Sunday, November 10th, 2013.
Hey! Happy Early Vetaran's Day!
*moment of silence for Veteran's Day (American holiday) tomorrow*
...
Okay.
Back to the update.
Tomorrow is also Zoro's (One Piece) birthday. *squeal* He's my favorite OP character!
About today's chapter: I didn't like it. I think it sucked. But it needed to be written. A transition-filler chapter. I suck at these.
News/Fun Fact: Um... I can't estimate groups of things. Like jelly beans in a jar, or a crowd of people. I just can't estimate (or guesstimate) after looking at something like normal people. I just can't. I have to actually count those things. I just can't estimate stuff like that.
I read nearly all of Blood Lad yesterday alone. Read the last 5-6 chapters yesterday. Saw some clips of the anime. Love it. Can't wait for more. And I love StazxFuyumi! X3
I'm gonna start Durarara! officially. I've seen some random, scattered episodes on TV and I liked it, but I just haven't seen it chronologically. But I am now.
And I know I shouldn't be starting a new series (2, actually, since I'm now up-to-date with Blood Lad's manga) when I haven't even finished FMA (I'm currently seeing Brotherhood for the 3rd time on Toonami, though) but oh, well.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the movies mentioned nor do I own Naruto.
Dedication: Soldiers and veterans all over the world. They've sacrificed a lot to serve their individual countries. This is the least that they deserve.
AotW: My family doesn't do stuff like Halloween. The only reason I would dress up would be for fun for school only, which I don't really do 'cuz every costume I'v had was lame. We don't Trick or Treat, and we don't give out candy either. Nothing.
Content & Warnings: A sort of filler chapter that really sucked but needed to exist as a transition between the Prelims to training for the Finals. I don't even know what the next chapter's gonna be honestly. And there's nothing worth a warning here.
Couples: SasuSaku and NaruHina. And many mentions of KonoHana.
Length:
W/o AN: ~3.25k. Shorter chappy.
W/ AN: Exactly 3900 words.
Chapter 24: A Day the Hospital
Sasuke POV
"Mangos today, huh?" I said as I watched Sakura peel two of said fruit with a knife in her hand and plate in her lap.
"Yup." Sakura said as she began to cut the mangos into pieces. "Yesterday was the pear, and today's the mango's turn."
When she was done, she threw the peels away, set the knife down and gave me a tooth pick to eat the mango pieces with. "One mango core each."
I nodded. "Sure."
After eating a few pieces, I spoke. "So how's everybody else?"
This was technically my third day in the hospital, though I was asleep for most of the first. I had seen Hinata around, so I knew she was still here, but I saw no sign of Lee –who is the only other majorly injured participant in the Exams as well as the worst off– and my team had visited me, but didn't say much about anyone else.
I don't think it was on purpose, though – I think it was more of a "they forgot to mention it" situation rather than "they are trying to keep a secret from me" situation.
And for the record, on the second day we were all (Lee, Hinata, and I) moved to an actual hospital – Konoha's biggest.
But the point was that though I knew the others weren't in the hospital, I had no idea of the status of those that were.
"Hm?" Sakura said, mango still in her mouth. She swallowed it before speaking. "Oh, Hinata's doing fine! She should be out by either the day after tomorrow or any time after that. Though they'll have to monitor her closely for a week after she's out."
I ate another piece of fruit, softening to tone of my voice slightly because I knew what I was about to ask was somewhat sensitive to her. "And Lee?"
She looked down, a bit sad. A pang of jealousy ripped through me. I have nothing to be jealous about. She's just worried about the guy – which makes sense! He was nearly killed!
You're jealous because while she has been visiting you every day, she has also been visiting him every day, too, and also gave him fresh flowers. Which she didn't for you.
I'm not a flower person, obviously. That's why.
And yet you're still jealous.
… Shut up already.
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked me, calling me out from my thoughts.
I looked back up at her, realizing I had just missed what she had said. "Hn?"
"Did you hear me?"
I shook my head.
"Oh." She ate another piece of mango before continuing. "I said he'll need surgery soon. But the problem is that it's a really tough surgery to do. The survival rate is in the 80 percentile, which isn't too bad for a ninja surgery, but the real problem is how he'll heal afterward. There's a 90%+ chance that he will never be back to the way he was. He has a very high chance of not being able to continue as a ninja. Far less as good a ninja as he was before or better. His body probably won't be able to take it."
My eyes widened. … What?
And we'll have to fight the same guy that did this to Lee. Damn...
Sakura had told me the line-ups for the first round of the Finals, but even though I acknowledge that the match with Gaara will be deadly, I don't like to think about the possibility of me losing.
The possibility of him killing me, like he almost did with Lee.
I felt fear try and make its way all over my body, but I inwardly shook myself. Enough! I'll beat him. I have to beat him, I told myself. If I can't beat Gaara, how can I beat someone like Itachi? Gaara's just a stepping stone on my way to succeed in revenge. A large one, but one I'll pass nonetheless.
He may hurt our friends, too. So even though he does need to be defeated, we may not be the ones to do it. Like our dreams.
Having enough of this, I quickly tuned back into what Sakura was saying, glad that I didn't miss anything because she had paused for a while.
"So now, a couple of the hospital and medical organizations in Konoha are reaching out to other villages with talented surgeons for this. Not very many though – after all, this is only one, teenage ninja, which is nothing to the world." She looked down. "It's so sad…"
My heart twisted seeing her sad like that, and I surprised myself by impulsively grabbing her hand and holding it for a moment, squeezing it, before releasing it and returning my own to my side. "Things'll be okay." I muttered, looking away from her. I just don't like seeing my teammate sad. That's all.
You already admitted you liked her, dumbass. Why are you still in denial?!
From the corner of my eye, I saw her eyes widen, and then relax. She smiled at me warmly, knowing I could still see her before eating one of the final pieces of the mango. I quickly took the plate so I can have the rest.
"Hey!" she protested.
"I need the nutrients the most." I said, using my toothpick to spear a few of the rest of the pieces. "I'm the one in the hospital bed."
I ate the ones on the toothpick at once, before taking the plate and dumping the rest in my mouth. I nearly choked for a moment before Sakura gave me some water and I got them down. I panted for air for a moment. Man… I haven't done something like that since Waves.
I looked over at Sakura to see her laughing. I smirked. We cheered her up.
"What's so funny?" I teased.
"You!" She laughed some more before calming down.
"Oh, Sasuke-kun!" She said, remembering something. "I have good news."
I rose a brow. "Yeah?"
"You can get discharged today!" My eyes widened and I swung my legs over the side of the bed, looking straight at Sakura.
"What? Like, now?!"
She beamed. "Yeah! All that you need to do is let them know when you want to leave today, let them do some last tests and a checkup, and you can go! They'll send you the results later."
"Then what are we waiting for?" I gave Sakura a look.
She playfully pouted, and lightly (in her opinion, I assume, because it still kind of hurt… just a little bit) punched me in the shoulder. "I forgot, jerk."
I chuckled. "Let's call them already then. The sooner I'm out of here, the better."
She grinned. "Can't allow Naruto to get the upper hand with the extra training days he's had, can you?"
I scoffed. "The Dobe is hardly a threat. I just want to rub in his face how much stronger I am than him by the time we reach the latter parts of the Finals."
"Wouldn't Naruto have to be strong to make it in through the Final's tournament brackets to fight you? And you have a lot of faith that he'll make it, don't you?" She had a teasing grin. "So by that logic, wouldn't his strength be a threat to you after all?"
I hate it when she's right sometimes.
You just don't like to acknowledge the truth she points out.
I deadpanned at her, a little caught-off guard by the statement. "Only because I know he'll do whatever it takes to beat that Hyuuga. But it'll take more than that to be me."
However, I wasn't too positive about that statement.
During a dream I had… one of the many odd ones I've had, Naruto and I were fighting on a rooftop, and though I don't remember exactly what happened, I remember being frustrated and shocked at how much stronger Naruto had gotten.
I'll admit he's kind of strong right now, but in the dream, I had no idea he could be a legitimate rival for me. In the dream, I hated it and was jealous. In reality... I still feel the same way.
But enough of that.
"But you're going to cheer for me if and when Naruto and I fight, right?" I smirked at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself, Sasuke-kun. Maybe I'll cheer for Naruto? Maybe I want him to win? What makes you think I'll cheer for you?"
"Because I'm the favorite." I said this confidently, because it's true. Of course I'm her favorite. She may be more… playfully intimate with Naruto, and have this emotional connection with Sai, but our relationship is different, better, and she likes me to top it off. Why wouldn't I be the favorite?
Oh, I don't know. It's not like that over-confidence and arrogance isn't a turnoff or anything. No, not at all.
I didn't ask for your sarcastic opinion, Inner. It was a rhetorical question.
And how exactly is our relationship with her "better"?
It's better because I'm in it. And we're good friends. Isn't that a "good" relationship?
Whatever you say, Mr. Egomaniac.
"You and that arrogance of yours…" Sakura laughed lightly, bringing back to the real world and shaking her head. "I'll never know what to do with you." What'd I tell you?
But she was still smiling, so I knew she was just teasing me. Her feelings for me wouldn't change. She knows me, and she stays my friend anyway. Inwardly, I'm grateful for someone like her.
You're afraid she'll leave you, with your abandonment issues and all. But quit worrying – she won't.
I don't have abandonment issues!
You have some form of something like it. You're afraid everyone will leave you, and you don't get close to people because of it. If that does classify as "abandonment issues", I don't know what does.
She stood, taking the knife she used to peal the mangos and the plate with her. "I'm gonna get the nurse, 'kay? Then we can leave."
"The sooner the better." I replied. She laughed some more as she left.
Naruto POV
"You sure you're okay, Hinata-chan?" I was worried for her – she was nearly killed by her own cousin, for Pete's sake!
She nodded, a soft smile on her face. "Yes, I'm sure, Naruto-kun."
It's about noon, and I've been with Hinata for a few hours now. Yes, I actually woke up to be here on a Saturday morning. Though we were never close before, I do care about her. And the more time I spend with her, the closer we get and the more I care.
I can't believe I never bothered to get to know her before.
"Wanna start the next one?" I asked, referring to the Lion King series.
After yesterday, the only thing we really did was talk, and even though it was fun, it was also kind of awkward at times. We barely spoke before her… incident, and I'm upset that's what it took.
So today, after asking the nurse what would be okay for her to watch – because I have no idea if movies like horror or action would be too much for her body to handle right now – I brought some Disney movies I had. Specifically, the Lion King, 1, 2, and 2.5.(1)
I was happy to find out that not only did she like the Lion King, it was actually her favorite of the Disney movies she's seen. Like me.
And, our favorite character was Simba.
Anyway, back to the whole watching-movies thing.
We'd already watched the first Lion King. The best one, in our shared opinion opinion.
Hinata nodded to my earlier question. "Y-yeah."
I walked over to the lowered TV set –we asked the staff if that could be done for easier viewing – and inserted the CD.
Afterwards, I collapsed into my side of the hospital bed, which Hinata insisted we share as we watched the movie, and placed my right arm over Hinata, pushing her gently closer to me and stealing a grape from the bowl in her hands from the other.
No, don't think I put my arm over her to flirt. I do that all the time to Sakura! Granted, I still flirt with her anyways… But what I'm getting at is that I did it because I'm a very... physically intimate guy! I like touching my friends! (Those sentences sound so wrong... but I can't think of any other way to word them...) That's all. Hinata's my friend! Okay?
Yet you get flustered, blush a lot around her, and stare at her when you think she doesn't see it. Yet, I'm pretty sure she's aware every time. That's totally the description of someone who's "just a friend". *rolls eyes*
Shut up, Kurama.
Don't listen to him. He's just a giant, tsundere, ball of fur who's just a big softy on the inside and doesn't know what he's talking about.
Am not!
Oh, how the mighty have fall, Kurama. Here you are, arguing with a 14-year-old and sounding like a 5-year-old.
Why you-! Just pay attention to your little vixen, would you!
I almost retorted at him calling Hinata a vixen, but didn't when I remembered Kurama didn't mean it like that. A vixen's a female fox, and for him, it was the equivalent of calling her "girl", which she is.
He calls me "kitsune" (or more often, just "kit") all the time, too. Even "cub" and "pup" to piss me off.
So. I know fox and canine terminology.
Back to Hinata-chan.
"Naruto-kun?" I looked down at her to find her staring at me questionably, worry in her eyes. "I-is something w-wrong?"
I shook my head. "Nah, just spacing out."
She smiled. "Better get back to the movie before you miss something, then!"
"What?" I quickly looked back to the movie. The commercials were just ending and the movie itself was about to begin. I sighed in relief. "Phew. Didn't miss anything."
I stole some more grapes from the bowl.
Grapes, because I didn't want eat something as unhealthy as buttered popcorn or something with Hinata-chan, worried anything like that could be dangerous to her current, fragile, state of health right now. I asked the nurse for the OK.
Plus, grapes were small and easy to hold and stuff. Non-messy. Perfect finger food that can be eaten mindlessly; the only way food is ever eaten when completely immersed into a movie. Like a zombie.
Anyway.
Back to the movie.
After we finished the movie, Hinata and I spent another half hour talking, before I had to go train with my new and temporary instructor, Ebisu, who was Konohamaru's teacher.
"What do you wanna watch after the last Lion King movie tomorrow?" I asked her.
She thought for a moment. "C-can we w-watch, Summer W-wars?"
"Summer Wars? That anime movie that was huge last year?" She nodded.
"I haven't seen it yet, but okay."
"You a-ask Ko-nii if you can b-borrow the one w-we have. Or H-Hanabi-chan." I nodded.
"Hey, Hinata-chan?"
"Mm?"
"Is it good? Summer Wars?" I've heard a lot about it, but I'm not sure if it was over-hyped or rightfully-hyped.
Hinata smiled. "It's one of my favorites. I think you'll like it."
I grinned. "Then I can't wait for it, -ttebayo!"
I stole one of the last few grapes in the bowl we had. "Another thing, Hina-chan? Can I call you that?"
Hinata blushed cutely. "O-of course, a-and, what i-is it?"
"Do you want me to bring your sister and Ko tomorrow to watch the movies with us?"
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Her caretaker and sister always visited different times than I did, and it was kind of unspoken that the times we hung out were just for us. Which I liked, but I figured that if she could bond with her sister more –she told me that she had a slightly strained relationship with her, and is trying to mend it– than it'd be worth it, right?
Then, Hinata smiled warmly, and I knew my answer to that question. Yes.
I felt heat rush up to my face, but I forced it down. It's not like it's the first time she's smiled, so stop blushing!
See what I mean? Just a friend, my ass.
"As long as you invite Konohamaru and his team, too." She said, smiling. "Ko will be on a mission for the next few days, so he can't come, though."
"That's okay!" I beamed. Now, not only will Hinata get to spend some more time with her sister, but I could also get her sister and Konohamaru to spend more time with each other! He's had a crush on her forever! It's amazing I never knew that the Hanabi that he talked about was Hinata's sister.
"We can also use this opportunity to get Konohamaru-kun and Hanabi-chan to be together more." Hinata added. She just read my mind, I swear.
I laughed. "I was just thinking that! Konohamaru's had a crush on her for forever!"
Hinata laughed, too, grinning widely. "Hanabi's felt the same for just as long, probably! She's just so tsundere about it!"
"We have to mess with them a little! Konohamaru, my little protégé and the annoying brother I never had, your little sister! Perfect!"
She nodded. "I've always w-wanted to tease her and stuff like that like a normal older sister but I never got the chance to before now. Let's do it!" This was the longest Hinata's gone without stuttering, and I was proud. Goes to show how passionate she is about her sister's feelings for Konohamaru and how comfortable she is around me. Yes!
"Ooh! The goody-goody Hinata wanting to mess with her little sister? Where has the innocence gone? I've corrupted you!" I announced dramatically, my arm over my forehead in that stereotypical melodramatic-actor way.
She giggled. "You are the one that suggested it. Who am I to refuse?"
I wrapped my arm around her again, laughing when her sudden confident demeanor broke as she blushed heavily and squeaked when I pulled her close to me.
"You're right." I fake-coughed. "Luckily, you've got me, the Great Prankster Uzumaki Naruto to teach you how to properly tease, prank, and 'mess with someone; to teach you. Don't worry about credibility - the whole village knows about me and the years of experience I have under my belt."
Hinata couldn't take it anymore; she erupted in laughter.
As cheesy as it sounds, my heat swelled seeing her face. Are you going to admit you're starting to like her yet? Listening to you deny it almost as annoying as your guys'… cuteness is sickening.
It's too early, Kurama! I just met her!
You had a crush on Sakura within a week of meeting her. You've known Hinata, though impersonally, for years. How's this too early?
… Just shut up.
Hinata and I spent the rest of that last half-hour laughing with each other and scheming on how to tease Konohamaru and Hanabi as much as possible the next day.
It took most of my willpower to get myself to leave that hospital room to train, which under normal circumstances, I would have been eager to attend.
But I didn't want to leave Hinata just yet.
(1): The third Lion King movie. It's called "2.5" because it's a behind-the-scenes-/-background sort of thing for Timon and Pumba. Mostly Timon, though, and his history.
Uh... I still need DoOver X-Mas Present ideas!
Really didn't like this chapter, but it needed to be there and at least it broke the really-long-chapter streak. I try to keep my chappies around 3k, but that never happens lately. Nearly all of them have been around 5k.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Love,
Cherry.
PS: Don't forget to review!
