Ch. 25: Barely Hanging p.2

The weather was nice no doubt, but Sasuke couldn't help but miss winter days. The climate sure was colder but due to that fact he could calmly stroll the streets in tranquility, without the usual bustle and chatter. As he exited Kakashi's office he couldn't help but sigh at the amount of people swarming the streets. Yet, none of that was enough to dampen his mood.

It had taken a couple of months, and lots of Naruto's, Sakura's and even Kakashi's advocation towards the Council for him to finally be able to walk free, without the chakra restraints. He still had an ANBU guard posted at all times but that wouldn't last more than a day since he had already scheduled his redemption trip for the next day. There were still a lot of things about the shinobi world that he needed to understand and experience, and especially feelings that needed to be sorted out regarding the world and himself. The battle waging inside him had been subdued but he still needed time to process reality through a new philosophy.

Sasuke had made his way towards the hospital, expecting to share one last meal of sorts with Sakura before leaving. He'd grown used to their weekly lunches where they would chat about everything. Well, it was mostly Sakura who did the talking, telling him about any gossip that she would come across or about interesting things that had happened at the hospital.

That being said, her bubbly personality had been a constant he'd grown used to during all those months on probation. Naruto had been less constant in his life than expected as the blonde's agenda had done nothing but get more hectic, yet his friend had always tried to make a small space to meet with him. Sasuke had visited the hospital in order to see if Sakura was available, but he'd been informed she was busy performing a six-hour complicated surgery. He'd decided then to have lunch alone and take a last walk around the village.

He glanced over at the street vendors and the running children with a small smile grazing his lips. A soft breeze blew over him and Sasuke halted for a second, basking in it, his armless sleeve twirling lightly with the wind. It was at that moment when he spotted a vaguely familiar figure exiting a shop across the street. His eyes narrowed as he was trying to decide if it was who he thought it was or not as a curtain of long brown hair was obscuring the woman's face. As she freed her face from the tresses, their eyes locked across the street. White against black.

His eyes widened briefly in recognition as her head tilted in acknowledgment, raising her uninjured hand and waving it at him. He quickly made his way over to her, taking in her form. She had her arm in a slingshot, and was clad in a standard jonin uniform, headband in place as it had always been and dark bags under her eyes. Her bangs and hair were much longer than the last time he'd seen her but what had caught his attention was the fact that it was free from its usual hairdo, no hair tie in sight. That was an interesting change.

"You're back." He blurted out.

"Yes, it's been some time." She conceded, her eyes darting towards his wrist, now void of his chakra restraining bracelet. "Well, I think congratulations are in order."

"Thanks, I must say this was a most welcome change." He spun his wrist around, flexing his fingers. "I heard you were on a mission. Gai-sensei told me." He explained. "How was it?"

"Long." She answered with a sigh. Truth be told the number of times the rogue nin had slipped right through their fingers had been a source of great frustration for her at that time.

Sasuke couldn't help but notice the subtle twitches of discomfort and pain her body made. They were restrained but nothing went past his eyes. The wound in her shoulder didn't seem superficial if the way she was holding herself was anything to go by. He knew her pain threshold was high even for shinobi standards but whatever medication she'd been given would most likely be wearing off.

His eyes, locked on her slingshot, drifted upwards and that's when they met with hers. As they locked eyes, he couldn't help but be taken back to the night they had met, her pale eyes having made him think she was a blind reaper. He was right in one of those things at least, every shinobi was some sort of reaper, especially those in the special forces. Yet watching her focused eyes as they bore into his, almost tapping into his soul, he could never mistake her for someone with some sort of visual impairment.

"Excuse me." Someone from behind them coughed. Sasuke quickly moved to the side, not even having realized the had been standing in the middle of the street. When he looked back at Neji, he watched her pointedly looking at the ground, anywhere but his face.

"Does it hurt?" he asked. 'Idiot, of course it hurts.' He reprimanded himself as soon as the words left his mouth. She lifted her gaze again as she stared in distaste at her slingshot as if it had personally offended her. Which he wouldn't put past her if she was still as stubborn and workaholic as he remembered her. A chuckle escaped his mouth as she glared at him.

"A little but I'm already on medication, it's more of a nuisance if anything." She huffed as they began walking along the street, no destination in mind. "Were you headed somewhere?" The Hyuga asked him.

"Actually, I was just strolling around, the weather is nice." He answered.

She hummed in agreement.

"And you?" he questioned her back.

"I was just looking for Tenten, thought I might try the weapon's store." She replied. "I needed an excuse not to get home yet, Hanabi-sama can be a hellion at times." It was true that she was avoiding the Hyuga Compound, but it had less to do with her cousin and more to do with her not wanting to risk an encounter with a council member who, no doubt, wouldn't be happy with her having slipped through their fingers. It wasn't a situation she wanted to place herself in just having returned from her mission. She just needed a day off from the drama.

"Hm." She heard Sasuke mutter as they kept on walking. "Do you need help with that?"

She thought over it for a moment before shaking her head.

"Thanks." She pondered over it for a moment before speaking again. "Actually, do you mind if I join you? The weather is nice."

"Not at all."

They made their way across the village in a comfortable silence, just as they had spent their days back when they trained together. Neither of them was very talkative and yet they found a sense of comfort in each other's silence. Sasuke noticed she had maintained many of her small mannerisms from when they were children such as the way her nose would wrinkle whenever someone spoke too loudly in public, or the way her head would tilt, and a small smile would form whenever an animal passed them by. Those were some of the small things that he was afraid had been lost over time, being replaced by a mask of stolidity.

Soon they walked past Ichiraku ramen, where Mr. Teuchi, who was returning from completing a delivery waved at them. They went over in order to exchange pleasantries, Sasuke making a point of thanking the man profusely for having taken him in.

"It's nothing my boy." The man replied sheepishly.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow; I wanted to say goodbye and thank you before doing so." Sasuke informed Teuchi, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

The man looked crestfallen but placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder affectionately.

"Make sure to visit every now and then, boy." He smiled warmly. "Would you like some farewell ramen?"

"Perhaps later. Thank you, I've already eaten." Sasuke thanked the man.

"No worries, I hope to catch you later." He then turned towards Neji suddenly as his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, you're also Naruto's friend! I remember you." He rubbed his neck, an apologetic smile in place. "Again, I'm really sorry about last time. I hope your head didn't give you any troubles."

"It's fine, really. Accidents happen." Neji reassured the man as he kept on apologizing from the incident that happened last time she was there. Finally, the man calmed down and started giving Sasuke some ramen advice,

Once they bid their goodbyes, the pair started to make their way from the food district. He could sense something was off with Neji since they had left Ichiraku's based on the way she held herself. She was back into a guarded stance as they walked together, an odd expression on her face. He'd never really been one for breaking the ice as the silence had never made him feel uncomfortable, yet he decided to break the silence.

"What was Teuchi-san apologizing about?" he asked. Her back tensed a little before relaxing, but she replied nonchalantly.

"It's nothing, just an incident about some spilled ramen." Neji lied masterfully. He would have almost believed her if he hadn't heard the story already from Naruto.

"Really?" he pressed.

"Yes." She added. "Nothing to make such a fuss about."

Sasuke waited a few seconds before speaking, a grin already curving his lips.

"Who would've thought you'd downplay an event such as a kiss as some spilled ramen." The look on her face once she abruptly stopped, glaring at him, was hilarious. She was suddenly all red in the face as her mouth opened once before closing it again.

"I-no, it wasn't-" she stuttered before clearing her throat and forcing herself to settle down. "I kissed no one." she explained, her cheeks were still red tinted. "How did you even know?"

"Oh, you know, from the grapevine." He chuckled. "Who would've thought you stole Naruto's first kiss."

He wasn't looking at her but could feel her gaze burning at him.

"His first kiss?!" she exclaimed indignantly. "If anything, he stole my first kiss." The Hyuga huffed before muttering quickly. "Not that it was even a kiss, more like a punch between faces."

"Between mouths, you mean." Sasuke added teasingly. Neji narrowed her eyes.

"Following that logic I wasn't Naruto's first kiss." She spoke. At this, Sasuke paled. How did she even know? Or maybe she was referring to another incident?

"Really?" He decided to play dumb, staring straight ahead. Now it was Neji's turn to smirk smugly.

"Really. You wouldn't believe the things one hears." Now Sasuke turned to look at her. "Hinata's full of interesting stories from her Academy days."

Now Sasuke openly groaned. He had forgotten that Hinata had witnessed that incident between himself and Naruto all those years ago during their last day at the Academy. A soft chuckle escaped Neji as she pushed her hair behind her ear.

"Think twice before laying it on me, Uchiha." She warned him though it held no bite. Even if he had ended up being the butt of the joke, Sasuke didn't regret it as whatever had been bothering her no longer seemed to be looming over them. He made a mental note to ask her about it later if the timing was right.

It was at that moment when he noticed Neji staring ahead. Once the Uchiha followed her gaze, he noticed she was staring intently at a makeshift stage where a street play was being performed, a group of children and adults watching it attentively.

"Do you want to get close?" Sasuke asked her to which she nodded. They swiftly made their way towards the small crowd, watching as the actors masterfully executed their roles in the play.

It was some play about a woman who ran away from her hometown as she was being forced into an arranged marriage, her family constantly insisting on her fulfilling her responsibilities. By the corner of his eye, he watched as her body tensed, a neutral mask placed over her face void of any emotion, yet it revealed more than it hid. Neji only placed her mask on either when she was on active duty as he had observed or if she was attempting to hide her emotions from the rest. Sasuke could only assume that she was somehow relating to the main character as she was as a Hyuga also constricted by a sense of responsibility towards her clan and the Main Branch.

After that the play took on a more fantastic tone better suited for children, where the heroine had to pass a series of trials and tasks on her way running away from home, meeting some forest spirits and other mythical creatures before she finally made it to a safe village where she'd found love, thus resulting in the finale of the short play. By its end, one of the actors made his way towards the crowd, children and adults alike placing coins and bills on a hat the man was holding out. Once he reached them, Sasuke placed a bill inside and so did Neji.

He was about to speak when he sensed someone approaching. Sasuke was right as the guy he'd encountered previously, Tamaki apparently was his name, approached them. It seemed as if the guy hadn't noticed Sasuke as he had been masking his chakra all day, not having wanted to draw unwanted attention from his fellow shinobi who still seemed adamant to his return.

"Neji! When did you return-?" He approached them cheerfully before stopping in his tracks, smile wiping from his face as he recognized Sasuke beside her. Neji had also noticed his abrupt change in behavior as her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Hi, Tamaki. I just got back today." Neji answered him. He seemed to be reminded momentarily that he'd just started a conversation as he kept staring at Sasuke. He wasn't watching him with fear or contempt as other villagers did, but there sure was some apprehension.

Neji cleared her throat.

"Sasuke, this is Tamaki, a friend of mine." She introduced them. Sasuke arched an eyebrow surprised that the guy had somehow earned that title. "Tamaki, this is Sasuke, he's…"

"Her friend, a pleasure." Sasuke finished, giving the other man a small nod of acknowledgement which was somehow reluctantly reciprocated.

"Likewise." He replied curtly, before turning to Neji who had her eyebrow arched at his tone. "You met through Gai-sensei?" he curiously asked her. Sasuke had been tempted to answer again but this time Neji beat him to it.

"We're childhood friends." Was the only explanation she'd given. Tamaki's eyes shifted between them. He seemed as if he wanted to say something but kept his mouth closed.

"Cool, cool. Nice." He awkwardly responded before rubbing the back of his neck. For sure he was going to make an excuse to leave. "Grandma's waiting for me so…"

"Don't worry, give her my regards." Was what Neji said politely before he quickly waved both goodbye and lost himself in the crowd.

"Hn." The Uchiha muttered.

"Sorry about him. I'd never seen him behave that way." Neji turned to him.

"Don't apologize, I'm already used to it." He replied honestly before changing the subject as he raised his head to the sky. "Huh, it's almost sunset."

"True." She mumbled, watching as a flock of birds flew across the sky. It reminded her of the sunset they'd watched together many years ago, at the lake in the Uchiha Compound. It seemed as if the same thought had crossed his mind as he spoke.

"Well, this brings back memories." Sasuke started walking in the direction of the Uchiha estate. Neji stayed in her place for a moment, not knowing if she was supposed to follow him until he turned around. "Why are you standing there?"

As they made their way towards the Uchiha Compound, she couldn't help but be reminded of the last time she had set foot there. It was when Sasuke had been attacked and her comrade had been killed. She shook her head lightly, as if dispersing those thoughts. Now it was over, Sasuke was safe, she and her team had made sure of that during the time they'd been away. There was also the fact that he was no longer helpless, no chakra restraints on him.

"You're making that face again." She heard Sasuke say.

"What face?"

"The one you're making right now and the one you made when we left Ichiraku's." Neji stayed quiet as they entered the Compound, nearing the lake. "Perhaps some of Naruto has rubbed on me, but if you want to talk, I'll listen." Sasuke offered, a sincere gesture that touched her.

They stepped on the pier when Neji answered.

"Sorry." She closed her eyes. "I guess back then it took me by surprise the fact that this was your last day in the village."

They sat down and Neji paused for a moment before continuing.

"I know you had your redemption trip planned already, yet I was not aware it would be so soon." She finally admitted. "I guess I kind of missed you after all those years and was counting on more time." She blurted out.

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. It was a sincere confession he hadn't expected. Neji had kept her eyes closed but could sense him watching her, yet she didn't open her eyes, slightly embarrassed by the way the words had escaped her.

Sasuke watched as the wind blew her hair away from her face and smiled as he also closed his and faced the breeze.

"I guess I kind of missed you too."

Now she opened her eyes, staring at him, surprise in her face. A soft giggle suddenly escaped her lips.

"Well, look at us now after all these years. How similar we are, without an arm and having shared our first kiss with Naruto." She joked. "Only I guess I'm only being deprived from my left arm for a week."

Sasuke turned to look at her before smiling as well.

"Huh, I guess that's true. Also, it was having our asses handed by Naruto what produced a core change in ourselves." He chuckled. "I must say when that happened to you, I was skeptical, but now that I've experienced it, I get it. He really is something."

"That we agree on."

Just as many years ago, the leaves had started dancing, an enhancing spectacle of reds and oranges playing in front of them, ripples of water dancing with the wind as the birds flew by, singing good night to the world.

Nevertheless, neither was watching the show nature was putting on, as the only thing the Hyuga could see was the way Sasuke's hair danced with the breeze and he could only see the sunset reflected in her eyes.