Deep River
Hinata slips into the river and closes her eyes. It is a rare moment for her to be away from the prying eyes of others and just be by herself. She remains still in the river despite the coldness of the running water. It is actually quite refreshing. She doesn't mind soaking herself with her clothes on for once.
"The council has decided that you are to marry Neji."
"But father…"
"Say no more, it has been decided."
With that, her fate is sealed. With or without the seal on their forehead, all Hyuugas are caged birds in the end. She tries not to think about all the people that she cares about – Kurenai sensei, Shino, Kiba, Naruto… and even Neji. Her heart suddenly throbs with a pain that she doesn't realize are there, so painful that she forces herself not to think at all.
In the distance, she can hear someone shouting her name. Hinata smiles resolutely yet hot tears keeps rolling down her cheeks. She doesn't know she is capable of smiling and crying at the same time before. She doesn't understand many things but she understands this is goodbye.
As she drifts further and further away from that source of voice, Hinata thinks she begins to understand a little why Hizashi-sama has made that decision years ago. She is free at last.
Deep river, carry me home.
The little fish that has been mistaken for a bird finally returns to the river.
END