Broken

"It's strange now, how realistic it all seemed back then. He would smile so brightly, like the sun, and he would make ludicrous promises that, back then, seemed impossible. I still had that infatuation for him so I didn't take enough care to notice that all that bravado was for me, it was his cry for my attention. I cursed him that day when I selfishly requested him to save him. I ended his life, his future, and his entire dream."

Sakura was older now, colder, and she resembled her master more with the four year gap since she left the village. A woman now, she had a fit and well proportioned body that she displayed subtly, like her master would. She still had the gift he gave her before their parting and it hung tightly around her bust line. The new Konoha had looked similar to the village from her childhood, with the evidence of total destruction only visible in her mind. She remembered when she called for him, and like the hero he was he appeared and began to battle for his village, their home. But it wasn't home anymore, at least not for her. Walking down a familiar road in the village she stopped at the Yamanaka flower shop. She could see watering the various flowers that adorned the place, and she began to move on. She didn't want to see Ino, or any of the Konoha eleven for that matter. She passed the home of her childhood, knowing that her parents hadn't seen her for years. Their feelings didn't matter; no one she knew could understand her reasoning or her feelings so why should she care for theirs? She had to keep moving, lest her spirit be ripped body. After her saunter through her former life she set sights on her destination." I must end this."

Naruto sat still, silently basking in the glow of the morning sun. It wasn't like he had a choice on whether or not he got to sit still, he thought with a hint of sarcasm. In his mind he questioned whether his life was important or not. He felt that his accomplishments were a candle in the sun of his disappointments and regret. His new life would've been unbearable if not for Hinata. She lived up to her namesake and she became a sunny place for him. He remembered when she had first confessed to him that she loved him. He had never known these words before and the unbelievable realness behind them delved into his core. He began to open up to Hinata and they were very happy. Slowly returning to reality Naruto began to stare at the blank white of the hospital ceiling. He had lost her, partly because he had begun to loathe the thought of what she had to endure to be in a relationship with him. She was the heir to the most powerful clan in the village and he was the hidden son of the village's greatest hero. Most people looked down on him, so he built up immunity to it, but when their hate shifted to Hinata he had to end it. She sat on the edge on the bed and they both cried heavy tears, tears that resembled the rain at the valley of the end. That day Naruto solemnly decided that he would the rest of his life alone, drawing his last breath while looking at the white ceiling. He often dreamed of that day and the events that would kaleidoscope as he slipped into sleep eternal. In all of his dreams the events that bound him to his hospital bed and what followed afterwards played like a broken record in his mind. He smiled then, because they were the last moments he would spend with Sasuke and Sakura.

~~~~~~Four Years ago~~~~~

Nagato's invasion had left a giant scar on the hearts of Konoha. Though the enemies were finally defeated and the threat of Akastuki seemed far flung, no one could rest. Hundreds fell in battle and the death toll was still rising. Naruto just sat on top of the Hokage Mountain and he wept silently. He had avenged his master, but he didn't feel fulfilled, not with all of this carnage surrounding him. He thought about Sasuke and his eventual meeting with his rival. With Sage mode and his perfected rasenshuriken he knew that he was ready for their third encounter. He thought about Hinata, the girl that single handily turned the battle around when Pain's brazen attack on her prompted him to go six tails.

He saw how she and thousands of other villagers desperately clung to life. Sakura and Ino, two of the last remaining medics in the village worked tediously just to keep up with influx of injured people. The Hokage, who had expended a majority of her charka to ensure the safety of the village, rested her head again the demolished hospital wall. Her age showed now as the wrinkles sat prominently on her face. "Shizune, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. Dan, I broke my promise." She cried softly while the pompous elders looked on scornfully. Sakura paused to glare at their sheer ignorance. She felt so confounded. Was all this pain and suffering necessary? She knew she had to be strong for her master, her friends, and most of all for Naruto. With Shizune gone and her master in that condition Sakura had to ensure that nothing else could arise to threaten Konoha. She proceeded to work harder as she and the other medics slowly began to stabilize the village. "I have to talk with Naruto. He's the only one who would understand."

~~~~~~~Present~~~~~~~~~

The newly built Konoha hospital was quite a marvel, with wings going in all directions and new medics being trained every day. She was sure that this was Tsunade's way of future prevention to disasters. When Sakura reached the receptionist at the front of the hospital she received stares and mouths that were agape. One reception had enough awareness to stop gawking and welcome home the wayward apprentice of Lady Tsunade.
Sakura's question was a simple one but based on the reaction towards it, it was not asked frequently. "He is in the fourth wing, room 7, Lady Sakura. If you want me to I can escort you to see him." Sakura thought that was unnecessary so she began to walk. In the four years that she had been away from the village Sakura only had two people on her mind, Naruto and Sasuke. In the hallway right in front of his room she saw a glimpse of spiky white hair and she froze. "I kind of figured you would come home one of these years. It's truly good to see you, Sakura." "Hello, master Kakashi." She had awaited her talk with her sensei for four years. "How was your journey? Did you find the remedy you were searching for? Naruto's been worried" He stopped speaking when he saw the sheer look of despair in her emerald eyes when he uttered his name. "Is he up? I want to speak to him." All she could do was look away with shame when she questioned her sensei. Sasuke may have injured Naruto in the past, nearly killed him, but he had never broken everything that Naruto had stood for. She thought of how arrogant she was to even request seeing him. But she couldn't relent, not when she built up the courage. In a sigh, Kakashi seemed to understand her resolve and he limped aside. A plain little room with a worn photo of squad 7 was the resting place for the former knuckle head ninja of Konoha. He had his eyes closed but she knew he was awake. Her words escaped her at this moment and all she could do was imagine those eyes, eyes that were like the ocean, looking back at her with hatred in them. She was totally prepared for him to hate her for the rest of their days, but his response was so Naruto-like that she was stunned. "You look as beautiful as ever, Sakura. I've missed you so much." The tears began to flow at that moment. "I'm so sorry Naruto! Because of… me you can never become the Hokage. Please don't forgive me, I don't deserve it." He just looked away from her and closed his eyes. "Forgive you for what? I took Sasuke's attack because I love you. It was never your fault." He didn't understand her next actions when she crawled into the bed with him and placed her pink locks on his chest. "I still feel like it's my fault." she said in an almost inaudible tone. He wished he could embrace her at that moment, and for the first time in his life he wished for his own happiness. "I Have to fight this, for her, I can take anything. I can work to move again, and I can give her the life she deserves." Naruto began to slip into unconsciousness and plots of darkness began to formulate.

Author notes

Please read and review the story if you like it, hate it, etc. I anticipate the return of Naru-Hina but ultimately I think the story will end Naru-Saku. The next chapter the Kyuubi will appear and more on how Naruto was paralyzed will be revealed next chapter. I decided that Kakashi survived the invasion because he's too important to kill off. Pretty much any other questions or concerns can be asked in the review.

Thank you

Asuka Kallen Haruno Sohryu