Enrei Ookami Chapter 2, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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Enrei Ookami – Chapter 2

There was something about this Enrei Ookami, something that Neji couldn't quite grasp. He was enchanted by this strange and beautiful woman. He silently contemplated what this meant as she chatted silently with a nurse about the drunken ANBU. The only thing he'd feel would be a headache in the morning.

"Would you like an escort, Ookami-sama?" Neji asked as he suddenly appeared at Ookami's side.

"Oh, that's not necessary," was Ookami's meek reply.

"I insist. Being a newcomer to Konoha might place you in a potentially dangerous situation. I could offer you at least some protection." What was he saying!? He didn't even know this strange newcomer. Well, he couldn't very well take it back now, could he?

"That is not necessary, as I said before. I assure you, I can take care of myself. I just planned on finding a place to get a drink, and then setting up camp just inside the woods to the west of the village."

"Are you really leaving at daybreak?" Neji blurted out before he could stop himself.

This question intrigued Ookami. This handsome boy, who she didn't know, seemed to have taken an interest in her. Perhaps she should see what would come of it. It has been a while since she had been involved with anyone new. She kept mostly to herself these days. She felt it was for the best, to be secluded. She didn't want to be hurt again. Like HE had hurt her.

-flashback-

Snow was falling lightly, just outside the village hidden in the mist and Ookami was running. Running after HIM. Why did he have to leave?

"KENJI!!! Please! Don't leave! I'm sure everyone will understand! DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN!"

It was of no use. Kenji had already gone. He had kissed her lightly on the forehead, before dashing out the door of her home towards the village gates. Never to be seen again.

"Oh Kenji…"

-end flashback-

Could she even handle getting hurt again, was the question.

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Ookami looked slightly dazed, as she stared off into space. Neji simply basked in her presence. What was happening to him?? What was it about this girl that did this to him?? Perhaps he just needed to get to know her.

She chuckled at Neji's question. 'I knew I shouldn't have asked. Why did I even ask her in the first place?' Neji questioned himself silently.

"I may return, but yes. I am leaving first thing. I am supposed to meet up with my brother, Makoto, at a nearby village. Actually, I HAVE to return. I have business with your Hokage, Lady Tsunade."

Neji raised an eyebrow. Maybe he should ask to join her for the drink she claimed to be looking for. It would be a good opportunity to get to know her, and learn of her motives. Neji's ever present distrust in people was beginning to surface. Yet, he couldn't stop looking at all of Ookami's lovely features.

"Well, if you won't let me escort you, how about sharing a drink with me?" once again, Neji could not believe that he didn't stop himself from practically asking Ookami out on a date!

"That would be nice, Neji-sama."

"You can call me Neji-kun, if you so desire."

Neji, always the gentleman.

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Neji had just asked Ookami to share a drink with him. Was he really interested in her? She was just as enticed by Neji as he seemed to be by her. She accepted without really thinking it through. It seemed as though, she was having déjà-vu. This is exactly how she had met Kenji, at a hospital, where he asked her out.

"Shall we be on our way then? Neji-kun," she added, almost as an afterthought. There was no turning back now. Even though Ookami was highly tempted to just run away. "We really shouldn't stay out TOO late though. I do, after all, have to leave bright and early," she finished.

And so, Neji and Ookami were off to chat and get something to drink.

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Hours later, Neji and Ookami found themselves sitting at the park where they had their first encounter, sitting on a bench, chatting happily. Neji eventually explained the curse mark of his clan to Ookami.

"That's horrible. I can't imagine living like that. I'm so sorry Neji-kun."

"I have learned to live with it. It will be virtually non-existent for me however. For my uncle, Hiashi-sama has welcomed me into the main family household with open arms. He has basically adopted me. In return I watch over and protect the Hyuga heiress, Hanabi, and her sister Hinata. It is easier, keeping watch over them, when we live in the same house."

Neji peered towards the moon and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. Suddenly, it was very noticeable how little space separated the two of them on the small park bench. Ookami blushed deeply as Neji focused his intense gaze in her direction.

"What are you thinking about, Neji-kun?" she felt compelled to ask, since he was staring at her with such ferocity.

"You, you are very beautiful, Ookami-chan. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Ookami was surprised by his sudden and flattering revelation. Her blush deepened to a bright scarlet. She felt herself drowning in the intense lavender pools known as Neji's eyes. He leaned towards her more. She was pulled forward by some invisible magnetic force until their faces were practically touching.

"It is only my outer appearance that draws the attention," Ookami muttered, in barely a whisper.

"Surely that is not true," Neji regained some of his composure and pulled back, but just slightly. "You are highly intelligent. I can tell from your eyes. They hold great wisdom and pain in them. Here I have revealed to you my deepest secret, yet I know almost nothing about you."

Ookami tore her eyes from his capturing gaze and saw her childhood, then her early adolescents. Then, her first meeting with Kenji, also the fateful night that took her mother away from her forever. She was at the tender age of thirteen when it happened.

-flashback-

"Mother, please be alright. Please let Makoto be alright."

Ookami's mother was in the maternity ward of her village's hospital. Her father walked out of the room where she knew her mother to be and looked sadly at Ookami.

"Makoto is well. But your mother is not as well, Ookami. I need you to be strong. The medic-nins say they don't know how long she'll last. I will not hide anything from you," her father, Nihon'ookami had stated gruffly to the teen sitting in the waiting room of the local hospital.

By this time, tears were streaming down Ookami's face and wetting the kimono that she had bought especially for the annual Mist Festival. Her mother had gone into labor just as the dancers were finishing up their routine. She was a month and two weeks early.

They didn't know at the time, that what would later be their only part of Ookami's beloved mother, Suki, would also be what brought about her death. Despite the circumstances, Makoto was loved.

The medic-nin in charge of Nihon'ookami's wife and Ookami's mother approached them.

"I'm sorry Akki-sama. But we could do nothing more for Suki, we lost her."

Everything was suddenly silent, and Ookami could only see her father weeping. The room began to spin and tears started streaming down Ookami's cheeks once again. Then, all was black.

The next thing she remembered was waking up to the scent of Lobelia's filling the room. She gazed at the beautiful, white petals that resemble butterflies. 'Father must have brought them' Ookami thought.

"Wait!? Why am I here!? What happened!?" she screamed to no one.

"Talking to yourself is usually frowned upon in society," a strong voice said quietly from the corner of the room. "If you must know, you fainted and hit your head on a nearby chair. And I brought the flowers. I thought you might enjoy something cheerful. Only considering what you've been through."

"Who are you? And why are you here?" Ookami asked this unknown boy.

"My name is Kenji, and I am the one that retrieved you. Also, it seems like you could use a friend. I remember how it was when I lost my sister, Ryoko."

-end flashback-

R&R everyone! Thanks!