nuthin much to say lol

dis: me don't own naruto...jus this fanfic

I sat on the edge of my bed holding my crutches in my hands. It had been 2 weeks since Tsunade had given them to me. Each day since, I had been walking with them for at most an hour. She wouldn't allow me any longer because of the numerous wounds on my back, but after my check up this afternoon she said I was free to walk from this hospital. Not literally. Neji would be carrying me all the way home as we agreed to last night. When I asked him about this, he said he no longer cared about the rumors about us. They had already spread and would keep going.

Neji came in through the door. (for once) I looked up and smiled. His eyes were calm so I knew that he was happy as well.

"Ready to go?"

"Ever since I woke up in here."

He smiled and crouched down in front of me. It was awkward sliding onto his back, but eventually I was sitting on his back piggyback style. He had just stood up when Hinata came in.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Hanabi-chan needed something from me." She took the crutches from the bedside and fell in step behind Neji as we walked out the door.

Walking through the hallway on Neji's back was like walking through the village again for the first time, but only this time every one knew who you were and would definitely say something to others who didn't see this small parade. Instead of going all the way to the bottom floor and out the front door, Neji went out a side door and started jumping from roof to roof. I buried my head in his back and wrapped my arms around his neck tighter.

When I felt us fall farther than the normal and stop, I looked up to see Hiashi and Hanabi standing in the doorway.

"It's good to see you out of the hospital, Maida-san," Hiashi said.

I smiled.

Hiashi and Hanabi sidestepped to let Neji and Hinata pass. Neji didn't let me down and I didn't complain. He took me all the way to my room and kneeled so I could get off.

When I was sitting on the floor with my crutches beside me, I realized that we were alone. Neji sat down right beside me and handed me something. It was my drawing book.

"I didn't know if you would want this anymore, but I couldn't throw it away without your permission."

I stared at the cover. The memory of the waterfall flowed past my eyes. Slowly I opened the book and flipped through the pages. They seemed to be drawn years ago when it was only a few months. I stopped on the page where I drew Neji and smiled faintly.

"Do you remember when I forced you to let me comb your hair?"

"Yes. Was that what you were drawing?"

"Kind of. I needed something else to put in the picture and when you fell asleep I couldn't help but draw you." I looked at his face and he looked away blushing slightly. I laughed. It was the first laugh since I came back. I looked back down at the drawing.

I was looking at the shadings I did when I felt Neji lean in and kiss my cheek.

"If you ever need anything, call me," he whispered into my ear then left faster than I could catch my breath.

By the time the door closed I had caught my breath and felt the place where he kissed me, and smiled.

Neji's POV

I left quickly.

Why did I kiss her?!

I walked back to my room and sat down. The picture she drew of me came back to my mind.

I never knew she drew me. I knew she was up to something by the way she answered that one-day, but I didn't suspect something like that. When I saw it and heard her laugh, I couldn't help it. I just had to lean in and kiss her. Her skin is so soft.

I blushed at the last thought.

Just stop thinking, Neji!

I remembered her strong hold about my neck and how I was a little amazed at their strength.

I smiled.

Maida's POV

Another week had passed and I was restless. I had to get out and walk around. Neji agreed to take me walking earlier in the week and I was going to make him uphold his promise today.

I hopped to his bedroom door and stopped outside. "Neji-san?" I had to use honorifics when someone else was around.

He opened his door and leaned against the doorsill waiting.

"Remember you promised to take me walking again? Well I need to get out so can we go now?"

He rolled his eyes and walked towards the front door. I gimped along on the crutches right behind him.

We had only been walking for about 20 minutes when we ran into Tsunade near the forest.

"Maida-san, it's good to see you out of doors today." She smiled.

"I had to get out. I've been getting tired of cramped rooms lately so I forced Neji-san to come with me."

Tsunade chuckled.

A breeze came from the forest, but it was unusually hot for how nice it was today. It reminded me of home.

Tsunade frowned. "That's an odd wind. It can't be a fire because I don't smell smoke."

A siren sounded.

"What in the world is that?" Neji stared into the forest tensly.

I smiled. "A police car!"

They looked at me. The siren faded, but the same hot wind came again. I moved closer towards the forest and breathed deeply. The sound of locus came to my ears and I closed my eyes and listened.

Neji's POV

A bright flash appeared forcing me to shield my eyes. When I looked up, Maida was gone.

"Where is she?" Tsunade-sama asked worriedly.

I felt a sad smile pull on my lips as I looked at my hokage. "She's home."

i posted this on 07-07-07!! maybe that'll bring me luck in either reviews or more people viewing this fic lol o well hope u liked it!! reviews greatly welcomed!!

OWARI!! :bows low: