Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Proposal idea from NigaHiga.
The fourth shinobi war passed and as did the years. Neji watched as his friends get married and start building loving families. Of course, Neji attended all the ceremonies and baby showers. Heck, he has even been best man twice. Each time, he wore his famous tiny smile. But deep inside, he wonders.
When will it be my turn? Will it ever be my turn?
When he turned thirty, these questions were soon answered. Neji just had a glass of water and was exiting the Hyuuga kitchen when he saw Naruto and Hinata returning with groceries. Quickly, Neji hid behind the cabinets.
Be a gentleman, Naruto was carrying most of the bags. As he walked to the refrigerator he suddenly fell onto his knees.
"Oh, my back!" he moaned.
Hinata quickly rushed over, "Naruto! Are you alright?"
Instead of saying yes or not, Naruto looked into her eyes.
"Marry me?" he asked, opening a violet box that contained a diamond ring.
Hinata clamped her hands over her mouth then opened them to embrace Naruto in a hug. "Of course," she sobbed.
Neji exhaled and closed his eyes. Stealthily, he slipped out of the kitchen. Without doubt, the new of the new couple would spread quickly though out the Hyuugas. Celebration will be held without fail, and Neji didn't want to be part of it. Bouncing on rooftops, Neji headed to where he could think most: the forest.
-x-
Neji sat on top of a tall tree, on arm resting on a bent knee. He looked into the stars.
"Father," he began, "I feel unable to shed tears for this event that makes me feel absolutely worthless. Is it logical for a miraculous event of two individuals connecting to be so devastating? However, Hinata-sama isn't just an individual. She's like… the sun that gives light to my plants. Everyone is special, but Hinata-sama isn't. She doesn't stand out. It might seem ironic, but in a crowd of neon colors, I can easily spot plain white.
"I deemed her as worthless once before. Indeed, back then, she was. But from a seed in the middle of a rotting fruit, she fought weeds and storms to finally bloom into a flower. A flower that's—oh Kami, she's beautiful, isn't she? Beautiful, strong, and bold. Then, as a caring flower, she takes in all the bad air and turns them into clean oxygen, turning a torn soul like mine into someone who actually learned to love.
"That is why you told me to protect her when I was four, right Father? You saw the spark in her, something I failed to see until it was too late. Instead of defending her, I attacked her. Now, more than anything, Father, I wish I had listened to your words.
"Father, Hinata-sama has someone else to care for her from now on. His name is Naruto Uzumaki. He is a great man who accepted Hinata-sama for who she was from the beginning. Perhaps this is why I cannot cry. I am reassure she is in good care and on a path to a very happy life. But still, Father, it hurts every time my heart beats."
Neji stood up, "Father, does it hurt at where you are?"
-x-
Neji sat next to Kiba at the wedding table for honored guest.
"Man, Neji, you really loved her to let her go," whispered Kiba as Hinata and Naruto gave a speech.
"What are you talking about?" snarled Neji.
"Don't play stupid," Kiba rolled his eyes, "Everyone can see you had a thing for Hinata."
"Hinata-sama didn't"
"Well, I guess… people are just oblivious to these things when it comes to themselves," Kiba explained.
Neji looked at Naruto and couldn't agree with Kiba more.
"How do you survive all these years?" inquired Kiba.
"It's like a wound," Neji shared, "Hinata was like a bandage that covered the cut. But then one day, a blonde hair boy comes and rips the bandage off."
Neji took a pill from his tuxedo pocket and opened it on top of his wine glass. Carefully, he tapped the pill so that all the powder fell. He then proceeded to tucking the empty skin of the pill under his napkin.
Swirling the wine, Neji continued, "Today, the wound is exposed again. But during the time with the bandages, a scalp had grown."
Neji watched Hinata and Naruto lean towards each other, heads tilted.
Father, I finally understand your feelings… the freedom you felt when you chose to protect the feelings of you friends. Because when broken, feelings can kill.
Neji slowly lifted the wine glass to his lips.
End