Author's Notes: Again, sorry for the wait. I am the worst person ever.

And I hate this chapter too. Neji feels... I don't know. Next one will be better, promise.

I want to thank the fabulous 3Kiyoshi3, faerichylde, Nitouryuu, AliKat12, mymysticdreamer and TheWallflowers for adding this story to their favourites or their story alerts, and as always HUGE thanks and the biggest hug go to WinterVines, KNO, Afictionado and Nitouryuu for reviewing. Your words honestly make my day, so please take just a minute to tell me what you think! It means the world to me. Thanks in advance, sweethearts. :D Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nope.

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Tawakemono

o6. "Losing your touch?"

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"You should ask her out."

Neji skidded to an abrupt halt. Clouds of dirt billowed about his feet, filling the indenture left by his Kaiten. He analyzed the man in front of him silently. A very familiar grin, bright blue eyes and horrible posture.

Naruto.

"Leave," Neji warned lowly.

Naruto's grin widened substantially as he bit down on his apple. "But you're so much fun to watch when you're going crazy," he replied. He didn't attempt to swallow before speaking.

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "Haven't you got better use for your time, Naruto?" he suggested, checking his temper. It wasn't like Naruto had anything to do with the matter that had his mind hauled up continuously these days.

"Not really. My current mission is getting you a girlfriend, you know."

Scratch that - Naruto had everything to do with it, and he was going down. Neji snapped his eyes open, glaring at the blonde. "What do you mean?" he demanded. Naruto didn't reply, instead took another bite from his apple and raised an eyebrow in expectation. A second later, Neji saw.

"Hinata-sama," he breathed. Of course.

"Uh-huh," Naruto confirmed.

Neji sat himself down on the ground - he still bore the lacerations on his thigh that Tenten had delivered upon him during training several days ago.

"She's got the wrong idea," he stated. "Tenten is a friend."

"I've been right where you are. That's what I said, too," Naruto answered cheerily, tossing his apple up and down. "He don't know what he's talking about, that's the craziest thing I've ever heard. But then you start to pay attention. And it's not so crazy after all."

"She's not interested."

Naruto shook his head violently. "You know, I thought I knocked enough sense into you the first time. Want me to do it again?" The spark in his eyes told Neji that he wasn't kidding.

"She's not," Neji repeated firmly.

"Are you?" Naruto inquired frankly. Neji didn't reply, but he couldn't help but think back and remember the reason for his slip-up in training. Tenten had simply been too distracting. And he was sure she hadn't even intended it to tip the odds in her favor. Tenten's diversions usually consisted of wire and metal, and he had been distracted by anything but.

"Catch!"

Neji had just enough time to look up and register the apple core barelling towards him. He caught it by reflex alone.

Naruto's grin was taunting, and for a moment Neji considered if the future Hokage could read minds. "Losing your touch?" Naruto sang.

Neji decided he would not dignify that question with any answer, except for one.

"Shut up."

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