Chapter XIV- Days of our Lives
Neji left the hospital almost two months later. Tsunade recommended him a lot of rest, no missions for some time, and slowly increase the difficulty of his trainings until regain full strength.
To Hinata all those recommendations were great! She had her husband all time under her wing (except when she was on mission). Neji and Hinata trained together every day; first he only supervised her practice, and later they sparred.
And the more important, on the twins' first anniversary party, Hinata made Neji help her with all the party stuff. He hated, cursing all time. But in the end, the party was great; all their friends, Hiashi, Hanabi, Natsume, Grandma Sanae and even Grandpa Hideo (quite afraid to piss Hinata again) were there.
To Neji all that repose was hell. Babysitting the children, doing errands for Hinata, and worse of all, help Hiashi.
He continued to assist the leader in his daily duties. Neji was supposed to follow Hiashi on council meetings, substitute the leader in minor tasks, and even sign some important papers regarding the Clan along with his uncle.
All that politic stuff bored him, until one day Hiashi noticed that Neji was staring at the window instead the forms.
"Are you paying attention at these documents or the birds outside?"
"Hum? Oh I already read the documents." – Neji said nonchalantly.
"I think it is monotonous for a young man like you remain in this office all day, huh?" – Hiashi had a warm smile on his lips. – "I've felt the same thing when I was your age."
"I don't understand the purpose of this. Hinata-sama should be the one learning all those politic stuff, not me! I'm from Branch House!"
"Hinata already know these things, Neji. You are a genius, haven't you noticed what I have been doing the last months?"
Neji tried to remind the last months, finding a clue about what Hiashi was talking about. Stop minor discussions between Main and Branch members, attend to some stupid council meetings, and give opinions about Hyuga matters, signing orders and edicts with Hiashi, and some of them alone. These were his jobs in the last months.
And suddenly he realized that he had been the Leader's second in command all that time. He befriended some elders from the council, managed to gain respect from both Houses. Clansmen asked his opinions and talked to him their problems, expecting from Hyuga Neji a solution. And Hyuga Neji always found a solution.
"You…You prepared me to take over the Clan?" – He gazed at his uncle, still finding hard to believe that conclusion.
"I did. Next year you will be twenty and I will put in your hands the Hyuga clan command."
"I can't be the heir! I'm from Branch House! The council would never agree!" – Neji was upright in front of Hiashi's desk, hands placed on the table, staring the old man as he was completely nuts.
"No. You will prepare the path for Hinata. A considerable amount of council members found your job in the last months quite impressive. These elders will support your position as Hyuga regent"
"Absurd! Hideo and other elders will provoke a Civil War in the Hyuga Clan! Hiashi-sama this idea is out of question!"
"I already made my mind, Neji. You will rule Hyuga next year, after your twentieth birthday."
"I won't accept this! I cannot be responsible for a war in this clan!"
"Are you afraid? The Hyuga prodigy can't accept this simple task? It is only a year…" – Hiashi was smirking at Neji, with a mysterious glow in his eyes.
"I'm not afraid!" – The proud man said – "But this is far from simple, sir!"
"I will be here. I won't leave my position as Leader; I'll just attend other duties to help the Hokage and Konoha. I will support you."
"Why? Can't you favor Hinata-sama on this matter?"
"Neji, I'm aware about yours and hers plan to change the Hyuga. I'm also aware that the Uzumaki kid will be the next Hokage, and he promised to change this clan too. Hyuga will change, and nothing can be done. But if I let all the changes in Hinata's hand, knowing her personality, the traditional Main House members will crush her, influencing her decisions by threatening you and your children. Hinata will fall for sure."
"She is stronger than this. I know her, she would never surrender to those threatens."
"She would. Hinata loves you and the kids more than her life. She would accept any conditions as long as you are safe."
"Still…why can't you wait until she becomes twenty to step aside?"
"Then it will be too late for your second child, whoever it is."
"They will be only three…we would still have a year…"
"No. Since the new leader already has descendants, she will have to point her successor. Hinata will have to show the council who is the first child and who is the second. And the last one will be send to a Branch family for adoption right away."
Neji felt his whole world crumble, the floor beneath his feet suddenly disappeared. He miscalculated; they had less time than expected to save Hokuto from the Cursed Seal. However, Hiashi's plan was bold and dangerous. Even if some elders accept Neji as the regent, a war among the clan was a real and possible threat. Besides, there was no guarantee that Neji would be able to avoid Hokuto's marking in Hiashi's absence.
"And, then? Do you accept this task?"
"……..I do, sir." – Neji answered, still feeling worried about all that Succession issue.
As the last months, Hinata was still oblivious about that matter. And Neji decided to keep things this way, since the Jounin Exams were close and knowing about the succession could make her nervous, more than she already was.
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The Jounin Exam day finally came.
Hinata was staring the enormous gates of Konoha Stadium, already shaking, poking her fingers and hyperventilating.
"I…I w-will f-fail a-again…." – she was nervous. Last time she entered those gates; Hinata was confidant and lost her fight. Now she was scared.
"Come, Hina-chan, or we will be late!" – Kiba grabbed her arm and pulled her trough the gates.
"a…A…Kiba-kun wait! I still haven't talked to niisan and the children!" – Hinata ran to where Neji was with his former teammates and the other friends.
"N-Niisan!"
"What are you doing here? They are already calling the participants! Go!" – He shouted, staring angry at her.
"W-Won't you w-whish me g-good l-luck?" – Hinata said with the most innocent face she could, aware that he was sending a menacing glare at her.
"..(sigh)…Good luck, Hinata-sama…Now. Move!" – She stiffened and ran back to Kiba's side. Neji waved his head and let a small smile appear on his lips. Silly woman…
Kiba and Akamaru were the firsts. After an intensive training with Kurenai, Shino and Tsume (Kiba's mom – as dangerous as Hiashi), the Inuzuka loud mouthed boy managed to win his fight.
Using the doppelganger technique and a Bushin he lured his opponent, fighting with Akamaru and letting the clone hidden. When Kiba and Akamaru were beaten, the clone got the other fighter on a surprise attack. It provided Kiba and Akamaru time to recover and launch a second blow onto the guy, defeating him.
Everybody was happy with Kiba's victory, but Naruto protested saying that kind of technique belonged to him! Kiba would have to pay royalties! And Lee said that Naruto's "Uzumaki Rendan" was also copy of his "Konoha Senpu", so Naruto would have to pay royalties to him. Naruto protested saying that Sasuke copied that first, and Lee demanded royalties from the Uchiha, who said "go to hell". The legal discussion only ended after Tenten knocked Lee on the head, and Sakura bounced Naruto's head against Sasuke's.
Hinata was next. She walked inside the arena shaking and staring the whole audience. Activating her byakugan she found Neji holding Hikaru and Kurenai with Hokuto on her lap. Her sensei was saying the babies to wave for their mom, and so they did. Hinata's spirit rested with her children's smile. Neji also activated his byakugan and showed her his thumb, whispering the words: good luck! And Hikaru mimicked his father's gesture. Hinata laughed and moved to center of the arena with a confidant expression.
Her opponent was a genjutsu master and his first action was distorting the battlefield, confusing Hinata's sight. The guy was a medium taijutsu user and taking advantage of her confusion landed a heavy attack. Hinata almost couldn't avoid the blow. Her byakugan could distinguish her enemy among the illusions, but the vision was blurred by massive chakra's waves displayed in the genjutsu. The myriad of colors was dizzying Hinata.
The Hyuga girl realized that her eyes were her worst enemy in that particular fight. Closing her eyelids without deactivating the byakugan, Hinata could see the blue glow of chakra on a blind black scenario. To make sure her eyes wouldn't betray her, Hinata covered them with the bandanna; and doing that she dashed in an amazing speed towards the enemy.
The genjutsu user moved a few steps behind and threw some kunai at her, expecting that she wouldn't avoid the danger. Big mistake. Part of Neji's training was molding chakra and improving Hinata's Shugohakke Rokujū Yonshō, creating a chakra shield that deflected all kunai.
Approaching the enemy, she performed the "64 Hands of Hakke", closing the guy's tenketsus and destroying the illusion. Hinata felt his chakra decrease and lifted a little the bandanna to confirm that the genjutsu was disabled.
The enemy still tried to use taijutsu against Hinata, but her Juken was precise and lethal, weakening even more his chakra. At some point, the genjutsu master could no longer resist and gave up. Hinata won her match! She was a Jounin now!
Hiashi was smiling from his seat; Hanabi was cheering for her big sister; Kurenai was waving to Hinata with Hokuto on her arms; Shino only nodded when the fight ended – nobody saw he was smiling behind that high collar; Kiba was shouting and Akamaru barking; all the others were celebrating her victory. Neji was seat, holding Hikaru (who was clapping his hands), but had a proud smile on his lips – she did it. She dared and won her fight. That is it, Hinata-sama, don't fear: you are changing.
Ino also managed to get her Jounin rank by defeating her opponent. She dominated his mind and simply made him give up the fight. Easy like this; but that was thanks to a strategy Shikamaru created for her to fight each kind of fighting style known. Like in a shoji game, Ino placed herself in a safe position and used Kage Bushin to distract the enemy while she used her jutsu.
After the exam was over, all the Jounins, Sasuke, the sensei and even the Hokage went to Yakiniku Q to celebrate.
Poor attendants of the restaurant were driven to insanity by the mess those people were doing. Ino and Sakura decided to sing in the karaoke (terrible singers). Tsunade, Kakashi, and Gai were completely drunk. Naruto and Sasuke were arguing all time. Chouji ate all the restaurant stock, Shikamaru was laughing at Ino's voice. Kiba decided to sing too after a cup of sake (he stole the Hokage's cup). Hinata, holding a sleeping Hokuto and her Mr. Sunflower, was paying attention to Kurenai's, Shino's and Asuma's conversation – the only normal one on their table. And Neji was scolding Hikaru for pulling Akamaru's tail.
Oh…and Lee and Tenten, well…they were having a very private chat at the edge of the table.
Those were happy days. Even with all the danger and loneliness a shinobi life can have, the rookie 9, Team Gai and all the Jounin sensei were living their lives to the fullest. Enjoying friendship, love and youth.
But Akatsuki was spotted again. Sasuke decided to go on with his personal vendetta. And this time Naruto was with him.
One autumn night, the two friends left Konoha, leaving a goodbye note for Sakura.
Kakashi and Sai tried to find the two. Team 8, Team 10, Team Gai and Neji, all searched for Sasuke and Naruto in vain.
Nobody saw the two again.
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Two figures were walking near Konoha's meadow, bashing the bees and sneezing due to the blossoming flowers' pollen.
"We are almost there…" – said a three year old boy. He had dark brown hair, falling on his shoulders' length, and a fringe covering partially his right eye – white eye. On his lips danced a mischievous smile. The boy's forearms, elbows and knees were full of small bruises showing what kind of personality he had.
"We should go back…father will be mad at us, brother…." – told a little girl, sneezing time to time. Like her brother, she had the same dark brown hair; but hers fell like a veil on her back, slightly wavy. Her white eyes were wide open and scared. She was biting her nails and holding an ugly doll with a yellow smile face and some petals (some missing and others deformed by the constant chew).
"We will be back before dinner! Dad will never notice that we were out!"
"He will. Dad always knows when we do bad things."
"Because you always start do cry, dumb! I wanna see the Festival! Come on, Hokuto-chan!"
"Brother…we really should go back….I think we are lost…." – Hokuto had tears on her eyes and she was chewing one of the remaining petals of Mr. Sunflower.
Hikaru suddenly stopped and Hokuto, who was looking behind, bumped on her brother's back, falling on the ground.
"Hum….further north….I think…." – and he was pointing the direction.
"That is south, brother! We ARE lost!" – And she was really crying now.
"No! That is north, I'm sure! Let's go! Stop crying Hokuto! You are a Hyuga, you can't cry like this!"
"Mommy cries too."
"But only when she is arguing with dad! Dad never cries, and so does auntie Hanabi, Grandma Natsume, Grandpa Hiashi…." – Hikaru was counting on his little fingers all the non-crying Hyuga. – "And I don't cry too."
"Liar! You cry! You hide inside the wardrobe so nobody can see you crying after father's scolds."
"I DON'T CRY."
"YOU DO"
"I DON'T"
"YOU DO. DO. DO. DO!"
"I DON'T. DON'T. DON'T. DON'T!"
And that kind of discussion would last forever if two shadows didn't cover the twins, making them turn around to see.
"What these little brats are doing alone in the meadows?" – A male voice said.
"Don't know. Better ask." – Said another male voice – "Hey, kids, what you are doing alone in this place. It is dangerous, you know."
Hikaru recovered from the fright and placed himself in front of his sister and stared the two guys with his arms crossed in front of his chest (like he could scare someone…). Hokuto was holding her brother's shoulders, trembling, and whispering on his ears:
"Let's run. Please, Hikaru. Let's run."
One of the men kneeled and gazed the children's face.
"Ow! You are Hyuga, right?"
The twins remained silent.
"Of course they are, dope. Can't you see their eyes?" – The other guy spoke in a cold tone.
"You are pretty far from home! Where are you going?" – asked the kneeled man with a cheerful smile.
"The Festival…." – Hikaru answered hesitantly.
"This is the wrong way! The Festival is to south..." – the raven haired guy said.
"I told you…." – Hokuto whispered.
"Besides, at this time of the day there is nothing in the Festival place. Come, we will take you home". – told the blond guy, already standing up.
"I know the way. Thank you." – Hikaru told very cold.
"What an arrogant brat…truly a Hyuga…" – the other man said.
"Nah. Shut up bastard, you scare the kids!"
"Me? You are the one scaring them!"
Hikaru and Hokuto exchanged an inquisitive look and decided to leave the place while the guys were arguing. Unfortunately, the raven haired one noticed and walked beside the twins; the blond one did the same.
"Say…you are from Hyuga, aren't you?"
"I believe it is pretty clear they are, Naruto-baka" – said the cold guy.
"Go to hell, Sasuke!"
"I've been there already, thank you."
"Ano…do you know Hyuga Hinata?" – continued Naruto, ignoring Sasuke.
The kids exchanged another look before Hikaru answered:
'We do. She is the Heiress of our clan." – being the Heiress and the Regent's children was quite dangerous; so to strangers the twins never claimed any bloodline relation.
"How is she? We were friends, you know." – told the Naruto.
"Fine" – answered Hokuto.
"And Hyuga Neji? Do you know him?"
"Yes"
"Is he Ok? He was an ANBU…."
Hikaru stopped and stared the two guys, annoyed by all those questions. Unlike the majority of Hyuga people, Hyuga Hikaru was pretty reckless, much to his parents' displeasure.
"What do you want with my mommy and daddy?" – He defied the older men.
"Mommy? Daddy?" – Naruto had a puzzled expression – "OWWW! The twins! Sasuke, look! The twins! You sure have grown in the last two years! Don't you remember me? I'm your number 1 godparent –Naruto!"
The kids were more scared than before.
"Of course they don't remember, dope! When we left Konoha they were babies yet!" – Sasuke said. Naruto was a little frustrated for not being remembered by the children.
"G-Godparent? Like uncle Lee and uncle Kiba?" – Hokuto timidly asked, still hiding behind her brother.
"Yep! How are Kiba and Lee doing? Man! I miss everybody so much!"
"Stop the cheap talk. Let's take them home." – Sasuke said.
Arriving at the Hyuga compound gate, the sentinels bowed to the children and would stop Naruto and Sasuke, but Hokuto came all the way holding the raven haired guy's hand. So, the sentinels admitted their entrance in the compound.
A young woman came running to the children:
"Hikaru-sama! Hokuto-sama! Where were you? Hyuga-sama is looking for you!" – she told in an urgent tone, ignoring the two men with the children.
"Misa-chan!" – Hikaru jumped on the lady's neck.
An only then Misa noticed Naruto and Sasuke, making a worried expression.
"A And you are?" – she pulled the twins closer to her.
"Uzumaki Naruto! And the scary one is Uchiha Sasuke!" – yelled Naruto, pointing at her his thumb.
"U-Uchiha? An Uchiha? Here?" – the lady was positively scared. Sasuke was uneasy by the fear the Uchiha name caused on that woman. But Hikaru gave another of his mischievous smiles and said:
"They are my blogparents, Misa-chan!"
"That is GODparents, baka!" – corrected Hokuto.
Misa was more confused than before. Uzumaki was the Kyuubi's kid name and Uchiha no longer existed, so she had a monster and a ghost in front of her. Thankfully, somebody called from the Manor gate.
"Misa-san! I see you found the demons"
She turned to see her Lord. He was a young man in his twenties, wearing a simple beige tunic and a pair of black trousers. His face was arrogant and stoic, yet handsome. He had a long dark brown hair falling on his back up to the waist line, where it was tied. Although he was a Branch House member, he was the Heiress husband and cousin, chosen by the Hyuga Leader to rule the clan in his absence. His Cursed Seal was covered by a bandanna with Konoha's symbol. No Hyuga Main House member dared to threat the Regent because Hiashi-sama declared that any threat against him would be considered a direct attack to the Leader, punished with death.
The man was staring at her, waiting for an answer like he always did (and that glare constantly made Misa shiver) but before she could answer, the blond guy shouted next to her ears:
"NEJI! OLD FRIEND! REMEMBER ME? NARUTO!"
The Hyuga Regent's lips showed a smile (quite a rare sight for Misa), and he walked to meet the party.
"Long time no see, old friend! Hi, Uchiha!" – he said, receiving a bear hug from the blond guy and a half smile from the raven haired one.
"Man! Look at you! You haven't changed a bit! Still the same girly look!" – Naruto mocked.
"And you still have the same retarded face. Good see you again, moron…" – Neji was smirking. – "You two worried all of us when you left!"
"Long story…." – Sasuke told, gazing at Hinata's garden nearby.
"Misa-san, please ask someone to bring us tea." – Neji said and the servant lady dashed to the kitchen.
"Yee! Tea time!" – Hikaru screamed, twisting his hands in an anticipating mood!
"Not for you." – Neji coldly replied.
"Ahh. Daddy…"
"Where were you two?" – His face was menacing and with no trace of goodness or mercy. At the sight of those harsh white eyes, Hokuto started to shake and her lower lip was trembling.
"We were here, dad…." – Hikaru lied, shooting an ugly look to his sister.
"Oh! Amazing how my byakugan couldn't see you in the compound…Can you explain that, Hikaru?" – Now, it was like kunai were coming from that glare. Even Naruto was scared.
"Well, maybe you should look better…." – Hikaru was looking everywhere, except his father's eyes.
"Can you explain it, Hime-chan?" – He had the same menacing glare, except that for her it was softer.
"W-Well….I….Brother…..WAAAAHHHHH" – she could never sustain a lie in front of her dad. Always ended up crying and saying the truth. – "We…(sob) w-went to (sob) the F-Festival (sob)…Sorry, daddy!" – The little girl hugged Neji's leg and continued her sobs.
Neji gave a suggestive look to Naruto, who smiled at the scene.
"Ok. You are grounded for two weeks. No TV, no videogame, no sweets. And go help Misa-san in the kitchen, and maybe I might reconsider the sweets...Go" – and the two rushed to the kitchen.
The young men sat on the entrance of the Hyuga Manor.
"Man…I can't believe they are those little things we used to change diapers….Two years are a long time…." – Naruto was wondering, watching the children disappear in the Manor's hall.
"Where were you two…We looked everywhere….."- Neji asked.
"Many places." – Naruto gave a half answer showing that it was no time to tell the truth.
"That Inuzuka guy is really a good tracker…he almost got us a couple of times…" – Sasuke said – "We had to use some powerful genjutsu to lure him…"
"He said that to us." – And the Hyuga man was also staring Hinata's garden. – "You got him? Itachi?"
"…….."
"….Not yet." – Naruto answered – "We came back because we found out some other things that might endanger Konoha and the Fire Country…."
"Like what?" – Neji was paying full attention to Naruto.
"I'm not sure if I should say to you…., not yet." – The shadow of his expression changed suddenly to a warm look – "Where is Hinata-chan?"
"On a mission."
"She became a medic-nin?"
"Yes. She is currently Supervisor of the Medic Nin Department."
"Wow! Great! She really changed! Who could tell that the shy and weird girl would become such a talented and capable shinobi!" – Naruto had a big smile on his lips
"I certainly couldn't." - And Neji lifted a little the right side of his lips in a half sad smile.
"Gee, man. Sorry, I didn't mean to revive those things!" – Naruto noticed the sad mood of his friend. Neji waved his hand, like moving that subject away.
The kids returned carrying a tray with the tea and some sweets. Sasuke quickly helped them as the tray was almost falling on the floor. All five got a cup of tea and Neji allowed the kids one (and only one) sweet. Hokuto sat near Sasuke, leaning on him. First the Uchiha found it strange, but the little girl did that so naturally that he decided to nestle her.
Hikaru sat between Naruto and Neji, paying attention (and making some comments) on their conversation.
"And…are you two getting along?" – Naruto carefully inquired.
"Well…we hardly see each other. But when clan duties, shinobi obligations and nasty offspring don't disturb us, the relationship is pretty fine" – Neji was smirking and looking sideways to Hikaru. Naruto laughed.
"What is an offspring, dad?"
"A son" – Neji explained, nonchalantly.
"….You mean I disturb you and mommy?" – Hikaru asked, sharpening his eyes. Naruto was muffling a bigger laugh. Sasuke was also smiling, with Hokuto sat on his lap. The little girl was chewing Mr. Sunflower's petals and rolling up one strand of Sasuke's hair (this was a habit of hers).
"Sometimes…"
"Only when you two are kissing. I think it is gross...yuck" – the boy made a disgusted face.
"Gross is when you take stuff out of your nose." – Neji replied. Naruto immediately remove his hand from his nose.
"Well. I think we should go, ne Sasuke. We have to say hi to Sakura-chan!" – Naruto stood up.
"You really should. She misses you a lot." – Neji said.
"So. We are off, Hyuga." – Sasuke placed Hokuto on the floor and walked with Naruto towards the Hyuga gate.
Suddenly, Naruto turned and said to Neji:
"You know, you are pretty luck."
"Why?" – Neji crossed his arms.
"Hinata is a special person, Neji. She is unique. Take good care of her and your children. Bye" – Naruto said those words with an unexplainable expression on his face, and a sad smile: a regretful smile.
Neji didn't answer; he only waited the two men cross the gate. A pull on his pants called his attention. Hikaru was staring him.
"Dad, what is the blond man's name?"
"Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. Why?"
Hikaru stopped and all of a sudden his eyes widened and he shouted:
"Uzumaki Naruto? THE Uzumaki Naruto you and mom always talk about?"
"Yes. What is the problem, Hikaru?" – Neji couldn't understand his son's reaction.
"The one who is trying to be the next Hokage?" – Hikaru was staring at his father with that startling look.
"Yes….Hikaru, what is the big deal?" – Neji was a little impatient.
"HE IS MY RIVAL!" – Hikaru screamed.
"What?"
"I'm going to be next Hokage, dad! So he is my rival!" – And the boy was punching his own fist.
"You are going to be what? Hyuga Hikaru, explain yourself!" – Neji was really annoyed by that revelation.
"Silly daddy. I'm going to be Hokage, but I must beat that Naruto guy before….the only problem is that he is bigger than I imagined…." – and the kid crossed his arms in front of his chest and became thoughtful.
"I have no peace in my life. I am surrounded by crazy people." – Neji shook his head and entered the Manor. And Hokuto was shifting her look from her brother and to her father.
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Hinata arrived from her mission that evening. All family was in the apartment (Neji refused to live in the Manor, even being the Regent). The children were watching TV thanks to Hinata who convinced Neji to allow it during one hour per day during the punishment. Neji and Hinata were sat by the kitchen table. He was studying some clan problems and she was filing the report from the last mission.
"So…Naruto-kun is back…." – Hinata wanted to break the silence because that report was too boring.
"Yes." – Neji, on the other hand, was too busy with his duties.
"Has he c-changed, niisan?"
"No. He still has two legs, two arms, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, blond hair and no brain." – he said without change his monotonous voice.
"Niisan! T-That is not what I meant!" – Hinata pinched his arm and giggled.
"He is a little stronger. Is that what you wanted to know?" – he smirked.
"I knew he would return stronger than before! That is Naruto-kun!" – Hinata cheerfully and made a dreamy face. Neji shot a cold glare at her.
"Just teasing you!" – Hinata kissed his cheek.
"By the way, we can't kiss anymore." – he said in a serious tone, looking at her very concerned.
"W-Why?" – her eyes were wide open, just like her mouth.
"Your son thinks it is disgusting." – he still had the same serious expression, but a very tiny smile was dancing on his lips.
"Hikaru? W-Why?" – Hinata was still puzzled. She simply wasn't getting the joke.
"Because it is! Boys and girls can't kiss each other!" – Hikaru defended his point of view from the living room couch.
"I think it is cute….." – Hokuto timidly expressed her opinion.
Hinata and Neji were laughing at their children. The young mother leaned on the counter which divided the kitchen and the living room and was admiring her children. The young father continued to read the council papers.
(And now on Konoha TV: The Haunted Houses from the Leaf. Today we will be telling the Mountain Lake Bloody Manor Tale)
"Ow! Cool!" – Hikaru said, looking at his sister.
(And Ms. Kanzaki felt a presence in the hall. Some eerie lights were dancing and a cold breeze was touching her skin…..but there was no window open……And then….)
"A-Ano…Children, I t-think this s-show is not appropriate for y-your age. Put on the 'Purple Froggy Show'…" – Hinata told.
"Nah! This is cool, mommy!" – Hikaru answered.
(Some fleshless dogs attacked Ms. Kanzaki and on the following morning, Uchiha Police found her shredded body. The head was found…)
"Hikaru. Hokuto. Please, change the channel. This show will scare you two!" – Hinata was poking her fingers and throwing significant looks at Neji.
"We are not afraid, ne Hokuto!"
Hokuto was chewing Mr. Sunflower's petals and her frightened eyes were glued on the TV.
"Hikaru, please, change the channel." – Hinata asked once more.
(Blood was all around. Several putrefied corpses were on the basement, were glowed that same eerie light.)
"Childr…." – Hinata was starting another of her pleas, when Neji passed trough her directly to the TV and turned it off, to return a second later to his chair on the kitchen.
"Hey! We were watching!" – Hikaru protested.
"You heard your mother." – Neji said, very coldly.
But, Hyuga Hikaru was the offspring of the Hyuga Prodigy and the Hyuga Stubborn Princess, and he had guts! The boy walked to the TV and turned it on again.
(All the Uchiha policemen who investigated the Bloody Manor died in horrible ways…)
Neji was upright, near the counter, with a menacing look in his eyes. Hinata saw a storm coming and came closer to her husband:
"Please. Take it easy, they are babies yet…Niisan…" – her eyes were opaque and her index finger was placed on her lower lip. She knew Neji. She knew that he hated to be opposed.
Neji slowly walked to the TV plug and pulled it away, turning the equipment off again. He was gazing at his children, still intimidating, and said, in a very low tone and paused way:
"Go to you room. Now."
"But dad, we were watching the show!" – Hikaru had tears on his eyes and his arm was crossed in front of his chest, still protesting despite the fear.
"To your room. And I won't ask again."
"Please, kids, obey your father. Go to the bathroom, brush your teeth and go to bed." – Hinata always wanted a diplomatic solution.
After the little devils were on their room sleeping, Hinata returned to the living room were Neji was organizing his scrolls (yes, it was still piled up in the living room…).
"You shouldn't be so harsh, dear…" – Hinata said – "Hokuto was crying, saying that you didn't love her anymore…she is very sensitive…"
"You are too soft, Hinata. That is why they are such pranksters." – he said with a severe glare in his eyes.
Later on that night, Hokuto woke up and trough the door opening, she saw some lights coming from the living room.
Grabbing very tightly Mr. Sunflower, she crawled to Hikaru's bed.
"Brother…wake up. Brother, wake up…" – she was shaking Hikaru's body.
"Annnn? What is wrong sis?" – the boy asked sleepy. Hokuto simply pointed to the place where the lights' reflection could be seen.
Hikaru jumped from the bed and crawled to open more the door. He felt a weird breeze move his hair; and he dashed to where his sister was sat holding her knees.
"A ghost….There is a ghost in the living room…." – his eyes were wide open. He was hyperventilating and panting, rather scared.
NHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE (and the room door opened)
The twins stiffened, close to each other, waiting to see a scary ghost. But the only thing they could see was the living room eerie light reflection on the opposite wall.
"We must leave this room, sis."
Hokuto nodded.
Step by step they walked to the door. At the corridor junction, two pairs of eyes scrutinized the surroundings and, when the lights suddenly stopped, the kids dashed to the room at the end of the corridor – their parents' room.
Fortunately the door was half open, so they could get inside with minimum noise. Both placed their heads on the bed edge to check on their parents. None was awake.
Lifting the blanket a little, Hikaru motioned to Hokuto to climb the bed. She did so, and he followed his sister.
Under the blankets, the twins laid between Hinata and Neji.
Finally, they were safe from the bloody ghost.
But they weren't safe from Hyuga Neji.
"May I know why you are here?" – he said, lifting the blanket to watch two pairs of white eyes staring him.
"T-There is a g-ghost in t-the l-living room, dad!" – Hokuto told, on the verge of tears.
"Well, that is not my problem. Get out of this room."
"But dad! We saw it! A real ghost!" – Hikaru cried low, to not wake his mom.
"Aren't you the fearless ones? Go get it!" – Neji was really sarcastic.
"Daddy! I'm afraid! Please!" – Hokuto was really shedding tears. She had always been the fearful one.
"What a bad daddy you are! Don't you have a heart?" – Hikaru was still trying to save some of his pride.
"Sorry. You are the candidate for Hokage, so you should solve this problem. Let me sleep."
"DADDY!" – both cried together.
All that drama was going to wake Hinata up. She had just returned from a tough mission and needed rest. Neji got out of the bed and said.
"I will just follow you. Show me the ghost"
With the children leading the way, Neji walked trough the corridor. Suddenly the eerie light flashed again on the walls. He also could fell the cold breeze. At this point of the investigation, Hikaru and Hokuto were hidden behind Neji's legs.
Like an experienced shinobi, Neji walked a few more steps until reach the living room. Hikaru and Hokuto remained near the bathroom door, trembling and hugging each other.
Neji saw the source of the eerie light: somebody forgot the living room window open and the wind was blowing the curtains time to time, revealing the outside lights in the room. He smirked and called the children:
"That is your ghost"
Both walked towards him, still hugged. When Hikaru understood the mistake, he gave a sound childish laugh. Hokuto sighed relieved.
"Now, can I sleep?" – Neji asked.
"Yes dad. Thank you!" – both told.
After the putting the children to sleep, Neji returned to his bedroom and warm bed.
"You are terrible, niisan…." – Hinata whispered, smiling from her side of the bed.
"Thank you" – he said looking at her from over his shoulder.
Since the last chapter had very strong emotions, I decided to make this one a little softer and happy.
The twins are now three years old, but that doesn't mean the problems are over…..