Chapter 6: Operation

Time really flew so fast, Naruto mused. Just a week ago, Sasuke finished his sentence. He would have stayed longer but together with Kakashi-sensei flexing his Hokage powers, they convinced the council to let him get a much shorter sentence. And the day after he got free, he decided to leave Konoha. That bastard! Well, he seemed to find peace within himself and there was no longer hate in his eyes. The original Team 7 bid Sasuke farewell and promised him that Konoha will always welcome him back.

Then, he got another big news when Sakura informed him that his prosthetic arm is almost ready. She also said that Tsunade scheduled his operation 3 days from now, so he should physically and mentally prepare and avoid any unnecessary activities that may cause injury or delay to his operation. There's so much excitement in him that he's just grinning and giggling like crazy. He can't wait!

There's so much energy in him right now that he couldn't just sit still. What he did that day was to roam around the perimeter of the village and searched for all his friends to tell them of the great news. He visited his favorite ramen stand to inform Teuchi and Ayame of the great news, in which he got a special bowl of miso pork ramen on the house to celebrate the occasion. He stopped by the flower shop owned by Ino's family where she spotted Ino just about to go inside the shop, and after mentioning to her of the operation she congratulated him promised to visit him after the operation. As he saw Chouji with his father about to enter Yakiniku Q, he mentioned to them of the good news and he got invited to join them to eat grilled meat with them for free to get his body packed with protein before the operation. At the training grounds, he saw the entire Team Gai, and with the news of him getting his arm back, he got the most enthusiastic, hot as "flames of youth" congratulatory message ever from Gai and Lee. Tenten informed him to ignore the dudes in front of him and go ahead and leave before the dynamic duo show something unsightly. From the village gates, he saw Shikamaru and Temari together. He teased them if they are now dating, earning a "too troublesome" face palm from Shikamaru and strike of giant fan from Temari, sending him flying away to the skies. He forgot to tell them the news, but them being smart, he realized they'll figure it out eventually. Now, the only missing people are the entire Team 8…

Out of everybody, he was the most excited to tell Hinata of the great news. They really grew close together and they saw each other a lot more than any of his friends, who became busier with their own lives. The warm and fuzzy feeling he had when they're together made him embarrassed and shy at times, but he can't deny that it just made him look more forward to everyday.

Out of all the people that will possibly visit him on that day of operation, he wanted Hinata to be there the most. Her presence gave him strength, confidence, comfort and security. It's like Hinata being there for him assures him that there's nothing he can't do and that everything will be alright. And that's what he needed during that day, right?

He approached the gates of Hyuuga compound. Getting nearby the entrance, he noticed a young girl about to enter the compound, with the same pearly white eyes indicating that she is part of the clan. She had a long brown hair and she wore a black ninja outfit underneath a brown vest.

'Maybe she is familiar with Hinata.' He thought. The girl noticed his presence.

"Hello there, kid! You are living here, right? Do you know a person named Hinata?"

"Yes I live here, mister. What do you want?"

This kid's a bit cold. Well, he's a stranger to her after all, so that's natural to be on guard. Since she ignored answering his last question, he asked again.

"Do you know Hinata? Neji's cousin? I'm sure they are popular around here."

"…again, what do you want?"

Oh. So that's her answer. Maybe he needed to state his intentions to get more information.

"Sorry kid! I just want to talk to her, that's all."

"Who are you?" The way she asked him questions made him flustered for some reason. Like he is getting scrutinized hard. Do every Hyuuga except Hinata act like this? He cleared his throat to erase his current awkwardness.

"I'm Naruto! The most awesome ninja in Konoha! Nice to meet you, kid!"

"…Naruto, huh. I see." The little girl smirked. He was meant to impress the little girl with that awesome greeting. But the reaction she gave him made him feel like he got baited into giving away something he shouldn't have.

"Sorry, Naruto-san. But nee-chan isn't here right now. Hokage-same called for her a while ago."

"Oh, I see…" So Hinata wasn't there in the compound. And apparently, this girl in front of him is Hinata's little sister. Aside from the eyes, she didn't share any resemblance from Hinata. Even if he's unsure, he didn't want to risk saying unnecessary things. If she's truly part of Hinata's family, then he wanted to give her a good impression of him after all.

"Is that all?" Her question pulled him out his thoughts.

"U-uh, y-yeah. That's all! Thank you…uh…"

"Hanabi."

"Ah yes, Hanabi! Thanks again! I'll go ahead now!" Better take note of her name. As he starting to get some distance, he heard Hanabi respond.

"Goodbye, Naruto-nii-san!"

She sounded like teasing him, but he wasn't sure.

At the foot of the Hokage tower, Naruto saw all the members of Team 8 exiting the building. He approached them to tell them about the news of his operation.

"Finally, Naruto-kun! I'm so happy for you!"

"Congratulations, Naruto."

"That's great, Naruto! I can finally go out beating your ass the next time we spar!"

"Arf! Arf!"

"Heh, don't get cocky Kiba! I can easily beat you even with one arm, you know!"

"Ha! Says the one who always gets smacked down by Hinata over here, and she's not even going all out!"

"Kiba-kun!"

"Ugh, damn you Kiba!" No need to say embarrassing stuff in front of Hinata, Kiba! He couldn't wait to get his right arm back to punch Kiba in the face, hard.

"Ummm, when is your operation, Naruto-kun?" Hinata successfully diverted the discussion back to his operation.

"Sakura-chan said that they'll do it 3 days from now!"

"That soon, huh? Well, after we get back from our mission we will see you rocking and parading that new arm around the village!"

"You have a mission huh…how long…?"

"Hard to say. Anything can happen, man. A few days, maybe a week? Who knows?"

"A-ah…is that so?"

There was an immense disappointment bubbling inside his chest. His excitement was gone in an instant, like a bubble popping out into nothing. He tried to smile despite feeling the opposite. He was hoping his feeling that moment wasn't showing in his face, especially with Hinata there. He felt like he can't burden her with such selfish thoughts, especially when she has been there for him a lot at the lowest moments of his life.

"N-Naruto-kun, ummm…don't worry. I promise you, we will be there on that day, cheering you on!"

Did his face show that much sadness? He thought he did well to try to show a happy face…

"A-ah! Really!? Really Hinata? Do you promise!?"

He snapped his head to look at her. He was feeling really hopeful. It made him naturally smile back, all previous negative thoughts long forgotten.

"Of course, Naruto-kun! Not getting back on my word is my nindo too!" She was shining with that warm smile and pink-dusted cheeks. He felt the same warmth that always invaded his being whenever he's near her. He probably knew he was blushing, but he didn't care if he looked like a fool right now. He was too happy to even care.

He noticed Kiba trying to whisper something to Hinata's ear. He didn't know what Kiba was trying to say. If he did, he would probably hear the words:

"Oi, Hinata! What are you saying?"

Maybe Kiba is telling them to start moving for the mission. He didn't want to further delay their team mission.

"Well, I won't keep you for long. The earlier you start, the earlier you can go back, you know! Good luck with your mission and be careful, Hinata. And you too, Kiba and Shino. A-and Akamaru as well, hehe…"

"You too Naruto-kun. Stay safe and eat healthy. See you in 3 days!"

"See you, Hinata!" And with that, he left.

Waiting for 3 days would be a torture for sure, especially without Hinata in the village.

The day of his operation had finally arrived. He remembered what time Sakura had asked him to go see her at the hospital: 3:00PM. He ate an early lunch of his usual ramen. He set out to the bench nearby the village gates to wait for the arrival of Hinata. They were still out when he searched for her in the village using his senjutsu a while ago. His anticipation was building.

An hour had passed. No shinobi team had arrived yet. Maybe they're still on the way back…

Another hour had passed. The traffic of people passing through increased. Still no signs of them. Did something happen to them? He's getting worried and ansty…

And another hour had passed…only a few minutes to go before his scheduled operation. He used his senjutsu to detect their presence. Maybe they are already close to arriving. A few more minutes of searching, and still nothing from Team 8…Hinata knew of the time, right?

A voice at the back of his mind spoke.

'They're not coming for you, Naruto. Give up waiting.'

'No! I'm not giving up! She promised to be there for him!' He couldn't believe what this other voice is telling him!

'She just said that because you forced her with that mopey attitude of yours. You knew that, right?'

'No! I knew she meant that promise! She does not back out of her word!'

'Why would she do that for you? Who are you to her?'

'…'

He could not find the words to answer back. It made him realize the truth.

He's just a friend to her. A comrade. He's not even her teammate. Why would he demand a special treatment from her? Had he done anything for her? She had done a lot for him, risked her life for him, and saved him even against himself. Yet when the roles were reversed, he could not think of anything that he had done for her.

He felt mad at himself. He felt unworthy. He felt undeserving of her promise.

The time for him to go to the hospital finally arrived.

Still no signs of Team 8. Of Hinata.

He stopped waiting and left.

Naruto knew for sure that Tsunade was pissed, that Sakura was pissed, that everybody waiting for him was pissed, that Kakashi-sensei was pissed with all the active shinobi actively roaming around inside the village. He missed the appointment at the hospital, deliberately. He didn't feel like proceeding with the operation at all. He felt childish and selfish, but who cares? He's just not in the mood. Good luck finding him today. If it was hard to catch him when he was a prankster kid before, what more now that he has a ridiculous sensory technique to detect anyone's presence? He can't believe he's using senjutsu for such a petty reason.

He didn't know how long he was out there, at a deep part of a nearby forest sitting at a branch of a giant tree. If he guessed, probably about an hour had passed. He just wanted the day to end without seeing anybody. He'll face their wrath later.

He detected a presence approaching his location. He was pissed that's he's about to move again to hide. But he slowly recognized the presence approaching him closer and closer…

'Hinata? But how..?'

He started to detect her presence several kilometers from where he was. He thought for sure he can move away even before she got a glimpse of him with her Byakugan. That's why no Hyuuga ninja had found him up to now. How far can she see with her bloodline technique? He really underestimated her this time.

He only stood up and waited for her arrival. He didn't know what to do when she arrive. He knew for sure that she will be pissed, just like anybody else. Even if he can accept others' disappointment head like how he was as an annoying kid before, he couldn't face her if she showed him how disappointed she was with him. Just the thought of that made him feel heavy.

His thoughts were cut off when she appeared in front of him. Her clothes were dirty and have different scratch marks all over, her hair is a bit messed up and her face sweaty and had some dirt stains and sticky her on her cheeks. Even still, he thought that she was the prettiest thing he saw today. She looked so strained and tired and she was breathing hard.

If he only knew what happened, he wouldn't have doubted her in the first place…

Their mission was to locate and retrieve the kidnapped son of a rich merchant in one of the villages in the Land of Tea. Apparently, the kidnappers demanded hefty price as ransom for the kid. Local authorities just couldn't help locate the kidnappers, so the merchant asked for the assistance of Konoha shinobi. With the expertise of Team 8, they investigated and located the kidnappers' hideout within a few hours upon arrival. Normally, they would take a break first especially that they haven't rested since they started traveling from Konoha, but Hinata was just persistent, and her teammates knew why.

The team immediately headed to the kidnapper's location, an ordinary-looking cargo ship at Port Degarashi. Normally, Team 8 would approach the mission with strategy and planning. Their success rate is such an admiration among Konoha shinobi because of that. But Hinata decided a much simpler approach: she will act as a distraction and fight the group of armed guards, while Shino will invade and disengage any danger inside the ship like hidden traps and Kiba and Akamaru locate the kidnapped child and save him.

Normally Kiba and Shino will voice out their disagreement, especially with such a risky move that will possibly compromise the mission and her well-being. But Hinata gave them a look of confidence and determination. Her focus is just otherworldly that night. Despite their opposition, Kiba and Shino couldn't help but gave her a nod of approval. They trusted her as much as she trusted them, so there was no need to worry. They will succeed.

And the plan execution was perfect. Hinata, announcing her presence with a strong air palm to send the front guards flying, drew out the crowd of armed mercenaries; some of them were rented out shinobi from other shinobi villages. Kiba and Shino successfully invaded the ship while many of the mercenaries are distracted by Hinata, with Shino spreading out his kikaichu to detect any lurking danger inside and diffuse traps, and Kiba heading on to the location where the kid is being held with a burst of speed. They succeeded in the mission plus captured the mastermind as well, and soon they went back to return the kid to his father and the mastermind to the local authorities. Shino suggested staying at the village for a while to rest, seeing Hinata's tired form. But Hinata insisted on going back to Konoha soon and smiled to show that she's very much fine. Her teammates had doubts about her condition. After all, she did practically all of the fighting. But if there's one thing they knew about Hinata, is that she can be super stubborn, even much more than the yellow-haired punk now turned village hero. In the end, they agreed to head back to Konoha at full speed.

Hinata was feeling guilty of trying to rush everyone to go back. That was the reason she insisted on being the main bait and fighter for the mission. She didn't want to burden them much more than what she was already giving them. She knew the promise to get back to Konoha in 3days will take a toll on her teammates as well, but hopefully they will understand. She knew she was acting selfish but the look Naruto gave her when Kiba told him that they can't get back soon was plaguing her mind the whole time.

Dull eyes, fake smile, slumped shoulders…it reminded her of the past Naruto when she glanced at him sitting at lonely swing of the academy. It pained her so much, especially when she made a vow to herself to walk beside him from now on. So she promised him that she will be there for him at his operation no matter what.

It was late in the afternoon when they reached the village gates. According to Shino, the time was probably 30 minutes after 3:00PM. She was worried she was late.

"Don't worry Hinata! Maybe we can still see him now. They don't start these things immediately. We can just report to Hokage-sama later."

"Thank you, Kiba-kun! Let's head to the hospital, shall we?"

"Are you alright Hinata? You still haven't got enough rest for 3 days, and you have spent much more chakra than we do."

"I am fine, Shino-kun. We can rest when we arrive at the hospital, ne?"

As they arrived at the hospital, they noticed that Tsunade looks so heated and angry. Did something happen?

"I swear if I find him I'm going to kill him! Sakura, any news about Naruto's whereabouts?"

"We can't find him, shisou…the guards at the gate told us he was there for quite a while until he left. I asked the others to give us news when they find him."

"Okay, thanks. I requested some help from Kakashi as well, just in case he got into some trouble. Seriously, what happened to that brat?"

Based from what they heard, it seemed Naruto is missing. It was then that Hinata and Team 8 joined the conversation.

"Ummm…Tsunade-sama, Sakura-san, what happened to Naruto-kun?"

"Hi Hinata! That idiot Naruto didn't show up at the agreed time. We waited for 30 minutes and still nothing from him. We got worried so we did a search around the village, and we still can't find him."

"That Naruto is still a troublemaker as usual. Just when we rushed home for him…geez!"

Did he get in trouble domewhere, or did he just…

Suddenly, Hinata remembered again his lonely expression the day she left for the mission.

"Tsunade-sama, Sakura-san, let me help you find Naruto-kun! I will bring him as soon as I find him."

"Great suggestion, Hinata! Your team is the best tracking team in Konoha after all. But are you alright? You look so tired right now…"

"I am alright, Tsunade-sama. We just returned from a mission but I can still do it. Please don't worry about me."

"We will assist you, Hinata."

"Yeah! I will knock that idiot unconscious and bring him here if needed!"

"Shino-kun, Kiba-kun…thank you."

"Let's cover different areas to cover more territories faster. I put a signal bug together with you so we can inform each when we find him."

"Okay, let's!"

Her teammates rushed first to search for Naruto. She knew they were just worried for her current state of fatigue so they wanted to bring him in before she can. As she was about to head out, she fell to her knees out of exhaustion. Sakura rushed to her side.

"Hinata! You are not feeling well! Stay here for the meantime and let the rest find him…"

"I just tripped…Sakura-san. Thank you for the concern, but I am fine…"

"Hinata…"

She stood up, smiled at Sakura and headed towards the exit. As soon as she activated her Byakugan, she felt pain in her eyes and a strong case of headache. She better find Naruto soon while she can activate the power of her sight…

"Hinata…" He was happy to see her, but also concerned with her appearance.

"Naruto-kun…why did you run away?" Instead of his expected angry look, she looked so concerned and worried for him.

He truly did not deserve her kindness.

"Hi-hinata…I…I am sorry…" He couldn't think of anything to say but to apologize.

"No, Naruto-kun, I am the one who should be sorry." She moved closer to him.

"I promised to come and cheer you on, and I arrived late. I am really sorry." How can she still smile for him like that when he acted so selfishly and became a trouble for everyone, especially for her?

"Hinata, no…don't be sorry. You still kept your promise…I was just impatient. It's my fault…"

She held out her hand to touch his. He suddenly felt so alive, with the lately familiar warmth coming back within him.

"Hm-mm." She shook her head to disagree with him. She leaned her forehead to his shoulder. Despite the strong beat of his heart, he felt strangely calm and comfortable. He released her arm to caress the back of her head. Her arms wrapped around him. The press of her body against him dispelled all the negative thoughts plaguing him earlier. The feel of her hair in his hands was so good it made him repeat the action over and over again…

They just stayed like that for quite a while, in comfortable silence.

"I understood the pain of loneliness you felt. I didn't mean to make you feel that way…"

"No, Hinata. It's not your fault. I was just acting like a kid…but thank you for bringing me back to my senses."

"Hm-mm. Let's go back to the hospital, Naruto kun…"

"Yes, Hinata. I am ready now…"

After a short moment, Hinata's arm fell from the embrace and her body went limp leaning against him. That's when he noticed that she lost consciousness. He cradled her to look at her face.

"Hinata? Hinata! Please wake up! Hinata!" He was panicking. She looked so pale and he realized that her temperature was a bit high. It was then that Kurama intervened.

"She just collapsed due to exhaustion, Naruto! Just let her rest and she'll be back to normal."

He was hit with a mix of emotion, equal parts happy, and equal parts guilty. Happy, because she made him feel so important to her that she went out of her way to be there for him no matter what. Guilty, because he didn't consider her well-being and acted on his own selfish desires.

'I am sorry for being such a bad friend to you, Hinata. I was greedy and selfish for your attention because it made me feel so happy I could not even understand it. I promise to be better for you, Hinata. Please never stop being patient with me.'

He carried her with the best way he can with his one arm and swiftly travel back to the hospital.

He arrived the hospital, with Shino, Kiba and Sakura greeting him at the entrance. They rushed to him when they saw the unconscious body of Hinata.

"Naruto! What happened to Hinata?" Kiba angrily asked him.

"Don't worry, Kiba. She's just sleeping out of exhaustion. She doesn't have any injuries." Sakura reassured them after a quick diagnosis on Hinata.

"Let me carry her Naruto. I'll bring her to one of the rooms. Sakura, Kiba, you take it from here."

"Thanks, Shino. And I'm sorry, everyone."

"Good thing you know how to apologize, Naruto, because I am about to crush your face with my fist! Shishou is going to kill you so better apologize to her as well!"

"Yes, Sakura-chan…sorry again for causing trouble." He bowed down, showing how sincere and sorry he was. He looked so oddly calm and remorseful that both Kiba and Sakura pushed their anger aside.

"Sigh, we forgive you, Naruto! Let's go and get your new arm attached, okay."

"Thanks Sakura-chan."

All of them head back in the hospital. He got a huge bump in the head but Tsunade forgave him. The delayed procedure went underway…

It took a few hours, but finally, he had his right arm back working again. It was a successful operation. Tsunade-baa-chan truly is a miracle worker!

He got visited by his friends to see his new arm. It was a lively and noisy night, and he was glad to have them here with him to share his joy and excitement. It was then when everyone was about to leave when he noticed that there was somebody who has yet to visit him.

'Is Hinata alright now? I need to see her right now.'

Somehow reading his thoughts, Shino slipped him a piece of paper, saying that she was staying in that room, still sleeping.

As soon as everyone left, Naruto sneaked out of his room to go to where Hinata was staying. As he opened the door, he saw her sleeping form, looking so peaceful, illuminated only by the moonlight.

He sat beside her, held her hand with his new right hand and waited for her to wake up. The feel of her hand in his new hand felt so familiar. The warm feeling, the touch that made him shiver…Yes, he can finally say that his new arm is working just fine.

He suddenly felt her hands twitch in his. He looked at her face to see her slowly opening eyes.

"Hinata! Are you alright now?"

"Huh…? Naruto-kun? Where am I?"

"You're at the hospital. Do you feel better now?"

She nodded her head and smiled at him. She then noticed his new arm wrapped in bandages.

"N-Naruto-kun! Is that…?"

"Yes, Hinata! Look at my new right arm! I look so awesome now, right, Hinata!?"

He flexed at her like an idiot, and she giggled at his silly antics. They continued to enjoy the night sharing each other's happiness. Truly, the operation was a success!

-Chapter 6 End-

End notes: This chapter was heavily influenced by one of my all-time favorite NH doujin "Not Knowing, I cannot Say" by Koto. This is my own take on that story he made but making it fit to my story line. I have read it before so much that the entire thing just got stuck in my head.