Neji's Greatest Gift
Find a true existence, that's his definition of true fate
Prompt: He was a genius and he knew that before he died. (T, Romance, Family)
They said that you would have an eerie gut feeling before you die. Perhaps, this was it.
Every movement was in slow motion, just like how he heard his heart beat in more than just a second. Up above, the wooden spikes went falling.
There she was, running towards the direction of the blond boy, shielding him, using her own body as a sanctuary to protect his life.
And this was the part where his world came to a halt.
He saw this before.
Pain.
She jumped right in front of Naruto just like what she was doing right now, preparing to die in lieu of her immobilized beloved. Naruto only stared in disbelief, too shock-driven to even react on the scene that would unfold before him.
Before, he did not witness what actually happened. He only heard stories from their clansmen. But now, his gut-feeling was telling him that an encore of the past rampage would be catastrophic, because this time, the nail would totally be hit on its head.
Naruto would definitely lose it and she would, no doubt, fall into her demise.
They said that your life flashes before your eyes before you die. Perhaps, this was it.
Hinata-sama.
A name he once called in disdain. Back then, she was nothing but a little girl too frail to even lead a clan, yet destiny bestowed her with a privilege to do so. There was even no uncertainties that she couldn't even match his skills, but it was her.
Yes, it was her.
Who showed him kindness. Who showed him compassion. Who brought the light of a family in his lack-luster heart.
Her gentle yet brave heart. It reassured him the prospect that your own fate lies with your own choices.
Choice. Yes, it's his choice.
It was his own choice to hover her and take her place instead.
Numb. There was not a single thing he could feel. Try as he may, he could not even bring to flinch a single finger. His breathing was stuck in his throat and he could only taste that bitter sting of of steel in his mouth as his viscous blood overflowed and in his head, rang the soft beating of his heart.
As much as he would want to be at her close proximity before he died, it was Naruto who caught him, his head leaned on Naruto's shoulder, just like the many comrades who sacrificed their lives for him. For this war. Maybe it was just right for him to hear his last draw of breath. Maybe this was all for the good. That's right, since he could only force himself to see Hinata's heart breaking anyway. She, who had already endured so much. She, who had to went through this. However, he knew she was strong. He believed she can carry on.
Straight in her eyes, he looked painfully.
They said that a person's last words were also their dying wish. The last phrase and sentence would merit how would they free themselves from the obligations of the waking life. That the last words were the ones he would bequeath their beloved.
"Hinata-sama...is willing to die for you, Naruto..."
It was not only once, but twice. Looking at her, he made sure to acknowledge the fact that she was willing to perish for Naruto, but it was not as simple as that. He witnessed how Naruto deeply cared for his cousin and all their sacrifices would just go in vain, if he would break loose just like before.
Who would get Naruto out of his darkness? Who would remind him of his own words?
Even if he's a genius, he knew he had no power over him.
If she dies, he knew his heart would go with her and so would Naruto's.
"...so keep in mind..."
He was hoping. Deeply, hoping that Naruto would come to realize that he was not fighting alone. That there's someone who believed in him. That he believed in him. That Hinata was always by his side all this time. That there were many lives at the palm of his hand. That the death of his friends and his comrades in this war would all go to waste, if he would waver in spirit and surrender. That all of them was not fighting just for themselves, but also for everyone else.
"...that your life...is not your own anymore."
She was the one who taught him that. That if someone deeply cared for you, their life becomes a part of your own.
Perhaps, that's why he took her place instead. Not just for her, but also for Naruto.
In its own little way, Hinata's life became apart of his. She was after all, his family. She was the one who showed him that there's no branch or main in the Hyuga, that he was simply just her Neji-niisan. Then there's Naruto, he made him believe that his fate can still be changed, that he had the choice to change it and the idiot believed he can.
As for Naruto, he knew how much he valued his friends, his comrades. He knew that Naruto still hold that whim of them making a reform in their village, once he became the Hokage and he, the clan head.
As for Hinata, he knew she both kept them precious in her heart, but in this war... It was Naruto who had to remain alive. However, he could not bear to see her sacrifice her life either. He wanted to give her a brighter future, a chance.
Their lives were intertwined and had impacted each other and the effects would only ripple at the lost of another.
"Why are you willing to throw your life...for me?"
That idiot! After all that's happening, he still couldn't figure it out.
"Because... I was called a genius."
It was true, since his sacrifice was made as his mind ran in lightning speed. His death was not just bound by reasons, but by fate, emotions and bonds.
He finally find his true existence.
He died not just because it's a duty of a branch family member like how he used to think back then.
He died as a comrade willing to take his life to save another-for a triumphant tomorrow, for their village.
He died as brother, protecting his cousin, whom he loved as a sister.
It was his subtle wish that his death would only strengthen the bond they shared. Though he had to fade soon, his spirit would always remain with them.
He was a genius after all, for he was right in all angles. People share one common destiny, death!
And his death meld their fates.
Hyuga Neji.
Neji...
"Neji," he muttered his name just like how he did during the war, when it felt like he had his soul in his hand. Well, he felt like he always did.
It was a cold February afternoon, snow still wrapped their village and not really the best time to be visiting a memorial park, but he did so anyway.
He felt like he had a good news to tell his old pal. Besides, this was a rare opportunity to have a conversation with him without the presence of his wife. You know, sort of a brother-in-law kind of talk.
"Kakashi-sensei will not be giving me any missions, because, uh, you know... It might happen anytime soon now." Naruto said as he sat in front of the grave.
"This feeling I get...That I owe you more than just my life, I realized what it is now, Neji. Hinata, she means more than my life to me, Neji. Kami, come to think of it, I almost destroy the whole village because of her back then. I guess, some things never change. I'm still stupid, and you're indeed a genius after all dattebayo." He chuckled, recalling how he was able to recognize his own feelings for his wife.
"I bet you would Hakkeshou Kaiten my face, cuz' it took me a genjutsu and an Otsutsuki just to realize that I love her that way. I'm sure you know how she felt for me. Are you, I mean... Do you also came to realize how much she means to me? Yeah, right, you're a genius! You might have figured everything out, when you..."
He exhaled deeply as he veered his mind away from the picture of the past.
"You might shoo me away, because this is getting really embarrassing already. Please don't tell Hinata any of this in case you show up in her dreams. Anyway! I, uh, that's not the real reason I'm here -ttebayo. I'm here because I need to fix the cabinet in our home and I have to buy some screws from the hardware and it sunk to me that your name means screw."
He grinned happily and announced, as if he discovered something really remarkable, "Then, the person there at the hardware told me that what I needed isn't a screw. Silly me, I don't know the difference between a screw and a bolt! Bolt. Boruto."
Between his thumb and finger, he rubbed the metal thread. "It sounds like my name, but it's actually identical to yours. Boruto! Neji, we'll name our son, Boruto. We'll name your nephew after you. I just hope that he will not take after me. I don't want him to suffer the difficulties in academics that I did. Well, you know, I'm not one of the sharpest kunais out there. I'd wish that he would be able to maximize his potentials, unlike me, who just sprinted over growth."
Naruto chuckled as he remembered the hardships he went through just to create clones. It's even funnier that he was famous for that very jutsu, when that even failed him at the first place.
"We're not supposed to know it's a boy, you know. But Hanabi, she used her Byakugan and announced it to the whole clan. You should see how tou-san reacted. Things there are going a bit jubilant, especially that the day is nearing."
He placed a bolt atop the grave and smiled, "Well, I guess I better go now, buddy. We don't want Hinata to worry."
This feeling I get that I owe you more than just my life...I finally know now, Neji. You gifted me Hinata and a chance to have family, something that's worth more than my life. In return, he'd be our little gift to you. I may not be the Hokage now, but I'm sure that I and Boruto will change the world.
Because he will be a genius, Neji, just like you.
yui: Hi! So yeah... lemons... I read a lot of lemons. I've written some lemons, so I think I can write some lemons in due time. (Excited)
Tiramisusu: Here's some Neji goodness for you. I never really intend this to make anyone cry but here it is.
risingdaydreamer: Woah! HAHAAHA! I never thought that my reasong actually makes sense, but I'll definitely write that prompt out for you, because it's better shown that explained, yeah?
Titania of Fairies: I'm so touched that you're loving my fics and I'm really putting my heart into this.
Kevin Johansson and xianiaHarMione : I'm glad you guys liked it. There will be more. Soon!