The next few days were a whirlwind for Neji and Sakura. They faced backlash from the Hyuga clan and the village, but they stood strong together. Neji was disowned and stripped of his Hyuga name, publicly. Hiashi made sure that Neji will never have any claim to the name aside from the eyes that he can't take back.
The public judge them heavily. Sakura was painted to be the one who influenced Neji to abandon his clan and his betrothed. She was made out to be a homewrecker though she didn't do anything.
The toll weighs heavily on her shoulders. She knows that Neji's choice will always be difficult, but she didn't expect the public execution on her. But Neji didn't waver, although it pains him that its her that is receiving the hate. But never once he left her side, he was there to hold her hand, and protect her.
One day, as they walked through the village, a group of children approached them. The kids, unaffected by the judgment of adults, saw Neji and Sakura for who they were – two individuals deeply in love. The children's curiosity overcame any preconceived notions.
"Are you guys in love?" one of the children asked with innocent curiosity.
Neji and Sakura exchanged glances, and a genuine smile graced their faces. "Yes, we are," Neji replied, his tone filled with pride.
The children beamed with delight, unfazed by the complexities that surrounded the couple. To them, Neji and Sakura's love was simple and beautiful.
Sakura smiled at the kids, the burden was momentarily lifted from her shoulders. One kid looked up to her and said, "You're pretty."
"Thank you, you have a beautiful hair." Sakura praised the little girl, who loved the coffee-brown hair of the girl, it is almost the same shade as Neji's.
Neji smiled at Sakura, the scene that he is watching is simply breath-taking. If only the clan just saw what he saw at Sakura.
"Kids, we must go." Neji said to them. His hand hovered at the small of Sakura's back. "I will take this pretty lady in a date."
The children squealed in delight. Their smiles are so big that Sakura wondered if someday the village would let go of their judgment and be simply happy for them. She mentally shook her head; it is most likely that the whole Uchiha clan will be revived than that.
But the villagers saw how they interacted with the children. They saw how happy they looked, they never saw the young Hyuga to ever smile. But for the pink-haired female at his side, he did, freely. And then the tide started to turn against the Hyuga clan and its elders.
The village gradually began to witness Neji and Sakura's genuine love and happiness. The initial judgment and scorn from the elders started to shift as more people saw the couple for who they truly were – two individuals who chose love over tradition.
Neji and Sakura faced adversity together, proving the strength of their bond. The villagers, especially the younger generation, started to admire their resilience and the authenticity of their relationship. Slowly but surely, public opinion shifted, and support for the couple grew.
Even some ninjas who once criticized Neji for his choice started acknowledging the courage it took to defy the rigid traditions of the Hyuga clan. The elders, despite their initial attempts to isolate Neji, found themselves facing questions from the villagers about the validity of their strict rules.
As Neji and Sakura continued to live their lives openly, the narrative around them changed. The children they encountered were not the only ones who saw the beauty in their love. The village began to see that love, when genuine and pure, could indeed triumph over societal expectations.
The elders' influence waned, and the Hyuga clan had to reassess its stance. The public opinion pressure forced them to reconsider their treatment of Neji and Sakura. Though they didn't openly accept them into the clan, the harsh judgments and sanctions were lifted.
The clan again offered the position of Branch house head to Neji but he refused. He wants to be free of the elders clutches as much as possible. Neji found solace in Sakura's arms that a validation of a title no longer attracts him.
What he just wants is the clan's acceptance of Sakura. That one day when he marries her, he can give her the name that his father passed down on him. The clan elders thought about it and they can't really fault Sakura except that she's not born in the Hyuga clan. Neji's refusal of the offered position within the clan sent a powerful message – he was determined to live life on his terms, free from the constraints of the past.
As months passed, the couple found moments of peace and happiness. They built a life together, supporting each other through thick and thin. Sakura's strength and Neji's resilience complemented each other, creating a bond that withstood the tests of time.
One evening, as they strolled through the village, Neji turned to Sakura with a smile. "Do you remember the first time we walked together like this, facing the judgment of everyone?"
Sakura chuckled, intertwining her fingers with his. "How could I forget? It feels like a lifetime ago, and yet, here we are."
Neji gazed at her with warmth in his lavender eyes. "I wouldn't change a thing, Sakura. Our journey, the challenges we faced, they all led us to this moment."
Sakura nodded, feeling a sense of contentment. "Love really does conquer all, doesn't it?"
Neji pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "It does. And I choose to face every challenge as long as it's with you."
Their love story became an inspiration for others in the village. The narrative shifted from judgment to admiration, and the couple's resilience became a symbol of love's triumph over societal expectations.
While the Hyuga elders couldn't bring themselves to fully accept Sakura into the clan, they gradually eased their harsh stance. The couple's commitment to each other and the support they gained from the village became undeniable forces that even the strict traditions couldn't entirely suppress.