This is my very first.. Chapter based fanfic. And also my very first fanfic on this site. I welcome comments and criticism. But I don't tolerate bashing. Critiquing DOES NOT mean bashing.

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me. If it did… it wouldn't even be about Naruto. It would be about Neji and Hinata.

I hope you enjoy! 

Neji: Reina, why do you love to see me with Hinata-sama?

Me: Ummm... Well there are lots of reasons. She completes you, Neji-kun!

Neji: You've been watching too much Jerry McGuire.

Me: Ehh... True. But that's beside the point. You don't like your beautiful cousin?

Neji: I didn't say that. It's just I'm surprised you are into …

Me: Incest?

Neji: Yes… you are American right? I here most of you American's are close minded buffoons unable to understand differences in cultures.

Me: Well I can't argue with you on that. But not all Americans are like that. Some have the ability to understand … others don't… its just the vast majority chooses to be ignorant…

Neji: Well I'm glad you aren't in that majority

Me: Believe me Neji-kun, me too!

Neji: Would you marry your cousin, Reina?

Me: HELL NO!!!

Neji: --'so much for open mindedness.

Me: … ' Now on with the ficcy! YAY!

The White-eyed Angel

By Esmereina

"Did you ever think we would be like this, Hinata-sama?"

Neji pondered aloud as he looked upon Hinata with a soft, gentle expression. She didn't know how to respond to that. But she had to admit she was wondering the same thing.

From their very first meeting they were instant companions. At 4 yrs old, Neji had fallen in love with an angel named Hinata. He never understood why he loved her so much. Nor did he understand his incredible need to protect her and stay by her side. It never bothered him that his purpose was to get the cursed seal and protect her, his white-eyed angel. He loved watching her in her daily activities. Whenever she would spar with her father, Neji was there on the sidelines silently cheering her on. 'Ganbatte, Hinata-sama' He always thought.

Oh yes. She is also his first cousin. Not to mention their fathers are twins which would make him sort of her "half-brother". He winced at the notion of him being so directly related to the most beautiful girl in the world. But one look into her calm, soothing milky white eyes and all those feelings of disgust melted away. He was certain that he was born to be with her and it didn't matter that they were related. 'Thank Kami-sama that I was born into a clan that is ok with cousins marrying each other' Neji thought happily. He never told Hinata his true feelings for her. The reason being he was too young to understand it himself. All he knew it that he wanted her in his arms. That's what made him happy. Hinata felt very much the same for him and she enjoyed being close with him. She admired who he was and he made her happy too. But with all happy beginnings there are always problems around the corner.

Unfortunately, Neji's father, Hizashi, died when Neji was 7. All at once the world crashed on top of his helpless body. Yes, everyone considered him a genius. He had already mastered a few of the main house techniques. He was definitely strong for a boy his age. But nothing could have prepared him for the death of his father. He felt alone and weak. And the beautiful white-eyed angel slowly disappeared from his mind. More like locked away in his mind. He refused to let her out now. He without realizing began to blame Hinata for his father's death. He outwardly blamed the Main house and usually kept to himself. However, he took out his anger on her. He vowed to be even stronger. He would do it in hopes of one day avenging his father's death. And so his hate for Hinata grew. Their friendship gradually faded into nothingness. Now Hinata is the one to feel alone.

There was nothing she could do. It hurt her so much to lose her most precious friend. But she could never hate him for this. She knew he loved his father very much and it's only natural for a boy his age to react this way. 'I don't blame him, I miss uncle too' Hinata would silently pray at night before going to bed. 'Kami-sama please set Neji free. He doesn't deserve to be a caged bird'. This is what Hinata prayed for Neji every night even though he wouldn't even acknowledge her presence anymore. Whether or not they could be together again, it didn't matter to her. All she wanted was for Neji to find happiness once again. Although she hopes that he would one day share that happiness with her. Ofcourse, even this thought she ended up locking away. It was looking to be impossible for Neji to even see her now.

One day on her first day of school she encountered a yellow haired loud mouth named Naruto. She noticed how no one was speaking to him. She wondered why. She overheard someone talking about him being the Kyuubi demon and urging the other one to stay away from him. Hinata couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Later on in the day, she noticed him training. She saw how determined he was to become stronger no matter what. 'He doesn't want to give up, he is amazing' she thought while hiding behind a tree nearby. If only she would have that determination. A small faint blush crept on her cheeks and she had found someone else to admire.

We fast forward to the chuunin exams. For the first time since his father's death, Neji had acknowledged Hinata's presence. Although it wasn't necessarily a good thing. Several times during other matches he would glance at her. Hinata would catch those glances and suddenly get nervous and try to look away. But she couldn't avoid his gazes. 'Oh Kami-sama please don't pair me up with him. He is still angry with me' She silently prayed. At this point she wasn't exactly sure why she is even trying to be a Chuunin. She knows she is weak. But she wants to change herself so bad. If she could just push herself farther then she can prove everyone wrong. She will be strong. Naruto was watching her also. This gave her an extra push to keep going.

The fates weren't on her side today. The stupid computer paired her up with Neji. She felt his eyes on her. It was as though they were burning a hole into her trying to kill her spirit inside her.

"Hinata-sama, forfeit the match. It is obvious what the outcome will be" Neji calmly yet coldly said.

This is the first time in a long time that Neji spoke to her. But why did it have to be in this situation? Is there a reason, Kami-sama? Well no matter what. Hinata was determined to not run away. She still loved her cousin. Maybe not in the same way she used to. But she can never forget her precious friend, regardless of the circumstances.

"Neji-nii-san, let us fight" Hinata responded.

The result was obvious. After many blows to the heart, Hinata collapsed. She landed some blows to Neji but they weren't as strong as his blows to her. She knew she wouldn't win against him but she didn't want to back away from it. Although she lost, she gained strength within herself. 'I wonder… why Neji-niisan didn't instantly kill me' she thought. It was so simple for him to just do one hard blow straight for her heart and she would have died automatically. 'Why Neji-niisan… does this mean somewhere inside your mind. You still care for me?' Hinata couldn't help but wonder. No that's impossible. She couldn't find any other explanation. But she didn't want to trouble herself over something she wasn't sure of.

After the final chunnin exam where Neji was defeated by Naruto, Neji started to feel guilty about his past actions with Hinata. His uncle, Hiashi, had explained to him to truth about what happened to his father. He didn't believe it at first but then Hiashi handed him a scroll that had his father's handwriting on it. After reading it, Neji wept. Neji cried not just for his father, but also for his cousin. At the same time, the weight that held his heart down to the ground was finally lifted. He could breathe again. He felt free. Free from anger and suffering. 'So father chose to die for his brother, ne?' Neji thought sullenly.

That's when it suddenly hit him. He was so stupid. How could he forget his promise to protect Hinata-sama. He nearly killed her! Neji felt his stomach turn as he felt disgusted with himself for forgetting about the white-eyed angel…his white-eyed angel. 'I don't know if Hinata-sama will ever forgive me for this. I wouldn't even forgive myself. But I have to try to apologize to her.' Neji thought.

And off he went to find Hinata-sama.

There my first chapter. This is more like a prologue but you get the idea. I tend to write based on actual events that happened and tweak it up a bit. The next chapter will just stick to dialogue between the two.

Ja Ne!