Survive with Me
~Chapter 2: through nightmares~
Hinata could feel the beat of her heart. It was rapid, lost, confused…but most of all, scared.
Her heart was there, but she didn't feel any more alive than her now dead relatives that surrounded her.
Blood soaked her body and her clothes. Her hair and skin were now stained in red. She was petrified and couldn't move at all. Her body shook violently.
She could feel herself losing it as she looked at her Father's head, which was turned in her direction. His eyes were gouged out; empty eyes looked back, unseeing. They were now dark voids that could see nothing at all.
It's the worst kind of death for a Byakugan user, knowing that a Byakugan user's pride comes solely from their "all seeing" eyes. The loss of their eyes is beyond dishonourable. It is equal to being removed from the clan itself. Neji showed no mercy, taking Hiashi's eyes out with not a moment's hesitation. Such was a ninja who had been trained to ignore his emotions and his conscience.
He's an ideal killing machine.
"Hiashi was just an ignorant old man, holding onto traditions that would soon lead to the ruin of the clan. The birdcage seal was a joke, he merely felt more power from looking down on us branch members. He couldn't see anything at all. Even with the Byakugan… this man was as good as blind. He was hungry for power, and it influenced the clan. You were all blind to what was truly happening to this pathetic excuse for a clan. This, Hinata, is the Hyuuga Clan's fate."
Neji's voice echoed in her mind, repeating itself over and over until she had to hold her head to keep her sanity. She screamed for as long as her lungs and throat would allow. She could taste blood, feeling the soreness of her throat made her swallow in pain.
Feeling the impact of everything, she let all the tears she was holding in spill freely. She doesn't want to cry, she doesn't want to feel the reality of her loss, of her life that fell apart in mere minutes. These tears prove that everything is real, and that she won't be waking up anytime soon to find that this is all a nightmare.
The pain is real, the blood, the loneliness. It is through cruelty that Neji left her alone.
He just wants her to suffer.
She sobbed into her bloody hands, not caring that her own sister's blood was now smeared on her face. Her back hit the wall as she slid down, collapsing like a puppet that had lost its strings.
Hinata lifted her head as her blurred eyes took in what was left of her clan, she couldn't see well through her tears… not that she wanted to anyway. She took a better look at the wooden structure that used to be full of tranquility, peace, subtle happiness and contentment that everyone in the manor enjoyed. It made her heart hurt immensely.
Were the kind words he had told her before lies? The way he treated her like a sister, that was a lie too? He hated her enough to keep her alive, the only one alive.
He wants her to suffer, and once she's done suffering, he'd just come and kill her.
The sliding door to her left was open; Neji had left it that way. Cold wind blew in and Hinata felt like it was freezing time itself. Nothing was making sense to Hinata anymore. She has no future, and now even her past doesn't make sense. She is stuck in this one moment that is real, the massacre of her clan.
"Come after me when you believe you can match my ability. We'll see, between the two of us, who is more fitting to continue the Hyuga legacy anew. This is your fate. Do not ignore it, or I will come and kill you myself. There is no need for two Hyuga leaders in the Shinobi world."
Silent tears fell from her eyes. She felt numb. He should have just killed her too.
"Why…You're so cruel, Neji nii san…" She let go of her senses, already feeling faint from the mayhem that would repeat itself in her head. She dropped to the floor, unconscious from the trauma.
She'd rather not wake up at all.
Sasuke was fucked.
He told his brother to go ahead of him, taking his time to list his options. To think about what the hell he should do now. Sasuke wandered to a forest nearby, just on the outskirts of the village, cussing his head off.
He can't just see his family and clan the way he is now. He won't be able to feel true happiness if he keeps thinking of the fact that it can all be taken away if this Hinata Hyuga dies.
What a sick joke! He should have known there would be more to this jutsu than just "feeling the heavy burden of guilt". He was elated; he rushed in because he wanted to have his clan back. And in exchange, he is now stuck with an eternal burden. He punched the closest tree, leaving a dent in it and causing his hand to bleed.
Sasuke made up his mind, even if the thought itself displeased him greatly; he has no other choice. He will not lose his life because of one girl. He'll make sure this Hyuga girl stays alive. He'll make sure this girl will survive with him, even if it means taking her into his clan himself.
Itachi's suspicions only developed at having his brother shoo him off like that, enraged and frustrated. If anything, Sasuke would have loved to be the one to tell their father of the situation.
He'll find out what it is, no matter what, he'll ensure his brother isn't in some kind of trouble. And if it turns out Sasuke is the one causing trouble, Itachi will make sure he lives up to the consequences. Itachi is an anbu member. It won't be hard to just follow his brother on his little "venture".
Itachi didn't like the idea of invading his own brother's privacy. Though it is necessary he finalize that his brother isn't doing anything that could harm himself, or the clan for that matter.
Itachi then witnessed his brother's uncharacteristic cussing.
"Oh… what language you've developed Outoto." Itachi mused inwardly.
Sasuke then took to running hastily towards the direction of the local hospital. Itachi's quick and calculative mind came up with a conclusion; it makes sense… it makes absolute sense. Why else would he go to the hospital right after what happened? The only thing there that can possibly concern Sasuke right now, at this specific moment, is Hinata Hyuga.
She is what everyone is talking about. The concern of the whole village is now laid on her. But to see Sasuke cuss because of something that happened to a Hyuga…
If Itachi's theory is correct, Sasuke will have a lot of explaining to do.
Sasuke figured she'd be at the hospital. When the massacre happened to him, the first place he woke up was there. And if the jutsu is as legit as it sounds, maybe she'll be located in the same room as he was in before.
Sasuke could recall it like it was only yesterday, Room 305, third floor, on the south wing of the hospital.
Upon arriving near the hospital, Sasuke commenced a simple seal that summoned a small snake.
"Good. I still have Orochimaru's abilities." Sasuke still has the power he attained from before. It's a good thing, because if he knew that he'd also be losing all the abilities he worked hard to get, he'd have another profanity session in the forest.
It slithered up the walls, a thing only a ninja snake trained in expertise could do. Sasuke gave it a nod to signal that it enter through the window. It complied, taking some time to judge its surroundings so it could relay it back to its master.
Just as he'd suspected, Hinata Hyuga is unconscious and sleeping. Sasuke concluded that at this point, she'll be fighting traumatizing nightmares of the massacre.
Nightmares that could kill her in her sleep if she doesn't have the will to fight back.
Sasuke hurriedly jumped from the roofs of each floor, making it onto the third floor with ease. The snake had already spread acid on the window, melting it in mere seconds. It's easy access to Sasuke now.
He hopped in, taking in the profile of the girl he'd have to spend the rest of his life to keep alive. Her hair was spread on the pillow, dark, midnight blue locks that appear to have lost its shimmer. Dry blood could be seen in between strands of her hair. The hospital nurse didn't even bother to wash it out properly. The damned nurse had been scared of the blood born from a massacre.
The same happened when he ended up in the hospital. No one would go near him, they'd just whisper about him, within hearing distance.
They pitied him, yes, but they were too afraid to help. They didn't want to get involved with such a tragic child. They spread around lies about the massacre being a "curse". They couldn't care less about the last heir to a fallen clan.
But, if Sasuke is right, this time it'll be different. He realizes that she is about his age, 15? 16?
And then it hits him that she'd been in his class long ago. She was the girl at the back, the quiet and soft spoken little girl with short dark hair. He didn't care about her at that time, though they both came from prestigious clans, they had never met properly.
Maybe they had met once or twice… he just couldn't recall at the moment. Not that it matters, he is here to ensure that she stay alive. That's all there is to it.
He analyzed her porcelain skin, drained from colour. Her lips were dry, but remained a light hue of pink, similar to that of the colour of Sakura petals. She was sweating profusely, moaning a bit from pain as she winced in her sleep.
The nightmares have already started.
She clutched the hospital bed sheets in torment as she breathed in heavily. Sasuke activated his Sharingan in a flash, moving her bangs to the side to clear her forehead.
He touched his forehead to hers, feeling the heat from her forehead against his put him in distress, this isn't good. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she winced in her sleep.
"Damn it." Sasuke muttered under his breath. He concentrated on the feel of his forehead on hers, on her pain and how he could release this from her mind.
This is a strong genjutsu she's in. Her chakra fluctuated violently, causing him to panic.
He remembers a complicated genjutsu breaking ability his brother taught him long ago, it's a kind of therapy that has to be repeated within some amount of time. He focused his chakra to her forehead, entering it through her skin and into her brain as it mingled with her confused and warped chakra.
If he does this wrong, he could possibly kill her in the process. His chakra stabilized hers as they reinforced their ability to move correctly. Her chakra stopped its irregular movements, holding onto his for support as they tried to stabilize themselves. She stopped whimpering, settling down to breathing heavily instead.
He breathed out in relief. It's working. He just has to stay in this position for a few more sec-
"Outoto? What do you think you are doing to the Hyuga?" Itachi was right, his suspicions were right as always.
Sasuke will not get away with this.
Itachi hopped from the window and into the room, noticing how Sasuke got in by melting the window. Sasuke was desperate to get in.
Sasuke moved his forehead away from hers, causing her chakra to stabilize itself in a hurry without his chakra's support.
"Aniki." Sasuke was at a loss for words. What excuse could he possibly come up with for being here? What excuse could he come up with after his brother caught him putting his forehead to hers, a girl he barely knows?
"If you were in a relationship with the Hyuuga, you should have said so. Your hurry to come here, your distress and swearing upon finding out about the massacre shows just how much attachment you have for this girl. That intimate position you were in does not help your case, Sasuke."
Sasuke, too disoriented to reply, kept silent.
"Bring her to our compound once she wakes up, I will inform Outo san and Okaa san of this matter." And with that, his brother dashed out the window, leaving no time for Sasuke to argue.
"Fuck." Sasuke sighed in exasperation and frustration. Great, now all of Konoha will think he's in love with the girl who just had her clan murdered. Itachi just had to play the responsible big brother in this situation too.
But, Sasuke contemplated, this won't be too bad for him. If his mother and father accept her into the clan, it'll be easy as cake to just keep a watch on her there. This is better than any other scenario.
The problem was to convince Hinata to come with him to the Uchiha compound.
But she's probably never talked to him in her life! And now he's asking her to pretend to be his girlfriend? To stay in his compound until the day she dies of old age because his life is on the line if he can't keep her alive?
That didn't sound too persuasive.
But leaving her alone for even one night could be dangerous. The genjutsu releasing therapy will have to continue or she will be finished off by the nightmares that are challenging her will to live. The fact that her will to live is close to nonexistent definitely does not put Sasuke at ease.
He feels she no longer has the strength to put up a fight, the strength she needs in order to stay alive. She probably gave up the moment the blood of her clan had spilled before her eyes.
She'd rather be dead now that she has lost everyone, now that she has lost everything.
Sasuke could tell, that her chakra clinging onto his desperately means she's looking for someone to save her. She's looking for something to live for.
When Itachi had left Sasuke after the massacre, he made sure Sasuke would hate him, despise him immensely so that he could live with that sole purpose in mind.
Will she want revenge as well? Will that be her purpose to live now that it's the only thing she can possibly set her goals upon?
Sasuke made a move to stand up from her bed, but was stopped by her hand as she held onto his with a tight grasp. His eyes narrowed at her unconscious action.
Maybe she does want to see another day after all.
And that's when he saw it, a mark on his finger where the bird had bit him. A yin mark tattooed on his right hand's ring finger. Sasuke took a closer look at her left hand and realized she had one of yang.
His tattoo is slightly faded. His immediate assumption opon seeing this is that if this symbolizes their connection, it would be logical to think that this tattoo will tell him in what state of health she is in. His is a faded black, and yet her tattoo is clear and white as snow. He's healthy and alive.
She is the one in danger, the one who is dying.
He gritted his teeth in annoyance as he ripped his hand from her grasp. He knows what the yin and yang symbols mean.
She is his darkness, the one who will bring him down with her death. Hinata Hyuga is the eternal curse hanging over his head, never to be rid of. It irritated the hell out of him just thinking about how now his life depends on this single, feeble and dependent girl.
He found humour in the fact that he seemed to represent the light in this curse. He couldn't care less what happens to her! If anything, Naruto is the only person he knows who would suit this role. He's absolutely nothing like that idiot. How can he possibly be her light when he himself would rather leave her alone as she is now?
He then heard the door creak open from behind him. Sasuke tensed, wondering who it could be. Is it a friend? The anbu could possibly be here to question her too…
A whack to his head told him otherwise.
"Wha-"Sasuke stopped his flare-up immediately, meeting the eyes of his own mother. They were dark, unmoved, and resolute as she frowned in displeasure.
He froze completely, too shocked to really say anything, even when she looked upset beyond belief.
"Sasuke Uchiha, why would you hide this from me? You promised you'd tell Okaa san everything, right?" She pulled his ear warningly, and then sighed, already tired from nagging. Mikoto decided to head to Hinata's bed instead.
She sat down with grace and politeness, making sure not to disturb Hinata. She then took Hinata's hand in both of hers, stroking it softly as if she were touching a new born baby.
"Hinata…" Mikoto had a sad look to her eyes as she called upon Hinata's name with familiarity. Her eyes knitted together the longer she stared at Hinata's sleeping face. She started to tear up thinking about the agony Hinata had to go through. She pulled out a white handkerchief from her pocket as she dabbed her eyes, whispering words of comfort to the unconscious girl.
Sasuke could feel his throat dry up. He swallowed the lump in his throat, croaking out words he thought he'd never use in his lifetime ever again.
"O-okaa-" His voice went muffled as Mikoto threw her arms around his head, burying his head into the crook of her neck.
"It must be hard for you, ne?" She stroked his head lightly, pitying her son for the misfortune that happened to his "girlfriend".
Tears trailed down his face. He was caught off guard, shocked to the point where he wasn't even aware he had been crying the minute he saw her.
He clutched tightly to the back of her dress, feeling the warmth he'd been longing for ever since he started sleeping through the nights alone. She's real; the beat of her heart against him told him he could believe every second of this.
"My my, when was the last time I saw you cry? You must really love her." She whispered, unbeknownst to the fact that he doesn't give a shit about the girl she now thinks of as family.
He didn't know whether to laugh or to just cry some more. She'll never know that the true reason is because she had been dead just until yesterday. And now she is back, alive and still exactly the same as he remembers.
Maybe he'll actually have to thank the Hyuga for giving him an excuse to cry into his mother's arms. He almost forgot what it's like to be happy. His range of emotions before had varied only from resentment to insanity.
She let go, taking a look at her son's face with sympathy. "Let's bring her home, shall we?"
Sasuke wiped the tears from his face, vowing that he'll be stronger with restraint when he sees his father and his clan. He's cried enough for the day, any more would be suspicion worthy. And to be honest, crying really isn't his thing. He felt childish for losing his composure when just earlier he had tried to prepare himself to see his mother, father and clan again.
He felt hesitant in calling out to his mother, wondering if she will vanish because he had taken a dream too seriously. But he knows. He knows very well that the woman before him is real and living.
"Kaa san." He wants to get used to calling her like this.
"Don't worry, Sasuke. I'll talk to the nurse downstairs and convince her to discharge Hinata from the hospital. We have medical care at home, and her case will just get worse if she's alone here, ne?" She took a moment to look at Hinata. Her eyes showed some kind of endearment towards her, but it was hidden when she looked back to Sasuke.
"For now, we are the closest thing the poor girl has to call family. I'll reassure to the nurse we'll bring her to the Hokage tower once she wakes up and is stable." As much as Mikoto had tried to hide it, he could tell his mother had trouble keeping her voice straight. What is Hinata to her?
Sasuke took a second to collect his thoughts. He turned to Hinata once more. Sasuke looked at her now peaceful expression, and wondered just how chaotic it must be in her mind right now.
It didn't surprise Sasuke how long it took his mother to return. It took a few hours, and she came back smiling tiredly.
"Gomen, they told me to go to Lady Tsunade before the process to get Hinata discharged could even begin. I had a long talk with her, and I'm sure she'll have one with you too. But things are settled, and she's coming home with us." Mikoto motioned for Sasuke to carry her, as she exited to the hallway, assuming Sasuke wouldn't hesitate to take his "girlfriend" with him.
Having thought of what his mother had just said, he looked towards Hinata, who was now soundly asleep.
"You'll survive with me, whether you like it or not." He then picked her up bridal style, not caring that she was still in her hospital gown, and looked towards the window.
"Fuck." The window is still freshly melted from the acid…
He'll have to pay for that shit later.
They walked silently down the streets of Konoha. It was already night time and the streets weren't so busy. They are lucky, had there been a lot of people, they would have been swarmed by questions about Hinata and the Hyuga Clan. Mikoto started to explain how they'll introduce her to the clan once she wakes up and has had time to recover.
"And so, when she wakes up, you have to be by her side. You'll have to take her into your room to stay for a while, and I swear on Kami's name if you do anything indecent to that girl I will disown you."
Sasuke grunted, not knowing that his mother could threaten him so openly. Is this the relationship they have now? Yes, she may have scolded him as a child, but he didn't think she'd treat him like a hormone driven boy even now that he's already sixteen.
Besides that, Sasuke did not oppose to sharing a room with Hinata. This is just the opportunity he needs to continue the genjutsu breaking therapy. This will make it easier to keep her alive during her nightmares. It will also give him some time to convince her to pretend that they do have some kind of relationship so his Clan won't question him. If they find out that it's all a lie, just as his mother had said, they'd disown his ass without hesitation.
As they set foot on Uchiha grounds, Sasuke stopped to marvel at the compound. It's just as before, with added buildings here and there but overall it's still the home he remembers. Memories of his childhood and dreams he had cultivated here flashed through his mind. And to think, just a few days ago he was planning on how to destroy all of Konoha. His heart swelled with contentment, even though his stoic expression showed none of it.
Most of the clan members are already asleep, and the others are likely out on missions. His father, Mikoto mentioned, is at a meeting with the elders of Konoha. His brother, on the other hand, is out on an S class mission, which didn't surprise Sasuke in the least.
Hinata grasped the front of his shirt, shivering as she snuggled closer to his warmth. The wind was quite frigid, and he'd forgotten he took her from the hospital with only a thin hospital gown to keep her from the cold.
"Sa-su-ke." Mikoto pronounced every syllable with a threatening tone. "Why, may I ask, is she still only wearing her hospital gown?" She had only stopped to look back now that they were at the compound, and seeing that Sasuke hadn't even bothered to wrap her with any of his clothing made her feel like whacking him all over again.
She sighed in defeat, had she not taught him how to treat a lady? Is she failing as a mother? Already exasperated with telling Sasuke of his faults, she took to telling him she'd dress Hinata herself, and then he'd be able to pick her up when she's done and head to his room.
After setting Hinata down on the bed in his parent's room, Sasuke sat himself down on the wooden floor just outside, basking in the moon's light. The breeze passed him, strong and cold. It was like the breeze was taking all of Sasuke's torment and anguish away with it. This will probably be the first time in a long time that he'll be able to sleep in peace.
Mikoto slid the room door open, revealing Hinata who was now wearing a dress. It was a light lilac colour, and hugged her curves, yet it was still a bit loose. Her shoulders were left exposed, and black straps peeked out, showing that she was wearing a black tank top under. Mikoto smiled, noticing Sasuke linger his gaze on her.
"My, maybe I dressed her up a bit too nice? I'm a bit worried leaving her with you now." She teased.
Sasuke grunted again as Mikoto laughed. He picked Hinata up again, but remained in front of his mother, not really wanting to leave the sight of her.
Mikoto smiled understandingly, placing her warm hand on Sasuke's cheek. "Everything will be fine."
Sasuke made a simple nod, not really sure what to say to that. Of course, she had been talking about Hinata. But inside, he gave it more meaning than initially intended. It sounded like she was telling him he won't have to go through pain ever again. He held onto his mother's words like a life line.
And with that, Mikoto quietly slid her door closed. Sasuke slowly walked away, with Hinata in tow.
He stopped a few steps after.
"Where the fuck is my room?"
It took him awhile to remember his room long ago, but he gambled on his guess that it might still be his room right now.
He didn't hesitate to open the sliding door. He was sure that if the massacre had not happened, he wouldn't have changed his room location.
He was right, though it does not look like he recalls. Last he remembered there had been dinosaur stuffed animals and toy blocks on the floor. His walls used to be green, but now they were a light grey. His curtains were black, and they must have renovated the room to become bigger. He had a drawer in the far corner, next to his wide window. It was neat, with a few scrolls here and there, but overall it was okay. He had a jounin uniform hung up on the wall. So he decided to become one, huh. Weapons that also hung on the walls glinted from the dim light that was entering through the window. He liked it.
But just as he'd suspected, there is only one bed. He laid Hinata on it, and went to search for a futon under his bed.
Nothing. He wasn't surprised either. As if he'd ever let anyone sleep over, unless he had invited Naruto before and let him sleep on the cold floor to die. It sounded much like something he'd do anyway.
He closed his eyes as he placed his hand on the back of his neck in frustration. If he has to share a bed with her too, he'll just feel like suffocating her with one of his pillows.
He heard her whimper, her breaths were getting deeper, more desperate. She's having nightmares again. Sasuke rushed to the bed, sitting on the side of it as he placed his forehead on hers once more. His right hand was placed near the left side of her face, while his left arm was bent so he could support his weight.
He clicked his teeth in annoyance, finally taking in that he'd have to do this for a few more nights. And it wouldn't be just once every night, he'd have to wake up whenever she has nightmares just so he can commence the therapy for it.
Her chakra was moving violently, hitting her brain as they damaged her mind in the process. This nightmare is worse than the one he encountered in the hospital. He exerted a bit more chakra, sharpening its level of accuracy so it could move as he willed it to.
It was working well, perhaps too well.
He heard a squeak from under him.
The minute he opened his eyes, clear white eyes stared blankly in return. They widened upon seeing his pure black eyes returning her look of shock.
Her mouth opened, yet no sound had escaped from her lips. She was too shaken, and it seemed she was trying to find her voice as her eyes bore into his with utter confusion. She swallowed, getting ready to scream.
She woke up too soon. Sasuke wasn't expecting her to wake up just yet, not until sometime next week had been his initial guess.
He got over the shock quickly as he hastily clamped his hand over her mouth, "Don't you dare make a sound, Hyuga."
I'd like to thank my bestfriend, saucekaay, who is also serving as my Beta Reader! You saved this chapter from a lot of mistakes. I'm very lucky to have you Selene! ;A;
Reviews? Questions? Suggestions? I'd be happy to take them. :D