The Hope of the Senju Clan

Chapter 27: Cat in the Mist

- In the Arena Medical ward -

After losing his battle against Naruto, Neji was brought to the medical ward by the medics where they treated him for his injuries.

After a few minutes the medics finished treating most of Neji's injuries.

"Luckily there is no serious damage done to your internal organs with the exception of some bruising, so you should be on the mend in a couple of days. The best thing you can do right now do is rest and move as little as possible, as your body is still mending and you have used up most of your Chakra in your battle..."

As the medics were talking to him, Neji's mind was on other things where he thought back to what Naruto had told him during and after their battle.

Soon after, the door to the ward opened up and they were surprised to see the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi entered the room.

"Hiashi-sama" said one of the medics in surprise when he saw the Hyuga Clan head enter the room.

"My apologies, but if it is not too much trouble would you mind leaving us alone for a moment?"

Surprised by this the two medics did not know what to say, "Eh...But...eh"

"Please, it won't take long"

"Hai, very well"

"Thank you"

After the medics had left, Neji slowly but painfully lifted himself up, so that he was sitting up on the side of his bed. His body was fairly stiff and swore despite the pain killers the medics gave him.

"What business do you have?" Neji asked his uncle in a neutral tone, since he had no real wish to talk to his uncle.

"I came here to tell you the truth of that day."

"What do you mean?" Neji asked with a frown.

For the next few minutes Hiashi explained how after Kumo demanded his body as restitution for the death of their head Ninja. He was prepared to sacrifice himself to prevent a war between Konoha and Kumo. But before he could, the Hyūga elders proposed that Hizashi be used instead; as his body double. In addition to protecting him, Hizashi would also keep the Byakugan's secrets from being discovered.

Hiashi then went on to explain how he tried to prevent this, but Hizashi had already agreed and disabled Hiashi before he could stop them. He then explained that Hizashi told him he was not doing this to preserve the Hyūga's structure, but to save his (Hiashi's) life, to prevent war, and to choose his own fate for the first time in his life.

When Neji heard this he of course did not believe it and thought that his uncle was lying and that he was making up excuses for the head family. But before he could say anything, Hiashi took out a scroll from his robes and handed it to him.

"This is from your father, he told me to give this to you when I believed you were ready to hear the truth of what happened that day, it will confirm everything that I told you."

When Neji saw the scroll, he first thought it was a fake, but when he looked at it more closely he recognized his father's handwriting on the cover of the scroll which "To Neji."

Quickly taking the scroll, Neji opened it and began to read it.

As Neji read the letter, it confirmed everything that his uncle had told him. But the thing that stuck out most to Neji, was what his father said at the end of the letter. "...Overcome destiny Neji. Destiny has to be taken in your own hands."

When Neji had finished reading his father's letter he was shocked to see his Uncle on his knees with his head to the ground.

"This is the truth" the elder man said with clear regret in his voice, while keeping his head down, "I'm sorry."