Chapter Three: Answers
Neji had been walking for what seemed like hours. There was no destination, no reason for his movements; he simply walked. His mind hadn't stopped running with thoughts since he and Sasuke talked, that was three days ago. He still went on missions and trained, it's just he wasn't all there. Even Rock Lee noticed the change in Neji. When asked what was wrong, his normal demeanor would surface for only an instant as he told Lee that his only concern should be Tenten, and trying to win in a spare.
After that, his teammates never really voiced their concern; they would only give him a worried glance from time-to-time. Either way, it truly annoyed him. Neji just wanted some time to think. He needed to analyze everything; he needed to understand Hinata-sama's actions and her reasons behind them. A part of him wondered if she married the Uchiha because she had secretly held feelings for him-but that notion was quickly discarded with the knowledge that the girl had always seemed keen to Naruto and never really seemed to notice Sasuke.
"What were you thinking." frustration was plastered all over Neji's face as he rounded a corner and continued down a dirt road. He looked down at his wrist, only to realize that he never put on his watch. Annoyed and tired, he looked toward the sky. The sun was set at its highest point; noon.
"I'm getting a headache."
Neji stared at the clouds, they were…calming. For some reason, he couldn't seem to look away-not that he had any reason to. His mind started to shut down, and he realized how much his feet actually hurt.
"Neji-San, what are you doing here?" Caught off guard, Neji glanced over towards the direction of the voice. Standing several feet away from him was a woman, roughly around her early twenties, with medium length black hair, ivory colored eyes and a faint green tattoo on her forehead.
"Mei-Chan, is that you?"
"If your really asking then I think the Hyuuga need to rethink you being the prodigy." the girl had a huge grin on her face, as she closed the distance between the two, wrapping her arms around Neji.
"Mei-chan, get off of me- you know I hate unnecessary touching." spoke the stoic Hyuuga with annoyance written all over his face.
"Ah Nej, you'd think that with all you time outside of the compound, you would've loosened up. C'mon it's me, relax." exclaimed the exuberant girl as she slapped Neji on the back.
"Well, I can see you still rough and embracive as usual. Why are you so far from the compound, I didn't think that you ever left the yard." At this point, Neji had started walking again; with Mei trailing behind.
"Hey, don be an ass. I DO get out from time-to-time, and what are you talking about, the compound is right passed that wall with the Hyuuga emblem on it." Sure enough, following Mei's finger there lay the Hyuuga property.
'So, this is where I was going.'
"Hey Nej, what are ya waiting for, an invitation?"
Neji is snapped out of his thoughts, only to see Mei jogging towards the estate. After taking a few more seconds to weigh the outcome of returning to the compound, Neji began to make his way towards the entrance.
'Well-if I want any answers, Hanabi-sama is the best person to ask.' a silent deep breath escapes Neji's lungs before he catches up to Mei, as the pair near the estate.
The Hyuuga guards are startled to see Neji's presence and quickly bow. Neji is caught off guard by this, but collects himself before anybody notices. They head towards the branch house living quarters, but Neji stops.
"Mei-chan, I think it would be wise to go see Hanabi-sama before roaming the compound."
"Aww~ Neji your so boring man, lighten up; throw caution to the wind my man. Besides it's not like Hanabi-San will really care that your here."
If Neji wasn't known for his cool demeanor, he would've rolled his eyes at the girl that stood before him. Instead, he only chose to ignore the girl and head towards the main branch living quarters to find the head, walking away from Mei's obnoxious chatter. Before turning the corner, Neji stops,
"And Mei-chan, it'd be wise if you remembered to address your superiors with the respect they deserve. If an elder heard you, you'd be punished severely." with flick of his long brunette hair, Neji continues out onto the yard. But not before hearing the fading voice of a certain girl screaming, 'don't call me Mei-chan, jerk!'
Neji can't help but smirk at his old childhood friend. 'She hasn't changed one bit.' Stepping onto the yard, Neji slows his pace to a gentle stroll. Some branch house elders spot him, and he quickly bows before continuing towards the main house. When he finally reaches the house, Neji notices that the halls and rooms are devoid of people and noise.
'Today is Friday, so Hanabi-sama must be holding a council meeting.'
As he walks through the halls, Neji begins to reminisce about the past. He remembers walking these halls hand-in-hand with his father, and watching over Hinata-sama while she played; he remembers being happy. The memories of childhood invade Neji's mind, warping his thoughts. His feet seem to be moving on their own, to a predetermined destination. If someone were to see him now, they would see the small smile that graced his faint lips.
It seemed as though he had finally reached his destination when he found himself staring at a shoji door. His hands ghosted along the frame, lightly feeling the paper material. It was smooth to the touch; but it also seemed to carry age with it. Closing his eyes, Neji took in all that was the Hyuuga main house mansion. The dark mahogany wood floors, the plain yet elegant white walls; everything.
Inhaling deeply, Neji takes in a delightful and refreshing scent: iris flowers. The scent is faint and relaxes the young mans thoughts; slowly he begins to lose the concept of time or the reason for which he came. The scent has captivated his entire being, wrapping him up with a feeling of serenity and peace.
The voice of a young girl snaps the man from his reprieve. "Nii-San, if you keep standing there like that people are going to think your some kind of perv." The voice of this very individual made the hairs on the back of Neji's neck shoot straight up. She acted like the average Hyuuga in front of elders and her father, but when it came to Hinata and Neji, she had a whole different persona.
"Hello, Hanabi-sama. I see you haven't changed a bit." shifting his body, Neji's eyes fall upon Hanabi. Her deep brown, shoulder length hair is pulled back into a traditional bun. Usually she is seen wearing loose fitting sweatpants and a tank top; but today, she looked…adorable. She wore a light pink kimono, with little sakura petals flowing around her waist and at the bottom of her legs, with a brilliant red obi. Hanabi's slender face was complimented by a dash of blush with some light pink gloss along her lips.
"I can only take that as a compliment. But you're lucky, I could've had one of the guards come and reprimand you for something that could've been taken as an insult." There was a coy smirk and glint of evil in Hanabi's eyes, which told Neji she would've enjoyed seeing him get in trouble.
"I simply meant that you are just as radiant as I remembered." Neji kept his expression blank, and his eyes trained on Hanabi. He felt that if he did look away, she might send a shuriken his way-just for fun.
"Neji thanks but save the flattery for Nee-chan." Only a few could see behind Neji's stoic demeanor-Hanabi was one of them. Nothing seemed to get by the crafty teenager, she noticed everything. She was also the first person to realize Neji's feelings for Hinata.
Naturally, the girl held it over his head whenever she had the opportunity to do so. If she wanted to go and explore the leaf, she always had Neji tag along and buys her sweets and anything else her little heart desired.
"So what brings you here, ya haven't come to visit so I don't get the unexpected arrival-that's not your style." Neji had to admit one thing, the girl knew him, very well. His actions were atypical, especially for him but there had to be a reason for which he was led here.
"I know, my apologies for coming unannounced, but I wish to speak with you in private. That is, if it's alright with you."
"Man, something must be wrong if you're coming to me. I mean, don't you have friends that you trust with all your private issues?"
"Actually, I don't share personal matters with those whom I work along side with. That's why I've come to speak with you, besides, your familiar with this topic."
"HN, I see. Well then, that explains why you were caressing her old room. I think it'd be best if we went to my office. No one will disturb us there."
The two walk in silence through the corridors. Neither of the two acknowledged the others presence, something that was fully appreciated; to Neji at least.
When they arrive in Hanabi's office, Neji takes a mental note of how things haven't changed since he left. The only thing that did change was the person who the estate. The office still had it's ominous and frightening aura, even without Hiashi behind its dark and elegant desk. Everything was the same as when he left. The only thing that changed was he person sitting behind the table.
Taking a deep breath, Hanabi drags herself over towards table. She looked so childish; shoulders slouched, eyes barely open and her usual frown plastered on her face. If Neji was here on different circumstances, he would've smirked (his interpretation of a smile) at this. Neji sat on a tatami mat while Hanabi leaned against the wall.
"Now, what's going on with you and Nee-chan?"
"..."
"Listen, if you weren't goin' to talk, then why'd you say you needed to talk?"
"...She told me, we weren't to converse anymore."
"That's what's got ya briefs in a bunch, so what. It's not the end of the world Neji-Nii, maybe she doesn't want to lead you on or something-"
"This wasn't her decision, it was HIS…"
"Oh I see. That's why ya so depressed. Listen Neji-Nii, he had every right to do that. She does belong to him after all."
"I know that already, that's not exactly why I came…"
"Then what is it, because I'm starting to get confused."
"I wanted to know the reason as to why Hinata-sama accepted the marriage."
"…" Some how after Neji asked the question, the room seemed to get an even more ominous vibe. Hanabi, who had been looking at a pair of children playing in the yard, was now looking over at Neji with an unreadable gaze. They stayed like that for awhile. Silent, eyes locked, and still. It was as if the two were locked in a fierce battle and neither was backing down.
Bored and exhausted, Hanabi rolls her eyes and continues to watch the children play.
"She told me that he needed her."
Neji, taken back by her words was baffled. 'He needed her? What made her say that, did he tell her that? It's very unlikely, seeing as Sasuke has the same stoic nature as me.' Hanabi, sensing Neji's Uneasiness, speaks once more.
"Don't bother trying to decipher the meaning; I've been trying to for months. All I know is she was adamant about this, she wouldn't say anything more on the topic."
"…Thank you Hanabi-sama, I must take my leave now."
"Sure whatever, and stop being so formal; it's really annoying."
"Hanabi-sama, it wouldn't be appropriate to address you without the proper title. When you grow up, you'll realize it."
"I'M NOT A KID, YOU ASS!"
Neji couldn't help but smile at Hanabi's reaction. Her face, tinted red, eyes wide and cheeks puffed. This image only confirmed his idea; and the fact that after all this time, calling her a child; still got a rise out of the girl was priceless. The smirk that had crept onto Neji's face grew wider at his thoughts. Slowly, he stood preparing to depart.
"You know, that vulgar mouth of yours only makes you seem younger."
"Aw shut up. You really annoy me you know that."
"I always have, it was…nice to see you haven't changed." Giving a slight bow, Neji turned towards the shoji doors. Before being able to walk into the hallway, he is stopped. A pair of slender arms had wrapped themselves around his torso, as well as a head nestled into his back.
"As much as you annoy me, I'm happy I got to see you today. Ever since you and Nee-chan left, I've been so bored." Neji knew that when she said bored; Hanabi actually meant that she felt lonely. This made Neji's chest feel tight. He truly did love this girl like his own sister, and that's what made it even worse knowing that she was sad that they weren't all together like before. If it had been someone else, Neji would've tried to get out of the hug, but this was Hanabi. This was a girl who although she hated to admit it, was still a child and did get lonely. She needed her sister and cousin, but they weren't around anymore. Too caught up in their own lives to realize that, she needed their attention and love as well (even if she never said anything).
"Don't worry Hanabi-chan, I'll visit again. Next time, I'll bring Hinata-sama as well and it'll be just like old times." Slowly, Hanabi's hands begin to unravel from Neji's waist. He turns and faces the girl, looking at how small she seems to have become. She looks so fragile, so…vulnerable. He knows he has to make her happy again.
"…Promise?"
"Promise."
"Good-you better not tell anyone about that hug either."
"I wouldn't dream of it."