Special Note: Plot Hole Jutsu! Some characters ages may be altered to better suit the story. When said characters become integral to the story, I will lay out the new ages in question. For starters, Shizune is 28 in part 1 of Naruto and 31 in part 2 (Shippuuden). In this version, she was 20 in part 1 and 23 in part 2. Get it?

Chapter 1: Rude Awakening

Voices from the darkness, he heard them talking about him. Every day it was the same. His condition was almost a lost cause; there was little hope of ever recovering. Even if he did, it was unknown what kind of state he would be in. As for today, fate would give him a second chance.

A feeling of warmth had fallen over him, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Naruto, please wake up. We need you." He heard the words clearly, but was unable to determine who it came from. Then another voice came in, "Sakura, let's leave him be. Visiting hours are almost over." As soon as the new voice finished speaking the original came back, "Alright Sasuke, let's go. See you next time." Sakura and Sasuke, who were they? For the life of him, he could not remember. He was aware they were connected to him in some way, but just could not put a face to the names. It was always like this.

A little while later, another series of sounds entered his mind; a door opening, followed by footsteps. He felt a small amount of pain in the form of tightness followed by a sucking noise. After about a minute, the pressure receded and the sound left with it. When it seemed like his only companion had left him, a voice emerged, "Patient Naruto Uzumaki, no change in condition." The door then closed once again.

Beeping, slow and continuous the obnoxious noise filled the room. A finger twitched, attached was a small piece of foam with a wire coming out. Once again it twitched, and that stupid noise became slightly faster. In his mind memories were flooding in:

"I'm going to be the greatest Hokage, then people will stop disrespecting me and treat me like I'm somebody, somebody important." His eyelids fluttered a little. "Please bring Sasuke back to me." He began to make faces as if he was being harmed. "You will be a sacrifice to bring peace to the world. That's right, you're my son. Now I can be with your father." At this point his hand was now shaking, the foam piece fell off and the beep flat lined. "If we fight, we will both die. You dare challenge the god of this world?" His head moved back and forth as if he was trying to avoid something. "I can't go back with you, I need to find my own place in the world. I'm alive? Then, is it done? NARUTO!"

Narutos' eyes were struggling to open, the fluorescent light on the ceiling above was making him tear up. Out of nowhere, the door slammed open and crashed against the wall. A blurry figure darted into the room and approached Naruto. She looked at his silent figure and then at the opposing wall. "Never trust a machine to do a Shinobi's job." A sigh rang out as she began to walk away dissapointed.

A weak voice murmured "Www...wait."

She was halfway to the door and instantly stopped in her tracks. There was a brief moment of silence as she tried to process what she just heard. She turned around and saw his blue eyes staring back at her. "Naruto?"

He let out a series of weak coughs trying to speak. "Shizune, what is... why am I here?"

She slowly walked over to the bed contemplating how to tell him. "Naruto, you have been in a coma."

He titled his head inquisitively. "What's that?"

"It's like sleeping for a very long time." She grabbed his hand; moving it up and down, flexing the muscles. "Very good."

"How long is long, and what are you doing?" He was unable to move much on his own, barely able to squirm.

"Well, I'm not sure how to break it to you really." She spoke softly, trying to be as sympathetic as possible. "It's been three years."

He moved his head back slightly looking up at the light above. "That long huh? And, you still didn't answer why you are playing with my arm..."

"I'm checking your strength to see... if you will ever be able to function again..." She let his arm back down to a resting position at his side. "I have to go let Lady Tsunade know, I will be back very soon. I promise."

"What did she mean by able to function again?" he wondered to himself as he laid there for what seemed like an eternity.

So very badly he wanted to get out of that bed. He was helpless, like a baby. The extend of his mobility was moving his head side to side and wiggling a little. He was almost able to move his hand off the bed without any help. Before he could master this ability, a tidal wave of people filled the room. He almost ignored the Hokage and the rest of his friends as he stared at Sasuke, who was standing in the corner. Their silence spoke louder than words as everyone was ranting and raving. They gave each other a simple nod, so very much they wanted to say after everyone else had left.

Tsunade never looked so happy. "Naruto, welcome back to the world of the living!"

"Thanks I guess, so... what happened?" He had yet noticed the familiar figure standing in the doorway.

A voice he had not ever dreamed of hearing again spoke out to him. "Slow as ever I see Naruto. The war was won because of you, you saved -all- of us."

"Pervy... how is it possible?" Naruto was dazed and completely forgot about everyone else.

The frog hermit was grinning widely. "Do you remember what you did once you defeated -him- ? You spared my students from a fate worse than death. You ended up bringing me back as well, two arms mind you! I didn't appreciate waking up underwater though, work on that please."

At last the cycle of hatred seemed broken for the first time in history, little did he know how much of an impact he had on the world. Now he could begin the road to recovery.