Her father striding towards her was expected, as was Ruby's reaction of brushing her skirt and apron as if straightening them.
Her father came to a stop and glanced at Ruby, not fooled. "Who is this?"
"This is Ruby, who has sworn to my service," said Hinata.
Hiashi Hyuga had heard of Naruto Uzumaki, his Teleport technique, and had seen the trade delegation from a distance.
Also from a distance, he'd observed Hinata. Who was carrying herself with a LOT more confidence.
Hinata was also carrying a long foreign-looking knife, wearing a set of black silk that was slightly baggy and had a hood that could be pulled up to form a cowl around her head. Bracers of some odd metal riveted onto an equally odd leather. Several pouches. Also an amulet of some kind, visible hanging just under her throat.
The Hyuga clan was trained to read body language, to pay attention to details and be able to interpret them, and other similar things. The use of their Byakugan could be optimized with such skills.
Hinata was quietly confident, more so than he'd ever remembered seeing her. No cringing or flinching. Nervous, yes.
"What IS that you're wearing?" asked Hiashi, not intending it to be harsh - more a stall while he went over the various details and tried to fit the pieces together.
"Oh, this is a black spider silk explorer's outfit," said Hinata, apparently grateful for a neutral topic. "Because it's made from the silk of giant cave spiders it's actually quite durable."
The darkskinned girl with the pointed ears settled into a stance that looked deferential and polite, but Hiashi could tell that her hands were near a set of slender throwing knives. A bodyguard of some sorts? Why would any Hyuga require a bodyguard?
"Hmph," said Hiashi aloud. "Are you ready for some sparring?"
"Ruby, this is my father," said Hinata. "He is the head of my clan, and my teacher."
The bodyguard in the maid outfit moved slightly, her neatly folded hands no longer edging towards a decorative frill that had three knives concealed there. "As my lady wishes."
"I had hoped to be able to rest a little," said Hinata, inclining her head, "but if that is your wish, Father."
Hiashi waited until the maid had taken a position to the side and then assessed his eldest daughter again. She seemed relaxed, loose, still...
"Byakugan," said father and daughter simultaneously.
"Holy goddess, bless this supplicant," whispered Hinata, touching the barely-showing amulet.
Hiashi didn't let his frown deepen as a tendril of blue chakra(?) wisped out around Hinata.
Nor did he let his surprise show at the OTHER odd things he was seeing. A ring on one finger, which glimmered with a dull green light. The bracers also had an odd look, shifting colors to a dull blue under the Byakugan. The dagger at her belt, even as it was unclipped and lightly tossed to the maid - almost looked alive as chakra flowed through it.
Hiashi moved in the moment of inattention, intending to test Hinata's reaction time.
Hinata bent out of the way, showing that her apparent inattention was an illusion. Her counterstrike barely missed him and only because he'd half-expected it.
That clinched something in his mind. Hinata had seen combat. Not merely sparring, but the sort of opponent who would kill you if you gave them that chance.
Then Hinata did something unexpected, she extended her chakra to project from her fingertips by a distance of several inches.
Such a thing wasn't unknown, but it was inefficient and didn't do that much good. Hiashi responded by sending a couple of quick jabs at his daughter.
Who bent and then somersaulted out of the way.
Hiashi frowned as he detected the cut on one sleeve made by a blade of chakra.
The bodyguard-maid said something in a harsh-sounding language.
Hinata apparently understood at least some of that, making a gesture of a closed fist waving side to side.
Again the bodyguard-maid said something, a single short noise deep in the throat.
Hinata dropped the chakra-knife technique, understandable as it WAS inefficient and draining.
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(Posted Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:38)
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