I sat in my rose garden which held my red, purple, blue and my most prized black roses. My mind drifted from thought to thought, like my newest meeting with the Hokage, who said I was excelling quickly in my training. I smiled to myself and brushed my fingers over a few roses. My roses always kept me calmed down and happy.
I glanced around the compound, or at least the parts I could see. I saw my cousin, Hinata, strolling around, muttering something about Naruto. I also saw Neji walking towards me, wait, walking towards me? What'd I do?
"Hey Neji-san, how're you?" I asked softly. He smiled and reached a hand out to me, and I gratefully took it.
"I'm fine Kira, and you?" Neji replied. I shrugged and bent down to pick a flower. I pulled a black one and gracefully put it in my hair. My brother smiled at me and hugged me with love. I smiled, knowing I was one of the only things that made Neji smile.
"So, is there something you need Neji-san?" I asked, quickly giving him a hug back. He shrugged and walked over to his garden which sat next to mine. His was full of tulips, all of random colors, but still so beautiful.
"Don't forget Kira-san, we have a meeting with Lord Hiashi after supper," Neji reminded me. I nodded and slowly walked over to the Sakura tree that sat in the front yard. Neji smiled at me as I slowly strode over to my most prized plant. A smile danced on my lips and I hoisted myself up and perched myself on the lowest branch. Before I knew it Neji had joined me.
"It's a gorgeous day Nii-san," I muttered softly. Neji smiled at me and nodded. "Neji-san, are you infatuated with anyone at the moment?" I could see my brother's face turn a hint of red. I couldn't have a crush on anyone, although I am a ninja I have been cut off from most of the others in Konoha, but I knew who everyone was and their personality. Thanks to Hokage Tsunade's book.
"U-um well… Th-that's not for you to know!" he stammered out. I large grin sat upon my lips as I looked at my flustered brother.
"Sooo… Who is it Nii-san?" I asked, curiosity tainting my pure sing-song voice. My brother smirked at me.
"How would you know who I was referring to anyway? You're always on missions or locked up in the compound," he replied looking away from me. I had a sudden urge to push him out of my tree, but I decided against it. Instead I reached into the pocket of my specialized kimono and grabbed a semi-large book that held information on everyone, even visitors, in Konoha.
"Well Mr. Smarty-pants, this is how I'd know who you're referring too," I replied slyly. Neji practically pouted, making me laugh my head off, thus earning me a well deserved glare from him.
"Well anyway, I'm not going to tell you because honestly I don't like anyone in this town, or any other town for that matter. Nobody seems to tickle my fancy just yet," he said, seriousness having a complete grip of his voice. The only time that happens is when he is being serious so I had to nod at his statement. "What about you my darling sister, has anyone caught your eye?" I smiled weakly at him.
"Of course not, I'm to difficult to please, that and I can never get out of here and actually meet anyone in this damn book," I replied, shoving the book back into my pocket. Neji nodded, a bit glumly I might add because he knows how much I hated being this locked up in this stupid compound.
"Well come on Kira, let's go inside, it's almost dinner time," Neji said as he jumped off of the branch. I nodded and quickly flipped off the branch and landed next to my brother.
I rushed inside and into the kitchen to start dinner as Neji casually walked in. I always made dinner, otherwise me and Neji would die from the muck he makes. I smiled as I put the finishing touches on the special ramen, just like father use to make when we were younger. I hadn't ever tried to make this but I found the recipe earlier that day and decided to surprise Neji-san.
"Neji!" I called. "Dinner is done!" My voice echoed through our near empty home. I heard Neji's footsteps coming towards the dinning room so I filled two bowls with ramen and set them at the table. As I took my seat Neji sat down besides me.
"We're having ramen?" He asked. "It took you twenty minutes to make ramen?" Whoa, I didn't notice how much time that took, but he'll understand soon.
"Yes, it's ramen. I messed up a few times making it so shut up, I know it took me a while," I replied. "Just eat would you?" I took a chopstick full of noodles and when I actually tasted it the ramen tasted just like how father use to make. It was delicious, and as I looked at Neji gently poke the noodles with his chopsticks I giggled to myself. "Just eat Neji-san, you need your energy for our conference with Lord Hiashi." Reluctantly he nodded and picked up a couple noodles with his chopsticks.
"Why'd you pick ramen of all things?" I heard him mutter just before he took a few sips of ramen. Just as he did his eyes shot wide and he stared at me. A smile danced upon my lips. "Wh-what is this?!"
"It's ramen stupid, what does it look like?" I countered. The smile turned to a smirk as Neji stared at me in disbelief.
"Th-this is father's ramen though… How did you…?" he seemed lost in confusion as he stared at the ramen and then at me.
"Just eat before you supper gets cold you dunce," I said as I slurped all the noodles down and quickly drank the juice. Neji smiled slightly and quickly ate ever last bit of his ramen. He looked hopefully at the kitchen and I smiled. I grabbed his bowl and quickly refilled his and mine. The bowls were emptied even quicker.
"You have to make this more often Kira, it was great, just like how...." he trailed off.
"Just like how father use to make…" I finished for him. He nodded a bit sadly at me. Our father practically committed suicide. I smiled brightly at my brother, trying to mask my pain. "Come on, we have to get ready for out meeting with Lord Hiashi."
Within minutes we were both ready and heading out the door. We walked quickly, yet with dignity, to the main household's mansion. As we reached the large door it opened, as if expecting us at this very minute. We both rushed in and stopped at Lord Hiashi's door.
Neji knocked and the door opened. We walked in, my hand squeezing Neji's for comfort and we both bowed to our uncle.
"Good to see you both," Hiashi lied. Neji smiled and I faked one, just to seem pleased by the fake compliment. "Come and sit would you please." We nodded and sat down in front of him, looking up at our uncle with emotionless eyes. My white hair fell gracefully in front of my face while Neji's brown hair was tied loosely behind his back. There was a long, comfortless silence.
"Why are we here Lord Hiashi?" I chimed in. Hiashi smiled at me, but not a smile you'd expect from an uncle, it was wicked.
"Well, you know how we are in debt to the Uchiha clan, correct?" he said slyly. Both me and my brother nodded. "Here's the thing, we owe them payment, and they want a servant from the Hyuga clan, and I find you, Kira, to be a perfect slave so I am giving you to the Uchihas. You will be a slave to one of the families in the Uchiha clan, whom they will choose." I nodded, choking back tears.
"Hai sir," I murmured. Another evil smile crept upon Hiashi's face. He turned to Neji, as if it was his turn to be punished for nothing. I honestly knew why I was chosen, I am different in almost every way from a normal Hyuga just because I am albino. I'm a rare and close to hated breed because albinos exceeded a normal Hyuga powers, although Neji and I are evenly matched, and Hiashi didn't want me near the clan.
"Oh and Neji, you are needed for something… Tsunade wants someone to run errands for her so I 'lent' you to her. You are still on call for missions, the both of you. Dismissed," Hiashi barked evilly. I don't understand why Hiashi had to punish Neji for me being different but he did.
The both of us got up and walked out of the room, holding a dignified pose. We walked to our home, for probably the last time. We looked at the door and noticed a note. The news in it cheered me and Neji up quite a bit, but it didn't help too much. All it said was that Neji was to quarter were ever I was, so he was to stay with the Uchihas when he wasn't working for Tsunade. We both doubted he'd have much work with her anyway.
We walked inside and packed up any essentials. Thinking I'd have a maid's outfit and an Uchiha outfit once I moved I decided to pack light on the cloths. Throwing everything together that I needed as I read the end of the note. Kuso, I had to be there tomorrow morning.
I plopped onto the couch and stared at the wall. For what seemed like hours I sat there in thought but in reality it was mere minutes. Neji came and sat next to me with a comforting smile.
"Don't worry Kira, we'll get through this…" Neji said with reassurance, although he didn't look to calm himself. A small smile danced on my trembling lip as I looked into my brother's lavender eyes. My red eyes glossed over with tears and pain. Neji hugged me tightly and I fell asleep in my brother's arms that night as I worriedly waited my troublesome destiny…