A/N: Hello dear readers and welcome back to One Year Early. I am glad that even if a bit late, we have been able to keep up with the monthly schedule so far.
Anyways, we are continuing with Hinata's treatment, which is about to conclude and subsequently, we will slowly transition into the next arcs. As far as the next arcs are concerned, due to the nature of Hinata's injuries, they will not be as action packed as the one in Taki but we will try to make sure that they are not lacking in entertainment. Anyways, lets not waste any more time and get on with the chapter. Happy reading!
CHAPTER 16: COMPLETING JUST A C-RANK!
*A few hours after the Kumo ninja had left*
Tsunade and Shikaku woke up and went to check up on the two lovebirds. They had kept the door unlocked in order to observe Hinata every now and then as she rested, so as to take notice of any problems she might have had post-surgery. The two were found to have woken up already, but were rather busy cuddling…with the Hyuuga girl making her blonde boyfriend rub his face upon her chest.
Tsunade felt the odd need to note that both Naruto and Hinata were clothed and that neither were in a state of undress
Tsunade almost felt concerned before shrugging it off. Other things to do
'…well, she's already got him wrapped around her finger.' The Senju princess thought to herself.
Then she turned to the man who was the jonin sensei of the two kids. He didn't look surprised at all.
"Have you become that used to seeing them being all lovey-dovey like that?" Tsunade whispered.
"Yes, that I have been. The moment I took the two of them as a team, I knew this was coming. Had they been on different teams, especially the designs Hokage-sama had for them, this would have been happening at most about 8 years later but putting them together in one team, they only needed a month to get here. I am already thinking what kind of food will be served at their marriage ceremony." The Nara whispered back.
"Oh…I see…that deep into romance huh." Tsunade whispered with a borderline chuckle.
The little chuckle didn't go unnoticed by the cuddling teens, making them turn around and notice the adults. Needless to say, both went completely red faced.
"Ara, Ara." Tsunade teased now openly chuckling. "You definitely act a lot beyond your age…hehe." The blonde woman teased further.
"B-bb-baa-chan!" Naruto protested, still red faced while Hinata struggled to find the right words to either greet the adults or say something about what she had been caught doing.
"Never mind that, we are here to have you walk, Hinata." Tsunade said allowing to get herself a bit serious.
"H-Hai." Hinata responded getting into attention and getting up to a sitting position, so did Naruto.
"Okay, before we start, I want you to move your leg a bit, first bend the knee up just a little bit. Tell me if you are feeling a numb sensation or not." The legendary medic instructed.
Hinata followed the instruction to the 't'.
"I felt numb hours ago when I first regained consciousness. Though right now, it just aches a bit." She explained.
"Hmm…that's good. Now move your ankle just a bit."
"H-Hai." Hinata followed up and moved her ankle around a bit left and right.
"So far so good. Can you try moving your toes?"
Hinata tried moving her toes and it worked. Though she still felt a bit of pain.
"It aches a bit though." She stated.
"That's okay. That's normal." Tsunade reassured. Before going onto the most important instruction.
"Naruto, you get off the bed. And Hinata, gradually put your legs on the ground, very carefully and apply a bit of force on them. No chakra. And don't try standing up just yet. Just apply a bit of pressure on the legs."
The teens acknowledged.
Hinata pressed her legs on to the floors and applied a bit of force. She felt a tingling sensation, the legs trembled a bit. Tsunade observed it all very carefully.
"Okay. We can move further." Saying that she went over to Hinata and slowly helped her get up to a standing position.
"How are you feeling dear?" She asked.
"It aches a bit, but apart from that it's n-normal." Hinata responded.
"Okay. I am going to remove my hands off your shoulder. And Naruto, catch her if she feels too much pain, okay?"
"Gotcha." The blonde acknowledged.
"Okay then, 1…2…3…here we go." And with that Tsunade gradually took her hands off Hinata's shoulder.
The Hyuuga winced a bit with her leg aching and trembling. But she could remain standing.
"I-I can stand!" She almost cried.
Naruto wanted to envelope her in a tight hug right then and there, but refrained knowing the sensitive state of her leg.
"Now then, Naruto, hold her shoulders and Hinata, take a step forward."
"Gotcha, Baa-chan!" And with that the blonde held his girlfriend's shoulders as Hinata took one step, first with her unharmed leg.
"Now take a step with the operated leg, okay?" Tsunade instructed. "Be very careful, both of you."
"Hai."
And very carefully Hinata put her operated leg forward, it still ached and trembled, but she could take a step forward.
"Now like that, take a couple steps forward." Tsunade instructed and the kids carried out her orders, with Naruto's support, Hinata was able to walk.
"Great. Now then, Naruto leave her shoulders. And Hinata, take a step forward." Tsunade instructed again.
"Are you sure, Tsunade-sama?" Shikaku asked.
"Of course. Although normal procedure calls for her walking for the day to be stopped here… but I have enough confidence in my skill…so she can walk around without support. I am sure of it." Tsunade whispered into the Nara clan head's ear who nodded and turned his attention to his students.
"Are you ready, Hime?" Naruto asked with a bit of a worried face.
"Hai. I am. Please, Naru-kun." Hinata asked.
"Okay then. Here you go, ready. 3…2…1…" And very cautiously and carefully, Naruto removed his hands off his Hime's shoulders.
Hinata remained standing for a few moments before steeling herself and taking a step forward, having not walked for almost a month by now, her legs trembled and ached, especially the operated one but she took the step regardless.
"Another step please." Tsunade instructed.
"Hai."
And Hinata took another step forward, then another. She was able to walk without support, though with some effort and still with some pain but she was able to walk.
"Great! As I expected. Okay, return her to the bed Naruto." Tsunade asked again and the blonde followed.
Coming over to Hinata, Tsunade now went over the physical therapy that was needed to get Hinata's leg back to optimal condition.
First, she moved the lower part of the leg below the knee up and then down very carefully.
"Are you feeling any pain?" She asked.
"Not really, just a little bit."
"Okay. This is an exercise you must do for 20 minutes every day, until I tell you to stop. Understood?"
"Hai."
"Now next, we have this." Tsunade moved to Hinata's ankles and moved them in a circle, with extreme care.
"Any pain, kid?" She asked.
Hinata shook her head. "Just a bit."
"So, we will be doing this exercise for 20 minutes daily as well. Got it?"
"Understood, Tsunade-sama."
"Alright. Do this exercise every day, walk 10 steps in this room for now. Let's do that for three days. And DO NOT USE ANY CHAKRA ON YOUR LEGS." The doctor cautioned.
"Hai." Hinata acknowledged.
"Um…can I massage her leg?" Naruto asked with a little blush.
"Huh…oh Sure, Hinata's little boyfriend." Tsunade answered with her lips curling up in a teasy smile, before turning to Shikaku.
"Saw that. Let's go then, leave them to rest. Also, Naruto. No chakra usage for you either, you also had a surgery yesterday and no heavy training or running, got it?"
"Okay, as you wish, Baa-chan." Naruto responded, reluctantly.
"Alright then, relax, we'll have your breakfast sent to the room." Shikaku stated before he and Tsunade left the kids in their privacy.
"Hina-chan!" Naruto enveloped his girlfriend in a huge hug. "You walked again. You did it! I knew you could do it! No way you were losing!" He cheered.
Hinata wrapped her arms around Naruto and hugged him back.
"All thanks to you and sensei never losing their belief in me and Tsunade-sama for treating me back to health. Thank you…" Hinata responded with tears of happiness, tears Naruto soon wiped off her cheek and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips.
"I am so happy, Hina-chan." He said with a cheery tone.
Hinata kissed him back, not chastely but with force, locking her lips with his.
"So am I *kiss* So am I *kiss* *kiss*"
For the following four days, Hinata would walk in the room and corridor. She was not allowed to descend or climb up stairs yet. Four days after her surgery, she was allowed to walk in the hotel's lawn under the observation of either Tsunade, Shizune, or Shikaku.
And meanwhile, Naruto had found a very new hobby for himself.
Every night, he would very gently and carefully massage his lovely girlfriend's injured leg, putting it on his lap. He would be duly rewarded by being pulled into her bosom later, but oh well.
One of those days, Tsunade was examining Hinata's leg again.
"Hmm…it all looks good. It has been recovering well, but you must rest your leg fully. No heavy activities, no training, apart from running and that's only after I tell you that you are fit to run, not before. And absolutely no chakra usage on this leg. Otherwise, this injury will take a very, very long to heal."
"H-Hai. But, how much time will it be before I can start training again, Tsunade-sama?" Hinata asked after Tsunade's remarks.
The Senju closed her eyes and thought about it for a moment.
"At least two months. I will allow you to run within a month, since this leg is showing a brilliant recovery so far. But chakra usage has to wait for two months, I can't help it child."
Hinata's looks became downcast somewhat. She wouldn't be able to keep up with Naruto, nor would she be able to stand before him and protect him from his enemies. She knew he was strong enough and didn't need her protection, but still protecting him was something that had been driving the Hyuuga to become stronger since a long time. To be useless in helping with his struggles was something Hinata dreaded.
"Don't worry. You are a brilliant ninja. You will catch up if you are worried about being left behind. I very much doubt Naruto will never leave you behind." Tsunade reassured patting the girl on her shoulders.
Hinata nodded.
"Anyways…I was thinking, this scar on your leg, I don't think I can do anything to remove it, it is most likely going to stay. It will fade with time and proper care but there is no way of determining how far it will go. So, how about covering it with a sexy tattoo, of say like a dragon or something, from your lower abdomen all the way down to the toes?"
Hinata's face became red thinking about it. Then she thought that she was never ever going to wear dresses that would reveal those parts of her body that Tsunade just mentioned.
"I-I don't think I need it." Hinata protested.
"Hmm…think again. You may not be showing it in public, I know that you are not the type to show what you have, even when at a beach, but still. You know, this will be very useful in things you will learn later on." Tsunade said with a suggestive smirk at the last part.
Hinata's eyes widened and her face became even redder when she heard about it, actually since she knew what the Senju princess was talking about.
She had been given the talk, by Natsu Hyuuga, one of her trusted attendants in the Hyuuga compound, apart from Ko who was her personal escort.
Even at this age, having already been given the talk, Hinata had some ideas about what her relationship with Naruto would grow into in the future.
But still.
"It's okay, I would rather keep the scar. It is a mark of my commitment to protect Naruto-kun. I would wear this scar with pride rather than cover it." She responded as she ran her thumb over the scar.
"Alright, your call Hinata. If that's what you want, then keep it like this." Tsunade said with a soft smile.
The Hyuuga girl nodded with a smile of her own before putting her pants back, with Tsunade's help and left for her own room for a little magical massage from her beloved.
A week passed like that before Team-6 began getting prepared to leave.
"We will be with you till the gates of Konoha." Baki stated to Shikaku, who gave the half veiled jonin a nod. He had mentally decided that he would have the Hokage pay the Suna team for all the help they had given them, it might just be a way to mend the worsening ties with the ninja village in the desert.
As both teams began getting ready to leave,
"Shizune, pack our stuff." The slug summoning sannin member called out.
"Are we moving right now too, Shiso?" The dark-haired woman asked. She knew their destination wasn't going to be Konoha, though she was longing to return to her hometown and for her master to engage in something more worthwhile than drowning herself in alcohol and gambling. Whenever Tsunade would say something about moving, Shizune's enthusiasm would die down. She sighed as she asked the question to her master.
Tsunade nodded.
"Yeah, I am worried about the girl. I have to personally see to it that she doesn't disobey my instructions and strain her leg." The Senju princess responded.
Shizune's eyes widened. Hinata was headed for Konoha and to observe her healing meant,
"Are we going back?!" The dark-haired woman asked with wide eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. I've been wandered around enough, now I have found people that I want to watch over, so yeah, we are going back." Tsunade stated looking sidewise, trying to hide the small smile she had for the young couple she had treated just recently.
Shikaku heard this exchange from a few feet away and smirked oh so slightly to himself.
Soon enough the entire party was on the road to Konoha.
Even if Hinata was allowed to walk a bit, Gaara's sand platform was used to carry her. Tsunade would allow the Hyuuga girl to walk at times when the terrain was plain and that too was under supervision.
Even Naruto would carry her on his back at times, which would make her face red.
It was a trek of about ten days before the group would make it to the gates of Konoha, only to see the gatekeepers Izumo and Kotetsu yawning.
Shikaku raised his eyebrows upon seeing the two gatekeepers yawning.
*Ahem* The Nara let out a suppressed cough to get their attention and the two immediately got into attention.
"Ahh Shikaku-sama. It's been so long! Welcome back!" They acknowledged before their glance shifted to the member of the legendary sannin standing a bit in the back.
"T-Tsunade-sama! Y-you're back!?" They asked blinking.
"Of course, I never said I was leaving for good." The Senju responded with a straight face.
Finally, the gate keepers noticed the group from Suna. (Hinata was on her feet at the moment)
"Umm…we don't have any prior information of any Suna shinobi arriving, it will take time to issue permits." Kotetsu stated.
"Never mind, we were only accompanying the shinobi of Konoha till the gates, we will be taking our leave from here." Baki responded.
"Wait a sec! You guys leaving already!?" Naruto asked turning to Gaara.
"Yes, we should be taking our leave here, we have to report back at Suna as well." The redhead responded.
Suddenly Temari remembered something.
"Oh, I almost forgot, I promised a battle fan that had the weasel contract attached to it… how did I forget that for so long…" The fan mistress said facepalming.
"Uh…well, too much has happened, so that was to be expected." Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.
"Anyways, a promise is a promise. Here." Temari declared and unsealed a brand-new battle fan from a scroll, which Naruto accepted, along with the scroll to keep the fan sealed in.
"Now for the contract, Baki-sensei?" The blonde girl asked again.
"Of course." The half veiled jonin responded and took out a medium sized scroll.
"Bite your thumb and press your palm here, Naruto. Your blood will be used to sign the summoning contract."
"O-Okay." Naruto replied glancing here and there and getting a nod from his jonin sensei, followed Baki's instructions.
"Done."
"Excellent. Usually, you don't summon weasels like regular summons, you put your blood on the fan and summon them to attack. Most other summon clans don't take issue with weasels sharing their summoner. The Weasels are treated similar to personal contracts in that manner." Baki explained.
"It will take time for you to train. For the time being, practice with the leaf cutting exercise and also proceed to the waterfall cutting. Your sensei will instruct you on what to do for that. Once those two exercises are done, I will send scrolls with instructions on how to use the battle fan and weasel summons." The half veiled jonin described.
"Alright! Got it! Thanks a ton, Baki-sensei." Naruto said with a thumbs up.
"Good. Keep practicing the wind-blade. It can always be improved with your improvement of chakra control, understood?" Baki asked again.
"Crystal clear!" Naruto acknowledged.
"Good, now then. All the best with your training. I look forward to see your growth, the next time we meet." Baki stated.
"I'll definitely be stronger next time." Naruto responded with a confident smirk.
Gaara then stepped forward.
"You opened my eyes. I was able to start my life anew and become a better person, because of you. You showed me the way. I promise, I will keep striving to be a better version of myself and a ninja like you, brother." Gaara said in his heavy and serious tone.
"Enough with that emotional stuff, Gaara. How about a friendly spar next time around, eh?" Naruto offered smiling.
"Of course, I would very much like to test my strength against you, I will look forward to it. Thank you very much for the offer."
With that the two jinchuuriki shook hands with this new promise. Gaara then turned to Hinata.
"Hyuuga-san, I again apologize for the pain I caused you. Just like Naruto, your ninja way taught me what one should really fight for. Thank you." The redhead stated with a bow.
"As I said earlier, I never held anything personally against you, neither do I now. It was a pleasure knowing all of you." Hinata said humbly with a slight bow.
Temari walked up to the girl and hugged her.
"Hinata-chan, I didn't have any real female friends back in Suna, I have one now. Please write letters, okay? And of course, happy couple and married life in advance, hehe." The blonde girl said with a teasy smile, making Hinata red faced again.
"I-I promise I will write regularly. And t-thank you for the wishes." The Hyuuga girl responded.
Finally, Baki stepped forward and gave a bow to Shikaku.
"It was a pleasure working with you, Nara-sama. I look forward to more joint missions in the future."
"The pleasure was mine; I look forward to working together again as well. Hopefully with less tragedy beforehand" Shikaku stated returning the bow with his own.
"Thank you. Now then, please allow us." Baki and the rest of the Suna team gave a bow again before turning to leave.
"What now sensei? Do we head home or report to Jiji?" Naruto asked. They were all exhausted and wanted to hit their beds in the earnest.
"We have to file our report. With everything that's happened, we have to do that first, really troublesome." Shikaku said with a sigh. Naruto sighed as well.
"Alright…damned protocols."
And with that Team-6 along with Tsunade and Shizune headed for the Hokage tower.
*At the Hokage tower*
For a few minutes, Hiruzen just kept staring at those standing before him, wondering what he should say first. Tsunade had returned after years, she needed to be given a few words of welcome along with some reprimand for having been so careless.
Then there was team-6. He needed a detailed report from Shikaku about what had happened.
He had to take a smoke from his pipe before he could speak up.
"It feels good to have you back, Tsunade." The old Hokage stated with a smile.
"Yeah, can't say I feel bad about coming back here." The Senju princess responded.
"I hope you will not be leaving any time soon." Said Hiruzen and Tsunade shook her head.
"I don't think so. I will be here for a while at least." Tsunade replied in a somewhat embarrassed tone.
"That's good to hear. In that case, the hospital is waiting for you." Hiruzen responded.
"I know. Also, sensei. How is that perverted dumbass doing?" Tsunade asked again.
"Wandering and gathering intel, as usual and his other activities…nothing new." Hiruzen answered. Tsunade rolled her eyes as a sideways glance of hers fell on an orange book, the Hokage most probably was trying to hide behind a stack of documents.
"Fine." Tsunade stated. "Alright, I will be taking leave now. Geez, I haven't been here in so long. My home probably needs some serious cleanup."
"Good to have you back, Tsunade."
And with that Tsunade, Shizune, and Tonton excused themselves.
"Shikaku. So, what happened?" Hiruzen asked turning to his head jonin, who handed him a file.
"Too much and it will take a long time talking about it all, so I put all the details in my report." The Nara replied.
"However, Hinata is required to not use chakra in her legs, therefore she needs to have at least two months off, so I request that Team-6 be allowed to go off duty for the same time period."
"I can understand. Granted." Hiruzen responded.
"Also…I feel that I have not been a good enough instructor to the kids, I wish to resign as Team-6's jonin commander and for someone worthier to be appointed to the post. This team has a lot of potential, but I feel that I am not suited to bring out the best of them, rather they are suffering under my tutelage." Shikaku stated in a sober tone.
"NO WAY!!!!!" Naruto screamed.
"I-I also protest this!" Hinata protested as well.
"What the hell are you even talking about, lazy sensei. If its too troublesome for you and doesn't allow you to laze off, that's another thing, but who said that you had not been a good teacher!?" Naruto shouted out.
"You almost died by that exploding beetle and Hinata was on the door of being a disabled person for her life, just because I was not there and I couldn't intervene in time. I couldn't keep you safe." Shikaku responded, guilt evident in his tone.
"It was because you figured our affinities out that we were able to fight Gaara and come out alive. And my injury was my own choice and I will gladly sacrifice not just my leg but anything for my Naruto. I am the one responsible for my injuries, not you, not anyone else." Hinata shot back in a very confident and determined voice, very uncharacteristic of her.
"And it was your call to get Hime treated by Baa-chan, I have no doubt that if there was someone other than you there, they would have called for the amputation!" Naruto shot back. "As for that exploding beetle incident, if you had not trained me in practicing my wind affinity, I would have never been able to use wind blade and defend myself and Hime from the Nokizaru bastards and that Kumo ninja, I would have been dead and I don't even want to think what they could have done to Hime after that. This mission was far beyond our capabilities but we came out on top because you…YES YOU, trained us more than we were supposed to know." Naruto called out. "If you wanna resign, we also refuse to join any other team! We'll offer our resignations as well!" The blonde said in a determined tone.
"It is in this team that I became someone I can be proud of and be myself. So, me and Naruto-kun will resign if you resign sensei!" Hinata added as well.
"Ma Ma." Hiruzen raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Naruto-kun, Hinata-chan. This old man still has some life left in him and the ability to make decisions. I was the one who decided that Shikaku would lead Team-6, whether he is still adequate or not to continue is something up to me to decide as the Hokage. From what I have learnt so far about this C-rank, which I am upgrading to not one but two A-rank missions instead, the team survived and fulfilled tasks far beyond its capability. I have seen a lot in this shinobi world. Injuries and deaths are so common that at this age, it only saddens you, not shock. And since the team performed wonderfully and successfully carried itself in the face of unprecedented and unexpected dangers, the team is worthy of commendation, which you are going to receive. As for you Shikaku, just as your students stated, you deserve credit for them surviving this mission in the first place and I agree with their opinion. I don't want to lose to courageous young shinobi with so much potential. Also, I have authority to either accept or reject your resignation, and hence I must state that your resignation is hereby rejected and as Hokage, I order you to continue being the Jonin instructor of Team-6 and keep bringing out the best of their potential." Hiruzen said in a serious tone and had to take a smoke after this long speech.
"Way to go Jiji! And no running away from us, Lazy sensei!" Naruto said pointing his finger at Shikaku with a grin. "And yeah, talk about resigning again and me and Hime will prank you even harder than we did last time. That's a promise." Naruto warned with Hinata nodding in agreement.
Shikaku sighed in defeat. "Troublesome. I don't think I have any way out of this mess anymore."
"Of course, you don't." Naruto, Hinata and Hiruzen all stated simultaneously.
"Troublesome students." The Nara shook his head. "Fine. I will continue."
"Hell yeah!" Naruto said raising his fist in celebration. Hinata gave a smile as well.
"Now that that's out of the way. Yes, Team-6 will be given two months off duty. However, I would like for you to instruct them in theoretical and diplomatic matters, and other skills and matters like strategizing etc, make a better use of the time." Hiruzen advised.
"Of course, Hokage-sama." Shikaku acknowledged.
"Alright, dismissed."
And Team-6 was excused with that.
"How about we meet day after tomorrow? Have the day to rest." Shikaku suggested once the team was outside the Hokage tower.
"Sure deal, sensei. See ya then." Naruto said with a grin and flashing a thumbs up.
"Alright, have a good rest then, kids." Shikaku bade farewell and vanished in a shunshin.
Naruto walked Hinata to almost the gates of the Hyuuga compound.
"Ne, Hina-chan, your scary dad won't be opposed to…y'know?" He asked fidgeting.
"I will not let anyone separate us, Naru-kun. I will be with you forever." Hinata said with a reassuring smile.
"I know that. But still, I just hope that the pricks in your clan won't make your life troublesome because of me." The blonde said rubbing the back of his head.
"I can take up any challenge for your sake, don't worry." Hinata reassured again placing her palm on Naruto's whiskered cheeks.
"Yeah…still, I can't help worry, y'know."
"I know. Everything will be okay. I will make sure of it, don't worry." Hinata said smiling.
"Alright then, how about lunch at Ichiraku's tomorrow? I would have wanted to go right now, but I want to sleep and you should lie down and not walk much as well."
"Sure, my love. I am looking forward to it." Hinata said affectionately, before moving to plant a chaste kiss on Naruto's lips.
The blonde returned a chaste kiss of his own on Hinata's lips as well.
"See ya tomorrow then, Hime." He said waving his hand before turning to leave.
Hinata walked back to the Hyuuga compound, for the first time ever in years with confidence in herself.
EN: Oh my god, this chapter took forever to edit and the chapter itself wasn't even that bad, just my goldfish attention span kept rearing its head at the worst times! Back to work on other stuff. (as he hums along to Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow OST: "Into the Dark Night")
A/N: And done! Well guess what we managed to bring Tsunade back a year earlier too. Looks like a lot of things are happening one year early here. I wonder what else could happen earlier as well. Well who knows? Hehe.
And once again, a sincere thanks to all of you for your continued love and support for this humble fic. And with that, we sign off for today.
See you all in the next chapter.
Cheers and peace.
