The Hyuga

Neji Hyuga believed in reincarnation.

However, he was not certain if he believed in karma as he stood behind some bushes, and more importantly, a rock. Observing with his Byakugan, he had to wonder what he'd done in a past life to warrant this mission.

"Madara, do you ever wonder why shinobi fight?" said the most dangerous man in the world.

Neji didn't see why Hashirama, dark-haired and clad in armor, was even bothering. His opponent, the second most dangerous man in the world, knew his fighting style by heart. Punches and kicks were a moot point.

"It is a mystery, isn't it Hashirama?" asked Madara, "Why is it that we do endless battle across this wretched world? Were we created by mere chance? Or was our existence foretold and created by true divine entities?

"Were we created to be men? Or soldiers in some conflict beyond comprehension.

"I do not know."

The usual torture.

"What are they doing?" asked Lee.

"They are talking," said Neji, who did not much like his latest companion. The fact that he was not a member of the Hyuga Clan at all had been noted.

"Oh, I see. Is there some scheme to destroy the Hyuga?" asked Lee.

"No, they are just talking," said Neji. "That's all they ever do during these showdowns is do half-hearted punches and kicks and talk. And every so often summons a huge dragon or something."

"You know, I remember a time when ninjutsu used to be about seeing through deception," said Madara. He unleashed a fire jutsu. "The dance has become somewhat boring since those days.

"Now we have such immense might that few indeed can match us.

"And we have fought one another so many times. Each one of us knows the other's techniques inside and out."

"Why are they even bothering with this?" muttered Neji. Twenty-four months listening to these idiots go on. It was sickening.

"Why are we bothering with this?" asked Lee. "You have been on this mission for two years."

Neji didn't have to give him an answer. But since Lee was probably going to be dead in a little while, he gave him one. "Because Hashirama and Madara alone could probably take on several clans by themselves. Combine that with their clans and a unified front, and the entire world could be under threat. My Father is determined that we should know when eventually that happens.

"So, here I am. Taking careful notes on the least compelling friendship I have ever seen."

"They are trying to kill one another," said Lee.

"No, they aren't," said Neji. "If they were, Madara would be dead. Hashirama consistently avoids killing blows. Madara usually goes for the throat but gets stalemated anyway. Although he isn't trying to kill Hashirama right now.

"Perhaps he has something else in mind. But, their families are one another's sworn enemies."

"Well then, why are you afraid of an alliance between the Senju and Uchiha?" asked Lee.

"Have you listened to these idiots?" asked Neji. "They're obviously in love. So as soon as their fathers die, there's going to be an alliance. Hashirama already deescalated things. He'd ordered his clan to avoid kill shots, and Madara has followed through. Purely for the sake of 'pragmatism,' of course.

"And all the while, Hinata is going on real missions. I'm the only son of the clan leader, Hizashi Hyuga; I should be given something important to do!"

"Do not worry. When you finish your report, I am certain your Father will-" began Lee.

"Quiet," snapped Neji. "I don't want to hear anything about my Father's mind from a member of the Branch Clan. Let alone a servant." Looking up, he sighed. "They've started using the more advanced techniques. He focused on memorizing how the two fought, the tells they made before using a given move."

He'd long since written all of them down, of course. Neji had hardly had anything to report for a full year. Madara and Hashirama were just not advancing as fast as they had been before. Without a war, there was less of a press to do so.

So why was Neji still out here?

"Neji, do you believe this information will be helpful?" asked Lee.

Lee had been examining Neji's notes for some time. Neji had kept copies for him to look over if only to shut him up. Lee had taken to them with far more interest than Neji had expected, examining each one.

"In some sense, yes," said Neji. "Your predecessor did his work well."

"What happened to the Branch Clan member who worked with you before?" asked Lee.

"Oh, Madara burned him alive with a fire jutsu," said Neji. "He's always been less concerned about collateral and accidentally threw a wave of it."

"I see," said Lee. "Then this man lasted two years?"

"No, he lasted a month," said Neji. "His predecessor never even got here; he got caught by Tobirama and executed. One of the other ones got speared through the heart by a shard of ice. The one before that-" Neji saw behind his head a wave of flame and grabbed Lee, pulling him down. "Get down."

Scorching heat shot over them, and the stone went hot from it. The underbrush above them was burned to a cinder so quickly there were hardly any embers. Shortly thereafter, Hashirama fired a wave of water.

By that time, Neji had already stored the documents back in a watertight case.

"Anyway," said Neji. "The one before that was burned alive by fire. And the one before that was-"

"Wait, I do not want to know," said Lee. "I had wondered why you kept such a far distance. This is clearly far more dangerous work than I thought. I see now why I, a mere servant, was asked to go instead of a Branch Clan member.

"Many had speculated as to why none of your companions ever came back."

"I have no need of a second hand for this mission," said Neji. "I merely need someone to keep watch at night and to act as a companion. Father wanted me to handle this on my own. It was only once the mission was extended that he sent me someone to help me."

"Hashirama!" cried Madara.

"Madara!" said Hashira.

"We'd best stay low," said Neji. "No, don't lie down; you need to be ready to move on a moment's notice. This is the part where you're most likely to die."

"...Have you survived two years of this?" asked Lee.

"Being a spectator to battles between demigods is a great deal of work," said Neji. "I..." He wanted to go home now. Neither Madara nor Hashirama were showing off anything he hadn't seen a million times. Sticking around here would only get them killed. "Come, Lee. Let's get back to the camp."

"I believe that would be wise," said Lee.

The two of them headed back to camp. Neji had set up a variety of outposts, places where he could shelter in secrecy for a time. They had been developed over the years as safe houses that wouldn't appear as such. Not unless you were looking for them.

One such safe house was duck beneath a fallen tree.

"So," said Neji. "Lee, is there any news of my younger sister Hinata?"

"Lady Hinata?" asked Lee. "Well, there are many stories of her battles with the Inuzuki Clan. Apparently, she avoids taking life whenever possible. She tries to save even Branch Clan members. She even was hit by a kunai protecting some of them.

"She was there when I requested the mission. She was very kind to me."

"You requested this mission?" asked Neji. "Why?"

"Well..." Lee paused. "The Branch Clan seems to view being assigned to you as a death sentence. Everyone who goes out on these missions dies.

"I thought I ought to try and take one of their places."

"Well, that's not my fault," said Neji. "You saw what they are capable of. It's all in my report!"

"...It is believed that you are exaggerating your reports," said Lee. "And that you have been using Branch Clan members to do the dangerous work."

"I have been in close proximity to Hashirama and Madara Uchiha for years while they go all out," said Neji. "Existing out here is dangerous. What do they expect me to do? Get myself killed to ensure one of my subordinates survives?

"I'm dutybound as a Main Clan member not to do that."

At that moment, a bird landed near them. It was a messenger hawk of the kind kept in cages. Lee took the message off and read it. "Neji, we have a message from your Father?"

Neji hurried forward to grab it. "Let me see it." Unraveling the scroll, he read through it. "Yes I...

"This is wonderful!"

"What is it?" asked Lee.

"Father intends to declare his heir apparent, and he is recalling me home for the ceremony," said Neji. "I'm finally getting the recognition I deserve."

Lee shifted. "Is it not possible that he means to declare Hinata his heir?"

"Don't be absurd, Lee," said Neji standing up. "Hinata is a woman; there hasn't been a female head of the Hyuga Clan ever. And I've more than proved myself here. I've written meticulous reports on both of these two and their abilities. And in the process, we've evaded the eyes of the Leaf completely.

"Not once have I been sighted, not even by Tobirama, and he's one of the best sensory types out there."

"How have you done this for two years?" asked Lee.

"With difficulty," said Neji, in a good mood. "I was thirteen when I was sent out here, and I was nearly caught several times. Fortunately, my Byakugan has a long-range and allows me to see vast distances. As a result, I never have to be near my targets.

"In addition, it makes seeing and avoiding patrols far easier.

"During my first month or two, I had the services of an accomplished woodsman, and he taught me to survive. Though, regrettably, he was killed on the third month by a stray kunai." Then Neji halted as his Byakugan picked up Tobirama heading their way. "Wait, we'll go this way for a time. I can see a patrol of Senju coming this way."

Neji and Lee quickly maneuvered out of the way of the patrol. Tobirama and his company detected some small inconsistencies. But Neji was two steps ahead of them and had already pre-planted evidence of Uchiha activity at each site. Even if Tobirama did not believe them, not one of his party caught a glimpse of them.

However, Neji then noticed a party of Uchiha nearby coming toward them. Frowning, he motioned to Lee. "...Uchiha over there, this way."

And so they moved on.

"The trick," said Neji. "Is paranoia and conserving resources. I constantly check my Byakugan, and I always leave no trace behind me. I never use a jutsu then more mundane methods will work. And I never, ever, pick a fight."

"Have they never caught on?" asked Lee.

"There have been one or two manhunts, actually," said Neji. "Once or twice I was nearly caught, but I managed to pin the blame on an Uchiha. Now and then, I've actually tricked the Uchiha and Senju into fighting one another."

"I remember reading about that," said Lee. "The Hyuga elders were very pleased. Though some doubted you were the cause."

Why did Lee insist on trying to undermine his accomplishments? No matter. He was likely only repeating the mutterings of some ungrateful Branch Clan member. "I also had to steal several volumes of blank paper in order to continue my writings.

"Let's get out of here.

"I don't want to be caught after all this time at the last minute."

"On that, we are in agreement," said Lee. "Still, mind if I ask you something?"

"The time to ask that question was long ago, but no, I do not," said Neji, in too good of a mood to snap back.

"How is the Byakugan equal to the Sharingan," said Lee. "The reports you have put in regarding Madara's achievements are... chilling. Madara hasn't even achieved the full power of the Sharingan.

"Sussano, Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi, the ability to sense chakra, hypnosis, Izanagi, Izanami..."

"You've made your point," said Neji. "And all of those abilities combined are worse than the Byakugan."

"...Are you making a joke, Neji?" asked Lee.

"No, I am quite serious," said Neji as they sped through the trees. "The Byakugan gives one the ability to see in all directions at once. It allows one to perceive chakra on a very precise level. And it allows one to see through physical objects, to say nothing of the Gentle Fist.

"With the latter, even a glancing blow can be lethal. And no armor can defend against it.

"And it does so without any weaknesses whatsoever. So someone with a Byakugan always picks the ground of battle."

"Which is very powerful," said Lee. "But I do not see how that compares to the Sharingan. Especially when one has attained a high enough level to be able to use Amaterasu freely. Even if a Hyuga could hold off their attacks with Kaiten, I do not see that they could do more than stall."

"You know very little about war, do you, Lee?" asked Neji.

"Enlighten me," said Lee.

Neji sighed. "Alright, what you're saying would be true if a Master Ninja of the Hyuga and a Master Ninja of the Uchiha fought one on one. In an open area. Where both of them had a completely even playing field.

"However, that is a contradiction.

"No Hyuga with any understanding of war would ever go into such a battle. Nor would an Uchiha. Both would try to set the battlefield up, so they had an advantage. Where they could kill their enemy before they used their more advanced techniques."

"Yes, but the Uchiha would be doing the same thing," said Lee.

"But the Uchiha doesn't have a Byakugan," said Neji. "To use a Byakugan, you need a calm mind to avoid sensory overload. So a Master would be very calm, careful, and rational. He would also be able to see the Uchiha long before the Uchiha saw him.

"There would be no move the Uchiha could make that the Hyuga could not perceive. And since the Uchiha would be unlikely to know the Hyuga is there, the Hyuga picks the ground. So, the Hyuga would trap the Uchiha in a disadvantageous position. Then he'd kill them before they could use their eyes."

"But is it not possible the Uchiha would learn of what was happening and try to draw the Hyuga out?" asked Lee.

"It is possible," said Neji. "But we're not talking about a rational human being here. The Uchiha grow more powerful by being more evil. Or more mentally unstable, depending on who you ask. Gaining their most powerful abilities usually involves killing a close friend.

"Any Uchiha who has attained the higher levels of the Sharingan is an arrogant psychopath. One who is likely to destroy himself.

"The Uchiha would preen and posture and talk about how all-powerful he was.

"At which point the Hyuga he didn't even know was there would put a kunai through his neck. Because no Hyuga worth his salt would ever engage such an enemy without backup."

"Madara did not strike me as unstable," said Lee.

"Yes, and that's why Madara is the second most dangerous man in the world," said Neji. "He has beaten the system. But it was a miracle that he did. Think about it, Lee; Of all the Uchiha, most get a Sharingan eventually. Once they do, they have to fully master it. Of those that get a Magneyeko Sharingan, some do it by kin slaying and so get put down like rabid animals. Of the ones that don't, they either go blind by abusing power. Or they never use the power at all because going blind isn't worth it.

"And achieving the next stage requires killing another person with such an eye. Historically, those who achieved it usually did it by killing a kin slayer. They took out his eyes and used them for themselves. But the Sussano is actually completely useless on most battlefields. It's large, obvious, takes a huge amount of chakra, and slow.

"So all one has to do is evade it until the wielder runs out of chakra.

"Amaterasu is potentially powerful, but it could also kill your allies. And the Hyuga's kaiten is a hard counter.

"Tsukiyomi, meanwhile, requires direct eye contact. And there are combat techniques that have been developed to counter that.

"And all of these techniques can be countered by getting the Uchiha from behind with the Gentle Fist.

"How do you know so much about the Sharingan?" asked Lee.

"I snuck into the Uchiha Clan fortress and read their histories," said Neji. "It was when I tricked them into fighting each other. I wanted to know more about how the Sharingan worked."

"I never heard about that," said Lee.

"Of course you didn't," said Neji. "Father didn't want rumors spreading. It could have attracted the attention of the Uchiha."

They went on for some days.

As Neji neared home, he felt a profound sense of relief. He saw places he had not seen for years. Some of the villages had been given new construction, others had torn buildings down. The roads had been improved a great deal, going from dirt to stone. This, apparently, had been done by Hinata's suggestion.

Except Neji remembered mentioning that the roads were in need of repair. And he began to notice that a great deal of praise was going to Hinata in general. How was it possible that she'd gotten this kind of credit so quickly?

The day of his homecoming saw Neji feeling grim.

The fortress, situated upon a hill, did not appear welcoming as Neji made his way toward the gates. No one came out to greet him at all, though many seemed enthusiastic about things. A sense of fury came to him, but he checked it.

In light of the circumstances, Neji supposed a warm welcome was not to be expected. He had been somewhat high-handed and arrogant before he left. Though why wasn't Father here to greet him? He must have been seen by now?

Then the obvious came to Neji.

He'd been moving by stealth this entire time, keeping back his name and operating in secrecy. It had become second nature to him. It was possible no one even recognized him. Motioning to Lee, they moved out of the underbrush and appeared more openly.

It took actual work to make himself obvious.

Neji walked forward, trying to maintain some level of his old pride. However, it didn't really come to him at all. And as he walked toward the gates, no one came out to greet him. As if he was just one more person being called back...

Neji froze.

He had a very bad feeling about this and contemplated making a run for it. If he left right now, he could get away from here. If asked later, he could pretend he had not received the message. No, he had already been seen; that was no good.

Still... if some kind of powerplay was going on here, should Neji walk into the lion's den?

They weren't really considering Hinata over him, were they?

If they were, what could he do? Argue his case, he supposed. Stall for time while he got a different mission? Or he could run. Ditch this entire clan and go...

Where?

Neji knew no one outside of his clan. He hadn't made any friends in his mission, aside from those on it with him. What could he do?

Well, what ought he to do?

Neji had a duty to his clan. He had been ordered to come here, and he ought to heed the order. Father would listen to him, surely.

"Lee," said Neji. "Would you kindly go meet with any friends you might have in the household?"

"Would you rather I stay with you?" asked Lee.

"It doesn't seem we'll be making much of an entrance anyway," said Neji. "It's probably best if you don't seem close to me anyway, given my apparent... reputation."

"Are you alright?" asked Lee.

"I am fine," said Neji. "Go."

Lee moved, but Neji caught him by the shoulder suddenly. "Oh, and Lee..."

"Yes?" asked Lee.

"I would appreciate it if you could put a favorable spin on my conduct during the mission," said Neji. "I would rather my family not think I was actively trying to get them killed."

Lee nodded and left.

Neji walked after him at a deliberately slow pace. He was in no hurry to get home anymore. After all his effort, it did not seem he was going to be given heroes welcome. Because, of course, he wasn't; he hadn't been on a combat mission. Neji hadn't killed anyone at all, just snuck around unnoticed.

No stories were told of his deeds. Nothing dramatic anyway, and no one really liked him much anyway, to begin with.

"Wow, Neji, how you've grown?" said a familiar, sweet voice as he passed the gate.

Neji glanced back to see her. Hinata had grown up a great deal since the last time they'd met. She was taller and more curvaceous. Neji could see no sign of scars on her, and her black hair was far longer.

"Hinata," said Neji. "What are you doing back here?"

"Father recalled me for the succession, of course. I guess he must have called you as well," said Hinata.

"Well, obviously," said Neji. "I am the heir until Father changes his mind." Which he probably already had. There was no way this kind of lopsided perception could have been done without Father.

He'd always liked Hinata best.

"Of course," said Hinata, moving forward. "So I read your reports, all of them."

"How nice for you," said Neji. He was going to be branded, wasn't he? This entire this was just a trap.

"Didn't you read mine, Neji?" asked Hinata with a smile. "I killed six enemy ninja on the field of battle yesterday. Two Abarame, four Inuzuki."

"No one has been sending me reports, Hinata," said Neji, the fact more than suspicious enough. "I was on a long-term mission. What if I'd been captured?" No one had been allowed to send him letters either as if to ensure he couldn't talk with others. Not that there was anyone who would have wanted to.

"Oh, I see," said Hinata. "Well, I'm sure Father will like to hear all about it."

Dead silence.

Hinata knew what was going on here. Either she was here to gloat, or she was actually trying to connect. This was probably the last time one of them was going to be able to speak frankly to the other.

"I should meet with him," said Neji.

He couldn't get away now, could he? Walking into the main keep, he was greeted and welcomed by no one. The servants were no doubt in no hurry to be seen taking sides in succession. But it would have been nice for someone to at least acknowledge he had returned.

Eventually, he came to Father's office, where he and Hinata had always been trained to be very quiet. He knocked.

Silence came in.

"Enter," said a voice.

Neji opened the door and walked in. Father was much the same, shifting through the paperwork. He looked up and looked surprised to see Neji. Apparently, no one had told him, or he was surprised he'd been allowed entrance. "...Neji, you've returned."

"I have, as you requested," said Neji, having the feeling he'd been sent out to get him out of the way. "I trust my reports have been satisfactory?"

"More than satisfactory," said Father, looking back to his paperwork. "Hinata was very pleased with the results."

Silence.

"Excuse me?" asked Neji.

Hizashi Hyuga looked up in irritation. "Hinata briefly met Hashirama some time ago and was impressed by him. He is a rising star among the Senju, a very powerful Clan. She expressed to me an interest in learning more about him. She believed his power was greater than believed.

"As such, you were dispatched to observe him. And, when her theory proved correct, the mission was extended."

This was too much. "Am I to understand that I have just spent two years away from home because of some private fancy of Hinata's?" asked Neji. "I have been living in the wilderness, losing companions left and right. My skills at combat have ceased advancing because I have had to focus wholly on stealth.

"My reputation has been slandered for this..."

"It may have been a private whim; however, it quickly became more than that," said Hizashi, not sounding apologetic. "Your reports on his powers and abilities were very in-depth. And, having succeeded so well, we chose to keep you on the job.

"Your reports improved in quality and ended up giving us a great depth of knowledge of Madara as well. In addition, you gave us insight into their troop movements while avoiding detection. You seem to be an infiltration genius."

Genius.

He said the word as if meant to mollify Neji. It did not. "Father, I have been away from home for two years! I haven't been able to learn techniques that other children my age have mastered long ago! I have lived in the wilderness, with my only human company people who would kill me if I ever revealed myself. I've seen my companions die over and over...

"My reputation is destroyed! I came back, and I'm not even met or acknowledged!

"And all this time, Hinata has been gaining glory on the battlefield...

"I did all of this on your orders! And you just wanted me out of the way!"

"You overstep yourself," said Hizashi. "Your sister is a genius, the likes of which the clan has not seen in generations. Each person in the clan has a destiny that they were born for and must obey.

"You will obey it."

Neji almost told him to go to hell. Almost. However, he knew that would not benefit him. "...You mean to put the Caged Bird Seal on my forehead, don't you?"

Hizashi shifted. "Your service in observing the Senju and Uchiha has been invaluable. However, only the heir to the Hyuga Clan can be free of it. And the heir must be powerful in battle, as your sister is."

"If my sister is more powerful than I am, it is because you squandered my talents!" said Neji.

"You never had her talent," said Hizashi.

"I might have!" said Neji. "I could have improved on the battlefield or unlocked new skills! Or found some way to make my style work for me. But I never had a chance to do those things or prove myself!

"So I sought to prove myself with the opportunities you gave me! And now you are condemning me to slavery without ever giving me the chance to fight!"

Hizashi paused. He seemed to be contemplating how best to respond, how it would benefit the Clan most. "...Very well then.

"I will give you the opportunity to prove yourself. You will fight with your sister, and, depending on your showing, I may hold off the decision."

It was the best Neji was going to get. He bowed, choked back his feelings, and spoke, "Thank you, Father."

"You are dismissed," said Hizashi.

Not even a welcome home.

The next few days were like waiting for his own execution. Neji attempted to brush up his taijutsu, but his technique had gone weak. A number of basic errors needed fixing.

It wouldn't have mattered.

Neji was going to lose. If he were tasked with assassinating her, perhaps he could have caught her off guard. But this was going to be single combat. Everyone knew it as well. No one spoke to him, and the instructors were polite and cold. Father said nothing to him.

"What am I doing?" thought Neji to himself. "Hinata has actual combat experience. The most I've done is dodge projectiles that weren't aimed at me. No, no, I don't necessarily need to win.

"Just impress Father.

"I'm fast on my feet, so I need to stay mobile. I just hope I've managed to stay in practice."

Neji thought about leaving. Of trying to make a run for it, but he picked up on guards watching him. He began to suspect that Father, no, Hizashi, had intended to have Neji fight Hinata all this time. It would make an ideal way of proving her superiority. Hizashi hadn't actually given him anything. He'd just let Neji walk to his humiliation with the illusion of a concession.

And, in the end, the day came, and Neji faced off against her. He took a flexible, mobile stance, and she did the same. Hinata was smiling, however. "So, brother, I'm told you want to fight me?

"I'm not really sure that's a good idea.

"You really should forfeit, Neji."

The match began, and Neji charged. Hinata took her stance; however, as Neji neared her, he rolled to one side. Bringing around a leg, he tried to kick her legs out from under her. However, she instantly shifted and tried to strike at him. The blow neared him but slowed as it came at him.

Neji knocked it aside anyway.

She could have ended it right there. Even so, she'd slowed her assault and let him move away. Attempting another attack, Neji struck with the Gentle Fist. Hinata, in turn, struck back, and they dueled.

Not that it was ever a contest.

Hinata was doing the same thing Hashirama did to Madara, remain a little bit above him at all times out of courtesy. Hinata was deliberately drawing out the match. The reason was somewhat ambiguous. Either it was to humiliate him or give him a better showing. Perhaps both.

It didn't matter. Neji focused on trying to land even a single hit. If he could take her off guard...

"Your stance is a bit clumsy, you know," said Hinata. "I suppose you haven't had much time to practice, given your talent for avoiding fights.

"I feel a bit responsible for that."

Neji drew back.

This wasn't working. "If my stance is clumsy, then feel free to knock me from it."

"If you want," said Hinata.

The rate at which she moved was fast. Very fast, comparable even to Hashirama and Madara at lower levels. As the blow went in for his legs, Neji knew he wouldn't have time to stop it. So instead, as his legs were kicked out from under him, he caught himself on his hands and sprang back.

Even as he moved, however, Hinata was behind him. Turning to strike, he found their faces inches apart. His hand hit her in the torso, and he sent his chakra through it. "Hmm, you're keeping a mobile stance against me to try and capitalize on the skills you did learn. But I've faced opponents with similar styles before and greater taijutsu.

"Check your wrist."

Looking at his wrist, Neji stepped back. "I..."

"I've sealed your chakra points, Neji. You can't use gentle fist anymore," said Hinata.

"Shut up," said Neji.

No, no, this couldn't be happening. Neji realized that everything was going exactly as he expected it to. He could not become a member of the Branch Clan; he could not become a slave. He attacked violently, punching and kicking.

However, Hinata moved aside from his blows easily.

"Are you sure you should be attacking like this?" asked Hinata. "I don't want to injure you, Neji."

"Shut up! Just kill me!" said Neji. "I will not be marked with the Caged Bird Seal! I won't be remembered for this! Kill me, Hinata! Just kill me and save me the dishonor! Say I died on the way home, just don't let-"

And then Hinata slammed a hand against his chest. As she did, Neji could feel his entire body going numb as he slumped over her shoulder. For a moment, Hinata dropped her mask. "Sorry, I think I'd rather keep you.

"You won't come to any harm, I promise you."

Neji fell backward and reflected that Hinata truly was a master of the Byakugan. From the moment he'd walked in the gates, he hadn't had a chance.