By RequiemofDementia
Chapter Fourteen: Hyuuga Hatred Revisited
Airen sat at the table, smiling and humming to herself. Chie sat next to her, his own lips holding a little smile. The only one at the table not smiling, in fact, was Riki. His hands cradled his head faintly, as he groaned a little. No amount of questioning from either of his team mates had been able to discover what he had been up to last night.
And that was when Naruto made his entrance. He sat at the table, next to Riki, and grinned up at the big man. "Morning, Riki-kun!" He looked at Chie, and then Airen, and tilted his head slowly. Why were they smiling like that? As everyone else began to eat, Naruto was busy rubbing his face, trying to find what was so amusing.
There was a tap at the door, Riki moving to slowly stand. Shinzui's hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Keep eating. I am on that way already." Shinzui did not like the hours that he was forced to keep now, but he knew that his position was an important one. He wandered to the door, opening it slowly.
Sakura looked up at him, and bowed his head. "Shinzui-sama," she said.
"Hello, Sakura-chan," he replied softly. "Naruto is in the dining room."
She bowed her head again. "Thank you, Shinzui-sama." As Shinzui left, Sakura entered, and made her way towards the dining room.
"Naruto, where are you, lazy?"
"Hey! Sakura-chan!" Naruto leapt up from the table and rushed over to her. "Tell me, our mission today is important right? And dangerous?" In his minds eye, he could see himself crouched over Sasuke, protect him from a thousand different dangers at once.
Sakura sighed a long suffering sigh. "Just get moving, Naruto."
"Why? If Kakashi-sensei is just going to be late, I should be allowed to sit and enjoy…"
Naruto's words were cut off by one look at Sakura's face, and he quickly rushed out of the house. "Baka," she mumbled, as she trailed after him.
Airen watched them leave, and then looked towards Riki. "What is wrong with those two?"
Riki's broad shoulders slowly shrugged. "Lovers quarrel?"
From outside the house, they heard Sakura's voice. "WHAT?!"
Anko sat on the roof of the Hitomi household, her eyes on the woods near by. The two Hyuuga there had noticed her, of course, but they were surprised that she had noticed them. They were not what captured her attention, however. Hyuuga Neji walked up to the door slowly, and knocked.
A moment later, the door was answered, Riki looming over Neji ominously. "What?"
"I am here to speak with Sen Chie," he said softly.
Riki's eyes roamed over Neji slowly, and Neji got the distinct impression that the large man would be watching him. "Chie. Visitor." Then Riki turned and disappeared back inside the house again.
Neji followed after him hesitantly.
Chie looked up from the table slowly, his eyes widening. Airen looked up as well, starting. What was he doing here?
"Sen Chie, I have come to warn you. Stay away from Hyuuga Hinata." Neji's voice was soft, calm, his eyes not leaving the timid little ninja.
"I am sorry, but I cannot obey."
Neji stepped forward slowly, and as he did, both Riki and Airen stood, ready to fight. Neji's eyes wandered over them both, and then back to Chie.
"It is for your own good, Chie."
"I think Chie can decide what is for his own good, Neji. Now, as for your good, it would be best if you just turned and left." Airen's voice was faint, but hard like steel. "You are not welcome here."
"I do not know what the Hitomi did to the Hyuuga," Neji said softly, "but if you continue to push me, I will not care."
Anko's laugh drew all their eyes. "What the Hitomi did to the Hyuuga?" She laughed again.
"What's so funny?"
Anko smiled a little, as she sat herself down on the table. "Thirteen years ago, the Hyuuga clan entered the Hitomi grounds, and killed every man, woman and child they could get their hands on." Chie's eyes widened in shock at this, wondering how anyone could do something so horrible. "You talk about what the Hitomi did to the Hyuuga. Absolutely nothing, Neji. The Hyuuga did it not in retaliation, but as a pre-emptive strike. They were afraid that the Hitomi could one day surpass them."
Neji's eyes slowly widened in shock. "You lie." Anko's grin simply mocked him. "You lie!" Neji looked around, and then ran for the door. She had to be lying.
"Neji-nii-san?"
Hinata's voice broke through Neji's silence, and he slowly raised his head. "Yes?"
"What is wrong?" Hinata slowly sat across from him.
Neji sighed softly, as he tried to think of a way to express what he was feeling. "When I was told that there was a feud between Hitomi and Hyuuga, I had assumed that the Hitomi had done something unforgivable." His head leaned back slowly. "I was wrong. The Hitomi were innocent. They were killed for what they one day might become."
Hinata's eyes widened, as she looked at Neji. Inside of herself, she felt the same pain that Neji did.
"Neji-nii-san, I need your help."
Neji looked up slowly, his voice soft. "What is wrong?"
Hinata blushed a little, as her fingers came together before her once more. "There is a boy…"
Shinzui leaned against the wall calmly, as the head of the Hyuuga clan loomed before him. "You will keep your… your children… away from my family." There was malice within his voice, but there always was when he had to speak to Shinzui.
A small smile crossed Shinzui's lips, and that only fanned the fires of the Hyuuga's rage. "You will find that it is not my choice to make. They can make their own decisions." Shinzui's smile deepened. "I believe in free will."
The Hyuuga scowled at him. "I am warning you, Hitomi…"
"Warn away." Shinzui leaned forward, his smile fading, only to be replaced by a malicious grin. "If you, or any Hyuuga, harms Chie in any way, I will come for you personally." Then he pushed passed the larger man, and carried on.
Anko raised her hand slowly, the three ninjas stopping in their tracks. "What is it now, Anko-sensei?" Riki's voice clearly showed that he did not like these constant interruptions from their training.
"Visitors," she said softly, nodding towards the two people that came closer. Airen straightened slowly, as the two Hyuuga came towards her. What were they thinking?
That became clear, however, as Neji bowed deeply to Airen. "Hitomi Airen, on behalf of the Hyuuga family, I offer my apologies for what has happened in the past." Airen's eyes widened as Neji straightened, and Hinata slowly bowed.
"Hitomi Airen, on behalf of the Hyuuga family, I offer my apologies for what has happened in the past."
Airen smiled as Hinata straightened, her voice soft as she responded. "I accept your apologies, on behalf of the Hitomi clan." She giggled a little at that.
"I hope that our friendship can be an example to our clan." Neji smiled softly.
Airen grinned. "Let's hope."
Author's notes.
And here is the part where Neji fans will love me. Good Neji! Who doesn't love Neji, when he is being a fairly decent guy? :D
And reviews! I have precious reviews. cuddles them close To Kage Sannin, thank you for pointing out the difference between sannin and sennin. I have changed my title accordingly. And to everyone else who reviewed, I love you all! This chapter is for you. :D
In response to the first question I have had, Chie is 14, Airen is 18, and Riki is 20. So, there may be age gaps in the relationships, but it is kind of an acceptable one at least.