Naruto and Sakura passed each other again the next morning, same place, same time, but this time they did not even notice each other, being too absorbed in their own thoughts. As Naruto was about to enter into Hinata's ward, a nurse came out, carrying a whole array of medical equipment for unguessable uses. Naruto was suddenly afraid - had something gone wrong with her? But he was soon assured, the nurse, seeing his worried look, told him

"She just woke up this morning, we were all worried before but it seems she's pulled through.

Smiling, she went on about her duties. But Naruto was now confused, not sure how to treat this bit of news. He knew he should just go in and talk to Hinata, since he had been with her for three days already, but he somehow couldn't do it. He didn't really know what to do now that she was awake and could respond. He stood there for a while, gathering himself. Then the nurse came along again

"Well go in, what are you waiting for?"

He stepped in the room with a nervousness extremely uncharacteristic of the loudest ninja in Konoha.

"N..N..Naruto...k...kun!"

He looked into Hinata's pure white eyes, and felt everything fall back into place, he felt all his worries, his struggles washed away like they were never there.

Hinata woke up in a small comfortable bed, her head slightly muddled. She remembered seeing Naruto getting hit by Neji nii-san, then everything began to go blurry, and the last thing she remembered was Kiba leaning over her with a concerned look. Then her insides had suddenly burned with pain, and of course, she fainted. But before she could clear her head, she became aware of a woman in a white uniform fumbling around in the room. The woman, apparently hearing her, looked around at her and exclaimed

"Girl, you're finally awake! You had us all concerned...you've been out for three days you know, and you look so pale, there was something wrong with your insides as well, it seemed that your body somehow couldn't take in nutrients. Anyways now that your awake I'm sure you'll need some food in you, so hang on a minute, I'll go get you some."

With that she left, and it took Hinata, her head still hurting, a few moments to realize that she was actually in hospital.

I never got to see the rest of that match she thought I wonder who won? It doesn't seem possible that Naruto-kun could win, but then he can be surprising, still, i don't want either of them to get hurt...

She looked around the room for something to distract her thoughts. Beakers, bottles, syringes, flowers...

Flowers? I wonder if any of them are from Naruto? I really have to get my mind off him...

She blushed slightly at the thought, then looked around again, and almost fainted again with shock as she saw Naruto walk into the room holding a bunch of purple flowers, with strange expression on his face.

"N..Narut..to..k..kun..." she blurted out, her surprise adding to her stutter.

Naruto into her eyes, and his face broke out into a foxy grin, all traces of the previous expression gone.

"Hinata-chan, you're awake at last! How are you feeling? You look,well,almost like you've seen a ghost or something, what happened to you?"

"Um...I..I'm feeling...um...okay...I...only just got up so I'm not sure..."

"Where do you want me to put these? I see you've got quite a few there let's see...Get well soon, Kiba....Hope you get well soon Kurenai....and the other one's mine as well. Do you want me to put them there as well?" He pointed at the flowers next to the window.

"Umm...yes..please...arigatou...N..Naruto-kun"

"Its nothing Hinata-chan, you're welcome"

Naruto put down the flowers and sat down next to her. On impulse, he laid one had on Hinata's head and began to stroke her hair, the simple action bringing him a sense of peace that he had never felt before. This caused Hinata to blush even more deeply, and surprised them both. Naruto was thinking:

Its funny how I never noticed her before...she isn't like the other girls, she hardly cares about her appearance at all, and her hair is always so messy, every other girl I know does up their hair in special ways to attract guys (read Sasuke) but she still looks really pretty without trying, and those pearly white eyes...

Hinata felt more as if she were in a dream, and wondered if she was actually still in a coma. This can't be real, Naruto coming to visit me, giving me flowers, now he's sitting next to me watching me, this must be a dream my mind made up to make me happy...and I am happy...so much that I can hardly contain it...I don't want to wake up...

But dreams have a way of ending abruptly and this one was no different. A loud clattering noise came from outside the door, and they came apart, just in time to see the nurse barging in the door and setting down an enormous tray of food complete with two plates, two sets of cutlery and two cups.

"Eat up" she advised "there should be enough for both of you, I thought you two might just like to..."she trailed off and left the room smiling. Hinata had to admit that she was hungry so they divided up the food and started to eat quickly, though not as quick as Naruto. Hinata was mostly silent (she had been taught not to speak during meals) but Naruto had no such teaching, and was talking loudly with his mouth full, something that most other girls would have slapped him for, or at least looked away and pretended not to hear, but Hinata couldn't take her eyes off him. They finished their meal off quickly. Naruto patted his stomach and said

"That was good, however, I still prefer ramen though, you know you really should try it sometime, go to Ichiraku's with me sometime after you get out of hospital and I'll treat you to some, since you hang out there quite a bit anyway" Naruto said without thinking.

I only go there because you're there thought Hinata

"Um...I...I w..would love to go..but..but..I..I'm not s..sure if m..my fa..father w..would allow me..."

Why did I have to say that? she thought, mentally beating herself.

Naruto answered "You don't have to tell you father everything do you? I'm sure he wouldn't want to be bothered by these little details of your life, like where you go to eat! Come on Hinata-chan, please!"

"I...."

"Its a deal then! I'll see you tomorrow, I've got training to go to!" With that he walked out, leaving a dazed Hinata rubbing her eyes, and wondering whether it had all been real.