In this world, people could never count how many legends existed from the past until now. Many are told from generation to generation. Many are heard from country to country. Few ignored, but mostly changed although they still retained the whole concept. Many believed in them in the past. But as time elapsed, people discovered and realized that they were only created for their moral lessons.

But among all legends and myths, one has been rarely told and mostly unheard. It has been made, told and heard first for more than a thousand years ago. Presently, one can count with just his fingers how many have heard and believed this. Well, one can't blame that. Because, when you hear of this legend, you'd think of it as more of a nonsense compared to the other myths out there…

...

Perfection exists to no one. As everyone says, "Nobody's perfect". Yet, beyond their knowledge, more than a thousand years ago, a being was created that possessed the flawlessness that was impossible to obtain and be obtained. The creature was unexpectedly human, or better yet, a woman. These creatures are believed to be created by God himself, obviously making them the most perfect life form in the universe. And considering the creator, this perfect human girl possesses not only excellence but all mortal and immortal powers that existed and are yet to be made. Few of these are time-traveling, flight, future visions, world-traveling, and control of different elements.

But despite their physical perfection and other brilliances, there is a limit to their existence. There is a certain age in their lives that they call the "Curse". The "Curse" is actually the day that they purposely die yet with no cause. It is the day that they give their lives to the Heavens and to be replaced by a new "perfect being". At the strike of midnight, these creatures disappear and fade their existence from the universe, leaving no trace of evidence. It is also said that telling this to people they have interacted with is the greatest sin they'll commit against the Heavens. If one refuses her death, millions of people, or possibly the whole planet she exists in, will replace her life.

Therefore concluding these informations, these creatures are called "Heavenly Maidens of the Universe" or simply "Maidens". The proof of their existence is their perfect physical appearances and of course, their bracelets. Their bracelets aren't as ordinary as other accessories, because these bracelets cannot be bought anywhere, but they are attached and linked to their right wrists even when they are still inside their mother's womb. It cannot be removed by anyone except the Maiden herself or three persons (excluding the Maiden) that has her blood. And yes, Maidens are human beings. Despite their feature as a "Heavenly being", they are still human and are only chosen by God before existence. Note that when this sacred bracelet is removed, all of the Maiden's memories will fade and disappear.

Truly, these creatures are perfect and can never be compared to anything. They are heavenly beings and still, a "curse" limits their perfect mortality. They're simple human beings and one can never tell if a girl he passes by is already the most powerful mortal in the whole universe. But only those who know the bracelet can tell, although considering the number of people knowing of this myth, it's still impossible for one to know. There is nothing to be cautious about their existence, because the universe itself clings to the life and soul of these Maidens. In other terms, a Maiden's life is equivalent to the whole universe.

...

He closed the old book as he finished reading a small part of one certain page. It wasn't surprising to see him in a library, considering he was one of the greatest geniuses in his village. But if he was to be seen to be reading this certain book, even his closest teammates would wonder why. But he wasn't there to study; he was there to do a favor—a (repeated) favor from a very dear friend. In fact, from reading that small section from the Book of Legends, he tried to suppress his bursting emotions. He wanted to cry. But he couldn't. He shouldn't. He considered it stupid to show any emotions, as it was said in the Ninja Principles. But he just couldn't stop his tears. If it was about her, he just can't.

No one truly knew what he felt for this certain peach-haired girl. But his teammates knew that she was the one who changed him. Up until now, he couldn't take her face out of his mind. He didn't really consider the possibility that he'd fallen for her. But what he knows, and what his teammates know, is that he cared for her. He wanted to protect her. He did love her, and still does, but only as a best friend and a sister, but more than his life and anything in this world. He wanted to be with her and by her side until the end. But he never expected that "the end" would come sooner than he thought. And he never thought that it would be permanent.

He'd even recall those days—especially that perfectly bittersweet day—everyday like it was yesterday…

...

...

...

It was yet another sunny day in Konoha as he walked across the never-ending streets. But he wasn't walking leisurely like any other day. He was going to a large meadow that was barely covered by flowers. Yet it was still perfect to be there. It was once his favorite place. He regards it as his little heaven, considering its peace and tranquility. He actually missed coming there, since he was busy with missions these past few years. But since the mission was so easy—which made him a bit confused—he still had half of the day to himself. He wanted to train with his teammates, but something made him decline. Not like it was strange, but it wasn't his usual "no".

And as he sat on his favorite spot, he almost forgot how perfect the scenery was out there. And nothing made it better but the soft breeze that blew through his skin. Oh, how it made him reminisce the good old days when he had the grass field all to himself. Well, there weren't many kids that played in the meadow. He was actually alone when he found the place. His teammates never knew that he went there. No one ever did know that he went there by himself. But because of an unknown fate, he met an event that he actually considered as his first coincidence. He never actually believed in coincidences. But why did he even think that she was only a coincidence?

"Wow. Never thought you'd be here…" a soft and angelic voice disturbed the breezy silence.

"Really now?" he smirked. He knew that voice anywhere. "Why would you think that?"

The voice laughed. "Well, considering how busy you've been," her presence came closer to him, who was actually waiting for her to sit beside her. "…it's kinda hard to believe that you still have time to come here, Neji-san."

"Hn. Yeah, right. Hard to believe…" Neji continued to smirk, gluing his eyes on her usual smile that was surely aimed at his sarcasm. "What about you?"

"Oh, I'm fine. The mission was pretty easy, lemon squeezy!" the beaming kunoichi laughed.

"Lemon what?" the Hyuuga prodigy raised an eyebrow. He'd already heard that rhyme. But it was rare he'd hear those kind of words from someone like her.

"I just learned that this morning from Mimi-chan. It was pretty hilarious when I first heard that!" she continued to giggle, recalling her teammate.

Neji smirked more. "Really, you're just too naïve, Natsuki." He shook his head in amusement. "A ninja shouldn't be innocent, you know."

"Hey! I am not that stupid." Natsuki jokingly punched the Byakugan user in the arm.

"I never even said you were." He murmured, chuckling softly.

Neji never laughed nor did he chuckle long enough to show any emotions. But it was only this idiotic girl that made him feel different. Never did he allow anyone to hear his laughs except for Natsuki. She made him feel like he already had everything he ever wanted, including her. But it wasn't only those feelings that made him want to stay with her. It was the way she felt with and for him. Neji didn't believe anyone that told him that they understood what he went through. Everyone told him the same thing—that they had the same experience as he did. But apart from everyone else, she made him feel like she was really telling him the truth. He felt like she was honest in her words, saying that she understood him.

After a few soft laughs, as usual, Natsuki would lie down on the grass, the little flowers embracing the pony-tailed girl. Neji would just keep his eyes on her. He then joined her by settling his weight on the warm pasture. But nothing was warmer than her company. Weird though, Neji thought, that she was there beside him, near him, after all the years they've been together and apart like nothing ever happened in the past. And with those thoughts that crossed his mind, it made him remember once more the things that made him think that her weirdness and bizarre personality would make him want to stay beside her forever, making him want to protect her.

Natsuki Mamoru was a very weird person for Neji Hyuuga. But her strange personality was what made him like her. They actually met on the same place they were in. As Neji was about to think he discovered the secret meadow by himself, he encountered her warm presence running in the wide fields. She still had her peach-colored hair in a short length that ended to her shoulders, yet it was complemented by her orange headband. They were still in the Academy those times, which makes them friends for a very long time today. Even though she knew that Neji was too serious to be pleased of meeting her, she still stayed with him. Even though she felt like he pushed her away, she still persuaded to be with him. Even though he wanted her to stop and give up, she still didn't. And then just one day, he spoke to her and asked her what her problem was. She just laughed and told him the truth—that she wanted them to be friends. And when he realized, he was slowly smiling from listening to her. Although he never asked, he could only guess that they were already friends starting that day.

And ever since that day, they'd coincidentally meet at an unusual time and talk shortly. They never had long conversations, knowing that they were in different classrooms. But to use the vacant time, they'd lie on the grass and listen at the soothing wind. Most of the time, they'd fall asleep beside each other. Natsuki would wake up first, and then she'd secretly smile at his sleeping form, looking like he really needed a rest. And after some time, they graduated at the same day. They congratulated each other, obviously, in the meadow. The next day, unfortunately for Natsuki, they were assigned in different teams. But before they began their hard missions, they had their last unoccupied day together. Then months passed for them not meeting, both of them grew anxious, which was a little weird for Neji. But after a few more days, he suddenly found himself confused, as he discovered something unbelievable from Natsuki's identity.

From Neji's past, he remembered rumors of a person born in his village that was supposed to be the strongest human being in the universe, a child that was born with immeasurable powers and abilities, possible to destroy the whole world. He heard that it was a girl and Konoha prohibited her to live any longer. It made him a bit angry about the Elders making a decision of killing a young child despite its innocence towards the world. But as rightful as it was for the Elders, the Third Hokage still opposed against them and compromised just to save the child's life. Sandaime was to put a seal on the girl's powers and forbid her to release it and use them. He also allowed her to enroll to the Ninja Academy, the same time concealing her identity to the public, hoping to close the issue once and for all.

At one time, when Neji had vacant time like he did today, he found Natsuki in a very weird state. She was already weird, but it wasn't the point. She wasn't smiling that time. It made Neji's soul tremble in anxiety and worry. Her eyes were in a daze, but those light peach-colored eyes were filled with unknown sadness. At some point, Neji couldn't bring himself to even touch or place his hand on her shoulder, afraid that she might fall apart due to her fragile appearance. He was afraid that she might suddenly cry, startling him. But he had to walk over to her. God might think of him as a coward of not being there to comfort a friend. And as he sat beside her, he finally knew the whole truth: she was the powerful child that he heard in his whole childhood days. All this time, all these days, months, probably even years, he had been with the rumored child that was almost killed. But surprisingly, he didn't fear her. He didn't become angry or anything. How could he when his dear friend was in the worst situation he could ever imagine her to be in—almost the same fate he had?

Natsuki broke down crying beside him that day, letting all her emotions out because she trusted him. He finally learned the reason of her grief. In a mission, an enemy of theirs pointed at her and revealed to her team that she was the powerful ninja they were ordered to kidnap. And because of that, Natsuki's teammates gave all their strength to protect her, almost to the point that their mentor sacrificed his own life. It was a good thing that no one did sacrifice a life, but they still got badly hurt. The peach-haired girl apologized a million times when the team arrived at Konoha Hospital. Her team assured her that it was alright for them, that she could trust them. But Natsuki couldn't help but feel guilty and responsible for their scars. No matter what her teammates told her, no matter how much assuring words they sent her, she still couldn't take the thought of her being the cause of everything out of her head. And she ended up running in her comforting meadow. But even when she finally got a chance to be alone, it only made it worse. It only made her recall the days of discrimination.

Neji, unsure of what to do to make her stop crying, kept his silence on. He simply watched his childhood friend weep. And he couldn't stand the pain of seeing her that way. Knowing words wouldn't do any good, he slowly, and carefully, wrapped his comforting arms around her curled position. For a moment, Natsuki flinched from his touch, but then, she gave in when she felt warmth and security from his hug. And as soon as she realized, the hands that were in her knees a moment ago were then on his chest, wanting more of his soothing touch. She never thought that Neji, as serious and a bit of a bastard as he was, would give her that kind of protection. And she loved being with him because of it.

As soon as she stopped, Neji slowly pulled away and wiped her tears with his fingers. He still didn't speak, neither did Natsuki. Neji let his arms do the talking, since he wasn't really good at words, though it was actually his first time doing this comforting thing. But it felt right—especially when it was this specific girl he was reassuring. He could still see tear marks on her face, but her pale yet fair face was still perfect. And when her eyes gazed up on his white eyes, Neji suddenly stood and strangely exploded. It made Natsuki jump and a bit afraid. But when she heard his exact words of him telling everybody about this, her eyes widened, making her stand up.

"Then if it'll make you happy, why don't we tell my team and everyone?" Neji said loudly.

"Wh-what? Neji-san, what are saying? Didn't you just hear what I just told you? My team got hurt because of me!" Natsuki pleaded.

"Well, didn't you hear what they just said? It wasn't your fault!" He took her hands, helping her to stand.

"B-but, I…" Natsuki could still feel doubt in his unexpected ideas.

"But if they'll hate you, then I'll just have to protect you from them." Neji placed his hands on her shoulders, making her look at his honest eyes.

"Well…" she looked away, still thinking things through. "I do want them to know. I mean, I don't want them to think that I've lied all these years. But, Neji-san, isn't this too sudden, even for them?"

"But you told me, didn't you? Did I get angry? Did I push you away? I didn't, right? Because if they're your friends, they'll still accept you. Fate gave you friends that'll accept you for what you are." Neji shook her shoulders, though it didn't hurt her.

"But, Neji-san—"

"Don't you trust me?"

"O-of course, I do. But…"

"Then trust me. I'll stay with you. I'll protect you. Let me handle it." Then he pulled her frail hands with assurance.

Neji pulled her in a place where Team 14 was. He then called all their friends—Team 7, Team 8, Team 10, even Natsuki's team. All of them waited for Neji's announcement. And when they were all gathered, Natsuki felt that she couldn't stop it anymore; it was now inevitable. But she trusted Neji. She stayed beside him until he finished telling everyone about the truth. After the declaration, a few minutes of silence followed. For a while, the kunoichi thought they'd started scorning and cursing her names for being a liar. But when Naruto Uzumaki stepped towards her and smiled, the other teams beamed as well. At first, she doubted if they were only pretending. But after a few hugs and smiles, Natsuki welling tears were blinked away by a smile of gratitude. And for her first time, she felt accepted. She felt loved. Finally, she knew that Neji was right. Fate did give her friends that would welcome her as what she was, no matter how much power was kept and sealed within her. And she was happy. It was the happiest moment of her entire life.

Time passed as slowly, people accepted her and showed her a warm home. Natsuki's insecurities disappeared and Neji's worries faded with them. They had more laughs and the Byakugan user never found her tears anymore. Everything became so peaceful and just so perfect.

Then came their first Chuunin exams. Neji's team wasn't recommended by his mentor, as he told her. Natsuki told him the same thing about her team, saying that they weren't ready yet. They waited a couple more years, and then the right time came for them to enter. But they both failed to become Chuunins due to the unexpected situations that happened that day. A lot has happened since that day, including the news of a Konoha Shinobi leaving (and betraying) the village—Uchiha Sasuke. Natsuki wasn't able to visit Neji in the hospital when they came back from their retrieval mission because of some rules that prohibited visitors such as her. Another few months came more missions, then Naruto left the village (everyone knew about his departure), and then another Chuunin exam. Both of them entered once more, but Neji left her as a new Chuunin. He tried to cheer her up, only to learn that she wasn't really that sad. As fast as the hands of time came, Neji graduated as a Jounin and Natsuki declined to leave her Chuunin level. And they became busier than normal.