It was cold and dark. Every part of his body was aching, in fact, some areas such as his chest and abdomen were throbbing with a searing pain. He couldn't remember where he was or how he had gotten here.
Gradually, he felt the pain receding, along with the cold, until both had vanished completely. His memory was returning as well. He had been fighting. It had been a war. Hinata jumped in front of Naruto, willing to die for him. He, Neji, had shielded the two from the blow, getting badly injured in the process. No, he had been more that "badly injured". His injuries had been fatal... So why was he here? Was he dead? Was this the afterlife?
Forcing his eyes open, Hyuuga Neji stood up and looked around. He was in Konohagakure. There in front of him, smiling gently, was one man Neji had never expected to see again.
'Hello, Neji,' Hyuuga Hizashi said, softly.
Tears stung Neji's lilac eyes, and he ran to his father, clinging onto him as if afraid that he would vanish any second.
'Chichi-ue...!' he sobbed, burying his head in Hizashi's shoulder.
He felt his father's arms pulling him close, a hand stroking his long hair. He breathed in a scent of grass and cotton; such a nostalgic smell. He clung onto his father's warmth, never wanting to let go. He had been denied the pleasure of hugging his father for so long, he wanted to make up for all that time.
'Shhh, it's alright,' Hizashi soothed, his fingers gently running through Neji's soft locks, also refusing to break the embrace.
'I've missed you so much,' Neji whispered.
'It's alright, Neji, I'm here.'