A/N: Remember, this is an AU where Neji's father lives and he and Hinata are close, so he's going to act a bit differently. He prefers to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves, used to it after years of helping Hinata (because her father is still a jerk who looks down on and treats her poorly here, like in canon) and his own sense of justice not letting him turn a blind eye (kind of like in canon after Naruto woke him up and even during the (first) Chunin Exams when he wanted to kick ass after seeing the Sound ninja had used a practically defenseless Lee 'as a punching bag,' in his words).

They're in cooking class a few days later when it happens again.

When Naruto was younger, he thought it was a little weird to have a cooking class at a Ninja Academy, of all places. But now that he's older, it makes more sense. A ninja always brings food pills and rations and things like that on missions, but if things go up in the air, he has to be able to find and cook food on the road, too. Naruto thinks it's useful, especially since he doesn't have any family to cook for him like the rest of his classmates, so he has to take everything he learns here to heart.

Naruto's working alone because none of the other kids want to partner with him, as usual (and the teacher never makes them, just ignores him like he doesn't exist unless he's causing trouble). It's okay, though, because that just means there's more food for him in the end, which is great for the days he's already run out at his apartment (he doesn't call it home – no place that empty and big-feeling and lonely could ever be called something as sacred as home). And contrary to popular belief, he's actually not a bad cook. He eats ramen most of the time, sure, it's his favorite, but it's not all he eats. He's learned enough from growing up alone and a little more in health class to know that he has to eat more than just that or he'll get really sick eventually. Plus, you know, he's not an idiot like most of his classmates (and teachers) seem to think.

This is a combined class, where the kids from the year above them are with the younger ones, so they can help them where they need it and maybe even learn a thing or two themselves.

Two stations above Naruto's, Neji Hyuuga is paired with his best friends, Rock Lee and Tenten. They're working on sorting and measuring out their ingredients for their nature-made pancakes – Tenten's specialty, what with her affinity for precise calculations – when something catches Neji's eye.

Naruto turns away from his assignment to grab something he dropped when another boy runs by, swipes his hand over Naruto's food, and then rejoins his group, all of them snickering and pointing at Naruto's batter. Naturally, Neji is suspicious. He may not know much about Naruto, but he knows enough that he's always alone, often picked on, and, well...Neji's not blind. He sees all the horrible words coloring his skin.

And while it might not be any of his business, while Neji could easily look away and go back to his assignment, not care what happens to someone he barely knows, Neji isn't that kind of person. He's never been the type to just stand by and watch while someone else is being used as a punching bag, even metaphorically.

So, activating his Byakugan to investigate, he's shocked to find poisonous berries in Naruto's food. Glaring at the bullies' backs, he clenches a fist. As far as he's seen, Naruto's never done anything to those boys to deserve something like that. His eyes don't leave Naruto as he quietly says, "I'll be right back, guys."

Lee and Tenten didn't see what Neji did, but they trust him, so they just nod. "Good luck," Lee whispers, and Tenten winks, both of them keeping their eyes on their assignment. If they draw attention to Neji by watching or acting strangely, he won't be able to help like he wants. He smirks and nods right back. He's lucky to have friends like them.

With that, he moves down to where Naruto is. "Hold on just a second, Naruto."

Naruto jumps, flinching sharply, so much that it gives Neji concerned pause, and he looks over. Blue eyes widen, and a small, confused sound escapes. What's...Neji Hyuuga doing here, with him, of all people? He's older than him by about a year, a genius, and from what Naruto's seen, he's a pretty cool guy... Why in the world would he...?

He watches as Neji picks up a spoon and uses it to fish out some weird-looking berries in his batter. He raises an eyebrow and tilts his head. "I don't suppose you were the one who put these in?" Neji asks, and Naruto quickly shakes his head. Neji just looks angry at that, directing it at a group of boys that makes Naruto wince (something Neji also doesn't miss), and Naruto gulps, wondering what he's going to do. "I see..."

Neji discreetly sends a tiny Gentle Fist Air Palm across the room so the supply cart there half-topples over, scattering the contents with a loud crash. The teacher enlists the front row (the same row the offending boys are in) to help pick it up, which is exactly what Neji was planning on. While everyone's distracted, he slips the berries in the bullies' batter and slinks away like a sly fox.

Smirking with his hands in his pockets, he calmly walks back to Naruto, who's staring at him like he's done something unspeakably amazing. It's almost cute, if curious. "Let's see how they like a taste of their own medicine." Naruto glances back at the boys, looking concerned, and Neji softens some. He even worries about his aggressors, huh...? What a strange kid... "Don't worry, they won't die. They'll just have to miss school for a few days." He shrugs, a huff of a laugh leaving him as his smirk comes back in full force. "Not a big loss for them. They're going to flunk out of this Academy anyway."

Naruto just stares as Neji starts walking back to his group, and he suddenly panics when he realizes he hasn't thanked him yet. Not wanting him to think he's ungrateful – no one's ever done anything like this for him before, and this isn't the first time he's been poisoned either! – he gathers his courage and says, maybe louder than he should out of nerves, squeezing his eyes shut and curling tight fists at his sides as he bows low, "T-thank you very much!"

Neji turns back, surprised. It's the first time the kid's spoken their entire interaction, why, he doesn't know. But Neji sees how...earnest he is in his efforts, so adorably sincere and real, and he can't help but smile. He wants to reach out to touch him, but...somehow, he gets the feeling that might scare him more than help. "You're welcome. Just...keep a closer eye on your food, okay?"

Naruto lifts his head, caught off guard by how gentle his voice is. It's…people don't usually take that kind of tone with him… Teuchi and Ayame are the only ones who've ever… Realizing he's staring again, he swallows the emotional lump starting in his throat and straightens. Hoping he doesn't notice the light blush on his cheeks, he chances a small smile and salutes. "Y-yes, sir! I-I will!"

Neji can't help but laugh into his hand at how…decidedly cute he is before he nods and heads back to his friends.

(Of course, even with that assurance, Neji will be keeping an eye out from now on, too.)

Neji misses it in his rush to get to school early the next day, wanting to get some extra training in with Lee and Tenten before classes actually start.

Lee is actually the one to point it out, noticing the tops of a few letters sticking up beyond his shirt collar. "Hey, Neji! What is that?"

"Hmm?" Neji looks down, and his eyes widen. That wasn't there yesterday, he's sure... "I...don't know…" He's used to words like arrogant, showoff, know-it-all, elitist covering his skin, so he wouldn't be surprised if this was just another 'clever' attempt to make him feel less than—

His fingers go slack with shock the moment his collar's pulled down. Tenten and Lee gasp.

Protective is written along the curve of his collarbone like a necklace. He blinks, a few times, not sure what to say.

Lee, however, isn't as shy. "That describes you perfectly, Neji!" he praises, fists curled at half-mast, a proud glint to his eye.

Neji, caught off guard, shakes his head. "W-what? No, it doesn't! I'm—!" He looks away, flushing. Someone really...thought this about him...? "I just..."

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Tenten demands, in that soft, but stern-nurturing way of hers that always gets him to listen somehow, hands on her hips. "Lee's right, it's a wonderful descriptor for you!"

Neji peers back at her, at them both, in surprise, glancing between them. Then, flushing even hotter, he asks, honestly confused, "I-I don't understand, what are you talking about?"

Lee and Tenten trade looks and shrug before turning back to him with matching shining grins, almost like they've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Neji honestly finds it a bit disturbing. "When we first met, the other kids were bullying me for being unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu like the rest of them! But you broke it up and told them to go home! You made sure they did not bother me after that!"

Tenten nods. "Mm hmm! And we met almost the same way, when the boys were picking on me for wanting to be a weapons specialist! They were all saying I could never do it because I'm a girl, but you stood up for me! You told them to put their skills where their mouths were if they thought they could take me, and I kicked all their butts!" She giggles. "I will never forget the smirk on your face when we watched them all limp home!"

Lee nods a few times, righteous fire in his eyes. "Tenten is right! And there have been many other times where you have done the same for others, even your younger cousin, Hinata! Just yesterday, in fact, you saved Naruto Uzumaki from being badly poisoned and taught those bullies a lesson they will not soon forget!"

Neji feels like he's fighting a losing battle. He never can win when they team up like this, so earnest in their chosen endeavors... "W-well, I...I just..." He swallows and crosses his arms, scowling as he thinks back on their examples. "Those jerks weren't playing fair, that's all. Not a single one of them. If they want to pick on someone, they should make sure it's someone of equal standing. Picking on someone who can't fight back even if they wanted to, deciding someone else's fate for them..." He clenches a fist in his sleeve till his knuckles crack. "It's despicable!"

Lee and Tenten laugh, and Neji tilts his head. "What? What's so funny?"

"You did it again!" Lee tells him, pointing.

"Did what?"

"The protective thing! Just now!" Tenten joins in, pointing, too. They're both grinning like cats who caught canaries.

Neji blinks, startled, and looks down at his new word. "D-did I...?" He didn't even realize... Hmm...

Lee laughs again, fingers twirling his braid. "I think it is just so ingrained in you that you do not even notice when you do it, Neji!"

Tenten chuckles and nods. "You know, I think he's right!"

Neji just stares at his friends, then down at his word again. He wonders…where he even got it... He swears it wasn't there yesterday, but...—!

Suddenly, something Lee said comes hurtling back, Naruto flashing in his mind's eye, and his fingers brush the letters. That...no... Could it be…? He heard Choji got a positive word after being in close proximity to Naruto after school the other day, and now this... Once is chance, twice is coincidence... That's almost all three...

He hums thoughtfully. If it happens one more time, maybe he'll bring up this little mystery to the others, namely Shikamaru. He's sure Lee and Tenten won't be able to keep his new word to themselves for long, after all. They're just excitable like that. Besides, Neji saw the gears turning in Shikamaru's mind the other day when he told him about Choji. He's already thinking, and thinking hard. It won't be long before he comes up with an answer to this little reverse treasure hunt of theirs, if he hasn't already. (And knowing him, he has, he's just waiting for more concrete evidence.)

Chuckling in a way that's almost pleased, he pulls up his collar and and turns back to his friends. "We've wasted enough time on this." He starts heading toward the practice field. "Come on, let's get training before we have to go to class with nothing to show for our extra diligence."

Lee cheers while Tenten protests behind them, wanting to talk about his word more. But in Neji's mind, there's no need.

A tiny smile comes to his face.

It feels good, comforting somehow, to know that someone outside his friends can see the real him.

A/N: The first chapter was meant to be a teaser to draw people in, so I'm hoping this or the next chapters will be enough to get you lovely readers hooked, or at least intrigued enough to see what comes next! lol. Next up is a combo chapter!

Also, if you're confused about the 'fingers twirling his braid' line for Lee, don't forget that he actually had a braid while he was at the Academy! ;D

Thanks a lot for reading!