I refuse to put a disclaimer here cause everyone should be bright enough to know that I don't own Naruto. I'm pretty sure that's why this is called FANfiction.

- -Part Thirty-Six- -

Naruto didn't come back that day. Well, not that I knew of. I was thankful that I had a key to his apartment or else I'd be stuck out on the streets.

Like hell I'd want to be there alone.

So of course, I went off to look for someone. Anyone, really. Running down the streets as the light in the sky was fading, genius idea.

Ok, first off I probably wanted someone that wouldn't mind staying with me in Naruto's home. Second, I might want someone strong…

Turning a corner I crashed into…Ino. Ok definitely NOT asking her.

"Watch it!" she yelled.

"Sorry!" I said as I kept running. Looking behind me, she had a sort of dumb look on her face.

Slowly less and less people were out on the streets. The sun seemed like it was going to just drop past the horizon, like a ball, at the rate it was going now.

Sakura was off my list…Shino was just plain scary, plus I hate bugs…Lee…hell no…Shikamaru wouldn't do a thing…Chouji would probably eat all the food, making Naruto mad later on…That just left the rest!

Suddenly I skidded to a halt, "Hey Kiba!" I yelled running up to him, "You busy?"

"Actually, yeah," he said as he stopped walking and turned around to face me, "Why?"

I shrugged slightly, looking off to the side, "Um I'm just looking for people who aren't busy…If you weren't, I'd explain my situation a bit…" I said, my face getting slightly warm.

"Oh," he said, not looking interested in the least, "Well I don't think Hinata or Shino are busy."

My eyes widened, "Thank you!" I yelled before running off. I had completely forgotten about Hinata!!

I ran around Konoha at least a million times before I finally stopped to ask for directions. Now the sun was completely over the horizon which made everything look creepy, especially since there was barely anyone out anymore.

Breathing heavily, I looked up at the entrance to the Hyuuga compound, as the person I asked directions from called it.

"Uh, anyone home?" I asked slightly timid. It felt like it was abandoned, which made everything more creepy when I heard noises in different places.

About to yell, someone answered me.

"Who's out there?" Came a deep voice.

I almost screamed, but luckily I didn't as I saw who it was.

"Hey, uh, is Hinata home?" I asked, unable to hide that I was scared as my voice squeaked.

"Yeah, I'll go get her," he said, "Why do you need her?"

I rolled my eyes, "Why do you want to know?" I asked.

He shrugged, "She is my cousin after all," Neji said.

Suddenly, I got an idea. I know, I'm awesome. "Hey…you can come too!" I exclaimed and signaled for him to go back inside, "Go get Hinata and ask her if she would mind spending the night. Can you come too?" I asked, trying to put on puppy eyes.

He sighed, "I'll go get her," he said, totally not answering my question.

I waited impatiently for them to come out, rocking back and forth on my feet, hands behind my back. I was really worried about Naruto though, why hadn't he come back?

Then I heard the sound of a door sliding open and I squinted to see who it was. The moon gave everything an eerie shadow, which didn't calm me down one bit.

"Father said it was ok," came the soft voice of Hinata. Thank God she had that soft voice. I probably would've flipped if it had been Neji again.

"And he told me to escort you there," Neji said suddenly.

"Holy shit!" I exclaimed, jumping slightly and putting a hand to my heart, "I didn't know you were there!"

He said nothing besides, "Let's get going."

I could see Hinata smiling slightly as they approached me. Silently we made our way to Naruto's home.

"Th-This is N-Naruto's place," Hinata stuttered, looking with wide eyes at the door.

"Yep!" I said happily as I unlocked the door.

"I'll be going then," Neji said plainly and turned around to leave.

Quickly, I grabbed the back of his shirt, "Ohhh no you don't," I said, "You are staying with us!"

"No," he said and tried to walk again.

I opened the door with my other hand and tried dragging him in, "You're staying here!" I exclaimed, "Please?" I asked, trying to put my puppy eyed look on again.

He looked at me, frowning, before saying, "But I didn't bring anything."

I smile at him, "That's ok! You can borrow…Naruto's stuff!" I said happily.

His pale eyes narrowed, "No," he said simply, "Why do you need me to be with you anyways?"

"Uhh…" I said nervously, "Because…I'm…scared," I mumbled looking at my feet.

When I looked up, I saw him smirking. Damn him…

"Fine," he said, sounding annoyed slightly, giving a large sigh.

"YAY!!" I squealed, giving him a one-armed hug.

Five Minutes Later

"I hate you."

"You can't possibly hate me!"

"Oh yes I can."

I giggled, "But why would you say that?" I asked, attempting to sound innocent.

Neji Hyuuga fidgeted uncomfortably in a pair of light blue pants and a black t-shirt. Both belonged to Naruto which I had so kindly washed for him, me being the only one who knew how to do laundry.

"I feel like an idiot," he said.

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, are you afraid you're going to become dumb just because you think Naruto's stupid?" I asked.

Hinata was just watching the two of us.

"Yes," he said, "Possibly."

"That probably made no sense whatsoever," I said, "But let's get off that topic now. Who votes on sleep?"

"And where do you suggest we sleep?" Neji asked, still giving me his 'I-Hate-You' look.

That's where I grinned. In a few moments, I had every possible thing that could be used as a blanket and/or pillow in his little apartment dumped in the middle of the living room.

"Sleepover!" I yelled, "I love them, don't you?"

Hinata giggled slightly and I swear I saw Neji's eye twitch slightly as he stared at the ceiling.

After we each found our positions on the floor, and after I finally managed to get Neji to take out the tie to his hair, we drifted off to sleep. Well they did while I stayed up a little extra to braid his hair. THEN I fell asleep.

Muahahaha…

Suddenly we each heard a noise and so we sat up at the same time.

"What was that?" Neji asked sleepily, looking concerned from Hinata to me.

I didn't say anything.

Hinata looked worried, her gaze drifting from searching the room to me and then to Neji. That's when she froze. And burst out laughing.

"What is it?" he asked, glaring slightly.

I said nothing, afraid I was going to start laughing too.

Hinata couldn't say anything as she was laughing so hard. She really did try to stop, but couldn't.

"What is it?!" he asked, looking angry now.

"Nothing," I said, my voice high. That's when I started laughing too. I mean, come on! Neji Hyuuga with two braids like Heidi or Pippi-Longstocking, a little messy from sleep. Just imagine it…

He growled slightly and got up, searching for the bathroom. When he found it…well…

"REILLY!!" he roared furiously. Seriously now, how many times do you see that Hyuuga boy lose his cool? Not very often. But you see, I think everyone knows his weakness. He's loves his dignity and hates to lose it.

He marched out of the bathroom, his face red, expression definitely angry. Furious, fuming, livid, mad, you name it. But definitely pissed off.

"What…did you do…to. My. HAIR?!" He practically screamed.

Just as I was about to answer weakly, we all heard a crash.

"What was that?" Hinata whispered, mainly to herself.

Both Hyuuga's activated their Byakugan and searched the level. I heard Hinata gasp and saw Neji roll his eyes as he deactivated them.

"Idiot," I heard Neji mutter.

Hinata's face instantly got darker and I knew who it was.

"H-Hey everyone," Naruto said shakily.

"What. The. Hell?" I asked staring at him.

He looked around, "So why's everyone here?" he asked.

"Where have you been?" I asked, my eyes wide and eyebrows raised.

"Long story," he said laughing nervously. He was about to collapse when I got up and ran to him quickly, catching him.

"And what the hell have you been doing?!" I asked worriedly.

"Again, long story," he said, yawning and burying his head in my shirt, "Must. Sleep…" he mumbled before I felt him go limp.

Hinata came and looked at him, a sad sort of look in her eyes, "He just seems to be exhausted, I don't think he was attacked," she said.

Then it clicked. I had completely forgotten she liked Naruto!

"This will be easier than expected," came a deep voice from somewhere in the room.

Read and Review, please! Anything extremely negative will be ignored, any real good advice will be appreciated and considered seriously

-Jen-