Disclaimer: Naruto & co. don't belong to me. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Chapter: Easing into Life
Yuki was burning with rage. It didn't matter to her that the Hyuugas had 'suddenly' begun to watch her moves intently. It didn't matter to her that she was partly taking it out on Neji. Her cousin. It didn't matter because... well, she made sure that they couldn't see it. But it was there all the same. Boiling underneath her skin.
Her movements were more concentrated. Her intentions were honed so perfectly to one thing: to damage. Yesterday, she was content with getting exercise. Today she was out for blood. While others thought the slight change resulted from the healing night's rest, Hiashi picked up something different.
No. It wasn't there. But it was there all the same. Every time she flung her hand out to release a punch, her eyebrows furrowed together a little more. Every time she let out a kick, her eyes flashed a slightly irate look. Hiashi noticed this and barely left the two alone for fear of losing his chance to identify her emotions. Yuki puzzled him that day.
"You almost seemed to have gained your true strength," Neji commented as they ended their exercise for that day. His muscles were sore, but he wouldn't admit it. He knew Yuki was going through the same thing, and praised her silently for holding it all in.
"My 'true strength'?"
"The true extent of your control." Neji looked down at the girl. She was sitting on the porch of the main house, looking up at him, her chest rising and sinking in a panicked motion. She must've been really tired. "Like when you were fighting against Uchiha Itachi." Yuki stilled visibly. Neji took a seat beside her. "You had the whole of your physical and spiritual strengths under control. That was what Hiashi-sama meant about having 'perfect' chakra control." Yuki nodded, understanding slightly.
They watched the sun set and the setting darken in silence. Listening only to the natural sounds of their environment. Hiashi was never far away from them, but he too did not make a sound.
"That day... the sun set just like it is doing now," Hiashi said, breaking the silence. He moved from his place to stand near them, though he did not look at either. Yuki instinctively knew that he was going to talk about the past. "Reika announced her engagement to Uchiha Taka, and they locked her in her room."
"They what?" Yuki asked sharply. Hiashi turned his pupil-less eyes down at her own maroon eyes.
"The elders gathered and met, discussing it for weeks. It was an impossible match." Yuki continued staring up at him. A silent challenge to tell him to tell the story whole. "It is known, but only among the Hyuuga clan, that the Uchiha's roots belonged to us. The sharingan was but part of an aspect to the byakugan."
"The abilities of the sharingan and byakugan are quite different," Yuki argued. Neji put a hand on her shoulder to tell her to be silent. Frowning, Yuki obeyed the silent reprimand.
"The reason why the Uchiha broke off from the Hyuuga was because of the difference in interests. Uchiha wanted talent, and they wanted to share it. But the Hyuuga code required more of the strength of the bloodline and the strength of the byakugan of a strong blood-descendant. Eventually the Uchiha's ability that connected it to the byakugan distilled as their part of the clan increased in talented members. Uchiha wanted more well-rounded abilities for their clan's ninjas. And the Hyuugas only wanted to develop their sole bloodlimit ability - the byakugan - to it's ultimate extent. The line that connected the Hyuuga and the Uchiha dissolved. The Uchiha's bloodlimit evolved to the present sharingan while the Hyuuga, the byakugan, remain unchanged. The byakugan is... what it is now.
"Once, they tried to reunite the two clans, by marrying the children of the clans' leaders." Yuki narrowed her eyes in suspicion. What was it that happened in the past that affected the relationship of Hyuuga Reika and Uchiha Taka? "The marriage was successful. They had two children. The first, a girl, and the second, a boy." Hiashi closed his eyes and silenced for a moments. Yuki noticed a fleeting sadness in his expression.
"The girl passed her initiation year - when her double bloodlimits activated at the same time. The boy had a little more trouble. His byakugan activated first. However, regardless of that, both were able to gain full control over the byakugan and the sharingan." Hiashi paused yet again. "They advanced quickly. Not unlike you. They were called the Kanzen Seishin - Pure Spirit. Nothing in the village could ever best them. Not when they were together. Nothing outside the village could compete with them. Together... they were indestructible. The first of their kind..." Yuki clenched her fists. He was talking as if they were pedigreed animals. "And they were reckless. They attracted trouble. Konoha became a warring nation because of them. Konoha had become the most powerful nation because of them. The first and second Hokage had to clean up their messes after they died." Hiashi looked oddly cold. "Having them was... dangerous, to put it lightly. Kanzen Seishin were never meant to form. From then on, the Uchiha and Hyuuga distanced themselves."
"And then my parents..." Yuki said without thinking. She bit her lip for interrupting him, but did not break her gaze.
"You must understand their fears," he stressed as he kneeled down beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Konoha is peaceful now. It was always our wish for it to always stay that way. And when Reika announced her engagement...."
"They remembered what happened and thought maybe history would repeat itself?" Hiashi closed his eyes solemnly before answering her.
"They tried to stop them, but Reika... my sister was too headstrong. I don't blame her. All she wanted was to be with him. They couldn't stop her from leaving Konoha with Uchiha Taka. I do not blame either of them. I... I loved my sister too much for that. Hizashi and I... helped her leave. All we ever wanted was for her to be happy."
"I see..."
"Yuki." His voice was commanding and yet gentle. Yuki saw the question in his eyes.
"I'm not a Hyuuga," she said as she stood from her seat. "My apologies, Hiashi-sama, but I am Hatake Yuki. I acknowledge both Uchiha and Hyuuga as my ancestral family, but it will not-"
"I understand," he said, standing up also. Neji, who had been silently witnessing the exchange stood up as well. "Hatake Yuki. You are still my niece, whatever you say, whatever that may happen."
"I'd always figured that the Hyuuga were protective about their clan," Yuki said with a fake grin - not that they could see much of it from behind the mask anyway. Hiashi managed to give her a small smile.
"Come inside then," came a timid voice. It was Hinata peeking from inside the house. "We'll have dinner now."
Yuki still felt enraged, but she did not allow it to seep through to her facade. They seemed pleased with her, and thought that they could schedule up her training. Whatever made them happy. As long as she could get away from them.
Yuki simply could not face the fact that they had decided a life for her. She thought that running away from them might... might... no, she didn't even want to acknowledge what she had heard the night before... to an extent. Why the hell did they think they control her life?
The next day, Kakashi and his squad paid her a visit.
"This is a nice surprise, Kakashi-niichan!" she exclaimed as she went up to him and gave him a hug. Kakashi's students stared, dumbfounded at their sensei's sensitive nature as he hugged her back.
"You look alright," he said.
"I feel great!"
"Then they've been taking care of you well...."
"Kakashi-san," Hiashi called out to him. He had noticed their arrival and had gone out to meet them.
"Hiashi-san," Kakashi said, acknowledging his presence. Hiashi brought them to inside politely and provided the visitors with refreshments. He and Kakashi began a silent conversation as Naruto and Sakura took over Yuki's concentration. Sasuke lingered by both conversations, listening alertly. "I gather that she still-"
"I forbade them from announcing it too soon." Kakashi was looking at Hiashi with curiosity. "I see Reika when I see her. If she is anything like her mother...." Kakashi nodded in understanding.
"Sasuke-san?" Hiashi diverted his attention to the younger man that was to become leader of the Uchiha clan in the future.
"Hiashi-san?" Sasuke looked at him, pretending disinterest.
"I trust you have begun your-"
"Preparations, yes." Sasuke said curtly, with a slight blush creeping up to his cheeks. He turned away from them so couldn't see him blush. By 'preparation' was meant that Sasuke had to get his home ready. For another occupant. The Uchiha manor was huge... so Sasuke had to use all his free time to clean it all up. It hadn't been thoroughly cleaned since... since Naruto and Sakura had come by during his 16th birthday.... but that was quite a while back.
"I do not think that simply preparing a home for her will help..."
Hiashi turned to Kakashi in contemplation and said, "I agree, Kakashi-san. There must be some way to soften the news."
"Let Sasuke visit," Kakashi said. Sasuke returned to the conversation, looking startled. "After all, they'll be-... there's no reason for them to not know one another. Maybe knowing Sasuke better would help. Might help." Hiashi nodded in agreement. "Sasuke?"
"Aright," he said, trying his best to sound dispassionate and not excited.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted. He had forced himself in front of Kakashi and was pointing at a sheepish Yuki. "She's gotten thinner hasn't she? Kakashi-sensei!!"
Sasuke turned his head, ignoring Naruto's shouts as he 'conversed' with Kakashi, and looked at Yuki. Sasuke froze when he saw a fleeting look of anger coming from Yuki. It was replaced with a blank look and then her eyes curved up in a smile, just like Kakashi's. Sasuke nodded slowly and gave her a little smile before Sakura demanded her attention once more. What was Yuki hiding from him? Why was she angry?
"It's almost time for Yuki to return to her training," Hiashi announced a quarter of an hour later. Both Sakura and Naruto looked put out as the team gathered themselves near the gates. Sasuke lingered behind. Yuki wondered, what was he up to?
"Thanks for coming, everyone!" she said cheerfully. Kakashi patted her on the head affectionately and said his goodbye. The team left. But Sasuke was staying behind. "Sasuke-kun?"
"I decided to help you with your training. Hiashi-san has allowed me to stay here a while," said Sasuke, coming up beside her.
"So... he decided to stay, did he...?" Yuki thought angrily but managed to pull of a cheery expression. "Well, Sasuke-kun!" she said aloud. "The more the merrier, right?"
"Let's go, Yuki."
"Yes, Hiashi-sama!" Yuki ran off in his direction, grabbing Sasuke's arm and pulling him too. She missed his blush and pleased smile. She didn't notice when he wriggled his arm away and replaced it with his hand. Holding firmly on to her.
It had been nearly three weeks and the Hyuugas still did not 'release' her, saying that her control over her eye-abilities still did not reach their satisfaction. Although, Yuki had to admit - she no longer felt the danger of using the byakugan and sharingan at the same time -not that much anyway. Through Hiashi, she learnt to accept the different types of chakra flow that required the two to function properly. She was learning how to maintain both 'streams' without leaving any chance for 'leaks' which could seriously endanger her. Her limit now reached five minutes. It was more than double her original limit.
Hiashi explained that if she went over this limit, she would pass out. Die even if she became too reckless. What they were teaching her wasn't a foolproof method to controlling both her bloodlimits but a way to increase her endurance of it.
Hiashi also explained that if she did something stupid - like during her fight with Itachi, if she had used the The Heavenly Spin, when she was at her last few levels of chakra, she would die. That was that. Her body could not sustain another incident like that.
Sasuke visited everyday. Yuki knew what they were planning. She tried to discourage him, throwing off little hints of disinterest, it that could help in anyway... but that only made him stay on longer. At some points... she even had to admit that she liked his attention. As angry as she was... she couldn't deny the feelings she had for him. She couldn't deny... that as angry as she was at that 'pact'... she still liked Sasuke. And it wasn't because he was her cousin.
One cool night, Sasuke and Yuki found themselves alone outside the guest house. Yuki suspected that it would have been an intended plan by one of the Hyuugas, but allowed it to happen anyway.
They sat quietly on the porch. Enjoying each other's company.
"Thank you," said Sasuke, jerking her away from her thoughts. Her eyes rounded in surprise. Sasuke looked really uncomfortable. "Thank you for stopping me from killing my brother." Yuki felt even more shocked. Wasn't this man's life mission to annihilate him? Sasuke gulped down his embarrassment and proceeded with an explanation. "I don't think- .... Four years ago, I would've welcomed the chance, but now... now I've remembered what my original first ambition was. Itachi had always been part of my second aim in my life. Revenge consumed my mind to the point that I forgot my original purpose."
"Your original purpose?" Yuki repeated, feigning ignorance. In truth, she knew what his 'original purpose' was - it was to rebuild his clan. It bordered on the topic that she was hoped not to arise. Sasuke was edging closer to her. She frowned in confusion. It was at these moments... these intimate moments that she confused... unsure of her feelings. Even the single most innocent gesture coming from that Uchiha could get all her senses to run amuck.
"If I killed Itachi... I wouldn't have been satisfied. I'd've killed someone that's part of my own blood. That would've made me no different from him." Sasuke looked sad now. He no longer had the air of indifference around him. Yuki saw sadness practically drip from his aura. "Then if I went back to my original purpose, I'd've gone through the rest of my life feeling guilt. That's no life."
"It's alright, Sasuke-kun," she said, putting her hand on his back. In a blink of an eye, he was holding her. His strong arms around her waist and his chin resting in the hollow of her neck. "Sasuke-kun?" Her heart started beating faster. His warm breath was tickling her neck... making unthinkable visions start to go through her mind. She dearly wanted to hold him back but was feeling confused with her own emotions. Wasn't the reason why she felt for him because of the fact that they were related? Wasn't it...? And wasn't she supposed to be angry with him? His warm breath was searing her senses. She felt her heart quicken even more so as the dark-haired man held her tighter.
Sasuke lifted his head and leaned forwards till their foreheads touched. Eye to eye. His eyes were a little unfocused. How long had he wanted to hold her that way? He'd been keeping his feelings from her for so long... when all that he wanted to do since she woke up was to hold her like he was doing now. And maybe... if he only knew how she felt for him, maybe she would allow him to kiss her. Those luscious red lips that were always hidden underneath her mask. He looked at her, a silent plea in his eyes. If only she could hug him back.... Her lips were so close.... He could almost....
"You are so strong, Yuki-chan," he murmured. "You must've gone through so much... I wanted to grow up, too. That's why... thank you." Yuki wasn't entirely sure exactly what he meant. She wasn't sure if Sasuke even knew what he was talking about. What epiphany did he go through where Yuki functioned as the unknowing catalyst?
Or was it all just an act?
Yuki narrowed her eyes and willed her heart to stop beating so erratically. Sasuke noticed the change in her and jerked away in surprise. She was smiling, but her eyes were... empty.
"It's time to turn in, Sasuke-kun," she whispered. But Sasuke's mind was reeling at the emotional sting.
"I'm going to stay here." Sasuke watched her as she disappeared to her room. Why did she react that way? The dull pain in his chest was increasing. Was this... rejection? Sasuke found himself choking back a sob.
The next afternoon, there was a large gathering at the Hyuuga's main house. Yuki found herself sitting amongst a large circle of people. Her training was complete. It was time for her to go. It was time, she guessed, for them to 'announce' her engagement to Uchiha Sasuke.
"You must be wondering why we have all gathered here," Hiashi said when Yuki remained silent. The elders and other members of the clan sat around them. Hiashi, Neji and Hinata on one side. "We congratulate you for your success in your training." Still Yuki remained silent. Hiashi felt his nerves start pricking up in anxiety.
"That can't be the only reason why everyone's here!" Naruto exclaimed as he peered at each and every face in the room. Sakura punched him on the head and told him to be silent. Yuki turned around to smile, curving up her eyes like Kakashi usually did, at the two. She avoided looking at Sasuke and Kakashi.
"There is something, however, that you need to... be aware of before you leave." Still no reaction. His nerves were getting to him. Hiashi signaled Neji to take over the 'conversation'.
"Once you leave the gates of our clan, people will come," Neji began. "They'll come for you."
A/N Aaah... SasuYuki fluff? haha... so Sasu's finally made a move on her and he got rejected ooooh... that must sting his pride a lot!
Maliciously Creative:Thank you!!!!! =)
Blue Savage: sorry to disappoint but there won't be NejiOC -.-; Neji's just being... cool haha. I luv Neji. I'd always seen him as the protective elder brother type so that's how he'll be in this fic.
