She had visited once before he woke up but watching him unconscious had not eased her of her worries.Plus, it kind of made her feel like a creepy stalker. With a few of his books in her arms, she made her way over to the clinic, slightly nervous. There were a few things that had been plaguing her thoughts but she didn't realise want to disturb his recovery.
Reaching the door to Neji's clinic room, Hinata tentatively knocked.
Lounging uncomfortably, each position was as unsuitable as the next, and the vertebrae along his spin cricked several times. The information he was receiving only served to agitate him further, but it wasn't something that could really be put off for the sake of someone's mental recovery. In a sense, it gave him something else to think about- other than the possible outcomes and fault of their 'raid' on Sasori's house.
The knock was a welcome interruption, and he was relieved that Hinata was able to make it in before his own sensei. It was her by that soft, demure approach, he knew, and shifting into a not-as-comfortable position, cleared his throat and called her in; attempting to look as uninjured as possible in the meantime.
She entered the room, hugging the books to her chest. She looked at him contemplatively from the doorway. He looked somewhat better than what she had last seen him. Still...
"How are y-you feeling?" she approached his bed timidly, worry evident on her face. "I b-brought you some b-books like you asked..."
Neji nodded, gesturing loosely for her to step in further. Those books were likely going to save his sanity for as long as he remained there.
"I'm doing considerably better than I had been when I first arrived here, surely." A non-answer that wasn't a lie, but ultimately irrelevant to the purpose of her inquiry. "Thank you, Hinata-sama."
The time when everyone leasts expects! >Deternal_puppetAugust 20 2009, 07:24:26 UTC
Sasori had been quite bored. He was eager to go hunting after a certain snake but knew that this wouldn't be the best time. As much fun as it was fixing his puppets, even he needed a break once in a while. Especially with all the idiocy going around. He has seen the post that the Hyuuga had made. Of course, Hidan would have gone for him after Sasori had specifically told him not to. Having nothing better to do, he decided to pay a visit. This would be amusing. He'd even brought flowers.
Sensing a familiar chakra signal, he paused at the half open window. One would think, Sasori mused, that a clinic would be better protected than this. Fully opening the window, he jumped in.
The word seared through everything else with alarming neatness. Half-risen from his previously relaxed position, his fingers splayed on the mattress and tucked underneath a pillow; subtly grasping for the hilt of a concealed kunai. The Byakugan threatened to sap all the strength he'd recovered so far, but he located his target: Sasori's heart.
It was a slim chance, and the phrase repeated itself. If this man wanted him dead, he'd die. Sasori wasn't one to play around where Hidan had, he realized, and adrenaline shot through his system. Pains faded to be replaced by an increased heart rate.
The flowers were unappreciated- though they were an afterthought almost too absurd to consider.
"Sasori." Why are you here? The question was in his biting tone, if not his words.
"Really, is this the way you treat all your visitors?" Sasori smirked, amused at his reaction. It was expected but still, humans always did such pointless things. The boy had no chance of defeating him in his current state; not that he could even if he was in full health. "You're not going to try and defeat me in that state are you?"
He sighed for effect before tossing the flowers carelessly onto a nearby table. "Rest assured, I haven't come here to harm you." Not that he was expecting the statement to reassure him.
"Perhaps when you're in a better state, I'm a fair man after all." He waited to see the Hyuuga's reaction. He really wasn't planning on attacking the boy at present but if he made the first move, well...
Neji's frown deepened and his brows came together just above a disdainful nose. The tentative scale was in Sasori's favor. He could move as he wished. Neji would have to deal with the consequences of movement or inaction, either way whereas Sasori was free to take either with little risk to himself. It was best not to bait him, then.
As expected, the reassurance went unnoticed, and he glanced briefly at the flowers- wondering if those weren't tainted as well. He'd dispose of them immediately after Sasori left if he had that luxury.
Words grit out from between clenched teeth. Brief visions and memories of a silver-haired mutilation gave him little love for the puppet master.
Thursday eveningheavenlykunaiAugust 20 2009, 19:45:55 UTC
Tenten had taken her time and fixed a nice tray for Neji before heading to the clinic. She didn't want to discredit Unohana at all, but chances were the cooking at the clinic didn't compare to things that came from home. She'd also taken the time to look a little less tired. Sure, there were still bruises in evidence, but she could at least use tricks to hide the circles under her eyes. Now that Neji was awake she needed to be more careful. Thank everything Gai-Sensei was preoccupied watching over Kakashi-sensei.
"Knock knock," she called at the door. Tenten had a little more than a hunch that he might play asleep for Gai-sensei when their team leader visited, so it was probably a good idea to make her identity clear. Though she also had a feeling her Sensei wouldn't bother knocking.
Usually, he would have been able to sense her approach and recognize it instantly with a familiarity born from years of training and working together. Her voice was kind enough, even while he wondered why she chose to vocalize the action instead of perform it. Was she holding something that required both hands?
Neji eyes the door nervously, unsure of whether or not she needed someone to open the door for her, and he couldn't seriously get up. Well, he could, but there'd be some rightfully accompanying pain- not to mention the complaining and fussing he might hear for it.
"Tenten," He acknowledged in a voice that he hoped was loud and strong enough to be heard, "Will you manage?"
"I've got it!" She managed the doorknob with her elbow and came in. There was a smile on her face as she brought the tray in, setting it down in his reach. "I didn't want you to have to use anything to guess who it was," she explained with a shrug.
"Guess what I brought you." She beamed with pride. Sure, it had taken extra time to get the herring, but Tenten was betting on it being worth it. "I figured you could use some cheering up since you were stuck in here."
Tenten perched in the chair in the room. It was good to see him awake. All of her previous visits had been to a still-unconscious Neji.
"Ah," He greeted with an understanding nod, and set his book aside as she approached.
Neji blinked curiously at the tray as she drew attention to it, and hinted at the scent in the air. His suspicions were confirmed as the tray was set down, and he couldn't restrain a genuinely pleased expression.
"Tenten... Thank you." A sincere expression of gratitude that she would pay attention to his likes and capitalize on them when it was needed. A truly thoughtful gesture. "It's more than appreciated."
Her obvious intent to stay for awhile was met with equal comfort. A small joy to distract him from his previous line of destructive self-doubts and concerns. And the herring soba in front of him looks extremely appetizing. He hadn't eaten properly in the past few days, after all.
Fingers closing around the given chopsticks, he tested the steadiness of his hands. A little shaky, it was a faint tremble that he'd be able to manage well enough.
She'd do what she said, even if she did dawdle just a little bit. Arriving at the clinic a while later, stopping by to give a little hello to Unohana. And get the room number of course; though it wasn't hard to sense out his chakra.
She wasn't loud at all, entering the room, walking over and standing at the end of his bed for the moment, giving him a visual once over. He didn't look too bad, considering. At least he was awake.
He entertained the thought for the few seconds she spent walking in the room, then remembering her monstrous strength and usual temper, wisely decided to remain put. Ceremony and formality could wait for now. Instead, he inclined his head- reminiscent of a bow from where he was.
"Tsunade-sama." He returned the greeting with the same eloquence he received, unable to follow it up with an expressed relief that she had arrived. After all, she likely wasn't too happy about it as most of them weren't, and so could be taken inconsiderately.
"Unohana-san left it up to my discretion on when to leave, and I believe I will be well enough to do so in a few day's time."
Yes; She probably would have busted his ass if he tried to get up. Maybe. But he didn't, so she didn't need to, instead crossing her arms and shifting her weight onto one leg. Heh. First bow she'd gotten from any of her nin. It was a tad better than Sakura's but.. Well; Tsunade couldn't deny she didn't mind the leaping hug.
"At least one of you has it right to know when to stay put." She sighed. Though... If something large had happened, she had a feeling Neji would have been out of that bed within seconds.
"Whatever you think is best; I'll trust your judgment.
So tell me. What exactly.. Happened. Kakashi can't really say, and I don't have the heart to ask Sakura." She trailed off near the end of that one.
Jiraiya poked his head in, smiling. "Well well, looks like you're recuperating nicely. Want some company? If you say no, too bad, you're getting it. And a get well present." He came in and sat down in the chair, examining Neji. "How're you feeling? Other than sore and tired, of course."
An unexpected visitor. Neji smiled faintly and nodded- even if the choice wasn't really his own. Company- good company Neji reminded himself with a look to the flowers sitting in the trash bin nearby- was a welcome relief from his usual train of thought and idle inactivity.
"Jiraiya-sama." He greeted pleasantly, "I've been recovering well. I hope to be able to leave and return home tomorrow."
"That's good to hear. Bet you can't wait to get home. Though you'll still have to take things a bit easy. And here." He held out a small flat package. "Just for you."
"Ah, well we'll see." Neji waved vaguely, making no promises to that particular extent. "A lot has happened recently."
Nodding again, he glanced up at Jiraiya and reached for the small package curiously. "A gift wasn't necessary, Jiraiya-sama..." He trailed off, unsure, examining it for a moment before curling his fingers around the paper and tugging it open.
A dessert recipe book. The corners of Neji's mouth twitched and he opened it to a random page or two. "A thoughtful gift, Jiraiya-sama, thank you. Though... now I will be pressed to find all of the necessary ingredients and equipment, hm?" There was a lilting note of amusement in that.
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Reaching the door to Neji's clinic room, Hinata tentatively knocked.
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The knock was a welcome interruption, and he was relieved that Hinata was able to make it in before his own sensei. It was her by that soft, demure approach, he knew, and shifting into a not-as-comfortable position, cleared his throat and called her in; attempting to look as uninjured as possible in the meantime.
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"How are y-you feeling?" she approached his bed timidly, worry evident on her face. "I b-brought you some b-books like you asked..."
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"I'm doing considerably better than I had been when I first arrived here, surely." A non-answer that wasn't a lie, but ultimately irrelevant to the purpose of her inquiry. "Thank you, Hinata-sama."
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Sensing a familiar chakra signal, he paused at the half open window. One would think, Sasori mused, that a clinic would be better protected than this. Fully opening the window, he jumped in.
"Surprise."
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The word seared through everything else with alarming neatness. Half-risen from his previously relaxed position, his fingers splayed on the mattress and tucked underneath a pillow; subtly grasping for the hilt of a concealed kunai. The Byakugan threatened to sap all the strength he'd recovered so far, but he located his target: Sasori's heart.
It was a slim chance, and the phrase repeated itself. If this man wanted him dead, he'd die. Sasori wasn't one to play around where Hidan had, he realized, and adrenaline shot through his system. Pains faded to be replaced by an increased heart rate.
The flowers were unappreciated- though they were an afterthought almost too absurd to consider.
"Sasori." Why are you here? The question was in his biting tone, if not his words.
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He sighed for effect before tossing the flowers carelessly onto a nearby table. "Rest assured, I haven't come here to harm you." Not that he was expecting the statement to reassure him.
"Perhaps when you're in a better state, I'm a fair man after all." He waited to see the Hyuuga's reaction. He really wasn't planning on attacking the boy at present but if he made the first move, well...
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As expected, the reassurance went unnoticed, and he glanced briefly at the flowers- wondering if those weren't tainted as well. He'd dispose of them immediately after Sasori left if he had that luxury.
Words grit out from between clenched teeth. Brief visions and memories of a silver-haired mutilation gave him little love for the puppet master.
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"Knock knock," she called at the door. Tenten had a little more than a hunch that he might play asleep for Gai-sensei when their team leader visited, so it was probably a good idea to make her identity clear. Though she also had a feeling her Sensei wouldn't bother knocking.
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Usually, he would have been able to sense her approach and recognize it instantly with a familiarity born from years of training and working together. Her voice was kind enough, even while he wondered why she chose to vocalize the action instead of perform it. Was she holding something that required both hands?
Neji eyes the door nervously, unsure of whether or not she needed someone to open the door for her, and he couldn't seriously get up. Well, he could, but there'd be some rightfully accompanying pain- not to mention the complaining and fussing he might hear for it.
"Tenten," He acknowledged in a voice that he hoped was loud and strong enough to be heard, "Will you manage?"
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"Guess what I brought you." She beamed with pride. Sure, it had taken extra time to get the herring, but Tenten was betting on it being worth it. "I figured you could use some cheering up since you were stuck in here."
Tenten perched in the chair in the room. It was good to see him awake. All of her previous visits had been to a still-unconscious Neji.
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Neji blinked curiously at the tray as she drew attention to it, and hinted at the scent in the air. His suspicions were confirmed as the tray was set down, and he couldn't restrain a genuinely pleased expression.
"Tenten... Thank you." A sincere expression of gratitude that she would pay attention to his likes and capitalize on them when it was needed. A truly thoughtful gesture. "It's more than appreciated."
Her obvious intent to stay for awhile was met with equal comfort. A small joy to distract him from his previous line of destructive self-doubts and concerns. And the herring soba in front of him looks extremely appetizing. He hadn't eaten properly in the past few days, after all.
Fingers closing around the given chopsticks, he tested the steadiness of his hands. A little shaky, it was a faint tremble that he'd be able to manage well enough.
"Itadakimasu."
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She wasn't loud at all, entering the room, walking over and standing at the end of his bed for the moment, giving him a visual once over. He didn't look too bad, considering. At least he was awake.
"Neji."
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He entertained the thought for the few seconds she spent walking in the room, then remembering her monstrous strength and usual temper, wisely decided to remain put. Ceremony and formality could wait for now. Instead, he inclined his head- reminiscent of a bow from where he was.
"Tsunade-sama." He returned the greeting with the same eloquence he received, unable to follow it up with an expressed relief that she had arrived. After all, she likely wasn't too happy about it as most of them weren't, and so could be taken inconsiderately.
"Unohana-san left it up to my discretion on when to leave, and I believe I will be well enough to do so in a few day's time."
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"At least one of you has it right to know when to stay put." She sighed. Though... If something large had happened, she had a feeling Neji would have been out of that bed within seconds.
"Whatever you think is best; I'll trust your judgment.
So tell me. What exactly.. Happened. Kakashi can't really say, and I don't have the heart to ask Sakura." She trailed off near the end of that one.
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"Jiraiya-sama." He greeted pleasantly, "I've been recovering well. I hope to be able to leave and return home tomorrow."
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Nodding again, he glanced up at Jiraiya and reached for the small package curiously. "A gift wasn't necessary, Jiraiya-sama..." He trailed off, unsure, examining it for a moment before curling his fingers around the paper and tugging it open.
A dessert recipe book. The corners of Neji's mouth twitched and he opened it to a random page or two. "A thoughtful gift, Jiraiya-sama, thank you. Though... now I will be pressed to find all of the necessary ingredients and equipment, hm?" There was a lilting note of amusement in that.
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