Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Tale of 2 Hyuugas and a Uchiha ❯ Afraid Hinata? ( Chapter 7 )

Hinata arose bright and early and began packing her things. At first light, she was fully dressed and everything was packed neatly ready to go. She took her things and made her way down the stairs. She was expecting to see Neji but instead was greeted by her father.

“Morning my Lady,” he said happily.

“Uh, good morning. Where's Neji?”

“He's not coming and you two aren't leaving today.”

“Huh?”

“No, I talked to him yesterday and I convinced him not to rush you off. Besides, he only has one day left before the trip.”

“But…father…I have to protest. I don't think it's a good idea for…both Neji and…”

“I've already spoken with him. He'll behave himself…for your sake anyway.”

“Oh…if you say so.” She sat down at the table with her father as one of the servants brought out some tea.

“Hinata, I wanted to talk to you about the trip. I am strongly encouraging you to stay as long as you like. I've talked it over with Lady Sunade and she also feels it's for the best.”

“But…father…I know that you feel it will do me some good to get away but…I just don't think that staying in a strange village away from home will do much for me. I'm fine…I just…”

“Hinata please…just…just promise me you'll stay at least a week.”

“But…”

“Promise me dear.”

“Yes father.”

“Hello? Lord Hiashi?”

There was a knock outside their front door and Hinata immediately recognized it to be Kilik. Hinata groaned and put her head down on the table. She didn't have anytime to think about anything and she was really wanting some alone time. After all, Sasuke did kiss her last night and although she wasn't quite sure what it meant, she got the strangest feeling that today would not be a good day to run into him…especially with Kilik around.

“Good day master Kilik. Hinta's already dressed and ready to go. What are you two up to today?”

“Well, I thought maybe we could hang out by the stream and maybe read or swim some. I am very spontaneous so there's no telling with me Lord Hiashi,” he explained bowing to her father. Hinata smiled weakly as she got up from the table and made her way to the door. Instead of a kiss on the hand, she received a peck on the cheek. She looked up nervously at her father, but he only smiled as Kilik took her by the hand and led her out the door.

 

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“BYAKUGAN!” There are one, two, three birds within sixty meters of here. He smiled as he watched three birds flutter off into the clouds. It was bright and early on a summer's morning—the perfect time to get in some range and counting practice. He was about to leave to get him some breakfast when he heard voices. He was in the middle of the forest at his usual practice area but there was a stream a few meters away through the other side of the forest shrubs.

“Byakugan!” It did not take him long to find the source of the voices. It was Lady Hinata and she was being pulled by…Kilik. Neji cursed loudly as he watched Kilik kiss Hinata on the cheek before leaving her. It seemed as though they were setting up for a picnic.

I know how to squash this. Neji quickly and quietly made his way through the shrubbery until he was a few feet away from a beautiful waterfall and stream. Lady Hinata's back was to a tree and she was reading a book of poems. He very quietly ran and hid behind the very tree in which she was sitting at. He used his Byakugan to watch her read her poems. That is when he discovered that she was not reading poems. Instead, she was using the book as a cover to read one of the small letters he wrote her. He smiled to himself. Even though she did not know whom the letters were from, it still meant that she thought about the `mystery person' often.

“BYAKUGAN!” he shouted loudly. Hinata jumped at the sound of his voice and went to hide behind the tree but instead, ended up bumping into him directly thus falling to the ground in the process.

“Oh…I'm sorry…please…” she said clearly frightened. Neji looked down at her but did not say a word. Instead, he held out his hands for her to grab and helped her up.

“Lady Hinata, tell me something,” he said curiously. She looked up at him but only for a second. This was the first time in years that she'd been alone with her cousin. So much has happened in between the times…some good, but mostly bad…

“Yes…cousin?” she stammered. He started towards her slowly and with each step he took forward, she took a step back until her back was against the tree. He continued to move forward slowly until he stood only a few inches away from her.

“Do I really scare you that much?” he asked. She looked up but because she was so afraid, she would not look him in the eye.

“I see,” he replied softly. “If you can not even look me in the eye then I must be a terribly frightening sight. Wouldn't you agree Hinata?” he asked softly, inching closer to her.

“I…”

Before she could respond, he lifted her chin with his hand forcing her to look him in the eye. He could tell that she was still afraid but she stared him down determined not to look weak. A really strong north wind blew, forcing strands of Hinata's hair in her face. Neji softened his expression a little as he reached up and slowly moved the strands of hair out of her face lightly, brushing her cheek in the process. She stiffened a little, closing her eyes at his touch. He took one finger and ran it down the side of her cheekbone and under her chin once more before she opened her eyes.

For a split second it was as though she had no fear of him whatsoever. She reached up and pulled a strand of hair out of his face as well. She started caressing his cheek but he grabbed her wrist lightly, pulling her arm down to her side before stepping even closer to her. He was now so close that he could feel her breath on his chest.

“You do not have to fear me princess,” he said softly. “I will never raise my hands to harm you ever again.” He leaned forward and was about to kiss her when a voice interrupted them.

“LADY HINATA! WHERE ARE YOU DARLING?” Neji cursed before backing away from her. “HINATA? HINA…Oh, there you are!” he said making his way through the scrubs. He ran over to her and pulled her into a warm embrace.

“Are you alright my Lady?” he asked frantically. She nodded feebly before cutting her eyes at Neji, who was staring at them furiously. “Oh…I see,” he said flatly, looking at Neji. “He didn't bother you did he?” he asked curiously, never taking his eyes off of him.

“No…”

“Good. I don't want to have to hurt the poor fellow.”

Remember your promise to your uncle…

“You're not worth my time today,” he replied coldly. “Good day Lady Hinata.”