A Note on this piece: Maybe this piece is my diatribe against all those amateur writers who decide to reduce the complexity of Neji's character (or any 'mysterious' character for that matter) into a "Mask." Again and again I have seen/read about this "Mask" - I will admit that many times people do project an image of themselves and image that turns out to be false. But to simply say that stoicism, indifference, and silence (i.e. being a taciturn) is all part of an elaborate mask, and that these people/ characters are now incapable of human emotion is simply escapism – I feel as if you could not sit down and figure out how and why these characters act the way they do and for the sake of plot movement, you blamed it on a "Mask."

But don't misunderstand – there have been some great pieces about this "Mask," but generally, it is misused and abused.

Now, if I haven't scared you away yet, please enjoy. Also, please tell me if I used too much italic/bolding.

Goal: To sustain the emotion of Anger.

Note: Neji's anger will be explained/contextualized by the last line.

'So control your ignorance and reign in your foolish tongue – keep your theories and thoughts about our relationship to yourself.

For you know nothing.'

Masks.

Let us get this straight. Once and for All.

I do not wear a 'Mask.'

I do not feign to disguise my emotions or feelings or what have you behind a façade, because this indifference you see is not ruse, not an act – must I walk around with a constant smile, talk with animated, unnecessary hand motions so that people may feel comfortable? Must I bark out my laughter, scream out my rage, or twist my face in disgust at every opportunity?

And why?

For who? For who would I do so?

So that everyone may more easily understand what I am thinking?

A quaint sentiment, indeed.

But a Mask? A façade?

What is the purpose? What is its purpose?

To hide?

Do I feel an internal compulsion to bury and lock away my emotions, to hide my oh so scarred heart from the cold cruel world? Do I shy away from human interaction because I fear that human compassion will melt away the sturdy barriers of ice that guard my heart, and force me to confront my "scared and lost inner child," who is just crying so desperately for someone to nurse and care for him?

Really, we allow our minds to slip too easily into such romantic fantasies.

I am a Shinobi. A Konoha Shinobi – do not try and diagnose me as you would the dark and tragic and cheesy hero of your trashy romance novellas.

Allow me at least a bit of dignity.

And please, please, do not lean your head upon your palm and sigh as you stare longingly and heedlessly at me. Do not hope against hope that if you stare long enough, you'll see through the 'windows to my soul' and glimpse at my inner self.

Do not try to see past a mask that does not exist – there is no inner child waiting for your clumsy hands to assuage and comfort, there are no barriers of ice for you to traverse and break down.

Do not confuse self-control for a 'Mask.'

And in the end, do not think that simply because I do not carelessly express my feelings and sentiments, that I am as stone.

Accept that my indifference for you is genuine and be done with it.

And for God sakes, never speak of my Mask again.

The only Mask that I ever voluntarily place on my face, with the intent to cover anything, is my ANBU mask. So do not get any romantic, over exaggerated ideas about healing my "scared and lost inner child."

Do not dare to presume that you know me.

There is only one woman who knows me.

And it is not you.

And oh look! How your face crumbles at my harsh words.

Did I destroy your firm resolve with my choice words? Did I bring into question your long held reasoning on why your knight in shinning armor just seems to keep galloping right by you?

Did I fuck with your logic, destroy your resolve?

Foolish. Utterly foolish.

A mask.

A mask.

Ridiculous.

"Why did he marry her? I did not think anyone could crack the Hyuuga's mask. Especially her – so typical, so mundane! But if she can love a stone, then let her – I shall wait for my Knight while she will be stuck with her… unfeeling counterpart."

END.

Note: I took a risk in writing and posting this second chapter. There was a lot of anger involved, and I am uncertain if I went out of character – I have never encountered a well written piece that has Neji very very angry, and so I did not know if I could even write such a piece and have it received well.

So, please tell me how you read this piece. Whether it is a simple " I hated it. I was insulted." or something else, I would really like to know –

Can you really see Neji acting this way?

That is the question I would like you to answer.

Please Review. And thank you again for reading this piece.