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Chapter 4
"Heavy are the branches
Hanging from my fucked up family tree
And heavy was my father
A stoic man of pride and privacy"
- Heavy is as Heavy Does
Menomena

Neji closed his father's journal. It was hand bound with thick sheets of yellowed paper and filled with mundane details of Hizashi's life.

He loved it.

Neji had read it a dozen times already. The first time was the hardest. It had been nearly impossible to read anything through the blur of unexpected tears.

It was so mundane and routine and normal. Hyuuga Hizashi's diary was nothing more than a basic account of the day's events. There was nothing scandalous, not even anything that hinted at tantalizing. No drama, no betrayal, no revenge. Just a hard-working man who'd entered into an arranged marriage that produced one child.

That wasn't to say it was devoid of emotion.

Neji read about the frustrations and uncertainties of being matched, of a duty that slowly grew into affection, and of the happiness that came with childbirth that could only be cut down by the death of the mother.

Neji read about his own childhood. His first words (dad and bird) and first steps. He read about his quiet and mild manors that sometimes gave way to mischief.

He got so caught up in every detail of his father's life that it wasn't until his fifth pass that Neji realized that there were no words of animosity, no anger towards Hiashi… nothing.

As a child, Neji remembered his father's quiet seething towards his own brother. He remembered the strip of cloth he kept over his forehead that he never spoke about.

He read it again and again, reading between the lines, trying to find the answers he so desperately wanted. Each time he came up empty. And even though Neji knew this journal did not have what he was looking for, he still reread it over and over and found comfort in his Father's short, precise notes.

A knock ripped Neji from the journal. His heart raced and he snapped the book shut, tucking it in between the folds of his tunic.

"Come in," he called, standing up from his desk.

Hoheto opened the door and offered a curt bow. Behind him stood the tall and imposing figure of his uncle. Neji bowed and greeted them both.

The two entered the room. Hoheto closed the door. Hiashi looked around the room, wandering around slowly as if seeing it for the first time.

"Nephew, I continue to be impressed by your attention to your new duty."

"Thank you, uncle."

Neji watched Hiashi pull a book off his bookcase and studied the spine before sliding it back in place.

"How do you like it?"

Neji tried to calm himself as Hiashi took out another book. He felt the journal pressed against his chest, his heart thumping against the cover.

"I admit, uncle, I did not care for it at first, but I have found interest in learning more about the territory."

"And it's people?"

Neji hesitated briefly. Hiashi had a keen eye and could easily spot lies.

"And it's people," he agreed.

Hiashi was at his desk now, peeking under a notebook and leafing through a stack of loose papers.

"And you get along well with them?"

"As well as someone in my position can, I expect."

Hiashi stopped and met Neji's gaze.

"Good. Hoheto and I have been discussing your duties and we believe you are ready to stretch your wings a bit farther."

Neji raised a brow, glancing over to his instructor, who gave an encouraging nod.

"I'm sure you've noticed that in addition to checking in on the villagers that taxes are also collected."

Neji hadn't noticed, actually, Hoheto was apparently very discrete about this part of their monthly inspections. Nevertheless, he nodded.

"Taxes are increasing. This tends to upset the villagers, as such, we need to increase our presence in town. Therefore, Hoheto and I have decided you are capable of conducting your rounds without assistance so that we may be seen more."

"You will take over our current roster," added Hoheto, "while I will take up additional rounds. Added visits will be necessary to quell any unexpected activities before they begin."

"You will conduct your rounds once a week," said Hiashi, "if your families are compliant and amiable you can reduce to twice a month and eventually back to once a month as you do now. Should you have any difficulties collecting taxes let the treasury know when you make your deposits to ensure their collection."

Neji nodded, understanding.

"Oh!" Hoheto exclaimed, as if he'd just remembered something. He flipped open his notebook and rifled through loose papers before thrusting one out to Neji. "Here is an updated roster with the new tax information."

"Thank you." Neji accepted the sheet and opened a drawer on his desk. He did not miss Hiashi's quick glance into the drawer as Neji added the ledger.

"Is there something else I might assist you with, uncle?"

"No," Hiashi said, eyes lingering on the drawer. "Check in on your cousins later. Hinata has requested your presence for tea."

Neji nodded.

"Of course."

Tenten set the tray down on the table a little harder than she had anticipated.

She'd heard whisperings of an increase in inspections but she took no notice of it until Neji showed up on her doorstep that afternoon.

She looked up from the tray of tea and sweets and crossed her arms.

"Weren't you just here?"

Neji looked up from his notebook.

"I find your presence so hospitable that I could not stay away," he replied, dryly.

Tenten glared at him before reluctantly pouring him a cup of tea.

"Where is your father?"

"In town with Lee."

Tenten poured herself a cup before delivering his across the room.

She sat in a nearby chair and set her cup down on the side table.

"Will they be back soon?"

"I hope so. I'll likely go insane if I have to sit around with you all day."

Neji frowned and took a drink from his cup.

"Perhaps you should be better prepared next time."

"How could we be? You sat in that very chair last week."

"I hear the way your neighbors gossip in the market. My increased presence cannot come as a surprise."

Tenten seethed. Just a month ago she had come to the sickening realization that she enjoyed his company. Perhaps she had mistaken Neji's pleasantness for Hoheto's.

"You talk about gossip, but your partner would never have done something this scandalous."

Neji's pretty lavender eyes flashed up at her. She'd caught him off guard.

"And what, may I ask, is so scandalous about conducting my rounds?"

Tenten crossed her legs, taking time to smooth the wrinkles out of her skirt, reminding him exactly who and what she was.

"Calling on a young woman while she is home alone? With no supervision?"

She watched his face redden briefly with mortification before he reigned in his emotional response. When he looked at her again, his composure was cool and distanced.

"Young woman?" he scoffed, "How old are you again?"

Tenten straightened up a little, feeling her temper warm.

"Older than you if I recall."

"I wouldn't consider a few months substantial enough to boast about your seniority. Fifteen is fifteen."

"Do you really need my father here to ensure we're being loyal to your family?"

"There are some matters that can only be discussed with him."

"Then come back when he is here."

"Won't that look even more scandalous? If I were to make a short visit while only his daughter was home, only to return later for the official inspection?"

Tenten felt her face warm. She took a long drink of her tea, hiding his face behind her cup until she regained her composure.

"I suspect my reputation matters less than yours."

"Perhaps, but you and your father have much more to lose for my questionable judgment."

"You're an ass."

"So I've been told, by you, on more than one occasion."

Neji smirked. Her insult rolled off him like water on a duck's back. Tenten hated it.

"Why are visits being increased?"

Neji prefaced his response with a slow drink of tea.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss that with you."

"I'm going to find out next time I go to town anyway. Why not just tell me now?"

"Because I said so."

Tenten rolled her eyes.

"What a well-thought-out and eloquent comeback."

Neji glared.

"I haven't forgotten that I can write you up, you know."

Tenten felt a small jolt of adrenaline. She couldn't say why, but she liked riling him up.

"Maybe, but you won't."

If Neji had anything else to say, he was unable to. Lee ran into the room, bursting with energy.

"In here! Neji is here! I told you I heard Tenten talking to someone!"

They both stood up as Gai entered the room. His expression was stern with critical eyes searching both of their faces for any hint of inappropriate behavior.

His face softened and he smiled, apparently finding nothing concerning.

"Neji! What brings you here?"

Neji gave a brief bow.

"Forgive me for my untimely visit."

Tenten bit her lip, holding back from pointing out that his visits were always untimely.

"You are always welcome in our home!" Gai threw his arms out in a gesture that Lee would have taken as an offer to embrace.

Neji, unsurprisingly, did not leap into Gai's arms and declare his affection for the Maito family. He remained still, standing tall with his shoulders back and jaw clenched.

"I appreciate your hospitality, however, I'm afraid this is not a social call."

Gai frowned a little.

"I had heard the rumors, but to be honest, I'd hoped they were untrue."

Neji shrugged with a nonchelance that irritated Tenten. It was as if barging into their lives was little more than a mild inconvenience to him.

"Shall we speak in private?" Neji asked Gai.

"Wait," Tenten interrupted. "Why the sudden secrecy?"

"Tenten, Lee," said Gai, ignoring her question, "leave us."

Tenten grumbled and set down her cup on the table. Together with Lee they headed out of the sitting room.

"And Tenten," she heard Gai call out behind her, "no eavesdropping."