Chapter 14
How have your summers (or winters, for those in the southern hemisphere) been? Mine has been quite busy what with vacation, homework, and musical activities. I hope that you have been well, and I apologize for the large gap between this update and my last! Enjoy!
"I can't believe that Lee lost to that Gaara kid," Neji fumes, clearly upset.
"He definitely transformed Lee from a green jumpsuit-clad beast into a green jumpsuit-clad mess," I bluntly state. "What did I tell you? That boy is some sort of demon. He's not a normal kid." We walk back to the estate, shaken up by the events of the previous days. My curse mark throbs once more, but, luckily, does not make any attempt to consume my chakra.
"So, Yuki, you're fighting Dosu of the Sound next month? He defeated Chouji in under two minutes!" Neji reminds me.
"Two minutes is quite long for a battle between two shinobi…"
"True…" he agrees.
"And you're fighting Naruto, no? You shouldn't encounter any problems in that battle." I slide open the door of my small home on the Hyuga property, and my neck suddenly bursts with an intense pain. I hide it with a great amount of effort while Neji trails off on a lengthy rant regarding Naruto's immaturity.
"He just needs to learn his place as a failure!" he spits. I merely shake my head out of sheer amusement and exasperation at Neji's never ending belief in destiny.
I see Neji freeze up in my peripheral vision. A cold chill flows through my blood. "Show yourself!" he calls into the darkness within my seemingly empty little house. A dark chakra emanates from a back room, drawing ever closer.
"Hello," a soft, gentle voice whispers. My gut wrenches. Why is Orochimaru-sama in my house?
"My lord," I honor him, voice trembling. I hear Neji make a sound of protest behind me.
"Ah, if it isn't the young Hyuga boy," Orochimaru croons, stepping out of the shadows, his skin seemingly glowing in the dark. I sense Neji's fear, though I know that his anger will allow him to overcome it. "Stand, Yuki," Lord Orochimaru commands. I obey, keeping my head bowed in humility. He walks towards me, and tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Never bow to anyone. Stand tall, for you are a superior shinobi. Your dominance over my curse mark is proof of that fact, my dear."
I blush as his hand lightly brushes my cheek—a gesture that Neji does not fail to notice. "Orochimaru! What do you want from Yuki?" he asks forcefully.
"What do I want from her? Oh, nothing. It has everything to do with what she wants. She owes me her life. I've not asked her for anything. Her loyalty to me is of her own free will. I've merely accepted her request to aid me in my search for the truths of this world… and I've repaid her with an immense power!"
"You're despicable," Neji hisses through clenched teeth. His purple eyes blaze with a hatred that I've not seen since his battle against Hinata. "If you believe that you can take Yuki from this village, you are sorely mistaken."
A smirk forms on Orochimaru-sama's thin, pale lips. "Is that a challenge, Neji-kun?" he teasingly asks Neji.
"It is. If I kill you right here, right now, Yuki's brother can live here and she will be able to stay."
"No, Neji," I attempt to reason with him, "Orochimaru is far too powerful an opponent, even for you. Even if you were to kill him, Kimimaro would want to avenge his death. He wouldn't come quietly after his greatest idol's murder. Fighting him will accomplish nothing but your demise."
"So you'll give in and live a life full of misery?" he returns his glaring gaze to Orochimaru-sama.
Orochimaru-sama looks Neji straight in the eye, resulting in Neji's being paralyzed, and expression of pure fear contorting his typically calm face. His skin is drained of all color, becoming a clammy shade of pale gray. He shivers, and remains rooted to his spot.
"My lord… what terrible genjutsu did you perform on Neji?" I ask helplessly, torn between aiding my closest friend and learning the purpose of Orochimaru sama's spontaneous visit.
"Oh, I'm merely playing out his greatest fears in his mind… he'll recover… eventually. Now, let's discuss some important matters…"
I guiltily glance at Neji, confirming that, indeed, he is still alive, and allow myself to move on to the conversation at hand. "Do these 'important matters' pertain to the Leaf Destruction plot?" I ask my master, already well aware of the answer.
"Yes, that is precisely what I wish to discuss with you today. Now do you understand why I had to deal with that pesky little friend of yours?" I scowl, acknowledging that yes, Neji's being incapacitated was indeed necessary, though it was a little overexcessive…
"You will fight your battle on the day of the third task, one month from now… yours is the third battle, yes?" I nod as he continues his layout of the plan. "You will then wait for an explosion that will signal the beginning of the invasion."
"Invasion?" I ask, not believing my ears. "Do you have enough followers for an attempt at an invasion? This is a large village! Otogakure is-"
"Hush, child," he silences me, tracing my lips with his finger. Even if he had not cut me off, even if I did not have enough respect for him to heed his command, his gesture alone would have rendered me silent. "Do you honestly believe that I would orchestrate a plot such as this if it were impossible? I have reinforcements… I have told Sunagakure of this, and they have agreed to aid me…"
"Even after the treaty? Are you certain that they have not betrayed you, or that they are not planning to do so?" I ask, shocked by his nerve.
"You honestly believe that Sunagakure would keep an agreement as pathetic as the treaty? Your naïveté amuses me," he licks his fangs, clearly enjoying the conversation. "This world has become far too peaceful. I'm going to enjoy stirring things up a bit…" Orochimaru-sama disappears in a purple flame without so much as a farewell. "Yuki—you are no longer an asset of Konoha. Come tomorrow, you belong to me!" his voice resounds throughout my kitchen. I quiver. What now?
I find myself staring blanky at the ceiling above. What the hell just took place? I quickly bring myself back to reality. I knew this would happen. After all, just as Orochimaru-sama said, I brought this upon myself. This doesn't have to happen. But it does… the nagging voice in my head protests. I owe this man my life. It is the least I can do to repay him. So now, here I am, sitting on the floor of my kitchen with my boyfriend-turned-enemy in a helpless state nearby, in desperate need of treatment, or at the very least a release from the relentless genjutsu. I'm disappointed in him. A boy of his genius ought to know how to counter genjutsu…
I lift his body into my arms, and carry him to my bed, carefully arranging the covers over him. I release the genjutsu, and head to the kitchen to prepare a feast for him to eat upon awakening.
"Something smells wonderful…" Neji murmurs, voice husky from his recently waking up.
"Oh! You're awake!" I cheerily greet him, darting over to give him a quick hug, and rapidly returning to the stove to flip the herring.
"Is that… soba with herring?" he asks me, touched.
"Your favorite," I sing, attempting to be cheerful, though failing. "Orochimaru-sama did a number on you with his genjutsu… Are you willing to describe what you felt? Or what you saw?" I distribute the buckwheat noodles and salty fish between two simple bowls, praying that my cooking satisfies him.
"Thank you," he gratefully accepts his bowl of breakfast. "I've never been so afraid in my life… that man is purely evil. I've never encountered such darkness… such bloodlust…"
I kneel next to Neji at the small, low, wooden kitchen table. "This is delicious, Yuki," he compliments my cooking, somewhat dazed.
"Thank you, Neji. I'm certain that the food at the main estate is much better than mine…"
Silence.
"What did Orochimaru have to say after rendering me useless?"
"It regarded my departure in a month's time… and that I am apparently no longer a shinobi of Konoha. I am now obligated to serve him as a shinobi of Otogakure." I glance away from Neji's deceivingly calm, Lavender eyes, ashamed.
"One month…?" he asks, voice steady. I nod, continuing to avoid his gaze. "Look at me," he requests, softly turning my face towards him. I continue to keep my gaze firmly affixed to the ground. "Please, look at me," he pleads once more.
I give in, and look into his beautiful eyes. I see sadness and anguish, mixed together with a healthy dose of resentment. "Neji, I want to go to my brother… at the same time, though, I do not wish to leave you or Konoha. I feel comfortable here. I feel safe here."
"Yuki, I promise I will find a way to retrieve you and bring you home. You will live here, and your brother can come, too. You will have a good life. I will not let you live your life as a slave to that man—you have far too much dignity for that."
"Neji, do you want to train again before tomorrow's battle?" I ask him, tired as a result of our long day of training.
"No, it would be unwise to overexert ourselves today. Tomorrow is a long day for the both of us. Do you? Your opponent is stronger than mine."
"I feel as if I'm ready," I reply. "Shall we have dinner?" I gaze at the sunset. Perhaps Neji and I should stargaze later… this is my last full day by his side. I have dreaded this day for so long… though I will be with Kimimaro tomorrow.
"I'll take you to Shushuya," he offers.
"No, Neji! Shushuya is the most expensive restaurant in the village!" I protest, much to his amusement.
"You'd enjoy it, though," he teases me. I elbow him, triggering a grappling match which lasts for several minutes. He grabs me, practically dragging me home to the estate where we change into our formal garb.
I stand outside my house, waiting for Neji to meet me. As he approaches, I see a sad yet serene expression written on his face. "I will miss visiting you…" he admits, taking my arm. "You are so secluded in this house… I almost feel as if I can escape from the Main Branch when I am with you here."
I melt inside at his sweet words. "You know, Neji, Anko-sensei would be quite pleased if she were to see you right now. You're finally taking me on that date to Shushuya!" I jab his shoulder with my index finger, and he smiles ever-so-slightly.
"You look nice tonight," Neji tells me from his seat across the table.
"As do you," I reply, marveling at his luscious black hair, his fair, flawless skin, and his finely chiseled features. We look upon each other for several moments. Neji studies me intently, and then looks away, gazing into the distance, deep in thought.
"When will I ever meet your brother? You're so fond of him. I've wanted to meet him for years!"
His words make me smile inside. "You may meet him tomorrow!" I exclaim in excitement, making every attempt to lighten up the situation. For one fleeting moment I imagine dragging Neji along with me to Otogakure. Orochimaru-sama would be quite pleased at having such a fine specimen as Neji in his grasp… "I'm certain that he would be pleased to meet you, too!"
"You think so?" he asks, uncertain yet hopeful.
"Yes, so long as he's not too ill… anyway, I know that you will recognize him straight away!"
"Ill?" Neji questions me, having not moved on from the first half of my reassurances. "What is wrong?"
"Oh! I suppose I never told you… Kimimaro is very ill… he seems to have some terminal disease, perhaps consumption. He was coughing up blood when I saw him last…"
"Yuki, have you held this in for all those months?"
"Yes. I did not wish to drag you into my personal problems. Kabuto is a brilliant medical ninja. I'm certain that Kimimaro has only received the best of treatments."
"Your problems are not yours alone. If it is Kimimaro's destiny to heal, then he will heal. Keeping a problem to yourself will help no one, it will only lead you to sadness." Neji places his strong, warm hand over mine. "If your brother passes away, please return to Konoha. You will not remain with Orochimaru unless your brother is able to watch over you. Do you understand?"
"No, Neji. I can't. I've pledged myself to Orochimaru-sama. My word is final. It is a binding contract," I bitterly mumble.
"There is always a way out. Your destiny lies in the Leaf. I am certain of it. You came to this village for a reason—you will return. I believe in your internal strength."
After a delicious feast of a dinner, we return to the Hyuga dwelling. I turn my eyes upward to the clear night sky. The stars shimmer brightly on the black canvas of the night sky, and the moon casts a luminous silver glow across the land. I seat myself of the cool wooden floor of the porch, Neji mirroring my actions shortly after. "The stars are beautiful tonight," he gently says to himself.
I nod. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him lie down, crossing his arms behind his head. I do the same, the large, bell-sleeve of my kimono overlapping his. We stare into space together, our minds more than likely drifting into the same place. The day has passed far too quickly… had I the ability, I would will the sun to never rise. After the setting of tomorrow's sun, Neji and I may never lay eyes upon each other again.
I begin to cry, a single, delicate, trickling tear rolling down my left cheek. Neji spots it, and wipes it away with his thumb. "In all the years I've known you, this may be only the third time I've seen you cry. Why are you crying now? Aren't you glad at the thought of seeing your brother?"
I turn on my left side to face him, resting my head on my hand. "I'm afraid of never seeing you again."
"Yuki, we will meet again. I've told you that it is your destiny to return to the Leaf eventually."
I roll over and lie across his chest, tears pouring out of my eyes with greater frequency. I decide for once to show my weakness, to share with him my emotions, rather than hold them inside. Being a true shinobi is not what matters right now. All that matters are these last few moments in Konoha. He soothingly runs his fingers through my hair, comforting me, until I finally cry myself to sleep, lulled into the darkness by the sounds of his breathing.