In The Training Field (Naruhina)

Part 5

Hinata's POV

Heat engulfed Hinata faster than she could think. A burning sentient of skin on skin pressed against her wrist.

Then Naruto spoke to her in a voice she'd heard very few times before. It was scratchy and serious, so unlike him. "Stop. Please. Why are you doing this to yourself?"

Doing what? Hinata wasn't doing anything. Just training. So why does he sound so concerned? And why did he have to be so close?

Then Hinata became aware of her bloody hand, and suddenly she could feel all her blood flowing throughout her body, faster and faster. Her heart grew heavy and loud, but even louder was Neji's cry of agony that echoed in her mind.

She needed to tell someone or the guilt would drive her crazy.

"Th-the mission." She hated that her voice shook. She tried sounding steadier but it was no use. Hinata struggled to hit the wooden stake again. Naruto's hold was strong. "Neji got h-hurt on the m-mission, and it was m-my fault."

Saying it out loud made it so much worse. And the fact that she was spilling her guts to Naruto of all people didn't help.

"Whatever happened," he responded softly. "I'm sure it wasn't your fault."

A wave of exhaustion unexpectedly washed over Hinata, losing her will to fully sustain her own weight. Normally she would be embarrassed to be this close to Naruto, but right now she didn't care. And now that she'd started, the words kept flowing.

"It was! It was all my doing! I- I couldn't stop the attack. Neji had to save me, but he was the one who ended up getting hurt! If I had just been stronger-"

She was crying now. She wanted to scream. She wanted to use the pain to drown her crippling self doubt, but her body wouldn't give. Just when she thought she would be dragged down into the darkness calling to her, Naruto loosened his grip on her wrist and hugged her from behind. His warmth was comforting and that alone helped ease her mind.

"Listen to me." He said, his hot breath lingering on her ear and his voice reassuring. "No matter what anyone says, I'm telling you you're strong. One of the strongest people I know."

One of the strongest people he knows?

"Not stopping one attack doesn't define you."

But doesn't it? If I couldn't stop that attack I might not be able to stop the next one...

"Neji took that blow because he loves you. And it's clear that you love him or you wouldn't be so beat up about it."

I do love Neji. He's my family, my comrade and friend, and yet... I couldn't do anything.

"Don't let his sacrifice of love be a waste. There are always ways to get stronger."

He's right. I can't lose my head. I need to get stronger so no one gets hurt again.

"But please, don't hurt yourself. The people who care, the people who love you won't let you pay that price. I won't let you."

Hinata barely registered this last part, for if she had, she might've fainted at Naruto's implication. Instead, Mr. Hyuga's scowl flared in her mind. His sharp words came back to Hinata in a blurr.

"Why didn't you protect him! He is your blood. Your family. How could you let this happen?" he boomed.

I'm sorry.

"But my father said-" When Hinata tried to speak again, Naruto cut her off by shifting their bodies so their chests were pressed together, her enveloped in his arms. This new position caught her off guard even more than the first time he'd laid hands on her. She wasn't sure she could take much more. The floodgates would open soon.

"Whatever he said, forget it. At least for now. He loves Neji too and I'm sure your dad was distressed to see him in that condition. He needed someone to blame, a coping thing. But that thing shouldn't have been you." said Naruto.

His words had some reason to them. Mr. Hyuga often let his anger get the better of him.

But he was right to be angry. Hinata thought to herself. But...he's angry a lot of the time at me when I don't know what I've done. Isn't- isn't that normal?

Then Naruto tightened his hold, not enough to hurt Hinata, but enough to give her an extra sense of security.

"I don't care that he was worried. You don't take that kind of anger out on those you love. It's just not right." He mumbled into her skin.

Hinata almost thought she misheard him. The utter disbelief in his voice was unregistered to her.

Maybe it is wrong

There was no stopping the sobs that inevitably came. Hinata cried and Naruto held her all the while.

"Come on. I'm treating you to Ramen." he said, still holding her hand. They started making their way out of the clearing, until Hinata stopped.

"Naruto, thank you but," Hinata glanced down at her toes. "I won't allow myself any relief. Not until I've reassured myself that I can protect everyone."

"I get it. I do. But Hinata, it's not worth hurting yourself-"

"I will endure that pain if it helps!" Hinata burst out. "You wouldn't have let that happen, so I need to do all I can to ensure that I don't mess up again!"

There it was, plain and simple. Hinata was scared of not being strong enough, of losing her grip, and most of all, failing.