Haruki stirred under the thin summer blanket, the faint rustling of shoji doors and distant voices tugging him from sleep. His eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the paper screens.
The house was already buzzing.
He could hear movement in the halls—hurried footsteps, the swish of robes, the occasional clang of kitchenware. Something important was happening. For a moment, he lay still, watching the dust dance in the sunlight.
Then it clicked.
"Oh yeah… it's Hinata-sama's birthday," he mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
She was turning four today.
Haruki sat up, hair sticking up like it had argued with the pillow all night. He swung his feet to the floor. The wood was cool beneath his toes. A small, crooked smile tugged at his lips as he remembered Hinata—not the quiet, noble daughter of the Main Family, but the girl who once offered him her rice cracker when she thought no one was looking.
He didn't even like rice crackers that much. But she was kind.
"Her birthday… then mine next week," he said to no one in particular, a quiet excitement fluttering in his chest. Three years old. That meant training would begin. Chakra. Ninjas. Everything he'd been waiting for.
He pulled on his pale blue summer yukata—simple and clean, with a dark sash tied around his middle. His sandals made soft sounds as he padded toward the outer corridor, curious to see how the clan was preparing.
Flower arrangements were already being placed along the stone walkways. Servants moved in and out of the side halls, carrying folded silks and trays covered with cloth. A few clan members were straightening lanterns and hanging streamers between trees—soft-colored ones, like the kind Neji-niisan once said looked like festival ribbons.
Haruki lingered at the edge of the walkway, just out of the way. He didn't say anything—didn't want to interrupt—but his gaze drifted from person to person, hoping someone might notice him. Smile. Say something kind.
A Hyuuga elder passed by, slowing slightly when he caught sight of Haruki standing there.
His pale eyes narrowed.
"You," the elder said, voice clipped. "Don't loiter. Go find something useful to do."
Haruki blinked.
His little hands clenched for a second at his sides. His cheeks felt hot. He wanted to snap back, but instead, he just gave a small nod.
"…Yes, Elder."
The man snorted quietly and walked off.
Haruki let out a breath and looked down at the pebbled path. "Jerk," he muttered, then turned and walked away.
He tried not to let it bother him.
Later that afternoon, after most of the prep was done and the house had quieted, Haruki found Neji in one of the open garden corridors, watching the breeze stir the hanging decorations. Haruki climbed up beside him without a word.
"You okay?" Neji asked after a moment.
Haruki gave a shrug.
"That elder again?"
Haruki didn't answer, but his silence was enough. Neji sighed.
"Don't mind them," he said. "They don't see everything."
Haruki glanced sideways. "You waiting for Hinata-sama?"
Neji nodded. "She's with her mother. They'll be here soon."
Haruki smiled. "You're not mad anymore?"
Neji gave him a look.
"…A little."
Haruki laughed, bumping his shoulder lightly. "Well, you can call me when she comes. I'll go look around for a bit."
Neji nodded, eyes flicking toward the distant gate.
By the time evening settled in, the Hyuuga estate had transformed.
Paper lanterns glowed soft yellow and orange along the paths. Streamers swayed between the trees. Servants moved through the halls carrying trays of dumplings and tea, while guests from other clans began to arrive—some in fancy robes, others just neat enough, but all looking kind of important.
Haruki stepped out after getting cleaned up and dressed, tugging a little at the sash of his yukata. Everything looked so colorful now—bright and warm and busy. He glanced around, gave a small, uncertain wave to no one in particular, and started walking, heart fluttering a bit from the crowd and all the new voices.
He wasn't sure where to go next, but the scent of grilled mochi and sweet dumplings tugged at him. His feet wandered almost on their own, weaving between guests and colorful banners until he reached the food area.
That's when he saw them.
Three kids, sitting near one of the low tables set out beside the stalls. Two boys and a girl, all about his age.
One of the boys had round cheeks and short brown hair, currently munching on a skewer of dumplings like it was the best thing he'd ever eaten. The other had messy black hair, hands stuffed in his pockets, slouched like he'd rather be anywhere else. The girl, with shoulder-length pale blonde hair, was frowning at both of them.
"Choji! You're gonna eat everything before anyone else gets here."
"Mmrf—'m not," the round one said through a full mouth.
"Ew. Don't talk like that."
Haruki lingered off to the side, unsure whether to walk up or not.
They looked like they were having fun—more fun than most of the stiff Hyuuga children who usually ignored him.
He hesitated, brushing his fingers over the edge of his sleeve. Then, quietly, he stepped closer.
"Um… hi," he said. "I was just walking around. I saw you all sitting here, and… I don't really know many people, so I was wondering if I could… maybe sit with you?"
The girl turned first, blinking. "You're from the Hyuuga, right?"
Haruki nodded. "I'm Hyuuga Haruki."
Her eyes brightened. "I'm Yamanaka Ino," she said, brushing a hand through her hair like she was used to introductions. "That's Akimichi Choji—he's always eating—and that's Nara Shikamaru."
Choji waved, still chewing. "H'lo."
Shikamaru gave a lazy nod. "Yo. Sure, sit if you want. Too much trouble to say no."
Haruki chuckled and sat beside them. It felt weird—but a good kind of weird—to be welcomed like that.
"You eat anything yet?" Ino asked.
"Not much."
"Here," Choji said, handing him a skewer of grilled mochi without hesitation. "My dad says parties are for stuffing your face."
Haruki grinned. "Thanks."
As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, drifting from food to silly stories and back again.
"You don't have the Byakugan?" Ino asked at one point, curiosity bright in her eyes. "I thought all Hyuuga had it."
Haruki glanced down at his hands. "Most do," he said quietly. "I wasn't born with it."
"Oh," she said, not unkindly. "That's kind of different."
He nodded. "People look at me weird sometimes."
Choji swallowed and offered him a rice ball from a small plate. "Want one? My dad says parties are for eating until your belly hurts."
Haruki gave a soft laugh. "Thanks."
"Are you gonna be a ninja too?" Ino asked as he took a bite.
"Mm-hmm," Haruki said, mouth half full. "I start training after my birthday."
"That's soon?" Shikamaru asked, arms behind his head.
"Next week," Haruki said, a little proud.
Haruki felt warm inside, sitting there with them. For once, not just watching from the edge.
They talked about food, weird clan rules, and the way grown-ups always whispered when they thought kids weren't listening.
"I heard my dad say the Uchiha are super serious," Ino said, lowering her voice like it was a big secret.
Shikamaru snorted. "You're not supposed to say that out loud."
"I didn't say it! My dad did!" she said, grinning. "I'm just… telling you what I heard."
Haruki tilted his head. "Are they really that serious?"
Ino nodded. "Like, never-smile serious. I bet even their birthdays are boring."
Shikamaru sighed. "Too much trouble to care."
Choji reached for another dumpling. "Do you think they even know how to smile?"
"My clan doesn't smile either," Haruki offered, poking at the edge of his rice ball.
"Yeah, the Hyuuga all look like they're sucking lemons," Ino said, then blinked. "Oh—sorry. I didn't mean you."
Haruki shrugged. "It's kinda true."
That made them all laugh.
"Do they make you train already?" Shikamaru asked after a while, flopping onto his back.
"Not yet," Haruki said. "But soon. My birthday's next week."
"Ugh. My mom keeps talking about chakra stuff," Ino groaned. "I tried meditating once. I just fell asleep."
Choji nodded. "Same."
Haruki smiled faintly. "My dad makes me sit really still sometimes. Says it helps."
He trailed off, voice going quiet. Something about that word—chakra—tugged at a thread in his thoughts.
A quiet evening, dim with candlelight. Hizashi kneeling beside him. Their palms pressed together."Your chakra is different, Haruki," his father had said. "Not bad — just unusual. Most people have pathways like rivers. Yours are more like scattered streams. Harder to guide, but flexible. Unique.""Is that why I don't have the Byakugan?""Maybe. But it could also mean you'll find your own way of seeing the world."
The words hadn't sounded scary. Just thoughtful.
Haruki blinked, snapping back to the present.
"Hey," Ino said, waving a dumpling in front of his face. "You zoned out."
"Sorry," Haruki muttered, rubbing his nose. "Was thinking about something."
"Must be top secret," Shikamaru yawned. "He had that serious face."
"Probably thinking about what jutsu he's gonna learn first," Ino grinned. "Watch out—Haruki's gonna become the Lemon Hyuuga and sour everyone to death!"
Haruki couldn't help it—he laughed. "Then you'll all have to bow before my sour powers."
"Only if you share your dango," Choji mumbled through a full mouth.
They all burst out laughing.
And just like that, Haruki forgot he'd ever felt out of place at all.
The laughter faded into soft giggles as the lanterns glowed warmer in the golden evening light.
Haruki leaned back, still smiling. "I should go. My dad and Neji-niisan are waiting."
"Ooh, big kid stuff," Ino teased.
"You better not trip on the way," Shikamaru muttered, barely lifting his head.
"I won't," Haruki said with a grin, brushing off his yukata. "Probably."
Choji waved, his mouth full again. "Bye, Haruki."
He gave a little wave back. "See you."
As he walked off, his steps felt a bit lighter, like the warmth of that moment was still sticking to his sleeves.
Not bad for a birthday party he thought he'd just be watching from the side.
Neji was waiting near one of the garden paths, arms crossed and wearing that usual serious face. Hizashi stood next to him, holding a small gift box under one arm.
"There you are," Neji said, raising an eyebrow. "What took you so long?"
Haruki shrugged. "Made some friends."
Hizashi glanced at him, and even though he didn't smile, his expression eased a little. He handed over the box.
"Think she'll like it?" Haruki asked.
"She will," Hizashi said simply. "Ready?"
Haruki nodded.
The three of them turned and started walking back toward the main hall—quiet steps under glowing lanterns, voices and laughter drifting in the distance.
Just the three of them, for now. But something warm flickered quietly inside him — like a little spark still glowing.