This chapter is directly related to events in my earlier story, "Children of Amegakure."

Hyūga Neji walked all the way to Amegakure. Three months had passed since the Fourth Shinobi World War ended. The alliance between the five shinobi villages to fight against Akatsuki had ended, and the shinobi villages were thriving once more. Konohagakure was also stronger than it had before Pain's invasion and the strongest shinobi village once again, and many shinobi were satisfied with the fact. However, Neji could not enjoy his village's prosperity. In the past month, Lee had been promoted to jōnin, as had Shikamaru. Hinata was happy, finally having Naruto as her boyfriend at last, and had finished grieving over her lost teammates. The Chūnin Exams were approaching quickly, and Naruto and Sasuke were rumored to participate in them along with other genin. Lee had found it hilarious that Naruto and Sasuke, the heroes of the Fourth Shinobi World War, might compete against genin who were very likely much weaker than they were. Tenten would find the rumor amusing as well. Tenten… Abruptly, Neji stopped walking at the thought of his lost teammate. Although Lee had ceased to grieve for his beloved sensei and Tenten, Neji could still remember holding Tenten's body in his arms, slightly pleading her to hang on and shedding tears after she had breathed her last breath. Neji had gone to the funeral for all the shinobi and kunoichi who had died in the Fourth Shinobi World War. He had watched from a distance in a tree, not wanting anyone to see the grief etched on his face.

Sai had asked Neji if he would like him to paint a picture of Tenten to remember her. Neji's heart had restricted painfully at the thought, and had declined. He remembered how Tenten had wanted to become strong as Tsunade, who was now the Hokage of Konohagakure. She had only told him countless times the women and kunoichi alike were just as strong as men. It wasn't until her death did Neji realized that Tenten had spoken the truth. He would never underestimate a woman or kunoichi again. Tenten wouldn't be there to witness it. Neji could imagine her smile at his words that he had loved so much secretly. Perhaps Neji was still grieving for his teammate because he hadn't been able to explain his blossoming feelings for her before she died. The feelings had started after Neji was promoted to jōnin. When Tenten had uncharacteristically hugged him that day, Neji had felt warmth spreading through his body and a rush of emotions. She had ended her embrace then, and Neji had unconsciously wanted her to stay in his arms. Although he was not sure, he suspected that Tenten shared his feelings. Lee and Gai-sensei had never noticed the glances they had after a grueling mission, or of how they had spent most of their free time training together. But neither of them revealed their feelings for each other, and now neither of them would. Neji had cried every single night since Tenten's death. Sometimes he cried himself to sleep.

Neji looked up to find himself at a shrine that Naruto had been talking with him about. The blond shinobi had been surprisingly empathetic with Neji's grief and had suggested he had taken a trip to Amegakure where there was a peaceful shrine fit for mourning. Neji had decided to go with Konohagakure strong and secure again. The shrine had a serene look to it, he noticed. There was a mural of angels beautifully carved above the large square display where a body rested. Paper flowers floated in the air, and two pillars were in front of the shinobi's final resting place. Neji didn't glance at the shinobi, and bent down to his knees to the shrine. Paper flowers were flying in the shrine, and he could feel the calm spirit in the sacred place. Vivid memories of Tenten rendered him speechless for a couple of moments until he whispered, "Tenten…is dead…Tenten…" Tears were threatening to overwhelm him, and he suddenly became aware of movement in the shrine. Who could be here? Neji must have been so solely focused on his grief that he didn't notice another person's chakra with his own. "Who's there?" Neji didn't move from his spot as the person appeared before him. He realized with shock that the person was a child. Red hair covered most of the child's face. Neji couldn't see her eyes. Looking closer, Neji saw that the child had paler skin than his own. She was wearing a tan t-shirt with black pants. She was also barefoot, Neji noticed. "Who are you?" He had never seen such a peculiar child before.

"Shinta." It sounded as if the child was very young, possibly two or three. That's a boy's name meaning heart or spirit, Neji thought, watching the girl observe him beyond her bangs. He waited for her to tell him her last name, but she said nothing else. She must not have one.

"My name is Hyūga Neji. Where are your parents?"

"Gone." The red-haired child didn't look away from him and Neji suddenly pulled her close. Somehow he could sense the child's pain and confusion. He remembered his own confusion around his father's death at the age of four. It was only later did he understand that his father was never coming back, like his mother before him.

"You need a home," Neji whispered. Her small face breathed through his long brown hair. He crouched down to her to meet her height and a moment of doubt entered his mind. What am I doing, taking this child as my own? "Shinta, would you like to come with me?" When she didn't answer, Neji gently pulled her bangs away and looked into her gold eyes. His own lavender eyes met her gold. "Shinta, would you like to go to Konohagakure?" Even though he was certain that Shinta wouldn't understand him or what Konohagakure was, Neji's heart leaped when she said yes. Very gently he took her small hand in hers and together they walked to what would be Shinta's new home. Neji looked into the sky and felt calm for the first time for the first time since Tenten's death. I am at peace, Tenten.