CHAPTER 7: I'LL BE THERE
-At the hospital-
"Baka!" ' poof' came a flying pillow.
"Crazy bitch! Just shut up will ya. You are giving me a headache." Ryo snapped at her. They were in a war of boredom. The three of them had been for a few days already and they were bored out of their minds.
As, Ryo and Himeko kept on bickering, Hinata just sat on her bed, pretending to still be asleep and trying very hard to contain all her anger. Really, with those two, one would be lucky to be able to keep their sanity intact. The room was like a madhouse, thanks to the pillows littering all over the floor, white bedsheets and blankets strewn here and there. Insults were thrown to each other. Heck, the room was worse than a madhouse. It was hell.
BAM! The door was slammed open. Hinata tuned her head to wards the door. Ryo and Himeko were obviously too occupied with their 'bonding' to pay attention to their guest.
The moment Naruto crashed into the room, he saw what a mess it was. Naruto sweat dropped as he sent a questioning look, only to receive a shrug from her. He then turned to the still bickering partners, "Hey guys." No answer. "HEY GUYS!" he then shouted.
Ryo and Himeko stopped fighting for a while, hands at each other's collars. They glanced at Naruto and as if he didn't exist, turned back to punching each other in the face.
Losing her patience already, Hinata slowly got up from her bed. Walking towards Ryo and Himeko, she got between them and with fire in her eyes, gave the two blockheads a really hard punch on the head.
"ITAI!" Ryo and Himeko both screamed and then winced at Hinata's expression as she looked at both of them. Hinata had the looks of a real dragon then with steam practically coming from her head, fists on her hips, and her eyes were red. Damn, she was a really scary sight. Naruto, sensing really, really bad chakra, excused himself, "Heheh, I think I'll go wait for Sakura-chan outside." And went to sit in the lobby outside their room. Boy, that punch will give them a bad bruise to last.
As Naruto uncharacteristically sat quietly on the bench in the lobby, he was afraid that Hinata would charge out of that room and hit him in the head too, Tsunade came. She was surprised to see a quiet and fidgety Naruto. Then, she saw him look at the door opposite him. It was as if he was waiting for something to suddenly come and barge out of the room.
She suddenly remembered that Hinata, Himeko and Ryo were warded in that room. She decided to go and check on them. Ignoring Naruto, Tsunade opened the door only to witness the most shocking scene. Hinata was practically throwing obscene words to Ryo and Himeko who just stood in front of her, heads down. The aura was dangerous that even Tsunade cringed.
Ever so slowly, she shut the door and stupifiedly went to sit beside Naruto who was further stunned after hearing some of the words from Hinata's lashing that managed to escape the room when Tsunade peeked in. He was literally shaking. If Tsunade wasn't so shocked herself, she might have chuckled at the sight of the loud and obnoxious Naruto traumatized. Huh, who would have thought that Hinata had it in her, Tsunade in inwardly smirked. She decided to wait until the coast was clear before checking up on them again. By the looks of things, she might have to apply some ointment on Himeko and Ryo again.
-30 minutes later-
Hinata stepped out of the room. Man, did she need some fresh air. The moment she opened the door, she saw Naruto and Tsunade sitting on the bench. She saw that the moment they realized that she was in front of them, they became nervous. Especially Naruto. He was practically fidgeting with his fingers and looking everywhere but her.
"Ah, Hokage- sama. Sorry about the commotion. Would you like to see them now? I hope you don't mind if I go for walk for a while?" asked Hinata respectfully.
Tsunade simply nodded.
Hinata then turned and walked down the lobby until she came to the Hospital grounds. Spotting a bench, she decided to sit down. Her whole body was still sore from over exerting herself in the mission. But it was worth every day in the hospital. Tsunade had told them that the ANBU officers have confirmed that the chakra shield had fully recovered to its former state. Sasaki sensei who had been there had congratulated them on their mission, but promised a good lashing afterwards for having used up all their chakra. But they knew that she was relieved and happy that her students were allright.
Having finished the mission, Hinata decided to think about the up coming jounin test. It was only about four days away. There certainly won't be enough time for training now, not while their body was still recovering from all that chakra loss.
Sigh how troublesome life could be. Hinata smiled at how Shikamaru- like she had sounded then. She was still smiling when she heard a voice behind her.
"I wonder what could be the problem of Konoha's new heroine that forces her to sigh so." said a voice that she so recognized.
" Hello, Neji." Giving the person a smile, she patted the space beside her. Neji took the space beside her and looked at the scenery.
"Sore?"
"Fuckingly sore." Answered Hinata.
Neji chuckled. "Hiashi- sama would be shocked to hear you mention that word you know."
"Yeah I know. It would be hilarious, mind you, to see his expression then." Hinata grinned mischievously. She had long ago got over her shyness and was capable of responding to anyone without stuttering anymore. Then, they both lapsed into a relaxing silence.
This time, Hinata broke their silence, "Heard you're a jounin already."
"Yeah, but compared to being a Special ANBU, it's nothing."
"You already heard."
"You bet."
"Well, whatever." Hinata simply shrugged. "Got some pointers for me?" Hinata looked side ways at Neji. Giving him her best seductive look.
"On what? Orgasm? Well, while you're screwing you could try…" Hinata quickly smacked him in the head. "Ouch. Hey, I was just kidding, ok." laughed Neji. "Damn, you sure are strong for someone who is 'fuckingly' sore." Another smack landed on him.
Hinata just huffed beside him and gave him a death glare. "Hmph, pervert."
"Heheh, come on. I was only joking, Hina-chan." Neji said, adding the nickname for a tease. To his delight, Hinata blushed. It had been quite a while since Hinata had last blushed in front of him, and he kind of missed it.
"I'm gonna take the jounin test in another four days, you know"
"So that is what you want the pointers for. Well, I do have an advice for you then. On that day make sure you…." Neji glanced sideways and saw Hinata giving him full attention, "…wear a striking red bikini." He grinned. "Oww!" a punch hit him in the stomach. He doubled over with pain and laughter at the same time. He was laughing furiously, that his eyes shed tears. He saw that coming, but he still liked to rile her still.
"I really don't understand why I bother asking you. I swear that you are just as bad as Kakashi sensei now." she shrugged and attempted to get up and walk somewhere else. But Neji caught her hands first and gently tugged her to sit down again.
"Sorry about my misplaced humour," he apologized as well as giving her sexiest grin. "Can't help teasing such a beautiful girl you know."
His remark made Hinata blush once more, plus knowing that she was only dressed in a hospital robe doesn't really make you feel feminine in the least. Busy, trying to tone down her blush, Neji gently put a hand on her redden cheeks, and turned her face so that she was facing him.
"Beautiful indeed." He murmured as he lowered his head as to kiss her. The moment his lips captured hers, Hinata's eyes widened with surprise but slowly shut as he coaxed her lips to allow further excess into her mouth.
Hinata let him kiss her as she let herself enjoy that moment. Never had it crossed her mind that her first kiss would be with Neji. It was pleasant indeed.
"Oh, youthful love!" shouted Lee from somewhere. That brought Neji and Hinata to break their kiss abruptly. Looking around, Neji saw Lee coming towards them rather like running. Behind him was Ten Ten who looked a bit ruffled. What on earth is lee doing here! Neji held Hinata tighter as he stood up to escape from his teammates but Lee was faster.
"Ohayo! Why Neji, what a surprise to see you here." Exclaimed Ten Ten. When she looked the other girl in Neji's embrace, she got a bit furious.
Neji sensed the discomfort that Hinata felt under Ten Ten's glare and decided to butt in, " Why should it be a surprise. Hinata's warded here." He pulled Hinata tighter into his embrace. He glared backed at Ten Ten for mistreating Hinata. Then, he felt Hinata gripped his shirt tighter and shiver.
Hinata was feeling terribly uncomfortable. She couldn't decide on was it the heat or Ten Ten's intense glare. Her head felt heavy as well as her eyes.
"Neji…"
Neji heard her weak voice and looked down into her terribly flushed face, "Hinata…"
"I'm feeling a bit woozy …can we…"
Neji didn't wait for Hinata to finish her sentence, but scooped her up into his arms and carried her bridal style into the hospital and into her room again. If Hinata felt any embarrassment of being seen like that, she simply remained quiet but inched closer into Neji's chest. It felt comforting there being held close to him. Somewhere on the way, she fell asleep contently in Neji's arms dreaming of him.
Seeing Hinata asleep in his arms made Neji smile. Here was his cousin who had changed over the years, but deep down she was still the same Hinata he knew. Not weak but someone who asked for tender loving care. No that she asked for it, Hinata never asks for anything but she just makes people want to be kind to her.
Behind him, Lee and Ten Ten followed. After all, their intention was to visit Hinata and her teammates. Lee was his hyperactive self as usual. Greeting everybody that crossed his path while Ten Ten was unusually quiet. She had to admit that she was rather shocked to see how intimate Neji and Hinata was back in the gardens just now, but she guessed she knew all the years that Neji had loved Hinata and only Hinata. She kind of felt bad, glaring at Hinata the way she did just now. Ten Ten just had no idea of what came over her. Still deep in her thoughts, Ten Ten didn't realize that they were already standing in front of Hinata's wardroom.
"Ten Ten…"
"Uh..huh..yes, Neji?" she didn't realize that Neji was calling her.
"Could you please open the door for me."
"Oh, sure". As Ten Ten opened the door for Neji, she let him go in first. Lee was the last to enter the room.
Neji laid the still sleeping Hinata on her bed. Having tucked the blanket around her, he asked Tsunade if she was going to be okay. Tsunade went to check Hinata's pulse and body temperature.
"Don't worry. She just exhausted. That's all." Tsunade reassured him.
Neji thanked Tsunade and stood beside Hinata's bedside and watched over her. Little did he realize that there were also other people in the room. Sasaki sensei was sitting at the end of the room with Kakashi sensei beside her when did he appear? Sasuke, Sakura, Ten Ten and Lee were scattered across the room. Naruto as usual was prancing about in the room saying something about celebrating with ramen. The wardroom looked more like a party now except that there were three bedridden people in the room.
Hinata was asleep so obviously she was oblivious to all the commotion.
Ryo on the other hand was amused by everything. How Naruto was going about prancing, and flirting with Sakura. How Sakura kept urging Sasuke to date her. Kakashi and Sasaki sensei who were busy reading to notice anyone else. Lee who was shouting something about youthful love. Neji who was intently looking over Hinata people would have thought that she would vanish in a split second and Ten Ten who was brooding over something. He turned to look at Himeko on his right.
She was on the brink of losing her patience and lastly, all she could do was bury her head under the pillow and hope that she could get some peace and quiet. Her hope was dashed.
"Himeee…Himeee…"called Ryo in that irritating tone.
A muffled 'what' came from somewhere under Himeko's pillow.
"Just wondering, when are you going to return my Icha Icha Paradise that you borrowed last month." teased Ryo. However, he forgot that they weren't the only one's in the room. The smug smile on Ryo's face didn't last long as a pillow landed right on his face.
"What the..."muttered Ryo as he removed the pillow from his face. "Oh...oh..."
There in front of him stood an angry Himeko. She was cracking her knuckles and in a dangerously low voice, she said, "You are so going to be sorry that you were born."
What followed next was a brawl between the two of them with not only included physical violence but also verbal abuse. Of course it ended with Himeko winning and returned to her bed, leaving behind a badly injured Ryo.
As she settled into her bed, she realized that the others were looking at her except Sasaki and Kakashi sensei of course. Raising her eyebrows, "What?"
Sakura and Ten Ten were the first to respond, "PERVERT!"
Immediately understanding what they meant, Himeko just shrugged away the exclamation and replied, "So what. It's just a fiction. It's not even the real thing. What are you any way? Like 9 or 10?"
Then she looked at Ryo, who still nursing his bruised face (Himeko had really whacked him) and added, "Plus, a pervert is someone who HAS to jerk off after reading it."
"I do not!" Ryo defended himself.
"Uhh..did I mention that you did just now." Himeko gave her best innocent look. Ryo just hid his redden face under the blanket and mumbled ' stupid bitch', thinking that Himeko wouldn't here it.
"Yeah, whatever dobe." Said Himeko. "Sensei. Did you bring the latest edition of IIP (icha icha paradise) that I asked for?"
"Yeah, here. " Sasaki said as she threw the book at Himeko.
Himeko caught the book and mumbled a 'thanks' before reading it. Sasaki simply nodded.
From a corner, Sasuke looked amused by the whole situation. Here was a girl who was not afraid of admitting to reading Icha Icha Paradise, a badly injured male shinobi, a shocked Sakura and Ten Ten, two pervert senseis and two crazy overgrown kids namely, Naruto and Lee. Not to forget also a pair of lovebirds, although Neji and Hinata would just deny it.
Sasuke found that he was interested to know more about the other Uchiha in this room. She kind of intrigued him.
"Oi, Uchiha."
Coming from an Uchiha, Himeko knew that it was for her. "Yo, Uchiha. And the name's Himeko."
"Yeah, whatever. Your sharingan, how many?"
"Why should I tell you, dobe?" replied Himeko.
"Coz I asked. And the name's Sasuke, mind you."
"Pft…" Then she answered Sasuke's question. "Three."
Sasuke was silent for a while. "Both?"
"Yep. Yours?"
Sasuke was weighing whether he should answer her question or just leave it there as he usually did with everyone else. "Two and three." He braced himself for a scoff, or any form of humiliation from her.
"Hmm. Not bad." Himeko's comment shocked him but he disguised it anyway. She further astonished by saying, "Want help?" this time, Himeko stopped reading the book to look at Sasuke.
He knew that she was sincere about it and tried to react as graceful as he could. "If we have time."
Himeko nodded at his reply and continued reading leaving Sasuke to watch her from his corner.
For the rest of the day, the room was in weird silence, but at least it was silent.
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