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Well, dudes, that's the authors note. Enjoy the third chapter, and hang loose.

Rain.

It rushed down from the foreboding clouds above, in torrents, clusters, spattering against the dirt and hard pave like blue blood. The wind that accompanied it played a pleasant tune, however, as if it didn't know that its music was clashing with the brutal storm.

Sakura wondered if the storm was Kami's way of mourning Naruto's injury. Though the rain soaked through her clothes and her hair, she didn't shiver; instead she maintained her steady pace, observing the civilians who were so desperately trying to receive cover from the tempest.

The girl honestly didn't mind the rain that much. A small part of her was annoyed that the elements just had to launch their barrage on the Leaf village when it was time for her to take her break, however she ignored it. In all honesty, she was more upset about the break than the rain.

It had been a week after the boy's first awakening, and Sakura had barely left his side since then. The hospital had all but thrown her out, insisting that she was spending too much time with the blond boy; when she had protested, the owners of the medical institution had used their trump card: the boy needed time and space to himself to ensure a proper recovery.

How dare they! The more she thought about it, the hotter the rage in her stomach got. She was Naruto's nurse, for all things! She needed to be with him, especially during this time. Even if…

Even if he technically didn't remember her.

Salty tears mixed with the rain that was flowing down her face, and she was crying before she could stop herself. How could this happen? The temporal lobes were among the hardest parts of the brain to damage! Guilt slowly took over the rage's place. If only she had been there…she could've stopped it sooner…

"…S-Sakura-san?"

The pink haired girl started as a small hand gently touched her shoulder, but soon relaxed when she saw who it was.

"Hello, Hinata-san." Sakura attempted to mask her unease. She failed.

Hinata was blushing profoundly, the light blue of the rain clashing against the bright red of her face. Her gaze averted, she asked, "How is he?"

Sakura remained quiet, instead gesturing to a shaded portion below a tree that offered minor protection from the rain. After sitting, she asked a question of her own, "I assume you've heard the news?"

"Y-yes…He has a memory issue?"

Sakura nodded gravely, fighting the tears that threatened to boil over. "I wouldn't call it permanent," She reassured, "He had some minor reactions to quite a few phrases from his past." Hinata took the information quite well, sitting and twiddling with her fingers quietly. Eventually, her soft gaze rose back to Sakura. "Can…can I visit him, maybe?"

Blinking absently, Sakura sighed. She had known the question would come eventually. Fidgeting uncomfortably under Hinata's hopeful stare, she began, "Well, we don't usually allow patients to receive visitors when they're just recovering…"

Hinata's heart sank, and she averted her gaze once more.

"But, I think I can get you in there. As long as you promise to stay quiet."

Perking up once more, the girl nodded rapidly. Staying quiet was her specialty.

The two girls headed back to the hospital in silence; the rain was slowly but surely subsiding, leaving its wet remnants with the earth. Still, the clouds refused to show the sun again, casting a dark shadow over the village.

It always amazed Hinata how small the hospital was, but how many patients it held. Merely five stories tall, it held hundreds of shinobi, injured and visiting both.

Once they reached the hallway that Naruto's room was in, Sakura stopped abruptly. "Now, Hinata," She warned, wagging a finger, "I can't promise what you're going to see. As I said, he's not fully recovered yet. He might not even be awake." Hinata nodded once more. It didn't matter what state he was in; she just needed to see her crush.

He was awake, in fact. Sitting up for one of the first times, his blond hair in a mess. Noticing the bucket to his side that was full of vomit, Sakura grimaced as she realized had he probably regurgitated his breakfast and lunch. Holding the bucket with a look of contempt on her face, she said to Hinata, "I'll be back. Remember, don't make too much noise." With that, she left.

Hinata, however, didn't mind in the slightest. Her attention was completely and utterly honed on Naruto, as his was to her; the boy loved re-meeting people. Blushing profoundly, the girl took a hesitant step forward, and, her face extremely red, patted Naruto's hand awkwardly.

Much to Hinata's amazement, Naruto smiled weakly. "You're pretty," He croaked to Hinata, causing a gasp to escape her lips. Having gotten over her sudden shock, Hinata asked, "N-Naruto-kun…Do you...remember me?"

And there it was again. The same blank look that the boy wore when anybody asked him that question. Tears rose to Hinata's eyes. "Do you?"

No answer from Naruto. He sat back in his bed and sighed. After a while, he answered, "…No."

Bursting into sobs, Hinata ran from the room, with Naruto's bewildered look drilling into her back.

She didn't know how many turns she took, but she eventually ended up in the women's bathroom. Rushing into a stall, she sat on the toilet seat and let the tears fall freely. How could he not remember her? She didn't know the memory problem was that bad!

Thirty minutes passed, and the girl was all cried out. Wiping away the dry tears from her face, she placed a hand on her stomach and took a deep breath in front of the mirror; she looked horrible. Eyes were red and puffy, lips were dry, mouth in a frown.

After washing her face, she finally worked up enough confidence to return to Naruto's room. The boy eyed her with the same bewildered look he had when she left. Sitting in the chair next to his bed, Hinata attempted a warm smile. "Hello, Naruto-kun," She began, "M-my name is Hinata-san."

Naruto blinked. "Hinata-saaan?" He drawled, his eyes slanted. Hinata nodded, her smile growing warmer. "Y-yes. And you are Naruto-kun." Naruto's eyes widened, and he twitched violently. Hinata stumbled backwards in alarm, as the boy's eyes rolled up and down, up and down. Finally, he calmed. "Uzumaki Naruto," He muttered under his breath.

Hinata felt like dancing. "Yes! Yes, Naruto-kun!" Naruto recoiled at Hinata's sudden outburst, but he smiled too. "Yes!" He exclaimed.

He wiggled down into his bed, however. "Uzumaki Naruto is tired now," he announced, his eyes already closing. Hinata glanced out the window; it was midday. Yes, he should take a nap now.

Much to her surprise, Hinata did something she had never done before: she flung her arms around Naruto and gave him a quick embrace. Her face morphing bright red instantaneously, she quickly hurried backwards, hurt by Naruto's disgusted look. He soon smiled, though. "Th…Thank you, Hinata-san," He managed, before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Hinata smiled faintly, and sat beside the boy's bed, staring out the window.

Outside, the dark clouds faded away, revealing a brighter-then-ever sun.

Alright, guys; so how was that chapter? This chapter was a little bit lighter then the last two. It was my first attempt at 'fluff', or something like that; how do you think I did? Please make sure to leave a review! Thanks for reading, guys and gals!

I think the next chapter may be up on Thursday.