#17:
Duty of Sibling
-Sunpies-
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, et, al.
"Get up." He says and she struggles to her feet one more time. If she wasn't exhausted an hour ago, she is now.
And it tells in every movement of her hands; the way they keep missing those 361 tenketsu by gaping hairs. It tells in the way her legs never move quite fast enough to dodge the rapid thrusts of his palms; it's damning even when she's trying so hard to hide it.
She's weakest on her left side so that's where he strikes. It's less than a minute since she stood and she's on the ground again with her arm hugged around her torso.
Neji watches her impassively. It has always been this way. She's always had that one weak spot (her left side; her father's expectations; her kindness); like some humiliating brand, open to the whole world's scrutiny. And no matter how she's tried, she can never stretch her thin veneer of strength to cover her multitudes of single weak spots without it tearing where she seems to need it most.
And Neji isn't a fool; he knows she will probably never be able to cover over all of her weaknesses. But then, he often wonders, what's left for those who can't hide their flaws but to be flawless?
"Get up." He says and she struggles to her feet once more. Always once more.
He settles into his stance (strong, steady, and easy as a deep breath) and she settles into hers (tipped slightly on her left side and uneasy as quick puffs of air pulled in with desperation).
He strikes on her left side again (weakness) faster than she can see. And if she falls a little faster, she'll climb to her feet once more and he'll push her a little higher.
This is Hyuuga.
#17:
Duty of Sibling
-Sunpies-
For Lady Silvamord