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Sorry for the long wait people! I've been a little busy in school. Oh yes, I edited the error in Chapter 1, thanks muddledthoughts for the reminder! =] Chris LaFey, what an interesting myth, I didn't know that Except for the common one which is to wish when you come across a meteor show Oh well…

Grabbing Hidaka's hand, Neji dragged him out of the house after dinner. He didn't say anything during the journey. Not even a single word about where they're going or how long will they be there or what time they'll be back. Just two words – Follow me. After leaving the house, they came to the nearby field near their house. "Where are we going, Neji-sama?" Hinata finally asked, not being able to understand what he was doing; her voice rang out crystal clear through the still night air. "Don't ask, come on," Neji pulled her hand, not realizing that Hidaka was speaking to him for the first time as his protector.

The ground was thick with tall grass that swayed in the light breeze like ripples across a lake. "Here, take a seat," Neji offered, tapping the grassy area beside him, although to Hinata, it seemed more like a command than a friendly offer. Hinata hesitated for a few seconds but she still gave in to him. The sky was a rich shade of indigo dappled with stars, and they heard the melodic hum of cicadas singing to one another in the grass.

Suddenly, points of light shot across the night sky, leaving a streak in its trail among the bright sparks of the stars. Hinata was amazed by the picturesque scenery as a small smile found its way to the corners of her mouth. It was the first time she saw a meteor shower. The scene was absolutely breathtaking. Neji was also experiencing the same emotions – amazement and happiness.

"Quick, make a wish!" he said, as he clapped his hands together, remembering the custom that people wish upon a star especially during meteor showers and today they were the lucky two to encounter a meteor shower. They had to hurry before the meteor shower ended. Hinata swiftly clapped her hands together as she closed her eyes. I wish that otousan will be healthy forever and that imouto will learn to call me "Ane" soon. As soon as she made her wish, her eyes flickered open to stare at the beautiful night sky, a small smile spreading across her face.

Neji turned his head to look at Hidaka. He had no wish; after all, he was the heir of the Hyuga Clan, this meant that there was nothing he could not obtained except for intangible items. Hidaka's infectious smile seemed to influence the heir to be glad, where he could not stop himself from feeling delighted. Looks like everything is going smoothly. His gaze lingered on Hidaka, realizing that his hair was of the same color as the deep midnight sky. Indigo… deep, rich dark blue also known as royal blue… Neji had read about it somewhere, although he could not recall exactly which book he had read it from. That color was one of his favorite colors. Hmm… I'll check it up again if I have the time…

The rest of the time passed in a blur. The happy chattering of voices could be heard in the field. The two of different status had talked about various topics – their life, their hobbies, their favorite food and so on. Looking at the crescent moon that was hanging in the sky, smiling at them, Neji stood up. It was time to leave, time to return home, time to return to their positions. "We have to go, Hidaka. It's really late now," Neji spoke softly, the pair of white eyes locked with a pair of eyes that had the same color. "Alright," Hinata agreed, a hint of disappointment. That was fast. Time had passed by unknowingly and rapidly; she was not conscious of it. As the saying goes, "Time passes by quickly when you're having fun". She was not even aware that they were having fun talking to each other.

Hinata glanced out of the window as spectrum of golden rays seeped into the room. She had woken up early, hoping to meet Neji. She, herself, didn't know why. Maybe she was just hoping he could give her another surprise but a talk would be fine too. As Hiashi entered the room and greeted her as usual, Hinata was the cheerful self again.

"Where did you go last night, Hinata? I saw you returning but you looked exhausted so I didn't ask you the previous night," Hiashi asked, looking down at her. He was worried, pacing back and forth around the room, thinking of all the possibilities. But he couldn't stop himself from seeing things in the negative light, since he had lost his friend before. It did occur to him that the elders might have abducted her since she was being too close to the heir as his protector, being on standby everyday. Luckily, Hinata returned safely when he saw her entered the room. He did not bother to disturb her when she lied on the futon immediately and entered a deep slumber.

"I.. Er… I…" Hinata stammered, unsure whether to tell her father the truth or not. On one hand, she didn't want to make her father worried. On the other hand, she didn't want to lie to him. Her father had played the roles of both father and mother; hence the relationship between the two was more intimate than most father-daughter bonds. How would she face him in the future if she kept a secret from him?

"I went to watch a meteor shower with Neji-sama…" she spoke softly, twiddling her fingers and looking down on the floor. "What?! I told you to keep a distance from Neji!" Hiashi reprimanded her harshly, not wanting her to have the same fate as Hajime's family. "Yes, I…" Hinata left the sentence hanging, she wanted to obey her father yet, she also wanted to make friends with Neji-sama. Seeing the torn face of his daughter, Hiashi's expression softened, he could sense that Hinata was getting too close to Neji. Not wanting to push her, he left the room so that she could clear her thoughts and make the right decision.

"I have been informed that Neji and Hidaka were watching a meteor shower last night," an elder stated, pleased that he had planted a spy to keep a close watch on the heir at all times. "This is getting out of hand. If the relationship between the two gets anymore closer, the branch house will become disrespectful of the main house. We need to make the heir set an example for the rest of the Hyuga Clan." The other elders nodded in unison with no objections.

A while later after the conference, the elders had summoned Neji to meet them. Hizashi was not informed of this private meeting. Seated in the centre of the room was young little Neji with the elders seated around him in a circle. Neji had no clue what was happening neither did he expect that an out-of-the-ordinary thing was going to occur today. "Neji, we have summoned you today for a small reminder," an elder spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere that was building up in the room with everyone's serious face and the heavy silence that filled the air.

"For centuries, the Hyuga Clan had been separated into two houses – the main house and the branch house. Superior blood flows in the main house members while inferior blood flows in the branch house members," the elder continued matter-of-factly, explaining slowly as he took into consideration that Neji may be too young to follow him.

"I don't care. This is stratification and I don't like the idea. Anyway, there is no such thing as social stratification anymore. Everyone is equal now, be it men or women and the same should apply to the Hyuga Clan," Neji rebutted as if throwing a temper of a young child. However, what he said had some valid points, causing the elders to be astounded by the heir's wealth of knowledge. Neji was very knowledgeable, using words that a child of five years old would not know. This was because of his thirst of knowledge, which had made him to be so well read. He enjoyed reading the books that were kept in the library of the Hyuga Clan. Maybe I should bring Hidaka there one day since it's only allowed for main house members. He'll never know how it looks like.

The elders' eyes flashed with anger. They could see Hizashi in Neji – no wonder they were father and son; they had the same view on the Hyuga Clan's classes. Yet, they were still determined to change the way Neji thought – the fate of the entire clan hinged upon him. "Do you know your father had the same view as you?" an elder asked, an evil smirk appearing on his face. Neji paused, his father had not told him about it but he had to admit, the elder's sinister look was giving him the creeps neither did he like where the conversation was heading.

"Years ago, Hizashi wanted to make the next female branch house member born to be married to you. But an unfortunate event occurred. That female branch house member's family was killed. The family of three was murdered. Why?! Why would such a thing happen?!" the elder questioned, seemingly agitated as his hands waved frantically in the air. Neji supposed he wanted to express his emotions through his over-dramatic actions.

"There are people out there who believe in this stratification and are happy with it. They don't want people like you and your father to ruin it," the elder answered his question himself as he pointed at Neji. Neji absorbed this new information, was it really true? He did hear rumors that a family of three branch house members was killed years ago. If it was true, that would explain why most branch house members kept a distance from him including Hidaka. So they were afraid of me, they did not want to be near me as they were scared that they would die. Everything seemed to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle – the reason for his lack of friends.

"If you want Hidaka to live, don't be so close to him or he'll end up like them."

The elders' plan went smoothly – their words embedded deeply in Neji's mind as Hidaka and Neji were getting further and further apart. In the next few days, Neji avoided Hidaka nor did he talk to him. They were only together when it was necessary like briefings or ceremonies or else the former would shun the latter at all costs. Even if they were alone, there was a tense atmosphere and the hostile silence would fill the room as Neji dismissed any conversation Hidaka was attempting to make. The heir was left with no choice – he did not want Hidaka to die because of him especially when he was supposed to be responsible for every member of the Hyuga Clan. Hinata did find Neji's behavior odd and could not understand why the sudden change in attitude towards her. Yet, what was more puzzling was the fact that she was somewhat disappointed to the extent that she felt crestfallen. It was not as if they have been friends for long so why was he able to make her feel like this?

Hinata bit her lips as she nervously stared at the floor while kneeling in front of Hizashi. The Head of the Hyuga Clan had called her for a meeting and they were the only ones in the room now. Looking at Hidaka, Hizashi's expression softened. "I would like to apologize for my son's rude behavior towards you," Hizashi stated, noticing how Neji treated him. He had expected nothing of this sort from his son and was extremely confident that Neji would try to resolve the bad blood between the main and branch house members. Looks like I was wrong…

Seconds ticked by as the silence dragged on as if to allow time for both of the Hyuga Clan members to absorb the fact that the heir has changed. Clearing his throat, Hizashi broke the silence and continued, "I give you permission to resign your post as the heir's protector. I'll find someone more appropriate to guard Neji so it's fine if you would like to leave."

"No, it's alright, Hizashi-sama," Hinata's voice tinged with determination, "I would like to retain my position as Neji-sama's protector." Hizashi was astounded by Hidaka's decision to stay beside Neji despite Neji's ill treatment of him. "Are you sure, Hidaka?" he asked. "Yes, Hizashi-sama," Hinata replied, the tone of finality deeply set.

Deep down her heart, Hinata actually pitied Neji. Even though Neji was the heir, someone who was high above the rest of them, he was lonely. He was like an outcast, away from the rest who felt inferior but no one can make another person inferior without that person's consent. A solitary existence – Hinata felt the urge and was inclined to stay beside him. This was especially so when she could see his desire for companionship in his eyes. I can't abandon him just like everyone else…

The faint trace of a smile lightened Hizashi's face. For some reason, Hizashi felt a strong sense of affinity with Hidaka. He is such a good-natured child, putting others' needs before his own needs. If only he was a female, I could be the matchmaker and it may be possible that he can break down Neji's wall of defence. Hizashi let out a sigh at the dismal hope.

Glossary
Imouto: Younger sister
Ane: Elder sister

Other Information I found that I thought was interesting XD
- Indigo symbolizes a mystical borderland of wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual realization
- The symbolic meaning of the color indigo was power, importance and wealth
- Indigo with the color blue has a Biblical meaning symbolizing heavenly grace. The Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing indigo or blue clothing

Read and review please! I'll be traveling overseas so I won't be able to update so soon