Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
.:.-_Meet With Me_-.:.
Hinata was actually a little scared. Neji had asked to meet her, in the woods somewhere. Hinata wasn't sure how her cousin felt about her anymore - if he still hated her or not, but he seemed to be getting along with the Main House members a little better recently. His request to meet with her had been a little sudden. He said that he wanted to... talk. And he had said it just like that, with the dotdotdots and everything. But what was that supposed to mean? He had never wanted to "talk" with her before. Did he really want something else? What if he still hated her? What if he wanted to hurt her, lead her away from home and.... No. She really didn't think that Neji would do something like that. Maybe.
So, scared or not, she had agreed to go, because Hinata was herself, and she couldn't refuse something like that to someone's face, even if it was her scary cousin who had almost killed her in the Chunin exams. And heart pounding, she made her way through the tress now, knowing that every step she took brought her closer to him, and she had no idea what he wanted. Why couldn't she just change her mind? Why did she always have to do things like this to herself? She could just turn around and go home, as anyone else in her shoes probably would have done... but Hinata had promised, and she always felt bound by promises. How exhausting.
Then she saw him. His back was to her, leaning against a tree while he waited. For a moment, Hinata wasn't sure how she should announce her presence to him, but then he turned to face her with those serious pale eyes of his. The look on his face made her breath catch in her throat - his face looked as if it had been carved out of stone. Maybe he really was angry. Maybe he really did want to hurt her. But Hinata wouldn't allow something like that. Would she have the strength to actually fight back in such an unexpected situation?
"Y-yes?" she whispered, and cleared her throat. She didn't like that her voice sounded so weak all the time. People probably thought it was annoying.
Neji didn't say anything, and she watched as he walked over to her in silence, until he stood directly in front of her. Neji had grown taller since the exams - she had to tilt her head back the tiniest bit to look at his face. For a moment, he just stared at her, frowning, and Hinata couldn't breathe. She was sure that he was going to do something, something she wouldn't like. He was going to hurt her again.
A small sound of panic escaped her throat, when he rather suddenly set his arms around her, and she jumped slightly, sure that he was going to hurt her. But all he did was hold her close, and Hinata felt her eyes grow so wide with shock and bewilderment. Finally, he released her grip, but Hinata hadn't found her joints yet, and when he let go she nearly collapsed. "What- what was that?" she asked, steadying herself.
And Neji smiled. "You looked so frightened of me."
Hinata blushed as his words sank in, and suddenly she felt terribly foolish. "I-I'm sorry," she said with a tiny smile. Really, she was relieved. Maybe he really did just want to talk.
Neji's own smile stretched, a little bit, and he reached out and touched her hair. Hinata's eyes widened a little, and her entire body froze. Suddenly Neji was leaning closer, his face to hers, and she couldn't move. He stole a quick kiss, and Hinata thought that she might faint. Okay, so maybe he didn't just want to talk.
They stood there for a moment, and Hinata didn't realize that Neji was the only reason why she was still standing - he was holding her so that she wouldn't fall over. Finally, she let out a loud sigh, and asked, "What- why did you do that?"
He smiled again. "Because you're beautiful," he replied simply.
And Hinata lost consciousness.