SPOILER ALERT!!! Ha, now you can't say I didn't warn you :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. All rights reserved to Masashi Kishimoto
"I like the emerald green ribbons…" Sakura said thoughtfully as she looked at the assortment of wedding ribbons sprawled out on Tenten's dinner table. Tenten looked up from her magazine at the emerald ribbon sample in Sakura's hand.
"That's pretty…but I'm not sure if Neji wants green…"
Sakura frowned slightly and picked up a silver ribbon. Eyeing it carefully, she neatly tied both ribbons into bows and overlapped them.
"What about two colors? The silver could represent Neji and the green represents you." Tenten cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the ribbons.
"I…like it." She said with a smile, "Now to find flowers and the invitations and…" she was cut off when the shrill ring of the phone next to her cut through the air.
'Who could that be?' Tenten wondered as she picked up the phone.
"Hello? Yes, this is…Konoha's ho…oh! Oh my goodness! Uh… no she's right here. Yes. Yes… We'll be there in a few minutes. Thank you." Sakura looked at Tenten's disheveled demeanor, a confused look gracing her features.
"Who was it?"
"The hospital. Neji and Naruto arrived about ten minutes ago. We have to go."
Time seemed to move in slow motion for Sakura. Had Tenten just said Naruto was in the hospital? She shook her head to dispel her pessimistic thoughts. The two quickly slipped on the shoes and hurried out of the compound, towards the hospital.
"Did…did they say how bad it was?"
"No, they just said that it would be best if we went down there…" Tenten restated, her voice full of worry and apprehension. Sakura bit her lower lip, trying to ignore the nagging feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. They hurried through the doors and walked up to the nurses' station. A small nurse with light brown hair looked up at them.
"Hi, how may I help you?"
Tenten cleared her throat.
"Uh... We're looking for the room numbers of Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neji please."
The nurse typed something into her computer quickly before reaching over and grabbing two clipboards.
"Alright, they're in Room 291. I'll be happy to take you two there." She said with a smile. Tenten and Sakura followed the nurse quietly, each's mind thinking of the condition of the boys.
"So... are you guys related to them?" the nurse asked, snapping Tenten and Sakura out of their reveries.
"I'm Neji's fiancée..."
The nurse nodded and looked over her shoulder at Sakura.
"I-I live with Naruto..."
The nurse smiled sweetly and turned the corner, stopping at the last door down the hall.
"Alright. So the doctor will be in shortly to tell you the damage but you can go in and see them first." She said as she opened the door and walked in.
"Neji-San, you have a visitor." She said, walking over and opening the window by his bed. Sakura frowned when the nurse didn't mention Naruto's name but soon realized why when she saw the blonde's eyes closed. Tenten hurried over to Neji.
"Neji! Goodness, you scared me half to death! The hospital called and said you were hurt and they didn't say how bad it was, all they said was that it'd be better for us to come down there and-"
"Tenten...I'm fine." Tenten scoffed.
"If you were fine you wouldn't be in her-" Tenten trailed off when Neji sat up and pulled her to him. He hugged her gently.
"Tenten... Don't worry so much, it's not as bad as it seems." Tenten sighed and relaxed into his hug.
"I'm sorry. I was just so afraid something bad had happened to you, and on top of all the wedding planning stress...I guess I kind of freaked out." He patted her back and leaned back onto his pillows, his gaze turning towards Sakura.
Sakura slowly made her way towards Naruto's bed. She couldn't help but feel the lump in her throat as she got closer. She sat in the chair next to him, reaching out to take his hand.
"N-Naruto?..." she whispered, her voice not able to go any higher.
"You might not have such luck waking him up..." The three turned to the doorway. The doctor walked in, closing the door behind him. He walked over and picked up the charts from each of the beds. Sakura looked up at him questioningly.
"He has a concussion...and he's been out since he got here."
"Is. is that all that's wrong with him?" Sakura asked, her voice hopeful. The doctor sighed and flipped through his chart.
"Uzumaki, Naruto. Concussion, Two broken ribs, a gash on his upper arm and a few cuts and scrapes..."
Sakura winced at the details of his injuries. Broken ribs, concussion... She looked down at Naruto and brushed his unruly blonde hair out of his face.
"Doctor..." The Doctor looked at Tenten. "What injuries does this one have?" she said as she looked at Neji and back to the doctor.
"Well... It's not as bad as his buddy over there but he has a bruised rib, a couple cuts and scrapes, a thin laceration over his left eye and various bruises." Tenten nodded slowly, thinking.
"Do you think they'll heal within a month?"
"Yes... they should be... so that's all. I'll leave you guys to visit. Ring if you need anything" He said as he motioned towards the call button before walking out of the room.
A soft groan brought Sakura's attention back to the bed. Naruto stirred and opened his eyes, squinting against the bright light that flooded the room.
"Naruto?"
He grunted in acknowledgement and sat up, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his side. Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes as she watched Naruto struggle. Naruto looked at her and slowly reached out, gently wiping the tears.
"I'm ok Sakura...Don't cry..." He said quietly. He hated it when she cried; it always made him feel so helpless. He watched as Sakura closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. He could feel the seams to his heart starting to tear. She took his hand in hers and moved to sit next to him on the bed. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but paused when the door reopened. The nurse walked in and stopped looking at the eight pairs of eyes staring at her.
"Oh! I am sorry…I just came to let you know that they're released. Just make sure they take it easy." She said with a smile. The girls nodded and prepared to leave.
Sakura sighed sadly, as she looked at the sleeping form of Naruto, sprawled across the bed. He had been asleep since they had returned from the hospital, and that had been over two hours ago. She closed the door partially and made her way through the small apartment, tidying up where she had forced Naruto to eat. She carefully carried the plates and cup to the sink, her gaze landing on the villagers below. She watched as they prepared for tonight's festival. Her mind wandered to the festival. As much as she wanted
to go, she didn't want Naruto to push himself. She shook her head and sighed, drying off the plates and putting them in the cupboard. Turning, her eyes fell on the calendar hanging on the opposite wall in the kitchen. Moving closer, she read what the circled box said.
My birthday
'What?' Sakura thought as she looked carefully at the box. June 27th's box was circled in red marker, the words above scribbled in it. She frowned. She didn't know today was his birthday. He never mentioned that it was his birthday and he never celebrated it.
"Something wrong?"
Sakura jumped and looked up at Naruto as he shuffled into the kitchen, his hand gingerly clutching his side.
"No…" She said, taking a quick breath. "How do you feel?"
He walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water, shrugging lightly.
"I'm fine…"
She nodded and leaned against the counter behind her. She looked at Naruto silently before softly clearing her throat, drawing his attention.
"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?"
The question threw Naruto off guard. He blinked at her blankly and leaned sideways to look at the calendar.
"Oh…" He said and shrugged. "I…don't know. I've never really celebrated it. " He confessed. She looked at him ready to speak when he looked at her.
"I guess we better start getting ready for the festival huh?" He smiled and walked past her towards the bathroom.
"Are you sure you're up to this?" Sakura asked, looking up at Naruto. Naruto scanned the bustling village before him and smiled.
"Yeah…it'll be nice to take a break…" Sakura nodded and brushed invisible dirt off her pristine white kimono. Naruto had never seen her in a Kimono, He was either busy or was not up to going out anywhere, especially with them. She looked nice. The white kimono was embroidered with maroon flowers and it had a pink obi that matched the previous color of her hair. Naruto smiled.
"Hey… there's Tenten and Ino and Hinata!" Sakura exclaimed, as they got closer to the festivities. The two walked up to the girls.
"Hey Sakura! Hey Naruto!" Ino said looking at the two.
"Hi Ino, Hinata, Tenten…" He greeted politely.
"I didn't think you'd come." Ino said bluntly looking discreetly from Naruto to Sakura and back. Naruto's eyes darkened a little but his smile remained in place.
"I figured it'd be good to take a break… you know rest, get out…" Sakura looked between the two; she could feel the tension rising.
"So…" she began nervously, "Oh! Did you know today's Naruto's birthday?" The group turned their attention to her, surprise evident on their faces.
"O-oh… H-Happy Birthday N-Naruto-Kun!"
"Happy Birthday Dork."
"Happy Birthday, Naruto."
Naruto shifted uncomfortably and nodded.
"Thanks..."
"So how old are you?"
"Twenty…"
The girls gasped softly in shock. Ino shook her head.
"There's no way you're only twenty. I'm almost twenty-two."
Tenten pouted playfully.
"Well, at least you're not about to turn twenty-three…"
"A-Are you r-really Twenty Naruto-Kun?"
Naruto nodded. He looked over the girls' heads at the group of guys coming to join them. He breathed a mental sigh of relief and smiled as Neji, Kiba and Shino made their way to the group.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey Kiba." Naruto said as the Inuzuka looked around.
"So you guys ready to go have some fun?" The girls nodded and they all walked off to enjoy the festival.
Sakura leaned back and smiled contently as she watched the fireworks explode above. It had been a fun night. From dinner to playing games and shopping, the outing had been much more fun than she expected. She looked over at Naruto. His gaze was fixed on the rippling pond in front of them. Her brows furrowed as her eyes landed on his hand that was resting over his ribs. He shifted slightly, grimacing at the pain that came with the movement.
"Naruto…" He looked at her questioningly. "Are you ok?"
"I'm Fi-" he began soon cut off by a blinding pain. Sakura shook her head at his stubbornness and moved over to him.
"Come on… I think it's time to go back home."
"Don't worry about me…We can stay. You seem to be enjoying yourself."
"Actually, I'm a little tired… and I did enjoy myself." She said standing. "Let's go."
Naruto stood and the two bid farewell to their comrades before heading towards their apartment.
"Naruto… There you are. We've been looking all over for you."
Naruto turned at Tsunade's voice. Sakura looked at Tsunade and Shizune and smiled.
"Hey Tsunade no Baa-chan, Shizune-nee-san… what's up?"
"Well… we wanted to wish you happy birthday and give you your presents." Shizune said with a grin. Naruto shook his head and sighed but smiled.
"You guys… I told you already that you don't have to give me a present." Shizune thrust the package in her hands towards Naruto, his last statement disregarded. He took the package and opened it, his eyes widening at what was inside. Tsunade and Shizune smiled.
"It was your fathers." Tsunade said, motioning to the Hokage outfit in the box. "He wanted you to have it." Naruto was speechless. He had learned of his parents a little from Jiraiya but…
"Tsunade no Baa-chan…"
"That's not all!" Shizune said she started to walk down the road. Tsunade motioned for them to follow and they began walking. The four walked past the Hyuuga compound and over a bridge only to stop at the sight of the grandiose estate before them. Naruto looked up the mansion before looking back at Tsunade, confusion evident on his face.
"Here's my present to you Naruto." She said as she pulled a scroll out of her shirt and handed it to him. He looked at her before looking at the scroll and the papers rolled up in it. Naruto's eyes scanned the first loose page, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Welcome home Namikaze-san." Shizune said with a giggle as she bowed. Sakura frowned. 'Namikaze-san?'
"Namikaze? As in Namikaze Minato… the fourth Hokage?" She said, looking from Naruto to Tsunade.
"Yes. Naruto is the son of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina." Naruto and Sakura stood still in shock as Tsunade and Shizune laughed, turning to leave.
"Well I still have some paperwork I need to complete before tomorrow morning so…Goodnight Naruto, Sakura. Oh, and Happy Birthday."