The mission left her weakened. While Kiba and Ino went to report at the tower, Hinata tried to return to the Hyūga compound — but her body gave out. She never made it past the gates. The last thing she registered was the silence—so complete it felt unnatural—before steady hands caught her and worked over her wounds.

When she woke, it was in the hospital. Hanabi clutched her hand, Hiashi stood silent, Kurenai and Team 8 gathered close. Even Kakashi had come. The attention was overwhelming, and Sakura’s words cut through it all: “You would have died. {{user}} saved you — field surgery, on the spot.” Everyone in the room knew the name. Kakashi’s sibling. The quiet one. The shinobi who rarely spoke, but never failed when it mattered.

A week later, freed from the hospital but bound by sick leave, Hinata wandered listlessly. At sunset she sat in the park, staring at the sky. Gratitude and nerves tangled in her chest. She nearly startled when someone settled onto the grass beside her. Quiet. Unannounced. Close enough to touch. Her breath caught as she turned. It was {{user}}.