Takes place after Naruto fails to get Sasuke back. Naruto becomes depressed about his failure and it takes a special girl to get him back out of his depression. Eventual NaruSaku or NaruHina. My first fanfic. Ever. Please read and review!

Blah Thoughts of anyone (if a person thinks while with others, quotations and the thinker will be specified)

Part 1: Regrets - Determination
Naruto lay in his hospital bed. His eyes narrowed in sadness. He stared at his hands still beaten from the fight with Sasuke. Why couldn't I bring him back? He had let down everyone. He had failed the mission. But most importantly, to him, was that he broke his promise to Sakura. Naruto's cerulean eyes moved from his hands to the window. He stared blankly into the dark gray clouds as rain poured against the window. His gaze was disrupted by a knock on the door.

"I don't want to talk right now..." Naruto claimed. He knew he was only lying to himself. He needed someone to comfort him, but he couldn't bear to face anyone. Naruto turned laid back down on the bed and turned on his side with his back towards the door. He heard the door open and closed his eyes wishing whomever it was to go away. The door went clack as it closed and the stool next to the bed became occupied. "Naruto...you can't always have successful missions," said a female voice.

"Tsunade-obachan...I failed...I let Sakura-chan down...I wasn't able to keep my way of the ninja. I'm a failure..." Naruto protested. "I don't want to face my friends...or Sakura-chan." Silence ensued afterwards. Tsunade's hands were clenched in fists, shaking. "Have you forgotten your dreams!? You goals!? Who's going to become Hokage!?" Tsunade shouted. "Where's the man I saw who protected me against Kabuto?! Where's the man who mastered the Rasengan in a week?!" Naruto remained silent, not wanting to face Tsunade. "I'm sorry I yelled at you Naruto. Just think about what you're doing right now." With that, Tsunade got up and left the room.

Outside Kakashi leaned against the wall reading his book. "How was he?" inquired Kakashi without looking up from his book. Tsunade sighed, "He has an extreme case of depression. His spirit is completely gone. It's like an empty shell that's lying in that bed right now."

"I see..." Kakashi said almost like he was not even interested. "So...how are the teams going to be now?"

"I don't know yet. I'd like to rearrange them as soon as possible but most of the genin still need to recover from the mission." Kakashi closed his book and put it in his bag. He started to walk away, but stopped. Without turning around he said, "Just call me when they're ready." With that, Kakashi left.

Naruto went back to looking at the window. Why did Sasuke betray Konoha? He said I was his best friend. Then why? Why did he try to kill me? Was he that hungry for power? Damn Orochimaru! Damn that bastard. The rhythmic clacks of the rain against the walls of the hospital soon soothed Naruto's mind and he slowly fell into a deep sleep.

On the other side of Konoha, at the Hyuuga mansion, Hyuuga Hinata was sitting in her room. Maybe I should go see Naruto-kun. Neji-ni-san is there too. I'll go see him and then go see Naruto-kun. Maybe I should tell him how I feel about him. But...what if he rejects me? He still likes Sakura...I'll never be as pretty as her...Hinata kept turning the idea over in her mind. But she always came to some conclusion that put herself down. She suddenly stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Her white eyes stared sadly at her reflection. She made up her mind, she left her room and the Hyuuga mansion and headed towards the hospital. I will tell Naruto-kun how I feel. I will do it.

And that's it for now. Sorry about it being so short. I'm very afraid of presenting my work to the public, because I think I suck. So I had to spit something out to force myself to show it to others. Read and review please! Constructive criticism is wanted! (and praise of course). I promise to make the next chapter longer. Sakura will appear in the next chapter for you Sakura fans.