lioness queen

She stood by them tall and proud.

Prompt: Hinata as a lioness of her own pride in her own simple way. (T, Family, Romance)
For Hinata Week Day Three (Tumblr)

Lionesses were known for their remarkable fierceness. They would remain still on their ground against the rogues and they would never hesitate to gnaw and claw to defend their den.

Bar from it all, they never failed to show the passion they have for their kind. They were not only a partner to the king of the jungle, but they also stand strong as queens in their own marvelous way.

"Genius? Eventhough he is a genius, he is just a member of the branch family. Impressive as he may be, the seal was still his fate."

It was that comment from an elder that brings out the Lioness in Hinata Hyuga. Thinking that they even said that to her face, even if they saw Neji-niisan training her, was already a proof of their insensitivity.

Although a lot of them would think that she would hide in cowardice, they didn't know her that much. Maybe they didn't know her at all.

Tucking few strands of her now long hair behind her ear, she composed herself and face the elder without hesitation.

"With all due respect,"she said with the same soft voice coated with an underlying firmness. "I believe that Neji-niisan is more than just a branch family member. He managed to teach me the traditional jutsus and improve my Gentle fist in a considerable amount of time. His patience and confidence in me only made me do my best in order to be a kunoichi capable to serve and protect the village."

The sun was just about to set and it gave a warm glow along the halls of the compound, where Neji Hyuga was silently listening, hidden at the sight of anybody.

"He taught me in a way not even a single Hyuga can do when I was younger. I really apologize for my lack of modesty, but Neji-niisan has all the qualities that would make up a good leader. And if you were saying that Neji-niisan's fate is limited to the seal only, then Neji-niisan will always remain as the great leader the clan should have had, but never will."

It had been weeks when Hinata had been consistently asking Neji to drop the suffix on her name, sign of respect that he must pay as a branch member. They were actually practicing calling her without it, but he didn't seem to perfect it. Perhaps it was all because of this.

He saw the whole ordeal and Hinata didn't just handled it well, it was flawless.

Hinata gave the elder a curt bow and started making her way to the gardens, when she saw her niisan standing along the hallway with a calm yet contemplative face.

"Neji-niisan," She greeted him with a warm smile, so different from the gentle yet lethal glare she had just earlier.

"Hinata-sama." He returned confidently.

Hinata-sama.

Lady Hinata.

Respect. A word that belonged to her.

For that day Neji knew that in front of the elder, stood the epitome of courage and grace, a different kind of majesty…

A great leader the Hyuga clan should've had if they only believed in her.

Soon his realization became a gospel not just among their clansmen, but their whole village as well.

The bravery she had shown in facing Pain gained her respect and admiration, but there was someone who adored her even more.

Hanabi finally knew her sister's true strength. She was not wrong about her neechan after all.

Images from their younger years appeared before her on how her sister would get easily defeated. Their clan saw it as a weakness, as an anomaly. Hanabi was conflicted. What they were saying was somehow true but it felt like it's not.

Now, everything became clear to her. Her sister was not weak. She was just hesitating to fight against her, to hurt her in anyway even if their father would see it as a weakness and had deemed her as a hopeless case.

And that made her even stronger, because even if everyone lose faith in her, she still stopped for nobody and proved them wrong instead.

It was just sad that they had to part ways again. Her neechan had to play her role on the war together with their cousin and father.

To protect the village, to protect that blonde shinobi who was said to be vital in this battle. She saw her sister watched that boy from afar and it was funny how the two of them earned respect as time went by.

Hanabi still didn't understand, but that boy was lucky. He was lucky that her sister loved him. Because the younger Hyuga knew that her neechan…

She was the strongest and the kindest when it comes to taking care of and protecting her loved ones.

It was not long enough before he felt so lucky yet selfish at the same time. To have Hinata assisting him like this, yes, he must have been lucky, but he can't also shake away the thought that he was somehow enjoying her care.

"Thanks!" Naruto beamed at her after she tied his hitai-ate around his forehead.

Hinata had been helping him recently with the loss of his right arm. He couldn't help but feel a bit of embarassment, but that couldn't outmatch how he wanted to spend time with her.

"No worries, Naruto-kun. I'm alway here to help you whenever needed." She said while sitting on the grass beside him with the leaves of the trees covering them as shade.

At first, he was truly delighted to hear her concern for him, but his eyes were soon glazed by sadness.

"You are always kind, Hinata. Always, always, always. I couldn't even know how to show how much I appreciate having you in my life."

Hinata just stared at him blushing and speechless.

"For standing by me and reminding me of my will. Just to think that I almost lost you during the war… " He placed his only hand atop his chest and awkwardly laugh in efforts to hide away his frustration. "God! I even almost got a heart attack when I thought Pain has killed you."

That's when flashbacks of what happened appeared before his eyes. Her blood, the rods pierced through her body and her almost lifeless eyes.

Hinata quickly picked up on this and gave him her sweetest smile. "Naruto-kun, I whole-heartedly did those to protect you and I won't hesitate to do it again if I have to. For the people dear to me, I would not hesitate to risk my life."

To risk her life.

Tears pooled his eyes as his heart dropped. He didn't know. He just didn't know but it just hurt so much! Seeing her dying, risking her life. And please, not for him again.

"You really are a tough one, Hinata. I really really like that about you. No! I love that about you. I don't even know how you can pull that off." He said while laughing and tearing up.

He was really embarrassed, but he couldn't contain it.

"Naruto-kun"

"Hinata, what are you doing to me? I'm laughing while I'm crying. You must think I'm crazy -ttebayo."

"No, no, Naruto-kun. Of course not, also, I do believe that you would do the same thing for the people precious to you."

"Yes, Hinata. I would! I would even do it for you too." He said solemnly that made the girl tear up as well and ended up laughing while crying just like him.

"You started this Naruto-kun!" She said as she wiped her tears away.

"This is still your fault Hinata."

They looked at each other realizing how crazy they were acting.

In that moment, Naruto never knew that one day, he would soon open the door to his home and would be welcomed by the high pitched-voice of his blonde toddler.

"Mama! Mama! Himawayi kicked? Himawayi kicked?"

"Yes, yes, my dear. I think she likes you a lot." Hinata said as she tapped her index finger on the tip of her son's nose.

Never in his wildest dream did Naruto ever imagine that he would come home to the sight of his young boy cradled softly against his pregnant wife.

At that moment, he saw she was shining. Like she had with her the brightest star. Like she brought the sun into his home.

Hinata noticed his arrival and looked up at him.

He was complete. She completed him.

"Welcome home, Naruto-kun."

Her voice sounded like a soft roar and he couldn't help but smile and swoon.

He still couldn't fathom how someone as strong and wonderful as she was would fall into his life, would be his wife and would be the mother of his children.

But the glimmer in her eyes and the glow radiating on her smile showed that his queen has already found her pride.

CHAT TIME!

Rosedove: Yes, I'm open to writing lemons. :) I guess I should better make that clear though