AN: Hey guys. Thank u so much for the reviews! Fifteen, hooray! Haha. I hope u guys enjoy the next chappie. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!
Chapter 1: Reality
This is how it feels like, when life doesn't seem like it's worth living for anymore.
The honking of cars and taxis reverberated throughout Tokyo streets in the late evening. The sidewalk crowded with people of all walks of life as they made their way to their destinations. The bright lights of Tokyo buildings shined the area with advertisements posted nearly everywhere. The essence of industry plagued the streets as people in business suits, shops, stands, and salesmen stood outside to welcome people even at this time in the late evening.
"Hinata-sama, I will not let you do this to yourself," said seventeen year old Neji as he grabbed the sixteen year old girl's arm. He was dressed in a dark tuxedo and his long ebony hair was tied back in a low ponytail. His white pearl eyes were serious, filled with anger and regret. Through the crowds of people, he held onto his cousin tightly by the wrist.
"N-Neji-niisan, please l-let go of me," said Hinata, wincing in pain as her cousin's hand on her wrist tightened each time they passed the blocks on the street. She was dressed in a blue dress with long sleeves and her shoulder-length hair was in small curls with a blue bow in the back. Her black dress shoes tapped the cement floor as she tried to hold back from her cousin's forceful manner. "This is a m-matter of d-duty that I must f-fulfill." Her face flushed in the contact with Neji. His touches always sent a chilled feeling down her spine. If only she could feel happy right now that he was holding onto her wrist so tightly. It was exactly the opposite.
"I will not let them do this to you," said Neji determinedly as they the hotel was becoming more farther for Hinata to look back and see clearly. "How could they let you marry him? He's a cold-hearted bastard who has been after your family's fortune all along." He looked around intently, trying to find a good place to hide. He would protect his cousin, even to the matter concerning what was past his duty to watch over her.
Hinata shook her head as she looked at the people staring at her and her cousin. This was not how she imagined her cousin would be. He was upset, but that didn't mean that he had to pull her away from her engagement party. Of course she was still young to be even engaged, but the law had already permitted girls to marry at the age of 16. Neji had always told her of his duty to protect her, but yet, why was he taking her away from a duty that Neji himself knew Hinata must fulfill for the family. "S-stop this, N-Neji-niisan. You can't stop what will happen to me."
Her heart and mind were two different things. As much as she wanted to love her cousin, she knew that it was wrong. And as much as she wanted to make her father proud, she did not want to marry the man that she was engaged to.
Life would have too much mercy on her for allowing her to do such things if Hinata chose to be with Neji. .
"Yes I can."
Hinata's eyes widened as Neji pulled her away from the crowd. Her feet were almost being dragged along as they reached a dark alley. Hinata gasped shockingly as she felt his strong arms go around her body. She felt her body move up closer to Neji as he held her tightly in his arms, his head leaning to the side on her shoulder.
What was he doing? Hinata began to quickly panic as she brought up her arms to his chest, to push him away. This is wrong, very wrong. No, this is more than wrong, it's a sin. "N-Nii-san"
"Don't call me that!" said Neji harshly, his white eyes painfully looking in the dark. "I never thought how painful it would feel to hear you call me that, Hinata."
Why were the formalities changed? Hinata's white eyes tried to see passed the darkness as her heart started to beat faster than ever before. Her hands still on Neji's chest were now pushing faster than ever to have him removed from her. "N-Nii-san, please stop this instantly."
"I said for you not to call me that," said Neji harshly once again. The ache in his heart began to build up as he tried to let it go. She was so perfect in every way. Her heart was so pure, fragile, and weak but that was what made her so precious, so precious that he so selfishly wanted to take her away from everyone.
Hinata shuddered once again, not understanding why he was so angry at her for saying 'nii-san.' She had always called him that ever since they were young. It was her way of letting him know that he was a close person to her heart. 'As much that I want to call you out differently, it's not right,' thought Hinata, reflecting on what Neji just said. Even though Hinata knew what was truly in her heart, she would keep it in to keep away trouble. This was her fate to keep this love safe and secure. To keep it valued forever or else if word got out, her love would be scorned and bruised.
Hinata would continue with her duties, no matter at what cost.
"N-nii-san, please-"
Hinata's eyes widened. 'No…no…this isn't…happening.' Her body stood still as the contact of Neji's lips on her own sent Hinata quiet. Her hands on his chest immediately stopped pushing and were now still. Hinata's heart only beat faster as Neji's hand slowly engulfed her own and brought her left hand to his left side of his chest. Hinata shivered. Even though it was completely darkness that was preventing them from seeing each other, she could feel his breath hotly on her cheek.
"This…" Neji started gently, his mouth only now next to Hinata's," heart is hurting because of you, Hinata. This heart is breaking because of you, Hinata. This heart is beginning to desire because of you Hinata."
'I…can't take this,' said Hinata nervously as she turned her head quickly. 'His words…are too much.' How was she supposed to answer? No, she would not answer. Hinata closed her eyes tightly, hoping that this was all just a bad dream. She would rather be anywhere in the world than here. But worst of all was that her heart was still so beating so quickly. Hinata only shuddered more as in the process that which she had turned, Neji's lips brushed passed her cheek. "S-stop, I o-order you to stop." He was her protector, her own personal bodyguard, and yet here he was defying orders.
Neji's affections was a sin.
Tears were now forming in Hinata's eyelids and Hinata made sure those tears stayed shut within her eyes. After all these years, why was this happening now? "Why…W-why couldn't you have kept this silent? This is so w-wrong."
"Because I don't want you to give me back what you have taken from me," said Neji, his voice filled with hurt at her question and more ache in his heart. His eyes were trained on her dark face, wanting to calm her fears, but he knew that he himself was the cause of it. "And I don't think I can hold it in any longer if you don't give me your answer." His white orbs tried to look at Hinata, and even through the dark, he knew that she was holding in her tears. He knew that his words were hurting right now, forcing her to choose. But he would never know how Hinata felt about him if he didn't ask her now.
Hinata opened her eyes slowly and in the process, a tear from each eye rolled down from her cheek. How was she supposed to answer him?
Hinata slowly opened her eyes, suddenly waking up from her dream. A small exhalation of breath came from her as her hand slowly reached up to her cheek to touch the tears that had come in her sleep. Next to her bed stood the heart monitor and an IV tube was stuck to her right wrist. She was lying down on a bed in the hospital room with white walls painted and a plant across the corner of the room. Some strands of ebony hair were over her eyes as she tilted head tried to adjust to the sunlight that was pouring out of the window behind her. Her pink lips were dried and chapped as she continued to stare straight out into the vastness of the room.
Her white eyes were glued to the shadow that loomed over by the window. Hinata closed her eyes slowly before opening them again. The shadow disappeared from the window. Confused, Hinata tried to turn herself, only to hesitate as her left shoulder ached. Hinata whimpered softly, slowly bringing her right arm to her left shoulder.
Hinata gasped as she felt the blow to her shoulder and the harsh ringing sound of a gunshot in her eardrums.
My left shoulder hurts, thought Hinata, her white eyes reliving the moment that she saw the strange man again, Neji's blank expression, and the words the killer said mercilessly.
"He was meant to die, Hyuuga."
All of it happened so fast and quickly that it took Hinata out of surprise. But now, Hinata could only stare up at the white ceiling, her right arm giving up the hold on her left shoulder for no reason. I don't know why but I want to hold back these tears, thought Hinata, as her eyes went glassy. Tears were now erupting from her eyes, but Hinata held it in. Why wasn't she crying out her tears and mourning in sorrow screaming out his name? She had a right to cry: Neji was gone forever. She would never be able to hold him, talk to him, and listen to his voice. As Hinata calmly continued to stare at the ceiling, her eyes held that smooth empty look covered in tears.
Knock! Knock!
Hinata calmly disregarded the opening of the door and the loud footsteps making its way towards her. As Hinata turned her head, a droplet of tear fell down her white pale cheeks by accident. She shifted her white orbs slowly to a woman dressed in a white coat with wavy ebony hair and red ruby eyes and had on red lipstick who had come to her bedside. Hinata never meant to cry so much in front of others. This would be the first time that someone else beside Neji would have seen her cry.
"Ohayou, Hyuuga-san, I am Yuuhi Kurenai, your doctor. How are you feeling?"
Hinata relished on her soft voice and calming presence. Her lips parted a bit to speak, however no words came out. As much as she wanted to just say, 'Fine, thank you,' no words continued to display her set of emotions.
Am I really fine?
"Hyuuga-san?" said Yuuhi, leaning in a bit more to hear the answer. The doctor's soft ebony curls falling down to almost touch Hinata's head. "Answer me, now please."
Hinata opened her mouth wider, trying to at least mouth out the words that she was feeling, but still no words came out. Hinata blinked her eyes, and as soon as that happened, more tears that had formed on her eyelids fell down softly from her cheeks. Hinata continued to stare at the doctor with her expression.
Does it look like I'm fine?
Doctor Yuuhi Kurenai's eyes widened slightly. This girl has such a pained expression. Her red eyes trailed down from the sad white pearl eyes to the tears that were rolling down her cheeks, and than to the recovered surgery on Hinata's left arm that she had to perform to remove the bullet. Of course there was an answer even though Miss Hinata could not say.
She's feeling pain.
"She's still shocked. Doctor."
Dr. Yuuhi Kurenai turned her attention to the young man that was leaning on a corner wall behind Hinata's bed. The young man had spiky black hair and onyx orbs and was dressed in a navy blue shirt with dark jeans. His pale skin added to his mysterious presence.
Dr. Yuuhi Kurenai gulped a bit as she continued to stare into the young man's cold eyes that seemed to eye her suspiciously. "E-excuse me?"
The young man spoke once again, his eyes never leaving the doctor's. "The gunshot to her wounds and probably the event that played in her mind that led to that wound is still present in her mind. She might not have a word to say because she's still shocked from the incident."
Hinata led her gaze away from the doctor as she looked away in slight embarrassment. A blush touched her cheeks as her eyes gazed at the opposite direction from the doctor. The footsteps of this young man were approaching closer but Hinata continued to stare at the ceiling opposite of where she would see people.
Am I really too shocked to speak? Is that what this feeling is? Is this the pain in my heart right now that is much more than words can comprehend for? Hinata closed her eyes once more, relieving more tears that seemed to build up more each time. If so than allow me to stay this way forever. Through closed eyelids, she didn't notice the shadow that now loomed over her upper portion, blocking the sunlight from her face.
"W-Who are you?" asked Dr. Yuuhi Kurenai, taking a close look at the young man. "I was told that no one was specifically to enter into this room." Her red eyes only narrowed further as the man now stared intently at her patient.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke," said the young man, his eyes coldly staring at Hinata's face and her closed eyelids.
Hinata's heart stopped as she felt the touch.
Hinata closed her eyes as she felt his rough and calloused fingers touch her cheeks. She shivered to herself as the touch of his fingers cupped her chin.
Hinata opened her eyes wide as she looked directly into the onyx orbs, more tears dropping down her eyelids. His fingers had touched her cheeks and now cupped her chin gently. Just like how Neji did when we were at the church. Hinata opened her mouth again to speak, but no words could come out again. And unbeknownst to herself, more tears were coming out of her eyes falling more down her cheeks. Hinata raised her right arm slowly as her hand placed an arm on the man's hand gently that had a hold on her chin. Her white eyes continued to stare at his onyx orbs with surprise, enchanted by how those orbs seemed so still, calm, and unmoving. This man held strong eyes of a feeling that Hinata could not interpret. As Hinata continued to stare at this man with tears in her eyes, he eyed her back with a cold resilient stare.
Why are their touches so similar?
Sasuke slowly let go of his hold on the girl's chin. A splitting image of a young girl pierced his memory as soon as he felt Hinata's cheek. Those pale skin and eyes with long tresses of hair only reminded him of his own dead love from long ago. Haruko had been a sweet and happy girl who had filled the ache in his heart when he had started high school and than later she had become a victim with her dead form in his hands with her pool of blood all around him. Seeing the sad expression on the Hyuuga's face only brought sad memories for Uchiha Sasuke as he tried to retain that lost and tragic moment from his life. However, day and night, the visions of Haruko would plague his mind, haunting him.
You killed Haruko; you killed this girl's lover; and now you killed this girl herself.
Sasuke continued to stare into Hyuuga Hinata's eyes, hoping that just once, he could at least have a sweet memory of Haruko smiling. But yet through Hyuuga Hinata's eyes he saw only a reflection of himself staring back. Empty and Lost.
The same sad mournful eyes, the same sad frown, and the same tears. It's all the same.
Sasuke's eyes twitched a little as he realized that Hyuuga Hinata was reaching out to him again. Her weak pale hand rose slowly into the air with her nails shining with the light. His eyes continued to stare coldly at her, non-reactant to her tears. Her eyes looked so desperate, so innocent, and so pure.
Something that Sasuke himself knew would be too risky to touch again. He had been ordered to not touch the Hyuuga girl, but yet he had held onto her chin. He had been ordered to kill Hyuuga Neji and hurt Hyuuga Hinata as a punishment. Uchiha Sasuke had finished his duty and now he would leave this girl as he went to follow more orders.
"Tch," mumbled Sasuke and turned his back from the Hyuuga girl, walking regularly to the door. Dr. Yuuhi Kurenai glared as she heard Sasuke's rude comment of "Tch." I'm not going to be so nice to him if he starts to show more of that cocky attitude, she thought as her eyes burned at Uchiiha Sasuke's back. However the doctor continued to watch silently, knowing that it would be better to concentrate on her job than on a sleezy young kid.
He's gone, thought Hinata to herself, somehow sadly feeling her heart break as the young man had turned his back on her. She was so close to touching him again. Perhaps they will meet again. Hinata slowly retreated back her hand to her side. I couldn't help but reach out to him. Maybe I'm too desperate to see Neji alive again. As the door closed shut, another tear rolled down her eyes that were transfixed on the ceiling.
Their touch is the same and yet they feel so different.
A vision of a young Neji wiping the sweat off Hinata's face from when they played tag that day came back into Hinata's mind.
"Hold still, Hinata-sama, or else I'll run away again."
AN: Hey readers! How was it? i hope you guys liked it! please review to tell me what u thought of it. anywayz, if there are any questions, i'll try and answer without letting out any "inside info" on the story. (scratch head) i hope this chappie was okay. i really hope it was. ::smiles:: THANK U FOR ALL THE REVIEWS AGAIN ON CHAPTER 1!!!
