Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Tenten the Busybody ❯ Courtyard ( Chapter 2 )

With a determined expression, she marched to the doorway. She looked back at me, and asked, “Come.” And I followed her through. But before I entered, I asked for her name.

 

“Hinata.” She said quietly.

 

“And my name is Tenten. It's nice to meet you.” The small girl looked up at me and gave me a shy smile. Her adorableness made me smile in return. Kawaii.

 

 

Third person's POV:

 

How do I describe this to you, the abode of the Hyuugas clan? If any of you have ever seen a picture of the inside of the Forbidden Palace in China, or even been there yourself…then you will have some idea of what the Hyuuga manor looks like in style. As for what it felt like… it was a Forbidden Palace. While flowers seemed to have been lovingly planted, and imaginary rock structures arranged to artistic perfection… the air around seemed stiff, and cold…almost as dense as a grave. It was as if nothing living was here…except that Tenten knew better. She followed Hinata down a long corridor hall, and looked up at the ceiling that resembled a pagoda. There were pictures depicting the various Hyuuga styles of attack. Famous pictures of legends of the clan…epic battles fought long ago by Hinata and Neji's ancestors lined the places where the greenish marble poles met the jagged red roof. She continued to follow the small girl in front of her as she passed by various buildings and structures. Finally, as they got closer to the center of the compound, the sounds of fighting drifted to her ears. The whizzing sounds of chakara connecting could not be mistaken, and it was towards that direction that the two were headed. The closer they got to the sound and the fight…the more nervous Hinata appeared to get. As the image of two figures in the distance dancing around a large central courtyard became clearer to Tenten's eyes, Hinata's expression of determination became even more waned. At a certain point, a large wave of chakara was emitted by the larger of the two figures, and the smaller one was knocked back. But that one got quickly onto his feet again and the fighting began again.

 

For some reason, at a certain distance, she suddenly stopped walking. Tenten was surprised at the unexpected ceasing of motion and crashed into Hinata's back, exclaiming loudly only to be shushed by the younger girl.

 

“Tenten-san. We should not disturb them until they are done. Would you like a cup of tea? I can make you some from the herbs in the garden…”

 

“It's ok…Hinata. I want to watch this battle.” As she said this, Tenten moved slightly closer to the action. As she was doing so, she kept herself slightly hidden by the shadows of the pagoda roof. Keeping an eye on the movements of the two, she silently took out two of her scrolls, and readied them for action. Hinata was slightly curious, but as she did not know the true purpose of the scrolls, she did not know what the older girl was about to do. Tenten stood there waiting for an opportunity. In a moment, that opportunity came.

 

Hyuuga Neji had a lot riding on the battle that day. It was his first time in a match against his uncle, Hiashi, who was the head of the Main House. This was a man who he had secretly hated practically his whole life…ever since the day of his father's death. Hiashi had requested this match long ago, on the day of his graduation, to test the strength of his young nephew. He had heard of Neji's accomplishments coming out first in his entire class, and wished to see how talented he really was against a true opponent. But up till now Neji had always refused, because Hiashi could not grant his own request. He wanted to learn one of the attacks that were strictly forbidden to be taught to a Branch Member. His uncle had initially adamantly refused. However…that day he decided that, should Neji somehow manage to defeat him, Hiashi would show him one of the moves.

 

The fight had been going on longer than Hiashi expected. This surprised and pleased him. He only wished that Hinata were half as strong. Contrary to popular belief, it was not that he did not love his daughter. What father does not love his own child? But for him, what she represented…was the day that his own brother was forced to die on his behalf. It didn't help that she was not a particularly strong ninja. For Hiashi, his eldest daughter represented his own weakness…a weakness that cost him his brother's life.

 

Hyuuga Neji had incredible talent. That he was only a Branch member was a shame but it could not be helped. These words could be heard whispered among all the clan, even in the Main House. However, fate or heaven's design was not something you could challenge… And this was what he was fighting against. He didn't know if a person could decide his own fate, or if a path could be predicted based on a toss of tea leaves. Like his female team mate, he believed in fate. But for him this belief was negative. Secretly he had always wished that something or someone would prove him wrong. But at that moment…as of yet…

 

He was running out of stamina. His uncle was good…not that he had expected anything less. Still, he refused to give into destiny just yet; he wanted to at least prove his worth. Because of this, his last movements contained an extra burst of speed and accuracy that made his uncle's eyes widen slightly in amazement. Finally, one hit connected… But it was only a minor chakara point. In that instant the battle was decided. Despite being able to make that one hit…it was all he could do. Twenty seconds later, he lost.

 

The moment Hiashi's final hit connected…a strange thing happened. Perhaps the strangest thing was that neither one of the Hyuugas had noticed the two girls coming and took note of it in their minds. Perhaps it was that neither one had taken these two into consideration as a source of danger. They were only girls after all…and one of them being Hinata, the weakest in the entire clan. Most likely however, it was due to the unexpected intensity of the battle that was just fought, and this was what Tenten was counting on. Right before that last moment, when she suspected that all his focus was being put on Neji, Tenten made her attack. Even she herself admits that her course of action was somewhat suicidal. But nevertheless she had always trusted in fate with a smile, and unlike with her Hyuuga team mate, destiny seemed often to favor her. Perhaps that was why Hiashi did not notice the kunai coming at him until it was just within range of his ultimate defense. As it was…before Neji could even give a warning shout, Hiashi performed the first move that came to his mind in that errant second...the Kaiten. The weapons flew back at their owner…and a dangerous few would have hit her flesh had it not been for the chakara strings connected to them. As it was, she quickly sent the weapons hurling back towards the older Hyuuga with all her might. At this point however, the element of surprise was lost, and the pieces of metal were easily dodged. Tenten stepped out of the shadows of the pagoda with a tiny grin on her face.

 

“That was so close! I would have gotten you with at least one kunai if it hadn't been for that move you just did. Wow! Can Neji do that yet?”

 

Hiashi didn't know what to think. Who was this girl that dared to attack directly the head of the Hyuuga clan? Did she not know that doing so could cause her own death easily? It was at this moment that he saw Hinata hiding in the corner. In an instant he came to the conclusion that she was at fault somehow. So he shouted towards his daughter:

 

“Hinata. Who is this girl, and what is she doing in the compound? Answer me.”

 

The poor girl was so scared all she could do was stutter hopelessly, “I…I…She…I…”

 

Ironically, it was Neji that saved her. “Uncle…she's my team mate. Her name is Tenten and she was probably just testing you. Please do not take offense at her actions. I will talk to her after this. She should not have come in at all.” At this, he glared at Hinata with his chilling white eyes. This made her frightened her so badly, she almost ran off crying… if it had not been for Tenten who grabbed her left arm and gave her a look that told her not to be afraid.

 

“Oi!” she said in a quiet but firm tone, “Stop being so mean you two. It's not her fault. I came in here because I wanted to train with Neji. She invited me in for tea. What's so wrong with that?”

 

“People outside the clan are not allowed into the compound without direct permission from a member of the Main House. You have violated that rule in coming here.”

 

“I hate to be disrespectful Hiashi-sama, but I did come here with permission. If Hinata is your daughter than she's the heir of the Main House is she not?”

 

This silently impressed Hiashi. That she at such a young age knew of both his name and the title of his daughter interested him. Most girls like her were more interested in clothes, flowers and pretty baubles than politics. Even those few who choose to become kunoichi nevertheless remained uninterested in the happenings amongst the clans. That she knew of both his face and name, and was able to assess the status of the people around her immediately drew his attention. That even knowing this, she attacked him, made him wonder at her sanity. Nevertheless she amused him. And it was true that if Hinata had invited her in, then she was not in violation of the rule. Therefore he decided to let her remain. Perhaps having another female companion around would help his own daughter gain some spine. As these thoughts were passing through his head, he looked at Hinata. Her white marble eyes still refused to meet his as she had her head tilted downwards towards her connected hands. The other girl seemed to be giving her words of encouragement for which Hinata looked up for every so often. But she refused to place her eyes on the father who seemed to respect her less than a mere stranger. For this reason she could not see the pained look on his face, or the expression of anger, frustration and worry on the face of her cousin.

 

Neji had never seen anyone speak to his uncle in the manner this girl was now. Although it was not in precisely a disrespecting tone, nevertheless it seemed to ignore the known fact that Hiashi was not only the head of the Main House, but was one who even he was unable to beat in combat. That she unwittingly gave him what he wanted at his own expense, with the performance of the Kaiten. Nevertheless he was worried that this would cause more trouble than he needed. He was already disheartened by his loss of the battle. Despite his best effort he was only able to hit his uncle once. For this reason, you could say at that moment, he was not in the best of moods.

He brushed himself off of the courtyard floor. His injuries were enough that it took him a bit of effort, but not so much that he wasn't able to stand. His uncle turned towards him and spoke.

 

“Neji, you did well today. The young have the duty to surpass the old. It is my wish that one day you will defeat me. Now, as for your female team mate I see that she has quite a bit of courage in her. And as she has said…she has not precisely violated the rule. I have decided that she can stay.” At this, Tenten seemed to be giving a peace sign in the background.

 

“However, you and Hinata are to make sure she does not wander to places she does not belong. You are dismissed. I have a meeting with the elders I must attend.” After saying this, he left.

 

The three young ninjas stood silently in the center of the courtyard.