Authors note:Chapter 1 is present day.
as we go forwards this story may be alternating between the past and present and so each chapter will be headed with the relevant time-frame.
*5 months ago*
Black
Red
Rage
Black
Rage
Black
Black
Black
When Hinata woke next she was in a bed.
There was a steady hum of activity around her and a hand resting delicately on her forehead.
'Oh good, you're awake Hinata-chan! I must go inform Tsunade-Sama immediately.
The nurse will be here in a second and there is a glass of water next to you if you get thirsty, okay?', Sakura's comforting voice trickled through the haze as Hinata forced her eyes open.
'H-Hai Sakura-chan,Thank you', said Hinata.
'Don't worry about it Hinata-chan. I will be back to check on you as soon as I can.', said Sakura with a smile and wave as she left the room.
Just as Hinata had gathered the strength to adjust herself into an upright position she heard strong, purposeful footsteps coming towards her door and less than 10 minutes after Sakura had left, the Hokage herself was entering Hinata's room.
'I heard you were awake. How are you feeling?', asked Tsunade acknowledging Hinata's hastily bowed head with a nod and busying herself with tubes and monitors.
Confused and a little anxious at the Hokage herself taking out the time to visit her in such an urgent manner Hinata responded with a meek, 'I am well Hokage-Sama,thank you.'
'No, girl. You are not well,'Tsunade said gruffly,'You have been out like a light for the past 8 days, driving your old teammates out of their minds with worry and your recent teammates with guilt.'
Hinata flushed and exclaimed ,'Eig-Eight days?!'
'Yes, Eight. If that dogboy came around asking me about you one more time I would've punched him out myself ', grumbled the Hokage as she settled herself in the chair next to Hinata's hospital bed.
Abruptly Tsunades demeanor changed and she leaned forward with the focused gaze that exuded her status as Leader of her village and said,'Now, Hinata listen to me very carefully.
I need to know exactly what happened.'
Hinata took a deep breath and hung her head,'Tsunade-Sama I-I'm very sorry, I can't remember anything.I have tried but-all I remember is that we were on a mission to the Land of Tea and when we stopped to rest I moved to a clearing to practice my kata. Everything after...is dark', she said reluctantly, noticing the ex Sannin's face growing more ominous as she spoke.
For a few minutes silence reigned, only broken by Tsunade's nails drumming on the side of her chair.
Hinata grew progressively more worried by the expression of stern disapproval gathering on Tsunade's brow.
But, no , it wasn't just disapproval Hinata realised, gazing at her leader pensively.
There was something else there too.
The expression...It also held anger, annoyance... and... a hint of...could it be...?
Fear?
Hinata froze, the thought chilling the blood in her veins. No. It could not be. There was nothing, nothing her Hokage feared. She was a Sannin, her strength and wisdom were legendary and she had fought foes the strongest shinobi cowered from.
The fear had to be for someone else. It must be.
Just as these thoughts were solidifying into a ball of panic in Hinata's mind, Tsunade looked up at her, gaze piercing and direct, and said,
'How do you know Sasuke Uchiha?'
