Hi guys!
I have a rough idea in my head as to where this is going.
I'm determined to make sure this story is good!
Sometimes it's hard finding the right kind of inspiration.
But anyways please enjoy!
Now onwards my dears!
When Neji finally did return to Konoha, the first thing he was told by Naruto was that Sasuke would be stepping in to keep an eye on Hiashi. That actually caused him to lash out at the Hokage. Though Neji had no idea who Sasuke was on a personal level he was an Uchiha after all. And as far as Neji was concerned, matters his clan should involve only the Hyuga, an Uchiha had no right to interfere with their problems. Naruto had remained calm the whole time, he knew that Neji would get angry about it. That's why he explained the idea to him step by step to try and ease his conscious. For a long time now Naruto had been concerned for Neji's wellbeing; he knew that he was under a lot of stress for many reasons and that's exactly why he had Sasuke to help. Neji couldn't keep this up for much longer, eventually the Hyuga would reach a breaking point and the blonde had doubts that Neji would be able to fix up all on his own. That was a task nearly impossible to handle by yourself.
Despite that the Hyuga male was still pissed he saw the reasoning behind it. Well, if the Hokage knew what he was doing then he would take his word for it, though it still didn't like that Sasuke would be involved with his clan's problems.
He really didn't need this extra stress; life was already hard enough for him as it was.
The moment he stepped into the mansion of his home. Hiashi demanded to know everything that had happened from the time he was in Suna. It wasn't the best way to greet someone but Neji couldn't complain. Instead he gave him very vague details concerning his cousins. He would have to go back again to make sure Hanabi didn't fuck anything up. She couldn't be caged for much longer; eventually she'll figure out a way to seek revenge on her father. Hiashi was a bit peeved when he nephew wouldn't go into any detail. If looks could kill he'd be six feet under his nephew was glaring at him so hard.
"So tell me Neji do you suppose they miss me?"
Was he fucking serious?!
Did he honestly have to answer that? Was that even a question that deserved a response? He scowled a little.
"I think you already know the answer Uncle! Leave me alone".
Before anything else could be said Neji headed straight to his room and in a fit of anger picked up one of his shoes and threw it across. It hit the wall with a loud thud.
"Damn!" He hissed, it still wasn't enough to calm him down. He took his other shoe and chucked it across, still didn't do anything.
It was fairly understandable as to why all of a sudden Neji was so angry. Hiashi was a total ass, he had been on his back for months now and it was starting to get to a point where he couldn't take anymore of the madness. He needed a way out and fast. He knew that sooner or later Hiashi would squeeze everything out of him and Kami knows what would happen if that happened. Where could he go? The Hyuga compound had been his only home for as long as he could remember. He could always move in with Tenten. His girlfriend would be more than willing to have him stay with her and it would finally mean that Hiashi wouldn't constantly be on his trail. Course his insane uncle wouldn't agree to the terms but he could always leave without telling. He could have someone give him a message after he settled in.
"You know sitting around and doing nothing won't help right".
His body tensed a bit as he raised his arms "Who's there?!"
"Relax, I'm not here to pick fights".
Looking over to the window he saw the one person he wished he didn't have to see. Sasuke had an amused smirk on his face as he leaned against the wall. Neji growled a little, how did he not sense him? And more importantly why was he here?
"What do you want?!"
The raven haired Uchiha took a few steps towards him. "I think you already know, but the dobe wants me to give you a hand. So that means were going to be getting to know each other better". Neji glared at Sasuke a bit, he hadn't really changed since the first encounter but that still didn't mean he trusted him. "Why are you doing this? There's gotta be a reason for it. You know that our clan's have never been able to see eye to eye". Sasuke simply looked at him "I'm doing this because I want to help Naruto". That response caught Neji off guard, a chuckle escaped the Uchiha before he spoke. "I'm not the person I once was. I know I can't make up for what I've done but I want to change myself for the better. I've been trying to repay for my sins and I'm not going to make any more mistakes". Neji was a little confused as to why Sasuke was suddenly spilling all this. But at least the rumors from what he heard were true. Uchiha Sasuke really was a changed man. He wanted to help his best friend in any way for the greater good and only someone of his background, who had seen the light would be able to do something like that.
"If that's the case, then why would you help me".
"Because your helping Hinata". "What?"
"You see Hyuga, I remember your cousin from a long time ago. She was always that one person who could look at me and see me as something other than a role model. I wouldn't say we're friends but she does have my respect and she's Naruto's friend".
Neji figured out the rest for himself Hinata has always been too kind for her own good.
"I heard that you're going to Suna".
Sasuke gave a sharp nod "What do you plan to do?" instead of responding right away Sasuke walked towards the window; before leaving he looked over one last time to the confused Hyuga "Don't know yet, all will come in time". That he his final response before leaping out into the trees. And once again Neji was left fuming in anger at the unexpected turn of events.
A week had passed until Gaara had news that Sasuke had arrived to Suna. He wasn't exactly thrilled to see him, what with the history between them. But at the same time he wanted to know what he had come for. Naruto had sent him a long letter of details concerning Sasuke's mission to spy on the Hyuga. He would be keeping an eye on the Uchiha for the hell of it. He trusted Naruto that Sasuke had redeemed himself from his old habits, but that still didn't mean he was wary of him. In his mind at least it was better to be safe than sorry. He kept his usual stoic look as the Uchiha was escorted into his office with a few guards following close behind. Teal eyes met with onyx ones and for a brief moment there was a bit of a stare down. Kinda like the one they had all those years ago when he first came to Konoha. It only lasted for a moment though before his attention turned towards his guards. He dismissed them and once they filed out it was just him and Sasuke. Neither of them knowing how to start off. Eventually it was Sasuke that broke the ice to all the silence.
"Sabaku no Gaara it's been a while".
"Uchiha Sasuke so it has been".
The redhead folded his arms across his chest. "Tell me Uchiha why have you come to Suna?"
Hinata was very much surprised when her husband had told her that Sasuke was here. She had no idea what he could want until he filled her with the details that Naruto had asked Sasuke to spy on her father. She didn't exactly know how to respond to that but she knew that Naruto was looking out for her like the friend he was. Seeing Sasuke again for the first time in years was a little intimidating. He looked well, and he seemed a bit more friendlier then she remembered when they were kids. He even congratulated her and her husband for their newborn daughter to which she thanked him shyly. He even asked to see her which nearly made her faint from surprise. He comment that she was a beautiful baby and that she'd grow up to look like her. She blushed a bit at the compliment and thanked him. Hanabi was a totally different story when she encountered Sasuke. In her mind this was a good thing, Sasuke was the person she wanted been wanting to speak with for a while. She would have to word her request carefully, she didn't even know if he would agree. But she had to try, her sister needed this as well as she.
"Uchiha Sasuke I wish to speak with you".
He raised an eyebrow as he stared at her. Sasuke was unfamiliar with Hinata's younger sister. But he would listen anyway.
"Alright then..."
"Hanabi".
"Alright then Hanabi explain yourself".
"I had heard from Lord Gaara, that the Hokage sent you here on a mission". "That's correct". Hanabi's pearl eyes didn't give away any signs of what she was thinking as she briefly explained her past struggles with her clan. She didn't linger on the details too long and was quick to jump straight to the point.
"I want you to kill my father".
That caught Sasuke by surprise and he gave her a weird look. "Pardon me?" Hanabi's eyes narrowed slightly "You heard me I want you to kill my father Hyuga Hiashi".
It didn't take rocket science for Sasuke to figure out why due to the explanation that Hanabi had just given him. He could sympathize with her a little bit as he had a similar desire in the past for Itachi. But just because he understood didn't mean he would agree. "No". He was slightly amused by Hanabi's surprised expression before her face got bright red in anger. He allowed her to lash out at him, seeing this side of Hinata's younger sister briefly reminded him of himself when he was like that. Still, that was all in the past and he knew that he had to get her to shut up so he spoke briefly.
"You think that killing your father will bring you peace? Well it won't, it will only make you crazy. You'll regret your actions and you won't understand why until it finally hits you when you've learned your lesson the hard way. Don't believe me? Go and see for yourself. Take it from my past experiences I am no fool. I went down that road and you will too unless you come to your senses ahead of time".
Hanabi wasn't sure how to counteract Sasuke's remark. She opened her mouth a few times but nothing came out. It frustrated her that Sasuke had managed to mentally cause her to backtrack and think about her decision.
"I know that it's difficult, but trust me there's always another way".
The Uchiha then left her to ponder about what he said.
Hanabi hated it when she allowed herself to weaken. But that's exactly what was happening right now. She literally had been slapped down a peg and it was a real blow to her. Could her sister really have been right? Was killing the wrong way to handle to situation? Hanabi closed her eyes as she remembered all the horror Hiashi had placed on her. She remembered all the times he cut her, all that emotional and physical pain she had been forced to go through. All those burns, scrapes, bleeding; all that torture and for what?! To take his anger out on his eldest daughter simply because she wasn't the child he wished she would be. She shuddered a bit as she touched her neck remembering the sting of a knife when he sliced her that one time. No, never again. She refused to go through all that again. She'd rather die then spent another minute with that man she once called father.
"I will kill him even if I have to fight him till my last breath".
Hanabi quickly made her way to Hena's room and found her niece sleeping soundly in her crib. Being careful not to wake her Hanabi picked up the sleeping Hena and rocked her gingerly. She loved her very much, she was her older sister's baby and Hanabi was fully aware that Hiashi still held a grudge against Hinata.
She knew from her cousin that Hiashi was 'eager' to meet his granddaughter but Hanabi was smart enough to know that he had other intensions in mind. She couldn't allow her niece to fall victim to Hiashi's ways. The Hyuga were very strict with their upbringings and should Hena fall into Hiashi's possession she would never again have the innocence of what a child should have. Hinata would be devastated if something like that were to happen, and that is why Hanabi knew that she had to make sure her sister and her family were kept safe no matter what.
"Hanabi-san?"
She didn't turn her head as Gaara walked into the room. He had come to check up on his daughter only to find her in the arms of his sister-in-law. He wondered why she was here.
Hanabi finally turned around "Gaara-sama" she nodded in respect. Before handing his daughter to him. Hena yawned a bit before falling back asleep in her father's embrace. Gaara stared at Hanabi trying to figure out what was going on in those pearl orbs. He knew that she had been up to something for a while now, but he had refrained from questioning her. That was something his wife had explained to him was something she would do. Her sister would only listen to her so out of respect he would stay out of it for now.
"Hanabi-san you look troubled about something".
She didn't say anything, and she wouldn't. She wasn't going to tell anyone about her request for Sasuke to kill her father. That would only lead to trouble, she would handle this problem on her own. If her brother-in-law knew about this he'd throw a fit and that wasn't something she wanted to happen.
"I'm fine but I am worried about Neji-niisan".
"I am sure that he's doing everything he can to prevent Hiashi from making any more mistakes".
"You sound so sure".
Gaara sighed softly "Well the truth is I'm not". He walked over and gently placed Hena back in her crib before turning his attention back to Hanabi. "I want to help Hanabi-san but I really don't know how much more I can do. As you know I have a village to look after as well as Hena. I don't have time to deal with other things at the moment".
"You don't have to help".
"I want too".
"You're the Kazekage. Suna needs you".
"I'm aware of that".
"So why help me?"
"I've already had this discussion with you".
"Buy why?"
Gaara gave her a rather intimidating look "Because it concerns Hinata. She is my wife and I love her with all my heart. She cares about you and that means as her husband it's my duty to make sure that your taken care of as well. I made a promise to her that I'd look after you for the greater good and that's exactly what I'm going to do".
Hanabi wanted to argue. But truth to be told she couldn't find the words or the strength needed. A part of her did feel rather relieved that her sister's husband cared about her. But she felt a little guilty that Gaara was trying to put so much attention in too many things at once. His job as Kazekage was no picnic not to mention, that he was doing his best to make sure his family was well taken care of as well. Gaara may be a man of control but even he had to reach his limits at some point.
"So what happens now?" It was an honest question on her part.
"I don't know".
"Something will happen sooner or later".
"I'm aware of that".
"My sister appreciates the fact that you've done so much".
Gaara smiled a little, he would keep doing his best to make sure that Hinata stayed happy. "Whatever does happen all we can do for is hope for the greater good". Leaning down to kiss Hena's cheek Gaara then lead Hanabi out of the nursery. He would have to keep a better eye on her for her own safety. Now all he had was to rely on Sasuke to see if he could talk some sense into the Hyuga.
I'm pleased with how this chapter turned out.
Next one will come out in a few days, maybe a week at the most. I have one other story that I'm dying to finish and there's a chance I might start another one.
So until then goodbye!
And don't forget to review!
