[BOOK 1] The Crystal Eye | Story of You, and I (❕ON HIATUS❕)

003: Death

003

[Prologue— Hyuga Hinari Arc]

                 Neji was keeping Hinari companied at her room when someone knocked at their door, Neji stood up to open it and it revealed Hana, crying.

"Hana-san? Why are you crying?" Neji asked to Hana who kneeled to his level and held both of his shoulders.

"Change into a black yukata, we're going on a funeral." Hana ordered

"Whose?" Hinari questioned after she overheard her cousin's order.

"Uncle Hizashi's." Hera arrived, staring at them with no emotions.

"Huh? W-what do you me-"

"It means uncle Hizashi died." Hera cut Neji's words, a tear escaped her eyes as she did.

The young child stood there, shocked about the news. "Dad... Died?"

Hinari gasped, her arms started trembling, her knees fell on the ground. "Papa..."

Hera immediately ran towards Hinari, who couldn't hold her emotions any longer and cry miserably on her shoulder.

---

Hizashi's children kneeled on his tomb, placing flowers to pay respect on him.

"Papa..." Hinari muttered under her breath, trying to hold her tears.

The sky darkened, and it cried for her.

"Hinari, you'll get sick." Neji swiftly covered her crouched body with his own- he knows how much the rain makes her suffer, and he does not want it to happen; not right now.

"It's fine Nii-san... Who cares if i got sick.." she mumbled, tears finally flowing down to her cheeks.

"I shouldn't have done that, it's all my fault, Papa.." she wipe her tears as Neji accepted the umbrella Hana handed out and covered Hinari.

"It's all because of me—"

"He did this... To protect the main household.."

"Nii-san?"

"They.... Killed him. For their sake... They killed dad." Neji gripped on the umbrella handle tightly, as his eyes shows anger.

"I'll never forgive them for this.." he said then grabbed Hinari away, ignoring the voices calling them.

---

Papa died 3 months ago, Neji-nii started going to Academy, so was I. Neji-nii still go to the main household to train, I do too.. but I never looked at them the same. I couldn't bare to. I even started putting some distance between Neji-nii and I, because I know I was responsible for Papa's death.

It's not like I didn't remember it... The memory was blurry, since I was tired from training. But- I know it well, that I was the one who killed that ninja. But I don't have any courage to tell Neji-nii, I don't want him to hate me, he's the only Ally i have. Since I lost the other one, and if I lose him too... I don't think I can handle it.

"Hinari?" Neji addressed his sister who was reading a book by the window, she only hummed in response— she did not even bat an eye on him.

"Do...—What do you want for dinner?" He asked, fidgeting his fingers.

"Bread's fine." Hinari simply answered before standing up and walking away, still averting eyes with Neji.

"Hinari, is there something you're not telling me?" He questioned, Hinari stopped on her tracks.

"Did I do something wrong? You've been keeping distance from me ever since dad died, I know it's hard he's gone but.. you... You avoiding me hurts. You're my only ally now, so— please talk to me." Neji pleaded.

"Nii-san..." She turned around and smiled.

"You don't need to worry about me, I'm fine! It's just that, I wanted to keep some distance because I want you to have your time. I'll get going now, I have to go training for a while." She then walked out completely out of his sight.

Neji sighed, frowning.

"You shouldn't have left this early, Father. I can't be a good brother to Hinari... Not yet." He mumbled before entering his room.

Hinari looked at the stars, panting as she finished her training.

"It's pretty.." she mumbled, a tear escaping her eyes once again. She wiped it and smiled.

"I really should stop crying whenever I thought of Dad.."

"Hey there." A voice greeted, Hinari looked up and saw Hera with a masked guy with gray hair.

"Nee-san? Why are you here?" She asked

"Well, I just finished my mission and I heard from Hana that you're busy at training. So I wanted to treat you some ramen, then let's visit uncle." Hera offered, picking Hinari up and placed her on her shoulder.

"Ah, this is Kakashi. Kakashi, meet my cousin, Hinari." She introduced, Kakashi nod at Hinari while they exited the household.

"Is he the one you kept telling me? The Kakashi you l—" Hinari didn't got to finish when Hera started sprinting.

"That's a secret!" She yelled, as Kakashi silently followed them.

"What's the secret?" Kakashi asked

"It's nothing!" Hera blushed as she stopped in front of the ramen shop, they entered and saw a familiar face.

"Oh? Hera-san, what a coincidence." A male with black long hair greeted.

"Oh, Itachi-kun huh. Having a ramen too eh." Hera smiled as she placed Hinari next to him, Hinari looked at Itachi with admiration.

"He's handsome nee-san." Hinari blurted out, Itachi smiled and pat Hinari's hair.

"Thanks for that, what's your name?" He asked

"Hyuga Hinari, nice to meet you, Itachi-san." She introduced as she showed a broad smile, Itachi smiled a bit, ruffling Hinari's hair before going back eating his ramen.

"Do you want spicy?" Hera asked to Hinari who nodded in response.

"Yes please."

After they ordered, they started eating with Hinari continuously asking questions at Itachi. After that, they went to Hizashi's grave and offered some flowers before Hera and Kakashi took Hinari back to their house.

"Hinari's like you when we were younger, a bright girl.." Kakashi remarked as the two walked out the Hyuga compound.

"Really? Never noticed that.." Hera replied, thumb's on her chin.

"Maybe that's the reason I love that kid, she's cute!" She giggled then looked at the night sky.

"Thanks for coming with me Kakashi, I owe you one." Hera smiled

"Yeah, sure."