Morning came quickly, and Neji, as was his way, was up before dawn, but wasn't the first one up.

"Hanabi," Neji remarked as he walked down into the living room and saw the girl lounging on the couch, reading intently. She did not look up as she answered.

"Yes?" her voice was sharp and pointed. Neji chose not to rile her up. It was too early.

"Good morning," he said. Hanabi's eyes found their way to Neji's and they lingered on him.

"Good morning," she said, rather stiffly. Neji looked at her, but said nothing. After a moment he dropped her gaze and went into the kitchen. Let her think she had won. Neji didn't care. He moved his mind over to something else; school. When would he start? He was well aware that the year was already in progress, but just barely so. The official school year had only started a month ago. Neji's father had died three weeks ago, his funeral had been two weeks ago, and one week ago he had arranged to come here, and now he was here. In Konoha. Would Hiashi have him get settled first and then go to school? Or was he going to have him go to school right away? The young Hyuuga was more inclined to think that the former was what Hiashi would choose.

As it happens, he was right. Hiashi came down to breakfast that morning at six and had told Neji that he could stay at the house for a few days while he got settled and then could start the school year form there. Konoha High had already been alerted of his arrival, Neji had been told. Neji agreed to stay home, as going against that could possibly result in some kind of argument, for which Neji did not have the patience. He bid Hinata and Hanabi farewell as they both parted for their respective schools; Hinata for Konoha High, Neji's future school, and Hanabi for Konoha elementary, which she expressed great distaste in. Once they had left, Neji had headed straight for the garden, which was now fairly dry so the dirt no longer clung wetly to the bottoms of his feet. He spent virtually the entire day there and only came back in when Hiashi called him for lunch, during which they shared a rather awkward and short conversation, and then later to greet Hinata when she arrived home. Neji had then received an idea what his new academic life would be life. As soon as Hinata arrived home, she had said a hasty hello to Neji and Hiashi, and then had ripped off her backpack, threw it on the floor next to her and began to work on difficult English, science and math homework she had been assigned.

"Do you need some help?" Neji asked, sitting down next to her. Hinata looked up at him and went red.

"N-no, I can m-manage!" she insisted, returning her rather panicked gaze back to her homework. Neji shook his head. He leaned in towards her and whispered, "I am your family. It hurts when you don't think I can help you." Hinata's face heated up and Neji swore he could feel the heat emanating from her. She quickly moved her arm aside so Neji could see her assignment.

"Oh, alright," Neji said, looking it over. And he began a long, yet easy to understand lecture about whatever it was Hinata was having so much trouble with.

After approximately a half hour Hinata had vehemently insisted that she could do the rest herself and had put up the mental barrier Neji had sensed coming from her when she arrived home. He shrugged and turned to go to the garden, yet again, thinking more and more about Konoha High. Hinata, he knew was very intelligent and was in three AP classes, earth science, algebra, and English. This, the brunette Hyuuga knew, would be a lot, even for him to handle, but Hinata seemed to be doing alright, despite appearing positively rattled about it. He knew better than to assume that what she was showing on the outside was what she was actually feeling.

Neji arrived at the garden and once again slipped into his state of chaotic bliss, the emotions still raging inside him, but at a less tiring speed. The anemone flowers attracted his attention, as they always did and Neji sat in front of them, his milky eyes unblinking, taking in their sight. Nothing much had changed since his previous viewing, but still, the sight seemed new and fresh to him. He never exactly knew why he was so fascinated with the soft delicate beauty of flowers, but then he had never complained.

Neji sat silently, still and calmly, watching the flowers, until his uncle's voice brought him out of his pleasurable reverie.

"Neji?" the deep voice of his uncle asked. Neji's head turned and his eyes rested on his uncle. He bowed his head forward respectfully.

"Hai, Hiashi-sama," he said. Hiashi flinched slightly, but did not attempt to correct his young nephew. He had given up long ago on attempting to persuade Neji to breech the rules of etiquette and speak more comfortably with him. Instead, the elder Hyuuga returned the bow slightly and spoke.

"I assume that your mind has touched over to the subject of when you will be attending Konoha High?" he inquired. Neji stood, dusting himself off slightly, and nodded.

"Hai," he said. "I have been considering possibly going to school tomorrow. I don't wish to fall too far behind on the curriculum. What is your opinion?" Hiashi looked at Neji thoughtfully.

"I figured you would like to begin the school year as soon as possible," he said. "I have briefly considered sending you to school tomorrow as well, but, are you certain that you are ready to so quickly begin your new life here, without so much as a small orientation?" Neji looked down.

"Begging your pardon, Hiashi-sama," he said softly. "But the reality of life is, once the initial life has passed and faded from sight, the chance of an orientation of a new life is slim to none, and in this case, it most certainly is none." He was silent and bowed apologetically, but Hiashi merely looked at him. Strange priorities… He thought grimly. Perhaps it is better if he is sent to school as soon as may be. Hiashi smiled a little and sighed lightly.

"Very well," he said. "Neji-san, if you wish to attend school tomorrow, I shall prepare your things for you." Neji nodded.

"Arigato," he spoke emotionlessly.

"Your backpack will be left on the table for tomorrow," Hiashi informed. "Hinata can show you around the school quickly. Well, between classes I suppose. You will be able to cope, yes?" Neji only looked at his uncle, who did know that that was a silly question. Of course Neji could cope. This would only be a trivial matter of learning his way around the school, and that he could do in a matter of days, more or less, depending on where his classes were. There would be no issue in terms of how well he would fare academically in this school. He knew his current intellect would be more than sufficient for passing grades. Hiashi nodded, understanding Neji's lack of verbal answer and body language to mean, "Why would you ask that?" He refrained from chuckling at the boy's sureness and looked at Neji.

"Alright, I suppose you will be able to handle this more than adequately," he said. "No doubt you'll assimilate quickly." Neji flinched as Hiashi turned on his heel and walked slowly and composedly away. Strange, and strangely impacting choice of words. Assimilate. Neji did not think that he would ever grow to fit in with this group of people. He wondered for a moment if Hiashi had been speaking metaphorically. He could have been referring to Neji as an immigrant and Konoha High as the new culture into which he would have to assimilate. Neji shook his head slightly and brought his mind away from the unusually affecting word. There were other times during which he could contemplate the meaning of it, and this was a time in which he did not feel like dwelling on the simple word.

His attentions turned back to the anemone flower and he resumed his kneeling position, his posture slightly relaxed, his breathing steady and healthy, and his heartbeat calm and soft.

He should've liked to remain out in the garden, perhaps for all eternity, but he knew he could not, as Hiashi called him to dinner. The young Hyuuga stood and turned, reluctantly walking into the house.

Neji walked to the dining room to find the three people who were his new family, already sitting around the long table, Hiashi at the head, Hinata to his right, twisting in her chair to face Neji, and Hanabi, to his left, almost glaring at Neji, and sitting uncomfortably still. Hiashi smiled as Neji walked over to them.

"Neji-san!" he said cheerfully. "Come, sit by Hinata." He gestured to a chair next to his elder daughter and Neji complied, bowing and then moving towards the indicated chair. He sat down and bowed his head forward.

"Arigato," he said. "Thank you for letting me into your home and lives." He had been waiting to give a formal thanks to them and dinner seemed like the perfect time to do it. He raised his gaze to Hiashi, who had been looking at him with raised brow. He snapped out of his daze when he saw Neji's penetrating white eyes on him, though. He nodded.

"Do not thank me," he said. Lowering his voice, he added, "It is what my brother wanted, after all." Neji's white gaze fell to his plate and Hinata and Hanabi looked awkwardly between their father and their cousin. After a moment of tense and nostalgic silence, Hiashi and Neji looked up. Hiashi smiled.

"Well, food does us no good should it never leave our plates," he said, regaining his former pleasantness. "Shall we begin?" Hinata nodded somewhat vigorously; glad the awkward topic of the deceased man that had brought Neji here had been dropped. Neji delicately fingered his fork and took a small bite of the food before him, sampling it. Oyako-donburi. It tasted just as it should. He particularly liked the sliced vegetables that were scattered over the top of the delicious rice.

Neji watched as Hiashi and Hanabi began a discussion about why she shouldn't skip three grades and go right to high school. She had argued that she was intelligent enough and that her athletic abilities combined with the effort she put in were more than sufficient, but Hiashi had said that a level of maturity was required as one moved up through the grades; a level that she had not reached. Though Neji didn't voice his opinion, he agreed with Hiashi. He had experienced firsthand the level of her maturity, and, were it to be measured on a scale of one to ten, it would be at about a two.

Hinata had, by then inserted herself into the conversation, speaking of some happening or another that occurred at her own school, ignoring Hanabi's death glare. Neji eyed the younger girl warily, but had dropped his gaze back to his oh-so-interesting food after a moment. He marveled over how normal this family; his family; was. Hanabi, the younger of the two siblings, wished to break free from the constricting shell of a child and prove that she could be a mature young lady. Hinata, the elder of the two, wished to fit in with the group of adolescents surrounding her who were unconsciously or consciously pressuring her. Hiashi was the loving and caring father of them and he was always confronted with their problems, sometimes voicing his irritation at having to be bothered with such trifle tribulations, other times, welcoming their confusion and making loving attempts to put an end to it. The only thing. Neji noted. The only thing they need is a mother. But he had not brought them a mother. He had brought them more troubles to deal with; the troubles of a growing teen with nothing but self pity and a cold exterior who never let anyone in. And the inhuman part about that. Neji thought. Is that I don't care. Neji sighed as Hiashi spoke to him.

"Neji," he said, making a kind attempt to bring the young boy into the conversation. "Do you have hobbies?" Neji internally rolled his eyes and sighed exasperatedly, but he answered externally.

"Hai, Hiashi-sama," he replied. "I enjoy art, sketching in particular, and I also enjoy playing the piano." He stopped and took another bite of his food. Hiashi, sensing that the brunette wouldn't add anything else, made a remark on that which was already stated.

"Do you consider yourself a talented pianist?" he asked. Neji inclined his head.

"I don't mean to sound proud," he said. "But I personally consider myself a talented pianist, yes." Hiashi nodded but it was Hanabi who spoke, glaring at Neji through her jet black bangs.

"You should play a piece for us sometime," she said icily. "We have a piano in the family room. You may feel free to use that." Neji looked at her.

"Arigato, Hanabi-san," he said. Hanabi made a small noise that sounded to Neji like a scoff, before she averted her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, but looked away after preventing himself from retorting. He turned his attention back to Hiashi, who was far from being proud of his daughter's behavior, but did agree with her.

"You may feel free to use the piano anytime you wish," he said. "And should you ever feel the need to play something for us, we will listen." Neji locked eyes with him and they both silently agreed on one thing; that would never happen.

Hinata turned to her cousin and her mouth twitched into a shy smile.

"Neji-nii-san," she said timidly. "Wh-when are you g-going to come t-to the h-high school?" Neji turned to look at her.

"I'm actually going tomorrow," he said matter-of-factly. "And Hiashi-sama has assured me that I will fit in very well. Do you agree?" Hinata blushed at having to give such an opinion that had the potential to get him so angry at her should she say something wrong.

"W-well, I th-think that y-you won't have t-trouble fitting in," she said. "P-people there are g-generally very nice to new s-students." She immediately looked away after giving this answer and looked down modestly as though expecting Neji to scold her. She was surprised when he didn't.

"Thank you, Hinata-san," he said. "That makes me feel a lot better about this." He tried to smile at her, but couldn't, as his muscles seemed to forget how, so he just looked at her in what he hoped was an assuring way. He was growing a little on Hinata.

As dinner continued, Hiashi and Hanabi began another debate and Hinata soon joined, bringing the level of tension back down again, and Neji watched, something tugging slightly at his heart, which he was surprised at, as he didn't think his heart could feel anymore. The meal ended fairly soon and Neji offered to clean the table. Hiashi had protested but Neji had countered by saying, "I am treated now as a member of this family, and that includes chores." That effectively silenced Hiashi and he reluctantly agreed and told Hanabi and Hinata to excuse themselves, which they both did, Hanabi leaving pointedly and Hinata bowing out timidly. Neji then proceeded to clear the plates and clean the table, which actually was void of any food stains. Hiashi stood and watched his nephew.

"Thank you, Neji for coming to us," he said quietly and unsurely, betraying his normally confident and strong air. Neji's arm froze, suspended, ready to pick up Hinata's food plate. He turned his head slowly to face Hiashi's and looked at him metallically. For once he didn't quite know what to say, so he settled for silence. Hiashi, understanding Neji's unsure and perplexed silence, nodded and turned to leave. Neji's eyes, watching him, were the only parts of his body capable of moving at that point. After his uncle had left, though, they too became limp and swiveled forward to rest his gaze on the table, not really seeing it. He breathed in and out, steadily, but in a forced way. His uncle had sounded so sincere. As though he had been waiting for this. Not for Neji's father to die, but for meeting the brunette Hyuuga, the object of his brother's immense joy and love. It hit Neji harder than one would expect. But, of course, after a moment, his body regained the ability to function and his arms continued to move, his mind brushing the emotion aside, as it had done to so many others.

Neji finished cleaning the dishes quickly and glanced at a clock hanging on the far wall of the kitchen. 7:56. It wasn't even eight o'clock and already, Neji wanted to go to bed. He closed his eyes and sighed. He would just have to wait in the garden until the time came for him to sleep. It's not as if he wouldn't be doing anything.

Placing the last dish in the dish wrack to dry, Neji quickly dried his own hands with a towel and hurried from the kitchen to the garden. He was surprised when he got outside, however, to find somebody else already out there. Hinata was standing on the path, swaying right and left slightly, as though waiting for something. When Neji approached her she gasped and turned, but then smiled at seeing who it was.

"N-Neji-nii-san," she said. "I h-have something I w-want to s-show you." She looked at him hesitantly, as though expecting him to refuse, but he nodded.

"Alright, Hinata-san," he said. "Lead the way." She nodded hastily and said a quick, "H-hai!" She turned and walked through the garden, taking the path of least resistance to the gate that surrounded them. Neji honestly had no idea where she was going or what she was doing, so he followed in silence. After a few moments and after they had left the safety the gate provided and ventured into the lighter part of the forest, Hinata turned to Neji.

"Uh…" she began almost inaudibly. "I-I noticed how m-much you like t-the garden, s-so I thought I sh-should show you th-this." Neji nodded and Hinata turned and continued walking.

They came to a small clearing after a moment and Neji's eyes widened slightly. What he saw amazed him. There, in the center of the clearing was a beautiful sakura tree, standing alone, yet tall and proud. Its trunk was thick and slightly twisted, but in a graceful and elegant way. It was covered with the many sakura blooms that entranced Neji, looking at him softly with their lightly pink-tinted petals, ruffling and swaying in the slight breeze. The other trees seemed to bow in recognition and Neji soon felt his own knees become slightly weak. He turned to his smiling cousin next to him.

"It's…" his voice broke off, and Hinata's smile faltered. She clearly mistook his awe for disappointment and looked down ashamedly.

"I-if you don't like it, N-Neji-nii-san, w-we can go n-now," she said quickly. Neji only looked at her.

"Why would I want to leave?" he asked incredulously. "This is magnificent." His pearly eyes moved to rest on the enchanting sakura tree and his lips parted slightly to allow a small breath of wonder to escape him. Beside him, Hinata smiled, relieved and slightly proud of herself for pleasing the normally indifferent boy so much.

"Th-this is the s-sakura tree father planted wh-when mother died," she said, her voice faltering here and there. Neji turned to face her at hearing the end of her sentence. He looked into her eyes and found that he saw pain similar to his lodged beneath the many layers of timidity and concern. He felt his look soften, though only slightly.

"I'm sorry, Hinata-san," he said softly. Hinata blushed furiously.

"Y-you don't n-need to s-say that, Neji-nii-san," she said hurriedly. "I still have m-my father, and m-my sister, and y-you. It's n-not that bad." Neji blinked and felt what seemed like the first real emotion in a long time. It still wasn't enough to make him smile, but he felt as though a small section of his heart had been mended. Slowly, very slowly, Neji lifted his hand and placed it on Hinata's shoulder, looking at her meaningfully. She started at the contact, but returned his gaze after a moment and smiled softly. The touch was awkward, but it helped both the shy young girl and the hurt young boy take a large step forward in their relation.

Neji's heart, though, was still in pieces.


After a few reviews and many rereadings I have decided to continue this fanfic, but I still need critiquing. Please review!