Author's Note: I'm so sorry I kept you guys waiting! After getting out of the hospital in November (for those of you who didn't know, I had pneumonia during the Thanksgiving Break and carpal tunnel in both my wrists), I totally forgot where I was going with the story! Then, I forgot about the story completely! So now, I'm continuing where I left off. Hopefully something good comes out because I have no idea where I'm going with this. *laughs* Now that I think about it, a lot of my stories are written like that! Disclaimer: All the characters in this story are not mine. They are property of Masashi Kishimoto. Although, I am saving up to buy Neji as my own personal pet :)

(Remember that I did put the rating as T. No, there won't be a lemon, but just a lot of implying.)

Neji's POV

After his meeting with the Hyuuga Head, Neji headed back to his room to arrange his things for the long night to come. Although it was only 10:30 in the morning, he liked to be prepared. After putting away his kunai, food pills, and paper bombs away in his weapon pouch, Neji picked up his ANBU mask and stared at it. At only sixteen, he had managed to obtain the title of ANBU captain.

-Flashback-

"N-Neji-nii-san! Otou-san t-told me that you were selected as ANBU C-Captain. I…I just wanted to c-congratulate you," Hinata stuttered out. She'd been training with Neji and they'd just sat down to take a break.

"Thank you, Hinata-sama. I heard you passed the Chunin Exams this year. I offer you my congratulations as well," Neji replied, not once looking at her. Hinata bowed her head. Suddenly, chunin did not seem like a great feat compared to Neji's title.

"A-Arigatou, Neji-nii-san," she whispered.

-End of Flashback-

Neji shook his head at the memory and stuffed his mask into his weapon pouch as well. He really needed to clear his mind. Training should do it.

Hinata's POV

When Hinata felt like she had no more tears to cry, she finally left her futon and walked over to her personal bathroom. Most of the clan members had to share the bathhouse, but her upper class title did permit her some privacy. Hinata quickly discarded her garments and let them fall to the floor as she filled her bathtub with hot water and lavender oils. Bathing never failed to relax her body and mind.

After slipping in to the tub, Hinata let her mind wander to the mission she had just returned on from the night before. Before she knew it, she'd fallen asleep.

Neji's POV (Yes, I know Neji has a big say in this story, lol. You know what? I'm just gonna stop using this POV thing because it's getting on my nerves. Please proceed with the story :D )

Neji headed out his bedroom fully intent on training to rid himself of his 'bad day'. Hinata-sama must be having a worst day than I am. Perhaps I should invite her to spar with me, he thought. Conveniently enough, his bedroom was next door to hers for her protection, so finding her wouldn't be too hard.

Neji knocked on Hinata's door for the second time that morning. A few seconds of silence passed, but she still wasn't answering. He knocked a third time, a little louder. Still, she did not answer.

"Hinata-sama?" he called out behind the closed door. Neji furrowed his brow, fearing the Hinata might've tried to do something drastic after hearing of her arranged engagement. He activated his Byakugan and scanned her room. There she lay in her bathtub, looking unconscious. Did she try to drown herself?

"Hinata-sama!" Neji gasped as he pushed the door open and stormed into the bathroom. He shook her small frame slightly and her eyes fluttered open.

"N-N-N-Neji-nii-san!" Hinata yelped as her hands flew to cover her breasts, hoping that there were still enough bubbles in the water to hide the rest of her body. Neji sighed in relief.

"I'm sorry for intruding on you Hinata-sama, but from where I stood you looked like you were trying to drown yourself," Neji explained as he closed his eyes and handed her a towel. Hinata's face was flaming red, but she stepped out of the tub to accept the towel and cover herself.

"It wasn't like t-that, N-Neji-nii-san," she replied as she seated herself at the edge of the tub. Neji had his back to her and for that she was grateful. "I…I fell asleep while bathing."

"I see. My apologies Hinata-sama, I'll leave you alone now," Neji said. Although Hinata couldn't see, his face was burning just as bright as hers was. He'd gotten a glimpse of her body and was having flames in places he shouldn't. He rose and left them room quickly before he could disgrace himself, leaving Hinata to wallow in her embarrassment. Training was way out of the question now.

After ridding himself of the 'problem' that had occurred when he'd gotten a peep of Hinata's form, Neji decided that perhaps he could go along with his training plans after all…as long as he didn't invite Hinata. He took off running of running to his favorite training grounds, hoping to work on a new jutsu he was creating. It was supposed to make his blind spot more impenetrable, but towards the end of the technique his chakra always left a wide hole open for a few seconds. Though it wasn't much time, a few seconds was enough for an enemy to land a couple of hits. Frustrated at this, Neji threw himself into his work, attacking his many training dummies till they were in pieces on the ground. He didn't stop till he noticed that the sun was going down and remembered that he'd have to guard Hinata tonight. Mentally blushing at the thought of her name, and gathered his things and headed back to the compound.

Upon arriving in his room, Neji once again saw his ANBU mask waiting for him at his bed. Sighing, he masked himself and strapped on his weapon pouch. He was already leaving his bedroom and was going to enter Hinata's when he thought of something better. It would be much more efficient if I guarded her from outside her window. There's no way she'd sleep if I was just sitting there watching her the whole night, he thought silently. Truth be told, he didn't want to see her just in case he'd think about what had happened in her bathroom earlier that day and become distracted. He shook his head at the thought and leaped out his window to wait outside Hinata's.

Meanwhile, Hinata was combing a brush through her midnight blue tresses as she prepared herself for bed. Catching her reflection in her bedroom mirror, she noticed the absence of life in her eyes. She sighed and threw herself onto her futon and wrapped the sheets around herself. It had only been a few hours and already the engagement was suffocating her. What did she do to deserve this? Why her? Any girl in Konoha would be dying to be in her position, but this isn't what she wanted. I didn't even get to tell Naruto-kun how I feel and now I won't be able to since I'm marrying his best friend, Hinata grieved. Ever since Naruto had brought Sasuke back to the village, the two had become closer than ever. Although Sasuke looked annoyed, many could tell he was happy to be home. More than likely, Sasuke would ask Naruto to be his best man for the wedding. Hinata gave a choked laugh. Funny, I always pictured myself in a wedding kimono and Naruto-kun waiting for me at the altar. Except this time, he'll be there to stand beside Sasuke-san, not me. With that, Hinata fell into a fitful sleep. Sleep seemed to be the only place where she could find solace.

Neji leaned against the wall below Hinata's window, already regretting that afternoon's training. His aching muscles yearned for the sleep he could not permit them for the sake of Hinata's safety. Just as he felt his body might collapse, Neji heard a low moan coming from Hinata's bed, only to be followed by the sound of thrashing. Hinata-sama! Neji's mind snapped to attention as he pried open Hinata's window. Once in, he checked for intruders only to find that it was the Heiress who was making all the noise. She's having a nightmare, Neji thought. He watched as Hinata's small hands gripped her sheets and shook her head from side to side. Her face was paler than usual and beads of sweat were already forming on her brow.

"Naruto-kun!" she cried out. Her face held a look of anguish. Neji frowned at the sound of Naruto's name and gently shook Hinata's troubled form.

"Hinata-sama," he whispered gently in her ear. "Wake up."

Hinata's lavender orbs shot open at the sound of his voice. For a moment she looked dazed, but a look of fear quickly replaced it.

"W-who are you? What do you want?" Hinata demanded. She pushed Neji's hands off her shoulders and backed herself against the wall nearest her bed.

What has gotten into her? Neji thought; bewildered at her behavior. Oh, I'm still wearing my ANBU mask. She doesn't know it's me. Neji wanted to remove his mask and assure Hinata that he meant no harm, but ANBU were never allowed to reveal their identity no matter what the circumstances.

"I do not intend to hurt you Hinata," Neji said, dropping the honorfic as not to hint who he was. He backed away from her slowly to give her space without startling her. Hinata still looked frightened.

"Who are you? How do you know my name? Why are you here?" Hinata asked shakily. Neji sighed, knowing he couldn't give her a real answer. Instead he leaped up onto her windowsill and crouched there.

"You were having a nightmare and I didn't want you to endure it. Now that you're awake, I'll be gone. As for my identity, I am……your protector," Neji said before leaping off out of sight. Hinata stood there staring at the spot where the masked ANBU had been just moments before. Oh Kami, I don't think I could take much more surprise, Hinata thought as she hurriedly latched her window and crawled back into her futon. Sleep did not overcome her, but she gazed blindly up at her ceiling hoping tomorrow wouldn't be much worse.

Author's Note: Okay, I hope you liked the 3rd chapter :) Yes, I know all Hinata has been doing is lying around moping about how miserable her life is, but don't worry she'll perk up. Sorry if I made Neji sound super cheesy as the 'mysterious masked ANBU'. I didn't come out the way I would've liked :p Oh well. Thanks for reading!