Chapter 14: Tsunade – Explain!
Hyuuga eyes refused to meet my own, which only fuelled my rage. I felt sorry for the boy, I really did, but after everything I've done for him, everything Hinata's done for him, why would he throw it all back in our faces? He looked almost vacant, his body was there but his mind was not. His eyes locked on a random streak of light on the floor, his body almost lifeless like hat these kids call zombies (whatever the hell they are). I was actually worried he would crash to the floor. He looked so broken, like a lost puppy. Speaking of pups, I better check on Kiba later.
As soon as my door crashed gently to a close, I couldn't believe my double agent, as it were, would be so stupid. I had done everything I could to help him because I knew he wanted freedom from the clan.
"Hyuuga, you better start explaining. I've got your cousin and heiress lying unconscious in one of my hospital beds after trying to commit suicide after overhearing a conversation between yourself and the beloved Hiashi Hyuuga!" I tried my best to keep the snarl out of my voice, but what sort of Hokage would I be if I didn't strike a little fear into my ninja every now and again?
He started murmuring in what I can only describe as tongues. Falling to his knees, holding his head in his bounds hands, he lost his Hyuuga composure. Knelling beside him, I tried to listen to his silent ramblings.
"How could she have heard us? I can always sense her chakra … How couldn't I sense her?... I can't believe I let myself be so careless! I can't believe … I've lost everything … I'm dead … I'm dead for sure! What sort of protector am I? … Father I have failed … Why didn't I get here sooner? I could have saved her … I could have kept her safe …"
Neji Hyuuga?! Admitting he did wrong? That's a shock to the system to hear from any Hyuuga! Well … maybe not Hinata …
"Neji, if you don't start explaining no one, not even your uncle will be able to help you,"
"He wanted me to kill her … to kill Hinata, so he could make me heir. He said that he'd remove my seal if I did it. I couldn't give away my double crossing so I had to agree. She must have hid herself well for me not to find her … and now … now she's …" tears fell from his eyes, guilt overpowering him I suppose, "she's in the hospital, she tried to kill herself even though she's achieved so much. I've killed her again even though I promised I would never harm someone who showed e care ever again … I killed her …"
Smacking him on the back of his head a little harder than I had originally intended, I couldn't believe this one incident had sent him back thinking like that, "You numb-skull! She isn't dead, just unconscious … at least she was the last time I saw her … Though she didn't do much damage, just lost a lot of blood," his face was unreadable. "You've not done anything wrong apart from not getting here sooner." Patting his back gently, comforting him as best I could, I allowed him to regain some of the famous Hyuuga composure.
Raising his head, composure regained some, he cleared his throat. Though the composure was there, the torment behind his eyes was evident, "Please release these bonds Tsunade-sama, I am no threat to you and I'm not going to run," Classic Hyuuga arrogance. If he weren't a ninja, he'd make a damn fine actor. With the hoard of fan-girls he's got, I'm sure they wouldn't object to that notion. Not gonna lie (because, y'know, Hokage's never lie), if I were as young as I look and Kakashi were unavailable, Neji would be top on my "men to do things wit" list. But back the here and now, not wishing I was young once again …
"As much as I know you wouldn't, I can't do that Neji, the guards surrounding this place would give me hell if I did. Also, if it looks like I'm not gonna do anything about what cause Hinata to do this, then her adoring public and mass of fan-boys are gonna cause a shit-storm at my door."
"I understand," composure there, dejection evident "What do you propose to do?"
"You'll have to spend time in a cell until I say. The public wouldn't take too kindly to me letting a 'wannabe murderer' walk the Konoha streets. I'll say with the evidence you gave we have to investigate the entire cal. Once we have enough evidence, which shouldn't be too hard as I believe that there has been a bit of foul play in your household, we'll hit them where it hurts,"
"I see," his head lowered to the ground again, concentrating on that annoying streak of light on the floorboards.
"Your name will be clear once again Neji Hyuuga, but not right now. You will be rewarded for your diligence as my spy. Your situation in Anbu will still stand. You will not be a martyr like Itachi Uchiha," this was what I was trying to avoid. The Uchiha's were a powerful clan and held the ability to overthrow any authority, as were the Hyuuga's. The Uchiha's snapped, Itachi destroyed tem and became a Rogue S-rank ninja to keep his younger brother safe. I did not want the same fate for Neji. "Do you wish for people to know of your spying in your own clan?" a shake of the head was my only reply, "Not even Hinata, Tenten and Kiba?"
"What's Mutt-boy got to do with this?!" well there was one thing that would never change, and it really pissed me off, I certainly had no patience for it in a time like this.
"Look, I'm saving your ass here! Don't bring your petty inter-clan wars into this, especially when Kiba was the one to actually save Hinata!"
"What?!" a whisper of shock and wonder crossed his face, I couldn't help but smirk. This was his own fault for breaking my patience the way he did.
"You heard me! Kiba Inuzuka: The Hound of Konoha, dog-nin, team-mate of Hinata, saved her! Her blood was spilt on the ground and her scent familiar to him! He rushed to her and got there in time before she threw herself from the top of the Hokage Monument! HE SAVED HER AND YOU SHOULD BE THANKING HIM HYUUGA OR YOU WOULD BE FACING A FAR WORSE CHARGE TAN YOU'RE ALREADY FACING!" wincing at my words, he looked more tormented, with a look of a pup who'd been caught in the cookie jar, "You better start re-evaluating your clan squabbles Neji. As it stands, the Hyuuga are not the royalty they believe themselves to be. There are ordinary civilians with little to live on with more royalty in their manners tan your clan!"
"I apologise Hokage-sama," now that's more like it: Fear Factor and Humiliation 1 – Snobbery 0, "tell them please, but no one else"
"You'll have to go to your cell no, but play along. Keep your precious composure as you're taken away. I'll speak to you in a few days. Remember, play along."
Finding the largest and heaviest book I owned in the office, my plan clicked into place for him. Slamming it on my desk, a deafening crack filled the air, "YOU BETTER START TALKING HYUUGA!" another slam, "TALK NOW!" another, "GUARDS!"
Two Anbu guards entered my office bowing deeply before rising, "She hit him right? WE did ear her hit him … so where's the marks?"
"You must be new, Bird! I did hit him, but I can use a technique that allows me to leave no marks! I'm not Hokage for nothing you know! Do you want a demonstration? Would you like to Volunteer?"
"No, Hokage"
"Good, now back to business. Take the Hyuuga away, tell Ibiki to stay away for a few days, give him nothing but bread and water morning, noon and night. Put him in solitary confinement." Looking back to Neji, I saw is composure but I also saw the torment increase behind his eyes, "Remember my words in this office Neji Hyuuga, and remember them well! Take him away!"
With a puff of smoke they were all gone. Heading back towards the hospital, I had to check on the pup that I had honoured and defended so graciously.
A/N Naruto and his companions and locations all belong to the wonderful creative mind of Masashi Kishimoto :)
Mwah-ha-ha, I am a mean author *hides* Don't hurt me :)
Fluff is coming up in the next chapter, and a revelation of a deep secret
Thank you to my loyal patient readers and new readers alike :) reviews and opinions are appreciated and welcomed :)