A/N: Alright baby-lovies, here it is, the rewrite you've all been waiting for! Obviously there is a bunch different compared to the original, Blood is Thicker, but down the line, past the introductory stuff, it should start to look hella similar, though also hopefully new and improved. Just a warning, there will be OC's later on, because the characters will travel to a village that canonically doesn't exist, but none of them overshadow the mains so don't worry!

Warning: Neji will be alive and I give zero shits.

Also: You don't have to have read the other one.

"You two are such idiots!"

Naruto cracked an eye open to see his teammate, Sakura, rushing towards him. He was starting to wonder when she would find them, knowing she wouldn't be held down by that genjutsu for long. No, she was stronger than that.

Sasuke looked to her hesitantly as well, watching apprehensively as she knelt between them and activated her healing jutsu on their arms. It was amazing she still had it in her, to be honest. "Sakura...," he began, drawing her eyes to him. They flickered with mistrust and hurt, but still kept his gaze. "I'm sorry, for everything."

She remained silent for a moment, looking back to her healing as tears began to well up in her eyes. Naruto placed his other arm on hers reassuringly, and she gave the blonde a small smile that he reciprocated. "You really did it, Naruto. You kept your promise."

"You know me, Sakura-chan. I never give up."

Sasuke observed the two, a small weight lifted from him after he finally apologised. Granted, she hadn't forgiven him, and it would probably take her awhile to do so, but it was progress all the same. She and Naruto had grown quite close in his absence, much closer than they had been, and it relieved him somewhat to know that they had been there for each other.

She leaned back, finished closing their wounds, clearly exhausted from everything this war had put her through. "Naruto, I think you could grow your arm back yourself when you recover, but Sasuke, you'll need to have a new one grown for you."

"Thank you, Sakura-chan," Naruto said, starting to sit up already. Sakura frowned with worry, but leaned forward to hug him all the same, not caring about the blood and sweat he was getting all over her already ruined shirt. He sighed happily against her shoulder, feeling a soothing hand rub his back.

"No, Naruto, thank you."

Kakashi watched them from a distance, feeling a surge of relief. The peace he was never able to get with Obito and Rin was right there before his eyes. There would definitely still be some tension, but that group had always known it, and was strong enough to overcome it. 'Besides,' he thought, looking on amusedly as Sakura lightly bonked Naruto for some silly comment, 'it surely won't take long.'

Hinata gazed on at her father's body, surrounded by members of her clan. Neji's hand rested on her shoulder, having just joined them after checking in with his team and their injured sensei. She could hardly believe it, that he'd thrown himself in front of an attack meant for herself and Naruto. Sharing a glance with her cousin, she knew he felt guilty for not reaching Hiashi in time. It was his perceived duty to protect the Main Branch after all.

She scoffed. What deplorable nonsense those branch distinctions. Already, she could hear older Hyuuga whispering amongst themselves about the future of the clan. Hinata was still technically ranked 2nd to Hanabi in official clan paperwork, but her father's last words... they had been different than how he normally spoke to her.

"Because I believe you can change things."

She could already sense it was going to be a nightmare. Turning, she looked to Neji. "I would like to take a walk."

He nodded and let her pass, allowing her to move amongst all the mourners towards a group of tents that had been set up for the injured, perhaps hoping to be able to help in some fashion.

Upon entering, she looked sadly among the injured, before heading the speak with the Hokage, Tsunade. The blonde woman was deep in discussion with the Kazekage, Gaara, and didn't quite notice her right away. In fact, it wasn't until Gaara's eyes landed upon her that Tsunade noticed, following his gaze.

"Hinata," Tsunade said, turning to see the young kunoichi. "Do you need anything?"

"Actually, I was wondering if there was some way I could help?"

Tsunade smiled lightly, "Actually, yes, you could take a look at our stubborn Kazekage, here? He's been refusing it ever since everyone woke up."

Gaara shook his head frustratedly. "I told you I don't need to be looked at when everyone is busy healing the injured."

"But look, Hinata here just arrived, and the situation is for the most part handled. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go check in on the other tents."

The redhead looked at the Hyuuga, before slowly sitting down on an empty bed, removing his vest and shirt frustratedly to reveal bruises and cuts all over his torso and arms. "I would appreciate if you didn't put too much effort into healing me, I'm not that injured. There are many more in worse condition."

Hinata activated the Mystical Palm Technique and set to work healing the irritated kage. Despite being told not to exert too much energy, she couldn't find it in her to let his pale skinned be marked, discreetly disobeying his orders. He turned his head slightly, a green eye studying her.

"Do you know anyone hurt?"

Looking away from his probing gaze, she felt her hand start to tremble. He must've felt it too, a frown starting to form in the corners of his mouth. "My father...he's gone."

He closed his eyes and sighed, clearly frustrated by the death toll. "I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I wish there was some way it could have been prevented."

"H..he threw himself in front of me, saying things about change and the clan, and I just...I just..." she couldn't continue, sobs wracking her body. Gaara's fingers gripped the edge of the bed he sat on, feeling unable to handle his guilt. He was a Kage, and he was supposed to make sure everyone made it through ok. The girl crying her eyes out was merely proof of his failure.

Standing from the bed, he put his top back on and approached her slowly. Awkwardly, he patted her shoulder, trying to be reassuring despite having no real experience trying to comfort someone, let alone a girl. He wasn't expecting her to grip the hand within her own tightly, as if he were a lifeline.

She held his hand for a minute or two, before letting go to wipe her now puffy eyes and turn away slightly, embarassed by the outburst. "I'm very sorry Kazekage-sama. I just...can't believe this happened. I wish I could run away from all of it."

"I understand. When I was the host of the demon Shukaku, there were many times I wished I could just run away. I even tried, but my father sent ninja to detain me."

"Th..thank you for talking to me, Kazekage-sama."

A few weeks and many funerals had passed since the end of the war, and Team Seven found themselves at Konoha's entrance, as Sasuke was planning to leave. Sakura stood near Naruto, feeling little about what was happening. Ever since Sasuke returned, she could sense his restlessness growing, as she had when they were 12. It was no surprise to her that he would leave to wander, however, it was a surprise that Karin, the one loved him so, was not trying to go with him.

She stood at the edge of the treeline, warily observing Sasuke's old team. Juugo and Suigetsu had already left earlier that day, not interested in anything Konoha had to offer them. It was somewhat relieving to Kakashi, who as the newly appointed Hokage had to plea for Sasuke's pardon from the council. Karin, on the other hand, seemed interested in staying in Konoha, tired of not doing anything for her own sake.

The redhead was quickly growing acquainted with Naruto and Sakura, seeing as they spent quite a bit of time with their newly returned teammate. They were nice, Karin thought, so different from the people she'd gotten to know.

"When will you be back, Sasuke?" Naruto asked, looking to his teammate. The Uchiha looked as unsure as Naruto did, not knowing the answer himself.

"I don't know, but it is something I need to do to atone."

Sakura was surprised at how well Naruto had taken the news, but then again, he and Sasuke understood each other better than anyone. She remained back from the pair, not knowing what to say to Sasuke. Being around him was starting to feel like old times, but without the innocence and naivete of youth.

"I suppose I'll be seeing you again sometime," Sasuke said, picking up his pack. "Goodbye."

"Don't forget this," Naruto spoke quickly before he moved even a step, pulling Sasuke's old headband out from his pouch. The Uchiha eyed it, and accepted it with a grateful nod.

"Bye Sasuke, see you," Karin spoke, giving a half-hearted wave. Sakura spoke up also, giving him a goodbye and a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Kakashi waved himself, inclining his head towards his former student.

They watched him go, before Kakashi left, remarking that he should go back before Shizune sent a search party for him. Karin awkwardly looked at Naruto and Sakura, who shared a glance.

"How are you, cousin?" Naruto asked, waggling his eyebrlws somewhat. When Karin explained to Sasuke how she got to him after his injury, Naruto had reacted quite strangely, and started whispering in Sakura's ear hurriedly. He'd had a hunch, spouting words like "mother" and "chains".

Karin had been incredibly surprised to find out she was actually distantly related to him through the Uzumaki clan. It was because of this information she decided to stay in Konoha, hoping to refine her skills with a fellow clansmen. Neither of them knew much about the ability, but together, surely they would figure it out.

She could've sought out Orochimaru, however, Sasuke's obsession with atonement was starting to affect her, and the decision was made within her mind before she consciously realized it.

"I'm well, thanks."

"How are you adjusting?" Sakura asked, smiling gently. Karin wasn't trusted by anyone, but the two in front of her were kind and supportive, convinced she would fit right in one day soon.

"As well as I can, I suppose. It'd be nice not to be followed by the ANBU all the time, though."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, looking downwards. "Unfortunately, I couldn't talk Kakashi-sensei out of that. I think he doesn't want the council to think he's too big of a softie to defend the village. I'm still surprised they allowed Granny to step down."

"I honestly think it was a mixture of exhaustion and guilt," Sakura nearly whispered, feeling bad for speculating on her mentor.

"Well, we'll find out when she gives a speech at the Hokage's gala, I'm sure. The daimyo won't let her get out of it," Naruto remarked, not looking forward to the silly ball the daimyo demanded to be thrown. "I bet she'll be way too drunk to form sentences that make sense by then."

"Naruto! Don't speak about Lady Tsunade that way!"

Karin merely watched the exchange, surprised at how quickly Sakura's demeanor could change. Perhaps they weren't so different after all.

A/N: Gosh darn here we go. True story, the only thing I accurately predicted about the end of Naruto was Sasuke becoming a wanderer and ShikaTema. That's seriously it. And ShikaTema hardly counts, tbh. So I made my own ending! I hope you like it, please leave a nice review telling me how much you loved it/hated it/etc. Got questions? Comments? Concerns? I'd love to read them. It gets me so motivated to write like you don't even know, man.

Anyhoo lovebugs, have a holly jolly holiday!

MyHikari