Later that day, which was the day after we had fought the ninja, I went out to find Sasuke and tell him about my Sharingan. I found him at the practice field, throwing shurikens at targets.
"So, did Neji tell you about my Sharingan?" I asked when he tossed his last knife.
"You awakened it?" He asked, surprised.
"Why d'you sound so surprised, cousin?" I asked hotly.
"Well me and Neji certainly weren't talking about your Sharingan," Sasuke said with a grin.
"Well what were you talking about?" I asked with a frown.
"Nothing," He said quickly, "Listen, I'd love to help you with your Sharingan training, but I'm going on a mission tomorrow and it may be a while before I get back."
"But…you're the only one who can help me learn," I said with a sad, puppy-dog face.
"Stop making the face… Kakashi can help you," Sasuke said. The very thought made my heart skip a beat.
"Uh, no that's okay, I think I'll just wait until you get back," I said so fast that my words tumbled over each other. Then I ran from the field.
A while later Yumi found me hiding behind the ramen shop.
"Hey, Hoshi, Lady Tsundae would like to see you," Yumi said to me, "Who are you hiding from?"
"Nobody. Who wants to see me?" I asked sheepishly.
"Lady Tsunade- the Hokage," She replied. I followed Yumi, wondering what on earth the Hokage could want me for. Had she found out about the fight in the woods?
We went into the Hokage's office and Yumi nodded to her and left.
"Welcome, Hoshi. I summoned you here to inform you that I am going to be placing you in Team 7," she said to me.
"What's Team 7?" I asked, slightly confused.
"It is one of our best ninja teams. It consists of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. You won't be expected to do many missions first. You'll mostly be training with the Jounin," Lady Tsunade replied.
"Oh. That's great. Who's the Jounin?" I asked curiously.
"Kakashi Hatake," Was her reply. I froze, but no long enough for her to notice.
"Okay. That's wonderful, Hokage, thank you," I said with a bow.
"You are most welcome, Hoshi. You may leave now," She said.
I hurried out of the office and as I was leaving, crashed headfirst into Kakashi Hatake who had been walking and reading at the same time.
"Sorry," I gasped, leaping to my feet.
"No, it's my fault. Walking and reading at the same time. Where were you off to in such a hurry?" He inquired, getting slowly to his feet.
"To find you actually. Lady Tsunade says that I am to be a member of Team 7 and…well it's difficult to explain…and you can't tell anyone…"
"What is it, Hoshi?" He asked calmly. The use of my name caught me off guard and I couldn't help but notice that it sounded wonderful coming from his lips. I shook my head to clear it and looked around to make sure no one else could hear before replying.
"I need help developing my Sharingan," I said quickly. His surprise was evident, even with half his face covered, but he didn't ask anything about my heritage.
"Has it already awoken?" He asked, leading me towards the training field.
"Yes," I said with a nod.
"How long ago?"
I hesitated for just a moment and decided to be truthful.
"Yesterday," I answered.
"That's good. Now, tell me what you know about Sharingan, in general," He said to me.
"Well, I know that the number of tomoe in each eye tells how powerful the user is. I know that I can copy attacks, and see Chakra…that's about it," I replied.
"Well there's more than that. The Sharingan's first and most well known ability is to memorize any technique that it witnesses. It can memorize any standard form of jutsu with perfect accuracy, allowing the user to use the techniques as his own. In order to reproduce copied jutsu, however, one must have the necessary skill or ability to perform them," He said to me.
"So, like, if I were to try and copy Neji's gentle fist technique I might not be able to do it because I'm not as physically strong as he is?" I inquired.
"Precisely. The Sharingan's second ability is granting the user incredible clarity of perception, allowing them to track fast-moving objects with ease and even predict the subsequent movements of those objects. The ability to track and predict movement is largely based on individual skill, as unskilled users have much more trouble tracking fast-moving objects. A fully evolved Sharingan can track even the quickest opponents, though, like the first ability, it doesn't necessarily mean the user has the ability to react to it. This perception is also great enough to see through Genjutsu and to observe the movement and flow of Chakra, but not to the same extent or clarity as the Byakugan. It also gives color to Chakra. Additionally, the Sharingan grants the user exceptional analytical powers, allowing them to instinctively pick up on various visual clues with little difficulty," Kakashi said.
"So, I can see through illusions now?"
"Yes."
"Oh yeah!" I said happily, punching the air with my fist triumphantly.
"The Sharingan's third capability is a unique brand of hypnosis that involves suggesting actions and thoughts to the opponent. When used in conjunction with the aforementioned aspects of the Sharingan, this allows the user to perfectly mimic every move their opponent makes, even before they do, making it appear as if the user can see the future. It also allows for other forms of hypnotism, such as putting an opponent to sleep, replaying memories to someone else, or creating various illusions to fool an opponent."
"Putting them to sleep?"
"Making them fall asleep for as long as you wish. I can do this quite easily," He said quietly.
"Interesting."
"Yes. Unlike Byakugan, Sharingan drains energy at a more rapid pace, therefore it is necessary to practice it until you get strong enough to use it effectively," Kakashi said.
"That's what you're here for. To train me," I replied with a smile.
Of course. I think the best way to start would be to see how many tomoe you possess, so use your Sharingan," He said to me. I nodded and took a stance.
"Sharingan," I said aloud.
With my Sharingan activated I could now see the Chakra that leaked from my body. It was faint and blue and seemed to cover my skin. It was disappearing into the air at a slow pace, but then it would be replaced by more of my leaking Chakra.
"That's enough, Hoshi, we wouldn't want to drain your energy," Kakashi said suddenly.
Without my Sharingan I could not longer see the leaking Chakra so I looked up at Kakashi.
"You have two tomoe. It also became apparent to me that when you are using your Sharingan your hair had red streaks in it," He said to me.
"That's unusual?" I asked, biting my lower lip.
"I've never seen it happen, but I suppose Sharingan works different for all of us. Also, your Chakra problem may be the cause of that," Kakashi replied.
At that moment I heard footsteps and looked up to see Neji walking across the field to us.
"There you are Hoshi. I was looking for you," Neji said to me.
"She is training with me," Kakashi said coolly.
"I think it's important for Hoshi to build up her physical strength as well. It may help her better control not only her Chakra, but her Sharingan as well," He replied. Kakashi seemed startled to find that Neji knew about my Sharingan as well.
"Very well. You may take her. Hoshi, I would like for you to come here tomorrow morning and we will work on your perception of fast moving objects as well as your tracking skills," Kakashi said to me.
Neji and I walked off of the field together and headed in the general direction of his house.
"How did you know I was training with my Sharingan?" I asked Neji.
"You were with Kakashi-sensei. What else would you be doing?" He replied evenly. I didn't respond.
As we walked I wondered where we were going. We had already passed his house.
"Where are we going, Neji?" I asked him finally.
"For a run," He answered, "To help build up your physical strength."
I didn't particularly like running because I usually lost balance and fell flat on my face, but for Neji I would do it.
"I'll run, but be forewarned that the last time Shishi-sensei and I ran together I broke my nose," I warned.
"On what?" He asked, looking at me.
"The ground," Was my answer. He smiled and laughed at me until I smiled as well.
We ran quickly and without speaking, down a forest path and back again. I kept my arms out behind my back to gain velocity as well as speed and, miraculously, I did not fall down.
When we got back to Konohagakure we were on the way to Neji's house when a girl stopped in front of us. Her brown hair was in two pigtails and I didn't like the way she was looking at Neji.
"Hey Neji," Said the girl, smiling.
"Hello Tenten," He replied, though he didn't smile back at her.
"I was hoping we could do some training today," She said casually.
"I'm sorry, Tenten, I'm helping Hoshi train."
"But…you usually train with me," She said sadly.
"Not today, Tenten," Was his reply.
"Hey Destiny Boy! Come here for a minute!" Called a familiar voice. It was Yumi, standing over by Kiba and Akamaru a little ways away.
"I'll be back in a moment, Hoshi," Neji said to me, hurrying over to his sister. Tenten turned to me as soon as Neji was out of earshot.
"You think you can come in here and take Neji away from me?" She hissed. My eyes narrowed.
"It didn't seem like he particularly wanted to train with you," I retorted coolly.
"Neji loves me!" She growled, "You should just go back to wherever you came from. You don't belong here and you're ruining everything!"
Before I knew it I was battling the strange girl with a fiery vengeance. She pulled out a summoning scroll and began to twirl it, summoning shurikens and throwing knives that I easily dodged thanks to my Sharingan.
"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu," I said, forming the symbols with my hands. A huge ball of water formed around Tenten, blocking all of her weapons. My Chakra weakened quickly thanks to my Sharingan and Tenten soon broke free of my water prison when I could no longer hold it steady. I dodged as she tossed another shurikens at me, but in my weakened state I was slow and the throwing-star caught me in the left arm. I had to bite my lip to keep from screaming and by the time my arm went numb I was furious. I gathered Chakra in my right hand to punch her like I had done the hunter-ninja, but instead of staying invisible to the naked eye it formed a sphere of something that was not water. At that moment I didn't care what it was and I hurled it at Tenten. It caught her dead in the stomach and she went flying backwards. She got to her feet staggeringly and before I had a chance to hurl another sphere at her I was grabbed roughly from behind.
It was one of the sensei's I had been introduced to. His name was Might guy, but most people called him Guy Sensei. He grabbed my arms hard from behind to keep me from further harming Tenten. He grabbed my wounded arm a little too hard and blood was seeping out of the gash. So I turned my head slightly and bit him…hard! He let out a yell and released me.
"Hoshi!" Neji called, pushing past Guy Sensei and Kakashi, who were helping Tenten.
I made my way to him and clamped my right hand over the wound in my left forearm.
"She started it," I murmured, dizzy from blood loss.
"Did not you little liar!" Tenten shouted, trying to push past Kakashi Hatake who kept her at bay. I made a step towards Tenten, but Guy-sensei stopped me again, this time he was careful not to touch my injured arm. I made an attempt to launch myself past him, but he grabbed me by the hair, which stopped me short. Tenten was being held back by Kakashi who had her by the arm. Both Kakashi and Guy looked at each other exasperatedly.
"Unhand me so I can kill her," I snarled at Guy sensei.
"You hear that? She tried to annihilate me! She should be locked up!" Tenten shouted. More people emerged from various places to watch our fight. I saw Sasuke looking slightly amused.
"Stop being so melodramatic, Tenten. You did start it, I saw you," Neji said in a low, but furious voice. She stopped struggling with Kakashi, wounded by Neji's words. Neji took my right arm gently and pulled me away from Guy-sensei.
He led me back to his house without saying a word to me and when we were there we went to his room and he sat me on the bed. He disappeared for a moment, but soon returned with bandages and warm water.
"I didn't start that fight, Neji," I said quietly. I winced slightly as he cleaned the gash on my arm with warm water.
"I know," He replied calmly. He continued to clean the gash and then wrapped the bandage tightly to stop the bleeding.
When he came back from getting rid of the extra water and bandages, he sat down on the bed and pulled me to him. I could hear his heart beating through his shirt and I might have fallen asleep if I wasn't so pumped full of adrenaline.
"What was that attack you used?" Neji asked me quietly.
"I don't know," I answered honestly.
"It was pure Chakra energy. It was the only time I saw Chakra without using my Byakugan. I was curious to see and when I did use my Byakugan, all the excess Chakra that floats over your skin- …it was gone! It all went into the ball you threw," He said, sounding slightly amazed.
Yumi walked through a little while later as it was getting dark outside. She paused at the doorway.
"I don't even wanna know what ya'll are doing," She said, and walked out calling, "I'm going to bed!"
Neji smiled at me slightly and I would have blushed, but I doubted I had enough blood left to do that.
"You should try to rest. You've lost a lot of blood," He said quietly.
"Sounds like a good idea. Will you put my headband over there?" I asked, nodding to the wooden table that sat near Neji's side of the bed. He nodded and untied my headband and lay it on the table. He took off his as well and lay it beside mine. I frowned slightly.
"What's wrong, Hoshi?" He asked, catching my frown.
"You always look so sad when you have to take off your headband. Why are you ashamed of this?" I asked, touching his cursed seal gently. He turned his face away.
"…It means I am a weaker member of the Hyuuga clan. If I was a member of the main family, I would be considered the strongest, but because I am a branch member I can never become the head of my family," He said quietly.
"I don't think it matters whether you are branch or main family; it only matters that you know you are strong. I think you're the strongest ninja in the whole Hyuuga clan, possibly in the whole village of Konohagakure," I said softly. He smiled and kissed me on the forehead.
"Thank you for saying that, Hoshi. It means a lot to me," He replied.
Neji and I stayed up most of the night. I was tired physically, but I didn't really want to sleep, so Neji stayed up as well and we talked until about 3:00 in the morning. That was when he fell asleep. I fell asleep soon after he did, laying my head on his chest and comforted by his steady heartbeat.
The next morning Neji changed the bandages on my arm before taking me out to the training field where Kakashi Hatake sat waiting for me, reading his book.
"Be careful, and don't get into any more fights, okay?" Neji asked quietly.
"Okay," I agreed. He smiled and kissed my cheek before walking off the training field. Kakashi walked over as soon as Neji was gone.
"Good morning, Hoshi. How's your arm?" Kakashi asked, closing his book.
"Better than it was yesterday," I muttered darkly.
"Speaking of yesterday, I'd like you to try more with those Chakra spheres of yours. I've never seen Jutsu quite like that," He said.
"Fine. Neji told me that when I made the sphere of energy, all of the Chakra that normally leaks…was no longer there. It all went into the sphere," I informed him.
"I know. I saw it with my Sharingan," Kakashi replied.
"How is Tenten? I didn't hurt her, did I?" I asked worriedly.
"She's got some bruises and a wounded pride, but she'll be fine. Why the concern? You obviously fought her for a reason, so why do you care if she's hurt or not?" He asked me.
"I don't like hurting people unless I have to. I would not have hurt Tenten if she had not thrown the shuriken at me. I tried using my water prison when she first used her summoning scroll. The water prison would not have hurt her, but I can't keep it up for very long. It's difficult to hold water in place when it doesn't want to be there," I replied.
"Interesting. Well, today you are working on Chakra spheres, not water prisons. I've set targets and random intervals throughout the field. I want you to try and hit each one, as best you can," Kakashi said. I squinted my eyes and looked across the field. There were ten targets on the field; one was ten feet away, the second was 20, the third was 30 feet, and so on.
"I can try, but I don't promise great results," I said with a sigh.
"And I don't expect great results. Not on your first try, anyway," Kakashi replied with a faint smile that I could barely see through his mask.
I gathered my Chakra in my hand and it once more formed a blue sphere of energy. I shot it at the nearest target and hit it dead on. I formed another sphere and shot it at the second target…then the third, and fourth, all hit dead on. On the fifth target my aim was a little off and by the ninth I hit the target four inches from the bulls eye. Unfortunately, I only hit the outside of the tenth target. Kakashi and I walked and examined the targets.
"What was that about not promising great results?" Kakashi asked with a smirk.
"Well, it's not perfect," I said as we reached the last target.
"You did fine, Hoshi. Your problem is you have no confidence in your abilities," He replied, "I didn't expect you to be able to control the path of you Chakra sphere, but you hit the first four targets dead-on. With a little more training I think that you will hit all ten of them dead-on."
After about four more hours of training with Kakashi he called it quits and I hurried back to Neji's house where he seemed to be waiting anxiously for me.
"Hoshi-… I have to go on a mission for the Hokage. I really hate leaving you here, but I have to go-" He started.
"It's alright, Neji, you can go. I have Kakashi Hatake to train with and Yumi will be here to make sure I stay out of trouble," I said lightly, but inside I was yearning for him to stay here with me.
"Are you sure you don't mind?" He asked me.
"Of course not. Why would I mind if you have to go on a mission?"
"I have to leave shortly. I'll miss you," He said quietly. I blushed faintly and stared at the ground, unable to say anything or to look up, until he had gone.
"Stupid, why didn't you say something?" I asked myself, banging my head against the wall. I was furious and thoroughly disgusted with my self for not saying good-bye to Neji properly. Maybe I should run after him and say something. What is something happened to him on his mission and I never got to say-?
"Don't think like that. He'll be fine," I commanded myself.
"You know talking to yourself is one of the first signs of madness," said Yumi, appearing out of nowhere. She grinned at me and I sighed sadly.
"I was just having an internal debate," I said to her.
"Sounds like it became a bit external to me. What were you debating?" She inquired.
"Nothing of importance."
"You should come hang out with me at the club. That'll take your mind off of him," She said excitedly.
"I don't think that'll help much, Yumi," I replied with another sigh.
"Well then at least come and eat at the ramen bar with me later on tonight."
"I dunno…I don't really feel like seeing anybody, especially after what happened with Tenten…" I said slowly.
"I'll let you sleep in his bed," She whispered in my ear. She had me hooked with that one and she knew it.
"Fine. I'll meet you at the ramen bar after sundown," I said quickly. She grinned triumphantly and I walked away.
I wandered through the woods by myself, thinking about a lot of things. I tried to remember Yumi coming to the village of Kirigakure, but I couldn't really remember. We got a lot of visitors in Kirigakure.
I wondered what Shishi was doing now. Sure he had pushed me to my limit, but he had been my sensei and I still missed him. Undoubtedly he had another pupil now, a better one. One that didn't have a leaky Chakra…
I let out a frustrated groan and threw a sphere of Chakra at a nearby tree. The tree shook dangerously, as if it were going to fall, but it didn't. An angry squirrel poked its head out of a hole and chattered at me.
"Sorry, squirrel," I said to it. It let out a final angry squeak and ducked back into the hole.
I met Yumi for Ramen, just like I promised. Naruto and another boy were both there. The boy looked exactly like a miniature Guy-sensei.
"My name is Rock Lee. You are the girl who bit my sensei yesterday," Said to boy.
"Right. Sorry," I said sheepishly.
"It was an awesome fight! I saw the whole thing!" Naruto exclaimed, "Right towards the end Hoshi threw a sphere of blue stuff and Tenten just flew backwards. What was that ball? What were ya'll fighting about anyway?"
"Chill, Naruto! Breathe. Don't be so hyper!" Yumi exclaimed. I sent her a look that obviously said you're one to talk about being hyper and she grinned at me.
"It was a Chakra sphere. At least, that's what Kakashi-sensei calls them. Neji says they are 100% pure Chakra energy. I can throw them at things now," I said to Naruto.
"That's so cool. I wish I could do that. All I can do is make clones," He replied.
"I could never quite grasp the art of clone-making," I admitted. There was a sort of water-based jutsu that most people in Kirigakure could use to make clones of themselves. Unlike Naruto's shadow clones, however, the water-clones had to stay close to the user.
When we finished eating, which was difficult without the use of my left hand, I followed Yumi back to her house.
"I'm going out tonight," She said brightly as we walked into her room.
"Have fun. I'm going to sleep," I said, heading into Neji's room. She smirked as I walked out, but said nothing.
I paused in the doorway as if I half-expected him to be in the room, but he was not. I collapsed on the bed and pulled his black satin blanket over me. I grabbed his pillow and lay my head on it. I couldn't sleep, and I listened to the sounds of Yumi moving throughout the house until she finally left to go to the club. Then it was silent. I sighed and pressed my face into his pillow. Then I suppose I fell asleep.
The next time I awoke the sun was shining brightly through Neji's bedroom window and I couldn't quite figure out why I had awakened. I was about to go back to sleep when I found what had awakened me.
"Wake up, Hoshi, you're late for training with Kakashi Hatake," Yumi said loudly. I looked up to see her standing above me.
"I don't want to go," I whined.
"Too bad! It's nearly 2:00 in the afternoon and you were supposed to be there four hours ago. He just sent Naruto looking for you and I promised to have you up," She replied.
Less than a half hour later I was out on the practice field, feeling empty. Yumi had pried his pillow away from me.
"You're late, Hoshi," Said Kakashi. He was sitting in the middle of the practice field, reading his book.
"Whatever," I grumbled and sat down in the middle of the field without looking at him.
"Someone's in a bad mood today. Hit a few targets and I'll let you go home. We're going to be working on tracking tomorrow, so you'd better be in a better mood then," Kakashi replied, standing up. I let out a sigh and got to my feet. It wasn't difficult to fight without the use of my left arm, seeing how I always used my jutsu with my right anyway. I hit six targets dead-on and the last four were within pretty close range of the bulls-eye.
"You did good, Hoshi. Since I have a meeting with the Hokage, I will let you go home now," Kakashi said to me.
I left the practice field and wondered what to do next. Now that I was awake I did not particularly feel like going back to sleep. I would have gone to the ramen bar, but I didn't particularly feel like talking to the excessively hyper Naruto.
"Maybe Yumi knows something for me to do," I said aloud.
I walked back to Neji's house and went inside. A little white puppy was sitting in front of Yumi's door, whining pitifully. For some odd reason my brain didn't connect the words 'Akamaru', 'Kiba', and 'Yumi' until I opened the door and found the latter of the two locked at the lips. I stared at them for a moment and then cleared my throat. Yumi and Kiba became aware of me quite suddenly and sprang apart, both blushing furiously. Akamaru bounded into the room, tail wagging happily.
"I didn't see anything," I said, turning around and walking out of the room. I closed the door behind me.
Yumi found me outside a little while later. I was sitting on the ground, playing with a blade of grass. She sat down beside me.
"Hey Hoshi…you won't tell Neji about what you saw in there, will you?" She asked with a guilty grin.
"Of course not…" I replied with a faint smile. A look of relief washed over her face.
"Thanks Hoshi. I totally owe you one," She said, standing up.
"Sure. Where are you going?" I asked her as she started to walk off.
"I have unfinished business with Kiba," She replied slyly.
"Stay out of Neji's room!" I called after her as she skipped off towards the house.
Since I didn't have anything better to do, and I didn't want to interrupt Yumi and Kiba doing…whatever it is they were doing, I went back to the practice field by myself to do some solo training.
I practiced tree-walking and I got farther than I did the last time. It was most likely because my excess Chakra had been used up during my earlier training with Kakashi Hatake. I still wasn't very good and after a few nasty falls that left me bruised, I decided to quit before I accidentally killed myself.
Later that night, as it was getting dark, I went back to Neji's house. Yumi and Kiba were nowhere to be found, thankfully, so I went to Neji's room and sat down on the bed. My left arm was throbbing painfully from where Tenten had gashed me with the shuriken. My recently added assortment of bruises and contusions didn't help, either. I lie down on the bed and tried to relax some. I grabbed Neji's pillow and lay my head down on it before falling asleep.
I awakened myself sometime later, crying. I'd had a dream that bordered on my consciousness for a little while, but when I sat up I couldn't remember it. It seemed ridiculous to be crying and not know why so I swiped my tears away, but I couldn't rid myself of the feeling of sadness and loneliness that plagued me.
I heard the front door open and figured it must be Yumi, coming back from her night of gallivanting across town. I was surprised when the door opened and there stood not Yumi, but Neji.
"Neji-kun!" I cried delightedly. I was on my feet in moments and ran to him, meeting him in an embrace and a kiss that caught him off guard. Not like the little pecks we'd kissed before on forehead and cheeks, but a full make-out session.
We stayed like that for I don't know how long. It could have been hours or days or years even. I was blissfully unaware of the door opening until I heard Yumi.
"Eww! Gross!" She shrieked. I broke away from Neji and sent her a reproachful glance over Neji's shoulder. You owe me! I reminded her silently.
"Right. Sorry," She said sheepishly, "I'll pretend I didn't see that."
Yumi left, closing the door behind her, and I kissed Neji again. This time I did not catch him off guard.
"Seems like someone missed me," He said when we broke apart finally.
"You have no idea," I murmured, resting my head against his chest.
"Were you sleeping in my bed?" He asked, walking over to the bed with me.
"…maybe."
He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Yumi told me I could!" I said defensively.
"It's okay, Hoshi, I don't mind," He said soothingly. He sat down on the bed and I sat down beside him. He picked up his pillow, which was still wet from my dream-tears.
"Why is my pillow wet?" He asked with a smirk.
"…I think I was crying," I said quietly. His smirk faded quickly.
"What were you crying about?" He asked me.
"I don't remember," I replied truthfully.
We were silent for a little while and Neji flipped his pillow over and lay down. I lay down as well and tried to remember my dream.
"I think…I was having a dream about my childhood," I said after a little while.
"Would you like to tell me about it?" Neji asked me. I nodded and began my tale…