A Surpassing Hyuuga
It was simple. He was a genius. It was a concept Hinata accepted easily, but her elders could not. Neji was clever and adroit, and was clearly growing to be of utmost skill. It was easy for Hinata to accept, for she saw just a little more in Neji than others would ever imagine. Or even want to.
Although no one knew, or even saw, Hinata longed for the olden days when she and he were just children. He had certainly changed from the hate-driven child he had once been after learning the truth of his father, but Hinata could still sense the small fragment of annoyance in his comments when in her presence. He used to be so care-free and full of practicality. His long, shiny, black hair use to flutter in the wind, and Hinata's pudgy hands would try to catch a strand between her short fingers.
He would never return to that untroubled child. He was calm and fairly kind, but Neji was also–as many other shinobi were–determined to raise his strength-level. Hinata admitted that she preferred his quiet and usually short conversations with her, rather than his old, spiteful glares, for he held a strong sense of intelligence.
But even with intelligence, his thoughts were still dense. Even with his extremely powerful Byakugan, he was still blind, and could not see farther than the skin of a person. The Byakugan was known to see one's souls, memories, and fears, but Neji's eyes often were simply white. And blank.
He could see her pale skin, soft and velvety. And he could conclude that it was pale, soft, and velvety. But he would not see the barely visible scratches and cuts upon her cheeks from a recent B-Ranked mission involving several opponents with her team. The scars are almost gone, with the aid of powerful medicinal herbs she, herself mixed. Yet they are still there, beneath her skin, and engraved into her eyes. He would not think of them, presume that they might be minor scratches she received when pushing through thick branches, and overlook her quiet strength. This is the only strength Hinata has left to prove. The rest has melted away in the eyes of others.
His other senses are said to be amazing. He can hear the footwork of completely silent assassins, coming to steal her or her sister away. And his agility and speed to prevent that from happening are quite astounding. He can feel the earth, and understand which path the enemy they are pursuing has taken.
But he cannot feel the hardships in her hands. Once delicate and beautiful, was now rough, callused, and hardened with letdown. He could glide the softest pad of his finger along her palm, and he would not feel the pricks stained with dried blood. Small cuts, where wooden splinters entered her skin, almost waiting about the wooden dummy she practiced on all day. He would not know her inner efforts. He would only see her failed attempts.
Hinata knew that Neji deserved his every right to take pride in his strength and power. She was glad that he found simplicity in his currently happy state. And she prayed that he never be overshadowed by another's outstanding achievements. Hinata knew he would never be able to tolerate the rain that would fall down on him. It is his weakness.
Hinata's eyes can see his weakness. She can seek deeper into his soul, and she can find what breaks it. Her Byakugan is strong like that. She understands pain. She knows it well and understands the pain of loneliness…isolation…failure. Hinata's eyes can see the weakness in everyone.
And perhaps that is her weakness. Knowing too much, seeing too much. It breaks the heroic image of her fellow companions.
It is simple to understand. It is a notion that everyone has. Neji was born to be a genius. Yet only Hinata can see the fool in him.
Owari
Note: There is a 'message' in here, and I hope you can get it from the writing, if you can't, than I apologize.