Despite her less than ideal personality, the traditionalist faction favored her. When she turned sixteen she seeked them out with a proposal. They were willing to tolerate the eccentricities of the firstborn in exchange for keeping tradition alive.

"Hinata-sama, I do not understand your reasoning," the Elder Hayato said as others murmured in agreement. "Please explain what you would get out of allowing your sister to remain part of our main house."

Hinata remained perfectly still, a downturn twitch in her lips being the only oddity caught solely by Neji who stood dutifully one step away from her. For a moment he wondered if her mask would fall but the concern was unnecessary. She continued serenely. "I ask that you help me sway the council into doing that because I need an heir myself." No one interrupted, merely keeping their attention on her next words. "By the time I ascend to leadership, odds are that I won't be married, much less have an heir of my own. It is in our best interest to keep her around considering how dangerous missions can result."

The room remained silent as Hinata's words were left hanging in the air. Another member of the faction spoke up when the murmuring began. "Hinata-sama raises a fair point."

"If left unchecked, Hanabi-sama could decide to usurp her," someone else argued.

"Better Hanabi-sama than another even more removed from the line of succession."

"Is there any way to ensure that she stays in her place?"

The previously calm room's atmosphere shifted as voices were raised to be heard and points trying to get across. Politics were messy business.

Alarm reached Hinata's eyes before she took a calming breath. Neji could only offer a small nod as support before the watchful eyes of the traditionalist faction. When she raised a hand the dispute, more slowly than what was expected, came to a stop. They didn't hold too much respect for her. Hinata didn't find any worth in their elitist values either, but it is what it is.

"If I may," she started, "keeping Hanabi's faction in check isn't too difficult…"

It was only until the moon was high in the sky that the meeting was adjourned. The cats that made a home out of the compound scurried across the floor in an effort to escape the playful grasp of their littermates. Hinata's posture remained upright until they reached the garden terrace. She heaved a sigh and shuddered as she took a seat.

Neji didn't bother to offer her anything against the cold, her chills were more intrinsic than anything. He joined her on the terrace, lightly tracing her back in an effort to soothe her growing panic.

"For a moment… for a moment I thought they would try to get rid of Hanabi immediately," she said blankly.

Neji hummed lightly. "I hope you're aware that they intend to make a puppet ruler out of you. They won't try to displease so soon." She continued to stare off into the garden before absently resting her head on his shoulder. He slightly bent his shoulder for her comfort, glancing down at her. "But in any case, you and I know that Hiashi-sama would not allow them to subjugate Hanabi-sama."

Her lips thinned and she shrugged lightly while she played with the sleeve of his other hand. Her breath slowly returned to a healthy pattern. "You're right, Neji-niisan. We have time, don't we?" At his agreement she continued, "when they convince the council and Father to restore me as heiress they won't expect me to rebel. They don't have the advantage."

Neji didn't doubt her words; despite her pacifist nature, Hinata was indeed very capable of doublecrossing her own support when the time came. She would not stand for her council to be composed of the very bigots who pitted her against Hanabi and reduced the branch house into servants.

Hinata had a vision, the betterment of the clan and he would do everything in his power to make it a reality. A future where no one would be forced into servitude. A future where siblings would not fight for a future both deserved equally. A future where no one would be forced to fight within the ranks of Konoha's shinobi force.

.

.

.

None of which was in his mind when he jumped between her and danger.

Instead of screaming in agony he smiled. She was safe, no amount of pain would take away from him the fact that she was still standing. Hinata who forgave with far too much ease and loved just as deeply would live. Perhaps he would've liked a few more minutes to ensure that guilt wouldn't tear at her when the adrenaline left her system but the world was already fading.

He chose this destiny freely.

.

.

.

Once again, he woke up to a weeping Hinata by his bedside.

This time he was certain it was no specter fabricated by his mind. Instead of resting her fingers on his sleeve like usual, she held his hand between both of hers and he regretted his inability to reciprocate the touch.

She looked down, holding his gaze for longer than she would've dared previously before her eyes widened. Abruptly she dropped his hand and hurried away. Neji would've felt hurt if she didn't return immediately with a medic by her hide. "He woke up, truly. I saw his eyes open."

The medic seemed uncertain. "Patients like him sometimes open their eyes… but they aren't really," he paused as Hinata's face fell. "Well, it doesn't hurt to check, right?"

Hinata nodded and hovered close to the medic. Neji scowled as the civilian doctor stared dubiously at the monitor next to him. "Still alive," he bit out weakly.

The medic jumped one foot in the air as Hinata beamed behind him. The contrast would've been comical if it weren't for the general malady that plagued his body. Not that he was complaining, having Hinata's face as the very first thing he saw was godsent regardless of his physical condition.

"You— they thought you… you wouldn't wake up," was the first thing she uttered after a flock of the Hokage's apprentices verified his well-being and disappeared just as quickly. Apparently he had become their most recent science project. "You don't know how happy I am that— that you proved them wrong, as always," she whispered.

A wry smile pulled at his lips. As always, he knew her unsaid thoughts: why? "I wasn't expecting to survive, though in all honesty I didn't expect to be asleep for a month either."

Hinata's eyes darkened. "It is the branch house's duty to protect the line of succession— but, but it wasn't like that with us… Neji-niisan, I would never ask for your life like that."

"I am aware," he said appeasingly. Hinata's expression softened. "And it is precisely because you and I follow no such dynamic that I permitted myself to do this. If we did, I know for certain that you would not have allowed it."

She nodded in agreement. Of course, if it were up to her the one linked to countless monitors would be her and not Neji. "It's selfish of me to want to control your decisions, so I will not give you the earful I planned for weeks. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Neji-niisan, for protecting me."

Again, she reached out for his hand instead of his sleeve and gave it a light squeeze.

This time he was able to return the gesture.

When Tsunade had deemed him fit to return to the compound she left him a rather specific list of things not to do, including but not limited to sparring and advanced katas. He frowned at the paper while Hinata smiled apologetically.

"I hope you know that I plan on enforcing this list."

"Is this your punishment, disguised as support?"

"You think so poorly of me," Hinata sighed ruefully. "But I'm afraid you must limit yourself to the basic katas for today."

Hinata's presence became a constant, joining him as his chakra system slowly but surely rewired itself. Occasionally she only sat on the terrace, focusing instead on a variety of books and documents. He would join her after the exercises, helping her finish her workload and the rest of their day would be uninterrupted, blissfully mission-free.

At first Neji did not question it. If Hinata was willing to dedicate that rare period in which missions were scarce to the compound (and him, by extension) he would not complain. When she permitted herself to rest her head on his shoulder more often, to hold onto his arm when they moved around, he dared to hope as well.

"Hinata-sama, is everything alright?"

She glanced up questioningly. If Neji leaned in a little closer he could brush her nose with his own. "Is there a problem?"

"I just find it strange that you haven't been called away on a mission for so long," he murmured. "I worry."

"Ah." Hinata pulled a nervous smile before turning away. Faintly disappointed, he scanned his mind for possible issues until Hinata spoke up. "You know that Naruto-kun is doing some traveling, right?" Neji nodded. "Well, Father and the council consider it a prime time for new commercial alliances. They have deemed me fit to act as an ambassador."

He blinked. That was certainly news. "I see… congratulations, Hinata-sama."

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "And— and there's something else… I know that you're still recovering so you're welcome to decline, but you've always helped me with paperwork and I— and I would be very happy if you could come with me."

A playful smirk reached his face. "Is Hinata-sama unwilling to part with her secretary?"

Her eyes widened to a comical extent and hid her burning face in her hands. "No! you know what I meant to say."

"Not at all, please elaborate."

With a gentle tug at her wrists from him she slowly uncovered her face to reveal a pout. "I don't know— I just, I only wanted to let you know that you're not a burden, Neji-niisan. I know that you aren't happy with the speed of your recovery." With each word the red returned in full force to her face. "You… you are precious to me, regardless of your ability to fight or— or anything else."

A tentative hand cupped her face. Hinata did not reject it and instead leaned into the warmth; she did not reject the brush against her lips either. Her hand found its way to his face, pulling him closer. Neji did not reject the careful kiss, leisurely prompting for more.

Breathless, he rested his bare forehead against hers. "I'd be honored to accompany you, Hinata-sama."