Chapter 8: An Unexpected Gift

Neji stood silently in a corner, watching the people carefully. Surprisingly, the entire old Rookie Nine had been able to attend. He was sure someone would have been called away on a mission, but no one had been. He knew that it must be the Hokage's doing.

Hinata was sitting on the couch, in between Naruto and Sakura. Sasuke stood against a wall, his gaze switching between the floor and the couch, looking mildly disgruntled. Chouji was standing near the food, of course, and Shikamaru was with him, leaning against a wall with his hands shoved in his pockets. Shino was sitting by the window, and Kiba was all over the room, talking to various people. He was currently trying to convince Kurenai to let Akamaru join the party. Neji looked once more at Shikamaru, noting his position and posture, before heading over to the blonde who was standing behind the couch.

He slipped behind her quietly and stood there waiting. Ino was talking animatedly with Sakura and Hinata. He was sure she knew that he was there, but probably dismissed it as nothing. He turned his gaze to Shikamaru, and waited until the ninja's half closed eyes shifted towards him. Time to test his theory.

He started by smirking slightly, before leaning in and speaking to Ino. He kept his voice low, so it wouldn't be easily overheard by the rest of the guests. He started a mundane conversation about their last mission together, keeping his voice neutral. This was going to be difficult. He had to make Shikamaru think he was interested in Ino, without making Ino believe that he, Neji, was interested in her. Thankfully, Shikamaru was a genius, and more likely to notice subtly, whereas Yamanaka would overlook it.

He glanced over to the shadow user, and noticed that Shikamaru was no longer leaning against the wall, with his eyes half-closed. Sure that he had the ninja's full attention, he touched Ino lightly on the shoulder before moving off, back to his original position to observe the rest of the party. Whenever he noticed Nara's eyes on him, he made sure to keep his gaze on Ino.

Ino moved of from behind the couch and announced to everyone that it was time for Hinata to open her presents. His cousin blushed as she suddenly found herself in the center of attention, and she turned redder when Naruto demanded that she open his first. She obliged, and giggled when she saw that it was a package of instant ramen. Naruto beamed at her.

"Thank you, Naruto," Hinata said softly. Sakura got up and bopped him on the head, but it was lightly done.

"Idiot. You don't give someone instant ramen as a birthday present," she scolded. Naruto rubbed his head and looked at her pleadingly.

"But Sakura-chan that's what Hinata-chan got me for my birthday, and I loved it! I thought she would too," he protested. Sakura sighed, but there was a slight smile on her face. Neji watched them closely, noting how Sakura, rather than return to her original seat beside Hinata, stayed on the arm of the couch beside Naruto. Ino took her place instead, handing Hinata her own present. It was makeup, and Neji almost scowled. His cousin shouldn't be wearing makeup, never mind that it was only a little, and nothing too outrageous. Only the fact that Shikamaru was eyeing him kept Neji from scowling at Yamanaka. He forced slight smile on his face instead, as if pleased that Ino and Hinata got along so well.

Her team mates gave her their gifts next; Shino gave her a small aquarium with cocoons inside. He explained briefly that they would turn into butterflies in a few days. Kiba apologized that his gift wasn't technically ready yet, as it was going to be a puppy from the clinic his sister worked at. Hinata beamed at this, and Neji wondered, with a faint flash of amusement, how the members of the Hyuuga household were going to handle having a dog in the family. Chouji gave her a gift certificate to a restaurant, and Shikamaru gave her a book. Sakura gave her a new sweater, and Neji gave her a new weapons pouch. The only gift left was the Uchiha's, but Neji didn't see it on the table where the others were. Instead, he was surprised when Sasuke handed it to Hinata himself. The Uchiha was surprisingly calm about it, considering everyone's eyes were on him. Sasuke just ignored them and moved back to his spot on the wall.

Hinata thanked him, and Neji noticed that her stutter was back. It was sign that the Uchiha made her nervous, and he watched as his cousin opened the gift with trembling fingers. She lifted the lid of the box, only to gasp in astonishment at what lay inside. Ino and Sakura both leaned over, and both gave exclamations of surprise and delight.

"Wow, Hinata, those are beautiful!"

"Sasuke-kun has great taste, you're so lucky!"

Hinata held up two beautiful hair combs. They were black, with pearls set out in the design of a flower. They were tasteful and elegant, much like his cousin. The girls fawned over them, Ino insisting on putting them in Hinata's hair. She did a quick, simple up do, arranging the combs in such a way as to have the flower design nestled against the heiress' dark indigo locks. Neji had to admit, they looked good on Hinata. The pearls matched her eyes, and made the Hyuuga colouring all the more striking. He glanced at the Uchiha, noting that all the boys were now staring at him. Neji smirked. Everyone else was beginning to suspect something that he had known all along – that the Uchiha heir had a thing for Hyuuga Hinata.

--------------------------------------

Neji helped his cousin carry all her gifts home. "Did you enjoy your birthday?" he asked her. She nodded her head, smiling at him.

"Yes, thank you for coming, Neji," she said softly. They didn't say much else until they reached the compound. Hanabi was waiting for them.

"So? How did it go? Did you have fun, Hinata?" she asked excitedly, taking some of the gifts from her sister.

"Yes. I'm sorry you couldn't come, Hanabi," Hinata said. Hanabi had been meaning to come (she had wanted to see how Sasuke acted around her sister), but her genin team had been training. The younger Hyuuga heir just shrugged.

"That's all right. I got you something, it's upstairs on your bed. Come on!" and she took off to her sister's room. Hinata laughed and followed. Neji just sighed and followed his two cousins.

He entered to see Hanabi showing Hinata a new medical bag.

"Do you like it, sister? Sakura helped me pick it out. It has all sorts of compartments for your salves and stuff," she said. Hinata smiled.

"I love it, Hanabi, thank you. I've gotten so many wonderful presents, I feel spoiled," she said.

"Which one is your favourite?" Hanabi asked. Hinata blushed.

"I'm not sure," she said, "I like yours and Shino-kun's, and Kiba got me a puppy," she said smiling.

"What's this?" Hanabi asked, picking up the box that held Sasuke's gift. Hinata blushed as Hanabi opened it and gasped.

"Oh, Hinata, who got you these?" she asked, looking up excitedly.

"Sasuke-san," she said quietly. Hanabi blinked and turned to Neji. Seriously? She mouthed at him. He nodded, and she grinned.

"Oooooooh, Hinata-chan, it looks like you've got an admirer," Hanabi teased. Hinata's face turned so red Neji feared that she might faint. He pushed Hanabi out of the room, and turned to make sure Hinata was still standing. She was wringing her hands together, staring at the combs.

"Neji, should I k-keep these?" she asked uncertainly. This question had been bothering her ever since she had opened the gift. "I mean, they're s-so expensive, and I'm just n-not sure it would be, um, proper…" she trailed off. Neji smiled, but she had her back turned to him and missed it.

"I think you should. The Uchiha has gotten you an expensive gift, to return it would be insulting him. They are yours now, Hinata, enjoy them," he said, and left her room.

------------------------------------------------