Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Notes: Notes are at the bottom.

Chill like a villain, readers.

December 27th – Part 5

Small fingers clutching a forehead, freshly bandaged, is revealed as the door slides open. Sweat from agony still clings to the numb child with fresh tracks of tears lining his face. His clothes rumpled from obvious struggle. Bruising covers his wrists and ankles, shaped like hands, begin blooming a dark purple. Timidly he looks up to his loved ones who awaited him for an antagonizing hour. The eyes of Byakugan white show a broken numbness that clouds the boy's body and mind. Tentatively he struggles to us with no real aim or direction as he inches forward.

Mindlessly he bumps into his father with fingers still clutching onto his newly marked forehead. He doesn't register his trembling father full of rage and endless sorrow nor the broken sob that escapes dyed red lips and red nails that seek forward to grasp brown sweat-soaked tresses.

Nor does he register the heiress with the breaking mask of empathy, hatred, and sorrow. Nor her aura that leaks a murderess rage. Or the struggling attempts to cover up any true feelings.

Neji doesn't notice me, like I notice him.

He has lost a part of himself that he will never fully get back.

He will never be the same. Not truly.

A vision hazy from rage is barely fought back as I continue to watch the scene before me. My mind barely wins against its massive tide. Too caught up in the war between sorrow and rage vs indifference and logic, I did not notice a hand place itself upon my shoulder with minute shakes of struggle. A slight squeeze from the rogue hand gives pause on my inner battles and the narrow focus with it.

In a single moment the room, the hallway, and beyond the enclosed walls are seen. In my stupor and shock I see more than any normal human should. I see Hiashi with a grave surprise lining his face, the current of static blue that dwells beneath his skin and blood. I see the flowing current of bright blue in everyone as well as their skin and bones.

Beyond the hallway and within I see.

I see.

Every second that passes in time seems to slow to milliseconds and even slower. The longer I see the more I begin to feel. I begin to feel the flowing chakra within my body. It flows and rolls and jumps itself around.

It is alive.

A tug in my core becomes apparent as it stretches itself to fill every vein, limb, and muscle with its life as well as feeding the Byakugan. The chakra fills and bursts itself around my eyes as it allows me to see every detail, every inch, every wall and beyond.

It's all too much.

And I do not know how to stop it.

Hiashi, who is behind me, moves to where my peripheral should be, then to where I believe is my central vision. He is facing me yet he is not. His mouth moves rapidly and slowly at the same time as he speaks a language garbled by my overwhelmed mind. I can hear his garbled words only to lose sound like a radio filled with static. I feel to much of myself and the rapid current inside me to focus. I see to much to focus.

My breathing becomes to loud and harsh as it tries to drown out the sound moving chakra. My breathing begins to take a staccato rhythm as I struggle to command my lungs and throat. The chakra inside of me stretches even further as it sticks itself to my lungs and throat.

The tug on the center of my body starts to become sharp and short.

The elders who occupied the sealing room leave sharply as Hiashi's insistent, unintelligible words become louder. Surprise sketches on the trio's face as their gaze locks onto mine. As my mind screams that it shouldn't be possible. That I shouldn't see this much.

The trio of elder's surprise turns hard as they begin to move closer. Sharp and biting words leave Hisahito's mouth as he speaks to Hitomi, Hizashi, and Neji. Slowly the boy and his father leave as Hitomi stays behind.

I register the bandaged boy releases his fingers from his forehead to reach out to me. A broken look still lingers as life pours into his eyes. His father's grip is hard and molded in steel as he carries his child out. The boy struggles and struggles before I cannot see him anymore.

My breathing turns into gasps.

The tug on the bundle of chakra feels like fire.

The fire spreads into my veins.

Hiashi's grip hardens as he continues to speak. Behind him Chiyo and Noboru speak as well. Noboru with an apathetic nature and Chiyo with glee and jubilant pride. His grip slackens as he steps begin to move away. His face constructing in the form of anger and fear.

As he leaves, the elderly woman enters. Her large and powerful chakra does not even flinch in its movement as it quickly builds to her eyes, palms and bony fingertips. Fear and survival spread across my body and the fiery chakra as I stumble back in the wall. I could not move any further as the wooden wall stops my pathway yet I still try to reach and push beyond it.

Because I could see it.

And in my fear and panic I could not rationalize it.

Chiyo steps closer with words falling and dripping in a crazed pride. Thoughts stab scars into my mind, to live but to not give up. The response to fight enters as the response to flight fails to keep me safe.

Its been trained into me.

Ingrained.

My chakra begins to stutter as it fills my tightening fists, legs, and feet. The pain of the fire worsens before it flees from my eyes and chest and throat. The world tunnels into its normal cone as my breathing steadies back to a staccato like rhythm. Though my mind still presents danger even as the elderly woman pauses in her step. Her chakra unseen but still present as she watches with alert eyes. Her Byakugan gazes at me and the world before her as her already wide grin stretches even more. A loud and hearty laugh fills the air with undertones of disbelief and crazed glee.

My weight begins to become unbearable as I await for an action against me. The life force of chakra protests to my oblivious mind as it adheres to my unsung and unsought plans. I still drown in my fear and panic. My legs tremble as I stay in the of stance of defense.

The tug on my center strains like it is about to snap.

"Ta"

"Na"

"Inat"

"Hinata"

A feminine voice calls out the name I have reluctantly gotten use to. The voice slackens my muscles and wrenches out fear and panic plaguing my mind. I do not protest as scarlet red covers my vision and the smell of lotus and jasmine enters my nostrils.

"Leave." The word is harsh as the fire within me subsides in unusual contentment at being used. The chakra gently flows back to it original routes and flows.

The breaking strings from the center fall back into its core.

And I am left with an aching tiredness and a mind who is too wired and too active.

Protests and words left the mouths of individuals who have yet to leave. Though each sound made is barely focused on as my sole attention is on my Okaa-san.

"I said leave. You all have done enough damage today and I will not tolerate anymore, understand?" A seething command enters her tone. One I have never heard from her before.

"Really?" A dangerous edge took place in the raspy voice of Chiyo.

It garnered Hitomi's and my attention.

"I may be tied down to your clan and its idiotic rules, but I am this clan's matriarch, your matriarch. I am also the daughter of Shimura Danzo, if the title of matriarch does not pierce your thick head." Her face is hard and resolute as she gazes the elders and the head of the clan down. Confidence consumes her form as her words pour with untold threats and promises.

"Now, will you comply or do I need to teach you a lesson?" Her steely eyes lock on to the elderly woman in defiance as she utters her words.

Anger fills Chiyo's form as her teeth begin to grind against each other in her rage. Hitomi stands protective in front of me as her own Byakugan activates. As I watch the confrontation before me, my mind sputters at the red woman's protectiveness and strength. Hitomi has defied social norms before but never when orders where uttered from those of higher station. Usually obedience and meekness enters her form as she obeys their commands.

And never have I had someone stand in front of me with the thought to protect before.

My breathing becomes smooth.

"You have heard my wife, leave." Hiashi voice booms in its suddenness.

Tension lines the air as two of the three elders leave at his command. Reluctance lines the lone female of the group as she stares at the younger man. Seconds pass before a long frown etches itself on the older woman's face. Slowly she turns with a huff. Her feet drag across the floor like a spoiled and arrogant child being grounded.

The scarlet woman narrows her eyes at the man, waiting for the elder to retire the long hallway before proceeding with any action. A few moments of tense peace pass. Enough time to fully escape the grasping clutches of shock and panic and fear. Anger still resides in the precipice of my mind, dormant, as of now. Scathing thoughts lash out as I try to rationalize and organize the mess of my mind, but as I just begin to make a dent in its chaotic cluster Hitomi's face enters my line of sight.

Carefully, gently, and slowly she brings her hand to the top of my head. A caress of affection starts at the top before she tangles her fingers into my loose hair. A small smile makes its way to her face as she gives her love and worry through her fingertips. I could not help but lean into it.

"Hitomi, after you take Hinata to bed you will immediately make your way to our bedroom. We must talk." Hiashi's voice rings out in the air disturbing the moment of vulnerable affection.

Jerkily I break out of her motherly affections and the daze I have found myself in. The smile on the woman's face leaves as a heartwarming sorrow embraces her features.

"No." The word left her lips quickly as she continued to stare at me.

"Your behavior tonight, even the last few months has been unacceptable, Hitomi. I dema-" His anger and words are interrupted by steel, feminine ones.

"I said no Hiashi. I have promised Hinata I will stay with her tonight." A delicate hand reaches out to me as she said my name, only to drop away.

"If you so wish, we can converse tomorrow, but tonight I will not leave my child alone." Her gaze pierces hard before she continues to speak.

"I will not leave my daughter behind as I did my son." Her cutting words slip with intent as she picks my surprise form up.

My vision heightens as my chin is placed upon her shoulder. Her steps, heavier than before, begin to leave her husband behind. In this moment I did not have to look up at Hiashi to see his face. Nor did I really have to look to begin with. The breaking of an already heart is enough to understand.

And now I truly knew the relationship between Neji and Hitomi.

Notes: Boom. Almost Done with December 27th. Also Boom Again. Secret revealed. Maybe. Ya'll are smart. Also, also this has been a chapter.