This is a random one, I have nothing to do because I have strep throat D:

The next one I write will not suck as much, still, I hope you find it funny ^-^

xoxo,
Spoons


Sunbeams

94 - Tradition

Sum: It didn't take long for Hiashi to lose his credibility, or for Neji to lose control of his fist as it collided with Naruto's for calling him a girl.

"It's not like I can do anything about it, Naruto." Hinata said softly, fussing with the obi on her kimono.

"Why couldn't I just wear, you know, my normal clothes?" Hinata sighed and looked at the young man in front of her with a smidgen of hopelessness. He was standing there, looking quite irritated in his attire, and she could almost feel the discomfort radiating off of him with each passing moment.

"Seriously Hinata. THIS? Really?" He continued, picking up the edge of the multi-layered robes and long tassles drooping from the pin at his neckline. Hinata blinked. It did look a little ridiculous.

"Everyone has to wear them Naruto, it's not my idea. It's just how it is." She said simply, giving her own belt one last final pat before slippping her toes into the sandals near her feet. Naruto had only appeared a few moments ago, escorted by a very sour-faced servant.

Convincing Naruto to even attend the Hyuga New Year was a task within itself seeing as he'd been already invited to go out with Shikamaru and Chouji to the all-night special down at the BBQ restaraunt. Hinata had almost been sad; she hadn't been invited to a New Year party since her academy days when Sakura had extended the offer, only to be politely refused for the sake of her family's serious, yet somehow routine celebrations.

But her Father had insisted. And when Hiashi insisted, it was more of a demand, and you never fell short with Hiashi. Still, Hinata had found it strange. It had only been half a year, but it seemed she and Naruto had already become something, as dysfunctional and strange and hard to explain as that something was.

It had started out an accident, but then it became purposeful because there was something that lingered under the surface of their relationship that made people confused.

Neither of them could tell you which way was up about it, just that it had fallen into place like some kind of fated, awkward destiny.

Still, forever was still a long time off, and they were definitely not an item, but more like closer friends that could be trusted with such things as family gatherings or grocery shopping when Naruto couldn't find the time, therefore being entrusted with a spare key to his apartment. That was another odd compulsion; Hinata, for reasons unknown, was constantly concerned about how much he was eating, or if he was going to fast or training too much.

She'd never tell him, but she worried silently from time to time, and so it became something of small happiness when she was thanked for the full pantry when he got home from a mission.

So he was attending the banquet and Hinata was feeling helplessly tired of the whole thing, and now, standing there and looking ridiculous, Naruto was already starting to get unhappy with the whole idea, and for once was not cautious in showing his dislike to her.

'Probably because Father doesn't hide his dislike of Naruto' Hinata thought silently, thinking of the underhanded comments they'd passed the few times they had met in actual person. But then again, Naruto was never exactly discrete about his feelings of people he didn't exactly care for.

"Naruto, you don't have to go." She said finally, moving past him towards the door, "I wouldn't blame you. It won't be much fun unless they start drinking; then we could probably get out early." She stated matter-of-factly. Naruto looked guilty for a moment and moved to follow her.

"Well, it's not that I don't want to go with you, but you know, what's the point? I mean, I've never really had a formal family, so I guess I just don't get why everyone has to be so freakin' serious all the time about stupid parties." Hinata looked at Naruto and attempted to convey the reasoning, or at least find a point.

"Well...I know you don't get understand, but..." She started, before immediately regretting it, hand lingering on the door. Naruto looked at her quizzically.

"What?" She looked helplessly at the door.

"It's...well, it's just, it's like it happens every year, it's automatic. It's not that we're...well, serious about it, but you just doit. The same way Neji-nee has to wear the robes, just as my Father has to wear his robes, just as I have to do the wine ceremony, it's just ingrained in us I guess." Naruto cocked an eyebrow.

"You mean, Neji has to wear this?"He gestured to the horribly complicated and embellished ensemble he was wearing and Hinata nodded innocently.

"Only, his is even more elaborate because he's an actual family member, but my Father has the most elaborate I suppose. He can barely walk in it." Naruto looked at Hinata and a small smile pulled at his mouth.

"Your Dad will be wearing this?" Hinata looked unsure, and plucked at her own kimono.

"Eh...well, of course, it's the way it is. He has to wear this big hat too, and he braids his hair..." She started, trying to describe the sight of her Father in his New Year's gowns, and having difficulty.

"He braids his hair?" Naruto said, now grinning. Hinata blushed.

"Well...Hyuga men take there hair very seriously...it's like, an old status thing...only now its not very popular, but Neji and my Father and a lot of the other main house members still do it..."

"Oh Hinata, that is rich. I thought this was going to be boring as hell, but now, I wouldn't trade anything for the sight of your Dad in a dress."

Hinata smiled insecurely, but then she found herself giggling as she thought about it.

Sure she was a Hyuga, sure she was supposed to be stoic, but the whole premise was sort of...funny. And to be quite honest, she'd never thought of it that way, but it almost seemed like Neji and her Father were in fact wearing dresses.

Hinata just kept chuckling to herself silently as she motioned for Naruto to follow.

For now, she'd let Naruto decide for himself whether or not seeing her cousin in ceremonial make up was worth the sake of tradition.


This chapter was totally inspired by Fruits Basket, and the idea of Yuki doing that "beautiful dance 3 years ago!" as Shigure humbly put it. Lol. Neji in make up.