Broken Helix: part VII: Death

Kakashi sat in a large, open clearing in the forest that was blocked off by the Hyuuga clan. He sat in the back so he wouldn't draw too much attention to himself. The sun hadn't come up yet, but the crowd was very, very large. The Hyuuga clan had more people than he could have dreamed of. Of course, only a fraction could be here for the execution. White eyes and long hair surrounded him. There were also many who had not inherited Byakugan and those who had married into the family. Judging bymost of thefaces here, the vast majority was against the execution. There were people arguing and people shouting and people crying. Kakashi could easily see things escalating into a riot.

The sky was still very dark, and rain clouds appeared to be moving in. It was going to be a gloomy day. The early morning fog was thick. But the stillness was being broken by the high emotions of the clan, and Kakashi was sad that Neji couldn't experience the stillness of the morning.

And then, through the thick fog, figures could be seen approaching. Kakashi focused on the coming shadows, and when they broke through the fog and into the clearing he saw the guards, clad in black… at least fifteen of them. And in their center, Neji. He looked exhausted and malnourished. His skin and hair were dirty, his clothing torn. There were bruises around his neck, andit looked like it was taking all of his strength to stay upright. The green seal on his forehead seemed to stand out more than ever in the gloom. It was painful to see him this way, and Kakashi understood why Neji didn't want Gai to be his witness. Kakashi new the loss of a pupil more strongly than Gai, and could handle the sight better.

There were murmurs running through the crowd now. People trying to get Neji's attention to show their sympathy or show their hatred. And it was then that Neji looked out over the crowd and found Kakashi. Recognition appeared in his eyes and despite his condition, he smiled, gratefully and warmly. Kakashi nodded in response, and then Neji's attention turned to the large pillar in the middle of the grove that he was being chained to. He was pushed back against it roughly, his wrists cuffed behind him, a chain wrapped around his neck, and his ankles chained to the ground.

"Final words?" one of the guards asked loudly.

"I am innocent of these crimes and thank those who supported me," Neji said. His eyes met Kakashi's. "All of them, for everything." He turned to the crowd. "Live to better yourself as individuals and live for a clan that knows true freedom."

He was still serene, still warm in his words.

Now they only had to wait for the sun to rise, and it would be over.

Once again, the noise erupted around them. The guards had to fight several people to keep them from trying to get to Neji, either to free him or do him harm. Kakashi stood up several times in a short period, wanting to defend Neji. But he always sat back down when someone else took care of it. He felt out of place and felt the tension in the air growing. Suddenly, amongst the growing chaos, a group of children broke through and ran to Neji, clinging to him and not letting go. One by one, the guards had to pull them away, screaming and crying and begging Neji to run.

Neji's resolve didn't appear to be breaking, but Kakashi's was. And it only got worse when the executioner appeared. Kakashi thought he looked very unpleasant indeed. He wore dark robes, and there was something about him. Something like a void that wanted to suck in all light. He looked cold and wicked and merciless. Kakashi suddenly felt that Neji's death would be drawn out longer than necessary.

And then the worst sight of all. A young woman burst through the crowd while things started to get more out-of-hand. She had a weapon, but she wasn't aiming for Neji. She was filled with rage and was running straight for the executioner. And apparently, she got far too close. Kakashi watched in horror as the executioner quickly made a seal with his hand. The young woman collapsed to the ground and started screaming. She was holding her head, and the green seal there was glowing brightly as the veins in her face strained. It was as though the executioner was intentionally increasing the intensity very slowly, because her screams grew louder and louder. Blood started to pour from her eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. Her screaming was tortured as it pierced the air, and she writhed on the ground. Her back arched up and soon her screams were gurgled in her own blood. Soon she stopped writhing and was twitching like a lifeless mass of flesh. Kakashi averted his eyes for a moment. It was a nightmare, and it was taking far too long. She was still alive, but in so much pain as her brain was very slowly being destroyed. Her body started to contort into ways that seemed impossible, and people screamed as one of her eyes burst from its socket. Finally, even long after she was dead, she was a twisted, bloody, twitching mass. The whole ordeal had taken not seconds, but was a long, drawn-out torture.

Neji could see none of this. It all happened behind him. But the screams, the waves of pain, he had heard and felt them all. Most people would have read his look as one of simple shock. But Kakashi knew that whatever emotion appeared on Neji's face had to be magnified a hundred times to see it for what it really was. Neji was terrified. Absolutely terrified. He only had to look at Kakashi and somehow ask for help. With a nod, a look, anything. Anything and Kakashi would sacrifice his position and life to save his.

But Neji didn't look at him.

And then, the sun started to burst over the mountaintops….

Neji took a deep breath. He looked up with quiet satisfaction, ignoring the slight shaking of his body, admiring the beauty of his last sunrise. It would only be minutes before that sunrise faded into black.

Sakura looked down at the bed and watched as Hinata slept. She silently apologized to the sleeping girl. Hinata had stayed over last night so that she wouldn't have to deal with the clan, and she had cried herself to sleep. But Sakura had helped in that. She put powerful medical drugs in Hinata's tea, and it would be a long time before Hinata woke up again.

The sun started to break over the mountains, and Sakura's heart dropped. She looked back at Hinata, who was near collapse the night before. She knew that if Hinata were awake right now, her heart couldn't handle it. Or she would try to go to him, and it would only make it worse for her to see him that way. No, it was better that she wake later.

Sakura quietly walked outside and watched the sunrise. It was agonizingly slow. The light tried to break through the coming clouds, but even the rays that did make it signaled death and sorrow. The burning sphere climbed higher and higher, and Sakura felt as though the land and sky themselves were weeping as she felt the raindrops start to fall.

Higher and higher the sun climbed. Harder and harder the rain fell.

Higher and higher and higher.

And then it was free. And Sakura had never seen the rain fall so hard.

In her sleep, tears started to fall from Hinata's eyes.

"Kiba?" Lee asked frantically.

"Akamaru and I scouted everywhere we could on that side of the forest," Kiba responded. "We didn't see one Hyuuga!"

"We must keep looking!" Lee said, the pouring rain getting into his eyes.

Naruto ran back, looking desperate and frustrated. "Anything?" he called to them through the echoing storm.

"Nothing," Tenten said with tears in her eyes.

"We'll keep looking," Chouji insisted. "We'll stop this no matter what."

"This is troublesome," Shikamaru said, "but I think they knew people would be trying to save him. They could be anywhere."

"We have to spread our search out!" Lee said anxiously. "We have to… just… keep looking!"

"Lee," Tenten said with tears in her eyes.

"Before it starts," Lee said, "we have to keep looking! Come on!"

"Lee," Tenten cried. "The sun came up already." She started to sob uncontrollably. "The sun came up! We failed! It's over!"

"It is NOT OVER!" Lee yelled. "I will go by myself!"

"Lee," Kiba said gently as he put a hand on his shoulder.

"Stop acting like he is already dead!" Lee yelled, swatting Kiba's hand away.

"Hey," Kiba said, trying to hide his pain. "Akamaru and I are the best trackers here, and we can't find him. It could take you hours to find him, Lee. And when you do find him--"

"No!" Lee said, shaking his head. "He is alive."

"Stop," Tenten wept as she sank to her knees. "Just stop Lee…."

"No!" Lee said, holding back tears. "This cannot happen! After everything we went through! After we all tried so hard to prove to him that his destiny was not decided already! Then his clan slaughters him!" Lee was losing control, and Shikamaru and Kiba slowly moved in, trying to calm him. "He thinks we lied to him!" Lee yelled. "We made him think his clan did not govern his fate, and it did! After all was said and done we were wrong and he was right, and this is not something he should have been right about!"

By now Chouji was kneeling next to Tenten, who was sobbing in his arms. Kiba and Shikamaru were holding on to Lee who fought against their sympathy until he was as shattered as Tenten. And the rain continued to fall hard, soaking them to the bone, mixing with their tears.

And Naruto stood by, crying and thinking of Lee's words. As much as he wanted to deny it, everything Lee had just said was true. It was Naruto who taught Neji that he could decide which way his life was headed, and that fate wasn't decided for people already, as the Hyuuga clan had taught him. And Naruto, like Lee, felt that he had wronged Neji. He had shot down Neji's views about fate and spouted off his own, never once thinking that what Neji feared could come true. Did Neji feel abandoned by this? Did he feel as though no one cared about his pain? Naruto sank down and knelt in the mud, the rain stinging him.

Hours passed. It was well into the gloomy, gray aftertoon when Hinata awoke. She couldn't remember where she was until she saw the picture of Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi on the dresser. There was also a picture of Sai. She was at Sakura's house and had cried herself to sleep last night. She felt like she could doze off again, and her body felt so heavy.

Suddenly she bolted up and looked at the clock. Hours and hours had passed since the sun rose. She shook her head in disbelief. It wouldn't sink in yet. She was in too much shock.

"She's in here," Sakura's voice came through the bedroom door. "Wait a moment."

Sakura opened the door and peeked inside. "Hinata, Lee is here to see you," she whispered.

Hinata nodded and tidied herself up a bit. She then nodded to Sakura, and Sakura let Lee come in. Lee looked as though he had been crying.

"Hinata," Lee said gloomily, "I have to tell you something important."

Hinata only nodded, still numb. She heard the door shut and realized that Sakura had left them alone.

"Actually," Lee said, looking down. "This is something Neji probably didn't want me to tell you, but…."

Hinata leaned forward slightly, hanging onto Lee's every word. It seemed as though Lee needed a moment to compose himself before he spoke again.

"I spoke to Neji about the accusations when we were in the sand village," Lee said. "And… there was one thing that we were mistaken about." He pulled out a copy of the journal entry that Neji was accused of writing and handed it to Hinata. "The other letters were fake," Lee said softly. "But not this one."

Hinata looked up in shock and read over the entry again.

"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."

Hinata shook her head slightly.

"It isout of context," Lee explained. "He never wanted to hurt you. He always felt guilt over the pain he caused you and everyone else, and he never fully forgave himself. But he told me that being with you made him feel clean again, and he did notwant to let go of that. He wanted you to understand that more than anything, but at the same time, he did notthink he deserved you or that you would accept him."

"No…" Hinata whispered, the numbness dissolving away. "Oh no…."

"He has been in love with you for a while now," Lee said sadly. "But when he found out he might die, he decided not to express this to you, thinking that it would make you feel worse. He said he did not want you to accept him out of pity. And even if you did love him back, he did not want to make you suffer more when his life ended by giving you hope that there could be something. So he kept it inside."

"I'm not your cousin. Don't call me that anymore."
"Hinata, I had no idea…. I… I'm sorry… that I can't return your feelings. But I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for honoring me this way."

"He should have told me," Hinata whispered, her voice cracking. "He should have told me…. He should have told me!"

She started to cry in earnest, no longer feeling numb. No longer feeling only the shock. He was dead, and she was a fool. He died for her, rather than have her suffer for any period of time for him. And she didn't see it. She really was foolish.

Lee put an arm around her and she cried on his shoulder. But at that moment, Sakura flung the door open and looked at them seriously.

"Hinata," she said. "I just got a message from Kakashi-sensei!" She held upthe little tracking dog, Pakkun. "He'll take us to him!"

Gai had runinto Lee, Sakura, and Hinata on their way into the forest as he waited nearby for Kakashi to come tell him what he had seen. He had hoped that Kakashi would tell him that by some miracle, Neji had felt no pain. But his logic told him otherwise. But never being one to wait, he joined the three friends as they headed deeper and deeper into the forest, guilded by Pakkun. Hinata lead the way at full speed, traveling like the wind.

They were to find it would take a very long time to reach the designated spot. It was starting to get very dark, but as they got closer, they were sure they were going to the right way. There was evidence that people had been here recently. New footprints in the mud, broken branches, small items that had been dropped. They never slowed their pace until torchlight caught their sight. Only then did they make their way with caution, thinking that the clan would have some traps set up or some scouts to prevent entry to the ceremony. But there was nothing to hinder them. Nothing at all. Of course, this worried Gai a great deal, and he had them spread out and proceed slowly.

Finally, they reached the clearing, and were not prepared for what they saw there. It was as though a tornado had touched down in the clearing. The footprints made it seem as though there was a fight, or a stampede, or some other form of mass panic. Torches lay dead on the ground, along with pools of vomit and blood. For whatever reason, portions of the edges of the clearing had caught fire, and the trees were blackened and branches were still burning. And then, the most striking of all… the lifeless bodies that littered the area. Whatever had happened, most of the people had left very quickly, and only a sad few were unfortunate enough to still be here when the unknown disaster struck.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura yelled as she ran to the silver-haired man lying face down against the cold ground.

Gai quickly went to her side and examined him. "He's alive," Gai said solemnly. "But we need to get him back to the village. Lee help--"

Gai stopped, noticing that Lee and Hinata had their attention elsewhere. He slowly turned, and there in the darkness, on the ground closest to the pillar in the center of the clearing, was a lifeless body, covered in awhite sheet . Blood was soaking through it.

Hinata made a move to run to the body but Lee stopped her.

"You shouldn't see this," Lee said softly.

Gai walked passed Lee, who held firmly to Hinata, and slowly knelt down next to the body. Making sure that he blocked Hinata's view with his ownbody, he slowly pulled the sheet back to reveal the face. He quickly let the sheet fall in place again, horrified at what he saw there. An eye missing, body contorted horribly, covered in urine. His eyes fell on the chains that surrounded the pillar for a moment before he looked back and the three waiting for him.

"It's not him…" Gai said, covering the young woman up again. "They've most likely already taken his body to be destroyed."

(Several hours earlier, just before sunrise…)

Kakashi followed Neji's eyes and looked to the coming sun. Neji looked sad, and he was trying to stop his hands from shaking. But he still looked very proud, and in some strange way, content. Dark clouds rolled in opposite the direction of the sun, and rain started to come down on them, harder and harder as the sun lifted itself into the air.

Then, the executioner stepped forward, and the look of satisfaction on his cold face made Kakashi want to kill him. Neji turned his eyes from the light of the sun once it was fully awake. But then he only closed his eyes, his face turned up the best he could with the chain around his neck. He stayed that way, his face feeling the cold rain while it could still feel.

The executioner rose a hand into the air, and formed a seal, a dark smile on his face.

Then, the wave hatred shook the area. Children ran screaming and crying into the forest, their parents frantically chasing after them. People started to vomit on the ground from the sheer pressure of the dark chakra thickening the air. Kakashi felt as though he wanted to tear his eyes away from the center of the clearing, but he couldn't. And then the wave of hatred came again. It wasn't the executioner, and it wasn't Neji. Movement caught Kakashi' eye, and he looked up to the top of the pillar to see a figure standing there, shadowed by the pouring rain. This mystery of a person seemed to be shrouded in a dark aura, and another wave of his feelings of hatred burst from him, causing even more fear to erupt around him. Many in the Hyuuga clan should have known how to handle the feeling… even dispel it. But they weren't aware of where the feeling was coming from, and the children, elderly, and those who didn't have the powers of the clan were already causing a panic. It seemed that only Kakashi saw the figure on top of the tall pillar.

Neji hadn't moved. He was still waiting, knowing full well that his uncle wouldn't let him leave alive. Neji wanted to keep the image of the sunrise in his mind. But even though there was now more chaos, and even thoughNeji's uncle felt the wave of hatred and murderous intent, he still advanced, his hatred for Neji the strongest emotion he could feel… even more than his own fear. He was ready to form the seal again when a flash of red caught his vision.

More people ran screaming from the clearing as a burning stream of fire took the shape of a dragon and swirled around them, hitting the trees at one side of the clearing. Kakashi felt the heat from where he was sitting and quickly stood up and ran into the clearing, trying to get past everyone else as they ran at him and around him. He was only concerned with getting to Neji. He wouldn't let him die like this. He had been a fool to sit there for so long!

Another stream of fire roared down onto the people below, and Kakashi felt his skin burning slightly. But he kept running towards Neji. But now he was too close. The wave of hatred hit him at full force, and he felt a feeling of great fear fill him. He knew it was all in his head, but his world was suddenly reeling.

"Get out of here, Kakashi-sensei," he heard Neji say in a strained voice. Without knowing it, Kakashi had thrown himself between Neji and his uncle.

Kakashi knew he shook his head, but he couldn't see Neji anymore. He felt as though the hatred being sent out had become solid, and was now like daggers and swords piercing his body. Neji, his body still extremely weak and no longer able to tolerate the mental and physical assault that the murderous chakra and illusions were causing, lost consciousness.

Kakashi, losing track of where he was, stumbled away, but to where he didn't know. He collapsed some time later. And no one saw the executioner flee.

The attacker leapt gracefully from the pillar and landed next to Neji. He drew his sword and cut through the chains cleanly, as though they were made of butter. Neji landed on the muddy ground in front of him.

"Hm," the person smirked. "Kakashi got himself hurt because he'd rather protect you then come after me. Just what did I miss these past few years…?" He looked around for a moment, seeing how far they were from the village. "To think I thought you powerful at one point," he muttered as he easily took Neji's body over his shoulder and turned to Konoha.

Naruto sat in his room sadly that night, thinking of the friend he had lost today. When someone knocked on the door, he didn't go to it. But after a while, the knock came again. Realizing that it might be Kakashi with news about what he'd seen at the execution, Naruto reluctantly got up and answered the door. There was no one standing there, and he frowned, annoyed. But as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he realized that someone was sitting next to the door.

Naruto knelt down to take a closer look at the unconscious figure, covered with mud.

"…Neji?" Naruto whispered in surprise.

And high on the rooftops, Sasuke watched, the mud from Neji's clothes covering his own.

---To Be Continued---