Chapter 5: Reason to Hate

Hizashi woke with a gasp.

"AARH!", he moaned sitting up. His entire body ached from the roots of his hair to the tips of his toe-nails. So this was the true extent of damage of the caged bird seal.

"Awake at last, are we Hizashi?", rasped the erstwhile lord Hyuga.

"Chichi-ue.", said Hizashi in a wooden tone.

"You can drop that annoying tone of voice, boy.", snarled the old man in uncharacteristic annoyance, "Do you want to tell me what happened at the ceremony?"

"I would rather not, father.", Hizashi snarled back, "You were present at the ceremony. You saw the whole affair."

He seethed at his father's condescending tone.

"I would still like your statement regarding this debacle. ",continued the old man.

"...", Hizashi kept his sullen silence.

"You dissapoint me, boy.", said the old man sadly.

"I am not your 'boy', father. I stopped being your 'boy' when you placed this symbol on my forehead.", said Hizashi quietly.

"I always knew that you resented me for choosing Hiashi as my successor. I could see the hate in your eyes when I placed that seal on you"

"And you expected that I would be happy with the fate you imposed on me?", said Hizashi bitterly.

"No I had hoped you would be strong enough to bear this burden.", said old Lord Hyuga sighing.

"I don't mind you torturing me, forcing me to be my brother's servant, or even killing me if it suits the clan!", hissed Hizashi, "But I'll be damned if I allow anyone, be it the council, be it that bastard who I used to call brother, to lay their grubby paws on my SON! You will NOT force the fate of the caged bird on Neji!", he said finally.

Old lord Hyuga just shook his head sadly. He wished he could have HIS younger son back.

-x-

Hiashi sat at the heated discussion in the Hyuga clan's conference hall.

"Regarding the matter of Hyuga Hizashi's treachery.", began the old man.

"I'd hardly call the violence commited by a man trying to protect his son, 'treachery' " countered another council member.

"Regarless!", baritoned another,"The fact that he harboured malice against lord Hyuga is enough to warrant activation if the seal for six hours!"

Hiashi looked on helplessly. He opened his mouth several times to defend his brother but the council members would hear none of it. He also wanted a chance to explain how the seal was refusing to settle on Neji, thus causing him pain far beyond that in a normal sealing ceremony.

"Please! Stay your tongues. I believe we need to hear lord Hyuga's opinion regarding the matter."

The elders turned to Hiashi

"The reason my brother Hyuga Hizashi attacked me is because he felt that I was deliberately trying to harm his son...", began Hiashi.

"And was lord Hyuga deliberately trying to harm Hyuga Neji of the branch House

Hiashi looked at the wisened old man and said slowly, "No my lord, I was not. It would appear, that the seal did not want to settle on the boy. Mayhap his chakra signature is unsuited for the caged bird seal."

"And this caused Hyuga Hizashi to lose his mind and attack you?"

"Yes. It did.", said Hiashi.

"So what should be his punishment?"

"I believe that a simple house arrest should be enough. Though after his seal activated and enfoeced by more than one person, he will not be able to leave his bed for some time.", said Hiashi.

"And what of the boy?"

"He is to remain under tha care of my family physician.", said Hiashi in a tone that discouraged dissent.

"Such preferential treatment? For a mere branch house member?"

"He is also my nephew. And I do have to take responsibility since I am the reason that he is in such a condition.", said Hiashi.

-x-

Hinata looked woefully at Neji's unconscious form.

"Haha-ue...", she said, "Why did lord father hurt Neji-kun?"

Hanako gripped the unconscious boy's hand tightly.

"It was an accident Hinata,", she lied. She was certain that Hiashi had just lashed out at the first thing that Hizashi held dear.

Neji's eyes were covered in bandages. His body was burning up in a raging fever. His breathing was shallow.

Hanako's heart clenched at how close Neji was to being killed.

She felt tears prick her eyes but she hastily wiped them off before Hinata could see them.

Her daughter was disturbingly perceptive. She understood when she was lied to. Hanako took a minute to contemplate her daughter. It was said that Hinata resembled her greatly. She was small and dainty, she had a pleasantly round face with large doe eyes and rosy cheeks. She had lustrous black hair which was shorn in a boyishly bowl-cut fashion. Although 'boyish' was the last thing she was. She was quiet and painfully shy. Hiashi forbade her from playing with the other main-house children.

"Mother, will Neji-kun be alright?", she asked quietly.

"Neji-nii san. He's your Neji-nii san. Always remember that. Otou-san will say many things, Hinata, but never forget that Neji-nii is family. He may be your protector, Hinata, but at times, you will have to protect him."

"Hai, Okaa-san!", said Hinata launching into her lap in a hug.

Hanako caressed her head fondly tightening her grip on Neji's hand.

-x-

Hizashi tried for the upteenth time to pry at the lock on the door. He was being imprisoned in one of the corner rooms of the Hyuga main-family compound. He was using a hairpin to lift the tumblers of the lock on his door.

"You know that's useless.", Hiashi said from across the door.

"Buggeration and fuckery...", muttered Hizashi under his breath and then spoke to Hiashi from across the door, "How long have you been outside the door?"

"Such foul language, brother! It is unbecoming of a Hyuga.", Hiashi couldn't resist that dig.

"Well, ha ha! The joke is on me.", said Hizashi voice dripping with bitterness.

"Hizashi, please go back to bed. Don't make this into more of an issue than it already is.", said Hiashi wearily.

"LET ME SEE MY SON!", Hizashi roared, voice hoarse with anguish.

"Neji's recovering. The doctor said that he'll be able to leave the bed in two days.", lied Hiashi effortlessly.

"What happened to him?", asked Hizashi quietly.

"Neji has an extremely volatile chakra nature. It would appear that the Caged Bird seal does not agree with it. Hence the abnormal chakra flares. Also, the chakra-coils around his eyes... There is extensive damage there... His byakugan activated spontaneously draining him of the excess chakra and causing him to lose consciousness. He has been advised to keep his eyes covered until his chakra coils have had time to repair themselves."

Hisashi waited for his brother to respond but no response came.

Hiashi sighed to himself and left.

-x-

It was pitch black darkness. There wasn't a single speck of light, there was no sond, Neji could not even hear his heartbeat. Only the burning pain proving to Neji that he still existed.

"It hurts doesn't it, boy."

"Who's there?!", Neji tried to scream. With a jolt of panic, he realised that he couldn't hear his voice.

"I am the seal, I am your cage.", replied the voice, "I am going to stay in you from now on."

There was an eerie pause, "Now. Let's try to get along.", said the voice with nauseating sweetness.

"I want my father. Please let me go to my father.", Neji said trying to remain calm. Again, he couldn't hear his voice.

"You'll see him soon enough, boy."

Neji could hear someone calling his name faintly. He woke up with a jolt of pain shooting up his eyes. Through the rust coloured bandages, he could make out faint outines of someone standing at his bed.

"Father?", he croaked.

"You are awake, boy? It is me, lord Hiashi."

"Hiashi sama.", Neji muttered quietly.

"How are you feeling? How're your eyes?", he asked in an emotionless tone.

"It doesn't hurt as much then, Hiashi sama.", said Neji, "And my eyes have stopped hurting."

"Hmph! Take care of those eyes boy. They will be your greatest weapon someday."

"Hai, Hiashi sama.", said Neji brightening at Hiashi's gruff approval.

"Lady Hyuga, wait! Lord Hiashi has instructed not to allow...", said footman outside Neji's door.

"Out of my way, you!", admonished Hanako barging into the room. She didn't look at Hiashi at first and launched herself on Neji, holding him in a tight embrace.

"Neji! You're alright! Thank the Gods, you're alright!", said Hanako.

"ummm... thank you my lady.", said Neji feebly, " But who are you?"

Hanako smoothed out Neji's hair, tucking an errant lock behind his ears. Neji shifted uncomfortably at a stranger's overly familiar touch.

"I am Hyuga Hanako... I am your aunt?", said Hanako smiling brightly.

"Did you know my mother?", asked Neji eagerly.

"Yes, I knew her. I played with her when we were your age..."

Hiashi cleared his throat loudly, "My lady wife... I believe we should let Neji get his rest."

Hanako's sunny smile disappeared the instant she saw her husband.

Her eyes became hard points of ice.

"My lord I am sure you have many matters to attend to. Please don't let Neji hinder you in your work. I shall be leaving in a short while."

Hiashi flinched at her frigid tone but left without saying anything.

-x-

Hizashi was released from the house arrest two days later. However before he could go to his son, the Hokage summoned him for an A-class assassination mission in the Wave country. Because of lady Hanako's persuation, Neji was not allowed to leave the main Hyuga compound. Thus, Neji began his life of service to the Hyuga main family. His training continued with the Main House children. All the main house children were all able to activate a full byakugan. Even timid Hinata.

Higurashi was training Neji alone to activate his Byakugan.

"You, Branch House! What did I say? Activate your Byakugan!"

"H-hai", Neji stuttered nervously, doing as he was asked. Immediately his head started throbbing.

Neji didn't understand what he was seeing. All colour and shape seemed to be warped.

"Tell me, what do you see?"

"I-I can't see anything. Just hazy outlines. Hi-Higurashi sama... my eyes hurt.", said Neji

"Bear with it!", said Higurashi impatiently,"Don't you want to be strong, boy? You have to be very strong to protect lady Hinata. And you will never be strong unless you activate your Byakugan."

Neji sank to his knees in pain, still valiantly trying to focus his Byakugan.

"Yarey Yarey... Stop. I think if I show you how powerful it is, you'll get enough motivation to master it."

Neji released his painful Byakugan with a gasp.

"Kazuma.", Higurashi called an older child, "Come here. I want you to fight little Neji here. Don't start right away with Byakugan and Juuken, warm up with basic Tai-jutsu first.

Neji brightened at this. He was good at Taijutsu.

Kazuma nodded his head and sank into a fighting stance.

Without preamble Neji attacked him, aiming straight for the solar plexus with an open-fisted jab. Kazuma quickly stepped back to avoid the overwhelming barrage of palm-thrusts. Neji attacked him relentlessly forcing him to fight defensive.

Neji increased the intensity of his attacks by adding some knee and elbow jabs to his barrage of palm-thrusts. Not being quick enough to avoid his attacks, Kazuma was began to block them. Neji swung his leg in a sweeping kick, throwing Kazuma on his back.

"Alright, that's enough. Stop. Now Kazuma, activate the Byakugan and continue your sparring."

Kazuma smirked in condescension before standing up and activating his Byakugan. Neji scoffed inwardly. So? He can use Byakugan. So what? No one from the branch house could beat me even with their Byakugan activated.

Neji attacked him immediately. Kazuma countered his palm thrust and tapped a nerve on his wrist. Neji gasped in pain as a sharp needle of pain shot through his wrist instantly rendering his hand numb and immobile. Neji quickly jumped beside him in his blind side but he couldn't escape the elbow thrust that knocked him off his feet.
"Juuken.",he gasped, shaking his injured hand.

"No, Branch House boy, Kazuma simply touched a nerve. If he used Juuken, you have had a broken hand by now.", scoffed Higurashi in contempt.

"I am not Branch House boy. My name is Neji. My father said that calling people names is rude.", Neji said nervous defiance.

"Hah! Learn to activate your Byakugan, you Branch House fool; before you talk back to Higurashi sama!", snarled Kazuma.

"Stop calling me Branch House! My name is Neji!", said Neji enraged as he rushed in to attack Kazuma with a raised fist.

Kazuma caught his blow easily and tossed him off his feet.

"You know what? I know your father. My father said that your father attacked Hiashi sama. He's a traitor!"

"Shut up! My father is Hero of Konoha and the Hyuga!", screamed Neji.

"Alright! That's enough you two...", shouted Higurashi.

The other children quickly joined in.

"Hey! Your father attacked Hiashi sama. He is a disgrace on the Hyuga."

"Your father will be banished from the Hyuga."

Hinata glanced at them worriedly. She knew she had to defend Neji but she was too scared to say anything.

"Ano... Please don't say these things. It's not nice.", she muttered in vain.

The main house children started attacking him. Neji fought valiantly but soon he was prone on the ground and on the recieving end of numerous blows.

Hinata tried desperately to pull some of the attackers off Neji. One rather powerful shove threw her off them.

"Don't hurt him!", she wailed while the boys hit Neji.

"Don't you dare talk back to us, branch house scum!"

"Trash like you and your father should be banished."

Higurashi didn't interupt the fighting but calmly waited. The common Hyuga law was that when children fight among themselves, they were to be allowed to fight it out and spend their aggression. All admonishments and penalty meeted out after the fighting had stopped.

"Who're you calling scum, brats.", came a glacial baritone.

Hyuga Hizashi materialised in front Higurashi. The old man gasped in astonishment. Hizashi's chakra signature appeared out of the blue, without any warning.

The main house boys quickly retreated from Neji's foetal form. Hizashi crouched beside Neji and quietly activated his Byakugan checking Neji for any damage.

He lifted his eyes and looked hard at the cowering band of Main House Hyuga boys. He opened his pearl white eyes wide and said in a low even voice, "I do not know why, you boys have done this. I do not even want to know. However let me be very clear... You are never to touch my son again. Do not give me a reason to hate you, brats."

Kazuma shook violently in fear, but a fledgling Hyuga pride flared up in him and he said nervously.

"You think, you can just make threats to Main House members with impunity? My father is a member of the Hyuga council. They'll use that curse mark on you, if you lift a finger on us.", he said nervously shifting under Hizashi's cold stare.

"What's your name, brat?", asked Hizashi.

"Ka-Kazuma Hyuga.", kazuma said puffing his chest out in quickly wilting bravado.

"Well, Kazuma, ask your father this... Ask him how many Main House members it required to subdue me with the cursed seal. Don't get too complacent brat. Tell you father that too."

"Hizashi, that's enough! I will have to ask you to stop terrorising my students.", said Higurashi.

"And I will have to ask you, sensei, to watch out for my son. It is your job to train him. If I find you unfit for the job, I will have to supervise his training myself.", Hizashi said with barely concealed malice.

"Watch your tone, Hizashi. I too know the hand mudras of the cursed seal.", snarled Higurashi to his former pupil.

"Why don't you try activating it.", taunted Hizashi.

Higurashi pressed his lips and didn't reply.

Hizashi scoffed and said, "I thought so."