CHP43

"Are you sure Hinata? She has all the knowledge, she just lacks the control and needs some additional experience."

She nodded, "I'm sure Dr. Senju, I do wonder though, why you still ask I assist someone so close to my graduation?"

Tsunade took out a large breath, "Look Hinata, I need to push as many students I can to get their degree and into their residencies, but only those students I know that are ready for it. So far that is you, Sakura and this other student. I know that chakra control takes a while to harness, but I was hoping that you could show her some techniques so that she could join you in January."

Hinata thought to herself for a moment, still wondering what the push was for? Why the hurry to graduate and start their residencies? "It's fine, who is the other s-student?"

"Ino Yamanaka. Like I said, she knows what she's doing, she just needs help with her chakra control. I had her doing special training on her own, but she needs more assistance in order to move forward more quickly."

Something struck Hinata once she learned that it was her old friend Ino, something Neji told her on the day of the exams they volunteered for at the military academy base. He said that it was awkward, maybe her lack of control was the reason why.

"You've really excelled over the last couple months, if you could start training with Ino immediately, that would be great."

Hinata nodded, "W-what about my schedule w-with Sakura?"

"Both Sakura and you are ready to move forward, I'm going to have Sakura focus on more complex cases while you and Ino work together."

Later Hinata made arrangements with her long time friend Ino and they agreed to start working at Hinata's home where they both would feel more relaxed. Once Hinata did get home, earlier than usual which made for a very happy Sasuke, she prepared dinner, much to the delight of the other residents. Afterwards she peered through some of her old books looking for basic chakra control techniques. Ino arrived not long after with Naruto in tow, apparently they were officially dating now and he decided to come along with her to visit with 'Bastard' and Neji.

Scowling, Sasuke suggested they spar together, both Neji and Sasuke against Naruto and his shadow clones. Tenten drove with the three of them to the dojo so she could watch and hopefully even join in the fray. Meanwhile, Hinata and Ino sat very comfortable in the middle of her backyard, both bundled up to stave off the cold.

"Hey look Hinata, please don't tell Sakura about this…"

"…I wouldn't do that!" Hinata interrupted.

"I mean like I don't really care if she finds out I just…I really don't want to hear it, because you know she'll just go on and on about how much better she is and…and now I'm rambling."

Hina giggled, "It's alright Ino, so where are you having the most trouble?"

She lightly blushed, "I lose concentration and then my control wavers. I don't know Hina girl, it's like I have enough chakra, but it's so intense sometimes that I just lose it."

Hinata tilted her head, "What do you mean lose it?"

Ino sighed, "If it's a complicated treatment, I lose focus after the first twenty minutes. It becomes really unstable and then I get really fatigued when I try to keep it going."

She shook her head no, "Ino, y-you know that y-you should stop if your ch-chakra is unstable."

Ino nodded with a sad smile, "I know but, how else am I supposed to finish?"

"Hm, well let's try a basic technique together. Hold up your palms to face mine and well expel our chakra against each other." Ino nodded and lifted her palms to Hinata's, leaving a five inch gap. Hinata counted to three and they both pushed out their healing chakra natures. Hinata flinched at Ino's strength of her chakra push and immediately cut off the technique. "Ino, do you always start off so strong with your chakra?"

Ino shrugged, "That's how I usually initiate healing, yes. Are you okay?"

Hinata nodded, "Yes but, Ino, you don't need to expel so much chakra at first. That might be why you have a hard time after a while."

With a frown Ino put her palms back up, with Hinata following afterwards. Again on the count of three they pushed their chakra's against each other, this time it was much smoother. They kept at it and sure enough after half an hour Hinata noticed that Ino was starting to struggle against her steady push. Ino's chakra was becoming unstable and so Hinata cut them both off right away.

Ino was panting, out of breath and confused. "I really thought we were on to something there, but…same result."

"It was half an hour, that's pretty good," Hinata smiled at her, not at all winded.

"Not good enough," Ino groaned, "what happens when I'm the only physician around and someone's life is in my hands and I can't handle treating them!"

"Ino…"

"No Hinata! It's not fair, why can't I do it right? I train, I do, I train all the time!" Ino crossed her arms and shook in her frustration, "Sorry Hina, it's not your fault. I'm just not supposed to be a doctor. I should just drop out now and go into my mother's business."

"No Ino, you're too close for that. I'm sure we can figure out what the problem is together. Don't dropout, Dr. Senju told me that she wants you to graduate early with Sakura and I."

Ino sniffled and nodded, "I know, she's talked to me about it. But I won't be able to do it if I can't figure out what's wrong. Heh, maybe it would be easy if I had the byakugan like you did."

Hinata frowned, "But Ino, wait, you have your own family jutsu, don't you?"

"Yeah, the Mind Body Switch and Disturbance techniques, nothing that could help me with this."

"Why wouldn't it?"

"If I enter a patient's mind, my own body feels their pain, then I would need healing as well. I do have telepathy, but only with my family's clan. No help at all."

"Hm, well, let's try again."

They were at it for forty five minutes this time before Hinata called off their training. She was grinning just as Ino was panting with sweat on her brow. She praised Ino for the increased increment. Then asked her for a favor, "Ino would you mind if I read up on some history into your clan? Do you know if your family has any other techniques?"

Ino shook her head, "I don't mind, I'll bring some books over for you. Just don't…let my dad find out. Sorry, but he and your father don't exactly get along and he wouldn't understand why I'm letting his daughter read up on clan history."

Hinata nodded, "Okay, same time tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's Christmas silly, you can take one day off right?" Naruto said walking towards them.

Both girls turned to face the two men approaching them, both smiling at the respective men in their lives.

"Idiot," Sasuke whispered to Naruto ten feet away from the girls.

"Yeah but," Naruto glanced to his side, "I'm happy."

"Hn," Sasuke looked at Hinata, all smiling and looking happy to see him, "so am I," he whispered to himself.

Sasuke sat down beside Hinata, taking her into his arms and kissing her temple, as Naruto sat down and was knocked backwards when Ino threw herself into his arms. Hinata started giggling and leaned further into Sasuke's side, both content to just be next to each other.

"How was training?" Hinata asked while looking up for Neji and Tenten.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Tenten said something about a last minute gift, Neji took her."

She nodded against his shoulder then looked up to catch his dark eyes staring down at her. She flushed just slightly, but kept her eyes locked on his. He raised one hand and pushed back a stray lock of her hair over her shoulder, then gently stroked down the side of her cheek. She leaned into his touch, wanting to memorize every moment she shared with him. His gaze was so intense, she felt like it was only her that mattered, his focus never wavered. The feeling shot through her, this was his way of showing her, telling her that he loved her. He said it with his eyes, those beautiful dark eyes.

He leaned into her, and whispered for only her to hear, "I love you."

She trembled as his voice traveled over her, through her heart and soul, and all throughout her body. She felt so many things with Sasuke, loved, protected, comfort, so many things. Fragile, she also felt very fragile, knowing that he could so easily break her completely. Trust. It was something they gave to one another, and she did. She trusted him. She couldn't ever see herself letting him go, no matter what may happen in the future. It was simple, because she loved him too.

With a smile in her eyes she reached up and gently placed her lips against his, and felt content when he pulled her tighter against him, deepening their kiss. She closed her eyes when his bottom lip moved to take hers into his mouth, sucking gently, teasing her. She opened her mouth to his, reveling as their tongues united and moved together as one. She couldn't help the moan she emitted into his hot mouth, and she loved it when he did the same to her, knowing that he was just as lost in her as she was in him.

"Wow, totally hot and all, but you still have company over here," Ino interrupted.

She blushed and tried to pull away from him, only he wouldn't let go. He brought his face down to hers and captured her lips once again, roughly and boldly to show that he could care less who was there. Moving away she watched his eyes remain on hers while he spoke. "Then leave."

"Geeze bastard! That's not the way to treat your guests!"

"Who invited you in the first place?" he asked, finally looking over at the blonde.

"She did!" he said pointing to the girl still in his arms.

Hinata blushed, "A-actually…"

Ino laughed, "Come on Naruto, let's get going, we're obviously interrupting. Merry Christmas Hinata, Sasuke. I'll call you on Saturday okay?"

Hinata nodded, completely flushed and stood as well as Sasuke to see them out.

They said their goodbyes and just as she closed the front door, he pushed her against the door. She squeaked into his hot mouth on her lips, kissing her feverishly. They were completely home alone, of course, it never bothered them if Neji and Tenten were there or not, they just locked the bedroom door. She resigned herself to him and kissed with the same passion that he was showing her.

He pulled away from her, taking her hand and leading her up the stairs. "Where were we?"

She giggled and wondered if he realized he let her follow him up and not the other way around. Of course, all thought escaped when he picked her up at the top of steps and walked her into their room, throwing her onto the bed.

Sasuke Uchiha had many looks when it came to her, and the one he was giving her right now, let's just say she thought he wanted to eat her.

And that is just what he did.

-A/N-

This Lady is not a medical physician, or is schooling to become one. Fascinated, yes. Brief research, perhaps. So I really hope that I do not offend anyone with that barb about graduating early and whatnot. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I'm trying to get the holidays out of the way. The whole Christmas morning should be coming next. Let's just say…yum. *wink* ~Lady Crack