A/N: Apologies it took so long to update - school is my life right now, plain and simple. I hope you enjoy this little tidbit.

Also, shoutouts to raidersfan777, who has been loyally reviewing for me, butterfly V who offered some interesting suggestions, and whoever forgot their login for the compliments and suggestions. Thanks everyone!

"I'm not sure I have the skill to pull this off," Ino said hesitantly to Sakura and Shikamaru.

"Don't say that Ino!" Sakura said, grabbing her friend's arm. "We can't trust anyone else."

Shikamaru was calmer. "Ino, no one expects you to work miracles. Just give it a try."

Sakura nodded vigorously. "If nothing else, maybe you'll be able to see what Naruto is thinking."

"Isn't that a bit intrusive?" Ino asked. "Naruto's not the one in a coma…"

"He might as well be," Shikamaru said quietly. "He won't talk to any of us."

"That's why we have to do something," Sakura said, digging her grip deeper into the blonde girl's arm. "You'll be able to find something."

"Sakura!" she exclaimed, pulling her arm away and rubbing it. "That hurts you know."

"Sorry," the medic said. "But this is important, Ino. You want to help Naruto, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Ino said, thinking back to Naruto's actions in the Fourth Shinobi War. "Naruto is a hero to this village – to the whole world!"

"Then what are we arguing about?" Sakura said irritably. "Let's go…I've worked an excuse out if Naruto asks what we're doing."

"I doubt he'll ask," Shikamaru said cynically.

The pink-haired shinobi shot him a glance then walked swiftly out the door. The other two followed quietly.

When she reached the door, Sakura paused and sighed. She wistfully imagined a different scene on the other side of the door – a smiling, loud-mouth Naruto and a smirking Sasuke. Try as she may, she could only imagine the scene with the boys as young genin, not the powerful ninja they'd become.

Shaking off the feeling of nostalgia, she reached for the doorknob. She was shocked when right as she touched it, the door flew open.

"Sakura-chan!" a familiar voice shouted. Her stomach turned not from anxiety but from excitement.

"Naruto?" she said, concerned she might be hallucinating. But her doubts were washed away when the blonde ninja grabbed her and pulled her forcefully into the room.

"Get in here, hurry!" he hissed at Ino and Shikamaru. The two of them looked at each other in confusion and followed into the room, closing the door on the ANBU guard outside.

"Naruto…" Sakura felt tears well up in her eyes yet again. Overwhelmed with emotion, she did the only thing she could think of – whack him upside the head. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED I'VE BEEN?" she shouted.

"Ahhh…Sakura-chan, that hurts," he said, rubbing his head characteristically. "There's no time for that."

"Explain yourself, Naruto," she said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yeah, please explain," Ino echoed.

"Okay, but you can't tell anyone, dattebayo!" He looked at them seriously, then pointed at Sasuke. "He squeezed my hand this morning."

Immediately, Sakura understood why Naruto had reverted back to his exuberant self. "Are you sure?" she asked him.

"I'm sure," he said. "Sakura-chan, does that mean he's waking up?"

"Naruto…" Sakura was afraid an honest answer would send him back into a spiral of despair. "Coma patients often have muscle spasms that seem meaningful. A gentle squeeze doesn't mean anything…"

Naruto shook his head. "It wasn't gentle, Sakura-chan," he said. "Look!" He held up his hand, revealing swelled knuckles and fingers. "I think he broke my hand."

She frowned and examined his hand carefully. "That's a surprising display of strength for someone in a coma…." She turned to Shikamaru. "He might be coming out of it."

Shikamaru nodded, then looked to Ino. "Change of plans," he said simply.

She smirked at him. "It doesn't take a genius to come up with a plan for this situation," she said.

He smiled back at her. "You know what to do. The more we know than the rest of the village, the better."

"Ino," Sakura piped up. "You might not like what you find, but…"

"Don't worry," Ino said. "I'll dig up as much as I can."

Naruto squinted at the three of them. "What's going on?" he asked, trying to keep up with the fast pace of his friends' conversation.

Sakura turned back to him. "If Sasuke is starting to come out of the coma, there's a chance Ino might be able to pull information out of his mind."

"If we can get enough information, we might be able to make a case for Sasuke before the village starts formally prosecuting him," Ino added.

"But we have to work quickly, before the ANBU realize what's happening, and definitely before he actually wakes up," Shikamaru finished.

Naruto nodded in understanding. "But we might not find anything."

Sakura breathed in sharply, acutely aware of the tension in the boy's body. "Naruto," she said, putting both her hands on his shoulders. "We won't give up until we know the whole truth."

Her words seemed to reassure him, and he grew resolute. "Right!" He said. He looked down at the sleeping Uchiha. "He looks deceptively peaceful, doesn't he, Sakura-chan?"

She nodded in agreement, smiling sadly as she looked down on the bed.

"Okay, move aside everyone," Ino said, snapping Sakura out of the moment. "I don't know how carefully those guards listen, and I want a head start on these ANBU." She rubbed her hands together nervously. "I'll do my best."

"Wait…" Shikamaru said. "We need to discuss precautions."

"Precautions for what?" Naruto asked.

"For if Sasuke wakes up," he answered. "In this weakened state, I should be able to hold him in a simple shadow imitation jutsu so you guys can run."

"I'm not running," Naruto said stubbornly.

"Yes, you will," Shikamaru said in a tone that brooked no argument. "You're in no condition to fight, and even in a weakened state sharingan are incredibly powerful." His eyes narrowed. "Sasuke left this village by choice, and later vowed to destroy it. Konoha is my home, and I won't take the risk of letting him destroy it. If he wakes up, you all will run, grabbing the attention of the ANBU, who should be able to stop him."

Naruto glared at him, but didn't try to contradict his logic. Sakura bit her lip, but nodded in agreement.

"Okay, the plan is set." She turned to her best friend. "Ino, it's up to you right now."

The blonde nodded emphatically. "Don't worry, I won't let you down."