Chapter 9

Taking A Turn For The Worst

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DISCLAIMER: ...I gave up on getting the papers for Naruto...for right now...so in the meantime I think I'll beat up Sasuke.

Tsunade glanced over at the unconscious shinobi, taking her eyes off of her books. The poor thing was unconscious for about a month now, and he still showed no signs of progress. The Godaime let out a sigh and returned to her book, glancing over the last chapter of Shinobi Medical Issues, a bestseller other than the Icha Icha series. Many medical ninja had this book, for it was entertaining, and also had some cures for some sicknesses.

Over this last chapter, the main character Kyakomu, was trying to save one shinobi from death, which was quickly approaching. Tsunade had figured that she could figure out how to react if such a time came with Naruto, she would be prepared.

The door to the hospital room creaked open, and Shizune popped in with some papers in her hands. "Tsunade-sama," she greeted. "We have the results from Naruto-kun's medical examination."

The Godaime sighed and shut her book. "Okay." She muttered as she stretched. "Let me see them." Shizune handed the papers to Tsunade, who went back and sat down near Naruto's hospital bed.

As she read each line, her eyes popped out more. "Nani?" she muttered. "H-How can this be?"

Shizune closed her eyes. "I don't know, Tsunade-sama." She whispered, and left the Godaime alone.

Tears began to creep up into her eyes. There was no way that this would be true. No matter what these papers said, it was not true! "How could…how could it be…this isn't supposed to happen!" she sobbed.

Sakura walked out of her temporary apartment. She had been in Kumogakure for at least 2 weeks now, and everyday she stopped by the hospital and stayed by Naruto's side. Occasionally, she would switch out the red roses that she placed on his stand next to him, and replace them with white lilies.

Surprisingly, Sakura had gotten used to walking on clouds instead of ground, and she felt peaceful while doing so. But they couldn't keep one part of her heart that was always at unease one bit peaceful.

"Konichi wa, Sakura-san!" The nurse behind the counter greeted her as she entered the hospital. "Here to see Naruto-sama?"

Sakura nodded her head, and gratefully took the visitor's pass. As walked down the hallways, a large group of doctors came running out of the room across from Naruto's. "She's awake!" one of them yelled. "Atsuiiki is awake!"

When Sakura could see again, in front of the hospital doorway, was a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She resembled a lot like Naruto, except no whiskers. "Konichi wa," Sakura greeted the girl. "You must be Atsuiiki."

The blonde nodded her head. "You must be Haruno Sakura." She greeted. Sakura cocked her head, as if asking 'How'd you know?' "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Shiyko Atsuiiki."

Sakura glanced at Atsuiiki's size. "Did you have an accident at your academy?" she asked.

Atsuiiki growled, and bashed Sakura on the head. "I'm a Jounin damn it!" Sakura glanced above her bangs. Hidden under them was a Konoha forehead protector.

"So…do you know Kakashi-sensei then?" Sakura asked, and Atsuiiki nodded her head.

"The guy who likes the Icha Icha series and resembles the White Fang? Yep." She answered. "I know everyone."

Sakura smiled. "Oh, I got to go." She said, and turned to go to Naruto's room. Atsuiiki watched as she entered the door to the Uzumaki's room, and she sighed. I hope she doesn't freak…she told herself, and turned around, walking another direction.

Sakura froze when she saw Tsunade crying over at Naruto's hospital bed. "Tsunade-shisho!" she exclaimed and rushed over her. "What's wrong?" Then she glanced down, and saw a stack of papers ruffled on the floor. The Godaime noticed it, and snatched the papers up, and ran away.

There was one sheet left, and Sakura picked it up. It read 'Uzumaki Naruto's Examination Results'. "Shannaro!" she growled. "I need to read that!" Out of anger, she slammed her fist down on the stand next to Naruto, and the vase that the flowers were in cracked. "Oh crap!"

Normally, she didn't believe in omens, but this scared her. Water slowly leaked out from the broken glass, and Sakura quickly took the vase of the table.

When the place was clean, Sakura rested over near Naruto. Softly, she began to stroke his cheeks. They were freezing cold, as if there was no blood rushing through him at all. From exhaustion that occurred previous nights, the kunoichi laid her head on his chest. She could here his steady heartbeat, softly beating at the same pace as his breathing.

Suddenly, his heartbeat slowed, and his breathing more shallow. Sakura's head bolted up, and she quickly pulled down the light sheets on Naruto's body down to his stomach. She froze when she saw the 6-pack on his chest, and stared in awe. Snapping out of it, she placed her hands over his chest, and concentrated her chakra. A green aura came out of her palms, and was healing what seemed to be a damaged chakra coil.

When she finished, she laid her head on Naruto's chest yet again, and listened for the heartbeat. It had become steady, but not a lot. It will have to do…she decided. Carefully, she rolled the sheets back over the blonde shinobi's body, still eyeing his 6-pack.

It's hot, isn't it?

I know…

I bet Sasuke doesn't have a 6-pack.

I bet he doesn't have any abs at all!

You're right!

I better relax. I used a lot of Chakra.

I can tell…

Sakura tuned out her inner self, and placed her head on Naruto's chest again, and fell asleep.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto's voice sounded from behind Sakura. "Arigato."

Sakura smiled, and looked at the blonde shinobi. "It's not a problem." Slowly, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'd do anything for you." She whispered.

Naruto blushed, and returned the smile. Slowly, he came closer to Sakura. Sakura started to blush too now. Now Naruto's face was just inches from Sakura's, and she could feel his breath on her skin. Then she closed the space between them, kissing him.

Naruto kissed back, and now Sakura's hands were behind his neck, and Naruto's around her waist. Hesitating, she licked his lips, and Naruto's mouth opened in shock, letting in Sakura's tongue. Finally, they broke apart to get some air.

"Sakura-chan…" Naruto trailed off.

Sakura blushed, and leaned her head on his chest. "I love you, Naruto-kun." She said.

Naruto wrapped one arm around her back, and put his other hand on her head, gently placing his head on his hand. "I love you too, Sakura-chan." He muttered, and held her tighter. "Just believe in me," Sakura jumped as she felt the warmth of his body fade from her. "and I will live." His voice faded away, and now he was completely gone.

"I do," Sakura choked, tears coming down her cheeks. "I do believe in you."

Sakura awoke, and she wiped the tears from her face. She looked down on the sheets of Naruto's bed, and saw little specks of teardrops in the center where her head was. "I believe in you, Naruto-kun." She muttered.

A little note was on his stand, and Sakura picked it up to read.

Dear Sakura,

I saw you were asleep, and so I didn't wake you. I know this is hard to tell by letter, but please do your best to remain calm. Are you ready for the news? Okay. From Naruto's examination results, he is not progressing. Actually, he's getting worse. Instead of his chakra healing him, it is actually slowly destroying his chakra network and his brain. We are on a short time limit, and now they are guessing that he has only two more weeks until a dark day. Please meet me in at the Kumokage's office later when you find this.

Tsunade-shisho

The letter dropped from Sakura's grasp. "No…" she whispered. "NO! NO NO!" Tears now came rushing from her eyes, and Sakura rushed out of there, leaving the white lilies she had brought lying on Naruto's chest. No Naruto! Do not die! DO NOT DIE! "Please…" she cried. "Do not die…"

NARUSAKU NARUSAKU! I love this chapter because of NARUSAKU! Please review!

Yamahato Yokimoko-san