Heart of the Wolf
Chapter Fourteen: Face Off
The following day, Hinata and Hanabi stood facing each other at the Hyuga training grounds. In attendance were the Hyuga Coucil and, not only members from the head family, but the branch family as well, observing from the sidelines.
Neji, who was among the small crowd, was shocked at the scene before him. His cousins were about to duel. He knew something was going on, but he would've never guessed this. Did the Council order them to fight because he had started training Hinata? Guilt pounded against his chest at the thought. He would've never done it, if he knew this would be the outcome.
The older councilman from before addressed the people. "You may wonder why we have all gathered here this afternoon. There have been murmurings from not only the head family, but the branch family as well over who should be the next heir to the Hyuga Clan. Today, it will be decided once and for all. Lady Hinata and Lady Hanabi will face off against each other for the title. This is the only way to put our minds at ease. So, without further ado, let the battle begin!"
As if on cue, Hinata and Hanabi positioned themselves into the Hyuga stance.
"Byakugan!" both girls yelled in unison and chakra rushed to their eyes. They slowly paced around each other, waiting for the other to strike.
Hinata could tell her sister was nervous. "What are you waiting for, Hanabi?" she asked coldly.
Hanabi flinched. Why was her sister being so mean all of a sudden?
Hinata's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you still letting father discourage you?"
"No," Hanabi said defensively, but even she knew that wasn't true.
Hinata gave her a doubtful look.
Wanting to prove herself, Hanabi mustered up what little courage she had and dashed forward. She thrust her palms at her older sister over and over again, but Hinata blocked each one. After a few minutes of this, Hanabi became frustrated and stepped back. Then, she'd come at her again, but it kept leading to the same conclusion.
Hinata remained on the defensive, allowing Hanabi to attack her numerous times, but never struck back.
"You can do better than this, Hanabi," Hinata said in a low voice when they were close to each other.
"Stop it!" Hanabi yelled. She thrust her palms at her with even greater force than before.
Hinata secretly smiled to herself. It was harder to dodge the attack this time.
Hanabi, seeming a bit more focused now, added a few kicks and leg sweeps.
Hinata blocked or dodged them and threw in some palm strikes of her own, ones that Hanabi could easily avoid.
Suddenly, while Hanabi was blocking, there was a small opening where Hinata could strike. Anyone with a good eye could've seen it. Which is exactly what her cousin did from where he was positioned.
There Hinata, Neji thought to himself. Strike her now.
Hiashi, who was on the opposite side, also noticed the hole in Hanabi's defense, but his indifferent face didn't give him away.
Hinata pretended like she didn't see it. "Remember your promise, sister."
Hanabi, breathing heavily, thought back to their conversation the other night. She remembered Hinata making her promise to come at her with everything she had and to not hold back. Her sister had this planned out from the beginning. She couldn't understand it then, but it was perfectly clear to her now.
She's going to let me win, Hanabi thought, tears forming in her eyes.
Hinata gave her a determined look. "Don't let me down."
Hanabi felt a pain in her chest. "I can't," she whispered. "I can't do this."
How could she? How could she strike her sister down when Hinata was only trying to protect her?
Hinata could sense her apprehension. "Then your nothing but a liar," she said more coldly this time. "Just like father."
Hanabi flinched again. She closed her eyes for a moment, a mixture of anger and determination rising up within her. "I'm nothing like him!" she yelled. Then, Hanabi charged forward, hitting Hinata several times with an attack.
Hinata, leaving herself wide open, felt the full force of the blows.
When Hanabi was finished, she stepped back. Hinata stood still for a moment, blood dripping from the corners of her mouth. The young girl's eyes widened as her sister fell to her knees on the ground, then toppled over.
Staring at Hinata's motionless form, Hanabi released her visual jutsu and a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
Unable to just stand there any longer, Neji ran out onto the field and over to Hinata. He grabbed his cousin and turned her around so he could look at her.
"Why?" was the first word from Neji's mouth. "You had a clear shot, Hinata. Why didn't you strike?"
Even through the pain, Hinata smiled up at him. Neji had his answer.
Hanabi fell to her knees in despair. "Neji, because she lost, Hinata is going to be branded with the Cursed Seal."
Neji's eyes widened, but before he had time to react, another figure appeared in front of him. He raised his head up to see his uncle staring down at them.
Hiashi activated his Byakugan and examined Hinata's internal organs. "She'll be fine. Hanabi managed to miss her vitals. Though, it will still take a few weeks for Hinata to recover."
"Is it true?" Neji questioned him, feeling the weight of a heavy burden. "The Cursed Seal?"
Hiashi's eyes returned to normal. "Yes, Neji, but I have a plan. We need to talk."
Kiba's 'bad feeling' was justified. He hadn't seen Hinata in weeks, or even Neji for that matter. And with him off active duty, the Inuzuka had to find something to do or he'd go crazy.
He spent most of his time training with Akamaru in a remote area away from the village. Kiba had found it when they were younger while on one of their long walks. It was an open, yet secluded field where he didn't have to worry about someone stumbling across his secret.
Kiba and Akamaru's bond was stronger than ever, if that were at all possible. They instinctively worked well together in animal form. They were connected on a whole other level, working in unison to achieve their goal.
Kiba could change into the wolf at any time of his own free will. It was changing back that was proving difficult. And when he did, it left him feeling completely exhausted. He didn't know if it was a normal side-effect or something he could overcome. Kiba wondered how his predecessors dealt with the situation. He wished there was more information about what was happening to him, but they only had a few scrolls to go by, which didn't reveal much.
It was late evening when he and his canine friend were on their way back to the village. That's when Kiba noticed someone running toward them. It was Neji.
The Hyuga was acting the complete opposite from the last time Kiba saw him. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced with distress, and, instead of his standoffish manner, Neji looked eager to speak with him.
"I've been looking everywhere for you, Inuzuka." Neji sounded upset and a little out of breath.
Kiba blinked. Was he hearing him right? "Huh?" He looked baffled. Those were the last words Kiba expected to hear from the reclusive man. But his confusion instantly turned into anger. "Where's Hinata? I haven't seen her in forever."
"I was hoping you could tell me," said Neji. "She's been missing for hours. I can't find her anywhere."
Kiba suddenly felt his world falling apart. "Did you check up on the mountain?"
"It was the first place I looked. She wasn't there, but I'm not surprised. I don't think she wants to be found."
Kiba became irate. "What happened? I swear, if her father did something to her, I'll.."
"Believe it or not, her father is trying to help her." Neji defended his uncle.
Kiba looked incredulously at him.
The Hyuga realized that he would have to explain everything to him if he wanted Kiba's help. "Hinata and Hanabi were forced to duel a few weeks ago by the Hyuga Council."
"What?" Kiba couldn't hide his disbelief.
"But Hinata lost on purpose. She threw the fight and has been in recovery ever since. Now, she will eventually be branded with the Cursed Seal."
Kiba glared at Neji, upset about not being told anything. "You damn Hyugas and your stupid custom. If you think I'll help you find her, then you've got another thing coming."
Akamaru, sensing Kiba's hostility, growled at Neji, forcing him back a few steps.
Neji put his palm up. "You don't understand. My uncle has a plan, and if the two of you can locate Hinata, this whole thing can be resolved."
Kiba touched Akamaru's back and the dog instantly settled down and took a seat.
Kiba narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think we can trust you?"
Neji dropped his hand. "You should know that I care for Hinata as much as you do. And, even though she doesn't realize it, her father does too. He knows of a way to save her, if she's brought back home."
Kiba climbed up on Akamaru's back. "All right then. We'll find her."
Neji reached into his pack and pulled out a gray sash. He handed it to Kiba. "Here, you can use this. It's Hinata's."
Kiba took the material from him and let his dog take a few whiffs of it. "You got the scent, Akamaru?"
The dog barked as an indication of "yes".
"I'm counting on you, Kiba." Neji looked seriously at him.
"Are you sure you should put such faith in someone from a different clan? An outsider?" Kiba just had to reply.
Neji grimaced. His words from before were being thrown back in his face.
Kiba didn't wait for an answer. He patted his dog. "Let's go, Akamaru."
The dog took off in the direction of the smell, leaving Neji behind in a cloud of dust.