I do not own Naruto

Chapter 11

Hinata's Decision

Neji woke up before the sun was even over the horizon, sighing as he stared at the ceiling. Sometimes it felt like he always had something pressing to do; some mission to accomplish or person to report to. In this case he knew that it wasn't his own business as much as his teams. The Faura heir would have to report back soon.

As a ninja, Emori actually had a very difficult political position. Obviously he couldn't stay safely within the village; he was a ninja and that would be against the point. However, he was also the equivalent to a Daimyo's son. As a leader he was relied upon by his people and if he were ever removed from the picture, as an heir, it would cause serious problems.

Neji hauled himself out of bed and stretched toward the ceiling. He opened his drawers and pulled out a pair of dark pants. After pulling them on the door suddenly slid open. It hadn't really surprised him because he had felt the person out there; but at the same time he wasn't really expecting this person to barge into his room.

Emi stood there staring at his bare chest as though she was paralyzed. Neji raised his eyebrows. What's with her? I'm positive this is not the first time she has seen a shirtless man. She must just be embarrassed for barging in like that. Neji cleared his throat gently to bring her back to reality. She immediately flushed bright red.

"I… I am so sorry! I didn't mean to…"

Neji smiled a little at her antics while pulling a shirt over his head. He was also trying to politely give her time to collect herself.

"Did you need something?"

Emi seemed to be back to her normal self except for the blush that still stained her cheeks.

"Well, I got mixed up and thought this was Emori's room."

Neji chuckled quietly. "He's on the other side."

Emi nodded, still looking ashamed of herself.

"I'm sorry again."

"Don't apologize. You didn't mean to." And it's not like I was naked. That would have been awkward.

She flushed even redder and closed the door on him. He could hear her running down the hall to Emori's room. He chuckled again. That was cute. He, mentally and physically, froze. Why did I just call her cute? He shook his head.

Then he was tying on his shoes as Emori knocked gently and slid the door open without stepping in.

"Hey Neji."

"Hn."

"We are going to leave in about an hour. I still need to speak to Eiji-sama this morning because he said he had a message for us to deliver."

Neji nodded without responding. Emori backed away as Neji slipped out the door. He saw the Emi and Isao were standing behind him in the hallway. Emi was still a little red, while Isao was yawning hugely. Neji smirked a little at Emi's face before turning and leading down the hallway.

"Eiji-sama will be in the main house guest quarters. I'll show you where they are but I'm not going in with you."

Emori nodded. "I figured you wouldn't. Meet you at the gate in an hour?"

Neji nodded as he opened the side door to the main house. He led them to the best rooms used for very important guests; then he turned away as Emori knocked. From behind him, he heard Emori hesitate in his knocking. Emori turned his head and glanced at Emi.

"Beat it." He smiled at her.

Emi breathed out a silent sigh of relief and ran to catch up with Neji. She grabbed his arm and towed him quickly away as a servant answered the door to let Emori and Isao in. Neji rolled his eyes and sighed as Emi pulled him quickly outside.

"Sorry about that." She smiled shyly letting go of his arm.

Neji just shook his head and wandered toward the gate of the village. He didn't want to spend his last hour in Konoha around the Hyuugas, unless of course it was Hinata. Emi tagged along behind him not saying anything until they were out of sight of the compound.

"So what were you planning on doing for this last hour?" Emi asked, curiosity toning her voice.

Neji looked back at her.

"I am avoiding the compound like you."

"Why?" She asked, confused. "Isn't that your home?"

Neji mentally flinched at the use of that word. He shook his head at her.

"I don't consider it home."

Emi got a concerned look on her face, but saw that Neji was not willing to divulge any more information right now.

Neji watched from the corner of his eye as she forcefully put a happier face on.

"So what do you want to do?"

Neji shrugged.

"What were you going to do before I joined you?"

Neji looked at her but didn't say anything.

"I assume that means you didn't have any plans. Well, want to show me around your village?"

Neji smirked a little. "Fine."

She scowled a little at him.

"You could be nicer about it."

Neji raised his eyebrows at her and was going to respond when they both turned at the sound of laughter. It was Tenten who had overheard their conversation and decided to join in.

"He was being nice. Trust me."

Emi smiled. "You're Tenten, right?"

"Yep. That's me. So I hear you want to go around the village. When are you leaving?"

Neji crossed his arms and sighed inwardly. Leave it to Tenten to become friends with anyone after just a few minutes conversation.

"We are leaving in about an hour." Emi said. "But I wanted to see some of the sights before we leave. I have never been to another ninja village before."

"Well I can give you the grand tour!"

Then Tenten began to tow both of them around town. Neji watched as Emi seemed to relax and actually open herself up to Tenten, beginning to laugh and talk more. First Tenten showed her the best places for ninja weapons and tools, since that was her favorite area of Konoha. Neji just followed behind the two girls and made comments when he was spoken to.

"So Emi," Tenten asked, "How old are you?"

Emi glanced at her before going back to testing some kunai on her thumb.

"I'm seventeen. But I'm turning eighteen really soon. Why do you ask?"

Tenten grinned slyly at Neji. What's that about?

"Oh, I was just wondering. I'm eighteen. Neji here is the oldest; he's already nineteen."

Emi glanced back at her with a slight confused look on her face. Neji could sympathize. She goes from talking about her favorite weapons shop to our ages? Random.

"Really? Well… that's cool, I guess."

Tenten elbowed Neji, laughing.

"Yeah pretty soon we'll have to get him a cane, the old man."

Neji glared at her. This is why I don't talk often. Most of the general population is too stupid to bother speaking to.

As they continued to walk around the village, in a quicker manner than would have been usual for a tour of Konoha, they came across Ichiraku's Ramen shop. They stopped as Tenten proudly introduced it as one of the best restaurants in the village. Naruto could be seen inside slurping down bowl after bowl of ramen. Tenten tapped his shoulder.

"Do you know how bad it is for you to eat so fast?"

Naruto paused in his eating just long enough to look up at her with a face that clearly said 'I neither know, nor care.'

Neji turned to look down the street as Tenten began running through other things Emi wouldn't have time to see in the village. He saw Sakura and Sasuke walking together towards the ramen stand. They, and Naruto, were still technically a team. Ever since Sasuke had returned from his 'rebellious stage' as Naruto liked to call it, he had been under heavy watch. He was not allowed on solo mission and often he would be held back from missions with higher likelihood of running into missing nins. Neji could tell by the look on Sasuke's face that he hated it and thought it was stupid, but he wasn't going to say anything yet. Personally Neji agreed with him. If Sasuke had come back and risked his neck trying to gain back their trust, seeing as how he was on the assassination list of every Konoha Jounin when he returned, he should at least be trusted with dangerous missions. But Neji still hated him for betraying the village; though he never showed it.

"Hey guys! I didn't know you were back in town Neji!" Sakura greeted them.

"Hn. Just for another ten minutes or so."

Sasuke nodded briefly at him and Neji nodded back. That was about as friendly as it got between the two of them.

"Hi. I'm Haruno Sakura." She smiled at Emi.

"I'm Faura Emi. I'm Neji's teammate. We came in with the group sent to get Hinata-chan."

"Oh. Then you're from the same village as Junichi." Sakura grinned. "He is very nice."

Emi smiled a little again. "Yes, he is."

Neji stood up straighter to get her attention.

"We should go." He said simply.

"It was nice to meet you Faura-chan!" Sakura said.

"Please call me Emi."

Sakura smiled. Naruto pulled up out of his ramen for a moment.

"Bye Emi! Have a good trip!"

She laughed at his antics.

"Bye Naruto. Hope to see you again sometime soon."

Tenten hugged her gently and it seemed to throw Emi off but after her shock wore off she shyly hugged her back. As soon as Tenten let go she darted to Neji and caught him before he could dodge. She laughed at his attempted escape and his tortured expression.

"I love you too Neji! I'll tell Lee and Guy sensei that you were here!"

Neji just shook his head and disentangled himself from her arms. He quickly gave a meaningful look to Emi, and turned and quickly walked away. She caught up quickly, smiling to herself.

"Your friends are great. Who knew that people could be so accepting right away?"

Neji smirked. "They tend to be like that."

"Sasuke seemed a little different though; quiet, and… strange."

Neji sighed.

"He… Let's just say that he lost all of our trust once, and is working hard to gain it back."

She pondered that for a moment.

"Did he fail a big mission or something?"

Neji hesitated just one second too long; just enough that she knew this was a touchy subject.

"No. We shouldn't talk about it here."

Emi nodded. She knew that even in the village, shadows lurked and threatened the safety of people. Some secrets should not be spoken unless you are certain you will not be heard.

Neji was thinking along the same track. When Sasuke had returned and become a ninja of the Leaf again, they had been told not to spread the word about him. After all, many of the other villages considered him an enemy still. Tsunade was still trying to work that out.

They approached the gate to see that they had arrived before Emori and Isao. Neji nodded to the Guards watching the gate and then stood silently looking at the path that led away from Konoha.

"Neji?"

He glanced over his shoulder at Emi. She was leaning against the opposite post of the gate. He raised one eyebrow at her, showing he was paying attention.

"Why does it seem like you have no family among the Hyuuga? It feels like the only one you have any personal connection to is Hinata."

Neji looked away. He really didn't want to answer this question.

"I do have family. Hinata is my cousin, and Hiashi is my uncle. I have many other relatives among the Hyuuga."

Emi sighed a little.

"You know that's not what I mean."

Neji closed his eyes.

"My parents died when I was very young."

Emi could tell that this was all she was going to get of his story for now. Especially because that was the moment that Emori and Isao showed up.

"Well," Emori said, "We are heading out a little later than planned but whatever. Shall we go then?" He grinned at Emi.

She smiled back, glancing at Neji. She really hoped that she hadn't offended him with her question.

"Well let's get going then!" Isao yelled. "You guys are always so slow on the take off."

Emori laughed. "Whatever."

***

Hinata sat in her room and stared at the opposite wall.

'Marry me? Say yes.'

Ever since those words had been spoken they had been constantly running through her head. Her relationship with Naruto had started last year. She had finally gotten the courage to confess after she became a Jounin. It also might have had something to do with the fact that after she had passed, all her friends took her out drinking. Hinata still blushed a deep red when she thought about that embarrassing night.

They had started just going on dates, and she thought she couldn't be happier. When he first held her hand, she thought she would faint again like she did when she was younger. When he first kissed her, she did pass out. She smiled at the thought. For a long time Naruto was afraid he had hurt her somehow. But she had reassured him that she was just too shy for her own good. Naruto had laughed it off and said 'But I like you that way.'

'Marry me? Say yes.'

She shook her head to try to clear her mind. She had been sitting there staring at the wall for an hour now and still could not wrap her mind around it. She wanted so badly to say yes. She loved him so much that whenever she had started to dream of her life in the future she could not picture it without him. He was her inspiration and comfort. He was who she had tried to style her life after.

He loves me. A huge grin flashed across her face at the thought.

Suddenly though her bubble was burst as Neji's face came into her mind. His eyes were slightly sympathetic but his face was severe as usual. 'They will never let you be with him. Your husband is probably already chosen for you as well as a wife for me. We have no choice.'

She closed her eyes and put her hands over her face. I know its true, but I had always hoped for my own decision. The Hyuugas always chose a suitable match for the ones with untainted blood. Those born with the strongest Byakugan were saved for matches that would continue to strengthen the bloodline and keep the Byakugan within the main family's control. From childhood she had been told of her 'upcoming marriage' to the man of her father's choice. She had always just taken it as something she had to do. It wasn't until she really started to grow up and think about marriage that she had become terrified of the idea. To give herself over to someone she didn't love, and in most cases, didn't even know very well. To keep away from the horrible thought she ignored it, and avoided the conversation whenever she could.

She sighed and stood up. Thinking about all this right now would just make her sad. She needed to talk to Naruto and tell him her situation. Then maybe he will understand. She felt a sharp pain in her chest at the thought of him leaving her because of these complications. She walked out of the house and through the compound with her eyes out of focus and her mind on difficult things.

"Hinata!"

Hinata jumped, startled by Naruto's yell. He grinned at her apologetically while she tried to calm her heart.

"You scared me to death Naruto!"

"Sorry. I did call your name three times before you answered. Why are you so out of it?"

Hinata looked down at the ground.

"It's… complicated. Can I talk to you somewhere private?"

Naruto smiled. "Of course. Come on!"

He grabbed her hand started towing her along. She wasn't really paying attention to where they were going because she was trying to figure out how to tell him that she couldn't marry him. She desperately wanted to, but couldn't. The thought brought tears to her eyes. When Naruto started to slow down she looked up at where they had ended up.

They were in one of the small parks around Konoha. They were built for the civilians to enjoy, and the ninja got some pleasure out of them as well. The one they were at now was a quiet garden, built around a fountain. In the center of the fountain was a monument dedicated to all those civilians who lost their lives due to enemy ninja attack. It was a small child crouched over a leaf with a butterfly on it. Hinata had always thought this was one of the most beautiful places in Konoha. Naruto led her over to a bench.

"What did you want to talk about?"

"I… well…"

Naruto just waited patiently, smiling at her.

"I suppose… I have an answer for you."

She turned beet red and stared at the ground. Naruto immediately caught on because he was so nervous about her answer. It had been plaguing him since he asked.

"I… I don't see how I can marry you."

She looked up just in time to see his face fall into rejection and horror. She panicked because she hated seeing that look on his face. Tears began to stream down her face.

"Wait! I… I want to. I would love to… to say yes. But the clan would never allow it! They have been looking for a suitable match for me since I was a little girl! They want to choose someone who will be beneficial to the clan. They would stop us from being together."

Hinata stopped talking to catch her breath. Naruto had his hands clenched into fists and his face was down. After she stopped talking, he looked up at her. She saw that his eyes looked a little watery which didn't help her to stop her own tears.

Naruto just stared at you for a moment, before reaching up and wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"But I didn't ask the clan… I asked you." He said while cradling her face in his hands.

Hinata could barely hold back a sob. She started shaking her head.

"I am part of the clan!" She gasped through her tears. "I cannot… My father… It's impossible!"

She could barely breathe. Naruto gently pulled her forward into his arms, hugging her gently and rubbing her back. She sobbed uncontrollably into his orange shirt. This is so unfair! I love him! Why can't I be with him? She felt her self calm down enough to try to control her tears. It took a while but she finally managed to stop them. Naruto sighed and leaned back to see her face.

"This is what you have decided then?"

She turned and buried her face in his chest so she wouldn't have to see the broken look on his face.

"It was decided for me." She mumbled into his shirt.

Naruto felt broken. He could see the pain it was causing her, but he also knew that she was terrified of her father. The thought of going against her fathers wishes was out of the question in her mind. As she said it was impossible. 'Nothing is impossible Hinata' is what he wanted to say to her. But he also knew that he would feel like he was forcing her to betray her clan; because while she feared her father, she loved her clan and worked hard to become a good ninja to please her father.

He held her gently for a long time before he was mentally able to convince himself to let go. Now came the hard part.

"Hinata." He whispered.

She looked up at him.

"I don't think we should see each other anymore."

The look of shock that passed on her face was enough to break his heart again.

"If we continue this secret relationship, it will only get harder to break it off later. We need time to get over each other before your… father chooses someone."

Hinata lowered her head. He was right. At this point their relationship could go no further because of her decision. Now it was only about getting over the pain of loosing him. She closed her eyes.

"Ok" was all she managed to say.

Naruto sat with her, holding her hand for a long time. The sun was already beginning to set when he stood up and took her hand.

"Ill walk you home."

She nodded and followed slowly after him. This was the slowest she had ever seen Naruto travel. It was a pace set by someone who didn't want to reach their destination. As they got closer to the compound his grip on her hand got tighter; almost painful, but she didn't mind. She was holding onto him just as tightly.

As they approached the gate Naruto stopped. She looked at him with concern in her eyes.

"I probably shouldn't be seen by them right now."

She nodded. They stood there for a long time, clasping hands as though the other was saving them from drowning.

Naruto looked straight into her eyes.

"You have to let go."

She couldn't hold back the sob that escaped her lips as she shook her head. Naruto's eyes showed that he was just as broken. His hand was still holding her tightly even after his words.

Suddenly he pulled her forward into a hug. It was the kind of hug that made your ribs hurt but Hinata didn't mind. She wrapped her free arm around him and held him tightly. He turned his head and whispered in her ear.

"Goodbye."

Then he was gone. Hinata felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest. She stood in the street gasping for a moment. She leaned against the wall and tried to stop crying. Why? I hate this! How is this right?

"Hinata?"

She looked up and saw Junichi standing there with a shocked and concerned look on his face.

"Are you alright? What happened?" He rushed over and seemed to be checking her for wounds.

She just shook her head.

"I'm fine."

Junichi turned skeptical.

"Yeah, you look fine."

She tried to smile but it didn't help. The teasing faded and he became serious.

"Want to talk about it?"

She looked up at him.

"Not now. Maybe later. Thanks for the offer though. I really need to get inside but I don't want to be seen by anyone who will tell my father."

"Hmmm." Junichi scratched his head. "Well, why don't you borrow this for now?"

He pulled the sweatshirt over his head and handed it to her.

"How will this help?"

Junichi laughed a little at her confusion.

"The hood will hide your face. The guards will recognize your chakra but you can sneak in without your face being seen."

It was her turn to laugh at him.

"Have you forgotten whose compound this is?"

Junichi's eyebrows narrowed.

"Dang. Stupid Byakugan. No offense."

She shrugged.

"Well, do a henge to change your face to look normal."

She glared at him weakly and he laughed.

"Its not that you look bad after crying, you actually look better than most people because your eyes aren't all swelled and gross looking. But you can tell you have been crying."

She laughed quietly and then sighed. Nothing could take her mind off her sorrow for long tonight.

"Ok. You come with me though to help distract them."

He chuckled.

"Yes, princess."

She rolled her eyes, gave back the sweatshirt and performed the henge.

"Do I look better?"

He eyed her face.

"Yeah, but don't talk to anyone. Your voice will give you away immediately."

She nodded. He put a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Come on Hinata. Whatever it is, you'll feel better after you sleep."

She smiled at him, while thinking to herself 'I doubt it.'

***

A/N- Hey guys. Im trying to update in a timely manner now. At least every weekend. I cant guarantee anything though. Can you believe Hinata turned Naruto down! I can barely believe it and Im writing the story. T-T Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. :D