White Eyes [ E D I T I N G ]

8 - A Single Strand

When a new life is gone, a new one is born.

These words rang inside her head.

It was twilight. The sky was carefully painted by a divine being's fingers with crimson,orange and a hint of yellow. She was staring at the grayish, marble tombstone that carried the memories of a friend for hours. She just arrived from her mission and she needed a break. The field was spacious. It was respected for it carried the memories and moments of their loved ones. It was a sad place. When you breathe your last, and your life is no more, you will buried beneath the world's surface. You work so hard for something in your life, but it all ends up the same. A stupid box containing you, and a rock to remember you. That's it.

Tenten's eyes were brimming with tears she used to hold back. The brunette gave the grave a melancholic smile as she arranged the flowers she brought in the bamboo vase. Today she brought him lilies, since they say it's perfect for a deceased person. She just arranged it simply, accordingly following the flower arranging book she read. Ikebana, that's what they call it. She also brought his diary, her last remnant of her love.

Tenten gritted her teeth in frustration. All the feelings she kept...It is flowing now. She thought that...That if she kept it, it will not hurt her. Neji was popular and a lot of girls liked him. He had this one girl who was really close to him, and Tenten thought...she loved Neji. The girl was pretty, and Tenten was like, meh, never heard of beauty. Also, it was also part of the Shinobi rule. Especially number 25. She smiled and pretended to be okay with everything but... she's hurting everyday. Regretting why she didn't tell him what she felt. Regret, you always feel it in the end.

"Hey Neji..." she muttered,"I hope you like the flowers."

Sometimes she just wished Neji would come back to life...Or be reborn. Once she sees that newly reborn Neji, a child, she will immediately take care of him and love him. But, all these were merely wishes. And they...wishes... don't really come true.

When she heard about his health, she was dragged down to the deepest pits of the fiery hell. She was the only one who knew, since Neji was positive that he could trust her to keep it. She did keep it, but she got even guiltier. If she reported to the medics about his condition, he could have been saved.

She remembered the time he confessed to her. Neji was blushing hard when he did. Her answer? The usual 'I decline and you are comrade-zoned bro.'

I could have just told him too...Told them...the secret...

Could have...She clutched the notebook closer as tears flowed even more from her coffee eyes. I should have told them...

I should've told him that I love him!

She shook from the hiccups she got from weeping. She was all alone. She gasped as she felt a presence embracing her.

Is it...

She turned. It was only thin air.

The shadows were growing as the sun sunk to unknown. She needs to leave now. Because at night, the evil that lurks, increases.

Tenten glanced back to his grave sadly. First it was him, then his cousin. She knew that Hinata has the disease. She has been scrutinizing her at least for a week now. She heard from Ino that the Byakugan-hime coughed up blood earlier. Sakura also speculated that Hinata has a tumor. All the information are coming altogether. It answers all her questions and doubts...

Positive.

• • •

Hinata got restrained by the staff as she tried to hide in the water closet. They forcefully put her back in her room, redoing the dextrose stuff. Ugh, another needle. She pouted as Naruto watched her sadly. He was slowly picking up the debris from the poor kitchen tools earlier, which she broke. Later, she calmed down and smiled at Naruto. It was odd. First she doesn't want to see him, and then, she smiled at him? Girls.