Lost Moments

Lost Moments

By: Lynn Metallium

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything! I’m nothing but a poor little American girl who had to spend all of her money on college and therefore even if you sued me you wouldn’t get any money anyway. So please don’t get mad and hurt me Xx;;

A Lost Moment - Enya

Author Notes: See End!

Chapter 4

A moment lost, forever gone,
can never be again,
so know how much it means to me;
all you said,
all you gave,
all your love to me.

Hinata pressed her forehead to the ground as she knelt on the mats before the elder counsel. Despite how stiff she tried to hold herself, she could see the tremors that ran through her fingers that were digging desperately into the ground as if it could swallow her up and save her from her fate.

“The counsel has heard many words concerning you, Hyuuga-sama,” The old man’s words drifted through the silent room.

Hinata could feel her breath washing back in her face, they had not even told her to rise! As if she was no better than a commoner, a non-Hyuuga. Try as she might she found that the anger she felt towards them was much smaller than she would have liked. She should have been furious that they would treat her like that but she could only manage minimal annoyance at this treatment. Things were best if she did not act upon angry impulses so perhaps it was better this way. The girl knew that the counsel would not take kindly to an outspoken, anger prone woman. Never mind that she was supposed to be their leader.

“Your father was a weak man, it shows in you,” The elder continued. He was ugly and scarred in the face, Hinata remembered. As a child he had sent her crying and even now she had the uncomfortable urge to flinch when he spoke.

“Such disregard for clan regulations and protocol, are you even aware of how deeply you have transgressed Hyuuga-sama?”

“I-“ Hinata tried to protest. This was not what they thought! She had done nothing wrong, nothing!

“I did not ask for you to speak Hyuuga-sama. You may be Clan leader according to all the official signed documents but no one will listen to you here.” The counsel refuses to acknowledge her position, the message was loud and clear. You a woman and while we tolerate your less than worthy Branch husband, we do not tolerate you.

The dark haired girl held her breath, trying to calm the fury that sparked within her. Her father had not trusted her with these people and that was why he had married her to Neji. To make sure someone strong could withstand the counsel. The elders had a mind of their own, Hinata was coming to realize uncomfortably, and had little interest in what others had to say. They believed they were the ones in the right, they were old enough to know all the truths. What frustration Neji must go through every day, she thought miserably. She had never thought twice about the burden on his shoulders, instead she was just relieved to be passed over.

“The charges brought against you are indeed grave Hyuuga-sama. Denying your husband and secret love affairs behind his back? How could you be so selfish?” The elder hissed softly. “Even as weak as your father was he had enough sense to relieve you of all clan duties except one, to create an heir that would be a worthy leader for this clan. Yet you cannot even fulfill that!”

“I did not deny my husband!” Hinata jerked her head up, staring wide eyed at the counsel for the first time. Some looked away, refusing to meet her eyes, others stared full of scorn that she would dare to speak back after such a warning from the Elder. The young girl faltered a bit to see her sister seated beside him, the very hints of a cruel smile threaten to burst across her face as she watched Hinata with calculating eyes.

“She is lying,” Hanabi spoke, ignoring the furious look the elder gave her for speaking. She was not a member of the counsel, merely a witness.

“Your opinion in the matter is not appreciated young Mistress,” The Elder replied tartly. “Your role has been played to the fullest here and it would be in your best interest to stay silent.” The unspoken taunt of ‘child’ hung uncomfortably in the air as Hanabi sunk back, sulking furiously at being reprimanded.

Hinata said nothing, not even looking vaguely comforted by the fact that her sister had been chastised in front of the counsel. Any secret joy she might have gotten by such a display was squashed by the thoughts of what would happen when their attention turned back on her.

“Although young Mistress thoughtfully has already expressed our concerns, I will do the counsel the honor of reinstating the Elders consensus on the matter. You, Hyuuga-sama, are a liar.”

Hinata flushed with indignation. It shouldn’t have been surprising that they did not believe her but in infuriated her all the same. They would not even give her the chance to explain. Not that she had much to explain to begin with. She would never speak of the lack of desire between herself and her cousin and that the denial was consensual between them both. The dark haired ninja merely wanted to object of the matter of Naruto and herself. They were most certainly not having a love affair.

“To prove your lack of innocence I have sent message to Tsunade-sama herself to send a medic nin who specializes in matters concerning unmentionable acts between two persons. The fact that you placed a rule on yourself that none would look upon you should have raised concern before now and the counsel regrets not looking into the matter.”

And yet it had not done anything before now, Hinata thought bitterly, trying to keep her alarm down. The Elder raised his hand, gesturing to a woman in the corner that Hinata had not seen. She was relieved to see that she was not Sakura. How would she have ever explained to the dear pink woman this predicament?

“I beg your pardon, Hyuuga-san…shouldn’t this be done…” The woman paused, uncomfortable with so many snow white eyes fixed upon her. “Somewhere private?”

“No,” The older man snipped. “The counsel must decide things for themselves once they see with their own eyes.”

“With all due respect sir, in my opinion-“She stuttered in utter alarm.

“We did not bring you here to tell us your opinion on how our clan runs. We brought you here to tell us your opinion on the girl. Now, do the duty that we have paid you for or should I send word to your mistress that she does a poor job at training her subordinates?”

The woman paled with horror at his words and suddenly wished she had never woken up this morning and accepted such a so called mission from Tsunade-sama. Not that she could have denied the blonde woman if she had demanded it from her, but she could have at least tried. These white eyed people….She flinched and nodded finally before taking a step towards the girl kneeling on the floor. Before she could touch the girl she was gone.

Hinata had lept up with a sudden horrified need to escape and was zipping towards the door. She was a ninja and she would never let them take her without a fight. The only problem with this logic was the fact that she lived in a ninja village, never mind a ninja clan. Not only was she a ninja, but everyone else around her was as well and the majority were superior at that.

Her fingers had barely touched the door when she was forced to the ground by a painfully heavy body, the cool sharp edge of a kunai pressed lightly to her neck. By all rights, she could have had this man killed. An attack on the Hyuuga clan leader’s life (to kill or otherwise) was punishable by death. And yet, who would listen if she said, this man should die, he threatened me.

Furious pain-filled white eyes stared up at the other ninja man who nearly recoiled at the sight. He too knew what she knew. One way or another, he was a dead man. To deny the Elder meant death here and now. Hinata did not blame him for being a slight coward in the heat of the moment.

“Forgive me…Hyuuga-sama…” His voice was rough as he stared down at her, his face contorted slightly in pain as he held her down. Hinata only smiled in a broken way at the man. “I am a good man- I would never-…”

“I will not point fingers at a man who does his best,” Her voice was soft and she was sure she heard a small moan of unhappiness from the other man’s throat. Tomorrow would find him dead by suicide for daring to take her down in such a way, but that was a fact that would never make it to Hinata’s knowledge.

“Bring her here,” The Elder’s voice broke the small interlude between the two. The man tried not to grunt with obvious discomfort as he stood, pulling her gently to her feet to guide her with a firm hand to her previous spot in the middle of the floor.

“Sir…” The medic trailed off again, staring at the girl who was being held captive before her, obviously as uncomfortable as the guard who held her.

“Get along with it Medic, the counsel grows impatient.” The older man flicked his wrist at her in annoyance and the woman tried not to gulp.

“Please lay back Hyuuga-sama…” Her voice was barely more than a whisper and Hinata could not be angry with her. She had no choice. Like herself. The Hyuuga girl’s mind was hissing in pain as the guard helped her to lie flat on her back before pining her there. Obviously she would not be escaping again.

With trembling hands, the woman pressed the fabric of her kimono up to her knees, her hands sliding beneath to touch her trembling body in a place no one had laid eyes on since her mother had changed her as a child. Hinata could feel the woman’s fingers springing to symbols unknown to most against her. Complex medical jutsus were as foreign to most normal ninjas as health food was to Naruto. Hinata stared at the ceiling, her eyes slowly watering as she counted back from 100 in attempt to keep herself from screaming in utter humiliation as the medic’s hands shook against her.

“This girl has never been touched,” The words fell out of the woman’s mouth in a surprised rush.

“What? Hanabi-” The Elder shot Hanabi a furious questioning glare, while the younger girl shrank back in confusion. How could she have been wrong? She had seen her sister! Kissing that blonde man!

“I saw her kissing him!” She protested furiously.

“Perhaps then…this is for the best…nothing has been damaged, it is obvious she has no been with this other man as well. However the fact still stands Hyuuga-sama, you have denied your husband. Tonight the Medic will stand with the guards outside your bedroom. She will inspect you after. I expect things to be resolved. I expect heirs.”

Hinata did not even look at him nor did she speak as the guard helped her up off the floor, her cheeks flushed dark crimson with humiliation.

“I will take you to your room Hyuuga-sama…” The guard spoke softly, his tone hurt. Obviously he was nearly as shaken as she was over the things that had just conspired between the Clan leader and the Elders. Hinata said nothing to him, trying to stop the furious tears that were sliding down her cheeks.

“Hinata…” Neji’s soft voice broke the angry buzz in her mind, causing her to snap her head up as she stepped through the door to stare at him. “What is going on here?”

“Whatever they say to you, it isn’t true!” The words tumbled from her lips as she stared at her cousin with wide teary eyes. “Whatever they say, don’t listen!”

The young man stared at his cousin, confusion clouding over his usually passive face but there was no time for questions as she was gone around the corner.


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Neji sat on the futon, not looking at his wife trying his hardest not to be furious at her. She had said not to believe anything the Elders said, and yet he was so angry it was hard to remember her tearful plea.

“Why didn’t you tell me,” His voice was harsher than he thought it would be and he saw her flinch out of the corner of his eye.

“They didn’t let me find you, I wanted to tell you. I wanted to tell you the truth,” Hinata didn’t look up from her hands. She told herself she wasn’t scared of her cousin’s stare. Of course that was a lie.

“What is it then?” Neji tried to keep himself from snapping. She must have a good reason, something that no one else was telling him. “You say not to believe them but you have yet to offer any alternate I should believe.”

“Please do not sound so angered cousin…” Hinata took a breath trying to stop her trembling at the fury in Neji’s voice.

“Do not sound so angry? How can I not be angry, oh wife of mine! How could you?” His eyes narrowed as he stalked towards her. “I let you keep something precious to you, and now I find that you have been stealing around behind my back with…with him! Hinata! Of all people Hinata, why him!”

“I wasn’t-“The dark haired woman started to protest but the words were cut short when her husband grabbed her arm, yanking her to her feet. A frightened noise somewhere between a whimper and a yelp escaped her mouth as she cringed in his grasp.

“You were! Do you think I am blind?” Neji let out a hollow laugh. “My eyes may be the color of milk but I am not blind nor am I a fool. I know of your feelings for him, but I thought, surely she would not be so stupid! Such a whore!”

Hinata clenched her teeth as a tear rolled down her cheeks at her cousin’s words. He was no better than the counsel, screaming about him him him! He wouldn’t even give her a second to explain herself. Was she so insignificant to him as well?

“You shamed me,” His voice was softer now but still cold as ice. “In front of the Elders. They think I have no control over you and I am not man enough to make a simple weak woman submit.”

“Hanabi told them lies,” Hinata’s voice came out in a hushed whisper, desperate to butt in before her husband could go off on another rant of anger.

“Hanabi…?” The Hyuuga boy was suddenly thrown off by his wife’s words. Hanabi? What did she have to do with anything? Was she then…the ‘witness’ the elders spoke off?

“She watches me, waiting for me to mess up. I…I did not know she had followed me to see mother. Hanabi is afraid…of mother. Afraid of a woman who cannot move,” Hinata gave a noise that Neji belatedly realized was a laugh. “Mother is disgusting to her, because she gave up.”

Neji knew of Hyuuga Hotaru, the woman who had given birth to his uncle’s children. She had long been bedridden, her mind no longer in this world. The ninja did not understand why a person would want to sink away like Hotaru had. She had a good life; Hiashi had given her everything a woman could have ever wanted. Hotaru, he thought, was a selfish woman.

“So she followed you, and then-?” Neji prompted the girl to move on. He could really care less about trivial matters between mother and daughters.

“I…I said some things,” Hinata continued, obviously embarrassed to be admitting this to him. “I told Mother…”

Silence fell over the two as Hinata took heavy breaths in attempt to calm herself and gather the strength to tell Neji what had been on her mind these past months. It had been eating her alive but to actually admit it to the other was something she had not been prepared to do. He was very busy and did not want to put up with her fears and concerns.

“I told her…that I did not understand what was wrong with me.” Hinata skirted around the real truth. Neji stared at her with curious eyes.

“There is something wrong with you?” He asked, now even more confused that ever. Was she sick? He had been rather busy…he hadn’t noticed her it was true in many weeks. But the woman before him didn’t look particularly ill…

“There must be,” The dark haired girl replied mournfully. “Men have no interest in me.”

Neji was dead silent as he stared at the woman others called his wife. Men…? Was there more than the Uzumaki boy! His teeth clenched as the anger began to build in his eyes. His stomach felt like it was on fire. How could she do this to him! She was out with others…more than one, many men! The man couldn’t understand why he felt so outraged at the thought of his cousin with other men, yet he couldn’t bring himself to think on it. All he could think about was the raging storm inside of him that screamed in utter fury at the thought of her beneath anyone else.

When he grabbed her and yanked her forward, a frightened cry escaped Hinata’s lips as she watched him with wide eyes.

“Neji, what-!”

“You belong to me,” He hissed softly, glaring down at his cousin who was rigid in his grasp like a frightened deer, unsure if she should stand still or flee for her life. “Not any other man, do you understand me? You are my wife!”

Hinata flinched at his words. Why was he acting this way with her! She had never been with another man. How could she? What he said was true, she was his wife! The only thing she had ever done against him was the chaste kiss shared between herself and Naruto. But that had meant nothing. Even she, who had harbored her feelings for the blonde for so long had felt nothing, only warm comfort radiating from the boy. She had always imagined there would be shocks and fireworks going off when their lips met. Only peace of mind had come over her, that she was free from this silly crush. There had been nothing, only admiration.

“I have never done anything against you husband,” She replied finally as Neji’s furious breath washed over her.

“You kissed Uzumaki! And you say other men do not desire you! Did you try your hand with them when the boy turned you down!”

“I never-!” Hinata stared at him wide eyed.

“You deny it? Did you not kiss him?” Neji’s mouth twitched into a cruel smile as he stared at her.

“I did,” She replied, trying to still her heart that was beating so hard she was sure she would die any moment from nerves. “It meant nothing.”

“Liar,” He hissed, his fingers digging into her skin causing the dark haired Hyuuga girl to flinch. “You love him, don’t you?”

“No-! Neji you’re hurting me,” Her voice was barely above a whisper as she squirmed in his grasp. The look in his eyes frightened her and she wished he would look away from her. “Why are you acting like this?”

“Why…I don’t know, don’t you?” Neji gave a small bitter laugh as his eyes went vacant. Why…that was a good question indeed. He couldn’t understand himself, he should have been happy that someone had been taking care of his wife while he had neglected her. Hinata was a good woman, she deserved so much more than what he had been giving her, a cold silence and constant neglect as he attempted to shoulder the responsibilities that should have gone to her instead.

“Neji…” The feeling of her hand, soft on his cheek caused the man to snap out of his inner turmoil to stare at her with a hard unavoidable stare. Neji swallowed hard as he watched her, overly aware of the hand pressing against the side of his face and the warmth that came from it. For a moment, his eyes softened as he watched her, his beloved cousin.

Any man should have been happy to have her by their side…any man. His insides suddenly clenched as the image of his wife, whimpering and squirming in pleasure beneath another. Even though the Elder had assured him that no damage had been done to her, the medic ninja had proved it, Neji couldn’t stop the images from coming up. Every time a new thought came it was seared into the backs of his eyelids and he could see her face, scrunched in pleasure under some nameless body.

“No,” A horse cry came from between his trembling lips as his eyes hardened, staring at her in fury. “You belong to me! Me! Do you understand that?”

Hinata lowered her eyes demurely, not daring to reply to his furious words. This was beyond her comprehension. Her thoughts were cut short by a pair of warm lips suddenly descending upon her own with such force that she was left breathless and trapped in a furious kiss from her cousin. He shoved her back onto the futon, causing her to stumble before dropping to her knees staring up at him with worried eyes.

Neji fell upon her, pinning her smaller body to the bed and a soft moan escaped his mouth. In the months following the marriage Neji had suddenly found himself alone. Even Lee would not break his resolve and allow the needy Hyuuga to bed him any longer, much to Neji’s disgust. His hand had become a lonely outsource of all of his pent up energies for some time but nothing was as delicious as a soft squirming body beneath his.

A soft cry escaped her mouth as he grasped her breast in a steady hand, his thumb stroking playful circles around her pert nipple as his cousin stared at him with dark uncertain eyes. It was soft in his hand as he kneaded it and the Hyuuga tried to shove it from his mind that it was not like Lee’s flat chest in the least. It was easy enough when another distracting whimper came from the woman’s mouth at the feeling of his tongue over her body. Such sounds simply drove him to the edge but he would not allow this to come over and done with so easily. She was his and he would take his time and claim every spot, every inch of creamy white skin before this night was over. Never would she need to look to another man, he was her protector, her husband and he fulfilled her every need. It was the reason he was born.


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Another tear drifted down the dark haired girls face as she sat on the empty futon, a blanket wrapped around her waist as she stared straight ahead feeling a sick empty feeling in the bottom of her stomach. It had been over two month since their first night together. Things had changed, not only within Konoha with the retrieval of Uchiha Sasuke (much to his chagrin he found himself stalked day and night by ANBU but of course he should have known there was no other choice after his misadventures with the body snatching snake) but with in her own household as well. Neji had been avoiding her like the plague during the time that they were not required to share a bed. Every morning she woke to find the futon empty and cold. He never slept there, not after the first night when he had stormed away in furry. Hinata was sure that if he had the choice, he would have never come back to her. Neji had always been a very detail oriented person and so it was no wonder that he hadn’t missed such a thing…

Flashback

Hinata let out a cry somewhere between embarrassment and utter pleasure, her hips arching up towards her cousin. It was so deliciously wrong, his head between her legs and his tongue flickering over her folds. It was a sin, she was sure. Yet she didn’t have time to ponder just how much of an evil sin it was as she let out another trembling moan as he shoved his tongue over her pleasure nerves.

“N-Neji!” Another moan ripped from her throat as she grasped his long dark locks with tightening fists. “P-p-p-please! I can’t-“

A dark chuckle came from between her thighs and suddenly Neji was over top of her. Hinata couldn’t help but blush as she felt his hardening member pressed eagerly against her leg.

“Hinata,” He murmured breathlessly against her shoulder as he arched upward towards her, his member rubbing against her leg and leaving a trail of sticky pre-cum. The woman beneath him only blushed and tried not to continue to pant like a dog in heat from his previous ministrations. Neji leaned up, his lips catching hers in a soft kiss before reaching between them to position himself, ready to slide into her. The Hyuuga girl’s breath caught in her throat and she could hear her heart thudding painfully loud in her ears as she felt the head of his member pressed against her entrance.

“Neji..I..I..” She stuttered out utterly embarrassed, even as her hips arched towards him, more eager for what was coming that her over worried mind. Neji silenced her with another kiss, muffling her wail of surprise and pain as he pushed himself forward.

“Nhh…” A groan came from between the usually silent Hyuuga’s mouth. She was so hot and tight he thought he would die. It only took minutes for him to start thrusting into her so hard that she was grounded back into the bed. A desperate whimper and harsh breath was the only noise besides the slap of naked skin in the room. Hinata lifted her legs, wrapping them around him as Neji thrusted deep and hard into her and another cry escaped her mouth. Her little noises were driving the older Hyuuga insane and he tried to ground himself deeper inside her body. Suddenly he moaned over her, his thrusts becoming quick and out of control and stiffened as Hinata felt herself being flooded with his warm seed.

It was an anticlimactic ending for such a buildup of emotion for the Hyuuga girl as Neji rolled off of her, leaving her to lay there trembling and blushing in unsatisfied humiliation, a painful throb between her legs and the feeling of the remains of his seed oozing on the insides of her thigh.

The two laid there for some time, catching their breath and gathering their thoughts. Hinata let out a soft choked noise when he grasped her arm, bringing it to his lips to lightly brush his lips over the damaged skin there. She did not see the way her cousin’s eyes widened, only the feeling of him jerking back as if burnt.

“What is that,” He growled between heavy breaths, staring at her with wild nervous eyes. Hinata drew her arms up around herself with a small hiss.

“N-n-nothing,” She stuttered but he grabbed her arm, yanking it away from her body. “No!”

“What the hell is this!” Neji stared down at her arm utterly horrified at the angry red lines before letting his eyes dart back up to her face then back down again as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Y-you…”

It was the first time Hinata could ever remember her cousin stuttering or even looking vaguely frightened. The look on his face screamed ‘freak’ and she recoiled, trying to pull her arm away from him. His face paled as he reached out with shaking fingertips, pressing them ever so slightly to the fresh wounds causing the girl to flinch and him to drop her arm, recoiling from her again.

“It is nothing,” Hinata managed to force out, despite how tight her throat had become during this exchange as she drew her arms up close to her body. “Please forget it.”

Neji said nothing as he stared down at his lap with a vacant pale expression. She wanted to touch him but she was too afraid of what would happen if she moved so much as an inch. The moment of silence stretched until it was as taunt between them as a rubber band before Neji finally snapped.

“How could you,” He whispered furiously, still not looking at her and his hands clenched into shaky fists. “You stupid selfish bitch!”

“I…” Hinata jerked in shock at his words, her spine straightening and her body tensing as her milky eyes widened in hurt. “What…?”

Neji shook his head, his lips pressed tightly together as he shoved himself to his feet despite his nakedness. He didn’t speak as he gathered his clothes, yanking them on with robotic actions. Hinata tracked him across the room with clouded tearful eyes until he slide out through the door and disappeared into the night.

For a moment there was no sound but the noise of the night animals as Hinata sat there deathly still. A tear slid down her cheek, cold and lonely before a broken noise clawed its way from her chest and broke the silence in the room. The girl collapsed into a tired sobbing mass of Hyuuga. So weak, so foolish! Worthless…Selfish bitch!

“No,” She moaned softly to herself as she laid there naked among the sweat soaked sheets, a soft sobbing laugh coming from her mouth. No, what did he know! She was not selfish! She was the most selfless person she knew! She gave her hopes, her dreams, her body, her precious soul to the cause of the clan! And what did she receive in return? Nothing! Hyuuga Hinata was selfless, an empty vessel waiting to be manipulated and abused for the better of others. It was a proper punishment, she thought with a giddy rather inappropriate smile on her face, for having such weak blood. She had to make sure things went well, that the rest of the clan did not suffer because of her, the blemish, the clan’s black sheep.

“I am not selfish…” Hinata whispered softly, her fingernails clawed furiously into the soft damaged skin of her wrists. “I am not. I need this.”

Couldn’t he see! Why couldn’t he understand!

“Look Neji look at me! This is what happens to weaklings!” Her voice was too loud for the silence of the room and so she fell into silent choking sobs. She was still there when the medic nin entered the room and placed a comforting hand on her shoulders.

“There there Hyuuga-sama…Things will get better…”

‘No…’ Hinata thought bitterly. ‘They will never be better.’

End Flashback

Hinata’s gut twisted as she thought of that night and she suddenly found herself overwhelmed with the urge to vomit. Jerking from the bed, nearly tripping herself up in her blanket, the girl rushed to the bathroom barely making it before the contents of her stomach left her.

For a moment she sagged weakly against the bowl as she sat there, her stomach feeling decidedly unhappy with her and the feeling was only growing with every minute. A sorrowful groan escaped her lips as she suddenly felt the rolling of her stomach and yanked her long hair back before jerking up to thrust her head back over the bowl. Life, she decided as soon as she could breath again, was not all peaches and cream these days.


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Neji shifted uncomfortably in his seat to the left of the head elder. In all rights he should have been sitting at the head of the counsel and the elder to his left. However just as he had expected, after his uncle’s death he had been ousted from his rightful spot. There was no fighting or changing this usurp of power. Hinata was too weak to properly take her spot, on the days she did appear, she went scurrying from the room less than halfway through the meetings, most intimidated by the harsh treatment of the counsel. Meanwhile, Neji was at the mercy of the Main Branch. Perhaps Hiashi had never thought of it, or perhaps he just didn’t care how the elders could take control from Neji with a simple hand symbol. That was all took to send the white eyed boy to his knees in pain and the Elders knew all too well the control they had over him, it was probably the reason the Elders had agreed with Hiashi in the first place to allow Neji to take that position. They could easily control and manipulate one like himself with threats of pain and suffering.

It was a mere blessing he was still allowed in the room. Perhaps they secretly feared Hiashi’s spirit haunting them if they got rid of the former leader’s replacement all together. On the other hand, it was probably Tsunade’s wrath they feared more and the possibilities of the consequences they would face should she find news of the man she formally acknowledged as leader being overthrown. However, Tsunade’s wrath must not have scared them so badly as to give him his proper head chair after all. It was almost embarrassing the way they treated him and it made Neji furious inside even if he couldn’t voice his pain. When they were forced to go to Tsunade for whatever reason, Neji stood for the clan, it was like being their little puppet on a string and Neji hated it with ever fiber of his body. Even Hanabi, whom had started joining the counsel two months ago after the episode with her older sister, had a higher position than himself, to the Elders right. However her spot was empty today, her being the current discussion of the room.

“I agree it his well past time for her to be married. Her sister was babied for tar too long. Hanabi is already a strong young lady. She may deliver a much needed heir in her sisters place should Hinata prove to be as useless as she appears.”

Neji stiffened at his words about his cousin now wife. Things were horrible between them ever since that first night when he had discovered the wounds on her arms. He couldn’t understand what would cause her to act in such a foolish manner. Was this not a life every woman wanted to live? Pampered, protected and perfect. So what made her believe she had the right to attempt to take her own life like that! She was obviously so cowardly she failed at every attempt which made it all the worse in his eyes. The long haired man had truly thought better of his cousin after the chuuin exams all those years ago, she had blossomed into a stronger person he could respect but now…Had that blossoming been all a fake act? Was she truly even weaker now that she had been back then?

“I have a grandson…” One elder woman offered up softly from her corner as Neji attempted to turn his mind back to the counsel business rather than frustrating thoughts of his wife.

“And what a lazy no good grandson he is,” Scoffed another, causing the older woman to glare at him scornfully. Neji shifted again, his legs were starting to come uncomfortably numb as the elders around him continued to take their sweet time in deliberation. He had little interest in whom they thought was good enough or not good enough to marry Hinata’s sister. Truthfully he was not very close to Hanabi at all. She seemed very different than Hinata and there was something about her that rubbed him the wrong way although he could not put a finger on the exact reason he felt that way for his youngest cousin.

“Perhaps….there is another solution,” A soft voice spoke up from the corner. “At one time, we supported a young man when we were looking for Hinata’s husband. He would have produced fine heirs and made an even better addition to the family…perhaps, with the changes within the last two months he could be reconsidered for the younger’s fiancée.”

Neji tried not to bristle when the speaker was obviously voicing their displeasure that he had been married to Hinata instead of this other they spoke of. Who then…? Who was the other they had thought of? Neji’s mind raced as he tried to remember. Had he been told an alternate person…? He could not remember such a person…For several moments there was silence as the counsel seemed to consider the words of the speaker.

“You speak of…the Uchiha survivor…” The Elder spoke softly, his chin resting in his palm as he regarded the speaker. “Yes it is true that things have changed now that he has returned. However…”

Neji’s mind was numb as he stared forward with utter shock. Uchiha Sasuke. They….how could…

“That is impossible,” Neji snapped furiously without thinking, his head snapping around to stare at the Elder. “It is too much of a risk for us to undertake!”

Once upon a time Neji might have harbored a bit of respect for the Uchiha boy but it had long since died with his selfish motives and childish actions. True he still saw the other as a comrade to himself even after he had abandoned the village but like most others he was very wary of the other’s actions now. The restrictions placed on him by Tsunade-sama were there for a reason. Trust was hard to earn back when you acted in such rash ways, even Sasuke knew that he had royally fucked up and these actions were necessary for the safety of the village even if the Uzumaki continued to have such faith in the other as to declare the Uchiha had repented his ways for sure. Words were cheap after all.

“However he must not be such a serious danger or Tsunade would not have allowed him back into the village like this, even with the house arrest and ANBU watch dogs, he must still have some merit and standing within the village not to be sent to the detention center for the rest of his life.”

“Sasuke is still a threat and he will continue to be a threat! There are no sure ways to know if he plans to leave again. It would drag the clan’s name in the dirt to be associated with such a traitor,” Neji hissed. How could they be so blind?

“….A child of the Byakuugan and Sharingan though-“

“-would be a monster!” He cut the speaker off. Were they really so foolish? It was dangerous! Such bloodline limits….It would be a dangerous machine just waiting to fall into the wrong hands and used for the wrong purposes! How could they think to create a child like that so they could merely dangle it above the heads of all the other clans in Konoha? Did they want to create such upheaval and unrest within the country!

“Silence!” The Elder snapped, gesturing furiously at Neji with furious eyes. “This is not a place that concerns you, thus your opinion is not appreciated-“

“How can you be so foolish as to think-” Neji suddenly fell forward, his eyes wide with shock and pain. A scream ripped its way from his throat as he fell forward onto his face, his fingers curling over his forehead protector and clawing furiously at it. It hurt, oh god it hurt….A million times worse than anything Hiashi had ever inflicted on him. They never held back. He had never even seen the other create the signs, however he rarely did until he felt his forehead feel like it was about to bust open and he would surely die from the pain. It seemed like a million years passed before he found himself sweating and panting on the floor of the counsel room, in reality everything had happened with in a matter of seconds.

“Now, get out.” The elder’s voice was soft and furious. “We have no need for your filth in here. Tomorrow we will go to see Tsunade on the matter of marriage for Hanabi with the suitor of our choice. Be ready to go at sunrise at the front gate.”

“You are my nightingale Neji and you will sing when I tell you to sing.” Neji stared at the tatami mats with teary furious eyes, his hands clenching for several seconds before forcing himself silently to his feet. Most of the members of the room refused to look him in the eyes however a few watched him go with proud smirking faces. Bastards, every one of them Neji thought furiously as he slipped between the sliding doors. They all knew what they did was wrong and yet, they all continued as if there was no error in their ways.

He stalked all the way to his quarters however the farther he got from the counsel room the more his fowl mood mellowed until he was merely so exhausted he wanted nothing more than to curl up and be alone. However Neji was startled when he slid back the door to his room and found it already occupied.

“Neji…” Hinata’s soft voice snapped him out of his stupor and the long haired male stepped fully into the room, sliding the door behind him shut. What was she doing here? Wasn’t there somewhere else she could be? He wanted to be alone, go away!

“I have no urge for idle chitchat,” Neji started harshly. “So unless it is a truly pressing matter, it would be best if you left now.”

For several seconds Hinata was silent perhaps put off by his tone, seated on her knees in front of the door, her hands clasped in her lap tightly in an effort to keep from fidgeting. Sighing a bit, Neji stepped around her and continued into his room as if she was not there at all. If she wished to sit there like a stone then he would merely pretend she was nothing more. He didn’t know what to say to her anyway and it was rather tempting to tell her she was selfish and he didn’t even want to look at her because of it. Those marks on her arms…they were a situation he didn’t know how to handle and that unnerved him.

“I…must tell you something important,” The girl tried again and Neji could detect a bit of a waver in her voice.

“Then say it and then remove yourself, do you think I have all day to discuss idle girl chat with you?” He couldn’t help it, the only way he could defend himself now in front of her was to act harsh and shy away from these things that made him feel so uncomfortable. Surely it was of no use for her but it was just a situation he did not have any wish to be dealing with. It was her fault, he reasoned, if she didn’t do it-

“I would have thought that this news would bring you much cheer husband,” Her voice was still soft and he was afraid she was starting to sound a bit teary. Dear god above if he had made her cry, it would undo them both into something vicious.

“Then I wish you would hurry and tell me what it is so that I might be in much “cheer” as you say,” Neji muttered bitterly under his breath.

“I am pregnant.”

Her words were so softly spoken that Neji almost missed them. The Hyuuga’s back stiffened and he whirled around to stare in awe at his cousin’s back.

“For….certain…” He whispered, his fingers trembling a bit by his side. A…child…? She carried…his child?

“The medic nin confirmed it this morning,” Hinata’s head was still bowed, her back quivering slightly. “I hope this news pleases you husband…”

Neji couldn’t help but shiver at her formal attitude. Was she too not pleased? To have a child was every woman’s secret dream wasn’t it? Many women who chose to be ninjas could not recognize such a dream because it was too dangerous for their career. However there were always those who were able to work around such things.

Reaching out with shaking fingers, he touched the back of her head, his hand barely grazing her hair yet the other stiffened slightly at his touch. When…when had it come to this? That she would cringe at his very touch? Had things degraded between them so much? Silently he pressed his whole palm to the back of her head, stroking the feather soft hair there.

“I am pleased…But….” He faltered slightly, his hand twitching. “Are you not pleased…?”

“I am more pleased than I could ever express…” She whispered in a small voice that didn’t sound anything like a pleased voice of an expectant mother.

“Come then…” Neji murmured, offering down a hand to her. “We will announce it now to the counsel. In truth it was the last place he wanted to go again today but there was danger in waiting. They would surely want to know the minute the Hyuuga lady had come with child. It was also crucial that they know this, it could change things. Their plans for Hanabi and Uchiha boy would hopefully go by the wayside with this new news. It was amazing timing, almost frighteningly so. It made him wonder though, what kind of games were the fates attempting to play on him now…?


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Author Notes: So funny thing about this chapter, not only was it really hard to write but this was also supposed to be the last chapter! But obviously it isn’t! Hopefully the next chapter won’t take me as long. Thank you to all those who have stuck with me and continue to wait so patiently for a new chapter! I luf you so much!