Hello again Naruto fans! It's yours truly Madarama Uchiju! I'm back with a brand new chapter, I really hope you enjoy. Please R&R, F&F (Read and review, Follow and favourite) It would mean a lot!

Oh… yeah… I still don't own Naruto :'( Kishimoto does!

ENJOY!

Chapter 2: Don't You Dare

Naruto wasn't speaking and this worried Sakura. They were running through the forest towards the Hidden Leaf Village. As Hinata was on Naruto's back Sakura was healing her as best she could whilst moving. Naruto had not said anything since his outburst earlier.

'Naruto' is all that went through Sakura's head.

-Flashback-

"Naruto, we need to get back to the village immediately" Sakura basically ordered the genin. "Don't you think I know that! Just shut up Sakura and do as I say!" Naruto shouted. He was an emotional wreck at this point. He was close to losing Hinata for the second time, but this time he believed it was his fault that she was hurt. He was being extremely hard on himself which lead to his outburst towards Sakura.

Sakura realised how much pain Naruto must be in so she didn't respond and waited for Naruto to tell her what to do.

"Now, Hinata will ride on my back, back to the village. While I am running, Sakura, you will trail shortly behind me trying to close Hinata's wound with your medical ninjutsu." Naruto was speaking in an emotionless tone that frightened even Neji.

"Neji, you will cover us in case we are attacked on our way back" Naruto barked out yet another order. They instantly got into their positions and didn't dare question their captain. They were set; Naruto hoisted Hinata up on his back, again feeling her bosom press against his back. This time it didn't even faze him. Naruto was determined to preserve the life of one of his precious people, and it showed upon his face. It wasn't an optimistic determined look, but more of a scowl.

Sakura then started to heal Hinata's chest wound from the back, whilst Neji activated his byakugan.

'Hinata-Chan, it's all my fault. I'm sorry. You will survive!' Naruto replayed this one line of thought through his head until he spoke.

"Let's go, we will arrive back at the village in 2 hours, no later." He said with authority. The other two just nodded and said "Yes, captain!"

'Hinata-Chan, it's all my fault. I'm sorry. You will survive"

-End Flashback-

They were now only twenty minutes away from the village and Naruto was getting anxious. Every tree that he passed, Naruto pictured his enemy from a few hours ago. Naruto did not know his name but he savoured his image in his mind.

'The man with the scar on his torso, he will die' Naruto was having dark thoughts. They were unlike any that he had ever experienced before and he had no idea why. Sakura had been critically injured on missions before but the feeling was nothing compared to this.

Naruto's thoughts were interrupted by a nervous Neji.

"Naruto, there's three people about one hundred meters ahead of us, should we run around them?" He asked with a wobbly tone, because he didn't want to get his head bitten of as Sakura did earlier.

"No. We don't have time for it. If they are our enemies, they will suffer my full wrath" Naruto said, still displaying a dark emotionless tone.

That did it Sakura was worried before, but now she was down-right scared. Scared that Naruto would do something rash, or even… even let the Kyuubi take control. She was about to say something but as she opened her mouth they passed three innocent citizens going for a late night stroll.

They were approaching the gates, but didn't slow down. They were running as quick as possible; they had made it all the way back in just over two and a half hours. Naruto did know that two hours was an unrealistic goal. The Blonde then spoke.

"Neji, Report to Lady Hokage. Sakura follow me to the hospital. I will join you shortly, Neji" Naruto said with a sense of urgency, which Sakura thought was better than not having feeling at all in his tone. She was also surprised that Naruto called Tsunade by her title and not Granny for once.

As those words left Naruto's mouth they instantly split, Neji headed to the Hokage Tower and Naruto and Sakura to the Hospital.

"Sakura-san, sorry for the way I have spoken to you this evening… I… don't know what came over me… Sorry" Naruto said fighting back tears as he thought of Hinata again.

To this Sakura bit the inside of her cheek, her emotions were also getting the best of her. She did stifle a response though "I forgive you Naruto, I-I understand why you feel this way…" she said fighting back her own tears.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, to which Sakura responded "Well… you um love her… don't you?" Sakura said quietly.

But she received no response.

They were coming upon the hospital now, and as soon as they entered Naruto shouted "I NEED A MEDIC IMMEDIATELY, PREPARE A ROOM NOW. MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!" Naruto was all red in the face and everyone could see.

Then within a minute they had the closest room prepared and ready to perform surgery on Hinata.

Everyone could see the emotion displayed by the Hero of their village and quickly assumed that they were in a tough situation.

"Sakura, I will be back after I report to Granny" Naruto said switching back to his usual name for the Hokage.

Sakura nodded and Naruto was on his way.

"Hello, I need to see Lady Hokage urgently, I am reporting back from a mission we were sent on today, will you let me through?" Neji said cool, calm and collected. The two guards standing at the door quickly consulted Shizune who in-turn said to Tsunade "Lady Tsunade, Neji Hyuga is here to see you" To this the Hokage snapped her head around to the door.

'What? They shouldn't be back yet? What have you done Naruto!' Tsunade thought to herself.

"A-Ahh, Yes let him in" Tsunade ordered.

Neji then proceeded to explain the events that went on earlier that night.

He was right up to the part where Hinata got stabbed when Naruto burst through the doors to the Hokage's office. The guards tried to restrain him but were waived off by Tsunade instantly.

"Ahh Naruto, just the person I want to speak to." Tsunade said with a hint of urgency.

"…Granny…" is all Naruto could get out as tears started flowing out of his eyes. He then walked over to her a hugged her. Tsunade hugged him back, comforting him just like a good grandmother would. "Shh Naruto, it's alright. You're home now" Tsunade said trying to comfort the young genin as best she could.

Naruto would never allow himself to cry in front of people or at all for that matter. It was a promise he made to himself as a little boy, because he was hated for being the nine tails jinchuriki. So this was a rare showing from Naruto and Tsunade noticed this and put off talking to him for a while.

Naruto eventually pulled himself together and went and stood beside Neji. Tsunade then looked at Neji and asked him to finish his report on the mission.

Hinata had been put into a stable condition and was awake, but only barely. The rest of the rookie nine, sparring Sasuke, had arrived since Naruto told them to go there whilst on his way to the Hokage. They were visiting Hinata and trying to figure out what happened.

When Kiba had finally figured out what had happened he shouted "This is all Naruto's fault. If he wasn't so stupid he could have saved Hinata! When I get my hands on h…" Kiba was cut off by a very mad Hinata.

"Get Out!" She said as loud as possible "This is not Naruto-kun's fault! If anything I'm alive now because of him! NOW GO! And don't come back!" Hinata was being far too aggressive and it showed on her heart rate monitor.

"But Hinata…" Kiba protested, but he was then shot down with a death stare from the kind hearted and loving Hyuga heiress. He then quickly made his way out.

Everyone was shocked, this was so unusual of her, she wasn't just mad she was absolutely furious. This even scared Ino and TenTen.

"Please may I be left alone now?" Hinata quietly requested, returning to her usual quite self.

Everyone looked at each other with sad faces and proceeded towards the door. On the way out Ino said "Get well soon Hinata" in a soft tone. Hinata appreciated the support that she received from them, but Kiba had set her off and she was better off being left alone.

'Naruto-kun, I want to see Naruto-kun' Hinata thought to herself pressing her fingers together as she often did as a child.

"Despite the events that occurred, Naruto. You lead the team well, and you will have another chance to successfully complete a mission as captain" Tsunade said formally. Naruto just scratched the back of his head and said "Gee, thanks Granny… That sure does mean a lot." Naruto said with his usual foxy grin.

"Ahh may I be excuse Lady Tsunade?" asked Neji who was feeling rather out of place here.

"Yes you may both go, I suggest checking up on Hinata" Tsunade said, to which Naruto and Neji nodded in unison.

'Hinata-Chan, I want to see Hinata-Chan', Naruto thought to himself as he felt a small blush burning into the skin on his face. He tried to hide this as best he could, but the all-seeing Hyuga was able to tell.

Naruto and Neji were making their way over to the hospital when Neji spoke up, "Hey Naruto, back there when you were talking to that guy after he…" Neji paused as Naruto stopped walking. But Neji continued "You asked him if he knew what happened last time someone stabbed your 'BELOVED' Hinata" Neji paused again, but this time he waited for a reply and he got one. Naruto swung his head around with a shocked look on his face and shouted "Ahh did I actually say that!?" His blush was now turning a deep red that could even rival Hinata's. "Yes you did, I want to know what you mean by it?" Neji asked trying not to sound too pushy.

"Well ahh, Hinata-Chan is one of my precious people… and I guess… actually don't worry we'll just leave it at that." Naruto said as if he was trying to get out of something quickly. Naruto then started walking at a much quicker pace than before to avoid any more questions. Neji was disturbed by this, he was very curious of why Naruto said 'beloved'.

They had now made their way to the hospital and they entered the building only to see everyone waiting in the lobby, except Kiba. "How did they know that Hinata was here?" Neji asked.

"Well on my way to Granny's office I stopped by their houses and let them know as quickly as possible. Ahh Neji, would you be able to go tell Hiashi and Hanabi?" Naruto spoke very professionally. "Yes Naruto, I will be back shortly" Just as the words left Neji's mouth he had already turned and was out the door.

"Hey how come you guys are out here?" Naruto asked, screwing his face up. "Kiba pissed her off, so she asked us all to leave her alone, so we did" Sai said with his usual fake smile.

"I'm going to see her, whether she likes it or not" Naruto said, but didn't listen to anybody's response, as he was already storming towards Hinata's room.

'Hinata-Chan, It was all my fault. I'm sorry. So very sorry.' Naruto played a similar thought in his head to the one earlier, but altered it because she had already survived.

*Knock knock*

Hinata looked over at the door and spoke "I don't feel like seeing anyone right now" then Naruto walked in anyway and said "Not even me Hina-Chan?"

Hinata froze looking at the man she loves standing in front of her, he had come to visit her and had even issued her a nickname.

"A-Ahh yes N-Naruto-kun y-you can come in" Hinata said going back to her usual stuttering ways. She was blushing and looking down at her fingers as she was fiddling with them.

Naruto just stood there silently for what seemed to be hours, but in reality it was only a matter of seconds. He was angry so at himself for allowing this to happen. "Thankyou Naruto-kun" Hinata said suddenly which made Naruto jump.

"For what!?" Naruto slightly shouted while fighting back tears, "It's my fault that you're here in the first place!" He now had a single tear streaming down his face.

"Naruto-kun! I already told one person to leave for blaming you! Don't make me tell you to get lost as well! It is not your fault…" Hinata said with fury in her eyes, unlike the Hyuga heiress.

"Hinata-chan, I am going to say it again, I will never let you get harmed in my presence again, if that means I stay by your side forever, so be it! I won't go back on my word, and you know that, because we share the same Nindo". Naruto repeated what he said just before Hinata confessed her love for him just hours earlier.

'Naruto-kun being around me 24/7? Sounds like heaven!' Hinata thought to herself.

"Sit down please Naruto-kun, you just standing there is making me nervous" Hinata softly ordered Naruto. The young blonde grabbed a chair and pulled it up to the side of Hinata's hospital bed, as he did this Hinata reached out and grabbed his hand showing a new form of confidence that she hadn't displayed before. The midnight haired girl then squeezed Naruto's hand and spoke "How is this your fault?" to which Naruto replied "*sigh* I let you get in the way again and yet again you were hurt" Naruto gritted his teeth and wiped away a tear but continued.

"Last time I had no choice in the matter and you really saved my life. But this time… this time I could have prevented it and I can't blame anyone but myself for that" Naruto said as the tear stains on his cheeks were run over by new ones.

"Don't cry Naruto-kun, both times I chose to put your life before mine, and I know that you'd do the same at the drop of a hat. You proved that when Pain invaded the village, you put the whole village on your back and ultimately lead us to victory!" Hinata said with lots of emotion this time.

"Hinata-chan, you said you loved me again, I-I think that I lo…" Naruto was then cut off by a knock at the door.

Hanabi then sprinted into the room screaming "Nee-chan, are you alright!?" at the top of her lungs. Hiashi followed behind Hanabi, but he was only walking into the room with the usual stone face he wore.

"Yes Hanabi, I'm fine" Hinata said feeling an overwhelming sense of love radiating from the little Hyuga girl.

Hinata and her younger sister continued to speak when Hiashi approached Naruto.

"Naruto, may I speak with you in the hall?" The head of the Hyuga clan asked.

"Ahh yeah sure…" Naruto responded in a confused tone. He was confused as to why Hiashi needed to speak with him now of all times.

Naruto and Hiashi then exited the room. Hiashi got Naruto to take a seat.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I have spoken with Neji and am totally filled in with what happened on your mission. I need to thank you for the great deed you've done for the Hyuga clan for preserving the heiress's life. Thank you for saving my daughter's life." Hiashi said in his usual flat voice.

"No problem, It ahh was kinda my fault anyway." Naruto said

The Hiashi responded to Naruto "I'm sure it was just my daughter's clumsiness that caused her injury" This statement angered Naruto because he knew that Hinata was more than Hiashi was making her out to be.

"Hiahi-sama, with all due respect Hinata is stronger than what you give her credit for" Naruto said with the upmost respect he could muster after Hiashi's statement.

The two leaf shinobi stared at each other silence for a moment, Hiashi broke this silence.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I have a request"

"And what's that?" Naruto said not sounding as formal as before.

"Stay away from my daughter" Hiashi's words stabbed through Naruto's heart and actually made his chest hurt.

"W-Why?" Naruto asked shakily.

"You are only endangering her by being around her, you are being hunted by the Akatsuki who would be more than willing to kill anyone that gets in there way, even Hinata. This was proven in your fight against Pain. You are an enemy of the legendary Saanin, Orochimaru and his young apprentice Sasuke Uchiha." At the mention of their names Naruto clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Don't you see that is in our clans interests that Hinata is not killed? Being around you only increases the chance of it happening" Hiashi had finished his go at Naruto, and now it was the Blonde's turn.

"You wanna know what I said to Hinata after she was stabbed on our mission? I said that I would never let her be harmed again, and that I would be by her side forever to ensure this of happening, I gave her my word" Naruto spoke in a dark but calm voice.

"I couldn't care less a…" Hiashi was cut off by Naruto.

"The Hyuga clan wouldn't even exist right now if it wasn't for Hinata" Naruto said looking straight into Hiashi's pale orbs.

"Now what's that supposed to mean" Hiashi was losing his patience at this point.

"If she hadn't have saved me the day I fought Pain, he would have killed everyone. Including the Hyuga" Naruto said slightly calming down.

"No that was your own doing, that's why you are the hero of the Hidden Leaf." Hiashi said

"Yeah well…" Naruto started to speak but was quickly cut off by Hiashi saying "End of discussion, go home and STAY AWAY from Hinata!" Hiashi had finally lost his cool, this was uncommon among Hyuga.

'I can't believe that guy, I can't just stay away from her, I don't want to' Naruto thought to himself as he was walking back to his apartment.

He was kicking a pebble along the ground replaying the conversation over in his head and it just proved to make him angrier and angrier.

He knew Hinata wouldn't stand for this. So he was just going to wait for her to come to him.

Naruto was just opening the door to his apartment and it hit him, the fatigue that is. From the mission he had undertaken earlier and the stress that came along with it, on top of the sad feeling he always had coming home to see no one there to welcome him. Naruto was a swirling ball of emotion, as much as he didn't like to show it to other people, he was quite comfortable crying in his own company.

Naruto climbed into his bed while sniffling and wiping away tears. He quickly fell asleep.

"I'm sorry Hinata, Naruto had to go home. He wasn't feeling well" Hiashi said to Hinata

"Oh, it seemed he had something to say before you arrived though…" Hinata said quietly.

'What were you going to say Naruto-kun?' Hinata kept replaying this thought in her head over and over.

That night she dreamt of the time she fought Pain.

Alright that's a wrap. Thank you so much for reading! Please don't forget to review and follow my story. I hope you enjoyed it. Sorry this chapter is a little shorter than I would've intended but I've got some really good ideas for the next chapter. You can expect to see it in a few days. THANKS FOR READING!