Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto or any of its respective characters. This fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only. (Mostly my amusement.) However, if I DID own Naruto, it would be called "Neji and Hinata: Byakugan Babies Galore!" That has a nice ring to it...
Author's Note:Wow. I am exhausted. I finally finished this chapter, and I really hope you all like it. I know I spent a lot of time recently on my other stories, but please don't be upset about that. Writing those fics has helped me to flesh out the characters and their pasts. So, I think it was worthwhile. And for those who may not be reading the Gifts series, let me make some things clear: This is an Alternate Universe. Things have happened differently than they did in the canon. For instance, Neji and Hinata are in their teens, though it has only been a few months since the first Chuunin Exam. And, this may also explain why Sasuke isn't off gallivanting around with Orochimaru. So, enjoy, everyone!
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Possession - Chapter Eight
Darkness had fallen, swathing the forest in thick shadow. The waning moon was hidden deep within the storm rolling through the Land of Fire. The air was static, pulsing with electricity that had yet to illuminate the suffocating darkness. Neji, unable to sit idle, had taken to drilling his palms into the detestable training post, drawing more and more blood with every strike.
He hit it again, ignoring the popping sound that resulted, as well as the sharp pain jolting from his wrist to his elbow.
Where in hell was Gai-sensei? Surely it didn't take this long to run around the village, even five-hundred times. Neji scowled. The one time he wanted– even needed to see Maito Gai, he wasn't around. He was sure Rock Lee had something to do with his teacher's absence. Wasn't it always Lee's fault, after all?
He stopped attacking the helpless wooden post, bringing his bloody hands to his head. His hair had come undone in his fervor, and now whipped around his body in the icy breeze. He welcomed the cold– this frozen, indifferent wind. It was as if Hinata-sama herself were glaring at him.
He hissed in frustration as he yanked his hair, streaking it with his own slick blood. Hinata-sama. How he longed to feel her icy, pale orbs on him again; accusing him, punishing him– acknowledging him. He deserved no less than her hatred.
Neji wailed in agony, falling to his knees. She wouldn't even give him that much. Instead of hatred, it was cold indifference– her pure, unadulterated dismissal.
What was he going to do? How was he going to live without her? He took several ragged breaths, raising his face to the black sky. Perhaps he shouldn't worry about such things as his wretched life. It would be out of his hands soon enough, anyway.
His eyes fell again to the training post, and he was struck by the sudden image of Hinata, pressed against it, his own body molded to her curves. He bit his lip, drawing blood, reminding himself of her metallic flavor as he sank his teeth into her, marking her– cursing her. She had been so beautiful, so enticing. And he had succumbed to her soft, feminine power. What a fool he was.
He dropped down, onto his hands, crawling toward the memory playing in his head. "Hinata-sama," he reached out to her sobbing apparition. "I am so sorry. Please," he groaned, choking on his own shame. "Please, forgive me..."
"Neji?" He heard the concerned voice of his sensei call out from behind. He turned, unable to hide the tears flowing from his dull, white eyes. Maito Gai stood in the center of the training ground, arms reaching out. "I'm here. What happened to you?" He asked.
Neji's eyes widened, struck with sudden fear. He was here. Gai-sensei was finally here. There was no turning back. He had to tell him. Neji gasped, swallowing a painful sob. The truth. The whole truth.
"Neji?" Gai stepped a little closer. Neji climbed to his feet, standing as steadily as his flimsy muscles would allow. He willed the floodgates of his eyes to close, stopping the disgraceful tears. However, he did not bother to wipe away the wetness already streaking down his deathly pale face.
"Gai-sensei," he spoke. "I must..." He swallowed a hard, dry lump. "I must– confess– to you."
"Confess?" Gai asked, thick eyebrows bunching together into one, long streak. He took note of Neji's defeated expression, the tears, and the blood staining his hands. He looked past his student, to the mangled post behind him, then settled again on the Hyuuga prodigy. "Neji," his voice changed. It was hard and sharp, much like the blade of a sword. "What have you done?"
Neji just stood there, savoring these last moments, the calm before the storm. Finally, the first jagged streak off lightning coursed through the sky, and thunder shattered the silence. In that instant, he saw Hinata's face.
He could no longer deny what he had done.
"I– " He swallowed again. In all this time, he had yet to speak the words aloud. "I... I– r-raped... Hinata-sama..."
Neji watched the color drain from his mentor's face. The jounin's eyes narrowed, and he frowned, creasing his face into a contorted jumble. He lowered his head slightly, and a shadow swept over his eyes. Neji began to tremble, sucking in what he supposed would be his last breath. He made the mistake of blinking, and when his eyes reopened, all he saw was the Green Beast's fist colliding with the bridge of his nose.
Neji barreled through the air, spinning like a screw being drilled into hard wood. Indeed, he was– drilled into the wooden post. Gai's blows rained down upon him, one after another, each more powerful than the last.
"Your own cousin!" Gai-sensei bellowed. "How dare you! Did you think I would pat you on the shoulder and tell you it would be alright? That you could fix this?" His fist plunged into Neji's gut, nearly impaling the boy. A long crack circled the training post, directly behind the point of impact. The wood buckled, collapsing in on itself, pinning Neji under its remnants. "Get up!" Gai demanded. "You will stand!"
"H-Hai, sensei..." Neji coughed, pushing the heavy post off of himself and rising to one knee.
"Did I not teach you better?" His teacher bellowed, kicking the rest of the pulverized training post way. "You are a shinobi of the Leaf, not some filthy animal!" Neji stared into the sole of Gai's sandal as it slammed onto his face. "I failed you!" Gai wrenched. "To think," he reached down, yanking Neji up by his hair. "A student of mine to be capable of this!" He dangled the Hyuuga above the ground, before pulverizing his ribs with yet another kick, sending him skidding across the hard and rocky dirt.
Neji wretched bile from his stomach. In all his years as Gai-sensei's pupil, the jounin had never used his full strength. Understanding now why Gai was called the Green Beast, Neji thanked the Gods for this opportunity for redemption. He tried to look up, but his vision was blurry and distorted. His head was spinning, and he ached all over. Gai stepped just in front of him, and he forced his head to rise, staring into his sensei's furious black eyes.
He smiled. This was only the beginning.
"I have failed you, Neji, but I will not do so again." Gai stood, arms crossed, face a mask of pure disgust. "I will teach you what you can take," he grabbed Neji by the throat, "and what you can not take," he hissed, bringing his student's face toward his own. "I will break you– and build you up again."
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Hyuuga Hinata wove her way through the trees of Konoha. She could have taken the easy path, through the village, but she was not in an easy mood. There was but one thing on her mind. The unconditional surrender of Hyuuga Hanabi.
The Heiress grasped onto a high hanging branch, swooping herself up further, onto the tree canopy. She ran atop the branches and leaves, cutting the wind with her chakra. She felt the first drops of cool water splash across her face from the storm, and wiped them off immediately. They were too reminiscent of her tears, and she couldn't have any such distraction. Hinata was done crying.
She surged forward, increasing her speed, streaking like a lightning bolt through the blackened sky. The Godaime's chakra still coursed through her body, energizing her sleep deprived muscles. She had never felt so alive. And she would use this feeling of life to inflict pain– perhaps even death, upon her sister.
Hinata did not want to harm Hanabi, but hurt was the only feeling the Hyuuga understood, and Hanabi would not respect her otherwise. She would have to beat her soundly, would have to thoroughly trounce the younger Hyuuga, so that she would never forget, and never think to challenge her again.
When the last kunai was thrown, and the last swipe of the Gentle Fist was made, none of them would forget. Hyuuga Hinata was the rightful Heiress. Hyuuga Hinata's will was the future of their Clan.
Her face was the picture of Hyuuga confidence– pale and serene, as her mind went over the strategy she'd worked out with Tsunade. After the Hokage had healed her wounds, they had sat down, going over Hanabi's every weakness and strength, as well as Hinata's own. It would be difficult, would take patience and near perfect chakra control, but she could do this. She would do this, and she would win.
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Flashback
Tsunade's warm, glowing hand passed over Hinata's torso one final time. "And this mark?" She asked, eyeing the inflamed human tooth prints in the girl's shoulder.
Hinata's hand shot up, covering the bruise that would soon become a permanent scar. "Leave it!" She insisted. "It is my mark to bear." Her eyelids lowered. "A reminder," then, her voice quieted, to a ghostly whisper, "to never drop my guard, to never be at ease– to never trust the one I trusted most."
"I understand," Tsunade said. The blue glow subsided, and she lowered her hands. "I've finished." Hinata sat up, hand still holding Neji's mark. She pulled the sheet over her exposed body as Tsunade retrieved her clothes. The Godaime placed the garments beside her on the worktable, and Hinata began to dress. "Have you thought about a strategy?" Hinata looked up at the Hokage. "For your match?"
"No. Not really," she answered, shakily. What was she going to do?
Tsunade sat down beside her. "I have seen Hanabi fight," her eyes narrowed. "She's good."
Hinata clenched her teeth beneath her frown. "I know. I have never beaten her."
The Godaime placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder. "There is a first time for everything," she smiled. "Listen to me, Hinata." The Heiress stared into the sannin's soft, brown eyes. "You will win this fight, if you do exactly as I say." Tsunade watched the genin's sorrowful eyes fill with hope, and finally, gratitude.
"Hai, Hokage-sama. I will do as you instruct."
End Flashback
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Hinata smirked. It was an unfamiliar expression, though not unpleasant. Noone would expect what she had planned. Noone. And when they finally realized what she'd done, it would all be over.
She though of Hanabi again, steeling herself against troublesome familial emotion. Hanabi was her enemy, her rival– her target. Tsunade had told her to think of this as a mission, one in which failure meant more than ridicule, or even death. A loss on this night, this dark and thunderous night, would mean no less than utter disgrace, dishonor, and the total destruction of her self-respect. She had just reclaimed that respect, and would not let anyone, certainly not Hanabi, take it away from her. After all, Hinata still had to teach the lessons of this new revelation to her precious niisan.
She saw the top of the Main House peeking out from beneath the canopy ahead. She dropped to the ground, rolling to soften her fall, and kept running, arms trailing her body as she sliced through the static air.
Neji would learn, or he would die– slowly, painfully. Alone.
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The door closed quietly, and the Hyuuga Branch council member slunk into the shadows of the meeting chamber. They were all there, Main and Branch council members, sitting around the low, U-shaped table. Tomomori took his seat at the end, as Tomoyuki stood, taking the floor– where their Leader usually presided. This was a farce, and they all knew it. If they were ever caught, holding clandestine meetings without the consent of the Hyuuga Leader, they would be subject to imprisonment, or even death. Such was the penalty for this mutinous behavior. Yet, still they came, to plan the demise of Hyuuga Hiashi– and the fall, and subsequent conquest of Konohagakure.
"I call order!" Tomoyuki bellowed. He acted his part with flourish, exaggerating his movements the way he thought a proper Leader should– the way Hiashi, or his father, or his father's father never had.
"Pipe down, Tomoyuki-san!" Called one of the Main House, on the right side of the table. "One of the servants will hear you!" He whispered, harshly.
Tomoyuki frowned, creasing his unwrapped forehead, the Caged Bird Seal clearly visible. "Fine," he huffed. "Let's get this meeting underway." Grunts of approval sounded from around the room.
"What are you going to do about the scroll?" Another of the Main House demanded. Her scowl was deep and offensive, projecting hatred toward all of the Branch council.
"Yes," the man seated next to her hissed. "What will you do, Tomoyuki-san?" He stressed the honorific spitefully. As the Branch council outnumbered the Main, when the vote was taken, Tomoyuki was installed as their Chairman. However, there was no love lost between the two Houses.
"We should disassociate ourselves from them!"
Tomoyuki scowled. Yet another of the Main House. What cowards they turned out to be. Luckily, the Branch House would have no need of them when the operation was complete.
"Calm yourselves, honorable Main council," Tomomori spoke, gesturing toward the Branch. "We of the Branch council will take the utmost care in the retrieval and security of our information."
His brother's eyes narrowed. That was a lie. The twins knew the scroll had already been taken to the Hokage. He smiled slightly. But, those Main House scapegoats needn't know the truth. Besides, their allies from the Land of Lightning would be launching the main assault before Tsunade even had a chance to formulate a counter attack. So what if she knew their plans. It was too late to stop them now.
"I should certainly hope so," the Main council hag spoke again. "And, you," she added, pointing a gnarled finger at Tomoyuki. "Will you please cover that...thing...on your forehead?" She crossed her arms, turning away. "Shameful, parading it around in such a way," she huffed.
So, she was uncomfortable looking at the cursed seal? Tomoyuki wondered how she would feel when the brand was seared into her flesh. He wouldn't have long to find out.
"The state of my brother's seal is irrelevant, at the moment, honorable Main council," Tomomori interrupted. He stood, nodding to Tomoyuki. "We all," he opened his arms wide, looking to both Houses. "We all must decide when to strike at Hiashi."
"Hiashi-sama!" One of the Main council sneered. "He is still Main House, and you will observe the proper forms!"
Tomoyuki seethed. Stupid, hypocritical Main House bastards. Here they were, accomplices in the murder plot of their own Main House Leader, yet still they wanted to observe the proper forms. Pathetic, tradition bound fools.
"Yes, of course. Hiashi-sama," Tomomori corrected. He always did have more patience when dealing with these idiots. "But, the question remains. Do we strike before, or after his decision is made?"
"We can not possibly do it before," The first of the Branch council spoke. "He has to make a decision."
"What if he chooses Hinata-sama?"
"Be serious," another said. "He would never choose her. Why else has he been training Hanabi-sama?"
"Yes, but, why indulge her in this pointless bout if he were not planning some treachery?"
"Treachery?" A chuckle. "As if we can speak of such things."
Tomoyuki watched the argument unfold between the two Houses. He met his brother's pale eyes, and nodded. They would strike after the decision was finalized– on paper, with Hiashi's signature, so there would be no questions. The council would come to the same conclusion in time. They always were a little slow. In the mean time, they simply had to wait, and listen to the council's annoying prattle.
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Tsunade stood before the group of jounin and ANBU, looking each in the eye– as much as she could, through porcelain masks– to confirm their understanding of Konoha's survival and counterattack plan. There were only a handful of shinobi present for her debriefing, however, she knew that Shizune and Kurenai would find the others. Actually, it was to their advantage that the elite ninja were so spread out. They could execute the plan, while the enemy believed them to be caught off guard and outmatched. She smirked. Those traitorous Hyuuga were in for a surprise. And so were the Cloud shinobi lurking on Fire's border.
"Alright. You know the plan, and you know your individual roles within that plan. Now, get going!" She barked.
They disappeared in puffs of smoke and leaves. All but one. Hatake Kakashi.
The Godaime stared into his one good eye. "I'm counting on you, Hatake."
The jounin oozed seriousness, even as he stood, slouched slightly, hands in his pockets. "No need to worry, Hokage-sama," he said, sounding almost bored. "I will make certain that nothing happens to our little cherry."
"Very well," Tsunade said. "You are dismissed." And he too disappeared, in a swirl of green leaves.
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Hyuuga Hiashi wandered the long halls of the Main House. He had no destination. He only wanted to take a walk to clear his head. It wasn't working. A strange feeling churned in his belly, a feeling of foreboding that he could not ignore. He was anxious, of course. His daughters were soon to play their rivalry out to the bitter end. One was sure to succeed him, the other, sure to be sealed. Though, which one, he could not predict. He knew Hanabi's strengths, but Hinata was a wild card. It had been years since he'd payed any interest in her development as a shinobi. He honestly did not know what she was capable of. He frowned. That was a mistake. Disappointed or not, he never should have discarded her the way he did.
He sighed. He had made a great many mistakes in regard to his innocent daughter.
Hiashi recalled one of the last conversations he'd had with his brother, Hizashi. They were discussing the Heiress and the prodigy, and Hizashi had made it clear that he supported a joining of the two Houses, though he didn't come right out and say it. He didn't have to. Hiashi could read between the lines. He knew his brother had been unhappy with his place in life, and that he desperately longed for a way to spare his only son from that fate.
The Branch House. Hiashi frowned. He had never given a thought to what life was like for the Branch House. It was tradition, and Hyuuga tradition was not to be questioned. That was how he lived his life– until it was clear that Hinata was not the Heiress he'd craved.
Many had questioned, and even opposed his decision to leaved Hanabi unsealed. That was the beginning, the first time he'd strayed from the narrow path of tradition. The second, was when he began to train Hanabi, as a spare of sorts. Hinata's improvement had been too slow, and he, too impatient. Soon, he had given up entirely on his eldest daughter, relegating all of her training to her jounin sensei, Yuuhi Kurenai. Not only that, but he had also ignored his nephew, turning a blind eye to the boy's natural talent– and his brother's wishes. If only he'd listened to him. Hizashi had always been so much more insightful than he.
Hiashi raised his head up high, replacing the dejected look on his face with the proud mask of the Hyuuga. There was nothing to be gained from such thoughts. The past was gone, never to return. The only thing to do now, was to salvage what he could of his relationship with Hinata– and hers with Neji. Hizashi had never known how right he was, when he spoke of pure becoming impure. That, coupled with the fact that Hiashi had indeed ruined their lives.
He turned down a well used corridor. He did not recognize this part of the Main House. Was this one of the servant's halls?
The servants...the Branch House...his family.
He cringed. How had he been so blind and cruel, to continue these barbaric practices? They were all Hyuuga, all shared the same blood and had the same potential. How many geniuses had been enslaved for the sake of the Main House? He turned down another corridor and found himself in the foyer of the Main House.
As Hiashi stood, staring blankly at the double doors, they slammed open, revealing Hinata, arm outstretched from the force of her palm against them. One of the doors had fallen off its hinges.
Hiashi's eyes grew wide, and his voice caught in his throat. Hinata walked in, following him with her eyes. She did not speak or bow or make any indication that she cared for his presence at all. She breezed past him, and he could feel her resolve. She had it... she had killing intent. Suddenly, his mind shifted toward Hanabi. His youngest had not matured to that level yet. She had never faced a real enemy. He gasped. Hanabi had never faced a shinobi.
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Neji climbed back to his feet, hunched over, swollen and bleeding. He knew his ribs were broken, though how many... He coughed blood onto the muddy ground. He also had a dislocated shoulder and fractured left fibula, causing great pain and a pronounced limp. And those were only the injures he could detect with his remaining chakra. It would take a medic-nin to discern the full extent of his injuries. However, from the pace his jounin sensei had set from the beginning, he could tell that the man was no where near done with him. It would be a while still before he saw the inside of Konoha's hospital. He chuckled, initiating another round of coughs, spilling more blood onto the ground. That was assuming Gai-sensei would even take him to the hospital. The jounin would be more likely to take him to Tsunade, so she could beat him, heal him, then beat him again– at her leisure.
His breathing was labored, and the air was very heavy around him. Gai-sensei had taken pity on him, allowing a few moments rest. He wiped his brow. The rain poured down relentlessly, soaking the forests of Konoha. It hadn't rained like this in years, and somehow, it felt... unnatural.
"On you guard!" The Green Beast bellowed. Neji's distorted vision returned to the man only yards away. He would have to leave pondering the storm for another time.
Gai lunged toward him, fist drawn back.
If he lived long enough to have another time, that is.
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Hyuuga Hinata sat on the floor of her room in the Hyuuga Main House, polishing her ninja tools, and packing them into their respective holders. She had showered and dressed, in the black ninja suit preferred by her father for training. She glanced back at her bed, riding the wave of fury that crested over her in that instant. She would sleep on the cold, wooden floor for the rest of her life, before she ever touched that bed again. She would have the thing removed first thing in the morning, and put into Neji's room, replacing the old futon he'd used for most of his life.
How fitting, that he should sleep in the bed he'd made.
She stopped polishing her weapons, to look down at her hands. They were small, dainty things, made for flower arranging and other demure activities, not the violence and death of the shinobi arts. These hands had been with her always, and she'd watched them change from the soft, smooth appendages of her childhood, to the rough and calloused ones of today.
She took a deep breath, releasing the last of her regret. There was no turning back from this point. Once Hanabi had been defeated, Hinata would be stuck, willingly trapped in her position as Heiress, and future Leader of the Hyuuga. Before, she was born into this. Now, she was fighting for the choice to be who she was born to be. And she would have to live with the guilt of Hanabi's subsequent sealing.
"So be it," she whispered, then continued her work.
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On one of the many rooftops above the large outdoor training field, adjacent to the Hyuuga garden and between the Main and Branch Houses, a figure crouched low in the shadows. The shinobi watched as the Branch servants prepared the area for the Main House spectators. They positioned the chairs around the muddy, soon to be, battle field, clearing away any perceived obstructions to the free movement of the combatants. It was nearly time, so the shinobi waited.
Voices could be heard within, as the Hyuuga council filed out of the building, taking their respective seats in the pouring rain. The servants stepped back against the walls. They too would observe this match. Finally, Hyuuga Hiashi sauntered out, to stand at the edge of the battle field. He crossed his arms, face and eyes of stone and ice. After several minutes, he raised his arm.
Silence settled over the training field. Noone spoke. Noone breathed. Only the rain could be heard, assaulting the helpless ground. Then, a gong sounded, and Hiashi pointed toward the doors leading to the Hyuuga dojo. All eyes turned toward the two young women standing, side by side on the threshold.
They were dressed the same, in form-fitting black body suits, tool packs strapped to their bodies. They did not even glance at one another.
"Hyuuga Hinata! Hyuuga Hanabi!" Their father bellowed, cadence rising forcefully. "Step forward!" The sisters walked out onto the field. The tension surrounding them was thick and static, clashing even before the first swipe of their Gentle Fist. They came to a stop before Hiashi, and bowed.
The Leader glared into two pair of moonlight eyes, as the rain fell, drenching them in icy prelude. He nodded once.
"Show us," he said. "Show us which one of you is the next Leader of the Hyuuga!"
End Chapter Eight