Hello! Thank you all for your support of my story and for my executive decision to make Hinata more of a bad ass!
*** Sorry for not updating: there was something wrong with document uploading on Fanfiction!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Love of the Lost
Chapter 4: TLC
Kakashi groaned as he woke up, his head pounding from the previous night's blood loss. He could feel his skin pulled tightly by stitches, restricting some of his movements. "Strange, I don't remember going to the hospital," he thought. The copy-ninja couldn't recall very much about what had happened the day before.
He frowned and opened his eyes when he heard movement from a different room; it wasn't like the sound of multiple nurses roaming empty hallways. The Jonin's confusion only grew when he glanced around the scarcely decorated room. "Where the hell am I?"
The door opened silently, followed by warm brown eyes peering in. Once Iruka saw the man was conscious he stepped inside, his face full of worry. "Kakashi-san! Good, you're awake."
Kakashi gulped once when the memory of realizing he wasn't in the correct apartment returned to his mind, then swallowed again when he didn't feel the familiar pull of his mask on his face. He didn't have anything to shield him from the man's gaze.
The Chunin scratched his nose nervously, seeing how anxious the elder man was. "How are you feeling?"
When the copy-nin shifted to sit up, he became very aware that his face wasn't the only part of him missing clothing. He felt utterly embarrassed at that moment, more so than he had in his entire life.
"You um… you were bleeding pretty heavily and uhh… there was so much blood and dirt on you I couldn't figure out where it was coming from so I… gave you a shower…" Iruka finally managed to explain, his own face becoming a darker shade of red with each word.
Kakashi couldn't believe that he had stumbled into the sensei's apartment, then been stripped, washed and tended to by the man he'd developed such a crush on. Mortified wasn't a strong enough word to describe how he was feeling.
"I made you some breakfast…" the Chunin continued, becoming increasingly anxious from the man's lack of response.
"He made me food too…" Kakashi thought to himself, his head swimming. It was too much for him to handle in his current state and he felt his cheeks become red despite how hard he tried to prevent it.
Iruka finally got fed up with being ignored and stomped over to the silent man. Just to be safe, he slapped his hand onto the flushed forehead to see if he had a fever, though he was fairly certain it was just embarrassment causing him to freeze up. He knew he'd be pretty bashful too if he woke up naked in Kakashi's apartment.
The Jonin swatted the hand away and started to slide out of the bed, keeping the sheet bunched over his privates. He managed to get to his feet before his legs collapsed again, landing his exposed body right back in Iruka's arms.
The brunette set him down on the bed and put his hands on his hips. "Damnit Kakashi-San! Listen to me right now!" he screamed, his best scolding teacher voice coming out. "You are far too injured to be going anywhere and since you broke into MY apartment you're going to do as I say!"
Kakashi shook his head slightly, partly because he really wanted to get his mask and get out of there but also because he couldn't believe that sweet, charismatic, Academy teacher of the month every month until he dies Iruka was trying to take care of him.
A vein in the Chunin's temple pulsed dangerously. He cupped the man's face tightly with his hands, forcing them to make eye contact. "Lye back down right now or so help me I will get Tsunade to take you off missions for the next six months!"
The Jonin obeyed like a frightened puppy, leaning on the soft pillows.
Iruka smiled then, having apparently won the one-sided argument. "I'll go get the food!" he chirped.
Kakashi watched the man leave and then return with the breakfast platter. The last time non-hospital personnel had treated him like this he was still a child, with his father making him soup because he was sick.
The Chunin pulled up a chair and watched him intently, making sure he wasn't going to argue or try to get up again. Kakashi's hand shook lightly as he lifted the chopsticks to his lips, but he was damn sure he wouldn't drop them. There was no doubt in his mind that Iruka would start to feed him if he did.
It took all his strength not to groan when the fish and rice moved over his tongue. The sensei was an amazing chef as well; the Jonin didn't think he'd ever had food that tasted this good.
"When you're feeling better you can tell me why you didn't go to the hospital" Iruka stated, crossing his arms. "I don't mind that you came here, and I'm glad you did but still. With your injuries, you could have died."
Kakashi still didn't respond, the only thing that he felt was truly wounded was his pride.
Hinata stood in the kitchen of the Hyuga compound making tea and various lunch items like she always did at this time. Her father would be training Neji and as usual, she'd provide them with a meal during their break.
She truly felt ashamed for being so harsh with her cousin and embarrassed for doing it in front of her father. As much as she wanted to prove herself, this hadn't been the way she'd hoped to do it.
Still, the girl smiled to herself. After Kiba and Akamaru had left, she'd sat with Shino for a while. The teen was very quiet like her, and always said what he was thinking. He was her best friend, and she admired his strength.
"May I speak with you sister?" came a child's voice from behind her.
"O-of course H-Hanabi" she replied, though she didn't turn away from her preparations.
"Yesterday, father said that you purposely didn't strike me down when you had the chance in our duel. Is that true?"
Hinata nodded.
"Why? Why would you willingly give up your spot as heiress?" the younger asked.
Hinata sighed; she really didn't want to explain to Hanabi that she truly was as gentle hearted as everyone thought, and couldn't stand the idea of harming her younger sister, even if it meant losing what little respect her father had for her.
"Y-you are far b-better suited th-than I" she finally replied.
Her younger sister shook her head angrily if that was the case then Hinata wouldn't have been able to take down her older cousin. But she wouldn't argue now, compliments were one of the many ways that the elder Hyuga avoided conflict. "Neji has been looking for you, and so has father."
Hinata nodded and picked up the tray she'd completed, following Hanabi out to the courtyard. The two dueling men stopped when they saw her approaching and her face became bright red.
"Daughter, why did you hide your abilities from me," Hiashi asked when they grew close.
The young Hyuga didn't answer, she just clasped her hands together and kept her eyes down, not wanting to be in this conversation. She could feel Neji's gaze searing into her, making her even more uncomfortable.
"I-I have to g-go" she stuttered out, moving to leave.
"Hinata-Sama, please, let me apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was uncalled for" Neji called quickly.
The girl stopped, and turn her head back slightly, "No Nii-San, I-I s-should be the o-one apologizing. I-I was cruel."
Hiashi shook his head, Neji had told him exactly what had caused Hinata to react the way she did. He was shocked that she would have stood up for herself but proud at the same time.
"Hinata, I have spoken with the Clan's counsel and you will be reinstated as the heiress. We will resume training tomorrow."
The teen started to walk away stiffly. She didn't want to work with her father anymore. He was too critical and harsh and was only satisfied with her performance yesterday because he hadn't expected it.
She wanted to train with Shino and Kiba instead; they showed concern if she was knocked down and encouraged her to get up. Being the heir to the Clan was only important for her because she could change the ancient ways and help Neji, but other than that, she had no desire to lead.
Her father knew this, and she would be subjected to rounds of lectures on why that was unacceptable, why she was unacceptable. While she was envious of her cousin and sister for receiving Hiashi's praise and attention, it also made her happy that branch members were being acknowledged.
Hinata decided she'd need to speak with Shino and Shikamaru to help her figure out how to tell her father that she wouldn't train with him, but would accept the title of heiress if it wasn't eventually given to Neji instead.
Shikamaru stared at the clouds lazily from beneath a tree, taking a break from his training. His mind wandered to the Hyuga genius and wished he were with him instead. Ino wasn't that bad, and Choji was his best friend, but neither got his blood pumping like Neji could.
He considered going to see him again today, maybe popping up at the training grounds like he had the last two times. Neji seemed to be far less guarded when he showed up unexpectedly. But then again, he didn't want to come off as desperate; he'd waited a long time in between their first kiss and yesterday to ensure that the Hyuga had plenty of time to think about him too.
The Nara closed his eyes, dreaming of his crush's soft lips and the enticing voice that would pour out of them.
"Shikamaru!" Neji called, sending waves of unintentional butterflies through the youngers stomach.
The shadow-user watched the Hyuga walk over, admiring his graceful glide. "I didn't expect to see you today Neji," he said.
The elder blushed slightly but sat down all the same. After the mornings failed apology to Hinata he had decided to seek out Shikamaru; the boy didn't seem to have a care in the world, and being around him helped Neji feel like he didn't either.
Shikamaru leaned forward and kissed his boyfriend softly on the cheek, then the lips before wrapping his arm around the other's shoulders. The Hyuga relaxed into the embrace, deciding to watch the billowing clouds as well. The two geniuses didn't need to talk, they could sit in comfortable silence and be content together. Deep down though, Neji felt terrible for stringing the teen along.
He came from a family that almost exclusively arranged marriages, even to the branch members. In addition, his strong pride would never allow him to show affection first or even admit to anyone that he had feelings for Shikamaru. He knew it wasn't fair to treat the teen so poorly, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away.
Eventually, he'd have to tell the boy that the kissing and holding couldn't continue, but for now, he wanted to be happy. For once in his life, he wanted to have a semblance of control and do something for himself. The Shadow-user gave him the attention he craved and made him feel unburdened, uncaged.
His white eyes looked up at the beautiful blue sky, watching two birds twirl around each other as they flew.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thanks for reading this chapter! Please let me know what you all think!
Follow/Favorite/Review!