Disclaimer: Naruto was invented by Masashi Kishi-freakin-moto. Don't own. Don't sue. Dattebayo!
Flying Daggers
Chapter 1. Heaven
When Tenten was a child she learned the art of weaponry, how to kill a man with her bare hands. Her body became a weapon to protect her country. When she was sold to the Hyuuga she learned of the weakness that she would protect with her life. At three years of age she was assigned to Neji a bitter child who had seen too much of the world at too young an age.
"What a beautiful child" Hiashi Hyuuga remarked in his usual bland monotone. Standing before them was a slight three year old girl with deep brown eyes and mahogany hair. Her name meant 'heaven'; appropriate for her delicate angelic face.
"She is one of the most talented chosen ones, my lord, and she is of age. The same as your Neji, I recall. She would be excellent breeding stock" The sensei replied.
Hiashi tried to ignore the glaring definition of his words that made him want to grind his teeth together or strangle the man. It was not a duty he relished, foisting servitude upon a child, (especially the lonely little girl from Cloud) but it was forced upon him nonetheless by his duty to the clan. Tenten, his favorite of all the chosen ones.
"A fitting gift from Cloud after their part in my brother's death" The words and tone were bitter, as it was the only thing Hiashi felt nowadays besides complete apathy.
"But yes, she is the same age as my nephew and is certainly talented enough, judging by her scores and what you've told me" Kneeling down before the girl he asked gently "Will you become a Viewer? Are you prepared to protect your master with your life?"
The girl looked into his silver orbs and answered with a steadfast and determined expression in her eyes.
"I will my lord. I am prepared to protect my pureblood master with my life"
Although he felt deeply for the girl, he could not stop the blooming of hope in his chest. This girl would change Neji, unlock the gilded cage that bound him; he knew it. This girl named Tenten.
Heaven indeed.
10 years later
If she had not felt an obligation to fulfill Lord Hiashi's expectations and her devotion to the clan head who was almost a father to her; Tenten would have been committed to an asylum by now.
Tenten wasn't an idiot: she knew her own position in the silent yet vindictive clan she served. They hated her because of her birth in Cloud; her cold childhood could attest to that. But even though she was a replacement for the twin brother who sacrificed himself, an insignificant peace offering between two sides who would never forgive or forget, Hiashi had embraced her as a surrogate daughter.
But Neji, oh how he hated her…
She saw the barely concealed resentment and knew she represented everything he hated.
They were sitting on the bench in the Hyuuga gardens as far away as possible from each other without falling off. Finally, not able to stand the silence anymore Tenten stood abruptly and said "I'm going to the training grounds" The training grounds were her escape. She was tired of the expression in Neji's eyes every time he saw her. She should be used to it by now but when it was Neji the unfamiliar pain in her chest confused her and left her lost in his silver eyes.
Neji watched Tenten stalk away, distracted by her long loose hair swinging from side to side. He kept staring in the direction she had disappeared long after she had left, his emotions left in tangled knots.