Whirl of the Light!
I don't own Naruto
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"Talking"
'Thoughts'
&-&- Scene change
(----) Different point of view
(-/-/-) Flash back
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Chapter 12
(----Haku----)
He looks around at the others sitting around him. They were here to pay respects to the fallen, on both sides. They all look like they're lost in their own thoughts and he wonders just when will this madness end.
He kind of miss Lex, for the Water Drakes can't stand this kind of cold. Then his thoughts turn to his old teacher and leader, Zabuza. He decides to visit Zabuza's grave before returning to Light village. He is saddened to know that his real life began after Zabuza's death, but if they had succeed in that mission, they would have been betrayed by Gato right after.
He blinks and finds Recca, his wife, hold his hand and weave her fingers with his. He blushes slightly and Recca says, "What's wrong?" He answers softly, "I was just thinking about my first mentor Zabuza. I thought that when this is all over that I would visit his grave." Recca leans onto his right shoulder and says, "I wouldn't mind trailing along." He smiles warmly at his wife. They were married just last year, also they were already expecting too. They only found out last month and they were over joyed at the thought of a child so soon. He puts his arm around Recca and brings her in close.
They were now aloud to leave and they let go of each other. He also lets Recca drag him away, towards their tent. He knows what they're about to do and he doesn't mind one bit. The blade is ready and they were still deciding on the hilt and sheath. Most likely, they'll be leaving tomorrow and he could use some alone time with his beautiful wife.
(----Koichi----)
He looks around at everyone who's to participate in this mission. His glaze rest on Haku, he knows it must be hard on the older ninja and hopes that they'll all return safe and sound from this mission. He looks away from Haku and looks at the sword that is the work of very skilled and talented Arace by the name of Sinque.
He then begins the briefing. "I'll not review the plans made, for I doubt that any of you will have forgotten them. I place trust on your abilities to help with make this mission a success. I also hope that Neji doesn't have a growth spurt in the ego department." Many chuckle at this and Neji tries to act like he doesn't care, but fails horribly. He continues, "Now we begin our journey towards the fortress and though it will take five days to get there, I hope you all will remember one single thing." They all wait for him to continue. "All of us have abilities that set us apart from the norm, and if this war has taught us anything, it's that overconfidence and ego will lead to suffering. That's it and lets get moving." He says. He really meant that last part about overconfidence and ego and he hopes that they'll not let themselves be so deluded as to think that they're immortal.
(----Hinata----)
She knows that Neji was watching her. She knew that he out of everyone out of her father's clan that he'll take note of the Light headband. She also knows that he's been itching to speak with her about it too. She also knows that she needs to confront him about this, but really doesn't want him to inform the clan, for if the Hokage didn't inform her ex-clan then she will trust his judgement in this.
She also wonders if Shikamaru will be able to handle being the next Hokage. She knows that Shikamaru can be lazy, but he also is among the smartest people that she knows. She knows that his family were content with the thought of one of their own being Hokage. She wishes him luck with his future career, even if Shikamaru is reluctant to take the job.
It's getting close to nightfall and they now following Shoji towards a safe place to spend the night. She falls back, she knows that Neji would notice and he too falls back. She might as well confront Neji now then to wait until afterwards, even though Neji might brood over this conversation until they reach the fortress.
Soon they were about eight feet from the others and they stop as the others began to dig into the snow to make shelter. She doesn't need to use her bloodline limit to know that Neji was behind her. She turns to look at Neji and says, "You want to begin or should I?" It looked like Neji was stunned at her, for they haven't spoken for years. "Why do you have a Light head protector?" Her cousin finally asks. "I'm a Light ninja now. I'm officially in training to become one of their elders. I also changed my clan name when I accepted." She informs Neji. "Your father wouldn't allow that." Neji begins. "If he knew. The Hokage approved as did all other leaders of the alliance." She cuts Neji off. She also says, "If the Hokage decided not to inform the clan then I believe that the Third will tell my father when the Third thinks my father is ready to hear about this."
Neji stays silent for a few minutes. 'He's at a lost of words. I don't believe this has ever happened to Neji before.' She muses as she waits for Neji to speak. Finally Neji asks, "Then you'll just let your younger sister take the heir ship from you?" She snorts and says, "It was already going to Hanabi, so what's the point of beating around the bush." Neji shifts his weight; she now knows that Neji is now clearly uncomfortable with this conversation.
"You were the eldest, Hinata." Neji begins. "And doesn't mean that I would have become clan leader. Or Hanabi would have already received the seal, Neji. My father was only waiting for my sister and I to have an official match, which Hanabi would have won back then. I'm not suited to be clan lead, Neji. I'll do more good in Light village then in Leaf. Leave it be." She says to her cousin. Neji just doesn't know what to say about this and they both then turn towards the shelter and start doing their parts. They need to finish it before a patrol shows up.
Apart of her was content that she finally confronted a part of her past. She knows that Neji is confused as to why she would prefer Light to Leaf, but the choice was an easy one, even without Koichi living in Light. Light saw her as a person first and foremost. That view is rare in the elemental countries.
(----Yue----)
He looks northward to where Koichi's group is headed. He knows that between Gaara and Koichi, they'll be safe until they reach the fortress. He looks over to the smith tent. He wonders if he should visit his twin, then decides that it's a good idea, he stands up off the bench and walks towards the tent where his sister is working with metals.
Ever since his sister got back from going to Arace's city all of those years ago, Ruby has been taken with taking raw metals and transforming them into weapons and other items. He's happy that his sister found her calling and doesn't mind helping out with the bellows.
He enters the tent and finds that many of the workers are busy reshaping bent weapons and resharping them. He looks around and quietly asks where he can find Rudy Fufu. He soon heads out of the tent and towards the correct one. He informs the guard at the entrance who his looking for and waits.
Then to his surprise his sister comes and drags him into the tent. He also can't follow what his twin is saying, for she was speaking too quickly. He's soon finds himself in the company of three Arace and two Light smiths. They turn to glance at him, then return to examining some of Snow Ninja's armour.
What surprised him was that the crystal on the crest piece was still intact. "We're so lucky that the group of raiders stopped the nins from destroying the cash of they're armour and weapons. They were able to sent them safely to us too. The other full body armours have been sent south for more in-depth study." Rudy finally says slow enough for him to hear. He looks surprise at that and asks, "Then aren't you also studying it too?" "Kind of. We're looking for a volunteer to wear it in battle. We want to see just how much of a difference it makes." His twin replies.
He then looks at the armour and says, "Good luck picking out volunteers." They all then pause and turn towards him. 'You think?' One of the Arace says. "Why not? This will save time." One of the humans says. 'Very true, we have better start modifying it to his specks.' The female Arace says.
Before he knows it, he's getting his measurements taken. He just is speechless as they then begin to take the amour way to be refitted. He then looks questionably at his own sister, but only finds that she too is gone. "I feel for you. I thought they might have chosen me as a test subject." He turns to look at the guard. He just nods his head at this, still trying to figure out how he volunteered for this.
(----Depth----)
He looks thoughtful as he lies down on the couch in Hokage's office. He then turns to look at his co-leader, Hor'Ja. Hor'Ja also gives him a questioning look. He shakes his head then he looks out the window. They were here to speak with Hinata's father and her younger sister. It seems that when Hiashi decided to speak with the Third about when his eldest daughter would be living in hidden Leaf, the Hokage told the clan leader that it was a complicated issue and that they all need to speak together.
That's more or less the reason that they were here, it was to answer Hiashi's questions as well as remind Hiashi that Light village has interests in his eldest daughter. Why Hiashi was bringing his other child was over both Hor'Ja and his head. They were only happy that Hiashi wasn't bringing any of his elders to the meeting. The elders truly lived in their own little world and believe that they were superior to nonhumans, for the elders think that because they have a bloodline limit they were better then the 'beasts.' It's kind of funny that the Byakugan can't see a Water Drake when a Water Drake decides to make themselves invisible to everything around them. Cave Drakes do a good job, but Water Drakes were just plain better then their distant relatives.
The door opens and in comes Hiashi and Hanabi. Behind them comes the Third. It's the first time that he really looked at Hiashi's other daughter and frowns after he finishes studying her. He noticed how the girl didn't greet either Hor'Ja or himself, the girl didn't even glance their way. Hiashi did nod to them before sitting on a chair.
Hokage sits down and begins. "I believe you wish to know about your eldest daughter, Hinata." Hiashi nods at this. He sighs and decides to get to the point. "Hinata is now a member of Light village. She's training to become an elder. It's a honour that someone so young has been chosen and she's also very gifted for someone her age too." Both father and daughter turn to glare at him. "He is correct. You see, the council wished for Hinata to become officially a member of their village and the other leaders of the alliance approved. I've been receiving favourable reports about how much Hinata was flourishing and agreed with the transfer. The reason I haven't brought it up was that you were busy with clan business as well as training Neji and Hanabi." Hokage says, after both father and daughter turn back towards the leader of hidden Leaf.
"Then Hinata will need the seal." Hiashi says. Hor'Ja replies, "She's out of your authority, clan leader. I believe that the time has expired for that course of action. You see, both Depth and I had time to review the workings of your clan when we first came to hidden Leaf. You had plenty of time to choice your heir and to place the seal on one of your daughters. Since you delayed, you now can't place the seal for it'll be against her rights as a Light Ninja." Hiashi has a sour look on his face and Hanabi looks kind of furious about this piece of information. "He's right, Hiashi. I've had some of your elders speak with me on this very subject over the years. They wanted me to press the subject with you, but I always told them that it's your right as clan leader to chose the time and place to apply the seal."
Then Hiashi looks thoughtful and nods at this. "I admit that I'm happy that this is out of my hands, Lord Hokage. I never could have brought myself to approve of the order to have the seal placed first on Hanabi and then later on Hinata. But we'll say that I fought harder then what I did and then accepted." He looks surprise at this, though Hanabi looks shocked to her core at this turn of events. Hokage chuckles and nods as he says, "Very good Hiashi. I believe that it'll work. I hope you use this to get Hanabi away from them to correct their teachings." Hiashi nods and he motions for Hanabi to follow him out of the room.
He says, "He's trying to appease the elders and yet be true to himself. He has some odd ways to do that if I'm not mistaken." Hor'Ja nods in agreement with that statement. "Hiashi changed after his twin was scarified in his place, but until he can wrestle the control from the elders, he can't change the clan too much. He also plans on having Neji and Hanabi rule as co-leaders, for he wishes to unite the two branches and believes that having Neji as part of the leadership, the branch members will feel more secure that they'll have a say in the new government." Hokage says. All three get up and they all leave the room. He knows that he'll have to rethink his view of Hiashi as both a leader and as a father.
To be continued …