Loko: The second in the series of 30kisses (the famous LJ challenge). As I am stupid and thought the URL would work in full form last time, which it didn't, here is the full URL: www . livejournal . com / users / 30kisses (just take out the spaces).
Disclaimer: Still not mine. Double-checked to be safe, and – nope.
Summary: Neji's engaging in dangerous activity, and Sasuke doesn't care. SasuNeji, NaruNeji, implied NaruSasu
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Secret
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At first it's just Neji, sitting on the ground in a training field too close to Konoha for any sort of danger. (Naruto's insistence.)
There is a single blink of the white eyes, and then there is Neji and there is Sasuke, standing on the ground in a training field too close to Konoha for any sort of safety. (Naruto trusts too much.)
They stare at each other, a long, long second stretched out by nothing but will.
Sasuke sits, carefully mimicking Neji's posture exactly: meditation, legs crossed at perfect angles and hands relaxed and flat against knees. In the dusk, they are silhouetted like imperfect reflections.
"You stole Jyuuken," Neji says.
"No," Sasuke says. "Sharingan can imitate everything but other kekkei genkai."
"You were watching," Neji says. Sasuke inclines his head very slightly, eyes still locked with Neji's, a battle of black and white.
"I can treat it as taijutsu," He says.
"I see," Neji says. "Like you did to Lee."
"Yes," Sasuke says, and there is an awkward moment when both of them flex their hands carefully, conscious of how defenseless they both are. Any movement by one can be instantly seen by the other, bloodlines or no. There is a cautious truce, and both of them have information for it.
"This is very close to Konoha," Neji says after a pause.
"I understand that," Sasuke says, somewhat angry. "I grew up here, after all."
"You trained in the Uchiha grounds," Neji reminds Sasuke. There is a moment when his white eyes slide imperceptibly to consider Sasuke's lips, as pale as ever – no garish purple snake lipstick – and considers seven days between them and now and the basic impossibility of time.
"No more than you in Hyuuga grounds," Sasuke says. "Cadet grounds."
Neji bows this time: concession to concession.
"Orochimaru will attack at dawn," Sasuke says suddenly, and it is a peace offering. He's given Konoha one night, a mark of trust in one master and a mark of loyalty to another.
"ANBU has found a living trail to the current Otonin location," Neji says, and regrets not having a more concise phrasing. Actually, ANBU is on its way to the current Otonin location, but he trusts Sasuke's skills.
"I see," Sasuke says, and makes to stand. Neji's hand is suddenly fisted in Sasuke's shirt, and they are eye-to-eye, although Neji is usually taller and Sasuke is usually more intense.
"Why did you leave?" He asks.
"You shouldn't have to ask," Sasuke sneers, a practiced expression on the young face.
"There is power in Konoha," Neji retorts. "There is power, and there is hurt, and you have added to one and detracted from the other." Insignificant ripples in the greater flow of the forest, but neither acknowledges this fact.
"There is a wall in Konoha," Sasuke says, and he has practiced this speech, has recited it over and over, each sentence next to a name beginning with Uchiha. "There is a wall against power, and there is a wall against kekkei genkai, and I am the last and they seek to hold me back."
"Some would only hold you," Neji says softly, something tender like pain shaping his eyes. "One would only hold you. You put a hole through his chest and he is still looking for you."
Sasuke breaks the staring contest, finding the ground intensely interesting. "That sort of thing only holds me back."
Neji kisses him: hard and hungry, painful and biting. There is no golden-orange wistful aftertaste of Naruto, only Neji harsh and blank and clean.
Sasuke likes it. There is nothing to consider.
"We are in danger," He says when they part, barely breathless. Voices filter faintly through the forest, confirming his words.
Neji steps back. "Konoha will always welcome you," He says, barely bitter. Neither looks at the other.
Sasuke is gone by the time a group of former cells sail into the clearing, shouting hellos and in some cases already sparring.
"Someone was here?" Naruto asks, sniffing and smiling. Sakura forces a smile – she disapproves of them but she wants Naruto to be happy.
"No," Neji says shortly, and it is enough.
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691 words
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Loko