He can, but can't.

Hanabi fidgets at her side, her empty gaze directed at Naruto.

The blonde's smile twists softly as she steps forward.

"Naruto-kun, unless you want us to turn around and see if Sakura-chan is at home right now, it would be in your best interest to cooperate with me,"

"S-Sakura-chan?" his breath gets trapped in his throat, fear reeling, he snaps his head up, "No! You... I mean, we aren't exactly friends anymore but-- you can't! She's got nothing to do with any of this--"

Ino smirks triumphantly, beautiful blue irises locking with Naruto's, "Of course you're right, Naruto-kun, so why don't you come over here and show Hanabi-chan to her room?"

The light-headed feeling overtakes Naruto again, he clutches his head in response, but finds himself saying quickly in reply, "That's a good idea, Ino-chan."

Stepping up to Hanabi, Ino whispers another command in his ear, "You can't leave until Hanabi is satisfied, Naruto-kun. That would be very ungentlemenly of you,"

Ino then looks Hanabi in the eye again, "Think about your feelings, Hanabi-chan. This is the only chance you have."

Naruto senses something's amiss. Ino's leaving.

"Wait, Ino-chan."

"What?"

"Where are you going?"

"Isn't it obvious? To find Hinata. Don't worry, whether or not I find her, we'll meet up back at my apartment. Bring Hanabi with you, if she's capable of walking, that is..." she chuckles, "Now do as I've told you."

Naruto manages to fight her a little, but succumbs, "Yes, Ino-chan,"

Ino leaves the hall, and Naruto lets his attention fall on the shorter girl beside him. Her soulless gaze is still there, but she doesn't seem all that unintelligent.

"W-Where is your room, Hanabi-chan?"

"I will show you," she says in a mixture of monotone and trepidation.

She leads the way, Naruto also trying not to stare at the pronounced ass that's squeezed through the tight pants she's wearing.

They walk through a series of narrow hallways until they reach the end, Hanabi's room is one of the last ones, hidden deep within the Hyuuga compound.

She opens the door, taking a brief look back to see if he's still there. Silently, she enters. He follows, compelled by Ino's mental command.

He shuts the door.

Her room is bare, only a bed and dresser, a wooden floor and the traditional Hyuuga walling. There is a picture of her sister on the nightstand and a single tiny lamp.

Hanabi stops at the side of her bed, as if unsure what to do, she stares at him.

Naruto decides he should say something, "Umm, Ino-chan said... I could leave as soon as you were 'satisfied'..." he trails off, thinking...

Satisfied. That meant... Hanabi just had to say she was fine, or happy, or something. That meant he didn't have to have sex wit her! That's it! That's how he can save her-- he can convince her to say... or maybe just even ask, if she's fine. It was perfect! Haha, clever Naruto outsmarts the Kyuubi!

"So, umm... how are you feeling, Hanabi-chan?"

The clouded look in her expression fades slightly, "Confused," she answers simply.

Drat! Well, he just had to make her 'not confused'. Easy.

"Why are you confused? Is it because of Ino?"

Cutely, she places her finger on her lower lip, humming in thought. It's obviously habit, because her expression is still vacant. He hopes Ino hasn't done anything to hurt her...

"Ino's... words... are confusing," she fidgets in place, her rigid posture relaxing, her weight falling on one hip, "She... I have... maybe I didn't realize... that I was jealous... why I was angry at you and Hinata-sama. I think she is..." she shakes her head, "No, it's silly... how could I? I am Hyuuga Hanabi, the sure heir of the Hyuuga family, I couldn't... I'm nothing like her! I can't... I can't..."

"You can't what?" Naruto pressures, "What's bothering you Hanabi? Maybe I can help you?"

Nervously, she swallows, as if that's the thought that's been on her mind all along.

"I-Ino-san is right... this is my only chance," she mumbles, knowing that maybe, maybe she does feel that way...

Then speaks up, "I.. maybe, I think you can help me, Naruto-kun," she tries to smile a little, but fails (her thoughts are swimming, it's so hard to think, all she wants to do is obey).

That's right, Her body tells her, flooding her with warmth and dampness, the edges of her vision blurring, Ino is right. She's always right. This is your only chance, Hanabi. You have to take it. Tell him how he can help you.