Look, I'm sorry guys. I'll do the groveling at the end of the chapter, though, k?

Read on!

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1:00 pm, Konoha Hospital

Rin hurried in the sliding doors of Konoha's hospital with a determined, slightly panicked expression on her face. A flurry of emotions was holding her heart high up in her throat. She was terribly worried about her son, and confused as to why he would do something so awful, and guilty for not doing a better job raising him.

Of course, the lazy receptionist at the front door had seen hundreds of patients and their family and friends and all of the sob-stories to go with them, so her bored attitude didn't change in the slightest when she saw Rin run up to her. She didn't even lower the magazine she was reading, just glanced up enough to take in Rin's appearance.

The receptionist recognized all the signs of a mother whose child had been injured. Slightly dilated pupils, clenched fists, that expression that said 'Don't mess with me; I want my baby!'. Rin was just another angry cow in front of a train to the receptionist, and she treated her that way. Rin, however, did not appreciated this.

"I need to see Akito Oshiro. It's urgent. He's my son... Probably in intensive care," Rin said calmly, but firmly. She put her hands on the receptionist's desk, to show that she meant business. "Will you please tell me where I can find him?"

The bored girl in front of Rin snapped her gum and rolled his eyes, then slowly put down the magazine. "Yeah, hold on..." She reached for a clip board with every ounce of disdain she could manage. Rin made a mental note to speak to the Hokage about the hospital staff and tapped a finer impatiently.

"Uh... Lemmeseeee... Ah. Oshiro, Akito. Er... Oshiro-san?" the receptionist asked hesitantly, making sure the two shared a surname. When Rin nodded, she went on. "Says here that Akito Oshiro is in the 'Highly Dangerous' ward, in the basement, which means I can't permit anyone who isn't a ninja or a medic to visit him until his status changes... Sorry, hospital rules." She coughed slightly and went back to her magazine.

At that moment, Rin decided that she would no longer sit back as a civilian. One thing had led to another, and now she was practically itching to heal someone. And now, she had to be a medic or a ninja to see her son. Well, dammit, she was one. She would act like it.

"I am a medic. A medical ninja, to be precise," Rin said clearly.

Eyeing her skeptically, the receptionist did a little 'hmph'. "Well, let me just check with my supervisor. What did you say your name was again?" She picked up the phone and dangled it with a loose finger.

Rin lost her patience. "Look. Just tell your 'supervisor' to tell the Hokage that Rin is back." And with that, Rin turned on her heel and headed for the elevator. The receptionist called after her a few times, but soon gave up, and instead dialed the Hokage's office, like Rin had instructed.

"Hokage's office, Shizune speaking," came the feminine voice over the phone.

"Uh... Is the Hokage there? 'Cause there was some lady in here claiming she was a medic and that her name was Rin... She told me to tell the Hokage that "Rin is back'. Do you know what that's supposed to mean?"

In the Hokage's office, Shizune smiled.

Same Time, Sakura's Apartment

"He's going to make it," Tsunade sighed, and sat back, exhausted. She and her former apprentice had just poured all their healing energy into Kisame's wounds, and it now looked like he was going to live after all.

Sakura dabbed at her eyes, and then gave up, embracing Tsunade with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Tsunade..." she whispered into the older woman's shoulder.

"It's okay, Sakura." Tsunade hugged the pink haired woman with vigor, until they broke apart. She smiled sadly at Sakura and wiped away a tear. She could tell how much Sakura cared for these two criminals and it confused her, but she did want Sakura to be happy.

"I wish it could be different, Sakura. But the council elders would never allow either of them to live. The only way we'll be able to keep our ranks will be to swear everyone to secrecy. It's not too late to come back, but I'm afraid it is for them."

Sakura nodded. "I do understand, Tsunade. And I will come back, from time to time, and visit all of you. But my heart belongs to Itachi now. I can't leave him." She stood up carefully, as she was still fairly weak from the healing. Glancing around, she saw Naruto rousing. Stepping carefully over to him, Sakura hugged the blond man tight.

"S-sakura-chan?" he said foggily.

"Thank you, Naruto, for everything. I'll see again, soon. Move on, though, ok? Go out with Hinata or something... Kami only knows how much she's always loved you." Sakura leaned down and kissed him softly on the nose, then straightened up.

"I'll always love you, Sakura-chan. I hope you know that." Naruto smiled sadly at her.

"I do," Sakura answered, patting the side of his face. "See ya later, Naruto."

Then, she hoisted Kisame over her shoulder and took Itachi's hand. "C'mon, guys. Let's go."

As Sakura and her two missing-nins dashed off, Tsunade wondered if she had done the right thing. Sakura was happy, though, and that was the main part.

"Tsunade-baa-chan... I'm gonna miss her," Naruto said sadly, his beautiful blue eyes filling with tears. The Hokage just reached over and puled him into a tight hug.

"Me, too, Naruto. Me, too."

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So, I was the most unmotivated person ever. I had no desire to write anything. Blah. I'm back, now, though, I swear. My first act is to finish this story. This chapter was short, but one more chapter, which is going to be loooong, and I shall tie up all the loose ends. I might even put a little ItaSaku lime in it, too. -wink-

After this is finished, I'll (possibly - it's actually a fine story without continuing, what do you think?) finish Baby Yuri, maybe. And then, I shall be starting some new projects... One is a NejiTen oneshot that I'd like to get out there... Also, I've been dabbling a bit in yaoi, and I have two NaruSasuNaru's started, and a NejiGaara in my files, too. I'm also open to ideas and requests (See my profile). So whatever you guys want.

Please keep reading, and review!