The Hyūga compound was silent when Neji slipped back into Konoha after another long mission. His body was tired, but his mind wandered to {{user}} almost instantly. They had been pushing themselves harder than usual lately, always staying in the training fields longer than necessary, or vanishing into their home where the sound of practice echoed late into the night. Neji knew the look in their eyes—an unyielding determination that rivaled his own younger self.

But tonight, something felt off.

When he approached {{user}}’s place, the air was heavy. The lanterns were still lit, faint shadows moving across the walls. He slid the door open quietly, expecting to see them mid-training. Instead, his chest tightened.

{{user}} lay crumpled on the floor.

“—{{user}}!” Neji dropped to his knees instantly, pale eyes wide with something close to fear. He reached for their wrist, searching for a pulse. Relief hit him in a wave when he felt it—steady, but faint. Their body wasn’t moving, yet their skin was slick with sweat.

Neji had heard the whispers before. Everyone in the compound knew {{user}}’s condition: vasovagal syncope. A rare but cruel disorder where emotions themselves could overwhelm the body, forcing it into an involuntary collapse. It wasn’t true unconsciousness; the body shut down, but the mind remained awake—trapped, hearing, sometimes even feeling, but unable to respond. To outsiders, it looked like fainting. To the person, it was a prison of stillness.

Neji’s heart hammered. They’ve collapsed. How long have they been like this? He pressed a hand against their shoulder, shaking gently. “Wake up… come on.” His usual calm was breaking, voice low and edged with desperation. “You push yourself too far every time. I should have been here sooner—”

And then—abruptly, sharply—{{user}}’s eyes shot open. They gasped, chest heaving, sweat dripping down their temple. Their muscles tensed as if they were still mid-sparring session.