-3rd POV-
The air blew passed Sasuke's face as he looked up into the sky. Something didn't feel right and he knew it. He went back inside the hideout and looked at Madara.
"Pein has successfully destroyed Konoha and is currently fighting the fox boy." Madara informed him. Sasuke scoffed and sat down. In the back of his mind, he worried for Anako ever so slightly.
"Hmm. Pein has seemed to kill that girl that was with you Sasuke." Everyone turned to look at Sasuke. His face was hard and he just scoffed.
"Whatever." He got up and went back outside. He made sure no one followed him and he jumped up into a tree. He sat down and his head hung low. The way Sasuke felt about Anako was the same way he felt about Itachi. His heart ached for Anako was the only person worth living to him anymore. He dug into his pocket and took out the purple ribbon that Anako gave him long ago. Memories of her beautiful smile and eyes flooded his mind. The way her look softened when she saw him. The way she was always smiling no matter what the situation. The way she was the only person who could brighten his dark world. A tear rolled down his face as he knew the girl he loved was gone.
-Anako's POV-
It's cold. Death is very very cold. I opened my eyes and all I see is black. A big void. I tried to scream but they seemed muffled. I can't believe I died. I didn't get a chance to say bye or anything. I closed my eyes but this time, I felt my body being slammed into the ground. I opened my eyes and sat up with a jolt. I was in a big field and there were trees all around me. All my wounds were healed and I was in a kimono. I looked around, trying to see if there was anyone around me. I stood up and stared to walk around. If this is my heaven, why isn't anyone here?
"Anako?"
I turned around and there before me was Asuma. I just looked at him. He didn't look hurt and he didn't look like he was beaten up. A cigarette was between his lips and his clothes were casual. I looked up into the sun and felt the tears form in my eyes.
"Is this heaven?" I asked, still not looking at him.
"No, this is purgatory." Asuma said, taking a puff of his cigarette.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"When you die, someone is sent down to take you into heaven. I just didn't think it would be you." Asuma said, sadness in his voice. I finally looked at him again and ran to him, bear hugging him and burying my face in his chest and crying.
"I've missed you so much Asuma. I miss you every day." I cried.
"I miss you too, Anako." Asuma said. "How is everyone? How are my baby and Kurenai?"
"They're doing good. She misses you. A lot. And she is due any day now. You're having a girl." I gave him a small sad smile. I knew that I would never see them again.
"Let's go for a walk." Asuma said. We walked around the field. The only sounds you could hear was the wind slightly blowing. The trees rustled above us and the grass moved ever so slightly. There was silence between us. I didn't know what to say. I tried to read his mind, but I couldn't hear anything. I tried to turn my eyes black, but nothing happened.
"Am I normal here?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Yes. When you die, you become how you've always wanted to be."
"So heaven is what you want it to be?" He nodded and it got quiet between us again. I looked around more. "Why isn't anyone else here?"
"This is your purgatory. This is where you want to be and how you want it."
"How long do we have here before we go?"
"This is where you let everything go." Asuma said, taking a puff again. "This is the final place you come to before you go to heaven." I stood quiet again. This was a lot to take in. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to let things go.
-Sakura's POV-
I felt the air become cold and I looked down at the crater. I sensed Naruto's chakra becoming extremely strong.
"It's Naruto. His nine tails is coming out." Katsuyu said.
"What happened to trigger it?"
"Pein killed Anako." I felt my heart drop. I couldn't believe Anako was killed. I looked at Konohamaru and he started to cry when Katsuyu said that.
"No. It's not true." He cried. Ebisu hugged him tightly.
"Sakura!" I heard my name being yelled. I ran to where they were coming from. I gasped as Anako laid there. She wasn't moving at all and she had blood all over.
"Save her!" Shikamaru yelled at me. I could see the tears in his eyes. I made my hands green and placed them on her chest.
"She's gone." I said, in small voice.
"Keep trying Sakura, please." Shikamaru pleaded. I felt my eyes water and I hung my head.
"She's gone Shikamaru." His dad said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"This can't be happening. All we can do is count on Naruto." I said, looking down and watching the battle go to a whole new level.
-Anako's POV-
Asuma and I sat down on a rock and I wondered what was going to happen next. I looked into the sky again and then back at Asuma.
"How is dad?"
"He's doing good. So is mom. She wanted to come but I was sent instead."
"I've never met her Asuma. I'm scared to meet her." I said. "Will she recognize me?"
"Of course she will, Anako." Asuma laughed a little. "You're her only daughter."
"I know. I know. I'm just nervous."
"So what happened?" It took me a moment before I realized he was asking how I died.
"The leader of the Akatsuki invaded Konoha. Naruto got trapped and I went to help him. That leader was strong and he stabbed me through the chest with an iron rod." I said. I touched my chest and didn't feel anything there.
"You become okay after you die. I don't have any injuries either." Asuma said. "Are you ready?" He stood up and held his hand to me.
"Yeah. I guess I am." I said, grabbing his hand and standing up. "I love you, Asuma. And I'm ready to come home."
"We've been waiting for you." We started to walk towards these huge gates that appeared before us. This is it. There is no going back. I felt something pull me back and I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Anako, why did you stop?" Asuma asked.
"Something is pulling me back Asuma. I can't move."
"Huh. Well isn't that something else." Asuma said, smiling and looking behind me. "It seems that it isn't your time after all."
"What do you mean?" I asked, looking behind me. A light seemed to be attached to me and it was pulling me back.
"It's not your time Anako." Asuma smiled at me and I saw tears in his eyes. "I love you sister. I love you so much. Please tell everyone I love and miss them all very much." I felt myself being pulled away from him.
"I love you too brother. Please tell mom and dad and everyone else that I will see them in the future." I said, tears falling down my face as he faded away and everything went black again. But this time I heard voices all around me. A pain set in my chest still, like something was holding me down. I heard crying all around me and I slowly opened my eyes.
"She's waking up!" I heard Shikamaru yell. "Get off of her Konohamaru. She can't breathe."
"Auntie." He said, getting off of me, his face covered in tears. "I thought you were dead."
"Where am I?" I asked, trying to sit up.
"It seems Naruto convinced Nagato to restore all the souls he took." Katsuyu said. I read her mind and saw everything that happened after I died.
"I just, I don't know what to say." I said, standing up. I still had a bunch of cuts and scratches all over me. I touched my chest and a scar lay where I was stabbed. I guess not everything was healed, but that's okay.
"Let's head to the safe area and wait till Naruto gets back." Shikamaru's dad said. "I've been informed Naruto is on his way back."
We all made our way to the safe area. I stood waiting like everyone else did. Everything replayed in my head of what just happened. One minute I was dead and now the next I'm alive. I saw everyone talking about Naruto and how wonderful he was and I couldn't help but smile and start to get teary eyed. Everyone used to hate him so much and would always look down on him and now they think of him as a hero. I heard people cheering as I saw Naruto come out with Kakashi carrying him. I smiled and watched the kids all run to him. I made my way over there and he looked at me.
"Anako." He said, tears in his eyes and I hugged him as tight as I could.
"Thank you Naruto." I said, crying into his chest. I felt his grip tighten around my shoulders and felt tears on my head.
"I thought I lost my best friend."
"You'll never lose me." I said.
He pulled away from me, smiling and crying. I smiled at him as the kids picked him up and started throwing him the air. Kiba, Ino, Sakura and a few more people joined. I couldn't help but feel nothing but complete happiness, for I knew Naruto would make a great Hokage someday.
Okay. I was a little late on this chapter, but I promise tomorrow there will be a new chapter. I told you wonderful people that I would finish this story soon and I promise on my life I will.
I know it is a little weird, but just bare with me. I'm still a little rusty.
Thank you so much for the messages Arianna Le Fay! I really appreciate it and please give me a push on posting. I can be forgetful but when I get messages it encourages me more. So thank you! :)
