "There's no reason to be. She's my cousin."
TenTen couldn't help but feel a little relieved, but stupidity quickly overshadowed it.
"What did she want? Your cousin?"
"She just wanted to see how I was holding up," Neji said quietly.
TenTen bit her lip, sneaking a glance at Neji.
"And how are you holding up?"
Neji slowly turned his penetrating eyes on her.
TenTen flinched.
Neji decided to ignore her question and counter with one of his own, "How's your fiancé?"
TenTen sighed.
"Fine," she muttered.
Neji stopped staring at her, focusing instead on the tabletop in front of him.
"So . . . your court date's coming up," TenTen began hesitantly.
Neji nodded.
"Yes," he ceded. "Three months."
"Are you prepared for it?"
"As prepared as I need to be," answered Neji.
TenTen's forehead wrinkled.
"What does that mean?"
Neji pursed his lips and caught TenTen's eye again, serious.
"How much would it change our friendship if you found out I was guilty?"
TenTen stared at him, apprehensive.
"Are you guilty, Neji?"
He smiled a little.
"Answer my question, TenTen. Would it change anything?"
TenTen considered it.
Ultimately, she responded, "It would depend on the crime."
"Would it?"
TenTen hesitated.
Neji's mouth revealed a tight smile, shook his head, and stood, walking away from her.
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