A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers and those who have put this on their alerts or favourites! You guys are awesome. Sorry for my slow updating but here's the second chapter, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter Two – Your Silence

After something dreadful like war, it was amazing how people could still get back up again and continue with life. There were those however, who were not as fortunate; many had lost their lives, many lay injured in the hospital and many were still in mourning over the loss of loved ones. The atmosphere in Konoha was hopeful, Hinata decided, as she began her walk to Konoha hospital. It had already been a week since the war ended and Hinata found her job to be rather boring. All she did on a day to day basis was make sure that Sasuke was getting the proper nutritional requirements through his drips, she tried to make sure he was comfortable even though he probably had no clue what was going on, she monitored his vital signs, she was told to write reports on his progress but so far he showed no sign of waking up. Tsunade and Shizune often came by to examine him but they always left looking confused or grim. Hinata could understand their confusion; all of Sasuke's other physical bodily injuries were healing normally but he wouldn't wake up. Hinata was assigned the morning shift and another medic-nin was responsible for the evening shift.

The other members of the Konoha 12; Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Shino, Neji, Lee and Tenten had been around to visit. Naruto and Sakura came everyday and Hinata noticed that they always came together, sometimes Kakashi, Sai and Yamato accompanied them and Sakura always brought fresh flowers everyday that she would place by Sasuke's bedside.

Hinata tried to refrain from acting like a fool when she was in Naruto's presence. "Hey Hinata! How are you today?"

"I'm f-fine and you N-Naruto-kun?"

"Great!" he replied, with a sparkle in his beautiful blue eyes, but it didn't last long as it was replaced by sadness for his best friend who was still in a coma.

Hinata bowed her head and stood aside as Naruto and Sakura proceeded to talk to Sasuke, they did this everyday because Sakura had read in a book that a person could be coaxed out of a coma if you spoke to them or played them music. Hinata also noticed that Sakura no longer got teary eyed at the sight of Sasuke, she firmly believed that he would wake up soon.

Hinata also prayed for this, she could not bear to see the most gifted ninja in their year lie defeated like this, she also didn't want to see the sadness in Naruto's eyes because she still cared for him deeply. How she wished for him to acknowledge her confession that she made during the invasion of Pein, but he had never said a word to her about it. Hinata thought it was because he was stressed about finding Sasuke so she didn't worry about it but now that the war was over Hinata began to grow anxious. Why wasn't he saying anything to her? Did he even remember? Did he care at all? He was still friendly towards her, in fact, nothing seemed to have changed between them, there was no weirdness and Hinata was slightly grateful for that. "Hinata?"

"Y-yes, Naruto-kun?"

"When Sakura-chan and I aren't here, could you please keep Sasuke company and talk to him for us?" Naruto asked. Hinata stared at him, then smiled shyly and nodded. There was no way she could ever say no to his smiling face. "Thanks Hinata, you're the best!" Naruto said, causing Hinata to blush crimson red like she always did when he would compliment her.

"Hinata-chan, Tsunade-sama said that I could replace the other medic-nin, but would you mind if I took the day shift?" Sakura asked.

"Sure Sakura-san," Hinata said softly, she really didn't mind because Sakura and Naruto were here every day during most of the day anyway and she often felt like she was intruding so the evening would be perfect for her. "Great! Wanna go get some ramen Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked. Sakura nodded, "Bye Hinata-chan, I will see you tomorrow."

"Bye Hinata!" Naruto said.

"S-see you, Sakura-san, N-Naruto-kun."

As they left the room, Naruto took Sakura's hand in his.

Tears pooled up in Hinata's eyes and she sobbed quietly, she had been so hopeful that Naruto was just waiting for the right moment to bring up her confession and possibly return her feelings, but now that was never going to happen. Hinata dried her eyes quickly just in case any of the hospital staff came in, she didn't want to be seen in such a vulnerable state. She was relieved when the other medic-nin came in for her shift. She could go home and cry herself to sleep and maybe tomorrow would be a better day.

-X-

Hinata arrived at the hospital for her evening shift, she dreaded going there because she would have to see Sakura and possibly Naruto. But when she got there, Sakura was pulling off the white hospital uniform and she was alone which made Hinata feel somewhat relieved.

"Hey Hinata-chan!"

"Evening S-Sakura-san," Hinata stuttered, "How is S-Sasuke-kun doing today?"

"He is still the same," Sakura replied sadly, "But we shouldn't give up on him, he will wake up!"

Hinata smiled, she could see what Naruto loved about Sakura; she was full of spunk, she was strong, determined, brave and she was beautiful. Hinata wanted to ask Sakura whether she and Naruto were dating but the words died in her throat as Sakura shouted a goodbye and dashed out of the room. Hinata figured that she was probably rushing off to meet Naruto and it left her with a hollow feeling.

She needed desperately to talk to someone, but Kiba wasn't here and he had been right about Naruto. She glanced at the hospital bed that was occupied by Sasuke. His handsome face was pale and peaceful and he lay still underneath the white covers. "I thought Sakura-san loved you?" Hinata whispered as she sat down on the chair beside his bed. There was no way that Naruto and Sakura were just friends and teammates anymore, usually if Naruto had asked Sakura out or tried to hold her hand, she would punch him, but Hinata saw that yesterday, Sakura didn't do that. Instead, they had walked off happily leaving Hinata with a pool of tears in her eyes. "You're probably the one who she ended up loving as a friend, does that make you sad?"

Of course there was no response from Sasuke. Hinata sighed with a heavy heart. "I promised Naruto-kun and Sakura-san that I would talk to you and keep you company...but we have never ever spoken to each other...until now...and you're not even conscious. Or maybe you can somehow hear me," Hinata rambled on as she found that it was easy to talk to a person like this. Sure, he wouldn't reply, but it was nice getting it all out. "I don't know what to do Sasuke-kun, Kiba-kun was right...and now I-I don't know how to deal with this. I want to be happy that Naruto-kun and Sakura-san are happy but I feel hurt," Hinata said, wiping her fresh tears on her sleeve. Anger was boiling up within her and she needed to vent but there was no tree nearby that she could punch until her fists bled. "He c-could have said, Hinata I don't like you!" she said, still in a whisper, "He ignored it. He must have thought I'm so s-silly and stupid!" Hinata no longer had control over her tears as they flowed freely, she put her head down on the side of the mattress. "Did you also ignore Sakura-san's advances? Is that why she ch-chose Naruto-kun instead?" Hinata looked up at Sasuke, through blurry tear-filled eyes he was still unresponsive. "I still can't h-hate them. How do you hate, S-Sasuke-kun? Why can't I feel hatred after something that I've wanted and loved for so long has b-been taken away from me?"

A/N: Gloomy chapter again...Hope it wasn't too boring, it's just that all of this is going to lead up to the story and I don't want to make everything happen too fast.

Please review if you're enjoying this, or if you have any ideas or words of advice