konnichi wa! :waves like an idiot: not much to say here, Neji didn't want to loose more hair so he left lol

Disclaimer: you kno the drill

Hiashi's POV

Tsunade-sama summoned me to the hospital. When I entered she was talking to the receptionist at the front desk so I waited.

When she was done she turned to me. "Do you know where Neji-san is?"

"No, but I assume here because he's not at home."

Tsunade-sama smiled. "He's asleep in Maida-san's room"

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? This is interesting. Is Maida-san awake?"

"Yes. I just checked in on her a few minutes ago. Or actually I peeked in because of Neji-san sleeping."

"Would you like me to move him? Is that why you summoned me?"

"No, Neji-san's fine where he is and I think his presence is keeping Maida-san calm. Actually, what I wanted to know was how long Maida-san has been here. It's been about a month and a week hasn't it?"

I thought a bit then answered, "Yes, I believe it has been."

"Is there anything suspicious about her?"

"Asides from the fact that she has unusual habits, her way of talking is strange, and she has problems with honorifics and chopsticks, no. Why?"

"I was just wondering what it was about that girl that made Neji-san feel so relaxed about her."

"Your guess is as good as mine, Hokage-sama. I doubt we could ask either of them because I don't think Maida-san realizes how strange it is and Neji-san would deny it most likely."

She smiled. "I guess your right on that. You can go visit Maida-san if you wish."

"I think I'll pass and let Neji-san rest. He's been restless these past 3 days."

Maida's POV

Neji laid his head on the side of my bed later on that day.

"Gai-sensei is making us train some this afternoon."

I smiled slightly. They had removed the breathing mask earlier this morning.

Neji looked at me. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"

I smiled a little more assuring him the best I could even though every time someone opened the door I jumped and fear started back up. Neji saw this every time, but I couldn't keep him from his life even if he said he wasn't leaving me.

He still looked at me.

I moved my hand in a way to tell him to go ahead and leave while smiling.

He sighed, ruffled my hair a bit then left through the window.

Don't they ever use doors around here?

A few minutes after he left the door opened causing me to panic until I realized it was just Tsunade. She smiled at me and walked over to the machine checking the stats.

"How are you feeling?" She continued checking the machine.

I smiled anyways.

She looked over smiling as well. "You don't need any more pain medicine?"

I shook my head.

"Well, you might need some here soon because I've got to check your back. I'll be right back with some more bandages and medicine." She left.

All this smiling was hurting my face and we all knew that they were fake, but I just couldn't talk to them. I felt that if I did I would be revealing too much of something.

Tsunade returned and pulled up another chair near my bed. I scooted forward on the bed and catiously turned my back towards her. Fear started to rise, but I had to fight it back because I knew she wouldn't purposely hurt me, but some still got out and my muscles tensed a bit. She saw this.

"Would you like me to keep the window open while I do all this?" (1)

I looked at the sky outside then shook my head no. If I was going to get over this fear then I had to start sometime.

Tsunade closed the blinds then started to change my bandages.

Neji's POV

I went back home after the little training session and grabbed something quick to eat before going back to the hospital. I know I probably shouldn't be there so much or rumors would spread, but I was worried. I still don't fully understand why I'm always worried about her ever since we came back. Is it the look of fear she always gets that makes me want to protect her more? Why in the hell am I even concerned about her?! Why do I get so angry when I see her false smile, or the bandages covering her body? It's my fault she even got hurt in the first place. If she were maybe living with another then this wouldn't have happened, but I would've missed her smiles and laughter. What the hell am I thinking?! Why am I even asking myself questions?! I've gone insane!

I paced our house debating on whether or not to go to see her again. Every time I passed the courtyard I quickened my pace and didn't look at it. When I came near it again I stopped.

What am I trying to avoid here?

I scanned the foliage and my eyes rested on the tree Maida always drew under. The one where I fell asleep beside her. For an instance I saw her calm figure slumped over her book as she concentrated, then it disappeared. It made me sad to not see her laughing face or her sweet smile as she drew. I always was calmed by her unusual optimism. I thought Naruto was how optimistic people were, but hers was different and she accepted me without any thought.

But she doesn't know about my curse. Would she accept me then?

I walked out to the tree and sat under it looking up at the lazy clouds.

Before she came I didn't think about anything like this. I never questioned myself nor looked at nature other than a tool. When I saw that white flash and her body appear out of nowhere I thought of some kind of trap, but now I don't know. I can't seem to concentrate when she's not happy. Her face kept coming to my mind before she was taken, but now I can't seem to forget about her.

I breathed deeply and closed my eyes clearing my mind. I needed to know why I felt this way about her.

I sat there and listened. The wind played with the leaves and the sun continually hid behind a spare cloud or two. My body relaxed as I remembered her from before. Then the scream came to me. Her scream of pain and my body tensed in anger.

Why?

The sound of her sobs and the feel of her tears.

Why do I feel this?

Her calmed breathing and warm body.

Why can't I forget her?

The smell of her hair. The feel of her skin.

I opened my eyes.

I love her.

Maida's POV

I pretended to sleep. Tsunade had rewrapped my bandages a long time ago and the medicine I was given had already kicked in, but I was to tense and scared to be able to fall asleep, so I listened.

There wasn't much going on. I must've been in the quieter part of the hospital because feet rarely passed my door. The afternoon crept on and I soon began to wonder why Neji didn't arrive. I don't know why, but whenever he's gone I can't sleep, but when I know he's near I know I won't ever get hurt. Even if Tsunade said I was safe and no one was going to hurt me, I still couldn't relax without him.

A faint rustle and I opened my eyes to see Neji stand in front of the window. He looked at me. Just his look alone made me relax and I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at him. He came over and sat by my bed resting his head on the bedside. His eyes were a little troubled like he was confused about something. I frowned slightly and touched his face with my fingertips. He moved his head into my hand while holding his hand on the back of mine, pinning my hand to his face, and closed his eyes.

"Why won't you talk?"

I didn't answer.

He looked at me. Worry filled his eyes. "Maida?"

I looked away, but kept my hand on his face.

"Maida, please, you're scaring me."

This shocked me and I looked back at his face. His eyes stared into mine.

"I want to help you, but you keep pushing me away. I don't want to loose you. Not again." He let go of my hand and looked down a little embarrassed.

I never thought of hearing those words anytime soon, let alone from him, but they seemed to make something in me happy to hear them. I knew then that if any one else said them then they wouldn't have the same weight as they do now coming from Neji. They wouldn't mean anything unless they came from him again.

He got up and left out the window before I could even say or do anything.

A tear fell down my face and I could feel the sobs starting in my throat. If only I told him what I felt in my heart. Would he have stayed?

Neji's POV

Why did I say that? Apparently she doesn't feel the way I do. The shock on her face said everything. Why is my throat so choked up? I feel as if I should just disappear.

I let my feet take me wherever. When I looked up I realized I was by the waterfall. I stopped in the tree and stared at it. The lilies danced in the faint ripples of the water. Another lily was about to bloom. It reminded me of her. I dropped down and sat by the fall and just listened to it.

(1) even i didn't understand this part when i reread this a while after i wrote it, then it dawned on me: open window freedom, closed window can't see outside and if a bad memory comes then major fear, figured i'd explain this lol

lots of emotion in this part eh? don't be afraid to comment cuz i like comments :smiles dorkily: