Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto but I do own the characters I made up just
for the purpose of this story... (Duh!! @-@)
Chapter 4: Past meets Present
Neji's forehead pressed lightly against the window. The soft pitter patter of rain hitting the window soothed his nerves. It has been a week since the Suzume family had moved back to Konaoha. His mother was so happy, happier then he's seen her in a long time. Amaya had visited a few times or so he was told. He himself had been on a mission to find out who those mysterious shinobis were. He sighed inwardly.
'I wish I could have been there for those visits'
It's all his mother had talked about for the last few hours since his arrival home. She went on about how they talked about the past, present and future in just one sitting. Neji himself tried to look like his uninterested self the whole time, but even so he had hung on her every word.
'She did remember me'
Dark blue eyes flashed through his mind. He opened his pail silver ones and stared into space at the thought, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He then lightly sat up and stretched his stiff aching muscles. His half open white cotton shirt and black slacks were ruffled by his position on the window sill. He could hear his mother humming a playful tune in the kitchen.
He winced as his hand unconsciously rubbed his left arm. He looked down at it with disgust. He remembered it all too clearly. During his mission his unit was ambushed. His arm was burned from pushing an inexperienced chounin out of the way of an oncoming fire ball. Neji's eyes narrowed as he looked at the start of blood seeping through the bandages. He would have to re- bandage it soon. He didn't even bother to go to the hospital for he believed he could take care of it on his own plus he felt it would be bothersome. His hand now drifted up to his right cheek rubbing the slight burn he got there causing him to wince again.
"She's late" he heard his mother murmur to herself. He turned his attention to the sound of the rain hitting the window when her words finally registered in his mind. His head snapped to his left as he watched his mothers form every once and a while pass by the doorway. He stood up swiftly ignoring his stiff muscles. He looked down and sighed at his disgruntled appearance. Hastily he tried to smooth out his disheveled clothes but gave it up as a lost cause his loose hair cascaded around his shoulder swayed as he shrugged to himself. He then walked quickly and silently thought the living room into there main entrance and silently into the kitchen. He spotted his mother to his right looking out the window muttering incoherent words to her self. It sounded like she was blaming her self for something. He walked up behind her his feet not making a sound thanks to his training as a shinobi it was second nature now. His hand came up and lightly taped her shoulder causing her to jump. She spun around and looked him in the eye.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up behind me" she sighed and relaxed fully. Occasionally glancing out the window, before turning her full attention to her son. Her eyes lit up in amusement at his appearance. It was a rare sight to see him not his usual prim and proper self. She tried to hide a smile but failed. He raised a quizzical eyebrow at the amusement she showed he looked down at him self.
"What?" he asked simply. She was now giggling out loud like a small child. Neji could not help but smile a little it had been a long time since he seen his mother smile so much since before...his father died. At that thought his smile disappeared and his face hardened into his usual demeanor. When her giggling subsided she lifted her hand to take a look at his cheek. Concern filled her eyes.
"You should have someone look at..." he pulled away from her.
"Who?" he asked quietly. Her face now held her normal neutrality she held so well. Now it was her turn to raise a quizzical eyebrow to him.
"Who is coming?" he simply asked again.
"OH" she said a wide smile danced across her lips. That was all he got before a low knock was heard at the door. He noticed his mothers smile widen at the sound. He looked at her mischievous grin. He just could never figure her out some days. He turned and made his way to the door. Grasping the handle and pulling it open quickly he gave off a glare to a person's back. Rain was cascading around the now soaken wet figure.
'Who in the world' he thought.
The person turned around empty blue eyes meet silver. His glare was immediately replaced by a look of surprise. She smiled a small quick smile of greeting before bowing. Water trickled down her forehead protector and down her face.
"Good afternoon Neji-san" came her velvety voice. Neji just stared unable to think of what to say. She straightened up and looked up at him. She felt an urge to smile but quickly decided it would be rude, as she saw the expression on his face and his ruffled clothes.
'Well this is a first' she thought. 'Ever since I can remember Neji would never be seen in such a state with his guard down even people he new well would rarely see it.'
Neji caught a hint of humor that passed over her eyes but it faded as quickly as it came. Amaya opened her mouth to say something when Neji's mother shoved him aside.
"Honestly Neji, leaving her out in the rain how rude." She then moved aside dragging the sopping wet girl into the house and closing the door from the wind and rain. Amaya stood facing Neji's mother holding a basket full of what looked like different herbs separated by cloth. His mother glared up at him. He immediately looked at Amaya and bowed.
"I am terribly sorry for my rude behavior" he said sincerely. Amaya held up a hand in front of her.
"An apology is not required" she stated flatly. Amaya then smiled a little water dripping off of her face. Neji's demeanor brightened a bit.
His mother jabbed a finger in his ribs smiling smugly up at him.
"See, common courtesy can go a long way." She then turned her attention back to the dripping girl. The older woman looked at the basket the young girl held in her hands. Amaya sensing her question looked down at the basket.
"During our last conversation we talked about how my mother made her tea and healing herbs. An well..." Amaya looked up at the both of them. When her eyes settled on Neji she looked quickly back at the basket. "I spoke with Hinata-chan this morning, and well I also besides tea leaves I brought healing herbs as well."
"Ah. I remember how your mother used to have a knack for healing herbs" Nejis's mother said smiling softly at the memory. "And since you are so much like your mother in every way I should have guessed that you have extensive knowledge of such things as well."
"I wouldn't say that" Amaya said softly. She then held out the basket towards the woman. "Hinata-chan was worried" her eyes quickly glanced at Neji's arm; she then noticed the water dripping from her cloak. "I'm terribly sorry." She said looking at the puddle forming around her.
"Do not worry, you must be cold" the older woman said.
"I should get going" Amaya said quickly.
"Nonsense the older woman said ignoring the girl's nature to flee. She then grabbed Amaya's arm, lightly tugging in the direction of the kitchen. "You can show me how your mother made the tea I so dearly love."
"I...well...I just...well...I don't wish to disturb you in anyway Hyuga –sama" Amaya stuttered as she was tugged towards the room.
"Tisk tisk child how may time have I told you to call me Kaiya" the woman smiled down at Amaya. "Come"
Amaya oblige since the pulling on her arm increased. Neji followed behind watching Amaya's dark hair in a high pony tail sway with the force of his mother. When they entered the kitchen Kaiya helped Amaya take her wet cloak off. She wore a simple dark blue sleeveless shirt and black slacks. Her kunai holster sill attached to her left leg. Kaiya then dragged her to the counter putting the basket down. Neji thought about her earlier statement about Hinata. It had been about three years since he had to fight her in his first chounin test but since then they had gotten a little closer.
Neji left the room for a few moments but when he came back Amaya was sitting cross-legged at the table and his mother was sitting across from her waiting for the tea to be made. Neji walked up to Amaya and sat beside her. In a quick motion a blue blur was shoved into her view. Amaya looked at it, her head then turning to look at Neji who was staring at the table. She looked back and noticed the blue blur to be a soft towel. She took it thanking him quietly. After she took it he put his hand on the table crossing it with his other arm. Immediately he winced as his right arm landed on his left.
"Are you all right?" came Amaya's soft voice and hint of concern laced in the words. He looked up his eyes meet hers for a split second before he looked down at his arm. Blood was starting to seep through again. He stiffened as he felt a light hesitant touch on his right cheek. He looked over at her. She was looking intensely at his cheek. When she realized he was looking at her she dropped her hand quickly to her side.
"You should have someone look at that" she said softly a faint pink spread across her cheeks other than that her face was composed.
Acting as nothing had happened his mother chirped in. "See I told you should have it checked out it could get infected you know." Neji barely heard her words; his concentration was on the area that Amaya's hand had been earlier. It burned like molten lava but not in a bad way. His mother left them for a moment and came back with a small medical pack. She dug through it placing bandaged on the table.
"I'm afraid to say were out of peroxide" she said shifting through the bag. Neji shuddered inwardly and thanked the heavens for that one, even though he knew he had to disinfect it.
"Like I said earlier" Amaya piped up "I have some medical herbs in that basket." She then stared at the table as if she just said something stupid.
"Excellent" Kaiya almost shouted as she stood up to grab the basket on the counter behind her. She then put it on the table beside Amaya and walked over to Neji with the bandages. Neji held up his hands to take them from her.
"No, no you can not possibly do it your self" she smiled down at him.
Neji still refused "The last time you "helped" me with bandages I could not feel my arm for a week, plus you had wrapped them around areas which were not even injured which in return caused them to go numb as well" Neji stated matter of factly.
"They were not THAT tight Neji!"she huffed.
Neji watched as delight touched her eyes again and started to worry. Kaiya then through the bandaged to Amaya who simply extended her arm with ease to catch them. Amaya looked down at the bandages as if they had grown fangs, and then back to Kaiya quizzically.
"Fine" the older woman said casually. "Then Amaya will do it, we can not possibly trust you to do it your self since you can barley take care of your self." She then winked at them. "Amaya," the young girl looked up at the woman, her soft unusually voice startling her. "Is there anything you need to prepare your herbs?"
"A bowl and something to crush them with" the young girl said her voice calm as ever. She then reached for the basket and pulled out some herbs and a few bottles of what looked like disinfectants. Neji's heart skipped a beat.
'Please no peroxide' he thought to himself. He then mentally smacked himself. 'I am a shinobi and I'm troubled by a little peroxide? But damn it stings.' Neji mentally smacked himself again but he kept his face neutral.
He then turned his head and watched Amaya shift through herbs. She reached up casually and pulled her hair out of its pony tail. It fell down her face like a dark shinny waterfall. It was wet which made it a little wavy. It looked soft to the touch.
'It is probably muchsofter than I think' Neji this time mentally kicked himself and turned away. His head cast down.
"You know I am capable of doing it myself you don't have to bother." He said quietly so his mother, who was humming it the kitchen looking for a bowl, could not hear.
"I know" her velvety voice answered just as quietly. Neji's head snapped up quickly.
'Was that laughter in her voice?' He turned his head to her. She was not even looking at him she was organizing the herbs on the table. His eyes almost gave away to surprise; she had a slight smile on her lips. She turned to him then the smile growing wider.
"Truly I do know, but also I know your mother" she turned her head a little and looked at the woman in the kitchen before turning back to Neji the smile now touching her eyes. "This will at least keep her from nagging you for a day or so." She said casually shrugging her shoulders.
Neji could not help but chuckle out loud surprising both of them a little a small smirk placed across his usually stoic face. Kaiya then entered to see his lit up face and hear his small laughter.
'I had been so long since I have heard his laughter or better yet seen his smile' Amaya noticed her standing at the doorway and turned back to her work a small smirk still on her face.
"Ok" Kaiya said trying to sound angry. "What is so funny?" she could not help the bit of humor that filtered through her voice. Her free hand gliding up to her hip.
"Nothing" Neji and Amaya said at the same time. They looked at each other and began to laugh lightly. It then turned into full blown laughter. After there laughter subsided she returned to the task at hand. She wiped tears that started to form from laughing so hard. Then a crack of thunder and piercing light lit up the room. Neji noticed Amaya flinch. He casually turned to her his head resting on his propped up hand. He couldn't help but smirk.
"Your still afraid of thunder storms" he said not as and accusation but as a simple question. She smirked a little as she worked.
"Not as much as you are troubled by peroxide" she said in an almost sing song voice. Neji scoffed at her.
'How in the world?'
Her smile grew wider as she gave him a sideways glance.
"When your mother mentioned the word you shuddered, then when I pulled out the bottle's you winced. But I would do the same." She said turning back to her work. "That stuff stings" she added quietly. Neji's mother watched them interact from across the table she smiled.
'She was always so observant, just like her mother.'
Neji stared at her for a moment before turning his head in defeat. Neji's mothers eyes lit up.
'She also always new what emotions Neji was trying to hide and how to shut him up quickly too.'
"Done" Amaya said quietly putting the bowl of mixed up herbs and liquids down. From her mixing, it turned into a light green paste. She held out her hand to Neji. He just stared at it blankly.
"Arm" she stated, laughter still fresh in her eyes. Neji obliged her turned facing her and held out his left arm. Her eyes scanned the bandaged on his arm and then carefully unwrapped them. The wound was disturbing but if she thought so it didn't show. Neji watched as she carefully grabbed a damp cloth his mother held out for her and started to clean the wound. Every time he flinched she stopped and looked at him before starting again. When that was done she grabbed the bandages and paste. Neji waited for the stinging to come but it didn't. He looked down at his arm the paste was actually cool on his wound. She lightly put it on. Then she grabbed the bandages and wrapped it almost expertly, not to tight and not to loose. When she was done with his arm he lifted it up to examine it. He then felt a soft touch on his chin he looked up from his arm suddenly. She was now looming over him looking at his right cheek. Her fingers felt like fire on his skin. She carefully grabbed a piece on a bandage and ripped it off to the right size she lightly touched his wound with a little bit of the paste and put the bandage on it. She then placed her hand lightly on his chin turning his face over looking for other burns. Neji felt the heat rise in his cheeks at her touch. She then released him and smiled at her handy work.
"Better?" She asked. Neji just nodded lightly. All three of them jumped at the sound of the whistling kettle.
"Amaya will you help me" Kaiya asked as she stood. The young girl nodded and followed her to the kitchen. Neji just watched the two of them in the kitchen and inwardly smiled.
'It's good for mother to finally have someone to talk to' He then looked down at his bandaged arm and smiled warmly.
Yay!! Another chapter! I would like to thank my awesome reviewers ...especially the people who helped my when I was confused (you know who you are) thank you to you all. You make me so very happy ^____^
Emi-chan
Chapter 4: Past meets Present
Neji's forehead pressed lightly against the window. The soft pitter patter of rain hitting the window soothed his nerves. It has been a week since the Suzume family had moved back to Konaoha. His mother was so happy, happier then he's seen her in a long time. Amaya had visited a few times or so he was told. He himself had been on a mission to find out who those mysterious shinobis were. He sighed inwardly.
'I wish I could have been there for those visits'
It's all his mother had talked about for the last few hours since his arrival home. She went on about how they talked about the past, present and future in just one sitting. Neji himself tried to look like his uninterested self the whole time, but even so he had hung on her every word.
'She did remember me'
Dark blue eyes flashed through his mind. He opened his pail silver ones and stared into space at the thought, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He then lightly sat up and stretched his stiff aching muscles. His half open white cotton shirt and black slacks were ruffled by his position on the window sill. He could hear his mother humming a playful tune in the kitchen.
He winced as his hand unconsciously rubbed his left arm. He looked down at it with disgust. He remembered it all too clearly. During his mission his unit was ambushed. His arm was burned from pushing an inexperienced chounin out of the way of an oncoming fire ball. Neji's eyes narrowed as he looked at the start of blood seeping through the bandages. He would have to re- bandage it soon. He didn't even bother to go to the hospital for he believed he could take care of it on his own plus he felt it would be bothersome. His hand now drifted up to his right cheek rubbing the slight burn he got there causing him to wince again.
"She's late" he heard his mother murmur to herself. He turned his attention to the sound of the rain hitting the window when her words finally registered in his mind. His head snapped to his left as he watched his mothers form every once and a while pass by the doorway. He stood up swiftly ignoring his stiff muscles. He looked down and sighed at his disgruntled appearance. Hastily he tried to smooth out his disheveled clothes but gave it up as a lost cause his loose hair cascaded around his shoulder swayed as he shrugged to himself. He then walked quickly and silently thought the living room into there main entrance and silently into the kitchen. He spotted his mother to his right looking out the window muttering incoherent words to her self. It sounded like she was blaming her self for something. He walked up behind her his feet not making a sound thanks to his training as a shinobi it was second nature now. His hand came up and lightly taped her shoulder causing her to jump. She spun around and looked him in the eye.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up behind me" she sighed and relaxed fully. Occasionally glancing out the window, before turning her full attention to her son. Her eyes lit up in amusement at his appearance. It was a rare sight to see him not his usual prim and proper self. She tried to hide a smile but failed. He raised a quizzical eyebrow at the amusement she showed he looked down at him self.
"What?" he asked simply. She was now giggling out loud like a small child. Neji could not help but smile a little it had been a long time since he seen his mother smile so much since before...his father died. At that thought his smile disappeared and his face hardened into his usual demeanor. When her giggling subsided she lifted her hand to take a look at his cheek. Concern filled her eyes.
"You should have someone look at..." he pulled away from her.
"Who?" he asked quietly. Her face now held her normal neutrality she held so well. Now it was her turn to raise a quizzical eyebrow to him.
"Who is coming?" he simply asked again.
"OH" she said a wide smile danced across her lips. That was all he got before a low knock was heard at the door. He noticed his mothers smile widen at the sound. He looked at her mischievous grin. He just could never figure her out some days. He turned and made his way to the door. Grasping the handle and pulling it open quickly he gave off a glare to a person's back. Rain was cascading around the now soaken wet figure.
'Who in the world' he thought.
The person turned around empty blue eyes meet silver. His glare was immediately replaced by a look of surprise. She smiled a small quick smile of greeting before bowing. Water trickled down her forehead protector and down her face.
"Good afternoon Neji-san" came her velvety voice. Neji just stared unable to think of what to say. She straightened up and looked up at him. She felt an urge to smile but quickly decided it would be rude, as she saw the expression on his face and his ruffled clothes.
'Well this is a first' she thought. 'Ever since I can remember Neji would never be seen in such a state with his guard down even people he new well would rarely see it.'
Neji caught a hint of humor that passed over her eyes but it faded as quickly as it came. Amaya opened her mouth to say something when Neji's mother shoved him aside.
"Honestly Neji, leaving her out in the rain how rude." She then moved aside dragging the sopping wet girl into the house and closing the door from the wind and rain. Amaya stood facing Neji's mother holding a basket full of what looked like different herbs separated by cloth. His mother glared up at him. He immediately looked at Amaya and bowed.
"I am terribly sorry for my rude behavior" he said sincerely. Amaya held up a hand in front of her.
"An apology is not required" she stated flatly. Amaya then smiled a little water dripping off of her face. Neji's demeanor brightened a bit.
His mother jabbed a finger in his ribs smiling smugly up at him.
"See, common courtesy can go a long way." She then turned her attention back to the dripping girl. The older woman looked at the basket the young girl held in her hands. Amaya sensing her question looked down at the basket.
"During our last conversation we talked about how my mother made her tea and healing herbs. An well..." Amaya looked up at the both of them. When her eyes settled on Neji she looked quickly back at the basket. "I spoke with Hinata-chan this morning, and well I also besides tea leaves I brought healing herbs as well."
"Ah. I remember how your mother used to have a knack for healing herbs" Nejis's mother said smiling softly at the memory. "And since you are so much like your mother in every way I should have guessed that you have extensive knowledge of such things as well."
"I wouldn't say that" Amaya said softly. She then held out the basket towards the woman. "Hinata-chan was worried" her eyes quickly glanced at Neji's arm; she then noticed the water dripping from her cloak. "I'm terribly sorry." She said looking at the puddle forming around her.
"Do not worry, you must be cold" the older woman said.
"I should get going" Amaya said quickly.
"Nonsense the older woman said ignoring the girl's nature to flee. She then grabbed Amaya's arm, lightly tugging in the direction of the kitchen. "You can show me how your mother made the tea I so dearly love."
"I...well...I just...well...I don't wish to disturb you in anyway Hyuga –sama" Amaya stuttered as she was tugged towards the room.
"Tisk tisk child how may time have I told you to call me Kaiya" the woman smiled down at Amaya. "Come"
Amaya oblige since the pulling on her arm increased. Neji followed behind watching Amaya's dark hair in a high pony tail sway with the force of his mother. When they entered the kitchen Kaiya helped Amaya take her wet cloak off. She wore a simple dark blue sleeveless shirt and black slacks. Her kunai holster sill attached to her left leg. Kaiya then dragged her to the counter putting the basket down. Neji thought about her earlier statement about Hinata. It had been about three years since he had to fight her in his first chounin test but since then they had gotten a little closer.
Neji left the room for a few moments but when he came back Amaya was sitting cross-legged at the table and his mother was sitting across from her waiting for the tea to be made. Neji walked up to Amaya and sat beside her. In a quick motion a blue blur was shoved into her view. Amaya looked at it, her head then turning to look at Neji who was staring at the table. She looked back and noticed the blue blur to be a soft towel. She took it thanking him quietly. After she took it he put his hand on the table crossing it with his other arm. Immediately he winced as his right arm landed on his left.
"Are you all right?" came Amaya's soft voice and hint of concern laced in the words. He looked up his eyes meet hers for a split second before he looked down at his arm. Blood was starting to seep through again. He stiffened as he felt a light hesitant touch on his right cheek. He looked over at her. She was looking intensely at his cheek. When she realized he was looking at her she dropped her hand quickly to her side.
"You should have someone look at that" she said softly a faint pink spread across her cheeks other than that her face was composed.
Acting as nothing had happened his mother chirped in. "See I told you should have it checked out it could get infected you know." Neji barely heard her words; his concentration was on the area that Amaya's hand had been earlier. It burned like molten lava but not in a bad way. His mother left them for a moment and came back with a small medical pack. She dug through it placing bandaged on the table.
"I'm afraid to say were out of peroxide" she said shifting through the bag. Neji shuddered inwardly and thanked the heavens for that one, even though he knew he had to disinfect it.
"Like I said earlier" Amaya piped up "I have some medical herbs in that basket." She then stared at the table as if she just said something stupid.
"Excellent" Kaiya almost shouted as she stood up to grab the basket on the counter behind her. She then put it on the table beside Amaya and walked over to Neji with the bandages. Neji held up his hands to take them from her.
"No, no you can not possibly do it your self" she smiled down at him.
Neji still refused "The last time you "helped" me with bandages I could not feel my arm for a week, plus you had wrapped them around areas which were not even injured which in return caused them to go numb as well" Neji stated matter of factly.
"They were not THAT tight Neji!"she huffed.
Neji watched as delight touched her eyes again and started to worry. Kaiya then through the bandaged to Amaya who simply extended her arm with ease to catch them. Amaya looked down at the bandages as if they had grown fangs, and then back to Kaiya quizzically.
"Fine" the older woman said casually. "Then Amaya will do it, we can not possibly trust you to do it your self since you can barley take care of your self." She then winked at them. "Amaya," the young girl looked up at the woman, her soft unusually voice startling her. "Is there anything you need to prepare your herbs?"
"A bowl and something to crush them with" the young girl said her voice calm as ever. She then reached for the basket and pulled out some herbs and a few bottles of what looked like disinfectants. Neji's heart skipped a beat.
'Please no peroxide' he thought to himself. He then mentally smacked himself. 'I am a shinobi and I'm troubled by a little peroxide? But damn it stings.' Neji mentally smacked himself again but he kept his face neutral.
He then turned his head and watched Amaya shift through herbs. She reached up casually and pulled her hair out of its pony tail. It fell down her face like a dark shinny waterfall. It was wet which made it a little wavy. It looked soft to the touch.
'It is probably muchsofter than I think' Neji this time mentally kicked himself and turned away. His head cast down.
"You know I am capable of doing it myself you don't have to bother." He said quietly so his mother, who was humming it the kitchen looking for a bowl, could not hear.
"I know" her velvety voice answered just as quietly. Neji's head snapped up quickly.
'Was that laughter in her voice?' He turned his head to her. She was not even looking at him she was organizing the herbs on the table. His eyes almost gave away to surprise; she had a slight smile on her lips. She turned to him then the smile growing wider.
"Truly I do know, but also I know your mother" she turned her head a little and looked at the woman in the kitchen before turning back to Neji the smile now touching her eyes. "This will at least keep her from nagging you for a day or so." She said casually shrugging her shoulders.
Neji could not help but chuckle out loud surprising both of them a little a small smirk placed across his usually stoic face. Kaiya then entered to see his lit up face and hear his small laughter.
'I had been so long since I have heard his laughter or better yet seen his smile' Amaya noticed her standing at the doorway and turned back to her work a small smirk still on her face.
"Ok" Kaiya said trying to sound angry. "What is so funny?" she could not help the bit of humor that filtered through her voice. Her free hand gliding up to her hip.
"Nothing" Neji and Amaya said at the same time. They looked at each other and began to laugh lightly. It then turned into full blown laughter. After there laughter subsided she returned to the task at hand. She wiped tears that started to form from laughing so hard. Then a crack of thunder and piercing light lit up the room. Neji noticed Amaya flinch. He casually turned to her his head resting on his propped up hand. He couldn't help but smirk.
"Your still afraid of thunder storms" he said not as and accusation but as a simple question. She smirked a little as she worked.
"Not as much as you are troubled by peroxide" she said in an almost sing song voice. Neji scoffed at her.
'How in the world?'
Her smile grew wider as she gave him a sideways glance.
"When your mother mentioned the word you shuddered, then when I pulled out the bottle's you winced. But I would do the same." She said turning back to her work. "That stuff stings" she added quietly. Neji's mother watched them interact from across the table she smiled.
'She was always so observant, just like her mother.'
Neji stared at her for a moment before turning his head in defeat. Neji's mothers eyes lit up.
'She also always new what emotions Neji was trying to hide and how to shut him up quickly too.'
"Done" Amaya said quietly putting the bowl of mixed up herbs and liquids down. From her mixing, it turned into a light green paste. She held out her hand to Neji. He just stared at it blankly.
"Arm" she stated, laughter still fresh in her eyes. Neji obliged her turned facing her and held out his left arm. Her eyes scanned the bandaged on his arm and then carefully unwrapped them. The wound was disturbing but if she thought so it didn't show. Neji watched as she carefully grabbed a damp cloth his mother held out for her and started to clean the wound. Every time he flinched she stopped and looked at him before starting again. When that was done she grabbed the bandages and paste. Neji waited for the stinging to come but it didn't. He looked down at his arm the paste was actually cool on his wound. She lightly put it on. Then she grabbed the bandages and wrapped it almost expertly, not to tight and not to loose. When she was done with his arm he lifted it up to examine it. He then felt a soft touch on his chin he looked up from his arm suddenly. She was now looming over him looking at his right cheek. Her fingers felt like fire on his skin. She carefully grabbed a piece on a bandage and ripped it off to the right size she lightly touched his wound with a little bit of the paste and put the bandage on it. She then placed her hand lightly on his chin turning his face over looking for other burns. Neji felt the heat rise in his cheeks at her touch. She then released him and smiled at her handy work.
"Better?" She asked. Neji just nodded lightly. All three of them jumped at the sound of the whistling kettle.
"Amaya will you help me" Kaiya asked as she stood. The young girl nodded and followed her to the kitchen. Neji just watched the two of them in the kitchen and inwardly smiled.
'It's good for mother to finally have someone to talk to' He then looked down at his bandaged arm and smiled warmly.
Yay!! Another chapter! I would like to thank my awesome reviewers ...especially the people who helped my when I was confused (you know who you are) thank you to you all. You make me so very happy ^____^
Emi-chan