Yeah...no reviews, but honestly, I've gotten to the conclusion that I like writing this so I won't stop. I just hoped some other people would enjoy my idea.

Hyuga Ruriko

"I can't believe this!" I shouted standing up and glaring at my family members.

It was a phrase that I often used when I was brought to the verge of outrage. It was a phrase that came out when I was at the end of my power of comprehension as to why all these things happen to me. I was a balanced person. Oddly enough, I pronounced said phrase quite often. Like the time when my younger brother, Ren, graduated in the same time as me. I was eight he was four mind you. Like when I didn't pass genin because of my dumb teammates. Like when I didn't pass genin because I was beat up by and Uchiha. Like when Ren turned chunin at the age of eight and when he was named ANBU captain two years ago. When he was only ten. But this to me sounded like the most disgusting and ill natured thing ever though of.

"You can't make him marry her!" I pointed at Ren who didn't seem phased at all by what was happening around him. "Is it even legal?"

My father narrowed his eyes at me. I sure had guts for a person who has brought a great deal of shame upon him. "What are you saying, Ruriko? Of course it is. Yukari is his second cousin."

"But you and Hanabi-sama were always close!" I continued.

"And we still are. But the blood tie between our children is weak. This union brings us both honor and not to mention benefits."

"Benefits, of course. If Ren is to marry Yukari then he will move up to those hypocrites in main house," I bitterly said.

"And he will be the future leader of the Hyuga clan!" my father slightly raised his voice.

"Something you never could be. You shouldn't lay out your frustrations on your own children!" I yelled.

"Ruriko, this has gone far enough!" my mother interfered. "Respect your father."

I looked down at her. "You know it's the truth, mother. You should oppose to arranged marriages more than me. After all, you aren't part of the clan and still married father."

My father screeched. "Since I married outside the clan it is your duty to marry inside and keep the clan going pure."

"You married out of love!" I shouted.

"Yes, I did. And in the same time a disobeyed my clan's will. Of course," he looked at my mother. "I do not regret it now. But my former duties have fallen upon you. You are in debt towards your clan," he ceremoniously said. "It can't be helped; it's just your fate."

I grimaced. "You can't make Ren do that. It's abominable!"

"I don't see him complaining, Ruriko!" my father shouted.

"That's because you filled his mind with all this nonsense about destiny and duty! You don't want to marry like this, Ren, do you?" my eyes looked down at my younger brother who was still sitting.

His pale eyes remained staring dully at some point at the other end of the room. His face was framed by his light brown hairs that traced round shadow on his carved cheeks.

"I do," he finally said. "It is the best I can do for myself," he impassively said. My father proudly smirked.

"You've brainwashed him," I growled.

"And if I hadn't he might have ended up just like you. A genin at the age of eighteen who has brought no pride to her clan and more importantly to her clan!" he shouted at me.

"Neji, that's enough," my mother raised her voice.

I pursed my lips together.

"No, Tenten, I have been too understanding with her. Someone has got to knock some sense into her mind. The only thing we can do for her is marry her as soon as possible," my father gravely said.

"What are you saying? She is only a child," my mother continued.

"I will try and find a suitable match for her as soon as possible," he coldly looked at me.

"I will not marry!" I shouted with anger in my eyes.

"It is your duty!" his voice covered mine.

"Then I will not marry without affection!" I hoarsely said before leaving the room.

I stomped out of the Hyuga district running into a few kids that were playing making them run crying to their mothers with my glaring. I looked over my shoulder one last time before leaving for the forest. Arranged marriages disgusted me, even though they were common in our clan. It was one of the most important factors that made our bloodline limit so strong and so numerous. It wouldn't be surprising if your parents had arranged whom you will marry ever before since you were born. Fortunately that didn't happen to me. I narrowed my eyes as I was jumping from tree to tree. But my former duties have fallen upon you. You are in debt towards your clan. My father's word came back to me. I pulled on a branch tearing it away from the tree trunk. I would not cry. It can't be helped; it's just your fate. I landed on a tree gasping for air.

"Gah! Shut up!" I started nervously punching the trunk. "I hate you! I hate you!" I continued to yell.

I did not hate my father. I hated myself. I hated myself for being so weak and for being a disgrace to my clan.

"I hate you!" I thundered.

The bandages I used to wear were torn. My knuckles were bleeding. I lavender kimono was dirty. Huffing I looked down at myself. My hair was a bit loose from its regular messy buns. It was a savage reaction unworthy of the image I tried to maintain.

"Excuse me, but who are you talking to?" I heard a baritone voice behind me.

I flinched and spun around. I immediately recognized him. It was Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Mikoto's brother. He was wearing regular black clothes with his clan's symbol on them and his hand was wrapped in plaster due to the fact that he was severely wounded on his last mission. He was an ANBU. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Hm," I turned and wanted to walk away, but in less than a second he was again in front of me.

"What's wrong? You're hurt!" he said.

I looked at him from under my lashes. He was annoying.

"Wait, I know you. You're that Hyuga girl…"he said.

"Neji Hyuga's daughter? The one who is still a genin? Ren Hyuga's sister?" I snapped at him.

His brows furrowed.

"Forget it," I turned away again, but he jumped before me.

"No, I meant to say the one who has the best aim in Konoha," he rubbed his chin.

I was taken aback by his words. My eyes widened in disbelief when I realized he was serious.

"Hyuga Ruriko, right?" he quizzically looked at me.

"What is it to you?" I bit back. "Leave me alone. What the hell are you doing in the forest?"

"I could ask you the same thing. But have it you way. I'm training," he simply said.

True. Not far away from me was a tree full of kunais and shurikens.

"Shouldn't you be training at ANBU headquarters?" I suspiciously raised an eyebrow.

"I shouldn't be training at all. And like this," he showed me his left hand. "It's not that glorious."

Of course, a wounded Uchiha, what a pretty sight to see.

"What are you doing here?" he asked me.

I looked at my knuckles and at the severely damaged tree trunk.

"Other than talking to yourself and hurting nature, that is."

Oh and he is a comedian to top that everyone in Konoha knew his name if not everyone in the world.

I decided not to beat the wind any longer twirled on my heels to go the opposite way.

"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" he caught me by the wrist with his right hand.

"I could say the same thing about you. Let go," I tried to say in a composed voice and not to blush because of the closeness between us. I did not feel comfortable at all. "You're hurting me."

"You're lying," he said. I was. His grip was warm and gentle. "I'll let go if you'll let me bandage your knuckles."

I tried pulling away again. He smirked. "Will you let me go after that?"

"Sure," he warmly smiled.

We both sat down on the thick grass. I propped my back against the former damaged tree trunk. He took out a few bandages from his pouch and started delicately wrapping them around my fingers. The situation was embarrassing, but he did have experienced and skillful hands.

"Why do you bother?" I exasperatedly asked.

"You looked helpless back there. I thought you might cause further damage to the tree and yourself," he said not looking up from my hands.

"And why are you bandaging my wounds now?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Any other sensible person would do the same thing," he shrugged.

I just looked at him as if he just grew a tail.

"You can tell me why you were punching a tree anytime soon," he added.

"I am not obliged to tell you anything," I bitterly said.

"I see," he carelessly said nodding to himself.

"Hey, I'm not crazy!" I snapped.

"I'm not implying that," he smirked. I wanted to punch his face, but he was currently working on my right hand.

"I'm just a little angry."

"That sounds like a dumb reason," he scoffed.

"You have no right to say that Mr. I'm-my-clan's-pride-and-glory!" I spat.

He sighed. "If you really want to be," he grimaced. "What you said earlier, canalize your anger in training. No wonder you're still a genin."

"That's all because your dumb sister!" I growled.

He let go of my hand. "Done."

I wiggled my fingers. They felt less sore. He sat there in front of me with his eyes fixed to the ground. I was expecting a reaction from him. He remained inert.

"I just picked on your sister. Aren't you going to say anything?" I asked.

"Not really," he shrugged.

"But she's your sister," I continued.

"We barely speak to each other," he shrugged. "It's as if you had just talked bad of one of my many acquaintances."

"She's family," I continued.

"I'm barely home," he shrugged.

"Even so, I guess family's family," I said in a convinced voice.

"And why do I have the feeling you were so charged against that tree because of family?" he asked. My eyes widened. He smirked. "Just a hunch."

"It's none of your business," I got up. "Thank you for your unrequired kindness."

I took a few steps.

"No need to be so formal," he added. I looked over my shoulder. "Anytime, Hyuga Ruriko."

I did not reply. I continued to walk my way back to the town. The moment I had just shared with Uchiha Sasuke was beyond awkward. Ironically enough, I would bitch about the Uchiha clan whenever I could, but now he has showed nothing but apparently uninterested kindness towards me. I shrugged. It still amazed me that he remembered my name. We were colleagues for what? Two or three months? I decided to go after Takeshi. The idiot would have a blast to have me train with him. He said that he improved, but he was already jonin. I knocked at his door. Rock-sensei was the one who answered me first. He had his trademark grin plastered all over his face. It almost blinded me.

"Hello, Ruriko. My how beautiful you are. How're your parents?" he asked.

"Erm…fine, I guess," I shyly said.

"Ruriko, what are you doing here?" Takeshi appeared from behind his father.

"I came to see if you could train now?" I asked a bit embarrassed by Rock-sensei's presence.

"Sure," he came out.

"You guys are off training? How cute is that?" Takeshi's father squealed. We awkwardly nodded. "Maybe you guys could pass by the hospital and say hello to Minako?" he gave us a thumbs up.

"Sure thing, dad," Takeshi said. "Let's go."

I followed him out of his courtyard. We walked quietly for a while. Usually Takeshi talked all the time. Now he was unusually quiet. Actually, I knew why he was like this. He always got sensitive when remembering our former team. Our sensei was his father and we were teamed up with Minako Nara. She was two years older than us, but was too lazy to graduate earlier. She was now working at the hospital. I barely spoke to her. Unless I got injured and not even then.

"So, have you been talking with Minako, lately?" I asked.

"No. Stopped by two weeks ago. She fell asleep after I said hi."

I shrugged. That was Minako for you. She would make a hell of a great ninja I she would put a little effort to it.

"We're here," he said when we approached the training grounds. "Ready?" he quirked a thick eyebrow at me.

I nodded. Adopting my combat position, I charged at him. I activated my way halfway and pushed my chakra to my hands. He was quick and flexible and dodged all my attempts of damaging his chakra flow. My hands were aggressively pushed away with precise timing every time. I frowned. I didn't like losing and he seemed to get a bit too over confident. Quickening my movements I managed to throw a fist in the middle of his chest. It was a bit rough for the technique's gentleness, but I managed to push him several feet away. Jumping, I gave him a kick that sent him flying into the nearest tree. He coughed a little blood. Reaching for my kunai, I threw it in such a manner that I pierced through his collar, clinching him to the tree. I panted. You're that Hyuga girl… The one who is still a genin? No, I meant to say the one who has the best aim in Konoha. I sighed throwing another two shurikens. He broke free and came back at me. Canalize your anger in training.

Two hours later he was panting and cleaning his trousers. I felt like throwing my lungs up, but controlled myself.

"You're getting better, heh," he smiled at the cuts at his shoulders. "I'm looking forward in seeing you in the finals."

I shrugged.

"You'll make it. And you'll pass. Wanna go get something to drink?" he asked.

"No," I replied. "You should go home and change or people might confuse you with a beggar," I added.

"Fine, fine," he raised his hands in defeat. "See you tomorrow."

"See you," I said, before turning away.

I never went out. I always ate with my family and hung around the district. I didn't exactly have that many friends and going out only with Takeshi would be weird even though he is head over heals over that stupid Mikoto.

I sighed. The Hyuga district. I did not go to my own house. I decided to stop by Hiroko's house hoping to find someone else that would share my outrage.

"Ruriko!" Jiraya shrieked once he saw me in the doorway and clung onto my legs. He looked at me with his pale eyes and goofy smile.

"Get off me," I took him by the collar and removed him from the way. Odd enough, he giggled.

"Hey, Ruriko," Ai appeared. "Do you want to have tea with us on the terrace?"

I nodded. She walked me to the inner courtyard. Hiroko was there drinking his tea.

"Hi, Ruriko," he said.

"Hey," I took a seat next to them.

"Have you heard?" I asked as Ai filled my cup.

"I think the whole district is talking about it," Hiroko said.

"And?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Have you spoken to Ren?" Ai asked.

"No, he went off to ANBU headquarters. He seems to agree?" I thoughtfully said.

Ai sighed. "So does Yukari, I think. Grandfather is very pleased about it."

"He always had a soft spot for Neji," Hiroko carelessly said.

"What do you think about it?" I asked.

"I don't know…" Ai tapped her pouty pink lips.

"I don't care, honestly. I just hope they don't start this nonsense with me. I need to preserve myself for Mikoto-chan," he said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, I don't want it too," Ai said looking at her tea. I don't think any Hyuga would be interested in marrying her, though. She didn't posses the Byakugan and there was no certainty she would ascend as Hokage.

"Hey, Ruriko, look at me!" I heard Jiraya's shrilly voice.

He was two feet away from a bullseye painted on the fence. He threw a kunai at it and obviously hit center. I grinned. I couldn't help, but smile.