#problem with cloud? lets kill a hyuga

[shyflowerhologram]

third hokage was such an useless ruler, almost all the bad decisions happened during his time, he was unable to solve any conflicts, chose to turn a blind eye when people close to him committed crimes and never really dealt with them, showed his belly to anyone who wanted a beef with konoha, during his second term peace was maintained only through the sacrifice of clans and their members one by one. He was only appointed as hokage thanks to senju's nepotism, like he wasn't even that strong, he had to off himself to hold his former student back

although i see why the council was so eager to have him on position after fourth died, weaker man is always easier to control

[rockleefangirl987]

All This...and Heaven Too: CHAPTER ONE: Training Day - Arrivals

To @asplendidninja (who introduced me fully to the glories of Team Guy) and to @ten-all-over @sausage-fist @nejicanspin @fruitysmellz  @morganknightos @samlovesmaitogai @teacher-monica @shock777

Disclaimer: The following story has been written with no intention of claiming ownership or solicitation, nor does the author claim the movie character(s) as his/her own. The character(s) have been borrowed solely out of a love of the particular series and movies and is not intended for any other purpose but amusement and entertainment.

PRESENT DAY

“DO NOT THINK I HAVE A PROBLEM DROPPING ANY ONE OF YOU! DO NOT THINK YOU ARE SAFE FROM BEING CUT BECAUSE YOU ARE MY STUDENTS! AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, RIGHT?!”

“YES GUY-SENSEI!” Two members of Team Guy screamed simultaneous responses, although they were well aware that their instructor already had a reply.

“IT WOULD MEAN SHAME TO YOUR TEAM, SHAME TO YOURSELVES, AND SHAME TO ME AS YOUR SENSEI!”

Neji Hyuga and Tenten - despite their difficult individual workouts - were mouthing Might Guy’s words as he shouted them. This was not the first time he had uttered those phrases. Neither took him lightly. There were times, to them and the world, when the Jonin seemed foolish, but underneath those less than attractive features was one of the strongest, bravest men Konohagakure had ever produced. He accepted his responsibilities as a teacher with great seriousness, and for several years he had guided them to explore every ounce of their talents, even when they felt they were at the edge of collapse. Considering what he expected of them, and what he knew they were capable of, then yes, if he found them lacking when compared to others, there was no doubt he might put them aside for the upcoming Games, perhaps to teach them a valuable life lesson.

“And he's not going to permit Kakashi-Sensei to have an upper hand.” Neji was breathing hard when he collapsed on a stump. Their Teacher had given them leave to relax and had disappeared -  he had a good idea as to where.

Tenten used one sleeve of her tunic to wipe her forehead as she sat next to him, letting the weapons scroll she had been maneuvering rest at her side. “Don't let Guy-Sensei hear you say that.”

“Well you know it's true, Tenten. Those two and their rivalry-” Neji shook his head. “I suppose I should say Guy-Sensei and his rivalry. I often feel as though it's a one-sided issue.”

“Be that as it may, do you honestly want Team Kakashi to make us look bad? I mean-” and she took a drink from her water bottle, “I don't want to look bad in front of any of them, but-”

“Them specifically? Because of Guy-Sensei?”

“Sure. Don't you feel the same way? He was right. It is for ourselves, for him, and our Team.”

Neji nodded. Although considered a natural-born, unbeatable genius, he had learned a few hard lessons these last years. Being defeated by Naruto during the Chunin exam finals knocked him on his haughty behind, both in a literal as well as a figurative sense. Almost dying as a member of the failed Recovery Team had given him even more insight. Watching his teammates face defeat during those long ago exams with one almost crippled for life - no, he never wanted Team Guy to face anything like that again.

“You're smiling,” Tenten said in a sing-song manner, and she put her head closer to Neji’s bowed one. “You want to kick their butts too, don't you?”

“More than you can know. I'm eager to take on the Britons too.”

Tenten slapped him on the back. “THAT'S THE SPIRIT, HYUGA!”

“You know you're starting to sound like Sensei.”

The young woman blushed. “I did, didn't I? Please stop me if I do that again.” They laughed, even as she gave a slight shudder.

“What’s wrong?”

“I know he hasn’t said anything, but I still keep thinking he might suggest having the four of us wear the tights, you know, like a sign of teamwork.”

“And solidarity?” It was Neji’s turn to cringe. “I hope not. You’re right, he hasn't mentioned it yet, but that doesn’t mean he won’t. Although he's never pressed the issue, not since...”

Not since that morning years ago when he proclaimed the new outfits as a reward for their hard work. A single member of Team Guy fell over themselves to be the first to accept, the most eager member of the group, and Tenten and Neji exchanged grateful glances when their teammate held up that first green jumpsuit - and for him, it was love at first sight. There had been no looking back. The white tunic and dark pants worn after his Academy days vanished forever, as did the scruffy, near shoulder-length hair.

Guy had been so touched by the boy’s reaction that he failed to notice that the remaining students never ‘officially’ collected theirs.

“I love Guy-Sensei,” Tenten continued as she giggled, “but I don’t think that color looks all that great on me for day-to-day wear.”

I think you'd look lovely in any color, Neji thought, wondering for the hundredth time whether Tenten realized how much she had grown up or how pretty she continued to become. “Well be thankful it worked out. And speaking of working out, I'd guess we'd better get back to it before we break for the day.”

Tenten began a stretch routine as she nodded. “I'm just glad the rain stopped. Seemed like it never would.”

Neji was on his feet as well. “It wouldn't have been the best of welcomes for the Britons after all these years.”

“Nope, not at all. So did Sensei give you any idea as to when we would break for the day?” She prayed they wouldn't leave the Training Fields and head straight for the parade route, for it would feel uncomfortable showing up in public after training all morning. They might be the hardest working group of Chunin but talk about poor impressions, arriving at something so momentous and smelling like... 

She didn’t want to think about it.

“He hasn’t said, but don’t worry,” Neji added, smiling as he deciphered what was on her mind. “He’ll want us to look our best. We’ll have time.”

Tenten adjusted two of her scrolls, then looked off into the distance, in the direction their Sensei had gone minutes before. “I wonder how Lee’s doing. We haven’t seen him since we got here.”

“Hmph.”

“What do you mean ‘Hmph’?”

“I’m sure Lee is fine. Guy-Sensei likely gave him another of those harebrained assignments the two of them revel in.”

“Yeah, I’m sure he did. I’m just afraid that one of these days, Lee’s going to accidentally hurt or kill himself, and we won’t find him for hours cause we’re thinking he’s off doing ten thousand squats on a mountaintop with a goat for company. And stop smirking, Neji! It’s not funny!”

It was the remnant of the earlier downpour that once threatened to ruin the day. The raindrop trickled from the top branches, landed on a single leaf, and was suspended between a deep green vein and the tip.

“Nine thousand nine hundred seventy-nine.”

The drop moved, inexorably drawn by gravity until it reached the apex of the leaf, and caught in mid-air.

“Nine thousand nine hundred eighty-six.”

Until it landed on top of a head of thick black hair which was sweat-plastered against the owner’s scalp and face.

“Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-four.”

The grunts grew more intense the longer the exercise continued, and even the small audience of squirrels that at first found the peculiar human of some interest went about their business when it became apparent there was no intention of stopping anytime soon. Therefore he had been alone for what felt an eternity, but his goal was within reach.

“Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-eight..” He strained, spurring each muscle to continue; his thumbs lifted his upper body weight and cursed him for starting this routine, while the heavier wrist weights threatened to pull him downward into the puddle filled with rain and his own perspiration. Just...a...little...more. “Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine.” One more. You...can...do… “Ten thousand!” he exclaimed, uncertain where the energy had come from to shout his accomplishment to the world, and once it was over, he collapsed and rolled onto his back, not caring that his green jumpsuit became spattered with mud. He smiled and chuckled, covering his face with one arm as he caught his breath, and welcomed the feel of the remaining raindrops as they fell from the leaves, their touch cooling his face.

“I did it, Guy-Sensei,” he groaned. “I did it.” There was satisfaction underneath the pained words.

Only in that moment did he realize how beautiful the morning had become, his eyes fixed overhead and above the treetops - the clear azure skies; the few clouds dotting the foreground transformed from a charcoal hue during the rains into the white of new fallen snow. The breeze caressing his slender body was not as unbearably hot as he thought during his workout. It refreshed him so much that he shut his heavy-lidded eyes while his mind wandered, enjoying the birdsong that serenaded him.

“Laying down on the job already?”

Without hesitation, the young man rolled over and sat straight up when the stern voice pierced the quiet, and in seconds he was on his knees, his head bowed. “Guy-Sensei,” he managed between gulps.

“I leave you alone for a few minutes and I return to find you lounging around like some Academy student on a school holiday.” Might Guy stepped nearer his pupil, noticing that the black eyes glanced up then quickly lowered, hoping to see his Teacher’s expression without being caught. “What am I going to do with you, Lee?” he asked, exasperated. “What do you think I ought to do?”

Rock Lee lifted his head. “Whatever punishment you see fit, Guy-Sensei.” He prepared for the punch he felt would follow.

I cannot keep this up, Guy thought, and a hearty laugh broke the tension as he tousled the boy’s drenched hair. At seventeen, Lee was not a boy any longer, but sometimes Guy could not help joking with him, always interested in the type of reaction he would get. One of these days he’s going to land a blow that’ll send me flying, or so improve a move I taught him years ago that he’s made it his own, and then I’ll know he’s surpassed me at last. As a teacher, you hope that day never comes, but of course, it always does… “Lee, I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”

“Sensei?” The chunin looked puzzled.

Guy shook his head. Some people often wondered if Rock Lee was a little slow on the uptake, but Might Guy knew better. There were little things which continued to make the student such an innocent. If Lee he felt - in any manner - was not doing whatever it took to please his instructor, he took it with great seriousness. And this had been one of those moments.

“I said I’m sorry, Lee. I couldn’t resist pulling your leg. I’ve been standing over there watching you finish up.” He squatted in front of Lee, noticing that a boyish smile had appeared on the younger man’s features.

“You were, sir?”

Guy flashed him one of the familiar grins, white teeth revealed, and gave the even more familiar big thumbs up. “Brilliant Lee! Absolutely brilliant! I knew you’d be able to do it.”

“Yes, sir!”

“So how do the new weights feel? Too much?”

Lee rubbed his still aching deltoids, then moved his fingers along his forearm muscles, astonished he managed to support the additional weights. “Well as you always say, Sensei, no pain, no gain, right?”

“RIGHT!”

“I will become accustomed to it the more I work with them. I always do.”

“That’s the spirit. By the times the Games begin in a few weeks, you, Tenten and Neji are going to wipe up the arena with the competition. You’re going to make your old Sensei proud.”

Lee’s dark eyes widened, for, as usual, Guy’s enthusiasm was infectious, but as he saw the tears in his instructor’s eyes, he sniffed and attempted to keep some control, but as always, the effort failed. “Guy-Sensei!” he cried, wiping his face. “Thank you for continuing to have faith in me.”

“Well, of course, I continue to have faith in you, Lee. I always have. You just always need to remember…”

“That it is not enough for you to have faith in me. I must continue to believe in myself as well. And as I have always told you, I promise never to give up. That is my code. That is my ninja way.”

“That’s my boy! And there’s nothing wrong with you taking a little time to stop and smell the roses, as they say. You work hard enough. You deserve it. And a good ninja is always aware of the environment around him so you should take notice of everything.”

“Thank you, sir. That is good to remember,” and Lee felt relieved, knowing that he had Guy’s approval to - on occasion - lay back and watch the skies.

“Of course. Eh...Lee, what’s wrong?”

The chunin looked sheepish. “Sensei, I always wondered…”

“Wondered what?” Guy moved so that he sat beside his student.

“Who are these ‘they’ everyone talks about? ‘They’ say stop and smell the roses. ‘They’ say stop and smell the coffee. ‘They’ say the grass is greener on the other side. I have never understood who or what ‘they’ are or how ‘they’ came with such authority that we repeat all of their sayings or adages without a second thought...Sensei?” He noticed Guy’s stunned expression. “Sensei?”

“Uh...you know, that is a very good question, and actually, I’ve kind of wondered that myself,” he responded, scratching his head. “That would make a good project, finding out who these ‘they’ are and what makes them so all-powerful.”

Lee reached for the pouch he put aside during his exercises, and a small notebook and pencil were withdrawn. Although his thumbs throbbed, he was able to scribble onto one page “‘Find out who ‘they’ are,” and he repeated the words aloud. “Right, sir! That will make an excellent project once the Games have concluded. I have always been curious each time I hear those sayings, but you are the only one I felt I might ask. Neji would laugh, and Tenten would shake her head and say ‘Oh Lee - really’. It was…” He closed the notebook and put it away. “It was not a ridiculous question, was it, Sensei?”

Guy put an arm around Lee’s shoulders. “Lee...in life, I have found that there are no ridiculous questions. What is ridiculous is when someone doesn’t ask because they don’t want to look stupid or have others think them stupid.”

Lee nodded, then smiled. “Is that another of those things which ‘they’ say?”

The jonin chuckled. “More than likely.” Guy sprang to his feet, and his student did as well, adjusting the pouch so that it crisscrossed his body. “ALL RIGHT THEN!” and he began to stretch, grinning as Lee followed his lead. “So you got in ten thousand pushups using your thumbs alone.”

“Yes, sir!”

“And the squats and lunges?”

“Completed sir! As ordered while wearing the new wrist weights and the ankle weights as well!”

“Kickboxing?”

“Done sir!” They looked at the tree which had taken the brunt of Lee’s punches and leg extensions.

“And your five-mile run?”

“Before the sun rose, sir and during the rain!”

“And are you tired?”

“Not at all, Guy-Sensei!”

“Then consider the rest of the day and tonight as a holiday.”

“A holiday,” Lee whispered, smiling. “Thank you, sir.”

“You haven’t had one of those in awhile, have you?”

“No sir we have not.”

“Well, it’s a celebration you know. Welcoming the Britons, and the parade and everything. Konoha doesn't get events like this every day.”

“No sir.”

“Oh, that reminds me. I will not expect to see the three of you in training until ten tomorrow morning. That is an order,” he stressed, realizing that if he was not specific, Lee would arrive before dawn as always. “I realize that’s a lot later than usual, but the Briton party will last way into the night, and we don’t want to be rude by leaving too early. So consider the late start and attending the parade and the party as a reward for all you’ve done these last few months.” He saw Lee’s eyes widen. “You’ve been working hard since the Games were announced. I’m proud of you, Tenten and Neji.”  

“Thank you, sir. I hope when the Games begin, we do you proud.”

“Oh, no doubt that you will. So we’ll head back to the Training Fields, fetch Tenten and Neji, then you can head home and clean up.”

“There you are, Sensei, Lee!” Tenten called out when the two appeared.

“How was your workout, Lee?” Neji asked, noticing that his teammate was rubbing his arms.

Lee’s smile was ecstatic. “Sensei was good enough to present me with new wrist weights, and I performed ten thousand push-ups on my thumbs while using them.”

Neji and Tenten traded glances. What had one of them said about harebrained? All that was missing was the mountain goat.

“TEAM! At ease!”

The three relaxed and sat on the ground, forming a semicircle around Might Guy, who remained standing.

“I've told Lee you're going to head home, clean yourselves up - I can't allow you to go out in public after all the work you've put in...Tenten?” He noticed the girl's relieved look. “Did you believe I would take you to the parade when we're all as rank as mountain goats?”

And everyone's talking about goats. “No, of course not Sensei.” Shut up, Neji. She noticed Neji was trying not to laugh, and she prayed that his damn Byakugan developed temporary mind reading abilities so he could know what was on hers. He might be shocked at the language!  

“Well head home,” Guy continued, “scrub yourselves and meet me in front of the Temple in an hour. That was why I wanted us to start training earlier than usual so we could finish early.” He paused, listening when some nearby birds squawked at a disturbance and then took flight, while in the distance he could see a mob of Sika deer speeding across the meadow. “We’ll need a perfect spot to watch from.”

When he motioned, they stood, politely bowed, and were surprised when their Teacher began to laugh.

“Guy-Sensei, what is it?” Neji inquired when a distant thap-thap-thap-thap caught his attention. He noted that Lee and Tenten heard it as well.

Guy continued laughing. “You’d better get a move on, Team,” he teased, pointing upwards. “There’s not a moment to lose. Look!”

The chunin followed his finger - and their mouths dropped. A twirling sound, metal against metal, thrashed at the wind, the vibration increasing as the source emerged from the clouds as though by magic: an enormous, shimmering pecan-colored oval against the sky’s palette of white and blue. At the vehicle’s rear were a series of rotating fins within an immense ring - the source of the sound they had initially heard; and supported by cables underneath the balloon, for that was the term that came closest to describing what they observed, was what appeared to be a massive enclosed boat, which was half the length of the oval.

Behind it came another, smaller in size, but of the same color, and behind that one was a third in silver-gray. A fourth and a fifth appeared a short time afterward - their designs and sizes again varying, with one having a shark-like appearance with sails and metal fins, and the other gliding along as though maneuvered by the wind alone. More followed, and by the time the twelfth and final vehicle came into view, the ground rumbled with more ferocity as each vessel soared miles above Team Guy, then banked towards the east, some at a higher altitude, some circling, and others including the first one beginning their descent.

Lee’s eyes grew larger if that was possible. “What in the world?”

“Wow!” Tenten kept blinking her eyes, knowing this was no dream.

Neji shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Guy’s smile had grown even broader. “No one in Konohagakure has seen anything like this in twenty years. Now you can better understand why the clearing Lady Tsunade ordered is as large as it is. Wait until you see them all up close.”

“So the people are inside the balloons?” Lee asked in amazement. Like his teammates, he had never seen a flying machine before.

“Some of them are, but some are in those contraptions underneath. They’re called gondolas, but I imagine the largest balloons have space in the hull or the lining for the passengers and crew. Oh, the times Kakashi and I would go onboard when we were invited. We never got to ride in one, but...Well, enough of my reminiscing or we’ll be standing here all day. We have a parade to attend. Get a move on! I’ll see you in an hour!”

“Yes Guy-Sensei,” came the simultaneous replies and the three sped off, although, on occasion, they caught themselves looking off to where the airships filled the skies over the Village, and they once again wondered who or what these Britons were.

“And King Edward IX begins its’ final approach, Admiral,” Lieutenant Henry Marshall - also known as Harry - called out as he followed the readings from his position as the first navigator on the flagship of that name. “One hundred kilometers to the landing site; weather is still clear, and we’re beginning our descent pattern.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” And to the helmsman: “Steady as we go, Lieutenant.”

“Steady as we go, ma’am.”

The admiral stepped down from the com, arms folded, and moved to where the chief pilot rotated the brass wheel operating the vessel’s main steering controls.

“The Olympic, the Sovereign, and the Mauretania are standing by, ma’am,” her communications officer said, as the voice levels on the bridge increased with more directions and orders. “The Britannic and Majestic, the Victoria, Saint George and Aquitania are in holding patterns…”

“Landing crews make ready,” the Admiral ordered.

“Landing crews at the ready, ma’am.”

“OFFICERS ON THE BRIDGE!”

Henry sprang to attention upon hearing the pronouncement, a slight smile pulling at his lips when he saw two females step from the lift and onto the quarterdeck, salute, then make their way down the oak staircase to where the fleet commander stood. He was well acquainted with the new arrivals, both of whom still wore their more casual traveling outfits, having not yet changed into the more formal parade uniforms. And while the youngest appeared to dance with every step, the eldest moved more gracefully as befitted her position, although her eyes betrayed her excitement. Henry had seen the unmistakable twinkle when she passed him, discreetly returning his smile.

That was an expression he had known his entire life, the one revealing that his beloved older sister was thrilled beyond belief at this adventure in a land they had only studied.

“Admiral Jessig, thank you again for inviting us to the bridge.”

“Noble Lady Kathryn and Lady Tessa. It is once more a privilege having you and your family onboard Her Majesty’s flagship. I believe you and Her Ladyship will get an excellent view of our approach if you position yourselves at the port windows. I am certain you will want to see their most famous landmark as we fly over.”

“The Windsor, the Parliament and the Empress of Bharata await their orders, Admiral,” communications advised.

“Notify all ships captains to begin their landing procedures when safe to do so.”

“Aye Admiral.”

An eager fifteen-year-old Tessa rushed to one of the single panes which made up the bridge’s viewing windows. She peered out, her neck stretched as though hoping to see even further than she could. She motioned with one hand. “Kathryn! Kathryn!” and she indicated the lush forests and undulating multi-colored landscape below them. “Oh my God, isn’t it beautiful?”

“I think everything we’ve seen so far has been beautiful, hasn’t it?” her sister remarked as she stood beside her.

“I just never realized it would look like this. You know, I’m not certain what I expected. I studied their topography; saw Papa and Mama’s photographs from when they were here. And I heard someone say it’s exotic, although I’m never sure what is meant by that.”

Kathryn laughed, her small turned-up nose crinkling. “It’s another of those words people use because you go ‘Oooo...exotic’ and your mind conjures up dark and mysterious and dangerous.”

“Well, I told Michael and Harry I love the name.”

“Name? Oh! Konohagakure? Or Konoha?”

“I like those too, but I meant the other, the Village Hidden Among the Leaves. Leaf Village. That sounds exotic. Or romantic, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps romantic as if from a poem. Konohagakure, Konoha,” and Kathryn then mouthed ‘Village Hidden Among the Leaves’.

From childhood, Kathryn tried to visualize this Leaf Village whenever her parents spoke of their time during those long-ago Games. When she was little, she often renamed it the Emerald Village as she mentally constructed a world all in greens with never ending springs and summers, and trees with leaves so abundant, one did not know they had arrived at their destination until they were at the village gates. She came to think of it as a magical place similar to a fairy tale her parents would read to regale her and her siblings at bedtime. But it was a land where instead of kings or queens, and chivalrous knights and fair ladies, there were leaders called Hokage who put their lives on the line for their people. There were Ninja - male and female - who were the knight-protectors and possessors of great abilities and powers akin to magic. There was even the occasional villain because no great epic was without a villain or two.

Kathryn could not have asked for better stories to fall asleep to, especially when she realized her own destiny, both as a Briton and as a member of the Marshall family. Once she accepted her responsibilities, she prayed to be as brave and honorable as her noble ancestors or those distant Ninja from that Village Hidden Among the Leaves.

And now she would meet a real Hokage. She would meet even more real Ninja, something that would have remained a fantasy until almost a year ago when that message arrived for her Queen.

She blinked, realizing what she saw coming into view was not her imagination. “Tessa...”

Tessa moved closer to her sister, one arm going about the oldest one’s waist. “Wow! Oh wow! It’s as Mama and Papa described it.”

“Indeed it is,” Kathryn responded as the miles of trees gave way, and as in her childhood dreams, the Village instantaneously appeared once the airship had descended from the clouds: buildings both ancient and new with a network of streets threaded among them; spots of blue indicating lakes and streams were dispersed among the greens of parks and gardens, but all appeared miniature as the ship streaked overhead. “Oh, look, Tessa.”

“The mountainside,” Tessa gasped.

“OFFICER ON THE BRIDGE!”

Quick greetings were made between the latest arrival and the Admiral, and in moments, a tall, elegant young man joined them, towering over both females.

Tessa gave her oldest brother a hug. “Michael! Good morning - and look.”

“Morning! You arrived just in time,” Kathryn told him, greeting her brother for the first time that busy day. “There it is.”

“Exactly as we’ve been told all our lives.” It was his turn to admire the sloping surface on which were carved in minute detail the enormous sculptures of the Hokages of Konohagakure.

“Watching over their people,” Kathryn whispered.

“Gives you goosebumps, doesn’t it?” Tessa’s question was filled with admiration. “I can’t wait to get down there.”

Despite the uneventfulness of the four days of flight, and the opportunity to fall into a routine outside her usual one, Kathryn was eager to land so she could touch the ground once more. While she enjoyed that unrestrained feeling involved in flying, traveling in the air for over six thousand kilometers had worn on her nerves.

“It won’t be long,” Michael assured Tessa. “And are you prepared to give them a show, Kitten?”

“Absolutely! I’ll be wearing my brand new top hat that Mama gave me as a going-away present. Wait until you see it. It has bits of clockwork and you’ll love the way the veil flutters behind me when we’re riding.”

Michael gave her a kiss on the forehead while noting that Kathryn was still watching out the window, her features pensive. “You are such a child sometimes, Kitten. I suppose sergeants don’t get to wear such frivolities every day, do they?”

She giggled and rolled her eyes. “Of course not. You're silly, Michael. But it'll be nice to not wear my uniform every day.” Her back straightened and she became so much more serious that the innocent image from a few seconds before vanished. “I just hope there will be some archers that will really challenge me when we compete. I don’t like things handed to me.” She stepped to another window, her attention drawn to a meadow dotted with deer.

Michael walked to Kathryn’s side. “This is our childhood dream come alive, isn’t it?”

Kathryn traced a finger along the window frame. “It really is.” When she looked up into his face, she smiled as his eyes transformed from an iridescent blue to emerald green. “Your irises are at it again,” she joked.

“Are they? I never know until I look in a mirror,” he grinned. “Lord knows what color they’ll be by the time I’m in uniform.”

“Must be nice,” Kathryn teased.

“What?”

“Having eyes that change color to compliment whatever you’re wearing or whatever mood you're in.” She turned away from him.

“What can I say? It’s a gift.” Michael cleared his throat, fingers combing through his short reddish hair. “I thought, before we landed, I thought I might again mention...”

But Kathryn was already shaking her head, and although in profile, the calm on her face switched to annoyance. “Michael...”

“Just...think about it.”

“Why?” Not wishing for everyone on the bridge to hear their conversation, she kept her voice low.

“Because Her Majesty asked it of you.”

“Asked but did not command. Suggested but did not order,” she reminded him.

“Yes,” he whispered, “suggested, as both your sovereign and your kinswoman. Kathryn...there can be nothing wrong in taking a look at him. Who knows?”

She sighed. What did she think earlier about the trip being uneventful? It had been unless one of the peerage traveling with them (and on occasion, Michael, and to a lesser extent Harry) decided to raise the topic that rankled her nerves. She had heard it often before their departure and during the journey, and now she was prepared to throttle the next person who raised the issue. “He must be a child.”

“No, he and his cousin, the eldest daughter of Lord Hiashi, are both of marriageable age. We’ve told you that.” He knew Kathryn was offering up arguments to deflect the issue. “There’s only a few years difference between your ages. And I think Harry is delighted to meet the young lady.”

“Harry is delighted to meet any young lady.”

“Kathryn.” Michael tried not to laugh, although he knew the statement to be true.

“Michael.” She turned to catch one final glimpse of the mountainside as they floated out of range. There was silence between the siblings as she considered her options, reasoning her way through every possibility as she did with anything momentous. “Neji Hyuga,” she uttered.

“He’s a born genius, one of the most gifted Ninja they’ve ever seen. There’s already mention of him becoming a jonin in the near future, perhaps even while we're here. You are doubtless looking at a future Hokage. He’s supposedly attractive...”

“The Queen said that too.” She knew Michael felt no need in repeating the other attribute given to her ad-nauseum: that Neji Hyuga was from a branch of one of the finest clans in Konohagakure. Although - yes, there was that keyword although - there had been or were family issues. She could do Intel as well as anyone. While studying them felt akin to constructing a jigsaw puzzle, Kathryn obtained one vital piece of information. These Hyugas did not appear to have a history of peace and harmony with each other. For someone like her, for whom family meant everything, it was difficult to fathom.

“Well, she knows a possible future mate should make you happy in every aspect of a long lasting relationship. Cousin Lilibet loves you, cares for you, and that’s why she made the suggestion if you would be so inclined. It might make for a good alliance. You might even find you have feelings for him if the opportunity arises. You don’t know. You won’t know unless...”

He took one of her hands. She was his favorite, as much as he loved and adored his other brothers and sisters, so when the lords mentioned they would broach the issue to her once more before their arrival, Michael volunteered for the loathsome duty as it only seemed right. At least - unlike with one of the peers - she might not challenge him to a duel. Might not.

“Kathryn, look, just meet with him, dance with him, talk to him at the party tonight. I’m certain he’ll be there. If in the end, you feel nothing, then no one will obligate you...”

“You won’t leave me alone until I say yes, will you?” she mumbled.

He could tell her temper had swelled, even as tears threatened her eyes. He hated asking, he hated pushing. He knew that Kathryn was her own woman, and while their Queen would never pressure her into a marriage against her will, the ‘suggestion’ to meet someone while these indirect mentions of contracts and obligations crept about in the background was enough to send her into an understandable frenzy.

Kathryn nodded, returning her attention to the scenery outside the window.

“I’ve ruined the day, haven’t I?” The words were remorseful. My poor little sister. I’m so sorry.

“No. No, you just made me remember I can never put my duties aside for one single moment, can I?” Rubbing the insides of her eyes with a thumb and index finger, she muttered “Neji Hyuga” once more in an attempt to become accustomed to the name before taking a deep breath. She gave Michael a quick kiss on his cheek and tried to smile. “We’ll be landing soon. I’d better start getting ready. Tessa? Come on Kitten. We need to get dressed. We’ve got a parade to attend, don’t we?”