A groan made her turn to the occupant of the bed, away from looking over his chart.

She allowed herself a rare smile. "You're awake."

"What-" Shikamaru licked his lips before looking around confused; the white walls, the sterile smell, the IV attached to his hand. "Why am I in the hospital?" He tried to lift his head but found it practically impossible. "Why-why do I feel so drained?"

Tsunade frowned and moved to the side of his bed instead of the end. "How much do you remember?"

The memories of the past few days came back to him in pieces. Some parts felt muddy and others felt crystal clear, but he remembered enough.

His eyes snapped shut and his cheeks reddened in embarrassment and shame. "Hinata."

The Hokage outright snorted. "Oh yes; definitely Hinata."

She tossed his chart on an empty part of the bed and made herself comfy in a chair beside his bed for visitors.

He turned his head to look at the elder woman with difficulty. "Is she alright? What happened?"

"Don't worry your princess is fine," the blonde smirked before turning serious. "It was caused by an incomplete Blood Mist jutsu from one of those rogue ninja you were chasing a few days ago. It invaded your chakra; gave you and Hinata incredible stamina, more blood to carry large amounts of oxygen so you didn't need to sleep or eat as much."

"Gave you a lot of rage too," she added looking solemn. "But then that was the point. If the jutsu was complete the ninja would have been able to direct your rage with their chakra, force you to fight amongst yourselves so they didn't have to, but without them alive to direct your rage somewhere I guess it simply manifested in some other way," she smirked. "Although from what I witnessed you two didn't seem to mind."

"Please don't," Shikamaru pleaded. It was bad enough seeing visions of what him and Hinata had done dance over his closed eyelids. "What a drag; I don't think I'll ever be able to look her in the eye again. She'll hate me."

"Don't be so dramatic she was under the same thing you'll be able to work it out."

Another memory hit him. "I threatened my sensei and hit my friends."

"Oh yes you did!" Tsunade laughed getting out of the chair. "Kiba has quite the shiner and Shino was not impressed you broke his nose."

Shikamaru flinched.

"But again they know what happened to you and they'll forgive you."

"Can I leave the hospital?"

"I want to keep you in a few more days for observation but after that you should be fine."

Shikamaru closed his eyes and turned his head away from the Hokage. "I know it's a drag; but; can I be alone?"

The medical ninja sighed at his request. "I promise no-one is angry at you Shikamaru, they all understand."

She headed for the door but he called out when her hand rested on the handle.

"Wait."

Tsunade turned around and waited for him to talk. It seemed to take every ounce of strength in him, but he turned his head to look at her.

"You said the jutsu manifested in another way; is that not how it normally works when it isn't completed properly?"

The medical ninja shook her head; she knew what Shikamaru was asking.

"No; I did reading on the jutsu, read previous cases where it was only half completed. In all other cases they attacked everyone; violence pure and simple. You two did that on your own."

And with that said she closed the door.