Chapter 14

Tsunade went to the village gates when she got word of what had happened. She paced uneasily there until they ran up to the gates, "Tsunade-sama!" Kaoki yelled, "Help her!"

"Just lay her down here." She instructed, pointing to the ground. They laid her down don her stomach. Tsunade pulled up the back of her shirt. A huge black bruise covered her back and went down her arms and legs, "Her spine…It's almost completely shattered…" She ran her finger down her spine and over the seal on her back, "She's going to need emergency surgery. I'll take her up to the hospital, you all go find Iruka." She gently picked up Haruko and cradled her in her arms, "What're you waiting for! Go!"

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Several hours later all of them were sitting out side the room. Neji sighed and looked down at the white tile floor, "What's wrong Neji-kun?" Lee asked.

"Just worried…she was in pretty bad shape…" He replied in a whisper.

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Inside the room Haruko was hooked up to various machines. An oxygen mask was over her nose and mouth. They closely monitored her weak heart beat.

Tsunade stood over her, using a powerful healing Jutsu, "It looks like her heart and lungs were damaged in the fall as well." Just as she said this Haruko's pulse began to slow down, "Oh god, Shizune! We're losing her!" Shizune ran over to her but by the time she got there it was too late. Haruko's head rolled to the side, "Hell no!" Tsunade screamed, "I won't let this happen! Not to a child!"

Suddenly a smoky purple aura surrounded Haruko's body and she slowly opened her eyes. They were a deep purple with cat slits, "You-re…the Hokage…right…?"

"Yes…Nekomi?"

"Mm….can." She paused to take a gasp of air, "Can you…save this fragile body…?"

"…You can't…?"

"No…The damage is…too extensive…"

"If you can keep her alive, I'll to my best to repair the damage."

"I'll do my best…" She said closing her eyes, "…but you must work…quickly…this body won't last much longer…"

Tsunade put her hands on Haruko's back and Shizune hovered hers above her heart and lungs. They worked as quickly as they could without causing any further damage. A short while later her heart began to beat again. Tsunade sight with relief as she finished adjusting Haruko's spine, putting all of the pieces of bone back in place.

She slowly backed off as she finished, "We did it Shizune, we saved her…"

"Yes Tsunade-Hime, You should go tell the other's that she's alright, I'll make her more comfortable."

"Right…Thank you, Shizune."

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Everyone looked up as she walked into the hall, "We've saved her life Iruka. You can come and see her now. The rest of you should go home and get some sleep…It's been a difficult night for everyone."

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It was three weeks before Haruko even woke up. She awoke to soft rain against the window of her room. She was still hooked up to many machines, including the oxygen. Naruto stood over her, "Haruko…" His eyes were full of deep sadness, "I have some bad news for you…"

"Wh-."

"You're not supposed to talk…" He sighed. His bandaged face was so terribly sad, "Sasuke…he's…gone."

Her face changed to instant shock, "He went with Orochimaru…" He paused, "I tried to get him back…but…failed…" It obviously pained him to talk about it. She put her hand on his, "Don't worry…" She whispered, "You'll get him back…"

"Thanks Haruko…" He stood up, "Neji hopes you get better soon."

"Thank him for me…"

Naruto turned to the door, remembering the condition Neji was in, "I-I will…" He forced out, "I have to go now…S-see ya…" He walked out into the hall.

Haruko looked up at the ceiling, "Sasuke-kun…I'll find you…If it's the last thing I do."

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That's the end of this one. Part 2 will take place after the 3 year time jump. Please let me know what you think of the story as a whole. Thank you, and I hope your read my other fics (I'm working on a bleach one too) and enjoy them all