Title: To Where It Takes Me

Author: Kenhime

Genre: Drama and Romance

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. The decision of who gets to be with who should better be left in the hands of the creator Kishimoto-sensei. I just write the possible pairings.

Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in a long time.  I was running across Europe for two weeks like a mad chicken about to be killed for dinner.  Well, not really, but man, it was so tiring!  Anyway, during that time, I had also contemplated this story and its plot.  Now that it's all plotted out and I feel extra happy about it, it's going to be continued.  I hope you guys didn't give up on me because of the two week absence.  ^^;;

AGAIN, if you feel icky about this relationship, then press the BACK button!  I remember saying that, and I got someone who shrieked at me, implying that the pairing was disgusting.  It's especially ironic that I asked the readers not to flame.  =_=;;;

~~~***~~~

Chapter Two: Together Let's Find It

                I supposed my mother tried to lessen the weight of the betrothal by humiliating me with childhood memories.  Although I did clearly remember those days, I didn't want to.  I looked down upon the reminiscences of the naïve me who didn't know a thing about the sadness that lurked in my father's eyes.  I didn't want to remember about myself, but I never, ever, forgot my father.  He was the driving force of me, the reason of my hatred and bitterness over destiny.  And he was the same person who gave me the hope that I could break it.  I would always remember him—he was my childhood. 

                "Neji?"  I glanced at my mother, who stood at the sliding door with an inquisitive expression.  "Shouldn't you get some more rest?"

                "I'm fine." Truthfully, I had slept for only five hours and spent most of the night at the window, contemplating.

                "Lunch is ready, so come out and eat." It was an order, especially with that deadly glare she sent my way.  I followed her downstairs and seated myself at the table, staring at the plate of food.  I haven't seen food like this for quite some time now, my diet having been dried snacks and water for the past five days.  The appetizing smell that wafted to my nose brought my long missing appetite back and in no time, I was digging in plate after plate.  I felt energy reviving the chakra channels in my body, my vigor returning, as I ate five plates of food.

                "I have never seen you eat so much, Neji."  I could feel my mother's smile as she washed the dishes.  "Don't push yourself too much, all right?" she said quietly.

                I smirked.  "I know."

                "You only have a few days left before work," her voice back to normal, "and I suggest you spend some time with your fiancée.  With the Hokage restored, we are now given more missions to complete to recover our economy.  After this, I doubt you will ever see her for the next couple months."

                After I gulped down my third glass of juice, I stood up and grabbed my weapon pouch.  "I will," I promised over my shoulder as I walked out, "I'll be back before dinner.  I'm leaving."

                I had stayed in for most of the day, so the main street was already alive with business and people when I reached it.  As I walked towards the direction of the main house, I felt my surroundings clearly.  The people passed by me indifferently in their walks of life, the discordant symphony of voices and bustling noise uncomforting to my ears that were so used to the quiet.  I rarely took the main street and even then I was up so early most of the time that there was barely anyone around. 

                My mother had no need to tell me to visit her.  In a union, there were certain duties of a husband and wife that could only be fulfilled through mutual understanding.  To build this understanding, I had to get to know her.  It was simply a Hyuga tradition to court your betrothed.

              When I knocked on the door, it opened to reveal the very subject of my thoughts, wearing an apron and carrying a…medicine bowl?  She looked at me with startled eyes.  "Brother Neji?  What are you doing here?"

                I found my eyes staring at the rose bushes planted at the side of the house.  "As your fiancé, I want to know you better," was all I could say. 

                Still dazed, she managed out a, "All—all right."  She stood to the side to let me in and closed the door.  "Just—just a minute to finish up, please."  I followed her into the kitchen, where I observed the small piles of dried leaves and flowers on the counter.

                With a raised eyebrow, I asked, "When did you learn how to make medicine?"

                Her back was turned to me as she crushed an assorted mix of herbs into powder.  The stone grated steadily against the bowl, the guttural noises filling the kitchen room.  She absently spoke to me as she turned her attention to medicine-making.  "When Father was still training me, I had a lot of injuries.  There was no doctor in the clan, so I had to learn how to take care of myself.  Since then, it has become a hobby of mine to make these.  It helps, too, with my little sister's cuts and bruises.  It's the only hobby I have."

                A hobby that stemmed from the pain of being the Hyuga heir, I added silently.

                She carefully poured the medicinal powder into a small paper packet and folded it neatly to keep it contained.  Then she quickly cleaned up the area, putting away the ingredients into their cabinets.  She untied her apron, folding it into a square to set it on the counter, and gave me a shy smile. 

                "W-well, shall we go?"

                As much as we knew each other, we had never went out on a walk or talked to each other often.  I had avoided her at all costs, avoided the duty of protecting her and her blasted blood.  She did the same; the only difference was that she feared the cold words that I shot at her every time we met.  This was a new thing to us, to be idly walking together through the village.  The number of people on the market way had grown less since I left my home and I felt more at ease.  She fell a few steps behind as we reached the forest, but I didn't slow down.  There was something in my mind, a feeling that was leading me through this path.  Strange how my emotions was guiding me, forcing my feet to places I wouldn't imagine of going with her.

                "Brother Neji?" 

                I didn't bother glancing behind me. "What?"

                "I…I still remember back then…that…"  My muscles tensed, but I continued walking, my feet moving step by step.  I let my silence urge her to continue.  "Well…I…one time…"

                "You could tell me later," I cut in, slightly irritated by her stuttering and unprepared for what she would say about me.  Frankly, I had enough of people talking about the past.  "Right now, I want you to close your eyes."

                  I could feel her surprise but she complied.  Taking her wrist, I pulled her along, albeit roughly, helping her duck under the low branches and step over the high roots of the trees.  Twenty minutes had passed when we reached the point.  I didn't know why I had led her to this place, maybe to break the silence or for the lack of something better to do other than training.

                "Okay, you can open your eyes now."

                I watched as her eyes opened slowly, blinking at the setting sun until she could see clearly.  She let out a small gasp as she turned her head from side to side, her eyes drinking in the vast scenery that lay before her.  The orange light that shone just above the far violet mountains brought a healthy glow to her pale face, making her eyes livelier than ever.  I wrenched my gaze away from her to look below at the green masses of trees that stretched to the bottom lines of the western mountain ranges.

                "There's a reason why our village is called Hidden Leaf.  It's in the heart of the woodlands that covers most of the Fire Country," I said as I sat down on an old moss-covered log.  She sat after me, her eyes never leaving the view.  "I used to…come to this place often."  She shot me a brief look and I added quickly to explain, "As a shinobi, it is good to know your territory and be one with your natural surroundings."

                There was a pause. "Yes, it is recommended," she agreed, "but I…think that's not why you come here."

                I furrowed my brow.  "Why?"

                "You come here because you just like nature."  I frowned and said nothing.  Her smile seemed to taunt me, as though she knew me better than I did. She didn't know I had mastered the Byukagen to get a better control of my surroundings.  Nonetheless, I had never seen her smile like that, small and peaceful.  It was during these moments that she didn't stutter or worry about what she said, I realized.

                "Brother Neji?"

                "Yeah?"

                "I think these forests are like the heart: deep and mysterious, yet beautiful when you see it change from green to gold."  Her voice had a dreamlike quality to it, soft and in awe.

                I grunted.  "Forests are forests, Miss Hinata.  We are who we are, and we keep our hearts to ourselves."

                She laughed, "Yes, yes, you're right.  But if you liken simple things to something confusing, then you'll understand it better, don't you think?"

                "Complex things cannot be understood as easily as simple things," I countered.

                There was that knowing smile again.  "No, you just complicate matters, brother Neji."

                I felt my temper rising, and I couldn't control the cruel words that rushed out of my mouth.  "Simplifying things wouldn't help, Miss Hinata, it wouldn't help the pain that comes from knowing.  There is no such world of simple things, not when you can't understand why you are chained by your family's ancestry and their prestige."

                Setting a goal to become stronger and finding the answer to destiny did not destroy the resentment I had over my clan.  They had imposed this cage upon our births that had suppressed the way we viewed life, making us cynical and incredulous.  I knew it sunk into her understanding like a knife plunged mercilessly into the heart, like all the other times I had spoken with her.  I knew she would then be silent, her reverie gone like the sun when it dipped behind the mountains.  This time, however, I felt some guilt in breaking this moment in which she was a different person, an entity who knew no boundaries.

                "But there is a key, isn't there?  To every lock, there is a key."

                My head whipped around to look at her in shock.  She didn't look at me; rather, her eyes were staring determinedly at the endless dark green forests and the way the lingering sunlight tinged the top of the trees with soft gold.  When did she change so much?  This girl, so timid and sensitive at every word, unknowing of her own worth, was now finding strength in such hope. I realized that she had known this hope long before I had figured it out.  There was a tiny feeling of jealousy in the back of my mind, knowing my own weakness in believing.  I was supposed to be the stronger, the wiser, yet the roles were reversed.  I wondered if I knew her now, if my eyes would be able to see through her mind now.

                "So where is that key?  Why can't I find it?"  I was startled to hear myself ask a question that had lingered in my mind day and night; as if I trusted that she would know the answer that I myself could not find.

                And she answered, quite lightly, "It will always be there, brother Neji.  You will find it, perhaps not now, but you will.  I'm sure of it, because I am looking for it too."

                I turned my head back to the far clouds that was still holding the remnants of rays the sun had left.  Slowly, a wave of blue and purple spread from the deepest corners of the sky, signaling for the coming of the night.  I nodded to myself, absently speaking words I never thought I would say.

                "Yes, someday…you and I…will find it."

                There was a mutual silence that lasted until it grew darker.  I finally rose from my seat and held a tentative hand out to her.  "Let's go."

                She glanced at me with pink tinting her cheeks, and took my hand.  "O-okay."

                It was in the middle of our quiet trek back to the village when I felt people following us.  They were very discreet in tracking us, but they shouldn't have underestimated the power of the Byukagen.  Miss Hinata's hand tensed in mine, telling me that she knew as well.  There were probably six or seven ninjas stalking us as we walked.  We had no choice but to continue walking and wait for the attack.  It was nearly impossible to plan an ambush when they were within earshot.

                Finally, they attacked.  A dozen shuriken whizzed past us as we cleanly dodged, lodging themselves onto the bark of a tree.  I looked up with disdain at the high branches where they hid.

                "Do you think you can take us down with just shuriken?" I yelled out, ignoring Miss Hinata's anxiety.  The group immediately landed in a large circle around us, their feet making no noise as it touched ground.  I could barely see the insignia on their headbands. I pulled Miss Hinata behind me, murmuring to her to stay close.  Then I turned to them with eyes narrowed.  "Why, after ten years, would the Cloud still desire the blood limit?"

                "Our reasons are not for you to know, child," a muffled voice replied curtly.  "Give the girl."

                "You would not have her for the life of me," I snarled back as the blood veins became prominent around my white eyes.  Miss Hinata, with the typical hand seal, activated her three-sixty vision.  Without another word, the enemy ninjas advanced closer, their kunai steadied in their hands.  They couldn't have been any higher than chuunin, from the way they tracked us to their style of uniform.  I did not doubt which side would have the victory, even if I didn't use my main techniques.  The fight had to be finished quickly, for I'd made a promise to come back before dinner and I have never broken my word to my mother.  There was no other way to speed up the battle of six against two than using the succession technique, but with Miss Hinata at my side, I wouldn't be able to execute the Kaiten.  Unless… 

                "Miss Hinata," I spoke softly but quickly to her without sparing a glance.  She squeezed my hand in response.  "In the count of three, I want you to release chakra as you can throughout your whole body."

                I felt her surprise.  "But—brother Neji—I haven't mastered—" she protested in an undertone.

                "Just do it.  I'll do the rest," I whispered sharply.  "There is no other way."

                Despite what I said, I was doubtful too.  Was it possible?  I'd never heard of such a thing being done before.  Most importantly, would she be able to do what I had told her?  If it failed, I would be the only one able enough to keep on fighting.  Miss Hinata would not have enough energy after the joint defense.

                But then she pressed my hand firmly, as if knowing my uncertainty.  It was as if she said to me, I can do it…trust me.

                I had no time to show my surprise again or feel ashamed of my momentary hypocrisy.  If I knew she would grow stronger, was I to disbelieve her now? I once again pulled her in front of me and whispered in her ear. 

                "One…"  They were getting closer, their steps quickening.  I carefully placed my hands on her flat stomach and my chin over her shoulder.  She was breathing hard, but I felt no nervousness from her.

                "Two…"  The enemy leapt forward, kunai brandished.  Their chakra flow increased along with their excitement, before I counted the last number.

                "Three!"

                I saw the kunai landing all around us before two entwining colors of blue and red surged out, stopping the weapons inches from our necks.  In a split second, I pushed some more chakra to my feet and spun, holding Miss Hinata.  Both of us whirled like a tornado, our combined energy revolving swiftly around us as it thrust the enemy's chakra back at them.  The six of them were shoved back, the daggers thrown out of their hands.  The joint Kaiten came to a stop and we paused, panting and watching the ninjas moan in agony.

                "Um…bro—brother Neji?"

                I quickly relinquished my hold on her.  "We have to get back before they recover!" I began to run, with Miss Hinata following at my feet.  However, she gave out a yelp as she tripped and fell on her knee.  Turning back to her, I held out my hand again and ordered, "Take my hand."

                But she looked at me with hardened eyes, and panted, "No.  I can make it."

                "You've lost too much chakra in one bout to carry on.  There's no time, take it!" I was irritated by her stubborn gaze.

                "No, I can stand!" she shouted at me.  She saw my startled expression and softened her voice.  "G—go, I'll follow you to the road." She pushed me weakly as she struggled to stand.  Slowly, but surely, she pushed her feet to stand on the cold dirt, her chest rising in and out from the exertion.  I shot her a condescending glare—or what I thought was condescending, but she smiled faintly back, as if she had won a battle.  I glanced away and continued to run, too incensed to not care whether she would keep up or not.

                But to my displeasure, she did.

                Step by step, she dragged herself through the forest, tripping sometimes, hitting a branch or bush at other times, and yet made it to the lighted road in which the village entrance was only a short distance away.  The Cloud ninjas had lost us by then, and we were too close to the still-bustling village to be attacked.  I watched as she finally fell on her hands and knees, too breathless to speak.  Perspiration and some blood mingled on her brow, and she absently wiped them with her sleeve.  She gave out another yelp as she landed on her behind, and clutched her ankle tightly with a grimace.

                Her white eyes--so much like my own and yet so different--bore into mine.  "I won't go back on my word.  That is also my ninja way."

                I let out a small sigh and bent down to touch her ankle.  It was hot to the hand.  "It's sprained.  I won't let you go further like this, no matter what you say, Miss Hinata."  She made no protest this time as I slipped my hand around her shoulder and the other underneath her knees.  With a slight stagger, I picked her up from the floor and continued to carry her into town.  She wasn't particularly heavy.  I felt her breathing slow as she drifted off, her head gently leaning on my shoulder.

                Numbed from the experiences that swiftly passed me, it seemed that time was just barely catching up as I walked to her home.  When I reached her door, her father was already standing at the gate, his stern expression growing grim as he took in the state of our appearances.  I was, as usual, spotless apart from Miss Hinata's sweat and blood that dripped from her cuts.  He took it in the way that I had expected him to have taken it, but in my defense I said six words.

                "We took a walk.  Cloud ninjas."

                With a hint of worry and concern that passed over his face, he took the girl from me and went inside.  I followed him into her bedroom where he laid her there.  Distantly, I heard him call for the housekeeper to come.  Her mother and sister rushed past me to see her, their faces stricken.

                Then Lord Hiashi glanced at me.  "Again?"

                I nodded slowly.

                He pressed his hand to forehead and eyes, and exhaled deeply, as if he desperately wanted to let go of his worries.  His wrinkles deepened, making him look older for the second time.  "We must stop this," he intoned.  There was a long pause before he recovered his taciturn expression and looked at me.

                "Training tomorrow at five."

                No words were spoken after.  I left the main house as it grew hectic and confused in what had just occurred.  When I came home, a warm, delightful aroma and my surprised mother greeted me.  I trudged past her and her questioning expression to slump down on my seat.  Despite her curiosity at the stains on my clothes, she sat down opposite of me on the table, and only said, "Let's eat."

                No questions were needed to be asked.  After all, I had come home before dinner.

~~~***~~~~

Things to know about story in general:

1) I don't use Japanese romanji often because I find that it disrupts the language flow.  Thus, instead of Neji-niisan and Hinata-sama, it's Brother Neji and Miss Hinata (I find the lady honorific a tad bit old for her).

2) This chapter kicks off what will happen in the story.

3) The story is estimated to have only four parts.

4) Each chapter will probably get longer as it nears its conclusion.

5) It will probably end by this week.  If not, next week.

Things to know about plot:

1) The joint Kaiten defense was just something I made up.

2) Neji's mother is quite the unique character, who can change from one mood to the next.

3) Hinata doesn't stutter when she wants to make a point

4) Keep in mind about Neji's curse seal.

5) There're some statements unfinished previously, but they will be complete.

6) For all you WAFF lovers (and haters), the fluff has just only started.  ^^

7) Angst follows WAFF, by the way.

To the reviewers, I thank you so much for your support.  I'm actually really surprised by the feedback, seeing how this pairing is viewed as unacceptable.  But to me, I think it could be a good way to push for more character growth in Neji and Hinata.  I don't know, but as I researched on his character (by staring at manga) and write as him, I'm starting to like him more.  I don't know if it's truly IC or not, but this is how I think of him and what he can really be.  Despite that, please keep on reading and see how it goes! 

To yurimi-neko, I answer to your question: YES I AM ON CRACK.

To Lita of Jupiter, I especially thank you for your encouragement.  What you said pushed me over to the side of "Write It" instead of teetering on the edge of "Don't Write It."  ^_^ *bows*

Because of my chipper mood *and also because I wrote some fluff in this chapter*…Dun, dun, dun…A PREVIEW SUMMARY!

*tentatively* Chapter Three: A Stolen Key

Neji starts his training with Hiashi while he continues to court Hinata.  Just as the two get to know each better, a startling discovery by Hinata breaks the delicate balance between the two.  Is it too late to bring back the friendship the two shared?  Or what will Neji finally realize?