"HE'S WHERE!?"
The voice echoed through the halls of the Hyuga compound alarming everyone in it.
"Neji is in the hospital father. I do not know the reason; I just ran into one of his teammates and she told me that she was going to see him." Hinata told Hiashi
"Ineed him here! I swear that boy does everything in his power to inconvenience me. He was responsible for filling out important paperwork that needed to get to me last night. I guess he had to break his foot to get out of it," Hiashi steamed. The man stood up from his desk chair and walked toward the door, "Let's go Hinata."
The two sped-walked to the hospital. Hinata tried desperately to keep up with her father. His anger fueled his footsteps dramatically. It was not long before they arrived at the entrance of the hospital.
"I need to see Neji Hyuga. Tell me where he is." Spat Hiashi
The young hospital worker narrowed her eyes and searched the name in her computer. People like this are the ones that made her job difficult. The name eventually pulled up with a room number.
"He is in room 313 sir." She informed him
"Thank you," replied Hiashi.
He resumed walking to the room he was guided to with Hinata lagging behind. As soon as his eyes hit the sign that read "313" he flung open the door. As the door opened he was greeted with the sight of his nephew sleeping on a hospital bed with a young, bun-haired girl sitting next to him.
Tenten's eyes widened at the sudden entrance. When she saw Hiashi, she quickly stood up to show him respect.
"What is wrong with him?" Hiashi asked
"He was injured on our last mission. It ended up rendering him paralyzed from the waist down." Tenten replied
"Is he ok?" Hinata asked
Tenten smiled, "Yeah, he hasn't had any major problems yet."
Hiashi moved to the side of Neji's bed and looked at his helpless form.
"Lord Hyuga, I am so sorry this happened. I know he was a great asset to your clan as a shinobi, but maybe he can be helpful in other ways. He is one of the smartest people I know and he can train-" Tenten was cut off
"Be quiet. I know what skills he possesses. I want to wait here until he wakes up and we can discuss his usefulness to this clan. I hate to be rude, but do you mind leaving while we talk?" Asks Hiashi
Tenten looked over to Neji. He wouldn't mind if she left. He might prefer it, "Ok, I guess I'll see him later."
Tenten exited the room. Hinata followed her out, and as the door closed, spoke up.
"Tenten, is he really ok?" Hinata asked concerned
She looked down,"Well, he thinks he is, but in reality, he is very limited. He does not see it quite yet, but he cannot do much. I think it was yesterday he had a little bit of an outburst and threw a vase of flowers to the floor. I think he is frustrated that he can't do much for himself anymore. He is emotionally raw right now. When you go back in there, make sure that your father does not yell at him."
"Ok, I will. Thank you Tenten." Hinata replied
Tenten walked away as Hinata went back into Neji's room. He was beginning to wake up. His eyes slowly opened and looked to where Tenten was sitting. He blinked a few times to get his eyes to adjust. It wasn't Tenten. Instead he saw his uncle look at him with a blank face.
"Hello Uncle." Neji said
"How are you felling?" Hiashi replied
"Fine, nothing hurts right now," He paused, "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?"
Hiashi looked him strait in the eyes, "I was supposed to receive some paperwork from you."
Neji's eyes widened. He had forgotten, "I am sorry Uncle, but it slipped my mind. I will be sure to get it to you as soon as possible. Is there anything else you needed?"
"Yes, tell me what you will be doing when you get out of the hospital." Hiashi replied
Neji paused for a second, "I do not know. I haven't given it much thought."
Hiashi sighed, "Neji, I am sure you realize that if you just sit around and don't do anything, then you will become useless. You need to have a plan for your life."
Neji narrowed his eyes, "Uncle, I mean you no disrespect, but I am not useless."
"I am not interested in getting into an argument Neji. Drop it." Hiashi replied
Hinata spoke up to break the awkward silence, "So Neji, how long are you going to be in here?"
"They say about two months. Then physical therapy." Neji said
"Oh, so a while." She repeated
"Yes, you can visit whenever you like Hinata. Tenten comes pretty often so you might be able to keep each other company." Neji suggested
Hiashi spoke up, "Tenten? Is that that girl that was in here?"
"Yes." Neji replied
"Are you romantically involved with her?" Hiashi asked
Neji looked at him questionably, "No, what makes you say that?"
"Well, whenever I see you, you are with that girl. She seems to know you pretty well." Said Hiashi
"Uncle, that does not mean we have a romantic relationship." Neji replied
Hinata sat in the corner with a blush spread across her cheeks, "Father, can we move on to a different topic?"
Hiashi looked over at her, "Of course. I did not come here to gossip." His attention shifted back to Neji, "The reason I ask you about your love life is due to your status. You show the most promise among all of the young Hyuga family members. I wanted you to succeed me as head of the clan. To take this position, you would need a wife. This is to ensure that you will have children and pass on your bloodline. However, due to your current state, I do not think you will be able to carry out the duties that the head of the clan must do."
Neji paused to form his answer, "I am flattered that you considered me to succeed you, but I do not understand how my paralysis plays into the situation. Sure, I cannot go on missions, but that does not mean that I cannot be a successful leader."
Hiashi thought for a bit, "I will think about it. We still have plenty of time before anything happens."
"I think that Neji has the qualities of a great leader. He has defiantly proven himself as a skilled worrier. He might be able to train some of the less advanced members of our family father." Hinata chimed
"I understand that he is skilled. Like I said, we will have plenty of time to think on it." Hiashi rose from his chair, "Are you ready to leave Hinata?"
"Yes father." She replied
They said their goodbyes to Neji and left the room. Neji looked up at the ceiling and thought to himself, something he rarely had time to do.