Hey guys so in case anyone was wondering, Tenten in the last part of chapter two, just to clarify that, she's still three in 1846, then in 1847 she's four. Also, yes, Neji is very mature for his age, keep that in mind with this chapter please :3 And i made tweaks on the Hyuuga family history sooooo yeah, enjoy!

The Devil; Chapter 3

Winter 1846- Chongqing, China

Snow, it fell softly on everything it touched dusting it with its light powder. Ai Chu walked down the snow covered street with his little lóng's hand in his. Tenten watched as her breath came out in small clouds, it reminded her so much of the way her fathers breath came out when he smoked his pipe, she blew out a thick nimbus of steam 'just like papa..' She ceased her thoughts when she suddenly heard various voices yelling.

"Yah!" They didn't sound in pain though, or even in fright, she couldn't put her finger on it really.

"Yah!" She heard the noises again and looked up to her father to see he was paying no mind to the noise, or he just didn't hear it.

"Yah!" There it was again! She became frustrated now and slipped from her fathers grasp running down the street further, hearing the noise become louder. The snow hit her face like little pricks, but they did not effect her. She ignored her father calling to her as she finally stopped at her destination. Dark brown eyes grew as they watched with wonder at the sight before them. Dozens and dozens of men, more than she could even count were in traditional robes as they were squatted down with one arm close to their side and the other stretched out in front of them with palm held out. They remained completely still as they held their positions, their bald heads meeting the glistening flakes as they fell from the heavens above. She would've believed they were actual statues until a sudden blur of movement.

"Yah!" Their arms soon returned to their sides as they did a quick turn sticking out their leg behind them, their heads a sure foot or so away from the ground. Each man spun gracefully and landed back on both feet steady, and as if he had never moved. Tenten was beyond amazed and did not even take notice of her fathers warmth behind her, or his heavy breathing. He was sure to lecture his daughter to never run off before he noticed what had caused her sudden misconduct. He stared at the men down to her snow covered head and back.

"Yah!" A small smile came to his lips as he took in a painful breath of cold air. He shakily squatted down next to her.

"Do you like it?" She whirled around with a face of awe which soon turned into a glorious smile as she quickly nodded her head, turning back she breathlessly said,

"it's amazing papa..." A smile came to his dry lips, but it soon enough dropped as he thought of her possibility of ever learning something like this. He shook his head in denial. He couldn't lead her on, he had to distract her, this could ruin everything. He stood as quickly as his frail body would let him, a harsh breeze blew almost making him fall over 'and this weather is doing nothing for my health.' He took Tenten's small hand once again and began to walk away.

"Come along little one." Obediently she did, hesitantly though as she kept her gaze on the men, watching their every move until they were finally out of her sight. She was once again in step with her father. She was disappointed that she could not stay longer and watch, 'but...' she wondered 'what were they even doing..?' She looked up to Ai Chu's pale face.

"Papa?"

"Hm?" She thought a moment and then spoke,

"what were they doing?" This was the question he was trying to avoid.

"Whom do you speak of?"

"The men back there, what were they doing?" He sighed knowing he couldn't do this for long.

"They were...practicing.."

"Practicing what?"

"...Kung fu." He breathed the word shakily as if the word had frightened his trembling lips. She blinked a few times before looking down, continuing to walk with him. Ai breathed a sigh of relief as the conversation seemed to have ended their.

"Papa?"

"Yes?"

"Will I ever learn...kung...fu?" His throat went dry as his feet began to feel like lead. Breathing became more difficult as he felt a cold sweat slither down his spine creating an unforgivable chill to rack his thin frame.

"I-"

"Papa?" He breathed,

"I...I'm not sure, but maybe one day you will" A smile split across his little girls face as she heard his answer. He looked down as she giggled,

"that makes me very happy papa!" His throat tightened with guilt. She snuggled his hand,

"wŏ ái nĭ papa." He felt his tongue become as thick as cotton, he struggled but he was finally able to respond as they entered through the gates of their home.

"Wŏ yĕ ài nĭ... Tenten..."

Winter 1847- Tokyo, Japan

Neji stood as still as a stone in his family's courtyard, the snow fell onto his pale skin, blending easily with his traditional white robes. His father stood in front of him with a proud smile on his face as he mimicked the open position his only son was in. He slowly began to move and his son followed, he called out a command loudly in Japanese. The young Hyuuga did a swift turn as he thrusted out his palms in a prestigious, but quick flurry. His father nodded,

"very good Neji, getting better everyday." His sons emotionless expression cracked into a small smile. Hizashi mentally sighed 'He never does smile as much as when he's with Tenten...That day changed everything..'

Flashback

"Hiashi... must you really do this to him?"

"You know the rules Hizashi, it must be done."

"Wasn't it enough to do it to your own brother? Why him? he's only a child! He's done nothing wrong."

" I've warned you that this day would come the moment Hinata turned four, I've given him the day to enjoy himself but now it is time. He must understand his place in this family and this is the only way."

"Why does it even matter? we're people not cattle."

"Hizashi do not argue with me, it will be done!" An eerie silence passed between the two brothers as Hizashi's fist tightly clenched his front pant legs, his rage was boiling over. He abruptly stood,

"I will not be present for this atrocity."

"You know the-"

"I will not stand to see my only son, my only child, my flesh and blood, be branded like an animal! do what you want to me, but I will not stay." Without another word from either of the two he left. Hiashi sighed in frustration and then looked at his awaiting servant,

"bring Neji to me."

Young Neji layed quietly in his bed sleeping soundly before he was abruptly shaken awake. He slowly sat up as he rubbed at his tired eyes

"Hitoshi..? W..what is it? Does my father need me?" The young man slowly shook his head as he looked down, not believing that he would be aiding the elders and Lord Hiashi in this cruel deed.

"N-no, Lord Hiashi has asked to see you.." Neji blinked a few times in surprise 'uncle?' Yet without thinking it over too much he slid out of his bed, and the servant quietly lead him to his fate. Once they arrived to their destination Hitoshi slowly slid the door open for him, the young Hyuuga gave his thanks and then entered with the door closing behind him. He stood there, slightly confused, with his uncle and the elders sitting in a circle with a large black pot in the center. There appeared to be something in it though as the end was sticking out for all to see.

"Neji." His uncle's voice took his mind off of the strange object as he met his gaze. "Sit." Slowly, his feet carried him over to an open seat between two of the elders. He watched closely as Hiashi stood and walked towards the pot with a thick piece of cloth on his hand as he grabbed the end of the object in it. Neji's eyes grew as he slowly watched him pull out a long black metal rod with a peculiar symbol on the end. It glowed red like the eyes of the devil as it steamed in the cooler air. He suddenly felt the two elders tightly grip his arms and one of their hands firmly grasping his jaw angling his head upwards. He immediately began to struggle in slight surprise, but then as he watched Hiashi near him with the burning symbol he immediately understood. He began to panic as he struggled in their tight grip, tears came to his eyes as he began to silently wonder where his father was. He began to beg as he felt the heat of the metal near his forehead. Tears streamed down his face as he cried,

"p-please uncle! Do-don't do this! Please!" He watched with wide eyes as his arm suddenly moved forward. It was only indescribable what he felt.

Silently in the night a small child's scream was carried by the wind, and was easily forgotten.

End Flashback

Hizashi shook his head and then watched, with sudden dissatisfaction, as his sons minuscule smile dropped to an unreadable stony expression. Only he could see the subtle tenseness in his young child's shoulders with the slight twitch of his brow. To anyone else he would appear to be completely calm and emotionless, only few people knew that there was actually a raging war of emotions inside of him, and he , as his father, was one of them. Hizashi knew that not just anything would create this drastic change in mood. He slowly turned with a passionless expression to see his double. Hiashi, his older brother by only a few minutes, stood under the shade away from winters gentle caress. At his side, shyly hiding behind her fathers pant leg, was Hinata Hyuuga. Giving a warm smile to her she cheerily returned it. His gaze slowly slid back to his siblings, they stood like that for awhile, only starring into one anothers pearl eyes. He understood and turned his head slightly to his son, "Neji, please take Hinata inside where you two may have tea. Your classes are done for today, tomorrow we will continue." He completely turned to see his sons surprised look, he only responded with a reassuring smile, " please, my son." He blinked a few more times in slight surprise, but then straightened up, bowed, and made his way over to his cousin. Respectfully bowing in front of his uncle and then taking Hinata's hand and leading her inside. Once they were inside Hizashi slowly approached his brother, rising with the steps and finally standing in front of his twin.

"What troubles you Hiashi?" His sibling immediately averted eye contact,

"the elders...they wish to speak to us.." Hearing the apprehension in his voice he asked no more,

"of course." He took a step, and then gesturing with his hand, "shall we?" Still not making eye contact, his brother only stiffly nodded and leaded the way.

Neji sat silently with his young cousin sitting quietly in front of him, sipping her tea, humming in approval. He inwardly smiled as the smell of his own green tea relaxed him and calmed his mind. She reminded him so much, yet so little of his dear Tenten. Yes, that's what she was to him, dear. A young girl who always brought so many smiles to his face. A little bit of sunshine in his life is what she was. He quietly sighed, how he missed her...he reminisced on memories of her smile and laugh and the games they would play. 'I only hope her feet won't be binded the next time I see her..' He saddened slightly at this thought. His father had explained to him very carefully of how he should act once this happened. They would no longer be able to go outside and play and run around in the gardens, or take long walks along the streets. Her feet would be so fragile that she may even be in too much pain to do anything the next time he visited. He recalled something else his father told him though; it was something she wanted, he should support her and encourage her along with compliment her. He had only nodded and agreed to his fathers request., yet how could he do such a thing to his dear friend? She would be in excruciating pain, and he was just suppose to sit there and encourage it. The idea seemed absurd and almost cruel to him. ' but it's what she wants...' he looked down at his tea, watching the steam swirl. Then, in a sudden abruptness that almost made him collide to the floor as he clutched his chest, he was struck with a piercing pain to his heart. It choked him as he struggled to not hunch over in agony, he faintly heard his cousins small voice call to hi,

"N-neji nii san! A-a-re you al-right?" He gritted his teeth as he nodded his head and stumbled to his feet. "N-nii san!" He ignored her though as he entered the hall and closed the sliding door after him. He breathed heavily as he struggled to rush through the halls, he stopped a servant that passed, tightly gripping on to the elder mans side.

"M-my father.." he rasped "where..where is he..?" Intimidated by such close proximity to a Hyuuga, no matter how young, much less being spoken to directly by one, he stuttered out,

"he-e is wi-with Hiashi s-sama an-d th-the eld-ders." Getting the answer he needed, Neji once again staggered through the halls looking for the meeting room. He came to a dimly lit hall and saw a sliver of light cut through the air from a pair of doors. He, as quietly as he could in his condition, crouched to the opening and peered in with one eye. His eyes widened, the sight before him somehow increasing the excruciating pain in his chest, causing him too bite his lip to keep from screaming as breathing was becoming more difficult. In the room was his father, laying on his stomach as his shoulders to his jaw rested on a solid block of wood. A basket was beneath his head as a white towel was beneath it. Neji's eyes followed the hand that tightly gripped onto the handle of the katana that rested in the feeble, shaking hands of a servant. He followed the arm and was shocked to see Hiashi sama holding the sword that was up above his head now. 'This can't be happening' Neji thought, 'th-they're brothers! He can't-'

"I hope" he recognized the sound of his fathers voice, his attention brought back to the scene at hand. "I hope that... whatever you wish to accomplish with this brother..." he slowly closed his eyes "you succeed." It was then Neji noticed the lack of restraint on his father, 'he's not resisting...' his young mind was beginning to numb with fear 'why isn't he resisting?!' he watched as glimmering tears slowly made their way down his fathers face. He then watched as an elders hand slowly sliced through the air, giving the permission for Hiashi to bring down the sword. Neji watched, as if in slow motion, the glimmering weapon beginning to near his fathers neck. He desired to stand and scream, to put a stop to this, to take the blow for his father, to barge in and to knock the sword from this murderers hand, to do anything to stop this madness, and yet he did quite the opposite. He sat and watched as the sword began to cut through the skin, then muscle, then bone of his fathers neck. His heart beating louder in his ears as the sound of the flowing blood in his very veins was as clear as the small creek in their garden. A soft thump was heard as Hizashi's head fell into the woven basket, blood streamed steadily behind it until it only dripped.

Plip...plip...plip...plip...

Eyes remaining closed to never be opened again, body going limp to never move again. Neji was horror stricken as he didn't even take notice of the silent tears streaming down his pale face. He did move though as the adults began to near the door, hiding in the shadows of the hallway as the same servant shuffled behind them holding the basket with his fathers head. Once they were gone and their heavy footsteps had faded, he moved. Slowly entering the room of his fathers death. His milky eyes, so much like his fathers, red and puffy as he sniffed, unintentionally breathing in the scent of his fathers blood. He coughed, it was thick of iron. Tears leaked from his eyes as he gently began to lay his shaking hands on the lifeless form in front of him. He could feel his heart thundering in his rib cage no longer causing him physical pain, but an emotional pain that cut him and hurt him deeper than the physical one. He could feel the warm blood staining the back of his fathers shirt covering his hands, he layed his cold cheek to feel the last warmth to come from his father. His eyes began to blur with more tears as small sobs began to escape his tight throat.

"..Papa" he sobbed, "...papa..". At that moment it was as if he had opened the cork on his bottle of emotions. Loud sorrow filled sobs escaped him shaking his small frame as he tightly clenched the back of his fathers shirt. He then quickly sat up and began to realize his situation, his father was dead and gone, his uncle had killed him... no, the elders had killed him...they all killed him. Then another thought hit him, this is his fathers dead body, his blood was on him his 'blood..' With wide eyes Neji ran out of the room and down various halls to the main courtyard once again collapsing into the snow vomiting violently. It was darker now and colder, but he didn't care as he screamed and began to clutch his small shaking body as he cried. Through his blurry vision he could see the blood speckled snow beneath him, in sudden anger he swatted it away and continued swatting the crushed ice away until he came to the wet dead grass of summer. His hands were plastered to the cold, soaked ground as he shook with angry tears. 'never again..never again will I ever let this happen to someone I love! Never again will he make me feel this way...you will pay for your sins one day Hiashi...' His tears were beginning to stop 'I will make you pay dearly for this..' he looked up 'I will become smarter...' he began to stand 'stronger...' the six year old Hyuuga stood tall with balled fists ' I am Neji Hyuuga, son of Hizashi Hyuuga, and I will live out that name in honor of my father..' he looked up to the moon 'I will make you suffer greatly for this Hiashi...' he slowly began to turn 'blood will be spilled..' he made his way inside 'the devil waits for you in hell.' And he never looked back.

Good? please review!

Side note: Once again, yes there were some changes in the Hyuuga story and Neji is very much mature.

Hitoshi (the name of the servant) means level headed

wŏ ái nĭ means " I love you" in chinese

Wŏ yĕ ài nĭ means "I love you too" in Chinese