A/N: I just love this kid. Hanabi is the best! Reviews welcome!

Just Desserts: Part II

The next sparring match ended with Hanabi the victor again but it was not an easy win for her. Hinata had apparently been working on her take downs and despite winning, Hanabi crawled away from that sparring match feeling like she was trampled by a herd of angry elephants.

But it didn't stop her from going to the kitchen to mark her selection in Hinata's recipe book.

Neji was in the kitchen as well, presumably eating his lunch but Hanabi knew better. Ever since she revealed her plan a few weeks ago, Neji started taking his meals in the kitchen, conveniently around times Hinata and Hanabi scheduled their sparring matches.

She walked past him stubbornly and reached slowly for the recipe book, biting her lip to suppress her whimper of pain.

"Are you alright? You're walking like you need a medic."

"That would just make your day, wouldn't it?" she said flippantly as she leafed slowly through the pages of the worn book. "No, everything has been going according to plan so don't you worry."

Neji shook his head. "Did it ever occur to you that you might completely ruin Hinata's confidence? I thought you wanted her to be the next clan leader."

Hanabi smiled as she found her preferred recipe. "Cherry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies, perfect! I see this as a win-win situation, Neji, and if you had a little more imagination, you would see it too."

Neji pushed his empty plate away and propped his hand up against his head tiredly. "Enlighten me, oh wise-one."

"Hinata gets extra training and I get extra sweets!"

"And the slow needling away at her self-confidence?"

Hanabi made a 'tsking' sound and wagged her finger at Neji. "I thought you of all people would have more faith in my sister. Hinata's a tough girl. If she can withstand Father's psychological warfare after all this time, then she can handle this."

"So you hope," Neji said flatly.

Hanabi narrowed her eyes. "Obviously, you did not try last week's pumpkin spice cake."

"Apparently, you're under the impression that I'm as morally corrupt as you."

"Oh, hush," Hanabi dismissed wearily, "you're such a drama queen. Besides, Hinata has not turned down an opportunity to spar yet so she clearly has more fire than you even give her credit for."

Neji had nothing to say to that but he still frowned skeptically.

"Now if you would excuse me," Hanabi said, easing her way gingerly towards the door, "I'm going to go lay down for an hour or so."

"I just want to say for the record I think this is a bad idea," Neji called out to the retreating girl.

"Thanks," Hanabi called back from the hallway, "but I am not going to consider the opinions of anyone who has not tried the pumpkin spice cake."

Neji scowled fiercely. "I'm not going to do it!"

"Well, then your opinions are null and vooooiiiid!" his cousin returned in a sing-song voice.

Neji muttered under his breath, staring balefully at the dessert.

0

But he couldn't stay away. As much as he did NOT want to be involved in Hanabi's craziness, he found himself drawn nonetheless to the kitchen once a week to observe.

He noted that Hinata's baking had a profound effect on everyone. Branch servants would prepare plates of delicious desserts at the request of Main House members and because Hinata baked in such high volume, there was plenty left over for the Branch members to enjoy.

Neji still did not sample the decadent desserts. He upheld the strictest of diets for the most practical reason of the energy demands of his Byakugan limiting his opportunities to over-indulge but mainly because Hanabi wanted him to. He was not going to allow the conniving delinquent to have her way.

But the food was just as compelling as Hanabi's growing list of injuries at the hands of her not much of a challenge sister.

Apple and Rhubarb Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream: Hanabi's victory cost her a black eye, bruises and a strained quadricep.

Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: A sound concussion. They had to hold off the matches for a few weeks though Hanabi claimed it was due to increased school work and not the fact that Hinata literally rattled her brain.

Green Tea and White Chocolate Opera Cake: Collateral damage. Hinata blasted Hanabi through the dojo wall with one of her attacks and though she was disoriented-and mildly terrified-Hanabi managed to win the match on a technicality.

"Are you sure she's not letting you win," Neji finally asked one day while Hanabi flipped through the recipe book.

"What makes you say that?"

"Oh, I don't know, the fact that she appears to be slowly killing you with every match."

Hanabi was a little worse for wear this day. She was using solely her left hand to go through the book because she had lost the feeling in her right arm. Hinata's pressure point attacks were improving. "She just got lucky today, that's all. I still won."

"Hmm," Neji replied noncommittally, resting his chin on a propped hand. "Perhaps it is you who is now underestimating Lady Hinata."

"Don't even," Hanabi returned nonplussed. "Her skills are improving, yes, but she's still sensitive about certain things. I just happen to know which buttons to press. I mean that Maple Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake last week was amazing!"

"You're getting fat, you know."

"Ooohh, very nice, Neji," Hanabi replied unimpressed as she turned a page, "That would have made the mean girls in my class proud but it's not going to work on me. I'm incapable of getting fat."

"What does that even mean?"

"I have a very high metabolism," Hanabi said primly, turning up her nose. "The medic said so himself."

Neji shook his head. "I'm going to need you to stop being stupid for a minute or two. You're giving me a migraine."

Hanabi narrowed her eyes. "No, I believe that would be the stick shoved up—"

"And," Neji cut in quickly, because he could not promise he would restrain himself if he allowed the brat to finish her thought, "you should stop this nonsense with Hinata. She would be hurt if she found out you were manipulating her this way."

Hanabi frowned and for a moment Neji thought he had finally gotten past the gluttony to the place where Hanabi should, in theory, have a heart.

But then she looked down and found the recipe she was looking for.

"This is it," she said with rapt wonder. "The recipes of all recipes."

"What?" Neji asked with dread.

She turned the book towards him so he could read the title.

"Chocolate Fudge with Pistachios?"

Hanabi nodded solemnly. "She only makes fudge when she's feeling really, really bad."

"How could you possibly make her feel worse!?" Neji demanded.

Hanabi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think I might invite Father to the next sparring match."

The look on Neji's face said it all and she held up her good hand in a placating manner. "Now, Neji, I know what you're thinking."

"That you're a sick, twisted sociopath who needs to be locked up!"

Hanabi took a step back with a hurt expression. "Ok, maybe I don't know what you're thinking. Gosh, you're mean."

"This has gone far enough," Neji said as he stood up abruptly, "I'm telling Lady Hinata."

"Wait, before you do that," Hanabi jumped quickly in front of Neji's path, "I think you should be aware of what you're giving up here."

"It doesn't matter," Neji returned, easily side stepping the young girl.

"Aw, come on!" the young girl protested, hobbling quickly behind her retreating cousin. "Would you…just…oh alright, alright!" She clung to Neji desperately to prevent his leaving.

Neji stopped and looked at her suspiciously.

"You can come instead."

Neji scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Don't even get me involved in this crap."

"You're already involved," Hanabi countered quickly, pointing her finger with sudden realization. "Sitting here all pretty in the kitchen, eating your delicious snacks while Hinata…the woman you swore on your life to protect…is getting the crap beaten out of her in the next room. I mean seriously, what kind of protector are you?"

Neji narrowed his eyes menacingly. "That's low."

"It's either you or Father."

Neji looked as though he was considering Hanabi's point for a moment but then decided to call her bluff. "Nice try," he said as he turned to leave.

"Geez, you are…exhausting! How about a wager then," the girl said quickly, realizing she had to appeal to her cousin's competitive side.

Neji turned back around, seizing the opportunity as he crossed his arms. "If Hinata wins, you stop this ridiculous game."

"Fine! But if I win, you stop giving me hell about my sparring matches and," Hanabi smiled mischievously, "you have to sample the next dessert with me."

The young man scowled before turning once again to leave. "Fine," he muttered as he walked out the kitchen.

"I hope you like chocolate!" Hanabi called happily to the retreating form.

"I hope you like bed rest!" her cousin countered, not missing a beat or slowing down.

Hanabi laughed as she turned back to the recipe book, making sure to place the bookmark next to the recipe of her choice.

~ TBC ~