So did I cry after Neji left? Yeah, I did, probably more than I ever had in my life. I wasn't the type of girl to cry over every little thing, but this wasn't a little thing.

The first four days after he left, I spent the whole day crying, loud heaving sobs. The next day, they quieted down a bit, and by day six I had actually grown sick of crying. Hinata still needed my help with her situation, and I wasn't about to back out on her.

And that was how we found ourselves in the hospital a week later, staring at Sakura with dumbfounded expressions. Well, I was the one who was making the stupid face. Hinata looked surprisingly calm.

I swallowed. "So how far along is she?" I asked softly, while Hinata looked down at her hands.

Sakura also seemed surprised by the information she was giving us and hesitated before she answered. "Not too far along. About two weeks."

Hinata nodded, and Sakura let out a large breath. "So are you going to keep it? It's entirely you decision whether you want this child or not."

Hinata's head snapped up at the mention of an abortion, obviously surprised by that alternative. At first, she looked so small and unsure, but then she raised her eyes to mine from where I leant against the wall, and I saw this weird spark of courage and determination in them.

"I can't kill a baby," she spoke softly. "Even if I am too young, I still couldn't do it."

Sakura and I exchanged glances. "Okay," I said stepping forward. "If that's your decision, then I'll be here to back you up."

Hinata's eyes grew wide and hopeful, and Sakura nodded her head vigorously. "We'll definitely do whatever we can to help you through this." Hinata suddenly started bawling, and Sakura and I jumped to her side immediately.

"I'm so sorry, guys," she blubbered while I rubbed her back soothingly. "I'm just so emotional right now."

We remained silent for a moment, and I was suddenly overcome with how humorous that sounded. My laughter must have startled them because they stared at me incredulously before joining in.

And for that moment we didn't have any problems. For a moment, I wasn't a broken hearted girl who had just gotten harshly dumped by the love of her life. For a moment, Hinata didn't have to dread the hardships that lie ahead, and Sakura and I didn't have to keep her fertile state a secret. For a moment, we were just a group of friends having fun like friends are supposed to.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hinata decided with some reluctance to tell Ino of the pregnancy. I mean, who could blame her? That blond had an obnoxiously loud mouth.

She took it surprisingly well, noting the seriousness of our faces. I'd expected her to start braying at the top of her lungs about how she was going to be an aunt or something. I must admit, that would have been quite humorous were it to happen.

"It's Naruto's right?" Ino asked softly, and Hinata sighed in aggravation.

"Why does everybody keep asking me that?" she snapped. "Of course it's Naruto's. I wouldn't even think of cheating on him."

That last statement struck a painful chord in me, and I swallowed deeply. Regret flashed across Hinata's face, and I nodded to show that it was nothing.

Ino looked quite surprised. This was probably the first time Hinata had ever snapped at anybody. She was usually so soft spoken and shy. It must be the stress or the hormones or something.

"Sorry," she said softly to Ino, and I felt Sakura squeeze my shoulder gently, her face sympathetic.

I relaxed slightly and smiled faintly at her. She always had a knack for making me feel better.

"Have you told him yet?" Ino continued on.

Hinata sighed and leaned back against the counter of the Yamanaka flower shop. "No," she replied faintly, twiddling her fingers like she used to when we attended the academy. "I really don't know what he'll say. We're so young, and he's got so many dreams. Maybe it's best I don't tell him."

There was a moment of shocked silence, before the rest of us broke out in disagreements.

"I know Naruto will want to help, Hinata. I've been his friend since we were put on Team 7. He would never abandon you like that."

"He loves you, and he'll love that baby the same."

"Yeah, the blond idiot may not know much, but he's dependable."

Sakura and I shot a glare toward Ino, who simply shrugged. Hinata sighed shakily once more.

"I know, but I don't want to feel obligated to help me," she said. "I want him to want this baby. I want him to want to be around me when I go through all this."

Now, we all exchanged knowing glances, finally understanding why she felt so torn on the subject and so beat down. Because what she wanted, he may not be willing to give.

"He'll find out sooner or later," Sakura said softly. "It will be pretty obvious when you walk around town with a baby bump. And I doubt you'll want him to think it's someone else's."

Once again, there was another sting in my own heart.

"You're right," she said in defeat. "But I'll tell him when I'm ready."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I couldn't sleep, my thoughts trained on a man probably hundreds of miles away by now.

We'd finally acknowledged our feelings for eachother two years ago when we were seventeen. Our relationship had certainly brought out a side of Neji that I found even more attractive than his usual stoic one.

The things he said to me, or rather, what he used to say to me, were sexy and husky, and I often felt my knees grow weak at just his voice. He was more caring than he let on and quite possessive in public. I remember he'd actually broken a guy's nose when he let his hand brush against my butt.

I didn't scold him for it. That very same guy had been giving me these weird looks that night, letting his eyes rake over my body. Neji noticed my discomfort and pulled me closer than usual as we sat in the restaurant. He always made me feel safe, even if I was a ninja and could hold my own if the time called for it.

I sighed wistfully. I would wait for him. Hinata will be showing by the time he returned, and the secret would be out. It would all be good soon. There was no doubt about it.



A/N: Sorry if this chapter was kinda bland or whatever, but I wanted to put in the friendship the four girls share, and, of course, Tenten's reaction to Neji leaving and if Hinata was really pregnant or not. Hinata, who woulda thought she'd be the one to get pregnant. Lol. But her background and innocence fit better with the story in my opinion. Well, I'm out.