Sorry for the late update, it was my mid-term week and I was kind of freaking out. Thanks to PeacefulWarrior82, Usagi3Hinata3Rukia3 and alchemists19 who reviewed and thanks to all who put the story on alert.
I hope you like this next installement. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Not mine (yet...)
She stopped running once she had arrived in the forest and was sure that no one had followed her.
If I'm going to be the clan leader, I have to stop being so sensitive…
Deep in her thoughts she almost didn't notice another presence right behind her until the very last minute.
"8 Trigrams: Air Palm!" using her jutsu and speed she successfully hit the intruder, probably breaking a few ribs. She waited in fighting stance for the person to reveal oneself. However she did not expect them to answer her.
"Ow, Hinata what the hell?" answered the voice she had grown to learned so well.
"Kakashi-sensei? " she asked deactivating her byuagukan.
A grunt answered her question, before he stepped out of the shadows. One of his arms was hanging limply by his side while the other was holding the ribs she had probably just broken. He was still in his jounin uniform, but they seemed to be a little torn. By looking at his appearance and condition she guessed he had just returned from a mission and had yet to go to the hospital to get checked.
"What are you doing here? " she asked bluntly.
"Well I was on my way to the hospital when I saw a young girl dart through the village crying. Now, being the gentleman that I am, I decided to follow said young girl to make sure she was okay. And what do I get as a thank you? I get Air Palmed into the ribs. Jeez, that'll teach me to be nice… "
She laughed at little at his explanation; he was true though she shouldn't have attacked without discovering who it was first…. Call it shinobi instinct.
"Gomen sensei, to make it up to you I'll accompany you to the hospital."
He gave her his famous eye crinkle and they turned around back to the village to get him fixed up. Their weird friendship had started a few months ago. She had found some Hyuga scrolls but was having a very hard time deciphering them, she had gone to Kurenai for help alas the latter was also unable to decipher them. All her hopes seemed lost until the new mother suggested that she asked help from the Copy-Nin, surely he would be able to make sense of it. With Sakura's help she was able to ask the silver haired man for help, and much to her surprise he immediately accepted. At first she was a little apprehensive to spend so much time with the renowned pervert, but as time passed she quickly understood why he was liked by many and fear by hundreds. Even though he was, by far, the most capable shinobi she had ever met, he was also one of the most down to earth, fame had not gotten to his head at all and he very often acted like a complete goof. He knew a lot about her family and taught her some things she didn't know herself and things that were supposed to be a family secret. All in all they had become friends and whenever she had a problem she would often go to him for advice.
The walk to the hospital was filled with chatter as she told him of the recent events he had missed since he was gone on his mission. Her father's passing (which they were both expecting), her sister's bratty attitude (would be fixed soon), the most recent development on Neji and Tenten's relationship (they had a bet going: when were they going to go official in public?) and so on.
They entered the hospital by the roof, Kakashi did not want medics to see him otherwise they would report it to Tsunade, and went in search of the only one who would heal him with no fuss. They didn't walk long before they came across his pink haired ex-student who seemed to be doing rounds. As soon as she spotted the two of them she came running up to Hinata and gave her one of her bone crushing hugs.
"Hinata! I heard about your father, I'm very sorry for your loss. How you holding up? "
"Thank you Sakura-chan, I'm holding up okay; I've been preparing for a month after all…"
The medic pulled away to give her friend a soft smile, however the smile slowly turned into a glare as she saw her ex-sensei.
"And what are you doing here?" She said eyeing his injuries, she knew what was coming.
"Pleasure to see you as well Sakura-chan." He answered with his ever so famous eye-crinkle.
"Quit the crap Kakashi, why didn't you go up to the front to get your injuries tended to?"
"Because I like it better when you do it Sakura-chan, you're much more gently than anyone."
She blushed at his comment before answering. "Fine get in this room so I can heal you."
She opened the door and let the pair enter before she followed them in a, seemingly, empty room. Kakashi sat on the edge of the bed while Hinata took the chair in front and without another word Sakura started healing him.
"You really have to be more careful Kakashi, you're not 20 anymore and the village can't afford to lose you." She said with a soft caring voice.
"I know that, but apparently the young princess over there likes breaking people's ribs."
Sakura stopped her work to turn towards Hinata before exclaiming: " Why would you do that Hinata? Granted sometimes he deserves it, but this time he was actually injured!"
Said young girl turned a little red as she waved her arms in front of her. "It's not my fault I swear! He snuck up on me!" she answered.
"I did not sneak up you."
"Yes you did!"
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Did too!"
"Stop it you two! You're both acting like little kids!" snapped Sakura.
"Well I'm still a kid what's your excuse Sensei?" she said somewhat smugly.
"I'm a not acting like a child." He answered with a pout, or so she thought; you could never guess with that stupid mask on.
"Yes you are!"
"No, I am not!"
"The fact that we're having this argument proves that you are!" she said exasperated, this man was just too much too handle she didn't know how Sakura did it.
He sighed: "You know the old Hinata would've never argued like that, I wonder what happened to that sweet, innocent Hinata?" he said dramatically.
"She disappeared when you tricked her into reading an Icha-Icha story you had disguised as a scroll."
"YOU DID WHAT? " yelled Sakura. "You stupid old pervert, how dare you! I told you to never show those books to others and especially not to Hinata! I should've burned those books when I had the chance! I can't believe you would do something like that. You-"
"Oi, Sakura-chan! Could you stop yelling please?" said a fourth voice.
Giving one last slap behind her ex-sensei's head she went around the bed to pull back the curtain and reveal the owner's face.
Hinata sat frozen in her seat. She didn't need Sakura to pull back the curtain she knew that voice all too well. She had dreamt of that voice countless times before; dreamt that he would one day say those words she had been yearning for all her life. Her face started to heat up as she realised he had been present during her whole banter with Kakashi. Was he awaked all this time? Oh god, what would he think of her now? That she was a pervert because she read the late sannin's work? She had to get out of there. FAST.
"I'm sorry Naruto; I forgot you were here as well. Feeling any better?" asked the medic.
"Hai, I'm ready to leave. I've been awake since this morning." He answered with a grin.
Her face still beat red she got up abruptly, making everyone in the room turn toward her with a quizzical look on their face.
"Gom-e-nasai, Na-Naruto-kun f-for waking y-you up. I-I needtoleavenow." She said all in one breath. "I-I w-will se-see y-you tomorrow Sensei?" she asked stuttering, the confident Hinata now all gone. Yes he had that kind of effect on her…
"Of course, wouldn't want to miss the celebrations!" was the older jounin's answer.
She bowed her head slightly and darted out of the room leave the three occupants slightly startled.
"Sakura-chan, would you mind leaving Naruto and me alone for a while?"
"No problem, Kakashi-sensei. You're injuries seem okay, just don't be restless and Naruto you may leave tonight as well; be careful next time not to overuse your chakra." She said eyeing both of her boys. "I'm going to go in town to buy a new kimono for the Hyuga coronation, after all you are taking me sensei."
"I am?" he said dumbfound.
"Unless you want me to report these injuries to Tsunade-sama?"
The copy-nin pondered his two options for just a second. On one side he could take Sakura to the festivities and probably end up having a good time. On the other side he could let her tell Tsunade, who would then yell at him for being reckless, put him off missions and assign him some desk work. Let's just say the choice was very easy to make.
"Then I will see you tomorrow."
She squealed like the teenager she was at the idea of getting all dressed up and pampered, before leaving the room and the two boys alone.
