For the next week Naruto didn't leave Hinata's side. Through the day, he sat in the chair next to her bed holding her hand. At night he laid his head on the bed next to her hip and slept holding her hand. Sakura got in the habit of bringing him his meals after finding out he had gone two days without food, insisting that if he left she would wake up. Sakura was happy he cared so much for Hinata but she was afraid for the day when Naruto accepts that Hinata won't wake up and something disastrous happens. Halfway through the second week, Tsunade began to worry.
For both Hinata and Naruto.
Soon she would have to give Naruto missions again. As for Hinata… she feared that Hinata truly wasn't going to wake up. As the end of the second week neared, Tsunade started to plan how to tell Naruto. She knew one thing would be certain. He wasn't going to take it well.
Tsunade walked into Hinata's room. No matter how many times she had seen Naruto sitting at Hinata's bedside, it still warmed and broke her heart at the same time.
"Naruto," Tsunade called.
"Tsunade-baa chan? What are you doing here? Have you found a way to wake up Hinata-chan?"
"Hinata-chan? When did you start calling her that?"
Naruto blushed slightly.
Did I really say –chan out loud? I guess I've been talking to just her for too long.
"A while now but that's not important. You didn't answer my question."
Tsunade sighed. She braced herself for the fight she knew was inevitable.
"Naruto, we need to talk."
"No."
"Dammit! I haven't even said anything yet."
"I know what you're going to say and I'm not leaving," replied Naruto turning back to Hinata.
I knew he was going to be stubborn but this may be more difficult than I thought.
"Naruto you need to leave this room eventually."
"I will. When Hinata-chan wakes up."
"We need you on missions."
"I got Hinata-chan to be injured like this. How do you know I won't kill anybody on another mission?"
"Naruto, it wasn't your fault-"
"Yes it was!" exploded Naruto. As he stood the chair flew backwards. He turned to Tsunade, very angry, but still held Hinata's hand in his.
"It was my damn fault Hinata-chan is like this! It's my damn fault that I didn't see it earlier! Everything's my damn fault!!"
Tsunade didn't know how to react to this outburst.
What does he mean he didn't see it earlier? What is 'it'? Could it be he finally realized how much she cared for him? Hinata's feelings for the boy had not evaded the knowledge of the Hokage.
"Naruto…"
He jumped but not because of Tsunade. He turned towards Hinata.
"She moved," amazement was evident in his voice.
Oh dear god and things weren't bad enough. Now he's hallucinating, thinking she's waking up.
"Naruto you're very angry. Maybe you just imagined it," said Tsunade calmly, trying not to upset him.
It didn't work. He whirled around at her again.
"I didn't imagine it. Her hand twitched," he snarled.
"Naruto, you're under a lot of stress right now. The blame you have falsely laid on your-"
"Falsely?! Who left Hinata-chan in the first place? Who got her injured? Who let her almost be taken hostage? Who let her get hurt a second time? Me, that's who, because I never knew how much she cared for me, I blew it, it's my damn fault!!"
Tsunade stood astonished. Not from the fact that Naruto had admitted he knew that Hinata liked him, but from something that was even more mind-boggling. She could clearly see Hinata moving. Naruto was so angry and distraught hadn't noticed.
"And now she's been like this for two weeks. Hell, she actually died. You told me yourself. So how can you tell me, when I haven't heard Hinata-chan talk to me or even move for two weeks, that it isn't my fault!!"
Tears had filled his eyes.
Damn her! Why does she have to do this to me? I won't leave Hinata-chan. Just like she never left me.
"I left her once. I won't make that same mistake again!!"
"Naruto-kun…"
"What?" he snapped at Tsunade.
Wait… -kun? Hinata-chan's the only one who's ever called me that. Could it be? I could have sworn the voice came from behind me or am I just imagining things again? I've had so many dreams she's woken up, have those dreams finally followed me into reality?
Slowly Naruto turned to look at Hinata. Her eyes fluttered open.
"It's not your fault Naruto-kun," she smiled slightly. The tears in his eyes overflowed.
She's awake. She's awake. Thank god. Hinata-chan…
Hinata was confused.
"Why are you crying Naruto-kun?" she blushed. "And why are you holding my hand?"
Naruto smiled and squeezed her hand.
"I'm just really happy you're awake Hinata-chan."
Hinata's blush darkened.
He called me 'Hinata-chan' and he's holding my hand. Am I dreaming?
"Naruto we don't need her passing out again," interrupted Tsunade. She had finally gotten a hold of herself.
That boy just woke up someone who should have slept until she died. He will never stop surprising me.
"Oh, Tsunade-sama. What's going on?"
I guess I must be awake. In my dreams… it's just me and Naruto-kun…
"Hinata, do you remember anything?"
Hinata frowned.
"Yes. Naruto-kun was fighting by himself. I went to protect him but…" She pressed her free hand to her stomach where the kunai had hit. "What happened?"
"You almost died. You've been asleep for two weeks. I'm sorry Hinata-chan," said Naruto. Hinata let go of his hand and reached up to wipe his tears away.
"You don't have to be sorry. It wasn't your fault, besides if I'm still alive that means you must have gotten me back to the village in time. I should be thanking you Naruto-kun."
While Hinata was talking, Tsunade quietly left the room. There would be time to examine Hinata later. She did stay outside the door to make sure nothing happened to her.
"But if I had never left you in the first place you wouldn't be here right now. If I hadn't been angry at you for disagreeing with me you wouldn't be hurt."
Hinata took his hand again.
"Naruto-kun, the only reason I disagreed with you is because I didn't want you to get hurt," whispered Hinata turning a deep red.
Naruto was stunned.
I must be a complete idiot. All this time she's been here for me and I haven't seen it.
"What happened to the ninja and criminals?" asked Hinata.
"Dead. After you passed out… I kinda lost it," admitted Naruto.
It was Hinata's turn to be shocked.
He killed them because of what they did to me? But why?
"Why?"
Naruto looked at her.
"I'm… not exactly sure. You said… well something before you passed out. Then the one ninja laughed that he had killed you. I can't remember much after that but I remember the whole cave collapsed on top of them before I ran back to the village with you."
It was half true.
I don't like lying to Hinata-chan but I don't want her knowing about the demon fox just yet. I will tell her… just not now.
Hinata frowned.
"What did I say before I passed out? I know you asked me why I protected you…" she trailed off as she put her hand to her stomach again.
"Oh, are you all right? Does it hurt? I can…"
"It's fine Naruto-kun. I was just thinking about what happened."
"I'm sorry Hinata-chan…"
Hinata forgot about scolding him about blaming himself again.
That's the third time now…
"Naruto-kun… why are you calling me Hinata-chan?"
"Don't you like it? I could just call you Hinata or…"
"No, I like it!" she blurted out. Hinata blushed then continued. "I was just wondering why."
Naruto maneuvered the chair closer to the bed and sat down.
"It's because I realized something. Well you kind of told me before you passed out."
Hinata was confused.
"What did I say?"
"You love me."
Hinata was shocked, then fear set in.
I said that to him and now he feels awkward and doesn't want to be friends with me anymore. He's using the –chan to make me feel better.
Tears filled her eyes.
"What's wrong Hinata? Am I wrong? You didn't really say that. It was just 'I… you.' I assumed it was love. Did I upset you? I'm sorry. It's just… I was thinking about it while I was waiting here for you to wake up and…"
"Wait. Did you stay here for two whole weeks waiting for me to wake up?"
While tears still lingered in her eyes, her shock that Naruto stayed with her had kept them from falling, at least until she heard his answer.
Naruto looked down at their hands clasped together.
"Yes. It gave me a lot of time to think… about you, about me… about us…"
There has to be some explanation. He must feel guilty that I was hurt instead of him.
"Is this just because I saved your life?"
"NO!" Naruto's harsh reply made her shrink back a little as he continued.
"Never think that! It's because… of believing in me when nobody else did… of always being there for me…"
Is he saying what I think…? No. It can't be.
"What… what are you trying to say Naruto-kun?"
He took hand with both of his and looked into her eyes.
"I'm saying your feelings aren't one-sided anymore Hinata-chan," he said just loud enough for her to hear.
Could he mean love? NO! Why do I do this to myself? I can't think like that.
"What feelings Naruto-kun?"
Naruto chuckled a little.
Now I know what she had to deal with. If I was half as thick-headed as Hinata-chan is being right now, I don't know how she put up with it this long. And I'm pretty sure I was a lot more thick-headed.
"Love," he said. It seemed to echo throughout the room.
Hinata heard but it didn't sink in right away.
What is he…Wait. He said love. Love.
Tears sprang to her eyes.
He loves me. Naruto-kun loves me.
"Why are you crying?" asked Naruto as he leaned over the bed rail to wipe away her tears.
"I'm just so happy… You were right about what I tried to say…" she trailed off as she saw now how close they were. Their heartbeats were audible to each other. Both were very fast and soon they beat together.
As one.
Naruto leaned in, closing the distance between them and gently pressed his lips to hers.
Tsunade watched from the doorway as the two teenagers reveled in their newfound love, tears of joy rolling down their faces.
Geez guys, I didn't know my story was that popular. I came back three hours after I updated the last chapter and almost had a heart attack. There were at least 300 more hits! That's like 100 an hour. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I was going to update yesterday but I went back and like completely redid this chapter. The original was ummm... i guess boring would be the word. It was just 'I love you' 'I love you too' kiss. I really like this version but I'm still may go back at some point and edit some minor things. Thanks for reading.