Team Harmony

SR56: Together

Naruto's eyes snapped open and he sat up with a gasp. "Sasuke!" He whispered hoarsely, throat dry.

"I'm sorry, Naruto." He looked and saw Hinata sitting at his bedside with a forlorn expression on her face. She handed him Sasuke's forehead protector, eyes still cast downward as he took it. She couldn't even look at him with the weight of the guilt on her shoulders.

"I'm...the one who should be sorry," he eventually mumbled. Slowly, as if thinking the exact same thing, their hands slowly came together in a tight grip. It was comforting and they could almost feel the emotions of one another. "I failed. I couldn't stop him."

Finally, Hinata looked up at him and shook her head. "We failed, Naruto. We're going to work harder to become even stronger together. It's not all on you, okay? We're a team and we're supposed to lean on each other," she assured him. The last thing she wanted was for him to think everything rested on his shoulders.

Slowly, he smiled at her. "Thanks, Hinata." Then, he remembered Sasuke telling him about her and Itachi. He lowered his voice even more before he spoke. "Itachi, huh?"

Hinata's shoulders tensed briefly before relaxing once again. "I have no right to ask this of you, but please trust me. I can't tell you right now, but I promise to one day." She looked into his eyes and Naruto could clearly see the guilt and anguish. He was upset, but it never occurred to him to hate her or think of her any differently. For Sasuke, however, it was different. It would probably feel different if Itachi had been his brother.

"I trust you," he eventually said, causing her to sag in relief. "I've never not trusted you. I really want to know, but I'm not gonna push it. I trust you know what you're doing."

Hinata surprised him by bowing her head deeply. "Thank you," she whimpered. She sounded so heartfelt that Naruto's chest ached. He could see it had been weighing on her for a long time. He thought back to those whispered words in that inn when he'd barely been conscious.

"We're a team. You don't have to thank me."

And just like that, everything was good again.

"How is everyone?" He asked.

"They're all good. Choji-san and Neji had been in critical condition, but they're currently stable. Neji is already awake and ready to go, but Choji-san remains unconscious as his body heals. Kiba-san and Akamaru have to remain in bed but they're okay, too. Shikamaru is also doing just fine," she explained.

"And what about Lee?"

"He's okay as well. The three siblings from Suna came to our aid," she said with a smile. "I saw Gaara-san before making my way to you and Sasuke and he looks much better. Happier, I suppose."

Naruto grinned. "That's good to hear. We definitely owe them one."

"Maybe it's a bit much, but I've prepared a small gift basket for each of them." This caused Naruto to laugh. "What's so funny?" She all but whined.

He shook his head before letting himself drop back fully onto the bed with a sigh. "It's just like you, is all. I bet you put in some baked goods, your special salve and some other medicinal things, and a handwritten thank you card. Oh! And maybe even one of those calming bags."

She pouted. "Lucky guesses," she said seriously before giggling. "You know me perfectly well."

Suddenly, the door opened and Tsunade stepped through, surprised to see them laughing. "Looks like you're both doing okay," she said as she walked further in. She gave Naruto a once over. "You're healing pretty fast, but I'm sure we all know why."