A Change of Perspective

A slight disturbance in his peripheral vision made the dazed Hyuuga look up towards the door. His eyes lingered warily on the the frail little girl standing there. She was, of course, poking her fingers together nervously and her dark bangs covered her slightly painted cheeks. Really, she annoyed him sometimes.

"Hinata-sama?", he questioned. At the sound of his voice, she was startled into looking up at him. The look on her face made him feel flustered. Why was she always so nervous? "Was there something you needed?"

"H-hai, Ne-Neji niisan." Her eyes went downcast again as she continued to toy with her fingers. "W-we began some more t-taijutsu studies a-and well..." Her voice almost went out on her as she became more agitated and nervous. Really, how annoying!

"Hinata-sama, please just say what you need to say." Something about the way her body faltered made him feel bad. Had he hurt her feelings? Why was she always so soft and frail?

"U-um I was wondering i-if you would help me s-study..." The blush on her cheeks became more pronounced as he gazed at her intently. She really wanted his help?

Of course, the entire Hyuuga household was filled with adults more educated in these studies. Although, he had passed all of the tests of her year. He was a year or so older than her, after all. Still, why didn't she go to someone else? Why him? Didn't she know how much he had hated her? There was no hatred towards her now, obviously, but she wouldn't know. Hell, they hadn't talked in years...

Hinata had begun tugging at the hem of her overly-large jacket. Well, at least she stopped poking her fingers together. Neji couldn't say for sure if she had changed or not. Maybe she did act like her usual shy self still, but there seemed to be something below that. Way down, he believed she had become more brave. He hadn't thought about it before, but there was something about the way she changed that made him want to know the new things. There had to be something he still loved her for, before the incident with his father.

"Hinata-chan, please look at me directly." Her timid face hesitantly rose to meet his chest. If he hadn't been in the serious mood of getting her out of these childish habits, he would have chuckled at the sight of her. No, even all these years couldn't change how cute she looked.

"Y-yes, Neji-niisan?" The blush was still on her cheeks as she tried not to faint.

"I will gladly help you study. My cousin should be able to pass this test." Slowly, he rose from his seat to walk towards her. Without even using his Byakugan, he could feel her body tense as he became much too close for her comfort. He reached out to her - cupping her chin and raising her head higher until he was looking into her eyes. Maybe it was these eyes that made him able to forgive her - no, it was never her fault to begin with - and to see her for who she is.

"N-Neji-niisan I d-don't u-u-understand..." Hinata's blush intensified as she gazed at her cousin.

"Hinata-chan, you need to look at people when they speak to you." A smile graced his lips as the look in his eyes softened. There was nothing about her now that could make him angry. Not even those nervous habits that used to make him so frustrated to the point of tears. Now she was just Hinata as he was just Neji.

"Y-yes, niisan. Arigatou gaimazu." She began to smile brightly at him, making every inch of his heart melt. His mind went blank as he just stared at her face. Her light eyes so soft, just like her skin and hair...

Suddenly she was blushing furiously and poking her fingers again. The small frown on her face showed her frustration and slight irritation. Neji almost laughed at her pout.

"What is it, my hime?" He chuckled as she looked up at him with slight agitation.

"Niisan, why are you being so nice? I d-don't want to do your c-chores!" He laughed out loud at her cluelessness. Although he couldn't blame her, he hadn't been all that nice over the years...

"No, no Hinata-hime," he pulled her hands into his own to get her attention to his face as he continued, "I just want you to do good in school since you've worked hard for it. You deserve this, Hinata-sama."

Somewhat startled, Hinata found herself in his arms as he hugged her close. This was completely new to her since she had always been slightly afraid of her cousin, but it felt right. Here and now, standing here with him, made her feel more confident in her actions. There was nothing more comforting to Neji than when he felt her arms wrap around him, too. Without much thought, the two remained there for quite some time, just hugging each other and occasionally breaking into giggles.