#NejiHinaWeek2024

[cyanis-art]

NejiHina Week 2024

Day 2: Folklore AU

Reinterpretation of the Yuki-Onna myth, inspired in Loputyn art.

[nejihinata]

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into the Nothing

Prompt: Fate/Destiny

Am I dead? Neji wondered.

The thought drifted in the void where he now existed - weightless, timeless, and silent.

He remembered the moment clearly: his body moving before his mind could catch up. A rush of adrenaline had carried him forward, his Byakugan flaring as he intercepted the incoming attack. There hadn’t been time to think, only the instinctual pull of duty as he threw herself in front of Hinata.

The pain came next. Intense, overwhelming pain that radiated through every fiber of his being.

Wooden stakes had pierced his flesh, tearing through him with merciless precision. His chest burned, lungs gasping for air that wouldn’t come. Blood soaked his torn garments, its warmth contrasting with the chill creeping through his body.

Then came the cursed seal. The mark of servitude he had borne for so long ignited like fire on his forehead. The oppressive weight he had carried for years dissolved in a burst of agony. He felt the seal fade, lifting in his final moments. But instead of peace, it left him hollow. His eyes burned fiercely, as though they were being seared from within. His vision blurred until it faded entirely into darkness.

And then - nothing.

The silence that enveloped him was suffocating, absolute. No sound, no light, no feeling. Just the cold embrace of the void.

Yet, strangely, he wasn’t afraid. There was a kind of satisfaction in the emptiness, a quiet acknowledgment of a life well-spent. He had fulfilled his purpose, his destiny, just as his father had before him. He had protected Hinata. That was enough.

He couldn't wait to meet him. To hear him say how proud he was of him.

But the contentment was fleeting. As his consciousness floated unmoored into the nothingness, the quiet began to crack.

The pain returned, sharper and more relentless than before. It clawed its way back into his awareness, dragging him from the abyss. It was as though the stakes were piercing him again, their jagged edges tearing through his flesh anew.

No. This wasn’t supposed to happen. The pain was supposed to be over.

And then, through the haze of agony, he heard her.

“Neji-nii… Neji-niisan…”

Hinata’s voice, raw and trembling, broke through the darkness. She was crying - no, sobbing. Her grief was palpable, her voice cracking under the weight of her anguish.

No, he wanted to say. Hinata-sama, please don’t cry.

But he couldn’t. His throat was tight, his lips frozen. His body was pinned down by an unseen force, refusing to respond to his desperate will.

Of course, he thought bitterly. He was dead. What more could he do?

Apparently, they lied when they said dying was peaceful.

The pain intensified, sharp and unrelenting, pulling him further away from the void. Sounds of battle filtered through - the clash of steel, explosions shaking the ground, the cries of comrades in the distance.

What was happening? Why couldn’t he just rest?

Then, another voice.

“Neji! Don’t you dare give up on me!”

Naruto. His voice was hoarse from screaming, filled with a desperation that struck Neji like a physical blow.

The world around him trembled. The void fractured. Sparks of light flickered in the distance, faint but growing stronger. A sudden jolt coursed through his body, and his eyes snapped open.

But he saw nothing.

He was blind.

“Stay with me, Neji! Please!” a voice begged. Sakura? Her chakra pressed into him, forceful and unyielding.

His fingers twitched. His arms ached. The burning in his chest was unbearable.

Air filled his lungs in shallow, ragged bursts from her lips, and he coughed violently.

"He's lost too much blood," Sakura was panicking. "Katsuyu-sama, please keep him covered."

“Forget it,” a voice cut through. Sasuke? No, couldn't be. “You’re wasting chakra. He’s too far gone. Have mercy on him and let him die.”

Yes, Neji thought, agreeing with him for once. Let it end.

“The seal is gone,” Hiashi’s voice muttered gravely. “He’s no longer with us. Look at this eyes. Let him rest, child. Hizashi, forgive me.”

But then came a touch - trembling hands gripping his own. Soft. Familiar. Desperate.

“Neji-niisan,” Hinata’s voice broke through the haze. Her warmth pressed against him, grounding him. “You have to live. You’re alive!”

Alive? No, that couldn’t be right.

He had died, and he had died fulfilling his destiny.

He wanted to tell her to stop anchoring him to this world.

But as her hands tightened around his, her voice filled with a mixture of heartbreak and relief, Neji realized the truth.

He was alive. And he would stay alive.

For her.

He couldn’t help but wonder though.

At what cost?

Story: Into The Nothing

✨ Fanfiction.net ✨ Ao3. ✨

@nejihinata

[cyanis-art]

NejiHina Week 2024

Day 1: Fate/Destiny

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into the Nothing

Prompt: Folklore AU

The dream enveloped him swiftly, a soothing tide pulling him away from pain and exhaustion.

It was warm and silken, like stepping into a realm untouched by sorrow. The ache in his chest, the screaming protests of his body - gone. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt… at peace.

He found himself in a strange land, both alien and achingly familiar. The air was crisp, carrying a faint scent of blossoms, and the sky stretched above him, a deep, endless blue punctuated by soft, glowing stars. The ground beneath his feet shimmered with a pale, silvery light, like moonlit water frozen in time.

He opened his eyes, and he could see.

And then, he saw her.

Hinata stood a few paces away, and her figure appeared to be glowing. She wasn't the quiet, timid girl he remembered, nor the resolute woman who had stood on the battlefield.

This Hinata radiated serenity and warmth, her smile soft and genuine, and it pierced through him in a way that left his heart both aching and full.

She stepped closer, her movements graceful, as if the world bent to her presence.

"Dear," she said softly, her voice tender and sweet, like a melody carried on the wind. "Come, let's walk."

The word struck him like lightning.

Dear. Not "brother." Not "Neji-nii."

It wasn't the address of a cousin or a comrade. It was something else. Something he had never dared to hope for in life.

Wordlessly, he took her hand. Her touch was warm, grounding, and yet it felt as if they were floating together in a realm beyond the reach of fate.

As they walked, hand in hand, he began to recognize this place, not in detail, but in essence.

This was a scene from Hyūga folklore, a tale told in hushed tones among the elders.

Generations ago, it was said, the Hyūga had lived alongside celestial beings, the people of the moon.

In those stories, the Hyūga were unbound by the rigid traditions and duties that now defined their lives.

There were no divisions between the main house and the branch house. They were free to choose, free to love, free to live unshackled by destiny.

Here, in this dream, he too was free.

Hinata was not just his cousin, not a figure he was duty-bound to protect. She was his partner, his equal, his wife.

Not by any arrangement - as their clan often made - but by choice.

They laughed together as they walked, their hearts unburdened.

For the first time, Neji understood what it meant to live without the weight of destiny pressing down on his shoulders. It was intoxicating, this freedom, this life where he could simply exist, unmarked by the scars of the past.

To feel the love of the only woman he had ever desired in his life. A woman who had eyes only on him.

A woman he had never hated, never tried to kill.

But as the dream deepened, a flicker of unease stirred in the recesses of his mind.

This world was too perfect, too seamless.

The silvery light, the endless harmony - it was all impossibly ideal, like a painting that dared not include a single flaw.

Wait. He had seen this painting in the Main House.

His heart tightened as understanding dawned. This was the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

The cruel genjutsu spun by the moon's light, offering each soul their deepest desire while trapping them in an endless illusion.

Even as he walked beside her, even as her laughter rang like music in his ears, it wasn't real.

Was this truly freedom? Or was it the cruelest illusion of all?

He glanced at Hinata again, her radiant smile lighting the world around them.

Could he let himself believe, just for a moment, that this dream was real? Or was this a glimpse of something he could never have, a fleeting taste of a fragile paradise.

Of happiness denied to him by fate before it snatched him cruelly away?

He wanted to. Oh, he badly wanted to.

Read the full story!

Story: Into The Nothing

✨ Fanfiction.net ✨ Ao3. ✨

@nejihinata

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into the Nothing

Prompt: Tarot/Magic

Sai sat on a low stool beside Neji's bed, his sketchbook balanced carefully on his lap. His pale hands moved swiftly, charcoal gliding over the page in clean, deliberate strokes. A soothing sound.

His presence was quiet yet deliberate, like a brushstroke on canvas.

"Sai," Neji said evenly, breaking the silence. "You've been sitting there for a while."

Sai didn't pause in his drawing. "I came to observe," he said matter-of-factly. "I was told people often find comfort in company during times of… recovery. I didn't want to disturb you."

Neji raised an eyebrow, though his expression remained neutral. "Was it your turn? Please tell Sakura that I don't need comforting. I know what she's doing. She's making you all keep turns, to show me 'the meaning of life'."

Sai chuckled. "Noted. However, I decided to stay. I also brought something that may interest you. They are tools, much like ink and paper - a medium - to help you find clarity."

Neji frowned slightly, his fingers twitching against the bedsheet. "You know I can't see."

"Yes," Sai replied simply, "But I thought you might find meaning in what I've drawn."

There was a soft thud as something was placed on the bedside table - the satchel he always carried.

Neji could feel the faint shift in the air, the motion of Sai's hand as he arranged the objects carefully.

"They're tarot cards," Sai explained. "I've been practicing creating my own deck. I thought I'd do a reading for you."

Neji's brow furrowed. "Tarot cards? That sounds very unlike you."

Sai's tone held the faintest trace of amusement. "Sometimes, I surprise even myself."

Neji turned his head toward the faint sound of shuffling as Sai began to deal the cards. "And why do you think I need to find clarity?"

"I cannot claim to know," Sai admitted. "But you've been through something transformative, and it's natural for humans to seek meaning in such experiences. Even if that meaning is only symbolic."

Neji hesitated but gestured faintly with his hand, amused himself. "Go on."

Sai picked up the first card, the faint rustle of paper audible to Neji's keen ears. "The first card represents your past," Sai began. "It's the Eight of Swords."

Neji's lips twitched into a wry smile. "Trapped, bound by circumstances beyond my control. How appropriate."

Sai chuckled once more. "I should describe the visual for you. The swords in the card form a cage, but they do not touch the figure. It suggests the possibility of escape... if the blindfold is removed."

Neji stilled, the irony not lost on him. His caged bird seal had recently vanished, taking away his eyes. "Go on."

Sai placed the next card down. "The second card is your present. It's Death. It's a skeletal figure holding a scythe beneath a rising sun."

Neji's expression remained impassive.

"Transformation," he murmured, recalling the common interpretation. "An end, but also a beginning."

"Exactly," Sai said. "It doesn't signify literal death but rather a profound change. The old must fall away to make room for the new."

"And the third?" Neji asked, his voice quieter now.

The last card was set down with care. "The Moon," he announced. "It represents the unknown, intuition, and the need to navigate through uncertainty. The image is of a pale light above a darkened path, and there are two wolves howling at the sky."

Neji tilted his head slightly, his blindfolded eyes directed toward where he imagined the cards lay. "Fitting," he said after a moment. "I live in darkness now."

"The Moon reminds us that even in darkness, there is light to guide us, if we trust our instincts," Sai explained.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Sai placed the cards back on the table, his gaze shifting to Neji. "Do you believe these symbols mean anything?"

Neji exhaled slowly, his blind eyes turning toward the ceiling. "Meaning, like destiny, is something we choose to acknowledge."

He lapsed into silence for a long moment, contemplating.

"Why did you do this?" he asked finally.

Sai's voice held an honesty that was rare for him. "You've always been a symbol of clarity and strength to others. Sakura told me you're losing sight - pardon the pun - of who you are. I thought it might help you find some for yourself."

Neji allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You've changed, Sai."

"So have you," Sai replied quietly. "But unlike what Sakura thinks, that isn't necessarily a bad thing."

The conversation lapsed into silence once more. Sai returned to his sketches, and Neji sat in the quiet, turning the cards' meanings over in his mind.

"Could you... leave the cards here?" he asked.

"Of course," he said. "You can't see me, but I'm nodding."

He placed the cards neatly beside Neji's bed. "You know, if nothing else, you should consider joining the ANBU," he thought out loud. "Your blindness won't be an issue. We'll make good partners."

Neji's lip curled, but he stayed silent.

Hours later, after Sai had left, the cards remained on the table, untouched yet vividly present in Neji's thoughts.

_________________________________________________

Time had lost its meaning. Days blurred into nights as usual, and the world beyond the walls of his hospital room became a distant echo. Neji stopped counting the hours, resigning himself to the monotonous limbo of recovery.

Until the day they came to take him home.

The Hyūga.

He sensed their chakra before the door even opened. Each signature was familiar, a chorus of presences he would recognize anywhere.

They had not visited him during his recovery, for which he was grateful.

The Hyūga valued pride above all else, and their absence had preserved his. They had understood him. In their own way, they honored him not by acknowledging his helplessness but by avoiding it altogether.

But now, they were here.

The calm, disciplined energy of Hiashi Hyūga.

The soft, fluttering hesitance of Hanabi.

And… her.

Hinata.

Before anyone spoke, Neji turned his head toward her, guided by instinct more than sight. His cold, unseeing eyes met hers as if drawn to her presence by some unseen force.

"Hinata-sama," he said quietly, his voice steady but lacking the sharpness it once carried. "I hope you're better."

The silence shattered with a choked sob. Though he couldn't see her face, he felt the weight of her emotions crash over him like a tidal wave.

It was as though he could still see her. But he couldn't.

Her chakra, warm and magnetic, pulsed around her. It was a beacon in his darkness - beautiful, unwavering, and strong.

The light.

Hiashi's voice broke the stillness, measured yet unusually soft. "Neji, we are here to bring you home." He paused as though weighing his words. "I will personally oversee your training… to help you adapt to life without your eyes. You are still a Hyūga. Your strength is needed."

The words washed over Neji like water over stone. He nodded faintly but did not respond. He couldn't bring himself to care.

Then her hand touched his.

Soft. Warm. Gentle.

Hinata.

_________________________________________________

Her trembling fingers tightened around his, and she spoke, her voice breaking under the weight of her emotions. "Neji-nii… why?"

He tilted his head slightly, his blind gaze meeting hers. "Why what?"

Her eyes flickered to a single tarot card lay overturned on the table beside him. The "Death" card.

There were two other cards, one beneath, one beside, facedown. The image on the back depicted an intricate design of the sun and moon intertwined. They appeared slightly worn, as if Neji had been feeling them regularly.

"Why are you asking about me?" Her voice wavered, tears streaming freely. "How can you care about me when you've lost so much? After all you've been through… after…" Her words dissolved into quiet sobs.

He let the silence stretch between them before answering. "Because it is who I am. It is... was... my Ninja Way."

Hinata's hand shook against his, her tears falling onto their entwined fingers. She looked away, unable to meet his dull, dead eyes for long. She suddenly caught movement in the corner of the room.

A figure loomed, cloaked in shadow, holding a tarot card aloft. She blinked. Was she going crazy?

The air seemed to hum, charged with an energy she couldn't explain.

The Moon.

The figure's voice was a whisper, soft and timeless. "He sees more than you know, child. He always has."

Hinata blinked once more, and the figure was gone. Only the Moon card remained, resting beside the overturned Death card.

Hanabi stood beside the table, apparently having been the one who had turned it.

She hadn't been sleeping well since the war. And now, her mind was playing tricks on her.

Neji's voice pulled her back. "Do not cry for me, Hinata-sama."

"How can I not?" she whispered. "You've lost so much… your eyes, your…" Her voice broke again.

"I've lost nothing of value," he said softly. "My sight served its purpose - to protect you. But you… you carry the light." His fingers pressed hers gently. "You always have. You shine through my darkness, just as you always have."

Hinata's gaze flickered back to Neji's blank stare, her grip on his hand steadying as her tears began to subside. She glanced again at the Moon and Death cards lying side by side, their presence both unsettling and strangely fitting.

Her voice was soft, hesitant. "Neji-nii… if I may ask? Who did this for you? The tarot… the cards…"

Neji's expression didn't change, but there was a faint shift in his tone - a quiet amusement that reminded her of the man he had been before the war as he she reminded him of the tarot cards.

"Sai," he said simply. "He was here a few days ago… drawing."

Hinata blinked, momentarily startled. "Sai? He-he does tarot?"

"Not intentionally, I imagine," Neji replied, a faint smile ghosting across his lips. "He was sketching. When I asked what he was doing, he said something about understanding people through symbols. The cards… they were his medium."

Her brow furrowed, her fingers brushing over the edge of the Moon card. "But... umm... why?"

Neji tilted his head slightly, as though considering the question. "Perhaps he saw something I did not. Or perhaps," he added, his voice laced with dry humor, "he was simply bored and thought this would amuse him."

Despite herself, Hinata let out a soft laugh, her tears still fresh on her cheeks. "That does sound like Sai," she admitted.

Neji's blind gaze remained steady, unseeing yet somehow aware of her. "The cards are just symbols, Hinata-sama. What matters is the meaning we choose to give them."

Her hand tightened around his once more, her resolve strengthening. "Then let them mean this," she said softly, her voice steadying. "That no matter what happens, no matter what we've lost… there's still a path forward. I-I will guide you. I will be your eyes."

For the first time, Neji truly smiled. It was faint, fleeting. "You've always had that strength," he said quietly. "You've always been the light... My light."

Hinata looked back at the cards. Perhaps what she saw had just been a trick of the light.

She needed sleep. Badly.

Or perhaps, as Neji said, it was the meaning she chose to see.

Read the full story!

Story: Into the Nothing

✨ Fanfiction.net ✨ Ao3. ✨

@nejihinata

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into the Nothing

Prompt: Fake Relationship

Back at the Hyūga compound, Hinata sat in Neji's room once more. She sat across from him, her voice soft but steady as she recounted every detail of the mission.

She painted vivid pictures with her words, describing the moon's vast, otherworldly beauty; the way its surface sparkled like frost beneath their feet.

She told him of the overwhelming power of the Tenseigan, a force so vast and consuming that it seemed to echo the weight of destiny the Hyūga had carried for generations.

"It was exactly like the paintings we have in our walls, what we thought is just folklore."

Her words were deliberate, carefully chosen to help Neji picture the journey as if he had been there himself.

When she spoke of Toneri and his insistence on making her his bride, Neji's expression hardened.

His lips pressed into a thin line, and though he said nothing, his displeasure was palpable.

"In a way, he reminded me a lot of... you," she finished tentatively. "When you were younger."

After a long pause, Neji broke the silence. "Come closer," he said, his voice low, steady.

Hinata hesitated for a moment, unsure of his intent, but then leaned forward.

Neji raised his hands slowly, carefully, until they reached her face.

His fingertips brushed her cheeks, tracing the delicate line of her jaw, lingering.

He moved to her hair, his touch reverent as he combed through the strands with his fingers, then to her chin, and finally her forehead, where his hand paused as though grounding himself.

His touch was deliberate, cautious, almost tender, as if he was committing every detail of her to memory.

"I've memorized your face," Neji said quietly, his voice wavering. "I know what expression you're wearing just by the sound of your voice. But now… now I can imagine it more clearly. I would die for you, but will never, ever, make you do something you do not wish to do. I will never force you into a false relationship."

Hinata's chest tightened, her heart aching at his words.

She thought of how much he had lost, how much he had sacrificed, and yet he still carried so much care for her.

"What about Naruto?" he asked after a pause, his tone shifting slightly. "Did he… acknowledge your feelings?"

Hinata's shoulders tensed, and she looked away, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. She hesitated, her throat tightening as she prepared to answer.

Finally, she shook her head. "No," she said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. "He did not. But that's not important right now."

Neji frowned even deeper, his brows knitting together.

"It is important," he said firmly. "I failed you. I wasn't there to protect you during your mission. I know you can take care of yourself, but it would ease my heart to know there was someone who could... someone who…" His voice trailed off, pain crossing his features.

His words cut her deeply. Neji, the one she had always looked up to for his strength and resilience, was baring a vulnerability she had never seen before.

He was grappling with the weight of his blindness, with the fear of being unable to fulfill the role he had always taken pride in.

"No," Hinata said suddenly, her voice firm and resolute, surprising even herself. "I don't need anyone other than you, Neji-niisan. You've always been my protector, and you still are. You're the only one I trust with my heart, with my safety, with my life."

Her words took him aback. He opened his mouth to argue, but something in her tone stopped him. For a moment, he simply stared at her - or at least faced her direction - his lips parting as if to speak but finding no words.

The silence between them was heavy, but not uncomfortable. It was filled with understanding, a bond that required no further explanation.

Finally, Neji nodded, his expression softening. "I'll do my best," he said quietly. "Even without my eyes, I'll do everything I can to protect you. That… that will never change."

And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Hinata smiled.

She stepped closer, her movements hesitant at first, as though crossing an invisible boundary. But the look on Neji's face, soft and open, gave her the courage she needed.

Without another thought, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle, heartfelt embrace.

Neji froze for a moment, caught off guard. Her warmth, her closeness - it overwhelmed him.

Slowly, almost cautiously, his arms came up to return the hug.

His touch was tentative at first, his hands resting lightly against her back, but then they tightened, drawing her closer.

It was as though he was afraid to let go, afraid this moment might slip through his fingers like so many others.

His heart, locked away behind years of discipline and duty, beat loudly in his chest, aching with emotions he had long tried to suppress.

He loved her - deeply, quietly, in a way he knew he could never voice aloud. It was something forbidden, and yet it filled every corner of his being.

He rested his chin lightly on the top of her head, his fingers splaying against her shoulder blades.

"Hinata," he whispered, so quietly that it was almost lost in the stillness of the room.

The way he said her name was reverent, as though it were a prayer, a plea, a promise.

Hinata felt the strength in his arms, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her cheek.

She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the comfort of his embrace. "You've always been my strength," she murmured against his chest. "You've always been my guide."

Neji tightened his hold, his jaw clenching as he fought the emotions threatening to spill over.

"I'll always be here for you," he said, his voice unsteady, laced with an intensity he couldn't hide. "No matter what, Hinata-sama. Always."

Hinata didn't fully understand the depth of what Neji felt - how could she? To her, this was the unbreakable bond of family, of trust. But for Neji, it was more. It was everything.

When she finally pulled back, her hands lingered on his shoulders, her eyes searching his face.

"Thank you, Neji-niisan," she said softly.

He placed his fingers on her lips and felt her smile, radiant and pure, and he memorized it, committing every detail to the memory of his mind and heart.

When the door closed behind her, Neji sat in the quiet of his room, his fingers curling into his palms.

"Always," he whispered again, to no one but the night.

Read the full story!

Story: Into the Nothing

✨ Fanfiction.net ✨ Ao3. ✨

@nejihinata

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into The Nothing

Prompt: Choose Me

When Neji woke the next day, he didn't need to open his eyes - or rather, he couldn't - to sense her presence.

It was quiet but unmistakable, like a soft breeze that lingered in the room, carrying with it her soft breathing and the warmth of her concern.

He sighed, a sound caught somewhere between exasperation and a reluctant fondness. He did not mind her presence, never.

"Hinata-sama," he said softly, his tone inviting.

She stood by the door, her fingers tightening imperceptibly around the breakfast tray she held, betraying her emotions. Without a word, she moved to place it carefully on the table before sitting beside him.

"Hachiko-san mentioned you weren't awake yet," she explained, her voice gentle but steady. "So I offered to bring your breakfast when you were up."

"You don't need to watch over me," he replied, his tone devoid of reprimand. "I know what you're doing, and I assure you, I'm fine."

"I know," she admitted quietly, lowering her gaze. "But I want to. Because…" She hesitated, her lips pressing together in thought. "Because you did the same for me once."

His head tilted toward her, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "When?"

"Back when we were genin," she reminded him. "I strained my Byakugan during training and lost my vision for a few weeks. I was… so scared. I felt useless. But you… you made me feel like I could still see."

Taking care of her felt so natural to him, he recalled more than once instance he had done it for her. He frowned slightly, trying to place which memory she was referring.

He recalled her stumbling awkwardly around the compound, trying to navigate a world that had become foreign to her. She hadn't asked for help outright, but he had noticed everything - every misstep, every hesitation, every quiet sigh of frustration. He'd intervened where he could, as discreetly as possible.

"You'd quietly guide me around obstacles, give me subtle warnings. I even noticed how you started making environmental sounds - tapping wood, brushing against walls - just to help me orient myself without making me feel incapable." She laughed softly, the sound light and warm. "You were always so subtle, Neji-niisan. I didn't even realize at first."

He shifted uncomfortably, his pride brushing against her praise. "It wasn't anything remarkable," he muttered. "Anyone would have done the same."

"But it wasn't just anyone," Hinata countered. Her voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable sincerity in her words. "It was you. You chose me, Neji-niisan. You looked after me when I couldn't look after myself."

Neji swallowed, suddenly glad for the bandages over his eyes. At least she couldn't see the blush he was certain had crept over his face. "I only did what needed to be done," he replied quietly, though the weight of her gratitude made his voice falter slightly.

"Maybe," she said softly, "but I found out about the antidote you risked your life to get for me. Just so I could watch the fireworks I'd been looking forward to. You made me feel like myself again."

The room grew still. Neji's throat tightened, and he cleared it awkwardly. "You… knew about that?"

She nodded. "I never mentioned it because I knew you wouldn't take credit. But it meant everything to me."

His lips parted to speak, but no words came. He felt her hand rest gently on his forearm, grounding him. Then, slowly, she reached for his other hand, intertwining her fingers with his.

"And now," she said softly, her touch firm yet tender, "it's my turn to do the same for you. I choose you, Neji-niisan."

For a moment, he was quiet. Her words settled over him like a warm blanket, comforting and impossible to shake off. Though his instinct was to protest, to dismiss her kindness as unnecessary, he couldn't bring himself to do it, couldn't bring himself to say anything in fact with the lump stuck in his throat.

"You're stubborn," he muttered finally with reluctant affection.

"I learned from the best," she replied, a smile curling her lips. She wasn't sure if he could sense it, but she hoped he could.

Neji chuckled under his breath, the sound rare. Slowly, his free hand reached up, his fingers brushing against her cheek.

His touch was impossibly gentle, as though he were trying to feel her smile through his fingertips.

Hinata froze, her breath hitching as the air between them seemed to grow impossibly close. She had always been attuned to his presence, but since the war ended, the proximity felt sharper, almost tangible. An intimacy she hadn't expected had begun to take root, growing subtly, especially after her mission on the moon - when Naruto had yet to understand her feelings for him.

Her heart raced, each beat thundering in her ears. She could feel the faint warmth of Neji's breath against her skin, his nearness almost suffocating in its intensity.

Was she so starved for affection that she found herself clinging to anyone who offered her even a semblance of care?

Was she truly so deprived of love that she was starting to seek it… closer to home?

"Neji-niisan," she whispered, her voice barely audible, uncertain of what to say or do. Her eyes betrayed her for a fleeting moment, darting toward his lips before she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

For the first time since the war, she was relieved he hadn't seen that.

What was happening to her?

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Story: Into the Nothing

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@nejihinata

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into The Nothing

Prompt: Lady and Knight

Neji had recently returned from the hospital, his body still frail, his movements deliberate and measured. His spirit seemed quiet, subdued in a way that made her heart ache.

That day, she had found him in the courtyard, sitting beneath the shade of a cherry blossom tree. The gentle breeze toyed with his hair, long and unkempt, the once-pristine locks now tangled and dull.

"Hinata-sama," he had called softly when he sensed her presence. "I may need your help with something."

"What is it, Neji-niisan?" she asked, moving closer.

His expression was distant, his blind eyes turned toward the horizon. "It's… my hair," he said, hesitating. "Cut it off."

"Cut it off?" she echoed, shocked. "But... why?"

"Short hair will be easier to tend," he said, his voice subdued. "I... don't like asking for help."

She tried to observe his wrinkled expression, as if even mentioning asking for help left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Is that... the only reason?" she asked.

"There is no reason to keep it anymore," he said firmly. "A relic of nobility, of heritage… of battle. None of it matters now. A knight without a cause has no need for a banner."

She had stared at him for a long moment, her heart aching at the weight he carried alone. Finally, she shook her head, not that he could see it. "Let me… wash it first," she said quietly.

Fetching a basin of warm water and a comb, she returned to the courtyard. Sitting behind him, she gently untangled the knots, her fingers working with care. The cool water trickled through the strands as she lathered them with soap, her touch soft but deliberate.

"You're not a knight without a cause," she said after a moment, her voice steady. "You're still here, Neji-niisan. You've always been my knight, even when I didn't deserve it."

He had remained silent, his shoulders stiff, but she felt the faintest tremor ripple through him.

"And a knight's banner," she continued, weaving her words carefully, "is more than just a symbol. It's a part of who they are. Your hair… it's a part of you, Neji-niisan. It carries the strength, the grace, and the honor of the man who has protected me countless times."

He sighed, the tension in his posture easing slightly. "You always insist on seeing things differently," he muttered, though his tone was free of reproach or irritation. He leaned slightly against her touch.

"I'll take care of it," she promised. "I'll trim it, but I won't let you discard a part of yourself."

When she finished, she braided his hair carefully, her fingers lingering on the smooth strands.

He hadn't said much after that, but she had noticed the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his lips, an expression of quiet acceptance.

Now, sitting beside him in the dim hospital room, her fingers instinctively found the braid she had tied earlier that day. She smoothed her hand over it, her voice soft but firm.

"You're still my knight," she murmured, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "And I'll always be your lady, whether you believe in banners or not."

The memory was enough for Neji's lips to curve into the faintest hint of a smile, despite the pain.

"You've… always been too kind," he said weakly. "Even now… you're worrying about me… when I'm the one… who should have protected you."

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Story: Into the Nothing

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@nejihinata

[lillieghoul]

NejiHina Week 2024

Into The Nothing

Prompt: Hyuuga Politics

The aftermath of the moon mission had brought peace, but not without a heavy price.

With Hanabi's eyes restored and Hinata returning as a hero blessed by Hamura Ōtsutsuki, the Hyūga clan convened a meeting in the grand council hall.

Though Hinata and Hanabi had been invited to observe as part of their preparation for future responsibilities, they remained silent, sitting on either side of Hiashi.

The abduction of Hanabi and the loss of sight in both her and Neji had exposed vulnerabilities the clan could no longer ignore. It was about the clan's strength and standing in Konohagakure.

Hiashi sat at the head of the table, his usually calm features a little strained. Elders from both the main and branch families argued over how best to tackle the situation.

"The events of the past months have laid bare a troubling reality," began an elder, his tone severe. "The Hyūga clan, despite our renowned strength, was unable to protect our heiress. This cannot happen again."

Another elder interjected, his voice tinged with frustration. "We need to act swiftly. It has been almost two years since we lost Neji's eyes. His combat abilities are vital to the defense of our clan. Restoring his eyesight is not just a necessity - it is an obligation to maintain our standing."

Some murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.

An older elder, known for his traditionalist views, cleared his throat and spoke. "While the importance of restoring Neji's vision is clear, we must be pragmatic about the source of the Byakugan. A member of the branch family should be considered as a donor."

Several elders exchanged glances, while Tokuma Hyūga, Neji's proxy, stiffened visibly.

"The branch family has long been tasked with serving and protecting the main family," the elder continued, unperturbed. "It is a role that defines their existence. Offering one's Byakugan for the greater good of the clan should not be viewed as a burden but as an honor."

A younger branch family member, spoke boldly, "Are we to repeat the injustices of the past and take from a branch family member for the convenience of the main family?"

His words caused a stir, and an elder from the traditionalist faction immediately countered, "It is not 'injustice.' It is the duty of the branch family to serve and protect the main family. That is the order we have upheld for generations. After all, it is to aid a fellow branch family member anyway."

Tokuma stepped forward. "With all due respect, such a decision must be weighed carefully. The branch family has borne the brunt of these sacrifices for generations. We are no longer living in an era where blind tradition should dictate the fate of individuals. Neji himself would never consent to such an act if it perpetuates a cycle of exploitation."

The traditionalist elder frowned, his gaze hardening. "And yet, the survival of the clan may demand such sacrifices. Are we to jeopardize the Hyūga's strength for the sake of sentimentality?"

Hiashi's expression tightened, though he did not interrupt.

The younger speaker pressed on, emboldened. "Perhaps this is why we find ourselves in this predicament. Blind loyalty to tradition has blinded us to our vulnerabilities."

The council grew louder, the arguments more heated, until Hiashi raised his hand. The room fell silent.

"This council will not entertain any action that threatens to undermine the unity of the Hyūga. I will not allow the mistakes of the past to dictate our future." he began, his voice calm yet commanding.

"The decision to restore Neji's eyesight is not one we make lightly. This is not about favoring one family over the other. It is about the survival and future of the Hyūga. As for who will be the donor," he continued, "we will decide based on the best interests of the clan as a whole."

At this, one of the traditionalists leaned forward, addressing Hiashi directly. "If Neji's restoration is so critical, why is he not here to participate in this discussion? He is, after all, the head of the branch family."

"Neji is not present because he is the subject of this discussion," Hiashi explained. "As head of the branch family, his involvement would compromise the objectivity of our decision-making process. His second-in-command, Tokuma Hyūga, is here to represent the branch family's interests."

His gaze swept over the gathered elders, settling on the traditionalist elder. "If a branch family member were to be considered, it would be of their own volition, and only after they fully understand the implications of such a choice."

"We are even having this discussion because the subject matter - Neji- himself honored this practice and fulfilled his duty when he all but died protecting the heiress."

Hinata stiffened visibly, and Hiashi's gaze hardened. "This is not an era of coercion or blind duty. I will not have this clan descend into internal strife over outdated notions of servitude. Neji made his own choice and chose his own destiny, like my brother did before him."

The elder's mouth tightened, but he said nothing further.

Another elder, seeking to diffuse the tension, shifted the conversation. "Then perhaps we should broaden the search for volunteers, main and branch family alike. A shared sacrifice could foster a deeper sense of unity."

Hiashi nodded. "That is a suggestion worth exploring. Volunteers will be sought, but no one will be compelled."

The council dissolved into murmurs once more.

It was then that Hinata stood. Her gaze was steady, her voice calm and resolute.

"Honored council members," she began, "if we are seeking a donor, I will volunteer."

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Story: Into the Nothing

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@nejihinata

[cyanis-art]

Why I chose Eyes?

Because it’s the aspect that represents Hyuuga the most. And it’s the window of the soul. Just think how much the eyes can tell, all the expressions, what they saw beyond byakugan.

“Her eyes were so like his and yet so different”. How many times I read something like this sentence and loved it all the blessed time???

Surely “Eyes” is one of my favorites to see in this special edition of the event!

Tell me you all which themes are you electing??

[nejihinata]

⋆ ˚｡⭒ ☾ Important announcement ☽ ⋆⭒˚｡⋆

Is anyone excited for the NejiHina week???? 👀

This time it will be even more special because it will mark ten years of our wonderful annual event that keep this community together and this ship afloat and sailing in our hearts.

Ten whole years! Can you believe it?

We are so proud and full of gratitude for every one and each of you that contributed for the NejiHina community across the last ten years, may it be as creators with beautiful art and fic that make our hearts ache due to their brilliancy, may it be as fans with likes, comments and reblogs.

You guys are amazing! Absolutely amazing!

We are super excited for 2024's edition of the NejiHina Week because this edition will be more than special.

And to honour our history, instead of collecting this year's themes through asks as usual, we are counting on you to select the best themes from each year of edition from 2014 to 2023!

Starting from today 11/04/2024 till sunday 11/10/2024 we will be releasing pools for you to vote on your favourite theme from each year of event.

You are free to campaign for the theme you think should be picked, mod @pandoraimperatrix and mod @cyanis-art will be making their own propaganda posts too!

As always, we will be tracking the tags #NejiHina, #NejiHinaWeek and #NejiHinaWeek2024 so don't forget to tag everything so we can reblog and engage with your posts!

Have fun eveyone!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2014!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2015!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2016!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2017!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2018!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2019!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2020!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2021!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2022!

Choose a theme from NejiHina Week 2023!

[lillieghoul]

Practically been pulling all-nighters to participate in #NejiHinaWeek2024!

A little late to the party but catching up fast! Have pretty much outlined my entire fic based on the prompts - and some without the prompts for continuity purposes, to relate to my current works so I could churn out chapters quicker.

I’m also reading and watching works of other fellow NejiHina authors. It is the perfect gift for winter vacation 💕

Tag me in your works! I would love to read it and leave kudos/comments/reviews.

Much love ❤️

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Story: Into the Nothing

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