... this chapter gave me a lot of trouble between planning, computer breaking (twice) and losing saved work, but here it is!
Thank you for the people who comment and stick to my story: Angel Hatake, lizyeh2000, Paperboy Jacky, Dear U. x .U, The Reviewer, MoonlightLily88, and Pepewritermeadow!
Addressing commenters:
Paperboy Jacky: I use a lot of direct dialogue to keep Quorra's story connected to the main storyline of Naruto. But it's my original writing that I love and I am very close (less than 10 chapters away) to branching from the canon into all original writing which I have planned from the beginning.
Dear U. x .U & Pepewritermeadow: I think you two are the only ones who got my Last of Us references. Kudos!
The Reviewer: I'm glad you enjoy the emotion and sarcasm in my writing. It directly reflects my personality, especially the sarcasm which I had a ball with when I wrote Leda's parts. Thank you for being you and hope your patience will be worth it.
Alright, I'm shutting up. Happy Reading!
Chapter Forty-six: Impermanence
Anyone who has fallen asleep with the weight of a thousand worlds can comprehend it: the aftermath of the following morning.
When they wake- when their eyes first open, greeted by the warm sun peeking through their shitty window blinds that they can't bother to fix, there's happiness. Moments of eagerness to start the day. Dreams, goals, aspirations.
When they wake- zap - the rush of recent memories. White rapids crash into a makeshift boat, their essence. Each wave slamming into their rib cage.
When they wake, emotions – fears, anxiety, sadness – flood violently into their lungs, a drowning soul.
As I wake, there was no exception. I wasn't fucking special. Wasn't spared by a life vest. I was only human, maybe.
If it was up to me, I would lie in my room for the remainder of the day. Become a fighter with thoughts like a dying swimmer. An anchor tied to their ankle and gasping for breath as it sinks deeper into the depths. I wanted no part of the Final Exams. No part of the people who I called my friends. So-called friends who lied to me— or rather, failed to tell the truth.
But there was one reason, and only one, for why I was currently throwing on my basic flats and walking out into the world looking like shit.
The Hokage requested me.
ξ
I have never been in the arena. I've seen the building before, sure. It was one of the largest structures in Konoha, but I never had a reason to enter until now. Inside was massive, a 360 arena with tiers upon tiers of seats. People eagerly filling in, ready to see the best of the best fight. The Coliseum of today's world.
Despite the human traffic, it was simple to spot the Hokage. He, along with other village leaders, were seated in the box seat, the VIP of the arena. Dead center above everyone. That's where I headed, making my way through the crowd as villagers eagerly scouted for the perfect seats.
"What about here?" a ginger-haired boy asked his friend. "The view is perfect here!"
His companion, a darker featured brunette, snorted. "You're joking right? There's a pole in the way."
The ginger rubbed his head at the observation. "It's not that bad."
The brunette rolled his eyes. "Unless you have x-ray vision and can see through concrete, we're moving."
Before he could reply, the brunette clasped his hand and dragged him away, disgruntled.
Continuing my way through the stampede, I prayed to the heavens for there not to be an emergency. For if there was, everyone would be crushed in attempts of escaping. We were all disoriented ants in a colony.
Out of the mouth of the swamp of bodies, I took a fresh breath. One free of the aroma of body odor, tobacco, and cheap beer. It was then that I learned I didn't like big crowds.
And I thought the marketplace was bustling.
With the steps heading to the leaders in sight, my eagerness got the best of me as I quickly maneuvered through people. My rashness caused me to bump into someone.
"Sorry-" I muttered before I realized who it was. Hinata.
"Hi Q-Quorra," she smiled, rubbing her arm. "It's good to see you out of the hospital."
"Hinata…" I didn't know what to say. Hinata wasn't like the others, the ones who kept secrets. She was in the infirmary when I fought with Mae. But did someone tell her? Fill her in on what happened? Could I trust her?
I realized I went too long without saying anything. "Glad to see you out as well," shaking out of my trance.
She probably thought I lost a few brain cells, I ridiculed myself.
She gave a shaky smile. Even a month later, she still felt the effects from the fight with her cousin. It took time for chakra points to heal.
"Hinata, I found seats for us—
My mind had been farther off the deep end than I feared. If the rush of my inner whirlpool didn't fill my ears, I would have speculated that wherever Hinata was, a good chance he would be there, too.
Kiba. He stared at me with mixed signals. Desire but apprehension, a very uncharacteristic combination for him.
"Oh, good. Thanks, Kiba." Hinata smiled. "W-would you like-like to join us, Quorra?"
I gave my best smile, one of a stiff body's whose been taken away by the undertow. I wasn't convinced I could ever be mad at Hinata. "Thanks, but the Hokage summoned me," I pointed up.
Her eyes widened. "Is everything okay?"
"Of course," I spoke despite being unsure.
She nodded. "Okay, goodbye Quorra."
"Bye, Hinata," I spoke tentatively before adding. "I'll be rooting for Shino."
The comment took her by surprise, but then smiled. "And I'll do the same for Sasuke and Nar-Nar- Naruto." Her cheeks flushed.
Kiba gently grasped the crook of her elbow and escorted her to their seat. That was one thing I could admire about Kiba; the way he treated Hinata. Not the hot-tempered boy I knew him for, but a calm, protective older big brother she needed.
Something I will never have.
I continued my quest to the Hokage, finally getting closer to the summit. The only thing stopping me was the dozens of flights of steps.
Before I could lift my foot to commence Mount Everest, my name was called.
"Quorra! Wait up!"
But that was all I wanted to do— wait, listen, talk—none of it I was capable of performing. Plus, knowing who it was amplified my desire to escape by ten folds. Ignoring the pleas, I made my way up the steps.
"Quorra, please," he grabbed my wrist.
It wasn't rough, the grasp. Kiba didn't drag me, pull me until I was in submission. But for whatever reason, the simple human connection, brought unwelcomed visions. Dosu wanting to kill me; Gachero almost doing so. Gaara almost killing Lee. My own close death.
The mental pain mixed with the physical; a swirl of blood and tears. The recipe to the perfect cake. Add lies and deceit— and magnifique— complete.
Yet, incomplete.
I ripped my grasp from his concerned hold, trying to keep my unsettled composure. But, it didn't take a scientist to figure something was wrong, even through the eyes of someone as perceptive—or lack of— as Kiba.
Kiba always had strong emotions, wore them as a badge on his chest. Emotions powerful enough to blow ships across oceans, yet create waves that could destroy them.
This was no exception. In fact, his feelings were placed into turbo drive as they amplified through me. It made me physically shake.
"Did someone hurt you?" Kiba tried to whisper, but it sounded hoarse, like his voice brushed over Velcro, sticking in his throat.
I couldn't speak, I didn't know how. Part of me wanted to run, part wanted me to collapse, both parts wanted to cry. But, I couldn't do any. I just stood, frozen.
"Did someone hurt you?" he repeated, staring up and down my body looking for evidence.
This angered me, to assume the worst. To think I was a broken china doll, looking for the cracks, pointing out my flaws. He doesn't know the half of it, doesn't know any of it. He can't just swoop in and pretend everything was going to be okay. Because it wasn't.
"Doesn't matter," I responded avoiding eye contact.
"It doesn't matter?!" he spat. "I'll destroy them, just tell me who it is. I'll protect you, I swear."
Protect me? What a joke.
I shook my head with discontent. "You knew."
Kiba was taken aback. "What?"
"You knew," I said through clenched teeth. "You knew what happened at the Preliminaries and you didn't tell me."
"I…" his fist were draining of blood, white. "Fuck, Quorra. He said not to—
"Save it," I rose my hand. "I don't want to hear it. I can't right now."
I made the mistake to look at Kiba. His eyes were glassy and face twisted, trying to mask his feelings. But badges were always worn no matter if they're shiny or rusted.
The outgoing, spontaneous, rash Kiba was hurt. His wall, his armor was dented and despite my mistrust with him, it made its way into my already suffocating chest.
Leave, Quorra. I told myself. Let him feel your pain, your betrayal. Let him feel what it's like to be drowning yet still walking the earth.
I sighed. I couldn't and hated how it made me feel weak.
"If I can't trust you, you can't protect me… no one can," I whispered. And with that, I walked away.
ξ
Numerous flights later, I arrived at the entryway. The guards let me in with ease, they knew who I was.
I entered to the Hokage laughing with another leader. Both were dressed in their nicest uniforms. Hats, robe and all which wasn't surprising. This was an important day.
"Mister Hokage-sama," I coughed, trying to polite.
The Hokage quickly seized his laughter. "Quorra, child, come forward." He waved me on.
With an exasperated sigh, I shuffled towards them.
"Thank you for coming," the Hokage smiled.
I wanted to run and bury myself under rocks and dirt. "It's my pleasure, Hokage-sama," I bowed.
"Enough with formalities," he chuckled. "I asked you to come here so I could introduce you to someone."
My attention was placed on the only other person currently in the box. A leader whose face was covered by both a hat and mask. All that was visible were his eyes.
Dark.
"I would like to introduce you to the Kazekage of the Sand Village," the Third explained.
I bowed appropriately, but something about the leader wasn't sitting right. The Kazekage struggled to appear friendly; instead, it was spiny as his eyes stared at me with unreasonable judgement. "It's a pleasure. I've heard so many great things about you," he spoke with suave confidence.
"You have?" I replied, nothing less than sarcastic.
The Kazekage didn't take offense. "Yes, word is getting around of the Leaf village's protégées. Your name was included."
I was about to give a snarky remark but the Hokage cut me off, probably for the best.
"That was my fault, I am just so proud of you and all your accomplishments even if you aren't in the arena today," the Third smiled warmly.
"Indeed, he certainly has," the Kazekage smirked. "I only wished I could witness it for myself."
This guy was giving me the creeps when it hit me. This was Gaara's father. This was the man who practically sacrificed his son to become a weapon without second thought of his own blood's well-being. No wonder why Gaara despised him.
"Well, you like what you see?" I placed my hand on my hip, not at all amused.
"Very," he spoke with hungry eyes. I wanted to slap him. "It's a shame you will not be fighting today. I am intrigued to witness your fighting style, but who knows, that day might come sooner than we think."
Or maybe not at all, I wanted to reply.
"You must be weary from the long trip," the Hokage pointed, handing the Kazekage a proper excuse for being… off-putting on a golden platter.
"Not at all," the Kazekage smiled under his mask. "I am just glad for your sake that the arena is in the Leaf village. As strong as you are, I'm sure the long journey would have proven difficult for you given your old age. Isn't it time for someone to succeed you as Hokage?"
The Third laughed, like he was talking to an old friend. "You act as if I am an old man. There is plenty of life in me. No, I plan on staying here for some time to come."
He gestured to the empty seat beside him. "If you may, I think it is time we get started."
I took a seat as the Hokage wished, even if I was then closer to him. Recalling Gaara's description of how this man treated him made me resent the leader more.
At the balcony edge, "Welcome all and our deepest thanks for coming here to the village Hidden in the Leaves for this year's Chunin exam," the Hokage's voice boomed.
Resonating through the crowd, excitement rose as they hollered and cheered. The energizers to charge the contestants into battle. Not an ordinary battle, but a battle that will change their lives from this day forward. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
On the Hokage's cue, the finalists lined up in the middle of the arena. There to greet them was Genma, not Hayate, who proctored the Preliminaries.
"I heard Hayate was going to proctor the Finals," I muttered to myself.
"Maybe he was feeling under the weather," the Kazekage suggested.
"Mmph." Not at all amused that he responded to my private thoughts.
In the line-up, Gaara's auburn hair caught my eye the moment his gaze turned to my direction. The expression written on his face was disgust; piercing green eyes. I couldn't tell if it was for me, or maybe his father. I wonder how his father felt about Gaara winning his ways into the finals. Did it anger him? The possibility that the person he sent countless assassins to could become chunin.
Also assembled in line was Mae. Last I saw her was during the unwelcomed encounter between her, Kiba and I. Then, she looked peaceful, happy with her bowl of fruit and yipping pup. Now, not so much. She stared at her feet, kicking the dirt idly.
I knew that action. It was a nervous tick she had, like biting nails or scratching a certain spot until it bleeds. Mae was nervous and she had the right to be. The shinobi standing in line weren't weak, including her first opponent, Kankuro.
Beyond Gaara and Mae, the line looked particularly short.
Where's Naruto? Just as I thought it, there he was, sliding across the dirt floor as if he was diving for homerun. Shikamaru spoke, probably something distasteful, to the blonde before helping him to his feet.
"Here are the finalists to compete. We ask that everyone remains seated until all the matches are over," the Hokage announced.
From my seat, I had a bird's eye view of everyone. It didn't take me long to spot them. Kiba, who wasn't standing and cheering like he usually did. Rather he remained seated with hands firmly grasping the seat. Alongside him, Hinata wore her signature nervous expression.
Not too far away was Ino cheering with her orange slip over her newly small bun, Choji happily eating a bag of chips, and Sakura nervous beyond belief. And I knew why.
Sasuke.
The line wasn't short because of the lack of Naruto and Dosu— who people didn't know was dead. Sasuke wasn't there. And neither was Kakashi from what I could see.
"What happens if Sasuke doesn't show up?" I asked, now directing my thoughts to the Sand leader.
"If he doesn't show up by the time his name is called to battle, then he is disqualified," the Kazekage replied.
Damn it, Sasuke. Where are you?
In the arena, I couldn't hear over the crowd, but it would seem Genma was explaining the rules of the Finals while showing the finalists a piece of paper. Shikamaru looked shock. Probably found out he wasn't fighting Dosu anymore. If only he knew why.
I didn't have to hear to know the rules as there were none. These were all or nothing battles—either admit defeat or die. In the beginning of the exam, I thought that was the purpose. To display who was the strongest of the strong. Sift until the village found who was ready to defend them. Now, after all that has happened, I wasn't as confident on that belief.
Look at Gaara, from his story, he hated his village, but then why was he here?
Genma announced the first battle's opponents, Neji and Naruto, while the other contestants left for the waiting room.
The Hokage, done with announcements, took his seat between the Kazekage and I.
"Neji is part of the great Hyuuga clan is he not?" the Kazekage questioned.
"Yes, the clan gifted with the Byakugan. Neji is one of the strongest, too, despite not being in the main branch," the Hokage explained.
"I see," the Kazekage hissed. "And basing on the blonde boy's sliding entrance, he doesn't seem to stand a chance against a Hyuuga."
"You don't know that," I snapped. The two leaders gave me criticizing looks.
"I mean," I corrected myself. "I know Naruto's skills. He might not be part of a clan, but don't count him out. He has a few tricks up his sleeves."
Including a second set of chakra, I wanted to add but knew better.
"He might be viewed as an underdog, but he definitely shouldn't be counted out," the Third winked. The Kazekage responded with an unconvinced glance.
The arena quieted, anticipating the first of many battles. Neji and Naruto were at a stand-off waiting to begin.
"You got anything to say to me?" Neji mused the thought.
Without hesitation, Naruto held his fist out. "Only what I told you last time. I vow to win."
The crowd roared with excitement but I and the others who were at the Preliminaries remained silent. We knew that it wasn't an underdog-being-overconfident move. Naruto was keeping his promise to Hinata, who was almost killed by Neji. At the end of the Hyuuga battle and Hinata was being escorted away, Naruto sealed his vow with her spilled blood. Whenever he made a declaration, he stuck to it.
Neji smirked at Naruto's confidence. "I can't wait for that look of despair on your face when you learn your foolish vows are impossible to keep."
"Are we going to stand around and talk all day? Show me what you got!" Naruto barked. The crowd yelled with agreeance.
"Alright, let the first match begin then," Genma announced and took his leave.
Neji went into the Hyuuga fighting stance, Byakugan eyes with one palm outward. Naruto stared back like a gladiator in battle, sizing up his enemy.
You can do it, Naruto, I hoped. Even if Naruto was one of the many who lied to me, I still wanted him to wipe the floor with Neji. Hinata didn't deserve to be treated like a human punching bag.
Naruto played his first move; removing kunai knives from his pouch and throwing them at Neji who caught them in mid-air. It doesn't deter Naruto from charging head on. He should know better. Frontal attacks won't work on a shinobi who can see almost 360 degrees. Neji deflected the blow as Naruto went back for another round. Throwing, this time, a kick which Neji moved out of the way with ease.
Many more attacks followed. Through the slew of them, Neji found an opening and with two fingers, jabbed Naruto in the shoulder, closing one of his chakra points.
"Do you understand now? You have no way of beating me," Neji reprimanded already in fighting position, ready for more.
"Are you kidding? I was just sizing you up, but now that we are warmed up, we can get started." Naruto threw up hand signs. "Shadow clone jutsu." Four clones appeared, kunai in hand.
Neji doesn't charge right away. He examined each of the clones and I knew why. Neji could see chakra flow within each clone and could easily see who was real among the fake, unless—
"He distributed his chakra evenly between clones," the Kazekage hissed. "Very interesting."
Smart, that's using your head, Naruto. If the original and clones had the same amount of chakra, Neji couldn't distinguish real from fake.
"Well now, you can't hide for long," Neji smiled amusingly.
"Huh, we'll just see about that," the clones replied.
"If you're coming then come on," Neji waved forward.
The five Narutos charged and Neji jumped over two of them with grace and deflecting two others. The final Naruto came from the rear to lay a kick into the Hyuuga's jaw. Neji soared into the air. At first, I thought Naruto nailed him, but really it was Neji's trickery and he landed gracefully from doing an aerial backflip.
"This guy," Naruto growled.
"You thought you could be Hokage?" Neji stared at Naruto with hatred. "It's absurd, never. One of the many things these eyes have shown me is that people have set limitations. It is fixed and unchangeable. Only a fool wastes his time trying to become something he can never be."
"A fool, huh? Who are you to judge others on what a person can and cant be?" Naruto yelled.
"Do you think anyone could be Hokage? That all it takes is a little hardwork? Open your eyes. Out of all the shinobi in all the world, think of the chances of you becoming Hokage. They were born destined to be Hokage. It's nothing you become merely by trying. They were chosen by destiny. Each person was given their own path to follow and they must do so, obediently," Neji spoke with fluency. He was confident of his words, discovered this truth from long ago and accepted it.
"There is only one destiny we all share equally," he rose a single, slender finger. "...Death..."
Death... it was the first time today I didn't feel cluttered as the word echoed in my mind, haunted by the emptiness. Was that all we were? Biologically, our purpose, like for all organisms, was to reproduce and keep generations from seizing. Was that all we were meant for, for me? Do certain things, encounter certain people, work certain jobs, marry and have kids with certain people, and then die knowing we did what needed to be done?
All the heartache and pain I have fought through to discover my past, the risks I took, was that just foolish thinking? Should I just accept my unknown past, and follow the past the universe hands me and fulfill my primordial duty? Did I have no other purpose?
Was I born to die?
An impending death no matter how much I fought against the universe.
"Quorra, why don't you take a seat?"
Naruto continued with the same tactic and made twenty or more clones, but even with vast numbers, it was pointless. Neji slid and attacked the clones one by one. This was cake walk for someone who had almost a perfect 360 degree field vision. Naruto's clones were disappearing as quickly as they were being made.
Neji changed strategy and ran through the crowd of Narutos, avoiding attacks. With his two fingers, he jabbed into the heart of a Naruto, the one farthest away from the group.
"You are the real one, aren't you?" Neji smirked. Blood trickled on the corner of Naruto's mouth. "You thought you would be protected if you hung out on the sidelines and let you useless clones attack. But I told you before, it's pointless. You cannot undo destiny. Give up."
I leaned forward, the desire to defend was too great. My heart pounded in my chest. It didn't matter, friend or not. If I saw someone in trouble, my inner-being wanted to end it.
"Quorra."
Naruto wiped the blood, smearing it. "And I told you not to count me out."
Neji's confusion turned to shock when Naruto disappeared. It was only a clone!
On his toes, Neji reacted to the charge of two more Narutos.
"You thought I would be too much of a chicken to attack you myself," one of the Naruto exclaimed, charging at the Hyuuga. "Well, think again!"
The real and clone simultaneously threw a punch from opposite directions, surely to make a connection. Instead, a burst of energy and chakra expelled from Neji, rotating in place. It was incredible. I barely learned how to concentrate and exert chakra from my feet, yet he can do it throughout his body.
The bubble of chakra sent both Narutos back. The fraud disappeared, instantly K.O'd. The real Naruto flew across the floor. It must have felt like being hit with a force field.
"Did you really think you won?" Neji spat at the thought.
The crowd cheered with excitement. It was savage really; practical strangers cheering and booing just for entertainment. There were shinobi fighting to be recognized and become higher ranked in order to protect the very people who were yelling for violence. This truly was a modern Coliseum. It made me sick.
"Quorra, child." A hand was on my shoulder, jolting me. It was the Hokage. And he wasn't consulting me from our seats. Without realizing it, I was crouched atop of the balcony, leaning dangerously forward over the pit.
"I've been calling you," the Third explained.
"Sorry- sorry, Hokage-sama," I apologized, shamefully stepping off.
The Hokage seemed to understand what was going on. "It's alright. It's tough to watch friends fight while we stand in the sidelines."
I wanted to add that it was much more than that, but I disguised my distaste with a nod. The Kazekage glanced at me judgmentally. Of course he wouldn't understand. He sealed a demon into his son for his own benefit.
"Why don't you take a seat," the Third suggested.
I wanted to follow orders, but something in me couldn't. I couldn't stay still. I couldn't watch this. These were real people.
"Actually, Hokage-sama, I'm going to use the restroom if that's alright with you," I requested.
The Third smiled. "Of course. We'll fill you in on what you miss."
Thankful, I bowed and made my way through the guards.
Before turning and entering the endless pit of stairs, I heard the Hokage call out. "And hurry back, child."
ξ
Going down the stairs was a hell of a lot easier than going up. Guilt riddled my already long list of emotions as I didn't have to use the restroom. Rather, I wandered the floors of the arena. I didn't know what I was looking for. I only knew I didn't want anything to do with this place, with any of these people.
And yes, I was breaking the Hokage's request. Roaming the aisles rather than remaining seated. But screw it.
Families, friends, and more sat with food and drinks like this was some kind of show. It only bothered me more.
I noticed the same two gentleman from before, the ones who were debating where to sit. In the end, they were behind a different pole. The red-head was munching on popcorn happily, having the clearer view. The other, slid his hand over his face for his view was blocked by the very thing he was trying to avoid.
Continuing my journey with no destination, there was something else I noticed. Besides the large amount of obnoxious people, sprinkled here and there were masked individuals— white animal masks with simple designs.
What were ANBU doing here? And so many on top of that?
It would make sense, to have security in an event with mass people, as a precautionary. But the exceeding number left me questioning.
ξ
Traveling, making observations and taking count, with no end in mind. Before I could comprehend it, I was where I last wanted to end up. The waiting room.
Inside the open area, waited the contestants. Shino, Mae and Shikamaru hung out along the railing, watching the battle. The sand siblings held back, in their own cliché paying no mind to the battle. Still no sight of Sasuke.
I couldn't comprehend the world forces that guided me here. Even if I stumbled by accident, I wanted nothing to do with it. As I turned my back and successfully slipped away without being noticed, I heard the first thing that entered my conscience since the Hokage tried to snap me out of my subconscious.
"Asanoha."
At first, I thought I was hearing things. My emotions and senses have been muddled and smeared into a concoction of confusion. But I heard it again— asanoha.
Examining the room, it wasn't coming from any of them. No one were speaking.
It was coming from the arena.
My curious nature outweighed my reasoning and prior desires as I made my way to the balcony joining alongside Shikamaru.
The fight between Naruto and Neji made a complete turn. Rather than Neji metaphorically standing over Naruto while proclaiming his theory of destiny and following your righteous path, Naruto was physically standing over his opponent. The land had been abused with unsettled ground and two holes.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Naruto had this crazy upsurge of energy and attacked Neji close combat— head on. They both got pretty roughed up, but Naruto used his clone as bait and gave Neji a left hook from underground." Shikamaru gave me a questioning brow, but didn't pursue it.
"I see…" So Naruto used the Nine-tails chakra after all.
Shikamaru rubbed his head disgruntled. "Man, what a bother. And I thought Naruto and I could both be looked like the underdogs, now he's got to go make a name for himself. Just great. I never knew he had that much power and that speed. I had no clue he was that fast."
"Who knew…" but I did. I've seen it firsthand. How he first discovered that he was different; that there was something living inside of him, ready to take control.
The life changing news never slowed Naruto down, finding out about the Nine-tails. People had to know. There were probably hundreds of people who knew the reason why their village wasn't destroyed years ago was because the demon was sealed in a boy. Yet, Naruto doesn't seem bothered by it— hurt that this secret was kept from him for so long. He took it as another obstacle rather than a setback. Just one more to get him closer to his goal— becoming Hokage.
Why? I couldn't fathom his reasoning.
"Don't come whining to me about this destiny stuff and tell me you can't change what you are," Naruto continued to talk down to a motionless Neji. I never seen Naruto so serious or angry.
"Look, I get it. The Hyuugas are a backwards clan. Claiming because you are a side branch, you must oblige to the main household…
I gave Shikamaru a puzzled look.
"In the Hyuuga clan, they claim that all side branches must protect the main household and their secrets. Neji was mad because his father was a twin brother of the main household— Hinata's father."
"Seriously?" I was shocked.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at my questioning. "Yes, and to prevent a war or some crap, a foreign country wanted the head of Hinata's father, the main household. He was accused of killing an invader when the foreigner wasn't 'invading' " Shikamaru threw up air quotes.
I couldn't help my curiosity. "And…"
"And, Hinata's father is still alive. Neji's father was his twin. You do the math," Shikamaru replied, sarcastic.
They tricked the foreign country into thinking Neji's father was the main branch's head. Because they were twins.
"I had no idea…" I spoke softly.
"Yeah, no one did. The Hyuugas are especially hush hush individuals. But it explains why Neji is so bat shit narrow-minded and power hungry," Shikamaru shrugged.
It did make sense. Neji was angry at the Hyuuga household for killing his father because he was a side branch. The brutal attack on Hinata was a message to the main household. A household he never wanted to protect. All he wanted was his...
"Revenge," I concluded.
"If there was one important thing I learned, it was the importance of asanoha," Naruto explained with a serious tone.
"Of asanoha?" Neji questioned.
Naruto nodded. "Yes, someone very important to me explained the idea behind this. She taught me there are endless possibilities and paths we can take in life. At the same time, we will intertwine with others who are on their own journey. But it is up to us to determine our destiny. To follow our paths to make our dreams a reality. And that's why we named our team this concept. We were born apart but then came together, and in the future, who knows? We might venture off again, to walk down our own paths, our own destiny. But we are in it together, for better or for worse, like the weaving and tearing of cloth."
"Naruto..." I was beyond speechless. I introduced the suggestion to become Team Asanoha what felt like eons ago. Back before we went entered the Chunin Exams. So much emotion rose between the six of us, Team 7 and Team 13. We were excited and scared and anxious, but we had each other. With that, like I told Leda, we could do anything.
Look where that got us.
"Just be thankful your path continues," Naruto spoke, somber. "Some strings are cut short too soon."
As Naruto said his statement, Mae walked away from the balcony and left the waiting room. If she was feeling like I was, there was an ache in her chest from Naruto's reference to Leda. It was still hard on me, to admit she was gone. I accepted I was never going to lose that feeling of lost. It was either that or Mae was jumping the gun and was preparing for her battle. If Sasuke wasn't going to appear, which has become more and more unlikely, she would be fighting next.
"If she change her destiny, than so can I. And you can do it, too, because unlike me, you aren't a failure," Naruto ended. The crowd was for once silent, listening to Naruto's speech. They took in his words, my initial spark, like a sponge.
Neji didn't reply as he looked up at the sky, listening to the boy who defeated him. The underdog no one gave the time of day.
Genma entered the arena. "The winner is Naruto Uzumaki." The crowd went wild.
Movement commended as Naruto walked back to the waiting room, triumphantly, while Neji was placed on a stretcher. The sand siblings itched farther into the back of the room. Something was suspicious about them.
"You notice anything about the sand siblings?" I questioned Shikamaru.
Shikamaru dramatically stratched his non-existing beard as if he was in deep thought. "Yeah, now that you mention it. They have been acting kind of sketchy."
"Have you checked it out?" I rose a brow. "Pull a Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes act on them?"
Shikamaru wasn't amused. "Nah, too troublesome."
I sighed. "You're troublesome."
"Look, I don't have time for that. My match is coming soon and I need to prepare for outright hilmiliation."
The sand siblings slipped out the the waiting room. Forget Shikamaru, I needed to see what was going on, why they have been acting strange.
One way or another.
Of course, one of my many setbacks was leaving my notebook filled with all my plans and notes somewhere six hours away. *sigh* But I'll figure out how to get my next chapter out soon! I hoped you enjoyed. Thoughts? Feelings? Predictions? Share with everyone!
Until next time!
xo