They both sat next to each other on the edge of a roof, legs dangling in the void below. Neji's hair flapped in the breeze, Sasuke had leaned back using his hands to support himself. Neji realized with shock that this was the first time he properly talked to Sasuke in forever. He looked at the way his feet playfully swung back and forth, at Sasuke, who was doing the same, and wondered if he ought to say something first. Sasuke cleared his voice, "So…problems with your kid?"

Neji's eyes traced his profile, looking for hints of mischief, "If you know then I'll trust you'll be discreet about this."

Sasuke shrugged and kept on staring ahead, not particularly looking at something, "Of course I know. I can see past illusions, do you think I couldn't see past a haircut and a lame green costume?" His gaze roamed the horizon at leisure, "When TenTen came back from her mission that baby looked just like you. Except for his eyes."

Neji let out a sigh, he looked down at the street, now deserted.

"I'm not here to judge," Sasuke went on, "I'm just here to share my experience. As a father. Are you scared, Neji?"

"It's complicated. Even I don't really know what I feel."

"I know. Before my brother…" Sasuke waved one hand in midair, "Well, before my family was pretty numerous and growing up I always knew I wanted to rebuild it. Not just for the name. I missed having people around."

Neji snorted, he felt the urge to cover his mouth, roll back and laugh. Sasuke shot him a side glance.

"Whatever. It's hard being lonely, you don't know just because even though you hated it, you always had you clan around you. My point anyway, is that I liked the idea of having a family. I was happy to marry Sakura, and even happier when she became pregnant. But one day I started doubting myself. What if the baby was going to become evil like I had been? What if it suffered like I had? What if it became lonely too?"

Neji's heart swelled, slowly adjusting to a place where he felt at ease for once. His feelings were starting to make sense. He wanted a family with TenTen, but he wasn't sure if he wanted Metal. Yes, he would climb into her bed any day, make any number of babies if that's what she wanted.

"By the time Sakura went into delivery I wasn't sure having a baby was the right thing to do anymore. But when I held my daughter for the first time she was so tiny and defenseless," Sasuke chuckled, "She couldn't possibly be evil and she couldn't possibly be lonely because Sakura and I would love her. She reached up one tiny hand and touched right here." Sasuke's finger tapped a spot on the chin, showing it off with pride.

Neji smiled and shook his head, "You've really changed, Sasuke." The misdoings had turned into experience, the fears into wisdom. Neji on the other hand, had remained static. He was boy trapped in the body of a man upon his return, now he was soul wandering between the two, unsure of where to settle.

Sasuke gripped Neji's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze before turning to face the breeze, letting it mess up his bangs, "I had to leave for work soon after Sarada was born and when I came back she was all grown up. I missed not being there on the cute moments, Sakura brought her up all by herself and even though she sent me pictures and letters, when I finally found myself in front of my daughter I felt like a stranger. And Sarada was mad, so – so mad. She had convinced herself that I left because I didn't care about her and Sakura."

"And what did you do?" Neji asked.

Sasuke swung his feet back and forth, "I kept on loving them until I proved my point." Sasuke turned his head and Neji found his face, there was a tiny smile playing at the edge of his lips, "Kids are sensitive, if you're insecure, they'll feel insecure. Just be honest about your feelings and your kid will come around." Sasuke patted Neji on the back, "See you, daddy," he murmured before jumping away.

Neji fell on his back, his hair fanned out in a circle. He laid there until he lost track of time. Of one thing he was sure. He wanted TenTen, he wanted a family where he and TenTen were both part of it, without anything specific planned, there would be time to decide on the details. But most of all Neji realized he wanted the ability to choose. Death had yielded him back to a world he didn't know anything about, and perhaps he should embrace that, start over. A clean slate, where the possibilities where endless and he didn't owe to anyone, he was free to set his own course, change his own fate. Neji stood, scratching his neck and then made his way to his compound.


"Neji, it is such a pleasure to have you visit." Hiashi was excited to the point he fidgeted with the rim of his sleeve without even realizing it. Hinata sat with them too, she had just poured them tea.

"Uncle, I have a request." His fingers went to the bandage he always kept wrapped around his forehead and slowly undid it. "I want my mark removed. I came upon the realization that I must have come back from death for a reason," Neji purposely left out the logical hypothesis that Shikamaru had presented a few days ago, "I will no longer be subdued to my clan, nor will any of my descendants."

Hiashi's cheek twitched, he was so embarrassed, his fingers had stopped making a work out of his sleeve and started nervously starching the back of his hand instead. "Err – Neji…that's a bit…" Hiashi sighed and Neji felt his throb painfully, "Let me think about it, please."

Neji bowed before nearing the door, "Of course."