Hello! How are you all? Terrible? I know, that's life. Gives us shit. Anyways. I have something lovely for those who wanted Neji as a possible pairing with Kuroki. I do look at the polls, and currently, Sasuke is coming first with Neji coming in second. I do apologize if he's a little OOC. Again, I'm not able to edit the chapter properly, so punctuation may be a bit bad. I do listen to any requests you guys have, and thank you all for being supportive with reviews, favourites and followings. Now, this is a test chapter for Neji. Vote on whether you only want Sasuke as the pairing, or Neji as the rival. It's your guys' choice whether you want Neji in Kuroki's romantic interests or not! So review it!

A dark grin grew upon the darkness, its teeth sharp and glowing against the contrasting background. It was blinding, but for some reason, I couldn't look away. It was as though it was drawing me in, telling me to come closer. I began to walk towards that smile, and soon, I noticed the grin had a body that was shadowed in darkness, but I could see the outline, its arm outstretched, appearing to be waiting for me.

'Closer, Kuroki...' A wispy voice sounded in my ears, like the wind brushing past. It sent shivers down my spine, but I continued to walk closer to it. It patiently waited for me, and I could see that the outline of its hands were jagged and claw-like. It fascinated me. 'Closer...' I was close now, stretching my arm to reach out towards it...so close...

"Kuroki!" My eyes shot open, and I instantly sat up, breathing heavily. I noticed the coat of sweat on my skin, and I wondered if it was to do with that dream. I looked to my left, to see Sasuke sitting up and peering up at me with worried eyes, the moon illuminating his face. Not even three seconds later was his arms around my waist and his face buried into my chest. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his, resting my chin on his head. "Are you okay?" He mumbled, and I sighed. What was I doing in my sleep?

"I'm fine...really." I replied, leaning back against the wall. For the past few weeks, I've been having the same dream over and over again. It called to me, and frankly, I've been losing a large amount of sleep because of it. I heard Shiruba whimper softly, crawling across the bed and nudging my face worriedly with his nose. I smiled softly and began to pet him. "Was I doing it again?"

I felt Sasuke nod against my chest, pulling back to look up at me with a frown. "You were clawing at your face and arms again...I'm really worried about you, Kuroki." He whispered, looking down. I unwrapped an arm from him and brought my hand up to sweep the bangs on his forehead away, resting mine on his.

"I'm sorry...did you want to sleep in the other room? You won't be getting any sleep if you're here with me." I apologised softly, closing my eyes due to me being extremely tired. My eyes snapped open when I felt pressure on my lips again. Little shit.

"No. I'm staying." He said after pulling back, his frown still evident on his youthful face. I sighed and wrapped my arms around him, pulling him down to lay down with me. He made a small yelping sound and our heads fell onto the pillows.

"Keep me in your arms, then, okay?" I smiled softly, tightening my grip on him and pulling him closer. While I wasn't afraid of that strange dreams, I knew Shiruba and Sasuke were worried, so I had to try and comfort them.

Sasuke and Shiruba stilled, and I could hear their steady breaths. I was on the verge of sleep, when a familiar figure stood at the front of my door, its grin glowing. I saw that its figure was completely black, like a shadow. I saw no eyes, but even though it was what people thought to be terrifying...I felt no fear. It stood there, seeming to be watching me as I stared at it. It took a step closer to the bed.

'I'll be waiting...Kuroki..' I closed my eyes as I felt the whisper enter my ears. I knew it was gone...for now.

"Dobe! Get back here, dammit!" The Uchiha yelled throughout the house a I heard the thumping of feet run all around the house. I sighed as I wiped the steam away from the mirror. I have to say...I have nice skin, when it isn't covered in blood, dust, scratches and scars, it's pretty good. I heard the monkey laugh of the Uzumaki echo.

"Naruto! Be careful, alright?" Aonami called. I snickered at how lively the house always seemed to be. I stared at my eyes through the mirror. They still irked me. I sighed, deciding to get dressed now.

I pulled my gloves on as I walked down the stairs, Shiruba following loyally. I could hear Sasuke and Naruto bicker at the table. "I didn't lose the bet! You made me pick paper!" Naruto exclaimed, standing on the chair and leaning over to be all up in his rival's face who sat opposite of him. The Uchiha rolled his eyes.

"I can't make you pick paper. You picked it yourself." He replied with an annoyed tone. A sigh escaped me as I walked into the kitchen where Aonami stood, making breakfast.

"I do hope that's bacon." I said, looking at the frying pan where bacon strips sat. Aonami turned and smiled at me.

"Of course it is. I'm making bacon for you, Shiruba and Naruto-kun, then I'll make some omusubi for Sasuke-kun." She replied, beaming as usual. I smirk-grinned, then went to the fridge and opened the door, looking inside for something to drink.

"Kuroki-chan!" Naruto called, I turned to look back at him. "How should I ask Sakura-chan out?" He asked, determined. I blinked, then snorted.

"Give her flowers and ask if she'd like to go play on the swings." I managed to say before falling into a fit of snickers and giggles. Ten year olds wanting to ask each other out. What has the world come to?

"Really?!" Naruto exclaimed loudly, thinking I was being serious.

"Dobe. She was kidding." Sasuke let a small grin take his lips. I smirk-grinned at him before turning around to look at Aonami, who was smiling softly to herself.

"Your uncle is coming to see us." She informed me. I tilted my head.

"Your side or dad's?" I inquired, jumping up and sitting on the free space on the counter. I crossed my legs as Shiruba sat on the ground beside me. Kuroi must've had a mission, because he wasn't home.

I watched as Aonami expertly handled breakfast. "My side. He says he wants to meet my lovely little daughter." She smiled. I snorted.

"I'm the 'lovely little daughter'?" I rephrased with a sarcastic tone, snickering. Drowning out Naruto's voice has become a special skill of mine. Aonami grinned as she placed the finished bacon on three sets of plates, the smell intoxicating.

"Any daughter of mine is lovely." She replied, grabbing another plate and putting the finished omusubi she made when the bacon was cooking. Shiruba jumped up and I jumped over to the table, landing in the seat beside Sasuke. Shiruba jumped up onto the seat beside Naruto, and Aonami set each plate of bacon in front of us, placing the omusubi in front of Sasuke. All bickering stopped as we savoured the taste of heaven.

"I'm bored." Naruto drawled as he dropped his head on the table. Iruka was going on about jutsus and all. We were all in the same class now. Choji sat closest to the window, Shikamaru beside him. I sat next to the Nara with the Uchiha beside me, Naruto beside him, Sakura then Kiba. Altogether in the back row.

I often leaned back to find that Hinata had been sneaking glances at the monkey every so often, she was at the back row on the other side of the room. When she noticed me looking at her, she flushed and looked away as quickly as possible. I smirk-grinned.

I began to stick paper onto my arm out of boredom, resting my head on my hand that was propped up by my elbow on the table. "School is boring. That's why I sleep during this time." I murmured absent-mindedly, feeling my eyes grow heavy. I could feel Sasuke's worried glance on me, but I decided to keep my eyes on the paper sticking to my arms.

"Well said," Shikamaru agreed, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head. "School is troublesome."

Naruto groaned. "You guys are smart as hell! Yous are just lazy." He said, squinting his eyes in accusation. I sighed.

"You got that right." Shikamaru and I said in unison.

"Naruto! Shut your trap or I'm giving you detention!" Iruka snapped at the blonde. Said blonde blew a rasberry at him, causing Iruka's vein to bulge.

"I'll just escape like every other time!" Naruto taunted, standing up and leaning on the table. Hear we go again.

"Over my dead body, you will!" Iruka snarled, he threw chalk at Naruto and it hit his forehead with such force he flew off the seats and landed on the wall, sliding down. I lost my shit. So did the rest of the class who had a sense of humour or wasn't overcome with worry for the blonde.

"OWWW!" Naruto whined in pain, rubbing his forehead as he sat on the ground, glaring daggers at everyone who was in his peripheral vision. I wasn't included, because I was dying with my hands clutching my stomach, my head in the lap of the Uchiha and my feet curled up to my chest before he got the chance to turn his gaze to me.

I continued to snicker with Kiba as we made our way to our usual seating spot, Naruto grumbling in annoyance as Sakura told him it served him right.

"Looks like we're training without you, Dobe." Sasuke teased the blonde for getting detention. I sat down, leaning against the trunk of the massive tree with Shikamaru on one side and Sasuke on the other. We placed our lunches in the middle of the circle we always seemed to form.

"Bet you're happy about that, huh Uchiha?" Kiba commented suggestively, giving a toothy grin whilst Akamaru began to eat his lunch. I didn't bother looking to see Sasuke's reaction, because I was busy eating.

"I am. I don't have to hear Dobe yelling about how he's going to beat me when he's obviously not." This little remark set Naruto off, but thank fuck Sakura was here to slap him upside the head with a water bottle. That chick is dangerous with a water bottle.

"That's not the only thing you're happy about." I commented, glancing at the Uchiha who frowned at me, that little blush surfacing to his skin. I stuck some rice in my mouth and decided to look away.

"Anyways, you guys have been learning your family's techniques, right?" I asked casually, looking to Shikamaru, Kiba and Choji. They all nodded. I guessed as much. Sasuke and I went to that hidden place with all the Uchiha clan's secrets, or something. He got his sharingan last year. That's a plot twist for the land of the waves.

"It's troublesome." The Nara commented, I smirk-grinned. An expected response.

"I think it's fun, especially when we finish and get to eat." Choji said, smiling as he stuffed a meat bun in his mouth. Cute thing.

"I've been working on medical jutsus and practices." Sakura stated, smiling proudly. "I was fascinated with how many different types of plants there were."

I was about to reply when a blonde hair popped into my view. I leaned to the side to see Ino walking over to us. Everyone noticed me staring, and they turned their heads in the same direction, seeing Ino. Sakura smiled and stood up, racing over to hug her best friend.

"Ino!" Sakura smiled as she hugged her best friend, who hugged her back. Naruto made a 'yulgh!' sound and turned away, moving to eat some more. How very like him. I decided to eat too.

"Sakura! Leaving me to hang out with Sasuke-kun again, are you?" Ino said with a volume higher than necessary. At least she was...outgoing. She pulled back from the hug and placed her hands on her hips, a smile on her small face. Sakura sighed, tired of all the fangirls pestering her about Sasuke.

"You forget I hang out with Sasuke and the others because they're my friends, Ino-pig." Sakura replied with a tone that sounded exhasperated. Ino grinned, taking no offence to the name and turned her eyes to Sasuke, who looked a little annoyed.

"Sasuke-kun! Do you want to eat lunch with me?" She said in that voice that I couldn't describe. It irritated me, that's for sure.

"Don't think he does, Yamanaka." Shikamaru commented coolly, smirking at the female blonde. Said blonde shifted her eyes to the Nara and glared.

"Wasn't asking you." She replied with hostility. I sighed, munching on some dango. I wrapped an arm around Sasuke's shoulder and pulled him to me, a surprised gasp escaping him. Ino caught the movement and turned her gaze to me. I flashed her my infamous smirk-grin.

"Sorry, Ino. Sasuke's mine." I said casually, which caused a mixture of reactions. Naruto and Kiba laughed, Ino growled and Sakura attempted to defuse her friend as she was being dragged off. She shot me an apologetic smile, but I waved. This was normal. Ino and I weren't the greatest of friends, obviously.

"I do hope you're blushing, Uchiha." I commented, releasing said Uchiha and glancing at his face. He was frowning, hard, probably trying to contain his immense blush and failing badly. I gave satisfied smile and continued on with eating.

"Kuroki-chan is awesome!" Naruto yelled to the world, fist pumping in the air. I smiled.

I have to say, right now, life is fun.

He ran at me, eyes focused. He shifted to throw a punch at me, but I blocked and countered by pulling his arm towards me and kicking his shin, causing his balance to go off and fall towards me. I let go of his hand and moved to kick him in the stomach, which sent him flying back and tumbling across the ground. He coughed when he finally stopped moving and sat up, dirt all over him as he clutched his stomach. I smiled innocently.

"You can do better than that." I commented, trudging over to him and offering to lend him my hand. He took it and I pulled him up.

"So, are you always holding back when you fight me?" He asked breathlessly, continuing to hold onto my hand.

"Yep." I replied immediately. Fighting Kakashi or Kuroi was a real challenge, so compared to them, Sasuke was an easy opponent. I'm sure he'll get stronger though...and hotter. Well, hormones. Nice to see you again. You're going to ruin my innocent image of Sasuke, aren't you? You are?! I knew it.

"You should work on your sharingan. I'm heading out for a bit, so don't wait up, alright?" I said, releasing my hold on his hand and beginning to trudge away.

"See you later." He called behind me, and I raised a hand as a goodbye. I jumped, landing on a nearby branch and made my way through the village.

I dropped down when I was near a familiar figure, who immediately turned to throw a punch at me with great speed. Luckily, I was able to catch his fist before I was punched in the face.

"Nice to see you too, Neji." I greeted the overly-serious eleven year old. He glared at me, before basically tearing his arm hand away from my grip and continuing to walk down the street.

"It's Hyuga to you, Taidana." He replied sternly, I smirk-grinned, following him with my hands in my pockets.

"It's Neji to me, Neji." I retorted teasingly, glancing around the street we were walking down. I met Neji a while ago, I think maybe a year ago or something. I have to say, it was a fun fight.

"What do you want?" He demanded, looking over to me with hard eyes. I liked his lavender eyes, there weren't pupils, so I always wondered how he could see without the Byakugan.

"I can't say hello to a friend of mine?" I grinned, nudging his shoulder with mine. I purposefully used more force than necessary, causing him to tip and having to regain his balance. He glared at me, but that was normal.

"No, you can't. I'm no friend of yours." His words caused me to snicker.

"But what if it was fate, Neji?" I asked, leaning close to his face as we walked. I found it funny as his gaze hardened even more than it already was. He appeared to have no answer for that.

"You need to lighten up a bit, you know? While you've just been a bundle of joy since we've met, I do believe that it was fate that we did." I commented, cracking my neck as we turned a corner.

"Even if I wished it otherwise, we cannot fight fate." He said quietly, in a begrudging tone. I pulled his hair, which made him pull back and glare at me again. I continued to smirk-grin.

"Says you. Let's make a bet. In two years, you're going to meet someone who doesn't agree with you, and they're going to do everything in their being to prove you wrong." I proposed, which caused the Hyuga to frown at me.

"What kind of bet is that?" He asked, stopping in the middle of an empty street to look at me.

"The bet is that you're going to meet someone who's going to prove you wrong."

"And if I don't?" He frowned and began to walk ahead. I followed.

"I'll do whatever you want for two weeks. How about that?" I smirk-grinned, taking my hands out of my pockets to run a hand through my hair.

"Hardly a prize." He commented, rolling his eyes. He glanced at me, a glint of curiosity in his lavender eyes. "If you win?"

I stepped in front of him, turning to face him with a mischievous grin. I leaned close to his face, both of us having strong eye contact with each other. "You do what I want for two weeks."

He scoffed. "An unlikely thing isn't bound to happen. This is a trivial bet." He stated, his voice yet again stern.

"Then you won't mind making it." I replied, tilting my head in an innocent matter. He glared at me long and hard before sighing.

"Fine. Now move." He agreed, and I moved out of his way, letting him walk by. I followed again.

"Can I go to your house with you again?" I asked. First time I went there, everyone was all formal, but it seemed that a few people knew who I was. I even met someone who said they saw me when Kurama was out, and my parents had to take me home. They were nice people, if a bit stern like the Hyuga next to me.

"No." He replied almost immediately.

"Come on. I'm probably the only one who's capable of fighting you without you having to hold back." I said, trying to convince him. I didn't fail to notice how he glared ahead of him.

"I have watch that useless girl learn to fight." He said, his voice full of scorn.

"Hinata? All the better, I can be there to cheer you up when you're releasing tons of hostility." I grinned.

"She's weak. She isn't cut out to be a ninja, too kind and not confident. It's best if they stopped trying." Neji really hated her, huh? I poked him, and he pulled away from my touch so quickly he nearly fell over.

"Pfft!" I held my stomach for the impending pain as I laughed at the Hyuga's reaction. I could basically feel his glare burning me, but I couldn't stop. Even though he was probably incredibly embarrassed, he didn't move from glaring at me. I calmed down after a little bit, and when I could finally open my eyes; there he was, glaring at the ground.

"You know what I want to see?" I asked him, stepping closer. He looked up, appearing to be steeling his eyes again.

"What?" He nearly spat, either in anger, embarrassment or both.

"Your mark." I said, completely serious. Apparently, my change in demeanour took him off guard, and his eyes widened, before he regained himself and glared at me, stepping back.

"I already showed you." He replied, something in his voice sounding different.

"Show me again." I said, stepping closer again. Another heated glare as pointed at me again.

"Why?"

"Because I need to show you that this mark doesn't define who you are, Neji." I replied, touching the bandages wrapped around his forehead. He turned his head away, but I grabbed the string thing that resided on both sides of his face, framing it, and pulled his head back to me. He glared, grabbing my hand and trying to pry it off, but I had stronger grip.

"Let go." He demanded sternly. I sighed.

"Really, Neji. You've known me this long, yet you still treat me this way." I said softly. He stared at me.

"Why do you try so hard to be my friend?" He asked out of the blue, which made me blink. I still held the string thing whilst he held my wrist.

"I can't fight fate, can I?" I replied, smiling. The Hyuga's eyes yet again widened, but then something unexpected happened. He smirked. My turn to be surprised.

"I've never met anyone like you." He stated, but I was more worried about that unusual expression that held a smirk and a dark look in his eyes.

"That's to be expected. I'm one of a kind." I retorted, tilting my head at him. I let go of his string thing, but he didn't let go of my wrist.

"Beat me in a fight, and I'll treat you better as a friend." He proposed.

"Deal. Let's go." I agreed instantly, I could feel myself grin evilly. Neji's strong, but I have a lot of secrets.

I bent my knees, using them to keep my upper body up by placing my hands on my thighs, leaning over and panting heavily. That was some fight. I blinked as I breathed in, leaning back and standing back to my full height. Thy sky was coloured in orange, yellow and red. I took my time trudging over to the Hyuga breathing hard on the ground on his back. He looked to me as he continued to pant.

I dropped to my knees beside him, then shifted to cross my legs. He took his time sitting up, resting his forearms on his thighs. We stayed silent as we caught our breaths.

"You missed out on watching the princess." I said softly, finally able to steady my breathing. He frowned.

"I'd rather spend my time with you than watch her." He spat, but I only grinned at that compliment.

"I won, you know." I informed him. First person to drop down in exhaustion was the loser. He lightly glared at me.

"Unfortunately. I have to train more." He said, gritting his teeth in annoyance. I leaned forward, resting my forehead on his shoulder. He surprisingly didn't move it out of the way.

"So, after knowing me for about more than a year, do you finally accept me as your friend?" I asked, looking up to face him. He glanced at me, a frown on his face.

"I'm only doing this because I'm curious, so don't get any ideas." He commented, and I tilted my head, at first thinking he meant our friendship, but the fact that his face was closer and I felt lips on the corner of my mouth told me otherwise. As quick as it happened, he pulled away, then moved to stand up.

I blinked.

Then I blinked again.

"AGAIN?!" I yelled in horror to the world, my hands dramatically holding my aching head. In the corner of my eyes, I saw the damned Hyuga look back at me over his shoulder, a smirk planted clearly on his fucking lips.

"My consolation prize, Kuroki." He stated, then before I could reply, he was gone.

"That arrogant little mother fucker!" I exclaimed, throwing a punch into the ground, which successfully caused a small crater. Fucking lucky shit it wasn't on the lips.

After it had became dark, I finally calmed down, but the training ground that had training dummies and all were completely destroyed, trees were demolished, the ground having my craters and kunai in it.

Who knew that Hyuga Neji could be that fucking arrogant! Motherfucker! I wasn't informed on this in the canon! Why, Masashi Kishimoto! Why?!

I opened the door to my home, exhausted, but my loyal pet Shiruba bolted into the hallway and sprinted at me. I caught him as he jumped on me, greeting me home with barks and licks and all that. I smiled tiredly.

"Hey, Shiruba. You wouldn't believe the day I've had."

I closed the door behind me, then walked into the kitchen, seeing Aonami cooking and Sasuke in the fridge. He looked at me, then grinned. I returned it with my own grin. "Welcome home, Kuroki." He said, passing me a drink that I liked. I grabbed it, and that's when Aonami looked to me with a beaming smile.

"Hello, Kuroki~. Welcome home. I'm cooking dinner, so clean yourself up, okay?" She greeted me, then resumed her chopping of the meat.

"Alright, thanks." I thanked, drinking the drink and putting the bottle in the sink, out of the way of the food. "Sasuke." I said the Uchiha's name as he was rummaging through the fridge. He stopped and looked to me, when I suddenly leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He blew up with red. I smiled then began to walk to the stairs with Shiruba.

"Aw! Sasuke, you're all red!" I heard Aonami gush from the kitchen. I snickered at hearing the Uchiha attempt to make excuses.

"What a day." I commented, throwing my clothes off and stepping into the shower, turning it on and letting the cold water wash over my body. I leaned my head on the wall as the water gradually became warmer.

Neji isn't going to be like that when he's older, right? He's going to be all mature, calm and shit, right? Maybe it's better he be cold to me now rather than an arrogant kid who knows my weaknesses. This is my fault.

I wiped the steam off the mirror, and I was mildly surprised by the grinning figure whose body was completely black. I turned back, and there it was.

"After I had a shower? Really?" I asked it, more casually than I thought. It sniggered quietly, its grin never faulting. It stepped towards me, its claw-like black fingers brushed against my cheek, and shivers bolted through me.

'Kuroki...' I frowned at it, but I was sure it was male, even though it just looked like a corporeal shadow. 'Soon...'

"Soon, what?" I inquired, tilting my head. It leaned closer, and I leaned against the base of the sink. Was it real? Was it apart of my imagination? Why could I feel it, then?

'You'll see...' I blinked, and it was gone. I looked to the ground. I really wonder what the hell it wants with me.

And there we have it. It's a good thing that I actually have the motivation to do it, even if it's not my best chapter. DON'T IGNORE THIS. I'm giving you guys the choice of choosing whether the next chapter is the chapter where they finally get sorted into teams and the plot starts, or we go with another filler. Put it in your reviews, please. Anything you'd like to ask me, just pm me or something. I decided not to put in Neji and Kuroki's meeting because that means backflashes, which I'm not in the mood for. I do hope he wasn't too OOC for you guys.

I'm going to need reviews. I can't update unless I have people telling me whether they want the plot or filler for the next chapter. So, if you guys are wondering why I won't be updating in the next two to three weeks, it's because people aren't giving me enough thoughts to go on. Sorry to those who really want an update.