Damn, aren't you happy I uploaded the next chapter today? Feel free to show your undying love and affection by reading and reviewing:)

ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto; if I did, Hinata would be kicking more ass on a regular basis.

To her relief, it was the familiar chakra of her friends. She sighed and sank down on her knees, beginning to feel the pain from her wounds. Yokatta!

The first to appear in the clearing was Naruto, who looked horrified as he yelled, "Hinata! Are you hurt! Oh- this is all my fault!" He rushed over to her, draping his arms on her shoulders for support.

"Naruto-kun, I'm fine." She smiled proudly. "It's those Rain ninja you should be worried about!" She gestured to the fallen enemy all around her.

"NA-RU-TOOOOO! GET YOUR PAWS OFF LADY HINATA! THIS INSTANT!" At the sound of Neji's voice, Hinata realized she was half naked and in the arms of her long-time love. All sensations of pride and courage drained out of her body- she fainted instantaneously.

"Hinata-chan! What's wrong?" Naruto wailed, clueless as usual.

"BAKA!" Sakura roared, "She's- just get your hands off!"

"Huh?" He took a closer look at Hinata to see what was wrong with her and realized that he was looking at the pale, naked skin-

he noticed the curve of her breast-

And passed out with a nosebleed next to Hinata.

Kiba snickered. "The kid makes half the village pass out from his stupid sexy jutsu, but he can't handle the real thing! Baka!"

Sakura, outwardly ignoring Kiba but inwardly agreeing, ran up to Hinata, kicking Naruto's body out of the way rather unceremoniously. She began barking orders as she inspected Hinata's medical condition. "Shino! Kiba! Konohamaru and Udon! Avert your eyes and secure the perimeter in case there are any more ninja still lurking about! Neji- tie up the enemy! Moegi- help me wash lady Hinata's wounds!"

"HAI!" The ninja replied.

"What should I do, Sakura-chan?" A barely conscious Naruto mumbled.

"SHUT UP AND PLAY DEAD! AND CLOSE YOUR PERVY EYES!" She hollered at him.

"Eeeep. Yes ma'am."

There was a bustle of activity (minus Naruto of course).

Moegi gulped, also feeling partly responsible for what had happened. "Is she- is she going to be ok Sakura-san?" Moegi asked tearfully.

"Hai!" Sakura smiled at the genin. She took another rag and rinsed it in the nearby pool of water. "Most of this blood doesn't seem to belong to her. Although she does have some injuries, it's nothing a little first aid and medical ninjutsu won't heal." Of course, this is also Hinata's second major battle in the space of a week, so I will bring her into the med tent tonight for observation. Sakura kept that thought to herself, not wanting to worry her younger peer.

Moegi sighed in relief. "Yokatta!"

Hinata stirred out of her daze. "Ah, Sakura-san, Moegi-san, arigato gozaimasu!" She smiled up at them. "I don't know what I would do without you Sakura-san, you're always there to patch me up after I've been reckless!" Hinata recalled that Sakura was the first person to come to her aid after Hinata had faced off with Pein.

"Please don't say that Hinata-san, this is all my fault!"

"Me too, Hinata-san, please forgive us!" Moegi chimed in.

Hinata looked at them incredulously. "You didn't do anything wrong at all! Please don't apologize!" She turned to the younger ninja and begged, "Please don't cry!", as Moegi could no longer contain her tears.

Sakura sighed, unsuccessfully stifling her own tears, and replied "Hush, that's enough talking for now. Just rest Hinata-san while I tend to the rest of your wounds."

Hinata nodded and laid back, looking up at the stars and feeling grateful for her friends.

After Hinata was all bandaged up, Sakura and Moegi helped her to get dressed. Hinata saw Neji and blushed. "Neji-san!" She stood up and bowed, "Please forgive me Neji-san for being out alone in such an unseemly fashion. I am truly sorry for embarrassing our clan!"

Uncharacteristically, Neji smiled at his cousin. "Hinata-sama, please don't apologize. You've just had a wonderful victory tonight-" he gestured to the prone bodies on the ground, now neatly bound and gagged- "and have brought great honor to our clan." He winked at her. "And I'll be sure to tell Hiashi-sama how bravely you fought...while leaving out the less salient details."

Hinata could not believe her ears. "Ah, arigato gozaimasu Nii-san!"

Thanks for covering for me Neji! Hinata promised herself that she would get Neji a gift for being so wonderful.

Neji nodded. "And now we should get going. Guys!"

The other male ninja came in to report. "No other ninja have been detected!" Kiba declared triumphantly. He turned towards his teammate- "Hinata-chan, did you really take out these guys all by yourself?"

Hinata nodded.

Shino added, "My bugs have gathered intel on their chakra levels- four are at chunin level, and one is at jonin level. I am much impressed, Hinata-san."

Hinata blushed, but only a little bit. "Arigato! But now I think it's time to bring these guys in to Inoichi-san and Ibiki-san for interrogation...I think a few of them may still be alive..."

Sakura's eyes widened at that last bit. "Wow, Hinata-chan! You're amazing! You'll have to tell us the whole story on the way back home!"

The group all nodded in agreement- Hinata forced herself to stand tall and smile, even if she did blush a little.

Then Sakura's eyes landed on the figure on the ground, and her eyes lost their mirth. "Hey BAKA! Stand up! Make some clones and carry these enemy ass-clowns back to the village for Hinata-san!"

"Sakura-san, please don't yell at Naruto-kun-" Hinata protested.

"Hai!" Naruto sprang up and put his hand to his forehead in a salute. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" His five clones took care of the prisoners while the real Naruto looked down at the ground.

"Hinata-san..." Naruto said slowly, kicking a rock on the ground, "Gomen nasai Hinata-san." He looked up at her and Hinata could tell his eyes were tearing up. Everyone there echoed Naruto- "Gomen nasai!" They all said quietly.

Hinata laughed. "There's nothing to be sorry for! Don't you all go and make it sound like my victory was your fault now- the glory here is all mine!"

She was instantly surrounded by smiles. Sakura grinned and ordered, "Ok, let's move people! I'll walk with Hinata-chan to keep an eye on her injuries." When did Hinata get to be so confident? And awesome? Sakura thought as she slid her arm around Hinata's shoulders.

Sweet! Well, stay tuned- only two chapters left until the end of the story, so I'll probably upload at least one tomorrow! Oh my, what are you indignantly shouting? You want two chapters? You don't want to be left with any cliff hangers? Well, drop me a review and we'll see what I can't do:) Arigato!