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.


It had been July 17th when he first sensed and then saw her fighting that hollow that had looked like an octopus with too many tendrils. It was now nearing the start of August. He knew this meant it was one month before her birthday. Now he also knew that now with five others from her world currently in his to help with her mission she'd be leaving sooner than she would've if she'd remained on this mission alone. After arranging for Yoruichi and Momo to stay at the Hyuga residence others had offered to house the remaining three. Kisuke was currently with Kakashi sensei, Yumichika was taken in by Rock Lee, and Hanataro had been offered a room by Tenten's family.

Now the water from the shower cascaded down his body as he wished he could be rid his feelings as easily as the grime that was going down the drain with the soap suds. Running his hands through his hair, he let out a heavy sigh, two thoughts were consistently on his mind since the other Shinigami had shown up yesterday. Neither was more prominent than the other: he hoped that Yamada-san would be able to convince Tenten to seek professional treatment for her depression. The other was how struck he'd become with the realization that he'd greatly miss Chiaki when she left.

He shook his head, forcing the thoughts from his mind as he shut off the water and pulled back the shower curtain just enough to grab the first towel. He bent forward, and lowered his head which allowed his soaked hair fall forward in front of his body. He then placed the towel at the back of his head, wrapping it around and straightened up. He next grabbed the second towel, and wrapped it around his waist as he stepped out of the shower. After he dried himself off he grabbed a navy grey bath robe and pulled it on, tying it at the front. He then removed the towel from around his waist, using it to dry his legs and feet.

He looked in the bathroom mirror and almost felt his eyes well up, somehow the idea of her going home hurt almost as much as his father dying. He rationalized that this was due to it being very similar in that he may never see her again while he lived. He almost laughed at the irony he'd spend his remaining days dying to talk with her, walk with her, and just eat a meal with her. He enjoyed her company, her stories of Soul Society and the people there.

That's when the reality struck Neji, she had become special to him. He couldn't pin point when, or how but somewhere in their time together they'd crossed the threshold of friendship into something else. At least, he had. He had no idea if she felt the same.

He left the bathroom and headed to the kitchen, maybe a hot cup of tea would help alleviate his mood and calm his mind. Entering the kitchen he placed the kettle under the water tap, and filled it with the desired amount of water before placing it on the stove top.

He deeply inhaled, holding the breath for five seconds before exhaling. Was there any point in breaching this subject with her? Logically, no there wasn't. She had her responsibility to soul society, an adoptive father that was waiting for her to return home, and possibly others. He had his aunt, uncle, cousins, friends and fellow Shinobi here. He'd have to continue on with his life as if he'd never known her. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't hear or sense the person entering the apartment. Or hear them take off their shoes and call out to him. He only knew that she was there when she gently placed her hand on his shoulder with the statement, "the kettle's boiling."

Snapping back to reality, Neji turned and removed the kettle from the burner. Indeed, the kettle had been boiling for a little bit there was scarcely enough left for one cup of tea. Neji muttered a curse under his breath and clenched his eyes shut. He felt her gentle hands on his shoulder, and she commented, "you're in knots."

"I'm alright," he lied. He didn't have to look at her or use byakugan to know she was rolling her eyes. "Cut the macho crap. It's like you've got a pair of boulders residing between your neck and each one of your shoulders," she scolded. Instinctively she worked her fingers, rubbing them roughly against the pent up tension in his neck. He almost moaned at the motion.

"Come on, into the bedroom," she encouraged.

A pink blush instantly appeared across his cheeks as he demanded, "What?"

"You need those knots loosened or you could really hurt yourself," she clarified. He relaxed a little at knowing her intension however something else was deciding to wake up which was also making him tense.

"It's alright. Thank you but I'll just go a hot spring later," he attempted to dodge the request.

"The nearest hot spring is three days away," Chiaki objected as she grasped his hand and began to pull him away from the kitchen. Neji found himself tongue tied as he followed her. She took the towel off his head, and offered a smile to him as she reminded him, "I'm ten times your age, Neji. If you honestly believe I don't know a few things by now you're kidding yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"I know it doesn't necessarily mean anything. The pleasure center of your brain is the same no matter what it is that's bringing you pleasure and I know the male body responds to that pleasure in a similar fashion regardless of the stimulus," she explained. The shinobi blinked at the shinigami before emitting a small chuckle. She indicated the bed, "lay down, face down."

"That would be a little uncomfortable," he confessed with a small blush.

"Then make yourself comfortable," she suggested with a shrug as she sat on the side of the bed. He exhaled as he sat next to her and admitted, "I'm not sure if I'll respond—vocally."

"If you don't I'm not doing it right," Chiaki answered.

He blinked a little at the thought before inquiring, "you give messages to every guy in your squad too?"

There was an edge to his voice that made Chiaki take closer notice of his body language. The way he stood, his hands shoved into the pockets of his robe, the way he was currently evading eye contact with her which he'd never done before.

"No," she replied earnestly.

"Fact is the last time I offered to massage someone's back was twenty years ago to my previous boyfriend. However, you've been a great friend and—well you seem stressed. This is one thing I can do to help," the woman explained to him.

His shoulders lowered a little as he apologized for his tone. She waved it off and indicated the bed again. He hesitated before walking over and sitting next to her.

He glanced at her before asking, "has a Shinigami and a human ever—been together?"

"That's actually how Isshin Shiba was exiled," Chiaki revealed.

Neji felt as if his heart had suddenly been weighed down as he replied, "Oh."

"Neji? What is it?"

"Nothing," he lied as he laid down on his stomach, taking care to position his legs so he'd be comfortable in the position. Chiaki deeply inhaled knowing the weight of the next question she was going to ask, "Neji—are you okay with just being friends?"

It was a weighted question, on one hand no. His body and even his soul ached to explore more with her, more so than he had Tenten. Yet he didn't want to say goodbye to her until it was her time to leave. If he did indulge those desires it would hurt even more when she had to go home. Yet wouldn't it also hurt just as much and cause regrets if he didn't explore those feelings with her and she left?

He buried his face into the pillow on the bed before confessing, "I don't know."

Chiaki gently laid down next to Neji, and he shifted so his face and body were facing her. He hesitated before bringing his hand up and cupping her cheek. He rubbed his thumb against her skin. She closed her eyes at the gesture, her breathing hitched a bit, as his thumb brushed near her mouth. Amber eyes met the two pearls staring back at her.

He swallowed harshly as he admitted, "I'm tempted to, but from what you've said we shouldn't."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not," he countered as he shifted closer to her and wrapping his arms around her. She readily returned the embrace, burying her face into his robes. He settled for kissing the top of her head, and her lips gently pressed against his cheek. In that instant the tension in his shoulders seemed to leave him completely.


AN: Not quite how I expected this story to turn, but it ended up fitting that way.