It was a dreary and blustery day, the sky grey and cloudy. Warm, but it was warm all year long in Konoha, the Fire Country never seemed to grow cold. The trees overhead swayed and rustled, their bright green leaves unusually muted in the dim sunlight.

Steam rose from the tea cup in her hands, the faint scent of hibiscus swirling around her in the enormous but largely unadorned dojo. Hinata took a sip, then set the ceramic cup down, "I'm glad you could join me, Neji-nii-san," she said politely.

He nodded, seemingly serene in traditional robes and a simple headband that made him look like a younger version of her father and his, "It's good to catch up sometimes," he agreed, taking a sip of his own, "Although I can't help but think you have an ulterior motive for our talk."

She blushed, he really could see right through her, "Yes," she sighed, her lighthearted demeanor suddenly sobering, "But I'm waiting for one more before I start."

"I think she's here."

Hinata turned, glancing towards the open window that lead out to the outer courtyard. Holding the panels apart was a petite figure upside down, long dark hair hanging loosely around the stylized ram mask she wore. The wind blew through and she flipped backwards, landing on the wide windowsill, "I'm here," she announced, stowing away the mask.

"Come sit, Hanabi-chan," Hinata greeted, while her younger sister plopped down between them and reached for the tray of sweets.

Neji nodded in greeting, trying not to flinch when she shoved a handful of candies in her mouth and gulped down a cup of tea, "Yeah," she said around a mouthful of food, leaning back on her palm before frowning. The katana was in the way, so she unhooked it haphazardly and it fell to the polished wooden floor, "I'm so hungry, my team's been on duty so we've only had ration bars and soldier pills," she made a face, "Bleh..."

"Hanabi-sama, please conduct yourself with decorum," Neji said, worry lines appearing on his face.

She scowled, wiping her loose hair from her forehead to two tresses on either side of her head, but did as he asked. She sat up and pulled her legs underneath her, "Sure," a mutter.

Hinata smiled at the exchange, some things never change, "Now that you're both here," she started softly while two pairs of identical eyes focused on her, "I have something I want to discuss."

Hanabi just blinked at her, but Neji seemed to know, "Your father has made you the heir."

A helpless nod. Her sister sucked in a breath, "When?"

"A few weeks ago," she confessed, glad to be rid of it.

Neji frowned at her, but Hanabi continued, "He must be planning on announcing it on your birthday. Way to spring it on you like that!" she shook her head, "That must be why he's been meeting with all those branch members lately."

Hinata glanced down, "He said something about finding me a husband," she whispered, mortified that her sister confirmed it. There would be very few reasons otherwise for him to do so.

"You don't seem very pleased," Neji commented, looking at her hard.

"Ah," she swallowed, feeling both their eyes on her. She wouldn't be able to lie or tell half truths, not under their Byakugan. But, she realized, that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to change the fate she was dealt. Looking back up at him, her heart racing but with a new determination she spoke clearly, "I don't want to be the heir."

"What?" her sister was shocked, and she scrambled on all fours to her, "But, after everything you did? You don't- "

A million reasons flashed through her mind, but she said only a single word, "No."

"Oh," Hanabi shrugged after a second, but suddenly glanced between them suspiciously, "Don't look at me!" she warned, "I don't want the job either."

Hinata could have laughed at her expression, "I wasn't thinking of you exactly," she said hopefully.

The sisters turned. Neji frowned, "You two have dug yourselves in deep for this one," he sighed, "We'll need help."

That wasn't a no, "I was thinking..." she started.

But Neji finished for her, "I was thinking the same thing," he said succinctly, a rare grin touching his features, "We should go."

He answered the door ruffled, like they had just woken him up. Of course his hours were much longer now, between missions and working for the Fifth. He blinked a bit owlishly at them, not quite believing who was on his doorstep, "Eh? Hinata-chan? Neji? Um...?"

"Hanabi."

A sheepish grin, "What's up?"

Hinata looked up, her pale eyes intense, "We need your help."

Disclaimer: Yeah, not.

A/N: Short I know, but the next will pick up almost immediately after this one. I realized that most of the Naruhina is from Hinata's POV and while interesting, I wanted some from his perspective as well. Besides, I didn't want to rehash objections to Hinata's decision twice in consecutive chapters, it would be repetitive. A few notes:

Neji is still such a stiff.

Hanabi's birthday is March 27 I believe, so that makes her an Aries. She gets a ram ANBU mask.

Naruto's been working for Tsunade for a while now, and it's pretty obvious he's favored for the next Hokage. Maybe they'll try and pull some strings.

Thanks for reading!

P.S. I think there was some confusion about the indirect kiss last chapter. Remember when Hinata snatched away Naruto's cup? And drank from it? After he already did? :) Yeah, it took her awhile too.

Um, Merry Christmas?