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The Red Light District	By : antagonist Category: Naruto > General Views: 1979 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
The Red Light District by arichang (v.arianne@gmail.com)

Genres: Romance, Angst, Tragedy

Pairings: Sasuke/Naruto, Neji/Hinata, mentions of miscellaneous others

Warnings: Shounen-ai, yaoi, incest, adult themes, angst, lemon, language

Disclaimer: Characters and names all belong to their respective owners.
Language Notes

a kunoichi is a female ninja
- - -
CHAPTER FIVE – REMEMORY
Memories are troublesome things.
Though they existed in one’s mind, the irony is that one cannot really control them. They always ran out on you whenever you wished to recall them… and yet always had that nasty habit of returning whenever you wanted to forget them.
They are just as easily lost, as they are easily made… and easily remembered whenever something triggers them.
As Hinata sat in front of Neji now, she wished more than anything to stop her mind from its persistent reminiscing.
But… how did you know…?
He sat in front of her, drinking his tea, his mind seemingly somewhere other than present in the now. She couldn’t help her eyes from occasionally glancing at his face which was somewhat unfamiliar because of his alien black eyes; but handsome still, nonetheless.
I’ve seen you two around... I’m not blind you know...
And as she sat there... she couldn’t help but remember.
Tenten-san, Neji-niisan doesn’t know that you’re—
I know. Though, really, it doesn’t matter.
She wished she could.
“Hinata-chan!” Inuzuka Kiba shouted, Akamaru barking beside him. The pedlar boy was making his usual rounds and had stopped in front of the Hyuuga compound, hoping to catch Hinata while she was taking a break from her training.
“Kiba-kun!” she greeted, hoisting herself up and sticking her head above the compound fence—a rather amazing feat considering the fence was at least ten-feet tall... but it wasn’t something that was impossible for a kunoichi in training. “Akamaru! How are you?”
“Okay, I guess,” the dark-haired boy grinned his signature grin, “how about you?”
Hinata paused, but smiled. “I’m alright.”
“You look awfully tired for someone who’s alright.”
Hinata looked away for a moment, unsure how to respond.
“That Neji bastard giving you a hard time again?”
She looked pointedly at Kiba. “Do not call Neji-niisan a bastard. He’s a respectable—”
“—Head of the Family,” Kiba finished her sentence impatiently. “Yeah, yeah. I know, I know. You’ve told me plenty of times.”
She blushed for a second before pouting at him. “I don’t understand why you hate him so...”
“Maybe the fact that he’s always picking on you is a good reason—”
“But, he doesn’t pick on me... he’s training me and training is—”
“—important. Yeah, I know,” he sighed impatiently, crouching down and patting Akamaru on the head. “I just... I don’t know... dislike the way he’s always so close to you and shit. And he makes you cry too...”
“... I cry because I’m weak.”
“Stop defending the bastard. It’s kinda annoying.”
“Kiba-kun...”
“Hinata-sama,” a familiar voice called out to her from behind. “I do not think your taijutsu session for today is complete...”
“See?” Kiba insisted as he suddenly began to rummage through his bag. “What’s with that weird way he calls you sama. I mean seriously, it’s a little freaky... don’t you think?”
Honestly, Hinata couldn’t agree more. But, rather than freaky... it was just plain inappropriate.
“Kiba-kun,” she said, getting ready to jump down, “I’ve to go...”
Of course, she wasn’t going to tell Kiba that. It wasn’t her place to make any such comments about the Heir.
“Wait!” Kiba shouted, finding whatever it was he was looking for in his bag full of merchandise. “Think you can escape tonight? I hear the fireworks at the festival are supposed to be amazing.”
He tossed something at her. Hinata caught the small pouch and upon opening it, saw two beautiful silk ribbons.
“And I think these ribbons would go amazingly well with that light blue yukata you have,” he pointed to his hair, “just tie it here or something.”
“Wow,” she gasped, “I can’t take these...” She knew silk was expensive. “These must cost a fortune and—”
“No kidding!” Kiba laughed. “But I’m giving them to you. So you better show up.”
She wanted to but—
“Kiba-kun...”
“Hinata-sama,” Neji’s voice sounded once again, this time closer... and this time more like an order.
“Better go before your slave-driver of a cousin gets angry,” Kiba rolled his eyes.
Hinata couldn’t help but smile at his concern.
“I’m sorry. I doubt I’ll be able to make it tonight.”
She saw Kiba look disappointed before once again disappearing behind the Hyuuga fence.
Life at the Hyuuga compound was neither boring, nor particularly interesting. It just was.
Generation after generation came and go, each member fulfilling his or her own duties; sons and daughters swearing eternal filial loyalty; and fathers and mothers sacrificing arm and leg for the better good of the family—it was a simple idea, but not one that was easily accomplished. For Hyuuga Hinata, Second Daughter of the Branch Family, she had one purpose in life... and that was to be a potential wife to some cousin or other. At least, it was so in the very beginning.
However, when Hinata started showing potential in becoming a kunoichi, Hiashi-sama of the Main Family showed deep interest. Eventually, the idea of her becoming the bride in an arranged marriage dwindled. This was, of course, a topic of intrigue for many of the old and idle ladies of the compound. Why, in heaven’s name, would the Head of the Family be interested in a small girl who showed but the smallest potential?
Hinata’s father, together with his twin brother, supported Hinata in her endeavours. She was, admittedly, a slow learner... however, she was a hard worker and she refused to give up easily. It was a surprise to everyone when Neji-sama himself offered to help train her after school hours... on top of training with the others. The obvious favouritism for Hinata was a cause of jealousy for many, but at the same time, it was also a cause for fear. Though she was secretly detested by those who found it unfair that a mere daughter from a Branch Family would be so favoured, none dared directly challenge her for fear of the consequences.
Neji-sama himself was particularly fond of her... or at least, that was what Hinata had heard. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure where that particular misconception had come from. As far as she was concerned, Neji looked at her with eyes that were all-knowing and condescending. Every time he looked at her, she felt as if he was tearing her apart and analyzing every bit and piece of her whole being... she felt naked and intimidated, often scared.
A part of her wished he would stop looking at her so.
“Hinata-sama,” Neji was saying, eyeing her seriously. “You must take your training a little more seriously.”
Her eyes failed to meet his as she positioned herself, ready to spar.
“I think you might be spending too much time with that Inuzuka boy.”
She still didn’t respond.
“He’s but a pedlar and it really isn’t—”
“—appropriate?” Hinata completed. Neji looked at her, slightly taken aback at her sudden outspokenness. She didn’t usually respond. “Why does social standing matter so much to you, Neji-niisan? I do not think that just because he is ‘but a pedlar’ is a good enough reason for me not to befriend him. Kiba-kun is a very nice boy.”
Neji regarded her. “All he did was help you pick up the beans you’d dropped that day while you were shopping.”
“And that was far more than what many others had done—everyone else just walked right by.”
“One person does one kind deed, and you think he’s a saint.”
“That is not a very fair judgement.”
Neji smiled. She hated that smile—it was a smile that said he knew everything. “You are really fond of this boy, aren’t you?”
Hinata blinked. “He is a good friend.”
“Yes,” Neji said, finally positioning himself as well. “It is not often that you would talk so openly—however, whenever the topic of Inuzuka Kiba comes along, you seem to have a lot to say.”
Hinata faltered, suddenly realizing what Neji was insinuating. “B-but... that’s only because you would always—”
“Enough. Now, we spar.”
She had refused Kiba’s offer because she had agreed to train with Neji the whole night. They were scheduled to show their Fathers her progress tomorrow and Neji wanted to make sure she did well. Of course, he never said this out loud... but Hinata knew it was what he meant by ordering her to train with him.
Hinata did not dislike her cousin. In fact, something about Neji drew her in. Perhaps it was the graceful way he moved when practising taijutsu; perhaps it was his long, smooth black hair that fascinated her; or maybe it was the way he seemed to see right through her, no matter how hard she tried to hide her true feelings... whatever it was, something about him interested her, and she wished to know him more and more. Unfortunately, they lived in two different worlds. All she could do was watch him from afar.
She did not know why... but she knew, there was something more behind that icy stone facade he put up for everyone to see. After all, she had seen it countless times before—his kindness, his gentleness. When they were younger, he had been more open and friendly. She remembered it all—the way he would stubbornly ask her to play with him... the way he insisted they were equal. When he came of age, he suddenly grew more distant. It was only during their training sessions that he would talk normally with her—at least, in the fashion that was considered “normal” for him.
“Do you like fireworks, Hinata-sama?”
Hinata opened her eyes and turned to her right. Neji was staring at the skies above, watching the faint pinks and oranges as the sun ended its journey across the dome. They were resting after a particularly intense sparring session, and both were considerably exhausted.
“Yes,” she responded quietly, thinking of Kiba’s invitation and the ribbons he’d given her, “I do.”
“I think you’ve improved quite a bit. Chichi-ue and ouji-sama will be pleased.”
She smiled at the rare compliment. “I... I hope so.”
“Perhaps we can go to the festival.”
Her eyes widened. Did she hear what she just thought she heard?
“You’ve worked hard and it really would be pointless if you exhausted yourself tonight.”
“Neji-niisan...”
“You don’t have to go if you rather not,” he said, looking at her now. “It was only a suggestion.”
She shook her head, a smile forming. “No, Neji-niisan, I’d love to,” she replied, meaning every word. “I’d really, really love to.”
The next day, Hizashi-sama, Hinata’s Father, was unable to meet his daughter and nephew.
The cause of death was an accident that involved two automobiles crashing into each other; and just like that, Hyuuga Hizashi’s life was cut short. He was cremated, and his ashes were kept in a jar to be locked away in some hidden room in a secret house somewhere in the Hyuuga compound. The ceremony itself was as short and simple as it was sudden. Only a few members of the family were present, and no one shed a tear.
Not even Hinata.
Most probably because she’d shed most of them the night before, in secret.
And she couldn’t stand to look weak in front of the most important people in the Hyuuga family—particularly Hiashi-sama who had been much like a second father to her all this time.
And Neji-niisan was there too.
So, as they took away her father’s ashes, and as she lost the last of her family, she promised herself to hold back the tears that were fighting to come out.
“Hinata-sama...?”
“Neji-niisan!” she gasped, frantically wiping her face, trying to get rid of tale-telling tearstains. “What are you doing here so late?”
Why? Why had she decided to sit in the garden?
“I should be asking you the same thing.”
Hinata did not answer, but stood up instead, hoping the darkness was enough to hide her sad face.
“I... wanted to take a walk.”
“You couldn’t sleep?”
She hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth. Lying to Neji would’ve been useless. “No, I couldn’t.”
“Me neither,” was his unexpected response. “I still can’t believe Hizashi-oujisama is... gone.”

The sentiment brought tears to Hinata’s eyes again and she cursed her weakness.
“He was... a very kind man.” Hinata knew he meant it. He was very loving toward Neji.
“Yes, he was,” she said, feeling her tears returning. “I... shall be retiring now, Neji-niisan.”
She couldn’t be seen. He’d be disgusted with her.
“Hinata—”
“Oyasuminasai.” Good Night.
A hand grabbed hers in the dark.
“You don’t have to pretend to be strong all the time,” it was a mere whisper. “Great kunoichi or not, you’re still human.”
Fighting her tears was getting harder.
“You don’t have to be caged by the Hyuuga family too. As far as you’re concerned, it doesn’t matter what chichi-ue says.”
“Neji-niisan...”
“It’s okay to cry.”
So, she did.
That night, Hyuuga Hinata cried on Hyuuga Neji’s shoulders. Neji held her as she slowly fell asleep in his arms, and she never felt so protected before. It was a scene that would’ve have caused the Elders to gasp and the ladies to collapse in a fit of idle gossip. However, Hinata did not care.
It had been a long time since she was held that way.
When Hyuuga Hinata woke the next morning, she was in her room, in her futon... and alone.
And thus, the years passed.
No one really knew much about the strange, green-clad and fuzzy-eyebrowed man that often came to visit. He introduced himself simply as a Chinese man named Lee. Apparently, Lee-san and the Hyuuga Heir had met each other while Neji was on a business trip in China. Lee was, at the time, coincidentally thinking of visiting Japan to see an old friend of his, and the two of them journeyed together. Neji, being the political Hyuuga that he was, invited Lee to stay at the Hyuuga residence—Lee was, after all, an important heir to a relatively influential Chinese textiles company. Though the rather loud and obnoxious man had refused the kind offer, he visited the Hyuuga compound regularly to “talk” to Heir.
Apparently, he was a taijutsu enthusiast... and he found in Neji a perfect sparring partner. He would often be heard talking about his great Master as he did a round or five with Neji. The Heir never refused, and he didn’t really seem like he hated the encounters.
Hinata knew it must have been refreshing for Neji to finally meet someone outside of the family with whom he could have a real conversation with. Hinata was happy for him... and she enjoyed watching the two of them spar.
“You’re sixteen now, Neji,” Lee-san said one day. Hinata was watching them, as usual behind screen doors, hidden and in secret. “And your whole family is counting on you becoming some great heir, right?”
“Yes,” Neji looked at Lee, “that is true. Why do you mention it now?”
“It’s just a thought, but aren’t you supposed to get married? You’re considered a man now, aren’t you? You need to provide an heir.”
“I am not interested.”
“In women?” Lee laughed.
Neji ignored the insinuation. “In matrimony.”
“Oh come now,” Lee continued, “it’s the springtime of your youth, my friend. Surely, you must’ve fallen in love at least once.”
There was no answer.
“Well then, I’ll have to work on that, don’t I?”
Neji regarded him again, this time with a raised eyebrow.
“There’s someone I want you to meet... Or rather, I want your family to meet.”
As she watched them, Hinata felt something in her stomach drop.
“Is there, now.”
Why wasn’t he sounding offended?
“Yes,” Hinata could practically see the enthusiasm sparkling out of Lee-san’s eyes. “She’s an amazing girl. Great with throwing darts and shooting the pistol. And, she’s beautiful.”
“You sound like you’re trying to hook me up with someone.”
“Good,” Lee smiled. “It’d be bad if I didn’t.”
It was the day after Hinata had overheard the conversation between Lee-san and Neji. Though she was fond of the funny man, she suddenly felt a strange animosity towards him... probably for the mere idea that he would bring a complete stranger from the outside world into the Hyuuga house and dare suggest Neji-niisan to...
... not that it was any of her concern....
... in... any way. At all.
That day, she was training by herself at the back courtyard.
It was also when Hyuuga Hanabi decided to pay her a visit. The Second Daughter of the Main Family, she was Neji’s younger sister. The eleven-year-old girl was athletic and agile. It was said that she had a lot of shinobi blood in her—she was a potential kunoichi.
However, other than being exceptionally brilliant in throwing kunai’s, Hanabi-sama was known for her sharp mouth and complete lack of delicacy. She spoke her mind with little regard for the feelings of the person to whom she was speaking. Perhaps it was because of her young age and naivety, whatever it was, she had a terrible knack at making things really awkward, and oftentimes offended someone. Of course, because of her rank and her father, no one dared challenge her... regardless of the fact that she was destined for the Branch House.
The thought of her nothing being a member of the Main Family had probably never crossed her mind even once.
“Why are you trying so hard, Hinata-oneesan?”
“Hanabi-sama,” Hinata cried, slightly losing her balance as she turned to greet her cousin. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have homework?”
“Finished it already. It’s boring.”
“I see...”
“You didn’t answer my question,” she continued, picking up the nearest kunai and playing with it. Normally, one would stop a eleven-year-old girl from such an action... but the control she had on the thing was almost frightening. “Why do you train here every day? What are you trying to prove?”
“Trying to prove?” Hinata asked, reaching for the towel she’d draped on a tree branch. “What do you mean?”
“Are you trying to prove to everyone that you can be a great kunoichi? Surely, by now, you should know that they would never accept nor acknowledge you.”
Hinata paused. She knew Hanabi didn’t mean anything by what she said... but...
“I mean,” the eleven-year-old wasn’t stopping, “you’re from the Branch Family, after all.”
Hinata knew that... she didn’t need to be reminded.
“Or, maybe,” she said, throwing the kunai towards the tree she was standing next to, narrowly missing Hinata’s head, though she was not in the least fazed, “you’re trying to get someone’s attention.”
“Someone’s attention?”
Neji’s face suddenly popped into her mind out of nowhere causing her to blush slightly. It was a ridiculous thought...
“Aha!” Hanabi crowed gleefully. “I knew it!”
Hinata looked up startled. She did?
“It’s that pedlar boy isn’t it?”
Pedlar... boy...?
“Oh! Kiba-kun?” Hinata was flabbergasted.
“Yeah, him,” Hanabi nodded, “personally, I think it’s ridiculous, how Neji-oniisama is paying so much attention to him. As far as I know, since you’re from the Branch Family, it doesn’t matter who you marry. Right? It’s not like anyone cares. They only pay attention to us, the Main Family people.”
Hinata unconsciously squeezed the towel in her hand.
“It’s really stupid how everyone keeps talking about you, you know,” she said, a hint of childish indignation in her voice.
“Yes, it is, Hanabi-sama,” Hinata said quietly.
“Especially Neji-oniisama. He talks about you too much. And Father acts like he cares.”
Hinata turned around, meaning to gather her belongings and leave. She couldn’t stand much more of her.
“Does he feel guilty or something? For killing Hizashi-oujisama, I wonder...”
Hinata stilled, eyes widening at what she’d just heard. “What did you say?” she whispered, turning around to face her.
Hanabi looked taken aback. “What? You don’t know?”
“Don’t know what?”
The eleven-year-old girl looked up at her innocently. Suddenly, she smiled—a smile contained pity and amused condescension. It was as if she was pointing out to a three year old that the sky was blue and the apple was red, and not the other way around.
“That Hizashi-sama was murdered.”
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The Red Light District