nuthin much to say, almost had a tornado on the 4th of july lol, fyi on this prt, it begins on neji's pov while he's holding Maida in his arms

dis: once again, same as norm lol

Neji's POV

The past 2 weeks were mentally straining. I was always distracted and couldn't stop moving unless I was by the waterfall. Even Lee-san noticed something different in me, but sitting by her and letting her warmth wash over me made me the calmest I've ever been. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to move her from my arms even if she was asleep right now. Tsunade-sama would probably say something, but I don't want to let her out of my sight for that long of a time again.

I breathed in her scent and sighed. Pakkun was right. There is something different about her smell. Even I can notice it.

I sat there and just listened to her breathe. I could feel her warmth and sometimes feel her pulse. All these things assured me of her life and that she was here with me. I couldn't let her go now. Not when I'm this deep. I don't think my life will ever be the same without her.

I closed my eyes and let my mind wander while I rested my head on top of hers. I never wanted to leave her. I almost fell asleep when a thought came to me. It was one I didn't want to think about, but I would have to sooner or later.

If she's really from a different realm, then she would have to go back some time soon, and we won't know when. She'll leave me instead.

Maida's POV

I woke up and instantly looked around for Neji hoping it wasn't a dream. Nothing. I leaned my head back and stared at the ceiling letting the tears fall. Then it was a dream.

A nurse knocked then came in and went right to the machine that constantly annoyed me with the beeps. Satisfied she turned and smiled while asking, "How are we today?"

I closed my eyes and ignored her while cursing my brain for imagining Neji last night.

"Isn't this just beautiful!"

I looked back at the nurse and stopped. She was gently touching a white water lily that was on the table. I sat up slowly as she handed it to me. I cupped it in my hand.

"I'll go get something to put that in." She left quietly.

I brought it to my face and breathed deeply then smiled. It wasn't a dream. He really was here.

Neji continued to visit me every night when the sun sank and the hospital quieted. I wasn't drugged with sleep medicine anymore so I think Tsunade found out about the white lily. After about 5 days since Neji's first return visit, Tsunade visited me again. I never talked to anyone in the hospital except for Neji. When she finished looking at my wounds she stopped and smelled the lily.

"I'm glad that boy has been visiting again. I would've dragged him here if he didn't anytime soon."

I smiled broadly. Tsunade seemed the type to always get her way so I could picture this threat happening.

She smiled back at me then turned to leave.

"Tsunade-sama?"

She looked around shocked. "You spoke?! Since when?"

I smiled again at her and changed the subject. "When can I start walking again?"

I could tell she realized the change, but she didn't say anything. "Whenever you feel up to it, but we'll start slow and with crutches. Your leg needs a few more weeks of rest."

"Can we start tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'll come down around 1 with a pair of crutches."

"Thank you."

She smiled again. "It's good you're talking again, Maida-san." And she left.

Neji was a little later than usual tonight. When he showed up he instantly sat by my bed, resting his head on the bedside. I reached out and ran my hand through his hair before he caught it and brought it to his face.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Uncle wouldn't go to sleep for a while, but when he did I came right here."

"I wasn't worried. You always show up."

He smiled his rare small smile.

"Tsunade told me something today and it might help me get out of here sooner too."

Neji looked me in the eyes and I could see the faint hint of impatience in his face. He was eager for me to get out of here, but never said it out loud.

I was bored all day so I felt like picking on him tonight. Which was good. It meant I was closer to being back to normal, but that would be as close as I could get. "But I don't think I should tell you."

He looked me in the eye. Any body else would think they looked the same as before I said that, but I could see the question there. If he did the puppy dog look, I bet anybody would give him what he wanted. But he never did.

I stared him straight back in the eye and we had a staring contest. His eyes being almost pure white still creeped me out a little, but I stayed stubborn.

The minutes dragged on.

He never changed position, except the pleading in his eyes intensified. Neji's way of a puppy dog look and I could never get over it.

I gave up. "Fine, I'll tell you. She said I could start walking tomorrow."

I looked Neji back in the eye. He never expressed his emotions, but his eyes when he was calm did, and this time I could see his happiness. It gave a whole new meaning to the saying you could see a horse's soul through its eyes.

I smiled at him. "She'll bring me crutches around 1 tomorrow. Are you going to show up?"

"How could I not. Someone has to catch you when you fall."

"Haha. Very funny, but I probably would fall knowing my luck. I just hope my back will be able to withstand it."

"Does it still hurt to move a lot?"

"Not really. My leg acts up whenever I bend it differently, but my back only aches when I lay on it all day."

Neji looked away.

"What?"

"It's my fault you're hurt in the first place."

"What! Don't you dare start blaming yourself. It's not your fault and it never will be."

He still didn't look at me.

"Why in the hell do you think it's your fault?"

"They wanted to know about my family's blood limit."

"Yeah, your family's, not you yourself so it's not your fault."

"The blood limit is a part of me."

"So it creeps your eyes and gives you x-ray vision. That still doesn't make it your fault."

"If we've never met then this wouldn't have happened."

I was shocked. "You never want to spend time with me then? Is that what you're saying? Just leave me alone and this won't happen again?"

He looked at me shocked. "No, that's not what I meant!"

"Then what did you mean?"

Neji looked down.

"Well?"

"I never want to see you get hurt again. I never want to see you cry because of me!" His fist was balled in anger and he still didn't look at me, but I saw the pain there.

"Neji, look at me."

He didn't.

"Look at me, damn it!"

He stared me straight in the eye not even trying to hide his pain.

"I've never thought of knowing you or your family as a curse. I've never thought of the inheritance your family has as something that causes pain so I don't blame any Hyuuga, especially you. I would rather loose my legs and arms than not know you. So, please, don't go blaming yourself for the pain others have caused me."

The anguish in his eyes started to fade, but I got the feeling that we would have this argument in the future again. I brought his head to me and I rested my head on top of his.

"Please, just forget about it, Neji. It will never be your fault."

He sighed, wrapped his arms about my waist and leaned into me. "I will never understand you."

I smiled. "That's good. If you did then I would think you've visited my home without me."

"Do you miss it? Your home?"

"Every day."

man this has got a lot of fluff in it huh? o well, nxt chapter will be the last for this story. thanks for reading!!