AN: Over a year later and I'm finally back! I am super sorry that I havent been able to write. I wanted to, but I had to move and didn't get internet til now, so I am so sorry, please forgive me! Look! I'm updating!

If You Love Me

Chapter 10: You will be Honest

Hinata stared up at the sky, her lavander orbs searching around. What could she say at this time to Neji? She was hurt. She forsake everything for him, yet he didn't care, or at least that's how it seemed. He made a boast about how he would try, yet since that time, two weeks have past and she had yet to see him. Shouldn't he be around and with her? They needed to start talking soon. They were going to be leaders. She lay back, closing her eyes. She was safe, in her mind, away from pain. Away from hurt...away from her family.

"Yo!" the voice of her friend, Kiba, came to her ear. "Hinata!" She groaned inwardly. She needed a break, not more stress. She sat up, her engagment ribbon showing. Kiba flinched a little, but Hinata was not gonna hide it. She was Neji's. "How goes the wedding preparations?"

"I dont get a say, so I dont know." She sighed, now playing with a blade of grass. "I wish I could at least pick out my own dress." She pulled at the little green hairs of Earth. "But its nothing I can do. Its sad, but I will do as is asked of me. I will do what is needed to protect him." She stared forward, so sure of herself. Kiba blushed a little. She was someone he couldnt have, no matter what he wanted or what he might say. "So, how are you, Kiba-kun?"

He laughed softly. She always worried more about Shino and him than herself. "Just thinking about writing Neji a threatening letter."

"Huh?" she looked at him, and blinked a few times. "Why would you do that?"

"'Cause I wanna protect the girl I love, even if she'll never be mine," Kiba reached out, and touched her cheek for just a moment. "Anyways, just wanted to say hi. I'm off to a date."

"Oh? With who?" She smiled softly. She loved Kiba too. He had once confessed to her years ago, but she turned him down. She could not give him the love he wanted, or desereved.

"Eheh... Ino-chan." He waved her bye and left. She waved him bye. She stood up, and brushed herself off. The Hyuga bride smiled at the sky, seeing a beautiful blue bird fly by. Things were changing, day by day. Soon, she was sure, Naruto would be announced as the Hokage is training. And Sakura would cave to Naruto's advances.

Walking through the village, Hinata couldnt help but think back, on days that passed. When she was in the academy, to when she did her first mission. Or the first time she killed someone. She shivered softly at that last thought. She never enjoyed killing anyone. She would never. She was a healer, through and through. That was something that wasnt going to change.

"Oh..Hi, Hinata-chan," she looked to where her voice was being called. Rock Lee stood there with Ten-ten. Hinata bowed slightly, her eyes hardening towards Ten-ten. "How are you, dear bride to be on this wonderful day?" Lee struck a pose, making Ten-tn blush and Hinata smile at him.

"I am well. I ran a few errands, did my rounds at the hospital. I thought I'd head by the graves before returning home." She watched as Ten-ten eyed her for a moment. Hinata stood up, more proud, and moved her jacket to that the ribbon would show more. Ten-ten glared at her, annoyance showing on her face. She would not back down. "So what are you two up to today?"

"We were going to train with Neji-san, but he said he was too busy for us. So Ten-ten-san and I will be training on our own." Lee-san blushed just a little. He was trying to get over Sakura-san.

"I see, well, I hope you enjoy it. Ja ne!" she caled, now walking away. She tried to not let her anger show. Ten-ten may have dated Neji before, but it gave her no right to look down on her. And she would not be ashamed of the arranged marriage. She would be proud for choosing to save Neji, even if it meant that they were caged together. It was better she had some say rather than no say at all. At least she knew Neji well enough to at least hope for a friendship. That was better than nothing.

She walked into the compound, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her eyes closed and she let in a deep breath, releasing it once more before she walked towards her room. She wanted to changed, to go train, to let out the steam. But as she walked down the hall way where she had her room, she noticed something odd. Maids, dozens of maids were moving her thing out of her room. She stared, mouth left open. They were taking her things. "W...wh...what's g-gong on?" she stuttered slightly. No one told her.

"Oh, Hinata-sama, you are requested to go to the meeting room, Hiashi-sama and Neji-sama are waiting for you." Hinata nodded her head, her inky hair lay before her place before she turned and walked down the hallway. Why had no one thought it may matter to her when people touched her things, when people did things without asking her. It had to be some kind of mistake.

"Hyuga Hinata," she said her name after tapping n the wooden frame. She could see the outlines of the two people in.

"Enter," the harsh voice of her father made her flinch just a little, but she kept going, she had to keep going. This time, she wanted answers.

"Sit," Hiashi gestured to a spot opposite of Neji. She sat, unhappily, but kept her face as free of emotions as possible. "As you may well be aware of the current situation. As of tonight, you and Neji will be moved to the middle grounds."

Hinata blinkd. The middle grounds was a small complex just north and yet centered of the two wings of the compound. A place few lived. It was her favorite place to train when she was younger. So her father could not make fun of her if she messed up. Her haven. She looked to her father, confused. Why was he being so nice? "Any objections?"

"No." They both rose up, and Hinata closed the door behind them. They walked down the hallway, the last of the things moved out. She stood in her room, empty, void of anything. It left this uncomfortable pain in her chest. It was bearable. "...Its sad..."

"Hmm?" Neji looked at her, confused. Was this room that important?

"...I was proud of having this room...My mother once had was in this room.." Hinata crouched down, and pointed out, in a tiny part of the floorboards, two exactly same sets of initials. H.H. And H.H. Neji eyed them, seeing one was much older. Hyuga Hikari and Hyuga Hinata. Daughters.

Neji reached out, touching them. "I..I will miss this room."

Neji closed his eyes, trying hard not to be frustrated with himself. He had been spending his time, trying to get them their own space, only to have it backfire on him. He should have asked, should have said something, anything. Now Hinata was depressed. "HEY! You're in the way!" Hanabi's voice called, she stood, ahnds on hips, annoyed. "This is going to be my room! I want to move my stuff now!" Neji eyes her angrily but Hinata just nodded her head. Certain fights were not worth the effort. She took Neji's hand, and gracefully walked away. "See you guys tonight at dinner!" Hnabi called after them before she attacked the room.

Neji just let her lead them towards their own little part of the compound. Their own world. Hinata stopped them, looking at the building. Shaped kinda like a L, only equal parts. Hinata smiled a little. She was excited, smiling slightly more and more as they stepped closer. She squeezed his hand, thankful he was there to take part of her joy. "There is even a small garden in the back."

Neji grinned, just a little, watching as her eyes glowed with excitement. Though there was still sorrow, he knew, she would be happier away from eyes that watched. "So, where is this garden?" she smiled back at him, and tugged on his hand, ready to show him around. She pointed out small rooms, and even decided where they would have their own spaces. She had been thinking about it, about them. Guilty rose in Neji now realizing how truly wonderful she is. He should have tried harder, sooner. Too bad pride was such a strong, ugly thing

"Oh Neji, look!" Hinata pointed skyward, and his eyes followed, seeing two eagles, flying around eachother. 'They're doing a mating dance.'

"...Doesnt really look like dancing..."He commented.

"But it is..Just hink of it," encirling, looking for that right look, the perfet way your eyes meet before..." and she saw it, as did Neji, claws tightened together, and they almost seemed to perfectly spiral towards the Earth. "Isnt it beautiful?"

Neji just watched, waiting for them to release the other, but they came closer and closer. He began to worry and looked to Hinata, but she was dazzled. Her eyes lighten up by the animal mating dance, as she called it. Just before they hit the earth, they separated at the same time, and fly back up to the sky. "...wow..." he whispered and Hinata nodded her head. "It really is like a dance...So are they together?" Neji asked and Hinata again pointed up. "I suppose it makes sense, after that trust thing.."

"Yes, and they are that way, for life." Hinata smiled and motioned for them to go inside. Neji nodded his head, and they headed for the kitchen, where servents were standing, waiting for them.

"Hello Neji-sama, Hinata-sama. My name is Mina-san, and these two are Koga-kun and Sumi-san. We are you're servants for as long as you stay here." The three bowed. They were Hyuga, same lilac and icy blue eyes, and dark hair. They wore brands, which made Neji desire to throw-up. But he held it in. Hinata bowed lowly, making the three stare with unashamed surprise.

"I am Hinata-chan. Thank you for helping move things in. We," she motioned to Neji, "will help with anything needed as well." They were about to shake their heads when Neji stepped forward. His air was intimadating but he lowered his head just a bit.

"We wish to learn about a more simple life, one with hard work, and joy, dedication and freedom. In order to do so, we can not be pampered 24/7. Please understand our desire to grow and learn, so we can make this family better," he said softly, yet strongly enough, no one would mistake his words.

"Of..of course.." Koga said, his face flushed. No one higher up had ever bowed to them, let alone with such pride. "We will be honored to help you." The three bowed again.

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That night, Hinata lay in the large training room, letting the night air cool off her body. She was covered in sweat and it was probably a bad idea to keep like that, but she wanted it. She needed to be stronger and to keep herself together.

"Here," she sat up, Neji placed down a plate with some cool green tea and what looked to be a mochi ball. She picked up the misshapened ball and laughed. He was terrible at this, but it felt nice. "If you're gonna giggle, do it now," his voice came out irritated. She knew it was bad, but she couldnt hlpe it. She laughed so much, she thought she might choke. Neji stood there, watching as his bride couldnt help but giggle over and over. "Fgine, I'll take it back."

"Wait! No, no dont go.. i'm sorry.. hahaha...its just..." She took a moment to try and compose herself. After about a good two minutes, she was ready. "You're perfect, at everything you do. So its rather...*giggle* funny to see that you do suck at some things."

"They're not that bad," he crossed his arms and almost glared at her. But it didn't last long. "Anyways, feel better after training?

"Yeah, thanks for bringing me the tea. Now you can come train too. Good thing byakyugan can see through walls. Or you would have been lost."

"Why would you say that?"

"How else would you find me?"

"Oh...well, I know all the places you like to train.'

"...huh?"

Neji grinned at her for a moment, as it dawned on her what he meant. He knew about this place, and about what it meant to her. He..He..he was busy for the past few days...been busy making this place happen. What did he give up? Hinata stared at him, confused, surprised and worried about him. "Neji..."

"Think of it as a giant gift to make up for all the ones I had missed..' He walked away, and was grinning. Hinata could only sit there, stunned and surprised. Was it out of kindness of his heart? What was going on? She looked up at the stars, confused and yet, humbled. Neji had done something for her. She smiled.

AN: And after over a year, here is an update. ENJOY!

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