What you mean to me

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

KONOHAGAKURE NO SATO (few years after the end of fourth shinobi war)

It was a hot sunny day in the ninja capital of Hi no kuni, a good day for the average ninja to be up and about either training, preparing for a mission or better yet, already on a mission. The civilians were going around their usual routine and the children playing in the parks or running through the marketplace. Overall the village was bustling with activity and encompassed in serenity. Being a ninja village, Konoha has seen its fair share of strifes and bloodshed but in spite of all, it survived. It survived and it flourished under the watchful eyes of the now seven visage that overlook Konoha from the sides of the mountain. These seven pairs of eyes belong to shinobis who were and even to present day are, a cut above the extraordinary. They were the pillars that protected this village. They were the hands that created this village, the arms that carried the weight of its each son and daughter, the faces that kept the populace calm and gave them moral courage, the chest that took the blows of evil meant for the natives, the soul that healed all the pain meant for the village and disregarded their own, the eyes that never shut and remained vigilant towards the need of

their comrades and the body that endured all the hardships and converted it to an adamantine shield that stood between the village and its enemies. These were the shinobi worthy for the duty that is not for the faint of hearts. A duty that is never complete. A duty for which one must kill his own emotions and needs and be ready to make decisions that would haunt him for the rest of life, for only then could he do justice to his station. These were the Hokages, the shadows that protected the village.

The current hokage, popularly called as the 'Savior of the World', having rightfully earned that title, was a force to be reckoned with. He is supposedly the strongest shinobi in the whole ninja world and everyone accepted it. And it was not because he had the kyuubi sealed inside him nor because of the perpetual supply of chakra from nature itself that followed his will. No, it was because he endured. He endured everything thrown at him with a smile and gave his all to protect his comrades. From childhood he was hated by those he swore to protect and yet, protect he did. Countless times he stood between Konoha and her doom, countless time he fell but he always stood back up and continued to stand for Konoha and her people. It was his unyielding faith that turned foes into allies. His tenacity and perseverance that turned the tide of battles. That is the person who is known as Naruto Uzumaki, currently sitting in the hokage's chair.

(in the hokage office)

There was a sudden knock on the door. The Hokage expectantly looked up to watch his secretary bring more paperwork but was pleasantly suprised to see another well familiar face.

"Hokage sama, this is the list of the eligible candidates for the next batch of medical corps reviewed by both Tsunade shisho and Shizune senpai. Currently we have 42 potential genin candidates in the academy out of which 12 show promise in advanced medical applications while rest are proficient in performing basic first aid and healing common injuries.", said the pink haired kunoichi dressed in a sleeveless dark pink colored tunic with sakura petals on the front and a fan like symbol on the back. The said woman was the current matriarch of the Uchiha clan and wife of Sasuke Uchiha and a close friend of the current hokage.

" For real?", the hokage sounded surprised.

"Of course hokage sama, as I said earlier Tsunade shisho herself reviewed the list.", the voice had a slight icy tinge to it.

"Cmmon Sakura chan, I mean I don't question baa chan and academy's decision but 12 medical nins, thats a lot from a batch of 42. Not that I'm complaining. We do need more shinobis with medical experience in the field. But the number is slightly unexpected.", the hokage replied with slight monotone in his expression.

"Well, what did you expect? Shisho started the medical training facility for all ninjas to have at least basic medical experience about three years ago and made it customary for the academy to induct it in their curriculum. It was supposed to boost our medical corps."

"And as I said, it was one of her best ideas. If only more people focussed on healing rather than hurting, we could have saved more people and this world would be a better place and she would still be with us", he added the last part in his thoughts yet somehow his expression was enough for the woman to understand what he wanted to say.

There was a reason why the strongest of the shinobi felt as if he was the weakest of all. There was a reason why the once goofy kid grew up so much in a small span of weeks. A reason why the person whose sole want was acceptance, no longer wanted to be among the crowd. The one who was always cocky about his strength and indomitable will could no longer believe in his own strength. Being a hokage meant being the strongest in the village but what is all the strength worth if you can't protect what's most precious to you.

"Naruto, I know what you are thinking but you can't change the past. You have to….."

"Don't Sakura chan.", he cut her mid sentence, "I know what you are going to say but that is something I don't want to hear. Not now not ever. You can put the report on the table and I'll read through them and send them back in some time. If that is all, you can go back to your duties." he concluded as he started looking through some documents. The last part was said in the voice that left no room for further discussion.

"Yes hokage sama, that will be all.", she replied in a somber tone. She went towards the door and opened it. But before moving out, she looked back to her blonde friend and sighed. He was looking through some document, seemingly engrossed in it but she knew better. Having been his teammate and a close friend, she knew all his habits. He was masking his pain behind a veil of indifference. Having seen this mask through her childhood days, she understood it and now could easily sense the true emotions behind it. He was hurting and he was hurting bad but he would no longer show it to anyone, not even to her. She wanted to help him. She wanted her old Naruto back but she knew, that Naruto died with the girl whom he cared about the most. She might have felt a little jealous that she was not his most precious person as everyone and she herself thought to be but there was no denying that he gave the position to the only one truly worthy of that position. Funny, being compared to Tsunade and contender to the title of 'world's best medic', she could not even heal the wounds of her best friend.

"Naruto, we all want what's best for you. She would have wanted that too." and she left the room closing the door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As Sakura left the room, Naruto could no longer keep his composure. He sighed as a lone drop of tear fell through his eyes. Before it could escalate, he tried to compose himself. He chuckled sadly "What she would have wanted huh, she would have wanted me to be with her. She would have wanted a long life and a family to spend it with. She would have wan…." he choked while whispering to himself. The memory of their last talk being too much than what he could handle right now. "She wanted me to live and fulfill my dreams no matter what and thats the only reason why I'm here."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(meanwhile at an unknown distant land)

"The same eyes again, just who is that boy. Why can't I remember his face? And how do I know him" thought the young girl sitting on grass looking over the lake situated in the middle of the forest. She tried her best to enjoy the serenity of the tranquil water body but her mind was too turbulent with her thoughts. The same thought that had left her with more questions than answers, that had invaded most of her inner monologue. "The way you keep appearing in my dreams, I know you are someone important to me. But why can't I remember. Please tell me, who are you with such sparkling blue eyes and what do you mean to me."

AN- Hi everyone . This is my first story ever on fanfiction. I don't have much to say but I'm excited to see the response (if there is any). All reviews are welcome flame, constructive criticism, no review. All is fine with me ;)