Hey guys! I finally figured out how to write this... *facepalm* I am so stupid sometimes... :D well anyways ENJOY!
Like a Blossoming Rose…
By: narusilvermoon98
A Naruhina Story
CHAPTER 1: Mixed Feelings and Crystal Tears
The sun seeped through the curtains and caressed the sleeping boy's face. Slowly, his eyelids opened to reveal two sparkling blue orbs. The whiskered boy yawned and he just lay there… thinking." …Because I love you!" Those words still clearly rang in his ears. He still remembered the pale lavender eyes full of determination as she rose to protect him. He still remembered the immense ache in his heart as he saw her being stabbed. Sure, he had on the battle, but his heart still ached as if something had been torn away. The moment he had heard those wonderful words flow from her lips, he was full of joy and shock. He would've never imagined that the shy girl would feel that way towards him. He was glad that though everyone hated him back then, someone had actually always cared for him… and to almost die in front of his eyes right after he was told. Hinata… The boy sat up on his bed in the Konoha Hospital.
Soon after there was a knock at the door and a familiar voice said, "Can I come in Naruto?"
"Sure…" Naruto replied, barely audible.
The pink haired kunoichi entered the room and slowly closed the door behind her. Usually, Naruto would be thrilled by her visits, but today his head was a mess.
The green-eyed girl stared at him for a moment and then began his daily checkup. "You should look more alive. You are the hero of the village after all."
Right… I saved the village from Pein. He could remember the events clearly… When he had realized the damage he had done to the village, another arrow had been shot into his chest; though later it was removed when he was informed everyone was okay… including Hinata. Naruto was greeted by the villagers with an uproar of joy. He was even hugged by Sakura! Any other time and he would have been immensely happy, but that day he just felt… messed up, just like now.
"Well, you are doing well. You should be out of here in a couple of days," Sakura informed.
Naruto just stared blankly at his teammate. He still liked Sakura, right? He was pretty sure he didn't have any feelings for Hinata beyond a precious friend… Or did he?
"You sure are quiet today," remarked Sakura "In case you are wondering, you should be able to eat ramen soon. Probably by tomorrow… You sure are healing fast."
"I'm done here. Let me know if you need anything okay?" the pink haired girl said. "I will be at the room right across checking on Hinata."
The boy immediately perked up. Hinata is in here too? His heart sank just as fast… She's in here because of me…
"Hey Sakura," the blond called out "After you check on Hinata can you tell me how she is doing?"
"Sure thing Naruto," Sakura said and left the room, once again shutting the door quietly behind her.
The young medic-nin headed towards Hinata's room when she saw Neji Hyuuga come out, quickly nod as a greeting and leave, briefly saying "If her condition changes, tell me at once."
She also nodded in reply and left quickly. Neji could be a little scary sometimes, considering he is the most powerful descendant from the Hyuuga clan, besides Lord Hiashi and his father of course. He and Hinata got along much better than when they were kids…
Sakura quietly entered the Hyuuga heiress's room and found the girl staring blankly out the window.
"Hey Hinata," said Sakura cheerfully "How are you doing?" She swiftly retrieved her clipboard and began her checkup.
"Umm… fine Sakura, thank you." Hinata said softly.
"I just finished Naruto's checkup too. Both of you should be out in about three days." She said as she checked her blood pressure.
At the mention of the boy's name, Hinata blushed and began fidgeting with her fingers. Good old Hinata… thought Sakura. That girl was always a bit weird but she knew it was because she loved Naruto. She herself had seen how far Hinata would go to protect Naruto… To try to go against an opponent she knows she is no match for is crazy. What had she been thinking? She knew the answer well enough. Sakura thought back to after the Chuunin exams when Naruto and she had been trying to track down Gaara and… When she had seen his slumped form on a tree, she stood in front of him, not caring if she was no match against Gaara, who was at the moment possessed by the One-Tailed Shukaku. At the moment, she could've given up her life. She just wanted to protect him… Sasuke… Tears began to form small puddles in her eyes so she quickly turned away and thought of what to say.
"Shino, Kiba, and Kurenai Sensei came to visit you yesterday, but you were asleep so I told them to come today. They could be popping up in here anytime soon."
"Thank you Sakura." Hinata mumbled "H-how in N-Naruto doing?"
"Fine, a little better than you by the means of recovering. He should be out of here the same day as you."
So Naruto is fine… I hope I didn't make things worse in his fight with Pein. I am always a burden… She too started to feel her eyes moisten and her tears welling up, yelling to be freed. Hinata turned her head quickly and tilted her head so her indigo hair could cover her tear-streaked face. Sakura felt a change in her mood and left the room with the silence only a ninja could possess. The room being empty now, Hinata cried into her pillow, muffling the sound.
There was a small knock on the door and Hinata wiped her face instantly.
"C-Come in," she told whoever was behind the door.
She was surprised to see Naruto walk in with his hands bandaged up, but his face just had a couple of minor scratches. When the blonde's blue eyes met hers, she blushed madly.
"Hello N-Naruto," she stammered.
"Hey, Hinata! How are you doing? Sakura told me that you were fine, but I decided to check for myself." Naruto replied cheerfully. "I sneaked in here so I can't stay for long."
Naruto sneaked in here to see me? The thought sent a fresh wave of blood to her face, almost making her faint.
When she opened her eyes, Naruto's face was just inches from hers, and he stared at her so intently that she felt she would get engulfed in those wonderful eyes of his. Hinata quickly turned away for fear she might faint.
"Listen, I'm sorry Hinata. It's my fault that you are in here." Naruto said quietly.
"No! I-I wanted to do that… I wanted to help you because…"
The two turned away, slight blushes on both of their faces this time.
How can I tell her that I don't love her…? I think. Don't I just like Sakura? I am confused… I wished the pervy sage was here. He would know lots about these types of situations. But I can't just tell it to her straight in the face, not after what she did for me.
His thoughts were interrupted when someone crashing in through the door.
"NARUTOOO!"
Sakura… good timing. He needed to get out of there fast.
"What are you doing in here! You are going to make me break a couple ribs and then you'll be in the hospital even longer!" the medic-nin fumed.
"S-sorry Sakura…I…." Naruto said as he was being dragged away "Bye Hinata, see you later!"
Sakura can be pretty scary sometimes….even Naruto is scared of her and she is his teammate! Hinata thought. Though she was sad to see Naruto go, she was relieved at the same time… Why did I have to tell him? Now everything is weird between us. I hope he forgets it soon. It would be embarrassing for me to talk to him about it. But it would break my heart to hear those words come out of his mouth: I don't love you. Still, how can he love me or even notice me if he has Sakura, whom he had always liked? She is much better for him… A silent tear dripped onto the white sheet over her lap. She quickly dried her face as she heard the loud noises of her teammates approach the door.
"Hinata!" exclaimed a familiar voice
"Hello Kiba, Shino…" Hinata said happily. She felt at home when her teammates where besides her.
"Hello Hinata, are you feeling better?" inquired Shino.
"Yes, I am very happy to see you both."
"Hey Hinata, look out your window," Kiba said.
Hinata looked out the window and saw a huge dog sitting outside.
"Akamaru!" said Hinata "Thank you for bringing him too."
"He misses you a lot too Hinata, we all do." Kiba replied, "They didn't let me bring him in though."
"Ah, that's fine at least I can see him" said Hinata "Will you give him a scratch behind the ears for me?"
"Sure, he would love that!" Kiba grinned, "So when are you going to be out of this…place."
Hinata smiled. Kiba was always nervous near any hospitals, especially veterinary clinics.
"S-sakura said I could leave tomorrow if I want, just that I shouldn't do much until two days after I left."
"That's good, with all the village being repaired there aren't many spare shinobi to take care of missions." Kiba said. "Kurenai Sensei wanted to come, but she had a meeting with the Hokage.
"Kiba we must leave now and meet Kurenai Sensei. Besides visiting hours are over." said Shino.
"OK, Bye Hinata" said Kiba.
"Take care Hinata."Shino said.
"Bye and thank you for coming…" replied Hinata softly.
The next day Naruto was already dressed in his trademark orange and black jumpsuit. I have to get out of here fast. I don't know if I can face Hinata again without hurting her. I need time away to think what to say to her without damaging our friendship. He quickly told Sakura he was leaving and headed towards the Hokage's office.
He was surprised to find Tsunade and Shizune at work already. Both of them had been hurt during Pein's attack on Konoha. Until recently, Tsunade had been in a coma, yet she seemed back to her normal self.
"Hey Grandma Tsunade!" Naruto exclaimed "Nice to see you back."
"Just because you saved Konoha I will let it slip this time, but next time you call me Grandma you will be back with Sakura in the hospital." replied Tsunade sharply. A smile spread across her face. "Welcome back Naruto. What can I do for you?"
"Can you send me on a mission? I don't care even if it is a D rank mission; I need to get out of Konoha."
"Really? You already want to get into action when you came out of the hospital today? What's the rush? You don't want to help with the rebuilding do you?" Tsunade smirked.
Naruto blushed slightly as he said "No, it's not that…"
The hokage had a puzzled look on her face as she said, "No, for now I don't have any missions available. If I get a report for one I will tell you."
"Oh well thanks Grandma Tsunade…" replied Naruto as he dashed out when he heard a very irritated "NARUTOOO GET BACK HERE!" He was smart enough not to obey. Tsunade and Sakura were very alike…
That night, Hinata slept back in her room in the Hyuuga manor. It took a while for her to go to sleep for she kept on thinking about Naruto. Even when she slept, her thoughts centered on him. If only she hadn't told him. She didn't want to lose his precious friendship. She was so profoundly asleep that she did not notice the shadow figure closing in on her…
TO BE CONTINUED…
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