Chapter 7: Forced Submission
Hyuga Compound, Main House: 8:23 am
"Hiroshi-dono…is Hinata-sama alright? She looks so pale." Kuri looked down at the young woman laying on the futon. Her hair laid in perfect swirls on the pillow, framing her plump face.
"She's beautiful…" Kuri said breathless. Hinata truly was a beautiful girl. Hiroshi knelt beside her, examining her.
"She'll make a wonderful wife for Takuya. If only she wasn't so headstrong. Now that I think about, Hinata is much like her mother. She's always been."
"Hiroshi-dono?" Kuri sounded unsure of his question. He looked at Hinata's face once more and turned toward the door.
"What is it boy?"
"What was Hinata's mother like?" Hiroshi blinked.
"Why would you, a Branch member want to know that?"
Kuri looked back at Hiroshi. He smiled.
"Because Hinata-sama…sure is strong for being weak."
--
"I see you're awake. Finally." Hinata's eyes opened to see pale ones like her own gazing back.
"Where am I?" Hinata glanced around the room and her face turned down as she realized that she was no longer in the Uchiha manor. She swiftly turned to the man beside.
"Why did you do this?!" Hinata was flustered.
"Because your father ordered us to. And Hiashi-sama's word is law in this clan. That's why."
Hinata's face fell. Of course, he father's word was law. And whatever he said goes... That's how it was in the Hyuga clan.
But…someday I will change that.
"What do you see in that boy, I wonder?" Hinata turned her full attention to the man.
He knew about Naruto?!
Hinata looked him the eye. She was not ashamed of her love for Naruto.
"He's kind. And he loves me for who I am, not for my title. He makes me laugh…when I'm sad. He always smiles for me…even when he's upset…" A faint smile crossed her lips as she remembered the times when he would do crazy things just to make her laugh.
Hiroshi shook his head.
"Uchiha Sasuke is kind…and he SMILES? What is the world coming to?" Hinata jerked.
"S-S-SASUKE?!" Hinata exclaimed.
"Isn't his house the one you were found at? I merely assumed-" Hinata face was a crimson red…she thought she would faint.
"No! I-I mean…ummm…Sasuke-kun a-and I…we're n-not! I-I-I…he's not him!"
"Then who is?" Hinata turned away.
I don't have to answer his questions…but…he holds some amount of authority over me. He is father's advisor...
"W-why are you inter- agh!" Hiroshi grabbed Hinata wrist and turned her toward him.
"Hinata-sama…if you think that you don't have to tell me anything. Then you're even more foolish than what I thought you were. And…"
He kneeled over…so close that Hinata could feel his breath on her ear.
So close…so close… Hinata's hand flew out to smack him. But he caught it and smirked.
"If you really want to protect him…Uzumaki that is…" Hinata gasped. He did know about Naruto! But how?!
"Oh? Are you surprised I know *all* about you pity love affair with the Kyuubi container? I know everything, Hinata-sama. And if you want him to live, you would be better off leaving him alone and following my requests."
--
"Neji-senpai?"
"What is it? Be gone if you don't have business with me." The girl flinched at the harshness of his voice. Neji must not be in a good mood.
"Hinata-sama has returned. S-she's in her room now."
--
Hinata tried to pull her hand back…but Hiroshi was… so strong.
"Ack-agh!" Hinata winced in pain.
"You're as foolish as your mother was. Perhaps even foolisher."
"What do you know about my mother?!" Hinata snapped.
"More than you know, my dear." A knock sounded at the door. Hiroshi promptly dropped Hinata's wrists.
"You may come in." The shoji opened to reveal Neji.
His face relayed a variety of emotions. Fear, anger, contempt...relief.
"Hinata-sama."
"Neji-niisan!" Neji knelt by Hinata's side, placing his hand on her forehead.
"She's fine Neji."
Hiroshi briefly glanced at him and snorted.
"Neji, don't you have business to attend to? All the other Branch members are getting ready for the arrival of the Michimoe family. Shouldn't you be doing the same?" Neji remained quite…his face conveyed no more emotion. He looked blankly at Hiroshi…
"My "business" is staying by Hinata-sama's side. Is that not the duty of the one who was honored as her protector?" Neji seethed.
He had never liked this man. Not only because of his attitude towards him and other Branch members…but the way he looked at and studied Hinata…he DID NOT like that.
Neji for some unknown intuition felt Hiroshi shadowing her every move. He couldn't quit put his finger on it, but he whenever a clan meeting took place…when he and Hinata sparred…he was watching her. Closely…too closely.
If this man wanted Hinata…then he would do everything in his power to keep him away from her.
"Don't forget you place, boy. A member of the Branch House such as you shouldn't even hold the title of "kouensha"…"dorei" suits you much better." Neji clenched his fist.
He was going to retort when Hinata stepped in. Her eyes showed displeasure and her face was stern.
"Hiroshi-dono, I respect you as you are my superior, but you will not talk to Neji-niisan that way again!" Hiroshi stood. Apparently being owned by Hinata hadn't made his day any better. He walked towards the door, and then turned back to her.
"I understand, Hinata-sama." Hiroshi cast a final glare at Neji and walked out. Hinata eyed Neji's face. It was tense…his hands were still clenched into fist.
Hinata placed her small hands on Neji's larger ones. Neji looked up at her. Not noticing he'd been glaring at the floor. His eyes held nothing. Blankness…
Hinata's pale orbs began to drip tears.
"N-Neji-niisan! I-I'm s-so sorry!" Neji stroked Hinata's hair; buried his face in Hinata lavender-blue tresses and sighed deeply.
"It's not your fault, Hinata-sama. I spoke out of line." Hinata wrapped her arms around her cousin.
"B-but if it wasn't for me-"
"Hinata,"
Neji held her at arm's length. He brushed her clear, warm tears away with his hand.
"If it weren't for you…I would have nothing to live for…let alone fight. I thank you for that…"imouto"." Neji tried to smile, but he couldn't…
"It's ok, Neji-niisan. You don't have to smile if you don't want to."
--
"Are you sure that she'll comply? Hinata isn't as meek as she used to be, you know."
Hiroshi threw a book at the man sitting across the room. He easily dodged it.
"Tsk, tsk…you have such a bad temper Hiroshi!"
"I know that. Hinata will do as I ask…for the sake of her clan if necessary. "
WHOOOT! Sorry I posted this so late, I was babystting all day and barely had time to do my schoolwork! LOL IS anyone else excited about the next Naruto and Bleach chapters?!?!?!?!?!?! I'm going crazy here! LOL remember to review and review! I would also, If you guys haven't already go check out my story "Training the Heart" its a GaaraxMatsuri
fic. I'm also thinking about doing a oneshot for Ouran High School Host Club...and maybe Bleach...which ones you guys think I'll do better?