Hi all,

So I guess it's been a while. Ok, so a while is an understatement. From re-reading some of my favorite fanfiction works, I've decided to get back into writing. I'm cringing at the stuff I used to write, but I'm hoping I can continue this story and make it so that I was never gone. Anyway, here's the long awaited chapter 4 and 5.

I don't own Naruto. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and all other respective owners.

(A/N: I understand now that this is slightly AU because of events that happened in the actual canon. I'll do my best to fix my story accordingly)

Gaara's hand was beginning to sweat. Perhaps this was a side-effect from his "sheltered" childhood. The only other girl's hand he'd ever held was Temari's, his older sister. Now that he thought of it, he hadn't had many serious romantic encounters with girls his own age.

As they rounded a corner, the Hyuuga district came in to view. Soon enough they were under the canopy of dozens of cherry blossoms trees. Petals of pink fluttered and danced in the gentle July breeze. The numerous arcs of branches clothed in sleeves of pink opened to reveal a traditional castle that loomed overhead. A small gasp escaped from Hinata's lips.

"The preparations! I can't believe I forgot!"

Hinata quickly slipped her fingers out of Gaara's hand and turned to face Gaara with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry. After I blacked out, I forgot I was supposed to inform the Hokage about something important. I really have to get going now."

She bowed deeply before turning to jog down the path to the Hyuuga compound.

As Gaara walked past the arcade they had just come from, his mind unconsciously played back the events from the date. The sudden tensing of her fingers in his own; The furrow of her brow as she smiled and said goodbye; The urgency in her step. Whatever it was that was bothering her wasn't readily made clear to him.

"We celebrate all birthdays of the Main family, you know that" Neji's father, Hizashi stood with his arms folded across his chest.

Neji pouted, "Then how come I've never been to Hinata's birthday before?"

After a moment of contemplation Hizashi said simply, "We were never invited before"

"Then this time must be super important then!" Neji grinned and ran past Hizashi outside the Branch house with the intention of heading towards a Hyuuga practice area.

Make sure you're back before the celebration!" Hizashi let out a short huff and shook his head at the disappearing figure in the distance.

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As young Neji neared the training ground he could hear the small grunts of someone using the practice posts. Drawing closer he saw the small figure of a boy—no, a girl—thrusting her knuckles at the wooden log. Keeping himself a good distance away, Neji observed the girl. He'd never seen the girl before but he was dressed in training clothes much similar to his own. He didn't have to see her eyes to know that she was a Hyuuga. She seemed to have had enough training to maintain the proper form, until she fell to the ground with a hard thud.

Neji ran to the small body that lay still on the ground. Adrenaline was rushing through his system as he mimicked what something he'd seen someone do in the medical wing of the house. Checking for a pulse he held his ear to her chest, quickly moving to peer into her eyes by pinching open her closed lids. Breathing a sigh of relief, Neji reached into his equipment pouch to retrieve a small warmth pack. As the days began to shorten and the nights got colder, Hizashi always stuffed Neji's pack with one or two heat packs. Neji pushed back the girl's bangs and placed the pack on her forehead. He noted her unusual hair-color. It was very much unlike his stick straight brown hair, or many of the other Hyuuga he knew.

Standing up, the young boy approached the practice post to examine the peculiar marks the little girl left behind. Neji had always practiced in the arena, and the people he encountered there dwindled as December came, retreating back into the warmth of the dojo. Neji would have noticed the marks had they been made earlier, so he quickly deduced that she had only just started practicing today. To Neji's surprise, the girl had crudely carved an 'x' and was hitting it repeatedly with her bare hands.

Neji sucked his teeth in slight pity. The post was the best practice tool without the aid of 'x' marks. There were perfectly good rods that jutted out from the trunk of the log for taijutsu trining.

Hinata stirred awake.

"Are you feeling better?"

"What happened?" Hinata rubbed her eyes and sat up, causing the heat pack to fall into her lap. "What's this?"

"You passed out." Neji pointed to the pack on her lap "That's mine"

"Oh" A small frown surfaced on her face. Getting back on her feet, she bowed a little before handing back the pack "Thank you"

Neji regarded the tiny girl, but didn't make any movement to accept the pack. "Does it happen a lot?"

Hinata still bowing peered up in confusion at the stranger who looked a lot like a tinier version of her father.

"P-pardon?"

"You said 'oh' like it happened a lot. The fainting, I mean" Neji, unsure of why he'd asked the question in the first place, began to feel uncomfortable under her gaze; Her eyes unblinking and wide with curiosity.

Hinata nodded solemnly. But clenched her fists and raised them in the air, "But I'm trying to get stronger!"

A chuckle escaped from Neji's lips, until he eyed her knuckles.

"What?" Hinata wondered whether there was a big bug on her or something.

"You're bleeding"

Before she knew it, Neji was kneeling before her and wrapping her left hand in bandages.

Neji tore the bandage with his teeth and tied it in a neat bow. "There, all better" Neji shifted his weight back on his heels as he admired his handiwork.

"Father always said my hands are too delicate" Hinata twisted her arm and squeezed her hand into a fist to test the bandages. In almost an instant, she brought the hand to cover her mouth in shock.

"Father! Oh no! I have to get back!"

"Did something else happen? Is your Father ok?" His question fell on deaf ears as the girl haphazardly gathered her things.

She moved to pick up the heat pack before hesitating and glancing at Neji.

"It's yours" Neji arched an eyebrow, "Why the rush?

Hinata flashed a bright smile, "Today's my birthday!"

And just like that she was gone.

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As Hizashi led the branch members towards the main house, all Neji could think about was the girl he'd met in the training circle not too long ago. What kind of girl trained on their birthday anyway? What Neji failed to notice was the grim look on his father's face.

Hizashi's brother met them halfway outside the main house. Neji felt like he was seeing double. The man that appeared in front of them looked like his father, but despite their similarity in appearance, Neji couldn't seem to imagine his father's look-a-like smiling.

"Lady Hinata is turning three today. Congratulations"

A small figure peeked out from behind the man. Neji's heart fluttered for a moment. So she was Hinata. Neji restrained himself from grinning widely and instead let out a small smile. Hinata's eyes danced and smiled a shy smile back.

"We'll take Neji from here" Hizashi's look-a-like drew closer.

Neji looked up at his father quizzically. "We're not all going in?"

Hizashi refused to tear his gaze away from the man who was drawing nearer. "Looks like you were the only one invited this time." His voice was controlled and even.

"But—"

"Neji" This time Hizashi turned to gaze sternly down at his son, "That girl. You were born to protect that girl until the end of your life. That is your destiny"

OMAKE:

Tsunade: *sniffle*

Shizune: Lady Tsunade, are you all right?

Tsunade blubbered into her NejiHina t-shirt. Shizune gently patted her on the back

Shizune: there there

Tsunade: I don't understand. Its just. He died so young! I-I loved him! WAAAAAAH

Shizune stopped petting her for a moment in confusion

Shizune: Are we talking about the same person?

Tsunade: DANNNNN! WHYYYYYY!

CCS: Ook then. Howdy all! I hope you liked this chapter! A new chapter is coming soon, hold tight!

Tsunade: DANNNNNNNN!

Shizune began to cry.

Shizune: Lady Tsunade!