𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

The Preliminaries, Pt. 2

Last time:

"It seems like this match is over. Winner: Shino Aburame."

Now:

Shino made his way in-between Kiba and Hinata, sending a nod of gratitude Hanara's way. It seems as though he and Kiba had sensed the tension between her and Hinata and decided to keep them as far apart as possible. She is forever grateful for that.

'Beep!' went the board, announcing the next battle: Hyuga Hinata vs Hyuga Neji

Hanara shut her eyes and tightened her grip on the bar in front of her, 'We're screwed. Completely and utterly screwed,' she thought, taking deep breaths, 'I've got to go talk to Neji.'

Hanara opened her eyes and found her team and Hinata sending worried looks her way while Hinata was getting the same look to her.

"Lady Hinata, are you going to participate?" Hanara asked, staring at her.

"Y-Yes," she squeaked.

"Then I advise you to proceed with caution. I have given Brother Neji some of the scrolls I received during our previous training lessons together," Hanara responded cooly, turning her back to Hinata and making her way to Neji.

What she didn't know, was that Hinata took her words of advice as a sign that Hanara actually cared.

Once there, she dragged him away from his teammates, "I assume your sensei has already told you this but do not let your emotions affect this match." she warned him.

Neji scoffed, "I am not as affected by my emotions as that blonde over there is."

"Whatever you do, don't give her any severe injuries," Hanara said, walking back to her team, "You know the proctors will stop the match and we'll get in trouble for it later."

"You okay?" Ino asked as Hinata and Neji made their way to the fighting area.

"Don't ask me that," Hanara responded, "Ask Hinata. If you think I hate her, you're in for a reality check. Neji takes the word hate to a new level. If he listens to me and doesn't put her in a life-endangering state, I'll lick the back of my sandal."

"Hey! She might not look like much but Hinata's strong too!" Kiba said angrily.

"I never said she wasn't, but even she doesn't stand a chance against last year's Rookie of the Year," Hanara said.

"I never thought that I would fight with you, Lady Hinata," Neji said.

"Nor I, you, Brother Neji," Hinata responded.

"Huh?!" Naruto yelled, "Hinata's brother is that prick?"

"They are related, yes, but they are not siblings. Most likely distant cousins," Kakashi explained to Naruto.

Hanara decided to walk over to Team 7, knowing that they were going to be the most confused by this entire ordeal.

"Direct cousins, actually," Hanara corrected, "Neji's father was Hinata's father's brother."

"Ah," Kakashi responded.

"What about you?" Sakura asked, "Are you related to them?"

Hanara flinched, "I am Neji's adopted sister."

"Start the battle," Hayate said.

"Withdraw," Neji commanded, "You are not suited to being a shinobi. You are soft and kindhearted, that attitude and strength of yours won't change. You would just be a disgrace to shinobi. Why do you even try? Once a failure, always a failure."