Before she opened her eyes, Hinata could smell the faint musty smell of sweat and dried blood. Opening her eyes slowly, they struggled to focus for a moment. Once she could see properly, she could see a ceiling with a light bulb.

'So I'm inside then.' She pondered to herself.

She tilted her head to the side and saw Naruto sitting in a chair by the bed and looking at her with a welcoming smile on his face.

"Hello."

Hinata blinked. She really hadn't expected him to just say hello. Where was the hyperactive ninja from before.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked her gently.

She nodded, "Where am I?"

"An inn. Kiba and Akamaru are with Kurenai at the hospital, and Shino has gone out to get us some food. He should be back soon,"

Hinata nodded slightly and turned her gaze back to the ceiling.

Naruto watched her brow wrinkle into frown.

"I'm sorry." Hinata whispered, a single tear falling down the side of her head to wet the pillow.

"Why Hinata?" he enquired gently.

"It was my fault all those people died. It was my fault that my team got hurt."

Naruto reached out and clutched the side of the bed, "Of course it wasn't your fault Hinata! How can you say that!"

" I'm weak. I let that demon take over my body and she hurt people that are very dear to me." She turned her head away from Naruto, ashamed at herself.

Naruto's mouth hung open for a second before he blew up.

"For god's sake Hinata! That demon thought you were far from weak, and it totally underestimated you! You were able to break her hold on you! I wouldn't call that weak Hinata, I'd call that freakin' amazing!" He tossed his hands in the air for emphasis.

Hinata swung her head back round to look at Naruto with a stunned look on her face. There was a moment of silence, before they both realized that Naruto's arms were still in the air.

Hinata started to giggle, which set off Naruto, and before long they were both laughing so hard that Naruto fell on the ground.

After the laughter died down, Hinata wiped a laughter tear from her eye.

"Thank you, Naruto. I needed that."

Naruto gave her one of his trademark grins, "No worries! That's what I'm here for!"

She smiled again, always amazed at how happy he was.

He suddenly opened his eyes in surprise, and got up off the floor. He walked over to his jacket, which was draped over a chair.

Hinata looked puzzled as she watched him rummage in his pockets.

"A-ha!" he exclaimed. He turned round and hit whatever was in his hands behind his back. Walking back to the chair beside the bed he sat down.

Hinata was confused and was about to open her mouth to speak, when Naruto beat her to it.

"I kept something for you." He smiled sheepishly, before bring his hands forward.

He placed something in Hinata's hand and her eyes widened in surprise. It was her forehead protector. She looked at his face questioningly.

"I always knew you'd come back. Thought you might need it."

Hinata smiled broadly and went to put it round her neck, but gasped in pain when she tried to reach round.

"Oh watch yourself. You need a bit more rest before you're fighting fit. Here, let me…"

He took the forehead protector from her hands and reached round her neck to fasten it behind.

He sat down again, "Much better!" he grinned.

Hinata smiled again, a thought floating through her mind briefly, 'You're getting a lot better. You didn't even faint when he touched your neck.'

Her smile faltered, 'Oh my god! He TOUCHED me!' she realized, everything fading to black as she fainted like always.

'Hm, must have gone back to sleep.' Naruto thought.

Well it was better that she get her rest. He leant back in his chair, hands crossed behind his head.

"I wonder how Shino's doing with the shopping?" he wondered aloud.

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In the middle of a busy market, there stood a young man.

People gave the young man strange looks as they walked past. For he looked scary in his hooded jacket and dark sunglasses, but he was holding a full basket of fish and vegetables and as he walked along the streets he had a very unusual skip to his step.

However, if they could have seen his face underneath the hood, they would have seen him grinning broadly.

For what they didn't know was…

… Shino loved to cook!

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Well that's the end. But I'm thinking of writing another story, continuing on in this plot line. Let me know what you think. I thought I would end up doing more chapters than this but oh well! Certainly longer than I've writing before. Even longer than my dissertation….anyway….hope you enjoyed it and let me know if you want anymore!

Bye for now!