Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did Naruto and Hinata would be together, Kabuto would be a good guy and Haku would still be alive.

Chapter 20

In The Hospital

Kakashi carried Mayu bridal style back toward the village. He also remembered to bring her sword and sheath. As he worked his way through the forest, he heard some familiar voices up ahead.

"I say we go that way!"

"No, that's not the right way you dobe!"

"Yuki, which way is the way out of here?"

"I don't know. This is the first time I've ever been in Twilight Forest."

"That's just great."

Kakashi knew right away who those voices belonged to. He went in the direction they were coming from and found Naruto, Yuki, and Sasuke. The three genin were in battle stances from the noise Kakashi made heading towards them.

"Oh Kakashi-sensei, are we glad to see you" said Naruto when he realized it was just Kakashi. He didn't want to admit that it wasn't a ghost. Then the genin noticed the unconscious Mayu in Kakashi's arms.

"What's wrong with Mayu?" asked Yuki.

"Is she alright?" Naruto asked.

"I think she'll be fine" said Kakashi. "She used almost all of her chakra in the fight."

"So, the fight's over" said Naruto unable to hide his disappointment.

"Yes, it's over" said Kakashi.

"Hey! Where is Tama-sensei, and where are Yui and Keibo?" asked Yuki.

"Yui and Tama had to take Keibo back to the village because he was injured" answered Kakashi.

"Is he alright?"

"I don't know."

Later everyone was at the hospital to see how Keibo and Mayu were doing. Yoshi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Yuki, Maya, and Miori were all in the waiting room. They were all waiting for word from the adults on Keibo's condition. Because he was in intensive care and kids weren't allowed back there, and also they knew it might be quite a while before Mayu woke up. Yuki was sitting across from Naruto. Everyone else could see that they were both feeling a little awkward around each other. Sakura heard from Maya and Miori about what happened between Naruto and Yuki. So she figured it would be best to give them some alone time to talk.

"I gotta go to the bathroom" said Sakura she got up to leave the room.

"Me too" said Maya.

"I also have to go" said Miori. Then she gave Yoshi a signal to come up with an excuse to leave the room.

Yoshi winked at Miori and then turned to Sasuke and said, "Hey, Sasuke let's go get some candy bars from the vending machines."

"I don't want any want any candy bars" said Sasuke.

"Then we'll see what else they have" said Yoshi as he pulled Sasuke along with Sasuke protesting all the way.

Now Yuki and Naruto were alone together in the waiting room. They were silent for a few minutes, and then Naruto broke the silence.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings Yuki"

"That's okay Naruto. I know you didn't mean to."

"Could we at least still be friends?"

"Yeah, that's probably for the best. With the demon dead, you guys are probably gonna be leaving soon."

"Yeah, but when I get a chance, I could come back and visit."

Then they both smiled.

6 hours later

Mayu woke up in a hospital bed with Kakashi sitting in a chair beside the bed. Kakashi seemed relieved that she finally woke up. Then Mayu remembered what happened back in Twilight Forest. 'Keibo…'

"Where's Keibo? Is he alright?" Mayu asked Kakashi.

"Don't worry, the doctors said that thanks to emergency treatment Yui gave him on the way, he was able to stay alive long enough for the doctors to help him. So he's gonna be fine, but they said it'll take a long time for him to recover." Kakashi told her.

"Um, about what Keibo said to me in Twilight Forest… you're not angry with him are you?" Mayu asked.

"No, not at all. It's because of him that we're still alive. It doesn't bother me at all. Not one bit" said Kakashi in his casual tone. 'Even though I do owe him one, the thought that he might actually steal you away, makes me want to kick his ass from here to the Hidden Leaf Village, then to the Land of Waves, then back to my village, and back here again. But I love you too much to do that to your best friend.' he thought.

"Do you know if he's awake yet?" asked Mayu.

"I don't know really"

"I'll go check on him then" said Mayu. "If he's awake then I want to talk to him if that's all right?"

"Sure, go ahead if you think you're okay."

"I'm fine now" said Mayu as she stood up. "Which room is he in?"

Kakashi told her the room number and then she left her room to go see Keibo.

When Mayu entered Keibo room, it looked like he was asleep. Mayu decided to come back later and was about to leave until she heard someone say her name.

"Mayu"

Mayu turned around and saw Keibo had woken up.

"I'm glad you're alright Keibo" said Mayu. Then Mayu started kissing him like crazy. "Oh I love you Keibo" she said.

Well, that was what Keibo hoped would happen, but he had no such luck.

"You idiot!" Mayu yelled at him. "What were you thinking? You could have been killed! I'm grateful you saved me and Kakashi and all, but if you died I wouldn't have been able to live with myself."

"Not so loud" said Keibo. "You don't wanna make the head nurse come in here, because she's scary."

"Sorry" Mayu apologized. "Oh, about what you said to me back in Twilight Forest, I love you too Keibo, but only as a friend."

"Yeah, I understand" said Keibo.

"I hope we can still be friends."

"Of course, you're my best friend, remember?"

"Well, don't worry Keibo, I'm sure there's a girl out there for somewhere" said Mayu. "Well, I'll see ya later then. Hope you get better soon." Then she left the room.

'Well, even if I end up with someone else, I think a part of me will always love you Mayu.' Keibo thought as he went back to sleep.

A.N.: Just a couple more chapters to go.