Thank you to all who gave ideas for this chapter! Something popped up but thank you for the ideas you offered!
I've been meaning to do a NaruHina chapter and lately it's been requested a lot so here you go! Sorry for the wait!
Overall season two theme: Stand Up by J-Min
Episode theme: 1000 Years Always By Your Side by SHINee
Song one: 1000 Years Always By Your Side by SHINee
I love you not only for who you are, but for who I am when I'm with you. –Roy Croft
537 to 539
Neji set down the marker and turned back around as Kakashi nodded to him.
"Correct, very good Neji."
Neji smirked as he put his hands in his pockets and began to walk back to the fangirls cheering for him in their seats after answering the Arthurian question on the board.
Supposed year of the Battle of Camlann.
On a sunny Tuesday morning Kakashi introduced a late homeroom with another random quiz on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as their continued subject after closing the pieces they did on Shakespeare and company for their final exams.
Kakashi looked down to the class list as he erased the question from the board and began to right another.
"Uzumaki." He called as he finished writing the question:
Where was the first account of Arthur's life recorded?
"Which one?" the semi-twins sat up fearfully as both sat on each side of the Hyuga heiress as she smiled sweetly looking back and forth to the both of them.
"Red." Kakashi said simply.
Megami slumped as Sakura, Tenten, and Ino burst out laughing.
Naruto took a deep breath in relief as his sister furiously stood up.
"That was a close one…huh Hina?" he whispered as he put his arm around her neck. She giggled and snuggled into his chest, clearing her throat.
"Uh…" Megami mumbled as she held up the marker, staring at the board.
She set it on the board, then released, then set it back, then released once again.
"Kakashi! You had better make her sit back, she'll fry her brain." Sakura smirked, the girls chuckled in turn.
Megami turned and shot them a glare then turned back to her confusion.
Hinata giggled a bit, then cleared her throat and coughed a bit as she shifted on Naruto's chest.
"It was an old book, if that helps Megami," Kakashi sighed.
Megami tilted and scratched her head.
Sasuke sat back and sighed, Neji rolled his eyes, Shikamaru shook his head and Gaara closed his eyes and took a slow breath.
"You can do it sis, dattebayo!" Naruto chanted, lifting Hinata up with him.
She coughed in her sleeve as the siblings smiled at each other as he sat back.
For the next five minutes she stood with her head against the board as Kakashi rubbed his face in annoyance.
Hinata cleared her throat again as mostly everyone waited impatiently.
"I'm trying!" she whined.
"Geez even Hinata wants you to hurry the hell up!" Tenten groaned.
"Is that true Hina?" Megami cried dramatically.
Hinata smiled shyly and shook her head, "I was just clearing my throat Megami,"
"See! Bitch!" Megami stuck her tongue out to Tenten.
"Focus on the question Uzumaki." Kakashi groaned then turned to Hinata, "would you like to get a drink of water?"
"I'm fine, thank you Kakashi-sensei," she said sweetly as she cleared her throat again, "I have tea."
He nodded to her as he turned back to Megami who had begun to draw large anime breasts on the board.
"UZUMAKI!"
"Hey Hina, you feeling okay?" Naruto whispered as he leaned into her.
"I'm fine," she smiled.
"Yeah, you've kinda been blowing your heart out since this morning," Ino said matter-factly.
"Well, my stomach does hurt a bit," she said a bit quietly.
"I told you not to let Sakura make dessert last night!" Tenten groaned.
"Fuck you!"
Hinata laughed heartily as Kakashi and Megami fought over the black marker.
"History of the Kings of Britain, Miss. Uzumaki," Kakashi growled as he tore the chalk from her hand. "Take your seat."
Megami stuck her tongue out and stormed back to her seat as the class fell into a fit of laughter.
Kakashi ran a hand through his gray hair as he wiped the white board clean.
"They don't pay me enough for this…" he growled.
"They don't pay you enough because you never show up dattebayo!" Naruto yelled matter-factly.
Ignoring him, Kakashi turned his attention back to the class list as he began to write the next question.
"Hyuga…ur…Hinata," he rolled his eyes, even though Neji had just been up.
Hinata drowned a bit of the tea in her flask and cleared her throat again as she stood up.
Naruto frowned a she set it down, slowly pulling out of his grip.
She waved at him as she elegantly walked down the walkway.
"Hinata, I'm sure you can make coming to this godforsaken class this early worth it."
She giggled, "I'll try Kakashi-sensei."
Wife of king Arthur and queen.
"Aw no fair! How come she gets an easy one?!" Megami whined, "it's Lancelot right?"
Tenten smacked her with her book as Kakashi turned back to Hinata who faced the board, ready to answer.
That is until she coughed in her sleeve, after doing so she cleared her throat and faced the board again.
Before she could place the marker on she coughed a couple times again. Before she could lift herself up she bent over, coughing and rasping like a smoker.
"Hinata, are you alright?" Kakashi asked, worried.
"Hinata-chan!" Naruto frowned as he hopped out of his seat, jogging towards her.
"Are you alright Hina?" Sakura asked as the girls stood up.
She smiled as she lifted her head up a bit, her hands on her knees.
"I-I'm fine, I just feel a bit sick that's all…"
"Damn it Sakura!" Tenten yelled.
"Oh would you shut up!"
"Would you like to go to the infirmary?" Kakashi asked patiently.
"N-no, thank you."
"Hinata…" Naruto frowned as he watched her stand up straight.
She smiled a bit weakly as the girls hesitantly took their seats.
Suddenly her expression dropped all together and her eye lids dropped a bit.
Naruto rose a brow as he watched her sway a bit.
"Hina—"
Before he could finish she released the contents of her stomach onto his school shirt and sweater. Shocked, Naruto backed up a few feet.
"HINATA!" the girls yelled, bouncing up with the other lot of student who sat up in their seats to see closer.
Naruto turned back to her in fear as she quickly dropped to the ground, passed out.
"HINATA!"
(^A.H^)
Outside, the birds chirp at the peacefulness of a late spring morning outside the nearly silent school infirmary.
A young, dark-haired heiress lies silent and sound asleep in a hospital bed with a thin white blanket over her.
Suddenly, her eyes tightened and she murmured a bit. She shook a bit and groaned as her eyes began to blink open.
She sighed a she stared up to the white ceilings with long off lights hanging on thin wires.
"Wh…where am I?" she whispered.
"Hey! You're up!" a cheery voice yelled.
Hinata slightly lifted herself up and turned to her right to find the source of the voice.
She jumped a bit at the sight of Naruto sitting next to her in the school nurse's chair, half naked with his collar shirt undone in his hands as he stood in nothing but his dark orange gym shorts.
She squeaked and quickly used the blanket that covered her to shield her eyes.
"N-Naruto-kun!"
"What? What's wrong Hina?" he asked, confused.
"Y-you're na….you're nak…." She whispered.
He raised a brow and looked down to himself then back up to her, quickly covering himself.
"Gah! Sorry Hinata-chan!"
She giggled as he quickly grabbed his dry pants from the side and clumsily pulled them on, falling off the seat with a thud as he did.
"Are you alright Naruto-kun?" she asked sweetly.
"y-yeah," he sighed, rubbing his head as he stood back up and planted himself back on the nurse's seat.
"But the question is, are you alright Hinata-chan?" he frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Well you were coughing so much during first period, then you threw up and passed out," he explained.
"I see," she whispered, lifting her hand and touching the back of her head. "That must be why my head hurts..."
"You looked really sick, but the nurse gave you some medicine so you should be all better now!" he beamed, rocking back and forth.
"What time is it?" she asked suddenly.
"It's lunch time right now, the bell just rang." He smiled.
"Have you been here the whole time?" she asked.
He shook his head, "I tried to, but I had to go to class, the same with the girls. We stayed with you until the end of first period. I was able to leave fourth period to come and stay with you."
"Naruto-kun…" she whispered. "Thank you…"
"It's nothing Hina!"
"Hinata!" frantic yelling came as the door flew open.
The girls rushed in, excited at a sight of an awake Hinata.
"Oh we were so worried!" Sakura groaned as they pounced her, alerting Hinata a bit.
She giggled, "Naruto explained to me what happened."
"You mean that you up-chucked on him then hit the floor? Yeah!" Megami beamed.
Hinata blushed a bit and glanced to Naruto and his newly washed and dried clothes.
"Sorry…" she mumbled.
He simply laughed.
"I'm just glad it wasn't anything to serious, just a minor fever." Tenten sighed.
"Yeah! We wouldn't want you missing anything! Especially the festival this weekend!" Ino squealed, excited as she let go and bounced.
Hinata calmed as the girls let go.
The festival.
Konoha's annual Moon Festival—Festival of the Moon.
The student and staff of Konoha high threw and hosted it every year to honor everyone's hard work and support in the past school year.
The girls had been looking forward to it for weeks, and as always, especially Ino.
"Ohh! My mom sent us the cutest Kimonos! Her agent's, sister's, friend's, husband's mother made them!"
The girls stared at her, blinking as she stopped and gave them a look of confusion.
"What?"
"Anyway, we're just glad you're feeling better," Tenten said.
"Yes." Hinata smiled weakly. "I think I can go, I'm a little hungry we should go get some lu—"
The five of them stared in shock as Hinata turned to the side and threw up again, the only difference this time…
It was blood.
(^A.H^)
"It's good that you brought her here when you did. Any later and she would have coughed up enough blood to kill herself." Dr. Kenko spoke as he stepped back into the hospital room with his clipboard.
The girls turned back to him as Naruto kept his attention focused on a sleeping Hinata on the hospital bed.
"Dr. Kenko," Sakura said, relieved.
"Sakura, it's so nice to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances."
"Is Hinata going to be alright?" Ino whimpered.
"You're friend is suffering from a hemoptysis. Her lungs are releasing blood due to irritation in her airways which could come from coughing."
"She's been coughing a lot since this morning," Tenten explained.
"I see. Well, in the last few days has she been having any other coughing issues, health problems? Even a little?"
"It has been going on for the last few days, but they've only been light," Sakura explained fearfully as Naruto looked in surprise.
"We all thought nothing of it."
"Has she been feeling weak at all? Shown any signs of pain?"
"Saturday night she said her back hurt, so she took a couple pain pills and went to bed early," Megami said. "Then on Sunday she said her shoulders hurt and her neck. I thought it was just because of the walking we did at the mall!"
"Hmm…" he mumbled as he scribbled on his clipboard.
"A nurse and I are going to run some CT scans on Hinata to see if there is anything wrong. As for now I'd advise the five of you to head back to school, it might take some time."
The girls frowned at the proposition.
"You are welcome to return back here tonight. The X-rays should be ready by then." He reassured.
"Will…will she be okay…?" Naruto finally managed to whisper.
Dr. Kenko smiled a bit.
"We'll take good care of your girlfriend, lord Uzumaki."
Ino arched a brow, "how do you—?"
"Miss. Haruno talks about you lot quite a bit when she visits. Most of the doctors in this hospital unit know you all very well, especially Dr. Hana."
Sakura blushed sheepishly as the girls hovered over her.
(^A.H^)
"Don't worry you guys! Hinata's real strong!" Megami tried to assure as the girls let the students dance on their own as they sulked and thought about Hinata.
"Besides, it's way too late in this story for something drastic to happen to her!"
Ignoring her, the girls turned back to watch the girls dance.
"I hope Naruto's doing okay, he looked pretty shaken up about it as we drove back to school." Tenten sighed.
"I don't think we have anything to worry about, it should just be a small fever or something," Ino said.
"I don't mean to make things any worse, but coughing up blood isn't included in a small fever." Sakura explained. "I'm afraid there's something going on with Hinata, but hopefully something we can fix."
(^A.H^)
The boys sat in silence, listening to the recording of the new song as they each sat in chairs in front of the recording equipment.
All accept one.
"How long is he going to sulk." Sasuke demanded as Naruto lay, his back to them, on the red leather lounge couch in the recording studio.
"Have a heart for once would you?" Shikamaru said, "Hinata's in the hospital, even Neji's on edge." He mumbled the last as they glanced at Neji, who leaned on the equipment with a blank expression and his hands in his hair.
"She's not dying." He said plainly, "she's just a little sick, it's happened before and he still freaked out."
"Be a little more considerate," Gaara said coldly, "we'd all feel the same way if any of the girls were in her position."
"We're going to go and see Hinata in a couple hours," Neji sighed as he sat up straight while Naruto secretly listened in.
"Let him be for now."
His eyes glistened as he bit his knuckles.
He couldn't stand it when anything happened to anyone he cared about.
But Hinata…
It felt like a knife in his chest to think that there might be something terribly wrong with her.
(^A.H^)
"Good evening everyone," Dr. Kenko said as he stepped into the room with a clipboard in hand and a nurse following behind him.
The ten sat around the room. Naruto sat next to the bed Hinata had been in before they moved her for X-rays.
"Dr. Kenko," Sakura said, standing up.
"Where's Hinata?" Megami asked quickly.
"Your friend is fine I can reassure you that." He smiled a bit.
The girls sighed in relief as they slumped back into their seats.
"She is fine in the hospital that is, but I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat as he slowly stood up while the others turned to Dr. Kenko.
"W-what's wrong?"
Dr. Kenko looked down and unclasped some papers from the clipboard in his hand. He held up some X-rays they knew to be Hinata's.
"Hinata's X-rays came in. These, right here are her lungs." He pointed to the X-ray of Hinata's lung. The ten of them closely looked as his finger hovered over an extended part stretching at the edge of her right lung.
"What's that?" Megami asked, disgusted.
"A tumor." Dr. Kenko breathed.
"Oh my god…" Ino whispered as the girls looked up to him, pale.
"Please relax girls," he quickly assured, "it is a small tumor. Very early in its stage. You see, because Hinata has begun to suffer from hemotysis it has developed in her right lung. You're very lucky you brought her when you did, if the tumor had grown any more it could have…" he cleared his throat as he looked at their worried expressions.
"It could have developed into lung cancer."
"What do we do?! We have to get it out don't we?! Don't we?!" Naruto yelled, jumping up.
"Hinata is in need of emergency surgery if you want the tumor to be removed as soon as possible. We'll undergo treatments but we'll have to set a date for surgery. But, in order to go through with this we'll have to contact her father to settle legal and financial issues."
"Her father is in Hong Kong on business for two weeks." Sakura explained.
"Well we'll need some sort of relative for legal purposes."
"What about Neji?" Tenten offered.
"I have to be eighteen," he explained.
"Right," Dr. Kenko said, "I'm sorry. Without legal consent, we can't—"
"Dr. Kenko please," Sakura pleaded, "my father will contact Mr. Hyuga and get his consent, I'll call him right now."
"I can cover the surgery and treatment costs right now." Naruto said hastily. "Just let Mr. Hyuga know that she's in need of it."
"Naruto, you don't need to—"
"No! I want her to get better as soon as possible!" he yelled frantically, cutting Sakura off. He turned to Dr. Kenko.
"Can I please see her?" he begged.
"Of course, you all may follow me." He assured. He turned back around with the nurse who led them out.
The two led them past room after room, past busy doctors and even the maternity ward until they finally found themselves in a dark room, fixed with small glass rooms containing resting patients under light blue lights.
"Here she is," the nurse said as she stopped by one of the glass rooms.
Naruto leaned his hands on the glass as he watched Hinata lay sleeping under the light blue light in a hospital gown and thin blanket.
"Is she okay…?" he whispered..
"She's resting. She woke early, wondering where you all were, she was scared but we assured her we were here to help." The nurse explained, turning to Naruto.
"She called for you when we tried to calm her."
He fisted his hands on the glass and rested his forehead on it.
"When will she wake up?" Ino asked.
"We're going to move her out of this ward and back to her room to begin treatment so the tumor doesn't extend more before surgery." Dr. Kenko explained.
"Sakura, Naruto, will you follow me? We can settle what's needed while nurse Muchu moves her back to her room."
Sakura nodded while Naruto continued to watch her.
"Come on Naruto…it'll be quick." She whispered as she put her hand on his shoulder, leading him off the glass.
Though, it took longer than Naruto intended. After dealing with the payments while Sakura contacted her father who transferred her to Hiashi's business number, they spent half an hour trying to convince him that they had everything under control and he did not need to come back.
Finally, after a pain staking wait, they rushed to the others who were back in Hinata's room.
"Hey! Guys!" Sakura yelled as she rushed in.
Yet, only to be shushed by Shikamaru and Sasuke.
The light of Hinata's room illuminated as her open window shined the darkness of the outside. Ino slept on Shikamaru's lap while Megami slept on Sasuke's chest.
Gaara sat by the window, staring out to the moon as the two stepped in.
"Where are Neji and Tenten?" Sakura asked as she stepped in.
"They went to check out the maternity ward." Gaara explained.
Without listening Naruto rushed in to the bed that Hinata lay in, still asleep.
He kneeled down to her while Sakura stepped over and sat on Gaara's lap.
"Hinata…" he whispered. "Hinata…"
His heart skipped a beat as her eyelids twitched. Slowly, chastely, she began to open her reddened eyes.
"Hinata!" he gasped.
"Hinata?" Sakura asked as she sat up.
"Naruto…kun…" she whispered/croaked.
His smile began to rise as her lavender eyes opened fully.
"Naruto-kun…I woke up…" she whispered.
He held her hand.
"In a dark room…and….a-and…you…weren't there…"
"Hinata…" he murmured.
"Hinata!" Sakura smiled as she stood back up.
"Hinata…?" Megami mumbled as she began to sit up, rubbing her eyes.
"Hi…" she croaked again.
While Ino still slept the girls rushed up to her other side.
"I woke up earlier…the doctor said that…he said that I'm sick…"
"Hina…" Sakura smiled sadly as he brushed her hair from her face.
"They found a small tumor in your lung…but! They're going to get it out as soon as possible!" she reassured.
"A tumor…" she whispered as she set her head back.
"That…can lead to lung cancer…can't it?"
Sakura hesitated, but nodded.
"But you don't have to worry bout that! You're gonna get better Hina!" Megami smiled.
"My mother…died of lung cancer…" she whispered.
Naruto clenched her sheets with his left fist.
"We know…" Sakura mumbled. "But, the doctors are going to do everything they can to reassure we never have to worry about that sort of thing."
Hinata smiled a bit sadly.
"Hello," a daintly voice spoke.
The girls looked around as Naruto kept his eyes glued to a fading Hinata.
A nurse stood by the door with a clipboard in hand. She smiled as she took a couple steps in.
"I'm sorry, visiting hours are over."
"That's fine, come on guys." Sakura took a deep breath as she stood up, "thank you."
The nurse nodded to them as she took her leave.
"I'll take her to the limo," Shikamaru sighed as he picked a still sleeping Ino up bridal style. "Feel better Hinata," he nodded to her as he carried her out.
"I'll call Neji and Tenten so they can meet us there." Gaara said as he stood up, taking out his phone as he nodded to Hinata, leaving.
Megami hugged Hinata tightly, "see you tomorrow Hina," she whispered.
"Bye Mega…" she murmured as Megami stood up straight, taking Sasuke's hand as he nodded to Hinata, stepping out.
"We'll be here right after school Hina," Sakura reassured as she kissed her forehead.
Hinata nodded and smiled weakly as Sakura stood up straight, waving to her as she stepped out.
Hinata slowly turned her head to Naruto who still stood on his knees, staring at her with a lost expression.
"You'll be okay…" he whispered weakly.
"Naruto…kun…" she smiled as she lifted her hand and touched his left cheek. He closed his eyes and sighed as he held her hand.
"I promise, I'll do everything I can to make sure you walk out here as soon as possible completely healthy." He nodded firmly.
"I know you will…Naruto."
"I promise to come and see you before school starts dattebayo!"
"Naruto…you don't need to do that…get your rest…" she giggled a bit, "I'm not going anywhere."
He gave her a lost expression again as his blue eyes glistened.
"I love you…" he whispered.
"You know I love you too…but you have to head home…I'll be alright," she promised.
He stilled as she lifted herself up and kissed him. He closed his eyes and returned it.
As she let go he stood up straight, backing up.
"I'll see you tomorrow…Hina," he said as he stepped to the door.
She nodded as she turned back and stared at the ceiling, closing her eyes.
For a moment, he contemplated going back, but, knowing he had to go, he forced himself out of the room and down the hall.
(^A.H^)
As he walked down the long golden steps, Neji ran his hand through his unkempt, loose hair as he stood in loose dark purple pajama pants only.
He headed for the first kitchen, only to stop and raise a brow as he dropped his hand. He turned to the side as he listened to faint music, piano music, coming from one of the music rooms.
Barefoot, he stepped towards the room as the sound of the piano grew louder.
Only one person in the house played piano this early in the morning, and even that was only when their mood was at its worst.
He peeked into the crack in the door to see Naruto sitting at one of his pianos, the sky blue one, his eyes shut as his fingers danced through the keys while he played Albinoni's Adagio in dark orange pajama pants and a black t-shirt.
Without a word Neji stepped away from the door and walked to the kitchen where the boys sat. He could still hear the music well as he sat in front of the breakfast one of the chefs had prepared for him.
"He's still reeling." Sasuke said blandly as he flipped a magazine they covered.
"What do you expect? Do I have to keep reminding you that Hinata's in the hospital?" Shikamaru sighed.
"You of all people know this is the only way he can keep himself calm when things get really bad." Gaara said.
"What's up with the morning funeral?" a voice said quickly.
The boys turned and stared as Itachi rushed into the kitchen, fixating a red tie as he fast walked in black dress pants and a white long sleeved collar shirt.
"Hinata is sick, Naruto is down, you're in a suit because?" Neji raised a brow.
"I was supposed to meet Midori and the wedding planner an hour ago, I overslept." He growled as he scarfed down his own breakfast. "Then I have to go to the studio for a meeting with Orochimaru about the Battle of the Bands and the album."
"Midori's gonna kill you before you get there." Sasuke said seriously without looking up at him.
"I know, that's why I have to go. Give Hinata my regards." He said quickly as he picked up his suitcase and rushed out. Just as he did, the piano music stopped.
The boys listened in silence as the front door slammed and slow footsteps began making their way towards the kitchen.
Finally, Naruto entered with a blank unreadable expression.
"Morning," he sighed, walking to grab a box of cereal.
The boys glanced at each other.
They couldn't figure it out.
He wasn't upset.
Yet, he wasn't happy either.
Just, emotionless, completely unlike him.
They had to see the girls soon.
(^A.H^)
"Really?" Sakura frowned, pushing her hair behind her ear as the wind blew it.
The eight members of Alpha and Omega stood on the courtyard, unusual and incomplete.
"He's been like this all morning." Gaara explained as students passed on another sunny day.
They watched as Naruto sat under one of the large trees by the one of the auditoriums. His elbows rested on his knees while he watched the grass.
"He hasn't said much or shown any emotions." Sasuke explained.
Neji rolled his eyes, "sound familiar?"
He cringed and held his head as Gaara turned back, Sakura giggled in turn.
"What do we do?" Megami whined.
"We tried asking him if it had anything to do with Hinata but he didn't say anything." Shikamaru said.
"Well then it has to be that!" Ino yelled.
"I'm not surprised he's feeling down because she's away, but he's gotta understand that they're going to do everything they can for her. If we believe Hinata's gonna be okay then she's gonna be okay," Tenten shrugged.
"I don't know…" Megami said, "I feel like it's something other than that…"
(^A.H^)
The school day in Konoha proceeded as it usually did. Kakashi arrived late, they did English, went their separate ways, had lunch together, Kurenai's talked about her baby, then they hung out in Gym.
The only difference is that all day Naruto could not take his eyes off the clock. No matter what he was doing he watched the time, even in lunch.
The eight of them almost didn't notice it until lunch time, whilst he still ate, he kept his distance.
Finally, the day ended, and the eight of them watched as he rushed out and past everyone else heading quickly towards the limo.
"So that's it…" Ino said, crossing her arms as he jumped into the limo while the eight of them stood on the steps.
"Come on!" he ordered impatiently from the door.
"Guess we'll meet you guys at the hospital then," Shikamaru shrugged.
The girls nodded as they went their separate ways, yet all towards the same place.
(^A.H^)
"How was your day?"
"Fine…it's…busy outside but quiet it here…for the most part." Hinata whispered and giggled as they swung they clasped hands between each other.
Naruto sat on a stool in front of a drowsy Hinata.
"Did you eat Hina?" Ino called from the couch she and Shikamaru sat in by the window, she read one of the magazines the hospital offered while he slept on her shoulder.
"Yes," she smiled, turning back to Naruto.
Megami sat on Sasuke's lap playing with her DS as he stared at the signs in the room with his arms around her waist.
Tenten and Neji were seated on the floor, laying on their front while Gaara sat in front of them, his legs crossed as they compared soccer players and basketball players.
The nine had arrived to the hospital almost an hour prior.
"Thank you doctor." They heard Sakura's voice from outside. She stepped back into the room, as she had been speaking to Dr. Kenko.
"Well?" Ino asked.
"They're going to do the surgery Saturday at nine since the rest of the week is pretty busy."
"Ugh!" Ino gasped, slamming the magazine on the floor. "They can't do that! That's the day of the festival! Hinata won't be able to go!"
Naruto twitched.
"Why can't they do it sooner?!" she demanded.
"Ino, there's a lot of other surgeries going on and only so many surgeons at hand." Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Well why don't you just call your dad and ask him to bring surgeons over here for Hinata." Megami suggested.
"It's not that simple, besides, Hinata needs her treatment before she can step into surgery, and even if she started today, she wouldn't be able to leave the hospital the day after, they want to hold her for another two to three days afterwards."
"Why?!" Tenten yelled.
"It's surgery you guys! She's gonna need a lot of R and R before she can leave. Even if they did let her go home she would still be in the same condition, they need to keep a good eye on her until she can move on her own without straining any vital organs." Sakura explained, her hands on her hips.
Naruto turned back to Hinata with a deep look of concern. She simply smiled and set her right hand on his bright blond hair.
"Naruto-kun…you're worrying again…" she whispered.
"I'm sorry you have to miss the festival Hina," Ino sulked.
"That's alright," Hinata smiled weakly. "The hospital is very close to the school, I should be able to see it from one of the rooms."
"Well," Sakura sighed as she glanced at her watch. "We have to get to work. As usual we'll see you after Hinata,"
"How are the girls?" Hinata asked.
The girls frowned for a millisecond then stood up. It was as if she were talking like she'd been gone for a long time.
"They're good," Tenten answered as they each leaned in and hugged her tightly while Naruto backed up a bit to give them space.
"We'll see you in a bit, hime." Ino whispered.
Hinata nodded as the girls stood up straight.
They waved and or blew a kiss to the boys as they took their leave to rush to work.
"You boys should probably head to the studio as well," Hinata offered.
Naruto twitched.
"I know how much work you have to do on the album," she said matter-factly.
The guys nodded as they too stood up.
"I can stay here with you," Naruto whispered.
"You know you can't…" Hinata whispered but still smiled.
"I don't like leaving you by yourself," he shook a bit as he tightened his grip on her hand.
"You aren't. The doctors are taking very good care of me…how about tomorrow, when the girls set off to work, you can stay longer if you want. Dr. Kana says I can get some fresh air, so, tomorrow I can sit out…you can sit out with me?" She offered hopefully.
"I'd really like that," he whispered.
"Uzumaki come on!" Neji yelled as the boys stood by the door.
He quickly kissed her on the cheek and stood up.
"I'm looking forward to it dattebayo!" he beamed with his thumb up.
She smiled and settled back in her bed as h jogged towards the boys who waved to her and began to descend out.
"I will Hina! I won't miss it for the world!"
(^A.H^)
"WHAT?!"
"Excuse me?" Orochimaru said calmly, staring at Naruto who had jumped up and slammed his hand on the meeting table.
"Naruto, calm down." Neji ordered.
"What do you mean we have to fly to Seoul?! Why?! Why now?!" he demanded.
"I've told you boys before, you have to head to Korea for an album presentation and CD signing. A part of the album—the mini album—is being released in Korea before anything else."
"I thought we were doing that next weekened!"
"Change of plans, next weekend you're going to Paris to check out the Battle of the Bands."
"B-but…we can't go," he barley whispered, clenching his fists.
"To Paris?" Orochimaru raised a brow.
"No! To…to Korea…not now."
"Why not?" Kabuto asked.
"I promised…I…I promised Hinata I would…tomorrow we were supposed to to…"
"Hinata will be fine, the girls will be here to watch out for them." Gaara explained.
"I know but…"
"Naruto. You have a commitment to this band." Orochimaru cut in. "and to your fans. Whatever you had planned for tomorrow will have to wait."
He directed his attention to the rest of the boys.
"We have to leave in a few hours, we need to get there as soon as possible tomorrow to get ready. Kabuto has arranged your stay at Korea's finest hotel, when you get there, which should be early in the morning, you can rest and…"
Naruto drowned out the rest of Orochimaru's instructions as he stared at the open window.
Two days.
Two days without seeing her, or being able to check on her and see how she's doing for himself.
If it was any other trip and Hinata was healthy as a horse, all he would do was miss her terribly.
Now.
Now would be an even bigger pain.
(^A.H^)
"We should do another performance show, but this time at their school. The girls are doing really well and I think they're starting to like showing everyone what they can do," Tenten smiled as the girls stepped out of their rides at promptly seven thirty p.m.
"Sounds good," Sakura said as they began walking towards the hospital. "I sure wish Hinata could be with us, the girls miss her, especially Ranra, you know how they are."
"Aren't the guys supposed to meet us here?" Ino frowned, looking at her gold wrist watch.
Suddenly, the sounds of Larval Stage Planning's Trip- Innocent of D began to blare.
"That's Sasuke right now," Megami said as she dug through her school bag for her phone.
She whipped out her white Nokia Lumia 920.
"Yo," she answered.
"Uh huh…yu huh…okay." She sighed as the girls listened to her.
"Okay, be safe, I love you."
She nodded.
"Bye." She said, hanging up.
"Safe for what?" Ino asked, her hands on her hips.
"You know how the guys were supposed to go to Korea next week? Well, it was changed to this week; they're flying there right now and won't be back until Friday night." She explained.
Seriously! Why didn't they come say goodbye! Rude!" Ino huffed.
"I doubt Naruto was okay with that," Tenten said, her arms crossed.
"I guess we'd better go tell Hinata." Sakura sighed.
(^A.H^)
The girls smiled as they stepped into the hospital room to find Hinata sitting upright, eating spaghetti from a blue bowl while a nurse walked around, checking her temperature and keeping an eye on her lungs through a scanner.
"Hey hime!" Ino cooed.
"Hi girls," she smiled, setting the bowl down next to water.
"How was work?"
"Tiring, the girls miss you." Sakura half smiled.
"Really?" Hinata smiled sweetly.
The girls nodded.
"We're also trying to keep Sakura out of the kitchen," Tenten rolled her eyes.
Sakura scoffed as Hinata giggled a bit.
"We'd cook, but we wouldn't meet your standards so we've just got take out." Tenten shrugged.
"Right, our laziness will have to survive on that until you get out of here," Ino smiled.
Hinata laughed, "you guys…" suddenly she frowned a bit, and glanced to the door.
"Are the boys still coming? You usually come at the same time."
The girls suddenly slumped and looked at each other as they sat on both sides of her bed, avoiding her legs.
"The guys had to go to that Korea trip early, they're flying there right now. They'll be back Friday night." Sakura explained.
Hinata's expression noticeably fell.
"Naruto…kun?"
"Sasuke told me to tell you that he's sorry he can't be with you tomorrow but he loves you and he'll be rooting for you until he gets back or something like that." Megami said reassuringly.
"I see…" she mumbled.
"We're here for you Hinata," Tenten added quickly.
"Of course," she smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry," the nurse who had been walking around the room said quickly, stepping up to them.
"It's time for Miss. Hyuga's treatment; Dr. Kenko will be with her shortly."
"Alright, we'd better set out then, homework and all." Sakura said.
The groaned, hoping for more time with their sister.
"As always, we'll see you tomorrow hime." Ino jokingly bowed.
The girls gave their individual goodbyes as they once again exited Hinata's room. Moments later, Dr. Kenko stepped in.
"Evening Hinata," he smiled.
"Hello Dr. Kenko," she said politely, smiling weakly.
"How are you feeling? Opposed to this morning?"
"A-actually…not very good."
(^A.H^)
Naruto leaned on the window of the limousine he and the boys rode in, looking at the darkness that was nighttime Seoul.
After jetting to South Korea the boys were met with a midnight black limousine that would take them to their waiting hotel room.
At one in the morning, Shikamaru slept in the limo while Gaara, Neji, and Sasuke talked about what they had to do.
Blankly, Naruto watched the sights and the illuminated lights as they raced past each one.
"She's asleep by now." He thought to himself. Even though he couldn't call her in the first place, he could call the girls to see how she was doing when they had seen her.
"I know what you're thinking."
He instantly shot his head to the left as the boys looked at him, excluding Shikamaru.
"The answer is no." Neji continued.
"What was I thinking?" he challenged.
"You want to call the girls to ask them how it went when they saw Hinata. Don't wake them up they have school tomorrow, plus we have to sleep when we get to the hotel, we have to wake up earlier than they do." Neji said.
"The more you worry about Hinata's condition the worse you will make yourself feel about the outcome. You have to take your mind of her for a second. For her sake." Gaara said.
"I…I can't…" he murmured.
"You don't see the girls being gloomy twenty-four/seven. Why is it so hard for you to smile just for a second even though she's sick? They said she'll be okay." Sasuke questioned.
"You guys don't get it!" he yelled angrily as the limo stopped, only he noticed.
"You don't get it…you don't know what it feels like…to see…someone you care about…so weak…so vulnerable…so close to death…" he spat.
The boys remained quiet.
In the silence Naruto forced open the door, alerting the driver who had come around to open it. He stormed out and slammed it back, finally making the boys realize they had reached the hotel.
Shikamaru groaned as he sat up at the sound of the door, rubbing his eyes.
"This is gonna be a long two days…"
(^Thursday^)
"Failed my math test today," Ino sighed dramatically.
"Passed that same math test." Sakura smiled wickedly.
The girls laughed, including Hinata, as they sat outside in the warm spring sun and cool grass on a large striped blanket behind the hospital.
Dr. Kenko, having kept his promise to allow Hinata some fresh air and time to relax as the treatment sunk in.
"That was our day; you missed a hella hard Physics test." Tenten laughed.
"I wish I didn't have to miss so much, I'll have so much work to do when I get back." She sighed.
"We asked Dr. Kenko if we could bring you your homework but he says you need your rest and to keep your mind off things. Don't worry, we'll bring you up to speed when you get outta here." Sakura smiled.
Hinata smiled as she let the light breeze blow her hair left.
"I'm so glad I have you girls around to keep me entertained…"
"That's what we're here for!" Megami beamed.
Hinata's smile dropped, just a bit.
"I remember when my mother was in the same condition. Everyone was so distressed, she never laughed, we found no reason to laugh when we visited her. I think…because she was so sad, all she thought about was the cancer, there was nothing or no one around to make her happy, which made her weak…you girls make me happy, so I don't have to think about what could happen…"
"We love you Hinata. We have to smile. We're not forcing ourselves to be happy. We don't have to if we know you're going to be okay, and we know." Megami smiled.
The girls leaned in and hugged each other tightly.
Suddenly, Ino released as her phone buzzed.
She turned to her iPhone5 and stared at a new message as the girls released.
"Come on, let's go back inside." She smiled.
"Shika wants us to turn on the TV to E!-Korea.
(^A.H^)
Seated back in her hospital room, Sakura turned on the TV and flipped through the channels to E!
Instantly they saw a woman on the screen with a mike in her hand that they knew to be Hea Jung as she stood in front of a very large and noisy crowd.
"In just moments the massively loved band OMEGA will arrive for a CD signing of their mini album that is being featured here in South Korea before the full album is released! Fans are highly anticipating this visit that was scheduled for next week but quickly moved up!"
The girls watched as the screams grew louder when the boys entered through the large double doors from the side.
The camera quickly turned its full attention to the boys as they waved and stepped forward.
The girls watched them as they stepped towards a long table with a white cloth over it, each taking their seats in front of the wrist banded fans who each paid for their individual, personal autograph's, entry, and of course, CD.
"Looks like they got to Korea all right," Megami said as she rocked back and forth.
Hinata kept her eyes focused on a particular member as Hea Jung continued to speak while the boys talked before the signing began.
She stared with glistened eyes as he smiled while Neji talked, waving to a fan that couldn't stay silent here and there when they called out their names.
Even though she had the girls, she painfully wished he was at her side, brushing back her hair and reassuring her that things were going to be okay, no matter what.
Even if he didn't believe it himself.
Suddenly, she felt tightness in her lower chest. She cringed as she held her chest. At the tightness again she bent over a bit, oblivious to the girls who watched the show.
As is descended into pain she squeaked, holding with both of her hands.
She began to cough, alerting the girls.
Before they could react she coughed further, letting blood spill onto her hospital blanket.
The girls jumped up.
"Oh my god…someone get a doctor! I need a doctor!" Sakura yelled.
(^A.H^)
After four hours of signing each individual, forced to listen to how much 'extensive' fangirls loved them, and having to force said crazed fangirls off them with the help of their body guards, the boys finally took their leave.
"That was grueling." Shikamaru groaned as they stepped out, towards the waiting limousine.
"It's always grueling. We still have another one tomorrow." Neji sighed as he ran his hand through his hair.
"At least we can go back to the hotel now and sleep," Shikamaru said as the driver opened the door for them.
He stepped in first quickly flopped down in his seat. Neji entered after him, Sasuke followed behind, Gaara began to enter behind him until he stopped and turned his attention back to Naruto who he watched stand and look to his left.
"You coming—"
He stared as he whistled, instantly a grey taxi pulled up to the curve behind the limo.
"Where are you going?" Gaara questioned.
Naruto shrugged as he walked towards the taxi.
"What is he doing?" Sasuke questioned as he peeked his head out, looking to the blond as Gaara did, he shrugged in return.
Naruto waved a bit to them as he opened the cab's door.
"I'll be back soon," he reassured as he slipped into the taxi, driving off to their confusion.
"W-where to, sir?" the driver asked as he pulled up to a light, shocked as he recognized him.
Naruto took out his wallet and slipped out 100 won.
"Could you just drive around for a bit?" he asked nicely. "I'll let you know when I'd like to stop."
"Sure," the Korean man said, aghast as he took the money then turned back to continue driving as the light turned green.
Naruto settled back and stared out the window to the darkening Korea.
For the next ten minutes the driver calmly drove around as Naruto stared out the sights. Passing by restaurants, stores, buildings, and even the hotel he and the boys resided in.
It wasn't until he saw a particular building did he sit up.
"Could you stop here?"
"Of course."
The driver pulled into the parking lot of a hospital.
Not just any hospital for that matter.
"Thank you…" he smiled as he opened the door, letting himself out.
He looked up to the large sign on top of the large hospital building.
HARUNO HOSPITAL
He slipped his hands into his dark blue jean pockets as he entered the busy hospital. He didn't realize Sakura's father's hospital industry stretched out of Japan.
He looked around to the working nurses and doctors as he walked in.
He quickly slipped on a pair of sunglasses and a red and yellow beanie hat he'd held around for when the boys went on as he fully entered.
No one paid heed as he walked down the halls of the lower hospital rooms.
He looked into every room he passed, watching sickly people, people sleeping, being attended too, eating, so and so.
As Korea grew dark he continued to walk around, peeking into rooms and watching patients for moments before going to another.
He glanced into a particular room and stopped abruptly.
He took a couple steps back to look into the room. There, he found a young girl, at least fifteen or sixteen.
She sat on the hospital bed, alone in her room. Dark bags sat under her eyes as her naked head, darkened with purple veins , rested on the white pillow.
An IV stuck in her arm with a machine next to her, what he recognized to be a life support machine.
Yet.
She smiled.
He moved to the side to see what she was looking at.
There, on the TV screen he found a rerun of one of the boy's concerts. He stood in front at the moments, leading the boys as they danced to the cheering fans.
"Hello…?"
He jumped a bit, turning back to her to realize she had seen him.
"Can…I help you?" she croaked, her breathing heavy.
"Hi, sorry to disturb you, I was just passing by." He said quickly.
"That's…okay…you can come…in," she breathed.
He smiled and nodded, stepping into her room.
" It's nice to…meet you…no one…really…comes to see me….anymore…nice…to have…a visitor…" she breathed.
"What do you mean no one comes to visit you?" he said, shocked, "what about your family?"
She smiled a bit as she did not take her eyes off the TV screen.
"My mother died a long time ago…I…only have my two brothers…and my dad…but…they're busy with…college…and work…" she breathed heavily, her life monitor shifted but returned to normal.
"They should still make time to see you, if I were them I'd come and see you every day." He said matter-factly.
She forced up a giggle, but quickly settled back.
"I know what it's like to stare at four walls for so long, I know what it's like to look at someone who's forced to do that too."
"Really…?" she croaked.
He nodded.
"I get really sad…a lot…but…something makes me happy…so I'm not as sad…"
"What's that?" he smiled, seated on a stool.
She weakly lifted her left arm a bit, pointing towards the TV.
He quickly turned and looked at the ongoing concert.
He smiled to himself.
"I really…love…this band…Omega…they…make me happy…today…they had…had a CD signing…I wish…I could have gone…" she smiled weakly.
"They make you happy?" he asked.
"Yes…if I don't…find something…that makes me happy…I'll…always be sad…and…I won't want…to keep going…"
He looked down to his hands, then looked up to her window where the night of Seoul showered with bright stars.
"There has to be a reason to keep going…or else, what's the point? There's always a reason…" he whispered. "Even if you don't see it…"
"Yes." She had heard him.
"My…father…always uses this…"
She lifted up her left arm as high as she could and made a fist.
"What does that mean?"
"To keep…fighting on…it's to encourage to be strong…keep…fighting…on."
"Wow…" Naruto whispered, aghast.
"Omega…isn't my only…reason…to keep…going…I love…my family…even if…they don't have time…" she breathed.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Gidae…"
Hope.
"I have leukemia…but…I'm sure you noticed…" she laughed weakly.
He smiled. "Thank you Gidae…"
"What's your name?...you sound familiar…" she sighed, settling back. "Do I know you…?"
"You might," he shrugged a bit as he took off his sunglasses and pulled off his beanie.
She instantly gasped and jumped back a bit, her heart monitor racing.
"NA—"
"Please don't scream!" he said quickly. "You'll hurt yourself!"
She settled back, trying to calm down.
"Is it…really you…?" she whispered.
He nodded simply.
"And if you're up for it, I'm sure the guys would like to meet you," he beamed.
With all the energy she could muster up, she squealed.
(^A.H^)
Delighted, and smiling brightly, Naruto rushed to the hospital as soon as the jet landed the next day, Friday afternoon.
It did not shock the boys as they watched him take another taxi towards the hospital.
The day before, he had brought them in to visit a sick girl, Gidae who was also a large fan of theirs.
The boys were happy to meet her, but were confused as to why he came to the hospital in the first place.
Nonetheless, they spent time with her until they had to go back to the hotel. The next day, after the CD signing, they saw her again and promised to visit her again soon, from there, they headed back to Japan.
Before he stopped by the hospital, eager, Naruto stopped by one of the flower shops Ino's aunt owned.
With a bouquet of star gazer lilies in hand, he jumped back into the taxi towards the hospital.
At a little passed seven o'clock he knew the girls would be on their way soon, so he cherished the few moments he would get with her as he rushed into the hospital.
As he stepped towards her room door, his expression dropped to confusion.
The door was shut, which, since she had arrived, never was.
He peeked into her room through the square window on the door.
His confused expression dropped to shock as he watched a doctor running frantically around her as a few nurses tried to keep her steady while she spit up blood with a dead expression on her face. Bags sat under her eyes, her nose bled as she coughed more blood.
He twisted the door open without thinking and dropped the flowers.
The nurses instantly twisted around to him as the doctor tried to stop her bleeding.
"The tumor's expansion has—"
Was all he heard as he stared at her in fear.
"Hinata!"
"Mr. Uzumaki, you can't be in here right now," a nurse said quickly.
"Naruto?" Hinata said through a cough of blood.
"HINATA!" he yelled.
"Naruto! You have to leave!" Dr. Kenko said.
"No! She! She's—"
"Nurse!" he said hastily as Hinata turned and threw up a puddles worth of blood.
Naruto's heart stopped as the male nurse tried to push him out in the kindest way possible.
"No! No! She needs me! Hinata!" he yelled.
Finally, he had to force him up as he held out for her.
"HINATA! Let me go! She needs my help! Hinata!" he practically screamed as tears began to rain down his eyes.
"I'm sorry," the male nurse said kindly as he closed the door quickly.
"Let me in! Please! She's dying! I can't leave her! PLEASE!" he cried, banging on the door.
Slowly, his bangs died down. He slid his hand down as he clenched his eyes and slid down until he hit the floor.
He turned around and sat against the wall, hugging his knees as he cried into his them.
For five minutes he soaked his shorts with his tears, sniffing, his shoulders shaking.
"Naruto?" a voice called.
"Naruto!" they yelled, footsteps running up to him.
He did not lift his head. Instead, the person lifted it for him. His tear filled blue eyes met Megami's.
"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.
"Mega!" he cried.
"I can't do it! I can't just stand here and watch her die!"
"Naruto, Hinata will be—"
"We don't know that!" he yelled. "You didn't see her!" he cried.
"You remember when grandma died? She was so weak for so long and we had to watch her, and we couldn't do a thing! She left us on her own bed! We had to watch her body be taken away! I sat in a room for two weeks staring at four walls while mom and dad died right across from me! I had to watch them endure that pain for hours before they came for their bodies the same day they came in! I couldn't do a thing! I couldn't do a damn thing!" he cried painfully.
Her eyes watered.
"Now, the girl I love is gonna die and I still can't do anything!" he choked.
"Why does everyone around us keep getting hurt? Why is it that everyone we love has to either hurt us or leave?!" he cried.
She put his head on her right shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck as he cried in her shoulder.
"I get it now…Naruto-niichan…I know how much it hurts…I'm so sorry…" she whispered.
"Naruto!" she heard the girls yell as they had met the boys at the parking lot before stepping in with them.
He sniffled as he lifted himself off his sister's shoulder and looked to the eight of them with a terrible expression.
"No…" he sniffled, rubbing his eyes.
"There is something I can do…"
He took a deep breath.
"I can give her hope…"
(^A.H^)
Saturday.
Saturday Konoha bustled around in excitement as everyone readied themselves for the festival Konoha high was holding that they were all familiar with.
Most dressed in Kimonos or Yukatas as they walked around in the night of the city, the festival having started at promptly seven p.m.
With games, plenty of food, music, and shows the people of Konohagakure happily enjoyed the fun, traditional night.
On the other hand, a certain Hyuga heiress made ready for surgery.
"The Kimono would have looked absolutely amazing on you, hime." Ino smiled as the eight of them stood in her room.
Ino stood in a yellow kimono with white and pink flowers over it, while Shikamaru stood in a plain dark green yukata
Sakura stood in a pink kimono with pink flowers dancing on it, while Gaara stood in a plain dark red yukata.
Megami stood in a white kimono with pink, red, and black flowers rising up, while Sasuke stood in a plain dark blue yukata.
Tenten stood in a green kimono with multi color flowers in each corner, while Neji stood in a plain dark purple yukata.
"Thank you Ino, but I should be able to watch from here…" a now calm Hinata said.
"How is the festival so far?"
"We've only seen a little because we wanted to come and see you first, but it looks great." Sakura smiled.
"That's good…and Naruto-kun?" she asked hesitantly.
"We aren't actually sure…" Tenten mumbled, scratching the back of her head. "He said he needed to do something, we don't know if he's down at the festival or not."
"I see…" she whispered, looking down to her sheets.
"But we know he'd going to come and see you! You still have an hour before the surgery." Megami reassured.
"Of course…" Hinata smiled weakly.
"We know you're going to be okay Hina," Sakura smiled.
"Thank you girls, and you guys as well, for taking the time to come and see me."
"We're all practically a family, if you need us, we'll be here." Gaara explained.
Hinata smiled softly.
"You all should go and enjoy the festival now, they'll start prepping me soon."
"We can't leave you now Hinata!" Ino scoffed.
"You'll miss the festivities," she said softly. "Please, for my sake, have fun."
Tenten shrugged a bit, "I'm down for a some dumplings,"
"Good luck with the surgery Hina, we'll be rooting for you," she said.
She nodded.
"I'm gonna win you something Hinata!" Megami called happily as the eight of them took their leave.
"Goodbye!" she called.
She sighed and she leaned her head back onto the pillow.
She was saddened a bit that she had to miss the festival and Naruto had not come to see her, but as long as she got better and could go home and wake up in her own bed and talk to a happy Naruto, it was okay.
(^A.H^)
The festival progressed on as the eight of them had their fun with their each individual pair.
No one had seen Naruto in the last half an hour that they had arrived. For a time, they worried but simply figured he had gone to see Hinata or was around in the large festival.
Megami giggled as a few children ran by with sparklers in their hands, laughing as they chased each other.
Her arm lay wrapped around Sasuke's right arm as they walked up and down the festivities.
"What should we do next?" she asked, excited.
"Why don't we try the—"
He raised a brow at her sudden squeak and unclasp of his arm. He turned around to see the space next to him, empty.
"Gami?" he whipped around. "Gami?"
She frowned as she found herself behind the stage in the darkness.
"Hey! What gi—Naruto?" she asked as she looked at her brother smiling in a white t-shirt and black jeans.
"Where have you been?! We were wondering where you went! Why aren't you wearing your yukata? Why didn't you—"
"Sis?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think you could run and get the doctors to hold off Hinata's surgery for a second while I get everyone's attention?"
"Um…okay…why?"
He smiled brightly.
"There's something I want to do… make her look out the window then call me when she is…make sure she looks out the window…"
(^A.H^)
"Miss. Hyuga, it's time for your anesthesia." The nurse said sweetly.
Hinata nodded as the doctors made ready their equipment while she lay in a knew white room.
She shifted a little nervously but nodded again nonetheless. She glanced to the window where she could easily see the festival going on and almost hear it.
She turned back and the nurse leaned in to give her the gas.
"WAIT!" a voice yelled frantically.
The doctors stopped and turned to the door as Megami burst in, stopping as she put her hands on her knees.
"Finally…found…you…" she gasped, breathless.
"Excuse me ma'am but you can't be in here!" the nurse said quickly.
"Please, hear me out!" she said quickly.
They silenced.
"I need you to stop the surgery for a moment!"
"Why?" one of the doctors asked.
"Hinata," she quickly turned to her. "You need to look out the window!"
"Why?" she asked this time.
"It's urgent! You've gotta get up and look!"
Hinata frowned a bit as she moved the blanket off herself and sat up, she stood and began walking towards the window in nothing but a hospital gown, bare feet.
Quickly, Megami took out her phone and turned as she pressed Naruto's number.
"Okay, she's looking…" she said into her phone. After a moment she hung up.
Hinata stood at the window for a minute.
"Megami, I don't understand what I'm…"
She froze.
She froze in place when she instantly saw a ferry of lanterns. Paper lanterns rising into the sky from where the festival took place.
I have to tell you something
How I wanna be with you
Be with you, girl
There are even those invisible form
I pushed forcibly broken Ohh
From where she stood she could see the people of Konoha letting the many lanterns go, facing where she watched them.
Key inserted in the chest
Hey, this same miracle
Are you sure you want to open your heart?
Thoughts are overflowing, This is my love
Increased even more and more
All I can not tell immediately
I want to tell someday
As if I took 1000 years
But always by your side
The lanterns took high to the sky, hundreds of them flying as she watched the beauty unfold.
One lantern in particular stood out. It was closer than the others, almost in front of her.
She looked down and her heart nearly stopped as she watched Naruto's hands remained up below her as he had just released the lantern.
Piece of the puzzle of memories that you're here
And connecting memories were also softly next to me. Never seen anyone.
One map depicts two future
I was hiding in the back of the eye
You know the meaning of the same tears
Are you sure you want to show me
"Naruto-kun…you did this…" she whispered as she watched him stare up at her as he stood at the back of the hospital while the lantern nearly touched her window.
Thoughts are overflowing, This is my love
Increased even more and more
All I can not tell immediately
I want to tell someday
As if I took 1000 years
But always by your side
I carry your name
I'd like to run a long journey
Back to memory before the meeting
But how far will transfer two
On the campus of the white snowy mountains
Repeatedly to you and me
I want to tell someday
They stared lovingly at each other for moments at the lanterns danced in the sky. That is until he put his left arm up half way, his hand in a fist.
Moments after he did the people of Konoha did the same thing, not only towards her, but to the entire hospital.
Thoughts are overflowing, This is my love
Increased even more and more
All I can not tell immediately
I want to tell someday
As if I took 1000 years
But always by your side
She knew that stance, in Korea it meant to 'keep fighting on' and that 'you can do it.' Giving hope and reassurance.
She looked back down to Naruto as his fist remained up as he stared at her with sad but hopeful eyes. He put his right hand on his heart, as she did the same, her eyes tearing.
Both knowing they had each others hearts, each others strength.
Each others hope.
My heart is, my heart is, my heart is, my heart is yours
My heart is, my heart is, my heart is, my heart is yours
My heart is, my heart is, my heart is, my heart is yours
So you don' t wanna be oh…
(My heart is, my heart is, my heart is, my heart is yours)
Never let go (My heart is, my heart is, my heart is, my heart is yours)
Wanna be with you
Baby… (My heart is, my heart is, my heart is, my heart is yours)
Oh my baby..
(^A.H^)
Naruto beamed as he, for the fifth time, whipped Hinata around in his arms.
"Naruto! Naruto come on! You're gonna rip her in half!" Sakura called, chuckling.
"I can't help it!" he smiled shyly as he sat her back down again.
On Tuesday morning, Alpha and Omega stood whole again on the grass before school.
Hinata's surgery had been a complete success and the tumor was no more. She was released from the hospital Monday night and could finally go back to school Tuesday.
"It is great to have you back Hina!" Ino smiled.
"I'm glad to be back, I missed being with you all terribly."
"Well, you're not gonna miss all the homework you have to catch up on I'll tell you that!" Tenten laughed a bit.
Hinata sighed but kept her smile.
"Don't worry, we'll help you out," Tenten said.
"Yeah, Shikamaru's great at helping me cram," Ino beamed.
The girls laughed as he rolled his eyes.
"Come on! We'd better get to class!" Sakura called.
Each pair nodded and began to make their way to class.
Naruto and Hinata on the other hand stood back and gazed at each other.
"Naruto-kun…what you did for me…I'll never be able to thank you enough for making me strong…" she whispered.
"Don't sweat it Hinata," he smiled sadly.
"I couldn't imagine a day without you let alone life…"
"I love you…" she whispered.
"I love you too…"
"Promise me…no matter what…" she said a bit shyly as she clenched his shirt.
"Promise me…through all the good and the bad…we'll always have each other…?"
He lifted her head up and kissed her, she leaned in and kissed his back, her arms wrapped around his neck.
He didn't have to say it, for her to know that he agreed.
As they released, he took her hand, laughed as she smiled shyly while they ran towards the eight who waited for them.
I promise.
Of all the powers and all the strengths they possess , Hope is what keeps them going.
T!B!C
I guess you could say this is short seeing I'm normally throwing 20,000+ word junk in your face but this chapter was unplanned and I really had to think about it.
BUT I hope you liked it! I'm posting this the night before school starts! So in about ehhh eight hours I'll be back in a classroom!
Yay…
WORRY NOT.
I WILL.
UP.
DATE.
DRESSESS IN PROFILE
BYEE!
^Konoha to the stars^