LONG DESCRIPTION IS INCREDIBLY LONG UHUUU.

*NOTE: Even though Arai has the eye color of her Hyuuga mother, she still has pupils. They disappear when the Byakugan is activated, however. When using her sacred clan jutsu, her eye color changes and the pupil changes form, so that's another reason for her pupils even though she had dominant Hyuuga eyes*

SO. This was only supposed to be a WIP like Part 1, but then I started shading it, then I included a background, and yeah. This happened xD

I LOVE Neji Hyuuga! His death (spoileralert? I mean, everyone knows by now, I think hahah) still haunts me to this day! A true hero, a loving friend, and an awesome overall character. His sacrifice didn't go in vain ; U ; Though he should have just let Hinata die because, like, Kishi made her do a bunch of stupid shit, like jumping in the way every time instead of actually doing something useful. And what was up with Chapter 700? Even though I'm a NaruSaku fan, I don't mind NaruHina. They're cute too. But why is every kunoichi presumably a housewife now?! That's enough ranting, though. I have my own headcanon ending, so that keeps me happy <3

The Long Journey With Araiko Amarante Takameshi [2005-2015]
Well, wow. I took a long look at this piece, a good fifteen minutes, and reflected on the long road Arai has traveled in development to the person she is today. Thank GOD she isn't that Mary-Sue anymore LOL.

My earliest Arai, drawn back in late 2005, was basically a Sexy-no-Jutsu Naruto clone look-alike who dressed like a hoochie, was in love with Naruto, had all the guys crushing on her including Sasuke, had a demon FOX pet, A WHOLE BUNCH OF VAGUE AND SUE-ISH CRAP. When I found my old works from 2005, I literally cringed at the sheer horror of my 11 year old mind hahah xD

Around 2007, along with becoming a teenager, Arai underwent some SERIOUS character development from the horribleness that was her about two years prior. Arai's hair went from ankle-length (who the hell would want ankle length hair ANYWAYS? No offense if you would ; u ;) to just under her shoulders. She began to wear more modest clothing, so she looked more like a Naruto character and not some trash from The Boondocks. She got a family (she's a triplet now!), a real personality, her own jutsus, her own story, she fell in love with Kiba Inuzuka due to their similarities and events that led to a relationship. She became an actual OC. I was very happy with her, but she still resembled Naruto with her golden blonde hair and fondness for the color orange. I tried to make her a brunette, but I just couldn't. Arai was my first (drawn) OC, and the only blonde OC that I had. I couldn't change her. Not her blondeness. Not her fairly tanned skin. I realized that she was unique and incredibly precious to me.

2010 was more development, more specifically for her Family Name (Clan) [when she officially became half Hyuuga from her mother's side], Shippuden story, and her relationships with everyone. I still liked her with Kiba very much, but every time she and Neji interacted, hints of love, past being Hyuugas, always showed up. I ignored it, however, because I didn't want to change anything. I already had her four children with Kiba planned. Besides. KIBA'S SO LONELY LOL.

2012 was the year that I literally couldn't deny my personal feelings for Neji. He had been my favorite character since he appeared in the show, but I started to like him way past that, and Arai's natural interactions with him - making him as canon as possible - pulled me even closer. I was still reluctant to switch Arai's love interest and future husband. I mean, she was directly related to him in 2010, but I changed that in 2011. I kept Arai's love life at bay, not very sure of what to do about that. Instead, I focused on her storyline, clan (her father's clan) and her badassery.

Late 2013/Early 2014, I finalized that she would, indeed, end up with Neji in my headcanon Naruto story. With his canon death which still kills me, Arai will either stay alone with her two DNA children (both having Uchiha DNA mixed with hers in an attempt to make a superhuman) or end up with Kiba. I'm still bitter over it, to be honest, so Arai might stay alone in Kishimoto's crappy canon end.

At last, 2015. Arai's golden blonde hair never ceased to bother me every once in a while. It was time for the indefinite change. She would remain my blonde baby, but with a blonde color that teetered closer to orange hair or a blonde that teetered closer to being brunette. Basically: Strawberry Blonde or Honey Blonde. With the help of awesome friends, and my brother, Honey Blonde was the choice for her, and I'm pretty damn satisfied with it <3 Arai hasn't gotten any major changes since I made her endgame lover Neji, so that's all to report. But I have to say: I'm incredibly happy with who Arai currently is right at this moment. From her appearance to her personality to her uniqueness with her Takameshi Clan to her children and relationships with everyone. Looking from first Arai to current Arai, I'm just happy C:

OHSHIT, I didn't even talk about the picture LOLOL SORRY!
Being two extremely skilled Gentle Fist users, Arai and Neji spar with one another a lot and go on close combat mini-missions together due to their harmonic combat style. I imagine that this takes place just after they're paired to do something.

Arai: *skips with a bright smile on her face* Looks like we're a team again, huh, Neji-itoko?
Neji: *calm and collected, as usual* It appears so.
Arai: *teasing smirk* Glad to be by my side again?
Neji: ... *cheeks slightly redden, no matter how hard he tries to hold it back*
Arai: *gasps in delight then gives a playful wink* Neji! Is that a blush I see?
Neji: Maybe you should go get your eyes checked, Arai-sama.
Arai: Heyyy! None of the "sama" stuff! I'm not the priestess yet, nor do I want to be!
Neji: Let's go, Arai. We have until the evening to get this done. *shadowblurs up into the trees*
Arai: *smiles brightly, then gets into a readying stance* Roger that! *shadowblurs after him*

Yeah, something like that hahah whatevs C: The background was not made by me, but by a wonderful person over on deviantArt u v u

I love Neji Hyuuga so much omfg <3