DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. XP
Author's notes: Another short fic (a drabble…) inspired after reading "Forsaken" by Hyuga Haruka and "Forbidden" by GourdBreaker. Hence, the title.
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Forbid the Forsaken
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Hinata sits behind Neji as both bow their foreheads low to the floor to pay respect to the sixteen-year-old heir of the Hyuuga clan. Supposedly, they were supposed to have an audience with Hiashi, but he has been called to the Hokage's office unexpectedly earlier that day. In the absence of the head, the successor takes over the duties until the return of the head.
This is an important meeting they have requested. Hinata is wearing her mother's kimono while Neji, for the first time, is dressed in his father's Hyuuga ceremonial robes, used for formal occasions. Hinata has a comb keeping her bangs back while Neji, in a rare occurrence, has let his hair remain unbound.
The two in front of her raised their heads and straightened their backs, the Caged Bird Seal uncovered. Hanabi feels a shiver in seeing it and feels more apprehensive in seeing her cousin and elder sister together in her presence.
"Hinata and I wish to marry by the end of the month," Neji started. Hinata is already blushing like a bride.
For a moment, Hanabi does not move as she stares at her cousin and sister.
A frown interrupts the silence of the room. "No."
Hinata grips the satin cloth of the kimono on her lap as her eyes widen along with Neji's. Neji can't utter a word; they came here to present their intention to wed, not to ask permission. Not even the head has jurisdiction over matrimonial manners of the Branch house.
Hanabi bares her gritted teeth, a display of anger as she abruptly stands. "No!" She shouts with a stomp of her feet.
"How dare you come into my presence arrogantly claiming my sister!"
Hinata has her hands covering her mouth in fear as she cannot look away from her livid sister, who is glaring accusingly at Neji as if he were a criminal. Neji is taken aback by the extreme show of strong emotion from Hanabi. Neither he nor Hinata expected this reaction.
"It's because of you!" Hanabi points an accusing finger shaking in anger at Neji before bringing two fingers together near her face.
Before Hinata can call out to Hanabi, Neji grunts in front of her, his back hunched as his hands slam to the floor.
"Did you think I would let you get away with it?!" Hanabi is seething, whispering so dangerously at Neji as he hisses from the pain in his head. Hinata is frozen by her sister's angry aura, though it isn't directed at her.
"I won't let my sister completely descend to the Branch House! She will marry a member of the Main House!" Hanabi concentrates more chakra into her hand seal and Neji can't hold the scream of agony anymore as he drops to his side, clutching his forehead.
"Don't!" Hinata finally unfreezes, as she urgently pushes herself towards Neji, who is curled on the ground at the mercy of her sister. Tears burn her vision as she cradles Neji, as she grips his hand clawing at the floor while his other claws his forehead. "Please don't do this to us, Hanabi!"
"Hanabi! Stop this at once!" The voice of their father breaks the hand seal used in maintaining the activation of the curse.
Neji is still on the ground, eyes clenched in pain. Hinata hovers over him, pushing back his hair as tears continue to trail down her cheeks while she utters inaudible whispers of comfort to Neji's ear along with her tears dropping on his cheek.
Hiashi stares at his weeping daughter, who has now leaned her forehead on his nephew's temple, shoulders racking with sobs. He diverts his eyes to his youngest daughter, who hasn't moved at all as she watches the form of her sister and cousin on the floor. Hiashi notices her fingers trembling and recognizes guilt in her confused, glassy eyes as she brings fisted hands to her temples, as if in denial of what she had done.
It is the first time Hanabi has activated the seal, and to have used it to cause her sister's anguish, the sister she had just wanted to keep...
Ah, Hanabi finally realizes just how much suffering those lines induce, finally realizes the rift it creates between bonds.
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A/n: I've always been fascinated by the relationship between Hanabi, Hinata and Neji. I noticed how my planned fics always involve interactions among the three. x_X And for some reason, after rereading this for editing, the scene of Hatori and Kana (from Fruits Basket) talking to Akito popped out. It's similar, but I didn't intend it to be like that. Oh well. This is fanfiction. Long live.
Btw, can anyone translate Kyou Ai, a NejiHina doujinshi, from Japanese to English? Please? I've been reading NejiHina doujinshi from the net, and Kyou Ai is the only one I've found up for direct download. There's not a lot out there; I've read from youtube and only a few is posted. If anyone wants or can, I'll send the three chapters through mail. Pretty please? T~T
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS WELCOMED BUT NOT FLAMES!
Flames regarding the pairing. XP