Prison Cells and Broken Hearts

Prison Cells and Broken Hearts - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

My eyes widen as I note that the frail and dainty letter is indeed addressed to me; my name drawn in an equally as beautiful fashion as hers...

I quickly tear open the fragile paper.

Inside I find a beautifully written letter, formed from the same ink that scrawls across the envelope.

It reads:

'Dear Nii-San,

My father has allowed me to write you a simple letter, and so I shall... I have much to say, but I will try to conform it as best I can. I love you, Neji. I always have. And always will... It breaks my heart to have to live with the knowledge of your suffering and I want only for you to still be here, at my side... I dread the day in which I shall see you yet again and I never wanted it to be that way... I want to see you alive and well, resting in my arms...

And yet I must bear witness to the consequences of our actions... Please forgive me, Nii-San... Please... I have been given a fiancée, and as my predictions stated, I feel nothing towards him... He's a nice man, but I long for you, Neji... My love is meant only for you and I remember the sound of your voice singing me a lullaby and it tears me in two...

And yet I shall promise that I will remember that lullaby. Even when the music is gone, I shall remember. Even when the ring on my finger advertises a false bondage, I shall remember. Even when I can no longer feel your eyes burning through mine looking straight past into my soul, I shall remember. Even when I crave the silk of your hair falling from your shoulder onto mine, I shall remember.

For my heart belongs only to you, and I love you as deep as the oceans may go. I shall remember for the sake of all that we had and all that shall come. For even as this tear-streaked ink begins to fade and it may shake within our grasp,

I shall remember.

With all my love,

Hinata'

She was right; the paper I now grasp does shake within my hands, and my tears now fall to mix with hers that have dried onto the page... As I refold the gentle parchment, I can feel my breath become shaky as the ripples of the still-flowing tears distort my vision. I clutch the small letter as I attempt to hold back the sob forming in the back of my throat, threatening to break through at any moment. It become hard to breathe as my chest tightens, my mind swimming with grief.

I never wanted it to seemingly end this way... All I've ever wanted was for her to be happy, for her to not have to bear the burden our relationship would inevitably result in... But I'd failed her. I failed her again... Now, as she said, she must bear witness to my demise. I want nothing more than to hold her, whisper in her ear hat everything would be okay in the end... But I can't, and it won't.

As Yuki turns, a dance of emotions play upon her face. "Not many prisoners get mail..." She says at a loss, striding over to lightly touch my shoulder before sighing and looking about the room for other work that must be attended to. "I'm sorry this has happened to you." Her tone sounds genuine, kind... I have not the energy to weep as I numbly stand to walk over to the cot she has prepared, ignoring the now-light sting of my back.

After quickly sweeping one end of the ward, she sets the broom aside and glances back towards me, now sitting, staring... "I hope you have a good rest, Neji." She says, not able to muster a smile as she dims the horrid light and takes her leave.