Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Protector	By : djserani Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1759 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and I do not make any money from these writings.

Chapter List
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Hinata kicked her sandals off just inside the door and hopped her way to her closet, pulling off her socks on the way. She slipped out of the formal kimono and replaced it with a light silk robe. Mid-summer, even in the Leaves, was still hot.
She wandered to the door that led out to the back. There were gardens there, and training grounds. She could smell the flowers and the forest and, just beyond, the stream that moved through the Hyuuga lands.
She realized she was still full of nervous energy, so she moved into the middle of the big room and started stretching. Working through her muscles, she got warmed up for the real workout. She paused to open a window, but it was still too stifling in her little place. She stepped out the back door, activating Byakugan quickly and scanning the area. She could sense Neji's chakra in the house next door, but he was in the house, so she thought she could get some training in and wear herself out without him knowing.
Her bare feet glided across the grass to stand in the middle of the small clearing that was her backyard. She closed her eyes drew several small breaths, focusing her chakra. She moved into the first stance, putting her hands up and began moving through each of her stances. Chakra flowing, she danced through each move, concentrating on her hand placement, chakra control and movements. Gentle Fist was not only deadly, but graceful, fluid.
Somewhere along the line, she felt eyes on her and knew it was Neji. Always so close, yet always so distant. He was never too far from her, save their separate missions. Always doing his duty by his Heiress. Her nose wrinkled on the thought. He had the house next door so he could be closest to me. He fought for all those years, the ideas of his place. Hated it as fully as she was sure he hated her. And yet, he still stays close, as much as he can. She didn't know what to make of it.
Frustrated her Gentle Fist wasn't clearing her head like she wanted it to, she stepped in to get a towel and headed for the stream.
* * *
Neji watched her head through the forest, battling the question of whether to follow. He was her protector, whether she wanted one or not. He was, at least for the present, duty-bound to protect her when he could. He knew where she was going. He knew what she was doing and he knew she could more than handle herself.

Then why was it a question? He asked himself. Go to bed. Get rest and get ready for your mission tomorrow. Because duty or not, I worry about her. Kami help me, I have no idea why. Neji stepped out the back door as if he had no will of his own.
* * *
Hinata became aware of him not long after she'd slipped into the cooling water. Her eyes closed, she savored the feel of the water rushing over the muscles and fatigue from the long wedding day and workout. She just wanted to relax enough to sleep, but she knew it would not happen any time soon
"Go home, Neji." She said quietly.
"Not bad. How long have you known I was there?" He whispered close to my ear.
"You followed me shortly after I left my house. Why did you hesitate?"
Her question was greeted with silence. He tried for a half-truth. "I wasn't sure if you would welcome�company."
"Don't you mean protection?" She concentrated on the swirl of water around her legs and forced her muscles to relax, one by one, starting at her toes. It was the only way to keep a steady voice. She was by no means calm. His breath was on her shoulder as he whispered in her ear. Every time he spoke, the pulse point in her neck jumped.
She saw through him too easily. It's one reason he'd kept his distance these last few years. He wasn't sure what she'd see in him and he wasn't ready to face it. Because what she saw, he would see reflected back in her eyes. "This time, I don't know. You seemed�unsettled. I didn't know if you might want to talk."
Hinata sighed. "I miss us," she whispered wistfully.
Neji didn't try to pretend he didn't understand. "Would you believe me if I said I did, too?"
Surprise had her turning her head, but Neji's face was a bit too close. She gasped and despite all of her new courage, she still blushed. What was it about this man? "Niisan, yes, I b-believe..." She swallowed to get her scattered thoughts together. "I believe you. Things were so much simpler then. I'd pull your hair, you'd steal my favorite toy." She chuckled quietly. "You never kept it for long. I always found it on my bed shortly thereafter."
She thought she heard a quiet chuckle in answer. "Yes, that was a long time ago. Things have changed�we've changed." Neji said quietly. "Now, you should get out of there before you get sick."
"I do not need to be protected like some delicate flower!" She grumbled. A small childish part of her wanted to stay in the stream, though her toes had already gotten very cold. She sighed and glared over her shoulder at Neji. "Fine. Turn around."
He looked surprised and turned around dutifully. He listed as the water splashed and he felt for her chakra to move. "Where are your shoes?"
"I didn't wear any. It's too hot." She sounded pouty to her own ears. What was her problem?
"Here." Neji said and picked her up and tossed her on his back. "What's gotten into you tonight? Did Naruto's wedding cause more problems than you thought it would?"
Hinata looked sharply at the side of Neji's face. "I've told you, I've told everyone, I don't feel that way about Naruto." She almost growled it.
"Ah," was all she got in reply. Neji wondered if perhaps she was tired of being reminded of it. He still had work to do to repair their relationship, but he hoped that they were on the right track. "Well, then, I won't mention it again."
Hinata was quiet for a bit. "That's three of us now - the Konoha 12. It's not Naruto himself, that's gone. It's that�I've begun to realize very recently how short a shinobi's life expectancy really is. I'm beginning to think life should be grabbed with both hands and held on tight." Unconsciously, her hands tightened into fists.
Neji was quiet processing the new information. They were in the garden now, he had no more reason to stall. "I'll be gone for a while. Tsunade-sama doesn't know how long the mission will last."
Hinata looked up into eyes that were so much like her own. "I'll worry. Be safe."
Neji smiled briefly. "Of course, how can I protect you if I'm dead?" That earned him a glare as she turned on her heels and stormed into her house.
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