Taisa Ayase I'll try my best to improve my description of their thoughts. It's one of my weak points huh? Thank you for telling me, and keep the constructive criticism coming .

Keltosh It's naturally an AU since I don't know what will happen in the manga... obviously... but then again I consider all "Fanfictions" to take place in an AU since they never actually 'happened'. So I didn't mark this one as an AU since I simply took off from the most 'recent' chapter at that time. Also about the Mangekyou Sharingan, my interpetation of how jutsus work is probably the cause of why this occurred. Well anyways, as far as Sasuke is concerned, Naruto is 'dead'. They were fighting in a 'dream' dimension, so he literally 'killed' Naruto there, but he conviently forgot that Naruto had also 'killed' him. There's more to the reason than this but I hope you can accept this much.

To everyone else, Thank you and keep reading .


Kindling Hearts

Chapter 3: Recovery

Naruto

I sat up and gazed at the bandages that covered me. All of them had been soaked through with blood. The sight was terrifying. The scent of medicine filled the air. I recognized the fragrant smell. It was the ointment I used during the preliminary round. I smiled inwardly as I gazed at the sleeping form of Hinata.

I rested my head backwards. It came to my mind as if the clouds had cleared. "Sasuke" I spoke. Tsunade stood over me and smiled. She looked so weary. Her long hair seemed untidy from overexertion. Tears hung at the edge of her eyes as she looked down on me.

"You succeeded" her words were spoken with admiration. She left shortly afterwards with a sigh of relief. I didn't understand, but something felt wrong. I tried to disregard the thought as I rested. But the vision never left. I saw his arm tearing through my neck. Over and over again, the sight tormented me.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it. That hateful face laughing as his arm tore through my flesh. It was terrifying. I tried telling myself it was only a dream, that it didn't happen. I could not bring myself to believe that. It had felt so real, it still felt that real.

I laughed silently to myself. At least Sakura-chan will be happy. It did not bother me as much anymore that Sakura 'loved' Sasuke and not me. My infatuation for her had been slowly diminishing. 'She's probably sitting at that bastard's bedside even now' I thought to myself.

"N...Naruto-kun, you're awake" a small timid voice had spoken.

I looked down at the owner of that voice. A faint smile crawled across her weary face. The sight was heartwarming. Her usual white eyes were bloodshot. I cringed at the sight knowing the reason. Five genins and one chuunin had placed their lives on the line to 'rescue' one arrogant genin. I wondered silently if the price had been worth it. He was the last Uchiha and one who possessed the true Sharingan. The irony was sickening.

Itachi had betrayed his clan and killed all but Sasuke. Sasuke swore revenge. Sasuke betrayed the village just as his brother did. I hoped Sasuke would understand what he did.

I shook the thoughts from my mind. Smiling, I placed my hand on Hinata's cheek. She blushed visibly as she began to twiddle her fingers. "Thank you. I would never have returned if it wasn't for you." Blood flushed to her cheeks as she turned crimson. I wondered at the meaning of those words. The implications were more than I had thought at the time. It did not matter because I would never take back my words.

"I... I ... didn't do anything..."

I smiled. I didn't understand how she had managed to come to that world of darkness, but she had. And through her light, I had returned. I laughed awkwardly. Rubbing the back of my head, I spoke, "Thank you anyways."

Lee

They had taken me to the pool in the hospital to begin my therapy. I watched the water gently slosh against the sides. It seemed cold and uninviting.

"Lee-san," the nurse awoke me from my delusions. I was ashamed of myself.

I winced from the pain as I released my clutches and placed pressure on my leg before entering the pool. The kind nurse guided me into the water. She led me through the exercises slowly and showed me what to do.

The movements were subtle, but the injuries I had sustained ached regardless. The parts that weren't injured screamed to have actual exercise and training. It was an unusual conflict between the various parts of my body. I tried to ignore it remembering my warm promise to Gai-sensei.

I looked around the pool and saw only one other person receiving the rehabilitation therapy. She looked younger than me. Her light brown hair clung to her face as she moved in the water. Her eyes were focused and showed determination. I could hear her wincing in pain from time to time, but she did not give up. Compared to her, I felt like a coward and an idiot. I knew now what to do. I pointed my finger at her and spoke, "I'll finish my rehabilitation before you, and if I don't I'll run 500 laps around Konoha when I am healed." She stifled a giggle as she looked my way.

"Just don't expect me to do that if I lose" she replied before laughing out loud.

I smiled, "It's a race then." I did my 'nice' guy pose before returning to my 'training' with newfound determination.

The nurse humourlessly spoke, "Baka" before giving me a gentle slap across the back of my head.

Shikamaru

The sun was setting, so my watch was almost over. I looked over to where Temari lay. She had fallen asleep several hours ago. She looked so peaceful lying there on the grass. I found myself staring at her face for extended periods of time. I spoke silently to myself, "I guess women aren't that troublesome after all."

I suppose it must have been boring for her to simply sit here for so many hours. She did seem to have fun playing with the deer once they weren't so afraid of her anymore. I lay back and rested against a tree as I watched the sky turn red and orange. The light played along Temari's face giving it an almost heavenly appearance. I smiled.

Of course, with my luck she'd become a demon that would chase me to the ends of the Earth once she wakes up for not showing her around. That would be troublesome.

Naruto

I heard a loud crash. The sound echoed through the walls. I cringed. I started to cough. I tried to hide the small droplets of blood that escaped my mouth to keep Hinata from worrying. It didn't work. I could see it in her eyes. The fear was evident.

Tsunade walked back in the room rapidly. From the look on her face, I knew immediately what had happened. "Sasuke..." I spoke in a small whisper. "What is that bastard thinking?"

She raised her hand at me pointing with her index finger. "Sasuke has abandoned the village. It's too dangerous to send someone after him now since the Jounins and ANBU all have missions. And I will not attempt another mission with only Genins. And that means YOU. I don't want you to go chasing after Sasuke." I sighed in resignation. Even if I wanted to go after him I couldn't. The wounds on my body hadn't healed properly as of yet, and they would be a major hindrance.

I saw Hinata walk up to her and pull gently on her coat. "A..Ano..."

"What is it Hinata?" Tsunade spoke with a slight temper.

"Canyouteachmemedicaljutsusonegai?" Hinata spoke quickly while her fingers moved nervously together just above her chest. I could see that Hinata was visibly shaking from nervousness and possibly fright.

Tsunade looked down at her, almost as if she was sizing her up. I chuckled.

"Ne... Tsunade-Obaachan" I could see her anger increase tenfold at that. I smiled. "She knows your secret." I laughed out loud as her expression balked.

She led Hinata out of the room.

Hinata

I was nervous. This was a great way to become stronger. To help me be able to fulfill my Nindo, 'I will never take back my words.' It was the same as Naruto's, except he had the strength to back them, while I could not. This would also help me fulfill the personal promise I had made to myself. I shook in fear as the legendary nin took me into the hallway. There I felt even more scared. "N..Naruto-kun" I whispered the spell as I felt renewed courage gather within me.

She stood leaning against the wall. Her arms were crossed and the expression on her face serious. I faltered at the sight. I tried to ignore it. "I'm a very busy person."

"I... I k...know, Ho...Hokage-sama."

"Even Shizune hasn't mastered my techniques yet."

I nodded. I knew who Shizune was but nothing about the relationship between her and Tsunade was known.

"And I've been training her for over 10 years now."

I was scared. From everything, she said it seemed like she wasn't going to teach me.

"It will be hard work."

I stood shocked. "Th...Then you'll teach me...?"

"I will guide you... but you'll have to learn most of it yourself." My heart raced with joy at those words. To be personally taught by a Sanin was an honour, granted she wasn't officially 'teaching' me but still. I bowed continuously to show my appreciation as words of gratitude escaped my mouth.

Lee

I rested from the exertion. My arm and leg ached. I sat by the pool as I watched my 'rival' come out of the water and sat on a wheelchair. She approached me. She smiled at me, "My name is Karei, you?"

"I am Konoha's proud green beast, Rock Lee." I grinned widely and made the 'nice' guy pose. She giggled in response.

We sat there in silence for a while.

"You're a ninja?" she approached the topic cautiously.

I nodded vigorously in reply. She sat there in thought. Her eyes showed tension. It felt like she was on the verge of tears. I did not understand why her mood had changed so suddenly and I feared to broach the subject.

She answered my unspoken question. "D...During the S...Sand invasion... I...I was stabbed by a kunai... I couldn't walk and it hurt so much. If...If Konoha wasn't a..."

She couldn't finish her statement. But I understood.

"War... it isn't as simple as that." I contemplated on my reply. "If Konoha's shinobis weren't here then the village would fall prey to any number of predators. It is because they protect us that we can live our lives the way we want it. 'To protect those important to us' that is the reason we fight, that is the reason we must fight."

The words resounded true within my heart. I knew then that no matter what happened I would be one of those that would protect the village with my life.

I could see her process those words as I looked into her emerald green eyes.

Sakura

I had sat isolated within my room since Hinata slapped me. It angered me. How dare that little bitch hit me? She, who could never summon any courage, had the audacity to hit me.

Part of me knew. Part of me understood. This entire ordeal had been a result of me being too weak. I couldn't stop Sasuke-kun, so Naruto had promised to bring him back for me. I should have seen the injuries he had suffered, but my eyes were blinded by the sight of Sasuke's fallen body. While it was true, it had been an excuse all the same.

Visions of the boys clouded my mind as I cried. Only a couple of them had been able to return standing. I silently wondered if I would ever be able to do the same. It was true that I had fought against the Sound nins in the second exam, but then I had been given no choice. I had stood against Gaara, and what good had it really done? I simply became a burden to Naruto and Sasuke.

In that moment I resolved to quit being a shinobi. I knew that I wasn't cut out for it.

I wasn't like Naruto. I could not summon the courage to face enemies that were overwhelmingly powerful.

I wasn't like Lee. I could not sacrifice my body for a glimpse of victory. I knew I would fight when push comes to shove, but that would never be enough.

I wasn't like Shikamaru, I could not come up with strategies to trap the enemy. For all my studying all I knew were the theories and histories.

The simple fact was that I was not strong. I was not smart. And my only motivation had been a boy that would betray the place I called home.