Destined
Neji Hyuga once believed he'd always be indebted to the Hyuga main house, as lesser, regardless of his strength. Regardless of his genius or quick rising through shinobi ranks. Regardless of learning main house secrets on his own. But opinons change. And that included his. The power of choice; power to choose his own path regardless of the family he was born into. Neji needed to believe in that to escape his former thoughts, to uphold what the obnoxious blonde haired shinobi showed him. Weights were taken off his shoulders as his head cleared by fourteen, driving himself to grow stronger than before. He was kinder than before, he liked to believe, more willing to help. More willing to understand.
A cool mist was settling over Konoha as the day grew to an end. Two shinobi were out finishing their final rounds asked of them to fill in for those out on missions. It was silent between them asides from the occasional small talk, but the girl had other ideas. Tenten knew somebody had to talk to Neji about last weeks escapades, so she'd bite the bullet.
"You know Neji, Naruto was just being harmless last week when he tried introducing you to that girl he met at ramen." her voice was smooth as honey as she talked, carefully choosing her next words.
"Kiba and Shikamaru certainly agreed with his motives." he mumbled.
"All just fun and games!"
"You agree," he said bluntly.
"I don't agree with forcing you to meet someone, but you're the only one nobody can remember having crush... we're twenty- almost twenty-one now!"
Neji just chuckled under his breath as he motioned for Tenten to drop it. She could see the painted blush on his cheeks by the topic, he was shyer about it than he let on.
God his friends were a hassle at times but he appreciated the concerns they spewed. But he took relationships far too seriously than the average male at his age. Kiba would josh on him for rarely coming out to the bars, lack of hookups, etc. But he knew what he wanted was someone to be devoted to, to call his wife and make her happy. He knew it's the idea that he likes, but hopes when he meets the one he'll know. Was he a hopefully romantic like the guys made fun of him for? Perhaps, but he knew the reality of his age and family line. He'd probably end up in an arranged marriage soon. Though he hoped he could meet the one and have the time to get to know her. Neji found the topic hard to talk about. But amusing in the sense that his friends cared a little too much, per Naruto's attempts.
It was the final stretch of their rounds, nothing unusual thus far. They were coming to a small clearing, a beautiful one where flowers bloomed in rhythm. A soft sway of branches left shadows on the grass. Soft trickling of a creek could be heard in the background as crickets began to chirp. But it was something weird that caught their attention. Tenten felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest as her gaze laid upon a figure on the ground.
"Neji, is that someone over there? Or am I seeing things..."
"You certainly aren't.." his eyes narrowed as he activated his Byakugan, "it's a girl. She doesn't appear to be moving."
"Shit."
The two raced about a hundred yards forward to where a young girl laid amongst a bed of overgrown grass and flowers. Setting rays of the sun casting through the forest's leaves, particles of dust seen dancing over her.
Neji held out his arm to stop Tenten from approaching so brashly. They proceeded with caution, Neji utilizing the Byakugan to make sure there were no traps set for the pair and to read the girl's chakra. Which he felt shaken as their was absolutely nothing surrounded her. Their kunai drawn, they crept closer and closer as if they were waiting for an ambush. Finally, when he deemed it safe, they dropped down to her side on their knees. The mysterious girl was clad in garb they'd never seen before- rich purple cloak, blouse, and skirt. There was a patch sewn into her shirt that neither of them recognized, an insignia of a creature. Her shoes were sturdy leather with knee high white socks. Neji and Tenten knew not of anyone who dressed like this, raising suspicions.
"Her clothes... she's not from here?" Tenten commented as her fingers fell against her neck to feel for a pulse.
"It doesn't appear she's from any of the other countries either. She alive?"
"Yes. It's obvious she isn't a shinobi at least."
"It's getting dark, we should bring her to Sakura,"
Neji's fingers caressed over the soft skin of her cheekbones, feeling soft electricity tingle through them. She was pretty. No, beautiful. She radiated a soft elegance through her sleeping state- silky dark hair that lay peacefully around her, angelic like. Bangs laid perfectly across her forehead. Her breathing was steady as her chest would rise and fall in rhythm against the buttoned up shirt. There was nothing ordinary about the unconscious girl to his all-seeing eyes; but completely out of this world. He could feel it almost, through his touch against her skin, that she'd mean no harm. Felt something against his skin that told him it would finally be alright- that the pit he had in his stomach since sixteen was gone.
With ease the Jonin lifted her bridal style into his arms, she was light, and for a split second he felt he may break her. She was like a pretty limp doll in his arms as they sped towards the infirmary through the bustle of trees and into town. Neji felt as if he was carrying precious cargo though he couldn't understand it. A heavy weight on his chest as he'd glance down time and time again. She hardly stirred. No acknowledgment of her changing surroundings and movement. He had to assume something happened for someone to be so unaware, knocked out.
They leapt towards Konoha with great speed, worry seeping into them that the poor girl could be hurt.
When the shinobi arrived at the infirmary the sun was down and it was barren out. A cool breeze wafted through the open windows blowing the curtains amidst Neji and Tenten walking down the hall. Sakura was found in a lone room tending to taking care of linens on an empty bed when they found her. The pink haired girls eyes widened at the sight in Neji's arms.
"We found her outside the walls," Tenten explained, "she shows no signs of waking."
"Oh," Sakura looked over the girl with confused eyes, feeling how the two others must have, "lay her here," Sakura didn't know what to do with the strange garb, but she stripped her of her robe. The material of her clothes was soft and that of a delicacy- was she someone important? Sakura felt scared to touch her.
They watched as Sakura focused her chakra, even utilizing her genjutsu to break into the girls posterior. But nothing happened. There were no wounds to heals. Nor did she wake up from the power thrusted her way. There wasn't the slightest stir in her limbs or movement under her eyelids. A worry surrounded the air,
"Neji, where are you going?" Tenten called out to him as he opened the door.
"I'm going to inform the Hokage." he said curtly as he left with no further hesitation. There was lead in each step as he left the infirmary, knots twisting deep into his stomach.
Something was echoing within his ears, piercing sonic blasts of- that maybe he did have a destiny, and maybe she was his.
-
"Chihiro you need to wake up."
"Please it's been a week."
"It's important... Time to open your eyes."
Chihiro had woken up with a gasping start, with panic spinning through her core. She had grasped at the linen that surrounded her as she awoke on an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar place. Her mind was groggy and heavy, as she had clawed at the air trying to move. But she couldn't. She'd fought the imaginary weights that kept her glued in place as she groaned. Eyes fluttering as she forced them open as much as she could. Breathing quickening as she tried to lift her torso up. Chihiro felt like she'd been waking up from a dreadful nap that wanted to keep her asleep- but she could only remember her final moments in front of her peers. The last time she awoke like this, fighting to breathe, was in that cave. Soft whinnies left the depth of her throat as she desperately wanted to wake up!
But that was all moments ago as she'd pushed herself over, collapsing onto the floor with bouts of relief washing over her. Her hair was messy, falling down into her face as she heaved herself up.
So now she stood staring out the window of the room, taking in her new and unknown surroundings. What time was it? What day was it? And most importantly- where was she? Her arms were hugging her body as her eyes darted all along her room and the city below her. It was too much to take in at once. So much she didn't feel anything. Couldn't feel the overwhelming emotions picking apart her brain as she tried to make sense of it all. Pushing her body against the open windowsill to have her upper body outside, the cold night air rushed over her.
Chihiro was confused. Below her was a vast city of buildings stretched beyond what her eyes could see. A rustic, Japanese traditional like city that was naturalistic while turning to modern times. She could see bright color roofs and roads where even in the night had people strewn throughout.
It was the sound of a door opening and a soft gasp coming from behind her that made her turn. Standing in the doorway was a girl about her age with pink hair, looking like she'd seen a ghost.
"Um, are you okay?" she asked.
"I-I guess?" Chihiro squeaked, her voice sounding raspy.
"Can you sit down for me? I need to make sure you're okay... are you hurt?"
"Where am I? Who are you?" Chihiro blurted out, feeling tears begin to well in her eyes. Her cheeks were turning red as tension began to flit in her chest.
"My name's Sakura... I'm a medic shinobi here."
"Shinobi? Here?"
Sakura saw the flashes of panic in the mysterious girl's eyes. She could easily see the way her knees buckled from under her as her hand attempted to find something to grab. So Sakura jolted forward to catch her in a flash, supporting her body to get her to the bed. Her body was weak, easy to hold as the lack of nutrients in the last week had taken its toll.
Chihiro was breathing hard in the pink haired girls arms as she sat there, "I-I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize! You were found outside the walls, clearly something traumatic happened." Sakura kept a hand on her back as to try to comfort her. It was clear she was physically okay, from Sakura checking on her each day this week.
"I don't know..."
It was quiet for a few moments between them, Chihiro feeling herself grow cold. A shiver took over her which Sakura saw, prompting her to grab a blanket for her. Helping her wrap it around her body, she smiled sadly seeing how weak she looked.
"My name's Sakura, you?" Sakura's feeble attempts of friendliness and getting her mind off this were not lost by Chihiro.
"Chihiro."
"Where are you from?" it seemed like a sakura could pick up on her feelings of concern, discomfort. But it was still an uncomfortable air around them as Chihiro scanned the room. Then she saw pity clearly shining in Sakura's eyes. Could Sakura feel her dread? Chihiro needed answers as her skin crawled,
"Where am I?"
"Konoha... do you not remember coming here?"
Her head began to spin by her words. Chihiro felt like she could pass out, pulling the blanket Sakura gave her tighter. She squeezed her eyes shut, hands then gripping at the white sheets she sat upon. How much crueler could her life get? Decisions she made up until now defined her from the mistakes to go gallivanting off into danger zones. Her stupidity to touch that crystal at fourteen. Now a school lesson turned entire joke as she sat in a place she had no connection with. Chihiro could feel the difference of the aura in the air, just like text books described it when entering a new realm. She'd only heard of Konoha in class and it wasn't supposed to be a place to visit!
Konoha was one of the shinobi countries. It was the city they'd be spirit drifting to with professor Lee. And Chihiro knew, that this wasn't what the other students were experiencing.