Hinata and I are in guard, a little distant one from the other, but
his red eyes don't look at Hinata. It's not an interesting
adversary, too weak. On the other hand...
Itachi: "It seems that you're the new rising star of the village, Hyuga
Neji. Let's see what you're worth."
I really thought I became stronger. But vis-a-vis with the fulgurating
speed of Itachi's movements, vis-a-vis with his
control of all ninja arts... I realize how much I'm still weak. I don't
have any chance...
Neji: "Hinata! Run! launch alarm at the village!"
She leaves while I launch an attack on my enemy. I would have at least
succeeded in protecting my cousin... before
dying. Genjutsu was always my weak point, and I'm now captive
of one of these illusions which paralyse the nerves,
without any hope of freeing me.
Itachi: "Combat without any interest... Let's see if the other Hyuga
make the weight vis-a-vis with me."
He will kill me, the black blade of his kunai shines in his hand.
Neji: "What you do have against Hyugas?"
He advances until being vis-a-vis with me.
Itachi: "Nothing. I seek just powerful adversaries."
he moves back abruptly to avoid a few metal darts. In the space between
Itachi and me, a black and blue kimono lands in
defensive position.
Hinata: "I wouldn't let to you harm any members of my family!"
Itachi: "Move, you're a bother."
Hinata: "No! You saw well that you're the strongest here! let him leave!
You're undoubtedly stronger than anybody of my
clan, then you don't bother about us."
The kunai of Itachi disappears in his hand. His inexpressive face suddenly
seems to show a little interest. No! Does he
want to fight with her! She would be killed in one moment! I try to
shout in Hinata to flee, but no sound leaves my
paralysed throat. I'm not able to free me either, nothing I can do.
Under the glance of Itachi, Hinata is disturbed and tightens her guard,
ready to block any attack. But Itachi stays there,
distant of a few meters, and details her.
Itachi: "Youre the Hyuga's heiress, without mistake. You should on
the contrary defend the honor of your clan."
Hinata: "The honor of the clan is useless if there's nobody anymore
to bear the name. If you kill all my family, the Ninja'll
end up forgetting our name, as now the name of Uchiwa is disappearing...
But it's not what is important. A name is only a
name. What counts for me is the members of my family. Then to protect
them, I'm ready to everything! "
Itachi: " even to die?"
Hinata: "Yes, if it's needed... but do you need really my death? Can't
I offer somethinother to you than my life so that you
don't kill my family?"
Only silence answers her. Hinata didn't notice it, but when she spoke
about the disappearance of the name Uchiwa, Itachi
blinks. Slightly. What a fool, it's like asking for death... Uchiwas
are very proud, and for a long time are rival of Hyugas.
Silence lasts for ever, Hinata doesn't move under the piercing glance
of Itachi, and on the contrary doesn't hesitate to hang
his eyes with her large white eyes. And suddenly, the tension unties.
Hinata reddens and lowers her eyes, disturbed. Itachi
has a small smile.
Itachi: "I agree. I make a deal with you, heiress of Hyugas. I don't
attack your familly, and in exchange... you become my
wife and the mother of my children."
Hinata: "I..I... I agree."
Itachi: "I would return to see you and seal the agreement."
And he disappears. The illusion which hold me captive dissipates and
I can shake Hinata violently.
Neji: "You become insane, Hinata? "
She looks at me curiously. She seems.. very calm.
Hinata: "You drop the -sama, now, Neji Nii-san?"
Neji: "I... I apologize, Hinata-sama.."
Hinata: "It suits me. It's better. We are like brothers and sisters,
after all. And I don't become insane."
Neji: "But to make a pact with such a dangerous criminal..."
Hinata: "it will.. protect our family, at least for a moment. You think
that we have any chances of survival against him?"
Neji: "..no."
Hinata: "Then it's alright. Can you promise me to keep all that secret,
Neji? I wouldn't like... that my parents know it.
They would be likely to want attacks Itachi... "
I feel ashamed. I was unable to stand against this man, unable to protect
our clans, unable to protect my own cousin... She
has to be sacrificed to defend me. I now have an enormous debt towards
her. She didn't only protect her family, But mine
too.
Neji: "I promises. I wouldn't say anything."
Hinata: " well, Let's go home, now."
She quietly recovers her basket and her weapons driven in the trees,
then we set out towards the village. How can she
smile like that in our situation?
- Hinata POV-
Neji accompanied me back to the door, and I returned home without more
problem. I sit in front of my plants to think.
What a strange meeting... when I saw Neji in danger, I return to help
him without thinking twice. And my words left
alone. It's because of this red glance... calm, maitrized and considered...
So much Ninja have a glance thirsty of blood and
violence, but not him. Strange for such a dreaded criminal. He is thirsty
for another thing, but I couldn't say what...
I don't know what he saw in me but he liked it. It's surprising, it's
the first time that somebody seems satisfied of what he
finds in me. I was happy.
I believe that today, my life has just rocked. I don't realize yet very
well... but I believe that nothing will be as before
anymore.