Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Silver Lining ❯ Irritation ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4 :: Irritation

 

It was a shock to Neji, when he came back, when Hiashi announced Hinata's new living quarters would consist of an apartment on the other side of town. So much of a shock that Neji stopped listening to Hiashi explaining the careful placement of the apartment, how it was perfectly suitable for his ex-daughter and how the Hyuuga Clan provided for her money for her mortgage and all necessities…

 

The disbandment was that serious? To force Hinata out of the house? She used to be a main branch member, and now she's not even a Hyuuga! What disturbed Neji more than this news was the fact that he should have expected this, so why was it a shock in the first place? The perturbing thought bounced around unanswered until Hanabi's voice cut through his reflections.

 

"Why is Hinata moving out?" Hanabi had the sense to keep her voice reasonable, though Neji detected a note of unhappiness. Whether it was her sisterly warmth towards Hinata personally, or the fear of falling into Hinata's former position, he wasn't quite sure.

 

"Hanabi, Hinata is not a little girl anymore. She can live on her own quite well." It was an elder that answered this.

 

"But…but why? Did she ask to? The apartment surely couldn't be as big as the Hyuuga main house." Neji watched Hiashi's face. Was he so emotionless as to not feel a jolt of guilt, even when telling his own daughter how her sister had proved unworthy of their clan, and therefore was removed？

 

"Hinata did not ask to, but we feel this will benefit her maturing into a grown shinobi. Shinobi do not rely on their parents, and must get used to isolation in many cases." Hiashi's face gave no hint for any emotion he might be feeling, and his voice was smooth and unbroken. Hanabi bowed at this response, and Neji couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if Hanabi was the one gone. As the older sister, Hinata would have probably opposed letting Hanabi move out or be disbanded at all. Though it was a little hard to imagine Hinata speak out against her own father, being the way she was…but no. Neji pushed that thought away. He mustn't think of Hinata being so weak and helpless. Hadn't she found the will to curb her habit of giving up when she faced him? She was certainly brave enough to speak her mind that time…

 

The image of her fallen form flashed through his mind, and he recalled her tears realized with a start how torn she must really be. The little confidence she had gained so painstakingly and at such a high price was to no avail. Her family did not learn about this nor witness it, they had only received news that Neji won the match. They thought she was still the terrified little girl she was before, with no tenacity to do anything. Neji had found his anger towards the cruelty of the main branch misdirected when Hiashi revealed that his father died of his own choosing, but now the familiar irritation returned. Why hadn't anyone bothered to watch her, to mull over the possibility she could have changed, to think past her weakness at all? They assumed she was worthless, deemed her stupid, and thus brushed the life she had lead until now away like it had never happened. All because she was never good enough for the Hyuugas, who had to be better than everyone else. All because of the Hyuugas' notion that the rest of the world must look up to them.

 

Have they pointed their noses so high that they cannot see what lies lower than them? Neji fumed in his mind as he returned to his room that night. Even the way Hiashi described it, coining it with the term "disbandment". Technically, disbandment fit as well, though they could have at least used "disown". What was she, a stack of papers? Nothing more than trash to throw away? Well, the Hyuugas may think their image is more important than a person's life, but I'll think otherwise. Hinata will have a surprise visit in a few weeks…With that last thought, he drifted off into a troubled slumber.