Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor any of the characters.

Date: 27th May' 2014

Sitting in his bed, having just awoken from his sleep, he turned staring out his window at the night sky, the moon still hanging high in the air.

Sighing he shifted, throwing the covers off his body, a small shiver worked it's way through his body as he placed his bare feet upon the cold tile floor.

~Please just….just ask….promise me~

Grunting he moved to get up, "I can't sleep like this".

Pulling the top of his jinbei close, the ties having came loose from sleeping and opening partly, he moved towards his bedroom door, neatly slipping his shoes on his feet. Sliding the door open, he moved into the corridor, "Might as well get this over with, I just hope he's awake…...To think I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing what happened, when I the one trying to put this off for as long as I could".

Turning through the hall that lead to his uncles chambers, he hesitated, not truly sure if he should disturb the man during his sleep instead of waiting until morning. "I have already come this far, I can not turn back now", he thought, his eyes narrowing upon the door just a few steps away.

Breathing in deeply and exhaling, he continued on the rest of the way coming to stop directly in front of the large doors. Eyes trailing slowly towards the ground, seeing no form of light from the other side of the doors, he contemplated how ridiculous he might have looked at that moment. "

"Standing outside the clan head's door in nothing but my night wear, staring at this door as if it could solve all my troubles", he snorted, imagining what someone would say if they caught him outside this late at night just staring a hole through door".

"Really, I'm doing this in the middle of the night", he thought uncertainty showing in his eyes, turning to leave, "Maybe it would be best if I just waited until morning".

"Neji".

Stiffening he turned to the voice that called out his name, just in time to see one of the large doors open.

Coming in sight from within the darken room was the clan head himself.

"Hiashi sama", Neji spoke, his face morphing into its usual indifference with just a twinge of anger shimmering beneath the phase.

Staring blankly at the form of his nephew, Hiashi thought about all the things that went wrong or that he'd messed up within life. A tense silence filled the air as both males stood staring at one another. One with anger and the other with remorse.

Finally breaking the uncomfortable silence, Hiashi spoke, "Neji, is there any reason you were standing outside my door at this late hour".

Jaws tightening with his anger, he exhaled slowly, desperately trying to calm himself, "Get a hold of yourself Neji , you promised yourself that you would speak to this man. Getting angry now will get you no where. Just breathe".

Breathing in and exhaling once more, he opened his eyes, not even aware that he'd closed them in the first place. "Yes, I would like to speak with you", he spoke, his question coming out more like a demand, not that he cared much.

"And this could not wait until morning. Is it important enough to have you stand outside my door at midnight"? Hiashi stated his eyebrow hitching up in disbelief.

"It could not". Neji hurriedly stated, his pitch slightly higher than normal. The anger that he was trying to control, slipping out into his words.

Catching a hold of himself, he spoke again, his emotions back under control. "It can not. I need to speak to you. I could not…..I was….. unable…..I…..".

Clenching his teeth in anger at his inability to convey what he wanted to say, he bawled his fist, bowing his head slightly, no matter how he may have loathe to do so. "It is very important that I speak to you".

Sighing under his breath, Hiashi looked to his stubborn nephew, pushing the door open wider he stepped to the side, motioning for Neji to come in. "Come in Neji".

Raising his head stiffly, he entered, his mind flowing over the things he wanted to ask, only vaguely realizing that he was lead away from the door and into the living area, where he sat directly opposite Hiashi. A low table being the only thing separating them. Within the other rooms Hiashi two daughters slept, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Watching as his nephew sat there, hands in his lap under the table, probably fisted tightly. His body looking tense to the point of being painful, he sighed once again. Quietly moving from the table to prepare some tea, noticing that Neji hadn't so much as twitched, a testament of how deep in his thoughts he was.

Moving at a sedated pace, Hiashi brought out two cup, preparing the tea he poured it into the

cups. Placing them on a tray, he moved back to the table, setting one in front of Neji, he seated himself in the traditional form. Legs folded underneath the thighs, while resting the buttocks on the heels. A stance mirrored by his nephew.

Inhaling the fresh herbs of the tea, he drank, watching as the young boy….no the young teen drank from his own cup. "Time does fly by, when you're not looking".

Settling his cup down, Neji spoke, eyes locking with Hiashi's, "I would like to know the truth, about what happened to my father".

Staring at Neji with genuine surprise, Hiashi blinked. Unable to believe that after all this time, the teen would finally come to ask him that.

Straightening up, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, he spoke, not caring why or how the teen would come to him, "The truth about what happened".

Smiling ruefully he continued, "I have wanted to tell you the truth for a long time now".

Unconsciously tightening his hand around the cup, he waited for his uncle to speak.

"That day I was fully prepared to die".

Slamming his fist against the table, his cup of tea lifting slightly off the table only to drop back down, managing to keep itself upright, despite some of the contents within it spilling.

Anger finally winning out, he shouted, "What..what are you talking about? That day my father was forced to pose as you, and was murdered for the sake of the family".

Staring at the teen with pained eyes, Hiashi reach into his kimono, pulling out a scroll he handed it to Neji. "The truth you seek. The truth is here in this scroll". ( Don't question me why he had that scroll in his clothing when he was supposed to be sleeping, I don't know).

"That writing..". Quickly taking the scroll, he opened it.

"Neji, I'm afraid I only have a limited time left. I want to take this time to tell you something. The head cloud ninja from the land of lightning tried to abduct Hinata, but Lord Hiashi killed the would be kidnapper. However the land of lightning, refused to even acknowledge the abduction attempt and instead only made trouble about the death of the head ninja. The demands for retribution were completely unreasonable".

Reading over the last words of his father with trembling hands, he continued, "My brother had every intention of dying that day. He was fully prepared to give up his life, his everything, for our village. He was willing to give up the secrets to the Byakugan, just to keep our village away from war, but I wasn't. I understood what they wanted. I understood what was to come. I was not forced, nor was I convinced, I gave up my life of my own free will".

Gripping the scroll tightly, almost to the point of tearing it, he read, eyes taking in every word, every sentence. Letting not a single word be left unread, having finally gotten something, anything to explain to him the turmoil that he had felt for all these years.

"For a long time, I have resented the head family, even now, up to my death, I still resent the head family".

"Neji, I am not doing this for the head family. What I am dying for….. is my brother. I wish to protect him. For the first time in my life, I feel free. Free to choose my own path, to feel freedom. I...I am sorry Neji. I have only ever shown you such a disgraceful side of me, such an ugly, unwanted side. This time it is different. This time...I have finally decided to act in the way I think is best".

"Neji, I want you to know, that I was not killed for the head family, but rather….to protect my sibling, family and village. By my own free will, that shows my freedom. I wanted to choose my own destiny. I wanted to defy the fate of the hyuga clan".

Reading with blurring sight, the scroll unsteady in his shaking hands, he finished, "Forge your own destiny Neji, your faith is something you create with your own hands".

"Father….father...father...". Listening to the repeated mantra, watching as his usually stubborn nephew broke down in front of him pained him. Once again knowing, that he was the cause, that he was at fault, for the pain his nephew had to endure.

Removing himself from the table, he knelt, palms flat and head pressed to the ground, begging, pleading, desperate for the forgiveness of the one in front of him. "This is the truth. I am sorry".

Turning to look at his uncle, teeth clenched and knuckles white, he fought to hold down his anger, his confusion. He understood his uncle was not a fault, that it was of his father's own choosing but…...

Bowing his head, he gritted his teeth, "I may know this but, it doesn't stop the pain".

Unclenching his teeth he sighed, "Please Lord Hiashi, do not bow to me".

Lifting his head, Hiashi turned to the teen, watching as tears fell silently down the boy's face.

Standing up slowly, he walked the short distance to Neji, unsure if his touch would be unwanted but unwilling to turn back. Wrapping his arm around the teen, he felt him stiffen for a moment. Tightening his grasp on the teen, he waited for him to relax allowed him to silently let out his pain. Letting him know that he was there…..

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"..."

"Broody, I'm at point B".

"..."

"Pinky, I'm at point C".

"Blondie, I'm at point A, dattebane".

"Squad seven move, the target is moving".

Quickly moving closer and evading the targets sight by dodge behind the trees, the three wait.

Taking a quick peek, Sakura spoke, "Over there".

Watching his three students as they tried to catch Tora, Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle a little, "What's your distance"?

"Five meters".

"We're ready".

Lazily glancing at them, he pointed forward, motioning for them to catch the target, not that they were able to see him. "Move out".

"Gotcha".

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee".

"REOWWWWWWWWWWW"

Laughing could be heard over the three genin's listening devices as they were mauled by one tora the cat. To busy being mauled by the deranged cat they were unable to hear as Kakashi wheezed out. "Mission completed".

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Reporting back from a well done mission Hokage sama".

Smiling sweetly at Kakashi's back, Naruto whispered, glad to hear the sounds of the cat being squashed in the background "I'm so glad you found enjoyment from our mission Kakashi sensei".

"You just wait Kakashi sensei, you won't know what hit you". "He-he-he-he-". Deciding to ignore the sound of his students creepy laughter, a nervous shiver raking his body, he turned his attention back to the Hokage.

"Squad sevens next mission is among babysitting, going shopping with the counselors wife, digging up potatoes...".

Squinting at Sarutobi, Naruto spoke, "Jiji are you sure you want us to be ninja's"?

Aghast at her words, Sakura turned, "Naruto, you can't talk to the hokage like that".

"Cha, even if you're right sharanno".

"I'd like to know the answer to that question", thought Sasuke.

Slamming his palms down on the desk Iruka stood, "HOW DARE YOU, YOU'RE JUST A BRAND NEW…".

"Hmm I've gotten pretty good with the tree climbing, so I guess I should be moving on to a different exercise..ummm….hmmm...ah I wonder if I could get Neji to help", glancing to her right at Sasuke, Naruto wondered, "How far has he gotten, probably finish or close to it like me".

"Sasuke kun is so cool".

"Cha, that's S.E.X.Y on two legs sharanno".

"...", were Sasukes thoughts.

"...you are give D level assignments of course", finished Sarutobi. "Do each of you understand"?

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"What"? was the chorusing reply of the three genins.

Gaining a tick mark on his head Sarutobi shouted, "Listen when you're spoken too".

Getting frustrated Naruto spoke, "Come on Jiji just give us a real mission. I'm almost positive we've completed the right amount of D rank mission to at least be given a C rank one. The world only knows how many times we've caught that cat. Not that I don't understand it reasons for running away or anything".

Looking at the child that he could proudly call his granddaughter, all in but blood Sarutobi sighed, "Stay on topic Naruto but, yes you have completed the correct amount of D ranks to receive a C rank mission".

Ignoring her shout of joy, he turned to Iruka, "Hand me that scroll Iruka."

Staring at the Hokage in surprise, Iruka stuttered, "but but but …"

Smiling over the pipe in his mouth, Sarutobi held out his hand, watching as Iruka reluctantly placed the mission scroll in it.

"Now this is a bodyguard mission, you'll be guarding..",started Sarutobi only to be cut off by an overly excited Naruto, "A princess, a prince, no-no no THE QUEEN".

Sweat dropping at the child's enthusiasm, he coughed, "No Naruto you'll be guarding that man walking through the doors."

Turning around, they watched as an elderly man holding a liquor bottle entered the room.

Guzzling down a mouth full of liquid he spoke, "Is this suppose to be my protection a bunch of brats. I'd be better off just getting a dog. I mean look at them. The short colorful one who are you staring at with that dumb look on your face. The other one looks as if the wall seemingly did him a great injustice and don't let me get started on pinky, she looks as if the wind could knock her over".

"This….this geezer."

Noticing the tick mark on his student's head, Kakashi grab the one closest to him, which just happened to be Naruto. "Let me go Kakashi sensei, I promise I won't kill him. Torture maybe but no killing. He's the client after all."

Shifting away from the child, eyeing her warily as she continued to ease her way closer to him only to be pulled back by her sensei, he spoke, "Names Tazuna, master bridge builder and I must return to my country. I'm building a bridge there that will change our world and I expect you to get me there safely. Even if it mean giving up your lives."

Turning to look them dead in the eye. Wanting them to know how serious he was, he sputtered, "The hell?"

Eye twitching as he looked at them, not a one paying him any mind. Seemingly having their own conversation going on, he turned to the Jounin, who upon feeling his stare looked to him, chuckling in embarrassment, eye smiling as he spoke, "Sorry about that it happen sometimes. Rest assured your life is safe with us."

Glancing at the hokage, who titled his head marginally, this going unnoticed by everyone else, he turned to his student. "We'll meet tomorrow at the front gate at 0700. Make sure you're pack and ready."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Your eating habits are terrible. Not to mention it's unhealthy to eat so much ramen. Do you even eat anything else?"

Slurping her ramen, Naruto spoke, shaking her head at the person as if they were a young child, uneducated in the ways of the world. "Neji. Neji, Neji Neji Neji, Neji. I pity you. Have you never tasted the food of the Gods?"

Looking directly at her, he spoke, his face not even twitching at her words, "No, why would I continuously eat something that is not good for my health?"

Staring at him in horror at the blasphemy that was spewing out of his mouth, she leaned forwards shoving the last of her ramen towards him. Knowing that her sacrifice would be greatly rewarded once he knew of the joy ramen brought to the world.

"Eat", she ordered. Trying to force him into submission with her eyes.

Looking at her dryly, he carefully slid the bowl away. "Weren't you telling me about your mission."

Blinking at him, she nodded slowly, remembering their earlier conversation before they went off topic.

"I already told you about my mission, you were suppose to tell me about your's".

"There's not much to tell. My team will be leaving at the break of dawn. We need an early start."

Staring at him waiting for him to continue she frowned, "That it? Can't you at least tell me what rank it is?"

"No Naruto, such things are confidential."

Narrowing her eyes at him, she spoke, "But I told you about mine."

"A thing you should not have done but, I thank you for the information none the less."

Throwing her fist at him, only to have him move out of his seat, she pouted, "Teme".

Hearing the insult, his lips quirked up, his back towards her as he left. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I may decide to eat it once in a while."

Watching as he walked away she scratched her head in confusion at his words, turning back towards the almost empty bowl of ramen she gave him, only to find it empty.

Blinking at the bowl, she tilted her head, only to grin a second later as she understood his parting words. "Baka, you know you loved it. No one can resist the awesomeness that is ramen."

"Now, to get you to like the color orange".

Thanks for reading.

Review!