I know, I know, I haven't updated for a few months. I have plenty of good excuses to spew out if you ask!

I don't own any of the characters, just the idea!

Neji woke earlier than Hinata that morning, stretching easily. He headed out for the inner court yard of the school. It was a good spot to practice martial arts, since he hadn't made the team.

It was early, so early the sun hadn't even risen yet. No one was supposed to be up, and Neji was going to take advantage of this.

He went through a few easy katas, before moving on to tougher routines. After that, he began to do his strength exercises. He'd been doing these since he was little, as part of his training to protect Hinata.

He sat back after a couple minutes, wiping the sweat from his face. Since there was no one else up, he was training shirtless, as he'd always done. The last thing he needed was to overheat, after all.

He was thinking things over at the moment, lost in thought. Cheerleading. Ugh. It was a good cover, he had to admit, but it was 0cheerleading0.

He'd simply have to quit.

His thoughts were interrupted when Tenten marched into the courtyard, hands on her hips.

"I knew there was something strange about you." She announced, pointing an accusing finger, while Neji scurried to get a shirt on, and cover himself up.

"It's not what you--" He began, but she interrupted him.

"I've figured it out, Hana, if that's your real name. You are not a girl!" She'd hit the nail on the head. What on earth was she doing up so early?!

Neji quickly tried to think of a good explanation...the truth wouldn't be too bad of one...

He stood there blankly for a couple seconds, Tenten glaring at him accusingly.

"You're right, I'm not a girl." He finally conceded, using his normal voice. He slipped back on his shirt.

Tenten rolled her eyes.

"No, really? Why are you in this school then?! Are you some freaky crossdressing pervert?!"

Neji flinched slightly. This did look pretty bad.

"No. I'm here to guard my cousin. She's the heir to our clan." He explained with a sigh, readjusting his long hair in its low pony tail.

Tenten blinked.

"You're cousins? So even the sister thing was a lie?" She asked, scratching her head, wondering what was true about the two of them.

Neji gave her a look.

"Obviously, if I'm male, I can't be her sister." He deadpanned. Tenten jabbed him in reply.

"I know that! I meant siblings...duh..." Tenten trailed off, scratching the back of her neck. "You're supposed to guard her, huh? They couldn't find a girl?"

Neji scowled slightly, shrugging.

"I've been assigned to her since she was three, why would something like gender get in the way?" He replied somewhat bitterly.

Tenten noticed the change in attitude; obviously, Neji had no desire to be here. And a single idea popped into her head: this guy needed a friend.

---

An hour or two later, Kin was startled out of her wits to find "Hana" sitting at their breakfast table. Even more surprising was the fact that Tenten was sitting there too, and she wasn't trying to make him move. In fact, they were speaking cordially.

Hinata's shock outweighed Kin's, to say the least, as the loud clatter she made when she dropped her tray testified to. Almost all eyes in the near tables turned to look at her, as she turned red and cringed with embarassment at her reaction.

Neji stood and "rescued" her, moving her to the table he and Tenten were sitting at.

All Hinata could do was stutter, while Kin demanded that Tenten tell her why the "creep" was sitting at their table. Tenten shrugged slightly.

"We have stuff in common..." She evaded. Neji also shrugged, acting casual.

"Besides, I need to make sure you aren't teaching my cou-sister anything weird." Neji kept a straight face, despite his slip of the tongue.

Hinata looked quickly at Neji, raising an eyebrow. Since when did Neji care...?

Neji quickly dispelled any warm fuzzy feelings Hinata might've been beginning to have with a cold glare.

"Stop sitting there with your mouth hanging open like an idiot!" He snapped.

Kin looked ready to pummel "Hana", but instead took a seat, sliding in between Hinata and Neji. Poor girl, having to have such a nasty big sister. Tenten poked Neji with her fork, giving him a reproachful look. He sighed.

"Sorry I snapped at you, Hinata." Then he immediately began to eat his food, not bothering to pay her any mind.

Hinata was more than confused by her cousin's strange behavior...she'd have to ask him about it later...

---

The rest of the day, Hinata only saw Neji again at lunch. It seemed that, however, he was having a better time at the school. Tenten seemed to be...friendly towards him. So when Neji came into the room that night, Hinata turned away from her homework, eager to know what was going on.

"Nii-san?"

"What?"

Hinata fidgeted slightly, wondering exactly how she should word this.

"You, um, did you have a good day today?"

Neji shrugged, getting out his homework and setting it up at his desk. He pulled on a pair of pants beneath the skirt he'd been wearing, making sure Hinata had remembered to turn away while he was changing. Did he ever loathe skirts...

"It was tolerable." He replied evenly.

"Oh, um...Tenten seemed nice..." Hinata was poking her fingers together in a shy manner, as if hesitant to say anything.

"It's killing you, isn't it?" He looked at her knowingly.

Hinata shook her head quickly.

"Oh, no, I was just wondering..."

"...how I got to be on good terms with her?" Neji finished, busily finger combing his hair. He paused to look over at her seriously. "She knows."

Hinata looked startled.

"Knows what?!" She asked, though she already knew the answer.

Neji rolled his eyes, going back to finger combing.

"That I'm male. Luckily, she's decided to help us keep this little secret. So let's try to keep on her good side, all right?" He said the last part in a rather condescending way, and Hinata looked away. Neji sighed slightly, feeling a little guilty for making Hinata feel bad. It wasn't really her fault he was stuck here, after all. Though she was easier to vent at than Hiashi.

"Need any help with your homework?"

Hinata brightened, immediately scuttling with her books over to Neji's desk. They spent the rest of their evening working in relative friendliness. He'd beat her up later for the cheerleader thing...

Isn't Neji just the most awesomeness cousin ever? _

Anyway, don't forget to review, because I absolutely love reviews!!