Awkward

Author: LonelyWriter42

Summary: Things have been quite awkward for Hinata ever since Neji kissed her.

Disclaimer: L pwns all.

Awkward.

That had been her feelings whenever she had seen her cousin for the next several weeks. The kiss had been spontaneous, she knew that, but it was still uncomfortable to be in the same room as him. The next morning she had passed him in the hall and abruptly walked the other way, trying to ignore the hurt look in his eyes as she did so.

Years of living in the Hyūga compound helped her keep her facial expressions to a minimum and all body language neutral. She wondered what Hinagiku was up to but she didn't dare risk going to Neji's house to see the kitten. Even if she knew her older cousin wasn't there, she wasn't ready for the looks his mother would give her. Ever since she had forced Neji to take Hinagiku she had visited her cat every day but that came to an abrupt halt after the day at the lake.

Her mind still hadn't come to terms with his invasion of her person and every night she had to force the memories of his soft lips against hers out of her mind. Had he even realized what he had done to her? Had he realized that she was perfectly aware of herself and him? Did he even care?

She turned abruptly when she saw he was coming down the hallway, obviously having just met with her father. She ducked into a side room and held her breath as he passed the door, his face set in a frown.

He was beautiful.

She clasped her hands over her mouth so she wouldn't cry out at her own thoughts. Where had that come from? They were cousins, their fathers twins. In the ancient times the Hyūga might have committed incest to keep the bloodlines pure, but no more, not after that year, some eighty years ago, when many children born into the Hyūga had physical and mental problems because of the close bloodlines of parents.

She let out the breath she was holding and took in an experimental breath finding that the air still held faint lingerings of his sent. Sandalwood washed over her and she knew that Neji had been in her father's study because Hiashi regularly had the incense burning to calm his mind. Hints of leather were the next to come over her, from the hitai-ate he so proudly wore and finally the scent she loved most, the musky scent that had hints of amber and what she always thought was cinnamon.

Her face heated up when she realized that she was thinking about how Neji smelled. Sure he smelled better than Shino and was far better groomed than Kiba but still… She didn't like him, right? She was in love with Naruto. She had been for… forever. Neji was the cousin that just happened to be taking care of her pet kitten right now. Nothing more. Nothing more. Nothing mor…

"Hinata," the deep voice sighed from behind her and she flinched. It was an automatic response, one she had been trying to break herself of but obviously it hadn't worked so far. She slowly turned around and plastered a smile on her face.

"Father," she bowed her head.

"Why are you lurking in the hall closet, Hinata?" Hiashi had the long suffering tone in his voice. Even though father and daughter's relationship had gotten better over the years, he still held the weary tone when talking to her, just as she always winced when she heard him speak.

"I, uh," Hinata quickly looked around searching for an escape, somewhere, anywhere. "I thought that I heard a…cat! Yes, I heard a meow coming from somewhere and was trying to find it. I didn't want it to get near you or Hanabi because of your allergies."

Hiashi studied her and by the expression on his face he clearly didn't believe her.

"Neji recently got a cat," she said desperately, felling horrible for bringing Hinagiku into the conversation but she figured that Neji deserved it for giving her sleepless nights. "I thought perhaps that it was in the main house. I saw him walk past not so long ago."

Hiashi's eyes turned thoughtful. "Yes, I was speaking with him earlier. I shall ask the servants to search for this cat." Hiashi nodded once as if he thought his idea was good. "And I shall call Neji once more and tell him not to bring that cat into the main house again," he muttered as he walked away.

"Sorry, Neji," Hinata bowed her head. Her hands gripped the fabric of her kimono tightly as she slowly turned and stepped out of the closet. She was heading to her room when she changed her mind and stopped in the walkway. She spun on her heal and turned the other direction. She could tell when she entered into the part of the compound where the branch family lived, it was just as clean and well tended, but paint was chipping here and there, the boards that made up the walkway weren't the bright golden color like in the main house and the buildings didn't feel the same. They felt like people actually lived in them as opposed to the main house where everything had it's place and had to stay in that place.

She approached Neji's house slowly, still indecisive as to whether she wanted to be there or not. But as always, Neji made up her mind for her.

"Hinata," he said with his arms crossed over his chest. "Why does Hiashi-sama think that I would bring Hinagiku into the main house?"

She winced and realized that she had been wondering around for longer than she thought she had. He had had plenty of time to be summoned by her father and returned to his house. "I'm sorry, Neji."

He snorted and crossed his arms over his chest in aggravation. "Is that all you have to say?"

She looked up at his confused, not understanding what he was talking about.

"This is why I hate females," Neji sighed, rolling his eyes. "Oblivious."

"Hey," Hinata protested. "I'm not oblivious!"

"Yes, you are," Neji shook his head. "Or maybe dense would be a better word. Hinata-sama is dense. That sounds better."

"Neji," Hinata raised her hand to her mouth to muffle her gasp. "You…"

"No," he replied, bending down to pick an orange ball of fur up. "It was something I did spontaneously. I apologize if I put in a compromising position. It was not my intent. You just," he shook his head then put Hinagiku into her arms. "Hinagiku misses you."

"Does she?" Hinata whispered stroking the soft fur. "Or does someone else miss me?"

His eyes met hers and he gave her a brittle smile. "Hinata-sama, before that," he clenched his jaw and his face became distorted, "time we had a good relationship. Can we go back to it?"

Hinata continued stroking Hinagiku's fur with a thoughtful look on her face. "If you answer a question for me. Why did you kiss me?"

His eyes widened and he nodded. "You have a right to know." He was silent for several minutes and Hinata almost didn't think he was going to answer when he said softly, "Seeing you standing by the lake, scolding Hinagiku like a small child… You were very beautiful to me, Hinata. I guess I got caught up in the moment and kissed you without thinking. I am sorry."

Hinata studied his face and saw in his eyes that he was telling the truth. "I accept your apology, Nii-san."

A large smile came to his face. "So, what do you want to do? Hinagiku did like the koi pond…"

Hinata laughed. "Don't you think that we should go somewhere safer? How about Ichiraku? I'm getting hungry and I'll even let you pay."

"Ah," he laughed, "Is that the main house's strategy? Make us pay for your meals."

"Perhaps," Hinata giggled and sent him a coy look. "Hurry up. We're hungry, right Hinagiku?" The kitten looked up at her then across at Neji. It let out a pathetic meow that made both Neji and Hinata laugh.

"Alright, alright, we're going." Neji shook his head.