Chapter twelve: Tragedy in Byakugan (Neji)

"Neji, I am fine! I can walk on my own now!" Hanae giggled as I wrapped an arm around her waist.

"It's only been two days."

"Do you doubt my healing mastery, Mr. Hyuga?" She narrowed her eyes at me and placed her hands on her hips. I smiled at her: she looks so adorable when she's trying to look stern.

"Not at all. I'm questioning my work as a stand in healer." She laughed softly. "And don't try telling me I did an exceptional job. I know I didn't."

"For a novice who wasn't officially taught, you did do an exceptional job. Neji, I am perfectly fine and it is all because you and Piñata healed me." My arm around her waist tightened as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "And I thank you for that."

"I can't allow my precious jewel to be in pain." She sighed happily and rested her head on my chest.

"We're still going on that ride, Neji," she muttered. I chuckled and released her.

"Then let us go." She slid her hand into my offered elbow and walked with me out to the castle stables.

It has been two days since Hanae told me she will marry me. If I hadn't been before, I am now: I am highly impressed by her skills as a healer. She no longer awakens every two hours in pain, and she doesn't have even a hint of a limp anymore.

"It's such a beautiful day today. Don't you agree, Neji?" the princess asked me as we guided the horses away from the castle grounds. I nodded.

"Hai. You chose your day well."

"I chose our day well. This is for both of us, Neji." I was about to respond when I saw a flash of silver heading straight towards Hanae. I shoved my horse into hers, effectively moving her out of harm's way. However….

"Neji!"

~Hanae~

I watched in horror as the prince fell back out of his saddle. I dismounted my own and knelt beside him. "Neji?"

"Hanae, get out of here. There might be another attack," he murmured.

"No! I'm not leaving you here to die! I can heal you. I can…." I carefully tore off his shirt from around the arrow and bit my lower lip. The arrow had stabbed right above his heart. Oh, Kami-sama! Please don't let it be too close!

"You are… a stubborn one," he grunted out as I carefully applied pressure.

"Neji please, don't die out of me," I whispered as his eyes began to fade. I knew this was pointless. The arrow was indeed too close to his heart for me to save him. I lowered my forehead onto his. "Don't leave me. Please."

"I love you, Hanae." Tears dripped down onto his jaw, but neither of us cared. He grabbed my chin gently, and I let him pull me down for a kiss.

"I love you too, Neji." His hand dropped, and I felt his heart beat one last weak time before it stopped completely. I buried my face into his chest; I wailed for the loss of Hyuga Neji.

For the loss of my prince.

Nighttime found me finally walking into castle grounds. Neji was laid across his horse's back.

"Hanae-hime, wh-what took…?!" I looked at Hinata as she froze in front of me. She was staring at… him. "Wh-what happened? D-did Neji-niisan f-fall asleep?" I shook my head as tears welled up in my eyes.

"N-no, he was…. He was…." I covered my face in my hands as I fell to my knees. "He's gone, Hinata-hime! Neji is gone! He was shot by an arrow, and I couldn't save him!" A pair of arms slowly wrapped around me after a moment, and I felt tears drip onto my shoulder.

At that moment, Hyuga Hinata and I forged a bond that could be broken by no one. A bond created and strengthened by pain and loss.

~A Week Later~

I looked unseeingly at Itachi as he gave his eulogy about Neji. The deceased prince was being slowly lowered into the grave in the castle graveyard. My heart has been permanently clenched so tight that I couldn't breathe.

"You will be missed dearly, Neji-ouji," Itachi concluded as he let a white rose fall into the grave. I stepped forward and bowed my head to say one last prayer to my fiancé. Taking a deep breath, I delicately dropped a white rose and a cherry blossom into the grave.

"Imoto." I silently stepped into Sakura's hug. "I'm so sorry, Hanae. I know how much you love him."

"He asked me to marry him, Sakura." Her arms tightened around me. "Tomorrow was supposed to be the day I get my dress finalized. It hurts, onee-chan. It really does." Tears streamed down my cheeks.

"H-Hanae-hime?" I turned from my sister and saw Hinata and Hanabi standing there.

"H-hai?"

"I-I know th-this is a b-bad time, b-but… ano…."

"We need your decision now," Hanabi put in. My heart clenched even tighter at the reminder. "You are Byakugan's ruler now. We need to know what your plans are." I looked away. Because I had been Neji's fiancé before he died and the two Hyuga sisters were not suitable for the throne, I had been crowned queen of Byakugan.

"I have talked to Itachi-sama. Byakugan will become a part of Sharingan with Namikaze Kyuubi and Uzamaki Naruto as reigning lords. They will report to me as regularly as Itachi-sama's lords do."

"I am sorry your reign has to begin in these conditions." I looked up to watch Neji's uncle, Hiashi, approach me. "This is not the ideal situation during which to crown such a beautiful and worthy queen." I bowed my head to him.

"Nevertheless, I hope to rule with impartial kindness. This will not be the omen that determines this kingdom's fate."

"You are wise beyond your years, Hanae-heika." I blushed lightly at the new honorific. "My nephew had chosen well."

"Arigato, Hiashi-sama."

"Hanae-san." Itachi joined my side, and I instantly leaned into him for the comfort of his presence. "It is time for those who are returning to Sharingan to do so. Will you be joining us?" I clutched his dress shirt with the hand not between our bodies.

"Please. Take me home," I whispered.

"Hai." He wrapped an arm around my waist, kissed the top of my head, and led me to the line of carriages.