'He thinks I would make love to Hinata-sama!' Neji thinks, beginning to panic. "Wait, Hiashi-san! I would never hurt Hinata the way you're thinking about!" Neji shouts, a blush highly apparent on his face.

"If that's so, tell me why you're blushing, Neji?" Hiashi questions.

"Um…" 'Dammit! How did I not notice the blush appear? I have to think of something…something he would expect me to think if I really didn't like Hinata-sama! Think… I got it!' "It's just that… at the thought of something so vulgar I couldn't help but flush with anger because I wouldn't even think about those kinds of…activities…until I'm old enough. And I would never think about that with Hinata-sama."

Hiashi glares at Neji uncertainly. "How do I know you're not just saying that?"

"Hinata-sama is my cousin…my younger cousin. Such inappropriate thoughts should not be introduced to Hinata-sama's young, innocent mind," Neji explains. "Besides, such thoughts about me and Hinata-sama will never happen. All I see Hinata-sama as is my younger cousin I am to guard with my life; nothing more."

Hinata feels tears begin to slide down her face. She lifts her hand up and touches the tears. 'I'm crying?' Hinata looks back up to see Hiashi let Neji go and ask, "If that's not why you were here, then what's the reason?"

Neji rubs his neck lightly, "I came here to get Hinata-sama. The hokage sent us on a mission."

'Well, that would explain the bag,' Hiashi reasons. "Fine…but I'm still not going to overlook this little occurrence." Neji nods and Hiashi regains his composure and saunters off to his room with his head held high. Neji then turns back to the door and knocks.

Hinata gasps quietly and turns away to pick up her things. Before she turns around, she tries to wipe away her tears. 'Dammit. I can't stop crying…well, I knew my feelings for Neji-kun were strong. I just didn't know I would end up crying this much when he said he didn't love me. Neji-kun…doesn't love me!' Hinata's tears flow faster.

When no one answered his knock, Neji slowly opens the door, asking, "Hinata-sama? Um…are you…decent?" Neji hears quiet sobs and he opens the door fully and looks inside.

He stares at Hinata standing next to her bed, crying into her hands. "Hinata…sama? What's wrong? Are you…okay?"

Hinata immediately looks over at Neji. "Neji-nii-san! Um…" Hinata tries to wipe her tears away once more. Keyword, tries. 'Dammit! No matter how hard I try to get rid of my tears, they just keep coming.'

"Hinata-sama," Neji says quietly as he sets down his bag and walks over towards Hinata. Neji turns Hinata around and begins wiping his younger cousin's eyes dry. "What's wrong? You can tell me. I'll listen to whatever you need to say!"

Hinata sniffles and says, "It's nothing. Besides…we need to get going on our mission."

Neji nods quietly and picks up his things. He turns around and walks towards the door. He stops at the doorway and turns his head to look at Hinata with sad eyes and thinks, 'Why do I feel so powerless?' Neji turns back when Hinata picks up her backpack and puts it on. She follows Neji out of her room. She turns around, closes her door, and locks it, putting the key into her pocket. "Let's go, Neji-nii-san."

Neji leads the way as Hinata follows him through the compound gate and out to the village entrance.

Neji shows the mission scroll he got from Tsunade to Izumo and Kotetsu at the village gate. They nod and allow the two Hyuugas to depart. As they are walking down the dirt road to Suna, Neji keeps stealing glances at Hinata, trying to figure out why she's not been acting like herself. 'Hinata-sama…what's wrong?' Neji wonders, worry highly apparent on his facial features. Neji looks up at the sky, 'It's getting late…' He stops in a nearby clearing. "I believe we should stop and rest here for the night, we will wake up nice and early tomorrow morning to get a head-start towards Sunagakure," Neji says, putting his backpack down. Hinata stops and looks at him.

Neji takes out the tent and starts pitching it. Hinata sets her stuff down and picks up some wood nearby for some firewood. Once the tent is up fully, Neji collects some nearby ample sized rocks to place around the fire. Hinata places the wood inside the circle of rocks and Neji lights the flame.

Hinata makes some dinner for the two to enjoy before they get some rest. Their meal was silent, with an awkward cloud looming over their heads. Finally, after they finished eating, Neji says, "Hinata-sama…I apologize for trying to force you to tell me what was wrong. I was out of my place."

Hinata looks at Neji, surprised by his sudden comment. Hinata stares off past Neji into the forest with a blank expression. Neji looks up at Hinata and looks away, a slight blush coming to his face. 'Hinata-sama, don't look at me with such a cute face.' Neji sighs quietly and calms himself to get rid of his blush.

Once his blush disappears, Neji turns back at Hinata and says, "Hinata-sama." Hinata snaps back to reality and looks at her cousin. "I only care about you, Hinata-sama. I want to keep you safe, Hinata-sama. Please, if you have something on your mind, tell me. I want to help you. I'm here for you, Hinata-sama." Neji looks into Hinata's eyes and looks away.

Hinata stares at Neji, a blush appearing on her face, "Neji-kun…" Hinata immediately clamps her hand on her mouth and looks down, thinking, 'Why did I say that out loud!' At the same time, Neji looks up at Hinata, a blush creeping its way along his face. 'Hinata-sama…'

Hinata looks up to have her fearful eyes meet Neji's surprised ones. 'Oh no…' Hinata thinks.

NOTE: You have asked, now you have received! Hinata has called Neji "Neji-kun"! How will he react? Review and I will be motivated enough to write the next chapter!