Hinata awoke to the soft beeping of machines beside her. She kept her eyes closed, and remembered to keep her breathing steady, for she heard people murmuring next to her.
"Is she going to be alright?" came Kiba's voice. Akamaru whined lowly.
"Yes, she just had another coughing spasm," a female voice replied. "Hinata-san was lucky that Neji-san had found her," she added with a worried note. "But there wasn't just the internal bleeding."
"Nani!" Kiba asked anxiously. "What are you talking about?"
"Well….There was a stab wound in her thigh, chest, and lower abdomen…also a cut on her neck."
Kiba made a slight noise.
Hinata's breathing hitched, but still pretended to be sleeping.
"How….Who did it?" Kiba growled slightly.
"Well don't know….Several people are still investigating, and please, Kiba-kun, keep this quiet…we don't want for this to get out."
Hinata heard the clicking of heels and a rustle of clothing.
"Oi, she was attacked in her sleep?"
Apparently, Kiba had stopped the nurse from leaving.
"H-hai, Kiba-kun. We, the doctors, and Neji-san, think that an illusion jutsu was placed on her…but we're not completely sure. All we know is that apparently, Hinata-san was attacked at night. We don't know if she was sleeping, or…."
Kiba cursed under his breath. "The stab wounds, were they deep?"
The nurse hesitated. "They were definitely meant to…kill her."
Kiba growled again, this time louder. Akamaru barked.
"Shhh, Akamaru, Hinata's still sleeping…" Kiba muttered. Akamaru whined in reply.
The kunai used barely missed her vital organs, but…" the nurse trailed off.
"But what?" Kiba asked, his voice strained.
Hinata peeked under her eyelids. Kiba had the nurse held by the arm, even though she clearly wasn't going anywhere.
"The one in her lower abdomen…it…we don't know if she'll be able to…produce heirs. I'm sorry, Kiba-kun."
The nurse turned, and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Kiba's hand dropped limply to his side, and he looked at Hinata.
Hinata squeezed her eyes shut. She felt Kiba's gaze on her.
After a minute, Kiba sat down next to her, his head bowed. Hinata listened to the pattern of his breathing. They were uneven; signs of shock.
"H-Hinata…" Kiba called softly.
Hinata didn't answer. She felt Kiba's eyes leave her, and stare off somewhere else.
"Kuso…"
Hinata's lips formed a small frown. She didn't know why Kiba was so upset. It was not like she would get married or have kids anytime soon, right? Also, it's not like anybody will want to be with her. Besides, the nurse wasn't exactly that sure. There could still be a possibility.
'Kiba-kun, don't dwell on it…please'
Hinata sighed inwardly and drifted off to sleep.
Hinata awoke again, and blinked slowly at the noon sun. The birds were chirruping softly outside, and the leaves on the trees swayed in gentle breezes. The room Hinata was in was a soft white, not harsh and gleaming. She was thankful. That last time she was in the hospital, the walls were blinding. Clean tile floors decked all the way into the halls. She heard muffled voices as though they were far away. A tray with food was beside her, along with her jacket.Somebody must have gotten it for her…
Hinata turned to look at Kiba's soft breathing. They were shallow and even; he was asleep, but just barely.
Sure enough, he opened his eyes and rubbed them. "Oh, you're awake," he mumbled.
Hinata smiled. "Kiba-kun."
Akamaru yapped softly and wagged his tail.
Hinata reached out and scratched Akamaru behind the ears.
"Was I…here long?" Hinata asked hesitantly. Kiba must not know that she had overheard them. She didn't want anybody to fuss over her. It would just show how weak she was.
Kiba shook his shaggy head. "Just over night," he grinned. "Mighty scare you gave us," he added. His grin only lingered for a little bit.
Hinata frowned. Kiba's smile wasn't real.
"Us?" Hinata decide to stray away from what she overheard, just to be safe.
Kiba nodded. "Shino, Kurenai-sensei, Neji, that Naruto…" His eyes widened and he smiled. "Almost forgot."
Kiba pulled out a slip of paper. He handed it to Hinata. "Here, it's from Naruto."
Hinata accepted the old, beaten slip of paper. It was a coupon for a free beef ramen at Ichiraku Ramen shop. Expiration date: a month ago.
Hinata blushed and smiled.
"It expired a month ago," Kiba said airily, waving his hand. "It's no use anymore, but he gave it to you anyway. What an idiot; I'd throw it away if I were you."
Hinata nodded absently to what Kiba was saying, but when Kiba wasn't looking, she slipped it into the pocket of her jacket by her bedside.
"Now, Hinata-san, remember to use the crutch to help you walk. It's best not to put pressure on your leg; the stab wounds were pretty deep. And change the bandages every so often, alright?" the nurse smiled.
Hinata nodded, her face tilted toward the ground. As usual, her eyebrows were knitted together. The nurse helped Hinata through the hospital doors.
Kiba held the door open, and Shino waited outside.
"Oh, Hinata-san, if it discomforts you too much, just eat one of those food pills I gave you. It will help lessen the pain."
Hinata gave a small smile and looked at the helping nurse. Arigato," she mumbled.
The nurse smiled and patted Hinata on the head. "Take good care of yourself!" she called after the three retreating shinobi.
Kiba held up a hand in goodbye and gave a small wave.
Both Shino and Kiba helped Hinata hobble across the street.
Hinata flushed and opened her mouth to speak after a while. Thanks were in order.
"Oi, Hinata, you feeling okay?" Kiba asked. "You're mighty quiet today."
Shino snorted softly. "Kiba, she's always quiet."
Kiba shot Shino a look.
"Ne? Oh, sumimasen. I'm fine, Kiba-kun."
They walked in silence for a while.
"Oi…it's a good thing Neji found you," Kiba said finally.
Hinata felt a tingle go up her spine. "H-he took me to the hospital?" She knew perfectly well who took her to the hospital, yet….
"Yeah. He stayed with you all night. He left just before we came to see you."
"Oh…." Hinata steadied herself and adjusted her crutch. That was something she didn't know. She thought that Neji just took her there and left. Hinata would have to thank him…
"Naruto came by for a few minutes; he had to train. " Kiba grinned.
Hinata graced her lips with a small smile and blushed. "Naruto-kun…"
Shino smiled, the bottom half of his face hidden by his high, side collar.
"Kurenai-sensei wanted you to train with us a little, ne, Hinata? Come on -" Kiba said as he took away Hinata's crutch and handed it to Shino, who was surprised, but took it.
"Nani - " said Hinata, confused. "I'm supposed to stay on my crutch, the nurse said so -"
Kiba secured Akamaru on his head and placed his hand on Hinata's shoulder.
"What - Kiba-kun?" Hinata began.
Kiba scooped Hinata up, much to her surprise. "Kiba-kun? Wh-what are you doing?" her face flushed.
"We can go train faster if I carry you, Hinata," Kiba stated matter-of-factly.
Kiba crouched down, then sprang up into the air.
"K-Kiba-kun! Please, put me down! You and Shino can just go on ahead -"
Kiba could not help but smirk at the helpless Hinata.
Hinata blanched. Akamaru's tongue lolled out. Clearly he was enjoying the ride…
Kiba landed, just before springing up again. Hinata's stomach dropped with a swooping sensation.
Shino caught up with Kiba, carrying Hinata's crutch. "Kiba, at least slow down," he said, his eyebrows raised.
Kiba ignored him and ran faster. Shino sighed and rolled his eyes.
Kiba gave a laughing bark, and soared down to the ground where Kurenai was waiting.
Hinata stumbled haphazardly from Kiba's arms, her hair windswept. Kurenai raised an eyebrow at the panting Hinata.
"Daijoubu, Hinata?" Kurenai asked softly.
"H-hai, Kurenai-sensei." Hinata straightened up and bowed.
Kurenai nodded and pointed at a spot under the tree. "Hinata, you can sit there. I'll call you when I need you."
Hinata smiled, accepted her crutch back from Shino, and limped to the shady tree.
Kurenai's lips turned down slightly at Hinata's limping. It quickly faded, though, as she turned to Shino and Kiba, who were waiting patiently.
"For a slight warm-up, Kiba, you and Akamaru run fifteen laps around this field. Shino, run ten in the trees."
Shino nodded and disappeared.
Kiba saluted, Akamaru barked, and both took off in a cloud of dust.
Kurenai smiled inside. She was very proud of her excellent students. They have grown and matured. Especially Hinata and Kiba.
Despite what Neji said to Hinata during the preliminaries, Hinata tried and tried to change herself. And she did. She as grown much more stronger.
Kiba and Shino both looked after her, also. They both were very protective of their fellow team member. Kiba was the most protective and caring under his mask of aggressiveness and obnoxiousness.
Kurenai watched as Kiba and Shino whisked around again. Their physical stamina was growing well. Neither of them were out of breath.
Hinata smiled to. She was quite fond of Akamaru, Kiba, and Shino. They were the closest people to her.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hinata saw a flick of black next to several large green bushes. Hinata's head flicked to look at it. Whatever it was, it was gone. But Hinata was almost sure that the person or thing had a very strong aura. It was pulsating from where he/she stood.
Hinata's eyebrows twitched once, and she gripped her crutch tightly. "Who…?"
Hinata finished wrapping the clean bandages on her thigh and tucked the end in a fold. She was just putting the roll of bandages away when a soft knock rapped on Hinata's door.
"Come in," she said, closing the first aid kit.
The door slid open and a small figure stepped in.
"Hinata-neesan," the person said.
Hinata's eyes widened slightly. "Hanabi-chan!"
"Hai," Hanabi said. She stepped forward.
Hinata gave a small nervous smile to her younger sister. They have barely met before, though, even when they were from the same family.
"What are you doing here?" Hinata asked. Her fingers found each other and she fidgeted with them absently.
'Just to….check on you. Otou-san's busy," Hanabi gave a small frown.
"Oh, I don't mind - " Hinata trailed off. She was kind of used to the many years of negligence from the rest of the head family. She barely saw any of them.
Hanabi dug in her pockets and pulled out a small, dark box. She held it out to Hinata. "Here. For you."
Hinata stared hard at the box. For her? Slowly, she reached toward Hanabi and accepted the box.
Hanabi smiled, gave a small bow, and vanished.
Hinata's dazed expression slightly faltered as she looked at her hand. Years of shinobi experience taught that Hinata must not trust visuals so easily. Just a few days before, she was attacked in her sleep.
If "Hanabi" were an imposter, they did a good job. What reason would allow Hanabi, whom Hinata saw little of, come see her out of the blue?
Hinata swallowed and placed her other hand of the box and her fingertips found the latch.
Hinata closed one eye and slowly pried open the box. It snapped open, and Hinata dropped it, startled. The small box was open of the ground, a silvery substance pooling on the floor.
Slowly, Hinata inched to the object and picked it up. She could hear her heart pounding incessantly in her ears.
Nestled inside the box was a thin, fine silver chain. Hinata fingered the cool metal links.
They were so tiny and delicate. Hinata gently removed the chain from the box and held it up to see.
A small pendant hung on the thin chain. It was oval, and elaborate designs decorated the edges. In the middle, there was a bird with its wings spread out wide. It was beautiful.
Hinata draped the necklace over her left hand and picked up the box. A small piece of paper stuck out of the top lid. Hinata slipped the paper out of the pocket and smoothed it out.
Small, neat handwriting was printed on the paper.
"Sorry, and thank you," Hinata read. Sorry? Thank you? What did that mean?
Hinata's eyes roamed to the bottom of the slip of paper.
Love, Hanabi.
Hinata smiled, feeling the tears sting her eyes. Love Hanabi. Nobody had ever openly let Hinata know that she was loved.
Hinata gingerly tucked the paper back into the box and gently closed it.
She unclasped the hook on the necklace and placed it around her neck. She secured it into place, and adjusted so that the clasp was in the back of her neck.
"Arigato, Imouto-chan."
Hinata opened her eyes and stretched. She pulled off the covers slowly and stumbled out of bed. Using a cushion on the floor, she pushed herself up and got to her dresser.
Hinata combed her hair using a wooden-toothed comb, and pulled on her training clothes, careful not to reopen the wounds. Then, she took her hitai-ate and fastened it around her neck. She caught sight of the necklace Hanabi gave her and smiled.
Such a sweet little sister that she barely met.
Hinata zipped up her outer jacket while looking into the mirror and frowned. The cushion beside her bed - that wasn't there last night. She distinctly remembered cleaning her room after receiving her little present.
With an eyebrow raised, Hinata stalked over to the zabuton and stared at it.
Nothing in her room was out of order…
Hinata squinted at the pillow and knelt, her knees cracking. She picked up a long piece of hair. It was dark.
Instantly, Hinata's throat constricted. Were the people back - the ones that had attacked her before? She stared at the wall, her eyes wide. Maybe it was Hanabi's hair. She had long dark hair. That must be it. It was Hanabi's hair. Hinata slowly calmed down and hurried out of her room for training, too frazzled to remember that she left her crutch in the bathroom because of her cleaning last night.
Sweat openly poured down Hinata's face as she dodged Kiba's attacks and fought to strike back.
Kiba's right arm lashed out; Hinata veered to the left, his fist barely missing her head. Hinata crouched and waited for Kiba's fist to retreat, then she sprang up and the first opportunity to hit a tenketsu.
Kiba's eyes widened, and he fell back, staggering.
Hinata's eyebrows bunched and she exhaled slowly, turning around.
In a small explosion of smoke, Kiba disappeared behind Hinata.
"You're getting better, Hinata!" Kurenai called from the side.
Kiba dashed to Hinata from the tree and lashed his left arm out towards Hinata's head.
The blow landed and Hinata staggered to the side, stars painfully blinding her vision.
"Keep going, Hinata!" a loud voice called from the far end of the field.
Hinata's head flicked toward the voice and saw a bright orange flash before feeling Kiba's leg collide with her ankles, making her fall to the ground, panting.
The exploding stars brightened, and the searing pain in her body flared up, causing Hinata's eyes to water.
She lay there's gasping for breath. An outstretched hand appeared in her vision and she grabbed it.
Kiba hoisted her up and steadied her.
"Good job, Hinata. You're done for the day," Kurenai said. She flashed a small smile at Hinata.
Hinata turned to Kurenai and bowed. "Arigato, Kurenai-sensei. Ja ne, Kiba-kun, Shino-kun, Akamaru!"
Shino nodded in response, and Kiba waved. His smile was wide. Kurenai gazed at Hinata with an approving look. She had indeed improved.
Hinata smiled and turned to go home.
"Oi, Hinata!" the voice called.
Hinata spun around and saw Naruto running towards her. A blush crept over her already flushed cheeks.
"N-Naruto-kun!"
Naruto skidded to a stop in front of Hinata. "Are you alright now, Hinata-chan!"
Hinata nodded, eyes shirking Naruto's face. Her fingers twisted together and out, together and out.
"Neh, did you get my present?" Naruto smiled.
Hinata blushed harder, nodding again. She could already feel Kiba's glare pulsating from behind her.
"Good. See you, then, Hinata!" Naruto grinned. "Ja ne!"
Hinata smiled shyly.
Naruto chuckled and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Hinata could feel four pairs of eyes on her, so she quickly left the training field.
Hinata stepped out of her shower, wrapping a fluffy towel around herself. A nice warm shower was perfect after a day of vigorous training. Hinata dressed quickly and hurried to the kitchen to grab something to eat.
She grabbed a shiny red apple and made her way out again.
Hinata munched on an apple and walked softly to the bookshelf of scrolls she salvaged from the dusty bookshelves in her father's office. Her hand ran across the seals of many, before settling on a thin one. She took it from the shelf. It was the one she wanted.
How to keep your chakra sufficient.
Hinata walked back to her bed and sat down. She scooted to her pillows, snuggled in, and opened to scroll. Still eating the apple, Hinata began reading on how to control chakra to make it sufficient.
She read until the core of her apple fell to the ground and the scroll slipped from her grasp.
Hinata was fast asleep.
Hinata tossed and turned in her bed, shivering. The covers had long since been kicked off, and Hinata was curled into a ball.
Cold sweat was breaking out on the feverish girl.
Hinata struggled for breath, her forehead hot, yet the rest of her body cold.
Hinata hugged herself tightly in her sleep. Her whole body gave a shiver.
A shadow, rippled by the lighting, snaked over the sleeping Hinata and stood there. Hinata turned and frowned slightly.
The figure leaned forward and placed a cool hand on Hinata's forehead. Hinata mumbled incoherently and her hot hand lifted off the covers. It closed around the wrist of the hand on her forehead.
The figure, startled, jumped slightly. It's eyes narrowed at the sleeping girl, and retracted his hand. Hinata's hand fell limply onto the bed.
The person walked around her bed, stooped and took the blanket off the ground, and placed it soundlessly over the sleeping kunoichi.
He tucked Hinata's arms inside, but paused as he saw the thin chain tangled around Hinata's neck. His fingers turned over the pendant, and glowing eyes widened in the darkness.
The shadow rippled, and the figure vanished.
Inside the warm, comfortable bed, Hinata snuggled in deeper and smiled softly.
Yo! Thank you readers for reviewing! I appreciate it very much. Yes. (bows) So please, if you can do that again for this chapter and the next and the next and the next! (lol) This chapter was boring to me, but this and the next few chapters build up to something, so please hang in there! R&R, please! Oh, yes, sorry for the late update! (bow)