A/N: Happy Neji Week everyone! Over in the NejiTen discord (link on my profile!) we're celebrating Neji's birthday with 7 prompts! I know these are short, but I hope you enjoy them!

Day Four
Freedom

There was something so freeing about his role in Hinata's wedding. It was a traditional Shinto ceremony, and Hinata had asked Neji to drink from the sake bowls with them.

He'd asked her if she was sure if she'd rather have Hiashi alone or, perhaps, that Hinabi take their mother's place, but Hinata insisted.

"You're one of the most important people in my life, nii-san. I want you to be there with me."

"And what about Naruto?"

"He agrees. Also, Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei will be part of the ceremony too. It's untraditional, but—"

"I understand, and would be honored to help you, Hinata-sama."

She'd thrown her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly with repeated thanks.

And that was how Neji ended up standing between Hinata and Hiashi, sharing bowls of sake.

Hiashi smiled down at him, and Neji felt something stir in his chest.

When the ceremony ended, and the couple had walked away, Neji felt Hiashi's hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

"Walk with me, Neji."

Neji nodded.

"Of course, Hiashi-sama."

Neji had hoped to slip into the crowd and grab a drink before his team swarmed him, showering praise and crying over the ceremony.

But Hiashi led them away from the crowd, closer to the shrine, where Naruto and Hinata could be seen offering their prayers. They watched from them for a moment before Hiashi spoke.

"Neji, you have done more for this clan than any one man should." Hiashi looked down at him. "Your father did the same."

Neji bit the inside of his lip.

"I have been cruel over the years. Perhaps it was my grief for my brother or my own frustrations with the way our clan is set up. Neither, however, is an excuse for how I've treated you in the past."

"That was a long time ago, Hiashi-sama."

"You may forgive me, nephew, but that doesn't mean I have forgiven myself."

This was something that Neji had never considered. True, Hiashi had changed over the years, but Neji had never thought that his uncle still carried the burdens of his own wounds.

"My father would not have wanted you to—"

"Your father would have wanted me to do better. I know this. Every time I had to answer to the elders, he would give me that look. The one that said I should stand up for what is right, but I wouldn't. And he was right." Hiashi looked down at Neji, who met his gaze, not as his nephew or branch member, but as his equal. "I may be head of this clan, but I am not a true leader. I must act with the wishes of the elders."

"I know."

"But I have been too complacent for too long, Neji. I could have pushed more. I won't make that mistake again."

Neji waited for Hiashi to finish, curious about what he would say next.

"The curse mark is permanent, I can't take it back, no matter how much I want to," he said. "and I know it's not the same as removing it from you, but as long as I am the head of this family, you will never again know that pain."

Neji felt a nervous joy bubble within him. He had long suspected that his uncle had resolved to not activate his curse seal, but it was something else entirely to hear the words out loud.

"I… I don't know what to say…" Neji bowed. "Thank you."

"It's not enough," said Hiashi, "but it's a start. I promise there will be more change. For now, consider yourself free from your duties as a branch member. Your fate is in your own hands."

A/N: If you enjoyed please leave a review!