"Where's Naruto?"
Hinata looked around frantically, her eyes darting to the farthest corners of the room. She began to stand, it wasn't true. It couldn't be true.
But a hand on her shoulder stopped her from getting out of the bed, Hinata looked over to see the silver-haired Sensei gripping her shoulder, giving her a knowing look, "It wasn't a dream, Hinata."
She wouldn't believe it.
"I'm sorry, Hinata, but..."
It wasn't true.
"Naruto is dead."
No no no no no no no
"No."
Everyone looked at her in shock, their eyes wide, as Hinata stared at her broken, plastered arms.
"H-He's not... He can't..."
Hinata's voice broke as she hiccuped and choked out a sob, Kakashi nodded to Tsunade who forced the rest of the rookie nine out of the room.
The Hatake wrapped his arms around Hinata, resting his chin atop her head as she buried her face into his Jounin vest and began wailing. He softly stroked her hair, trying to soother her, but no avail.
"I-It's my fault! If only I were stronger!"
Kakashi hated hearing those words, they never sat right with him, "No. Nothing could've been able to prevent this, that man was too strong. You shouldn't blame yourself, Naruto wouldn't allow it and neither will I."
Hinata clenched her teeth together, trying to not outright scream. She never responded, making him sigh and rub her back, "It'll get better, Hinata. I promise."
Hinata would be in the hospital for three more days, there was severe damage done to both shoulders, her eyes were damaged due to overuse and she had a mild concussion.
All day she lied in bed, different people visiting her every hour. After her moment with Kakashi, her father, Hanabi, and Neji came to visit.
Neji thoroughly scolded her on the overuse of her eyes, but her responses were dull and robotic.
Hanabi lied in bed with her and they read stories that the younger sibling brought from the Hyuuga compound, Hanabi's eyes would light up every time Hinata gave a small smile. The brunette's eyes would light up like firecrackers when her sister gave her attention, loving every minute of it.
Hiashi was silent mostly, but placed his hand on her head and quietly said, "I'm glad you're alright, Hinata."
After the triad of Hyuuga left, Hinata's team appeared, all bearing goodies. Kiba and Akamaru brought some beef jerky, Shino brought fruit, and Kurenai brought four boxes of cinnamon buns.
Hinata loved them dearly and tried to act happier, for their sake, but it wasn't working. They could see through her false cheeriness and fake smiles, Akamaru would lie in her lap and whine, wanting Hinata to be happy.
The day went slowly, every agonizing hour ticked by for what seemed like an eternity.
Now, visiting hours were over and Hinata was alone.
She stood from her bed and walked to the window, looking up at the moon and stars. She hated hospitals, if not for the tight security and her two broken arms, Hinata would've escaped by now.
She hated the plaster that wrapped around her arms, she hated the bandages around her head, she hated the sterile smell and the pure white rooms.
Hinata sighed, letting a few tears escape her eyes as she closed her eyes. She saw Naruto's smiling face, his brilliant blue eyes gazing into her.
She lost her brother, sure she didn't love him romantically, but her heart ached as if she had.
"Naruto-kun..." Her voice was shaky, she took a few deep breaths, trying to keep her sobs at bay. Not wanting to wake up and other nearby patients with her wails.
"For you. I will become Hokage."
Hinata's days soon became repetitious, she hated it, but when the fourth day came, Hinata had an extra bounce in her step. Her casts were sawed off, the itchy bandages were unraveled and she finally was allowed outside.
When she was released, Hinata slowly walked home with her family and team. Bending and unbending her arms while she strolled, her face downcast as she thought of Naruto's final demand.
How could she become Hokage? Become the strongest person in the village?
But there was no turning back now, she made a promise and she would never go back on her word.
~Three day's later~
Hinata was soon able to train again, she would spar with Neji and her father, both males immediately noticing the change in aggression that Hinata poured into the spars.
Her team would take note of how she never joked around at their team training, she was different.
Her intensity levels skyrocketed, she poured every ounce of her being into training.
Hinata soon would begin training with Gai for muscle and Taijutsu, Asuma for training her intellect and battle strategies, Kurenai for Genjutsu, Tsunade for medical ninjutsu, Jiraiya for Fuinjutsu, and Kakashi for Taijutsu and Ninjutsu.
Her days were often filled, with little to no time for herself or her own desires, but she never minded.
At night, Hinata would lie on her bed wide awake, wondering what she could've done differently that day. Wondering if Naruto blames her in the afterlife, wondering if she could've prevented this.
But she would often shake these thoughts away and forced herself to sleep.
She barely ate, when she did, it was a measly few bites. Her appetite was completely gone, food would always sounding gross.
But today, Hinata swore she would throw up.
It was Naruto's funeral.
She wore pure black, her headband nowhere in sight as she walked silently down the pathway, completely alone.
Her family offered to go together, but Hinata said she needed to be alone. Guilt washed over her as she passed Naruto's old apartment building, Hinata gulped back her tears and trudged forward.
When she arrived at the cemetery, Hinata walked to the front and stood next to Kakashi and Sakura, who looked like hell.
She blames herself, Hinata thought, I know the feeling.
Kakashi kept his one eye trained on Hinata, he saw her steady improvement. He knew what she was feeling, but no one knew the final words Naruto spoke to her, he needed to find her drive, to make sure she didn't follow in Sasuke's footsteps.
Hinata was called up during the service to speak, she calmed herself and walked to the front.
"I-..." She felt her throat constrict painfully, "Naruto was my best friend... N-Nothing will compare to this pain... And I've felt the gentle fist aimed to my heart." Hinata cleared her throat, trying to remain composed, "But Naruto gave me his dying wish..."
She looked up as her tears began falling, "I will become Hokage." Her voice cracked as she began to break down, her composure crumbling with each tear.
TBC
A/N: Welp this is sad lol
Review Please!!!
