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CHAPTER 4
NEJI NO KOKORO
NEJI'S HEART
Nikushumi ka, Hinata-sama? Hate, Hinata-sama? A sly satisfied smile loomed on his lips. He was awake, but didn't bother to open his eyes or struggled to move. His body felt warm, light, he was basking in the last rays of the sun of a hot summer day. Neji chuckled.
"Nani? What?" The water splashing on his body had awakened him. After a long afternoon of training, he had dozed off by the mansion's onsen. Startled, he raised his arm from his eyes and turned his head to find Hinata, half dipped into the warm water, laughing at him.
"Kono…! You…! Hinata-sama! Do shite koko ni? Why are you here?" Neji propped himself up on his elbows, giving her an annoyed look.
"Betsu ni…No reason…" She shrugged her shoulders, pouting slightly, her eyes moved upwards to the left.
"You shouldn't be here. Your father will…" He rubbed the bandage on his forehead.
"So desu ka? Really?" Are you going to tell on me, nii-san?" Floating towards the deeper side of the pond, she backed up few feet away from him and smiled defiantly.
"Yabai! He's going to get mad at me if anything happens to you. Get out of there, now!" Neji sat down, his legs in the water, as she swam further away.
"Koi, Neji-nii-san! Come!" Hinata turned back for a moment and gestured to him. He let his towel fall and slid down into the pool to chase her.
"Atta! Gotcha!" He had caught her by one leg and got to her shoulders holding her firmly in his arms.
"Atta, ka? Did you?" Hinata slipped from his grip and splashed her feet vigorously, disappearing under the surface.
"Gaki! Doko da…Nigero na! Brat…Where are you…don't run away!" Mopping his face, Neji shook his head impatiently and looked for her. Swimming under his legs, she got behind him. Then, in a bold move, she pulled his leg, making him lose his balance. Neji sunk face flatted into the water as she quickly ran away.
After a few seconds, he rose back up, covering his eyes, looking dizzy. Worried, Hinata came back to him. "Gom…Sor...KYAAAAAA…." Neji had dipped both arms under the surface and hurled a small wave of water and chackra at her.
"Ku ku ku… Baka! Sucker!" Crossing his arms on his chest, he laughed grimly.
"Baka ja nai yo! I am not stupid! Neji-nii-san, shobu desu! Let's fight!" Giving a few steps back and shaking her head, Hinata extended her arms, ready for him.
"'taku, Hinata-sama! You're doing it all wrong!" Neji approached her and gently took her arms, raising them to correct Juuyken position. "Saa…ne? Much better!"
"Now, come and get me!" He stood in front of her and they started throwing punches at each other, with Neji yelling instructions and encouraging her.
"I like it better when you teach me, nii-san!" Hinata said, catching her breath.
"Atarimae darou! Of course! Your father doesn't have any patience with you, I can't blame him, though…" Neji stopped, catching his own breath. "Ma… Hinata…tsukareta…I am tired…" He stretched his arms and joined his hands behind his neck. "Let's soak for a while and then we play more."
"Unn. Ok" Hinata lowered her head. Heading forward, she swam to the opposite border.
"Che… Hinata! Dame da…Abunai zo! Damn, Hinata…No…it's dangerous!" Neji swam after her, but she had been too quick. She'd gotten two small towels and was sitting in a swallow corner of the pond.
"What were you saying?" She folded one of them and gave it to him.
"taku, Hinata-sama, you're stubborn!" He sat beside her and put the towel on his head.
"What do you care, Neji-nii-san?" Hinata sunk her head up to her nose in the water and looked at him sidewise.
"Ma… I don't!" He twisted his mouth and looked away from her, shrugging his shoulders. "I have to protect you."
"Hontou ni? Do shite? Really? Why?"
"Sore wa ore no unmei da…It's my destiny, that's what my father says." Neji closed his eyes, thoughtfully.
"Baka mitai, ne? That sounds stupid." Hinata scratched her head and turned to him. "Do you always do everything your father tells you? What if I don't want you to? What if you don't want to?"
"It has nothing to do with what I want."
"What if you don't like me, will you still protect me, Nii-san?"
"I like …Che… Hinata… damn you!" Hinata had sprinkled some more water on him. "This is no bird bath…Stop fidgeting! Yamete!" Raising his chin, Neji floated away from her. "Sarani, Anata wa yowai… Besides, you're weak."
"Sonna! No way! I can take care of myself…Father said that he is going to teach me the kaiten."
"Kaiten, ka? Nan da sore wa? What is that?"
"Ano…Hmm… I don't know it all, yet…it's a jutsu." She lowered her arms along her body, as if to start a spin. "Father said first I have to see the tenketsus. He said you will never learn it."
"Naze? Why?"
"You can't." Hinata shrugged her shoulders and sat back in the water.
"I can't? You are the one who can't see the chackra holes, baka!"
"And you can? Uso da! You're lying!"
"Uso ja nai zo! I am not lying!" Neji did the Byakugan sequence of seals, and took her right arm. "Mite miro…can't you see them?"
Hinata stared at him amazed as he touched the center of her palm with two fingers.
"Nii-san, that feels weird, yamete! Stop!" She pulled her hand away from him.
"Didn't I say you were weak?" He let go of her arm and smirking, threw some water her.
"I am not!" Hinata responded in the same way.
"Are, too"
"Am not!"
Ano ko…That girl... She is not a child anymore… she can see tenketsus, now, eh? I will show her some new ones she doesn't even imagine existed. Neji filled his lungs with the smell that still lingered on his sheets. When I am out of here… Hinata-sama you're really like the sun… you need to go out more. 'taku… I bet she also locks herself away wherever the hell she is living now. Yeah… The first thing I have to do is take her on a date, or she is going to think I am a total bastard. But where? That stinky ramen joint? Che…Naruto no yatsu…he'd drag her to there and make her pay the bill. I can't believe she likes him, I know she hates ramen.
She likes water… Right, that's it! Arasaki no yu. A small plateau, where a steaming hot pool with milky white waters was surrounded by snow covered peaks and the clearest azure sky. Omoshiroi, na? Funny. Somebody had named it and build a small lodge where even the most skilled snow monkeys couldn't reach. Six thousand feet of steep, almost vertical ascent among craggy sharp edged rocks, deep gorges and crevasses, his chackra gluing to the crumbling rocks and ice shifting under his feet like shards of glass. Training for the Chunin exam had led him there. Che… I can climb that with a hand tied to my back. It's more than worthy, she will be dumbfounded just with the view. The thought of having her stunned and alone with him suddenly didn't sound half bad. Three hours of climbing should do it. But crossing the deep forest to get to the mountains would take at least half a day. Kawaisou na Hinata-sama. Poor Hinata-sama Damn, I can think of better ways to wear her out. She must be really exhausted after baby-sitting me like that. Sore ga, do shita? So what? I will carry her. Neji saw himself jumping among the tall and ancient oak, fir and maple trees surrounding Kohona, with Hinata holding tight to him. He could feel the sharp wind hitting his face, her warm breath against his neck, her hands across his chest, her breasts squeezed against his back, his hands holding her legs against his tights. I can close my eyes, turn my head, and kiss her in mid-air… Hyuuga de yokatta! It's good to be a Hyuuga! I wonder if I will be spoiling her too much. Iya, Hinata wa tsuyoi ni natta. Nah, Hinata has become strong. No matter what I do, that water will make her feel stronger than a Hokage. She can carry me on our way back. I sure will make her feel like jumping. Somehow, that sounded even better.
Tabemono, na? We will need food. Ninja shoku…iya da… Ninja food…no way… Oden, ka? Stew? Again, Neji wondered how come such an outlandish and desert place was so well kept. It had a nice fireplace, a cauldron and he even could find clean bowls. Nah, that girl is so thin. She needs some chankonabe. Hmm…shiro miso, akai miso, dashi…Che…I bet she's been feed that crap they sell at the store. Nasakenai, na? Pathetic. I wonder what she likes…Oysters, lobster, shrimp, prawns, salmon, cod, tuna, scallops…Tori, ka? Iya da! Chicken? No way, I won't get that just for her. Baka na tori. Stupid bird. Che…Oykaodon…Chicken and egg. Eating a mother and its child sounded downright disgusting. Since before he could remember, Neji had been forced to watch those poor birds leaving their small cages just to have their necks mercilessly broken. Maybe that was the reason that the mere idea of a chicken being cooked always made him shudder. What else? Abalone, crab, squid…Umee…delicious… Mushrooms, pickles and …yeah, we will need some vegetables and stuff, udon, tofu … did I forget anything? Maa…I can always ask what she likes best. Whatever it is, she better eat it all. Mou…I guess I will have to sneak out some sake. For cooking purposes, of course! Neji loved to cookAs a branch house boy, his time had always been his own. Nobody cared about what he did or didn't do. During the long winter nights, he'd enjoy the warmth of the kitchen, the smell of food and spices and, most of all, while his father was away on a mission, the company of his mother. But, since Hinata talked about the kaiten he didn't stop thinking about what it was. He started to pay attention to the people stirring the large iron cast and earthen pots boiling on the stove and, tasting the food, he'd wonder if the constant circular movement would be had anything to do with such a radical change in its flavor. Opening the wooden lids of the cauldrons and ignoring the risk of incurring on the wrath of the kitchen god in charge, he would spin the water with his chackra and beating the fire make it boil faster with his whirling. When he became a Genin, the hard work he'd put into learning how to cook, finally paid itself off. It didn't take long for him to realize he couldn't stand the heavy and greasy Chinese food that his teammates loved so much. Soon enough, he took upon himself the task of securing food and water for his group. Huh, ima wa benri da, ne? Huh, now it came in handy.
Demo… But… we will need to take a short cut to a fishing village or something. Mendou kuse, na? Troublesome…More half a day of traveling. Yoshi! Obento yo! All Right! I can pack a lunch! Obento sae tsukureba kimochi wa tsutawaru. As long as I make him a packed lunch, he will understand how I feel. That's what his mother used to say as she made Hizashi's obento. He came to think, his own lunches were always the envy of the other kids in the Academy. Maybe that can work for me, too. Aishujin obento, ka? Aishujin obento, ka? Devoted husband lunch? Well, she better not get used to this. Eh, besides the kaiten, I got also teach her how to cook. That's it! He thought of the juubako he and his parents would take with them in spring as they went watching the cherry blossoms. It was a beautiful black lacquered four-layered lunch box, decorated with storks and bamboo trees of sunken gold, and mother of pearl. I bet it's still there forgotten in some corner of that old house.
Eeto… gohan…Hum…rice…so da…right… shinmai… I better be out of here soon. With luck, he could still find some freshly harvested grain around. The newly ripen rice was soft and glistened when cooked melting in the mouth with a faintly sweet taste. Saa, ne… I can scramble some eggs into tiny bits and sprinkle over it. Then twist nori in the middle like a spiral and cover the inside with salmon roe…That will be fun.
Soshite…okazu da, na? And, side dishes…Yellow fish teriyaki, grilled saury, fish cakes, fried tofu, pickles, small omelet squares, fried shrimp, salad, tempura, spinach rolls, somen, sweet baked potato, fruits… Neji went on carefully placing the bite-sized pieces of food within the juubako and arranging them neatly according to their color, shape and texture with the barriers and layers of the box. Red against green, smooth surfaces opposed to rough ones, circular foods in square dishes resting next to angular foods in round dishes.
Soshite…soshite… mochiron yo! Onigiri…And…of course, rice-balls…Yeah, I will make onigiri with red rice. I bet she never tasted them like that. I can fill them with… Mou... some people fill it with beef and mayonnaise. Gross. Saa…umeboshi, red salmon, tuna, yellow radish, mushrooms…Matsutake, da to! He could always sneak into the Death Forest and, using his byakugan, find those rare mushrooms under the dead leaves on red pine groves. As always, it would be easier than cheating in a Chunin written exam. She will think I spent a lot of money on this…Huh, if I am going to raid the mansion for that box, I might as well ransack dear uncle Hiashi's pantry…as if he cared about anything he owns.
Demo…omoshiroi da, na? But… It will be fun. Just to see her face when she opens the box. Hinata-sama wa bikkuri suru, deshou…She will be surprised. 'taku…sheesh…Tsunade better get me out of there before winter comes. Fuyu, ne? Hinata-sama no tanjoubi da. Winter… that's Hinata's birthday.
Kago no naka no tori. Caged bird. Neji's stomach flipped into a knot. Until then, wallowing in the misery of his sealing, he'd never given a second thought about how sad and oppressing her own birthday must always have been to her. The house filled itself with menacing faces of strangers to whom children were only an unfortunately necessary hassle. In those haunting ceremonies of the main house, Hinata's role was to remain perfectly quiet at risk of being slapped on the head as soon as the visitors were gone. Then, she was shoved in that gloomy, smoke-filled Hyuuga shrine for hours without end. Maybe worse than himself, she had spent her life as a prisoner in that mansion. In his memory, there wasn't a single moment where Hiashi wasn't scolding and berating her, taunting her efforts with derisive remarks and belittling her for the slightest mistake or even for no reason at all. No wonder that lively and inquisitive child had grown to be scared and helpless. Hiashi no yarou…that bastard…I wish I could beat him into a pulp. Maybe I cannot change your father, Hinata-sama, but I can change myself. From now on, things will be different. I am going sweep you off your feet.
"Hyuuga-san, ogenki desu ka? Feeling well this morning?" The hospital attendant laid a tray with breakfast on his lap.
"Aaa…Yeah…" Neji winced and shook his head, startled. "Summan… thanks…" For a while, his eyes languished on the tray, guessing the lack of taste of the food. The tea was too hot and he sipped it slowly, without enthusiasm, cussing people who were careless enough to brew it without cooling off the boiling water. I wonder what kind of green tea she likes best. He raised the corner of his lips. I can always ask…she shouldn't be long.
When I sleep I dream, when I wake up, I am eerie…Hinata rubbed her face and yawned. Glancing at the window, the brightness of the sun had hurt her sensitive eyes. Mou… feels like a hangover, and I am not even twenty. Half opening her eyes, she let them wander through the odd assortment of objects that told her she was home. Countless books and scrolls crammed on shelves by her desk, where a set of paintbrushes, ink and paper to draw healing seals laid neatly disposed. On the counter by the window, potted plants as well as herbs and berries left to dry, empty and full jars of different sizes and shapes, a mortar and pestle, scales and several other tools of an incipient laboratory stood by pictures of team eight and a few scattered kunais and shurikens by their empty pouch.
In her new room, Hinata had learned how to wake up from nightmares of her usually restless sleep. Inevitably, she would find herself fighting her little sister until she was beaten to the ground. Gasping and bleeding, she'd struggle to stand up and flee. Relentlessly, Hanabi would chase her through empty corridors in the old mansion until she'd find herself cornered. Close to open doors, but always too weak and powerless to cross the threshold, all she could do was shut her eyes and cower in fear, waiting for her sister's final blow.Yoshi! Wasureyou! Right! Forget it! She could now smile and jump out of bed, realizing that she was safe and nowhere near her family.
Holding the back of her head, Hinata squinted and took a deep breath. She wasn't even sure of how she had gotten back there. Worse, waking up to these now familiar surroundings didn't dispel the unnerving feeling that had made her body heavy and unsettled. This was more than a simple nightmare.
"Mataku…Tsunade-sama, chi mitai, ne? Sheesh, Tsunade-sama it looks like blood." Hinata took a glass from her nightstand and tried to focus her blurry vision counting the drops of medicine she carefully let fall into the water. Frowning, she swallowed it quickly, expecting the weird bitterness that usually came with the Hokage's concoctions. Instead, the sweetness of lemon-balm and licorice root filled her mouth. In seconds, her body felt cool and shivery. Pulling up the blanket over her head she smothered her face against the pillow. It tasted like Neji.
Their stares were still darting sparks at each other when Neji slid his hand up from her back to her hair and moved his head slightly forward pressing his lips against hers. He closed his eyes tilting his head as her breath became shallow. She gasped, parting her lips, just to feel his tongue sliding into her mouth touching hers.
"Nii-san, please…I better…I-I don't want to hurt …"Hinata said, doing her best not to stutter, as she drawn her face away from him.
"Hinata-sama, you never kissed anyone before, have you?" Neji smiled roguishly as she held her ragged breath. "I know you learned to open your mouth…"
"B-but…I did …" Hinata said looking at him puzzled.
"…just take it from there... I can teach you…" Neji touched her lips with his finger to open her mouth. Slightly annoyed, she held it between her teeth.
"Ite-te-te! Ooouch! That hurts!" Shaking his hand, Neji pulled his finger away from her. Chuckling, he squeezed his eyes in mocked pain. "Oi, what kind of medical ninja are you…trying to hurt me?"
"Gomen, ne, nii-san. I am sorry." Worried, she winced away from him.
"Hinata … You know you can't hurt me." He took her chin pulling her face closer to his.
"And you have nothing to teach me, Hyuuga Neji." Holding his arms, she widened her eyes, veins ready to burst all around them, but didn't back away from him.
"So ka? Really? Then, you teach me." As if challenged, Hinata kissed him again. Really kissed him. Hard, passionately, slowly making him open his mouth wide and clench his fist on the fabric her clothes. Drawing his breath and making it her own, letting his taste fill her mouth, delving into his mouth to feel the texture of his teeth, sucking his tongue and bringing it inside of her. She kissed him as if she had set herself up on a quest to reach some forgotten depth of his soul, unknown even to him.
"Hinata…sama, I never… had a teacher like you…" He said, after a brief struggle to regain his breath. "You will have to help me practice."
"And just who have you kissed before, Neji-nii-san?" She raised her head and he could almost guess a hint of jealousy on her voice.
"Daremo…Nobody…" He grinned. "Demo…ore wa tensai ndarou… But…I am a genius, you know."
Hinata sighted, covering her eyes and shaking her head.
"Iya…uso da, na? Nah, that's not true…" Broadening his smile, he caressed her cheek. "You're the genius of the family, Hinata-sama." Tightening his grip around her shoulder he pulled her closer against his chest. "I never felt so alive." Hinata felt him heave, his heart beating fast. "I cannot afford to be away from you." Impulsively, Neji strained the muscles on his shoulder, trying to hold her also with his left arm. His face contracted in a spasm. As if he again had been hit by Kidomaru's poisonous arrow, a lacerating stab of pain pierced through his shoulder, making him moan pitifully
"Nii-san, onegai… muri shinai de….please, don't push yourself…" Digging her hands on the sheets, she lifted herself away from him, as he struggled to regain some composure. "I better go and let you rest…"
"Aah… Hinata… nandemo nai… ikenai, na? That's nothing. Don't go." His smile was now candid almost child-like. "Will you stay if I say something nice?"
"Didn't I just tell you not to push yourself?" She laughed softly.
"There…you have a beautiful smile, Hinata-sama. Let me look at you." Raising his hand, Neji spread his fingers and smoothened the hair away from her brow. "You don't need to hide your face like that. Anata wa utsukushii…iya…Hinata-sama wa zettai bi jin da! You're pretty… no… you're a total babe."
"I-I really have to go… I will be late." She lowered her head, looking away from him, dearly hoping he didn't notice her face turning bright red.
"Late for what, are you going out with someone or something? Come on, Hinata. It's not midnight, yet…" He said impatiently.
"Nii-san, I need to get some sleep, you know…eventually …" She said, sitting up.
"Why can't you sleep here? Am I too hard for you? …" Forcing the muscles on his lower back and supporting his weight on his right hand, Neji finally sat up. "Don't tell me that now you enjoy these weird soft beds…" He grunted, rubbing his spine. "They should know that this makes me ever sicker and these hospital gowns on my skin and…"
"I-I have to be home. Ano… Hmm…I promised….K-Kurenai-sensei, I'd…. clean the…" She stammered without turning to him.
"That woman makes you clean the house? Does your father know that?" Neji sounded sincerely outraged.
"She doesn't make me do anything, nii-san." Hinata said firmly and then stared blankly at the floor. "And my life is none of my father's business, anymore." She shrugged. "Like he ever cared."
"But I care. I have to take you back home where you can spend your time doing better things… like staying close to me." Leaning towards her, he held her shoulder snuggling his face against the back of her head.
"Nii-san, as if…" She glanced at quickly, nodding her head and twisting her lips.
"You don't want to be with me? If you leave, I will feel cold…" Kissing her neck softly from behind he nudged his nose on her ear.
"You're pretty warm as it is, Neji-nii-san." Taking a deep breath, Hinata turned her head and shrug him away from her.
"Taihen desu, ne? Terrible, isn't?" Neji seized her left hand, pressing it against his forehead. "I have fever, now you must stay and take care of me."
"Nii-san," Turning to the side, Hinata stared at him for a moment, thoughtfully. Then, she opened her jacket and from inside of it, fished out a small bottle of pills shoving it in his direction. "Take two of these and call me in the morning!"
"You feel pretty hot yourself, Hinata-sama." Blatantly ignoring her offer, he quickly glued his hand on her forehead. "Maybe, I should take care of you. As a doctor, I can do much better than this" Taking the bottle, he put it aside on his nightstand. "Hmm, now…" He bent his head and covered his mouth. Closing one eye in an earnest expression, he carefully examined her.
"First, we need to get rid of this…" He said, trailing a line of small kisses on her jaw up to center of her chin. "It may be what's choking you…" Before she could realize, he had deftly untied the headband on her neck and now held against her left shoulder.
"Nii-san… give that back!" She retrieved her forehead protector, but was unable to hold on to it for long and carelessly let it fall aside on the bed.
"This looks…serious…I should… definitely…take a closer…look…" Undaunted, Neji went up kissing her cheek. "Your face is completely red… and…. worse…" "You… are… breathing… awfully… heavy… Hinata…sama… you need emergency CPR…" Trembling, she tilted her head up trying to stop herself from gasping as he suckled on her ear lobe, gently nibbling it. Taken by her reaction, he went on deliberately teasing the sensitive skin of her neck and throat down to her collarbone.
"Yose… cut that out…it… it… feels wei…" Hinata squirmed, holding his wrist tight close to her.
"That's… a… good… sign…You're… feeling better… already." Insidiously, his hand had crept inside her clothes and now he could felt her chest melting at his touch. "If you don't want to play doctor, fine. Take this out." Neji paused for an instant in order to open her jacket. "It's going to get all wrinkled and the Hokage will get mad at you. Besides, right now, you know I can't use my eyes." He said hoarsely, as he opened the last button.
"Nii-san no sukebe… you pervert…" Trying to sound indignant but with a waggish smile still lingering on her face, she took his hand away from her jacket and held it fast against the bed.
"Kecchi! You're mean!" He protested vehemently. "How can you treat a dying man like this?"
"Shizuka ni… Be quiet." Sighing, she wrapped her arms around him. "You're not dying."
"I was… Just because I am a little better now, you feel free to be mean." Hinata could swear he was pouting.
"Am I being mean to you, nii-san?" She said huskily, resting her chin close to his ear.
"Hitori ni shinai de… onegai… Please, don't leave me alone…" He said in a heartfelt, melancholic voice.
"Maa… maa… asenna yo! Now, now… Calm down!" Gently, she laid him back down and straightened his hair, leaned giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "You know I have to be here tomorrow."
"You don't have to be here, I heard the first time that woman Hokage said it…and all other times, too." He whined, sulking. "I will let you go only if you promise you will be here before Shizune or the Hokage or any other tormenting idiot comes to inflict more pain and suffering on me."
"Mou…Monku iu na. Sheesh…quit complaining." Hinata frowned as she fluffed his pillow. "How long do you want to stay here like that, Neji-nii-san?"
"Hmm, like this? How about …" Running his fingers through her hair, Neji brought her head close to his. Hinata moaned clutching her hand on his upper arm as he licked her bottom lip gently biting it pulling her into a long, seductive kiss. He let his tongue slide gentle into her mouth, wetting her dry lips before slipping past her teeth, slowly teasing hers, waiting until he felt the pressure of her lips kissing him back. "…forever."
"Anata…You…" Hinata paused. "Anata wa…You…" Looking into his eyes she touched his nose and cheekbones, then traced his jaw line up to his lips where she let her index finger stay for a second. "You need to rest.…" Clumsily, she tore herself away from him and pulling up the sheets covered him. "Be reasonable, nii-san. I will be back tomorrow."
Aah… Hinata, yakusoku, ka? Yubi kiri… Promise? Cut your finger…" Pushing away the sheets, he extended his little finger towards her.
"Hontou ni marude kodomo da, na? You're really acting like a child…." Rolling her eyes, she bent his finger back, determined to place his hand under the blanket.
"You used to like me when I was a kid, didn't you?" Kissing her wrist Neji pulled her back on top of him.
"I don't remember you been spoiled, then..." She smiled, kissing him briefly on the cheek.
"So far, you didn't seem to mind spoiling me…are you going to start now?" Brushing his hand softly against the back of her neck, he made her rest her head against his shoulder. "Come on, why do you want to leave? Aren't you having fun?
"Atashi wa…I am …" She said in a fading voice.
"Kotaetakunai? You don't want to answer?" Neji's smile glinted with whimsical fun. "What are you feeling now? Nikushumi, ka Hinata-sama? Hate?"
"…tsukareta… tired…" Hinata raised her eyes to him and nestling her head on his chest, slowly drifted into sleep.
Two in the afternoon. She finally had gathered some courage to look for her alarm-clock and confirm what she already knew. Okureru! I am late. Tsunade-sama sure will think that I am completely useless, I might as well have slept there. Anxious, she jumped out of bed. Caged arrow. Hinata stared at the red kanji emblazoned in white, now wrinkled and carelessly thrown over the trunk not far from the window. Damn, I could have broken it. Underneath her jacket, miraculously intact, she had just found the only thing she had brought from her old home. Che…Why did I bring it with me, anyway?
With no time to find a better place for it, she made room among the pile of kunais and shurikens yet to be sorted out and shrugging, put the silk painting of her family crest framed in now tarnished silver on the counter nearby. "You're having a lot of fun, isn't, Hyuuga Neji?" She said out loud, checking her neck on the mirror and sighted in relief convinced that the only worthy part of her job was getting to wear a high collared uniform. Such a total bastard… taking me for granted.
Hinata hurried out of her room, relieved to feel the coldness her forehead protector inside her pocket. Maybe, with just a little more luck, she could bet on the slim chance that the Godaime would be also late.
Nikushumi ka, Neji-nii-san? Hate?
Neji heard the door open and slid up against the headboard. Letting his blanket fall aside, he supported himself on his right arm and raised his head forward, his face gleaming with a broad smile.
"Hairu yo! I am coming!" A jovial, feminine voice filled the room.
"Tsunade-sama, ka?" His smile vanished as he opened his eyes. He pulled the blanket back to his chest and turning to the side let his head fall back on the pillow.
"Saa…sugoku genki mitai, ne, Neji-kun? You look very healthy, Neji-kun." Tsunade said, as she walked towards him. Shizune followed her, glancing at him through the corner of her eyes. The medical ninja moved straight the table across the room where she started to neatly place a few small odd shaped bottles. Tonton, Tsunade's pet pig, sneaked from behind them and jumped in Neji's bed.
"Buui…" She greeted him and pricking up her ears stared with curiosity.
Mou…buta-ippiki-me! Nani mon de? Sheesh, a freaking pig! What the hell? What's missing, now, a monkey? Shaking his head, Neji covered his eyes, snarling a few unintelligible words.
"Hokage-sama!" Neji sighed as he saw see Asuma coming in, a bottle of sake and cups in his hands.
"Aah, Sarutobi…yoku yatta! Well done!" Grinning, Tsunade stopped and turned to him. "Oi, Neji, omae ikite ita ka… Sasuga, na, Tsunade-sama! Hey, Neji… you're alive? I wouldn't expect less from you, Tsunade-sama!" Asuma stared at Neji for a second and poured a drink for the Hokage and one for himself. .
"Saa…" Tsunade raised her cup and then took a sip. "Ii, no? Great!"
"Tsunade-sama, arigato gozaimasu." He bowed. "Chouji is leaving the hospital today." Asuma put a cigarette in his mouth. "Shikamaru's finger has also healed in no time" Then, he scratched his beard looking somewhat helpless. "But I wonder if you could do something for his motivation, too."
"Kono atashi, ka? Me?" Tsunade laughed. "That Nara kid is smart like his father. Soon enough he will find the right woman to give him motivation. Kurenai wa…"
"Ma, osou… sumimasen, Hokage-sama… I am late… sorry, Hokage-sama." Asuma's face turned red and he gulped his cup all at once. "I promised to take my team to eat barbecue." He turned on his back and waved. "Ikimasu, yo! I am going!"
"Lucky guy!" Tsunade finished her sake and turned to her assistant. "Inherited his old man cellar. Wasn't that supposed to belong to the Hokage?"
"Tsunade-sama! You drink too much as it is!" Shizune darted a reproachful look towards the Godaime. Until then, she had busied herself, oblivious to anything else happening around her, mixing carefully the contents of her bottles into a glass.
"Hai, hai!" Tsunade twisted her mouth, annoyed.
Baka na! Sono Hokageonna wa oozakenomi da! Ore wa shibito da tte ba! It can't be! That woman hokage is a drunk! I am dead meat! Neji watched as Tsunade poured herself yet another drink and sat down close to him. During his mission, he had heard Naruto talk about her, but dismissed it as one his many exaggerations. A drunkard woman could never be the new Hokage, it just didn't make any sense. Now, thought, as he saw her with his own eyes his unsettled nerves were slowly reaching an uncomfortable edge.
"Sate to…Now, then…" Tsunade sighed and turned to him. "Shinpai shinai de, Neji-kun! Don't worry!" Tsunade patted his head as she uncovered his chest, and he saw a condescend smile on her lips. "Shizune is in charge, today. I am just checking you up. Sit straight."
Straining his lips, Neji drew a sharp breath, in order to stop himself from making any noise. His body had become tense, and as he forced himself up, the pain returned with a vengeance. Tsunade reached for his right shoulder to help him up. Neji shuddered. Her hands were cold and he gasped involuntarily as she touched his bare chest in order to examine him. He turned his head and fixed his gaze straight on her inscrutable eyes, only to curse the fact that he couldn't use his byakugan. It didn't take long for him to realize that he'd have better luck trying to guess the thoughts on the carved face of her grandfather on the mountain. All there was left for him was to wonder why, with such a poker face, she was able to lose large amounts of money on gambling, to the point of being called legendary sucker.
"Hinata-chan is sure treating you well." Tsunade said, almost to herself. The decision of, for once, going against her policy, and having his bandages changed while he was asleep, had been a wise one. Judging by Neji's mood, if he became aware of how deep his wound actually was, Hinata wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Hinata wa…" Neji chewed his thoughts. Hinata wa…dou shita? What happened to her?
"Nanka itta? Did you say something?" Tsunade blinked her eyes as if her concentration had been broken.
"Ia…nandemo nai. No…nothing." Neji looked away from her, angry at himself.
."Well…I got something for you." She dove her hand into her coat and took out a box of colorful square sheets of rice paper. "They say if you fold a thousand cranes you get a wish fulfilled." Tsunade said, as she placed it on his nightstand. "Besides, it will keep your hands busy for a while, after I heal your arm."
"Senbazuru da to? A thousand cranes?" Kudaran. Non-sense. That woman hokage…does she think I am a child? Honto no! Really… she is an idiot just like Gai. He raised his eyes to stare at her in utter disbelief.
"Maa…Tsumanai, ne? Must be boring…You can't drink, you can't gamble, what kind of fun can you have in a hospital be…" She heard Hinata's gasping breath but didn't turn to her. "Okure shimatte, Hinata-chan. You're late."
"S-Sumimasen, Hokage-sama. I-I am sorry" Hinata walked in with small steps, holding her hands against her chest. Quickly, Neji raised his neck to look up Tsunade's shoulder. Hinata lowered her head, averting his glance and silently stood behind the Hokage. Che, Hinata-sama, anata wa itsumo osoi, na? You're always late, isn't it? Chigoku-guse, na? Slacker.
"Ii desu, ne. It's all right. You just missed your cousin smile." Tsunade turned to her. "I wonder if it happens every day. Even if there were a snowstorm, it could have melted your heart like a ray of sunshine."
Hinata finally dared to raise her eyes, and glanced at him just in time to see his face turning away from her. Clenching his fist under the sheets, Neji pretended not to be listening. You missed the party, Hinata-sama. Isn't the Hokage teaching you to drink, too?
"Gomen, gomen, Hinata-chan. I didn't mean to bring you bad memories." Hinata just held her head lower, as if her mind had gone somewhere else.
"Anyhow, now that you're here, let's make it quick, shall we?" Tsunade patted her tights. "Shizune! Are we ready, yet?"
"Hai… Chotto mate kudasai, Tsunade-sama… Please, wait a minute!" Shizune mixed the last few drops of a red substance in the glass, and holding it against the window, watched them dissolve into the clear, seemingly
harmless liquid.
Mitakunai, na? Do shita, Hinata? You don't want to look, eh? What's wrong with you? You still are a three year old scared brat… Neji turned his head to Shizune, but from the corner of his eyes he still looked for her. Hinata moved slightly back, away from his sight.
"Neji-kun, you're Lee's teammate, aren't you?" Tsunade crossed her hands on her lap and relaxed on the chair.
"Oo… Yeah…" Neji grunted, startled. 'taku…What now? Is she going to say how nice and hard working that other idiot is?
"Then, you must be familiar with the Ultimate Lotus." Tsunade put a serious expression on her face.
"Ura Renge? Ultimate Lotus?" Neji was puzzled. What does it have to do with anything?
"If you saw Lee-kun performing that jutsu, you must be aware of why it's forbidden. It's not an illusionary technique, it opens the Celestial gates, allowing a powerful release of energy, and at the same time putting an overwhelmingly strain in your body. You are familiar with the Celestial gates, aren't you? In the human body, there are eight of them: open gate, energy gate, life gate, wound gate, forest gate, view gate, insanity gate and death gate. They are vortexes of energy, acting like pumps or valves, regulating the flow of chackra in our system. The mechanism to open and close those gates voluntarily is complex and as you know, dangerous. It was quite foolhardy from Gai to teach him that, but in the end, the years of hard work your teammate put in that jutsu gave him a great physical shape and most likely what made his operation successful. You really won't have to worry about that, though. The medicine Shizune is preparing will open only three of your gates for a few seconds. Enough time to boost your chackra and your energy level will be back to normal. It's also and antidote, so it will clean your body from all the poison that's still left in there. All you will have to do is drink it very slowly and there will be no danger at all." Tsunade took a deep breath and looked at Tonton. She was snoring loudly, peacefully napping at the foot of his bed. "Are you paying attention, Neji-kun?"
"Oo…yeah…" Neji squinted his eyes towards her. Urusai, na? How annoying! I've heard this all before. Kono urusai hokage-me. Chikushou, jama da! Doke! Freaking annoying Hokage. Damn, you're on the way! Move!
"All you have to do is take your time drinking it. We don't need all the three gates open at once." Tsunade had a reassuring smile on her lips. "You will regain your capacity of generating chackra and Hinata-chan won't need to come see you anymore. She has done a great job, so far, but she told me that you weren't happy with her taking care of you, so that should make you fell even better."
Nan da to? Temee…komusume. Uso tsuki! What did you say? You stupid girl, liar! Neji stared at Tsunade and loathed the fact that right now he couldn't see through her.
Tsunade-sama! Chotto mate kudasai yo! Wait a goddamn minute! Hinata stared suspiciously at Shizune Did I say that? Shizune had been looking at them, but quickly turned her eyes back to the glass she was holding. Kono Shizune! Shizune…you!
"Yoku iu ze…Yeah, whatever…" Neji raised his hand and closing his eyes waved it front of his mouth in disgust. "Che…" He hissed. "Sono darashinai amachan-me! That useless spoiled brat! Great job, indeed. I can't move. I've been in pain since the day I woke up in this damn hospital, she might as well go play doctor with somebody else." Tsunade slightly turned her head back to watch Hinata's reaction. She had her eyes glued to the ground. Earlier, in her haste, she had buttoned her jacket wrong and, now, strangely enough, it seemed like a good time to fix it.
"Yare, yare… My, my…. I see you've fallen in love with your cousin, Neji-kun. Well, you kids can sort that out later." Tsunade crossed her arms, looking at him a quizzically. "I thought you'd be glad you'd be leaving soon." Tsunade stood up. Shizune was now by her side, silently holding the glass in her hands.
"I want you to calm down." Tsunade said in a stern tone. "I can't stress enough how powerful this medicine is, and how carefully you should drink it."
"D-demo, Tsunade-sama… B-but, Tsunade-sama, it's still dangerous!" Hinata timidly emerged from behind the Hokage. "H-he is still too weak…"
"Chigau yo, Hinata-sama! Ore o dare da to omotte iru? Ore wa anata-gotoki to chigau yo. Anata wa yowamushi da. That's wrong! Who do you think I am? I am not like you. You are the weakling here. I am stronger than you and that stupid Lee put together. You're not even a real Ninja. Stop pretending to act as if you cared about me. I had enough of you and all this crap. Let's just get over with this, shall we?" Neji straightened his back. Leaning forward in a sudden harsh move, he grabbed the glass from Shizune's hands swallowing all the medicine at once. "It won't be a minute too soon when I am out of here, and don't have to look at your stupid face any…."
"Akaku…he turned red…" Shizune barely sounded surprised. Startled, Tonton woke up and bolted into her arms.
The glass crushed in his fingers. Neji gasped, eyes widening as a maze of veins ready to burst surfaced on his face and streams of cold sweat poured from it. He had drunk a thousand red-hot needles that now flew like blazing sparks through his system, scorching every fiber of his being in their uncontrollable race. All his organs burned in a blast of painful heat .His heart had been the epicenter of an earthquake. His body, turned into water, shook with the waves of a tsunami, traveling at incredible speed and crashing against an unseen shore.
"Nii-san!" Hinata dashed as he flailed backwards, seizing him in her arms a second before his head hit the wall. "Shikkari sei! Get a hold of yourself!"
"Do shita no desu, Hinata? What's wrong?" Closing his eyes he touched her cheek smearing her face with his trickling blood.
"Nii-san! Me wo akete! Open your eyes!" She lowered her head, holding her ear against his chest. "Onegai! Please!"
"Che…'taku! Sono mendou kusai gaki. Sheesh… what a troublesome kid." Holding her hands in her hips, Tsunade said, not exactly under her breath.
"Shina nai de! Shina nai de kure! Please, don't die!" Hinata clutched Neji in her arms, jostling him.
"Ochitsuite, Hinata-chan! Sore wa kocchi no serifu da, na? Calm down! That's my line!" Tsunade took Hinata's shoulders, pulling her away from him.
"Tsunade-sama! Taihen desu! Tasukete! It's an emergency! Help!" Summoning a strength she'd never been able to fathom within herself until that very moment, Hinata made her healing seals and put a trembling hand over his heart.
"Anshin shiro. Baka wa shinanai tte iu shi, na? Don't worry. Don't they say idiots don't die?" Tsunade shrugged, unfazed. "Put your other hand on his forehead. That should do!" She ordered, correcting the position of Hinata's arms, more interested in how she was performing the jutsu than in the consequences of Neji's foolishness.
"Demo, Tsunade-sama…But…" Fighting the tears welling up her eyes and shaking, Hinata struggled to keep her hands steady.
"He will be just fine, keep doing what you're doing! Shizune! Clean his hand!" Tsunade wiped the sweat out of her forehead and sighed in relief. "That's enough, Hinata-chan."
After what had seemed to be an eternity to Hinata's edgy nerves, Neji was breathing again. His skin had gone from different hues of bright red to dark blue, but now returned to a healthy color. His face was serene and peaceful as if he'd just fallen asleep.
"Watashi no sei da. I-It's all my fault! I-I ruined everything…I-I almost killed him!" Eyes shimmering, Hinata buried her face on her hands.
"Chigau yo, Hinata-chan, yoku yatta! That's not true, Hinata-chan, you did well! His chackra was draining out and you stopped it. Since when you can do that?" Tsunade sounded pleasantly surprised.
"I-I can't… I didn't…" Slowly, Hinata opened her fingers and looked through them.
"Me wo akero, Hinata-chan. Open your eyes! Can you see his tenketsus?" Suddenly, the Hokage's temper started to shorten.
"H-hai… I think…" she joined her hands under her chin and raised her right index finger. Neji's body was enveloped by vivid cerulean blue flames, swirling fast and rising a few inches above him. Still burning bright, they gradually lowered their pulse to the rhythm of his breathing. Among countless hues of blue and turquoise, Hinata could finally distinguish his tenketsus, webbed in pathways of golden white light. They were opening like diminute lotus flowers blossoming with the morning sun and floating on a pond gently stirred by the breeze. Only a small area, around his left shoulder had remained unstirred, gleaming faintly with a dull shade of grey. "S-sugoi kusuri desu, Shizune-sensei! What an awesome medicine!"
"He shouldn't have drinked it the way he did…" Shizune rested his hand on the bed and turned to her. "Sono nekketsu gaki. Baka ni tsukeru kusuri ha nai. What a hot-blooded kid! There is no medicine for stupidity. Is he always like that?"
"Ma…nan to ka…well, somehow…" She sighed. "He's been in a lot of pain, Shizune-sensei, and…and… his arm still, he-he…It's all my fault, I-I shouldn't have said what…"
"Stop making excuses for your cousin's behavior." Tsunade interrupted her. "Sonno gaki…That kid... I wanted to have the wound on his back today healed today…"
"I-I talk too much..." Hinata gave a step back. Exhausted, she felt her legs faltering and losing her balance, she stumbled upon the chair near to his bed. Tsunade rushed to hold her, stopping her from falling.
"Kyou koko made da, na? That's it for today!" She turned Hinata to the door putting her on the way out. "Shizune will stay with him for a while and heal his back tomorrow. You must be doing something very right, Hinata-chan, he obviously doesn't want to leave the hospital. Now, go get some rest. Your cousin is more than enough trouble. I don't need the both of you collapsing on the same day. Kaero. Go home."
Now, if that isn't the most stupid thing I ever thought of doing. I will never be a good ninja, nii-san? Maybe the most stupid one, but a ninja, nonetheless. Hinata stared at her own last name written above the gate on an endless white wall. She hadn't been able to sleep and, driven by an overwhelming uneasiness, had roamed aimlessly among Konoha's rooftops. Considering what happened to Gekkou Hayate and that Sound Nin not too long ago, hanging around roofs at that time of the night alone wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do. Well, I am no one that important.
Jumping from building to building should have been enough to keep her mind busy. Still, she had headed straight towards the Hyuuga compound. Not far from the mansion, she realized where she was. She had jumped down to the very same spot where, long ago they'd met for the first time, and now was staring at her own last name written above the front door. Kono Neji-nii-san, bishounen datta. He was a handsome boy. Hinata smiled. I am as good of a ninja as you are, Hyuuga Neji.
Quickly, she jumped back up and through the roof, reached the main house. If she remembered well, there should have been an entrance to her old room, somewhere around that part of the ceiling. Once, Hiashi had shown her where the Lightning Country head ninja broke into the estate in his failed kidnap attempt. Knowing the Hyuuga's arrogance, Hinata figured that they probably left the place just the way it was. Besides, that was her room, after her shameful defeat to her sister, it's not that they would care if she were ever kidnapped again.
Yahari! As I suspected. Without making a sound, Hinata slid a heavy wooden panel and sneaked inside. They'd made it into a storage room, full of sealed cases, boxes and old furniture. Yatta! All right! Hinata thought as she jumped on the floor. Rakky! Lucky! This had been better than she expected. Using her byakugan, she wasted no time finding what she was looking for, a trunk full of Hiashi and Hiazashi's old clothes. Neji and her used to play with it, until Hiashi found them out and hid it from their sight. Well, guess it was for the best. Hinata was happy and proud of herself. She started gathering the pieces for a complete outfit, obi and socks, until she found a black silk yukata with the flame of the Hyuuga. When both twins were alive, she barely could tell Hizashi from her own father. She was quite sure that particular robe used to belong to uncle, though. It would always be the first thing Neji would fish out when they played together. She thought of the rough hospital sheets on Neji's wounded skin. I bet he will like to wear it again, now. As she rummaged the old trunk, she noticed something glimmering faintly in gold and green with the moonlight. Something she'd never seen there before, a sealing scroll. Hinata opened it to discover the releasing jutsu for the branch house cursed seal. Masaka! I didn't know such a thing existed. Yudan shita, ne? Chichiue. How careless of you, father. Hinata shook her head and without hesitation, put it inside her jacket. Serves you right. Zama miru.
"Onee-san!" Hinata turned around, Hanabi was there. She could feel the raw power of her little sister's blank eyes staring back at her.
"Ittai, nee-san? What on earth are you doing here?" The little girl asked, in a mix of surprise and indignation.
"Ha-Hanabi…onegai…you will wake up the whole house…I… w-was just…" Kono gaki. I didn't wake up father but I woke up her. Sasuga, Hanabi-me!
"I am going to wake up father, that's for sure." Hanabi noticed the scroll sticking out of her sister's jacket. "What are you doing with that?"
"I-it's none of your business, Hanabi. Go to sleep."
"Sonna! No way! It's for him, isn't it?"
"I said it was none of your business, this is my house, too. I can do as I wish, leave me alone!" Komusume! Stupid girl. How did you guess?
"Your house…and why do you come as a thief, nee-san? Father needs to know you're here."
"No…Hanabi, onegai…listen, I just came to get some clothes for him, he…" Hinata looked down. "He…he doesn't have…I am leaving right away…"
"That doesn't look like clothes to me. Are you going to give it to that branch house boy, nee-san?" Hanabi fixed her gaze on the scroll.
"N-no…please Hanabi… I –I just found it… I j-just came for the clothes, I swear… please, don't tell father ….I really don't know what it is…"
"You don't? I knew you were weak, but didn't know you were also stupid. Are you going to let that boy have it? He almost killed you as it is. Do you want him to kill all of us, nee-san? Father was right letting you go. You're not only weak and useless, you're stupid enough to fall in love with that bunke no mono and have him destroy the Hyuuga." Hanabi didn't have a shadow of emotion in her voice.
"Damare! Shut up!" Livid, Hinata shoved the scroll deeper inside her jacket. "I am not in love with him. How dare you say that, you impertinent brat?"
"You're not leaving with that, nee-san…" Hanabi grabbed her by the jacket.
"Hanase, Hanabi, Let go!" Hinata thrust her right arm forward and pushed her sister away. Hanabi landed a few feet away, her body tensed in Jyuuken style fashion.
"Hanabi…I don't want to fight you…please…" Hinata backed away, scared, but surprised with her own strength.
"Of course you, don't…" Hanabi said with a contemptuous smile and walked towards her. "You won't get away with that, I will bring you or what will be left of you to father."
"Please…we're sisters d-don't …" Hinata was trembling.
"As if you cared about your family…" Hanabi aimed for her jaw, missing it by a less than an inch as Hinata dodged the blow. Swiftly, she turned around and tried to find her way out in the maze of boxes and furniture.
"You won't run away, nee-san…" The little girl said, sprinting after her.
Jumping up and down without making a sound, Hinata finally reached an open door, leaving the clothes behind by the open trunk. Kuso! Damn it. Damn you, little brat. She ran through the empty corridors in search of an exit, Hanabi not far behind.
"You're not going anywhere, nee-san…" With her left hand, Hanabi grabbed Hinata's shoulder making her turn around. In a matter of seconds, Hinata was laying on the ground with her lips bleeding and half of her face swelling.
"Now, give me that…" Hanabi tore her jacket open and got the scroll. Still, Hinata was determined not to give up so easily, in a quick move, she stood up and retrieved the scroll backing away from her sister.
"Akiramette, nee-san, give up, you have nowhere to run." Hanabi stepped forward.
"Akiramenai yo! I won't give up!" She took a deep breath, and making her hand seals, posed herself in Jyuuken style facing her sister, who was now ramming against her. "Nigetakunai! I won't run away!" Hinata swiveled around and throwing her leg forward like an axe aimed her shin to her sister's thigh.
"Ashinuki wa amai, nee-san. Your footwork is pathetic." Hanabi smirked, jumping a few feet up from the ground, easily avoiding her sister's attack.
Hinata's right eye was swelling fast, almost closing, but, as they exchanged blows lightning the darkness with sparks of blue, the last thing she could afford was to feel pain.
"Didn't the Hokage teach you anything?" Hanabi raised her nose arrogantly.
"She taught me not to be careless…." Hanabi's self-confidence turned out to be her undoing. Sensing an opening, Hinata hit her sister below the jaw, sending her flying up in the air. As she came down, Hinata flipped her index finger, striking her little sister right in the middle of the forehead. Sure the Hokage had taught her something.
"Dekopin?" Astonished, Hanabi rolled in the floor hitting the wall with an impact.
"That's what annoying little girls get, kono kawaii imouto." Hinata wiped the blood bursting in a bubble on her mouth.
"Now go to sleep. It's too late for a child like you to be out of bed." Hinata felt her cheek, now aching painfully. "But before you go, here's some good advice, imouto-san. Just forget about this, or you may kiss your chances of taking my place as the heir goodbye. Father won't believe you anyway. And if he does, I am sure he will be pleased to know that I beat you with one eye closed…"
"O…no…re… you!" As her eyes went back to normal, Hanabi rubbed her aching forehead.
"Now, now …that not the language of a Hyuuga. That's one-sama for you, lately, I've grown used to be called that. "Tate, Hanabi…Stand up. Aneue is acceptable, too." Hinata took Hanabi's hand, helping her up. "Kore wa kizu no kusuri desu! That's medicine for wounds" She took a small wooden jar from her pocket and closed Hanabi's fingers around it. "Now, be a good girl, will you? Sare! Get out of my sight." Hinata flashed an evil grin at her bedazzled sister. Yubi o kuwaete mite iro. Just watch me while you stay there sucking you finger.
Back to her old room, Hinata took her time folding the clothes and carefully leaving everything as if she'd never been there. Then she vanished into the night, her aching lips still froze in a satisfied grin.
Orokanaru imouto yo! Foolish little sister! Hinata looked in the mirror, rubbing her face. After frantically looking among empty pots and jars, she had accept the fact that she had given away the last of her medicine to her sister, and there was no way in hell that she could produce some more with what was left of the chemicals and herbs she'd found in her bedroom. Itai! Ouch! Now deeply envious of Hatake Kakashi, she started to wonder how she would show up in the hospital next morning. As for what just happened, she couldn't care less. Maybe she was scared, but then again, what could happen to her? Would her father kill her? I can't make decisions that would affect the whole clan? Saa…Chichiue…If Hanabi knew what was good for her, she'd keep her mouth shut. Iryo nin? Medical ninja? Nah…I am a Ninja! Mite miro, Neji-nii-san…I might as well just show up exactly like that, and let him wonder what the hell has happened. But, thinking about his incessant questioning, she decided against it. Then, there was also Tsunade. As if she needed the Hokage worrying about her and what she did in her time off. She went to sit on her bed. Exhausted as she was, the excitement of the last few hours had pumped enough adrenaline on her heart to keep her going for another three days without sleeping. Dame da! I can't show up there late and looking like this. Dou shiyou? What to do? Hinata felt a stitch of pain in her swollen cheek. Ano kusogaki! That shitty brat. That's not the language of a Hyuuga…She laughed to herself. Orokanaru Hinata yo!
"Tasukete kure, chichiue! Save me, father!" Neji screamed among his tears, the thick asphyxiating fog filling his lungs with the smell of sandalwood and burned candle oil. A strong hand clamped his mouth shut. Held by his wrists and heels, he thrashed and twisted his body, in the vain struggle to set himself free. Four elders of the Hyuuga carried him down the steps that led to the family underground shrine. Gathering enough strength, Neji bite the hand clenching his jaw. "Chichiue!" A vigorous slap settled him down. "Damate-yo, Neji!" Shuddering, he raised his eyes to find Hiashi's blank stare. He was laid down on a block of stone, under a painted scroll with the Hyuuga crest, his limbs tied fast holding his shivering body against the cold surface. Neji squeezed his eyes as the blinding light coming from his uncle's hand gleamed in the darkness. Powerless, he felt the shattering pressure of Hiashi's chackra constraining his skull, flaring each one of his brain cells. Neji's whole body burned with searing pain as his uncle with steady, cold precision carved that particularly cursed manji on the center of his forehead.
Then, he was alone. His head swaying, he tried to rise up, just to fall on the wooden floor. Painfully, he crawled to the stone stairway, and strenuously climbed the steps until he reached the top. Staggering, he leaned himself against the wall to find his way in the darkness. Still dizzy, his left cheek swollen, blood dripping on his eyes, he found himself in the main chamber of the old mansion. In the center of the room, he glimpsed the body of his father, dimly lit by flickering candles. Surrounded by the elders of the clan, Hizashi was laying there, dressed in a white kimono, his covered head placed northwards. Near him, neatly arranged on a small table, rice, sake, fruits, flowers, incense and a dagger. Clenching his teeth, he watched as the body started to glow. "Chichiue, shinde wa inai zo! He is not dead!" He ran to his father and kneeling, uncovered Hizashi's face to see in horror that the dead man's face was his own. Neji felt his limbs paralyzed and struggled to move his arm. Looking up, he saw Hinata's bruised face, she was the child leaning towards him.
He felt the soothing touch of linen drying his sweat, the sweet smell of wild flowers invading his chest. Then, cool moisture drenched his parched lips and tongue. Hinata…"Ore… wa… shinda ja nai zo…I…am…not…dead…"
"Wakatta yo, Neji-nii-san. I know." she said in an almost inaudible voice as she stroke his hair. "Mou…mou… daijou-bu desu, ne… It's all right, now." She said pressing her lips quickly against his. Lifting his hand, he reached for her. "Kega wo shite iru na no ka? You are…hurt?" Almost touching her face, he finally opened his eyes just to see a shadow disappear in the open window, the drapes swaying with the cold night wind.
"Hinata wa…" Still staring at the empty window, Neji touched his lips. Then rubbing his left cheek, he couldn't find any swelling or pain. His hand felt sweaty, but there wasn't any blood to be seen on it. "…yume, ka? Hinata… was it a dream?"
" Na…nan da yo? What is that?" Looking down, he noticed the clothes lying at the foot of the bed. Reaching for them, he unfolded the yukata in front of him. "Kore wa…That is…" He grasped the robe against his chest. Hinata had untied his hair and now her small hands were awkwardly tying the obi around his waist. Then, she turned back to the old trunk they'd dragged into the garden and grabbing mirror, held it in front of him. "You look just like your father." Neji let his arms fall along his body and stood up proud inside the oversized robe, smiling back at her. "Neji-nii-san wa kirei na otoko no ko desu, ne? You're a handsome boy." Casting the mirror aside, she hugged him kissing his cheek.
"Do iu koto da? Kono futari, Nani yo suru nda? You two, what are you doing?" Hiashi's voice sounded deep and menacing as he caught Hinata's wrist roughly pulling her away from Neji.
"Do shita, no? Chichiue" Following Hiashi by a few steps Hizashi was walking towards them. Scared, Neji ran to his father. "Hai… hai… hai… Neji… Anshin shite… There, there, calm down." Hizashi knelt down and patting Neji's head pressed the boy's face against his shoulder. "Yoshi, yoshi! It's all right!"
"…ano bunke no mono! ...that branch house boy! " He still could hear Hiashi scolding Hinata as he dragged her away from the open chest.
"Chichiue!" With a deep sigh he held on tight to the yukata.
Yabai! Holding on tight to the rugged wall and planting her feet firmly on the wooden beam under the window, Hinata finally regained her breath. She jumped in the marquee and hid behind the red and green sign of the hospital. So far, nothing she had done that night had made her feel guilty, but leaving Neji to wake up alone after one of his nightmares was making her heart heavy. Well, he would have blamed me for that, too. Hinata sat on a corner, leaning against the hospital sign. Hunched, she hugged her legs and let her head fall against her knees. Kawaisou na Neji-nii-san, mou kurushinde iru. Poor Neji-nii-san, he's still suffering. "Chichiue, ka?" Leaning at the door, Hinata saw the body of her uncle. "Hinata, watashi wa ikite iru…Sare!" Almost yelling, Hiashi pushed her away. She ran from there, and in the garden, found Neji hunched in a corner. "Daijo-bu, ka, nii-san?" He raised his head in tears. "Anata wa… Sare! It's you… go away!" She knelt in front of Neji at tried to hug him." Nii-san, naku na…onegai! Please, don't cry!" "It's all your fault! I hate you!" "D-demo, nii-san…" "They killed my father because of you! Sare!" Hinata sobbed and wiped out her tears, then exhausted, she fell asleep.
At dawn, crows perched on the rafters woke her up. "Aho!" "Aho!" "Aho!" Looking at the layers of dust and dirt around her, she realized where she had slept. Her right cheek throbbed in the cold wind, and she tasted blood in her mouth. Her body ached, maybe more from having slept in such an awkward position than from her late night family reunion. She rubbed her ailing face and scratched her head. Did I really have to give my last jar of medicine to that brat sister of mine? Orokanaru Hinata-me! Shaking her head, she sighed and stood up, supporting herself against the wooden board. Looking upwards to the blue roof, she sprinted in the dust and jumped. Cautiously she walked among broken shingles and torn pipes and reaching the edge, and then leaped to the closest two-story building.
"Rough night, kid?" Hinata turned to her right and froze in mid-air. Mazui! Crap! Tsunade was at her side.
"Tsu-tsunade-sa-sama…I-I c-can explain…I-I…" Hinata covered her cheek as they landed on the top of the building.
"What you do on your time off is not my business." Tsunade sat down on the edge of the roof. "Come here, let me take a look."
"It's nothing really, Tsunade-sama…I can take care of…" Reluctantly, Hinata gave a few steps towards Tsunade and sat by her side. Sake kusai! Smell of sake! And just what kind of night did you have, Hokage-sama? She had never seen the Godaime up so early in the morning, and wondered if Jiraiya was back in town.
"Now…" Tsunade took Hinata's hand away and examined her swollen face. "I never understood why you people name this gentle fist." Tsunade had a waggish smile as she slightly touched Hinata's cheek. "I am amazed how you got your cousin to recover that fast."
"He-he didn't do…Tsu-Tsunade-sama…He still wea…" She thought of Neji, struggling in the darkness of his nightmare, but didn't dare to finish her phrase. "It's all my fault, I w-went home and my sister, she…she…" Looking down, Hinata wrung her hands close to her chest.
"Maa…" Tsunade looked closely at Hinata's black eye. "I was wondering how his handprint had shrunken into a six years' old." She kept on smiling at Hinata's embarrassment. "Did you bring her here?"
"I-iya…Hanabi wa daijou-bu desu, ne? N-no…s-she is all right …" Hinata hold the back of her neck with her hand.
"Sonna! No way! Don't tell me that you lost!" Tsunade tried to sound worried. "Saa…let me fix it."
Hinata felt Tsunade's soothing green chackra spreading through her face. Then, slowly, she stammered away her little tale of sibling affection, carefully avoiding any mention to the sealing scroll.
"Dekopin, ka?" Tsunade held her side and cover her eyes, laughing hard. "Hontou no, omae wa kono atashi no ii buka desu, ne? You sure are a good student of mine, Hinata-chan."
"I-I didn't want to hurt…she…she...I really shouldn't ha…" Hinata raised her eyes up to the Hokage, puzzled by her reaction.
"Well, there's something very wrong here…Didn't I tell you once to quit whining? You should be proud of yourself, and I bet that's how you're really feeling. You are strong, Hinata-chan., you have no more excuses not believe that, now." She took Hinata's shoulder and looked straight into her eyes. "I know your strength, Hinata, and it's beyond your family idea of strength is. But if it's the language they understand, I am glad you started speaking it loud and clear." Tsunade turned away from her. "Besides, a little training never hurt anybody…Well, so to speak." With an evil grin, she closed her hand and punched her open palm, remembering the feeling of Orochimaru's cheekbones and jaw cracking under her fist. "Just don't overdo it, right now, I still need you in one piece, and I'd rather not have you wasting your chackra playing with your sister."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama." Hinata raised her head and emulating the Hokage, faced her with a similar smile.
"Hinata-chan, how much do you trust your cousin?" Tsunade stood up and reached for something inside her coat. Astonished, Hinata watched the gold-plated scroll glimmer in Tsunade's hand. Eeeeee? Itsu…When did she… Gapping her mouth, Hinata hastily stood up and checked her pockets.
"I am sure you know what you're doing. Just be careful with what you keep in your pockets." Tsunade handed the scroll back to her.
"Aah… Tsukarete shimatta yo! Ah, I am tired." Stretching her arms Tsunade yawned." I need a hot bath and some warm sake…Put yourself together Hinata-chan. I want you in my office this evening." Tsunade backed a few steps. "Meanwhile, try to stay out of trouble, you don't need more of your family history etched on your body." She winked and then jumped up, leaving her footprint cracked on the concrete. With her mouth still wide open, Hinata stared blankly as the Hokage disappeared towards the hospital roof.