First Mate First Love
Chapter 18: Regret
Thanks for reading.
Neji clutched his head. It felt like his brain was on fire. He writhed helplessly on the floor of the woods. Shine nudged him trying to encourage him to get up. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and tried dragging him away.
"We have to get him out of here", said Pakkun as shifted nervously back and forth on his paws.
Neji didn't have the strength to move far away, but he had enough power to shove his beloved dog out of danger. Shine gave a loud whine but listened to Neji's commands.
"Go both you", he said through gritted teeth.
He tensed when he saw two pairs of feet walking toward him. Their scents were unknown to him. One was female the others was male. The pain in his head dulled, but the shock to his body was too much. He couldn't move! A man in his early twenties made an appearance. He had short black spiky hair and dark brown hair. By instinct, Neji knew this man was alpha. The woman by his side had the same black hair, but her eyes were a piercing ice blue. The alpha was the first to approach him. Neji gave a weak growl, but that did nothing to spook the stranger striding toward him.
"So much for him being a genius", said Olcan as he nudged the passed out being with his foot.
Neji could do nothing to defend himself against this degrading motion. Shine charged at the man. He growled when his loyal dog was shot into a tree near him.
"The only reason he isn't a challenge is that we have a Hyuga of our own. If we didn't this would have ended in our deaths", growled Silva.
"You give me too much credit. I only know how to activate the seal",
"Aunt Aiko without you this wouldn't be possible", said Silva as her appearance.
Aiko was no normal Hyuga. She was the eldest child of the Hyuga Elder. Her history was erased from the clan when she fell in love with Daisuke Hayashi the younger brother to Katsuo the head of the Hayashi Clan. She brushed her long dark brown hair away from her face and walked toward nephew. So this is Neji. She never thought Hizashi would produce such a powerful child. And the boy had the added benefit of being gorgeous. A growl escaped her lips when she caught Pakkun's scent.
"Silva, get the dog", she ordered.
She easily caught the ugly pug.
"Let go of me!" yelled Pakkun.
"Can I give this little thing to Kimba? She would love a new chew toy", said Silva as she dangled the pug in front of her striped hyena's face.
"I'm not some damn chew toy!" growled Pakkun as he swatted Kimba on the nose with his back paw.
"No, we need messenger but place a genjutsu on him", said Aiko.
Silva had little talent for taijutsu, which was odd for her clan. But what she lacked in that skill she made up for her talent in genjutsu.
"We need to work quickly Kiba will be here soon enough it's only a matter of time. Let's get started", said Aiko.
When their task was done, they left with Neji. He would be a great mate for the head of the clan. They sped toward their base in hidden deep in the mountains.
Pakkun slowly woke. What happened? His eyes went wide when the stench of blood hit his nose. It was everywhere. There were at least two liters of blood spilled on the ground. It's almost impossible for a person to survive after they've lost that much blood. He whined when he saw Neji's forehead protector on the ground. Where was the body? Something was very odd about this. He trotted over to Shine and nudged her awake. She whined at him. They needed help. He howled. Please let the boy be alright.
Kakashi went rigid when he heard Pakkun's howl. He rushed toward the sound. With his speed, he was able to reach the scene before Kiba, which was a good thing. Blood was everywhere. This was wrong in so many ways. There should be more signs of battle. Neji is one of the top jonin in the village he wouldn't go down without a fight.
"Pakkun get the tracking team and anbu here now", ordered Kakashi.
The dog ran off. Anbu was there in seconds.
"I want you to search the area for any signs of Neji or the ones responsible for this", said Kakashi.
"But sir all this blood there's no way he could survive", said the masked man.
"What do you mean?" said Kiba.
He didn't believe what he was hearing. The smell of blood made him sick. He charged toward the scene, but Kakashi stopped him.
"You don't need to see that Kiba", he said.
"He isn't there, but the amount of blood isn't a good sign. I can give you this", said Kakashi.
Kakashi placed Neji's forehead protector in his hand. No, this can't be true! He pushed past anbu and saw all the blood. It was mixed Neji's scent. He went to his knees and howled.
"Kiba, you shouldn't be here", said Hana.
She swatted her hand away.
"There's no way in hell I'm leaving!" snarled Kiba.
Hana backed away from her brother. The aura she was emitting scared the hell out of her. She backed away. Her mother took the brave position. She hugged her brother close.
"Shh, Kiba we will find him", said Tsume.
"I can't live without him", murmured Kiba.
"We'll track him down, but you must stay here", said Tsume.
"How can you expect me to do nothing?!" yelled Kiba as he shoved his mother away.
"Because your judgment is unclear right now. We can't have that right now", snarled Tsume.
"I'll watch him", said Kakashi.
"Thank you", said Tsume.
Sakura split off with Tsume and Hana took off in the other direction with her dogs. Neither could pick up the scent. Neji's attacker must have used some kind of scent blocker. They searched for hours but had no luck. When Kiba was told, he broke down and howled.
When Olcan heard, Neji whining in response to Kiba's howl he was shocked. How is this possible? Even though they replenished his blood supply with plasma pills he should be out cold.
"Shit!" growled Olcan as he saw Neji's eyes open.
"He's awake", said Silva.
She couldn't believe what she saw. Her brother was right in his shock.
"Kiba", called Neji.
His vision was blurry but by scent he knew the people that surrounded him weren't friends. When the male approached him, he snarled. This man wasn't his alpha. He couldn't do much more than that. His was weak. A painful ache took over his heart when he heard Kiba howled again. Before he could answer a hand was placed over his mouth. Kiba's howls grew more desperate. He bit on the hand.
"Fuck!" yelled the man.
He groaned as powerful punch hit his stomach. It took his breath away.
"Idiot! What's the point of taking him if you make him incapable of having puppies", said Silva.
Puppies? A rag was placed over his nose and mouth. The smell was sickly sweet. His eyes closed again.
"Is he actually out this time?" asked Aiko.
"Yes, I think so", said Silva.
"Check him over", said Aiko.
Silva raised Neji shirt. She pressed her hand on his stomach.
"Nothing to worry only bruising. We should be going father is expecting us", said Silva.
Olcan picked up the passed out omega. Soon they were back in the safety of their territory. Kiba and the idiots from the Leaf would never find them here. He had to admit Neji was attractive, but he preferred the female gender. But it's almost impossible to ignore a submissive in heat female or male when they go into season. They walked into their compound.
"As I thought you completed the mission without hitch, Aiko", said Katsuo.
"Thank you", she said.
Katsuo walked over to his son and took the unconscious beauty from his arms. He went to the privacy of his bedroom. His two giant hyenas Grasper and Keeper were lying on the bed. He placed the omega on his bed. Katsuo breathed in his new bitch's scent. The smell was wonderful. The scent of his recent heat lingered on his skin. There was only one problem his clothes smelled of another alpha. Katsuo to Neji to his secluded stripped Neji of his clothes. Katsuo smiled the omega was perfect. The many battle scars that littered the boy's body weren't a minus in his view.
"A warrior. Just what I wanted in my mate", he said as he caressed Neji's face.
"Kiba", he whined.
He frowned when his new bitch called out another alpha's name. He would have to train that name out of his omega's vocabulary. Katsuo placed his hand on Neji's chest.
"Binding Collar Seal!"
The beauty on his bed writhed in pain. When he moved his hand away. Two elegant curving lines appeared along Neji's collars bone with a crescent moon seal on his sternum. He pulled one of the pelts on the bed over Neji and waited for him to wake. A few hours later the man in his bed started stirring. Katsuo never thought the submissive would wake so soon. He was slowly opened his eyes.
"Kiba", he called.
No answer. His chest hurt and his head ached and he felt faint. He pulled the pelts closer to his body when he realized he was naked and someone was watching him. It was a large man with long black hair and ice blue eyes. Almost every inch of the stranger's body was cover in scars. Neji forced himself to stay calm. Getting angry and nervous would not help him.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Katsuo Hayashi. I'm the head of this clan", said the stranger.
Hayashi? The clan that attacked Kiba! How did he get here? All he remembered was a searing pain in his head. The beastly man didn't have the knowledge to activate his seal. When Katsuo leaned closer to him, he pressed his palm against his foe's chest. Nothing happened. He stared at his hands. Even without the aid of his Byakugan, the attack should have had an effect.
"I bet that would have killed me if hadn't sealed your chakra and it blocks your bond with Kiba. The seal I placed on your chest has more abilities than that. If you behave you'll never have to discover them. The only ability I'll let you keep was that Byakugan of yours, so you can see just how helpless you are", said Katsuo.
He tried calling upon his bond with Kiba. Its strength was like an ember it brought some light but gave no warmth.
"Why did you bring me here?" asked Neji.
"I brought you here, so you could give a powerful litter of pups", said Katsuo.
Neji bared his teeth and growled. He would only have Kiba's children no others.
"You have spunk. I hate spunk", said Katsuo.
Neji lost his breath as Katsuo's hand wrapped around his neck and slammed against the headboard. Byakugan. His eyes searched far and wide, but no person who would be of help to him.
"I'll give you three years before I force you into bearing me a child. Maybe by then you'll have learned your place and enjoy the idea of being my mate", said Katsuo.
"Never", gasped Neji.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to break you so soon", said Katsuo.
Neji closed his legs.
"Oh, no I'm not going to break you in that way. At least not yet", said Katsuo.
Katsuo did a hand sign he didn't recognize. Then it happened his ability to use his Byakugan was taken away. Katsuo went to the closet and threw some clothes at him. Neji was forced to dress in front of the stranger. The clothes were baggy on him and his figure. He flinched when the man's hand went to his hair.
"What soft and beautiful hair. Our children will be gorgeous", said Katsuo.
Neji snarled. As punishment Katsuo yanked his hair. He was dragged by his hair to a small trap door in the floor. Katsuo opened the door and threw him in. He landed on the hard stone floor.
"Maybe a few weeks in here will teach you a lesson", said Katsuo.
Katsuo shut the door. There was a loud clunk as it locked. Neji slammed his hands against it, but the door didn't budge. He didn't stop until his hands were bloodied. There was only one dim light that came through the crack in the floor above. It made a pot visible. That must be his bathroom. He used his hands to help guide him through his cage. The walls were made of stone. It was rough and frigid to the touch. He figured out that the room he was trapped was about six by eight feet.
The ceiling was low a little less than six feet high. He sat in the corner with his legs hugged closely to his chest. Tears slid down his cheeks. His mind was focused on his last moments with Kiba. He'd said such horrible things. Kiba would never know how sorry he was. He wished he could take it all back. The part that stung the most was one of the last things he said to Kiba was he hated him.
"I'm sorry Kiba",
His hand went to his ring finger. He sighed. It was bare. He threw away his wedding band so easily now he couldn't believe he did such a stupid act. Even the clothes he was wearing, which only held a slight essence of Kiba's scent were taken away from him. He had nothing of his mate's. Neji gave a weak smile he did have one thing. He placed his hand over the claim mark on his neck. Even though he couldn't see or feel it he knew it was there. That was a massive comfort. Katsuo took away his chakra, his bloodline gift, but he could not take away this. He closed his eyes and focused his energy on his bond with Kiba.
"Nothing", whispered Neji.
A week of straight searching by anbu and the tracking team brought back no new information, which was odd in itself. Kiba was going insane with grief. Everyone thought his mate was dead. His mind couldn't accept the idea. Neji is a powerful jonin. There should have been some signs of battle. His mate wouldn't go down without a fight. Their bond wasn't cold. It was like a wall had been built separating them.
Neji didn't craft this wall. He couldn't force himself to return home. His body didn't allow him to leave the area where Neji was last seen. He'd taken shelter in a cave. Shine and Akamaru were sitting by the small fire he made. The downpour of rain wasn't making things better. It had been raining like this for days. He sighed the water washed away the cold scent. It was getting late he should be getting out soon. He pulled his hood up.
"Akamaru, you and Shine stay here. There's no reason for you guys to get soaked", said Kiba.
He traveled a few miles away from the bloody scene. Whenever he did sleep he would have nightmares of that bloody and what might have happened to his mate. Kiba took shelter in a large maple tree. He stared up at the full moon. Should he even bother with howling? This time he gave into his depression and stayed quite.
"I'm sorry Neji. I'm such a failure to you as an alpha", said Kiba.
Neji sat in the corner of his cell. He was deprived of human contact for nearly a week. The only time he caught a glimpse of one was they brought him food or emptied the bucket. It was the loneliest week of his life. Not because of lack of human contact. It was the almost complete loss of his bond with Kiba. He never thought the loss would be so painful. They fed him well. The reason for this was obvious they want to keep him strong, so he can bear Katsuo's children. He nearly heaved at the idea. If he refused to eat food it would be forced down his throat. Besides he needed to eat to keep his strength to better his chance of escape.
His body adjusted to the darkness. Now he could see almost as well in the dark as in the day. He was faced with a problem massive boredom. The only thing he could do was exercise and sleep. His body clock was completely thrown off. He had no idea if it were day or night. The only way he could tell how much time passed was by the meals he got. He was given three meals a day. So far he had twenty-one meals, so that means he's been here for a week. The sound of the rain kept him calm.
Now he was trying to sleep, but something kept him awake. His bond with Kiba was slightly stronger. Kiba? He's close! How close he didn't know, but close enough for his body to register Kiba's presence. He started nervously pacing around his cage. What could he do? How could he tell Kiba he's here? He parted his lips and howled.
Katsuo smirked. He was wondering when the desperate howling would start. The omega had a beautiful voice. He would love to hear Neji howling for him in pleasure. Katsuo laughed. He can howl all he wants no will hear him.
Kiba was stunned when he heard Neji howling for him. There was no mistaking that was his mate. Tears dripped down his face. NEJI IS ALIVE! Kiba tilted his head and howled as loudly as he could hoping it would reach Neji.
Neji smiled. His alpha was only ten miles away. Just hearing his voice was a massive comfort to him. The emotional coldness around him warmed. He howled again and there was an answer. He heard Katsuo stomping on the floor above. It was a wordless command to shut up. He ignored it. This might be his only chance at returning home. He wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.
Katsuo growled. He should have killed Kiba when he had the chance. Then he wouldn't have to deal with this. He forced open the trap door. Neji backed away from the door to escape the stinging brightness of the light.
"Come here", ordered Katsuo.
He shook his head.
"He's coming and he'll kill you", said Neji.
He frowned when Katsuo laughed in his face.
"Your young puppy of alpha wouldn't stand a chance against me", said Katsuo.
The strange man cornered him. His large hand wrapped around his throat. Neji's fingers desperately tugged at it.
"Let go of me!" he growled.
"I didn't want to take this away, but looks like I'll have to", said Katsuo.
Neji screamed as a burning sensation started around his neck. His voice died down. When he tried talking, he was rendered incapable. All that came out was a pathetic whine. He growled when he saw Katsuo smile.
"I hate having to take away that beautiful voice, but you forced my hand. I can't have Kiba ruining this. Now all your capable of is whining, whimpering, and growling. You are no more than an animal now", said Katsuo.
Katsuo threw him to the back of the cell before leaving. Neji paced nervously around the room. He anxiety only grew, when he couldn't answer Kiba's howls. His body forced him to give a response, which was a high-pitched whine. He knew there was no chance of Kiba hearing him. Kiba called for him the whole night and every time he tried answering.
Now was incapable of saying the name of the man he loved so dearly. There was a small rock by his feet. He clutched it tightly in his hand. He walked over to the sleeping bag given to him. Neji scratched Kiba's name into the stone. He ran his finger over it. A whine left his throat.
By the early hours of the morning, the howling stopped. Neji felt sick from the lack of the connection. Those howls were the strongest connection he had to his mate. He settled down in the fur-lined sleeping bag. His throat hurt from trying to answer Kiba's calls. He put his hand over the claim mark on his neck. Neji cried himself asleep.
Tsume went to the cave Kiba had taken shelter in. Kakashi understood her son needed to be here. She carried food and supplies with her. Akamaru and Shine greeted her. It didn't surprise her that Kiba wasn't there. She and Kuromaru had no problem tracking Kiba down. He was in a maple tree. Her son was in restless sleep. In Kiba's hand was Neji's forehead protector. He hadn't given up. Even though all odds were against she thought her boy's mate was alive. Kiba wouldn't function this well if he weren't.
"KIBA!"
He fell ungracefully from the tree and landed at her feet.
"Hey mom", he said.
His voice was extremely raspy. He'd been howling again. She was stunned when she saw Kiba smile.
"What were you doing in the tree?" asked Tsume.
"I heard him. He's here. All I have to do is find him", said Kiba.
"Are you sure it wasn't a dream?" asked Tsume.
He glared at her.
"Yes",
"Are you sure it was Neji?" asked Tsume.
"I know my mate's howl!" snarled Kiba.
"Shh, I know", said Tsume.
"I miss him", said Kiba.
