And yet, here Hizashi was thirteen years later, under the control of the mysterious caster of the Reanimation jutsu, standing before his son as an enemy. Who knew what happened to it after that? Neji had never even had a grave to visit. He knew Hizashi’s corpse had been shipped to Kumogakure, and he knew they had poked and prodded it to try and unlock the secrets of the Byakugan. He hadn’t even gotten the closure of seeing his father’s body buried.

At first, Neji had thought he was sleeping, having been only four years old at the time, but he soon realized his father would never wake up. He still remembered that day clear as crystal- staring into his father’s vacant eyes, wondering how the mark that had always been on his brow had disappeared he remembered how he had appeared to be sleeping once they shut his eyes for good. “Father…” his voice was a whisper, the word uncomfortable in his mouth. His face had once been comforting, constant…He was someone that Neji had been sure would always be there…until one day… The lines near his eyes were etched deeply, just as Neji remembered them. The bright green of the Branch House’s curse seal stood out against his forehead. His robe was white, and he was wearing a dark green robe over it, dressed exactly as Hinata’s father, Hiashi, always did. His dark hair was long and loose, down to his hip. Neji had been prepared to fight, to fight to protect Hinata, but he froze completely when he saw who she had been fighting. Neji turned to face her opponent anyone that tried to hurt her would have to face him. “You have grown stronger than I would have thought possible…but still…I regret that it isn’t enough…” “Hinata-sama…” The man finally recognized her, though it had been a very long time. Naruto had believed in her, so she could not fail, even though she was no match for this jonin. She fell to her knees, and immediately tried to get up. “Gentle Fist!” he jabbed at her back, and Hinata’s lions immediately disappeared. The man sidestepped her attack and got behind her in one swift motion. This particular target was unnerving he looked too familiar, though Hinata knew she barely knew him. But she hesitated at the last second, before her fists made contact with her opponent.

She needed to protect him, the way he had always protected her. Her face was dirty and her limbs were heavy, but she would push on. She was tired from constantly battling all of the White Zetsu, and the reanimations weren’t helping. “Twin Lion Fists!” Hinata charged him, her navy blue hair flying out behind her.

Reanimated naruto fanfic