A/N: Sorry, this is another short chapter! I'm trying to squeeze out as much as I can. If I force long chapters, they won't sound so good! Bare with me, my loves!

Four: Ultimatum

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"We found you just face first into the damn ground. What the hell happened out there?"

Naruto stared blankly into the sheets that were over him. With Kiba on his left and Sakura on his right, the expressions each of them carried were different from one another. Kiba was just dead confused while Sakura sat there looking glum.

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After Hinata left that day, I passed out for some reason. Maybe I stressed myself out or something. I don't know. All I knew was that I was laying in this tent for the past two days. I was sorta relieved to know that I had those nightmares while I was out for those days. Thank goodness. I dropped back down and rested my head on the cool pillow that rested below my head. "Not sure Kiba. Maybe I just had a fever."

From what I heard, Kiba and Shino found me in the woods when they were running an errand for the village.

But anyway. I might be feeling better from the dreams but a part of me feels guilty for even laying a finger on Hinata that day. The way she looked after pushing me away, that expression, I just can't shake it off. I need to apologize to her for thinking of such a stupid idea like kissing her would fix my problems...

Right? Now that I think about it, I did have two nights without the nightmare. Still! She didn't like what I did and that should be enough to find her and explain myself.

"Hinata." I said out loud.

I could feel Kiba and Sakura's eyes on me. "Hinata?" Kiba repeated, still looking as confused as usual. Dumbass.

"She was here not too long ago." Sakura answered.

I looked over at Sakura. She doesn't look at me, not even once. I've got a feeling that Sakura knew what happened two days ago in those woods. Maybe Hinata told her everything. I've been such a forceful asshole and I won't blame Hinata for cursing my name. I deserve it. But I want to make things right. The least I can do is apologize, right?

Slowly, I got up from the floor and attempted to head to the tent opening. But a hand grabs hold of my wrist, tugging lightly at me and attempting me to rest again.

"Naruto, please." Sakura said.

I looked at her again and she still had that bothersome look on her face. It must mean that Hinata really does hate me. Sakura must have known already that I was just about to go look for Hinata myself. But the more I look at Sakura and her frowned face, the more my stomach twists into guilty knots. I must have done a lot of damage while I was resting these few days. Great.

While I'm awake, I ruin things enough. Now even when I'm sleeping, things remain the same. What's the point of getting rid of the nightmares if the exchange was the loss of a friend like Hinata?

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After much hard convincing to keep Naruto in bed, it has a huge success and he eventually fell asleep again. It was definitely a relief to keep him down for at least one more day. Sakura felt that Hinata needed more time to think and more time to mentally prepare for Naruto's upcoming encounter. If anyone knew Naruto, he did his best trying to fix things and knowing when to say the right things. As always, he had good intentions but this time around, it is imperative that he fix this problem steadily and carefully. Hinata hasn't been crying or anything throughout Naruto's time of rest but she wasn't feeling so much in high spirits when she received word that he has woken up from his two day slumber.

"I think he wants to speak to you soon." Sakura said to Hinata, both of them sitting on the bench that perched outside of the Hyuuga residence. Hinata knew that it was only going to be moments before Naruto is back on his feet and looking for her. For the first time in her life, she wasn't going to feel wonderful when seeing his face. There was a time when even thinking about the boy made her heart flutter in wonder. But not today. Or perhaps, just not anymore.

Naruto might have gotten rid of his nightmares but now it is Hinata that can't stop thinking about that day when she pushed him away. Just thinking about it, bothered her. She never thought there would be a day where she had to just run away from Naruto. That day was supposed to be perfect. She was in her Sunday best and the day couldn't have been more perfect. What was the point of all of that if it meant that she would lose the beautiful imagery of her love she once had in her mind? It was all for nothing, she thought.

Her head hung low and Sakura immediately rests her hand on Hinata's back. "I don't know all the details but... I don't want you to hate Naruto-"

"I don't hate him!" Hinata sprung up, her eyes looking in to Sakura's. Sakura stared with wide eyes, noticing that a brim of tears was lined in Hinata's eyes. If she blinked, the tears could spill over any minute. But she wipes her tears with her sleeve before they had a chance to fall. She sighs and eventually stands to her feet.

"Hinata!" Sakura stood as well, "I didn't mean to upset you. I just... I wish that whatever Naruto did to you was something that you can forgive him for. I know that sounds very demanding but I want you guys to both figure this out."

Hinata stares at Sakura once before heading off in the direction of her residence.

"You still love him!" Sakura yells, making the girl freeze in her tracks. "Don't you? Hinata?"

There was no doubt that both of them knew that answer to that question. But it was something that Sakura felt like she needed to ask. And it probably something that Hinata herself needed to hear from her own lips. A smile tugs at her mouth, and nods rights after. "Absolutely."

Words were no longer needed afterwards. The two women knew how much love was such an unexplanatory feeling. It was something where one hundred percent of effort was needed at all times. Both knew that love was a struggle for the both of them. To be longed for a touch or just a simple smile would do them both good. Sakura knew what Hinata was feeling and just that question was just enough. A smile appear on her face as well, getting a calming feeling in her gut that everything was going to be just fine.

Five days have passed since Naruto woke up from his sleep. Which meant it was been a week since Naruto and Hinata have yet to cross each other's path. The funny thing was that every morning, they both wake up sighing thinking about each other and figuring out when will the next person walk up to them and just say something. Just anything. They would twist and turn in their sheet, attempting to build the courage to approach the other. But it all resulted the same every morning. The two would sigh again and forget about it. It was probably the first time the two have shared so much in common at the exact moment. Who would have thought that they were so alike in this manner? Gusty ninja boy Naruto. Who always had something to say and never once feared to voice his opinions. And quiet girl Hinata. Who walked around timidly but was pure in everything she did. While the two carried themselves very differently, there was no doubt that they could fit each other like lock and key.

But it doesn't matter. They just don't want to budge. If only one of them was pushed a bit to make the first move to approach the other.

"Naruto."

Naruto didn't notice when someone walked in his tent. As he sat up from his bed, he realized it was Shino who stood before him. It was definitely a surprise to see out of everyone he knew, it was him that decided to pay a visit. He stood there with his usual silence, probably waiting for Naruto to at least make an effort to greet him.

"Oh. Hey Shino. Didn't expect to see you here." Naruto yawns a bit before rubbing the sleep out of his eye.

In doing so, the silent ninja took a short stroll around the tent space. Shino's odd habits was something that everyone knew about but for some reason, no one got around to just get used to it. Naruto and the others knew he was a good guy but sometimes his silence and his movements alone are just things that makes the yellow haired boy antsy in his bed. But this time it's a bit different. There must be on Shino's mind. Again, he wasn't the small talk kind of guy and he wouldn't waste his time here just to say hello and leave. He is here for a purpose and maybe that purpose wasn't something Naruto wanted to encounter as of right now. It was hardly bright outside with the daytime sun and yet Shino is here. Something is definitely up.

Shino finally makes a stop, nearly making Naruto stiffen in uncertainty.

"The village is coming along nicely." Shino mentions, turning his whole body in the direction of Naruto. "Don't you think?"

"... Er, yeah."

The tent fell with silence again. Boy, Shino was sure taking his time to get his point across. The suspense was making Naruto fidgety.

"Uh, Shino. Is there something you wanna talk about or something?"

Shino takes a few steps towards Naruto, finally answering him. "Let's talk outside."

"... Sure."

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After Naruto cleaned himself up a bit, the two head outside. The sun was just beginning to emerge from the clouds. In a way, Naruto was a bit relieved he stepped out of that tent. For the past week, it seemed more like a little hideout for him. For a while, he would just sit in there just thinking about her. Thinking of the best way possible to make things right again.

"Naruto."

Shino makes a sudden stop on his heels to turn and face Naruto. The majority of his face might have been covered but the boy knew that he should mentally brace himself for what's to come.

"What is it?" Naruto asks. "Spill it."

A small sigh escapes Shino. "You know why I'm here. Let's not pretend here."

There was a hint of annoyance in his tone, only making Naruto's jaws clench in defense. He thought if Shino was here to jump on his back, he didn't want to hear it.

"If this is about Hinata, then I know what I have to do."

"If you know what you have to do, then tell me why you have been hiding in your tent for days?" Shino barked.

"Hiding? Is that what you think I'm doing?"

Naruto knew that he has spent days held up in his tent but he didn't stop to think about how it may have looked from the eyes of others. He wanted to make things right by thinking of the best way to fix things. But here was Shino, making assumptions that Naruto just wanted to get away from it all. This was probably the first time Shino got under his skin. With clenched fists, he walks closer to Shino.

"I haven't been hiding. I was just thinking."

A light scoff escapes from the hooded ninja, only making Naruto even more upset. "Thinking. Is that how you put it? If it is taking you days to make things right, then maybe you don't realize what you did was wrong. I don't know what you did to her but you need to fix it. Now."

"I don't need to here this from you. What the hell do you know anyway?" Naruto yells. The thought of punching Shino right in the face crossed his mind. But now he just wanted to just walk away.

"I know enough."

"Whatever, Shino." Naruto begins to walk off.

The moment he turns around, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Shino spins him around angrily and Naruto pushes him away quickly. "Will you get the hell off of my back?!"

"I can't do that."

Naruto just wanted him to go away. But it seemed like it wasn't going to be the case.

"Shino... I know you mean well but I know what I'm doing. So please."

"You are my friend, Naruto. But I value Hinata's existence much more. I've been around her long enough to call her my own sister. I am tired of seeing her look so down. I want to help make things better as well."

It was true. Shino didn't say much to anyone but when it came to his teammates, he valued them. Seeing each and every one of them grow up to become something great was indeed wonderful. He saw them when they were learning new things, overcoming a fear and meeting a goal. But he also saw the times either Kiba or Hinata was at their lowest point. He felt there was a sense of duty he had to fulfill if he saw one of his own unhappy or at a loss of what to do. And if there was anyone who could read Hinata and her actions, it would be Kiba and Shino. And there was no surprise to him when it came to Hinata loving Naruto. She loved him so dearly that sometimes he wonders if her happiness and passion had rubbed off on others. The thought of her made Shino smile to himself.

"Hinata." Shino begins to speak, "She loves you. I don't know what she sees in you but I do not dare question it. I would be a terrible friend if I wasn't here to help."

Whenever Naruto heard that Hinata was in love with him, it always struck his heart. The feeling was unexplainable and he wasn't sure why. All he knew was when it came to Hinata and that word love, it always threw him for a loop.

But he folds his arms and looks away. "I know this."

"Then start acting like it. Don't neglect her love just because you don't know how to accept it. If you accept it, fine. But don't turn your back on her. If it was me in your shoes, I'd accept it in a heartbeat."

Naruto grew silent. He stared at Shino for a moment. Did he wish that he was in Naruto's shoes? For the chance of accepting Hinata's feelings? What if Hinata did love Shino the way she loved Naruto? The thought of it made Naruto's stomach churn. He didn't like the idea of her loving someone else but him. But at the same time, he couldn't figure out why. Maybe a part of him accepted the fact that Hinata was only interested in him only and thinking otherwise was just foreign to his brain somehow.

"How do you feel about her?" Shino added. "Do you love her?"

His face grew hot, somewhat taken aback on how blunt Shino is being. These questions and the things he was spewing out was embarrassing to answer. It could have been anyone asking these questions but hearing them all from Shino was racking Naruto's brain. But a question was a question and it was something that needed to be answered.

"... I don't know, okay? If I say no, I would feel like an asshole. But if I say yes, I would still be an asshole for lying."

"No one is telling you to lie, Naruto. You make these things so difficult."

Naruto rolled his eyes. What did Shino know about getting the girls anyway, he thought. "I like Hinata. I like her as a friend."

He pressed the word friend as if he was trying to convince himself too.

Finally, Shino sighs lowly before beginning to walk off. "There is your answer then. If you know your answer, then make things right. Don't make Hinata suffer anymore."

With that being said, Shino continued to walk off, leaving Naruto to think alone.

Don't make Hinata suffer anymore.

Before, he thought this was only about him. About his nightmares and how to get rid of them. He didn't think it was going to ever get so... complicated. All Naruto wanted was to be his goofy normal self and not this little wuss that have been roaming around the village all week. Just thinking about his selfish behavior sort of disgusted him. Shino was right, he thought. He had to apologize to her for everything and turn her down quickly. Turning her down would probably the most difficult considering it would result in him feeling guilty all over again. But leading her on some more would only make things worse. The yellow haired boy, inhaled and exhaled sharply before making up his mind.

"I have to apologize to Hinata."

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A/N: Okay nevermind. This chapter wasn't that short but It felt like this one was a bit slow. Don't worry though. My vacation ends this Wednesday (which means I can focus more!) . See you soon!