Chapter 10
Hyuga Neji
I remember that day because it felt like the world was against me.
I started to slowly walk to the left—still holding my stance. Kiba smiled again, reaching into his ninja bag. He pulled out a small black pill, and I instantly knew it was a soldier pill. Kiba rubbed it between his finger and thumb.
I eyed the black orb, I knew had to keep my guard up. "If you back off now, I will let you go unharmed." Kiba made a tsh noise but stood his ground, not showing any signs of leaving. "It's your own fault for staying." I said.
"That's fine. A man doesn't stand down from the challenges he is given." Kiba said as he flicked the pill into his mouth. It snapped at the pressure of his teeth. I watched Kiba swallow the pill and could see large amounts of chakra flow through his body.
Kiba was off in a flash, trying to find my blind spot. Thankfully, I reacted quickly and my knowledge of my own weakness allowed me to move into the Eight Trigrams Empty Palm Jutsu. As I motioned with my hands to make a dome shape around me, blue charka started to form. This jutsu was my greatest defense, covering me from all sides. Kiba jumped back, avoiding the denfense, and swiftly made the hand motions to activate his Shikyaku no Jutsu. He fell forward onto his hands, giving the impression of a wild animal. Fingernails grew into claws and teeth enlarged into fangs. Kiba had turned into his beast form. He grinded his claws into the dirt and spun at me at a rapid rate, but I was quicker and bounced him off with a counter attack.
Kiba landed on the ground to the right of me, "There has to be a way to get around that shield..." I heard him bark. I continued to watch him, unsure of what his next attack would be. Suddenly, I saw him smile before digging his claws into the dirt again as he yelled, "Let's get wild!"
"Don't get cocky, you damn dog!" I hissed.
"You won't have worry about that much longer," Kiba said with a stupid smile on his face. His hands started to form another seal as he shouted, "Tsūga!" A gust of wind appeared around Kiba and he started to spin uncontrollably. He reminded me of a large drill barreling towards me. I returned back to my defensive position. This time, Kiba dug his attack straight into the ground. And without any warning, he emerged under my feet, punching me straight in the jaw.
I felt Kiba's fist against my chin and body was knocked back. Blood started to run down from my mouth, leaving a metallic taste behind.
"I see that you are still weak to such an attack. No wonder Naruto beat you all those years ago!" Kiba mocked, putting his hands on his hips as I wiped the blood from my mouth with the back of my sleeve. Akamaru gave a small yelp, causing Kiba to face him, taking his attention away from me. "You're right, Akamaru, he is—AHHH!" Without giving it a second thought, I attacked. My hands had a mind of their own as they jabbed into Kiba's neck and lower back.
"You should never turn your back on your opponent. Naruto should have taught you that." I smiled. Kiba fell to his knees. He grabbed his throat as he coughed up a blob of blood. "If you don't stop here, you might actually become seriously injured." I said sarcastically.
Kiba put one hand on the ground and dug his claws hard into the earth. He looked down to see a puddle of red blood. Akamaru whined, unsure of what to do next. "Akamaru, I will end this..." Kiba coughed as he staggered to his feet. And like a true Shinobi, he returned to his attack position.
"You must have a death wish, you mutt." I said returning to my own fighting stance.
"I won't let you win," Kiba coughed. He started to run towards me, but a dark shadow came between us. Then, suddenly, he came to a sudden halt.
"KIBA! That's enough!" A female voice commanded, almost growling at him.
"Nee-chan…? GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Kiba blurted, realizing that the figure was his older sister, Hana. Her body was covered up in a long jacket and long pants but one could still see her muscles through the thick layers. Having her hair tied back allowed a person to see her white fangs emerging from her lips. Hana's appearance was almost wolf-like, causing anyone who didn't know her to step back and take a second look.
"Kiba, BACK OFF!" Hana commanded again. "He is a member of Konoha—he isn't your enemy. And if you don't step back, I will make you." Hana growled.
I released my Byukagan and stood there. I had met Hana before when I had first gotten my Jounin rank. I knew she wasn't a woman to be taken lightly.
Hana then turned her attention towards me, "Neji-sama, go home. I don't know why you came, but you better leave."
"But Nee-chan, we aren't finished!" Kiba screamed, and as soon as he did, Hana punched him straight in the gut, forcing more blood to escape from his lips.
"That is enough out of you," Hana stated, holding Kiba up in one arm. "Akamaru, come!" Akamaru obeyed. "Take him home." He moved under Hana's arm and readied himself for Kiba's weight. Hana placed Kiba on the white beast's back and it gave one last look at me before it jumped into the trees.
I watched as the large dog vanished into the tree line before looking back at Hana.
"Neji-sama," she said softly. "If you ever try attack or kill my brother again," she paused taking a long breath, "I will take you out personally." And without another word, Hana was gone, leaving me alone in the darkness.