Sorry for the long wait, I had homework and a bad case of writers block. Anyway, here's the next chapter…
Ch 5: A New Promise
Sakura was waiting anxiously at the village gate. Tsunade told her that Naruto's team was heading back. A bright smile was on her face as she heard that they were returning, but a frown replaced it after Tsunade continued and told her of their condition. Sakura even asked to read the message Naruto sent.
It had only been about a day since then, time seemed slow as she was worrying about them. Knowing that with the little strength and chakra they should be arriving in a few more days, but Sakura wasn't leaving the gate. She was pacing back and forth as she waited impatiently for Naruto and company to arrive. Who knows if they will be ambushed? Kakashi and Sasuke were currently walking toward her, both noticed her unease. Hands were shoved in both of their pockets. "You know they shouldn't be here so quickly Sakura." The Jonin said, his eye followed her movements. Sasuke on the other hand, looked as if he would rather be somewhere else. His gaze was elsewhere.
"I can't," the medic answered nervously before stopping to look at her sensei. "Naruto could be close to death as well as his team. Returning with the small amount of chakra and rest alone could kill them. Not to mention that their injuries could be fatal and infected. And if they were to get attacked, what would happen? What if Akatsuki were the ones responsible for the mission? Naruto would be right in their hands." The Uchiha perked up his ears at the mention of the organization Itachi belonged to.
"Sakura, I can understand your panic, but loosing faith in him won't make you feel relieved. Besides, Takeshi Keisen is there to watch after him." Sakura nodded sadly.
"He promised he would."
"Do you doubt him?"
The kunoichi shook her head, "I don't even know him, but I read in Naruto's message that he's in the worst condition." Sakura looked at the silver haired man. "You know him?"
"Of course, we're both Jonin and have had several missions together. He's true to his word. You have nothing to worry about."
"Hopefully he'll get here before I can't save him…" the medic's attention was again to the large gate, her body was trembling, which both males noticed.
"It would be a loss to this village; his jutsu can be quite helpful. He's stronger than you may think." Sakura made no motion that she was listening, but she was.
There were a few moments of silence; the other two noticed she was still filled with worry. 'Naruto… don't forget you promised.'
"We should probably go, Sak-" Kakashi began but the girl interrupted.
"Open the gate!" she shouted.
"What?" one of the guards asked, confused and startled with her demand.
"Naruto's close. Open the gate!"
"Sakura…" the gate opened and she ran out quickly. Just as she exited, Naruto and his team appeared from the branches. Kakashi and a few other shinobi rushed to their aid.
"Naruto!"
The boy looked up giving a tired smile. "Hey Sakura! You need to help Keisen!" they entered the gates with the help of the others and they closed to keep out any intruders. The blonde put the Jonin on the ground so Sakura could inspect him, sending green chakra through his body.
"Details Naruto," the medic said.
"Most of the blows he has were meant for me, but he took them head on - just like he promised. There was a strange jutsu used-"
"This is bad! His internal organs are shutting down along with severe dehydration! I have to get him into the ER." She quickly inspected the others. "You guys look better, but you need to go to the hospital also, we can't afford to loose any more shinobi. Get them to the hospital," she looked at Kakashi, Sasuke and anyone else, "if I'm to save Keisen, I have to go now." Sakura used the strength the Hokage taught her and stood up with Keisen on her back. She held his legs which were wrapped around her waist and his arms around her neck. "Tell Tsunade and Shizune that Naruto and the rest of his team are here and that I'm in the ER." With that she sped off. "I'll see you later Naruto!"
"It should have taken you a couple days to return," Kakashi moved over to help stabilize the blonde.
"Keisen's life was on the line, he saved mine; it's only fair I do the same." Naruto looked back at the others, "I pushed them hard so we could get here as quickly as possible." His vision was going black, due to loss of chakra and energy. The copy-nin caught him before he fell to the ground.
"You all need rest." The silver haired Jonin said to the other three, who nodded. "Keisen is in good hands with Sakura. Don't doubt her. She'll do what she can to save him."
"We know she will," one of them spoke. "She's done the same for me. Hopefully we made it in time for him to be saved."
"All we can do is wait and pray." Other shinobi had helped the injured; Kakashi was carrying the unconscious blonde. 'I'm getting too old for this…' Sasuke followed behind the others, he had felt out of place, but didn't think of it. He knew he would, he never succeeded in the main reason he left, so why wouldn't he?
--
It had been a few hours since the team had returned, a crowd had gathered around Naruto, being his teammates. They had suffered non-life threatening injuries and were at the Kyuubi vessels bedside after their wounds were dressed. Naruto had just regained consciousness and his team and also Team 7, minus Sakura were there. "Are you sure you're going to be alright, Naruto?" one of his concerned companions asked.
"I'll be fine, Arata," he smiled, "don't worry about me. If there is anyone you have to worry about, keep Keisen in mind."
"You gave Sakura quite a scare there Naruto." Kakashi was leaning on the wall – Sasuke beside him with his arms crossed and eyes closed as if he could care less. The copy-nin lowered his book so he could look at his usually hyper student.
"I bet, I remember telling her about my mission, she wasn't sure if I should go."
"Well, you two have become closer. She's always cared, even if she has a weird way of showing it." Kakashi smiled slightly under his mask. No sooner had he spoke, the door opened, getting all attention – and even surprisingly Sasuke's, though it was just a slight tilt of the head.
In walked a tired looking Sakura, she was covering a yawn as she gave a small smile. Her eyes were half lidded and chakra was extremely low. "Sakura, how is Keisen?"
"If you had come five minutes later, I would have lost him, being my first patient." Breathes of relief went around – minus Sasuke, of course. "His internals were torn up, any longer and they would be beyond repair. Keisen also suffered dehydration; he's on fluid right now. I was able to mend the broken bones as best I could, but he'll have to stay in the hospital for observation and until his wounds are completely healed."
"Can we see him?" one of the shinobi asked.
"He's resting, I'm not allowed to let anyone go in, but if you would promise to be quiet and be there no longer than five minutes. Room 316."
"Thank you," the three said in unison and bowed with respect as they made for the door.
"I'll go and make sure you leave in that time frame." She received a few nods as they exited.
Only the original members of Team 7 were left in the room. The kunoichi looked at her blonde friend. "How are you?" she walked over to him and took a seat on the chair beside him, placing a hand on his forehead.
"Better." He answered, watching her carefully, as were the other two males.
Sakura smiled, as she placed her hand on his back and caused her hand to glow. Naruto quickly grabbed her wrist. "Don't heal me. You've already used enough on Keisen. I'm fine. You're drained and you can barely stand. I can't have you dieing on me, Sakura." The three were surprised with his seriousness. It was rare, but there every once in a while. Kakashi and Sasuke silently agreed, though the Uchiha was wondering why he cared – just a little. Those bonds were long gone, years ago.
"I'm fine, Naruto." The medic insisted, trying to wedge herself out of his grip, which didn't work.
"Don't do it, Sakura. I'll send Kakashi or Sasuke to tell Grandma Tsunade to suspend you from the hospital and missions if you try to use more chakra than you have."
Sakura managed to pull her hand away, "…Fine… I was just worried. Hearing about you and your teams' condition had me scared…" Naruto nodded, Kakashi already told him.
"C'mon Sakura, I never back down on my promises. Believe it!" Now he was back to the same old Naruto every one knew and loved. Sasuke suppressed a smirk; he would not renew those bonds he had broken. He wouldn't… They meant nothing to him…
"Sakura, you should go home and get some rest," Kakashi suggested; apprehension in his voice.
"Yeah, Sakura. You can always come back once you've rested." Naruto added.
"You sure?"
"Hn." Everyone looked at the dark haired Uchiha. "Still annoying." Sasuke was looking out the window, his features still impassive.
"Go Sakura, you need rest now, and so do I." Naruto broke the awkward silence and tension. He didn't want anything bad to go on between those he cared so much for.
"Alright, I'll see you later then. Bye Naruto, Kakashi… Sasuke…" she exited and there was silence. About a minute or too later, pink hair could be seen down below in the streets through the window – in which everyone was looking out – with the other members of Naruto's team dispersing in different directions, bidding good-byes. Sakura was met with Ino, who came running up to her.
It had been long enough.
The rustling of sheets pulled Kakashi's and Sasuke's attention. However, as Sasuke looked in that direction, he met a solid fist in the face – clearly not expecting that. He hit the wall he was leaning on.
"Naruto!" Kakashi scolded, quietly, but his words went unheeded.
Growling, Sasuke looked at Naruto. "What's your problem?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"You…" Naruto scolded lowly, fists clenched to his side, again surprising the others. "Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to treat others like that? Can't you just once accept the fact that you have people who care? Can you at least back off of Sakura with your insults? She doesn't deserve it!"
"I never asked for you to care about me." Sasuke replied his tone also low and composed, though a little hint of anger was seeping through. He glared at Naruto.
"You may not have asked, but we do, whether you like it or not. We called you friend and we still do. I don't care how you treat me, but Sakura deserves better than that from you, at least be nice."
"Hn." Sasuke crossed his arms and continued to glare at him. "And why should I do that? She'll only try to chase after me again."
"Well she hasn't been doing that since you came back, has she?" Naruto countered. "She's changed, Sasuke, I don't even know if she loves you after everything that's happened. All I know is that she has defended you countless times, defended your name. She had become quite good at hiding what she feels for you, even if asked, there is no lie or truth in her eyes that are detectable. Ask anyone."
"Good, now there's one less girl to stalk me." Sasuke said, he was ready for the next punch, but none came.
"We don't even know you anymore, but mark my words, Sasuke; we'll get the old you back. No matter how long it takes." With that Naruto walked back over to his bed. "And you know I never go back on my promises."
The Uchiha glared out the window. 'You can try, Naruto, I will not go back.'
Kakashi sighed inwardly, placing a hand to the side of his head, scratching it. 'I guess I shouldn't expect any more or less from these two. Though it would be nice to see the old Sasuke again.' He looked at Naruto. "Naruto, we'll leave you so you can rest. Ready Sasuke?"
"Hn. Whatever." Came the response as he walked ahead.
'Hopefully Naruto can back up his words.' The copy-nin followed, closing the door softly behind him, leaving the blonde behind to think.
--
As soon as Sakura exited Naruto's room, she went to the see Keisen. She opened the door quietly, seeing the three watching him as if his life would slip away if they weren't watching. "Times up," the medic said softly.
"Will you have the nurses call us if he wakes?" Arata asked, he and the others still not taking their eyes off of him.
"Of course," the kunoichi moved aside so they could walk by one after another. Once they walked passed, she looked at the Jonin, who had tubes sticking from his arm to hydrate him. An oxygen mask over his mouth, his lungs were one of the organs that were the worst. "Get better so I can thank you personally for protecting Naruto." She whispered and shut the door and walked toward the others who were waiting at the end of the hall.
She gave the nurses orders to call the three if Keisen woke up. A gentle breeze passed as she opened the door. It felt good. Allowing her to cool down after such a long surgery. The others left their own ways, weary from their mission and to their own beds. "Forehead!"
'Ino-pig…' Sakura sighed in defeat; all she wanted to do was rest.
"Forehead, what's up?" Ino stopped when she seen the exhausted look on her face. "You look tired."
"Just had a few hour long surgery," Sakura explained.
The blonde female was observing her, 'Her chakra is low, so is her energy.' She looked at her friend. "You should go rest."
"I'm fine, Ino."
"No you're not!" Ino snapped. "You always push yourself. Go rest!"
"I'm-"
"Sakura, go rest! I'll tell Tsunade you don't need to be at the hospital or on missions."
'Now she's starting to sound like Naruto.' The pink haired teen looked down, "Fine, I was actually going home until you arrived."
"Go home; I'll see you later, Forehead." Ino waved as she walked to wherever her destination.
"Bye," Sakura said as she continued on her way. When she opened the door to her apartment, discarding her sandals and locking the door behind her she jumped on the couch, greeted by comfort. A deep breath of content escaped her lips. 'I'll just rest a while.'
The next morning had come and Sakura felt revived, her chakra restored. Within a few hours she went back to the hospital to check on Keisen's status. He was stable. That was good. She spent about an hour healing some more of his injuries and refilling the fluids. The blue haired seventeen year old was slowly healing. Sakura was glad Naruto made it in time. Now all they had to do was wait.
Next she made it to her Naruto's room; she knocked softly in case he was asleep. She turned the knob when she heard an answer. "How are you doing today, Naruto?"
"Better." The future Hokage smiled cheerfully. "How are you? Did you get enough rest? You look healthier this morning."
"Yeah, a good nights' sleep was all I needed. I just checked on Keisen, he's getting better slowly. Can you tell me about this jutsu?" Sakura took a seat beside him.
"Well, it was powerful. It strong enough to put the rest of us in Keisen's condition but he managed to use a jutsu to counter it and it attacked him with all the strength that was meant to be slit. From what we seen, it attacked both inside and outside the body, though we didn't know about the inside until the other medic informed us to get him to you."
Sakura nodded, "It attacks both so that way the one trapped a greater chance of dieing."
Silence.
"What happened when I was gone?"
"You know, working at the hospital. Nothing new."
"No… I mean… with Sasuke back…"
"…I haven't seen him much while you on your mission… Not like he would socialize anyway… and between working here, I wouldn't be able to see him. Just every once in a while around the village."
"I promise to get the old Sasuke back." Naruto promised.
"He won't if he doesn't care about us; you remember how he was when he was with Orochimaru… His bonds are broken…"
"Have you given up?" Naruto asked.
The kunoichi shook her head slowly, eyes lowered. "I didn't say I gave up, I want it the way things were before he left. If you do bring him back, it may take longer than you think. He's not going to change willingly."
"I know, but I'll get him back, no matter how long it takes. This is another promise to you, Sakura, believe it!" he pumped his fist in the air.
Sakura giggled, "And you have always kept your promises, I believe in you. All the way." She gave him a supporting embrace, one he returned before the two had started talking about some other things – unaware that a few rooftops away they were being watched.
'Hn. They don't need me, and I clearly don't need them.' He had been watching since Sakura had taken a seat beside the loud mouth blonde and prepared himself to leave. 'And I never will…'
Again sorry for the lateness, writers block sucks big time. There wasn't a whole lot of action in this, except for Naruto socking Sasuke. Maybe after a few good hits Sasuke will come back to his senses, I plan on one more encounter between the two, but that should be in a few more chapters. Again, sorry for the lateness. Reviews and criticism are appreciated. Thanks and let me know what you thought.