A Bird Freed From it's Cage

by Kaoru-chan97

You were a princess with suitors pouring in from all of the nations... But one stood out from the rest. Will the challenges your fater gives them goring your hopeful love into ruin, or bring the two of you together for the rest of your lives? Reader x Neji Hyuuga Rated Mature for later chapters

2. 13 Years later

*_=insert your name

13 years later

~Readers P.O.V. brought to you by Ichiraku Ramen~

You sat upon a window-seat staring at the garden below, an aura of complete boredom emanating from your tired body. The sun was warm and bright, beautiful birds flitted from branch to branch, and glorious flowers filled the space around your families large estate; though you did not go outside. Not because your parents said it was dangerous, or because you were 'delicate' as many other lords daughters were told, but because it lacked excitement. You were ready, practically jumping the gun, for your betrothal.

In other places it was considered odd for a girl to be so excited for an arranged marriage; but then again betrothals in other places were very different. For your marriage dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of suitors would come seeking your hand and each one of them would be shinobi. Only the finest would make it through the first task, usually narrowing it down to two or three, and then from there a tournament would ensue leaving an ascertained winner.

You reminisced about your childhood, still sitting at the window, and soon enough you had fallen asleep dreaming about butterfly catching with a certain long-haired boy.

The meadow was full of tall grass and wildflowers. The sun shone upon it and gave warmth to the two children playing in it. A little girl ran after the other, a boy with long brunette hair, both of them chasing a particular butterfly that was colored like a sunset.

"W-wait up, Neji! I wanna catch the butterfly." she called out to him, huffing and panting from exertion. The boy turned around and sent her a beaming smile, then asked, "Wouldn't it be easier if I caught if for you?"

"I guess. But I wanna catch it for you." she huffed, pouting slightly, but still happy that someone would do something so sincere for her. Then the sky started turning grey, and out of nowhere it started raining. Lightning cracked across the sky illuminating the girls frightened face as she ran towards the boy who had a suspicious frown on his face.

The noise of a metal object whizzing through reached his ears and he threw himself in front of the little girl; the shuriken buried itself in his shoulder and the girl screamed as he sank to the ground.

"NEJI!"