Ivory eyes
Fames that engulf
The day was warm and beautiful, but this did not keep
The young girl’s mind from her troubles. In fact she
Was becoming more worried than ever.
She cast a quick gaze over to her cousin who sat
Ever so composed and calm drinking his tea in peace
For the first time in weeks. And here she sat a wreck,
Trying her best not to disturb Neji with her fears.
Everytime Hinata would confess her discomforts
About Sasuke to Neji her cousin would countlessly
Confront her father. Each time resulted in lectures
And anger. So she bottled all her worries within her
Self for the sake of her cousin. She released a steady
Sigh as she listened to the wind that brushed her cheek,
“The days are becoming warmer.” She said in a
pleasant voice.
“Mm.” Neji replied.
Hinata smiled, he would always be a man of little words,
But that was how she knew everything was well.
“Tell me Hinata,” The long haired cousin spoke
“Yes Neji nii-san?”
“You hardly speak of the Uchiha…”
Her head fell a bit, she had hoped that he would not have
Become suspicious, but he knew her all too well, “Yes…”
“If he has done anything…”
She looked up panicked, “No! That is nothing to worry about
Neji nii-san! He has not overstepped any boundary, it is
My mind that has been overly thoughtful…”
“Hm.”
A defeated sigh escaped her just as the wind picked up
And pulled her hair from it’s ribbon, sending the ribbon
Flying into the sky, “Oh!”
Neji looked to his cousin’s face trying his best to read
Her features. The more and more time she spent with
Sasuke the less she said about him. Even when he
Followed the engaged couple he never found
Anything misplacing about the Uchiha’s actions.
And so he stared at her pretty pale face, knowing
Deep within himself that she was still troubled.
But he searched and searched looking for that
Sign that she still needed him.
Hinata stood and reached out for the ribbon
But another gust of wind blow her long hair
Wildly about her. Neji stood quickly and
Caught the lady Hyuga before she tripped over
Her shoe. The wind died down for a moment,
Hinata’s hair still wild about her face giving her
A look that wasn’t like her in any way. He looked
Down at her in awe before brushing the hair
Away from her pale face. He took the tie from
His hair and handed it to her.
Hinata was glad that the sun’s warmth hid her
Blush well. Something about Neji’s touch made
Her skin burn the way that Sasuke’s touch did.
Almost an engulfing flame that made her crave
For more of the fire. She took the tie from her
Cousin, but she also took hold of his hand. She
Could feel him tense slightly as she brought the
Back of his fingers to her lips. “Thank you nii-san.”
********
Sasuke exited his home quietly sliding he door
Closed, but something unexpected caught his eye.
There sitting on a bench was a girl with pink hair
And a sad look upon her features. The black eyed
Boy wandered over to her and stopped a few feet
Away waiting for her to raise her face towards him.
“I heard.”
“About?” He asked; no emotion in his voice
She remained silent, chewing on her bottom lip.
It seemed as if it pained her to speak, “Your engagement”
“Ah.” With that he turned his feet towards Konoha village
and began to walk
“Why her?” She called loudly to him, her voice quivering
“Why Hinata? A girl like her who never cared about you
to begin with?”
Sasuke stopped in his tracks.
“Why would you choose a girl simply for her name?
Why a girl that will never love you…”
Before she knew it Sasuke’s eyes were glaring into hers
His warm breath almost seething onto her skin, “It has
Been a long time since I have been here. I have endured
Many things and I have trained endlessly. I have come
So far and now it is time for me to begin my legacy.
So why not her? Why not a girl of her name? She is
Stronger that you realize. So stop being jealous, you
Little girl.
Tears poured down the girl’s flushed cheeks
“And I will make her love me. . .” he watched as
the girl collapsed to her knees sobbing. He turned
from her and began making his way to Konoha again,
Sasuke called back loud enough for her to hear,
“Good bye Sakura”
***********
Hinata sat before her mother’s mirror brushing her
Tangled hair. She stared at herself intently, but it
Was not the same as having someone else stare at
Her. That burning feeling, it was that feeling that
Had her worried. It was almost as if passion were
Eating her alive. But why Neji? And why Sasuke?
Sasuke was a person that she feared. He who was
Overly bold and difficult to read. But Neji was
A person she respected and trusted dearly. He
Who was serious and rational. These two men
That were deeply tied to her. And a burning that
Only they two could ignite. She could not understand
Any of it.
She placed her warm face into her cool hands and
Relaxed her breathing. She would have to face
Her fiancé again tonight, but what was worse was
That the arrangement was for her and Neji to stay
The night.