[She had seen hurt before, but not like this. She had seen the bitterness, the anger at the Main Family, the hurt mixed with fury. This only looks like annoyance to her, leaving her scowling again. Not fully aware of his own feelings, she adds,]

He is. He's an important comrade to me, Neji. I can't leave him behind any more than I'd leave you behind.

[She stares stonily at him for another long moment before saying, What about Lee? He recovers, doesn't he? The future-rookies said so. Sasuke's got nothing to do with him.