Summary: Through absence, Uchiha Sasuke begins to grasp the true value of Haruno Sakura. Post-562, will deviate greatly from the manga. Drabble series.

Disclaimer: Naruto is (c) Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha, Inc.

IN ABSENTIA

The Gentle Touch

Hyuuga Hinata had admired Uzumaki Naruto since she was a child. This was before he became a member of the infamous Team Seven; before he was widely known to be a jinchuuriki; before he received acknowledgement from his village; and, before he became a hero to the entire shinobi world. As days accumulated into months that amassed into years, childhood admiration grew into pubescent infatuation that transformed into teenage affection and ended as first love.

The byakugan-wielder had seen Naruto when he was still unseen and, owed to this, in certain ways understood him best. Hence, she was not surprised to find him dejectedly swaying on a solitary swing located outside of the academy.

Taking a tentative step forward, Hinata braved to intrude. "May I join you, Naruto-kun?"

If this had been two years ago she would not have been so bold, but war has a way of changing people. She refused to cower from the one dearest to her heart.

Naruto's head stayed bowed as he blindly fixated on the grass beneath his sandaled feet. "I'm sorry," he apologized, "but I'm really not fit for company right now, Hinata."

A self-deprecating smile curved her lips. "I'm not much of a conversationalist myself."

Hinata's attempt at humor earned a low, watery laugh. Thereafter, Naruto lifted and rotated his head toward her. The heiress' chest constricted upon catching sight of listless, red-rimmed eyes. Then, as if by some magnetic force, the gap between them dissolved and she was drawn to stand in front of Naruto. When a sympathetic palm was cradled against his cheek, the tide broke.

"What if... what if Sakura-chan's dead?" Her beloved's query cracked with the last word, as if it were too difficult to articulate the tragic scenario.

"It's improbable," Hinata rationalized. "If the culprit wanted Sakura dead, there wasn't any reason to steal her away. This demonstrates that whoever took her wants something. Three days have gone by and there's been no ransom. This demonstrates that whoever took her wants something from Sakura, individually, and not Konoha."

Naruto's desolate expression began to clear, spirits buoyed by her supposition. Hinata encouragingly continued, "And Sakura's a smart kunoichi, the smartest I know. She isn't going to submit to anyone's demands, because withholding whatever the culprit's after will keep her alive until you can save her."

"Know what?" Naruto asked, larger hand blanketing her own against his cheek. "You're a pretty smart kunoichi too, Hinata."

The compliment provoked an involuntary blush from the besotted female, and the stutter she had believed to overcome returned with a vengeance. "Ah... I... oh... you..."

A burst of smoke cut the disjointed rambling short. Kakashi arrived with the body flicker technique and curiously inspected the pair as they hastily distanced themselves. The stern appearance, which had been present since Sakura's loss, briefly slackened with amusement at their shamefaced behavior. "Yo," he said by way of salutation. "Naruto, if you're done devastating the training grounds and making mooneyes at your girlfriend, we've got to go. Sasuke's awake."

Naruto's embarrassment was forgotten at the disclosure.

"About time," the revitalized jinchuuriki leapt from his seated position and responded with trademark zeal. "The wussy bastard gets a nick and acts as though he has one foot in the grave."

Hinata, flushed and tongue-tied, was happy to see Naruto restored to norm. She comprehended that Sasuke's awakening was the primary source for this occurrence, but liked to think she had contributed in some small part.

TO BE CONTINUED