title: A Promise of Forever
Setting: Post-war konoha.
Pairing: Naruto and Hinata
Summary: It seems that the aftermath of the third shinobi war is a harder experience for Hinata. As she battles the hardest challenge of her life, Naruto comes in and brings forth a new light.
disclaimer: i dont own naruto. it belongs to great masashi kishimoto
The gray color of the sky acts like a mirror of what the Hyuuga Clan and the others felt at that moment - sadness, pain, and agony. There was nothing that they can do to bring back what has been lost. There was nothing that they can do to ease the pain but silently weep. They realized as they began to reach the end of the cliff that this was the end, the finish line for the great Hyuuga Neji.
Hinata was holding the urn where the remains of her cousin lie. Tears were quietly falling on her cheeks. And as every step she take, she realizes, that she's a little closer to giving the freedom her cousin longs for. Even though the loneliness that she felt at the moment was too strong it was time to let him go, to let him fly.
Her clansmen halted when they reached the end of the cliff and gave way for her. She walked toward the end of the cliff and looked around. Everything seemed to know the weight of their feelings right now. The forest and glade below was duller than she remembered. The birds were chirping a sad melody. Even the animals that were usually in the area were nowhere to be found.
Her hands were trembling as she gently opened the urn and slowly put a hand inside. She felt the smooth ashes in her hand as she clutched it. When she felt the gentle winds, she slowly raised her hand. The wind took the ashes from her open hands.
In that moment, she let her feelings take her at full force. She cried louder this time. No one knew that every time she let the winds take a part of him, the lonelier she gets.
"Neji-niisan!" she called out to him.
"I hope that... that you will be happy wherever you are." Her eyes were following where the wind took the last of his ashes from her hands.
"Thank you for everything." Her voice wavered and she could say nothing more.
The Hyuuga Clan and the others started to bid their farewell too. Some were throwing flowers in the wind and some are offering prayers. After that, Naruto and the others shared their deepest condolences to the clan for their great lost.
Many had started to drift away but Hinata continued to stare into the distance. Hanabi, her younger sister, stood beside her and held her hand.
"I know that you are feeling very sad right now." Her soft voice broke the silence.
"And I know that there is nothing I can do to ease that pain right now but please... Please be strong. "She continued.
"Thank you Hanabi." She said with a weak smile and squeezed her hand to assure her that she would do so.
"Let's go back?" Hanabi asked.
"Go back first. I'd like to be alone." She answered.
Hanabi understood what she meant by that. She let go of her hand and stood. Casting one more glance to her sister.
"I would wait for you at the manor." With that said, she started on her way home.
Hinata just wanted one last moment alone with her cousin –one last moment to thank him for everything that he has done for her. He had been such a kind and caring cousin even though their early years together were not that great. Neji helped her train to become stronger and to become a real fighter for those she deemed precious. Because of him she was able to protect Naruto, her friends, and the village, for that she will be forever grateful.
Time seemed to flow incessantly as she sat there pondering. She didn't notice that Naruto stayed behind and watched over her. His bright blue eyes kept on her lithe form. When she started to cry again, he decided that it was enough. With quiet movements, he left his spot and walked towards her.
Hinata was startled when she felt another person sitting beside her. When she tilted her head and looked to her right, she was surprised to see Naruto. There he was with his usual sunny smile that never fails to cheer her up in any situation and now was no exception. She felt a little lighter after seeing him. Her heart started to beat faster just like all those times before. It's a good thing that she outgrown her habit of fainting whenever he's close.
Naruto sensed her discomfort but unlike in the past, he knows all the reason behind her actions. He's wiser now and that is why he wanted to be with her at this moment. She needed someone to make her happy at this painful time. And he also needed her.
"Hey there Hinata." His voice was happy but she knew him. She could feel that tint of sadness in his voice that he desperately wanted to hide. But he knows his fake smile can't deceive her.
"Naruto-kun..." She greeted. Her voice was a little croaky from crying.
"I know it's hard." He said as he regarded her carefully.
Hinata turned her face away from him and looked down to see her hands.
"It's the same for you too. Right Naruto-kun? I think... I think I'm being selfish again." She said.
"What? No! You are the most selfless person that I know Hinata. Why did you think of that?" He protested.
"It's just that..." She looked at him again. Tears sliding slowly down her cheeks. "I know that you suffered much more than me. You've lost many precious people and here I am getting..."
Naruto grabbed both of her shoulders, not letting her finish. He looked at her with such menacing eyes that she felt frightened for a moment.
"Pain is pain Hinata. No matter how many people you've lost. It's just the same. I don't want to hear you belittle what you're feeling now." He stated while looking straight into her eyes.
"I know it so well. I've lost my family, my master, and now my friend. I know how it feels that's why I'm here. I'm here for you." He continued.
After hearing his words, Hinata can't hide her feelings anymore. She wailed and that's when Naruto wrapped his arms around her and whispers soothing words into her ears. Hinata hugged him tighter with every cry, wishing that it would ease her pain somehow. And it sure did. Naruto's magic never failing on her. She pulled away a little from their embrace just enough to see his face. At that moment, she saw tears staining his cheeks. He too was mourning.
"I'm also here for you Naruto-kun." She uttered softly. With both of her hands, she tried to wipe away his tears.
Naruto just stared at her. Not knowing anymore what to do or what to say at her. With gentle movements, he moved his face closer to hers and brought their foreheads together. Hinata just kept her hands in his cheeks. Then, she closed her eyes.
"Let's both be strong Naruto-kun." She whispered.
Without warning, Naruto cupped her face and he kissed her tenderly and softly. The kiss was so sweet that Hinata started crying again but not because of sadness and pain, it was because she felt so happy at the moment. She could understand what he wanted to say with just this kiss. They would get through this. She didn't know how long it lasted but she didn't care. That was enough for her.
Slowly, Naruto took both of her hands from his face and helped her stand up with him.
The sun was setting now. They both knew that it was time to go back but before they do Naruto wanted to say something more to her.
"Hinata..." He said sweetly.
"Yes?" she answered.
"I vow here in front of Neji that I will be the one to protect you. From now on, we will share our pain and happiness. From now on, our burdens are one. From now on, we will fulfill all of Neji's dreams and our dreams. We will be inseparable! And we will do all of that forever. Does that sound good Hinata?" He vowed as he go back to his usual cheery self.
"Of course...Thank you Naruto-kun." She said with a smile.
At that moment, their future look brighter than ever.