Memories: Its finally summer! I finally had time to finish this chapter after school ended. Sorry it took long. Well, anyways its here!
Nothing is what it seems Chapter 8!!
Thank-you so much for the reviews and the ones that been reviewing for me through out my story. Arigato! (:
The wind howled through the trees, ripping several dead leaves along; Keiko held her palm out as she caught an odd shaped leaf. It crinkled as she closed her palm and when she opened them back up the pieces were caught with the wind, blown far away. Tomorrow was the double-exam. If you weren't a chuunin yet or a jounin then you would have to take the exam tomorrow. Tsunade decided to combine the 2 together so that it'll be easier and a lot faster and since the last recent year, the exams were canceled. Not to mention you could shoot up straight to jounin level if you worked hard enough. But then you'll be up to some real competition.
And that was what Keiko was fretting about. It was already late at night but she couldn't go to sleep. So she decided to take a walk. The streets were empty as the dim street lights lit up her way. It was quiet. Kohona could be mistaken for a ghost town tonight really easily. "I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow," she whispered. Painfully remembering what had happen the last time she was in it.
Suddenly she swept around the streets in a panicky motion. "And I shouldn't be in it! I shouldn't even think of being in it! It's too dangerous! What was I thinking? And it wouldn't be really fair anyway for the others! Hinata, come on!" Then her foot paused in mid step as her eyes grew wide. 'Oh no'
She took in a shaky breathe as she turned around to meet even wider, familiar, sky-blue eyes. "N-Naruto-san." There he was looking like he couldn't sleep either and he probably had also heard her say everything. Including the name Hinata.
He looked to be in a deep thought until he finally snapped himself out of it. Naruto grinned, "So you can't sleep either huh?" Keiko blinked, rooted to the spot like a deer caught in the headlights. He just… grinned for the 1st time at her ever since she came back. Finally she managed to choke up a reply, "Ano…hai."
He nodded turning away, "Strange…" Keiko raised an eyebrow, did he just call her strange? Opening her mouth to say something, Naruto laughed. "You know you were so not the girl I expected Sasuke to fall for."
-Keiko's POV-
I blinked, and I couldn't help but feel my cheeks get warmer as color flooded them. That's right. Hinata Hyuuga and Sasuke Uchiha, together? No one ever saw that coming. I gave a small laugh, "That's true. Who were expecting it though? No one ever actually expected him to be…well be in love with anyone."
I didn't know why but when I said the word…love…it almost became a whisper, making my heart skip a beat. Naruto laughed, "Well for Sasuke, I actually expected someone like Sakura… well…Herself actually."
I blinked, "Sakura? But…aren't you in…," I choked out the rest painfully, "love with her?"
He blinked then laughed, "No way! That was a long time ago!" And then his face became distant as he stared up at the moon, "I'm in love with someone else…." The way he said it made me think it wasn't going so well.
"Oh…" I wanted to ask who casually, curiosity filling me up rapidly and at the same time…bittersweet pain. Who could it be this time? Whoever it is… it's none of business. But my mouth just had to open, and the question flew out. I immediately regretted it and just when I was about to take it back, he reacted sooner. His face had suddenly become cold when he realized what he said or maybe…who he was talking to, "No one you would need to know!" I flinched, feeling stung. "Gomen, I shouldn't have even asked. It wasn't my business," I apologized, bowing my head down low, trying to hide my trembling face. I wasn't scared….I wanted to cry, being the usual crybaby I am. It had hurt; I guess….like it always had… I stood up quickly, avoiding his face. "Well….goodnight now Naruto-san," I gave a weak whisper and turned around and was just about to bolt off but then his softest touch on my shoulder made me freeze.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. It's j-just…I-I…" I immediately tensed up, worry building up inside of me. Was he…crying? I turned around to see his head tilted down so his bangs shadowed his face.
"N-Naruto-san?" He gritted his teeth as his grip tightened on my shoulder. "…Naruto." I felt my heart tighten at the picture in front of me. He was hurt. Badly. The next thing I did was way out of my character. It just came. I wasn't thinking…as usual. But I just….wanted to help him so bad. I had pulled him into a comforting hug with his head resting on my shoulder.
"W-what are you doing?" Naruto's face was burning red as he looked down at me. (I'm short)
"I'm sorry if something bad happened between you and her. But, you know it's alright to cry once in a while. You should've told someone. It's always better. Besides…the hug seemed to make you better," I smiled then blinked when his face got redder. Not to mention I just noticed that he hadn't bothered to get out of my hold, which made me…happy.
"You remind me a lot about her…," he whispered. Suddenly something snapped in me. I quickly let go, immediately regretting it when I saw his hurt expression. I wanted to apologize but he quickly replaced his expression with another grin. Which made me feel worse. The friendly hug was only meant to help him feel better, nothing more. I don't want him to misunderstand anything. And I don't want to betray Sasuke and the others. I don't want things to be more complicated.
"You even almost look like…her," Naruto continued with a growing grin, trying to keep the conservation going. I blushed, unable to stop the cursed pink from flooding my cheeks. I bet I can't even be compared to her. Someone who caught his eye must be even prettier than Sakura. And I was never prettier than her.
"Really? How do I remind you of her," I asked, curious. He chuckled, peering at me from under his blond bangs. I blinked, "W-What?"
"That. You're like her like that also. Your shyness and honesty. Your mysterious aura. Everything. Just one thing is that you're a bit more confident and…untrustable." His last word really got me by surprise. That's right…they still don't trust me.
I gave him a smile that seemed to throw him off. "And who's the lucky lady?" His cheerfulness seemed to be washed away instantly.
"Hyuuga Hinata." And right then, just right then everything REALLY stopped. The wind seemed to have stopped. The crickets…the leaves…my heart beat. I couldn't breathe.
"I-I-uh… I have to g-go!" I whispered breathlessly as thousands of flower petals stormed around me and as a dainty feather soared up to the clear night sky. And that was the last he saw of me before I teleported away. Naruto blinked, sadness resting in his ocean orbs as he looked up at the stray feather floating in the sky. "Hang in there buddy…hang in there."
-
Light flooded the room, waking me up. I opened my eyes to find myself sleeping between Sasuke and Haku as usual. I closed my eyes shut as tightly as I could, trying to block out some thoughts. Last night had to be a dream. It had to be! Naruto-kun could never like me! Not Hinata! Not me! It was impossible! Just how could that happen? It had to be a dream! I sighed, opening my eyes again. But this dream was just too real. I could actually hear his voice…saying my name. Hyuuga...Hinata. The name seemed so strange. I haven't used it for a while. Hyuuga…Hyuuga. I'm no longer a Hyuuga…but a Hatake. Hinata Hatake. I smiled slowly. I might have had it rough but it's getting much better now. Why should I be so worried? I mean…finally Naruto likes….me. I breathed out shakily, still barely believing it. Everything is alright now. I could make it. I sat up and smiled even more when I looked at Sasuke and Haku.
No.
WE will make it through together.
I got up, getting ready for the day. The double exam is today! I'll even get to see him today too! I could barely contain my excitement and at the same time, I could barely stop shaking like a nervous idiot. My last exam's events kept repeating in my head. I frowned, sighing again. I wonder how Neji and Hinabi are doing. I haven't…seen Hinabi at all. And I doubt Hiashi would let me do it. He disowned me and threw me out with everything I had as soon as he could. Suddenly I remembered something I had long forgotten. The scroll he threw me out with…I never opened it! I tip toed over to my dresser and dug around for it. I smiled when I found the locket Shizune gave to me. It was resting on the jewelry box the whole time. I stared at the engraved name for a while before putting it in my pocket. I sighed, turning my attention back to the missing scroll. Where is it?
When I finally found it, I felt a cold shiver travel down my spine. I took another deep breath in and broke the seal. I slowly unrolled it then read it. The longer I read it, the more my forehead burned. I looked quickly in the mirror, my skin growing cold.
That sensation only happened when I got the seal! But nothing was there! A faint marking glowed on my forehead where the seal was supposed to be then it suddenly shattered, the pain abruptly disappeared. It disappeared! I looked back at the scroll, reading the rest. With every sentence, my eyes grew wider. My hands grew number. I immediately took a shower and got dressed. The next thing I knew, I was going to a place I least expected to go to. The Hyuuga Mansion.
-
Normal POV
-
Keiko stood in front of the grand doors, debating with herself whether or not should she really be doing this. She sighed heavily then knocked on the door. "I haven't been here for years…what should I say?" She asked herself quietly, making sure she looked presentable. The door opened to reveal Kasumi, a second branch maid. Keiko smiled brightly at her but before she could say anything Kasumi beat her to it.
"I'm sorry miss, but the Hyuuga household can't receive any visitors today. Please come back tomorrow." She said quickly and then gently closed the doors. Keiko sighed but then a smirk slowly made its way across her lips.
"It always has to come to this doesn't it?" She smiled then disappeared in a storm of petals and feathers. She was going to sneak in.
Keiko crept against the walls silently, being wary of the Hyuugas passing by. She slid a door quietly open and then closed it gently behind her. Nobody used this hall. She used to use this hall to go around the manor when she didn't want to be seen by anyone else. Keiko finally let a breath, observing her surroundings more this time. It felt the same in here. The same cold feeling. The suffocation. She sighed, this was stupid. But she had to know why…he did all of this for her. Suddenly she heard footsteps walking down the same hall she was in.
What? Keiko froze. No one ever used this hall! Keiko faintly glowed then her skin slowly became transparent. Soon, she was invisible. She hated using this. Keiko stood silently, breathing as quiet as she could. Their byacktogun couldn't see through her like this so she didn't have to worry about it. But the person that walked down the hall wasn't just anyone. Her eyes grew wide, almost jumping up in joy. It was Hinabi! It was Hinabi! But the thing that confused her was how Hinabi knew about the hallway.
Hinabi had grown; her hair had been cut short to her shoulders again. Hinabi was now 15, the same age as her. This was kind of odd…since she used to be the older sister. Everyone else she used to know was 2 or 3 years older than her. She looked so sad… Keiko sighed softly, immediately regretting it when Hinabi looked up.
"Who's there?" Hinabi demanded, taking out a kunai. Keiko took a step back. She didn't know if she should see her again right now. It would be kind of hard for Hinabi to believe that she's Hinata and most
off all, she was supposed to keep it a secret. Hinabi threw the kunai straight at her, making her catch it in mid air. Hinabi smirked, "Well, I've caught you. Show yourself."
Keiko sighed as her body became visible but at the same time she smiled. Oh well. "Looks like you caught me."
Hinabi frowned, "I never saw you before. Who are you?" Keiko smiled brightly.
"I'm Hatake Keiko. Nice to meet you, Hinabi." Keiko stuck her hand out for the other 15 year old to shake. Hinabi just simply stared emptily at it then at her.
"A Hatake? As in Kakashi's daughter? How did you get in here without getting noticed! How old are you anyway?" Hinabi asked, being very wary of the girl in front of her. She got in without being noticed which was incredible for someone her age. She even knew to use this hall since no one ever used it. Not to mention she just said she was Kakashi's daughter. Since when does he have one? Keiko couldn't help but pout indignantly.
"I'm 15! The same age as you!" Keiko fumed. Hinabi couldn't help but blink, surprised at the girl's child like reaction.
"Well…why are you in here?" Hinabi asked, a smiling tugging at her lips a bit. There was something about the girl… She kind of reminded her of…Hinata.
"I'm here…to talk to your father."
"My father," Hinabi had almost yelled, almost losing the calm Hyuuga apparel.
"Yes. Hyuuga Hiashi."
-
"Just where is Keiko-chan?" Haku asked again for the tenth time, pacing around the waiting room. Sasuke glared at his new teammate angrily.
"Ask one more time and you'll regret it," he growled. He was getting agitated himself. The tension in the room was worse than the last time they were in the chuunin exam.
"Hey teme!" Sasuke looked up to see Naruto running up to him, grinning wider than ever. Sakura and Sai were right behind him.
"Good morning Sasuke-kun! Are you ready for the exam?" Sakura asked eagerly. Sai just stood there quietly, nodding a hello.
"Hn," he grunted, looking away. They all sweat dropped.
"Er…what about you Haku-san?" Sakura asked, trying to be a bit polite.
"Huh? Uh, yeah. Sure." Haku smiled after he snapped out of his daze. They all blinked. Ok…what's wrong with those two?
"Yeah, well this time we're not on the same team anymore now are we? Huh? Huh?" Naruto grinned, nudging an irritated Sasuke.
"Hey…where's Hatake-san?" Sakura asked, now noticing the female member of the group was nowhere to be seen.
-
Hiashi studied the girl in front of him, amazed at how she changed.
"You look different." He stated it simply. She smiled softly, taking him by surprise once more. Never had she smiled in front of him. Or had she appear so comfortable. She sat in the same Hyuuga position she was told to sit in ever since she was little.
"You don't know how much Hiashi-san." He also noticed that she had called him by san, not by sama. He almost let a small smile break out on his face. She had changed so much.
"So why are you here? I wouldn't have expected you to come back to this place at all." Keiko stared at him for a while before taking off her headband and putting the scroll on his desk.
"I finally read it today. I just wanted to know…why." She said quietly.
"Why what?" He asked, studying her forehead.
"Why did you do all of these things? Why did you do it?" Keiko asked, waving her hands around the room.
"Why did you disown me with the seal and then put a jutsu in the scroll to take it back off? Why would you say you're sorry in the scroll to me? Why did you act so cold so I can become better? Why did you do all of this?" She was almost yelling. He did something that threw her way off. He smiled. He smiled at her.
"I may not be your real father but your mother and I loved you dearly. But we knew you would never fit in the clan. The council was against it from the beginning. After your mother died, I decided to be as cruel as I could to you. I wanted you to hate us. To get you wanting to train harder. I knew you hated this place from the start. You never wanted to be the heir. It would be easier for you when the time comes. It was the best, I suppose. So the council would be satisfied with you being disowned with the seal but I wasn't. You had your own destiny. Yours was not to be sealed."
Keiko blinked. Not believing what he was saying. She smiled and jumped up into his arms.
"Thank-you. Even though your method of getting rid of me wasn't the best…I still…I still missed you. Thank-you…father."
-
Everyone quietly stared at each other, a bit nerved by the two grumpy and worried males. A small grumble growled and everyone turned to look at the two.
"You guys didn't eat breakfast did you?" TenTen laughed.
"Just a piece of toast…" Haku sighed, rubbing his stomach. Sasuke just simply grunted.
"Sasuke-kun. Haku-kun." The two jumped, turning around to see two brown bags being pushed up in their face.
"Eat." They blinked and took the bags, finally able to see who was behind them.
"Keiko-chan?" Haku smiled, happy to see her. Sasuke seemed delighted also but the grumpiness never disappeared.
"Why didn't you guys eat breakfast?" Keiko asked, appearing a bit mad.
"Well…we didn't see you when we woke up so we just grabbed something and went off early. I thought we could've eaten together somewhere." Haku said sheepishly. Keiko blushed.
"Sorry I didn't tell you guys where I went. I just needed…to say hi to an old friend." Keiko smiled softly. "Now eat. I made it!" The two opened the bags then slowly started eating hungrily, making the others drool.
"Wow that looks really good." Chouji smacked his lips together to keep from drooling. Keiko smiled.
"Thanks!" She turned around to meet blue orbs staring back at her. She quickly looked away, a bit flustered. Hinabi looked over to see the same girl she encountered earlier. She walked over and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey." Keiko turned around and smiled.
"Hey!" Hinabi blinked then gave a small smile.
"How did it go?" She asked; curios at how her father would react after finding out a 15 year old sneaked into the Hyuuga Manor successfully.
"It went great actually." Keiko giggled softly, "He seemed very happy and thank-you so much for helping me with him."
"You're welcomed but my…Father? Happy?" Hinabi blinked. Neji frowned, thinking the same thing.
"You went to see Hiashi?" He asked incredulously, not believing it. Keiko hesitated for a bit then gave a small nod and just when she was going to say something else, a loud whistle was blown.
"Alright everyone! It's time for the testing to start!" The same guy from the other time, opened the doors and everyone filed in. Naruto smiled, "This is going to be a piece of cake." Keiko grinned confidently. "Let's do this!" They yelled together, laughing.
-
2 hours later
-
"The rest of you remaining….all pass!"
"I can't take it anymore! Thank god we're done testing!" Naruto exclaimed, stretching his out his arms. Keiko giggled.
"How do you think you did?" she asked him as she got up from her seat. Naruto looked surprised to see her still talking to him. He gave an easy grin.
"It was actually kind of easier than last time!" Keiko laughed but then suddenly a woman busted into the classroom, interrupting their chat.
"Alright Ibiki!(sp?) Is this all the passers? Tch, you guys ready? You better be because now it's time to enter the Forest of Death!" Anko grinned, pumping a fist in the air. Naruto jumped from his seat and yelled excitedly, "Alright!"
Everyone sweat dropped. They're just like each other. Everyone followed her outside, quiet and nervous at the same time. The newbies didn't seem very happy to find the Forest of Death scarier than they thought. Keiko frowned; she knew they were going to twist things up in there. To make it even harder. The test may be easy…but the forest sure won't be.
"Alright! This is where I leave you guys! You will have to enter the forest of death and grab a scroll, you don't already have. So when you reach the tower you will be holding two scrolls. One will be earth and the other will be water. You're going to have to be fighting for lives in there…that's if you still living." Anko smirked.
Everyone shuddered at the thought, remembering that the last exam was interrupted by Orochimaru. Keiko sighed, putting the earth scroll in her pocket. Everyone would have to be more careful and alert this year. Another whistle was suddenly blown, shattering the thick tension.
"Go!" Everyone ran through the gates and into the trees, immediately losing sight of each other.
"Alright, so we have the earth scroll but we don't have the water scroll." Keiko said as she caught up with the boys. They nodded, registering it in their heads.
"Although we just got in here, we should make camp. It's already getting dark and the sun is coming down already." Haku said, pointing to the sky. They agreed. It was better to make camp while there was still light. They wouldn't lose that much footing anyway, they could always wake up early in the morning.
"Sasuke, can you make the fire? I'll go find some food." Keiko said as she finished setting up the tent. "Let me go with you. That'd be safer." Haku suggested. Keiko shook her head, "I'll be fine. You could help Sasuke finish setting up camp though. Kay, I'll be back!" She ran into a bush and disappeared behind a tree.
Haku sighed and turned around to see Sasuke just finished with the fire. The Uchiha stared back at him blankly, not very pleased with being stuck with him again either. "I hate you." Haku said, breaking the silence. "I loathe you." Sasuke replied, glaring at him.
Keiko closed her eyes, listening for any sounds that might indicate food. "Water….Water…means fish." She said softly, following the sound of water. She bent under a branch and felt her feet splash into water. The wind whistled quietly as the leaves ruffled. Keiko frowned, suddenly noticing how quiet it. Not even the sounds of birds chirping. No animals…just the wind and leaves.
Something's wrong. "Hime…" (Yuki) "Yeah?" "I sense danger, can you?" "…Yeah. Me too." "You want us to-" (Nozomi) "No! I forbid you three to do anything unless the situation REALLY calls for it!" "But, hime!"(Hitomi) "No buts. Just stay quiet, I'll call for you guys when I need you guys? OK?""Hai!" (All)
Keiko looked forward, pretending like she didn't suspect anything. Taking a kunai from out of her bag, she waited quietly. Her eyes instantly flickered to the movement in the water and then she shot the kunai out at her target. A splash echoed loudly around her as she treaded across the water's surface, grabbing the fish. When she stood back up, she sensed someone jump behind her and throw a kunai at her.
Keiko yanked the kunai out of the fish and threw it at the oncoming kunai, the weapons clashed against each other loudly as Keiko and the attacker stared silently at each other. He was older then her by a couple years. His eyes were a dusty brown while his sea-green
hair spiked up randomly on his head with a couple of yellow highlights. He was pretty tall and was fairly built; he looked like a speedy and quick attacker with some advantage with power and muscles. He wore a forest green t-shirt and long blue jeans which stood out on his olive colored skin.
Keiko smiled politely, "It seems I'm not the only one here." He smirked, "Now what ever made you think that?"She took out another kunai, spinning it around her finger swiftly. "And I suppose you also want something of mine?" She asked, keeping her eyes on the spinning kunai.
He smiled crookedly, "If you have the earth scroll, I'd suggest you to give to me now…or else…" He trailed off as two more emerged from the trees. They all looked identical to him. Like triplets. Except one was heavily built on the muscles while the other one looked like the skinniest, trained more for speed. They all wore green to match with the surroundings, all looking pretty hungry and wild. Keiko looked back at the man to see his teeth grow sharper and sharper until it looked like fangs.
"You see…we're not just any nins. Our specialty is transforming into beasts. We wouldn't want to hurt an angel like you now would we?" He cackled, his ears growing pointer as his pupils stretched out like a snake or a cat's eye. His hair started growing longer and spikier, almost like an animal's mane. His nails grew out until they turned into sharp claws. Keiko stood unfazed, she could do it easily herself and not to mention Kiba was like that sometimes too.
"B-But I don't have the scroll." Keiko said but the man reached out and grabbed her neck, picking her up to meet his eye level. "Oh? You better be sure of that or else…" He cackled as he jumped towards the direction she came from. Keiko's eyes widened in fear when she spotted the two at the campsite from below.
"Your teammates will get it." He snarled as the two did some hand signs, glowing an eerie color of grey. "No-" Keiko choked as he squeezed her throat harder, not allowing her to talk loud enough for Haku and Sasuke to hear.
"Well, what is it? Cough it up…or…Hahahaha," he laughed as he swiped a claw on her cheeks, drawing fresh blood. Keiko winced as she clawed at his hand uselessly and as her legs dangled limply in the air. She couldn't breathe! He was choking her! Keiko gagged, gasping for air.
"Choose!"
Tee hee, the end! Well for this chap.
Next one is comming right up!
And the obstacle is...What will Keiko do this time to get her out of this situation?
And just who is her other mysterious suitor that also gave her a ring?
What will Sasuke say when Naruto forcibly kisses Keiko?
Find out!
hehe