Just a simple story that I hope will keep you entertained while I finish Rise of the Demon. Just a simple one-shot.

I do not own Naruto.

Enjoy

"I promise you I'll bring him back. No matter how long it takes. It's a promise of a lifetime!"

That was eight years ago. I promised you I'd bring him back eight years ago, but I haven't. Twice I failed to bring him back. I hate myself for failing. I hate myself for failing you. But that's about to change. Tonight I, Uzumaki Naruto, am going to defeat Uchiha Sasuke, and drag him back to you. For you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sakura, go home." Tsunade said.

"But I'm not done with the paperwork."

"And you won't be able to finish if you keep nodding off."

"I'm not tired. I can stay up another three hours."

"No you can't. Go home. Before I lose my temper."

"Fine, but I'm coming in early tomorrow."

"Whatever, just go."

"See ya later, Tsunade-shishou."

The door burst open, Shizune stood there panting.

Both women in the room looked at her questioningly.

"What's wrong Shizune?" Tsunade asked.

"It's them." Shizune answered breathlessly," They're back."

Both womens' eyes widened in realization.

"Where are they?!" Tsunade asked.

"They're in the hospital." Shizune said, regaining her breath.

Sakura was the first one out of the room.

-----------------------------------------

"Sakura-san, what are you doing here?" a nurse asked.

"Uzumaki Naruto? Where is he?" Sakura asked, ignoring the nurse's question.

"Room 793, but..."

Sakura cut her off, "Thanks." Sakura ran off again.

Tsunade and Shizune arrived a few seconds after Sakura.

"Hokage-sama..."

"Uzumaki? Which room?" Tsunade asked.

"793, but Saku..." the nurse started to say, but they were gone before she could finish.

Sakura quietly entered Room 793. She saw a prone figure on the bed. The bandages became visible as she got closer. She gasped. They were completely soaked with blood.

'His blood?' Sakura thought.

Naruto's nose twitched. 'Sakura-chan?' he asked himself.

He cracked his eye open just a bit, and, sure enough, she was there.

"Sakura-chan?" he croaked, voice hoarse.

"Yeah, it's me." she whispered.

Naruto tried to sit up, but was held down by a hand and a voice. The wierd thing was that the voice didn't belong to the hand that was holding him down. He looked past Sakura at the door.

There stood Tsunade and Shizune.

"Baa-chan. Nee-chan." he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

They walked to his bedside, both looking him over.

"You idiot." Tsunade said, " What did you get yourself into this time?"

Naruto smiled as best he could with the bandage mask on his face.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." he whispered hoarsely.

Sakura looked as his throat, noticing the bloody bandages.

"Naruto, what happened to your throat?" she asked.

He turned his gaze to her," Nothing that won't heal with time."

She looked at him, accepting his answer, for now.

"Well, we should let you rest." Shizune said.

"I agree." Tsunade said, " Naruto? Where's Jiraiya?"

"He's at my apartment." he said.

"I see you have company." Jiraiya said as he came through the window.

"How is she?" Naruto immediately asked.

"She's better."

"Why aren't you with her?"

"She wanted me to come and see how you were doing."

"I'm fine. Now go to her. It is dangerous to leave her alone."

"Relax Naruto. She'll be just fine."

"How can you say that? They almost killed her, and they won't stop until the job is done."

"She's perfectly safe. Gamabunta's watching over her."

Naruto visibly relaxed, "Good. I know she is safe in his care."

"Who are you two talking about?" Shizune asked the question on all three of their minds.

"My niece." "My daughter." Jiraiya and Naruto said at the same time.

"YOUR WHAT?!" all three women yelled at once.

Naruto smiled sheepishly," Uh...surprise?"