receiving such praise was new to hoshiko. never once has she been called pretty or beautiful or anything of that matter. the one who always stood out was her elder sister, aiko, and for good reasons. she was the eldest, the strongest, and the most beautiful out of their clan. hoshi felt pride in knowing that she was related to such a wonderful person and hoped one day she could be as great as her. yet, the moment the man began speaking of her eyes in that matter, the flush at her cheeks cooled instantly. her silver hues dulling and hardening as she looked into the man's own eyes. the sensation of the numbing taking hold under her chin. the realization hit her. [break][break]
this man was dangerous.[break][break]
he finally let her go and her mind turned over on what she wanted to say, but before she had a chance bashira spoke up. she spoke up in such nonesense. perhaps they were hyuga and related in some ways, but they were also from different villages. if their villages were to go to war, then she'd kill bashira without hesitation because that is her duty as a shinobi. although she supposed in this instance, all the hidden villages were working together to save this tiny village from dying.[break][break]
❝ doctor kobashigawa hirabayashi is creepy and a pervert. ❞ she softly states in a monotone manner, her empty silver hues staring him down. her grip on the man's wrists didn't falter. she could see now, he was a man who spoke sweet words when he was truly just a viper. that's right, aiko-sama warned her to not let such men sway her like that. in that moment, she made a resolve to harden her heart and to not succumb to this man's sweet words. even if she liked hearing how she was pretty. her eyes were precious to her and she wouldn't allow anyone to take them from her. for she needed them to be strong.
the raw power that so many other shinobi had displayed was terrifying. her silvery hues remained fixated on the scene, her breathing heavy and haggard as she willed herself to keep standing. all the other genin were fine and she... she was already reaching her limit. had she done too much? and yet it felt like she hadn't done enough. the edges of her eyes stung, but she didn't cry. tears were useless, she could only curse her weakness and when she returns to amegakura, she'd train herself more.[break][break]
she glanced over towards anotsu-sensei, lips pressing together as she wondered briefly how it felt for him to have awakened his sharigan. her gaze lowered to the ground before heading back towards the battle. the sting of the rhino's voice echoed in her head, she felt so light-headed and tired. was it over? did they do it? she wondered...[break][break]
before she could think of anything else, she felt the world spin and her vision go dark. her body slumping forward and hitting the ground with a dull thud. she had spent too much chakra and energy trying to keep up with the others and exhausted herself to fainting.[break][break]
dust formed around her frame, fingers grappling at the ground to ease her momentum. ragged breaths came from her lips as her chest rose and sank, silvery hues watching intently as the rhino puffed into smoke. her efforts had done something again, and as she moved to get up to her feet she found her body faltering. she gasped in pain as she fell back down to her knees, fingers gripping into the dirt. lavender bangs hide the silver hues that stared intently at the ground, the sensation of her byakugan wanting to give out on her. the words that came from her sensei's lips caused her to freeze, her breath catching in her throat. slowly, her gaze lifted up towards anotsu. the popped veins around her eyes fading away to the smooth porcelain of her skin, silver looking into the ruby red of her sensei.[break][break]
it left her in awe.[break][break]
her lips trembled as she bit back the pain in her leg, fingers digging into the ground even more at the realization set before her. she was still so weak, that all she had done was the most she could do. yet, she didn't allow those turmulous thoughts to hinder what needed to be done. she lifted her gaze over towards the last rhino, lifting her good leg up and then forcing her other leg to cooperate as she stood up. the blood red liquid dripped from her leg onto the dusty ground, matching the intense redness of her sensei's eyes now.[break][break]
there was still so much work to be done, but for now she would watch just as her sensei commanded. her hand reached into the pouch at her back, pulling out a kunai and flipping it in her palm to rest the blade against it. hoshi watched carefully as she took in all the attacks, attempting to store as much data as she could in her little mind. being vigilant, she was more prepared for the rocks being hurtled in her direction. with as much strength as she could muster, she did her best in staying in place and allowing the blade of her kunai to deflect the rocks so as to not waste any more energy then she had left. although, he did what she could being hit a few times would be inevitable if it were to occur.[break][break]
silvery hues glanced up at the sound of footsteps approaching, catching sight of the hyuga woman. her lips pressed togetha and she lowered her gaze onto the man. bashira was a beautiful woman and it made her incredibly jealous. she wanted to be beautiful like that when she grows up. if she had to choose between bashira and aiko, clearly her sister was prettier. ( the 12-year-old thought to herself. ) she doesn't respond to bashira's comment, however, as she was more interested in just keeping the man down. she wasn't really sure if they could get him to relax, that seemed like wishful thinking. getting him better was more important than his comfort level.[break][break]
being called darling caused the light flush on the hyuga's face to redden a bit more, not exactly used to such compliments. it made her grip on the man's wrists tighten even more and for a brief moment, she wondered if the man panicked more over the girl hanging over him then the doctor with the dangerous needle. could she ever strike fear into people's hearts? it seemed like a silly thing to think about, but she felt like it would be a good thing. it would make her become an even more fearsome shinobi.[break][break]
the sensation of a hand pressing on her head caught her out of her thoughts. she barely registered the words as her entire face lit up red. she put all her weight onto the man's wrist, just as the doctor had instructed. even if the man squirmed, she wouldn't let up! she allowed her eyes to wander for a moment as she peeked under her lavender bangs at the doctor, the needle dripping with whatever was inside of it. she watched silently as he stuck the needle into the man's neck, the sensation of his movement being felt in the resistance of her locked limbs. her jaw clenched together as she did her best to keep him from causing too many problems from his squirming. she let out a grunt, wishing she had been born just a little bit bigger.[break][break]
at the introduction the girl's lips parted as she glanced under her bangs to the man, her hold still as tight as she could muster. more strength than any man might expect from such a tiny girl.[break][break]
❝ i am....hoshiko hyuga from amegakure....sir. it's a pleasure to meet you... ❞ she gently states, her face still warm and hot. the man's arms buck up, causing her to gasp as she realized she had lessened her hold for just a second. she presses her lips together and frowns heavily as she slams his hands down harshly into the ground.[break][break]
shoes came to a halt as silver hues caught sight of jet black, lavender locks shifting as the girl twisted to see the passing individual. small lips parted for a moment before pressing together, lavender brows pinching together with worry. the small flower held tightly within her fingers, hands pressed to her chest. she shuffles for a moment as he leaves her line of sight, her muscles move, and then she hesitates. the girl breaths in and then out as she wills her muscles to move, rushing after the man.[break][break]
as she comes to the corner, she gasps as she nearly runs into someone. the flower held delicately in her hand as she moves it out of harm, a worried frown at her lips as she passes them by. their shouts ring in her ears, but she does not pay them mind but offers her silent apologies. the sight of jet-black hair once again passes her by as she leaps over a cart, her body twisting until she hits the ground from the other side and rushes off once more.[break][break]
she passes the corner, seeing jet black locks moving away more. she holds onto her flower desperately as she rushes after, pressing her lips together before willing the courage to raise one of her hands into the air. it waves as she opens her mouth to speak.[break][break]
❝ anotsu-sensei! p-please wait! ❞ she calls out, holding the flower behind her back as she hopes that the man stops his movement for her to catch up.[break][break]
lavender lashes hung heavy over silvery hues, small lips pressing together faintly. the rain genin's sandals pattered along the dirt, kicking up dust behind herself as her tiny arms grasped tightly at the bundle in her arms. some supplies for the medic tent, an urgent mission that had been given to her as she remained in zone 0. it was small and nothing in comparison to the other shinobi rushing about the area to protect the village of onomichi, but it was the best she could do. her lips pressed firmer together as her thoughts drifted to her sister, worry clenching at her heart and making her grasp on the medical supplies tighten even more. she hoped aiko would be ok and in that thought, she scolded herself for thinking like that. her sister was great and she knew that she'd be able to take care of herself. [break][break]
but the worry still nagged at her and so she kept herself busy. flinging the fabric of the tent aside, she slowed to a pace as one of the medics approached her. she offered the supplies to them without a smile, silver hues shifting to glance at the injured already. so many shinobi had been so early in and the numbers would only rise. she only hoped the number of samurai killed was more. at that moment, in her little 12-year-old heart, she began to despise samurai even though she knew it was fruitless to do so. they did as they were told just as shinobi were, but she couldn't imagine amegakure ever attacking another village without reason.[break][break]
or so she thought.[break][break]
her attention was stolen away by the words of one of the doctors, knelt at the side of a heavily injured man. her fingers curled into her palm and without hesitation, she made her way over. hoshi fell to her knees at the man's head, her hands reaching to grab his flailing arms and pin them mercilessly to the ground. she hung her head over the man's, silver hues with no pupils staring into his own.[break][break]
❝ don't trouble the doctor when he is helping you. ❞ she stated with a firm tone, her voice even and devoid of any sympathy or empathy for the man. she pulled her head back as she gripped tightly to his wrist, hoping the awkward angle of his arms pinned over his head would leave him with less strength to fight back. regardless, she'd put her all into keeping him there with every strength she had.[break][break]
her silver hues flicked to the doctor, examining him for a moment before her pale cheeks began to flush. she lowered her head and focused on staring the man down with furious lavender eyes furrowed over her eyes.[break][break]
the hyuga girl afforded no time to even think of congratulating herself over the defeat of the shadow clone rhino. she had just done what she needed to do and the safety of her sister was all she needed. the steady grip of her sister and the offered hand of daichi helped the girl to get out of the hole and onto her feet again. the pain in her leg remained constant, but she wouldn’t let it stop her. her gaze shifted over towards mai, she gives a very stiff bow in thanks.[break][break]
❝ thank you miss aburame. ❞ hoshi voices in conjunction with koma’s own thanks. her fingers still contained the bits of chakra at their tips, making her feel fidgety. her blood was still pumping and she felt like she wanted to do more. her gaze moved towards anotsu sensei, seeing the rhino still at his feet. lavender brows pinched together with concern, could they...help him?[break][break]
it seemed koma had the same idea, and as he sprinted off hoshi came hobbling after the fastest she could. she barely caught exactly what daichi had said to her sister, but as long as there were threats in the area, they all wouldn’t be safe. anotsu could handle the rhino, sure, but she wanted to prove that she was more than capable of offering help in return. she wasn’t some useless genin. she was a hyuga and she’d prove it.[break][break]
as she sprinted/skipped due to her injured leg, her byakugan was trained at the center of the rhino’s chakra point. one blow, one hit. she’d give it her all to defeat it. her two fingers were poised at the ready, chakra building at the fingertips. as she came closer to the rhino, as koma had wrapped his chain around its neck and pulled the head back to pry its mouth open, hoshi took the opportunity to slide onto her knees. the momentum carried her as her small frame slid under the belly of the beast, the chakra still building more and more at her fingertips. as she passed just at the right moment, she thrust her fingers into the belly of the rhino to hit its main chakra point situated in its stomach. injecting her own chakra to disturb and damage it as much as she could.[break][break]
she came sliding out from the other side, using her hands to try to slow herself down and wobble to her feet. hoping to see if she helped at all.[break][break]
[attr="class","kodText"]she really was just so beautiful. in time, hoshi hoped that she'd blossom into a beautiful flower just like aiko, but perhaps that was just wishful thinking. in the end, it would be fine if she didn't have that same grace or beauty. that's not what mattered the most to hoshiko at the moment.[break][break]
the questions her elder sister asked though, were a bit difficult for the young girl to put into words. her lips pressed together as she lowered her eyes, allowing her arm to be pulled into the warmth of her elder sister's gentle touch. the rubbing of the salve felt good, although it hurt in a way, but she knew that in time it would do wonders. the deep inner parts of her limbs hurt the worst, the feeling of chakra blocked. in time it would ebb away, and her limbs wouldn't feel so heavy. [break][break]
as aiko asked one more question, hoshi could lift her gaze to watch the woman quietly. that seemed an easier question and one that helped to encompass all that aiko had asked of her.[break][break]
❛ i want to become a shinobi who can protect those that are precious to her and i can't protect people if i'm not strong. ❜ she answers softly, silver hues watching the elder girl with earnestness. ❛ i learn so much from our training and.... ❜[break][break]
she glances off to the side, her porcelain cheeks beginning to flush a light pink. her lips purse together, lavender brows pinching and pulling upwards.[break][break]
❛ i-i get to...be with onē-sama more. so i like it. ❜[break][break]
...there was a calmness that overtook the young girl. silvery hued eyes watching as the rhino came dashing towards them, instantly pinpointing the chakra points within it. the girl had no intentions of fleeing any longer, fleeing wasn’t an option. she had chosen this course, knowing that it would be their only option in the end. she would rather fight to the bitter end then flee on her own, leaving her other squad members behind. she was certain they too would want to stay to fight, to prove that they were more than capable of fighting with the rest.[break][break]
in a way, she hoped that she’d make someone proud.[break][break]
she shifted her stance, ignoring the searing pain from her leg wound. the blood trickled down, splattering along her open-toed shoes and onto the dusty ground. her fingers remained loose, a build-up of chakra at her fingertips. the call of daichi reached her ear, but she spared no moment in looking towards him. to do so could prove fatal as the rhino charged forward. as the ground sunk low at her feet, she adjusted to move her eyes upwards. the billowing of smoke surrounding her form, but not obscuring her byakugan. [break][break]
as the rhino came barreling over her and aiko, her fingers moved with quick succession to find their mark at the chakra points within its legs and underbelly. her fingers surgically injected her own chakra, working to cause some internal damage and impede the flow of chakra within it. hoshi wasn’t confident in a lot of things, but her hyuga heritage was one she could rely on. she wasn’t as good as aiko, but one day she’ll surpass even her elder sister.
it was the warming touch of her sister that brought the girl back from her fervent search. her lips parted in surprise, aiko’s arm wrapping around her to keep her safe and to ensure they retreated quickly from the danger. hoshi’s own arm moved to place itself around aiko, her sense of wanting to protect her elder sister coming to light. her other arm rose to keep a stray rock from hitting aiko, causing the girl to stifle a pained yelp. as their feet touched the ground, hoshi furrowed her lavender brows to ignore the small cuts and bruising she received. it was better than the alternative.[break][break]
Attempt kai![break][break]
the girl’s eyes widened, the realization clicking as to what she was looking at. that is why she couldn’t distinguish the chakras. with that experience, she felt she became closer to understanding genjutsu and the lack of ability to distinguish it with her dojutsu. her lips pressed together, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to perform kai. she was just far to inexperienced, but she recalled from a previous conversation with aiko about the alternatives. without hesitation, she grabbed her kunai in her hand and plunged it into her thigh. [break][break]
she stifled another yelp, gritting her teeth and focusing her gaze forward. she pulled the kunai out, flipping it in her hand as she bent her knees into a defensive position. her byakugan focused in the direction of her elder sister’s gaze, trained to seek out the chakra points of her next target.[break][break]
tldr; gets pulled away from harm by aiko, protects aiko from a stray rock, stabs self in leg, looks in the direction aiko is with the rhino that mai is fighting[break] injuries: minor wound to leg, cuts, and bruises
hoshi might have been quiet, but she wasn't dumb. she could see the paleness overcome her sister, but she said nothing of the matter. letting her elder sister to think that hoshi was none the wiser over the circumstances. she knew how much her sister cared, which is what spurred her to try even harder to be good enough. at the answer that the other produces, a small hand places itself at the small chest of the girl. her lips curling into a small pleased one, lavender brows pinching and pulling upwards with relief. her silver hues lower themselves, lavender lashes obscuring them.[break][break]
❛ ...thank you, onē-sama. you were so beautiful as always, i hope one day i can be as good as you. ❜ she softly replies with honesty in her tone. silver hues lifting up to look to aiko, the edges of her eyes creasing still with that gentle warmth. she was truly envious of her sister's ability, but also so proud. she knows one day that aiko will become the best leader of the hyuga and if anyone could rally their family together, it was going to be her. hoshi would do anything in her power to help with that, even so meager as it is.[break][break]
very carefully, the younger hyuga pulled up the sleeves of her kimono to reveal the deep impressions of her elder sister's gentle fist. deep bruises were imprinted into the points of her chakra network, hoshi's own movements were rather slow due to the blockage within them. nothing lethal, of course, and it would ease in time.[break][break]
lavender pigtails shook and danced in the air from the girl's shaking of her head in reply.[break][break]
❛ no. ❜ he gently answers, silver hues focusing on aiko with firmness behind them. ❛ i'm so happy to train with onē-sama. i want to become strong like you, so please... i want to keep going. ❜ [break][break]
her fingers curled into her palms, settling her fisted hands at her chest as she leaned forward with determination in her visage. her lips settled into a firm frown, showing that she was very serious about this matter. even if it hurt, she still loved it because she got to be with her elder sister.[break][break]
lavender lashes slowly lowered over silvery hues before opening back up to find them centered onto the googled genin. scared? the genin glanced over towards the rhino in question, slowly shaking her head. locks of lavender tussled and moved from the motion, a faint sight at the girl’s lips. the rhino was by no means scared, that she could be sure of. the roar of the beast’s words attested to that fact. the subsequent shrill in the air did little to cause the girl to shrink back in fear, her silvery hues settled with determination towards the creature.[break][break]
the girl stepped in the direction of her elder sister at her call, keeping her figure close by. she settled a foot in front of her elder sister, intent on protecting her rather than being protected. her silvery hues focused intently at the mass of rhinos forming and rushing towards their direction. the chakra networks of the stampede was clear to her and yet….it was so complex it perplexed her. how could all these rhinos have connecting chakra networks? were they one and the same or were they separate? regardless of that inquiry, she couldn’t determine where the main rhino was. giving a very soft shake of her head.[break][break]
❛it’s...no good. they’re all linked..., —mixed, i can’t tell the difference. ❜ she states in a soft voice, saddened and infuriated with her meager abilities.[break][break]
lavender locks curled and spooled along the polished wooden floors, arms tightly wrapped around bruised and battered legs. bare feet shifted and moved to place one atop of the others, toes curling inwardly as sapped breaths inhaled and exhaled through worn lungs. pale fingers curled and tightly grabbed at the grey hakama, desperate in the solace of their texture to rid themselves of aching wounds.
the girl's mind wound over and over again over each painstaking moment she failed in reacting properly to the older girl. the stabbing pains of her sister's chakrah infused fingers piercing into her points. her weak form brushing past the perfectly clean fabric of her elder sister's kimono. shoulders tensed and rose upward, fingers curling even more.[break][break]
the voice is what stirred her from her rumination. lavender bangs pulling upwards to gently lay itself upon her forehead, somber silver hues glancing over knees to see the perfect visage of the heiress. her movements remain still after looking up before eventually limbs untangle themselves to strain in clambering to her feet. folding her arms around her body, she slowly shuffles towards the elder sister.[break][break]
once she reaches towards the other, she carefully folds her legs underneath herself to sit up with a straight back. her faintly pink lips settled into a neutral line, lavender lashes laying heavy over silver hues before lifting to settle their gaze on the other girl. ever so faintly her lips quirk upwards into a soft smile, the edges of her eyes creasing to allow some warmth to fill into her somber silver hues.[break][break]
that's right, when it was just the two of them hoshi could relax a little. she couldn't be mad or sad with her elder sister, she couldn't be blamed for the situation. they were both desperately trying to do their best for their parents, and hoshi wholeheartedly only wanted to help her sister to do her duty.[break][break]
❛ are....you hurt, onē-sama? ❜ she inquires in a soft voice, lavender brows pinching together with concern. it would be outlandish of her to assume that she could even hurt her sister, but she would rather aiko be treated first if by some chance she did get hurt.[break][break]
Gentle steps guide themselves to the side of their compatriots. Somber silver eyes searching out their forms carefully before settling towards the faces of other unfamiliar ones. Her arms rested comfortably at her side, clothed in the typical Hidden Rain shinobi attire. Her headband was fastened to the bicep of her left arm, glistening under the sunlight.[break][break]
The girl didn't seem to sure about poking at such a dangerous creature, but with so many people gathered she supposed that it would be possible to accomplish. Her silver eyes glanced to her elder sister, watching and listening to the woman's words before switching to Koma. Purple lashes slowly fluttered close before opening back up to look forward. She would do her part to assist in this endeavor, waiting for the call of her Jonin to tell them when they could go forward. At the present, attaining information was the most important thing. Forming two fingers before her features, she focused on the chakra veins within her face. They flared to life as they emerged at the surface of her skin, her Byakugan activating. With it, she examined all those present and then towards the direction of the 'Tsunami.'
