Naruto:

Hard Work Pays Off in the End

Chapter 3:

Tears At the Valley of the End!

The End of One Era and the Beginning of Another!

Author's Note: Holy crap! I didn't expect to have so many people favorite this or leave me reviews! I had a huge smile on my face the whole time I was tutoring and I'm sure people thought I was crazy (that's not too far from the truth). Thanks for the interest and kind feedback! If at any time you want to suggest something or point out places I can get better, go for it! Let me know what you're thinking!

Here's where I'm going to sound lazy…I-uh…Already had several chapters of this written, but I want to post the first two or so first to see if people had suggestions for anything. This has been written now for probably half a month, but I've been going back and doing different things here and there, editing and junk, y'know.

Really serious question time: do you think this works better to just wrap up some of the end or should there be a whole new adventure thing that goes on? Y'know, maybe a "my take" on the events of the Last or something? I have plans for other Naruto stories as soon as this one is over. One of which takes place right after Sasuke leaves for the first time, another being an alternate take on the story after the Pein Invasion arc, and so on…Let me know!

Lastly, I need to give a huge thanks to Quest and Guest for reviewing. It's definitely not needed, but really appreciated! Quest, it's not really that uncommon to see post-war stories up now, but thanks! I liked the idea of doing my spin on the end since reading about the way Kishimoto ended it was kinda depressing. Guest, thanks a lot, man!

As always, thanks for the interest and stories and READ ON, MY FRIENDS!

Grawman67

Disclaimer: *shakes head* Yeah, it's true…What do you want me to say? *sigh* I do have a secret and it's been killing me little by little inside for years.

*sobs*

I don't own Naruto.

Naruto:

Hard Work Pays Off in the End

Chapter 3;

Tears At the Valley of the End!

The End of One Era and the Beginning of Another!

The two boys still lay on the ground. All conversation had died away. It gave Naruto the time he needed to think and sort his feelings while resting. It actually made him laugh out loud to which Sasuke stared at him. The thought of how much he had grown. It just now occurred to him that, if he were twelve at the time or even fifteen again, he would currently be trying to get up and get back to them with Sasuke on his back through the exhaustion and pain. Maybe Sakura's fussing that he pushed himself too hard had finally snapped sense into him…or maybe he just knew that she was on her way and that he would get a slight concussion for his efforts of trying to move.

Sasuke worked his head to face Naruto. "Hey, do you feel that?"

Naruto stopped thinking for a moment and, with a clueless expression on his face waited a moment to pick up on what Sasuke was talking about. After a moment, a wide grin worked its way onto his face and he was happy again. "Yup! It's Sakura! I knew she was on her way."

Sasuke analyzed Naruto's face when he said it. A light, small smile worked its way on his face after the large one vanished. It was hardly noticeable, but sincere and a different light shined in his eyes. If Sasuke wished to, he could just kill Sakura after she healed him. He knew she would. She was weak and would fall back into her state of fawning over him. Then again, she had proven herself to be stronger than that as of late. Did the fact that she would probably heal him make her weak or did it make her a good friend to him? Sasuke stared at the palm of the hand that remained.

It would be so easy to crush her throat after sufficient healing. She would gasp and fight for breath with Naruto almost useless to stop him. Then, he could end his best friend's life as well. But to what end? Revolution? He could lay the shinobi world to ruin and rebuild from the ashes the way it should be. With Naruto gone, who could oppose him?

Then again, hadn't Naruto pointed out before that they were friends, no matter what? And Naruto had also said that it pained him to see Sasuke going through the same pain and loneliness he had as a child? They were close and almost had the same feelings for each other: respect, admiration, a love of sorts. It hurt one to see the other go through the same type of pain that he had gone through before as children. The world could be so cruel.

But Naruto was proof that the world, though cruel, could also be a wonderful place. So had Itachi, hadn't he? In his own twisted way, Itachi was always trying to make Sasuke's life better. Itachi had loved him. Sasuke, looking back, could care less about what the Kage had said to him, but what would Itachi do? Lay waste to the world and rebuild or take Naruto's peace offering and work towards that future together as friends?

Sakura was rushing as quickly as possible, feeling the chakra of both boys growing much closer.

"Sakura," Kakashi began. "We both know what could be waiting there. Are you prepared for it? You may need to make a hard choice."

"Kakashi-sensei, I know. I've known for a long time now, actually. Ever since Naruto came back…" her eyes were distant. "I've been prepared to do whatever I need to. If Sasuke still wants to continue this idea of revolution…I'll kill him myself. Naruto still needs to become Hokage and I'll make sure that happens."

"Sakura…you really have grown. I'm so sorry Team Seven had to work out this way." Kakashi sighed.

Sakura still had tears in her eyes. "I just wish I could have been there during their fight. Maybe I could have-" She stopped herself. Her eyes held a sober look. "No. I wouldn't have been able to stop the both of them. They're too hard-headed." Sakura laughed lightly.

The sky above Naruto was probably the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. One small thing poked into Naruto's mind, but he was fading again. There was something more beautiful, but he could not place it. His eyes were heavy and it was getting harder to hold them open. Sasuke's had been the same, but, through some sheer force of will, he held his eyes wide open, taking in everything like some kind of hawk.

Sasuke's voice startled him in the near silence. "Naruto, she's here." He said this quietly, almost hesitantly.

What had he been thinking of? Beauty? What about it? "Wha-Sasuke, whatcha talking about?" His voice was slurred and he could feel Kurama still sleeping inside of him, not being able to help him. Maybe some sleep-

"Naruto!" the voice sounded tired and worried, close to cracking.

His eyes shot open.

What awaited Sakura wasn't the worst site she could have imagined, but it made her heart sink and tears well to her eyes. There…on the ground…lay Naruto and Sasuke. The two were sprawled in and covered by their own blood. Their faces were covered in welts and their arms…Oh, their arms! Naruto's right was missing and it was the same for Sasuke's left.

Naruto looked halfway out of it and Sasuke was forcing himself to stay alert, probably having been able to sense her for quite a while. She looked to him to gauge his hostility, but he lay there almost as if he was submitting to his fate.

Naruto's mind was rambling. "Who is that? So familiar…" He heard his name repeated by that voice again. "It's Sakura…Of course!"

He pulled his head up as he saw the light from the sun being blocked by her figure. The light clashed with her pink hair and cascaded down her frame, bathing her in a heavenly light. It was the most beautiful sight he could have been met with. Immediately, his exhaustion forced his head back down again.

Naruto tried to say her name, but it didn't want to come out so he gave her a soft smile. It was the most genuine smile he could muster, full of the emotions he never spoke of, but also quite goofy as if saying, "Yup, I'm alive!"

The pink-haired girl crouched beside his frame. "Idiot," she said softly, almost endearingly as she fought to hold the tears back. It was no use as they started to fall, but she started her work, diligently healing the young man in front of her. After a few seconds, she stopped.

Sakura immediately turned to Sasuke to weigh her options. She could heal him and most likely regret it later or kill him in his weakened state. Still…part of her wanted to wrap him up in her arms after healing him and tell him that he was welcome home where he was missed. To say that part of her still viewed him as a friend and a teammate was an understatement. Kakashi stood silent, knowing full and well what his pupil was thinking of.

Sasuke looked up at her with an indescribable expression on his face. "Sakura-"

"Sakura," came out softly from Sasuke's side. A turn of her face showed Naruto forcing himself up to look her in the eyes. "It's okay."

Sakura turned to Sasuke. His eyes were full of anger, both towards Naruto and himself. There was something else as well…perhaps regret? He gazed back and his expression almost seemed to soften. He was clearly confused as to what he was feeling.

"Sasuke…" she started. "You're such a - Do you honestly think I should be healing you too?! After everything you've done to me?! To us?!"

"Sakura." Naruto tried to spit out as calmly as possible with the purpose of soothing her. "We talked about it. Everything is fine." He gazed at Sasuke for what seemed like confirmation, his eyes pleading with the boy.

"Naruto! He tried to kill you! He tried to kill me too! At least three times! And the kage and-"

Sasuke's eyes were hard and soft at the same time, strange as it was. Slowly, he looked at Sakura and muttered softly. "Kill me if you want…" Naruto's eyes went wide and a strangled "Sasuke!" came out. The Uchiha continued. "It's not as if I could continue bringing about revolution…even if that is what I chose to do…Sakura, I…"

Whatever he was going to say, he couldn't force it out, but the meaning seemed to be clear. Did that mean…? Was he through with the idea of burying the shinobi world and starting anew?

The green glow of Sakura's chakra highlighted her face as she mulled over what to do. Naruto seemed set on Sasuke coming home. Finally, after a moment, she made her decision.

Sakura spread her chakra to heal Sasuke as well. It would take time and she couldn't regrow their arms for them, of course, but she could keep them from dying and get them to where they could get back home.

Even while healing Sasuke, Sakura continue to second guess herself. Why was she doing this? Simply put, Naruto. If he could save the world so many times over and save her as well, she owed him this benefit of the doubt. If push came to shove, she could leave him slightly weaker and help dispose of him herself if he became a problem. There was the three of them: Naruto, Kakashi, and herself and only one Sasuke.

The Uchica's dark eyes drifted up to meet her green ones. They held an appreciative light in them, but he seemed unable to vocally express this feeling. He couldn't be sure what he was going to do next, but he was taking his life one step at a time for the time being.

"Sakura…Thank you."

It sent chills down her spine. The sentence was exactly what he said to her all those years ago when he left, but the context was different and so was the emotion. His voice was void of emotion, but she could tell he appreciated it.

Sakura took a moment to process what just happened. After a few seconds, she finally responded. "Don't thank me. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Naruto."

The Uchiha said nothing as he felt his wounds closing.

Sakura continued, faster now as if she needed to get it out while focusing on her work. "There was a time, Sasuke, when I wanted you back and even now…I'm not so sure what I think about you, but I want you to know…I'm not as forgiving as Naruto."

The sentences bore into Sasuke's mind, permanently etched there now.

Kakashi walked forward. "Sakura…"

Commandingly, the pink haired girl responded. "No, Kakashi-sensei. He helped with Kaguya and Obito, but it wasn't for us. It wasn't for the villages. He did it for himself."

Naruto continued to feel the warm flow of chakra stitching his cells together as he gazed at Sakura. Her growth over the time that he had known her was beyond comprehension and it blew Naruto's mind that she would even consider killing him. Then again, this wasn't the first time he had heard her speak that way. She was beyond strong and had grown so much that it made him swell with pride, but, at the time, he was sad that things had to be this way. He wasn't even sure what she felt about him and, to be honest, it still hurt him to see Sakura just out of his reach even if he would never admit it.

Sakura must have felt Naruto's gaze because she tilted to see if he was okay or if he had something to say. What greeted her was a look of need. He needed to know things would be okay with the both of them and even Sasuke. She met his eyes.

Feeling herself melt slightly, she allowed some of her feelings to seep through…Not too much! This wasn't the time, but she let enough come through to try to make him feel better. She smiled.

He stared at her, surprised. A light blush caked his face and it made Sakura warm with an excitement and comfort that wasn't right for the time. She held his gaze for a moment before looking back down at the ground.

Time passed. How much, none of the four knew. Kakashi stood silently. Finally, Sakura stood.

"There…you should be able to stand now." She turned away.

Naruto sprung up and flexed his muscles. "Thanks, Sakura! I feel great!"

"Yeah, well, you wouldn't need me to heal you if you didn't get yourself beat up constantly, idiot!" she responded in a mock anger. Affection still seeped through, though.

"Oh, Sakuraaaaa! Can't you just be glad I'm okay for once?" he pleaded.

Sakura laughed, slowly and quietly at first and it grew louder until it echoed through the section of valley. Over the course of the laughter, it morphed into a symphony of sobs.

She walked forward and slapped him. It echoed. "You big, stupid idiot! You stupid, kind, selfless idiot!"

Naruto stared at her.

The pink-haired girl raised her face to gaze at his. Her voice came thick and layered with sobs. "Of course I'm happy you're okay! If I didn't show up in time, you wouldn't be okay! It makes me happy to see you okay and smiling like your normal…dumb self…" She walked forward and lightly pounded her fist onto his chest. "Why do you have to risk your life so much?"

She wrapped her arms around Naruto's frame and cried. Cried for him, for the war, and everyone who died during it. Her sobs brought a light frown to Naruto's face and he held her there, doing his best to comfort her. He hated seeing her tears. It tore his heart up.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I did it all for everyone. Gaara and the Sand, Bee, Sasuke, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei," he continued naming random people: Kiba and Akamaru, Konohamaru, and more until he reached the end of his list. "And you."

She continued to hold him and he let her, placing his own arms around her to comfort her. The others remained stoic.

Sasuke stood up, flexing his right arm and staring at the place his left once was. He remained silent for a moment. "Sakura…thanks. I feel much better."

It must have surprised her because Sakura's eyes went wide. He wasn't fawning over either one of them or spewing apologies, but his speech seemed sincere. The raven haired boy still remained silent on his feelings, but Sakura started to feel as if he was more of a neutral man than a cold villain now. If anything, he seemed more like how he was before he left: rather quiet and not big on showing affection. That didn't mean he was on their side, but he at least appeared like he was giving up on destroying the world as they knew it.

Sakura took a moment to respond. "…You're welcome. Just try not to strain yourself too much or you'll grow exhausted much more quickly."

Sasuke nodded, appearing slightly unsure as to what to do or say around the others. It was at this time that he and Naruto noticed their sensei's presence.

"Kakashi-sensei! Hey! I didn't see you over there!" Naruto yelled.

The white haired jonin raised an arm in greeting. "Naruto, I'm glad to see you were still alive when we got here."

Naruto's grin widened. "Of course I wasn't going to die! I haven't become Hokage yet!"

Kakashi laughed despite the feeling that he shouldn't. Same old Naruto, even after all this time.

"I healed your wounds, but we need to get you back to the village, Naruto." She turned to Sasuke, almost scrutinizing him. "And you too. We need to get everyone out of the Infinite Tsukuyomi and we can all get back to our normal lives."

"Yeah…normal lives," Naruto said as he looked down the valley.

The war was technically over. After all that time spent fighting, after so much hard work…After so many died…

So many people died fighting…Neji sprang up into Naruto's mind, but he pushed his friend's memory out for the time being. He could honor and carry on Neji's legacy later after the Infinite Tsukuyomi was dispelled. They still had work to do.