Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

The Calling

Neji hadn't anticipated his life ends here. He had so many things to do, so many wishes he is yet to wish and he wanted to grow old with the one he loves. But how can he do that when he is in this current situation?

He knew his time was almost up. He knew he had to do something that is at least 'memorable' before his time stops. He knew that this would be his last and only chance to do it.

He was a Hyuga for Christ's sake but what happened was inevitable. He wishes to stay but his fate had been decided the moment he was born and his remaining time was only enough to say goodbye to his loved ones and to his fellow comrades.

He was using the 8 trigrams palm rotation with Hinata and her dad before that happened. They were doing perfectly fine but that was when a pin-pointed attack was headed for Naruto. Hinata threw herself in front of him and waited for the blow to struck her but it never happened. When she turned around, she was stunned beyond belief.

"N-Neji? …"We need a medic!" Naruto was the first to spoke.

"N-no., It's too late." Neiji spoke even though he was having a hard time.

"You do know.. Hinata-sama.. is willing to die for you, Naruto.. so keep that on your mind.. that your life is not your own.. anymore.. it also includes.. mine" he continued while coughing out more blood.

"Neji" he heard Hinata say softly.

By now, Hinata was clutching onto Neiji's arm as she tried to stop the bleeding and his injury to worsen but to no avail it had done nothing.

"The words... you said to me once... freed me from... the shackles of my curse." Neji said to Naruto as he cough out more blood.

Flashback

"Losers will always be losers.. That will never change. Let me ask you this.. Do you try so hard to fight against your destiny?" Naruto said his head bowed down and when he looked up again his eyes was full of determination "Because… I was called a loser once."

End of Flashback

"W-Why would you go this far for me?! To the point of sacrificing yourself Neji?" Naruto asked loudly but the sincerity in his words were quite evident.

"Because… I am a genius" Neji said closing his eyes.

'Father, finally I understand the freedom of being able to choose your death.. to protect your comrades' Neji thought as his curse seal began to disappear 'but, I still wanted to stay and be with my friends.'

"I still want to be with them-" he opened his eyes just a little as he searched for his female teammate and when his eyes landed on her. She was running towards him, calling out his name and her eyes was telling him to stay.

He haven't realized the tear that escaped his eyes until he felt it ran across his cheek. How he wished he can stay a little bit longer, long enough for him to grow old with the woman he loved.

"-I'm sorry Tenten, I guess I won't be there when we both grow old. I guess it would only be you with another man... even though it hurts me" He thought.

And when Tenten finally reached his side, Neji looked at her and with his last final breath he told her the words he wished he had told her so long ago.

"I love you."

OWARI

A/N: The lines that were exchange between Neji and Naruto were true, and sadly, Neiji's death was also true TT,TT DAMN FEELS !

anyway, hope it wasn't that confusing (hehehe) please you like it and please review : )