To all my lovely readers,

I just wanted to apologize for how long it's taken me to update. To be honest, I've been so busy with school / life that I had completely forgotten about this story... the only reason I remembered was because I got a notification about someone reviewing. Thank you so much for all of your support, and I'm truly glad that people actually enjoy this story! It's all completed here on my laptop, I just have been tweaking / editing it and forgot to post more chapters! Thanks again for the support, I love all of your reviews! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

- xo.

:::

Tsukiko slowly opened her eyes. She looked around as she sat up, she felt a lot better… but where was she? She recognized the hospital room and ripped off her air-mask and heart-rate monitor pads. The monitor flat-lined and let off a shrill whine. Tsukiko pulled her IV out and stood up, she gripped the edge of her bed as she tried to stabilize herself. "What in the world…" She nearly tripped into the table that was filled with cards and goodies. "Oh my…" She whispered, eying all the different treats that were left for her. Sakura had dropped off some sweets and a nice card, Hinata had dropped off a pretty flower and some home-made medicine, Gaara and the Sand Genin had left a pretty flower made from hardened sand. Naruto left an Ichiraku's Ramen Bar coupon. Shikamaru left sweets, Kiba left some slowers, and Lee left a card with more sweets. 'I'm going to gain weight…' Tsukiko grinned, popping a candy into her mouth. She laughed to herself and picked up the picture frame that was hidden beneath all the food. It was a picture of her and Sasuke as children, giving each other bunny ears and smiling so hard. 'Get well soon, Tsukiko, we have a match to fight. – Sasuke.' Tsukiko couldn't help but smile. She picked up some of the sweets and ate them while she shuffled through cards other Jounin and various villagers had left. She wondered what Sasuke was doing right now. Tsukiko looked up, hearing chaos outside of her door. She slid out of bed, the cold floor felt nice against her feet, 'What in the world…'

"WE DEMAND TO SEE HER!"

"C'MON LADY! LET US SEE HER! SHE'S OUR FRIEND!"

"WE HAVE GIFTS FOR HER, SHE NEEDS OUR HELP!"

"Seriously… this is such a drag…"

The yelling grew louder as Tsukiko neared the front desk.

"I'm sorry guys! Orders from the top, no visitors!"

Tsukiko stopped at the end of the hallway and smirked, "Goodness… did you really miss me that much?"

Everyone stopped, turned, and stared, before Naruto broke the silence and pounced on Tsukiko. "TSUKIKOOOOOOO!" He cried. He jumped on her and began laughing hysterically.

"Naruto! Get off! You'll hurt her!" Sakura yelled as she hit him over the head.

Tsukiko smiled and looked around at the other Genin that stood in the lobby of the Hospital, "How long have I been out?" She yawned and stretched, her muscles cramped in protest from all the sudden movement.

"Six days." Kiba piped up while Akamaru jumped on Tsukiko's head.

She looked up and scratched the puppy behind his ear, "Cute." She caught a glimpse of the Sand Shinobi who entered the Hospital, "Don't you guys have some training to do? You know, the Chunin exams are only in a few weeks."

The Leaf Genin looked at each other as the realization hit them. "Oh man! I've got to get out of here! Bye Tsukiko! Feel better!" Naruto called over his shoulder.

Everyone slowly made their way out, until it was just Tsukiko and the Sand Shinobi left.

"Well, look who finally decided to wake up." Kankuro teased as the three walked up to her.

"What's up?" Tsukiko smirked and leaned against the wall of the hospital. Even after waking up, she still did not feel her best, the room continued to spin just slightly.

Gaara held out his hand, revealing another beautifully crafted sand flower.

Tsukiko's face lit up as she took his from him, gently twisting it between her fingers. "Oh Gaara… it's beautiful, thank you." She couldn't help but notice the pink-tint that blossomed on his otherwise cold face.

"Excuse me, Miss, please go back to your room. You're not supposed to be out of bed yet."

Tsukiko looked to her right, finally taking notice of the nurse. The woman looked exhausted, clearly she had needed to turn many people away. "Thank you, but no thanks. I'll be leaving now, thank you for healing me." Tsukiko smiled and turned to the Sand Shinobi, "I'll see you guys around." She nodded to them and returned to her room.

"Miss, you cannot leave until Lord Hokage, or Kakashi comes and evaluates you." The nurse called out.

Tsukiko smirked and absently waved her hand, "Yes, yes, sure, whatever you say." She shut the door and grabbed a sheet and made a makeshift bag. Tsukiko carefully placed the gifts inside, she decided to carry the sand-flowers separate – she didn't want them to break. And with that, she changed into her regular clothes and jumped out the window, she turned and dashed away from the hospital… waiting really wasn't her specialty.

:::

Tsukiiko dropped her stuff off at Kakashi's, she carefully set the real flowers in a vase full of water, and the sand flowers in a separate dry vase. She sighed as she picked up the picture frame, her eyes appraised the picture with vague sorrow… that was so long ago… why couldn't she simply cut him out of her life? With a frown Tsukiko put the picture frame face-down and walked into the bathroom, she needed a shower.

:::

Tsukiko stepped out and dried herself before slipping into a pair of fresh clothes. She was sore all over, though her body was healed her muscles still screamed at her to lie down. She dried her hair before calmly walking out of the house, she was bored, and she knew Hokage and Kakashi would be looking for her.

She made her way over to Hokage's office and quietly stepped inside, she found him conversing with different Jounin.

"Tsukiko?" Hokage immediately stood and walked to her side, What are you doing here? Didn't the nurse give you the orders to stay in bed?"

"I'm not one to wait for others," Tsukiko shrugged, realizing that Kakashi was not in the room, "anyways, I'm feeling better so…"

"You should go and tell Kakashi you've woken up. He's been worried sick about you." Hokage quietly added as he pat her shoulder.

Tsukiko nodded, "Is he training with Sasuke?"

"Yes, you'll find him-"

"I know," Tsukiko smiled before she turned and left.

:::

She found Kakashi and Sasuke in their normal training spot, in the middle of nowhere on some rocky cliffs. Tsukiko silently watched as Sasuke preformed the Chidori, her Sharingan copied his moves, she tested the jutsu out for herself, watching as the blue chakara sizzled and danced within her palm. Sasuke struck a large rock, blowing a huge hole in it.

"Not bad, Sasuke." Tsukiko called out as she jumped down.

Both male shinobi turned and stared in astonishment. Sasuke coolly walked over to her, smirking as he threw his arms open for her, "I thought you said you wouldn't watch me train." He pulled Tsukiko into his chest and kissed her forehead.

She shrugged, "Well, I wanted to see you. Your Chidori is looking nice if I do say so myself," she smiled as she took his hands in hers.