NejiHina - Gentle Fist, Gentle Heart

The hot spring meeting

Upon reaching the estate itself, Neji turned around to admire the view. Hoheto's estate was in quite a remote location. From the top of the hill you could see a vast landscape of trees and flora, it was quite breath taking.

"Hinata-sama and Hanabi-sama, your quarters  will be located on the east side of the estate. Neji, your quarters will be on the west." 

Neji felt a little disappointed, but not surprised. My quarters are probably located with the servants. He thought bitterly. 

He shifted his thoughts, more importantly.. how interesting that he addressed Hinata first instead of Hanabi.. Due to the difference in status, although both belonging to the main family - Hanabi was a heiress. It was considered incredibly disrespectful to not address those of higher standing first. Neji glanced at Hinata, from the slightly confused look on her face, he could tell that she was thinking the same thing. Something's up with this old man..

"Nakahira, show Neji to his quarters. Ladies, an attendant shall show you to yours." a pretty looking maid appeared seemingly out of nowhere, she bowed towards Hinata and Hanabi.

"Rest up for now, I shall have attendants call you when it is time for dinner." 

Hanabi and Hinata were lead off. Neji turned to Nakahira.

"Follow me." he said, taking off immediately. He skilfully moved through a number of long hallways, all of which looked the same. Beautiful white tapestrie, with the Hyūga crest adorned the corridors, as well as a few other crests of which Neji did not recognise.

Soon they arrived. Neji was surprised, it seemed his room was not where the servants were.

"I will come collect you for dinner, if you need anything else come find me- my room is next to yours so it won't be hard." Nakahira smiled a little sheepishly.

"Thank you Nakahira." Neji replied. He had already sized Nakahira up when they first met. Something was weird about him for sure, but not exactly in a bad way. He seemed harmless for now. In a place like this Neji was very cautious.

Neji put down his bag, and unpacked what little he bought. 

Not with the servants.. and next to his grandson.

Neji was truly surprised, this room was quite lavish for a guest room. It was even nicer than the room Hiashi had given him in the Main estate.

He noticed there was a yukata set out for him on the bed. It simple, yet elegant. Black with the family crest embroidered on the sleeve.  

Whilst he couldn't wait to get out of these sweaty clothes he had slept in, he knew a bath was in order.

Already finished unpacking, he wondered across the hall and knocked.

"Yes?" Nakahira opened the door.

"Nakahira, I was wondering if you would show me where I can bathe." 

Nakahira beamed. "Yes of course!" he seemed a little awkward.. and almost a little clumsy. If a ninja could even be clumsy. A certain yellow haired chunin flashed through his mind. Yes, even most powerful ninja can still manage to be clumsy I suppose..

Turns out the bathhouse was quite close to their chambers.

"Gramps insisted on having his own hot spring, wash inside and then head outside through the other door and you'll find it." 

Neji nodded and did exactly that. 

There was a long corridor that lead to a sizeable private washing room, of which Neji assumed was the guest washroom.

He rinsed himself, pondering what the night was to bring. The Yukata laid out in his room was of great quality, and rather formal. I should prepare myself for the dinner. Neji's unease only growing.

He stepped out of the guest washroom back into the corridor, it lead out into the hot spring.  

There was a high bamboo wall on the edge of the hot spring, around it a half moon of rocks surrounded the water. 

Neji stepped gingerly into the hot spring, it's temperature was perfect. He leaned back, trying to relax.

Foot steps alerted him. An unknown man began walking towards him, Neji kept silent.

The man.. or perhaps boy, as he did not look a great deal older than Neji. He had light blonde hair, the front of which crept over, nearly covering the top of his bright blue eyes. 

Neji almost laughed. Why does everyone here feel so damn suspicious.. he thought again, save Nakahira..  that kid just seemed like a scared child doing his best.

The stranger walked over to Neji, getting into the hot spring beside him. Why is it people always sit right next to you even when the hot spring is empty? 

"You must be Neji, Hoheto-sama was telling me about you." the blond boy extended his hand.

But why now.. we are naked. Neji just rolled with it, after the tiring day he had - one that showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, he took the strangers hand.

 His damp palm felt uncomfortable against Neji's own. 

Who is he? Why was some blonde foreigner-looking person here? He wasn't at the gate to greet us.. His eyes made Neji feel unnerved. They were a piercing blue, but slightly glazed over as if they were glass, they looked similar to that of the Hyūga kekkei genkai.

Neji wasn't sure what to say, unable to peg Hikaru's status, especially since the blonde stranger didn't introduce himself, it could be considered gravely rude to question him at all, it made him feel even more on edge.

They ended the soggy, somewhat pointless handshake.

The blonde boy laughed. "You don't have to be so openly weary towards me." 

Neji stayed silent, Tch. I should  just leave. 

"I'll see you later." The blonde boy winked, and got up - leaving the hot spring.

Upon seeing him disappear, Neji felt an overwhelming feeling of relief.

He sunk a little deeper into the hot spring, letting the warm water wash over his aching body. Carrying Hanabi was no easy feat.. Neji was still surprised she was able to sleep through the last leg of the journey.

How does the main estate not have one of these? 

For the first time upon arriving, Neji felt a little at ease. Finally having some time to relax.

"EEEEK"  He heard a shriek from the other side of the bamboo wall. 

"Hinata-sama?"