I DON'T OWN NARUTO….*SOB*
Hinata glanced up at Itachi as the heart monitor indicated a leap in his heartbeat.
"Are you feeling any pain Itachi-san? Your heart rate spiked." He looked at her as she questioned him softly, her face full of concern. He was amazed by her natural kindness. Even her chakra felt gentle to him. Her inner beauty matched her outer beauty. Which was really saying something, because she was the most beautiful, desirable-
BEEP..BEEP...BEEPBEEPBEEP..
Damn, that monitor has really got to go, he thought to himself disgustedly. There was a strangled choke from the corner of the room, as the ANBU guard attempted to cover his mirth with a cough. Itachi glared menacingly at him, then turned back to the clueless medical nin.
"Hyuuga-san, I think you need to have this equipment checked. It is clearly malfunctioning." He said coldly. A small wrinkle appeared between her brows as she considered the probability that the machine was giving incorrect readings. More than likely Itachi was still in pain and did not want to admit it. Men are such babies when they are hurt, she thought to herself with a tiny smile.
"I will inform Lady Tsunade, according to her notes, she wants you to remain on the monitor for another 48 hours. We'll have to find one that is working properly." She reached over to punch the reset button, and missed the grimace that came over his face. This time the ANBU guard didn't even try to cover his chuckle. Both Hinata and Itachi turned to stare at him. Hinata quickly activated her Byakugan and gasped when she recognized his chakra pattern.
"Kakashi-sensei?" she asked. Itachi snorted inelegantly to himself. Just as I thought, he never did resist the chance to laugh at me. Hinata looked confusedly between the two men. Kakashi pulled down his ANBU mask and gave her a little wave.
"Itachi here is an old ANBU friend of mine. I asked the Hokage to be allowed to guard him." He smiled cheerfully at the former Atkatski member, who noticed that despite the smile, he had a serious gleam in his eye. Itachi had a feeling that he would be getting the third degree from Kakashi as soon as Hinata left.
"Oh, that's nice." she beamed back at him. Itachi grew irritated when he saw how Kakashi's smile grew in response to Hinata. Unless his former friend had changed drastically, the man was still a pervert. He did not want him smiling at Hinata, looking at her, or talking to her….well shit, he thought to himself. He shook his head slightly as he realized the turn his thoughts were taking. He was jealous.
"Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a few other patients to check on now that I am satisfied with Itachi's progress." she told them as she prepared to leave. She turned to leave, and gasped as Itachi reached out to grab her wrist. She looked at him, and saw that he was starring at her intently with an emotion that she could not quite identify.
"You'll return later?" he asked. It was framed as a question, but he said it more as if it was an order. Bemused, she nodded and he released her. She stood there looking into his eyes for another few minutes, until she became aware of what she was doing. She blushed a deep red and muttered a goodbye under her breath as she practically ran for the door.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Kakashi let out a full deep chuckle. He laughed for several minutes, and then got himself under control. He approached Itachi's bedside with a grin on his face. The injured man scowled at the Copy Ninja. He knew that his old friend was going to have some smart ass comment to make about his behavior towards Hinata. Sure enough, he did not have to wait long.
"Jealous much?" Kakashi just laughed again at the glare Itachi aimed at him. Suddenly, he grew serious and searched the Uchiha's face.
"I would appreciate some answers old friend…."
Hinata ran into the women's bathroom and hid quickly in one of the stalls. She covered her flaming cheeks as she groaned to herself. Stupid, stupid, stupid…she cursed at herself. How can I possibly allow myself to feel this way again? A few tears rolled down her face as she tried to convince herself that what she was feeling was not love.
Sure, she found him attractive, any woman would. He had beautiful long hair, deep onyx eyes, a straight aquiline nose, high cheekbones, with a sharply cut jaw line. And his lips were perfect also, not too thin or too thick. Perfect really, very kissable. Not to mention, he had an incredible body, a deep sexy voice, he was noble, loyal, self- sacrificing, a loving big brother, and …..oh god! I AM in love with him! She was hit with a wave of dizziness.
She shut her eyes and forced herself to take deep breathes. I will not faint, I will not faint, I will not faint…she chanted to herself. Eventually, the dizzy feeling faded and she was able to regain a semblance of calm. I just can't let myself think about this right now. I have a job to do, and other patients that are depending on me. Later, I'll think about it later. Hinata sighed deeply, knowing in her heart that it was too late. She was in love with Itachi Uchiha. It wasn't just his looks, though she had to admit they certainly did not hurt anything. It was his skill, his loyal, the very strength of his will, his heart that had caused her to fall for him before she had every laid eyes on him. She wanted to be the one to sooth him, to let him know that he wasn't a monster, to make him happy. She wanted to be his reason to live.
