Tick...tick...tick...
And indeed, it was raining. They shared the umbrella, both heard the rain softly ticking against it.
"Neji-san."
He looked at her face.
"What's wrong, Hanabi-sama?"
"You...you had something to do with my sister's death, didn't you?"
Is he accusing me?
"I..."
He didn't know how to reply, actually.
"Could you tell me?"
He was doubtful if he should tell her or not. He sighed...she wouldn't stop asking him anyway if he'd keep it silent.
"We were attacked by surprise while we were taking a walk. I have no idea who their target was but they attacked both of us. I was too slow – couldn't accomplish my duty to protect the heir of the Hyuuga clan."
He stopped walking.
"She...she protected me..." he said with a trembling voice. "And I couldn't do anything at all..."
Neji-san...
He fell to his knees, letting mud splatter trough the air. He still felt so powerless, even he was the Hyuuga genius...She would most probably still be alive if he hadn't dropped his guard.
"Neji...hey, Neji, are you okay?"
What do you think?
He felt her warm body pressed against his. Somehow it seemed to soothe him, but since he was who he was he didn't want her to notice.
"I'm sorry to reject your offer to comfort me, Hanabi-sama, but I do not wish to have any physical contact at the moment. I expect you to know why."
He said with a slight sarcastic tone.
Hanabi staid silent and ignored him. She didn't let go of her grip. She shivered as the rain drops fell on her. They were so cold compared to Neji's warmth. She grabbed the umbrella for his sake as she did not want him to catch a cold. It wasn't like he could use even more problems. She held it above them and silent minutes passed.
Neji didn't give up. She was just as stubborn as her sister...was, wasn't she? But he had some tricks to get his way.
"You can let go of me now."
"Hm..."
"I'm serious..." he said with a somewhat threatening voice.
"Hm-hm."
It angered him that she wasn't taking his warning serious, so he used plan B. He stood up, lifting Hanabi of the ground. She wasn't prepared for this and in a matter of seconds she let go of him, almost falling, but in the end she was able to stand on her legs steadily.
"It's not like I want to make your life miserable or something." Hanabi said. "I...I feel at ease when I hug you, and I thought you would be too...I'm sorry."
She looked at the ground, certainly not feeling at ease right now.
"This is...this is hard for me too you know. I lost my sister, the only one I could really talk to if something was the matter...She was someone who, no, the only one who cared for me and loved me. And...and I'm never going to get her back! Now...now I'm all alone! You just think she was all yours-"
He slapped her, right in her face. He wasn't going to be talked down by her, no way. She just...
She just acted as if he tried to claim Hinata.
"Don't be so selfish, DON'T act as if your sister was owned by ANYONE at all. You're not the only one who thinks Hinata was special to you. It's not like you're the only one that's allowed to miss her. I've had it with you, I'm going." He said with an angry voice. She got him pissed of this time.
"Neji-san, wait! I...I'm sorry. Please, I want to talk more to you. You're the only one that'll listen to me." She said desperately as she ran after him. She held his arm, forcing him to stop. He looked at her with a irritated look but gave in. He began to walk in a slower pace and she hobbled after him, still having a hard time to keep up with him.
"I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused...You know, when you and Hinata were together. I always bugged you, trying to get her attention. I wanted to keep her for myself, I didn't want to share..."
She looked at him to find out if he was still listening, and to her surprise he had even turned his head.
An apology? That's so not like her.
"And now...now I have to face the consequences. Because I never opened up to you, because I was too busy to claim Hinata, I never got to learn more about you. We've been rivals because of me and now...now it feels selfish to suddenly ask so much of you. Now that she's gone I have nobody to go to but you..."
"It's okay, Hanabi-sama. We will most probably be more together from now on because I suppose I will get the duty of protecting the new heir, you."
She was happy to hear it was okay, but somehow she wasn't completely satisfied. Maybe she hadn't expected him to try get along with her because it was his duty, but because he wanted so himself. Hanabi thanked him anyhow, this could be the chance for them to build up their friendship once more.
"Hanabi-sama, I'm off now. I'm completely drained. I hope you will excuse me."
She nodded.
"I'll see you soon."
The moment Neji arrived at his house, he let himself fall down on his bed. He was able, even with these circumstances, to obtain sleep very quickly.
He had a dream. Not just a dream but...
More than a dream.
To Be Continued.
A/N: Thank you, reviewers! Also, a note to elsiey, the next chapter will be dedictated to you as I will let you know some more background info...The next chapter is almost entirely written already so it will not take up as much time to update . Oh, another note to elsiey ;;...This fanfiction was supposed to be very short, about two chapters or so, but I had some ideas so I'm still continuing it. I suppose it will not be too long as the (probably) most important chapter is the next one X3.
Sorry for the long A/N! (And remember, reviews keep me going ;3! )