I'm finally back, peeps Thanks for the awesome reviews! Sorry I've been busy starting high school. Its cool. Not all that though. i mean, school is school. I dont own Naru-kun or hina-chan. *sob sob* well, anywayz... enjoy the story!!!

Aishiteru, Hinata-chan

Chapter 4

~*~*~*~

"Slow down, Hinata!!" Sakura yelled from behind me.

"No! We don't have time to slow down! You guys hurry up!" She was seriously pissin' me off. They wanted to slow down when my Naruto-kun was at death's door?!

'Did I just say "my" Naruto-kun?' I thought as the blood rushed to my face. 'No! Now's not the time to be embarrassed.' With that, I kept jumping from branch to branch, my face returning to its original color.

Hours later, the rest of my team convinced me to take a 5 minute break. I hesitated, but agreed, though I grumbled to myself the whole time. We set back out and traveled for a couple hours only to see the sun begin its descent and the moon come to relieve it.

'Crap!' I thought.

"Sigh. We'll set up camp here then." After my little announcement, they all smiled and jumped to the ground in joy. I shook my head but reluctantly followed.

When I joined them, Sakura and Sasuke had already set up the tent while Kakashi was starting a fire and Kiba, Shino, and Kurenai were looking through our rations.

'They sure can move when they're tired.'

"I'll take the 1st watch." I volunteered. "You guys rest up."

Without another word, they all nodded and jumped into the tent.

I sighed once again before looking to the stars. The whole forest seemed asleep. With all the quiet, my mind started to wander.

What if Rumiko had died? Could she have been the only one that knew of the poison? If so, how would I find the antidote? Even if I did find it, would we make it back in time?

I groaned and put my head in my awaiting hands. My head hurt from all the depressing questions and my worry over Naruto. I was so caught up in this, I didn't notice the presence behind me. That is, until I felt an arm around my waist and a hand over my mouth. I was about to turn and dislocate this person's jaw ( yeah, she was pissed) when what they said made me freeze.

"Come quietly or you'll never get that antidote," a burly male voice whispered urgently.

My lavender eyes widened before I nodded against his hand.

The mystery man removed his hands from me as he stood and jumped into the trees up above. I cast one look behind me before following him into the darkness of the night.

~*~*~*~

I opened my heavy eyelids to the plain, depressing white ceiling of the hospital.

'W-what happened? All I remember is I was about to tell Hinata-chan…?...! CRAP!!!'

I sat up quickly which resulted in a little headache. After I had recovered, my eyes scanned the deserted room. No one. Not a soul.

"Kuso!" I shouted. "Tsunade!!!" I'm pretty sure it echoed throughout the hallway because seconds later, I heard the familiar patter of rushed footsteps.

"Naruto!" Tsunade yelled as she almost knocked the door off its hinges. "What's wrong?! Are you hurt?!"

I shook my head and gave her a serious look. "What happened after I passed out this afternoon?"

"They all left."

"Left where?" I knew something was up. Something she didn't want me to know.

The usually confident 5th Hokage started to fidget with her green over jacket. "They… uh, went on a …mission." The last part was whispered but I still heard it.

"What mission?" For some reason, I felt uneasy about her answer.

"They're going to… find… Sigh. They left to find your antidote from Damaiyo City. Hinata's going to find the girl who poisoned you."

"Nani?!" I screeched. "Why did you let her go?!" What the hell! How could she send the girl I… The girl I…

"I had to! I knew if I didn't approve it, she would sneak off by herself and get hurt."

"But if I was poisoned by a cut, what do you think will happen to Hinata-chan?!"

The great Sannin lowered her head. "I don't think she cares. I think that if you died, she would put herself in grave danger just to see you again."

"Why would she do that?" I asked, genuinely confused.

Tsunade shook her head and walked towards the door. "That's something she'll have to tell you herself." With that, she walked out, closing the door behind her.

I sighed. 'Damn! Why do girls have to be so damn confusing?!' I looked out the window with sad eyes.

'Please be careful, Hinata-chan.'

Poor Naruto-kun! Hinata-chan! Find that Rumiko chick and whoop her ass!!

Hehe. Got a little carried away there. Anyway.

Who is the mysterious guy?

Why did Hinata not kick his ass and trust him?

Will Naruto ever tell her how he feels?

Tune in next time!!