Warmth

Chapter 18

Naruto

The trip north has been painful. We have found nothing, not shit. It has been weeks since we saw Karin and Suigetsu. Yet still nothing has presented itself. No trail, no smell, no footprints, no breadcrumbs. I wake up so devastated that I want to quit. Sakura suggesting going back to the village every hour on the hour didn't help. Shino and Kiba have really kept me going. Their determination to find Hinata reminds me why I aspired to be a ninja. My nindo way.

If someone told me this morning I would find a passed out Hinata under a tree by a lake, I would just thank them for being hopeful and oddly specific. Yet there she was, unconscious under a tree... by a lake.

"HINATA!"

I ran to her body with everyone right behind me. She was beat up pretty bad. "Sakura" I kneel beside Hinata's damaged body. She looked as though she was smiling. Kiba squatted on the other side of her, examining her body. His hand touched her neck swiftly before backing away. "Sakura" I repeat looking up at the pink head. She redirects her focus from the trees to me. "Heal her" I motion to Hinata.

"Oh of course." She glances at the trees one last time before her hands glow green.

"Is she okay?" Asked Shino. Kiba stood next to him staring at Hinata. I have never seen him this quiet.

"Her neck is broken and a few of her ribs. Her ankle and left wrist is sprained." Emerald eyes met mine. "She also has some internal bleeding. I will not be able to heal her fully out here."

"We need to get her to the village." Shino adds walking up to her unconscious body.

"What about the person that did this to her? He could still be out there."

"He could still be out there," Sakura repeats after me. Although we weren't talking about the same person. I knew when we left Konoha she wouldn't only be trying to find Hinata. I wished to run into him, but I chose not to get my hopes up. He will only return on his own accord, no one else's.

"We came to find Hinata." Kiba finally spoke. "Now we go back." He gently picks her up bridal style. "We need to get her to safety. No breaks, we go straight to Konoha." Kiba announces taking the lead. We all follow without a word.

...

It took us two and a half days until we reached Konoha. Only stopping for food and water. I carried Sakura half the way as she kept complaining about her feet and how tired she was. I wouldn't have done it but she was losing chakra everytime she healed Hinata to keep her stable until we got here. My back is killing me. Kiba's back must have commited suicide since he didn't put Hinata down, not once.

I dropped Sakura as soon as we walked through the gates. "We are going to talk to Granny Tsunade before she kills all of us. Take Hina to the hospital." I say to Shino and Kiba as they nod in agreeance. 

"Thank for dropping me on my ass Naruto!"

"What ass?" I grin as I hear Kiba mumble before walking away. 

...

I open the door to the hokage office. I have zero energy to hear Granny put the iron fist down about us leaving without her permission. Hopefully us actually finding Hinata will soften the blow. I follow Sakura in the room. "Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura deadpans.

"Aye Sensei, you better get out of Granny Tsunade's chair before she punches you into next week." I laugh, although Kakashi did not find my joke amusing. "Are you here to steal her sake stash?" I ask squinting my eyes accusingly while giving a mischievous smile.