This story has gone through some series updates and changes. So please read thoroughly. This story is definitely an alternate universe and will bare no relation to Beowolf. Trust me its for the best. I may or may not respond to questions depending on the questions.

Best,

Kuukii

Neji awoke the next morning yawning and stretching, ready for the new day. The king of Konoha, Sarotobi had passed just yesterday, his successor was to be announced today, and Neji wanted to be there. Lifting from the bed Neji grabbed his washcloth and walked over to his washing basin. Once finished, Neji pulled on tunic and trousers over his slender frame, and started brushing his brown mane with a rushed vigor. Once tugged to satisfaction Neji pulled his hair into a low ponytail before leaving the room and waking his sister in the next room over. The two tossed and turned, avoiding the voice and gentle shaking.

"Come on you two." Neji called again shaking harder effectively waking the second eldest.

"Okay." Hanabi called as she too arose rubbing her tired eyes.

Working the neighbors farm was tiring for all of them, but it was a necessary evil if it meant having food on the table, and they had learned years ago, that no one will help the cursed Hyuuga family. Neji left the room and headed for the kitchen. He pulled the leftover loaf from that previous night and sliced three separate pieces for their breakfast. Done with that Neji took the water pail and filled it at the well before heading back. Hinata and Hanabi were washed and eating by the time he returned, and waiting for a refreshing drink. The all took a dipper of the clear liquid before cleaning up and heading to their separate tasks.

Neji, being the last male in the family, grabbed his bag and walked out the door. He still needed to find a better means of collecting coin, and the inheritance that was saved from their parents death was running thinner by the day. But of course no one was willing to hire cursed children. But the tavern owner, Tsunade promised a pretty penny for a new server and despite Neji's insistent desire to avoid the place, they needed the extra coin.

At least Tsunade was amongst few who refused to believe in the foolish notions of the Hyuuga curse. A horrible lie Orochimaru dredged up a year after the passing of their father Hizashi.

Their eyes weren't natural, Neji could agree with that notion. To appear blind and all seeing at the same time was a horrible curse wrought by the devils and demons themselves. No one now cared about the war that Neji's father and uncle won despite their eyes. That was long forgotten as well as the honor that went with it. As of that tragic day Neji knew that he had to make an effort for both his sake and his sisters if they wanted to make it through. But making it only got harder as they became outcast more and more as the days flew by; they were practically living on the outskirts near the farmlands.

Neji hoped that with the new king, there would be some new changes and a new start for him and his left over bit of family. The only thing that bothered Neji were the two individuals wanting to be king. One of them truly hated his family and would bring the death of them if named king.

Orochimaru. Bitter and ever hateful, he still believes that Hiashi and Hizashi had robbed him of glory and riches. The war was supposed to have been won by his command, but it was said that he had fled at the time of battle. Orochimaru denied these rumors, and as proof he set out to be king and guide the people into a golden age.

Neji knew that this was wrong, and a terrible lie. It was bad enough that over half the village despised his family, and only worse that the most hated enemy would want to be king. Neji truly hoped that Sarutobi's grandson would succeed him; despite his age the man was wise and understood the poor's need within the village, including the so called curse dilemma he and his sisters were going through.

Neji sighed as he walked down the streets receiving stares more so than usual.

The rich could never love the poor.

Continuing on his path Neji headed over to the one stall that tolerated his presence. The bell rang upon his entrance as he headed for the trays of vegetables. He no longer had enough for meat and vegetables, so he was sure that they would have to stick with vegetables for dinner.

After gathering the needed goods Neji headed to the counter and started pulling out some coins. Three copper and the last remaining silver.

"Morning." Neji greeted as he traded the currency. Again, Neji hoped that Tsunade's offer was still available.

After some mumbled reply Neji to looked up brows crossed in confusion.

"What?"

"I'm sorry." Iruka repeated his eyes downcast and sullen like the sun on a rainy day.

Neji stared at the man who seemed to be avoiding eye contact at all costs. He was making it obvious that something was wrong.

"Iruka, What is it?" Neji questioned as he tried to catch his eye.

Iruka, snapped his heads towards Neji making full eye contact. "Why have you not fled?!" Iruka's eyes widened. "You have yet to hear?"

Neji shook his head causing locks of loose hair to whip at his shoulders.

Iruka swallowed as he said his next words albeit frighteningly. "Neji return home before it's too late."

"What? Why?" Neji couldn't help the worry that tinged his voice.

"Please. Take this food and hurry home. Get your sisters and flee! Now!" Iruka pushed the food and offered coins away dragging Neji to the door.

"But..." Neji couldn't find the words as the man he trusted most shoved the vegetables into his bag and guided him to the door.

"Neji." The man called turning the boy to face him once they reached the door. "I'm am not entirely sure what has happened, but... the previous evening... Orochimaru was named king. They have found Konohamaru's dead body in the brush. A-a-and... This morning... he just passed the order for you and y-y-your sisters death."

He had paused to swallow the lump in his throat.

"I can do nothing to save you... but you must hurry home. Gather what you can and flee!" Iruka finished firmly. "Get out and go now!"

Neji tumbled as he was pushed out the market store. After receiving another look from Iruka Neji took off towards his home hoping he wasn't too late. After running blindly down a path he was perfectly familiar with Neji reached his home and swung open the door.

Nothing.

There was no one there, but the small cottage looked as if it had been torn to pieces. The chairs were askew, the water pail leaked all over the floor mixing with the broken dishes and silverware that too littered the floor. The cabinets had been ripped off of their nails and the chest kept in the hall was open and it's contents broken on the floor. Fear crept into Neji's throat as he flung open his sisters room only to see that it was empty. The same was for his room as he stepped in to the wrecked place. Turning, Neji ran for the front door and ran around the back to check the tiny barn that held their two animals.

Both animals were slaughtered and lay limp, bleeding out onto the hay.

Please please please!

Neji choked back a frightened sob as he ran back towards the house but stopped as he saw something in the clearing farther out. There was smoking rising and a huge crowd circled around it. Running in that general direction, Neji retched as the stench of dead burnt flesh reached his nose.

"No!" Neji cried to himself as he reached the crowd and forced his way through earning glares and several shoves to the center. He dropped to his knees when he reached the middle and cried at the sight that greeted him.

He was too late. Far too late. They were burning on a stick as if they were the great Christ himself. They were dead and it was all his fault. There was nothing else worth living for now, nothing working taking breath for anymore. It would be better if they killed him now,... but then again, they had no right to kill them. What had those two possibly done that they had to be killed. They were just young girls coming into adulthood. Those two never complained even when they had to go to bed hungry. Hinata was kind, passionate, and a little shy, while Hanabi was an arrogant dreamer, who loved fairy tales.

No, they didn't deserve this.

Neji stood angrily as he stared into the horribly twisted faces of fellow villagers. If cruelty had a face... It had multiple and Neji was looking at them. But there was one here that was the most to blame and Neji searched for the one man that caused this tragic dilemma in the first place. Before he could utter the name, said person stepped out into view. His smirk arrogant as he directed it to Neji.

Neji clenched his teeth as he pulled a small blade hidden in his boots.

"I will... end you!" Neji grounded out through clenched teeth as he pointed the knife towards Orochimaru.

He didn't even have a chance to move, however when his legs were swept from under him, forcing him to fall on to his back. They were kicking him. Neji didn't really know who, but it was he couldn't help but curl into a ball as the kicking got harsher. The knife he had been branding vanished. Pain exploded in his left side and Neji knew where it had gone.

Neji could feel the tears coming as he realized that death was near, his vision warring between white and black in a horrible mimicry of good versus evil.

"Don-t-t't di-ie."

Neji gasped at the voice, wondering where it came from.

"Ple-e-ease don -t dii-i-ie."

Neji tried to see past the grey visage that overwhelmed his sight only to see Hinata looking at him, body burnt, trembling, singed, bleeding still, and yet mouthing words that were impossible to hear; but he heard them and he wasn't the only one.

"Mi'lord." Someone above him said causing the kicking to stop. "It still lives mi'lord, it really is a demon!"

Neji watched horrified as Orochimaru sneered and snatched a blade from a nearby villager. "Not anymore."

Before the blade came swinging down Hinata mouthed her final words.

"Run."

Neji forced himself up as tears, pain, and blood clouded his visage as he ran. A sickening crack could be heard and Neji knew right then and there that it was better for his peace of mind to not look back.

"Lord Orochimaru!" More villagers cried in union.

"He's escaping!" Another shouted.

They gave chase, not needing their king's command to do so, but Neji kept running, Hinata's words repeating themselves.

Run.

Don't Die.

Please don't die.

Run.

He was in the woods now and his body was convulsing with painful spasms. He wanted to stop and breath, for his lungs were on a blazing fire. The villagers were still behind him with their weapons, shouting and drawing closer. Neji pushed through bramble and bush, a fog deep and heavy settling over Neji like a cool blanket on a warm day. There was a cave up ahead. If he could dip and dodge around the trees, the villagers would lose sight and he could slip into the cave unnoticed. The woods had darkened the sky. A crackle and lightening at the brewing storm.

But they noticed and now he was about to be killed in this cold, damp cave. Neji dropped to his knees as the villagers crowded around him with raised spears and swords laughing.

Cruelty has many faces. Neji surmised his eyes closed waiting for his demise.

But they didn't strike.

"What is it?" One of them said as an ominous wind blew through the cave. A collection of pittering sounds as the rain fell.

There was a growling sound echoing through the cave walls sending chills down Neji's exhausted spine. He could feel his vision going blurry as the adrenaline faded, and fatigue caught up to his pain induced body.

"Let's us be gone." Another responded.

"The cave is cursed!"

"The boy! Grab te' boy!"

"No, leave him to die. Whatever it be it will kill him."

There was hurried footsteps as the angry mob left, his body shivering as the damp stone soaked through his clothes. His eyes closed for a lone moment. Then something was sniffing his face. He could feel the wet nose rubbing across his cheek as it inhaled. There was a rough voice telling the creature to stop before something else was said.

Neji could barely make out the words or clawed fingers on his face before he slipped into darkness.