Her vision changed.

Expanding and focusing at the same time, a panorama opened before her. Colors drained away, seemingly melting away the surface of the world, leaving only the glowing pulse of chakra. Underneath the underneath, she saw the mouse scurry along the outer wall, she saw the carp swimming lazily in the garden pond, she saw the fine delicate trappings of a spider in the attic.

And she saw her cousin before her, the intricate web of chakra burning against her eyes.

Only this way could she see the sudden rush of power as he struck towards her. The simple lines that signified his arm and the more complex for his palm thrust forward, and then back as she blocked the attack.

"Hinata-sama," he breathed heavily, "Perhaps we should call it."

She nodded, letting the chakra accumulated in her eyes resume its normal course, "Yes, Neji-nii-san," the stalemate had run long enough.

The slow cool down stretches calmed her beating heart, seemingly solidifying the power and strength she felt while sparring. A final deep breath, "I'm glad your mission didn't keep you long," she said, sitting on the raised wooden floor surrounding the outer courtyard.

"Only a B-rank," Neji replied, grabbing a towel and sitting next to her.

"Even so," she smiled, "It's good to have you home."

A single masculine grunt, "I'm not the only one who came back early," he looked at her from the corner of his eye.

Hinata blushed at the mention of the newly promoted chuunin, "Yes... I saw him earlier today."

"Oh?"

"Yes," she explained, her fingers starting to fidget until she forcibly stopped, "I told him the latest information Shino-kun gathered while you both were on your mission."

"Is that all?"

"Neji-nii-san!" she squeaked out before seeing the smirk on his face, "You're teasing me."

He chuckled, "Yes I am, but you are spending a lot of time with him."

She sighed, was it really that strange? "Is it a problem?"

"No," he said simply, "Not for me, but what about you?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, a frown marring her features.

"What do you expect out of this?"

Expect? "I don't-"

"-Why are you spending so much time and energy to do this?" he interrupted, his gaze intense, "I don't want you setting yourself up for disappointment."

"No, no" she denied vehemently, "It's not like that."

"Then why?"

"I want to help him," she whispered, but no hesitation distorted her words, "That's what he needs now."

She held her hands still, but her toes betrayed her by nervously tapping. Hinata glanced up, a blush still rosy on her cheeks to see Neji stare at her for a moment, then the corner of his mouth curled up ever so slightly, "I'm glad."

"Hmm?"

"How close are you to finding Sasuke?" he changed the subject.

"It has been hard to locate his group," she glossed over exactly how hard, she didn't need a mental rehash of the whining Kiba or the exasperated Shino, "They move constantly and never stay in the same place twice. There seems to be an Akatsuki member helping them, or at least in communication with them, but we have a good idea of where they are headed now."

"Where?"

"Konoha."

Neji scowled, "Here? Why would he come back on his own?"

"He's not 'coming back'," she sighed, only wishing it were that easy, "He's coming to destroy the village."

"Destroy the village!?" he exclaimed, confusion overwriting the surprise in his voice, "Have you informed Hokage-sama?"

"Of course!" Hinata replied quickly, "We informed her once we found out. She's put several ANBU to trailing them now and our mission has been upgraded officially," she held back the faint tinge of pride at that.

"What did Naruto say?"

Her stomach sank, "He...he laughed at first..." she trailed off. "No way... not Sasuke... why would he... that bastard... that stupid bastard."

Neji turned away, his face hard, "His hometown? He would try that? Why?"

"A blood feud," she paused at his twitch, "Between the Uchiha and the Senju. Tsunade-sama told us."

"His revenge against his brother was thwarted and so now he digs up old wrongs? There is no happiness in that path."

Hinata nearly smiled at that, amazed at how far he had come, "He will not succeed."

He nodded, "No, but the Uchiha were famous not without good reason. He will be a formidable opponent."

"Yes."

"You don't seem worried. Has Hiashi-sama finally told you something?"

"Yes, not much but it is a start."

Neji put a hand on her shoulder, "He will tell you. He sees you as the clan heir whether he has announced it or not."

She stiffened at that and he removed his hand, "Hinata-sama?"

A forced smile, "Surely not?" she breathed out.

Disclaimer: Still not mine.

AN: Alright alright, short chapter I know. But it got out quickly, right? A couple of notes:

This is a few months after the previous chapter, where Hinata's plan is in full swing. Besides, it would take a while to develop a plan to take on Konoha, even with Madara behind it.

Tsunade told them about the rivalry between the two clans, she doesn't know about Itachi-if that story is even true. Consequently, I fear for our remaining sannin, who just happens to be the First's granddaughter.

Neji is so nice reformed.

Thanks for reading!