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

Notes: continuation from last chapter.

2B.

The heir of the Hyuuga was training under the supervision of his father when the door of the dojo slid open on a nine-year-old girl who wasn't carrying a tea tray.

Neji was concentrated on his kata and so didn't notice, or didn't pay attention to the irruption, but Hizashi did, and he turned toward his niece, wondering what could push the girl to disturb them.

Hinata rarely did; she was a solitary child who seemed to most enjoy peaceful, serene pastimes and atmospheres.

Hizashi knew her calligraphy to be remarkably fluid for a child her age, and her flower arrangements were commendable; he was glad that he'd chosen this lifestyle for her, in harmony with her personality. It was a bit too early to think about the future, but Hizashi had hopes of arranging a nice marriage for her, to some gentle, understanding Branch House shinobi who could get a post within Konoha, for instance as an Academy teacher. She'd like that.

He nodded for her to approach.

She bowed at slightly longer a distance than would be considered appropriate. This time, Neji paused in his kata and moved a few feet away to let her come closer, but he didn't start again, instead gazing at her with some curiosity. Inwardly, Hizashi nodded in approval.

"Did you want something, Hinata?"

Hinata didn't look up at all. It was quite unusual for her not to give some indication she'd heard that she was being talked to.

Hizashi frowned.

He could only hope the problem wasn't linked to Hinata's errands out of the Hyuuga compound. He'd known that the Kyuubi boy had talked to her several times over the course of the last few weeks, but he hadn't paid much attention to it – when, he chided himself, he really should have. He'd believed that Hinata couldn't and shouldn't be entirely sheltered from the outside world, and he still believed he was right in sending her out, but the Kyuubi was a special case.

If this turned out to be somewhat related to the Kyuubi tormenting her, he'd have to take it before the Hokage. Hinata was a civilian; ninjas were there to make sure the Kyuubi couldn't take advantage of those who couldn't defend themselves.

He broke the train of thought when Hinata took a breath before she started speaking.

"I – I want to become a ninja."