Focus | Neji Hyuga x Reader

༶ Two ༶

Crunch. What was that?

Y/N looked around the area. You took a shortcut to the town to buy firewood,  following the path to the stream. It was getting dark but you can still see clearly even if night approaches.

The stream always freaks you out. The thought of floating endlessly through raging icy water and falling to your death at the end of the waterfall sends chills to your spine. There have been stories of fishermen getting taken by the strong current, so the townspeople of Hana Valley have been very cautious in approaching the stream.

On a huge rock you noticed that there was hair strewn all over it.

Probably just some animal. But what if it's not?

Curiosity killed the cat. You thought.

Taking another peek you saw that it was a man. You tried to convince yourself to just walk away, because whatever happened to him or whoever he is, just spells trouble. You tried taking three more steps and just leave the man behind to be discovered by another unfortunate soul but a flash of guilt tore through you.

Darn it again!

Looking around, you made sure that no one was near you to witness what you were about to do. To reach the man, you would have to go into the stream and take three big steps to the rock, grab him, and wade back to safe and dry land. Focusing your chakra to the balls of your feet, you took three steps into the icy water and grabbed him with all your might.

The man was freezing and he was heavy. Lean but his physique showed strength, and toned muscles. You looked for a pulse, and thought, what am I going to do now?

The man was still alive and you decided to drag him to the barn. You can't exactly tell anyone that you rescued him from the stream because A. No one would believe you went into the stream and lived, B. He could be some criminal seeking refuge at Hana Valley, C. You don't even know where to start explaining!

It was forbidden for anyone to showcase any jutsu or even chakra control, and your mother would have your head on a platter if you used your skills in public. You never understood why your parents insisted in training you, yet you can't use your skills.

You half-carried and half-dragged the man to the barn.

Okay so I got him in the barn. What's next? I should keep examining him for injuries, then he would be out of my hair and go on his merry way– but first I'd have to take off his damp clothes, oh god.

You looked him over and started undoing his clothes.

You can do it. Oh my is it getting hot in here or what? After wrapping him in a robe and several blankets that you found lying around the barn, you noticed that there's a small puncture wound on the back of his neck. You took a bowl of hot water and started to infuse it with your chakra. You soaked a washcloth, and ran it over the stranger's exposed hands, neck, and head. You removed his headband with some strange symbol you didn't recognize and saw a tattoo on his forehead. It was almost like a branding, and it was strangely beautiful.

Three days have passed and luckily, even though your mother ratted you out for not getting firewood, it has been getting warmer as spring nears. It was a beautiful morning and you decided to dress down and opted to wear something lighter for the warm weather.

The strange man still shows no sign of improvement, though you have been continuing running his body with a washcloth soaked in chakra-infused water and even brushing his hair.

It's unfair he has straight and silky hair while I have unruly hair! What if I try having his hair? Would it suit me?

A crazy idea went through your head. This man's hair was long enough to put over your shoulders and see if longer hair would suit you so you just did it. He's not bound to wake up anytime soon right?

You took a handheld mirror, placed yourself lying down opposite him and tried to put his hair over your bare shoulders. Looking at the reflection, you saw that the strange man has popped one eye open.

No way.

You scrambled to get his hair off you, and ended up entangling his locks on your shoulder and arm. You yanked to break free but the strange man was quick to pull you down to get his hair free of your grasp. The upper half of your body landed right on top of his, and your legs were caught in an awkward angle on the floor.

"Who are you?" He demanded. A slight rasp to his voice from being asleep for three days.

"I should be asking YOU the same question!" You finally got your arm free from his hair, and scrambled to your feet. He looked you once over, and looked at his own outfit.

You realized that not a moment ago, you landed right exactly on his bare chest. The tie to his robe has loosened and you could see his toned chest and stomach. Other than the robe, he only had his pants on and you blushed profusely as you remembered taking off his damp clothes.

"D-did you change my clothes?"

"Yes – I DIDN'T LOOK!"

"I certainly don't mind you looking-" he looked you from head to toe and wagged his eyebrows, "in fact, you could do more than just look- OW!" You punch him on the arm hard.

"Look, I just want to go back to my own life. Can you please disappear already and go back to from where you came from?"

"Yeah I'll get going..."

"What is it?"

"I can't seem to remember..."

"Remember what!?"

"Where I'm fro..." The man passed out again and you sighed in frustration.

I didn't even get his name and he's making inappropriate remarks about me!

Maybe I should've left him freezing in the stream.