CHAPTER TWO
SOMEWHERE IN THE WIND COUNTRY:
Hinata rested her forehead against the cool stone tile of the bathroom floor. She chuckled weakly, but it had a slightly hysterical edge to it. She was no longer in denial- three mornings in a row now she had awakened to the overwhelming urge to vomit. She would empty her stomach, climb back into the bed, only to wake later feeling fine and a little hungry. Added to the fact that she was now having trouble with her chakra control, and sudden aversions to certain smells, it all led to one conclusion: she was pregnant. Hesitantly, she focused her Byakugan and examined her abdomen. Sure enough, there was a small but distinct foreign chakra. Wait, not one but two! She starred in disbelief at the two tiny beings.
She deactivated her special vision as sorrow and anger overcame her. Hinata began to sob into her arms, as she mentally berated herself for not taking precautions that night. That one miscalculation had ruined her whole plan for the future. Slowly, her initial grief passed and she stopped crying. As she unknowingly caressed her stomach, Hinata considered all the consequences that her pregnancy led to. Even if she did return to Kohona now, the clan would shun her, and there was a real possibility that Neji's curse mark would be activated till death. Even if the council decided to accept her back, the fact that she was carrying twins meant that one of her children would be branded with the curse mark and taken away from her. No, it was better for everyone if she remained hidden and stayed 'dead'.
She rose gingerly from the floor, waiting to see if she was done being sick for the day. When her stomach did not rebel, she went and laid down in the bed to think some more. Should she contact Haishi and let him know that he was going to be a grandfather? The thought that she might have to go through this whole pregnancy without support terrified her. No, she would have to do this herself. He would not be able to handle the idea that he was depriving his son of both his chosen bride and his children. Besides, her sacrifice would be for nothing if Neji did not take his rightful place as heir. She wanted him to become the leader, not just for his sake, but also for the clan she loved. He would have the power and the strength it took to change the clan for the better.
She stroked her stomach and took a look at the babies again. A smile came over her face as she realized that one of her fondest dreams was going to come true. True, Neji would not be at her side to watch them grow, but at least they were his. She wondered if this was her reward from Kami for her sacrifice. She had left behind everyone and everything that she had known and loved in order to set an old wrong right. Surely these babies were her gift for that. Hinata sighed as she thought of the practical things that would have to be taken care of now that she would no longer be able to travel. She had been wandering from village to village in the Wind country. Now she would need medical attention, a stable source of income, and a home.
Well, this was a nice sized village. Everyone had been kind so far, and it boasted its own hospital. She was far enough away from the Fire country to be safe from discovery. She had changed her name, and wore colored contacts that hid her distinctive Hyuuga eyes. The money that Haishi had given to her before she left should be enough to purchase a small home and whatever she would need to furnish it as long as she was thrifty. Yes, this little village would be a fine place to raise her children. Hinata drifted off to sleep as she wrapped her arm protectively over her stomach. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was how blessed she was to be pregnant with Neji's children. She would move heaven and earth to make sure they were safe and happy.
BACK IN KOHONA:
Neji rose to his feet and faced the clan. He was now the leader of the Hyuuga clan. He looked out over the sea of faces and saw a range of different emotions on the faces of his family. The members of the branch family were all pleased, this was an event that they had long dreamed off, but never thought possible. The main branch family members wore their disdain openly, and the council members were attempting to appear impassive as always. Neji was aware that while they felt he should be the leader, they were unsure of what his actions would be. The entire situation seemed unreal to him, in fact, nothing seemed to touch him these days. Since Hinata had been declared dead something vital inside him had died. This ceremony and what it represented was no longer important to him. He did intend to change the old practices, to end the slavery of the branch family. He intended to merge the two branches of the family back into one, as it was in the beginning. The way it should have remained. Maybe then he would save others from the suffering he and Hinata had gone through.
Still, it would have to be done with care. Hundreds of years of tradition could not just be set aside in a day. In a way, he was grateful to be named leader. He would now have something to distract him from his grief. There was too much to accomplish and it would take all of his focus and cunning to achieve his goal. Also, this could be his way of honoring his lost love, by making her dream for the clan a reality.
