Part 2
Neji stood in the training grounds, practicing his strikes against a wooden post. His movements were deliberate, but his thoughts were anything but focused.
It had been weeks since Naruto and Hinata had returned from their mission to the moon, and the news of their newfound relationship had spread like wildfire through the village.
At first, Neji had been skeptical. Naruto? Out of nowhere? Acknowledging Hinata's feelings? It seemed implausible.
But when he saw them walking together, Hinata glowing with happiness and Naruto beaming as though he'd won a battle, reality settled in.
He struck the post again, harder this time.
"Neji!" Kiba's voice reached him, followed by the sound of Akamaru barking. Shino, in contrast, quietly trailed behind them.
Neji lowered his hands, turning to face his cousin's teammates.
Kiba crossed his arms, his expression one of utter incredulity. "Have you heard? About Naruto and Hinata?"
Neji gave a curt nod. "I've heard."
"And you're just… okay with it?" Kiba asked, disbelief written all over his face. "Like, really? Naruto barely ever noticed her before, and now they're a thing? Out of the blue?"
Shino adjusted his glasses. "It does seem sudden. I thought Naruto was… oblivious to her feelings. And we thought... you might have some objections."
Neji's gaze hardened, though he didn't quite know who his frustration was directed at - her teammates, Naruto, or himself. "It's not my place to question their relationship."
Kiba let out a huff, irritated. "It's weird, is all. What changed suddenly?"
Neji hesitated, his mind replaying Hinata's unwavering admiration for Naruto, her courage during the battle against Pain. She had laid out her life for him even in the war, shielding him with her own body, and he had jumped in without thinking, risking his own life to protect them both.
Yet... Naruto had remained oblivious to her true feelings.
Then, there was the mission on the moon. Whatever had happened there had clearly shifted something.
"Her sister said," Neji said finally, his voice even, "that Hinata-sama knit him a scarf."
Kiba blinked, incredulous. "A scarf?"
"Yes," Neji replied, though the word felt absurd even as he said it. "Apparently, that made him realize her feelings."
Kiba burst out laughing, though it wasn't entirely out of amusement. "That's what it took? After all this time she spent chasing him?"
Shino tilted his head thoughtfully. "Naruto is… simple."
Neji didn't respond. The idea that Naruto's sudden acknowledgment of Hinata's feelings was sparked by something as ordinary as a scarf left him unsettled as well.
He had spent years watching Hinata struggle, grow, and strive to gain recognition from her father, her peers, and even Naruto.
He had helped her gain recognition in the eyes of their family. Hinata had poured her sweat and blood into perfecting her Twin Lion Fists.
And now, with what seemed like little effort, Naruto had simply… noticed.
Her teammates were right - it was absurd.
Hinata had been overjoyed, of course. When Neji saw her after the mission, she had been radiant, glowing in a way he hadn't seen before.
"I'm happy for her," Neji muttered, more to himself than to Kiba or Shino.
He told himself that this was how it should be. Hinata was with Naruto now, and she was finally getting the happiness she deserved.
He had helped her gain that confidence.
But no matter how hard he tried to bury it, a small, quiet part of him still wondered if he had missed something.
If, for a fleeting moment, he had meant more to her than just a protector when she had kissed him that night under the cherry blossom tree.
Hinata found herself growing calmer and more assured. So when their paths crossed in the compound for the first time since she had gotten together with Naruto, she no longer shied away from Neji.
She greeted him with the same warmth and respect she always had, as though the night in the courtyard had been nothing more than a dream.
It was a relief to her, in some ways, that he never brought it up. She had been mortified by her actions for so long, and their training together had helped dissipate the tension.
That kiss, she told herself, wasn't about love. She had needed someone who understood her pain. Neji had been her anchor - had always been - and she had clung to him in a moment of weakness. He had understood that.
Now, with Naruto, she didn't need that anchor anymore. And Neji, as always, understood her without the need for words.
"Neji-niisan," she said casually. Her voice was steady, her smile genuine.
"Hinata-sama," he replied, his tone polite as always.
Hinata smiled gently, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you for taking the time to adjust the training schedule. It will help Hanabi-chan recover and prepare for her upcoming match."
Neji gave a small nod. "It's no trouble. I'm happy to make further adjustments if you need."
The formality of their words felt safe, measured. There was no awkwardness. Neji treated her with the same measured respect as always.
Hinata thought she might finally be able to put the memory behind her, to see Neji as she always had - her steadfast cousin, her guardian.
But as Neji prepared to leave, she stepped forward absentmindedly, brushing against his arm.
The contact was brief, so fleeting that anyone else might have dismissed it entirely. But Hinata froze, her body going rigid as though she had been shocked.
Neji paused, his sharp eyes catching her tensed shoulders and her widened eyes.
"Hinata-sama?" he asked softly.
Hinata quickly stepped back, her face shifting into a careful mask, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her unease. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine," Neji interrupted. He studied her carefully, his gaze lingering on her expression, searching for something he couldn't quite name.
Hinata offered a polite bow, her movements stiff. "Goodnight, Neji-niisan," she said, her voice softer now, hurried.
"Goodnight," he replied, his words steady, though his mind was anything but.
As he walked away, Neji couldn't ignore the tightness that had flashed across her features in that moment.
For all her calmness and confidence around him now, there was still something lingering beneath the surface.
Neji's gaze flicked up to the moon as he strode through the courtyard, his thoughts uncharacteristically unsettled.
He told himself it was nothing, that Hinata's tension was likely out of habit, a remnant of the discomfort they had both buried long ago.
She had flown past him countless times when they were younger. It had become a force of habit whenever she had come across him in the compound, a reflex.
But... Perhaps... Just like him, she hadn't completely forgotten that night beneath the cherry blossoms after all.
Naruto and Hinata walked side by side. The villagers greeted them with smiles, and Naruto, ever the exuberant hero, waved back enthusiastically, his laughter filling the air.
Hinata smiled softly, content just to be near him.
She clutched a small package in her hands - an assortment of handmade dumplings for them to share.
She had planned the moment in her mind: they'd find a quiet bench in the park, sit together, and enjoy the simple comfort of each other's company.
But as they passed Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto stopped abruptly, his eyes lighting up as he spotted Konohamaru and Shikamaru inside.
"Oi, Konohamaru!" Naruto called, waving frantically. "Hey! You guys grabbing a bite?"
Hinata blinked, startled by his sudden enthusiasm. "N-Naruto-kun…?"
He barely heard her as he turned to her with a grin. "You mind if we stop in for a bit? I haven't talked to those guys in a while!"
Hinata hesitated. She had been looking forward to spending some quiet time alone with him, something rare and precious amidst their busy schedules. But she forced herself to smile, nodding quickly. "Of course. Whatever you'd like."
Naruto grabbed her hand absentmindedly, pulling her along as he darted toward the stand.
He slid into a seat beside Konohamaru, immediately launching into animated conversation about their recent mission. Shikamaru smirked and made the occasional remark, while Konohamaru laughed loudly, hanging on Naruto's every word.
Hinata quietly took a seat beside Naruto, her hands resting in her lap.
Naruto barely glanced her way. He was so absorbed in his storytelling, so focused on meeting up with his friends, that it was as though she wasn't even there.
Hinata's smile faltered, and she lowered her gaze to her hands. The package of dumplings sat forgotten on her lap.
He's just excited, she told herself. This is Naruto. He's always like this. It's why I love him.
She had thought things would be different now that they were together. She had thought she would finally have his attention, his heart, in the way she had always dreamed.
Yet, in moments like this, she felt invisible. Like the shy girl standing in the background all over again.
After what felt like an eternity, Naruto finally noticed her silence. He turned to her with a sheepish grin. "Ah, sorry, Hinata! You must be starving. Let me get you a bowl!" He signaled Ayame behind the stand, who nodded, taking out two bowls.
"It's alright," she said quickly, but her voice was soft. She lifted the package in her lap, offering it with a tentative smile. "I… I brought these for us to share. I thought it might be nice."
Naruto blinked, surprised. "Oh, you made dumplings? That's awesome!" He reached for the package, but then, Teuchi placed a ramen bowl in front of them both.
"On the house!" he announced, and Naruto yelled gleefully.
Hinata's hand hovered midair for a moment before she slowly withdrew it, placing the package back in her lap.
She turned her gaze to the counter, her smile fading completely.
When they finally parted ways, Hinata walked home alone, still clutching the package of uneaten dumplings. Once home, she set them on the garden table, intending to have them later before they spoiled, then headed inside to wash up and change first.
She knew Naruto cared for her. She had seen it in his smiles, felt it in his touch.
But caring wasn't always the same as understanding.
Not for the first time since they had gotten together, a quiet doubt continued creeping into her heart.
Was this truly what she wanted?
As she stepped outside once more and rounded the corner toward the family's outdoor seating area, she froze.
There, seated on the wooden bench beneath the lanterns, was Neji.
He was still in his mission attire, his forehead protector tied tightly in place and faint traces of dust on his clothing.
He sat comfortably, holding the now-empty dumpling box in one hand and popping the very last dumpling into his mouth.
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise. "Umm..." she blurted.
Neji turned, swallowing quickly. "Oh," he said, slightly surprised. He held up the empty box, as if in explanation. "Were these yours?"
Hinata's mouth opened, but no words came out. She blinked, still processing the sight of him sitting there so casually, licking his fingers. He hadn't even used the chopsticks. She nodded meekly.
"I'm so sorry," Neji said. "I thought I'd just try one." He paused, looking at the box again. "They were… delicious. I couldn't help myself."
Hinata kept staring at him in amusement. She had spent so much time and effort making those dumplings, carefully seasoning and wrapping each one for Naruto, and he had barely looked at them.
And here was Neji, sitting there with an uncharacteristic hint of guilt in his eyes, having downed them all in an instant. She couldn't help but break into laughter.
"It's… it's alright, Neji-niisan," she breathed finally. "I'm really glad someone enjoyed them. We... Naruto-kun and I... filled ourselves with ramen."
Neji raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
She nodded in response, her smile wide.
Neji studied her for a moment longer, his sharp gaze seeming to read more than she intended to show. But he didn't press the matter. Instead, he set the empty box aside and stood.
"Thank you for the meal," he said simply, offering a small bow. "I owe you a replacement. Let me know what you'd like."
Hinata waved her hands lightly, shaking her head. "You don't have to-"
"I insist," Neji interrupted firmly.
Before she could respond, Neji lifted a hand, his fingers brushing a stray sakura petal from her hair. The touch was so light, so delicate, yet it sent a ripple through her entire being.
"You're too selfless, Hinata-sama," he murmured, his hand lingering just a moment too long before dropping back to his side. His eyes, however, never left hers. "You give so much of yourself… and yet, I wonder if he truly sees you for who you are."
Hinata blinked, her chest tightening. How did he...?
"I see you," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Even when there were times I thought I hated you, I always saw you. As do your teammates," he added, almost as an afterthought.
Hinata's breath caught in her throat, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. The intensity in his gaze rooted her in place.
"Do you know," he continued, stepping even closer, his voice a low murmur that seemed to wrap around her, "how remarkable you are? How much strength you carry? And how much you mean to this family… to me?"
Her pulse, if possible, quickened even more, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. "I…" Her voice faltered. It had gotten hot. She felt the need to fan herself.
"You're breathless," he said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Have I said too much?"
Hinata shook her head quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's not that. It's just… no one's ever said those things to me before."
He reached out again, this time letting his hand rest lightly on her shoulder. The gesture was simple, yet it carried an intimacy that sent a shiver through her.
Was he... gauging her reaction?
"They should," he said firmly. He obviously meant Naruto - his frown was evident. "But if they don't, I will. Because you deserve to hear it, Hinata-sama."
Hinata's vision blurred with unshed tears, her breath shallow as she struggled to steady herself. "Neji-niisan…" she began, her voice breaking.
He leaned in slightly, his tone softening as he spoke. "You don't have to say anything. Just know… I'm here."
Hinata once more found herself gasping for breath, but thankfully, he smiled.
"Goodnight, Hinata-sama," he said calmly.
As he walked past her, she turned to watch him go, her heart feeling lighter despite the mess her evening had been.