When Fate Dares
Time set after the Great Ninja War. I'm basically a novice writer but not satisfied with Kishi's pairings at the end... well.. he writes shounen for a reason. I absolutely hate it that he killed off my Neji. He's like.. my first love.. ever since i was in 2nd grade until now that I'm about to finish grad school.. its True Love.. I tell you..I love Neji so much even my "husband" gets jealous.. anyway.. here's my take on things after the war.. Neji is alive, add my OC and things go semi-AU if not totally.
-/-
Chapter 1: After the war
One month after the war, Konoha, like every other hidden village is still dealing with the great damage... destruction.. not to mention the many many casualties both ninja and civilians. Many died, more so are injured, there are also some who returned and brought along new faces. All good and bad things at the same time with a lot of things to do in too little time that paying heed to even a bottle of sake will make everything behind schedule and the Godaime Hokage refuse to let the Leaf be at an disadvantage even when all other villages at this time are still at their most vulnerable.
"Tsunade-sama, here are today's reports. Matters within the village are going smoothly, however..." Shizune trailed off.
"Tell Yamato he is still not allowed to have a day off, not until the village walls are finished. Hokage's orders." came the response
'Talk about being a slave driver' Shizune sweatdropped. "It's not Yamato, Tsunade-sama. It is the other kages. We have received a letter inviting you, the current Hokage to attend a meeting concerning the bijuus"
"Its only been a month since the war and those geezers are already at it, huh.." Tsunade started. "Send them a message that we still have internal matters to attend to, and I can't afford to leave my village at this time."
"Hai and about Orochimaru..."
"Summon Hyuuga Neji."
"As you wish."
-/-
"Sakura-chaaaan!" came the loud voice of the village hero as he run towards his pink haired team mate. "Want to visit Teme? I just got permission from Tsunade obaa-chan."
"Isn't Sasuke in quarantine?" inquired Sakura. "He is still a rogue nin, Naruto, an international criminal at that. I don't think you..." Sakura trailed as she saw the foolish grin on Naruto's face. "Don't freaking grin at me baka!"
"I was granted permission to visit Teme's cell for saving the world! Dattebayo!" Naruto said proudly.
"You probably just annoyed Tsunade-sama with all your whining.
And Naruto's grin faltered. 'I knew it'
-/-
"Oi Sasuke! We did not come here with you to be on jail" Suigetsu whined. "I'm tired of being imprisoned for kami's sake!"
"Hn."
"..."
"Shut up baka!"
-/-
Hanabi, Hinata and Neji were training just outside the Hyuuga Training Hall when an ANBU appeared on a nearby tree. "Hyuuga Neji you are summoned."
"Nii-san, if its a mission outside the village, please decline. You just got better" Hinata said with worry.
"I'll be fine." Neji replied before quickly heading to the Hokage Tower.
"Don't worry Hinata-nee." the younger Hyuuga tries to comfort her sister.
"Thanks, Hanabi-chan."
-/-
Team 10 stood in front of the memorial grave stone. Akamichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi.. familiar names are added on the grave of the mighty ninjas. They will be known as heroes, dying in war while fighting for the ninja world. But it still hurts for their children, the fact that they died. Losing a parent with no corpse to bury. Its not uncommon to ninja families but it doesn't make it any better.
After a long held silence came the sounds of footsteps about to leave the grave stone but then they came to a stop.
"Ino. We need to go" Choji called out
"Can I stay here for a while longer?" Ino's voice came out as a whisper.
"Mendokuse.."
-/-
Leaf hospital has been busier this past month, not that it makes today any less. "Oi, Lee! hold up a bit" a brunette with twin bunned hair calls out.
"Can't keep Gai-sensei waiting. Hurry up Tenten! Show sensei your youthful energy!"
"Ugh! Whatever" was the unenthusiastic reply.
"Sssshhhh... and no running in the hallway!" a random nurse reprimanded.
-/-
Hatake Kakashi, the sole candidate for the title of the Sixth, is currently the epitome of boredom. Ever since Jiraiya-sensei died, nothing ever comes out as interesting as Icha Icha series, add in the constant, unavoidable and totally unwanted 'advices' from the Elder Council.. after war was definitely hell for him.
*Sigh*
"Obito probably didn't know what comes to the being Hokage package when he dreamt if it"
"Kakashi! We know Uchiha is formerly your student but you can't let him go unpunished. His status as international criminal hasn't been lifted, even so, the village will not forgive his crimes."
'You are not the entirety of the village' not that he can voice out that thought.
"Sasuke.. has greatly contributed to the previous war. We don't know what could've happened if he did not help Naruto, he's done more than enough to redeem himself." Kakashi argued.
"Are you planning on giving him pardon upon your establishment as the new Hokage?"
"You can't be serious"
"He should be executed"
"Can you say that in front of Uchiha Itachi's grave? Do you think Naruto will let that happen?" 'Do you think I will let you?' the thought came unvoiced.
The Elder Council were silent for a while. Playing on their guilt for letting Danzo use Itachi was a trump card. More so, they can't deny Naruto's importance to the village, the Jinjuuriki of the Tailed Beasts.
-/-
*knock knock*
"Hokage-sama, Hyuuga Neji has arrived" Kotetsu announced.
"Let him in"
"Hai."
"Godaime-sama" Neji bowed.
"Neji. I assume you've been fully recovered." Tsunade stated
"Hai." Neji affirmed
"I have a mission for you. A solo mission.. I don't think there will be a great risk or danger on this one, but just to be safe, this will be an A-rank mission. Are you up for it?"
"..." Neji stared at the Godaime and asked "Can I decline?"
"No." was the curt reply
"What's the point of asking?" Neji raised an eyebrow
"A retrieval mission." Tsunade passed a him a picture of a child with shiny brown hair and large brown eyes. Judging from the clothes Neji assumed the child was a shrine maiden, about seven or eight years old.
Neji looked at the Hokage waiting for further mission details.
"Mayisha Senju. The picture was taken nine years ago. She's about your age now."
"Tsunade-sama.." Neji began but was cut off by the Tsunade herself
"You're right. She might as well be a distant relative of mine. A direct descendant of the Second. Her mother however, comes from the family of the Feudal Lord. Other mission details are in this scroll. Come back here as soon as you finish everything in that scroll. I'll give you two days at most. Dismissed."
Neji rushed back to the Hyuuga compound.. the evening sky illuminating the barely-restored village almost like a grotesque painting.
'A retrival mission, a picture taken nine years ago..'