Upon reaching the gate of the compound Neji halted to fix the obi around his kimono. The news had come unexpected a few days after he'd made peace with Metal. Hinata had sent him a letter announcing that his mark was going to be removed tonight at 8.00 pm. If Hiashi removed his mark willingly it meant that Neji could preserve all of his privileges and his powers. TenTen was so happy she went out and bought him a brand new kimono, it was black, lined with silver threads. "It's going to look stunning with your colors," she'd told him, "It'll bring out your eyes even more."

When TenTen noticed he'd stopped she came back and helped him fix the collar too. Her hand rested above his heart. "You look great, I'm glad I insisted on you wearing it."

Neji rubbed the back of his hand against her cheekbone, "It'll be all right. You'll see."

"I know, I know," TenTen rested her head on his shoulder, "I'm just really happy." Neji saw Hinata approaching them and gently rubbed TenTen's back. She stepped out of his embrace and sniffed, "We'll go ahead, try to find a good spot."

TenTen waved at Hinata and disappeared into the crowd that was slowly assembling in the courtyard of the compound.

Neji bowed, "Thank you, Hinata."

Hinata hastily shook her hands in front of her, "No need, no need. It was a stupid tradition to begin with and I sensed you wanted to protect potential…descendants. So I pressured the elders a bit. They accepted in exchange for me being the clan leader for the next five years," Hinata shrugged, "I still don't get what they see in me."

"This, probably," Neji answered, "You're compassionate."

Hinata laughed, "They don't know what they're in for."

Neji looked behind her, where Naruto was playing with a boy and a little girl, "Are those my niece and nephew?" He asked.

Hinata giggled, "Yes, they can't wait to meet you. Although I have to warn you, they're a bit of a handful."

"I know something about that," he said softly, "I have a son with TenTen."

Hinata elbowed him in the side, "Cooking up? You wasted no time since your return," she smirked.

Neji shook his head, "No, I've had it thirteen years ago."

Hinata's mouth fell open in an o-shape but for a long moment no sound came out, "Oh -" she managed at last, Neji's gaze led her to the spot where TenTen and Metal were standing, awaiting to witness the removal ceremony. "Oh! I see now – it's the haircut that distracted me before – I see, so …"

"When TenTen and I had him, the circumstances were…complicated," Neji patted his hand on her forearm, "Thank you for being understanding."

Hinata nodded, "Father's going to remove your mark personally. Do not bow in front of him," she winked.

Neji didn't watch her walking away, taking her place amongst the important personalities of the clan. Rather he looked at the crowd, it split in two, leaving a wide passage for him to walk. He made his way to the altar amidst soft whispers and a few timid cheers, a mark removal was no joke and four elders had to set up a protective jutsu around it in case something went wrong. They didn't smile, none of them congratulated him, they stood impassive, bared of any emotion as if this was just another job to them. This was a night of change for them too, earning the loyalty of a clan from action rather than a mark was going to require a great effort, but Neji didn't care for their unhappiness. There were his friends on the sidelines, not one was missing, there were his teachers looking out for him even now, each comrade, each person who remotely knew Neji was attending, and the sheer admiration in their eyes was enough to pull Neji toward the altar. His robe swished behind him at every step he took forward. TenTen was right about the kimono, it was the right occasion to wear it. Neji stepped into the protective jutsu, Hiashi was standing in front of him, the four elders surrounded them both. Neji's gaze flickered to the side and found TenTen and Metal hugged to each other, looking at him. TenTen's eyes were glossy, inside there were years and years of hope. Neji looked back down at his feet, then up at Hiashi's face. He stood a little straighter and even smiled, and that night Hiashi set him free of his curse.


5 years later

Metal's fishing skill had considerably improved in the past five years, but how could be explained that his father's bucket was so much fuller of fishes? "You said you'd teach me how to fish, it's clearly not working," Metal complained.

His father chuckled, pouring the bucked back into the river to free the carps, "I did teach you, I just conveniently forgot to mention a few tricks I have up my sleeve."

"Daddy -"

"Mmm, what's up Akarin?"

Akari sat between them, pulling a few more strands of their father's hair. She'd made three braids already. Neji looked ridiculous.

"Daddy, I'm making another braid," she stated and Neji mumbled in response.

Metal watched as his sister started to work on Neji's long hair again, then he twisted his mouth, "Dad, I'm never growing my hair like yours."

Neji laughed, accidentally disrupting some of Akari's work. Metal laughed too, then he picked up his bucket and freed the fishes, he went back to sit next to his father. "Will you come see me off when I leave for the mission tomorrow morning?"

Neji's hand reached his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, he nodded, "I always do."


Neji checked the lock on the door and turned off the lights in the living room before heading to bed. He passed the fireplace and his hand absently ran along the mantle. It had been filled with pictures ever since he came back to life, the one at the temple when he and TenTen got married five years ago, Metal holding out his diploma, TenTen hugging her swollen belly when she was pregnant with Akari. Even Uncle Lee when he first held the newborn baby niece. Then, at the very end of the shelf there was the first picture they ever put up there, the one with Neji in his black and silver kimono, his forehead freed of the bandage and clear of the mark. With hindsight, it had been a smart decision since Akari was born with byakugan.

Neji walked into the bedroom, TenTen was already tucked in, intent on reading a book. She looked up when she heard him enter and motioned with her fingers towards her hair. "You forgot one," she smiled. Neji reached up and felt the knitting of a braid that had escaped his undoing. He pulled the strands out gently and settled in next to her.

Neji groaned, "I can't wait for this braid phase to be over. Will you put the book away and cuddle with me? I need consolation."

TenTen elbowed him and laughed, but she did put the book away. She flipped herself around and rested her face against Neji's chest, "Would you rather her be in her boyfriend phase?"

"No." He answered straight up, adjusting his arm around her, "All things considered, I love braids."

TenTen laughed again, her palm playfully patted on his abdomen. Her chuckles slowly died away and the room grew quiet for a moment.

"Do you want to make another one?" Neji blurted out.

TenTen bent her head so she could see his face, "You want another baby?" Neji remained silent, picturing how it would be to have another little Hyuga running around, perhaps braiding his hair too, "Well," TenTen shrugged, "The house is big…"

Neji cupped her cheek in his hand and gave her a peck on the lips, "I have this idea from time to time. I'm just throwing it out there."

TenTen settled back down into the hollow of his shoulder, her eyes closed, "It's an enticing possibility."

Yes, it is, Neji thought as his eyes slid close as well, everything now was a possibility, actually, infinite combinations of them. All he had to do was choose. But he had no mark to restrain him now, no war to rush him and no death to counter. On the opposite, he had time. And he would take it, day after day he would choose what to make of himself, in freedom. In time.