Changes

THANK YOU!
Before I begin this chapter, I would like to thank all of you for reading this story, especially those readers who have taken the time to write reviews and comments both here in and at the Narutotalk forums. I am glad to know that people have enjoyed my story so far, and I will continue doing my best. Once again, thank you very much! :)

Oh, and in regard to a statement about the Sharingan seeing through the Kage Bunshins, I'm afraid that the clones Sasuke saw in the ambush in the Chuunin Exam (manga chapter 63) were actually the illusion clones created by the Water ninjas - Naruto did not have his Kage Bunshin active at those times.

Update: I have taken note of the comments on how the paragraphs had become too cluttered, so I have altered the text and spacing. I hope this eases your eyes. :)

Author's Note: Naruto and all related characters/trademarks belong to Masashi Kishimoto – however, this story is my own work, and continues from the latest Naruto manga developments (up to 224).

Speech in bold and italic is Kyuubi's voice.

Kakashi fidgeted in his chair. He had sat for hours, musing upon everything he and his beloved team had gone through ever since they met. He was absentmindedly munching on a red apple, enjoying its juicy taste. Since Naruto was asleep, and he was hungry and on his own, Kakashi had reluctantly lowered his mask to eat. He just hoped that no-one would enter the room while he ate, since he really disliked the attention. There was nothing wrong with his face. In fact, it was a very handsome face. He had taken to wearing the mask ever since he joined the Ninja Academy, as the attention from the girls had got so overwhelming the young Kakashi could not train in peace.

The Jounin chuckled at the memory. It had been so long now since he had had any attention from girls, but he was content with that. He wasn't ready to settle down, plus he still had his complete collection of Come Come Paradise books to keep him company.

A feeling of uneasiness grew within Kakashi. He could not think of anything else, and he did not feel easy talking to a sleeping Naruto. He fought the urge to read his book. This is a hospital room, Hatake Kakashi, and one of your students is lying in that bed! Kakashi scolded himself. And I did promise Sakura I would stay here and look after him for today, mused Kakashi. He felt sorry for Sakura. She showed so much potential with genjutsu, but she had been far too interested in Sasuke to progress significantly. And now she was having to deal with the news Sasuke was now a missing-nin and Naruto was in hospital. Kakashi's visible eye looked at Naruto. The ventilation tubes that were in his mouth had been taken out, and Naruto was now breathing without any aids - an encouraging sign.

Kakashi tossed the apple core behind him, and it landed perfectly in the metal bin in the corner, making a clattering noise. With one swift movement, Kakashi pulled his mask back over his face. Looking around and listening for any other people, Kakashi bent forward, carefully lifting the bandage that covered part of Naruto's chest. Underneath there was smooth skin.

The power of Kyuubi never ceases to amaze me, Kakashi smiled, shaking his head in amazement. Ever so carefully, Kakashi smoothed the bandage back down. If Sakura or any of the other kids were to notice Naruto's healing, they were bound to ask questions. He had heard stories of Naruto's recent fights, and from the sounds of it, Naruto was now able to access Kyuubi's chakra without losing himself. Not only that, he summoned Gamabunta. The Fourth Hokage was the last person before Naruto to ride the great boss toad, and the only other living ninja who could use Gamabunta was Jiraiya himself.

I have so many questions I want to ask Jiraiya-sama... Not only can Naruto use Kyuubi's chakra, but he can summon Gamabunta AND use the "A Rank" technique Rasengan, thought Kakashi, his eyebrows furrowed. He could not pinpoint it, but he could feel that there was something more about Naruto. Something that no-one knew. Naruto... you're progressing at a frightening pace, and you might just be able to surpass all the previous Hokages, Kakashi mused. He was a little scared, but he was also amazed. Naruto was only 13, and he could use such powerful jutsus. He was also only the third ninja ever - after the Fourth and Jiraiya - to be able to use Rasengan.

"You remind me of the Fourth in a funny way, Naruto," Kakashi spoke quietly, his hand reaching into his utility pouch. He took out his prized book. Well... no harm if Naruto doesn't know, and I'm careful, Kakashi thought, chuckling, I can't wait to see what happens between Yoshi and Ayame now...

"Oh! You're a fan of mine, aren't you!?" a deep, cheerful voice sounded. Kakashi flinched, yelping, and spun around, his eye wide open in shock. "J-Jiraiya-sama!" he stammered, his eye blinking nervously at the wild-haired man who stood before him, "I-I'm sorry, I just..." His voice trailed off. "Wait. Jiraiya-sama... did you ask if I was a fan of yours?" Kakashi asked, his eye now suspiciously darting between the dirty book in his own hand and Jiraiya. Jiraiya nodded, a huge child-like grin stretching the width of his face, and he pointed at Kakashi's book. "Yeah, I'm the author of Come Come Paradise! Ooh, you're at the Yoshi and Ayame section!" Jiraiya squealed, looking giddy and excited like a child, "That's a good part!" Kakashi could not believe it. Jiraiya-sama, one of the legendary Sannin, was the author of his favourite series of dirty books? The masked man simply sat and gaped at Jiraiya, a sweatdrop trickling down his temple.

Then Kakashi thrusted his book at Jiraiya. "Can I have an autograph, Jiraiya-sama?" Kakashi asked happily, his eye showing his delight. "But of course!" Jiraiya replied delightedly, taking out a brush, and expertly signing his pen name onto the inside of the cover. Kakashi stood, hugging his book with obvious glee, and bowed deeply to Jiraiya. "I am a massive fan of yours, and have collected every single book, even the leather bound Aya special edition!" Both men chuckled smuttily, their cheeks blushing.

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"Kakashi-sensei, Ero-sennin, you perverts..." Naruto grumbled, his face scrunched with disgust. "I'm in hospital, and you're reading and saying dirty things in my room!" the boy shouted angrily. He shut his eyes and clapped his hands over his ears, blocking out the voices of the two men.

"I find their behaviour highly confusing," Kyuubi growled with disdain. The fox was looking much stronger, and was almost back at its full powers. "Humans are too complex for me," it sighed. "They're not human," Naruto snapped, "they're just perverts." Naruto sat up and faced the fox. "You're looking much better, fox. I'm glad," Naruto smiled. "Glad? Why would you be so glad?" Kyuubi asked confusedly, cocking its head slightly in a quizzical manner. "I would have thought that you would very much like to be rid of me, boy."

Naruto sighed lightly, his shoulders dropping, and said "At first, yeah, I wanted to be rid of you. Because you were the reason everyone hated me so much all through my life. But now..." Kyuubi cocked its head a little more, awaiting the rest of Naruto's answer. "... I feel you've helped me out lots of times recently. Without you, I couldn't have defeated Gaara to save Sakura-chan. And I'm getting used to you, dumb fox," Naruto finished, with a cheeky smirk.

"Ha!" Kyuubi laughed, "I'm starting to like your guts, boy." Naruto simply grinned in response, and laid down once more to sleep. As Kyuubi watched Naruto sleep, the fox murmured quietly, "Your life has become interesting, Uzumaki Naruto." And with that, the fox slept once more.

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Sakura sat on her chair in front of the dresser in her bedroom. Her pink hair fluttered and flapped in the howling gust from her blow-drier, while she carefully and delicately combed her hair with her other hand. Her face had a faraway expression on it, her thoughts on Naruto and Sasuke. Sakura gently slid the switch on the blow-drier to its "off" position and placed it on her dresser, the blow-drier making a hard, metallic clinking noise as it rested on the wooden surface.

Sakura's emerald eyes wandered to a picture that stood besides her blow-drier. Within its frame were the beaming faces of Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi. And the cold, detached face of Sasuke. Sakura stared at his cool visage. Sasuke-kun... Why did you do that to Naruto-kun..? Sakura's lower lip trembled, and she wiped emerging tears away from her eyes with her hand. Using that same hand, Sakura slowly reached over to the picture, and gently placed it face down. Right now, it was too painful for Sakura to see. She had loved Sasuke, doted on him, getting little return. And now he had abandoned her and Konoha.

Who are you, really, Uchiha Sasuke? Sakura wondered, her mind confused, Are you really the same Sasuke-kun I almost kissed? Did I mean anything to you?

Sakura's mind wandered, haunted by images, sounds, and smells from the last time she had seen Sasuke. That dark night she had poured her heart out, her pain, her feelings for Sasuke. Yet he had chosen to walk on, to leave her. It hurts so much... Sakura thought, her right hand unconsciously rubbing her left shoulder. She sighed gently.

I should go and see Ino... and Naruto-kun, Sakura decided, I'll feel better with Ino, and I need to be with Naruto-kun. I'll just wither away if I stay here.

Sakura pushed herself up from the chair, slid the wardrobe door open and scanned her collection of dresses. Her fingers lightly brushed across each one in the rack, feeling the soft material of each dress. Her hand gently grasped a hanger and carefully withdrew it from the rack. The hanger bore an ice blue Chinese dress, which was designed in the same style as Sakura's usual red dress. The girl slipped her gown off and gently pulled the dress on, smoothing its material with her hands. She then pulled on white Lycra shorts, strapped her right thigh with bandaging for her shuriken and kunai holster. Then she strapped the holster on, making sure it was tightly secured to her thigh. Even though Sakura did not have any missions to do, she felt incomplete without her holster - it had become a part of her. It helped her feel safe and secure. Picking her forehead protector up, Sakura then tied it into her hair, gently adjusting it. Then she opened the door and strode out of her room.

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In the Yamanaka florist's shop, Ino leant onto the counter with her elbows, her chin supported by her left hand. She watched a small, dark-haired girl stroll around the shop, her pale eyes nervously scanning the flowers on offer. Snug within her anorak was a small puppy, which the girl would occasionally fuss over. "Hinata, would you like any help in choosing the flowers?" Ino asked. Hinata flinched slightly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I-Ino-chan," Hinata stammered, "Yes please, if you're not... too busy." Ino smiled and walked over to Hinata's side. "So..." Ino began, the word lazily rolling out, "Who are the flowers for, Hinata?" "Kiba-kun, Neji-nii-san, and..." Hinata flushed a little stronger, "...Naruto-kun. I-I would like to give them flowers with my prayers in."

"I got it," Ino smiled, and she picked up a bunch of flowers. "White hyacinths," Ino said simply, thrusting them at Hinata, who blinked and leant back slightly. "They symbolise that you'll pray for the person," the blonde explained. Hinata smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Ino-chan, those sound ideal!" Hinata bowed, her cheeks still blushing lightly. The puppy barked its approval. "Akamaru likes them as well, Ino-chan," Hinata smiled as she scratched the puppy behind its ears. Ino looked at Akamaru, her head cocked slightly. "Isn't Akamaru Kiba's puppy?" she asked. Hinata nodded slightly, and explained "Kiba-kun wasn't allowed to keep Akamaru in the hospital, so he asked me to look after him." Ino smiled. "That must mean Kiba really likes and trusts you, Hinata!" Ino said cheerfully, with a wink. Hinata blushed furiously, her hands clasping.

"Ohaiyo, Ino, Hinata," a sweet voice sounded from the doorway. Sakura stood there, smiling slightly. "Ohaiyo, Sakura-chan!" Hinata greeted Sakura, bowing. "Ohaiyo, Sakura," Ino greeted as well. Ino knew Sakura too well, and knew that the pink-haired girl was trying to put on a brave face and hide her pain. She carefully handed the wrapped bunch of hyacinths to Hinata, and the Hyuuga girl quickly bowed in thanks, handing Ino the exact amount of money she needed. "I-I'll see you later, Sakura-chan, Ino-chan," Hinata stammered slightly, making a quick exit, Akamaru yapping his own goodbyes. "Bye, Hinata!" Sakura and Ino chorused, waving farewell to the shy girl.

The two girls, now alone, looked at each other in silence, each searching for the right thing to say.

"How are you feeling, Sakura?" Ino asked, her expression one of slight worry. Sakura sighed. "I'm coping a bit better now, thanks Ino. How about you?" she asked. Ino shrugged slightly, her eyes glancing sideways. "I guess I'm OK too... It's just a little hard to take in," Ino murmured. Sakura's head drooped, her eyes on the floor. She nodded, "Yeah... I can understand, Ino. It's really hard to understand everything that happened." Sakura then stepped forward, and hugged Ino. Ino was slightly taken aback, but then relaxed and hugged Sakura back. "Hey..." Ino smiled sadly, "...if you ever need me, just come around and chat." Sakura smiled, a tear rolling from her left eye. "Thanks, Ino... and you can always talk to me if you ever need to."

"No problem, forehead girl, that's what friends are for," Ino smiled. Sakura's lips bent into a lop-sided grin. "Thanks again, Ino-pig."

The girls broke the hug, and stood looking at each other again. "I should get some flowers as well, Ino," Sakura whispered, her emerald eyes scanning the various flowers and plants scattered around the shop. "Oh. For... Naruto?" Ino asked, sensitively. Sakura nodded, sadly smiling. "Yeah, I hope Naruto-kun pulls through OK." Sakura replied, as she walked towards a corner, which was filled with buckets, from which many types and colours of flowers exploded. Sakura then carefully knelt down, and picked a bunch of white flowers out of a bucket. "Camellica japonica?" Ino inquired. "Yeah," Sakura slightly smiled, "It means good luck and..." "Admiration," Ino finished, smiling. Sakura blinked at Ino, then quietly mumbled "Yeah."

Sakura watched as Ino carefully wrapped the camellias, and she asked "Ino... how is Shikamaru?" Ino blinked, and looked up at Sakura with worry in her face. "I'm not sure... He's taken it really hard, losing Chouji. I'm upset that Chouji has gone as well... but Shikamaru has really taken it hard. He's gone to see Hokage-sama at the moment." "Yeah... I'm sorry about Chouji, Ino..." Sakura replied sadly, "Have... have they decided when the memorial service is?" "Yeah... they'll hold it at the end of this week. Give everyone time to take everything in," Ino sighed, carefully fastening the wrap with a ribbon, "I've told Shikamaru I'll go with him there." Sakura nodded, "Yeah... if it's okay, I'll come as well. I didn't really know Chouji, but he must have really stood up for his friends." Sniffing back tears, Ino handed the flowers to Sakura. "Yeah, Chouji had a really good heart despite his faults," Ino replied, her eyebrows raising momentarily.

Taking Sakura's money, Ino then said "I'll walk with you, I would like to see if I can catch Shikamaru. I hope Naruto and Neji pull through just fine." "Thanks, Ino" Sakura smiled.

"Mum!" Ino shouted into the back of the shop, "Is it okay if I go for a little while, to walk with Sakura to the hospital?" "Of course, dear," the voice of Ino's mother responded, "take as long as you need." "Thanks, Mum!" Ino shouted back. She untied her apron and carefully hung it up on a peg at the back wall, and smoothed her pink shirt. "OK, Sakura, let's go." Ino said, and Sakura nodded in reply, making sure her flowers were safely secure in her arms. The two girls then left the shop.

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Shikamaru sat in Tsunade's office. He shifted uncomfortably within the thick leather chair, forcefully wiping his sweaty palms onto his trousers. "H-Hokage-sama," Shikamaru whispered. The beautiful blonde lady on the other side of the desk brought her deep brown eyes from the report in front of her to Shikamaru. "Yes, Shikamaru?" Tsunade gently spoke. "Hokage-sama, I feel that I have not carried out my duties as well as I should have," the Chuunin spoke simply, closing his eyes and bowing his head.

Tsunade sighed heavily. "Shikamaru, I have read the report on your mission. What you went through would have been classed as an A-Rank mission," Tsunade spoke, "From what I can gather, you fought against five very strong enemy ninja - the personal guard of Orochimaru, no less." Putting the paper down, Tsunade interlaced her fingers and leant forward, her eyes fixed on Shikamaru. "I do not accept that you were unsatisfactory, Shikamaru. In fact, your leadership and teamwork ensured the best chances of survival," Tsunade said, without any doubt in her voice.

"I was at fault, not suspecting that the shinobi accompanying Sasuke were elite ninjas. In the circumstances, you and your team excelled, Shikamaru. You, your team and the three Sand ninja defeated all five of the Sound elite." Tsunade paused, letting that point sink in. "Yes, it is very sad that Chouji died, but there are times when losses are inevitable," the Hokage spoke softly, sympathy softening her face.

"You did an excellent job, Shikamaru," Tsunade finished, a sympathetic smile crossing her lips.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Shikamaru sighed, his expression still sombre, "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"If I may be excused, Hokage-sama?" Shikamaru asked respectfully, his head still bowed. "Of course," Tsunade answered, "and get some rest." Shikamaru slowly stood, and respectfully bowed to the Hokage, before turning on his heel and marching out of her office. While Shikamaru knew there was truth to Tsunade's words, he still hurt. The loss of Chouji had left a gaping hole in his heart, a pain more intense than mere physical hurt.

As the Chuunin stepped outside, blinking and shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight, Shikamaru spotted a familiar female figure. "Hey, Ino..." Shikamaru smiled sadly. Ino said nothing, merely stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Shikamaru in a hug. Shikamaru momentarily stiffened, his eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't resist. He relaxed and sank into Ino's arms, feeling comforted, and returned the hug. "Thanks, Ino," Shikamaru whispered into Ino's ear. The two friends just stood there in each other's embrace, oblivious to the rest of the world.

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Hyuuga Neji laid in his bed, his face now clear of the blood that had earlier masked it, a bandage once again covering his hated seal. His long brown hair was still slightly unkempt, but it had now been tied back once more. His expression looked peaceful, his unnerving pale eyes now hidden behind his eyelids. Heavy bandaging could be seen on his right shoulder, hiding the horrifying wound burnt into it.

Neji's pale eyes flitted open as soon as he heard the door open. Looking to his left, he saw the small shape of Hinata standing in the doorway, her hands gently holding a few flowers. Akamaru was no longer within her jacket, Hinata having dropped him off at Kiba's family home while she visited the hospital.

Neji's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth opening slightly. He had not expected to see his cousin. "Hinata-sama?" Neji whispered, his eyes scanning her. "Neji-nii-san," Hinata greeted her cousin, bowing slightly. "I, I brought you some flowers, Neji-nii-san," Hinata smiled shyly. She carefully and delicately placed each flower into a vase by Neji's bedside. "Thank you, Hinata-sama. Please, sit," Neji offered, his eyes glancing at the empty chair by his bed. Hinata bowed, smiling shyly as always, and quietly sat on the pale wooden chair.

The boy shifted slightly, his face turning further towards Hinata. He struggled to find words. "How are you, Neji-nii-san?" Hinata asked, her pale eyes unconsciously shifting to the heavy bandaging covering Neji's shoulder. Neji spoke slowly, still unable to recover from the surprise of having his cousin visit, "I.. am recovering well, Hinata-sama. Hokage-sama and Shizune-san have applied a kind of..." Neji narrowed his eyes in thought, searching for the right word. "Solution," he finished. Hinata had a quizzical look on her face. "They tell me that it will speed up cell regeneration and allow my body to restructure the muscles, nerves and skin in that area," Neji explained. "However, it will take at least two months before I am fully recovered," Neji added sadly. He so badly wished to get back to training.

Shaking his head slightly, Neji's pale eyes met Hinata's eyes. "How are the others?" he asked, concern briefly flickering into his face. Hinata sighed, and looked down at the floor, clasping her hands. "Everyone is having a hard time understanding what has happened, Neji-nii-san," she answered, her tone sad. "Kiba-kun will be out of hospital later today, which is good, but... Naruto-kun has still not awoken," Hinata finished. Neji's eyes softened slightly, and he sighed. "It will take some time, yes, Hinata-sama. However, Naruto is strong. He will recover," he smiled slightly. Hinata smiled shyly in response, her face lifting up once again to look at Neji.

"Hinata-sama," Neji spoke, "I am sorry for the things I said and did to you in the Chuunin examination." He closed his eyes, his brow slightly furrowed, his expression one of regret.

Hinata blinked, her mouth open. "I-It's okay, Neji-nii-san," she stammered. Neji shook his head slightly, his body still feeling stiff and not allowing much movement. And he spoke. "No, Hinata-sama. I let my hatred of the head family cloud my judgement. I did not see that you were suffering the same as I was." Neji remembered well how Hinata's father had treated her so cruelly, treating her as a "defect", a cast-off. Simply because she was too gentle with others. Yet, Neji had become blind to that, thanks to the fact he had thought the head family had murdered his father. It was only after his fight with Naruto that the head of the clan, Hyuuga Hiashi, had revealed the truth to Neji. The truth was that his own father had chosen to die, to protect the village and his son, Neji.

"Hinata-sama," Neji said, his eyes still focused upon her pale face, "I would like to make amends, to train you."

Hinata gasped slightly, her eyes widening. "But... why? Why, Neji-nii-san?"

"Don't misunderstand me," Neji replied, a faint smirk crossing his lips, "I still loathe the head family, however, I would like to help you change. Will you accept my aid?" Hinata said nothing, her eyes lowered, biting her lower lip, unable to decide. "Hinata-sama, do you wish to change and become stronger?" Neji asked.

Hinata's eyes met Neji's once more. There was a look of determination in her eyes.

"Yes, Neji-nii-san," Hinata simply replied.

Neji gently smiled. "Then, as your cousin, your protector, I will help you," he declared.

Father... Naruto... I will now do my best to change destiny. Neji thought happily, closing his eyes.

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Sakura gently pushed the door open, her ears immediately filled with the sound of chuckling. Before her, Kakashi and Jiraiya were sitting by Naruto's bed, both of their faces flushed. Her eyes flitted to the book in Kakashi's hand. At this, Sakura's expression immediately darkened.

I'll kick their asses for this! Damn shameless perverts, reading filth in Naruto-kun's room! Inner Sakura screamed within her mind, flailing her fists around, her face contorted with rage.

As if sensing Inner Sakura, Kakashi's eyes darted to where Sakura was. He immediately saw the dark expression on the pink-haired girl's face. Ashamed, Kakashi quickly concealed his book within his utility pouch, while Jiraiya smiled with embarassment.

"Ah... Sakura, sorry about that," Kakashi smiled sheepishly, his right hand nervously scratching behind his right ear. Sakura harrumphed, and tersely replied "Kakashi-sensei, you should know better." She sighed, shaking her head, and walked over to the vase besides Naruto's bed. To her surprise, there were already some flowers there, plus there were some cards. Carefully placing her flowers within the growing bunch in the glass vase, Sakura's eyes wandered over some of the cards and the multicoloured flowers. "Naruto-kun has a few well-wishers," Sakura commented, smiling slightly.

"Hai..." Kakashi agreed. "Naruto has some good friends," he said, his visible eye showing his smile. Sakura gently picked up each card, noting down the names written within each one. A card with a bowl of ramen painted upon it was from Iruka. Another card, obviously home-made by some small children, from Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi. Yet another, showing a beautiful lake scene, from Hinata. Another, with clouds painted on it, from Shikamaru and Ino. Another ramen card, this time from Ichiraku Ramen and holding two vouchers for free ramen.

Naruto-kun will like that very much, Sakura thought, amused.

Sakura continued to read through the cards. A simple card showing ninja dogs from Kakashi. Another card showed a casino scene, from Tsunade and Shizune. The last card had a dirty joke in it, which Sakura felt very offended at. Inner Sakura was screaming for blood within her mind.

"Jiraiya?" Sakura wondered, her distaste showing. "Isn't he one of the legendary Sannin?"

To her surprise, the white-haired man grinned and nodded, pointing at his own nose. Placing the card back, she bowed politely to Jiraiya. "Nice to meet you, Jiraiya-sama," she said politely, yet she was still truly disgusted at the hermit's taste in jokes. Jiraiya laughed, and stood up. Bowing slightly to Sakura, he said "You must be Haruno Sakura!"

Sakura blinked in surprise, unsure of what to make of the tall, white-haired man. Jiraiya gestured towards the now empty chair, motioning that Sakura take a seat, his lips still stretched in a wide smile. Taking a seat and murmuring a thanks, Sakura then wondered "How do you know my name, Jiraiya-sama?" Her eyes were widened, looking at Jiraiya's rugged features. Jiraiya chuckled, and glanced at Naruto's sleeping body. "Oh, I'm Naruto's master. Naruto talks about you, always wondering how you are whenever we're away from Konoha," Jiraiya explained.

"Ah," Sakura simply replied, her eyes turning to look at Naruto. She blushed slightly, feeling touched that Naruto thought about her while he was away. She noted that Naruto was now no longer on a respirator, and his blood drip had been taken away, only leaving a drug drip to dull his pain. Colour had returned to Naruto's face and he was looking more like his loud self.

"Naruto-kun is looking much better," Sakura smiled. "Yeah," Jiraiya said, a lop-sided grin emerging, "Naruto's a tough guy. Takes a lot to keep him down. He's so damned stubborn." Sakura couldn't help but grin at Jiraiya's final word.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura whispered to the Jounin, her smile dropping. Kakashi looked at her with his visible eye, eyebrow raised. "Why did Sasuke-kun do this?" Sakura asked, her voice cracking slightly. Kakashi shook his head silently, then gently replied. "Sasuke is in a dark place right now. He has let his urge for revenge consume him." Sakura sighed heavily, her head dropping. "However," Kakashi continued, "I do have hope that Sasuke will eventually see the light and return." "Do you really think so?" Sakura asked, her voice without hope. Kakashi merely sighed, and said nothing more.

"What confuses me as well, Kakashi-sensei... is there was one time Sasuke-kun was so warm, so caring," Sakura murmured, remembering the first day Team 7 had formed. This sounded strange to Kakashi, but he did not comment. Instead, he merely wrapped an arm around Sakura's shoulders, comforting her. The girl then looked at Naruto once more. "Kakashi-sensei, I saw Gaara here," Sakura spoke again. Kakashi was slightly taken aback with surprise, yet he still said nothing. "He told me he owed Naruto-kun a large debt. What happened in that fight..?" Sakura wondered, her eyes slightly wandering, searching for the answer.

Kakashi exhaled, and withdrew his arm from Sakura, his elbows now resting upon his legs, his hands clasped. He took a few moments to organise things within his mind, then carefully spoke. "I do not know what was said between them, but little Pakkun was able to tell me what happened in the fight," Kakashi explained. Sakura thought of Pakkun, Kakashi's grumpy little ninja-dog. Her eyes met Kakashi's inscrutable mask, then his eye. "What happened?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi then went through a long explanation, detailing each of Naruto's and Gaara's attacks from Pakkun's viewpoint. Of course, Kakashi neglected to mention the Nine Tails, merely mentioning the Henge as simply a huge, ordinary fox. All through this, Sakura's eyes were widened in amazement, her jaw dropping slightly.

"In the end," Kakashi finished, looking at Sakura, "Naruto was dragging himself over to Gaara's prone body, not wishing to stop until you were safe." Sakura shook her head in amazement, looking at Naruto. Even though she had seen some of his power in the fight against Neji, she had had no idea his power was so thunderous.

Is this really the same Naruto-kun I knew at the academy? Sakura pondered, her eyes still fixed on Naruto's peaceful face.

Just then, Naruto murmured slightly, incomprehensibly, his eyebrows knotting. His face betrayed his confusion and pain, his eyes still firmly shut.

He was waking up.

nii-san = Older brother. Hinata uses this suffix for Neji. While he is her cousin, he is still an older relative.

sama = Honorific suffix used for people the speaker respects highly.