Questions and a Lost Boy
Back at Neji’s household:
The next day, Neji was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for him and Hanami. He was in the position of preparing himself for all the questions his daughter was going to ask him. He was content with this though because it was relieving not to keep secrets from her anymore.
As much as he didn’t want to reminisce, he knew she deserved answers and today she was going to get them. Worried about getting too lost in his thoughts, Neji continued preparing breakfast until he heard little footsteps walking into the kitchen. Hearing this he turned around and saw his daughter yawning behind him still in her little cute Hello Kitty pajamas.
“Mom what did you cook for breakfast?,” Hanami yawned and went to sit at the table.
“I prepared some eggs, bacon, pancakes, grits, and sausage. What do you want on your plate?” going to get his and her plate.
“Everything except the eggs, you know I do not like those, ugh,” making a face, Hanami went to the table to sit down.
“You’re just like your dad not liking eggs what did they do to you mhmm,” he teased, preparing her plate.
“Because they are disgusting, gross, and unappealing to the eyes ok.”
“Whatever you say Hanami,” Neji chuckled.
When done fixing both of their plates he placed both plates on the table and sat down ready to eat.
“So Mom, are you ready for all the questions I’m going to ask you,” Hanami grinned as she looked at her mother taking another bite of bacon.
“Yes baby, ask whatever you want.” Neji grew a little anxious, he was nervous about what she was going to ask him. He didn’t want to say too much where she would distrust or hate her father.
Pulling her mother out of his thoughts, Hanami started with one of her first questions of the day.
“Is your name really Shima Himiko?”
“No my name is Neji Hyuuga, but when I married your father I changed it to Neji Nara. I am shocked you’re starting this easy. You must be plotting some big questions somewhere in that brain of yours,” inquisitive about what he should be expecting next.
“Yeah, I'm just waiting to catch you off guard,” throwing a sly smirk. Hanami brought a finger to her chin as if she was thinking.
“Little girl if you don't just ask the next damn question Nami, because what are you trying to ask just let me know.”
“Mom, I'm nervous…”
“Why are you nervous baby you shouldn’t be if anything I should be the nervous one here. I’m the one who has been keeping secrets and not telling you the full truth. I know you are scared to overstep but you shouldn’t be. I'll let you know if you are overstepping it's fine with whatever you're going to ask baby,” he reassured her.
“OK Mom, I just want to make sure I'm not overstepping too much. So if you do not want to answer a question just say “pass” or “I don’t want to answer at the moment”.
“Ok”
“Sense that is out of the way, my next question to you is what does my dad do outside of mafia work?”
“He was still doing professional boxing before I departed. You can look him up to see some of his fights if you want. His name in the ring was “Shadow” he was most likely famous today even if he is not boxing anymore,” he added, moving to pick up both of their plates.
“What platforms would you recommend I put my attention on?” Hanami now feels curious and regards seeing her father in a new way. Not just the version she always imagined and pictured in her head.
“I would say all the social media platforms if you can't find anything about him through his legal name search up his boxing,” Neji shrugged as he went on to sit back in front of his daughter.
“Ok,” Hanami smiled.
Later on in the day and millions of questions later:
Neji and Hanami were walking down the street from the restaurant they had gone to get their dinner for tonight since Neji didn’t feel like cooking. As they walked Hanami continued her questions as she held her mother’s hand. The pair was content until Hanami's words pulled Neji out of his thoughts.
“Mom, can we help that boy over there,” Hanami pointed out.
Neji focused on seeing who his daughter was pointing at. When he fully focused on the poor malnourished boy Neji was in a state of shock. He had seen that little boy when he was a baby and before he disappeared nearly fourteen years ago.
“Oh my god, Kawaki!”