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Back in Konoha, Horyu found himself in the training ground of Hinata and Hanabi, observing the sisters in their rigorous training session. The sun hung low, casting long shadows that danced around the edges of the clearing where the Hyuga siblings practiced. Hinata, more composed and precise, mirrored the fluid motions of the Gentle Fist, while Hanabi, younger and slightly more aggressive, tried to match her sister's technique with a fierce determination.
Winding down from their intensive training, Hanabi rushed to Horyu's side, her enthusiasm barely contained as she grabbed a bottle of water. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, a testament to her hard work and dedication. "Will you join us, Horyu?" she asked, hopeful yet panting from the exertion.
Horyu observed her for a moment, the setting sun casting a warm glow on the training grounds. He reached out, patting her head gently, a rare show of affection from him. "Not this time," he replied, his voice steady and calm.
Hanabi's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and exertion. "I am sweaty," she mumbled, clearly self-conscious in his presence.
Without missing a beat, Horyu smeared some of her sweat across her face with a teasing motion, his smile genuine. "These are sweats of hard work. Don't be ashamed," he encouraged, watching as Hanabi nodded earnestly, her initial embarrassment fading under his reassurance.
Hinata, having finished her own set of exercises, approached them, her eyes softening at the interaction between her sister and Horyu. There was a lightness in her step, a reflection of her delight at seeing Hanabi and Horyu get along so well.
The training ground was their sanctuary, a place where the burdens of clan expectations and societal pressures seemed to dissipate, if only for a while. Hinata found herself grateful for Horyu's presence.
As they sat, catching their breath after the intense training session, Horyu's attention turned towards Hinata. "Did you sign the contract, Hinata?" he inquired, his gaze curious but non-intrusive.
Hinata, her forehead still glistening with sweat, nodded eagerly. "I talked with father, and he allowed me to," she revealed, retrieving the scroll from her bag and handing it back to Horyu. During the Chunin Exams, Horyu had earned two summon contracts from system quests. One was for the Kurohana Owl Tribe, and the other was for the Lunar Hare Tribe. Having already signed the contract with the Owl Tribe, Horyu had decided to offer the second one to Hinata.
Horyu hummed in acknowledgment, his interest piqued. "Did you summon yet?" he asked, his tone casual yet clearly invested in the answer.
Hinata shook her head, her eyes reflecting a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. "I was waiting for you," she admitted, her voice soft.
"Good, go ahead then," Horyu encouraged, passing her a kunai to make the necessary cut on her thumb for the summoning blood contract.
Nodding, Hinata accepted the kunai with a determined grip. She made a small incision on her thumb, wincing slightly at the sting before quickly moving through the required hand seals. With a practiced motion, she slammed her hand down, and in a puff of smoke, a she-hare appeared before them.
The creature that materialized was nothing short of mesmerizing. Its fur shimmered a soft, luminous silver under the fading sunlight, and its eyes, a deep violet, sparkled with an intelligence and curiosity that seemed almost human. The hare's build was swift and agile, every muscle under its sleek coat tensed and ready for action, yet it exuded a calmness that belied its appearance.
Hanabi gasped, her previous fatigue momentarily forgotten as she beheld the creature. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes wide in wonder. Horyu's gaze was sharp and analytical as he assessed the hare summon, that now stood before them. The air around them seemed to thicken with anticipation as she took in her surroundings, her nose twitching delicately, picking up scents that were invisible to the human senses. Her attention quickly fixed on Horyu, a flicker of recognition passing through her violet eyes. "I smell a Kurohane," she stated, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.
Horyu couldn't help but smirk at her astuteness. "I signed a contract with them," he confirmed, his voice laced with a hint of pride. The hare's reaction was a hum of acknowledgement.
The hare turned her attention to Hinata, who was practically vibrating with the urge to embrace the ethereal creature before her. The sight of Hinata's eager gaze seemed to catch Lunahime off guard. "Woah, so zest," she remarked, taken aback by the intensity of Hinata's enthusiasm.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Hinata reached out, her arms wrapping around the hare in a gentle yet firm hug. "So soft!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder and delight. The hare, for a moment, tried to protest, her voice muffled by the embrace. "Unhand me, human!" she demanded, though the effort was half-hearted at best.
As Hinata continued to hug her, hare's resistance waned, eventually giving in to the affectionate display. She waited, somewhat impatiently, for Hinata to release her, a slight huff escaping her as she resigned herself to her new contract holder's enthusiasm.
Horyu watched the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. Hanabi, too, was captivated by the lunar hare, her eyes wide with fascination. "She's amazing, Hinata!" Hanabi whispered, her voice tinged with awe and a hint of envy.
The hare, finally released from Hinata's embrace, took a moment to compose herself before addressing her new contract holder directly. "I am Lunahime, of the Lunar Hare Tribe. I serve those who share a bond with the moon and its mysteries. Tell me, Hinata Hyuga, what is it you seek from our pact?" she asked, her tone now calm and measured.
Hinata, taking a step back, bowed respectfully to Lunahime. "I seek strength, wisdom, and guidance. I wish to protect those dear to me and to stand strong in the face of adversity," Hinata replied, her voice steady and full of resolve.
She nodded exaggeratedly, her voice carrying a mixture of amusement and authority, "Hum, hum. Not bad. I shall lend you my power." Her tone shifted from the initial surprise to one of acceptance, recognizing Hinata's earnestness.
Hinata, overwhelmed with joy, reached out again, wrapping Lunahime in another tight embrace. "So cute!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled by the fur. Hanabi, unable to resist any longer, joined in, both sisters enveloping the hare in a sea of affection.
Lunahime, caught in the whirlwind of Hyuga enthusiasm, tried to maintain her composure. "I will be your main summon," she managed to say, her voice strained from the tight hug. "My powers are... Hey, drop me," she protested, her earlier authority waning under the relentless affection of the sisters.
After several minutes, with a noticeable effort to reclaim her dignity, Lunahime finally managed to articulate her capabilities amidst the sisters' relentless affection. "We of the Lunar Hare Tribe possess remarkable agility and speed," she began, pausing as Hinata and Hanabi finally allowed her some space to breathe. "Our senses are finely tuned to the mystical energies of the world," she continued, her voice now clear and composed.
"We hares are not merely swift creatures of the forest. We are capable of incredible feats of leap and dash, far beyond what most can imagine." Her words painted a vivid picture of her tribe's abilities, their connection to the moonlight lending them unique skills that intrigued Horyu and captivated the Hyuga sisters.
"Our mastery extends to the manipulation of moonlight," Lunahime added, her eyes glinting with pride. "We use it for healing jutsu, offering solace and recovery beyond the capabilities of ordinary medical ninjutsu." Her explanation hinted at a depth of knowledge and power that piqued Horyu's interest, the strategic applications of such abilities not lost on him.
"But that's not all," she pressed on, eager to share the full extent of her tribe's prowess. "We can also harness the moonlight for camouflage, blending seamlessly into our surroundings to evade detection or launch surprise attacks."
"And in certain circumstances," Lunahime concluded, "we can focus the moonlight into a mild offensive force, a last resort when all other options are exhausted." Her admission revealed a versatility that was rare, the ability to adapt and respond to a variety of situations with a unique blend of skills.
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