Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, own nothing and will not make a profit from this.
Okay so this is a request pairing by my friend torib0o. It's a ShikaNeji story. If you like it then you might be inspired to send me a request yourself. D And to let you all know, I may or may not add another chapter for "Challenge of a Lifetime" and "Red Meets Green" by the end of the week. I'll be leaving for my Aunt's and Uncle's ad only my Aunt knows the nature of my writing. She doesn't want me to do it since Mom and Dad don't approve. So there may not be another update after this one for around a month. But I can promise some delicious mansmex when I come back! X3
Without further ado, I present my latest story…
Just this one more time.
Pressing the plunger down. Liquid pushed into a vein. And then…
Euphoria.
This was how Neji Hyuuga would spend his free time. Sticking himself with needles to forget. Forget how his late Uncle Hiashi had raped him. Bound and gagged or tied down. Those times he would bite his tongue to keep from screaming because if he did there would be punishment.
The tattoo on his forehead wasn't from a wild night drinking and he thought it would look punk though he sincerely wished it was. Its purpose was to remind him that he was and always would be a caged bird. And the symbol in the middle marked the exact spot for the drops.
Chinese water torture was his punishment.
No wonder he was so messed up.
But then he had meet Uchiha Sasuke. The dark eyed, raven haired man had been his salvation. Or what he saw as his salvation. One day while he was walking around the city, running from Hiashi, he chanced upon the Green Beast Bar. Though he was only fourteen at the time, Neji looked older than other children his age so he walked inside and sat down at a table. Then another male took the seat opposite him. Sasuke his name was and he offered a product to help him escape. From that day on, Neji became a heroin user. That's how his addiction started.
But thoughts of his past soon faded to be filled with a blessed numb feeling. Soon after he couldn't even lift his arms. Neji sighed and let the effects of the drug sweep him away.
The heroin flowing through his veins was a release. His only safe haven in a dark lifestyle. Not that he'd been given a choice.
A wave of dizziness hit but he took it all in stride. And soon he lapsed into unconsciousness.
CageCageCage
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Neji's eyelids fluttered.
"I think he's coming to."
That voice… Gaara?
"I though we had worked him through this…"
Naruto?
"I found him on the living room floor. He was barely breathing and his heartbeat was eratic… I called 911 immediately and they rushed him here… Oh Neji! How did you get it again?" The sound of muffled sobs reached his ears.
Hinata.
He fully opened his eyes and had to blink when all the sterilized white and steel assaulted his eyes. "Guys…? Where am I?"
"Where do you fucking think you are!?" Naruto almost yelled. "You're in the hospital!"
"You overdosed Neji," Gaara said, a look of sadness shadowed his face. In his arms was a weeping Hinata.
Overdose. Lavender orbs went round. Barely breathing.
I could have died.
Death. The permanent escape.
Too permanent.
"I don't want to die," Neji whispered.
"I'm glad you realized what'll happen if you use again because who's to say you won't overdose next time and no one will find you? You'll die." Naruto ranted though his voice cracked at the end. "You're my best friend Neji and it's been killing me to watch you kill yourself like this." Brilliant sapphire eyes watered and tears slid down his face.
Naruto. The one boy who had persisted in making friends with him when others had given up. Neji had snubbed all the other children's advances until they left him alone, but that hadn't deterred the blonde. Finally he been so annoying that over a spill off the monkey bars, the two became friends and remained that way.
"How did you get in contact with Sasuke?" Gaara asked. His voice held in check but only just. The anger radiated off him in waves.
Gaara. He had been a long time friend of Naruto's so when they were introduced, neither said much. Bu that's how they both were. Quiet while Naruto was loud. Most of the time, they didn't need to say much to understand each other. Being friends with Naruto balanced out their somber attitudes with his cheery disposition.
Best friends forever. Even when they found out about the abuse. They had stood by him and offered a retreat from the hell house he lived in.
"I thought you were past this. You promised me you were," Hinata said, starting to pull herself together. She gently left Gaara's arms to stare pleadingly at Neji. "I hope you were telling the truth when you said you don't want to die because Naruto's right. You will die."
Hinata. His cousin and daughter of his tormentor. You would think he hated her for what Hiashi did but it was the exact opposite. Hinata knew of her father's doings and even cried for his pain. She had taken care of him after each trial with tenderness. Neji could plainly see that she felt guilty, as if this were her fault, or that she should be able to do something to stop it. But both knew that Hiashi was a rich and influential man. Nothing they did would stop him.
He'd been only five when he arrived at his Uncle's. Neji's parents were both dead. They had been killed while in the army. Until he was ten, Neji lived a normal enough life. He missed his parents of course but he had never seen much of them anyway. Then one night Hiashi opened his door and touched him. In a place where he knew his Uncle shouldn't be touching him. When he cried out, Hiashi slapped him and told him to shut up. The ordeal had scarred him.
Now Neji was eighteen and Hiashi was dead. He had died a month ago from a heart attack. Everyone was glad to be rid of him.
But he still haunted Neji's memories.
"How did you find Uchiha?" Gaara repeated his earlier question.
"The Green Beast Bar," Neji replied.
Violet eyes narrowed. "How did you get there?"
"I took cab money from the jar," Neji answered his cousin, not daring to meet her eyes.
"I bet you used your birthday and work money to get your fix." Naruto joined in the conversation. "You are going to rehab after this Neji. I want you to get better and this is the only way."
Hid friends agreed.
"We'll pay for what ever you need. You have no worries there," Gaara assured him, his eyes now soft and warm.
"And we'll visit," Hinata smiled, her tears now dry.
Neji knew this was going to be hard. He had already tried to quit and the withdrawal had been hell. Diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting had been the worst. He lasted only a few days and now here he was. The addiction had been too great. But this time he would do it. And finally get that sneering bastard out of his head for good.
"Thanks for everything," Neji smiled, though it was a weak one since the overdose effects weren't completely gone. The next few days would be murder, as he well knew, but he would make it. For his friends. For himself.
Was it good? I sure hope so since it's the second time I've had to type it. I revise my work as I type and when I tried to save it yesterday the computer spazzed and it was all gone! TT But I retyped it and it may not be the same as it was yesterday but at least it's done. Hope you like it torib0o! D
Please show your love and review!