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Neji awoke to the gentle sensation of fingers lightly brushing his face. Tenten's hand froze as soon as his eyes fluttered open.
"You're awake," she whispered.
He stirred his chakra to loosen the tightness in his body and let out a quiet breath. "…What time is it?"
Tenten blinked, uncertain. "I don't know…"
Together, they sat up in the stillness of the Hokage Tower's barrier chamber. No one had come to disturb them.
"Let's head back."
"Mm."
There was something unspoken in the air soft, charged as they stepped out into the golden hues of the setting sun.
The evening had draped itself over Konoha. The world was bathed in amber light, casting long shadows as the sun dipped low.
Just a few steps from the tower, a figure leaning against a stone wall caught their eyes.
Tenten stopped, surprised.
"…Sasuke?"
"You're here for me," Neji said calmly, cutting in before Tenten could say more.
Sasuko slowly opened her eyes. She'd been there for a while.
"I've been waiting."
After her conversation with Kakashi, she'd hunted down Neji's whereabouts through Lee and Guy but it had taken longer than expected.
"What were you doing in there for so long?"
Tenten bristled then flushed red as her mind jumped to the memory. She said nothing.
Neji, on the other hand, was unmoved. "That's not your concern. Remember the ninja code."
Sasuko blinked. The reminder hit her emotions had gotten the better of her.
"…You're right. I overstepped."
"It's fine. What did you want?"
Sasuko stared at him. Neji could feel the weight behind her silence.
"Tenten," he said quietly, turning to her, "Sorry. I can't join you for dinner tonight."
She frowned slightly. "Are you sure? Is everything alright?"
"It's fine. Go on ahead."
"…Okay."
Still concerned, she gave Sasuko a wary glance before walking off into the fading light.
Once she was gone, Neji faced her.
"We're alone now. Speak."
Sasuko gave a nod and gestured. "Follow me."
With a blur, she vanished into the tree line. Neji sighed and followed.
—
They arrived at one of Sasuko's usual training grounds a clearing on the edge of the forest, scarred by countless drills and sparring sessions.
She stood atop a stone, arms crossed, hair swaying behind her in the breeze.
The darkness deepened around them. The sun had slipped away.
Neji stood still below. "Enough buildup. What do you want?"
Sasuko's eyes narrowed.
"Neji-senpai… I want to become stronger. Much stronger. And fast."
She looked down, clenching her fists.
"The way I'm progressing… it's not enough. Not for what I have to do. Not to defeat him."
Her voice quivered with the fire of obsession.
"So please train me again. Spar with me. Teach me. Like before."
Neji already knew what was coming.
The last fight with Itachi had shattered Sasuko's pride. The humiliation of being utterly overwhelmed had lit a fire in her that she couldn't extinguish.
And now, she stood at a crossroads.
If he agreed, she'd stay in Konoha. If he refused… she'd fall to Orochimaru's temptation.
"…I can only teach you the basics," Neji said quietly. "Beyond that, I can't help you. You already know why."
"Why not?!"
"My techniques use [Chi], [Gentle Fist], or system-based skills you can't access."
Sasuko's voice trembled. "There's nothing you can give me…?"
Neji's answer was a firm shake of his head.
Silence. Her disappointment was palpable.
The darkness had fully fallen. Sasuko stood in its embrace, while Neji remained beneath the last glimmers of light.
The cursed seal on her neck pulsed with a dangerous glow.
It didn't hurt anymore.
Her body had adapted.
Far away, Orochimaru grinned.
The time has come.
Send the Sound Four.
—
Back in the darkened clearing, Sasuko opened her eyes again now glowing with the crimson hue of the two-tomoe Sharingan.
Without a word, she sprang from her perch and lunged at Neji with a kunai.
He caught her wrist mid-swing, expression calm. "…What are you doing?"
Her eyes, burning beneath loose strands of hair, didn't waver.
"I want to see your real strength, Neji-senpai."
She twisted her arm and jerked him forward, her knee already rising to strike.
Neji disengaged with a light leap, hands coming up defensively as he slid back.
A grin curved Sasuko's lips.
"Come on, Neji-senpai… you'll indulge me, won't you?"
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