Chapter 1: In the Valley of the End

"Yeesh, you two … You really did a number on each other." Sakura placed her glowing palms on Naruto's back. There were multiple scratches and bruises on both the boys that even the medical-nin couldn't make disappear completely. Her teammates really did have a brawl while she was under that genjutsu. The entire valley was a wreck. The statues decimated to rubble and dust along with the waterfall and areas surrounding. Who knew what kind of repairs and reconstruction would have to be made? She was too tired to even think about it. All she knew was that her teammates were still alive and that they had punched all their frustrations out on each other for the last time.

"Y-yeah … Sorry about that Sakura." A one armed Naruto said uneasily.

"Pfft, Sorry isn't gonna cut it this time. I swear, it's like you two want to make my life a living hell. Vaporizing limbs off, starting wars, going on quests for revenge … There's only so much I can take from you two." She said in a scolding tone but ended up with a smile on her face.

"Aaah! Ouch." Naruto flinched at the last scratch and Sakura pulled back, hair getting in her face. "Time for a haircut again."

"Naruto, just hold still." He did as Sakura blew her hair out of her face as she focused on the last of the damage. In situations like these, she would usually put her hair up in a clip but it had vaporized in her vest back when she was splashed with acid and had to take the thing off. Not as convenient a pouch as she once thought. Thanks to Kaguya, all her tools, bandages, antidotes, and even her beloved headband was gone. What was a medic supposed to do?

"Alright Naruto, you're done." She cut off her chakra flow and Naruto smiled at her.

"Thanks Sakura-chan." She smiled back and then she turned to the other one.

"Ok Sasuke-kun, your turn."

"Aaah" He tried to give her a smile but it looked awkward through the bruises on his face. She tried not to look at his face too much. She still didn't know if she could even trust him. He was the one who had put her in a genjutsu that had shown her her biggest fear in the world. He had challenged Naruto to yet another fight to declare who was strongest. He … he was the only thing at that point she had no idea what to think about. Was he a friend or foe by now? Had Naruto actually beaten some sense into him? Did he actually mean it? Was he actually sorry?

If Sakura knew anything about Sasuke, he was never sorry. Not to anyone. It was a first.

She started to heal the first scratches on his back as he closed his eyes and felt each wound close up as if they were never there to begin with. It was almost a comfort to him. Knowing that someone, or three someones, still cared about his well being in the Leaf. As he was being healed, he smiled. He smiled and felt that unrelenting weight fall away for good. Every last shred of guilt and hatred slipped away and it was then he knew. He was ready to go home. He was ready to be forgiven, and hopefully … he would still have friends by his side there.

"Alright, both of you are done." Sakura smiled at them both and tucked some hair behind her ear. She looked up at the spot on the cliffside she'd left Kakashi-sensei at and rose. "So, which one of you am I hauling up there first? We've still got a world to save remember?"

"Oh yeah." Naruto scratched the back of his head with his left hand. "That happened."

"I'm ready when you guys are." Sasuke nodded.

"Alright then." She grabbed both of their hands. "Let's go then. All together again."

She used a tiny bit of her chakra to haul them up the cliffside but it was a short trip so she didn't feel any significant loss.

"Yo!"

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto called weakly.

"Naruto! Sakura! Sasuke! I was wondering when you three would let the old man join in the reunion."

"We would never forget you Kakashi-sensei." Sakura informed him calmly. He smiled at his female pupil and all three smiled back at him. It was enough to make the man cry.

"You three …" He looked at them again and finally his gaze rested on Sasuke. "So, did you finally find it? The thing you were looking for that is."

"Hn" He nodded. "I think so."

"It's kinda a shame about our arms though-dattebayo. I use my right hand for everything."

"Maybe if you'd have knocked me out faster instead of tripping over your own feet, we wouldn't have lost them Usuratonkachi."

"You wanna say that again teme?"

"Oh like you could take me again dobe."

"Could too! You just wait!"

"And how do you think you're going to do that huh? Claw my eyes out with one hand?"

"Why I ought a- "

Sakura couldn't take it anymore. It was too much. She started to shake and the tears rolled down her eyes. It was then that she started to burst out in laughter. She was holding onto her sides and they came out in short bursts where giggles would grow into panted spasms of joy. She was bent over and swaying as each sound left her mouth. In all her wildest dreams, Sakura never imagined that team 7 would be reunited and still be the same. It was a relief and a blessing. She was so overcome at the sight that she was almost doubled over with laughter.

They stared at her as if she was going insane but then Naruto started to laugh and Kakashi joined in with small chuckles. Sasuke just watched as his old friends laughed and held onto each other for support over their laughter and eventually he joined in with his own laughter. And this time it was devoid of all malice.

It was a new beginning for everyone.