Previously: After getting a report of a massive group of bandits, Naruto and his friends set out to interfere with them entering the gate. Unfortunately for Kiba, he and Akamaru would be ambushed by a mysterious Ninja named Namahs, an Information Gatherer, who is looking to achieve data from Naruto.

Now, with the Jinchuuriki in Kurama Mode, he now fight Namahs...

Naruto: From Promises To Wishes

Chapter 4 - Stress and Exhaustion

Kiba, Sakura, and Ino, watched Akamaru sniff the ground to pick up any kind of scent.

"Anything yet?" Sakura asked. "Nothing," Kiba replied, "Akamaru picked up traced of Shikamaru's scent, but it just died down afterwards." "How in the world did we lose them!?" Ino asked, "They just left outside the village seconds earlier than us!" "Let's remember, Naruto was in Sage Mode the whole time," Sakura replied, "He is pretty fast and strong in that form. Lord only knows where they went..."

Wind picked up, causing the trees to be blown. "The wind is picking up?" Ino said. Akamaru started barking immediately. "What is it, Akamaru?" Kiba asked as he sniffed the wind as well. 'This scent...' "What is it, Kiba?" Sakura asked. "Akamaru just smelled chakra in the air; So did I! It's coming from the outskirts of the Land of Fire! Let's move and fast!" Running through the woods, Kiba and Akamaru led the way as Sakura and Ino were close behind. 'Chakra in the air...' Ino thought. 'That can only mean...'

'Naruto is using Kurama's power!' Sakura thought as well. 'Things must have gotten pretty serious to be using that!'

The shinobi, Namahs, was knocked down by Naruto, who was in Kurama Mode. "Stings a little, don't it?!" Naruto said smirking. However, Namahs stood up and dusted himself off. "Looks like I definitely underestimated your skills," he said. "And you're not just an Information Seeker, are you?"

Instead of continuing to talk, Naruto continued the assault. First, he let loose a fist into his gut, then launched a left hook, knocking Namahs to the ground. The impact itself created a small crater. Then, he created two Rasengan and planted them in his chest. "Rasenrengan!" However, a puff of smoke appeared, and Namahs disappeared from the crater. "What the?!" Naruto said, "Where'd he go?" "Right behind you!" Namahs tried to attack Naruto from behind, but he dodged it. Soon after that, he went on the attack as Naruto started to block everyone of his attacks.

"That's incredible!" Temari said. "Naruto!" Hinata said looking with her Byakugan, 'All that chakra is coursing through him. Yet...he's in complete control!'

"Hey!" a voice shouted. Shikamaru turned around to see Kiba, Akamaru, Sakura, and Ino run up. "You finally made it!" he said, "I was beginning to worry!" "Lucky for us, the antidote was ready when with administered." "Wow!" Kiba said, "Look at Naruto go!"

Naruto continued his assault on Namahs, firing punch after punch into his gut. He then unleashed an uppercut, knocking back the unknown Ninja a few steps. Kurama Naruto was now back in a fighting stance, but he was breathing hard. Namahs stood back up, dusted himself off, and wiped blood from his left eye. "If that's all the power you're putting out," he began, "I wasted my time for nothing!" "Do you worry..." Naruto said, continuing to breathe hard, "...I'm just getting warmed up!"

"No, he's not!" Shikamaru said, overhearing Naruto's words. Everyone looked at him in question. "What are you talking about, Shikamaru?" Ino asked. "I heard what Naruto said just now. He's not warming up, he's been serious throughout this whole fight!" "Well, I don't know. If you ask me, he just toying with that two-bit ninja. If he was serious..." "Then, THIS FIGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER BY NOW!" Shikamaru's yelling scared Ino. "Then..." she tried to say something. "Shikamaru's right!" Kiba said holding on to his ear, "I can hear Naruto's breathing. It's very heavy... It is, as if, he's tried to catch his breath with every move he makes."

Temari then replayed a moment back in her mind. She was replaying the events earlier were Naruto was catching his breath. "Naruto was breathing hard before the moment he came out of Sage Mode!" she said. "Hinata," Sakura began, "Do you see anything!" "I'll try," Hinata said, performing handsigns, "Byakugan!" Using her Kekkei Genkai, she focused solely on Naruto's innards. "I see it!" she then said, "Naruto's heart! The heartbeat is very irregular!" 'Irregular...' Sakura thought. 'Naruto...'

One more punch pushed Namahs backwards, forcing Naruto to breathe even harder. "And?" Namahs said. "Damn you...!" Naruto said gritting his teeth. Trying to attack again, a sharp pain went through his body, causing him to double over. The pain was so unbearable, Naruto screamed, forcing him out of Kurama Mode. "Naruto!" Sakura screamed. "What's going on?!" Kiba asked, "Why is Naruto doubling over?!" "We've got more important things right now!" Temari said, readying her giant fan, "That bandit is about to finish Naruto off!"

Namahs walked over to the fallen Naruto, who continued to struggle through the extreme pain. 'The pain...' Naruto thought. 'My body...won't listen to me!' "Who would have thought that the great Naruto Uzumaki, the hero of the Fourth Shinobi War, would be nothing more than a rookie at best!" Namahs said, picking Naruto up by his neck, "You have really disappointed me! Now, I have no other choice, but to kill you!" He tightened the grip on his back as Naruto tried to catch his breath.

"Naruto!" both Sakura and Hinata said, trying to head over their way. "Don't move!" Shikamaru commanded. "He's right!" Kiba said, "That bandit could break his neck, the first chance he gets!" 'Huh?' Hinata thought. 'Someone's coming!'

A pair of shuriken was thrown at Namahs' arm, causing him to let go of Naruto, who fell on his back. Landing in between them, the mysterious girl appeared. "How about you take me on?!" she said. "Hey! Who's the girl?" Kiba asked. "You people are all coming out of the woodwork, are you?" Namahs said, performing handsigns, "Earth Style: Ground Needle! (Doton: Daichi Hari!)" The earth changed around the girl's feet as it became sharp jagged edges. "Kagamigan!" the girl shouted as her eyes turned sapphire blue with shiny white marks. Then, she performed handsigns. "Earth Reflection Jutsu!" A barrier was created and the jutsu was dispelled. Surprised by that, Namahs starts to escape.

"He getting away!" Shikamaru exclaimed. "I got him!" Temari said going after him. Meanwhile, the others, including the mysterious girl, checked up on Naruto, who was grabbing his chest and continuing to breathe hard. "Naruto! Hey, Naruto!" Sakura said, using her hands to calm him down, "It's okay, we're here now!" "Sakura, let's try healing him!" Ino said. Green light emitted from the girls hands as Naruto continued to move in pain.

"Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Temari shouted, waving her giant fan creating a massive storm. Namahs jumped out of the way of the storm and disappeared. "Damn! He got away! I wonder how Naruto is doing?"

Sakura and Ino placed all their chakra into their healing, but Naruto kept cringing in pain. "It's no good! It's not working!" Ino said as Temari returned. "We have to get him to the Infirmary fast!" Shikamaru said, then he looked at the girl, "You'll have to come with us for questioning!" "I understand!" the girl said.

Two hours later, everyone was waiting in the Konoha Hospital. Sakura had a worried look on her face; Hinata looked at her as Ino was trying to console her. Shikamaru and Kiba were leaning against the wall. Temari was standing next to Kakashi, who joined them about an hour ago.

The doctor came out of the Emergency Room; everyone stood up afterwards. "Well, Doctor?" Kakashi asked, "How is Naruto doing?" "Everyone here, follow me," the Doctor said, "I put Naruto in a room."

Entering Naruto's room, they all saw him hooked up to machines and everything. "Is he going to be okay?" Sakura asked. "For the time being," the Doctor replied, "I was able to supress his pain with the medication he was taking. So, the pain should be gone for now. But, unfortunately, that's all I can do for him..." "What do you meanby that?" Shikamaru asked. "I'm sorry, I'm not obligated to tell you that due to Naruto's wishes to keep it confidential." "Doc," Kakashi replied, "When it comes to Naruto, nothing is confidential, especially when it comes to this... Now, please... Tell us what is going on!"

The Doctor took a deep breath and explained everything. "The long-term treatments, Naruto has been having, under Lady Tsunade's permission, was mainly due to the Fourth Shinobi War. She wanted to see if Naruto had any numerous side-effects. At first, during year one of the treatments, the medication was working. But somewhere, along the lines, Naruto's condition was getting worse; his body began to reject the medication."

"Reject the medication, how?" Ino asked. "My guess is..." the Doctor said, rubbing his eyes, "Naruto's body is overstress, due to the overuse of the Kyuubi's power." 'Overusing Kurama's power?' Sakura thought. "Now, wait a damn minute!" Kiba said, "Naruto said that he was able to master Kurama's power, when he was training. There shouldn't be any side-effects!" "Not from the Kyuubi, precisely... I've deduce that he had pushed by body to the brink." "Why didn't he say anything about this?" Shikamaru asked. "My guess is..." Kakashi replied, "...Naruto didn't want us to worry. After all, he cares for us too deeply..."

'Oh, Naruto...' Hinata thought. 'You never do stop worrying about us, do you?' 'Naruto, you jerk!' Shikamaru thought. 'Don't you realize that we care about you too?' 'Naruto...' Sakura thought, looking at him. Naruto looked peaceful as he slept. "What is Naruto's condition now?" Kakashi asked. "After what you told me," the Doctor said, "despite his build, his body is frail. The next forty-eight hours are crucial. But, the way I see it, he won't be able to recover from anything; even a heart attack will kill him. Hearing that drew the line for Sakura. Tears started to fall from her eyes; they fell on the hospital bed that Naruto was sleeping in. "It's best that we let him rest," the Doctor then said.

"I'll stay here with him," Sakura spoke up. "I think it's a good idea," Kakashi replied, "Tomorrow, I'll recommend some Medical Ninja to have around-the-clock surveillance just in case there are any changes." "The girl that helped us earlier, has been in Interrogation for a while," Shikamaru said, "But, she won't talk to anybody except for the Hokage." "Then, we'll talk to her as soon as possible. Sakura, call us immediately if there is a change in Naruto's condition." Sakura nodded in agreement as everyone left the room. Hinata slightly looked back at Naruto, then left behind everyone.

[Three Hours Later...]

The monitor was beeping normally as Naruto was sound asleep. Sakura was too, in a chair, with a blanket draped over her.

"Hey, wake up Sakura!" a voice said. Sakura stirred herself awake as she saw Ino over her. "Ino," she said, "How long was I asleep?" "For a good while. Kakashi-sensei wanted me to check up on you two. How is Naruto?" "No change. At least, he asleep." "I'll watch over Naruto for a while. Go ahead and get something to eat. It looks like you need it." "Thanks."

Leaving the hospital, Sakura started to stretch. She looked up at the sky; the sun was setting. "Since I'm out," she said to herself, "I might as well inform Kakashi-sensei."

Reaching the door to the Hokage's Office, Sakura started to knock. She stopped when heard voices inside and listened.

Inside the office, Shikamaru, Yamato, Kakashi, Hinata, and Temari were talking with the mysterious girl who helped them out earlier. "Now," Kakashi began, "Start from the beginning." "Lord Hokage," the girl began, "My name is Cora. I'm a Shrine Maiden and a Ninja of the Village Hidden in Diamonds." "A diamond village?" Shikamaru asked. "First time, I've heard of it myself," Yamato replied. "I've come here looking for your help," Cora said.

"What is it that you need my help with?" Kakashi asked. "I'm looking for a crystal," Cora said. "A crystal?" "Not just any crystal. It's called the Black Dragon Crystal, or the Kuroryuukouseki." "What's so special about this crystal?" Yamato said. "The Black Dragon Crystal has the ability to fulfill a recipient's desire." "You wanna repeat that?" Shikamaru asked. "I think she means," Temari began, "that what she's looking for, can grant wishes!" "Is this true?" Kakashi asked. Cora nodded. "Whoever holds it in their hands, any wish that they grant will come true. The reason I is became it has magical capabilities. That's exactly why I need your help; the crystal could be somewhere in the Land of Fire."

After hearing everything from behind the door, Sakura started thinking. 'A crystal that can make any wish come true?' she thought. 'If that crystal does exist...I can use that to save Naruto!' Then, quietly, she snuck away.

Hearing some type of noise, Hinata turned her head towards the door. "Is something wrong, Hinata?" Yamato asked. "Uh, no! Nothing's wrong!" Hinata said, waving it off, "In fact, I'm going to see how Naruto is doing." Leaving the office, Hinata, quietly, activated her Byakugan. She immediately noticed Sakura leaving the Hokage building. 'Sakura?' she thought. 'What is she...? Wait, did she eavesdrop?'

Back at Naruto's room, Tenten, Chouji, Rock Lee came inside to check on their friend. "Hey, Ino!" Chouji said, "How's everything?" "I just got here," Ino said, "Everything is okay, for the moment. So, how about you?"

"We must have made good timing," Tenten said, "We just saw Sakura rush off in a hurry!" "Did she say where she was going?" Ino said. "We didn't have a chance to say anything!" Chouji said.

Ino started to think in confusion...

Unbeknownst to everyone, Sakura had already ran past the Entrance Gate of the village. She started to run through the woods so that she wouldn't cause a scene. "I'm sorry, everyone," she said, looking back, "If that jewel is somewhere in the Land of Fire. It's the only way for me to save Naruto..."

At a fast pace, Sakura raced through the forest, until she heard something different from everything else. She stopped and kept quiet, until she heard the sound again. "Who's there?!" she shouted. Coming from behind a large tree, a girl appeared in front of her.

"Hinata?" Sakura asked, "What are you doing here?" "Where are you going, Sakura?" Hinata asked. A moment of silence was now between them. Staring into each other's eyes as the sun went down behind the trees...

Hinata and Sakura, the two most important females in Naruto's life, now stare down each other in utter silence. This Black Dragon Crystal may be the only source of power that can save the Ninja's life. But, is there more to this Crystal than Shrine Maiden Cora is letting on? One thing is for certain, Naruto's time in this world is running out...

A/N: Next Chapter: It's the long-awaited fight that we never got to see! Hinata vs Sakura! Please, review!