It was all trying his patience.
Jiraiya would no doubt say that was a good thing, something he needed.
That is, if the Legendary Sennin was still alive.
Sitting on the back of a peddler's wagon, a huge cowl covering his face, Naruto maintained his disguise, pretending to be a wandering monk. He was not about to wander anywhere as himself, until he had a good idea of how things stood.
The Blood Moon had come and gone, a couple of days ago. After escaping the great ogre, he had run until he reached the top of a great peak, taking shelter in a long-abandoned temple to the local kami.
That was where he had found the robes and other accouterments that he wore.
He had carefully questioned the elderly man and woman who owned the cart, as well as their attractive young daughter and squat moronic nephew. None of them knew precise details, but there was word of mouth.
A giant monster with six faces and eight arms had been seen by some travelers. It was said to have been attacking a mountain out of rage, perhaps because it was the only thing taller than it in the vicinity.
Ogres were said to be like that, the nephew said.
"There was also talk of a huge serpent, with many heads and tails, somewhere in the Earth Country." The daughter had said. "But, we heard that from river men. You know how they drink!" By the way that she and her parents spoke, none of them believed any of the stories.
Naruto had also asked about Konoha, knowing that's where the family was headed. There hadn't been much word they could pass along, other than the fact that the market was good for furs, seeing that winter wasn't too far away.
"Shit!" Naruto cursed under his breath as one wheel of the huge wagon went in and out of a deep rut. Choice cuts of dried meet swung from hooks over his head, and huge racks of beads and bracelets rattled at him like chattering teeth.
At least the huge stack of animal pelts he sat on cushioned his ride some.
He had perched there at the flank of the tall open-topped wagon, situated between two of the massive four wheels on that side. For long hours, he grimaced, losing track of the miles posts he and his hosts had passed. The strong wind gusts caused the tent-like structure over his head to flutter like a kite, and also teased at the edges of his cowl.
"This sucks!" Behind him, he could see the forests and hills that told him they were getting close to Konoha. In front, he could barely see around the old man and his long driving stick, which he flicked every so often at one of the four oxen pulling the wagon.
The urge to get off of his duff, put his feet on the ground, then take off running was great. He wanted to know what had happened.
He needed to know how Hinata and Jiraiya were, not to mention the jounin.
As hard as it had been for him to run from a battle, it was harder taking this slow ride home. But, it was the wise thing to do. Akatsuki members could have escaped, and might be looking for him now, wanting to capture him, holding him for the next Lunar eclipse.
If they could ever work the broken ritual again….
He also didn't know what kind of reception he might get from anyone from his home village. He had left one building in partial ruin. He had been chased by ANBU squads. He was still absent from the village.
Naruto shook his head, remembering how he had been persecuted as a child. Given that, anything seemed possible.
For all he knew, his name might have been connected with the appearance of the two great devils.
Even though Naruto knew that none of the happenings were his fault directly, that didn't change the fact that Kyuubi was a large reason that things took place as they had. If a large number of shinobi had died, there could be people that held him responsible.
Of course, there could just as easily be people who would look on him as a savior of sorts. He had stood up to members of the Nine until Jiraiya had arrived. He had kept Kyuubi out of the hands of those black-hearted fiends until the time of their ritual was done.
If the two great demon's could somehow sniff out the men who had worked the abortive ceremony, Akatsuki would be in a world of hurt.
But, how many people would know all of that, or even any of it? Were there survivors to bring back the tale? If so, would Tsunade allow word of any of it to reach the general populace?
Knowledge of the danger that the village had faced could have detrimental effects.
Would the Hokage or any of the more powerful ninjas even be at the village? Might they all be off battling Rokumen-happi-no-Jaki, who had, after all, been wandering through the Country of Fire? That great monster was not about to disappear in a puff of smoke, was it? If it was chasing the Nine…… and they knew it…… might not one of those bastards hide in a village he wanted to see destroyed?
Questions.
So many damn questions.
One particular question kept coming back to his mind, no matter how hard he shook his head or rubbed his eyes. He thought back to his training camp, and the small huts he had built. He remembered the time spent there with a small unassuming girl.
"Are you OK, Hinata?"
Naruto spat off into the passing countryside, aiming for an all rotting stump and missing.
It had felt so wrong, leaving Hinata helpless, at the mercy of Akatsuki, with only that perverted old hermit to guard her. Of course, if he had to choose anyone to fight for her sake, it would be his master. He wished he could see Jiraiya in his full rage, never having had a chance to watch him in that kind of struggle.
The older ninja had been drugged when he fought Orochimaru, who himself did not have use of his arms.
The battle back at the cavern had the potential to have been something spectacular…… and devastating. For all he knew, Hinata could lay buried underneath tons of rock.
Months ago, if he heard of her death, he would have been very saddened, but the emotional impact would have been minor, relatively speaking. He had admired her spirit, but mostly remembered her as a shy quiet girl who stood out only because she didn't stand out.
A timid look, twiddling fingers, the fur-ruffed coat, and the unique Hyuuga eyes were what he would have remembered.
That, and the role she had played in boosting his confidence against Neji.
Now, what would he feel? What memories would bring a smile to his face? What thoughts would haunt him?
"Itachi…."
Hinata had been thoroughly outmatched. Kakashi would never tell Naruto about his own experience with the Tsukiyomi. He could only imagine what a less-experienced shinobi, without a sharingan eye, might go through.
That damn Uchiha son-of-a-bitch had been so cool, so emotionless. If only he could have stayed and pulled out his the bastard's innards with both hands!
Naruto couldn't keep Itachi's face in mind for long.
Hinata's face kept taking its place.
The two of them had been through a lot, in a relatively short period of time. They had grown closer than he ever would have thought possible, and had learned things about each other that no one else knew. His conscience began hounding him, taking him to task for teasing her so mercilessly that last day together.
"I should have shown her more respect."
No.
That wasn't fair.
He had joked around with her because he had felt comfortable around her….. no…… because he wanted her attention. In his own way, that was more respect than he had shown any girl.
Naruto's heart felt heavy, realizing how much he wanted her attention. Part of him called out to the Death God, saying that he would bargain for Hinata's life, if she was at Death's door. He frowned, feeling asinine making such a non-binding offer, knowing just what the Third and the Fourth had done for the village.
That was nothing to take lightly, in any fashion.
Still, his admission to himself about his feelings was significant. Plain and simple, Hinata had won his heart. She hadn't done it by being the prettiest, the tallest, the smartest, or the strongest. She had done it through things that truly mattered.
Then, at his darkest moment, trapped in a cage beneath a mountain, unable to control his body, she had appeared, bringing the jewel that he had cast away. That gemstone sat in his pocket now, polished to an amazing sheen. It hung on a new gold chain he had purchased from the peddlers, with coins a monk probably never would have had.
He had promised it to Hinata.
Naruto would keep that promise, whether Hinata was alive of dead. If she were buried beneath the stones of that f-cking mountain, he would return and move all those rocks, no matter how long it took. He would bring back her remains, to be buried with honor, the jewel with her.
"She could sill be alive…."
The young ninja sighed, his fingers interlaced, squeezing hard against one another. Watching as the wagon passed a slow moving chain of donkeys and the men walking at their sides, he knew that they were very close to the impromptu bazaar that set-up outside of the walls of Konoha each afternoon.
Naruto stood up, one hand grasping the fluttering cover of the wagon. Leaning out away from the side, his other hand above his eye, he looked into the sun.
He could see the village.
The next thirty minutes felt like an eternity. Finally, not being able to take it any more, he had thanked the old man and his wife, jumped off the wagon, and begun walking towards the Great gate. His walk gradually became a jog, and that soon became a run.
The young shinobi didn't care what he looked like in his over-sized robes, the arms flapping in the occasional gust of wind, and the long string of beads trailing off from behind his rope belt. The sandals he had worn instead of the boots in his sack fell off his feet, but he never took notice of the cold hard ground.
Dodging his way between draft animals, carts, and people carried carriages, Naruto made his way into the village. Noting a characteristic flag hung from the main flag pole, he immediately threw off his robes, put on his boots, and hurried to find the nearest guard. The news he heard had him go stiff, feeling as if his stomach had fallen through the bottom of his body.
Most of the shinobi were at a mass funeral, on the building roof used for important ceremonies.
He didn't take time to ask how many men and women had dies. He didn't bother to ask who might have survived. He ran again, this time towards a destiny he didn't want, not away from destiny his village should never face.
His heart beat louder with each step, as his throat felt as if it were being squeezed in a huge vice. This was not the first ceremony of passing he would attend, but the identity of the deceased had never been a mystery to him before.
As he approached a huge gathering of ninjas dressed in black, he fought to calm down, as he maintained a dignified walk. His eyes searched the crowd, zeroing in on the area where the younger shinobi stood, and where distinguished warriors like Jiraiya usually stood.
Kakashi and Gai were there, both wearing bandages, but looking hale and whole. Not far from them, Asuma stood without his ubiquitous cigarette, flanked by Kurenai and Iruka. Anko was there too, as was Ibiki.
There was no sign of Jiraiya. Frantically, he looked throughout the crowd for that characteristic unruly mane of hair, seeing no sign of it.
Naruto couldn't force himself to look for his sensei any longer. He ran his gaze up and down the ranks of the younger ninja. Sakura. Ino. Lee. Kiba. Shino. Choji. Shikamaru. Ten Ten. Younger shinobi he didn't know well. Neji was there too, standing with Hiashi and Hanabi.
Hinata wasn't with them.
He had to keep from running to the front of the gathering, looking at the covered portraits that ringed the Hokage. She saw him approaching, and nodded her head gravely in his direction, before continuing with the ceremony.
That act had tears coming to Naruto's eyes. No matter what had happened, he was not an outcast here. Tsunade's gesture had been a show of respect, even an honor. While most of the others would not turn their heads in his direction out of respect to the dead, their posture showed no sign of anger or revulsion at his approach.
Iruka actually nodded his head, as did Kakashi and Gai, Each of the jounin made subtle gestures of respect in their own way.
Were they showing their opinion of the difficult choice he had been faced with, and his performance of his duty, or were they sharing their grief, knowing the terrible shock that awaited him?
Naruto walked to take up a place between Sakura and Kakashi, who had each stepped aside to make room for him. Sakura touched his hand with one finger, the gesture feeling like the kiss of a morning's breeze. Kakashi looked at his face briefly, then nodded his head again.
When the Hokage began the litany of names lost, Naruto felt his hands trembling. Each name filled him with sadness, but it was the names he had not yet heard that had him ready to explode like a tightly wound spring.
He stood frozen, when he heard the final name, and the ninjas began carrying flowers to a large central altar.
There had been no mention of Hinata or Jiraiya.
Hardly able to wait until the proceedings were over, Naruto pushed his way between lines of mourners, making his way to Tsunade, where she stood with a cluster of village elders. There were some frowns and muttered comments, but his behavior had warranted that.
He didn't care.
Tsunade held up her hand. When the last of the shinobi had paid his respects, she took off the tri-corner hat, her eyes looking so tired and red.
"We were worried about you," were her first words to him.
"Old Lady… Old Lady…" Naruto couldn't even get his words out. Were Jiraiya and Hinata alive? Were they missing? Why weren't they at the funeral. The questions stumbled over each other, tying up his tongue.
"You did well, Naruto." Tsunade ignored his usual disrespectful greeting. She knew what question weighed heaviest on his mind, but there were things she wanted to say in front of anyone who might be listening, before he ran off. "That was difficult situation you were faced with, and you did what had to be done."
"But… I didn't finish off Itachi or Kisame…." Naruto hung his head, embarrassed to admit he couldn't have seen things through to the end.
"We'll talk about their fate later, as well as the fate of Akatsuki in general. I didn't mean that. You were told to run, and you did so. Even though that must have been difficult for you. And…."
"I didn't stop the ogre, either. It was hard enough just to stay alive, and to get him headed back in the direction of his calling." Naruto shook his head, still looking downcast.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. That certainly was a tale she needed to hear. She looked forward to Naruto's report, but it would wait for later.
"You kept out of Akatsuki's hands, once you left the mountain. The Blood Moon came and went. The ceremony failed. We averted a fate too terrible to imagine. You have my thanks, Naruto." The Hokage bent and kissed him on the forehead protector.
"Yeh….. well….." Naruto wiped his nose and held back tears. He looked to the side, seeing a number of people waiting to see him. "Granny Tsunade…… Granny Tsuande….." He cursed his lack of control. "Uhhh…… Mam….."
"Jiraiya is alive, but badly wounded. His fight…… if you can believe a word he says…… will live on in the legends." Tsunade smiled. "Every time I feel ready to get rid of the big oaf, he goes and does something to make himself useful. He's at the hospital center, surrounded by a bevy of young nurses." Tsunade frowned. "Those silly girls are doing it without being asked. They're just going to encourage him…."
"And…." Naruto's hands formed fists. His legs trembled. He bit his lip. He held the necklace in his hands.
Tsunade's eyes looked sad.
She ran a hand through her hair, then sighed.
"Hinata is at the medical building as well." The Hokage hesitated a moment, looking in Naruto's eyes, after taking note of what he held. "She is physically in good shape…… Jiraiya made certain of that, even to his own detriment…."
Naruto's mouth fell open.
"She still hasn't come to, after being brought back. What happened to her?" Tsunade rubbed her forehead.
"Itachi…… that damn mangekyou sharingan…… if I had only been able to…." Naruto brought both fist up to his chest, his eyes closed. "If I…."
"That explains it then. We had feared as much." Tsunade sounded incredibly weary. In fact, she teetered some, being supported by Shizune who rushed to her side. "What more could you have done, scamp?" The Hokage actually reached out and tussled Naruto's relatively short hair. "You escaped from two men that easily brushed off the attacks of some of our top jounin three years ago."
Naruto stood scowling, not wanting to hear that. It was meaningless to him at the moment.
He let the jewel fall, dangling it at the end of its chain.
"I hope you weren't determined to give that back to me," Tsunade said. "And, I hope you aren't so down on yourself for running that you no longer consider yourself fit to be Hokage some day."
"No," Naruto said, blushing and looking sheepish. He knew how much the necklace had meant to Tsunade, seeing how much history it carried for her. "I…… uhhh…… well…." he ran his hand over his head, then left it behind his neck. "I promised it to Hinata. She found me….. she set me free…."
"I see," Tsunade said, smiling gravely. "In more ways than one, it would seem." She sighed. "That's definitely a tale I want to hear from that girl. From you, as well. Later." Nodding to people clamoring for her attention, she squeezed Naruto's shoulder. "Go see her. She may not know you are there, so be warned."
After speaking briefly with his friends and the waiting jounin, Naruto made his way to the hospital center. Not ready to see Hinata yet, he stopped in to see his teacher first, getting a water pitcher thrown on him when he chased all of the nurses out.
Jiraiya had been relieved to see him, and promised to tell him everything when he was out of the hospital.
"I saw the ogre, Ero-Sennin…." Naruto wrinkled up his nose. "Once was enough! Big ugly shit!" He smiled. "I meant the ogre, not you!"
"That's a first," Jiraiya said. He grimaced, obviously in pain, despite the I.V. bags hanging with saline, antibiotics, and pain medications. "It showed up at the mountain, knowing exactly where those bastards were. With their hold on Kyuubi broken, Akatsuki no longer had good control of that walking mountain either. That was the only reason Hinata and I made it out of there…."
"The demon…… and the dragon…… will they attack the village…." Naruto felt guilty coming back here, remembering how the ogre had found him in a large wooded area. "The monster must have sensed Kyuubi in me…… if…."
Jiraiya held up one arm, then stopped, realizing that was not a good idea.
"I think Rokumen-happi-no-Jaki must have sensed that the dragon had been headed in that direction as well. Watchers who stayed within view of the mountain said that he left and headed in the direction of Wind Country." He coughed, body wracked with spasm. "Those demons will need to be dealt with, but there is no reason to suspect that they will attack Konoha at this time. If the ogre is seen headed in this direction…." Jiraiya smiled. "I may have to order you to run again…."
"Shit!" Naruto kicked some ice cubes from the pitcher across the floor.
"That was hard, wasn't it?" Jiraiya's voice was serious. "It was the right thing to do…."
"Yes," Naruto said quietly. "But I wanted to…."
"Uh huh," Jiraiya laughed, soon wishing he had not. "You might even have been able to do it. Might." He pushed the call button, wanting his nurses to return. "As it was, Itachi will curse you to the end of his days, if he still lives. Kisame won't. That ugly bastard won't be doing anything else, I'm afraid." Jiraiya mentioned how he had killed the hideous ninja, along with at least one other Akatsuki member.
"Guess I will need to do a lot more training with you, just in case." Naruto tried to force a smile. "Hinata and I both…." He hung his head.
"I would gladly have strangled Itachi with my own hands, for what he did to her." Jiraiya's face looked sad. He had become very fond of Hinata. "There's still hope that she will pull through. Even though she may not be aware of your presence, your voice might do her some good."
"You may be the hero who gets most notice from this, sensei…." Naruto's respectful comment almost had Jiraiya calling for medical attention for his pupil. "But it was Hinata who did the most important thing of all. I don't know what this damn thing does…." He held up the jewel. "But, it broke Akatsuki's hold on Kyuubi, and his hold on me."
Blushing, he described what Hinata had done.
Not able to help himself, Jiraiya laughed until he literally cried with pain.
"Damn you!" Jiraiya said with a grin, despite his discomfort. "Making me laugh like that." His face went serious then. "No matter what happens, I won't let her part in this be ignored." Then, he smiled. "Maybe I could honor her by putting her in my next book!"
"ERO-SENNIN!!!"
Naruto stood with his hands on his hips, eyes glaring.
"I was only kidding, idiot! Now, go see the girl, so my girls can see me." The Sennin looked over at the door, seeing the waiting group of giggling medical attendants.
Naruto felt better after seeing Jiraiya. Despite their squabbles and whatnot, he saw the older man as a father figure. It was good that he would be alright.
He sighed.
There was no way to put this off any longer.
Asking a clerk behind a large desk what room Hinata was in, Naruto was told that she could have no visitors. When the desk was reduced to kindling…… and Naruto told the quivering man that he had been given permission by Tsunade…… the young ninja was given her room number.
Naruto stood outside of her door for fifteen minutes, then gently turned the handle, pushing the door slowly inward.
The room was dark, but there was a large seal drawn across the floor, highlighted by a number of burning candles. Machines whirred and beeped. There was a medicinal scent in the air. A technician nodded to him, then left the room, allowing Naruto some privacy.
He stood at the center of the room for a while, not knowing exactly what to feel. Happiness that she was alive, and he could see her again? Sadness at her condition, and the fact that he was indirectly responsible? Pride, because of the bravery and determination the small girl had shown, also in part because of him? Eagerness, hoping she would be OK again? Despair, knowing that there was a good chance she might never wake again?
"Hinata…." He needed to hear himself speak her name. If he said that name, she must still exist. And, if she still existed, she must recover, right?
Slowly, he approached her bedside, She was dressed in a pale blue hospital gown, a light blanket pulled up to mid abdomen. Her head rested on two flat pillows, and her arms were tied to both railings, in case she suffered seizure activity.
She looked so peaceful. Her eyes were closed and her lips together. Her chest rose and fell with regularity.
"Hinata, I'm here…."
Naruto touched her cheek with one hand, feeling a need to know she was warm. Placing his hand under her nose, he felt her breath upon his skin.
Looking down at her small hands, he compared them in size to his own. She was so slight in stature, compared to most shinobi, despite her recent growth. Despite that, she had done something that no one else had done.
"You did it, Hinata. You saved us all…."
Even though he knew that the girl could not hear him, Naruto spoke more and more. He told Hinata about times in his childhood. He spoke about the dreams he once had, and the things he hoped to do yet.
He explained how he had felt during their run through the tunnels, and what had gone through his mind in the fight with Itachi and Kisame. In frightening detail, he described his encounter with the ogre.
Throughout it all, Hinata's condition did not change.
"Everyone's worried about you Hinata…."
Naruto spoke in hushed tones, telling her how Jiraiya wanted them both to come train with him again. He came close to swearing off ramen, but that was impossible. Stuttering slightly, he promised to take her to as many Dances as she wanted to go to.
They would even take lessons with Uzumi, if they went back to the same village.
Jaw set, and eyes tearing some, he swore that everyone would know what she had done, if she didn't come back to them. He told her that Jiraiya would do the same, but made no mention of his joke about the book.
When the technician came back in again, she checked Hinata's condition, then left again, having shown Naruto where the emergency signal was, should any of the machines sound loudly, or the girl show any evidence of convulsions.
"Here, Hinata. I'm a man of my word. It's my Ninja Way…."
Naruto took out the necklace, unclasped it, then gently worked it around Hinata's neck, closing it again. He stared at the jewel for a moment, finding it hard to give it away. But, Hinata deserved it. He had mastered Rasengan and brought a Hokage back to the village.
She had done more than him.
Swallowing hard, he looked to make certain there were no cameras in the room. Double-checking, he made sure there was no one looking through the window at the door.
He bent over and gave Hinata a kiss on the forehead.
Feeling tired, he pulled up a chair, then began talking again, saying anything that came to his mind. His eyelids felt heavy, but he kept himself awake through tremendous force of will.
At one point, Tsunade came in to check on Hinata herself. She smiled, seeing Naruto seated at the side of her bed. After speaking with Naruto a while, hearing the synopsis of his part of the adventure, she left to visit with her fellow Sennin.
The Hokage was not the only visitor. Kurenai stopped by, with Kiba and Shino in tow. They all wanted to know how he was doing, but he waved off their questions for later. Kurenai whispered in his ear, before leading the other ninja away.
"You're a good man," she had said. "Take care of her."
Naruto didn't know exactly what Hinata's mentor meant, but he had some idea. He would take her words to heart. Hinata deserved more than he could give her, but he would do whatever he could.
As long as the white-eyed girl wanted him to.
Others stopped by as well, including most of her friends.
When the technician arrived, bringing word that Hinata's father had arrived, Naruto stood up from his chair, just as Hiashi walked into the room, accompanied by Neji and Hanabi.
"Please, do not leave…." Hiashi said. His eyes were unreadable, as he looked down at his daughter, then back up at Naruto. "I would like to hear what she did. And, I would be grateful if you could tell me how her training went."
"Sir," Naruto said respectfully. "I will get more chairs…." He was relieved to see that Hiashi didn't look at him as if he were some kind of monster.
The clan leader's voice didn't hold any sign of blame or doubt.
"That is not necessary. Hanabi…." Neji and his cousin went to get the chairs.
"Sir, I am not exactly aware of proper protocol. Are there things I should not say in front of the others?" Naruto yawned, despite trying not to. "You are all Hinata's family, and there are things I would like to tell you about the danger we all faced…."
Hiashi stood, his eyes locked on Naruto. He nodded his head. "I had heard that you were rash and unthinking. It is gratifying to see that is not true. To be honest, I had my reservations about having my daughter train with you and your teacher." He nodded. "It was not only because of the demon…."
"I can understand that, sir. I was a bit surprised, when your daughter showed up at our camp." Naruto began telling of Hinata's training with him and Jiraiya, just as Neji and Hanabi arrived with more seats.
Hanabi walked over to stand by her sister, while Hiashi and Neji both sat down.
Feeling somewhat under the microscope, Naruto told about the prophecies, once he was given the OK by Tsunade, who came by to check on him this time. Sending an aide off to beg an appointment's pardon, she sat with them, wanting to hear more details than she already had.
Head bent, he told about his escape from the Provisions building, and the run to the mountain. Everything he had heard and seen, he relayed to them. When he got to the part about the jewel, he did not mention the kiss.
Tsunade smiled, seeing him sweat some, knowing there was something else to get out of him later.
"You ran, leaving my daughter behind." Hiashi said at one point.
"Yes…." Naruto shook a moment. "I did…. I…." His throat felt swollen. He was forced to cough, so that he could continue. "With Jiraiya there…."
"It was the right decision. If I had been in your place, even though she is my child, I would have done the same. As a father, I have no regrets for your action. As a clan leader, you have my thanks and respect."
Hiashi's eyes were intense.
Naruto bowed his head, not able to continue for a moment.
Neji stood, walked over to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You faced Sasuke's brother. He was the one who did this to Hinata."
"Yes." Naruto described the fight in detail, saying he should have moved sooner. Everyone present talked that down, saying he had done exactly what he needed to do.
"You may have plenty of faults," Tsunade said with a smile. "But, you seemed to have left them in Konoha when Akatsuki called you."
Naruto's subsequent description of his running had the Hokage frowning. She had heard about the ogre, but winced at Naruto's description. Any demon capable of taking down Kyuubi in principal, was not a creature they ever wanted to see outside of their village.
"It is… it is probably best that I leave again…." Naruto started, wanting to ask if Hinata could join him and Jiraiya again. That question seemed inappropriate, given her current state. "If the monster can sense…… you know……" He hadn't mentioned Kyuubi while Neji and Hanabi were in the room. "Maybe I should…."
Naruto sighed. Being back in Konoha again, he almost wished that he and Jiraiya could live there and train.
"I'm surprised that you didn't stay and fight that demon," Tsunade said in jest. "I didn't think there was anyone you'd back down from."
"I thought about it," Naruto said in all seriousness. "But, I wanted it to pay a visit to those f-cking…… I'm sorry." He blushed. "I wanted the ogre to bring judgment to The Nine." He sighed again. "I had wondered if I died fighting it…."
"We would be better off with you alive," Neji said, flatly. He shocked Naruto by smiling. He had followed his friend's train of thought.
Hiashi sat quietly, watching Naruto, taking his measure.
The young man had given him a lot to think about.
"Father, what is this necklace on Hinata?" Hanabi lifted the jewel in her hand.
Naruto looked over at Tsunade. She nodded, telling them all the history of the First Hokage's necklace. She went on to speak about the jewels of Venus, a topic no one there had known anything about.
"Why does my daughter have it now?" Hiashi asked, looking back at Naruto.
"She earned it," Naruto replied. "Hinata deserved it. I know I should keep it close to me in case it is needed again…… but if Akatsuki can't try the same tricks again…… if there even is such an organization any more…." He swallowed hard. "But…… I wanted…." He ran down.
"I'm certain my daughter will take care of it," Hiashi said. "She is a very responsible girl." His voice was rich with an emotion that Naruto wouldn't have expected.
One of the machines in the room made a brief chiming noise. That had Tsunade getting to her feet and walking over to Hinata. She took a light, and took note of Hinata's pupillary response, performing a cursory neurological examination after that.
"My daughter…." Hiashi stood as well.
"Ohhhh…… ummm…."
That voice had everyone in the room holding his or her breath.
It was Hinata's.
"Where……" Hinata's eyes opened on their own. She obviously had trouble focusing at first, moving her head slowly from side to side. "What…."
"Shhhhhhhh," Tsuande said, caressing the young woman's head. "You're in the hospital. It looks like your going to be alright."
"Naruto-kun…… how is Naruto-kun…." Hinata coughed, then shivered some.
"He's right here," Hanabi put in, looking sheepish when the Hokage put her finger to her mouth.
"Here…." Hinata tried to sit up, but Tsunade held her down.
"Just lay still, Hinata. You've been through a great deal. Your father and family are here to see you, but I don't want you talking yet, or trying to move."
"Is… is Naruto-kun… is Naruto-kun here…." Hinata turned her head, getting sight of Naruto. She smiled, then closed her eyes again. "Her eyes opened again. "Please….. I can't move my arms…"
"Sorry…." Tsunade undid Hinata's restraints.
Hinata's hand went to her throat. She ran her fingers over the necklace. She sighed, then closed her eyes. Tears fell.
"You did very well, Hinata…." Naruto said, tentatively walking over to Hinata's side.
Hinata smiled, and seemed content to remain silent. But, she looked up at Naruto, a strange glint in her eyes. "Even for an…. anteater…."
Naruto jerked, knocking over a small monitor onto the nearest console.
He didn't want to have to explain that one.