Summary: When Hinata decided to risk her life and confess to Naruto during Pain's invasion, she finds herself thrown in the middle of the aftermath.
NejiHina. War. Multichapter.
Author's note: Hey guys, I haven't abandoned this fic, I'm working on it and I truly want this to be complete. Thank you for bearing with me.
NejiHina. Take on the war. Spoiler-heavy. Takes place directly after chapter 437 of the manga, just after the invasion of Pain. There will be no heavy political clan stuff here, a lot of those could already be found on other fics. It would be more of like a behind the scenes, incorporating canon with my imagination.
They're old enough, is what you need to know. If you need numbers, instead of three, the time skip is SIX. Enjoy!
Chapter One: Covered Still
Hinata wakes, and gasps to a piercing pain in her chest. There is a throbbing ache throughout her body, and it feels like she's being crushed and stabbed and please, please make it stop. Please.
The taste of copper, heavy and loaded, on her tongue. The world is spinning, moving. Bile rises to her throat and threatens to choke her. She wants to move, cry out, but her limbs are imbued with lead. She hardly recognizes that the pressure on her back and thighs are arms, hands—holding her, cradling her and muffled words— be okay. You're safe. Hinata. I'm here. You're going to be alright. She lets out a strangled sob, and feels the grip on her tighten. The pain is overwhelming.
She surrenders herself to darkness.
Hinata slips in and out of consciousness. Constant shadows smother her, and are only broken by the sudden glow of honeyed light now and then. The pain that seized her—minutes? Hours? Days?—before slowly recedes to a heavy weight of numbness. She peels her eyes open, only to find them closing again, her lids heavy and uncooperative. She takes a deep breath.
Her memory is a muted blur. The dry pitted turf of the battlefield. A haze of black and orange. Naruto pinned to the ground. The cold wind against her face when she jumped. Her words. How she told him—
She blinks and tries to focus on where she is. A vast expanse of green cloth surrounds her, hanging on thin wooden frames. There's an unmistakable earthy smell of bark and wet leaves heavily overpowered by the stench of antiseptic and bloodied bandages. The cot beneath her, stiff and prickly, brings attention to the soreness of her muscles. Hinata slowly turns towards a faint rustling by her side, ignoring the whimper that escapes her throat in doing so.
He is seated on a chair beside her, back slumped, elbows propped on his knees and hands clasped in front of him. Head bent, his hair is a cascading wall of inked silk, obscuring her view of his face. She raises herself up on trembling elbows and calls out to him.
"Ne—"
She suddenly jerks and doubles over, releasing body-wracking coughs. Hinata grips the sheet that fell from her shoulders as she strains to breathe. She hears him mutter a curse between heaving gasps and heat rises to her face, from both the effort and embarrassment. She's grateful for the flask of water he provides her. Once her lungs stills to a tolerable calm, she downs the liquid instantly.
"Thank—" she clears her throat, "Thank you, Neji-niisan."
Neji merely takes the bottle from her and sits back down, the chair creaking under his weight. His robes shift when he moves, and her eyes follow the wrinkles in them. Hinata looks up and frowns at the absence of his hitai-ate, exposing the mark, a glaring shade of green against the palette of his fair skin. And his hair. His hair, always immaculately smooth and flowing, now appears disheveled and tangled, dark strands sticking out everywhere and—
It takes her a moment to notice the sudden change. The silence surrounding them stifles her nerves. His back is rigid, his lips set in a thin line. Hinata wonders if it's because she's fully awake now, or because he's aware that she is.
She glances down at the bottle in his hand and blinks back up at him. His eyes—all hollow and dark shadows underneath—narrows and his frown furrows deeper.
"I…are you a—"
"They were all revived. The citizens, as well as those—"
"Neji-niisan."
"—you have to report to Gai when you can. He would assign you to—"
"Neji," she says. There's a plea in her voice. He hadn't looked at her like that for a long time. Such a long time.
It doesn't take a lot to understand why he's like this. But she hadn't prepared herself. She hadn't been thinking—No, that isn't entirely true. She has had time to think. Between the moments of doing what she did and saying what she said, she had plenty of time to think. She just hadn't prepared herself for this. It's too soon, too soon for her to deal with.
For what feels like hours, they're both silent. When she can no longer hold his glare, she brings her gaze down, and tries to smoothen the white cloth draping her legs. Her eyes flicks back towards him and she finds the muscles of his jaw clench and unclench. Neji isn't looking at her. His glare, instead, is aimed at the foot of her bed.
"Why did you do it?" he says, his voice hard.
"I-I'm not sorry for what I did, Neji-niisan." She swallows past the dryness that clamps her throat.
The sides of his eyes are covered with thick veins, his byakugan has activated. His anger are coming off in waves now, and she resists the urge to look down again.
"And I…I understand why you—"
"No, you don't," he growls, jerking to his feet. "I want you to tell me why, why the fuck did you—what were you even—do you have any idea—" He raises the hand that held the bottle as if he's going to throw it, but the loud thump of plastic against the ground never reaches her ears; his hand remains in an awkward suspension above his head. He releases a frustrated groan and lifts his eyes to the ceiling, bringing his hand down to his side.
"It wasn't just stupid, what you did, it was irresponsible, reckless, and if you thought—"
"Stop," her voice closes to a whisper. He leans back and closes his mouth, and she continues before he can.
"I…" she says, "I acted according to what I believed in, Neji-niisan." She rubs a hand against her chest, trying to ease the tightness there; a throbbing ache at the back of her head is starting to follow close behind it. "A-and you have no right—no, don't you dare tell me otherwise because you," she lets out a faint, humorless laugh. "You, of all people, know this."
You would've done the same thing.
Neji says nothing. And in the drowning silence that follows, any other noise seems obnoxiously loud; rustle of clothes, huff of harsh breaths, thump of a bottle as it hit the floor. He isn't glaring at her anymore, although his eyes still hold hers with such intensity.
Her vision is starting to blur, and it's her turn not to look at him. She pushes the frustration that's starting to build inside her, down, down somewhere she can't reach it. Because she doesn't want to do this. She doesn't want a fight with him.
Hinata moves to wipe the tears tracking down her face, but his hand beats her to it.
She hasn't sensed him move, and she looks up at him in surprise, for he is closer now. A lot closer. The rough pad of his thumb dries her cheeks, his palm cradling her jaw. The touch is so gentle, so light, an absolute contrast from the look he has on his face, from the way he's acted just moments before. And she freezes, because she doesn't know how to handle the volatility of his reactions.
"You almost died."
Her breath hitches then, because she knows, knows the look on his face. Knows from the way he says it, from the tone of desperation she hears in his voice. The urge to move away from him or to pull herself closer to him merges in a confusing mixture inside her head; though it all boils down to doing something, anything, to stop him from looking at her like that.
But before she could, all too suddenly, he is gone.
The process of revival is a cruel thing; Hinata has come to learn, as her fingers dig into the rubble and raises another layer of jagged stone. A child is buried underneath and her byakugan indicates that she has less than a minute before the shallow breaths turn to a grim halt. With a grunt, the final barrier almost gives way, but a sudden ache at her side forces her to lose the hold she had. Her arms threaten to buckle under the weight of the huge wall.
"Kiba! Help—I can't—"
The pressure is lifted from her arms, and she rushes to grab the child. Ignoring the pain that seems to intensify, she reaches into the opening of the piled cement. The child gives out a cry and Hinata drags him out and lays him on the ground, kneeling next to him. She takes out bandages from one of the pockets of her belt and begins attending to the dark, bleeding gash at the side of his thigh. The child has fainted, but his breathing is even and slow now, removing the dread that overtook her moments before.
They were all revived, alright. The lives of everyone from the village were returned to them, but it wasn't without consequences. Their injuries were sustained, immunity to the pain was nonexistent, and every single one of them was found exactly where they were before Pain's devastating attack. Exactly.
"Whoa. You should've called me earlier, Hinata. This thing's really heavy."
When Kiba tosses the broken wall to their side, the ground shakes slightly, and gritty particles of dust scatter and fly all over the place. Hinata coughs and covers the child's face with her hand, and notices the ugly purple bruise under his matted hair. He throws his hands up in apology.
"Oh, shit. Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to." Kiba whistles to Akamaru, and the dog raises his head from where he and Shino, with his bugs, have been digging. He bounds his way over to them, his massive body coming to a halt next to Kiba.
With a pen and scroll from another pocket, Hinata writes the words possible concussion, minor bruises, and healed wound on thigh before strapping the rolled scroll on the child's shoulder. Placing the child on his back, Hinata gives Akamaru the nod and he takes off to the infirmary.
She coughs again and this time—without the surge of adrenaline numbing her—clutches her side, willing her chakra to focus on the stabbing pain. She should be using her chakra sparingly; healing the child took a lot from her, and this is only their third rescue. They are far from being halfway through with the area and her chakra levels already border on a dangerous low. But there is something unbearable about the pain that makes her think otherwise. Clearly, she hasn't recovered as well as she has thought.
Kiba dusts himself off and stretches his arms upward. Mumbling an alright under his breath, he turns to Hinata. The grin slips from his face, and he's next to her in an instant. He grabs her free hand, while the other hovers behind her, and she leans onto the support he's giving.
"Hinata? What happened?" He looks around them and curses. "Were you attacked? How did they—"
"I'm alright, Kiba. It's just…I must've pulled a…muscle lifting that thing." She winces. The pain is searing now, the green glow from her hand providing little to no help at all.
"You shouldn't be pushing yourself too hard," he says, squeezing her hand lightly. "It's only been a week since…since that happened, and you just woke up, what—yesterday! Damn it, I can't believe Gai-sensei already sent you out here. That assho—"
"Kiba," Hinata looks up at him. She's thankful for his concern. Really. "I was the one who volunteered for this. Gai-sensei, he…he was skeptical too, but I thought I was already fine and…" she trails off as she sees Shino nearing them. She hears him ask what has happened before another jolt shoots through.
"Let's call it a day, yeah? We need to take you back to the infirmary, Sakura should still be there." Kiba steps forward and guides her to the path Akamaru had taken earlier. She leans away from him and breaks from his grasp.
"…Sakura?"
"I—what? Yeah, you know…she was the one who healed you after that—" Kiba runs a hand through his hair and reaches a hand out to her. "C'mon Hinata. You don't look so good. We have to go back now." Shino gives a grunt of affirmation.
"It's alright, I am alright." Kiba shoots her a look that tells her he obviously doesn't believe her.
"I can find my way back. I'll leave the rest to you and…and I'll come back later to finish, I promise," she says.
"No, Hinata. Don't be stubborn," Shino says.
They both step forward, crowding her. "Kiba, Shino, please." Hinata raises a palm to stop them from going any further. The buzz from Shino's bugs is all that could be heard as she attempts to reassure them, although the smile she gave becomes more and more of a grimace.
After a lot of blinks from her and glares from both her teammates, Kiba tugs at his hair and huffs a fine, and she quickly turns to the trail, waving them a goodbye.
"You better not come back unless you're fully healed!" Kiba shouts behind her. She raises her hand again in a wave.
Hinata releases a heavy breath as stabs of pain synchronizes with every step she takes.
Konohagakure had seen better days. The bustling village of the Hidden Leaf—the village honed and praised for being one of the most powerful, possessing one of the finest and most elite shinobi army—was replaced by a huge bowl-shaped crater, right in the middle, surrounded by endless piles of concrete, cracked roofs and shattered glass.
The base is located at the west side of the village, with the suggestion of the medical team, as they've found it to be of greater advantage if they are near a water source. By the time Hinata reaches the infirmary, she is panting and beads of sweat is lining her brow. The entrance of the base is farther, so much farther, than she recalls and the pain hasn't made it easier for her to get there any faster.
The revival has only been recent, and there are still dozens needed to be rescued and retrieved from the heap of Pain's destruction, for not everyone had been able to hide under the sanctuary of the underground shelter. Those who are found are taken to the base immediately, and once healed; most of them have put up tents near the infirmary, tolerating the flimsy wall of green as a temporary excuse for shelter and a place to live in.
She's been healed and kept in her tent, Kiba told her. So Hinata hasn't had the chance to visit the infirmary herself; although her team has already filled her in on what to expect.
The infirmary makes up for their lack of a proper hospital. Medical-nin hurries to and fro, from one bed to another. The smell of blood and sterility is heavier here, mixing with the foul stink of vomit and excrement. She's been informed that they're severely understaffed, and Hinata would've assisted them if her locating abilities aren't more of an invaluable aid to the village.
She makes her way through the mass of wailing, wincing patients, and finds Sakura by the corner of the room, along with the line of a dozen people. Hinata sits herself down the end of the queue, next to a sign that read Get In Line, Or Else with a badly drawn fist.
"Hinata?"
She looks up. Sakura's done with the old lady that came before her, and is preparing for the next patient in line. Hinata breathes a sigh of relief. Feeling the crescent shapes on her palms marked by her nails, she has focused on that pain to keep herself alert. It's been excruciating, the pain has intervals edging on tolerable to too much. She's tempted to give another try in alleviating the pain, but her chakra dwindles to near nothing now, and she can't afford another black out.
"I'm surprised you're already up and about." Sakura lifts her jacket, and places the green glow of her hand on the side that hurt. "You really shouldn't be putting yourself in stressful situations right now, Hinata."
She gives a nod, and closes her eyes at the lack of pain at her side. She wonders if what's happened yesterday with Neji could be considered as a stressful situation, in the emotional sense. She shoves the thought away and instead voices what she's noticed earlier. It's gotten dark outside and no one is lining up behind her, making her Sakura's last patient.
"Yeah, we don't cure patients after dark anymore. We found out three days into the revival operation that it wasn't such a great idea, exhausting chakra in healing," she says, "Unless of course, there's an emergency or it's something life threatening."
"Sakura-san, why couldn't I—"
"Heal yourself? This is what I've been telling you, your wounds…" There is a lengthy pause. Hinata opens her eyes and finds Sakura staring intently at her. "Just…just don't stress yourself out, alright? You don't have to heal those you've retrieved on the spot, just leave that job to us."
Sakura breaks her gaze and walks over to the cart containing her medical equipment. "After a week or so, your chakra levels would be back to normal, so don't worry." There are several clatters of metal against another before Hinata rises to her feet.
"Thank you, Sakura-san, for today and…and for that day," she says.
Sakura turns to face her and smiles, "It's nothing really, and I can't take all the credit for myself."
Hinata cocks her head to the side. Had her injuries been that serious? With Sakura already healing her, had they needed more medic-nin to heal her? These questions must've painted themselves on her face, because Sakura laughs and shakes her head.
"No, I mean, Neji should have his share too. He found you on the battlefield, well," Sakura continues, "His team did, but he was the one who carried you over to where we were at the time."
Oh. "Still, thank you." she says, and heads toward the door of the infirmary.
"Hinata, wait."
She stops and turns back to the pink-haired kunoichi. Sakura is looking at her strangely, like she hasn't been smiling and laughing just a minute ago, determination etched on her face.
"Why…why did you do it?"
"I—why did I—" The question takes Hinata by surprise, even if it isn't the first time she's confronted with it. And the thought that this wouldn't be the last she'll hear of it nests at the back of her mind.
"Your wounds, Hinata. They were fatal, and if I hadn't healed you in time—"
"I…I would've done it for any of my friends, Sakura-san." Hinata cuts her off. She hasn't given her answer much thought and later she would wonder if she meant it.
"Would you, really?" A frown graces Sakura's forehead. Hinata doesn't give her a reply, the air around them becoming heavier as minutes dragged on. "It isn't…It isn't because you love him?" Sakura suddenly asks.
Hinata is grateful for the silence of the now almost-empty infirmary; the silence that carried her question voiced in such a low volume. A cold wind creeps up and tightens itself around her. She's never heard what she feels for Naruto put in such a way; with such accusation and…and hurt. Does she, does Sakura also—?
It's clear that she isn't the only one taken aback by the question; the woman in front of her has her eyes wide and a hand covering her mouth, as if to stop what's already been said.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my place, that wasn't—I…I'm really sorry, Hinata."
"It—it's fine." Hinata turns for the door once more, and hasn't the nerve to look back.
It's already well into the night when Hinata finally drags herself to her tent, after mindlessly wandering the woods outside the base. Everything's been surreal, as if she's been at the sidelines all along, observing, watching all of it unfold in a great speed, but at the same time, in motions that could barely beat snails.
She has yet to gather her thoughts when she's greeted by the sight of her Father, Hanabi, and Ko, standing by the entrance of her tent. Before Hinata could utter a greeting, Hanabi's small body flings itself upon her. Hinata throws her hands up in defense, surprised to find her sister up for a spar in the middle of the night, even after not having seen each other for how long.
But instead of an attack, Hanabi has her arms around her waist and her head is buried in Hinata's chest. It takes Hinata some time to recognize the hug that her younger sister is giving her, in front of their father, no less.
"Ko reported…he told Tousan everything." Hanabi whispers. "Neechan, is it true? Did you really—"
Hiashi clears his throat, and Hanabi eases her hold and steps away from her. Hanabi holds her head high, despite the blush coloring her cheeks, the night failing to hide it from eyes like theirs.
"Otousan," Hinata says, bowing her head. She hasn't had time to visit them when they were hiding underground, and she's relieved that there are no serious injuries to be seen. Ko is behind her father, his arm in a sling, and his eyes holds an unvoiced apology, revealing the reason why her family is here now, regardless of how late it is, or how long they've been waiting.
Hiashi schools his usual frown, and Hinata prepares herself for the lecture that would follow.
"I'm pleased you are well," is all he says, laying a hand on her shoulder and giving her a curt nod. He gestures to Ko, and both the Hyuuga men walk away from her, leaving Hinata to stare after their backs.
"Neechan, I have to go too," Hanabi says, calling Hinata's attention back to her. "I heard Neji-niisan's occupying the other bed in your tent, so I don't have to stay with you tonight."
This is news to Hinata. "I…I don't think he'll be staying here anymore."
After Neji left yesterday and she was able to collect herself, Hinata stumbled out of her tent. Rows and rows of other polygonal green ones surrounded her own. She tried to find Neji, only to bump into everyone but him. Then Gai found her, and gave her the immediate task to revive her youth, as his words. So her volunteering wasn't entirely true, but Kiba needn't know that.
She had gone back to bed tired and her heart heavy, and hadn't sensed anyone near. Neji did not return last night. She highly doubts if he'll change his mind tonight.
"He came out of your tent this morning, Ko told me so." Hanabi says.
"I-He wasn't…I hadn't seen him." Did he really? Ko isn't one to lie, he'd have no reason to.
"You're getting sloppy, Neechan. What would Tousan say?" Hanabi gives her shoulder a light shove. "We've set up camp outside the main house, or what's left of it anyway."
Hinata smiles. The way Hanabi has said it, with a light tone and a smirk on her face, it's as if she'd told Hinata of her pranks on a branch member, and not of the destruction of their clan's land.
"How is everyone?" she asks.
"You'll see tomorrow, Tousan will be the one to fill you in about that."
Hinata nods. The air has gotten chilly, and she pushes the flap of her tent open, waving for her sister to come inside.
"Neechan…" Hanabi stays on her spot, and grabs the sleeve of Hinata's jacket. "I'm glad," she says.
Giving another light shove, Hanabi smiles and waves her a goodbye, following after the path Ko and their father has taken.
AN: I've always wanted to write a world where Hinata could fall for someone who's always been there for her, and how they could find each other in the middle of the fourth shinobi war, especially when I've read the maga, I could see where it could absolutely work. Thank you for taking the time to read this little fic of mine. Those who've read the manga, you will soon see some very, very familiar scenes. Guess what chapter! LOL. And no, it wouldn't be one hundred percent true to the manga. This is NejiHina we're talking about. Chapter 614 shot us straight in the face on that one. *cries again* Reviews and constructive criticism are very much appreciated and thank you for leaving a kudos!
+Following canon manga. So this is Ko, the manga version.