I opened my eyes. I was in my room. The scent of oils filled the air.

I sat up slowly and glanced around. My dresser was filled with flowers and cards.

Why were people sending me cards?

Just then I remembered my fight with Neji.

I'm not dead. No way.

I felt movement on my bed so I looked down and saw Sakura. She sat in a chair infront of my bed but her head was resting on my bed.

Why was she here?

"Sakura?" I whispered.

Sakura rubed her eyes and sat up. "Hinaa?" You're awake!" she cried as she hugged me.

Just then my door busted open and my father entered.

Sakura stepped out of the way so he could get to me.

My father squeezed me tight,tighter than I had ever been squeezed before.

"Don't ever scare me like that again." he said."What were you thinking going and fighting Neji?"

"It was a promise and I had to fufill it." I said.

My father pulled away from me and put his arms on my shoulders.

"Did I win?" I asked.

My father shook his head.

"It was a draw." I opened the door to see what all the comotion out side was and all I saw was you and Neji hit the ground

at the same time and neither of you got back up again."

I sighed.

A draw. I didn't want a draw I wanted to beat Neji. Speaking of Neji where was he?

"Where's Neji?" I asked. "Is he-is he o.k?"

My father nodded. "He's been o.k since the day of the battle it was just you who's condition was servere."

"Sakura has been over everyday for the past 5 days and you've been showing little progress of healing."

"I've been out for 5 days?"

My father nodded.

"That's maybe why I'm so hungry." I said holding my stomach.

"Oh that reminds me." he said standing up. "I'll go get your dinner."

I watched my father leave the room then I turned to Sakura.

"Thank you." I said.

"No problem." she replied giving me a thumbs up. "I'm proud of you for drawing with Neji, you really have gotten stronger."

"You damaged him pretty badly, I had to heal him too."

"I just wish I would have won." I said queitly.

'Winning isn't everything." Sakura said sitting back down in the chair beside my bed.

"I know but winning to him is." I said standing up and walking to my dresser.

I looked at all the flowers and cards. Kiba had sent me a dog charm that said fluffly. I could put it on my bracelet.

Shino had sent me flowers and a card.

Ino Shikimaru and Choji had sent me the biggest boquet of roses I had ever seen.

Rocklee and TenTen even sent me cards and flowers.

There was a single white rose that lay on the dresser to the side.

I picked it up.

"Who sent this?" I asked turning to Sakura.

"That was from Neji." she replied.

I stared at the rose.

Neji had sent this? We had just fought and he sent me a rose. That was sweet of him.

I smiled and brought the rose to my nose. It smelled so beautiful.

"When did he send it?" I asked.

"Just today I think." she said. "He came and checked on you everyday when I was here."

My father opened the door. He had a tray in his hands. I dropped the rose back on the dresser and sat in my bed. He set tyhe tray infront of me.

"Eat it all." he said.

"Don't worry I wont leave a crumb." I said as I slurped down the ramen.

My father left the room again. He said he had to take care of some buisiness and when I finished eating to get some rest.

I thought I had enough rest but he begged the differ.

Sakura watched me as I ate.

Just then a thought accured to me. What had Naruto sent? Not that he had to give me anything but still...

"Um...Did Naruto send anything?" I asked.

Sakura smiled. "He sent the ramen you're eating."

I smiled too. Naruto was so weird.

"Guess what?" Sakura said after I had finished eating.

"What?" I asked.

"You know I'm Tsunade sama's apprentice right?"

I nodded.

"Well I overheard her talking and I know why the Kazekage was in town last week."

I gulped.

"The council suggested that in order to keep peace between our villiages there should be a marriage." I don't know exactly who they choose to marry

Gaara but whoever it is I feel sorry for her and at the same time I envy her."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Well I feel sorry for her because who dosen't want to marry for love." She has no choice but to marry him."

"But then I envy her because she gets to make him smile."

"What do you mean?"

Sakura sighed. "Love can make anyone smile." she said.

"But they aren't marrying for love.' I said.

Sakura shrugged. "Nevertheless I still envy her."

"I just hope things work out." It looks as though both parties are being forced into this. I saw Gaara's face when he left the meeting.

I dont think he wants to go through with this." But what i don't get is why he just won't say he won't do it." His council cannot

rule him." Sakura stood up and looked at my clock.

"It's late I gotta go but if I happen across any new scoop you'll be the first to know." she said giving me a thumbs up.

"Get well soon." she said as she left my room.

After Sakura left I was alone in my room. My head hurt alittle.

Gaara didn't want to marry me in the first place and I had just made it worse. I wanted to scream loudly.

But I didn't want to worry my father. I needed someone to talk to.

I picked up the phone in my room and dialed Kiba's number.

"Hello." I said when he anwsered.

"Hinata you're o.k?" he asked.

"Yes." I said nodding although I knew he could'nt see me.

"You had everyone worried." he said.

"I'm sorry." I said in a whisper.

"Did you get the gift me and Akamaru sent?"

"Yes it was so cute!" I said. "And the funny thing is I just got charm bracelet."

"Akamaru picked it out he said you'd like it."

"Tell him thanks." I said.

"You can tell him, hold on I'm gonna put him on."

I waited as Kiba found Akamaru who should'nt have been hard to find considering he was a giant now.

"O.k here he goes." Kiba said.

"Hey Akamaru! Thanks for the bracelet." I said.

Akamaru let out a series of barks which made me smile. It felt good to really smile. I was happy.

"Did you hear him?" Kiba asked.

"How could I not?" He's so loud."

"He said he missed you and he knew you wouldn't die that's why he gave you the bracelet."

"So that's why you sounded so calm when I called." i said.

"I sounded calm?" he asked.

"Heck yeah!" I cried.

Kiba kinda laughed. "Well honestly I'm kinda anxious to see what's going on this weekend." he said.

"What are you talking about?' I asked.

"Well 2 days ago Tsunade Sama said that this weekend when the Kazekage and his council come again she was hosting some kinda competition between the the leaf villiage ninjas."

"She won't tell us what but she just said Gaara and his siblings would be judging and it'll be fun."

"I wonder what's going on." I said.

"Me too." Kiba replied. "I want to be prepared but I don't know what to be prepared for."

"Do we all have to compete?" I asked.

"Yep." he replied.

I sighed. "Atleast she said i'll be fun."

"You're right no reason to worry." But hey look I gotta go feed Akamaru I'll see you tommorrow o.k?"

"O.k." "It was nice talking to you." I said.

"You too." Kiba said. "I hope you feel better."

"Thank you." I said before saying goodbye again and hanging up the phone.

After I hung up I took a bath. I had been in the same clothes since the fight and I was kinda sweaty.

After I came out the tub I changed into my favorite pajamas and brushed my hair.

I felt so much better after talking to Kiba.

Gaara was coming this weekend which was in 2 days. For some reason I was looking forward to it. I didn't know if he was mad at me or not but

I wanted to know.

I couldn't have him mad at me forever. Especially if we were to be married.

I put my hair in a ponytail and turned off the light and layed in my bed. I couldn't seem to fall asleep though.

After an hour of twisting and turning I sat up. I needed fresh air.I grabbed the rose Neji gave me off the dresser and snuck downstairs. My father was asleep on the couch with a folder in his hand.

I put a blanket over him and snuck out the door.

Once outside I went to the lotus tree and looked at it. I could smell the blossoms on the ground.

There were nearly anymore left on the tree.

I just couldn't wait until it snowed.

I glanced over at Neji's house. I had a strong erge to go over there. Maybe see how he was doing and all.

He was probly angry with me but...then why would he send me the rose.

I slowly over to his window and picked up a small rock. I threw it lightly at the window.

There was no anwser.

So I threw another. Neji came to the window. When he saw me a surprised look shot across his face.

"Hinata?" he said surprised.

I smiled and held the rose infront of me.

Neji blushed.

"Can I come in?" I asked.

Neji reaached out his arm and pulled me inside for the second time this week.

Neji directed me to sit on his bed.

I sat down.

"When did you regain conciousness?" he asked.

"A few hours ago." I said.

Neji nodded.

"It was a draw." I said.

"I know." he replied.

"You're not angry? I asked.

He shook his head. It's just a sign that I need to get stronger. If I can't beat my little cousin than how can I beat anyone else.' he said.

"Do you wanna have a rematch?" I asked.

Neji shook his head.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Did you see your father's face everyday when he came to check on you." He was beyond worried for your life." To have the burden of taking your life away and causing him that much pain and sorrow...

"He was really that worried?"

Neji nodded.

There was silence for a bit.

"That jutsu you used before the battle ended...where did you learn it?" he asked breaking the silence.

"My sensei." I said.

Neji didn't say anything about that.

"Um...Neji...the real reason i came here was to thank you and ask you a favor as well."

"What do you want?" he asked.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Do you have any idea how to make a clay vase?"

Neji stared at me for awhile.

"You want to make a new vase to replace the one you broke of Gaara's?" he asked.

"How'd you know?" I asked opening my eyes.

He shrugged. "Why do you care so much about what Gaara thinks of you?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I guess I just do."

"You're lying." I he said.

I sighed.

"I can't tell you why.' I said.

"I don't really care it just bugs me to see you so...forget it." You can forget about the vase too."

"Neji!" I cried.

"Go to sleep it's late." he said opening the window and motionng for me to leave.

"I'll...I'll teach you that jutsu if you help me make a vase." I said.

Neji was silent. His back was still turned to me and his hands on the window sill.

"Deal?" I asked.

Neji turned to me and stared me in the eyes.

"When do you need this vase finished?" he asked.

"Before Gaara returns to visit again." I replied.

"When is that?"

"In 2 days."

There was silence as we stared at eachother.

"Deal." he said finally.

"Thank you!" I cried hugging him tight.

"Go to sleep." he said again as he pushed me away.

"Yes sir." I said rushing to the window and jumping down. As was almost home when I heard Neji call my name.

I stopped and turned around.

"Tommorrow at 5:00am we begin so like I said go to sleep."

I smiled.

"O.k o.k I'm really going to sleep." I said waving and running on home.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

O.k that's the end of this chap. please review! I know Gaara hasn't been in these last few chaps but he'll be making his appearance soon maybe after the next 2 chaps.