A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Square Mom Lover, U3fan, Idle-ing, Ojay1307, and Miss Laury. Thanks so much for reviewing! :D

Kakashi stood in the main entryway of the hokage tower. He'd entered here a thousand times, yet somehow it all seemed foreign. Everything was cleaner; brighter. New. Just like the outside, where Ino waited. Kakashi shook himself. He didn't have time to stand around, no matter how uncertain he felt. He glanced behind him, and sure enough, the thick wooden doors were firmly shut.

"Find Tsunade. When you do, don't let her out of your sight." He fixed Ino's last words firmly in the forefront of his mind. His mission.

A man's loud, boisterous laughter rang through the room, and Kakashi jumped, nearly sending his fist through the wall. He exhaled, gathering himself, then crept toward an open door on the left, that led to one of many gathering rooms. He stopped just outside the doorway, pressing his body against the wall, and peered around the corner.

A tall man with long dark hair, tanned skin, and a friendly, gentle face stood in the center of the room, his long robes brushing the floor. "You look like a proper hokage! What do you think, Tsuna?"

"It's too big, Ojiichan!" a child's voice whined.

Tsuna? Kakashi leaned further in, and caught a glimpse of a small girl standing in front of the man, the hokage's hat on her head and dwarfing most of her face. She couldn't have been more than four or five. Wait... then that must mean the man with her was Hashirama Senju, the Shodai Hokage. Was this a memory?

"Ah, but you'll grow into it!" Hashirama grinned as he plucked the hat from Tsunade's head, and placed it back on his own. "Don't you want to grow up to be hokage like your ojiichan?"

"You're trying too hard, Hashi." Another man strolled into the room, his silver hair held back by a happuri. A woman was with him, vibrant red hair twisted into two buns. Tobirama Senju and Mito Senju—formerly Uzumaki. Tobirama's stoic face cracked with a hint of a smile. "We both know who her favorite is."

"'Rama-jijii!" Tsunade squealed. She ran across the room to her great-uncle, and he swung her up in his arms.

"Tsunade! We don't use that word for Tobirama-sama," Mito scolded in exasperation. "A hime must have better language than that."

Kakashi shifted. If this was a memory, then they shouldn't be able to see him. He needed to get closer to Tsunade, though he wasn't sure how she would listen to him as a five-year-old, assuming she could even see him. He stepped into the room and started toward the two former hokage and the first jinchūriki of the nine-tails.

Tsunade giggled, not looking remorseful in the slightest. "But 'Rama-jijii said to call him that, 'cause Ojiichan can't be having all the fun playing games with me."

"Hashirama!" Mito turned on her sheepish husband. "You're not still teaching her how to gamble, are you? I swear, between the two of you, she's going to be the worse-behaved child in Konohagakure."

Tsunade's adoring gaze moved from her great-uncle and fixed on Kakashi as he walked toward her. Her happy grin faded. She pushed against Tobirama's chest. "I wanna go down! Please?" Tobirama grunted and obliged, his attention still on his brother as they moved to different topics.

She recognized him? Kakashi quickened his pace, realizing too late what she intended. Tsunade darted between Tobirama and Mito, and ran back to the door they'd come from. No! Kakashi broke into a sprint, passing through Mito as if she were made of mist. But Tsunade had already disappeared through the door.

Kakashi threw it open, revealing a staircase leading upward. To the next level of the tower? He charged up the stairs, and burst through the first door he came upon. He froze. He was in a dark bedroom. Tsunade's bedroom.

Tsunade sat her bed, face buried in her hands as she sobbed. She looked a couple of years older, now wearing a thigh-length teal kimono lined with red, and a mesh shirt underneath. Mito stood next to her, stroking her long blonde hair. Her grandmother's voice was thick with tears as she murmured, "They were taken from us too soon. But we must live up to their legacy, Tsunade. Remember, you are the hime of—"

"I don't care!" Tsunade lifted her head, eyes red and cheeks tearstained. "I don't care! Just—just leave me alone, Obaachan. I don't want to be a hime right now. Not ever! I'm going to become a kunoichi and save people. The strongest kunoichi ever!" She stood, and stormed past her grandmother. "And you can't stop me!"

Tsunade's bloodshot eyes met Kakashi's, and terror flashed through her golden-brown irises. She ran for the door at the back of the room, and Kakashi lunged after her, cursing himself. He'd gotten too caught up in Tsunade's past.

Kakashi made it through the door—and found himself in a downpour. He skidded to a stop in the mud, heart hammering. No, no. This couldn't be right. Was he back outside with Ino? But no... the rain was water, not blood. Then where—?

"NO!"

Tsunade's scream ripped to his soul. Kakashi spun, and found a flash of a white blouse ahead of him. An older Tsunade, probably in her twenties, sprinted through the rain as if her life depended on it. He ran after her, stomach sinking. He had a horrible feeling he knew what this memory was.

Tsunade charged through the wooden door of a temporary hospital, and Kakashi reached it moments later. He halted inside, just behind Tsunade and a younger Jiraiya with his hand on Tsunade's shoulder. Orochimaru stood in front of her, blocking the way to a room further back. He held out a necklace—the same necklace worn by Naruto—the blue crystal gleaming, as if it hadn't just been taken from a body.

Tsunade's shoulders heaved with her ragged gasps, her soaked shirt plastered to her skin. "No... No..."

Kakashi's chest cramped painfully, his heart breaking for her. But he had to stop this; had to bring her back. He moved to the side, eye fixed on her. "Tsunade—"

This time she faced him, eyes burning with an emotion he couldn't describe or fathom. Her beautiful, heartbroken face twisted with rage. "Leave me alone!" Her fist slammed into his chest, and Kakashi crashed back through the door with more force than he'd ever been struck with.

Kakashi hit the ground, the impact rattling every bone in his body. He tumbled across the muddied grass, rolling over and over, until he ran out of momentum. He groaned, every part of his body feeling as though he'd been crushed by a two-ton boulder. But he couldn't—couldn't lay here. He had to find Tsunade.

Muscles screaming in pain, Kakashi pushed up to his knees. He knelt there for a moment, rain streaming down his face. Gingerly, he pressed his hand to his chest, where Tsunade's fist had struck, and swore softly. His flak jacket was still with Ino, so he'd had nothing to absorb the punch. But it didn't matter. He'd take a hundred more blows if it meant getting Tsunade back.

Kakashi found his feet, and stumbled back to the medical center. He gritted his teeth as he forced himself up every step. Please, don't let her be gone. He reached the door, which had returned to normal with no sign he'd crashed through it. He stretched out his hand—but the door vanished just before he touched it.

He staggered forward, unable to keep himself upright, and fell into the darkness.

Kakashi slowly came to, blinking through... more rain? He lay flat on his back, the night sky above him as the rain fell. He tried to move, but his arms and legs felt like lead, as if all the strength had drained from his body. He gasped for breath, his lungs rattling and wet. His abdomen ached with a deep, intense pain. And he could feel warm, wet... blood? His stomach was bleeding?

The familiar tingling warmth of healing chakra eased the pain in his stomach, and Kakashi craned his head enough to make out Tsunade kneeling next to him, glowing hands over his torso. He tried to speak, but could barely cough. Had Tsunade come back to heal him? Had she realized...?

"It's going to be all right, Dan," Tsunade sobbed, without taking her gaze from her hands. Blood and mud streaked her face, and only then did he realize she was wearing a jōnin uniform from the Second War. "I'm—I'm healing you. You'll be fine."

"Tsunade..." Kakashi forced through numb lips. His brain moved a sluggish pace. He had to tell her... Everyone was alive. They needed her to wake up. He needed her. But why... why was she calling him Dan? His vision grew fuzzy, and he had to blink to stay focused. He had to tell her...

"No, no, no. No!" Tsunade hunched over him, the glow around her hands intensifying. "Dan, please—No!"

Kakashi gritted his teeth. No. He would not pass out. He focused all of his willpower, and slowly, agonizingly, moved his hand to cover Tsunade's. Just like he had the first time they met.

Tsunade's head jerked up, and she stared at him, golden-brown eyes widening in recognition. "Ka-Kakashi?" She pulled back, horrified gaze dropping to her bloodied hands. "No... no... I can't lose you too. I can't!" She staggered to her feet, holding her hands out in front of her, as if they repulsed her. "NO!"

Suddenly, Kakashi could move. He lunged up, reaching out for Tsunade's hand. If he could just touch her—his fingers wrapped around her cold, bloody ones, and her gaze met his. Then she vanished, and so did the cold, wet forest.

No! Kakashi wanted to scream his frustration. His vision cleared, and he blinked in the bright sunlight; a sharp contrast to the eternity of darkness and rain he'd just gone through. He swayed, and his hand found a metal bar to steady himself. A bar that was a part of the railing around the top of the hokage tower. Konoha surrounded him; Konoha as she had been just before Pain destroyed her.

Wait. If he was at the top of the tower, did that mean... Kakashi turned, his gaze immediately fixing on the blonde figure who stood at the front of the tower, her familiar green haori billowing in the wind. He exhaled slowly. He'd made it. She was here. And, somehow, he knew she was waiting for him.

Kakashi walked to her, the breeze tossing his hair. Emotion clogged his throat, but he forced himself to stop behind her and wait, instead of taking her in his arms and never letting go. Tsunade's shoulders were rigid with tension. It wasn't over yet.

"Why are you following me?" Tsunade's voice was low with barely-restrained anger. "Why do I keep seeing you?"

Kakashi didn't take his gaze from her swaying blonde tails. "Tsuna..."

"Don't call me that!" Tsunade spun around, and the fear and anguish ravaging her face pierced his heart like a shard of ice. "You—you aren't him! Why are you making me go through this torment again?" Tears poured down her pale cheeks. "Why do I lose everyone that I love? I thought... I finally thought..."

"It is me." Kakashi took a single, desperate step forward. "Tsuna, I came for you. With the Yamanaka—"

"No!" Tsunade screamed. "You are DEAD!"

The hokage tower crumbled, and Kakashi staggered, trying to keep his footing. But he wasn't buried under piles of rubble. He coughed, squinting through the dust, searching for Tsunade. The wind cleared the clouds of dust, and there she was. Standing only a few feet from him, in the center of the crater that used to be Konoha.

Tsunade's shoulders sagged, and her arms hung limply at her sides. Her anger was gone. All that was left in her eyes was a deep, agonizing grief. "See?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper. "Konoha is rubble. The people are gone. I couldn't save them. I can't save anyone I care about. I was right... being hokage means sacrificing your life in vain."

Kakashi's eyes stung. Seeing her in this much pain... he wished with all his heart that he could take it from her. "You don't mean that."

Tsunade was silent. Finally, she shook her head slowly. "Please. Just leave."

Kakashi bowed his head. What else could he do? She wouldn't listen to him; she believed he was only a figment of her mind. But he wasn't leaving without her. And if that meant he had to stay in here forever, then he would.

No. Kakashi straightened, though his stomach felt like lead. He was going about it wrong. He would never be able to convince her he was alive, not when she had sensed him die. He had to remind her why she had a reason to live without him. "Konoha isn't all of this." He gestured to the ruins around them. "It's the people. And they are all alive, because you gave all of yourself to save them."

Tsunade's lips pinched, but she only stared at the ground, arms crossed tightly, instead of refuting him.

Hope fueled him on, though he didn't dare step closer. "Naruto defeated Pain. Do you know how? Because your belief in him gave him strength. Because you protected the people, enabling him to go after Pain. Because you are a mother to him, and he wants to live up to you and make you proud."

Tsunade lifted her head, her golden-brown eyes locked on him. She still didn't speak. But the grim hardness of her mouth had softened.

"He needs you. They all need you. I know—I know you are hurting, Tsuna, but I also know you won't abandon the living. You are stronger than that." Kakashi held his hand out, hardly daring to breathe. "Everyone suffers, and you have more than most. But you are a kunoichi of Konoha. And we endure, all the way to the end."

Tsunade stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. Though the pain didn't leave her eyes, he could see it: her spirit had returned. She walked to him, and stopped. "Thank—thank you. For reminding me who I am." Her hand slid into his, and a tear slid down her cheek. "I almost believe it's you. I wish—I wish with all my heart it was. But... I am glad I was able to see you one more time."

Kakashi smiled and squeezed her hand tenderly. He longed to tell her that he was alive, that he was here, but he couldn't. He would be there when she awoke. "Are you ready to return?"

Tsunade closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "Hai."

Thunder boomed, and Kakashi blinked as blood rain poured down on him once more. His hand closed around the empty space where Tsunade's hand had been. He turned, facing the intact hokage tower... and Ino, standing at the door as she shielded herself with his flak jacket. Then, as quickly as it had come, the rain faded and stopped.

"Kakashi-san! You're back!" Ino hurried to him, pale irises searching his face. "Did you find Tsunade-sama?"

"Hai." Kakashi exhaled slowly, and smiled. "I found her. Let's go back."

Ino studied him, but she only nodded and held out her hand. "All right. And just so you know, I'm probably going to pass out when we return, so if you could catch me, I would appreciate it."

"Maa, of course." Kakashi took her hand, and looked to the horizon. "Thank you, Ino. You did well."

"Th-thanks." Ino blushed, then gave his hand a sharp tug. "Now, close your eyes, Kakashi-san! I thought you wanted to get back?"

Yes. Yes, he did. Kakashi closed his eyes and let Ino pull him away.

Kakashi's eye crinkled at her, with the smile she loved so much. His hand compressed around hers. "Are you ready to return?"

If only he was real. But Tsunade swallowed her tears, and answered him. "Hai."

...

Tsunade opened her eyes. Her eyelids felt heavy... so heavy. Almost unconsciously, she closed her hand around the space where Kakashi's hand had been, longing to remember the feel of his warm touch before it faded away.

But her fingers wrapped around a real hand. A solid, warm hand that gently squeezed hers back.

"Tsuna. You're back."

She... knew that voice. She knew that voice. Tsunade turned her head frantically, desperately, searching. Was she still dreaming? Gripping his hand so he couldn't disappear, she found him. Kneeling at her side, and holding her hand as he stared into her eyes. She breathed out a whisper, "Kakashi...?"

"Hai. It's me." Tears glittered in his gray eye, and one fell free. "I'm here, Tsuna."

Kakashi.

Tsunade didn't know where she found the strength to get up, but the next moment she was wrapping her arms around his neck, unable to hold in her tears. She didn't know how he was alive. She didn't know how he was here, warm and solid in her arms. But he was. "Kakashi..." She could only repeat his name through her sobs as she buried her face in his neck. "Kakashi... Kakashi..."

Kakashi wrapped his arm around her, and he cradled her against his body, as if afraid she might disappear. His hand stroked her hair, and his tears wet her shoulder. "Tsuna..." His voice broke. "I'm here, Tsuna."

Tsunade took in a shaky breath, and let herself melt into him. Her trembling muscles gave out, so she sank down to rest her head against his chest. His arm tightened around her. "But I—I felt you die."

"Hai." Kakashi's chest rumbled against her cheek. "But Naruto found the real Pain, and convinced him to bring us back. Everyone is here."

Naruto. Tsunade closed her eyes and smiled, soaking in the comfort of being held by Kakashi. For the first time in a long time, she felt... safe. "If anyone can change this broken world, it's Naruto." She managed a slight laugh. "Too bad he's not ready to become hokage yet."

Kakashi's calloused thumb stroked the bare skin of her arm. "He will be thrilled you are awake. He was worried about you, you know."

Tsunade swallowed painfully. She didn't want to remember the nightmarish cycle of darkness, memories, and regrets she had been trapped in. "How long was I... in a coma?"

Kakashi's chest released with a sigh. "Two weeks."

Even with just those two words, the strain in his voice said it had been much longer than that for him. Tsunade lifted her head, and her hand found the curve of his jaw, turning his face to hers. Her heart lurched at the intensity in his gaze. Her fingertips caught the edge of his mask, but she hesitated. She wanted—no, needed—to know if it had been him, not a figment of her consciousness. Had he gone through the horrors of her mind to find her? "Kakashi—"

"Tsunade-baachan!"

Naruto burst into the tent, followed by Shizune and Sai. The next moment, Naruto's arms had wrapped around both her and Kakashi, and she got a mouthful of blond hair as he nearly crushed the life out of her with an enthusiastic hug. "I knew you'd wake up! I never doubted it for a second, believe it!" Kakashi made a wheezing sound, and only then did Naruto pull back, still grinning widely, though his eyebrows twisted in concern. "Ah, s-sorry. I got a little carried away. But you're awake, Baachan!"

"Hai." Tsunade smiled, heart warm. In spite of his words, she knew his overly-affectionate gesture showed how worried he's been. "I'm afraid you won't be becoming hokage quite yet." She reached out and ruffled his blond spikes. "But I heard you saved all of us from Pain. I'm proud of you, Naruto."

Naruto's grin lit up his entire face, but his voice took on a more serious note as he said firmly, "I couldn't have done it without all of Konoha behind me, believe it! Kakashi-sensei reminded me of that."

Shizune cleared her throat pointedly. Tsunade lifted her gaze to her assistant and friend, and though Shizune's relief was palpable, pink embarrassment tinged her cheeks. Immediately, Tsunade became aware that Kakashi still held her in his lap, cradled against his chest. Something that would never happen between a jōnin and hokage.

Kakashi seemed to realize the same thing, and he quickly shifted forward. "Maa, do you think you can stand, Tsunade-sama?"

"H-hai, I think so." Face burning, Tsunade gathered her trembling legs under her, and was able to stand with the help of Naruto and Kakashi. She couldn't look at Shizune, so her gaze found the corner of the tent... where Sai was supporting an exhausted Ino Yamanaka. Both were struggling to conceal smiles. Gods, she cursed silently. Was everyone in Konoha standing in this tent?

Shizune rushed forward and embraced her. "I'm so glad you're awake, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade returned her hug, though it did nothing to dispel the tension in her shoulders. Her and Kakashi's feelings for each other were no longer a secret. How long before the elders and council found out? A sick feeling grew in the pit of her empty stomach. And what would they do when they did? "Hai, so am I."

Shizune stepped back, fingers nervously knotting her kimono as she glanced between Tsunade and Kakashi. "Um, Kakashi-san, the elders and Shikaku Nara are waiting for you at the south edge of camp."

Tsunade frowned. The elders? "What are you talking about?"

Kakashi stepped up to her side. "Maa, they want to introduce me to the Fire Daimyo as the Rokudaime Hokage." He held out his elbow, clearly enjoying himself. "Let's go surprise them, shall we?"

The... Rokudaime? Tsunade closed her gaping mouth. But if they had chosen Kakashi, did that mean he was... pardoned? She bit back her questions, and instead took Kakashi's elbow, eager to escape the suffocating interior of the tent. "I—I see. Then I expect a full report of the last two weeks on the way."

Kakashi tucked her hand more snugly against his side. His eye crinkled. "As you wish."

Tsunade glanced back as they exited the tent, and almost wished she hadn't. Every eye inside was fixed on them, and even Naruto wore a smug expression. She snapped, "What are you all standing around for? Don't you have jobs to do?"

The atmosphere rapidly shifted to alarm and straightening spines. "Hai, Hokage-sama!"

Once they were out of sight, Tsunade's weariness dragged at her shoulders and feet. Being in a coma for two weeks was more draining that she would have thought. She longed to rest her aching head on Kakashi's shoulder, but she didn't dare. But she did notice he slowed his pace to match hers. For once, she was too tired to argue. "So, the Rokudaime Hokage, hmm?"

Kakashi ducked his head, as if embarrassed. "Hai. They were desperate, so I agreed. But you're back now, so it doesn't matter."

Except it did matter. Very much so. Tsunade didn't try to hide the hope in her voice. "That must mean they pardoned you."

"Hai." But Kakashi's silver eyebrows were drawn, as if troubled.

Before Tsunade could ask what was bothering him, a loud cheer startled her back to the present. Villagers and shinobi alike were clustering around their tents as she walked by, joy and relief lighting up every face. Tsunade took in the cheering around her, a strange, warm sensation filling her chest. Had they all been that concerned for her? Finally, she gathered herself enough to smile and wave as they continued through the camp.

Kakashi leaned in to murmur, "Naruto may be their hero, but you are their rock. See how much you mean to them?"

Tsunade's eyes stung. And she, lost in her grief and self-loathing, had almost abandoned them. Again. She whispered past the lump in her throat, "I don't deserve them, Kakashi."

"Maa, I think you should let them be the judge of that." Kakashi tipped his masked chin at the crowd.

Tsunade took in the beaming faces around her and Kakashi at her side, his arm solid and warm against hers. For a moment, she let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, things would turn out for the better.

Until the elders slapped her in the face with a single word.

"No."

Tsunade clenched her teeth, fighting the urge to tap her heel on the ground and send them into a crater. "Do you even realize what you are doing? You pardoned Kakashi for your own needs and you cannot cast him away just because those needs are gone!"

"Tsunade-sama..." Shikaku warned. But regret and weariness creased his scarred face, and she knew he agreed with her, though he couldn't voice it.

Koharu lifted her sagging chin. "We are beyond relieved that you have regained consciousness, Tsunade-sama. But Hatake's presence is a liability, now that we have you back. Konoha needs stability, and a missing-nin who killed one of our own does not fit into that. It is better if he leaves."

Kakashi had remained silent for the entire discussion, but now he turned to her, gaze steady with resolve—a resolve she didn't want to see. "Tsunade-sama—"

"No. I will not grant you this." Tsunade glared at Koharu and Homura. She curled her fingers into fists to keep from trembling. She couldn't lose Kakashi. Not now. Not when she finally had him back. "War is coming, and we need Kakashi here. Even you must agree that—"

"Now is not the time to involve the council in a matter like this," Homura said flatly. "And we will, if you persist in defying us. Kakashi Hatake must leave, for the good of Konoha."

Tsunade bowed her head, though everything in her wanted to scream. Was it better for Konoha if Kakashi was gone? She couldn't believe that. But what could she do? The elders were right about one thing, now was not the time to get into a confrontation with the council. She would have to let him go. Again.

"Tsunade, don't let your personal feelings get in the way." Koharu's voice had softened... or had she imagined it? "We will allow you to keep in contact with Hatake, and call him to aid us if the need arises. But that is all we can do."

Tsunade closed her eyes. Perhaps Koharu was more perceptive than she let on. Regardless, she didn't have a choice. Her chest ached with every throb of her heart. "Very well."

"Maa, I should be heading out, then." Kakashi lifted his hand in farewell, though he avoided Tsunade's gaze. "It was good to be back for a little while. And I am always at your service, Hokage-sama." With that, he turned and strolled in the direction of where Konoha's gate used to be.

Tsunade stared after him, the hollowness in her stomach spreading to her chest. Just like that? He was going to leave just like that? After everything, he was going to walk away like nothing had happened? By the shinobi gods, he had died. And she... had nearly done so. If he hadn't saved her.

No. She wasn't going to let him leave so easily.

"Now that he is dealt with," Koharu began, "we should discuss the ramifications of—"

"Pardon the interruption," Tsunade said coldly, not sorry at all. "But I have just come out of a coma less than half an hour ago. These discussions have waited for two weeks; I think they can wait a little longer. So, if you'll excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to."

Either she had stunned the elders into silence, or they had no comeback, because they remained quiet as she walked away.

Tsunade quickened her pace, desperate to reach the gate in time to catch Kakashi. She climbed the last mound of boulders around the remains of the gate, and caught a glimpse of silver hair. "Kakashi!"

Kakashi halted, and faced her. His stance was easy, with his hand in his pocket, the emotions reflected in his eye revealed his feelings. Leaving was just as hard for him as it was for her. "Tsunade-sama? Did you need something?"

Tsunade walked down to meet him, all too aware that they were in full view of anyone who looked in their direction. "It was you, wasn't it? You went into my mind. Somehow, Ino..."

Kakashi waited, but when she didn't finish her sentence, he nodded. "Hai. You needed to know that there was still hope." He smiled gently. "I am glad I was able to see the things in your past that made you who you are."

How did he always say things that turned her insides to mush? Tsunade folded her arms tightly, otherwise she would wrap them around Kakashi—no matter who was watching. "Well... I wanted to say thank you. For saving me. I know it wasn't easy." An understatement, but she'd done her best.

Kakashi stepped up to her, and before she could object, tipped her chin to face him. "Tsuna, you saved me first." He kissed her forehead with masked lips, and pulled back, eye crinkled with a smile. "I will always be there for you. I promised, didn't I?"

"I..." Tsunade was unable to hold a foolish smile in, but she no longer cared who saw it. "I expect you to return the moment I send for you."

"Of course, Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed, though his intense gaze never left hers. "I have a feeling Konoha may need me again sooner rather than later."

"Hai." Tsunade looked to the horizon, and shivered. War was coming. And with it, blood, hate, screams... and the dying. She shook herself, and focused back on Kakashi. "I fear the worst is yet to come."

Kakashi's nod was grim. He turned to leave, but impulse struck Tsunade, and she moved forward, grabbing his hand. He stopped, and looked back questioningly. "Tsunade?"

"Don't..." Tsunade swallowed hard, fighting to regain control. Gods, she hated feeling weak. "Don't die. I—I can't lose you again."

Kakashi squeezed her hand, his thumb gently brushing the inside of her wrist. Then he was gone, vanishing into the trees surrounding Konoha's crater.

Tsunade stood alone, unmoving, until the sun sank below the treetops. Even though Kakashi was gone, hope stirred in her chest. No matter what came to Konoha, they would overcome it. Together.

Because that was what it meant to endure.

Square Mom Lover: Ahhh, thank you so much! I missed you too. :) I actually hadn't planned on Kakashi going into Tsunade's mind to bring her back, but when I wrote chapter 32, it just sort of happened. So this chapter is a bonus one I hadn't planned on, lol. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. So, I'm glad it worked out! Sometimes unplanned chapters are the best ones. Yay, I'm happy you're excited! I wrote almost all of this chapter in one sitting, which is very rare for me. Hope you like it!

U3fan: Sadly, when I watched the Pain arc, I already knew everything that happened, so it didn't have the same impact for me. I'm glad you got to experience it, though! I've never seen Insidious, so I'll take your word for it. XD Kakashi has his work cut out for him, that's for sure. Thanks for reviewing! :)

Idle-ing: I'm glad their smaller interactions had an impact! I didn't like how the anime glossed over Tsunade's coma and the implications that would have on the other characters for the most part, so I wanted to show that as much as I could. I'm so glad it worked! :) And then in this chapter, I wanted to show the impact of Pain's attack on Tsunade herself, so hopefully I succeeded in that. Thank you so much! :D

Ojay1307: Thank you! :) Not gonna lie, I'm looking forward to that too. XD Thanks for continuing to review! I really appreciate it!

Miss Laury: Thanks so much! :D I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love Tsunade's personality too, and she's so fun to write. XD I agree, there was so much left out of the anime/manga, but in a way I'm also glad, as it gives me more space to write about it. It makes me so happy that you're enjoying my version of certain relationships/characters! Expanding Naruto and Tsunade's relationship, especially, has been one of my favorite aspects of writing this story. Haha, it would have been hilarious if Tsunade had called Kakashi out. Thank you for taking the time to review! :)