Chapter 13

Return to the Leaf

They made it back to the village about mid day and many people were out enjoying the fresh air. They stopped at the gates while Kiba and Temari took the men to help rebuilt to the needed areas, and Hinata and Shikamaru were headed back to the hospital.

The 5h Hokage and a group of medical Ninjas greeted them just inside the hospital doors.

"Nice work, Hinata and Shikamaru, you were back a day faster than I anticipated," Lady Tsunade remarked. "And with more supplies than I thought possible."

"We were surprised too," Shikamaru mentioned, "and that isn't all we brought back with us. They also had 16 men to help us rebuild the leaf, Kiba and Temari are seeing them to their sites now."

"That's very thoughtful of Gaara, and needed so much right now. Did he say how long they will stay?" She questioned.

"He said as long as we needed the help," Hinata added.

The 5th then looked down, "I see" she said in a melancholy tone.

"What it is Lady Tsunade," Shikamaru asked.

"It's just we've never been able to rely on assistance before now. There are no words for his kindness towards our village, I don't know how we can repay him. He probably doesn't want repayment…"

There was a brief pause before she spoke again.

"Thank you, you two, and Hinata, there is someone who is waiting for your mission to be finished. Could you go see him when you get a chance? He's driving everyone crazy asking if you're back."

"Yes, I will be going to see him shortly," she stammered.

Shikamaru looked over at her as Lady Tsunade headed back into the hospital, she looked troubled.

"Hinata, is there something wrong? Normally I wouldn't ask because I don't like to get involved, but something is obviously up. Every time someone mentions his name you get this pained look on your face," he commented.

"No," she answered too quickly, then slumped down a little bit. She wasn't sure how to answer and maybe it sounded immature. "I just don't think Naruto and I like each other the same way." She responded.

"Oh," he replied, confused. "I thought you liked him, Hinata," he insisted.

"Yes, very much," she continued, "that's the problem."

"Man, girls are so confusing," he sighed, "I don't see that there's any problem with that?"

"It is if he doesn't feel the same," she returned as she turned to leave. "See you Shikamaru," she said as she abruptly left.

"She must be out of her mind," he uttered to himself.

"For being so smart he sure can be dim," she thought.

She walked home and found her dad and Hanabi training again.

"How was the mission?" he asked her.

"It went well, we were able to bring back many more supplies than expected for the hospital and they even gave us 16 men to help rebuild the village." Hinata relied

"That was quite generous of the Sand Village." He responded "Are you off to sleep?" he added.

"No, I'm well rested. I need to clean up a bit and get back to my normal routine." She smiled and headed into her room to pick out some fresh clothes.

After she was finished she took a bath, got dressed and re-wrapped her hands that were healing well. She headed back out to her garden to cut two flowers and then headed out. She dropped a flower off for Neji on her way to the hospital and found Tenten there.

"Hinata," she said as Hinata rubbed her hand soothingly on Tenten's back. Tenten had loved and adored Neji and everyone knew it. He never acknowledged her feelings and Hinata could totally relate. She wondered if she would live her whole life this way and just wait for Naruto to acknowledge her. He already made it clear that they would be just friends. She looked at the other flower in her hand.

"Sorry if I disturbed you," Hinata said as she laid down one of the flowers, "I'll be going."

Tenten affectionately squeezed Hinata's arm, "I probably should get going too," she added.

They turned and left together as Tenten filled her in on the condition of her sensi, Guy.

"He was burned throughout his entire body, without Naruto's help, he would have died," Tenten added.

"What's his status right now?" Hinata asked.

"He's recovering well. Lady Tsunade has seen him twice a day to perform the medical healing herself. He's able to talk now. I was just on my way to visit him," Tenten replied.

'I was headed to the hospital too," Hinata mentioned.

"Oh, right," Tenten looked at the remaining flower in Hinata's hand, "How's Naruto."

Hinata blushed, she knew the whole village knew about her feelings for Naruto, she hadn't exactly kept it a secret. "This will be the first time I see him since coming back from the Sand Village." She answered as they reached the hospital.

"Have a nice visit Hinata, I'll see you later," Tenten smiled as she walked down the hall to visit her sensi.

"Bye," Hinata waved.

Hinata could feel that she was excited to see Naruto but was also worried about how the visit would make her feel afterwards. She had to learn to look at him as a friend and put aside her feelings for him.

When she got to his door she knocked and there was no answer, so she took a peek inside.

He was fast asleep and it was dark inside his room. She debated if she should just replace his flower and come back to see him the next morning.

She walked lightly into the room up to his bedside table and replaced his old flower with the fresh new one. She placed the old one in the garbage next to the table and stood there for a few minutes watching him sleep peacefully while she wrestled with her emotions. She turned on a lamp and sat down in a chair next to his bed, scooting it as she sat so that he might wake up. The chair screeched against the floor and he stirred in his bed. He lightly opened his eyes and looked around and then they widened when he saw Hinata.

"Hinata!" he called as he shot up in bed.

"Hi Naruto," she said as she smiled. "You're awake."

"You're done with the mission, your hands, they're wrapped up, what happened?" He asked.

"Oh, this was just from training, I'm fine. You look like you're feeling better though," she added as she changed the subject.

"I am. I didn't get to thank you for the balm the other day, that's really made a difference just like last time. Thanks Hinata."

She blushed, partially from guilt at not coming back, and partially from the compliment.

"I'm sorry I didn't stop in before, I knew you had visitors and didn't want to disturb you," was the best she could do.

"I don't think you could disturb me Hinata," He returned as he turned to look at his bedside table. "Did you bring me another flower?"

"Sorry you had to wait to have it replaced, the last one was completely dead."

"I don't know, the dead ones don't bother me so much, you know?" He said smiling.

Hinata looked down, maybe he didn't like the flowers so much.

"They always remind me that you're coming back," he added.

She looked up and met his eyes, he was smiling at her and she couldn't help but to smile back.

"So, how was the mission," he asked.

"It was good, we were able to get many supplies back from the Sand Village, and other things needed for your operation. They also brought 16 men to come help rebuild the village."

"I hate being locked up in here doing nothing when the village needs to be rebuilt."

"I know it's hard, Naruto," Hinata reassured "but you will be feeling better and be out of here soon." She smiled at him.

"Yeah, thanks Hinata." He smiled back, "I have my operation tomorrow. I'll be happy when that's over with." He added.

She felt guilty waking him up just to talk to him when he had such a big procedure the next day. "I better head out Naruto, it's getting late and you need your rest for tomorrow." She stated reluctantly.

"Yeah," he frowned "I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked

"Yes, I will see you tomorrow," she promised.

"Have a good night Hinata" he said

"You too Naruto, take care" she added as she left his room and walked out of the hospital and started back home.