He was back where he sat on the edge of the bed, feeling significantly better after Sakura had calmed and started dressing his wounds. Her tears ended as abruptly as it came, having apologized and, he assumed, understanding that the apology was accepted, she snapped out of her emotional state and asked him to go back to his seat. He watched as she worked in silence, her hands warm; no longer shaking and holding him with the skill he was used to.

"Does this hurt?" She inquired, softly pressing a swollen bruise on his lower back.

"Only a little. I think I have lots of those all over," he chuckled as her hands lightly pressed over a ticklish spot. She had taken to examining the rest of his body when she finished with the wound on his arm; her eyes carefully scrutinized every cut and bruise, her soft hands roaming. He had to admit he was enjoying it very much.

"And this one?" she inquired at a particularly large bruise above the seal on his stomach.

"Everything stings a little, Sakura," he smiled. Even my heart. "I think Kurama's too lazy to heal me."

"Or maybe he's doing what you should be doing."

"And what is that?"

"Resting."

Her fingers lightly grazed across his chest, and he particularly loved how his stomach fluttered at the contact. "I think you need it more than I do." He reached for her hand as her palm brushed above his heart, keeping it there.

She stilled at his touch, feeling the steady beat underneath skin and muscle. She was aware of how heavy her eyes felt, especially after crying, but her jade eyes locked on his cerulean; never daring to blink.

"Naruto, is it too much to ask you to please reconsider your choice?"

He lowered her hand, breaking eye contact, a wave of disappointment washing over his face.

"Never mind. Don't answer that," Sakura pulled her hand away. "I'll get you a new shirt."

She came back five minutes later to see her whiskered friend sprawled on the bed, mouth open; his snore reverberating through the room. And you thought I was the one who needed it more. Grabbing a blanket and covering his form, she smiled a little in spite of herself while brushing the stray hairs on his face. He didn't look so dangerous lying like that; nothing like one who had countless jutsu in his arsenal – a formidable opponent, or one who led and saved a thousand and more and, one who could do what seemed impossible to others: make an enemy a friend. He had really come a long way since those days of loud mouthed mischief – and those days where he was not someone she regarded as worth her attention. She was standing over the man who was a hero since birth, but was treated the opposite till he began personifying what it really meant to be one. He could really be the Child of the Prophecy, or the next Hokage, and so much more. And for everything he is and will be, he was very much still Naruto. Her hand lingered, lightly caressing the whiskers on his cheek as a strong sense of yearning washed over her. Why did it take her so long to see?

His breath hitched in between a snore; making her jump in surprise. A good enough reality check, it would seem, as her thoughts shifted to a girl who had approached her last night, who had loved him probably for much longer; who did nothing wrong… except probably the bandages.


The sun was high up when Naruto woke, finding himself alone in the large tent. He figured he must have slept about five hours, but his energy was back like it was never spent and he was very hungry. There was a shirt on the table beside his bed, and it didn't pass his attention that he was covered in a blanket. He stared at the tent's entrance and whispered Sakura's name, stupidly dreaming she would suddenly appear. Instead, Hinata's dark, flowing hair appeared through the flap.

"Naruto-kun, you're awake! Are you hungry?"

"I am, actually," he smiled hearing the grumble in this stomach. He could eat a cow. A whole cow.

"You woke just in time! They're serving lunch right now. Do you want me to bring some for you?"

"No, thanks. I'd like to go outside. Uh, why don't you go ahead? I'll come out in a minute."

She smiled and nodded, giving him a long, lingering look before her head disappeared.


Rows of tables filled with food were lined up just outside of the forest clearing, giving an ample amount of shade for the hungry shinobi that flocked the place. There, friends and family who haven't seen each other after the war had found each other again, and a happy atmosphere filled the air. Naruto had come walking past and straight into the food table, his mouth watering at the sight of pretty much everything laid out. The man who was serving had recognized him despite his lack of flashy orange attire, looking very happy to see him – so happy that he gave Naruto a bigger plate and filled it with pretty much everything on the table. He accepted with a smile, and let his eyes wander around the field of hungry and happy nin.

"Hey! IT'S NARUTO!"

Kiba had risen from his seat, pointing at him like he had caught him stealing food. A huge roar of cheers and clapping followed; people turning from their seats, even coming to approach him and shake his hand. People began to gather around him, shinobi not from Konoha included; and the attention had him slightly overwhelmed.

Thankfully, it was also Kiba who put everything back in order.

"OI PEOPLE CALM DOWN THE GUY NEEDS TO EAT BACK UP BACK UP HE'LL SIGN YOUR AUTOGRAPHS LATER OK?" he left his seat and began shooing people off.

Hinata was waiting by the table along with Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Ten ten, Shino, and Rock Lee, all smiles and happy to see him. He momentarily remembered Kiba taking the plate off his hand before almost being thrown to the ground in a very tight group hug.

"NARUTOOOOOOOO!"


Sasuke spotted the pink haired kunoichi at the furthermost table near the entrance to the forest. He had started looking for her when he noticed that she wasn't included in the table where the rest of the Konoha 11 sat, of which Naruto had everyone's full attention.

Her back was to the much larger crowd, and sure enough she wouldn't be too noticeable unless someone really intended to seek her. He took a seat and waited for her to regard him, only to find her dozed off with one hand still holding onto chopsticks and the other balled into a fist next to the bowl of food.

"Sakura," he lightly nudged at her shoulder, causing her to jump and drop the chopsticks in her hand.

"Oh, hey Sasuke. Sorry about that, I think I fell asleep."

"No shit. How long's it been since you've rested?"

"I have no clue, to be honest. My shift was up an hour after I took care of Naruto, and I've been at it since this morning so-" she yawned and covered her face apologetically, a tint of red rising on her cheeks. "Sorry."

"You should sleep."

"I will. Soon. Have you eaten? I don't think I want to eat anymore, I just don't have the appetite."

"Meanwhile our blond friend has been coming for third helpings at food table," he turned his head sideways, not quite turning to where Naruto was. He didn't want to be noticed, by him or anyone; and he had a feeling she felt the same.

"I'm going to check on my patients. And then maybe get some sleep," she stood, but Sasuke caught her hand and roughly pulled her back to sit. "What-"

"Sorry, I think I pulled too hard. I have to ask a question," he lowered his voice, closing in on her surprised face.

"Okayyy… what is it?"

"I have a problem. An annoying one," he looked around before continuing. "Everytime I'm near Karin I can… I can…" he ran his hands through his hair, shifting uncomfortably on his seat.

"You can what?"

"I can… hear…"

"Sasuke just spit it"

"I can hear her heartbeat," he let out a long exasperated breath; avoiding her stare. He could tell she was trying to hide the smile forming on her face. "Look, if you don't know-"

"I do. Well, I've heardof it, but I need to confirm,"

"So… it's not some kind of hallucination?" he inquired, finally meeting her eyes. He regretted as soon as he did. It did not sit well with him seeing her trying to hold back a laugh.

"It's not funny, Sakura! I can't stand her!"

"Her, or it?" she questioned, that stupid smile never leaving her face. "Because I'm willing you bet you're trying your best not to be around her because of what you're hearing."

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course I will. But I need to check what I should do first. I've never encountered that before," she put on a serious face as she rose from her seat.

He sighed, wondering how long it was going to take.

"Want to know something else I've never encountered before?" she stood before him, hands crossed as she stared into his eyes.

"What?"

"You. Blushing." She gave him a satisfied smile before turning to walk back to the medical tents. "I'll see you later, Sasuke."


Four plates of food later, Naruto sat with his cheek flush against the table, closing his eyes while giving his stomach a satisfied rub. "Yum…"

"Would you like some water, Naruto?" Hinata sat next to him and started stroking his back. He stiffened at the contact, his eyes snapping open when he remembered something.

"Hey have you guys seen Sasuke and Sakura-chan?" he lifted his face off the table, immediately scanning his surroundings.

"We just came back from the battlefield, but I saw Sakura outside the main tent this morning. I haven't seen her since," replied Ino, her eyes swiftly glancing over the hand that had stayed on Naruto's back.

"Sasuke's there," Kiba pointed at a table where, sure enough, the Uchiha sat alone, seemingly in deep thought. Naruto saw the opportunity and stood from his seat.

"I'll go talk to him for a bit. See you guys around!"


While he tried his best to look inconspicuous, he didn't escape the many people who still managed to notice him. His eyes did not leave his friend; and while he was making his way to regard the people who had come to greet him, he knew that Sasuke was already aware of his approach.

"Haven't seen you much, teme," he greeted, finally taking a seat beside his friend.

"That's not surprising considering you've been sleeping half the day, dobe."

"ATTENTION, SHINOBI OF THE ALLIED FORCES!"

The two turned to the source of the familiar voice to find Kakashi standing in between the field reading a scroll on his hand. They stood from their seats and huddled closer to the listening crowd. Kakashi had easily spotted his former students, and continued on.

"By order of the Five Kages, A Ceremonial Pyre is to be set up to the north of the battlefield later this afternoon. ANBU forces and a stationary staff of medics will stay to take care of our wounded. All men and women who fought and are not currently indisposed, including some civilians who are present today are encouraged to attend the ceremony after sunset where we will mourn and honor those who have fallen."

Kakashi had rolled up the scroll and the crowd dispersed, with the exception of Naruto and Sasuke. He waited till they were the ones left before opening his mouth to speak.

"I take it you've both had some sleep. Naruto, your decision is expected after the Ceremony this evening. And Sasuke, you will be summoned to face the Kages to address your def-"

"I know. I was told by the Hokage earlier," Sasuke replied, his face void of expression.

"Any word on how it will go down?"

"Nothing yet, Naruto. Tsunade is more than willing to back you up."

"I'll back you up, Sasuke. I won't accept anything less than your reinstatement to the ranks."

"I'm not entirely sure that's possible, Naruto. I'm telling you this now to give you an idea that things might not go entirely to our favor. Also, you will be standing with the Kage at the front of the Pyre. There will be no segregation of the dead but the crowd will be segregated according to villages to facilitate the final count of uninjured survivors."

"I'll see you all later, then," Sasuke turned to leave, Kakashi and Naruto staring at his wake.

The sun had set on the horizon, painted by a mixture of deep orange and dark blue as the first stars appeared in the sky. The Five Kages, who wore their traditional robes and hats, followed by Naruto and a few other prominent people from the Five Great Nations had occupied the front row, while the rest of the crowd were lined up across them, on the other side of the pyres.

The Kages stood in front of their respective pyres, leading the crowd for a short prayer before each threw a burning piece of wood to start the flame. This was also done by a select few jonin, Kakashi and Guy included, who threw theirs from the other side. Shortly after, the flames rose high above the sky, and people weren't even trying to hold in their tears anymore.

Naruto's heart ached in both sadness and gratitude. He had lost dear friends. He had lost comrades. All the names and faces of the people he had fought with, all of whom shared their love for their fellow shinobi and their villages; the fire symbolizing their physical forms leaving the earth.

He scanned the crowd across them and quickly found Sasuke and Sakura at the far end of the crowd, nowhere near their friends. There was no mistaking the light sheen of tears on Sakura's cheek, while there was nothing to be said of the expressionless face of his dark-haired friend. He looked away, ignoring the sharp pang in his chest, and saw the rest of the Konoha 11 behind Kakashi, including, to his relief, Iruka-sensei.

The ceremony drew to a close, and the Kages with the exception of Tsunade had filed out and back into the tents. Naruto could not help looking back at where Sakura was, but found she had disappeared, along with Sasuke.

"The meeting will start in an hour. I'll send Kakashi to take you."

"Thanks, Baa-chan."

They walked back in silence, words not being needed in such a moment. Plenty of shinobi had remained, including Hinata and Neji's team mates, Rock Lee and Ten Ten. Kiba also stayed behind, lending his shoulder to the still sobbing Hyuuga princess.

Naruto left Tsunade with the other Kages and made his way back to his tent. He was surprised to find Sasuke standing near the entrance.

"Thought you might like to know, dobe. Sakura just collapsed at the ceremony earlier so I took her back. She's inside."


Thanks so much for the reviews/follows/faves! :D

I'd like to address something that I feel is important.

DiizGiirlJess - thanks for pointing out the way Tsunade is addressed by Sakura in the previous chapters. She calls her Tsunade-sama or Tsunade-shishou, the latter of which became my basis for using the word "Master" since it means just that. Since you've mentioned it, though, I have absolutely no clue as to why I never considered using the usual Tsunade-sama/shishou since obviously I've kept it for characters like Kakashi and Iruka. As it stands, I might change it, depending on how I feel about it in the end. But thank you for pointing it out :D