Remember

"I remember that night well, because the cold had relieved my headache."



Neji's head still ached with each step he ran. The pain shot through his head and into his entire body. Gritting his teeth he kept moving, not allowing the pain to hold him back from the task at hand. It had been so long since Neji felt the torture of the caged bird seal. He knew he had to obey no matter how he truly felt. The cold air was a small relief to his condition, making it somewhat bearable.



As Neji ran all his thoughts went to Hinata. He wasn't mad that he had to go retrieve her or mad directly at her. When he found her he wanted to make that clear to her. Hinata hadn't inflicted the pain of the seal on him, Hanabi did. He was also angry in the way that Hanabi spoke and acted about her sister.



Even though she wasn't heiress Hanabi took the role of their father so easily. He knew Hinata didn't exactly want to be heiress or be married but Neji knew no matter what she wanted to do what was best for the clan. Hinata was almost to kind for her own good but maybe thats what the clan had truly needed.



***



Walking further along Hinata turned her Byaukgen on to see clearly in the darkness. The night had become clear and easier to navigate through. Pushing her hands deeper into her pockets to keep them warm Hinata wished she was there already.



The chill had started to cause aches all over her body. As she marched on her muscles started to become stiff, begging to get into a warm house.



Suddenly Hinata saw a large mass infront of her starting to form. Tiny little bugs accumulated into a huge mass making her realize who was in front of her. "Shino!"



"Hinata-sama," Shino answered in a cool manner. Even though he was covered up in his jacket and only his sunglasses peered through Hinata knew her teammate at once.



"Shino, I have to...talk to you," Hinata said softly as she approached him.



"This isn't the place to talk, come we will go back to the compound," Shino ordered seeing Hinata's face turning red from the weather. Giving a nod Hinata regretful agreed and proceeded to jump up into the trees following Shino.



Upon arrival Hinata gave a sigh of relief. Shino opened the door to a large gated house...no a mansion. She had been her before and knew warmth wasn't far. The mansion was big but not as elaborate as the Hyuga's compound. Shino's family wasn't as showy as Hinata's but in a way it made her feel more at ease.



Taking off her shoes Hinata walked into the house feeling a blast of warm air consume her tired cold body. the room was lowly lit giving a sunset feel. Placing her shoes in the entrance way Hinata waited for Shino.



Shino took off his shoes placing them next to Hinata's but decided against taking his jacket off. Giving Hinata a motion, they started to head down a small hallway to the left. Hinata felt the air around her take the chill from her bones. She was greatful to finally be inside and out of the bitter night air.



Reaching the las door on the right Shino opened the door letting Hinata enter first. The room was a good size, having a bed on the left, a small desk next to it with a long closet to the right. Shino shut the door behind him hitting the light switch. the light engulfed the darkness with a soft hue.



"Please have a seat Hinata-sama, I know you need to get something off your chest," Shino offered pointing to his bed. Hinata bowed her head and headed to the bed.