Hinata and Kakashi rushed back to the village but were met halfway there by a medical team. "Kakashi-san, what is Naruto-sama's condition?" One of them asked.
Hinata looked over and saw Naruto's eyes slightly open. She reached out and put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry," she said softly, telling him all he needed to know. Naruto's eyes slipped closed once again, but she didn't miss the anguish in them.
"He'll be fine," Kakashi answered.
Another medic looked at the Hyuuga's arm. "And you, Hinata-sama? The metal plate in your arm needs to come out right away."
"What metal plate?" Her sensei questioned, alarmed.
"Hinata-sama underwent surgery before leaving in order to come after her comrades, but the metal plate has a time limit," the medic explained.
"And that time limit is soon?" The medic nodded. "I see. Hinata, you'll go into surgery immediately."
She shook her head. "I'll check on everyone first."
"There's nothing you can do for them," he pointed out.
"Yes, but I can still check on them. I won't be able to settle before surgery otherwise. I still have some time," she assured him. She wanted to check on her brother and Choji, knowing they got the worst of it, but she also wanted to check on Shikamaru. He was the squad leader and the mission was going to be labeled a failure as they couldn't bring Sasuke back. She knew he was going to take it hard, especially because his best friend's life was in danger.
"Fine, but be quick." Kakashi's voice was stern and she knew better than to argue anymore.
When they made it back to the village and to the hospital, she was informed by the nurse at the front desk that everyone was still in the surgery. She left Naruto in their hands, with Kakashi nearby to watch over him, as she rushed off to the surgery wing. It was dark in the area with no windows and only the overhead lights to see, making it seem as though it was late at night. It had always given Hinata an eerie feeling.
She came to a slow stop when she saw Shikamaru standing at the intersection of the T-shaped hallway. She was going to call out to him but stopped when she heard him speaking. A man she recognized as Shikamaru's father was standing at the end of the hall. Shikaku is a smart and gentle man, but also stern in his own way.
"I'm not cut out to be a shinobi," he said, stopping Hinata cold in her tracks. He sounded so defeated.
"Not with a fragile ego like that," she heard a woman say. She recognized her voice as Temari's. Rather than arguing, Shikamaru chose to keep walking away and that is when his father sighed.
"You're being a coward by running away like that. Whether you give up being a shinobi or not, the missions will continue coming and your friends will continue getting sent out. Some of them probably won't come back in situations you could've saved them from otherwise. Use these moments to learn and be better," he said.
Hinata began walking closer, her footsteps quiet in the otherwise silent hall, as Shikamaru didn't even turn to look at his father. She could see how hard he was taking it by the way his shoulders were slumped but his fingers drummed against his thigh. He was anxious and exhausted.
Shikaku looked at her as she came closer, noting her dirty clothes and face as well as her injured arm. He could see she'd been through a major fight, and the sad look in her eyes told him all he needed to know about the mission. She was concerned about his son and her comrades, but he also didn't see any underlying triumph that one would hold after a successful mission.
Suddenly, the door to the operating room to her left opened with a loud click followed by a small creak. She heard Tsunade sigh loudly.
"It was a success. He's going to be all right. Thanks to the Nara Clan's secret medicinal preparation manual, so I owe you big time, Shikaku," she said eagerly. Knowing that Choji had been in Tsunade's hands meant that he had the best chance of recovery. "All that work and research, it must have taken years. I'm impressed."
Shikaku smiled in relief. "Thank you."
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune called out as she ran down the hall from the right, in front of Shikamaru. "Neji Hyuuga's condition has stabilized! More so, Naruto-sama, Kakashi-san, and Hinata-sama have all returned."
Shikaku glanced over at the girl still partially cloaked in the darkness so as not to draw attention to herself during such a moment.
"Naruto-sama's injuries are serious but not life-threatening. Hinata-sama, however, ran off before she was able to be checked so her condition is unknown."
Tsunade frowned. "No Sasuke, then…" she mumbled. She looked at Shikamaru's back. "Shikamaru, your mission was a failure. However… everyone came back alive, so I'd count that as a win."
Shikamaru's shoulders began shaking as his tears freely fell. He felt relieved that his friends were going to be okay, despite losing Sasuke in the end. It was a failure, but he promised himself he would do perfectly in his next mission.
Seeing how vulnerable she was, Hinata finally took a step forward. "Shikamaru," she said softly. At the sound of her voice, Shikamaru looked at her with a tear-stained face and wasted no time in quickly making his way the few feet to her and wrapping his arms around her waist before burying his face in her shoulder. The force of the act caused her to stumble back into the dark, taking Shikamaru with her as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed as tight as her injured arm would let her.
Shikaku watched with a barely hidden smile before turning away to give them privacy. When he looked over at Tsunade, he caught a small huff of jealousy from the Suna kunoichi in the corner of his eye and barely contained his smirk. He knew his son was in for a rocky situation. Though Hinata Hyuuga was promised to the Uchiha Clan, Shikaku had to take into consideration that the contract was now void, which meant the Hyuuga would be looking at other potential suitors within the village before branching out into neighboring villages that held royalty. The Hyuuga would accept nothing less.
He would ask his son about taking a chance and submitting an engagement request, seeing how smitten his son was with the Hyuuga Princess.
Shikamaru dropped to his knees, bringing Hinata with him as he cried. "I'm so thankful you're okay," he whispered, voice thick with emotions and tears. "Thank you for coming back…to me."
Hinata squeezed him tighter. "I'm here," she said. "I'm sorry for not being able to bring him back. Your mission was a failure because of me."
He shook his head, pulling back to look into her eyes. "He made his choice. And you got to Choji and Neji in time with help and also aided us. We're all alive because of you," he said, in disbelief that she could blame herself and not see the good she had done.
Hinata couldn't accept those words and instead pulled him into a hug again, hoping to convey her regret.
"Hinata," Tsunade said, standing in front of them. "I see your arm is bent unnaturally. Did you fight?"
Shikamaru pulled away fully to look at her arms, wincing when he saw the bruising skin. "What happened?"
Hinata looked up at Tsunade unapologetically. "My body…just moved, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade pursed her lips, clearly disappointed in her pupil before sighing at the unapologetic look in her eyes. "I swear, you and Naruto are so reckless. I'll let it slide this time, but if it happens again I'm putting you through a goddamn wall. Understood?"
Hinata nodded, bowing her head deeply. "I understand. Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
"Let's get you into surgery now. It's about time to remove that metal plate. And you'll be happy to know that you can be put under this time," her mistress assured her.
"A metal plate?" Shizune asked. "Tsunade-sama, that hasn't been used since the war!"
The Sannin laughed. "She wouldn't take no for an answer," she replied.
Shikamaru stood up and grabbed the hand of her good arm to pull her up. "I'll see you after your surgery."
She smiled, cocking her head to the side as she looked down at his arm. "Where's your handkerchief?" She asked. The younger Nara startled for a moment before remembering it was in his pocket. He pulled it out and handed it to her. Wordlessly, she wrapped it around his upper arm and tied it securely. "Get some rest now."
He nodded. "I'm ready to sleep for a week, but I'll just settle with until you wake up." Hinata giggled and this caused him to smile before remembering how many people they were in front of and stamping it down.
Everyone watched the interaction with amusement, aside from Temari who was feeling a bit angry at their closeness. She teased Shikamaru about the Hyuuga girl, but seeing their close connection in person bothered her in a way she didn't want to admit.
She took her leave, following behind the Nara men once Tsunade had taken Hinata away. She had nowhere else to be aside from the inn the Hokage had set up for her and her brothers. They all walked in silence until Shikaku spoke up.
"How about I ask Hiashi Hyuuga to consider you for marriage to his eldest daughter?"
This caught both other shinobi off guard, with the Nara's cheeks going a dark red. "Dad!" He groaned.
"What?" Shikaku shrugged. "You two seem to match well, and she's available now that Sasuke's gone. Why not seize the moment?"
Shikamaru sighed. "It's not that simple." Then he glanced back at Temari as though remembering she was there. "Let's talk about this later."
"Don't mind me, lover boy. Your crush isn't some big secret, especially after that big scene," Temari teased, laughing when he groaned louder and began walking fast.
"Troublesome…"
Shikaku didn't envy his son at all, having to choose between two women. He was lucky enough to have only ever considered Yoshino, but that's if Shikamaru would consider anyone other than Hinata. Maybe it would be an easy decision, seeing as he barely gave the Suna nin the time of day.
On the walk to an empty surgery room, Tsunade decided to ask how everything went.
"Sasuke is convinced Orochimaru is the only way to bring his brother home. He was…willing to hurt Naruto to leave. He said he'd be back with his brother, he just didn't know when." Hinata wasn't entirely sure if she was revealing too much, but she trusted Tsunade.
"What do you think?" Tsunade had only ever met the kid once and being teammates with Orochimaru and seeing him dissent into madness over time made her biased. "Do you believe that?"
"Yes. We're not happy about who he's going to, but I know Sasuke. He's only there as another step closer to bringing him home." She paused for a moment. "But I didn't like what I saw him turn into right before he left. I couldn't recognize him for a minute, but then he came back. I need to talk to Minato-sensei as soon as possible."
"And you can once you're cleared to leave the hospital," she assured the Chuunin. "You did good work with bringing Choji and Neji back as quickly as you did, even if it did cost you all but one of your medics. You even left the remaining one with Shikamaru and the others before continuing."
"Naruto and I have the closest bonds with Sasuke, so going alone was our only chance to be as truthful with each other as we could. I know it was reckless, but it was all I could do."
The Sannin put her hand on the girl's shoulder as they walked. "You made the right choices. I don't agree with you being in the battle, but I understand why you did it. For the people we love, we don't even think about it. We just move."
Hinata smiled thankfully up at her.
"And you did good with cheering up Shikamaru, too."
"He's one of my closest friends," she explained. "And he's a very good leader. Konoha is very lucky to have him."
Tsunade smiled but said nothing more as they walked through the doors of the operating room. Hinata reached into her pouch after remembering what she had collected and held it out to her mistress.
"What's this?" She asked as she took it.
"I collected a body. The person who fought Choji-san had a curse mark, they all did, but I thought having a body would help us learn more about it. And about Orochimaru," she explained.
Tsunade smirked. "Perfect," she said. "We'll learn a lot from this body. You did very well, Hinata."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama. I'd also like…to ask you about that person brought back. What is his condition?"
"I'm going to keep him in the state of suspended death until all of you are stable. After your surgery, I'm going to see what I can do. I'll keep you updated."
Hinata wanted to see that boy as soon as possible as well. If he knew things about Orochimaru, then his mind and knowledge were vital. Haku seemed to feel a connection to him and she hoped it didn't hold him back from making any difficult decisions. Haku was a very kind person.
"I see," Minato sighed. Kakashi had just debriefed him on everything with great sorrow in his eyes. "I'm just glad everyone came back alive."
Kakashi bowed deeply, his back parallel to the floor, shocking the Hokage. "I apologize for letting it get this far. I saw how much he was spiraling but did nothing."
Minato shook his head. "This is not your fault, Kakashi. Orochimaru was offering Sasuke something we could not. There was nothing any of us could have said to talk him out of it. I'm afraid if Naruto and Hinata could not, no one else could have."
Kakashi straightened up but still held deep guilt. It was his first time ever officially taking a team and he'd lost a member to the darkness six months in.
"How are Naruto and Hinata, emotionally?"
"They'll be okay. I think they're going to be more motivated than ever," he said.
"I'm thinking of sending Naruto away to train under Jiraiya-sama."
Kakashi wanted to argue, reluctant to split his team up even more but refrained. "I think that would be wise. They seem to get along well and Jiraiya-sama can teach him things I cannot."
"I've already talked to Kushina about it as well. She agrees."
"And Hinata?"
Minato hummed. "She will be learning under Tsunade-sama. They've found teachers for themselves. The only thing we can do is stand back and let them go their own way. You did a terrific job with them, Kakashi, but they are Chuunin now."
Team 7 meant the world to him. They reminded him a lot of his team under Minato, and seeing them split apart like this was almost as painful as losing Obito and Rin to death. But he held it back, because what is a shinobi if not resilient?
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"It's late. Get some rest," Minato said quietly. He needed time to figure out how to do damage control between the Hyuuga and Uchiha Clans. He hoped it didn't return to conflict.
When Hinata woke up, the sun was shining high and her arm felt a lot better. She looked around her room and saw Shikamaru sitting in the seat at her bedside. He was slumped down, his head leaned back on the back of the chair and lightly snoring. She giggled softly and slowly sat up before reaching out and gently shaking him awake.
He startled awake with a snore. "Ah, damn. I don't even remember falling asleep," he yawned, stretching out. Then he smiled at her. "How's the arm? Better?"
She nodded. "Yes. You should've gone home to rest. You must be so exhausted," she added. She looked down at his finger in the split. "How is your finger?"
"This is nothing compared to what you all went through," he dismissed.
"You were still hurt. Being hurt less doesn't make it any less," she pointed out. "I think you'd still be as worried if our injuries were the other way around."
He laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. So, uh, how are you feeling? About everything."
Hinata's smile dropped just a fraction but, to Shikamaru, she might as well have deeply frowned. "This is…something he believes he needs to do." Then she bowed her head deeply. "I'm sorry for the trouble he caused for everyone during this mission." She couldn't get the image of Shikamaru's crying face out of her mind. She felt responsible.
The Nara stayed silent but put a hand on her shoulder, pushing it to raise her back up. When their eyes connected, Hinata could feel what he was trying to convey and eventually nodded her head. He had a way of comforting her without even speaking, similar to that of Itachi. Her mind went to the older Uchiha, and she wondered how he was going to take the news of him leaving the village.
She knew he would probably feel guilty. Itachi had a habit of holding the weight of the world on his shoulders, something she recognized she also did. Habits were a difficult thing to break, even when the problem was acknowledged.
After another few moments, she pushed the blankets away and got up. Shikamaru grabbed her hand and stood back. "Don't push yourself too hard. You were under anesthesia."
"I'm okay," she assured him. "How is Naruto?"
"He's still passed out, but he's healing well from what Tsunade-sama said." Truthfully, he hadn't left Hinata's side other than to get health reports from the Sannin and part of him felt guilty for not having the guts to go see the rest of his team. He felt like a coward. It was easier for him to see Hinata as she had brought him solace from the time they were children in the academy.
"I see. I'd like to see everyone else," she said. She wanted to see Naruto last. She had many people to talk to, such as her father, Minato, and Kakashi, but she wanted to make sure Naruto woke up with someone by his side.
"I'll…come with you," he muttered as he opened the door for her and began leading her down the hall to their first stop, which was Kiba and Akamaru. They walked in silence side by side, greeting the nurses politely as they passed them on their routes. "Does it ever get uncomfortable being referred to so politely by adults like that?" He asked after the third nurse they passed.
She hummed. "Sometimes. But I've been called that title since I was a toddler. I'm used to it, but it is quite jarring when people I'd call by that title also refer to me the same way," she replied honestly. "What about you?"
He shrugged. "The Nara are one of the noble clans of the village, but nowhere near as recognizable and influential as the Hyuuga. I don't get called by that honorific nearly as much as you."
"That sounds wonderful," she sighed softly. "It can get to be too much sometimes. I'm very grateful and lucky to be in my position, but sometimes I'd like to be able to act my age." She smiled sadly as she thought of Itachi once again before pushing him to the back of her mind and stopping in front of a room that had Kiba and Akamaru's names next to it.
Kiba was awake when they entered, but Akamaru was sleeping peacefully in a small bed on the floor next to the Inuzuka. "Hey! I was wondering when I'd see you two."
Hinata smiled and bowed her head in greeting. "How are you doing? And Akamaru?" She asked, kneeling to gently scratch the puppy's head so as not to disturb him.
"We'll need plenty of rest before we're able to get back to training, but we'll live. I thought we were gonna die, but that Kankuro guy from Suna really saved our asses."
Hinata smiled, relieved that they hadn't suffered any permanent injuries. "I'm glad the Suna nin were on our side," she noted. "Please get well soon."
He grinned at her, giving her a thumbs-up. "Nothing's gonna keep us down for long!"
"I'm sure you both will be itching to get out of her before long," Shikamaru added with a smirk. "We're going to go visit everyone else."
"Thanks for stopping by! Let's go eat some barbeque when we all get out of here."
With a promise to do so and more well wishes, the two clan heirs left the room and continued to the next.
"Neji is next." This made Hinata stop in her tracks. "What's wrong?"
"He—He was really hurt," she replied feebly. "I couldn't help him as much as I wanted to. What if…he's angry with me?"
Shikamaru smiled at her. "Tsunade-sama said he's been constantly asking about your condition and trying to sneak out of bed to see you. He's not angry, not at all. He's worried."
Hinata accepted his words with a deep breath before nodding and moving forward. "How is Choji? I know how worried you must be. He's your best friend."
Shikamaru's gaze moved to the floor as they walked. "Tsunade-sama said he's recovering well, but he's still asleep. It's going to take his body a while to recover. But I heard it was your idea to ask my clan about anything they could do to help. I wasn't able to thank you for that last night, so thank you."
Shikamaru had always known how smart and observant Hinata was, but it never occurred to him just how much. She and Sasuke had always been at the top of the class, but his father had mentioned to him how Minato had expressed that he and Hinata were nearly on the same level strategically. It made him especially impressed as she didn't give anything away at all. The Nara Clan was known for their high intelligence, and while the Hyuuga were also intelligent, it wasn't to the same degree. They were known for their doujutsu and fighting style.
"You don't need to thank me."
"I want to. You increased their odds," he stressed. He didn't want to think about what could have happened if she hadn't come after them. Once her surgery was over, Shikamaru asked for the details of it from Tsunade and he physically recoiled at how brutal it sounded. He couldn't imagine having to go through that and counted himself lucky that Hinata was willing to do that for them.
She smiled that gentle smile of hers. So gentle that he almost forgot that she had easily blown someone's arm off with no guilt. Naruto had been right. She was a force to be reckoned with, especially if she was ever mad considering she had done that while her usual self.
"I will always try to help where I can. I hope there will come a day when I can be as skilled as Tsunade-sama," she said. They came to a stop in front of the door Shikamaru pointed out as Neji's room. Hinata stood in front but hesitated.
"He's not mad, I promise," Shikamaru said quietly as he reached over and squeezed her hand.
Suddenly, they heard a voice through the door. "Shikamaru, don't touch Hinata-sama so casually!" Shikamaru instantly pulled his hand back as Hinata all but slammed the door open to see her cousin sitting up in bed with his doujutsu activated. There were tears in her eyes but they never fell. She wiped them away before running to his side and hugging him.
"Thank you for being okay," she whimpered into his shoulder.
"You saved me," he said, putting an arm around her as he glanced over her shoulder to see Shikamaru come in. "I know it wasn't easy for you to take a life, but I thank you for doing it for me."
Hinata paused for a moment before remembering that she had sped up his enemy's death. She hardly thought it counted, but it didn't really bother her as much as she thought it would have. She pushed back thinking about what that could possibly mean.
"He was already dying, brother," she said instead.
"You still did something I'm sure you never wanted to do, all for me. You've always been so kind and gentle." He smiled up at her but his eyes held an apology. She couldn't stand seeing that look in his eyes and hearing those words. Maybe there was something wrong with her for feeling no remorse. For wanting to hurt Orochimaru and Danzo, for feeling some kind of satisfaction for the execution of the man who tried kidnapping her.
It scared her. It terrified her that she felt…nothing toward them. Perhaps she was more of a monster, more similar to the two despicable men than she wanted to admit.
"I would do it for you again," was all she could say. She hugged him again. "Do you know when you can leave?"
"Tsunade-sama said I'll be in here for another few days."
Just then, the door opened and Hizashi walked through. "Oh, Hinata-sama! It's nice to see you up and about. How are you feeling?" He asked. He was carrying a large bento box, lunch for him and Neji to share. "Would you like to eat this with Neji?"
Hinata knew that was his food to share with his son and shook her head, politely declining. "No thank you, Uncle. I'm feeling much better. I have a few more people to see so I'll be taking my leave," she said, removing herself from Neji's side and bowing her head to them. "Please, enjoy your lunch and I will come back to see you again soon, Brother."
They said their goodbyes and left the room.
"Are you okay?" Shikamaru asked. "I didn't know you'd taken a life." He was worried about her mental wellbeing.
She smiled tightly at him. "Yes, I'm okay. It hasn't really…sunk in," she lied. Well, she hoped it wasn't a lie and maybe it would hit her later on. Maybe she was actually in shock.
"I'm here if you ever need to talk."
Her smile morphed into a relaxed one and he felt better about it. "I'll keep that in mind." When they got to Choji's room, Shikamaru stopped her from going in. "Is everything okay?"
"I haven't…I haven't been able to see him since he's been out of surgery. I don't know if I can handle seeing him like that," he replied honestly.
Hinata understood all too well and took his hand. "I'm here with you. We'll do it together." He looked down at his hand in hers before he adjusted them to fit together—perfectly, it seemed to him. Then he looked up at her kind smile and nodded. She slid the door open and he turned to look.
His best friend lay in a hospital bed wrapped with fuinjutsu seals and covered in all kinds of wires. His father, Chouza, sat at his bedside and turned to look at them. "Shikamaru, it's good to see you're doing well! And Hinata, you too. I heard about your injury." His eyes flickered down to their interlocked hands before looking away as though he'd seen nothing.
Without any more hesitation, Shikamaru was right at Choji's bedside and all that guilt came rushing back. "I'm sorry for not coming sooner. You know me, I'm a chicken," he laughed shakily.
Chouza and Hinata shared a smile as Shikamaru talked to his best friend about things he had missed about the mission and everyone else's condition. Hinata decided it was best to leave him be and quietly excused herself with a smile and a bow to the Akimichi Clan Head before leaving the room.
Now, she needed to find the room the boy Haku saved Gaara and Lee from and see what his condition was. She activated her byakugan once she checked that the hallway was clear and searched every room before finding him chained and sealed to a bed two floors beneath her. She turned her byakugan off and began making her way there.
Tsunade stood above the injured boy, sweating and inwardly straining. His sickness had nearly consumed his body, and it might have fully if Haku hadn't put him in a state of suspended death. It gave her time to look over him and work her medical ninjutsu on him without the sickness working against her. He still hadn't woken up after the senbon needles were removed but she counted that as a blessing.
She had him under multiple fuinjutsu seals that helped to aid in her healing as well as keep him detained should he wake up. There were also multiple Uchiha Policemen on standby. This afternoon, it had been very chaotic as she and Minato tried to do damage control within the Uchiha. Fugaku especially had taken the news of Sasuke leaving very hard. The Uchiha Head, according to Minato, had decided it would be best to tell his clansmen that Sasuke had been sent away on a very important mission the Hokage had entrusted him with. She wasn't sure if any of them truly believed it.
The door opened and the Sannin looked up to see Hinata in the doorway. "Nice to see you up and at 'em. How's your arm?" She asked, focusing back on her patient. "I also healed that burn on your ankle."
Hinata was confused for a moment before remembering that the fireball she'd pushed Naruto out of the way of. "It feels much better. Thank you again, Tsunade-sama. How is he doing?" Hinata closed the door behind her and walked further into the room, stopping only when she reached the bed.
"Well, it looks like that dumbass Kabuto only put bandaids on this kid's sickness. It's an extremely rare condition that affects nearly all members of the extinct Kaguya Clan. This boy is more than likely the only surviving member, and with a kekkei genkai like his, Orochimaru would've done anything to get his hands on him," she explained. "From what Lee explained to me, he was absolutely brainwashed by Orochimaru from an extremely young age. He was set to be his next vessel but then his body began breaking down."
"It's why he needed Sasuke, then," Hinata concluded. "And I think they sent this boy out to give his life trying to get Sasuke back to him. How he throws people away he deems useless is truly despicable."
Tsunade huffed out a laugh. "Yeah, he's a sick guy and I hate the fact that I once trusted him with my life, but don't worry. We'll find a way to bring him down. Jiraiya's out there right now gathering some information so we can make a plan for the future," she assured the Chuunin.
"Naruto and I will do what we can to help." She stared down at the unconscious boy and studied him. His skin was practically white, but it seemed it was getting a hint of color that she assumed was due to Tsunade's healing. Then she looked at his right arm when she remembered the weapon that had been attached to it. "Where is his weapon?"
"That was his bone. The kekkei genkai of the Kaguya Clan was the manipulation of their bones. It was a bit grotesque but very powerful, also extremely rare within the clan. I had a run-in with the clan just before they were wiped out, and they were pretty much all insane. They were only interested in fighting and showing their strength, which is what led to their death. It's a wonder this boy even survived."
"You know a lot, Tsunade-sama," Hinata said in awe.
Tsunade chuckled. "I've been traveling around for a while. You pick up things here and there. Have you been to see Naruto yet?"
She shook her head. "I just finished checking in on everyone else, but I wanted to come here before going to see him."
"Scared?"
Hinata's eyes went down to her feet. "Naruto was badly injured, but I couldn't do anything to help him. I couldn't even stop Sasuke from leaving in the first place."
"None of that is your fault. If you keep thinking like that, being a medic is going to be extremely difficult. I'd rather not waste my time training someone who will hold onto things like that. It'll only hinder you from doing your job," Tsunade reminded her. "You were the one who asked me to teach you. Don't make me regret it."
Hinata bowed deeply. "You're right. I apologize, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade shook her head. "I understand. You love Sasuke, and love brings about strange emotions. You'll bring him back," she assured her. Hinata smiled at her, though her cheeks were just a bit red at the mention of her feelings toward the Uchiha.
"I'll take my leave now, Tsunade-sama. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
"This is way too advanced but be prepared to start full medical training soon. Once your arm fully heals, we'll start with physical training. For now, you're free to leave and go home." Hinata bowed, thanked her, and turned to leave. "Oh, Gaara from Suna also asked to see you once you were released. They're staying at the inn nearby."
"Thank you." Hinata looked down at Kimimaro's boy one final time. She'd noticed the change in his breathing and knew him to be awake, but she was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep her emotions in check if she spoke to him. She understood he was a victim, but he still aided in hurting her friends. Then she turned away and left.
Tsunade watched her leave and then smiled when the door closed, leaving her with her patient. "You ready to stop pretending to be asleep, kid?"
The boy slowly opened his eyes and glared up at the medic Sannin. "What are you doing to me?"
She scoffed. "You mean you don't feel even a little better? You know exactly what I'm doing."
"Why heal me just to kill me?" He spat. "I'd sooner bite my tongue off than let you get any information from me."
"Are all of Orochimaru's brainwashed kids so dramatic?" She asked, rolling her eyes. "I wouldn't go through all of this just to let you get roughed up. Besides, we don't do things that way here. Just rest up. I'll have someone bring you something to eat."
"I refuse to eat."
"Oh, you're one of those kids that still needs to be spoon-fed, I see. Don't worry, I have more than enough strength to hold you down and stuff any food down your throat," she threatened.
He glared at her. "How am I even alive right now? I could feel the life leaving me at the end of my battle."
"You were saved by being put into a state of suspended death. It gave them time to bring you back here and for me to treat my other patients before coming to work on you. You were lucky. You were saved by a boy who remembers you from childhood."
Kimimaro's eyes went wide. "I have no childhood friends."
"I don't believe he was a friend. He mentioned something about the Kaguya Clan's attack on Kiri. He and his master were leaving the village just as you were going in, or something like that. You were about to attack them until they said they were not from Kiri."
The boy searched his mind before he remembered the face of the boy and the large sword on the older man's back. "I see. I'm surprised that he remembered that. I hardly do." His eyes began feeling heavy.
"Get some sleep. I'll check in on you periodically. I don't have to mention the security I have around you, do I?" Tsunade asked.
He wanted to retort but he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore and fell into a sleep that he realized was painless. It had been years since he knew what it was like to not feel pain. He wondered if it was truly gone or if he was just numb to it now. Ah, well, he'd rather just enjoy it. He knew he was going to be executed once it was all over.
Hinata stood in front of Naruto's hospital door with her doujutsu activated. He was still unconscious. Kushina was by his side and she knew she couldn't go into the room now. She felt terrible having to face her teammate, but adding his mother in made the feeling much worse. She took a step back before turning and leaving.
Tsunade had mentioned Gaara wanting to see her and thought about visiting. She owed them a lot for coming to their aid. Their dynamic seemed much better and she was thankful that Gaara had listened to them and began rekindling his relationship with his siblings.
She checked herself out of the hospital at the front desk before heading out. She wondered how her father and sister were doing briefly before realizing that there had to be some difficulties between the Uchiha and Hyuuga once again. Then, she broke out into a run. She needed to mend any gaps Sasuke might have caused by leaving and breaking their contract.
She took to the rooftops until she landed in her front yard, panting and heart racing. She kicked her shoes off at the entryway before rushing to her father's office. She knocked.
"Come in." She slid the door open and stepped inside. "Hinata. I was going to see you after I finished making notes in our family journals. How are you feeling?"
Hinata rushed in and immediately dropped to her knees before touching her forehead to the ground in a perfect dogeza. "Please, Father, our relationship with the Uchiha has been important for years and I know Sasuke-san leaving must have displeased the Elders but I beg you to give him some time. He will come back," she pleaded, panting into the floor.
It was quiet for a moment before Hiashi slammed his hand on his desk, causing her to flinch but she remained in her position. "Hinata! You must never display such behavior to anyone, me included!" He yelled. She stayed unmoving. "Nothing is worth prostrating yourself. Raise your head, now. I will not tell you again."
Slowly, Hinata raised and sat perfectly still with her eyes on the floor. "I apologize."
"Concerning the Uchiha, nothing is going to happen. I don't much care for conflict, especially when we have worked hard to establish a connection. Sasuke being away on an important long-term mission does not change this," he explained, and Hinata looked up at him in surprise. Minato had to fill him in all the details as he was involved in a contract, but Hiashi had decided to withhold the truth from the Elders himself. "However, his choosing to leave causes a problem with me as your father."
Hinata's eyes went back to the floor. "Please, Father. He just needs some time."
Hiashi looked at her for a long moment before sighing heavily, catching her off guard. Hiashi Hyuuga never expressed many emotions in public, nor did he sigh. "You have fallen in love with him, yes?"
Hinata's face went bright red at her father knowing something as private as that. "Sasuke-san is a good person and one of my best friends. I trust him with my life and I have since we were children. My feelings for him have nothing to do with it," she explained.
He rubbed his temple. "I will hold the Elders back on trying to marry you off to anyone else, but once your sixteenth birthday approaches, I will no longer be able to do anything. He will have until then," he said. "And when he returns, I expect a conversation with him." The Clan Head thought back to the promise Sasuke made him the night their engagement was publicly announced.
It had been earnest and Hiashi found it hard to believe he would go back on his word, especially concerning their clans and Hinata. He knew the boy had a soft spot for his daughter, everyone knew, and he had decided to trust him with her. When he heard the truth from Minato, he felt betrayed in a way he never knew he could be. The kind a son-in-law could do, especially one so dedicated to their families.
Hinata bowed deeply again. "Thank you, Father. Thank you."
"Promise me you will never bow to anyone else like that ever again," he said. His daughter was strong and kind, but she deserved to be treated with the highest honor. She did not deserve to do dogeza, nor was anyone worth doing that for. He promised himself to make the young Uchiha apologize for pushing his daughter to do such a thing.
"I promise."
"You're dismissed."
Hinata stood up and bowed once again. "Have a good night, Father." And turned and left his office much more relieved than she had arrived. When she made it to her room and closed the door behind her, she had barely made it to bed before she dropped to her knees and let her tears fall.
Sasuke had tried killing Naruto. He had turned into something akin to Orochimaru, the man they all despised. She wondered if she would even recognize him when he eventually returned. The way he said her name before he left gave her hope, however. It sounded pained and full of guilt.
She pressed her face into her bed and quietly sobbed. She clutched onto her blankets, pulling them into disarray as she shook with the force of her cries, feeling her chest empty as Sasuke had taken her heart with him.
Hi! We hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! I hope I was able to accurately depict just how desperate Hinata is to keep the peace between the Uchiha and Hyuuga as well as making sure to keep their contract applicable for as long as possible. She does love Sasuke, but she takes her position in her family very seriously and the last thing she wants is for her Elders to take advantage of her being available. Thankfully, Hiashi knew this and would do what he needed to to protect his daughter. I...think I'm having way too much fun writing the Shikamaru and Hinata dynamic :)
-hina
FINAL UPDATE: 05/18/24