Chapter XI: The Lady and her knight.
The Daimyō's office was one of the rooms containing the most books Neiji had ever seen, except of course for the libraries. The furniture was richly engraved and set in gold for some, but Neiji did not pay much attention to it. Hinata had been called by the ruler of the kingdom, and he had insisted on accompanying her. They bowed down before the old monarch, and Hinata sat on a seat in front of the lord while he remained behind her. Neiji glanced at the Hokage standing behind the Daimyō before turning his full attention to Hinata; her cousin gently put her hands on her thighs and forced herself to stand as gracefully and nobly as possible.
Neiji swallowed and his jaws tightened. He hated seeing her like that. Hinata was a terrible liar for she loved the Nine and the Mother of All too much to disobey them. But now she had to reconcile her love with the need to lie to others to defend herself against the lords who would manipulate her. Neiji had only one desire, to rid the Hyūgas, Yggalë and above all Hinata of all their enemies.
"Miss Hinata, allow me first of all to offer my deepest condolences. Your noble father didn't deserve such a fate, and the whole kingdom will mourn him as it should."
The voice of the Daimyō was as impersonal as usual and brought the squire back to reality. Neiji hated the Daimyō. The old man looked at the members of his clan as if they were barbarians from across the Wild Sea and not members of one of the Four Great Clans of the Fire Kingdom.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am sure he rests in the gardens of the One of Power and watches over us all as he would have done in his lifetime", his cousin replied.
"You speak truly. However, in spite of our sorrow, I must discuss with you a more than serious matter."
"I am at your service, Your Highness", Hinata said, bowing her head slightly, and Neiji refrained himself from taking a step in her direction.
"This is about the line of succession to the throne. Since the ceremony which was supposed to make your father the new Crown Prince never took place, this role should naturally fall to you as the new clan leader Hyūga", he says before taking a slight pause. "Nevertheless, I cannot impose such a task on a child who has just lost her father, it would be cruel of me. If you had been a boy, I might have considered it, but women are too subject to grief, and Yggalëns even more so... I cannot decently wrest you from your grief in this way."
Neiji felt her eyes widen in rage. How dare this man insult his cousin like that? He would tear out his eyes, unable to see beyond the colour of their skin, cut out his tongue, saying nothing but monstrosities, and throw him off his throne in person! His fists clenched, and Neiji had to bite the inside of his cheek so as not to scream in rage. Right in front of him, Hinata shivered slightly, but she just bowed her head.
"I am eternally grateful for your clemency, Your Highness, but I am no fool. I would like to converse frankly with you, if it pleases you", she said, and Neiji could hear her sweet smile.
The Daimyō seemed surprised at first, then had an amused smile. He folded his hands and studied Hinata in silence. He observed Neiji as well, and the squire looked into the monarch's eyes. He wouldn't bow to him. This seemed to amuse the old man as he smiled slightly before shifting his attention to his cousin.
"Jiraiya warned me that you and your cousins are smarter than you look. I should have known, coming from Yggalëns wearing a snake as a coat of arms, he amused himself. If you wish, I'll be honest. Otherwise I would have to pretend to share your sorrow; I fear I shall soon grow weary of it. Lying is tedious."
"I can only imagine, Your Highness."
This seemed to amuse him, for he giggled slightly. Neiji took a deep breath. He had to remain calm.
"You'll never be Daimyō, but I guess your cousins already told you that. The reason is simple; no woman shall sit upon this throne if I can stop her. Your nature is as unpredictable as the Wild Sea, and a war would be too easily started. Kushina Uzumaki, despite her respectable intellect for a woman, had no chance to be Daimyō; so, an Yggalën one! No, impossible. Your morals are too different, too foreign to the Kingdom of Fire for me to let you sit on this throne. Your region has not been with us long enough. Choosing your father was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."
Neiji felt as if he had swallowed a stone that now weighed on her stomach. How could this man say and believe such atrocities? Paralyzed by the horror, he did not react when the monarch continued his speech. He could hear the frantic beating of his own heart against his ribs and temples, so powerful that he thought for a moment that the organ would break his bones and leave his body.
"Of course, that can't be the official reason. A new selection will take place because, racked with grief, you cannot become an heir princess so soon. You'll be participating officially, but make no mistake, I will not choose you. If you refuse to join this masquerade, well... Jiraiya will pay a visit to your clan. That would be unfortunate, would you not agree?"
"I do, Your Highness", Hinata answered. "May I be excused?"
"Of course."
Hinata stood up, bowed, and turned to Neiji who instinctively offered his arm. The shock gradually left his body to be replaced by a new emotion. Rage. A rage so powerful, so wild, so uncontrollable that he could feel his body trembling under its intensity. He wanted to run with the wind and flee from this cursed and hated city. But he restrained himself and guided his cousin out of the room. She offered tender smiles and polite words to those they met on their way back to her apartments. However, this changed as soon as Neiji closed the doors behind them.
She walked straight up to her balcony and opened the glass doors with a sharp blow and stopped under the sun, trembling with her back to him. Neiji followed her and embraced her trembling form. She put her graceful little hands on his arms and leaned her back against his chest. Neiji tightened his grip slightly; she was not alone in facing this cursed capital.
"Damn them all", she murmured suddenly. "None of them deserve the love of the gods..."
"Perhaps the One of Wrath's" he replied, hoping to amuse her.
Nevertheless, to his surprise, Hinata violently detached herself from his arms and turned around, eyes squinted and jaw clenched, an accusing finger pointed at him while his other hand rested on his hips.
"Don't say such things. The One of Rage doesn't like corrupt souls, he punishes them."
The hardness of his voice surprised Neiji, and he approached her before taking her hands in his. He saw the spark of struggle in her eyes, but it disappeared immediately, smothered by a weariness that Neiji did not know.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, Hinata, only to distract you with a jest. Please don't be harmed by my words."
"Oh, don't apologize, I beg you, it's my fault," she replied in a voice whose sadness was unfathomable. "I am so irritated lately, and the words of the Daimyō are like a sword wielded in my wounds."
Neiji embraced her at once. His poor cousin had suffered far too much for him to blame her for anything. He stroked her ornate hair and kissed the top of her skull before guiding her to her bed.
"Rest", he said. "You've just arrived, and I can only imagine how exhausted you are. Let me help you unravel your braids", he added after a short pause.
She gave him a tender smile, to which Neiji immediately replied. How happy he was to be able to put his eyes on her dear cousin's face again, to hear her voice again, to smell her perfume, to hold her in his arms! He delicately undid Hinata's hairstyle and caressed her long, loose hair as she fell asleep in a few moments under her satin sheets.
A tender smile was born on his lips at the sight of his peaceful face, then a long sigh escaped him, and he stood up. He would never forgive not only those who had hurt Hinata, but also those who had failed her. He thought again of the story of the attack on her. Hamya and Hanika had not been there to protect her, and he clenched his fists. It had been their duty, and they had failed.
Neiji quickly walked to Hinata's distant maternal cousins' chambers, as all Hyūga were housed in the same tower and her cousin's ladies slept close to her. He entered their room without bothering to knock on the door and was greeted by a cry of surprise from the two sisters.
"Neiji! What happened to your manners?" Hanika hissed.
"I'm not here to talk about my manners, but about the mission I gave you before you left. To protect Hinata. Why were you absent when she was attacked?" he replied, forcing his voice to be as cold as possible.
Hanika opened her eyes, clearly stunned, but her sister was not so passive. Hamya walked straight towards him and stood before him. His gaze reminded Neiji of the look Hinata had taken earlier when his jest had hurt her.
"There was nothing we could have done to protect her", she scolded, crossing her arms across her chest. "If you want to vent your anger, then go fight some training dummy."
"You failed her!" he cried, clenching his fists.
The rage twisted his guts, made his body tremble. How dare Hamya answer him like that after she failed?
"And what were we supposed to do? Die needlessly? Without Prince Gaara, our presence wouldn't have mattered!"
"I don't care about this prince! You should have been there! You left her alone!"
"Alone?" Hanika snarled. "How dare you! Neither Hamya nor I are knights! We almost died that day too! And yet we watched over Hinata tirelessly when she was catatonic! We washed her, dressed her, put her to bed and fed her! She's not the only one who suffered, and you ought to remember that! I know you love her more than anything in this world, but that's no reason to forget us! We're Hyūgas too, and we suffer the same looks, the same insults as her! Even worse! Do you know how many men have wanted to make us courtesans? How many have wanted to possess us both on the same night? Hinata wasn't alone, a prince rescued her! Now, leave this room or I'll make you leave myself!"
Neiji felt as if a stone had fallen to the bottom of her stomach. How could he have neglected Hamya and Hanika like that? How could he have ignored their suffering, their pain, their trials? They were members of his clan, Hyūgas from Yggalë. How could he aspire to become a knight if he ignored his own? How could he have dared to rebuke them like that when they had just escaped an attack? He bit his lower lip, and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. He clenched his fists and bowed down before them, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"I apologize", he murmured. "I should never have thought nor uttered such things."
He felt Hanika coming closer, but he didn't look up. He bit his lip harder, holding back tears of shame. His stomach was twisted by an unparalleled rage directed at himself. He didn't deserve to be a knight of the Hyūga clan if he behaved like that.
"It's too simple", Hanika raged. "Do you think we'll forgive you like this when all you see is Hinata? You're so blind!" she cried, and Neiji was surprised to hear sobs in the young woman's voice.
He instinctively raised his head to see tears streaming down Hanika's cheeks. His eyes widened and he reached out his hand to her, moved by an external force, but she slapped it away before disappearing into a draught leaving only the fleeting smell of her perfume behind. Neiji stared at the place where she had stood a few moments earlier and then looked up at Hamya. Hamya stared at him coldly.
"My sister loves you, you blithering idiot", she whistled and Neiji felt her heart miss a beat.
"Hanika loves me...?" he stammered.
"For years. You never noticed it, did you? How could you, after all? All you care about is Hinata", Hamya spat.
Neiji was about to reply when the ringing of jewels stopped him. He turned around and saw Hinata enter the room, dressed in green and gold, her hair perfectly knotted and adorned. She was flanked by Kō, who was standing a few steps behind her. He had never seen her look so noble and regal, and he could not help but swallow.
"Hamya, may I come in?" she asked in her soft, melodious voice.
"O-of course my lady... I... what I said..." stammered Hamya.
"Don't regret a word you said, cut her tenderly Hinata. I agree with you. Neiji, you're unequally dear to me, but I can't approve of the way you talked to Hanika and Hamya. Go find Hanika and apologize to her; I want you to keep her safe."
"Hinata, no, I'm sworn to you!" he protested.
"Not yet," his cousin replied sharply. Her voice returned to its usual softness. "My beloved cousin, please. I'm not chasing you away, I just want us all to be united", she said, taking his hands in hers. "Watch over Hanika, and learn to see other people", she concluded by standing up on tiptoes and sticking her forehead against his.
Neiji closed his eyes, his teeth clenched. He hated it when she was right, she who was younger. He took a deep breath and moved away to look her straight in the eye. He found a new wisdom in it, one that he had loathed. He longed to drive it out and replace it with the mischievous spark that once shone in his eyes.
"I will, cousin. But promise me something, please."
"Tell me."
"Don't always be so wise."
She smiled softly and shook her head slightly, her jewels tinkling joyfully. He released his hands and left the room, looking for the lady he was now sworn to serve, Hanika of the clan Hyūga.
Neiji found Hanika sitting on one of the couches in the kiosk that the three young women enjoyed. She was crying silently, the sobs rocking her body the only indication that tears were streaming down her cheeks. Neiji swallowed. He was the reason for Hanika's tears. He had made a member of his clan cry because of his stupidity and blindness. He approached and Hanika raised her head and turned around, ready to send anyone who bothered her away, but froze when she saw him. Her face blushed furiously, in rage or embarrassment, Neiji could not tell.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to appear regal and confident.
"Hinata made me your knight."
Pain ran through the grey eyes of the young woman, whose fists clenched her skirts.
"I'm grateful for that, but I have no need of your protection. I can run away if any danger should arise."
"Hanika, I'm grateful to Hinata for placing me at your service", he cut her off, and she opened her eyes. "I have been utterly vulgar towards you, and I desire to redeem myself; if you wish to act as if I were absent and ignore my existence when I guard you, do so, I will accept it without a word. Only, do not think for a moment that I will fail in my duty and let slip a chance to earn your forgiveness."
Hanika's tears redoubled, and she tried to wipe them away. Neiji smiled slightly and drew his sword before putting the point in front of him and kneeling on the ground, his eyes fixed on the lady whose safety he had been entrusted with.
"I, Neiji of the clan Hyūga, swear loyalty and protection to you. In poverty or wealth, health or sickness, joy or despair, I shall guard and protect you. Hanika of the clan Hyūga, do you accept to be my lady?"
"I do."