Destined To Live

Chapter 3: Questions and Answers

Soon after Neji left the hospital room, the mysterious girl's eye lids fluttered open to reveal foggy blue grey eyes. When she tried to move, it made her body ache all over and a pained groan escaped partly open lips.

Laying back down, she looked up to the white and black ceiling sadly. She couldn't just stay here in the ninja village she came across, even though it seemed like a place she would enjoy living in.

If she stayed too long, she might get attached to everyone and it would be only hard for her to leave. That's why she had planned to leave as soon as she healed that guy who was near death. Except, she never expected to use all her power and be left weak.

Having those thoughts in mind, she used all her will power to push herself up from the bed. The sheets fell off of her and pooled around her.

The pain was intense now, but it didn't stop her from getting up. Swinging her legs over the bed stiffly, she cautiously placed her feet on the floor.

Wincing at the pain that shot up her legs, begging her not to move, she slipped off the bed and stood still on shaking legs. A victorious smile crossed her face, but she felt her knees buckle so the smile disappeared.

Hand flying to the wall desperately, she braced herself against it in order to remain standing. Her breathing was heavy and clipped because her body was still not very strong yet.

Taking a few minutes to allow herself to catch her breath and steady her legs, she hesitantly pulled her hand away and wobbled to the door slowly.

It was like an eternity passed before she reached the door, but when she did, she firmly grasped the cold brass knob that sent shivers down her spine.

Turning it, a resounding 'click' emitted and she pulled open the door. A blast of cold conditioned air met her face, and it somewhat made her a little calmer.

Pulling open the door, she hurriedly slipped out and shut the door behind her. Bringing up her hand to her heart, she clenched the fabric of her shirt tightly.

Falling to her knees pitifully, she hung her head, a black curtain of hair covering her face. If she had anything in her stomach to throw up, she would, but her stomach was pain stakingly empty. The fact that she hadn't eaten for several hours didn't help her anguish, either.

"You should really go back and rest." A smooth voice told her and a shadow engulfed her small figure.

Craning her head up to look at the person standing before her, she had to double take to confirm that the person was a boy. With the long dark brown hair, it was considerably difficult to determine what gender he was.

Lifting her eyes away from his hair, she looked into...light lavender orbs? They were the strangest color of eyes she'd ever seen, and it further shocked her because he had no pupils.

"W-Who are you?" She rasped out and scooted backwards, only to have her back come in contact with the door.

"I should be asking you the same thing." He said while raising an eyebrow at her expectandly, waiting for an answer.

"Higurashi Kagome, but you don't need to remember it. I'm leaving now." Kagome whispered solemnly and tried to rise weakly.

The man before her sighed at her stubborness. Bending down to her level, he gracefully lifted her into his arms gently. Pushing the door open, which she had not closed correctly, and entered the room again.

Approaching the bed, he flung the sheets out of his way and layed her on the second layer of sheets. He then layed the first layer of sheets back over her and pushed a button near the bed that lifted her up until he stopped pushing the button.

Looking her square in the eye, he said sternly, "Now you're going to stay in this room. You'll kill yourself if you over exert yourself."

Pursing her lips and narrowing her eyes at him defiantly, she huffed and crossed her arms. Upon taking further notice of him, she gasped quietly to herself.

"Are you the one I saved earlier?" She asked him, eyes now wide and mouth forming an 'o' shape.

"Yes," He nodded. "I am. My name is Hyuga Neji, and you have my full gratitude for saving my life." After that was said, he bowed to her deeply.

Kagome flushed in embarrassment. "No need to thank me, it's what I do."

Rising back from the bow, he stared at her skeptically. "Is that so? Would you happen to be a medic-nin?"

Confusion clouded over her eyes and she cocked her head to the side innocently, a gesture that Neji found was very cute for some odd reason.

"I take it you're not from here then." Neji stated, but it had a suspicous tinge to it.

"No, I travel from place to place helping people if need be." Kagome shrugged non chalently, sensing his suspicous tone.

Neji's expression didn't change, it was still distrusting and his eyes hard. It was still the same as he took a seat by her bed. His eyes never left her face, intent on her every movement.

She gave him a lop sided smile and spoke again. "There's no need to be worried. You can have someone interrogate me if you want if you're still doubtful."

Grimacing at the interrogating part, he said, "Well, you would be interrogated even if you didn't want to."

A low amused chuckle erupted from her chest. "Heh. I should've figured that out. This village was really on edge when I came in."

"Tell me, how did you get past the nins at the gate?" Neji questioned, being a bit of an interrogater himself right now.

"Oh, them? It wasn't too hard. I just persuaded them I meant no harm, and they let me through." Her lips curved into a prideful smirk.

He pushed down the urge to roll his eyes at the so called guard's stupidity. For all they knew, she could've been an assassin sent to kill them all and burn down the village. Idiots.

"Do you feel well enough to stand?" Neji asked, not because he was concerned but because she had a little business with Ibiki soon.

"Actually, I have most of my strength back now. I suppose you're going to take me to get interrogated by someone?" She gave a light laugh and moved to get off the bed.

"Very perspective of you. Now come on and let's get going. I have other things to do besides escort you to Tsunade-sama's office." He scoffed and stood from his chair.

"Tsunade? Who's that?" Kagome questioned curiously as she met him at the door on partially steadly legs. She guessed that it must've been someone important because of the 'sama' he added at the end.

It was true, she had lied about having her strength back. Her body still ached badly and a head ache was pounding at her temples sharply. Not wanting to seem weak in front of him, she forced herself to push the pain to the very back of her mind.

"The fifth Hokage of this village." Neji replied bluntly, but his tone said he didn't want to talk.

Sensing this, Kagome snapped close her mouth, which she had opened to ask another question. The rest of the walk was silent, the echo of their footsteps the only sound.

Occupying her time by looking at the different paintings on the wall, she approved of some and some she didn't. A disappointed frown found its way to her face. This was a hospital, right? Why couldn't they have more interesting pictures, and maybe paint the wall or put up decorative wall paper?

Her attention moved back to the boy, no man, well, teenager next to her. Earlier she hadn't really taken a good look at him, but now, she thought he was pretty handsome.

A nicely sculpted face, shinny dark brown hair, a lean but overall muscular body in her opinion. She shook her head free of the last thought. Miroku was still rubbing off on her, even when he wasn't here.

The thing that captivated her most though were his eyes. It wasn't the color, no, it was how they seemed so mysterious and entrancing. They were...she couldn't find the words to describe it right now.

Mistifying was a good word. Yes, mistifying. His eyes were mistifying.

So intent on finding more and better words to describe his eyes, she let out a gasp when Neji placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her.

Again, she flushed cherry red. Quickly, she turned away so he wouldn't see her blush that had been caused because he caught her staring at him. How embarrassing!

"We're here. Go in, Tsunade-sama and the interrogater will be there." Neji instructed her and gave her a light push towards the door.

"But this is a hospital... Aren't you going to take me to another building?" Kagome questioned him and stood her ground.

Neji sighed. "Yes, this is. Due to the circumstances, Tsunade-sama wanted to do it as soon as possible. Since this happens often, they had a room dedicated to interrogation here." Neji answered her stoically.

Kagome stared at Neji's face as if he grew a second head. Now that was strange; an interrogation room in a hospital? This village never ceased to amaze her.

Nodding slowly to him, she turned the knob and entered the room without another word. Once she disappeared into the room, the door closed back shut.

The Jonin was about to turn and leave, but then paused. He was curious as to why she had no idea who the Hokage was and what medic-nins were, yet she was able to heal him efficiently.

Grimacing slightly at the decision to go in or just walk away, he found himself leaning towards the first chose. After all, curiousity did kill the cat.

He swore that his curiousity was going to kill him one day.

Mumbling under his breath something along the lines about damn curiousity, he opened the door and slipped in quietly. Closing the door behind him, he was met with three pairs of bewildered eyes.

"Neji? What are you doing here? You don't need to be here during the interrogation." Tsunade asked him with a frown.

"Does that mean you object to me standing here and observing? Am I not allowed to do that?" Neji answered her with two questions of his own.

Tsunade rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever, let's just get this over with." Gesturing to an extra seat as if she expected him to come in, she slid her cinnamon eyes back to Kagome.

"May I proceed, Tsunade-sama?" Ibiki asked her, giving her a brief glance.

"Go ahead." Tsunade replied and leaned back into her chair.

Ibiki gave her a nod. "Now, what is your name?"

"Higurashi Kagome." Kagome replied smoothly, not at all intimidated by his tone of voice.

"Where do you come from?"

"Tokyo."

The interrogater gave her a strange look, but continued. "What are your intentions here in Konoha?"

"To help people if I'm needed." A grin stretched across her face, and she nodded over to Neji.

"Hm, when are you planning to leave?" Ibiki narrowed his eyes at her. So far he hadn't sensed any lies from her yet.

"As soon as possible. Today if I feel up to it." Kagome shrugged and leaned back in her chair also.

"Do you plan on telling anyone what you have seen today?" He wasn't entirely sure what she'd seen, but it never was wrong to be too careful.

"No. I don't have anyone to tell, anyways." Kagome replied boredly and inspected her nails, letting the fluorescent light hit them.

"Where are you planning to go after you leave?" Ibiki continued, his eyes still narrow and tone suspicous.

"Dunno. Anywhere I stumble upon, I guess." Kagome bit her lip at this. She really did want to stay here, but she knew she couldn't.

Ibiki being the ever keen one saw this hesitation. "Have you considered becoming a resident in Konoha?"

Biting her bottom lip again, the coppery taste of blood invading her taste buds, she sent her eyes down cast to the floor.

"Yes, I have. I know I can't though. I don't settle, I just travel." Kagome mumbled out under her breath.

Everyone rose their eyebrows at this. They paid no mind to it though and let Ibiki continue the interrogation.

"Why is that?" It was an irrevalent question, but his curiousity got the better of him.

"Because I might get too attached to the people here and it would only be hard for me to leave." She replied simply, but sadly.

"I see. If you will, please wait out in the hall while I discuss matters with the Hokage." Ibiki ordered her, having no more questions to throw at her.

She didn't say a thing as she rose and drifted towards the door, almost in a ghost like fashion. The door opened and closed, leaving them in complete silence.

"Well, did you sense any lies?" Tsunade asked uneasily after clearing her throat.

"Strangely, no. The thing is, it was pretty apparent she likes it here and wants to stay." Ibiki answered her, pursing his thin lips together.

"I saw. She doesn't seem to be any harm for anyone, and she could come in handy with those strange powers of hers." Tsunade suggested thoughtfully.

"Are you implying that she is a Kekkai Genkai user?" Neji spoke up for the first time since he entered.

"She 'said' she was from Tokyo. That's a non-ninja city and from what I know, there's no ninja there." Ibiki told him stiffly.

"Besides, you don't have to be a Kekkai Genkai user to be a medic-nin." Tsunade stated, also questioning Neji's suspicons.

"No, but medic-nin heal wounds, not take away poison. True, she did heal my wounds, and somehow, she extracted the poison also." Neji told them with a satisfied smirk.

"He does have a point. Maybe she is a Kekkai Genkai user." Ibiki mused to himself under his breath.

"What does it matter if she's one or not? If she doesn't want to stay here, then we can't force her to." Tsunade argued with him.

"With those powers though, she could be useful as a ninja." Neji argued back, trying to talk some sense into her.

Tsunade rose her hands to her temples and rubbed them tenderally at the throbbing points. "Fine, IF and only IF-" Tsunade paused to exaggerate if with a glare "-you can convince to stay, then she'll stay."

He gave her a nod, and a small, barely noticeable victorious smile curved at his lips. Getting up from the overly cushioned velvet chair, he left the room.

Back in the room, the Godaime Hokage sighed heavily and set her forehead on the cool table that seperated her and Ibiki from the other two chairs on the opposite side.

"Somehow I just know there's a stack of paperwork waiting for me at the office..." Tsunade muttered to herself, her voice muffled by the table.

Ibiki rolled his eyes. Taking his eyes off of the moping Hokage, they slid to the door. He let himself smile softly at the prospect of having a new citizen in Konoha.

He didn't know how he knew, he just felt that this girl, 'Kagome', was going to really turn the village around.

Oh boy, there was going to be a female Naruto now.

Joy.