Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Naruto.

Notes: Written in Hinata's point of view. This won't make much sense unless you've gotten past the chuunin exams arc.

I know why now. Why you truly despise me so. I know why you're doing this, why you feel that way about things.

You think that somehow, you're better than me in everything. That you're invincible, I'm the weak one who always hurts, always runs away.

But I'm done running away. And that, in itself, nulls the pain.

You say that people never change. But that includes you also. If people truly don't change, then why was I able to stand? Why was I able to fight you like I did? If people truly don't change, why could I see as much through my eyes as you?

No, I saw more. I saw what you couldn't.

Although you say I'm the one who's weak because I'm showing pain, that makes you weak too.

You're the one who hurts here. And, because of that, you run away from that pain. You do it in a stronger way than I do, I must admit that. But, you can't even admit that you are running away from your problems, and that one thing proves that you are wrong.

I have changed. I am no longer running away. I am no longer the weak girl you once knew.

But, I still have a place in my heart for you. Because, just like you, I had trouble facing my pain. I still have empathy for you.

Someday, I hope that you, too, can stop running away, Neji.