Kuso, I forgot this last time and I feel i need to tank a few people. I need to thank KoreanGal5, if it werent for her You would nt be reading this. She was the one that inspired me to write this with her story, Memories.So speical thanks to her. And also a shout out to my epic beta that his keeping you guys from reading too mush of my horrid grammer so thanks you, Sky Rider! So thanks goes out to her for her help on this. Oh and here is the disclamer: I do not own Naruto, or Zatch Bell in any way shape or form. Now on with the show!
I woke up with a blistering headache and the feeling that I had gone through a meat grinder. My head was spinning. I touched my bandaged arm and hissed. The skin was still raw. I could feel myself healing, but it would still take some time before it would be in top fighting shape.
I sat up a bit on the couch to look around. It was still dark out. The living room was rather impersonal. There were no pictures or decorations. There was a lot of dust and a bit of rubbish around but no personal items. I sighed looking around the room; it was so cold.
I sat up fully and slid off the couch trying to avoid bumping my arm, but bit back a yelp. I shivered. The wood under my bare feet was cold. I turned right, walking down the hall, and looking for a mirror. After looking around for a bit I found one in a bathroom at the end of the hallway.
I gaped at the white-eyed girl that stared back at me from the mirror. Her head was wrapped in a long white bandage, causing her hair to frizz out a bit. She was now wearing a long white T-shirt bearing the logo of Konoha High School. The shirt fell all the way to her shins. It was a rather strange thing. Back home I had never been allowed to wear something so…common. I looked so common. I stared at myself till my stomach started to act up.
I turned out the light and found my way back to the living room area, going left this time, and stopping in mid-step. The kitchen was a disaster. Everywhere I looked there was a mess, were dishes that needed washing in the sink, old dirty boxes sitting on the counter. It made me ill looking at it.
I sighed and rolled up my sleeves, there was work to be done…
I smiled at my handy work. The sun had risen finally and was shining through the windows, reflecting off the now clean counter tops. I smiled and set to work making breakfast. My stomach still hadn't been satisfied yet. I hopped up on a stepstool and pulled out a frying pan from the cupboard, setting it on the stove.
There wasn't much to work with in terms of raw ingredients, but I still managed to make a nutritious meal for Neji-sama and me. I had found a paper with my book-master's name on it. I heard a door closing in the distance. Neji-sama was getting up.
"What the…" I giggled. The brown haired teenager stood there rubbing his eyes staring at the kitchen. I hopped down from my stool and sat him down at the table and set a plate of food in front of him. I went and got myself a plate and sat down and ate. I could tell he had questions, but held them off until we had finished eating.
"Last night was real, right?" He asked when the last plate was put away. I nodded as we sat down at the table again with my spell book between us. "I remember you giving me a very brief over view of what you are and why you are here, so could you run that by me again?"
"To put it simply, I am what is called a Mamodo—an imp if you will. I am not of this world. I'm from another world that is invisible to yours. I admit explaining this to you makes it sound strange even to me."
"Ok I can see that, but why are you here, then?" He glanced over at the book then back at me. "And what do the books have to do with you?"
"My world is governed by a King. Every thousand years one hundred of us are sent here with a book to find our human partners and battle for the crown." I took a drink from my juice, as Neji processed this information.
He leaned back in his chair and sighing as he rubbed his temples, "Ok, I get that I am your book master, but what is my role in this?"
"Our spells are fueled by human emotions, the stronger the feeling, the more powerful the spell. Without the book master's help we wouldn't be able to cast or use any spells. Also, if our books are burnt, then we are sent back to home and relinquish all right to the throne. This battle will go on till there is only one left, and that one will be crowned King of the Mamodo." Neji just stared at the book again. "I know this is a lot to take in, but you must believe me, this is real-"
"I believe you, it just seems so impossible, but I can't forget what happened last night," he turned and looked at me. "So can all mamodo do what you do?"
"Yes and no. Yes we all can use spells, but no we are not the same. Each one of us has our own unique powers. My family is known for its ability to move energy, but we all have different types of spells."
The grandfather clock in the living room chimed, breaking the stupor that Neji-sama was in. He got up to get ready for school…
The clock gonged eleven times when I finished my exercises. My arms were sore and I was hungry. I went to the kitchen to get some food. I really wanted some yellow tail, but Neji-sama told me to stay indoors, otherwise there would be a lot of question neither of us could answer.
I pulled out a chair to eat my sandwich, when I noticed the Bento on the table. Neji-sama forgot his lunch. I quickly ate my food, and checked the clock: 11:30am. I paused for a moment trying to remember where I had seen Neji's school's address. After a minute it hit me, the back of my shirt! I ran to the hamper, grabbing it and the bento. I slipped on my shoes and was out the door.
"Excuse me," I walked up to the secretary's desk in the office, "I'm looking for Neji Hyuga."
She looked up from her computer and looked down me oddly. "Who might you be?"
"I'm Hinata, Neji's…um…cousin." I blushed. I'm hopeless at lying, "I'm here to bring him his lunch. He forgot it." I smile sheepishly hoping she would believe me.
"Hold on a minute, dear, I'll find him for you. Neji Hyuga, let see…" She turned to her computer and quickly began typing. "Ah here he is. He is in his homeroom. They are probably getting ready for lunch. If you wait a moment I can take you there."
"Arigato" I bowed in thanks. She logged off her computer and led me up a flight of stairs and down a few halls.
She stopped in front of a door. B204, the sign by the door read. She opened the door for me, the sound difference was astounding. The room was full of boys talking. I looked around the room for Neji-sama. He was in the back corner by the window looking at my spell book. I smiled and walked over to him.
"Neji!" I hugged him, startling him. He looked at me for a moment before he realized it was me. "You forgot you lunch." I pulled the bento from my backpack and put it on his desk. He was about to respond when someone spoke first.
"So who is this youthful flower, Neji?" We both jumped a bit.
"This is-"
"I'm Hinata, his cousin. Neji forgot his lunch." I cut in awkwardly and bowed to the strange newcomer. He had a strange bowl shaped haircut. He had a fire in his eyes that surprised me. He was so unlike Neji. This boy seemed to be filled with energy.
"Well Hyuga, this is a surprise. Who would have thought you would have such a cute relative? I thought all Hyugas had sticks up their asses?" A boy with unruly brown hair and strange red triangles ruffled my hair. He laughed when I tried to glare at him.
"Neji what are-?" A loud blond haired kid walked up. He knelt down looked directly at me. His face was a few inches from mine. I could feel my face turning red. I tried to back away, stumbling. "Hey Neji, who's your friend?"
"Naruto, this is Hinata, my cousin. Hinata this is Kiba, Lee, and Naruto." I nodded as they all smiled when he introduced each of them. Just then the bell rang, signaling that it was time for Neji to eat lunch. I waved good-bye and skipped back to Neji's apartment.
Forty-four! I thrusted my hand into the wood of the training post. It had been a week since I had moved in with Neji.
Forty-five! I could feel the sweat dripping off my brow. It was cool out, but the sun was still beating down on me.
Forty-six!
Forty-seven!
Forty- "What are you doing?" I twisted my glowing hands. It was Neji.
"Training. To improve myself," I relaxed my stance letting the energy leave my hands. I walked over to my water bottle and took a drink.
"What for? People are judged by their true nature. It is the way of the world. That is why there is a difference between elites and outcasts. We can change our physical appearance and improve our skills with training and studying, but ultimately, we are judged by what we cannot change. What can't be changed must be endured. We are who we are, and we must live with it."
"That is true we are judged for what we cannot change or do, but regardless, I will improve myself so that I can become a kind king and meet my old friends again," I huffed. I couldn't change how people judged me, but I could still make myself strong.
He laughed and ruffled my hair.
"Good luck with that. Oh, I have something for you." He pulled out some candy from his pocket, "The guys at school wanted me to give these to you." I grabbed the first piece and ate it. He stuffed his hand in his pocket and leaned back on the table as I ate my sweet pieces of heaven.
"Since you only have one set of clothing, I'm taking you shopping this weekend. I can't have my 'cousin' walking around in the same outfit all the time. Someone is bound to notice."
New clothing! Ones that I would get to pick! I was giddy at the thought. I never got to pick my clothing. I touched the ribbon on my neck that now held my gem, reminding myself that this wasn't a permanent arrangement, but new clothing that I got to pick! I looked up at Neji and smiled, I could see he was amused at how excited I was.
So if you feel so inclined be press the button right...Here, and leave me your thoughts.
Love Twilifay
