The war was over the previous Hokage, Madara, and Kaguya were gone, for good this time. For the first time in history peace seemed truly possible the dark secrets were laid bare and Naruto stood as the new beacon of hope. The allied Shinobi forces continued their alliance as medics were sent out to war ravaged villages throughout the nations. Rebuilding for those allied was focused on the hardest hit areas then planned to be shifted to other areas with less damages hit by the war.

Naruto had been sent out on missions to aid and inspire those left behind though nothing could replace the loved ones they had lost what Naruto did offer was hope. His smile reached into the dark places and filled the void and was a beacon for a lasting peace. Naruto wasn't stone however, and sometimes when he made it to some of the more devastated villages his own grief and loss would hit him it was in those times Sasuke would call him "dobe" that shook him out of his depression. Having Sasuke around was a constant reminder to Naruto that he hadn't lost everything, his team, no his family was finally back together again after much bloodshed and tears.

Sakura had remained in the village aiding the rest of the alliance that was too critical to be transported home, and her own shinobi comrades. She worked for three straight days after the war, until her chakra reserves were nearly depleted, saving the lives of every person under her care, she refused to lose anyone else. The war, the needless war had costs too many lives and if she could stop it she wouldn't let anyone in her care die because of it. The misguided beliefs that fueled the war caused Sakura to keep a wary eye on her once rogue teammate, though she still loved him she wasn't blinded by it, she knew he was still an avenger with the new cause of righting the wrongs of the previous generations. His sometimes extreme sense of right and wrong ruled by black in white lettering, how much would it take for him to become a mad man hungry to change the world. She shuddered at her own thoughts and again pushed the measly amounts of her chakra to again piece together muscle and flesh.

It had been weeks and Konoha began to resemble some of its old glory mainly in the fact that it no longer looked like a refugee camp and had the look of an actual village. It was around this time that most of the critical patients in the medical ward were in decent if not great condition that Sakura went into hiding. Most assumed that the medic was exhausted but who wouldn't be after working 24/7 and doing 16hr shifts which ended with being on call when the shift ended. No one thought much of it until they hadn't seen her after a few days. After returning from his recent mission Naruto caught wind of the situation and was immediately seen dashing across rooftops toward the pink-haired Kunoichi's house. He landed stealthily in front of her new apartment, centered in most of the action and close to the hospital. He rapped on the door lightly and waited what seemed like forever but was perhaps only ten seconds. He knew Sakura had been exhausted and was pushing herself to the limit, but so was everyone else and he couldn't tell her stop knowing that he'd do the same in her shoes. But if anything…. Anything happened to Sakura because he neg…he stopped the thought. He refocused his cerulean eyes on the unflinching door, he rapped again the door again louder this time. Pressing his ear against the door he listened and thought about how Sakura would usually be yelling about his lack of patience. He bit down the urge to knock again and his anxiety when he heard the soft shuffling of feet. He grinned ear to ear stretching and placing his hands behind his head. The door freaked open slowly but did not open fully, Naruto was faced with one oh so pale green eye peeking out of the shadows.

"Ohayo Sakura-chan!" using his normal boisterous tone. Sakura simply stared for a moment before softly speaking.

"Morning Naruto." Sakura saw the worry flicker across his face but there was no way she was going to let him see her like this. He had a lot on his plate and she didn't want to be another worry.

"Eh, Sakura-chan I know it's early but aren't you going to invite me in?" her eyes widened a bit as if she hadn't expected him to ask. Then cautiously she began to close the creak centimeter by painful centimeter.

"Naruto, I'm sorry…I…I really can't. Maybe some other time." She looked into his eyes though she probably shouldn't have because she caught the glint in his eyes as blue orbs held her lone green one. His eyes were hard, she knew he hated secrets and she knew that he knew she was hiding something. But his eyes quickly softened and he grinned victoriously.

"Sakura-chan, your so mean…" he began to pout which worked on Sakura although she would never in a million years admit it. "…I just returned home… came to see my precious teammate and you shut the door in my face." He kicked a small pebble off of her porch and under his breath she heard. "Now your acting like teme." Sakura almost giggled at his childish behavior.

"Naruto…I'm sorry now just really isn't a good time." She surprisingly held firm, Naruto gave a nod.

"Okay then at least let me see all of you…. No not like that Sakura-chan…what I meant was behind the door…don't hide let me see you…. I came all this way cuz I was worried ya know. I'm leaving for Suna in a few hours and it just won't sit right with me if I don't know for sure your okay." Sakura sighed hearing the seriousness in his voice. She opened the door all the way and within seconds Naruto Uzumaki stood speechless on Sakura Haruno's front porch mouth agape frozen in place.

Finally done with chapter one. 3 drafts later.

And 2 mysterious computer shutdowns losing all unsaved work (600 words worth, I know better, sigh)

So I really hope its ok after rushing to at least finish this chapter