Sasuke's twin sister, But Neji's first love

Edges Of Loyalty

Reliving that god-forsaken day over and over again—
Itachi killing our parents in cold blood.
Taunting me.
Telling me I'll never be good enough.

A cold hand pressed against my forehead, dragging me deeper into the nightmare no matter how hard I tried to escape. Then, slowly, a warm presence washed over me, a strange weight lifting from my chest. My eyes fluttered open, and I saw a woman standing over me and Sasuke, her palms resting gently against both our foreheads.

Sakura's relieved voice reached me first, followed by Naruto's. They greeted us back like nothing else mattered. But I didn't react. There was a heavy, stormy cloud over me, one I didn't have the strength to push away. Sakura threw herself at Sasuke, crying into him with joy. Normally, I would've yanked her off with some biting remark, but right now... I couldn't muster the energy.

I just stared down at my hands in my lap.
I knew I'd be okay—eventually. I just needed time to breathe. Time to recover.
Hopefully, Sasuke would be fine too.

Eventually, the room emptied. Sakura insisted on pushing Sasuke around in a wheelchair so he could "get some fresh air." I stayed behind, quietly watching birds pass by outside the window.

Footsteps stopped outside my door, followed by a knock. I didn't answer, but turned my head slightly as Neji walked in. He approached my bedside without a word and set a vase with a single rose on the stand next to me.

I glanced at it for barely a second before looking back at him.

"You know," he said evenly, "that was pretty reckless—trying to fight a rogue like that."

I just stared at him, my voice quiet when it finally came.
"He's not just a rogue. He's the reason there are only three Uchiha left. And once Sasuke and I are strong enough... there will only be two." My hands clenched the white hospital sheets.

"You could've gotten yourself killed," he replied immediately.

I shot him a sharp look. "You of all people should know how I'm feeling." My voice was harsh, but I exhaled and loosened my grip. "I have to get stronger, no matter what. As long as he's alive, he'll keep taking the people I care about."

His gaze softened—just slightly. "I'm not saying this as a lecture. I'm saying it because I care about you, Ryuko. Whether you like hearing it or not."

My brows lifted slightly. "You... care about me?"

Neji smirked faintly. "Don't make me repeat myself. You know I'm not one to talk like this... but it feels like you need to hear it."

For the first time that day, a flicker of warmth broke through the cold in my chest. "...Thanks," I murmured.

A silence settled, but it wasn't uncomfortable. He leaned his hip against the edge of the bed, studying me. "You always push yourself until you break. I admire it... and I hate it."

I raised a brow. "Hate it?"

"Because it makes me... worry." His voice dipped lower, almost hesitant. "And I'm not used to worrying about people."

"Guess I'm special then," I said quietly, a small, tired smirk tugging at my lips.

He huffed a short laugh through his nose. "You are."

Our eyes held for a moment longer than necessary. I noticed the way his hand rested near mine, the gap between our fingers small enough that if either of us moved just an inch, we'd touch.

"Get better soon," he said finally, straightening. "But do it for yourself, not just for revenge."

I tilted my head. "And if I don't?"