AN: I'm sorry its taken me so long, but with one story wrapped up, and no new ones to drag me down, I have more time to update for you all!

Also, since I'm finally done with my move, I'm even more prepared to bunker down and finish more of my stories. Hope you enjoy!

If You Love Me

Chapter 12: You will be Safe

A week had pasted since she had fallen ill, yet the raven haired girl was in her private training area, making sure to get her strength back up. A mission had appeared that needed her. She barely had time to get her strength back up, but work was good. It was nice to be ill. Neji had cared for her completely, making sure she ate properly, helped her in and out of bed. Made sure to make her meals himself. It was wonderful. He was protective, made sure to care for her himself. He got her tea, her food, made sure to keep her company. "….Hhaaaa…" she breathed another beam of chakra escaping her hands, folding into different poses, and different forms of her beautiful defense system. She wanted to build herself back to where she was.

"If you push yourself too hard, you might hurt yourself," She turned, seeing Koga holding out a tray of tea and some onigiri. She smiled softly at him, patting the spot next to her. He sat down next to her, handing her the cup of tea. "You look a lot better."

"Thank you. Sorry I've been so sick and you all had to deal with nurse Neji," she giggled softly. Koga grumbled a little, but he smiled back at her. She sipped a little of her tea, breathing in deeply. "I'm glad I'm finally better. A have a mission coming up soon and I need to be at my very best."

"I heard. I have missed missions sorely."

"Oh? Why did you quit? You can't be much older than Neji and I," Hinata looked at him confused. He looked at the oldest 27, if not much younger.

"There was a mission that went horribly wrong and I had surgery….It was bad enough that the 3rd said I could not go any more," Koga said sadly. He looked to Hinata, and she smiled weakly, showing how sorry she was. "Its fine now. I don't mind resting and having a quiet life. I worked hard for my village and my family. Now, I enjoy tending to the gardens."

Hinata looked at Koga, curiosity growing. There were more gardens? Koga stood up , holding out his hand to her. "Shall we go look?" Hinata nodded, but lifted herself up, making sure to move slowly. Her head now and again felt fuzzy still. She steadied herself and followed Koga. As they left the house, Hinata looked back for a moment. Neji was gone on a mission, but still, she felt a bit…wrong.
"Something wrong, Hinata-sama?" Koga looked back, his eyes narrowing a little bit. During the time she was sick, Koga knew his feelings for her were more than they should be, but they were what they were, there was no changing that. He had been in the throws about telling her, or not. He still hadn't decided.

"..Iie..I'm just worried about Neji-san. I wanted to collect some more herbs, in case he needed treating," Her soft lilac eyes watched her home for a moment. Its seemed normal. Just another house among so many different ones. Yet, she was connected to it in a way she could not be with her old home. "….I hope he's okay."

Koga grinded his teeth slightly, his eyes narrowing. "He is one of the best shinobi they have. He'll be fine," his held back his voice, trying hard not to show his annoyance. Taking her hand, he gently tugged her with him. "I can't be gone long. There are many things that need to be done soon, like your wedding preparation meeting."

Her eyes widened for a moment, forgetting the tiny voice saying no one should be holding her hand but Neji. The wedding….She had forgotten about it. She had to try on different kimonos, and then go through flowers and veils…the colors, who would be in her party. She groaned softly. Though she was a woman, her wedding was never something she had ever put serious thought into. She had always believed her father would have it all arranged, but it was not so. Apparently, she had to go through it all as well. Even as a child, she never really saw her wedding with Naruto. She had been content with him saying 'hi' ever now and again. But now, she had to try on kimono after kimono… "….I suppose my letter must be going through soon as well," she mumbled softly.

Koga turned a corner sharply, Hinata tripping slightly into him. "Here we are," she looked past him, seeing a gorgeous garden of roses. Ever shape and color spread out beautifully, a strong intoxicatingly sweet smell perfumed the air. She smiled softly, enjoying the smell and sight of the beautiful rose garden, but the moment she took a few steps closer, a very sick feeling filled her stomach. Her head moved quickly to the side, seeing people move and gather at the gate, seeming worried and rushed. Her feet moved faster than the sound of the horn. The sound every Hyuga knew, the sound meaning someone was hurt. Pushing through people, Hinata stood as the scroll was passed to her father. She didn't need to read it, didn't need to know, her gut told her. It could only be one person.

Everyone moved, and fast. Her voice was loud, precise and strong. It was strange, to have their princess sudden stand as though nothing was scary, as though she was confident. They moved, got what she asked. She was not harsh, but she left no room in her voice for error.
Hair pulled off her face, eyes and veins grown with chakra pulsing through them. "I need hot water, the green and brown salve. Someone get new rags and gauze." Her face was rosy from the work. The moment Neji had been in the hospital, Hinata had demanded of Tsunade to allow her to take him home. Neji hated hospitals after the time when they were younger from chasing down Sasuke. Tsunade agreed only after Hinata agreed to open the compound doors for other medic-nins to come help her. Even they were impressed with her work. Hinata had never seemed so strong, nor as beautiful as when she was determined to save Hyuga Neji's life.

The pressure on his chest was far too uncomfortable for him. Much too uncomfortable for him to remain asleep, yet his eyelids refused his demand. So, he lay, listening, feeling, smelling his way through wherever her was. It could not be the hospital, which made him glad. The sheets were much too soft, like his own. The smell of the room was medical clean, and some fresh cut flower he could not place. Somewhere close to him, a window was open a bit, but not enough to remove the nasty medical smell. Again, he demanded his eyes to open and again they refused. They felt…drugged. 'Who would do such a thing?' he whined to himself. Somewhere, a very familiar smell came by. A smell he knew of lilacs and herbs. He knew who it was before she spoke to him.
"Sorry Neji….I'm sorry I didn'r prepare properly." Her hands touched his, gently stroking the back of his hand. He could hear her sit down in a chair, never letting his hand go. "Now its my turn to care for you."

He wanted to shout, to tell her that it wasn't her fault. It was his fault. For being proud, for taking on the mission when it was so close to time. He wanted to tell her he was sorry. Sorry for leaving her behind, for making her worry. For turning his back and hurting her. For forgetting how special she was. For allowing someone else to get close to her. For not being a good fiancé. But all he could do was wait, and listen, and smell and feel. Waiting for his body to let him move. "Hinata-sama…" His ears tuned in. This voice was familiar. Close to them, yet the way this person said her name made him wish to move, to reach out and attack. That tiny tone, tried to be hidden, yet it would not. "You've been here for eight days, you need to rest. I'll take watch."

"Oh..Koga-san. I'm fine really." He felt relief wash over him. She was not going anywhere.

"Then at least get some food please. Really, your health is just as important as his." Again, rage built. What had happened in the eight days he was hidden inside his own mind?

"…I suppose it's a good idea.." the sound of her leaving the chair, her heavy steps from being tired. It felt like an echo. NO! Don't go! Don't leave me….Hinata…Don't leave me please….I'm sorry….

"…Hinata…" his voice escaped the tired lips, his pleading voice barely above a croak but she heard it. Stopping mid step, she heard him. Turning her head, she looked him over. Nothing different, all the signs say it was her imagination, but it was there. Barely anything, ut his lips twitched softly.
"Neji….?" She called softly, Koga's hand took hers, trying to gently coax her with away to the kitchen. "Neji…" she yanked her arm away from him. Lilac eyes saw nothing else but the man on his bed, hooked up to five machines. Reaching out, she stroked his forhead, trying to get a reaction out of him.
"….Hinata…" slowly, dark lashes opened, revealing iced blue eyes. It took a moment, but they focused on her. "…Sorry."
A soft, sweet giggled escaped her lips. "Whatever for?"
"…I didn't stay safe." She gently wrapped her arms around him. She just stared into his eyes, loving as always, as though the years of angst, hatred, longing never happened. AS if he had never hurt her, never tried to end her life. Instead, she looked at him like she had been with him every step of the way. "….*cough* " he smiled as she got up, handing him a glass of water. "…" he spit back out the water.

"Neji what's wrong?" but when the water landed on the cotton, it changed color. A deep red. Blood. "…Someone get the Hokage on the phone," she ordered as loud as possible. Placing her finger in the water, the answer came sharply. Tiny shards of glass were in the water.

AN: Mm, cliff hanger. Can you guess who it is? Mwhhahahahaha!

Please review!