A/N; Hey guys! AnimeHostess here, I just want to say thank you all so very much for supporting this story the way you have, I'm exited to see that we hit fifty reviews, so in honor of the fiftieth reviewer I am dedicating this chapter to the anonymous reviewer /lucky charms/. Thanks so much!

Chapter 13

"virtue and relationship status"

I shifted my weight on the pillow so that I could stretch out my arm from under me. I felt so croaky and tired. Every muscle in my body seemed to ache. I sighed, my eyes still closed, as I rolled over to the other side of the bed.

I felt around for the big wall that stopped me, confused. Huh? Since when was my bed facing a wall! It felt a lot like…a chest…a man's…chest.

My eyes snapped open immediately, frightened at this new discovery. Gray, lavender eyes met my brown and it took me a moment to know who it was.

"Good morning," he said. "Did I startle you?"

I screamed so loud that my lungs were burning. I tripped and fell flat on my face as I struggled to get free from the tangle of blankest all over the bed. I placed my right hand over my heart in an attempt to stop the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I stared at him, his form lying nonchalantly staring back at me, my eyes wide and my mouth agape. "What, -no." I shook my head, "-how? Wait, WHY," I took in a big breath, "ARE YOU ON MY BED!"

Neji stared at me like I had amnesia. "You invited me in," He gave me a sly smirk. "Do you not remember?"

"Uh, no. I think I would remember something like inviting you in." (Damn, sarcasm really is one of my saddest traits)

"Pizza, birthday plans, kissing? Any of that ring a bell!" He looked really concerned now, like he really did believe I had amnesia.

My mind flashed back to the day before. A mini episode of all that occurred that day.

My whole face heated up and I suddenly realized my attire.

A bra.

A panty.

And bare nudity.

"OMG!" I screamed running for the bathroom. "Why didn't you tell me I was only wearing underwear?"

I couldn't see as I was hurriedly pulling on a shirt but I felt it when he shrugged. "You hadn't asked."

"I didn't need to ask, when someone's only in prized delicates you're supposed to say something," I barked at him as I came out the bathroom. I suddenly remembered an important detail. "Wait, Neji, what did we do? We, we didn't…?"

"Of course not. I am not the type of man to take advantage of a woman. We started to fool around a bit but eventually we just fell asleep like this."

He was about to stand as I processed this new information, (beyond relieved by the way); but I stopped him before he could. "No."

He gave me a confused look.

"Uh-uh. Don't get up. At least not when I'm in the same room as you."

I hurried for the door, giving him a chance to dress, when out of no where, a pair of arms snaked around my waist before I could.

"Why, are you embarrassed?" he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

My heart raced and my mouth turned dry almost immediately. The blush on my cheeks only seemed to intensify when I stuttered, "N-no, I just…d-don't want to." I tried clearing my throat. "Um see…you…naked. T-that's all."

"Why should it matter? Aren't you my girlfriend now?" He asked in a small voice, his mouth still close to my ear. "Besides, I'm still wearing my boxers."

I turned around in his arms, ignoring the pent up lust building up at the look of him clad only in black boxers, while at the same time keeping a straight face. "I don't remember ever agreeing to either A. be you girlfriend or B. go out with you. What makes you important enough to make all the decisions in our relationship?"

He spoke the words slowly. "You don't want to be my girlfriend." My heart stopped at his tone and then broke into a sprint. He waited, watching and listening to my reaction.

"It's not that." I finally whispered.

Neji looked down-confusion etched on his features-, loose strands of his hair casting long shadows across his cheek bones, and dropped his hands to my own. He played with my fingers as I tried to swallow.

"It's just," I muttered after finally finding my voice. I took in a deep shaky breath. "You're going to laugh."

"I promise I won't." He replied sincerely.

"I just can't see us, together. I mean it's not that…I don't like you, because I do. It's just difficult for me to imagine myself in a relationship right now, and with you of all people!" I laughed humorlessly. "If I was going to be in a relationship, with anyone, it would have to be serious. I don't just want to be a stupid fling you use and then toss away once you deem it necessary. I'm sure this sounds like some corny big joke but this is what I feel. Sorry." I confessed, and gazed at the ground; at the look of our bare feet pressed against my carpet.

There was a brief pause. I jumped slightly when I felt Neji's warm hands holding my face.

He stared into my eyes as he stroked my cheek and I felt the blood rush up to color my skin. He smirked gently.

"I would not pursue you if I wasn't interested or serious on making us work. I have no intention of using you as a stupid fling either, Tenten. I like you. You intrigue me. Somehow you aren't like any other female I've met before. You're unique."

I lifted my head back and glared at him, embarrassed that he thought I was a freak.

"Not in that since." He defended himself. "You're just…special. Special to me. So I'm going to ask again. Will you go out with me? As my girlfriend?"

My face went white to scarlet in a sudden blaze. I didn't know what to say. And, when I did, I couldn't open my mouth to say it.

"I don't know what to say." I whispered my mouth dry again.

"Just say yes." He advised.

I looked up at him, the gray depthless eyes I've come to adore filled with nothing but sincerity.

"Yes…alright, I will." I agreed. It felt strange to me, to agree to something like this, almost like I was signing a death wish. But weirdly enough, I felt strangely content. Why? I did not know. Only that I was happy.

He bent down to kiss me. His hands were soft on my face and his warm lips were gentle.

It was brief, and yet very sweet.

His arms curled around me and hugged me securely to him as he whispered. "I promise to never throw you aside."

Against his chest, where he couldn't see, the tears welled up and spilled over. (And I thought Sakura was emotional...)

"I have to go to work Neji."

"So?"

"So, you need to let me go and go get dressed."

He sighed letting go of me. We had been standing there in each others arms for what felt like hours, but were truly minutes, neither of us speaking, and completely at ease.

I had my shift today at "Caily's" early since I didn't want to miss out on Sakura's birthday party later tonight. I didn't know, then, that I was going to get a boyfriend on the same day.

"I'm going to go take a shower." I started to walk to the bathroom but turned back to him quickly glancing at his outfit. "Put on some clothes while you're at it too."

"Do you like eggs?" He called out to me before the door could close.

"Uh, sure. Why does it matter?"

His voice sounded muffled like he was pulling on a shirt. "I'm making you breakfast."

I hesitated, surprised that he could cook. "Alright; it better taste good!" I joked, shutting the door. At the sound of his chuckle and fading footsteps I began my shower for what was sure to be a long day.

Twenty minutes later, my hair wet and my uniform on, I emerged from my bedroom fully dressed to the smell of mouthwatering eggs. I've never bin a fan of them before so it surprised me that I was exited to taste it.

"Wow," I commented sitting on one of the stools and leaning my elbow on the counter.

"It smells amazing."

Neji turned his face to me preparing to make me a plate. "The way you said "wow", makes me think you didn't believe I could cook."

I laughed nervously at his suspicious gaze. "Not at all."

My eyes fluttered closed at the deliciousness of the meal. It was spicy, yet not over done, with hints of spices that gave it a really great taste. My fork stabbed at another piece and I lifted it to my mouth.

"Good?" Neji asked observing me in amusement.

"Very." I replied. "Where'd you learn to cook so well?"

He shrugged absentmindedly. "My clan makes sure were skilled in all areas. So I guess I learned from them."

"Mm-hm." I murmured still very into my breakfast. My eyes widened when I caught sight of the bags from yesterday, still sitting in the same spot that I left them from before.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed looking back at Neji in panic. "I didn't rap Sakura's present yet. I don't have time now, I'm nearly late. And by the time I get back from work I'll only have a few minutes to get ready."

Neji who was sitting beside me on a stool of his own eating his share, turned his head to look at me. "What do you say to me picking you up from work a few minutes early, rapping the present for you, and still make it possible so we both arrive to the party with ten minutes to spare?"

I smiled slightly. "You'd do that?"

"Hn. Of course. You're my girlfriend now. Things aren't the same from before."

I finished my breakfast in a daze. My heart fluttering at this man, my boyfriend now, who was being so sweet and gentle with me, almost the complete opposite of how he was when we first met.

"Can I take a shower here?"

"Sure." I said. As I placed my plate in the sink and grabbed my keys and my bag. I glared at him. "Just don't use my toothbrush, because that's just nasty."

He smirked at me. "Hn." He kissed me briefly on the lips before disappearing down the hall.

I finished my glass of orange juice and opened the front door. At the sound of the shower running I smiled, thinking of Neji and all we have been through, before closing the door behind me and heading for work.

A/N; ok, so this chapter was really hard to write. I think it was because it was all corny and fluffy and stuff. LOL.

Anyway I love you all as all ways. You make writing this story so much more special.

Good luck with school...those of you that have it.

Until next time,

~!~!Animehostess!~!~