Chapter 2 : The Shock
Neji and Hinata arrived at the Hyuuga mansion about half an hour before dinner. After entering the gate, they separated. Hinata went towards the garden to see her herbs and plants while Neji headed towards his Branch house. Neji intended to see his mother. He was busy with missions lately he doesn't have any time to spend at his own house. Neji is not close with his mother but he respects her. He respects the way she raised him after his father's death, how she struggled to make him happy even without his father… He respects her very much.
Hinata have a small hut near her garden where she made her ointments there. She knew she had no time to go inside the hut so she just walked around the garden. She decided to come back to the hut after dinner. " It feels like it's been a long time since I just started making ointments and medicine. Now, I'm already 19. How time flies…," Hinata mumbles to herself as she strolled round the garden.
It was dinner time. The dinner was a special one. There were only Hinata's father, Hinata and Neji. Both Hinata and Neji were nervous. Why only two of them? They have no relation between each other. Hinata fiddled with her finger under the dining table. Neji waited nervously. Finally, Hiashi cleared his throat. Both of them looked up at his direction. " Actually, I have an announcement to make…" Neji and Hinata's heartbeat grow faster. " From now on, both of you are fiancée and will get married next month."
Hinata's heart stopped. Neji's heart skipped a beat but he managed to remain calm. " What," Hinata managed to blurt out. " The council had decided. If Hinata is not competent to be the heiress, her husband must be the heir. And you Neji is the best candidate." Hinata and Neji looked at eah other. They stared for quite some time before Hiashi broke the silence again. He stood up and started to leave. " I'll leave both of you here to think about it. There's no objection to this. Discuss whatever necessary." Hiashi closed the door.
Hinata realized she had been holding her breath. She let out a small gasp for air. Then she gulped. Her throat feels dry. As dry as it could be. Slowly, she look at Neji, expecting him to be mad or angry. Neji was still thinking about what his uncle said. He found it hard to understand. It was too sudden. He noticed Hinata was looking at him. He turned to face her.
" I knew nothing about this… Please don't be angry or blame me," Hinata said between shocks. Neji nodded. " The council had decided. We can't do anything about it…," Neji tried to comfort Hinata and himself. Hinata nodded slowly. Then, she jerked her head up. " That means we'll have to get marry.. we have to live together…," Hinata stopped. " Oh God! I'm so sorry. I know you don't like me, now, you have to spend your life with me… I'm so sorry…..," Hinata sobbed. Neji sighed. What Hinata said was the same way he feels about her. Neji thought of the time he almost killed her, Hinata must hate him for that….
Neji stood up and walked towards her. He sat next to her and said," Hinata-sama… whether we like it or not we have to obey.." Hinata stopped sobbing and lifted her face. She was still wiping her tears when she said, " You're right. We just have to do it…" Neji nodded. Both of them sit next to each other in silence. " I know I have a lot of weaknesses so please bear with me and please…. Don't… leave me…..," Hinata's small and frail voice filled the atmosphere. Then, she stood up and ran outside the room. Neki watched her leave. " Don't worry.. I won't…."