#hatredcurse

@hatredcurse said | ❛ you look like you've got something to say. ❜ — Sasuke to Hinata

She flinched back briefly - startled by his sudden voice ringing out amongst the still silence. Had she . . . been staring too hard? Stealing glances with unease at the man she barely knew. Thats right. They are practical strangers even despite having attended the same school. All those years they barely said a word to one another. Perhaps part of that was her own fault. Having rarely approached anyone in those childhood days. He had always been seemingly surrounded by others, drawing attention wherever he went. Even then - would he have spoken back?

Anxiously she toyed with delicate digits. A nervous habit that has stuck with her much to her dismay.

❝ I - It's just that. . . we have never really s - spoken before. ❞

Words escaped her meekly. They weren't friends. She wasn't one of those who pursued him endlessly with faith that he would return. It almost didn't feel right that despite their lack of familiarity she was relieved to see he was alive at the very least. Not wanting to give him the wrong impression either that she had ulterior motives in approaching him.

❝ I just - I wanted to say that . . . I'm glad you're alright. B - but that probably sounds a bit ridiculous since we don't really know each other. . . ❞

Reina senses a strong chakra nearby as she returns to the village from her training in the woods. She went out there alone, something she was sure she would get told off about later. Despite being a grown adult and living on her own, her parents still treated her like a child. She despised that and in her opinion they worried too much.

The lit kiseru pipe rests idle but clenched tightly between his teeth. The wrinkles on his brow crease into harsh lines, expression pensive. He’d been reflecting on the events of the emergency meeting with the fire daimyo and council of elders that took place not long ago, while awaiting his messenger to return.

News of their allies in the Land of Snow’s weakening political climate had been ongoing for months, causing concern over economic interests and raising fears about the spread of coup-contagion. There had been tension between Sōsetsu Kazahana, the ice daimyo, and his brother, Dotō Kazahana, a member of the council. Now, however, it would seem that the fire daimyo has lost all contact with Sōsetsu, and thus, word from Yukigakure, altogether as of today. The possibility of a coup was speculated to be the cause.

Suddenly, the messenger shinobi opened the doors to Hiruzen’s office, garnering his and the ANBU Commander’s attention.

“I’ve returned with the Captains you’ve requested, Hokage-sama, Commander.”

“ This is not a tradition I’m familiar with, “ he said before he brushed forward to properly face Neji. In the facet of his red eyes is a rich emotion coalesced with so many that the only resulting display could be described as a muted eros. 

A breath before all-too-warm lips press upon the Hyuuga’s, seeking affection with a hunger, and trapping the unfortunate prey to his desire. Sasuke could stand to be more gentle, but he is not; he’s never learned how even if his shoulders quivered with some semblance of restraint.

~X~——; He was aware the other was there. No matter how hard Sasuke tried to stay hidden, Neji was always aware. He was always hyperaware of who was around him. A nasty habit he had picked up since being brought back. He couldn't risk the wrong person finding out that he was still around after all.

He tilted his head to one side, unaware of just what Sasuke was rattling on about. As far as Neji knew it was just another Saturday. Or at least he assumed it was Saturday. He wasn't the best about keeping up with the week anymore. Not unless it was needed.

Neji studied him, watching every small movement Sasuke took. Curious what the other was on about.

He froze at the kiss, sure he could have moved out of the way, dogged it. But he hadn't expected that of all things to happen. He was sure there was a joke about the hamster on the wheel that kept his brain rolling had gone flying off the wheel somewhere.

It only took him a moment before he kissed back, uncaring that Sasuke wasn't the most gentle with the kiss, it wasn't like there was anything physically Sasuke could do that would leave lasting damage.

He kissed back with the same level of need and desire Sasuke had tossed at him, before breaking it after a moment laughing softly.

“What would you like to do today?”

The Uchiha princeling carried a personal outlook to such affects. When he looks upon the land, he feels a deep, resonate warning for a caution yet heeded by any grand power. It smells of a prophecy in disturbed fresh water; such thoughts kept secret, for now. When he looks upon Madara, he senses an extreme unease woven into the lattice of his expression. And, ever the perfect host Izuna can be, he carries such a patina of comeliness — the vestige of a hearth bound to his heart and exuded in his aura specifically for his sensor-sensitive brother.

" You missed dinner again this evening. Must I march up towards that tower and rasp the knuckles of those legislates who do not respect your time as much as they do your mind? "

An easy, nightly read, is what this scroll in his hands should have been. Yet, the more words entered his eyes, heavier became his elbows upon the soft bed with which he was propped. Madara almost deflates when he reads that there has been strong push back from the Fire Daimyo regarding recent appeals for less stringent checks on trade routes. His mind, oh, astute as ever, refused to give in to the thought that he must wager his appearance before the majesty — that which the Uchiha, and many others, had exited from.

If it proved useful, then it could be seen as an easy way out, and lose respect before the allies. If it did not, then Madara would have humiliated both Konohagakure and himself before the sei-i taishogun. Now, withholding all that thought, he must foremost ensure none of the Uchiha tarries in their loyalty to this newfound peace. No, not one!

" Izuna … " The older brother felt truly guilty, welling from a mix of everything, really. " I would not be quick to fault them. Respect is the least of their concern right now. " The scroll is folded then, hugged to his neck, as though he could fully assimilate with it and somehow receive a miracle thought to solve this dilemma in his mind. With lips pursed, he sounds a question that even he thought was a sure travesty, " Shhhall we visit the capital, some time? "