Yaay, fourth chapter ;] Also, I'm keeping up with the "4,000 words" thing ;] I am quite pleased with this chapter... Though it was a little rushed xD
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Inuyasha, just saying...
Chapter Four:
Being a Hyuga meant that they would be honored guests to the festival and all honored guests had to look presentable. So the night of the festival Harumi brought both of her daughters to the Hyuga seamstress to get new yukata's. Just because Kagome was not part of the Branch House didn't mean her mother couldn't treat her to things every once and a while.
After taking measurements and getting the correct colored fabrics, the woman set to work. While that happened, both Kagome and Hinata had their hair and make-up done.
Hinata's hair which was getting a little longer was cut back to its short style, butterfly hair pins to clip back her side bangs. Her make-up was of light purples and whites. The make-up artist also put a blush on her cheeks that made them rosier then they already were.
Kagome on the other hand had her hair hair trimmed at the bottom and had the bangs pulled out of her face with a black headband that had small black pearls on it. The hair style showed off the crescent moon on her forehead perfectly. Her make-up consisted of blacks, blues and silvers. She had paint over her eyelashes to work as eye liner. her lips painted a soft peach.
Harumi enjoyed the girls giggling as they looked into the mirrors. Kagome would compliment Hinata on how pretty she looked and Hinata would stutter back a response. It was cute the way they talked and unlike Hiashi, Harumi wanted her children to see each other, be near each other, to actually talk to eachother.
The older woman herself had her long straight hair put up in a bun, having her side bangs curled. The hairstylists didn't have to worry about her front bangs, for she didn't really have any. She was dressed in an old Yukata that had never been worn when she had been pregnant with Hinata and Kagome. It fit her well too, if not a little loose. It was a light blue with darker blue stars and waves. The obi around her waist was a light peach that pulled the look together.
By the time the girls had their make-up and hair finished, the seamstress was ready for them to put on their yukatas.
Harumi helped each of her girls into the light cotton dresses and did up their obi's like a professional. Though it had been a little harder with Kagome's squirming. Hinata had tried to stay calm, but she knew being around her younger sister always made her more giddy then ever.
The two girls ran to the mirror when they were done, looking at themselves.
"Wow!" Kagome yelled with a clap from her hands. "Hinata-nee you look so beautiful. Like a princess!"
Hinata was dressed in a deep violet yukata that had orange and yellow butterflys dancing around on it. Her obi was a nice yellow and in her hand was a small change bag, the same color of violet as the yukata.
"N-No little sister, y-you look like a silver f-fairy." Hinata stuttered, also smiling at Kagome.
The youngest of them all was wearing a black yukata with white lillys all over it. Her obi was a night blue and in her hand was a black silk change purse.
Kagome giggled when their mother came over and placed a kiss on each of their foreheads. "You both look lovely!"
"Mama, what do we do in festivals?" Kagome asked, never having been to one before.
"Well dear, we walk around and talk to people. We can also play games and eat food that Hyuga's never eat." she poked her nose.
"F-Food Hyuga's n-never e-eat?" Hinata asked.
"It's one of the many rare things out there... It's called Junk Food." she tried not to laugh at the wonder that gleamed in the girls eyes.
"Mama, isn't Junk bad... Why would we want bad food?" Kagome looked confused.
"It's only bad if you eat too much of it, I assure you that it tastes wonderful!" Harumi finally gave in and giggled.
The two girls took their mothers hands and were led off to put on their wooden sandals.
The two girls continued holding their mothers hands until they were in the middle of a crowded street. They had been told that their father would meet up with them later, and that was when Kagome would go home to Neji and Hizashi. Kagome didn't worry about that though, she was too busy looking around to remember that she only had a small amount of time.
Everywhere there was people, all in fancy outfits or in special yukatas and kimonos. Some girls and men were talking more than others, their hands were touching each other, which was odd to Kagome. She just ignored it and look over at one side of the street. There were booths everywhere, selling food or their own items. Bubbles were floating in the sky, never seeming to pop. On the other side of the street was more booths that held more food and this time, games.
"Mama, can we play games?" Kagome looked up to her mother and pleaded, she wanted to win Hinata and Neji some toys!
"Of course, what game would you like to play?" Harumi asked and looked at her daughter scoping out the good games.
Kagome looked over to her sister admiring a stuffed animal of a bunny over at a cork shooting game. "That one!" Kagome pointed.
Harumi nodded with a laugh. She knew what Kagome was doing and it was very sweet of her.
They walked up to the booth and the young woman in charge gave them a smile.
"How are you today?" she asked.
"We are doing well, thank you. How are you?" Harumi, being the polite woman she was, answered back.
"Well, business is booming, so things are very good here." she replied. She then kneeled down to the twins, Hinata instantly shying behind their mother. "How can I help you tonight young lady?"
"I want to win Hinata-nee the bunny!" Kagome pointed to the big, white, fluffy bunny.
"Alright." the owner laughed. "It's a dollar for each cork you shoot."
Kagome opened up her coin purse and fetched out three of the coins. She handed them to the lady and waited for her to come back and hand her the cork gun and three corks.
"Alright, to win the bunny, all you will have to do is knock over the bunny picture on this spinning table." the woman pointed to a small bunny photo what was on one of the spinning tables. Kagome had practiced with her aim and she was pretty good. She just hoped to be able to do it.
The nice lady showed her how to use the gun and informed her that using any jutsu was prohibited. Not like Kagome wanted to cheat anyways.
On Kagome's first try she blindly shot at the table, managing to knock off a picture of a tiger.
"Oops." She giggled.
The lady reached under the counter and handed Kagome a tiger mask. Kagome leaned her head to the side to look at it. Hinata would not look good in it. She just needed to get that bunny.
"I will try harder!" she told herself, making the adults giggle and her twin looking at her in wonder.
The second shot, Kagome leaned on the counter, as hard as a rock. Concentrating too hard made her miss all together, which hyped up her frustration.
Suddenly, a hand was on her arm. Kagome looked back to see her shy older sister standing there looking at her with what seemed like all the care in the world.
"Y-You can do it!" she told her little sister.
Kagome nodded, smiled and relaxed. Turning back to the booth.
The last shot was when Kagome truly tried her best. To her this wasn't just a game. It meant the world to her, she really had to win Hinata-nee something! She sighed, leaned forward, checked her shot and waited for the bunny picture to come back around. When she saw it coming she almost panicked, shooting a second or so too early and then... The sound of a cork hitting a paper!
Kagome looked to see she had knocked over the paper she had been wanting so badly to shoot.
"YAY!" She yelled, hopping up and down on her wooden sandals. Harumi, the owner and even Hinata giggled at the sight of the girl.
The woman reached under the counter and grabbed the bunny, handing it to Kagome. Said girl walked over to Hinata and handed her the plush animal. Hinata in turn shyly gave her younger sister a hug, one that Harumi openly squealed at.
The rest of that night Hinata, Kagome and Harumi held hands, talking to random shop owners, trying their first Junk food (Kagome getting a sugar high off the cotton candy), and playing more games. After a few more hours, the women walked back to the compound, dropping Kagome off with Hizashi and continuing on to meet Hiashi.
Kagome didn't mind much. She knew her father didn't want her very much. Besides, she was having too much fun with Hizashi and Neji!
Later that night when Kagome had washed up and put away the yukata in exchange for a nightgown, she and Neji sat under the stars in the garden.
"Neji-nii, does the curse mark hurt?" Kagome asked, staring up at the little silver dots in the night's sky.
"Some times." was his simple answer.
"And other times?" the girl pressed.
"Other times... It can hurt quite a bit." he looked over to see Kagome's own worried face. He sat his small hand on her head. This was the girl he saw as a sister, the girl who knew him inside and out... This was the girl whom he would protect, ancient Hyuga seal or not. "It's fine, nothing to worry about."
"If you say so..." the navy-haired girl looked back to the sky.
The silence ensued until the little girl finally remembered something.
"Oh! Neji-nii, I got you something at the carnival!" she smiled, remembering the item she had hidden behind her back until he was looking away. She had successfully hid it in a rose bush. "Close your eyes!"
The boy stared at his cousin before closing his eyes. He felt hands around his own and almost laughed when they were placed over his eyes.
"Just in case!" Kagome giggled.
Neji could hear the soft padding of feet on the ground and the sway of the grass. He then listened as the sound of leaves rustled, and the foot echos came back closer.
"You can open your eyes now!" the excited voice came.
When the brunette opened his eyes he was shocked.
In front of him was Kagome, wearing a tiger mask. It was a full faces mask like an ANBU's, but instead of being white with red markings the colors consisted of oranges, yellows and black. Two holes were cut out for eyes and through them he could see the brilliant lavender of Kagome's eyes.
"Do you like it?" she asked, scooting closer and taking it off to hand it to him. She scratched the back of her neck once he grabbed it. "I was trying to win a bunny for Hinata-nee, but also won this one... I thought you would like it. Your like a tiger too! It fits!"
"It's the thought that counts." the small Hyuga boy looked down at the odd looking mask, but to be honest, he had never been more touched in his life. Not once had he received such a gift. Yes, for his birthday and Christmas he would receive small things like scrolls or new kunai for the academy. This though... You could tell Kagome had put thought into it. She could have obviously thrown the mask away or even kept it herself but... She had chosen to give it to him. At that point in time, that was all that mattered to Neji.
His cousin gave him another smile and flopped back onto the grass, totally ignoring the fact that she was wearing a nightgown with only underwear underneath.
Neji let himself slip a few laughs as he was pulled down beside her.
Hyuga men were supposed to be strong, they kept balance among others. They were able to protect all of the clan, being skilled with weapons and gentle fist. Hyuga men were like Hiashi: always standing tall, always stoic. Neji had followed what his father had told him about surviving as a Hyuga. Son, behave yourself, keep up in your studies, train your hardest and one day you will be worthy of calling yourself a Hyuga. Is what he had said. Neji had done as he was told. He behaved perfectly, not one complaint had been made towards him. He had kept studying until he knew all of the material thrown at him. Lastly, he had trained his hardest every chance he got, working alone or with his father. He had been stoic, he had been tough and he always stood tall. Neji had been the perfect Hyuga boy.
That was until the five year old girl beside him showed up.
Hyuga woman were supposed to be calm, they made everything even amongst the clan. They were able to be as graceful as possible, and skilled in the art of ninja training. Hyuga women were like Harumi: always elegant, always delicate. Neji remembered what his father had told him about the clans women. When you are older, the correct woman for you will show up. She will be a lady amongst all others, a true Hyuga. Is what he had explained. Looking over to the girl besides him who was now looking at a cricket not too far away, he wasn't sure if Kagome really fit as a Hyuga. She was always ecstatic and happy, a whirlwind of joy and activeness. She was as clumsy as possible, always fumbling or tripping over the smallest of objects, though she did have her moments of grace. She wore clothes that were more suited of a male than a female. Lastly, this girl was the least delicate of any flowers, always staying as tough as nails. Kagome was not a typical Hyuga girl.
Thinking about it to himself, he didn't know what he would have done without Kagome.
He was always so much calmer around her, never having to keep up a facade. The stress of being a prodigy was eased away by seeing Kagome doing well also. Her clumsyness caused him great joy, silently chuckling as she would be blown around by the wind. Though Kagome was not a delicate flower, more of a weed... She was the most beautiful of weeds he had ever seen.
On that night, Neji pledged to protect that weed until the right boy came along to pick it and take it home forever. Little did he know what he was getting into.
"Look!" Kagome almost screamed in delight as loud banging noises were heard and fireworks appeared in the sky. "Their so beautiful!"
Neji smirked, watching the girl get up and dance around the small garden. Yes, this was one of Kagome's more graceful moments.
When all the children had gone to bed, the adults were ready to rest.
Hiashi Hyuga though, was up and about. It was his duty to protect the clan and so, before he went to bed each night he would take two quick walks around his compound.
That night, searching for threats had gone a little differently.
First, he had done his walk around the main house, the branch house, the shrine and the other smaller buildings, finding no trouble at all. He then continued on his second round of patrol. This time he started with the branch house, then to the shrine, the other small buildings and finally to the main house. Just as he was about to return inside to his pregnant and sleeping wife, he heard a noise and not just any noise. It was the noice of a small girls muffled cry's.
He quickly activated his Byakugan, searching around for the cause of the noise only to spot his own daughter, Hinata Hyuga, being kidnapped by another ninja.
Checking the other ninja out, Hiashi was enraged with what he found.
The male wore clothes of a foreign country, far from Konoha. Where as Konoha's clothes were made for heat and spring temperatures, these clothes were more for the rain and fall weather. On the male ninja's head sat a perfectly clean forehead protector, in which had his villages sign. Three circles, two interlocking, formed two puddles. The official forehead protector sign for Kumogakure, the very village Konohagakure had signed a treaty with that very afternoon.
Knowing that the ninja was going after a Hyuga only made things more obvious. Kumogakure had lured Konoha into a trap. A trap to steal the Hyuga's bloodline limit. They had declared war against Konoha for a variety of reasons, and carefully planned, using the war as a prop. The Third Raikage had offered a deal to the Third Hokage, sign the peace treaty and the fighting would end. To think Konoha had been so blindsided.
Later in the night, when everyone was sleeping, they would move in on their target, the Hyuga eyes. Knowing Kumo, they had searched through countless files to find a child weak enough, but who also had the potential of the Byakugan, to kidnap away for testing. But to use the head of the Hyuga clans very own daughter was pushing their plan too far.
Hiashi teleported behind the ninja, making a quick jab full with chakra straight to his hearts tenketsu, immediately stopping his life. Before the man hit the ground, Hinata was in Hiashi's arms.
The clan head had shouted out for guards, who had came as quickly as possible and soon enough most of the clans officials were out on the grounds.
The very same night, after Harumi had put Hinata back to sleep, Hiashi had taken the mans body and confronted the Third Hokage. He had told him the story of how he was on patrol and how he had come to spot the man. The Hyuga Clan Head also informed him on his hypothesis of why the ninja would have been kidnapping a Hyuga in the first place.
He had listened and took everything into consideration. Also calling upon the Third Raikage, telling him the story.
The Raikage had been outraged. Mad that the Hyuga man had 'lied', mad that his head ninja was killed but more so that the head ninja had failed. He had denied all accusations made by the Hyuga clan, making up lies and story's, other possibility of how his own main ninja had gotten to the Hyuga compound.
The man had also demanded some form of compensation for the death of his own head ninja. His brilliant idea was executing Hiashi Hyuga for killing the man.
Why not the life of the man that killed my own? He had thought.
It had been settled then, with as much denile from the Third Hokage's part, Hiashi Hyuga was to be executed in the next two days.
He had came home that night, stoic as ever, only his own twin brother knowing somthing was wrong. After explaining to him that he was to die at the hands of a Kumo ninja, Hizashi stepped forward like the good little brother he was.
"Hiashi, I will fill in for you. I myself shall die in your place." he told him, his voice reeking of honesty.
"Brother, I would never make you do such a thing." Hiashi frowned. "What about Neji and... Kagome?"
"Neji and Kagome are both strong, your daughter more so than you think. Plus, they have each other." Hizashi had a faint smile on his lips. He had seen the way those two had acted around each other, more like siblings than cousins.
"Hizashi, you can't possibly-" he was suddenly stopped by a hand coming into contact with his heart, numbing chakra zooming through his body. He merely slumped to the wall.
"This is not up to you brother. This is not for the Hyuga Clan either, this is for you, to save your life. I shall do this to prevent more war and lastly, for once I shall choose my destiny." he gave his brother a dead serious look. "Think of it this way brother, the Kumo-nin would not stop, they would continue to try and get your Byakugan so, If I were to die, the caged bird seal would keep the secrets safe within the clan."
With that he walked off, leaving his paralyzed brother leading on the wall.
"The decision is made."
The next day, and last day, Hizashi spent with Neji and Kagome. He taught them all he had left, giving them actual smiles when they got something right. He allowed them to play with the koi, sitting by and watching them.
The two children were shocked by such a display, but both shone in the approval.
Later that night, he had tucked Neji in and stopped by Kagome's room. He knocked quietly and walked in as usual. The girl was in her usual spot, laying in bed with her stuffed bluebird.
She immediately sat up, patting the bed like she always did when he came in. It was rare, but it had happened of the months they had known each other.
He walked over and took a seat on the bed, looking at his brothers youngest child. He smiled, leaned over and set his hand on her head.
"You make me proud to be your uncle." he said, making the small girl tilt her head in confusion. "Kagome, please be strong... If not for me, for Neji."
And just like that, he walked out of the room and walked to his bed, laying down and having one final dream before his eternal rest.
At first, Kagome had been confused.
Kagome, please be strong... If not for me, for Neji.
What had it meant? Why did she have to be strong for Neji when it was clear he was stronger than her already?
She had gone to sleep confused that night, holding Sango the blue bird.
The next day though, she had been shaken to the core. Her mother had come to her, telling her that her uncle Hizashi... Had been executed for her own father. When Kagome asked why, her mother had only told her that it had been up to the clan's officials, because in truth, that's what she had been told.
Kagome had rushed around the compound, trying to find Neji, finally understanding. She had searched for hours, not able to find him at all. She ended up in the middle of a training field, crying her heart out.
Not only had the man that had become more of a father figure than an uncle to her had passed away, but also because she couldn't keep the promise. She couldn't stay strong when she couldn't find Neji, she couldn't stay strong when he wasn't there. For his sake though... She would try with all of her heart.
When she had found Neji, he was in the garden, sitting by the koi pond. All she could do was sit with him, clinging to him as he wept, allowing him to cling back to her.
A week passed like that, Neji only keeping to himself and allowing Kagome to talk to him, to comfort him. They had both attended the funeral, standing in the front row. They had clutched each others hands, crying silently to themselves. They had stayed long after too, watching as rain poured down on them, as Hizashi was buried in the Hyuga Graveyard. They stayed, each placing a flower on his grave afterwords.
Neji placed one single and small, Forget-Me-Not on his grave for he would never forget his father.
Kagome leaned down and placed a single Apple Blossom by Neji's flower. Her flowers one and only meaning coming forth and connecting to the last words he had shared with her: "Promise".