Another Chapter is here!

Enjoy!

With a steady breath and a calm mind, Sakura breathed in slowly as she sat on her bed cross-legged after waking up. It was part of her morning practice that she had been taught by Kurenai. Her eyes were closed, her focus centered within the blank canvas of her imagination as she slowly began the process of molding Yin chakra within her body.

The art of illusion was one that was subtle, whether it was using one's creativity to dictate the perceptions of reality for a foe through internal techniques or weaving into the world that which dwelled within the mind. Sakura chose to practice her external technique for this morning's exercise, using her chakra as the paint and her room as the canvas.

The Yin chakra seeped out of her tenketsu and coated the room, becoming a film that covered the walls and forming a territory where the effect could take hold. Connected to her mind through the chakra, vivid imagery took shape before she locked it into place. Opening her eyes, Sakura found herself sitting within a forest as the sun rose over the treetops with the Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings technique.

Though it seemed perfect, careful inspection revealed there was a flaw in the illusion with the leaves and bark holding the same patterns. It was a mistake that could cost someone their life if seen through on the battlefield. That was unacceptable.

Had she been overambitious to the extent that her mind overlooked something so simple? Or was she distracted by something else? Footfalls caught her ears before she could figure it out.

Sakura dismissed the illusion and her room came into view again as there was a knock on her door. "Yes?"

"Breakfast is ready," her mother, Mebuki Haruno, said through the door.

Sakura got dressed and went to the dining room. There she noticed her father's absence. "I thought Dad was due back last night?"

Her mother shook her head. "No, it would seem that his mission has been extended due to some complications near the border to the Land of Sound. But he sent a message saying that he'll be fine and sends his love."

She supposed it couldn't be helped as she sat at the table. While her mother had retired from being a kunoichi, her father was an active shinobi. Despite not being ranked higher than her, he was a senior shinobi with years of experience under his belt compared to her few months.

"Are you visiting the hospital again?" her mother asked, making small talk.

"Kakashi-sensei should be getting ready to be released and I wanted to see him and Lee before I went to see if there were any D-rank missions available for me to take alone, since our team is dissolved for the time being. I should work on raising the number of missions under my record while I can."

While she could try asking Sasuke if he wasn't doing anything at the moment, after yesterday she doubted that he would accompany her on something like that. Kurenai-sensei would also be recovering at the moment and not liable to teach her anything new, plus she had her own students to train. And Naruto was undergoing private training now that he was a Chuunin.

"We should go shopping together sometime, just us girls," her mother said, looking at her clothes. "I think you could use a change of clothes since you're growing now. Or maybe something to suit your shorter hair?"

"It couldn't hurt…" If anything, Sakura imagined that her mother felt lonely with her father gone. And it had been a while since they'd done anything together. "Sure."

"Of course, we still need to find another shop that sells our usual style of clothes as well." She held her hand to her chin. "Zhen had been such a wonderful tailor. It's a shame she didn't make it…"

Sakura stopped eating when she heard the name of the older woman. It brought up a feeling of guilt in the pit of her stomach.

Her mother took notice. "Is something wrong?"

Sakura shook her head and then forced down the rest of her food before heading out towards the hospital, after a quick stop to Ino's family flower shop to pick some up for her teachers. Since Kurenai's room was closer, Sakura decided to visit her first. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were there already when she knocked on the door.

"Sorry if I'm intruding," Sakura told her as entered the room when Hinata opened the door.

"Not at all," Kurenai said, sitting up while her other students sat before her. "You're as welcomed as my other students. I just wish that it was in a more pleasant setting than a hospital room."

"I bought a get-well bouquet, but I should have expected you'd have received some already." To be exact, there were two other bouquets already on the stand next to her bed, one of which was… roses?

"I'm rather fortunate to have so many people care enough to bring me flowers," Kurenai said, accepting them tenderly. "Have you been keeping up your training since last we met?"

"Yes, ma'am," Sakura said.

"Good. You have a lot of potential in that field. With the use of a few supplementary techniques, I feel that you'll almost certainly make Chuunin during the next exams."

Kiba chuckled a bit. "Well, if Naruto could make Chuunin it should be a cinch for the rest of us next time around."

That comment earned him a few stern looks, but it was Hinata that spoke up. "He worked hard to earn his rank. You shouldn't say it like it was easy, Kiba-kun."

"Jeez, I was kidding," Kiba said, rubbing the back of his neck at being chastised. "Me and Naruto are cool. We even hashed things out over Ramen last night to celebrate with the squirts he hangs out with. If you don't believe me, just go ask him a few doors down."

Sakura blinked at that. "Naruto's here?"

"Yeah, Akamaru caught his and Sasuke's scent when we were on the way in." He tilted his to the right. "They lead to your Sensei's room."

Sakura pardoned herself and then left out of the room to go see her team. The door to Kakashi's room opened abruptly before she reached it. Sasuke walked out and past her, towards the exit, without a word.

Then Naruto came out of the room. "Sasuke, you can't just—" He noticed Sakura. "—oh, Sakura-chan. You're here too?"

"I came to visit Kakashi-sensei," she said, turning her head to Sasuke's back as he walked away. "What's wrong with Sasuke?"

Naruto frowned. "He came saying he wants Kakashi-sensei to teach him how to use his Sharingan better and then left out when he agreed. He didn't even bother saying 'get-well' or anything. "

Hearing that, she was reminded of how he was during the early days of their team formation. "You mean it's like he's going back to how he used to be?"

"Just give him time," Kakashi said, standing at the doorway in a hospital shirt and pants. His mask and eye covering were on his face too, as per usual. He fixed his gaze on Sasuke. "The encounter hit him rather hard on a personal level and he's feeling anxious. Once he's had time to settle down, everything will be fine."

Sakura wanted to take his word for it, but had her doubts to an extent. "And are you okay, Sensei?"

"If anything I'm feeling a bit too restless from all the sleep I've gotten, but once the final examination is done I'll be free to go." He walked back inside and they followed him into the room. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he looked them over as Sakura set the flowers down on the stand by the bed.

"First of all, let me congratulate you on your promotion to Chuunin, Naruto," he said, taking in the sight of Naruto's flak jacket. "You've come a long way from how you used to be."

"Yeah. I owe a lot of people for that," Naruto said humbly. "Especially you guys. Now I've just got to live up to it, so I've been working hard to improve. I've even learned my elemental affinity and an awesome technique called the Rasengan."

Kakashi seemed to perk up at that last one. "You did?"

"What is the 'Rasengan' exactly?" Sakura asked.

"It's an A-rank technique created by the Fourth Hokage, done through shape manipulation and chakra control," Kakashi said. "If Naruto really has learned it, he would be the fourth person in history to be able to use it."

"Watch," Naruto said before conjuring a clone. He then held his hand out as the clone made strange gesturing motions until a spiraling sphere of blue chakra took shape in the palm of the original's hands. "See?"

"Let me compare it," Kakashi said as he held his right hand out and then gripped his wrist with the left hand. A spiraling sphere of his own that matched Naruto's formed. "No doubt about it. That's definitely the Rasengan."

Naruto and his clone look dumbfounded. In stereo, they said, "You can do it too!?"

"I did say you were the fourth. I was a student of the Fourth Hokage and learned it when I was young, but the technique isn't very suitable for me because I couldn't complete it. Likewise, Jiraiya was the one who originally trained Minato-sensei and was taught it as well, so I assume it was him who taught you it. How long did it take you to learn it?"

"Less than a week," he said as the clone disappeared. "I can't get it down without the clone just yet."

"It's beyond impressive that you managed to learn to form it that quickly," Kakashi told him. "It took the Fourth Hokage around three years to create it. I took a few months to be able to craft it on my own, and I could never complete the technique fully."

"It looks completed to me," Naruto said, looking pensively at it.

"I mean that the technique is in its rawest form," Kakashi said as his technique dissipated. "It lacks a nature transformation. I tried to infuse my own element into it, but it proved too difficult for even me and I created the Chidori instead to use in the war. You've come further than I could have imagined in such a short time, so maybe you'll be able to perfect it where we couldn't."

Sakura couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised that he managed to learn what was supposed to be an A-rank technique over less than a week. It had to be between when he disappeared and then came back with that woman who helped Sasuke. And Sasuke had learned the Chidori as well over the course of the month they were apart.

In comparison, she only learned a few techniques and none of them were as powerful as theirs were. It seemed every time that they disappeared from her view they were getting further ahead of her… or what if she was holding them back in the end, and they could only flourish when she wasn't with them?

"And you, Sakura, are similarly coming along nicely," Kakashi said, as though reading her mind. "You've gained practical experience in using both Yin and Yang chakra not even a full year out of the Academy. That's something few others can claim. You have a sharp mind and excellent control, meaning you'll be able to do many things with enough training. Be proud of that."

"… Thank you," she told him.

Then there was a knock on the door.

[0-0-0]

Shizune tried to repress the feeling welling-up in her stomach as she knocked on the door of the last patient Her Lady had treated for psychological damage, having already cleared one yesterday and another minutes ago. But it was easier said than done. After all, the Hokage's words still weighed heavily on her mind.

He wanted her to spearhead a course for medical training, meant to serve as an introduction to those without experience so that they could perform simple treatments in an emergency situation, such as closing wounds that would either bleed-out or hinder movement. Those that had exemplary skill in the practice could be placed later into an accelerated course, enough to gain their certification in a shorter time. While it pleased her to have his trust despite being gone for so long, she had her doubts about if she was qualified to do so when she had only just gotten back.

Tonton, the small ninja pig that chose to go with her while their mistress was still at home, wiggled her snout at the door before turning to Shizune. "Buhi."

"There's someone we've met inside?" She got a nod in response before the door opened, revealing Naruto and the girl she had seen the day that they had gotten back. "Hello, Naruto-kun."

"Shizune-nee?" His slightly surprised expression turned to one of realization. "Oh, you must be the one who's here to clear Kakashi-sensei to leave the hospital."

She nodded as she entered into the room, Tonton following in her footsteps. "It shouldn't take too long. All I'm doing is making sure there are no lasting problems that need to be addressed."

That said, both Naruto and the girl accompanying him sat out of the way as she hovered over the patient and began her work diligently. Though she doubted that there would be anything wrong, given that it was Tsunade who had dealt with the psychological damage, it was good practice to follow-up afterwards. It also helped with maintaining Her Lady's anonymity.

After five minutes of thoroughly examining him, Shizune gave him a clear bill of health. "You're all clear."

"That's great!" Naruto said with a bright smile. "Thanks, Shizune-nee."

Shizune shook her head. In the end, she was just checking on the flawless work done by Her Lady. There was nothing to thank her for. She excused herself while Naruto began to talk to his Sensei about something else, making her way down the hallway, when the girl who was with Naruto came running after her.

"Is there something wrong?" Shizune asked.

"I'm sorry if I'm imposing on you, but I was wondering if there was another patient you could look at, if you have the time?" she asked. "He was injured some time ago and told that he might not be able to remain a shinobi, but I'm hoping that there might something the medics have missed that you might be able to catch."

"I… suppose I can take a look," Shizune said cautiously. It wasn't as though she couldn't take a few minutes to do so. "But if the other medics have given their assessment, I doubt I'll find something amiss."

The pink-haired girl that introduced herself as Naruto's teammate, Sakura Haruno, led Shizune to the room of a young man with bowl-cut hair and thick eyebrows, where she ran a diagnostic on him and found the reason why they have given their assessment. "I'm sorry, but you have bone fragments lodged in your spine. They're not harmful to your daily living if you don't undergo strenuous activity, but it is certainly the type of injury that will leave you unable to continue as a shinobi."

"So it's hopeless?" the young man asked in his wheelchair.

"It would require a high-risk surgery to remove them. At best, I would give you less than a fifty-percent chance of recovering if the surgeon is skilled enough." And, taking an estimated guess, even someone with Tsunade's level of skill would raise the odds to a borderline fifty-percent rate.

Yet, despite such low odds, a flash of hope appeared on the boy's face. "You mean there's a chance that I could continue if I undergo the surgery?"

"Technically, yes," she said. "But, as I've said, the odds are rather low even in the hands of the most skilled surgeon. It would be an extensive surgery and require a long period of rehabilitation, not even taking into account your recent injuries. And that's only if it's successful. If it fails, you'll die—there's no middle-ground in-between."

His eyes looked dejected for a moment, horrified even. That was natural, given that it was his life that was being wagered on what amounted to an elective surgery. There was no one who would blame him for retiring due to the nature of the injury, and he was young enough that he would be able to find a new career without trouble.

Then his expression hardened. Remaining seated, he bowed his head towards her. "Miss, if you can find a surgeon capable, I want to undergo the surgery as soon as possible."

Shizune was briefly surprised by the statement and finality in the tone of his words. There was no hesitation, despite what she said. "Are you sure that's what you want? If you die then that's it. You'll be leaving behind everyone you know and care about."

"I understand that." There was a hitch in his voice as he forced the words out. "I am… terrified of the thought of dying. The thought of leaving behind my Sensei, my team, my friends, and my family terrifies me. However, even more than that, I am terrified of the notion of turning down an opportunity such as this when I'd given up all hope until now."

His voice wavered for a pause after admitting his weakness and hesitance and fear. "I had always dreamed of becoming a splendid shinobi to protect the village, despite everything I went through. Yet, when the attack happened, there was little I could do despite knowing that there were enemies attacking the people I cared about and vowed to protect. I was forced to accept that because I believed that there was nothing that could be done. I cannot express how painful that feeling was."

Shizune's heart grew heavier as she listened to his earnest words. The sentiment was shared by Sakura, who held her hands close to her chest, and even Tonton, whose ears lowered as she stared at the tear drops that had pooled at the base of his feet.

"If I were to turn down this opportunity because I was afraid of dying, then it would be even worse than death itself," he said, falling out of the wheelchair and to his knees, placing his head on the ground in a pose of supplication. "I would be dishonoring all those who chose to fight to their last breath, to my Sensei that put his very soul into training me, and to myself for letting my fear control me. I would rather die doing all I can to protect them to the bitter-end, rather than sit out and live with the knowledge that I didn't do everything I could to once more fight for the people I care about. I don't want to have such regrets, so please…"

"…Even if you say that, there's still the matter of finding a surgeon who would consent to the operation," Shizune said as she crouched down and laid a hand on his shoulder. "I'll consult with someone I believe to be capable, but I have to warn you that there's a chance they'll also decline."

"That is all I can ask," the boy said, looking up. He was truly desperate. Not just for himself, but for the sake of others. "If there is even a slight chance of success, I will take it without regret."

Looking into the pleading pair of eyes, Shizune couldn't help but wonder if she had made things worse by offering him hope when there was possibly none to be found in the end…