Disclaimer- don't own Naruto

Title - Invisible Regret

Summary- Not everyone survived after the war; several of them being Naruto's precious people. Against all the laws of nature and science, one of them returns.

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Chapter Title- Welcome Back

The Sun.

That was the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes. The vibrant over shining rays momentarily blinded her sight.

Continuously blinking, she faced away from the light in an attempt to regain her vision. Her eyebrows scruntched up as she squinted at the scenery before her.

Was her sight lying to her? In front of her, all she could see was dirt. Miles and miles of rocky scenery surrounded her. Not a trace of life could be seen.

She urged her sore limbs to sit herself up as her eyes uneasily glance around. Not only was she alone in some isolated desert but she felt... strangely odd. The sun was at its highest peak in the sky as it burned the heated soil. She could practically see the humidity and haziness in the air yet... for some unknown reason she felt none of it. Coldness gripped her heart, making her shiver uncontrollably.

In a vain attempt to preserve what little warmth she had, she hugged herself as her hand ran up and down her arms.

She suddenly gasped. She knew this place. This place... was were she fought Madara in an attempt to help Naruto. At least, that's her last memory before blacking out.

But why on earth was she here? Stranded in a middle of no where with no one in sight? Where were her friends? Where was everyone?

She stood up only to pause. The pain she was prepared to feel never came. Confused, she expected to feel some after all those injures from that war.

She looked down at herself to see her clothes were still torn and worn out but her injuries were completely healed. Surprised, she patted herself down feeling more and more wary by the minute. After a moment of fully observing herself, she decided to look for answers. She must find the others. She ran to the only place where she knew everyone might be. She went to the Leaf.

Invisible Regret

When she reached the village, it was surprisingly the same as how she remembered it. Crowds filled the streets, businesses where open and kids ran around making trouble.

Hinata couldn't help but pause for a moment to take in the positive atmosphere. Seeing such happiness was overwhelming. She couldn't stop the relieved smile forming on her lips. This must mean they won the war. In high spirits, she ran up to a villager to ask for her friends.

"Excuse me sir, but I'm looking for-" she began but was cut off by another.

"Will you stop lazing around, you old man? Work already! Time's a wasting," yelled a green haired boy around her age. Neither spared her a glance.

"Stop your jabbering. Can't you see I'm taking a break!"

Their banter continued as Hinata awkwardly stood beside them. They seemed to be ignoring her. "Excuse me," she attempted once more but again received no response.

Hinata, taken aback at their rudeness, decided to ask another villager for help instead.

"Ma'm?" She called out to an elderly woman carrying heavy bags. She did not stop, though, or make any indication she was being spoken to as she continued on her way.

Hinata was at a loss as she stopped walking. That made three people who purposely ignored her.

She put a clutched hand on her chest as she looked down in concern. Did... Something happen? Had she done something to upset the villagers? She couldn't recall doing anything. Maybe she failed... And they intentionally left her in the desert.

She shook her head to stop that train of thought. That was nonsense. The villagers wouldn't do that to her and the Hokage would definelty not allow it.

She tried to talk to other villagers, hoping one of them would speak to her. But as the 6th person walked away from her with the same results, she began panicking. No matter how loud or emotional she got, no one seemed to be listening to her.

Fear ran through her. Why? Why were they doing this?

She stopped her attempts of getting the villagers' attention and ran blindly in search of her friends on her own. They would surely help her understand what's going on.

As luck would have it, she turned around a block to see none other than her father.

"Father!" She desperately shouted. Yes, she knew how improper it was for a heiress to shout as she did but she was frightened.

Her father did not spare her a glance as he continued speaking to an elder.

"Father!" She repeated louder but nothing happened. Not even when she stood beside him and waved her hands in front of his face.

"Yes, we'll set a date for the funerals soon. It'll be an honor to those that passed on to the next life," said the elder. "I wish you condolences to your eldest daughter and Neji's death. They were admirable shinobi."

Hinata froze. Her father gravely nodded his head before turning to a immobile Hinata and walked right through her.

Hinata held her breath. Her father tensed a moment as well but began walking again as if unfazed.

No one can see her. No one can hear her. Her father walked right through her and what the elder said... She was dead.

Invisible Regret

Hinata ran out of the village as fast as she could. Once she reached the lake deep with in the forest, she fell to her knees and gasped out tears. She couldn't hold it in any longer. It was too unbearable to handle.

If she was dead she shouldn't be here! Why was she here? What was she to do? Living the rest of her life as a ghost sounded like a horrid existence.

"Why?" She gasped in defeat. She brought her arms up to rub her wet eyes.

"Hinata," called out a panicked voice.

She tensed. She knew that voice. She knew it oh so well. But he shouldn't be able to see her... much less be calling out her name.

She slowly turned around to see a wide eyed disheveled looking Naruto.

"Hinata?" His voice trembled as his eyes widened.

Hinata didn't know what to do or say as she simply returned her own shocked expression. He was well and alive. After the war, he managed to live! She couldn't help but break a smile in relief.

"Hinata, is that really you?" He croaked out a whispered. Her smile faltered when she got a better look at him and noticed how awful he appeared. He had bags under his puffy glossy blue looking eyes. His normally tan looking skin was sickly pale and his vibrant blonde hair had became so dull. It seemed as if his life was being sucked away from him.

He took a hesitant step toward her. His eyes intently locked on hers as if he was afraid she'd disappear if he blinked.

"Yes," she unsurely answered. At least she thought she was as okay as you can get being a unseeable spirit.

The moment she used her voice he sprinted to her and hugged her in a tight embrace.

"You-you're alive!" He spluttered out awe and happiness.

He spun her around as he began to laugh freely. She epped in surpirse as he put her down and put his hands on either side of her face. His forehead touched hers.

"You're alive," he repeated in a slow murmur again as his wide eyes locked intently on hers. Utter joy radiated of him.

Hinata was in a happily dazed and confused state. How can he see her? Wasn't she dead? How can he touch her? Why was he hugging her? He was making her heart ache just being near him.

"Naruto," she said breathlessly.

A genuine smile touched his lips. "I'm so happy to hear your voice," he told her. "You have no idea how much I missed hearing it."

She blushed before her eyebrows confusedly scrunch up. Things weren't making any sense. She gently pushed herself away from over-affectionate Blond. "Naruto I-I don't know what's going on or how you see me but something's not right... I-I don't think I should be here. I don't think... I'm alive. Everyone's ignore-"

She was cut off as Naruto's hands grasp her shoulders, not letting her move another inch away from him. His features darkened. "Don't say things like that."

"You don't understand. I think... I think I'm a ghost." Her voice slightly shrieked at the end.

Naruto lowered his head to her level with a frown. His fingers tightened. Hinata couldn't help but wonder what was making Naruto so touchy. Not that she minded but it made it slightly overwhelming.

"But you're here! I see you," his blue orbs crash against lavender, "I feel you." He squeezed her shoulders. "I smell you," he buried his head in the crock of her neck and took a whiff. "So you have to be alive. You have to be real."

Silence surrounded them with the exception of her drumming heart. Hinata noticed, just like herself, he seemed to be having some inner turmoil.

"But no one else sees me." She weakly countered.

His head moved away, connecting theor gazes. He gave her a indecisive look, probably torn between wanting to know or remaining ignorant. "What do you mean?" He finally asked.

She stepped out of his embrace once again, her eyes pleading for him to stay still and watch her. She wondered if she would be able to do what she's planning but she needed to be sure.

She went over to a tree and took a deep breath. She could feel Naruto's stare boring on her back. She took a few steps toward the tree and walked towards it.

At first, it felt strange, almost as if she forgot how to breath. Her body was being sucked in as tingles ran throughout her body. When she opened her eyes she let out a gasp. She made it through. She walked through the tree.

In complete disbelief herself, she faced Naruto and confessed, not just to him but herself, "I'm a ghost."

His expression nearly tore her to pieces. He looked so utterly devastated. He closed his eyes for a few moments as he faced the ground. His blond bangs blocked his face. "Am I going crazy? Have I really lost it, fox?" she heard him murmur to himself. Finally his eyes snap to hers with determination.

He walked up to her and pulled her into another forceful hug. "I don't care."

She looked up to his face in startled surprise. She wasn't sure if he was talking to himself or her.

"I don't care if you're a ghost or some alien from out of space or whatever! As long as you stay here with me everything will be okay," told the Blond.

He wanted her to stay with him! Any other time, she would have cried yes but now... she was unsure. She was a ghost. Didn't that mean her being here was a mistake?

"... I'll be a burden to you."

He shook his head. "You'll never be a burden to me, Hinata," he clutched her tighter as it to empathize his point.

"But I'm a ghost. Other then you, no one can see or hear me. What will I do? Where will I go?"

"You'll live with me," he answered, as if inviting a ghost to his home was the most obvious thing in the world to do. Did he not see how wrong it would be for a girl his age to move in with him? Father's opinion momentarily diluted her mind.

"No, I can't do that."

"You can and you will" he firmly said, leaving no room for argument. He let go of his hug, which she was still completely not used to. He grabbed her hand and began leading her away from the forest and toward his home. Hinata couldn't help but do nothing as she let him lead her.

They were silent but Hinata couldn't help but notice his large smile. His aura practically oozed with warmness and happiness. He'd constantly sneak glances at her and squeeze her hand as if to reassure himself she's real.

"Naruto!" Called out a pink haired ninja.

Naruto spotted and waited for her to catch up to them.

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" She said with a huff. As before, Sakura didn't say a word to the Hinata unable to see her. Naruto noticed this and frowned.

"What do you want Sakura," he said stiffily, shocking both her and Hinata.

"Don't talk to me like that," She gently scolded at him with a disapproving look. "I know you're still upset with what happened but that's no excuse for you to act the way you've been to all your friends."

Hinata looked at the Blond with concern. How had he been acting toward his friends?

Naruto met her curious gaze with a reassuring smile before turning to a confused Sakura. "I'm sorry, Sakura," he genuinely apologized. "I know I've been out of whack lately with you and everyone... but I promise I'm over it now."

Sakura frowned deepened. "Naruto, that's not what I meant. This is not something you simply just get over, I understand that. It's just that all your friends, including me, are concerned for you. We want to help you."

"I'm fine," he reassured her.

The medic ninja, seemingly unconvinced, narrowed her green eyes at him for a long grilling moment. "Alright then, let's say you're 'fine.' And since you're oh so perfectly 'fine' how about you join me to get some ramen with the gang? Kakashi promised to pay."

Naruto quickly glanced at Hinata and back at Sakura. He gave the pink headed girl a guilty smile. "Sorry, Sakura, but no can do. I kind of have this really urgent thing I have to get to at home. Next time maybe?"

Sakura's mood darkening further. "Your''re not hungry?" She repeated, obviously not believing him.

"Nah, anyways talk to you later."

He dragged Hinata and himself away from the frowning pink headed girl.

Once home, he animatedly began moving things around as he cheerfully hummed some tunes. His apartment was surprisingly tidy and warm. "You'll take the room and I'll sleep in the couch. This is going to be so awesome. I've always wanted a roommate. We can stay up late watching movies and-"

He kept on rambling but Hinata was stuck in her thoughts. The whole situation... couldn't help but feel wrong.