a/n: Hey everyone! So, this story has been taking up a lot of my time because it was difficult to write parts of it, especially during my final exams. I am happy to say that now, I'm on summer break, and that my state of hiatus is lifted. Thanks to all of my readers for their support of my writing, and thank you to my poll voters *cuddles*. Now, please enjoy this teaser to the further story…disclaimer on my profile, no warnings: enjoy!
The Moon and the Stars
By itanejiluver
Prologue
A lone traveler wearily stumbled down the road towards the gypsy encampment. The traveler smiled and tugged slightly at the brim of his large brown hat as he watched a group of small children playing in the dying daylight. He cleared his throat, and made his presence known.
The entire camp fell silent, and the little children stopped their game as they regarded him with wary eyes. The traveler felt sympathy for them, given the recent violence in travelling camps.
"I mean you no harm." The words came out, but died in the still air of the camp. The traveler cleared his throat and tried again. "I mean you no harm."
A middle-aged man stepped forward. "What do you seek, stranger?" he asked coldly.
The traveler spread his arms wide. "I am but a poor bard seeking food and shelter for one night."
"For one night?" the headman asked suspiciously. "And what can you offer us?"
"What else can a bard offer but a good tale?" The traveler held his breath in trepidation.
Luckily, a young woman came to his aid. "Father, let him stay. See how weary and hungry he looks—surely you can't deny him a place to rest?"
The headman shook his head. "I trust that you mean no harm to us. You may stay one night—but one night only."
The traveler bowed. "I thank you for your hospitality." He moved to sit down in front of the large bonfire in the camp's center, and activity slowly resumed.
The group of young children cautiously approached the traveler.
"Why, hello little ones."
"D-do…do you tell stories, Mister?" a little boy with dirt smudged across his nose piped up from the head of the group.
"I do," the traveler said amiably. "Would you like to hear one?"
"Oh yes!" a little girl in a colorful skirt squeaked eagerly. "The bards always have the best stories."
The bard chuckled. "Alright. How about I make a deal with you—after I get something in my belly, I'll tell you a story. But while I'm eating, you can all tell me about yourselves."
The children nodded eagerly as a gypsy woman set a bowl of stew in front of the traveler. The traveler smiled, and indicated that the children start. The traveler learned the all the children's names, and was in the process of learning about their favorite games when he finished his dinner.
He gently interrupted the long-winded explanation of a fairly complicated game of sticks. "Alright…maybe you can teach me your game later, but I've finished my meal. How does a story sound to you all?"
The children instantly perked up. "A story!" they whispered excitedly to each other as they scrambled for comfortable positions on the ground so that they could listen to the bard.
The traveler smiled quietly at the pure sweetness of youth. "Alright…now, I have a very special story for you. It's about two gods who get separated, and have to fight everything they know to return to each other."
The children's' eyes lit up with interest as they looked around at each other breathlessly.
"This story is about two gods named Neji, and Itachi." The traveler smiled down at all of the children sitting next to each other in a large group, and made a mental note of how adults and teenager were beginning to drift over towards his seat by the fire.
"However, I'll warn you now—this isn't just a children's story. This is a story about how love beats all," he said gravely. "It begins like this…" he cleared his throat, and nodded as someone brought forth a pitcher of water.
"Many, many years ago, when the world was still young, there was a godling named Neji Hyuga. He was beautiful with pale skin, lustrous brown hair, and eyes like grey pearls. It was only natural that he would attract attention from the other gods, but the one who captured his heart was Itachi Uchiha, the god of the moon. Neji joined Itachi in the night sky as his consort, and assumed his reign of the stars, happily filling a position that had been empty for a very long time.
The world was jubilant, and rejoiced at the two gods' union; the Earth was at peace, and mortals celebrated for days on end. However, not everyone was happy with their relationship. Karin, a powerful sorceress, burned with jealousy. She had spent eons trying to woo Itachi, only for Neji to come in and steal her prize. In a fit of cunning vengeance, she entered the Night Palace during the daytime and stole Neji away from his beloved while the Night slept. She transformed Neji in to a drab sparrow, and rejoiced at her the success of her scheme; no matter how far or how deeply Itachi searched, he would never be able to find Neji.
Itachi woke from his daily sleep, and shocked and terrified by Neji's disappearance. He vowed to never rest until he found his love, and when he wasn't ruling the Night Palace, he spent the rest of his time searching for Neji through the land until even the mortals began to notice how tired the god was. At last, he realized what had happened and sought out the witch, determined to find Neji. She laughed at him, and told him that she had banished Neji to the Earth. "Will you be willing to enter the hundred-year cycle of re-birth that humans must go through?"
Itachi glared at her. "I vowed that I would find Neji," he said coldly. "I keep my word." He stormed out of her lair, and travelled down to Earth to begin his search for Neji.
Ever since then, his seat as the lord of the moon, and Neji's seat as the god of the stars have stayed empty…and the world wept in anger and sadness."
The traveler paused, and smirked softly as he held the attention of the entire camp in his hands.
"In his first cycle of rebirth…"
a/n: Dun dun duuuuuuuuun! Sorry for the horrible prologue ending, but hopefully y'all are on tenterhooks for the next chapter to the story. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review on your way out…see ya next chapter!