Chap 4: Red Rose

The manor was quiet. Neji was called into Hiashi's den. He wasn't happy about it and he knew he probably was going to punished for the third time in the same week. Neji knocked on the door and after many moments a small 'come in' ran through the door.

"Hiashi-sama" Neji kept his eyes on the floor and sat on a cushion in front of him, bowing low before Hiashi, though he hated doing so.

"Neji. I understand your concern about your wife. She has become a beautiful woman -in all areas- so I will not punish you for the interference. However, I warn you. If anyone finds out about this, I will personally kill you. I find you strong and you have become a son to me, but I will not hesitate to betrayal. I have the right to all thingsin this clan as long as I am in command."

Neji groaned silently. He wanted to punch is uncle right in the face. How dare he take his daughter as his right to her body.

"Please leave, and tell your wife I would like to speak to her first thing tomorrow." He grinned evilly as Neji's head shot up. "You are dismissed."

Neji's eye twitched slightly and he stood. "You bastard" He mumbled before leaving.

---

" Neji-niisan are you ok. He didn't activate the seal did he?"

"No, he didn't." Neji walked into the bedroom and scanned through his belongings.

"Oh, w-well that's good." Hinata blushed slightly as she followed him into the room.

"...Go to bed..."

"What? B-but nii-san are you going to sleep too? You don't sleep in here and I-I've noticed y-you aren't in the den either. Neji-niisan y-you don't sleep much. I-I worry."

"Well don't. Go to bed."

"Neji-niisan..."

"Go to bed!" Neji turned to face his wife. Tears were in her eyes but she was forcing them to stay in. Neji bowed his head with a sigh. "Just go to bed. I, I'llgo to bedafter I bathe." Hinata was still on the verge of tears but she nodded and crawled into her bed.

An hour passed by before Hinata heard a slight stir in the bedroom. Neji walked over to his wife and stared at her. Hinata closed her eyes tightly trying to pretend she was asleep. She felt weight being added to the bed though and couldn't help but open her eyes.

"...Heh... I thought I told you go to sleep." Neji's voice sounded warm, unlike it normally was.

"Neji-niisan." Hinata stared at her cousin. He sat at the edge of the bed, his back facing her.

"Your father wants to see you tomorrow."

"Oh," Hinata's face fell. Neji turned to face Hinata. Though his face was nothing more than a shadow, Hinata could tell he was worried.

"Whatever happens don't let him hurt you again do you understand?"

"Yes, nii-san. I will try."

"Don't tell me you will try, tell me you will!" Neji's eyes shone stern in the moonlight.

"Yes. I will." She smiled slightly.

"Now go to bed. Good night" Neji stood up to leave the room.

"N-Neji-niisan, I thought you were going to sleep tonight?"

"I am. I'll go sleep in the den. There's a futon in the closet I'll just sleep on that."

"B-but, ohh okay." Hinata squirmed and turned her body to face away from Neji.

Neji turned towards Hinata only to see her back facing him. He sighed before walking out of the room.

---

After knowing he left, tears trickled down her cheeks. Hinata didn't know why but she simply felt terrible. Her heart seemed to melt into darkness even though she knew she still loved Naruto, but ever since she had kissed Neji in the hospital her heart seemed to ache for his presence. That was the first time Hinata knew she would cry herself to sleep.

---

Neji stared at the ceiling. He was lost in his thoughts. He could tell Hinata was crying but didn't know what to do about it. He never was good with people's feelings but he somehow felt pained that she was crying. He didn't know if it was because of him or if it was because of the occurrences over the past few days.

-sigh- "I should go check on her"

Neji walked into the room. He stared at the curvaceous woman before him. Hinata's eyes widened as she felt the light presence before her. She wiped away her tears quickly and attempted to act as if nothing was wrong. Her back stiffened when she felt weight being added beside her. A soft hand rubbed upon her arm making her shiver. Hinata turned and sat up. She stared at Neji.

"N-Neji-niisan? W-What are you doing in here?"

"This is my room too isn't it?"

"Well, y-yes I suppose. B-Bu-But you said you were going to sleep in the den."

"...well I'll go back if you want."

"NO! I-I mean no nii-san. After all this is your room too."

"...heh..." Neji settled himself next to her. "Go to sleep."

---

"O-Otousan. You called for me?"

"Hinata," Her father stared at her, his eyes containing the same lust the day he raped her. "You have become a beautiful person. But I want you to become stronger." Her father stood and walked over to Hinata to caress her cheek. "I want what is best for this family and this clan. And in order for the best to be of this clan you as the heir must surpass my own skills...heh...I will have you train with Neji and I want you to come to my den at the end of every week so we may spar. If you defeat me, I will allow you to take over as the heir." He smirked slightly and kissed Hinata on the cheek. She squirmed and pulled away from him. "You are dismissed."

Hinata left the den and strayed around the manor. She was wondering what her fathers words had meant. 'come to my den at the end of every week so we may spar' She wasn't paying attention to where she was walking and ran into a soft but firm person.

"Nee-san! What are you daydreaming about that you can't pay attention to where you are going?" Hanabi scowled at her sister. Though Hinata was five years older than her, Hanabi was slightly taller and thinner. ..Heh... I know what I'd be daydreaming about if I were in her position, -with our cousin-... ha...

"I'm sorry Nee-chan. I-I wasn't paying attention." Hinata smiled warmly.

"Heh... So how... how are things with you and Neji?"

"Oh," Hinata's face fell slightly causing Hanabi to smirk. "I-I don't know, it feels the same as when I lived here. Neji sleeps in-" Hinata cut herself off and blushed slightly. "the den. And we don't see much of each other since I have to work and he is on missions or training."

"..heh... ok then" Hanabi walked off leaving a puzzled look on her aneue's face

---

Hinata walked to the forest where her cousin was supposed to be waiting to train with her. Neji was throwing kunai at the three posts which all hit directly in the middle of the target. Hinata tried to stay quiet and watched him from behind a tree.

"What are you doing? Come out so we can train already."

"Yes." Hinata walked out, her face the color of a cherry blossom.

"Get into stance. I want to spar."

Hinata's face dropped at those words. 'spar' "Um, nii-sama...err... well never mind." Hinata positioned herself into the Jūken stance. Neji quickly shrugged off her uneasiness and placed himself into stance also.

"Come at me with all you've got." Both activated their Byakugan and they began their training

—Two hours later—

"You need work. You have terribe control of your Hakke Rokujuyon Shō and you dont know the vital points well enough.

"...Sorry... I will do my best."

"...hmph... you have work at the hospital tonight right."

"Oh No, I forgot... I must hurry!" Hinata ran through the trees headed strait for Konoha hospital.

---

Hanabi walked along the corridors heading towards her room after training for a few hours. The corridors were completely empty now that Hinata and Neji didnt live there and so it always seemed so glumy.

After taking a quick shower she decided she'd go visit her sister at the apartment.

---

A loud thumping came from the door. Neji was studying in his den and was very unhappy about the interuption. He opened the door to find a cheery eyed girl in the doorway. Neji scowled at his younger cousin.

"What do you want?"

"Nii-san can i come in?"

"No, what are you here for?"

"Nii-san! How rude thats no way to speak to a higher member than yourself"

"...heh...You wont be higher for any longer. Once your branded because Hinata is the rightful heir."

"Oh? Well thats just too bad now isnt it. And here Hinata gets everything and leaves nothing for her little sister. Thats just selfesh now isnt it. Now may I come in?" Hanabi gently pusted Neji aside. "So where is my onee-san?"

"She has to work. You know that don't you?"

"Oh, my nii-san I happened to forget. Well, I'll just stay here until she gets back then."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aneue: Older sister