I gave in and showed my friend the story before I posted it here. So much for a surprise right? I caved. I couldn't hide it anymore I really wanted her to see this one. I don't know if she's reading it now since I've shown her it before I posted here. *Sigh*

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

(Neji POV)

I stood very still my breathing was coming out short and ragged. I don't know if it was because of the running or from the view in front of me. Gaara stood there, shirtless, his bare chiseled chest and strong muscles were gorgeous.

"Are you coming in or not?"

"Y-yeah, excuse me,"

I felt the blush creep on my face as I rushed inside. I tried my best to look away from him but I was failing miserably. His back was turned toward me as I unabashedly stared at him.

Straight posture, slender fingers, pale skin, and hard, strong, muscles were just there in front of me. He was so mesmerizing I wanted to touch him. I reached out my fingers slowly and let them fall to my side as he abruptly turned to face me.

"Do I know you?"

I shrugged my heart skipped a beat. Could he have possibly noticed me from class? I sat down on the nearby bench.

"Have we met before?"

I nodded turning my back to him as I started to change my clothes. While I was taking off my shirt I felt a strong hand on my shoulder.

"Where have we met?"

He looked at me calmly, his hand still on my shoulder. I shrugged it off without looking at him as I grabbed the shirt coach Gai gave me for clubs. My heart was pounding and my fingers were fumbling with the shirt.

"I...I think we're classmates,"

He snorted and I tried my best to keep my voice casual and act like its normal for him to talk to me.

"You think. How can you not be sure of that?"

"How can you not?" I countered.

He chuckled as I started to put my clothes away. I risked a glance at his direction and nodded at him.

"I'll be going now,"

He was on the other bench across from me, still shirtless. I determinedly ignored this fact as I headed for the door.

Out in the gym I noticed that the usual noisy girls weren't present. Only a select few girls were there and not even half of the club was present. So I headed towards Sasuke and Kiba who were at the bleachers.

"Well look at him all ready in his brand new jersey,"

I rolled my eyes at Kiba and sat down next to Sasuke.

"What took you so long?"

I was about to tell them about the little conversation I had with Gaara when Shino and Naruto came in.

"Dobe,"

"Teme,"

I sighed they were still fighting. Shino took a seat next to Kiba and whispered something into his ear. Kiba leaned on him and made no comment. I looked at Shino and shook my head, he glanced at me an eyebrow raised and I shrugged.

"I just don't know how you can do that,"

"Do what?"

"Look at him, he's silent. You're the only person in this entire world I know who can make him be quiet,"

Shino smiled, Kiba glared at me while Naruto and Sasuke were just silent. I was in between them and I felt the tension coming from them. Gaara past us and looked at me. I went rigid. All four of them noticed and watched as Gaara past us.

Kiba looked at me and smirked. I avoided his gaze but I felt the weight of all their stares at me.

"What was that about?"

"Who was that?"

"Why was Gaara looking at you?"

I felt my face get warm as I pictured him shirtless. I played with my hands on my lap before slowly opening my mouth.

"We had a little talk,"

"When did you guys talk?"

"A while ago, in the locker room,"

Sasuke smirked at me and folded his arms on his chest.

"So that's what took you so long,"

"What exactly did you do in there with him?"

I noticed that there were a few girls near us, clearly listening in our conversation. I glanced at my friends then back at the girls. Kiba frowned at them.

"Tell us later all right,"

I nodded timidly at him as coach Gai caught my attention. He was gathering the club already. I hopped off the bleachers and made my way to him. Gaara was standing next to coach Gai. I stayed at the edge of the small group.

"Two months from now we will be competing in the Inter high school league championship,"

I tried listening to coach Gai but Gaara being so near him was such a distraction. His head was slightly tilted with arms folded over his chest as he listened to coach Gai speak.

I gawked at him, slowly he turned his head and his aquamarine eyes met mine. I looked away hastily. Coach Gai beckoned me forward I noticed the crowd was dispersing. I waited patiently in front of me as he motioned Gaara to come forward.

"Neji this is Gaara. Gaara, Neji,"

We nodded to each other. I trained my eyes on coach as Gaara spoke.

"We've met,"

Coach Gai raised an eyebrow Gaara shrugged just shrugged.

"He thinks we might be classmates,"

This time I shrugged as coach Gai's gaze came on me.

"I'm not sure I'm always reading books during class so I don't look up much,"

I heard Gaara suck in air but I didn't glance at him. I've never been to a game before nor have I ever tried sports, this was exciting for me.

"I see. Gaara, Neji is new to the team and I need someone to mentor him,"

I looked at coach Gai in shock and horror and elation. This was all so new to me but of all the people in the club he could be talking to about this it just had to be Gaara Sabaku.

"And you want me to train him,"

"The team will be busy doing drills outside. You can start training here in the gym,"

I felt a little annoyed they were talking as if I wasn't even there. I felt Gaara's gaze on me and I slowly turned to him.

"Are you serious about this?"

I looked at him and folded my arms across my chest.

"If I wasn't serious I wouldn't have asked to join,"

He looked at me amused. I returned his gaze, highly aware of everyone watching us.

"Fine, I'll train you as long as you're serious,"

I felt my stomach flutter as he led me to the free shot line. I'm finally going to play basketball. Gaara grabbed two basketballs and faced me.

"Do you even know how to shoot?"

He tossed one of the balls to me and stood in the middle of the circle just before the line. It was like time slowed down as his slender fingers held on to the ball.

His posture was relaxed as he calmly released the ball upwards toward the hoop. His right hand somewhat higher than the left. He jumped slightly as the ball went soaring in the air. The ball made a perfect arc and went straight into the hoop.

I was awestruck at the simple beauty of his shot. I snapped out of my trance when I noticed that Gaara was right in front of me, waving a hand in my face. I stepped back and he just smirked at me.

"Your turn,"

"I'm not sure if this'll even reach the hoop,"

"We won't know until you try,"

"Just don't laugh at me,"

"Just take a shot,"

I stood in the same exact spot Gaara was and prayed that the shot would go in. I bounced it a couple of times and let it soar to the hoop but it was short from the hoop and a little to the right.

"That was good for your first time,"

Somehow he produced two more basketballs and handed me one again.

"Do it again but this time put more strength in your throw and bend your legs a bit,"

I took a deep breath and did what he said. I felt his gaze on me as I released the ball. This time it reached the hoop but hit the right corner. I glanced at Gaara, his head was tilted slightly as he clucked his tongue.

"Not good enough?"

"Your form needs work,"

He threw me the other ball and walked behind me.

"Hold on to the ball near your chest with both hands now,"

"Like this?"

"No it has to be a little further away,"

His hands cupped my shoulders and slid down to my hands as he helped me place the ball near my chest. I went rigid at his touch as he slid down my arms and lightly pushed my elbows in. He was so near I could feel hot breath on my ear as he talked to me.

"When you take the shot bend your knees before you jump, butt out, and flick your hand down while releasing the ball,"

I waited for him to step back before I took the shot but he was still there, holding on to me. I could feel the warmth of his own body pressing against mine.

"Could you step back?"

"Don't mind me and just do the steps I'll help you adjust by mirroring the moves so that you can do it on your own the next time,"

"I can do it on my own,"

"Just take a shot already. I won't let go until you do,"

I sucked in air and nodded. My heart started beating erratically. I prayed that he wouldn't feel it. I did what Gaara said, highly aware of how close we were, and took a shot.

When my arms stretched out and I jumped, Gaara backed away. I felt a pang of disappointment as I watched the ball fly in the air and shoot into the hoop.

"It went in!"

I cheered and smiled at Gaara. He had his arms crossed above his chest as he gave me an approving nod. I couldn't stop smiling at him, he retrieved the balls and handed me one.

"Do it again,"

After an hour of shooting at the line Gaara called it a day. The few girls who were present tried to flirt with him or get his attention, but he just signaled me to follow him into the locker room.

I followed him immediately, noticing my friends waiting for me. I waved at them as Kiba mouthed good luck to me and Naruto giving me the thumbs up, while Sasuke and Shino just smirked and nodded.

Chapter four officially done! :D I honestly felt paranoid that the story's development was too slow but Francisco and NejGaaFangirl assured me that it was going smoothly.

Thank you to my super awesome Betas! Sorry to my original beta I didn't show you this cause I decided to surprise you again~ Special shout out to NejGaa for being the first person to review my story! :D

Come on people! I need to hear more from you so that you can hear more from me