Chapter 12: Neji – The Price I May Pay

I can't believe he asked me that: To get rid of one of his own offspring, especially Hinata. She has made so much progress with her training and continues to do so. Hell, she nearly killed herself trying out a new jutsu that she wasn't sure would even work. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, including time to study for being the heiress of the clan properly. She pushes herself to her absolute limit at least four times a week and renders herself into the hospital's care at least once a week from pushing herself in her strict training regime; the training regime she found in the Hyuuga library. All her efforts have been rewarded with a Jounin status. So why can't Hiashi see that? Oh yeah … because of Hanabi and me: the Prodigal Genius' of the Hyuuga clan, because we can't do any wrong, right? Well, at least not in the clan elder's eye or Hiashi's.

How could he even stoop as low as to offer to remove my curse seal: the seal that binds me to the slavery of the clan? If it weren't for this seal, I would have left the clan behind a long long time ago. But still, it's one of the last things I have to remind me of my father: back in a time where things were so much different, back when freedom from the clan seemed so much more possible. I have to let myself wonder if Hiashi would be different if my father and my aunt were still around. Some part of me wishes that it could have been a possibility. But I can't think of what could have been, I have to think of the here and now.

I have to think of the path I have set myself to follow, the way I could see an escape from this blasted family. They let me believe for years that Hinata and her family were the cause my parents deaths. They let my emotions boil and increase over the years to the point I practically killed my own cousin. True, Hiashi's confession eased the burden of my parents from my mind, but I felt the guilt of my attack on Hinata every day since the exam. So I pushed myself to better myself for her protection as my father once told me to do. Graduating easily through the Chuunin and Jounin exams, I was quickly accepted into Anbu black ops; to further escape my fate from the clan. Although that's not the way my uncle sees it … or at least it seems that way. He enjoys throwing that in Hinata's face about how I have achieved more than her quicker. But in all honesty, I feel rather proud of my deception towards the clan.

Yes that's right: Deception. For the last two years, I have been acting as a double agent for Tsunade because we don't want another "Uchiha situation". Reporting the clan's every move to her, earning something I never thought I could ever achieve: freedom from the seal that binds me to the segregation of the clan. Though the seal is gone, the scar still remains; leaving me with a permanent reminder of what happened in the past. But it's only thanks to Hinata that Tsunade was able to remove it. Hinata found the scroll containing the secrets of the seal, including how to remove it. Hinata, being the kind-hearted person she is, copied everything about removing the seal down and handed it straight to Tsunade. I've got a lot to thank that girl for.

As I walk through the streets of Konoha, I think about what life here would be like without her in it: without her soft and gentle voice filling the air, her innocent smile, without her kindness and compassionate heart. Anyone who knew her was truly blessed by Kami themselves; heaven knows we're in need of people like her. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of her mother, at least what I can remember of her, but she and Hiashi are very much alike in a lot more ways than either of them would like to admit.

Not paying attention to the world around me, I crashed into a wall of Anbu Black Ops. Pushed into an alleyway, I found myself surrounded by the most skilled an talented set of ninja Konoha has come to know. Even if I had to fight my way out, I wouldn't win. Their unique fitted masks hid their faces, but I could feel the hate and anger towards me. Searching for the mask I knew, her chakra instantly recognisable, I had to know what's going on.

"Monkey, what is going on? If this is an assassination attempt then you've not done a ery good job. I demand expla -"

"Enough joking around Neji Hyuuga, you know full well why we're here!" her usual happy gentle oice was tainted with malice, with a razor's sharp edge she only reserved for her enemies.

"Tenten, what are you talking about?"

"Neji Hyuuga, you are hereby under arrest for the conspiracy of murder against Hinata Hyuuga, causing her to make a suicide attempt on her own life. We are to escort you straight to the Lady Hokage!" Each word spoken was like a dagger to my heart.

How … Surely Hinata hadn't heard … She couldn't have … I would have sensed her … I was always so cautious … How could she have … No … It's not possible … Is it?

With chakra bonds being bound on my wrists, I was lead through the streets to the Hokage tower. The chorus of whispers and stares chimed loudly from the crowding civilians. All of a sudden 6 foot 4 frame seemed to shrink to that of the size of a child, specifically me as a child with the seal on my forehead … and I didn't like it. The quietness and stillness unnerved me.

"Alright everyone, you've had your fill now get back to whatever it was you were doing!" her cut through the crowd and helped ease my nerves.

Tenten …

Now faced with the Hokage tower, my nerves doubled up and shattered. But Hyuuga's have to keep their composure.

"These bonds were unnecessary, I would have co-operated."

"Neji, don't dig yourself a hole you can't get out of," her voice softened some, "Me and Deer will take him to Lady Hokage, the rest of you go back to base and wait for orders."

"Yes Captain!" In unison and organised synchronicity, they disappeared from view.

Being pulled along by Tenten and Shikamaru (seriously how could he be in Anbu when his hair and lazy stance were so instantly recognisable), we made our way to the Hokage's room. Fear began to grip at my heart, panic for what could become of me accelerated my breathing, trepidation faltered my step on simple stairs and flat floors, and dread filled my being. Emotions I'd never felt at this rate before flooded and clouded y instincts.

With a sharp, lazy knock quickly replied with "Enter!" Being pulled into the Hokage's office, refusing to meet the Lady's eyes

"Neji Hyuuga, what have you done?"

A/N Naruto and his friends belong to the wonderful mind of Masashi Kishimoto :)

Nice long chapter for you wonderful loyal readers :D

Reviews and opinions are appreciated and welcomed :3