A/N: Another chapter done and dusted. I've resigned myself to the fact that they are going to be longer than my first few chapters. There is nothing to be done about it. However I'm not complaining because I have two of the coolest beta's you'll ever know. You should all just take a moment to silently thank them that chapter 5 is here and readable. *Thank you wingedmercury and gone-burgers. You're amazing* ^_^

And now, DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto. Stink eh?


When Hinata regained consciousness, her world condensed into a dull ache. The throbbing coming from her back was a constant, torturous drone. Even as she drifted on the verge of oblivion, she was always aware of the pain. It was like an itchy-bite she couldn't reach and yet so much more irritating because of that reason. For a long time she drifted on the edge of consciousness, and some moments during their trek back to Konoha were clearer than others.

At least she knew they were on their way home. She could tell by the small snippets of conversation she heard during those brief moments of awareness.

"I'll take her back," she heard a muffled voice say. "You two follow and gather whatever information you can on the way. Don't be too long."

She recalled arms lifting her. She wondered vaguely if they were the same arms that had caught her when she fell. They were firm and warm to the touch and the heat radiated and seeped out. Her skin soaked it in like a flannel.

There were moments when she managed to open her eyes, if only for a second or two. She could see the blur of tree-tops above and flashes of blue sky filtered through the gaps. She tried to zone in on her savior's face but the pain would return and she'd give in to the comfort of darkness again.

She woke briefly to the sound of many voices and the sight of a white ceiling and white walls. The comforting arms had left her and in their place were cold, itchy sheets. She missed the warmth of those strong arms and she wanted them back. But all she could manage was a weak moan, her voice was cracked from fatigue.

"It's okay," she heard a familiar voice say "You're back in Konoha now. You'll be fine." She felt something touch her forehead and was disappointed it wasn't the hand she was looking for. This one was still warm, still offering comfort, but it was also a calculated, routine sort of a touch. The one a doctor would give to a patient without a second thought. Hinata knew because she too often reached out to her patients with an unthinking hand, intending only to comfort the patient.

Inwardly she sighed, missing the feel of that warm embrace and hoping it would come back soon. She then let the darkness take her one last time, at ease knowing that she was in capable hands now.


The night was cold, stars littered the sky in a brilliant display of unreachable firelights. As Hinata slept in the third ward of Konoha hospital, Neji sat at her bedside. Every now and then he would break his ceaseless stare to glance up at the night sky before returning to her motionless body. Sleep eluded him even though his head pounded and his body remained drained of any energy. His only comfort resided in Hinata's proximity and the sound of her steady breathing. And yet even that was not comfort as much as it was a constant reminder of the new pain in his chest.

She was so close to him that he could reach out and touch her, but something always stopped him. There was a fear in Neji that she wasn't there at all. The idea was illogical and stupid, but it didn't stop him from not touching her. To him she was like an illusion of serenity, forever out of his reach. Of course it didn't make sense, but not much did when it came to his feelings for Hinata.

In the dead of the night with sleep too far out of reach, Neji was left with only his mind for company. He replayed the last 48 hours like a broken record. Hinata seemed more real in his memories than she did an arm's length away. Perhaps that would explain why it hurt more thinking about her than it did staring at her like she were a river and he was a parched man.

Granted she couldn't do or say anything that could provoke any reaction out of Neji at the moment, save for when her eyelids fluttered. He would grow anxious wondering if she were dreaming. What would she be dreaming about? Would she be dreaming about him? Or maybe she was dreaming about…him…the other 'him'. The 'him' with sky-blue eyes and sunshine hair.

Curse Naruto and his alluring features.

Neji just wanted to be selfish, but Naruto had to come along and threaten it all. Neji knew that his selfishness would only go so far. As far as Hinata's will. And that really irked him. At first he drew a blank as to what exactly irked him, but the night's hours provided much time for enlightenment. The origin for his vexation laid in his childhood wherein lurked his memories of a darker past.

When he was younger, naïve and ignorant, he arrogantly assumed he knew the make-up of the world. He thought he had seen things and lived through things that branded him an "educated" person when it came to life. Everything he saw in his younger days confirmed his belief in fate. What else could be the reason behind his inferiority to the Head Family? He was indisputably the most talented Hyuuga there ever was and maybe ever will be, and yet he was sentenced to a life of servitude.

There was no other logical reason except that fate decided it.

He supposed he clung to the idea because it gave him an excuse to not break free. Not that he was opposed to the idea, but that it was actually impossible unless mortal danger ensued. He didn't take to the notion that he was too weak because that was just insulting. Fate, though, could overpower impossibilities, and that was acceptable to Neji.

But the concept of fate also worked to his detriment in many ways. In most ways, in fact. To him, fate designated him a caged bird, forever trapped in the iron-grip of the Head Family. He'd often muse that, if he had wings, he would fly higher than any bird could go. He would soar among the clouds and beyond the reach of his cursed clan, and he would never stop. The days would melt themselves into starry nights and the lights would lead him to a place where freedom was not unheard of.

It was impossible though, or so he led himself to believe. For so long he struggled to understand anyone who believed otherwise. But to him everyone was born with their destiny already decided. Lee would never be a competent ninja without chakra: nothing could change that. Naruto was born a dead-last and would stay that way: no help there either. Hinata would always be the weakest link in the chain of legends: unbreakable. Neji would always be a caged bird: irrefutable.

But then some things had changed. The cage to his door was opened by undeniable truth. He had been set free! He could soar to new heights because he wasn't afraid anymore.

And yet, even as he prepared himself for flight, it seemed he would always be tethered to something.

The girl in front of him breathed easy. Her soft scent lingered in the air and tempted his tongue every time he drew breath. Even with the room drenched in shadows, he could see every feature of hers with perfect clarity. High cheek bones, dark eyelashes that rested against smooth, porcelain skin, vibrant, richly dark hair that framed her delicate and stunning features.

They were the features that made up this woman who now represented his tether.

It didn't matter that he could be free of the fate that for so long seemed to be moulded by the Head Family. Somehow he had found himself wound up in it all over again. She had him bound to her being to the point where he thought about her as often as he blinked.

That was what irked him: the fact that he was supposed to be free, except that he wasn't. He would always be what Hinata wanted him to be. He couldn't really be selfish because he could never find the heart to go against her wishes. He was tethered to her will.

And so if it was Naruto she dreamed of, Naruto she called out for and Naruto she wanted, how could he stand in her way?

Outside the air was shifting, nature making its change and Neji shifting with it. Dawn was coming. Soon the stars would blink into oblivion and be outshined by the nascent prospect of sun. The chill would be overpowered and ultimately forgotten by the blaze of the sun's heat. Like a thief, it will rise over Konoha promising a fine day. Konoha will stir, awaken from slumber and emerge from the blanket of night to take the sun up on its offer.

But would that night be seen honestly? The beauty is hidden because no one cares to look for it. The idea was portentous and Neji didn't like that something as inevitable as day time could steal what beauty hid in the night. The warmth steals the cold and people rejoice because the cold makes them flinch and hide beneath their covers.

Was Naruto like the inevitable daytime in this twisted play of events? Could he dissolve the cold like a sun, outshine the night with his mere being? And more painfully: would his offer of affection prove to be more valuable and loved to Hinata?

He drew himself up from his seat, thoroughly tired of thinking in circles, and smoothed out his crinkled clothing. His muscles were tense and aching, reminding and demanding the need for recovery via blessed sleep. He had evaded it for a little too long.

He breathed deeply, absorbing the sweet smell of everything that was Hinata, letting it soak into his bones, and then turned and left the room without a backward glance.


Hinata woke to a bright bloom like a thousand suns on her face. The light overwhelmed her as it assaulted her eyes and she had to close them tightly. She tried again, slowly blinking one eye open. The world around her moved and molded itself, the light moving to the correct places, shadows defining shapes in the room.

No wonder it was so bright, she thought as she took in the white walls, white ceiling, white sheets and white clouds floating low outside. Perhaps it was worth looking into changing the colour scheme of the hospital?

She turned her head in search for the cup of water sure to be nearby and nearly screamed in shock when she found it hovering at eye level to her left. The surprise soon left to be replaced with wariness when she realized that it wasn't in fact hovering but rather was being held out to her by a very anxious looking Naruto.

Hinata took the cup from his hand, her fingers brushing against his briefly. She thought she saw something flit across his face- an unknown emotion. Murmuring her thanks she put the paper lip to her mouth and tried not to pay attention to the intense stare she could feel boring into her face.

"Hinata-chan I hope you're feeling better now!" Naruto's face was adorned with a beaming smile. Hinata wondered, though, if that smile was genuine. There was something…off…about Naruto. His smile seemed a little too…strained?

"Yes, thank you Naruto." She let the matter drop. It was probably just her over thinking the matter.

She put the paper cup down and attempted to straighten herself out. Having just woken up from what was a very deep recovery sleep, she felt a little more than overwhelmed that Naruto should be here to greet her. And just a little sad that it wasn't another face she had woken up next to.

There was a tense silence that ensued while Hinata smoothed out her blankets and Naruto just stared. She wished he would stop that, it was taxing to her fragile nerves. As if things weren't awkward enough, he now has to stare at her as if she were a boil on a supermodel.

She wondered what Naruto might have felt when she was wounded. Was he worried? Distressed? Annoyed? Yeah, that was probably it. He was annoyed that he had to jump in and save her, annoyed that she cost him a good mission. That was the reason behind his forced cheerfulness.

"I hope I didn't ruin our mission," she murmured, unintentionally voicing her worries. She resisted slapping her hand to her mouth – she really had not wanted to say that out loud.

Naruto shook his head vigorously making blond tendrils whip about.

"Nah," he said, "No way! It was mostly a success."

Hinata didn't miss the silent and probably unintended implication behind his words.

Mostly…

She cringed inwardly with the knowledge that she contributed to that. It seemed, despite her best efforts, she always mucked up where it counted most. Even with her most gallant efforts on display, it was never enough. Did Naruto see that in her? The flaws she worked to overcome? Did Neji see that in her?

Although she had long ago fought against any notion that she was the weak link amongst the Hyuuga clan. Training until her skills were honed and matched with the elite shinobi of Konoha, there was no doubting the inferiority of her skills when compared to the likes of Neji and even Naruto. She feared that they would look down at her, pity her for her inability to match them and ultimately disregard her for it.

She wished for even an ounce of the courage and confidence they so readily exuded.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips, "I-I'm so sorry," she stared down at her fumbling thumbs and frowned, "I let everyone down."

Naruto shuffled closer.

"Hinata-chan it wasn't your fault," he told her firmly, "So don't say sorry for nothing." Her eyes widened and her body tensed when she felt a warm hand close over her own. He squeezed reassuringly, but didn't let go. "And besides, we aren't those rookie kids anymore, we're elite ninja. We're awesome and no one, including ourselves, can tell us any different."

Hinata could only stare on in numb shock. While she appreciated his encouraging words and the fact that he included herself in his 'us' and 'we' speech, It was a little hard to concentrate when his hand was still on hers. His fingers were spread over their intertwined hands and she was unsure how to move her hand without upsetting Naruto. It was a little awkward because she had yet to reply to Naruto but first wanted to deal with the fact that his hand was very quickly heating her own. She successfully managed to untangle theirinterlocked fingers and pulled her right hand away – only to have her left hand exposed.

Naruto took advantage of her lone hand and wove his fingers in between hers.

Um…

The blood drained from Hinata's face only to surge back mere moments later. She was still staring at her hand, wondering what was going on and hoping Naruto couldn't hear her heart thundering in her chest.

Confusion was putting it mildly, panic a capital understatement. Naruto's hand was holding hers… His hand was holdings hers. And she couldn't pull it away. Not that it was a question of ability, but her will power was so weak. There was a little girl that never quite grew up in Hinata's mind and she was jumping with joy at the fact that her childhood love was actually taking an interest in her!

Of course she couldn't discount the possibility that Naruto was just being Naruto. The Naruto she knew who would hold someone's hand out of genuine concern, offering only some sort of moral support. Was that all that lay behind this simple gesture? Was this just Naruto displaying his friendly concern for her? Or was this his way of suggesting more than friendly intentions, his way of saying he saw her the way a small part of Hinata always wished he would?

And yet the other part of Hinata…the part that was finding new feet and learning to move on – was frozen in disbelief and quiet horror. Realization was dawning, Hinata's heart was being slowly torn in two different directions. Or maybe it was always torn, but ripped unevenly? Who knows. But right now there was a hand on hers and that was all Hinata could concentrate on.


Naruto wasn't really familiar with the whole 'playing it smooth' thing, but he figured he was doing all right. Make no sudden movements, give no reason for attack. Yeah, he had it sussed.

The hand underneath him was cool but soft to the touch. Although Hinata hadn't moved or said anything since his last words, he couldn't help but feel giddy about this moment. This was his chance to shine, so to speak. It was his chance to tell Hinata his feelings. He probably wouldn't get another!

When Naruto and Tenten had arrived home yesterday evening Naruto came straight to the hospital in hopes of seeing Hinata. He was met by a frowning Neji who barred the door to Hinata's room rather sternly. Neji told him Hiashi was in there at the moment assessing his daughter and that no one could see her until morning.

First thing that morning Naruto came to the hospital intent on being the person by Hinata's bedside when she woke. His efforts weren't wasted and now he sat with his prize literally in his hand.

Needless to say, Naruto was stoked. He had waited long enough for this chance. But he realized that if he was waiting for Hinata to speak he might as well watch paint dry. She seemed lost for words. Naruto could only hope that was a good thing.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and attempted a smile. "Hinata-chan, you're probably wondering…" he trailed off uncertainly, looking pointedly at their intertwined fingers, "I promise I won't bite or anything."

Hinata's eyes widened - as if they weren't wide enough.

"Naruto-kun!" she said, her breath hitching with surprise.

It may have only been mere few days ago that Naruto became infatuated with Hinata, but it wasn't like he could deny the appeal had never been there. She had always been an outstanding ninja (even if she took longer to bloom than her team-mates) and her soft, polite nature was one that drew Naruto in. But it was that mysterious dancing figure that originally enthralled him and with the discovery that the figure was Hinata…well, he was a sold man.

"There's actually a really funny story to it though…" he laughed nervously, as he scratched his neck. Hinata continued to stare with wide eyes and a slack mouth.

"It was ages ago and I totally wasn't perving or anything but I came across this…place… and I saw this…person…and she was- um, well, she…dancing? I dunno what it was really and the rock I was hidin-I mean sitting behind probably blocked some of my view. There was water flying everywhere and legs and arms and…stuff…and I- um…" he trailed off nervously and mentally slapped himself. There was supposed to be an element of smoothness in his speech, 'supposed to be' being the active form.

He looked up at Hinata again to gauge her reaction. What he saw gave him no hints whatsoever. The slight frown she sported could mean a many number of things. It could mean that she didn't understand a word he just said. It could mean she thought he really was a pervert. It could mean the hospital mattress was lumpy and uncomfortable (a fact Naruto would quickly testify to). Whatever it was, Naruto was still in the dark about her true feelings.

He thought to try again. After all, his powers of persuasion and skills in communication rivaled his skills on the battle field. Or so he'd been told.

"What I'm saying is…well...I know sometimes I'm not the fastest person around. Actually that's not entirely true. Kiba-kun is really slow sometimes too. And Lee-kun. I'm, like, third or fourth… " A soft cough from Hinata redirected Naruto's thoughts to the matter at hand. "Um, anyway, what I'm trying to say is…I know that there was a time when you liked me as more than a friend. I just want to know if you…well…you know…or if I'm too late. I hope I'm not because then I would totally kick myself for this and so would Sakura-chan actually. And if it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to not have to face that. There was this one time when Kakashi-sensei-" he paused, stopping himself from further embarrassment due to rambling yet again.

And still, Naruto thought he saw a flash of an amused smile flit across Hinata's face. That was all the affirmation he needed.

Naruto reached out with his empty hand, leaning towards the bed and closer to Hinata. She froze and her fingers twitched in his grasp as her eyes followed the path of his hand warily. He hoped he was doing this properly. Training with Jiraiya had taught him many various things when it came to dealing with women…but Naruto didn't remember anything of value that would apply in his situation. Hinata wasn't like those 'other women' Jiraiya seemed to always target. And by 'other women', Naruto meant horrible, boisterous females with more breasts then brains.

Hinata was of a much more delicate nature and Naruto wasn't completely sure how to deal with delicate things.

Nevertheless, he wasn't going to sit around and wait for someone to show him how to do it. He was a man of action preferring to seize the day as opposed to waiting for something good to happen.

With reinforced courage he lifted himself from his chair. The movement was not missed by Hinata who was, as each second went by, becoming more and more agitated. Naruto leaned his body over the bed, placing his hand on the other side of the bed and using it as leverage. In this position his chest was directly above Hinata's, his head dipped low and his hair almost brushing her forehead. His eyes were locked on lips that were a tempting tinge of peachy pink. They travelled further up until they were locked onto eyes that were like a molten pool of an endless pearl ocean.

Enchanting…

Naruto smiled softly and tried not to lose himself those infinitely pale eyes. His heart hammered in his chest, beating louder and louder with each second. He leaned in closer, closing the gap between them inch by inch until he could feel Hinata's soft, quick breaths on his face.

All Hinata could do was watch.


Three hours of sleep, four coffees, and one shower later, Neji found himself wandering through the walls of the hospital once more. Unlike earlier this morning when the halls were virtually empty save for the late night workers, the hospital was teeming with busy bodies rushing in all directions. White coats shuffled here and there quickly, heads bowed over clipboards and papers while patients wandered aimlessly.

Neji had a hard time navigating his way towards Hinata's wing of the hospital with so many people but managed to make it to the receptionist's desk in one piece.

She greeted him with a warm smile – maybe a little too warm – and pulled out yet another clipboard. He didn't bother with his name or his intentions as she scribbled something down and looked up again.

"Hinata-san should be awake now. Her friend came by earlier this morning, I think he's still in there now." the receptionist smiled again, showing off impressively white teeth.

Neji frowned, "Friend?" he queried, not missing the mention if it being a 'he' either.

"Yeah," the receptionist said, "You know, that Naruto guy. He was on your team yesterday right? Yeah, he came in rambling something about dates and 'gotta play smooth'. Not too sure actually…he's a weird one, am I right?" she winked knowingly as if to gain some sort of common ground.

Neji nodded stiffly in thanks and turned towards where Hinata's room was located. He tried to dispel overwhelming thoughts and potential situations that immediately sprung to mind at the mention of Naruto and Hinata alone. His efforts were unsuccessful when he remembered the receptionist's words.

"Something about dates and 'gotta play it smooth…"

In reference to Naruto, those words could mean anything from ramen dates to dates of a more intimate nature. Dates pertaining to one Hyuuga kunoichi that happened to be stuck on Neji's mind more and more as of late. Neji had a sick feeling in his chest that told him to expect the worst. Naruto was on the move…and Neji was a step too far behind.

He hastened his pace in time with his rapid heart, winding through corridor after corridor towards Hinata's room. As he neared her door he could hear voices - or more accurately, a voice. The words were muffled to his ears and soon faded into silence.

What replaced the silence,as Neji soon discovered upon looking through the small window into the room, left him in a state of disbelief. His body wouldn't move and his heart wouldn't stop moving, it jarred in his chest to the point where it became a physical ache. And yet his breathing had ceased, his eyes glued to the scene before him.

It wasn't that he could see much, but what he could see was all he needed to see.

A back

An orange back that happened to be leaning over Hinata's bed. Sunshine hair dipped low and fingers laced with those pale, soft hands that should belong to Neji.

At that moment Neji remembered to breathe – a harsh gust of air hitting his lungs forcefully; painfully. He also remembered to feel. Emotions so raw and powerful raged inside of him. Betrayal, anger, sadness, loss, rejection, they all combined to form a great sense of hurt that overwhelmed him. Reason had flown out the window along with any hope he had ever entertained for Hinata. The only idea that registered fully was that he needed to leave. Now. Before he did something stupid like bust into the room and rip them apart.

An image of an abused and bleeding Naruto formed in Neji's head.

Yes, Neji had to leave now.

He tore his gaze away and ran. He didn't walk casually or even quickly. He ran because the mental picture that spelled violence wouldn't leave his damn head. He didn't stop when the receptionist offered him a warm smile, or when several people called out to him. He kept up a deadly pace that appeared to the common eye as a blur of movement. When he got outside he cringed. It was so bright. The sun glared down on him in a vision of relentless taunting and he hated it. Never again would he feel the sun on his skin without the reminder of this enormous pain that had clawed its way into him and wouldn't leave. It would serve as his constant reminder of what was lost.

Neji was the night, Naruto the day. The sun, even if hidden behind grey clouds, would always rise victorious over the night. It seemed the similarities were unending in this great mock of parallels.


Lemon grass and citrus fruit…

The smell was overwhelming and so nice. Hinata, even in her shocked state, could appreciate that familiar scent that spelled everything Naruto. She'd always caught whiffs of it in varying degrees when she was smitten and almost always fainted from it. Thinking back it was almost amusing, but at the moment it was everything but.

He overpowered her senses. There was little she could do to stop his progress except watch with suspended breath. He had this smile on his face that was meant to reassure her, but inside she was quivering like a leaf in the wind. She was mildly surprised the effect went unnoticed on the outside as well. His hand that was still latched onto hers squeezed slightly and Hinata closed her eyes, accepting what was coming and not entirely displeased about it. This was Naruto, after all. The guy she had been waiting around for for so long now.

What she was surprised was when she felt the warm, soft lips meet her skin. They were everything she ever thought they would be and perhaps a little more. After all, her imagination could only create phantom touches. Reality was always bound to be either more bitter or sweeter than what she could have ever dreamed.

But what surprised her was that those warm lips settled themselves briefly on her forehead and not exactly where Hinata expected them to end up. She opened her eyes and stared up into an ocean of blue. Naruto was still smiling and, thankfully, leaning away from her to fall back into his seat. He unlocked his hand and Hinata made it a quick point to hide it beneath the covers as it started to tremble.

Her heart still beat rapidly and her ears rang as the blood rushed to her head. She didn't register the fact that Naruto was talking until he got up from his seat once more and headed towards the door. She thought he said something about a mission and that he would see her again soon. She couldn't be sure though because of the ringing in her ears.

When he left and she was alone once more, the only thing she could think about were those soft lips. Except in her imagination, her new fantasy, those lips belonged to someone else. Was it wrong to want something so badly but at the same time have a small part of her that yearned for something else entirely?

It was so confusing to contemplate. The ideas swam inside her head, going around and around in an endless circle. She wanted Neji, of that much she was sure, but Naruto was like the sun that burst its way into her life in a display of forceful brilliance. He was enticing and exciting and homely and, more surprisingly, he was willing.

She really needed to see Neji. She needed to know that he was still there. That he was still corporal evidence of the new hope that she harboured in place of old ones.

As soon as she was able to leave here she would go find him. That was number one on her to-do list.


A/N: ZOMGOSH! Wasn't that fun? XD Reviews are verra fun to read too so...;) *hint hint* and maybe I might even write chapter 6 speedily-er. _ shocking, that's not even a word. D8