Chapter Text
Smoldering
“So you’re one of those famous Hyuuga people.” The dark-skinned girl dug something out of her nose and rubbed it off on the stone. “Jeez, you look creepy.”
Neji simply ignored her, munching away at his tasteless ration with mechanical repetition.
Apparently slightly annoyed, the girl shifted her position to look at him more fully. “Kumo’s got a lot of research on you guys and your Byakugan thing.” She stated, tossing her oddly-red hair. “I’ve read through a lot of them. Never could see what was so special.”
Neji still made no reply.
“Of course, the files ARE pretty undersupplied. Seems like you Hyuuga are pretty close with your jutsu. Sealed eyes and all…” The girl snorted. “Suppose you have to be, though, when it’s the only trick you’ve got.”
Despite himself, Neji could not help raising an eyebrow at the girl.
“You heard me.” There was a perverse air of triumph in her golden eyes. “After all, it’s not as if you fancy-pants Hyuuga ever bother to learn anything outside of your eye-jutsu things. You figure since you’re born with the things, why bother to learn anything else?”
“You must have had extensive contacts with my clan, to conclude that their secret techniques are their only ones.” Neji deadpanned. Strictly speaking, he couldn’t completely disagree—most Hyuuga DID tend to focus purely on Jyuuken, if mostly because it was such a difficult and deadly fighting style to master.
The hit seemed surprisingly effective, for she glowered and turned away. “I’ve had all the contact I need with you and your stupid clan.”
“How unfortunate for both of us, then, that you were selected for this particular division,” observed Neji, turning back to his meal.
Again the girl let out a little snort. “No kidding. You stupid Hyuugas are all over this bitchy little close-range-fighters division. Bet you and miss princess back there feel right at home here, don’t you?”
Neji paused, then swallowed deliberately. “I take it you have some sort of problem with my cousin?” He asked carefully, slowly turning to gaze at her.
“What, her?” The girl arched an eyebrow at him. “You’re kidding, right? She doesn’t have enough of a backbone to create any sort of problem. It takes a lot of energy to hate someone like that.”
“I note you have not answered my question.” Neji’s stare began to edge more into the ‘intense glare’ territory,
The girl looked away. “Jeez, lighten up. We’re all soldiers here. We’re professionals.”
“And again, you have not…”
“Look, stop pretending you care, alright?” The girl exploded suddenly. “She’s not going to activate that Bird Seal in the middle of battle just because she thinks you’re not worried about her!”
Neji’s eyebrows shot up. Around the camp, several other dark-haired heads popped up, white eyes staring in the direction of the two. On the other side of the clearing, Hinata and the Iwa girl she was speaking with froze suddenly.
The Kumo girl looked uncomfortable. “Just… just don’t worry about it.” She snapped, standing to her feet and brushing herself off. “Okay? It’s not going to be a problem.” Pushing past him, she muttered. “I know how to follow orders.”
Without turning around, Neji activated his Byakugan, watching the girl as she strode out of camp and made her way toward the river. Only when she started aimlessly chucking stones at the water did he allow himself to relax.
Suddenly Neji realized another Hyuuga had activated his Byakugan. Ko. In his younger days, Neji had always despised the elder ninja as a despicable boot-licker for the Main House, but since then he’d found a lot to admire about the shinobi.
Specifically in this case, he admired the ninja’s tact. Down in the camp, several hundred feet away but still facing Neji, Ko was unobtrusively making the hand-sign for ‘speak.’ Neji signed an agreement. Ko nodded.
I only caught the tail end of that. He mouthed. Did she say…?
Neji nodded. I was under the impression that the Caged Bird Seal was not common knowledge. He mouthed in reply.
It became significantly more common after someone openly discussed it in the middle of an international fighting exhibition. Ko’s mouthed words were devoid of expression, but the subtle twitch in his neck spoke volumes.
Neji had the grace to wince. Nonetheless, the girl’s familiarity with it is disconcerting. And she seems to harbor a grudge against Hyuugas. Specifically Lady Hinata.
For a moment the two said nothing, gazing with their all-seeing eyes straight across the clearing. Hinata was talking again, and even laughing, but there was an obvious falsity to her manner, and her companion had an inquisitive gleam in her eye.
Finally Ko resumed. Is Lady Hinata in danger, do you think?
It is possible. Should we take steps?
We can’t kill the Kumo kunoichi.
She’s not as talented as all that. Neji scoffed, then catching Ko’s frown, realized his meaning. I mean, I know. I was not suggesting we kill her. Perhaps…
I will get some of the others and mount a guard over Lady Hinata.
Be careful. Any overt steps might lead to tension in the camp.
Very well. And you?
I… Neji’s eyes again focused on the red-head chucking stones into the river. I shall keep an eye on the Kumo nin. Do you know her name?
Karui.