Hello my good readers!
I know this chapter is a little late, but I've been a tad busy. Luckily my work load has somewhat reduced for now and I'll be able to update faster. I have several other stories that I want to try and finish, so that may be a problem but we'll see.
I own nothing!
No onwards my dears!
Six months, that's how long it had been since Hanabi heard anything from her sister. Six fucking months! At this point she was angry at Hinata for not doing anything about it. She had promised that she'd write to her and Hinata was never one to go back on her promises. Hanabi felt anger to her sister, but she had a hunch that Hiashi had something to do with it.
That bastard of a father disowned her now more than ever. Every chance he got he would beat her, and it didn't matter what it was. If Hanabi so much as looked at him wrong he'd beat her. It was becoming impossible to get away and find sanctuary. He even threatened to brand her with the curse mark if she didn't do what she was told.
Hanabi was a complete state of misery. Neji had tried to protect her, but Hiashi made it nearly impossible for him to get close to her without receiving a punishment of some sort.
Nonetheless Neji did whatever he could to protect Hanabi, no matter how small it was. Such was the current situation now, as Hanabi had talked back to Hiashi without thinking. He had raised his hand to strike her, but the branch member intervened and stopped him just in time. Hiashi was a bit taken back and would've struck his nephew if he didn't think so fondly of him.
Instead he simply gave a warning glare to Neji before hurrying off in a tiff. "Pathetic wrench!" He mumbled as he stormed off leaving a now sobbing Hanabi pressed into her cousin's chest. She knew that she could no longer be strong for her sake and Neji's it was just becoming too much for her. The endless beatings, the terrible rumors all was at a complete loss for her. It seemed as though Hanabi was losing a hold of everything that she had worked so hard to gain.
"Hanabi?" There was no response.
"Hanabi?" He tried again, still nothing only the sounds of muffled sobs. The branch Hyuga sighed in grief. He cared for Hinata and Hanabi more than anything, he practically considered them to be his sisters. They had always been there for him since the day he lost his own father.
And while their relationship as a whole had not gotten off to a good start, Neji had worked very hard to form a connection with Hanabi and Hinata and he'd never be able to forgive himself if he allowed Hiashi to kill one of them.
"Hanabi you have to be strong, think of what will happen when the elders see you like this". That made her look up, her white eyes were swollen and glistening with tears.
"I don't have anything anymore".
"What?"
"You heard me, I have nothing". Hanabi's voice was rather cold, she certainly didn't intend for it to be. But the way she was feeling she had every right to be angry.
"He did this to me, to all of us! Tell me niisan, when was the last time that father ever even showed a little affection for his own flesh and blood!".
Neji didn't know what and appropriate response to that was, but he knew that with each day Hanabi's anger and hatred towards the clan leader was growing stronger and stronger each day. He didn't know how to calm her down; he had tried many times but always failed. It was almost coming to a point where he was losing hope that Hanabi would ever recover again.
Hanabi wiped away her tears before her eyes narrowed. "Look at me nissan, do I look like the picture of perfection?! I'm never going to please him no matter what I do. I never wanted that damn title anyway! That should've gone to Hinata! She's the one who deserves everything that son of a bitch passed down to me!". Hanabi's face was starting to turn red reveling newly formed bruises that had been made just hours earlier.
Neji was now at a complete loss for what to do. Never had he seen Hanabi so angry before. It was almost scary to think that his outgoing and somewhat friendly cousin could suddenly turn bitter.
He didn't say anything as Hanabi continued to rant, he only knew that trying to calm her down would be pointless. Better to have her let go of all her frustrations through words then do it some other method. He continued to listen to her angry rants until she suddenly stopped which surprised him greatly.
"Hanabi-sama?"
Hanabi's face slowly turned into a smug smirk. "Niisan...I have an idea to finally rid ourselves of father once and for all". Neji didn't know where she was going with this; what could she possibly be thinking?!
"Think about it niisan, with him out of the way we'd never have to listen to his poison again. No longer would the Hyuga suffer under his command, I wouldn't have to become leader it's brilliant!".
"What is brilliant Hanabi-sama?"
She couldn't help but role her eyes "It's almost too simple Neji we just kill my father and dispose of him once and for all".
To hear Hanabi talk about killing the clan leader was a little too much to bear. Neji didn't know whether to strangle her or congratulate her for thinking of such a twisted plan.
"Hanabi be reasonable you cannot kill your father!"
She merely looked at him as though he had grown a second head. "What?! Are you afraid! You can't do it is that it?! Fine I don't need your help I can handle that prick on my own. I will kill him Neji, so help me I will! I'll make him suffer for everything that he's done to me and Nee-chan!"
She wasn't kidding when she said she would do it, Hanabi never kidded about anything. But the fact that she was so willing do jump in without hesitation was something Neji couldn't understand; from the start Hanabi had always been a rather determined girl but never like this, this was a whole new side of her that he was seeing.
Surly she could be talked out of it, after all killing the clan leader of the Hyuga was a very big challenge that was sure to backfire. Yes, she could see reason. This plan was never going to work.
"Hanabi I-" "Don't you dare try and talk me out of it Neji I've made up my mind the sooner Hiashi goes the better!".
Damn, this girl was stubborn but he had to keep trying.
"Hanabi do come to your senses. You can't defeat the clan leader all on your own he'd sooner kill you". Neji looked serious at her "It's pointless and besides what will you accomplish, even if you do manage to kill Hiashi that will not stop the fact that Hinata-sama is already gone".
Upon hearing her sister's name Hanabi suddenly looked rather confused. "Think Hanabi, if you kill Hiashi what would Hinata-sama think of you, do you really think she'll still love you after you've killed your own father. Do you really believe that she'll support you to murder the very man that gave you life!".
Hanabi didn't say anything for a long time, she was too caught up in the memories of her sister. How she missed her so, what was taking her so long to remember that she left a family behind in the hell that she used to call home. She didn't even know if her dear older sister was expecting; she must be carrying a child now? It was her job to produce offspring for the greater good.
After a long while when Neji was starting to think he had gotten through to Hanabi, she spoke before he could "Who's to say that she won't be proud of me". "Come again?"
"What if Nee-chan is pleased that I've disposed of the man that given us so much hell. You'd think that she'd be happy for leaving behind a pit of despair. But I have this feeling Neji that when Nee-chan does come back eventually she'll be more than happy to know that our damn father is dead once and for all".
Neji resisted the urge to groan in annoyance "Hanabi, suppose that you do kill Hiashi what happens then?! Who do you expect to take over the title. I know that you won't take it, and there are no more heirs after you in the main family that are available. What will happen then?! We cannot go on without a leader and what do you think will happen after that?! Well?!"
Hanabi simply smiled "That's where you come in".
"What? Me?"
"Yes, after Hiashi is dead then I'll pass the title to you and you will lead us".
Neji was stunned "Hanabi I can't possibly I'm a branch member you know what happened that day!". His hand came to rub his forehead that contained the mark hidden by his forehead protector. Never once had he come to terms with it since he was four-years-old and he probably never would.
"I know how to take it away".
He was caught off guard "W-what?" Hanabi's smile grew "I can take it away from you Niisan, it's a little secret that all members of the main family are taught how to handle it. Part of that practice involves knowing how to remove it as well. If you help me I promise I can remove it, you will never be a caged bird again. How does that sound Niisan wouldn't it be great to be free? You can do whatever you want, never having to be cast down again because of that marking".
She knew how to remove it?! Why didn't she tell him before, and if Hanabi knew that surly Hinata knew as well. So many questions ran through his mind and he was having a hard time trying to sort out his thoughts.
More than anything he wanted the mark removed. But at the same time, he simply couldn't fall prey to Hanabi ridiculous antics. It was like being caught between a rock and a hard place.
What did one do in this sort of situation?
Inevitably Neji knew that even if insanity did claim Hanabi's mind as well as his own, he was still going to try and prevent it for as long as he could.
"Hanabi-sama, please just give me a little time I will speak with Hiashi. I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you anymore, please just a little time that's all I'm asking".
There was a heavy silence between the two of them for what seemed like eons. Until finally, Hanabi looked up at him with dull eyes.
"Three months...I'll give you three months if I don't see any sort of improvement I will kill him Niisan and no one is going to stop me".
That was all she said before she walked past him. Neji was at a total loss of words. Three months?! That wasn't nearly enough time, no way he could convince Hiashi in such a short time span. It wouldn't work, it would never work!
Well it wasn't like he didn't have much of a choice. It was now or never and if he didn't act soon Hanabi was sure to make a fatal mistake.
I know that this chapter was a little short and I'm sorry but I didn't really feel like making it longer so next time it will be. I will try to have the next chapter updated by the end of the week I promise I'll try. Also I'm sorry for any spelling errors but any author is bound to slip up.
Until next time everyone.
Please review!
