Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Bleeding Heart ❯ The Meeting ( Chapter 1 )

A resounding gasp filled the air of the dark bedroom as the Hyuuga girl sat straight up in her bed. A fine layer of sweat covered her porcelain flesh as a hand lifts from her side. Hinata ran the hand over her head forehead and pushed away the navy tresses, which became plastered against her damp flesh. Hinata’s chest rose and fell with each heavy breath she took into her body. Those pearly orbs of hers would wander about the room remembering where she was. The room was a familiar one to her. A rosewood armoire with ornate gold handles, a vanity, which had various brushes and beauty items upon it, a freestanding mirror and silk paintings of mountain scenes upon the walls. The scent of chamomile was heavy in the air. The linens of the Main House were always washed with the herbal sleep aid to insure the person occupying the bed will sleep. Then again, not all sleep is restful.

“Another dream…” Hinata would whisper to herself as she began to calm her thumping heart. Ever since the Chuunin Exam Hinata had been plagued with dreams, rather, nightmares of the fateful day she actually stood up to her elder cousin, Neji.

“Nii-san…” lashes fall shut while the hand, which was in her hair, came down before her chest. Fingers folded over her palm. Hinata nestled the hand between her pert breasts as she sighed.

Months had passed since the exam, but Hinata could not shake the image of Neji, which was branded into her memory. His eyes were what bothered her the most. Even though Hyuugan eyes seemed so hallow and empty to most, Hinata saw the hate Neji had for her in his eyes. The pain he held from being marked with the seal of the Branch House. Then there was the look of spite from his normally stoic visage as he landed the final strike, which nearly took her life.

Shaking her head, Hinata pulled the sheets off her slender legs. Pivoting her hips would allow those legs to swing about so her feet might rest upon the floor. Pushing herself up Hinata rose to stand by the bed. Catching sight of the sun light creeping into her room, the young woman meandered over to the window. Finger reached out unlatching the window. A simple push was all it took to open the window in front of her. A smile came creeping over her lips as her eyes shut. Early morning was one of her favorite time of day. The cool breeze of the spring morning passed by her and into the room. She took in a deep breath of the fresh air. Wearing only a t-shirt the wind quickly cooled off Hinata’s body. However, the air was not the main reason she adored this time of day. During this time, the majority of Konoha was still asleep. Hinata had no harsh eyes from her family bearing down on her. She could wander the streets without having her timid nature take her over. It was the only time Hinata felt free.

Dainty hands would come to rest upon the windowsill as Hinata gazed out over the Hyuuga Compound. The compound was so lovely when it was not bustling with the activities of the family. However, Hinata was not free for long. Her heart leapt into her throat as she caught sight of a figure within the garden. The eyes of the person were locked upon her.

“Neji nii-san…”       ****      

Nej i had been awake for several hours now. Normally, he woke early to train but his location for the activity was usually the neighboring forest and not the Hyuugan Garden. He had his reason in the sudden change of locations. Over the past, several weeks Tenten had been helping him train, but he began to notice how her interests were no longer upon the practice. The young girl’s attention was on him. Her vain attempts to flirt with Neji and purposely trying to get into compromising situations with him have become an annoyance. Tenten had begun to act more like the bothersome pink haired girl who followed Sasuke around like a lost puppy. What was that damn girl’s name? Sakura? It mattered not to Neji. The only thing, which did matter, was being able to train without some girl falling all over him. The Gardens were perfect. Neji know Tenten would not dare enter the Hyuugan Compound so he was from her fawning over him.

By the time the sun peeked over the rooftops of the Main House, Neji was hours into his training. He could feel the beads of sweat beginning to rise upon his skin. A sly smirk curled up on the corner of his lips as he straightened his back and squared away his shoulders. The hitai-ate collected all the perspiration from his brow and kept it away from his eyes thankfully. Neji would exhale as he his gaze would lift upwards. The smirk vanishing from his lips in an instant as his pale eyes fell upon a figure in a window.

“Hinata-sama.” Even though he spoke her name flatly, it did not mirror him internally. The sight of her standing there in little to nothing, not to mention the smile on her face made her look like an angel. With how she leaned forward enjoying the breeze she was like a bird ready to take flight from her cage, and a beautiful one at that. Alas, Neji shook himself mentally to snap his mind away from his younger cousin. He would refrain from smiling as Hinata finally noticed him staring at her. Even from the distance, he could see her cheeks blushing while she hurried away from the window. Once she had vanished from his line of sight was when a sight smile took his normally emotionless face.

“Still so bashful and innocent.” Neji spoke his thoughts aloud. What he did not expect was a voice responding to him.

“Hai, that she is Neji.” The calm masculine voice came from behind Neji. Spinning about slowly Neji came face to face with his Uncle, Hiashi. Just as Neji, Hiashi lacked any emotion upon his face. The head of Hyuugan Clan approached Neji and placed a strong hand upon his shoulder.

“Come with me Neji. We have some business we need to discuss this morning.” Hiashi’s voice portrayed no emotion nor gave a clue to what he wished to speak about. The taller of the two men would begin towards the room designated as Hiashi’s personal office.       *****      

Hinata had slid away once she had found Neji watching her from his vantage point in the garden. She had not moved far away, only to the wall beside her window. Hinata pressed her back against the wall as she felt her heart racing.

“Nii-san, why do you look at me in such a cold way?” Tipping back her head it would rest on the wall, as she would gaze up at the ceiling above her.

  *****      

“What do you need of me Hiashi-sama?” Neji stood nearly ridged within the office of his Uncle. The office was more of a retreat for the leader of the Hyuugan Family than a place for meetings. His Uncle would use a room for his own leisure and for only the most secretive of meetings. The office had a low set table with cushions on either side. One side there was a lush red cushion and on the opposite side were several smaller ones for guest. Numerous bookcases lined the left wall as well. The wall opposite of the door was a series of windows that over looked the garden with a small koi pond right in view. It was more than likely one of the most beautiful vantage points in the whole estate, well at least that Neji had seen thus far and not counting the spot he had in the garden how Hinata…..

“Come, have some tea.” Hiashi’s voice broke Neji of these thoughts. The elder Hyuuga was in no hurry to answer any of Neji’s questions. Taking his time, he moved over to the low sitting table to the place the furniture between him and the young member of the Branch House. Hiashi would come to rest upon one of those massive pillows. A tray of tea rested upon the table, which was brought by one of the servants before they had entered. Waving a hand towards the opposite side of the table Hiashi would gesture for Neji to sit.

“I have found a nice cup of tea in the morning helps your health.” The sound of the tan liquid leaving the pot and filling the cups upon the tray would nearly echo in the room.

Neji made no movement towards the table. With his back straight and his fists now clinched at his sides he would remain as calm as he could. True his Unable had opened his eyes about his Father’s death, but he still found it hard to erase those feelings of hatred and loathing for the Main House.

“No thank you Hiashi-sama.” Neji released his fists not wanting to appear threatening. He knew the power the Main House had over him. He knew well the pain, which could be afflicted upon him. This was all because of that damn seal.

Hiashi wrapped a hand about one of the cups. His eyes rose to his brother’s son. “Neji I do advise you to have a seat.” Hiashi did care for the boy, but he would not tolerate him being disrespectful.

Neji felt his jaw twitch with anger as he complied with his Uncle’s request. Sitting upon the pillow, he would place his hands upon his knees impatiently. He was growing tired of waiting to here why he was called into the office.

Paying no mind, Hiashi took a sip of the tea. It was obvious he was attempting to teach the young man some patients with his elders but the brief lesson was up. Lowering the cup Hiashi would exhale due to the heat of the tea. Setting the cup down before him his attention went to the young man.

“As you know, Konoha lost several lives from the surprise attack by the Sand and Sound Village.” Hiashi laced his fingers together letting his elbows rest upon his knees. “The Hyuuga Family lost several as well. Even though we have a strong Kekkei Genkai in our veins we are still only mortal.”

Hiashi now had Neji’s attention. He was afraid his was going to scold him for something trivial such as training in the garden at such an early hour but this seemed to be much more. He would only nod his head in response as he listened.

“Looking back at the battle it was clear to me that the Hyuuga Family is not as strong as it once was. The kekkei genkai has been diluted over the years by marriages from outside of the clan.” His voice held one of concern as he spoke. This was something, which had been bothering the clan leader for a long time now. “I have met with the elders regarding this problem and they agree it is a matter which should not be taken lightly.”

Furrowing his brow in thought, though it was hard to see such due to the hitai-ate Neji wore. He was beginning to wonder what all of this had to do with him.

Hiashi would simply continue marking the boy’s subtle expression, “We have considered the possibility of mixing two blood lines. Having a Hyuuga marry another kekkei genkai. We ruled out the Inuzuka immediately. The blood line from such a family is wild and uncouth.”

Nodding Neji would agree with his uncle as he thought of Hinata’s teammate Kiba. The thought of him running around the Compound made him feel…uneasy.

“We eliminated the Aburame as well. While they are powerful they rely too heavily on their insects to fight for them.” Hiashi would sigh as he lowered his hands into his lap. “Next we took in to consideration the ‘last’ of the Uchiha Clan. Uchiha Sasuke. Even though he was dubbed the number one rookie of his class he showed great weakness when fighting Gaara of the Desert.” Hiashi smirked mirthfully. “At that point Uzumaki Naruto seemed to be a better candidate than any kekkei genkai.”

Neji’s teeth gnashed as he nearly stood up, “You would allow some one with out a kekkei genkai to marry into this family when you are trying to strengthen it?! Who would be the unfortunate soul you would pair with Naruto?!” However, after his words flew from his mouth Neji felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. All the names he had mentioned had children about his age, more over, Hinata’s age. Hiashi did not want to marry off Hinata, was he?

A chuckle came from Hiashi as he watched the emotional reaction from the normally calm Neji. Picking up his cup of tea, Hiashi took a sip before he would once more abandon it on the table. Rising up he would wander over to one of the windows of his office. His hands would move to rest behind his back as he gazed down at the koi pond.

“Many elders said the same as you Neji, but unlike you they knew who we wished for the arrangement.” His eyes rose from the water and turned up the sky. “Hinabi, while she is strong, is too young to marry and bare children. Our next choice is Hinata. She is to the age of marriage. The Hyuugan blood is strong in her, but lack of self confidence makes her weak.” Bowing his head as he closed his eyes, Hiashi would sigh, “I partly blame myself for that with how cold I was to her. I pushed her too hard. Never the less, she is a Hyuuga.”

Rising to his feet, Neji felt a little ill about the news. Hinata and Naruto marrying? This just would not do. Even though he had a high respect for the boy, it was still Naruto of all people.

“Hiashi-sama, I do not think pairing the two of them would be wise. What of the Nara blood line?” Neji seemed to offer up Shikamaru easily. Compared to Naruto, Shikamaru would be a god-sent.

Hiashi shook his head idly, “While he is a genius, he is lazy and has no ambition like most of the Nara Family. There is one we have chosen and it is not Naruto.”

Standing there for a long moment Neji seemed to feel that Hiashi had a flare for suspense, or just enjoyed keeping him in it. Standing there with his back straight and waiting for Hiashi to inform him who the person was they chose. ‘Great they have picked someone uncouth baka I am going to have to watch over.” Neji thought to himself as he groaned inwardly.

“We have chosen…“, Hiashi turned away from the window to face Neji. A smile found it way onto his stoic face. “You.” He did not flinch nor was he jesting as those words fell upon Neji.

On the other hand, Neji took a moment. Believing his ears had deceived him, the young man shook his head. “Forgive me, but who did you say?” He stood there practically holding his breath. HE was certain he had misunderstood his Uncle.

“The Elders and I have decided you will be the one to marry Hinata. As I explained before, the Hyuuga kekkei genkai has been diluted. With the marriage of the two of you will produce an heir of pure Hyuugan blood.” Hiashi waltzed away from the window and towards the potentially new head of the Main House.

Neji felt his stomach turn at the thought of him being forced into marriage. “Hinata is my cousin. We are blood related…we - we cannot. Such a union would be frowned upon by the village.” Surely this would snap some sense into his Uncle.

The man had come to stand before Neji. Reaching out a hand would be placed upon the young Hyuuga’s shoulder.

“Neji, here in Konoha it is not as taboo as you think. It was how the kekkei genkai came about. Times have changed and for years we have allowed members of the family to marry out of love,” Hiashi’s hand fell to his side. “The two of you are the closest related. Since your Father and I were twins, in many ways the two of you are like half siblings. Why do you think Hinata always calls you big brother?” Stepping back he would move back to his pillow behind the table. Lifting his hand Hiashi would let them rest on his knees. “Think of it this way Neji, once you marry Hinata your seal will be removed and on top of it all you will become the Head of the Clan.”

A chord was finally struck with Neji. The offer of such a position of power in the house was hard to turn down, even the removal of the damn seal on his forehead. Then again, marrying Hinata? His own lovely cousin? One word hit him, lovely. She was indeed lovely and each passing day she grew to look more and more like her mother. Neji closed his eyes as he turned his head away from Hiashi.

“Do I actually have a choice in the matter?” He just had to inquirer.

Hiashi frowned at Neji’s words, “If it is not you, it will be Naruto. Though let me tell you this. If you deny this once in a life time offer your life will be less than pleasant.” His eyes would narrow sharply at Neji really giving him no option. Of course there was a choice: Marry Hinata and have power, or deny the marriage and face a life of misery.

“Then I accept.” Neji could feel his jaw twitching. The one thing he could not stand was not being able to speak freely or do as he pleased. Perhaps with this marriage those things could change and he would no longer be a caged bird.

“Good.” Hiashi nodded confirming the ’deal.’ “I will begin setting up the arrangements. The wedding will be in two month’s time. This will allow Hinata and yourself time to become accustomed to the idea of being married to one another. A new wing will be built for the two of you. Oh, and you have a week to inform Hinata. If you fail to do so the offer is null and void.”

Neji stared blankly at his Uncle for a moment hearing the ultimatum. He would bow to Hiashi before turning and walking out of the office.