My Belated Apology - Hyuga Neji x OC Fanfiction

Chapter 22

A/N: Thank you so so much for more than 700 reads (*^▽^*)

3rd Person's POV

"Shit! It's just like another me!" Shiyuki and her clone's punches crash. "I've been fighting for ever and it takes no damage! How can I defeat it?!"
"At this rate, we'll run out of chakra soon." Neji comments in his gasps.
Shiyuki tches at his words. How she hates his voice! He makes her lose concentration! She releases a water dragon and her copy does the same.

"Guys, do you remember our goal?" Guy raises his voice.
"Huh, what do you mean, Guy-sensei?" Tenten asks, confused.
"Stronger than yesterday!" Lee shouts. "We have to be stronger and win against those copies!"
"Yea, jonin is not my ultimate target." Neji nods.
"You're right, I'll be the greatest kunoichi!!" Shiyuki smirks.
She sends the clone fly with a vigorous kick. Without delay, she rushes toward it.
"Ice Style: Penetrating Fist!!" She forms an ice cap covering her punch. "Haaaaaa!!!"
Her frightening attack makes the water blast. She defeats her copy. It returns into water.

"Shiyuki, how's Sakura's gang?" Lee calls.
"They're OK, I see that she and the old lady are coming out from the cave. By the way, the cave is completely destroyed." Shiyuki answers in her heavy breaths. My god, the disease...
"Guys, let's support Kakashi!"
"Yes sir!"
Soonly, Shiyuki joins Sakura and Chiyo to rush toward Kakashi's direction.

***

"Finally caught up." The medic trio land by Kakashi and Naruto's side.
"You are still.. having trouble here, it seems." Chiyo says.
"Sakura-chan, you all did it."
"Yes, more importantly, what of Gaara?"

Naruto glances at his two clones supporting Gaara. The kunoichis follow his gaze and understand.
Out of the blue, the rest of team Guy arrive. They find the hiding Akatsuki out.
"Well done, Neji."

Immediately, Shiyuki throws her wind-coated shurikens at the same time as Tenten. Deidara blocks them with his kunai. He jumps on a clay bird, about to escape.

"Everyone, watch out! That person's a long distance type who attacks with explosions!" Kakashi warns.
The Akatsuki bites his clay bird. His body inflates.
"Take a look at my ultimate work of art! Art is a bang!!"

With the Byakugan, Neji sees that this guy's chakra is all gathering in one spot at once.
"Everyone, get away from here!!"
"KATSU!"
Kakashi, luckily, sends Deidara and his explosion to another dimension.

Sakura checks Gaara's condition. She shakes her head. The atmosphere saddens. Naruto's shaking. Tears fall from his eyes.
"Why Gaara... Always Gaara... To die like this...! He's the Kazekage... He didn't just become Kazekage..."
"Relax, Uzumaki Naruto."
"SHUT UP!!! If you Sand shinobis hadn't put a monster in Gaara, then nothing like this would've happened! Did any of you even try to ask how he felt?! What is this Jinchuriki anyway? You just arrogantly made up that word to call them...!"

Shiyuki frowns. Maybe she'll use it, "The Revival of Sunflower". She doesn't know how much chakra it'll take, but... She will give it a try.
"I couldn't save Sasuke, and I couldn't save Gaara..." Naruto sobs. "For 3 years... I trained desperately, but nothing changed since 3 years ago, has it..."

Shiyuki is not close to Gaara but... Naruto, her friend is struggling over his death. Moreover, Gaara is Kazekage, a very important person. She can't just stand there and watch Sand Village turn upside down without doing anything. If her death can save a person and a whole village, why won't she? Besides, with this condition, her life won't last so long. She is dying.
Although she hasn't done all of her mother's last words... She makes her decision. She's about to raise her hand.

But no, Chiyo puts her hands on Gaara's chest. Shiyuki realizes what's happening. Her eyes are wide open.
"Chiyo-sama, that technique!" Sakura yells.
Chiyo just smiles.
She's exchanging her own life to bring Gaara back.
Her devotion makes Shiyuki goosebumps. Maybe one day she'll do just like Chiyo. Maybe one day she'll risk her life to save someone... But never Neji. Never in a million years.

***

"Shiyuki, your promise..." Neji talks.
They're going home after reporting the mission. Neji reminds her about their earlier promise.
"What?" Shiyuki coldly glances at him.
"You promised to see the doctor after returning..." He worries.
Shiyuki doesn't say anything. She doesn't want to see him anymore, so she picks up her pace and walks faster, leaving Neji behind.

"Shiyuki!" Neji follows.
He feels that she is mad at him for some reason, so he just walks behind her. Why? Why is she even colder than before? Why is she avoiding him? He has no clue.
'Shiyuki, you won't give me a chance?' He thinks.

Suddenly, her steps become unsteady like drunkenness. Soonly, Shiyuki loses balance and falls.
"Shiyuki? Shiyuki!" Neji panics, holding her from behind so that she won't collapse.
Her face is as pale as death. Her breath is weak. Oh my gosh, she has one foot in the grave!
"Shiyuki, are you OK?!" Neji nervously shakes the girl's body. "Open your eyes, look at me please!"
No use. Shiyuki's eyes still squeeze shut.

Without delay, Neji picks her up in a bridal way, rushing toward the hospital.
'Hang on, Shiyuki... I'll take you to the hospital. The doctors will save you. I'm sorry, it's all due to me... I'm sorry Shiyuki! Please hang on... I will definitely make up for you...!'

What's wrong with Shiyuki? Can he bring her to the hospital in time to save her life...?