AN: This is my first Naruto fic (but then it's not about Naruto). Be nice people, you know how I write so basically you know what to expect. The changes in POV are quite confusing so I separated them with horizontal lines. Why am I explaining myself? Read and review.

Eyes that Grew Numb

If you take a step forward, and two steps more, will you be able to take a better look of what lies ahead?

I wouldn't know because I always fall two steps behind.

My mother told me that I have a different pair of eyes. She used to say that I am special, that I'll become a great person because of these eyes. And so I believe what she said.

And then one day, I saw someone who has the same eyes as mine. I just know that that person possesses the same thing as I have.

I felt a great deal of fear. I don't know why.

" He's your cousin, Hinata. His name is Neji,"

I wasn't listening to my father. I found myself staring at the apparition of my future, standing in front of me. All I heard was the word…Neji.

I hid behind my father, grasped his sleeve and bowed my head to avoid those eyes. For some reason, I don't want to see them… ever again.

"Hinata behind you!" Kiba shouted.

A pair of shuriken came flying across my direction. I couldn't dodge it. How am I supposed to avoid these?

I panicked.

Using my palms as shield, I turned around and paused. I waited for the weapon to strike.

One. Two. Three.

All of the three reached their target. My flesh.

The first one sliced through my left arm, tearing my jacket with swiftness I couldn't even follow.

The second cut through my right leg. I felt like tumbling down, but my left leg kept on standing.

The third one came closer and closer, in front of me… aiming my eyes.

My eyes.

I remembered mother and father.

"You are the future leader of the Hyuuga. With those eyes, you can change the future of this clan," mother said

A person who can't even defend herself isn't worthy of being called leader.

"Don't drag your team Hinata," father warned.

You will never change your fate. A loser will always be a loser

I was suffocated by that thought.

"Hinata!" Kiba shouted. Together with Akamaru, he jumped at my direction. Shino commanded his insects. They swarmed to carry me out of the shuriken's path.

"Hinata, in front!" Shino shouted.

I will change…

I will change

Hinata! – A familiar voice cried.

"Naruto!" I returned to my own consciousness, but it was too late.

All I saw was crimson. It was all over. I heard something came out of the throat.

An eerie sound.

My eyes turned cold. Numb.

And then there was darkness.

"Did you have a good sleep?" the nurse asked. She placed the thermometer inside her patient's mouth. After a minute, she took it out.

"You have a slight fever. I'll prepare your medicine," she said.

"Lie down while I get your medicine," she instructed.

I have a fever but strangely I feel cold. Very cold.

I pulled myself back to my pillow, and then realized.

I couldn't see anything.

My hands were afraid to touch my face, but slowly, I made them do it. I felt bandages, wrapped around my eyes. Some parts have been stiff.

Dried blood.

While that part on my forehead was quite warm and wet. It was still bleeding.

Have I gone blind?

I lost consciousness once again. When I woke up, nothing's change.

All is black.

I felt like screaming. It's like my heart is draining of blood. That's when everything faded into the reality, which I never even imagined.

I couldn't see!

My eyes!

I didn't notice that someone held my hand. And then I think my head would explode. I did let my feelings out. I screamed, I cried.

"My eyes… what happened to my eyes?"

But the person beside me refused to answer.

"No, there must be some mistake… It can't be… It can't be!"

It's like I'm begging for some explanation, but I already knew the answer.

Why can't I feel the pain in my eyes?

Why can't I feel my eyes?

I clutched this unknown person for support. My feet felt heavy, and so did my whole body. I sobbed, until everything felt painful. I shouted. I even cursed.

" Hinata…" - he spoke my name. His voice was soft, and sad.

I remember now.

That voice. That scent.

"No!" I immediately shouted.

She struggled against him. She threw punches in the air, and all he did is to be still.

"Leave me alone!" she hissed.

Then with a great deal of effort, she searched for her pillow.

Where is it? - She thought.

Her hands felt something soft. She grabbed the pillow and threw it on him.

It didn't hit him however.

"Hinata -sama, please calm down," he said with a sorrowful tone.

She gave out a laugh, more of sarcastic than happy.

"Calm down? How dare you tell me that?" She was breathing harshly, and her face flushed with anger.

"Do you know how I feel?"

Silence.

"Do you know? Or are you happy now? Don't pretend to feel sorry because I know you're not!"

But then all he did was take in all of her accusations.

"Why can't you say anything, Neji?"

"I'm already blind right?"

He didn't answer.

"I am blind!"

"Hinata, please calm down," said Tenten, who just arrived to check on Neji. With her were Sakura and Naruto.

"Leave me alone," Hinata said flatly.

"Hinata…" it was Naruto that spoke. It was the first time that he saw her after the incident on their last mission.

Hearing his voice didn't bring any relief to her.

"Naruto- kun, please don't look at me!" She hid her face with her hands.

"I don't want you to see me like this…" she sobbed.

Sakura pulled Naruto's sleeve.

"We must go, " she whispered.

She kept on repeating those phrases, as if she'd already lost her reason.

I'm blind… How could this happen to me… How could this…

Happen…

To me…

"Stop it Hinata…

"That's enough."

…Is it a command or a plea? He wanted me to stop.

"I don't… want to hear anymore," he said.

Then there were tears. It's salty. But it's not mine.

"Why are you crying for me, Neji?"

He didn't answer. Instead his arms locked around me while he continued to cry.

I also wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I felt anger, I felt helpless. So I stayed there, pacified by his tears.

How could you shed tears for someone who's been your rival since childhood?

Are those tears real?

I wasn't able to answer those questions, for I already sank into another dreamless sleep.