Chapter 16: Secrets
Few weeks have gone by since the breakup and Sasuke had patiently waited for Neji to reconsider the breakup. But there was no change in Neji's view on their relationship.
Though the two had gone back to their usual friendly relationship, Sasuke missed the hugs and kisses he would receive from Neji.
There were even nights when Sasuke would head over to Neji's place to play some games and sleep over as well, but he couldn't make a move on Neji. Not at that moment.
It was a Friday afternoon during school and class had ended for the day. Sasuke heads over to Neji's desk to have his daily chat with him.
"I really don't want to do Jiraya's term project… it's a lot of research." Sasuke complained.
Neji neatly places his books in his bag. "That can't be helped. Don't forget, we have a math exam coming soon and an English homework due on Monday." He replied, smirking at Sasuke because he still hasn't been able to receive a higher grade than Neji.
Sasuke let out a big sigh. "This week's math topic is really difficult too…" He said, feeling the stress hitting him.
Neji stared at Sasuke's troubled expression and hesitated. "Should I tutor you a little today? We can finish our Legend of Zelda game after doing our English homework." Neji said.
Sasuke's face brightened, his mood turning 180 degrees. "Yeah! Let's do that!" He said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Great. Oh, but you can't stay over this time, I have some business to attend to the next morning." Neji said, watching Sasuke's expression sadden a little.
"Oh, that's alright, I shouldn't impose on you too much anyway." Sasuke said, trying to be modest.
Neji gave a small grin, knowing Sasuke was disappointed. "I'll let you sleep over next week. We can have some Nabe tonight since it's getting chillier." He said.
Sasuke got excited because the next week, they will have a four day weekend. It was going to be really fun.
The two headed towards Neji's house, buying a couple of snacks in a nearby store before having their study session. Sasuke noticed a magazine on the racks and grabbed it, furiously flipping through it.
Neji noticed this and walked by. "What is it?"
"A concert! They are having a concert near our town!" Sasuke excitedly said, pointing at the location.
Neji looked at the page and saw that their favorite band is visiting their town for a concert. "Wow, I have to go to this concert! It also says they're selling new merchandise that hasn't been released to the public yet!" Neji added, pointing to the additional information.
"Hm…the concert is at the beginning of next month! Let's go!" Sasuke said. Neji hesitated. "Sure, but I want to invite Tenten too…" Neji said, flipping through the magazine.
Sasuke's heart sank when he heard this but hid it. They weren't dating after all. "Sure, I'll get the tickets!" He said, showing a fake smile.
Neji knew that smile was a fake but planned on simply playing along with it. "No, I don't want you to waste your money, I'll get it." Neji said, taking out his phone to set a reminder.
Sasuke placed his hand on Neji's shoulder. "Listen, I got this. I need to pay you back for all those times I hung at your place anyway right? Don't worry about the money. I was able to save up some." He said, watching one of Neji's eyebrow go up.
"How?" Neji asked, remembering how Sasuke wouldn't accept his brother's money.
"Well, recently the old lady next door found out I was living alone. I knew her ever since I was a kid and she often made rice cakes for us. She had to go to America for short period after my parents passed so she didn't know I was living alone and thought Itachi was taking care of me." Sasuke explained.
Neji was listening, but was surprised about how much Sasuke was willing to tell Neji about his private life.
"So a couple of weeks ago she found out and began to make food for me and give me allowance. In return I would help her with chores or fix broken house items since she can't move much anymore. She told me her own sons wouldn't even call her anymore and saw me as her own son." Sasuke said happily.
Neji smiled warmly. Sasuke seemed to be doing well with his life. "Alright, if that's the case, then thank you, I'll take your offer." He said.
Sasuke nodded and took a picture of the magazine page. He was delighted that he was able to pay Neji back with his own money. It was money Sasuke independently worked hard for and not from his brother.
After buying their snacks, they walked to Neji's house, entering his room without a single person welcoming Neji home or Neji announcing that he was home.
Sasuke was used to no one being around his house but he still said his greetings and farewells despite that. He felt as if he had to say hello to his parents after all.
Neji's family is in the house yet why was everyone so cold to each other? Sasuke always wondered about this and never had an answer to it.
The two studied for their exam and worked on their projects that evening, eating all of their snacks and playing videogames right after.
Soon the sun fell and it was time to eat. Neji left the room, leading Sasuke to one of his kitchens. (Sasuke had no idea there were multiple kitchens.)
"This is the kitchen only Hinata and I use. She bought some Nabe ingredients yesterday and told me to eat it." Neji said, taking out the food and boiling the soup for the Nabe.
Hinata seemed to care for Neji a lot. Sasuke thought the two were siblings at first because of their facial similarities. But he stood corrected; they were, in fact, only cousins.
The Nabe was delicious and Sasuke was feeling warm and full, falling asleep on the kotatsu they ate on.
"Hey… you'll burn your foot." Neji said, trying to wake Sasuke up. He then remembered Sasuke cannot sleepover that night and vigorously shook him.
Sasuke was fast asleep, he must have been tired. Neji sighed and stood up to wash the dishes, allowing Sasuke to sleep for a while before waking him.
The door to the kitchen slid open quietly and Hinata stepped in a little, noticing Sasuke asleep on the floor. Neji shot a slight glare at Hinata, thinking it was someone else.
"Oh, it's you." Neji rudely and quietly said.
"Neji… is he sleeping over?" Hinata asked, pointing to Sasuke.
"Of course not. I'm not that stupid." Neji said with attitude.
Hinata looked at the dishes. "You had Nabe?" She asked.
"Yes, you were the one who told me to eat it." Neji said adding more attitude.
"Ah…you're right…Sorry." Hinata apologized.
Neji sighed and pulled out a plate of rice and some food from the Nabe.
"Here, it's still warm. Eat." Neji said to Hinata.
Hinata looked at the food as it was beautifully placed on the plate. Neji had a habit of making everything neat, even food.
Delighted and thankful, Hinata accepted the food and left to eat in her room. Even Hinata wouldn't eat with her own father at times.
Neji didn't care either way. Hinata's relationship with her father has nothing to do with him anyway.
After washing dishes Neji looked at Sasuke who was still sleeping soundly. He decided to let Sasuke sleep a little longer…
Sitting under the warm blanket, Neji turned on the television and watched some variety shows, slipping off into sleep as well.
Couple of hours later, Hinata came in to grab a glass of water and noticed Neji and Sasuke both sleeping under the Kotatsu.
Hesitant on whether or not she should disturb Neji's sleep, Hinata had to wake up Neji. Sasuke couldn't stay over and Neji forgot to wake him up.
"Neji…Neji, please wake up." Hinata softly called.
Neji frowned in his sleep and slowly opened his eyes, finding the supposedly dark room beginning to light a little.
He quickly sat up, realizing it was morning already and turned over to Sasuke.
"Damn, when did I sleep, get up you idiot!" Neji said, shaking Sasuke and even lifting him off of the floor.
"Eh? What…what's going on?" Sasuke said sleepily.
"You slept over…" Neji said hesitantly.
Sasuke stood up quickly with the funniest tuff of bed hair. "CRAP! Sorry!" Sasuke said, running out.
"Calm down, it's okay, it's still early morning. Sorry for kicking you out like this." Neji said, handing Sasuke his school bag.
"No, it's my fault, I accidently slept over." Sasuke said, snatching at his shoes and pulling his hair down.
Sasuke was too embarrassed, how could he have fallen asleep? Neji must have tried to wake him up. This was one of the most embarrassing moments of his life…
"See you…" Sasuke said, embarrassingly leaving.
"Yeah, be careful on your way back." Neji said, waving.
Hinata watched from afar. "Neji…"
Neji closed his door and sighed. "I know, I accidently fell asleep as well. My apologies for troubling you." He said.
Hinata shook her head. "Not at all…Moreover, you should prepare…" She said.
Neji walked up to his room and sighed, closing the door behind him and pulling out a bag from his closet along with a black shirt and black pant.
He opened the bag to pull out some incense and a bottle with water in it. Making sure everything was there, Neji placed everything back into the bag and wore his black clothing, leaving the house to head for the florists.
Sasuke sat by his usual park and swung lightly on the swings. "I'm such an idiot…" He said to himself. What if Neji thought Sasuke was a selfish person by sleeping over even when he told Sasuke not to? Sasuke kicked the ground harder in frustration.
Just then, Sasuke spotted someone walking by and noticed it was Neji. He wondered where Neji was heading so early in the morning and followed him.
"…He's wearing all black…" Sasuke said to himself, noticing Neji's change of clothing.
Neji arrived to the florists and Sasuke saw that the old man there recognized him.
"Ah, Neji my boy... It's been a year since I saw you, have you gotten taller? The usual I presume?" he said in a raspy voice.
"Please. Thank you." Neji said softly.
"Here you are…say 'Hi' for me as well…" He said.
"I will. Thank you." Neji said, paying for the flowers.
Sasuke followed Neji for a while. Neji's destination was pretty far away. When they arrived, the sun had peeked from the horizon.
As he gotten closer to his destination, Sasuke realized where Neji was going: A graveyard.
Hesitant if he should go any farther, Sasuke watched Neji go in.
Neji had walked up to one of the grave stones and placed the incense down along with the flowers he just bought and some cans of beer and fruit, pouring water on the stone.
Sasuke watched from behind, unable to see the name. Looking around, Sasuke noticed all the last names of this graveyard are 'Hyūga'.
Was Neji visiting a relative? Sasuke wanted to find out and got a little closer.
"If you're here to say hello, I suggest you don't hide." Neji said out loud.
Sasuke's heart felt like it stopped for a second, realizing Neji was talking to him.
Sasuke slowly walks out of his hiding area and looked down. Damn… not again.
"Sorry Neji…" Sasuke said, staring at Neji's back. Neji said nothing and didn't turn around, simply staring at the gravestone.
"How long did you know?" Sasuke asked.
"Since the park. You should think twice before following someone like me." Neji said.
Sasuke had forgotten how sharp Neji was and was simply ashamed of himself. He shouldn't have followed Neji.
Neji finally turned around, emotionless, but looking into Sasuke's eyes. "Don't put on that expression, this is a graveyard." Neji sternly said.
Sasuke said nothing. He had never wanted to disrespect anyone. Curiosity got the better of him.
"Come here." Neji softly said, turning back to the gravestone.
Sasuke obeyed and walked next to him. "I'm not angry, don't worry." Neji said.
Sasuke looked at him, surprised that Neji was being so kind all of the sudden.
Neji remembered the way Sasuke introduced his parents and the way Sasuke told Neji everything about his life that a normal friend wouldn't really say.
Neji knew Sasuke thought of him of someone closer than a friend, perhaps he should do the same.
"I should introduce you to him as well…" Neji said, continuing to look at the stone.
Sasuke remembered what he wanted to see and looked at the name.
'Hyūga Hizashi' was engraved on the stone.
"Sasuke, this is Hyūga Hizashi…" Neji began.
"My father."
A/N: Hurray! We find out a little about Neji now! He is starting to open up to Sasuke ;D Character development FTW!