Death never seemed like an immediate possibility. Sure, death in battle was expected. But, it would never happen, right?

To be dead was the most disturbing feeling. She didn't understand it at first. It was just a bad hit, right? She could get up and walk it off. But, there was no pain. A light flashed for a moment, and then she was standing above her body. No, she was floating above her body. It was silent, almost serene as she saw herself lying on the floor broken and bloody staring up at the cloudless blue sky.

She saw the moment Guy Sensei arrived, saw him pick up her lifeless body. She heard Kakashi tell him there still might be hope. But, was that just wishful thinking? Was that just words to try and comfort a friend who was grieving in the middle of a crisis situation?

It felt like her spirit was being pulled with her body. She had no choice but to follow Guy Sensei. She saw Neji, saw the other Hyuga's when they arrived, and that was when the serenity, the calmness she felt came crashing down around her. She felt panic swell inside her very soul as she saw the despair and pain on Neji's face. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she screamed.

"No! No! This isn't fair!" Hisako yelled.

She stood right beside Neji, crying with him and Guy Sensei but that was when Lord Hyuga stepped up.

"Neji,"

Neji turned his pained gaze up to his uncle, his arms trembling as he held onto Hisako's lifeless body.

"I'm not letting her die. Not like this," Lord Hyuga dropped to his knees and took Hisako from Neji lying her in front of him.

He brought his hands up to her chest and began to perform chest compressions. His hands glowed a light blue as he forced his chakra into her sternum, forcing her heart to pump with his chakra.

"Uncle," Neji whispered, as he watched helpless and feeling useless.

"Guy, go get a medic! Now!" Lord Hyuga ordered, "If I let her die here, then I'll have broken my word to her mother. I promised I would protect her. She's not dying, Neji,"

"Will it really work?" Neji demanded, his hand grabbing onto her hand and squeezing as he stared down at her pale face.

Hisako saw her crystal necklace glimmer and a second later, she heard a very familiar, almost musical feminine voice behind her.

"How interesting. I was expecting you to live longer than this," Lady Fuyumi said with a sigh.

Hisako turned her attention away from the scene below her, where Lord Hyuga was trying desperately to save her life.

"Lady Fuyumi," Hisako replied, a cry caught in her throat, and she choked on tears, "Please. Please! I don't want to be dead!"

Lady Fuyumi's gaze was soft as her blue eyes stared at her descendent, "Everyone must die my child. It's how the world works,"

Hisako's green eyes shook and she brought up both hands. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, was she going to hit Fuyumi? No. That would be stupid. So much rage and anger boiled up in her body and she wasn't sure how to expel it.

"However," Lady Fuyumi said, her gaze going to Lord Hyuga with a look of fondness, "It seems now may not be your time,"

Hisako turned around, her gaze going back to Lord Hyuga and Lady Fuyumi continued, "When that man attacked you, he hit you just right to send your heart into cardiac arrest. Your other injuries, while serious, are not immediately life threatening. What Lord Hyuga is doing, is forcing your heart to beat again. I can help him,"

Hisako turned her attention back to Lady Fuyumi, her eyes widening, "You mean you can save me?"

Lady Fuyumi turned a serious gaze on Hisako, "Yes. But, the recovery will be long and painful. And I cannot even guarantee a full recovery. I can force your soul back into your body because you and I are connected through the crystal. As we speak, Lord Hyuga is manually pumping your heart. But, there is no shame in saying you choose death. Everything must come to an end. Including the great Fuyu Clan, "

"I choose life! I choose life!" Hisako screamed, and pleaded, "I choose to be with Neji! I choose to live!"

Lady Fuyumi's gaze turned sympathetic, "Since that is your choice, I will lend you my aid,"

Hisako turned her attention back to Neji and she felt a warm hand rest on her shoulder, "I'll be with you during the recovery. I wish you luck, Hisako," Fuyumi said from behind Hisako.

There was a small push and Hisako fell. Light exploded around her just like when she was first killed and she knew nothing for a time.

"Hisako!" Lee screamed.

Even though he was on crutches from his match with Gaara, he had made his way down to the arena to see how he could assist the other shinobi. That was when he found Hisako, lying dead.

Now, Team Guy surrounded Hisako and Lord Hyuga, begging Hisako to return to them. Begging for this to not be the end. Lee had never seen Neji cry, and yet, tears were streaming down his cheeks as he tightly clutched her hand to his chest, leaning over her.

There was a subtle flutter of her eyes, color slowly began returning to her face and then, her chest started to rise and fall on its own again. Lord Hyuga paused with his chest compressions, relief, and surprise flashed across his face for just a moment as he observed her chest slowly rising and falling.

A small moan escaped her lips as Neji grabbed her, hugging her to him as her eyes fluttered open. Lee's heart soared with excitement and joy as he collapsed to the ground, his crutch forgotten about as they all cried over Hisako.

"Neji?" Hisako whispered so quietly they could barely hear her.

Neji pulled back, his lavender eyes roaming over her face, a few of his tears landed on her cheeks, "I'm here. I'm right here,"

"My student! My youthful student!" Guy Sensei screamed.

Guy Sensei lunged for Lee and hugged his mini me close to him as they cried in relief. Lord Hyuga stood up, flagging a medic down. His gaze was stern as he gave the medics orders to tend to Hisako's wounds immediately.

Hisako gave Neji the faintest of smiles as her eyes fluttered closed and her head fell against his chest unconscious, but, alive.

A medic cleared his throat above the sobbing team and Neji lifted his head. Three medics had finally arrived with a gurney, "We have been instructed by Lord Hyuga to transport Hisako to the hospital immediately for medical treatment,"

Neji gently let Hisako go and allowed the medics to grab her and put her on the gurney. Team Guy stood up and watched the medics take Hisako away towards the hospital. Neji stepped up to his uncle, his tears dried up.

"Thank you," Neji whispered.

Lord Hyuga nodded to his nephew, "I believe it would be beneficial for Team Guy to get to the hospital to support their teammate,"

Neji looked up to his uncle, a solemn look on his face. Before he could respond, Guy spoke up.

"He's right! Let's move out, Team Guy. We gotta be there for Hisako!" Guy Sensei shouted.

Despite Lee's own physical injuries and his own recovery that he had to deal with, he had a smile on his face as he raised his free hand in the air, "I agree!"

"Neji, go on ahead. We'll catch up to you," Guy Sensei told Neji.

Neji nodded his head, "Right,"

Neji was exhausted. Between the fight with Naruto completely draining his chakra, and then the fight with those ninja who were abducting Hinata right after that match, he wasn't sure if he could move anymore. But, somehow he was able to convince his tired legs to carry him all the way to the hospital.

The hospital was bustling with activity from the attack on the village, but from what reports he was overhearing from some of the shinobi stationed at the hospital, the battle was over. The Leaf Village had won. But there were many dead, and many more wounded, however the Leaf Village was still standing. The nurses, despite being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of patients they had coming through their doors, were kind enough to show Neji to a waiting area.

Tables and chairs were set out for people to sit, eat, and attempt to relax while waiting for news on their loved ones. Almost every single chair was filled with teary eyed solemn villagers. The entire room felt dark and gloomy. It was enough to cause Neji to feel worse than he already did. He wasn't sure what the outcome would be if Hisako would live, but he couldn't think of another alternative.

He found an empty chair and sank into it with a heavy heart, resting his elbows on the table. He resisted the urge to lay his head on the table to try and get some much needed sleep. Not yet. He had to stay awake to hear on news about Hisako. His gaze was distant, and his thoughts were somewhere else.

Guy and Lee showed up a few minutes later, Guy holding a few bags of what looked like takeout.

"They're rations that are being handed out right now. You need to eat after all the fighting you've done today," Guy Sensei explained as he set the bags down.

Neji stared at the bag. He wasn't hungry. There was no way he could eat anything right now. His stomach was turning, and the adrenaline rushing through his veins was suppressing his appetite. Top it off, his worry for Hisako outweighed anything else he could have been feeling at that very moment.

Guy and Lee sat down with Neji, both silently staring at the crowds around them, their gazes heavy with grief and sorrow as they took in the state of the hospital. The three of them sat at that table in silence for a long while.

"Are you three here for Hisako Uchiha?" a nurse asked, walking up to the table Team Guy was sitting at.

Sometime during the hours that they had been waiting to hear about Hisako's condition, Neji had taken out some rations and started picking at the meager food, but most of what he had in front of him still sat untouched.

All three of them perked up and nodded, "Yes. Do you have an update on her condition?" Guy Sensei asked.

The nurse's expression was sympathetic, and almost sad as she regarded the three of them, "Yes. I do, but, it's not good news,"

Neji stilled at those words, his heart thrumming in his chest as his pulse raced. Was she dead? Did he lose her? What was this news?

"What is it?" Guy asked, keeping his voice calm and steady.

"While the majority of her injuries are not life threatening, there is the concern for her heart," the nurse explained gently, "she's been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure,"

"Congestive Heart Failure?" Neji asked.

The nurse nodded, "It's a chronic condition that eventually leads to the heart failing entirely. I'm sorry, but, there's no known cure right now."

They all went still, and it felt like a ten ton weight had dropped on top of them as they stared at the nurse in disbelief.

"You're saying Hisako is going to… die?" Lee asked, tears pricking his eyes.

"Eventually. We don't know when. Her heart could give out in a few days, or a few years. We're going to be putting her on medications and we'll monitor her condition closely. I'm sorry," the nurse said.

Lee's resolve broke and tears streamed down his cheeks, "but… She's going to be alright, right Guy Sensei?"

Guy Sensei's voice was thick with emotion as he turned to his student, "I don't know Lee. This condition… It seems serious,"

"Can I see her?" Neji asked.

It felt like he was in a nightmare. It felt like his body was on autopilot and he wasn't really sure of anything anymore. Of everything he could have heard, of anything that could have happened, an outcome like this felt unimaginable. His heart clenched painfully as the nurse nodded her head. Neji stood up, his feet moving on their own as the nurse escorted him to Hisako's hospital room.

Guy and Lee followed behind him silently. When they got to her room, she was lying still and motionless on the bed. She was connected to monitors that beeped in a rhythmic fashion. One arm was in a cast, and she was covered in bandages.

"Besides the heart condition, she sustained four broken ribs, sternum, and her wrist as well. She suffered a minor skull fracture, severe concussion, and multiple lacerations and contusions. We're not sure when she's going to regain consciousness."

Neji barely heard the nurse. He numbly sat down in the chair by her bedside and grabbed her hand out of instinct. Lee sat down on the bed beside Hisako, setting his crutch down and Guy Sensei stood over her bed.

"She's too strong to succumb to this," Guy Sensei said, his voice quiet and solemn, a complete contrast to his usual boisterous self.

Neji wasn't sure if he said that because he believed it or because he wanted to try to comfort his worried students. Neji sure didn't feel the same confidence as Guy Sensei did.

"Guy Sensei is right!" Lee exclaimed, "She's alive! She's already beaten death! She'll beat this too!"

"There's no known cure!" Neji retorted, his voice raising and thick with emotions that were uncharacteristic of him, "We can't give her false hope. We can't let her live in a fantasy. We can't do that ourselves either,"

"But, there's no known cure yet. She just has to hold on till a cure is found. And we'll do everything we can to prolong her life till that point!" Guy Sensei replied.

Neji let out a low growl, "This is ridiculous,"

A moment after a nurse entered the room again, "I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over. I'll have to ask you all to leave,"

Guy Sensei and Lee stood up and headed for the door, however, Neji didn't move from his chair.

"The hospital rules state that family members are permitted to stay overnight, correct?" Neji asked, his eyes closed and his head turned away from the nurse.

The nurse stammered over her words for a moment before replying, "Well… yes?"

"Then I'll be permitted to stay. She was adopted by the Hyuga Clan which made me her family through that adoption,"

The nurse had no recourse for that, "Alright then, you can stay," she replied as she followed Lee and Guy Sensei out of the hospital room.

Hisako's eyes fluttered, her mind felt foggy and her body felt heavy. She wasn't sure where she was if she was even alive. But, that was when she felt the horrifying pain. She tried to move her arm, which sent fireworks up her arm into the rest of her body. She felt someone's hand tighten around hers and she let out a soft moan her fingers flexing in response.

"Hisako,"

Her heart swelled with relief when she recognized that voice.

"Neji," Hisako responded back, slowly opening her eyes.

The bright lights of the hospital made the pain in her skull increase tenfold, but she fought the pain away so she could see Neji. To know that she was alive. She saw his lavender eyes gazing down at her, concern and worry on his face as he sat in a chair by her bedside, his hand firmly in hers.

"What-what happened?" Hisako asked, her memory was blurry and all she could remember were fragments.

Neji and Hisako hugged. It was a long, warm hug full of longing and promises of a bright and happy future. Gaara, and his cold dead look as he passed by Hisako and Neji in the hallway. Then there was Naruto and Shikamaru, begging Kakashi Sensei to stop the match. And then… Hisako grimaced. This is where things got really blurry. Images of stone wolves, Lord Hokage being stabbed, and then… and then… was she struck down?

People were crying. For her. Begging her not to leave them. Was Fuyumi there too? She couldn't remember.

"Do you not remember?" Neji asked, his gaze was weary and Hisako could see dark bags under his eyes like he hadn't slept in days.

"Not really… Was I hurt?"

Neji's gaze softened and she could have sworn she saw a shadow pass over his face, "You were killed, Hisako,"

Hisako's eyes widened and her whole body stilled at that, "K-killed? You mean dead?"

Neji nodded his head, "Yes. Lord Hyuga is the one who saved you. We thought we had lost you,"

Hisako swallowed her rising panic, and she moved her hand so her fingers interlocked with Neji's more to ground her than anything, "But, I'm okay now, right? I just need to heal, recover,"

Neji's hand tightened around Hisako's and he moved so he was sitting on her bed, his eyes were so sad, so pained that Hisako could feel his pain. She realized she didn't want to hear what he had to say. A few tears slipped down her cheeks.

"You were diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure," Neji said gently, his hand came up and she felt the rough pad of his thumb brush some tears off her cheeks.

"Congestive Heart Failure? What does that even mean?" Her voice was shaky and uncertain.

Neji hesitated for a moment, "It means that your heart could give out at any time,"

"B-But, there's a cure, right? Some way to heal my heart?"

Neji didn't respond to her question immediately and Hisako's chin trembled in realization. No. She didn't want to accept it. What he's saying is she could die. At any time. That reality was too painful. She couldn't hold back the tears as they freely rolled down her cheeks.

"I'm going to die?"

Her voice was just barely above a whisper and her hand trembled in his.

"Unless someone can find a cure," Neji replied, his voice gentle but filled with grief and agony over this same news, "the doctors are going to do what they can for you, to prolong your life. Through medications and whatever new medical treatments they come up with,"

Hisako's lips formed into a desperate smile, her head shaking in denial, "But that's not-I can't. I still want to be a Shinobi. I still want to live! I have so much to live for!"

Neji reached his hand up, brushing her damp greasy hair off her face his callused knuckles brushing her cheeks, "We don't have to think about that right now. Right now, you're alive. That's all that matters."

His words didn't reach Hisako, "But, Neji!" she retorted, her voice sounding pathetic and weak like a small child begging for a lollipop.

A moment later, the doors to the hospital room she was in opened, and Sakura entered, a bouquet of beautiful purple and blue flowers in her arms. Her pale green eyes were tired as well, and her shoulders were slumped. Both Neji and Hisako turned their attention to Sakura. When Sakura saw that Hisako was awake, her eyes widened in relief and a large smile crossed her face for just a moment before she noticed the solemn look on both of their faces.

Sakura's expression dropped in realization, "You told her," Sakura stated rather than asked Neji as she slowly walked up to the bedside table and placed the bouquet down.

Sakura's voice was strained, and even though she tried to conceal it, Hisako saw some tears slip down Sakura's cheeks. Sakura wiped them away and turned to give Hisako a small smile.

"Sakura," Hisako said, trying to keep her voice even despite the horrible news she just woke up to.

"I'm so happy to see that you're awake, Hisako. I was so afraid that you would… That your heart would-"

"You don't have to say it, Sakura," Hisako interrupted, knowing where her friend's mind was going.

Sakura was afraid Hisako was going to die in her sleep. That she would never be able to see her best friend alive and talking again. And just the thought that her friend had to live with that fear, terrified Hisako.

Sakura's eyes watered, and her shoulders trembled. Hisako gasped in pain when Sakura lunged for her friend, pulling her into a tight hug. The hug was nice, but the pain that was accompanied by the hug wasn't pleasant. Her still healing bones groaned in resistance and Hisako squirmed in Sakura's hug.

"S-Sakura! I appreciate the hug but-"

"Oh! S-Sorry," Sakura stammered pulling back from Hisako, wiping the tears away angrily, "There's a memorial coming up in a few days to honor those who lost their lives during the battle. Lord Hokage… Well… He's dead as well. We're looking for someone to replace him now. And, Sasuke and Naruto, were hurt pretty badly too. But, they're going to be fine. In fact, I think they'll both be at the memorial,"

Hisako sat there in silence. So she did remember some things correctly. One was that Lord Hokage was now dead. A sense of grief washed over her with that knowledge. Lord Hokage has become like a grandfather to Hisako over the years. He had trained her, given her advice, and guided her. And now, he was dead. She could never rely on his guidance again. She could never go to him for help when she didn't know how to process her raging thoughts and emotions.

A few tears slipped down her cheeks as the realization sunk in, "I see," Hisako whispered her gaze dropped.

Sakura's voice became even softer as she stared at her distraught friend, "We're all mourning right now. There were a lot of lives lost. And we're not sure what this means for us with our relationship with the Sand Village. Our relationship with the Sound has been completely destroyed. This means war to some extent. We just don't know to what extent. We're all pretty scared too… Without a Hokage to lead us… We're pretty lost right now,"

Hisako's gaze was glued to her hands that were in her lap and a sort of calm wave washed through her. She didn't have time to grieve. Sakura was right. There was so much going on in the village right now, that Hisako had to step up and do what she could to help the village. She had to help provide hope where she could. Even if she felt pretty hopeless herself.

"The village's people still live. Our buildings still stand," Hisako whispered so quietly she wasn't sure if Neji and Sakura heard her.

"What does that mean?" Sakura asked, leaning closer to Hisako.

Hisako turned her face up to give her friend a confident smile even if Hisako didn't really feel it herself, "It means that this village will be just fine. We'll find another Hokage, and we'll deal with whatever is to come from this attack. Whether that means war or not. As long as the people live, the village will continue,"

Sakura and Neji quietly stared at Hisako for a few heartbeats. Neji was the first to break the silence.

"You're right, Hisako. This village will be just fine."

"I'm releasing you because I recognize there isn't much more we can do for you in your current condition," the nurse was informing Hisako and Neji as Hisako sat up in her bed, "Report to the hospital weekly for evaluations, and keep on your medicines. But, the memorial is today, and it might do you some good to attend,"

Hisako nodded her head, "Thank you. I'll do that,"

Hisako stood up on shaky legs. Neji stood right beside her, his arms out like he was prepared to catch her if she fell. The world spun for a few moments before she was able to catch her bearings.

"The doctor also said that you will be lightheaded, so inform me if you feel like you're going to faint," Neji reminded Hisako as she stood up straight, taking in a deep breath.

This caused her chest to heave and a moment later, she was doubled over in a fit of coughing. Neji was there in a moment, his hands gently holding her upper arms as she recovered her breath.

"I-I'm okay now," Hisako stammered, a hand over her aching chest.

She was warned she would experience chest pain too, but damn. This just… sucked. Her lips turned up into a grateful grin. Hisako wasn't sure if Neji has left the hospital at all since she had been here. He's been so attentive, so caring for her this entire time. Guy Sensei and Lee have brought them food when they've come, and even when Lord Hyuga insisted that Neji return to the Hyuga Estate to get some rest, he refused.

"Meet me in the hallway when you are done changing and we'll go to the memorial together, alright?" Neji asked as he stepped towards the door.

"Neji?" Hisako asked, her voice quiet, "Have you been here this whole time? In the hospital, I mean, with me?"

Neji gave her a small smile but didn't answer her question before he left the room.

Hisako couldn't help but ponder over his silence as she got into her black kimono. She couldn't do much with her hair since her right arm was broken and in a cast and settled for brushing it out. She didn't care to look at herself in a mirror. She already knew what her expression was. Dark bags under her eyes, bruises, and small cuts littered her body. She didn't need a reminder of what happened to her. The condition her body was in.

She met Neji in the hall and found that he had changed into a black kimono as well. He probably used the restroom that was down the hall. He held his arm out for Hisako to take, and she took it gratefully. The pain in her chest was constant and her gaze was downcast as he led her to the hospital exit.

She felt the soft splatter of raindrops kiss her skin as they exited the hospital and her gaze lifted to the grey overcast skies. It was unusual for them to get this type of weather at this time of year, but perhaps this was the Heavens mourning the death of many great Shinobi. Including the beloved Hokage.

Her heart physically ached and she doubled over in pain, coughing as Neji held her upright.

She's never really lost anyone important to her in years. It's been since Aunt Mikoto's death that she's lost someone she could say she loved. She still couldn't believe everything that happened. And, after the dust had settled from the attack, so far not a single Genin was given the promotion to Chuunin. Because of the attack, everyone failed this year.

But, now, that was the least of their concerns.

When Hisako composed herself again, they silently walked to where the memorial was taking place at the cemetery. The rain didn't let up the entire procession. The melancholy feeling was made worse by the cold damp weather. People all around her were crying for their loved ones, sobbing in front of caskets and tombs. A priest spoke about their bravery and sacrifice as he attempted to bring a sense of comfort to the loved ones left behind.

Of course, the casket that held Lord Hokage's corpse had the longest line of people wishing to say their final goodbyes. Konohamaru was among them, a single red rose in his hand as he sobbed. Naruto, all bandaged up and beaten stood beside Konohamaru, resting a firm hand on his shoulder, his expression sullen and grim. Hisako wasn't sure if she'd ever seen Naruto look so serious.

Sasuke was silent as he stood beside a stoic Kakashi Sensei, Sakura on Kakashi's other side her hands covering her tear stained face.

Lee and Guy Sensei were not immune to the emotions either and both embraced each other as they shed silent tears.

Hisako's gaze dropped to the single red rose in her hand as tears streamed down her cheeks as well. She couldn't help it. She loved Lord Hokage. And to know that she could never walk into his office again and ask for his advice, could never see his smile of reassurance and just know that everything was going to be okay. It hurt.

And what was she going to do about her extra training as Lady Hyogakage? Would that even continue? Now that she would probably die soon anyways.

Her hands dropped and she closed her eyes as her shoulders trembled. Soon, she would be the one in a casket. Soon, they would all be crying for her. And her corpse would be left to rot six feet under.

She brought her hands up to hide her face and Neji gently pulled her to his chest, one arm around her shoulders. Hisako accepted his embrace and turned her face to hide in his neck grabbing onto his shirt with her hand that wasn't in a cast.

She wasn't sure how long they stayed like that. People began leaving, and the lines of people dropping flowers off on the caskets shortened. Eventually, Hisako pulled away from Neji wiping at her eyes as she stared at Lord Hokage's casket and then at the rose in her hand.

With Neji by her side, she stepped up to the line and slowly made her way up to Lord Hokage's casket. Considering how horribly injured he was during his battle, the casket was closed. She reached a shaky hand up, placing the rose on top of the hundreds of other flowers that decorated his casket.

Most of them were red, to respect the colors of the Leaf Village, but she saw some blue white yellow, and orange flowers in the mix as well.

"I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to save you… Or even avenge you…" Hisako whispered, her voice shaking.

Neji rested a firm hand on her shoulder and she turned to look up into his lavender gaze, his eyes were such a beautiful contrast to the dark and gloomy weather around them. Warm, and filled with love and life.

"I think it's time we head home," Neji told Hisako gently.

He moved his hand so their fingers were interlocked and he gave her hand a firm squeeze of reassurance.

Hisako's gaze softened as she stared at their hands for a heartbeat. At least, she can spend her last days with the man she loves.