Freya: Not much to say…Only that I don't own Naruto and I never will…*sigh* Try to enjoy the story…

CHAPTER 3: Fall Freshman Year- Part 3

"Oh Neji she's just gorgeous! They are all just wonderful!" bellowed an overweight but very fashionable woman. None of the girls recognized her but Neji bowed respectfully to her.

"Thank you Ms. Hadson. Ladies this is Ms. Hadson, the granddaughter of Henry Hadson who built the School of the Arts I attend," Neji said. The girls all respectfully gave her a bow as well.

"Oh aren't they just sweet?" she squealed.

"This is my cousin Hinata. And these are her roommates Temari, Tenten, and…Sakura." Neji hoped no one noticed that second in delay. He still had the 'kiss that almost was' stuck in his head.

The woman swooned over them and their beautiful kimonos. She said that Neji had outdone himself and found wonderful models. It made him happy to hear that since she was funding this photo shoot. If he was lucky the photographs would make it into a prominent magazine.

"Let's get photos of them separately and then all together. You first Miss Hinata!" the Hadson woman insisted. Hinata followed her over to the garden area and they began their pictures.

Tenten and Temari whispered and chuckled amongst themselves while Sakura looked around at all the people that were there. There were many tables and booths with fall themed items on them. There was one with jars of preserved fruits for sale and another with pumpkins for Halloween. Right next to it was a pumpkin carving table and she could see Naruto over there already carving one next to Sasuke.

"If you want to go and say hello go ahead," Neji noticed her long stare. "You'll be going last so you have time."

"Thanks," she said and slowly walked to the table so as not to fall.

Naruto was carving a fox into the pumpkin and Sasuke was carving a scary face. Naruto threw some pumpkin innards at Sasuke but missed and they hit Kiba instead. Soon there was an all out pumpkin fight and the only one avoiding the mess was Sasuke.

"Hey guys," Sakura interrupted their fight and they all stopped. They stared in awe for a second before realizing that it was Sakura.

"Oh hey! Look at that!" Kiba pointed.

"Sakura! I didn't even recognize you!" Naruto exclaimed.

Sasuke said nothing but nodded his head in approval. She blushed and elaborated on her clothing.

"There's a fashion photo shoot at the festival so me and my roomies are dressed up in kimonos. Keep an eye out for all of us ok? I'm sure they'll love the attention," Sakura laughed. I miss hanging out with them. We were all such good friends when we were little.

"That hot desert chick here too?" asked Kiba as he tried to look around her.

"Her name's Temari," glared Sakura but she let it go after a second. "And yeah she's here. But be careful. I heard her brothers are here too. I've never met them but you never know. They could be big and scary." Sakura laughed at the thought of one of them hitting on Temari only to get punched out by one of her siblings or both.

"Sakura!" Neji called out. "You're up next!"

"That was faster that I thought. Sorry guys, I've gotta go. See you around the festival okay?" she waved back at them and took quick tiny steps.

Naruto nudged his friends. "Did that look like Neji to you? Hinata's cousin?"

"I thought he went to a different college…"

"What's he doing here?"

Neji watched as Sakura made her way back and noticed how the guys she was talking to were staring at him. He recognized Naruto and Sasuke immediately but couldn't care less about them. He hadn't spoken to them in years. Even in high school Neji didn't have many people he could call his friends.

Sakura went over to the garden area to get her pictures taken. Just then Neji felt a strong smack on his back. If he hadn't recognized the feeling he would have decked the guy.

"Hey Neji! I haven't seen you for almost a year!" Lee exclaimed. Neji noticed that atrocious green was still his favorite color. The button up complimented his strong chest though. At least it isn't too much of a faux pas.

"Lee. Good to see you too. Working on that sports scholarship right?" Neji checked.

"Yes! I am working very hard to be the best sprinter this campus has ever seen!" Lee said with a bright smile. "What brings you here? The festival?"

Neji hesitated though he didn't know why. Lee already knew about Neji's arts and crafts, so to speak. He was one of the few people he did tell. When Lee said he would keep something a secret on pain of death, he meant it.

"Yes, the festival. I brought some kimonos for my cousin and her roommates," Neji divulged and pointed in the direction of the girls. It was no use hiding it from Lee anyway.

Lee admired the clothes worn by Hinata and her friends. "They look pretty good Neji. Nice job." He then looked at Sakura who was having some shots taken of her. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. The beautiful Sakura was posing as if to smell a rose. "The lovely Sakura! She is exceptionally beautiful!"

Neji only looked on to see her gazing lovingly at the flower she held in her hand. She then pursed her lips and gave it a light kiss for the camera. Neji gulped and remembered again the moment in the car. That rose could have been me. Sakura looked up to see him staring at her and blushed profusely. He's looking right at me!

"That's all for the single shots! Now let's get one of all of you together!" sang out Ms. Hadson. She motioned all the girls to get together. "Hinata you get in the center with Sakura. Yes, yes! Tenten switch places with Temari so that you're next to Sakura! PERFECT! Now everyone turn so that you are all facing the center. And hold it!"

She took some photos and had them turn in different directions for more photos. Neji finally realized that his prolonged stare was getting noticed by Lee. He averted his eyes to look at the flowers in the garden instead. If he says anything…

"Finding Sakura as pleasing to the eye as I?" Lee asked with a bit of a glare. Neji had forgotten how much Lee liked her in high school.

"She's…" Neji balked. He didn't know what to say. "She's wearing my best kimono. So of course she looks the best out of them all."

Lee accepted that but not without a second glance to make sure Neji was being honest.

"Neji, get in here so I can put a photo of the artist in there too," the woman commanded.

He got in the middle and the girls all faced outward. He stood with his side facing the camera and his hand in his pocket as he turned only his torso to face the lens. Ms. Hadson looked giddy even though he didn't smile. His pose permeated respect; He'd obviously done this before. She snapped a few pics and that was that.

"That's all ladies! And Neji. Now go enjoy the festival. I'll send you copies of the photos when they're done and if they get into the magazine a copy of that too. For each of you!"

Temari and Tenten rushed off to find Temari's siblings. She pulled a phone from her sleeve and was already dialing. Lee was following to talk to Tenten. Hinata glanced over at the pumpkin carving table and noticed that Naruto was already heading off into another direction. She decided to follow but at a safe distance.

"See you later, Neji. Enjoy the festival," Hinata stuttered and gave a quick bow before she left.

There was only Neji, Sakura, and Mrs. Hadson fiddling with her camera and tripod.

"So…what did you think? About the photo shoot?" he chanced some small talk.

"It wasn't too bad. I think I actually had a lot of fun," Sakura admitted. She got the feeling the kanzashi was a little loose but she couldn't lift her arms high enough in the kimono to fix it herself. I have to ask him to do it. "Neji, think you could adjust the Kanzashi? I think it's a little loose…"

Without a thought Neji said, "Sure, hold on." He held her face still again as he shimmied the kanzashi out and then carefully put it back in. "How's that?" he asked.

"Better. I thought it was going to fall out," she smiled. Sakura noticed that his hand hadn't left her face. He had that look he had in the car. Is he going to kiss me? Her face began to match her kimono.

There was a bright flash. And a second later they both realized that Ms. Hadson had taken a picture. Sakura took a step away from Neji and stared down at the floor. Neji tried desperately to hide his surprise.

"Sorry, there was one left on the roll and I didn't want to waste it!" she chuckled. "A good picture of the artist if I do say so myself. Great job Neji. I'll see you on Monday with the proofs."

And with that the woman ran off with her bag of lenses and her camera laughing maniacally. Apparently she wasn't staying for the celebration. Neji was left without words. I was about to do it again. He beat himself up mentally. You can't just go around kissing your cousin's friends. He looked at her embarrassed face staring at the ground. No matter how attractive they are.

"So, we should go," he said with a cough. "We should check out the festival and get something to eat."

"Uh, yes! I'm starving actually," she managed to cover up the shiver in her voice. It almost happened again and now…There's photographic proof! I'll never live this down. I don't really even know him. A little devil on her shoulder creeped into her thoughts. Like that matters! He's hot stuff! Nothing's sexier than a gorgeous artist! Next time you better suck that face or you'll regret it forever!

"My god why can't I stop having these thoughts?" Sakura mumbled in agony.

"What?"

"Nothing!" she quickly recovered. "I'm just can't stop thinking about food! I'm really hungry, that's all."

They went to a dog and burger booth and both got burgers. They sat and ate in silence. Neither knew what to say and it would be forever before either of them admitted to the attraction between them. I've got to say something. But what? Neji wanted to curl up in a cupboard and die. I could have her curl up in that cupboard with me. What am I saying?

Sakura saw some kind of turmoil in his face. He's probably thinking the same thing I am. She could imagine kissing those perfect lips and caressing his tongue with her own and fisting his beautiful long hair as she-STOP! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! What's wrong with me? Maybe I'm just horny. That's it! I'm horny! When was the last time I had a sexual encounter? She answered herself. A while.

"I think I'd like to go home," Sakura finally spoke. I need to rest and get away from Neji. Maybe study some Statistics. Yeah, that would calm her down.

"I'll take you. I was thinking I'd like to leave soon too," Neji admitted. A little space would be good. At least until I'm thinking straight again. I'll just drop her off, go home, and take a very…very…cold shower.

The ride back was silent as the grave. The only sound was that of the car engine and the cars they passed along the way. If they could hear each other's heartbeats then it would be a different story.

Sakura sat in the back seat this time so that she could give herself some space. It proved to be a poor choice. She stared at his neck the whole time. I'd like to wrap my arms around that neck. Then take a bite out of it. She gulped. Since when have I been so possessive? It is an awfully tempting neck.

Neji was glad she chose the back seat. It wouldn't do to have her distracting him with her pretty face and pouty lips. Lips that he dared to kiss twice now and was interrupted both times. Neji realized something. She would need help getting out of her kimono. Sakura can't untie the obi herself. He wondered if she knew that. A quick look in the mirror told him she didn't but he noticed she was giving his neck the eye. It made him nervous in a bad way. That cold shower can't come soon enough.

They arrived at the apartment and he walked her to the elevator. She was surprised when he got on the elevator with her. What is he doing? The doors closed.

We're alone…in the elevator. Neji made a quick glance at the emergency handle and thought about pulling it. To what end? Just so I could kiss her? A darker thought rose to the surface. And maybe a little more. He stared at her face and contemplating making a move when the elevator stopped. They were already at her floor. The doors opened and he followed her off.

"What are you still following me for?" she asked trying to put a tinge of annoyance in her voice. Sakura unlocked the door and walked in.

"You'll need help with your obi. You can't reach the back part you know."

"Oh!" she gasped. I forgot! She tried to play it off like she didn't care but her heart nearly exploded in her chest. Neji went into her room and grabbed the box for the kanzashi first. He pulled it gently from her hair and placed it in the box.

"Turn around," he said and she quickly obeyed. It was then he realized how alone they were.

Neji reached under her arms to untie the knot in the front and unwrapped the cord. He dropped it and began untying the obi tails from the way they were twisted. Sakura was getting nervous because it was taking him longer to take it off than it had when he helped her put it on. She finally felt it getting loose and relaxed. Then there was a sudden tug and she fell backwards into his chest. The obi fell to the floor.

His arms were under her sleeves again and untying the last little rope that held the kimono at ankle length and consequentially the last thing keeping the kimono closed. He took a deep breath, smelling her hair. It's intoxicating. She thought to tell him to stop. That she could handle it from here. But she didn't. And he noticed.

Her neck is right here. It's so close. And she's not stopping me. He lowered his lips to her neck and rubbed his bottom lip against her skin. His hands continued to busy themselves with untying the last knot. Neji knew he'd untied it when the kimono suddenly got longer. The thought that it would be easy to slip his hand inside and touch her skin made his pants tighten a bit.

Sakura couldn't breathe. She didn't understand why she didn't resist. Who resists Hyuuga Neji? Especially when he's-

"Ah!" she gasped when clamped down on her neck. Teeth grazing the skin, his tongue drawing little circles on her flesh. Neji's arms were holding her tight against him. Even if she wanted to escape, which I don't, she wasn't sure she could. His tongued etched a line up her neck and his lips suckled on her ear. She suppressed a moan as much as she could but being alone in the apartment meant everything was easy enough to hear.

That moan…his body shuddered almost violently. He was extremely erect now and Neji knew she could feel that through their clothes. God he's hard as a rock. She thought about him pushing her onto the bed and taking her while she still wore the kimono. As hard as he tried he couldn't banish the image of her lying naked, trembling under him. He removed his lips from her neck and raised his hands to her shoulders. He slid the kimono off her shoulders and it landed softly on the floor. All that was left was the Juban, the slip of the kimono world.

The gravity of what was happening suddenly occurred to Sakura. He's undressing me…in my bedroom. Sakura wasn't sure what to think about this but the only image that came to mind was her being bent over the bed and entered right now. It was making her warm and wet just thinking about it. He was turning her around to face him and now she couldn't hide the vibrant magenta from her face. Is he going to…?

Neji suddenly forced his lips onto hers while holding her shoulders tight. He had been thinking about it all day. He wasn't worried that she would pull away and thrust his tongue into her mouth. Sakura let him and just gave in, her tongue mingling with his own. She bit down hard on his lip and he pulled back for a second.

"Did you just…bite me?" he asked with a quirk in his brow. That's kind of hot. Very animal of her. He hadn't really expected it.

"Yes, and I've wanted to do it since we got in the car." Her saying that makes me want her even more. She pulled his face back to hers and bit his lip again hungrily then propelling her tongue into his mouth again. God why did I hesitate earlier? What on earth was I afraid of?

Then a certain click resounded over their noise. Both parties froze with anxiety. Someone was coming into the apartment…

Freya: I know I know. HOW DARE SHE? So who walked in on them? The roomies. Or maybe a roomie with a guy of her own? And who shall she be with? Only the shadow knows. Review or Fav. Whatever. Freya has spoken!