In Japanese, Koi No Yokan means the ineluctable feeling you have, upon meeting someone for the first time, that eventually, the two of you will fall in love.
-Alena Graedon.
Adjusting the strap of her backpack, Hinata groaned internally, reminding herself repeatedly that she was not supposed to attack her client. She eyed her kunai pouch. It was looking quite friendly at that moment. If she could harm her client, then she might as well be done with herself.
One look the the daughter of the Village Chief, and Hinata knew that she would not get along with her. Kyoko was one of those girls; the spoiled, arrogant princesses who cared about look and money more than anything else. Hinata didn't want to be mean, but...she was annoying.
It made Hinata wonder how she would survive the one day of their journey.
And to make it all worse...
As if on cue, se felt a shudder roll off her spine, those eyes trailing after her. She'd become used to this by now; the way he wordlessly announced his presence at the most random of moments.
He was at a considerable distance between them, but not far enough to be thoughtlessly cast aside.
It was like him, Hinata concluded, Just close enough to make a point.
She was broken out if her thoughts by a cough. Fixing a small smile on her face, Hinata turned to her client, inclining ber head in polite acknowledgement.
"Lady Kyoko."
"Lady Hinata."
Hinata didn't correct her; Kyoko was not worthy of being a person Hinata could share her shame with.
And the Uchiha was?
The voice in her head taunted. Hinata frowned at her thoughts.
He asked the question with the threat of death.
Hinata reasoned with herself.
Did he? Her subconscious whispered back.
Shaking her head, Hinata focused back on Kyoko.
"Is something the matter?"
In response, she watched her associate eye her, her face twisting in disgust.
"You are as pale as a ghost, Lady Hinata. And you sense of style is quite bland. In fact, I find both distasteful."
Hinata had been in enough Clan meetings to know what she was doing. Kyoko was trying to get on her nerves, to provoke her, so that she could collect something--anything--she would be able to use against her.
If there as something Hinata's Hyuga genes hadn't failed her at, it was this: Verbal Sparring.
Usually, she was too self-conscious to say anything. But, over the years, Kurenai had trained her to be confident and--as quoted by Kiba--to 'not take bullshit from others.'
Fixing her Hyuga mask in place, Hinata regarded her with cold indifference.
"I am a woman second, and a shinobi first. Beauty is of little consequence to me. I could careless about my looks and wear anything and be happy, as long as it didn't hinder my ability to fight."
Kyoko only pursed her lips. For a moment, there was silence. It didn't last long.
"Though...I must say,"
Hinata didn't like the predatory glint in her eyes. Not one bit.
"You have such pretty eyes."
The Byakugan-user stiffened, her guard up at once.
"You have to tell me, Lady Hinata."
There was edge of hysteria to her voice,
"How does it feel? To be born into the elite Hyuga Clan, and possess the rare eyes which occur particularly in them?"
Kyoko was holding a hand to her chest, looking up at Hinata with wide, twinkling eyes, lips twisted into a wide smile.
But, not in a good way.
"You must feel special, right?! Come on, you can tell me."
In a single heartbeat, all the hardships she had gone through flashed before her eyes. All the words she had to endure, all the tears she had to hold in, all the nights she had stuffed her fist into her mouth, when she'd wanted nothing more than to completely break down, and scream in pain, frustration, agony, despair-
All because she was born a Hyuga.
She wasn't aware when she opened her mouth to answer.
"No. Not special."
She wasn't aware that her voice was distant, sad.
"I feel...caged."
She wasn't aware when her hand came up, to trace the corners of her eyes.
"Because if it weren't for these eyes, I wouldn't be half the outcast I am right now."
She wasn't aware of Kyoko's wide eyes as they looked at her; reflecting surprise and confusion.
"In fact, I absolutely hate my eyes. I loathe them with a passion. Because if it weren't for them, I'd still be considered as much human as everyone else."
It was true, all of it.If she weren't a Hyuga, then people--good and bad alike--wouldn't expect anything from her.
"I do not understand." Kyoko's voice broke through, laced with disbelief.
How could she say that, after being in possession of such a powerful bloodline trait?
Hinata stiffened at her question, coming out of her trance, as she realized that she had revealed far more than was necessary or intended. She pursed her lips, immediately putting her walls up. She tone was icy when she spoke.
"Of course, you do not. Frankly speaking, I did not expect you to. Because you wouldn't. Not until you have suffered as much as I have."
Blinking at the horizon, Hinata frowned, her face bathed in a reddish hue.
"This is enough for today. We will make camp here tonight."
Quietly fixing up their tents, Hinata turned to Kyoko.
"You may go and rest, Lady Kyoko. I will keep watch."
Instead of another snarky reply, as Hinata had been getting for the past few hours, Kyoko only glared and entered her tent.
Sighing softly as she looked up at the night sky, Hinata gazed, recalling the many times she'd been in the same situation.
Activating her Byakugan, she performed a quick sweep of the area. Nothing was out of the ordinary.
Except...
Her eyes turned to his direction, easily tracing out the outline of his firm among the trees. Even in her Byakugan-enhanced vision, his eyes glowed red. Pursing her lips, she held his stare for a minute, before turning away from his lounging form.
Just how long does he plan to keep this up?
Hiding amidst the trees, Itachi wondered the same thing.
It had been almost two weeks since the hospital incident. Two weeks since he'd started following her.
And to be honest, he was getting quite tired of all this.
However, on the other hand, he had nothing better to do. Kisame was still healing and he couldn't exactly leave him behind. That was the main reason he was here.
He wondered what he would do once Kisame healed. He couldn't exactly leave her be, and Genjutsu didn't work on her. He could use his Tsukiyomi, or simply kill her at that. But, both of those...didn't quite sit well with him.
She was a capable shinobi, one who preferred diplomacy over war. Konoha needed more of her kind.
He suddenly realized that he'd have to do something about the woman before Kisame healed. Itachi might not be willing to kill the woman, but Kisame will be.
Scrutinizing her, he relaxed slightly. Leaning his head against the tree trunk, he closed his eyes, sighing softly.
However, they snapped open, as soon as he felt the hair on his neck rise.
An enemy was close by.
Back at the camp, Hinata got a similar feeling. Her Ninja instincts were screaming danger. Activating her Byakugan, she turned towards the direction of the Uchiha. He was no longer leaning against the tree. Instead, he had straightened up, his chakra spiking, alert.
So, it isn't him.
There was a third person.
Surveying the area closely, Hinata exhaled through her mouth. Suddenly, a voice cut through the silence.
"Lady Hinata?"
It came from the tent.
Turning to where Kyoko's head was peeking out of the tent, Hinata felt her stomach twist with foreboding.
"Is something wrong, Lady Kyoko?"
"Err...I was just wondering. Will you not be sleeping?"
Through her Byakugan, Hinata saw it all. Kyoko's increasing heartbeat, her quick breaths, they way her sweat glands seemed to be working more efficiently than normal.
"Your safety is my first priority. Besides, I am a Shinobi. Staying awake for one night is a child's play for me."
It was true. She had gone days without sleep, with the aid of soldier pills. One day was nothing.
But, Kyoko wasn't having it.
"Are you sure? I would feel much safer if my protector wasn't non the brink of exhaustion. You should rest."
Hinata only stared, watching as Kyoko squirmed beneath her gaze.
It was a real. That too, so obvious, that Hinata suddenly felt the urge to laugh outright at her face. Regarding her with cold amusement, Hinata decided to play along.
"Very well, then. If you insist."
With that, she stepped in to the tent and laid down. She heard shuffling as Kyoko made herself comfortable.
After a while, Hinata regulated her breathing, making it deeper, calming her pulse as she snored slightly.
Prefect.
About an hour passed, sheshe was still wide awake. Then, she heard shuffling as Kyoko shifted.
"Lady Hinata?"
Her voice was barely a whisper. Hinata noticed the anticipation in it. She thought it better not to reply.
"Lady Hinata?"
This time was voice was louder. Still, Hinata didn't reply. She could practically feel the happiness radiating off of Kyoko at her unresponsiveness.
She heard shuffling again. This time, Hinata quietly activated her Byakugan, to see Kyoko walk out of the tent. Summoning Chakra to her ears, Hinata was able to hear her client crystal clear.
"They were supposed to be here by now. Where are they?"
Who is she talking about?
Hinata quietly watched as she walked around for a minute, muttering. Hinata froze, when she made out her words.
"Stupid lousy assassins."
Assassins?
Oh god, Hinata thought, dread coiling in her stomach.
If they've hired assassins, then I could easily be outnumbered.
Then, she suddenly remembered what Kyoko had said before.
Had the assassins not showed up?
She thought for a moment, deciding if she should send a message back to Konoha. At last, she decided against it. She wouldn't send a message. Not yet. But, if the assassins showed up, then she would.
A voice broke through her thoughts.
"Doesn't matter. I don't need them anyway. I can take care of her myself. Father will be so happy!"
Hinata watched, still feigning sleep, as Kyoko came closer and stepped into the tent. She heard the soft clang of steel coming in contact with steel.
The next few seconds were a blur as Hinata twisted Kyoko's hand, which was holding the knife, behind her back, forcing into a kneeling position. She casually brushed a finger against a spot on Kyoko's neck. Kyoko shuddered, too dumbfounded to speak.
In the shadows, Itachi instinctively relaxed when he saw Hinata's chakra overpower Kyoko's.
Not that the latter had any chance in the first place.
Staring at the at least half a dozen dead bodies around him, Itachi pursed his lips, wondering why he'd killed them.
Looking back to the Hyuga girl as she beckoned Kyoko out of the tent, he watched as the moonlight fell on her, making her look pale than she already was.
She reminded him of a ghost.
It conjured in his mind, the image of an enchanted forest, much like the one his mother used to tell him and Sasuke about.
Narrowing his eyes, he frowned at his thoughts. Sparing the bodies another glance, he pressed his lips in a tight line.
"They were in the way." He said, as if assuring himself.
"Nothing more."
HAH!!
AND I THOUGHT THAT THE NILE WAS IN EGYPT!!!
*people laughing sound effect*
Hehehe...
Anyway, how was it??
Any thoughts??
Be sure to tell me in the comments!!
-Your comedic author.
