Wow, got my first hater review in one chapter! Normally I'd say that isn't a good sign, but heck, I got two positive reviews, so I don't really care about the negative one. A lot of people (my friends) want me to tell the 'guest' who commented a lot of...bad things. Here is my response:

No one said I had to follow the manga's perspective, did they? No, not once, not at all. To be honest, your review didn't hurt me whatsoever. If you think that saying I'm a loser and fucked up will hurt me, you've got another thing coming. First off all, grow up and face me for crying out loud. You're using a guest account to comment, which is one of the many reasons why I don't take you seriously.

I don't listen to cowardly idiots who think they're cool just because they said 'kill yourself'. Listen up. I have a friend, Brooke, who I loved more than a sister, who killed herself due to bullying. And if you think I'm going to do the same, I will never, ever, take my own life because of something some insensitive person said.

If something horrible is going on in your life, look, I'm sorry. But it's not like nothing is wrong with my life. Everyone has been hurt, some more than others. But that doesn't make it right for you to tell me to end my own life. You're the fucked up one. In fact, bullies are murderers. They're killers, the cause of many, many young people's deaths.

So, if you keep spamming horrible reviews, don't expect me to fall over sobbing. I'm strong, I'm a fighter, don't underestimate me.

Enjoy~

The ice cream parlor's air conditioning felt good against my sweaty face. I wanted to take my suit jacket off, but Hinata would no doubt scold me and tell me to put it back on. Though it would be a stress reliever for me to hear Hinata scolding me again, I wouldn't want to stress her. She might worry that Uncle will find out and get angry.

"What's your favorite flavor of ice cream, Gaara?" Hinata asked the red haired boy kindly.

"I don't really have a favorite," He answered simply. "I don't really eat ice cream. I haven't had it in a few years, actually."

"Hmm..." Naruto pretended to thinking before snapping his fingers. "...I'd recommend Strawberry!"

"And why that?" asked Ten Ten with a playful roll of her chocolate brown eyes.

"Because," The blonde winked, "it's my favorite. And when have I ever been wrong?"

"A number of times." Sasuke answered, speaking the sentence that was on the tips of of everyone's tongue. Except for Hinata's, obviously.

Naruto snorted indignantly and said nothing in response. I laughed, smiling when Hinata giggled as well. She had such a kind laugh. It was never teasing nor hurtful, and you'd only ever hear it if the situation was truly a laughing matter. If someone fell, for instance, Hinata wouldn't laugh. She'd go and help the one who'd fallen.

I smiled wider, proud of my cousin.

"Hey, Hinata-chan!" She blushed and looked at the blonde curiously, awaiting his answer. "What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?"

"S-Strawberry, like yours, N-Naruto-kun." Hinata answered shyly.

"Cool!" Naruto exclaimed, giving her a thumbs up. The girl smiled and hesitantly raised her hand, turning it into a fist and poking her thumb upwards like Naruto.

"I don't like strawberry," Sasuke remarked. We all looked at him in surprise, though Ten Ten looked angry.

"And why not?" The brunette girl asked, tapping her foot under the table.

"It reminds me of Sakura." The ravenette added with a smirk.

We all burst out laughing, save Hinata and Gaara. Hinata looked slightly saddened at the reminded of Sakura and her mean words, but Naruto's smile quickly cheered her up, and soon she was laughing as well. Gaara looked confused, which made sense. He didn't know who she was.

And that was probably a good thing.

"Sakura is one of the school's bullies," I explained. "she bullies all of us the most, though. I don't know why because we've never done anything to her, but..."

"Bullies don't need I reason," Gaara sighed heavily. "I'd know."

"Have you been bullied?" asked Ten Ten sympathetically.

Gaara nodded. "Back in Egypt, I was often bullied due to my appearance. Mostly my eyes, I think. They always called me a freak, or told me I was disgusting and didn't deserve to live."

"That's horrible!" Hinata exclaimed softly, raising a hand to her mouth in shock.

"Why your eyes?" I asked, shaking my head at the thought of the harsh bullying. "I see nothing wrong with them."

It took me awhile to realize what I'd just said. I quickly turned my head so my friends couldn't see a slight blush creep across my face. Gaara didn't seem to notice, however, which was good.

"The black underlining my eyes isn't makeup," He smiled slightly. "as you all probably assumed it was." We all glared at Naruto, who sunk beneath the table. "It's something I was born with. It impairs my vision, but not to the point of needing glasses."

"I think your eyes look cool!" Ten Ten spoke up cheerily.

"Thank you." Gaara looked happier and offered us a small smile. "It's been awhile since someone complimented me. Aside from Neji, that is."

All of my friends snickered at my surprised and slightly embarrassed face. Gaara looked puzzled, as if he was wondering why I was blushing. I was glad he didn't know. But, to be honest, I know how he feels when it comes to bullying. Mizuki would, and does bully me about my eyes which lack any sort of pigment.

Hinata's are similar to mine, but they have more of a violet shade to them. I'm not ashamed of my eyes, but I am ashamed of how they became colorless. My Uncle disliked my original eye color, purple, and allowed a man to use some chemicals on my eyes. It was supposed to lighten to color to violet, but instead, caused them to lose their color.

"It's time for me to head home," Sasuke announced as he stood up from the table. "Itachi will be pissed if I don't get home within fifteen minutes."

"Yeah, so will my parents." Ten Ten agreed. She stood up as well and gave us one final wave before running after Sasuke, since they lived in the same direction.

"Hey, Hinata-chan!" Naruto sent Hinata a warm smile, "Would you like to watch a movie with me? Don't worry, it's something you'd love, I know it."

Hinata looked at me as if asking, 'will Uncle think it's OK?'. I nodded my head and smiled, assuring her she could go. Uncle loved Hinata far more than he did me, so he'd never punish her. I was glad, though, that it was me instead of her that was on Uncle's bad side all the time.

"Thank you for the invitation, Naruto-kun." She answered quietly. Smiling, she accepted his extended hand shyly. "I'd love to watch a movie with you."

As they exited the parlor, my eyes widened as I realized that Gaara and myself were the only ones left. The red haired boy seemed to be aware of this as well and stayed silent, not knowing what to say. I couldn't blame him; we'd just met that day.

"Maybe you could come over to my house?" I smiled at his slightly surprised expression, "My Uncle, whom I live with along with Hinata, isn't home yet. He gets home late on Thursdays."

"No, I'm sorry." Gaara stood up so quickly, I thought I'd upset him for a moment. Wait...had I? "My father would like me to be home around now. I'm sure we can talk tomorrow at school though, right?"

I nodded my head, giving him a warm smile. He smiled back before leaving. I sighed, shrugging my backpack onto my shoulders and stretching my limbs. Checking the table to make sure Hinata had already paid the bill, I yawned before pushing the parlor's door open and beginning my walk home.

The night air was far cooler than the afternoon's had been, and for that I was certainly grateful. Uncle always got chills at home and he had a habit of turning on the heating system, even in the middle of summer. In Konoha, when it was hot, it was hot. People would bring spray bottles or small cups of ice to dunk on their heads occasionally in typical Konoha warm weather.

Just then, I heard thunder crack over my head. Gulping as the rain began falling from the now-graying sky, I ran as fast as I could towards the nearest shelter. On my way to school this morning I remembered seeing a small shed. Maybe I could go there?

The rain began pouring down harder and I quickly made up my mind. I dashed towards the shed as fast as I could and swung the door open. It creaked with age, but I ignored it for the time being and quickly sat down on the thankfully-dry wood floor.

Sighing, I tried to think of ways to pass the time.

Just then, the door opened, revealing the last person I wanted to see at that moment.

Mizuki.

He smirked, "I didn't expect to find the 'high and mighty' nephew of Hiashi Hyuuga in a lonely little shed, all alone."

"Why don't you tell me why you're here?" I asked dryly.

"Well, just like yourself, I'm seeking shelter from the horrible weather outside." Mizuki answered with a grin. He closed the door behind him, which unnerved me a little, but I wasn't about to let it show.

"Why did you have to do it in here?" I growled unpleasantly. "Your house is five minutes away!"

"How do you know?" Mizuki laughed at my shoulders which were shaking in anger, "You must be some sort of stalker! Hmm, do I return your feelings...?"

"Of course you don't," I snorted. "you're not gay. If anything, you're homophobic."

"You're rather feminine though, Neji."

My pearl eyes widened before standing up from my sitting position on the floor. "Stay away from me, Mizuki. If you want to earn my respect, pretending you love me isn't the answer. If anything, it makes me loathe you even more."

"You loathe me?" Mizuki feigned a look of hurt. "Neji! I'm shocked!"

"Don't play dumb with me." I retorted evenly. "You're always insulting my friends, my cousin, and everyone I care about. Anyone who messes with my friends is in no way a love interest of mine."

"Well, what if I stop messing with your friends?" Mizuki offered. I scoffed.

"As if you'd ever do that."

"No, I'm serious!" A wide grin spread across his face. "But, if you do agree to it, it comes with a price."

"Oh, and what is that price?" I spat back.

He grinned so maliciously, I felt fear creep into my heart. I hadn't thought Mizuki was gay, considering he was so obsessed with Sakura and her ass, or so it had seemed, at least. I'd heard (not that I had tried to over hear it, but most gossipers were loud) that they fucked each other occasionally, but other than that, showed no amount of affection towards each other.

But, for the first time in my life, I felt my body reacting automatically and I began to move away hesitantly. Fear was flooding into my heart faster and faster, and my face was heating up uncomfortably.

What was I going to do?

I wasn't weak, no, but against Mizuki (who specialized in every single athletic activity we had at our school) I wasn't any match for his skills. The fear began to pulse to different parts of my body and I felt my face softening, causing me to look weak and afraid. I hated it; I despised myself for allowing such trivial things to become apparent to my enemy.

Taking a deep breath, I put up my fists and sent the smirking older teen in front of me a heavy glare.

"I won't let you come near me so easily," I warned him menacingly. I didn't want him to believe I was some submissive idiot. "and even if you do win our so called fight, I still won't stop fighting."

"That is like you..." Mizuki mumbled before shrugging nonchalantly. I knew he cared, so it was all an act. "but face it, Neji. I'm stronger than you and I hate you. Plus, since your so feminine, I think I'll make a little exception."

"You've said that already." I growled and took a step forward in order to hopefully intimidate him, but it didn't seem to work. He looked unfazed.

"If you're trying to scare me, it'll never happen."

Just then, the door swung open violently, the wooden frame cracking against the wood walls.

"Step away from him."

Well, I hope some people enjoyed, considering not everyone seems to be too fond of this story. But that's alright; I'm proud of what I write and no one can take that pride away from me. Am I overly prideful and stubborn? Of course not! I accept critisism because I need to improve, I know. But if you do point out mistakes, please do so nicely.

I know I said there would be abuse in this chapter, but I had to cut it in half due to laptop problems. Sorry, people who love all of that dark and angst-y stuff, it will be in the next chapter of course.

I apologize if this seems like a stupid and filler chapter, but I did cliff-hang it for a reason.

R&R, but please be respectful and kind in the reviews. I don't want any more people insulting my writing for no reason. But if you do, see if I care.