The Meeting


It was cold. The rain was still pouring from last night. What just happened was a nightmare. Flashes of the horrible event kept crossing my mind over and over. It was a total nightmare, but no. It couldn't be just a dream, I'm standing here uncontrollable tears keep crawling down my cheeks, soaking wet under the rain, and now I'm witnessing the burial of my family. The baby I'm holding is my daughter. She's silent, seems to me she's dead. But I can feel her tiny heartbeat, her rough skin caressing mine. It gives me the chills, her curly and damaged hair poked out of her bundle. This is unforgivable, but I can't deny her, she still possesses the bloodline limit.

I watch the boy staring at my brother's grave. Neji is soaking wet. "Come, Neji."

Neji didn't understand the situation, he can't understand it. Why are mom and dad under there? He was crying, he didn't know what had happened last night. All he can remember is he woke up in a room no one beside him. He was startled when he felt a hand resting on his shoulders.

"It's time to go, Neji. We'll get sick if we stay any longer."

But he wanted to stay. Why is uncle leaving them here? What about them, won't they get sick, too? He was dragged by his arms forcing him to go.

I know how you feel, Neji. Hiashi thought as he looked down on Neji, walking towards home.


"Neji, this will be your room for now. If you need just let me know." He looked at Neji's back. "Just rest for awhile, someone will pick you up for dinner."

Neji turned around and stared at his uncle.

He saw confusion in the boy's eyes. "I know it's difficult, you will understand everything when you grow older." He reminds me of Hizashi.

Neji sat on the bed, staring outside the window. Then turned to his uncle and looked at the baby. He smiled. I'm not alone, Hinata is still here. I know uncle won't leave me.

Is that a smile? He saw on Neji's lips. He smiled back, noticed that Neji was looking at Hinata. "Your cousin is fine, don't worry Neji."

Neji gave a nod and rested his head on his pillow. When I wake up, I'll stay with you, Hinata. So that I can protect you like dad said, so that no one will take you away. He closed his eyes and dozed off.

Hiashi sighed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.


In his arms he carried his baby. He found the door he was looking for and knocked slowly. "Come in." it was all he heard. He walked inside, bowed shortly at the four elders of the clan.

"Please sit." The high elder said.

He seated properly and changed the position of the baby gently. "You have asked for my presence?" he asked the elders.

"Indeed." One said. "We are greatly sorry for your loss," he continued. "But we must not mourn for too long. Our clan is greatly affected with the situation and we need to plan for its future." Then he eyed the baby. "What is her current condition?"

"I brought her to the third hokage earlier this morning." His voice low. "He said it was a very powerful jutsu, and it cannot be countered in any way," he paused. "Except for the condition and that condition only," he stopped staring at her daughter.

"I see." The elder nodded in deep thought. But was startled by the sudden burst of laughter.

"Was she joking!" Hiashi asked with a different look in his eyes. "How could someone do that to her with this appearance?" he lifted the body. The bundle slid down showing the face of the baby showing the elders the horrible truth.

The elders closed their eyes, clearing their minds off it. They thought deeply, it was true. She was the most beautiful baby before that incident happened. With the baby's current state, she will grow with that appearance. No one will play with her, let alone look at her. How can someone befriend her when that happens? The future of their clan was now unclear.

"Our sympathies, Hiashi." The other elder spoke.

Hiashi regained his composure. He covered Hinata's face with soft cloth, leaving the eyes visible. "I just don't want to see my daughter alone when she grows up. I don't want to feel insecure and hatred towards the world." He gazed at the baby. "Can you understand me?" he eyed the elders who just looked at him.

They haven't seen this side of him before. "Like we said, we are greatly sorry." One of them spoke. "That is why we have called you in this meeting."

He stared at them listening intently.

"Your brother's son is still alive, isn't he?" One asked.

The leader of the main family gave a nod. He completely forgot about Neji. "He's in the guest room."

"I see." The elder said. "Since we have no choice, Neji will be under your guidance and protection." He stopped.

"That is to be expected." Hiashi said.

"Yes, you have to pass down the clan's secret techniques to him, like a main family member." The elder continued. 'Give your full attention to him, teach him everything that you know of."

Hiashi cringed to this. "What about Hinata?" confusion was starting to grow inside of him. Hinata needs his protection from those who will hurt her. He needs to be there for her, he wants to hear her say her first word, her firsts.

"She will be staying here inside the mansion. We will see to it that she is well taken care of and trained properly. We will find and assign a suitable and private teacher for her." He stopped, eyeing Hiashi and sighed. "If we let her live normally like any other children does, attending the academy and such, everyone will make fun of her and hate her. Anger will grow inside of that child."

The other elders nodded in agreement.

Hiashi realized that they were right. No one will accept her because of her strange appearance.

"And Hiashi that's not all." The elder continued.

Hiashi looked up to him. There's more?

"You will train Neji, until he grows up into a strong man, like you."

"I know that already." Hiashi cut in.

"I'm not finished." The elder continued. "When that time comes, he will be your successor."

Hiashi didn't expect this. "How? Neji is a branch member. When he's four I'll be giving him the seal. How can he be my successor and the heir of the clan?" Now he doesn't know what the old man was thinking.

"I know. We thought about this and reconsidered it many times. This is a unanimous decision." He paused taking a deep breath. "In order for him to be the heir of the clan, he needs to be connected through the main blood. That's why we decided that Neji and your daughter will be lawfully married, thus solving the clan's and Hinata's future."

Hiashi was dumbfounded. He hasn't thought of this, yet. "But this is too early for that decision. Their cousins for kami's sake. And what if they won't fall in love? My Hinata will fall for high hopes, and Neji will… we don't know his reaction yet but what if he won't like Hinata? He knows their cousins." Hiashi argued.

"Hiashi, like I said, we thought about this carefully." The old man said. "You will train Neji, not in here, but at the other side of Konoha, far away from your daughter. The reason for that is to take your mind away from her and concentrate on Neji. Second is to give the both of you proper concentration and training." He stopped.

Hiashi can't believe what he's hearing. He can't possibly leave Hinata for his nephew. But the elders are just concerned for their future. "And when will this take place?" he asked.

"Hmm…" the old man was thinking. "The earlier the better."

"What? But Hinata is still young! She barely know me as her father." He looked at the baby. He bowed low, "please let me stay with her for a longer period of time." He asked.

The elders faced each other and reconsidered. "Very well, three years will be enough, more than enough. She will recognize you as her father and Neji as his cousin. I hope they will get along well."

A thought was struck in his mind. If they were to marry, they shouldn't know about their relation. "Thank you. That is more than what I've hoped for." He paused. "But I think it is a good idea that we shouldn't reveal to them their true relation as cousins." He eyed the elders.

There was a long pause.

"That is not entirely necessary. This is their sacrifice for their clan. Whether cousins or not, they're bound to be together." The old man answered. "Are there more concerns, Hiashi?"

"Yes, there is." He took a deep breath. "I want the best for Hinata, and I'm willing to do everything for that curse to be lifted. But is Neji her true love?" he was unsure of the elders' decision.

"For that Hiashi, let fate decide." The elder looked at Hiashi intently and heartily. They also wanted the best for Hinata.

The baby moved and cried.

"She must be hungry. You must feed her and it's getting late. This meeting is adjourned." The elders stood, so did Hiashi.

They ended the meeting with a bow and left.


"Don't cry, Hinata. I'm not used to this so bare with me, okay?" Hiashi was troubled in the kitchen. He wasn't the one feeding her for the past days. He looked for a bottle in the cupboards with one hand, Hinata in the other. He found one, but doesn't know what to do next.

He heard foot steps heading the kitchen.

"Neji? What are you doing here in this hour?" Hiashi looked outside the window, it's almost midnight.

Neji stepped closer, giving his uncle a bottle of milk. I always watch my mom preparing my bottle of milk.

Hiashi, speechless, took the bottle and fed it to Hinata. You have a genius for a son, Hizashi. You must be very proud. He looked at Neji staring at the baby. He ruffled Neji's hair, "Thank you, Neji."

Neji looked at him with those pale eyes, he looks a lot like dad, and smiled up at him. He reached for the baby and rubbed its side.

When the milk was finished, he placed the bottle on the sink and held Neji's hands. "Let's go to bed, Neji."

He walked Neji to his room. He turned off the lights, "good night Neji." He was about to leave when he felt a tiny hug on his leg. He looked down and Neji was closing his eyes. He's scared, what was I thinking. He lifted Neji with his other arm and placed him on the bed and covered him with a blanket. "You're a good boy, Neji. Be strong and don't be scared. I'm just at the other room." He placed his palm on Neji's head and left the room.

Neji eyed his uncle walking out the room and closed his eyes. He's just like dad.

It was a long and tiring day. Shocking news must be attracted to him. He placed Hinata in her cradle beside his bed. He tucked the blankets gently. He laid on his bed and closed his eyes. I trust the elders, Hinata will be alright.

The clock struck midnight. Little does Hiashi know, that Hinata's cradle was glowing in the dark. The baby's eyes wide awake.


AN: ha! chap 2 complete! anyways.. i hope it didn't bore you... thanks reviewers! hehe... soulsister: yeah im a beginner... hehe! omwang88: i was confused too! that's why i killed them.. so it won't be troublesome, bwahaha! mI. shoe: it's sorta like that hehe! you love hinata too, huh? hehe i love her too! p RxR