Disclaimer: I own no part of the Naruto franchise.
Neji had learned a lot of things over the years and one of them was that love was a powerful emotion. It could shape a person's perspective and change their lives entirely. For better or for worst, love was very powerful indeed. Those who said that it didn't exist were fools who did not know what life was really about. For without love there was no life.
Neji understood how his father felt at that moment and he came at peace with himself and his family. No longer haunted by his past, Neji began to understand and respect love instead of fearing and scorning at it. As the years passed he saw everything in a new light and realized that he was capable of loving as well. It broke his heart when it became apparent that he couldn't pursue his love for a number of reasons. But he was grateful. Grateful that he was fighting by that person's side, grateful that he chose the right side. If not for Naruto, who helped Neji discover love he might as well have ended up like The Uchiha.
Fighting in the last battle was nothing like he had ever faced before. It was hard for him to believe that the planet that was capable of an emotion like love was spewing such cruelty and horror. But he fully believed in Naruto and not once did he even consider backing out.
It shocked and disgusted him to his core that some of his teammates were considering making a run for it. How? How could they abandon their teammates at such a crucial time?
He watched as the battle slowly progressed coming down to what it was and even in the face of the JUUBI his faith in Naruto never wavered. If he was a normal person he'd be praying to his deity but he was Neji Hyuuga and the only three things that he believed in were himself, Naruto and love.
Neji knew that what Naruto needed to help him win the battle was an edge. He hoped that his sacrifice would be it. That it would send Naruto over the edge to that person he had battled during the chunin exams, the one who could take on the world on singlehandedly. Naruto saved him from the darkness and showed him what mattered in life. And he would return the favor. He would make sure Naruto won even if his life was taken away from him.
Of course he couldn't let Hinata die. She'd have to be there to pick up the pieces after it was all over. And she was the one person that would never leave Naruto's side. He knew that she'd do a better job than he could ever do in helping and protecting Naruto.
As the sword pierced him he realized that he had no regrets. Neji was content- no more than content- Happy with the life that he had led. He did not regret not telling the person his feelings for it would be hard enough to move on after the war without the extra guilt. He did not regret his childhood. He regretted nothing at all. He hoped that he'd be remembered though and that was it. Whatever was awaiting him in the afterlife, Neji Hyuuga died a happy man. He died with a smile in his eyes
His last thought was:
Protect him everyone. See you all in the afterlife, if that exists that is.
XXX
Oh WOOOOOW. NEJI'S DEAD:'( OMG WHYYYY? FML :/ This is my tribute to him! I know its horrible-ish but I have never written Neji and have been on haitus from fanfictions so Im rusty. I wrote this in like half an hour and I did it cause Neji deserves something. He's a hero. LoveyoutodeathNejikun. I FUCKING CRIED WHEN I SAW HIS BLOODY FACE/3
~Tenshii