Chapter Two
Neji's Revelation
Neji began to search for Hinata. He caught up with Hiashi who had just spoken to him earlier. 'Maybe he knows where she could be' He thought.
"Hiashi-sama, do you know where Hinata-sama might be?" asked Neji.
"She may be home now. Is there something wrong Neji?"
"No… it's just…" Neji couldn't exactly find the words to explain his regret to his uncle.
Hiashi smiled a bit. "…you want to apologize to her... Don't you?"
"How did you…"
"Neji…lets just say I have also made horrible mistakes in the past to people I care about and I know it's not easy to admit fault." Hiashi stated upon reflection.
"Really, Hiashi-sama? So do you think she will forgive me?" Neji asked.
Hiashi looked at Neji kindly, "I don't know my daughter's heart. Sadly, I have yet to apologize to her for my own mistakes with her. Instead, I try to show her that I am not the father I used to be with her. She is weak, but she can be strong. I act stern with her in hopes she would find the strength within herself. I used to bring her down. Slowly I am changing that awful habit. I am only beginning to understand her. But one thing is certain, if you don't do what you feel is in your heart then you will never be able to change the relationship"
"The… relationship..." Neji was a bit curious about that last statement.
"Whether you admit it or not, Neji, you have a special bond with my daughter. I recognized this from the first day I introduced you to her. It was more than a family bond. You looked at her as though you wanted to protect her and cherish her. You were young however, you were far mature than most children your age. I understand how things in the past altered your bond with her. She understood that too, which is why she felt it was best to stay out of your way. Several times I heard her pray for you at night before going to bed. At the time I didn't concern myself with her and dismissed it all. But looking back about it now, I realized that she was suffering from the moment she felt you leave her side. She also understood your suffering and sacrificed her happiness with you so you can find happiness and be free. She saw you as her precious friend, Neji" Hiashi stated calmly.
"Her precious friend…" Neji repeated. "She never gave up on me…"
"You see this is where I am not sure. Over the years I distanced myself from her up until now. So for you to know how she feels now, you must speak with her yourself." Hiashi smiled faintly as he saw Neji's head hang low, "One thing I do know, Neji. Hinata has never stopped calling you Neji-nii-san."
Neji perked up a bit. 'It's true; she still called me Neji-nii-san even at the chuunin exams. Maybe she will forgive me. I have to try.' He thought.
"I believe it will be ok. I won't give up. I will be her protector once again. And Hiashi-sama you shouldn't give up on your bond with your daughter either. It will get better." Neji proposed. He was determined more so than ever to win her trust back. And seeing how Hiashi also had to fight for his bond with her, he felt he should encourage Hiashi as well.
"Hn," Hiashi nodded as Neji ran to the Hyuuga Compound. 'At least I hope so' Hiashi thought solemnly and headed for the Hokage's office.
Neji was jumping from tree to tree, anxiously sprinting toward the Hyuuga Compound. 'Why am I in such a hurry? My heart…it's beating too fast. I have to calm myself down. What is it I am afraid of?' Neji pondered in frustration. 'It's not like I'm… in love ...' and then another revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. He missed the next tree branch he was supposed to land on and ended up falling 25 feet to the ground.
"Ittteeeee…" He bellowed in pain. 'I… love her more than a cousin? How the hell did I all of a sudden come to this? I mean…I hated her for so long... how did I…' then Neji calmed himself once more and search in his heart while he was still sitting on the spot where he fell. He closed his eyes and searched his mind.
'I see something. There is a white glow from a far off distance. It's coming closer. Could it be a ghost? No it's not a ghost. The closer it's getting the happier my heart feels. What is this? Wait…I can see a figure forming now. It is a slender figure with wings. Her hair is short, with bangs and long thick strands of hair fall forward caressing the sides of her gentle face. She opens her eyes. I have seen her before…It's…' Neji then opens his own eyes in shock.
"MY WHITE-EYED ANGEL… Ermm… I mean Hinata-sama" Neji couldn't believe he had envisioned Hinata so beautifully as an angel. He nearly melted on the spot.
"I guess I had locked away my true feelings for Hinata-sama, huh?" Neji thought out loud.
'I truly am a foolish person. I locked away what made me feel the happiest. I never stop to think what my white-eyed angel meant to me. I always saw Hinata this way but I never asked myself why I did. Until now. 'Neji got up from his spot and began to run towards the Hyuuga Compound once more.
"Definitely, this feeling I feel, is love. But why didn't I realize this before all this happened?" Then Neji mentally smacked himself on the head. 'I was blaming her for my father's death, that's why…Kami-sama, I really hate being a stupid genius!' Then Neji laughed at his oxymoronic statement. 'Heh, a true genius can still falter' he thought while smirking.
'Hinata-sama, please don't give up on me yet. Please forgive me' Neji stopped on the front of the Hyuuga Compound, took a deep breathe, and slowly opened the gate.
Hi everyone! Well im going to writing probably once a week. I have to work a lot so I am very sorry for the future delays. This seems a little bit fast for Neji to realize his love for Hinata. But I have good reason for that. So don't assume I am making this a short fanfic. I am gonna take it as far as I can. I don't even know what will happen in the end of this. I usually just let the characters develop on their own. Honestly, this is what I am thinking is actually happening behind the scenes in Naruto meanwhile Naruto is fighting with Gaara. Hehehehe.. I guess its also wishful thinking but hey it could happen. If Naruto were a shoujo manga, then this would definitely be going on. XD Ja Ne!
