Thanks for all the reviews! I know last chapter was a little boring, but this one has some action. Enjoy!
Chapter IX – A glimpse of Hell
Days were passing so fast, hours seemed like minutes. Time was nothing more than a few moments, few breaths…
There was no time.
Hinata was practicing in Hyuga Training field that afternoon. She had been there all day. Her trainer, Neji, was away on a mission. A servant came running to her:
"Hinata-sama, it is a quarter to five, ma'am…" – said the servant, panting from the rush.
"Oh my! I'm so late!" – She grabbed her bag, concentrated chakra on her feet and dashed to the Hospital. Her turn would start in five minutes.
Two weeks before, a powerful feudal lord from Fire Country had an argument with another from Water Country. Several other lords from both countries decided to take sides and the result was a war treat. Tsunade was contacted and lots of jounins, some chunnin and even genins troops were sent to the borders, not to mention the ANBU squads and Root members that were serving as spies and assassins when necessary. Kakashi, Naruto, Kurenai, Asuma, Gai, Lee, Tenten and Neji were sent to the battles. Even Hanabi's genin cell had a part on the battlefield.
The only ones saved from the conflict were the Jounin Exam Staff and its participants. The Hokage decided to do not call off the exams, despite of her counselors' advices, because she expected to see a lot of chunnins promoted (specifically the rookie 7). More jounins meant more warriors to send to war.
Not so good for the candidates. Kiba and Ino were often called to patrol the village borders. Shino and Chouji had to assume clan responsibilities and some minor tasks. Shikamaru was Tsunade's personal brainstorm, while Hinata and Sakura had to take longer shifts in the Hospital because many medic-nin were sent to the battlefield. One week Sakura was on the morning shift and Hinata was in the night shift, on the other they exchanged. The two girls were exhausted; trainings, surgeries, small missions, and the exams pressure….
Hinata was half asleep in a chair when Kiba called her:
"Come quickly! Some injured shinobi arrived at the front gate!"
She rushed with a medic team, and grasped seeing that the injured ones were Kakashi, Naruto and…Uchiha Sasuke!
She immediately treated Naruto's wounds (of course!). His healing power was decaying over the years, but still amazed her.
"Oe! Hi nata! See the big fish….I caught….this time?" – And he was pointing to Sasuke, knocked out by his side.
"Na Naruto-kun! W What S Sasuke-san is d doing here?" – She was applying some ointment on his injuries.
"Heh. O Orochimaru…that bitch….is the one….fomenting – he passed out. Hinata called the medic team to take the injured to the Hospital, but stayed behind wondering how bad Orochimaru's presence was….
"Man…I think they should call off this exam. I'm not in the mood. I whish I was in the frontline!" – Kiba was speaking, depressed to be unable to help the others.
"Me too…." – she said.
"Worried about Neji?"
"A bit. He can take care of himself, but the mention of the legendary Sanin just made me shiver…."
Kiba hugged his friend and together they walked to the Hospital.
By 7 o'clock in the morning, Hinata was able to return home. Before going to her apartment, she had breakfast with her father and sister.
"So, it is true then….the Sound Village is behind this…." – Hiashi spoke, staring at nowhere, just thinking – "I must talk to the Godaime, if this is true then Konoha's borders must be reinforced…".
"Hanabi, I'll sleep a little, but can you help me with my training in the afternoon?" – Hinata asked.
"Sure. Let me just check with my sensei if we have something scheduled for today…"
Hinata decided to go to her former bedroom in the Manor. There, she found her bed, teddy bears, dolls, and all thestuff she never took to the apartment because Neji would think she was silly. Among the silly stuff, she slept the whole morning.
The Hyuga sisters practiced all afternoon until the time Hinata had to good to the Hospital.
Hinata decided to see how Naruto was doing. Slowly opened the door and saw, instead of one bed, two beds. Sasuke was on the other.
"He is here so I can stay in the room. Don't worry, he is completely drugged" – Naruto said, smiling, so he could easy her fear.
"Oh…h how a a are y you d d doing, Naruto-kun?" – She bowed a little her head (to hide the famous blush) and started to play with her fingers.
"Fine! I'm great thanks to you and Sakura-chan!" – He had a good appearance, in spite of the bandages that covered all his body.
"D did him d d decided t to c come b b back to Konoha?"
"No. I knocked him out and brought by force. His place is here, not with that cross dressed freak!" – and he was looking to his asleep friend with so much care in his eyes, that Hinata felt like a stranger in that room.
Sakura erupted inside the room.
"How are you Naruto? And Sasuke-kun?...Oh, hi Hinata!" – She almost bumped in the Hyuga girl.
"Hi, Sakura-san…"
"I'm fine. The dope didn't open his eyes…." – Naruto said. Sakura placed her hand on his forehead, checking the temperature, and then his pulse…
"Yeah…you are fine…."
"Sakura-san, y your s shift is o o over. I c can t take c care of t them…." – Hinata timidly spoke. She was feeling a little bit envious about that situation. She could take care of Naruto. She wanted to take care of him. Sakura was just taking away that chance to be alone (since Sasuke was asleep) with Naruto.
Hinata knew that her love for Naruto was a legend, something to be buried inside her heart. She was married, fully married with Neji now. But it is hard to let go someone you loved for so long. To turn over this page, move ahead pretending that you never felt anything for that person. No, she tried to remain calm and serene in Naruto's presence; talk to him like she talked to anyone else, but it was too strong. Sometimes, Hinata remembered Neji's little flaw, and thought that she could do the same. But that rage and resentment had gone long ago, after the couple reached a satisfactory married relation.
Observing Sakura and Naruto (she was holding one of his hands), Hinata decided that Team 7 needed a moment for them, and without a sound, left the room.
---------------------------------------------
Neji arrived home some days later. He had minor injuries that Hinata treated. Both were tired.
"So, Uchiha is back, heh?"
"Y yes, Naruto-kun m managed t to bring him b back…"
"I want to see how long they can keep him here."
"…….."
"And your training?" – He was staring at her, inquisitively.
"Not as g good as I w wanted. With the H Hospital, y you and Kurenai-sensei a away, t training a alone is not s so good…"
"I'll stay for three days. We can train during this time." – He gave a pat on her head and walked to the bedroom. Hinata followed her husband. Both crashed in the bed, worn out of their duties…
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After a lot of bloodshed, the conflict between Fire and Water reached a truce. Diplomats from both countries were exchanging demands and trying to set and agreement. Tsunade called back some of Konoha's troops. Neji could finally stay home more than three days. Kurenai was also back.
The senseis decided to make group training a week before the Jounin Exams. Everybody gathered in Training Area 5. They spent the whole day practicing. Even Naruto was there.
"So Sasuke is being held in the prison…" – asked Ino.
"Yeah. He is pissed 'cause I brought him back. I don't care. He will understand."
"We visit him every day. He is more talkative lately…" – Sakura said, smiling.
"Only you and Naruto think this. To me he is still the same silent rock ever." – Sai mentioned. Sakura and Naruto threw at him a lot of imprecations. Asuma looked at Kakashi, and the masked jounin just waved his head. Sai was right then….
Lee was training endurance with Chouji and Kiba. Hinata was practicing Kaiten with Neji….and Tenten. She was not so happy, but the weapon mistress was treating her kindly and Neji acted as nothing was wrong….
"Hinata-chan, you are forgetting to cover your blind spot! Another kunai scratched this point!" – Tenten warned her.
"h Hai…." – no, the other girl was not aware that she knew about the kiss. Nevertheless, Neji was keeping a safe distance from his teammate.
"Let's take a break, Hinata-sama, Tenten" – he said, moving to where the others were resting.
Hinata sat on the grass, near Naruto and Sai. Neji and Tenten were on the other side of the training field, observing Lee. Poor Kiba….Poor Chouji….
"Hinata! Can you help us here?" – Sakura called her.
Ino and Sakura were sparring, but Ino was having trouble with her new jutsu. Hinata was called to use the byakugan and track the flow and amount of chakra she was wasting in the movement.
Hinata was on her knees, leaning her body a little forward to watch the other girls. That was when she felt a hand on her lower back…
"Nice tattoo….I never thought you were the tattoo type…." – Sai spoke, running his fingers on her mark. Hinata made a squeak and dropped on the grass, startled!
"Aaaa……" – uncertain if she should thank the compliment or smash his smiling face…."
"Does your husband know about the tattoo?"
"H he does… h he was w with m me…."
Sakura and Ino moved closer to hear the conversation and also noticed Hinata's tattoo.
"It is beautiful!" – Sakura said.
Hinata was blushing madly, trying to cover the tattoo, feeling observed (something she hated).
"So Neji was with you? Is it some kind of love symbol?" – Ino asked.
"H Hai…I mean…I w w w w wanted to ….and he m made one too…"
"He made one too! That is surely a love symbol! What is his figure!"- Ino was marveled by the 'love mark' history. Sai was still analyzing the tattoo, moving his eyes and hands in the girl's back.
"To me sounds like a sex fetish" – he said. Hinata blushed so much and was hyperventilating. She was surely experiencing 'moments before faint'. She barely heard a stomp sound and a furious hoar; her senses only came back when Ino cried:
"STOP YOU TWO"
Neji was holding Sai by the neck, lifting him from the ground. His expression was similar to a beast; his clenched teeth and murderous glare could kill a person with a weak heart.
"You. Will. Never. Lay. Your. Dirty. Hands. On. MY. WIFE. AGAIN!"
"Sorry….ack…I thought that it wouldn't be a problem…ackkk…since it is an arranged marriage….accckk" – Sai was trying to make his words audible.
"SHE IS MY WIFE! YOU BETTER RESPECT HER OR I WILL KILL YOU!" – Neji was getting dangerous. Gai, Lee and Tenten knew him very well and came closer to stop the 'Sai's slaughter'.
"Okay, okay. Stop right there, Neji. Sai is clueless about social behavior, he never meant to disrespect Hinata." – Kakashi was holding the rookie jounin's hands, trying to calm him down. Neji finally decided to open the hand holding Sai's neck, and the other one just fell on the grass.
"Sorry" – he apologized again.
"I think we all should go home now. You guys take it easy this last week, every thing will be alright in the exam." – Asuma said, dismissing the group.
The peace agreement between Fire and Water was signed that week. Tsunade was invited to supervise the signing. She took several jounins and, to be safe, ANBU squad 1 and 2 (Neji's team). Naruto was also summoned to the convoy.
Sakura and Hinata were allowed to rest three days before the exams. All chunnins spent that last days studying their secret techniques, alone.
Hinata was helped by Hanabi and her father. Hiashi was a severe teacher, demanding a lot from his daughters. Both girls were doing their bests, training all day and forcing their bodies and chakra to the limit.
Hinata was beat. Every day she arrived home destroyed, whishing only for her bathtub and her bed. She was anxious due to the exams proximity. Training was her only thought: train, train, train…..
Two days before the Jounin Exams, she was training alone in the Hyuga fields, practicing the 64 hands of Hakke. During the jutsu execution she felt a decrease in her chakra, causing the deactivation of the byakugan. Hinata stopped, trying to feel the chakra flow in her body; for some moments she couldn't, but after some time the chakra returned. She started to wonder, but decided to try again the jutsu and everything was Ok.
Neji returned in the eve of the exams. He was pretty tired and so was Hinata, since she trained all day long.
At night, both were lying in the bed, side by side, facing the ceiling, when he spoke:
"Don't worry. It will be easy…"
"I hope s so…."
"What is the main element in Hyuga jutsus?"
"Water and Wind"
"What is the fundament of Hyuga's juuken?'
"It is the ying-yang. The positive and the negative".
"Why?"
"Every thing has dual nature. Light cannot exist if there is no dark. Love cannot be without hate. Birth is meaningless without death. Material is nothing if there is no spiritual".
"And chakra?"
"It is the beginning of every thing. All living has chakra. It means life, it can cause death. Body, muscles, organs, veins, are useless if there is no chakra running trough it".
"Gentle fist?"
"Cuts the chakra flow, damaging the body inside out. Without chakra to restore the wound, the enemy falls quickly".
"Good. You are ready. As long as you keep this in mind, there is no way you can be defeated".
"Niisan…..Can chakra fail without a reason?"
"No. Chakra failure is always caused by something like exhaustion, damage or Juuken. Why?'
"N Nothing….just wondering…."
She couldn't sleep well that night. In her morning training the failure happened again, but she couldn't tell Neji. During the few moments her mind found rest that evening, Hinata had nightmares.
In the morning, she felt so nervous that couldn't eat breakfast. Food nauseated her.
They went to the Konoha's stadium, where the exams here being held. Neji and Hinata walked ahead, Hiashi and Hanabi were just behind.
In the corridors of the Stadium, the couple found Tenten and Lee.
"HELLO MY COLLEAGUE AND RIVAL! GOOD MORNING ADORABLE LADY!" – Lee waved, pointing his thumb and showing a shinning smile.
"Hi Neji! Hi Hinata!" – Tenten cheerfully smiled, coming closer. – "Hinata, don't worry you are fully prepared to this! Don't forget to protect your blind point and everything will be just fine!"
Hinata nodded, surprised how she couldn't fell angry with Tenten for the past issues. She was really a forgiving person, like Neji always said.
The host started to call the participants to the arena. Hinata was anxious and trembling. Neji grabbed her shoulders and said:
"You can do it. Remember: concentrate, find your reason to fight, talk to your inner self. Prove to me, to your father, to all Hyuga bastards that you can do it!"
"I c can! I'll prove them wrong!" – she said, still shaking. Neji gave her a sweet kiss on the lips (which made Lee say 'Ahhhh how cute'), and moved along with his teammates to the seats. Hinata remained a few seconds motionless, and then:
"Neji!" – she called. When he turned to see, Hinata ran and embraced him, tight, like wanting to steal some of his power and confidence. He returned the embrace, rocking her long hair.
The host called again and they parted. She still remained looking while Team Gai disappeared in the corridor. Awfully, Hinata could see Tenten hanged on Neji's arm.
Slowly walking to where the other candidates were, she remembered all the sadness and the betrayal felling.
"You don't look well, Hina-chan…" – Kiba was near her, placing an hand on her shoulder.
"I'm nervous…."
"Don't be."
"Hey, Sasuke and Naruto are watching the exam!" – Sakura said – "Tsunade authorized Sasuke acquittal with the condition that Naruto and Kakashi stay with him!".
The Haruno girl was exultant! Team 7 was finally together. All her dearest friends would be watching her today.
"Hinata, can you find them in the audience?" – she asked.
"I'll try" – activating her byakugan, scanned the audience and found Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi on the west part of the stadium. Beside Kakashi were Gai and Lee. Hinata started to fell a hole in her stomach- "They are on that side"
Sakura and the others looked in the direction she was pointing. Hinata continued scanning the stadium until she found Neji and Tenten, also in the west part but ten rows bellow the others. They were talking, Tenten was laughing and turning a kunai on her index finger, clearly flirting, Hinata just thought.
"You are pale" – Shino said, behind her.
"I'm nervous…."
"It is something else". – that guy really knew her…
"I'll be Ok, Shino-kun!" – deactivating her byakugan, Hinata decided to seat on the floor and concentrate like Neji said. Concentrating was pretty hard in that situation. Her stomach still had a hole, but probably was the absence of food….
Called to fight first, Shino did a splendid match. The audience adored the 'Bug Boy' show. In the backstage, the chunnin celebrated! Hinata and Kiba screamed like crazy, and when the result came (Shino was the first jounin of the rookie 9) they hugged each other and jumped like small children!
The happiness lasted not long. Ino and Chouji couldn't win their fights. Ino failed miserably (she was also nervous), falling into the opponent tactic. Chouji did a good fight, but lacked stamina and chakra to finish the battle. He decided to give up. The audience applauded him anyway.
Hinata was next. Her opponent was some guy from the Hidden Grass Village, Wasabi.
She placed herself in front of the other shinobi. When the judge authorized, the guy dashed to her, making some spikes pop out of his arms, Hinata just flipped backwards, avoiding the blow. The grass nin took a second to recover, the second she needed to touch his chest with her juuken, damaging his lungs. Wasabi had blood on his mouth, Hinata moved fast to cut the tenketsu from his arms, preventing those spikes to come again. He deducted her move and created a roots barrier stopping her dash. She wouldn't give up, holding some of the roots, Hinata diverted the chakra flow back to the ground, making the roots dry and turn into dust. The audience was applauding the Hyuga girl.
Neji was smiling from his place, Tenten waved like crazy, cheering for Hinata. The other chunnins were cheering too; Kiba and Akamaru were screaming a lot (they were almost voiceless). Hiashi had a proud look on his face and was narrating all the battle to Hanabi.
Wasabi tried to hit his opponent with several spikes coming out of the ground randomly. Hinata was dodging them all, burning chakra out of the ones she couldn't avoid, moving forward, getting closer to the grass shinobi.
He was cornered between the lady and his own spikes. Hinata saw the perfect opportunity to finish the battle performing the 64 hands of Hakke. The chakra symbol appeared on the ground, startling Wasabi; Hinata's position was ready.
Neji smirked: the battle is over, she won!
Naruto and Lee were upright on their places, fists hitting their chests, calling: Hinata! Hinata! Hinata!
The others were holding breaths, paying attention to the battle.
Hakke Two Hands!
Hakke Four Hands!
Hakke Eight Hands! – Wasabi was receiving all her blows, no defense.
Hakke Sixteen Hands!
Hakke ….- and then Hinata's chakra failed.
The audience made a sound 'Ohhhh'. She couldn't understand! Not now! The battle was almost over. Her byakugan deactivated!
Wasabi noticed the failure and started a counter attack. Hinata was to stupefied to dodge, receiving the blow into her chest. She flied several meters, falling on the ground, scratching her arm in one spike.
"It is not over yet…. I m must concentrate…" – She managed to activate the byakugan again. Performing a hand seal, gathered chakra on her hands and stabbed Wasabi on the stomach. He was faster, creating a wood shield in his stomach, her blow only cracked the shield.
Hinata could see the chakra coming from his hands to perform the shield. She aimed for his arms tenketsu, to cut the chakra source and again her chakra disappeared. Another spike hit her face.
It was useless. She would have to fight with instinct only, pure taijutsu.
Unfortunately on physical power, the Grass nin was far superior. She received lots of punches and spikes. A complete defeat.
Kiba closed his eyes and bowed his head. He couldn't believe!
Sakura just repeated 'what happened? She was winning!'. Shikamaru was analyzing the situation and couldn't understand why her chakra failed…
Hiashi was furious! He stood up, and left the place, followed by Hanabi.
Neji was also mad. He couldn't see a reason for that stupid defeat.
"Neji, calm down. Something went wrong, better talk to her first!" – Tenten was talking while following him trough the corridors.
Naruto and Lee also joined the two in their way to the infirmary. When they arrived in the place. Two medic nin were outside the room, looking troubled.
"Hyuga Hinata is here?" – Neji roughly asked.
"She is…but her father is also inside…." – said one of the doctors.
"Oh no, he is scolding her…" – Kiba said. He and Shino just came to see their friend. Kurenai was right behind them.
Neji opened the door, even with the protests of the medic nins. It lead to a waiting room, where Hanabi was sat, looking scared. Hiashi's screams inside the treatment room could be heard outside.
"I've never saw such a pitiful defeat in my life! Several members of the council were watching your fight! An amazing display of weakness and lack of concentration! How could you lose an easy battle like that….."
Nobody could hear Hinata's voice. Kiba and Akamaru were getting wild.
"He can't say those things! She was winning! The Grass guy did something to her!" – he said.
"Yeah! If I hear another scream from that old freak I'll invade the room and beat him to a pulp!" – Naruto said.
"We go together then" – Kiba said, and Naruto nodded.
"Nobody will enter there!" – Neji said – "Nobody but me!".
Another wave of Hiashi's angry words could be heard:
"Useless daughter! Weak and spoiled! That rookie sensei of yours spoiled more. Your teammates pampered you. Even Neji was too soft with you, and I thought he could bring some senses into this hollow head of yours!"
At this last statement, Neji broke inside the treatment room. Hiashi stared him positively furious:
"I'm not finished yet. When I finish, you can pat her head and take her home"
"No, you leave this room right now, Hiashi-sama"
Tenten was holding Neji's arms, trying to calm him. She was afraid of the cursed seal. But he continued glaring at Hiashi.
"Leave this room now, Neji. I'm talking to my daughter".
"Is as a father that you are saying those words to her?"
"Of course!"
"Then, YOU leave the room. Your authority as father ended the day she became my wife. I'm the one responsible for her. If someone has to scold her or pat her head is ME!"
"What are you saying, boy?"- Hiashi was caught defenseless.
"You heard well. It was your choice Hiashi-sama. You were the one who insisted on the marriage. Now, accept the consequences. I must talk to my wife, leave the room."
For a moment, Hiashi moved a little his hands, seeming like he would perform a hand seal. Hinata's eyes widened in fear. Naruto, Kiba, Shino, Lee and Tenten positioned themselves. But Hiashi never made the seal and left the room, glaring furiously at Neji when passed by him. Hanabi peeked inside the room and timidly waved to her sister, following her father afterwards.
Hinata started to cry, embracing herself. Neji asked to others to leave them alone. Kurenai said she would call Shizune-san.
"May I know what happened?" – he asked in a not very nice way.
"I I d don't k k know…(sob) M My c c chakra f f failed…."
'Chakra doesn't fail without a reason. Was some kind of jutsu that guy used?" – his voice was still harsh.
"N no….I It ….h h h happened b b before…."
"Happened before?" – he repeated slowly her words – "That is why you asked me about it yesterday night?"
"h Hai (sob)"
"Still it has to have a reason. And you better tell me one." – no, he was not sensitized by her tears.
She started to poke fingers, to twist nervously her hands, bite her lower lip. Neji came closer, a fury aura emanating from him. Hinata was sobbing, shaking, terrified. He slapped her twisting hands, held her hair, forcing her to look up.
"I want an explanation."
"I I I ….(sob) h have n none…niisan" – she closed her eyes to avoid eye contact with him. She knew how much both were losing that day: her medic career, his ANBU nomination, the peace and stability of their relationship.
"Leave her alone, Hyuga Neji" – Shizune's voice came firm and clear from the door. Neji loosened the grip on her hair, still looking threatening.
"I must examine her. Kurenai said she had some chakra failure during the battle. I must check if it is a jutsu effect or something else. Leave this room and wait outside".
He did as asked. Waited long twenty minutes, wondering how close he was from his dream. How could Hinata lose to that bastard? She was doing well! That foolish girl was really unfit to be a shinobi; her determination was too unstable.
Neji was so frustrated, so miserable. Waving his head in denial, time to time, reviewing the battle to seek some reason and finding none.
Shizune opened the door, called him inside.
Hinata was still lying on the bed, her wounds were treated. She looked calm, but shivered a little when he entered the room.
"Talk to her. After that, go home and have some rest. I'll be waiting outside, in case you need" – Shizune never made clear 'who' would need her in that situation. Closing the door behind her, the couple was alone again.
"So…." – he said, with an arrogant face.
"She e e explained t the r reason f for t the c chakra f failure…" – she was probably under the effect of some relaxing medicine.
"I'm waiting for the explanation." – same arrogant posture.
'……………………….." – she was staring the floor, trembling a little.
"Well, if you're not saying anything I'll go home"
"………………………."
He turned his back and moved towards the door.
"I'm pregnant." – she said, very low, whispering.
Neji turned his back, biting his lower lip, staring at her.
"I'm pregnant. T that is w why the c chakra f fails. T the b baby r requires a l lot of c chakra, s so w when I'm u using the b byakugan it d deactivates….a and chakra d decreases…"
He was still staring at her, but now with a blank expression in his face.
"How? I thought you were taking pills …"
"I I w was, b but t the l last m months w were so c crazy; I w was so busy t training a and w working at the h hospital that I did e everything w wrong…."
"Oh no!" – Neji crashed on a chair nearby, placing his head in his hands.
"I'm s sorry, niisan. I I s screwed up a again…I'm s so sorry…."