It seemed like the start of a stupid cliché American horror movie.

Neji glared at his phone but the intensity of his gaze hadn't made any changes on the screen. Still black and out of battery, the device refused to cooperate with him.

Just like the car he rented.

Thinking thoroughly once again, he should have called Hinata instead of trying to surprise her with a visit. The young woman would have waited for him in the airport and then Neji wouldn't have had to sit in a rented car that broke down in the middle of the snow in a rural area in Canada. The dark clouds shifted and the wind picked up speed. To Neji's horror, cold, white snow began to fall to the frozen ground.

He was alone, his phone was dead, the car refused to work, and the sun was slowly ascending in the horizon. Not to forget that his cousin thought he was still back in Japan.

Did Neji mention about the snowfall that was steadily getting heavier?

With nothing much to do, Neji got out of the car. An icy gust of wind instantly slapped him and Neji furrowed his nose deeper into his red scarf. He was no mechanic, but well, what other choice did he have?

He lifted the bonnet and with a careful eye looked over the complicated engine. It seemed fine, from his point of view and Neji couldn't even point out anything resembling a problem that could have caused the current state of the car.

Giving up with a silent sigh, Neji ran his gloved hands through his long hair and thought. The forest was silent with exception of the howling wind. He was surrounded by countless trees whose leaves were currently being tossed wildly. Neji had to find shelter before the harsh wind transformed into a full blast storm.

Thankfully, Neji recognized the small blue lake that was frozen solid, a few meters north. He should be 8 or 9 kilometers away from the city. But looking at the weather, walking seemed near impossible.

A sudden honk caused Neji to let out a very manly yelp. The sudden light blinded the Hyuuga. In his confused and frightened state, Neji managed to hit the back of his head onto the bonnet, loose his footing on the slippery grass and fall on his ass with a pained grunt.

"You okay there sweetie?" inquired a voice, feminine and concerned.

"What do you think?" Neji bit out. Helping himself up and dusting his muddy trousers, the young man glared towards the little sedan and the driver whose face he couldn't see.

He heard a small giggle when she leaned towards the passenger seat. The woman flicked the lights and Neji saw her for the first time. She seemed to be in her twenties, tan and on the shorter side. Her hair dark and long with colorful beads braided into it and a nice figure under her form fitting green coat. Neji couldn't see her eyes but he imagined them to be just as dark as her hair.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, big boy."

Neji chose to ignore the jab from the young woman and cleared his throat. His mother raised him as a gentleman so as a gentleman he would act.

"What's the fastest way to town from here?" he leaned as well.

"Ah, lost?" She had gorgeous eyes, Neji thought, noticing them shine under the light. Like the color of the earth right after a light rain.

"I'm not. Just temporarily geographically challenged."

She laughed, throwing her head back and making her tiny beads clink together. "I like you, mister." She said, wiping away an imaginary tear. "So much that I'll give you a lift. That car of yours doesn't look like it's going to budge anytime soon. And trust me, you don't want to be outside when this lovely storm gets serious."

Neji's eyes strayed at his rented uncooperative car. He felt the heavy weight of his dead phone in his coat pocket. The wind howled and bit his uncovered cheeks and Neji almost decided to get into the car of some random stranger just to get out of the cold.

It didn't matter how pretty she was, the young woman was still a stranger and a possible ax murderer who might have chosen Neji as her next victim.

"I'm not some crazy serial killer sweetie." She said lips still curled in amusement.

Neji added possible mind reader to his list.

Out of luck and option, Neji got his luggage from the moronic metal junk some people dared to call a car and slithered inside the welcoming heat of the little sedan.

The moment Neji closed his door, the young brunette extended her hand with a warm smile. "I'm Tenten, but you can call me the savior."

Neji held the offering hand firmly. "Just Tenten then."

The brunette snorted and turned her eyes to the road. "Got a name sweetheart?"

"Neji."

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "No last name?"

"Just Neji." He wasn't about to give personal information to a girl he just met in the middle of the woods. No matter how pretty she was.

Not that Neji noticed such a thing.

Neji observed her from the corner of his eye, looking for any sign of recognition. Tenten was silent and focused on the road, acting as if she hadn't picked up a complete stranger from the highway. Not that Neji was a complete stranger. There wasn't a single person who wasn't at least familiar with his face back home. Furthermore, Neji also had his fair share of global fame.

There had been a time when he enjoyed the attention and adoration of his fans but now after his unfortunate incident… Neji didn't like the bitter taste of failure and shame on his tongue.

"Do you know me?" he asked before he could stop himself. Neji bit his lip in regret when Tenten looked at him with a critical eye.

"You'd think the confused look and blank stare would have answered that for you."

"You really have no clue who I am?" He pressed on, brows knitted and lips thinned.

"Sorry?" Tenten awkwardly apologized.

She wasn't obliged to recognize him in the first place. And now Neji felt like an ass or worse like Kiba. He praised himself with the knowledge that he was at least more considered than the loud brute he had the misfortune of calling a teammate. Though it was all ancient history now, Neji thought bitterly. His glorious day on the ice rink as a hockey player was in the past now. Perhaps coming to Canada wasn't such a bad idea after all. If every single person would fail to recognize him like Tenten… perhaps then Neji would be able to get himself together.

Neji cleared his throat, aware of his slowly flushing cheeks. "Never mind then. I was being rude to you after offering me a ride. I'm grateful for your kindness."

Thankfully Tenten was cool with his odd behavior. A strangely sweet glint entered her big eyes. "It's okay sweetie. Though you might change your mind after we get into the city." If her small laugh wasn't foreboding Neji didn't know what was. "Not sure why, but not many get in a car when I'm the one behind the wheel. Something about rules and life insurance."

Neji didn't have the time to stutter as they entered the city and Tenten gripped the wheel with a smile bordering manic.

Tenten's driving made Naruto's look tame. They'd skidded four times over some late evening ice, come dangerously close to hitting the guardrail, and at some point surpassed the speed limit by thirty miles an hour. Neji wasn't a religious man by nature, but right now he had muttered every prayer in a mix of religions, over the course of that perilous ride.

He weighed his options once more in his head. Perhaps waiting with his rented car would have been better. Safer and definitely alive.

Neji isn't ashamed to admit that he almost launched himself into the snow the moment Tenten pulled over.

His palms were sweaty under his thick gloves and were desperately clutching the knees. Neji quickly turned his head and exhaled the breath he had been holding since Tenten gave him that deceivingly sweet smile.

Neji was busy calming his rapidly beating heart when he heard Tenten laugh merrily. "You okay there sweetie?" she echoed her earlier words and Neji scowled at the mocking tone.

"May I ask how you manage to keep your driving license?" said Neji tonelessly. "Let me rephrase it, how did you get it in the first place?"

As soon as the words left his mouth Neji regretted them. He never intended to be rude, especially towards a female; however, when the ride's destination seemed to be the nearest gate for heaven…

Tenten quirked a brow as she rhythmically drummed her fingers on the wheel. She wasn't offended – thankfully – from Neji's blunt jab. "If only I got a penny every single time someone asked me that." The brunette shook her head, a lazy smile stretching her lips. "Well, at least you made it to the center in one piece. Though, you sure you want me to drop you here?"

"I can manage on my own from here," Neji said, checking the time. He would be able to catch a bus. "I know the way from here. It's not my first visit."

The brunette hummed thoughtfully. "Could have fooled me, sweetie. Been here my whole life. Never seen you around before. I would have remembered a pretty face like yours."

Neji was aware of the blush settling over his cheeks and he cursed his pale complexion for giving away his embarrassment. "Thank you again, Miss Tenten. It was a charming ride."

The brunette playfully blinked at him and Neji's heart did a strange little skipping thing. "My pleasure, Just Neji."

Neji couldn't stop his eyes from rolling. With a final wave, Tenten drove off and Neji stayed under the snow until the sedan disappeared from his sight.

Neji picked up his luggage and as he strolled through the empty road he wistfully thought how disappointing was that he wouldn't ever see her again. Enthusiastic driving skills aside, she had been helpful to a complete stranger. She also had gorgeous eyes and a memorable laugh and frankly Neji wouldn't have minded taking out for a coffee.

Finding the right bus was quite easy and in seconds Neji was sitting once again, protected from the awful cold outside, steadily nearing his cousin's house.

He thought about Hinata. He hadn't seen her for at least four years now but he knew that his impromptu visit would make her immensely happy. She would give him a hug and though against his nature, Neji would let her. Then her husband Naruto would say something loud and probably stupid, and when he'll dive in for a hug, Neji will expertly dodge him.

He did have a reputation to uphold.

Naruto will whine like the child he was and call him something along the lines of bastard, stick in a mud, frozen jerk, or whatever he could come up with.

Neji realized that he was at his stop. Snapping out of his daydream he hastily got off. The weather turned for the worse and the sharp scent of the snow invaded Neji's senses. He had to walk two blocks and then he'd see the small two-story house with a yard and horrendous orange fences. Thankfully, Hinata had been able to stop Naruto before he attempted to paint the whole house the same shade of neon orange and they had settled for a soft green.

Neji's lips twitched. He fondly remembered the exasperated phone calls from across the globe on how their decorative tastes clashed.

A few steps and Neji was able to see the green two-story house. The lights were lit and Neji's stomach growled in hunger. The promise of Hinata's cooking gave him the boost he needed and he jogged against the harsh wind towards the house.

He knocked twice and exhaled. His warm breath curled in the cold when Neji heard hurrying footsteps. The door was swung open and Neji's gaze fell down to meet the familiar lilac eyes of his niece, Hanabi. She should be around 14 if Neji's memory was correct. She had considerably grown from the last time he had seen her, her head reaching his chest. Another drastic change was her hair. She had cut it short, framing her face in an asymmetrical bob style with front bangs reaching below her chin.

Hanabi was cute, Neji decided and also swore to never say it out loud. It will damage his cool uncle image.

"Hello, Ha –"

The door was shut to his face. Neji blinked, perplexed by the turn of events.

"Dad!" Hanabi shrieked and Neji winced by the sheer volume. That girl packed a powerful set of lungs. "There is a homeless weirdo at the door!"

Neji took back every single thought of finding Hanabi cute.

"Stay back Hanabi-chan! Daddy will protect you!"

Neji sidestepped as the door was once again swung open. Naruto barreled through the gap and fell face first on the fresh snow.

"Fuck it's cold!" Naruto growled, jumping to his feet while cursing some more.

At this point, Hinata came out too, Hanabi hiding behind her. Pushing down the urge to sigh Neji turned to his cousin. "Hinata. What a welcoming approach."

Hinata's eyes widened, her mouth going slack with shock. "Neji-nii!"

In an instant, Neji had an armful of giggling Hinata. "You're really here! But how? Why didn't you call? How long are you going to stay? Oh, Neji I missed you so much!" she babbled her questions one after another.

Neji didn't fight the urge to smile. "I'll be here for a while, sorry for not informing you earlier. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Neji you ass!" came the holler from the side. "You jerk! I almost split my head open!"

"Hello to you too Naruto."

Hinata mockingly slapped her husband on the shoulder. "Behave please." She scolded.

"If you guys are done with the family drama can we get back inside? Not sure if you noticed but it's freezing and snowing. Also, mom, you'll burn the turkey." Hanabi piped up bluntly, tapping her foot impatiently.

As if in a cue, Neji's stomach growled and Hinata led him inside the warm house. Naruto pouted like a puppy forgotten in the rain but soon he too was smiling. With a pat on the back that was way too rough to be considered friendly, Naruto said, "Welcome home jerk-face."

Neji scoffed and elbowed the blond when Hinata was busy fretting over the turkey. Hanabi saw her father grunt and cradle his abused side. She grinned, eyes sparkling with satisfaction and gave him a high five. "I think we are going to get along just fine, uncle Neji. Anyone who can deal with dad using violence is good in my book."

Naruto grunted, tone offended, "My own daughter turned against me."

No one turned towards Naruto's mockingly sad attitude and Neji laughed softly. The warm atmosphere reminded him of a small car, colorful beads in a thick braid and sparkling earth colored eyes.