Dislcaimer: I don't own Naruto

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

A Miracle; Ch19

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

The raven haired man stepped out of his car and stood erect before closing the door behind him.

The house of the Hyuugas seemed a little bit crowded, with people going in and out, wearing black and sunglasses. Its atmosphere was even gloomier. He heard tears and cries coming from inside. Today isn't a very happy day for them. He thought for a while—should he enter? Could he enter?

Silently, he decided to not for the moment.

He looked around for his pale, white-eyed friend, and managed to put a smile on his face upon seeing her under the acacia tree. He willingly walked towards her.

Standing before her, he didn't say a word. He just waited for her to turn around and face him.

She was caught off guard upon seeing him. "N-nani?!"

He smiled. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Hinata-chan?"

For a while, she just continued to stare at his features—his pale skin and raven hair—before she was able to smile. "Sai-kun,"

He sighed. "I've heard…"

She nodded. "Aah…" Hinata replied. She had dark rings under her eyes, and she seemed thinner than usual, but she didn't look very sad. "Neji-nii has l-left to stay with Mother."

"Where is his wife? And how's his baby?"

"Ano, Ino-chan is inside. Sh-she's almost eight m-months going."

"That's good."

"Why don't y-you go inside?"

"Only if you come with me,"

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

"WHAT?!" Tenten almost yelled. "Why?! Why aren't you coming?! That girl already dumped you, Shin! There's nothing else to be done in here!"

She had been waiting for quite a while for Shin to be "okay" before she would take him back to America for him to work, but Tenten was surprised to witness his very stubborn behavior. He refused to come with her and insisted on staying in Konoha.

"What else do you want? I thought you wanted to make your brother pay?! I thought you wanted to… to be successful?! Shin, Temari is going to kill me if you won't come back with me! She's—"

"Tenten, how many times do I have to repeat myself?" He asked, glaring at her. "I don't want to return to America."

"But—"

"I hate everything about that place. If you want to go back there so badly, then go."

"Shin!"

"Do you want me to kill you?"

His question took her by surprise. She fell silent, but she didn't back away. "F-fine," she said. "Kill me."

"You…"

"I'd rather be killed than see you waste your life! I'd rather die in your hands than in anyone else's." She said in a daring tone. "Go ahead. Kill me."

He eyed her in fury. Shin gulped before grabbing a glass and throwing it into her direction, but purposely made it miss by an inch or so. The glass ended up being broken on the wall behind her. But as he nearly expected it, she didn't budge. He turned around, gasping, as he sat down. "Why don't you just get lost?"

"Because you need me." She frankly told him. "And you know it. You can't even kill me right."

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

Sai pressed the "close" button of the hospital elevator, and then the button for the 8th floor, where Hinata was for her checkup.

Yesterday, Neji's cremation was done, and his ashes were kept in an urn, before being kept in a high-class memorial home. He, along with the rest of the Hyuugas (which includes Ino) were the only ones wearing white, while the rest of the ones who attended wore black. Sai was relieved that Ino was calm throughout the process, and that Hinata seemed to have accepted his death already.

It was only him left mourning silently for his best friend.

Some weeks prior to his death, Sai looked for the best doctors in the world to, possibly, cure Neji. He found one whose expertise was in heart diseases. The doctor was still young, almost youthful, but has cured over three hundred patients with heart disorders. He even brought the doctor with him in Japan, only to find his best friend cold in a casket.

He blinked. The elevator stopped at the 7th floor. The door opened, and he was utterly shocked when he found the pink-haired doctor standing before him. She wasn't just familiar—she was someone who he knew by heart. It may have been years but…

"Sakura,"

Even the doctor herself seemed shocked. She entered the elevator and pressed the close button before the 15th floor. The door came together, reflecting images of them both. He was still looking at her in disbelief, while she looked at his reflection. "Sai," she grinned. "It's been a while."

The elevator stopped at the 8th floor. He wasn't looking at her anymore, but he found himself frozen. Instead of going out, he pressed the close button and remained on his spot. "Where have you been?"

"Everywhere," she chuckled. "Wow, I can't believe it. What about you?"

His lips curved upward for a moment and he shrugged. "Everywhere, too, I guess."

"What're you doing here?"

"I'm going to visit my friend." He said. He looked at her reflection and noticed the diamond ring she wore. His face almost fell, but he reminded himself that she's a part of the past now.

"Yeah… I kinda figured I didn't have a chance to find her. Lost-and-found stories are impossible. I'll just go on with my life, run my business… meet a new girl…" he smiled. "You're very lucky with Ino. She's a funny person."

"Is that all you're going to say?"

"No. Neji," he continued. "If ever you find her. Pink-haired… arrogant… y'know… don't bother tell me. I guess it's time to move on…"

"Hn," Neji smirked. "So you still think."

"Yeah," And they shared a laugh.

"Since when did you work here?"

"Hm… Less than a year,"

He smirked. "Uhm… so do you want to have lunch?"

She nodded. "Sure, I'll just handle some patients. You can visit your friend first. Let's have lunch in the French dining, that's in the ground floor. Have you seen that?"

"Yes, I did."

The elevator stopped at 15. The door opened, and slowly, their reflections vanished. "I'll see you later." She waved before leaving.

The door closed, and before he knew it, his reflection was alone again. He only wished that she wouldn't disappear like what happened before.

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

"Shin!" Tenten barged into his bedroom. He was lying down, wide awake, while the television was on. "You'll never guess what I just found out."

He didn't reply.

"I found our friends from high school!" She said. "I'm starting to like this place, after all! Maybe we can stay here, like what you said yesterday." She continued. "I found Sai and Sakura, remember them? They were tight way back in high school. Remember? Sakura? She left suddenly and Sai was really devastated that time… I told them that you're here."

He still didn't say anything.

"Sai works in Italy now. He's a businessman if I'm not mistaken. Sakura is a doctor in the hospital, and she's engaged to some blond doctor, whatever his name is." She explained. "I'm going to visit Sakura tomorrow. I know you really didn't like her much in high school, but she's changed a lot. She's really cool now, Shin." She chuckled. "They were asking me questions like, 'hey, how's Uchiha?' and stuff. They really miss you."

"Tenten," he suddenly spoke.

"Yes?"

"Let's go back…" he said. "…to America."

Her eyes widened.

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

Sai and Hinata said their silent prayers as they stood before Neji's grave. She offered him some sunflowers while he lit a candle, and they remained silent for some time.

Neji, Sai thought. I found her. "Hinata-chan," Sai began. "I forgot to tell you that I brought a doctor with me."

She blinked in confusion.

"I was supposed to ask him to check on Neji demo…" he sighed.

She looked down.

"That's why I asked him to cure you."

"N-nani?!"

"Hinata-chan, you're one of my closest friends." He said. "I don't like losing friends." He chuckled. "It makes me hope ridiculously."

"Sai-kun…"

"He'll be coming here any minute now… I hope you don't mind."

She shook her head. "I'm th-the one who's supposed to thank y-you, Sai-kun."

He chuckled yet again.

She blushed beneath her makeup.

"You know what, Hinata-chan," he started. "Lost-and-found stories do happen."

Hinata blinked.

"When you find the person you've been looking for, take all chances." He continued. "Kami-sama wouldn't let you find someone who's been lost for nothing. There must be a reason for it, right?"

Little did he know how much effect it took on his companion. He was almost happy—he finally found Sakura. Even though he wasn't able to tell her what he feels, or how he felt at least, he knows now why she left. Even though she brought her fiancé with her, at least it was all clear now. They even met a former classmate in their meal.

"Sai-san,"

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

"When you find the person you've been looking for, take all chances." He continued. "Kami-sama wouldn't let you find someone who's been lost for nothing. There must be a reason for it, right?" Sai looked down for some moments.

She knows what he said, but it wasn't enough for her to understand what she should do. Despite everything that happened, she still felt a lot for that boy who was her first friend, her first love. But she still can't conclude. He wasn't the only person she lost.

"Sai-san,"

The both of them turned around and met a tall, long-haired man.

Hinata's eyes widened.

He looked just like… him.

"Ah, Hinata-chan, this is Dr. Itachi Uchiha," Sai introduced. "Itachi-san, this is Hinata Hyuuga."

It's him! "A-ah…"

"It's you." Itachi said. "My little brother's friend,"

Sai cocked an eyebrow. "You mean Sasuke-san?" He asked.

Hinata's mouth gaped. He knows… ?!

"Aah," Itachi nodded towards Sai. "Sasuke had a friend when he was in elementary. He kept a little picture of you both in front of our old house here when we lived in America."

Nani?! "A-a—"

"We should bring this conversation to another place."

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

Shin had been… normal. He was quiet. He didn't talk nor move much. And he didn't want to get rid of her anymore. He was just… there. Usually thinking deeply as he lied down. She would feed him, he would eat. He wasn't as hard as she was used to. He was just normal.

She didn't want to stay in Konoha, but she wanted to stay beside him. She didn't want to leave him.

And it took her by surprise to hear what he had to say.

"Let's go back to America."

She couldn't say a word. It wasn't only that he wanted to leave this place—his homeland. It wasn't that he sparked a new topic. It wasn't that he didn't drive her away. It wasn't his gentle tone, either.

Let's

She swallowed—he wanted to leave… with her. He wanted to go back with her. He invited her, she didn't have to insist.

"What?" She smiled a little. "Are you sure?"

He turned around. That meant a 'yes.'

"Alright then…" she said. "When do you want to leave?"

"As soon as possible,"

She grinned. "O-okay, I'll call the agency for our tickets… uhm…" she paused. "Shin… I almost forgot." She sat on the bed, but not beside him. "Uhm," she bit her lip. "When you told me the other day that you don't really want to model I… I called Temari."

He blinked, but didn't look at her.

"I'm sorry for assuming things." She apologized. "It didn't cross to me that you don't like what you're doing. And I tolerated your hatred towards your brother…" she sighed. "I'm really sorry."

"Is that all?" He asked dryly.

She gasped lightly. "You see, you also told me that you hate America."

"I don't care—"

"Wait, listen." She cut him. "Dad owns an… unused house in Italy. We can stay there instead of America." She suggested. "Everyone knows you in America, and you won't be able to live peacefully. Europe is different—they wouldn't mind you there, Shin." She waited for a long while before he had something to say.

"Suit yourself,"

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

"Ino-chan, this is a nice house…" Hanabi complimented.

The blonde-haired woman, whose stomach was already big, smiled. "Thank you."

Ino had moved into the house that she and Neji bought a little less than a month ago. It's not as big as the houses they were used to, but it can accommodate around two guests aside from three people. It was Mediterranean style—yellow and breezy, just how she liked it. The inside looked fresh, and there were flowers almost on every table.

The women stayed in the living room, with Hanabi sitting on the sofa and watching a teen flick, while Ino stood, gazed out the window, where she specifically placed a big garden. She imagined their child playing there, with them. She wanted them to have picnics, grill turkeys, eat salads, everything.

She wanted them to come true.

Ino swallowed. A tear was jerking out of her eye.

Neji, she thought, I miss you.

And everything began to spin—

--darkness.

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

Shikamaru stepped on the brakes as the red light flicked on.

He sighed. Why did he suddenly leave his house? There was nowhere to go. Absolutely nowhere, for him at least.

The brunet reached his pocket and grabbed his phone. He knew very well that Ino was devastated, even though she wouldn't show it. He sighed, not knowing why he still hasn't forgotten her. He hated himself for that. He hated himself for loving her, but Neji's death gave him a bit of hope.

He knew it was utterly wrong—but that was how he felt.

He dialed Ino's number, hoping she forgave him already, and wondering why he still thought of her.

Maybe hearing her voice would explain everything.

"Hello—"

"Shikamaru-san?!" It was a screech that greeted him.

It's not… "Who is th—"

"Shikamaru-san please come over here! Ino-chan suddenly collapsed—I don't know what to do! I'm alone and I'm—"

"WHAT?!" He lost his composure for a second. No, for two seconds.

"Please help me! I don't know what to do!"

"Where are you?"

"We're at her house—the new one."

He gritted his teeth. He knows that place. "Call the ambulance, are you listening?"

The voice of the girl suddenly cracked—she was crying. "Blood!"

Shikamaru hung up and got out of the traffic, even though the red light was still on. He dodged a couple of cars and drove as fast as he could while he dialed the hospital.

Hang in there…

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

"Hinata?"

The pale lady stood close behind Kiba. He was holding his dog, Akamaru. "Kiba-kun," she said.

Sai's words took a grave effect on her. She was caught regretting everything she did. She has to save him. What was she thinking?! She left Sasuke because she wanted to save him… and then she was about to break Kiba. She felt so selfish. Kiba is more than just her best friend.

"G-gomen," she bowed. It was a lot harder than she imagined.

He blinked. "What are you talking about? And aren't you supposed to rest?"

She shook her head. "I-iie… K-Kiba-kun…" she looked down, ashamed. "I…" Hinata bit her lip. "I… c-can't marry y-you."

His eyes widened in shock.

"G-gomen!" She bowed lower. "I… I… c-can't."

"B-but why?" He had to ask.

She swallowed. "I… d-don't want to hurt y-you, Kiba-kun."

He may have said that it was alright, but it wasn't. He was always there for her, and she felt like she was only using him. It was worse than cheating on him. It was unforgivable. "Hinata…"

"I… d-don't want to s-stop you f-from running your life…" she told him. "Th-there is someone out there f-for you… and… I'm… s-stopping you f-from meeting her…" she continued. "Y-you're a great p-person… and… you d-deserve someone better than m-me."

She couldn't look at him at all. It was only when he embraced her that she realized that he wasn't at all angry. "It's alright." He said. "I understand."

A smile formed on her face. "Gomen!"

He shook his head. "It's okay…" he told her painfully. "I told you… I will do anything that you want."

"Kiba-kun," she felt the tears roll down her face. He was kind. Too kind. "Arigato,"

"Hinata," She felt his tears wet the back of her shirt. "Live," he said weakly. "Live for me."

She smiled and nodded.

The moment was ruined when Hinata's phone beeped. They separated from each other, wiped their tears and turned around.

"H-Hanabi?" She said to the receiver.

"Hinata-neechan, you have to come here!" Said Hanabi's shaky voice.

"A-are you crying?! What's th-the matter?! W-where are you?!"

"I'm in the hospital!"

Lightning struck her. The hospital? "B-but why?! What happened?! W-where's father?!"

"It's not Old Man." Hanabi said. "It's Ino-chan."

She swallowed. "What happened?! Is she—is she alright?!"

"She is," Hanabi said. "But… she got a miscarriage!"

Hinata dropped her phone.

The child, she knew very well, was one thing that Neji left Ino to live for. May it be a he or a she… she knew that Ino was pretending to be strong for their child. It was the only thing she got her strength from.

Kami-sama…

First was Tenten. Then it was Sasuke. Then it was Neji. Then it was Kiba. Now… Ino?

She crouched, feeling the immense pain in her chest. She struggled to catch air.

…have you forgotten about us?

"Hinata!" She heard Kiba scream her name.

She was conscious. In fact, she heard everything. She saw everything. She even felt everything. But she couldn't speak. She couldn't say anything. She was too amused of the happenings, the stress it caused her. It was unimaginable, as if she had done something wrong. She thought; and couldn't remember anything that she did so wrong.

Was it disobeying her father with the field trip?

Was it letting other girls eat her food while she at Sasuke's?

Was it driving without license some months ago?

Was it not telling Sasuke about her illness?

Was it because she used Kiba?

But other people did way more than that! Her mind yelled. Why do I, of all people, have to feel this brutality?!

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

Tenten sighed as she stood on the waiting area in the hospital's ER. Shin refused to come with her to visit Sakura. She suddenly felt like talking to her, telling her everything that happened between herself and Shin. Her doctor friend was currently doing a speedy operation, and is expected to be back in any minute.

She absently smiled. Nothing can keep them apart this time.

She looked around, familiarizing herself with almost anything that would catch her eye. She found a painting of a woman on the wall. She had blonde hair and looked very beautiful. The painter identified her as Dr. Tsunade, the hospital's CEO.

It wasn't until she heard wheels rolling down the hall when she looked away from the painting.

She turned around and found nurses and a familiar brunet pushing a patient, who lied on a bed, as fast as they could. She sighed and looked away, thought that maybe she would say her prayers some other time. Then her eyes widened the nanosecond after. She quickly looked back and found the patient, who had an oxygen mask on, with her eyes open.

She couldn't be mistaken.

Those pale white orbs…

They could only be…

Tenten followed the running people with her eyes. They have entered the room that was off-limits to civilians like her, leaving the brunet outside.

…Hyuuga Hinata?

((AMIRACLE;ELCARIMA))

Thank you for reading, please review.