Author's Note: Last chapter. :) Enjoy.

"So, how'd Neji like his letter?" asked the brunette as she popped a few more candy hearts in her mouth from where she sat on the couch at Lee's house.

Lee, who'd been lying on the floor for a while now as he separated the candy he'd gotten into groups, looked up at the question.

"Oh…Neji was not very happy," he told her. "He tried to hit me. But I got away."

The boy grinned. Tenten couldn't help but giggle.

"Neji just needs some hugs. Aaand, I think he's already gotten some."

"He has?" Lee blinked again, wondering what the brunette meant by her words. "…From who?"

Tenten gave him a wink. "Oh, just a certain girl I know."

Tenten hadn't seen or heard from Hinata all weekend. Now, it was the last day of their holiday and still, no Hinata. It wasn't like Hinata to spend a weekend without speaking to her. Nor was it like Neji to not come in contact with herself and Lee. And if Neji was gone and Hinata was gone…could it be that they were gone together?

---

The following Tuesday came sooner than most of the students at Konoha High would've wanted. No holiday from school was ever long enough, after all.

It usually took a lot to get Hinata out of bed. The girl was quite a deep sleeper, after all. Even still, she did finally manage to crawl out of bed and make her way to the Hyuuga kitchen. Walking in as she rubbed her tired eyes, she blinked a few times before her cousin came into focus at the table. Seeing her, he smiled.

"Buenos días, mi ángel," he greeted. "…You might want to start getting ready. We need to leave soon. …I have to get there a little early today."

Hinata blinked again, finally taking her hand away from her eyes. "…Early? Why, Niisan?"

"I just have a few things I need to do," he stated simply.

The Hyuuga girl nodded a bit, turning to go back to her room and get dressed. Maybe Neji would tell her why he needed to be there early on their way there. It didn't bother her too much. It was probably just something for one of his classes. But still…she hoped it was nothing bad.

After getting ready to leave, Hinata came back to find her cousin. Neji was at the doorway waiting. He smiled softly at seeing her back again.

"Come. We need to hurry," he said before going through the door.

Hinata quickly followed behind him, wondering again what the rush was about. It wasn't like Neji to hurry like this for school. He was wonderful when it came to his school work, but it wasn't as if he was ecstatic to be going there every morning.

"Neji-niisan," Hinata called as she caught up to him quickly, looking up at him as they walked. "Why are we…going so fast?"

The boy blinked down at her. "Just a little something I need to do. That's all."

Neji hadn't forgotten about the previous Thursday. Not even after the four-day weekend they'd had. He would make sure Zaku got back what he'd done to Hinata. Even if it meant himself being put in detention.

Of course, Hinata had no idea this was Neji's plan. She'd pretty much forgotten about the whole incident. The only thing worrying her about it was what would happen when the school found out about them being in a relationship now.

Soon, the two of them were there. Their house wasn't far from the school, after all. Neji paused, scanning the area for the boy who had nearly ruined his cousin's entire Valentine's Day. Zaku hadn't arrived yet, though. Just as Neji had suspected.

Hinata, who hadn't been watching where she was going, suddenly bumped into Neji with a small, startled squeak, looking up at him with wide eyes. Giving a smile, the boy looked down at her.

"Why…did we stop?" she asked quietly.

"No reason," he continued to walk again, making his way up to the front door of the building.

Hesitating a small moment, Hinata quickly followed him again. Once the two of them were there, Neji turned around to face the schoolyard, crossing his arms nonchalantly. Hinata stood next to him, blinking curiously; she wondered why he was acting so differently, but didn't mention anything of it. The two of them plainly stood for a few more minutes before Neji's eyes caught a glimpse of who he was looking for. He casually turned to Hinata, placing his hands on her shoulders as he spoke.

"Hinata…," he began. "Stay here. Alright?"

She blinked. "…Um…alright."

"Alright. Thank you," he quickly gave her lips a light kiss (making her blush ever so lightly) before turning again and beginning to make his way toward Zaku and his group of "friends."

Hinata watched as Neji approached them, suddenly realizing what was going on. Her eyes widened quickly upon the realization as she brought her hands to her lips. If what she thought was about to happen was happening, it would indeed get Neji into serious trouble. She wanted to stop him; run out to him and hold him back. But he'd asked her to stay. And…she'd told him she would. She knew he was only protecting her…but…

Noticing his approach, Zaku's group ceased their laughter and chatting, all of them turning to look at the Hyuuga male coming their way. Zaku grinned at seeing his face.

"Well, heeey," he said. "If it isn't the lover boy."

Neji closed his eyes for a moment, opening them again as he paused. Another of the group took his turn to speak.

"Shouldn't you be with the smart kids, Romeo?"

"Heh. Yeah," Zaku took the lead again. "Maybe you—"

Suddenly, Neji grabbed Zaku by the collar of his shirt, dragging him close as he raised a fist in the air. The rest of the group quickly jumped away, each of them commenting on the act inaudibly. For a moment, everything was silent. Zaku grinned.

"Go ahead. Do it, loverboy," he said through the grin.

"…You're not worth it," Neji finally answered, letting go of Zaku and turning back around as he closed his eyes, giving his last words. "Don't speak to her again, Zaku."

"Ohhhh," the boy answered. "I see now. You're just too chicken your cousin'll totally dump you if she sees you do it."

"That's none of your concern," the Hyuuga told him.

Zaku laughed. "Don't you worry, Neji. I don't gotta speak to the little whore to knock some sense into her. She won't be your girlfriend for too long."

Neji froze. That was it. The laughing from Zaku and his friends was soon stopped as Zaku hit the ground. Neji stood over him as the others in the group quickly left the area.

At the steps of the building, Hinata's eyes were wide with panic. Her hands covered her mouth as administrators and teachers rushed from the school doors, hurriedly running to the scene of the crime which had been committed.

Quickly, Neji's arms were taken by an administrator and held behind his back as the other of the adults hastily helped Zaku from the ground where he'd been thrown from Neji's blow. Neji only stood still as they continued on, glaring at Zaku.

Finally as the panic came to an end, Neji and Zaku were walked back up to the school building. As they passed by Hinata, still on the front stairs of the school, Neji gave her a reassuring smile that everything would be alright. The girl bit her lip worriedly, watching them being taken into the school. She tried to follow, but a teacher held her back, telling her not to interfere. …It wasn't until the end of the school day that Hinata was able to see him again.

---

"Oniisan!" as fast as she could, Hinata ran to him, slamming into him with an embrace as she buried her face in his chest with a small whimper. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. A few seconds passed before she looked up at him, a mix of worry, astonishment, and disbelief in her lavender-tinted eyes. "Why did you do that??"

Neji blinked once, looking back down at her. "…Everything's fine."

Hesitating for a moment as she looked up at him, Hinata was soon buried in his arms again. "Do you realize what you did at all? So many people never dreamed you'd… Niisan…"

The boy smiled, gently placing his hand to the back of her head. "It doesn't bother me. He knows never to hurt you again."

Hinata looked to the ground, still holding onto him. She was honoured he'd do such a thing for her…but if it meant himself being hurt…

"Well…"

"Relax," Neji broke the embrace, taking her hand and beginning the walk back to the Hyuuga household. "I only got two days of in-school suspension for it."

"But…that's not good," she looked up at him worriedly again.

"He brought it on himself," Neji continued.

Hinata's lavender eyes softened just a bit. Her cousin's words were true...

The Hyuuga shook his head before tightening his grip on her delicate hand and meeting her eyes again with a smile. As long as she was safe, it didn't matter to him what happened. He gently laced his fingers with her own.

"Trust me, okay?" he said. "Everything's going to be fine."

Hinata couldn't help but return his smile. And trust him, she would.

---

That afternoon, Hinata lay on her bed with her Spanish homework. Neji had offered to help her, but she'd wanted to try it on her own first, to see if she'd gotten any better. She tapped the pencil on the paper as she tried to remember the word she needed for the sentence. But just as she almost had it, a sudden, loud ring caused her to give a startled yelp, covering her head with her arms. After a few seconds, Hinata realized the noise was merely the telephone. She sighed and reached over to her desk, picking it up and holding it to her ear.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Hinata!" the familiar, feminine voice burst through the line. "Did Neji…really…"

The Hyuuga girl gave a nod, forgetting that nods couldn't be heard over the line. Realizing that, she quickly answered. "Yes… Yes, he did."

"Whoa!" Tenten laughed a bit. "Why'd he do that?"

"…W-Well…," Hinata twirled the spiral phone cord around her finger as a light blush began to appear over her cheeks. "He did it because…"

"…He did it foryou??"

Hinata smiled. "Yeah."

"Hinata, did something happen between you and Neji over the weekend?" the brunette questioned, already knowing the answer.

"I…guess you could say that," the lavender-eyed female began to blush again, biting back her bashful smile.

A second later, a happy laugh rang from the receiver. "I knew it! I told you! I told you he was waiting for you!"

The Hyuuga covered her face as her blush deepened even more from her friend's words. Tenten giggled a little. She could almost hear Hinata's actions over the line. Hesitating a moment, Tenten continued. "So, how does it feel?"

"…New," Hinata smiled, finally uncovering her shy smile.

"I bet," she gave another small giggle. "The first girl he's ever loved. You should feel special."

The shy girl nodded again, still smiling softly. It did feel special. To think of all people, Neji would choose her. But he had. And Hinata knew she was in for many surprises to come. With him. She suddenly felt her heart skip for the first time. Just a small second. The first girl he's ever loved.

"Yeah," she softly answered with a smile. "I do."

Author's Note: And there you have the end. I hate this chapter too, but oh, well. I hope you guys liked it.

Thanks for all the support. I really appreciate it. :)

Happy Valentine's Day. (Even though it's over).