a/n: So this is the final chapter of Neji and Itachi's journey. Please enjoy!

Epilogue

Neji looked up and smiled when Itachi came in through the front door of their small cottage. "Welcome home."

Itachi smiled and blew him a kiss before vanishing off into their bedroom to change out of his work clothes.

Neji sighed and set down the book he'd been reading as his mind wandered back to the past. He and Itachi had left the mansion five years ago, traveling away quickly by magic, and concealing themselves by going on foot when it seemed as if Sasuke was catching on to their location.

They'd left Kisame and Konan in a bustling port town before setting off to cross the rest of the Hyuga kingdom and over into the Sabaku. There, they'd found a small border city where they had lived for two years to learn the language and the customs of the Sabaku before moving out into the urban sprawl. Now, Itachi worked at an apothecary while Neji taught history lessons at a local school.

They were both happy with their lives. They lead a simple lifestyle that was far different than what both of them had experienced in the past, but Neji found that he liked it. He'd been raised to serve, and then he'd been raised to lead, and now he was doing both by teaching the children in the community. Itachi was grateful that he had a place to work his magic, and that he had Neji by his side.

Sometimes, Neji still wondered if this was the right decision to make. He thought of the pain that his family was facing at home. He thought of Shikamaru. He thought of his cousins.

Itachi had offered to show him the state of his family in his crystal ball more than once, but Neji had refused every time. He didn't want to know, because if they weren't doing well, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from going back to them.

He was happy with Itachi, here in this pure village life. But that didn't mean that he didn't have regrets.

Itachi came out of their bedroom and leaned over Neji's shoulder. "What book are you reading?"

Neji showed him the cover, and Itachi laughed slightly. "A Beauty and the Beast? I didn't know that you never outgrew your fairytales."

"Happy endings aren't just for children." Neji put the book to the side and turned in his seat so that his face was close to Itachi's. "How was work?"

"Normal. I don't get to experiment very much, but figuring out new things was never really a big interest of mine anyways."

"We could move again. Find you a big laboratory."

"And move out of obscurity and into the open? I think not." Itachi came around the edge of the chair and sat down on Neji's lap, laughing as Neji made a disgruntled noise.

"So we'll live the rest of our lives in obscurity…"

"Do we have any other choice, Neji?"

"We could go back."

"Yes, we could go back. But then you would be taken away from me, and I would be killed on sight." Itachi caught Neji's chin in a firm grip as he stared straight into his eyes. "I've found you, my love, and now that I've found you, I will never let you go."

Neji blinked in surprise; he'd only been joking around when he suggested going back. "Itachi…"

"Sorry." Itachi let go of his face, his hands falling to Neji's shoulders instead. "Too serious?"

"No; well, yes, but…" Neji bit his lip. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"What is there to talk about?" Itachi raised a questioning eyebrow. "I love you."

"But, 'never let me go'?"

"Do you want to go?"

Neji sighed. "No, Itachi. You know that there's no place that I rather be than at your side." Neji leaned into press his lips to Itachi's cheek. "Don't go getting all insecure on me now."

"How did I end up with you?" Itachi sighed. "Beautiful, patient, bossy…"

Itachi's surprised yelp when Neji kicked him off his lap was satisfying.

"Did I mention childish?" Nevertheless, Itachi smiled slightly even as he rubbed his hip. "How was your day?"

"Normal as well. The kids were pretty subdued after their class camping trip a couple days ago."

"No one's giving you any trouble? The other teachers are fine?"

"Yeah. Like I said, everything's normal."

"If you're sure."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Sometimes you keep things to yourself." Itachi got up from the ground and dusted off his pants. "Where's Menma?"

"He went out flying. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"Does he miss the Hyuga kingdom?"

"Every day."

"Do you miss the Hyuga kingdom?"

Neji smiled quietly. "Of course. But anywhere with you is better than home."

"You still think of it as home?"

"Of course."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Neji got up from his chair and came to stand in front of Itachi. "I love you."

Itachi leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to Neji's mouth. "I love you too."

Neji smiled affectionately when Itachi drew away. He might never overcome his regret to take this decision, and to run away with Itachi. He might never overcome his homesickness and his longing to run throught the mountains of the Hyuga again. But hopefully, someday, he would have the courage to look into Itachi's crystal ball and find the fate of his family. The day he would be able to that, Neji knew that he would truly be able to accept his new life for Itachi, and he would be able to put his past behind him and he would be able to fly on the wings of happiness, with Itachi and Menma by his side.

Fin

a/n: So, they are happy. Regretful, but happy. I consider the ending to be very optimistic, and yes, I do think that someday Neji will be brave enough to find his family's fate. I hope that this ending was satisfactory to all of my dear readers, and thank you all so much for sticking with me through long hiatus periods and through the entire mess of this story! This work is the longest thing I've ever written, and I'm proud of what I've achieved.

Additionally, this will be the last thing I post on . I essentially grew up as a writer here, but I've stopped reading Naruto, and no longer have the will to write fanfiction for this manga. Instead, you can now find me on as the author "krishoislove" where I now write fanfiction for my favorite k-pop band, EXO.

Thank you so much to everyone who has read and supported all of my writing on this site. I'm sorry to say goodbye, but life is like a river, and it's time to move on. Hugs and kisses to my dear readers, and hopefully, we'll meet again in another story!