Alright, you guys. I have one comment before I move on: do notgive up on Itachi getting with Hanae. It will happen. Some other things need to happen first though.
Warning: scene of rape and death. Read at your risk.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its colors.
Chapter Ten: Kisame Strikes (Itachi)
"Hinata-hime is very talented on the harp," I commented conversationally to the prince next to me. Neji and I are waiting for the princesses to finish changing from their theatre gowns to dinner gowns.
"She's had a lot of practice, and she likes doing things that make her memorable besides being a princess," Neji stated with a nod.
"Hanae-san is already planning a duet between the two."
"I look forward to hearing the results of this planning."
After tea with the Hyuga prince and princess, we had all made our way to the theatre where Hinata had performed. The piece was beautiful and deceptively simple, and Hanae had been moved to tears. Now, we're about to go to dinner.
"Oh, I th-thought she was h-here with y-you two." We turned around saw Hinata standing there with a look of worry on her face.
"She's not in her room?" I asked. She shook her head.
"Īe, I checked her entire chamber, and the maids say they haven't seen her since she left the room to gather me. I wonder…." At that moment, we heard a heart stopping scream.
"Please, stop! It…!"
"Hanae!" Neji and I started running in the direction the scream had come- no,is coming from. The pleads were becoming louder and louder, more and more frantic, if muffled. Who the hell is hurting that sweet little girl?!
"Hanae!" We started opening door after door, yelling the princess's name, until there was only one room left in this wing. I kicked open the door and instantly saw blood red: Kisame was raping Hanae. Hard. I could tell she had been gagged because there was a soggy looking cloth beside her mouth.
"Itachi! Neji!" The crying girl attempted to reach out for us shakily, but the bastard was pinning her wrists down. "Help me!"
"Shut up! You deserve this, you little sphinx! Always looking like you wantsomeone to take you. Now shut up and be taken!" Kisame ground out.
That was his death sentence (or sentences). Before any of us could administer it, the kunai that had been at my thigh was stuck in Kisame's neck. Hanae shoved at the body as it fell, but then she cried out as the corpse fell heavily on her.
"Get him off! Please, get him off of me!" Neji and I rushed to her side and gently moved it off of her. As Neji exited to get someone to remove the corpse from the room, I wrapped Hanae up in a clean sheet from the closet and picked her up bridal style.
"Hanae-san," I muttered. Her tear filled eyes met my dark ones.
"I didn't think you would come and save me. I thought…. I thought…." She covered her face in her hands.
"Do you really think that low of me?"
"Itachi-sama…." She clutched my jacket and buried her face in my neck as I carried her out of the room.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry about yesterday. I hurt you, and…." Her hand slid up to press a finger to my lips.
"It was not your fault, Itachi-sama. I should've made sure you were completely alright before I approached you."
"You're too kind, Hanae-san." She cupped my cheek in her palm. "You were just brutally raped by Kisame. And here you are reassuring me about something I should've had under control."
"I just want you to know I forgive you."
"I'm glad." I made it to her chambers where Hinata was waiting and laid her down on her bed carefully. "Hinata-hime, send a messenger to the Sharingan Kingdom to have Sakura and Ino brought here immediately. Tell them Hanae needs them."
"H-hai." I pulled the comforter over Hanae.
"Stay with me?" I kissed her forehead gently before giving her a sad smile.
"I have to deal with this thing with Kisame. Would you like for me to send Neji in to stand in for me?" She nodded, and I walked out of the room.
"How is she?" the Hyuga prince asked me.
"She's trying to be strong, but I doubt she would be able to for much longer. She wants to see you." He nodded and walked into the room.
~Neji~
"Hanae," I muttered softly. I heard a small whimper and walked over to the bedside. I sat next to the fifteen year old girl, and her head lay in my lap instantly. "How are you?"
"Neji, it hurts. Really badly." I felt her body curl up next to me, so I started running my fingers through her hair. "He grabbed me by Hinata's room. He made me follow him and… and…." She curled up tighter, and I could feel tears hitting my leg.
"I'm sorry, hime. You should not have been put in that situation."
"It wasn't your fault. It's no one's fault except for Kisame's." she clutched my pants leg. "You wouldn't leave me, right? You'll continue to court me even though I'm no longer pure?"
"Why would I do that?" I felt her open her mouth to explain. "Only a jerk would drop you after something like this happens to you. Hanae, you arestill pure." She sat up to my level.
"Will you do something to get my mind off the pain?" I touched her cheek and wiped away her tears.
"Name it."
"Kiss me?" I blinked at her in surprise before smiling at her softly. I cupped her chin in my fingers, tilted her face up slightly, and pressed my lips to hers gently. Her fingers tangled in my hair; after a few moments, I pulled away. She was smiling dazedly at me.
"Thank you, Neji." I smiled back and nodded.