Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto;

A/N: How would the calm, cool, collected Neji take on fatherhood, especially when concerning the female sex? Hm... I foresee 3-5 chapters, depending if Neji survives the teenage years.

Summary: Neji's jaw dropped to the floor in utter horror. He just couldn't believe his ears - his sweet, innocent, beautiful baby girl just called that Uchiha traitor 'daddy'! Oh. Hell. No. /drabbles/ From infancy to adulthood, no one ever said being father, especially when concerning his little Hyuuga princess, would be easy.

"Ano... otou-sama?"

Neji looked down with gruff affection at the little girl that was now clinging onto his leg, "What is it, Haruka?"

Young, pale-lavender eyes shined, "What was Haruka's first word?"

Instantly, the Hyuuga heir tensed, teeth slowly girthing together almost painfully.

"...Your first word was 'daddy,' Haruka."

Immediately, the cute little Hyuuga child beamed innocently. She hugged her father's leg tighter. "Wahh! Haruka loves otou-sama so much!"

Oh, the memories….

When Haruka was a week old -

Sakura almost laughed at the peculiar sight in front of her from where she stood at the doorframe of the nursery room. In fact, if the air in the room wasn't so solemn and serious, she would probably be rolling on the floor, laughing.

"Don't you think that the both of you are going a bit too overboard?"

It was a strange sight to see – Neji, Kohona's esteemed ANBU captain, and their three year old son, Hizashi (who was scarily becoming a mini-carbon clone of the Hyuuga lord himself), where both sitting on either side of her infant daughter's pink crib, both seemingly mediating with Hizashi's nin-pup, Ramen, sitting at guard in between them.

Behind the three male humans/canine a sleeping Haruka.

Ramen barked.

"Oh, my apologies, I mean the three of you."

Upon hearing her voice, little Hizashi opened his eyes and turned to his mother, "It is my duty as an older brother to watch over my new little sister, okaa-sama! There is no such thing as going overboard when it comes to the safety of Haruka!"

"Hn." Neji nodded slightly in approval. Sakura shot her husband a displeased look.

"What have you done to my sweet baby boy?"

Neji's right eye cracked open slightly as he smirked haughtily at the petite female standing against the doorframe, "As the men, it is our duty to protect and guard the baby."

Ramen yelped in agreement.

Sakura frowned, approaching the three forms on the floor who still haven't budged from their posts since her arrival.

"You would think that the head of the Hyuuga clan would have more productive things to do then to arrange a stakeout in his daughter's bedroom, ne Neji-kun?"

Neji smirked deepened in cruelty points as he closed his eyes again. He lifted up his hand and motioned his pointer finger to the corner of the room.

Sakura gazed over to where he was pointing.

There, in the back corner of the nursery, sat Hiashi, deep in mediation with a katana placed before him.

"Oh, for goodness sake!"

When Haruka was one months old –

It was nearing 2am when Neji was arriving home from a three day escort mission. The Hyuuga compound was enveloped with a peaceful silent as Neji soundlessly made his way through the living quarters towards his bedroom sanctuary.

A soft cooing sound from Haruka's room stopped him in his tracks as his head turned towards the direction of the noise. Protectively, Neji approached his daughter's crib where she was gently stirring in her sleep. Carefully, he reached down to rearrange the blankets covering the baby when Haruka's eyes suddenly opened.

Tiny lavender eyes looked up at her father, and upon recognition, her tiny mouth broke out in a smile, cooing sleepily before slowly falling back to sleep.

An undeniable warmth erupted in Neji's chest.

His baby girl smiled at him.

Tenderly, he gave a rare, small smile back down at her.

When Haruka was three months old –

"Ano… otou-sama?"

Neji looked up from where he sat at his desk over to his oldest child.

"Yes, Hizashi?"

"Where do babies come from?"

Neji nearly chocked on his spit.

"B-babies…?" Neji started, carefully.

"Hai," Hizashi replied, innocently, "Like, where did Haruka and I come from?"

Neji cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Well, you see Hizashi –"

Big, naïve eyes blinked back at him.

"…babies come from trees."

Hizashi's little mouth fell open excitedly, "Trees? From trees, otou-sama?"

He could feel a headache coming on as he rubbed his temples gingerly. "Iie, Hizashi, from… special trees." When he saw the confused look on his son's face, Neji pathetically continues his tale, "A daddy … gives a special seed to a mommy, and then the mommy will give that seed love and care until it grows into a baby."

Did he really just said that?

Hizashi nodded in understanding. "Interesting."

Neji cleared his throat, "Otou-sama needs to finish his work now, son. Go on and play."

Later on that day, a wave of confusion washed over Sakura as he heard Hizashi enthusiastically talked to his baby sister about how the two of them were once, excitedly, Sakura trees.

When Haruka was 6 months old –

Dressed in little Hyuuga robes, Neji cradled Haruka in his arms as he made his way down to training ground 5. Haruka hair, dark and chestnut brown in color, had grown out considerably and was cutely done (if he didn't say so himself) in a little pigtail done by his truly. Her little eyes looked over her surroundings curiously before looking up to her father, smiling brightly.

Silently, the duo stopped at a distance from two figures who were currently packing up their training supplies.

"Tenten. Lee," the Hyuuga greeted.

The two former teammates looked over towards the direction his voice had come from. Tenten's face broke out into a smile, gesturing her arm in a slight wave.

"Neji! Perfect timing, we were about to head over to the manor meet up with you!"

Upon seeing the little doll-like bundle in his arms, Lee cried out excitedly.

"Yosh! If it isn't the young angel of youth here to bless us with her brilliant smile!" Lee dropped his training gear to the ground, running towards Neji with his arms out wide, "Haruka-chan! Come to uncle-!"

Neji's eyes glowered.

"Lee, STOP." His baritone was low and dangerous.

The Hyuuga heir had rotated his body sideways, as if shielding the baby girl away from Kohana's Beautiful Green Beast, eyes glaring warningly. Lee stopped in his tracks, mouth hanging open disheartened.

"N-neji?" Lee started when the branch child shot his former teammate a disproving look.

"You may come near Haruka AFTER you have properly washed and disinfect yourself, Lee."

Tenten shot him an exacerbated look as dramatic tears started to stream down Lee's eyes. Haruka cooed happily when a butterfly caught her eyes.

"Really, Neji? Don't you think you're over-reacting?" the weapon mistress huffed, walking over to where he stood.

"No. You're both filthy, covered in germs."

She stopped a safe distance from the brooding father and couching down to become eye level with Haruka who was still situated in Neji's arms. "Poor Haruka, how do you ever put up with this crazy father of yours?"

Haruka squeezed her father's cheeks and squealed.

Review!

/next chapter, cute, toddler years/