Sorry for this short and sucky chapter. I wanted to high-tail it to the important stuff, but that would ruin everything by rushing. I'm a little irked that there was no manga this week. Tisk tisk.
After that heart warming incident, Hinata stayed away from Naruto.
I made a point to apologize, and she accepted it. Yet, I still have the feeling that she didn't fully forgive me yet.
Naruto, Neji, Hinata, and Shizune-niichan decided to keep my presence a secret; We don't want everyone bombarding me and disturbing my quest, now do we? Kanji wasn't to thrilled on my revealed presence. She hounded me after Naruto fell asleep that night. I finally got her to settle with the fact that they knew I was there. However, She made me swear not to tell them about what I experienced after death. I could tell Naruto about Sasuke, I figured he should know what happened to the man who killed me. We both figured that we had failed him, that there was no saving him. I made Naruto promise that he would quit the suicide attempts or I would drop something extra heavy on his head. The next few days floated by with ease.
On day Twenty-seven, Naruto began to get nervous.
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto whispered as he sat up in his bed that morning. I floated up to him and waited for him to channel his chakra. When he did, he glanced up at me.
"Day Twenty-seven." He whispered. I could hear the dread in his voice.
In all actuality, I was nervous too. What if I didn't pass? What if I did a poor job? What would happen to Naruto if I failed? I shoved these thoughts out of my head. I will pass! I will be alive again! Once again, I lied to make him relax. "Don't worry Naruto! Remember, I have yet to tell you the surprise!"
He grinned slightly and rolled out of bed. "Oh? Care to share now?" He begged. I shook my head.
Undeterred, he pouted all the way downstairs. He quickly fixed himself some breakfast and harked it down.
I accompanied him on his daily errands and guarding missions. Naruto was at peace when I was close to him. When I drifted farther than five feet, he became anxious and started looking for me. At first, I thought it was touching. Now, it's annoying. I told him off when he panicked as I drifted away. I promised him that I would be back. Sure enough, I would always return to him. When he slept that night, I moved and visited Shizune-niichan and Shishou. It was time for Shishou to know. The day after tomorrow was my last day. As of now, I don't know what will happen.
Shizune-niichan immediately sensed me and focused her chakra. She raised her eyebrow at me as if to ask, Sakura, why are you here?
I shrugged and floated forward to the desk. Shizune-niichan made a coughing noise. Shishou looked at her like she had a disease.
"Shizune! Please! If your sick, treat yourself! Don't cough all over me!" She snapped, banishing her paper stack in her grasp. I couldn't help but snicker.
I then carelessly swung my hand and knocked over a picture of me on her desk. Shishou's eyes snapped to my picture silently.
She slowly reached over and picked it up an stared.
"Shizune, how long has it been? Since Sakura died, I mean."
Shizune-niichan glared at me. "Sometimes Tsunade-sama, I think she hasn't left us. I can still hear her childish voice." Shizune-niichan growled as she continued to stare daggers at me. I stuck out my tongue at her.
Shishou sniffed as she began to tear up. "Your right Shizune. I can hear her sometimes too. She didn't have to die. I should have sent more people on that mission."
Shizune-niichan shook her head. "No Tsunade-sama, she did what she could. She saved Naruto from dieing." Shishou huffed sadly.
"I wonder what she's doing now? Dancing with Kami? Visiting lost love ones?" She whispered. Shizune-niichan rolled her eyes.
"I have no idea what she could be doing now." She then glanced at me. "Probably causing mischief." She added.
Shishou gave a watery laugh. "I wish I could see her again, you know?" Shizune-niichan sighed.
"No, not really Tsunade-sama." She said grumpily. Shishou glanced at her.
"Why the hell not? Don't you miss her?" She barked. I nodded to Shizune-niichan to continue.
"Foucus chakra to you eyes and ears. You'll see why." She replied. Shishou stared at her in shock. Then I saw her eyes focus and her ears glow slightly. Out of the corner of her eyes, Shishou seemed to notice me now. She slowly turned to look at me. He color rushed out of her face. I had to diffuse the situation. "Shishou, please, don't scream. I can expla-"
Shishou shot up out of her chair and staggered back. "Gahhh!" She screeched as she chucked the photo at me. I let it fly though me, but I didn't let it shatter. Shishou looked like a woman who had just seen a mouse scampering across the floor.
I sighed. This is going to take longer than with Shizune-niichan.
"Shishou! Calm down! Now!" I demanded. Tsunade froze and stared at me with wide, fearful eyes. She looked at Shizune-niichan. "Shizune? Do...D-do you s-see Sakura. Like...r-right t-t-there?" She stuttered.
"Yeah, She visits quite often." She answered. Shishou stared at her with eyes and mouth wide open. She then turned her eyes to me. "Sa-Sakura?" She whispered. I nodded and smiled. Now she was getting it! Tears rolled down her face as she sat back in her chair. She slowly reached out and touched my arm, and withdrew her hand with a gasp. "Your suppose to be dead." She whispered. "Okay, I'll leave and be dead if you want me too." I snapped. Tsunade squeaked and shook her head. I finally got her to settle down and got to explain my story and my adventure. After, she sat in stunned silence. "So, your going to come back to life, day after tomorrow?" She asked. I shook my head. "Only if I pass the judgment of Heavens committee." I corrected.
After a nice long chat with Shishou and Shizune, I returned to see Naruto in a nightmare. As soon as I approached, he settled.
The next day passed faster than anticipated. Way to fast for my taste. As I watched Naruto sleeping soundly, I became nervous.
My last day was here.
I had a random day dream the other day. Anyone remember the episode that Naruto visited the Kyuubi in his subconscious and the Kyuubi asked who Naruto wanted to kill? If I could actually draw, I would have done a fan art on that. The Kyuubi would be at a desk and in a tux with his hands folded while Naruto was just standing there while the Kyuubi asked that. Like a business proposition. I know, I'm weird and that is a dumb idea. Just wanted to share.