Hikari couldn't believe this, her heart was pounding with thrill and adrenaline. She couldn't remember when it was pounding this hard as if it felt the first time doing this. Feeling her body tighten, she had to send a reminder for it to relax and be ready. Because she knew if she didn't then she'd surely lose should her reaction be delayed. Remembering her breathing gets ready and focused. Waiting for them to move. This was just exciting, she just hoped she'd be able to keep up and make them speechless. This opponent was worthy of her, remember all her footing and training led up to this.
It just felt rather strange how this seem to be the first time when was certain she'd done this before. Shaking it off readies herself, no second-guessing. Should she activate her eyes? A question that nearly was her downfall, her opponent took that split second opening and attacked first. Activating her eyes quickly blocks their strike before they managed to hit her. Good, she thought. Not the time to become cocky because they readjusted their attack and come up from below. She narrowly managed to dodge it. Jumping back to give herself distance before diving in to attack herself. With a mighty thrust of her Gentle Fist strikes, to be quickly blocked. That didn't stop her, looking for an opening each time she delivered to be blocked.
This was to expect from her opponent, they had more experience and were known for their prowess in the art. A genius and prodigy in its way. Something she needed to be as well, as their blood ran through her as well. Her father wasn't going to go easy on her in this. Which she wouldn't want. It would a shame.
Neji pushes her back, he then gets into a stance Hikari knew well. Reciting it in her mind, "Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms." She had to move fast, but he was faster. Springing from the stance Neji goes in to deliver the strike, his daughter barely managed to, just barely managed to dodge and block. He was rather impressed at the effort, though it left her rather tired. Hikari still stood, with little markings on her. Neji's eyes saw he had actually managed to strike maybe four times. Not fatal. Breathing heavily, Hikari refused to fall. Stubbornness she inherits from her mother. Both a good thing and not so much. The determination and focus in her eyes was a mix of himself and his wife. She took her training seriously. He knew it wasn't over.
She blitz at him in a serpentine-like motion, his daughter was quick. Very quick, almost comparable to lighting when it strikes. From what her Academy Instructor told him and his wife. It allowed her to strike quick. Her finesse in the way she executed her strikes and attacks while also formulating a plan, even having one for backup if it didn't go right. Always ready. Keen. Like himself. He couldn't be prouder. Though she was fast, he faster. Blocking her kick before she landed. It didn't stop her, she twists around coming down with palm. He manages to block it and push her back.
Flipping and setting herself straight, Hikari nearly tumbles with her footing. Locking it firmly locks her eyes upon her father. Reaching behind him Neji quickly throws kunais at her, she moves out the way managing to catch one and send it back. He does rotation deflecting it, not realizing what she had attached to it.
A paper bomb.
Surprised, he quickly moves. With his attention elsewhere Hikari uses this and delivers a dangerous Gentle Fist. Her whole arm suddenly coats itself in metal flesh as she strikes. Neji barely managed to move just as it landed, shaking the courtyard and leaving a decent sized crater in the center. Causing the place to shake. Stun by this, Neji waits for the dust to settle to see. A grave mistake because Hikari used it and with a surprise attack upon him. Hitting him.
Yes. She thought. She got him. To be surprised. It was a substation, taken back by this feels something upon her back. It was her father's hand. He won.
With no choice she admits defeat."Impressive."Neji tells her as they sit down on the patio, handing her some water May had left out for them. She left out a few things they'd need for training. Towels to wipe off, snacks to replenish themselves, a first-aid kit just to be safe. She always did if she wasn't present.
The first-aid always came in handy, opening it Neji finds what he was looking. Dabbing some of the liquid on the cotton ball applies to Hikari's injuries. The last thing he needed was his wife finding their child badly injured. She'd flip out and Neji would rather not suffer from that. The thought gave him shivers.
"It doesn't hurt,"Hikari tells him, he knew she was trying to act bold and tough. Stubborn girl he thought. So he tested it apply the cotton ball on the wound upon her cheek. She nearly cringed. But held it in.
"Even so,"He said putting it down. Looking her over."I'd rather not face your mother. You know she wouldn't be happy."
"But, I'm not weak. So it doesn't hurt!"Hikari protest. Standing up activating her eyes."I can keep going."
Tenacious too, Neji sighs."I never said that you are,"He clarifies."You are very strong. Stronger than you know."He stands up over her."We have done enough for now. Besides..."He looks over at the damaged grounds."We'd best clean this up, before your mother ge-"
"My courtyard!"May shrieks coming out. Horrified by what she saw, it was destroyed. The explosion from the paper bomb blew a good amount and the crater from Hikari. Along with other things. Some of her plants gone. Broken pots. If that wasn't bad enough, the second May landed eyes on Hikari tipped it. Seeing her bandaged up."Neji!"She flames at him.
Hikari turns to her father to find him remaining frightfully still. Shocking her. Even more so seeing him sweating, it was terrifying because when she looked at her mother. Her eyes were blank with fury, a look Hikari remembers well. Though sweet her mother can be, she was just as deadly when angered. And what followed was even scarier.
That one time...Hikari remember with her and Yoshi...wait? She thought for a second...that name...Yoshi...why was it familiar and couldn't see anything but feel it. Feel like something was missing.
"Kar-Kar!"
She didn't have time to think about it because next thing she and her father being dragged by their collars inside."We're going shopping and two will repair my courtyard!"
Her mother wasn't kidding, just as she said, they went shopping to fix up the courtyard. Her mother's smile was back on as she went into stores to look at what they had, some of it was expensive.
Looking at the prices, shocked the young Hyuga."Dad, this is a lot of money."She shows Neji."Isn't mom going a bit overboard?"
"Hush."He quickly silences her, holding the basket filled a few things his wife wanted. He was still sweating and remained obediently still. Understanding Hikari closes her mouth."Let your mother do what she wants. It is safe for the both of us, should you want to live."He warns her.
About to say something else when May calls Neji over, Hikari watches him quickly go."..."Hikari wasn't sure if she felt ashamed of him or sad. Either way, it made her smile oddly, seeing her parents. Her father really did love her mother, considering all he was doing and didn't object. Also, the way the two of them looked, mainly her father.
The deep deviation in his eyes. He'd do anything for her and his family. As she looked on, she didn't notice someone coming up behind her."Yo, Hikari!"Boruto calls to her.
Turning around she finds her cousin, with his sister and mother. Her aunt and to her surprise Naruto. To make sure uses her eyes to see it wasn't a shadow clone."Hello."She greets them, to be hugged by Himawari.
Hinata greets her back."Hello Hikari, this is a surprise finding you here."
"Yeah,"Boruto throws in snickering."I didn't think you'd be the gardening type. Considering everything you touch you kill."Jabbing at her. To her annoyance.
"Boruto," Naruto scolds him when he spots Neji and May. Looking at the basket then at Neji he was able to put two and two together and couldn't help but laugh."Let me guess, your father is in trouble?"He asked his niece.
Who looks over at her parents nodding."Yeah, we both are. We destroyed the courtyard from training. So mom is making us go shopping with her to fix it up. We both have to fix it."
Hinata couldn't help but laugh herself."Your father is a wise man."She teases.
"That he is,"May agrees coming over with Neji."Hinata, everyone hello."She hugs each one."This a surprise. Especially with you Naruto. Seeing you out like this. What are you all up too?"
While the adults talked Hikari turned her attention to her cousins. Himawari still clinging begins to pull on Hikari to go outside, Boruto following close by."Can I ride?"Himawari asked pointing to one of the kiddie rides in front of the storefront.
"Here."Hikari hands her a coin which made the young girl smile with glee. She goes over to it for Boruto to reminder to stay close. The two watch Himawari enjoy her ride.
"Well, that was weird."Boruto breaks the silence between them, Hikari looks at him not following."You being nice. You're normally grouchy."
Great, he was being a jerk. Again. Not in the mood for his repartee does her best to ignore him. And watched Himawari who put in another coin, hearing her sweet laugh and smile warmed her heart. Yet, felt empty. Unsure why normally the sight of Himawari always made her happy. Now, it was doing the opposite. It was strange because...her eyes kept trying to search for another. Someone who is always by her side They'd be riding the kiddie ride together or taking turns. Why was the space empty next to the girl? This feeling begin to grow...that she misheard Boruto.
Yoshi?!, she thought. Whipping her head around to him."Yoshi? What do you mean Yoshi?"
Taken back by this Boruto gives her a weird look."I never said Yoshi, I said you'll see. You'll see. Geez? You okay or something? Don't tell me your head is still wacky?"He teases.
She knew what he meant and scoffs."No. Don't be stupid."
"So who is Yoshi?"He asked with a curling smile, jabbing her a bit with his elbow. Snickering."So, who's Yoshi?"
God, he was so transparent. Groaning mentally from his assumptions deny any idea he thought. "No one in particular. So you can stop with your ridiculous juvenile thoughts. Because it is not going in that direction."She said flatly.
But Boruto didn't give up."Come on, you can try to put up a cold front. But the way you said their name, means something."He begins to make kissing noises and laughing about it.
Becoming aggravated Hikari kept her cool. And just ignored him. But he didn't stop. So she only knew of one way to do so. Back inside the adults finished talking, May and Hinata coming out first laughing with their husbands behind. Neji carrying the bags along with Naruto. Who was trying figure out how he got dragged into this. For his thoughts to be interrupted by the sight of their children.
Hikari and Boruto holding the other in a headlock, the ground in front of many. Rather aggressively. Trying to rough up the other. With Himawari watching. May and Hinata in shock of embarrassment more than anything as eyes look at the two rolling around. While their fathers held their breaths watching their wives handle it.
"Boruto Uzamaki!"
"Hikari Hyuga!"
Hearing their full name made both stop and find standing over them, like dark spirits glaring down, their mothers. Neither happy. Their face turns white like a ghost, seeing the rage emitting from both. Before either could say anything, they found themselves standing up straight and apologizing to those who had seen. Their heads down and everything. While she was doing that, Hikari who kept bowing to the crowd notices someone. Who seem vaguely familiar. They lock eyes with her for a second. And it was in that second something happened. Some sort of force overcame her. A flash of a different life.
"Kar-Kar, look at my sand castle!"
"Kar-Kar, read me a story. Please!"
"Whaaaa, I'm hungry!"
"Hikari, sweetheart can you help me set the table."
"Hikari, I'm so proud of you. And I love you so much."
"Let's dance Hikari."
She found herself entering an office."Ah," A man set behind the desk."Hikari, I heard your first mission was a success. That's good to hear."
She finds herself standing next to this man, though was much younger. He was holding her hand. It was so loving and tight. He smiled at her too. Which made her smile. He was taking her somewhere, she wasn't sure were. But next thing she knew, the two of them were sitting and overlooking a desert sunset. She was tucked in his lap securely. And he was talking to her. His voice was different from Neji's.
What? A puppet workshop? Who was that man sitting there talking to her? He was doing a puppet show for her and she found it both silly and enjoyable. Next thing he put some sort of face paint on her and the two of them looking into a mirror with silly faces.
And then there was...there was something else. Turning around finds a little boy with auburn hair staring at her. Reaching out to her, she reaches back and he turns into sand.
"No!"She screams
"No!"Hikari screams, jolting up in a cold sweat. Gripping her covers. Who was that little boy? Who was he? And those other voices? Who was that man? So many questions caused her head to start pounding.
Hearing running footsteps approaching, the door to her room burst open and her mother engulfs her tightly."Hikari! Hikari are you okay? What's wrong?"
Stun for a second Hikari wasn't sure herself, she kept remembering that stranger. Those eyes. That boy flashed through her mind. Causing her headache to throb more. She begin to shiver. Seeing her daughter suffering, May holds her tighter.
"You're burning up!"May gasp.
Neji comes seeing this. Something was wrong with his child he could feel it. The pain she was under and stressing from. He goes over and wraps up his daughter in her covers."Come, we need to take her in."He tells his wife. Who wholeheartedly agrees.
Standing up May follows them out. Stopping for a second and looks back at the room to see a small distortion crack. Knowing what it meant, she walks over to it holding her hand out repairs it.
"There..."She sighs."Nothing will break out."Turns and hurries after her family.
Finally, they arrived. It was no wonder this place was hard to track, giving the location and the land environment. This fog was denser than any they'd seen. So they managed to enhance the fog's capabilities. There was no doubt traps or surveillance around. The bones seem new. It didn't matter, with their senses peaked and aware carefully start walking. As lightly as they could. Remembering how they were years ago, they weren't one to think lightly about. They planned out everything.
With their blade drawn and eyes activated Sasuke treads the unknown territory. Ready for anything that would come suddenly. He knew Hikari was here, he could in sense feel it. And could see it, something caught his eye. It was hidden. In flash he was on the side of the mountain and reaches inside, pulling out a kunai with a paper tag attached to it.
Hikari's no doubt. Clever girl. He understood what she planned to do. These tags wouldn't work until activated. She learned well. He couldn't be prouder. Though a smile would have to wait, hearing extra footsteps approaching. Getting down, he springs and attacks to be quickly blocked.
"Sasuke!?"Naruto stops him. The Uchiha wasn't too surprised to see him or Gaara. Though more so with the amount he came with.
There was no need to talk. Sasuke shows them the kunai. Gaara recognized it instantly along with Kankuro."She's here."Sasuke tells him. Turning back."She had a plan already in place. Which I am assuming didn't go as plan. Right now she's no doubt in the belly of the beast."
Gripping the kunai Gaara pushes everything down, to focus. Rage in his eyes and vendetta to complete."Then I'll pull her out."
"Good,"Sasuke said."Because, I'm sure they already know, we're here."Gaara was about to lead the charge, Sasuke stops him."Don't. Inside...can you feel it Naruto?"
Naruto could."Yeah. I can. Everyone, keep your minds focused."
Sasuke finishes."They're using a powerful genjustu. The second we step inside keep your charka flowing. Otherwise, you will be lost in it."Leading the charge Sasuke goes first, immediately after he drew his sword. He heard a faint sizzling sound."Naruto!"He alerts the others to be met with an explosion.
"Sasuke!"Naruto screams.