"It doesn't matter how long you sulk there, Kuya Neji. You can't do anything about it," Hinata explained. Earlier, she had found her cousin in the corner of the garden catching dragonflies, and decided it was a good time as any to start discussing his love quandary. "It was Miss Tenten's decision."

The lad sighed. "You're too noisy. The one I was about to catch got away."

"Kuya Neji, I know you don't want her to leave," Hinata began. "Please do something to change her mind."

"Such as?"

"I don't know."

He glared at her.

And she smiled back at him. "Kuya Neji, last time you looked at me like that, I was twelve. That was when you first found out that I was the daughter of your uncle who's not at so at peace with my uncle who's your daddy. Can you still remember that?"

He remembered punching her over and over until she almost died if he wasn't stopped by the elders. "Oh, that. I'm not that bothered about your father. I-I just thought… you were laughing at my Barbie. I wasn't the only boy who plays with Barbie dolls… according to Father."

"I know." Hinata patted him. "If you were able to do that for your doll, why couldn't you do the same for the person who's more valuable than a hundred Barbie dolls in the world? She's one-of-a-kind, she's priceless…why would you want to let her go?"

"It's not that I wanted to let her go. B-but…" He crossed his arms musingly.

"If you would let your fear dominate you, you'll be living a life of what-ifs. What-ifs are more painful than regrets, Kuya Neji," she said softly.

The lad was about to speak when Naruto popped out from behind. "She's right, cousin so in-law! You know that life is short! Give it your best shoot! Er, shot! Uh…shooting? Shootable? Shootification?"

"She doesn't even acknowledge my presence," Neji complained. "Just because she lost a game of tong-its…"

"Maybe it's because you haven't fulfilled your part in the bargain," replied Hinata. "I do remember that you wagered the pigs in exchange for her finding you someone to act as your fiancée."

The young man's eyes grew wide. "You're kidding, right? If I do that then she would really leave!"

"It does not matter. She's leaving anyway," Gai revealed, uncovering himself from the nearby shrub where he was hiding.

Neji was stunned. "She's leaving right now?"

"Uh…"

"Damn!" The young man was about to run off when he was stopped by Naruto.

"Brother-in-law, slow down! If you will attack the battlefield without a weapon, you will not live long!" Naruto pulled him back to them. "Here. Let me give you pieces of advice regarding this situation…"

…