Here it is, Chapter 2. And I actually spent like two weeks just rewriting this chapter. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 2
"Lord Hiashi requests your immediate attendance in his chambers."
His hand grasped the cool metal beside him. It was an immediate reaction, almost like a reflex, in response to the sudden presence of another in his room. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the metal, stopping occasionally to caress a kink or indent on it. His thumb moved to trace the little swivel, ending in a triangle, in the middle of it. The symbol of the leaf.
Flashback
"Neji, the blood than runs in your veins, is thicker than that of many others in this clan."
He was five that year. He had just been given the curse seal. He was still too young then. He had actually thought that the seal was a toy, a mere decoration to enhance the prestige of the Hyuuga clan.
His father rested a hand on his head. There was a quizzical smile on his face when he had said that. His father looked proud, yet, at the same time, kind of sad. Again, Neji was too young to comprehend.
"Tou-san, are you okay? Why so sad, tou-san? Did I do something to anger you?"
He put a tiny hand on his father's lap. He thought that it would help. Something about the hand of guidance and youth that he had heard of once before from this bushy-browed sensei at the Academy.
Instead, his father just looked more pained.
"I'm fine Neji, don't you worry about me. Now, continue with your training."
Hyuuga Hizashi turned and left his son alone in the grounds. If he had a choice, he'd break that hand that was resting so innocently on his lap. Actually, he'd break both, and for precaution, he'd add in Neji's legs as well.
'At least, that way, Hiashi can't get his hands on my son and harm him.'
Of course, Neji had no idea what his father was thinking.
Flashback end
He looked beyond the man towards the patch of sky, now a light shade of blue. Little tufts of clouds flanked that piece of sky. The wind blew lightly at it. It was obviously very happy at the sudden increase of play toys in its nursery.
He closed his eyes.
'Father, I have made use of my talent. I am now a Konoha shinobi and I live to serve the Hyuuga clan.'
'Father, I have used my talent for good, to protect my friends, my clan, my village, people who will inherit the will of fire after me……'
'Father, there were only seven birds, today. Something bad is about to happen. Lord Hiashi wants something from me……'
'What should I do, Father? Should I defy him, as you have?'
A gentle breeze blew in through the slightly opened door. The shadow of the man standing in front of it fell short of him by a few inches.
'I understand, Father.'
The floorboards creaked gently as he got up. Tying his hitai-ate, he was at the door in two determined strides.
"Lord Hiashi, Hyuuga Neji has arrived."
"Good. You may leave."
That voice. Harsh, cold and unrelenting. It was devoid of emotion, no happiness, no gratitude whatsoever. That a member of his family had gone in place of him to fetch his nephew, had not bothered him in the least. That was what was expected of a servant. They were born to obey, to serve and to protect him and the Main Branch of the clan. They were tools.
This was Hyuuga Hiashi. The perfect leader of the Hyuuga clan to come in generations. Also the man with a stone for a heart and a blizzard blowing in there. And coming from the Hyuuga Neji, that meant a lot. He shuddered to think that he was once like that.
"Uncle."
Lord Hiashi nodded at him to sit down. Dimly, he noticed that his cousins, Hinata and Hanabi were also in the room.
"Neji, I need to request a little something from you."
'Bingo! Now, what next?'
"Now, I know that this might come as a bit of a shock to you. But it is your duty as a member of the Hyuuga clan-"
Beside him, he could feel Hinata and Hanabi tense up. Frankly, he wasn't feeling very relaxed himself, either.
" -this also involves Hinata and Hanabi-"
Neji's brain had boiled down to a single word- marriage. He felt his demeanour slip and his control fall down and out of sight. For once, Hyuuga Neji acted on instinct.
"Hiashi-sama, I don't think tha-"
"Neji, please be quiet. All I require from you is your consent and your virginity."
Neji was shocked.
'This is even worse that I thought……'
"That is to say, my daughters require it."
'I cannot believe that Hiashi-sama is ga-'
'Wait, that's not right……'
It was as if Hiashi had shovelled some ice onto his overheated brain. Neji took a deep calming breath. Slowly, he felt his control slipping back into him. One day, he would see that it got a good whipping for deserting him like that, but this was not the time. He rearranged his face back into its famed stoic features as he digested what his uncle had told him.
It was only then that the truth of everything his uncle had said hit him like a bullet train, face on.
Outside, seven birds were still flying in that exact same formation. Neji knew. His byakugan had accidentally been activated when he, umm, misunderstood, his uncle's shocking requirement. Something was definitely wrong. Why? Because, the eighth bird was missing.
"Hiashi-sama, I'm afraid that I cannot agree to be married to Hinata-sama or Hanabi-sama."
"..."
"Hiashi-sama?"
"..."
"Neji, please explain yourself. Why do you not wish to marry my daughters?"
"Because, Hiashi-sama, I am a shinobi. And as a shinobi, I have a right to choose and be free."
"..."
"Neji, please understand that I am doing this for the betterment of the clan. My daughters, either one of them, will one day inherit the Hyuuga clan. Their husbands, as such, will automatically become the leader of the clan. And, I wish for you to be the leader of the clan after me. "
"..."
"Thank you for trusting me, Hiashi-sama, but I'm afraid that I have to decline."
"Why? You have a lot of potential Neji. In fact, more than both my daughters have put together."
"..."
"No thanks, Hiashi-sama."
"Neji, you know that this is a very rare offer. In fact, it could be called once in a lifetime, should you so wish. I am giving you the chance to become part of the Main Branch of the Hyuuga Household an-"
"I know, Hiashi-sama, but I want my freedom."
"Hn."
"Think of it as a deal, Neji. I am prepared to buy from you your freedom. In exchange, you will have either one of my daughters, as well as the leadership of the Hyuuga clan some day. "
Upon hearing that, Neji felt his blood boil, white hot.
'What did he just say?!'
"Hiashi-sama, I am afraid that you are mistaken. Freedom cannot be bou-"
"Are you unhappy about the price I pay, Neji? If so, I am willing to throw in both my daughters into the deal. I will also remove your curse mark-"
That did it.
"..."
"I'll think about it, Hiashi-sama."
A self-satisfied smirk spread itself across his face. He had done it. He had managed to rope his nephew into the deal. The deal that would last him a lifetime.
"Thank you, Neji. I knew that you'd see sense sometime."
"May I leave now, Hiashi-sama?"
"Yes, you may. And tonight, I shall be sending Hinata to you. Don't worry. And should you find her unsatisfactory, I am sure that Hanabi will gladly take her place."
Neji stood up and gave a stiff bow. His gaze travelled across the room to where his cousins were seated. Hinata was close to tears and her face registered the utmost horror and shock. No doubt she had expected him to decline and put up a fight. That was probably why she agreed so easily in the first place. She thought he would save her. Either that, or Hiashi had not told them about it in the first. Meanwhile, Hanabi was busy shooting him dirty glances.
Inside him, he felt his heart quivering and his resolve slipping.
'Tou-san, am I doing the right thing?... For my freedom?... For Ten-'
Neji deliberately cut himself off. Now was not the time for a soft heart and a weak will......
Reviews please. Tks!