soul_logs | Escaping into nights I told myself

Entry tags:

Escaping into nights I told myself

Characters: Neji and Lee
Location: Fatality Condominiums, 3C
Rating: PG prolly
Time: May 28th, late evening
Description: Feeling a little melancholic, Neji and Lee talk about some partner things.

Neji stared at the pictures in his hand, flipping through with slow deliberation. There were older pictures there- he knew because they featured people that had long disappeared. Gai, Kakashi, Tenten, Hinata, Hanabi.. Team and family pictures alike.

Now only himself and Lee were left.

He missed them he found, even if there had been numerous complications between himself and most of them. Except Tenten. The missing piece between himself and Lee.. His partner, who he'd have to tell that they couldn't attend the important mission tomorrow despite how badly he knew Lee needed the souls..

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Lee came into the kitchen, toweling his hair off from an early shower. His partner had been rather quiet today and Lee had let him be, knowing that while Neji could use more hug he could also use some space. But now that it was getting toward evening and close to their usually ~~cuddle~~ bed time it was probably better to interact than leave the day off on an awkward note.

Lee moved to take the seat next to Neji at the bar, his eyes glancing over the photographs left to them by the young Uchiha no longer residing in Death City. Lee felt a tug in his heart to see pictures of Gai-sensei and Tenten, but he didn't dwell on that. Instead, his gaze moved up to Neji, regarding him through the corner of his eye.

".... Would you like to talk, Neji?"

Neji didn't turn to look at Lee, just remained fixed on a picture of himself standing with Hinata and Hanabi, the girls radiating the same sweet composure as heirs to Hyuuga and himself behind them, silent, but recalling the fond indulgence he'd felt for his cousins that had become more like sisters. Something that might never really be.

He sighed, setting it down at last. He felt older and tired, suddenly. He had been in Death City for too long.

"I wonder how the war is going," he said, recalling mention of it more than a few times- like a shadow hanging over his head, because he had yet to experience it. He wondered how many of them had died and which of them he might not get to see again.

Lee reached up and rubbed Neji's back with his unbandaged hand. He smoothed along Neji's spine and added a little pressure to the shoulders and neck when he passed, trying to be comforting.

"I am not certain how it is now, but we were holding quite strong from what I recall..." Though he hadn't seen much, really. Just the very start. And a war was never over until it was Over.

His eyes closed, letting Lee's reassurance sink in through his hands and hummed a mild note. He hoped things stayed that way. So long as they held strong, it was less likely many of them would die. But inevitably, some of them would.

"We can't afford to go on the mission tomorrow."

Lee understood the costs as well. It was war, not just a single S-rank mission. This was about everyone trying, down to the youngest genin. Inevitably, mostly the young would die, or the very old, though Lee had fairly great confidence his friends could pull through. They had their whole lives ahead of them, and none were weak by any standard.

But Neji's words had his hand halting briefly before it changed its course and began stroking fingers through Neji's hair. "I... was afraid that might be the case."

His head bowed under Lee's fingers. It seemed as if Death City conspired against him making much progress on the field. First, Lain had been a defensive Weapon, which was nice in some respects, but didn't have a lot of field application in terms of defeating Kishin Eggs for their souls. And now with an offensive Weapon, he was tied to the city by his obligations and responsibilities.

"I'm sorry, Lee," he said after a few moments. "I want to take you, but those ringleaders are still out there, and if they're waiting to strike, tomorrow would be ideal. Further, Auron's already registered with a Weapon, and if we left, it would leave the Watch without a chain of command when it needs it."

"That is understandable," Lee murmured, keeping up his strokes without stopping. Neji liked the feeling of hands in his hair, and if Lee could comfort him with something as simple as that, then he would.

"We will find them, Neji. And punish them for the dangers they place this city under," Lee said with conviction, but still softly. He shrugged. "There is little that can be helped with the situation. Perhaps, once things cool down from this coming mission, we can take one? It could help to get out of the city, even if we are just investigating like last time."

Edited 2013-05-17 23:32 (UTC)

The hands in his hair did feel nice, and before long, the tension in his shoulders was loosening. He didn't really care too much about the group of terrorists in the city any longer. Just capturing them and preventing them from doing any more damage would suffice.

If they couldn't do anything more, then they could take missions like this without worry, because taking missions afterward didn't solve their long-term problem or being bound to the city every time Shibusen put out a public call. Auron being unpartnered, he'd thought that would be less of an issue, however..

"Yes.. And perhaps I should look to elevate Rogers-san as another Second sooner rather than later."

Lee nodded, a light smile coming to his face. "I am certain he would be a welcome addition to our company. He seems quite dependable."

Though Lee hadn't really gotten to talk to the Captain since he had arrived, he had heard quite a bit from Neji and that bolstered his faith in the man. Anyone Neji approved of was good in Lee's book.

Tucking a strand of hair behind Neji's ear, Lee at last stopped in his rubbing lest he irritate his partner. "I am certain things will be better soon. The Watch is filling up. We will accomplish much in the future, Neji."

Neji hummed a note of agreement, straightening in his seat as Lee's hands left him. If nothing happened tomorrow, he'd certainly feel foolish, but better safe... He couldn't leave the city vulnerable and the Watch without command. At least Lee could understand the necessity, but still..

"You can go with a different Meister, if you'd like."

Lee shook his head, giving a negating hum. "No, that will not be necessary."

Hie lids lowered a bit, gazing at Neji under thick eyelashes. "I would not leave you alone here again. Even just for a short mission."

Most of him was relieved, beginning to wonder if Lee needed a different Meister, since his current one was chained so thoroughly to his desk even in times of crisis, but a small part held guilt, recalling the time he'd berated Lee for leaving him in the middle of an invasion where'd he'd been cornered by a Witch for the second time.

"If you're certain, then I'm sure I'll be able to use your assistance if something goes amiss tomorrow."

Lee nodded, smiling lightly. "Many of our Watchers will be out, so perhaps I can run a few extra patrols if nothing comes up."

But Lee had a sinking feeling that wouldn't be the case. When had they ever not had a large mission turn into a chaotic event in the city itself? That was why the Emitter missions had been odd, but then even that had led to the carnival grounds crashing down.

He quirked a smile. "Even if we are bored, we should at least be able to give the ones that are gone a good send-off and a lively welcome home!"

Neji nodded, not certain whether or not he'd prefer a quiet or active day tomorrow while the others were out. But what would be, would be, they just had to be prepared for the worst-case scenario as best as possible with their reduced forces.

"Well see what we need to do tomorrow.. We'll take a mission once they've returned either way and then, perhaps.. we can work on a few other things."

"Whatever comes, we will meet it," Lee agreed, feeling a bit more pumped. But at the mention of other things... "Hmm? What other things?"

"At training, you recall Azusa-san and Kanji bringing up different advanced forms of resonance? Group resonance and a Resonance Attack.. How close to perfect would you say our resonance is?"

Lee felt his face heat and he turned his eyes away for a moment. "O-oh, yes, yes that."

Clearing his throat, Lee got himself under control and regarded Neji steadily. "I suppose... our resonance is between good and excellent?" Lee frowned.

"I do not really have a scale to judge by. It is just what I feel, that we are very good with resonance. Probably because of our history together." He shrugged. "You think we are prepared to work in a group?"

"Azusa-san mentioned that Clairvoyance should be able to greatly extend the distance at which we could achieve group resonance," Neji said, idly wondering why Lee's face had heated when he's asked him about resonance. "In that case, it would have even greater field potential.."

It wasn't about resonance, he realized after a minute. His own expression heated by a few degrees. "Lee..! You were hoping that I was talking about something else?"

"Clairvoyance is pretty amazing," Lee mumbled, hoping his blunder would be overlooked. But of course, Neji saw everything and Lee grimaced, feeling awkward.

"I-I... N-not, not necessarily, that is... um..." Lee felt himself heating all the more. He swallowed and shook his head. "I was simply confused! I did not know what you were talking about! That is why I asked!"

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose, still disbelieving. "But that's originally what you thought I was implying."

He sighed, shaking his head. "I suppose it is around that time, however.. you're interested in other things already?"

Lee bit his bottom lip, unable to argue against the truth. He... really had been thinking it, after all. But that was...

But at the mention of "other things" again Lee turned his eyes away, feeling some inadequate shame wash through him. "I... do not know. I am not certain where... that is meant to go from here."

Neji gave Lee an appraising look, surprised because he knew his partner still had those magazines. Granted, they featured women, but he still imagine his teammate was somewhat informed about some things..

He cleared his throat, glancing off for a moment. "That depends on level of comfort.. I'm not certain exactly how everything works, but I've seen more than I meant to several times before.."

Lee grimaced, understanding that it was very possible for Neji to have seen quite a few private things on accident. Hyuuga eyes must have been both a blessing and a curse.

"Um..." What was his level of comfort? Lee hadn't really thought about it. He scratched at the back of his neck. "I do not know how far we could go... I mean, I know Certain Things are possible, since Gai-sensei was with Kakashi-sensei, but... I never asked him for details."

Lee knew he had to be as red as a over-ripe tomato at this point. He pursed his lips and looked down. "It is not as if I have been in a relationship before..."

Sure, he fantasized about things, but usually that involved women. When it came to men, he wasn't sure about much of anything at all.

Neji was silent for a minute, considering their possibilities, but despite having seen a few things by accident, he didn't know much more about how that worked or how far he even felt comfortable with going either.

"Well we don't have to decide anything now. We'll likely have busy days ahead if something happens tomorrow. In the meantime, we can think of our boundaries and discuss them after our mission."

Lee swallowed as his fears drained from him, bringing a sense of relief with just a tinge of disappointment. Not that he expected them to explore their closeness every night, but it was a little bit of a shame they weren't going to try right now.

Oh well, he would get over it. Nodding, Lee found contentment knowing they would be considering things further. Though now, he realized he was going to need to do some studying. He couldn't go to Gai-sensei for answers when he was at home, after all.

"Then... I believe that is fine. It gives us a few days..." Lee stood up from his stool and moved to get a glass of water. He really needed it right now.

Neji nodded in answer, watching Lee move about the kitchen. He wasn't in the mood for anything tonight really, and they could use the time to re-examine how far something like this was supposed to go.

He returned his gaze to his pictures, picking up one of them as a team, Tenten coy as she managed to swiftly plant a flower in his hair before he noticed, Lee laughing, and himself between them, halfway toward losing his camera-smile to grump at his teammates. It was a good picture, even if nothing was like that now.

"Oi, Lee.." Neji glanced up at his remaining teammate. "Don't let yourself be taken back."

Lee was half-way through a gulp of water when Neji spoke. Finishing his sip before he choked, Lee blinked at him then his eyes softened. He placed his glass on the counter and felt tenderness well up inside his chest.

"I will not leave you alone, Neji." And before he could think better of it, Lee moved forward and wrapped his arms around Neji in a hug.

Neji placed a hand over Lee's arms, eyes closing for a moment. "Thank you, Lee."

Lee gave him a short squeeze. "You are welcome, Neji."

Then he placed a kiss atop Neji's head and breathed in his scent. He also felt comforted this close to Neji.

Neji sighed, grateful for the reassurance, then gradually disengaged himself from Lee. He stood, gathering the pictures up in his hands and straightening them.

"I suppose we should go up to bed now," he said finally. "We may have a very long day tomorrow."

Lee watched Neji gather the photos, but he reached to take one of their whole team together and kept it separate from the bunch. "We should get this one some bigger copies and in a frame."

He sighed at the mention of bed. "I suppose. Better to rest and wake up prepared for anything."

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Escaping into nights I told myself

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