A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

The Judge

There are few things that please Neji Hyuga more than a long morning spar. Presently, he takes large gulps of cool water from his canteen and retrieves his shirt from where he had discarded it in the grass. "I think that is enough for this morning, Lee," he calls to his sparring partner and best friend, and leaves the man to clear the grounds of their training equipment.

Neji balls his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face and torso as he makes his way back to his quarters, basking in the soreness of well worked muscles. But his pleasant mood quickly dissipates when he catches sight of one of his uncle's messengers lingering outside his door. His uncle has requested his presence for afternoon tea, the messenger informs him and Neji's brows knit in worry. Hiashi rarely requests formal meetings with anyone in his immediate family. He dismisses the messenger with a nod and enters his quarters, feeling unsettled. It can only be bad news, he thinks grimly as he gathers his things for a bath.

"Uncle," Neji greets as he is ushered into the clan head's office. Hiashi is already kneeling at the table, and he turns to acknowledge his nephew with a nod and motions for him to sit. A servant hovers nearby, waiting to pour tea for the two men.

Neji kneels across from his uncle, his gaze sharp as he searches the older man's features. "Your training is going well?" Hiashi begins after the tea has been poured, curling his hands around his cup. Hiashi regards him with an easiness that is usually absent in such meetings. Neji's eyes narrow; his uncle is stalling.

"Yes," he replies, and informs him that he has more training to attend to this evening. They discuss his progress and Hiashi asks about Lee, and soon they settle into companionable silence.

"The war is coming, Neji," Hiashi starts suddenly.

"Yes, Uncle."

Hiashi looks as if he wants to say more, but hesitates as weariness overcomes his features. The clan head rarely shows his age, but as Neji waits with dwindling patience for his uncle to broach the true subject of this meeting, he takes note of how strangely prominent the lines of his face have become. What has happened, he wonders, for his uncle to appear so burdened? They sit in silence for a moment longer, until Hiashi moves to lift his cup to his lips.

"I have found a woman for you," Hiashi reveals before taking a sip.

Neji feels an immediate release of tension from his body, though it is quickly replaced with annoyance. So it is just about this again. Neji takes a deep breath to soothe his irritation. "I have no desire to marry, Uncle," he asserts as he reaches for his own cup.

Hiashi's expression is as close to remorse as it will ever be as he explains that the contract has already been signed. He speaks calmly, with authority and an air of finality, though he is wary of his nephew's temper.

Neji remains frozen, his cup hovering before his lips. "I don't understand," he finally breathes, the first notes of anger present in his voice.

Hiashi eyes him cautiously. "We have arranged for you to meet your bride tomorrow."

Neji sets down his cup, stunned. But after a moment he demands to know how and why all this came about. The council has granted him the freedom to choose his own bride, he reminds Hiashi in biting tones.

"Yes, but circumstances have changed." The war is coming and his betrothed is the daughter of a renowned and incredibly skilled blacksmith. "Negotiations had to be made, and as it stands, this marriage is not only beneficial for you, but for our entire clan."

"So that is it then? I am just a pawn to you? My father would have never approved of this." Neji glares as his hands fist in his lap. Though Hiashi is stung by his accusation- he loves Neji, truly- he does not waver in his decision.

The servant shrinks into the corner as he watches the ensuing exchange. Neji can be volatile when enraged.

After a brief pause in their argument, Hiashi assures Neji again that his bride will be to his liking, but Neji rises from the table, fuming, and does not even bother drinking a sip of his tea.

"I will be the judge of that," he tells his uncle icily, and with satisfying force, slides the screen door shut.

A/N: Thank you for reading and please review!

~M.I.