On the edge of the Hyuuga compound, away from the strict training fields and endless lectures about clan pride, two boys were chasing each other through a patch of open grass. One had long dark hair and pale eyes — unmistakably a Hyuuga. The other had short, messy indigo hair, smooth fair skin, and a mischievous glint in his deep blue eyes.
"Neji-niisan! This time I'm gonna catch you and beat you up!" yelled Haruki, puffing as he tried to close the distance.
"In your dreams, Haruki," Neji shouted over his shoulder with a smirk, picking up speed like it was nothing.
Haruki's little legs pumped as fast as they could go, arms flailing like he'd seen grown-up ninja do. "I'm serious! You better slow down or—aaah!"
He tripped over a tree root and faceplanted straight into the grass.
Neji skidded to a stop and turned around. "You okay?" he asked, walking back.
Haruki pushed himself up with a small sniffle and wiped his face. "M'fine," he mumbled. "That was a sneak attack from the ground."
Neji chuckled and offered his hand. "Well, the ground wins again."
Haruki took it and pulled himself up, only to point dramatically at his brother. "I'm still gonna beat you one day. You better not get old before I get strong."
Neji grinned. "I won't. I'll just keep getting stronger, too."
Haruki scowled, but started walking back to the open patch of grass. "I almost had you that time…"
Then he flopped down with a groan, arms splayed like a squashed starfish. "Hah… hah… you're way too fast…"
Neji plopped down next to him, barely winded. "I'm training with Father now. I gotta get stronger if I'm gonna protect our family."
Haruki turned his head. "Lucky. Father said he'll start training me after I turn three."
"That's next week," Neji said, brushing grass off his sleeve. "Just wait. He's not gonna go easy on you."
"Good," Haruki said proudly, puffing out his chest even while lying down. "I'm strong. I can do it. Even if I fall on my face again."
Neji raised an eyebrow. "You fell three times today."
"I was going fast!"
"Right into a bush."
"I was testing its defense!" Haruki insisted, waving a tiny hand. "And it failed. I got through."
Neji rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "You're weird."
"Takes one to know one."
Neji tilted his head. "Is that supposed to be an insult?"
"Nope," Haruki said with a grin. "It's a compliment."
There was a pause before Haruki sat up again, wiping his brow. "By the way, what're you getting me for my birthday?"
"That's a surprise."
"Oh come on, I won't tell Father. I swear."
Neji gave him a look. "You literally told me you were gonna 'beat me up' five minutes ago."
Haruki blinked. "Yeah, but that was before I remembered there might be cake involved."
Neji facepalmed. "It's your surprise. Why would I tell you?"
"…Good point," Haruki admitted, then poked Neji's arm. "But you better get me something cool. Like ninja weapons. Or a frog. A big one."
"I'm not giving you a frog."
"You don't know that yet," Haruki said smugly.
"I do know that. You'd probably lose it in the bath or name it something dumb like 'Captain Leapy.'"
Haruki gasped, scandalized. "That's a great name!"
"Exactly."
Haruki laughed and rolled over in the grass. "When I get older, I'm gonna be the strongest ninja ever. Then I'll get you a frog. One with a sword. And armor."
Neji gave a short snort. "What would a frog do with armor?"
"Fight crime."
There was a beat of silence.
"You're ridiculous," Neji muttered.
"I know," Haruki said cheerfully.
A voice called from the distance — calm and firm.
"Neji. Haruki. It's almost dusk. Let's go."
Their father, Hizashi Hyuuga, stood nearby with his arms crossed and a faint smile. He looked the same as always — tall, composed, with the kind of presence that made people straighten their backs without thinking.
"Coming, Father!" they both shouted and jogged over.
Haruki, a step behind Neji, slowed his pace once they fell in line beside their father. His excitement dulled a little as they walked through the compound — not because he was tired, but because he could feel the shift in the air.
The cheerful mood started to fade.
Whispers followed them. Quiet but sharp.
"That's the one, right? Hizashi-sama's younger son…"
"…The one without the Byakugan."
"A Hyuuga without our eyes? Shameful."
"If it weren't for Hizashi-sama, the elders would've cast him out already."
The whispers didn't stop. Haruki's fists clenched at his sides, but he didn't say anything. He just stared straight ahead, willing himself not to cry, not in front of them. Not again.
Neji glanced at him, frowning.
He didn't say anything either, but he moved just slightly closer — close enough that their shoulders brushed.
Hizashi said nothing. He didn't even flinch. But his jaw tightened slightly as they kept walking.
Once home, Hizashi told them to get cleaned up. "Haruki, you first."
"Okay," Haruki said quickly, heading toward the bath. But halfway down the hall, he paused — Neji's voice caught his attention.
"Father," Neji asked quietly, "why doesn't Haruki have the Byakugan?"
Haruki stayed just out of sight, heart thudding.
[Hizashi's POV]
I looked at Neji. He was so young, but he saw everything. Just like his uncle Hiashi — sharp eyes, sharper mind.
"I knew you'd ask someday," I said, setting down my tea.
"Haruki is my son, just like you. But when he was born… the elders noticed immediately. His eyes were different. Blue, like the ocean."
Neji stayed quiet.
"The doctor said it was some kind of rare mutation — not illness, not injury. Just… something that didn't develop like ours did. A break in the inheritance line. His chakra network formed in a way that didn't allow the Byakugan to awaken. It's not his fault."
"…But the others say he's cursed."
I sighed. "They're fools. Obsessed with bloodlines. They act like the Byakugan is the only thing that matters."
Neji frowned. "Do you… wish he was different?"
"No," I said immediately. "He's my son. My real son. And he's already special — Byakugan or not."
There was a silence. Then I heard soft footsteps — and a sniffle.
Haruki was standing in the hallway, rubbing his eyes.
"Haruki," I said gently. "How long have you been listening?"
He looked down. "A while…"
"Come here."
He walked over slowly — then suddenly dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice shaking. "I didn't mean to be born like this… I didn't mean to mess everything up…"
I knelt down and pulled him into a hug.
"Stop that. You didn't mess anything up. You're not broken."
"But… everyone says I'm not a real Hyuuga…"
"Do you think I care what they say?" I asked. "You're strong. You're smart. And you're kind. That's more important than any bloodline."
Haruki sniffled. "Even without the Byakugan… I can still become strong?"
"Of course," I said. "Stronger than me. Maybe even stronger than Neji."
"Hey!" Neji said from the other side of the room, trying to look offended.
Haruki smiled through his tears. "Then I'll train extra hard. I'll be the best ninja ever, even without fancy eyes."
I ruffled his hair. "That's the spirit."
Later that night, after bath time and dinner, the house was quiet. Haruki had fallen asleep halfway through a storybook, curled up next to Neji.
I stood by the door for a moment, watching them sleep.
Two brothers. So different. But both mine.
The clan could whisper all they wanted.
They'd see the truth someday.
............
Yo! It's been a while, huh?
I know this fic has been on hiatus for a bit, and chances are most of you might not even remember it. So I figured—why not give it a fresh start? I've decided to do a complete rewrite to fix some of the issues that were bugging me and (hopefully) make the story more enjoyable this time around.
I'd love to hear what you think of the new direction. Feel free to drop your suggestions, comments, or even wild theories!
Let's make this fun.