Love's Misconstruities
Author's note: I used the manga version for this part of the story, in case you see any discrepancies between it and the anime (assuming you've read both the scanlations and the subbed episode). I wrote this before the episode was aired, and after I saw the anime version I decided that I didn't like what they added in, so I decided to keep it omitted. ; Gomen.
Chapter 16
Hinata awoke with a start as she heard a gentle tapping at her door.
"H-hai?!" she answered.
"Hinata-sama," the deep voice began.
'Neji-nii-san! He's back!' she realized, becoming rigid. It had been over a week now since he'd left. She'd known the Hokage should have gotten word of the success or failure of the mission, but she had been too afraid to request the news. Even now, she lay frozen in her bed as she awaited her cousin's report, not sure if she could bear to hear it.
"Hinata-sama… The mission," he began, pausing for what seemed like eternity. "It was successful. The Kazekage has been returned to his village."
"…A…alive?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Yes, alive," Neji replied with a small chuckle. The girl sobbed a sigh of relief, letting go of the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her heart felt like a giant weight had been lifted from it. "But there's something you should know," he added, his voice serious once again. Hinata's fists clenched the sheets as the tightness in her chest returned. "You were aware that he hosted a tailed demon within him," he stated more than asked.
"Y-yes…?" the girl whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"…The group that kidnapped him… They…removed it. Because of that, Gaara had died. …It was only by an amazing forbidden jutsu that he was revived."
"I-Is he alright?" came a squeak.
"Yes. Despite everything, he seemed fine by the time that we left."
She breathed a sigh of relief, but before she could relax too much her thoughts turned elsewhere and she tensed back up. "Wha…what about the others?"
"There were injuries among our people, but no casualties. Everyone will be fine."
"…Naruto-kun… How is he?"
"Naruto… He hasn't changed a bit. He gave everything he had to rescue Gaara. It surprised me… Those two seem to be good friends. But what surprised me even more is that Gaara has earned the admiration and respect of his entire village. He was ready to die for them and they seem very grateful for that. …He's everything one would expect from a kage…which is why I spoke to Hokage-sama after we returned to the village just a short time ago. She's expecting a visit from you today."
Hinata's eyes widened. "Wh-What do you mean?" She got no response. "Neji-nii-san?" she called once again to no avail. She finally got out of bed and slid open the door, but the hall was empty. There was only one way now to discover what he was up to.
"Hinata, back to your usual self, I see," the older woman remarked as the younger girl lurked in her office doorway. "I hadn't expected you so early, so we'll have to make this quick. ...Come in, already, will you?"
She approached the desk and tried to hide her anxiety, though once she opened her mouth the act was over. "I-I-I was t-told to report to you!" she squeaked.
"Yes," the Hokage began, trying not to laugh. "Team 8 has just been assigned a new mission, correct?"
"H-hai!" Hinata confirmed.
"Hm… They're a capable bunch. I'm sure they'll do just as well without you."
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"I have a more important assignment for you. For now, I'm detaching you from the group and sending you on a solo mission." Hinata listened intently, her eyes wide. "It seems that we are short on messenger birds. I'd like to enlist your help in delivering a scroll."
"Eh? This is…a D-rank mission, isn't it?" she questioned, stunned. She hadn't quite known what to expect, but this had been furthest from her mind.
"C-rank! And of the highest importance! I need to send a message to all the Hidden Villages in our alliance regarding the Chuunin Exams, but considering our shortage, I'm depending on reliable shinobi like yourself to handle this important matter."
"But, why not send a genin?" she asked, still confused, and honestly a little insulted. 'Did Neji-nii-san tell her I might be unstable and that I could jeopardize my next mission? Is that why she's doing this?'
Tsunade stared at her blankly for a moment, making the girl uncomfortable. "If you believe you will be unable to complete this mission, I suppose I could send someone else to Sunagakure… I believe Rock Lee is available…"
"Suna…" Hinata slowly repeated as everything finally began to click. "Hokage-sama! That will not be necessary. I gladly accept this mission!"
"Good. Report back here tomorrow morning."
"T-Tomorrow? Hokage-sama, I am ready to undertake this mission today!"
"Tomorrow! I have much to attend to today, and speaking with you has already put me behind. You will report back tomorrow morning. The scroll will be ready then."
"H-hai! Gomen nasai!" she apologized, bowing deeply before leaving. 'Hokage-sama…Neji-nii-san… Arigatou gozaimasu!'
She slowly made her way through the village thinking only of tomorrow. It was nearly an hour later when she realized that she'd forgotten about a previous engagement. Remembering she'd made plans to eat lunch with her team today and was supposed to get together with them soon, she rushed across the village. As she rounded the corner by their designated meeting spot, her heart skipped a beat and she caught herself shrieking. Embarrassed, she hid around the corner again, her back to the fence. Her heart pounded with shock as she realized who was standing with Shino, Kiba, and Akamaru.
'N-Naruto-kun?! I knew he was back in the village, but…wh-what should I do? I'm still not ready yet… We haven't seen each other for almost three years… What should I say?' Hinata worried upon sight of her former crush. She had to admit that she did still like him and greatly admired the boy, but she had realized years ago that their hearts were in different places. He liked Sakura, and she had eventually learned to accept that. Still, she couldn't help but be affected by him.
There were many things she wanted to say to him. 'Thank you, Naruto-kun. For being your wonderfully energetic self… For being an inspiration to me all these years… For saving Gaara-san…'
"What? It's just you, Hinata?! What are you doing hiding over here?" Naruto asked, popping his head around the corner and scaring the poor girl. Her heart jumped into her throat and she began to feel light-headed. Before she had time to reply, she'd fainted.