NOVELTY - A negative active material for a lithium battery comprises particles containing first particles comprising silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), and nickel (Ni); and composite particles comprising second particles in which at least one element selected from copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), boron (B), and phosphorus (P) is partially or completely deposited on surface(s) of other of first particles.    USE - As negative active material for a lithium battery (claimed) used in portable electronic devices for information communication, such as personal digital assistances (PDAs), mobile phones, or notebook computers, electric bicycles, electric vehicles, or the like. The batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, or lithium polymer batteries. The lithium batteries are bulk-type or a film-type and are used in lithium primary batteries or lithium secondary batteries.    ADVANTAGE - The negative active material for lithium battery exhibits improved cycle characteristic and capacity retention rate. The lithium batteries containing the material exhibit high energy densities. The material provides negative active material such as a Si-based alloy with improved cycle characteristics and an improved capacity retention rate.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a method of preparing negative active material for a lithium battery, involving: preparing first particles comprising Si, Ti, and Ni; preparing composite particles comprising a second particles in which at least one element selected from Cu, Fe, Ni, Au, Ag, Pd, Cr, Mn, Ti, B, and P is partially or completely deposited on surface(s) of other of first particles; and heat-treating the composite particles; and    (2) a lithium battery comprising: a positive electrode comprising a positive active material; a negative electrode comprising the negative active material; and an electrolytic solution disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.