Daytime Television: Here's chapter 12, sorry it took so long. It came time to update and I just stared at my computer saying 'What happens now?'. So I waited another week to update and gather ideas. I hate taking over a week to update. But, I feel like I'm getting better at writing already, since the start of the story. I prefer the later chapters to the first couple of chapters for that reason. What do you all think?

Also, remember that pairings have not been decided yet. There are a couple of people that I have in mind, but it could go anyway.


Chapter 12: Back to the Past

The sun peeked up over the horizon and the early morning light shone through the window. A single ray of light hit Hinata straight in the face. For a little bit, she ignored it and covered her face with a blanket. But, it soon got too hot so she was forced to face the sun again. Hinata was exhausted from the previous night and going to bed late. She had never actually gone to sleep later than around ten. Her parents made sure of that and then it just turned into a habit. Finally, she gathered up enough strength to sit up in her bed. The cut she had gotten the day before still hurt a good amount.

One more day, and then the week end, and then I can sleep all I want.

She got ready for school and made breakfast for her and Neji. They ate in silence for a few minutes until Neji spoke up,

"So, you want me to hire a body guard or something?" Hinata quickly shook her head with a loud No! in her head. "Alright, but I'm worried about you and your safety. They're after you and also me. I'm fine. But, you can't protect yourself very well and they can seriously hurt you."

Well, I already escaped twice….I think I'm fine also. It's not like they can go to the school because then they'd be arrested. And as for Sasuke, I don't know really know what he wants with me yet.

"Just be careful then. Don't go looking for them or anything." Neji said again. Once Hinata finished breakfast, Neji drove to her to the school. Walking through the hall, Hinata saw Lee at his locker. He held a book in one hand and his crutch in the other.

"Hi! Hinata!" Lee greeted her. She waited for him to finish getting his stuff and then headed for class. Hinata already had what she needed in her bag. No one really asked her why she had a book bag with her instead of carrying her stuff.

Everyone was there in class. The only one missing that day was Sasuke. It was unusual that he would miss a day of school. Even when he was sick he would come to school. He was driven to be the best at everything. Because of his rare absence, Sakura got worried. Naruto and Kiba just said, "Hey, he's got to miss school sometime."

There could be two reasons why he's gone. He could not want to see me after the whole kidnapping thing, or he still recovering from his wounds. Knowing Sasuke though, he still recovering.

Hinata's worry was in between Sakura's and Naruto's. She was a little concerned considered only she knew the most likely reason of his absence.

The couple of classes before lunch passed by quickly. Hinata didn't do the homework of the previous night, but she was ahead of the class, so it didn't affect her and the same applied to Sakura. Naruto on the other hand was in trouble. Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Iruka weren't too happy with him considering he does this type of thing often. Lunch came and Hinata told her friends to go on ahead to lunch. She was happy that they decided not to pester her and ask why. From her locker she went the opposite way from them and headed for Tsunade's office, the nurses office.

The light was on and Tsunade sat at her desk working intensely on something. The desk was littered with papers surrounding the computer and a couple dense looking books were resting over some of the papers. An open bottle of sake also was on the table. Her eyes focused on one book, then to another book, then she would write something down, and then take a sip of the sake. She took no notice of Hinata's presence. Hinata stood there no knowing what since she couldn't exactly say anything to get her attention. She tried clearing her throat, which ended up being barely audible and it hurt her.

Well I don't want to be rude…but I guess I have to. Hinata walked behind Tsunade and tapped her on the shoulder. Tsunade jumped and automatically her hand shot up to grab Hinata's hand. Thankfully, Hinata stepped back in time.

"What brings you hear today, Hinata?" Tsunade asked once she realized that there was no threat. Hinata took off her jacket and showed Tsunade the cut. "Goodness. What happened here, let me guess, it was them again?" Hinata nodded and Tsunade went to get some anti-septic.

"Well, you have to be more careful about these things. Normally, the police would handle such things, but recently Akatsuki has been getting more active and the police have started to stay out of it." Tsunade began examining the cut.

"You know, I could probably get the old geezer to do something to keep them away from you," Tsunade said. Hinata shrugged and then remembered a piece of paper in her pocket, which she showed to her.

It's fine.

Tsunade cleaned up the cut fairly quickly. "Alright there you go. Try to stay out of trouble." Hinata nodded her head and waved good-bye. Tsunade sat back down in her desk and resumed her rigorous work.

As Hinata was leaving, she saw Lee coming her way. Lee was leaning more on his crutch even more than usual and had some cuts on his face, as well as a large bump on his head. Instantly Hinata went over to help him. He put his arm around her and they walked back to into Tsunade's office. With Lee there getting her attention was easier this time.

"What the hell happened to you?" Tsunade asked also speaking for Hinata.

"It's nothing don't worry! I came to talk with you about something else," Lee dodged her question.

"Hey, I asked what happened," Tsunade asked again.

"I fell down some stairs getting here," Lee said in an embarrassed tone.

"Seriously? Your not that clumsy even in your current condition"

Lee was slightly saddened: he didn't like being reminded of his 'current condition'.

"Well, some girls were making fun of me and calling me 'cripple' again so I tried to prove them wrong by speeding to lunch. I was on the second floor so I took the stairs. Trying to go fast down stairs with a crutch doesn't work so well," explained Lee saying the last sentence in good humor.

Both Tsunade and Hinata shook their heads thinking Ino, Ino, Ino and her bullying…

Once Tsunade got Lee an ice pack for his head, Lee got back to what he originally came to speak to Tsunade about.

"Alright Hinata, go to lunch,' Tsunade commanded.

"I'll be fine thanks for your help," Lee added. Once she left the room, their voices could still be heard.

"I told you, there's only 50 percent chance of survival at best. Don't take such unnecessary risks. Give up," Tsunade said harshly. Hinata did not hear Lee's answer. Then, Tsunade spoke again, " Have you had a chance to talk with Guy yet?"

Instead of walking away to lunch Hinata stayed next to the door.

[Flashback]

Lee was sitting alone on a deck on the roof of the school earlier in the morning that day. Guy came out and met him, "Early for school huh? What brings you here on this fine morning?"

"How did you know I was here?" Lee asked. Guy let out a small laugh,

"I know you too well."

"This is where you told me that I could go into high school, where I swore my dream, that even though I had a learning disability it is possible for me to succeed. Before, I didn't know the path to make that dream come true. You taught me to put hard work into everything, and the path appeared to succeed," Lee reflected. Images of Lee's hard work in the last couple of years moved around in Guy's head. Then suddenly Lee started crying.

"Hard work, this time, won't get me anywhere," He paused, "What should I do, tell me!" Guy stared at Lee for a moment looking for the right words.

"Lee….," Guy started, "If you lose your dreams you will suffer more than you are now. Take the surgery Lee!"

"I see, that's how you feel Lee," Tsunade answered.

"I will be taking the surgery!" Lee exclaimed.

"Alright then. I've been doing research on this for the last couple of days. Give me a little more time to see if I can raise the chance of success above 50 percent," Tsunade said," This could have been a lot worse, you that do you? It's a good thing that you had a good doctor there or else I probably could not have done anything to help you."

"Really? Who?" Lee asked curiously, "I didn't get to meet him because I was out for a while. And can't he don't it since that doctor help you with the surgery?"

Tsunade had a sad look on her face, "Sorry, they died that night."

"Why?"

"It was their day off and they were called in for you. Unfortunately, when they went home, they got in a car accident and didn't survive."

"They?"

"Hinata's parents."

Hinata gasped at this knowledge. She remembered that someone was in the hospital and need her parents help.

"What? So is it my fault that their gone? Does Hinata know?" Lee asked in an urgent whisper.

"No it's not your fault Lee," Tsunade assured him. Hinata thought about what Lee said. It was not his fault that he got injured and Hinata did not want him blaming himself.

"That's the recent car accident that Hinata was in. She knows that it was you that night now though," Tsunade said looking at the door, "Come in. I know your there." Hinata jumped a little. She was too frightened to go in, so instead she ran away to her locker.

Back in the nurse's office, Tsunade finished up with Lee.

"Alright, you go eat to get some common sense in your head. Don't go hurting yourself more." And he left and purposely went to Hinata's locker. She was there leaning against it.

"Hey Hinata you don't blame me?" Lee asked. Hinata shook her head furiously to make sure that he got the message.

The rest of the day after lunch passed relatively quickly. At the end of the day before Neji usually took her home, Hinata stopped by to see Tsunade. She had something on her mind that she could not get out. Tsunade was surprised to see her again so quickly.

"Don't tell me you got hurt again." Tsunade said giving her a strange look. Hinata shook her head and walked over to her desk. She looked at the papers now understanding what she had been researching and looked back at Tsunade questioningly.

"I've raised the odds to 55% survival for Lee. It's not much, but it's better than nothing."

Hinata nods in understanding and thinks about something, I wonder…..She looks at her arms and Tsunade gets the message. Now knowing what Hinata came to ask about, Tsunade had a sad look on her face. They stood in silence for a couple of minutes.

"Sorry about this. While you have similar injuries….," Tsunade paused for a second before continuing, "I wasn't the doctor that performed the surgery on you on that night. I only helped you until the paramedics arrived and after the surgery to get better. I'm not an employee of that hospital. Don't get me wrong, the doctor did a great job, but your parents or me could of done a lot better. I worked furiously to afterward, like I'm doing now for Lee, but I could not find a way to help you regain the full ability of your arms. Sorry"

Hinata pulled out the crumpled piece of paper again

It's fine. She smiled at Tsunade and waved good-bye. It's fine, it really is. If it's not possible, then it's not possible. I can't complain about that.

Since the day was over, Hinata gathered her stuff and realized that there was a couple of minues before Neji would be ready

Flirting with his girlfriend probably She silently chuckled and thought of an idea. She walked over to Lee's locker, where he was also about to head home, and started signing to him,

'I know the surgery will go well! Don't stop believing in yourself, everyone supports you'

She felt cheesy saying it, but she wanted to let Lee know that she supported him. She never underestimated the power of moral support.

"Thank you Hinata! You have a fiery flame of Youth blazing inside of you!" He yelled catching the attention of the few people left in the halls.


That's the end of Chapter 12! Thanks for reading this far and thanks for all of your wonderful reviews. I take each one to heart. Please remember to help me get better, by leaving a review. And to those people who have left multiple reviews many thanks times 10. I keep a folder in hotmail where I keep all the emails from people's reviews, alerts, and favorites.

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