My Darling Naruto, My Sweet Kyuubi

Hinata opened her eyes slowly, blinking a couple of times to help her pupil less eyes adjust to the light,
before moving her head to look around from where she lay. It was a small cave and someone had built a small
fire close to her that cast flickering shadows along the jagged walls as it crackled and burnt. A small pile
of logs had been put a little distance away from the fire, 'extra fuel to keep it alight' she assumed.

Hinata slowly sat up, feeling a little light headed as she did. She didn't know how long she'd been asleep,
and she winced a little and brought her hand to her head as she steadied herself and began to run through
the things that had happened up until now.

She could see the vortex of chakra tearing at the ninja, then felt her legs give way to overexertion from the
use of her byakugan, she also remembered looking up as a huge tidal wave slammed down into her, after which her
mind was a blank, although she vaguely remembered clinging onto something as she was carried away by the
onslaught of water, something warm and comforting.

Hinata looked down and realised that she was still in her wet clothes, although they had dried a little from
the small fire. 'Why would someone light a fire to dry me but leave me in my wet clothes' Hinata thought to
herself as she shuffled a little closer to the fire and started to remove her clothing, blushing as images
of Naruto removing her clothing and holding her close to keep her warm filled her mind.

"Naruto-kun" Hinata spoke softly to herself as she removed the last of her clothing and used the logs
to prop up her clothing as close to the fire as she could without risking them catching alight,
these were the only clothes she had now, and she still had no idea as to who had rescued her or what had
happened to the rest of her team. Hinata hoped they were all okay, she couldn't help worrying a little more
for Naruto than the others as she stared at the fire, the orange glow reminding her of his hair, the way the
wind would blow it about just like it would make the flames of a fire dance.

A small blush appeared at her cheeks as she closed her eyes and allowed the glow of the fire to bathe
her with it's warmth, trying to focus on what she would have to do now, her training as a ninja already
telling her that she should dry as quickly as possible and then make her way towards Konoha village.

"In a situation like this, they won't search for me, the continuation of the mission would be the most
important thing for them. No, I will have to make my way back to Konoha..." Hinata trailed off as her
words were interrupted by a rumbling noise. She put her hand to her stomach and looked down at it,
come to think of it she didn't know how long she had been out, so she had no way of telling how long
she had gone without a meal. Since her pouch wasn't on her when she had removed her clothes she could
only assume that it had been washed away or removed, the only equipment she had were the few throwing knives
that she usually carried inside her jacket for emergencies.

Not that being unequipped was a problem for a kunoichi like herself, although she didn't really have much faith
in her abilities as a ninja, she had been taught to survive unaided and alone, and she would do the best she
could. She had decided that ever since seeing how Naruto pushed himself so hard to be recognised. Her thoughts
drifted momentarily back to her idolised hero, before settling on the fact that she may not be doing this alone.
She knew it wasn't her that had set the fire, so there was obviously someone else with her, even if they were
not there at the moment. Hinata wondered who it is, secretly wishing it was Naruto, but it didn't matter who,
for if it was Kiba he would be able to pick up on a scent or trail and guide them home, Shino had his bugs,
and both Kurenai and Kakashi were great jounins and so would have no problem in getting them back safely.

Hinata paused for a moment, realising that she didn't know much about Sasuke or Sakura, she knew they were
Naruto's team mates, and they were both probably really strong, 'at least stronger than I am...' she thought
to herself as she reached out to touch her clothing to see how dry they were.

"hmmm... almost..."

Hinata turned her clothes over, and her jacket inside out, spilling the contents of her pockets out onto the
ground to see what she had in the way of useful equipment to help her get something to eat once her clothes
were dry and she could go outside of the cave.

"3 throwing knives, and a small money pouch..."

Picking up one of the knives in her hand she twirled it idly in her hands before pushing the tip into the ground
and turning it around with her hand. The noise of a kicked stone bringing her out of her daze as she went into a
low crouch, one hand on the ground and the other swung out to her right with the knife in preparation. Considering
how close the noise had been she knew she didn't have time to form the seals she needed to use her byakugan, and
so she crouched, staring at the entrance with her hand poised to throw the knife and her hearing straining for
any sign of danger.

In only a few moments she could hear the footsteps of someone approaching the cave, her mind raced with rambling
thoughts 'It could be the person who lit this fire for me, or...' her thoughts trailed off as a familiar face
appeared in the mouth of the cave, a very shocked familiar face.