InsaneJournal

[Naruto] Five Things Neji Would Do For Naruto (and One He Wouldn’t)
fandom Naruto
characters Neji, Naruto
for bittersplendor


“Hi Neji,” Naruto says. “I need a favour.”

Neji raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t reply.

They both know his thoughts, though, and in his mind he’s thinking, Anything.

***

They leave at three in the morning, slipping past the border patrol a little too easily; he’ll have to speak to Tsunade-sama about tightening security when he gets back, Neji thinks.

What he doesn’t think about as he follows Naruto through the forest is that it may not be a matter of when, but if.

***

In the dark, Naruto’s eyes are anxious. “You understand, right? You understand why I have to save him?”

Neji pauses, considers the many responses he could give to Naruto’s question, and discards the truth. Instead, he thinks about the lengths he’s willing to go to for Naruto, and he says with complete sincerity, “Yes.”

***

When Naruto reaches beneath his blanket, Neji pretends that he’s asleep. It takes more effort than he expects to not look; he can hear Naruto’s breathing speed up, the hitch at the back of his throat, then short, quiet pants followed by silence.

Neji’s eyes are clenched shut, as if that alone can shut out the images.

***

“I’ve found him,” Neji murmurs into the radio transmitter, and Naruto is by his side within a minute.

“Where?”

“Two hundred metres south-east. There’s someone with him.”

Naruto looks surprised. “Only one?”

Neji nods, but doesn’t tell Naruto what he sees. He gestures for Naruto to follow him, and they set off to finish things, one way or another.

***

There are few things in the world that he wouldn’t do for Naruto, Neji thinks, but this is one of them.

He squeezes harder, and watches coolly as Sasuke’s red eyes fade to black, then slowly go blank.


.fin


A/N: Um. Merry Christmas, Charlie? :D