A Caged Birds Rise

Grasping at the air above me, I stared in amazement at my new, grubby hands. The tiny fingers opened and closed, so small and unfamiliar. Reincarnation? The thought was surreal. I had never considered it before—never even entertained the idea. It was something I'd always dismissed as pure fiction, a concept reserved for stories and myths, not for reality. Yet here I was, living proof that it wasn't just make-believe.

I guess the Buddhists were right, I mused, though I always thought reincarnation came with a clean slate—no memories of your past life. Wasn't there something about drinking some kind of grandma's soup to forget everything? I never did anything like that, at least not that I remember. Maybe it just didn't work all the way.

I blinked, my blurry vision shifting past my tiny hands to the face of a man hovering above me. He was speaking, his voice gentle yet unfamiliar, but I couldn't understand a word. A language barrier, I realized. He was my father, yet his words were completely foreign to me.

But I knew who he was—Hizashi Hyuga, a man who never existed in my past reality, nor in any reality I was familiar with. I had become Neji, a name that seemed to flow naturally from my new identity. It wasn't just the lavender-white eyes that gave it away, but also the constant murmur of the name "Neji" around me. It clung to my consciousness, shaping my understanding of who I was now.

As I looked up at Hizashi, the realization settled over me like a heavy cloak. This wasn't just a new life; it was a completely new existence. The world I had known was gone, replaced by the intricacies of the Hyuga clan and its complex traditions. The past I once took for granted had vanished, leaving me to navigate a future I had never anticipated.

Hizashi's voice was soft, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. Despite the language barrier, the concern in his eyes was unmistakable. He spoke in a soothing tone, as if trying to comfort me despite my confusion. His presence, though unfamiliar, was a grounding force in this bewildering new reality.

I had to adapt, I realized. The familiarity of my old world was gone, replaced by the challenge of understanding and fitting into this new one. a ninja huh?

Time passed quietly, almost deceptively calm. I was acutely aware that this tranquility was merely the calm before a storm. Being born on July third meant that soon enough, Naruto would be born, and the Kyubii would once more be set free.

Though there was nothing I could do about it—being an infant and still far too weak—I had dedicated these past few months to what I called "training." I flexed and moved my limbs as often as possible, striving to strengthen my body and core. It wouldn't be long before I could crawl; I had already mastered keeping my head up and sitting, milestones most babies reached by three months old.

Despite my efforts and the progress, I made, a small, persistent anxiety gnawed at the edges of my thoughts. It was a whisper in the back of my mind, a quiet worry that lingered even though I knew, rationally, that everything would be fine. The impending events were out of my control, canon Neji survived, So I will survive.

...

Hizashi sat quietly in his room, his gaze fixed on his son as he slept peacefully in the crib beside him. The soft rise and fall of the baby's chest was a small, reassuring rhythm amidst the storm of his thoughts. As a parent, the universal worry of ensuring his child's well-being weighed heavily on him. Each shallow breath, each tiny movement of the infant was a reminder of the fragile nature of their new life.

With a sigh of relief, Hizashi allowed himself a moment of respite. Seeing his son's chest rise and fall with a steady, peaceful cadence was a balm to his anxieties. Ever since he had lost Tomomi, he had become increasingly overprotective of Neji, almost hyper-aware of every twitch and noise he made. Was this what being a parent felt like? The constant anxiety that their fragile form might suddenly cease to move, just like… no, he shouldn't think like that. He had Neji, Tomomi's last gift to him. He should continue to cherish and protect him.

Suddenly, a surge of chakra exploded within the village, breaking through the tranquil night with a jarring intensity. Hizashi's eyes snapped open, and his heart raced as the familiar, oppressive sensation of massive chakra filled the air. His instincts flared—something was terribly wrong. The peaceful moment with Neji was shattered, replaced by a deep-seated dread that twisted in his gut.

What could it be? Hizashi's mind raced as he moved swiftly to his feet, and picking up the now crying child. He rushed from his room to look outside at the commotion.

The sudden, piercing wails of his son only added to the urgency and confusion that gripped him. With Neji clutched tightly to his chest, he dashed from his room, his heart pounding with each step. The once-quiet night was now filled with the sounds of chaos and alarm.

Reaching a window, Hizashi's eyes widened in horror at the sight before him. In the distance, nine colossal tails were thrashing violently, their destructive force creating havoc across the village. The Nine-Tails had indeed escaped, and its rampage was evident in the way buildings crumbled, and streets were torn apart by the beast's fury.

"Hizashi!" A voice broke through the din, and he turned to see one of the village's messengers rushing toward him, breathless and urgent. "The Nine-Tails has escaped! Elder Danzo has instructed that we all rush to help Lord Third and Fourth in stalling the beast!"

Hizashi's grip tightened around Neji as he processed the gravity of the situation. His mind was a whirlwind of fear and determination. This was no longer just a matter of protecting his son from a personal loss; it was about safeguarding the entire village from annihilation.