Drifter

5. Playing with Fire

❝Because, sometimes, we like the risk of getting burned.❞

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FIVE:

PLAYING WITH FIRE

A frown had settled on her pale features, showing the annoyance beating inside her lean body. With arms crossed over her chest and foot tapping the floor in impatience, Sayoko pursed her lips and shook her head. Unable to believe his guts yet knowing how unhappy his ego would be feeling at the moment, she huffed and stepped towards the metal chair before sitting down.

"Let me recap," she started while observing Neji closely, not failing to notice his body tensing upon her approach. It was evident his mind was still trying not to switch between the present and minutes ago, to their short meeting at the other side of the bathroom door. "You want me to spy on your cousin and friends, risking being noticed and ending up in prison ten feet under, because you think they're keeping you in the dark about what exactly?"

Neji sighed and ran a hand along the side of his face - he knew it wouldn't be easy to convince her, but it was the only person he could turn to for such a mission.

"It could be related to my temporary death," he explained in hopes to make her give in. "They've been acting out of character; whenever I mentioned it, they would find an excuse to either leave or change the topic."

"Neji, I-"

But he cut her off. "This isn't about finding whoever saved me, Sayoko. I'm not asking you to follow them to the Land in the Waves, or to talk about that person you hate."

The chirping of a lonely bird passed, before the woman clicked her tongue and stood up.

"I'm not your servant - you have no power over me like the main branch of your clan seems to have over you. We're equals here, and I refuse to risk my freedom and life to fulfil your fantasies," she grounded, her voice as cold as the winter breeze.

It surprised Neji, who was used to face a side of hers that was far from the aggressiveness and disdain dripping from her words now. Was he really dealing with the same person? Yes, there was no doubt about it. However, her mood swings were slowly becoming more frequent and erratic, which was bringing alive a sense of wariness and suspicion within him.

He was so taken aback that the fact that she had mentioned his clan - a slight look into how it worked - hadn't crossed his mind, not even for a second.

"Don't tell me this isn't about finding her, Neji. Hiding your real reasons under petty excuses won't help your cause," she added in a low mutter.

She paced around the room as her words hung in the air between them, and the man followed her movements with his senses. He heard her sigh and click her tongue, felt her frustration and dread in the way she moved so frantically - without the calm and grace she usually did.

"Sayoko." She paused, and he knew under all that anger, she was willing to listen and hear him out. "Something else happened that has nothing to do with the person who saved me."

Her violet eyes glanced at him as she stood in the middle of the room, troubled. "What do you mean?"

A relieved breath escaped him; her irritation was still there, but an underlying tone of curiosity betrayed her.

"That's what I need you to find out," he elaborated, careful to choose the right words so she would stay.

Running a hand through her hair, Sayoko walked over to the wall next to his bed and leaned against the cold surface. "You can't ask me to risk so much for this. Your friends are strong, I've felt it. They could notice my presence."