Chapter 2

Recovery

Naruto had been in the hospital for 2 weeks. Even though he healed quickly on average, this fight was different from any he had before. He was able to share Kurama's chakra in a way that he hadn't before, and needed to rest to recharge both his and Kurama's chakra. The super healing he usually had was an effect of Kurama's chakra and with that depleted he was healing at a normal rate for the first time in his life. He slept for the first week, then grew impatient in the second week, asking Lady Tsunade to release him and saying he just needed to rest at home. She denied his request because he wasn't able to even lift himself out of bed.

The night they all returned home, Hinata visited Naruto in the hospital. She brought him a flower in a vase to keep on his bedside table. She would come every morning and replace the flower with a fresh one from her garden, hoping to thank Naruto for his sacrifice. After the fourth day, the nurse let Hinata know that that Naruto hadn't been awake since the first night he came to the hospital and this his chakra was so extremely low it was already a marvel that he survived. She resolved that she wouldn't stop coming to visit and would bring him flowers until he was released from the hospital at last.

On the 17th day that he was in the hospital she came in and replaced his flower on his bedside table like usual. She put her hand back to her side and looked at Naruto sleeping there, hoping he would wake up soon. She turned and began to leave as Naruto grabbed her hand.

Hinata Jumped looked back at him "Naruto, you, you're awake," she stammered.

"Hinata," he said more gruffly than he wanted to, he could tell by his voice he hadn't spoken in a while.

"How long have I been out of it?" he asked.

"Um, well, this is the 17th day that you've been here, and this is the first time you've woken up Naruto."

"17 days?!" he yelled, "17 days?"

Hinata tried to explain, "the nurse mentioned your chakra was almost completely drained."

Naruto let go of her hand and tried to sit up but only one side of his body lifted. He had momentarily forgotten about his arm but it was all coming back to him now. He slumped back into his bed.

The door to the room opened and the nurse stepped inside. You're finally awake she said. I will let milady know, she asked to be alerted as soon as you awoke.

Just as quickly as she had come into the room she had left.

Hinata looked back over to Naruto with a smile on her face.

"What is it Hinata?" He asked

"It's just that, after that battle, I'm glad you're okay. You are a hero Naruto and..."

Lady Tsunade quickly came bursting into the room, her assistant Shizune by her side.

"Grandma Tsunade, Shizune…" Naruto greeted both of them with a wincing smile.

The 5th Hokage was recovering from her battle wounds as well and her anti-aging juitsu hadn't fully returned. She didn't appreciate being called grandma at all, but especially not now that she actually looked like one.

"I told you not to call me that!" She smiled and continued in a softer tone, "Anyways, you are a hero Naruto so I think I will let it slide this time. Hello Hinata, I'm glad to see you looking after Naruto."

"Hi milady, I just came to visit. I need to head back, but I will be back tomorrow if that's okay Naruto?"

"Yeah, thanks for coming Hinata, see you tomorrow." He half smiled. He knew by her entrance that lady Tsunade probably didn't have good news for him.

Just as Hinata shut the door she started in "I'm surprised that you survived that last battle Naruto, it took a lot out of you. I have to be honest with you about your recovery, are you well enough to process what I need to tell you or do you want me to wait for Kakashi?"

"How's Sasuke?" He asked.

"He's in about the same shape as you are. When you and Sasuke combined attacks on the battlefield you both lost more than just your arms. You also lost the ability to wield chakra with two hands and without your arm you will be unable to perform ninjitsu. What I'm telling you is that if we can't fix this then you will no longer be a shinobi. Do you understand what I'm saying Naruto?"

"Granny, are you saying there may be a way to fix this?" he asked.

"Yes, there might be. It will be difficult and only two medical ninjas in the village have enough skill to perform such a procedure. There isn't a guarantee that it will be successful but the worst case scenario is that you will not be able to replace your arm." She explained.

"I understand, when do we start," he asked.

"I'll need another week to gather the materials needed from other villages, many of our supplies haven't been restored yet. As soon as I have the supplies we will begin." She finished.