Author's Note: Hehe, was two chapter uploads enough to make up for all the time I was gone?
Neji: Hell no!
Me: Hey! It's not my fault my internet was disconnected! I used part of my birthday money to connect it again!
Neji: Hmph.
Hinata: Um, on with the s-story?
Neji: *grins* This is gonna be good (grabs Hinata's hand and runs off)!
As the sun left the sky and the full moon began to peak, Hinata packed her backpack. It was nearly eight and she should be leaving soon if she wanted to get to the waterfall without being caught by the guards. After stuffing the last of her items in her bag, Hinata activated her Byakugan. Making sure nobody was around, she leaped out her window and dashed to her haven.
Neji was in the next room over doing the same thing his blue haired cousin was. He was determined to get to his post early to make up for the time lost at his last shift. Upon leaving his room, he noticed none other than the Heiress herself, racing past the Hyuuga gates and into the woods. Oh Hinata-sama, what are you going to get yourself into? With that, Neji put his ANBU mask on and followed her.
After a fifteen minute run, Hinata reached her destination. It was her little peace of heaven. The bright moon was reflected in the waterfall's crystalline form. The Hyuuga's lavender eyes calmed and she quickly skimmed the area to make sure nobody was around. Satisfied with her search, Hinata began to unzip her jacket and let it fall to the ground. Her shoes were the next to join it. Her headband landed with a clank. Her fingers grazed her stomach as she pulled her tank top over her head and discarded it with her other items. She kicked off her capris and was left to stand in her undergarments.
Neji crouched in a tree and watched in confusion as his younger cousin began to strip herself. He hid his chakra carefully so she wouldn't notice his presence. What is she doing? She was clad in only her bra and panties now. His eyes widened considerably as she tossed what remained of her clothing to the ground. Hinata-sama! His face reddened as he scolded himself for the thoughts that ran through his head. He needed to focus. Why was she out here? Slowly, she began to walk across the water and stopped in the middle of the large pond. Blue chakra began to radiate at her fingertips and gradually spread to the rest of her body. Hinata gracefully began to dance, water swirling around her. It was like she was the water's goddess and it was worshiping her. H-Hinata-sama…Neji's pale eyes followed her every move. He'd never seen her this way. It wasn't the fact that she was naked that made him stare. It was the way she moved with such ease and confidence. She was so…
"Beautiful," Neji whispered unconsciously. He continued to watch as she twirled and leaped, dancing in the moonlight. Her midnight tresses flowed down her back like the water. Every movement was flawless; every turn, every arch, every step. She unrelentingly demanded the water's attention for at least another hour without tiring. Still, Neji watched in amazement. His daze was corrupted by a rain drop that grazed his cheek. He hadn't suspected a storm earlier. Groaning, he lifted his pack and watched as Hinata became aware of the coming storm as well. Hastily, she began to tug her clothes back on. She ran towards the compound, the light drizzle already forming into a downpour. Neji followed behind her, still trying to conceal himself. Hinata stopped short from her home, looking a bit nervous. Neji remembered that the guards were still on duty, so Hinata had no way in without being caught. Making sure his mask was firmly on, Neji used his chakra and hung from a tree upside to face Hinata. She gasped and jumped back a bit before realizing who it was.
"Oh, it's you again," she said meekly. Neji nodded.
"What's the matter? Shouldn't an Heiress be warm in her bed instead of outside in this storm?" he asked. The younger Hyuuga blushed.
"I snuck out and now I can't get back in without being caught," she said, slightly embarrassed. If it weren't for the mask that shielded his face, she would be able to see that Neji's face was also tinted. He was a bit flustered from having seen his cousin in her stark perspective.
"I can help you back in if you'd like," he said plainly.
"How?" she replied, somewhat confused.
"Simple. Just follow me," Neji answered. He knew where all the guards where and could easily avoid them. He jumped down from his post and landed with ease beside Hinata. Beckoning her, he proceeded into a run and closed the distance between them and the compound.
Once inside her room, Hinata turned to face the ANBU. She searched his masked face, her eyes flooded with questions.
"What is it?" Neji asked. Hinata shook her head.
"I…I feel like I know you from somewhere. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about you," she whispered.
"Perhaps you do know me, Hinata," Neji replied. Without thinking, he stepped closer to her. Hinata bowed her head.
"Perhaps," she mumbled. Silence flooded the room and Hinata continued to stare at her feet. Apprehensively, Neji took her hand and squeezed it. Hinata bit back a gasp, not wanting to make a fool out of herself for being startled.
"You should get to bed. You've had a lot on your mind lately and going without sleep wouldn't be of much help," he whispered in her ear. The Heiress's cheeks glowed red at his closeness.
"H-hai. Arigatou, for the help," she stammered. She closed her eyes for what seemed to be a second, but in a flash Neji was gone. Her eyes fluttered open, the stillness of eerie to her.
"Just who are you?" she breathed out. From a short distance out her window, hidden in a tree, Neji smiled softly.
You'll figure it out, Hinata-sama.
The next morning, Neji was summoned to Hiashi's office for the second time. Now he lay in a bow on the floor, waiting for what the clan head had to say.
"Neji," Hiashi said sternly. "Your night watch over Hinata has come to an end. Turn's out the Lightning Country attack was a false alarm."
Neji nodded, stunned. Could something so key really be a mistake? It seemed skeptical.
"One more thing before I dismiss you. Sasuke has requested that you keep your distance from Hinata. He believes you are corrupting her and will keep her from performing her duties as his wife," Hiashi said, a questioning look in his eyes.
"I assure you Hiashi-sama, I have no intention of doing so. But surely Uchiha-san understands that I need to perform my duty as Hinata's protector as well. I need to stay by her to do that," Neji said as monotone as he could.
"And why the sudden interest in Hinata's safety? It never seemed to be an issue to you before," Hiashi said, unconvinced.
"I am only thinking of the future of our clan," Neji replied.
"You may guard her, but from a distance," the leader said, dismissing his nephew with a wave of his hand. Neji bowed, leaving the room without a word.
Author's Note: Sooooooo sorry! I've been saying that this chapter 'will be out by this weekend!' Sorry for those who actually stayed up all Friday night waiting for Saturday morning for this chapter to be released…cough...Patty…cough cough. Aw, you know I luff you PattyCake! Anyways, I couldn't figure out what to do at the end of this chapter so I'm gonna move on to Chapter 7 already. SORRY THIS IS SO SHORT AND BADLY WRITTEN! Thank you for the reviews! They make me feel all warm and fuzzly inside :)