Mirror of Beyond: part II: Ice
"Where were you last night!" the young woman demanded. "I needed you here!"
"Forgive me," Neji said softly. "Someone needed my help."
She slapped him hard across the face. So hard that he realized he was looking to the side now, not seeing her angry eyes.
"Look at me!" she yelled.
He slowly turned to look at her.
"You've never cared about anyone but yourself," she hissed. "Tell me what you were doing."
"It's the truth, I swear to you," Neji said. "I was helping someone who was hurt."
She slapped him hard again. "I suggest you start worrying about yourself," she said darkly. She grabbed a great deal of his long hair at the back of his head and pulled him down to her height. "There is no one in your life more important than me," she said lowly. "You are never, never to stay out that long without permission. If you keep disobeying me I will activate that damn seal and kill you on the spot! Am I understood?"
"Yes, Lady Hinata," Neji said, wincing.
"Good," she muttered. "Now, out of my sight. You have things to pick up for me in the village."
To Neji's disgust, she spit in his face before releasing his hair. She pushed him out of the way roughly before going into her room. He waited until her door was closed before wiping his face on his sleeve. Trying to swallow his anger and hatred, he quickly left the Hyuuga main house.
He walked through the streets of the village, hanging his head. He was so used to staring at the ground now that it was second nature to him. And ninja after ninja passed him. He envied them all. They lived their lives with honor and adventure. And he was nothing but a slave. If anything, he wished that he had a forehead protector of his own to hide the green seal on his forehead. But he was not allowed to hide the seal, so instead he hung his head. His beautiful white eyes stared down sorrowfully, and his long, dark hair swayed lightly with every step.
Normally he was good about knowing his surroundings, but today was an exception. He felt himself collide with someone on the street.
"Watch where you're going, asshole," he heard someone growl.
Neji was too angry at Hinata to care about being angry at this person or having angered this person. He looked up to see a young man his age glaring at him. He had his black hair fashioned in an odd bowl cut, and his eyebrows were extremely thick. He wore a green Chinese style shirt and dark pants.
"Well," the young man growled. "Aren't you doing to apologize?"
"Don't bother, Lee," a feminine voice said.
A young woman brushed past Neji. Her hair was done up in two buns and she had pretty brown eyes. She looked somewhat like a doll in her pink Chinese dress.
"He's just trash," she smirked. "Not worth it."
Neji watched them go, his eyes angry. But part of him couldn't blame the way others saw him. Hinata spread so many rumors about him that it made sense that he would be so hated. Since they were young she saw to it that people would seem crazy to befriend him.
Sighing deeply, he turned to walk again and ran into someone else. He looked up furiously to see Gaara standing there. He clenched his fist and took another breath, trying to keep himself from punching Gaara in the face to vent his anger.
"What?" Neji asked coldly.
Gaara glanced past him to see the boy and girl walking off in the distance. "Do you know them?" he asked.
"No," Neji said flatly before walking around Gaara and continuing on his way.
"Really…?" Gaara said, more to himself than to Neji. "How strange." From the sound of his voice, Neji could tell he was following him.
"Why is it strange?" Neji asked, not turning around. "Why the hell would I be friends with them?"
Gaara was silent about this, but Neji didn't press the issue. He really didn't care.
"So… you aren't a ninja?" Gaara asked.
Neji stopped and turned around. "Of course not!" he yelled, as if Gaara had hit a nerve. "Stop following me!"
Gaara looked completely unphased by Neji's yelling. He only stared back at him curiously. Neji was getting more frustrated. And then his frustration turned to rage when he saw Gaara staring at the green seal on his forehead. He glared down at Gaara, who was more than a few inches shorter than he was. He opened his mouth to hurl every curse he knew at the red-haired young man, but stopped and deflated almost immediately when something caught his eye.
"What a stupid symbol to put on your face…" Neji said, reaching up without asking and pushing Gaara's shaggy reddish-brown hair out of the way to reveal the kanji character for 'love' on the left side of his forehead.
"I didn't know what the word meant when I did it," Gaara said.
Neji couldn't be angry anymore. Gaara looked too innocent and nonjudgmental. But at the same time he looked mature and very wise.
"So, raccoon-eyes," Neji said. "What are you wandering around for?"
"Looking for people," Gaara said, looking around.
"Who?"
Gaara glanced back toward the direction Lee and the girl went, then shook his head. "Just some people…."
Neji could tell Gaara was hiding something, but once again, didn't press the issue.
"What are you doing?" Gaara asked.
"Nothing worth mentioning," Neji said, coldness returning to his voice.
Gaara continued to follow him from store to store, not saying a word. But he always looked around at everything and everyone. Neji noticed that Gaara was extremely observant and receptive to what was going on around him. But there was something more interesting. Something not quiet normal.
As they walked Gaara had repeatedly attempted to cause himself pain. Not anything life threatening or even self injuring, but still, he wasn't doing things normal people would do. Neji caught him touching sharp things with his fingertips and putting his hand into mousetraps and rubbing his arm against rough walls. Occasionally Neji thought he saw something happening when Gaara did this. He knew it was crazy, but he thought he saw sand appearing in the places Gaara tried to hurt himself. He shook his head and tried to ignore it. But he finally spoke up in the flower shop when Gaara repeatedly started to stab his finger on the thorns of a rose.
"Okay, seriously," Neji said, "What the hell are you doing? Do you have some kind of mental disorder?"
Gaara looked up and shook his head as if answering any old question. Neji thought Gaara was getting progressively more creepy.
Suddenly Gaara stared past Neji to the girl at the register. Neji turned to see her… blonde-haired and blue-eyed, looking back at Gaara nervously. Neji smirked at the situation and walked over to the register to pay for Hinata's flowers. The girl timidly went through the transaction, occasionally looking to Gaara who hadn't stopped staring at her. Chuckling to himself, Neji grabbed Gaara by the arm and pulled him out of the store.
"You know," Neji laughed. "That's not the way to get a girl's attention."
"She looked familiar," Gaara said.
"You want me to go back and introduce you?" Neji smirked.
"No," Gaara said simply.
Neji saw it for a moment. Gaara seemed to be troubled about something. His calm face looked a little hurt.
"Not finding who you're looking for, are you?" Neji asked.
"I am," Gaara said. "But they are all not as I remember them…."
Neji looked at him for a moment before realizing the time. "I have to go now," he said. "Looks like you won't be alone though."
Neji pointed down the road and Gaara looked to see Obito waving to him.
"I'll be seeing you," Neji said as he turned and walked away.
When Neji returned to the Hyuuga main house he went straight to Hinata's room to drop off her things. She didn't say a word to him or thank him as he started to prepare her flowers and unpackaged everything. When he was finished he quickly left the room. He headed for his own room to sit down and think, but he wasn't able to make it.
"Neji," his uncle, Lord Hiashi called to him. "See me in my study."
Neji resisted the urge to groan in frustration and went to Lord Hiashi, walking into the study and waiting for his uncle to come in after him. The door was closed behind them.
"You aren't around very much these days," Lord Hiashi said. "You leave early and stay out too late."
Neji hung his head. "Forgive me, Lord Hiashi," he said softly.
But he felt the older man's hand under his chin, lifting his face. "I've missed you," he said as he caressed Neji's cheek gently. "If you keep staying away, I will get upset."
"Forgive m--" Neji was cut off as Hiashi kissed him forcefully. He felt himself pinned against the wall. His body shuddered in disgust as his uncle's body pressed against him. The older man's tongue snaked into his mouth slowly. He finally broke away when someone called to him.
"Father!" Neji's younger cousin Hanabi called to Lord Hiashi from in the hallway. "Is Neji with you? He has a visitor. An ANBU member wants to speak with him about something!"
"Seat him and have him served something," Lord Hiashi called to her. "I will free Neji from his duties shortly."
Neji felt his heart sink when Lord Hiashi reached over and turned the lock on the door. He resigned himself to his fate as his uncle made him turn to face the wall.
Itachi looked up from his tea when Neji walked into the room, his hair looking a bit tangled and his clothes looking disheveled. Neji didn't meet his eyes as he sat down at the table with him.
"You needed something?" Neji asked coldly. He didn't expect the ANBU member to be Itachi.
"Sasuke finally submitted to be examined by a doctor," Itachi said, looking at Neji seriously. "Tell me who did that to my brother."
Neji shifted an unsympathetic glare to Itachi. "If he doesn't want to tell you, why should I?"
"He is afraid I'll try to do something about it," Itachi responded stoically. "Which I will."
Neji smirked darkly. "Sure," he said. "I'll tell you just so you can be the one who gets it up the ass next."
Itachi glared as Neji leaned over the table and whispered. "Our dear Hokage is fucking your brother."
Itachi's eyes widened in surprise, but at the same time, he looked as though he thought it all made too much sense now.
"What?" Neji chuckled. "Did you think it was me at first? Hell, I don't blame you. My own cousin accuses me of every crime in the book and the useless idiots in this village believe every story from such an 'innocent' girl. But no, Itachi, I wasn't the one ripping your cherished little brother in two."
Itachi looked as though he was going to apologize, until Neji opened his mouth again.
"I thought about it though," Neji smirked. "He looks like a good fuck."
Itachi clenched his fists and stood up. "We're through here," he said.
Neji saw him out without a word, then went to take a shower, trying to wash it all away.
"So," Obito said with a smile as he and Gaara wandered around the village. "Hanging out with that Neji kid, eh?"
Gaara nodded slightly. Obito found it funny that Gaara's expressions and movements were often so subtle, though Gaara's eyes seem to express that he thought his own actions were always strong enough to convey his meaning. Obito half wondered if Gaara even realized he looked so subdued.
"Did you get along with Sasuke?" Obito smiled.
Gaara nodded slightly again.
"So, are you guys friends then?"
"I think Sasuke would like to be friends," Gaara said. "I have only been here around a week, and he's been very kind."
"And Neji?" Obito asked.
"Neji…" Gaara said, looking off into the distance for a bit. "I'm unsure." He met Obito's eyes. "Why is he the way he is?"
Obito blinked in surprise at the question. "Um, well… I'm not sure about what you mean. But Neji has a bad rep around here. That would weigh on anyone."
"What has he done?" Gaara asked.
"He's been accused of everything possible," Obito sighed. "Theft, vandalism, beating people up, indecent acts with girls… indecent acts with boys… unlawful acts with both… and well, you get the idea." Obito looked around and slowed his pace a bit. "You know, I'm probably one of the few you'll hear this from, but I never believed a word of it. Ya gotta understand, Neji is a slave to his clan. And the head family treats him like he's lower than scum. Most people don't see it, but Rin andI saw a lot when they didn't think anyone was around late at night. And if you ever see the oldest daughter of the clan's head family, run. She's pretty, but don't even talk to her if you can help it. She's evil. She puts on the innocent act, but an act is all it is. One of these days I'm afraid she's just going to activate the seal on Neji's forehead and fry his brain… literally."
Gaara glanced to him. "You're kind, Obito," Gaara said. "I wish there were more like you in my village when I was a child."
"Had a hard time, eh?" Obito asked.
Gaara nodded and looked down with a deep sigh. "…Just a bit."
They walked for a while longer before Gaara spoke up again.
"Do you know anyone by the name of Naruto?" he asked, hoping that his cheerful friend was around somewhere.
"Naruto?" Obito said with a thoughtful look. "Hm, no. Never heard that name before."
Gaara felt sad hearing this. Naruto would have helped him even if he didn't know him. Well, the one in his world would have. And now, things were looking bleak for him when it came to finding powerful allies in case he needed help figuring out the door. Naruto didn't exist in this world. Sasuke existed but was completely soft. Neji existed but was dark and was not a ninja. And Lee was an utter jerk. All of the most powerful people he knew in his own world were not only much weaker here, they were all so different in personality. Optimistic Naruto, powerful Sasuke, tranquil Neji, and humble Lee were not here.
"Yo! Itachi!" Obito smiled as Itachi walked towards them in his ANBU uniform. He looked somewhat displeased.
"Obito," Itachi said, stopping to stand with them. "Gaara. How are you two today?"
"We're good," Obito grinned. "Just checking in with the kid here."
"There is something about you, Gaara," Itachi said, looking to him with honest eyes. "Obito opens up to people easily, but he seems to really like you."
"It's nice to have a little bro," Obito shrugged.
"Not all the time," Itachi smiled with a raised brow.
Seeing Itachi smile nearly caused Gaara to jump in shock. He wondered if people would feel the same if he started to smile more.
"So where are you headed?" Obito asked. "A mission?"
"I'm finished for the day," Itachi said. "I'm going to go home and make plans to assassinate the Hokage."
"Very funny!" Obito laughed. "Good luck with that!"
Itachi nodded with a slight smile and left the two alone. He walked off toward the Uchiha clan area.
"Obito," Gaara said after Itachi was gone. "I don't think he was joking…."
"What!" Obito laughed. "Of course he was! Itachi is many things, but he's not a cold-blooded killer. He's too loyal for that."
Gaara stared blankly at him, then nodded slowly.
"Seriously, Gaara," Obito smiled warmly. "The odds of Itachi being a killer are about the odds of you being one."
Gaara felt himself smiling slightly. "I can't argue with you there…."
When Gaara returned to his apartment there was someone standing at the balcony in front of the apartment next door. It was a young man a few years older than himself. His hair was long and dark, but nothalf as long as Neji's. And his face was very soft and youthful… very kind. He wore a dark blue button down shirt and had black pants on. His clothes were far too dark for his soft image. When he saw Gaara approaching, his large eyes seemed to twinkle and he smiled brightly. He was very beautiful. He could give many girls a run for their money.
"Hello," he said.
"Hello," Gaara nodded.
Gaara didn't stop at his door. He walked straight to the other boy as if drawn to him. It was attraction and yet it wasn't. There was just a purity hanging around this other young man that drew Gaara closer.
"Are you my neighbor?" the young man asked kindly.
Gaara nodded.
"I see," he said, his smile fading a little. "Then your home is gone too?"
Gaara nodded again as he joined the other young man to look out over the village from the balcony.
"My name is Haku," the young man smiled.
"Gaara."
"Gaara," Haku repeated. "What a nice name. And Gaara, you seem very shy. It's okay. I am sometimes too."
There was an ease about Haku that made Gaara feel comfortable. His pure and calm nature reminded him of someone, but he couldn't place who. He had to wonder if it were possible to see what Haku was like in his own world.
"Gaara," Haku smiled. "Would you and your friend like to come in for dinner?"
Gaara blinked and turned to see Sasuke wandering up behind him. He smiled warmly at the two, as if nothing had ever happened to him. It didn't take much convincing for Haku to get them inside. And now, Gaara could feel something about Haku that he hadn't felt with many of the others. He was stronger than he looked.
Much stronger.
Neji lied there, staring blankly at the ceiling. Lord Hiashi was asleep next to him, his arm draped possessively over his chest. If Neji had known what he would have to endure for hours that night, he wouldn't have driven Itachi off so quickly. But it was always like that, wasn't it? Neji was so defensive around other people because of the way he was used to being treated. He drove them off before they could hurt him.
His mind started to drift as his exhaustion started to take hold. Blue eyes with dark lines around them… reddish-brown hair… unshaken demeanor…. Gaara wasn't scared of him. He hadn't even flinched at how cold Neji was. To his own surprise, Neji had a passing hope that he'd see Gaara again soon. But he knew it was foolish. Was he hoping to be friends with Gaara? It wouldn't last…. It never lasted….
All foolishness.
When Lord Hiashi shifted and turned away from him, Neji quickly rolled away and stood slowly. He winced at the soreness of his assault and very quietly left the room. He didn't like the idea of walking through the massive house naked to get to his room, but it was better than being with his uncle all night.
He made it to his room and wrapped a towel around himself. He went and washed up, then returned and dressed for bed, slipping into his futon. He just wanted to forget the whole day. His mind ached and his body ached. It was too much pain.
And then his door opened slowly, and his heart started to ache. He would get no peace. Who would torture him now? Was it Hiashi again, here for another round with his body? Was it Hinata, who would come in to force him to do things for her at her own convenience? Was it some other respected member of the clan who would use him as their slave or whore or whatever else they wanted him to be?
He tried to remember the last time he got a good night's sleep when he felt someone kneel down to his futon. He kept his eyes closed as the blankets were lifted and someone slipped into his bed. A thin, soft body snuggled against him and gentle arms wrapped around him.
"Hanabi…" he whispered softly. "Did you have a bad dream?"
"Mhmm…" she responded and she buried her face against him.
Hanabi was his younger cousin… Five years younger than Hinata and six younger than Neji. She was the only one in the family who truly loved him. And she was like a treasured younger sister to him, and he would do anything for her. He had no one else in the world but her. Hiashi ignored her and favored Hinata, and Hinata was jealous of Hanabi's goodness and innocence. The only reason Neji hadn't claimed his own life was because he didn't want to leave her with no one to care for her.
They fell asleep just like that, in each other arms like happy siblings while their dreams gave them peace from the world. Being cared for wasn't so scary, Neji had thought before he slept. Why not give it one more chance?
---To Be Continued---
(Hi everyone! I'm not generally a fan of out-of-character stories, but I thought this different take on it would be interesting. I will fully acknowledge what the characters are like in Gaara's true world, and hopefully we'll be seeing them too. )