Behind The Veil

Chapter Eight

His legs felt as if they were wighing his body down. How injured could she be? He recalled how Sasuke's hand impale her body thoroughly. His heart sped as he neared the bed, she'll live right?

He felt his world collapse as she came into veiw, her face was paler than usual. Sickly. He watched as her chest slowly rose, then fell. Should her breathing be that shallow? Her hospital gown was pulled away from her chest, blood spotted bandanges wrapped tightly all up her torso. She must have just been operated on.

A tube was taped by her nose, perhaps to keep it in place. Another one retreated from the sleeve of her gown. The steady beat of a machine was the only noise in the room.

"Hinata," He ran a hand down his face as he sat in a chair, tears stung the backs of his eyes, "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't of made you come get the berries with me."

A silent tear escaped down his face, of course she wouldn't respond to him. What was he expecting. He was so blind to this amazing girl. And just as he got her, she's leaving him. He doesn't want to be alone again. He doesn't want to loose the only human ever to not be afraid of him.

He didn't want to loose sight of those beautiful blushes, or the cute way she stuttered when she spoke. An hour passed before he realized, yet he didn't move a muscle. A nurse came in and told him visiting hours were over but he ignored her. Even the hokage was helpless against his need to be next to the girl.

His baby blue eyes were glued to the girl he so slowly fell in love with. Love? He scrunched his eyesbrows, he'd said it before. But that was just in the spur of the moment. He bit his lips as he ran his eyes over her body. Did he love her?

How would you know if you loved someone? He had thought he loved Sakura, but maybe that was just a childish feeling of jelousy over Sasuke. His mood darkened at the thought of the traitor. He'd harmed Hinata. She didn't do a thing to deserve that, she was an angel.

'I don't regret it.', he thought to himself, a flash of Sasuke's mangled body stuck in his head. The bastard deserved more than he got. He tried to kill a Hyuuga. Their princess of all people. He threatned to destroy the Hidden Leaf. He deserves way more than just a coma.

Naruto's heart skipped a beat as an idea came to mind, he silently rose careful not to disturb the sleeping beauty in front of him. He peeked into the hall, thankful for the lack of presence. He closed his eyes briefly picking up traces of Sakura's chakra. He figured she would still be here with Sasuke.

He bit his lip, she needs to be punished too.

He crept down the hall, kicking down Sasuke's door upon arrival. Sakura jumped before a glare was sent his way. She laid a hand protectively over the traitor he nearly killed. Kakashi should have left him for dead. Without Tsunade there was no way he could survive the result of Naruto's wrath.

"I don't regret it," His voice was a low growl.

Sakura shreiked, "Get out of here you monster!"

I'm not a monster.

"Quiet Banshee."

His monster stirred to life, "What's the matter boy?"

He felt his anger churning through his body. Kill. He would acomplish it this time. He sauntered to the two, accepting a hard slap from Sakura. He reached up, clasping a clawed hand tightly around her frail wrist. He wouldn't be gentle. Naruto effortlessly hurled her out the room.

"Wake up, I know you are not asleep fool." Was that his voice? Sounding so..evil?

His former friend blinked his dark eyes opened, a smile playing on his face. "What could I do with an anoying fangirl by my side?"

He hated how playful he was right now, he should be writhing in pain from his injuries. Seems like Tsunade did a bang up job at healing him. Naruto would just have to fix that. He gribbed Sasuke's bandaged hand, he knew it was broken in the fight but it appeared fixed now, Naruto turned it roughly, grinning wo=ith pleasure as the crushing sound of bones grated his ears.

Sasuke didn't show his pain, that only angered Naruto more. He imagined the teen in a lifeless heap of bones. A bloodied limp body. So beaten up he was unrecognizable.

Hinata's kind smile appeared in the daze.

Sasuke did not deserve death.

He yanked the boy of the bed, dragging him out the room. With ease he dragged him behind him, easily carrying Sakura's thrasing body over his shoulder. He was shocked Sasuke wasn't putting up more of a fight.

As he neared the gates of Konoha, Kakashi, Gai, and Yamato appeared before him. Dissapointment was written across their faces but he didn't care. He no longer felt the need to please these people, he deserved this at least. Hinata deserved this.

Gaara came in a swirl of sand, Naruto was nervous to look at him. He knew the dissapointment wouldn't be there, yet he feared for the worst. Tsunade came next, she looked as if her heart had been wounded when she saw Sakura dangling from his shoulder.

Gaara gave Naruto an odd smile, the only one he was capable off as he eyes the two with him with disgust. Naruto couldn't help but wonder if Gaara's hate for the two ran deeper than his own.

Naruto tossed Sasuke infront of him followed by Sakura. He eyes the two. He remembered their younger days as if it was yesterday. They had fun, working as a team. Chasing the devil cat, Tora, through the village. Sakura hitting the boys on their heads when they bickered.

Then Sasuke betrayed their trust. Sakura handed him a hopeless request. His dream world destroyed. He felt like his team was his family. Now they were broken. The smile that was briefly on his face dissapeared quickly, leaving the others to wonder.

"I can't forgive you," He said on an inhale, "I loved you both. And you guys took advantage of that. My team was my first family, Kakashi too." He graced a glance towards the ninja, "I guess I didn't deserve that after all, huh?"

He smiled hopefully at the group that gathered. He would not cry, he was not weak. His voice echoed with his sorrows. Nobody every thought the happy go lucky Naruto could ever sound so pained.

"Recently,I needed you three more than ever. I chased after Sakura with love that was generously given, harshly rejected. I saw Sasuke as a brother, yet I was ruthlessly betrayed. I even saw Kakashi as a father figure." Hinata is the only one left. The words dangled in the air.

"I feel betrayed," He cringed at the crack in his voice, he wasn't weak.

Tsunade's hands were balled into fists as she bit her lip to hide the quivers, Naruto knew though, he used the same method many times before. Her hands itched to pound her student and Sasuke right now.

"Sakura," He hesitated, "I am not a monster!" His words ended in a growl. Shivers wrecked everyone's bodies. Naruto, of course, could be feirce at times. "It isn't me. I'm not the monster. It's inside of me." He gave his best smile, his eyes tearing up at the stretch of his cheeks. He rubbed the back of his head as he forced a chuckle.

"I'm Naruto." He couldn't help the tears, but he didn't care anymore, "Naruto Uzumaki."

Gaara approached him slowly, his face grim as he placed a hand on Naruto's shaking back. He would always be Naruto's pillar of support if needed. He would move mountains for the blonde teen.

"I want you both to leave," He looked around at the shocked faces, it was now or never. "Or I will."