The mission was a success.
Both Naruto and Hinata had been able to make it to Kusagakure, despite the kunoichi's condition. Soon after they had delivered the scroll to the feudal lord they went to seek medical help in the village. They were able to achieve some ointments and wrappings but nothing that would effectively help the girl. Their only choice was to head back to Konoha as fast as possible.
Hinata had both the privilege and the embarrassment to rid on Naruto's back as he high-tailed it back towards the village. The boy could have beat both Gai-sensei and Lee's record with that kind of speed. The dark-haired beauty had repeatedly told him that "y-you don't have t-to go so fast" but he would hear nothing of it.
As soon as they had arrived, Naruto trekked all the way up to the Hokage's office (with Hinata still on his back) and demanded that Hinata's medical needs be seen to immediately. This more than aggravated the legendry sanin. But being the medical ninja at heart, she decided to see to the young girl rather than pound the young man into the floor.
So here Hinata sat. On a long clean white bed in a room of the Konoha Hospital. Where Tsunade stood right beside her, placing her healing hand on Hinata's right shoulder.
"So Hinata, how did you receive this wound."
The young heiress was snapped out of her thoughts by the Hokage's strict yet comforting voice.
"B-bandits"
The Hokage gave a firm nod in response to the young woman.
"How many?"
"T-three"
"Were they strong?"
"H-hai"
The older woman's gaze harden for a brief second.
"Did you and Naruto defeat them."
The dark-haired girl shifted uncomfortably. She avoided the medical genius's eyes.
"Naruto-kun did."
Tsunade hearing had strained in order to catch what the young girl had said. Sensing both Hinata's uneasiness and guilt the Hokage decided to leave the status of the mission at that.
'Besides Shizune can get all the details out of Naruto back at the office.'
The sanin gave a small smile to the thought. She hated her job. At least the part that dealt with paperwork and mission reports. The less work she had to do the better off everyone was.
"Alright Hinata, I've closed up your wounds. Use this ointment for the next couple days to heal the scars. Make sure to apply it twice a day."
Said girl turned to her right to see the Fifth Hokage handing her a small jar.
"H-hai Tsunade-sama"
Zipping up her jacket, Hinata took the jar from the woman. A small smile reached Hinata face. Not only could she recognize the ointment and it's uses but she also knew what herbs were put into. Just as the dark-haired girl was about to leave she was stopped by the Hokage's voice.
"Oh and Hinata."
The Hyuga heiress turned around to see Tsunade giving her a devious smile. It was added with a sly wink as she said,
"Make sure to take an easy when you and Naruto train again."
The Hokage had to bit back a laugh as she saw the young girl clumsily stumble out of the room.
'That girl has got it bad.'
Hinata was walking down the hallway towards the main desk. The heavy blush from Tsunade's earlier comment and 'wink' still adored her cheeks.
'I can't believe I've been so obvious. The Hokage even knew!'
"Excuse me, can you tell what room Chouji Akimichi is in."
The indigo-haired teen was snapped out of her thoughts by a familiar voice.
'Ino?'
Sure enough the young woman before her was Ino Yamanaka. She was standing before the main receptionist with a worried frown creasing her features.
"Room 213. It's on the second floor, west side."
"Thank you."
The blonde-haired girl began her quick pace towards the direction in which the receptionist had pointed. The hallway that Hinata had been walking down.
Hinata put on a kind smile and was about to raise her hand in a friendly wave. That was until Ino had hurriedly passed her. The dark-haired girl stood in stock.
'She didn't see me?'
The Hyuga girl turned around to see Ino practically jogging towards the staircase entrance.
'That's not like Ino.'
Ino has always been keen to her surroundings. She always seems to recognize things that people had yet pick up on. So for her to miss seeing a friend that was standing right in front of her…
'Something's wrong.'
The frown that Ino had worn, the worry that had filled her eyes, Hinata had seen it all. And then the knowledge of Chouji being here at the hospital, hit Hinata. Concerned for both of her friends, the dark-haired girl began following the blonde kunoichi.
'Room 213.'
Hinata had reached her destination. Winded by the mild run up the stairs, she tried to catch her breath. Apparently Ino has been training. It even took Hinata's blood limit to not lose track of the speedy young woman.
Finally regaining her composure, Hinata ever so silently turned the doorknob to room 213. Seen as how Ino was already in the room, she didn't want to interrupt anything important. So, it was better to first take a peek.
Cracking open the door by the very slightest, the Hyuga heiress peered into the corridor. She saw a large man with circular tattoos on each of his cheeks sitting upright in a clean white bed. A slim young girl with very light blonde hair sat in a chair by his side.
"Is it serious" asked the young girl.
"No" replied the bulky man, "just a few cuts and broken bones. Some good food and I'll be fine in no time."
The blonde gave sigh of relief. To visually add to the relief she felt, she put on hand over her heart and fell back into her chair.
"Thank god"
The hefty young man gave a low chuckle to the act that was displayed to him.
"What?"
Chouji stopped his amused laughter to see a confused and slightly irritated Ino staring back at him.
"I just didn't know that you cared so much Ino."
Ino gave a very faint blush in embarrassment. The amused grin on Chouji's face grew.
"Shut up."
That once deep laughter of Chouji's returned.
"Enjoying the show are we?"
Hinata snapped her head around to see a smirking Shikamaru behind her.
"Shikamaru! I was just…umm…you see-"
She was cut off by Shikamaru's hand, gesturing her to stop.
"Save it. I won't tell them you were spying on them."
Hinata let out a breath of relief. She tried to calm down her racing heart. Being caught in the act can really make the adrenaline pump through your veins.
She opened her closed eyes to see Shikamaru sitting down next to the door. He laid his back against the wall and patted the spot next to him.
"You might as well sit down. That troublesome woman can take forever."
The dark-haired woman compiled with the lazy teen. Sitting herself next to Shikamaru, questions began to run through her mind. Mainly questions about the conversation she had just witnessed and the way Ino had acted before it.
The young man with the spiky ponytail closed his eyes and let his head fall back to rest on the wall. He appeared to be sleeping but he had not been that tired for years.
'Ino seemed so….different. I mean she usually cares about her friends a great deal and all but, it was like she wasn't even here. Like her whole mind was set on seeing Chouji and if he was alright. Not only that but when she asked him that question, she didn't sound like her normal self. She's usually so strong and confident but then she had sounded scared and vulnerable. Why did she act like that? Why did she sound like that?'
Hinata's brows creased in confusion. Then it hit her. Her eyes bulged and she gasped in disbelief.
'No. She couldn't…I mean it's Ino. She couldn't…couldn't possibly…'
"So you finally figured it out, huh?"
The young woman turned her head to see Shikamaru's lazy gaze fixated on her. If possible Hinata's eyes grew even wider. The lazy genius just gave her a small smirk.
"Yeah. She's liked him for a while."
Hinata gaped at the young man before her in disbelief.
'Ino likes Chouji? Like, 'like like'? But how?'
As if reading her mind Shikamaru answered her question.
"Love is blind. It doesn't matter who you are, you will always fall victim to it. I thought that if anyone would understand that it would be you."
A very rosy blush graced Hinata's features due to Shikamaru's indirect comment. But the genius ignored Hinata's embarrassment and continued to speak.
"Now if only Ino would understand that."
Hinata's head tilted to the side in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
The dark-haired man gave a glance at the girl beside him.
"She doesn't know."
Shock once again took it's hold onto Hinata.
"You mean.."
Shikamaru gave a tired nod in reply.
"Exactly."
The conversation was brought to halt, when the door to room 213 abruptly opened and Ino came into view. The blonde teen had a more-than-shocked look on her face when she saw not only Shikamaru but Hinata as well sitting outside the room.
"Hinata? What are you doing here? I thought you were still on your mission with Naruto."
Said girl got onto her feet.
"I just got back."
Hinata was immediately wrapped into a fierce yet friendly hug. Hinata gave a wince, still a little sore from her previous injuries. Ino jumped back from the embrace as soon as she felt her friend grow tense.
"Oh my god Hinata! Are you alright? Were you injured?"
"Hai but I've been taken care of. We were ambushed during the trip."
Ino's blue eyes widen in both awe and curiosity.
"Ambushed! You have got to tell me EVERYTHING."
Hinata didn't even have time to reply as Ino began dragging her out of the hallway. The dark-haired girl gave one last look at room 213 and the boy sitting outside of it. The information that she had just learned still burned within her mind.
'Ino likes Chouji. Ino likes Chouji and she doesn't even know it.'
Shikamaru watched as the two girls turned the corner and vanish from sight. Taking a deep breath her gathered himself from the floor to see his best friend. Shaking his head he uttered his usual phrase before entering the room.
"Troublesome."
"Bye Hinata! Make sure to take an easy!"
"Don't worry Ino! I will!"
Hinata gave one final wave to her blonde friend before setting her path for her own home. Ino had taken her to Café Lorrance, sat her down and practically dragged out every little piece of information that she could get out of Hinata. Ino could make one hell of an interrogator.
The Hyuga heiress hummed quietly to herself. There was a skip to her step. Despite her sore, tired body everything seemed to be going her way. That was until she collided with another person. Sending her flying backwards unto her butt.
"Oww"
The dark-haired girl groaned. There was now a new bruise to add to the ones that she got from the mission. Looking up she saw Sakura Haruno standing before her.
"Oh my gosh Hinata! Are you alright?"
The pink-haired girl extended her arm to help her friend off the ground. Hinata graciously accepted.
"Hai. I should have watched where I was going."
"No, I shouldn't have been standing out in the middle of the street like that."
Hinata gave a kind smile to her friend, but it seemed like Sakura wasn't seeing it. Her eyes were glazed over with a far off look in them. It seemed like everyone was in there own world today.
"Sakura?"
Said girl turned her blank expression towards her fellow comrade.
"Are you alright?"
The medical ninja took a moment before slowly nodding in answer to Hinata's question. It was quite clear to Hinata that she wasn't 'alright'.
"Are you sure?"
Sakura looked at the young woman before her. She did not want to tell her the real reason why her mind was preoccupied on 'other things'. So, she gave Hinata the most reassuring smile she could muster.
"Of course."
The smile did not fool Hinata. She knew when one of her friends were upset and Sakura was upset. But she decided not to pry.
"Okay."
Making an silent agreement, they began walking together down the street. Hinata risked a glance at the pink-haired girl beside her. She still had that glossy look in her emerald eyes.
'What could she possibly be thinking of?'
She has seen that look before. Very recently in fact. Where has she seen that look before? Of course! It was the same look Naruto had before he revealed his regret for never being able to bring Sasuke back. Could Sakura be thinking the same thing?
"But I know she still misses him. Even if she doesn't admit it."
That's right! Naruto had said that. Hinata sneaked another look at Sakura. She was still out of it.
'She's still not over him.'
Hinata knew something about first love. She knew how strong those feelings could be. How you couldn't go one minute out of the day without thinking about him. How your heart would start beating faster whenever he was nearby. How your breath would get caught in your throat whenever he turned those dazzling eyes in your direction. How you would wish within all of your heart that he would just notice you. If only a little. Yeah, she knows what it's like.
But she also knows what change is like. How it can bear down onto you, just waiting for you to break. She knows not to break. She's learned the hard way. She knows that if you don't accept the change and adjust to it then you can never be happy. It's better to go forward than backwards.
And it's time Sakura knew that.
Gathering up her new found courage, Hinata grabbed Sakura's arm and began gently leading her into the nearby forest.
"Hinata! What are you doing?"
The dark-haired girl gave her friend a kind smile.
"I want to take you somewhere."
A delicate pink eyebrow raised in question.
"Oh and where would that be?"
"My favorite place."
Confusion deepen in Sakura's eyes.
"Your favorite place?"
A gentle nod answered Sakura's question. Sighing, Sakura decided to go along for the ride.
'Might as well. I got nothing better to do today.'
A couple minutes later they had reached Hinata's 'favorite place'. Sakura's face contorted in a mixture of confusion and disgust. Hinata had taken her to a stream. A very muddy, very narrow stream.
"This is your favorite place?"
Sakura pointed at the pitiful stream in utter disbelief. Hinata just gave a content smile.
"Hai. I discovered it a couple of years ago. You're the only one that knows about it."
"Oh really."
Sakura was trying her best not to show how strange she thought Hinata was acting.
'Why the heck would anyone want to come here?!'
"I was training when I found it."
The medical ninja was snapped out of thoughts by Hinata's voice.
"I was practicing with my Byakugan. I was trying to expand my vision to locate smaller objects. That's when I stumbled onto this creek and it's secret."
"Secret?"
Hinata gave a small smile at Sakura's heighten curiosity. Instead of telling her about the small stream's secret she decided to show her.
The pink-haired young woman watched as the girl before her walked over to the small creek. The dark-haired girl paid no attention to the mud that piling onto her shoes. She bent down and dipped her hands into the muddy water.
Sakura watched with curiosity.
'What is she doing?'
Hinata began walking back over to Sakura. Both of her hands cupped each other. Hiding whatever she held from view.
"Hold out your hands Sakura."
"Huh?"
Hinata shot her friend a genuine smile.
"Trust me."
Putting aside her questionable judgment, Sakura decided to trust her friend. She immediately regretted it. Hinata had just dumped a bunch of muddy pebbles into her hand.
"Eeewww! Hinata!"
Sakura was about to drop the muddy pebbles to clean off her hand but, Hinata stopped her.
"Wait Sakura, you can't."
"But Hinata! Why the heck would you give me muddy pebbles?!"
"Is that what you see?"
The pink-haired girl stopped her squirming. Hinata's question didn't make any sense.
"What do you mean 'is that what you see'?"
"I mean, is what you see just some muddy pebbles?"
"What? Of course I see muddy pebbles! What else would they be?"
The dark-haired girl gave Sakura a smile. A smile that said 'I know something you don't know'. Now Sakura was completely out of the loop.
"What?"
Hinata lifted her right hand. If began glow a light blue.
"Watch."
Sakura watched as Hinata grazed her hand over her own, placing it onto the pebbles. She's seen Hinata's hand glow like that before. It always glowed that color when she was using her element - water. When she finally removed her hand, Sakura's breath caught in her throat.
Hinata had evidentially used her element to wash the pebbles clean. But they weren't pebbles, they were…
"Gems."
Sakura couldn't believe what she was seeing. In her hand she held at least six different gems. They each bore they own brilliant color. Shining and sparkling underneath the hot sun. They were small yet so extraordinary. Sakura couldn't help but stare in awe.
"Something might seem bad now…"
Sakura was shook out of her astonishment by Hinata's serious yet comforting voice.
"…but it might just be a blessing in disguise…. or a gem is disguise."
The pink-haired kunoichi gave a sad, knowing smile. She knew exactly what Hinata was referring to. And never had she have so much gratitude for both the girl and a couple of 'muddy pebbles'.
"Thank you Hinata."
A huge smile took over the Hyuga heiress's features.
"Your welcome Sakura."
They both shared similar smiles before Hinata said her goodbyes. Sakura watched as her friend retreated from the forest. When she was out of sight Sakura looked back down to the gems in her hand. She picked up a green one that had caught her eye and threw the others back into the muddy stream. She watched as the pretty gems floated down into the muddy abyss.
'Maybe it's time that I moved on.'
Placing the green gem into her back pouch the pink-haired kunoichi walked out of the forest.
Notice: I'm so happy I got this done tonight. Seen as how I have an AIDS walk tomorrow I wouldn't have been able to write. But, OMG! What a great response to the last chapter. Not only did I get great comments but a made a good friend in the process. Thanks for all the support Kiba Inubake! If you like my story and ideas then you'll love his upcoming story. It's based off of Kabuto's threat in chapter nine. I'll let you guys know when it's posted. That's all for now!
P.S. Help me get to 50 reviews guys! I'm almost there!
Next Chapter: Goal One: Accomplished
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto. But man it would be awesome if I did.