Chapter Twenty-Five

I opened my eyes and realized quickly that I was in a hospital bed. I turned to the right and I saw my father sitting next to my bed. I smiled at him and he smiled back at me. He grabbed my hand and held it tightly. I was all wrapped up in bandages.

"Dad," I said.

"I'm so glad you're okay," my father, Yuuki clan leader Makoto said. He smiled, his eyes glistening. Seeing him so emotional made me emotional. I was so glad he was here. I blinked and tears slid down my cheeks.

"I'm so glad to see you," I said. And then I told him everything that had happened, not missing anything. I told him about the first attacks, being captured by Orochimaru and his plan, why he wanted to use me, the fact that our clan secret was out. I ended with fainting after killing the Sound Four.

I only left out one detail: Sasuke.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. "You tattooed my back when I was young and wouldn't tell me. I had to find out from a stranger."

He shook his head. "No one should have known that. Not you, until you understood the true meaning of life, Midori. Immortality is not a simple matter. It was one of the greatest privileges on this world, and we are its guardians. Until you understood yourself, those around you, and nature around it all, you weren't ready to know the greatness you carried with you."

"But I know now," I said.

He nodded. "So you'll have to grow up quickly. You can't take this lightly, Midori."

"Who could have told Orochimaru?"

"One of our clan members," my dad shrugged. "Someone whom I trust. Only the direct heirs have the tattoo. Only we know how to decode the puzzle on our back. With our eyes, and with the knowledge passed from the clan leader to the next."

"So I'll learn how to decode the secrets to immortality on my back when I get older?" I asked.

He nodded, cupping my face in my hands. "Yes, once you learn why you should never use it for yourself, or give it to anyone else."

"Then… what's the point?" I asked.

"That's for you to discover," my father said.

Huh. I guess I had a lot of soul searching to do.

There was a soft knock at the door. When I looked I saw Naruto standing there, an awkward smile placed on his face. He had flowers in his hands. It seems like forever since I've seen Naruto. I looked at my dad.

"Could we talk?"

"Of course," he said. "I need to tell the Hokage about what happened anyway. Your guards are outside if you need them."

"My guards?"

Izumo and Kotetsu peeked into the room. They smiled and waved at me. They were okay, I realized. They hadn't been killed by Gaara. They were a little bandaged up like me, but they were alright. Well enough to protect me.

"I'm so glad to see you guys," I said.

"Us too," Kotetsu said.

"We'll leave the two of you now," my dad said. He got up and left the room. The door shut with what seemed to be finality. And I was alone with Naruto.

I looked at Naruto and smiled. "Hey."

He gave me a sad smile. "Hey."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"When I walked in, you didn't say hi to me," he said. "You just told your dad you needed to talk with me… so you've made your decision."

I bite my lower lip, feeling the beginnings of pain creeping up. I slowly nodded, both of us knowing the answer to my dilemma of who I should choose, between Naruto and Sasuke.

"In that cave, with Orochimaru… it was after Sasuke betrayed me, or at least I thought he did…" I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I wondered, when Sasuke was checking if I was okay, why I wanted to kiss him after he turned me over to Orochimaru? I had no idea."

"But now you do," Naruto prompted.

I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. "I love him, Naruto-kun. He's the one I've fallen for."

"Of course…" Naruto whispered.

I felt my heart breaking alongside his, because I never wanted to reach this moment, where I lost him. When I realized that I loved Sasuke I realized that I'd lose Naruto. And I didn't want that. Because my feelings for him were just as real as my feelings for Sasuke, just not as strong.

"I hate to do this, Naruto-kun…"

"I know, I know," Naruto said. "It's just… it doesn't matter. I know Sasuke will always win."

"That's not true!" I sobbed. I wiped my cheeks. "You had just as much of a chance as he did. Don't you dare think that I chose him just because he was popular or cooler or something stupid. You speak to my body, Naruto-kun, you make me feel… amazing… and with time maybe I could have fallen harder for you. But Sasuke spoke to my heart."

"Please, stop," Naruto said. He put the flowers down on the end of my bed. "I can't listen to anymore. I have to go."

"Naruto-kun," I sobbed.

He left the room, shutting the door softly behind him. I couldn't stop crying for Naruto. I know he wouldn't understand now, but maybe one day he'll understand that he was never inferior to Sasuke. I liked them both a lot, I just realized I liked Sasuke more.

He was the one that I loved.

I reached out for the flowers Naruto gave me. I held them in my arms. They were beautiful, beautiful flowers.

Continued…

(Author's Note:) I'm sorry, Naruto fans! I didn't mean for Sasuke to win. I didn't plan it – I was just as clueless as you guys were. But Midori started feeling real to me when she was in Orochimaru's cave, and she found her own voice, became her own character to me, and once she was in that hospital room if she started making out with Naruto she would have chosen him.

But instead she reminded me about that moment in the cave, when Sasuke was lying over her, making sure she was okay. She let me know that she fell in love with him, and then I knew who got the girl. I'm sorry if he wasn't the one you were rooting for. If I don't write a sequel just know Naruto will be happy.

Also next chapter is the last one!