Chapter 2: Left Behind
"S-she's…she's gone Neji." She told him as gently as she could, but he shook his head and continued staring at the woman in his arms.
"No. No! She wouldn't leave her dream behind. She's weak, but she doesn't give up." He said, shaking her again. More tears began to build in Ino's eyes. Here was a man known and respected for his cool manner and his ability to remain objective at all times. A man known for his animosity towards Hinata and the Main House of the Hyuuga clan. A man that was now crying over and denying her death. It seems that sometimes the taking of life could change even the coldest of hearts.
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There were many deaths in that last battle of the war. More than anyone thought possible. They were running out of space on the memorial rock thanks to that horrific battle. And the day they held the memorial service was as dark and dreary as the feelings of the people of Konaha, for yet another Hokage was taken sooner than anyone would have liked. It was only luck that Tsunade had started making preparations for the person who would be the next Hokage, for the young man who was Hokage now. Naruto's dream was finally realized, he had finally proven everyone wrong, he was now the sixth Hokage. Yet to be named on a day when so many friends had been killed, he felt little joy.
He was the first to walk up the tables with pictures of those who were destroyed in battle. He was one of the many that carried numerous flowers, instead of one. Gently lying each one down in front of the picture of his friends that would no longer be able to smile with him, laugh with him, train with him. He walked slowly, placing the white flowers in front of Tsunade's picture, Shino's picture, Hinata's, Sakura's, Tenten's, Choji's, Shikamaru's, Iruka's, and many others. He almost couldn't believe it, they were gone, all gone.
Once he was done, he walked back to his place amongst the others, looking, watching the ones who were left, the ones who survived, the ones with broken hearts. He watched Kiba, the only one left from his genin team, even Akumaru and both his mother and sister had died. He was half surprised that he had not committed suicide. What was he to live for now? Was it like Sasuke said? Was it worse to have family and then lose them rather than never to have family at all? He watched Ino, for she too was the only one left from her genin team. But not only did she lose her friends, she had lost her love as well. Her and Choji even had a date set for when they were going to get married, and now it will never happen. He watched Lee, the poor man had lost an arm from the elbow down, and the two women that he was closest to was now gone. His worry for Lee however was slightly lesser than the others, for he knew, like himself, he would never give up, even if there was nothing left to live for. Finally his eyes turned towards Neji, who almost looked normal. Over the years he had noticed that Neji did indeed change his attitude towards his teammates, towards the others that he worked with, towards his determination to break free from his cage. But his relationship with Hinata seemed to be the only thing that didn't change. It was only when around her that Naruto would see Neji revert back to his old self, cold, distant, and harsh. And now it seemed that the old Neji would never leave, it seemed as if all those years of changing was for nothing, that they didn't even happen. His eyes were colder than usual and as hard as granite yet no one could even guess what he was thinking for his gaze was pulled inward and closed to the outside world.
Naruto wasn't sure to worry about him the most or the least. Traditionally, a shinobi's lack of emotion was for the best. That the shinobi who felt the least, loved the least, hated the least, was the best kind of shinobi of all. But that was not what Naruto believed, yet here was Neji, seemed almost unfazed by the death of his teammate and cousin. He had heard otherwise from Ino, that when Hinata died Neji was devastated and in shock, so much so that she had to knock him out in order to move themselves to a safer place. But looking at him now, it was so hard to believe. Was Neji really that affected by her death? Naruto wasn't sure if he hoped so or not. He knew, better than anyone, the price one pays for bottling up such strong emotions. Would Neji be a liability to him in the future? Would he become unstable on a mission when he's reminded of her death? Or will he be able to move on easily, happy that she was finally gone? Naruto clenched his hands into tight fists at his side. If he didn't take her death seriously, if he was actually happy that she was dead, he would never forgive him.
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Neji walked forward solemnly, placing his single white flower in front of Tsunade's picture. He stood there for a moment, remembering the times she appointed him Chuunin, Jounin, and then ANBU. She had told him that they next time they spoke; it would be the discussion on whether or not he was ready to become an ANBU captain. But it seems that discussion will never take place with her. He will never have to feel that slight disgust whenever he would report to her after a mission to find her completely drunk. He will never have to worry about whether she was going to beat him with the monstrous strength she had in her fists. He will never get to hear her laugh as she teased him about stupid stuff. Sighing softly, he moved on to Tenten's picture.
It was the only picture of her when she had her hair down. She hadn't wanted to take the picture that way, but was tired and frustrated whenever someone would ask what she looked like with her hair down. Then she laughed and winked, saying that maybe now she'll get more guys coming her way. He remembered at the time, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at her statement. She was never really interested in anyone, focusing solely on her admiration for Tsunade and wanting to become a strong woman. She had no problem not being emotionally attached to any man. In fact, if he remembered correctly, like him, she preferred it that way. She was his first, and he was her first, but for them it was just a release. Just a way to relieve the lusty demands on their bodies. But he respected her, enjoyed her company most of the time, and trusted her. He would miss her.
Moving lastly to Hinata's picture, Neji stood there, feeling numb once again. He studied her features, noting the difference from when he first met her. He had known her the longest out of all of their friends, yet he knew her the least. He did not know what jokes would make her laugh or make her blush. He did not know what made her smile and what made her frown. He did not know how many dreams she had or even what they were. But he was the one to witness all the changes within her. From physical changes to mental changes. He knew what she was, and what she was not. He knew the rumor about how she looked and acted like her late mother, a woman, he had found out recently, who was his father's first love. As he stood in front of her picture, remembering so many things, he didn't know what to feel or what he was feeling. He hated to admit, even to himself, that if felt as if a part of him had died with her. The part of him that was still the little boy who had his first crush on her. The little boy who was excited, eager, and happy to be the one choosen to protect her. The little boy whose soul now died with her, along with his feelings.
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Hours after the memorial service ended, Neji finally made his way towards the Hyuuga compound. His steps even and precise, his pace, slow. He wondered now how the household would change. Hanabi, though fifteen, will now be named the new Heiress, and he would probably be given the task to protect her as well. That is, if they chose him. He didn't exactly do very well with his last charge. He was actually surprised that they didn't kill him, or even punish him. Did the Main House hold that much resentment towards her? That they felt it was her own fault for being weak? Not that he was saying he thought her otherwise. Quite contrary, a week ago he would have quickly agreed. But now…now that she was gone…he didn't know what he would do. He felt confused and hated feeling that way. Why did she call him her friend?
Walking by her bedroom in order to get it his, he paused when he heard a soft noise coming from the inside. Curious enough to open the door, he found Hanabi curled up in a ball on Hinata's bed, weeping. Hanabi looked up, wondering who she heard enter the room, to find Neji just standing in the middle, staring at her. Her lip trembled as her eyes filled with tears, getting up, she ran towards him and wrapped her arms about his middle crying into his chest. He didn't move to hold or comfort her and she didn't expect him to, she was usually like him, straying away from any kind of human contact or showing any kind of emotion. But all of that was an exception when it came to her sister. For Hinata was also the only kind of mother she knew, she was both sister and mother. Supporting her, always being there for her, soothing her, hugging her, holding her. Now there was no one who would do that. No one would hold her now and tell her that eventually everything would be alright. No one would kiss her forehead and softly coo her to sleep. Her closest female companion was gone, gone forever.
Neji stood there, waiting till her tears would dry up. He felt awkward but he never did have a problem with Hanabi. She was too much like him, too much like her father. She was strong and talented, capable, unlike her sister. The only problem he could ever see that he would have with her, was that she was supposed to belong to the Branch House. But since Hiashi, seeing his elder daughter fail at being a strong heir, decided not to mark Hanabi. Making it possible for her to be the heir of the clan. But he was too tired to bother to hold a grudge anymore. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, Hinata's scent still lingered filling his senses with lavender and lilac. It wasn't a strong smell, not like the other shampoos and perfumes that other women liked to wear, but it was forever imprinted into his mind. And whenever he would smell it, he will always, automatically, think of her.
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AN: Neh, I know the chapters are really short, but I can't think of better places to end them. But most likely, as the story goes on the chapters will get a little bit longer. I know it's still sad, but hopefully the next chapter will be different. That's when the REAL story begins. See you guys then. Reviews would be lovely.