Upload Date: 11/07/2022

Disclaimer: Obligatory statement that these characters are not and will not be mine.

Chapter 9 – Aftermath

Hinata ran inside without sparing a glance at Naruto's shocked face and instead almost dragged the poor nurse inside, the candle flickering as it illuminated their pathway.

The taste of alcohol had worn off, the hours long ago now and her mind was all too clear as she pulled back the privacy curtain to Neji's bed, finding him barely awake.

His eyes instantly widened the moment they caught sight of her. "Hinata…is that you?"

A breathless sob tore through her throat as she embraced him fully, his arms weak against her as he tried to hold her back.

"Brother! I was so worried about you." She cried, struggling to keep her tears from falling as the rest of the patients were still sleeping.

Neji could barely force a weak chuckle as tears prickled his eyes as well. "I cursed myself for letting you be captured. I almost welcomed death. If it was not for the fact that this woman let me know that you had escaped and were here with me, I would have never forgiven myself."

"Hush," Hinata spoke, smoothing over his long hair as she patted him anxiously, "You need not say such things. We are both alive. We both survived this, brother."

His eyes were tired, unfocused, and she forced herself to speak despite the growing lump in her throat.

"You're alive." She repeated with a whisper and embraced him again as the tears fell freely down her face.

He was exhausted she could tell; his muscles were weaker and every tiny movement seemed to strain him, but still he was here with her. Her last family member in Kiri was awake.

"Tell me everything." He demanded, pushing her hair back behind her ears as he looked tiredly at her.

"Brother, you must rest."

"Nonsense," he waved his hand aside as if physically pushing away her worries, "tell me everything. I wish to know it all."

She hesitated for a long moment, but Neji was casting such a distressed look at her and there was truly no other way to comfort him other than telling him everything.

And so Hinata told him of the details she wished she could forget. How the Kiri pirates had starved them and stolen their chakra to keep them from regaining their strength. How they had heckled them with cruel words and threats to keep them in line.

She omitted the fact that their capture had lasted two weeks instead of the four everyone else was led to believe. It was only because Sakura and Hinata had engrained the dates vividly into their mind and had recited them repeatedly to the Kiri ninjas and to all who had asked that Hinata could even remember the correct time frame.

Neji listened, interrupting often as he cursed the Kiri pirates, occasionally asked questions about her health, and often asked if she was sure they had not done anything to her or Sakura.

Hinata repeated that they were fine and Neji sighed as a moment of silence passed between them.

"How did you escape?"

"Sakura and I," Hinata paused. "We captured a man on the ship and incapacitated him. We dressed like men and escaped on a small raft."

Neji's mouth opened as he gaped at her. "You both did what?"

"Oh brother you know how strong Sakura is-"

"I don't have any doubts about her strength, but how on earth did you make it off of the ship without being attacked?"

"Well, I had to use my Byakugan part of the way, but we did have to fend off a couple of attackers…" Hinata confessed, wincing as she prepared herself for Neji's scolding.

Instead, she looked back up to see a shocked expression on his face that morphed into something almost wistful.

"You used your Byakugan?"

"Yes."

"How are your eyes?"

"They were a little strained at first, but now it is not uncomfortable."

He tilted his head. "You've continued to use it since?"

Hinata bit her lip. "Yes, a couple of times."

Neji was perhaps the best person to confess this to, other than her sister. He understood the need for a woman's strength. Tenten herself was a weapons mistress in charge of handling much of the village's weapon supply. He did not balk at a strong woman.

His own opinion and the opinion of the Hyuuga however, were quite different and Hinata wondered what he would say.

"I'm proud of you, Hinata."

It was her turn to be shocked as he reached out his hand to hold hers. He had a warm smile on his face.

"You did what you had to do to survive. There is nothing more befitting of our clan than your actions."

Her father had never given her such praise and though Neji was not the branch leader yet, he was easily the strongest ninja from their family. His words meant more to her than anything and the shame and guilt that she had felt from using her Byakugan in that man's death was lessened slightly by his kind words.

She had done what she had to survive. She had done what she had to live. She had done what she had to keep fighting.

It was the first time she had felt like she even belonged to her clan...

Naruto tossed a small stone onto the dirt road in front of him as he sat on the stairs in front of the hospital, the night slowly crawling into dawn.

He had been there for what seemed like hours, wanting to give Hinata and Neji their space to speak comfortably and yet he was unable to leave due to wanting to ensure her safety before doing so.

His mind was still reeling from his actions earlier in the night, the alcohol long since worn off.

Truly, what had he been thinking? The original purpose of their excursion was to provide his friend with a distraction, not to take advantage of her. He was sickened by his actions, holding her in such an intimate way. It was a wonder she had not been repulsed by it herself.

And still he could not bear to forget the way she had smiled at him and leaned into his embrace, fully trusting him, despite his less sane thoughts.

He had thought occasionally about Sakura in that way when they were younger, when he had convinced himself that he was in love with her, but those feelings had gone away for his former teammate realizing that she would never fall in love with another man who was not Sasuke Uchiha.

Since then, he had not bothered to seek anything other than seldom sexual solace from a handful of women in all the years he had been away.

It had been momentary weakness, he reasoned to himself, pressing his fist against his knee. He had been under a dry spell for far too long and Hinata was beautiful and kind. He must have confused himself. That was the only explanation for the way he had grabbed her and looked at her earlier.

A sudden noise behind him caused him to jolt up and stand, startling the poor nurse who had come to search for him.

"Mr. Uzumaki?"

"Yes? Is everything alright?"

"Oh Lord Neji is awake and well, but both he and Lady Hinata wish to speak to you."

Naruto clenched his jaw and he gestured for the nurse to move. "Lead the way ma'am."

She led him by candlelight into the main hospital wing and they walked past others that were still asleep until they arrived at the familiar bed. The nurse pulled back the curtain and Naruto saw Neji, his eyes unfocused as he squinted at the newcomer.

"Naruto, is that you?"

The nurse left them and Naruto nodded. "It's good to see you finally awake."

Neji groaned as he struggled to sit up despite Hinata's protests, but he was unrelenting as he propped himself with a shabby pillow, holding his side, a thin layer of sweat beginning to cover his forehead as he stared at Naruto.

"It has been a long time."

"Indeed, it has. Imagine my surprise when I discovered you were in the hospital."

Neji frowned, causing Naruto to give a short chuckle. "A bit rich from you. You were in the hospital quite a bit in your youth."

"Not so much anymore." Naruto spoke, a twinkle in his eye. "I knew you would awaken. You are far too stubborn to die so easily."

Neji shook his head, almost as if clearing his mind, and his pale eyes focused again on Naruto.

"Lady Hinata tells me that you have taken it upon yourself to look after her while I've been ill."

"It was the least I could do for her."

"A large act of kindness for a stranger, would you not agree?" Neji asked, lowering his eyes slightly as he looked upon Naruto's clothes before turning to look at Hinata, still dressed in her dress from earlier.

Neji found it suspicious than a single man like himself had cared for his cousin, Naruto mused.

"To be frank Sakura was the one I was originally looking out for." Naruto admitted, missing the way in which Hinata had tightened her grip against Neji's hands in feign comfort. "She requested my presence with her and Hinata while I was doing business here. I saw it as a favor for two old friends."

"Lady Hinata."

"What?"

"You called her 'Hinata.' You may be used to calling your former teammate by her given name, but my cousin is a Lady and you must address her as such."

Naruto raised his eyebrows. "Must you be so uptight even in your condition?"

Despite himself, Neji's mouth twisted up. "It is called manners. Not that you would know much about them."

"You've always known that."

Both men contemplated each other before Neji gave him a weak smile, which Naruto reciprocated.

He then bowed his head, causing both Naruto and Hinata to freeze.

"Thank you for looking after her. Once we return to our family we will assure that you are well compensated-"

"Don't bother," Naruto interrupted, crossing his hands over his chest. The show of respect that someone like Neji gave him made him uncomfortable. "You offend me. As I said, I did this as a favor for two friends of Konoha."

"From what Hinata has told me, you were quite the support during these times…" Neji swallowed hard as he held on to Hinata's hand fondly and gave her a gentle smile. "I could not begin to thank you enough for everything that you have done for her."

Naruto could see it then, the unsurmountable amount of love and care that Neji held for his family and a wave of sadness overcame him then.

He had no desire for a family now, but sometimes he could not help but wonder.

"Neji," Naruto spoke, clearing his throat, "Do not burden yourself with thanking me. Now that you are awake focus on getting your strength back to return to Konoha." He paused as he glanced towards Hinata, his blue eyes meeting her lavender ones for an instant. "Focus on getting your family back home to safety."

Neji nodded and closed his eyes as he winced in pain and gripped his side again.

Naruto stood up then and nodded at them both. "If all is well here, I really must get going. My business in Kiri has concluded."

Neji grunted; his eyes half-closed as he murmured a goodbye before succumbing completely to sleep.

Naruto turned and left them, walking briskly back to the exit, wanting to leave the Hyuugas as quickly as possible.

Just as he reached the outside, the dawn beginning to spread over the horizon he heard a soft voice calling out behind him.

"Wait!"

He paused, debating on continuing before he sighed and turned to face her again.

"Please wait, Naruto." She asked again, her breathing uneven as she clutched her dress to lower herself down the stairs before standing in front of him.

He almost couldn't bring himself to look at her in the eyes, the shame still present in his face.

"Hinata…" His voice was dry and he straightened himself to look at her directly as she held one hand to her chest.

"Hinata, I am sorry for what happened last night. My actions were wrong and I apologize for any discomfort or offense I may have caused-"

"You-you think I'm offended?"

He paused. "Are you not?"

"No! I appreciated you keeping me company. To be honest, I thought you were quite ready to leave and the sudden way you left just now proved my point…" Hinata trailed off as she bit her lip and looked up at him.

"Oh, it isn't that." Naruto quickly responded, his face heating with embarrassment. "I…assumed that you would rather be with your family now."

In an uncharacteristic show of bravery that Hinata would never have attempted previously she reached out and took his hand.

"Your presence is not a burden on me or on Neji, but I understand you must leave us eventually. I thank you for the comfort and friendship you have shown me this last month. My sanity would not have survived without you." Hinata confessed, her cheeks dusting pink, but maintained her gaze on him.

"Your presence was a refreshing change of pace as well." He admitted, taking his other hand to clasp it around hers. "I have to say I enjoyed spending time with you Hinata. I hope you maintain the strength that I saw during our time together."

They were parting words, this time seeming far more permanent than the words he had uttered when he had let Sakura and her go into Kiri. Unease spread through him, realizing that she would likely not leave Konoha again and as he was reluctant to step foot back into his homeland, it may very well be the last time they saw each other.

For a moment, Naruto struggled with himself until he blurted out a question that had not crossed his mind until that instant.

"Hinata?"

"Yes?"

"May I…May I write to you?"

Hinata's cheeks flamed then and she gave him a wide smile, her heart thumping loudly in her chest.

"O-Of course. We are friends after all."

Naruto flashed her a wide foxy smile that highlighted the whisker marks on his cheeks. "We are indeed."

He let her hand go and gave her a low bow, the first sign of respect he had shown for her family title before winking at her and turning to head towards his ship.

And Hinata's own face was brimming with joy and smiling as she looked upon his retreating back.

Perhaps this was not a permanent goodbye after all.

"Is that all you'd like to say?"

Sakura's face was steady as she looked at Lady Tsunade without blinking. "Yes, milady."

Tsunade sighed, her eyes narrowing at seeing Sakura's face. There was something different. Something she was hiding? But perhaps it was better than she did not know. She trusted Sakura's judgement after all.

She could see the dark circles waning under Sakura's eyes, the heaviness in her body despite her thin frame.

Her gaze softened and she stood up and placed her hands on Sakura's shoulders, almost meeting her eyes directly.

"I was worried." She admitted quietly, her fingers tightening on Sakura's shoulders just a bit, eyes growing misty, "When I heard what had happened, I worried about you both."

Sakura gave her mentor a small smile. "We are from Konoha, milady. We would not have kept fighting if not for our upbringing as kunoichi."

Tsunade gave her a smile and blinked away the threat of tears. "So we are, but this does not mean we are immune to everything. If you want to talk to someone I am always here if you need me."

She wrapped her arms gently around Sakura, almost as if afraid she would break her and Sakura melted into her, the comfort almost immediate.

Her parents were spoiling her with anything she wanted, but they were not shinobi. They could not fathom the pain of losing chakra day by day or being hurt like that. Memories like that stayed with her. That pain stayed with her.

"Truly Sakura. Speak to someone if you must. If not me then Shizune or-"

"Thank you, milady." Sakura interrupted, wiping her eyes as she broke apart from her, her smile more sincere now, "But I do not think I will be here too much longer. As soon as I am ready for it, I shall depart again."

"Sakura, let your mind heal first before going out and healing others."

"It is not that. I just…" Sakura trailed off, her face heating as she recalled what had pushed her out of the village in the first place.

Embarrassment.

Rejection.

Hurt.

She swore to herself that she would never again be mistreated in that way, but she would not allow herself to stay here in Konoha, where he was and risk another encounter. It would be much too painful.

"There are many people who need my care." Sakura finally spoke.

"That may be a feasible excuse for others, but not for me." Lady Fifth spoke, her voice growing stern as she glared down at Sakura with the fierceness of a mother. "I want you to focus on yourself for a bit. If you could find time, you could also be helping me with some duties at the hospital. It has grown quite large and Shizune's team could use your effort."

No, was Sakura's immediate thought. She did not want to stay.

As if seeing right through Sakura's turmoil, Tsunade added. "Running away never solved anyone's problem, Sakura. I taught you strength, did I not?"

It was shameful, the way that she had run away, Sakura supposed. She had been so blinded by hurt that she had gone quickly not even giving Sasuke the satisfaction of seeing her thrive without him.

It took every fiber of her being to not refuse Lady Fifth's offer outright and instead heaved a sigh of resignation as she poised her green eyes to her sensei, a sparkle in them that Tsunade had not seen in quite some time.

"It shall only be temporary, milady."

Tsunade smiled, her eyes softening again.

That would not do. Lady Tsunade had missed her student far too much to allow her to run away at the next opportunity. She had to make Konoha as enticing as she could to convince her to stay.

That would be her goal.

Neji recovered quickly, now that he was adequately able to receive adequate nutrition and it only took a couple of days for the Kiri doctors to clear him for travel.

The Kiri ship that was lent to them for traveling was small, but it adequately fit the Hyuuga family nicely. As a precaution, several Kiri ninjas were sent along as well who escorted them until they arrived at the Land of Fire's borders.

Several carriages had been arranged and once they were close enough Hoheto sent on his summoning bird to inform Konoha of their impending arrival.

Neji was almost fully healed, but his leg gave him trouble and he limped slightly so he used a walking stick for support whenever they took breaks. Hinata could see that it pained him as he often grimaced while putting weight on it.

As a true Hyuuga however, he did not complain.

Their trip to Konoha was concluded at nighttime, the wind blowing gently under the waning moon. The village guards were startled, but welcoming, as they ushered them through the gates as quickly as they could, anxious to let their Hokage know of the Hyuugas safe arrival.

Natsu answered the door and almost collapsed when she saw Hinata, thin and weary at their doorstep. She wasted no time in shouting into the hallway and within a couple of seconds almost every Hyuuga in the home was rushing to see them.

"Sister!" Hanabi's voice carried higher and louder above the servants and branch family members that were huddled around her.

"Hanabi!"

Their family broke apart just slightly so that the sisters could embrace, Hanabi almost tumbling her elder sister to the ground, both weeping as they finally were in each other's presence, two months after Hinata had departed.

Hanabi held her sister tightly and refused to let go, hot tears running down her younger sister's face while the crowd of others sprouted off too many questions for Hinata to answer them all completely.

The main and branch members were equally hovering over Neji, worrying for his safety so much so that he had to stress that he was feeling well and was doing much better. It was meant to be reassuring, but Hinata could tell that most members were worried.

Meanwhile Hiashi stood at the back of their room, unblinking until he told the family to leave. While most of the family obeyed and Hanabi fought a little harder, she eventually had to obey.

The branch members helped Neji to his quarters and Hoheto and the rest of her cousins were equally led away, questions still flurrying around them from other family members.

Now it was just Hinata and her father standing in front of one another. He had not said a word since she had arrived and now that it was just him and her left alone, she could see his expression, his features, his hands…

His hands were shaking.

"Father I-"

She did not have a chance to finish as he immediately embraced her, his previous cold demeanor fading completely.

Her father's voice was low, but she was still able to hear him as he whispered against her ear. "My stubborn child you've returned to your home."

He was embracing her tightly and she almost felt the air in her lungs dissipate by how tightly he grabbed her.

Eventually he let her go, his normally harsh eyes softening as they saw her spilt tears.

"This was tremendously difficult for the family, Hinata." Hiashi began, his voice hoarse as he held back his emotion. "But we are so glad you have returned to your rightful place."

"I missed you very much." She admitted, wiping her eyes. "I missed you and Hanabi so much while I was away."

Hiashi's eyes turned stern again and he heaved a big sigh as he embraced his daughter again, this time much more softly as she sniffled gently against him.

"You did not return when you needed to."

"I could not leave Neji alone in that country, Father-"

"I understand that now," he interrupted, nodding, "When Ms. Haruno first delivered your letter, I was furious that you would do such a thing with no regard for the main family. But now I realize that you were not being selfish, you were worried about his safety in a foreign land…"

His patted her head as he sighed. "I can't allow that to happen again."

"Father, I assure you I can be more careful-"

"No, Hinata." Hiashi spoke, his voice breaking for an instant. "I cannot allow this to happen ever again."

Hinata broke apart from her father's embrace and her eyes were wide. "What do you mean, Father?"

"You were alone and unprotected. Me, your own father, could not even go to you in Kiri because Hanabi was here on her own and your uncle and other guards were away on a different endeavor. I must not allow that to happen again."

Hinata's voice was quiet now. "Father, I was not-not alone in Kiri."

Immediately Hiashi's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

Hinata grappled with her words, biting her lip as she met her father's harsh eyes once more. "Mr. Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura's former teammate was there doing business and Sakura met him there. He kept watch over me at the hospital…"

A little lie that she hated telling her father, but she could not very well let him know that Sakura had left before Naruto had gone to be by her side. After all, Naruto had told the same lie to Neji, just mere days earlier.

"You say that as if that is appropriate, Hinata." Hiashi drawled, his eyes focused and unpleased as he looked down at his daughter.

"Mr. Uzumaki was nothing but respectful the entire time towards Sakura and I-"

"I have no doubt about that," Hiashi intervened and Hinata looked back at him with a bewildered expression. "The Uzumaki lad is well regarded by Lady Fifth. I trust her judgement well enough."

Interesting. She was not aware that he held a neutral opinion of Naruto. Most of the village did not appreciate him at all for reasons she was unsure of. She had assumed her father would hold the same regard for him as the majority of the village.

He paused for an instant. "You are fortunate that Ms. Haruno was with you and that he was agreeable to caring for you and our kinsmen."

Hinata slowly nodded, silently agreeing.

"Still, you should not have been alone in Kiri."

"Father, I have told you…Mr. Uzumaki-"

"Mr. Uzumaki's kindness is wonderful indeed, but he is not family and he had no such obligation to look after you. In fact, it seems that he looked after you and Ms. Haruno more as a favor to her because she was his former teammate."

The words stung and somewhere deep inside her heart Hinata knew they were right. Naruto loved Sakura with all his heart so there was definitely a part of him that looked after her as an obligation to Sakura herself.

Maybe it was a small part, or perhaps it was a substantial part, but she had not cared to get her feelings hurt enough to ask him directly.

"I cannot allow something like this to happen again. As a lady you need someone to watch over you and protect you when I am unable to do so. I do not plan to keep you trapped in the Hyuuga manor forever, which is why I have begun to take measures already."

Measures?

Hinata went cold at her father's words and despite the warm weather her skin had goosebumps crawling on her flesh as she stared questioningly at her father.

"What measures do you mean, Father?"

"I have decided to start accepting suitors for your hand in marriage."

Author's Note: A startling development for our dear Hinata. But of course, a father knows best, doesn't he? 😉

As always, many thanks for the support you've all shown for this story. I can't tell you how warm that makes my heart and I truly appreciate your thoughts. Please continue to review, fave, and follow!