Our Divide (Hanabi)

[Neji Hyuuga]

It was late afternoon as Neji sat in a quiet courtyard of the Hyuuga compound, his eyes were firmly shut, focusing on his meditation. He blanked out the sounds of the outside world, though there were few of them; only the occasional footsteps could be heard passing the veranda that stretched onto the small bare courtyard, which was essentially just a small isolated patch of grass inside the vast Hyuuga complex. The family it seemed were not ones for small artistic touches; neither flowers nor rose bushes, not the smallest hint of colour other than a few different shades of green.

The Genin sat with legs crossed, and hands resting in his lap, with palms touching and fingers interlaced, his head bowed in concentration, trying to focus on nothingness; which became more complex as he remembered overhearing a conversation that morning...

On his way to leave the household that morning, the shinobi could not help overhearing a conversation taking place between a group of the fellow branch members, although he wasn’t initially eavesdropping, his ears almost twitched at the contents of the conversation, though he only picked up a few details.

‘I hear that library is full of jutsus taught only to those in the main branch, very powerful...if only we could go in there...forbidden...’

Again Neji’s resentment towards the divide escalated, he knew for certain that he’d be more adapt to those jutsus than his blue-haired cousin, as well as many other members of the Main branch, but to be given the chance to learn them? No, it was another way of keeping control, giving the Main branch their so called ‘edge’. Neji inwardly scowled to himself, another classic cowardly way of control. He’d spent a considerable amount of time lurking around the Main branch library that day, contemplating sneaking in. But in a household with eyes everywhere, not only did it seem impossible (even with Neji’s skill), but another way of getting into trouble with the ‘family’, family Neji felt no desire to spend any considerable amount of time with.

Shaking off the thoughts in his head, the Hyuuga calmed his emotions, he was here to meditate; getting worked up would only prove to be a waste of his energy.

[Hanabi Hyuuga]

Hanabi walked from the main house of the compound stretching lightly as she did so, her lessons done for the moment and she was permitted to have an hour to do what she liked be it reading or more exercising lightly.Her life was regimented and filled with daily lessons lon all subjects from politics to family jutsu. She was being groomed to one day take her father's place as leader of the clan and she need ed to be ready in case something happened to her father. She was confined to the house hold most of the day when without an escort because she was deemed too valuable to lose by the elders.she was expected to be strong then steel and yet was treated as though she was made of spun glass. Hanabi looked around and eyed one of her older cousins just sitting with his eyes closed, he was wearing a head band and so she approached him softly.

Hanabi stood in front of him waiting to be noticed, she wanted to go to the park for her brake and wanted him to take her. Hanabi light reached out and tapped her cousin on the shoulder to get his attention."Neji,I would like you to accompany me to the park,please. I must have an escort and i would like that to be you. I only have an hour to relax for myself before lessons begin again. So could you please?" Hanabi stood looking at the boy in the closed eyes her body tense and standing ramrod straight with her hands at her sides. Her unmarked forehead was clearly visible with her long curtain of hair flowing down her back. It was cut neatly and straight across.She was wearing a semi-formal outfit that looked perfectly delicate on her small frame. It belied her real strength and skill but she had to be ascetically pleasing at all times she had several reputations to up hold. She was well aware of neji's dislike to her family and she assumed it was because of their position but didn't know the real circumstances.

[Neji Hyuuga]

The presence of another person in the courtyard grew closer, sensing their chakra Neji was quickly snapped out of his meditation once more, feeling a tap on his shoulder the Hyuuga slowly opened his eyes and looked up to the person addressing him, he was surprised to find it was his younger cousin Hanabi. They hadn’t had much interaction over the years; Neji tended to keep his distance, but was still aware of Hanabi’s strength, formidable for such a young child, most likely due to her incredibly rigorous training regime, one only offered to someone who could one day become Heiress.

His stayed still, his stoic expression unwavering as he listened to her request. Accompanying Hanabi to the park wasn’t his idea of fun, nor the most valuable use of his time, but he could hardly decline.

“Hm, Fine.” The teen agreed, although it wasn’t exactly a friendly response he was not impolite either. As much as he resented their divide, her clear forehead and the way she was idolised as a Main branch Heiress, he acknowledged her skill, had seen her training from a far many times, she was not the weak, blue-haired enigma of the Hyuuga compound.

Neji stood up, brushing the stray bits of grass from his legs as he did so, and walked over the veranda where he’d left his blue and somewhat worn sandals, slipping them onto his feet he turned to his younger cousin once more. “Let’s go then, Hanabi-sama.” He addressed her, signalling for her to lead the way.

[Hanabi Hyuuga]

Hanabi watch impassively as neji gathered his things and agreed if a bit grudgingly to accompany her to the park.She waited calmly until he gesture for her to go ahead,nodding once she gave neji a grateful if rare smile before walking calmly on ahead of him. she left the compound quickly and quietly waving softly to those on duty at the gates, they spoke with a respectful demure to her and she acknowledged them with a nod.

She stopped to leave a message with the gate keeper for her father and the elders as she passed telling them where she would be." Could please you let my respected father know that I'm going to the park for my hour if you or he needs me in that time that's where I'll be. I have an escort do not worry about that. Thank you very much." She inclined her head before turning away to continue walk to the park assured that neji was fallowing, Hanabi subtlety slowed her pace so that she could walk beside him as equals, and pointedly told him so." Your family you can walk next to me, you know, i swear i wont bite you or something. I was trained better then that I promise. Thank you for accompanying me i really appreciate it."

Hanabi calmly matched her pace to his and continued walking looking at all the shops and stalls with interest. She wandered looking at anything that struck her fancy for as long as she thought neji wouldn't fuss about it before she moved on. She knew that her older cousin didn't .like her respected eldest sister but she didn't know why and he also seemed hostile to he father when ever they passed him. That hatred didn't seem to extend to herself however and that was strange what could have caused such anger.She knew that neji had no parents and guessed that his father was a branch member as well with all that entailed, it was possible that his father could have been killed because he disobeyed, that kind of thing had been know to happen semi occasionally.

[Neji Hyuuga]

Neji listened to Hanabi's joke, but he did not laugh. It was an inappropriate comment. No matter how she attempted to make light of the situation, the truth was just that. The Main House Hyuuga were superior to the Branch House Hyuuga, especially when it came to Hinata and Hanabi Hyuuga. Neji could see that she was slowing her walk so that they would be keeping the same pace. He called her bluff, however, and slowed his walk as well. It would take them ages to reach the park at this speed.

"I'm sorry Hanabi-san, but I cannot walk as if I am equal with you. I am not."

So much venom inserted into two sentences. As per usual, Neji was scowling and his eyebrows were deeply furrowed. He wanted it to be made clear that this walk with Hanabi was not out of some sort of compassion or love for his cousin. It was simply his duty to protect her and he would follow that responsibility. Despite his hard expression, Neji made sure not to appear angry or particularly cruel. He vividly remembered the punishment his father faced when he made that mistake against young Hinata Hyuuga.

"It is my destiny to be a servant to this girl for my entire life. How can I live in this way? Were my father only born a few minutes earlier, I would have a different fate. Hinata would be the one cursed atop her forehead and forced to protect me with her life. Not that I would need protection."

Pride. Neji's greatest trait and greatest weakness. He would need humility before he could truly accept his fate as a Branch House Hyuuga.

[Hanabi Hyuuga]

Hanabi frowned inwardly not daring to openly show annoyance now that they were in the open street where every one could see them. Hanabi sped up slightly going faster ever so slightly and looking remarkable graceful doing it.She heard the venom that neji laid at her feet and recalled vividly that this boy 6 years her senior hated her family, with a passion. She didn't know why but she supposed he had a good reason. She held her tongue and calmly strode to the park, she couldn't defy the family that way so openly not when so much was riding on it. Hanabi stopped in her tracks and turned to face him look up at him with an emotionless look in her eyes.This was important and he needed to hear her."we are family neji and I will be come what you hate, my father's Heir and eventually leader more then likely with all that comes with."

Hanabi didn't sigh because Hyuuga just didn't sigh in public it wasn't done."The elders want me to be and i'm being groomed for that role. I'm not sure which branch is the lucky ones, maybe they are both cursed. The leaves seem greener when you can only see one side of the forest. I thought you should know that.Things aren't always what they seem to be especially in this family of all seeing eyes. You forget to see what is right in front of your nose." With that whispered speech Hanabi turned and ran like a child up the stairs to the park praying that it would be deserted and she could play in freedom.Maybe she could get neji to join her in a game on the swing. Hanabi ran with her hair swirling around her she reveled in the feeling of the wind on her face. Joy was well hidden on her face as she ducked behind a tree to spy on weather or not the park was free of people. Hanabi bolt to the small swing set doing what she had dreamed to for a day.It was the one time she allowed her self to show some of what age she actually was a young seven year old girl.

Not taking her pale eyes off the stairs from which people were most likely to enter the playground, she began to swing slowly back and forth. She didn't whoop for joy as she had heard other children do earlier in the day. In a secret part of her soul she was jealous of their care-free attitude. A small guarded smile graced her face as she once again reach the top of the arc and had for a brief instant the stomach turning feeling of falling dominated her entire being. She was a Hyuuga after all and she had to think of the family more often now a days. Hanabi was sitting in public at the moment and so was mostly reserved even when acting like a child. Every so often stopping to scan the area she was thoroughly enjoying herself to her hearts content.

[Neji Hyuuga]

"We are family neji and I will be come what you hate, my father's Heir and eventually leader more then likely with all that comes with."

Neji's face was emotionless, but his insides were burning. It was apparent from her speech just how young Hanabi was. She may be more intelligent than your average child of that age, but she was still that. A child.

"We may be family, Hanabi, but that means nearly nothing to me. I am proud to be a Hyuuga Clan, but not at the expense of my freedom. Of course, how could you relate? You who are in the Main House of the Hyuuga Clan. You who appreciate special treatments that I could never imagine. You will not become something that I hate. I already hate you. You are no better than Hinata and unlike Hinata, I am not obligated to protect you with my life. At least, not moreso than any other Hyuuga in the Main House. You are lucky that it is my fate to die protecting you. It is one of the greatest injustices in life that though I am more powerful than you, I can never lead the Hyuuga Clan. If the Hyuuga are to remain the strongest in the Hidden Leaf, you will have a long way to go. You need to mature."

"The elders want me to be and i'm being groomed for that role. I'm not sure which branch is the lucky ones, maybe they are both cursed. The leaves seem greener when you can only see one side of the forest. I thought you should know that.Things aren't always what they seem to be especially in this family of all seeing eyes. You forget to see what is right in front of your nose."

"Of course. How simple it is for someone more fortunate to tell someone less that they are the ones truly blessed. Foolishness. There is no curse placed on the Main House. They are not obligated to die to protect the lives of those of us born in the Branch House. They are not cursed with a seal atop their forehead. I do not need to see more than is what 'right in front of my nose'. I have lived a life full of these injustices. That is the truth."

Naturally, that is not what Neji could say. Despite his opinion, he knew that it would be deadly to voice his opinion. Instead, he simply allowed himself to look as if Hanabi's words had pierced his mind. He put on his smirk, close enough to a smile.

"So wise, Hanabi-sama. Perhaps I should look at things that are beyond the range of my Byakugan."

[Hanabi Hyuuga]

Hanabi didn't answer she merely kept swinging back and forth trying to find a glimpse of kindness in her cousin and figure out why he was so abnormally angry at her father.Granted most of the branch house had some form of mild dislike she thought, though most hid it better.they were nothing but polite to her family. But with neji there seemed to be an undercurrent of anger barely controlled. She heard the rumors that their father's were siblings that meant his family was very close to the head family.

They were first cousins and she and neji looked more alike then she and her sister. They could almost pass as siblings but for the brand on her older cousins forehead."Don't patronize me cousin,please. I'm not interested in being fawned over if i was i would have stayed at home. I am not wise merely stubborn and the favored of the two choices they had to pick from, because there is no male heir that is free to be chosen. That could change in an instant, my place is secured by causing my family pain and i can't afford to be seen as weak, kind and spineless.I will beat all who stand in my way, because there is no other choice."

Hanabi lept gracefully off the swing when it had reached its highest point and landed with ease one hand on the ground. She stood up calmly and face neji her lavender pale eyes looking into his."What i want from you is this, I want your honesty no more no less. That's all and I want you to know that I'm asking, begging if that makes you feel better. I want to know you better, I'd like to be more to you then just one of Them. I would really like to be your friend eventually if i could, to see both sides of the house for what they are. I don't know what i could offer you in return what would be worth your time. But i some how doubt that you'd be willing if i didn't have a good bargaining chip. I know of the brand though i haven't learned yet how to create and apply it,that will more then likely happen soon enough when I'm a little older. I'm still only 7 years old and i have much to learn before that. I don't know what i might try but any thing could be possible. I would be pleased to count you a friend if you would let me. It's up to you.This is your choice and i wont fault you if you refuse or laugh in my face over it.What ever your choice no one else will ever know of it. I promise."

Hanabi simply nodded once and then looked straight ahead resolve clear in her young eyes."Our family could do with a little more clear sightedness yes. Both sides need an eye opening equally, they are just too divided."

[Neji Hyuuga]

Neji listened and fought to suppress his rage. He was offended that Hanabi could even speak that word. Honesty. Something that had not existed in the Hyuuga Clan since the day of his father's death. Something that Hanabi Hyuuga could never understand, no matter how much she attempted to. These attempts to make Neji speak his mind would come off as a trap were it any other Hyuuga. No, in Hanabi's case it was simple naivety. There is no way she could ever fool Neji into speaking his mind. He remembered all too vividly the fate that befell his father when he showed malice toward a member of Main House.

The young Hyuuga was wearing on Neji's patience. He was not going to stay here if things were going to go this badly. He listened to her words and considered the proper way to reply. He knew that what he truly wanted to say would be horrible. Luckily, thoughts were personal.

"You wish to be friends? Don't make me laugh. I will never enjoy your company. We are family by a fate that I am unable to escape. I will not be honest with you. If there is one unforgivable crime in the Hyuuga Clan, it is honesty. Your father and our shared grandparents forced my father to die. They ended his life and left me alone. I owe you no honesty, I owe you no friendship, and I certainly owe you no sense of family."

Instead, Neji simply blinked unemotionally. He turned on his heel and began to walk away. He had to appear as meek and unimposing as possible.

"I'm sorry, Hanabi-sama. I'd forgotten. Gai-sensei proposed me for a mission today. I must be off."

And with those brief words, Neji left Hanabi alone in the park.