Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Oh, I don't own the song either, it's from one of the Digimon movies. Rika sang it. I think the movie was Digimon: Runaway Locomon or something. Anyway enjoy.
It was mid day. The sun barely shined through the foliage of the forest, making the forest dim.
Neji walked through the forest, his thoughts dark. It was the anniversary of his father's death. Hizashi Hyuuga had died when Neji was three, a year after he had gotten the cursed bird seal. Neji was now eight.
Neji paused as he heard someone singing. It was so sweet that he thought it was an angel.
"Promise me we'll stay for the sunset.
And when the moon shines the darkness,
We can find the path where we first met.
And on the way you'll, maybe, sing me a song."
Neji parted the bushes ahead and peaked through to find a blonde boy spinning in circles as he sang.
"Promise that you always will be there.
Hold my hand if ever I'm real scared.
Help me stand up tall when I fall down,
Make me laugh away all my bluest days."
Neji was amazed that this boy could sing so well.
"How could you promise you always would be there?
Why'd you have to go away somewhere?
Every morning into every night,
Do you watch over me,
Like the sun in the sky?
Am I all alone, standing in your light?
I wish that I could, maybe, sing you a song,
...Tonight.
You promised that you'd stay for the sunset."
A teardrop dropped from Neji's eye. This song reminded him of his father. He was about to leave until the blonde boy turned around and spotted him.
"Hi, I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Who are you?" Then the boy frowned. "Why are you crying? Are you sad?" he asked innocently.
"I'm Neji Hyuuga. I am sad. Today is the anniversary of my father's death."
Naruto's eyes watered. "I'm sorry. You must hurt a lot. But why are you out here? Don't you have any other family?"
Neji's eyes darkened. "I do. But I hate them. They're a part of the main branch while I'm a part of the cadet branch. They gave me this caged bird seal that gives them the power to punish me or even kill me with one hand sign." Neji shook his head. Why was he telling this boy all of this, anyway? "Where are you out here alone?"
Naruto's eyes darkened and Neji watched as the light that seemed to shine from Naruto dimmed. "I'm an orphan and I have no family. The villagers hate me, they call me demon brat, monster, murderer. I don't know why. I never did anything. I live here."
Neji was horrified. How could the villagers hate such a kind boy?
The boy brightened suddenly, leaving Neji confused at his mood swings. "Hey, do you want to play Ninja with me?"
Neji nodded. "How do you play that?"
Naruto grinned. "I'll show you."
The two played until sunset. They finally collapsed in the meadow.
"Today was the most fun I've ever had." Naruto panted.
Neji let a small smile grace his lips. "Me, too, Naruto."
"Can we do this again sometime?" Naruto questioned.
Neji paused. "I have to go to the academy and I have training with my uncle."
"Oh." Naruto said sadly.
Not wanting to abandon his new friend, Neji said "But I will come on the weekends. Will you be here?"
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. I'm going to academy next year, too, but I'll always make time for you."
Neji smiled. This day with Naruto had been the first time he'd been happy since his father's death.
"Naruto, I have to go, but I'll see you this weekend." Neji said as he stood.
"Promise?"
Neji gave the younger boy a sincere smile. "I promise."
"Bye, Neji!" Naruto shouted.
As Neji walked away, he heard Naruto singing the song from before.
"Promise me you'll stay for the sunset."
