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Inspired by: Subtext

Setting For Story: Boruto

Set From: Episode 53 (Himawari's Birthday)

Notes: One more chapter to go, Chapter 18 are scenes that I didn't include in the story. I didn't include them because this story was about Hinata and her perspective.

Updates: Fridays/Saturdays

Chapter 17

Thus Life Continues

"You really gave Naruto a burn there, Hinata." Sakura stated and her Hyuuga eyes saw the proud smirk she was barely hiding. The pinkette didn't look at her as she organized her medical equipment, she was going to operate on some foreign noble whose immune system was fighting against the white blood cells in his body. It wasn't a common occurrence and the medic was always up for a challenge. "It's been weeks and it's still fresh on his wrist. Kurama refuses to help him heal it, seems the fox had a soft spot for you."

She smiled; she rather liked him too. His fur was so soft. She wished that he would come to visit her but she understood. He didn't like going around on his own. It was safe in Naruto. Neji-nii probably would've been proud too. "It wasn't intentional, it's hard to control my charka when I…get like that."

This time the medic glanced at her, something odd in her eyes. "It's not good to keep it all in like that, it's bad for your heart. When you're angry let it out otherwise it's going to become a common occurrence…but I'm proud of you. You stood up for yourself."

"Naruto-kun isn't the enemy." She whispered however Sakura heard her loud and clear. The medic snapped off her gloves and grasped her shoulders. Her hands were warm. They always were. Sakura had told her one day that as a medic, she kept her hands warm intentionally. The wounded liked the warmth.

"No, he isn't. But he's a cheating idiot and he deserved that burn. You forgave him too easily, Hinata. You don't deserve to be treated that way and one day, I hope, you'll realize it. What would Neji think about the way you treat yourself?"

She'd told Sakura about her Neji-nii and all Sakura had given her was a deadpanned look. It had been obvious to everyone that he loved her, expect her. She had been too because looking at Naruto to notice. Nobody could've stopped her from looking at the sun. It was something she had to do herself. She was as obvious as Naruto. I'm sorry, Neji-nii. "He would be angry and he would scold me…then treat me to ice-cream."

"He really spoiled you rotten that man," Sakura said then chuckled at her blushing cheeks. "You know, Boruto acts a lot like the younger Neji. You sure he's Naruto's?"

She laughed, shaking her head. It felt that way sometimes, she was glad she wasn't the only one seeing it. Ino had said something about it too. She wouldn't say it aloud however she believed that Neji was guiding her son from the beyond. It was the small things. Boruto would make tea for her when she returned from a mission, he would walk with her around the village as he chatted his head off before running off or when they shopping, he would insist on carrying everything. He brought home sunflowers for her a lot.

Things Neji had done for her.

Stuff that she knew she hadn't told Boruto. She had treasured those moments, unwilling to share them. They felt private for her. Her son made it hard not to cry; he reminded her so much of her Neji-nii. It made it hard not to imagine how her life would've been had she married him like it had been arranged since their birth. She could visualize how she would wake up every morning to his peaceful face or how he'd walk into their room with tea, his beautiful hair loose. He wouldn't have those bandages around his head and his smile would be that special, special reserved just for her. He would take her hand in his, and say "I love you, Hinata."

They would've truly been equals then. No "sama" or "Lady".

Their arranged marriage would've been happy…

…but he was gone.

She had started calling him brother, to remind him that they were equals when they were 12 and 13. That she didn't think of herself above him because she was heiress or from the main branch. She couldn't have known that perhaps their relationship would change, that they would become close and that he would be the first person she ran to. That she found comfort from his head-pats and his damaged hands. She couldn't have known that he would always have her back, in life and battle. How much stronger he helped her become, that she was strong because of him. Whenever she needed someone, he would be the first person there. He hadn't been her sun – he had been Neji. Her Neji-nii.

He's been dead for 15 years.

She was sixteen when she lost him, she's 31 now. Her Neji-nii would always be important to her however he wasn't here anymore and she didn't want to torture herself by meditating on her feelings for him. She loved him, definitely, but it didn't matter anymore how she loved him. If she loved him like a brother or like a lover. Just that she loved him. Loves him.

He'd always be her Neji-nii.

"Thank you for bringing me lunch, Hinata, why don't I take a break before I operate on that prissy and then we can eat together?" Sakura suggested eagerly, taking off her scrubs with a happy sigh and gently linked arms with her. "You were a good wife, Hinata. Naruto didn't leave you for Sasuke because you weren't or that you weren't enough. It's just…Sasuke."

She smiled, "I know but I don't need Naruto to be enough or to feel like somebody. I already am, I'm Hinata."

The medic beamed proudly at her words, pulling her in and cuddled her close. She rested her cheek happily against her own flushed ones, nuzzling her. "I wouldn't mind making you my wife!"

…

"Hinata? Hinata! Did you just faint on me?"