I don't own Naruto.
I'm really sorry that this chapter took a long time to put up. But hey, it's finally up! Thank you for all your encouraging reviews, it really helped me a lot. I lost this chapter when I reformatted my computer and I almost thought of giving up. Well, maybe not give up but write it later… much later. However, I got reviews asking me to update and that motivated me to rewrite it! Thanks a bunch!
There's another Neji moment in this chapter, but don't think too much about it! Hehehe.
Break Me, Destroy Me, But Don't Leave Me
Chapter Four
I believe that everyone born to this world should be free. And I do wish to set you free.
"Fractures to the right forearm and right femur. Both wrists broken. And a mild concussion," I muttered to myself as I examined the unconscious Chuunin, "You'll be up and running in no time."
The hospital was relatively empty and quiet with the constant trickle of shinobis entering to have their mild injuries fixed. The slight sanitary smell of antibacterial soap which filled its clean hallways was a scent that I had grown accustomed to, in fact, I daresay that it calmed my nerves. The hospital was a place that I enjoyed working in, caring for people and then basking in their sincere gratefulness. It made me feel worthy, for once I was doing something that others would appreciate and not scorn at my supposed weakness or uselessness.
My quiet steps echoed off the dull white walls of the vacant corridors. The activity of the hospital had gone awfully quiet now that Konoha was enjoying its peace. Not that I was one to complain, I liked the serene silence that now accompanied the medical center which was unlike the chaotic mess that it had been years ago during the times of war. However, it also meant that I was not needed as much at hospital and that I had to perform various missions. Missions which usually involved fighting and the occasional killing. I grimaced at the thought; I was never much of a fighter, much less a killer.
A familiar loud voice reached my ears as I walked to the main waiting area. Naruto, I told myself, stopping my stroll midway. I had avoided him like a plague the last two days, canceling my training sessions with him and seeking solace in the hospital. I activated my Byakugan and spotted him standing at the counter speaking to the receptionist. There beside him stood a certain pink haired girl… Sakura. My heart tugged uncomfortably, as though indicating for me to turn and leave. Even though I knew that he was clueless about my circumstance, I still could not bear to face him, especially not with her around.
Perhaps I could sneak pass them. Arrggghhh, they're coming this way. I saw them walking towards the passageway I was in. In my fast panicking state, I mindlessly snuck into the nearest room, a ward holding some wounded ninja. I stood behind one of the double doors, not noticing the sleeping form as I tried to gain my composure. Just when my heart rate was normalizing, the other double door swung openly violently and in stepped Naruto and Sakura.
"Hinata-chan! Are you here to see Sasuke too?" Naruto's thunderous voice overwhelmed my trembling stature. I was amazed that my timid soul had not yet left my body because of the utter shock I had experienced.
"No, I work here…sometimes," I choked, barely overcoming the sudden speech impediment I had.
"Yeah right. I bet you're here in take advantage of my Sasuke-kun!" Sakura growled angrily at me and I died inside a thousand times over.
"Sakura-Chan, you know Hinata is one of the few girls who are smart enough not to fall for that bastard."
"How dare you speak of my beloved Sasuke like that?"
"P-please don't shout. T-this i-is a hospital…"
"Yeah, people are trying to get some sleep," an awaken and visibly irritated Sasuke glared at them from his bed.
"Oh Sasuke-kun! I shouldn't have asked Naruto along," the pink-haired ninja practically bounced to the scowling boy's side.
I bowed quickly to Naruto and took my leave, hands moving to my face to cup my burning cheeks. Walking out of the hospital with hurried steps, I sighed to myself. When I was little, my mother would pinch my cheeks every time I let out a sigh. "Don't do that Hinata-chan, sighing will shorten your life," she would scold me. I never once asked her why and I never really understood the reason why she told me that. Perhaps she wanted me to be happy, to look up and think positive. A sad smile spread across my face as I tried to remember her soft voice.
"There you are, Hinata-chan!"
I jerked my head up immediately to the greeting and found Kiba and Shino standing before me.
"Ah. Kiba-kun. Shino-kun," I bowed politely to each of them as I said their names. They told me long ago that such formalities were not needed, but I could not help myself. Being polite was so much a part of me that it had became an instinct, an old habit that I could not drop.
"I'm glad that you're well, Hinata-chan," my dog-like friend chuckled, giving a friendly squeeze to my shoulder.
"I'm so happy to see you two back safely. How was the mission?"
Kiba's smile faltered slightly and his eyes darted quickly to Shino then back to me. My fingers started to fiddle with the hem of my shirt unconsciously as I felt the quiet tension begin to rise.
"Hinata-chan," my head turned nervously to Shino, wide eyes questioning him.
"Be careful." Shino was never one to say much, always leaving people to guess his intentions and thoughts.
"Please go on, Shino-kun," I whispered hoarsely, unable to read his thoughts.
"Hinata-chan, it's just that we have information that the Akatsuki gang may be around this area," Kiba informed me.
"Don't worry yourself too much, we'll protect you." He gave my shoulder another reassuring squeeze.
"Besides, the Akatsuki has no reason to come after you," Shino added.
I made a silent prayer, hoping that Shino was right.
A few silvery rays of the moon managed to penetrate the dense Konoha foliage, illuminating the damp forest floor. The air was cool against my skin and a gentle night breeze swept across the training grounds. It was comfortably quiet except for the sound of a heavy even breathing that was almost inaudible to my sensitive ears. I stayed in the shadows, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible even though I knew that I was noticed.
His movements were so swift; he was but a white blur to my eyes as he darted from tree to tree, hitting them soundlessly. I continued to watch in childlike awe as the hardwood trees swayed and creaked painfully in response. He repeated his routine, this time moving even faster. I activated my Byakugan and concentrated on watching his fluid movements, analyzing his every move and his chakra flow.
It's surprising how much one can learn from simply studying how others train. My father would ask me to watch Neji train, but whenever I tried to do so; my cousin would chase me away, telling me that I was too pathetic and unworthy to even watch him. If my father had found out what he had done, I was sure that Neji would have been punished severely. But I never told my father. Was it because I was too kind-hearted and did not want Neji to get hurt? After all, everyone knew that Hinata-chan was such a nice girl, right? Perhaps I was too ashamed of myself. I too, had my pride and a main house member being threatened by a branch house member was unheard of. That was years ago and as time passed, things changed, some for the better, some for the worse. Neji became less hostile and actually tolerated my presence after the Chuunin exams. It was not long before he had in fact become rather friendly towards me. He even insisted that I train with him. However, I must admit that I was still not truly comfortable around him; I often wondered whether he had some hidden agenda. Maybe I was just being my usual paranoid self, or perhaps I had admired him so much that his strong presence made me nervous and ashamed of myself.
I heard the distressing snapping of branches as the tree before leaned dangerously towards my direction. Wasting no time, I immediately leaped from where I was hiding and heard a resounding thump as the large tree fell, shaking the ground slightly on impact. I averted my pearly eyes from the fallen tree and found Neji leaning lazily against a rock, a slight smirk on his face.
"At least that got your attention," he murmured amusingly.
"Oh, I'm sorry Neji-niisan. I'll be more alert next time," I apologized, bowing quickly.
"Hmmph," he frowned, stepping forward, "Hinata-chan, I am not your brother."
"Ah… I'm so sorry Neji," I caught myself before I blurted out the honorific.
"So what were you thinking about? You were rather distracted," he walked and stopped right in front of me. I could already feel my knees beginning to buckle.
"Ermm… i-it's really nothing, Neji-niisan," I stuttered, slapping myself in my mind for breaking out in my nervous stammer.
"Right," he frowned again, eyes narrowing, as though he was trying to read my mind.
"You smell like flowers."
"What?" my eyes widened in shock, not believing what he just said.
"Why are you so surprised, I am merely being truthful to you. And you should be honest to me as well."
I stood in front of him, unmoving, not knowing exactly what I should do. Neji had been acting very strangely towards me for the past few weeks. I just could not understand his intentions.
"I'm waiting."
"Just thinking about old times," I sighed, hoping that he would not probe further.
"What about them?" he asked, dropping himself onto the ground.
I looked down at him uneasily. Why was he sitting on the ground? Did it mean that he wanted to talk for long? He motioned at me to sit beside him and pulled me down when I hesitated.
"Sometimes you can be so stubborn," his fingers pressed lightly against my wrist, not letting me go.
"I'm sorry Neji-nii-"
"Don't call me niisan," he stated blankly, "and you don't have to apologize. So tell me what you were thinking about?"
"Well, you know, just some past experiences… Neji-nii… kun."
"Painful experiences?"
I glanced at him timidly, unsure of my self.
"Go on. You can tell me," he smiled.
I looked down at the forest floor, collecting my thoughts.
"You don't trust me?"
"Of course I do!" I snapped my head back up at him.
"Good," he held onto my shoulders and forced me to face him, "Hinata-chan, you're going to be eighteen soon. You got to be surer of yourself, okay?"
I nodded my head uneasily, it scared me that I was almost eighteen, nearly an adult. I felt like I was growing up too fast and that I could not handle it.
"Hinata-chan, you got to prove them wrong, alright? I'll help you," his white eyes mirrored mine, except that his was full of assurance and confidence and mine was brimming with childish uncertainty.
"I'll help you," he repeated, trying his best to reassure me, "I'll be here for you."
Uncertain as I was, Neji's words managed to soothe the reservations I held in my heart. At least I know that there was someone there for me.
"Thank you," I said whispered, loud enough for him to hear.
I gasped when I felt his unexpected embrace. I sat still and held my breath, even though the hug was awkward, I was glad that he showed such concern. This was certainly a side of Neji I never believed had existed.
"I'll protect you," he told me as he released me, "But you got to help me first."
"How can I help?"
"This," he removed his forehead protector and pointed at his curse seal.
"Of course, Neji-kun. I promised you," I told him.
As heir to the Hyuuga household, I would be taught on how to remove the curse seal on my eighteenth birthday and I made a secret promise to Neji two years ago that I would set him free.
"You didn't forget," he hugged me again, "You didn't forget."
Well, that's it for chapter 4. The next few chapters will perhaps won't be so light-hearted and dark secrets are to be revealed. Stay tuned!
