The Naruto franchise is the property of Masashi Kishimoto.
Chapter 36: Completing Halves
"These injuries are consistent with what I saw," the ANBU captain said slowly, examining the corpse. He knew the burns on the underside were inflicted after the fact, by its encounter with the campfire. The remainder of the injuries were viciously precise, cleanly removing entire organ systems. From the winter fat that still remained, the beast had been hibernating when it was attacked.
Ino's interest in the bear's carcass had ended as soon as it had been unearthed, her gaze intently fixed on the white-eyed Hyūga. He ignored her, refusing to partake in her game of silent attrition.
Seeing her tactic fail, the blonde kunoichi switched tracks.
"Hey, Neji."
The prodigy looked up sharply, and she flinched in spite of herself. She was mildly surprised that the porcelain of her mask didn't shatter from the pressure of his murderous glare.
Maybe he didn't take the mind transfer incident as well as I'd hoped, she thought.
"Hyūga-san," she amended amicably.
"If you're trying to inform any spies of our identities, you're doing a very good job," he bit out. Ino found his voice a very accurate interpretation of frozen venom.
"I can sense any sentient minds nearby," she said with a dismissive wave, "That's how I knew you were coming."
Neji had suspected as much from the Yamanaka, especially when she had intercepted their approach. He was also acutely aware that she wanted something from him, though he wasn't quite sure what, yet.
"I am not fond of taking excessive risks," he replied coolly as he began to rebury the animal's body.
"Then what are you doing with Sakura?" Ino blurted, suddenly serious.
"I don't see how that concerns you," was the bland response.
"She's my best friend. I don't want to see her hurt."
"I will not hurt her."
"I know that," the kunoichi said, loosening her mask until it hung at her neck, "I've been in your mind. We both know the Uchiha won't stop. And we both know he'd take any team we send against him apart with that technique he used on you."
Ino, who had been trained for interrogation and intelligence gathering, did not miss the subtle way the ANBU captain tensed.
"I've overcome it once," Neji deadpanned, "I can do it again."
"You don't even think you can win."
"Then what do you suggest I do?" the prodigy snapped.
"Let him have her."
Ino's mask shattered as Neji's sword drove through it, the cold tip suddenly resting at the hollow of her throat before she could blink. She swallowed hard, steeling her nerves as she felt her pulse jumping against the metal, but refused to back down, staring hard at the blank mask before her.
"He'll either take her," she said levelly, "Or kill you and take her. Do you want your blood on her hands?"
"I may not survive, but neither will he."
"You're willing to give your life up for her?"
Am I? Neji questioned, After so long, I finally have my freedom. Am I willing to lay all that I have down for a girl?
"Are you?"
The ANBU captain sheathed his sword, and the kunoichi took a step closer, her cerulean scrutiny daring him to lie. She reached up slowly, parting the ties of his mask and pulling it away from his face.
"I am."
It fell into the snow without a sound, and Ino's breath caught. The prodigy's mercurial eyes were set with unyielding determination and bright with emotions unspoken. She had never seen the Hyūga's visage so unguarded, so open, and found herself putting all her faith in those two words. Silence reigned for an eternity, but the resolve in Neji's eyes never wavered.
"Why?" Ino asked, her voice hushed.
Why, indeed, Neji wondered.
"Good morning, Neji," she said, turning to him with a slight smile, her fuchsia tresses kissed by the first light of morning.
"Because she is everything that matters to me."
Ino nodded slowly and withdrew a purple scroll from her pouch and held it out to the prodigy. It was sealed by a band of hammered gold with the Yamanaka clan symbol engraved into it. Even without touching it, the white-eyed Hyūga could feel the chakra latent in the ensemble.
"That jutsu you're working on. It's not complete," the Yamanaka kunoichi said quietly, "The Hachimon are just the Yang. They're the physical side. This is the Yin. The spiritual half. Use the two together and you'll have the power you need."
Neji took the scroll carefully. It felt hot to the touch, and something inside him stirred as his fingertips made contact.
"I'm going to report back to Konoha," Ino said, holding up one hand before her chest with her first two fingers outstretched. She hesitated for a moment, regarding the prodigy once more.
"Good luck, Hyūga," the blonde kunoichi said softly, "Don't let her be sad."
There was a flash of amber light, and the Yamanaka was gone.
~o ( 卍 ) o~
Sakura woke in a tangle of blankets and sheets.
How long have I been asleep?
"Neji?" she called out.
Had he left without her?
"I'm here," reassured his baritone voice.
A hand touched her forehead soothingly. She rubbed her eyelids blearily, opening them just far enough to catch the flash of quicksilver eyes in the dim lighting. Relief flooded her tired mind and she settled down again, inching closer to the prodigy's body.
"Sakura."
The medic looked up into the concerned frown of the white-eyed captain. She lifted herself up on her arms, canting her head curiously to one side.
"What's wrong?"
Neji was silent for a long moment. Only the most minute of changes in his expression cued Sakura in on his inner turmoil.
"Do you trust me, Sakura?" he asked.
She blinked.
"Of course I do, Neji."
He nodded and handed her an unrolled scroll. She studied it for a few moments, then glanced up, confusion reflected in both her features and voice.
"Neji, this is..."
The prodigy nodded again. When he spoke, it was without hesitation.
"I need you to seal me."
~o TBC o~
Reviews are appreciated.