Chapter I
On limbo
She was floating.
Gliding slowly through the emptiness.
Hinata was sure she was dreaming, but for the first time, it wasn't a memory of the war, a flashback, or a nightmare.
The space around her was so white. There were no shadows, only light.
She felt oddly at peace there.
Where am I?
A path suddenly appeared before her and curious, she followed her.
She walked and walked for what seemed like eons, until the road disappeared and she stood in front of a lone gravestone. Her cousin's gravestone.
She felt the now familiar ache in her heart. Her hand raised on its own will, touching the spot where her heart lay, gripping the fabric of her dress tightly.
Suddenly, memories flashed in front of her. Memories of her cousin. Her dead cousin.
Neji-niisan...
Oh, how she missed him.
She was happy, as happy as she could be without his reassuring presence in her life. Without those rare smiles, those honest words.
She was soon going to be married to the love of her life, the man her cousin sacrificed his life to protect. Yet she felt she would never truly be happy without her cousin's presence in her life.
She had wonderful friends who helped her deal with her grief and provided unconditional support and she loved them dearly, but her mind would always come back to the same thoughts.
Neji-niisan isn't here...
I wish Neji-niisan were here...
She was sure he would scold her if he saw her so depressed. You have to live your life, Hinata-sama, he would say. Be happy.
She didn't stop the tears.
Nothing was the same without him. She wanted to believe that she had moved on with her life, just like everyone else had.
Yet all the happiness in her life tasted like ashes in her mouth.
Hinata let herself cry openly, watching his name engraved with simple lettering on the smooth marble.
-I wish I could have saved you, niisan- she whispered -Nothing is the same without you-
A whisper then carried through the air
What if you could save him?
Hinata turned in the voice's direction, but there was no one. She was still alone.
-Who is there?- she asked carefully. She received no answer, but another path appeared before her. She didn't hesitate to follow it.
Again she walked and walked, obeying the feeling in her gut that screamed at her to get to the end.
Her legs ached and she felt faint, but she finally made it to the end of the path.
Before her stood a figure, its dark robes contrasting painfully against the white surroundings. Hinata couldn't make out its face because of the black hood, but saw two shining red orbs staring at her.
-Who are you?- Hinata asked.
She heard light, feminine laugh.
-Oh, I am everything and nothing.- the woman spoke cryptically.
Hinata looked at her, confusion evident on her face -Are you… A spirit?- she asked carefully.
The woman laughed again -I am not ethereal, just as I am not physical. I just am.-
-What are you, then?- Hinata pressed. This woman wasn't making a lot of sense to her.
-I am the only certainty there is in life- the woman replied.
Hinata's eyes widened a bit with realization. It didn't take a fool to know who or what she was talking to -You are… Death, aren't you?-
-I am so much more than that, my dear- the woman laughed in delight -My nature cannot so easily be defined in one term, you know. You may call me Death if you wish, however.-
-I see… Why am I here, then? Does this mean I died?- Hinata asked worriedly. As sad as she was, she was not ready to die. Also, she had a feeling that Neji would not forgive her if she died so soon.
-Oh, aren't you full of questions, dear!- Death laughed -You are not dead, worry not.- she explained and Hinata exhaled loudly in relief -As to where are we, this is your dream, but it's also reality-
-If this is my dream then why are you here?-
Death laughed -Your determination piqued my interest.- she said -You are the only one in over a hundred years to reach the end of the road, you know.-
Hinata did not understand -What do you mean?-
-I am everywhere, my dear- Death explained, her voice soothing -Anyone can reach me in their dreams, it just takes a lot of willpower to reach the end-
-So you did not come here, you were already here.- Hinata concluded, the pieces falling into place in her mind -And I found you.-
-Yes! Oh, I like you!- Death exclaimed, visibly pleased with her astute reasoning. -Now, my dear, let me ask you again: What if you could save him?-
Hinata stiffened and her eyes widened. She knew she should be more hesitant and distrustful, her ninja training screamed at her to be wary, however, her intuition demanded to trust that mysterious being, and so far, her intuition had never failed her.
-What if I could… Save Neji-niisan?- she repeated -If I could, I would- she said firmly.
Death looked at her, her red eyes shining even brighter now -That is what you say right now, my dear.- she said in a more serious tone -But how much would you be willing to sacrifice to sacrifice for him?-
Hinata didn't hesitate to answer -Anything.-
-Be careful of what you say, my dear.- Death said merrily -Words carry immense power in this realm-
-It doesn't matter to me, Death- Hinata replied -I was and still am willing to sacrifice anything, even my own life, if it means I can bring him back-
Death sighed -He cannot be brought back, my dear- she explained -He can, however, be saved-
-I don't understand. How can he be saved if he is already gone?-
Death laughed. -Obvious, you go back and save him-
Hinata looked at her, incredulous -But...Time travel is impossible!- she exclaimed.
-And that is where you are wrong, my dear- Death said -Anything is possible for me-
-So you are saying you could take me back to that time so I can save him?- Hinata asked, just to make sure.
-I could do it, yes- Death confirmed -But you must know, nothing is ever free.-
Hinata stared at Death's red eyes, determination coursing through her.
-Name your price.-
-What are you willing to give?-
-Anything. My life, my dreams, anything.-
Death brought a hand to her chin -Hmm, I don't want your life, child, it's not your time. I don't want your dreams either.-
-What would you want, then?-
-Something that belongs to you, and only you right now, and which you treasure most.- Death replied -Your love for that boy, your fiance-
-What?-
Death looked at her, red eyes staring right into her soul -My price is… Your love for Naruto.-
-My love for Naruto?- Hinata asked, confused. Why would Death want such a thing?
-Your love for him. All of it.-
-Any conditions? Will anyone else die in his place?- Hinata asked.
-No. That is all I want, not traps, no loopholes. My price is your love for that man. In exchange, your cousin will not die.-
Hinata did not think twice.
-Then we have a deal, Death-
Death's eyes glowed like rubies, and she extended her right hand to seal the deal. Hinata gripped it firmly with hers. -We have a deal, my dear-
-How do I save him?- Hinata asked -His wounds were beyond healing.-
Death laughed again -You should understand by now that nothing is impossible for me, my dear!- she motioned with her hand for Hinata to come closer -Come.-
Hinata walked hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.
Death then reached for Hinata's face with both hands and moved her face until her lips were close to her ear.
Hinata heard Death whisper something in her ear in strange language. Somehow, she could remember the words perfectly, and felt she could speak them flawlessly.
Death took a couple of steps back. -When the right time comes, you will know what to do, my dear.-
Hinata nodded, somehow trusting Death's words.
-What if I can't save him?- she asked carefully.
-Trust me, my dear, you will succeed.- Death stated with an unnatural conviction.
-I see… I have one last question for you, Death-
-Yes, child?-
-Why Naruto's love?-
Death sighed -Such love is so rare nowadays I thought it extinct- she said -And besides, even death wishes for love-
-I see.- Hinata did not know what to make of her words.
-Now, my dear, it was a pleasure doing business with you. I must take my leave- Death said as her body began dissolving into the air
And you must wake up!