~For H.P An; in the memory of Neji~
-Kingdom Chronicles-
Chapter 1
Tenten stared out the window, tinted with small-spiked frost flakes at the edges. The landscape, blotched with flame-scorched trees, houses abandoned and wrecked by force and hatred lay for miles, stretching hill over hill. Wisps of dying smoke rose from the remaining shambles of her village, forlornly hovering into the carbon colored sky above.
An ominous anxiety floated over the cavernous room. She shivered; she knew it was not from the cold for she was enrobed in a long gown of fur.
The coppery scent of blood seemed faint now; maybe the cold had frozen it. She wished it would freeze that inexplicable, deep-set pain in her heart as well. Tenten found it hard to imagine that this once was the dazzling castle that held golden extravagant feasts, hosted proudly as a tribute to their immense wealth by her parents. The bustling of wealthy merchants and the hearty laughs of nobles seemed distant in her mind. The smiling albeit weapon slashed portraits of goddesses and nymphs seemed to mock her grief. She felt an unreasonable hate for the beautiful creatures.
She had dragged and buried her dead a day ago, yet she felt as if it had been only seconds when her shovel tried to dig into the frozen earth, forming bloody blisters on her hands. The villagers, some slain and some fled, left the prosperous country barren with gloom. So much despair planted in such a brief time, it seemed like an appalling phantasm.
The marble flooring mirrored the somber gray light that floated in from the windows like water, playing tricks against her unsettled mind. The silence scared her.
Her eyes drifted to the dark scarlet stain a step away from the two empty thrones.
"Please! I beg you! Spare us!"
Tenten's heart gave a hallowing lurch. Clutching her head, she tried hard to suppress the memory that had resurfaced. A warm trickle ran down her cheek. Scared by the sensation, her hand flew to her cheek; it was wet. It was a tear. Tenten closed her eyes, she felt so cold, so alone…so weak…
Maybe the fur cloak wasn't thick enough after all.
Five more steps
The prince followed his uncle, taking strides within the unfamiliar palace. He glanced at the rocco-styled décor, reflecting summer. He knew that if it were not for the daunting atmosphere, that this castle would be beautiful.
Four more steps
The air had a strange scent to it, and every strand of hair on his body prickled. What was this feeling? Was it dread? He had never been the one to believe in yurei or borei, but after the appalling massacre that took place; his immaculate senses picked up sinister sadness that hung over the estate.
Three more steps
He suddenly wanted to be out of the place. It wasn't just the unwelcoming perception he received, it was the ill-boding half of his mind that told him to pick up his feet and sprint.
Two more steps
He stared ahead, straightening his back like he was taught to do so ever since his youth. His hands tightened ever-so-slightly on the hilt of his silver katana, his eyes settling into a stern gaze. The other half of his mind chided furiously to him that he was pathetic to fear something so absurd.
One
His uncle, His Highness Hiashi pushed open the heavy oak portal, meeting at an ornate arch. He was sure now the previously undetermined scent was blood. A figure sat near a carved bench, their back facing the widow, barely moving. The person seemed unaware of their arrival. His uncle quickly strode towards it. The figure, mantled in pelt, slowly turned around.
It was a female.
Hazel locks hung straight down her creamy, defined face. A quaint expression rested on her delicate features, preferably on her cherry-shaped lips. His rigid gaze flickered when he met her eyes. Inside the hazel orbs, lay a bleak, despairing sadness. She, like her castle, must have once been bursting with liveliness, now all lay in sight was an alluring shell of the former.
Hiashi quickly strode towards the princess and knelt. She held out her hand half-heartedly as he kissed it.
"I am truly sorry we arrived late. We left as soon as the message came…but the weather was dastardly to say the least."
Hiashi said. The princess nodded softly, her eyes downcast. She stood up so slowly that it pained him to watch. She somehow, carrying the weight of the cloak under her fragile frame, walked towards the door. With every step, his gaze followed her, anticipating her fall. She didn't, instead, as she walked to the door with ghostly grace, her steps were surprisingly strong. Hiashi followed her with a curt nod directed to the prince that read "Escort her".
He held out an arm, letting the princess place hers on top of his. He was not in love with the girl, but he had to comply that she was beautiful, even up close. A haunting, unearthly type of beautiful.
Satisfied, Hiashi, once again led the way out, his curt footsteps echoing sharply in the chambers of the castle.
As they neared the exit, he felt the weight lift on his arm. The princess had stopped. He watched her as she eerily scanned the antechamber. Her eyes resting on the greeting paintings of whom he presumed to be her parents, the late sovereigns. A flash of involuntary sympathy escaped onto his visage. He found it difficult to breath.
After a few seconds, her gaze still lingering, she placed her hand on his arm again.
"Sorry."
She breathed, giving the castle a final bade.
"Not to worry."
He replied without looking at her.
As they stepped into the breezing air, soft with drizzle, the princess's arm tightened around his arm as her eyes met with the soldiers and their weapons. He understood the underlining of her body language.
She was afraid. Soldiers had slaughtered her parents.
He looked over at his uncle. He too, was eyeing the troops and the princess. He then signaled a maid to attend the princess into the caravan.
"What are you doing, Neji? Get in with her!"
Hiashi demanded. The prince looked surprised, almost about to ask the forbidden question of "Why?" The he remembered etiquette and gave a forceful bow,
"Sorry, your majesty."
He then stepped into the caravan with the princess, instead of riding his horse as he did when he arrived.
Inside the caravan was dim; the curtains were shut, only allowing thin streams of gray light to drain in. He could faintly make out the bordering her aerial frame, illuminated and glowing.
As the ride back to their kingdom, Konoha, began, the princess still remained silent. The prince was bothered that it was too dark to read her facial expressions. He wondered what she was thinking.
Shuffle, bump
His back stiffened as a noise bounced below his seat. The princess seemed to sense it too, perking up straight.
Followed by bouts muffled giggles.
He needed not to use his Byakugan to determine who had made the sound. He bent over and scanned underneath his seat.
There was more annoyance in his mind than fear of all the horrible things that could be hiding under his seat.
"Get out, Hanabi. NOW."
He ordered, poking the sheathed katana into the expanses of darkness below. A small figure jumped out, bouncing wildly. Even in the shade of the caravan, he could tell she was pointing her finger in his face as she would always do.
"That's her Royal Highness, General of Supremacy, Commander of the troops militaire, Queen Hanabi Hyuuga to you, slave!"
The small girl yelled, striking a "super" pose.
"Be quiet, Hanabi! Or your father will hear about this!"
The prince warned. The truth was that sometimes, not even that, could cease the young girl's limitless energy.
"Whose gonna make me, huh, Neji-niisan?"
She challenged, jumping up and down from the tables and the chairs.
"Aren't you supposed to be training right now?
He asked, smirking.
The girl froze immediately. She slowly slumped down into the seat across from the two in disbelief.
"Shoot…"
She whispered, slapping her head in annoyance. "I totally forgot."
"Shut up and I won't tell."
"You won't? Gee thanks, Neji-niisan!"
She chirped loudly, her grin almost had a light of its own.
"Quieter."
Hanabi clasped both hands to her mouth, her eyes wide. In a hushed tone, she exclaimed, "Oops!"
From beside him, he heard a small laugh. It was a tinkling, sweet sound, seemingly rising above from the caravan itself.
It was the princess.
With a small, satin-gloved hand cupped to her mouth, she gave a trifling laugh, as if it was a secret. The prince and Hanabi both stared. The princess looked up, her laughter swiftly evaporated.
"Whoa! Who're you?"
Hanabi exclaimed, noticing the princess for the first time.
"She'-
"I'm Tenten."
The princess said, using no formal suffixes for her name. Hanabi grinned, and plopped down between the two. Neji let out a groan of disgust.
"So-so-so! Are you Neji-niisan's girlfriend? Is he a good kisser? Huh?"
She chattered, pulling on the princess's arm. Clearly uncomfortable by the close proximity of the young girl's face to her own, Tenten shrank back.
"Leave her be, Hanabi."
Neji said, forcefully pulling her off of the princess. Tenten shot Neji a look of thankfulness. Neji couldn't help but notice the overwhelming sadness reflected in her glassy eyes.
"Neji-niisan? I want to play with Konohamaru! He's on this trip right?"
Hanabi asked, referring to the fun-loving, energetic young knight, the son of one of Hiashi's trusted warriors.
Neji shrugged, "Not my concern if your father catches you."
Hanabi stuck her tongue out carelessly, before pushing aside the curtains, swinging herself out of the window with surprising agility and speed for someone her age.
"You have a wonderful sister."
The princess said, her voice wistful and faraway.
Her expression was hidden in the thick veil of darkness.
"She's my cousin. She's not wonderful."
Tenten shifted her head to the side, strands of hair falling across the outline of her face.
"Don't say that."
She said, her tones soft, but her words angry. Distinctly, he saw her body tense until it shook.
Estranged by her behavior, he asked,
"Why?"
"Because I had a younger sister once too."
That was all she needed to say to keep the prince silent and in thought for the rest of the trip.
The caravan slowly pulled to a buttery stop. The distant pounding of the horse hooves died away, the prince stood up, back nearly touching the velvet roof of the caravan.
"I think we've arrived."
He said, opening the curtains to check, the princess glanced outside, her eyes reflecting the warmth of the golden sunshine, splashing into the caravan.
"Your kingdom is truly beautiful."
She whispered, mesmerized by the scenery. The prince shrugged. He had never even thought about Konoha as beautiful. Maybe it was in the never-bleak sky, or the sheer gentleness of the otherwise scorching sun, the soft serenading winds, or the hundreds of thousands of trees, scattered by the acre, changing with the season.
The kingdom. His future kingdom was indeed splendid and clothed in glory, as his eyes opened up to something he has not taken note of before.
"Yeah. It is pretty."
He said, from the bottom of his heart.
The two stayed that way, staring outside. The otherwise uncomfortable crouching position they were in would've been painful, but neither felt anything.
"Majesties. We have arrived."
A guard said, poking a helmeted head through the caravan's door. They both startled at the sudden interruption. The guard sensed that he had seemingly barged in at the wrong time, recoiled and bowed in apology, face red.
The princess walked to him, half-bent, and lifted him up, "It's nothing. I was telling the prince what a wonderful country he has." She added, her voice laced with pain, "Citizens too…"
The guard, an oblivious young fellow, blushed, bowed again, and shut the door.
"We should get going now, Lady Tenten."
Neji said, offering up an arm, and with the other, he opened the curtained double-doors.
Dazzling, white light almost blinded their view. When Tenten's eyes finally adjusted to the light from sitting so long in the dark, she was taken aback.
Konoha was beautiful, not just the picturesque scenery, but it had a type of beauty that seeped everywhere. Running along the streets, youngsters capered and laughed. Shops filled with flowers, desserts and toys dotted as far as the eye could see. Food vendors yelled out their merchandise, waving to attract hungry customers. Families with children, strolling contently about…
Tenten could feel a peppery sensation build up in her nose. What was that stinging warm feeling in the corners of her eyes? What was that tight, taunt pain in her heart? Maybe the result of the nights she spent sleepless, pacing around the hollow castle. But in her heart, she knew it was so much more than that.
In front of her, a red carpet was rolled down by a page, dressed in gold-threaded clothes. As if they had stepped out from the stores themselves, musicians stood tall, perfect in posture and lined, and sounded the shining trumpets. Every subject froze at the brass melody, bowing in respect. Hiashi walked first, proudly aware of the staring of his awing subjects. Neji gave the princess a small nudge, signaling for her to go next. As if in a trance, she fixated her sight in front of her, seemingly floating in a foggy reverie. She was paced strangely fast, and the prince had to use twice his usual speed to match up with her.
The Hyuuga Royal Palace was a prestigious piece of architecture, legendary for its magnificent design of the numerous turrets that jutted out of the marble rooftops, and the scene of where the castle was built. A jade-green moat ran underneath the steel-plated drawbridge, which had seen a corner of history itself, be it battles, attacks or the signing of treaties. Behind the castle lay a beautiful, blue-crystal shaded lake, with captivating legends of its own.
As the royals entered the palace, attendants and servants flitted about them, offering drinks and compliments. The princess noticed most of the attendants were stunningly fine females with trim figures. It seemed that even the austere His Royal Highness Hiashi Hyuuga was half-Casanova.
Standing amidst of then was a refined female figure, perched and proper, catching her attention. Lined by a radiant aura, she seemed different from the other "butterflies". She had long, ebony hair, sharply cut at her thighs, held with a diamond clasp. The female was dressed in a cold green gown that complemented her pretty features and thin physique.
Much to her surprise, she walked towards them, her strides gracefully feminine. Halting before the prince she bowed.
"How was your travel, your majesty?"
"It was fine, Kin."
He replied courteously. Kin flashed a sublime smile; the princess found herself disliking the otherwise charming girl. As she bittered on the thought of Kin, her annoyance ignited into a frenzy of jealous sorrow. Why was their kingdom spared by Otogakure? Why was their king alive and well? Why did their citizens not desert them during times of snarl and trouble? Who were they to smile when she was in unbounded grief?
Her stream of sudden acerbic thoughts were interrupted when the prince spoke, his voice full of affection, like none Tenten had ever heard coming out of his mouth before,
"Lady Tenten, this is my fiancé, Kin Tsuchi. Her father is the feudal lord of the Land of Lotus Blossoms."
He introduced, with one arm over Kin's shoulder, pulling her close.
Tenten's heart twisted and ascended. The gnawing suspicion, hatred and fear her mind pulsed fiercely, she was spun into déjà vu. She startled in panic as she recognized the feeling, as she had felt days before. The same fear as the day of the invasion of her kingdom. To limited extent, she was sure she knew this girl…but from where? The princess scoured her mind for answers, dismal when she found none. Goosebumps rose on her skin, underneath the heavy coat.
Kin smiled sweetly, seemingly genuine in affection she said,
"It is an honor, your majesty."
She glanced at Neji quickly then back at the princess, "I am looking forward to marrying his majesty, the prince. This is a wonderful, wonderful kingdom, no?"
As she said this, Tenten saw a flash of playful malice glint across her deep onyx irises.
To be continued…
~Author's Note~( v )(;o)
Please review!
Yurei: A vengeful woman ghost
Borei: Restless spirits
H.P An: A late friend of mine, I love you!
Neji's dead, you know? That's why leeten is going to work. i see no point in hina or ten anymore. Get a life.
Draco666-Forums-
You know what, so what? So what if Neji is dead? Honestly! The point of fandom is to imagine and create scenarios when one character is not doing what he is or she is! I write because of feels and fandom, not based on canon material, so therefore, Nejiten flamers, your argument is invalid ( Sorry, went on a rant…because of her post…I kinda had to…I honestly believe we shouldn't look into whether Neji is alive or not, but continue to love the pairing)
Kudos to Bobobear2657 for helping me edit.
~Hanaka Kaneda
