A/N: I do not own Naruto.

000000000000000000000000000000

Heart Broken: Chapter 7

Barriers

Lord Hyuuga Hiashi stood before the door, preparing his entrance.

Yes, he was a powerful clan leader.

Yes, his implacable stare had been known to drive fear into men's hearts.

Yes, he was renowned for his sharp mind and cool composure.

Yes, he was nervous about entering his nephew's room.

He had taken a step that was completely unprecedented. He had gone out of his way to give a member of the Branch family comfort. And now he had to face the consequences.

He squared his shoulders and started to push the door open.

"Buck up, man," said Lady Tsunade, smacking him between the shoulder blades and pushing ahead of him through the door. "They won't eat you," she grinned over her shoulder, wolfishly, "but I might!" She smacked her lips loudly and laughed at his horrified expression.

Hiashi recovered from his stumble and pulled himself up to his full, and quite impressive, six-foot three-inches height. He stared down his nose at the beautiful woman, and tried not to let the stare slide further down into the shadows of her cleavage.

She snickered and he pulled his gaze up sharply. Really, this woman always had him at a disadvantage. It was quite annoying.

"I am perfectly capable of opening a door on my own, Lady Tsunade," he said haughtily, then stopped in alarm when he saw the eager audience watching him and the blonde Hokage.

The room was filled with young people, sprawled on the sofa and chairs and floor, lounging on the bed, laughing, playing music and generally doing what he had hoped they would do when he first thought up the idea of exchanging the dull hospital furnishing with more comfortable chairs. It should have made him glad to see how well his plan had worked. And it did make him glad. He just didn't expect all these children to be here when he made his own visits.

"F-father!" said Hinata, jumping up from the floor and blushing a deep rose.

"Ow!" said Naruto, as his head bounced out of her lap and hit the floor with a loud crack. "Hinata-san, why'd you – Oh, hi, Hyuuga-sama, I gotta say, this room is awesome!"

Hiashi stared down in distaste as the cheerful blonde jinchuuriki jumped up to greet him. He was surprised to find that his pale eyes were almost at a level with the shinobi. He narrowed those eyes suspiciously. Had Hinata actually been holding this lout's head in her lap?

He opened his mouth, about to reprimand the girl and remind her of the kind of behavior that was expected of a daughter of the Hyuuga clan. Behavior that did not include cuddling the head of someone as dangerous as the vessel for the Kyuubi no Youko, the nine-tailed fox demon.

Tsunade smacked him hard in the chest, glaring at him evilly.

"Don't you dare," she hissed. She looked significantly around the room and then back at him, an eyebrow raised imperiously. He followed her glance and saw that the happy group he had interrupted when he entered the room was now tense and anxious. Reading their faces he could see worry for Hinata, who was standing with her head lowered and her shoulders hunched, waiting for him to verbally chastise her. And there was worry, also, for Naruto, who was standing before him with a dangerous smile on his lips, waiting to see what the Hyuuga would do.

Hiashi smiled a brief chilly smile. "Thank you, Naruto-san, I'm glad you enjoy the – er – comforts."

The tension in the room expelled with an almost audible sigh. He saw his daughter smile up at him with a warm shyness that made him feel inexplicably shy himself.

He cleared his throat, ignoring the Fifth Hokage's nod of approval, and walked over to his nephew's bed.

Neji was propped up against the headboard, looking much more himself. His hospital gown had been replaced with a pair of silk pajamas from home and his hair was brushed and pulled back neatly in his usual low ponytail. His ninja band was tied over his forehead, covering the curse mark.

He looks so much like Hizashi, thought the Hyuuga clan leader.

Neji's teammate, TenTen lounged at the foot of the bed with Nara Shikamaru. They were looking up at him from an interrupted game of shogi. A quick glance at the board confirmed everything Hiashi had heard about the shadow ninja. He was beating Neji, but not by a lot. Hiashi felt a rush of pride for his nephew's skill at the strategical game. He had played against Nara Shikaku, Shikamaru's father, many times when they were both Chuunin, and he had a healthy respect for anyone who could hold their own against either of the Naras. He waved his hand towards the three, indicating that they should remain seated.

"Thank you, Uncle," said Neji, stiffly, bowing his head, "for the gifts you have given me. My friends and I are most appreciative of the honor you do us."

Hiashi bowed shallowly to the boy, acknowledging his thanks. He realized, ruefully, that Neji was annoyed, probably over the CD collection Hiashi had brought over. He had noted that a CD was playing, but it was not one of Neji's. Those personal CDs were out of sight, probably in the bedside table drawer. He was disappointed. He would have liked to listen to them again, perhaps discuss them with his nephew. Well, it was not to happen this evening. Perhaps, when Neji returned home he would be able to persuade the prickly boy into playing his music for him.

"You seem to be much better," boomed Tsunade staring down at the young Chuunin with her fists on her hips.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," said Neji, shortly. "I hope I will be able to return home soon." He frowned at her significantly.

She smiled blandly. "We will see, we will see. At this point, you do seem to be improving, but I wouldn't like to rush anything." She turned and surveyed the group. "Continue keeping your friend company, you lot. We need him in shape quickly."

The shinobi nodded their heads in agreement.

"Don't worry, Grandma," said Naruto, cheerfully, throwing himself onto a floor cushion, "I don't plan on leaving here anytime soon!"

Hiashi was shocked at the jinchuuriki's insolent way of speaking to the blonde Godaime. Shocked and secretly thrilled. He felt his face twitch and sternly pulled it back into its usual impassive appearance. The Hokage was not as successful at masking her ire, he noted with an inward snicker.

"Naruto," said the Slug Princess, loudly, "I have told you time and again NOT to call me Grandma."

Naruto nodded, sagely. "Yes," he said, "Yes, you have. And I never listen, do I, Granny?" He winked at her cheekily.

Hiashi felt his face twitch again. He followed the Fifth Hokage as she stalked out of the room in a huff, grinning like a devil. Inside, of course. Outside, his face remained as smooth as glass.

000000000000000000000000000000

Hiashi nearly ran into the blonde Godaime when she stopped abruptly in front of him. She turned and frowned.

"Well, Hyuuga-sama?" she said, "What do you think of my treatment plan?"

Hiashi lifted an elegant brow and looked down at her. He wasn't sure what to say. Hadn't he shown his belief in her by transforming Neji's room into a place that would support her plan?

He kept silent.

"Hmm," said the kunoichi, turning on him and poking him in the chest with her shapely index finger. "Don't want to admit that I was right?" She kept her finger pressed against his sternum, then bent it up so that her palm rested, warm and solid on his chest.

What did she want him to say? And why was she touching him so familiarly? And why was she touching him in such a public place? And why wasn't he taking her hand off him?

He reached up and put his own hand over hers, pressing it a little. He frowned down into her beautiful eyes. What did this touch mean?

"That was a very nice thing you did, Hiashi-san," she said, softly. Her low husky voice sent shivers down his spine.

He opened his suddenly dry mouth to say something, then shut it again.

She pulled her hand away with a grin and walked down the corridor back towards the main hospital.

Hiashi stood frowning. He felt off-kilter, confused. He, who had negotiated lucrative trading deals with the most ruthless of daimyos without breaking a sweat, was at a loss.

"Coming?" said the Fifth Hokage saucily over her shoulder. She paused at the doors to the next hallway, then shrugged and pushed through them.

Really, this woman always had him at a disadvantage. It was annoying. And very intriguing.

Hiashi followed her, moderating his pace so that he wouldn't look like he was hurrying.

Although, he was.

000000000000000000000000000000000000

A/N: That Tsunade, so wicked. I promise there will be more Neji/TenTen coming up. I just had to thank Hiashi for his thoughtfulness. Thank you for the feed-back reviewers have been giving me. The comments really help a lot. Please, don't stop! 8D