Six

January 6th, 1997

"The Sharingan? Already?" Kagome smiled at Itachi, giving him a tight hug. "I always knew you were awesome, but to get that so early makes you even better!"

"Thanks." The Genin smiled at her. "And you'll soon be able to use the Byakugan."

"Hopefully!" She grinned. The door swung open, and there was suddenly a small boy holding onto Kagome. She smiled down at him, running a hand through his hair.

"Are you going to watch Hinata-sama train again?" She asked.

"Uh-huh!" Neji smiled up at his sister, still not letting go of her.

"Well then, you'd better go." Kagome nudged him playfully. "Otherwise, Father will leave without you."

"He will not!" The boy argued.

"Won't I?" Hizashi leaned against the door slightly, looking at them.

"No." Neji answered confidently.

"He knows better, Father." Kagome smiled. "It'd be pointless for you to go alone."

"Yes, well... Ikuze, Neji." He said, waiting for the younger boy to following him out.

"He sure seemed excited." Itachi said once both other boys had left.

"Yeah, Neji likes watching her. He thinks she's the most adorable thing in the world. Which, of course, she is. Other than Sasuke." Kagome smiled.

"Right..." Itachi rolled his eyes jokingly. "I'd best go train myself..."

"Aww... okay. I should do the same..." She sighed, wanting more to spend time with her friend.

It wasn't long after that when Itachi left. She followed suit, leaving to an abandon field on the outskirts of the village. It was close the home, but nobody used it. It was only about three hours later when she felt herself being clung to again. When she looked down, a worried expression took over her face. Neji was clinging to her, yes, but he was crying. Kagome knelt down, wrapping her arms around him. She gently stroked his hair, wondering what could have made such a calm child like Neji so upset.

"What happened, otouto?" She asked, keeping her voice soft and calm.

"Fa-father..." Was all the young boy managed to choke out.

"Is he okay...?" Kagome inquired, becoming a bit alarmed. Neji shook his head, causing her breath to stop for a moment. Something was wrong, and their father was hurt or a bad situation. She stood, holding Neji's hand and leading him home.

"Go up to my room, okay? I'll be up in a few minutes." She told him. Hesitantly, the younger boy obeyed. Once he was upstairs, she ran into the kitchen.

"Mother!" Kagome nearly tripped as she ran in. Akane was preparing a cold compress, her hands trembling ever so slightly.

"Don't ask. He's fine." Akane said, not even letting the young girl ask. Kagome frowned, wanting to be informed. However, she knew better than to back talk or argue. She turned, heading up the stairs towards her room.

As she walked, she slowly pieced together what must have happened. When she arrived at her room, her fists were clenched. Kagome looked down at herself, sighing. She relaxed her hands and opened the door. Neji had crawled into her bed underneath the covers. Walking over, she sat on the edge of the bed.

"I think I know what happened..." She said, stroking Neji's hair. "Don't be angry about it... He would use that without a reason..."

"I don't care!" The small boy shouted. "He still-"

"Neji." Kagome interrupted. She felt her heart sink when she spoke the next three words. "Let it go."

"Let it go...? How?" He was trembling again, not able to understand what his sister was trying to tell him.

"He wouldn't have done it unless he threatened Hinata-sama..." She replied.

"But... Father wouldn't-"

"You still have a lot to learn, otouto..." She interrupted again, stroking his hair. "A lot."