The Heir and The Heiress

Hanabi

Sitting next to her bedroom window, Hanabi looked out and admired the large Koi pond shimmering in the morning light as she glided her brush through her long brown hair. A knock on her bedroom door pulled her from her thoughts. Turning, she saw that her tutor and good friend Natsu was standing in her doorway grinning.

"My Lady, your elder sister has come to pay you a visit." Natsu disappeared before Hanabi's shock at her words could fade. A few seconds later Hinata filled the doorway. Why did her elder sister have to be so beautiful, Hanabi groaned inwardly as morning light streaming in the window glistened off Hinata's long indigo locks that she had inherited from their mother. The kindness reflected in her sister's gentle eyes made Hanabi's heart hurt. All she wanted to do was run and throw her arms around her big sister as she used to when they were younger.

"Hello Hanabi," Hinata bowed then gave her sister another one of her kind smiles. "I'm sorry for stopping by so early, but I am not sure if you are aware of this or not...it is a tradition in the Hyuga clan that the day before a daughter is to have her coming of age ceremony, her mother is supposed to spend the day with her. On her last night of being a child." Hanabi watched curiously as her elder sister rubbed her hands nervously in front of herself.

"Well, I was wondering...since our mother is no longer around, if you would like to spend the day with me?" Hinata's hands fell to her side as she met Hanabi's wide eyes.

Shocked speechless for the second time this morning, Hanabi could only gape at her sister. Of course she had learned in her lesson's with Natsu about the tradition, but because of her mother not being around she never thought much more of it. Looking into her elder sister's eyes, so similar to her own, an image of them as young children flooded her mind. No matter how tired Hinata was at the end of the say, she always made sure to come visit her before bedtime. Most of the time, her big sister would fall asleep in the middle of their games. The same warm feeling that filled her back in those moments filled her now, and she tried to hold back her embarrassed blush when she realized she still hadn't said anything. Standing, she straightened her skirt and made her way closer to Hinata, bowing her head ever-so slightly.

"Thank you Hinata. I would like that very much."

As they walked outside of the Hyuga compound's gates, Hanabi kept looking around for the usual guard that had to escort her through her outings to the village but she couldn't spot anyone. Hinata's chuckle from beside her as they continued to walk caught her attention.

"Don't worry, I have talked to Father and he knows that I will be with you the entire day today. So no escort." Hanabi could only gaze wide eyed as her sister tilted her head and smiled at her amused. The fact that her father didn't send an escort spoke volumes for the trust he must have in Hinata's abilities. She has really grown since the Otsutsuki incident. Even though they had grown apart over the past few years, Hanabi still admired her elder sister greatly. Casting a sideways glance at Hinata, she had to admit that she even still envied her at times.

Stopping suddenly after a few more moments of quiet, but comfortable company, Hanabi realized that they were standing in front of her favorite Soba shop. Trying to hold back a blush she wasn't aware that Hinata still remembered that about her. They hadn't been here together since they were kids. After they ordered they sat outside the shop at a small table and simply enjoyed one another's company. Hanabi had worried that conversation with her sister would be awkward and forced, but it was quite the contrary. They talked about what they were doing in their daily lives. Hanabi with her training and studying, Hinata with her training her students and helping them study. They kept the conversation light and easy going. No need to bring up the ceremony that was to be held the next evening, that brought butterflies to Hanabi's stomach everytime she thought about it, and she was sure it wasn't a pleasant topic for Hinata to think about either in all honesty. After they finished eating they took their time walking along the small shops in the outskirts of the town. Hanabi loved the bustling energy within the center of the village, but the quaintness of the older, smaller shops that still remained in the old parts of the town were nice too.