Haha. Himura Utake is really a sick bastard.
Summary: Chapter 13: The Ookami finally enter the battle. Neji's life changes even more drastically than it already has.
Chapter 13
"What?" Hinata asked, dumbstruck, although she wasn't the only one.
"He kills us for our skins," Minoru sighed sadly.
"Is that why he's attacking Konoha?" Neji demanded.
The reflection nodded.
"Or at least that's what I think."
"How in the hell would he know Neji was a Ookami?" Naruto shouted. "I mean, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but really? How the fuck-"
"I don't know! I've only been alive as long as Neji has and the only things that I know are the things his mom told him when he was a little kid!" Minoru replied.
"I don't remember that," Neji muttered.
"Of course not," his reflection said. "We were babies when she told me that stuff."
"And yet, you remember it?"
"I remember a lot more than you do, Neji, and that's saying something."
"So, Neji is Himura's target?" Kurenai asked in order to clarify.
The living reflection nodded.
"We're going to need to put you under protective detail then," the Jounin said to the Hyuuga. "We can't afford-"
"-There is no way in hell that I'm getting taken off the battlefield! No fucking way!" Neji shouted as he stood up.
"Fuck that! You're this sick bastard's target! We can't have to getting kidnapped or killed," Kurenai snapped.
"K-Kurenai-sensei," Hinata said softly as she stepped between her former teacher and her cousin.
"Hinata-chan, move! This idiot needs to understand-"
"-Kurenai-sensei!" Hinata shouted, a surprisingly forceful tone in her voice.
Shocked into silence, Kurenai looked down at the small girl.
"P-please do-don't take N-Neji-nii-san off the battlef-field."
"Why not Hinata-chan? He-"
"-You need to understand, please. He has to be here. You put him on the sidelines and a whole lot worse things could happen. We're already missing Hatake-sensei out here," the quiet girl said.
"She's right, Yuhi-sensei," Sakura said. "Neji is one of the best ninja we have. We'll be putting the entire village at risk."
The older Jounin sighed softly and, after a moment, nodded in agreement.
"We'll have to tell the Hokage, though, and the Kazekage, I suppose."
Neji paled at his, letting his head drop a bit. Minoru glanced at him, his face serious and unemotional. Both of them, Hyuuga and Hyuuga reflection, had let the invisible mask of their clan fall into place.
"Alright," Neji replied softly as he raised his head.
"Hyuuga-san! Come quickly!" a messenger shouted as he suddenly appeared beside the team. "The Hoka- wait, what the hell happened to you?"
"Just tell me what the orders are," the Hyuuga muttered.
"Oh, well, the Hokage has called for you and your team to report to the main battlefield immediately. No one has died as of yet, but many have sustained injuries," the messenger said.
"Who?" Neji asked, keeping his mask in place to hide the frantic state his soul had just been thrown into.
"Temari-san and Shikamaru-san's teams reported to the battlefield about ten minutes ago. Tenten-san and Kiba-san were both knocked unconscious and sent to the hospital. Ino-san has received several cuts, but she is fine. Surprisingly, the Kazekage was slashed by one of the swords, but his demon healed him without any problems. The rest are all minor injuries," the messenger rattled off.
"Why does she need us then?" Kurenai asked, stepping forward.
"Himura's men have refused to retreat despite their heavy losses and the Hokage is hoping that your presence will force them into it."
Neji's tail twitched nervously as he glanced at the other ninja. They all gave him worried looks, especially Hinata.
"Well," Neji said, "When the Hokage calls, we must obey."
"Neji, I don't think-"
Suddenly, Neji held up a hand, silencing her. His eyes narrowed as his now very-sensitive ears picked up an unfamiliar sound from the distance: growling. A faint whiff of musk filled his nose causing the Hyuuga to shake his head in order to rid himself of the smell.
"I don't think we'll be needed," Minoru said, smiling. When the ninja all looked down at him, he motioned in the direction of the battlefield. "The others are already here."
Breaking into a run, the ninja hurried towards the battle. As they neared, the shouts and clanking of metal grew louder. Suddenly, the shouts grew into screams of fear as loud barks and growls overrode them. Explosions rocked the earth, nearly knocking the running ninja off of their feat. They burst out of the trees to find a sight they were not expecting.
Utake's soldiers were retreating, rushing to get away from the sharp teeth and claws that had already attempted to teat their limbs off. Giant wolves nipped at their heels as they ran, grinning widely when they turned away from their prey. Their tongues rolled out of their mouths and they panted as they trotted back towards the army of ninja. Blood adorned their massive teeth and dripped from the sharp tips as freely as water flows from a faucet. Patches of grass were burned away, leaving behind black spots of ash. However, the golden male stepped onto one of the patches, the plants were instantly revived, their blades an even deeper green than before.
"Wolves," Kurenai said.
Next to her, Naruto shuddered. The Kyuubi was rustling around inside his cage, his fear seeping into his host. Getting up, the fox paced along the bars, almost prancing as chakra flowed through his feet.
'Kyuubi?' Naruto asked, setting his hand on his stomach. 'Are you okay?'
'It's the Ookami, kit. I'm not used to all of them being in one place,' the Kyuubi growled.
"Are you okay, Naruto?" Hinata asked.
"It's the first time that the Kyuubi's been this nervous," the ninja replied, frowning.
'You would be too if you knew what they could do,' the Kyuubi muttered.
Suddenly, one of the other wolves, a gray male, stopped in his tracks, turning his dark gaze to Neji. The Hyuuga met the gaze unflinchingly. The two Ookami stared at each other for a moment before the gray started over towards Neji and his team.
Gaara was feeling the same unease that Naruto had. Shukaku hissed as they watched the Ookami walk over to the small group of ninja.
'Your mate is one of them,' the demon muttered.
When the wolf was only a few yard from Neji, it arched its back and rolled onto its hind legs, still walking. With each step, the Ookami lost more of his wolf appearance and took on more of his human one. By the time he reached the Hyuuga, he retained only the same attributed that Neji had: fur-tipped ears, long, fluffy tail, and clawed fingers. The Ookami smiled and held out his hands to Neji.
"I'm Akumu, but you can call me Ketai. I prefer my human name," he said, his smile flashing his sharp fangs.
"Neji," the Hyuuga replied as he shook the man's hand.
"So you're Sugata," the other Ookami mused. "I wasn't expecting a Hyuuga though."
"I'm a Hyuuga on my father's side," Neji said. "My mother was an Ookami."
He felt strange saying that, almost as though he as trying to pronounce a foreign word.
"We came here looking for you," a blond woman said as she walked up behind Ketai.
"Because Himura was coming?" Neji asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I can take care of myself."
His tail flicked behind him in annoyance.
"We have a good reason," Ketai cut in. "There's so few of us left that its important that we all stay alive as long as possible."
"What is going on here?" Tsunade called as she walked over.
The two new Ookami turned to face her and Gaara.
"Hokage, Kazekage" they both said, bowing their heads.
"You're ninja of Kumogakure, aren't you?" Tsunade asked.
It was then that Neji noticed the hitai-ate that were tied around their right thighs.
"Ketai and Rei Hibikino, at your service," Ketai said cheerfully.
"We are here on personal matters," his sister, Rei, explained. "We are-"
"-I know what you are. My main question is why is Neji one as well? He's a Hyuuga. As far as I am aware, they are not descended from Ookami," the Hokage replied.
"They're not," a gruff voice said.
"Ah, Father," Ketai said as they all turned to the giant of a man that stood there.
"It's Neji's mother that was an Ookami," the old man said.
He stood around six feet two inches in height and thick golden hair lay freely over his broad shoulders. To Neji, he resembled more of a lion than a wolf with his dark, serious eyes and strong build.
"And your name is?"
"Daiki Hibikino," the man said. "This is Emi Taiyoono," he added, motioning to the young woman that stood beside him.
The ninja of Kohona and Suna had started to gather around, whispering about the newcomers and Neji's strange appearance. They drew away slightly when Neji flicked his eyes to them, silencing them with a piercing glare.
"I thought that the Ookami died out years ago," Gaara said.
"Nearly," Emi spat. "Apart from those of us who are here, there's only two other Ookami left in the entire world. Those Utake bastards have hunted us nearly to extinction."
"Calm yourself, Natsu," Daiki said before turning his attention back to the ninja leaders. "We didn't come here for a fight, unless it is one with Himura Utake."
"You're here for Neji, correct?" Tsunade asked.
The four foreign Ookami nodded. Everyone's gaze turned back to the blank-faced Hyuuga.
"Neji, how long have you known about your heritage?" Tsunade asked.
"Since today," Neji replied honestly. "I've always known that here was something… off, but I didn't know the extent of it."
"What do you mean by 'off?'"
"My reflection talks to me and moved freely on it's own."
A gasp ran through the crowd of ninja and they shuffled nervously.
'So that's who he was talking to in the bathroom,' Gaara thought.
"That is outrageous!" a strong voice called from the crowd.
The ninja parted to reveal Hiashi, Neji's uncle and Hinata's father. He limped slightly, his cane tapping the ground as he walked. Hinata cringed beside Neji, causing the other Hyuuga to step between father and daughter, growling softly.
"Hinata, get over here!" Hiashi commanded.
"Hiashi-san, please be calm," Tsunade said. "Neji is still-"
"-No relative of mine is a god damn demon!" Hiashi shouted. "Hinata, come here now!"
"Fuck it, old man," Rei shouted. "Your daughter is old enough to do what she wants, regardless of your damn feelings. Go lock yourself in a box and die."
"Rei," her father warned.
"Besides, we're not actually demons," her brother said. "We're just descended from them."
"Same damn thing!" the Hyuuga leader shouted.
"It's actually not," both Gaara and Naruto said softly at the same time, rolling their eyes.
"Get the fuck out of my way!"
Hiashi tried to grab the front of Neji's shirt and push him away from his daughter, but a hand made of sand suddenly wrapped its fingers around the Hyuuga Clan leader's wrist, holding it back.
"I think you're taking this too far, Hyuuga-san," Gaara said calmly, his arms crossed over his chest.
'Kill the bastard,' Shukaku muttered. 'He tried to touch your mate.'
'Shut up.'
"I'm not taking this too far!" Hiashi screamed, ripping his hand away from the sand. "I refuse to have my family be tainted by such a monster as that!"
He pointed to Neji who maintained a cold look on his face. The young ninja was not surprised that it had come to this. The previous year, Hiashi had been on a mission with his nephew when one of the other tailed demons, a rouge since it had lost its host, attacked them. Their fight had left the Hyuuga leader with a crippled leg and a spiteful attitude towards anything that had to do remotely with demons. Even Naruto, the hero of the village, was included on this list.
"Neji! You are no longer a member of the Hyuuga Clan! Don't even come near our house or I'll have your throat slit! Hinata! Come!"
As the Hyuuga leader turned away, Neji glanced down at his cousin. Her eyes were wide and full of worry and hurt. Giving her a quick smile and a slap to the back of the head, he urged her to follow her father. Sighing, she did, her feet dragging under her.
"Fuck," Tsunade hissed, looking over at Neji. "I'm sure he'll change his-"
"-Don't worry about it. We both know he won't," Neji said.
The Hokage sighed and nodded.
"I believe it is best that we continue this conversation elsewhere," she said slowly before turning to her ninja. "The rest of you, seek care from the medics and go home to rest. The Utake bastards will be back tomorrow. Send the Genin out to keep watch."
"I'd like to talk to Neji on my own for a moment, if that is okay," Gaara cut in.
Tsunade nodded to him and turned her gaze to the Ookami assembled before her.
"Show us the way," Daiki said, motioning for the other Ookami to follow them.
Slowly, everyone started to leave the battlefield. A few of the passing ninja gave Neji sympathetic looks. Others gave him looks of fear. Some didn't even look at him at all.
"I'm sorry about that," Gaara said when everyone was gone.
"It's fine," Neji murmured. "I knew it was coming anyway."
"Walk with me?" the Kazekage asked, motioning to the forest behind Neji.
For the first time in a while, the former Hyuuga smiled a little.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
Sliding his arm around his boyfriend's waist, Gaara tugged on the side seam of his shirt.
"I'm the fucking Kazekage. What could possibly go wrong?"
Resting his head on Gaara's arm, Neji let himself be led into the trees. They walked in silence for a while, both lost in thought. Fury was coursing through Gaara, rage directed at his lover's cousin. How dare he talk to Neji like that! As far as Gaara was concerned, Neji was the best thing that could have ever happened to that clan. He was powerful. He was wise. The twenty-year-old was a genius in all regards.
"Thanks for sticking up for me," Neji finally said. "You didn't need to."
"I think I'm already on his bad side so its no loss for me," Gaara replied. "So, is it true that your reflection talks to you?"
Neji tensed for a moment and nodded.
"Yes. Minoru has always been there, no matter how hard I tried to ignore him. Are you scared of me now?"
Gaara laughed at that.
"I'm not, but Shukaku is."
"Really?" Neji asked, finding this a bit more than amusing.
"I'm not kidding. He seems to think that you Ookami are more powerful than he is. Naruto seemed nervous as well, though that's probably the Kyuubi showing."
Sighing, Neji stopped walking and turned his boyfriend to face him. They stared at each other for a moment before Neji kissed him softly.
"I don't really know what to do," he said. "Not about being disowned from the clan, but about the whole Ookami thing."
"I'm sure that the others will explain it to you," Gaara reassured him, playing with a strand of Neji's long hair.
"I'm sure they will, but it still seems strange to me that I'm suddenly half something that I never knew I was."
"It's scary figuring out what you really are."
"Fuck yeah. It's fucking terrifying."
The lovers hugged each other close, Neji's tail wrapping around his body to rub against Gaara's shin. Smiling, Gaara licked at Neji's ear, making the ninja moan softly.
"Don't worry, love. Everything will be fine," the Kazekage purred.
'If I'm not skinned first,' Neji thought sadly.
Wow, a whole lot of stuff went down in that chapter. Okay, I know that Neji and Hiashi are supposed to be repairing their relationship in the original manga, but I really don't like her character so… I made him into an angry cripple. Shrug
Preview: Everyone has questions for Neji about his strange power, but most are questions that only the Ookami can solve. Himura Utake's retainer also gives the Hokage his information.