Chappie four's on! Yeah! Thanks for all the reviews I've received! When you're happy and you know it clap your hands! I am clapping my hands! Yeah!
Just to explain some stuff: I know it's pretty tough to find oneself in my fic so when I use this – the characters talk and this "…" is used to express thoughts or words that have been said in the passed. Yes I know, the French method is ridiculous but the English one mixes me totally up! Just so you know, I am no sadist and it makes me cry to make my darling Hinata suffer, but it's a tragedy, so let's all live with her pain and let's all cry and get Emo! Yeah! I love Emos! I've got plenty of friends that are Emos, but I am no Emo! I am a Loli in becoming!
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::Chapter 4::
A shakuhachi (A/N bamboo flute) held by a pale minuscule hand, singing a hymn of hatred and grief .
He remembered that day as the beginning of the end.
-I-is i-it l-like th-this, o-oka-s-san?
Another hand, shaking and tired, caressing her little cheek. Her wide pale glimpse drenched in hope and faith was the first thing that attracted him.
-Very well, Hinata-chan. But don't forget to raise your pinkie-finger (A/N is the little finger truly called like this?) for elegance.
The five-year-old Hinata giggled a bit. Her oka-san's voice was so comforting and tender. That became her heritage after her mother's death.
The woman bent over her belly, where baby Hanabi was living at the moment, to kiss the indigo hair dancing in the wind. Then, escaping the embrace, the child spotted him behind the oak prevailing the Hyûga garden.
- Neji-chan!
One of her mother's frail hands curled around her shoulder to reach for the wooden instrument.
-You an go play with Neji-chan, now … Hinata …
His white eyes shut painfully, unable to escape his aunts blood red tears.
- … be careful …
She died not longer the fulfillment of the scene he was replaying in his mind.
He had felt the black shadow of sickness devouring her flimsy soul.
°°
The night had been astounding. She had never seen the moon like that! They were all around her. Yet they weren't there. Only Kiba and her. As if they were the only two souls left. This was such a strange feeling. Something that resembled the sentiment she experienced when she was near Neji. She appreciated Kiba. Good old smiling Kiba as much as irritated taciturn Kiba.
It felt good to walk in the morning sun. Asahi. What a beautiful name. If she ever had planned on having children she would have called one of them like the sun that was illuminating her path towards the clearing in which she intended to die.
°°
He penetrated the room.
She was laying in front of him, her back stripped by bloody lesions.
This time, Hiashi had gotten too far … Yet, he couldn't do anything against it. If he only dared to touch this man, Hinata would pay even more.
He bent over her body to lift it. He was holding her bridal style while examining all those new wounds.
The sick bastard found another way to terrorize her, trying now to possess her soul.
She was awake. He could see her wandering eyes roll in their orbits. She wasn't crying nor sobbing.
Placing a cold kiss on her cheek, he tightened the grip on her body, wishing for it to take some of his warmth. She was cold as an corpse she would become later on by his gentle hands.
Her leaking blood was staining his clothing, passing through the material to rub against his torso.
That wonderful colour that obsessed him.
-I am going to make you sink a good, hot bath. It will help you.
"Where are you now, Uzumaki? Why aren't you protecting her? You are not fit to be her lover! Nobody is!"
°°
She wouldn't see Hanabi nor Neji before leaving this world. Hanabi. Poor one-chan! Why had it to be so painful for her.
At ten, coming back from a C-rated mission, she had been rejected from the Hyûga clan. Just because everybody else died. Just because she came back broken like a bamboo branch kids were playing with.
God did she hate the Akatsuki.
Poor one-chan never could subsist after the scenes of horror she had endured. Her friends and sensei being tortured in front of her eyes, and her, not competent in helping them. She would stay forever the ten-year-old little girl she knew and loved.
Father had been so cruel. Wasn't she his favourite daughter? He hadn't looked at her widened, agonizing stare, full of tears that never shall be shed, just pushed her away. Towards all those medic-nins calling her crazy and unfit for social life.
She would have loved to be strong enough to oppose herself to his iron will and require for her status to be maintained. She wasn't though. She just saw her fade away little by little in a hospital room.
°°
Again! Why were they so cruel towards her?!
Wasn't he supposed to be combusted in an ardent flame for her?
He took her away from him and now dared to spit on his victory?!
Monster! Demon!
-Get away, Uzumaki!
His blood was boiling inside of his body at the sight of Hinata's torn apart kimono.
Only ONE idea blinded him.
How did HE dare?
How could anybody but Hyûga Hiashi be harsh enough to harm such a lovable creature?!
The blond didn't move, still sobbing on her bare shoulder.
Neji couldn't take it anymore.
His heart was being consumed by a million horrid views.
He gripped the enemy's collar and propelled him away.
Away from his dove. HIS Hinata.
In misery as in bliss, she was superb. As clear as crystal.
-Hush! Don't cry! We are heading home.
°°
And Neji! Her darling Neji! The one that always was there to fix her when she shattered. She hoped the gift she gave him pleased him.
She would have loved to see him for a last time. To thank him for all those years he had been by her side, never leaving her alone … and to tell him she pardoned him his acting of the past. His Hate towards the Sôke was justified and she had accepted to leave him let off steam on her body. The Chûnnin prelims had to be tolerated for them to continue their lives in a proper and human way. He could have killed her, it wouldn't have mattered. Just for him to pardon her weakness that leaded to the sacrifice of his father. Uncle Hizashi. One that understood her.
°°
He thought before that he could never understand her.
Always training, alone.
Fighting against imaginary enemies.
Sparring with trunks of trees.
She was weak back then. And she knew it. There was no way she could get stronger, thought he. Everything in her was exposing how lame she was. From her stammer to these strange gestures she executed with her fingers.
And then, she started to move. She hadn't sensed him, so without any trouble, she took off her coat, threw it away from her and passed a hand through her sweaty hair.
She tied her frontal band on her eyes.
Her feet budged. She tackled, feigned. Always faster.
That was not Hinata.
Or was it?
Alone, by herself. She was still weak in matter of chakra. But her control was good … she was fast, silent … furtive. Like a snake. Dangerous. That was the word. The other Hyûga Hinata, the one hidden in the darkness of her mind, could be a potential foe.
-Don't do it that way Hinata-sama …
Surprised, she slid in the mud, splashing sludge all around her.
That's how she became the one she was.
Under Neji's sculpting grip.
°°
Everybody always thought Uncle Hizashi hated her. Did he?
Maybe he did.
That didn't matter. She had treasured her uncle.
The day oka-san left, he took he silhouette in his arms to hold her up as high as he could.
His words were calming and comforting. Oto-san wouldn't have appreciated seeing him touching her so openly. Bunke shouldn't even get near Sôke.
Hizashi should be grateful to be considered as his brother and shouldn't act so easily.
She didn't care. She never cared about stupid Sôke rules.
Perhaps if she did, her life would have been easier. But the easiest path isn't the best. Never.
-Hinata-chan, always climb higher. Never stop climbing, as difficult as it gets. Don't rest. Once you sit down, you are not able anymore to stand up. And above all, you shall not take of your eyes from the sky. Like that, you will forever stay in the sun …
It was unfair he had to die.
Still now, she was obeying his last order for her. Before he started to avoid her … like everybody did once in their life. Here eyes were raised towards the azure sky.
"I hope I am going to see you again, Uncle Hizashi …"
… and mom, and dad …
They would all be together again … and no more blood would stain her body.
°°
Another cup of sake. Sake, sake, sake. Was he willing to drink himself drunk to see her face in that poison? Very pertinent question! He was willing to see her.
A sip. A gulp.
"What is happening to you, Neji? Are you stupid enough not to understand her message? She is fed of it. She is fed of you. If only it was still there …"
He rubbed his forehead where the Bunke seal once had been embedded.
It was their only link.
Where was she now that she left him?
Her dream was to take Hanabi out of the asylum. Maybe was she proceeding to accomplish her goal.
"Hinata-sama? Are you still somewhere … in my mind?"
He reached over the bottle and poured the amber-coloured liquid in his throat.
Sake didn't taste like her at all.
She was the most intoxicating drogue he had ever been in contact with.
°°
A kunai pulled under her gullet. Threatening. Threatening herself. How low could she fall. Her lips opened in a last word.
-Sayonara …
°°
He woke up.
"Must be around noon." he told himself.
Shoving his enormous dog off him, he sat up. 'Stylishly' yawning, he let his tongue roll out of his mouth. He was getting more and more influenced by Akamaru.
Ruffling his messy hair even more, he jumped out of his futon.
-Hey, Aka! How diddya sleep, boy?
For an answer, the specimen of the canine specie in front of his eyes stretched his body and barked faintly.
-Breakfast? Yeah, sure!
He stepped out of his room to head towards the Ima (A/N living room) where his mother and sister's family were taking their lunch.
Glancing at that lot fighting over pork chops, rice and fish, he sighed greatly. It reminded him of himself when he was younger. Before his little talk with the Hyûga shitter. To sit down, he insensitively pushed his niece over to the side.
-Hey, that's my meat!
-Geroff!
-Ashi! Give that back, or else I'll poke you to death with my sticks.
-Moooooom! He stole my chop!
-That's my fish!
-Gimme, gimme, gimme!
-Hands off!
-SHUT UP! I AM THE CHIEF, I EAT FIRST!
-Whatever!
Looking suspiciously at the food disposed in front of him, Kiba dared to ask:
-Uh? Why're you guys eating lunch?
The only answer he could expect was the one he received. A good, heavy punch behind the head.
This time, it wasn't Hana but his mother that replied so thoughtfully.
-Baka! It's noon!
-Well, yah! But during the last week, we have been eating breakfast at noon.
Hana just couldn't hold from stepping into the conversation.
-That's because poor Hina-chan couldn't wake up earlier. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day …
Realizing her blunder, she shut her big mouth before sinking herself more into it.
Gazing around the table, Kiba didn't find her.
-Uh? Where's Hina?
Strangely, all the motion paused for half a second. Everybody just stared at him, before his mother cut the silence.
-She's gone.
°°
Running through as fast as he could through Konoha's streets, he was managing to keep his mind focused on what could take place than what had already happened.
She was somewhere. She couldn't have disappeared. Lost in her black thoughts, ready to do something. Something could as well be just living. But that something had to be hindered. His instinct told him so.
He could almost imagine Hell engulf her bony shadow.
Clad in red drops that tasted salt and misery, attempting to break out of new claws. He could not et his prophecy realize itself. He wouldn't allow it. He couldn't survive it.
"The woods!"
Since their childhood, she had favourite the company of tree and animals than human beings. Sure enough, the only human that could approach her was him, and he was not what could be called a full person … until they became genin. Than Naruto ran in the picture and Neji imposed himself. Even Shino was not welcome from his side. She had always been a dear frightened soul, and he never wanted her to change, so all those new faces just pushed him deeper and deeper in hate. But then, the wounds of her mind were unbearable for both of them, he didn't want her adorable weakness to become an obstacle to her. Wounds so painful, so bloody, leaking without him having the capacity to heal them, were the result of his wish that turned itself against him.
He could almost feel her soul ripped by her own hands, slipping through her fingers, like a ribbon she would have undone from her locks of obscurity and now was shredding with disgust. From those lavender half moons her eyes were when afflicted, streams of liquid diamonds would slide.
Never. NEVER.
He couldn't let that occur. Whatever happened. Even if it was her choice. He needed her. Now, by his side. Suffering or not. He realized too late. When living would be for her just one pain more she didn't deserve. Still, he needed her. Love wasn't anymore a stake. She was his narcotic. The poison running through his veins, while he was running to find its origin. And he was not willing to die at the moment. Too much things he hadn't seen … they hadn't seen.
Not knowing he was destroying his worship for her with such egoistical and possessive comportment.
Taking away an easy end to substitute it by some more torment. Just to prove his almightiness … to himself more than to anybody else. Assured he was acting by love.
°°
Some strange taste of blood, not at all related to the savour of sake, overwhelmed his taste buds.
Even if the Bunke seal wasn't anymore adorning his forehead, he felt a horrible sting passing from his head to his heart, as a communication of decease. For the first time of his life, weakness was experienced. The one in front of unknown happenings. The one that devours more than one's confidence. The one Hinata had bared and still did. Even if she proved to the world she wasn't feeble.
°°
He seized her hand before it cut her throat open. Thanks to Akamaru's infallible nose, he found her in no time, but seeing her numb glance, he thought he was late.
But no. No blood. She was still sitting. Motionless, yet breathing.
Before her noticing his presence he rolled himself with all his strength in front of her to grab her daunting arm. He squeezed it hard enough for any normal person to let go of anything she was holding, but not for her. It was as if dolour was blocked by some invisible gear. Like Gaara.
-What the hell do you think you are doing?!
Her lips pulled out into a sweet grin. Something that reminded him of Naruto. His sister told him that a first boyfriend changed everything about a young girl. He printed his trademark on her more than any other man in her life.
"Fucking Naruto!"
-I think it's time for me to go. I fixed the best I could all the things that there were to fix. I did my best to leave no mark … And now, it's time for me to erase my existence.
How could she think like that?
-No!
His voice resounded in his head.
Her grin grew wider. As if she was taunting him.
-"Good job!" That's what you want me to tell you? Well you can still run for it! You didn't fix anything! Just making Neji the clan chief, -don't look at me like that, everybody knows about it-, didn't give him the family he lost back. And that's about everything you did. Yeah, yeah, I know! You proved you weren't feeble and all that shit, but did you prove you were strong? Not all. Again, you are running away from difficulty! There's muscle strong like all the fuckers of my style, and there's mental strong a you should be. Now's the time to demonstrate that you are truly sturdy.
Her smirk disappeared. Her lower lip started to tremble.
She let go of the kunai.
"Hey, that's my kunai! She wanted to kill herself with MY kunai!"
-I can't … go on. It hurts so much.
-I know. I know it does.
He pulled her towards his hard chest. She posed her cheek on his madly bouncing heart. And cried. She cried so much.
But the shade of death was gone.
°°
He clutched over a knife that was nearby. Raising it above his hand, he shot it down in his flesh. Nothing better than ache when fright was getting a grip on one's mind.
Pain was so relieving.
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Here we go. Yes, Kiba's an asshole! And everything that happened is his fault, even if he's my second favourite male character. I am going to make sure you guys hate him till the end. And then, you're gonna adore him. And yes, Neji seems to have some interesting feelings towards Hinata! Should I make Hinata cheat on Kiba with her cousin? Could be funny! Unless you guys think it's a good idea, I won't do it! We're still not in the Action'n'Adventure part, freaks me out, 'cause I am not of the romantic kind at all … and looks like I am gonna write at least tree other boring chappies like that! It's getting to psycho and I am not good at it. Anyways, always leave some reviews! Gotta have more of them than Loli! She's going to be jealous! Nehehe!
Tschüss! Bis schon!
