This is inspired by a video on Youtube called NejiHina doujinshi, First Love. The doujinshi is drawn by a Japanese artist (whom I do not know). I did not like the ending, thus this is an alternate one. Also, I don’t experience the four seasons in my country (which is pathetic) so I might make mistakes here and there regarding this.
I wrote this 6 years ago and it was originally published on FanFiction and written to celebrate Neji’s birthday. I made some small editing to make the story flow better, but it’s minimal, barely noticeable.
Beta-reader: Sakura Imai Hotaru
From the day I was born, I already knew my fate was sealed. Being the Hyuuga heiress means that I have to make certain sacrifices.
The crush on Naruto faded, as I found myself getting closer to someone else.
He was my soul mate, my best friend, my first love.
However, the love was forbidden, for he was from the branch house, and I, the main.
The wind blew, and the blooming camellias decorated the path. The rich red color of the camellia reflected in her eyes. The kimono she wore was thick, but it didn’t help to warm her much. A stream of cold air followed as she gave a sigh.
Fingering a Nanohana, Hinata smiled gently at it. ‘A spring-flower blooming in winter? It must be strong…’ She couldn’t help but wish she was just like it.
“Hinata-sama,” The voice was familiar.
“Neji-nii-san.” She greeted quietly, standing up to face her approaching cousin, her face flushed from the cold.
“You shouldn’t be here. The wedding ceremony is in a day’s time.” His forehead was bare of the hitai-ate, though the seal was hidden beneath layers of bandages.
There was a moment of hesitation.
“I… I don’t feel that he is right for me.” Lavender eyes focused on the frozen lake - her reflection looked back at her.
The man seemed startled. “Hinata-sama, what are you saying?” His eyes were hard.
“… I… Don’t think I am good enough.” She looked away and down – meeting red.
“You… You are very pretty,” The all-seeing Hyuuga eyes missed the slight widening of her orbs. “If I was in another position, I’d surely…”
He did not need to continue; a grievous smile made its way onto the woman’s face.
In the outstretched hand laid a hitai-ate.
“Hinata-sama, despite being so busy, you still helped me mend this?” He took the hitai-ate.
The gentle rays reflected off the steel on his forehead.
She took a few steps away.
“Next time…” A breeze swept up her long hair, the camellias filled the pathway. The silent words were carried away. “Okay?”
With one last genuine smile, she turned and ran as fast as she could in the restricting kimono.
“I didn’t hear that clearly…” He looked away. “Oh well.”
He took the opposite way back.
She wasn’t feeling a bit of happiness even though it was her own wedding.
‘It had to be done.’ She had known that since she was born.
Her hand closed over her left breast.
So… Why did she feel such a painful ache in her heart?
The wedding will begin soon.
Almost everyone attended.
Everyone in the Hyuuga family of course.
She looked absolutely breath-taking in her shiromuku. However, the face of the bride wasn’t a joyous one.
The sake-drinking ritual had begun.
The wedding bands were exchanged.
Hiashi nodded with approval.
Heading outside, he glanced at the sky.
The sign of a Konoha ninja was removed from its rightful place.
The hitai-ate was held in his hands, the inside facing him.
How could he not notice it before?
Ignoring the fact that she wasn’t supposed to meddle in the Hyuuga affairs on her wedding day, she had a feeling that if she didn’t follow her heart, she’ll regret it forever.
Rushing down the corridor – her white dress trailing behind her – she slid open the door.
A person was lying on the ground. His frame was familiar, too familiar.
Clutching his head, he was screaming in total anguish.
Her father stood across them.
“Otou-sama! Stop it!” She knelt by Neji.
“Otou-sama! Please, stop it!” Teardrops landed on Neji’s cheek.
Finally, the struggling stopped.
The hitai-ate wasn’t present on his forehead – where could it be?
The brown material peeked from underneath Neji’s haori.
“Neji… Neji-nii…” It was all but a susurration.
“Hi… Hi-na-ta… sama?” He couldn’t open his eyes.
Tears overflowed, “Otou-sama… Please, please spare him…” The lavender eyes could not be seen behind closed lids.
Hiashi looked unimpressed.
“I will not tolerate such nonsense. He is of the branch house; you will marry someone of equal standing!” Hiashi barked. He wasn’t pleased, not at all.
“Oto-” A murmur stopped her protest. “Hi… Hinata… I’d rather die… Don’t, don’t beg him.”
He started coughing violently.
This wasn’t good. Neji will die if he doesn’t get into a hospital soon. Very soon.
She felt useless; she couldn’t do anything to help the one that she loves.
Tears littered the tatami ground.
“You will go back to your husband, now.” White eyes narrowed, Hiashi wasn’t one who tolerates disobedience.
“…No.” It barely made a whisper.
“No. I want to be with Neji.” She was firm, he was all she wanted.
“You dare disobey me!” Hiashi was beyond furious.
The clock on the wall ticked away mercilessly.
Both of them stiffen, Neji tried to open his eyes.
He wanted to confirm that Hiashi was serious.
It wasn’t a joke, was it?
“Just go.” Hiashi turned away.
Hinata cried, but this time, it was tears of happiness.
She never looked as beautiful as now.
She needed to hurry, her husband would soon discover that she was missing at the wedding reception.
“Thank you, father.” Supporting Neji on her shoulder was tougher than she thought, but she was a kunoichi.
It was his final gift to her as a father.
“Neji… We need to get you to a hospital.” She pleaded.
“… I know my own body; I’m going to die, Hinata.” A smile.
She wiped her tears away.
“Hinata… Go back, and live on. Promise me…”
“Please… They will be here soon.”
He was almost begging. Hyuuga Neji never begged.
Her heart shattered all over again, from the time she knew about the marriage, to Neji’s waning life.
It was too hard for her to accept.
There was the sound of hurried footsteps.
Apparently heaven doesn’t favour her.
Her teeth were stained red; the ground was covered in blood – her blood.
In the middle of the puddle, the silver wedding ring danced.
The pure white gown was stained a sinful scarlet through the stab wound on her back.
Neji lay beside her, in her arms.
“Neji…” She drew out his hitai-ate.
Holding his hand with whatever strength that she could mustered, she thought that this was for the best.
“Will yo-” She choked on her own blood, “Fulfil th- the promise?”
The smaller hands were encased by bigger ones.
“Should we kill them?” A rough voice asked.
“They ran away from the Hyuuga house, they’re criminals!” It was Hinata’s betrothed husband.
The katana blades glinted in the dusk light.
The hitai-ate fell from Hinata’s grip –
When we’re reborn, please marry me.
Red camellias represent true love. I had originally wanted to use yellow camellias, for they represent longing but, they are not located in Japan so I couldn’t put it in. Therefore I chose the second one – Red camellias.
Shiromuku is the traditional bride’s gown for Japanese.
Haori, you know that thing that Neji wears on a daily basis post time-skip? Yeah, that.
In case you didn’t understand, Neji was going to say “shimata”, which means “crap”, “oh no”, “shit” or other acronyms.
When we’re reborn, please marry me.
This was embroidered in hiragana.
