Hyugas did not do birthday parties, unless the birthday in question belonged to Hinata, Hanabi, or Hiashi. Neji's father had given Neji small birthday parties, but nothing to get excited about. As far as Neji could tell, one received a few presents to commemorate the day you were born, and usually a solemn talk ensued with your guardian. That was the Hyugas-they celebrated such events with sparse dignity.
Gai seemed to have other ideas.
"So, should we hold the party here on the training ground or should we hike up to the top of the Hokage Monument?" he mused with his chin in his hand.
"Sensei, I don't need a birthday party."
"Top of the Hokage Monument!" Lee declared with vigor. "He will show his renewed commitment to being an excellent ninja by sweating in the honest labor of climbing the monument, and from above we will be able to behold the whole of Konoha!"
Neji shot Lee a Look. It was a very Hyuga Look. "Lee, don't you start too. I don't need a birthday party." And he really didn't need one taking place on top of the Monument, which took hours to get up. He looked to Tenten for sympathy. She was the only sane one on the team, really. Perhaps she would help him out.
"I think we should have it here," Tenten said, in response to Neji's unspoken request. Neji blinked. That was not the point! Certainly that would be better, but…he didn't need a birthday party at all! Wasn't she, at least, listening?
Gai threw her a sad look. "But Tenten, why?"
"Um…it's symbolic. This is the place where we do all our training, so by holding it here, we can remember all the things that have strengthened him and bonded us together as a team."
A good answer, for Gai at least. The man beamed, and exclaimed, "Very well! It will be here, and there will be CAKE! Come, Lee, we have baking to do."
"Yes, sensei!"
The pair bounded off through the trees.
Neji raised an eyebrow. "Gai bakes?"
Tenten shrugged. "Who knows? Say, what kind of cake do you like? They're likely to mess that one up, so I can make a better one for afterwards."
"You too, Tenten? I don't need you to make a cake! I don't need any cake! I don't need a birthday party!"
Tenten laughed. "Don't be silly. No one needs any of that stuff. But what do you want?"
Neji looked at her now, really looked. What did he want? Well, to begin with, "Not a huge fanfare with those two." They were fun, and it was fun to watch them fuss over things, but not fun to be the fussed-over thing.
Tenten smirked. "Well, you're getting that either way. Anything else?"
What did he want? For a moment he allowed himself to really consider the question. He wanted to become so strong that people would be forced to see him, not his heritage. He wanted to be able to look at Hinata without feeling that rage that really the young girl didn't deserve. He wanted his forehead to be as white and clean as the rest of his face, unmarred by the straight, binding x. He wanted to be a free man, and he wanted to be able to love Tenten without feeling guilt.
He didn't really have any control over all of that though. Destiny dealt him his hand, and he would play it out. Still, there were small decisions to make, and he supposed they were good.
"The cake should be chocolate," he declared resolutely.
"Of course," said Tenten with a smile.