Disclaimer: Don't own.=)

Summary: It was all just a stupid game, for a stoic, unemotional friend. Until he finally found the chance to show her.

A/N: This chapter is for everyone who've reviewed, favored, alerted and just even read this story! Because of you, I've finally reached 10,000 plus hits. XD. I've never even noticed it til yesterday.. thank you all!=)

Hope you like it!

MOST BEAUTIFUL

I still don't understand why we have to do this." Neji hissed to the kunoichi at his side.

Tenten sighed. "I TOLD you.. Sai requested us to join, and his birthday's near, so we might as well show respect and join this game-thing."

"His birthday's still a week from now. Can't we wait til THEN?"

"No." Tenten said firmly. "Besides, there's a teddy bear prize for each painting contest, can't you at least join to get it?"

"I have no use for a bear doll. I can go buy one myself, anytime."

"Well, all right Mr. Rich and handsome. But can't you see how hard he's trying just to be a friend? The least you can do is join this stupid game."

"See? Even you call it stupid."

"At least I'm not thinking about quitting." She said, before pulling her tongue out a him.

Neji's lips couldn't help but twist to a smile. The simple ways in which she acted made everything about her just perfect. It was no wonder she was the only person he fell in love with.

Yes, the Hyuga prodigy was in love. He didn't try to hide it anymore. Everyone knew anyway. Everyone except her. He sighed. He TRIED to show her. He couldn't even remember how many times he had implied it when talking to her. Or how many times he tried to express it. But she just couldn't see. She was too..innocent, to understand what he was saying. It seemed like everything he did was all just friendly gestures to her.

Or didn't she? What if she was just pretending not to know because she didn't love him back? What if she was scared to hurt his feelings, which was why she stuck to acting naïve?

But no matter. He had to try. He was THE hyuga Neji. One who never gave up, on anything. And he never planned to break the record now.

"Neji! Pay attention!" Tenten scolded him, elbowing him on the ribs.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed, rubbing the spot. "What now?"

"The teacher told us to draw the animal we admired the most." She said, smiling brightly.

His brow rose. "You seem to be enjoying this."

"Well, it isn't so bad when you get used to it." Tenten defended, giggling.

Neji smiled, and then picked up the brush.

Yes, this was the stupid game that Sai invited them all to attend. The 'teacher' who provided the bear prizes were to give a topic, and they were all to draw or paint something about it. Too bad no one from the Konoha 12 were available, except for him, Sai, Shikamaru and Tenten. The others were all out in missions. Leaving Neji, his teammate, and a sleeping bum to spend a day with some social-less freak.

He dipped the brush to the black paint and started painting wings. Yes, it was a bird. What other animal could he draw? There was nothing compared to the joy of being able to fly…being able to be free.

Without looking, he already knew what Tenten was drawing in her paper. Dipping his brush a second time, Neji proceded to paint the main body of the bird. Again, he just curved his hand carelessly, not caring if what he was painting was in proportion or not. It didn't matter anyway, no matter how good he tried to make his painting become; Sai would win. Just like he did in the last previous rounds.

Finishing first, he gazed at the half filled paper of the kunoichi beside him. A panda, just as he thought. She was focusing on the animal's head now. Every detail was precise. Just like the way she fought and trained with him. She was always giving her all… If only he could make her realize just how beautiful she was.

He spent the rest of the time watching her finish her painting and observing the pile of dolls surrounding Sai. Finally, all the others were done and again, and just as he predicted, his pale, unemotional friend won again.

"The next topic better be good." Neji whispered.

"How come?" Tenten replied, looking up to her teamate. "Don't you like painting 'favorites'?"

"I don't mind. But it's getting a bit too tiresome. It's all we've been painting for the last four hours."

She just laughed.

"The next topic is to draw the most beautiful thing you've ever seen." The 'teacher' instructed.

"You got your wish Neji." Tenten laughed.

Neji meanwhile, just stayed silent. Yes, he did get his wish. Most beautiful? There was only one that entered his mind. He didn't know if people were to be considered, but at least maybe now, he could make her realize.

This time, Neji brought the brush down slowly, with sureness and determination. Beside him, he could hear Tenten muttering about a katana that she saw in a shop at their last mission.

But what he had in mind wasn't a sword…it wasn't even a thing. He didn't know if people were to be considered, but at least, maybe now, he can make her realize. Realize just how beautiful she was. And how much he loved her.

The tip of his paintbrush touched the paper, and he began painting that face he knew so well. Those two buns that were so familiar to him. That smile that was stuck to his mind.

This time, maybe he had a chance to get that bear for her.

END

A/N: This was supposed to be a continuation for one of my other fic… But I decided to let it stand alone. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it.. And if there are any errors I failed to correct, please

Don't forget to review!=)