Ew, another short chapter. With luck, the next chapter will be longer, and will include a nice sprinkle of SASUHINA. Ooooh! Anyway...Again, told from Neji's POV, has a lot about his feelings for Hinata. I've noticed he'd getting a bit selfish - but I think that's what I like about him in this story! His selfishness is adorable. Well, I hope you enjoy this installment, while I try and update my other fics. -stares at unfinished fanfics guiltily-

Chapter Four - Neji's POV Continued

I don't want to wake up, but the glaring sun through my window is very forceful. I sigh weakly and roll over on my bunk, not remembering that my bunk is very small. I end up falling to the ground with a large thud, and of course, a groan from me. "Dammit all..." I curse to myself, sitting up in the clothes I had been wearing yesterday. I stand up, my back hurting horribly from my fall. I walk groggily to the closet, and quickly change into new attire.

I can hear the bustle and hustle of the other Hyugas downstairs, and open my door slowly. I walk down the stairs, and expect to get Hiashi glaring at me for being lazy. Yet, I do not see that. The people downstairs that I have been hearing are only my cousins — Hanabi and Hinata are making breakfast, and I feel shock running through me to see Hinata.

She is absolutely beautiful. Her long purple hair is braided down her back unlike usual, and her lavender eyes and lips are smiling down at Hanabi as she shows her how to do something with the stove. Hanabi looks eager, and is nodding, excited to make breakfast.

"Neji-niisan!" Hinata's voice makes me jolt, and I lift my eyes to stare into hers. She gives me the cutest of smiles, and I almost groan from temptation. But she continues to speak, and thus, I am captured, pulled into her language. I listen, trying to keep myself from jumping. If Hanabi was not here, I probably would have already given in...she is just much too beautiful to stand.

"Breakfast is ready, here you go. Father is out, and so are some of our cousins." Hinata's pleasant voice is so alluring, I wish I could tell her to stop, but I would never do that to her, because, for one, it would send her into deep embarrassment, and two, I would never be able to stand the embarrassment either. I'm not supposed to have these kinds of feelings for my cousin — but can you really blame me? And third — I really don't think I'd be able to take it if she spoke any different. It'd be very painful for me, because I would no longer hear her.

I sit down, and begin to eat my breakfast. It's really delicious, but I like it most because it was made by her. Her loving hands. It's slowly killing me, as I eat carefully, savoring every bite of the simple toast and scrambled eggs she made for me. For me!

"Alright, well, I'm off, take care Hanabi-chan, Neji-niisan." I hear her say, and look up, startled. What? She's leaving!? Where could she possibly be going? Of course, I have to ask this question. I need to know everything about Hinata. I can't let her get hurt.

"Hinata, where are you going to?" I ask, trying to keep my voice casual so she won't scowl at me. She doesn't often look at me like that, with a scowl, but when she does I feel almost heart-broken. God, I'm such a weak minded idiot. Can you really blame me though, after everything I've been through with her? I am very over protective, I know, but I have good reason — don't I?

"Oh, Sakura-san is sick today, very sick, I heard, so they're letting me fill her spot when they go on a mission. I'm very excited to get a chance to work with Naruto-kun and Sasuke-san." A blush creeps up on her face when she mentions Naruto's name and I have to swallow hard to keep myself from snarling.

"But — today we need to train!" I blurt out the first excuse that comes to mind, and Hinata ends up laughing. Not like she's teasing me, but I suppose because maybe she thinks I'm funny? Where am I going with this — oh god, I'm not even sure anymore.

"We'll train tomorrow, Neji-niisan. And didn't you tell me yourself that I was stronger? I'll finally get to show my strength to Naruto-kun, you should be happy for me. I want to become stronger, but little by little. You understand, don't you?" Her eyes are suddenly sad and I melt, nodding. I don't understand at all what's so great about that damned loudmouth — he'd end up crushing her with his loud voice, and would ignore the needs that she shows in her own silent matter. She needs someone who understands and is more quiet like her. Someone she can interact well with. I don't think Naruto could possibly be that person.

"Don't worry, Neji-niisan...I'll be back later, it's not a very important mission anyways, we're just doing some things nearby, and I'm just there to be a medic in case." She leans down and presses her lips carefully to my cheek, and I feel my cheeks burn. But I hear the pain in her voice, and it scares me horribly. She seems sad — as if she thinks she's just there for the team as a back-up...Isn't that it, though? She's a Sakura back-up.

Then her voice brightens. "But Neji, why don't you go visit Sakura!" she suggests and I frown at her, confused. She then gives me a playful wink, and I'm even more flustered. "I know you think she's cute. And I can't blame you. Sakura-san is very pretty. I'm sure she'll be flattered if someone as handsome as you goes to visit her." says Hinata, grinning at me cutely.

Oh, she's got it all wrong. Sure, Sakura-san is pretty, but I've never seen her as more than Naruto and Sasuke's teammate. I think I might have talked to her once or twice over the last few years — where the hell is Hinata getting this from? Of course, if it was Hinata sick, lying in her bed, and I was told to go visit her, I would get up and run to her side at once. Unfortunately for me, however, Hinata is in great shape, and on her way to see Naruto.

And Sasuke.

That boy attracts girls all the time — he has his own fan club, I'm sure of it. I don't need Hinata becoming one of his fan girls. Actually, I won't let that happen. My mind is running out of control — it's bad enough she's so obsessive over Naruto, but if the same happened to Sasuke, I'd probably commit suicide. Because that would be just so horrible. I promise myself now that I'll never let Sasuke get his pale hands on my cousin. Never.

"You're wrong, Hinata...I don't want to see Sakura-san. Yes, she's pretty, but I don't have a crush on her. "I stare sincerely at Hinata, but she is oblivious as she shrugs and turns, grabbing her coat.

"Fine, then I'll see you guys later, right?" she tells her sister and I, heading towards the door. I almost get up to stop her, but Hanabi steps hard on my foot and forces me to stay in my spot. I glare at her and she glares at me — there's anger in both of our eyes, because we both want what's best for Hinata, but we think of two different things as being what she needs. I suppose, by Hanabi's records, Naruto (or Sasuke, I can't exactly ask) is what's best for her. But to me, and I'm almost positive that I'm right, I'm going to be the best for her. She needs me.

Even worse, as I watch her walk out the door, I know that even more than she needs me, I need her. I need everything about her. I just can't deal with it.

Review? I'd love you. Well...I hope I'm doing alright!