My Belated Apology - Hyuga Neji x OC Fanfiction

Chapter 16

Shiyuki's POV

"I'll tell you... The Hyuga destiny of hatred."

"The Hyuga main family has a special ninjutsu that's been passed down. It's a curse seal jutsu." Neji-kun starts expaining.
"Curse seal jutsu?!" Naruto asks.

That mark...

"The curse of the mark represents a bird in a cage. It is... the symbol of being tied down to an inescapable destiny."
Neji-kun puts down his headband, reveals his green mark.
That mark makes my heart ache.

About one year ago, when we were just promoted to genin.
"Hey hey, Neji-kun!! What are these?!" I excitedly hitched his black straps. "They're so cute!"
Accidentally, my grip was so hard that the bandage on his head fell, which revealed his bare forehead. The weird green mark hit my eyes.

"W-What is this?"
Neji-kun didn't answer. He just tied his bandage back on his head and gave me a dead glare.
Mixed emotions in my mind. Doubtful, guity, broken. What was that mark? Why did he hide it? Why did he glare me? Was that because I was so naughty? Or because I made his mark revealed?

Neji-kun didn't want to talk to me, so I would find the answer myself. After we finished that day's mission, I ran to the library. As quickly as possible, I searched for the book about the Hyuga clan.

The Main family's curse seal. It's not just about distinguishing the Main and Branch family. The  Main members can activate that mark to destroy the Branch members' mind. Death is just as easy. Moreover, this curse will only disappear after death, sealing up the ability of the Byakugan along with it.

I understood then. Neji-kun must hate this curse so much, and I revealed it. It was no grievance that he glared me, I deserved it. No wonder why he always talked about destiny with such hateful attitude. I wanted to free him from that cage so bad. I wanted him to not suffering from that horrible curse anymore. I would find a way to remove it without any death. I looked for a solution, but it couldn't be found anywhere. Whatever, I would create it myself!

In the next day afternoon, I walked home together with Neji-kun, because he lived near my apartment. He always went home before me, as I stayed at the training ground to practise a bit longer. This was the first time I ever walk home with him. We didn't say a word. He didn't want to speak to me, and I was too shy to express my thought. An awkward silence.

"H-Hey, I'm sorry..." I broke the ice. "... For pulling your headband."
He kept walking, turning a deaf ear to me.
"I-I will definitely remove that curse for you without any death! I will free you from the cage! Neji-kun!!" My heart was beating so loudly that I thought he could hear it.

Neji-kun stopped walking. He turned back to face me. He let out a 'hmph'.
"Naive."
"I swear! I can do it!! Somehow!"
"Shut up, you brat. What do you know about this mark? And how will you remove it? By killing me? Ridiculous. It's my inescapable fate. Stop talking about it, or I'll send you to the hospital."

He turned around and continued to walk home. I stood there dead. Why was he so negative? I sighed to prevent myself from crying. Whatever he said, I will still find out the solution! It was my promise! Neji-kun, I'll remove that terrible curse for you!

Back on Neji-kun and Naruto's fight. Neji-kun puts his forehead protector on after lecturing Naruto about the curse seal and his father's death.
"Your destiny is to lose to me. There's no doubt."
"We won't know until it's over!" Naruto breaths heavily. "I don't know how much it hurt that your dad was killed a long time ago but... Thinking that destiny is all decided because of that is a huge mistake!"
"You're hopeless..."

Neji-kun makes an assault on Naruto.
"Referee, it's over."
No, Neji-kun. I keep hoping. The more I compassionate him, the more I want Naruto to win. I have counted on that blonde in my mind to wake my crush up.

"Heh, damn loser." Neji-kun walks away.
"D-Don't run away... I won't run... I don't go back on my word!"
"Heh, I've heard that before."
"There's no way I'll lose... to a coward who's always whining about destiny."
"An ignorant brat like you shouldn't be lecturing. People born burdened with a destiny they can oppose."
"I'm definitely going to defeat you and prove that you're wrong!!"
"Enough talking, referee. I'm going to go at him intending to kill! If you want to stop then go ahead."

Naruto roars, trying to release some chakra.
"It's useless, your points have been pressed. Can I ask you one thing? Why do you go against your destiny so much?"
"Because... I was called a loser!"

What is this?! I can feel a huge amount of chakra! How can he?! Anyway, go Naruto!!

Naruto jumps and throws shurikens toward Neji-kun. Neji-kun uses 'Rotation' to protect himself and flings those shurikens back. Naruto's speed has increased significantly. For some reasons, Neji-kun tries to avoid combating that blonde.

"Hey! You're confident in close combat, aren't you?!'
Naruto breaks the ground with just a step toward the Hyuga boy.
"I don't know about this Hyuga destiny of hatred or whatever... But if it's too much for you, then you don't have to do anything anymore! When I become Hokage, I'll change the Hyuga!!"

Naruto's enormous chakra and Neji-kun's 'Rotation' crash. Goosebump all over my body.

Neji-kun stands up after that 'Bang'. Oh my, Naruto...
"Loser, sorry but... this is reality."

No!
Out of the sudden, Naruto flies from underground with a powerful punch on Neji-kun's chin. The genius is exhausted. He can't stand up again.
"Ugh... To quickly use 'Shadow Clone' in that situation... Your main technique, eh? How careless of me..."
"I failed the academy exam 3 times... That's because unluckily for me, the ninjutsu test on the final exam was always decided as my weakes ninjutsu. The 'Clone' was my worst one."

Of course the Hyuga boy can't believe it.
"Destiny can't be changes, blah blah. Stop whining about your stupid crap like that. Since you're not a loser like me."

"Winner: Uzumaki Naruto!!"