Animal Instincts

Chapter 2: New Friends; New Rivals

Recap:

Seiji eyed his daughter as she sat between him and her mother. She was tense and he knew she must have seen the Higa boy behind the tree. Seiji had known he was there long before they had passed him. He had hoped Takara hadn't seen him, but from the look on her face he knew she had.

"Relax, Takara," he said.

She snapped her head up at him, looking surprised. Seiji chuckled.

"You don't have to think about that boy anymore. We're going somewhere where he won't bother you anymore."

Takara smiled. "I know, Daddy. That's why I'm ready to leave."

(3 days later)

Takara had her head resting on her mother's shoulder as she slept lightly. It had been a three-day journey to Konoha, but they were finally coming to the last stretch. Her father's hawk Asa had come back with a note from her father's friend Hiashi Hyuga who had agreed to help them get settled here.

Seiji told Takara that Hiashi had a daughter around her age and that they should get along just fine. Takara's spirits were lifted knowing that she already had a friend in her new village.

Takara was having trouble sleeping because the ride was so bumpy. She opened one eye slowly to look around at her surroundings. In her old village they had lived in rocky canyons with high winds. The sun was always bright and shining and there weren't many trees. Here in the Fire Country, though, it wasn't as bright and there were a lot more trees and grass. Takara knew that the hawks would like having the trees around.

Kin, Asa and her mother's hawk Ryn had flown off for food and to scout the area. Takara was starting to get bored and stiff from being in the wagon for so long. She shifted and her mother looked down at her.

"You awake, Takara?" she asked.

Takara nodded. "Where are we?"

"We're almost there. In about twenty minutes we'll be coming to the entrance."

Takara sat up and looked around. She couldn't see Kin or the other hawks anywhere. Seiji seemed to know what she was thinking because he said,

"They'll be back anytime now, don't worry."

Takara looked at her father, surprised that he knew she was wondering where the hawks were. She nodded and looked out at the road. Takara couldn't help but become more and more anxious with each moment.

What would it be like in Konoha? Were the kids anything like Tazkou or would they be like her friends were? Was Hiashi's daughter nice or was she mean? Where were they going to stay? Was it going to be with the Hyuga family or did they already have a place in the village? Takara couldn't stop all these questions from running through her mind.

She looked up at the sky to watch the clouds float overhead. She closed her eyes, wishing that when she opened them they would be at the entrance to the village. She opened her eyes again. They weren't at the entrance but she did see Kin flying towards them with Asa and Ryn. Takara sat up and waved at the hawks. They all flew down and landed on the back of the seat.

The entrance is very close, Kin said.

Takara nodded; glad to hear this news. She was anxiously watching for the entrance. If only she didn't have to wait! Every second seemed like ten minutes.

Finally, in the distance she could see something. Takara activated her Hirakengan and could see the entrance. There was a space in a high stonewall that had an arch over it. There was a guard standing watch next to the entrance and there were two others walking behind the wall looking over the top.

"I see it!" Takara exclaimed to her parents, pointing ahead.

Seiji smiled and nodded. He flicked the reins on the mules and they sped up a little. He looked down at Takara and saw her Hirakengan activated.

"Takara," he said. "It might not be a good idea to have your Hirakengan out when we come to the entrance. We don't want to make them think we're dangerous. I don't think anyone in this village knows about our kekkei genkai."

Takara looked at her father with a curious look, but decided not to say anything. She deactivated her Hirakengan and looked at her mother. She was watching Takara with a thoughtful look.
"Are you nervous?" she asked, her golden yellow eyes looking into Takara's bright yellow ones.
Takara shook her head and gave her mom a smile.

"I'm just glad to be getting out of this wagon soon," she said with a laugh. "My butt feels like it has splinters in it!"

Seiji let out a huge laugh, which made everyone in the wagon begin to laugh. They pulled up to the entrance of Konoha and the guard stopped them and came up to the side of the wagon.

"State your business," he said.

Seiji looked at the guard and said, "We've come from a village on the eastern borders of the Wind Country called Tsumegakure to meet with Hiashi Hyuga."

The guard gave Seiji a suspecting look. He then looked at Takara and Tsubame and the three hawks still perched on the back of the seat. He raised his hand to cover his eyes from the sun and looked back at Seiji.

"What do you have in the back?" he asked.

Seiji remained calm and cooperative as he replied, "Belongings. Clothes, furniture, keepsakes. Things of that nature."

The guard blinked and asked, "Why do you have all that?"

At this Seiji seemed to go a little tense. Takara couldn't understand why. She looked at her mother who had a stern face, her mouth set in a grim line. Takara looked back at her father who had closed his eyes in thought.

"We've … had to severe ties with our old village," he said.

The guard's face seemed to soften a little as he nodded.

"I see," he said. "I'll send word to Master Hyuga to let him know you are here so he can escort you through the city."

Seiji nodded. He got down from the seat and walked to the mules. He gave them a small handful of pellets used to give the animals strength, plus it was like a treat to them. He rubbed their noses and checked their harnesses.

Takara looked at her mother, a question itching at her mind.

"Why didn't dad tell the man we had been banished?" she asked her mother.

Tsubame looked at Takara with surprise and glanced quickly at the guard to ensure he wasn't able to listen.

"Because if we tell him we were banished, then he might think that we did something wrong to deserve banishment," she told Takara.

Takara nodded her head. That made sense. Just like he had told her not to use her Hirakengan. It was so they wouldn't give anyone the wrong impression. If this was going to be their new home then they needed to start out on the right foot.

Takara got an idea. She hopped down from the seat and walked to the guard who had his back turned to her. He was looking up at one of the other guards talking to him. Takara reached up and tugged at the back of his shirt. He looked over his shoulder and then looked down at her. He gave her a bemused expression and put a hand to the back of his head.

"Hi," said Takara with a smile.

The guard quirked an eyebrow and stared at her.

"My name is Takara Nishimura!"

Takara stuck out her hand and waited for the guard to take it. He paused and then his face changed from bewildered to calm. He smiled a little and let his hand drop from the back of his head as he reached out and took her hand gently and shook it.

"It's nice to meet you," he said.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. … Uh," said Takara with her eyebrows furrowed.

The guard chuckled. "Dan Ito. You can call me Dan."

"Dan. I like your name. It's easy to remember."

"Takara!"

Takara turned around and saw her father coming toward them. He put his hands on her shoulders but looked at the guard.

"She wasn't bothering you, was she?" he asked.

"Not at all," said Dan.

Takara smiled and looked up at her father.

"I was only introducing myself," she said smiling up at her father.

He lifted one side of his mouth in a half smile. He nodded his head and squeezed her shoulder.

"I have a younger brother about your age, Takara," said Dan. "His name's Shin. Perhaps you'll get to meet him sometime."

Takara smiled and her eyes glowed. She now had another friend! She hadn't even set foot into the village yet and she already had two friends. She looked at her father who gazed down at her.

"Come on back to the wagon," he said softly.

Takara nodded and looked at Dan. "It was great to meet you, Dan," she said as she bowed.

"It was good to meet you, too, Takara," he said lifting his hand in a half wave.

Takara walked back to the wagon with her father and climbed back into the seat. Seiji stayed on the ground looking down the main street of Konoha for signs of Hiashi. Takara stood on the seat and looked the same way. She couldn't see anyone so she shaded her eyes with her hand. It would be so much easier if she could use her Hirakengan. She looked out of the corner of her eye at her father. He was still looking down the street. Takara squinted her eyes hoping her father wouldn't notice.

"Takara."

Takara froze, a slight blush rising to her cheeks.

"Don't even think about it," Seiji said as he looked at her.

"I wasn't," Takara said with a small laugh as she put her hand behind her head.

They turned back to look at the street and saw a man with long black hair wearing a white robe and black cloak walking towards them. His eyes were completely white with no pupils. With him was a girl that looked to be the same age as Takara. She was wearing a white kimono and had short blue-black hair.

Takara looked at her father who had caught sight of the two people. He smiled and raised his hand up high and gave a slight wave. Takara looked back at the man and girl. The man raised his hand in response, but his face remained the same. The little girl held onto his cloak and held her hand near her chin.

Takara smiled. This had to be them. She hopped down from the wagon and stood next to her father. Hiashi walked up to them and stopped in front of her father.

"It's been a while, Seiji," he said.

"Yes, it has," said Seiji giving the man a smile.

Hiashi lifted the side of his mouth slightly in a small smile. "It's unfortunate we had to meet again under these circumstances."

"True, but it was a good thing as well. I'd like to introduce my daughter."

Seiji nudged Takara in the back and she stepped forward.

"My name is Takara, sir. Thank you for helping us."

Hiashi nodded in response. He put his hand on his daughter's back and moved her forward. She seemed hesitant and didn't look Takara or anyone else in the eye.

"This is my daughter, Hinata," said Hiashi. "She's your age, I believe."

Takara smiled and took Hinata's hands. Hinata looked up at Takara with a shocked look on her face.

"Hinata," said Takara. "I know we're going to be great friends!"

Hinata paused before she relaxed a little and gave Takara a small smile before nodding her head. Takara looked up at her father who had a smile on his face, as well as Hiashi.

"Come," Hiashi said. "I've acquired an apartment for you already, like you asked."

"Excellent," said Seiji.

Takara went with her father to the wagon and got up on the seat and sat next to her mother. She was smiling from ear to ear as they followed Hiashi to their new home.

(Next day)

Takara was in her room unpacking her belongings and getting settled in her new room. Her parents were in their room doing the same. She had her door open and heard the knock on their door.

"I'll get it!" she said as she ran out of her room, down the stairs and to the door.

She opened the door and saw Dan standing on the threshold. He smiled down at her when she opened the door.

"Dan!" Takara exclaimed with a smile.

"Hey, Takara," he said. "How's the moving going?"

"It's great! Come in and see what we've done so far."

Dan stepped into the room and looked around. He nodded his head as if agreeing with a mental decision of his own.

"It does look nice, Takara," he said. He caught sight of Kin who was perched on the back of one of the chairs. "Who's this? I remember seeing her and two others yesterday when you came to the gate."

"This is my hawk, Kin. She goes everywhere with me," said Takara. She held out her arm and Kin fly over to her and landed on her arm.

"What beautiful coloring," he said looking at Kin.

He's a smart person, said Kin.

Takara smiled and giggled. "Kin says she likes your taste."

Dan laughed as Takara's parents came down the stairs into the living room.

"Oh, dear, we have a visitor and the place is still such a mess!" Tsubame said when she saw Dan standing in the living room.

"Don't worry about it," he said. "It's only your second day here. I didn't expect you to have everything done."

Seiji walked towards him and held out his hand.

"It's Dan, right?" he asked.

"Yeah," said Dan as he shook Seiji's hand.

"My name is Seiji. It's good to see you again."

"You, too, sir," said Dan. "I was hoping I could steal Takara away from you for a while. I wanted to introduce her to my brother and some of his friends."

"Really?" Takara cried, excitement shining in her eyes.

"Of course, I told you I would," said Dan.

Takara's smile grew ten times bigger. "Can I go, please, please, please!"

Seiji furrowed his eyebrows and brought a hand to his chin in mock concentration.

"I don't know," he said. "There's still a lot to be done."

"Thanks, Dad, I'll see you later!" said Takara as she and Dan ran out the front door, Kin following close behind them.

Seiji shook his head as he watched his daughter take off down the road.

Takara and Dan walked down the street. Dan had his hands in his pockets as Takara walked next to him with Kin on her shoulder.

"Your brother's name is Shin, right?" Takara asked.

Dan nodded. "He has some his friends over right now so I thought it would be a perfect time to bring you over. Hinata's there, too."

Takara couldn't wait. They continued to talk as they walked toward Dan's home. They reached the yard and walked in. There was a group of kids on the porch all talking with each other. Takara saw Hinata sitting on a bench next to a girl with brown hair in two buns. With them were four boys. One had short blue-black hair and looked like Dan, the second had long black hair and white eyes like Hinata's, the third had short brown hair and brown eyes and the forth also had short brown hair and had red marks on his cheeks.

Takara and Dan walked over to the group and Hinata got up and went over to Takara.

"Takara," she said softly.

"Hinata," Takara said. "It's good to see you again."

Hinata nodded. They walked onto the porch and Dan introduced everyone.

"Takara," he said. "This is my brother, Shin." The boy with the short blue-black hair raised his hand, he didn't smile and he almost looked grumpy.

"This is Dou Fukazawa."

"Hey!" said the boy with the short brown hair and brown eyes. He smiled widely at Takara and she smiled back.

"That's Neji Hyuga." The boy with the long black hair and white eyes nodded his head, keeping his expression serious.

"Here is TenTen."

"Hi!" said the girl with the brown buns.

"And this is Kiba Inuzuka," Dan finished.

Kiba lifted the side of his mouth in a half smile and gruffed, "Hey."

"I'll see you later, Takara, ok?" Dan said as he walked into the house.

"Alright," said Takara.

She turned back to the group and saw everyone looking at her. She blushed slightly and put her hand behind her head, trying to laugh it off by saying, "So, what's going on?"

"Nothing," said TenTen. "Kiba was telling us how he was going to be getting his nin-dog in a few months."

"A nin-dog. That's really cool."

Kiba didn't say anything. He just stared at Takara and would occasionally look at Kin. Takara continued to talk with the others and learned that she was the same age as all of them except for Neji and TenTen, who were a year older.

"So do you use Kin for fighting?" asked Dou.

"Yeah. I've only had her for a few months now, but we've started training together. She's pretty good," said Takara proudly.

"What can she do?" asked TenTen.

"She's really good at dive bomb attacks. She can come within an inch of the ground and be able to pull up in time without getting hurt."

A snort came from Kiba. Takara looked over at him to see him shaking his head. She put her hand on her hip and glanced at Kin who was also looking at Kiba with narrowed eyes.

"Something funny?" Takara asked, trying to hide her annoyance.

"No," said Kiba. "I just can't see what a dive bomb has to do with attacks. It sounds a little pointless to me."

Everyone in the circle of kids became silent as they watched Takara for her reaction. She watched Kiba for a moment before saying, "Of course it would seem pointless to you. You have no idea how to train a nin-hawk. You still don't even have an animal partner yet."

Kiba balled his hands into fists, glaring at Takara. She glared back at him. Who did he think he was? She hadn't said more then five sentences to him and he was already making trouble.

"Wait until I get my nin-dog. Then I'll show you who's the better animal trainer. My nin-dog and me would beat you and your hawk anytime," said Kiba.

Let's see his nin-dog try and catch me first, said Kin.

Takara looked at Kin with a grin. Kiba looked at Kin too and narrowed his eyes.

"What did she say?" he asked.

"She said she'd like to see your nin-dog try and catch her when she's flying twenty-five feet up in the air," said Takara with a smile.

Kiba looked away and folded his arms over his chest. A few moments passed without anyone saying a word. Kiba's head shot up and he pointed at Takara.

"That's it," he said. "From this point forward, me and you are rivals, Takara!"

Takara blinked in surprise. The other kids looked at her, waiting for her reply. She made a 'tch' sound and shrugged her shoulders.

"Fine," she said looking away from Kiba. "If that's how you want it to be. But I never back down, Kiba Inuzuka!"

"Fine!"

Kiba turned on his heel and walked out of the yard. Takara folded her arms over her chest and looked at the other kids. They all looked at her wondering what she was going to say now.

"Whatever," she said. "Let's talk about something else."

The other kids jumped on this idea, but Takara remained a little quieter now. Only her second day in Konoha and she already had her first rival. She hoped Kiba wouldn't be as bad as Tazkou was.

Preview Ch 3:

"Shin didn't actually say something funny for once, did he? Can't believe I missed that," said Takara smiling.

Dou shook his head. "No, that's not it."

Takara lifted one eyebrow at Dou. "Then what is it?"

"When are you going to admit it?" he asked.

"Admit what?"

"You and Kiba totally have a thing for each other," Dou said waving his index finger in front of Takara's face.

"That's absurd!" she shouted obviously agitated now with Dou.

Dou however was unaffected by Takara's attitude and continued.

"You know you can't deny it. It's written all over your face."

"You're about to get my fists all over your face if you don't knock it off!"

"Oh, I'm soo scared."

"Dou, knock it off, will ya?" said Shin.