A/N: For Kyaki- san.

The Lotus And The Dragonfly

There are some things in life you can't say no to.

You can't say no to the glitter of sunbeams chasing the rippling laughter of a stream. To the courting of handsome butterflies weaving around warm summer petals. To another bowl of ramen.

And of course, to a flower placed delicately in your hair.

Hinata fingered the crimson blossom that now nestled in her soft, dark hair. Jade- white eyes wide with surprise, her fingertips traced the track of butterfly brushes that had fluttered across her pale and swiftly blushing cheek. Cheeks like a lotus's rosy petals, pink on petalled moonlight

Neji let his hand fall back to his side. The pearly luminance of his eyes caught her flustered glance and held it still even as she turned her flushing face into her shoulder.

"Please wear it for the mid- autumn festival today," Neji began, soft but clear, "it compliments your fairness very well."

Hinata reflexively raised her sleeved hand to her lips and hummed a meek note of agreement. Neji watched her and smiled, his gaze falling to the dark sheen of her hair and how their tips brushed the lotus- printed cotton robe against her shoulders.

"The shy lotus of Konoha blooms; Hinata- sama will break the hearts of many a suitor," Neji teased, pearly eyes twinkling mischievously.

Hinata raised her eyes to meet her cousin's, eyes narrowed in hesitant question, her face half- hidden by her sleeve. Neji''s gaze softened and he slowly raised his hand by her cheek once more, brushing the tips of ink- bright hair.

"A winter lotus that blooms in serenity; Smitten dragonflies hover in bewilderment," Neji whispered distantly, almost to himself.

"Beautiful . . ." Hinata murmured and gasped as she realised what she had let slip, her jade- white eyes dipping to the back of her sleeve.

Neji raised his thin brows in mild surprise and hastily dropped his hand away.

"I should be going," the recently promoted Jounin murmured, turning to leave, dark hair flung back in a quick motion.

"Ah-" Hinata half called out and desisted.

"That couplet-" Neji spoke abruptly suddenly pausing in his steps back turned to Hinata, "its beauty lies solely in its inspiration."

Before Hinata could manage a reply he swept out of the garden, his own black robe flapping in the breeze. Noticing it for the first time, Hinata could just make out the blue dragonfly embroidery on the dark cotton, dancing in the wind.

The End

Porticulis, 2005