Had she imagined it? Mamoru had never imagined that that sort of expression could cross Hinata's face. The look had been a mixture of deviousness and pig stubborn determination. And for the first time in a long time, she was terrified.
Mamoru leant back, her eyes heavy as a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over her. She didn't like being tired, but Mamoru knew her body needed time to heal, and she remembered Sakura telling that the best natural medicine for a body was sleep.
Her eyelids felt heavy, as if weighed down with leads, and she soon gave up in her struggle to stay awake. Her body relaxed as Mamoru fell asleep again.
Hinata glanced up from her tea when Mamoru started to snore lightly. It was a relaxing sound, and although he probably didn't realise he had, she saw Neji relax out of the corner of her eye. Her mind wandered to her earlier decision. Was it wise for her to interfere? Should she just let things happen without her help?
"No." Hinata almost shook her head out of habit, then, realising how strange it would look, caught herself just in time. "I won't interfere to much, I'll just be the guiding hand to help this relationship along. Although..."
Hinata realised this wouldn't be easy, given the fact that they didn't like each other, and they were both stubborn to a fault. She would need help. But who could she tell? Certainly not Ino, as even though she usually had the best intentions, was a terrible gossip, and had a tendency of accidentally letting secrets slip into conversation.
Hinata thought for a few moments. A small smile appeared on her face.
"Of course. She's just who I need."
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Neji glanced up at Hinata as she stood. She smiled gently.
"I'm going to find Tsunade-sama and tell her that Mamoru has been awake. She'll want to check her over. Could you stay here with Mamoru, Nii-san?"
He nodded.
"Thankyou! I shouldn't be long."
With that, she turned and left. Neji turned back to the girl sleeping in his bed. Mamoru's face was peacefully blank, very different from her usually fiery demeanour. He frowned as his mind replayed the evening she'd arrived.
(Flashback)
"Mamoru...?"
"S-she's g-gone, H-hinata! G-gone, a-and s-she's n-never c-coming b-back!"
"Who's gone?"
"M-my s-sister! S-she's d-dead!"
(End Flashback)
Neji had never seen her cry. It had been a shock to him, even though he hadn't shown it. He couldn't remember the last time Mamoru'd stuttered. Her optimism came second place only to Naruto's. Mamoru was always the last person to show fear, even in the face of strong opponents like Sabaku no Gaara and Uchiha Sasuke. Hell, she'd even befriended Gaara.
Neji didn't know if her courage was born of blockheaded stubborness, but it was one of her more admirable qualities. It was also one of the many ways she managed to unconsciously annoyed him. He couldn't and didn't understand the who, what, when, where and why, but he sure as hell wanted to get over it. No. Rephrase that. He wanted to get over this desire to argue with her.
Mamoru forced him to feel emotions, show emotions, and he hated her for it. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew this was incredibly unfair, but he couldn't seem to help himself. Neji felt exposed around her, and he didn't know how to handle the emotions that seemingly overwhelmed him in her presence.
