AN: Hello! Its been a while but I am back into this story now that my HitsuKia is done with a new chapter. I want to say thank you for all the reviews and love you guys have shown me and this story. I swear we are getting to the climax of the story! Not just yet but soon. I would like to ask... How far do you want the story to go? To the wedding? After the wedding? After they have kids? Let me know!

Also, Lots of FLUFFY LOVE in this chapter

If You Love Me

Chapter 11: You will Take Care of Me

Neji woke up o find a very ill looking Hinata in the kitchen. He eyed her over. She was draped in a heavy haori and her eyes looked a little droopy. Her face looked much paler than was normal for her. She moved slowly. He moved slowly, to not make her jump. He touched her arm. It felt warmer than normal. "Hinata-sama...Are you alright?"

"Eh? Oh I'm fine," she smiled at him and tried to usher him into sitting for breakfast. "Come on, time to eat. Don't you have a mission soon? You must train and get ready to go." She put down the miso soup and a small bowl of what looked like Western pickles. He eyed the pickle funny and began on his soup. "Oops," she giggled. Taking away the pickles, she placed down a bowl of rice. "I'm really sorry about that." She sat down, eating her own food. Neji would eyes his bride every now and again. She looked so very frail. More than was normal for her. After eating, he took his bowls as well as hers. "Oh I can.."

He shook his head, placing his hand on her forehead. "You have a fever. Rest Hinata-sama. Its very important that you do. A ninja that is ill is not a useful ninja. Please, take a moment for yourself. Go to bed; I will have Sumi-san bring up some tea."

"Its fine. *cough* I really should wash up the dishes...and *cough* " she looked at him, pleading that she did not go to bed.

"Please...Hinata...go to bed," and she blushed softly at the intimate way he called her. "I would feel much better if you did." Placing the dishes into the sink, he guided her out f the kitchen and down to her room. "Get dressed into something comfortable. I will go inform Sumi-san of your needs."

"..Ok...thank you, Neji-san," she blushed a little and got herself into some soft, comfy pants and shirt. She snuggled under the covers for a while until the door knocked. "...C-*cough* come in," she called. Instead of Neji or Sumi, it was Koga. He held out a book. "Oh...Hello *cough,cough* Koga-kun."

He blushed a little, his blue ice eyes looking to the floor. "I thought you might be bored...so here. A book I thought it might like." He smiled softly when she sat up and took the book. "So, uh, where is Neji-sama?"

Hinata looked at the cover. It was a book about different herbs. She smiled softly and looked to Koga. "Neji-san is probablly out training. He's going to be busy. He has a big A ranked mission coming up." Hinata's lilac eyes glazed over for a moment, thinking about him. She was worried. She wanted to have medicines ready in case. It was important to her as a medic-nin to be prepared to heal whoever, whenever. Fingers gingerly opened the book, now wondering if there was herbs that could heal up without scarring. She had forgotten Koga was there.

He smiled to himself, now happy to know he had helped her in some way. As he walked himself out, Sumi was coming up the the door. "She's reading."

"...You shouldn't get close to her," Her voice warned slightly angrily.

"Why not? She is just like us."

"...No. She's engaged. She will marry Neji-sama and there is nothing you can ever do about it."

Koga became angry with what she said and stomped away like a child, his eyes burning with anger. He wasn't in love with her. He just admired her. He wanted to be her friend, nothing more. And why was Sumi-san getting the tea? Neji should be here taking care of his fiancee, no one else. He wanted to get in his face for it. However, maybe, if they had time apart then... Koga shook his head. He could not be thinking this way. He did NOT have those kinds of feelings.

"How is she?" Koga looked up and Neji was walking by. He was covered in sweat, his clothes clung to his body.

"Hinata-sama is resting well. I brought her a book. You were barely gone thirty minutes, but Sumi-san recently went in and brought her tea and medicine." Koga wanted to glare at the man, but refrained. It would make Hinata-sama sad if they fought.

"...That's good. Hinata has always been bad about taking care of herself. I'll go in later and see her," Neji walked past the other man, wiping sweat from his forehead. Koga just watched as he walked away. He was still going to go on the mission. Still leave Hinata-sama stuck in bed. He brushed hairs out of his face. "Koga-san."

"Hai, Neji-sama?"

"Murderous air clings on you. Be wary, for I am not weak."

He walked into her bedroom without knocking. She was alseep. His icy blue eyes looked over her body. Hinata looked breath taking, lying there defensless. "You always were too trusting," Neji laughed softly. It was very dark, though tiny fireflies flew around outside her room's window. He scanned the bookshelves, all the different medical references, and some were even on different recipe books about making home made salves. He took one out, flipping through it. It was very worn. Looking to the cover, he smiled. The booked belonged to Hyuga Hikaru. Her mother. Placing it back, his hands gingerly stopped at a book he recognized.

A book he had picked out for her, on the day of their graduation. He was so angry at her, yet he wanted to give her something. She had made him green tea cake. He had loved it. So in return, for when she finished, she decided to give her a book. Something she could use over and over. A large book on different flowers and herbs and their uses. She still had it. He wanted see how used it was, but at that moment he heard a sound. "..Uuhhh," she moaned. He looked at her face. She was tossing, her face flushed. He reached out, touching her face. Fingers brushed gently across her soft peachy face. Gently he stroked her cheek. She was really warm. Moving silently, he opened the window, a cool summery breeze came in. He stood there by the window, breathing in the fresh air. "...Neji..." He turned around, expecting her to be awake, but she wasn't. He stared in wonder. She had called out to him in her sleep. He moved, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"You're so frail and tiny. I know I could break you in two if I got close enough. Yet when I look at you, I feel like I should just let it go. Should let the past go. Yet my pride, my desire to change things, won't let me," he breathed. Why couldn't he be honest with her when she was awake? Well, it was better than not saying anything at all. "...Hinata...No maqtter what others think, somewhere in my heart, I loved you all this time. You were what I wanted, but bitter hatred took over...I have no idea how you could ever forgive me for what I've done...yet you've been there, waiting. I'm sorry," he whispered softly, bowing his head.

"...You've always been forgiven...Regardless..." her arms weakly wrapped around his neck and brought him closer to her. His beautiful eyes widened for a moment. "I was awake about the time you opened the window...Sorry, you looked like a lost angel. I wanted to make sure you were real..." she whispered softly. Her arms were shaking softly. She was still too weak from her illness to really do much but he let her hold him. He needed it. He inhaled deeply. She smelt of the Earth. It was its own soothing scent.

"...Hinata..." he whispered, leaning into her. When was the last time he had gotten a hug for no reason? When was the last time he allowed anyone this close? He gently layed her back down. "...Rest more. You're still warm." No matter how close she tried to get, he couldn't let her. Not yet. She looked at him hurt, but he sat beside her. "Do not worry, I will stay here." He took her hand into his, rubbing her left hand gently. "You have taken time to care for me before. Now allow me to repay your ever wonderful kindness back. Just this once, allow someone to care for you." She smiled softly at him. Neji smiled, kissing her forehead. "Every now and then, you need to be cared for." She held his hand back.

"...Neji-san..." She breathed out. He stroked her face and she turned into his touch. "...Thank you," she mumbled, her eyes seemed to be trying hard to stay open. She was so tired from being ill. She had been busy with caring for him. "...I...I hope we fall in love..." before he could say more she was asleep. He smiled softly.

"...Maybe some day it will turn out that way," he moved himself to her chair, scooting it over to her bedside. He looked at the time. He had some time to do this right...

Sumi-san knocked on the door to Hinata's room. She opened the door slowly, expecting her to be alseep. "OH! I'm so sorry!" she called, seeing Neji in the room, sitting in the chair, still holding Hinatas hand. "I..I brought her breakfast!"

"I've got it," Neji took the tray. "...Let the others know I'll be staying to care for Hinata. I already called in a replacement for my mission." HE closed the door, not waiting for a reply. Hinata was beginning to stir. "Hinata...?"

"..Uh...Neji-san?" She rubbed her eyes softly, confused. "..Shouldn't you...?"

"Its my turn to care for you." was his only reply as he placed the tray on her lap. "You need to eat."

Hinata smiled brightly, her face a beautiful shade of rose. "...Thank you, Neji-san." She ate her rice porridge. "mmm, very yummy. Did Sumi-san make it?"

"Yes. I should ask her how to make food..." he mumbled. Hinata giggled. "What's so funny?"

"I'm just imagining you in an apron," she giggled softly. He grinned a little. She was very happy, he could tell. From now on, he would strive to make her wish come true. A marriage that had love in it.

AN: And DONE! YAY! Ta-dah! I'm so happy to say this is done! Hope you enjoy! PLEASE! Review please! I love them!