A/N: Don't own it, never will, etc.

Chap. 21

It was just like she'd never left. At least, for Naruto. Granted, Hinata wasn't cooking his breakfast for him in the tiny apartment he used to live in, and of course, there was the layer of sadness that Sakura wasn't there, that they'd lost so many of their finest shinobi because of the war, even lost some of their friends. The only other difference was the addition of Tsunade herself. The woman didn't say anything to either of them when she slouched into the kitchen to see that Hinata had set a place for her as well. She shot the kunoichi a look, but whatever she mumbled was unintelligible.
"So, Obaa-chan," Naruto said when his food- three times what the other women were eating- was half gone, "how much of last night do you remember?"

"All of it, stupid boy. Just because I had a few drinks-"

"Granny Tsunade, you drank three bottles."

She rolled her eyes then winced in pain, grumbling about kharma, and replied, "Doesn't mean I was drunk. I'm a medic, remember? I kept myself at a very slight buzz. Too bad I can't get rid of the hangover, though. It's a killer. I just... don't have the chakra, anymore."

Without another word, Naruto held a hand across the table, "Take some of mine. I've got plenty."
The old woman looked up at him finally, and didn't move for a moment. "Take... for a hangover? I've had worse, believe me."

He nodded, his face neutral, "Yeah, but I need to talk to you about something, and I think it'll help if you're feeling better. Take it, please."

Her eyes narrowed, and Hinata had to stifle a giggle. She knows something's up, but doesn't know what. Naruto-kun has gotten good at hiding his emotions- most of the time.

At last, the woman reached out to take his hand and closed her eyes. When she withdrew it a few minutes later, her eyes opened fully, the brown color catching the light from the open window. "How do you feel? I didn't take too much, did I? It takes a lot to burn off that much toxin."

Naruto blinked. "I was about to ask when you were gonna get started. I didn't even feel it."

Hinata's eyebrows raised. I knew he had a lot of chakra, but... I could feel the transfer across the table. How didn't he notice?

"Hmph. Guess that stupid fox is about gone, then," the Hokage said, turning back to her food, "So you should have many times more chakra than you used to. You won't be able to rely on it for more, though, so once it's gone, it's gone."

Naruto nodded, but his mouth was once again full of food, and this time, he had the manners not to speak through it, so he said nothing.

"So... what did you want to talk to me about?" It was almost an hour later, and the sun was starting to dip down in the sky, almost visible in the west-facing kitchen window.

"I... I have a solution. I know what I'm going to do about Hinata and Sakura... at least, mostly."

Her brown eyes lifted to his, flickered to the woman next to him, and then returned to her tea. She took a sip before answering, "And?"

"I'm marrying both or neither."

Hinata gave a small gasp of surprise, but Tsunade didn't react at all.

In fact, the tea of all three cups of all three had been emptied- Naruto's twice- before she said anything at all. "You aren't going to let me change your mind, are you? You'll fight me till the day you die."

He nodded, but didn't say anything.

At last, Tsunade sighed. "There are some... loopholes, I suppose you could call them, that would allow you to marry both women. But... only you, and only because of your unique circumstances."

Hinata's eyes widened, but Naruto only nodded, sure that as much as she'd argued against it, the old woman would eventually give in.

"But before I say anything more, I need to know that it's what all three of you want. It's going to take a lot of work to pull this off. So... go find Sakura. The three of you meet me in my office... well, whenever. I'll make time. Aside from your team's training, Naruto, you are free from missions. Hinata, you as well. At least until this is resolved... or in the event of a surprise attack."

Overwhelmed, Hinata only sat at the table in silence as Naruto and Tsunade hashed out a few more details, together cleaning the mess from the cooking and consumption of the three's very late breakfast. Tsunade had long since left when Naruto put one hand on her head, mussing her hair gently, and said softly, "Are you ready to go?"

Lavender eyes turned up to him, still wide in awe. "Is there... anything you can't do?"

His face fell unexpectedly, but didn't stay that way for long. "I can't bring back the dead, I can't always bring back the lost... but other than that, doesn't seem like it. So, let's go find Sakura. Before she gets lost, okay?"

* * *

"These will do nicely, General Ryushin," the old man said.
"Thank you, my Lord," the other replied, gesturing out to the field below the balcony the two were atop, "we have two hundred of these machines, each capable of making a hole in the Konoha Wall with every shot. They will not be able to withstand the barrage for more than a few minutes, and after that... the wall will be gone. Our plan is simple after that... we are more experienced in city fighting, and we outnumber them ten to one. Even with all of their allies against us, they have no hope."

The noble nodded once and said, "And the jinkurichi? And the ex?"

"We have a plan for their removal, as well. Research gathered from records and reports of their battles against the Akatsuki have revealed a number of weaknesses. Despite the damage that the Kazekage caused on his way through Iwagakure, the number of deaths was minimal- most of those ninja returned to active duty within a month. The damage to infrastructure was practically nonexistent. If our analysis is accurate, the infamous 'Gaara of the Desert' is now nothing more than a pacifistic lapdog of the Leaf. As for the Nine-Tails... well, he has always been easiest to attack through his emotions. Plans are already in place."

The richly-dressed man nodded once again and murmured, "See that it succeeds, General. We cannot fail if our grand plans are to succeed. The Leaf must fall by summer, and we haven't the time to wait any longer than that."

He then turned and walked away, not even bothering to notice the other man's low bow as he left the balcony.

* * *

"Excellent job, Tenchi," Inoko called out across the field. The woman had finally been able to conjure four perfect clones at once. "Just one more and we can start the next phase of our training!"

The bug-user blushed slightly, unused to being praised by her former rival, and gave a stiff bow in response.

"When did Inoko get so friendly with you, Tenchi?"

She looked over her shoulder at six versions of her teammate and boyfriend, smiling at each in turn. Without hesitation, she turned to the real one and pointed a finger, sending a single insect out to each of the clones, dispelling them with a touch. "Since she gave up on you, I guess. She doesn't pay much attention to you any more."

The young man couldn't hide his feelings about that very well, and Tenchi laughed to see his face fall. "What's the matter, Kamisori? I'm not good enough? You want the attention of both of us?"

He turned bright red and denied it vehemently, "No! That's not what I- I mean- You know I-"

"Relax, I was just teasing you," she said, covering her own laugh with a hand, "But really... I think she found someone else she likes more. That's all."

The teen watched his other female teammate for a little while longer as she practiced her taijutsu against her own mass of clones. She sure has gotten strong. I used to be the best of us, but now, she could probably take me in a one-on-one. Tenchi too, and she was always better at it than me.

The three continued their training alone again, but this time they knew their sensei hadn't given up on them. Far from it, in fact, he was happier than ever to be working with them. He just had other things to do, and in all honesty, the three enjoyed helping each other as much as working with Naruto- he was more demanding.

* * *

"I found her," Hinata said, turning her Byakugan on Naruto, "She's in that tea shop, toward the back."

None of their friends had seen the pink-haired woman all day, so the two had resorted to scouring each street in the village one by one, Hinata using her Byakugan to check one side, Naruto using clones to search each building they passed.

The man stopped walking at once, forcing the woman he was with to backtrack a few steps to talk to him again. "Hinata... how should we do this?"

She gave him a quizzical look, so he elaborated, "Should I go in alone? Should you? Or both of us together? And if she leaves... what then?"

Hinata wasn't sure what the best course of action would be, either, but after a moment she offered, "Well... I don't want to do things without you and Sakura any more. So... I think we should do it together, and it... should all work out. Right?"

Naruto sighed. "I hope so. Well... we've waited long enough. Let's get it over with."

Haruno Sakura wasn't much of a drinker. She preferred being in control, of herself and those around her, and alcohol- especially the high-proof sake that her shishio favored- made her lose that control. But after the last couple of days, the woman hadn't been able to take it any more, and had finally sought to drown herself in forgetfulness.

So it was, that even in the quiet tea shop she had come to to help relieve her horrible hangover, the woman was totally distracted and didn't notice the two newcomers to the establishment until it was too late.

She didn't notice either, in fact, until they slid into the circular booth she occupied on opposite sides of her, preventing her easy escape. Damn it... what kind of kunoichi am I, letting myself get cornered like... wait... N.. Naruto? Hinata?

"What're... you two doing here?"

Hinata gave Naruto a glance, but he was only looking at Sakura, sadness and pity in his eyes. "Sakura-chan... we came to talk to you."

"I wish you wouldn't. Just lemme alone. I've done enough damage for one life time." The woman's words were still slightly slurred, and Naruto's sensitive nose picked up the scent of stale, but still potent enough, alcohol.

"Sakura, you've been drinking, haven't you?" He asked, concerned.

"So what if I have? Doesn't matter to you. Either of you. You want each other, and I won't get in the way. So just leave me alone, go be happy- with each other. Don't need a downer like me around, anyway."

This time, Naruto and Hinata had no problems making eye contact with each other. "She's worse than I thought," Naruto said quietly, then a little louder, "Come on, Sakura... we need to go see Tsunade."

"Don't wanna. She told me I didn't have any missions, and I have the weekend off, so... I'm gonna stay here."

"Come on, Sakura-chan," Naruto wheedled, "something's come up and we need you. We can't do it alone, we need your help."

"Go... go get someone else then. Don't you get it, Naruto?!" The woman was suddenly screaming, and the evening crowd at the tea house fell suddenly silent, all eyes either avoiding diligently or focused on the table where the pink-haired woman sat. "I don't want you to talk to me! You and Hinata can just go away and leave me alone! So get out of my life!"

A pretty, young waitress hurried over to the table and said over Naruto's stammering, "Excuse me... is there something wrong? You are disturbing our guests."

Sakura responded first, spitting out, "Yes, there is. These two are harassing me, and I don't appreciate it. Maybe they should leave."

Before Naruto or Hinata could respond, the waitress made a clucking noise and said, "I think you're right. You were sitting here quietly until they came in, so it must be true. I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask the two of you to leave."

The woman took a step back to let Hinata get out easier, and the kunoichi complied without a word. After she'd stood up, though, she slammed both hands onto the table and hissed in a venomous voice, "I can't believe I let myself believe you. Maybe I should have stayed locked up inside my own head, rather than trust in you."

The waitress, as well as most of the other customers, gasped in shock at the sudden fury in the slight woman's voice, but no one met her lavender eyes as she whirled around and stalked from the shop.

When Naruto's mouth had closed at last, Sakura was sobbing into her arms, her head on the table.

"Sakura... I know how she feels. You were there when I needed you, and you promised me you'd never leave me again. Was that a lie?"

She didn't answer, so after a long time, Naruto slowly slid out of the booth. "I didn't think something like this would make you break a promise, Sakura. Maybe you aren't as good a person as you act. But I think Hinata was right. You're just scared. Scared that no one will understand, that you'll be seen as a freak. And maybe you will, who knows. But I know one thing for sure. Hinata wants to try it anyway, and so do I. We think the risks are worth the reward. But if you're too scared... that's your choice. We won't force you. But if you agree with us, we'll be at the tower for the rest of the night. We have some things to talk about."

When he fell silent, the waitress tried again, "Sir, I think you should leave. I don't want to have to call security in, but..."

"Don't worry about it. I've said all I need to say," Naruto interrupted, then turned and left, muttering an apology to the crowd for disturbing their tea.

He's right... I am scared. Of the pain, of having to know he's with her. Knowing he chose her over me, like he does every time. I was never anything but second-best. But what did Hinata mean? Locked up in her head... all I did was talk to her. And when she was having that seizure I kissed her. It was all I could think of. But... but... what's wrong with me?!

Of course I like her. She's been my friend for a long time. She's beautiful, smart, courageous, funny, cute in that shy, naïve way... even Ino likes her, and she's jealous of everyone thats even a little good-looking. But what are she and Naruto planning, anyway?

Then again, what difference does it make? They're still going to end up together, and I'll be alone watching one of my best friends and the man I love have a joyful, happy life together.

Well, screw that.

I'm staying away from both of them. They don't need my interference, and I don't need that kind of pain. I've had quite enough, thank you very much, kami.

What the hell did he mean, anyway? Scared I'd be... seen as a freak? For what? I'm perfectly normal! If anyone's different, it's Naruto and Hinata. She's got that kekkei genkai, and he's a jinkur-

The woman caught herself, but was already deathly ashamed at the thoughts she'd been thinking.

Damn you, Sakura. They don't deserve that, neither of them do. They have been nothing but supportive and kind since she came back, and you've only driven them away. And now you're insulting them both? Calling their character into question? Shame on you! You know damned well Naruto is not that Fox! So how dare you call him that!

"I'll call him that if I want to. He's... he's..." the woman's words cut off, replaced by a fresh round of sobs.

I am scared.

I am weak.
I am pathetic.

I am not in control.

I am everything a kunoichi should not be.

I am nothing that a kunoichi should be.

I am... not a good friend.

I am not a good person.

I am... Sakura.

I am...

I...

I...

I am Haruno Sakura.

I am a medical ninja of Konohagakure.

I am the student of Tsunade, the Godaime and last of the Three Legendary Sennin.

I am a woman.

I am a woman in love with a man.

I am a woman in love with... kami help me, another woman.

I am... ashamed.

I am so, so weak.

I am so very scared.

I am... ruining their happiness.

I am abandoning the ones I cherish most when they need me more than ever.

I am finished.

I am done.

I am not going to run any more.

I am... going to the tower.

I am going to see them.

I am going to talk to them.

I am... drunk. Still.

I am... who cares?

I am going anyway!

The woman stood so suddenly that her prodigious strength knocked the top of the table off of it's stand, sending it flipping end over end until it landed in the middle of the shop, narrowly missing the same waitress who'd tried to be helpful earlier.

"I'm... sorry about that. Here, that should cover it," the kunoichi said, throwing down a wad of bills from her pocket, "I apologize for the mess, and the disruption. I... I have to go!"

* * *

"I'm sorry, Naruto, I'm not going to even begin to discuss the possibility unless all three of you are in agreement on it, and that's final."

"Obaa-chan," Naruto said again, sighing with frustration, "I'm telling you, she will come around. She just needs a little time. For all we know, she's on her way here right now- that'd be just like her."

Hinata said nothing, but dabbed at her moist eyes with an already-dripping handkerchief.

"Final is final, Naruto. Don't make me say it again."

He actually met Tsunade's dark brown eyes for a moment this time, and repeated himself, his voice calm but giving an unmistakable sense of unmoving truth, "She will be here. She just needs to sort some things out."

Tsunade sighed and changed tacts, "Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure your own feelings and desires aren't getting in the way? I know how you feel. And I know about Hinata's feelings as well. But have either of you ever stopped to consider that maybe Sakura just doesn't feel that way?"

Only Hinata was able to hear the soft pounding of feet running up the almost-empty tower's stairs.

"I mean, come on, Naruto. You have to admit that you don't always stop to think how other people feel before you say or do things. Maybe this is one of those times."

Naruto opened his mouth to respond, but Hinata, smiling, was watching the door as it flung open to reveal a gasping Sakura.

"I'm... sorry... sorry I'm late. Got... held up. Traffic in my head's pretty snarled right now."