Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
"Neji," a soft voice beckoned from besides his right ear. Hot breath brushed his skin, causing waves of shock to run through his being. Arms wrapped around him, and a head was lying on his chest. Darkness was a shroud, hiding whatever was out in front of him. Fear took over as he pulled away. His breath became quick and short as the voice echoed throughout the cark cavern. "Neji," it was a desperate cry, raspy and weak.
I felt a presence within my mind. It was unlike that of any other. I could see him, his hair dampened by rain. His white robes were so soft. I wanted to cry into his chest and kiss his face. My heart ached so much to break that stone wall between us. There was no heat, just stone as I reached for him. I knew he could not see me, but I could see him. After all, a woman's love is diverted by nothing. It hurt that I still loved him, it hurt so much.
Backing up he questioned, "Who…what are you?" feeling lost in a sea of darkness. There was a whimper, someone let out a scream through gritted teeth. Anger coursed through her being as sadness swept over this strange realm. Her arms were limp as she allowed them to hang there, unmoving.
"I," she began, reaching for her hand, "My ring." Her finger was missing her ring, her wedding ring. 'It must have fallen,' she thought, sinking deeper into her misery. Darkness began to peal away slowly as Neji stood staring at the light, mesmerized. Light reflected flaxen strands of hair. Cerulean eyes sparkled under a radiance that could be described as Heaven's holy light.
"Ino," Neji spoke almost as if in a trance. He suddenly grasped the reality in this illusion like place. "Ino!" The shinobi yelled at her being, "Ino!" There was a flash of heat followed by an icy wind as he lost sight of everything.
It felt as though I were ensnared within a cell composed of no walls, just pure black. No it was not black, there was no light. Therefore there was no color. No color in my world any longer. I, Yamanaka Ino, lay in the darkness with nothing but my memories and pain. It is my burden to bear because of the love I refuse to rid myself of.
Deidara stared at his plate blankly as he began to slip into a deep state of thought. "Ouch," he cried out, "Danna, what the fuck?" Blood began to drip down his face. Deidara pulled the kunai out of the tree and was about the throw it back at the puppet master. His weariness took the better of him as he just sat down and ate.
"What's with that look?" Sasori questioned. He began to reseal his puppet into the scroll, staring intently at his partner.
"I'm going to bed," Deidara stated. He untied his hair, laying down on his clay bird. Facing away from the camp, he reached into his cloak. His hands felt the cold metal. Running his hands along the sharp edges, pain submerged his heart though his hands remain uncut.
Lunar light slipped through the curtain of the hospital room. Everything was blurred Neji began to regain control of his sight and shook his head. Pounding caused a dreadfully uncomfortable sensation. A chill swept through the room as his hands began to shake. The Hyuuga reached over to his wife, brushing a hair away from her face. He felt her breath, slow and steady as the machine by her side kept track of her heartbeat.
Hours passed as the hands upon the clock moved slowly. Tick tock, tick tock, the sound was embedded into his mind. Lights from the medical machinery illuminated the hospital room in a pale green light. It bounced off of the metallic pink of her nails. His eyes observed her carefully for the first time in many months.
There was not a trace of lipstick or lip gloss on her mouth. It was just a light, lifeless shade of dull pink. Her mascara had long since washed away, leaving only a tiny smudge. Her hair was a mess, covered in dust and ashes. Leaning his forehead onto hers, he shut his eyes.
Lit candles created a serene setting. Neji, standing at the very front of the aisle began to breathe quicker. His suit contrasted with his eyes which were intently staring at the door. Finally, it slowly opened. Bright light leaked through the door bit by bit.
"Neji," Ino spoke, taking a seat in the front row. Unaware of her husband's intrusion into her thoughts, she just remained silent. He was seated on the other side in the front row as well. Entranced, he had no words as he smelt the sweet aroma of vanilla candles. It was well contrasted with the smell of rose petals that were strewn across the floor by Hanabi.
Hanabi let pink rose petals fall before her as she stepped slowly towards the front of the room. Then silence swept the entire room, not a sound was heard. A woman appeared at the doorway, a veil over her face. A bouquet of pink flowers in her hand, a pair of elbow length gloves made of satin and lace adorned her arms. Jewels in her hair currently let down and curled, sparked in the light of the fire.
"Ino," Neji whispered, looking at the image of himself staring at his wife. No, she wasn't his wife yet, just his fiancé. His breath was stolen by an angel as he gazed at the woman in the dress.
Ino slowly stepped, taking gentle breaths. Her face was burning, light pink blush brushed across her cheekbones. The dress moved gracefully with each movement that was made. She glanced through the veil and behind her fiancé was the window. She could see the beach, the sand, the sun. Reaching the front of the room, it's almost as if she held her breath. Nothing could possibly ruin this moment of tranquility and sacred vows.
"Do you, Yamanaka Ino take this man, Hyuuga Neji to be your husband?" The Head of the Hyuuga house questioned. Her eyes smiling with joy at the sight of her cousin's wedding.
"I do," Ino replied a tear slipping down her cheek. She placed a ring on Neji's finger, butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
"Do you, Hyuuga Neji, take this woman, Yamanaka Ino to be your wife?" Hinata asked.
"I…" Neji began, ring in his hand.
Neji felt everything peel away as he saw her again. "Ino!" he yelled and to his surprise, she turned her head.
"Ne-neji-kun!" she screamed into the darkness as all the memories faded once more. He reached out for her hand, but instead found that he was returned to the hospital room.
"Do you, Hyuuga Neji, take this woman, Yamanaka Ino to be your wife?"
His cousin's voice echoed throughout his mind, taunting him over and over. Voices swirled around his head. "I…," he whispered.
"I do," Ino replied a tear slipping down her cheek. "Ne-neji-kun!" she screamed.
"I do," Neji replied to all the questions, "I do. I do." His hand sought out hers as he began to cry into her chest. "I do." Lifting his face until it was above hers, he kissed her lips. Gently whispered words entered her ear, "I do. Wake up. Wake up, please wake up. I do."
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. I'm sure I will update a lot sooner next time...hopefully!