Thin Lines and The Shinobi Who Walk Them

A/N: Sorry for the long wait and short chapter.


Chapter Six

“Hai, Neji is from Konoha also.” Naruto pushed the empty plate away. He’d already thanked the family three times for inviting them to stay for dinner but wanted to do so again, as the delicious food settled in his stomach. All five of them were seated around the wooden table enjoying the fine meal. Neji had eaten only half of his serving so far. He suspected that the guy was getting uncomfortable now that the conversation was turning towards them.


“Is that how you met?” Inari pushed his chicken around, more interested in the long haired male that had taken up with one of his heroes. He didn’t consider himself a child any longer; he was as old as Naruto had been when they’d first met. He understood that usually a man and a woman had this kind of relationship but his family didn’t appear to be upset over Naruto-kun’s choices.


“Kind of, we met at the chunin exams not long after we finished the mission here.” Naruto didn’t mind the questions. The little boy was only curious and most of the inquiries were harmless.


“So, you never did tell us what brings you two out this way.” Tazuna kept his gaze on the raven haired fellow wanting to see some kind of reaction. Naruto appeared to be relaxed and at home while the other one didn’t seem happy to be here. Maybe that was the wrong assumption; the boy didn’t look happy period.


“Well, things were getting kind of hectic in Konoha. All the missions, they were kind of keeping us apart.” Naruto found it easy to come up with a valid excuse. What he was saying wasn’t a real lie, due to missions and their personal lives they hadn’t seen much of each other in the last year or so. “We decided we needed a small break from everything. We are travelling to visit some friends for the most part and hoping for some time away from business.”


“Sounds wonderful,” Tsunami folded her hands in her lap before turning approving eyes towards Neji. “You haven’t changed much from the boy that left here and I’m glad to see it. You do appear more content and at ease with yourself. Neji-kun obviously has a positive effect on you and we wish you nothing but the best.”


“I agree but I have to ask about your goal to become Hokage. Have you given that up?” Tazuna directed his question towards the blonde.


“Nah, it’s just on hold for now. Don’t worry, one day I will be the next Hokage.” Naruto would never give up on that dream. Bringing up the mention of dreams had his thoughts returning to what they’d witnessed earlier. “Speaking of dreams, has anyone noticed anyone near the grave sight lately?”


Neji cocked his head to listen into this part of the conversation. It was just as he’d suspected, although Naruto was acting cheerful something had been worrying him. He should have known it had something to do with the person they’d spotted earlier.


“I haven’t but I don’t really go up that way.” Tazuna thought it best not to disturb the place and had agreed with Kakashi that they be allowed to rest in peace.


“Me either, I’m sorry.” Tsunami didn’t feel comfortable walking that far alone. And she hadn’t known either shinobi that was buried up on the ridge.


“You mean the girl that is always leaving flowers?” Inari spoke last knowing he’d be lectured for going that far alone. “It’s not that far and I never go alone.”


“That is not the point; I thought we told you no one is to disturb it.” Tazuna had tried to make all the villagers understand that it had been a request from the saviors of their village. Those two dead shinobi had been a deciding factor of their freedom. It was out of that respect that the graves were to be left alone.


“We didn’t, we just went up to the woods. We were playing and I happened to notice someone there. I went to see who it was. I think it’s a girl because it’s always in pink and has long hair.” Inari frowned as he glanced towards Neji. “I mean she was pretty too. Every few weeks there are new flowers on the one grave.”


“Have you ever talked to him?” Naruto wanted to know more. Was it possible to wait for the person to show up again? Could it be Haku? Did it matter? He couldn’t wait around for a few more weeks he had a mission to accomplish.


“Nope, I tried calling out one time but they left. I still say it’s a girl because she was prettier than most of the girls in the village. Also the first time I saw her she was crying and guys don’t cry.”


“Yeah,” Naruto could remember when the little boy had been quite the crybaby also. “Do you think you can try to talk to her next time? She looks like someone I know.”


“Okay but as long as you know I saw her first.” Inari chuckled as his hero blushed.


“I’ll keep that in mind but I don’t think you have to worry about that. I’m already with Neji-kun, she might be pretty but I’m happy with him.” Naruto ignored the foot that collided with his shin. Ignoring the penetrating gaze of his partner he asked for seconds.


The hot water was doing little to ease his aching muscles. Neji knew it was from stress and tension instead of strenuous activity. The family visit didn’t bother him it was Naruto’s one-track mind that was annoying him. The blonde was so focused on whoever it had been at the grave sight he’d gone back after dinner.


Neji had done his best to converse with the small boy and mother. Both had gone to bed an hour ago and he’d asked to use the facilities. He’d been hoping a good soak in a hot bath would help ease the headache forming behind his eyes.


The longer he tried to relax the more his mind conjured up that hopeful look on Naruto’s face. What was so important about this Haku? Who cared if the boy wasn’t dead or still walking around? His partner needed to get his priorities straight and worry about their destination instead.


Sinking down he immersed himself in the steaming water. Once all of his hair was wet he emerged and wiped the water from his face. There was no telling when he’d get the chance to wash his hair again. There was a bottle of scented shampoo that he decided to use. There was some in his pack but he might as well save it for later.


The gooey substance smelt strongly of apples, it would work. Applying a generous amount he went to work on scrubbing his scalp. He didn’t take as much time with his hair as most females but preferred to be clean.


That done he lowered himself into the water; allowing his hair to go below the surface. It required tilting his head a bit but soon all of his hair was free of soap and he felt a little better. He was tempted to soak for another hour but that would risk looking like a prune.


A timid knock sounded on the door a second before it opened. Neji had his mouth open to lecture whoever it was that hadn’t waited for his invitation to enter. Seeing the blonde strolling inside had his jaw clamping shut and his brain to shut down briefly.


Naruto paused noticing that this might have been a mistake. After visiting the grave and placing flowers of his own, he’d wanted to rush back. He could tell that something was disturbing his teammate and wanted to discuss it before they left in the morning. Another day and they’d be at Kiri, then on their way towards the island.


“Yes?”


“I’m not disturbing you, am I?” Naruto was sure Neji was about done seeing as the long raven hair was floating in the water. It was hard but he kept his eyes from lingering further south. The water was a tad murky from soap but if he tried he’d be able to make out what the Hyuuga had to offer.


“Not really, did you need something?” Neji subtly inched lower in the tub drawing his knees up in order to hide from inspection. From this position the blonde would have to lean over the tub to see his private area. If his partner noticed the movement it wasn’t shown or commented on.


Relief filled him that the temptation was gone and he brought his attention back to Neji’s face. They would be sharing a room tonight and the last thing he needed was to be tempted to explore. Naruto took a seat on the cold floor, “I was wondering if something was bothering you.”


“I am fine,” Neji was fine as long as Naruto kept his mind on what was important. “You do remember that we are on a mission and you don’t have time to pursue personal issues.”


“You don’t have to remind me.” He knew that he didn’t have the time or convenience to try and locate the mystery person. That didn’t mean he’d forget about it. “I’m not going to get distracted. Do you want me to take the floor tonight?”


“There would be no point to it; it’s large enough for both of us. It might be some time before we get a chance to sleep in a bed again. Uncertain circumstances await us so we might as well take advantage of their hospitality.” Not to mention he knew he had to get used to them sleeping together. Neji wasn’t about to admit that he had enjoyed lying next to him the previous night. It’d been a long time since he’d slept through an entire night.


“Hai, I’ll wait for you to get done.” Naruto scrambled to his feet glancing towards the pale chest. He needed to wash up before sleeping. Although he wouldn’t pursue the matter of Haku his mind kept pointing out obvious facts as he slipped from the bathroom. If the person came often then there was a chance that he or she lived nearby. It was a good start.



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