Hey people. Here's my second chapter (after such a long wait). I apologize for the delay. I would like to thank all my devoted readers and reviewers. I hope I replied to everyone x.x I have a hard time keeping it straight. I never thought that this story would get so much praise and support! It's amazing. This chapter is kinda fun, not my best...but I try. I'd also like to thank Megamanxx for being my beta! Megamanxx apologizes for any errors, as they are his fault (no they are NOT mine, he just puts them in there sometimes for fun . ). Well, I bet you want to see what happens next!!! (probably not, since it's been such a long time that you are like "...oh" when you get it in your alerts, "I'm bored...I guess I should read it...") Ooh, but I might be getting new peoples! HI! I'm sorry, right now I'm hyper, I'm just really excited to hear from all of you. Please review, it would mean a lot to me. Enjoy :

Being carried up a flight of stairs wouldn't seem like it would be exciting, but it is. Being in such close proximity with Neji induced a sort of vertigo, which was only amplified by the fact that the floor below was spinning in my head. Gosh, all you'd have to do is add in a bit of good old-fashioned cheesy dialogue to the mix and you'd have the makings of a romance novel. Not that I'm saying that Neji's intentions were romantic. Considering his contempt for me I find that hardly likely. And yet…why should he care if I fainted when he hated me so much? Is it possible that I could be mistaken about his feelings towards me…?

The rhythm of Neji's steps reverberated in me like a sort of heartbeat. I could feel his arms securely around me, firm but gentle. As my surroundings swirled in my mind, I looked up at Neji's face. Suddenly his eyes shifted to meet mine. He stopped in his tracks; I held my breath as his arms tightened around me. 'Can he feel my muscles tensing…hear my heart beating like a freight train?? He's so close…I can smell him…why has he stopped?' All my thoughts whirled around my head until I finally realized that Neji was looking at me questioningly. He was asking permission to enter my room.

I nodded my head and he pushed the door open. Miraculously he had absolutely no problem holding me with one arm. (Must be all that training he does.) He then entered my room and laid me gently on my bed. He sat down on the edge of my mattress and gently felt my head for fever before he began speaking.

"You'll be alright here, Hinata-sama? I…know that the environment downstairs is not the most pleasant…" He hesitated a moment and I took the chance to respond.

"I'll be alright, Neji-nii-san…thank you for your concern…" I managed a slight smile as I sat up on my bed so I could face him directly. He seemed to take my action for a dismissal and stood up.

"Goodnight, Hinata-sama." He said briskly as he bowed, once again taking on his formal demeanor. As he started for the door I reached out for him gently.

"Neji..."

He froze in place.

"Are you going back down to dinner?"

He turned around and a slightly quizzical expression spread across his face. "Yes, there really is nothing else for me to do…"

A blush was starting to consume my features even before I spoke the humiliating words. Normally, I would've faltered and halted, but something about the way he had posed his answer gave me courage.

"Would…um…. you like to stay here with me…?" I pushed the words out and held my breath, waiting for a reply.

Neji's mouth fell open in shock. 'Uh-oh, maybe this wasn't such a good idea…I should just take it back before I embarrass myself further…' But as I looked down and touched my fingers together shyly, a stronger voice chimed in my head, 'You've gone this far! Don't chicken out now!' Before I lost my nerve I squinted my eyes as if anticipating pain, and rushed the words together.

"I-was-wondering-if-you-wanted-to-play-cards-with-me!"

No response.

I opened one eye to peak at Neji. He looked even more shocked. Both of my eyes opened hopefully as I gazed across the room at him. He was rooted to the ground, every muscle tensed and motionless.

"Hinata-sama…" he began

I sighed and slumped back in defeat. What had made me think he could possibly want to accept such a childish request?

"It's alright…you can go back down. I just thought…that maybe…we... maybe you were bored too. I thought that you might want to hideout up here with me…" I smiled sadly. " I understand. Goodnight Neji-nii-san" With my back to him I collapsed onto my bed and closed my eyes. 'Don't cry, Hinata, don't cry. You are a shinobi!' I waited for the click of the door that would signify Neji's departure, but it never came. Instead I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hinata-sama?" I voice whispered in my ear. The tenderness in his tone made me shiver. I whipped around to face him.

"Yes…?"

"I would love to play cards with you." It was my turn to be shocked.

"Um…really?" I asked, even as I started to smile.

"Yes," he said awkwardly "Um, I have cards in my room if you would excuse me to get them…?"

"Yes, of course."

When he left I began to giggle like a school girl for absolutely no reason in particular. When my nervous laughter died down I turned to glance in my mirror. 'Yikes! My hair is a mess!' I pulled my brush out and combed through the tangled locks. Doing my best to straighten out my clothing, I frowned at my reflection. Then I sat down and sighed. There wasn't anything else I could do. I looked presentable at best, but I'd have to live with it. Just as the thought crossed my mind, my eye caught on the unused makeup products that Sakura had given me in a Christmas basket.'Perhaps a little lip-gloss…' I smiled at the thought until my more reasonable side protested,'No. I couldn't…" I wavered 'Well I could. Berry sweet lips: plump and pink.' I grabbed and gloss and tentatively opened it.

"Weird." I whispered aloud while staring at the brush in fascination. I applied a thin layer and rubbed my lips together the way I had seen other girls do after they put it on. 'Wow, it DOES taste good. Mmm, I little bit like sugar-covered strawberries…I bet I would taste good if anyone kissed me. I wonder if Neji…OH MY GOD! Hinata, do not have such impure thoughts! Neji-nii-san doesn't think of me in that way…' I put the lip-gloss aside just in time to hear a knock on the door.

"Come in," my voice quavered with excitement. I turned to look at the door, but was in for a nasty surprise.

My little sister stood in the doorway.

That's it folks! I know it's short...but it seemed right to end it there. I will definitely get the third chapter out more quickly (I'm a bit excited to write it myself). Special thanks to all of my wonderful anonymous reviews who I didnt get to reply to. And all of you who reviewed kindly and with nice tidbits. Well then...I'll let you get on with your lives. Soon you will forget I ever existed...you'll go back to watching Pokemon on TV (people do still do that . like me) and painting your nails sparkly colors...I'm done.

Much love,

Alerting Alliteration