Chapter Seven - Hinata's POV

I wake up crying. Sobbing, really. Tears are streaked down my cheeks and I am panting, shock caving in. What happened to me? Shuddering, I pull the blanket to my chin and close my eyes. I wipe away the tears, shaking violently. Why is it I feel so sick? I felt fine last night, but now —

I throw up over the side of my bed.

"Hinata-sama, breakfast is ready, come on—" My bedroom door opens. In walks my cousin, Neji, but he stops dead, seeing me on the ground. At first, I don't think about how my nightgown in nearly see-through, and how I'm lying on the ground in a very awkward position. All I can think about is how disgusting pancakes and waffles sound to me.

I throw up again.

"HINATA!" Panic etches my cousins voice as he grabs my limp body before I can fall to the ground again.

"Nii-san..." I moan. "Oh, Neji..."

"Hinata-sama...you're sick. You've got a horrible fever. We-we have to get you t-to the hospital..." Neji's voice shakes slightly as he stands up with me in his arms. He brushes his lips over my forehead, and I close my eyes, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, beginning to cry again.

"I'm scared, nii-san. I'm so scared." I let out a strangled sob, before just crying in his shoulder, and letting him carry me downstairs, stroking my back in a soothing manner.

"Don't worry, Hinata-sama. You'll be better soon." His voice sounds strangled, however, like he doesn't even believe it himself. I hiccough, hug him tighter, before drifting off into a restless, feverish sleep.

Neji's POV

"Hanabi-san, where's Hyuuga-sama?" Hanabi looks up from her breakfast, and an angry expression appears on her face. She stands, and stomps her foot.

"Nii-san! Hinata-chan is NOT for you!" she yells and I cringe.

"Answer the question, PLEASE!" I cry, now begging, holding Hinata closer and she begins to weaken.

Hanabi turns her head stubbornly with a huff and I sigh, irritated and becoming impatient. I don't dare leave this house without Hiashi-sama's approval. Who knows what could happen if I just disappear, and with the clan heiress as well?

"Hinata-sama is sick. I have to let him know. Who knows what he might think if I just disappear with the heiress of the clan?" I snap at her. I don't mean to be so rude, but she's being stubborn and I need to get Hinata to the hospital. "Now tell me, where is he?" I growl. "I'm in a hurry, Hinata-sama is horribly sick, she needs treatment, and soon."

"Fine. Father is outside, in the training grounds, waiting for me to finish breakfast." Her expression changes to very worried, caring, even. "You better hurry. Hinata-chan looks horrible..." Her voice quivers as she walks forwards and touches her sister's long hair. I nod, gather Hinata is my arms more comfortably, and walk out of the house quickly, before jogging towards the training grounds.

There he is. "Hyuuga-sama!" I call, walking towards him, quickening my pace. Hiashi turns his head and his brown creases. He stands swiftly, heading over.

"What is it, Neji? And what's wrong with Hinata?" His voice is filled with evil suspicions, and I falter, before realizing I have to speak, and I should probably hurry it up.

"I woke her up for breakfast, and she started throwing up. She's terribly sick, sir. I need to take her to the hospital, but I was sure I needed your permission, so that you could at least know." I blurt out.

For a moment, he doesn't reply, and I get impatient quick. We have to go. She could die, she could disappear from our life...No. That can't happen. I won't let it happen.

"Hinata has always been too fragile and delicate. I knew this day would come sooner or later. Go, Neji. See what you can do."

He shows absolutely no concern. His expression, and the way he speaks gives off the impression that he thinks he's going to die. I fight back to the urge to smack him, nod, and turn, rushing off towards the hospital with Hinata-sama still gathered in my arms.

"Ah, Neji-san — Hinata-chan!? Wh-what's going on!?"

"No time to talk, Sakura." I snap, stopping in front of the counter Sakura Haruno is standing behind. She hurries over to me, before taking Hinata in her arms. I start panting, anxieties overwhelming me. "She's very sick. I found her like this earlier in the morning...I don't know what's wrong with her." My voice is shaking hard, and I bite down hard on my lip to try and stop the tears.

Too late. They slide past my lids, and down my cheeks, before I start full out crying. "Is it wrong — for me t-to be...so scared for her? She'll be okay, right!? Please! Help her..."

"Neji-san..." Sakura's voice is caring, understanding. "You need some rest. Nurse!" She turns, and starts talking to a nurse with dark hair under her breath. The nurse nods at her, and rushes away. About a minute later, she comes back with a stretcher. Sakura sets Hinata on the stretcher, and the nurse rushes away. I'm still shuddering from all this stress. Sakura's arm wraps around my shoulder and she helps me stand up straight.

"Come on, Neji-san. Let's take you to the lobby so you can rest while we wait to see what's wrong with her." Sakura helps lead me to the lobby, and then assists me in sitting down on one of the large couches. She smiles at me softly, her voice is gentle. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. I'm not just here to help the patients, but also to help the people who care about the patients. Try not to worry yourself too much. Relax."

"Thank you, Sakura-san...Please, take good care of Hinata-sama..." My voice trails off as I feel a sudden weariness. I want to sleep again.

"We'll try, Neji-san...We'll try."

Oh snap, cliffhanger! Lol, you all hate me, and that's how it was meant to be.

Lovers,
Simone