Ascension (Sequel to Ruination)

[15] Neji

Here you go!
Not sure how I feel but I think it's neat.

Yuzuki approached the Hyūga boy, his silvery eyes watching her every move. Despite his expression of anger, she held his gaze. She stepped up behind TenTen and Rock Lee, both chatting with each other over a future mission they were assigned to.

"Hey guys," she smiled nervously at the two. They both turned to her and jumped up from their seats, engulfing her in a hug.

"I'm so glad your back in the village!" TenTen greeted her happily. Yuzuki could feel something warm on her shoulder and she turned her head to find Rock Lee sobbing onto her shoulder.

"The beautiful Yuzuki is back! May she forever shine with the power of youth!" Yuzuki waved goodbye to the two as TenTen dragged Lee out of the Dango shop—who continued to shout sayings of how she would continue to be fueled by the power of youth and such.

Yuzuki heard the screech of a chair being pushed back and saw Neji getting ready to leave the restaurant. "Where are you going?" She furrowed her brows as he grabbed his pack.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" He bit out.

He wasn't going to make this easy on either of them, was he? Admittedly, she wanted to snap back at him but instead she steeled her emotions and met his gaze with her own fiery one.

"Sit down Neji, we need to talk," she ordered.

"You're no longer my superior, you can't make me do anything."

"Sit. Down." They held each other's gaze and the Hyūga finally yielded, knowing she wasn't going to give in. As he sat down, he gave her a sharp glare when she smirked and the girl rolled her eyes.

"Why are you here?" He asked lowly. An ember of rage seeped through his veins. Neji still hadn't forgiven her for her disappearance and—seemingly— betrayal.

The Hatake pursed her lips and sighed before speaking. "I wanted to talk things out. I can't imagine how you've felt for the last couple years and what I put you all through... it's inexcusable. But, I thought it was for the best. I thought I was doing the right thing."

She waited for him to speak and when he didn't she continued on. "I know how we left things... the kiss... I didn't want to leave things like that. But it happened so fast and I was already leaving for the mission. I wanted you to know how sorry I am. And I know I can't take back what I did. I'm sorry."

Neji's brows seemed like they would end up furrowed for all of eternity as he say there glaring at her. Eventually Yuzuki sighed. "If you're not gonna say anything I'm leaving. I've said my part and it's fine if you want to stay away from me but I want us to be friends." The girl got up to leave, stopping when she heard him speak.

"Friends? You want us to be friends?"

"Yes, Neji. We were friends once before."

"Well the situation is different now. You've been labeled a criminal, and a traitor. You joined the Akatsuki. And then you came back expecting all to be forgiven. And then talk about wanting to be friends? Even after our kiss before you left?"

Sighing, the girl looked him in the eyes, her voice wavering as she spoke, "Listen, I know all can't be forgiven and forgotten. I don't expect any of that. I'm trying to start new. With you. When we kissed I was so scared because I thought I would never see you again. We're both different people now. I've done horrible things and hurt people closest to me. So I know we can't go back to before. I want to see if we can be something more. I know we can't start where we left off because of these new differences."