My eyes shot open as my breath caught in my throat. It felt like I had been underwater for as long as I could remember. My chakra was exhausted and I barely felt alive.
But I was.
I was alive.
As the shock waned, pain struck my back and I could see the tears in Hinata's eyes. I could hear Lee, Naruto, and Tenten shouting my name.
"Neji nii-san..." Hinata whispered. Her tears weren't the same as I remembered. They were filled with relief, joy, and happiness. She was already standing, watching me as my mind was overwhelmed with questions and numbness, and she bellowed on top of me in a warm embrace. "I knew you'd wake up. I was here as often as I could be, waiting for you to wake up. And to think it was just in time," she sniffed.
As I extended an arm to return her hug, I was taken aback by her appearance. Her face had matured. She seemed taller, stronger, and as odd of a way to put it, free.
"Lady Hinata... w-what happened to Madara? Naruto?" I was never one to stutter or revel in the unpredictabilities of reality, but here I was, completely stunned and confused. How much time did I lose? Was the war won? What became of our comrades? Of Konoha? There was so many answers I wanted but so little energy to muster. I lay defeated in my weakness.
"You mustn't get too excited. I know you have a lot of questions Neji nii-san. In time, they will all come to you. But please, rest. If I say too much too soon, it might hurt you more than help you. Please relax until I return. Naruto-kun will be so relieved," she planted a gentle kiss on the back of my hand before laying it to rest beside me. Her face was already weening in and out of focus and I knew even just seeing her might be enough for now.
YOU ARE READING
The Man Who Lived
RomanceBefore Sasuke left the village, his newly pronounced friendship with Naruto led him to use his rinnegan in a way nobody thought possible. His ability, combined with the efforts of his Leaf Village comrades, allowed him to bring Neji back. It's days...
