I'm still surprised that people like this, but I'll keep updating! I've worked too hard on this not to showcase it no matter what people think.
Iron Threads
Chapter Five:
Shards of a Broken Heart
Lee and Hinata headed home that night. Although Hinata insisted that she walk most of the way, Lee carried her during the last leg. The night was cold and as they neared Konoha, a light snow had started. The dark haired boy was almost sure Hinata's fever would spike again, and sure enough he was right. As soon as they arrived at the house early the next morning, Lee gave her more medicine, and had a few sleepy eyed maids put Hinata to bed right away. Hinata slept most of the day, leaving Lee with some free time. He didn't do anything special, just caught up on some reading.
For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to leave Hinata alone. He had started reading outside on the veranda so he could watch the falling snow, ended up inside at the tea table and then some how ended up reading in Hinata's room as she slept. It was soothing to watch her sleep. The Hyuga clan leader had a lot to worry about and watching her rest, even though she had almost no choice, made him happy. Hanabi opened the sliding door to her sister's room.
"Hey there, Lee-san," she said to the older boy, "Is Hinata going to be all right?"
Lee stroked Hinata's hair a little, "Yeah, she'll be fine."
The younger girl looked at him warmly with her white gaze and smiled. She entered the room and sat next to Lee.
"Do you know why I've been trying so hard to get you and my sister together?" Hanabi asked him. He was slightly curious.
"I'm not sure, but I am sure you have a good reason," the taijutsu specialist answered.
"I've been watching a lot of the kunoichi in our village. A lot of them slave their lives away, never finding love. Although a lot of the younger ones have found someone to be with, Hinata lost the only one she had feelings for. Her heart is broken," Hanabi explained, "When father got sick and died, I was so upset. Not just because I will miss him, but for Hinata's sake as well. She had no time to heal from her first loss, now she has lost her father and has a new responsibility on top of it. Hinata will work until she can no longer move, and she will continue to function on her broken heart."
Hanabi looked at Lee and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not asking you to fall in love with my sister if you don't want to. What I'm asking is to help her pick up the pieces of her heart," the younger Hyuga girl told him.
"I'll do my best to help her, Hanabi," Lee said. The younger girl crushed him in a hug.
"Thank you so much, Lee-san," Hanabi said. She left the room and Lee sat contemplating several things. Hinata stirred restlessly in her sleep and finally settled on her side breathing steadily. Lee lay on the floor beside her so his face was just inches away from hers. He ran his fingers through her hair and stroked her face. Hinata's cheeks were pink from fever; her long, dark eyelashes contrasted against the rouge of her face. Her lips parted just a little and were slightly chapped from the walk in the cold. Hinata's long hair refused to stay in the bun she had pulled it into and splayed over her pillow.
He curled a lock of her hair with his fingers and wondered why he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. This was Hinata in her worst state. Sick, unconscious, her pallor was hardly what it usually was. Yet, he felt just as drawn to her now as he was when he had seen Hinata at her best. He had seen her flawless, he had seen her disheveled and messy and he loved her just the same. Was that what he was feeling now? He was feeling this unbelievable warmth in his heart just watching her sleep. Lee sighed as he traced the curve of her cheek with his index finger. He loved her. Just when had that happened?
At some point when Lee accepted the fact that Sakura left his life, his adoration of Hinata had grown. Seeing her everyday, watching her stress, teach, eat, laugh, frown…having her near him all the time just seemed so natural. Neji would return soon, and he'd have to go home, and he wasn't sure how he'd adjust. The dark haired boy idly ran his thumb over her bottom lip. The Hyuga clan leader pressed her lips together and turned over. Lee smiled and sat up. He leaned against a wall nearby and continued to read his scroll.
So he loved her. Now the question was: did she feel the same way?
Hinata woke to see Lee curled up a few feet away from her bed and fast asleep. She glanced at her clock. It was twelve noon. They had gotten home around three in the morning and she had fallen asleep not long after. She reached for the bottle at her bedside and took her medicine. The Hyuga girl got up, placed a blanket over her friend and went to the tearoom and asked a maid for something to eat, just some rice, soup and tea. As soon as it came, she ate slowly, thinking over a few things.
She'd have to tell the Hyuga clan about the Raikage's request. No, request was too light, it was more a demand. She knew what the elders would say, and she knew what she'd do. Hinata would volunteer herself to go. She didn't want to sacrifice anyone else, and really she was expendable. She was going to leave running the clan to Neji. She was sure Hanabi would take care of the clan until he came home and Neji would whip everyone into place.
Hinata felt a great pain in her heart when she thought of dying. She'd miss everyone so much, she'd miss Lee…he was on her mind a lot lately. He meant so much to her. The Hyuga didn't doubt his friendship, but he had been doing so many extra things for her. Going to the summit, letting her lean on him, crying on his shoulder, holding her hand when she was so confused…he couldn't be doing all of that because he loved her. He loved Sakura. Why did she want him to love her? That was a good question. She wouldn't say it was because he replaced Naruto in her heart. Naruto hadn't really left, he just became a smaller part of her. Lately, Lee's role in her life had gotten more important. Could it be that she…?
Hinata shook her head. No. She didn't, and Lee was doing all these things because of his duty. If he didn't take good care of her, he'd lose his friendship with Neji. Hinata reasoned that that must be the explanation for everything. The sliding door the tearoom opened and Lee entered.
"I'm glad to see you awake," he said. She looked down sadly although she couldn't figure out why she was so miserable. Why did she want his love all of a sudden? Why not? He was nice, sweet, and understanding…
She forced herself to stop right there. Hinata had already lost Naruto's heart to Sakura's adorable charm, what made her think she could gain Lee's? His was already hopelessly entangled in the warmth of the pink haired girl. Why couldn't she draw people to her like Sakura? Why was she still so weak after all that time?
"Hinata, are you all right? You look so sad," Lee asked her. Hinata looked up at him blankly. She then smiled at him serenely.
"I'm fine," the Hyuga girl answered. Lee gazed at her with concern. Why could he see through her? Why did he care so much? Her hands gripped her tea cup tightly. Lee placed his bandaged hands around hers. She looked up at him with surprise. He smiled gently at her.
"I'm sure it will all turn out all right," he told her. The Hyuga girl felt her bottom lip tremble. Not again! She couldn't cry in front of him again… Tears slid down her pinkish cheeks and she placed her head on the table with anguish. How could she be so weak! Lee crawled to her side and took her into his arms. She cried angry tears, her eyes were wide open as she pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to his heart beat, feeling the muscles in his chest tense as she shook with sobs. Her fingers curled into fists and gripped at his green jumpsuit.
She wouldn't be weak anymore. Hinata would make the ultimate decision. She would protect Lee and gain his love in a fatal blaze of glory.
Hinata faced the family counsel later that night, her face still clearly showing her illness, yet, her expression telling of her determination. She held her head high as she addressed the elders with their dilemma. Send a live, uncursed Hyuga to die, or start a war. There were words exchanged among them, the branch house feeling as though they got their revenge for Hizashi's death, the main house trying to decide who was most expendable.
"Who do you think we should send, Hinata-sama?" one of the Hyuga asked finally. Hinata knew by his expression that whatever he thought she was going to say he would certainly have something to say against it. She turned her gaze to Hanabi who gazed at her worriedly. Hinata didn't turn to glance at Lee who sat at her side. She didn't want to hesitate when she told them of her decision.
"We're sending the best of the Hyuga. I'm going," Hinata told them. The entire room fell silent.
"Hinata!" Hanabi cried, "You can't just—"
"Sit and be still, Sister," Hinata said sternly. She wouldn't be weak tonight. As long as she didn't look at Lee, she could do this.
"I'm leaving the clan to Neji. Hanabi will remain in control until he returns from his mission," she informed them. The room filled with a reverential silence. One of the Hyuga stood up. It was Hyunda, the one who had always given her trouble. His face was full of respect and understanding. She was slightly surprised at this, and gave him the floor.
"Hinata-sama, I may not agree with you on many things. I don't always like the changes you've made to the family. But your decisions are not frivolous ones, they are always full of fresh wisdom and new thinking that has been lacking in this family for generations," he said, "Your act of selflessness on behalf of this family, the one that has despised you and given you nothing but grief is admirable. You will take this family places it has only dreamed of going. For this reason, I will willingly go in your stead."
Hinata felt a smile cross her features. What a sign of sincere nobility. She shook her head.
"I must go," she said, "His vendetta is against me and my father. The branch house lost their leader, it's only proper collateral if the main loses theirs."
The room filled with protests and Hinata closed her eyes and rose noiselessly. The room fell silent as she glided past them.
"The clan leader has spoken," she said softly, "This meeting is adjourned."
Lee was still in shock. How could Hinata decide something like that? How could she decide to die just like that? Why? Why was she doing this to him now? Hanabi had stormed into her room and locked the door. He heard her angry wailing from across the hall. Hinata had avoided eye contact with him all night and went straight to her room and slid the door shut behind her. She was going to go to her death willingly and silently. Lee didn't even bother to change out of his hakama. He simply sat on the floor and glowered angrily at the wall in front of him.
How could she do this? What made her decide something like that? He began to unravel the bandages around his hands. Once that was finished, he ran his fingers through his hair. He loved her and she wanted to die. How did things like this always happen to him? He sat there for an hour before he sensed something was wrong. He got up, and poked his head out of the door. Hanabi was still crying in her room, but Hinata's was quiet. Lee opened the door to his friend's room without even knocking. The Hyuga clan leader was no where to be found. On her futon was a note. Lee barely scanned it before he crinkled it with his fist and ran though the winter night.
Hinata was leaving for the Cloud Village that night. He wasn't going to let her just leave. He let Sakura go, but he wouldn't let Hinata go so easily. She would move a lot slower than she usually would, she was still sick and the snow that continued to fall was starting to get really deep. He guessed she would only be about a mile out of Konoha. He was exactly right. After fifteen minutes of leaping though trees, he caught up with her. He jumped down inches in front of his friend and blocked her path.
"You can't go," Lee told her sternly. She looked up at him almost coldly.
"Lee, please move," she said softly. When she found that he wouldn't, Hinata stepped around him, only to have him move in front of her again.
"Lee, you can stop doing all of this," the Hyuga girl said in an exasperated tone, "It's not your duty to protect me."
"Yes it is!" he cried, "You can't go!"
Hinata's small frame trembled with anger. Her eyes flashed dangerously and her frown deepened. Her white hands balled into fists and she leered at him as she dropped the bag she was carrying.
"Stop it, Lee!" she shouted, "Everything you do for me is because of Neji! We even met because of your obligations to Neji! The only reason you don't want me to die is because you can't face him if I did! You don't care about me at all!"
Lee was hurt by all of this, and upset that she could believe any of the things she just said. He clenched his teeth as she glared at him with those burning white eyes.
"How dare you say something like that!" the taijutsu specialist cried, "I don't care what you think, I'm not letting you go to your death. You're my friend, Hinata, I'd never let anyone hurt you."
Hinata charged for him, palm aimed at his heart. He blocked her blow, and felt the burn of her chakra like never before. Lee then remembered he took off his bandages back at the house. That was a stupid move. He gazed down at her panting form. Her scarf had come unraveled and her jacket had come unbuttoned. She looked up at him through her dark bangs.
"Would you let someone hurt me if you hated me?" she said, "Would you hurt me if you hated me?"
He gazed down at her with fear. She had never spoken like that before, what was going on? Hinata launched a few vicious punches with no specific mark. One was aimed at his head, another for his arm, one for his stomach, all of which he easily dodged. Hinata's fever was probably getting worse and it was obvious she had trouble focusing even with her byakugan activated. She continued to throw wild punches, few of which managed to connect. The dark haired girl was very winded, but she still looked determined to fight him.
"Answer me!" Hinata cried, "Because if the only way to save you and everyone else is to make you hate me, then I'll do it!"
He stood still for a moment and suddenly became very aware of the weights he kept on his legs. Lee felt drawn to the ground in despair, but he settled into his fighting stance. Hinata growled in frustration and launched a brutal, delirious attack. Lee didn't have to move too much to dodge her moves. It was obvious she was far too tired to use her energy to try her Sixty Four Points move, or anything too effective. Lee had no trouble keeping out of her reach most of the time. He was more afraid that he might hurt her if he judged one of her moves incorrectly. In this state, her chakra was erratic and her moves were lazy, but he felt the burn from the chakra in her attacks whenever they managed to connect.
The pain, the hurt he felt was more emotional than anything. She wanted him to hate her, she wanted to die and she was willing to hurt him to do so. Hinata staggered and fell to her knees.
"Hinata…" he said softly, "Don't do this…"
Hinata forced herself to her feet, despite her fatigue, "I'm going to protect you for once, Lee. I don't want you to have to go fight in a war, I don't want you to feel pain any more than you have to, because I care for you too much…"
Lee stood in the snow watching her sadly. How could he make her see that any sort of trial was worth going through as long as she was safe? Hinata took advantage of his contemplative state to pick up her bag and slip past him.
"Thank you, Lee. For everything you've ever done for me," Hinata said softly. He heard her footsteps in the snow getting farther and farther away. She was leaving, leaving him alone. He looked up suddenly and took off after her. Hinata heard him coming, but she kept walking. He couldn't stop her, he could stand in her way, but he couldn't keep her from going. Her mind was made up. There was nothing to live for and everyone to die for.
Lee jumped in front of her and blocked her path once again. Hinata gritted her teeth and tried once again tried to throw a punch aimed at his head. Instead of evading her fist, he caught it. She promptly threw the other one in a vain attempt to attack, but this he easily got a hold off. The white eyed girl was trapped, his hands were firmly around hers.
"Let me go," Hinata said firmly. Lee's grip on her fists tightened.
"Never," he replied, "I can't let you do this."
Hinata's eyes narrowed as she focused her chakra on her hands. Lee winced a little as it started to burn his palms.
"Lee…I don't want to hurt you, please…let go," she said, "Why won't you just let me—"
Hinata didn't finish. Lee rested his head on her shoulder and she felt tears soaking through her thin jacket. She stopped focusing her chakra and let her arms drop to her sides. Lee wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
"Don't leave me…" he whispered, "I love you…I love you so much…"
Hinata stroked his hair affectionately. Lee kissed her cheek and the part of her neck that was exposed above her scarf.
"I promised you that I'd protect you until I die, not because of Neji, but because you mean so much to me," he said, "I'm sorry for being so forward in kissing you without permission but…I already lost one person to indecision and I refuse to lose you."
Hinata used her sleeve to dry his tears. She then entwined her hand with one of his and sighed.
"I won't go," she said, "I'll stay with you."
Lee released her reluctantly. Hinata looked up at him, her breath white against the blackness of the night. He caressed her cheek gently. He was starting to get cold, but he'd wait out there as long as he had to if it meant he could bring her home safely.
"Let's go home," he said. She nodded and smiled slightly. The taijutsu specialist scooped Hinata up into his arms. He could already tell she was going to be even sicker than she ever was before and he wanted to get her home quickly. As he leapt through the trees with her in his arms, she rested her head against his shoulder and sighed contentedly.
As they reached the Hyuga compound, the entire family was glad to see her safe. Hanabi ran over and hugged them both. The rest of the clan silently thanked the valiant Jounin that had retrieved their leader. The snow fell silently as Hanabi helped her sister change into her pajamas. Lee came in later to say good night. Hinata called him to her side and placed a demure kiss on his forehead.
"Thank you…Lee," she said softly, "I'm very sorry for all the nasty things I said before…"
"Don't worry about it," he told her.
Hinata ran her fingers over his bandaged knuckles.
"Are your hands going to be all right?" she asked.
He smiled and wiggled his fingers a bit, "I think so."
The clan leader sighed, "Lee…I won't say that I love you just yet. I don't quite understand what I feel for you. But you…I'd die for you…that's what I was going to do."
"Try living for me first," Lee told her. She smiled and closed her eyes. He placed a light kiss on her lips and smoothed her hair.
"Good night," she said as he got up to leave. He responded in kind and went to bed himself. Hinata touched her lips and smiled gently at the memory of his lips on hers. Perhaps she would admit that she did care for him more than she let on. Perhaps she would tell Lee that she indeed loved him.
Mariagoner: Why thank you for all your kind comments. I'm so glad you like it so far!
someone: Update faster? I most certainly could if I wanted too…but I'll stick to Mondays and Thursdays for now.
There are only a few more chapters left now!
