It was that one summer night, that one memorable night of the festival when everyone was in a merry mood, out and about in the village.
A young man dressed in a kimono stood in the midst of a crowd, a hint of apprehension showed in his white-lavender eyes as he waited for someone. He searched once again for that familiar face, those familiar eyes…eyes like his own.
Midnight blue tresses flew behind as a young woman in a yukata hurriedly went through the swell of people in the street, she could hear the faint gay laughter around her as she ran by. She was late and someone was waiting for her.
She vainly attempted to look for him as she almost reached their meeting place but her view was obstructed up until the crowd had parted and there he was gazing at her, that familiar face, those familiar eyes…eyes like her own.
It was that one memorable summer night when they had found each other.
She felt her heart strangely skip a beat as he gave his hand to her. It was that one summer night when everything seemed normal and all the worries in the world were forgotten as the two partook in the revelry.
It was so unlike him when he handed her a hanya mask as he put one on himself prompting a stifled chortle from her. The night progressed as the two weaved through crowds, met friends, ate sweets and finally played a game that caught their fancy.
Catching a goldfish…she had tried first but failed to catch any of the elusive creature that swam quickly in the makeshift tank, her face became similar to a dejected child.
The young man had understood and gave the game a try and caught an orange one.
He handed her the prize and she eyed the tiny goldfish inside the transparent sack, a smile drew in her lips which abruptly turned to a frown whilst unknown to her someone was observing the expressions of her delicate face.
A thought came to her mind and she decided to return to the vendor who grinned at seeing the sack in her hand. She wordlessly released the fish back into the tank, the vendor bemusedly looked on as the young woman turned around and left.
Red, Yellow, Green and Blue─ sparkling lights in the star strewn sky. The Hanabi display had started, everyone marveled at the loveliness of the night.
The stunning fireworks were reflected in their pale eyes, a smile graced the young woman's lips as she continued to watch on.
The young man placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him, revealing his forlorn eyes.
Eyes that were Blind, Closed and finally Opened….
"Nii-san…" he softly held her chin up, a warm feeling emanated from inside her chest and spread throughout her body.
Their lips touched as they melted into a warm embrace.
Red, Yellow, Green and Blue─ vibrant explosions in the star strewn sky.
It was that one memorable summer night when they had found each other─ again.
FOOTNOTES:
Symbolism in the story
Catching the Goldfish - when Hinata failed to catch any fish, Neji had gotten one for her. This represents Neji's support for Hinata like in the manga/anime when Neji helped her train to be a stronger shinobi.
Orange Goldfish - the one caught by Neji represents Naruto (thus the color orange) and Hinata releasing it back to the tank means letting go of her feelings for him.
Blind, Closed and finally Opened - Neji and Hinata's relationship was estranged during their younger days as Neji was "blinded" by his anger for the main house and his overall situation with the clan. Closed - their relationship slowly improved but in a sibling kind of way as the manga/series continued. Finally opened - this is when Neji finally acknowledges his feelings for Hinata on that one summer night.
Inspired by the video made by 抹茶Aoi and Hsiang Ju Chen - Check author's profile to view the video clip link. Song/Music: Kingyo Hanabi by Ai Otsuka