I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!

A/N: Here's Chappie 2, hope y'all enjoy! Oh, and how about a little review about what you guys want to see in the story. Throw me a bone here will ya? Maybe a bit of ideas here and there? Thanks!

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

The Caged Raven

Chapter 2: Strange Happenings

Once again Hinata had woken up to the soft whispers within the room. She could feel something cool and wet on her forehead. A cold ice pack was placed on her to cool down, what Tsunade had concluded, her fever.

"Her condition should be stable now. I think she suffered severe migraine because of her fever. Her temperature was two degrees above average."

It was Tsunade's hushed voice explaining the young woman's condition to her cousin, Neji.

"Thank you Tsunade-sama."

Neji turned around to face Hinata with a worried look after she had left.

"Hinata-sama you should have told me that you were feeling very ill."

"I'm sorry Neji nii-san. I was feeling perfectly fine before you left. The headache just suddenly came shortly after."

Her cousin nodded in understanding.

"That headache must be an early symptom for your fever. Speaking of which, Kiba and Shino were here for a short while before they were sent home."

Hinata felt bad that she wasn't able to see her two best friends after she had regained consciousness. Now, she had missed her chance because of her fever.

"Please tell them that I'm sorry for not being able to see them. I promise that I'll treat them to yakiniku once I make a full recovery."

Neji's features softened.

"I'll make sure to tell them that."

Just then, a soft knock was made on the door. It was a part time nurse who had been working as one of Tsunade's nurses. This nurse was none other than Tenten.

Hinata didn't miss the glint in Neji's eyes when he saw her. He looked like a puppy that finally had his master home after a long day of waiting.

"How are you feeling Hinata-chan? I was panicking like crazy when I saw you knocked out cold with a high fever!"

The patient looked at her quizzically.

"You were the one who helped me?"

"Yeah. Lucky it happened to be my shift," she replied.

"Thank you Tenten-san."

"It's my duty as a friend and as a nurse so don't worry about it!"

Hinata noticed the somewhat restless look beginning to shadow over her cousin's face. They probably had planned a date which Neji had been really looking forward to. The least she could do was to not keep them back.

She cleared her throat for their attention.

"Tsunade-sama said that my condition is stable now so I should be fine alone. Tenten-san your shift is over and I don't want to keep you. Neji nii-san, visiting hours are over. The two of you should go home," Hinata initiated.

The couple looked at each other with uncertainty.

"I'll be fine, really! Besides, Sakura-san would be here for her shift soon right?"

"Well-"

"Ten-Ten, I think my cousin should be alright."

He stole a glance at Hinata, giving her a grin of gratitude.

"Come, let's go."

"Alright…."

Neji impatiently grabbed the kunoichi's hand, dragging her along, as they headed out the door.

Hinata wasn't blind or stupid. The signs were everywhere; everyone had moved on except for her. They were all adults now, no longer juveniles with their childish crushes or fights. All of them were already twenty one or above. Most of her friends had found themselves a partner to be with.

The biggest blow of all was when Naruto had confessed that he and Sakura had been going out for a while in secret since three years ago. It took all her courage to not burst out into tears in front of the love of her life, or in this case, her childhood's crush. She had always known that Naruto and Sakura would eventually belong together. She had seen all the signs as well as all they went through together since they were young. But she decided to stay blind and naive. She acted as if nothing had changed. She was afraid to face the truth since she wasn't ready to let go of him yet.

Despite the crushing revelation, she managed to forgive and forget over time. She was mostly left alone in the village since missions were getting less. Ino and Chouji seemed to have some chemistry going on, which neither realized yet. Shikamaru had occasionally gone to Suna to visit lover, Temari if his missions required him to go there. Kiba and Shino were now two of the best trackers in the land of fire. Thus, they were frequently sent on retrieval missions. Hinata however, was mostly at the village helping with trivial matters. The most eventful mission she had so far was during Sasuke's retrieval which was nearly two months ago.

She should be happy with the fact that everyone had moved on. She should smile along with them especially knowing all the hardships each of them had gone through. They had managed to find happiness in the end. But why does she feel empty and left behind? She couldn't help but to feel out of place whenever she's in their presence. She felt even more of a failure. Not only was she a failure in her father's eyes but she was a failure in life as well. She can't even move on like everyone else did! Tears of frustration dripped on to her fisted white blanket.

'I want to be stronger! I want to move ahead with everyone else…I don't want to be left behind alone…'

She quickly rubbed her tears away as she felt Sakura's presence coming near her room. She quickly hid herself beneath her blanket while facing the window, pretending to sleep.

Sakura's footsteps came to a halt through the door.

"Oh, looks like she's asleep. I guess I'll do the check up tomorrow then," she whispered.

Sakura gently adjusted her patient's pillow before flicking the lights out.

Once the room was empty, Hinata cracked her bloodshot eyes open. Her tears wouldn't stop flowing, she felt so helpless. The room was silent except for the sound of her air conditioning. The annoying sound of the beeping monitor was no longer there after she had transferred rooms.

A new presence made Hinata froze with chills running down her spine. She turned around defensively only to come to face with nothing but her dark room.

"W-who's there?"

No one replied.

She cautiously got up from her bed, slowly letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. The moment she set her feet onto the cold tile floor, she heard something rolling towards her feet. It rolled and rolled until something soft made contact with her toes.

Looking down, her eyes met with two bright sharingan eyes boring into hers. It was an Uchiha's decapitated head with blood mercilessly pouring out of its severed head. She fell helplessly on her bottom as she shrieked at the top of her lungs.

The lights flicked back on with Sakura rushing in, ready to attack any intruder. Seeing that the room was clear from any threat, she relaxed her posture. She made a dash towards the woman who was sitting on the floor with her legs sprawled, chocking on her tears.

"Hinata-chan! What's wrong?"

Hinata was speechless. The only sound produced out of her was the choking of her sobs. The head had mysteriously disappeared the second the lights were on. It was as if she had been imagining it. But the warm fresh blood seeping out of it felt so real. She looked at her feet for inspection only to find that they were clean and spotless.

Her sobs only increased with her confusion. What was going on?

Sakura brought her into a secured while trying to calm her down.

"Hush…It's alright Hinata-chan. I'm right here; everything's alright."

She clung onto her white coat not wanting to let go her only source of security.

"S-Sakura-san…"

Sakura gently hoisted her up to bring her back to her bed where she would sit.

"Stay here while I grab you a warm cup of tea. Then we'll talk."

She was about to turn when Hinata grabbed her sleeves.

"P-please, let me go with you. Don't leave me alone…" she begged.

The doctor couldn't deny her patient's plea. It was obvious that Hinata was scared out of her wits by something. She was going to try to coax it out of her.

"Alright, but can you walk?"

"Y-yes."

Sakura offered her arm for support.

"Hold on to me just in case okay?"

Hinata was feeling a little bit disorientated from her fever, which had cooled down immensely by now. The recently added shock didn't help her head feel any better. She gratefully looped her arm around the other's to support herself.

They were sitting in the hospital cafeteria drinking their hot beverages. Hinata's hands were slightly trembling while she held her cup.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sakura coaxed.

Hinata shook her head.

"Thank you for your concern Sakura-san. But it was nothing. I think I was either having a nightmare or imagining things."

"What did you see?"

"I-I don't remember."

Hinata didn't mean to lie but she really needed to. She wanted to get off this topic real badly and talk about something else. She mentally shook the horrific image away.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You know how dreams are… it's normal you forget them when you wake up."

"Alright then, I guess I'll leave at that."

Hinata mentally sighed in relief.

Sakura knew Hinata was lying. She could detect the facial expressions and her attitude. If one thing's for sure, Hinata was a terrible liar. Anyone could read her like a book. Besides, she had mentioned that she could have had imagined it; if she had imagined it, wouldn't she had remembered it vividly? She understood that nightmares are easily forgotten, but an imagination? Looks like the Hyuuga had made a careless slip. However, Sakura didn't feel like pressuring the other woman so she decided to drop the subject. Hinata looked mentally drained as well. She knew that no matter how much coaxing she gave her, Hinata would still not budge. That's just how she was, timid and fragile on the outside, but on the inside her pride can be as stubborn as the 'will of the fire'. Sakura and the other shinobis had acknowledged this side of her ever since her display of courage in front of the Akatsuki leader, Pein.

Across from her, Hinata was fingering her cup uneasily. Her pale delicate fingers traced over the cup's outline. She felt the need to cheer her up somehow…

"Hinata-chan there's something I want to tell you."

Hinata looked up from her drink.

"I have great news. If your test results are exceptional by tomorrow, you can be discharged!"

"That's really good news! Thank you so much!"

Hinata excitedly grabbed her doctor's hand in appreciation. Her pearly lavender eyes shone like pearls as she smiled.

"But Hinata, if you feel the need to stay a bit longer, I can always-"

"No it's fine. Besides, it's been really uneventful staying in the hospital."

Sakura laughed. "Well, that's true. Alright then, if all is well then I can write a report to Tsunade-sama to discharge you tomorrow."

Hinata used her free hand to cover her yawn.

"The tea I gave you is specially brewed to calm you. It's usually used to help cure insomniacs. You'll be able to sleep like a baby in no time!"

After finishing their beverages, Sakura walked her back to her room. Hinata was too tired to recall the terrible scene from before. The Hyuuga eventually drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

The next day came with news that Hinata was ready to be discharged. They only had to go through one last physical check up to make sure everything was really alright. Seeing that there was nothing wrong with her condition, Hinata was sent home. She was planning to celebrate her recovery with her two best friends. Unfortunately, Tsunade had informed her that they were away on a mission. She decided she would celebrate with Sakura and Naruto instead. Yet, again, they seemed to have other matters to attend to. Neji and Tenten were nowhere to be found. Her father and sister were outside the village as well.

She couldn't help but to feel disappointed. She was really looking forward to see everyone again, yet something would always prevent her from doing so. She didn't feel like staying at home so she went to pay Kurenai a visit.

Kurenai had a beautiful healthy daughter who was now five years old. The little ball of energy pounced on the girl the moment she saw her at the door. Kurenai ushered the younger woman in.

"Hinata-chan, it's good to see that you have fully recovered. Koto and I went to visit you last week when you were still unconscious. We were actually planning to visit you later today. But I guess we don't need to anymore."

The two women chattered happily over tea while the child busied herself with toys. Koto was the most darling little girl Hinata had ever met. She looked everything like her mother; from the color of her eyes to her tousled curly hair, except for her mischievous smile or the occasional glint of mischief in her eyes. Those were the only things which resemble the child to her father, Asuma. Hinata looked at the little girl as she played, taking in her features and imagining how beautiful she would be when she grows up. Her train of thought was cut off by Kurenai's question.

"Is there anything you need help with?"

Kurenai hadn't miss the way her body slightly jumped.

Hinata blushed while stuttering over her words.

"Actually I-I…"

Her former teacher gave a light chuckle.

"Hinata, I know that you're here to ask me something. You always seem to visit when there's something on your mind. Just tell me any of your problems."

Kurenai made a motion to fill more tea into her guest's cup, which Hinata gladly accepted. She leaned her body slightly forward to bring her cup towards the pouring pot. Once the cup was filled to the rim, she recoiled back to her seat. The pot was settled gently back on the table with a soft thud.

"W-well Kurenai-sensei… I feel that everyone has moved on except for me."

Kurenai looked at her former pupil with worry.

"Hinata what made you say such things? You're already twenty one and I think you've done a really good job in getting over that knuckle head. Isn't that proof enough that you've moved along with everyone else?"

Hinata's old habit of fidgeting her fingers resurfaced.

"W-well, that's not what I really mean. Everyone has someone or a purpose to live for. What I'm trying to say is that everyone has found a meaning to live their future. But I'm still stuck the way I was. I feel even more helpless than before."

"Don't say that Hinata! Never say those kind of things ever again do you hear me?" her former teacher scolded.

Hinata looked at her with wide eyes. She was never yelled at by Kurenai before.

Kurenai realized that she had raised her voice at the younger woman more than necessary.

"Hinata, I didn't mean to yell at you. It's just that…Why can't you realize how special you are? You're kind and selfless which are your best qualities. Everyone is special in their own way. You degrade yourself to such a ridiculous level. You are a lot stronger than you think; remember the fight you put up with Pein? All I can say is you should have more faith in yourself. One day Hinata, you will find someone who would be your pillar for support, shower you with love, and give you a reason to live for everyday. Just like how I live for my Koto."

Hinata hugged Kurenai. She was surprised that what used to be a timid shy girl hadn't cried at all.

"Thank you sensei! I'll never forget your words."

Kurenai patted her ebony silky hair.

"It's getting late sensei, I think I should get going," she sniffled.

She withdrew herself from the comforting hug, despite her want for more comfort. But if she wanted to be stronger, she had to stop depending on others for comfort all the time. She should suck it up and deal with her own problems head on with a smile, like Naruto does.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"

"I'm fine thank you. I think father and Hanabi should be home by now."

Kurenai walked her to the door with Koto holding onto Hinata's hand.

"Take care alright? Maybe we should go shopping one of these days."

Hinata giggled.

"Of course! I'll see you again next time."

She bent down to an eye level with the little girl. The little giggled when Hinata patted her hair.

"Bye Koto! Be a good girl for your mother alright?"

The little girl gave her a large toothy grin with a few missing teeth.

"Bye onee-chan!"

The sun was beginning to set on her way home. Crows cawed above their head as they flew below the orange sky.

By the time she reached home, she had requested for a full warm bath. The maids were ecstatic upon her return and rushed to prepare the bath without hesitation. It had been about two months since she last seen her home. She was glad to be back in the comfort of her family compound. She wondered whether Hanabi and her father were home. She had heard from Sakura and the nurses that the two of them had been visiting her quite frequently when she was still unconscious, that was, until they were called out of the village. They told her that the two of them seemed to be very worried over her.

Over the years, her father had tried many ways to mend their broken relationship. He was softer towards her, trying to strike a pleasant conversation with her whenever he could. However, despite his efforts, Hinata could never forget the scorn look of disappointment in her father's eyes from the past. She felt even more pathetic now because not only her father, but the whole household, excluding Neji and her sister, would look at her with pity since she could never be the heiress. Every time she saw those gazes, she would feel smaller and more pathetic. It made her wonder whether being away from the household for two months had made any difference to them at all. Or maybe, things were a lot better when she wasn't even present.

After the bath was ready, Hinata stepped into the bath house. She stripped out of her clothing before dipping herself into the warm bath. She gave out a satisfied sigh as her muscles relaxed.

Her thoughts roamed back to the day she saw Naruto's last battle with Sasuke. Why couldn't she remember what happened after the blinding explosion? There seemed to be a missing puzzle which she couldn't fill. Although she doesn't know what was missing, she could feel that something felt off. She closed her eyes at the feel of the warm thick water sloshed against her soft skin.

'Thick water?'

Then the sharp sickening metallic smell struck her nose. Her eyes jerked open to look at the water she was bathing in. It was not water she was bathing in, but blood. Thick dark red blood. Before she could scream, she felt something grip her by ankle, dragging her deeper into the tub of blood. She struggled for air, but all she got were the metallic tasting blood she was choking on as she struggled. More hands snaked around her body as they dragged her down. All she could see beneath were the dark red which was beginning to sting her eyes. She saw hands groping all over her body. What scared her most was that they were only limbs with no body attached.

'I'm going to die…Someone, please help me!'

She heard loud muffled banging on the door. The last thing she could remember was feeling someone's arm pulling her out of the tub filled blood.

"Hinata-sama! Hinata-sama!"

Hinata blinked her eyes open. She laid on her futon with her sleeping yukata securely on.

"Neji nii-san?"

"Hinata-sama! I found you drowning in your bath. Did you pass out because it was too hot?"

Worry was clearly drawn over his entire feature.

"Neji nii-san, I-I…I think I was too exhausted," she said lamely.

Hinata had decided to keep this incident and the one at the hospital tight lipped. She didn't want people to think she had lost it. Whatever had happened to her had felt so real. If they were to think she was mentally unstable, who knows how long they'll keep her locked up in the hospital for examination. She swore that there was nothing mentally wrong with her.

"Then I suggest you have an early dinner before retiring," he suggested.

"Yes…I should. Thank you for your concern, Neji nii-san."

"Is there anything else you need?"

"How about something that would help me sleep? Like that tea Sakura-san gave me yesterday night."

"Yesterday night? Did something happen?"

"Uh… no, just nightmares. I've been getting a lot of them lately so I wasn't able to sleep well."

"In that case, I'll ask one of our maids to fetch them for you as soon as possible. You should rest for now."

She thanked him once more before heading to her room to rest before her meal. Strange happenings had been occurring to her lately since yesterday. She had a feeling that this one won't be the end of it just yet.