Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto vs. Sasuke The Aftermath ❯ Tsunade Takes Charge! ( Chapter 28 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

As Shizune and the rest of the medic nin's work to save the lives of Kakashi and Kurenai. Tsunade attempts a dangerous procedure to bring Hinata back from the throes of death. However, she has never attempted this before and if it goes wrong, it could mean her own death as well as Hinata's. Also watch as a certain lazy Chunin has probably the most troublesome day he's ever had.

Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 05.13.2010 | Pages: 16 | Words: 22.1K | Visits: 1.0K | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 28 Summary: As Shizune and the rest of the medic nin's work to save the lives of Kakashi and Kurenai. Tsunade attempts a dangerous procedure to bring Hinata back from the throes of death. However, she has never attempted this before and if it goes wrong, it could mean her own death as well as Hinata's. Also watch as a certain lazy Chunin has probably the most troublesome day he's ever had.

Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath

Chapter 28: "Tsunade Takes Charge!"

"Is dead Lady Tsunade, Hinata is dead!"

Pure pandemonium erupted onto the field after everyone heard Shizune's anguished declaration. Kiba roared out in fury and had to be restrained by Shikamaru's Kage Mane no Jutsu, as he begged Tsunade and Shizune to do something while Akamaru howled in despair. Neji had dropped to his knees, as his whole body shook in disbelief. The look he bore upon his face a strange mix of anger and heartache. Shino stood off to the side his face maintaining its impassive appearance as always. At first glance, one would think that the news about Hinata had not affected him at all. However, if you looked to the sky where Shino's Kekai insects which had been moving around in an organized roving patrol were now flying about in a chaotic frenzy, as they could sense the unbearable pain and turmoil their host was going through at that moment. Shikamaru was in a state of muted shock, as he struggled to maintain control of his trademark jutsu on his hysterical Inuzuka comrade when he heard the Hokage shout in vehement denial.

"NO, NO, NO! I SWEAR UPON MY LIFE THIS GIRL WILL NOT DIE TODAY!"

Tsunade turned her head to look at her still weeping apprentice and shouted at her in annoyance.

"Shizune quit your damn bawling and help me!"

"Wh, what?" Shizune replied, as she looked up in confusion.

Tsunade grabbed the front of Shizune's Jounin vest and pulled her forward to look the weeping woman in the face and angrily said through gritted teeth.

"Damn it Shizune get hold of yourself! I expect my apprentice to be made of stronger mettle than this! Now, I want you to administer .10 mg/kg of adrenaline diluted with normal saline in a syringe into Hinata and then begin CPR at once!"

"You there, get over here and assist Shizune by keeping this girls lungs ventilated with a breather bag." Tsunade shouted to a medic nin.

"Hai Hokage-sama!"

Tsunade then turned to the four medic nin's working on Kakashi and Kurenai and ordered with authority.

"You four, I want Kakashi and Kurenai stabilized and prepped for immediate transport back to the village. I want to be out of here in 15 minutes!"

Hai Hokage-sama!" The medic nin's shouted in unison.

Turning to another medic nin, Tsunade commanded.

"You, go and get me a chakra brush and ink immediately!"

"Hai Hokage-sama!"

"What, what are you planning on doing Lady Tsunade?"

"Shut up and concentrate on what you're doing Shizune!" Tsunade snapped at her assistant, before she turned and furiously yelled in colossal irritation.

"Kiba, if you and that damn mutt don't shut up, I'll have the both of you sedated right now! I can't concentrate on Hinata with the two of you wailing behind me!"

Both Kiba and Akamaru immediately fell silent, as their heads dropped down to look at the ground below them. Shikamaru breathed a sigh of relief, as he released his jutsu when he heard Tsunade yell out once more.

"Shino, get your bugs under control immediately!"

Shino shook his head momentarily, as if coming out of a trance before nodding his head to Tsunade and his Kekai insects began returning to him. The Nara heir watched amazement, as the swarm of bugs flew into his classmate's coat and disappeared when he heard his Hokage shout to him.

"Shikamaru I want you to coordinate and lead the return of the medical staff I leave behind, as you and your team will be escorting them back to the village. I can't spare any of the Anbu here right now to leave with you because I need them to help get Hinata and the others back as quickly as possible. So the medic nin's I don't take with me, their protection is your responsibility!"

"Hai Hokage-sama!"

It was then a medic nin returned to Tsunade holding a chakra brush and some ink. Tsunade took the brush and ink before tearing Hinata's shirt open and revealing her bare torso. As Tsunade began to paint an intricate seal upon Hinata's abdomen, Shizune recognized it and said in a panic.

"No Lady Tsunade, please don't do this!"

Tsunade merely glared at her apprentice, as she began to paint the same seal on the palm of her hand before growling in response.

"There's no other way to save her Shizune! And I'm not entirely sure this will work either?"

"Exactly Lady Tsunade, the risk is too great to the both of you! Please, I can't let you don't do this!"

"Damn it Shizune, I'm the Hokage not you and I am doing this! I'll not bring Hinata back to Naruto just so he can watch her get lowered into the ground! Not when there is a chance, a small one that I can save her! Now either help me Shizune or get the Hell away from me, what's it going to be?"

Shizune lowered her head to stare at the ground before she softly replied.

"Hai Hokage-sama, I will help you."

"Good, now take this brush and draw a spiral line up my right arm, neck and face and connect it to my Infuuin (Secret Mark) seal. Make sure you paint a solid line with no breaks anywhere Shizune."

"Hai Hokage-sama."

A minute later, Shizune had finished her task and Tsunade ordered her and the medic nin's who had been maintaining CPR and ventilating Hinata's lungs away from both her and the Hyuga girl. Shizune walked over to where Shikamaru and the others were standing, as both of her hands were clutching tightly the front of her Jounin vest in concern. Shikamaru could see the worried look on Shizune's face and asked the Hokage apprentice.

"What's going on Shizune-san? What is the Hokage going to do?"

Shizune turned to look at the Nara heir and noticed he and the others were all staring intently at her waiting for an answer. After a moment's hesitation, Shizune sighed, as she said with some dread in her voice.

"Lady Tsunade is going to perform the Infuuin Kai no Jutsu (Secret Mark Seal Release Jutsu)."

"What is that exactly Shizune-san?"

"The Infuuin Kai no Jutsu is a Fuuinjutsu technique developed by Lady Tsunade that allows her to use the Souzou Saisei technique. Over a period of time, Tsunade has focused and built up chakra in the seal mark you see on her forehead. The release command she gives will disperse the seal and allow the stored chakra to pump back into her body."

"Well what's this Souzou Saisei thing?" Kiba asked in confusion.

"The Souzou Saisei (Creation Rebirth) Kiba is a Ninjutsu technique also developed by Lady Tsunade. As I said, over time Tsunade has concentrated chakra to that spot on her forehead that takes the form of a diamond. When she releases the seal on the jutsu using the Infuuin technique, the chakra disperses and stimulates the proteins of her body to increase the speed of cell division and reconstruction of cells. This allows her to recreate all organs and tissues. The technique itself does not regenerate the old cells, but rather it hastens the creation of new ones through division."

"And this helps Hinata how?"

"Lady Tsunade is going to release the seal on the Souzou Saisei Kiba, but instead of the chakra dispersing and stimulating the proteins within her own body to increase the speed of cell division and reconstruction of cells for herself. Tsunade is going to channel the chakra through a seal on the palm of her hand and into Hinata in one massive charge."

"I, I, still don't understand?" Kiba says in puzzlement.

"Kiba, the Hokage is jump start Hinata's chakra network using her own chakra. Think of this way, it's like jump starting a battery, correct Shizune-san?"

"Crude, but accurate Shikamaru, I'm impressed."

"So then what's the big deal? Tsunade jump starts Hinata and everything will be ok, right?"

"Kiba, what happens when you force too much of a charge into a battery cell." Shino asked his teammate.

"Well, it blows up." Kiba answered, as he noticed all the grim looks on everyone's faces before the realization hit him and he yelled out in bewilderment.

"You, you mean the Hokage's going to blow up Hinata!"

"Troublesome!" Shikamaru muttered, as he pinched the bridge of his nose before saying.

"No Kiba, the Hokage isn't going to blow up Hinata, at least we hope not. But Lady Tsunade has to determine how much of her chakra to boost into Hinata. But if she doesn't get the amount right, then there is the possibility of that happening, which would mean the end for Hinata."

"It would also mean the end of the Hokage Shikamaru." Shizune solemnly added.

"What do you mean Shizune-san?"

"If the Hokage doesn't determine the correct amount of chakra to use and does pump too much into Hinata. The resulting chakra explosion will also take out Lady Tsunade as well."

With that said, everyone's attention turned back to their Hokage, as they all waited with bated breath for her to revive Hinata.

Tsunade placed her palm with the seal on it over the seal she had painted onto Hinata's stomach, and taking a deep breath much to the delight of many of the males there. Tsunade exhaled before she touched the diamond seal on her forehead and murmured.

"Infuuin Kai no Jutsu." (Secret Mark Seal Release Jutsu)

Almost instantly, the diamond seal dissolved away and spread out in a coalescing pattern across Tsunade's face. And with a painted chakra line attach to the seal, the chakra being released also traveled down Tsunade's arm and into the palm of her hand where she concentrated and built up a heavy enough charge for instant release. A lone bead of sweat rolled lazily down the blonde Hokage's forehead, as she fought to maintain control of the chakra building within her hand. A moment later Tsunade shouted out with vigor.

"Kai Sonomama!" (Release Now)

A blinding flash came from Tsunade's hand and a second later Hinata's entire body violently convulsed off the ground and seemed to levitate in the air for a few seconds before it came crashing down with a thud. Shizune immediately rushed over to check on Hinata and her mentor. Upon her arrival, Shizune could hear various sizzling sounds and watched as what can only be described as chakra vapors rising from Hinata's various injuries. Even more amazing the various cuts and bruises the Hyuga girl had suffered were now closing and disappearing right before Shizune's eyes. The Hokage's apprentice was broken out of her stupor when she heard Tsunade shout to a medic nin.

"You there, get back here and resume ventilating this girls lungs! Shizune, resume CPR on Hinata while I run a scan over her."

"Hai Hokage-sama!" Both nin's answered in unison.

After Tsunade finished her scan, her face grew pale, as she asked Shizune to stop CPR and check for a pulse in Hinata.

"Hokage-sama, you did it! She has a pulse, but it's so weak and erratic. I don't understand it should be stronger than this?"

"Damn it, that's what I was afraid of Shizune! Her heart is barely beating because she loss so much blood. There isn't enough in her to keep the heart beating properly. And if the blood isn't flowing properly, that affects her chakra flow as well; Hinata needs a blood transfusion at once!"

"But Lady Tsunade we don't have any Hyuga blood to give her. Hiashi has repeatedly denied our requests to keep a supply of Hyuga blood at the Konoha blood bank. We have normal blood, but if we give it to Hinata, she runs a huge risk of losing her Byakugan."

'Then we need a Hyuga.' Tsunade silently mused, before she remembered they had one and quickly called out.

"Neji, get over here right now!"

Neji for his part had not moved or uttered a sound since hearing Shizune's cry of Hinata being dead. The sound of his name snapped him out of his shock and he quickly got up and ran over to Hinata. Tsunade saw the distressed look on the Hyuga prodigy's face, as he stared down at his cousin before he heard his Hokage say.

Neji, we need to start a direct blood transfusion at once between you and Hinata. So you'll be returning with us to the village, do you understand?"

"Hai, hai Hokage-sama, take as much as you need to save Hinata." Neji quickly replied in earnest.

Shizune, get Neji on a gurney next to Hinata and get him prepped and started on the transfusion immediately!"

"Hai Hokage-sama."

A short 15 minutes later, Kakashi, Kurenai, Neji, and Hinata were prepped and ready for transport back to the village. Both Kakashi and Kurenai's conditions had been stabilized for the journey. However, Hinata was still in dire straits, as Tsunade's hands glowed an ethereal green color while she continued to keep the chakra she had recently given to Hinata flowing inside the young Hyuga girl. Suddenly, Tsunade doubled over in pain, but she still maintained her concentration on Hinata and called out to Shizune.

"Shizune, bring me my cloak and mask at once!"

Shizune unsealed a scroll and retrieved a simple green cloak and a geisha type mask, which she quickly put on the Hokage. After that was done, Tsunade ordered a single medic nin to watch over each patient, while she and Shizune would care for Hinata on the trip back to Konoha. The few remaining medic nin's along with Shikamaru, Shino, and Kiba watched as all the Anbu along with Tsunade, Shizune, and their friends sped off into the forest racing to get to the hospital. As Shikamaru and his two comrades oversaw the medic nin's begin to repack their medical supplies, Kiba asked a question out of curiosity.

"How come the Hokage threw that cloak and mask on?"

"If I had to guess Kiba, It's probably because of the after effects of the jutsu's she used on Hinata." Shikamaru answered.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we all know from Naruto that the Hokage is over 50 years old but she looks like she's in her late twenty's or early thirty's. Did you ever wonder why that is Kiba?"

"I just figured it was some sort of super Genjutsu she was using, she is a Sannin after all."

"No one can maintain a Genjutsu for 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 365 days year, not even a Sannin. I'm pretty sure our Hokage is using some sort of cellular manipulation on herself to look younger than she actually is."

"Why does she do that, and what does it have to do with the after effects of the jutsu's she used on Hinata?"

"To answer your first question Kiba, she does it because our Hokage is extremely vain. As for what it has to do with the jutsu's she used on Hinata. It's only a theory but from what Shizune-san told us about the jutsu's, I would say the Souzou Saisei jutsu she used probably disrupts or weakens the normal cellular manipulation Tsunade maintains on herself. Actually, now that I think about it, our Hokage just made a huge sacrifice to her health in bringing Hinata back to life.” Shikamaru stated, with astonishment.

"How so?" Shino stoically asked, as he had been silently listening to Shikamaru's and his teammate's conversation.

"Well it's like Shizune-san said, the Souzou Saisei technique disperses chakra and stimulates the proteins of Tsunade's body to increase the speed of cell division and reconstruction of cells. Unfortunately a body's cells can only split a certain number of times in a lifetime. By speeding up this process Tsunade is shortening her life by speeding up its natural lifespan."

"What does that mean?" Kiba asked in perplexed confusion.

"It means Kiba that Lady Tsunade just sacrificed a portion of her own life in saving Hinata." Shino replied, as Shikamaru nodded his head in affirmation of the Aburame heir's statement.

All three shinobi stood in silence and deep thought, while the medic nin's finished repacking their supplies. Shortly thereafter, they began their own return trek to the Leaf village with Kiba, Shikamaru, and Shino in a triangle formation surrounding them, as they escorted the medical personnel back to Konoha.

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A small group of shinobi waited anxiously by the northeast gate of the Village Hidden in the Leaves for the return of their friend's and comrades. Ino and Chouji were currently worrying about their longtime teammate and friend Shikamaru, while Temari was also worried about the Nara heir, but for much different reasons.

The Suna kunoichi didn't know why, but the thought of never seeing the Shikamaru again terrified her. Temari inwardly cursed at herself for feeling this way and couldn't understand why she did. She and Nara heir had only been going out for a short time and initially Temari had viewed their relationship as nothing more than casual in its basis. There wasn't a boy in Suna who would come within a hundred yards of Temari thanks to the reputation her brothers had in protecting her virtue. They were still picking up the pieces of the drunk who made the fatal mistake of groping Temari in the Suna Marketplace after Gaara got through with him. So, it was nice to be able to go out with someone without them being terrified of her brothers as was the case back in Suna. And sure it didn't hurt that Shikamaru was cute and had the most clever and strategic mind she had ever come across, one that could easily match her own. There were other cute and smart guys in the world, so why did the thought of never seeing Shikamaru again bother her so much?

'It's not as though I love the lazy bum . . . . . . Do I?' Temari silently pondered, as she waited for said bum to return.

While Temari was currently wrestling with her feelings about a certain Nara heir, Tenten's feelings were flip-flopping between concern and anger about a certain Hyuga prodigy. Worried because Neji might be up against Sasuke Uchiha, and pissed off for what Neji did to her in leaving the weapons mistress behind. Depending upon how he looked when he returned would determine whether she kissed the Hyuga boy in relief or turn him into a walking pincushion. It was at that moment when the Hokage emerged from the forest surrounded by a full entourage of Anbu, patients, and medic nin's tending to them. Everyone looked on in horror as they saw both Hinata and Neji side by side on stretchers go by them while Tsunade and Shizune worked fervently on Hinata. This procession was quickly followed another with Kakashi and Kurenai laid out upon stretchers while medic nin's worked on both Jounin. Ino looked to be on the verge of tears, as she saw her best friend be spirited away to the hospital. While Tenten had quickly dismissed the idea of using Neji as a target for shurikens and kunai's and now wanted nothing more than to chase after him to the hospital. She was broken out of her train of thought when she heard Chouji say.

"Ino, you and Tenten are closest to Hinata and Neji. Why don't the two of you head to the hospital to check on them, while Temari-san and I wait here for Shikamaru and the others to get back."

"Are, are you sure Chouji?"

"Yeah Ino it's alright, go see Hinata. As soon as the lazy genius gets back, we'll meet you there."

As Chouji watched his crush and the weapons mistress run off together towards the hospital, he exhaled a heavy sigh which Temari noticed and remarked.

"You're in love with Ino aren't you?"

"Wh, whatever gave you that idea?" Chouji stammered in response.

"Oh not much, just the look of joy and contentment I saw on your face, as Ino hugged you before she left that's all."

"Hmmph, you're seeing things Temari-san." Chouji replied, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and turned his head to the side. Temari was amused by his reaction and decided to tease the Konoha Genin a bit more by saying.

"Ahhh young love, it's so sweet to see. I don't know why you just don't tell Ino that you love her Chouji-kun?"

Chouji looked at the Suna Chunin and smirked before saying.

"Tell you what Temari-chan, I'll tell Ino, if and when you ever tell Shikamaru that you're in love with him."

Temari's face blushed red in embarrassment, as she indignantly stammered out.

"M-me, in love that lazy excuse for a shinobi, don't make me laugh. He's an unmotivated good for nothing lay-a-bout, who would rather stare at clouds all day than improve himself as a shinobi. The only reason I'm with him is because Lady Tsunade assigned him as your village's liaison to me! Please, I'd sooner fall in love with that freaky green spandex wearing eyebrow kid from the Chunin exams than with Shikamaru."

"Well I could be wrong I guess? I mean you've been waiting here for the past 40 minutes staring off into the forest with a worried look on your face. I suppose you could be worried about Shino, or I know you're worried about not being able to go out with Kiba. That's good; Shikamaru's my best friend so I'd rather not see him get hurt by getting into a long-term relationship with you only for you to leave him later on for Kiba. I'm glad you've chosen to breakup with Shikamaru sooner rather than later and that you have no feelings for him. It won't hurt him as bad, and now he can go out and find a better kunoichi to be with." Chouji commented with his eyes closed as he leaned against the gate.

Chouji didn't even have to open his eyes before he felt the extreme killing intent coming from the Suna kunoichi. A moment later a hand grabbed a handful of the Akamichi heir's white scarf and pulled him forward. Chouji opened his eyes to stare directly into the enraged crimson colored face of the girl he had been talking with. Temari's eyes had a murderous glint to them, as she spat with venom dripping from her voice.

"Listen, I never said I was breaking up with Shika-kun, and I certainly wouldn't do it just so I could start dating dog-boy! Furthermore, I never said I didn't have any feelings for him either. And for your information, there isn't a better kunoichi for Shika-kun to be with in all of Suna or Konoha and he knows it. You got that potato chip boy!"

Chouji's response to the rage filled kunoichi in front of him was merely to cock an eyebrow and say.

"Shika-kun?"

Temari face flushed red once again with embarrassment, as she realized her slip of the tongue during her tirade towards her boyfriend's teammate. Letting go of Chouji, she stepped away from him and turned her head to hide her blush. Chouji decided not to torment the girl anymore about her feelings for his best friend. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out and opened a bag of his favorite barbeque flavored chips. Chouji held the open bag in front of Temari as a peace offering. After a moment, the Suna kunoichi took a chip from the bag and ate it. As both shinobi leaned back against the gate, Chouji took chip and ate it but not before giggling.

"(giggle) Shika-kun."

"GRRRRRRRR, SHUT UP CHOUJI!"

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Sakura was staring blankly out onto the courtyard through the window of her hospital room. The lunch that had been brought to her earlier had remained untouched, as after her morning questioning by Lady Tsunade and the others and what had been revealed had left the pink haired kunoichi with no appetite. At that moment, nothing else mattered to her other than knowing that Naruto-kun was safe and back in the village. Sakura had been silently praying to Kami for everyone's safety since Lady Tsunade had left her room a while ago. However, it seemed Kami had not heard her prayers, as Sakura's breath hitched in her throat when she saw the Hokage and several medic nin's arrive at the hospital and were administering aid to four people on stretchers. As Sakura watched the procession hurry across the courtyard, she was able to get a better look as to who the people were on the stretchers. When her eyes fell upon the lifeless form of Hinata with Neji by her side an anguished sob escaped Sakura, as she watched Tsunade and Shizune frantically work on the young Hyuga heiress.

'Oh please Kami no, not Hinata, please not Hinata!' Sakura silently pleaded in her mind.

After Tsunade, Hinata and the others had passed by, they were quickly followed by more medic nin's who were tending to Kakashi and Kurenai.

'No Kami no, not Kakashi-Sensei and Lady Kurenai too!' Sakura thought with despair, as fresh tears began streaming down her face.

After several minutes of weeping, Sakura slowly lowered her head to her pillow and said to herself in a choked guilt ridden voice.

"It's, it's my fault, it's all my fault they're hurt because of me. Lady Kurenai, Kakashi-Sensei, and, and Hinata all of them because of what I've done. Nar, Naruto is going to hate me forever, and I deserve it! So help me Kami, I deserve it!"

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A short time later, Shikamaru, Temari, Chouji, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru arrived at the waiting room of the ICU of the hospital to find both Ino and Tenten nervously pacing about. When Ino saw her teammates, she ran over and embraced them in a group hug.

"What's wrong Ino, has something happened to Hinata, is she alright?" Shikamaru asked his distraught teammate.

"That, that's just it, we don't know? Nobody will tell us anything? All we know is Lady Tsunade has been working on Hinata nonstop and that Kakashi-san and Kurenai-san are being tended to by Shizune." Ino said with frustration.

"Don't forget about Neji!" Tenten snapped to everyone.

"Oh yeah, we don't know anything about him either."

"Neji's fine Tenten, the Hokage needed him for a blood transfusion for Hinata, that's why he was on a stretcher when they came back. As for Hinata and the others, I'm sure Lady Tsunade will let us know about them when she can. So it's of no use getting so worked up, let's all just sit down and try to relax and wait. There's really nothing else we can do right now." Shikamaru earnestly stated.

A little over an hour later, Shikamaru was ready to go through roof with anxiety. Everyone in the room had remained silent since they all sat down and waited for news on their friends. The Nara heir had taken that time to go over every detail of the rescue mission in his mind. This had been the second mission he had ever led, and once again just like the Sasuke retrieval mission people had been brought back to Konoha on stretchers. Shikamaru was determined to find out what mistakes he made on the mission to cause this. Across the room, Shikamaru had spotted a small desk and pulling out a mission report he was required to fill out, he stood up and said.

"I need to fill out this mission report for the Hokage. I'll need to get both of your statements Kiba and Shino as well. So when I call you over do your best to remember every detail of what you did on the mission."

"You need to do this now?" Kiba complained.

"Yes Kiba I do! I need to know what mistakes I made on this mission!" Shikamaru sternly replied with authority.

A few hours later, Shikamaru had gotten his comrades statements of the mission and had written and examined his report thoroughly. Slamming his fist down onto the desk in disgust, Shikamaru now felt he knew the mistakes he had committed to make this mission such a costly one. Folding up the report and sticking it inside his Chunin vest, the Nara boy rejoined his friend's and sat back down in silence. It was then that Ayame Ichiraku arrived at the waiting room carrying several bags bearing her family's restaurant logo on them. Kiba immediately sprang up to help relieve the young woman of the cargo laden in her arms. As Kiba did this, he gave a mischievous wink to Ayame who merely rolled her eyes in response and ignored the Inuzuka heir before addressing everyone else in the room.

"Hi guys, my father and I thought you all might be hungry so we put this together for you to eat."

Nearly everyone looked to the clock on the wall and realized it was well past their normal dinnertime, as their grumbling stomachs would attest to after smelling the delicious aroma of the ramen dishes.

"Thank you Ayame, but how did you know we would be here?" Ino asked in curiosity.

"Well, it's no secret; you know how fast news can travel the grapevine in this village. Practically everyone knows that the Hyuga heiress was attacked outside the village and brought back by Lady Tsunade injured. And I know all of you are close to Hinata and Naruto, so I figured you would be here waiting. Speaking of Naruto, where is he?"

"Naruto is out of the village on a diplomatic mission in the Wave Country right now. Hinata told me about it a couple of days ago." Ino replied, as she helped Ayame pass out the ramen dishes to everybody.

"Oh I see, how is Hinata doing?"

Ino shook her head sadly before sitting down and said.

"We don't know yet Ayame?"

"I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I wish I could stay with you, but I've got to get back to the restaurant. I'll say a prayer for Hinata; I don't know what Naruto would do without her. You all take care and let me know if I can help in anyway?"

"Thanks Ayame, you've done plenty just with the food alone." Shikamaru replied, as he reached for his wallet along with several other people to theirs to pay for the food.

"No, no, the food is on the house from me and my Dad."

Everyone bowed and thanked Ayame for her family's generosity and just as the young woman was about to leave, Kiba bounded over to her and asked.

"Hey Ayame-chan, if I told you that you have a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?"

About one second later echoing through the corridors of the hospital was a resounding clanging sound of a head meeting a frying pan that had magically appeared out of thin air in Ayame's hand. While Kiba lay at her feet groaning and nursing a large bump on his head, as he heard the Ichiraku girl scream with anger.

"PERVERT!"

Ayame then stormed out of the hospital leaving behind all the males in the waiting room snickering at their friend's misfortune. While all the females were grinding their teeth and staring daggers at the Inuzuka heir.

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Meanwhile, as his friend's were just now starting to have dinner back in Konoha, Naruto had finished dinner over two hours ago. Since finishing his meal, Naruto had spent all of his time dancing with one Wave Country girl after another. He couldn't refuse according to Iruka since the festival celebration had been presented in his honor. Unbeknownst to Naruto and his companions before their arrival, Naruto's status and popularity with the people of the Wave Country since the last time he had been there had grown to now near legendary heroic proportions for his efforts in helping to overthrow the evil crime lord Gato's regime. Upon the Konoha teams arrival to the Wave Country that morning, they had been treated like royalty culminating in a festival honoring Naruto being held in front of the great bridge named after the honoree. Iruka almost felt like a proud father, as he watched Naruto dance with yet another starry-eyed girl in the center square. To think the one student he had spent so much of his time with to nurture and teach would go on to inspire the people of an entire nation was gratifying to see. As Naruto politely bowed to the girl he had just danced with, he trudged back to the main table where Iruka and Anko were seated and flopped down into a chair beside them. A slightly inebriated Anko noticed the unhappy and disinterested look on the young Genin's face and asked.

"What's wrong gaki? You should be the happiest guy your age on the planet right now. You've got a mob of pretty girls here tonight all of who want nothing more than to dance and be around you, why are you so glum?"

Naruto took a quick glance to the hordes of girls standing within the crowds of people waving and blowing kisses at him. He only groaned and turned back to his two Jounin comrades and said with annoyance.

"Yeah, they're pretty I suppose? But none of them are as pretty as my Hinata-chan."

"Kami kid, you act like the Hyuga girl is the prettiest girl on the planet. She's pretty, I'll give you that, but she's not even the prettiest kunoichi in the Leaf village." Anko casually replied, as she took another drink of sake.

'Damn it Anko, why did you have to say that?' Iruka thought to himself, as he rubbed his forehead in frustration when he saw the angry look appear on Naruto's face.

"Whose prettier than Hinata-chan in the Leaf village?"

"Well me for starters kid."

"You (giggle) you! (giggle, giggle)" Naruto repeated, trying his best to stifle his laughter. After a moment, he realized he couldn't and he began to laugh uncontrollably while saying.

"You, (ha, ha, ha,) the prettiest kunoichi in the village (ha, ha, ha, ha, ha) Oh Kami Anko-san, (ha, ha, ha,) that's the funniest thing I've ever heard! (ha, ha, ha, ha) Oh man Anko-san, your making my sides hurt! (ha, ha, ha)"

Iruka slapped his hands over his eyes and shook his head from side to side after hearing that. Before he took a peek through his fingers at the Jounin kunoichi sitting beside him and what he saw sent a shiver down his spine, as Anko's eyes appeared glazed over white and the amount of killing intent she was releasing could make a Kage go weak in the knees. Naruto of course was oblivious to the enraged snake mistress, as he continued to roll around on the ground in a never-ending fit of laughter. Just as Anko was about to pounce upon the giggling Genin on the ground, Iruka grabbed her around the waist to hold her at bay. As Anko struggled to get out of her fellow Jounin's grasp, she spat with fury.

"Yes me you little gaki! Name one thing your little girlfriends got that I don't?"

Naruto finally stopped laughing after he heard Anko's question and paused a moment to think before answering.

"Well let's see, Hinata is kind, considerate, polite, smart, classy, has smooth skin and silky hair and a sexy figure. Whereas you most of the time are kind of mean, impolite, inconsiderate, not as smart or as classy, your skin looks kind of rough and so does your hair. Your figure in nice but not in the same league as my hime's"

As Naruto closed his eyes and began to daydream about Hinata after describing her he failed to notice Anko's renewed attempt to pulverize him, as Iruka tightened his grip on the struggling kunoichi and said to the enraged Jounin.

"Anko, please just try to calm down. The kid's in love so of course he's going to think his girl is the prettiest of all. Try and remember, were on a diplomatic mission and the people here worship Naruto. It wouldn't look good for you to kill this town's hero in front of all of them."

After a moment or two of contemplation, Anko finally relaxed and stopped struggling, as she turned her head to the Jounin holding her and whispered.

"Fine, I won't kill him here. I'll just do it on the way back to the village."

Anko then turned her attention to Naruto and said with vigor, as she cupped her breast in her hands for added emphasis to her statement.

"Just so you know gaki, I have more than just a nice figure, I have a drop dead gorgeous figure!"

Naruto merely opened one eye and stared at Anko for a moment before he absently replied.

"Hinata's are bigger."

"That's it, he dies now!" Anko screamed, as she was about to leap at Naruto before a huge impact tremor shook the ground violently knocking most everyone at the festival down to the ground.

It was then many people started screaming and running around in a panic, as a gigantic crimson colored toad with a battle scar over its left eye and smoking a pipe towered over the entrance to the bridge, Gamabunta, the Boss King of Toads had arrived. Gamabunta looked about in amusement, as he watched all these mortals scurry about like mice before his eyes then set upon a blonde haired youth he knew so well. Gamabunta's deep resonating voice suddenly erupted and called out.

"Naruto-Sama, your presence is needed back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. I, your faithful servant Gamabunta will take you there at once!"

Naruto looked up at the Boss King of Toads in shock and was even more surprised with how the huge amphibian was addressing him. Suddenly, a lone figure was seen jumping down from atop Gamabunta's head and landing on the ground by Naruto, before rising up and announcing to the panicked crowd.

"People of the Wave Country, this is Gamabunta, the Boss King of Toads and the personal summons of Naruto Uzumaki. I am the Sage of Mt. Myoboku and one of the legendary Sannin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. I am also the personal Sensei of Naruto Uzumaki, behold me in awe for I am Jiraiya the Toad Sannin extraordinaire!"

"Oooooooh, he's the Sensei of Naruto-Sama and that creature is under Naruto-Sama's command as well." Many people in the crowd murmured in various ways while Jiraiya face planted onto the ground, as the people had ignored everything else in his title introduction. Gamabunta blew a huge plume of smoke out of his mouth and his eye twitched at being referred to as a creature and under the command of his henchman.

"Umm pervy sage, how come you're here?"

"How many times have I told you not to call me that!" Jiraiya shouted, as he leapt to his feet.

"Yeah, yeah whatever, you still haven't told me why you're here?"

"I'm here because Tsunade has ordered you back to Konoha at once."

"How come?"

"I'd rather not explain right now, let's just say it involves . . . . . .Sasuke."

Naruto's eyes narrowed and his face took on an appearance of grim determination upon hearing that name, as he said in an icy tone of voice.

"Let's go!"

"Master Jiraiya, are we to return with you as well?" Iruka asked, as he and Anko walked over to the Sannin.

"Ah Iruka, Anko, Tsunade didn't give me any orders about you two. No, you both stay here and complete the diplomatic mission and then return back to Konoha when finished. Jiraiya then turned his attention back to the crowd and announced.

"People of the Wave Country, I'm sorry but your guest of honor is urgently needed back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves and must leave immediately."

"Awwwwwww!" Most of the citizens groaned, especially the younger females before they heard Jiraiya continue on.

"However, Iruka-san was Naruto's first Sensei and Anko-san was a Procter during his first Chunin exam. They shall be remaining and I'm sure they both can regale you all with magnificent tales about their time with Naruto."

This seemed to brighten the mood a bit of the people, as they watched Jiraiya and Naruto wave to them all from atop Gamabunta's head before the gargantuan amphibian took a mighty leap and shot out of sight into the nighttime air.

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It was after nine o'clock when Neji walked out of the ICU and into the waiting room and was immediately glommed by Tenten. Once the Hyuga boy got her settled down, Neji was immediately bombarded with questions in regards to how Hinata and the others were doing. Sadly, he could offer little information as he had fallen unconscious during the transfusion, and had awakened in a separate room later on. A few minutes later, Shizune entered the waiting room pushing a wheelchair carrying the still masked Hokage. A grim silence held pall over the room and Tsunade could see the anxious looks on all the faces of Hinata's friends and family about the Hyuga girl's condition. It pained the Hokage greatly not to have better news with regards to Hinata to give them. Ino finally couldn't take the silence anymore and jumped up and was about to ask about Hinata when Tsunade's spoke.

"Hinata is alive, but in critical condition. We've done everything we can for her at the moment, but we won't know anything more until the morning. If Hinata can make it the next 10 to 12 hours, she has a good chance of surviving after that."

"You said "if" Hokage-sama, what are Hinata's chances right now?" Ino hesitantly asked.

"Less than 50/50 right now Ino."

Tsunade saw the ashen crestfallen looks appear on everyone's face when she said that, before she added.

"But I feel confident she's going to make it. Hinata's a strong girl, she has to be to put up with Naruto as a boyfriend."

This brought a small smile to most of the people in the room before Kiba spoke up and asked.

"What about Kurenai-Sensei, is she going to be alright?"

"Kurenai is stabilized and out of danger. But we've got to get her chakra levels up a bit more before we can operate Kiba."

"Operate, I thought you said Kurenai-Sensei was out of danger?"

"She is Kiba, but at the moment she is also . . . . . . . .paralyzed."

The mood in the room sank once more upon hearing that news.

"What about Kakashi-san?" Shikamaru quietly asked.

"Thanks to the efforts of both Kurenai and Hinata, Kakashi is going to live. It was touch and go for a while, but I was able to reattach the chakra pathway to his heart. But I wouldn't have gotten the chance to do so, if Kurenai and Hinata hadn't kept him alive long enough for us to retrieve him." Shizune replied.

"Anyway, I suggest you all go home and get some rest. As I said, we won't know anything more about Hinata until the morning."

The remnants of the Konoha 12 all looked around at one another before Ino spoke up and said.

"If it's all the same Lady Tsunade, I'd like to stay."

"We all would Hokage-sama." Chouji added.

"Alright, if that's what you want to do. Shizune, see if you can scrounge up some pillows and blankets for them. Oh, and after that make sure that messenger falcon got sent off to Jiraiya informing him of everything."

"Hai Hokage-sama."

"Shikamaru, I'd like to have a mission report from you for me to look at by the morning."

The Nara heir pulled the requested report out of his Chunin vest and handed it over to a surprised Hokage who commented.

"Well I'm glad you don't take after your father in everything. Getting him to file a report in a timely fashion is like trying to pull teeth."

Shikamaru said nothing and stood at attention before the Hokage, as she read his report while everyone else sat back down in the waiting room. After a few minutes of reading, Tsunade put the report down and called out to Neji, Shino, and Kiba to join Shikamaru in front of her.

As the three Genin stood at attention next to their Chunin comrade when Tsunade spoke.

"Well, I've read Shikamaru's report and it speaks quite highly of all three of you. This was a difficult mission but according to Shikamaru you all handled yourselves as professional Shinobi of the Leaf village. Kiba Inuzuka, the report says you were calm and collected during the mission. An effective fighter when you encountered the enemy. And your idea of using Akamaru as a messenger and guide to lead reinforcements back to your position was a brilliant strategy on your part."

"Th, thank you Hokage-sama." Kiba stuttered in confusion.

"Neji Hyuga, the report says you also were calm and collected during the mission. The report also says you were the one directly responsible for engaging and capturing the Otogakure officer we're currently interrogating back at Anbu Headquarters. I'm pleased you recognized the importance of taking prisoners so we are able to gain vital information from our enemies."

"Thank you Hokage-sama." Neji replied while shooting a guilty glance at Shikamaru.

"Shino Aburame, the report says you too were calm and collected during the mission. That's not surprising, I've yet to hear of an Aburame who didn't keep a cool and level head while on a mission. The report also states your use of your insects provided many needed roles in the mission ranging from combat, surveillance, and tactical support. In fact Shikamaru has recommended for a battlefield promotion to Chunin to replace him.

"I respectfully decline such a promotion under those pretenses Hokage-sama. Shikamaru was an able commander during this mission and the success of it is in no small part due to the decisions he made out in the field." Shino calmly stated.

"Yeah, Shino's right Shikamaru was a great commander, there's some things in that report that……."

"Shut up Kiba!" Shikamaru snapped at the Inuzuka heir.

"I'm afraid I must concur with Shino and Kiba Hokage-sama. Shikamaru proved to be superior officer on this mission and while I don't dispute his assessment of Shino's conduct on the mission. I do think he embellished a tad about my conduct on the mission." Neji declared.

"Mine too Hokage-sama." Kiba added.

"Thank you all for your honesty. All three of you can go; I wish to have a word with Shikamaru."

"You have some good and loyal friends Shikamaru, and they all seem to think the mission was a success, do you agree?

"No Hokage-sama, I do not."

"Why?"

"I made mistakes in the decisions I made, to which the end result were Leaf Shinobi being brought back to the village critically injured."

"To what mistakes are you referring? Because I can find no decisions you made out in the field Shikamaru that were incorrect."

"First off Hokage-sama upon Hinata's rescue, I should have brought her back immediately to the safety of the village and not pressed on in an attempt to save Kurenai-san."

"While I agree bringing Hinata directly back upon her retrieval may have been the safest and most prudent course of action. But if you had it would have been the wrong decision, because the result of that decision would have meant the deaths of both Kakashi and Kurenai. But aside from that, the Leaf Shinobi has always maintained a code of never leaving a comrade behind. So you lived up to that code like a true Shinobi of this village. Strike one Mr. Nara, you made the correct call."

"I allowed a critically injured Shinobi to administer medical aid and deplete her chakra to life threatening levels."

"That's true, but it's my understanding from talking to Neji a few hours ago that Hinata had told you and everyone else that she was not that badly injured. Also that she had taken a Soldier pill to replenish her chakra. I also understand she told you if she didn't administer aid to Kakashi and Kurenai immediately they would die. Is all of this true?"

"Hai Hokage-sama."

"Strike two Mr. Nara, you made the correct call again with the information provided to you. Just to let you know, both Kakashi and Kurenai would have died if Hinata hadn't provided medical aid to them. And you cannot be held accountable if a Shinobi lies to you with regards to the extent of their injuries. Hinata indeed was very low on chakra and had lost a lot of blood before you rescued her. You could not know that the Soldier pill Hinata took to replenish her chakra wasn't for her benefit, but for Kurenai and Kakashi's. Hinata willingly chose to use that chakra to save both of them while sacrificing herself at the same time. You got anything else Mr. Nara?"

Shikamaru was flustered, as he had been positive those had been the reasons why the mission in his mind had been a failure. He quickly attempted to stammer out a third reason for the mission's failure.

"If, If we hadn't stopped and changed directions to go after Hinata we could have gotten to the grotto and…….."

"And watched Kurenai and Kakashi die while Hinata would be captured and on her way into the clutches of Orochimaru and Sasuke back in Otogakure." Tsunade firmly stated, as she finished Shikamaru's sentence for him before adding.

"Strike three Mr. Nara you're out. You made all the right moves and decisions on this mission and the outcome could not have been any better than what it was. You're just going to have to hang onto that Chunin vest awhile longer."

"But, but it has to be my fault, I had to have done something wrong? I've led two missions in my life and both times the results have been people critically injured or dying!"

"Is that what this is about? Shikamaru I hate to break this to you, but most missions you're going to have are going to end here at the hospital. That's just price we pay for being Shinobi. And you better get used to that fact, because you're going to receive missions in the future that are infinitely more difficult than this one was. But if you are so Hell-bent on looking for a mistake that you've made, there is one. Don't embellish mission reports to cover the mistakes or failings of your team. If they're not pointed out to them, than they will never learn to correct their errors. Which may end up costing them their lives on a mission in the future. And that Mr. Nara you can take the blame for. But as for what happened on this mission, you performed splendidly." Tsunade stated with pride, before she wheeled herself out of the room.

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Shikamaru had stood silent and unmoving for several minutes after Tsunade had left before turning on his heels and storming out of the hospital. Taking a seat on a bench in the courtyard, the Nara heir took off his Chunin vest and stared at it a moment before tossing it away in frustration. Shikamaru leaned back on the bench and tilted his head to stare at the stars in the sky while thinking to himself.

'Man, I wish these were clouds; clouds are much more interesting, they come in all shapes and sizes. Stars are just dots of light on a dark canvas, they're so boring.'

"You're not out here to cry again are you crybaby?" Temari asked, as she knelt down to pickup and brush off Shikamaru's Chunin vest.

'Damn troublesome woman!'

"I'm in no mood for your witty banter right now Temari!"

Temari merely ignored her boyfriend's curt statement and sat down next to him before quietly saying.

"What are angry about Shika-kun? Are you pissed off that the Hokage called the mission a success when you thought it was a failure? Or are you pissed that you couldn't argue your way out of being a Chunin with her?"

"You heard?"

Temari nodded her head and Shikamaru exhaled a weary sigh before saying.

"Truth be told, I don't know what I'm angry about Mari-chan?"

"Well Shika-kun is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" Temari sexily cooed into Shikamaru's ear, as she began to lick and nibble on his earlobe.

"I guess I can think of one or two things." Shikamaru replied with a smirk, before he leaned down to attack the sweet spot on Temari's neck that only he knew about with his mouth.

Suddenly, a large crashing sound was heard interrupting the couple, as they saw Neji come flying out the doors of the hospital and land in the courtyard a few feet away from them. Stomping out of the doors following Neji was one very upset weapons mistress wearing a pair of knuckle busters minus the blades on her hands, as she stalked her way over to where the Hyuga prodigy had landed. It was then everyone in the courtyard heard Tenten shout.

"I'm not done with you yet Neji Hyuga! You are going to pay for what you did to me back at the restaurant before you left to go save Hinata!"

Neji was in a daze and clutching his chest in pain, as he attempted to rise and defend himself. Fortunately for him, the lights in the courtyard provided enough illumination to make shadows and before Tenten could land another blow, Shikamaru caught her in his jutsu as he yelled.

"Stop!"

"Let me go this instance Shikamaru! Neji's got this beating coming to him for what he did!" Tenten spat with rage.

"Troublesome, you two are made for each other you know that! If I'm not stopping him from killing someone, then I'm having to stop you from doing the same. Tell me Tenten, did you stop and think why Neji didn't want you on that mission?"

"Yeah, I know why, because Mr. High and Mighty over there thinks I'm weak just like he does with everyone else!"

"Is that the reason Neji?" Shikamaru asked the Hyuga boy.

"Then why Neji why? You tell me right now why you did that to me!"

"I did it because I, I, . . . . . . "

"Because he loves you Tenten." Shikamaru stated for his stammering comrade.

"I, I don't understand?" Tenten replied in confusion.

"Troublesome, Tenten Neji didn't want you on that mission because there was the possibility we might be going up against Sasuke and he didn't want to see you get hurt or have what happened to Sakura happen to you."

"Is this true Neji-kun?"

"Y, yes." Neji quietly replied, as he looked sheepishly down towards the ground.

Shikamaru released his jutsu and Tenten dropped the knuckle busters out of her hands and walked over to hug Neji, while they both softly apologized to one another. Shikamaru turned around to flop back down onto the bench next to Temari, as he watched Neji lean down to kiss Tenten. Temari kissed her boyfriend's cheek before softly saying.

"Let's go back inside and give them some privacy Shika-kun."

"Fine." Shikamaru grumbled, as Temari took his hand in hers and they walked back to the waiting room and sat down.

A few minutes later Neji and Tenten came walking into the waiting room hand in hand much to Shikamaru's annoyance when he heard Temari ask.

"What brings the two of you back; we left you alone for some private time with one another?"

"Well we felt kind of bad when we realized we had interrupted yours and Shikamaru's private time so we decided to come back. You guys can head back out now."

Temari looked to Shikamaru and cocked an eyebrow.

"No!" Shikamaru stated.

"What do you mean no?"

"I mean Temari that we've been getting up and sitting down and then getting up again for the past 10 minutes and I'm tired of it. It's much too troublesome to go outside again, so either we suck face here or not at all." Shikamaru stubbornly declared.

Temari just stared dumbfounded at Shikamaru, as she couldn't believe he was doing this. However, Kiba interrupted her thoughts on the matter when the Inuzuka piped up and said.

"I'll go outside and suck face with you if you want Temari?"

For the second time that evening, Kiba found himself groaning on the floor and clutching his head in pain, as he now nursed another large bump on his head. Temari stood over him shaking with rage her battle fan in hand, as she screamed at the Inuzuka heir with righteous fury.

"PERVERT!"

Temari then turned around and pointed her fan at Shikamaru and ordered with equal fury.

"YOU, OUTSIDE, NOW!"

Shikamaru dropped his head in defeat and slowly rose from the chair he was sitting in. He had gotten to know Temari moods well enough to know that he either could join the Suna kunoichi outside or share the same fate as Kiba. Truthfully, Shikamaru was quite tired, as it had been a long and exhausting day for him in many ways and all he wanted to do right now is rest. But with Temari worked up into such a frenzy thanks to Kiba, he realized he would not be getting any sleep for a while. There was only one thought going through Shikamaru's mind, as he trudged out the hospital doors.

'This day has been most troublesome.'

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It was a little after 8:00am when Shizune wheeled the still masked Tsunade into the waiting room after having come from examining Hinata. Between using the Souzou Saisei jutsu to revive Hinata and all the subsequent chakra Tsunade had used the previous day to keep the Hyuga girls chakra pathways flowing. The Slug Sannin had not yet recovered enough to use her cellular manipulation technique to bring back her youthful appearance as of yet. This irritated Tsunade greatly, as she was not comfortable showing her true age. But this was not what had put the Hokage into such a depressed state of mind this morning. As Tsunade looked up and saw the remaining members of the infamous Konoha 12 all sleeping peacefully in the ICU waiting room, she gave a small smile at the sight before her. All the girls in the room were currently snuggled up and using a boy as a pillow to sleep on, Tenten with Neji, Temari with Shikamaru, and even Ino was using Chouji as a bed rest. Kiba was snoring soundly on the floor with Akamaru tucked away under one arm. While Shino was standing in a far corner of the room and if you didn't see the rhythmic movement of his chest you would think he was awake.

'Hmm, I never knew the Aburame could sleep standing up? Kami, they all look so peaceful and content. I hate to wake them especially just to be the bearer of this news, but they all want to know about Hinata as soon as possible.' Tsunade thought to herself before clearing her throat to awaken everyone.

As everyone one in the waiting room groggily opened their eyes to find source of the disturbance that had awakened them. Their gazes fell upon Tsunade and Shizune waiting on all of them to rise and give their attention to the Hokage. A swift kick to the butt from Ino finally roused the still snoring Kiba from the floor, as he quickly jumped to his feet when he saw Tsunade. Everyone nervously waited with bated breath for Tsunade to speak. Tsunade saw all hopeful looks are their faces, and her stomach tightened a bit, as the news she was about to give pained her greatly.

"Hinata has stabilized and made it through the night and is out of critical condition."

This brought smiles to almost everyone's faces, as several of them danced around and hugged one another in joy and relief after hearing the news. However, Shino and Shikamaru had not taken part in the celebration, as they had noticed the pensive and saddened tone to which the Hokage had given the news. It was Shino who spoke up first, which caused everyone in the room to stop what they were doing, as it was rare to hear the Aburame heir speak.

"There is more isn't there Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade dropped her head a bit before looking up and answering in a somber voice.

"I'm afraid so Shino, due to the amount of chakra and blood loss Hinata suffered and of her chakra circulatory system being shut down for a period of time. This all put an enormous strain on Hinata's body and mind. Because of all these factors Hinata has slipped into a . . . . . . . coma."

A grim silence filled the room upon hearing that, as everyone tried to understand the ramifications of what Tsunade had just said. It was Ino who spoke up, as tears were welling in her eyes and stammered out.

"But, but Hinata's going to wake up again isn't she? I, I mean how long is she going to be in a, a coma?"

"I don't know Ino, I really don't know? Hinata could wake up today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, or she may never wake up. We just don't know?" Tsunade replied with heartache, as she shook her head.

"Can, can we see her?" Kiba asked in a choked voice.

"Yes, but only for a few minutes. But I warn you, you might not like what you see."

About 10 minutes later, everyone returned to the waiting room depressed and in shock of what they had seen. The sight they beheld of Hinata was horrific to them at seeing their friend hooked up to seemingly every life support and medical device possible. There was a feeding tube snaked down Hinata's throat and several intravenous drips going into the Hyuga girl's arms providing her with fluids and medications. Hinata was also under total parenteral nutrition and was receiving through more tubes various nutritional formulas containing salts, glucose, amino acids, lipids, and added vitamins. A mechanical ventilation machine was by her bed and humming, as it was systematically delivering oxygen to and removing the carbon dioxide waste from Hinata's lungs. The Hyuga girl was also nearly surrounded by several monitors connected to her body by wired leads with sensors on the ends. Hinata had so many tubes, wires, monitors, and equipment attached to her body, it was difficult to know where the machinery stopped and Hinata began? Ino couldn't stand the sight of her best friend looking as she did and broke down and wept, as she buried her head into Chouji's chest. Tsunade tried her best to explain the function of each device and why they were necessary to try and calm the panicked youths down. But in the end, all she had succeeded in doing was making them more depressed, as they now had a better understanding of how morbid a condition Hinata was in.

A ghastly silence filled the room that was only broken periodically by a muffled sob from Ino, as everyone attempted to come to grips with what they had seen and now know about Hinata's condition. Suddenly the whole hospital was violently shaken for a moment by a huge impact tremor from outside. Everyone jumped up to look outside and see an enormous crimson colored webbed foot covering the courtyard. Tsunade face grew pale under her mask, as she knew whom that foot belonged to and that meant only one thing.

Naruto was back!

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Authors Notes: Wow, what a chapter, I am beat! I've got to tell you it's not easy cranking out 10,000+ word count quality chapters. At least I hope this was quality, I guess you all will be the judge of that. My thanks to all of you, who continue to read and review my story. Take care and be good!

Kingkakashi