An Uncle's Wish
Chapter 1 - Hizashi
Two lone figures danced around a large grassy clearing surrounded by trees, moving at speeds almost untraceable to an ordinary human. The tranquillity of the peaceful setting was broken by the occasional strained grunt, and the more common sound of hard claps impacting against one another. Both figures were dressed similarly, with the slightly taller one wearing a loose-fitting navy gray and white kimono, and the slightly shorter one wearing a white shirt and pants, with a dark gray apron around his waist. Both figures had long black hair going down to their shoulders, and their foreheads were covered by black hitai-ate with a swirling leaf engraved on the metal part at the front.
Hyuuga Hizashi and his son Neji were masters of the Juuken, and the sight of the two sparring spiritedly would've greatly impressed anyone with even minor knowledge of taijutsu. Neji managed to slip under his arms underneath his father's dual palm strikes to the chest and deflect them, and quickly stepped inward in an attempt to thrust his right palm towards the older man's solar plexus. Hizashi was able to spot the attack, but given that his arms were too far out was unable to react, and was rendered breathless when the palm thrust hit its mark.
Seeing his father stagger back, Neji took advantage of the situation by stepping his left foot forward and turning his right foot to the side, then leaning down so that his open left hand was just above his left foot, while his right hand was held out behind him, the palm facing towards the sky. "You fought well otousan, but it's over. Jukenhou: Hakke Rokujuuuyon Shou!" Byakugan eyes blazing, Neji dashed forward quickly and unleashed a swift barrage of open hand strikes to various barts of his father's body. After the 64th strike hit, Hizashi was sent flying backwards and crashed onto the ground on his back, wincing slightly at the impact.
Exhaling lightly, Neji smiled and stepped forward, then held a hand out to his downed father. The older man grinned as his tenketsu reopened, and wordlessly accepted his son's help as he got back to his feet. "You get more impressive with every spar Neji," he chuckled.
The younger man nodded in response, then gave a small grin of his own. "Unlike someone else I know, being dead isn't a reason to slack off in my training."
A long time ago the stoic older Hyuuga would've frowned at such comment, but his death and subsequent encounter with his son over a decade ago had changed him. "You might just have a point there," he laughed before sighing. "You know, I really am proud of the man you grew up to be Neji. I only wish I was there throughout your childhood so you wouldn't have had to grow up alone."
"I didn't grow up alone father," Neji shook his head. "I had friends and family who were always looking out for me. I only wish I had realized that sooner, and discarded the silly notion of fate." With his hands behind his back, he walked past the trees, his father following behind him, and came to a stop before a small lake. "I don't regret giving my life to protect them, and I know you don't either."
Hizashi's mouth turned upwards slightly. "You're right. I don't."
As father and son gazed into the lake, images formed in the water and began to move. A small blond boy with two whisker marks on his cheeks was hanging several metres above the ground with a rope tied around his waist, diligently painting across a face carved out of a cliffside and smirking as he did so. Before he could continue, what looked to be a taller and older version of the boy appeared beside him and grabbed his hand. With his white cape with a red trim at the end flowing behind him, the Nanadaime Hokage of Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto, gazed sternly at his son Boruto, looking as if he was about to scold him.
Hizashi chuckled as the scene played out before them. "We sure have an interesting family, don't we?" he asked his son.
"He's just like his father was at his age," Neji stated with a smile. "He may not look like it, but I don't doubt for a second that he won't go on to achieve great things. Just like Naruto…"
His father nodded as the scene before them changed. The water now showed two figures kneeling by a gravestone, with the smaller one placing a couple of sunflowers into a vase. Neji's features softened immediately, and a melancholy look found its way to his face. Hizashi noticed this and frowned, but decided not to comment on it.
"You know otousan," Neji began, "I don't regret giving my life to protect Hinata-sama and Naruto, but I do wish I was there to see my niece and nephew grow up." He turned to his father. "Is it selfish of me to think like that?"
Hizashi shook his head and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Not at all. It's only human to want to be with your family. Not being able to do so is one of the hardest things about being dead," the elder Hyuuga sighed. "But it's something we learn to accept. Take comfort in the fact that your family acknowledges you, and that your legacy lives on in their hearts."
Neji nodded as Hizashi departed, and continued watching the scene between Hinata and Himawari play out before him. Despite his father's words, he still wasn't satisfied. He would find a way to visit his family, no matter what it cost him.
Sometime later, Neji found himself in a barren clearing before a towering silver statue. The statue, standing about 10 metres tall, was molded in the shape of a large robed figure with a demonic visage, long shaggy hair, two horns, and a tantou in its mouth. It cast an intimidating figure, but the young Hyuuga was undeterred.
"Shinigami-san!" Neji called, "I wish to make a request!" There was no answer. "I wish to visit the world of the living, to go see my niece and nephew!" More silence. "Can you grant me this request? I don't care what price I have to pay, this is what I want!"
Several seconds passed without anything happening, but just as Neji was about to concede defeat the statue glowed, and was illuminated by a dark outline. He took a step back as a ghostly figure emerged from the statue, its features mirroring the monument. The Shinigami glared down at Neji, but the Hyuuga stood his ground.
"The dead do not belong in the world of the living," the ghostly entity spoke, its chilling voice seemingly coming from all sides.
"I understand that, but is there no way to make an exception?" Neji asked desperately.
The Shinigami said nothing for a few seconds, before responding, "There is a privilege granted to those who died noble deaths, but it is only given once."
"What is this privilege you speak of?" enquired Neji, starting to feel a glimmer of hope.
"The dead can take a trip to the world of the living, but they can only stay there for half an hour," the Shinigami replied, its voice harsh and unflinching. "While there, they are free to interact with whoever they wish, and can choose to appear invisible to anyone they desire. However, they are not allowed to influence worldly events, and doing so will cost them their souls."
"Shinigami-san, do I fall under the category of those who are granted this privilege?"
The Shinigami floated in front of its statue in silence, but Neji didn't budge from his spot, and continued starting the demonic being in the eyes. Minutes passed before the ghostly entity finally decided to speak. "Yes."
Although he was dead, Neji still felt his heart beating vigorously in his chest, and the nerves he felt were real. However, his entire being seemed to relax after hearing the Shinigami's answer, and his face began to soften. "Then please, let me have this chance! If it's only a one time deal, then I want to use it now!"
After a couple of seconds the Shinigami's eyes glowed a fierce red, forcing Neji to close his own. When he opened them, he found himself in what he recognized to be the Konoha memorial graveyard. The dead Hyuuga took in his surroundings, trying to adjust to being back in the world of the living. Although he could change the scenery in heaven to whatever it was he desired, it was never the same as the real thing. Neji inhaled the fresh air and took one look at the bright and cloudless sky, and contemplated how best to approach the situation.
He was broken from his musings by the sound of someone sobbing not too far away from where he stood. He turned his head to the source of the crying, and his pale eyes widened. Before him was a sight he had seen many times; a young girl with dark blue hair which flared out at the sides, and wearing a yellow sunflower patterned shirt with white shorts, was sitting in front of an all too familiar gravestone. However, unlike the previous times Neji had seen her, when she was a bright, enthusiastic and cheerful young girl, Uzumaki Himawari now appeared to be crying. 'Himawari…'
AN: This is my first attempt at a Naruto fanfic, and my first fanfic in a couple of years. I've always been a big fan of fics that focused heavily on family, and have always wanted to write one but was never motivated enough to do so. However, the startling lack of Neji (one of my favourite characters) themed family fics that focused on his thoughts and interactions with his niece and nephew surprised me, and I was finally compelled to give it a shot. I didn't think it would go past 2000 words, but it's currently at 3500 words and I'm only 2/3 of the way through. So I thought I'd split it up into chapters, and see what the initial reaction to it was. Chapter 2 is already written, and will be up sometime in the next few days, depending on how long it takes me to finish chapter 3. Feedback would be much appreciated.