Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own Naruto...wished I did though...
A/N: Hope you guys enjoy…sorry for the delay & everything….firstly, those who have read my other fics, would've probably known that I was struck down by dengue fever...for more than a week, and before that, I was busy wif some school stuff...yeah, I'm a tad lazy writing that (school stuff) down either. So, I asks for forgiveness especially this fic...
I'd like to thank all of you who had reviewed this fic and liked it….so, this chappie goes to you all….and thanx so much for ur support…..I truly appreciate it & that's how it got me to work on this fic….
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LadyBardock – thanx for your review LadyBardock!! I do hope you'll update your fics soon as well….I'm dying to read your awesome collections of NejiHina!!
Aralain – glad you enjoy it….I hope you'll enjoy this chappie too….
Hajnalmadar – yeah, I agree tat Tsunade is a wee bit OOC but it depends in her mood, of coz she haven't been showing her tantrums around Hiashi yet, but I'll get to that!! Thanx for your review!!
mellyd – hahahaa….glad you like the conversation between Tsunade and Hiashi
MidnightStarz – thanx for ur support and especially on your comment, yeah, I know I have such problem with alternating between present and past tense coz I just typed along and I admit, I was a tad lazy in editing it….but I hoped it did not kill you from reading this fic….I really appreciate ur concern & it helped to know tat someone do care!! So, keep up the good work….
rockstar1093 – dun worry, I'll continue 'em!! Only tat I just dun meet writer's block all the time when I do this fic….
disneyrulz23 – thanx for ur support & review!!!
Kichou – glad you like this fic….it means a lot to me!!
MissAna – ohhh…a million apologies for stopping at just one chapter for your reading pleasures!! Yeah….I know how tortured you are….well, just enjoying torturing everybody at the same time!!
Ruukii – awww….I'm so glad ur in love wif my fics!! (hugs) Thanx for your endearing support!!
Michelle – thanx for the comment…..your reviews really made my day!!
dragonstar-dreamer – here's the update you've been asking for….oh yeah, I uploaded the chapter for Summer Love like you've requested….hoped you liked it…
MewmewInuSailorHeart – I'm happy tat you like the story….I'll try to update sooner with the later chapters….
yinyanglover – Hahaha…I know….Hiashi shouldn't spy on his child, but what can he do? He's a father….all fathers are naturally worried about their children….especially daughters….its built in them….
wittyying – Well, ur just gonna have to check it out in the coming chapters huh??
totoro42 – hahahahahaha….ur really funny!! It sounds like you need the loo!! Anyways, happy readin' this chappie!!
Hinata Lovers – Hmm….yup, Tsunade was being a trifle vague about it huh….well, so do I!! You'll just have to catch up with the fic!!
hyuuga fan girl – Me like you like!! Hahahaa….well, I'll try to update as soon as possible & right now, I'm recuperating, but thank goodness I can have my laptop in my hospital room….man…I can live without TV, but I sure as hell can't live without my laptop!!
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Recap:
She smiled and nodded her head. "So, what are you going to do about Hinata? She is my favourite, you know. I do hope you have chosen wisely, coz if you don't and she suffers, I'll make your life a living hell."
Hiashi looked at her. "Don't worry Hokage-sama. She is after all, my daughter and the Hyuuga heiress. She will prevail in my choice."
Tsunade looked at him and smirked, pouring more sake into both their cups as they looked Neji leading Hinata back into her room.
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CHAPTER 2: HAVING A BAD DAY
Neji was pissed. The memories of his uncle talking to Hinata and him a week ago burned deep into the residuals of his mind. Still feeling the fury burning deep within him, Neji concentrated and struck as hard as he could until….
Crrrraaccckkkkk……THHUUDDDD….
Tenten sighed.
Lee sighed.
Gai sighed.
"That's the eigth tree he had decimated today," Tenten said. The three of them sat on the hill overlooking Neji trained on a huge tree that was a hundred times his size fell onto the ground with a loud and thundering thud.
"Sensei, I think you'd better do something before he 'kills' every tree in Konoha," Lee looked at Gai.
"Yeah, and we wouldn't be called Konoha nins anymore by the look of it," Tenten remarked sarcastically.
Gai got up and looked around. "YOSH!! I must do my duty to protect the beautiful greens from the destruction of a youth who is so naively inexperienced in the ways of love!!"
Both Tenten and Lee looked at Gai. Jaw dropped. Eyes bulging out.
Neji??? In love??? Noooooooo……freeeeeeeeakin' waaaaaayyyyyyyyy!! Both Tenten and Lee looked at each other and then at Neji.
"Why on earth are you saying that, Gai-sensei? How can Neji be in love?? I don't even think that word exist in his dictionary!" Tenten exploded. Lee nodded his head in agreement.
Throughout the years the three of them had been team-mates, Neji has never showed any sign of affection of any degree and levels to any member of the opposite sex. And to hint Neji swinging over to the 'other side' will only invite death.
Gai grinned at his other two clueless students and said, "Aaahhh….such innocent minds! Maybe all of you wouldn't know, but the truth is that….our Neji is in love!!"
Gai looked dreamily away. Lee began to sway. Tenten was twitching.
There is no way in hell that Neji is in love and us not knowing about it!! Tenten said to herself. Narrowing her eyes at Neji, Tenten couldn't help but feel a little envious. But, what if it is true? Her chocolate brown eyes looked sad. She always had a super big crush on the Hyuuga male who was her partner since their genin years, and is probably the only guy that never threw her any sexist or sarcastic remark about her fascination with weapons. Neji was always the prim and proper gentleman like all Hyuuga men, but he had taken it a notch up higher compare to the others.
And that attracted Tenten's attention to Neji. But, he never notices her. He never notice the way Tenten look at him and treated him. But Lee did.
"Tenten, what is the matter?" Lee asked.
Tenten sighed and shook her head. "Just feeling a little sleepy." It was half truth. And Lee understood that very well.
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Hinata was on her way back from the market carrying heavy groceries that she tripped on something and anticipating a fall, but…..
She waited.
And waited.
Nothing happened.
She could feel something grasped her waist and her arms still contained her groceries. She turned around and looked into a pair of cerulean blue eyes.
"Na..Na…Naruto-kun!" Hinata exclaimed. Her face blushed a thousand shade of red.
"Hey Hinata-chan!" Naruto scratched his head absently while an arm still around Hinata's waist. "I saw you almost tripped and held on to ya!"
Hinata bowed repeatedly and caused some apples to fall off from her grocery bag.
"Its okay, Hinata-chan!" Naruto gave a wide grin. "Here, let me help you." He said, taking one of her grocery bag from her hand.
"A…ano…Naruto-kun…"
"Aahhh….Hinata-chan! Don't you want me to help? I feel like a superhero if you'd let me!"
Well, you're already my superhero Naruto-kun. Hinata said to herself. Blushing shyly.
Throughout all the years Hinata have known Naruto, her feelings for him has never changed. Despite many male advances, Hinata just wasn't interested in any one of them. She only cared for Naruto. Her hero. Her idol. Her dream….
Everyone in the whole of Konoha knew the Hyuuga heiress's feelings for the dumb 'blond' kitsune……..except himself. And how Hinata wished she was like other girls. Able to confess their true feelings.
Even if Hinata had showed her true feelings, it might not registered into Naruto's mind. Knowing how dense he was, he was known to possess the attention span of a fly.
"Hinata-sama!!"
Someone shouted out for Hinata. Both Naruto and Hinata turned around to see a fuming Neji stroding angrily towards them. His long dark brown hair hovering like long flowing curtain. Try adding a black cloak, black armour and black helmet, Neji would've resembled Darth Vader to the max!
Both Hinata and Naruto could feel Neji's killer aura. If Hinata were to activate her Byakugan, she would be able to visibly see his aura emanating from his body!
Naruto gulped.
Hinata looked down at her feet. Obviously will be anticipating a scolding from her cousin.
"Hinata-sama, why aren't you at home?" Neji demanded.
"A..ano...Nii-sama," Hinata pointed towards her groceries that Naruto helped to carry.
"Hn." He glared at Naruto.
"Hi...err...Neji," Naruto grinned goofily. Gulping nervously. Everyone in the whole of Konoha knew how brutally sadistic Neji could get when it comes to his 'little' cousin. He took the role of 'bodyguard' pretty seriously. (A/N: Don't we all know that??)
"I'll take that," Neji said, taking the groceries from Naruto. "You're dismiss."
It was so typical of Neji since he is Naruto's team captain in the ANBU Elites Corp.
"Nii-san," Hinata murmured, stealing glances back at Naruto who stood right in the middle of the road, looking as though Neji had grown two more heads. Neji started to pull Hinata away when Naruto yelled at Neji.
"Hey Neji! I was just helping Hinata-chan! You don't have to look so grumpy!!"
Neji sneered at Naruto and continued pulling his less-cooperative cousin back to the Hyuuga Complex.
Naruto just stood there looking dumbly at the Hyuuga cousins when somebody slapped him hard on the back.
"Oi Naruto!"
Naruto turned around. His eyes widened and his face broke into a huge grin.
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Chop! Chop! Chop!
Hanabi's eyes were looking up and down. Like looking at a yoyo.
"Err…Nee-chan," Hanabi began. Looking slightly nervous. "You don't have to kill the celery, you know. It's already…..dead."
Hinata ignored her sister. She just couldn't handle that much stress since Neji humiliated her in front of her crush. Looking at the dented frying pan lying lazily at the corner of the table, Hinata reached out and chucked it into the bin by the door.
Hanabi snuck out slowly. Fearing her sister would turn to her once she realized that she had run out of vegetables to chop and frying pans to throw.
Turning out slowly, Hanabi met some of the Hyuuga maids. "Now is not a good time to go in," Hanabi whispered to them.
"I knew something was wrong when she told us to go out." A meek looking Hyuuga girl with ponytail said.
"Sheesh…what shall we do now, Hanabi-sama?" Another Hyuuga girl with braids asked.
"I don't know," Hanabi admitted, biting her lower lips until she'd gotten an idea. "Where is Neji-niisan??"
Both girls looked at each other.
"You sure you want to ask Neji-sama to talk to Hinata-sama?" the braided Hyuuga girl asked.
"Of course! Nii-san is the only one who can placate her," Hanabi said as the three of them walked away from the kitchen.
"Ano….Hanabi-sama," the meek looking girl said. "It might not be a good idea."
"What do you mean, Kamoku-chan?" Hanabi asked the shy and meek girl.
"Ano….Hanabi-sama….when Hinata-sama came home, she quarreled with Neji-sama before going into the kitchens," Kamoku replied.
"Huh??" Hanabi looked surprised. She turned to the braided Hyuuga girl.
"It's true, Hanabi-sama." She paused for a moment, looking at Kamoku. "Hinata-sama told us to leave the kitchens as we could hear them argue. Then there was a loud bang."
"We were afraid that something might happen and went to see, only to have Hinata-sama starting to cut the carrots," Kamoku added.
"Carrots??" Hanabi echoed. "That explains the bucket full of chopped carrots! I hope she's not serving us vegetarian tonight!"
Urrgghh….I hate vegetables!! I'm so gonna die without proteins! Meat proteins!! Hanabi's dreaded thoughts flooded her mind.
Then Hanabi looked at the two maids. "Alright." She paused. "Kamoku-chan and Kikyou-chan, both of you stay here and be near Onee-chan. I go see what happen to Nii-san."
"Hai, Hanabi-sama!"
Feeling a little curious, little Hanabi walked towards the living quarters of the Central Hyuuga Complex, where only Hiashi, Hinata, Hanabi and Neji were living. Walking pass the huge sitting hall, Hanabi proceeded to left side of the building – the West Wing. That was where Hinata and Hanabi were staying while Hiashi and Neji stayed at the West Wing.
Stopping before the shouji doors that marked as Neji's room, Hanabi knocked on the wooden panel softly.
"Neji-niisan!" Hanabi yelled.
Truth be told, Hanabi was never one of those 'womanly' type. She is her father's true daughter. Hinata was her mother's.
"Go.Away."
Hanabi frowned and then she smirked. She pushed the shouji door aside and stepped into the bedroom.
Neji was hiding under the covers of his futon when his infuriating cousin stepped in.
"Nii-san. What did you do to Hina-neechan?? She's so pissed angry that she has committed first degree murders on helpless carrots and celeries!"
"Go.Away." Neji repeated himself, hiding under the covers.
Hanabi knelt down and pulled the covers away. Her eyes widened in shock.
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Dinnertime:
Hanabi was laughing. Uproariously that she was on her back and kicking the floor. Her face was red from all the laughing as she recalled them to the Family.
Hiashi sighed. But secretly, he was amused. He knew Hinata wasn't the type to throw her tantrums around, but unfortunately for his Neji, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Incidently, it was Hinata's first day.
Neji was sitting quietly at his usual seat. His expression was that of an irritated bear with a sore paw.
Hanabi could not help herself as she continued to laugh at her cousin. Pointing her finger at him, "Oh!! You didn't see that one coming, din't cha??"
Neji glared at his youngest cousin. Sporting a huge big bluish-black bruise right on his forehead, everyone could see that Neji was hit by something flat. Hanabi deduced that it was the broken frying pan she saw Hinata chucked into the bin.
After Hanabi had laughed her share out. Dinner proceeded at a slower pace because Hinata was confined in her room, experiencing a very unusual stomach cramp.
Standing outside of Hinata's room, Neji knocked gently on the wooden panel.
Knock knock knock.
"Go away!!" Was Hinata's response.
Neji pushed the shouji door aside and stepped in. In his arms was a small bucket of hot water bottle lounging in the hot water which he prepared after dinner. Knowing how much Hinata needs them, he walked slowly towards her.
"What are you doing here?" Hinata demanded.
Everytime when Hinata has her period, her mood changes, so was her attitude. She became more sensitive, vulgar, aggressive and moody. Well, among all the Hyuugas, only Neji has been through all those without a scratch…..until now.
Hinata hitting him on the head with a frying pan was surely the first ever. And Neji intend to make it the last. Ever.
Looking at his cousin lying on her futon, agonizing over the pain that came with her monthly period, Hinata lay crumpled on the bed and brought her knees to her chin. Feeling the worst she had in days.
Neji sat beside her on the futon and raised her arm as he put the hot water bottle right before her cramping and aching muscles.
Hinata sighed in relief.
Neji proceeded to rub some hot ointment on her feet to keep them warm. Hinata didn't move at all. Normally, she would just flinched away and apologized profusely for imposing herself on others. But having stomach cramps and moody disposition, Hinata embraced the warmth and soothing relaxation of her muscles.
Neji smiled a little, looking at his cousin mewling in contentment.
"Gomenasai, Hinata-sama, for upsetting you this afternoon."
Hinata slowly opened her eyes. She looked at her cousin. Dressed in his typically simple grey and black linen haori and hakama, Neji was massaging her feet with one of her herbal balm.
She bit her lower lip. Hinata felt some form of shame swept right over her.
Neji have always been nice and good with her, after the Chuunin exam incident. He took care of her. He cared for her. He helped to train her. He listened to her daily tales with her team, her outings with her sensei, Kurenai and also her growing fondness for the knuckleheaded Naruto. In which he has utter dislike.
Not that he hated Naruto. But he just don't like Naruto being close with Hinata and vice versa. In fact, Neji just doesn't like any male to be near Hinata. Including Kiba and Shino. He didn't know why it bothered him so much, but all he knows is that, they all do not hold up to Hinata, and in his eyes, Hinata deserves better. Much better. And that was something that Hinata doesn't understand. How can he expect her to understand when she was always looking at Naruto and not concentrating to be the heiress that she's supposed to be?
Neji sighed.
"Go…gomen, Neji-niisan," Hinata murmured softly. Pulling the hot water bottle closer to her. Embracing the nice warmth that settled the pain in her belly.
Neji paused for a moment. His clear eyes looked at his beloved cousin.
Hinata was wearing a pale lilac silk yukata and her long hair spread on the pillows. The soft glow of scented candles around the room gave a romantic feel to Neji. Hinata didn't realized any of it, only that she has fondness for her own homemade scented candles.
Neji could smell the aromatic scents of lavender and chamomile. Two of Hinata's favourite combination in her aromatic scented candles.
"I…I…know you…you cared for…me," Hinata added, suddenly sitting up on her futon. Looking straight at Neji. "I don't want to be….ungrateful, Nii-san. But, I know you….worry…about me."
Neji continued his ministrations on Hinata's foot.
Hinata continued, "I…I…want you..to know…that you mean the…world to me, Nii-san." Her eyes looked into his when Neji raised his head.
She put out her hand onto his bruised forehead. Hinata could feel a tear slipped down her cheek when she gently touched the outline of his big bruise. Feeling guilty for hitting her cousin with a frying pan, Hinata blushed slightly as her fingers slowly moved towards his strong cheek bones. Her fingers nearly touched his
Gomen. Her heart whispered.
Neji's eyes stared into hers. He held her wrist in his hand. Both their hearts were beating like crazy. The contact between them was so thick that they felt enveloped by it.
"Don't." His voice was hoarse and thick. His eyes were searching around her face. Taking in everything he remembered about Hinata into his mind until he stared at her lips. Where the soft gentle voice spoke to him every day of his life.
"Why?" She whispers softly.
He didn't have an answer for that.
Hinata's eyes widened at the electricity between the two of them. Every touch she touches him was like a million fluttering butterflies under his skin. It was a feeling he cannot comprehend. The only other female had touched him was his team-mate, Tenten, and that was not even close to being affectionate. It was more like a taijutsu hit from her. But with Hinata, it was like tingling static effect on his skin. Something he cannot explain. Nobody has told him what those feelings are about.
A million unspoken words floated between them as they stared into each others' eyes.
What are you doing to me, Hinata? He asked himself.
Why am I feeling this way, Neji-nii? She asked herself.
With every ounce of energy and power, Neji turned away and started to get up. "Gomen, Hinata-sama."
Hinata felt something break. And it was for sure as hell not her hot water bottle, but something more fragile than that.
"I-ie, Nii-san," she murmured back. Her head dropped down. Hiding her blushing face from him, Hinata's long beautiful hair covered the sides of her face.
Hinata couldn't help it but wonder. What will happen if he had stayed much longer?
Looking at Neji's back as he left the room, Hinata buried her face in her pillows and felt extreme ache in her heart that seared all through her body and soul.
What happened? She asked herself. Suddenly feeling a piercing pain scorching her insides.
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What happened? Neji asked himself. Leaning against the pillar which was just outside Hinata's room, Neji was thinking. Hard. What happened if I'd stayed much longer?
Neji knew he don't have the answer and sighed to himself. Taking a last look at Hinata's room door, Neji walked away with a heavy heart.
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What the hell happened?? Hanabi looked surprised when she saw Neji's expression when he came out of Hinata's room.
Hanabi was about to turn around the corner when she saw Neji coming out of Hinata's room looking…..devastated??
After Neji left, Hanabi went to her sister's door and peeked through the shouji screen….
-TBC-
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A/N: Finally I've gotten this one done….yeah, I know I was late updating it, but NejiHina was tough to do….I had an idea for this couple until I read another fic which was soooooo bloody similar to what I had, so I changed it again….I don't want people to accuse me of plagiarism, and I wanted it to be originally mine. And so, staying true to my principles (which is 'not too cliché'), this coupling is going to be different, if not more, slightly then…..but wat can you expect when there are hundreds of thousands of writers with very similar idea???
Anyways, the progress between this two will be slower than the others…..well, looking at how impassive Neji is, he's probably more stoic than Gaara & Sasuke put together!! We've seen Gaara's soft side…..hell….even Sasuke smiling (before the whole clan got wiped out) but I've never really seen Neji softened (dun include the time when he first met Hinata, tat doesn't count….he's too freakin' young!! But cute….nonetheless)
So, people!! Tell me wat u think ya??
Kaguya-kiut ou!