AN/ hi all, thank you for your reviews so far and for reading this story, I'm really enjoying writing it. I changed the title because I didn't like it much to begin with, and I think the new title reflects the feeling of the story a bit better. It's also a lot more inspired by the original book: Persuasion by Jane Austen who I have blatantly stolen the plot line from. I've noticed a lot more trolling that I used to get when I wrote for this site in 2004 and 2011. It saddens me somewhat that some readers feel able to be their worst selves, but at the same time, I hope my writing is giving them something to think about! Anyway, on with the show:

Chapter 9

In a daze, the group agreed that continuing on their walk did not appeal to any of them after such a traumatic experience. Hence, as one they turned back in the direction of the onsen, but no sooner had they agreed to the consensus than Lee and his wife offered them all some refreshments and a chance to process the incident at their home. Only a few took up the offer, the end result being only three: Hinata, Kiba and Sasuke. While waiting for news on Sakura's condition the remaining party had returned to the onsen and informed Ino and Shikamaru, who had decided to stay behind that morning. However, upon hearing the frightening tale they made a mad dash to Lee's home, where Ino demanded answers and Shikamaru waited to be told them.

Eventually Shikamaru made the valid point that someone should inform their boss, Kakashi was quickly called and notified of the incident by Kiba, who proceeded to join them at Lee's home. While waiting for his and Naruto's arrival, there was nothing to do except drink endless cups of tea. The event of the morning weighed heavily on each mind that it left no space for any other thought or conversation. All focus was on the health of Sakura and whether she would survive. Hinata however, had an added layer of reflection in her consideration of what Naruto would be thinking and feeling, she was sure he blamed himself, but she knew that nothing could have been done, there had been no time or willingness on Sakura's behalf to be persuaded against her actions. Hinata frowned slightly, she didn't want to blame Sakura either, no one deserved what had happened to her, but she could think of no other causal factor than impatience.

After two hours the cups of tea took vengeance on Hinata's bladder and while she relieved herself at an upstairs bathroom, Kakashi had arrived with an air of professional concern tempered by deep worry. Almost immediately Naruto had followed much to the agitated relief of the party. He himself was highly agitated, anxious and restless. The trauma of the morning having exacerbated his natural extroversion resulted in his pacing about the room, and speaking all his thoughts with little regulation.

Hinata only knew of his presence when she heard Naruto's voice permeate the space of the staircase from the reception room.

"… the doctors said she will be okay but she won't be able to travel for a while. So we need to find some accommodation for her."

"Then we insist that she stay with us." Said Lisa in her assertive, kind manner. Lee concurred.

"You're both amazing, that would be the perfect thing for her."

"Will you stay with her?"

"He will be needed back at the office tomorrow" interjected Kakashi,

Hinata almost couldn't believe it was Naruto that said the next words, "Then let Hyuga-san stay to help nurse her, there can't be anyone more capable, more perfect than she."

Hinata flushed bright red, her eyes widening to the size of saucers, and at that point she had reached the final step of the staircase where there was no escape from the inevitability of a meeting with him. Indeed Naruto had spotted her as he heard someone approach from behind. His hair was ruffled from being run through with his fingers too many times, he looked incredibly agitated, but at that moment Hinata couldn't tear her gaze away from his striking blue eyes that, possibly for the first time, were wholly focused and unabashedly centered on her, as though there was no one else in the room.

He took several steps towards her until he was standing directly in front of her and in full view of everyone in the room began in a voice full of emotion, "You're amazing Hinata." If possible, her face blushed an even deeper crimson, her eyes widening more in astonishment. It had been ten years since he said her name. "I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there. We were all safe because of you." She was grateful the rest of the room could only hear his words and not see his face because he gazed upon her with an unmistakable fierceness that she couldn't define. But it felt too strong, like looking at the sun, that she couldn't take it all and averted her eyes to the floor.

She saw Naruto's feet take another step towards her, then she heard him sharply intake a breath as if he were about to say more, when Kiba quickly asked "when is Sakura getting released from the Hospital?"

His question seemed to rouse Naruto from his actions, he coloured slightly as he realized how close he had gotten to Hinata and took several steps back, heading the back of his neck. Hinata understood her friend's interruption well, Kiba was reminding Naruto who his girlfriend was, and it in turn reminded Hinata too. "Uhh… er, the Doctors said she should be able to come out this evening but that she needs lots of rest. She regained consciousness just before I left, she's sleeping now."

"Did they make a diagnosis?" Asked Shikamaru.

"Apparently she hit her head pretty bad but she's okay, said she'll probably have a concussion."

"What about her shoulder?" asked Sasuke,

"It dislocated while I was holding onto her," he frowned guiltily, but then carried on in a lighter tone, "They popped it right back while she was out of it." He shuddered slightly as though remembering the scene.

"Will the doctor's call you when she's ready to come back?" Asked Ino, worry but also relief in her eyes,

"Yeah, they said they would let me know by 6pm"

"And will you stay to nurse her Hinata-san?" Asked Sasuke directly.

Hinata deliberated for a moment, "If Kakashi-san will allow it, I would love to be of use."

But Ino was unhappy, "well I'm her best friend, and I'm just as capable as anyone else is. Sakura would feel best with me looking after her."

It took all of Hinata's strength not to roll her eyes, luckily she was saved from a need to respond by Kakashi, "Hinata will also be needed in the office, but we can make arrangements for her to come later.

Ino was having none of it, and persisted with her arguments until her boss succumbed and granted her leave to stay with Sakura until her care needs declined to an acceptable level that permitted the patient's independence. Hinata never before felt so irritated with her colleague for what she perceived to be petty jealousy. But nothing could be done, all the plans were set. Sakura would stay with the Rocks, and Ino would care for her. The rest were to return to Konoha as planned.

As Hinata packed her bags that night before returning to sleep, the astonishment of Naruto's address towards her still lingered, she played it back in her mind with contained but guilty pleasure. She did not know what to think of it, or what inferences to make from his very strange behavior, only that he was acting his most organic self due to the pressure of emotion from the day taxing his inhibitions. She had always loved his authenticity.

Perhaps he still felt something for her? But she shook her head emphatically. It was only yesterday that she had caught him and Sakura kissing, and he certainly felt guilty for her injuries. Hinata could make no other conclusion than to put his behavior down to kindness, because he was and always has been a kind man.

The train journey back to Konoha was a starkly different affair to the journey coming to the onsen. Having to leave one of their colleagues behind had put a damper on the team, which did not allow for clear joviality. Hinata sat with Kiba mostly, surprisingly Naruto sat in front of them after shifting his eyes between the two friends as though assessing. He eventually sat in front of them and was staring out the window for several long minutes, watching the fields pass, looking like he was contemplating something very deeply. Kiba however was gazing upon Naruto critically, but Naruto took no notice when he suddenly leaned towards Hinata and asked:

"Hyuga-san, Sakura's family need to know about what happened. I'm thinking of visiting them in person to inform them, do you think it a good idea?"

Hinata flushed healthily at first being addressed by him, and then having her opinion so clearly valued by him. Stopping herself from smiling, she replied back quietly

"I think that would be a good and compassionate thing to do, but I would call them first to warn them that you need to speak with them, it will reduce the shock for them."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, thank you." And he leaned back in his chair, gave her one appraising look and then returned to staring out the window again, a troubled frown on his face, probably from reflecting on the next task that needed to be done. Hinata reflected upon it too, she hadn't heard Sakura mention family much, and wondered if she had spoken to Naruto about them. She could feel Kiba bristle slightly beside her, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, he was glaring slightly at Naruto. She understood that look well, he was trying to protect her from being led on by a man that was meant to already be attached to another. His actions at Lee's house had put Kiba on high alert, from his perspective, Naruto had already given up on Hinata, he didn't want her to be confused or conflicted.

Hinata sighed quietly to herself, she knew there was no point in deliberating about the situation now. What was done was done. Naruto had moved on with Sakura and that was that. Hinata would have to try and move on herself, and the first action she would take to achieve that would be to give in her notice and find another place to work. There was very little from the past few days that she felt certain about, but what she could confidently believe was that Naruto's ideas of confidence and determination were definitely challenged by the events of the previous day, she hoped that he may now be more appreciative of a mind that could be persuaded.