I do not own Naruto or any of its characters also the artist of the music that will later on be presented within this story. This is an AU FanFiction.
~~~Take my hand and smile~~~
Her father and sister were waiting for her, to start eating, as is a costume within the Hyuga house hold. Neji was sitting across from Hanabi, closest to Hiashi, leaving her to sit next to him since she wasn't to sit next to Hanabi from now on (Hiashi thought the battle was over once the high council declared that both Hinata and Hanabi fight). She walked to her seat and asked Neji if he could pull out the chair for her.
Once she sat down her father declared it was okay to eat by taking the first bite from his breakfast. Everyone was quiet and it was normal but something was off to Hinata. The air felt dense, denser than usual anyways, but none the less she kept on eating.
When everyone finished Hinata was about to get up and leave but before she did Hiashi told her to stay. Hinata did not know why he stopped her from leaving so she started to fidget and sweat. Had she done something wrong? Had she said something off line? Will he be mad and hit her?. Question after question started to flood Hinata mind. Her breath started to get labored and she trembled. Why isn't he saying anything?, Hinata wanted to scream but refused to give in to despair.
"Hinata after the Mascaraed Ball you are to head to my office to meet your fiancé" Hiashi stated, there was to be no dispute about it, he stood from his chair and left with both Hanabi and Neji in tow. But before Neji left he gave a small sad smile to Hinata.
Hinata just sat there within the chair, she didn't move or blink. The only sign that she was still alive was her raspy breathing, her pale hands trembled; tears threaten to flow from her clear blue eyes. She couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe it. Her father wanted to sell her out, as though she was some low animal; he knew that she was not going to win either way because of her good nature.
Her knuckles turned white as a sheet of paper, her veins popping out, she was outraged, no, not outraged more than that, her father was disposing of her. The tears wouldn't come out, she was tired, tired of crying, tired of thinking of others but she knew. She knew herself to well and hated herself for it; she knew she wouldn't protest or comment she would accept this arranged marriage. Hinata knew she would keep on smiling for everyone and everything, how foolish she is, how stupid and moronic she is, yet she smiled.
Smiling and standing from her chair she walked from the dining room to her room. Her back was straight and her head held high, her hands both in front of her, fingers intertwined, resting on her stomach, her strides quiet and strong, calm that is how she looked. She looked calm and composed, she was taught how to walk and act in front of others, this act was drilled into her the moment she was born. However inside her mind it was everything but calm, her mind was into total overdrive, but in the end no matter what, she would do as her father requested.
Once she entered her room and closed the door she preceded in getting ready for the ball, she wanted to be distracted with anything at the moment.
By the time the servants came she was ready, her hair was in curls most of it was held up by a velvet poppy made of crystal. The ornament was on one side of her head holding most of her hair, exposing her neck from the other side. Her dress in the light looked blue but in the dark looked black, it reached her feet, her shoulders and some of her breast were revealed but only enough to keep men guessing and wanting, the only thing holding it up was a corset. The corset showed her curves, on the right side were diamonds that shone like the sun every time light hit them, but the amount was little so not to blind the onlooker the rest of the dress fell to the floor smoothly.
The servants gasped when they saw her, they thought for a moment an intruder was within their ladies dorm but realized it was Hinata when she smiled at them. One of the servants went up to her and bowed, "me lady you should have waited for us" the servant said before standing straight.
Hinata smiled she knew that this servant specifically was going to say that, after all what would you expect out of ten-ten.
"ten-ten you know I don't like it when you called me that, call me by my name please" Hinata said hugging Ten-ten.
"You know very well I can't with many witnesses around" Ten-ten whispered hugging Hinata in return. Hinata let go and asked the servants to leave, leaving only Hinata and Ten-Ten.
"Hinata you forgot to put on make-up and some jewelry" Ten-ten said heading toward the shelf that held Hinata Perfumes, make-up, jewelry and a large mirror.
"I was about too, when the servants came in" Hinata giggled as Ten-ten looked around to find the perfect shades and Jewelry for Hinata.
"Yeah well at least let me do something after all I am able to stay so I could serve you my lady" Ten-ten gave Hinata an exaggerated bow and laughed.
"Ten-Ten please, you know how I don't like that it-it makes me feel…" Hinata said while raising her hands to her mouth, and squirmed, she hated people calling her 'lady' it made her sound as though she was deemed for respect, when she just wanted to have friends, she wanted to be normal, that's all she ever wanted.
"Okay, okay Hinata I got it please stop doing that it makes me feel like a bad person" Ten-Ten said while giving Hinata a smile.
"S-sorry" Hinata said barely above a whisper and looked down.
"OKAY Hinata, don't look down, remember head up high and back strait" Ten-ten said walking as though she was all high and might, her back strait, head high, too high, and walked back and forth as though she was trying to keep from peeing, one leg after the other. Both girl laughed (mostly Ten-ten, Hinata just giggled).
"There you go, know close your eyes" Ten-ten said holding what looked like a paint brush with ink to Hinata eyes (eyeliner).
"Hinata you are so beautiful I am jealous" Ten-Ten said with a sigh, reaching to dip another paint brush in what looked like blue powder.
"I would give it to you if I could Ten-Ten I don't want beauty" Hinata said a tint of sadness in her voice even though it was meant to come out as a joke.
"Hinata I was only playing, you should laugh and enjoy yourself today after all today is a ball a mascaraed ball in which no one sees your face and no one knows you, a ball of mystery and jest." Ten-ten said with amusement and happiness.
"Y-yeah I know it's just my father he-" before Hinata could finish Ten-ten covered her mouth with her hand.
"Today-" Ten-ten said firmly, removing her hand "Today you have no father, sister, you are not Hinata Hyuga, today you are an unknown women who has come to this ball to have a good time" She said applying a bit of red on Hinatas' lips.
"How could I, Ten-Ten, when the only thing that I see is just one pitiful girl staring back, i-I don't have the guts." Hinata said staring at herself through the mirror.
"Then change" Ten-ten said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. She moved from the side of the shelf toward the back of Hinata looking at her through the mirror.
"Change? Ten-ten what do you-" Hinata looked confused what did Ten-ten mean change. Until it hit her. Change. CHANGE. The surprise within Hinata was mirrored in her reflection. Ten-ten smiled.
"Ten-ten I am sorry but even if I 'change' there is so little I could do because some of the guards know-", Hinata looked around as though the word that she was about to say was prohibited, although it wasn't, however women were rare to have such a an ability as "Magic" Hinata finally said.
"Yes, Hinata you have magic you could change your hair, eyes, figure, clothes, heck I bet you can even change your nails" ten-ten said with delight, her eyes growing with joy.
"Ten-ten you know as well as I that women plus magic is a rare thing and could be confused with w-witchery" Hinata said, her voice lower and lower. Women it didn't, matter who they were but if they were suspected with witchery were taken into trial and burned at the stake, it was an awful way to go and that is why women with magic were rare because before they could prove it hey were burned to ashes.
She remembered when she was little about seven her father took her to see a burning as her punishment for dropping ink on his work. Although it wasn't her it was Hanabi but she didn't know any better so Hinata took the blame.
The streets were filled with people all around women and men some children but most were within their homes, where Hinata wanted to be. People where walking towards the middle of the kingdom were a plaza was made for entertainment. However the people weren't going there for entertainment but for the burning of a witch.
Hinata cried, pulling at her father's hand pleading for him to let her out of his grasp but he wouldn't he just tightened his grasp on her with more force making her cry out in pain.
Hinata stopped pleading after they arrived at the plaza, her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and she couldn't feel her left arm anymore from the tugging and pulling from her father. His grip on her hand didn't lessen even after they made it to the plaza, Hinata thought that he didn't even realize that he had a strong hold on her.
After waiting for a few minutes, Hinata started to hear the screams and pleas of a woman. The screams became louder as the people started to move out of the way from the south side of the plaza. After a few seconds she could see a women but not any women, it was the baker's wife.
She remembered her from long ago when she went to get some pastries with her mom. Why? Though would a kind woman such as the baker's wife be held in chains and pulled by the hair and be in such a state. Her face looked beaten, mouth dry, her skin was covered in green and blue, bruises, Hinata thought. The chains made her bleed from the wrists and every time a soldier pulled her hair some of it could be seen dropped on the floor.
Hinata kept asking herself why she was treated in such a manner but within moments a tomato connected with the bakers face. Then came another, screams and accusations were being made, shouts about her being a witch, some though told others to stop because if they don't the witch might curse them. A witch? Hinata thought, the baker's wife was a Witch? But how could that be if she was so nice, she even gave me one of her favorite breads. Hinata turned to her dad about to ask him but held her tongue when she saw the glare he send her.
Hinata attention was back to the accused witch, the face that was printed on her was one that would hunt Hinatas dreams for the rest of her infancy, she was pleading with her eyes at anyone who met her gaze and sadly enough it was Hinata. The baker's wife looked at her with such sadness and distress, pleading for Hinata to do something, anything, but what could a mere child do.
"PLEASE, PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU PLEASE RELEASE ME I AM NOT A WITCH PLEASE, YOU ALL KNOW ME PLEASE, I AM MEARLY A BAKER PLEASE" she pleaded, yanking at the chains begging at the soldiers who held her captive to let her go that she was innocent, her cheeks were wet from her crying, dirt and salty water hit the pavement every time the women struggled. However the only thing she received where thrashes and more bruises upon her maiden cheeks.
When the soldiers got to the podium, were a pile of wood lay gathered by the Kingdoms own people the people in which the poor baker, who was born and grew up with. Hinata stood confused by what the soldiers were doing, wondering what they would do next, Hinata heard about burning but what? Surely they wouldn't burn her, how could they if she was but a poor baker. However to Hinatas anguish and to the other viewer's amusement the soldiers did.
"NO, NOOO PLEASE NOOOOO!" the screams and pleas of the baker fell in dead ears but Hinatas. Hinata watched as the fire got closer and closer to the women. The flames where playing she was sure, as they dance around and about on the wood closer and closer to the baker. And as the flames got closer to her, her screams became louder and louder, Hinata thought that she couldn't get louder but she did.
She screamed louder and louder as the flames touched and mingled with her skin. The soft blood red and orange flames caressed the women's feet, her flesh could be seen burning away and mixing with the fire. The skin looked as though it was made out of goo, the fire danced and danced. The louder the women screamed the bigger the flames seemed.
Hinata thought of it as a play, a musical play the laughter and wailing of the people and wind added to the music, however wasn't music supposed to be happy?, maybe it was for the rest but not for the main singer. It was like a horror show a show that by fate occurred in the day she was punished.
The flames were as high as the stake and wide as the wood rested around her. Hinata was positive that she saw shadows dancing around the fire, the shadows smile and move up and down, then swayed. Hinata wanted to leave she really did but was stuck to her place. Her legs wouldn't move, her arms felt as though they were tied, a piercing feeling shot through her body, her eyes were watery and only saw red, she felt hot really hot, she was scared.
Hinata realized that she was the baker women; she screamed and pleaded like the baker did. She felt her feet and arms melt away like wax taking with them her flesh and blood, little by little dripping from her bones to the fire. Hinata screamed again, she looked around hoping and wishing that her daddy would save her however when she found him, tried to scream her mouth was shut tight. The flames had eaten away her lips she couldn't feel them, she couldn't feel anything.
She looked down at her feet and saw that the only remains were bones, but soon even that would be consumed by the flames. Her eyes felt drowsy, her heart wasn't pounding as it should, and she couldn't breathe anymore. The flames were laughing at her she was sure they whispered to her. They said 'welcome to the never ending' then, she died.
Hinata gasped and looked around franticly, her father was next to her, the people who had gathered to see the burning were leaving, and straight ahead was nothing. Where did the bakers wife go to? "Hinata come let us not breathe the ashes of such repugnant creature" Hiashi pulled Hinata to follow him as he led her away from the scene. Ashes? Thought Hinata in confusion looking back were the flames once danced with a baker.
What she found in its place was a dog large as Labradors, black as darkness, unkempt fur, its eyes burned like the fire that once consumed her body; it projected a distinctly sulphurous smell even by the distance she was at. Later on did Hinata realize that the baker's wife was burned to ashes and that she had in that awful day for the first time used magic however the dog that she saw, was never mentioned.
"Hinata, hey Hinata, HINATA!" Ten-ten almost yelled as she shook Hinata lightly.
"Oh um s-sorry Ten-ten I was-it, I-I, yes?" Hinata said recomposing herself from her flashback.
Ten-ten sighed while she got on her knees looking straight at Hinata eyes, "listen to me Hinata after this do you think you will have any liberty at all, I am sorry but I am not going to beat around the bush, today may be the last and only day that you will be able to free yourself of your worries Hinata." Ten-ten said with the out most worry and concern.
Hinata was about to protest but Ten-ten spoke before Hinata could "Hinata let's face it, tomorrow you'll fight with your very own sister and then get married to who knows, Hinata don't do this for you do it for me please I don't want to keep on living with myself if you don't" Ten-ten took hold of Hinatas hands, saddens mirrored her eyes. Hinata smiled at her, she will do it, because she knew ten-ten very well to know that she was right and won't be able to live with her self if she didn't because that was Ten-Ten, a caring person even though sometimes she was very feisty.
"Okay then Ten-Ten, I'll change myself to someone else and I'll change you to me" Ten-ten got up in an instant and looked at Hinata as if she lost her mind.
"Hinata what are you, no I can't change to you, I- can't you know how I am you know-" Hinata stood up and covered Ten-tens mouth with her hands. She smiled at her then hugged her, ten-ten just stood confused at what was going on and what was about to happen.
"Ten-ten it is my last gift to you, you know that after this night father most probably will order you to leave since I will no longer be the Hyuga heiress, so I want you to spend time with Neji-" Hinata whispered, Ten-ten was about to say something but didn't seeing as Hinata wouldn't listen to her. "and even though from afar stay close and tell him what you want too, just act a little bit like me though okay" Hinata finished telling Ten-ten and Ten-ten could only nod.
Hinata stepped a bit away from Ten-ten and raised her arms toward the ceiling as though she was trying to reach the starry sky. She looked at ten-ten and smiled, she looked up, closing her eyes. Ten-ten stood mesmerized by her friend beauty, and admiration was reflected in her eyes. Hinata looked strong, Hinata was always strong it didn't matter what others said or thought bacuase she knew, she knew.
Hinata body was eliminating the room with a bright blue hue, first she whispered the word 'conceal', making the room outside the window look normal and concealing her magic from the world but her and Ten-ten. The wind picked up a bit after a few seconds even though the windows and the door was tight shut. Hinata starts to feel a power escaping her grasp and then she knew it was time.
"I beg and plea
Wind change the color of that in which watches you,
Earth change what I once brushed,
Fire melt away the flesh that I was given,
Water modify that in which indulged you,
I beg and plea
Change your requester and give the gifts to her confident
Until the time the dead sleep and the cock crows"
Hinata voices out and as she does her eyes, hair, body and voice changed into a women of about twenty (she's about 18 turning 19); her hair turned blond however stayed the same style, straight, and silky, her legs longer and firmer, her chest turned into about b-cup, the color of her skin changed too she wasn't pale anymore she was a bit tanned. Hinata stood with her arms to her side her eyes stilled closed.
Ten-ten looked at her self she looked like Hinata; everything about her was Hinata as she examined herself on the mirror, her eyes, hair, body everything. She looked at Hinata a bit worried, since she wouldn't move from where she stood. Worried she hurried to her and was about to call out to her when a voice that was nothing like Hinatas called out to her it was bit rough yet sweet.
"Ten-ten it seems that my magic worked, please refrain from running it is un-lady like" Hinata covered her mouth; she couldn't believe what she had said to ten-ten. She looked at ten-ten startled and Ten-ten looked at Hinata startled as well.
It seems that Hinata magic indeed changed her voice also her vocabulary, it was too efficient. Ten-ten stared at Hinata not only because of her voice and selected vocabulary but the way she said them, so firm and certain also her eyes they were dark blue almost purple.
"Hinata w-what was…? I-I umm" Ten-ten was amazed by her own voice silky, soft, charming it was, it was, weird. Hinata looked at Ten-ten and felt discomfort by looking at her own self and hearing herself, it was as though she truly changed into some one completely different.
"It would seem that the outcome was more than what we had expected my dear companion but none the less it works to our advantage" Hinata grasped her neck and massaged it, this was weird and she didn't like how she was talking toward Ten-ten, to her it felt rude.
Ten-ten saw Hinatas internal rage toward herself, and she wasn't about to let her back off from this adventure. "Hinata please don't, umm don't take back the magic, th-this is good for us, we-we can change your dress and I'll wear yours o-okay" uhh Ten-ten felt funny.
"Yes I agree with you, I shall change while you leave to the social event my father has arranged" Hinata tried to ignore her own voice by occupying herself to look for a dress and a mask for herself. Ten-ten watched in amusement while Hinata tried to walk around the room 'it seems that the change in stature affects you a little, well good thing I and Hinata are about the same height' Ten-ten thought going to the front door to greet the visitors.
After an hour or so Hinata was finished; her hair was in a braid, her bangs covering some of her eyes, she was wearing a silver mask with two feather on one side and crystals on the other, making her eyes stand out, she wore a simple necklace a diamond in the middle with a ruby holding on to it, it fit with her red dress, it was a bit 'skanky'. At first Hinata was reluctant to wear such a dress but in the end decided on it because it was something Hinata would not dress. The dress consisted of a red corset that would make her chest pop almost exposing her nipples on the hem there were black bows in the bottom there was black lace. The tournure was long and each muslin had a black bow, the overall color was red, with corset heels.
Hinata felt like a complete skank even though the only true exposure was her chest. However she liked her make-up, even though it was a bit, blush on her cheeks, red on her lips with a bit of gloss, her eyes wore a bit of light red and thin eyeliner.
Satisfied with herself she walked to the door, but before she left the room she checked if anyone was coming, after a few more minutes and a loud sigh she left.
Walking as fast as she could to get out of the hall way and into the ball. When she made it without being unnoticed she hurried to blend into the crowd even though she was a bit out Standish because most of the hosts wore black or white some a bit of red but not as much as Hinata.
As Hinata walked around the crowd she noticed that a lot of men were giving her attention, looking her way and gawking at her. Sometimes she felt as though she was being stripped naked with their eyes, however she did not leave, if she did it was something Hinata would do and she was not Hinata (at the moment).
After a few minutes a man walked up to her and asked if she could dance with her, Hinata agreed. She felt weird being in the hands of a person that she didn't know and dance with him. The song was slow it was "three times a lady" by Commodores. Hinata like the song but not her partner, "please refrain from undressing me with your eyes" Hinata was surprised by what she said but did very well to not show it.
The man looked surprised never had a women talked to him like that but he liked it, her attitude, her fiery eyes piercing threw him, her body, her voice, everything. He smiled at her and winked "well my fair maiden it is not my fault that you are so delectable, and please consider my comment as a complement, for not many women receive such" he said seductively his red mask covering some of his smile. He swayed her while grabbing her hips indulging him with the feel of her skin even though the bothering cloths were in the way.
Hinata smiled unwillingly and spoke "My., my it would seem as though you are drugged, your eyes dilated, you smile almost reaching your eyes, as I am certain, tell me my good man what has you in such a state." Hinata didn't want to speak or know the answer to her statement; she wanted to change because it was so embarrassing. She was caught up in her thoughts that she didn't feel her self-smirking at the man.
He fell in love he was sure, this woman was bold and seductive she wasn't afraid either. He hold her closer to him and whispered in her ear "Who else my dear but you, you are so charming and perfect, I want you, I want you to be beneath me wiggling and asking for me to take and penetrate you" he said sliding his hand to her ass.
Hinata was sure that she would faint at any moment the things this man says, it was too much for her, she wanted to run away she wanted hide somewhere. 'WH-what is this man saying o-oh no pl-please someone come and take me away thi-this isn't happening'. Indeed Hinata wanted to run and hide however her body did something totally different.
Hinata grabbed the man hand and threw it away from her, and then she did something that she was positively sure she herself would never do. Hinata placed her hands on both side of the man's face and forced his lips into hers. Her mouth moved on his, her tongue touched his bottom lip, he opened his lips and she assaulted his mouth with her hot tongue, tracing every part of his mouth and he did hers. Both were so into their kissing that they didn't noticed some people looking at them.
After winning over his mouth she made them part by pushing him away. Hinatas breath was labored and so was his, but unlike Hinata he wanted more. He was about to grab her arm but she slapped his arm away.
Standing straight, head held high, she looked at him with fiery. "You are not at might height, and I am not some slut either, go get some bitch to satisfy your fantasy because I will not stoop so low" She hissed and walked away.
What had just happened? He wasn't sure. At first the bitch was seductive and enticing, he told her what he wanted and then she kissed him, SHE kissed HIM, and then left him. He thought that she was at his mercy, the way she would comply toward his forwardness; however he stood here in between a crowd looking like a fool. This he promised would not go unnoticed, he will avenge his broken pride, no bitch, hoe or slut laughed at him.
Hinata was crying she was broken within; she had given that man her first kiss. The kiss she saved for her knight in shining armor, her lips were now soiled by that man's lips. What has she done to her body, she tried to remember her chant, and she did everything she should have, right? 'if I remember the chant correct it went: "I beg and plea
Wind change the color of that in which watches you,
Earth change what I once brushed,
Fire melt away the flesh that I was given,
Water modify that in which indulged you,
I beg and plea
Change your requester and give the gifts to her confident
Until the time the dead sleep and the cock crows"'
Hinata stopped at mid step. 'I-I am such a-a fool, I requested my body to fire, Fire is a recipient for pa-pas-sion'. Hinata quickened her stride, 'n-no what have I done, I was supposed to request it to earth n-not f-fire ohh m-e' Hinata was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize she was on the balcony.
After an hour the carriage finally stopped, the first to get out of the carriage was Gaara. He looked at the mansion and scoffed in his mind. 'How pathetic' He thought, he was about to enter the mansion, when he heard Temari's voice next to him. He turned facing her, his penetrating gaze held Temari in place. Temari wanted to flinch and fidget a bit but she didn't she looked at Gaara in the eyes too.
She held a dark mask on her hand, it was meant for Gaara however he thought of it as foolish, but before he could turn to walk in the mansion, she stopped him.
Gaara in less than a second had Temari by the neck her feet dangling from the ground, "Don't touch me" he stated venom and irritation was held in his every word. Temari's eyes were beginning to turn when he let go of her, her body collided with the floor.
Temari grabbed her throat coughing and wheezing, it wasn't her attention to touch him, but it was the only way to make him stop in his tracks. "G-gaara *cough* y-you have *cough* to wear a mask if not *breath in* the guards will stop you" Temari choked out trying her best to regain her breath.
Gaara snatched the mask from Tamari's hand and left her there on the floor. He didn't want his time be taken away from some stupid guards; he placed the mask on his face and walked in the mansion.
Everything inside the mansion screamed wealthy, and the whole room was crowded also illuminated. He hated both; he didn't to socialize with any one so he walked through the crowd and up the stairs. He wanted to go someone where there was little to no people. We walked a bit from the stairs when he saw two glass doors, 'at least these people have a balcony'.
When he pushed the two glass doors open he was glad that no one was here until he felt the aura if a magician, he didn't have to look much until he saw golden locks moving with the wind. He was about to leave when a voice called to him 'don't leave, she must have great power if we couldn't sense her at first' Gaara complied, what would be the harm in a little amusement.
Hinata felt the presence of a person, at first she thought it was the man that she danced with but in a few seconds felt the magic this person had. She was about to hurry up and leave however whoever it was, was leaving she wanted to breath out of relief but the person stopped and walked to her.
Hinata turned and her Blue Blazing eyes meet Cold Emerald, they looked at each other for a few seconds until the man spoke, his voice was uncaring and emotionless "It's seems that my curiosity was overtaken by a mere women" He was about to turn around and Hinata was relived however her body betrayed her yet again.
"So I overtook your curiosity that fast and know you turn and walk away, G-e-n-tel-men, how boring you mostly are and to think that I was curious as to who was the impertinent who disturbed my peace, and my curiosity was such a meager man or most fit, B-O-Y, what a pity" Hinata said a smirk on her lips, entertainment within her eyes. She leaned on the stone railing, her head tilted, taunting him. Hinata however within was scolding and screaming at her to stop and to run away as his eyes turned dangerous.
Gaara for some reason felt insulted and toyed with, he wouldn't care about meager insults, Insults were always ways to alter someone's ego while the other end felt pitiful. Gaara glared at her, but she wouldn't even flinch, she was unfazed. "You are of no interest to me" was Gaara's simple reply. "So, I don't care I, thought you were leaving please I am not stopping you" Hinata signaled him to the glass doors.
Gaara was seething inside while Hinata was shaking out of her wits but neither showed it. The wind started to pick up as both of the magicians stared at and glared at each other one with irritation and the other with amusement.