Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Clans ❯ Village and Clan Orphan ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but I think it rocks anyway.

 

 

Chapter One: Village and Clan Orphan

 

~*~*~

 

I felt Kuri-sensei's arm around my waist as he held me on Daitsu's back, the goat's coarse fur brushed the wounds against my wrist. I don't remember much after that. Memories flashed of the Sounds that attacked us. The blood of my comrades in the air. The screams of my fellow villagers. The sounds of a summoning jutsu. The sounds of explosions. The sound of Kuri-sensei calling for us. The sight of Daitsu as he emerged. Then the darkness.

 

~*~*~

 

I didn't recognize the hospital, but I didn't really care as I sat up quickly. My eyes wide as I realized this was not the Hospital of the Earth Village. We were not yet ready to claim status as a Hidden Village, but we would be within the next ten years. I knew the hospital well enough, my family had a bloodline trait, so I was important to the village and yearly exams were vital.

 

I ran down the hallways, pushing aside people as if they were nothing.

 

“Kuri-sensei!” I screamed, he would have been in my room. He wouldn't have left me alone in a strange place. “Kuri-sensei!” I felt the tears in my eyes, panic, I had to remember the training. I closed my eyes, holding my hands up, as a team we had worked hard to recognize each others' chakra. I focused hard and there it was, weak. I ran, pushing more people out of the way. It was so weak, Kuri-sensei was never that weak, ever! He was going to be named the Kage! I was certain!

 

“Kuri-sensei!” I shrieked as I saw the guards. I quickly made Earth Clones and charged, they missed me and I hit the double doors in time to see several jounin between me and the place Kuri-sensei's chakra was coming from. “Kuri-sensei!” I rushed at them, summoning my chakra, giving me the burst of speed I needed, dropping to my knees to skid below the arms grabbing for me, I hit the door and watched in horror as Kuri-sensei thrashed. The medic-nins surrounding him as he thrashed in agony.

 

“Kuri-sensei!” I screamed as I ran, arms were around me and I fought, my chakra sticking my feet to the floor, making it harder for whoever was trying to pull me away to do so.

 

“Ma…na…mi…” Kuri-sensei's voice coughed and his thrashing stopped. He turned and looked at me. “Be….strong….my….child….” I stared at Kuri-sensei, the tears in my eyes as he began convulsing.

 

“Kuri-sensei!” I screamed, my chakra shield blasting everyone near me away. I was holding Kuri-sensei's hand, looking into his eyes as they began to glaze over.

 

“You….must….go…on….Mana…mi 230;” his eyes were empty and I felt the chakra ebb from his body.

 

“Kuri-sensei? Kuri-sensei? Kuri-sensei! KURI-SENSEI!” I screamed as I began shaking him by his shoulders. “Don't leave me, Kuri-sensei! Don't leave me!” Hands were pulling at me as I fought, they didn't matter, I was struck, knocked unconscious.

 

~*~*~

 

This time when I woke I did not get out of bed, I did not acknowledge the various ninja in the room with me, I simply rolled over and looked out the window.

 

“Kuri-sensei…” I whispered, closing my eyes and sobbing into my pillow.

 

“Manami, you are the sole survivor of the Village of Earth,” a voice said and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to keep the tears behind my lids. “With you lie the techniques developed by your village. You are alone and among allies. The Hidden Village of Sound is our enemy. We will do all that we can to help you.”

 

“I want to see Kuri-sensei,” I whispered. “I want to see my sensei.”

 

“Will you behave?” the voice asked and I nodded.

 

“I want to see him one more time…please,” I whispered.

 

“I will take her, Hokage,” a voice spoke and I opened my eyes to see a young man with a hideous hair cut standing in the Leaf Chuunin vest. I got up and looked at him, he was probably a few years older than me.

 

“Very well, Lee, but no longer than half an hour,” the woman who's voice had been speaking with me said. He nodded and held out his hand. I looked at him for a moment before reaching out and taking his hand. He led me down the hallways, down into the basement. I stared at the floor the whole way.

 

“You were close to your sensei?” he asked and I looked up at him nodding.

 

“In Earth, we lived with our team, if our sensei was married we would stay with their family. I took my gennin exam at age ten, I've lived with Kuri-sensei for most of my teenage years, he was more of a father than my birth father,” I stated as I looked at him. Lee, that was his name, was not ugly, just his hair and very thick eyebrows, but his face was gentle and his eyes radiated kindness and almost something else, perhaps he too was close with his sensei.

 

Lee nodded as he opened a door and I froze as I saw the form under a sheet, they would be burning Kuri-sensei soon. I slowly approached the sheet, my hand was shaking as I reached out but I made a fist and the shaking stopped. I could sense Lee was behind me, giving me the illusion of privacy. My fingers met cloth and I gripped it before folding it over, off the head and shoulders.

 

Kuri-sensei lay on the table, his dark brown hair was mused as it always was, defying his desire for it to be in a normal style. I stroked his hair, memories playing.

 

`Kuri-sensei, you're head looks like you stuck it in a toilet and flushed!' Hibi cried as the three of us bounced a round Kuri-sensei. I closed my eyes.

 

`Manami, don't let Hibi and Yuka upset you, they are jealous you are of the Lutai clan. Your gifts that you have without trying make them seem weak since you constantly are saving them,' Kuri-sensei's voice spoke to me. `Never be ashamed of your bloodline, your abilities, or what makes you different.'

 

“I won't be ashamed of them, Kuri-sensei,” I sniffled as I stroked his bare forehead. “I will make you proud and I will keep the Earth's way of the Ninja alive. What was your shinobi path is now mine. Where your footprints in the Earth end, mine will continue on. I swear it!” I sliced my fingers on the edge of the table and let the blood flow down my arm.

 

“Manami…” Lee started and I stood tall.

 

“I will miss you forever, Kuri-sensei, Father,” I bowed to the table before turning away and walking towards Lee, my hand dripping blood as I walked towards him. He gave me a gentle smile, his arm around my shoulder before walking me away from my sensei.

 

~*~*~

 

I was shocked when all of Konoha's ninjas came to Kuri-sensei's funeral. I stood there, staring in the black outfit Tsunade-sama had given me. Lee-san and Gai-san had escorted me to the funeral, I was certain it would only consist of Tsunade-sama, Gai-san, Lee-san, and myself. When we emerged and all of the ninjas were waiting for me, I couldn't stop the tears and I bowed to them all, dropping to my knees and placing my forehead on the ground to honor them. I did not get dirty, Earth ninjas did not have to worry about dirt. I stood before the funeral fire and Tsunade-sama spoke, offering prayers and honors to my fallen sensei.

 

There was a moment of silence and I opened my mouth, activating my bloodline. The chakra pathways in my throat bulged, traveling up my neck to around my mouth. I began singing, my song forcing the clouds to gather, forcing the rain to fall as my song continued. The fire was infused with my chakra, forced the flames to resist the rain. It felt wonderful as the chakra induced wind began forcing the flames up, up, into the clouds, into the source of the rain and there was nothing left of the fire or my sensei's body.

 

I stood there and slowly, one by one, the Leaf nins began offering me their respect. All of them, from the ANBU to the academy students, one little girl even giving me a small piece of pottery that held the Earth Village's symbol. I hugged her and continued to accept condolences. I didn't see the people until a clan approached and I recognized them, Hyuuga, powerful, terrifying, I bowed low to them. My clan was of ritual and protocol, I had been raised with the knowledge of all other clans, Hyuuga was one of the most powerful, my gifts were easily seen by a Hyuuga and I knew to show respect to a clan of higher ranking. The Hyuuga man's eyebrow twitched before he inclined his head to the level of respect I was showing him. Each member did the same and I watched them all go, they were a large clan, my clan had only been a quarter of that size.

 

Time passed and soon it was only Gai-san, Lee-san, Tsunade-sama, and myself, I looked up at her and she stared at me a moment before nodding.

 

“I would like to add Kuri to our monument of fallen heroes,” she stated and my eyes widened. Earth had no such monument, to have Kuri-sensei's name on such a monument…I took her hands.

 

“Thank you…thank you, it is an honor…thank you!” I sobbed and she smiled down at me before nodding.

 

“We will talk more tomorrow,” she stated and I nodded, quickly turning to follow Gai-san and have Lee-san follow me.

 

~*~*~

 

The next day was a as rainy as ever and I smiled, I had drawn the clouds, but nature seemed to be mourning Kuri-sensei as much as myself. I sat on the windowsill, still at the hospital, still waiting for Tsunade-sama.

 

“How are you doing today?” a voice asked and I looked up to see a kunoichi with pink hair. I looked at her and saw the gentle healer in her eyes.

 

“Better, I miss him still,” I stated, hugging my knees tighter to my chest. “I want to go home…but…my home is gone, my village, my team house, and my clan estate. I feel so…lost…like a ship lost at sea.” I looked at her and I could see sympathy in her eyes and almost a shared pain.

 

“You'll miss him forever,” she said, placing her hand on my shoulder. “You'll miss home forever, but you'll become strong enough so that pain won't hurt so much.” I looked at her and smiled.

 

“I'm Manami of the Lutai clan,” I said and she smiled as she squeezed my shoulder.

 

“I'm Haruno Sakura, feel free to make Konoha your home, Manami,” she said and I watched as she left, a small smile forming on my lips. It was nice to have someone that did not recognize the Lutai clan name. In Earth it was practically a curse with how I was treated better than anyone else, but here…maybe life would be better once the pain of losing home was gone.

 

~*~*~

 

“Now, we need to discuss what to do with you,” Tsunade-sama stated and I nodded as I sat in the chair in front of her desk. “You are a gennin, you've had twenty D-class missions, twelve C-class missions, and even two B-class missions.”

 

“Yes, the B-class started off as C but the situations deteriorated until we were into B-class territory,” I explained and she nodded.

 

“Not bad, were you planning on taking the Chuunin exam soon?” she asked and I nodded.

 

“Either this year or the year after…I guess that's not going to happen now,” I said sadly.

 

“Actually, one of our gennin teams suffered a loss recently, the female member of a team was killed when she foolishly left her jounin leader and rushed into a situation,” she said and I blinked. “Would you be interested in replacing her?”

 

“I would be honored to wear the symbol of Leaf,” I stood up and bowed.

 

“You would give up the Earth symbol?” she sounded shocked and I nodded.

 

“I am not talented enough to rebuild Earth, I know that. I will become Leaf and my village will live on in how I live my life, I raise my children, and I teach my gennin,” I said and smiled at her. Tsunade-sama nodded before handing me a piece of paper and I stared at the name in shock.

 

“You will belong to the gennin team of Hyuuga Neji, he was forced by his uncle to take a team last year, he is having a hard time adjusting to it. However, you will have someone with knowledge of bloodline traits and while he is young, I think he will be best for you,” Tsunade-sama stated and I nodded. “He knows you are to join him, he and his team are at the training grounds to the west, he is expecting you.” I nodded and quickly exited out the window, bounding across the village towards the western area.

 

The training grounds were easy to find and I quickly concealed my chakra out of habit. I landed on a branch and watched as the two male gennin sparred, one was clearly stronger than the other, his bushy hair was wild and there was a puppy sleeping by a tree. The other one was taller and leaner, his hair nearly white and his eyes a deep green, he was faster, that was certain. There was no sign of the jounin, he probably knew I was here and I activated my bloodline limit, infusing my chakra with the air and life around me, oh…there he was, further up the tree I was in and about to strike. I threw myself out of the tree and landed a few meters away from the two, my chakra pathways were bulging in my throat as I continued to infuse my chakra with the world around me. I looked like my mouth was open in a silent scream and in a way it was.

 

Four kunai were flying at me and I focused, the air in front of me stopping the kunai before sending them flying back at where they had been. Shadow clones appeared and I quickly made twice the number of Earth clones, due to my bloodline trait I had extremely good control over my chakra use. I watched the clones fight, joining in before feeling the wave of kunai coming from several directions. I quickly made an Earth shield around myself, dismissing the clones. I sat in the ball of earth, panting, that was harder than I thought. My bloodline trait told me someone was standing outside of the shield.

 

“Come out now,” a voice ordered and I quickly dispersed the shield and bowed.

 

“Neji-sensei, I am…” I was interrupted.

 

“I know who you are and why you're here,” he said and I looked up at him. He was clearly not suited for having a gennin team. “Your technique is lacking. I was above from the moment you arrived. You completely missed the two other clones in the forest. Your shield was too far above the surface.” I blinked before I nodded, I had spent the first ten years of my life training under my father and Uncle, Neji-sensei would not be able to verbally hurt me like my own clansmen could.

 

“Understood, Neji-sensei, I will improve on that,” I stated, bowing. He made a noise.

 

“Mouken, Kaju, this is Manami, she will be joining our team to replace Guji,” Neji-sensei stated and I looked at the two. They were staring at me, it was creeping me out, but I knew how to fake not being impressed. “I want you to practice in a three-way battle. Begin!” I didn't hesitate.

 

~*~*~

 

I quickly caught my breath using the breathing techniques of my clan. I looked at Mouken as he petted his puppy, Houyuu, his bushy hair was slicked to his forehead and his eyes were nearly closed, but I knew he was watching me. Kaju was sitting on a tree branch, openly staring at me and I met his eyes with my own.

 

“We will meet again tomorrow and continue training,” Neji-sensei stated and the two boys quickly vanished and I shook my head before I turned to head back to the hospital. “Manami, you are to come with me.” I blinked.

 

“Yes, Neji-sensei,” I said, fighting to keep my curiosity down. He was walking and I followed without question for twenty minutes before I gave in, my curiosity was too much with this strange new sensei in a strange new village. “Neji-sensei, may I ask where we are going?” He didn't even look over his shoulder at me.

 

“We are going to my clan's estate,” he stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I knew I was pressing my luck, but I couldn't fight my curiosity and six years on a gennin team, living with an informal sensei had given my tongue some freedom from the rest of me.

 

“Why, may I ask, are we going there?” I asked and I could practically see his annoyed look through his back.

 

“Hokage-sama has ordered that you live with a family containing a bloodline trait, after witnessing you at the funeral, my clan opened an invitation to you once we heard that you were in need of a place to stay. Hokage-sama chose us and so you will live with the Hyuuga until you become jounin, turn eighteen, or marry,” he stated and I blinked.

 

“Okay, Neji-sensei,” I said as we approached the estate. “I was raised among a strict clan, we were told about the Hyuuga clan. I will treat both the Main house and the Branch house with the respect designated by a lesser clan visitor.”

 

“That should please Hyuuga-sama,” Neji-sensei stated and I watched as we approached a massive estate. My eyes widened as I took it in, it was nearly four times the size of my clan's estate. I stared at it, it was so much like home, perhaps like the old clan estate that remained in Hidden Rock, I had only seen pictures and such from the old clan estate.

 

I kept my head bowed as I entered behind Neji-sensei, following him into what I assumed was the Main house, removing my shoes, and following as silently as I could. I could feel the chakra of many people, this clan was thriving, not one among the adults was weak or feeble. I was impressed with what I was sensing. Neji-sensei stopped at a door and knocked, I kept my eyes down.

 

“Enter,” a voice called and Neji-sensei entered before me. I glanced up to see it was Hyuuga-sama and I bowed deeply in accordance to my clan's rank, my rank in my clan compared to Hyuuga-sama's rank and the rank of his clan. “Ah, Neji, I see you've brought the Lutai clan member.”

 

“Yes, Hyuuga-sama,” Neji-sensei stated and I remained in my bow, did they like doing this to me or did they think I didn't know I had to wait for Hyuuga-sama's permission to rise?

 

“You may rise, Lutai-san,” Hyuuga-sama stated and I did, keeping my eyes down on his chest, looking him in the face was not something a sixteen year old clan orphan could do without permission. “How many of the Lutai survived the escape from Hidden Rock?”

 

“Only ten, but by the time of Earth Village's destruction, we were seventeen, Hyuuga-sama,” I stated.

 

“Please have a seat,” he ordered and I did on the cushion on the floor. My back was straight, my hands on my lap and my head down, and my eyes still on his chest. “You know the proper conduct well. I would think you'd have lost protocol living with a sensei for so long.”

 

“Earth gennin were expected to live with their sensei for the majority of their time, visiting their families one night of the week and special family and village occasions, Hyuuga-sama,” I spoke in the tone I had been taught.

 

“Were you the eldest child?” he asked.

 

“No, I have…had an older cousin, she was nearly twenty when the village was destroyed, Hyuuga-sama,” I stated and he made a noise as if he didn't expect that.

 

“I suppose she was preparing to wed,” he stated and I fought back a sigh, man oh man, I had heard the Hyuuga were brutal and we weren't even into sparring yet.

 

“Yes, she was promised to a low level clan member from the Mitsumori clan from the Hidden Waterfall, Hyuuga-sama,” I said, quickly trying to remember the date. “I can't recall the exact date of the ceremony, but it was going to be in the fall, Hyuuga-sama.”

 

“What of you, young Lutai, had your clan started preparing you for marriage?” he asked and I fought the urge to slump down lower, please don't let there be a young Hyuuga looking for a bride…or an old one either.

 

“They were trying to find old allies amongst the clans, but they did not wish to give me up and most of the other clans were looking to bring a bride in, not send a groom out, Hyuuga-sama,” I said, again trying to remember anything in the last days that might have been different.

 

“Are you sure?” damn, he could read me like a book.

 

“I'm not sure, I believe there may have been a prospect in Hidden Snow, however, when Earth Village was attacked, I was supposed to meet with my father in the afternoon. It was not my night to visit my family so it may have been a potential bridegroom, Hyuuga-sama,” I said and he made a noise of agreement.

 

“It was, the Nitsu clan has a son without their trait they're trying to get out of their clan, I believe they were going to try and form a marriage with your family with a marriage between him and you,” Hyuuga-sama said, I couldn't hold back the gag of disgust. Nitsu Setsuka was a mentally slow, genetically weak example of clan inbreeding. Many of the clans knew of him, he was the reason many of the clan alliance marriages were going on as of late. “I take it you know of him. Needless to say, since the Hyuuga clan has agreed to house the last daughter of the Lutai clan, we've received several more offers for marriage, but not for our daughters, but you.”

 

“How could they have known this? I only found out the Hyuuga clan was going to be housing me this afternoon with Neji-sensei, Hyuuga-sama,” I kept my eyes on his chest even though I wanted to stare him in the eye.

 

“Since you woke up the Hyuuga clan has offered you home, many forgot in the recent years, but Lutai used to be as prominent and powerful as Hyuuga…till they left Hidden Rock, but we remembered and wished to offer an old ally refuge. Many of the clans correctly assumed that we would get you,” he said and I made fists in my lap.

 

“May I ask how many solid offers have you received, Hyuuga-sama?” I asked and I could hear the smirk in his voice when he spoke again.

 

“Twenty-four, some are doubles from the same clan, making offers for each son individually,” he said and I felt my chakra was ready to escape my control at the thoughts that when my clan needed help rebuilding, alliances were far and few, but now that I was the only one. It was like a pack of wolves after a lamb.

 

“I see, I assume then that you're going to ask me to sign my Patriarchal Rights over to you for shelter, Hyuuga-sama,” I stated and he made a noise…this one was not as amused as I thought it would be.

 

“Clever girl, Hyuuga is run by a council, they offered you a place here, among a clan that could easily help you develop your bloodline trait. For you to achieve all the Lutai are capable of, we are the only ones that can teach you. The price of our aid in your abilities is your Patriarchal Rights,” he said and I looked down. “The room and board is still yours to claim and the offer will always be on the table, however, not even Neji can assist you in your bloodline trait unless the council holds your Patriarchal Rights.” I sat for a moment unmoving, calculating. I was now one hell of a bargaining chip, the last of the Lutai, my name bringing me from the most respected shinobi clan of Earth, to the most desired brood mare among the clans.

 

I had to use this to my advantage somehow, but I was not as skilled as my uncle was with politics, he was a fantastic leader, my father consulted him over every possible match for me there was. I wanted to leave for a moment but that would only show weakness, hesitation, a chance for the Hyuuga to find an opening. I had to think hard, how, how could I use marriage as a tool? Of course! The Hyuuga had a female heir…the needed to lure in big fish, right now only the bottom feeders were probably contacting them…but I could be an impressive lure, bring in truly powerful clans seeking marriages, give one son to the Hyuuga heir, receive the last Lutai as a bridge for another son. It could work, but I would have to have some control over my marriage, I was the last Lutai after all.

 

“I know it is impudent, but I would like to meet with the Hyuuga council if it does not upset you, Hyuuga-sama,” I said, bowing deeply so my forehead touched the floor. It was silent and I remained still.

 

It was at least ten minutes, Neji-sensei hadn't moved but his muscles had been tense since the moment my request left my mouth, Hyuuga-sama was staring out the window to gaze at the garden, still in contemplation.

 

“Are you certain, you wish to do that?” he asked.

 

“I am a product now, I am the sole heir of a clan that is nearly extinct. Our search for potential marriage contracts were failing because we were looking to bring in new members, but clans wish to horde their bloodlines without inbreeding. Our search was like the struggles of a wounded shark, bringing those that wished to make the kill. I am the death shudder of that shark, those that scented the blood and weakness but did not strike now wish to feed,” I spoke from my bowed position. “They will want me, my bloodline limit is strong, even without your help I am certain to double in skill by the time I am twenty. If I can double without help imagine if you do help me. This is only the beginning and I know this and I know the Hyuuga elders know this as well. I am a sentient tool and while I will obey the ones that hold my Patriarchal Rights, I wish for assurance that I will not be used only to lure other clans to the Hyuuga Heir. I wish to know that when you have a marriage match for your heir I will not be delivered into the hands of an enemy seeking my clan's power, Hyuuga-sama.” It would be another ten minutes.

 

“Rise, Lutai, I will grant this request, the clan was anticipating this, I just wasn't sure they were right,” he sighed and I got up. “You may look us in the eyes since you are pleading your case.”

 

“Do not use pretty words, I know it is a test. My grandfather told my father that my great-grandfather came to the Hyuuga looking for a bride for my grandfather, back when our clans were considered nearly equal. `To look a Hyuuga in the eyes is a test of character, strength, and determination, if you lack any of these, you lack all in the eyes of Hyuuga.' It was why my clan did not come to you when searching for my cousin and my contracts. Neither my father or uncle believed they could look a Hyuuga in the eyes and not seem desperate,” I looked up into Hyuuga-sama's eyes, They were like mirrors that only let me see my own weakness, but I ignored it and looked him in the eyes deeper. “I know my place and it gives me strength. I wish to prove my worth to those that could aid me best, Hyuuga-sama.” He looked at me and nodded, leading me silently through the house, my heart was calmed and my muscles forced into a relaxed state.

 

The mazelike house was impressive but I could feel it all and I would learn it, I had no choice. I knew no one who had been born outside of a bloodline containing clan would understand why I would do this, but I had always been surrounded by those who were like me, few as they were, I did not like the duty, but it was comforting in a way no one who was not raised in this manner would understand. I closed my eyes for a moment, stopping as Hyuuga-sama stopped.

 

“Enter with your head high, Last of the Lutai,” he said and my head was tall as he opened the door and entered before me. “I bring with me Lutai Manami, the last of the Lutai clan. As you anticipated, she wishes to discuss her Patriarchal Rights with the Council.” I looked at the five elders, six once Hyuuga-sama sat down and I bowed deeply before rising up without permission. In this situation, it was acceptable.

 

“Ah, you must be a granddaughter of Lutai Manamoru,” one old man said and I looked him in his white eyes before bowing my head in affirmation.

 

“My great-grandfather actually, Hyuuga-san, I am the daughter of his younger grandson,” I stated. My hands were behind my back and I could sense Neji-sensei standing behind me as he closed the door.

 

“So you wish to face us, your father and uncle did not even offer you to us,” another old man said and I nodded again.

 

“My uncle was Lutai-sama, he did not think the Hyuuga clan would part with one of its sons for a clan on the brink of extinction, Hyuuga-san,” I spoke without showing my fear, keeping my chakra at the level of confidence. It was certainly distracting, all those white eyes on me, behind me and in front of me.

 

“Lutai-sama was wise then, we would not have given up a son but we would have accepted a daughter,” another one spoke and I fought the urge to roll my eyes, they were playing stupid, probably trying to make me crack.

 

“Lutai-sama refused to give up any of the Lutai sons or daughters until our number was at least thirty, Hyuuga-sama,” I said and several of the elders nodded. No doubt thinking about how they could use me now.

 

“You are strong, Lutai Manami, your chakra levels are worthy of the Lutai clan back in the days when it was part of Hidden Rock. You will have no trouble attracting marriage contracts,” the only woman on the council spoke and I bowed at the compliment.

 

“I may have the strength and the prospect of contracts, but I do not have the skills refined enough nor the experience to choose from the contracts,” I spoke, I knew my position, but I also knew my worth. “I know the basics of all the old clans, I know the protocol of the old clans, and I know my place in that respect, however, now I lack those that can help me chose the best match for my bloodline, the advise of previous generations, and the warning of unsuspected threats. I need an old clan to guide me, but I know that the Hyuuga clan has an heiress of their own to find a husband for. I know the weight of your own bloodline is your first concern and I judge you not if you worry about your clan above my own.” They were listening…good.

 

“I know that the future of your clan comes first and I will sign my Patriarchal Rights over to you, because I am an impressive lure for prospective contracts, the last Lutai with the Lutai bloodline trait, almost as impressive as the last Uchiha, but I am female, meaning the bloodline will be passed through me whether I wish it to or not, the Uchiha can only hope his bloodline will grow in his offspring,” I spoke, confirming what many assumed about the Lutai, the daughters would pass on the trait every birth, the males passed it by chance. “I give permission to you to use me to find a bridegroom for your heir, but I ask not to be forced into marriage with anyone I find unfit for my clan's bloodline trait, Hyuuga-san.”

 

The silence was oppressive, I could feel them activate their bloodline trait, each one, even Neji-sensei, it was horrid to feel myself analyzed in such a manner and I felt my eyes narrow as my chakra fought to merge with theirs. I stood unmoving, my chakra fighting to merge and become one with all this expended chakra that they were wasting. This was their test, they knew my bloodline's weakness, they were trying to make me break and I couldn't, I wouldn't. I locked eyes with Hyuuga-sama and he kept staring right back. I don't know how long it went, my chakra fighting me and the Hyuuga chakra encouraging it. I fought my chakra, drawing it back into me, forcing it away with every ounce of my willpower, making it obey giving it no option but to return into me. It was difficult and I refused to even let the sweat collect on my brow, forcing the chakra to cool me internally so my sweat glands were inactive. It suddenly stopped and I kept my eyes on Hyuuga-sama's, it was done. Had I passed?

 

“We agree to your terms but these are ours,” the oldest Hyuuga croaked. “You will live within our walls, you will obey our word before the Hokage's, and you will remain with us until a match is found. You will be kept in the Main house but you are not a Main house member, you will treat all Hyuuga with the respect expected from a clan orphan.” I was shocked at the Hokage mention, but I would agree, I already knew I'd agree to everything. “You will train with your gennin squad and with Neji until the Lutai bloodline trait in you is as strong as possible. Do you accept these terms?” Hyuuga-sama had a contract scroll and offered it to me. I took it and read it over, everything was there on it.

 

“I, Lutai Manami, last of the Lutai clan, accept the Hyuuga clan's terms and sign my Patriarchal Rights to the Hyuuga clan's council,” I said biting my finger, using my blood to sign the contract. I watched as the scroll wound itself and vanished, gone until I violated something, then it would reappear and I would be bound by my own chakra until the Hyuuga were satisfied by my punishment.

 

“It is done, welcome home, Lutai-Hyuuga Manami,” the old one said and I felt Neji-sensei's hand on my shoulder. “Neji will take you to your room.” I said nothing as I was led to a room that was quite plain, I would ask to decorate it at a later date, I was too tired to do more than fall into bed.

 

~*~*~

 

AN: Back again with a story I feel like sharing. It started out with a completely different premise, but this one developed a life of its own.