My Belated Apology - Hyuga Neji x OC Fanfiction

[PART 2] Chapter 20

A/N: Hello, I made it to part 2 （＾∇＾）These are 2 pictures of her designs, Ninja Gear and Normal Outfits.

Ninja Gear (sorry, i didnt know how to draw feet .-.)

And Normal Outfits

Here are some basic information that've changed about Shiyuki.
Age: 17 - 18
Height: 160 cm (5'15'')
Weight: 46 kg
Rank: Chunin
Abilities: Water/Wind/Ice style technics, healing.

Neji's POV

"Shiyuki, I love you."

...Is all I want to tell her.
I've been watching her for nearly 3 years. And I realized that Shiyuki is cuter than anyone else. I love how she cares for me, then puts on a cold mask immediately. Her smile is just like early summer sunshine. Every time she grins, my heart skips a beat. But unfortunately, she rarely smiles. She became Sakura and Ino's close friend as they are Tsunade-sama's students. She takes care of her appearance just like those two. Yes, she grows prettier and prettier.

I feel guilty for making her suffer from disease. I know that her condition is getting worse and worse. I just wanna pull her into a hug and protect her. I wanna take care of her. I was the reason why she had to go under a critical injury. I have the responsibility to make up for it.
I want to confess my feelings but... She always keeps away from me, for almost 3 years. She changed from calling me "Neji-kun" to "Hyuga" as if we are strangers. I don't know whether she will accept or not... She must hate me very much. I broke her heart several times after all.

Shiyuki, Tenten and Lee were all promoted to Chunin, and I, Jonin. No sooner had we returned to our village than the Hokage sent us on the same S-rank mission with team Kakashi: Rescuing Kazekage. We immediately set off to the Sand village, following Pakkun - Kakashi-sensei's ninja dog.

"Hey!" Tenten shouts. "I said you guys are going too fast! We've been running non stop for an entire day already? Let's take a little break, Shiyuki is tired!"
I turn my head back to look at Shiyuki. She has sweat all over her face. She is pale. I frown at her condition.
"It's ok, I can go on!" She puts on a smile.
"Your lie is bad!" Lee laughs off.

After that, we decide to rest for a bit. We set up a camp in the evening. While all of us are surrounding the fire, my little snowflake startles and excuses us to go out. She staggers to a nearby tree, pulls out one of her gloves and coughs. Watching her cough as if the sky fell, my heart aches. Because of me...

When Shiyuki returns, Tenten hurriedly helps her back.
"Shiyuki, are you ok?"
"I'm fine..." She replies with a lifeless pair of eyes.
I notice a wane blood stain on her chin while the rest of our team seem to have no clue about it. Shiyuki, you should've stayed at the village to rest...

Night. I'm up to guard. Shiyuki doesn't sleep, she just sits under a tree with her knees in her arms. Guy-sensei, Tenten and Lee are all sleeping. I come to Shiyuki's side.
"Can I take a look at your gloves?"
"W-What? For what?" She's confused.

She doesn't seem to fulfill my request, so I snatch her arms and take off her gloves. Just as I thought, her right hand is full of blood.
"You coughed blood?" I frown.
She nods sadly.
"Why do you hide it? Last mission, your condition was not good enough. Why do you continue on this one? Why didn't you rest at the village? This is dangerous." I ask. I try to keep my face cool.

She looks down to her feet.
"...I don't know why."
I sigh. I want to hug her and pat her back so bad. Shiyuki, I'm here for you, don't worry...
"After returning, you must see the doctor."
She nods.
"Promise?" I ask.
"Promise."
A long moment of silence.
"Don't tell Lee and Tenten about this, I beg you." She whispers.
"I won't. This is our secret." I smile.

***

3rd person's POV

Pakkun sniffs then warns.
"Someone's coming."
Neji activates his Byakugan and quickly finds the follower.
"Behind us!"

A deafening "Boom". Something is destroying the ground from beneath. The team jump to a higher place to dodge it. They split, Neji and Lee, Guy and his two female students. A silhouette appears with the thing that destroyed the ground. He wears a black cloak with a red cloud pattern.

"You are..."
"Do you know him, Guy-sensei?" Lee asks.
"Who are you?"
Guy's question makes the rest of the team facepalm.

"Ah, it looks like the 'bizarre beast' is as dumb as one as well. Well, at any rate, I'd better refresh your memory."
"What an overwhelming chakra. I've never seen someone with this much power since Naruto. This is the Akatsuki..." Neji comments.

The Akatsuki member flings the Samehada into the sky and releases a water technique.
"Water Style: Aquatic Shockwave!"
The team shift into a defensive stance. A flood released by Kisame approaches them. The Akatsuki catches his weapon and surfs the flood.
"Here we go!"

The team jump to dodge that monstrous wave. Lee and Shiyuki reach Kisame from behind.
"Leaf's Rising Gust!!"
"Hyaaaaaaa!!"
Lee's kick and Shiyuki's punch are vigorous. They send the Samehada fly away. Wasting no time, Neji from a distance makes the Akatsuki fly away.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!!"

Kisame immediately grabs his weapon to block a ball of knives flying toward him. The ball explodes.
"Damn, missed." Tenten frowns.
"What pesky brats... An extreme nuisance." Kisame complains.
"That aquatic ninjutsu and that huge sword! You must be..." Guy exclaims.
"It seems like you finally remembered me."
"Someone I've met before."
...

"You really have a talent for getting on people's nerves. I suppose I'll toy with you until you remember."