Kaulitz-Twins-Fangirl: Well, I'm an odd person, I suppose. -shrug- He sounds kinda cool.
itachi523: Sorry, dear, but only one a week! Maybe you'll get two for Christmas.
Lady Phantasmagoric: :D Thank you. I love Maia too.

So, this one is eh on my list of favorites. It's just a build for what comes next, so be patient, alright?

All the characters, except Maia and Ryu, aren't mine (sadly).

Chapter Twenty-Five – True Colors

I woke up in an empty bed. I sat up, stretching and yawning, glancing around, before realizing the shower was on. Assured that I hadn't been abandoned to the wolves, I rose from the warm blankets to sit at the vanity, where I began to brush my hair. I wasn't even halfway through the left side of my hair when I heard Neji leave the bathroom.

"You really should cut that hair of yours." Neji said mildly. I listened to his footsteps cross the room towards me, and I shuffled the hair out of my way to look towards him with a wry look on my face.

"But it's so pretty." I sighed, like an airhead. I grinned, before talking properly. "I like it long. Besides, when I braid my spiked cord in, stupid people grab it and get an unpleasant surprise." I shrugged. "Or it can be used as a pretty adornment because I'm a lady who has to be all dressed up. No kunoichi would ever dream of growing her hair out to be this long, so I can't possibly be a kunoichi." He chuckled softly.

"I suppose you are correct." He looked over my messy hair. "We're supposed to be ready in about an hour to see the Lord and Lady Kawahashi about Lord Noburu's attack on you last night." I grimaced. That meant I had to act and be all mopey, clingy, and sad. Ugh. I rose from my seat at the vanity.

"I'd better go take a quick shower, then." I said, sighing at the end. Neji was grinning at my sudden change in demeanor.

"Oh, don't look like that. You'll be fine." He said reprovingly. I just stuck my tongue out at him and disappeared into the bathroom, quickly jumping into the shower. The water was still warm from Neji's, so it wasn't long before I was out again, even with all of my hair. It was only then, as I was drying off with a towel, that I realized that I'd forgotten clothes. Oh boy.I wrapped the towel tightly against my body, ensuring that it wouldn't fall, before opening the door slightly and glancing around. Neji was still in the bedroom, which was where my clothes were. Damn. And I'd hoped he'd be somewhere else. Not like he had anywhere else to be, but still, one could hope. I sighed and slid out into the room, trying to pretend I was wearing more than a towel, but knowing I was failing miserably. I managed to get to the chest of clothing, all the while feeling Neji's eyes on me.

"I would have brought you clothes." He said as I was riffling through the garments. I glanced over my shoulder at him, noting he was now looking fixedly at the wall away from me, a light blush against his cheeks. I grinned slightly and turned back to my search.

"But what if I didn't like it?"

"You would have had clothes, now wouldn't you?" Well, he had me on that point. I rolled my eyes, but he couldn't see me do that.

"It's a little late now, don't you think?" I snatched out a black kimono with the purple under-kimono, along with the large, dark red obi that went with it, before returning to the bathroom. As I dressed, I took a good look at it. It was pretty simplistic, actually. Besides the golden accents at the wrists and the large, lavender embroidered Hyuuga crest on the back, it was bare of adornment. I tied the obi the best I could and exited. Neji no longer was red in the face, and was tapping idly on the table.

"I hate being a female sometimes." I announced, and he raised an eyebrow in silent question. "It takes much too long to get ready for anything, except fighting. Honestly, if I didn't need to dress up, I'd be ready to go in about five minutes." I complained, and he smiled as I took up the hair brush and began attacking it savagely, yanking the knots out. "How much time until we have to go?"

"About forty-five." So the shower wasn't nearly as long as I thought it had been. I slowed down in my tugging, so that I didn't lose all the hair on my head.

"Do you think I should cover the bruise with makeup, or leave it as is?" I asked. It had turned a lovely shade of black-purple over night. I turned to look at him, so that he could judge it.

"Leave it uncovered. It'll add to the gravity of what happened." He paused before adding, "Don't wear your wrist sheathes either. They'll be noticed, since they need to look at your wrists too, probably." I sighed.

"I'll say it again. Being a female sucks. A "great lady"," I made the air quotations with one hand. "is even worse. Stupid wimps. Stupid dresses." I sighed and went back to brushing my hair. Once it was finally done, I pulled it up into a high pony tail. "Well, I'm ready to go, since I don't need makeup." Neji glanced to the clock.

"Twenty minutes until they should be summoning us. Are you ready for this?" I sighed, folding my hands in my lap and looking down at them. I'd have to summon up all sorts of emotions in a short period of time, and it was going to be so annoying and tiring. Suddenly, hands were pressing down gently on my shoulders. I looked up into the mirror, to see Neji looking at me. "Don't worry so much, Maia. I'll be right there with you the whole time. You can pull it off. You're a great kunoichi." I smiled wanly.

"Well, it's going to happen whether I like it or not. I just hate being meek!" Neji chuckled.

"When we get back you can growl and rant all you want, but for now, you'll have to act." Just as he finished, a knock sounded at the door. Neji strode into the other room while I waited where I was, as if I were hiding from the outside world.

"Maia!" He came to the door to the room. "It's time to go, love. Are you ready?" I sighed softly, so that those in the other room wouldn't hear me, and gathered myself.

"Yes, Neji." I replied softly, rising from my seat and moving to him. He let me walk into the room before him, but quickly came to my side, putting an arm around my shoulders. I kept my face turned downward and tried to look like a mass of anxiety, when in reality I wanted to just calmly walk up to Noburu and cut his manhood off before walking away just as calmly. Sadly, I wasn't going to get to do that. A woman, I saw her skirts in the edge of my vision, led us to a small meeting room. Within it were Lady and Lord Kawahashi, Lord Noburu, and a few men and women I recognized from the party before. One was the woman who'd found the bruises on my wrists. I didn't see Lady Noburu anywhere; I supposed she was appalled by her husbands' behavior.

"Lord Hyuuga, Lady Hyuuga, how pleasant of you to join us." Lord Kawahashi's voice called to us from across the room.

"It would be pleasant, if not for the situation we are meeting for." Neji replied coolly, before steering me to a seat near the front. He sat next to me, and we clasped hands openly. My head was now angled towards my lap, causing my face to be shadowed. I leaned over to him to whisper in his ear.

"Why isn't there a judge or any other legal official?" It was barely louder than a breath.

"Nobles take care of nobles. Depending on the outcome, other officials will be called in." I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder gingerly, keeping my bruise from touching him.

"What are the charges?" Lord Kawahashi asked to the room. Neji's voice answered him.

"Lord Noburu attempted to rape," I winced at the word. Okay, my meek self winced at the word. I myself, wasn't afraid of the word. "my fiancée, the Lady Maia."

"And what does the accused have to offer?" The Lord asked, once more to the room.

"I was trying to help the poor girl, who was lost in the corridors, and I frightened her, causing her to flee in terror. There wasn't anything malicious in my intentions last night." I made myself tremble when Lord Noburu spoke, as if his very voice inspired fear within me.

"What does the victim have to say?" Now I had to speak. Great.

"I-I was in the great hall last night." I said, my voice quavering, as if merely retelling what happened made me fearful. "And I was trying to find the ladies room, when Lord Noburu appeared. He… he offered to take me down a separate passage, so that we might arrive there more quickly, rather than fight the mass of people." I paused, as if gathering my wits.

"It's alright, Maia." Neji whispered, loud enough for others to hear. "Go on." I nodded.

"Lord and Lady Noburu had been our dinner partners last night, and I'd noticed Lord Noburu looking at me so strangely, so I tried to decline his offer politely. However, he worded it so nicely that I just had to go, or else he might get offended and be angry with the Hyuugas." My voice faltered, before paused, and then I began again, my voice just loud enough to be heard through the room. "He led me down halls, and when we were a distance away, he pinned me to the wall and tried to take advantage of me. He hit me, and ripped my dress, and hurt me. I lost a hair ribbon too." That last part was a lie, but oh well. I was a victim. "I tried to break his grip, but I couldn't get out, so I tried kicking him… you know… and he let go and I managed to get back to the great hall before he caught up to me. Then everyone saw him, and I was free." I leaned against Neji, my face downward once more. I'd looked up towards Lord Kawahashi when I told him Noburu had hit me, but now I was looking away again. I forced a few tears to leak out of the corners of my eyes, but they dried up rather quickly.

"Is there any proof to her words?" He asked. Obviously there were several witnesses, but I supposed you had to ask.

"Her cheek and wrists are bruised." One woman called out. Neji gently pulled back the sleeves of my kimono, revealing the purple-black bruises. You could distinctly see the outline of a hand on them. I turned my face up, turning my head away from Neji to reveal my darkened cheek. After a moment, I turned away, looking back down.

"Her kimono from last night is in our rooms. If you would like to see it, we can easily have someone bring it to us." Neji announced to the Lord, who nodded. A woman scurried off to go get it.

"Neji, both ribbons are still in the obi." I whispered to him. He shook his head lightly.

"I took one of them out and hid it this morning, when you were bathing." He murmured back.

"Oh." I sighed, covertly glancing at the room. "This is ridiculous."

"I agree."

"It's my fault."

"No, it's that idiots' fault."

"Sure."

"Maia." His tone was sharp, but still soft.

"We can talk about this later." I said, as Lord Kawahashi decided to speak again.

"While the maid is getting the kimono, does the accused have anything to say about this evidence?"

"Her fiancé, Lord Neji, must be a brutal man indeed, to strike a woman. I'm sure she had them before we met. Her makeup was running quite a bit from crying last night – she probably had the bruise hidden with makeup." My head, still meekly cast downward, jerked up in outrage. Neji's hand squeezed mine, and I bit my tongue, hard, on what I was going to say. I looked to Noburu, and saw that a triumphant look was upon his face. Was he trying to make me kill him?

"How much influence does he have here?" I whispered to Neji.

"More than the Hyuugas do." That wasn't good at all. The servant that had went for my kimono returned, and from there, the trial continued – but not in the way we had hoped.

"What have you brought before us?" Lord Kawahashi asked the man, who held up my kimono.

"The Lady Maia's kimono from last night." It was indeed. The sleeve was still torn. A second servant held the obi and three red ribbons. Wait – three? There were only two that were supposed to be brought before the court today. One was supposedly mission.

"Neji," I whispered urgently. "They have all of the ribbons." He squeezed my hand hard in response, and I looked back at the proceedings. They had announced that they had all of my ribbons, and the Lord was now looking to me inquisitively.

"The sleeve was torn – any can see that. Noburu did that. I was in tears of fright from his attacking me, which was also witnessed by many." I said, softly yet clearly. "I was afraid, last night, that a Lord as well esteemed as Noburu is, would not be convicted on such petty evidence, especially at the words of a woman who is lower in status than he. " I was actually quite low on the status ladder, but that didn't matter. "So, I pulled out my hair ribbon. That is the only lie in my story, for everything else I have said is true."

"See? She lied!" Noburu roared, victoriously. I shrunk against Neji.

"What can they do to me?" I whispered.

"They can arrest you and hold you for a few months. If that happens, Lady Hokage and Lord Hiashi will get you out, one way or another." I nodded slightly, thinking. Arrest would suck, but I could handle it.

"Whatever happens, one of us must get back to Konoha." I whispered. "They'll send a story of lies, where one, or both, of us did something to land us in prison." He nodded, and I leaned against him, probably for the last time. The thought made me a little sad, but I didn't try to even understand why. Instead, I listened to what was being said in the room once more.

"-charges against Lord Noburu will be dropped, as the Lady Maia, the chief witness and acclaimed victim, is being arrested on basis of false witness and attempt to falsify evidence. " I clutched Neji's hand. "Lady Maia, an officer will arrive shortly to take you to prison. Please take times to say your goodbyes now." I turned to bury my face in Neji's neck.

"What do I do? Do I stay and be complacent? Do I escape if I can?"

"Don't make a move until we've sent word to you. It won't take long for me to get back. I'll have our things shipped home, if I can. If not, we'll get them on the way back." He whispered to me, his arm wrapping around my shoulders in a comforting manner. "It won't be too terribly long, Maia. A few weeks at the most – though I doubt it will come to that. I won't be limited to the speed of a cart on the way home – and neither will whoever comes back for you."

"I know. I'll survive, don't worry. It's going to be dreadfully boring." I heard Neji cough softly, to cover the chuckle that almost emerged from his lips. That would have been bad. "Sorry." I whispered sheepishly. "I have a question."

"Yes?"

"Do you think this was a power play – to prove that the Tomimuras are better than the Hyuugas?

"I was thinking that was probably the case. Though, I don't think it started that way." I nodded. Probably not. "Either way, Lord Hiashi needs to hear of this." He tensed slightly. "They're here." I sighed against his shoulder.

"Should I cry?"

"Probably."

"Damn." Another sigh, and then I was pulling up more memories to bring the tears to my eyes.

"Maia Haru." A masculine voice intoned. I looked up towards the speaker; my cheeks wet enough to appear as though I was crying. There were two men in uniform there, one a step behind the other. It had been the front-most one that had spoken. "We are here to take you into custody for falsely accusing a man of rape, for falsifying evidence, and for bearing false witness. You will be held for six months or until a bail of fifty thousand yen can be paid." That, for a lord or lady, wasn't actually that much. Obviously the higher ups got it much easier than the rest of the world. If I had been anyone other than a noble, I'd have gotten at least a year, probably more, for all of those charges. Not that I would have been caught, if I were actually being myself. I'd have just killed the guy and left no trace. Too bad I couldn't have done that here.

"Behave yourself." Neji whispered as the two of us rose. He escorted me to the officers, and then the three of us walked out. My head was bowed, tears tracking down my cheeks again. I had to fight to keep the waterworks going – my current state of mind didn't call for tears, it called for me attacking someone. A specific male lord, actually. Too bad I couldn't do that. Instead, I had to walk docilely between the two men that I could probably over power under normal circumstances. Meaning at a time I wasn't wearing three kimonos and actually had some sort of weapon besides my two fists. It wasn't too terribly long of a trip to the jailhouse, where I was given a cell and a pair of dark blue pants and a matching shirt. I put up fuss; how dare they think a lady would wear pants? Eventually, still half-heartedly grumbling under my breath, I pulled the clothing on and shed the kimono, giving it to a guard to do whatever with. I'd probably be seeing it again soon.

For all the complaining I'd done, I was secretly pleased with my clothing. I hadn't been able to wear pants in weeks – I'd had to deal with skirts and dresses, the most uncooperative articles of clothing known to man. The rest of my day was spent curled up on the bed, my face in my arms. I forced my shoulders to shake occasionally, along with a soft sob-sounding noise, to make it seem like I'd been crying the whole time. I heard footsteps approaching my cell, so I forced a few tears so that I'd have some tear-streaks, just as the door clanged open. I peeked up, rubbing my eyes with my hands to make them red, to see a guard setting a tray of food on the bed. Then, still silent, the man left. I picked at the food, as if appalled that they would give me such food, before slowly eating it.

For five days I was stuck in this jail cell. After the second I stopped crying – I just couldn't do it anymore. I just sat on the bed, only getting up to stretch or use the toilet in the corner. My mind wandered. I wondered how my team was back at home. They'd better be in shape when I finally got home. Ryu – I hoped he was doing alright. I was never really around for him. Well, I was around more now that I was with a squad, but I was still gone a lot. Mainly, though, my mind was on Neji. How far he'd come from the genin I'd known, the mission so far. I remembered the night Noburu had attacked me, and how it had affected him. I wondered if he'd gotten home yet, and who was coming back to get me.

Just before lunch the fifth day, a guard came to my cell, interrupting my thoughts.

"Get up." I looked up, confused. After lunch I was forced to go outside with the other inmates for an hour, where I skulked against a wall, avoiding the others completely, as any finicky noblewoman would. It obviously wasn't for food, and it wasn't to go outside, so what did he want? Then I noticed he was holding the outfit I'd come to this prison in. I was being bailed out? Neji couldn't have made it there and back already, could he? I was allowed to change in a small, private room, before leaving. I walked behind the guard, wondering who was with Neji to bail me out. I was doubtful that he'd have been sent back alone. But who met me at the front was most definitely not Neji, nor was it any shinobi of the Leaf. It was Lord Noburu, in all his cocky self. I instantly shrunk back – others would think it in fear, but it was really in distaste.

"Sir, I can't go with him!" I protested weakly. "He, He-"

"Save it, Miss. He bailed you out, so we have to release you. Whether or not you stay with him is your own business." The man told me, crossing his arms over his chest. Obviously he was going to be no help. After a few more protests, none of which I think the man heard, I was turned over into Noburu's hands. Well, not his real hands, though I didn't doubt he'd try to have them on me before we parted company. We left the station, me in "fearful" silence, him in his treacherous glee. I wondered if his wife knew he'd just spent fifty thousand yen on me. Man, I was one pricey whore, that was for damn sure. I tried to leave twice, but each time he'd grabbed my arm in his crushing grip and pulled me back. His hand was now possessively on my arm. I had just about had it with this man.

"Where are we going?" I whispered.

"A surprise, my dear. It's not much farther now." Whatever it was, I really didn't want to see it. I tried to pry his fingers off with my free hand, but he just squeezed harder, until I was sure I was going to be bruised. I winced and released his hand reluctantly. He had to be some sort of shinobi, or ex-shinobi. There was no way a man with no training had a grip like that. We were approaching a building, which Noburu unlocked. He held the door open and pushed me forward a bit, all without letting go. Since I had no other choice in the matter, I warily walked into the shadowy room. Then, I was struck hard in the back of the head, and I fell to the ground. I didn't even have time to wonder what had happened before I was unconscious.