Blah, blah, blah was all that Kangae was hearing.
Staring with dull eyes into the crowd of people at the festival - it was not the Kyuubi one, thank Kami - she couldn't believe how bland civilians were! Grocery list that, gotta get food on the table this, and the classic holy shit my rent is due! drifted into her head and she blew a raspberry. If she was gonna have the ability to pull minds into hers, she would very much like a juicy soap opera to be on the program instead of this drivel.
Kangae had gotten better at filtering out the constant noise by recalling her X-men knowledge. Imagination and concentration truly were the key and Kangae had experimented and realized that different things did different things.
The first time trying to block everything out she had tried to build a wall. But not just one, she had gone for a brick fortress. She was proud to say her architecture was pretty impressive and it had done its job. Too well in fact. After about two hours of mental building she had finally constructed her shield and like she knew it would, it had stopped the voices.
Oh and it consequently locked her usually drifting mind inside of her head and it wouldn't let her out.
No seriously, she had really been taken hostage by her own mind. She had basically taken the mental equivalent of a wrecking ball to the shield and it just sat there and took it. Then when she finally got it down - through hours of commanding it to yield - she opened her eyes to see the worried faces of Ino and their parents in a hospital room because apparently, she wouldn't wake up even when they had injected chakra directly into her system.
Kangae had been there for two solid days, and that's not even counting the time the medics used trying to resuscitate her.
Inoichi and Inoue had left the room to go tell the staff of her recovery and she had been left with a huffing mad Ino who instantly demanded to know what she had been doing.
"And don't try to tell me that it was nothing because I couldn't feel you in my head anymore!" She shouted with an irritated huff and with a curse Kangae put her finger to her lips.
"Don't you want me to get taken away?!" She hissed, with a glare that only softened when she saw Ino's flinch and she gave a sigh.
"Listen, I was doing something but I wasn't trying to...not be in your head." Kangae whispered pulling Ino onto the bed with her. "In fact I never even knew I was in your head."
Pursing her lips Kangae gave the room a cautioned look before she edged closer to the blonde across from her.
"I don't think we should speak about it outloud anymore," She cautioned her lowly as she started to concentrate. "so be quiet and listen and don't freak out."
"What do you mean by don't freak out?" Ino questioned with a furrowed brow. "Wait no, what do you mean by not out loud? How else are you gonna tell me-"
Throwing her palm over her sister's mouth Kangae gave a smirk and stared her straight into her blue eyes.
Like this.
A squeak erupted through the air as Ino jumped and her eyes glanced around in suspicion.
"Who's there?!" She demanded with a stubborn tilt to her jaw and Kangae chuckled.
Ino-chan it's me, Kangae. She cooed with the mental equivalent of a grin. You know, your beloved big sister?
Stunned eyes turned to her and she gasped, hand flying to her mouth in surprise.
"How are you-"
No, think it. She cut in. I can hear it just like if you were speaking.
It took a minute before Ino said anything, but when she did it never blew out her telepathic ears.
HELLOOO! Ino roared with a deafening volume. CAN! YOU! HEAR! MEEE!
Falling backwards Kangae grabbed at her head and hissed in pain as Ino squealed and rushed forward.
"I'm so sorry Nee-chan! I didn't know! I swear to Kami I won't do it again!" Her sister cried and she sounded so close to tears that Kangae managed to throw her a shaky smile.
"It's fine," She grunted as she rubbed the heels of her palms into her forehead "Just next time, be quieter."
"I will." Ino nodded with determination before she hesitated. "So...you'll really let me try again?"
Kangae raised a brow at the skepticism in the question before she gave a little snort and eye roll.
"I'll always let you try again, even when you botch up the chance." She reassured her. "Just try not to make me regret the decision okay?"
Ino nodded and fell into her side, remaining quiet until her previous train of thought pulled into the station.
"So you won't do go away from me like you did again right?" Her sister asked with a frown. "Because I didn't like it when you did that the first time."
Kangae pressed her lips into a line at the question before she rubbed at the back of her neck.
"I'll make you a deal, I ever do what I did again it'll be because I'm in danger." She reasoned because she wouldn't be putting up that shield for fun ever again. "So beware if I ever raise the mighty fortress again!"
After all of that Kangae had actuallt gone on to explain just how she learned to project her thoughts because now she had someone to share her war stories with. It involved a mishap with internal screaming, her father, and him accidentally punching a tree in half. It was amazing what surprise could do for a person.
So fast forward back to the present and so far Ino was the only one who knew what she could do but she wouldn't tell anybody. Although since her sister had informed her off the twin bond, she could feel Ino snuggling up against her thoughts like a purring kitten. It was decidely strange but comforting.
But that exprience aside, she had taken to visualizing an invisible and flexible dome around her mind because that kind of block was the most versatile. It allowed her to 'see' out but it kept foreign thoughts out much like a screen would pesky flies and here she was testing the fruits of her labor.
Diligently holding onto Ino's hand as the girl dragged her around with thrilled eyes to gawk at all the stands and buy her food with the money her parents entrusted her with. Oh and yes, she might be three years old in a few months but she was allowed to walk around without complete adult supervision - Yamanaka guard nonwithstanding. They were ninja and independence was vastly encouraged. Well that and Ino's puppy dog eyes were irresistible.
But it all proved to fit her plans so as she perused the town it certainly surprised her that both of them slammed into a tiny flesh wall that admitted a tiny cry.
Groaning she bent down to check on Ino - who was fine - before turning towards...little Hyuuga Hinata sprawled out on the floor. Talk about a forceful first meeting.
"Hey, sorry bout that." She grinned slowly as she helped the girl stand. The first meeting and she already liked the girl, her psyche was calm and soothing unlike most of the human population. "I'm Yamanaka Kangae and this is my sister - who has suddenly disappeared. Hold on for a second."
Grabbing onto the link in her mind she traced Ino's mind and found it surrounded by the familiar ones of Shikamaru, Chouji, and their fathers.
Shaking her head, she found that she was satisfied, as long as she was safe after all.
"Nevermind then, I guess you'll just have to settle for me." She hummed with a small smile and bow. "I hope that's fine with you."
Hurrying to reassure her, Hinata started shaking her head.
"No! It's very nice to be here with you!" The girl sounded so earnest that Kangae wanted to pinch her cheeks and drown her with affection.
"Well its nice to be here with you as well." Aw, look at her blush! "Now what's your name?"
Looking positively embarrassed at her forgetfulness the tiny heiress fell into a bow and smiled.
"Yoroshiku." She greeted. "I'm Hyuuga-"
"Hinata." A stern voice cut in from behind her and it was Kangae's turn to fall into a bow.
"Hello Hyuuga-sama." She said politely to the clan head and his brother who was followed with a miniature Neji. "Hyuuga-sama."
Hizashi waved a hand and grinned good naturedly.
"Hyuuga-sama is my brother," He smiled and what a handsome smile it was. "Hyuuga-san is just fine."
"Apologies Hyuuga-san." Kangae said, marveling at how nice he was.
Receiving a nod in return from Hiashi he turned back to his daughter.
"Will you introduce your friend to me?"
Nodding Hinata told him what Kangae had told her and when she was done she decided to speak up.
"Excuse me Hyuuga-sama," She cut in politely. "but I was wondering if I would be able to spend time at the festival with Hinata-san?"
He looked contemplative and that was better than being rejected. "What is it Hinata and you were planning to do?"
Taking a second to arrange a schedule she answered his question.
"I wanted to go to the koi fish ponds and games stalls," Kangae informed him. "then go with Nara-sama and Akamichi-sama and their children if that is alright with you."
Before he could answer Hizashi cut in with a genial smile.
"Why don't we all go?" He suggested but it really wasn't one. "I haven't spoken with the trio in a while. It would be the perfect time to catch up."
Edit: 8/30/15
