Me: Oops...

Neji: What?

Me: This was supposed to be out yesterday

Neji: So? We didn't notice that much

Me: -strangles Neji- I do not own any of the Naruto characters, not matter how OOC they are

Chapter 21 A broken heart that the world forgot…

Hinata's P.O.V.

When Sasuke left, I guess that I took a nap: the window light isn't as bright as it normally is in the morning.

I take a look at the clock, 3:17. Sasuke should have been back for a while now.

Oh Kami, please don't let anything happen to him! As soon as the thought leaves my mind, the front door slams open.

I turn to greet Sasuke, but what I find staring at me is much different. No. Let me rephrase that: who I find staring at me is much different.

"Hinata…"

I turn my gaze to Sasuke as he enters the room. "Let me explain!" he says as he raises his hands into the air. "I went to go buy you some medicine and…"

"Hinata."

I look back at my older cousin, but cannot meet his gaze. I quickly look down at his chin, too embarrassed to stare at his perfect, colorless eyes.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps coming closer to me and I gasp as Neji pulls up my face to look at him. "How…how come you never told me?"

His tone isn't angry, nor is it frustrated. It's more of a broken melody that pierces my heart to no extent.

Tears form in my eyes, and a small sob escapes my lips. Neji's look softens at my pathetic appearance.

"Please, Hinata. Tell me everything that happened."

I quietly explain what has been occurring over the last few weeks. Then years. And I finish off sobbing into his chest as he holds me protectively.

When my sobs secede, I feel completely drained. My gaze shifts to the spot where Sasuke originally was, but he no longer is there. Probably left to give me and Neji some privacy. I feel humbled that he cares so much.

"Hinata, I promise that I will never let her hurt you ever again. But I could have promised that a long time ago if you told me sooner."

"I-I'm sorry."

Neji tightens his hold around me and Sasuke comes into the room.

"You two fix everything?" he asks.

"Yes." Neji turns to Sasuke, "You said that you bought some medicine, right Uchiha?"

Sasuke nods his head and goes toward the table in the middle of the room. He takes out a bottle and plastic spoon, and walks over to us again. He pours some red liquid into the spoon and lifts it up to my mouth. I separate my lips a little as he places the spoon through.

I've experienced worse things in my life, so at first I can handle the horrid taste, but when the liquid snakes down my throat, I feel a burning sensation as it goes.

I practically gag.

"What…cough…what the Hell was that?"

"Medicine. They same type I had you drink when we were kids," Neji says, looking at the bottle.

I cough again.

"Is it really that bad?" Sasuke asks.

I take my time clearing my throat. "Yes."

The two boys give me a sympathetic look.

"Well, I better get home. Father will be mad at me if I'm late for curfew."

Neji releases me from his grasp, and walks to the door. But before he leaves, Neji turns around. "Is it alright if I tell Lee and TenTen? I'll make sure that they don't tell anyone, and they can help."

I give him a surprised look.

"Hinata, this has gotten too far out of hand. You can't handle this by yourself anymore. Even Sasuke," he turns to Sasuke, "can't help you by himself. We need more assistance. But I won't tell if you don't want me to."

I think about his proposal for a bit. It's true that I can't do this by myself anymore, and I don't want Sasuke or Neji to get hurt because of me. So, I decide that maybe, people can help me. But…

"Alright. You can tell them. But you have to make them promise that if Mother decides to come close, they can't help. The same goes for you two."

Both Neji and Sasuke look surprised but soon go back to normal.

"Fair enough. I'll see you tomorrow Hinata."

And with that, Neji leaves.

For the rest of the night I'm stuck in bed with fever. And Sasuke doesn't leave my side for a moment. Well, for as long as I am conscious.

The next day, Sasuke stays home with me instead of going to school. Afterward, Neji comes over with not only Lee and TenTen, but with all of my friends. Sakura, Ino, and Kiba run up to me and start asking tons of questions that I can't understand. Then, Neji pushes them away,making everyone stop talking. I laugh silently at their pouting faces as I try to leave the room, but Shino stops me before I can go anywhere and demands the truth. I obey with some resistance, of course, but the story goes through, and each person has their own way of showing their concern. Everyone expresses their sorrow, and I feel a little depressed at their remarks, but decide to stay silent.

We talk for a bit, then everyone starts returing home. They promise to be back tomorrow, with objections from Sasuke, and leave through the front door.

My fever has gone done for the most part, but I still feel tired from everything that has happened.

"How are you doing?"

Sasuke sits behind me on the bed, and begins to rub my arms in a soothing manner.

"I've been worse. But things are incomparably better thanks to you."

Sasuke gives me a small smile, and pulls me down to lie next to him.

"Everything will get better. I'll make sure of it."

His warm breath on my neck sends shivers up my spine, and I move closer to him. I lay my head on his chest, listening to the soft, rhythmic beat of his heart.

Right before I fall into a deep slumber, Sasuke shakes me awake. I look up to him; annoyed that he woke me up, but when I see his sad expression, I immediately change my look.

"What's wrong?"