Chapter One

The Aftermath…. Awakening to those who care.

A young, pale-eyed girl sat by the unconscious blond's bed as she watched his breathing. To the girl who watched him, his body seemed to be restless instead of sleeping peacefully.

"Naruto-kun… I hope you're going to be alright," the shy Hyuuga girl said as she watched him.

The girl's alone time with the sleeping Naruto soon ended as the door to his room opened and a pink haired Kunoichi entered the room.

"What… Hinata-san? I'm surprised to see you here," the girl said as she noticed the Hyuuga girl's presence.

"S-Sakura-san, I-I was just…" Hinata started to stutter in response to Sakura.

"Don't worry about it, Hinata-san. I was just a little surprised, that's all," Sakura interrupted.

"I-I was visiting Kiba-kun, and Neji-nii-san earlier, and I was really worried so I came to check on Naruto-kun," Hinata finally managed to spit out. "B-But what are you doing here. Sakura-san?" Hinata curiously asked the pink haired girl.

"I was also worried about Naruto. Actually… I was scared… I don't know what I'd do if I had lost Naruto too. Sasuke-kun left me… and if Naruto had died, I'd have never forgiven myself for begging him to get Sasuke-kun back. I was scared and afraid… afraid of being all alone," Sakura sadly replied.

"Oh, I see…" Hinata managed to say as silence seemed to fill the room. Both girls stared at Naruto for a while; it was Sakura who broke the silence by placing a vase down on the dresser near Naruto's bed.

"You know, I was actually angry at Naruto at first," Sakura said, getting the Hyuuga girl's attention.

"W-What do you mean, Sakura-san?" Hinata asked looking confused.

"Can you believe I actually wanted to blame Naruto for not bringing Sasuke-kun back? I actually thought it was his fault at first. When I saw everyone come back, and then I finally saw Kakashi-sensei carrying Naruto… I was still in denial. Then I saw Naruto holding something… it was Sasuke-kun's head protector. That was when I knew and realized… that Sasuke-kun wasn't coming back. I started to cry shortly after that. I didn't cry though just because I had lost Sasuke-kun. I was also crying because of what a horrible person I am," Sakura said as tears began to fall from her face.

"Sakura-san…" Hinata said looking on and listening intently to the girl.

"I realized how horrible I was. I actually wanted to blame Naruto. I wanted to blame him for breaking his promise to me. I mean his way of the ninja is to never take back his words, right? I cursed at myself. H-How could I blame Naruto? I know he tried his hardest, I knew he'd never purposely do anything to hurt me, yet all I could think about was Sasuke-kun not returning. I didn't even think about how much Naruto had to be hurting as well. He lost his friend too. He failed to bring back someone who was important to him as well," Sakura finished as tears continued to stream down her face.

"Sakura-san, you really shouldn't cry. Naruto-kun… I'm sure he knows you would never hold anything against him. I doubt he would ever think badly of you. Because you're important to him," Hinata told the girl.

"Hinata-san… you… You really like Naruto don't you?" Sakura asked. Her words instantly caused Hinata to turn a bright crimson.

"I-I…" Hinata began to stutter. She found herself unable to speak.

"It's okay, Hinata-san. It's kind of funny; I know you've been watching him for a while now. When I'd see that, I would always think things like 'What does she see in Naruto?' Or 'How could anyone like that idiot?' But I think I understand it now. He tries so hard to be noticed and he never gives up. Naruto truly is amazing," Sakura said.

"Yes, he truly is. When I see him, I suddenly feel like I can change myself. H-He gives me strength. I-I wish that I could be as strong as he is," Hinata said as the two girls' eyes return to the sleeping Naruto.

"Have you ever thought about telling Naruto how you feel? If anyone would understand, it's him. But you'll have to be the one to tell him. I mean you know how dense he is. He's so dense it's cute sometimes," the pink haired girl said, turning toward Hinata.

"I-I want to. I want the courage to tell Naruto-kun how I feel, even if he didn't accept me. Even then I just want to gather the courage to tell him how I feel. If I can do that, then I believe I can truly change myself," Hinata replied to the girl.

"You know Naruto isn't the only really amazing person in the room. You're amazing too, Hinata. Unlike me, you really know what you want deep down. I'm sure he'd accept you. Do your best, okay? I've got to be going now," Sakura said as she began to head toward the door.

"Thank you, Sakura-san," Hinata said as the door closed, leaving her once again alone with the blonde genin. She turned to face him once again. "Please wake up soon, Naruto-kun. I draw my strength from you."

As the girl continued to watch over him, deep in the young boy's mind, he found himself awakening in a familiar dark place as a cage appeared before him.

"Hey brat! Get up!" The menacing Nine-Tailed Fox demanded.

"Huh? What the hell do you want, Stupid Fox!" Naruto replied.

"You failed to defeat your opponent even after I gave you my power. Why!" The demon asked the boy.

"I'm not like you, I don't fight to kill." Naruto told the towering demon.

"But you lost the fight and almost got us both killed!" The demon replied to Naruto.

"I knew what I was doing… S-Sasuke, he could have killed me, but he didn't. I-I think, I may have gotten through to him somewhat." Naruto tried to reason with the fox demon.

"But you still lost! He didn't return to Konoha! He left you for dead!" Kyuubi replied.

"I-I just couldn't kill him. He's my best friend." Naruto said to the demon.

"You're pathetic! You just went and gave your village another reason to hate you! You've lost their precious Uchiha, and they'll curse you for it!" The Kyuubi shouted.

"I-I… S-Sakura-chan, Fuzzy brow… I promised… B-But, I failed them… I failed them all, everyone… I can't face them every again, can I?" Naruto said as tears started to form in his eyes.

"Enough! Don't start crying brat! Now you must face your mistakes and grow stronger!" Kyuubi said to the boy.

"My way of the ninja… To never take back my words… I-I… It's been broken…" Naruto replied still with a depressed voice.

"Don't start with this nonsense brat!" Kyuubi demanded.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Naruto asked looking confused.

"All that this means is that you must make a new way for yourself!" The demon replied.

"Like how?" Naruto asked still looking bewildered.

"Must I do everything for you brat? Very well… to never break your promises again, and to never take back your words. That is your way! How does that sound kid?" The Kyuubi said to the boy.

"K-Kyuubi, you're a genius. I really like that," Naruto replied seemingly out of his depressed state.

"Naturally brat, I am one of the most powerful demons to have ever existed! Of course I'm not a fool like you!" The demon replied with a smug look on his face.

"Why are helping me anyway?" Naruto asked the demon.

"I suppose… it's something to do. Now it's time for you to go back, I can hear someone calling you," The demon told the boy.

"What? I can't hear anything," Naruto said looking confused again.

"That's because you won't shut up! Now quiet and listen!" The fox told the boy get him to concentrate instead of talk.

Sure enough as Naruto focused, he could hear someone calling him. The voice was female. She sounded very shy and unsure of herself.

"N-Naruto-kun, please wake up. Please return to your friends, and please… return to me," the voice said.

"W-Who is that? It sounds familiar," Naruto pondered as he tried to figure out whose voice it was that was speaking to him.

"Naruto-kun… Sakura-san, Shikamaru-san, Jiraiya-sama, and Godaime Hokage-sama have all been in to check on you. Not just them, Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei… even that nice man from the ramen shop has been by to see you. So many people want you back… and so do I… N-Naruto-kun, y-you give me the strength and the courage to continue trying to change myself. Your strength was even enough to change Neji-nii-san. So please…" The voice trailed off as it seemed like the voice was beginning to cry.

"Neji-nii-san? Who calls him that? I-Is that Hinata? Hinata's there by my side? Why? Why would she be there?" Naruto questioned, looking rather puzzled.

"You really are an idiot, aren't you boy? It's obvious that the human girl likes you! Are you that much of a moron that you can't see her feelings?" The Kyuubi asked.

"Shut up!" Naruto replied.

"It is time for you to go back to them! The land of the living awaits you!" Kyuubi told the boy.

"Okay, I think I'm ready now," Naruto said to the demon.

With that being said, Naruto's unconscious form began to awaken.

"W-Was that all just a dream? Am I really back?" Naruto asked no one in particular as he began to open his eyes.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata exclaimed in shock at the blond. "You're awake. I-I've got to get Godaime-sama," she said as she stumbled as she tried to leave the room.

"H-Hinata, please wait…" Naruto managed to say, stopping the Hyuuga girl in her tracks.

"W-What is it Naruto-kun?" Hinata turned to him and asked.

"Thank you, for what you said… I always knew you were a really good person, I just never realized just how great of a person you truly are," Naruto managed to say, causing the shy Hyuuga to blush.

"W-What are you talking about, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.

"I-I could hear what you were saying… and that was the reason I'm awake now. So thank you," Naruto said.

"S-Sure, but I-I must go inform the Hokage-sama that you've awaken… S-She wanted to know as soon as you were awake. P-Please excuse me," Hinata said as she raced out the room. Her face was still burning a bright red.

"Wow… she's really cute when she blushes. I-I can't believe I didn't notice her before," Naruto said as he waited for the Hyuuga girl to return.

Several minutes passed and Hinata finally returned with Tsunade and Jiraiya following behind her.

"Hey, Naruto, you're finally awake, huh?" the Gama-sennin said to his pupil.

"Ah! Ero-sennin! What are you doing here?" Naruto rudely asked his sensei

Jiraiya sighed deeply. "Naruto, is that really the first thing you could think to say to me? Calling me Ero-sennin?" Jiraiya asked in a depressed voice.

"Yeah, it sure is Ero-sennin! I…" Naruto began but was cut off as Tsunade suddenly embraced him.

"You had me worried sick!" Tsunade managed to say as tears lightly fell from her face.

"Tsunade-obachan? I…" Naruto started but was interrupted again, this time by Tsunade's fist hitting the top of his head.

"Baka!" Tsunade yelled.

"Ouch, what the hell! I'm injured here!" Naruto yelled back.

"You mustn't be all that hurt if you can call me an old lady," Tsunade said with a snarl. "Anyway, it seems that you're fine now. Your wounds have healed, and your chakra level has returned to normal," Tsunade added.

"Tsunade-obachan, I… I'm sorry… I failed…" Naruto said as his cheerful mood turned dark and a sad expression spread across his face.

"Naruto, you did your best. Sasuke, he has chosen his path. He's gone now. Naruto, when you're ready you may leave the hospital. Take a day or two off to fully recover. We'll go from there. I've got a lot of things that I must take care of. Jiraiya, some of which involves you, so please come back with me to my office," Tsunade said, turning to face her former teammate.

"Yeah, I'm coming, Tsunade," Jiraiya nodded and then turned to Naruto. "Hehe, I'll leave you with your girlfriend then. See you later, Naruto," Jiraiya and Tsunade left as Naruto began to yell.

"Baka! Ero-sennin!" Naruto yelled, while Hinata just stood there, her face turning so red that Naruto could swear she resembled a ripe tomato.

"Hinata, don't listen to Ero-sennin. Anyway, I hate hospitals. Hmm… I'm also really hungry! I'm going to go get some ramen, want to come with me?" Naruto asked as he got up out of bed.

"I-I'm sorry, Naruto-kun, I can't today. Father wants me home soon," Hinata sadly replied.

"Oh well, how about tomorrow, we can go on a date," Naruto asked almost without thinking, making Hinata blush yet again.

"W-What! A date?" Hinata exclaimed in shock.

"Um… Yes, if that's alright with you…" Naruto trailed off, waiting for Hinata's reply.

"S-Sure, I'd really l-love… I mean I'd really like that," Hinata said, blushing as Naruto began to leave.

"Well then see you, I'm going to go find Iruka-sensei and get him to treat me," Naruto said, racing out the door.

"N-Naruto-kun and I… on a date… T-This has to be a dream," the Hyuuga girl said still standing in shock. "Oh no, I must hurry home, father will be angry," Hinata said as she finally snapped out of her trance.