DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO NOR THE SONG SNIPPETS USED AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH CHAPTER, ENTITLED "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" FROM SWEENEY TODD.
Author's notes: The title of the song featured in this fic is called "Green Finch and Linnet Bird", sung by Jayne Wisener, featured in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I thought it very apt for NejiHina as a themesong. A dedication to my NejiHina feels because Neji has been killed off. ~,~
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ }{ ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Green finch and linnet bird, nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate sitting in cages
never taking wing?
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ }{ ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
When Hanabi turns fifteen, the Council decides to finally bring up the issue of ascension: who between Hiashi's daughters will succeed him?
Up until now, Hanabi's forehead remains clear, unblemished. Hinata's as well.
Hyuuga law dictates that cannot be for long.
Hiashi may be the Head, but he is no dictator. He is not an emperor over the Hyuuga. The Council also has power over the clan affairs, perhaps even more so than him.
In the end, despite Hiashi's lobbying for his eldest daughter, Hanabi is chosen as Hiashi's heir, and Hinata is to be branded with the seal as soon as possible.
Hiashi had hoped that by having Hinata as the head, then Hanabi would remain unsealed under her eldest sister's rule, that Hinata would be the one to overthrow the mandate of the caged bird seal upon the Branch family.
So as Hiashi had failed in sparing his eldest daughter from the fate of the Branch family, he then resolved to do the only thing he could do to help her: he betrothed her to Neji.
He met Neji in secret, when Hinata was away on a mission. With his forehead touching the wooden slates of the floor, he begged Neji to continue to protect his daughter, since her own father had failed to do so.
So when Hinata, upon returning from her mission, was informed that she would be branded after her wedding to her elder cousin, she protested the arranged marriage.
"I will not fight you on your decision to brand me, but please, spare Neji-niisan," Hinata beseeched the council and her father, who could not look at her, the guilt upon his countenance as apparent as the lines of aging on his face. "Neji-niisan shouldn't have to bear me as a burden."
Hiashi took a deep breath before he lifted his head to gaze upon his eldest daughter. "It has been decided upon, and there is no changing it now."
"But, Father—"
"I will not hear anymore objections regarding your betrothal, Hinata. It is final." Hiashi then turned to his nephew, who was seated next to Hinata. "What do you have to say about the matter of your engagement to my daughter, Neji?"
Neji tilted his head in reverence to the clan leader. "It is an honor, Hiashi-sama." He then lifted his eyes to show his resolve to his uncle. "I will protect her with my life, and provide her with everything she shall need and want. The responsibility that comes with being Hinata-sama's husband is one that I will gladly take upon me."
Hiashi nodded. "I shall hold you to your oath, Neji. Both of you are now dismissed."
They both bowed their foreheads to the floor before exiting the council chambers of the Hyuuga clan. The two silently walked side by side, Hinata with her head bowed low in apprehension, hands fidgeting, and Neji bearing a strong and confident gait, as was typical of him.
When they reached the privacy of the courtyard, Hinata finally broke the silence when she stopped in her steps, making Neji pause as well to look back at what was keeping Hinata behind.
"Neji-niisan!" Hinata's pale orbs were wrought with confusion and fear. "Why are you so resigned to the decision of the elders? You don't deserve to be tied down by me again," She looked down, ashamed. "I-I'm so sorry, Niisan. I can't apologize enough. You…. you deserve the freedom to marry the one you love the most, the one you wish to spend your life with."
Hinata's tears fell from her pearlescent eyes. Slowly, cautiously, Neji lifted his fingers to her damp cheeks and wiped away her tears. The tender gesture of comfort made Hinata look up with surprise to Neji. No more tears rolled down her cheeks, but her chin was still quivering. With his hand, Neji gently and lovingly cradled Hinata's cheek, tendrils of hair slipping though his fingers.
"This is a fate I do not mind," He then slowly lifted his hand to tuck Hinata's indigo tresses behind her ear, and tenderly placed his hand on her cheek. "For I have been handed a fate which will entwine me to my beloved." His free hand also came up so both his hands cradled her face. "You are the one I love the most, the one I wish to spend my life with."
With that admission, Neji leaned down to press his lips upon Hinata's, in what would be their first kiss.
That is why, when Hinata walks down the aisle in her extravagant white kimono, her steps are sure and unwavering as she approaches Neji. She has no hesitation when she puts her hand in Neji's large, warm ones, as they face the Hokage who presides over the wedding ceremony. And when they must share their kiss as husband and wife, Neji's lips upon hers are already a familiar sensation for Hinata.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ }{ ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
A/n: I originally planned this to be a one-shot, but then I realized that the length of the fic was a stretching longer than I had originally planned. So I decided to cut the one-shot into several short chapters. ^_^
Btw, I am looking for someone who can make a cover image for this fic. If anyone is interested in making a cover image for this pic, please PM me or review to tell me. Thank you! ^_^