#neji ask

[okamirayne]

Latching onto the ask of the previous asker to tell you that the KakashixGenma brainworm is still burrowed deep in my grey matter <3

I sometimes imagine how a talk between Shikamaru and/or Neji with Genma and/or Kakashi would go, especially when it comes to (homosexual) relationships between ninjas. I think Genma especially could provide really compelling insight for Shikamarus situation, seeing as he has been in... very similar ones, with Naoki and his fate. We all know how well he coped with that particular aspect of his life BUT it's still veeeeery interesting to think about for me. Their dynamics have so many parallels to me and I'm always like 👀

If circumstances were different and they could really open up to others, I think they all could get a lot from an heart to heart with each other.

I hope you're well Rayne! I'm really happy seeing you post, I love the writing quotes I see from you <3

BtB is still on my mind and I don't think it'll ever leave. I hope life treats you well and that you let yourself have the rest you need and deserve <33 Just know I'll be there when you publish writing again and I'll also be there in the meantime. Like a little German Gremlin in the corner. Totally normal, don't mind me.

I've discovered matcha latte for myself recently and the entire process of making it feels like self-care(tm)

Sending you aaaall the best wishes and good vibes, my friend 💜🍵 (my emoji keyboard has these on the "frequently used" tab bahaha)

Well hey there, dear Sunny Side Up! ☀ @sunlightrays

*toasts you with tea*

Latching onto the ask of the previous asker to tell you that the KakashixGenma brainworm is still burrowed deep in my grey matter <3

Ah yes, that worm is a wily little bastard, no?😆

I sometimes imagine how a talk between Shikamaru and/or Neji with Genma and/or Kakashi would go, especially when it comes to (homosexual) relationships between ninjas.

Oh damn. In the BtB-verse? That talk would possibly go something like this:

Shikamaru:

Neji:

Kakashi:

Genma (not appreciating Kakashi's bitch move of' take-the-wheel so I can' fuck-this-no-jutsu my way outta here'):

If circumstances were different and they could really open up to others, I think they all could get a lot from an heart to heart with each other.

This is true. As it happens, Genma would sooner deep-throat his senbons than cough up the vulnerability required for that conversation...but then, get him in a weak (or strong, depending on how you look at it) moment and he just might go there if the ungodly stars aligned.

As for Kakashi...yeah, I'm thinking he'd opt for completely severing his vocal chords. While he's way more likely to have an honest heart to heart with the younger generation than Genma, when it comes to the deeply private nature of Kakashi's own personal experiences with intimacy or love? Yeah. No. Even Genma is more likely to open that vein. And it wouldn't be willingly.

Shikamaru and Neji are more likely to talk to each other and address things more healthily, but they'd both struggle (especially Neji) with broaching that kind of topic with any senpai or sensei...that being said, Neji might not get a choice in the matter...Gai-sensei would get him in a mental and spiritual headlock and proceed to break him down psychologically through sheer force of Youthful Will, the Big Green Bastard of all things hot-blooded, including romance.😅

I hope you're well Rayne! I'm really happy seeing you post, I love the writing quotes I see from you <3

Ah! Thanks, sweetie. Appreciated. 🥰 Great to know! I'm happy to share the writing quotes and inspo as I come across it, hoping it'll resonate with others.

BtB is still on my mind and I don't think it'll ever leave. I hope life treats you well and that you let yourself have the rest you need and deserve <33

Thank you, Sunny sweetheart. Truly. 💜🫶🏼💜 I hope my response finds you in good health, heart, and head-space!

Just know I'll be there when you publish writing again and I'll also be there in the meantime. Like a little German Gremlin in the corner. Totally normal, don't mind me.

Your support is precious. Thank you! 🫶🏼 Ha! German Gremlin. Brilliant. We're none of us normal here, doncha know?! This Batshit Brit salutes you.

I've discovered matcha latte for myself recently and the entire process of making it feels like self-care(tm)

😍 Oh, my dear comrade in Tea Cups, I am delighted for you! Have you tried it with ceremonial or imperial grade matcha? It's a special green-velvet treat. Granted, not cheap. I save it for special occassions. 🍵

Sending you aaaall the best wishes and good vibes, my friend 💜🍵 (my emoji keyboard has these on the "frequently used" tab bahaha)

🥰 Absorbing them with hella-gratitude and sending the positive vibes and best wishes a'flowing right back at you, Sunny! Shine on, luv. 💜🍵☕️💜

[ayyyez]

Man bun Neji or hair down Neji????

But there is something hot about bun Neji

Just any Neji is good though, I love this man.

[okamirayne]

(1/2) thank you for all your answers!! I can't begin to tell you how many hangovers BtB has given me :D and now I have more questions: 1) when did Ino and Choji start to suspect the ShikaNeji? were they totally side eyeing him when he disappeared before (and after) the Hoteigu lunch? 🤣 2) what was Neji's reaction to Stupid Bird? (I assume they have met since he's now ventured into the Nara forest), 3) how did Shikamaru get Neji into the Nara residence after everything that has happened?

Pleasure, luv. 🥰 Thank you for your interest! I’ll do my best to answer, though I may withhold on account of 1) spoilers or 2) answers which are ‘still to be confirmed’ by the Dastardly Team…a.k.a the Sadistic Show-runners that conspire in my mental ‘BtB Plot-Bunny Den’ and presently look like this:

I’ll do my best as my Team holiday in Hiatus.

1) when did Ino and Choji start to suspect the ShikaNeji? were they totally side eyeing him when he disappeared before (and after) the Hoteigu lunch? 🤣

😆 I can confirm it’s post-UtS for sure, though Ino unknowingly gathers some hints during UtS that only come together for her later down the line; such as Kurayami’s words to her regarding Neji. That Shikamaru might be involved with Neji (let alone any male comrade) is so far off Team 10’s radar that it’s not something Ino or Chōji would initially ever suspect — especially when they assume Temari is the defending champion when it comes to Shikamaru’s baser or romantic interests (those Suna twins notwithstanding! 😅)

2) what was Neji's reaction to Stupid Bird? (I assume they have met since he's now ventured into the Nara forest)

To gaslight Shikamaru in evil solidarity. Initially, Neji pretended not to believe Stupid Bird existed, as Stupid Bird would always “vanish into the ether” any time Neji entered the Nara forest. This gaslighting game would aggravate the ungodly hell out of Shikamaru, much to Neji’s amusement.

3) how did Shikamaru get Neji into the Nara residence after everything that has happened?

Yoshino, funnily enough. She extended a practical dinner invite one evening. Shikamaru, Neji, and Team 7 were working late on war gaming strategies for upcoming missions related to the Akatsuki (before Pein attacked). Yoshino spotted them at Yakiniku Q and (remembering how Asuma’s poor bank account often haemorrhaged) took pity on Kakashi and Yamato’s wallets. Dinner invite was extended (insisted upon 😅). Neji couldn’t decline without offending Shikamaru’s mother, which he determined would be far more catastrophic than offending Shikamaru’s father (which is saying a lot).

As it happened, he needn’t have worried about Shikaku. When Neji rocked up with the rest of the group, Shikaku made no bones about it. This let Neji know the ‘you hurt my kid’ hatchet was truly buried.

[okamirayne]

Helllooo and happy new year! Here to haunt your inbox the way Neji has been haunting my brain and the narrative in HHU. I hope your 2026 is off to a great start and I’m still forever excited for the next update and your original works. If you had a headache at the end of the year that was me trying to infiltrate your brain for more shikanejishika goodness and I’m not sorry haha.

I’ve been once again rereading the full BTB universe and have been so excited and surprised by the Easter eggs and clues hidden in the story and it’s really stirring up a lot of questions, I’ll try to keep it to a minimum but I can’t help but yap a little bit.

We know what Shikamaru feels for Neji, but what does the darkness think of him? An object? An obstacle? Once bitten twice shy ? Even when Neji returns it’s not going to erase the trauma and grief of his death for all those who were impacted; and for Neji, the mindfuck of being brought back…not even being allowed to die… when you have the spoons to pick the story back up will we get a peak inside his mind on those feelings? The story also notes the possibility of infighting in the Hyuga, could his return make it even worse? How would the branch even begin fighting? I have a o many questions and I can’t wait to see how you dive into everything. Especially with Sasuke and Orochimaru! Looking at some of your promo art for the story I’m so curious how those two will interact and how Neji comes up in that. Also makes me wonder if Orochimaru has been able to study the byakugan 🤔. (If you are open to sharing ofcourse, if they are in any spoiler territory I am content like everyone else to wait patiently ❤️)

To pause this crazy long ask/yap session I wanted to revisit one of my fav scenes from BTB and sort of kinda Requiem when Neji was high as a kite (loved it, it was *chefs kiss*) and his quiet moment with Shikamaru drunk on that hilltop.

So much to say on that but I can’t help but giggle and fear the thought of Neji stumbling home drunk and running into Hiashi. I imagine this would be top 10 worst days of his life because ofcourse he’d run into Hiashi. I’m sure Hiashi would find a parental stick to shove up his ass to be absolutely pissed. Talk about a waste of a good drink, if I were Neji I would simply faint and not wake up. Can’t get screamed at if you’re unconscious #strategy. If I were Neji and survived running into Hiashi drunk? If he thought Neji was good at avoiding him, he would be flabbergasted at how I would dodge his ass 😂 he’d think I was missing. Because I know training would be HELL after that incident.

Curious if you had any thoughts good or bad for that kind of scenario? Anyway if you read all this thank you and have a nice day!

Hello, my dear @virginhawks! 💜

Ah, thank you so much for your patience as I finally return from by Tumblr break. Your New Year wishes were much appreciated and are heartily returned, luv.  I hope 2026 is off to a good start for you!

If you had a headache at the end of the year that was me trying to infiltrate your brain for more shikanejishika goodness and I’m not sorry haha.

Ha.  Now I know who the culprit was!  That said, it IS lovely to know that you’ve been marinating in ShikaNejiShika goodness. Speaking of which – big, big love for your support, and onto your questions!

We know what Shikamaru feels for Neji, but what does the darkness think of him? An object? An obstacle? Once bitten twice shy ?

Ah, well. Yeah. The Darkness (Kurayami) isn’t Neji’s biggest fan, to put it lightly.  He’d say he considers Neji a liability, a weakness. The truth? He considers Neji a threat. Oh, and he wasn't much pleased about Neji trying to use the POWER-OF-SHIKANEJI-BOND-NO-JUTSU to sideline him in order to reach Shikamaru. Ouch.

Even when Neji returns it’s not going to erase the trauma and grief of his death for all those who were impacted; and for Neji, the mindfuck of being brought back…not even being allowed to die…

Oh, it’s rife with WTF-terrain, isn’t it?

[…] when you have the spoons to pick the story back up will we get a peak inside his mind on those feelings?

I would absolutely explore that, luv.  You know me...wherever possible no corner of the character’s cranium or chest cavity goes unexplored...or unexcavated. 😉

The story also notes the possibility of infighting in the Hyuga, could his return make it even worse? How would the branch even begin fighting?

You’re asking all the right questions surrounding the Hyūga House and the shitstorm that’s brewing within it. The Main House is where the thunder is really rolling, but yes, the Branch are stewing in quiet discontent…Hiashi better batten down the hatches.

I have a o many questions and I can’t wait to see how you dive into everything.

I have so many questions too 😆. Part and parcel of running around like a headless chicken in the BtB-verse, collecting all the threads the story and characters give me.

Especially with Sasuke and Orochimaru! Looking at some of your promo art for the story I’m so curious how those two will interact and how Neji comes up in that. Also makes me wonder if Orochimaru has been able to study the byakugan 🤔. (If you are open to sharing ofcourse, if they are in any spoiler territory I am content like everyone else to wait patiently ❤️)

Ah!  Now that dynamic is such a strange one to write. Orochimaru slithers along a weird and tilted level of crazy/genius that I don’t particularly enjoy balancing my brain on when getting into his headspace – that said, he's an integral part of the HHU fic insofar as Sasuke.  There’s some spoiler territory there, but I can say Sasuke isn’t thrilled at the prospect of revisiting the Snake-related chapters of his past (but oh so present) life.

To pause this crazy long ask/yap session I wanted to revisit one of my fav scenes from BTB and sort of kinda Requiem when Neji was high as a kite (loved it, it was *chefs kiss*) and his quiet moment with Shikamaru drunk on that hilltop.

Aw!  Thank you.  I adore and appreciate when readers reflect and share their fav scenes or moments from BtB.  I feel very honoured to get that peak into their experience of the story and what stuck with them and why.  Thank you, sweetie.  I admit, I do enjoy writing Neji when he’s spaced out and free to slip his leash a bit. It’s good fun.

However, your scenario of Neji being discovered by his uncle does inspire both horror and humour – because yes, I agree, Sod’s Law says it would absolutely be Hiashi who he Hyūga-headbutts into.  Yep. That’s just how shit his luck would be.

[...] I’m sure Hiashi would find a parental stick to shove up his ass to be absolutely pissed.

😂Ha! Now, you say that and I can practically HEAR Kiba cracking jokes about how the pre-existing stick wedged up Neji's ass could use a friend.  As for my thoughts on the drunk scenario?  It would honestly depend on 1) how severely drunk Neji was 2) how masterfully he failed to hide it 3) whether it caused severe loss of face (both for him and/or Hiashi) 4) if there was an audience 5) what subzero degree of temperament Hiashi was emitting that day.  It could go a number of ways, I imagine. And oh, I could imagine…

Your vanishing act trick sounds like you've got the right idea. 😉

Thank you for these ASKs, luv. 💗 Huge hearts and gratitude coming your way for your kind and enduring support and interest.  It means everything!  Cheers again for your patience in my delayed response. Wishing you a fab rest of the week! 🥰💜

[okamirayne]

Heeeeey Rayne *trying to be casual* I always wanted to know how you would include Neji in The Last, because your take on him is the best out there 🥺 I know the BtB universe is canon divergence so have you ever even thought about adding/referencing the Otsutsuki threat to your story? Idk if you have answered this before 😭 really love u <3333

Heeeeey Rayne *trying to be casual*

I see your sweet casual vibe and I raise you a creepster over-confident hello, my lovely.😉

Aw. Thanks for taking the time to drop your ASK!

I always wanted to know how you would include Neji in The Last, because your take on him is the best out there 🥺

Aww hell...*immediately loses all sense of false cool* That's incredibly kind of you, Anon...🫠🥰 I'm so, so happy to know you enjoyed my take on Neji. 🫶🏼💜

The Last. Yes...ah...*squints, trying to remember the full storyline*...forgive me, Anon. I've been on a Shippuden series/movies rewatch to get back into the Narutoverse for BtB and I've yet to rewatch The Last. That said, I recall the major events, so I'm on the same book as you, my luv, just trying to get the pages straight in my demented head. 😅

Well...if following the BtB-verse...that entire movie might look oh so very different...I can't say too much without giving away spoilers for HHU...though I can certainly say that Neji would've been present when Hanabi was taken, so how that kidnapping played out would definitely have involved a showdown with Neji. He'd also have been deployed on the team to recover Hanabi. Again, because I'd be sticking to the BtB-verse there are several things that would've played out differently in the events of The Last. Sorry I can't give a fuller take on this, luv.

I know the BtB universe is canon divergence so have you ever even thought about adding/referencing the Otsutsuki threat to your story?

Great question. Hmn, yes and no. I wasn't a massive fan of how convoluted everything got with the introduction of the Otsutsuki, though I can appreciate certain elements of this narrative especially in relation to Hagoromo (Sage of Six Paths) and the explanation for the Rinnegan/Pein's Six Paths etc. Hagoromo's interference/involvement with Sasuke and Naruto, and the events just post-War is about as far as I'm willing to dive regarding the Otsutsuki, though mentioning their existence wouldn't be beyond the scope.

I wouldn't go too far along the timeline (she says, saying she'd never write Post-War, haha-joke's-on-me 😅)...I'd certainly never touch the Boruto-verse *hisses*, which is where I understand most of the Otsutsuki narrative plays out. That generation is hands-off for my brain, as many of the relationships don't play out due to the canon-divergence of the BtB-verse, also certain characters don't follow the Boruto-verse character arcs...and uh, yeah, certain babies don't get born. 😅😅😅

Idk if you have answered this before 😭 really love u <3333

Aw! No, sweetie, I hadn't answered this before, so thank you for your question surrounding this bigger branch to Kishimoto's canon world tree. I'm so chuffed you'd be interested in my insane take on this. 😘 You're a sweetheart. Big love and appreciation is coming at you for your warmth and kindness. 💜💜

[okamirayne]

Did you make a back story for Neji's mother in BtB? I can't remember if she is ever brought up in canon but I would be curious as to what you would think she was like in your own series.

Hey there, Anon!

Great question. I had made notes on this somewhere; I'd have to dig up my old files. It was a long time ago now, so I'd need to get back into BtB headspace and/or be writing from Neji's perspective to unravel that yarn.

While that character's story remains untold for now, I won't ever say 'never' when it comes to tackling it. ^_^

[okamirayne]

I don't know if you've been asked this already or not but I was wondering what kind of bird you think BtB Neji is?

Because I was thinking about getting a tattoo (really small, maybe on my wrist) of either a bird flying out of a cage or of a bird sitting on a deer (Shikamaru) with either the word "Breathe", "Relax" or some other quote under it.

But I can't decide what kind of bird. I just love Break to Breathe so much and have been toying with this idea since right around (I believe) Requiem came out when I was 13-14 and I am now nearly 24 and see no reason not to get one :)

Hey there, Anon!

Oooh! How awesome to learn you're thinking of getting a ShikaNeji tattoo. Oh bless you! I'm so chuffed that the BtB series has remained close to your heart over the years and needless to say, I am excited for your choice of ink.

I was wondering what kind of bird you think BtB Neji is?

Hmmn. I personally see Neji as a white hawk...

In BtB, Shikamaru draws parallels between Neji and the unnamed, but affectionately dubbed "Stupid Bird" that he rescued from Hanegakure. This bird is a peregrine falcon...like this guy below.

I can see Neji fitting either one of these species -- and they are my go to birdies when I think of him as being represented by an animal. Hope this helps, luv! Good luck and lots of fun with your tattoo design. What a tribute to those two lovebirds (excuse terrible pun!) <3

[okamirayne]

Hi there! Im currently re-reading On The Cusp and now Im at the scene between Neji and Hiashi where Hiashi told him about his conflictions. So I wonder, if Neji joins ANBU, basically he'll be disowned by his clan right? does his curse mark comes off with it? I dont really know much about those but if I understand it correctly, curse marks vanish if either the giver or reciever dies right?

Hi, Anon!

Aw! Thanks for revisiting the series. 💗 And for the accompanying Ask!

So I wonder, if Neji joins ANBU, basically he'll be disowned by his clan right?

does his curse mark comes off with it?

Alas....

I dont really know much about those but if I understand it correctly, curse marks vanish if either the giver or reciever dies right?

My understanding is the later (though I’d need to do a quick fact-check to verify) but it’s my understanding Neji’s Death would remove it... which makes his HHU return most interesting indeed!

Thanks again, Anon! 😘