Much Stronger Than Forever

When they asked him to switch places with Hiashi, his first instinct was to tell them all to take a hike and get a new plan. It was his big brother's mistake, let him deal with it. He was the perfect clan head after all.

But then Hizashi remembered.

Remembered nights staying up late talking and planning the best way to get back at the adults around them for some kind of wrong. Remembered getting into trouble knowing his big brother would have his back. Remembering unexplained bruises on Hiashi's skin after some of these misadventures that his brother always waved off as nothing. Remembered a twin who had worn a bandage and headband and Hizashi's clothing when things got too out of hand. The brother that would take his punishments in his place, to spare him the pain.

It was unfair, maybe, to Neji, but he had to. This once, he had to pay Hiashi back. "I will."

Still on a twin kick .

This was supposed to take only an hour, but I think we're up to six now. My eyes and hands ache and I'm more than read for some WoW-laxtion. I really like this, though. I like the idea of the two of them sitting on the roof, plotting until dawn. I really wanted to have their older selves behind them in the rising sun, and the sad men they would become.

Drew their younger selves on my own, but their older selves are stylized references from the manga. Not because I couldn't draw them, but because I wanted it exact so that the exact scene would be well remembered by you, the viewer.

Enjoy .

Hiashi and Hizashi (c) Kishimoto, but I think I'll steal them .