Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Konoha Daycare Center

(You gotta see what's underneath the underneath)

Konoha Daycare Center is just your typical, average and non-eye catching daycenter. (-snort- yeah right)

So yeah, one year had passed and there were new kids in the playpen.

02. Cousins (Part One)

At the young age of seven, who would've thought that one Neji Hyuuga would be jealous over a girl?

You see, while the devilish trio was scheming up some major trouble, they failed to notice a new playmate.

A playmate with the name of Hinata Hyuuga.

Let's just say that the 'trouble' they were trying to brew includes breaking out of the playpen to cause major headache to the babysitter who ate their chocolate chip cookies.

Well, that certain plan came into a full stop when they saw someone clinging to their dear Sakura for life.

Hinata is a very ---very shy girl. So when some girls and boys tried to befriend her, she grasped her backpack tightly, and failed to utter a word. Thus, she was labeled mute and weird. (-scoff- Hypocrites)

Sakura wasn't that loved in the female population, nevertheless girls nor boys didn't dare to make fun of her. Making fun of her will only result to unnecessary tears and broken toys (Courtesy of the devilish trio whenever Sakura wasn't looking). So whenever she's in her own world of reading, kids (including the trio) just left her alone.

After the lousy and ineffective introduction of the newest playmate, kids went back to their previous business. The newcomer wasn't fond of being with the crowd because she thought, having one friend is enough. That's when her search for a -one and only friend- started.

Her list of potential friends include those loners who sit in a far corner namely: Shikamaru, Sakura and Shino

'That p-ponytail boy? Nah,—he's s-sleeping. I bet he'll sleep rather than play'

'How about that g-guy with sunglasses… Hm.. He's m-mumbling to himself. T-that's scary'

'That girl with w-weird hair color. I think she's o-okay'

And so---little Hinata approached Sakura with all her might. But it seemed like Sakura didn't notice the newcomer.

"U-uhm~--"

"Eeeep!" Sakura almost dropped her book when she heard someone talk so suddenly beside her.

Hinata was a bit taken aback by her reaction and started to fidget and blush. "S—sorry about that"

"Oh. It's okay, I was just surprised" the pink haired girl had put her reading into a stop and conversed.

"U—uhm"

"So you're new here huh? What's your name?"

"H—hinata"

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Sakura"

"S-sakura-san, c—can I…uhm"

"Hm?"

Hinata blushed and looked continued her habit of rolling eyes, her fidgeting getting worse and worse until-----

---Sakura laughed "Hinata stutters and fidgets a lot. It's so cute!"she patted the shy girl's head and giggled.

The female Hyuuga blushed a deeper shade of red and half-shouted, "C-can I comb your hair?!"

Sakura eyed her new friend strangely and smiled, "Sure" She flipped her book and continued reading while Hinata brushed her hair. Occasionally, Hinata would ask and she would answer without hesitation.

"C-can I tie your hair?"

"Yeah, sure"

"Can I hug your arm?"

"I guess"

So while Hinata was being comfortable with Sakura's arm, Neji accidentally spared a glance and was shocked. His two friends noticed it and peeked at the scene.

Needless to explain, the three were gaping at the scene. After two minutes of stupefied and fish-out-of-the-lake- expression, Naruto decided to break the silence "Nah, she's a girl. Sakura can't marry , no matter—Sakura will marry me anyway"

"Dead last, dobe" Sasuke smacked the blond kid in the head and decided to eat a morning snack.

"Temeeee! What didya do that for?! Hmph! You're just jealous because Sakura-chan talks to me more than you"

"No way, Sakura likes me more than you"

"Yes way, she likes me most!"

"No she doesn't"

"Yes she does"

"No. She. Doesn't"

"Yes—she—Hey!! Neji!! Help me with this one!"

"…"

"Neji?"

But Neji wasn't satisfied with that 'she's a girl' excuse. Because of all people --- he hated his cousin the most.

Because he knew, Hinata is too spoiled----way too spoiled for his liking

"S-sakura, can you read me a book?"

"Sure!"

"C—can I lean on your shoulder?"

"Of course"

'I knew it!' Neji thought bitterly, hearing Hinata's demand and all. Even at the Hyuuga household, people would be doing 'this and that' just for that cousin of his. People treat her like a princess!

And now this!!!

Ohhh—hell hath no fury like a jealous Neji Hyuuga.

Hinata felt a strange aura coming from her right and alas! His cousin was glaring at her as if she's some sort of virus. In reflex, she hugged Sakura tighter and tried to smile. 'W-what's his problem?'

Unfortunately, in Neji's line of vision---Hinata's hug and smile seemed like provocation and smirk. And that flared off this temper

'It is ON!'

(Ahhh~ Rivalry. How youthful)

Thus, the indirect battle of attention between two Hyuugas started

Tbc.

A/N: The narrator is unknown and will remain unknown unless I say so. :D

So here ya go. This is more of Saku x Hina (Oi, no dirty implications please). Next chapter will be Neji x Saku.