secret lovers
After the Fourth Shinobi War, Naruto's huge crush on Hinata gradually surfaces and the whole village of Konoha knows it…Well, aside from him. Chronological One-Shots / Post-War / Pre-Last / Contains references from Hiden novels.
Disclaimer: Characters and several scenarios in this work belong to Masashi Kishimoto et al.
entry two
prompt
Naruto and Hinata during the mass burial ceremony
/comforting/
to alleviate a person's feelings of grief or distress
The sun was hardly shining and it appeared as if it was mourning with them-attuned with their griefs and emotions as they all gathered as one in a mass memorial for their loved ones who passed away.
All clad in their black ceremonial attires, the bravest Konoha shinobis were lost in the memories of their deceased beloved.
The ever so formidable Ina-Shika-Cho tandem stood together just as tight and strong as how their parents were before the incident. Well, they have to stay strong just like them for they are the very embodiment of their greatness.
But one grave drew the hearts of the mass, populated by the members of the strongest clan in the village and his solid teammates.
Tenten showed no restraint in weeping. Yes, at first, with his cold-hearted views and personality, she could not get along so well with him, but time has changed him-his heart. He's an admiration to many a living proof that change can happen and it can happen for good.
"We have to let him go no matter how hard it is for us. Neji could not see us like this. We have to stand up and be strong. I bet that's what he'll say if he was with us here," said her teammate as tears crawled from their eyes.
Easier said than done. But just the thought of him being there with them supposedly, brought ache to their hearts the most.
Same ache that bent the uptight head of the Hyuuga clan. He failed, he failed to protect the very remnant of his brother's memory. He would always remember the day he apologized to him. That day he knew things have changed, not just for them but for the whole clan.
He knew Neji would be a great leader despite all the strict traditions they have to abide.
His grip tightened on the shoulder of his youngest daughter. She was crying, she was hurt and she was not supposed to feel such loss at a very young age. But who was he to claim that, anyway? His eldest daughter lost her mom at a younger age and now she has to face another one. Hinata and Neji improved together-he influenced her with his unquestionable skills as she passed down to him the kindness and warmth of a family.
However, unlike when her mother died her daughter mourned alone, now a blonde shinobi stood by her relishing the same grief she harbors.
Perhaps what they say was true, when you lost one, you'll gain another.
Although his team was the closest he had for a family and it's quite expected that he will arrive and commemorate this moment with them, Naruto knew that he could only share it best with her. Known for his immediate actions, he turned back to look at his teammates. Without a word, they knew what he meant and nodded their head in acknowledgment.
He wasted no time in making his way to her. And just right there he found the perfect spot closely behind her. This time they weren't hand in hand. This time they weren't beside each other. However, there's something about the way he chose to stand behind her that could bring peace and assurance to Neji's soul if he was witnessing it.
He stood behind her emanating protectiveness and sincerity-the same stance Neji Hyuuga would have made if he was out in the same position.
Neji, I'll take it from here.
It was not a promise, rather it was the future.
Although his features show grief, his eyes held so many regrets of what wonders could he and Neji have done together.
The sky began to dim and the people started to make their way home. Hiashi took a look at his younger daughter and decided that too much of this sorrow might not be good for her. He made that kind of mistake in the past and he surely would not repeat the same in the present. His other daughter, however, could only be consoled by a certain person-the one whom she shared the same agony with.
Hiashi looked at Naruto and gave a brief nod. The blonde, was a bit taken aback for a moment, but gazing upon Hinata, understanding dawned him. He acknowledged their departure and remained where he was.
As soon as they were the only ones left, Hinata stooped in front of her cousin's grave as tears began to rain from her eyes.
She promised to be strong. Neji nii-san would not like to see her crying like that. But there's just so much heaviness in her heart that she could not handle.
He risked his life because of her choice. She should have been the one in-in-
No! She must not think this way. She's sure that her Neji nii-san would not have it the other way.
However his death was not in vain either. He was a hero. For everyone, he will remain as one and his death will always be remembered and honored by those who treasured him the most and she will forever cherish him in her heart. In this way, her Neji nii-san's sacrifice will not be in vain and his dreams and aspirations will forever remain.
While enough tears washed away the hurt, she now became aware of Naruto's presence. He was standing behind her the whole time, but she barely noticed him. Her eyes wondered on his-they were tumultuous and unsure. And she knew he was thinking the same thoughts she was awhile back.
She knew it. She saw it in his eyes.
"When I was strained due to excessive training, I-I was not allowed to open my eyes for weeks. Neji nii-san thought I did not know, but I know that he helped me during those days when I could not see. He put away all objects that would obstruct my way, he placed that glass of water close to me so I could reach it and he did it all not expecting that I will recognize his kindness. He did not even bother to bring up all the assistance he extended,"
Tears started to well her eyes, but a genuine happy smile managed a way on her face, which left Naruto dumbfounded for a second.
"W-w-what am I even saying?" she said in the middle of forced chuckle, but she looked back at him again and that's where he regained the confidence her cousin always wanted her to have.
"What I meant was. I know Neji nii-san will always be watching over us. I know deep in my heart that he will continue to care even if he's no longer here. He will always be with us to watch our dreams come true, to see whether the choice he made materialized in how we achieve our dreams. He might not become the clan head as he wished to be, but I will not disappoint him-I-I-I will train like he's with me, I will remember all the lessons he taught me and I will make him proud by showing that he did not waste his time with me and most importantly he did not risked his life for nothing."
She stood up and faced him, repeating what she had done to enlighten him during the war. Her hand find its way on his cheek.
It belonged there for certain reasons.
During the war, Naruto did not have time to evaluate how her touch felt like, but right now he could only feel the warmest touch he had ever felt aside from his mother's hug and it's funny how that warmth surrounded not only the area where she touched, but it crept all the way from the inside-something that sent him shivers as the feeling of it was just too comforting to exist. A strange yet calming knot settled in his tummy.
"You can also live Neji nii-san's dream Naruto-kun. Your dream to become the Hokage no longer belongs only to you. It also belongs to him now. Together we must show him that fate does not decide on its own. We decide our fate."
How can her words heal his weakest thoughts? How can she exactly do that? Stare was the only thing he could do as her words sunk in him one-by-one.
Neji, thank you for everything. I may not know if I can thank you enough, but I will do my best to reach my dreams and make use of this chance you have given me for the better. That, I will do and you know that I will never go back on my word.
His hand reached for the warm one touching his cheek and held it firmly.
"Hai! Let's do it, Hinata!" He said as his sunshine-y grin re-appeared on his face with a different kind of solemnity in his eyes.
Hinata blushed by the way he held her hand. And damn, she was hoping her nervousness with the contact was not giving it enough perspiration.
"For now! I must get fully healed before Tsunade baa-chan ends my life –ttebayo!" He chuckled as he curled his fist enthusiastically.
Well, damn it hurts.
"Are-are you okay, Naruto-kun?"
"I'm fine! I'm fine –ttebayo!"
He wasn't.
The two walked together to the hospital with small talks and silences embracing their company.
"Hey Hinata!" He called before she goes.
"Y-yes?" She turned abruptly, blush creeping her cheeks.
"Let's go grab some ramen when I get out of here –ttebayo!" He said, grinning with his signature grin—eyes closed radiantly.
On one hand, Hinata's reddened cheeks got redder and she could only muster, "O-okay, N-N-Naruto-kun."
Oh well, Naruto may not really fully realize the full impact of Neji's sacrifice as of yet, but soon in time he will, when he has to go from the moon and back for the belongingness and love he was longing for his entire life. His biggest dream and Neji's greatest gift.
Disclaimer: Characters and several scenarios in this work belong to Masashi Kishimoto et al.
Hello again! So I will be uploading a one-shot extension of this chapter, which will be entitled greatest gift. It will be Neji's perspective on the reasons why he decided to lay his own life during the war. I hope you'll tune-in for that and I will surely update you once the said one-shot is up on my profile.
I always believe that these two dorks develop in a frustratingly slow-burning manner. So yeah, if you're waiting for Subconscious-Naruto to appear, he will soon and gradually.
Again, accepting prompt requests, so feel free to drop them in. Reviews, comments and suggestions are very much appreciated as well.
Your Quirky Novelist,
Fern ~
