Title: Things that could have happened had Hizashi been the older son

Author: Runespoor
Rating: T
Summary: series of unrelated drabbles/ficlets. See title.

7B.

In spite of popular belief, Neji is neither blind nor clueless. How could he, when he possesses the strongest Byakugan the family has seen in generations?

He is, after all, the heir of the Hyuuga; and as such, he must see everything.

That's what Neji believes until he starts registering and analysing and even paying attention, and when he does he honestly berates himself for his simple-mindedness. He was nine when he started being aware of the odd atmosphere whenever Hinata brings tea to the dojo, and it took him much too long to try and make sense of it.

She's already a genin when Neji's become astute enough to keep up with what his Byakugan has been sharp enough to see plainly for several years now, i.e. the looks his father and his little cousin exchange. It used to leave him nonplussed; it's never been a huge secret among the Hyuuga that she hates his father, but why ever would the clan head tolerate such insolence in his presence?

Neji seems to have no place in these contests, so he always trains on, devoting a few degrees of his still-growing 330° vision to the strange scene until his father and his cousin break eye contact. Once upon a time he used to be slightly jealous, because he felt as if they wouldn't notice him even if he stopped and stared at them.

Then he starts noticing how they glance at him before and after they do. Hinata's swift, eyelid-lowered fleeting look when she enters the dojo stays with him, more than the vaguely wistful, faraway air on his father's face after she leaves.

It is then that he realises that maybe he isn't as accomplished a Byakugan – a Hyuuga heir – as he thought he was. Obviously he hasn't paid close enough attention to her – or to the rest of the Branch House. Yet the clan is composed of two houses; it would only make sense for a clan head to divide his attention somewhat between the two?

So he starts watching her and listening to anything that might relate to her, all the while staying as remote and dignified as a Hyuuga heir should be, especially concerning matters about a mere member of the Branch House. Except she's not only Branch House; she's also his cousin, and if his father already gives her a special treatment, it means it is more or less accepted, and if it isn't – and here Neji at first doubts his logic, but he finds he cannot flaw it – then it should. He somehow manages to convince himself it is his duty.

But he still doesn't understand her.

It gets so bad – Neji gets so bewildered – that he actually finds himself asking his teammates for their input. Telling them about her. Starting to talk out of the blue. Opening up.

Repeatedly.

He doesn't actually notice that last bit – which shows how much at a loss he is – until Lee points it out, in his usual obnoxious cheerful manner. (Neji's usually more patient with his teammate's aggressive enthusiasm, but this is the morning and Neji's in no way able to control any spontaneous snark when he hasn't had his tea yet.)

"Well yes, but you'd have to ask her if she wanted to share breakfast with you; you told us she brings the tea when you're in the dojo. Not in the mornings!"

Neji blinks. Lee is cheerfully smiling.

"Wha?" he tries.

"You're always telling us you only ever see her when she brings tea to the dojo," Lee continues reasonably. "It would make sense to assume she's not looking to spend more time with you. You should be the one to pursue her if you want to change her mind! And be extra nice!...

"And maybe you should propose to make breakfast for her," he says in a reflexive tone, before nodding brightly. "Yes! You should prepare breakfast just the way she likes and put it on a tray and bring it to her room and give it to her! –"

"Lee," Tenten interrupts, "I think you've lost him."

Tenten, Neji confusedly thinks, is a god-send. Even if her hair is already perfectly done up in two symmetrical buns and her gaze is clear and she's looking very amused. At least she doesn't launch in caps-filled speeches when she's just woken up – not that Neji's brain is in a state to note the caps in Lee's intervention, but he just knows they were there.

"But Neji needs all the help he can get! And we are his teammates, and he is always talking about her! We have to do something!"

Neji needs a moment before he starts frowning. Tenten looks like she's considering… something.

"What 're you talkin' about?" he manages to growl.

"Your Hinata," Lee happily answers, all innocence and shining bowl cut.

"What?" Neji demands after a pause. His Hinata?

Lee nods vigorously. Neji is too stunned to keep track of Tenten's reaction, and Gai-sensei, as always, has left to do – things. Laps around the whole forest. Something.

"Yes, the Hinata you are always speaking of! Since I never met her, I can't call her by her proper name, so I'm really looking forward for when you introduce us!"

Neji feels like he has accidentally stumbled into a parallel universe of some kind.

"What?" he can only repeat.

A growing part of his mind is wondering whether he's really talked so much about his cousin recently, and then wonders exactly what he can have found to say, because it's not as if they're close friends.

"I am not always talking about Hinata," his voice protests loudly. His mouth forms the words, but he cannot remember ordering it to speak up.

Beside, he is questioning the accuracy of this statement, and, more importantly, wondering whether he is condoning the intent behind it. After all, whether he is or is not 'always talking' about her, it still wouldn't be something to be embarrassed about – except in the capacity that he, one of the best ninjas of his year, has developed a habit without being aware of it – she wouldn't be something to be embarrassed of.

Lee stares at him with eyes even rounder than usual.

Tenten slowly shakes her head.

"Kami, you really are clueless." She looks at him with something akin to bemusement, and then she says, matter-of-fact, "Neji, you're obsessed."

The next day, Neji goes looking for Hinata across the Hyuuga compound.