The dark discoloration stretching over the sky wasn't what turned the attention of many. It wasn't the odd crackling of lightening and rumbling thunder or high winds picking up. It was the dark crackling veins that etched their way across. Some thought it was odd others, murmured among themselves on what it could be. Some thought it was just a strange weather anomaly that would eventually pass.

But, for some it made their hearts sink and minds race with worry. Hinata even without her eyes activated saw it, she saw the familiarity in the crackling lightening. Only one person she knew produced such a color and only person on her mind that ran a non-stop tremor through her body.

May.

She could feel it in her gut, that twisted and knotted constantly since the moment she let her leave. Hinata knew it was against her better judgement but she also knew...she knew May and for that this gripping fear she might in danger or worse...wouldn't shake. It wouldn't stop. Standing in her house, in the living room staring up at the sky that darken further each passing second. Birds fled, dark birds, if that wasn't a omen then she wasn't sure what else it could be. Even so, she didn't want to believe them...she couldn't. Not even after her son, Boruto told her what he saw...the protection charm May set in each of the nations had appeared for a moment then faded away.

It took every ounce in Hinata not to react to her son's upsetting and worried words. That flared in his eyes, he was frustrated she saw it. In the corner tears his eyes held, refusing to let them fall. The look he carried mirrored Naruto's. It was understandable, the torch Boruto held for May was there since the start of his life. The moment he was born, May was elated. She smiled so bright (not as bright as her own children's birth) her world, Hinata and Naruto saw rise in May's eyes. And when she held Boruto for the first time, there was something...something that happened she couldn't nor her husband could understand or describe. But, they both knew it was something special that formed between the two.

And since then it grew between May and Boruto. Before she moved to Suna, when she lived back here in the village, May would come over to their home quite often with Hikari. And Boruto always seem to know right away, because his mood would change or when he started crawling he'd go straight to the door. The same when he began walking. He'd waddle over to her, arms outstretched and a smile on. Greeting May, she'd instantly scoop him up and plant a nuzzling kiss on his cheek or forehead. That produced a giggle. As the year went by, as he got older, May would take Boruto flying around with her. He loved that, but not as much as their 'special place'.

There seem not to be a moment neither of them spent together, even when May moved to start a new life and family. Boruto was sadden for some time, almost a whole month. But, the moment he received a either a call or webcall from May his spirits lifted and he'd ask every time when she was coming back. Of course he was a child, eventually as he grew just asked when she'd be coming to visit. They'd talk for hours, one would think he was her son.

So, she understood her son's initial reaction to all this. He felt something was wrong and what hurt the most there wasn't anything he could do. She felt the same, unable to do a single thing.

I know, she lamented softly in her thoughts, Naruto is there, but...I shouldn't have let you go, May. I promised. I can't lose you, I can't lose my sister. Tears rose and slowly dropped from her eyes.

Keeping them back was hard, with a single hand softly wiped them away. From the hall Himewari stood silently watching her mother. Shedding a few more tears, Hinata stopped. Now wasn't the time to cry, even if feeling to so was stronger than ever. Lightening flashed again and again. Some residence hurried inside, the dark purpleish-grey clouds grew thicker and thicker.

"Hinata!"

She turned quickly at the sound of her name, finding no one. Yet, was expecting her, May to be there. She always spoke her name in beaming way. Since they were younger, after all they meet each other that time. She was her first friend. For some reason, May enjoyed being with her, considering she requested Hinata's presence when she arrived in the village to train under Tsunade. May had a habit of pouncing on her or appearing suddenly. It was starling at first, but Hinata grew to accept it.

And the two of them grew close, sharing smiles and laughter. It was refreshing, even as they entered adulthood together. Growing closer further after war. After all May did become part of the Hyuga clan, through Neji.

Neji, how could she forget. Before his passing, before the moment his life left his body with the last bit of energy he had expressed through his smile. The words he spoke with his eyes to her...she felt now was going against it all. But, again she knew this was May and if he was here Neji would say the same thing.

Her cousin loved May, it showed many times and showed the day their one and only child was born. The news, when Neji found out, Hinata remembered...

She had just finished with a mission, came back to the compound spotted Neji walking down the hall carrying a bowel of water, with a pained look settled in his eyes. Only to break when she called to him, he stopped for a moment about to greet her but quickly decided against it and hurried away. She wasn't sure why, but, eventually she would find out. About forty minutes after she settled in, decided to take a simple stroll around the family grounds. Just as she started, Neji spotted and called to her. She stopped and he came over, he still carried that look in his eyes even if it was hard to see.

Something was bothering him and it was clear he wanted to tell...someone.

"Neji, is everything alright?" she asked.

It took him a moment to respond. "I apologize for earlier Lady Hinata, I just...I just...May is resting right now."

"May's here?!" Hinata grew excited, stopped noticing Neji still kept the look. "Is she okay?"

Her question flashed a momentary shine in his eyes that quickly reverted back to its pained look. "In a manner of speaking, come, I-I...can we talk? There is something I would like to tell you."

Hinata wasn't sure, but she was sure there was a small hiccup in his words. Agreeing, she walked with him to an area of the compound where they could just talk. The dojo, outside of it on the porch they sat. In silence, Neji just stared out across the grounds at the wall. In deep thought it would seem, Hinata could feel he was trying to figure out the words to say. It was clearly something about May, because his stiff posture told her. She wanted to speak, but something told her it was best to let him.

So she waited. After a few more minutes of silence. He spoke. What he said first it was hard for her not to react. "Today, May fainted."

Hinata gasped. "H-how? Is she okay?"

Neji remained calm and continued. "Yes, she's alright, your father had a doctor called. She fainted while she was here waiting for me to finish training."

"What about Natsuki and Kaito?"

He answered her question. "They are on a fieldtrip, with their class outside the village. They won't be back till the day after, the doctor came to tend to May. After he was done, he informed of some...news."

News? Hinata wasn't sure what he meant, the way Neji said it left her confused, but when he turned and looked to her. That shine came into his eyes and what he said next wasn't what she expect. "The news, May is pregnant."

Hinata's eyes widen. The small smile that made its way on Neji spoke for him. She could see the joy he held, with mixture of worry. After all the war was coming soon.

"That's wonderful," Hinata congratulated him. "I'm sure May will be happy to hear that. Does she know?"

Neji's eyes fall a bit. "No, she's been out since she fainted. This apparently takes a toll upon her. She has to rest. I don't want to tell her, not yet. If I do, I know it will worry her and cause her to stress out. But, I don't want her to join the war. Not in her fragile condition. Then again, I know she'll be upset and still find a way to assist either way it wouldn't matter. Her knowing will push her to more, beyond her condition. If that happens there is a chance she might be lost or our child. I can't have either of that."

His words covered in love and warmth, was beautiful. Hinata saw and understood the reason for his pained expression. Reaching out a hand rest it on his shoulder. It was tensed, she felt it. He needed the right words to hear, so she found them. Opened her mouth to say them, he spoke before her.

"I'm going to make May, mine." He said smiling. "Before the war and after the war make it official before the others. We'll live here together, once our child is born, everything will be well. Though should I not make it from the war, I want May to know she is mine. We are together, our child will prove that. I want May to have family. So, should I not come back from the war, Lady Hinata," he turned to her. "please will you ensure that for them?"

She felt the weight of his words, but that went away quick. She didn't want to think about it, but to be sure. Nodded. "Yes, I promise, Neji. They will. Both of them. I'll make sure they remain together. I'll watch May."

With those words Neji was relieved. "Thank you, Lady Hinata."

That moment between them, the words said and promise made before the war. The announcement, all of it. Hinata felt breaking, Neji entrusted her...tears began to well themselves in her eyes. They were hot and burned rolling down her cheeks.

This empty feeling that began forming, grew bigger...it hurt. The change...there was a change coming and she didn't want to believe it but...shutting her eyes for a moment saw a figure in the distance dressed in white, their back to her walking off.