Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Hinata watched Neji train in the courtyard of the new Hyuuga mansion. Although Pein had completely whipped out Konoha a week ago, the Hyuuga were rich enough to hire an express crew to build a new house.

Thud, thud, thud. Neji hit the hay human tied on the wooden post, leaving unmistakable marks and loose hay on the ground. Finally, the male let his arms fall to his sides and walked to Hinata for a break.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, draping a towel around his neck.

"I-I feel a l-little better everyday. T-thank you for l-letting me w-watch you train until I-I am fully w-well," Hinata offered a cup of tea.

"Anytime," Neji invited, "Watching others is always a good way to improve your skills."
Following that was an awkward moment of silence. Hinata kept fidgeting around, clearly trying to find the right words and Neji drank Oolong, wondering if he should ask what was in her mind.

"Would you," Neji hesitated, "like to say something?"

"Are you alright?" Hinata blurted out. She quickly clamped her hands over her mouth, surprised at what escaped.

"What do you mean?" Neji blinked.

Hinata sighed. She had already started it anyways. "I-it's just t-that your s-shirt was w-wet the d-day I w-went against P-Pein. Ss-so I w-was worried t-that something w-was troubling y-you," her voice wavered.

Neji was truly surprised at those words. How could he have not remembered to hide such important evidence of THE Hyuuga Neji weeping? And what if Hinata found out what he was actually crying for?

"I-I'm sorry, Neji-niisan!" Hinata responded to his blank face, "I-I didn't mean t-to invade your personal l-life!"

"Not at all, Hinata-sama," Neji reassured, "I was just… very worried about your well being, that's all."

That was partly true, but Hinata saw that there was more to it that what Neji claims. However, she didn't ask more lest her questions annoy her cousin.

"I'm glad Naruto-kun was able to defeat P-Pein," she changed the subject, not knowing what that little innocent sentence caused Neji's brain to think.

"Yes… that is most wonderful," Neji gazed into the sky. He was not sure of his emotions about the victory. The win protected many shinobis and citizens, but the win also meant that Naruto was still here and that Hinata still loved him.

Neji shook the thought away. Did I just want my friend dead? HE was the one who freed me from fate! Plus, doesn't he always make Hinata-sama smile? Her smile makes any place and anything sunny… even me.

He looked over to Hinata who was sitting upright, lip neither smiling nor frowning. He wanted her to be happy, but the place she finds happiness most is in Naruto. It hurt his chest to even imagine Hinata with Naruto—the man she smiles for, the man she lives for.

Neji gritted his teeth. Oh, why does love hurt so much?