Gravity
Part Fourteen

For once in her life, Hinata was doing something for herself, and she was scared to death. As far back as she could remember she had avoided asking her father for anything, even more now that she was an adult and taking care of herself. She hadn't ever wanted to make more of a burden of herself than she already was, and it seemed easiest just to ask her attendants for the little things she needed, and then get by without the bigger things.

This was a matter that she couldn't avoid speaking to her father about, however. She was frightened because of the news she would have to give him, and she was afraid he would be even more disappointed in her than ever before. This blow might be the last one he could take before he finally gave up on her entirely.

Inhaling deeply, Hinata slipped through the sliding door into her father's favorite tea room and was surprised to see him standing facing the window, his back to her. There was a tenseness to his shoulders that was visible even from a distance, and his hands were laced behind him so tightly that his knuckles were white. Something was obviously weighing heavily on his mind, and she wondered what could make her normally stoic father so visibly unsettled.

A board creaked under her foot as she entered, and immediately Hiashi's focus was behind him, though he did not turn his body. She could feel his eyes watching her as she bowed her head and murmured a greeting, her heart suddenly in her throat. What had she been thinking? Facing her father alone, no matter how much she had grown, was still such a daunting idea that she almost turned and ran.

He must have read something in her face because he unclasped his hands and half-turned, holding one out to her. "Hinata."

Biting her lower lip, Hinata walked over obediently, slipping her small rounded hand into his larger, more angular one. It occurred to her at that moment that she had never held her father's hand before, at least not that she could remember. He must be truly upset about something if he wasn't going to scold her for being so slow about her wedding preparations. For a split second she wondered if he already knew about Otoya, but she quickly dismissed that thought. After all, Otoya had refused her just a few hours ago.

Turning questioning eyes to her father, she watched in silence as his jaw flexed, and was abruptly hit with a flash of recognition. It was amazing how much Neji looked like her father, especially now that he wore his headband off his forehead. They were not identical, because Neji had a more angular, aristocratic face, but the likeness was almost startling.

A small smile was on her lips as he began to speak.

"I have had some news today that upsets me greatly, Hinata, regarding Neji-kun."

Eyes widening, she felt her smile slip even as her hand went limp in his. Could Otoya have been here, and told her father everything? Worse, he was unhappy because of it?

She tried to pull her hand free from his slowly, but he held fast, finally looking down into her face. She saw that his mouth was drawn into a tense line and he looked troubled, but not angry.

"Hinata, a medical nin came by just an hour ago. She informed me of Neji-kun's condition. He... won't be able to continue as a shinobi, much less an ANBU. In fact, he is lucky to be able to walk."

All of the air in Hinata's lungs left her in a rush. Neji, not be able to be a shinobi any longer? But that was his dream, his pride. He was the best of the elite and had earned the respect of so many people doing what he loved. To take that away from him would be too cruel. There had to be some sort of mistake surely Neji, proud, strong Neji wasn't whom he was speaking of. The idea was almost laughable.

She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but was brought up short by the look on her father's face. It was one of pain that went so much deeper than the physical. He, too, knew how much being a shinobi meant to Neji.

In all her life, Hinata had never seen such an expression on her father's face. She knew now how much he cared for his nephew, and it almost made her want to cry. She knew it was selfish and wrong, especially in light of Neji's troubles, but for once, she would have liked to know that her father cared for her, even if it was only a fraction of what she saw on his face for Neji.

Closing her eyes shut tightly, she willed those thoughts away, and scolded herself for them. How could she stand here and think of herself when Neji's world would be crashing down around him as soon as he knew? She was a terrible person sometimes, and this only proved how spoiled she was.

Tightening her grip on Hiashi's hand, she said softly, "This... it isn't fair..."

"No," Hiashi agreed, tone subdued. "But there is nothing to be done."

Opening her eyes, she looked up cautiously. "But... Lee-san... when he was injured..."

"This is different." His voice was strained now, and he dropped her hand. "Neji-kun's muscles were nearly shredded when he used the jyuken. They repaired them as best they could, and he can still walk, but he will never be a shinobi again."

There was a long, heavy silence before Hiashi spoke again. "Hinata... I want you to go see him today."

Startled, her shoulders drooped and she stared at him wordlessly. Why would her father want her to see Neji on a day like this? Surely he would rather go himself, or send someone more capable. Wasn't he afraid that she would somehow make things worse? It seemed that she always did. Hinata didn't think that someone like her could be a comfort in a time like this. She was so ill equipped for that sort of thing.

Neji was always the person who made her feel better, though. When she thought of that, she knew that no matter what, she should try her hardest to be strong for him this time. Perhaps... perhaps today, her father was trying to help her grow as a person.

Emotion flooded her face and she straightened her shoulders, a determined light coming to her eyes. Today she would be strong for Neji. For once, there was no room for failure.

Nodding to her father, she replied, "I will, Father, right away." before turning and hurrying out of the room, her small frame erect and confident.

Hiashi watched her go, a frown playing across his face as his younger daughter came up behind him and placed a hand on his arm briefly.

"It's the best thing we can do for him, Father," Hanabi reassured him, a bit firmly. Hiashi had argued heatedly with her on the subject only moments before, believing that Hinata was the last person who could do Neji any sort of good.

Slanting her a glance, he frowned more deeply. "I hope, for Neji-kun's sake, that you are right."

A very feminine smile curved her lips. "Trust me."

Armed with only the words she had practiced on her way to the hospital, Hinata followed the medical nin before her, feeling slightly sick to her stomach. She had thought of a thousand things she could say, but she knew they would all leave her mind precisely when she saw him.

A nervous smile trembled on her mouth when the young man left her, and she paused for a moment, trying to collect herself before entering. This would be hard enough on Neji as it was; she had to be as calm and poised as she could.

She began to speak before the door was fully open. "Neji, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I"

When their eyes met and she saw the raw ache in his, she knew that he had already been told. Words failed her, and for a moment, it was an effort just to breathe. The world stood absolutely still as they just stared at one another, neither daring to move.

Then, he lifted one hand and offered her a smile that shattered her heart into a thousand pieces. "Hinata-sama. It's... such a pleasure to see you. Won't you come in?"

Her chest wrenched painfully as she walked into the room, and rather than taking the offered hand, she silently leaned forward and slipped her thin arms around him, drawing him close into a gentle embrace. Her ears pounded with the rapid beating of her heart, and she was scared to death that this wasn't the right thing to do, but she had followed her instincts.

Please, God, just let me do this right.

When his arms returned her embrace she began to breathe again, closing her eyes tightly as he leaned his forehead on her shoulder. He was absolutely silent, and she would not have known that he was as upset as he was could she not feel his hands shaking against her back.

The backs of her eyes burned as she whispered, "It's all right. It... somehow... everything will be all right, Neji."

It took a long time for him to reply, and when he did, his voice was thick with feeling. "Thank you, Hinata-sama."

Very gently he began to draw away from her, and she let him, though it was the last thing she wanted to do. If she had truly helped him at all, even a little bit, then she wanted to be able to continue doing something. Almost anything would be better than standing a breath away with miles of distance between them.

"Neji..." Her eyes filled and she pressed one hand to the side of his face, surprised when slickness met her palm. He had been... crying.

She was even more astounded when he brought his own hand up and placed it over hers, running his thumb across her knuckles. "Yes, Hinata-sama?"

"Please don't try to be strong for me, Neji. I want to be here for you... I want to be strong for you... because..."

Her heart was in her voice when she said quietly, "I love you, Neji. It's all right... to not be perfect. Can't I help you a little bit?"


(hides from all the readers who have been throwing stones at her for taking so long) XD!

I hope this was satisfactory. Look forward to the next chapter, please! (runs for bed)