Kiba Inuzuka frowned at his cousin as she walked into the room with a strange grace, her loyal companion at her heels. She was a well guarded secret of the Inuzuka, one of their highest ranking nin, even though she was a year younger than himself.
The Hokage even approved of her private nin-training, because of her strange ability.
She seemed to walk on her toes as she strode across the room, not bothering to give him a glance. With a graceful move, she sat comfortably at the table, beside his mother, Tsume. He wanted to growl at her, it was a natural reaction that all the other Inuzuka had towards her, as well, which is why she didn't live in the main compound.
Her kimono, a rich blue color with silvery floral patterns, was suppose to be what she wore to their engagement party. Instead, she wore it now, to meet her future husband for the first time, at his mother's insistence. Her hair, a dark raven color, was free, as it usually was, and cascaded down her back in an ebony waterfall. It almost made Kiba regret his decision.
Almost.
"So this is Kagome Inuzuka." Hiashi Hyuuga, the head of the Hyuuga clan, stated more than asked. "I've heard some thing about you, Kagome-chan, I see I wasn't misled."
Kagome nodded, and he noticed her dark blue eyes were speckled with yellow. Hiashi had no doubt it was a side effect from her...condition.
"Hai, Hyuuga-san." Kagome said, lifting her nose a bit. He inwardly frowned at the use of san rather than sama, however, he was told it was to be expected of her. After all, due to her...unique traits...it was only inevitable for her to feel such over confidence.
"Tell me, Kagome-chan, why are you not marrying within the clan?" He asked and Kagome gave a smile.
"Why, Hyuuga-san, I was sure you knew." Kagome started, gesturing towards Kiba. "Kiba-kun..." She purred, and Kiba growled at her, as did Akamaru. She smirked. "You see, Hyuuga-san, all the clan members have always had such...hostility towards me."
The Hyuuga nodded and the man-child beside him spoke up. "What exactly caused you to turn in this direction, Higurashi-san? I have not been told what exactly caused this, though, seeing what it's caused it is perfectly understandable you would look outside your clan for a husband."
Kagome was rarely asked this question, but then again, she didn't have much interaction with those outside her clan. "The Inuzuka are born with an affinity towards their partner, whether it has been born or not, you could think of it almost as a soul mate. It is understood that we are simply fated to be with our partners, and because we feed off of each other's chakra, we gain individual traits from each other." She paused, placing a hand on her partner, a medium sized cat with long fur and snowshoe-like markings.
The cat peered over the edge of the low table, it's bright golden eyes narrowing at the Hyuuga males. It let out a soft mew and Kagome nodded. "As you well know, cats and dogs do not interbreed, nor do we have the want to try." Kagome said, turning her eyes to Kiba. "After all, a dog wouldn't be able to handle us."
Kiba visibly bristled. He knew it was a barb directed at him, as, when they were younger, they had been betrothed. That did not last long. He had gone against it, telling Tsume he would not be with the cat lover. She had trusted him, and he knew that now, and he had tossed her aside in his younger days.
"I think you have that backwards pussy cat." Kiba shot back and Kagome smiled.
"Now, now, I was only teasing, Kiba-kun." She purred, and the Hyuuga men watched as he stood, storming out. She turned her eyes to them. "Pardon, I do not get along well with dogs, much less mongrels like him."
Tsume growled and Kagome turned her eyes to her.
"Growl at me all you like, bitch, but remember you're the one selling me off!" Kagome snapped, standing abruptly. "Pardon me, it is not that I dislike you, Hyuuga-san, I am simply tired of this family. I will agree with becoming your wife, but I am not a slave, nor am I an item." She said, shooting another furious glance towards the woman whom raised her. "I tire of you and the rest of this family." Kagome hissed out, turning to gracefully leave the room.
Neji's eyes followed her before he turned towards the two. "I will take care of matters with my fiance, please, excuse me." He said simply before walking out of the room himself.
"Stubborn brat." Tsume growled out and Hiashi smiled.
"It worked out, however. I will see to her moving into the branch house with Neji immediately." Hiashi said, standing as Tsume did.
"Be careful with her, she's a sensitive pup. She's never forgiven Kiba or myself for canceling the betrothal, she sees it as a betrayal." Tsume said, crossing her arms. "Let us pray Neji-san does not make the same mistakes we did."
Outside, Neji followed Kagome as she tore off the formal kimono she had been forced into. She let out the strangest sounds, small yowls, growling, and a hiss here and there. Underneath she wore a fishnet longsleeve top with a gray undershirt, and black shorts. Her companion, who was already missing by the time he caught up, came running back with a gray half-jacket with white fur.
It was very much like the one Kiba wore, only more feminine.
The cat mewled and Kagome stopped, looking over her shoulder. "Yes, Hyuuga-san?"
"I have come to talk of our arrangement, Inuzuka-san." Neji said, watching as she pulled on the jacket and pulled up the hood with a rough jerk.
He noted that it had cat like ears on top, and that it completely covered her hair minus her bangs.
"What more is there to talk about, Hyuuga-san? I will marry you, live with you, have your children, and otherwise we will live separate lives, you will find a mistress, and I will continue to go on missions as a nin under the Hokage's rule." Kagome said, no longer looking at him.
The cat gave a small mewl, rubbing against her leg.
"No. I wish to talk to you of all of this, and reach a decision we can mutually be happy with. I will not marry someone who will feel as if they are being forced." He said and she turned to look at him, slowly. "We will have an extended engagement, so we may have time to get to know each other. Children will be discussed after we have established we want this, and you may choose to live in the branch house or if you wish to stay here. I will not have a life where I feel I must take a mistress in order to be happy with my marriage."
Kagome smiled softly at him. "It is useless, Hyuuga-san." She said quietly. "I am fated to be alone in the end."
Neji frowned as she completely turned toward him, walking up to him with a fluid grace he assumed came from constant training. Her hand touched his cheek lightly. "I am happy my husband will be so kind, Hyuuga-sama."
With that she pulled away. Her sudden flip onto a roof top, and then bounding away was surprising, but he did not give chase. Instead he watched as the cat narrowed its eyes at him, not coming near. It then stood, turning about and bounding after her partner without so much as a meow.
Neji frowned and touched his cheek.
Fated, huh?