"Okay"

So... I gave him permission to help me . . . A criminal. If this doesn't work out in the end, this is totally not my fault.

I know he was trying to be sweet and all, but this is kinda risky.

In all honesty, I didn't want to drag him into this mess.

But, you know... Too late now.

After our little warm embrace, I let him inside and explained everything to Neji, which took almost 45 minutes.

A big mistake...

"No."

"No?"

"Yes."

"Soo, yess?"

"NO! He is not taking part in this." Neji yelled.

"Why-" Naruto started.

"Listen here you, I don't care who you are, or what relationship you have with my cousin, but you are not to get yourself involved with this. The last we need is for people to get into unnecessary business that doesn't involve them what-so-ever. We don't need hand outs."

I wanted to scream at Neji, I wanted to do something. Even though he was right, we don't need anyone getting involved, but he didn't have to go about it that way. He always try pulling the over protective thing on me, and sometimes it gets on my nerves.

But what shocked me, was that Naruto didn't loose his cool. He stood there, as calm as ever, but held equal seriousness as Neji held in his eyes.

"I want to help. It's not like I'm doing this out of pity, or that I feel sorry her. I'm doing this because I am her friend. I am willing to help because she shouldn't have to go through this alone, she has me now too."

"But she isn't alone, she has me!"

All I could do was watch. I've hardly even spoken to Naruto, you know, had an actual normal conversation with him. Why is he so set on the idea that he wants to help me. Or maybe I'm just putting too much thought into this. He said he thought of me as a friend, isn't that enough?

"I know that. But I also want to protect her!"

'Protect me?.. From what?'

"What do you mean protect her?" Neji asked confused, probably more confused as I am.

"You see, that's the problem.. I don't know. I just know that whenever I look at her, she seems... Sad. It's like she's physically here, but mentally stuck somewhere else. . . I want to protect her from whatever is bothering her."

My eyes widened at every word he said. He knows so little about me, but at the same time.. so much?

He truly, genuinely cares about me. I mean, the others do too, but it's something about Naruto that puts him on a whole new level.

"But why? You seem to forget that this isn't some story from a comic book, where the loser tries to save the girl. This is real life, a crime, a murder. Reality can be a real bitch sometimes, but that's exactly what it is.. Reality. Getting yourself in this kind of situation is a stupid idea. There are many things that will need to take place: court, paperwork, jail, trials, the police. Do you really think you could handle any of this? Take my advice and go home, before you end up ruining you life."

I stared at Neji in disbelief. He can be so cruel sometimes, why? Why can't this one time, just this one time where he can just take it easy. I could honestly feel my heart falling to the pit of my stomach. Neji can also be persuasive when he wants to be, and I actually had hope that Naruto would win this little dispute. It won't be long until Naruto understands what he's getting himself into.

"Yeah, you're right."

I hung my head down, squeezing my eyes shut at the realization that Naruto had given up on me.

"So what."

'W-what?'

I can tell that Neji was equally as shocked as I was.

"So, you mean to tell me that helping a friend will ruin my life? If that's the case I ruined my life a long time ago. If getting myself involved makes me stupid, then that makes you as stupid as I am! Listen here, nothing you say will make me leave. I promised her!"

'He promised me?'

·
·
·

Is he talking about what he said to me on my first day of work? I didn't really pay much mind to it, but now, I knew that he was serious.

"What did you promise her?"

"I told her, that I won't let anything happen to her. And I'd be damned if I ever break a promise, and I'm most definitely ain't gonna start now! I am not backing down."

Neji was definitely speechless, as was I.

I couldn't believe he said all of that. I wanted to run up and hug him. . . . is it weird that I wanted to do that?

Whatever, all I know is that his words made me so happy. It's been so long since anyone other than Neji and Hanabi, made me feel this way.

Neji sighed in defeat."Fine."

I don't know what was wrong with me, but as soon as Neji gave his approval, a jolt of excitement ran through me.

"But let's get one thing straight.. You are to tell no one about this, understand ? Not even your group of friends. If you truly do give your word then you need to promise me this."

"I promise. No one will know about this."

I smiled with satisfaction.

"Thank you Neji."

"Don't thank me yet, there are still some things we need to discuss. Once we are sure that no one finds out you caused that crime, that's when you can thank me."

After that, Neji went into the kitchen, doing only god knows what; leaving only me and Naruto standing in the living room.

Ugh, it makes me cringe everytime; that sickening feeling that I know that I...

"Huhh." I sighed out.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked me

"Oh, nothing."

I took a slight deep breath.

"I just wanted to um... I want to say thank you

Na-Naruto."

I hated the way I said his name, as if I was afraid to. I shut my eyes, silently scolding myself.

When I opened them, to look back up again, I saw a small, but visible blush emitted on his whisker cheeks.

"Wh-what!?"

Seeing him flustered made me feel all weird.

He chuckled a little before speaking.

"Hey, that's your first time calling me by my name."

"I-I" I started fumbling with my words.

"Don't worry, I just thought it was cute, that's all."

I felt awkward, and at that moment Neji came back, coffee in hand.

"Sit." he ordered us. We sat on the couch, Neji looking down on us as he stood like he was some kind of parent.

"We need to discuss some things first."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ok sorry it took me sooooo long, but once again i was having trouble continuing the story

I was gunna try and make the chapter longer, but i needed some reviewing, and revising, yk all that crap, but imma try my best to update sooner

~peace out
Thx for reading <3