NSOD Chapter 3 complete!
Finally.
It's still pending review by Ragnar and whoever else I can rope-- er, convince to lend their hand to get grammar gaffes, typos, and other annoyances out. For the time being though, what's below is what the fic should look like. For those that actually check here, an early sneak peek of sorts before it goes up on Fanfiction.net, I guess.
Konoha was relatively quiet during the wee hours of the
morning as the majority of people were still shuttered away
inside their homes. There were a few shops and eateries
that bustled with activity, though, as they prepared to
cater to the needs of the encroaching morning rush. Neji
Hyuuga walked among them and simply observed.
His mind weighed heavily with thought, effectively mooring
him to an insomniac's pier. Meditation had helped
somewhat, but it was a tastelessly poor substitute for the
real thing, he noted while knuckling back a yawn. He had
ventured out with hope that a short walk would be his
panacea, but the cool air had instead provoked his restless
acumen with a cattle prod. Now he was the proud father of
over a hundred illegitimate thoughts that made him want to
beat his head against a wall.
"This is all Uzumaki's fault," Neji decided, grumbling.
He took a cursory bite out of an apple that a storeowner
had given him. It was supposedly part of a "spread the
word by mouth" promotion, the man had said. Neji nibbled
on it, organizing his thoughts on the subject of Naruto.
He held no real feelings regarding the boy. It was plain
to see that plenty of others had stronger opinions on the
matter, but Neji couldn't work up the apathy to care -- for
he was far below his level of notice. As far as he was
concerned, the existence of Naruto Uzumaki was a non-issue,
but there was something about him that was disquieting. A
factor he couldn't quite pin down with words, but left him
feeling disgusted and frustrated whenever the boy was
spouting his Hokage nonsense.
But sometimes -- only sometimes -- it wasn't just garbage
coming out of Naruto's mouth and it was in those times that
he'd feel an odd twinge inside that made him feel...
"Kakashi-sensei~!" the long, keening whine of Naruto
Express chugged at full steam overhead.
Like punching him in the face. Repeatedly.
Neji turned and jogged back towards the Hyuuga compound
purposefully.
------------
Not So Ordinary Day
Chapter 3
By Rai-kun
Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters and settings belong
to Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, and Viz Communication.
------------
The lights were turned out in Kiba Inuzuka's room and
curtains drawn tight. Sheets and comforter were wrapped
tightly around a body-shaped lump, lending itself to the
image of pastry dough trying to catch a nap. The task was
made more difficult with the keening whines and scratches
against his door, but they went poignantly ignored,
however.
As loyal a pup as Akamaru was, even he had a tolerance
level, which had now been exceeded and returned an invoice
of "past due." He gave a disgusted snort and vigorously
shook his mane, releasing the frustration that had been
mounting until now. He began to trot off with some
resignation before jerking to a halt. Stiffly, he turned
to regard his young master's room, sporting a wide and
mischievous grin that a certain noodle-scented-fox-boy
would find intriguing.
It was mentioned once before, but probably worth mentioning
yet again -- Akamaru was a very resourceful young pup. A
primitive idea was brewing in the plum-sized brain of his
and his master was in for a treat, courtesy of canine
machinations.
------------
The ensuing silence after Akamaru's departure did wonders
to flavor Kiba's depressed musings. A dash of irritation
was added to a pinch of self-loathing, a teaspoon of
regret, and a light drizzling of heavy envy. The mixture
had been left to freely sit at room temperature for the
last hour or so to allow bubbles of memory to float to the
surface.
Melancholy musings of this sort were common ingredients,
but the end result was easily spoiled by the simplest of
factors.
Heavy, steady footsteps marched to the gates of his domain
where a crude battering ram meted out a greeting with three
sharp raps against his thick wooden door. The man-dough in
turn twitched, looking quickly like it was going to bring
the emotional baking to a screeching halt.
------------
When making a soufflé, it's very important to remember that
one must NOT open the oven door while the ingredients are
cooking.
------------
Kiba tried projecting the frown on his face through the
door to the intruder.
"Go away!"
It garnered him nothing, save hope that was quickly trodden
beneath stubborn determination. It sounded like an angry
rhino was tusk-humping his door.
"Leave me alone!"
Luck seemed to smile on him as the pounding subsided with
that last demand. But then the siege continued with
renewed spit and vinegar -- evidence that victory was going
to be a fickle creature that wouldn't lend itself to his
service.
The door blew off its hinges and he deflated.
------------
Another common mistake when attempting to make a soufflé is
the tendency to over-beat the mixture.
------------
"I spy with my little eye something... squashed."
'Squashed?' Kiba wondered, moments before a crushing elbow
was delivered express mail to the small of his back marked
"fragile."
He bucked like a speared fish and managed an odd squeak.
"You know, Akamaru," the voice of his sister, Hana Inuzuka,
began, "I thought Kiba was here, but all I see is this
dirty bed roll."
Hana hummed a tuneless little ditty as she viciously
twisted and jabbed him with the edged joint of her arm.
Each tweak coaxed a little whimper out of Kiba, though he
remained steadfast in his resolve to remain bundled.
Akamaru barked.
"What's that, boy? You think we should give Kiba's smelly
sheets a good wash?"
Kiba could FEEL the smug and wicked smirk his sister was
wearing right now just from the odd lilt that took over her
voice. Akamaru barked yet again and the hint of upbeat
flavor in it told him his partner wore much the same.
"Traitor..." Kiba mumbled under his breath.
"Well, okay then. Up we go," Hana drawled, before hoisting
him up onto her shoulder like a sack of rice.
------------
It should be noted at this time that toppings are an
optional item. A peach puree, for example, makes a light
and flavorful compliment. Use it conservatively, however,
as it has a high water content.
------------
The smell of the wet grass hit Kiba's heightened senses,
then the stagnant waft coming from their pond made his nose
crinkle up in disgust.
"You wouldn't," his muffled voice stated, though there was
a touch of uncertain questioning in his tone that spoke of
no factual backing.
Hana shifted him from off her shoulder for ease of
throwing.
"Oh, come on!" Kiba tried to appeal. His panic rose with
his tenor as she swung him to and fro, gathering momentum.
"1..."
"Shit! Wait!"
"...2..."
"Hold up! I said hold up!"
"...3!"
Kiba felt brief weightlessness then his stomach plummeted
as gravity took hold.
"Shitcrapdammitnooooooooooo!!"
Hana barked out in knee slapping laughter when she saw him
trying to flap his arms from inside his bedroll. It was
like watching a giant caterpillar skip the pupa phase and
head straight for flying.
It was a spectacular aviation failure.
------------
"Are you still mad?" Hana needled, poking Kiba's cheeks
playfully as the youth attempted to towel off his ragged
mane.
He slapped her hand away with a growl.
"What do you think?!" he snarled curtly, and then wished he
hadn't on catching the flicker that passed across his
sister's face.
In the span of a heartbeat he was taken by the scruff of
his shirt, then slammed to the hard packed turf. He wasn't
even given a chance to spit out the grit in his mouth for
an apology before a kunai punched into a spot near his left
ear. His body stilled and his eyes slowly moved from his
warped reflection in the flat of the blade up to Hana who
pinned him in place with an unflinching glare.
Kiba fought down a shiver and rolled over onto his back
with his arms and legs akimbo in supplication. The tense
moment passed quickly thereafter with Hana retrieving her
weapon and giving Kiba silent assent to sit up from off the
ground.
The Inuzuka house followed a strict line of pack dominance
where members knew their place in the pecking order. Hana,
being elder, sat ahead of Kiba, but deferred to her mother,
who in turn bowed to her father, who was the head of the
clan -- the Alpha. Kiba had inadvertently crossed that
strict line and thus was duly punished, but just as quickly
was forgiven, as was the way.
"So, you going to tell Big Sister what's wrong, or do I
have to beat it out of you?" Hana began, sporting a good-
natured grin.
While it might be strange to outsiders to transition so
quickly from aggression back to affection as she did, it
was perfectly normal to any Inuzuka member.
Kiba's mouth opened, ready to reply, but nothing came
forward, earning foot-tapping irritation from his sister
who waited expectantly. Regardless, his inability
continued a few times more before he finally dipped his
head and mumbled inaudibly.
"I can't hear you. Speak up," Hana said dryly.
Kiba grimaced.
"He said he's a loser and that he let a damn fox take his
girl."
Kiba whirled around, horrified, looking for the culprit.
His eyes honed in on a tawny leg that freely dangled from a
cherry tree near the compound's outer wall.
"KIKOE!" Kiba sputtered, outraged. Hana merely smirked.
Location discovered, not as if any real attempt at
concealment was attempted, a figure acrobatically tumbled
free from the thick branches and landed softly, in a
crouch. It was revealed to be a girl, near Kiba's age, and
she cheerfully waved a greeting that was returned by only
one of the pair.
She wore a deep-blue garment -- the material reminiscent of
a kimono, but not -- which reached just short of the middle
of her leggy mesh covered thighs. A slit on each hip
revealed a glimpse of tights that preserved her modesty
from interested gawkers. There were touches of light grey
and fine white weave work near the collar, hem, and
voluminous sleeves. The entire ensemble seemed loosely
held together at her waist by way of a sturdy black cloth
belt.
Kiba snorted at the impracticality of the getup. Hana
thought it was cute, herself -- a sentiment shared by Kikoe
and her mother, the proud designer.
"What are YOU doing here?" Kiba asked gruffly. Hana
slapped him in the back of the head without breaking the
smile she gave their visitor, who winced ever so slightly.
"Hello, Kikoe," Hana greeted. Kiba rubbed his head with a
hiss, internally cursing the ways of violent women.
"Mistress Hana," was the reply, and she sketched a
respectful bow to the older woman. She then gave Kiba a
warm, open smile, which went rudely ignored.
Her upbeat demeanor didn't waver, but a slight drooping of
her shoulders betrayed that the brusqueness had, in fact,
stung. To say that Kikoe was used to the frosty welcome
would be a lie, but it was sadly becoming the accepted norm
between them.
A lightning quick fist flashed out and caught Kiba flush at
the base of his jaw, which blasted him off his feet and
dropped him on his backside after a pirouette.
"Uh..." Kikoe issued uncomfortably, glancing between the
siblings uncertainly.
"I'll leave you two to your own devices," Hana announced,
in thickly strained tones. A spastic tick was working
furiously at the corner of her brow when she spun on her
heels to head inside.
Hana stopped just short, however.
"Kiba," she prompted, and the younger Inuzuka raised his
head slightly in acknowledgment. "I expect a good story
later about your fox problem."
He merely grunted and his sister continued on her way.
------------
A thick, heady sensation roughly escorted Hinata to
wakefulness. She shifted her head on her pillow and earned
herself a throbbing headache that started at her eyes and
shot out of her forehead after ricocheting wildly in her
skull.
"Guh...Ugha...Murgle..."
That summed up her current state and opinion succinctly.
Hinata crossed her arms in front of her to stifle the blast
of radioactive cheer that snuck past the guard of her
blinds and shot her in the face. She made a disgusted
noise at the futility of her efforts and cracked open
sleepy eyes, which cleared and focused onto her cousin
Neji, who was... flushed and panting heavily?
Hinata backpedaled out of bed until her back hit the corner
wall of her bedroom. Never had she moved so quickly in all
her young life.
"W-w-w-what do you think you're doing?!" she demanded,
shrilly. Neji didn't reply, drawing closer purposely.
"Wha-wa-w-wait, wait, wait!" Hinata stammered out in
panicked succession.
He seemed disinclined to her plea, as he roughly grabbed
her by the shoulders. "Hinata-sama, I..."
Hinata closed her eyes and mewed out the first thing that
came to mind, "Naruto-kun..."
There was a sputter followed by a choked gurgle that gave
Hinata some pause. She hazarded a nervous peek at her
cousin who seemed to be tangled tightly in a snare of
unpleasant thought.
"No," Neji said firmly, initially more to himself than her.
He then shifted his attention to her directly and repeated
the word once more with emphasis.
"I-I don't understand," Hinata told him, now baffled rather
than scared. "What are you...?"
"Not Naruto," he finally cobbled together in words, though
not effectively, it seemed, as Hinata's brows knitted
together.
"Not Naruto what? What exactly are you trying to tell me?"
Neji gave a soft growl in self-scolding at how little sense
he was making.
"Your feelings for Naruto Uzumaki..."
A warm tingle washed over Hinata at the mention of that
particular name.
"I can't allow it."
Then she froze over.
------------
It's still pending review by Ragnar and whoever else I can rope-- er, convince to lend their hand to get grammar gaffes, typos, and other annoyances out. For the time being though, what's below is what the fic should look like. For those that actually check here, an early sneak peek of sorts before it goes up on Fanfiction.net, I guess.
Konoha was relatively quiet during the wee hours of the
morning as the majority of people were still shuttered away
inside their homes. There were a few shops and eateries
that bustled with activity, though, as they prepared to
cater to the needs of the encroaching morning rush. Neji
Hyuuga walked among them and simply observed.
His mind weighed heavily with thought, effectively mooring
him to an insomniac's pier. Meditation had helped
somewhat, but it was a tastelessly poor substitute for the
real thing, he noted while knuckling back a yawn. He had
ventured out with hope that a short walk would be his
panacea, but the cool air had instead provoked his restless
acumen with a cattle prod. Now he was the proud father of
over a hundred illegitimate thoughts that made him want to
beat his head against a wall.
"This is all Uzumaki's fault," Neji decided, grumbling.
He took a cursory bite out of an apple that a storeowner
had given him. It was supposedly part of a "spread the
word by mouth" promotion, the man had said. Neji nibbled
on it, organizing his thoughts on the subject of Naruto.
He held no real feelings regarding the boy. It was plain
to see that plenty of others had stronger opinions on the
matter, but Neji couldn't work up the apathy to care -- for
he was far below his level of notice. As far as he was
concerned, the existence of Naruto Uzumaki was a non-issue,
but there was something about him that was disquieting. A
factor he couldn't quite pin down with words, but left him
feeling disgusted and frustrated whenever the boy was
spouting his Hokage nonsense.
But sometimes -- only sometimes -- it wasn't just garbage
coming out of Naruto's mouth and it was in those times that
he'd feel an odd twinge inside that made him feel...
"Kakashi-sensei~!" the long, keening whine of Naruto
Express chugged at full steam overhead.
Like punching him in the face. Repeatedly.
Neji turned and jogged back towards the Hyuuga compound
purposefully.
------------
Not So Ordinary Day
Chapter 3
By Rai-kun
Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters and settings belong
to Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, and Viz Communication.
------------
The lights were turned out in Kiba Inuzuka's room and
curtains drawn tight. Sheets and comforter were wrapped
tightly around a body-shaped lump, lending itself to the
image of pastry dough trying to catch a nap. The task was
made more difficult with the keening whines and scratches
against his door, but they went poignantly ignored,
however.
As loyal a pup as Akamaru was, even he had a tolerance
level, which had now been exceeded and returned an invoice
of "past due." He gave a disgusted snort and vigorously
shook his mane, releasing the frustration that had been
mounting until now. He began to trot off with some
resignation before jerking to a halt. Stiffly, he turned
to regard his young master's room, sporting a wide and
mischievous grin that a certain noodle-scented-fox-boy
would find intriguing.
It was mentioned once before, but probably worth mentioning
yet again -- Akamaru was a very resourceful young pup. A
primitive idea was brewing in the plum-sized brain of his
and his master was in for a treat, courtesy of canine
machinations.
------------
The ensuing silence after Akamaru's departure did wonders
to flavor Kiba's depressed musings. A dash of irritation
was added to a pinch of self-loathing, a teaspoon of
regret, and a light drizzling of heavy envy. The mixture
had been left to freely sit at room temperature for the
last hour or so to allow bubbles of memory to float to the
surface.
Melancholy musings of this sort were common ingredients,
but the end result was easily spoiled by the simplest of
factors.
Heavy, steady footsteps marched to the gates of his domain
where a crude battering ram meted out a greeting with three
sharp raps against his thick wooden door. The man-dough in
turn twitched, looking quickly like it was going to bring
the emotional baking to a screeching halt.
------------
When making a soufflé, it's very important to remember that
one must NOT open the oven door while the ingredients are
cooking.
------------
Kiba tried projecting the frown on his face through the
door to the intruder.
"Go away!"
It garnered him nothing, save hope that was quickly trodden
beneath stubborn determination. It sounded like an angry
rhino was tusk-humping his door.
"Leave me alone!"
Luck seemed to smile on him as the pounding subsided with
that last demand. But then the siege continued with
renewed spit and vinegar -- evidence that victory was going
to be a fickle creature that wouldn't lend itself to his
service.
The door blew off its hinges and he deflated.
------------
Another common mistake when attempting to make a soufflé is
the tendency to over-beat the mixture.
------------
"I spy with my little eye something... squashed."
'Squashed?' Kiba wondered, moments before a crushing elbow
was delivered express mail to the small of his back marked
"fragile."
He bucked like a speared fish and managed an odd squeak.
"You know, Akamaru," the voice of his sister, Hana Inuzuka,
began, "I thought Kiba was here, but all I see is this
dirty bed roll."
Hana hummed a tuneless little ditty as she viciously
twisted and jabbed him with the edged joint of her arm.
Each tweak coaxed a little whimper out of Kiba, though he
remained steadfast in his resolve to remain bundled.
Akamaru barked.
"What's that, boy? You think we should give Kiba's smelly
sheets a good wash?"
Kiba could FEEL the smug and wicked smirk his sister was
wearing right now just from the odd lilt that took over her
voice. Akamaru barked yet again and the hint of upbeat
flavor in it told him his partner wore much the same.
"Traitor..." Kiba mumbled under his breath.
"Well, okay then. Up we go," Hana drawled, before hoisting
him up onto her shoulder like a sack of rice.
------------
It should be noted at this time that toppings are an
optional item. A peach puree, for example, makes a light
and flavorful compliment. Use it conservatively, however,
as it has a high water content.
------------
The smell of the wet grass hit Kiba's heightened senses,
then the stagnant waft coming from their pond made his nose
crinkle up in disgust.
"You wouldn't," his muffled voice stated, though there was
a touch of uncertain questioning in his tone that spoke of
no factual backing.
Hana shifted him from off her shoulder for ease of
throwing.
"Oh, come on!" Kiba tried to appeal. His panic rose with
his tenor as she swung him to and fro, gathering momentum.
"1..."
"Shit! Wait!"
"...2..."
"Hold up! I said hold up!"
"...3!"
Kiba felt brief weightlessness then his stomach plummeted
as gravity took hold.
"Shitcrapdammitnooooooooooo!!"
Hana barked out in knee slapping laughter when she saw him
trying to flap his arms from inside his bedroll. It was
like watching a giant caterpillar skip the pupa phase and
head straight for flying.
It was a spectacular aviation failure.
------------
"Are you still mad?" Hana needled, poking Kiba's cheeks
playfully as the youth attempted to towel off his ragged
mane.
He slapped her hand away with a growl.
"What do you think?!" he snarled curtly, and then wished he
hadn't on catching the flicker that passed across his
sister's face.
In the span of a heartbeat he was taken by the scruff of
his shirt, then slammed to the hard packed turf. He wasn't
even given a chance to spit out the grit in his mouth for
an apology before a kunai punched into a spot near his left
ear. His body stilled and his eyes slowly moved from his
warped reflection in the flat of the blade up to Hana who
pinned him in place with an unflinching glare.
Kiba fought down a shiver and rolled over onto his back
with his arms and legs akimbo in supplication. The tense
moment passed quickly thereafter with Hana retrieving her
weapon and giving Kiba silent assent to sit up from off the
ground.
The Inuzuka house followed a strict line of pack dominance
where members knew their place in the pecking order. Hana,
being elder, sat ahead of Kiba, but deferred to her mother,
who in turn bowed to her father, who was the head of the
clan -- the Alpha. Kiba had inadvertently crossed that
strict line and thus was duly punished, but just as quickly
was forgiven, as was the way.
"So, you going to tell Big Sister what's wrong, or do I
have to beat it out of you?" Hana began, sporting a good-
natured grin.
While it might be strange to outsiders to transition so
quickly from aggression back to affection as she did, it
was perfectly normal to any Inuzuka member.
Kiba's mouth opened, ready to reply, but nothing came
forward, earning foot-tapping irritation from his sister
who waited expectantly. Regardless, his inability
continued a few times more before he finally dipped his
head and mumbled inaudibly.
"I can't hear you. Speak up," Hana said dryly.
Kiba grimaced.
"He said he's a loser and that he let a damn fox take his
girl."
Kiba whirled around, horrified, looking for the culprit.
His eyes honed in on a tawny leg that freely dangled from a
cherry tree near the compound's outer wall.
"KIKOE!" Kiba sputtered, outraged. Hana merely smirked.
Location discovered, not as if any real attempt at
concealment was attempted, a figure acrobatically tumbled
free from the thick branches and landed softly, in a
crouch. It was revealed to be a girl, near Kiba's age, and
she cheerfully waved a greeting that was returned by only
one of the pair.
She wore a deep-blue garment -- the material reminiscent of
a kimono, but not -- which reached just short of the middle
of her leggy mesh covered thighs. A slit on each hip
revealed a glimpse of tights that preserved her modesty
from interested gawkers. There were touches of light grey
and fine white weave work near the collar, hem, and
voluminous sleeves. The entire ensemble seemed loosely
held together at her waist by way of a sturdy black cloth
belt.
Kiba snorted at the impracticality of the getup. Hana
thought it was cute, herself -- a sentiment shared by Kikoe
and her mother, the proud designer.
"What are YOU doing here?" Kiba asked gruffly. Hana
slapped him in the back of the head without breaking the
smile she gave their visitor, who winced ever so slightly.
"Hello, Kikoe," Hana greeted. Kiba rubbed his head with a
hiss, internally cursing the ways of violent women.
"Mistress Hana," was the reply, and she sketched a
respectful bow to the older woman. She then gave Kiba a
warm, open smile, which went rudely ignored.
Her upbeat demeanor didn't waver, but a slight drooping of
her shoulders betrayed that the brusqueness had, in fact,
stung. To say that Kikoe was used to the frosty welcome
would be a lie, but it was sadly becoming the accepted norm
between them.
A lightning quick fist flashed out and caught Kiba flush at
the base of his jaw, which blasted him off his feet and
dropped him on his backside after a pirouette.
"Uh..." Kikoe issued uncomfortably, glancing between the
siblings uncertainly.
"I'll leave you two to your own devices," Hana announced,
in thickly strained tones. A spastic tick was working
furiously at the corner of her brow when she spun on her
heels to head inside.
Hana stopped just short, however.
"Kiba," she prompted, and the younger Inuzuka raised his
head slightly in acknowledgment. "I expect a good story
later about your fox problem."
He merely grunted and his sister continued on her way.
------------
A thick, heady sensation roughly escorted Hinata to
wakefulness. She shifted her head on her pillow and earned
herself a throbbing headache that started at her eyes and
shot out of her forehead after ricocheting wildly in her
skull.
"Guh...Ugha...Murgle..."
That summed up her current state and opinion succinctly.
Hinata crossed her arms in front of her to stifle the blast
of radioactive cheer that snuck past the guard of her
blinds and shot her in the face. She made a disgusted
noise at the futility of her efforts and cracked open
sleepy eyes, which cleared and focused onto her cousin
Neji, who was... flushed and panting heavily?
Hinata backpedaled out of bed until her back hit the corner
wall of her bedroom. Never had she moved so quickly in all
her young life.
"W-w-w-what do you think you're doing?!" she demanded,
shrilly. Neji didn't reply, drawing closer purposely.
"Wha-wa-w-wait, wait, wait!" Hinata stammered out in
panicked succession.
He seemed disinclined to her plea, as he roughly grabbed
her by the shoulders. "Hinata-sama, I..."
Hinata closed her eyes and mewed out the first thing that
came to mind, "Naruto-kun..."
There was a sputter followed by a choked gurgle that gave
Hinata some pause. She hazarded a nervous peek at her
cousin who seemed to be tangled tightly in a snare of
unpleasant thought.
"No," Neji said firmly, initially more to himself than her.
He then shifted his attention to her directly and repeated
the word once more with emphasis.
"I-I don't understand," Hinata told him, now baffled rather
than scared. "What are you...?"
"Not Naruto," he finally cobbled together in words, though
not effectively, it seemed, as Hinata's brows knitted
together.
"Not Naruto what? What exactly are you trying to tell me?"
Neji gave a soft growl in self-scolding at how little sense
he was making.
"Your feelings for Naruto Uzumaki..."
A warm tingle washed over Hinata at the mention of that
particular name.
"I can't allow it."
Then she froze over.
------------