Broken Helix: part II: Shatter
He had watched her for so long. For years, she had been the object of his every desire. Hinata was such an adorable child, and she grew into such a lovely young woman. He watched her grow… watched as every curve of her body came into place. And how he longed to have her ever since she was a girl.
But that damnable boy was always there. Hizashi's child, Hiashi's nephew, Neji. So close he was to Hinata when they were small children. So distant he became after his father's death. So dark he was when he nearly killed Hinata. And then, the most damnable thing of all… so light he became so soon after he nearly ended her life. So close he became to Hinata yet again. No matter what the circumstances, that boy was always there. And when he became Hinata's protector, it seemed as though his presence was always with her. Neji was like an older brother to now, and one of her best friends, and Lord Hiashi would hear nothing bad about him.
But now that damnable young man was merely a shell in the hospital. And that protective aura that seemed to surrounded Hinata's every move had evaporated. Now he could gaze at her without feeling as though Neji was somewhere in the picture. And that was a liberating feeling to him, and yet he still couldn't do anything to quench his thirst for her. Her vulnerable, innocent, doll-like charm taunted him.
"Uncle… it hurts!" cried the young girl underneath him. "Please, uncle... Stop… it hurts!"
He ignored her cries. Ignored her begging. This girl was nothing to him. Just another pawn of one of the Hyuuga branch families that he could manipulate. When she started to cry in earnest he covered her mouth with his hand, his other hand still pinning her wrists above her head.
He wished that this girl were Hinata. It was Hinata he wanted to taste, to touch, to take in every sense of the word. He thrust harder, thinking of Hinata's shy eyes, her soft mouth, and her smooth skin against his. The girl underneath him started to scream, her voice muffled into his hand. That's right, just like this. He wanted Hinata just like this. She would cry and beg and scream, just like this, but she would be his.
When he finally released the girl her cries and screams had turned into weak sobs. Tears streamed down her cheeks from her white eyes.
"Get out," he said, his voice deep and unfeeling as he threw her clothes at her. "And get cleaned up. If I hear so much as a peep to anyone, even a glance that tells anyone something is wrong with you, I will activate that seal of yours."
"Uncle…" the girl sobbed. "…Why…?"
"And I won't let the seal kill you," he continued, his voice still calm and deep as a still ocean. "I'll leave you paralyzed, in pain, and without enough brain cells to recall your own name. Now get out!"
The girl burst into tears and ran from the room. He had to wonder how many of the head family members had taken advantage of their powers. That is what power was meant for, after all. Lord Hiashi didn't seem to understand this.
Unfortunately, Hinata didn't possess a seal. He couldn't force her into becoming his so easily. And even though Neji was out of the picture, her father Hiashi, and the other family members who adored her were still around.
But something would have to be done….
Lee looked to his friend, who still stared blankly ahead of him. He sighed deeply and scratched the back of his bobbed head.
"I think I've told you about our biggest missions now," Lee said. "But… you can't even hear me, can you?" He frowned and put a hand on Neji's shoulder. "Hey, did I ever tell you that you're one of my best friends? I don't think I ever really put it into words properly. I was too busy trying to compete with you that I didn't tell you."
Neji turned toward the window just slightly as a breeze blew in, his eyes still focused on nothing in particular. Lee sighed again and his hand slid away.
Suddenly the door burst open and Tenten ran inside, shutting it behind her.
"Bad news," she panted. "Very bad."
"What happened now?" Lee asked, not sure he wanted to know.
"Lord Hiashi is here in the hospital!"
"You mean… as a patient?"
"Yes!" Tenten said anxiously. "He's unconscious! Apparently he had a seizure and nearly drowned in his own bath."
Lee frowned and glanced to Neji. Neji was still glancing toward the window, wonderfully oblivious to the danger his life was in.
"Suspicious, isn't it?" Lee whispered.
"Huh?" Tenten blinked. "What do you mean?"
"We know there are people out for Neji's life in the Hyuuga clan, and now all of a sudden the head of the Hyuuga clan is unable to defend him."
Tenten stopped in place, realizing how severe the situation had just become. She looked to Neji and moved over to the bed swiftly. She grabbed his shoulders and looked at him fiercely.
"Wake up!" she yelled. "Wake up will you! Don't you realize you're making us all worry!"
Neji looked into her eyes for a moment, as if feeling her pain. But he was still a mere shell of the person he once was. Tenten backed away again and sighed. It was at that time that the door opened once more.
"Oh, it seems that someone is always here," said the man who walked in. His hair was long and dark and tied back into a low ponytail. His eyes were white, and he wore black robes. He was definitely of the Hyuuga clan, and appeared to be at least a couple decades older than them. His voice was deep and emotionless, even a bit cold. He was handsome, but he looked so very unapproachable. With his Konoha forehead protector on, it was impossible for Lee to tell whether or not the man was from a branch family.
"Neji is popular," the man continued, glancing to the oblivious young man. "No matter when I come, there is someone different here."
"We just… wanted to surround him with some familiar faces," Tenten spoke up.
"I see," the man said simply. "Well, continue," he said before leaving the room.
Lee and Tenten shuddered.
"What a weirdo!" Tenten whispered.
"Maybe that was one of the guys Shikamaru and Chouji heard?" Lee whispered back.
Just then, Neji reached for a small figurine of a bird that was left on his nightstand. Gai had left them there since Neji seemed to have a fondness of birds.
Lee smiled as Neji fingered the feathers. "Always a caged bird, aren't you?" he said.
There was something off. Something in the air that wasn't right. It was as though the very essence of fear and hatred had materialized in this place. Kiba was a little sorry that he had decided to take this shortcut. He didn't feel afraid, but he felt uneasy, like a wolf that knows it's surrounded by predators. The leaves of the trees around him shook and quivered as though they were crying. And here he was, without his faithful dog Akamaru by his side.
His nose caught a subtle scent on the air. It was a faint smell of perfume lingering on the breeze. Or maybe it was the flowers? Perhaps someone had come to train here? Someone with that perfume? Whatever it was, it was eerie. The leaves quivered again, and the scent grew slightly stronger. Finally, the thickness of the hatred and fear in the air fell around him. That sweet scent was now more frightening than sweet. Kiba suddenly felt that there was danger, or simply a presence that wanted him to know its pain.
Slowly, Kiba looked up, his eyes drifting towards the branches of the tree beside him.
There she was, hanging by the neck, the rope tied clumsily around her throat before she dangled from the tree. Kiba's mouth fell open in shock. Her feet hung just out of reach. He backed away, never seeing anything quite like it. He had seen death and pain, but nothing quite so delicate and hopeless. He backed away and tripped over a branch, toppling onto his back so that he got a full view of the horror above. Quickly, he placed his hand on the ground to steady himself, but instead of grass, his hand fell into a mass of long hair. He turned to see two dead white eyes staring up at him… a mouth frozen in a scream on the purple face. This girl was the same as the other, but her branch had broken.
Beside him, above him, Kiba felt caged. He jumped to his feet and ran as quickly as he could to alert someone. The white eyes of the girls burned into his mind.
"Unbelievable," Tsunade said. "Two suicides, one attempted suicide, and Lord Hiashi in a coma."
"It is most unfortunate," the elder Hyuuga stated in his gruff voice. "Isn't it, Hinata?"
"Y… yes Grandfather," Hinata said weakly.
The three sat in Tsuande's office, as Tsunade had been concerned with recent events in the Hyuuga clan. Tsunade could tell that Hinata was uncomfortable.
"Things will return to normal, I assure you," continued the unpleasant, gruff voice. "We will monitor Hiashi's health, and we are comforting the families of the girls who committed suicide."
Tsunade nodded, and glanced to Hinata again as the old man continued speaking.
"As for Neji, we have decided that it's in the clan's best interests to carry out his execution as soon as possible."
The silence dropped onto them like a rock.
"Excuse me?" Tsunade said, her eyes wide.
Hinata looked up, confused about what she had just heard.
"As you've no doubt heard," the man continued, "there is evidence of abuse on the body of each girl. Both have been physically abused… sexually harassed." He looked to Hinata with a hint of satisfaction on his face. "They left suicide notes. The handwriting matches each girl perfectly." He looked to Tsunade again, his face serious. "Both girls point to Neji."
"There must be some mistake," Tsunade said firmly. "I have seen no such notes. I demand to see them."
"Then they will be yours," the old man said. "As well as the notes made in Lord Hiashi's handwriting that approved of Neji's death shortly before he passed into a coma. Neji is not only a danger to those around him, he is also mentally unstable."
"Grandfather, please," Hinata gasped. "Neji would never--"
"I will also," he cut her off, "provide you Neji's own proof. Your dear cousin sometimes keeps a journal, does he not, Hinata?"
Hinata's breath caught in her throat. She had no idea what to say or do to defend her cousin.
"We have in his own writing, an entry detailing his next target. Would you like to guess who it was?" he said, eying her. "It was you, my dear. The boy is now, and has always been a stain on this family."
"Enough!" Tsunade said, shutting him up at once. "You will not spread slander without proof. And I demand this proof as soon as possible! Dismissed!"
Hinata and the old man stood.
"One more thing, Tsunade-sama," his said as he turned toward the door. "I'm sure you're aware of Konoha's policies to keep out of clan business such as this? You are, after all, a capable Hokage. We ask understanding from our leaders."
"I said you are dismissed," Tsunade said fiercely. "Hinata, you stay!"
Hinata froze in place, and she watched the old man leave. Once the door was shut behind him, she turned to Tsunade, who looked utterly exhausted.
"Hinata," Tsunade said gently.
"Tsunade-sama," Hinata said, her voice nearly a whisper. "You know that Cousin Neji would never--"
"I know, Hinata," Tsunade sighed. "But this is getting harder. And your grandfather is right. Even as a Hokage, there is only so much I can do concerning some of the clans of this village. Especially clans with such extreme power, such as yours. We will do everything we can, look at all of the evidence, but really, what we need is for Neji and your father to wake up. Leave Hiashi's health to me, and you must deal with Neji."
Hinata nodded sadly, tension filling her. She left and headed for the hospital.
Naruto had just stepped out of the hospital room when Hinata ran into him.
"Woah!" he smiled. "In a hurry? He isn't going anywhere."
Hinata looked into Naruto's deep blue eyes. His smile was as bright and warm as ever, but it didn't warm her heart like it usually did. His presence didn't give her the strength she had hoped it would. She still felt helpless and without hope. She was so close to losing Neji, one of her closest friends, one of the few people in her family who truly cared about her. And not even Naruto could give her the strength to fix this.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I… I need to… to…"
Naruto saw how frantic she looked. How helpless and pained she looked. "You want to speak with him alone for a bit?" Naruto asked as he pulled her into a hug. "Okay. It was just me in there."
Hinata nearly gasped as he hugged her, and she slowly hugged back, appreciating the gesture. But right now, not even this hug could move her the way she wanted it to. The tension was still with her. Still, she held on, knowing that she would regret it later if she didn't. Hadn't she always liked Naruto? She wished the circumstances of this hug could be different. But now, she just wasn't comforted or moved the way she thought she should be.
When he released her, she smiled weakly and walked into the hospital room. She heard the door close behind her, and knew she was now alone with her cousin, who was on his deathbed more than he knew.
"Cousin Neji," she whispered desperately. She walked over to his bedside and placed her hand on his cheek. He was sitting up and had appeared to be looking toward the window, but when she touched him he slowly shifted his eyes to her. Those beautiful white eyes were still so empty, but he was looking into her eyes now. Her eyes, as white as his, but overflowing with tears.
"Cousin Neji," she said in her gentle voice, her tears slipping from the corners of her eyes. "No matter what happens, I don't believe what they are saying about you." Her thumb slid gently against his cheek. "I know you didn't do anything wrong. I know you feel pain whenever you think you've hurt someone else. I know you still feel guilt about the past. I know you didn't hurt anyone! Neji, we all want you back. We know you didn't do anything wrong!"
Her eyes fell onto the curse seal on his forehead, and she couldn't hold back any of her tears. But he only looked at her, not understanding her pain… maybe not even seeing it.
"What happened to you?" she cried. "Please… tell me!"
Silence. Hinata couldn't stand it. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and drew in him close, hugging him tightly.
"Just tell me you didn't really want to die," she cried against him. "Neji, answer me! Wake up! They're going to kill you! I can't watch you die, Neji! Please, wake up!"
And then he moved. His arms wrapped around her gently. She knew without pulling away that he still wasn't himself. Why he moved, she didn't know. And right now, she didn't care. She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. She slid a hand to his cheek again, hoping for a response. His eyes hadn't moved from her once. Even like this, it was as though he were still trying to watch over her.
Slowly, gently, lovingly, she kissed him.
Her hand still on his cheek, her other arm holding him close, she gently pressed her lips to his and closed her eyes, savoring the feeling.
Suddenly she opened her eyes and pulled away, but not far enough to slip out of his arms. She stared at him wide-eyed, and she felt her face flushing a deep scarlet.
"I… I'm sorry!" she said, lowering her eyes. "Cousin Neji… I…"
She stopped, realizing that she would get no response. And now she felt ashamed, and more hurt than ever. If there was any chance he would remember this, he would probably feel disgust for her.
"Can we do anything in this family but hurt you?" Hinata whispered softly.
"I'm going to end my life. Forgive me, mother, father. But I can't handle it anymore. For years, Neji has been hurting me. He said if I told anyone, he would kill those I cared about just like he almost killed Hinata-sama. It hurts. I'm going to end my pain. At least this way, he can no longer hurt me, and he has no reason to hurt those I love."
Gai gritted his teeth as Tsunade read the letters to him. The supposed evidence of Neji's crimes.
"Next letter," she said softly.
"I just want to die now. I'm not going alone, so don't worry about my spirit. Many of my friends and cousins have been hurt by him, but only a couple of us have the strength to end it. Please kill Neji so that we may find peace. The rapes and beatings make me disgusted with myself. I just want to be pure again."
"Now for Hiashi's letter that was supposedly to go out to members of the clan," Tsunade said, trying to sound calm.
"I, Hyuuga Hiashi, have decided that for the good of the clan and all that it stands for, Hyuuga Neji, son of my twin brother, Hyuuga Hizashi, must be put to death. I had thought that any evil in him had vanished, even after he nearly killed my daughter, Hinata, years ago. But the violence he has displayed within the clan is undeniable proof that I was mistaken. Furthermore, his recent mental instability and breakdown make him a danger to the secrets of our clan. Secrets only known to the head family that he should have no knowledge of as a branch family member. For all these reasons, I sentence him to death."
Gai stood up and started pacing Tsunade's office, his fists clenched.
"The final note," Tsunade said. "Supposedly from Neji's journal."
"I've hurt so many. I made them cry and bleed. What I did was unforgivable. And yet now, I want Hinata. I ache for her and her untouchable innocence. I want to make it mine. Soon she will understand. I will make her understand."
"And that's it," Tsunade said, stacking the letters and folding her hands in front of her.
Gai continued to pace silently, angrily, shaking his bobbed head occasionally. He looked more dangerous than Tsunade had ever seen him.
"Let's drop the formalities for a few moments," Tsunade said with a weak smile. "Speak."
"Those are lies!" Gai exploded. "Whoever made those is going to suffer when I find out who it is! I probably know Neji better than most of his own clan! Never, since his first Chuunin exam ended years ago, has he ever acted in a way that wasn't rational. All of my students have hearts of gold!"
"We have a problem," Tsunade said when he started to pace again. "All of the handwriting on all of these letters matches perfectly with other samples from the people who supposedly wrote them."
Gai stopped and looked to her. "Someone must have--"
"Kakashi was away when these were written, and he would have been the best candidate for forgery of this type because of his Sharingan ability. But you and I both know he would never do such a thing. All other experts in forgery have alibis or were away, and no one would copy so accurately. Word patterns, writing style, everything points to the people who were said to have written these."
Gai returned to the chair in front of her desk and slowly sat down, looking as though his blood had drained from his body. "There must be something you can do," he said. "His execution is next week…."
"As Hokage," Tsunade sighed, "I cannot play favorites, Gai. Without evidence, I must allow this sentence to continue." She watched him visibly struggling with this. "Gai, we know it wasn't him. We know he is a good person. But as a leader, I do not have the luxury of picking and choosing who I think should be condemned and who shouldn't. This must be by the books on my end."
"What about on mine?" Gai said, staring into her eyes. "What if Neji suddenly disappeared?"
Tsunade stared at him a moment with a penetrating gaze. "Silence. Do not be folish, Gai," she said firmly. "Do you really think I'd allow you to defy me? You are a Jounin of this village. An elite ninja. I will not tolerate that kind of behavior." She rummaged through her desk drawer for a large notebook and some paperwork. "You need time away from the village. A mission. You are too focused on all of this right now and it's making you rebellious. And while I would just send you away, you might be considered a missing nin and hunted. At least this will keep you busy and no one will bother looking for you." She scribbled something in the notebook and onto the paperwork, then handed him his mission. "This will run long past the date Neji is executed, so it is no longer your concern."
Gai stared at the mission for a long while. "An escort mission to The Sand…?" he said softly, reading through the mission, a determined smile spreading on his face.
"Oh yes," Tsunade said in a light-hearted tone. "Didn't your team help save The Sand Village from destruction once?" She turned to the window. "It would be a shame if they never got to see Neji again. Oh well. You have your orders, Gai." She turned to him with a smile. "I suggest you hurry and pick someone to escort."
The spray of the shower hit Hinata's body, but it's warmth didn't reach her. She hugged herself and sighed deeply. For a few moments, she brushed her fingertips over her lips.
What was wrong with her? She reasoned that she had kissed him like that because she did care for him as a family member and was so hurt at the thought of losing him. That is what she would tell him if he remembered.
But… was it true?
Yes, that had to be the reason. After all, hadn't she liked Naruto all these years? And Neji was her cousin. He was more like a brother to her now than a cousin, which made it worse. And Neji had never shown any indication of romantic feelings for her, or anyone. Not that it mattered of course! Of course that wasn't important! After all… she didn't have romantic feelings for him, so it was irrelevant. That kiss was just… confusion. Once they managed to save him she would think it was amusing that she did something as silly as that.
She realized she was blushing. Her cheeks felt warm and she felt even more ashamed of herself. The blush ran from her face, down her neck, down to her chest. She looked down at her body, watching her own chest rise and fall, watching the slight movement of her breasts with each breath. She cupped them gently in her hands. They had grown so much larger than the other girls. She even had moments when she wondered if Naruto would notice them. But still, he looked at Sakura.
Suddenly Neji appeared in her mind and she nearly jumped at the thought of him. She thought of the times he saw her in her nightclothes at night, the ones that held to her curves too tightly. What about the mornings when she had to raced to get to the bathroom before Hanabi wearing only her short bathrobe? Did he notice things like that about her? Did he ever get confused as she was now?
No, he probably didn't. Neji was never confused. Neji was always focused, doing and thinking what he should.
Hinata got out of the shower and toweled herself off. She dressed in a robe and left the bathroom. Just before she reached her room, she felt a presence nearby.
"You are brave, visiting a young man who has plans to make you his next victim," came a deep voice. Hinata heard him before he walked around the corner, and her hands fidgeted to make sure her robe was closed properly.
"Uncle, I don't believe he did those things," Hinata said timidly. "Please, there must be some way to stop this…."
"You think to highly of him," he said. "But I assure you that we are being fair in this and making sure there is no side to this situation left uncovered."
She lowered her eyes, and so she couldn't see the lust in his. It was taking all he had not to tear her robe off. He wanted desperately to pin her delicate-looking body to the floor of her room, violating the flesh that no man had conquered. And suddenly he had the urge to violate her in front of the cousin she loved so dearly. The one who pledged his life to protect her. The one whose very presence hindered not only actions but thoughts against her.
"Please, if there is anything I can do to help him, please tell me," she said. "I'll do anything in my power." She looked up at him with desperate eyes before putting her hand on her door. "Goodnight Uncle," she said before moving into the room and closing the door behind her.
And how his mind raced at her words. There were so many possibilities in the word "anything."
---To Be Continued---