Beyond The Camera: The Sequel

Chapter 10

-Hinata's POV-

A slow, steady beeping met my ears as I awoke. It sped up when I opened my eyes and looked around to see a dark hospital room. I expected my entire body to hurt like it had when I passed out last, but I couldn't feel a thing. They must be numbing it with some type of medicine. My suspicion was confirmed when I saw the I.V.

The door to the room opened, and a doctor came inside, followed by a nurse. "You're awake! Don't try to move or speak yet. Just let me explain the situation, okay?"

I nodded, anxiously grasping at the thin white blanket covering my body.

The older man came to my bedside and appeared to check my vitals while speaking, "You were hurt pretty badly, but luckily, your friends wouldn't stop until they found you."

My friends? The heart monitor's beeping sped up further. Does he mean Sasuke and the others? I tried to ask, only to wince when a sharp pain shot through my throat. Not even a whimper of sound came out.

"You won't be able to speak for a few days, but I believe you'll fully recover within a few weeks with proper treatment."

A knock came at the door, and the nurse silently went to answer it.

The doctor continued, "You've been here for about eighteen hours. The man who did this to you is in custody, so please focus only on resting. You're no longer in danger."

The nurse returned, whispering something to the man. He nodded, smiling calmly down at me, "Your next of kin has arrived. Do you want me to let them in? It's completely up to you."

I froze. Next of kin? Is it Father? As I thought about it, I nodded. Even now, I bet Hiashi Hyuuga won't visit. It's likely Neji.

Moments later, familiar faces entered the room, and the nurse left.

"Hinata, oh, God!"

I was torn from my deep thoughts when Tenten, Ino, and Neji came through the door, the former bursting into sobs and barely restraining herself from climbing onto the bed to hug me. Ino was crying, too, but Neji just looked sad. His silver eyes were dull and worried.

Shakily, I reached out with my uninjured hand, and Tenten grasped it between hers, "You must've been so scared!"

The doctor politely bowed in greeting to the new arrivals, "All I ask is that you let her rest. Otherwise, I'll be forced to ask you to leave."

When he and the nurse were gone, Ino shut the door.

Tenten whispered through sobs, "Everyone else was arrested for hurting Toneri. Sai's at the jail now, bailing them out."

I tried to ask precisely who she was referring to but couldn't. I'm almost entirely sure Sasuke's one of them, but who else was involved?

Ino appeared at my other side, gently laying a calming hand on my leg as she sat, "Sasuke, Sakura, Gaara, Kakashi, and Itachi. They should be here in a few hours."

They went on to explain all they knew about what happened so far. Apparently, Toneri was beaten pretty severely, a fact I'm almost happy to learn. I only wish I'd gotten the chance to get a few hits in as retribution for all he's done to me.

I tried so hard to stay awake to wait for the others to arrive, but I simply couldn't. When I next awoke, familiar voices were speaking in hushed tones around me. The medication left me incredibly groggy, so it wasn't hard to remain still. Someone was holding my hand between both of theirs. Their fingers were calloused but warm. It's Sasuke; I just know it.

"Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Naruto are taking care of that while we're away. Things are going well so far. They managed to arrest everyone before they could release everything," Kakashi whispered.