Had Hizashi been the older son

by Runespoor

series of unrelated ficlets based on the premise, 'well, what if' Many different ways it could have gone, many small events that could have happened. [Hyuugacentric gen, various pairings]

2. ninja academy

Title: Things that could have happened had Hizashi been the older son
Author: Runespoor
Rating: T
Summary: series of unrelated drabbles/ficlets. See title.

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2.

Not making much noise was a skill every ninja developed to the highest level. It was Hinata's humble pride that she wasn't any noisier than them, though she'd never gone to the shinobi academy.

On some days, she stopped in her chores and watched Hizashi and Neji-sama going at their exercises, watching Neji-sama's moves, how fluid and graceful and purposeful, her breath suspended to his fingers, catching in her throat when she missed a move – he was so fast and she wasn't trained as a ninja. She couldn't watch for too long though, so after a while she went back to her duties, discreetly deactivating her Byakugan as she did so; not many civilians in the Hyuuga used the bloodline, Hinata didn't like attracting attention.

Hizashi would stare at her when she left, eyes searching for the small shape unaware of his awareness, her hesitating steps and frail back reminding him so little of his dead brother. Neji was focused on his training; Hizashi would think protecting his brother's only daughter from the hardships of life as a shinobi was the least he could do, and he'd be pierced by a pang of guilt.

Then he'd turn back towards his own son, and the differences he could see between Neji's calm self-assurance and Hinata's timid weakness would only reassure him in his opinion.