Naruto and Sasuke made it down to the main battlefield. Some people were still crawling out of their cocoon-like shells, but most had freed themselves and began awaiting further orders.
Thankfully, there seemed to be nobody that was seriously hurt. People who managed to survive the onslaught of war were left with a few cuts and bruises. It seemed as if the Infinite Tsukuyomi healed all of its captives in order to keep them under its illusion.
Once the five Kage had assembled and decided on what to do next, Gaara made the announcement. The Shinobi Alliance was instructed to set up camps, tents, whatever they could use as a place to rest. They would have all of tomorrow to rest and recover. The following day, all Shinobi would travel back to their respective villages so that casualties could be accounted for, although it was likely that some would be sent on missions in the near future to help rebuild the Leaf.
Naruto and Sasuke quickly took refuge in one of the first tents to be put up. They both passed out almost as soon as their heads hit the pillow.
Naruto managed to have a dream, even in his state of exhaustion. At first, he couldn't make sense of it as his mind cycled through random memories both recent and long ago. He saw himself traveling with Jiraiya, he saw himself as a toddler living alone, he saw his first successful Rasengan. Even random things like Kakashi's insanely fast hand signs. Everything was flooding his dream.
And then he saw Hinata give him the medical ointment during the Chunin exams. Only this time it was different. Instead of a blushing, preteen Hinata, it was her current self, blood spilling from her mouth. She looked like she was about to die. Instead of offering him the ointment, she grabbed his hand, looked him in the eye and said, "Because... I love you, Naruto. I always will."
Naruto awoke in a brief state of panic. He was sweating, and his heart was pounding so hard he was sure the other Shinobi could hear it. He looked around the tent he was in. It was dark, the only light source being a couple candles placed by the entrance. He looked to the other side of the small tent and saw Sasuke still sound asleep in his bed.
Naruto had no idea how long he had been out, but he knew he couldn't go back to sleep, not after the dream he just had. "What the hell was that about?" Naruto said, still wide-eyed and trying to process what he just saw. Why was Hinata so badly injured? He had only seen her like that once... And then it hit him.
In his dream, Hinata looked exactly the way she did when she stepped in to help him fight Pain. That whole battle was still a blur to him. Letting the Nine Tails take so much control over him really fogged his memory of that fight. All he could remember was Hinata dying, and feeling nothing but rage.
And why would she say something like that to him? She always seemed so nervous and uncomfortable around him.
He knew he was overthinking the whole thing. After all, it was just a dream right? Even still... he couldn't stop thinking about it. About her.
He decided he needed to get some fresh air. He got out of bed and took a few practice steps. It was truly amazing how fast his body healed. He still wasn't a hundred percent but he knew he could walk around without his legs feeling like they were on fire.
As he rushed to exit the tent, he felt himself run into something... no, someone. He fell to the ground, landing on top of whoever he just accidentally tackled. He looked up and locked eyes with... Hinata?
It was night time, but there was a large bonfire in the middle of the camp area, likely made in celebration. There was no doubt in his mind as the orange light glowed gently across her face as she met his gaze. He was laying on top of the girl he had just dreamed about.
Naruto knew he needed to get off of her, to make sure she was okay. But her eyes were oddly captivating in this moment. To make matters worse, Hinata had instinctively wrapped her arms around him as he brought them to the ground. She was still holding him.
Their eyes met for maybe a few seconds, but it felt much longer. Naruto managed to break the stare and stood up quickly.
"Hinata! I'm so sorry, are you okay?" he said as he offered his hand to pull her back up. When she got back on her feet, she couldn't meet his eyes again. Her face was the reddest he had ever seen it. He noticed that his own face felt hot. Was he blushing???
"Y-yes Naruto, I'm okay, are you?" Hinata said.
"I'm okay, thank you. I didn't know you were right outside the entrance, I would've slowed down! Um, were you about to go inside my tent?"
"No!" Hinata exclaimed, immediately assuming the worst. "I-I mean... yes. I thought I heard you yell or something, I just wanted to make sure you were alright..." Hinata said as she avoided his eyes.
"Oh yeah, sorry, I um, had a weird dream." Naruto really hoped she wouldn't ask him about it. He truly wouldn't know what to say.
"Oh... I see. I'm sorry for overthinking, and for bumping into you," Hinata said. She looked genuinely guilty.
"You don't have to apologize! I'm sorry I took you down with me, haha..."
This conversation was getting more and more awkward. Naruto found himself not being able to look at her without noticing how pretty she was in the fire light. Why was he thinking like this? That stupid dream had him all messed up.
Naruto spoke again, "So, how long have I been asleep?" He looked around and saw that the entire battlefield had tents scattered around, and judging from the moon's position in the sky, it was around midnight. He really hoped he hadn't slept through their free day and had to leave for home in the morning.
"Um, p-probably about 10 hours. After you and Sasuke went into your t-tent, everyone else set up camp, and built a bonfire to gather around. Everyone's asleep now. Shouldn't you go b-back to sleep? You still need your rest, Naruto."
"Hey, if you're awake, I might as well stay up with you. After all, my body heals really fast, I feel good as new!" That was a lie. He was still sore, and his arm still hurt. But he wouldn't tell her that.
"I mean, unless you'd like to get some sleep, don't let me keep you up." Naruto said with a grin.
Hinata couldn't believe what she was hearing. Naruto wanted to stay up late... with her. She was still flustered from being pinned to the ground by him. Of course she wouldn't admit it to him, but she knew she liked it. She kinda wished he would tackle her again. She blushed at the thought.
The thought of spending time with Naruto late at night while everyone else slept appealed to her. She was nervous, and she knew she would be, but she wasn't going to lose this chance to get closer to him.
Hinata smiled at him. "I'd love to stay up with you, Naruto."
For some reason, Naruto found himself on edge as well. He thought about the dream he had, and what Sasuke had told him earlier. Surely it was just a coincidence... right?
