Remember

"I remember...I remember what it was like outside and inside my home; bitter cold."



Feeling the warm water against her skin Hinata felt a sigh of relief wash over her body. It was as if all her cares and worries melt away with the soap. It felt great scrubbing the shampoo into her indigo hair until Hinata realized she had washed her hair three times. Leaning into the shower head, Hinata's mind started to wonder. Her thoughts went towards Neji.



"I wonder...I mean he couldn't possible want to marry someone...as weak as ...I" Hinata brought her hands up to wiggle her fingers until she stopped herself. Not fulling washing the shampoo from her hair, she placed her hair over her chest. Hinata's eyes closed tightly as the memory of the Chunnin exam replayed over and over.



Pain embraced her body as she started biting her bottom lip. Suddenly Hinata stopped herself. "Neji was angry, confused! He just meant too...hurt me.." her words faded into steam. "But he doesn't want that now...right?" The answer didn't come, she couldn't truly read Neji or feel what he was feeling. He was a true enigma to her, truly the only time she knew what he wanted was when he wanted to kill her.



"I...I guess it would be best if I spoke with Shino before jumping to any conclusions." With that Hinata washed the remaining shampoo from her hair and the rest of her body.



***



"(puf) Kah!" Neji was straining through his warm up routes. His mind wasn't clear, his heart wasn't at peace. His insides where a mess and it showed in his movements.



"Neji your route is becoming sloppy," Neji turned in the direction of where the voice was coming from. In seconds he realized who the voice was coming from, "Hyuga-sama." Neji bowed his head in respect, "You honor me in watching my training. Peering up at the Head of the family he could see he was weak with sickness. "Sir if I maybe blunt are you alright?" Without lifting his head fully Neji took another look.



"Yes, I am fine, atleast today is one of the my better days. But enough about my health and troubles. You seem to be clouded." Hyuga Hiashi walked further into the training room shutting the door behind him.



Hiashi looked frail, his complexion was pale, and his hair was stiff as straw. Neji couldn't see the man he used to know inside the sorry shape of man walking towards him. Neji sensed all the pain his uncle was going though. With each step Neji could hear Hiashi's breathing becoming harsher and harsher. The time was coming, bu only when was the question.



"Sir, let me help you," Neji lifted his head and walked towards his uncle's side.



"No, I am a man who doesn't need any help," Hiashi pulled away from his nephew. He walked past Neji with a huff without a second glance. "I have come here to watch my daughter's possible future husband. I feel you are fine match for her but with the way you are looking I am no longer sure you could be her yang." Seating himself against the far wall Hiashi nodded to Neji to continue his movements.



It had been a year since Neji had trained beside his uncle sparing with him. Hiashi was a strong warrior and though he wasn't as strong as his father Neji new to respect him as a shinobi.



Bowing his head at his uncle Neji began his routine again. Making sure to move with grace and fluid motions. Hyuga Hiashi watched his nephew move with strenght and power, something he desired for her daughter to marry.



As each movement became strong Hiashi started to think about his brother, "You would truly be proud of your son."