Silver-eyed Hyuuga has risen from the dead, people! Another multi-chapter NejiNaru coming your way. 3 3 3 Hope you enjoy, and please read and review! Or...eyes flash I shan't continue the story if you don't review. It's kinda meaningless to post ficcies if you have no clue whether your ficcie has been read or not.
Prologue
The inside of the building was almost too white, shimmering and glittering with the synthetic paint that coated its walls. The pure, blinding white of the room gave it a powerfully ersatz sheen which blinded all that weren't used to the maddening glare. The atmosphere was most forcefully extreme, impressing a perpetual tension on the inexperienced. Tubes, machinery; complicated technology garishly decorated the walls and rooms in macabre, spasmodic designs, interweaving and looping in lurid twists and turns.
"Yes sir, I understand. Yes…yes of course. Could I recommend a slimmer build sir? It seems to suit….yes? Of course. Right away, sir."
Of course, like any other laboratory, it was filled with scientists of all shapes and sizes. And yet…and yet, among the wide varieties of professors, scientists, and engineers, all shared one thing in common; the hard, cold eyes and abnormally stiff postures gave all a fatally eerie aura, almost as if they were androids operating on sheer apathy.
"High cheekbones and a sharp jawline are recommended. Commence with the structuring. DNA samples must be taken and observed for further progress."
The building was structured in such a way that each room led to connecting rooms, which in turn lead to a titanium-cased circular room in the center of the building. Gleaming with a ghostly sheen in the very center of the room stood a single test tube in which floated a greenish, yellow-tinted liquid and a vast web of wires.
"Progress has been completed, sir. Requesting permission to initiate the prototype."
Suddenly the whole building was devoid of activity. Scientists stopped in their tracks, every muscle strung taut with anticipation, every nerve sizzling with electricity, alert for the sign.
"Permission granted."
The edifice exploded with movement. Brows knotted, teeth clenched, minds prayed in anticipation as each and every single data article was sent to the middle room. The test tube pulsed once, twice, thrice, and then suddenly burst apart in a blinding explosion of white-hot light. It glowed, a white rod of purity, illuminating the room with a shattering burst of light. Then, as if the light were suddenly sucked down into a large, yawning vacuum, the room went dark and the whole building shut down. Moments passed; what seemed like an eternity went by, and then suddenly, ever so softly, a dim sphere of light floated in the middle of the tube, then slowly expanded to grace the room with a fluorescent glow.
"It is a success, sir."
He came, long black hair flowing like a river down his broad shoulders. Taking long, measured strides, he walked through the dizzying maze of corridors and halls until he came to a panel. Entering a series of digits, he stood back and waited as the solid metal wall slid back to reveal a darkened, enshrouded room within. Followed by a team of scientists, the man flung open the doors and stalked inside, turning on a set of lights which cast a warm, fluid glow over the room. There inside the test tube floated a large mass of white which slowly dimmed to divulge a mysterious object gently submerged in the now greenish-yellow liquid. Bubbles floated almost lazily to the top of the tank where they dissipated at the surface. Lips stretched in a ghost of a smile as the man surveyed the completed product of his years of tedious labor.
"Indeed it is a success." He pronounced. Hesitant smiles broke across a scattering of faces.
"What shall we call it, sir?" A male assistant almost the man's exact replica said in a voice containing barely restrained excitement. At this the man's mouth curved up even more, showing straight white teeth in a self-satisfied smirk.
"He will be named Hyuuga Neji, in honor of this project and our dedicated toil."
The entire building burst into an explosion of sound as each and every single person let out a cross between a professional sound of approval and a wild, unrestrained whoop of elation. The male assistant, basking in the glory of success, handed the man a small, compact device with a single button in the middle.
"Hiashi-sama, as the director of this experiment," and here he paused for breath, "we feel that you should have the honor of activating him yourself." A warm, boiling feeling of fulfillment filled the man's whole being as he took the device. After a long glance at the small, smooth box, he lifted one callused finger and depressed the red circle in the middle.
The liquid swayed, then quickly drained out of the tube as levers slowly lowered the figure to the bottom of the tank. The glass retracted into their crevices, and the wires retracted into the test tube's frame set into the ceiling. Glossy midnight tresses hung lank around the figure as it lay solitary on the floor of the tank, curled into a fetal position. Sinews and muscle ran taut, intertwining down long, alabaster arms curled around long, lean legs and rigid thighs which connected to a slim, slender waist. The torso was wondrously sculpted, leading to a long, pale neck that connected to a porcelain-hued face that exposed high, finely-etched cheekbones and a sharp jawline. Ebony lashes contrasted against the stark paleness of the skin. The eyebrows were delicately fashioned, elegantly arched near the end, and the nose was smooth and unblemished by any hook or fault. All this Hyuuga Hiashi took in as he silently surveyed his creation.
The figure stirred. Brows came together as he lifted his head, then smoothed out again as he opened magnificent, opalescent eyes. Lips parted as he breathed his first breath. He lifted his head to gaze blankly at his surroundings before stepping unsteadily down from the raised metal pedestal. Strands of obsidian hair draped like a silk curtain from his shoulders and down to mid-knee as he shakily regained his balance. Hyuuga Neji looked up through long, ebony lashes up at his creators and spoke his first words in a honey-smooth baritone that sent pleasurable chills rippling throughout those in the room.
"What…am I?" Hiashi's smile widened in response.
"You are the creation of our labor, the fruit of our efforts. You are Hyuuga Neji, a prototype of the very epitome of a superior human being. We will be running several tests on you before releasing you to interact with other humans, during which we will be documenting your behavior and the behavior of those around you." The man's twin leaned over to Hiashi and spoke in a muted whisper.
"Are you sure it's safe to tell him all of this, sir? He still is very unpredictable, and he might not take well to the information we're giving him. On top of that, since he is superior to even us, he might easily overpower us." He whispered fiercely. Hiashi reassured him.
"I will have made sure he is completely loyal to us in any way we choose. Have no fear of that, Hizashi." He said with mild confidence, then made his way towards the figure before him, extending his arm and placing one large hand on one slim-sculpted shoulder.
"You begin tomorrow, Neji. Where better to interact with other people other than a school, yes? You are young enough; I do think it will suit your needs. Tomorrow you will be enrolled in Monokuromu University as a sophomore. You have all the necessary information as well as a few extra pieces knowledge already inputted into your mind. Or course, you will need to develop your social skills and get used to the conditions, but I'm placing my absolute confidence in that. And starting tomorrow as well, you will live in the Semaruku apartment complex about two miles from the university. We have already set up your lodgings as well." At Neji's comprehensive nod, Hiashi added a subsequent warning.
"Also…don't forget yourself. No matter how temptingly deceptive your surroundings may be, keep a level head and be sure to think each decision you make over carefully. I've stationed my brother Hizashi as a mentor to you in case you have anything you wish to discuss. He will be lodging in the apartment across from yours." He said matter-of-factly. Neji slightly inclined his head in a show of respect.
"It will be as you wish." He said gravely.
"And know this," Hiashi's eyes glittered as he spoke his next words.
"I am your creator. I was the one who gave you life; I was the one who made it possible for you to exist. Without me, you would have never been able to come into existence. You are to swear undying loyalty to me, your creator, for giving you the grace to live your life. You are to do as I say, when I ask." He said in a voice that seemed magnified by the sheer intensity of the words.
He watched in silent trepidation as Neji considered the notion, knowing one wrong move would provoke actions which would perhaps be disastrous. Opalescent eyes gleamed with thought; finally he sank into a bow.
"It will be as you wish."
Later that Evening
Hizashi's scarcely controlled elation seemed to bleed through his skin as he walked with a light buoyancy to the apartment complex, leading Neji onwards at a brisk pace. The Hyuuga followed easily, walking with fluid strides alongside the other man. After the audience with Hiashi, Hizashi had quickly dressed Neji in a pale, white, collared shirt with the barest tint of turquoise and a sleek pair of midnight black pants. A white ribbon held hostage Neji's long curtain of hair, binding up the glorious locks a third of the way down his back. The Hyuuga now observed the regal building of his apartment complex with muted curiosity.
"Which floor am I to reside on?" He asked the other man. Hizashi tossed him a set of keys with a fluid flick of his wrist, which Neji obligingly caught on his index and middle fingers.
"Seventeenth floor, apartment 77A." Hizashi responded, then led the younger Hyuuga to the lobby where the check-in was quickly performed. Loading his companion into the elevator, Hizashi opened the doors at the seventeenth floor and proceeded down to the apartment.
"Here we are. I'm right across from you, so if you ever need anything, my door is always open." He said with mild hospitality and ushered Neji inside, closing the door behind him.
Alone inside the apartment, Neji performed a quick, sweeping survey of his surroundings. The windows stretched from the ceiling to the floor and doubled as sliding doors to the balcony outside. The kitchen was sparse and well-tiled, and the living room was tastefully furnished. Paintings hung from the walls, and a dresser and a mirror were propped up next to the flourishing plant that added greenery to the apartment. Neji unexpectedly felt a smile grace his lips, then recoiled a little, partially shocked. He'd never experienced a feeling like this before…and then he recalled Hiashi saying something of different…emotions, was it? Silently he numbered them off in his mind. There was happiness, sadness, anger, confusion…there were a lot more, but Hiashi had told him he'd eventually experience them as he developed. Pale fingers touched his mouth in brief thought, then Neji shook it off and went to unpack and organize the suitcases Hizashi had provided him with.
After neatly organizing everything into his bedroom and living room, Neji looked around, feeling quite…what was the word? He wracked his mind for the appropriate word to describe what he was feeling…satisfied. Yes, that was it. He was satisfied with his work. A faint smile touched his mouth, and on impulse, Neji gave in to exhaustion and allowed his body to drop onto the surprisingly comfortable cream-colored couch. His head tilted back and he slept, giving into a deep, dreamless sleep.
So, what doth thou think so far? Good? Bad? In between? Please review, onegai shimasu!