Double Update, because it's nearly Christmas!
Think of it as a Christmas present~! ;D
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
Chapter 10: Season Memories
Previously:
"Eh? Shikamaru?" she blinked. "I mean-WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?!"
"Oh yeah, I forgot to explain what happens after we sneak in. After we successfully get in, we'll get Shikamaru to divide the room into quarters, and one guy will go to one girl, and after that, you do whatever you want. You can leave, stay with the girl, friendly chat, or…maybe something else…" smirked Naruto evilly.
Kiba raised his hand, "I'll take Hi-"
Sasuke interrupted. "I don't want to be the one standing out here, so I'll be with Hina-"
The two kept arguing, and a calm voice said, "I'll make my way to Hinata-Sama's section."
"Hm…maybe things like…this?" suddenly, his lips were placed on top of hers.
Tenten was huddled up in a corner. "This is like one of those creepy horror movies…where you don't know what's going to come out at you, and then you think it's a human, but it could actually be some sort of ghost! OMG paranormal activity!"
"IT TOUCHED ME! Wait…LEE?!"
"The stars are beautiful tonight, but I think you are the most beautiful star."
•
It was around the end of Autumn now. It had been a few days since the boy and girl outings had occurred.
Neji and Hinata were training as usual, and Hiashi continued to watch the two of them. "My, Hinata has improved so much in such a short time…my nephew really is a genius."
"Hinata-Sama, do not block, attack! Otherwise you will miss your chance!" advised Neji.
"Hai!"
After minutes passed, the two stopped sparring.
"Okay, Hinata-Sama, I think it's time you fight against different opponents."
"Different opponents?" blinked the innocent girl.
"Yes." He glanced at the gate, and Hinata saw Shino and Kiba, her teammates, along with Akamaru, enter the Hyuuga Compound.
"Ah, Shino-Kun, Kiba-Kun, Akamaru-Kun, Konnichiwa!" she greeted them.
"Yo! Do you want to verse me first, or Shino?" Kiba flashed a toothy grin.
"Either. I don't mind." replied the Heiress.
"Then, Akamaru and I will go first! Yahoo!" Kiba and Akamaru got into position, while Shino and Neji observed.
"You've done a job well done, Neji." commented Shino.
"You can tell?" asked Neji, keeping his eyes on Hinata.
"Of course. Her improvement is amazing, and lately she's been succeeding every mission she's assigned."
"I've only taught her the basics though."
"And she mastered them. What will you teach her next?"
"Move advanced things. Not only that, but I'd also like to improve her Byakugan range."
"I see."
It was quiet between the two, until Shino spoke up again.
"Is Hinata's Father paying you?"
"Excuse me?" Neji glanced at the bug user.
"Is her father paying you to train her?"
"No, nothing like that…" he shook his head.
"Then why train her?" asked Shino.
"Well…believe it or not, I'm also benefitting from her as well."
"?"
Neji stood in between Kiba & Hinata. "Okay, that's enough. Next, Shino, you're up."
"Understood."
•
"…Repeat what you just said to me." demanded Hiashi. He was having another meeting with the Hyuuga Elders.
"You see…I personally think Hanabi-Sama is more suitable to join the Main and Branch together, rather than Hinata-Sama…" the Elder shared his opinion.
"Hanabi is too young, and her skills aren't fully refined yet." replied Hiashi.
"Yes, but even Hanabi-Sama, Hinata-Sama's little sister, could beat her older sister. Don't you think that is disgraceful?" questioned another Elder.
"It is my choice to think what is disgraceful and what is not. Have you not seen Hinata's improvement?" said Hiashi.
"Of course we have, we just…"
"Not only that, but Neji and Hinata's relationship has already started developing. Whereas if you look at Hanabi and Neji's relationship, they think one another are total strangers." explained Hiashi, slowly, as if he were speaking to children.
"Hiashi-Sama, we're only saying this for the future of the Hyuuga clan! Please, hear our humble request! Hinata-Sama is not fit for-"
"Silence! This discussion is over. Even if you have more than half of the Elders on Hanabi's side, I will not change my mind. That is final." Hiashi stood up, and left the room.
•
"I will not have it!" said a Hyuuga Elder, rather angrily. "I object to the fact that Hinata-Sama, that useless heiress, will be the one supporting and helping the future lord of the Hyuuga Clan, Neji! She is far too weak, and too soft!"
"Hmph. I doubt that Neji boy even has any feelings towards Hinata-Sama!"
"Indeed! I haven't seen any signs of attraction for Hinata-Sama from him."
"But Hiashi-Sama will not change his mind…" murmured another.
"If that's the case, we will inform Hanabi-Sama of this."
"What?"
"We will tell Hanabi-Sama that she is engaged to Neji, and knowing that little girl, she will go off and blabber about it to everyone else around Neji. Including Hinata-Sama."
"But if Hiashi-Sama finds out-"
"Oh, he will, but by then it would be too late. The whole Hyuuga clan, and maybe even the village will know of this. Perhaps even the Hokage. And I doubt even Hiashi-Sama has the power to stop this 'nonsense of an engagement'."
"Are you sure about this?" questioned an uncertain Elder.
"Well, do you have any better plan? We can't kill Hinata-Sama off."
"…You're right. We'll have to go with that plan then."
Even if it is against Hiashi-Sama's decision…
•
Tenten sighed. "What am I to do…? Neji doesn't show any interest in me at all…"
She leaned on her palm, glumly. I've liked him for such a long time as well. How could he not realize it? I've liked him ever since Team One was formed…
Her brown eyes fell onto their team picture. "And Hinata manages to receive all your attention in a shorter time than me!"
The Chinese girl hung her head low. "When will you open your eyes and notice that it's me, Neji…?"
•
Neji sat in his room, gazing out the window. "Hah? Hinata-Sama's feelings towards me…? I never really thought about it that much…" –those words popped into his head all of a sudden.
Wait, why am I thinking of that? Sheesh…however…I do wonder how she actually feels about me. Hm… He remembered the time when they were training, and Hinata looked as if she were about to faint. Why was she blushing so hard back then? Was it because I was too close to her, especially because I'm the opposite gender? Iie, I'm sure that can't be it…
And the memory of her hugging him flashed through his mind. I was shocked…to think she'd actually hug a Branch Member…I was so confused. No, I'm still confused; why was my heart pounding so fast? Why did my temperature rise? Why did I think she was cute? Why…did I decide to hug her back?
The Hyuuga Prodigy rubbed his temples. Too many questions, not enough answers.
He sighed, and decided he needed some fresh air. He strolled through the hallways of the Hyuuga mansion, making his way to the garden. He then overheard his name from one of the nearby rooms. Hm? Someone talking about me? Neji paused. …I shouldn't eavesdrop, but since it's about me, I have a right. He put his ear to the Tategu, and listened carefully.
"Hmph…that Neji…Hinata-Sama!"
…Damn, I can't quiet catch on to what they're saying. But I recognize these voices…the Elders?
"Indeed! I haven't seen any signs…"
"But Hiashi-Sama…his mind…" murmured another.
"…Inform Hanabi-Sama of this."
"What?"
"We will tell Hanabi-Sama that she is engaged to Neji…Hinata-Sama."
"What?! Hanabi-Sama and I?!" Neji gasped. Engaged?! What's going on…?!
He heard the Elders starting to move, so he quickly continued to make his way towards the garden.
Am I imagining things? I couldn't be…they clearly said my name…when did I ever agree to being engaged?!
•
Hinata lied on her bed, with two pictures on her pillow. She then looked at the picture on her left. It was a picture of a young boy with bright blue eyes and striking blonde hair. She looked at the picture on her right. There was a good looking boy with similar pale eyes and dark brown long hair. Hinata's eyebrows furrowed. "Naruto-Kun, or Neji-Nii san…?"
The Hyuuga Heiress glanced back at the Nine-Tailed Fox Host. A small smile curved upwards. Naruto-Kun really is trying his hardest…and he's so strong…
Her lavender orbs then flicked to her right. And her heart skipped a beat. I didn't realize Neji-Nii san looked so…handsome in this picture…I mean-what?!
She shook her head. "No, no, Hinata you can't think like that! Neji-Nii san doesn't believe in things like love!"
…But it would be nice if he looked at me with different eyes. Not the 'she's my cousin' look. More of the 'she's interesting…' sort of look. She laid her head onto the blankets. "I wonder why I wish for Neji-Nii san's attention so much…it's not like I'm in love with him or anything…eh?! What am I saying?! Of course I'm not in love with him! Why would I ever think that?! …What is wrong with me?"
•
Neji couldn't help but not face the Hyuuga Elders anymore. He didn't know what they were secretly thinking. He just couldn't act normal around them; because he knew something they didn't think he'd know. The genius of Konoha decided to go for a small walk. Just fresh air in the garden wasn't good enough to clear his thoughts.
Before he knew it, he had somehow leaded himself to the place where Team Gai had their first meeting. He recalled the conversation they had…
~Flashback~
"From today, you are all Genin." Grinned Might Gai. "I want to take this time to hear your goals."
"I don't want to answer that." Neji gave a quick reply.
Lee put his hand up. "Sensei! I want to prove that even without mastering Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, one can become a great Ninja!" He added on, "That is what I live for!"
Neji snickered.
"Hey! What is so funny?!" Lee pointed at the Hyuuga Prodigy.
"Listen, if you can't use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, you can't be a Ninja." said Neji, rather up himself. "What? Are you stupid?"
~Flashback End~
"…That's right. A lot of people thought I was a jerk back then, but I didn't care." mumbled Neji. "Dreams and goals for the future, huh?" It's not like I have one…
He watched two brown birds soaring through the clear blue skies. Actually, now that I think about it, I did have a dream. "My dream was to…"
~Flashback~
"Neji, do you want to be like Hiashi-Sama?" asked Hizashi, Neji's Father.
"Like Hiashi-Sama?" blinked the young boy.
His Father nodded. "Head of the Hyuuga Clan."
Young Neji grinned. "Yeah, I really do! Because then the Hyuuga Main and Branch don't have to be separated anymore! And that means the Branch doesn't have to suffer from the curse mark!" Neji pointed to his forehead.
Hizashi chuckled. "Would you like to know how to become the Head?"
"Hai! Onegaishimasu!" Neji replied, enthusiastically.
His Father motioned for him to come closer. He obediently did so.
Hizashi whispered in Neji's ear. "There's only one way. Especially because we're part of the Branch side."
"Nani? Nandakore?"
"Well…I don't know if I should say it, now that I know you're so eager to know." joked his Father.
"Father!" Neji pulled onto his dad's sleeve.
"Haha, okay, okay. Listen up; I'll only say it once."
Neji leaned in close.
"It's…"
"Hm?"
"BOO!"
Neji covered his ears. "My ears!"
Neji's dad laughed. "Scared you there, didn't I, Son?"
"Seriously, Father…!"
"I'm sorry; I just had to do that. I'll tell you for real this time."
"If you lie again, I'm not going to listen to you ever again." glared the little Neji.
"Haha, right, right."
Neji leaned in once again, expecting another prank or joke.
His Father whispered into his ear, "In order to achieve that goal…you must marry Hinata-Sama."
~End of Flashback~
Those words echoed in his head. 'You must marry Hinata-Sama.'
He thought about it. …I want this cursed seal to be rid of, but then I have to marry Hinata-Sama…then again, it's not like I have any other love interests…and I still desire to become the Head of the Hyuuga Clan. But Hinata-Sama likes Naruto…hmm…but the Elders were talking about engagement…I know.
Neji turned around, and started to make his way back to the Hyuuga Mansion. If Hinata-Sama and I were ever to be engaged…then I would definitely take the chance to make her mine.
-End Of Chapter 10-
Japanese Translations:
Hai-Yes
Iie-No
Sensei-Teacher
Onegaishimasu-Please (Formal)
Nani-What
Nandakore-What is this, or what is it (Something along those lines)
•
Early Merry Christmas to all! :D
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
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