MixedSushi: I do not own naruto but if you steal my effing plot, i'll make sure you live in your very own hell^^

Neji: Yes she will

Hinata: Scary

Neji: Shut up -

Hinata: hai....

MixedSushi: I forgot that hinata will be paired up with OC after 2 or 3 more chapters and he's omgwtfrbx awesome ^_~

Hinata: o////o

Neji: Who is he?! I'll MURDER HIM MWAHAHAHAHAHA

MixedSushi: I like him more than neji Dx oh why cant he be Neji?!

Hinata: yay^^ heart

Neji: *Steals heart*

Hinata: *gives heart to OC*

Tatsuhiko : I have a name -__-" Such a cute little girl *kisses hinata* Yoroshiku ne?^^

Hinata & Neji: HE WAS HERE?!

Me: duh. hi tatsu

Tatsuhiko: Hi miss^^ I'll end this stupid nonsensical dialogue now^^ *blows a kiss to hinata* i'll see you later my sweet^^

He slowly opened his eyes and squinted at the ceiling above him. He had that dream again. No, it was not a dream. It was a nightmare, a bloody, cruel and accusing nightmare.

The one of the white bird. He draped his arm on his eyes, trying to lodge the nightmare out of his mind.

She was still in a coma. It was already 2 weeks but her heart had not gone steady yet. The medic nin were so very unsure, they were even shocked to see her still breathing, albeit raggedly and weakly.

Even tsunade said that it would be a miracle if she even opened her eyes. And even if she did, her heart would give way relatively early.

It was his fault.

And he regretted it deeply. His hate, his blind fury were centered on an innocent kind creature that eventually led to its destruction.

Naruto opened his eyes to the absurdity of what he did. And now he could even see how foolish he had been. And he had always relished in the fact that he was the only one with a sensible mind with those close to his age.

He was so very stupid. He could see how much pain he caused.

Hiashi was still as strict as ever but during times when he would go to the hospital, he would be deathly pale with his limbs shaking. Hanabi, who was a feisty, cheerful girl was now locking herself in her room, refusing to go out even to meet her father.

Naruto and Kiba who were always hyper and loud would sometimes stay quiet for hours and if asked, would force a reassuring fake smile.

Shino he once even saw crying. Kurenai would force a strong appearance but when the word was said to her about hinata, she broke down, her knees giving way, he sobs racking her whole body.

Sakura, ino and tenten would stay in her hospital room for hours holding her hand and sobbing quietly at her ill destined fate.

Ah, FATE. That was what started all this. His belief in Fate and Destiny, the fact that no one could change. How foolish he had been.

Neji stood up and decided to visit her for once. It would be his first time to see her again after the chuunin exams.

Neji was slowly treading down the dimly lit hall of Konoha Hospital, a bouquet in his hand.

He stopped In front of a reception desk and asked the plump aging woman for Hinata Hyuuga.

"Oh hinata-san? She has been receiving tons of visitors but it's the first time I've seen you. Are you probably one of her admirers child?" the woman said with a chuckle and neji quirked an eyebrow cooly at her.

"No ma'am. I'm her cousin" he said apathetically. "The room number please. Im in a bit of a hurry" He said, impatient clear in his voice.

The woman clucked her tongue and sighed. "young people these days! Cant even learn to be patient, always in a hurry. Well for your information boy, she's in the best possible room, 777" She said and sighed again.

Neji feeling more impatient by the hour, turned and started briskly forward but the woman called back. "You should learn to Savor her boy, she wouldn't be there forever! Im rooting for you!" she said with a wink, and for once neji felt heat creep up his cheeks.

He was standing in front of Room 777. Her room. Would he find her dead? Would he find the dead body of his cousin inside? Or would he find it empty and be informed that she died earlier and the body has been just moved out?

Neji for once in his whole life could feel a pang of fear. Of cold, pure fear.

He knocked and gently nudged the door open. No one was there.

He looked urgently at the bed and saw his cousin, sleeping peacefully, her body ramrod stiff. He breathe a sigh of relief, not even knowing that he had been holding his breath the whole time.

He sat in the chair beside her bed and discovered that his hands had a slight tremor in them. He looked at his cousin. She was paler than normal, scratch that, she was ghostly white, the paper thin skin appearing almost translucent.

He breathing was ragged and erratic. She looked like she was struggling to breathe, like every breath she took would be the last one.

He held her hand, surprised at their warmth. Why he was surprised he didn't know. Warmth was perfect to describe her, she was the life giving warmth. The light. She was like spring, new beginnings, hope, light, love. She was Spring itself. Love. Love?

He gripped them hard and stared at her face as if willing her to open her eyes. To smile at him. To reassure him that she was fine, that it wasn't his fault.

But that would never happen. It was his fault. She wasn't fine and it was only a matter of time before she stopped breathing.

His eyelids grew heavy. Trying to push the thought of how he would live without her out of his mind. His mind was shutting off. From Everything. From pain, from hurt. From her.

"Neji….Neji…" he was sure he heard something but he was so very exhausted. Then he felt feather light hands caress his hair.

He shot open his eyes and jerked his head to stare at the milky orbs of his cousin and her warm smile.

"Neji"

She was exhausted. She didn't know why. Heck, she didn't even know who she was anymore. 'Why is everything so dark?' She was terrified. She was terrified of the darkness and why she couldn't remember anything. She was terrified at the pain that felt like something was tearing her heart apart.

But what scared her the most was the feeling of utter aloneness. The sheer pain of knowing no one was there to comfort her, to gently remind and console her. To hold her tight and assure her that everything was fine.

She was terrified.

She was Alone and Terrified

She was Alone…

Then she heard a small knock. 'Where did that come from? Maybe Im not alone…' she dared not hope.

She heard small and faltering steps come nearer, as if the person wasn't sure of his being there.

Someone was sitting beside her, she could feel his warmth.

Then she was assaulted by feelings she didn't know, First by the almost sure fact that the most important person was there, sitting beside her. And the swelling of her heart in joy.

Neji was there.

Neji. Neji. Neji. Neji. Neji

She felt tears burning her eyelids.

Her mind was filled with nothing but him, his smell, his look, the strength he always seemed to convey, his self confidence that she always wished to have, his loneliness, his confusion, his aloneness.

She would not try to deny it anymore. She was in love with him. No, she wasn't in love with him. She Loved him. Every other deep meaning was filled in that word, 'Love'

How foolish of her to fall in love with the person who tried to kill her. She would've laughed at it if the situation had a lighter shade.

She felt him take her hand in his own. She was surprised that his hand felt like ice blocks. Maybe that was what he really is, Ice. Ice cooler than winter snow. The end of everything. 'No. He isn't the end. Winter gives way to spring, To new beginnings. Winter.'

"Neji….Neji.." she hoped that the words conveyed her feelings.

She fluttered her eyes open and stared at him. He was breathing steadily and deeply. He was asleep

She caressed his hair wondering about their silkiness. She could feel him, smell him. She tried to commit to memory the way he felt, his eyes, his smile. Everything

She felt him move slightly. 'No. Please wait a little longer. Don't leave me yet'

He jerked his head up and stared at her, astonishment clear in his eyes.

"Neji"

She smiled at him and said

"Ni-Niisan i-im s-s-sorry I di-di-dist-t-turbed your s-sleep"

"Hinata?" He spoke as if unsure

"Ye-yes niisan?"

"HINATA!!!" he abruptly stood up and ran outside to call for tsunade, leaving hinata immensely saddened

After Tsunade checked hinata's vital signs she was shocked to see that her heart, although weak was rapidly returning to normal. She grew perplexed at why this happened and askedhinata, "Hinata what did you do during your battle? What did you do to prevent dying?"

She was looking at her intently, hinata smiled and said, "I survived."

FLASHBACK

She felt it, he was going to strike her heart.

She was pathetic for doing this but she had no other choice.

She really was a coward.

"Weakling.

Coward.

Useless."

Those were the words she was extremely familiar with. Always uttered by her father and cousin and the main house.

It was hurtful.

But it was also true.

So she couldn't die without proving herself 'Not yet. I will survive this. I'll live through this and prove them wrong. I am Hinata Hyuuga, heiress of the Hyuuga Clan. I am no coward nor am I pathetic and useless' With that last thought, she covered her heart in untraceable healing chakra.

END OF FLASH BACK

After her brief interview with tsunade she was assailed by hordes of her family and friends and by the end of the day she was laughing gaily and merrily.

Even though she wasnt looking at him, she could feel him. In some bizaare way she could see every move he took. Every smirk bestowed. Every word uttered from his mouth. Everything. She was painfully aware of him.

She hated it.

She hated knowing the fact that she loved him and his feelings? none. Maybe Hate

She hated him.

She hated loving him so much that she couldnt take him being with another woman, she hated the fact that he could never return her feelings. She hated the way he would ignore her and only take notice of her because of some blunder she had done.

She hated him.

She hated him deeply.

And he knew it.

He reveled in the fact that he could affect her with a smile or a harsh word spoken.

She hated him so.

And yet she loved him more.

Then he stood up and left

Neji didnt know why but he was extremely and not to mention pathetically embarassed because he was caught holding her hand. 'I was even sleeping and if i remember correctly her hand was held to my lips. How could i have done something so...so...improper. It is morally inapropriate especially since she come from the main house and I from a lowly branch house'

Even though he couldnt see her he was painfully and awkwardly aware of her. Everything she done, said, breathe. He didnt know why but he could almost touch her, smell her, taste her.

He still hated her.

He hated the fact that she could sacrifice her life just to open his eyes.

He hated the fact that she was painfully shy and bashful.

He hated her gentle yet fragile beauty.

He hated the fact that he was still bound to her.

He hated why everybody loved her, she was a weakling, a coward an absolutely pathetic being. Useless and incapable.

And she knew it.

She didnt try to change, oh no. She just got worse and worse for the sole fact of annoying him.

He hated her so.

And yet he...? No, he hated her.

He stood up and left.