Chapter 2: To what ever end
Hinata simply curled into a ball in the middle of her cell crying at the realisation that what she had feared for so long was coming true. At noon the mark would be placed upon her forehead, she would be locked to the family's wishes for life, she would only be able to pursue what they desired, train how they want her to, live where they said, do as they commanded and marry who they desired lest death be the result.
She was a disgrace to the family, they would never keep her in such a public area, and they would probably forbid her from doing anything as a ninja again so that she could be locked away with ease. She would become weaker than she was now, she would be forced into hiding from society. She would never see him again.
She curled up tighter with this thought and began to cry once more, her thoughts wrapped with the on who bore her hidden desires. She remembered all those times at the academy, all the times she had watched him train, his determination, his ardour.
It was then in her despair that a favoured memory flickered into her mind. The Chuunin exam. Naruto standing tall above her calling down to her. Telling her she was strong, that she could win, that she would succeed.
"Naruto" Hinata whispered into the darkness. "I have to be strong for you Naruto. I need to be strong" She stood up as the sun had flied half the room; the door began to slide open. The guards were coming, to take her to be marked, to destroy everything she wanted.
The first guard looked at her where she stood "Come on you. Its noon" He turned with his companion and stepped into the sunlight outside, He looked up into the sky shielding his eyes from the sun. Then all went black. The two guards collapsed to the ground where they had stood. Hinata's Byakugan was active.
With a single slap to the spine she had blocked the chakra stream in there spine rendering them unconscious in an instant. Hinata's thoughts burnt strong 'I will Not Fail him'. She ran out into the sunlight and leapt onto the rooftops.
Hinata's feet tapped gently as she sprinted across the Tiled roofs of the Hyuuga Compound, Her mind was so focussed on getting away it took her a few minuets to realise, someone was following her. She spun sharply and twisted into the gentle fist fighting stance, here eyes widened suddenly as she saw Neji standing before her.
His slick voice creped forth, filling Hinata with dread "Where do you think your going?" Hinata trembled and stepped back slightly, she spoke with a trembling voice "I…I… I'm not staying here… I…I…I won't fail him "Neji simply sank into the same gentle fist stance he stood like a statue for what felt like an eternity. Then he spoke.
His voice was soft and warmer than before "Strike me down". Hinata was taken aback "Wh…What?" Hinata searched for meaning in his words as he stepped forward towards her "Strike. Me. DOWN!" with that he charged for her ready to strike. Hinata span to his right and thrusted a palm to his side.
Neji shifted his body to evade the blow before rounding on Hinata "if you want to escape. Strike me down" He twisted and hurled strike after strike at her. Hinata shifted swiftly to dodge and deflect his attacks till she saw an opening; she flung both hands under his guard and slammed them into his chest. The pulse of chakra that rushed into him struck his left lung. Hinata stumbled back as Neji dropped to his knees. He looked up at her and mouthed one word 'run' before he dropped down coughing blood.
Neji watched through blurring eyes as Hinata darted away from the compound towards the centre of Konoha. He was left alone with the pain of the collapsed lung and his thoughts. 'Run Hinata, hope they never find you. Run and be free. There are many I hate… but I'd wish this cursed mark on none of them' with that the light faded from his eyes and he slept.