Akira sighed as he opened his eyes some time later. "I'm hungry," he announced. "How long was I out for?"
Katsura laughed. "It's been nearly a day and a half. You were very reckless, having Lady Hinata force open two gates and then using up so much chakra. And you were very lucky. There will be no lasting damage from your exertions."

Akira smiled. "Is that so… I'm glad, then. I'm sure Hinata would have been very upset if I'd crippled myself trying to protect her."

"I certainly would have, you dummy!" Akira smiled as Hinata walked up to his bedside. "You really had us worried, you know!"

Akira grinned impishly. "Hey, I told you not to worry, didn't I? And you're safe- that's the important thing."

Hinata sat down next to Akira as he sat stiffly up in his bed. "You're safe too. And that is important as well." She blushed. "Um…"

Katsura laughed again and stood up. "All right, I can tell when I'm not wanted around. I'll go make some ramen or something."

Akira made a face. "Don't you mean you'll go make Mom cook it? If you made something for me to eat, I'd be in more trouble than I was against that Lancer."

Katsura scowled at him, eyes twinkling. "Yeah, yeah, everybody's a critic. Fine, I'll get your mother to make some takoyaki, okay?"

Akira smiled. "As long as you don't make them." Katsura laughed and closed the door behind him. Akira chuckled. "Fathers and cooking, why don't they ever mix?"

Hinata laughed. "Well, what would be left for us girls to do if boys could cook as well as… whatever it is they do around the house?"

Akira shrugged. "Seeing as I have no idea just what we do around the house, point taken. Now then…" He turned to her, smiling. "What did you want to say?"

Hinata blushed again. "Well… um…it's about you… and me."

Akira smiled sadly. "And Naruto as well, right?"

Hinata nodded. "Well… I'm sorry, Akira, but…"

Akira shook his head, that same smile on his face. "But it's Naruto you like, and I'm just a friend. Right? I told you before, don't worry about it. As long as you're happy, I'm fine."

Hinata looked straight into his eyes, a strange look in hers. "You say that, but… how can you? You say you… you love me, the way I do Naruto, and then you say that it doesn't matter if you're just a friend to me? Don't try to lie. Even without these eyes, I can see the pain in yours."

Akira flinched back. "This… this is a side of you I've never seen before, Hinata. But what do you want me to say? That I'm consumed by jealousy whenever I see you look at Naruto that way, and that I want to challenge him to a death-match over your love? You know better than that."

Hinata shook her head. "I do. But I also know better than to think that you can just let me go like this."

Akira sighed. "You have read me well, Hinata. Of course, it pains me that you chose Naruto over me. But it was your choice to make, and I have to live with it. I can't let myself hurt you by trying to keep you selfishly to myself. That wouldn't make either of us happy. All I ask is that you remember me, and that I will always love you. Do that, and I will be able to 'let you go', as you put it."

Hinata stared. "That's it? I chose Naruto over you, so you give up?"

Akira sighed. "Nothing I can say or do could ever stop you from loving him, or make you love me. That much is clear to me. What else can I do? Above all else, I treasure your happiness. And to keep pursuing you would only hurt you. That is why."

Hinata still looked into his eyes. "Eyes of a stormy grey," she mused. "The color by itself is kind of sad. But the sadness in your eyes comes from something else." She gently put one arm around his shoulder, and turned to look out the window. "Look, Akira. The sun is setting. We've already watched the dawn together, so we should see the sun leave together."

Akira blushed a deep crimson at Hinata's touch, and turned to look as the sun began to set. Just as it sets on any chance I had with her, he thought. A tear began in the corner of one grey eye. He moved to wipe it away, but Hinata had already seen it. She smiled sadly at Akira. "It's all right," she said. "I know it hurts."

Akira sobbed as Hinata drew him close, rubbing his back gently. "I just… I'm sorry, Hinata. I should… I should be stronger than this…"

Hinata hugged him tightly to her. "Nobody is that strong, Akira. That's what had me worried before. All that talk about letting me go… I was worried for a moment that you didn't really love me. But these tears are proof enough."

Akira began to laugh softly through his tears. "And to think I wanted to be the one who would always comfort you. It seems the tables have turned in that respect." He sat up slowly. "Thank you, Hinata."

Hinata smiled, and then threw her arms around him. "No, thank you, Akira, for everything. You're a good friend."

Akira was paralyzed with shock for a moment, blushing redder than the sun outside. Then, he smiled peacefully and gently returned the embrace. "And even if that's all I'll ever be, I'll have no regrets." The two held each other for a while longer, then turned and watched the sunset in silence.

The next day, Akira and the others set off down the long trail towards Konoha. As they passed the edge of the snow, Akira and Taro stopped. "Here is where we part, I'm afraid. Sorry I missed the exams, but with the camp and all… I just couldn't make it. I wish I could have seen you against Neji, Naruto. By all accounts, that was a fight worth a trip of a thousand miles to see."

Hinata looked down. "You still don't like my brother, huh Akira?"

Akira scowled. "I haven't forgiven him for what he did to you at the exams. That is inexcusable. I know his life has been hard, but you had never done anything to him."

Hinata shook her head. "I turned out weaker than him. Much weaker. That's why he fought against me with such anger. He… I wonder sometimes, if he deserves to be heir more than I do."

Naruto clenched his fist. "No way does he deserve anything like that, Hinata. Don't forget, he was the one who lost it at the match. You kept your cool and didn't ever back down. That's a strength Neji will never have. Dattebayo!"

Hinata blushed, eyes wide at this sudden outburst. "Naruto…!"

Akira patted Hinata gently on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We're all just concerned for you, Hinata. But, you know, you have to keep trying too, or you won't get stronger. Of course, you already know that. You showed that strength, fighting beside me when Cloud first attacked." He bent close. "I'm proud of you, Hinata," he whispered. "I really am." He straightened up and smiled. "You've got real strength within you."

Naruto grinned. "She sure does! You should have seen her, standing up to Neji like she did."

Sakura giggled. "Yeah, she was even more stubborn than you, Naruto!"

Akira laughed. "Is that so? That is quite a frightening thought." He walked a short way off, and then motioned to Naruto, who came over, looking kind of puzzled. "Listen, Naruto," he said softly. "Hinata means a lot to me. Keep an eye on her, will you? I wish it were otherwise, but I can't always be around to protect her, and that's when I need to depend on people like you to protect her for me."

Naruto blinked. "Well, sure, but…"

Akira gripped Naruto's shoulder. "Listen to me, Naruto, and keep this secret. Hinata is as precious to me as Sakura is to you, do you understand?"

Naruto's eyes widened. "As precious as Sakura…"

Akira looked away. "It's not a secret I share easily, but you need to understand what it is I'm asking of you."

Naruto grinned and grabbed his hand. "Sure, I get it now. Okay, I'll keep an eye on her when you're not around."

Akira smiled. "You know, Hinata really looks up to you, Naruto. I think it's in part thanks to you that she's found as much strength as she has. Keep that in mind too, when you fight, because she'll be watching."

Naruto nodded, then turned and ran back to the others. "So what did he want, Naruto?" asked Sasuke.

Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, can't tell you. Guy stuff."

Sasuke twitched. "I AM a guy, moron! Seriously, what did he want?"

Akira smiled. "Well, it was important, but it was just between Naruto and me, all right?"

Sasuke groaned. "Great, the loser's found himself a convert. What's next?"

The sounds of their bickering faded as they walked down the trail. Akira laughed and waved, as they vanished out of sight. One turned back and waved in return, before hurrying after the others. Akira smiled. "So the first to arrive is the last to leave."

Taro grinned and headed up the trail. "Yeah, looks like your girlfriend figured out your secret."

Akira smiled as he slid into the lotus position. "Yes, she did. Now, I've got some exercises to catch up on. You guys have kept me busy for three days now, you know." He smiled as he began to meditate, that final image of Hinata waving goodbye etched deep into his mind.

Author's Note: Yeah... I know that scene between Hinata and Akira needs work, but I wanted to see what people thought of my first attempt at it. But that's one of the scenes that's definitely up for editing in the semi-near future.

And so ends that little "one-shot". Hope you enjoyed it! I've got a few ideas, so I may decide to give Akira another adventure, and introduce the third member of his squad at the same time (he and Taro always work together on missions). So... if you actually liked this stuff, look forward to it. bows Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!