Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Naruto. Only the OC is my idea, her backstory, abilities, appearance, etc. I do not make any money from this story. Some characters may be a bit out of character.


Neji glanced over at the young woman next to him and observed her. When he had returned from seeing Lady Tsunade he had found her waiting for him in the living room, She hadn't disturbed the bedding he'd folded but was sitting on the futon, reading one of his books. Currently they were on their way to guard a young boy who was the son of one of the noble clans. He could only hope it would go smoothly.

She was dressed in a yellow v neck t-shirt, and red shorts that reached about half way to her knees. On her feet were simple beige sandals. Tsunade had agreed to let her tag along for the mission after she was able to demonstrate that she could hold her own in a fight if need be.

"That taijutsu you were using when I met you," Chiaki began.

"Hmm?"

"It had focused attacks on the reiatsu network of the hollow. That's why you were able to injure it," she revealed.

"Interesting," Neji replied. He seemed to be conflicted before continuing, "that technique is called 'Gentle fist'. It's a taijutsu unique to my clan. If I was able to harm a hollow by using it that would mean that reiatsu networks and chakra networks are either similar or identical. Although from what I saw, there are distinct similarities. Both involve multiple organ systems."

"Wait—you're saying you can actually see the internal systems of someone. Physically see it?"

"Only their chakra network. My knowledge about the location of vital organs comes from studying," Neji admitted.

"Hmm. Well you're right about reiatsu. The reiatsu pathways in Shinigami are close to vital organs. It's the same with hollows," Chiaki revealed.

"May I ask you something?"

"You just did, but ask something else. Better than me constantly picking your brain," she answered.

"I noticed this morning that you have some jewelery in the upper portion of your left ear," Neji began.

"You're referring to my earring, okay what about it?"

"It's shaped like a bird, I was wondering if they're a favourite animal or somehow symbolic to you?"

"A bit of both," she replied however she bit her lip, "but I'd rather not say more than that."

"Fair enough," He agreed. Looking up at the sky he added, "when I was younger, I felt like a caged bird." He proceeded to tell her about how his Uncle and father had been twins, but his father was born seconds after his uncle. This had by extension made him part of the branch family while his cousins Hinata and Hanabi were considered the main house of the family. He included mentioning the curse mark but didn't elaborate on what the curse mark actually did. Neji even told her about his father's death and how for years he'd blamed his Uncle for it.

She'd stopped reading the book and was observing him, feeling as if someone had reached into her chest and squeezed her heart at the pain in his words. She gave a sad sigh and expressed, "that would be a difficult feeling to handle. Especially when you're young and only surrounded by the very people you feel in service to."

"It was. I grew resentful of them all, but a few years ago I had to fight against another Shinobi, Naruto Uzumaki during the chunin exams. I lost, but he said something that made me realize that you can shape your own destiny. That realization freed me from the shackles of destiny and I learned how it is to feel free, like a caged bird who learned to open the cage for itself."

She nodded and asked, "Is that why you live alone now?"

"Yes. It was one thing my Uncle would permit me to do once I made Jonin."

'I wish it were that easy,' Chiaki thought to herself. She solemnly turned back to where she'd left off in the book.

"I'm not telling you any of this for sympathy, I hope you don't think that," Neji disclosed. She didn't look up from the book but simply asked, "you despise small talk then?"

"I think you have a deep pain that you bury. You smile, but your eyes don't show the same smile," Neji revealed.

"That is a long complicated story," she confessed. She was silent, hesitating before adding, "I'm kind of like a pariah back home. Not for anything I did. It's what they fear I could do."

"I am not going to ask you for information you don't wish to disclose but I will listen if you need someone to," He offered.

"Yeah—thanks. I'll keep that in mind," she agreed.

Neji smiled a little then went a bit off their trail. Chiaki watched him momentarily, seeing that he stopped by some sunflowers. Smiling, he stopped walking and leaned into them to take in their scent. She found the corners of her mouth gently tugging upwards at the sight. 'A man who actually stops to smell and appreciate flowers,' she thought to herself.

She watched as he picked something from the ground, and headed back over to her, whatever he'd picked was currently behind his back. I raised an eyebrow at his body language and inquired, "What are you up to?"

"May I place something behind your ear?"

Now both eyebrows were raised, "what are you-" she stopped short when he revealed a small flower with cream petals, a summer daffodil. He smiled as he explained, "someone I know has a family owned flower shop. I've always loved sunflowers, and I now know that they symobolize happiness, devotion, longevity, peace, optimism, honesty, and admiration."

"So what does the daffodil symbolize?"

Neji chuckled as he tucked the flower behind my right ear, threading it into my hair, "rebirth, and new beginnings. I don't know what you've faced in the past to make you a pariah amongst your own people, however each day is a new start. As long as you have another day, you have another chance to change their mind."

Chiaki felt a warmth in her chest, her mouth spread into a broad smile without her realizing it. Then he saw the very thing that he'd been looking for a hint of a smile in her eyes. "Thank you, Neji," she stated.

"Come on," He encouraged, continuing back onto their path. She wordlessly followed him, the smile still plastered onto her face.