Survival of the Fittest

Note: ya! they're finally getting on the damn ship the next chapter! Whew...me almost 1/3s done w/the story...sweat drops...poor me...jkjk

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The sun's almighty glow slowly diminished as the shadows grew longer. The sky was a majestic painting with streaks of reds, yellows and purples...in other words it was beautiful. The wind whistled softly through the trees while the world closed it's eyes in anticipation.

Tonight was the night. It was time for them to decide...to vote. Whether for the better or for the worse...none knew. No matter, their decisions would haunt them for the rest of their lives...maybe...

Naruto smiled gently as he traced his fingers around her lips. He found a reason...a reason to live. His whole entire life he had strived to be acknowledged...to be accepted...loved. He chuckled softly. Who would have guessed he actually had it all along? He had been blind, not noticing Hinata. She'd actually been there for him all along...supporting him...silently cheering him on.

He glanced at her sleeping form and held her hand tightly. "I'll never let go," he whispered. "I'll always be there for you...always..." Naruto spun around when he heard someone clapping behind him. However he turned a bit to quick...and crashed right into the person.

"Damn it Naruto, watch where you're going!" growled Hokage as he pushed Naruto back a little to hard...causing Naruto to crash headfirst into the wall.

"OWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" demanded Naruto, his eyes narrowing in fury. "THAT HURT!" he pouted, crossing his arms defiantly.

Hokage shook his head in disgust while he waited for Naruto to finish his tantrum. A sweat drop ran down his face as he stared at Naruto in disbelief. They were in a hospital for heaven's sake! If he didn't shut up soon...

Lets just say...he wouldn't like the consequences...

"WELL! WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR!" Naruto yelled at the top of his lungs...not noticing that the door had slammed open.

An old grizzly haired old nurse stood in the doorway blocking their escape. She was fairly short and had a plump and massive figure...she looked as if she could easily carry a 50 pound bag of flour over her shoulder. No...she looked more like a wrestler...The Hokage winced slightly, as she stomped forward furiously towards the unsuspecting Naruto.

"Even I wouldn't want to face her," thought the Hokage shuddering mentally while he tried to regain his composure. "Poor Naruto...for once I actually pity him...may his soul rest in peace..." he thought, when the nurse/wrestler stuck out a pudgy arm and grabbed Naruto's throat.

Naruto chocked slightly when he felt the death grip around his neck. "What the..." he hissed, trying to reach his kunai. The hand tightened. "Damn she's strong..."

He sent her a glare before he began struggling harder. "What do you want!" he choked out, his face paling from the lack of oxygen. Naruto was having trouble hearing...she looked like a fish gapping out of the water. Probably since he wasn't getting enough air...

The nurse pointed towards Hinata and made a slashing motion across her throat. "If you don't shut up now...you'll wake her up!" she snapped, not knowing that Naruto couldn't hear her. "And if you do...you're dead meat!"

Naruto's eyes widened with fear. That bitch was going to hurt Hinata! He had to do something! He couldn't just stand there and watch her get killed!

He loved her...Hinata...he would do anything...sacrifice his life for hers...anything...

"Let me go!" he howled loudly, while he increased his struggles. Naruto successfully gutted her in the stomach and sent her crashing against the wall. He quickly drew out his kunai, and faced her. "No one hurts the ones I love...no one..." he whispered as he lunged forward to send the final blow.

A hand appeared out of nowhere and grasped his arm...the kunai inches away from the nurse's face. "Let go!" Naruto growled furiously as he tried to free himself.

"Naruto! Snap out of it!" hissed the Hokage through clenched teeth. "She was only wanted you to be quiet!"

"What?" questioned Naruto as he turned around to face him. He tilted his head in confusion before protesting," But...but she was going to kill Hinata!" he insisted frantically.

Hokage turned towards the nurse. "I'm sorry, the boy's has problems," he said sincerely. "I promise it won't happen again..." The nurse nodded fearfully before scrambling out of the room.

"There's nothing wrong with me," grumbled Naruto, crossing his arms before pouting. "I was only protecting Hinata."

Hokage sighed wearily. "Never mind," he said shaking his head slowly. "It's a long story..." He added silently. In other words too hard for you to process.

Naruto gave him an innocent smile while jumping up and down in excitement. "So what happened?" he paused when he saw Hokage's confused look. "The vote...who won?"

"...." silence filled the air. "I don't know whether you'd like the results or not...but..." the Hokage stopped momentarily, while he drew out a bottle of water and took a gigantic swig.

"Well..." demanded Naruto waving his arms frantically. "Who won?" he repeated.

The Hokage whipped his sleave across his mouth before slowly putting away the bottle. He smile warily when he noticed Naruto's impatient expression.

"She's in," what Naruto didn't react he added, "Kin will be joining the rest of you on the vacation tomorrow. And hopefully you'll learn how to accept her for who she is."

"Tomorrow morning...you'll be sent to the AWAY...FAR AWAY" he said sighing in relief,"...and begin your journey around the islands."

"Tomorrow..."

Note: ya! finally! they getting on the damn ship! ya! me officially 1/3s done! Raises a can of soda. *CHEERS* hehe...me weird.