Late December, Konoha Year 60
The Uchiha compound remained desolate, marked by emptiness. However, Sasuke found nothing wrong with this environment; it served as a natural training ground.
Today was the first day of the New Year. Sasuke took out the nengajo Sakura had given him and looked at it for a long time. In the end, he decided against sending the one he had bought for her. Putting the card away, Sasuke began to decorate his house for the New Year's arrival.
Ever since learning it might be possible to revive his father and mother, Sasuke's mindset had undergone a change. He no longer intended to live in a daze. He didn't want his parents, should they return, to know he had been living in such a state. Even though the house was empty now, he would celebrate a proper New Year.
Winter nights fell earlier than usual. Watching the sky gradually darken, Sasuke stood up and turned on the room lights. He then went into the kitchen and started preparing dinner.
After some time, while cooking, Sasuke suddenly heard a knock knock at the front door. This surprised him; normally, no one ever came to the Uchiha district, let alone on a day like today.
Might as well see who it is. Unconsciously, the image of Naruto flickered in Sasuke's mind. Could it be him?
Click.
"Yo, Sasuke. Making dinner?" The Third Hokage stood at the door, smiling kindly upon seeing Sasuke wearing an apron.
"Hiruzen-sensei!" Sasuke looked at the Third Hokage, surprised internally, though his expression remained composed. "Yes. Is there something you need, coming over so late, sensei?"
"I was idle and made some dishes. Thought I'd bring them over for you to try my cooking," the Third Hokage said, holding up a tiered food box (shokubako) with a smile. "And perhaps I'll have a bite myself while I'm here. You don't mind, do you?"
Sasuke paused for a moment, then stepped aside. "Please come in, Hiruzen-sensei."
"Haha, don't mind if I do," the Third Hokage laughed heartily and followed Sasuke inside.
"Please have some tea, Hiruzen-sensei," Sasuke said, pouring a cup for the seated Third Hokage.
"Thank you, Sasuke," the Third Hokage replied, taking a sip.
Just then, another knock knock sounded at the door. Sasuke and the Third looked at each other. The Third Hokage visiting today was already surprising enough for Sasuke; who else could possibly come?
"Hey, Sasuke!"
Seeing the blond boy at the door, an almost imperceptible smile touched Sasuke's lips, but his tone was harsh. "What do you want?"
"Here to eat, obviously!" Naruto didn't wait for permission, pushing past Sasuke and entering. He then spotted the Third Hokage sitting in the living room and couldn't help but exclaim, "Gramps Third! What are you doing here too?!"
"Oh~~ It's Naruto," the Third Hokage said, surprised to see him barge in.
Sasuke closed the door and watched Naruto chatting loudly with Hiruzen-sensei. Looking at his sensei's kind face and hearing Naruto's boisterous voice, a warm, happy atmosphere filled the room. It was a scene Sasuke hadn't witnessed in many, many years...
Hyuga Compound
On the first day of the New Year, Konoha Village echoed with laughter and joyous sounds. Every person, every family, reveled in the festive spirit. The Hyuga clan was no exception.
Yet, within the vast Hyuga estate, one house remained cold and cheerless. A boy with white eyes stared at a black and white photograph on the table, his eyes filled with resentment. The photo showed a middle-aged man who bore a resemblance to him.
Hearing the sounds of celebration from the surrounding Hyuga compound, the boy clenched his fists tightly, his expression gradually turning to fury. Then, helplessly, his fists unclenched.
He went out into the courtyard and stared at the wooden training post. His eyes narrowed. Raising his right hand, fingers pressed together to form a knife-hand, he struck the post. Thwack! The post shuddered from the impact.
The sharp sounds of papapa echoed continuously in the small courtyard...
"Hah... Hah..."
After an unknown amount of time, the boy leaned over, hands on his knees, gasping heavily for breath. Sweat covered his face, and steam visibly rose from his body in the cold air.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps da-da entered the courtyard.
"Who's there?!"
The boy whirled around instantly, thrusting his right palm towards the intruder.
Just as his palm was about to land, the boy forcefully halted his attack, his hand stopping inches from the intruder's face. He took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress his anger. "Lady Hinata, please do not come here while I am training!"
"N-Neji-niisan..." Hinata stammered, seemingly frightened by Neji's attack. "I... I..."
"If you have no business here, please leave, Lady Hinata!" Neji snapped, his anger flaring further at the sight of Hinata's timidness. This is the future heir of the Main Branch?!
"N-No... Neji-niisan... I..." Hinata carefully held out the food box she carried towards Neji. "I made this... I hope Neji-niisan won't mind..."
Neji glared at the food box, his fury intensifying. Is she pitying me?! "Thank you for your kindness, Lady Hinata," he said through gritted teeth. "I have already eaten. Please leave!!"
"But..." Hinata hesitated, caught, her face flushing red. "I... I made this especially for you..."
Ever since Uncle Hizashi passed away, Neji-niisan had changed. Hinata simply thought Neji was suffering from his father's death and wanted to reach out, to change things, to stop him from being this way...
But with her innocence, Hinata couldn't comprehend the depth of Neji's transformation. On this day of joyous family celebration, she had naturally thought of Neji-niisan and had secretly slipped away from the main house...
Neji looked at Hinata's naive face with a flicker of aversion, the anger he had just suppressed surging again. Neji didn't hate Hinata herself, but Hinata was the heir to the Main Branch. What Neji hated was that someone with such status possessed only mediocre talent, while his own talent far surpassed hers. Yet, ultimately, he was the one branded with the Caged Bird seal, destined one day to die protecting the Main Branch, just like his father...
Once the Caged Bird seal was applied, escaping this fate was impossible. For years, Neji had seemingly submitted to his destiny.
But Neji himself hadn't realized that while he constantly spoke of submitting to fate, his actions were a perpetual rebellion against it. The Chunin Exams were the only chance for Neji, a Branch member, to openly defeat the Main Branch heir. Even though he won, Hinata hadn't conceded, and he had been stopped by numerous Jonin.
And then there was Haruno Sakura's threat with that water attack. Hmph, what does she know? She was Lady Tsunade's disciple; her status predetermined that she could never understand. "A stupid bird trapped in a cage," that's what she had said that day. But she didn't understand anything at all.
The words Haruno Sakura had spoken to him during the second stage of the exams felt like mockery to Neji. The Fifth Hokage's disciple... one day, I will make you understand that fate cannot be changed.
Verbally, Neji submitted to fate, but his actions rebelled against it.
Taking a deep breath, Neji turned away. "Go back. The Branch Family does not need the Main Branch's pity. The mission of the Branch Family is simply to protect the Main Branch."
"But... I didn't mean it like that... Neji-niisan....."
"This is the fate of the Hyuga Branch Family. You cannot change it!" Neji interrupted before Hinata could finish, then walked towards his house.
Watching Neji-niisan's retreating back, Hinata's expression fell, saddened. Their relationship hadn't always been like this...
Seeing Neji disappear inside, Hinata could only turn silently and leave his courtyard...
"Change..." Hinata murmured softly to herself on the way back...