Updating this a few hours early because of an announcement:
This story is going on a one month hiatus so I can work on chapters—in other words, so there can be longer chapters—and so I can work on one of the two stories that will tie in with this one. I have an idea for another story that will be a 'sequel' to the two in mind, but that won't be for quite a while.
When this story returns, there will only be one chapter each week, but it will be longer than usual. The style of how I'm doing each chapter will stay the same. With that said, I'll see you soon.
Enjoy.
After such an intensive battle and aftermath, Hinata promptly fainted from over-exertion and exhaustion. Naruto managed to catch her before she could injure herself any worse. The medics immediately rushed to her side, nothing that they only had a few minutes left to save her life.
At that moment, Naruto swore he would be the one to defeat Neji, and that he would knock the truth about that night into him.
Although the fox had calmed down just a bit, the tanuki still wanted blood.
After nearly everyone had calmed down and returned to the viewing area, it was time for the next match, which was none other than Rock Lee and Gaara. Now, this fight was one that made the Leaf chunin, jounin, and Hokage overly cautious, since they now knew of Gaara's . . . condition. They were impressed that Lee could cause Gaara to struggle so much with his incredible speed and taijutsu alone.
Then, the tanuki started to lose its patients.
To bypass the . . . gruesome details, with his sand, Gaara crushed Lee's leg and arm. When Gaara went for the final blow, Gai-sensei blocked the attack, which actually calmed him down. With the sand returning to the gourd, Gaara announced that he quit, but it didn't matter.
Lee lost the moment his sensei intervened.
After the final fight, all the winners from the matches were gathered at the main level to speak about the third portion of the exam. The Third Hokage announced it would be a fighting tournament among those who remained. Since everyone has now seen how everyone fights, one month training will be allowed before the conclusion of the Chunin Exams were to begin.
After a month of only some progress training with one of the legendary sanin, Jiraiya, Naruto returned to the village with a single objective in mind:
Visit Hinata.
As though there was some guardian watching over her, Hinata miraculously survived her heart surgery. If the fight had continued or if she received another injury of any size, Hinata wouldn't have survived.
Naruto thanked Gaara so many times for intervening when he heard that fact.
Anyways, as Naruto traveled through the village to the clan compound with a gift in hand, he noticed a certain red-head standing at the main gates. The foreign visitor stared blankly at the doors, carrying a plant Naruto had never seen before.
Getting over his temporary shock, Naruto smiled widely as he greeted his friend. Gaara didn't react much. Just a simple nod of acknowledgment as he continued looking at the gates—
Almost as though he was debating what to do next.
Before the Sand genin could really decide, the Leaf genin opened the gates without any fear. Naruto insisted Gaara follow him, as he knew exactly where their Byakugan Princess would be. Almost as though he was still trying to choose, Gaara slowly trailed after Naruto once he was a good distance inside the sacred place.
Navigating through the various twists and turns—mainly doing so to avoid his opponent of the first match—the two finally found themselves gazing at the beautiful girl working in one of her various flower beds. Digging her hands through the dirt, she didn't care if her beautiful baby blue kimono was soiled by the minerals.
Not that Hinata would be able to see it, since her eyes were covered in bandages.
The wrappings around her eyes were just a precaution to help with her over-strain of using the Byakugan. Or, at least, that's what Hinata told Naruto back when they were still training in the Ninja Academy. Having used that method so many times over the years, Hinata became accustomed to traveling around the Hyūga estate while essentially being blind.
And yet, Hinata still somehow knew her two friends were there, calling them over to her with her famous smile that could melt any heart and light up any room.
Naruto gladly went to the girl's side, happily chatting with her while Gaara awkwardly stood by them. After the standard greeting, Naruto handed over his bag, which had the Yamanaka Flowers shop logo on it. He listed off the various seeds and bulbs he bought for the garden.
Then, Naruto revealed Gaara had a surprise for her.
Scowling at the Uzumaki boy for somewhat spoiling it, Gaara placed the plant next to Hinata, saying it was an adenium obesum, or desert rose. He wanted to give it to her as an apology for how he acted during the preliminary matches. He shouldn't have lost control like that and promised he wouldn't do it.
Too bad that was a promise he couldn't keep.
But for now, Hinata's smile grew a bit warmer as she thanked the Sand genin for such a wonderful gift. Her reaction made Naruto feel a little . . . different. His demeanor became a bit negative and his smile turned into a glum frown. When he silently wished that Gaara never gave her the gift, Naruto realized—
He was jealous.
But that's ridiculous! Sure, Hinata is beyond amazing, the kindest kunoichi in the world, always laughs at his jokes, makes him feel accepted, has a pretty smile, is so incredibly beautiful . . .
"Oh shit," Naruto thought to himself. "I have a crush on Hinata. Her father is going to be so pis—"
"Naruto?" Hinata called out worriedly, interrupting his wondering thoughts. "Are you okay? You're not talking like usual."
"She knows me so well . . ." Shaking his head to get his mind focused, Naruto fibbed, "It's nothing. Just thinking about the Chunin Exans tomorrow. I need to talk to your father though."
Hinata scrunched up her nose in mild confusion. "To . . ."
"See if I can have a training session over Gentle Fist fighting style," Naruto claimed, "so I know for sure that I can beat Neji."
April 30th: The Lonely Jinchuriki