All Roads Lead Here

by xxRomanceGirlxx

The war has finally come to an end and Sasuke has returned. As the villages adjust to this new era of peace, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura come to terms with their remaining loose ends and make choices for their future. In the wake of years of conflict and pain ... everyone finally finds where they truly belong. Pairing: Naru/Saku. Alternate Ending. Full Summary Inside.

2. Chapter 2: Winds of Change

A/N: Hey readers. :) My next update chapter is quicker than I expected, but I enjoy writing this to help block out that terrible canon ending. I'm grateful for all the positive support from just the first chapter and I hope this one doesn't disappoint either. Last chapter was a prelude in the immediate aftermath of Naruto vs. Sasuke fight while THIS one focuses more on the characters, including some of the side characters I felt didn't get a proper resolution when they needed one.

Again, yes this will end in NaruSaku but since this is literally an alternate Naruto ending it'll be much, much more than just that. NaruSaku is more so one piece of a big puzzle. It's less NS, more what I think what story would've been best for each character that Kishi sorely neglected. I'm going to tie up as much character loose ends as possible. This chapter is particularly one of my favorites. :P

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own Naruto or the characters. Because I know if I did, I would have absolutely no need to correct all things like Kishimoto screwed up on in this such as Sasuke's unnatural 180 personality change, Naruto's love for Sakura being unrealistically reduced to a product of a pissing contest with Sasuke (making him a scumbag and someone who doesn't get "feelings"), and how the whole verse suddenly revolved around Hinata for some reason.

Constructive Criticism/OCC warnings always welcome!

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Winds of Change

~~Sakura~~

The pink-haired medical ninja dug into the mixture fiercely with her ladle, her emerald-green eyes furrowed in concentration. Having picked some of Hashirama's cells from the leftover white Zetsu bodies that had littered the battlefield during the war, the medic had delicately picked out a sample and composited them in the material for prosthetic arms. With some help from Tsunade, Sakura was making sure the cells were deeply embedded in it's liquid form before solidifying it into the artificial limbs.

It had been a week since Naruto and Sasuke's battle and slowly the village was returning back to normal. The two of them had stayed routed in the hospital the entire time, even Naruto despite his fast healing. While Naruto and Sasuke recovered from their fierce battle, Sakura and Tsunade already had begun working on their prosthetics in the hospital.

It was a process Sakura wasn't quite familiar in her four years as a medical ninja, but she had stubbornly insisted on helping Tsunade make the arms for her two teammates though the woman had offered to do it by herself. With some coaching tips from the older woman here and there, the pinkette felt like she was finally starting to get the hang of it.

After hours of adding the proper ingredients and intense stirring, Sakura gave it a scrutinizing stare to make sure the cells had properly seeped in. Finally satisfied, the teenager sighed and wiped the sweat beading on her forehead. "This mixture's done. It should be enough to strengthen the prosthetics." The medic announced, turning to Tsunade with a smile.

The older woman was standing by her side a slight ways away, still holding a pot over the hospital counter and mixing it. She glanced at her student with a slight smile. "Good. Mine's about done as well." Tsunade informed. "Once the cells are properly incorporated, it should be enough to start building the actual arm." She stated expertly.

"Teach me how to do that. Making it into the prosthetic." Sakura responded determinedly, her expression filled with interest. "I've been helping stop infection from spreading into Naruto and Sasuke-kun's wounds, but I wanna do more. It's the least I could do." The pink-haired insisted earnestly.

Tsunade stared at her, tired amusement shining in her eyes. "You always were ready to learn. That's what made you such an easy student to teach." The blonde-haired woman reflected wistfully with a small smile. She looked down at mixture. "Of course actually making it solid and checking it's properly merged with the cells could take weeks, even months. You'd need to be patient with it."

"Of course. Anything I'll have to do, I'll do it." Sakura obliged steadfastly. She paused a moment, feeling a sudden prick of sadness as she remembered the state she had seen Naruto and Sasuke in the aftermath of the fight. "I just wish it didn't have to come to this ... lopping their own arms off. There's no way to recover them with a fight like that." She said regretfully.

The older woman scoffed incredulously. "Oh, don't worry. Half the time Naruto probably doesn't even remember he lost an arm." Tsunade commented dryly, smirking in amusement. "And Sasuke ... well ... we can't say he didn't have that one coming." She said more seriously, closing her eyes with a resigned look on her face.

Sakura avoided her master's eyes, feeling pricks of acute discomfort over the mention of Sasuke. He had hardly even spoken ever since he got back to the village. He hadn't even left the hospital room. Naruto, as wounded as he was, somehow always found a way to sneak out to visit his friends from time to time. Sasuke's particularly detached behavior worried her. She had no idea what was going through his head. It also wasn't much comfort that Sasuke's fate for his crimes still wasn't decided.

"Lady Tsunade ..." She began, staring at her a teacher anxiously. "About Sasuke-kun ..." She prompted hesitantly.

Tsunade sighed, setting the mixture down. "At the moment, Sakura, what's most important for Sasuke is recovery. He's no different than any other patient here." The blonde medical ninja cut her off, sounding weary but matter-of-fact. She paused, opening her eyes with a serious expression. "He will get his sentence if it's the last act I do as Hokage." She said solemnly.

The pink-haired girl frowned at her teacher, uneasy by the blonde's odd way of phrasing. "Lady Tsunade ... what do you mean?" Sakura prompted in bewilderment.

The older woman was silent, her amber eyes unreadable and distant as she avoided meeting her gaze. Concern flooded over the young medic when she saw the exhaustion rimmed around her teacher's eyes. "Lady Tsunade ..." She began. "You haven't been yourself lately. You've been working too hard." Sakura observed sympathetically. "You need to rest. Whatever's on your mind-"

"I'm retiring." Tsunade said abruptly.

The younger medical ninja could only stare a second. "What?! So soon?!" Sakura exclaimed in disbelief, her emerald-green eyes widening.

The older woman glanced at her stunned student, a shadow of amusement in her eyes. "I'm not as young as I look, you know." She reminded her teasingly, smirking a bit. But after a moment, the blonde medic looked away and sobered. "It's ... it's time. It's been a hard, long four years. The war is over and things are finally looking up." Tsunade began. "I don't regret any of it, but I'm no longer fit to be this village's Hokage." She stated with that same distant look in her eyes.

"Don't say that!" Sakura protested, staring at her in dismay. "You've been a great Hokage. You still are. I don't know how many people would've died on the battlefield without your healing ability. You saved us so many times." The pinkette insisted compassionately, her admiration and love for this woman flowing over her.

"As I recall, Sakura, it was you that shined the most during the war." Tsunade disagreed evenly. "You actively healed on the frontlines. Helped save Shikamaru ... Naruto too." The blonde-haired woman reminded her, respect shining in her eyes. "I've never seen you grow so much so fast." She praised, closing her eyes. "You've truly surpassed me ... Sakura." Tsunade acknowledged with pride.

The medical ninja stared, overwhelmingly touched to hear the words she had been waiting to hear for so long. It meant so much to hear her teacher say this to her after so many years of training. She was so used to thinking she could never hold a candle to Tsunade, the legendary kunoichi and one of the Sanin. I never would've made it this far without you. She thought emotionally.

As Sakura was too choked with emotion to speak, the blonde woman's demeanor sobered. "I'm not strong enough to be Hokage anymore. I overused so much of my Byakugyou in the war. Even with my regenerative abilities, some effects are just impossible to heal." Tsunade explained regretfully. "I've used it too many times before ... I'm not able to anymore. Who knows how much my life has already shortened." The blonde woman admitted gravely.

Pain pierced the younger medical ninja's heart and she felt tears blur her vision. She had always known how deadly the effects of the seal were, but she had never imagined it would go this far. Yet, Sakura knew Tsunade was not lying. There was something different about the woman now. She was slower, less nimble. It was as if a part of her life force really had drained away.

The medic lowered her gaze, silent for a few moments as unshed tears still clouded her gaze. "I ... understand, Lady Tsunade." Sakura acknowledged softly, having nothing more to say to comfort the woman or to make herself feel better.

Tsunade studied her student sympathetically, obviously noticing the tears in her eyes, but she did not comment. "Once Sasuke is stabilized, my last issue as Hokage will be deciding his punishment. I'll still help with making these prosthetic arms and then a newer, stronger Hokage will take my place." The blonde woman said matter-of-factly.

Some of the implications of the situation finally pierced through to the pinkette. She wiped her eyes as she stared at her master uncertainly. "But ... Naruto ... he's still not fully healed. He can't lead a whole village like this." Sakura expressed worriedly. She wanted nothing more than for Naruto to achieve his dream - she would be so proud of him - but she didn't want that much pressure on him so soon when he was still so hurt.

Tsunade made a noise of disbelief, closing her eyes with a smirk. "I'm afraid our little idiot is going to have to wait a while longer." The older medical ninja answered matter-of-factly, sounding amused. "War hero he may be, but not exactly Hokage material. He's not ready. Not yet." She told her steadily.

The pink-haired girl frowned. As much as she wanted Naruto to be Hokage, she found herself privately agreeing with the woman. Naruto was compassionate and would protect the village with everything he had, but Sakura wasn't quite sure he had the maturity yet. He was still an idiot - probably always would be to some extent as far as Sakura saw it - and he still wasn't good with technical stuff. I can't imagine how he'd sit through hours and hours of paperwork with his attention span. She thought, the image not particularly convincing.

As if she could read Sakura's thoughts, Tsunade smirked wider. "Naruto has a tough road ahead of him if he wants the responsibilities of a Hokage ... after all, he still is just a boy." The older medic remarked good-humoredly. She walked over to her student, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Someone needs to whip that kid into shape. And if I'm not already forgetting things at my age, you've always been the best at that, haven't you?" Tsunade said teasingly.

Sakura smiled and avoided her eyes in embarrassment. " Yeah, I do what I can." She admitted self-consciously, amused as well. It wasn't always easy and Naruto had an impeccable ability to give her huge headaches, but in the end she didn't think she'd change a thing.

Tsunade took her hand off her shoulder. "I want you to help him, Sakura. Teach him things like diplomacy and technicalities, not just protecting and fighting. Maybe you'd help him mature some more." The blonde woman requested sincerely, the steady look in her eyes showing she wasn't kidding. "Help him become Hokage 'cause we all know he'll need it."

The pink-haired girl paused, surprised and caught off guard by the depth of the woman's proposal. It wasn't like Sakura had ever thought of not helping Naruto. Truthfully, she wanted him to be Hokage almost as much as he did. But to actually be stressed as something vital to him like that? It felt more meaningful than just casually helping.

Yet, somehow, Sakura wasn't uncomfortable or even remotely scared. To help guide Naruto on the road to being Hokage ... after all these years, it felt right.

"Of course, Lady Tsunade." Sakura answered matter-of-factly, her tone making it clear that it had never even been a question.

Tsunade just smiled, observing her student's resolved expression. "Well well. There may be hope for the kid just yet." The blonde-haired woman responded light-heartedly, a contented look on her face. She turned around, gathering the two pot mixtures in her hands and preparing to walk away. "I'm going to start the manufacturing process for these. I'll call you up when you can help."

The medical ninja followed after her teacher, reaching the door just as Tsunade was about to leave. "Alright. I'm going to go check on Naruto and Sasuke-kun." Sakura informed her as they walked out the door. The blonde woman nodded in acknowledgement before descending down the hallway towards the chemical room.

Going down the opposite hallway, the pink-haired girl travelled past several hospital rooms until she found the one she was looking for: Room number 209. Sakura paused in front of the door, her hand tentatively in front of the handle as she hesitated. The room she was at was the closest out of her two teammates ... and it was Sasuke's.

The pink-haired girl stood there uncomfortably. She had no idea what to expect from Sasuke today. He had been so withdrawn lately, more than usual. And it was just so strange being around him again. What had once been so natural for her was now foreign and everything was completely different. Even with him redeemed, she still felt uneasy. Like she couldn't fully trust him yet as much as she wanted to.

Pushing aside her sudden timidness, Sakura braced herself and pushed the door open. Before fully stepping inside the room, the medical ninja peeked experimentally.

Sasuke was sitting up in his bed in the corner of the room. His dark gaze were staring at the wall, his expression impassive with a distant look in his eyes Sakura had seen every other time she visited him. Dull morning sunlight streamed into in the room from a small, square window above the Uchiha but something about the place still felt dark.

"Sasuke ... kun?" She addressed hesitantly, slowly stepping further in the room.

Sasuke turned his head and looked at her, watching quietly as Sakura stepped fully inside. "... Sakura." He acknowledged evenly, his expression still unchanged.

Closing the door behind her, the medical ninja gave him another uncertain look before walking over to him. "I came to change your bandages." Sakura told him more normally, managing to give the Uchiha a weak smile. "How are you feeling? It's not hurting any more, is it?" She asked professionally, trying to get a glimpse of his wound.

"No. It's not." Sasuke responded simply, still looking like he was somewhere very far away.

"That's good." The medic responded, giving him a relieved smile. "But I better take a look anyway." The pink-haired girl said. She waited until Sasuke sat on the edge of the bed and scooted over so she could sit down. Pushing up his sleeve, Sakura pulled out a set of disinfected bandages and went to work. "Me and Lady Tsunade are already working on your prosthetic. We'll get it done and you'll have an arm again." She said cheerfully with a smile as she unraveled his bandages.

Sasuke lowered his eyes. " ... Yeah. Sure." He said distractedly, a troubled look on his face.

Sakura's smile fell, feeling a prick of pain. Nothing's changed. I can still barely carry a conversation with him. The medical ninja reflected, disappointed in how she was still the only person that tried out of them. Catching the direction of her thoughts, the medic mentally shook herself. No. I told myself I'm past this ... I don't care anymore. She told herself bitterly, reminding herself of her decision to move on from Sasuke. She wasn't going to be like this her whole life. She couldn't.

Feeling a clash of sadness and frustration that was nearly suffocating, Sakura desperately tried to clear her mind as she put her full focus on patching up Sasuke. The silence between them was tense and piercing, but the medic didn't stop as she tossed aside Sasuke's old bandages and began carefully wrapping around the new ones.

As meticulously focused as she was on gingerly wrapping around the bandages, it came as a shock to Sakura when she heard her teammate's voice suddenly break the quiet. "There's a funeral today." Sasuke said matter-of-factly. The medic paused, raising her head to look at him questioningly. "Naruto stopped by and told me. He's going to be there." He elaborated, his expression still stoic.

Realizing what Sasuke was talking about, the pink-haired girl lowered her eyes. "Neji Hyuga ... " Sakura identified sadly, continuing more slowly with the bandages as she remembered the sad death of Hinata's cousin in the war. "He did the Chunin Exams with us once, remember?" She recalled, raising her eyes at him to see his face.

" ... I never got the chance to fight him." Sasuke responded.

Sakura observed him, a bit bemused by the Uchiha's behavior. If it was anyone else only having one statement to say about someone's death and a battle-oriented one at that, she would've written them off as insensitive but the pink-haired girl figured this was the best and likely only way Sasuke could express consideration over it.

"He helped save Naruto and Hinata. He didn't die pointlessly." Sakura murmured softly, finishing off the last of the fresh bandages around his arm. "Now all we need to worry about is getting you and Naruto back in top condition." The pinkette said more seriously, trying to be more optimistic as she fastened the bandages tightly around his arm.

Sasuke stiffened at pressure, but otherwise didn't react. As Sakura patted down the bandages to make sure they were tight enough, the dark-haired Uchiha looked away again. He was quiet, his expression distant and thoughtful. "It's strange, being back here. Around these places, these ... people." Sasuke suddenly said tensely. "I never thought I would be since the day I walked away from it."

The medical ninja stared at him a moment, trying to ignore her discomfort on his matter-of-fact tone he never intended on coming back. "But you are back, Sasuke-kun. I know it's hard ... trying to fit back in here again ... but you can do it. You still have me and Naruto, after all." Sakura offered encouragingly, forcing a reassuring smile. "This was still your home once too."

"Tch." The dark-haired ninja sounded incredulously, a glower on his face. "Yeah. Once. And this isn't a homecoming, even if I do deserve this." Sasuke remarked abruptly, turning to look at her with intensity. "It's not the same, no matter what you and Naruto try and tell yourself." He stated bluntly, his tone fierce.

Sakura flinched, startled by his suddenly coarse words. Trying to ignore the hurt that statement caused, the medical ninja meet his challenging gaze as best as she could. "Maybe not completely. But we're still your friends. Remember what Kakashi-sensei said to us?" The pink-haired girl said meaningfully. "We'll always be Team 7, no matter what." She swore solemnly.

Some of the frustration in Sasuke's eyes died. He lowered his eyes, looking suddenly regretful. He looked away again and was a quiet a couple moments, distance gathering in his gaze again. As Sakura rose from the bed, the Uchiha spoke again. "It's just ... different now after all these years. Everything's changed." Sasuke said, his gaze shadowed. "It feels like I've been gone a lifetime."

The pink-haired girl watched him sadly, not knowing what words she could say to him. She wanted to protest, but she couldn't because she felt it too. She had wanted nothing more than for Sasuke to be back but now that he was, Sakura didn't know how to act. She didn't want him to leave again, but everything was just so different. She was different. Each of them went through different obstacles and they all changed because of it.

Sasuke was right about one thing. It wasn't the same and never will be. Naruto wasn't the same idiot, Sasuke wasn't the same avenger, and Sakura wasn't the same shallow girl who used to chase after Sasuke. But there was one thing she wouldn't let go of no matter what and that was Team 7. Some of the happiest days of her life were with them and she would never forget that.

"Sasuke-kun ..." Sakura began sympathetically, pausing as she tried to figure out what to say. "It'll all work out somehow. Even after everything you did and how your sentence hasn't been decided yet ... I really believe that." She said encouragingly, giving him a hopeful smile. "And me and Naruto will be right there with you, just like we always have been."

The dark-haired Uchiha stared at her a moment, his expression as impassive as ever. Then he closed his eyes resignedly. "Hn ... how'd I ever get stuck with nuisances like you two." Sasuke wondered. Despite his harsh words, there was a grateful smirk on his face.

The medical ninja smiled at him, relieved and glad Sasuke truly appreciated her and Naruto's loyalty at last. Tossing out the Uchiha's old bandages in the nearby trash bin, Sakura began walking away. "Don't worry too much yet, Sasuke-kun. All that matters now is that you get better so rest up." She told him cheerfully.

As she opened the door and walked out, Sakura felt a strange sense of peace. Sasuke was back and he cared and for the first ever the medical ninja wasn't trying to ask for more than that. Sasuke had rejoined his place with Team 7 ... and maybe in the end, that was all she ever really needed.

---

~~Naruto~~

Naruto stood with his hand in his pocket, his spiky bangs hanging over his unprotected forehead as he stared up at the sky. He was in the outskirts of the village, dressed in a loose black shirt and another pair of orange pants he had managed to find after his original one got destroyed. It was peaceful here today, hardly any people around to disturb the place.

Naruto wished he could say the same for his mind though. Today's the day for Neji's funeral. The blonde-haired ninja thought sadly, his face solemn. The funeral had been delayed with all the bodies that had to picked off the battlefield from all the nations and was only now just getting sorted out. His poor friend had died in his arms saving his life. Now the war was over ... but Neji couldn't see it. Just like the other people who's lives had been claimed by Obito and Madara.

He knew he should be happy. Neji had died contentedly and now Naruto had effectively ended the bloody war so no one else had to die. Everything was at peace. He had Sasuke back and everyone seemed to be getting along. And Naruto was happy ... but there was still that weight in his stomach. That feeling Neji should be here. Maybe even see Sasuke so he could prove to him the time the Hyuga nearly died to bring him back hadn't been for nothing.

Just then, the blonde ninja heard footsteps. Naruto turned his head to see a pale-skinned guy walking over towards him. Recognition flooded over him. "Sai." He said in as his friend appeared next to him, giving the former Root-nin a curious look.

"It isn't the time for the funeral yet." Sai began matter-of-factly with a serious look. He paused, tilting his head as he studied him. " ... Are you allowed to be out of the hospital?" He questioned, sounding a bit puzzled.

"Hehe ... Let's not worry about that, 'ttebayo." Naruto responded in amusement with a sheepish grin, acutely aware of his stinging stump of an arm, the small purple bruises on his face and the white medical patch on the left side of his cheek that covered the worst one.

Sai frowned, but said nothing. The blonde ninja's mood sobered again and he looked back up at the sky. Silence passed between the two of them and for once Naruto made no attempt to diffuse it. All he could think about was Neji and how much he still wished things could've been different.

Sai lowered his eyes thoughtfully, looking troubled. "I know things are peaceful ... but I still have this pressure in my gut. Like something still isn't right." The black-haired ninja admitted, looking up at his friend. "That's sadness, isn't it? We lost a comrade. Neji Hyuga." He pinpointed steadily. Naruto grimaced, upset, and looked away. Sai didn't waver. "He was your friend." He said, his dark gaze filled with meaning.

Naruto smiled bitterly. "Yeah ... he really was." He agreed sadly, trying to act casual. "I still wish I could've done something to stop it. I mean ... he didn't deserve that." The blonde-haired shinobi declared, feeling the pricks of guilt as he remembered how much of a failure he had felt. "But I'll always remember him. No matter what, I'll make sure he didn't die for nothing." He swore with a genuine smile.

He was trying to accept the fact he couldn't save everyone. It wasn't easy. Naruto had never been able to handle when something bad happened to those he cared about. He always felt like he had to do something about it. But still, even while he knew he couldn't save everyone ... the least he could do was honor their memory. That way they were still alive. Just in a different way.

Sai stared at him, quiet for a moment with an unreadable look. " ... By losing one friend, you gained another." The black-haired ninja said suddenly, sounding enlightened. Naruto frowned in confusion, looking at him pressingly. "You got Sasuke back. Now you have it like it once was." Sai clarified seriously.

Confusion evaporating, the blonde ninja smiled at his friend. "Yeah. Team 7's all together again." He agreed heartily, some of his happiness over that true come back. His friend wasn't wrong. Even though Neji was gone and the war had been extremely grueling along with the fact there still wasn't a sentence for Sasuke ... he was glad he brought Sasuke back to himself.

"Team 7 ..." Sai murmured thoughtfully. "I'm glad that you and Sakura managed to finally remind Sasuke of bonds. You went through so much just to get there. It's good to know that even for someone like him, it wasn't pointless." The former Root-nin acknowledged graciously. He closed his eyes. "I can't say I still trust Sasuke all that well ... but he is your friend."

Ignoring the disappointment he tended to get at the reminder of someone not trusting Sasuke, Naruto smiled at his friend warmly. "Thanks, Sai. You stuck by us this whole time in bringing Sasuke back. It really helped keep our hopes up, y'know?" The blonde jinchuriki told him gratefully. "You're awesome!" He beamed.

Sai smiled slightly, but then lowered his eyes. " ... I suppose now, with Sasuke back, you don't need me around anymore to do missions." The black-haired ninja said quietly, sounding disappointed. Naruto's eyes widened in shock. Sai looked up and met his gaze steadily. "All I ever was was Sasuke's replacement. He is the original member. And I don't wanna get in the way of your bond." He said more evenly.

Naruto frowned deeply, noticing the sad expression Sai bore now. "Now where'd that talk come from!? You don't get in the way!" The blonde ninja protested indignantly. "You're our friend too, Sai! We aren't just gonna forget that 'just cause Sasuke's back." He stated strongly, giving him a reproachful look.

The former Root-nin awkwardly avoided his eyes. "Yes, but ..." He began uncomfortably. "I saw the way you three were on the battlefield. There's this ... history between you three. Sometimes it feels like I'm just meant to watch it." Sai explained honestly. "You have this whole special bond together. I'm not sure where I fit in it." He admitted, looking troubled.

The blonde jinchuriki put his hand on his shoulder forcefully. "That's crazy talk! You're one of me and Sakura-chan's bestest friends. I mean it." Naruto insisted indignantly, angered Sai would dare think otherwise. Did he underestimate their bond so much? "You helped us a bunch when Sasuke was gone. No way I'm gonna go and forget that."

"Are you sure I'm not intruding?" Sai asked, looking doubtful.

"Of course not!" Naruto replied fiercely. "You're a part of Team 7 too. Sasuke being back won't change a thing about that so don't even try and leave!" The blonde said passionately, giving him a stern look. When Sai still looked uncertain, Naruto softened. "Hey, come on. It won't change. We'll just have a five-man squad instead a four-man one and don't think I'll let Granny stop us!" He said good-naturedly with a mischievous smile.

Sai blinked. "Well ... if I'm welcome." The black-haired ninja finally relented, sounding relieved. "It'll be interesting trying to understand Sasuke. Maybe I can analyze his emotions and learn from him, like I did with you." Sai suggested, an intrigued and curious look in his eyes over his next "human project".

Naruto's enthusiasm fell. He frowned. "Yeah ... I'd hold off on that one if I were you." He said awkwardly in warning, causing Sai to frown. Sasuke wasn't easy to read, not the mention he was characteristically unfriendly. Any "inappropriate" questions Sai would ask would get him on Sasuke's bad side in a heartbeat.

The blonde ninja looked over in the direction of Konoha streets, feeling another prick of sadness at the reminder of Neji's funeral would start in the afternoon. It was going to be a long, depressing day. Naruto sighed. "I should probably head back to the hospital before Sakura-chan finds out I'm gone." He told Sai more soberly, knowing it wouldn't be long if her visit intervals were the same.

Sai's eyes widened in realization. "That's right. Sasuke is back now. You've kept your promise to her." He brought up suddenly, looking curious. It took less than a second for Naruto to realize where Sai was going with this. Acute discomfort funneled through Naruto and he looked away. Sai tilted his head. " ... Have you still not told her how you feel yourself?" He asked in confusion, noticing the reaction.

The blonde jinchuriki hesitated uncomfortably. " ... Sakura-chan's been real busy. She's helping taking care of all the wounded ninjas. And I've been kinda recovering lately so ..." Naruto explained awkwardly, trailing off as he looked at his friend nervously.

He's been wanting to confess to Sakura for a long time and he really, really was happy he completed the promise. He didn't feel trapped anymore. That he actually could confess without any reason to feel guilty. Just like what everything else Naruto told himself that he would do now that Sasuke was back, he would tell Sakura he loved her.

But it wasn't that easy. It had never been that easy.

Sakura-chan still loves Sasuke. And I don't want her to go and think I'm trying to force something. He thought, troubled. He had been there when Sakura broke down in tears and confessed her love to Sasuke after he betrayed them again during the war. She had looked so broken-hearted ... how would it look if he told her his feelings just when she had Sasuke again? Naruto wasn't expecting anything.

As if he could hear Naruto's emotional turmoil, Sai blinked and looked at him quizzically. "It's strange to me how unsure you over this when you seem so confident about everything else. I'm not that good at emotions." The black-haired former Root-nin responded, sounding genuinely confused. "You said you would once. Have you changed your mind?"

"I never go back on what I say!" Naruto responded defensively. "I saved Sasuke so I'll tell Sakura-chan. I don't have any reason not to!" The blonde-haired ninja said more exuberantly with a confident smile as he fisted his hand a fired up gesture. "I just ... I need to find the right time. I've never done this before." He muttered uncomfortably.

"I don't understand your situation ... what's between you and Sakura over Sasuke. It seems unnecessarily complicated." Sai commented straightforwardly, giving him a curious but lost look. "You love her ... but she loves Sasuke who doesn't seem to care. And what Sakura feels for you ..." The black-haired ninja described.

Naruto sighed. "Honestly, Sai? I don't think I really get it either." He admitted in defeat.

Sai frowned deeply. "I hope I never have to be apart of something like that." He said with feeling, an uneasy expression on his face.

The blonde shinobi looked at Sai calmly. "It's not that bad. I just need to do what I said I'd do. It won't be as confusing then." Naruto said optimistically, trying to brush most of it off. There was that part of him that was still afraid of rejection, but he ignored it as much as he could. This wasn't supposed to be about rejection.

His friend nodded his head slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I wonder what she'll say to you ..." Sai mused, looking curious but a bit puzzled at the same time.

Naruto paused, tensing as he suddenly felt more serious. After a moment, the jinchuriki's body relaxed. " ... Nah. I already know her answer." The blonde-haired ninja responded in quiet but carefree tone, looking over at his friend with a weak, bittersweet smile.

Sai looked puzzled. But before the Root-nin could even say anything, the blonde-haired shinobi turned and prepared to walk away. He didn't even get a foot away from him when Naruto spotted something familiar ahead.

"Na-ru-to!" Sakura's furious voice suddenly cut through the air. Naruto froze instantly, rooted to the spot as he spotted the girl he loved marching over to him with unnerving speed and a predominant scowl on her face. Uh oh. He thought nervously, cursing that he wasn't already gone and back in the hospital already.

"S-Sakura-chan ..." Naruto stammered as she finally was in front of him, trying to look normal and casual in the face of her obvious temper.

"What are you doing out here, Naruto?! You're supposed to be in the hospital!" Sakura said accusingly the moment she arrived, her tone filled with frustration as she glared at her teammate.

"I-I know, but ..." The blonde ninja tried to explain nervously, his mind drawing a blank over what he could possibly say to appease the fiery medical ninja.

As he expected, Sakura was paying no heed to hearing any of his excuses. "Your missing arm is still sore! You can't move around too much and risk opening it up again!" She lectured. "Didn't you say before it still hurt a lot?" She reminded him more sharply, her hands on her hips as she stared at him sternly.

Naruto looked at her uncomfortably. "It's getting better, Sakura-chan. Really." He reassured more steadily this time as he smiled at her, trying to calm her down. It seemed lately Sakura was so sensitive to the slightest thing he did that might cause harm. It was almost to point that if he got a paper cut, he wouldn't have trouble believing she would lecture him on being clumsy and heal it with medical ninjutsu.

"You lost an arm, Naruto!"

"So did Sasuke." The blonde reminded her easily, throwing out his only arm and frowning at her.

"Sasuke-kun knows when to stay put." Sakura retorted in a clipped tone, giving him an impatient glare. She looked past Naruto towards Sai who was watching the conversation with a blank expression. She narrowed her eyes. "Are you behind this, Sai?" The medical ninja questioned distrustfully, looking reproachful.

The former Root ninja looked startled. "Um ... no, Sakura. I just ran into him out here." The black-haired ninja told her truthfully, looking a bit nervous and uncomfortable under the strength of the medical ninja's scrutinizing stare. He knew the side of Sakura's temper almost as well as Naruto did.

The pink-haired girl watched Sai suspiciously for a moment, then turned back to Naruto. "However you got here, you're going back to the hospital right now. I still need to change your bandages." Sakura said curtly, her tone leaving no room for argument. She suddenly grabbed the front of his shirt, startling Naruto, and she pinned him with impatient glare.

Sai observed this, his expression suddenly intrigued. " ... Would this be the right time to tell her?" He asked out loud. "Because I read in a book once ..."

Naruto leaned away from Sakura, eying her nervously as he worried she was about to punch him. "Not unless you want her to kill me." The blonde said completely matter-of-factly, his voice filled with feeling as he imagined how that scenario would go.

The medical ninja drew back with a scowl. "Tell me what?" Sakura asked suspiciously.

"I-It's nothing, Sakura-chan! Nothing!" Naruto denied instantly, his tone high-pitched as he desperately hoped the pink-haired girl didn't care enough to push on the topic. Because there was absolutely no way he was telling her that here. It was as far away from the right time as it could get.

The pink-haired girl eyed him warily, clearly not all that convinced by his quick response, but she just shook head. "Well whatever it is, it's not important until I take care of you. So come on, we're going to hospital." Sakura said a little less impatiently, pulling on his shirt again as she started to practically drag him away.

As the two of them began walking in the direction of the hospital, the medical ninja paused suddenly. She looked behind her at Sai who had been watching them leave. "You can come with us, Sai. I'm just going to go and patch up Naruto." Sakura offered casually, suddenly looking as if she had never even been seething a few moments before.

The black-haired ninja blinked, seeming surprised. "Um ... well, I ..." He began a bit self-consciously, looking away in sudden discomfort.

Understanding the uncomfortable reaction, Naruto offered an encouraging smile. "Yeah, come on. We're all still members of Team 7." The blonde jinchuriki said cheerfully, gazing at his even more surprised friend meaningfully. He glanced back at Sakura. "Aren't we, Sakura-chan?" He prompted casually, still with a smile.

Sakura blinked, looking a bit surprised at the question. "Of course."

I told you so, Sai. Naruto thought proudly as he heard the ease in her voice, turning back to look at Sai triumphantly. He knew Sakura would still consider Sai a friend and teammate, even with Sasuke still back in the village.

The black-haired ninja stared at them, looking shocked. After a few moments, a tentative smile began to spread across his face. " ... Yes, that's right. I'll come." He acknowledged contentedly, beginning to walk over towards them. Delight siphoned through Naruto to finally see his friend recognize the place he had with them and that nothing would take that away, not even Sasuke.

After Sai caught up and all three of them started moving together towards the hospital, the blonde jinchuriki smiled happily. "Great, you're coming-ttebayo!" Naruto said optimistically, quickly turning back his attention to his pink-haired teammate. "And Sakura-chan, can quit dragging me already? I can still walk, y'know ..."

---

~~Sasuke~~

Sasuke landed on the ground unsteadily, his balance teetering as his beaten body struggled to find it's usual grace. The dark-haired Uchiha winced as pain reverberated through his weak legs, but he ignored it and stood up. Sasuke glanced above him towards the open window, it's curtain still billowing, then around him carefully.

Tch. Not a hint of ANBU keeping watch. The Uchiha recognized after a few moments, glowering a bit at the unprofessionalism. He had been an international criminal and there wasn't even a single guard to check he wasn't betraying them again? Did see him as too weak to be a threat? This village is just as gullible as I remember. Sasuke thought in contempt. Should he feel relieved or insulted?

Turning away from the window, the dark-haired Uchiha began walking along the side of the hospital. He spent weeks confined to the hospital, keeping to himself aside from Sakura's visits and Naruto when he snuck out. But even with their company, Sasuke felt tormented. Tormented by the weight of his past and the dark, turbulent depths of his own mind. Now he suddenly found it unbearable to sit in that hospital room and let the thoughts fester.

And so he walked and he walked. He rounded the corners of the hospital, his hand in his pocket as he worked his way to the front. Checking carefully multiple times to see if anyone had spotted him, Sasuke took a roundabout route and moved further away from the place before going back towards the front. Eventually he moved leisurely on the pathway, moving away from the hospital as he searched for somewhere else he could think.

When he made it to the hospital archway, Sasuke stopped. Villagers were milling back and forth, carrying supplies ranging from medical kits to firewood and ninja tools. Some were talking animatedly amongst themselves, flashing happy smiles and oozing cheerfulness. These were the ones who were hopeful. Already on the road to a peaceful future.

But then there were quieter ones, the ones that caught Sasuke's eye the most. Most of them looked visibly disfigured beyond repair, covered in bandages and grotesquely scarred. Others dragged their feet, a shattered look in their eyes as if they were relieving a tragedy over and over again. A somber, suffocating air hung off these particular people ... an air Sasuke knew well.

They lost someone. Family, friends ... themselves. And now they're on their own ... trying picking up what's left behind. Sasuke reflected intuitively, remembering the deaths of Itachi and his family with a strained feeling in his heart. He still recalled too clearly his hate and his consuming need for vengeance. The idea of him every letting it go was unthinkable back then. Now he somehow found himself here.

Itachi ... your sole duty in life was to protect this village. You knew war would only cause pain and death ... just like what happened to these people. The Uchiha thought seriously, observing the tortured expressions of some of villagers that reminded him exactly of himself; what for so long had been Sasuke's entire identity.

He knew now his brother was right. War was pointless and so was vengeance. Naruto had been right. You had to believe in other people to change the future and make it better than how it was in the past, not just in yourself. Despite everything that's happened, Sasuke truly wished to protect Konoha, not just for Itachi's memory but for himself too. Sasuke knew that in his heart ... so why did being in this village make his skin crawl?

I've been through so much since I lived here. So many mistakes, those dark places ... it was a different life. Even now I can't forget all that. The dark-haired Uchiha thought resignedly, his outward expression hard. Things had been so much more simpler in his Team 7 days. But now that he was back, he couldn't find that simplicity anymore. All he felt was disconnection and towards a place that was supposed to be home. Do I even have a home? Sasuke wondered.

Sasuke lifted his gaze to sky. He didn't know what he was supposed to do anymore. He didn't even know where he belonged. All my life I had a goal. Revenge, anarchy, Hokage ... now what? How to rot in jail? The Uchiha pondered, dissatisfied. He couldn't do that. He couldn't live without some sort of purpose. He needed to strive towards something. He had to feel like his existence mattered.

The dark-haired Uchiha sighed. Whatever punishment I get is my punishment. But if I'm let go ... Sasuke thought, trailing off with a slight frown as he felt hopelessly lost. What would he do then? Be part of Team 7? Live in a village that hated him? Rejoin his birthplace which he scarcely even recognized anymore?

Overlapping voices broke through Sasuke's intense thoughts. The Uchiha turned his head, spotting six figures of people he only half-remembered coming towards him.

"I really don't think you should do that, Ino ..."

"It'll only take a second, Shikamaru! I-"

Sasuke watched impassively as Ino gasped upon sighting him, almost dropping the banquet of flowers she was holding. As the blonde stared at him a moment with wide eyes, the rogue ninja looked over towards the other people with her: Choji, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Hinata.

"Sasuke-kun!" Ino exclaimed, looking startled.

Shikamaru was regarding him through narrowed eyes. "So I see you're finally up and at 'em." He noted stiffly, tone polite but blatantly wary.

Kiba snorted. "Too bad. I was hoping Naruto nailed you to the bed for at least a couple six months." The Inuzuka commented contemptuously, pinning Sasuke with an animalistic glare.

The dark-haired Uchiha met his glare, feeling a curl of dislike for his former classmate. Then Ino stepped forward. "So how are you feeling, Sasuke-kun? Any better?" The Yamanaka brought up, sounding unusually friendly in the face of the constant hostility he was already used to getting. When he looked at her blankly, she laughed nervously. "Oh, what am I saying! Of course you're better! You're outside!" She said brightly, giving a closed eye smile.

Choji scratched the back of his head, looking uncomfortable. "Die down the cheer a little, Ino. You know this guy doesn't deserve it."

The blonde ignored her friend. "Did you need me to change your bandages? Apply some more antibiotics to it?" The Yamanaka questioned, looking at him curiously.

"Sakura already took care of that part." The Uchiha answered matter-of-factly.

Ino instantly recoiled. "Well, of course Forehead has!" The Yamanaka said in sudden disgust as she threw out one hand, scowling as if she just tasted something rancid.

Sasuke ignored the response, instead paying closer attention to the group. He narrowed his eyes. "Your clothes ..." The Uchiha observed, finally taking in the pure black clothing they were wearing.

" ... It's Neji-nissan's funeral today." Hinata told him quietly, her tone dull as her pupilless eyes stared sadly at her hands.

The Uchiha started, remembering when Naruto had told him earlier about it. It was taking place already? As if he sensed his surprise, Kiba glared at him. "You remember Neji Hyuga, right? The guy that almost died way back trying to bring your ass back home?" The Inuzuka said curtly. "Come to think of it, I almost did too, didn't I?!" Kiba added in outrage, pointing at him.

Sasuke didn't answer right away, feeling a prick of regret when he remembered how misguided he had been back then. " ... That was a long time ago. Things are different." The dark-haired Uchiha responded evenly, meeting his gaze steadily.

"Yeah, everything except you maybe." Kiba retorted, crossing his arms.

Sasuke glared at him. "I don't owe you any proof." He replied in a barbed tone, equally as unfriendly.

"Kiba's right." Shikamaru interrupted. "Him, Choji, me, Neji, Naruto ... we were all part of that rescue squad. We put our lives on the line to bring you back and the only thanks you gave us was sending Naruto home in the hospital." The Nara said bluntly. "And we would've done it again. But then you had to become a criminal." He elaborated. "You're lucky you have Naruto as a friend, Sasuke. But that doesn't mean you deserve it." He said seriously.

You're right. I don't deserve it. Sasuke privately agreed, looking down as he felt another rush of unfamiliar guilt. Naruto had never given up on him. No matter how many times he tried to kill him or cut ties, his best friend had never lost faith in him. If there was anything in this world Sasuke truly regretted, it was how many times he had let Naruto down.

"Maybe Sasuke-kun made a lot of bad choices, but he helped us with the war. He did a lot to help us." Ino suddenly defended him, looking at her friend reproachfully. She glanced back at Sasuke, a happy smile coming to her face. "Now he's the same old Sasuke-kun we all knew and loved." She remarked cheerfully.

"I'm not sure 'loved' is the right word ..." Shikamaru muttered.

The same? No. And I never will be. Sasuke thought without a shadow of doubt, finding the idea almost amusing. Maybe in some ways he changed for the better ... but there was other parts of him now. Parts of him that could never fall back into the same cool, naïve genin he once was. Too much has happened for that to ever be possible.

"Oh! Sasuke-kun!" Ino exclaimed, looking down at her banquet - wide-petaled red roses Sasuke saw now that he bothered to pay them any attention. She held out the roses to him, her ice-blue eyes twinkling. "I got you some 'get well' flowers! I picked out some for Neji's funeral and then I thought of you and then I figured you could use a warm welcome!" The Yamanaka explained in a rush, blushing slightly as she smiled at him flirtatiously.

"Ino ..." Shikamaru said in exasperation, scratching the back of his head with a resigned expression was stamped on his face.

Choji shook his head. "She has no shame."

Sasuke stared at the flowers, genuinely stunned. Why does she still like me? He wondered, bewildered and annoyed. He hadn't been around her for years, he could barely remember how many times he even talked to her, and more importantly he was a criminal who had done terrible things. Though truthfully Sasuke never understood why any girl ever liked him anyways.

"... Keep it." The dark-haired Uchiha said simply.

Ino backed off, startled. "Huh?"

"I told you, Ino!" Shikamaru said, throwing out his arm and giving her an exasperated look.

Recovering from her surprise, Ino gave another nervous laugh. "Oh, you're just being shy, Sasuke-kun!" She brushed off cheerfully, giving another closed eye smile. "I'll just put it in your room later, y'know so you don't have to be embarrassed!" The Yamanaka decided enthusiastically, looking painfully undeterred as she put the banquet of roses in her bag.

I told you I don't want it. Sasuke thought, irritated. He was reminded of the days when he was younger and how every girl that ever liked him was exactly like this. They would flirt or try to give him something but whenever he rejected them, it was like he suddenly spoke a different language. I guess that's one thing that hasn't changed.

Kiba made an annoyed noise in the back of his throat. "See?! He's still the same bastard he's always been!" The dog ninja said in outrage, throwing out his arm. He lowered his arm, fixing the Uchiha with a more serious stare. "Like we can believe he's changed. I say drive him out of the village now before he can cause any more trouble." The Inuzuka suggested heatedly, his gaze brimming with distrust.

Shikamaru put his arm in front of Kiba. "No, Kiba. Sasuke's still under trial. We can't even think of doing anything until Lady Tsunade issues out his punishment." The Nara told him matter-of-factly, fixing his friend with a stern look. He turned back to Sasuke. "But he's right about one thing, Sasuke. You've done a lot of things. It's harder to get trust back once you break it." He warned.

"I know that." Sasuke acknowledged. "I already made peace with my punishment. Whatever happens happens." The dark-haired Uchiha replied matter-of-factly, his expression calm and impassive. He wasn't going to worry what his punishment will be. After all, either way it wouldn't be something he didn't deserve.

Ino looked at him sympathetically. "Don't worry, Sasuke-kun. I'm sure Lady Tsunade won't give you the death penalty at least." The blonde Yamanaka offered, sounding sad about the whole ordeal herself.

"Tch! Watch him wriggle out of it!" Kiba protested incredulously, struggling against the arm Shikamaru still had firmly implanted between him and Sasuke. "He talks a big game now, but just wait when it happens." He remarked, saying it as fact.

"Kiba-kun, everyone ... can we please just stop arguing?" Hinata requested in distress, her eyes closed and looking completely drained. Everyone looked at her and when she opened her eyes, she looked much more serious. "We're honoring Neji-nissan. Not fighting." The gentle Hyuga stated surprisingly strongly, giving them a forceful look.

The friends exchanged glances, some guilty and others serious. Ino put her arm around Hinata's shoulders. "Of course. We'll go the funeral right away." The Yamanaka told her understandingly.

Hinata gave a weak nod, back to looking numb and grief-stricken. Together they started walking, Ino still keeping her arm draped around her friend's shoulder. "Bye, Sasuke-kun." The Yamanaka called casually, glancing back at him. Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba lagged behind, giving Sasuke one last distrustful stare before leaving themselves.

Sasuke watched them go, a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Once again he was reminded of everyone's hatred of him for all the evil things he did, even his own former classmates. There was so much I didn't understand for so long. I get it now. I deserve everything they're throwing at me. The dark-haired Uchiha accepted, feeling no torment. He even regretted he hadn't cared about the sacrifices the Sasuke Retrieval Team made so many years ago when they had nearly died for him. Like Neji, who now really was dead.

As the Uchiha reflected, he realized again what that feeling in his stomach was: guilt.

It wasn't like he cared what any of them thought of him. He still didn't. But Sasuke knew what was right and what was wrong and the acts he committed were wrong. It didn't matter what excuse in the past he ever gave for it. It didn't change the facts. Sasuke felt guilty about his crimes towards them, at least by principle.

Is that my next goal? Redemption? Sasuke wondered.

A crack of lightning and rolling thunder suddenly sounded overhead, drowning out the rogue ninja's thoughts and drawing his eyes above. Another flash of thunder pierced his eardrums and rain began falling down from the sky, furiously fast and in thick drops. The dark-haired Uchiha just stood and watched, looking up at the sky as the rain quickly soaked through his body.

That's it. If I come out of this alive ... I'll put everything I have into redeeming myself. No matter how long it takes or what I have to do, I'll achieve it. Sasuke realized determinedly, finally feeling like he had peace. This what he could work for now. He could make up for all he did, not just for himself but for everyone. And unlike everything else he tried to do ... this was the one right thing.

With a sense of clarity he hadn't truly felt since that moment with Naruto after their last fight, the Uchiha turned around to the hospital. Sasuke scarcely registered the fierce rain beating down on him as he walked casually back towards the hospital room, his hand in his pocket and his head clear.

This is it. This is how I'll matter.

---

~~Sakura~~

"Sit still." The pink-haired medic ordered, not looking up from Naruto's stump of arm as she felt him fidgeting. The blonde-haired ninja tensed, forcing himself to stay put as the kunoichi moved up his sleeve. She narrowed her eyes at the bandages which looked ragged and more bloody than she remembered, but said nothing as she slowly began to unwrap them.

Naruto's posture was stiff, but he was looking at her with an innocent frown. "I really do feel a lot better, Sakura-chan! You don't need to worry, it's almost as good as-Oww!" The Uzumaki started off reassuringly, breaking off with a sharp yell of pain as the medic forcefully ripped off the last bandage.

"Oh really?" Sakura said pointedly, holding up the bloodied bandage out in front of him. Naruto looked at her self-consciously, one eye still closed in pain. "You reopened up the wound again. Now I need stitch it back up. Again." The pinkette said sharply, her emerald-green gaze stern. "Quit the tough guy act already."

The young blonde ninja pouted. "Man, I wish Sai stayed here. Maybe you could find something to yell at him about instead." Naruto muttered petulantly. Their friend had left to go talk with a few ANBU members soon after they had arrived at the hospital, saying something about it being important business.

"Sai's not the moron who keeps going out and hurting himself." Sakura retorted. The blonde jinchuriki gave her look equivalent to a sulky puppy and stayed quiet. The medical ninja's glare softened, resignation flooding over her. She sighed, setting aside the bloody bandage. "Naruto ... you just need to stop sneaking out so much. Every time I check up on you, you're the same as before. You're not letting yourself recover." The pink-haired girl told him worriedly.

Naruto frowned. "But I need to visit Sasuke. I can't leave him all by himself when everyone's still treating him so bad." The blonde replied, saying it as it were a fact.

"Sasuke-kun can take care of himself for a little bit. You need to focus on you." Sakura said firmly. She cared about supporting Sasuke through this just as much as Naruto did, but she refused to let that get in the way of his health. "Besides, Sasuke-kun probably likes the solitude sometimes anyway." She reasoned, loading her palm with medical ninjutsu and applying it the bloodied stump.

The blonde-haired ninja paused, looking troubled. "I know, but ... it's just so hard sitting still-ttebayo!" He exclaimed in frustration. "I mean, everyone's out doing stuff and helping each other after the war too. It was really hard going through all that. I just wanna go help!" Naruto said fervently, a conflicted look on his face.

He really never changes, does he? Sakura thought, feeling half-annoyed and half-affectionate. "You can help all you want when you get better. The only thing you're 'helping' is the chances of running yourself into the ground by next week. Stop being stubborn." The medic reprimanded, ceasing her flow of chakra as the blood stopped.

Her friend's frown deepened, a unsure noise escaping his throat while the medic reached for her medical kit. " ... You always gotta worry too much, Sakura-chan." Naruto said in disapproval, shaking his head.

The pinkette took out a roll of new bandages. "If I don't worry, then who knows what you'll get yourself into." Sakura grumbled with feeling, soaking the bandages with disinfectant.

The blonde-haired Uzumaki looked a bit surprised, but then his expression brightened. He grinned at her cheekily. "Come on, you know me, Sakura-chan! No matter what happens to me, I never stay down. I'm always right on back on my feet and okay again!" Naruto crowed cockily, his blue eyes sparkling with cheer.

Sakura didn't respond. But you almost weren't ... twice in just a couple days. The kunoichi reflected, pained. She remembered how panicked she had felt when Naruto was nearly dead right in front of her, the Nine-tails gone and with every second counting. Nothing in her life - past or present - had been more important to her in that moment than making sure her precious idiot teammate stayed alive.

And then ... that day. The day she saw Naruto and Sasuke bloodied and beaten beyond recognition at her feet. The guilt and grief she had felt seeing Naruto so wounded just to save Sasuke had been more powerful than even the genjutsu the Uchiha used to pierce her heart. Something inside her snapped that day. Sakura couldn't explain it, but that single moment felt like it changed everything.

Naruto frowned at her lack of reaction. " ... Sakura-chan?" The blonde asked more uncertainly, looking concerned.

Unable to say anything to Naruto even if she wanted to, the pink-haired girl just took the clean bandage. Avoiding his eyes, she began wrapping up his arm. Her emotions couldn't be more confusing right now. She still couldn't understand what that event had triggered ... but the kunoichi knew one thing and that was she could not come that close to losing Naruto again.

By the time Sakura was halfway through wrapping him up, her blonde friend spoke again. " ... I kept my promise to you, Sakura-chan." Naruto said with sudden seriousness. Shock as stunning as lightning siphoned through and she looked up at him, her eyes widening. He smiled at her softly. "I finally did it. You got Sasuke back." He continued, a hint of triumph in his voice.

Sakura could only stare at him vulnerably, pain siphoning through her just as searing as any stab wound. She wanted desperately to protest, to tell him that meant nothing to her anymore. But she knew better now. She couldn't lie to Naruto like she had the Land of Iron. Even if she did ... she knew he wouldn't believe it. Kakashi made her accept that on the day of her teammates' final fight.

Defeated, the medic choked down her mixed feelings and sighed. " ... Thank you, Naruto." The pink-haired girl said quietly, her eyes closed as she continued wrapping him up more slowly. "But you don't need to worry about that promise." Sakura stated steadily, managing to keep her voice even.

Naruto didn't answer for a few moments, just looking at her with a serious expression. " ... Not this again, Sakura-chan!" The Uzumaki said with a exasperated sigh, his sudden lighter demeanor startling the kunoichi. "You can't fool me, y'know. I know how much you-"

"Sasuke-kun is back for all of us, Naruto. Not just me. Not anymore." The pinkette cut him off sharply, her emerald-green gaze fierce as she stared down her surprised friend. "He's back and I'm happy ... because we're together. We're a team again." The pink-haired medical ninja told him. The kunoichi paused, tilting her head as she looked at Naruto affectionately. "Thank you, Naruto. Not for bringing back Sasuke-kun ... but for bringing back us." Sakura clarified gratefully.

The jinchuriki seemed speechless, staring at her with a bewildered and uncertain expression. The pinkette's smile didn't waver. There wasn't any lies here now. What mattered to her more than anything was not having Sasuke back, but having all of them being friends again. She couldn't even imagine only caring Sasuke was back for her.

Naruto sobered. He looked down, a thoughtful look in his eyes. " ... And it's gonna stay that way. No matter what stuff he's going through right now, Sasuke's still gonna be one of us. I don't care what sentence Grandma Tsunade gives him." The blonde ninja answered seriously. He looked over to her, raising his only hand in a fist pump. "I promised Team 7 would stay together too. And that's one I'm never breaking-dattebayo!" The jinchuriki swore determinedly.

The medical ninja indulged him with a weak smile, trying not to look as worried as she felt. Sasuke's punishment would be his punishment. There was nothing even her or Naruto could do against the law. Lady Tsunade won't give Sasuke-kun the death sentence at least. She couldn't, could she? She wondered, grieved at the thought.

Unable to help it, Sakura sighed. "It's hard for Sasuke-kun, trying to fit back here again. No one's really welcomed him." The medic began as she finished the last touches of the bandage, a troubled look on her face. "He's been barely talking during the treatments. I wish I could do something to make him feel better, but ... he's just in his own world." She lamented, trailing as she looked down sadly.

Naruto stared at her for a long moment, then turned his head. Sakura didn't notice the forced curve of his smile and the flash of sadness in his eyes. "Sasuke's always been like that. Don't worry. He's going to be okay." The Uzumaki reassured, his tone flippant but earnest at the same time. He looked back at Sakura. "And now that he's changed ... you'll get through to him and help him, just like you always wanted to." Naruto stated, closing his eyes with the same smile.

The pink-haired girl's eyes widened, so stunned she couldn't react. Flashbacks of her confession to Sasuke in the war raced through her mind, reminding her of her utter uselessness and how low she had sunk thinking it wouldn't made a difference. And something else she had completely forgot ... Naruto had heard it. Pain ripped through her chest and she had to blink back the sudden tears that arose in her eyes.

Her hand still on his arm where the bandage was, the medic looked up at her best friend desolately. "Naruto ..." She exclaimed softly, the guilt tearing her up from the inside out. How could she had said all that in front of Naruto, knowing how much he loved her? More importantly, how could she ever explain she had let go of chasing after Sasuke now?

The blonde ninja just smiled at her, his air as reassuring and gentle as a cool breeze. "I know we already got close to Sasuke together ... but I'm still glad we're together." Naruto said steadily, his smile widening a bit in contentment.

Sakura's mind froze with her hand still on Naruto's arm, only able to stare as she was compelled by the understanding and peace in her friend's blue gaze. There was something else there too. Something that had always been there, hidden just behind his eyes, but she had never looked deep enough to catch: love.

The pink-haired girl's chest tightened, so overwhelmed with emotion it was physically painful. No words as a response formed in her numb mind, but the ones that did overtook everything. The words that had already felt like it had been heard so long ago, but ones she had never once forgotten underneath her memories.

'But this makes me ... kinda happy. It feels like we're getting closer to Sasuke together.'

The medical ninja's eyes blurred with water, but she was too stunned and speechless to cry. She watched numbly as Naruto pushed himself off the bed, Sakura letting her arm fall deadweight off his. Gratitude, affection, and deep, poignant warmth flooded all over the pink-haired kunoichi. She wanted to embrace Naruto, but all she could do was open her mouth and try to speak.

Her blonde friend looked over at her, his expression back to it's innocent and cheerful charm. "Thanks for taking care of me, Sakura-chan. I know it can be a pain sometimes." Naruto told her sheepishly. "But I still need to go to Neji's funeral today. So ... try not to worry for at least a couple hours, okay?" He added, a small and slightly forced smile on his face.

Finally beginning to snap out of her haze in the sudden change of the topic, the pinkette blinked dumbly. "Uh ..." The medic-nin tried to say, surprised and somewhat unsure for a second.

But Naruto was already starting to leave. "I promise afterwards I'll stay inside the hospital as much as you want." Her friend assured with a wave of his hand, glancing back at her earnestly. He reached the door and before the kunoichi could respond to that, the door shut with a click! and the blonde-haired ninja was gone.

Sakura stared at the door for a few moments, still absorbing Naruto's words because of how overwhelmed she had felt earlier. Fondness swelled inside her heart. The pink-haired kunoichi smiled weakly as she stared at where her friend disappeared, giving a shake of her head. "You better ... idiot."

---

~~Naruto~~

Naruto walked down the street, his steps sluggish and weighed down with thoughts. Crowds of people, all in funeral wear, broke off from each other and dispersed in different directions. The Uzumaki watched blankly as Lee and Tenten walked past him, bearing somber look on their faces. Lee in particular seemed distraught, tear stains on his cheeks and staring into the space.

The blonde stopped, his hand in his pocket as he watched his friends go. Pity stirred inside Naruto. Lee never even got to fight Neji. He never got the chance to prove he could beat him. He thought sympathetically. Lee had always wanted to prove he could surpass Neji ... for so long he had been an underdog. But more than that, Neji was his best friend. Naruto couldn't imagine how it would feel if that had been Sasuke.

A part of Naruto wanted to go after Lee and talk to him, but instead he just stood as him and Tenten disappeared. There wasn't anything the jinchuriki could say to Lee that Tenten or Guy couldn't say better. As much as he felt bad for his friend, Naruto knew it was best to leave him be.

Naruto sighed, wringing out the water from his shirt. Like any good funeral it had rained at Neji's - thunder, lightning, all of it - which had left everyone and everything soaking wet. The funeral had been long and uncomfortable, not helped by the depressing weather. The Hyuga Clan had been present and the entire age group, not to mention Tsunade who had issued out a good word. Neji's uncle had carried out the eulogy and despite everything wrong with their past, Naruto had sensed genuine regret through his somber exterior. At least, whatever tension that existed with branch families, Neji had died knowing things had looked up.

Grief for his dead friend pricked at the Uzumaki's heart. No matter how hard he tried to be optimistic, the failure had felt with Neji's death was still there. He knew he couldn't give up and he was never going to, but it still hurt. He still heard Neji's last words of peace and the feeling of warmth leaving his body. It was a memory Naruto knew would haunt him forever.

I never wanna go to another funeral. Naruto thought sullenly, his eyes staring at the ground depressingly. But he knew he would. More people he loved will die someday and it wouldn't be able to do anything to change it. Obito had told him hard times and more pain would come. The only thing Naruto could do was be ready for it.

"Naruto-kun ..." A sudden voice, quiet and sad, broke through his turbulent thoughts.

Naruto turned. Hinata stood behind him a slight ways away, her hand on her tree trunk and the other held out in front of her chest. Her pupilless eyes were clouded, downcast and morose as she stared at him silently.

"Hinata." The jinchurki greeted, turning around fully to face her. During the funeral, he had ran into her and stuck by her through the procession. Naruto couldn't help but feel like he had to offer her emotional support. They had been in it together when Neji died after all and it had only felt right to stick with her through that too.

The dark-haired Hyuga didn't respond, just staring at him with that same look before lowering her eyes. Silence stretched between them, tense and suffocating. For a moment Naruto's mind was drawing a blank and he couldn't think of a single thing he could say to make his friend less sad. Neji's tragedy hung over both of them.

The blonde ninja looked up at the sky. A flock of birds were flying past, travelling in a "V" shape and moving with strong, fluid beats of their wings. The jinchurki's mind distanced, lost in bittersweet memories. " ... He's free now." Naruto stated thoughtfully. He looked back over to Hinata. "He made his own destiny, just like he wanted to. He's happy." He said, managing to sound even.

Hinata hesitated, a conflicted look on her face. " ... I know. And I'm proud of Neji-nissan." She acknowledged. "But ... there's still so much I needed to learn from him. I'm not even close to Neji-nissan's level." Hinata admitted, holding her hands together and putting them in front of her. She looked at Naruto in beseechingly. "And now that he's gone ... how could I ever live up to his skill now?" She asked, distressed.

"You're strong already, Hinata!" The blonde protested. "And you can get even stronger if you keep training. Neji doesn't need to be around for that." Naruto reasoned. When the Hyuga still looked doubtful, the jinchurki smiled. "You just need to find your own style. Maybe someday you'll even surpass Neji. You just gotta believe in yourself." Naruto said encouragingly.

Hinata gave a weak smile, avoiding his eyes shyly. But after a moment, her expression closed over in doubt again. "Still ... Neji-nissan was my best teacher. I think he made me stronger, in a way. I just ... wanted be to like him." The gentle Hyuga confessed softly, her pale eyes glazed over with the pain of missed opportunities.

Naruto watched her sympathetically. He understood Hinata's regret of never being able to learn more from her cousin. He had felt the same when Jiraiya died. The jinchuriki walked over. "Neji was Neji ... and you're Hinata. You'll get better. Just in your own Hinata way." He said simply. Naruto put his hand on her shoulder, startling the shy kunoichi. "And that's okay, right? 'Cause the best part of training is taking it and doing things your way." He said with a smile.

Hinata stared at him with wide eyes, looking stunned. Amusement bubbled inside the Uzumaki. He smiled wider. "Neji died saving us ... and that means we gotta do all we can to make sure it wasn't for nothing. We'll get stronger, both of us-dattebayo!" The blonde-haired ninja vowed, raising his arm and fisting his hand together. He grinned determinedly. "We'll honor Neji's memory and next time that happens, we'll both be better-ttebayo!"

The dark-haired Hyuga's stunned look slowly dissipated. She smiled at him peacefully, her expression laced with affection as a slight blush adorned her cheeks. "Y-Yeah!" She responded.

That's the spirit. The blonde jinchuriki thought in satisfaction. "Thanks again Hinata for snapping me out of it when Neji died." Naruto praised gratefully. "I almost forget what I was supposed to do after that ... but you helped pull me back." He continued on more seriously, feeling a pull of shame at his weak moment. "You were great ... I guess I'm pretty lame after all, huh?" Naruto said in embarrassment, smiling awkwardly.

"Not at all!" Hinata protested. Naruto's eyes widened at the passion in her voice. Noticing, the Hyuga's indignation shriveled and she avoided his eyes self-consciously. "I-I mean ... you were always motivating me when I was going to give up. It was nice that I could do the same for a change." She clarified meekly. She looked up, flashing him a shy but content smile. "I always wanted to be like you. Strong, confident ... never giving up. Chasing after you all these years ... I don't know where I'd be now if never had you to get stronger." Hinata admitted, her face alight with affection.

Naruto forced a smile, but inside he felt a acute knot of discomfort. Unable to fake it, the blonde-haired ninja let his sudden doubts show. He paused, avoiding his friend's eyes a moment. "Listen, Hinata ..." He began hesitantly, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "Remember what I said earlier? You're you. No one else." The jinchuriki said awkwardly.

His friend looked confused.

The knot grew tighter. Come on. Don't be a wuss. He berated himself. Letting out a deep breath, the young blonde looked her right in the eye. "You're not Neji ... but you're not me either. You're just Hinata." Naruto clarified more steadily. He paused, lowering his eyes thoughtfully. He shook his head. "You don't need me to be strong, Hinata. You got it inside you all on your own." The jinchurki remarked, fixing his gaze on her seriously.

"Naruto-kun ..."

Seeing the faintest traces of hurt in Hinata's eyes, the knots in his stomach doubled. Why me?! How can I say this without ... He thought in frustration, feeling guilty. He should've done this earlier. Naruto remembered Hinata's love confession to him on the fight with Pain, but like a coward he had ignored it. He hadn't thought of any way he could respond to it without being a jerk. Now it was Neji's funeral and he got the feeling he only looked more like a jerk.

But he had to now. Hinata meant too much to him as a friend and putting it off any further would be cruel ... or at least not feel right. I have something to do too ... but I can't do that until I stop leaving Hinata hanging. Naruto recognized, uncomfortable but certain. He just wished it couldn't be on Neji's funeral. If he had only done this before, maybe the timing wouldn't be as terrible.

Resigned and desperately hoping this would turn out better than it was playing out in his head, the blonde-haired ninja looked back at Hinata hesitantly. " ... I remember what happened when Pain attacked. I remember what you said when you saved me." Naruto revealed, his tone tense but meaningful.

Hinata's eyes widened. A furious blush swamped her fast so fast the blonde didn't have time to blink. "I-I-I ..." She stammered uncontrollably. "I-it was ... I was desperate. I-It just ... came out and ... and ..." The dark-haired Hyuga tried to explain, her tone high-pitched and unsteady.

Naruto smiled. "I was happy." He continued, his tone so easygoing it was as she had been talking normally. The Hyuga's eyes widened further and she blushed deeper, looking stunned. "I used to think no one could ever love me like that. I was just ... so used to it." Naruto confessed, his smile slightly sad. "So when I thought on that later ... I got kinda happy. It was nice to know someone saw me that way." He said gratefully.

Hinata was frozen, as still as a statue with the same wide-eyed look. Guilt niggled the jinchuriki's heart and he wished nothing more than for the floor to suck him up, but he couldn't let it deter him. It was now or never. "But ... Sakura-chan. I never got the chance to do that. Let it all out, like you did." He pointed out, looking up at his friend in conflict. "And I want to ... I need to, Hinata. At least once." Naruto insisted beseechingly, desperately hoping she'd understand.

The dark-haired Hyuga said nothing and lowered her eyes, her hands clasped in front of her. " ... You love Sakura-san, don't you?" She asked quietly, her expression bearing an unmistakable amount of sadness.

Crushing pity for her pierced the Uzumaki straight through the heart, but he gave the briefest of nods. "I'm sorry, Hinata. Me and Sakura-chan have just been through too much together for me to ..." Naruto explained, breaking himself as he felt too guilty to say it outright. He lowered his eyes. " ... Maybe ... if things had been different." He finished regretfully, not knowing what else he could say.

Hinata shook her head, signaling him to stop. She didn't speak for a long moment, but tears were budding slowly in her eyes. " ... Does she love you, Naruto-kun?" She asked softly, her voice cracking.

Naruto avoided her eyes, silenced as shame seared him to core. He knew the answer to that. Was he even the right person to tell Hinata this? Finally he shook his head. " ... It's not about whether she does or not. I just know I can't spend the rest of my life wondering what could've been. I have to try." He answered straightforwardly. "So I can't give up yet. I mean ... I wouldn't be me if I did. Right? " Naruto said more hesitantly.

The Hyuga nodded wordlessly, tears streaking silently down her face. No! Not the waterworks! The jinchuriki thought in dismay, guilt and shame shooting through him so fast he felt like his head was spinning. This is exactly what he had been afraid of the past few months. He had never made a girl cry before. He had never wanted to.

"Hinata ..." Naruto said helplessly. After a moment of just watching his friend, the blonde shinobi sighed. " ... I'm not good at these things, Hinata. I still don't understand it much." He admitted in defeat, but when he looked at her his gaze was serious. "But I do know what it feels like to love someone who doesn't love you back. It hurts." The blonde ninja recognized feelingly. "But it gets better ... when you get used to it." Naruto said simply, his expression distant as he was consumed with his past experiences.

The dark-haired Hyuga looked miserable, lapsing into another moment of silence. She rubbed the tears from her eyes and at last gave a tiny shake of her head. "That can't be true, Naruto-kun." She replied, her tone sad but matter-of-fact. The Uzumaki frowned questioningly. She looked up at him bleakly. "Because you're still hurting ... I can tell." She said softly.

The blonde could say nothing, avoiding her eyes as pain pricked his heart. He wanted to deny it, but Hinata (and himself) knew better. It had gotten easier once he accepted Sakura's love for Sasuke, but it never stopped hurting. At least not completely. But that wasn't the kind of thing he could tell his friend if he was ever going to help her.

Instead, Naruto smiled. "I'm stronger than I look. And so are you, Hinata." The blonde jinchuriki reassured. He put his hand on the depressed kunoichi's shoulder. "You just need to have faith in yourself ... and I bet you do somewhere." He said. When his friend still didn't look too sure, he sobered a bit. "It's nice to have someone to admire, Hinata. But sometimes we gotta be confident without them. On our own. Just like how I learned to." Naruto declared meaningfully.

Hinata looked doubtful. "I-I'm not sure if I could do that ..."

"Sure you can! You just need to try." The Uzumaki said exuberantly, unruffled by his friend's lack of confidence. "I mean, come on. You're the heiress of the Hyuga Clan. It's in your blood." Naruto motivated cheerfully, his grin widening with playfulness.

The dark-haired Hyuga frowned and lowered her eyes, looking thoughtful but still unsure. After a few moments, she made a meek noise of agreement and nodded tersely.

The blonde jinchuriki beamed, real pride for his friend showering over him. "If you ever need any help, I'll be there for you. We promised Neji some things ... and we're gonna stick together." He vowed, truly meaning it from the bottom of his heart. "No matter what happens ... we're always going to be friends." Naruto stated with conviction, taking his hand off her shoulder.

Hinata was looking to the ground again, a depressed look on her face. She was silent. "Sakura-san's ... lucky to have someone like you to love her. Whatever she says ... I hope she never forgets that." The Hyuga murmured quietly, her expression filled with aching defeat.

Naruto watched her sympathetically, wanting to say something but not knowing the words. If he could, he would take away all of Hinata's pain. The blonde ninja would never wish the burden of unrequited love on anyone, especially since he endured it himself for years. Though at the same time ... he knew he couldn't give her what she wanted. It wouldn't be right to pretend he could.

The dark-haired Hyuga raised her head, giving him a sad smile. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. For everything." She said feelingly, her pupilless sad but filled with years of love. The jinchuriki smiled back softly, still stuck with a sense of guilt, but his friend said no more and walked past him. Naruto watched as Hinata retreated, her steps slow and weighed down with tiredness.

As he saw her leave, regret etched his way in his heart. There had been no easy way to tell his friend this. A broken heart was a broken heart and he knew that well. He hadn't wanted to do this at all at least on the day of Neji's funeral ... but he couldn't wait longer than that. It wouldn't be long until he confessed to Sakura and at the very least, regardless of how his teammate's answer, it hadn't felt right for Naruto to do that until he explained himself to Hinata. She deserved that honor, if nothing else.

More exhausted than he could put into words, Naruto sighed and started walking back towards the hospital. While he didn't love Hinata, he would never forget how she was the first girl to ever love him. In a childhood as lonely as his, it was impossible to describe how much he appreciated that. It was nice to be loved by someone ... even if it wasn't from the person you loved.

---

~~Hinata~~

Hinata rounded a corner and walked down the street leading to the Hyuga compound, staring into space despite the flurry of activity from the villagers around her. She scarcely registered just how close she was towards home, as if her own feet were carrying her without volition. Her mind was whirling, twisting like a tornado as she struggled to absorb everything today had been.

The gentle Hyuga's gaze unfocused, remembering all she had discussed with Naruto. He had made her feel better just like always, but then something different happened. When she had least expected it ... Naruto rejected her. The boy she had admired for years and loved so much had cast her aside. And why? Because he was already in love with someone else.

Pain pierced the kunoichi's chest. For years she had hoped that one day Naruto would return her feelings, even though she had struggled enough to express her own feelings. Finally, just when she felt like she was on the way to chasing after him more confidently, it was all ruined. Her dream of being with Naruto shattered and there was nothing she could do about it.

This was ... to be expected, I guess. It's not like I ever thought I had a chance with him anyway. Hinata reflected, trying to stop the flow of sadness in her heart. It was true. She had never really thought Naruto could like her. She had never expected it. In a way, this wasn't much of a surprise to her. But the one thing that did throw her was Sakura.

Naruto-kun loves her. So much. I can tell. And I never knew that ... not even after all these years. The Hyuga thought back on, a strange feeling in her stomach. She had chased after Naruto for so long. How had she never known he loved Sakura? After all these years? It left her wondering just how much of Naruto's life she missed out on. Maybe ... if I had known earlier, this would've been easier.

It would've been easier as far as accepting it went at least, but it hadn't happened. Now she didn't know how she was going to deal with this. I don't want to give up on Naruto-kun ... he hasn't given up on Sakura-san. Why do I have to? She wondered, so confused. She had taken Naruto's nindo as her own and she wanted to follow it: to never give up and go back on one's word. If she gave up on Naruto, wouldn't she be betraying herself?

Hinata shook her head, her expression troubled. As much as it hurt, she couldn't be mad at Naruto for wanting to confess. She couldn't even be mad he loved Sakura. He had been right. He did deserve the chance to confess his feelings, wherever that lead. She was trying to be happy for him and wish him well like any good friend.

Still ... she couldn't shake the feeling she shouldn't just give up on Naruto. She had swore in the war she wanted to walk with him now. No more watching from a distance, no more hiding from trees. Hinata wanted to be there for him and do the one thing she didn't think she had ever truly did: forget her insecurities and pursue Naruto. That's what she had vowed. And to go back on that? What would that make her?

Making it to the copse besides the Hyuga compound and finally seeing it in sight, the kunoichi slowed and came to a stop. Standing in the street, the Hyuga's shoulders slumped and she sighed. What do I do? She pondered in distress. Was giving up on Naruto the answer? How could it be? She had been giving up on everything her whole life. A part of her didn't want to repeat that, even if seemed foolish. That's what Naruto always did, after all.

With heavy steps, Hinata headed down the pathway to the compound. The quiet around the place was still nestled, but it had been broken by the panicky twitters of a bird in distress. It was balancing precariously on a tree branch, one of it's smooth, brown wings caught between the weight of smaller fallen branches. It's chirps became more raucous. Hinata did not notice.

Naruto-kun had told me I didn't need him. That I could by confident all by myself. But ... but I'm not sure if I that's true. I love him so much. The Hyuga thought back on, her eyes lowered doubtfully. Naruto had pulled her back so many times. He moved her from the very beginning and made her try. She was so used to relying on him for inspiration, she didn't see how she could outgrow that so easily. How could Naruto be so sure?

It didn't take much longer before she was inside the Hyuga compound. Emerging into the kitchen, Hinata glanced around. Her father still wasn't home and neither was most of their family for that matter. She supposed Hiashi had stayed at the funeral, carrying out further honor tributes. Main branch or side branch, Neji had been the prodigy for their Clan. His death was more than just a nameless Hyuga.

Hinata wandered around her house aimlessly. She hoped something to do would come to mind, but she was just so distracted today. Eventually she stepped out on the porch for fresh air, observing their courtyard unhappily. If I do give up on being with Naruto-kun ... what would I do next? She wondered.

Harsh but consistent thumps suddenly split through the air. Hinata frowned and looked around. She saw nothing immediately, but the sounds only grew louder. Her curiosity spiking, the kunoichi went back inside to grab her sandals and went to investigate. She worked her way around the porch and just as she made it halfway around, she saw something very familiar.

Hanabi Hyuga was standing in front of a tree, her hands batting fiercely at the wood with a determined expression. She was training. "Hanabi?" Hinata recognized, slightly surprised as she stepped off the porch and made her way to her younger sister.

By the time she had crept up behind her, Hanabi stopped mid-jab and turned around. Immediately noticing her older sister, the younger Hyuga's fierceness softened. She blinked at her. "Hinata, you're home." She greeted casually. " ... I thought you'd stay at cousin Neji's funeral longer." She added a bit more seriously.

Hinata shook her head, but didn't say anything. It had been too painful for her to stay there much longer. "I expected you to still be there myself. Where's Father?" She responded, her tone questioning. It was unusual for Hanabi to not be with him, especially at such a formal event. Hiashi still seemed to take her everywhere with him.

"He's sorting out the funeral's details with the branches. I didn't want to be a bother." The brunette genin explained. She looked back at the tree trunk, it's bark broken and worn away from countless hands. "I thought I should train. I want to improve. Maybe one day I'll be as strong as Neji was." She voiced optimistically, though her expression was blank.

Hinata looked down miserably, not able to respond as a fresh wave of grief rolled over. She still had no idea how she could ever live up to her cousin's reputation the way she was so far. She had just only been able to use the 64 palms technique in the war. Oh, Neji-nissan ... I wish you were here. You always knew what to do.

" ... Neji died for a good cause, Hinata. That's what Father told me." Hanabi said suddenly, clearly sensing her sister's depression. The gentle Hyuga looked up at her calm and solemn mask. "But we still have duties to do. Neji helped us and was a good member of our family ... but he rests in peace now." The brunette genin said steadily.

Hinata stared at her sister's detached and stoic countenance. It reminded her so much of their father. You're too young to be this serious, Hanabi. She thought a bit sadly. She felt as if her sister had never had the chance to be real kid. Hiashi had forced so much responsibilities on her so soon, Hanabi hadn't even had time to have a break.

The worst part though was that Hinata herself was to blame. If she had been stronger and lived up to the heirness title from the start, then their father wouldn't have had to overcompensate with Hanabi and her potential. Mature it might've made her younger sister for her age, but she had just grown up too fast.

Hanabi blinked at her, then her impassiveness cracked with a small smile. "Everything will be okay, Hinata. We just need to help each other now." She said positively. She focused her eyes on the tree trunk, readying herself back in the Hyuga's taijutsu stance. "Neji isn't around anymore ... but you are. And I want to be like you too." Hanabi said, her tone heartfelt.

The older Hyuga's pale eyes widened, shocked. Very little people admired her or at least she was used to the idea that they didn't. Her relationship with her younger sister hadn't always been perfect, especially in their younger years when Hinata had been shunned and Hanabi was forced to take over responsibilities, so it touched her even more.

I'm not anyone else but me ... and maybe that's not so bad after all. I'm just Hinata. Hinata thought with clarity, remembering what Naruto had told her. It was hard for her to be confident. For so long she had never been comfortable in her own skin, always wishing she was someone else. Naruto inspired her ... and he always would. But maybe someday she wouldn't need just him to be confident. Maybe she really could stand on her own.

Hanabi was striking the tree aggressively, her expression screwed up with focus. Hinata observed for a few moments, then grabbed her sister's wrist and her stopped her. The younger Hyuga's eyes widened and looked at her. Hinata smiled gently. "You're posture's too tense. You need to more fluid, otherwise you won't aim right." She advised patiently.

Letting go of her wrist, Hinata aligned herself into the Hyuga stance. Hanabi watched curiously, her eyes widened with uncharacteristic child-like wonder. The gentle Hyuga smiled further. "Let me show you ..." Hinata began, moving swiftly and hitting the trunk with graceful movement, careful to keep her chakra from destroying it.

And so Hinata trained with her sister, taking extra care to study Hanabi and offer her critiques or words of encouragement whenever it was needed. It was strange - most of the time it had been Neji or her father overtaking their training- but at the same time something about it made her feel better. Like she was actually being useful.

As sad as she was about Neji's passing and Naruto's rejection of her love, a part of her felt lighter. She was hurt ... but she was happy too. I love Naruto-kun ... and I'll never go back on what I said that day. I will walk with Naruto-kun, not chase after him. Just maybe not in the way I thought I would. Hinata thought, hurt but at the same time at peace.

Sensing something out of the corner of her eye, Hinata paused and looked up at the sky. A single bird, it's feathers as brown as the earth, was flying past them with strong and elegant beats of it's winds. The Hyuga heiress watched it and smiled.

---

A/N: Finished Chapter 2! :D I thought this chapter being character-orientated was incredibly necessary and gave the major characters more closure. I cannot believe Kishimoto didn't even try to do any of this or at least in some cases show it. The ending was just so damn rushed and empty ... if only something like this happened or at least touched on character closure more than it did even if it was done differently, but I'm stop there before I blow this up into a rant. xD

And we started this off with Sakura, arguably the character that got the worst form of character destruction in the actual ending out of any of them. -_- The fangirl we got at in the canon ending had to be the most disgusting atrocity Kishi has ever done to her character ever (and that's saying something since he's never quite did her justice anyway). Throughout most of Part 2, Sakura was portrayed as maturing and becoming more Team 7-oriented rather than Sasuke-oriented. That was the way she was meant to go. Sakura becoming focused on friendship and accepting there was never a future with Sasuke would've been the height of her maturity and the fact Kishi twisted this message into something asinine is something I'll never forgive. I even had Sakura help Tsunade with Naruto and Sasuke's prosethic arms because, if anyone remembers, Kishi didn't even give her that. Tsunade did all the work, surpassing or at least equal Tsunade what again? *facepalm* Speaking of Tsunade, Kishimoto never even bothered to explain why she suddenly retired. Kakashi was just suddenly Hokage in a few months, no explanation why. So you're welcome, I addressed that. :)

Sai's snippet was another loose end not tied. I feel like in his writing Kishimoto made it so obvious Sai lost purpose after the Kage Summit Arc and immediately after Sai arrives on the battlefield, it was like he never even existed. I even remember when he tried to help T7 and got embarrassingly shafted like he didn't even matter. I personally like him and the treatment of him was not right so I addressed it.

Sasuke's part was my favorite part to write. It's weird for me to write a remorseful Sasuke because I'm not used to him caring at all, but I did what I last chapter and created a balance. Sasuke is faced with consequences and finally thinking about his future and since Sasuke is very goal-driven character, I portrayed his realization he wanted to redeem himself as his "new goal". But I don't want him to come to this right away. It's all very new to Sasuke and you see he's struggling to find his place now. For example, Sasuke's discomfort in being in the village again. That's another plot point to be solved soon.

And as for Ino's scene ... you have no idea how much I hated writing that, but there was no good way at THIS point at least to portray her getting over Sasuke thanks to her dream in the genjutsu in canon. She isn't done yet.

NaruHina rejection scene. Nothing in that scene was fueled by my dislike of NH, but rather how I see the characters. Even I don't ship NH, I find it incredibly insulting to their relationship to have Naruto think Hinata's confession was like his love for ramen. He understands love and emotions very well and there is no way he misinterpreted that. So I wrote him acknowledging that and admitting to Hinata he was happy she loved him, regardless of being one-sided. Naruto telling Hinata she could be strong on her own was his way of making it easier for her to let him go and grow. I believe that's in character. And I already expect NH fans to flame me for that scene, but I don't care. What I wrote was closer to Naruto's true character and the fact you get pissed over that only proves my point.

And yes ... Hinata was a character who also needed resolution. One of her main weaknesses was not only her blindly one-sided affection for Naruto, but how she could never be independent and confident without using him as a crutch. Canon didn't help her development at all which makes me sad because she had potential to be really great. I still don't hate Hinata despite everything, but I think canon pissed away any potential she had in favor of making babies. It's a real tragedy IMO so I really wanted to highlight Strong!Hinata in this story. I also tried to fit justice for Neji in here too who Kishimoto has no respect for, killing him for a freakin' ship. Neji is not a cupid and didn't deserve to be a cupid. He deserved to be honored and I made sure everything in this chapter highlighted that.

Anyway, I hope you guys like how I'm resolving the characters! The NaruSaku plotpoint is coming in soon and so is more what Sasuke's future will be. This was a wrap up mainly of the side characters. Which section was your favorite closure for the character? I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)

NEXT CHAPTER: Sasuke's sentence is drawing closer and closer, raising fresh tension among the village. Naruto and Sakura finally sort things out once and for all throughout the endeavor while Sasuke himself realizes where he truly belongs ...

Thanks for the 40 follows, 43 favorites, and 18 reviews! I appreciate the support! :)