AN: It's a double update from me; Neko no Tora :D Enjoy the chapter!

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN NARUTO


Chapter 7: A Date with Youth

It has been a few days since Hinata's date with Koi and Neji is still a duck. Hanabi teased him constantly calling him cute and insisting on building Neji his very own duck pond on the compound. That proposal always earned her a deep duck scowl. It looked more cute than scary but no one told Neji duck that.

Neji refused to go anywhere because on his condition in case he was seen or worse recognized. Lee, Guy and even Ten Ten had come by several times to ask about Neji concerned. Hiashi, Hanabi and Hinata assured them that Neji was fine but had a very bad eye infection and caused him much pain when he tried to use his Byakugan.

Hinata had another date today and she was almost sure that Neji would not accompany her given his current state as a duck. This date was to take place at a Dojo not far from the Hyuga compound.

In a tree positioned close enough to the Dojo so that one could see in sat a duck. A duck determined to protect his cousin no matter what state or form he was in.

Hinata arrived at the Dojo just after noon just like the letter specified. Taking a breath Hinata opened the door to the Dojo.

The Dojo was small and there were only a few people in the entire place. There were several small tables with chairs on one side of the room and the other was littered with practice dummies, punching bags and targets. It was like an indoor training ground. There were many strong looking ninja and Kunoichi sitting at tables or working out; one of these ninja was Rock Lee.

"Hinata!" Lee yells upon spotting her. Lee immediately stops punching the practice dummies and runs over to Hinata; catching her in an enormous hug.

"Hi Lee." Hinata squeaks as she is crushed by Lee's incredible strength.

"Did something happen to Neji?" Lee questions releasing Hinata from his tight hug. "Is he okay? Did his head explode or worse his eye balls!" He shoots off these questions to Hinata with a wild look in his eyes.

"No, no. Neji is fine." Hinata quickly reassures a very frantic looking Lee.

"Why are you here then and how did you find me? Did you follow me here?" Lee looks at her suspiciously.

"No I didn't follow you here. I'm on a… well I'm supposed to be on a date…" Hinata trails off.

"What a coincidence so am I!" Lee announces proudly.

"With who?" Hinata asks looking around the Dojo.

Lee scratches the back of his head. "She's not here yet." He answers sheepishly.

"Well then I think that I'm your date." Hinata replies blushing.

"Really." Lee takes a moment to consider this. "What are you supposed to do on a date?" He asks innocently.

Hinata was taken aback by Lee's question. "Lee have you never been on a date before?" She asks him.

"No… but I will try my best." He replies pumping his fist in the air and smiling.

"T-Thanks Lee." Hinata blushes again.

"It will be the best date ever!" Lee screams.

Everyone in the Dojo stops to look at Lee and Hinata. After a moment of silence they all start cheering.

Hinata turns an even brighter shade of red as all eyes are on her and Lee.

"Do not be embarrassed Hinata; everyone here is a friend of mine, so they are also a friend of yours." Lee cheers as he motions around the Dojo.

The atmosphere in the Dojo calms down a little allowing Lee and Hinata to talk.

"Would you do me the honour of training with me Hinata?" Lee asks graciously bowing his head.

"Lee you don't have to be this formal. We're friends." Hinata explains confused by his actions.

Lee looks up at her puzzled. "Guy sensei said I should always treat ladies with great respect when out on a date." He finishes coming up from his bow.

"I-I guess… yes." Hinata answers; still a little unsure of this situation.

"Very well!" Lee shouts and positions himself into his fighting stance.

"Wait-" Hinata barley has time to ask her question before a duck flies through the window smacking directly into Lee's face. The duck quacks furiously hovering in front of Lee's face.

"AHHH!" Lee yells surprised and punches the duck reflexively.

The duck lands on its feet and immediately glares at Lee.

"Oh no." Hinata gasps realizing too late that the duck is really Neji.

Lee squats down and scoops up the duck up in his arms and starts rapidly apologizing to it. Now crying Lee rocks the duck back and forth in his arms.

"Lee it's okay." Hinata tries her best to comfort a hysterical Lee.

There's a poof and then the duck is no longer in Lee's arms. Neji has appeared beside the pair and is glaring intensely at Lee.

"Neji!" Lee exclaims shocked and surprised.

"Lee if you so much as lay a finger on Hinata you will regret it for the rest of your life." Neji threatens; standing in front of Hinata protectively.

"Neji!" Lee yells happily; embracing a very confused looking Neji in a hug. "I thought you were sick." He sobs. "Guy sensei and I were so worried."

Neji face of confusion and annoyance turns into a more passive face, as if he should have been expecting this reaction from Lee.

"Alright Lee, that's enough." Neji says patting Lee on the back lightly. Neji then proceeds to peel Lee off of himself. "Hinata are you okay?" Neji asks concerned.

"Yes. I'm fine thank you." Hinata reassures him.

"Neji were you just a duck?" Lee asks Neji looking quite confused.

"Lee promise me right now that you will not tell another living soul this information." Neji demands.

"So you were a duck?" Lee confirms.

"Yes Lee, I was a duck for a short while." Neji sighs.

Lee's eyes light up. "Did you fly around the village and swim in duck ponds?"

Neji mumbles something then glares at Lee.

Lee laughs at Neji before hugging both Hyuga's.

Later that day Hinata and Neji retold the dates various events to Hanabi.

"I think that was your worse date ever Hinata." Neji mumbles.

"That wasn't't Hinata's date Neji; it was all yours duck boy." Hanabi laughs earning a silent scowl from Neji.


AN: Duck Neji makes a return but now he's back to normal. Yay?

I hope you guys like duck Neji because he may be making another appearance…R&R Please!

Last week's question – What is your perfect Pizza? (I think hailingroses was hungry when coming up with this one)

Neko no Tora: I am a CHEESE person. I eat all kinds and mixing them together on a pizza YUM. Yeah it's boring but it tastes AMAZING!

HailingRoses: Mine would be like, triple the regular amount of pepperoni then triple it again, and LOTS of red sauce! YUM! (Meatatarian over here)

Next Weeks Question:

Who is your ultimate anime crush? (Hard one! Great for a finisher, no?)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is the second last chapter to be posted on hailingroses' account. This means that the next chapter (Chapter 8) will be the last chapter posted on this account. Chapter 9 will be posted on my account Neko no Tora. So don't freak out two weeks from now when you don't find chapter 9 here.

P.S. Sorry for any confusion if you have any thoughts please PM either me or hailingroses.

Live Long and Anime!

Neko no Tora OUT! (=.=)