Chapter III
Apprehension
Hinata sat on a chair, dutifully watching over her still sleeping cousin. His slow breathing soothed her, and she felt tears of joy welling on her eyes.
Neji was alive.
After the final battle was over, she immediately made her way to the medical tents and demanded to see her cousin. She was directed to a tent further away from the others. As soon as she saw him there, sleeping on a cot, she rushed to his side, and cried herself to sleep while holding his hand.
She was woken up the next day by a medic who was performing a morning monitoring of Neji's vitals. He was being kept in a coma, he explained, and given fluids and plasma to counter the blood loss. Somehow, there was no internal scarring, yet he would bear scars on his skin. He would remain in a coma for at least two days to ensure all is well.
His survival was a miracle, the medic said before leaving.
She resumed her vigil, and took the time to examine him thoroughly. He was paler than usual, but that was due to the blood loss. His arms were littered with scars, some fresh, no doubt from the last battle. His black hair spread around his head in messily chopped locks, barely reaching his shoulders, and would need to be fixed one he woke up.
After a couple of uneventful hours, she went to get herself something to eat in the rations department. She was prepared to take the food with her to her cousin's tent when she saw her friends waving at her.
-Hinata! Come eat with us!- Sakura called as she waved at her. Sighing, she made her way to the table. Her cousin wasn't going to wake up anytime soon anyways.
She carefully set her tray down and sat next to Sakura, and greeted Tenten, Naruto, Ino, and Chouji.
-I'm so glad you're okay, Hinata!- Sakura said while giving her a massive hug.
Hinata smiled and hugged her back -I'm glad to see you're safe too, Sakura-chan-
-Hey! Don't forget about us- Kiba said from a corner, and Akamaru barked in agreement.
-I would never do that, Kiba-kun, Akamaru-kun!- she said -I'm glad to see you. Where's Shino-kun?- she asked
-He's in one of the infirmary tents, recovering from chakra exhaustion- Kiba explained -I'll visit him later, you coming?- he asked her.
-Of course- she said before starting her meal. She ate quietly, listening to the bickering in the table and the loud sounds of Chouji eating unbelievable amounts of food. She could also feel Naruto's staring at her from across the table, and she was surprised when she noticed she didn't feel any of her usual embarrassment or shyness.
Judging from the looks he kept sending her, he wanted to talk to her. In a way, she already knew what he wanted to talk about.
Unfortunately, she had no recollection of the technique she used to save her cousin, all she remembered was being in a haze. Also, how could she explain that she had already seen her cousin die once? Or that she had memories of two years into the future? She could lie to him, but that would be close to impossible, there was no explaining that black chakra and also, she was a very bad liar. On the other hand, she could be as honest as possible with him and see what happened.
Hinata took a deep breath and shoved more food into her mouth, trying to steel her nerves and organize her mind.
-Do you need something, Naruto-kun?- she finally asked
The blonde looked at her quizzically -Say, Hinata, what was that jutsu you used on Neji?-
Hinata froze and desperately racked her brain for a plausible story.
-Um… I have been studying advanced healing jutsus for a while, doing research for a jutsu I wanted to develop…- that wasn't entirely a lie -It just never worked before, and I doubt I can make it work ever again-
-Huh? How come?- Naruto asked before shoving more food into his mouth as best as he could with his one hand.
Hinata thought about the lessons Kurenai had given her on lying effectively. The best lies always have some kernel of truth in them, she had said -I can't remember what I did, for some reason my memories of those moments are incredibly hazy…- she trailed off.
-What? Why?-
-A side effect, probably- Sakura interjected and Ino nodded her agreement besides her.
-Aww, man, that sucks!- Naruto somehow managed to sound comprehensible despite talking with his mouth full, which was a feat in her eyes. -It was such an awesome jutsu too! It saved your cousin from… Oww! Sakura-chan, what was that for?- he whined and rubbed the new bump on his head, courtesy of Sakura's punch.
-Don't talk with your mouth full, it's disgusting, you idiot!- Sakura yelled at him, waving her fist in front of him.
-Sakura-chan- the blonde said dejectedly.
Hinata couldn't help but giggle a bit at their antics as she finished her food. She stood up to leave, tray in hand, before anyone else asked her more questions about the mysterious jutsu she used. She quickly said bye to her friends, and told Kiba she would join him soon at Shino's tent.
Hinata exhaled loudly once she was sure she was alone. That went better than expected. She quickly checked up on Neji and then decided to go for a walk.
She couldn't believe it had actually worked. At first, she had believed her encounter with Death to be only a dream, but when she woke up on the battlefield, and saw her cousin protect her and Naruto all over again, she began to think it was all real. By the time she woke up on a chair in her cousin's tent and saw him unconscious but alive, she was sure it had all happened.
Hinata kept on walking aimlessly for a while before heading to Shino's tent, and bumped into Kiba in the way, Akamaru loyally next to him. After a quick greeting to her teammate and a fond scratch behind Akamaru's ears they made their way to visit their teammate.
Kiba led the way, boasting about his abilities and kicking ass in the battle, Hinata nodding here and there, listening intently to her friend. Shino was being kept in one of the largest infirmary tents, where at least twenty other shinobi lay recovering from their wounds.
Despite the heavy losses, the ambiance was overall joyful. The war was over and they were victorious, survivors, heroes.
At last, peaceful times would come.
They walked to the furthest corner of the tent, where Shino lay in his cot.
Her teammate was as silent and stoic as ever, but through the years she had learned to read his moods, and being a Hyuuga also made her even more perceptive of his tells. A raised eyebrow every time Kiba said something ridiculous, the little tick in his left eye whenever someone mentioned the words 'pesticide' or 'insecticide'. Right now, his relaxed shoulders told her of the immense relief he felt that the war was over.
Shino greeted his teammates with a curt nod, and Hinata gave him a hug which, to her surprise and delight, he returned with one arm.
-It's good to see you, Hinata- he said
Hinata smiled at him and Kiba huffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
-Hey! Where's my hug?- he protested.
Hinata giggled, and she heard Shino utter something about jealousy in a low voice. She was sure Kiba heard him, and gave him a hug before he had any chance to rise to Shino's provocation.
The three conversed jovially, well, more like Kiba dominated the conversation, with Hinata adding her two cents here and there, and Shino watched the two interact, adding a few words here and there.
Soon, the conversation died down, and Kiba left with Akamaru not soon after, claiming he had to go see his sister.
Hinata and Shino sat in companionable silence, both knowing that words were unnecessary at the moment.
-I am pleased to know your cousin survived- Shino said, breaking the silence.
Hinata looked at him and smiled -So am I, Shino-kun.- she replied -For a moment, I thought he wouldn't make it.- she said almost in a whisper.
-He is alive and that is what matters.- Shino replied -He is a strong man.- he added.
Hinata smiled warmly -Thank you, Shino-kun.- she said.
She remained a while longer before bidding her friend goodbye and heading back to her cousin's tent.
When she walked in, she saw Lee and Tenten sitting there, chatting.
-Hinata-san!- Lee greeted her -You look as youthful as ever!-
-Hello, Lee-san, Tenten-san-
-How many times do I have to tell you to drop the honorific, Hinata?- Tenten said with a smile.
-I'm sorry, Tenten-sa… Tenten- Hinata corrected herself quickly.
-See? That wasn't so hard-Tenten replied as she motioned for Hinata to sit on the empty chair next to her.
-Say, Hinata-san, what have the medics told you about Neji's condition?- Lee asked.
-They are keeping him in a coma for at least two more days, Lee-san- she explained -He lost a lot of blood because of his wounds and the medics want to make sure all is okay before pulling him out of the coma-
-I see…- Lee replied -Well, he is my youthful teammate and rival!- he said giving both Tenten and Hinata a thumbs up, which made the Hyuuga giggle. Tenten just sighed, already used to her Lee's overly passionate behavior.
-I'm so glad you managed to save him, Hinata- Tenten said with a small smile -I don't know what we would've done if he didn't make it-
-Do not think such unyouthful thoughts, Tenten!- Lee scolded her -We are alive, and so is he- he added as he put a hand on her shoulder.
Tenten gave him a smile and put a hand on top of his -Thanks, Lee-
Lee gave her yet another thumbs up and a wide smile.
-We should go now, Lee- Tenten said after a while -We should inform Gai-sensei of Neji's condition- she looked at Hinata -Thanks for looking after him, Hinata. See you later!- she waved at her as she ushered Lee towards the exit.
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful. Her father paid Neji a short visit and asked Hinata an update on his status. She quickly filled him in and could see his stern face relax in relief, and he demanded to be kept up to date on Neji's recovery. After her father left, she took care of cleaning her gear and polishing and sharpening her tools, quietly humming to herself.
The next morning she awoke to her cousin's steady breathing, and she realized she had passed out on the chair.
She stretched her sore back and headed to her own tent for the first time in days. She felt she was in need of a good cleanup. She grabbed a change of clothes and some essentials before following a group of kunoichi to a nearby river. She went through her morning routine with practiced ease and then went to grab herself something to eat.
When she returned to Neji's tent, she found the medics performing their morning monitoring, and they told her he was healthy enough to be pulled out of the coma the next day.
Smiling, she left the tent, intending to find her father and inform him of the medic's decision. Her father's tent was just at the end of the Second Division's designed area, and she found it with ease, since it was the biggest tent of all. Perks of being the head of the Hyuuga clan, she thought.
She found him alone, sitting in front of a desk, immersed in paperwork. She didn't envy him. As she expected, the man looked up as soon as she walked into the tent.
-Father- she greeted him with a quick bow -The medics have agreed to pull Neji-niisan out of his coma tomorrow morning- she said
-I see. That is good to know- he paused -How are you doing? Any injuries?- he asked.
-I am doing well, Father,- she replied -as for injuries, I just had a couple of lacerations and bruises. Nothing I couldn't heal myself-
-Good.- he replied -We are almost finished with the relief effort. We should be able to return to the compound within the week.-
Hinata nodded -Neji-niisan should be up and walking by then-
Hiashi nodded and looked back into the stack of papers, effectively dismissing his daughter. Already used to her father's curt demeanor, she bowed and left.
She spent the rest of the morning training in a secluded area, and then went to have lunch at the rations department. Most of her friends were there, as she expected, and she sat down to eat with them, and gave them an update on Neji's status.
Conversations flowed easily on the table, and Hinata readily participated, much to her friend's surprise. They couldn't help but notice a slight change in her behavior but it seemed for the better, so no one made a mention of it.
She later went for a stroll with Kiba and Akamaru, the latter constantly demanded her attention, much to Kiba's annoyance and Hinata's delight. They found Shino, who had been discharged that morning, and the team agreed on a sparring session that lasted well into the evening.
Exhausted, she went to the river to wash off the sweat and dirt, and then passed out on her tent, eager for the next day to come.