Hinata and Neji's Fate

After Hyuga Hiashi scolded her, little Hinata ran into the snowy night.

She ran and cried.

She kept running, farther and farther.

All she could think about was leaving the home where she had never felt any warmth.

The little girl's sobs filled the cold, snowy night.

Still, Hinata ran.

She fell again and again, got back up each time, and kept going.

She didn't know how long she had been running before her legs finally gave out.

She dropped to her knees in the snow, braced her hands against the ground, and wept.

Just as grief overwhelmed her, a young voice suddenly spoke.

"What are you doing?"

Hinata looked up. It was the older boy she had met before—Naruto.

Naruto walked slowly toward her.

He asked gently, "Why are you out here? You'll catch a cold."

When Hinata saw him, she stopped crying.

She stared at him in a daze.

Seeing her stay silent, Naruto went on. "You can't just keep crying."

"I..." Hinata began.

She looked at Naruto.

But whenever the words reached her lips, she lost the courage to say them.

Seeing her struggle to speak, Naruto asked softly, "Did you get lost again?"

Hinata didn't answer. She shook her head.

Naruto looked at her and sighed helplessly. "What am I going to do with you? Come on."

Hinata stood and stared at him blankly.

Naruto took her hand. "I'll take you home," he said gently.

Hand in hand, they ran through the snow beneath the silent night sky.

Hinata had already forgotten her sadness.

A heartwarming song began to play on the screen.

At that moment, Hinata had eyes only for the little boy beside her.

Once again, Naruto brought Hinata to the Hyuga Clan Compound.

This time, he went no farther.

He slowly let go of her hand and smiled. "This is as far as I can go. Do you remember where your home is?"

Hinata gazed at him and nodded.

"Don't run off like that again," Naruto said softly.

"Every time I see you, you're in such a mess.

"You really make me worry.

"Go on. I'll watch you from here."

At last, Hinata found the courage to turn and run. "My name is Hinata Hyuga! Thank you for taking me home!"

Naruto stood where he was, smiling. So her name is Hinata. What a lovely name.

Only when her small figure vanished into the snowy night did he turn away.

Looking out into the still night, Naruto murmured, "Hinata has a family. Why does she cry so much?"

His lonely figure was all that remained beneath the silent night sky.

The scene changed once more.

At last, the day of Hinata's third birthday arrived.

Early that morning, Hyuga Hiashi took Hinata to the gate of the Hyuga Clan Compound to meet Hizashi Hyuga.

Hizashi arrived with young Neji and stopped across from Hiashi.

Neji spotted the little girl holding Hiashi's hand.

A little shy, he said to his father, "Father, that little girl is so cute."

Hizashi, usually so gentle, suddenly turned cold.

Confused, Neji asked, "What's wrong, Father?"

Hizashi said nothing. He only looked at his bewildered son.

Resentment filled Hizashi's eyes. He knew all too well why he had brought Neji here today.

Though born into the Hyuga Branch Family, Neji was the son Hizashi was proudest of.

Looking at his gifted son, Hizashi could hardly bear the thought that Neji was about to receive the Caged Bird seal.

Then his cold gaze shifted to Hinata.

Hinata sensed the strange tension and grew frightened.

She hid behind Hiashi.

Hiashi had noticed the resentment in Hizashi's eyes from the start.

But...

He said nothing. Holding Hinata's hand, he turned and walked on.

Hizashi silently followed with Neji.

They walked on together in silence.

Suddenly, Hizashi spoke to Neji in a calm but helpless voice. "Neji, starting today, you must learn to protect Lady Hinata."

"And you must keep growing stronger to safeguard the Hyuga bloodline. That is your destiny."

Neji didn't quite understand what his father meant by destiny.

But he nodded and answered firmly, "Don't worry, Father. I'll protect Lady Hinata."

"Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect her."

"I'll keep growing stronger and safeguard the Hyuga bloodline. I won't let you down."

Hizashi's heart filled completely with resentment.

Through the pain, he forced out a single word.

"Good."

The scene changed again.

Neji and Hinata watched the snow in Hiashi's courtyard.

Smiling brightly, Neji turned to her. "Lady Hinata, look how beautiful the snow is."

Hinata reached down, scooped up a handful of snow, and played with it.

Watching her, Neji couldn't help saying, "You're so cute, Lady Hinata."

Hinata lowered her head shyly, and the two children talked for a long time.

Neji looked at Hinata with determination. "Lady Hinata, you mustn't say you don't want to be a Ninja anymore."

"But you're so amazing, Neji," Hinata said shyly. "I wish we could trade places."

"It's all right, Lady Hinata," Neji said fondly.

"From now on, I'll protect you with my life."

"I'll help you grow strong. If you're ever in danger, I'll give my life to protect you."

Hinata stared at Neji, her older cousin.

His words filled her with warmth.

Having an older cousin was wonderful.

But Hinata thought, I'll do the same for you, Neji.

The scene changed again.

Neji's father took him into a quiet room.

Hizashi told his son not to move and to uncover his forehead.

Neji obediently sat still and did as his father asked.

Hyuga Hiashi took a small box from a cabinet.

There were also some intricate markings.

A little while later...

A green mark appeared on Neji's forehead.

It was shaped like an X. From that day forward, Neji bore the Caged Bird curse seal of the Hyuga Branch Family.

But...

Neji, still too young to understand, looked at the green X on his forehead.

"Wow, it looks so nice!" he said happily.

Seeing that his son understood nothing of what had happened pained Hizashi deeply.

Yet when...

He saw his son's innocent, kind smile...

Hizashi couldn't bring himself to tell Neji the truth.

Note: Thank you to Solo Sitting for the two likes and two bouquets of flowers.

Special thanks to Qingfeng Meng Ceng Jihe for the love letter.

Thank you so much, and thanks for the support you're giving now.

I'm truly moved. Thank you all.