Amaranthine

by layniebleargh

:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x::x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x:

Chapter 10: Recollections

"So… how was the mission?" Tenten asked. It was already two days since she (and Neji) returned to Konoha, and she just found out an hour ago that Sakura and Shikamaru has arrived safely. Right after stepping out of the Hogake's office, Tenten dragged Sakura to a nearby ice cream parlor.

"Chicken. Quite easy after the ambushes… I think they thought they had us. Anyway, Temari-san also went with us, so maybe they're just plain scared of her. A jounin and the Kazekage's sister…is that your ideal assassination target?" Sakura replied, rolling her eyes.

Tenten laughed. Of course, although they (Sakura and Temari) are almost as strong as the other, and considering Sakura's hot temper, Temari still beat her fierceness.

"Hey, Ten. How are you and Neji getting along, huh?"

Tenten choked on her ice cream. Her face suddenly turned blank, she replied a little too quickly. "Fine, fine, we're getting along great."

Sakura frowned. "You've had a fight, didn't you? And Ten – don't look at me like that, I know you're not okay – you wouldn't be able to resolve it by avoiding each other. Tell you what, I think Neji wants to apologize for whatever he'd done wrong."

"That huge block of ice? Apologize? It's like the end of the world. I believe Sasuke would elope with Naruto before that happens. Neji's just plain stubborn. He's NEVER wrong."

Sakura winced at Tenten's metaphor, but chose to ignore it at the moment. "Are you sure? Neji is not looking fine these days… I think he's worrying about you. Are you still coming home?"

"Of course."

"I mean, to your and Neji's place."

"Ask me to eat a buffalo before I do that."

"You're just as stubborn as he is."

"I'm not. He's getting on my nerves. Tell you what? I regret marrying the man – I mean, woman."

"Tenten, don't say that."

"Why not? Is there a law stating 'do-not-say-the-truth-about-the-chicken-Hyuuga-Neji'?"

"Who's chicken?" a cool voice came from nowhere.

"H-Y-U-U-G-A - N-E-J-I. YOU HEAR? HE'S THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHICKEN."

A split a second later, Tenten was being kidnapped by no other than the world's largest chicken… Sakura! Call the police! Joke… Neji suddenly scooped Tenten (he is nearby the parlor the girls were into so he heard them and decided to come inside) out of her chair and without a word sped off to who-knows-where.

Sakura shrugged the questioning looks of the nearby tables' occupants. "We're filming an action-packed movie so just ignore it… you're lucky to be in a scene." (Sakura's kidding. That was just a lame excuse for Neji's behavior.)

"Listen, Tenten. I know it was wrong of me to keep my whole self from you, but I wasn't ready back then to tell my story. Tenten… I apologize for my unmanly behavior. I'm so sorry."

Tenten listened closely to every word Neji said. He sounded so sincere that she wants to forgive him. Wants… only wants. She won't forgive him.

"I don't accept your apology. Get out of my way NOW."

"Tenten -"

"Shut up OR DIE."

Neji sighed. Stubborn, stubborn, Tenten. He knew, however, that once he started talking, Tenten would listen.

"Hotaru was born three years after me. With her birth, she took away the life of our mother… we, father and I, didn't hold a grudge though. For us, Hotaru is a blessing. Like me, she was named not like the other Hyuugas who carried the meaning of their names in relative to the sun. Hotaru's our light during those dark years… like a firefly at night. Even before she was born, I already love her dearly. To a child who've known nothing but fear, discipline, strict codes, conducts and rules to be observed; she's a beacon of hope, a new path to take, a new direction to follow."

"I took every blow she should've taken. I took every pain she should've endured. I do not want her to grow as a Hyuuga, but as a free person. I kept her hidden from the eyes of the elders. You know, she was supposed to be Hanabi-san's caretaker and protector. Instead, since there was no other Hyuuga who came after her for a very long time, Hiashi-sama took the responsibility over his own daughter. By then, I thought she would grow up like I intend her to be - free of responsibilities from the Main House."

"However, when father died, Hotaru's protection ceased. Since I was already attending the academy, already a rare privilege to branch house members, I cannot watch over her all the time. Hiashi-sama found out, and she was forced to endure torture I've never had – while the cursed seal was being burned upon her flesh, she was whipped, beaten – until her bones shook and her body collapsed. Since that day, she was always expected by Hanabi's side, despite that she was still recovering from her wounds."

"And then there was this incident – Hanabi was having a time playing by the river, and suddenly she slipped for the current was quite strong and the stones slippery. You know what would've happened – she could've died… the river leads to an end, right? Waterfall. But my little sister, she was brave – jumped off from her safe spot and rushed to save Hanabi. They fell from the waterfall together, but it was Hotaru that hit the rocks. It was dreadful… the water turning crimson of her – of her…"

Neji is shaking now. Memories of the past… they are painful…

"...blood. I saw it. I came to fetch them, and I – at that time, the time… stopped. I saw my little sister, pale as a ghost, staring at me blankly… The memory still haunts me, and I couldn't help but blame myself – she was asking for help but I did nothing. She was confined for a long time, but still, she recovered. Several months later, I thought she was already fine, but… well you know what happened."

"The servant called for you?"

Neji nodded his head.

"What happened? Is Hotaru… did she survive?" Tenten asked although she already know the answer before Neji replied.

"By morning… she passed away."

Tenten put her arms around Neji. For now, she would be quiet, and let peace wash itself upon Neji again. The sun has just set, and the night slowly consuming the last rays of sunlight… from the fragrant blossoms, Tenten could swear she saw a firefly with its glowing body.

"LEE! LET US CONQUER THE YOUTHFUL SUN BY RUNNING YOUTHFULLY A THOUSAND LAPS AROUND KONOHA!" Gai bellowed to his favorite student.

"YES, GAI-SENSEI!"

The teacher and student are on their 999th lap when something caught Lee's eye. It is…

"GAI-SENSEI! I ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS BUT I THINK I'VE GOT AN ERRAND TO RUN!"

"WHAT IS IT, MY YOUTHFUL STUDENT?"

"I'M AFRAID IT'S CONFIDENTIAL, SIR!"

"BUT WE STILL HAVE A LAP TO RUN!"

"I'M SINCERELY SORRY, BUT I CAN'T LET MY YOUTHFULNESS WANE! THE TASK CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER, GAI-SENSEI!"

"VERY WELL, MY YOUTHFUL STUDENT! RUN YOUR ERRAND WITH THE FLAMES OF YOUTH!"

"YES, GAI-SENSEI!"

Having asked Gai's permission, Lee ran off to…