Edited


It was their fate to meet...then to part, so what will destiny decide?

***

Fate has a way of influencing and manipulating things, making the impossible possible. Destiny is the path of life that somehow changes with every action we make yet stays the same.

Fate and Destiny walk hand in hand, sometimes the same thing, sometimes completely different. Do they exist? There is no way to determine. Only in miraculous times in our lives do we believe they do.

Otherwise our beliefs of their presence are faded, in our subconscious…

***

It was a day whom many would consider beautiful. The cerulean sky was dotted with specks of faint white clouds. The sun was shining brightly, lighting up the busy streets of Konoha. Neji, however, had a sinking feeling.

Something is going to ruin this day, somehow…

He was not a pessimist...at least he was convinced that he wasn't.

He was in his study, practicing his near perfect characters of calligraphy. Slowly and patiently dipping the perfectly poised brush into the deep, murky pool of ink, he thought about his upcoming birthday. He sighed, thinking how it would be a stiff formal ceremony, instead of an easy going, fun "party" anyone else his age would hold.

But he wasn't like anyone else. He was Hyuga Neji, the prodigy of his clan. His clan was rich; owning a successful business. They were merchants who travelled to villages near and far, trading valuable items with their exceptional bargaining skills. This was because their clan had the Byakugan, especially used to see through the lies, forgeries and frauds.

Suddenly, a maid knocked on his door, interrupting him from his thoughts.

"You may enter." He said dispassionately.

A blushing girl entered, set down his tea on his desk, quickly stole a glance at him, causing her blush to deepen, and then slipped away…all in the matter of seconds.

He blinked. The stolen glance did not go by unnoticed by him. Neji was not a vain person. That is, unless you counted the hours he spent on maintaining his long, chestnut hair.

He never understood why girls always blushed around him, even his dear cousin Hinata. However, her blushing was an exception. Her quiet and painfully shy nature caused her to even faint at the sight of guests.

After drinking his soothing green tea, he decided to head outside. He saw Hinata, his timid cousin, lurking in the shadows of the corridor. She slowly walked up to him.

"Neji-niisan." She whispered quietly to acknowledge him, her head directed at the ground as always.

"Hinata-sama" he replied, slightly bowing his head. Slightly.

"H-hiashi-sama told me to tell you that your p-presence is n-needed in the meet-t-ing r-room," she said her stutter getting worse by the second.

She doesn't stutter around me anymore...there must be something important going on...

"I-i-i-it i-s- a-b-b-out..."

Neji nodded. There was no need for her to continue. He had already known since he was a child.

"Thank you for the message." He said in a reserved voice, however, there was a tint of kindness in it.

Taking in a deep breath of air, Hinata calmed herself. Smiling at Neji, she softly slinked away, leaving him with his thoughts.

He knew what was going on. Ever since his teenage years, he had already known, and didn't give it a second thought. However, he didn't expect it to occur so soon, not until a few more years.

His steps towards the meeting room were soft yet powerful. He knew he could handle this, he already knew it was coming.

Maids knelt down by the door, and then slid them open, as he approached the meeting room. The seventeen-year old prodigy could see the Hyuuga Elders and Hiashi-sama waiting patiently in the meeting room. He entered, paid his respects, and sat down.

Hiashi was the first to speak.

"Neji, as you know, this upcoming Saturday will be your eighteenth birthday. As tradition states, a boy becomes a man at this age.

"The Elders have allowed you 18 days, after your birthday, to go anywhere you wish. However, after the 18 days, you are to obey the Elders' wishes. You are to settle down and run the family business. When Hinata, the heiress, turns 18, she will then run the business as joint partners with you."

Neji's eyes opened a fraction (maybe 1/200ths) wider.

Run the family business? Me? A branch family member?

"We have chosen you to take over the business because of the exceptional skills you have shown, and proved, in this area."

Of course, I was always known as the prodigy. Still, I can't believe the Elders relented and let me run a joint partnership. They didn't go by the rules, for once.

" Lastly, every well respected man needs a wife," Hiashi continued in a monotone voice, "Therefore, you will be put in an…"

Neji's expression did not change. It was the same as ever: bland, calm and demanding. He inwardly sighed. He knew what Hiashi was going to propose. And it consisted of two words.

The two words of doom which will take away my freedom forever.

"Arranged Marriage." Hiashi ended.

I knew the business deal was too good to be true without some sort of catch to it.

"The girl has not been chosen yet. She and her family background will have to fulfil some requirements, in order to marry into this house." Hiashi carried on.

Requirements such as wealth, respect and benefits for the clan. Typical.

"We have a wide range of choices. However, the decision will be made by the end of this year, and the marriage will be on your nineteenth birthday." He informed Neji.

"Do you agree?"

Neji merely nodded. He would have no say or choice anyway. It was final.

***

"COME ON people! Let's get moving! We have to reach the next destination within a day!!" yelled out an enthusiastically loud boy, punching his fist in the frosty air.

From inside the tent, grumbles of protests could be heard.

"..so cold..."

"...rest..."

"...just a little while longer..."

The blond boy narrowed his eyes, then within a second; the tents disappeared, leaving the inhabitants exposed, shivering in the cold, morning air. Packing up the tents in the caravan, after that impressive show of speed and everlasting stamina and energy, the blond boy yelled out:

"ONE DAY only to get there! Come on you LAZY bunch of people! The AUDIENCE from that village will be DISAPPOINTED!"

The little group mumbled to themselves, and piled into the ready-to-go caravan. The blue-eyed boy beamed, checked the area in case there were still remaining belongings, and then closed the door behind him.

"WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD! The wonderful wizard of Oz!" he sang at a volume that could shatter eardrums, while driving the caravan off to the next destination.

"Stop singing! I'm trying to get some beauty sleep!" a pink-haired girl exclaimed in a screechy voice, due to fatigue. But to no avail, the happy driver, probably the only one who still had energy left after their 3 day continuous performance, carried on singing.

"FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD!! Follow the yellow..."

Everyone in the cozy caravan sighed in defeat.

***

As Neji opened his pale eyes to the morning of a new day, he sighed. It was his birthday today. Neji groaned in anticipation of a long, strict and quiet ceremony.

Just like every birthday ceremony we, Hyugas, have. This one will probably be even longer.

After getting dressed in his everyday attire, he stepped out of his bland, tidy room, towards the dining area. He seated himself beside Hinata, as always. The Hyugas, being a prim and strict clan, had assigned seats.

Hinata turned around and gently smiled.

"Neji-niisan," she began with a nervous voice, "Happy Birthday."

Neji faced her with surprise, however his face was still stoic. No one has ever said that to me before.

Hinata gulped, thinking that she had made the wrong decision to speak confidently. What a blow to her first attempt at self confidence. She was going to hide her red face in her indigo bangs, when Neji did an unbelievable thing.

He smiled back.

Or rather, his mouth quivered and then resembled something close to a small smile. Hinata stared with wide eyes. She fought her chin's urge to drop to the ground. Hyugas just didn't do that.

"Thank you Hinata-sama." He replied, calmly as ever, yet his smile was still present on his aristocratic face.

Hinata nodded, and then smiled to herself. Maybe she should attempt to be more confident, as the results seemed to be amusingly interesting.

"Hinata," she stated. "Call me Hinata."

"But you are in the main Hyuga family, thus, it is respect to call you Hinata-sama," answered Neji, with an amused face. Maybe this dreaded day wouldn't be as bad as I thought.

Hinata shook her head side to side.

"W-we are going t-to be joint partners." She replied, her stutter coming back. She gulped, and forced her stutter away. "So technically, we should be equals."

Neji nodded, understanding her logic.

"As you wish, Hinata."

Suddenly, the small chatter in the room ceased, as Hiashi entered. Hinata noticed that Neji's small smile was quickly wiped off his face at her father's arrival.

Hiashi cleared his throat.

"Good morning. Today, another member of the Hyuga clan will step into manhood. At precisely 8:08 tonight, we will be holding a ceremony for Neji, at the Hyugaa Hall. Please be prompt."

8:08...as always with every ceremony. Ever the superstitious clan.

Neji grimaced, pondering over the many possibilities to spend his day, before the tedious ceremony that will change his life. He was going to go off to train after the usual silent meal, when Hinata tapped him on the shoulder.

"Neji-niisan, do you h-have any plans for today?" she asked, cautiously.

He turned to face her. Scratch those plans. I wonder what idea she'll propose.

"No, no plans at all, Hinata-sa...Hinata" he corrected himself. A smile was starting to form on Hinata's face.

"Well, I was w-wondering if you and I could v-visit the village Oracle." Neji arched an eyebrow.

"W-well…you know... since this is the l-last opportunity to get a reading before the ceremony." she said, obviously flustered, poking her index fingers together.

"Sure." He replied. Hinata sighed in relief.

"Okay. Let's go."

***

The Oracle of their village was a friendly, old woman, rumoured to be over 200 years old. She was well respected among the villagers, as her readings, no matter how irrelevant or unbelievable at the time, were always, one way or another, correct.

"Good morning to you, Oracle." Hinata greeted. Neji nodded in acknowledgement.

The Oracle had been like a grandmother to Hinata. When Hinata was little, whenever she felt upset or had worries, she had always ran to the Oracle for comfort. Nowadays, she came to her for advice and encouragement.

"Would you like your readings? Since I know that it is your 18th birthday, meaning that your life will take on a new course, Neji, I will do both the services for free." She smiled kindly at them.

Hinata smiled in reply, and sat down on a stool opposite the Oracle. Neji followed her example, and seated himself beside Hinata.

"Instead of the usual individual readings, today I would like to try something different with you." The Oracle informed them, "I would like to do paired readings. This means that not only do I read the individual, I can also read the paths that you both will cross."

The two Hyugas nodded in agreement. This will prove to be different...and interesting.

The Oracle took out a stack of cards. The cards were not tarot cards or any of the sorts. They were unique, because the Oracle had created them. They were blank, but when the Oracle caught readings, images would appear on them.

She took their hands and closed her eyes. Her mouth was twisted in concentration. She flipped the first card and placed it in front of Neji.

"Travel to the village of Mist"

An image of mist appeared on the previously blank card. She flipped the second, and placed it on Neji's side again.

"Find a circus..."

A picture of small dome-like tents appeared. The third card was placed in front of Hinata. The Hyuga heiress widened her eyes in anticipation.

"You will find an unlikely yet true love..."

An image of a black heart appeared, and then faded into a rosy pink heart. Neji sniggered as he saw Hinata's shock etched on her face.

However, the Oracle continued.

"So will you. However troubles will lie in your path..."

She placed the next card in front of Neji. It showed two linked hearts, though the background was black. Neji paled slightly, and then resumed his original complexion.

As if I will fall in love...I have no interests in romance. I am to have an arranged marriage anyway...

"Both of you will succeed together...but only together, not apart"

A card showing wealth appeared, followed by clasped hands. Hinata and Neji looked at each other, both knowing that this was referring to their joint partnership in their family business.

So she and I have to make decisions and run the business together...or we won't succeed. I must keep this in mind...

"The birds will be set free..."

The Oracle ended, placing yet again two cards.

One portraying a fantail, a small bird with a fan-like tail (they are native in New Zealand.), flying in the air, in front of Hinata. The other, an eagle, breaking out of a steel cage, was put in front of Neji.

The Oracle opened her eyes.

"I believe that was all I could read." She looked at them expectantly, waiting for questions. However, both the quiet Hyugas were silent, deep in their thoughts.

"I will leave you two with these readings in mind. Fate decided this, so don't think that they are impossible. Neji, I believe you are to go on a journey on those 18 days you have been permitted to travel." The Oracle kindly explained.

The two Hyugas thanked the Oracle and stood up to leave. As they stepped out of her tent, they heard the Oracle speak.

"Follow your destiny."

Author's Notes: I have decided to edit everything. I reread the story, and realized with horror, how shockingly amateur it was. This is bad, in the obvious sense of way, but being the optimist I am (hardly), it can be good, because it shows that I've improved in writing! *mock cheer*

Enjoy and Review if you please.