Hi everybody!!!! Chapter two is out, thanks to a miracle of circumstances. Thank you to all those that reviewed. Your comments were greatly appreciated. I plan on doing some artwork to go with the story, so I'll post where it is when I get it online. Please keep reviewing. Flames are welcomed!
Thanks
-Blackdolphin13-
"Neji, how could you leave Ino out there?" Hinata yelled at him.
"Easily," he said. "My only duty is to protect you, Lady Hinata." He stepped closer and tilted her chin so she was looking straight into his eyes. "I can't bear to lose you. There is no way I would let anything sand in the way of my duty to you, my lady," he whispered. Hinata lowered her eyes and looked away. Neji let go of her and they went inside.
Ino ran across the sand as fast as her feet could carry her. Her time in this world was done. She had waited two hundred years to go home. Finally, her lord was coming.
She jumped on the docks as soon as she reached them. The fishermen were in chaos, all running away from the boat that was her ticket out of this place. "Pitiful humans," she thought to herself. The dragon ship had come to a stop next to the deserted dock. A plank appeared over the side. Ino ran to greet whoever came off the boat.
Two figures appeared on the boat, one woman and one man. The woman had her blonde hair in four pigtails. She had on a light purple kimono that fell to her knees and black tights with high black boots. One arm of the kimono was completely off, revealing a black layer underneath. A red sash was around her waist and held the kimono up. She also had a large fan attached to her back.
The male was very tall. He had a simple short black kimono with black pants tucked into his samurai shin pads. On his face was kabuki paint and he had a black hat on his head with cat ears on it.
Ino bowed to them. "Lord Kankuro, Lady Temari, it is great to see you again," she said. Kankuro and Temari moved aside without a word, revealing another man. Ino fell to her knees when she saw him.
Gazing down at her was a young man with a plain maroon coat that was open at the legs, revealing black pants. On his back was a large gourd. His hair was bright red, as was the love kanji painted on his forehead. His eyes were lined with black and were as cold as ice.
"Lord Kazekage," Ino said in disbelief.
"We should get going Gaara," Temari said. "If the earth people discover we're gone they might attack."
"Hn," Gaara answered coldly. He walked down to Ino without uttering a single word.
Ino stood up quickly at his approach. "Follow me, my lord," she said.
"You found her?" Gaara asked. His voice held no emotion.
"Yes. I have found Lady Kaura's necklace and the one who it was meant for," Ino said.
"Good," Gaara replied
Hinata heard shouts coming from outside her window in the courtyard. She had a perfect view from her two-story window. The yells continued. Hinata didn't even bother looking outside. It was probably the guards sparring again.
Her younger sister Hanabi came running in. "Sister! Sister! Some demons from the other land came today!" she yelled.
"Really Hanabi, don't get such foolish ideas," Hinata said.
"No, its true, they're outside in the courtyard talking to father right now," Hanabi said. She dragged Hinata to the window to see.
A crowd of people from the village and the branch houses of the Hyuga clan were in the courtyard. In the middle of the group was Hinata's father Hiashi Hyuga, Ino and three newcomers. The people stayed a good few feet away, afraid to come any nearer. Hinata saw her father was talking to the red-headed one.
"Neji said their leader is telling father they are here to find someone, and then they'll leave," Hanabi whispered.
The red headed one looked up. His eyes locked with Hinata's. She recognized him instantly as the creature from her dreams. Her nightmares came back as clear as day. Hinata remembered the last thing he said to her.
"I will find you," the creature said, its arms still around her. "You are mine,"
They were here for her.
His cold eyes held her there, hypnotized. She couldn't move or feel anything. Her body was numb. The longer she stared into his eyes, the longer the world seemed to halt. She didn't feel someone pulling her until she was out of his sight.
Neji was standing in front of her. "Lady Hinata, are you all right?" he asked worriedly
"Yes Neji, I'm fine," Hinata answered.
Neji sighed in relief. "Good," he said. His face got serious. "Lord Hiashi has invited the demons to a banquet to welcome them. He is also letting them stay in the Hyuga Household for their stay," Neji said.
"What..." Hinata said, feeling faint.
"They are demons. Years ago some demons came and almost destroyed this village. Lord Hiashi is doing his best to make sure that doesn't happen again," Neji said. "Therefore, the demons are going to stay in the castle and are invited to our celebrations," Neji paused.
"Oh no!" Hinata said in dismay. The idea of the red-headed demon in her home was uncomfortable.
"Hinata, are you all right?" Neji asked with concern. "Lord Hiashi wants us both to be at the banquet," he said.
"I'm okay," Hinata said.
"I will see you then," Neji said. He and Hanabi left without a word.
The door burst open as Hinata was doing her hair. Hinata turned around to see Ino standing in her doorway.
"Ino!" Hinata yelled as she ran to give her friend a hug
"I haven't been gone that long, Lady Hinata," Ino said laughing.
"Ino, what is going on? Who are these people?" Hinata asked.
"Sit down, Lady Hinata, and I'll explain," Ino said. They sat down on Hinata's bed, Hinata eagerly awaiting Ino's explanation for the strangers.
"I'm a demon too," Ino said immediately. Hinata's eyes widened. "We came from the island across the sea that your people call haunted. Our people have lived there for thousands of years, a long time before your people inhabited this land."
"The reason I came to your land was to find the water gems. They are three stones that make up a special necklace worn by one of the ruling kages, the Mizukage. After the death of a Mizukage, the necklace is transported to the human land, where the next Mizukage finds it. When it is assembled, a gateway between the two lands opens up. It is the duty of my people's ruler, Lord Kazekage, to find the Mizukage and bring her back to our world.
"The stones you found on the beach were the water gems. The ribbon I gave you was supposed to guide me to the Mizukage. The gems only appear when the time is right, so that's why they appeared now, I guess."
"Ino, this can't be true," Hinata said.
"Yes it can. Have you ever felt a special connection to the sea? Do you ever feel like the sea is calling you? Don't lie, Lady Hinata, I know you have," Ino said.
"Well, yes. And not just to the sea. The wind too," Hinata whispered.
"Huh? Well, I've never heard of that before. Must be one of those things that we never knew," Ino said. "But this is great! You can come back to my world!" Ino said happily.
"Ino, I have to stay here. We both know that," Hinata said.
"But Lady Hinata, you have to come. We need you," Ino pleaded.
"I'm sorry Ino, but that's just the way it is. My duty is to my clan," Hinata said sadly.
"No," Ino said softly. Her eyes got fiery. "You can't believe that! Everyone has the power to chose their own path! Don't be like your cousin!" Ino yelled at her.
"Ino, please stop," Hinata said.
"No! Please, Lady Hinata, you have to come with us. This is what always happens. Nothing has changed," Ino collapsed, sobbing.
"Ino, what's wrong?" Hinata said, trying to comfort her friend.
"I hoped this time it would be different," Ino said. "Every time, the Mizukage's return is marked with the bloodshed of her people. If she won't come willingly, Lord Kazekage has no choice but to convince you by killing your own kind. No demon can harm the human Mizukage as long as she wears the necklace. It protects her from demons. Please, Lady Hinata, don't let the cycle continue," Ino pleaded.
"Ino, I'll try my best," Hinata promised.
Ino smiled. "Good. You'll meet Lord Kazekage tonight. And don't forget to wear that necklace, it will protect you," Ino said before leaving
Don't get confused here! I accidentally said that Hinata's home is headed by a Hokage, but that will be explained later.
Don't be surprised if Neji disappears for most of the story.
Thank You to all that reviewed. Your comments are greatly appreciated!!
-Blackdolphin13
