OK, Ladies and Gents! Funny story: I did a number of my wrist and elbow during one of my nomadic months, and had to strictly enforce a month off of typing. I tried it one-handed, but it was royally frustrating and pissed me off to no end. So, I left you all hanging. Please accept my humblest apologies. You are all so wonderful with your reviews, and I truly appreciate it. I LOVE hearing from you, so always feel free to leave something--anything!
I am toying with the Hyuuga abilities (I prefer Hyuuga over Hyuga, sorry!). It's purely experimental--though I (at least) think it makes sense and is plausible, so bear with me. I wanted to try something different for action purposes. I hope you like it! Enjoy & Happy Reading!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
*****
*****
Keep your distance!
Minato's soft-spoken warning resounded in Kushina's head as her eyes wandered over her opponent. She didn't know the girl, personally, but from the looks of it, the blonde didn't look like much of a threat. How could someone who obviously spent hours beautifying herself possibly expect to be taken seriously?
Still, Kushina didn't want to risk her chances of a victorious match. She had been warned about this dolled-up excuse for a kunoichi, and Minato wasn't one to take something--or someone--lightly. Despite her outward dislike for him, she still had some respect for the young prodigy. He had at least earned that from her, though she didn't feel she owed him anything.
"I just want to warn you," Kushina muttered, glancing up toward the Hokage's seat, "that I won't lose this fight. I don't know you, and I don't really want to hurt anyone outside of that damned Hyuuga. This is your only warning. You can forfeit now."
The girl blinked, stupidly, as she tilted her so that her long ponytail fell over her shoulder. She wrapped the ends around a neatly manicured forefinger. "Why would I do that?"
"Huh?" Kushina replied, her mouth slightly agape. Was she chewing gum? "Because you won't get hurt that way!"
"Despite the fact that I do not condone my teammate's actions," the blonde referred to Hiashi, "I need to win."
"Say what?" Kushina guffawed, her hand quickly covering the snide smirk that was threatening to surface. "I mean, no offense, but really? You need to?"
A slight blush crept from the blonde girl's neck over her cheeks as her pale eyes flickered up to the genin holdings. "There's someone important to me, as well. I need for him to see me," her voice was barely audible as she whispered to an invisible ghost.
"Eh?" Kushina crinkled her nose, her eyes following her opponent's--leading her to Shikaku's team.
"For a boy?" Kushina hissed, her anger suddenly flaring. "You want to win for a boy's affection?"
The girl's violet eyes quickly returned to Kushina's face, her cheeks tinged with the warm blood that rushed under her skin. She nodded her head slightly as she bared her teeth.
"You'd never understand," the air hissed between perfectly straight, white teeth. The lipstick made them even more noticeably white. Kushina had to shake herself out of the trance this girl's face was pulling her into.
"What kind of kunoichi fights to impress a boy?" Kushina jabbed her forefinger in the air toward Shikaku.
The girl's face twisted into a scowl as she looked Kushina up and down murderously. "I told you, you would never understand. What boy would want you? You're more of a man than a woman! There is nothing attractive about you."
Kushina's eyes narrowed as they flashed their anger. Despite her facade, the little jab stung her pride. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the dolled up kunoichi. Perhaps beating the girl into the ground wouldn't feel so bad after all......
"Hmmph!" the red-head shrugged her shoulders. "I don't care about things like that. I'm in this for me—for the village!"
"That's something someone who is unattractive would say," the girl smirked, her eyes growing cold as she tossed her hair from her slender shoulders.
Her stomach-baring uniform with the high-cut skirt made Kushina cringe. Even the top scooped low, though the girl had nothing to show off—except a pair of scrawny arms. Kushina's gaze remained on her opponent as she dug her toes into the dirt, crouching and planting a palm on the ground. Her other hand hovered above her chakra blade as her fingers trembled and itched with rage. She scrutinized the purple-clad kunoichi standing opposite of her.
"I won't be the unattractive one when this is over," Kushina hissed the solemn promise, her eyes never leaving the girl's face. The corner of her mouth twitched as she added her finishing touches, "And you have lipstick on your teeth, bitch."
Bluish purple eyes widened as the girl's fingers covered her mouth and a gasp escaped her lips. Kushina had hoped for such a distraction, quickly releasing her handful of shuriken at the girl. The deadly metal stars buzzed with anticipation as she launched them with a force that she hadn't known she possessed. She knew that her marksmanship was excellent—much better than most of her peers, though Ken still surpassed her.
Yes, her shuriken would hit their mark. She was sure of it.
She leaped backward, finally heeding Minato's advice. Her heels slid along the soft, dusty earth as she bent her knees and unleashed her blades. They playfully swung around her fingers before she gripped them tightly in her palms. Her fingers curled around the handles as she awaited the girl's counterattack. The sudden sound of laughing took her by surprise, forcing Kushina to straighten. The dust that had been kicked up from Kushina's retreat slowly settled, revealing the shadowy figure as it stepped forward. Pale eyes crinkled as the girl giggled, her hand hiding her painted mouth. Kushina took a step backward, suddenly wary of what was happening.
Kushina's grip slackened on the blades as her mouth fell open in confusion, "Huh?"
"Nice aim," the girl cooed, purposefully wiping her hand across her mouth as she cackled.
Kushina narrowed her eyes, unsure as to why the girl was suddenly wiping the delicately applied lipstick from her mouth. The blonde took her forefingers and swiped them across her cheekbones, removing the rouge from her face.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kushina growled, her grip once again tightening on her blades.
"You aren't as much of a kunoichi as you claim to be," Kushina's opponent tsked, shaking her head softly. "We are to learn the art of disguise—of changing our appearances to make us look more...appealing."
Kushina's jaw dropped open as she recognized the ruse. The girl had wanted Kushina to think she was beneath her—so that Kushina would underestimate her. It was similar to what Team Five had done in the Forest of Death.
Her opponent smiled cruelly, "It's obvious that you couldn't handle the womanly duties required of us female ninja. I doubt you could even use a wand of mascara."
"Fuck off!" Kushina muttered, tiring of the direction their conversation was heading, "It's time to end this!"
"I already have," came the chilling reply.
"Huh?" the redhead's confusion was written in her features.
The now makeup-less blondee nodded toward Kushina, her eyes drifting toward Kushina's feet as a sly smile slid across her bare lips, "Take a look for yourself."
Kushina looked down, quickly realizing the trap. She had been careless!
Thick, sinewy vines had grown from the ground and were slowly inching their way up her legs and arms. She tried to pull her wrists and ankles free, but the plant quickly tightened around her extremities. She could feel her fingers growing numb from the bone crushing pressure of her botanical restraints.
"What the f--"
She was interrupted by childish giggling, which was quickly silenced by a hiccup. "You aren't half as bright as I expected! I'm surprised you made it this far."
Kushina said nothing, her eyes frantically trying to find an escape. As if reading her mind, the blonde continued, "You can't escape. With each pull, the plants only tighten their grip. Soon, they will engulf your entire body, and when you struggle to breathe, they'll strangle the air from your lungs."
Icy blue eyes widened as Kushina realized the imminent fate that awaited her. Why hadn't she immediately heeded Minato's warning? She was such a fool! You've already been defeated, dummy! she silently and furiously screamed at herself. The red-haired kunoichi began to struggle against her captivity, immediately screeching at the pain that seared through her body as the vine both tightened and dragged along her skin as it crept above her knees and elbows. Her fingers were still free, but were quickly growing blue from lack of blood. She could barely feel her blades between her fingertips.
"Now," the girl mused, twisting her strawberry blonde hair around her fingertip, "we can wait for you to give up--"
"Never!" Kushina screamed, the blood rushing to her cheeks and ears. Her head was throbbing from the inability of her blood to pump to her hands and feet. It was as if it had nowhere to go, but her head. Her heart pounded in her ears, screaming for her to give in.
"Fine, then," the girl sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "We'll just wait for you to suffocate."
***
***
"Why the fuck is she just standing there?" Tsume hissed, her eyes darting sideways toward Yoshino.
"Dunno," the dark-haired girl chewed on her lower lip, her eyes narrowing. "It looks like she's paralyzed."
"I can smell her fear from here," Tsume muttered, reveling at how rare it was for Yoshino to look worried about...anything.
"She's trapped in a genjutsu," Hizashi muttered, his Byakugan scanning the arena. "That explains her paralysis."
"Dammit, that stupid broad! When did she--" Tsume's incisors pierced her lip, drawing blood. The tip of her tongue darted out to taste the salty fluid. Kuromaru growled in agreement of Tsume's frustration.
"Before the match," Yoshino closed her eyes and rubbed her temples as she tried to think of something they could do to help. Though they had failed the exams miserably, no one wanted Kushina to miss out on her chance to become a chunin.
"What?" the Inuzuka practically bellowed. She caught the looks being cast up at her from the rows below.
"Mind your own fuckin' business!" she warned them, turning toward Yoshino.
"She's right," Hizashi agreed, "The girl did it before the match began. She knew it was her only chance of defeating Uzumaki-san."
Uzumaki-san. It was a sign of Hizashi's respect for any member of Team Five. They had saved his life. Saved Tsume's life. Kuromaru's, even.
"That's against the rules, isn't it?" Yoshino asked, glancing up toward the Hokage. "I mean, they have to realize it, right?"
Hizashi blinked rapidly, his eyes narrowing as he watched Kushina. Her chakra pattern was somewhat chaotic and unyielding—as if she had a vast resource that she never tried to utilize. She was using a fraction of the true power she possessed.
"I'm not so sure," the Hyuuga twin murmured, "that there were ever rules to break."
Yoshino and Tsume gasped, realizing the truth behind Hizashi's words. Tsume quickly stood, exiting their row and descending the stairs.
Her raven-haired friend called after her, "Inuzuka! What are you doing?"
"This is shit!" Tsume called over her shoulder as she carried Kuromaru under her arm. "I'm helpin' Uzumaki, what do you think? There are no rules, remember!"
Tsume quickly landed at the bottom of the stairs, pushing herself against the railing that separated her from plummeting to the arena floor. She shoved Kuromaru in her shirt, cupping her hands around her mouth as she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"UZUMAKI! UZUMAKI, DON'T YOU LET THAT PRISSY LITTLE BITCH BEAT YOU! I WON'T FORGIVE YOU!"
Tsume didn't care who heard her or how silly she looked. She ignored the stares and glares. She ignored the jeers. Kuromaru began to howl, as if he, too, wanted Kushina to break out of whatever genjutsu her opponent held her in. Tsume didn't care if she were breaking the rules. She only wanted to help her friend.
She owed her that much.
***
***
I won't forgive you. Uzumaki!
It was Tsume, Kushina knew. Her eyes darted around, but she couldn't spy her friend. Where was she?
What the hell is going on? Kushina silently panicked. She could hear Tsume, but she couldn't see her! The sound of Kuromaru's howls told her that they were indeed out there...but where were they? Kushina's eyes darted up to the Hokage and his wife. Lady Sarutobi was solemnly seated in her chair, watching the scene with quiet reserve. Kushina continued to scan the balcony, her eyes flitting back to Lady Hokage.
Her robe!
It was a minor detail, but Kushina immediately spotted it. It was an amateur mistake. Her robe was purple with light green petals. Kushina smiled, realizing that she had just solved the silent riddle. Lady Sarutobi had worn a shimmering mauve robe with blue lotuses to the fights. She knew that because it was a robe Kushina knew well. How could she have so easily fallen prey to her opponents tricks so easily?
"Well?" the girl tapped her foot anxiously.
"Well what?" Kushina snapped back. "I'm not giving in, even if it means my death! I don't give up!"
"Stupid girl," the blonde rolled her eyes, unamused. "Suit yourself."
"You know...." Kushina began, her hair shielding her eyes a she examined her bound hands.
"What now?"
"I detest cheats," the redhead replied softly.
"What did you call me?" the girl cupped her ear, hoping to better hear Kushina's whisper.
"You tricked me, even before the match was called. I thought you were nervous. But you were making the hand signs, not hiding your hands under that stupid little mini-skirt," Kushina explained as she slowly and steadily gathered her chakra into her right hand.
"So what? You figured me out!" her opponent snapped. "Good for you! But I'm still going to win!"
"You made an amateur mistake, for having a kunoichi's keen eye," Kushina goaded, her icy blue eyes meeting the pale violet gaze. A blonde eyebrow shot up under blonde bangs.
"I may have misjudged you before, but I won't be that stupid again," the Whirlpool kunoichi's lips spread into a knowing smile. "You're nothing more than an amateur!"
Before the blonde could open her mouth to speak, Kushina flicked her wrist. The movement was slight, but the intent was there. The weak chakra blade sliced at the vine holding that wrist. She could smell the burning stench of woody smoke as the attack hit its mark. She tugged her wrist with all her might, ripping the botanical restraint. She quickly turned her wrist, knowing the quickest and most effective way to release the illusion.
With a hasty jab, Kushina plunged the blade into her other arm.
***
***
Kushina's opponent stumbled backward, violently shaking her head as if something silent had just occurred.
"UZUMAKI--" Tsume removed her hands from around her mouth. Had it worked? Had Kushina actually heard her?
"You cheat!" Kushina roared as she collapsed to her knees, her eyes glaring at the blonde in front of her. She knew that she would have to act quickly, or Hiashi's teammate would recover.
Arashi! Arashi! Kushina's head thundered as the blood resounded in her ears. Arashi! You are doing this for Arashi! Kushina told herself as she tried to stand on wobbly legs. Her eyes remained on her opponent who was reaching into a pocket.
"Oh no you don't!" Kushina barked as she quickly held her blades in front of her, the tips pointing downward. The pressure from whatever chakra she had gathered was enough to blow her hair from her face.
"Wind Blade Earthquake!" she screamed as she dropped the blades to the ground, her fingers dancing through the signs. Kushina had yet to refine her attack, but she was merely looking for a distraction. She knew it was risky, but the anger toward the blonde was slowly becoming a fury she couldn't control. Deep down, Kushina knew that most of her anger was toward herself—for underestimating her enemy.
Within seconds, a low rumbling shook the earth, forcing the purple-clad kunoichi to stumble. Almost instantaneously, a large wall of earth rose from the ground, welling like ocean waves as it hurtled away from its summoner.
Violet eyes widened as the blonde realized that the attack was barreling toward her. She quickly attempted to stimulate the growth of one of her ash tree seeds she had scattered across the ground before the match. Kushina watched the branches grow skyward in an attempt to insulate the plant-jutsu user from the wind-fueled attack. It was just as Kushina suspected: the girl could force life from various seeds she kept in her possession.
The dust settled, and the girl opened her eyes, realizing that she had successfully blocked the attack. Her gaze darted around as she tried to spot Kushina, but the red-head was nowhere to be found. The attack was merely a distraction!
"Behind you," came the growling whisper.
The blonde instinctively turned toward the voice, immediately being met by a fist to her face. A second blow made her vision grow black as her nose broke in two places. She could feel the warm blood running down her chin.
"That was for cheating!" Kushina cried after she connected with the girl's face the first time.
"And that was for inferring that I was ugly!" she hissed as she felt the satisfying crunch of cartilage and bone under her fist with the second blow.
Despite the blow to her face, the girl still managed to try to fight back. Her moves had potential, but she was much too slow for Kushina. The red-head caught her opponent's arm in mid-punch, using it as a pivot to leap into the air. She came down, hard, driving her heel between the girl's shoulder blades. With a squeal, the blonde collapsed to her knees. Kushina quickly grabbed the girl's long, shiny ponytail in one hand—wrapping the length around a closed fist. She tugged forcefully, yanking the girl toward her. Manicured no more, the blonde's fingernails were chipped and dirty as she brought them up toward the cold metal object pressed against her scalp.
"Well?" Kushina leaned over, hissing into the girls ear, her spittle hitting the girl's high cheekbones.
"You can't be serious!" the violet-eyed girl whimpered, snot and blood running down her chin.
"Whaddya want?" Kushina tugged again, the kunai in her other hand pressing more firmly against the girl's hairline.
"No!" the girl cried, "Please!"
"Do you want me to leave a little length on the back?" Kushina mused, her heart pounding from the thrill of the fight. A metallic taste filled her mouth as she realized that she was moments away from victory. Away from fighting Hiashi.
"You wouldn't!" the girl pleaded. "Not my hair!"
"I told you I would make you uglier!" Kushina threatened in a low growl.
"I'll d-do any-anyting-g-g!"
Kushina raised an eyebrow as the proctor took a wary step toward her. Now he'll interfere? Not while she was throwing hand signals before the match?
"Call it," she spit the instructions between her teeth before she even realized she had said them. Was she really going to let this girl off that easily? She could easily slice some hair off, at least!
"Fine! I quit, she wins!" the girl's voice wavered as she called out, a trembling hand reaching for her nose.
"Louder." Kushina pulled more tightly on the ponytail, causing tears to spring to her opponent's eyes.
"I FOREFEIT!" the girl wailed. Murmurs began to buzz from the audience, who were now leaning forward in a mixture of curiosity and awe. They had no idea that a kunoichi fight could be so...brutal.
Kushina watched the proctor glance at the Hokage, who nodded. The proctor raised his arm. "THE WINNER IS: UZUMAKI KUSHINA!"
A slow, unsure applause began to ring out as Kushina withdrew her kunai and placed it in the holder around her thigh. She released her grip on the girl's hair, taking an unsteady step backward. Her feet collapsed underneath her as the cheers began to pick up. The medics ran onto the arena, quickly carrying Kushina's opponent away while she was left there to revel in the realization of what had just happened.
She glanced up, her eyes searching for Tsume. The wild-haired Inuzuka was standing on the railing, staring down at the redhead with her hands on her hips and a triumphant look on her face. Kushina grinned weakly, giving her friend a thumbs-up.
Thank you, she mouth. Tsume shrugged as the medics returned for Kushina, carrying her from the field.
***
***
"Who'd have known that fat ass could move so fast!" Ken moaned as he held the icepack to his head.
His lower lip was split and swollen. and his right eye was becoming dark underneath. Crusted blood was caked around his knuckles as he continued bashing Akimichi Choza. The two boys squared off two battles after Kushina, and it was apparent that Ken had not anticipated the Akimichi Clan's ability to grow in size and increase the speed of their attacks. Choza had managed to deal a very devastating first blow, though it was the only one he landed on Ken. Kushina had watched, annoyed at how Ken ran around the arena, being chased by a giant, rolling Choza. It eventually ended when Ken managed to get Choza stuck between two trees—giving the scroll-wielding genin the upper hand.
Kushina rolled her eyes as the nurse turned around and glared at the duo. "This is no place to use such language!"
Ken's mouth snapped shut and he cast an annoyed sideways glance at Kushina--who shook her head slightly. Now was not the time to piss off the medical staff. The nurse led them down a long corridor, and Kushina could hear the crowd cheering up above. Team Five was weaving through the tiny medical wing that resided deep in the arena's depths, where injured shinobi were tended to in such events. Tsume and Yoshino had wanted to come along, as well, but being that they were not contestants, they had to remain outside.
The first round was far from over, giving the two teammates enough time to visit their comrade without concern about their upcoming matches. Both Ken and Kushina would be battling in Round Two. Kushina knew who her opponent would be, and the thought made the hair on her neck bristle in rage.
"Your teammate, Hyuuga Arashi, is resting inside," the nurse jerked her head toward the closed door near the end of the hall.
"How is he doing?" Kushina asked, her voice nearly cracking. She stood on tiptoe and tried to peer into the room.
The nurse's eyes flickered into the room as her lips pursed into a grim expression. "We repaired his tongue, but as for the brain damage...."
"I see," Kushina replied. She did not truly see, but she could at least understand the brevity of the situation.
"So when will he wake up?" Ken asked, looking between the two females.
"If he wakes up--" the nurse began.
"He will!" Ken blurted, his ice pack dropping from his hand. He bent down to pick it up, his expression hidden by his movement.
The nurse looked at Kushina, who gravely nodded, "We are unsure of how....er, how he will be."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ken snapped, thrusting the ice pack against his head with a little too much force. He winced at the hasty action.
"It means that we don't know the extent of Arashi's injury. I'm not sure many Hyuuga live to tell the tale," Kushina replied through gritted teeth, her trembling fingers reaching for the door handle. She looked up at the nurse, who took a step backward.
"Thank you," she whispered, pushing her soiled red hair from her face.
The nurse looked from Kushina to Ken, "He's lucky to have friends like you."
"Hmph!" Ken replied, though Kushina knew he was touched. "Doesn't he have parents? Someone to come see him?"
"From what I understand, his father died from injuries he sustained in the last Shinobi War. His mother had died from an illness that swept through part of Konoha years before that," the nurse's eyes wandered over the door to Arashi's room.
"So he has no one?" Kushina asked, her voice low. She suddenly understood Arashi's reserved demeanor. He had always been alone. No one!
"He does have an uncle—the brother of his father. His uncle has twin sons, though none have shown up to so much as see him. I'm not even sure who his caretaker is," the older woman blinked away her tears.
Kushina wished away the prickling feeling in her eyes as she, too, fought against the tears. Ken chewed on his split lip, saying nothing.
"He has us," Ken whispered, surprising Kushina. He took a step forward, walking past the women and pushing his way into the room.
Kushina watched, her eyes filled with pride. Ken was right, Arashi had them. She glanced up at the nurse before following her teammate. "Thank you, ma'am."
The nurse only nodded as the redhead disappeared into the tiny room. She stood there for some time, watching the two kids stand by Arashi's bed. This time, however, she didn't fight the tears as they silently fell down her cheeks.
***
***
Arashi's chest rose and fell as the unfamiliar machine beeped from next to the bed. The tube snaked its way down his throat, filling his lungs with air until his brain could do so on its own, Kushina supposed. His eyes were taped shut, and the giant Cursed Mark was angrily glaring at them from the soft skin of Arashi's forehead.
Kushina wasn't sure how long they had been standing there, or when Ken had grabbed her hand. But, they remained by Arashi's side, staring at their fallen teammate and sharing one another's pain.
"You better maim that bastard," Ken finally whispered, his voice more gruff than usual.
Kushina could only nod, not trusting herself to speak. She reached out and touched Arashi's hand, surprised by how warm it was. There was still dirt crusted underneath his nails.
"I'm serious," Ken grunted. "If you don't, then I'll make sure that I make it through the next round, and I'll--"
"I will," Kushina replied bluntly. Her fingers squeezed Arashi's hand, hoping her heard her promise. She turned toward Ken, her eyes shining with tears, "He can't pull anything like...this...on me."
"Damned right," Ken replied solemnly, his eyes studying the ventilator. He took a step forward and laid a hand on Arashi's chest. Ya hear that, Buddy?
A subtle presence pulled Kushina's attention away from her teammates. She turned to find the Hyuuga in the doorway. Ken, too, could feel the unfamiliar presence, quickly turning and launching a kunai at the boy. The genin caught it effortlessly, his pale eyes never leaving Kushina's face.
"You're...you're not him," Kushina remarked decidedly. The Hyuuga shook his head in verification, his lips pursed and white.
"Prove it," Ken growled, not trusting anyone at this point. Pale lavender eyes flickered over his face as the Hyuuga reached behind his head. Ken unsheathed another weapon from his waist, prepared for a strike.
"Cool it," the redhead raised her hand, stopping Ken from doing anything rash. "It's not him."
"How do you kn--" Ken shot back, his voice leaving him as he watched the Hyuuga remove the forehead protector.
The same Cursed Mark that was etched on Arashi's head was visible on Hizashi's own pale skin. The contrast between his bronzed face and the skin under his hitai'ite told her that he, too, never revealed the mark. Hizashi stood there, his eyes downcast as the two members of Team Five studied the mark.
"How do we know this isn't a trick?" Ken asked, a skeptical eyebrow shooting upward.
"This mark is no trick!" Hizashi replied curtly, his cheeks flushing slightly. Kushina could see the resemblance between the cousins.
"May I?" the Hyuuga gestured toward the bed.
Kushina nodded, stepping back to allow Hizashi access. Ken followed suit. Arashi's cousin silently stood at the side of the bed, his hands clasped in front of him as the veins silently snaked outward from his eyes. The boy said nothing, as he used his Byakugan to scan Arashi's chakra system. Kushina thought she could hear him sigh slightly, before he deactivated the kekkai genkai.
"Brother, what have you done?" he whispered, his voice soft and barely audible.
"Why are you here?" Kushina queried, unsure of why Hizashi was suddenly interested in his cousin.
"He is my family," the Hyuuga replied, his pale eyes studying her face. "Though we do not speak much, I do care for him. We spoke on occasion. He had great potential to be one of the best--"
"Had ?" Ken echoed, his voice high-pitched.
Hizashi said nothing as his eyes fell to the floor. Ken pushed forward. "How can you have that damned mark if you are Hiashi's brother?"
"I was born seconds too late," the Hyuuga twin shrugged. "It is my fate, I suppose. Hiashi is the heir and I am destined to serve the Branch House."
"Such a barbaric tradition," Kushina spat.
"Perhaps," Hizashi agreed, "but it protects our abilities from being discovered by other villages. These eyes are valued greatly."
Kushina was growing impatient, her own body aching from the previous battle and her heart racing for the upcoming one. If Hiashi could do this to her teammate, how would she fare against him? He was obviously a formidable foe.
"You are wondering why I am here, no?" Hizashi's voice cut through Kushina's thoughts.
"Yeah, something like that," Ken grumbled, from behind the Hyuuga.
The Branch Member carefully watched Kushina as he answered, "You will be fighting my brother. I know him well, you do not. He is strong--"
"I know this!" Kushina bristled, "And of course you know him!"
Hizashi held up a hand, licking his lips nervously, "I wish to help you."
"What?" Kushina guffawed as Ken howled, "Why?"
A brief smile played on the Hyuuga's lips as he turned to look at his stricken cousin. "For one, you saved my life in the Forest."
Kushina could not disagree with that point. She crossed her arms over her chest. "And?"
"And my brother needs to learn that he cannot go around using his status at his every whim," Hizashi's hands reached out to smooth the sheet on Arashi's bed.
"He could do it to you, as well?" Kushina replied blandly.
"Of course," the dark-haired boy nodded. His hair was slightly longer than his brother's.
"So how can you help me?" she pursed her lips, her heart racing as she awaiting his suggestions.
"I know how he fights, I know what attacks he will use. I have studied you--" Hizashi murmured.
"Creepy," Ken interjected.
Hizashi sighed, ignoring Ken's interruption. "You haven't begun to touch what chakra you possess."
Kushina's brow furrowed, "Huh?"
"My Byakugan allows me to see chakra pathways. I can see the chakra within you," he pointed at her. "Most jonin don't even know how to tap into those reserves."
"You mean like opening the Gates?" Ken angled his head, suddenly concerned.
"No, nothing that extensive. Just using the body's natural, available energy without harming it. It's the same reserve you pull from when you charge those blades," he nodded toward her waist.
"So you're going to help me use that?" Kushina's eyelids narrowed suspiciously.
"I have a theory," Hizashi explained carefully. "The Hyuuga's Clan abilities allow us to manipulate the chakra pathways. We can open or close them on our opponents, even taking control of them if we wish. Hiashi will most likely use an attack well known to the Main House. This technique will close off those pathways, rendering you incapable of fighting—you'll be powerless."
"And your role in this?" Kushina was becoming increasingly nervous. A slight sheen of sweat was beginning to form on her upper lip.
"It's a theory," Hizashi reiterated.
"Spit it out!" she hissed.
"Infusing miniscule amounts of my chakra to reverse the flow in your body. It'll be temporary, by my calculations, but it'll mean the reverse of Hiashi's intent if he, in fact, uses the attack I expect him to--"
Kushina was slowly piecing the parts together, "Meaning that I'll have more chakra at my disposal?"
"In theory, yes," the Hyuuga nodded.
"And he can't see this?" Ken spun a kunai around his fingertip, his silent threat still looming.
"If he looks close enough, he may," Hizashi admitted, "but my brother lacks that kind of patience, as you can see. He thinks Uzumaki-san is an easy opponent, so he won't be expecting it. That's where Kushina's natural tendencies will come in--"
"What does that mean? 'Natural tendencies'?" Kushina's hands found their way to her hips.
"You are...er, abrasive, at times," Hizashi admitted, his cheeks turning pink. Ken snorted. Kushina shot him a icy stare.
She returned to facing the Hyuuga twin, a sudden grin on her face, "Yeah, what 'bout it?"
"Use it," the genin instructed. "Use it to goad him. The angrier he gets, the less...er, planned or predictable his attacks will become."
"And then?" Kushina chewed on the inside of her cheek.
"Then," Hizashi crossed his arms over his chest, "you do the impossible—or what he perceives as impossible. He won't know what to do."
"Which is?" the kunoichi was beginning to feel slightly hopeful.
"You land a blow."
Kushina threw her head back and laughed. Hizashi's appearance and theories were enough to make even the sane feel inadequate. This day was quickly turning surreal. Ken stared at Kushina, unsure of what to make of Hizashi's suggestion. He had not entirely put the pieces together, but he had gained some understanding of what the Hyuuga was inferring.
Kushina held out a hand, her fingers outstretched, "You're something, Hyuuga! Sign me up!"
Hizashi stared at the outstretched palm, unsure of what to make of it. Ken's eyes bulged from his head. "Y-You can't be s-serious!"
Kushina's expression fell, "And why not? It sounds like it'd work!"
"B-But," Ken stuttered, "it's only a theory! It could kill you!"
"Small risk, yes," Hizashi admitted. "But I'm almost positive that I am correct in my theory. Changing the flow should reverse the effects of the Eight Trigrams Technique."
Kushina shrugged, her eyes wandering over the ventilated body of their teammate. Her face suddenly grew serious. "We have nothing else to lose, Ken."
Ken said nothing, his jaw hanging open in defeat. He knew that once Kushina set her mind on something, he would not easily sway her. He shook his head, "I'm not staying for this."
"Fine," Kushina pursed her lips. Ken cast her one last look before he stormed from the room, muttering under his breath.
She returned her blue gaze to Hizashi's face, grinning nervously. "So, what next?"
His eyes suddenly became pupil-less, exactly like Arashi's. The veins around his eyes bulged as he studied her. "I manipulate your Chakra Points."
"And?" she pressed him.
"And," Hizashi sucked in a deep breath, "we hope that I'm right. We hope that this works."