It wasn't much at all, really. A member of a proud and insular clan congratulating one of their own on exceptional skill, skill they no doubt would have had to expect, for family to have reached this far. But for the friendliness he was showing, it could have even been a perfunctory acknowledgment between cousins, to outsiders who had no idea how closely related they were. But it warmed Hizashi's heart to see Neji striving so hard and progressing so far, so pleased with his accomplishments.
It was an accomplishment, after all, to come so far in such a short time. Neji had every right to be proud of himself. He had done so much, and been given so little, been faced with so many barriers he simply couldn't control, not a single one of which was fair..... Their clan alone was a formidable challenge to contend with, when a Branch member like them looked to better themselves so incredibly, a tether that would strangle the life out of them if they allowed it to.
He'd always tried to see to it that Neji would never become so tangled in such bindings. They may never truly be able to soar free enough to touch the sun, but at least Neji would be able to spread his wings and know the joys of flight at all.
He shook his head at that; this was hardly his post. Neji had hit the nail right on the head at that, of course. "Of course not. I always write my reports here, before I come home; there's far more privacy here than in the compound." There's a gentle quirk of his lips, that in anyone else might have been a sly smile, a subtle nudge at those who were still listening in on their conversation. "Even with all our comrades milling about."
Yes, our comrades. As of the moment Neji had been promoted to Jounin, and especially once he'd been inducted into the ANBU, the two of them now stood shoulder to shoulder in rank and position, equals in every way. Neji had come a long way; Hizashi couldn't help but be happier with him than he had words to easily express. How could anyone put something so ineffable into mere words, the feelings of watching your heart, your purpose, your living legacy grow up and come into their own before your very eyes?
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It was an accomplishment, after all, to come so far in such a short time. Neji had every right to be proud of himself. He had done so much, and been given so little, been faced with so many barriers he simply couldn't control, not a single one of which was fair..... Their clan alone was a formidable challenge to contend with, when a Branch member like them looked to better themselves so incredibly, a tether that would strangle the life out of them if they allowed it to.
He'd always tried to see to it that Neji would never become so tangled in such bindings. They may never truly be able to soar free enough to touch the sun, but at least Neji would be able to spread his wings and know the joys of flight at all.
He shook his head at that; this was hardly his post. Neji had hit the nail right on the head at that, of course. "Of course not. I always write my reports here, before I come home; there's far more privacy here than in the compound." There's a gentle quirk of his lips, that in anyone else might have been a sly smile, a subtle nudge at those who were still listening in on their conversation. "Even with all our comrades milling about."
Yes, our comrades. As of the moment Neji had been promoted to Jounin, and especially once he'd been inducted into the ANBU, the two of them now stood shoulder to shoulder in rank and position, equals in every way. Neji had come a long way; Hizashi couldn't help but be happier with him than he had words to easily express. How could anyone put something so ineffable into mere words, the feelings of watching your heart, your purpose, your living legacy grow up and come into their own before your very eyes?