A/N: Okay everyone I'm back! Again I apologize if the last chapter confused you! I promise this one won't talk about any medical stuff. Naruto/Hinata fans, sorry about the last chapter but there will be a small romantic part for them in this chapter for compensation.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 5
The low constant beeping of the heart monitor was the first thing Hinata heard when she was returning to consciousness. Then slowly the faint beeps were replaced by her cousin's monstrous snores next to her. Hinata could tell she was in the hospital, the sterile smell made her nauseous when she inhaled it too much. She didn't even open her eyes, her heart still ached and her legs were sore, another tear rolled down her face. Everything that had happened was cemented in her mind, and even when she woke up she had wished she was dead instead of having to face the ache of heart break. The door to the hospital room was opened, and then closed softly; a loud laugh stopped her cousin's snores.
"Well what do you know? The Hyuuga genius snores like a horse!" Temari's familiar loud voice penetrated through the still room.
"I do not snore Temari-san," Neji said, coolly and calmly while he recomposed himself.
"Yes you do," Temari said bluntly, pulling a chair over next to Hinata's bed making Hinata flinch at the loud scraping noise while keeping her eyes closed.
"No I do not, Temari-san," Neji said, his voice rising slightly.
"And I'm telling you, you do," Temari said, matching his angry tone.
"I think I would know if I do Temari-san," Neji said, getting aggravated.
"How? You can't hear when you're asleep!" Temari cried, not even bothering to keep her voice down.
Hinata, sensing Neji's retort, quickly spoke instead, almost as aggravated as the other two, her stutter gone completely.
"Yes Neji, you snore like a horse now both of you stop arguing!" Hinata spat, her heart throbbing with pain.
The other two occupants of the room stared at the lump under the covers silently, Neji with a stunned look, and Temari mirroring him except with a small glint of pride in her eyes. Suddenly Hinata sat up, with a horrified look and tears of guilt sprang to her eyes, and replaced her tears of pain.
"G-g-g-gomen Neji-ni-san, T-t-t-temari-chan," Hinata sobbed, falling back onto the hospital bed, and muffling her sobs with a pillow.
During the whole commotion nobody noticed Tsunade had entered the room, she looked at the sobbing girl in the bed and then at her two visitors who looked at each other waiting for an idea of what to do. Tsunade finally done with watching the two pathetic ninja's cleared her throat, making everyone jump.
"I think you two should leave, I told you before, Hinata just had a heart attack. It was nothing to worry about now both of you, leave." Tsunade replied approaching the bed, and gently tugging the pillow away from Hinata.
"But Tsunade-sama!" both Neji and Temari cried in unison, as she checked Hinata's vitals.
"I won't ask again, leave," Tsunade yelled angrily, earning a whimper from Hinata who was still being looked over.
Without another word Temari and Neji left the room. Tsunade sighed and continued the check up in silence. After she was done she took a seat next to her bed and sighed tiredly.
"So Hinata-chan, you can leave at anytime, okay?" Tsunade said, massaging the bridge of her nose.
"H-hai, T-t-tsunade-sama," Hinata replied weakly, as she swung her feet over the bed.
Just then a loud voice of a familiar blonde filled the empty quiet corridor outside Hinata's room. Tsunade glared at the door, when she heard Naruto yell, she turned just in time to see Hinata fall to the floor. She leapt from her chair and ran over to the girl, her hand found the emergency call button, and she could hear the nurses scrambling to get ready. Slowly she turned Hinata over on her back, and lifted her onto the bed, and noticed the tears that spilled down her cheeks even in unconsciousness.
"Oh Hinata, what's wrong with you?" Tsunade asked, the silence being her only reply as the door banged open and nurses filled the room.
Temari and Neji had been sitting in the waiting room together in an awkward silence. Neji was about to excuse himself when he saw the two people he never wanted to see near his cousin again walk into the room.
"Excuse me but can you tell us what room Hinata Hyuuga is in please?" Sakura asked the woman at the desk, her and Naruto not even noticing the other two, obviously glaring occupants of the room.
"Yes, she's in room 15, just down the hall and to the right," the nurse said, kind of pointing the way.
"Thank you!" Sakura said, as she was being pulled towards the room by Naruto.
"Come on Sakura-chan! I want to make sure Hinata-chan is okay!" Naruto whined.
"Alright! Naruto-baka," Sakura said, as they began to walk down the hall.
Neji was about to get up and kick the shit out of Naruto, but someone beat him to it. Temari had crumpled up a page of an old magazine, and threw the ball shaped paper, and hit Naruto right in the back of the head.
"WHAT THE HELLWAS THAT FOR!?" Naruto yelled.
"Naruto-baka! This is a hospital!" Sakura hissed punching him on the head.
"BUT SAKURA-CHAN SHE THREW SOMETHING AT ME!" Naruto, yelled again.
"Shut up, Uzamaki," Temari said, standing and pulling her fan from behind her.
"Temari-san, what is the meaning of this?" Sakura asked, trying to control her anger.
"I won't let you see Hinata-chan; you'll only cause more trouble!" Temari snapped instead of answering Sakura's question.
The pink haired girl looked down at the floor, her hands wringing guiltily, she stayed silent, where Naruto in the other hand was ready to retort.
"YOU CAN'T BOSS US AROUND! WE CAN GO SEE HINATA-CHAN IF WE WANT TO! WE'RE HER FRIENDS!" Naruto yelled, angry because of Sakura's hurt expression.
"I'm sorry Naruto, but I'm afraid I can't let you see Hinata-sama either." Neji said, fixing a glare on Naruto.
Thus the shouting match began, and lasted for little more than a few seconds. All commotion stopped when they saw the nurses rushing to Hinata's room. Then all four ninja's banded together to try and push their way into the room. They only stopped when Tsunade came out of the room and threatened them, that if they wouldn't sit down that she would do something terrible and unique to each of them. So now Naruto, Neji, Temari, and Sakura sat in the waiting room in silence, as they waited for Tsunade to give them the okay to go into the room.
Hinata awoke again, this time only one person was in her room. She slowly sat up, and stared at Tsunade who stood next to the bed, a small exhausted smile on her face.
"You gave us quite a scare Hinata!" Tsunade said laughing. "Is there anything you would like to talk about?" she asked, her laughter ceasing.
Hinata just shook her head no, not trusting her voice, she didn't want to lie to her, but the pain was all too fresh. Tsunade nodded and stood, as she was about to walk to the door, she turned to look at the Hyuuga heiress.
"Hinata-chan?" Tsunade asked, watching the pale girl stiffen.
"H-hai T-tsunade-sama?" Hinata stuttered, a fake smile plastered to her face.
"You gave him your heart Hinata," Tsunade said, a sad smile spreading across her face when she saw her become even paler. "Now it's up to you, to take it back."
With that Tsunade left, and Hinata's shoulders shook as more tears spilled down her cheeks.
When Tsunade walked into the waiting room she was bombarded with concerned ninja.
"Alright alright! Calm down all of you!" Tsunade said, raising her voice just enough for them to know she was serious. "Neji, you may now go in to see your cousin," she said, giving into his pleading look. "As for the rest of you I suggest you all go home and come back another time."
Neji smiled gratefully and rushed into Hinata's hospital room, Temari gave the Hokage a single glare that promised she would be back. Sakura nodded her head and reached to pull Naruto away to, when he started to whine.
"Demo, Oba-chan! I want to make sure Hinata-chan is okay!" Naruto replied.
"Ahh but Naruto, if you stay here I can't give you my newest mission," Tsunade said, patting his head.
"Really?" Naruto asked, excited
"Yes really Naruto," Tsunade said, and with that they all left the hospital to discus Naruto's new mission.
Days passed and Hinata still stayed at the hospital, she was silent and didn't eat anything. It had gotten so bad that Tsunade had to have nutrition pumped into her, she pretended to be asleep whenever anyone came to visit her. Her mind was filled with hopes of death as she lay there, enduring her days. A week had passed when she received a visit from Temari.
Temari burst into the room and strode to the bed, she pulled down the covers and opened the blinds on the window, making Hinata shudder at the sudden warm light she hadn't seen in what felt like forever. Next she walked over to the bed and pulled Hinata into a sitting position and pulled a chair next to the bed. Hinata looked at her and then slowly slid down to her pillows, hiding her face from Temari's intense gaze.
"That's enough Hinata," Temari snapped ripping the pillow away from Hinata's iron grip. "Stop wasting your life here! Quit feeling sorry for yourself and move on!"
"You d-d-don't understand T-t-t-temari-chan, Naruto-kun was m-my l-life! Now that h-he's gone I h-h-have nothing t-to live f-for!" Hinata cried, her eyes not being able to produce anymore tears.
What about me? What about Neji? What about your sister, and all the other people that care about you? We're worried about you!" Temari said, crossing her arms.
When she received no reply, her hands fell to her sides again and she sighed in defeat.
"Hinata, do you want Naruto to notice you?" Temari asked, gaze softening at the glimmer of hope that flashed across the Hyuuga's eyes.
"H-hai," Hinata stuttered, looking more alive than she had in weeks.
"Will you do anything for him?" Temari asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it from her.
"H-hai anything," Hinata said, her cold frail hands clasping together tightly.
"Then I have an idea," Temari said smiling. "But it's a lot of work, and it will take some time, do you still think you're up for it?"
Hinata nodded feverishly, she even felt her blood start to move around her body faster and livelier.
"Alright, then let's get started!" Temari replied, helping Hinata out of bed.
The Hokage stared at the two Kunoichis in front of her, and then started to laugh. Hinata, became embarrassed, and started fiddling with her fingers. Temari grabbed Hinata's hands and pulled them apart, before stepping up to the Hokage's desk.
"Hokage-sama, we're completely serious, this is for the good of both our villages," Temari said through gritted teeth.
"Please, Temari-san, I know the benefits of this arrangement, but I doubt Hinata really wants to do this," Tsunade said, looking hard at Hinata, to see if she held any regrets.
Hinata squirmed under her gaze uncomfortably; she instinctively put a finger to her lips and looked at the floor.
"I won't do it unless you allow me and Hinata to have a private talk," Tsunade replied and nodded towards the door.
Temari nodded stiffly and walked out, causing Hinata's eyes to dilate in fear of being abandoned.
"Hinata, do you really want to do this?" Tsunade asked.
Hinata stayed silent for a few minutes as her thoughts tried to organize themselves, why was she here again? Why did she want to do this? These were the questions running through her head, as she tried to stutter out an answer to the Hokage.
Flashback
"Okay Hinata, if you're going to do anything for Naruto, why not make it useful to yourself to?" Temari asked as Hinata prepared to see the Hokage. "I want to take you back to Suna with me, there we can train and you'll become so unimaginably strong that Naruto won't know what to do with himself!"
Hinata nodded as she began to pull on her sandals, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
"Yeah! Just think about it! You being able to see my home and me not having to be stuck with Kankurou! It will be so fun!" Temari said ecstatic. "Hinata? Are you sure you're okay with this?" Temari asked, the happiness leaving her voice.
"H-hai, Temari-chan, I'm g-g-g-going to do t-t-this for m-myself and try to g-get N-n-naruto to n-n-notice m-me," Hinata said smiling at her blonde friend.
"Are you sure, I mean we can always try something else," Temari said, her back to Hinata.
"I'm p-p-positive Temari-chan," Hinata said, smiling, and putting her hand on Temari's shoulder.
"Alright! Then let's go!" Temari cried smiling and dragging Hinata with her to the Hokage office.
End flashback
Hinata had become a nervous wreck when they got to the Hokage's office and Temari had done all the talking. Now it was her turn, she swallowed and stepped up to the desk.
"Hinata, are you sure you want to do this? You may regret it," Tsunade said trying to get her to honestly answer.
"I-I-I," Hinata stuttered not able to say anything else.
"Hinata, you won't see this village, your friends and family for two and a half years, are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into to?" Tsunade continued.
"I-I-I-I," Hinata tried again.
'What are you doing Hinata?' she mentally berated herself. 'Temari's not here to help you don't go back on this now! You want to do this and you know it!'
"You may have regrets and I can't promise…" Tsunade started but was cut off by a quite, in yet strong voice.
"Tsunade-sama, I k-k-know I m-may come to regret t-this," Hinata started off firm with her decision. "Demo, I w-w-want to a-at least t-try, not for N-naruto b-but f-for me."
Tsunade looked at her and smiled, her hand found a pen and a scroll, and she began to write.
"Alright Hinata, if you really want it then okay, but you're the one that will have to convince your father, I'll leave the rest up to him." Tsunade said handing her the signed scroll.
"H-hai, arigotou Tsunade-sama!" Hinata said, as she took the scroll and headed out the door.
"So are we set?" Temari asked, following Hinata out of the Hokage tower.
"J-just one more s-stop," Hinata said as they approached the Hyuuga manor.
When Hinata got there she asked if she could have a private audience with her father, she got to his study quickly, while Temari was forced to stay out with Hannabi and Neji who were also curious as to what Hinata was doing.
"Come over here you two," Hannabi whispered, as they snuck to a secret spot.
Hannabi put her ear to the wall and motioned for the other to follow her lead, they all put their ears to the wall and they realized they could hear everything. Meanwhile Hinata had handed Hiashi the scroll and sat back down on her knees, and waited for him to open it and read.
"What is this?" he spat throwing the scroll at the ground.
"I-i-it is a r-r-r-request t-to go t-to Suna t-t-to…" Hinata tried to stutter out.
"I know what it is! I will not have you go to another village and disgrace our family, you are not going and that is final," Hiashi said turning away from her.
"D-d-demo o-o-o-otou-san…" Hinata tried again, but being cut off by her father again.
"If you cannot even speak to me without stuttering then you are even more useless then I thought you were, proving to me even, more that my decision was the right one," Hiashi stated coldly.
Temari was trying to pull away from Neji and Hannabi who had to hold her back from bursting into the room. Neji and Hannabi also felt like yelling at the Hyuuga head, but they had to be sure to exorcise some control for Hinata's sake. Hinata on the other hand was sitting in her father's office and felt a new strange feeling replacing her fear and hopelessness. Without realizing what she was doing she began to speak again.
"Otou-san, I asked your permission to go, not because I needed it, but because I thought you would like it if I did. All my life I have done things for the good of other people and the clan, but now I am going to do something for myself, but I still wish to please you Otou-san, so I will ask you one last time, may I go to Suna, for two and a half years to become a better ninja and hopefully a better daughter." Hinata said, surprising everyone listening to her speak without stuttering.
Hiashi looked at his daughter hard, waiting for her to crack under his gaze and apologize, but she sat there staring at him, waiting for him to speak. A small ghost of a smile flashed across his face, before he became serious once more.
"You have made me proud daughter, and I apologize if you have never known that. I love you and that is why I give you my consent to go to Suna, you should pack now if you are leaving tomorrow morning." Hiashi stated, and was shocked when he felt arms wrap around his waist.
"Arigotou otou-san," Hinata mumbled, squeezing her father one last time then running out of the office to her room.
Temari did a silent victory from where she stood, while the other two Hyuuga's were still. When temari was done, Neji led her to Hinata's room and showed her in, then silently he walked away out to the gardens where Hannabi was sitting, silent and still.
Hinata quickly shoved everything into her backpack while Temari helped a bit. When she had finished she felt like the weight of the world was off her shoulders, and she fell onto her bed, with a contended smile on her face. Temari left soon after and Hinata was left alone the sun setting. At dinner everyone was silent as usual, but it seemed more of an awkward silence then the more comfortable one, Hinata could almost swear that Hannabi and Neji were watching her all through dinner. Finally when she escaped the awkwardness of the dinner table she headed straight to her room.
When she entered she noticed the small stuffed animal almost immediately, it was set down on the windowsill slightly covered by the curtain. She walked over, and kneeling on her bed picked it up and examined it. It was a small delicate bird, kind of like a dove except a misty light blue color, when she looked at its eyes, instead of seeing coal black she saw pearl white. Around its neck hung a collar and in fancy black lettering it said Opal. She wondered who it was from when she remembered the fox that she had gotten Naruto, her heart beat faster as she marveled at the possibility that Naruto got it for her. Again she fell onto her bed, a smile ever present, and with that she fell into a deep sleep.
Neji was watching from the door way when he saw her pick up the bird, she looked at it and her eyes seemed to glow with happiness. He knew who she thought had sent it, and he sighed at being so deceptive; in all reality he had gotten her the bird. Then without her knowing he snuck into her room and placed it on the windowsill, he got it so she would think it was from Naruto, he wanted to give her a good last day in Konoha. Strangely though a part of him wanted her to know it was really from him, but he knew that there would never be anyone else that made his cousin smile like that. So he disappeared from her doorway and went to bed himself.
Naruto woke up the next morning and got dressed; he had a strange feeling that something was going to happen. After his usual breakfast of ramen he headed to the Hokage tower.
"Tsunade oba-chan what mission do I have today?" Naruto asked, excitedly.
"Well, Naruto, I want you to think of this as a long term mission, today you're going to leave with Jiraiya and train," Tsunade said.
"Really!? Are we going to look for Sasuke?" Naruto asked, to excited to stay still.
"Yes Naruto, you will be leaving this afternoon, after we get the clearance making sure Hinata already left." Tsunade said, handing him a scroll.
"Hinata-chan is leaving to!?" Naruto cried.
"Yes Naruto, she also is going on an extended mission to Suna," Tsunade said.
"Is she okay? Are you sure she should be doing this, after all that time in the hospital?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, I made sure Hinata was in good condition before I even agreed to this mission," Tsunade said, wondering why Naruto cared so much.
"When is she leaving?" asked Naruto, not knowing why he felt the sudden urge to see her off.
"Well she should be leaving in a little less than a half an hour," Tsunade said, glancing at her clock.
Before she could say anything else Naruto bolted out the door and ran to Yamanaka flower shop.
"Good morning naruto, what brings you into my shop today?" Ino asked from behind the counter.
"Well I was wondering if I could buy a flower," naruto said, already searching for the right one.
"A single flower or a bouquet? Because Sakura would definitely like that bouquet of roses over there," Ino said pointing out said bouquet.
"No no, it's not for Sakura, it's for Hinata-chan," he said, still looking for the right flower.
Ino's eyes widened and a smile spread across her face and was happy for Hinata. She walked out from behind the counter and walked to a small vase containing white lilies.
"Here Naruto," Ino said holding out the flower to him.
"Huh? A white flower? You think I should get her this one?" Naruto asked examining it.
"Yes, they're really rare around here and especially in this weather and I was told I was only supposed to sell them in a big group, but I decided I'd give you a break and just give you one," Ino said, forcing him to take it.
"Really? Thanks Ino-chan!" naruto said, happily. "Now I know Hinata will definitely have a good time in Suna!"
"Yes she will," Ino said, without even realizing Naruto had already left. "WAIT HINATA IS GOING WHERE!?"
Naruto ran around town bumping into random people when he finally ran into Lee and Tenten who were also on their way to the gate.
"Hey, Naruto what are you doing here?" Tenten asked curiously, eyeing the white lily in his hand.
"Yes what are you doing here Naruto?" Lee asked, also curious.
"Well I'm just coming to see Hinata off, that's all," Naruto said, with a big goofy smile.
"Why where is Hinata going?" Lee asked, his happiness faltering slightly.
"Well she's going to Suna for an extended mission," Naruto said, thinking that everyone already knew.
'No wonder Neji sounded so down when he told us to meet him at the gate,' Tenten thought.
Meanwhile, Hinata and Temari were ready to go, Neji, Hannabi and Shikamaru were the only people seeing them off. Hannabi had hugged her sister and tried to seem brave, but she eventually let a few tears slip and bid goodbye to Hinata. Shikamaru said his lazy goodbye to each of the girls and was pretty much done with that. Neji on the other hand didn't want his cousin to go, she had never been out of his reach before and although he used to not act like it he really wanted to protect her from anything. Hinata also didn't want to have to leave Neji there, she seemed like the only person who ever understood him, and she didn't want him to have to suffer silently while she was gone. In a very un-hinata-ish gesture she took the initiative and hugged her cousin. Neji was at a loss for words and pretty uncertain of what to do, his face started to turn a light pink at the gesture, but still awkwardly returned it.
After that Hinata and Temari were ready to head out, the Konoha escorts waiting patiently. With one last wave good bye, they started out the gates just as Naruto, Tenten and Lee appeared. Tenten looked at Naruto, and then the flower, she signaled him to hurry up and he began to run. The gates started to close and naruto knew he wouldn't make it, and then he got a great idea, and summoned one of his faithful toads.
Hinata was walking next to Temari when a small voice caught her attention; she turned around and saw a small toad hopping behind them. She stopped and waited for it to catch up.
"Are you Hyuuga Hinata?" The toad asked.
"H-hai," she said kneeling in front of it.
"Here, this is from my boss, Uzamaki Naruto, he wish's you a safe trip." The toad said, holding out the white lily to her.
Hesitantly she took the flower and examined it, a small blush spreading across her cheeks. She smiled and reached into her kunai pouch and pulled out a small bag, inside the bag were freshly baked cookies that her sister had made for her as a good bye gift. Pulling out three she handed them to the toad.
"Here y-you g-g-go," Hinata replied. "O-o-one is f-f-for your m-master and the o-o-o-other t-two are for y-you."
"Wow thanks!" the toad replied, before hoping back toward Konoha.
"Come on Hinata! Let's go!" Temari called.
"C-coming Temari-chan!" Hinata called and ran after her friend.
A/N: Finally I finished! This chapter took forever, I'm so sorry if you don't like it or it confuses you. If any of that happens I give you all the right to flame me! Alright and if it's not too much trouble my faithful readers and reviewers, one of my friends just posted a story and they're just like me when it comes to losing confidence quickly, I was hoping that some of you would please read his story to and maybe even review, please! It's called Konoha kidnapping. But hey I want my story to get some love to so if you like this chapter or just want to flame me for my stupidity it would mean the world to me. Thanks so much for reading and Gaara's in the next chapter, hurray!