--looks at reviews-- HOLY SNAP!! I'm in love. Thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers, I love you all. --throws confetti and cyber cookies-- Now I think I'll thank you all by name, starting with the first reviewer, 0smidogen0, Naruki Uzumaki, fallin' sakura-tenshi, hizmit 12-waterlily3721, Yurahime Haruno, NorthernLights25, Karou Uchiha-san and a last minute Empress Caroline of Tamaran and anyone else that read, I love you all, and thank you all so much for the reviews.

I thought I'd see if I could get an early update in for you guys since you all are so wonderful. So here's a New Years gift. Now to carry on…

Ch 2: Answers

The large gates came into view quickly the formation still in a triangular shape. Sweat, blood, exhaustion and shortness of breath were going around for the anxious four. "Sasuke how is she?" Kakashi turned his head just enough to see him from ahead. The arrangement was Kakashi in front, Sai on the right rear and Naruto on the left, both behind Sasuke but toward the edge.

The last Uchiha looked down at the barely conscious girl in his arms. Sakura was able to move her head enough to glance up at a familiar face through somewhat blurred vision. A small smile formed on her now pale lips as she recognized who it was, at least she knew she was safe. The voices of her other teammates also guaranteed her safety. She opened her mouth to say something until her eyes became dilated and Sasuke took notice and was about to ask her if she knew what was going on, since she was a medic and may know what the symptoms are to whatever was wrong, until she fell unconscious. "She just lost consciousness," Sasuke answered. "Her body is getting cold and her skin is turning pale."

"Did she say anything?" Naruto asked, looking at his dark-haired friend.

"No," Sasuke tilted his head to speak. "She was about to say something until her eyes dilated."

"Kakashi-sensei, what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know, Naruto." The Jonin answered truthfully. "But we have to get her back to Konoha and to the Hokage; she should be able to tell us what's wrong."

"The gates are just up ahead," Sai answered before Naruto could ask. Obviously the situation had left him oblivious to the village entrance just a few feet in front of them.

"Open the gate!" someone shouted hurriedly as the large door opened just as the order was given. "What happened to Sakura?" a man, perhaps in his thirties asked. His hair was rough and still a youthful brown and his eyes were stern and hard, the same color as his hair.

Sasuke was the one who answered as he and the others continued to run through the opening. "We were ambushed by rogue ninja and she was fine until we were on our return."

"Let us know how she is after you get her to the Hokage," the old man called after, getting a nod from the blonde and ANBU. More civilians gathered around the man, asking what was going on and if that was Sakura who was being carried by the once traitor to the village. He gave them a truthful answer that it was and he wasn't sure what was going on.

Sakura had become well known in the village, of course not only because she was Tsunade's student, but also because she had given so much to the village. She had given many people their lives back, staying up with those who thought they were about to die and comforting them throughout their hardship. Families thanked her for doing everything for their loved ones and she had become the Blossom of Konoha. Her skills saved many and the smile she gave shown brightest when it seemed all hope was lost. Even allies had asked her for her help when their own medics came across a difficult case, which she was usually able to find quickly and that also was a huge benefit for their alliance.

----

Tsunade snapped her head around with an annoyed expression when the front door to the hospital burst open. The Hokage was about to give the person a piece of her mind until she recognized all of them. Four men and in the arms of the one running in front of them all was her pink-haired apprentice, "Sakura!" The blonde leader of the village ran at Sasuke. "What happened?!"

"We don't know," Sasuke responded, following the woman to a hospital room with the other three on their heels. The nurses placed hands to their mouths and gasped in horror as they watched pink disappear down a long hall. Sasuke continued to explain as he ran after the head doctor. "After we entered our borders we were ambushed by a large group of missing shinobi and were off in our own battles. Afterward, we – minus Sakura – regrouped and went to look for her. When I found her she said she was healing a wound and healed Kakashi before we left. She was fine until we were about two miles from here when she couldn't breathe."

"What kind of injury?" her question was curious and demanded at the same time.

"We don't know," Naruto answered.

The blonde female pondered on the thought as she entered an already open door and stood to the side, letting everyone in before she closed it for privacy. Sasuke laid his teammate on the hospital bed and stepped back to give Tsunade some room before she shoved him harder. This woman was pushy when it came to her work and he would have started some sort of argument just to tick her off, but now wasn't a time for that. He positioned himself to a wall and leaned against it, just enough to get a clear view of Sakura and Tsunade's working hands, her breathing was still heavy. You couldn't see too much of it, but there was some worry showing on his normal impassive facial features. His eyes narrowed in annoyance as a spiked blonde head blocked his view.

"How is she? Is she all right? What's wrong?" Sasuke punched him on the head to get him to move out of the way. When Naruto looked up at the raven-haired boy, while holding his throbbing head, he noticed something. His friend was staring curiously at the two women, concern was leaking, maybe just a little, and Naruto noticed.

'I remember before Sasuke left,' Naruto turned back toward the women, now quiet and in thought as he watched Tsunade's hands search his teammate for whatever could be wrong.

"Did she have any kind of symptoms?" the Hokage asked.

"Her body started turning cold and her skin became pale before she lost consciousness, that's all."

'I remember when Sasuke put our lives before his, against Gaara, when he told me to save Sakura and get out. Also when she jumped in front of Idate and was stuck with the kunai, he cared some for us back then. But could he start caring for us again now? After he came back from Orochimaru, he had forgotten the values of friendship and concern. His old self is starting to return, the nice side is starting to resurface. He tried to kill me and no compassion was there, but now, I can see it. Even if just a little, my friend is showing himself.' Naruto looked down at his first crush. 'Sakura, he's returning to his old self. I just hope you're alright and that you will see the changes.' The thought of loosing her would kill him, it hurt so much to loose Sasuke and that was devastating. First Sasuke and now possibly Sakura. He couldn't shake the thought, his shoulders shook. "Grandma Tsunade…" he broke the tense silence and the woman looked at him, surprised to see a single tear streaming down his cheek. His teammates were also surprised. "… Please help her. I don't want to loose another friend…"

That struck Sasuke as he realized he was talking about him, about when he left for Orochimaru. Humanity was starting to stir, after he had left it behind when he abandoned his home he hadn't used it. It seemed as if it were decades ago, when in fact it was almost three years. "… Not another…" Naruto's voice continued.

Uchiha was about to leave until Tsunade said something. "I can't find anything wrong. Nothing that would cause this." Her words held frustration and the boys expressions were growing more fearful. "What kind of enemy did she go up against?" she asked more to the unconscious kunoichi than to the others.

"They all had their own unique skill, some even had the same. So whoever Sakura went up against must be using something rare." Kakashi suggested.

"Could be, what if it is some sort of kekkei genkai?" Sai added his own thoughts.

"We won't really know until Sakura comes to," the doctor sighed, concentrating as she worked.

After a few moments of continuing to pour chakra in her student, her breathing leveled out to where it sounded just as if she were sleeping. Color was returning to her cold, pale skin. Tsunade slumped back and took a deep breath, closing her amber eyes. Everyone waited for an explanation. She opened her eyes and turned to meet all the concerned faces. She sighed, "I have never dealt with a case quite like this." She started. "Whatever caused Sakura's lungs to nearly stop and almost giving her a heart attack is beyond me. This is not a normal case, it has to be a jutsu of some kind neither of us have seen or heard of though I can think of very few. Sakura must have been able to heal the heart attack before it could have become dangerous or even started. But… for now at least, Sakura will be fine. I suggest you watch her when she wakes up, watch for any sighs of it recurring. We don't know if it was temporary or something more serious."

"So Sakura's going to be fine," Naruto rushed over to her side, like an obedient dog going to it's master, and placing her hand in his. "Sakura. I'll stay here with you until you wake up."

Again, memories flooded Sasuke's mind. Sakura had stayed by his bedside when he was in the hospital. How many times was it again? He recalled after his brother tampered with his mind and Naruto had to search for Tsunade herself. So that was one. Number two was after the fight with Aoi, during the Land of Tea's race that was held every four years and was on an assignment to protect Idate, the runner. Aoi called him weak and that was unworthy of his family name. The thought made Sasuke scowl inwardly at the thought, but he didn't show any sings. He didn't want the others in the room to think that it was Naruto's loyalty that made him scowl. It was that man, suddenly; he forgot how he started the subject. After a moment to recap, he remembered that Sakura was the one who stayed by his side, like a loyal dog – and now Naruto was doing so.

"You should all go and get some rest," the blonde boy said, turning to the others. "You need it after the mission. I'm going to stay here with her." He managed to give them his biggest grin, though the four could tell that he was equally tired.

"Very well," the wary silver-haired man answered. "We'll stop by later to see how she's doing."

Sai, Kakashi and Sasuke walked out, his ears picking up the Hokages voice as he exited last, catching the small conversation. "I'll stay around the hospital for a little while longer, are you sure you don't want to get some sleep? I can watch her for a while."

Naruto shook his head, still watching Sakura intently, "Uh huh."

"Call for me if something comes up." Tsunade left the boy and her apprentice to themselves.

----

Word had spread quickly among the villagers of Sakura not in the best health, only two hours had passed since they had arrived. Sasuke was now washed and in a fresh pair of clothes, walked down the street of Konoha – hands shoved deep in his pockets. His bangs swayed from side to side as he took slow and steady strides carelessly. Thoughts were swimming through his heads in waves, though two popped out the most. Training sounded good, but he strangely didn't feel like training alone and Naruto was at the hospital and he sure as hell didn't want to spar against Sai, his replacement. This character was irking him to no end. Ever since he had come across his team when they were trying to get him back and learned that Sai had taken his spot, he had felt somewhat disappointed to learn that his place was held for a substitute. The first encounter with this almost replica of himself he could feel the hostility that Naruto and Sakura held for him. He was inwardly relieved to know that they didn't choose him willingly.

Secondly, the hospital had the other half of his attention. True Sakura was his teammate and had been since they were twelve and in not to long it would be her birthday. She would be the first of them to turn sixteen. Images of her by his side when he woke in the infirmary continued to flow in. Couldn't he at least return the favor? Show her that he was still there, in some way? A barely visible frown formed on his lips. She was annoying then, but was she now? No matter what happened then she had stuck by him and Naruto, she stuck as a team should. Naruto was doing so, he was at her side. He smiled slightly when he remembered Naruto trying to impress her, but her infatuation with him always pushed them closer in someway. Throughout his absence, Naruto and Sakura had stuck together the way he should have, but left for his own personal gain. Leaving behind those who called him friend and companion, sure they had their times when they couldn't stand each other, but they still enjoyed each others company. That's what Naruto was doing. Keeping Sakura company while who knows what's wrong with her.

Next thing he knew she could no longer be breathing. Sasuke shook that thought from his head. It had been a long time since he had thought of others other than his clan or himself. He once put their safety before his, now it came back, haunting him upon his return to this village. Naruto and Sakura – even their perverted sensei welcomed him back with open arms after all he put them through. They still treated him as a friend and teammate, even when he tried to kill his best friend. There was a question that he had been meaning to ask Naruto since he had come back. Turning on his heels, Sasuke headed toward the hospital. 'Why?' that question would be answered.

The building came into view and he opened the door, walking quickly down the white halls as if he would be late for an important appointment. Doors and nurses zoomed by with his pace. Some nurses blushed as he walked passed, admiring his features, others greeted him and he merely answered, "Hn," before continuing. Finally, the room drew closer. Sasuke stopped his hand in midair, as if he was suddenly not sure if he should do this. 'What if I loose them?' he argued. 'Could I take getting close to someone and have them taken from me?' he recalled the conversation he had with Kakashi before he was confronted with the Sound Four. About having everyone that ever meant anything to you killed. 'Just like my clan? Sakura? Naruto? Or Kakashi?' Sasuke could picture each of their faces in his head as he mentioned their names. Itachi was gone, he couldn't replay the massacre. Orochimaru and Kabuto were dead and they were out. But what if someone else them? Could he stop another incident to happen? Would he be able to protect them? Courage burned as he again reached for the knob, twisting it and opening the door slowly.

He thought Naruto for sure would have been asleep, but there he was awake. The blonde turned around tiredly. "At least it's you," he administered a relieved smile, "if you were Ino I would have lost the small amount of sanity I have left."

"Ino was here?" Sasuke raised a perfectly arched eyebrow.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah," his attention turned back to Sakura, "she was interrogating me. Asking what happened to Sakura. Actually she was yelling." Sasuke walked up to the wall he occupied earlier, leaning against it as he watched Naruto rub his ears.

'Looks like Ino caused some damage,' the Uchiha smirked, and the idea returned to him. "Naruto…?"

"Hmm…" The kyuubi carrier looked at him, clearly surprised by the tone Sasuke was using. It was almost as if he were unsure of something, not wanting to ask. "What is it Sasuke?" he was curious.

Sasuke was looking out the window, avoiding searching blue eyes. "Naruto… I have a question for you." Now he turned to his blonde friend and asked, "Why do you still consider me a friend, after all I've done, trying to kill you?"

Obviously this question had caught him off guard as Naruto's lips parted as a gasp escaped. This time Naruto averted a pair of dark eyes. At first he was slow to answer, searching for the right words. Sasuke was wondering what was going through his head the moment he asked and looked way as Naruto returned his attention to him as he replied. "… Honestly Sasuke… I wasn't sure why. I tried asking myself that all the time. But I know the answer now…" The dark haired boy was listening, but still turned. "Because you were my friend before you attempted to kill me. I guess, in some way I still trusted you. I've always trusted you, Sasuke, with my life." Sasuke blinked and looked his friend, he wasn't sure if he heard right.

Naruto chuckled a bit at his reaction, "You heard right, Sasuke. I've trusted you with my life."

It was cleat that he was lost for words, attention out the window. He could see children on the ground several feet below. Moments turned to minutes, before he started, "Naruto?"

Silence.

Sasuke shifted his eyes before his concentration was completely on the two. Naruto was slumped over, breathing lightly and light snores here and there. 'Hn,' a small smile etched its way across Sasuke's lips, 'Loser.' He'd watch them, just like old times.

There you all go. This chapter was longer and I was trying to make it so for you guys since you are all so wonderful and I also don't know if the next update will be this quick or not. So I thought a longer chapter may hold you over until I can update again. I hope you liked this chapter and I would like your comments on it in a review. Happy New Year!!