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Into the Woods	By : kyubiteaser Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1577 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Hyuga Hiashi sat quietly on a bench in the hospitals small meditation garden, watching the koi swimming gracefully in the pond as if they were floating thru a dream. The garden was something Tsunade came up with after she took over, insisting that family members, as well as patients and staff, needed someplace to escape the harsh realities that one must often face in a hospital. As the smell of jasmine and magnolia blossoms drifted past on a breeze he smiled quietly to himself.

�You�ll have to try harder then that to sneak up on me, Neji-san. I thought you were to go back to the compound with the others?�

The younger man dropped down from his perch in the tree, bowing out of habit. �My apologies dear uncle but the...� Hiashi cut him off with a wave of his hand.

�I know...the others put you up to it. It�s alright.� he sighed, turning his attention back to the fish. �I�d really rather not be alone right now.� He gestured to the vacant part of the bench. �Please, keep me company.�

Neji stood for a moment, analyzing his uncle, before taking a seat at the other end of the bench, leaving some room between them. Since he was defeated in the chuunin exams, things between the two had gotten better. His uncle spent much time training him, and at times seemed to treat him more like a son then a lowly branch nephew. But when it came to things that involved Hinata, the boy just wasn�t sure where to tread. They sat in silence for a while, listening to the trickle of the small waterfall and the tones of the wind chimes blowing.

�You know,� the older man said, quietly breaking the peace. �She helped plant this garden for the Hokage.� Neji turned, surprised to see a wistful smile on his face. �There is a spot in the compound she hides in when she thinks I�m mad at her that�s just like this...she thinks I don�t know about it but...� he chuckled softly at the memory �when she was 4 she used to go there when she was upset, and cry till she fell asleep out there, and I�d have to carry her back into the house, little flowers stuck in her hair and dirt smudged on her chin.� There was pain in his eyes thinking back on that little girl. �She had been such a bouncy...boisterous little thing, do you remember?� He turned to the boy who nodded, trying to think back to those days. �She was always shy at first but she would warm up so fast until...after they tried to take her away...after everything..she changed.� he sighed again. �I changed.�

Neji tried to remember that clouded past. It was hard, but he could recall a few happy times with her, before he was marked and everything seemed to spiral out of control. They had actually been quite fond of each other when they were little, acting more like siblings then cousins. He remembered how she would chase him thru the corridors calling nii-san after him till she�d trip. She�d cry for a moment until he�d come back and scoop her up, rubbing his nose to hers to make her smile again. And then she�d be off running again like nothing had happened. She had been so happy, like a little sun that brightened everyones sky. It was hard not to love her back then...back before the house was overcome with so much sadness. He nodded in agreement.

�Everything changed�

Hiashi nodded as well. �Yes, we all learned some harsh lessons a bit to early. Hinata learned that wolves lurked around every corner, and she wasn�t safe even in her own house. So she decided her only choice was to hide..� He turned his head, his calm features almost looking ashamed for a moment. �And I learned that I couldn�t always protect her from those wolves...so instead of trying harder to keep her safe, I threw her to them... and hoped she could face them alone.�

Neji was startled by this admission. Obviously something more was going on then his cousin just being sick. He had not been there when the word came back to the family. He was grabbed from the grounds as they were heading to the gate, being asked to accompany in case things got out of control. This man was the strength of the clan... he wouldn�t think or say such things lightly. Hinata was a dividing line among the houses. Some felt she just needed time to grow up, others viewed her as a lost cause. But no one had ever questioned her father about his decisions or treatment of her. To have him here...regretting those choices? Something was seriously wrong.

�Forgive me, uncle...but I don�t understand.�

�I�m sorry, Neji.� was his reply to the now anxious boy. � I didn�t mean to trouble you with the ramblings of a stubborn old fool.�

~*~

In the beginning there was pain and fire. Ever fibre of her being cried out for release. The surrounding darkness was deep and foreboding, but she didn�t seem to have any other choice, so she gave in and let it take her. The pain stopped, and she was content. But it was lonesome in the all encompassing dark, and she wished there was something, or someone. That�s when he came.

'Little one...little one can you hear me?'

"Who is that? Is someone there?"

'Come with me, little one...don�t worry'

"Where are you?"

�This way� she noticed a small red spark in the distance. �Don�t worry, I�m right here. You�re not alone.� It flashed in the darkness, calling to her. There was warmth and light, and a feeling a peace. She reached out to it, and it flared up to envelope her.

~*~

Sakura stretched as she stepped out of the decon room, drying her hair and wrinkling her nose at the smell that anti-bacterial soap left on her skin. It was early in the evening and she had been relieved from her watch duty inside the room. Considering Hinata�s precarious status it was determined one medic would be in the room with them at all times in case either of them would suddenly crash on them. Naruto still appeared to be unaffected, although tests confirmed he too carried the virus. There had been debate about what to do with him, but after he trashed his room and needed to be moved anyways, it made more sense to keep them together. �Besides..� Sakura said quietly to herself. �Maybe he can get through her to her and get her to wake up.�

The young Hyuga still showed no signs of coming around no matter what they tried. Her chakra had all but vanished, she seemed to only have enough to keep her body alive. It was like a cracked vase - still holding it�s shape but unable to hold anything else.

Naruto was getting despondent. It was hard to tell if that was out of fear for himself, or concern over Hinata. He had clung to Sakura for a while, desperate for some kind of comfort. But she had work to do in there, blood tests and monitors to adjust and charts to fill, so she eventually had to peel herself free and leave him to himself. He was still sitting there, staring and holding Hinata's hand as if he let go of it she would slip away and be lost forever. The golden boy was starting to look haggard, his eyes weren�t quite the same shade of brilliant cobalt, and his skin seemed almost grey. �maybe it was finally getting to work on him as well�

She made her way down the hall to her room. All of the staff had been given sleeping quarters here in the unit. They had all agreed it was for the best this way. If someone accidentally became infected, it would keep it from being spread around the hospital and general population, not to mention if something went wrong they were all already here. There were 14 members in the unit, including Sakura and they split the day; 7 on each 12 hour shift. One member in the room doing the blood work and administering the treatments while the others were either researching or working the lab. Tsunade and Shizune were the only ones allowed in and out of the ward, and they tried to keep their contact brief.

She paused briefly in the doorway to room they were using for research. The Hokage had called a meeting while she was still in with the two patients. Her relief had said she didn�t need to go, they would fill her in later, to take her time getting cleaned up and then get some rest. Tsunade glanced up at her for a moment, looking older then usual. She dismissed the girl with a wave of her hand and a nod while continuing her conversation. Sakura nodded back before turning and continuing on, glad she wouldn�t have to sit through it. She was physically and emotionally exhausted. When she finally collapsed onto her bed, she thought back to the two she had just left behind. She said a quiet prayer before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

~*~

It was already dusk as Tsunade made her way out a side door of the hospital to escape. Even after a 3 hour meeting with the staff, she still couldn�t come to grips with the reality of the situation. Now they were not only searching for a cure, but needed to come up with protection for the whole village. The words from the message were still echoing through her head; enemy infiltration, deliberate infection, high mortality rate...

�Lady Hokage�

The voice broke her from her thoughts as she realized she wasn�t as alone as she�d hoped. Looking up she realized that she�d wandered to the pond, which was already occupied by Hyugas� Hiashi and Neji. Both looked at her expectantly, hopefully. �They must think I came with news for them.� Heaving a tired sigh, she shook her head at them. �I�m sorry, I just came out to think...I didn�t realize you were here.�

Hiashi nodded back and gestured to another vacant bench. �This appears to be a good spot for that.�

With a tired smile she walked over and sat down by them, turning to watch the fish. Silence again washed over the small group as they sat bathed in the amber glow of the setting sun. After a bit she turned to them apologetically.

�I�m sorry about that argument earlier. It�s just been one of those days. Her condition hasn�t changed since the attack, and we�re not expecting anything overnight either. You�d probably be more comfortable at home then waiting here.�

�Attack?� Neji thought, 'what on earth happened?� He bit his tongue. It wasn�t his place to interrupt. But apparently he wasn�t the only one out of the loop on that one.

�Please,� Hiashi said quietly, �Can you explain to me just what happened in there? All that we heard is that someone had some type of emergency or was dying...� the younger ones eyes shot to him at that before glancing desperately back to the blonde on the other side. She looked away and nodded silently for a moment, choosing her words carefully.

�Hinata is in stable but critical condition. Earlier today she suffered from seizures brought on by the high fever caused by this illness. She still hasn�t regained consciousness...and apparently there is more to this illness then we thought...you�ll forgive me if I don�t elaborate at this time. I need some more information before the rumors start flying on that.� She paused, watching their reactions to this news. The older Hyuga only nodding silently, his eyes closed. The young one stared at her, his face devoid of all emotion, his clenched, shaking fists the only thing betraying his feelings at that news. �She�s still strong though, she has a chance to beat this. I just have to find some way to help her. As long as she holds on, we�re not giving up on her.�

The breeze whispered. The water bubbled. The nightingale sang her sad, sad song before flying off before nightfall. He turned to her, his face looking more like a frightened father then the powerful clan leader he was. �Tell me honestly, please Tsunade... do you really think there is any hope for recovery?�

She looked into those pleading eyes, her breath caught in her chest and her mind flashing through everything she knew about the situation. The seizure, the message, the virus, Naruto...NARUTO

�There is always hope� she said suddenly, surprised by the conviction in her own voice. Tsuande rose suddenly, patting him on the shoulder. �It�s going to be a long night. Go home, rest, be with the family. You two can come back tomorrow to see if there is anything more. I promise I�ll send for you if anything comes up before then.�

And with that she turned and headed for the hospital door, suddenly not seeming quite as lost and tired as when she�d come out.

~*~

'Calm down little one...just relax.'

There had been a sudden flash of red and a sense of falling. Now everything was blurred and spinning, she couldn�t tell which way was up. But the voice was there...deep and soothing

'Don�t fight it...you�ll be alright in a moment.'

It was amazing how comforting that voice was as it vibrated to the very core of her being. She calmed herself, letting the vertigo wash over her gently like an ocean wave, till it gradually eased and she found herself quiet comfortable. As her vision returned, she was surprised at where she found herself. The light was muted, almost dusky, as she realized she was on her back staring skywards. But instead of blue sky, there were endless trees. She�d never seen such large trees in fact, and having spent her entire life living in Konoha, that was saying something. The trunks looked as though you could fit six of the hokage�s tower across the bottom, and the bottom branches appeared to be at least a mile up. The air seemed to vibrate around her, she�d never seen such simple, wild beauty before.

'Amazing...aren�t they?'

She suddenly remembered she wasn�t alone. �Where are you?�

A soft chuckle. �Actually...you�re laying on me�

She bolted upright, startled at the realization that she wasn�t on warm soft ground, but a warm, soft body. Surrounded by a sea of deep, coppery red fur, soft as gossamer, that shined like sparks off a camp fire in the spots the mottled sunlight fell. A white tipped tail lay across her legs, twitching slightly as she reached to caress it. Turning to her right, she was confronted with a whiskered nose, two large, pointed ears...and two eyes she could swear she had seen before. She paused for a moment, putting it all together. �You�re a fox?�

The eyes flashed merrily back at her as he curled around her more. �See that...I knew you were smart.�

She looked around, panic starting to rise as she tried to make sense of everything. �Where am I? What happened? Who are..� She was cut off as the head came forward and he placed a tiny, affectionate lick on her forehead.

�Calm down, little one...you�re safe here.�

He gently pressed her back into a reclining position, and she couldn�t help but snuggle back against his soft, warm side. It seemed familiar and comforting for some reason, though she couldn�t place why. She suddenly remembered the hospital...the pain...

�Am I...dead?�

�No...not quite.�

�So where am I?�

�Nowhere...*chuckles softly* or everywhere. It depends on how you look at it.�

�Who are you?�

He gazed at her almost sadly for a moment. �I�m a friend of a friend...you need to relax now little one� he nuzzled her gently. �I�ll keep you safe till it�s all over� As she wrapped her arms around his muzzle, he could smell her fear as he tried to comfort her, and was amazed at how that upset him.

�What�s going to happen to me?�

�I don�t know, but you�re not alone...just rest now my little one...don�t trouble yourself anymore�

~*~

A falling star raced quietly across the darkened sky. �I wonder if wishing on them really works� a soft voice stated, breaking Neji�s train of thought. He glanced up at Tenten, who was snuggled up under him. He was resting his head on her bared chest, one hand fidgeting with the buttons on her opened pants. She was running her fingers through his long, silky locks and gazing quietly at the stars. After escorting his uncle back to his house, the young ninja had gone to her seeking comfort. They snuck off to their favorite clearing in the woods, him planning to take out his frustrations on her. But once he had her pinned under him, the taste of her skin on his lips and her breath in his ear, he found he was to upset to go very far with it.

They then lay there in their half-dressed state, quietly talking about what was going on, or what they thought was going on. He was somewhat surprised when she kept wondering out loud about �poor Naruto� and �this must be tearing him apart� but refused to give him any clarification when he�d ask her. He was beginning to find it annoying, Neji wasn�t fond of secrets.

�What would you wish for if it did?� he asked her quietly.

She smiled, leaning her head down to kiss his forehead softly - she was the only one he permitted to see or touch him there. �If I told you it wouldn�t come true silly.� He gave her an exasperated sigh in response, moving to push her away. Tenten grabbed him and pulled him back to her with a giggle. �Oh come on...Everything will be ok. She�s got the best medical care, plus Naruto and Sakura are in there to keep watch over her. You�re too uptight tonight. I thought I�d found that stick and pulled it out of your ass months ago.�

Neji looked back at her with surprise before finding himself laughing at that one. He was a lot more relaxed since they had gotten together. It was an ongoing joke between her and Kiba about what she must have done to finally get him loosened up. Truth was she was slowly becoming his voice of reason, especially when it came to his family. Her quiet warmth and blunt philosophical outlook were refreshing to him. Not to mention that her weapons training made her pretty flexible...which reminded him...

�Speaking of pulling things out...� he grinned up at her, sliding his hand down the top of her pants as he reached up to kiss her. Maybe she was right, things should be ok. And besides, it was hard to be upset around her. In the end, he found she was able to comfort him after all.

~*~

Sakura jumped as the light came on and someone was suddenly by her bedside. �What happened? I�m up...are they ok?� she blurted, blinded and blinking, trying to figure out what was going on. As she shaded her eyes with her hand, she was surprised to see her mentor looking at her desperately.

�Sakura...this is important...you�ve known Naruto almost all your lives...right?�

She blinked, trying to think back. �Well...sort of I guess...we weren�t close but I supposed you could say that. What are you getting at?�

�Please just answer the questions... as far back as you can remember...have you ever known him to get sick?�

�Have I ever...what is this about� she thought to herself, trying to figure out where this was going. �Umm...not really...actually no I don�t think so. Why? What are you getting at?�

�Are you positive on this? Please...it�s important.�

Her brain awake now she stopped and thought hard on it. �You'd have to double check his file, but no, I can�t say he ever has been. In fact if I remember correctly he was the only one of us at the academy not infected when they had that chicken pox epidemic when we were 8.� She turned confused to her now beaming superior. �Tsunade, what on earth is this all about?�

�It might take a few days...but if my hunch is correct Naruto might be able to help us all a lot more then he'd ever imagined"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
don't hate me for making Kyubi a softee in this one. You'll get details on why in another chappie.

sorry about cutting the NejiXTen smut out, but you guys wern't really interested in it anways...right?

it's distracting from the story line...

and this is a naruXhina fic....

there's more to life then smut anyways...

and besides you all have boyfriends/girlfriends to help you use your imagination...

oh alright if enough of you complain I'll go and fill in the details!

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Into the Woods