A/N: A little Hanabi drabble, edited version, originally part of a drabble collection known as 'Quietly.'

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

universally despised

At eight years old, Hanabi slams the flat heel of her palm into Hinata's chest, smacking the older, heavier girl to the floor. She takes three fast, panting breaths, and bows to their on looking father.

She turns fast enough to fully see the flash of disappointment in his eyes, before he nods once, jerkily, and strides out of the room. Her narrow chest rising and falling sharply, Hanabi offers her hand to Hinata, who lies like a crumpled flower on the dojo's floor.

After a minute, she lets her hand fall back to her side, and silently pads away.

She doesn't think anyone would be rude enough to have their Byakugan activated while indoors, and so after she has shut the door to her room, she leans against it.

Why?!

Why did everyone want for her to loose?!

Hanabi's eyes stay wide and dry, toes curling reflexively against the floor, before she sits on her bed, tucking her legs into the lotus position, and breathing deeply.

She would show them.

She would show all those liars, who preached their equality, but still expected the untalented firstborn as the heir—would scream for her birthright, demand Hanabi's brow be marked.

She shudders, and then relaxes, focusing on her breathing.

There is a knock on the door, just after she has managed to achieve tranquility. Almost lazily, Hanabi opens her eyes. "What?"

It is Neji who enters, Neji whose voice is like the bitter wind, and whose all seeing eyes tear into her, 'You should suffer as I do.'

"Your rematch will be tomorrow, same time and place," he informs her in a quiet, barely-contained voice. She used to be afraid of Neji, when she was younger.

(he was like the villain in all of her nightmares, the clawed hand that dragged her by the ankle down to failure and imprisonment)

There had been a rematch running the past four years, as soon as Hanabi had dared to win in a fight. She nodded once, boldly meeting his eyes. "I understand," she says with all the formality and dignity she can muster, "Thank you for telling me."

Neji looks at her like everyone does, and it with malice that he says, "You know what will happen if you loose."

(even if she closes her eyes, he won't disappear)

"I know."