Hello again good people. I hope the first chapter was enough to get your attention. This is the second installment to My Resolve. I want to thank all of you ahead of time for checking out my story. I'm going to try to keep the point of views between Hinata and Sesuka only. The Uchihas probably will make their first appearance either in the third or fourth chapter. In the meantime, enjoy the second chapter.
Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto or its characters. Sesuka is my OC.
Sesuka is outside doing some morning training. Her thoughts drifted to Hinata. They will have to go see the Hokage today. She will have to face her father once more. Sesuka fears the worst.
"He will try to break her even more" she thought. Suddenly, a familiar chakra approached. Sesuka didn't have to look up to know that Neji Hyuuga was standing in her yard.
Sesuka POV
Damn it! I am not ready to face him just yet. I haven't really "faced" him at all in about three years. Neji and I had a very complicated relationship before I found true love in Shikamaru. We never dated but we were intimate. It seemed he always left me wanting more from our relationship. I wanted to be with him but unfortunately the feeling was not mutual. Once I realized I would never have his heart, I severed all ties with him. He has despised me since then. To this day he and Shikamaru don't see eye to eye and I can't help but to feel a little guilty about that. While they were not friends or anything, they work great together and I feel I strained that relationship a little.
With a deep breath I finally turn to face him and nothing could have prepared me for what I'm seeing. Neji's hair is everywhere! It looked like he had been electrocuted…several times. His headband is gone and the skin on his forehead around the seal is an angry red color. My heart sinks at that. His eyes are puffy and red. His clothes are barely hanging onto his frame. Despite all of that, he manages to keep his tone of voice neutral.
"Where is Hinata?" he asks.
I stared at him in what only could be defined as disbelief. Had he honestly went through what looked like hell just to get here to say that? Snapping back to reality I answer his question.
"She is still asleep. Why don't you come inside and wait for her?"
"I didn't come here to wait I need to talk to her now."
"I understand Neji, but Hinata had a long night last night and-"
"I don't care! I need to speak to her now!" he shouts.
I'm taken aback by his shouting. I've never heard him yell before and considering he is yelling this is obviously very serious. Despite my brain telling me this is a bad idea, I go inside to fetch Hinata.
Hinata POV
I woke up to bright sunshine. Ugh…as if I want to see that. I hurry to shut the blinds as quick as possible. I don't need the sunshine mocking me today. I make my way downstairs. Though I can't see her, I can sense Sesuka's chakra outside. I sit down to the wonderful breakfast Sesuka made for me. Honestly I have no desire for food, but Sesuka would pester me until I ate anyway so I saved myself the trouble. I have to go and face the music today. Why? Why couldn't I be good enough? Why am I so weak? How is it that I manage to disappoint everyone who dares to believe in me? I can't help but to laugh bitterly. Maybe it would be better if I was dead…if I didn't exist…
"I don't care! I need to speak to her now!
Oh no! I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't sense Neji ni-san's chakra! I can't face him. I can't face him after I broke my promise to him. I see the door open and Sesuka walk in. Her face looks so sad, but when she looks up and sees me there, it turned serious.
"I'm sure you know who that is. I think its best you say what you need to and tell him to leave. He would be in big trouble if the clan found out he was here."
I nod in agreement and make my way outside.
I wasn't prepared to see him looking so haggard. It was painfully obvious that the cursed seal had been activated on him. He just stares at me with an unreadable expression. I had always been intimidated by that stare. Even now it seems that has not changed. I just have to explain myself now.
"Neji I-"
"You failed. I cannot blame you though. I should've known such a task would be too much for someone like you." He says.
I feel sick. Neji has never said anything like that to me. Though I'm reluctant to admit it, he's right. I can't help but to hang my head in defeat. I am truly impossible.
"I'm sorry Neji. I hope that one day you can come to forgive me. I think it's wise that you leave. You wouldn't want to be caught associating with an exile."
I curse the crackle in my voice as I turn to walk away. Surprisingly Neji calls me back.
"No wait! I'm…I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I know how much you struggled for Hiashi-sama's approval. You did the best that you knew how Hinata. I cannot fault you for that."
I want to cry. He looks so lost…as if all hope is gone. I slowly approach him and give him a hug.
"Ni-san…I know that I wasn't able to help you, but if anyone can save the clan it is you."
I feel him stiffen in my embrace but I continue on.
"If anyone is able to reach my father, it is you. He is still guilt stricken over the death of his brother…your father. He favors you a lot more than even Hanabi. You are the son he always wanted but never got. I need you to do what I cannot. This is not just for you, but for the whole clan."
My eyes open in shock when I feel my shoulder wet. This is the first time I've ever heard Neji cry. Just as I thought my heart couldn't be broken anymore, I feel it crack once again.
"Hinata, you are a lot better than people give you credit for. When I found out about your exile, I ran to the council to protest. As a result they activated my seal and threatened to exile me if I was ever caught near you. You were the best thing that ever happened to the clan. Without you we, the branch members are doomed to practical slavery." Neji sobbed.
For once I am speechless. Unfortunately Sesuka sensed this as a time to speak up…a idea I'm positive she would be verbally abused for.
"Neji, Hinata has done all that she could. While it's true you're only a branch member, your father was head of the branch house. Think of how you could use that to your advantage. There are clan members who admire you, and were loyal to your father-"
"What do you know? You're just an outsider looking in. What do you know of loyalty? Have you forgotten you were fucking another man while claiming to love me?" Neji sneered.
Oh my God. I knew this was going to happen. I had no place in this so I chose to remain silent. There aren't many people who don't know about the extremely complicated relationship Neji and Sesuka had. I see Sesuka sigh but otherwise she remains composed as she replies.
"Is that so Neji? I don't recall ever sleeping with anyone while I was involved with you however; Gaara and Ten Ten had a lovely time with you didn't they? But I have no right to be angry right? After all, you reminded me every chance you got that we were NOT together." Sesuka countered.
I will never forget the look on her face when Neji would say that. I will also never forget her tears when she caught him with Gaara and then Ten Ten. Between her cries and Shikamaru's anger, the whole situation got messy really fast. Neji's loud response shook me out of my stupor.
"Bullshit! Shikamaru hardly gave a fuck about you before. Hell I dare say he even knew who you were. I had never seen him stand up for anyone like that since the death of his sensei. No man would ever fight so hard for a woman he hasn't slept with!"
"You're still as dumb and ignorant as ever Neji! Did it ever occur to you that he actually CARED about me? It burns you up that someone loves and cherishes me just because you don't! You were destroying me I had to get away from you!
"I never did anything that you didn't allow Sesuka! I told you that I didn't love you that way. I told you I didn't want commitment. So don't act like I was the who hurt you…you hurt yourself."
"You're right! I allowed you to treat me like a whore off the streets…I allowed you to talk to me like a filthy animal and I acknowledge that that's my fault. My question to you is if you truly wanted a "no strings attached" relationship, why did you flip out when I told you it was over? Why did you fight Shikamaru that night?"
"Because you severed ties with me!"
"I had to for the sake of my sanity! I was suicidal and broken…I just had to get away from you."
Though it was silent, the unspoken words were there for everyone to see. While normally I would have intervened, this was long overdue for the both of them. In my opinion they were both at fault. They just aren't good for each other…friends or otherwise. I pray they forgive each other and move on. Right now I have another concern.
"Neji, you should go. I don't want you to get in trouble. If you want, we can meet up next week and talk ok?"
He looked back at me. I can see the swirling emotions in his eyes.
"Very well. Until then Hinata, take care of yourself."
With that, he vanished in a puff of smoke. I feel responsible for why Neji is this way. I hope one day he gets the peace he deserves.
"Hinata, we have to get ready to go to the Hokage's office for the signing." Sesuka says.
I can't help but to sigh. I'm not ready to face my father just yet. Sesuka must have sensed my anxiety because she put her hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry. I won't let them overwhelm you. Remember what I said, we are in this together. You're like the sister I always wanted. Be brave."
I smiled at that. Sesuka always knows what to say. We walk side by side all the way to the tower.
Well there you have it folks. Lots of drama was in this chapter. Special thanks to all 3 people who subscribed and to the one who favorite my story. Please leave me a review and let me know how I did. Next chapter: Hinata faces her father, Naruto and Tsunade are introduced, more drama, and Hinata unleashes a side to her we have never seen. Until then see you all next time.
