chapter 4: Neji goes rescue
Under the shock, I don't say anything. I can't believe in it. I don't want to believe in it. But Hanabi continues: "Hinata was promised in marriage to the older son of Kaiho, the most powerful family of Kaishima. As a sign of alliance between our families... they left this morning while taking her along."
Neji: "And she didn't say anything?! she lets them do? You let them do it?!!! You let them take along your sister!!! "
Hanabi: "I... I can't do anything" she sobs "And besides, you either you could not doing anything, Neji!! "
It's like a dagger which has just inserted in my heart. To let take along Hinata so far, let them marry her with a stranger...! No! No!
Without thinking more , I go out the house and leaves Hanabi sobbing in the garden. Then I run on the road of Kaishima. It is still early, I catch them up, they didn't walk too much way. My thoughts whirl in my head. I don't know what I will do... but I will not let them carry you, Hinata!
After a long race, I further see on the road the dust from a group moving. It's perhaps them. A little common sens finally reachs me, accompanied by a minimun of strategic thought... but strategy was never my strong point. I hide in the trees to estimate the situation. The convoy consists of a palanquin and ten guards by horse and by foot. My glance transpierces the worked walls of the palanquin to be posed on the woman sitting at the interior.
My heart beats stronger recognizing Hinata. she is her, no error possible, even if her face is covered with make-up, even if her silhouette is wrapped heavy kimono of red silk and brocart, even if her dark hair are covered with a gold cap. She is Hinata. she could be so beautiful wearing that... but her glance. The glance of a child given up in an unknown world, an obscure forest. The glance of a small girl who has just lost all her family... a glance threated to be submerged by despair at any moment. It hurts me so badly, so badly to see her like that...
I want to run towards her and to take along her elsewhere, towards a softer life. But I realize that I can't do nothing . Hinata will never agree to come with me, not to endanger our family and the village. Kaiho are powerful. And where could we flee? There is no possible escape for Ninja. No other way. I feel the tears running on my cheeks... no... no... don't take along the only person who counts for me... don't take along my reason of living... I must find an idea, I must find a plan... I need it!
In spite of the tears which scramble my vision, I follwo the road with my glance. And I see the bridge. The bridge! The most direct road towards Kaishima needs to cross a precipice between two cliff at the bottom of which runs an agitated river. This precipice is the exact border between Konoha and Kaishima. A bridge was built there, but it was built to be easily destryed in the event of conflict and cut the accesses between the villages. If I brreak this bridge before they reach it, they must return in Konoha. I know, I save just time . But in Konoha, I could count on other Chuunins to help me salvage Hinata. And on Naruto. Although I have difficulty to admit it.
My plan threat, I go to the action. I quickly pass beyond the convoy hiding me in the bushes and I hide close of one of the pillar of the bridge. Gai-Sensei... it's the moment to use the techniques which you taught to me... I must have the force to break these pillars. Making chakra explodes in the interior of me, I concentrate all my force on the pillars... Alas...! even if severely damaged, the pillars held out. And the first walkers arrives at the bridge, I must turn over to hide in the trees, any hope lost... I must look at the palaquin engaging on this bridge, I must look at Hinata like a victim which be taken along to the torturer...
When a sinister cracking resounds. The weight of the palaquin, the horses and the men made break the pillars already partially break and the bridge begins to rock. Panic seizes all... people grip where they can, the carriers stumble and I see with terror the palaquin falling in the gap. NO! Hinata!
After a fall which seems to last an eternity, the palaquin falls in the river. Hinata, whydidn't you jump out of the palaquin? You are able of it!! My spirit has a time lag on my body which already plunged to her rescue. I see, as in a nightmare, Hinata in the palaquin taken by the river and sink . Blocked by heavy clothing, Hinata can't free herself of the vehicle which drags her increasingly deep. I see her despair, her panic. I am here,Hinata!
I success reaching the palaquin, breaking the door, slicing with my kunai the kimono which retained her captive and I finally draw towards surface an unconscious Hinata .
