Chapter 2: Raiku meets Neji (A Hairy Situation)

Meanwhile, Raiku and Miku had made their way further into the village, both continuing to check out the area, though Raiku seemed less inclined to keep quiet then she had initially,

"Can you believe that guy?" she huffed as they walked on.

Miku shook her head,

"If you'd just have let me explain the situation to him we could have gotten out of this without a fight. He was only doing his job Ra-chan."

"Sometimes you are way to nice to people Miku, its none of his business what we are up to, we are all members of the Land of Fire. He treated us like criminals, which is why I left Rinku to teach him a lesson."

"I still say it's a bit harsh, he's never seen us to know that we are from the Land of Fire, our Village doesn't usually associate with this one."

"Yeah, yeah I get what your saying but I still don't-" Raiku started but then stopped as she passed a boy with long brown hair tied up at the end.

When they had passed each other they both stopped abruptly looking a bit shocked. Miku stopped as well as she looked at the two, confused as to why they seemed so puzzled. Both the newcomer and Raiku turned around at the same moment and stared at each other somewhat wide eyed.

Raiku opened her mouth and started,

"Your-"

While the boy finished,

"Hair."

They both stopped and played with the hair that was left at the end of their ties trying to assess the situation. Miku was also trying to figure out what was going on.

Finally after a bit of staring Raiku let out,

"Mine's longer."

A burst of wind passed at that moment making the situation seem tense. Miku scrunched her nose up in distaste, was that really what had started this staring contest? Hair?

The other boy stared at her for a moment longer before asking,

"Who are you?"

Raiku folded her arms in front of her,

"Who wants to know?"

The boy made a slight bow before answering,

"I apologize, my name is Hyuga Neji, I am of the Hyuga clan."

Raiku looked him over as if trying to spot a lie, then she turned to Miku,

"Miku?"

Miku sighed, closed her eyes, and made the proper hand signs,

"He speaks the truth. Hyuga Neji, he has a Kekkei Genkai, mainly the Byakugan, deals with seeing the charka points of an opponent. He's a short to mid-range fighter by nature, and he seems to have a lot of experience in Taijitsu. His defense is near impenetrable."

Raiku smirked at that last part,

"Now that is a challenge."

Neji blinked as he tried to assess the current situation and figure out how the Miku girl could have known all of that, "Pardon me but what exactly are you here for?"

Raiku cracked her knuckles with a little smile, "Men of the Hidden Leaf Village seem to be very inquisitive."

Miku scrunched her nose up, "Raiku is this really necessary? He didn't do anything and we do have other things to accomplish today you know."

Raiku gave out a little sigh, "I guess your right…"

Neji decided that it might be quicker to guess why they were here,

"Are you in need of assistance? It seems that the two of you have gotten separated from your teams." He pointed out since there were no male members present.

Raiku paused even as she was about to turn,

"Excuse me?" she said a hint of anger below the surface.

Miku tensed before shaking her head rapidly, hoping Neji would take the hint, but he did not.

"It seems that something has happened to the male members of your teams, you two must be anxious to get help. I could direct you to the Hokage, then the two of you can relax while we get your teammates back for you. You did the right thing to come for help, soon you will be able to recover from your ordeal while some of our teams will take care of it."

Raiku ground her teeth hard as she said,

"Do we look like we need help to you?"

Neji's right eyebrow rose,

"Why yes, all of your male members are gone, your quite vulnerable in this state."

Raiku growled low in her throat,

"You trying to say that we are vulnerable just because we are females?"

Miku was now desperately signaling for Neji to run, but he was too busy trying to figure out why the girl with the long hair seemed mad,

"Why yes there's no one around to keep you from harm…"

And that was the straw that broke the camels back. Raiku handed her pack to Miku and said,

"That's it," Before standing across from him in a power stance. Miku sighed and shook her head as Raiku ordered, "go on without me Miku, you know where to go, I'll handle this guy and get back to you."

"Raiku if we could just-"

"Go on Miku."

Miku shook her head, took the extra bag, and continued walking. Raiku grinned in a menacing way at a somewhat confused looking Neji.

"Let me see if I understand what is going on here, you intend to challenge me?"

Raiku stretched her arms before getting into a fighting position,

"I'm not intending, I'm fighting you now pretty boy."

Neji frowned at her,

"I do not derive pleasure from fighting women."

"That's too bad Hyuga, because that means your not going to enjoy this as much as I am." And with that Raiku's long braid was suddenly wrapped around the Hyuga's neck.