Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Title: Bad Communication
Summary: The last requirement Sakura needed to have in order to be accepted into the Akatsuki was to successfully perform the communication technique. An accident occurs, causing all the Akatsuki members to become chibi. Akatsuki x Sakura
Time-period: Before Orochimaru, Sasori, or any oof the other Akatsuki died.

Rating is M just in case. And because there's probably going to be a lot of swearing from Hidan.

Streams of tears cascaded down my cheeks as I carefully, and as gently as I could, touched their cold, pale faces.

"Mom, dad..." I murmured. They looked so peaceful, so serene. I let out a single sob, quickly covering my mouth as I did so. I hadn't been able to say good bye to them. I should have told them how much I loved them, at least once every single day. I should have given them hugs and kisses on the cheeks every time I came home from a mission. I should have visited them more often, and sent them letters while I was away.

But I hadn't. I had been like every other teenager in the village, trying to be cool. Now I didn't even have a choice. I wouldn't be able to eat my mother's delicious home-cooked meals, or have my dad show me neat ninja tricks like he had always done since the Academy days. They wouldn't be there giving me hugs when I broke up with a boyfriend, or giving me advice on growing up. They were gone, and it was just so hard to believe.

I had been away on a stupid healing mission, and when I came back I had received countless stares. Mostly pity from what I can remember. I became quite irritated, after asking everybody what was wrong. They refused to answer and so I simply stormed up to Tsunade's office demanding an explanation. She had offered me a bottle of sake, which I refused, and then sat me down.

When she had given me the news I wasn't sure what to think. My parents, the two people who have always been there for me, who I could always rely on, were now no longer in my life. I let out another sob as I laid down two roses- one in each casket. I turned to go back to my seat, my head bent low. I knew everybody was looking at me- the daughter of the deceased.

They were my only family left. I knew of no one else related to me.

I sniffled a bit as I walked to my seat. Why did they have to die during that mission? It was too dangerous for them. They should have just retired, knowing just how short the expected lifespans are for those in this profession. I was being selfish, and completely hypocritical, but I didn't care. I wanted them back so badly it hurt. I was thinking of applying to become an ANBU member next week, but now I wasn't so sure I'd be able to make it.

I was planning on surprising them if I had made it in. I was also planning to make them proud. Not that I had any trouble doing that, anyways. They had always been proud of me, even when I was younger; when I was so despicably weak. They had always cheered me on, and kept me going. They were always so supportive, and whenever I did fail, they'd encourage me to persevere.

"Sakura." I heard Kakashi murmur. He placed a hand on my shoulder in comfort and all I wanted to do just then was cry out from the suffocating pressure I felt deep within my chest. I wanted to sob and clutch onto him, onto anyone, and just cry my heart out. I wanted to cry all the pain away until I was numb, until my eyes were red and puffy and dried out. I wanted to just lie there and let everything out at once. I wanted... I wanted my parents back.

I felt like I did when I was a child. Weak, pathetic, completely useless. I wanted to be strong. What had happened to the secure, confident woman I was just a few days earlier? The one who had just finished her apprenticeship with Tsunade and had become a jounin about a year before? Everybody was expecting her, but all I really wanted to do was lie on my bed and cry.

I shrugged off Kakashi's hand, trying not to seem too rude about it. I didn't want his comfort right now- any longer and I would've succumbed to being a grieving wreck. I needed to stop crying in order to be strong. For me. For mom. For dad. They were counting on me to be strong and move on. I wiped my eyes with a black handkerchief and sat quietly, watching as many other people went up to pay respect for my parents.

When the funeral and the burial finally ended, I immediately got up and left. I needed to be alone, and fast. My speed increased as I continued walking, soon turning into a jog. Eventually I was sprinting towards the forest, chakra enhanced legs and everything. I looked back to see if anybody had followed me, and fortunately for me, nobody had. At least they were able to figure out I needed to be alone for a while.

When I was deep into the forest, I collapsed on the ground, trembling violently. I looked up at the bright, blue sky, and wondered why it wasn't raining. It was as if the skies were mocking me, teasing me with the bright rays and unwanted light. When the pain was no longer bearable, I started to sob, wrapping my arms around myself for comfort. Why did they have to leave me? The two of my most precious people.

After almost an hour of continuous crying, I forced myself up and trudged through the forest. I stopped by a stream and watched as the water flowed gently over the rocks and sand. I kicked off my shoes and dipped my feet in the water, surprised it wasn't that cold. The sun was shining brightly and the water was lukewarm. It could have been a perfect day.

I sat on a rock with my feet in the water for a couple of minutes before deciding it would be best if I headed back. I shook my feet, drying it out as best as I could, and then slipped on my shoes and got up. When I lifted my foot to take a step, the appendage accidentally got caught between two stones, and I immediately grabbed onto the first thing I could reach, which happened to be a tree branch. I steadied myself and tried pulling my foot out of the small crack it had become snagged in.

Before I could channel any chakra and use my super strength, I felt a sudden explosion of pain on the hand currently grabbing the branch. When I looked up at it, I saw a snake latched on, its fangs dug deeply into my palm. I felt the poison being pumped into me, and I immediately started feeling weak. The poison... It was fast-reacting. I didn't have the energy or the time to heal myself and I quickly let go of the branch, causing me to stumble forwards.

The last thing I saw before I fell completely unconscious was the snake taking its fangs out and slithering away. Could this day get any worse?

I laughed at myself inwardly,

at least my foot had come loose.

I felt like groaning but my lips nor tongue could move. I tried opening my eyes but my attempt was fruitless- I couldn't see, and if the painful squeezing in my lungs signified anything, I could barely breathe, either. What was going on? Was I really dead? Had the poison affected me that much? I inwardly cringed at the possibility. Maybe I truly was dead, trapped in some sort of hell.

I berated myself for even thinking such a horrid thought- it was impossible! The snake had been too small to inject enough poison into me to cause me to die. I've studied venom and poisons, and I've never heard of any that would threaten a life of a shinobi whose body had a natural reaction to counteract anything harmful that entered its body. Medical ninjutsu really came in handy.

Suddenly the soft sound of the stream water running snapped me out of my current thoughts. I could still hear, but only slightly. I could also tell that it was somewhat cold and that it was raining as well. I wondered why I could barely hear a thing, but I figured it was probably because of the snake's venom. Its effect on my nerves was astounding and nearly unbelievable.

"Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan!"

I heard someone yelling. It was so light, so faint. I couldn't recognize the voice, but I felt someone shake me. Was it Naruto? Had he found me? I tried to move, even if it was slightly, just so that the person would know I was alive and well.

"Sai! Kakashi-sensei! I found her, she's here but she's not doing so good!" I heard him declare. If I had been able to move, a giant smile would have graced my face at that moment. I knew it had to be Naruto.

"This is where she's been? This entire week? She isn't even that far from Konoha! Why hadn't anybody found her?" Naruto exclaimed, sounding somewhat incredulous. If I could have, I would have gaped. I was passed out for an entire week? I tried to focus on my stomach, wondering why I wasn't hungry or thirsty. I came to the conclusion that I was... Paralyzed, in a way. I made a quick scan of my body using what little chakra I had left, and found that my senses weren't functioning properly, not to mention that my heartbeat was remarkably weak.

"Why is ugly so pale?" I could hear Sai ask. The nerve of that boy, calling me ugly and hag all the time- although I probably did look pretty bad at the moment. I could barely feel the two fingers pressed against my neck, searching for a pulse. Nonetheless, I felt a slight pressing feeling in the side of my neck. Ten seconds passed by, the usual amount to check a person's pulse, but their fingers stayed.

A small feeling of panic shot through me. They had to find the pulse! It was there. I wasn't dead just yet. My body would heal itself eventually. They couldn't believe that I was dead, could they?

"Sakura-chan... She's not breathing... And her pulse, I can't feel it!" I heard Naruto exclaim. His voice was starting to rise, and it sounded as if he was starting to panic as well as he continued to talk.

"Sensei! Do something! She can't die! Not yet!" I heard him declare. I felt my already broken heart break into more pieces at the sound of his pained voice. He sounded so worried, and all because of me. Because I was careless enough to get bitten by a stupid, yet extremely poisonous snake.

I've learned my lesson.

I felt Kakashi's strong hands on my chest, pressing down about two inches as he gave me compressions. He was giving me CPR, but I didn't need it. I was fine, really! All I had to do was rest a few more days. I could feel the fingers on my neck again, and the faintest feeling of warm raindrops.

Strange, really. Since when was rain warm?

"I'm sorry..." Kakashi suddenly murmured. His voice sounded strained, almost painful. I had to listen hard to hear it, though.

Naruto let out a roar and I felt myself being shaken, probably very roughly, too, if I knew Naruto well enough.

"Sakura-chan, wake up, damnit!" He exclaimed, and I could feel more warm raindrops drip onto my face, but barely. I wanted to scream, move my arms, anything to show them I wasn't dead! They could bring me to Tsunade, she would definitely know what to do.

"You can't be dead yet!" He roared, and suddenly I felt pressure around my upper body. He was basically crushing me in a hug, if I felt this much of it.

"Naruto, there's nothing you can do." Kakashi exclaimed, and suddenly the pressure was gone. "We'll bring her body back and give her a proper burial." Kakashi exclaimed, and I felt my body being transfered into his arms. No! They couldn't bury me, not while I was alive! Please! Bring me to Tsunade! I tried begging from inside my mind. My inner started to panic as well, but I tuned her out. I didn't want to deal with her right now.

"No, we won't give her a burial, because she's not dead, damn it!" Naruto cried, sounding so desperate. I wish it wasn't just my five senses that were numb. My heart was breaking over and over again. It hurt so much- my parents death, and now this? What did I do to deserve it all?

"Use some revival jutsu on her, anything! Bring her back to life!"

"Naruto, you know I can't do that. We need a human sacrifice-" Kakashi tried to explain to him, but Naruto interrupted him.

"Then use me! I'll be the sacrifice! As long as she doesn't die!" Naruto exclaimed, every word, every syllable laced with desperation. I was shocked. He couldn't. He just couldn't. I would never forgive him or myself if he killed himself. And for me! I didn't deserve such devotion from him in the first place! Kakashi immediately refused, saying he would do no such thing. I wish I could have sighed with relief. I was so thankful that Kakashi was still using his head and had refused Naruto's offer.

I could hear Naruto sobbing, now. He always did wear his heart on his sleeve. He wasn't afraid of crying, of showing his emotions. I would have cried, too, of course. I wasn't finished mourning just yet. I needed to let everything out, all the pain, all the events of the past few weeks. It was too much for me to handle, and I had to find a way to escape all of this.

The poison was still strong in my veins. How was this even possible? It's been a week- my body should have gotten rid of it by now. I tried desperately to summon chakra into my arms, my legs, anywhere- as long as it moved! They'd be able to catch it, even if it was only the tiniest movement. They were ninja, two of the best out there.

"Sakura-chan..." Naruto choked out. I wondered what Sai was saying or doing at the moment- he was completely silent from what I could hear. After all these years, he still hadn't figured out how to act normally and casually with friends, but I was used to it. Everybody had become used to it.

"... Why did you have to die?" Naruto croaked, and this time, I wanted to punch him.

I. Wasn't. Dead.

How come they couldn't tell? I could feel them carrying me- probably to the Hokage's tower, or the hospital, where Tsunade would be. I could hear Naruto sobbing as I was brought up to one of the most precious people in my life, my other mother. I heard her gasp, and felt her poking and prodding my body with chakra enhanced fingers. I was safe now- she'd know what was wrong with me. She was a legendary sannin! The greatest medic of all time.

"What happened to her?" Tsunade demanded, slamming her fist on the desk. C'mon, Tsunade-sama, tell them I was perfectly fine! It was only a snake bite- nothing serious, right? I tried remembering what the snake looked like, but I could barely think properly. I was pretty good when it came to poisons. If I knew what snake it was, I'd be able to create the cure.

I felt a small prick on my arm- only a tiny one. My senses seemed to be blocked, still. She was probably examining my blood at the moment. If I could have, I would have sighed in relief. Now she'd be able to find the cure, easily! I mentally cheered her on, begging her to hurry up.

"Her blood... It's cold." Tsunade exclaimed. What? How is that even possible? I was alive. I could hear her, even if it was faint. I could even feel the pricking of the needle on my skin.

"This poison... It's similar to Orochimaru's experiments, but completely different at the same time." Tsunade exclaimed, her voice not breaking in the slightest. She sounded confident- that meant she knew I was alive, right?

"I've never encountered this type, before." Tsunade continued, and I wondered what was going through the woman's head. Why didn't she just extract all the poison like I had with Kankurou? "She was bitten by some sort of snake." She exclaimed, touching the snake bite on my hand.

"I've heard some rumors about Orochimaru, lately." Kakashi exclaimed. "He had been experimenting on the snakes he summoned." He continued. It sounded as if this conversation was going to end up very badly, about my current condition, but my hopes were too high. My faith in Tsunade was too great- I just knew she would be able to fix me. She wouldn't give up without trying- I mean, I was precious to her too!

"Many of the snakes had become angered and escaped- some were spotted around the Konoha border, all unable to return to their dimension due to Orochimaru's tampering."

"Can she be fixed?" Naruto suddenly exclaimed- I thought he had stayed outside of the room, but apparently not. He seemed to have become more stable, now. Tsunade sent some chakra through me, probably examining my current state. After a couple of moments, I heard a shaky sigh, a pause, and the window sliding. After that, Naruto's voice wasn't heard again.

Had she shaken her head? Naruto might have left the building through the window in grief and- No. That couldn't be it. The shaky sigh must've meant that Tsunade was relieved! She must have nodded, and then Naruto couldn't wait to tell everybody the good news! I was obviously alive- Tsunade had felt it! My heart soared, for the first time in what felt like years. I was going to be saved.

"How could this have happened?" Tsunade exclaimed, sadly. I wanted to apologize- I was being completely careless and had become bitten by a snake while I was dipping my feet in the stream. It really wasn't that big of a deal. I would just make sure to be extra careful next time I'm out doing something by myself. I felt like dancing for joy. Finally, something good had happened! They had finally figured out I wasn't dead!

The next couple of days passed by very slowly. The same day I had been found, I had been changed into more comfier clothes and laid in some bed- probably in the hospital. There was so many people who visited me that day. It was very sweet and considerate, really. I didn't know everybody cared about me that much. Flowers were placed on me, which was a little weird. Why didn't they just put it in a vase, beside my bedside? Eh, I didn't really care too much. I was just glad Naruto and the others finally realized I would be alright.

I heard many people talk about me, about how I was so amazing, and that I was such a great friend. They spoke about how my parents had passed away only days before, and that I would always be loved.

Pfft, this was all probably Ino's doing- she was always dramatic about even the most insignificant things. There were so many odd, but very nice things said about me, even from people I rarely talked to. Things like, 'I always admired her.' and 'She grew up to be a strong, inspirational kunoichi.'

I felt like smiling.

Unfortunately, I was in the same condition as I had been whe I had regained consciousness. I was unable to see or move, but I could still hear and feel slightly.

There were many people crying, too. I heard their sobbing, sniffles, and I wanted to comfort everybody so badly. I didn't know they were so worried about me! I'd apologize later for giving them such a scare- I guess I'd be pretty upset if Naruto or Ino had been in my position.

I inwardly chuckled at all the theatrics. Ino went pretty far this time. I'd have to thank her later. She was making way too big of a deal about my little 'coma'. I was only in the hospital, after all. I mentally sighed to myself. I was finally at peace.

After that day, my bed became really cold and nobody visited. I was confused, to say the least. Maybe Tsunade wanted me to be left alone to rest properly or something. What confused me even more was that nothing was done to take out the poison in my body, or to feed me. The feeling in my limbs had returned somewhat, but I still couldn't see. My breathing was still really hard, too. I started feeling spasms of pain in my stomach- I was starving!

A few days had passed by after that- it was really long, but eventually all my feeling came back, except for my sight, which I wasn't too worried about. I tried bringing my hand up to my face, but there was something a couple of inches above my body. It was strange- I was pretty sure patients always had a bed to themselves, and plenty of room.

I felt around myself- the flowers placed on me were rotten, and I realized that the reason why I wasn't breathing properly was because I was in an enclosed space. Why would Tsunade or the nurses do that? It wasn't hospital procedure, that was for sure. I let out an exasperated sigh- they would have much explaining to do. When I pushed at it, it wouldn't open.

What the hell?

It was as if there was weight on top of it, keeping it down. Was this some kind of sick test for my strength and healing ability? It wasn't impossible. Maybe they were trying to see how fast I could heal myself and get out of here. Strange, considering there was no need for them to even test me. They've seen my strength before, in numerous training sessions. I summoned some chakra into my fist and punched the heavy lid, breaking it into splinters.

I felt some dirt fall on my face as I did so, and I opened my eyes slowly, letting it adjust to the light. Luckily it was nightfall, and it was dark. I looked around myself- I was outside.

Funny.

I was also waist deep in dirt, sitting in some wooden box, and there was... Gravestones around me? My eyes widened in shock as the realisation hit me.

I turned around to see a gravestone with my name engraved into it, and I put my hand on my mouth to muffle my scream. They had given up on me? Now it all made sense. The people all visiting me... Those comments about my life... It was a funeral. I had been buried here and left to rot. How could I have not realized earlier? I couldn't believe it. When the shock slightly died down, I clenched my fists. I had been blinded by my joy and false hope and was unable to see the truth.

I was furious, disappointed, and in even more pain than before. My heart hurt as if my parents had died at least five times over. Tsunade-sama. Kakashi. All my friends. They had given up on me.

I was even more furious than ever! How could they? Didn't they believe I was strong? I thought they knew me better than that! I thought I proved myself to them! They couldn't have believed I was dead.

Wasn't I precious enough to them? They were definitely precious enough to me. I would've died a million times over for them, and they knew it! Why didn't Tsunade-sama try to revive me? Those words said at my funeral must have meant nothing!

Why didn't they even try? They had just assumed I was dead, that I was weak, and pathetic, and... And... And maybe I was.

Maybe they were sick and tired of me and they were glad to have gotten rid of me.

Just the thought made my heart clench even more. They had given up on me. They had left me there to just... I still couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to think. I didn't know what to feel. Was I supposed to be sad? Angry? Disappointed? I felt that I had reasons to. But then again, maybe I was supposed to feel happy?

I was free, now. I could go tell them I was alive, again, and prove to them I was worth their time. I've always thought they were my life... They were what was most important to me... I just... I honestly didn't know what to think.

Maybe I was still in shock, or the emotional damage was too much, I didn't know. I decided to stop thinking about all that for now and simply decide what I was going to do from now on. First, I climbed out of my coffin. I felt like gagging at the thought that I was supposed to be decaying down there, with all the worms and bugs eating at my body.

I put the dirt back, making it seem as flawless as it had been before I punched my way through it. Luckily I hadn't been buried more than a foot deep. I placed the bouquets and other memorial items back to their original position, since I had knocked a few of them down. I stood up and looked down at my outfit- I had been put into a long white dress. It wasn't very white anymore, and had a couple of dirt and grass stains.

I looked around- there was nobody in sight. I carefully crept back towards the more populated part of the village. It was dark, still, and I figured I had plenty of time to find everybody and tell them I was back. I did my best not to cry and scream, no matter how much I wanted to at the moment. I pushed all the thoughts and as much of my emotion to the back of my mind as best as I could, and continued into the village, making sure my chakra was masked and that I wasn't seen and heard.

I headed to my place, which looked completely untouched, and changed into civilian clothing. I tied up my hair and put on a hat so that nobody could see the color of my bright, pink hair and brought some money with me. When I left my apartment, I first checked Ino's house- I peeked through the windows, but she wasn't in any of the rooms. I checked Naruto's apartment, Sai's place, and a couple more houses of the Konoha Rookies and even Kakashi's, but nobody was there. Where had they all gone? I started peeking through the stores that were still open, and I finally stumbled upon this one restaurant.

Everybody was there. They were having a celebration, but for what? I headed inside, to a table beside theirs and listened in on their current conversation. They were all laughing, and drinking, basically having a good time. I thought at least maybe Ino would be sad that I had passed away, but obviously not. Unbelievable! Had our friendship been a lie this entire time?

"That bitch." Ino exclaimed, "At least now I don't have anymore competition."

I felt my heart sink, down, but I didn't react. I couldn't be seen, heard, or even noticed by them. A waiter came and asked what I wanted to order, and I told him that I'd be satisfied with just a glass of water and today's special.

"It's hard to believe she's actually gone." I heard Ino continue as she took a swig of whatever drink she had in her hand. I fought the urge to cry. She said it as if she hated me!

"She was always so stubborn. I could never stand it!" Naruto exclaimed, angrily. "I didn't mean it when I said I'd sacrifice my life for hers. I was just... Just... Just putting up a show!" I bit my lip, forcing myself not to gasp. Him, too? He hadn't really meant the things he had said earlier? Had he really hated me that much? I know I was mean to him, but I was sure he knew that I cared!

"And she always hit me, over the smallest and stupidest things." He muttered, darkly. I could practically hear the venom dripping in his voice as he said it all. I couldn't keep my composure for much longer- it was too hard. "I should've just left her lying there! I should've just let her rot!"

The waiter came with my order, and for a moment I forgot the conversation- the food look delicious and I was starving. I quickly finished the large plate of food and drank down the glass of water. It would do for now. I asked the waiter for another glass of water- I still needed a reason to stay and listen to the conversation. I started listening back in.

"You know what, guys? She's... She's where she fucking belongs. I... I'm glad she's gone! I hate her so much! Always have and always will!" Ino exclaimed, wiping away her tears angrily. She hated me so much that she was crying? Unbelievable.

"Like I said before, she was always so stubborn, so annoying, so weak, so-"

Ino's harsh words rang in my head. Hate? She had always hated me? Every word said had felt as if it cut me, and I couldn't take listening to their conversation anymore. I chugged down the water and left the money on the table and immediately rushed out of the restaurant. The tears were already running freely down my face as I headed straight for my home. If Naruto and Ino, two of my closest friends in the world, really hated me all this time, then all the others must have simply loathed me. It was the only explanation I could think of. I let out a sob. The pain in my chest and in my head- it hurt too much. I needed to get away- to escape all this.

"Like I said before, she was always so stubborn, so annoying, so weak, so dependant, so violent, so-"

"Ino, Ino! We get it!" Tenten exclaimed, wrapping her arms comfortingly around her friend. "You and Naruto have been at this all week- and we know you don't mean what you've said. Sakura would hate to see you like this. She'd want to see you two as happy and move on. We all do." Tenten continued, softly. Ino and Naruto had been the most affected from Sakura's death, and to escape their suffocating emotions, they had started taking it all out on the others by raving on about Sakura.

"No, I do mean it! That stupid fucking bitch! What was she thinking, leaving us like that? She didn't have to go out and get herself killed!" Ino exclaimed, her voice angry but cracking. She knew she wasn't going to be able to keep the sharade up any longer. She hadn't cried since the funeral, which had been quite a while ago. She glanced over at Naruto, who's expression was still hard. Watching his seemingly emotionless face brought a new determination in Ino. It felt as if only he understood the pain she was going through.

"Naruto, tell them!"

Naruto's stony visage momentarily faltered when he heard the desperation in Ino's voice. Inwardly, he felt awful, and completely blamed himself for Sakura's death. He hadn't been there to protect her, so his logic told him that he had let her die. He was angry at himself, and Sakura, for dying and- and leaving everybody like that. How could Team seven ever be whole again? Didn't she know how much he cared?

He cared so damn much it hurt!

And why were the others just sitting around? They were her friends, too! Did they even care?

Suddenly angry, Naruto exclaimed, "I needed her, Tenten! None of you guys understand, do you? She was supposed to- she shouldn't have died, damn it! When I become Hokage, Sakura was going to be beside me ruling Konoha! She was supposed to stay with me forever! She was my best friend!"

He paused to take a breath, panting.

"None of you guys care, do you? Why don't you all-"

"We do care, Naruto." Neji exclaimed, interrupting him. Naruto glared at him. Neji couldn't have been telling the truth- if he did care, he'd be just as angry as Ino and Naruto was. Naruto clenched his fist as Neji carried on.

"She was an amazing, talented kunoichi. She was our good friend, the Hokage's apprentice, and a very important member of Konoha. Everybody's going to miss her. You need to understand that it wasn't your fault, or anybody's. It was an accident. She didn't kill herself, and we all knew how much she cared for all of us." Neji exclaimed, his voice softening in the end.

"Our precious cherry blossom..." Lee started, sighing sadly. "Naruto, Ino, you two must find it in yourselves to release all these negative thoughts and feelings. Like Tenten said, Sakura-chan would never want to see you like this." Everybody nodded. Unable to keep up her angry facade, Ino let out a wail, burying her face into her arms. She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't be angry anymore- not when it wasn't really Sakura she was angry at.

Naruto's expression stayed hard. He would never forgive himself. First Sasuke, and now Sakura. How was he ever going to be Hokage and protect the entire village if he was too weak to even keep his most important people alive? It wasn't possible. He needed more training, he needed to become stronger, he needed...

He needed Sakura back in his life. She was the one who always supported him! She was who healed his injuries so he could get up and try again! He needed her.

"Naruto-kun... If you need to cry-" Hinata started, but she wasn't able to finish her sentence because Naruto was already clutching on to the bewildered female, sobbing his heart out. Like Ino, he couldn't take all the pain and anger that he was bottling up inside of himself. He needed to let it go, like Lee had suggested.

He needed to be stronger and face every obstacle head on. Especially this one.

He needed to be exceptionally strong for Sakura-chan.

But for the moment, he'd let himself cry.

End of chapter! TBC.

Sorry if she's OOC, but she's in shock, and her emotions are out of control. I just thought her actions would be pretty unpredictable, and so all of this happened. Hopefully her slight OOCness here isn't going to ruin the story for you.

Also, I know the summary says stuff about the Akatsuki becoming chibi, but that's not until after the first couple of chapters. She still has to do a few things before that actually happens- I know this chapter is pretty depressing, but I can guarantee everything getting more light-hearted. I hope you guys give it a chance and stick around for the later chapters!

Please review! Please, tell me if you'd continue reading this, or if I should discontinue since it's only the first chapter.