Truth Unfolds in Wave

by Mr.mclane

Six months before Naruto's return to Konoha, He is placed on a team of familiar faces who is being sent to Wave. Naruto wasn't expecting this mission to escalate to a life changing experience nobody would ever forget. NaruXSaku, first fict, Pre Chap. 500

61. Manifestation and forthcoming

AN: Hey everyone, sorry for taking unusually long to update (I am sure the length makes up for it somehow :) ). I failed to mention that I was having my Uni exams throughout the on going weeks, but alas, they are all over now.

Important: To those that haven't noticed, I re-released the previous chapter due to a large flaw I did not see until it was pointed out to me (Special thanks to Yami and Eagleman amongst those readers). The fact that everybody in the Konoha group were standing around talking even though Sakura didn't exactly have the luxury of time on her hands. I have changed this portion of the chapter heavily, unfortunately having to lose a fair amount of the comic relief. However, I find it just incomparably better than my previous version of it, and I encourage all who haven't read the change to backtrack before continuing.

Also very important: I feel I should explain myself here instead of at the end of this chapter. As I said in conclusion to the last chapter, this would be the epilogue, possibly released in two parts. Now as I was writing and writing AND still writing this 'epilogue', I looked to the word count and went 'wow...~20k words here and I haven't even reached a third of the things needing to be concluded'. So I doubled back and tried to condense it, try to fit it all in a 20k word epilogue...did not work at all. It felt way too rushed. How about two parts...still a little too crammed.

So I have decided to span the epilogue out over a couple of chapters, as for those who have read to this point should realize just how many loose ends there are to tie, among other things. I have kept my style of pace throughout the entire story consistent to this point, so to rush the ending from here would to me end it with a bad taste. I hope you believe the same with my decision.

---

Chapter 60 Manifestation and forthcoming

---

If it was any other ordinary day, Shikamaru would be dragging his feet like he always did down the long narrow corridor towards the hokage's office. Only he had been getting no time to settle down to his usual habits due to the pressure Tsunade was putting on him to finish writing the mission report. In her own words after Sakura had been taken to the hospital, she wanted to know "What the hell happened".

The other reason Shikamaru was restless was his guest that was living in his home. He was almost willing to swear Temari got sadistic joy at driving him up the wall. Since she was injured, Shikamaru's mother made it very crystal clear that Temari was to be helped in any way possible.

Oh why not just spell it out to make Shikamaru's life a living hell?

Every moment, 'I'm thirsty', or 'can you warm this up?', and that was just the beginning of the endless and merciless list as he put it. It even got better when she criticised him about his service being 'subpar'. Maybe the daughter of a Suna kage expects more than what Shikamaru's used to receiving, but to hold such high levels of standard when being treated as a guest in his own home is well...irritating.

Despite that, Temari surprisingly brought some other welcoming differences to the Nara household. One advantage that he acknowledged was Temari got his mother's attention most of the time, which usually meant his mother was not aiming those borderline tyrannical onyx orbs at him and his father.

There was more significant changes however. During Shikamaru's task, to his surprise, she supported him and encouraged him to get it done. Temari was with him all through it, also having her own interests in this mission she was incidentally dragged into. Shikamaru more so predicted the gesture at first was to just find out what he did wrong to scold him for it, however to his shock, he was met by approval and praise. If he could be bothered to even keep, or actually write in a diary, he would record the moment Temari from Suna gave him a compliment, a word he felt she didn't know the meaning of.

Lifting up his completed report paper to admire lazily, he idly flicked through the dozens of pages. Shikaku actually jested he had never seen his son do so much work in so little time, or even do it with motivation. Funny thing was even Shikamaru could not believe himself for such un-Shikamaru like action.

Knocking on the door, Shikamaru waited until he was prompted to enter before opening to reveal Kakashi standing before Tsunade, who was sitting patiently behind the desk, flicking through what he assumed was Kakashi's own report. Shizune was present at her side, with Jiraiya leaning against an open window looking outside.

"Perfect timing, we were just getting started."

Feeling more eyes on him from the side, the Nara turned to see two figures seated on chairs watching from the shadows. He recognised who they were, since every now and then for specific mission debriefs, they would be present. Homura and Koharu, the Konoha elders. If they were here, it made it clear just how big this mission was.

Feeling she should explain, Tsunade cleared her throat, "This mission escalated to an S rank, and due to the nature of this situation, the elders have requested their presence for this debrief."

Nodding, the Nara concluded for himself what the 'situation' was that required their attendance, he could even put in their perspective. Konoha's jinkuriki was nearly assassinated by the village's own ANBU believed to be dead fifteen years ago. Hours went by, as the discussion ran back and forth from member to member. It was ghastly how the shadow user was even able to notice the change in lighting from the window as morning to the middle of the day as the elders stood and left at the conclusion of the debrief.

It was amazing to note how different the room's temperature and ambiance was the moment that door closed, freeing the room of this 'official' status. It was such a drag for Shikamaru to stand at attention for such a great lengths, you could literally see his shoulders ache as they sunk several centimetres down while he rubbed them, "So troublesome."

It was then that it finally sunk in that he was still holding his report in his hand. Blinking, the Nara raised it in question, "You requested for me to produce this by today hokage-sama?"

The grin the hokage rewarded him with unsettled his nerves, "Yes, that is correct. Please let me see that."

Doing as said, he watched as the hokage mentally counted the pages, and flicked through the pages. Silently reading for a minute, Tsunade nodded in approval, "Excellent work, I will be keeping this."

"Ok?..."

Shikamaru didn't know if he just wasted his time these past three days producing that report for nothing, but was in no mood to question.

Reaching under her desk, Tsunade was midway to pulling out a sake bottle, however a sharp look to Shizune showing her disagreement made her groan and put it back.

Jiraiya earned her frustrated frown though when he intercepted the returning of the drink, and drank from it, "Well what is it that we have concluded?" he mumbled, his voice echoing within the bottles hollow shell.

Putting aside her frustration at his antics, Tsunade crossed her arms, "We still need to consider that there may still be a leak within the ANBU ranks. How they got information about our escort from Suna will not be ignored. Suna's council are demanding an answer for it...just as I am."

Running a hand through her hair, Shizune voiced her confusion, "But how are we going to do that exactly Tsunade-sama? We should be concerned in case they make a move on Naruto-kun."

"Leave the Gaki to me, I will keep an eye on him." Jiraiya insisted, which Tsunade approved.

"I will leave him in your care then, Jiraiya. I doubt they would be so foolish to make a move anytime soon, whoever they are. But to Shizune's question, I am afraid we still have no solution...other than consulting with Danzou."

This was a conversation that was never consulted with when the elders were here, which made the shadow user shrug, "Shouldn't this problem have been discussed with-"

"I am going to be upfront with you here Shikamaru...they both piss me off." Tsunade interrupted, ignoring Shizune's 'Tsunade-sama' scold.

"They both have worked together with Danzou for well over thirty years. To even mention that we are questioning his loyalty to Konoha will cause unneeded complications. I prefer to keep them out of the loop for that fact alone. Unless we miraculously find proof against him, we will leave this matter between just us." Tsunade concluded, snatching the bottle Jiraiya stole to take a sip before resting it on the desk.

"Do you agree with my decision?"

"So basically you just want to avoid a troublesome situation?"

The corner of Tsunade's mouth perked upwards, "I will assume that's an agreement."

Ending the discussion, Shikamaru was curious, "So how has Sakura been doing?"

The smirk faded to nothing as Tsunade leaned back in her chair, "She has been doing well. Unfortunately she has not reawakened yet after that emergency procedure. Based from my examination before this meeting, she may wake up any day now, hopefully even sooner than that."

"I see..."

"Then there is Naruto..." Kakashi announced, as he began to open up his Icha Icha Paradise book. Mentioning the blond made several heads hang, while Tsunade had to take another sip of her drink, followed by Jiraiya. Recalling back to when they returned Konoha, and Jiraiya carried an unconscious Sakura out of Tsunade's office, Kakashi immediately looked down at Naruto.

The blonde's bulging eyed expression still was as clear to the Hatake since that morning. Despite Tsunade's constant assurance that Sakura was ok, Naruto was being stubborn as ever. The past three days Naruto never even left her hospital room. This day probably was going to be no different, unless Tsunade had something to do about it.

"Perhaps I should talk to him."

Kakashi suggested, which Shikamaru responded with a shaking of his head, "Words don't really sink in with that buffoon I'm afraid."

Tsunade rubbed her temple, "I think I am going to go have a word with him."

"But I just sai-"

Upon eye contact with the Godaime saying 'what about it', Shikamaru just muttered 'troublesome' and let it go. Maybe even Naruto would know better to listen to Tsunade's words, especially if he knew what was good for his well being if he didn't.

"Well if that is all, I am going to return home...to my grand house guest." Shikamaru muttered with sarcasm, knowing a merciless Suna nin was waiting to further add to his torment.

"Is she really all that bad?" Kakashi asked, his disbelief clear in his visible eye.

The Nara perked an eyebrow, "The two most troublesome people possible are in the same house. Need I explain anymore?"

Kakashi's eye narrowed to show his clear jest, "You could, but that would be too much 'effort' for you." Ignoring the chuckles from Tsunade and Jiraiya, Shikamaru left without a word.

Snickering, Tsunade voiced what she just found interesting, "For someone that dreads their home so much, he sure was in a hurry to get back."

Kakashi flickered though the pages of his book, as his eye formed its traditional smile shape, "Oh trust me, he will never admit the truth to anyone, even to himself."

"Hmmph. What a complicated grouch."

Raising up Shikamaru's paper, Tsunade opened the report to the first page, "Well his life may become more of a 'drag' as he calls it depending on my critique. I have a long day ahead of me..."

Raising her head, Tsunade stood up, "First things first though...I am going to the hospital."

---

One day later...

Konoha's buzzing streets strangely didn't bring as much excitement as Naruto thought they would bring to see them again. He believed he would be in awe or ecstatic to witness any changes that happened to his home village, yet no such thoughts were present. Even looking up to see the grand hokage mountain didn't bring a warming smile they always would.

Naruto's company could sense his down demeanour, "Something bothering you Naruto-niichan?" Konohamaru asked, which earned a masked smile.

"What you talking about? There's no problem."

The young Sarutobi rose his eyebrow to show his scepticism, but Naruto ignored it as they continued walking with no destination around the village. Frowning after ten minutes of this, Konohamaru decided to jump in front of the blond, determined to get what was his problem out of Naruto.

"Cut the crap boss! You've been like a rock since I first saw you. What's your problem?"

Naruto half heartedly shrugged, "What's YOUR problem?"

Walking around Konohamaru, the Sarutobi was growing more and more agitated, "Is this about Sakura-neechan?" The reaction was near instant, as Naruto's step halted and he turned to reveal his surprised face, before falling back to its dull aura.

"Niichan..."

- . -

Flashback - Yesterday, within the Konoha hospital

- . -

The ache in his back had long numbed as Naruto continued to lie across the sunken grey couch, staring up at the cream ceiling of the bright hospital room. Luckily the room Sakura was situated in was a private one, otherwise surely he would be a bother to any other patients in the room. Other than the couch in the corner where he was situated, there was a small wooden table with nothing on it before him. Along the far left side of the room was a small sink, which had a small bar fridge underneath it, along with a microwave. Nearby was a slide opening door leading to a bathroom nearby. On the opposite side of the room was the bed, with a sleeping Sakura tucked underneath its thick bright blue woollen sheets. Next to the bed was a single chair, and close by that was a cabinet that was locked with a key carried by the nurses.

The strong light from the sun casting into the room from the wall-to-wall length window made it hard to see any fine details other than Sakura's general shape. Naruto couldn't find the strength to get up to close the cyan shaded curtains. He could still see her face clearly enough, so that was satisfactory enough for him to tell if she was awake. When she would awaken was the question he wished he knew.

The chirping of birds outside perched on the branch of a tree was the only noise to be heard other than the occasional shuffle from Naruto. Hearing the sound of the door being opened, Naruto jammed his eyes shut. Naruto these past couple of days was not popular with the nurses. Naruto always was asking them if Sakura was showing any signs of improvement, and at the same time they were more concerned with him leaving. Naruto could tell they had good intentions for his own health, but he didn't seem to care. He soon found out that it was best to just pretend he was asleep when the nurses came in. Ino appeared to have caught up on his little act, and Naruto would ask her about any signs of improvement since she didn't seem to give him a hard time.

This person was not her however, since Ino would usually acknowledge him upon entering.

Hearing the sound of light footsteps entering as the door was closed, his nostrils were soon met with the smell of something fresh and really nice. His curiosity grew enough that when his stomach growled from the pleasing aroma, he cautiously peeked open his eye. He saw a figure that appeared to be a woman standing next to the bed. The sunlight's white aura against the middle aged woman's frame made it hard to see anything useful to identify the person. Squinting, he could just make out the woman's hand ruffling Sakura's hair gently.

'Who is she?' Naruto wondered, as the woman continued the affectionate gesture.

The woman's hand reluctantly fell, as she now turned around, causing Naruto's eye to snap shut. The blond didn't miss the woman's sad smile however before his sight was shielded by his closed lids. With now only the footsteps to guide him, Naruto could tell she was approaching either towards him or the door. When it went silent, he felt the ever familiar feeling of two eyes looking down at him.

When you have people always looking at you for as long as you could remember, you develop a trait where you could just feel what those drifting eyes were thinking. Fear and anger perhaps were the most common emotion Naruto always felt directed his way. This sensation however was one he only came across every now and then. Curiosity, with something he never experienced initially by many.

Warmth.

Smelling that nice aroma again made his stomach growl, but he pretended nothing occurred. There was the sound of plastic rustling able to be heard close by, as something heavy was placed down on the table, followed by a lid sliding open. It was then that Naruto discovered that the smell that was making his stomach growl was only being subdued, and now his nose was taking in the scent full blast. Whatever it was, it smelt delicious, and his stomach's roar was firmly agreeing.

"You can stop pretending and open your eyes now." A soft and warm feminine voice suddenly announced.

Naruto almost flinched on reflex, while inwardly, 'She knows I'm faking it?'

He swore she read his bewildered mind, and lightly chuckled, "I have more than enough experience to tell when someone is pretending to sleep around me, and I can also tell when they are starving." The woman explained cheerfully.

'Wow...'

Since it appeared the jig was really up, he opened them only to gasp. Before him was a large black box. There were several large blooming white outlines of cherry blossom flowers silkscreened into the box's soft material. The contents inside the box was the cause to his stomach's uproar. The inner walls of the box were shaded a dark crimson red. Immaculately sorted within this box were some of the most outstandingly made Ohagi he had ever seen.

It didn't need to be ramen. His nose, his in awe and stunned eyes, roaring stomach, and drooling open mouth already gave judgement. Another warming chuckle forced him to look up at the person who had presented this to him, and was met with genuinely welcoming emerald orbs. Her face's shape looked so amazingly familiar to him, but Naruto just couldn't put his finger on who it reminded him of.

Based on the wrinkles and lines around her soft smile, the woman appeared to be in her mid forties. From what Naruto could just see, her hair was tied back in a pony tail, it's length was a mystery to Naruto however, due to his angle. The shadow being casted from the lighting behind her made the hair colour hard to determine, however he guessed it was a darkish shade. She was wearing a brown silken Chinese-esque blouse, along with a black, white floral patterned dress that reached to above her black sandals. He had never seen this nurse around the hospital before.

The woman gestured to the box of Ohagi with her hand, "Go on, please eat."

Gaping, Naruto mumbled, "W-Why?"

The woman's smile widened, "I have seen you lying there for the past couple of days now every time I have come in. I was growing concerned and thought you would like something nice to eat. "

'How many times has this nurse walked in before? I only started doing my trick after the fourth check up?'

Blinking still in shock, Naruto finally recovered with a beaming fox smile, "Thank you, nee-chan!"

The woman had to laugh at the name she was called. She appeared to take it as a compliment to be referred to as an older sister. Naruto in the meantime literally dug in to the amazing looking food, "Ikadakimashu!"

Naruto concluded the moment his tongue tasted the bean jam, he was not going to be able to control himself as he continued devouring the dessert in his pig paced manner.

"T-thiws-is-Awesom-'bayo!"

"Hehe, I 'm glad you are enjoying them." Naruto really didn't even know how much time had passed when he finally finished the entire box.

Rubbing his expanded stomach in satisfaction, Naruto looked up at the still happily observing woman, "That was sweet! I wish all the nurses were as nice as you nee-chan!"

Chuckling in semi embarrassment, the lady waved her hand dismissively, "I am very flattered, but I'm afraid you are mistaken. I am not a-"

The door opening interrupted her, which revealed a frustrated hokage marching in with an apparent purpose.

Upon sight of the other woman, Tsunade's eyes partially widened in recognition, before relaxing, "I will be with you in just a moment." she explained respectfully.

Tsunade's frustrated face suddenly returned as she looked at Naruto, "You. Go get some fresh air."

"-Eh? Why-"

"-You reek! It is not healthy to be there like a ragdoll for now three days straight. Get out. Get some fresh air. Have a shower. Do something stupid with Jiraiya-pull a prank-I don't care! You are more than welcome to visit, but I am not allowing the nurses to let you stay here overnight anymore."

"B-B-But-"

"Move it gaki!"

-.-

End flashback

-.-

Just as Tsunade had said, the moment he tried to enter the hospital again, he pretty much was thrown out. When he vented his frustration out at the Godaime she told him the same thing she was always telling him.

'She is simply exhausted from the procedure. Having poison forcefully removed is a desperate last resort measure for numerous reasons. Trust me, only you would be able to get up and move around after that. She will awaken soon.'

That never eased his nerves at all, no matter how many times she repeated it to him every time he tried to protest. While Naruto was sulking, Konohamaru's frown deepened. This wasn't the person he always looked up to.

Barging before Naruto again, he persisted, "Why won't you tell me what's up?"

Forming a seal in desperation, Konohamaru shouted 'henge!'

The smoke caused heads to turn, but Naruto was the only one who didn't show complete outrage at the 'erotic' transformation before him. Some parents were even shielding their children's surprised and innocently shocked eyes, while shouting curses at the near nude young woman flaunting in front of Naruto.

Placing a finger on 'his' lips, the near bare brunette lady before Naruto purred, "Would you please tell me what's the matter, Naruto-kun." Seeing Naruto just stare off right through him, the lady frowned before 'poofing' back into Konohamaru.

Waving his hand, Naruto took off, "I might go hang around the training grounds, catch you later Konohamaru."

Naruto still felt his little stalker follow him all the way to the old team seven training grounds however. Irritated, the blond snapped, "What the hell Konohamaru-...?"

Seeing nobody directly there, his eyes fell to the ground to see something he thought two years of maturity would have gotten rid of. That terribly bad fake rock that couldn't blend in with the scenery at all.

Feeling his sweat drop, Naruto just sighed, "Would you just leave me alone?"

"Hell no!" Konohamaru muffled voice barked underneath, as his cover flew off to reveal himself, still barring a scowl.

"Naruto-niichan, if you are not going to tell me, then I will beat it out of you."

"..."

Konohamaru grinded his teeth at Naruto's face basically saying 'yeah, right.' Forming another seal, Konohamaru shouted 'kage bunshin no jutsu!'.

Naruto's eyebrows rose in surprise, until they returned to normal, "Sakura-chan said you mastered that. Nice." He confessed.

Even if he was restless, Naruto couldn't ignore his pride for Konohamaru learning one of his signature jutsu.

Smirking, Konohamaru stood next to the single clone he created, "I know more than that, don't make me get serious!"

"...I'm going home-"

"-Just you watch!" Determined, Konohamaru stuck out his palm, which his clone covered over with his own.

The action stunned Naruto, "T-That's..."

Smirking wider, Konohamaru began forming a spiralling sphere in the manner Naruto used to do. Staring in shock at the small golf ball sized rasengan, Konohamaru impishly giggled.

"I am catching up to you boss. At the rate your going, being all down in the dumps, I will be the Rokudaime instead!"

Charging forward, Naruto continued to stare in disbelief, "He...-he got it! He mastered rasengan."

Recovering, Naruto held up his one hand as if to issue 'halt'. Snickering, Konohamaru aimed for it, "I said I'm beating the answer out of you ,bos-!"

The young Sarutobi's taunt was interrupted with surprise when his rasengan met solid force which sent him and his clone literally flying back. Sliding on the grass, he looked up in disbelief as his kage bunshin dispersed.

Seeing that basketball sized rasengan made him gape, "Y-You can do it with one hand now niichan?"

For the first time all day, Naruto actually grinned in that typical mischievous way he does, "Of course I can, I told you that you're going to have to fight me for the title of hokage...and don't think I'm going to let you steal it from me first!"

Sitting up, Konohamaru pouted, which made Naruto laugh. Konohamaru had to force his scowl now, since he was relieved to see the Naruto he respected as a mentor was seemingly back.

Struggling to stand, Naruto couldn't help but tease, "Neh, you're all talk Konohamaru. One kage bunshin and rasengan and you're tired already."

"I am just winded from your counter!"

"Heh, sure you are. "

Shaking his fist, Konohamaru cursed, "We will see who has the las-!"

Konohamaru was cut off when Naruto ruffled his hair, and gave him a proud fox smile, "That was pretty sweet work though Konohamaru. I'm shocked you were able to do it...I so knew you'd be able to pull it off though." The kid's gasp was ignored by Naruto, as Konohamaru poorly recovered by crossing his arms and trying to act tough over his sheepish expression.

Calmed, Konohamaru finally showed his concern, "Would you tell me what's up Naruto-niichan?" Naruto's hand fell to his side, as the blond once again went dull. Widening his eyes, Konohamaru's shoulders slumped as Naruto started walking away again.

Soon, Naruto stopped, "I really can't do anything."

Blinking, Konohamaru mentally asked 'about what', while Naruto continued, "At least with Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, and Fuzzy brows, I was able to do something to help. I found Tsunade-baa-chan-sama , who helped them all get better. Now in this problem I can't do anything but wait...and it's freaking killing me."

'This is about Sakura-neechan.'

Running up to Naruto, Konohamaru nudged the blond on the shoulder jokingly, "Don't freak out so much boss, the old hag said she would be ok."

"You should show Tsunade-ba-sama some respect you know.-" Konohamaru literally was baffled at that muttered statement, but Naruto childishly kicked the grass.

"I'll get over it I guess."

Thinking up an idea, Konohamaru went with it, "Hey boss, have you been to Ichiraku's yet? Sounds like some ramen can fix this."

"U-Umm, nah I'm not interested."

"WHAT? You would NEVER say no to Ichiraku's!" Truthfully Naruto would love to go to his favourite place in Konoha, but he wanted to go with Sakura. It just wouldn't seem right to eat there beforehand.

Only issue was Konohamaru didn't know that, "Is Sakura-neechan being in hospital doing that much to you? She'd be hell angry at you for acting like this boss."

"Neh, you are probably right."

"So come on then! I know your dying to see that old man and Ayame-chan again!"

Reaching into his pocket, Konohamaru flashed some pieces of paper, "I even have coupons!"

Discounted ramen was extremely tempting, but Naruto really was hesitant, "I-I don't know."

"What crap, I hear your never ending stomach roaring for us to move already. I will even bet another coupon I have spare I can eat more bowls of Ramen than you, since you've become such a pansy, boss."

Naruto snickered near automatically, "You are going to lose that bet."

"Prove me wrong then."

Konohamaru really was trying admirably hard to make him give in, but Naruto just could not do it, "I really want to, but-...umm-...Sakura-chan and I were ermm-..."

The Sarutobi's eyebrow rose at Naruto's sudden sheepish appearance, while the blond was furiously scratching his head, "We-umm, hehe, we were going to eat at Ichiraku's when she came out of the hospital."

Mouthing an 'oh', Konohamaru cheekily snickered, "Heh, you make it sound like you were both going out on a date."

The Sarutobi's eyes widened when Naruto's embarrassed cheeks flared. Then it suddenly all made sense, "Holy hell niichan- you're serious!"

"Hehehe, yeah..."

"I-I's this a first date or?-"

Waiting on Naruto, the blond mumbled speedily, "Second."

"Wow...nice going."

Konohamaru didn't even know what he was saying just then, but that news by far was something he wasn't expecting and was completely caught off guard. Konohamaru knew Naruto liked Sakura, however he never saw more in the relationship he witnessed than friendship. The Sarutobi hadn't exactly been told the full story of this mission he heard buzzing around the older generation, but he did know lots of things occurred.

Accepting this news, Konohamaru began pulling on Naruto's arm, "Come on Naruto-niichan, Sakura-neechan knows Ichiraku's is the only place you eat at. She won't get mad."

Naruto gave a sheepish fox smile, "You know that if you're wrong, I am going to be killed, right?"

"Hey if I'm wrong I'll take the blame."

"That's suicide."

"Yeah...nah-sorry, you're on your own boss."

Laughing, Naruto finally followed Konohamaru's pulling, "I guess Sakura-chan wouldn't want me to be like this."

"Damn right she wouldn't. She would beat the snot out of you if she saw this happening."

"Alright, I could use some ramen. Maybe ojii-san and Ayame-neechan has some awesome new flavours."

"Oh, you will be shocked! Come on boss, let's go!"

"Quit being so freaking pushy...thanks Konohamaru."

"Anytime Naruto-niichan."

---

It was truly awe striking when you compared the bright, warm and welcoming atmosphere of Konoha to the dark, cold, and gloomy world below it. Barely any light from above crept through the cracks to illuminate the thick sewage pipes that constricted from stone wall to stone wall. There were little differences between the labyrinth setting of Orochimaru's hideouts, and the blue toned underground chambers. In a cross section, lit by a single lantern, was Thomas.

He was kneeling down in respect to a figure standing in one of the cross sections exits, hidden in the shadows.

"So Ronan truly has fallen, failing his fifteen year long goal. That is quite disappointing." The elderly man spoke out, his contemplating tone echoing all around. Thomas remained silent as the man straightened himself on what appeared to be a cane.

"What of your secondary assignment?"

"I'm afraid it was not a success. No reason can excuse my failure in not obtaining Ronan's eyes in the event of his death."

"Explain."

"As I previously mentioned, Uchiha Itachi was the one who defeated Ronan. After Ronan had fallen, Itachi used a sword I am not familiar with which appeared to seal his body within itself."

"Sealed his body within it? Could this be the Totsuka no Tsurugi...Itachi possesses such a rare artefact? You also spoke earlier of a spiritual being wielding a type of shield. If this is the Yata no Kagami and Susanoo you may have witnessed, this is truly a concern."

Slowly stepping out into the light, the figure revealed himself to be Danzou. The elderly man's one visible eye was narrowed in thought, "Itachi has become a very dangerous adversary to my plans. Be it wether he knows about them is a mystery that will remain unanswered for now. It is quite unfortunate, Ronan's eyes would have been very useful, especially being that their Mangekyou was activated by means I am unaware of. There is still more to the Uchiha bloodline that we have yet to discover."

Rubbing his scarred chin, Danzou continued to hold his in deep thought expression. Thomas throughout the heavy silence continued to have his head fixed to the ground, "You may stand, Thomas."

Doing as told, Thomas kept his head low in respect, "What do you wish for me to do now, Danzou-sama?"

Hearing the sound of something unwrapping, Thomas's trained eyes didn't look up to the sound coming from Danzou.

"I am about to assign to you your last assignment, Thomas. This mission is very important, and cannot be met with failure."

"What is it you wish for me to do?"

Looking up at his leader, Thomas noticed Danzou was removing his bandaging across his face, "Unfortunately, my position may be compromised due to information I have leaked to Ronan's operation. Tsunade-hime has become suspicious of me due to my logical way of thinking and acting."

Thomas didn't know why he began to perspire when his mostly blank eyes met the red of a sharingan when the bandages were removed, "You alone shall save me from her suspicions. In panic of the discovery Ronan has fallen, you had gotten reckless, and are discovered by the jounin that are hopelessly trying to monitor the impossible. Chances are you go down with a fight, without demonstrating any abilities seen previously by the Konoha group so you are not recognised. When you are apprehended, Tsunade-hime will probably have your mind examined by the interrogation unit. I expect her to employ the Yamanaka clan for their speciality. Using Shisui's sharingan, I shall twist and turn your mind until it becomes illegible."

Thomas was stunned and for the first time, showed solid emotion to what he was just told. Being outside of Konoha's walls for so long had numbed his training to kill those hindrances to be the efficient shinobi. Thomas only now was realising what fear was, and it took the realisation he was being ordered to die to experience it.

"W-What of my appearance? They may ask one of the members of Konoha's group to examine my body."

"A truthful factor to be concerned about, but fear not. My associates are more than able to ensure you are unrecognisable. Not even I will recognise you when they have finished."

Wide eyed, Thomas slowly returned his emotionless facade, however just the way Danzou was speaking about his own life being so little worth in value in a cold, heartless tone was making his legs feel like jelly.

Forcing himself to pull a dull unconcerned expression, Thomas bowed shakily, "A-And what about the jinkuriki?"

The elderly man's wrinkly mouth perked, "Uzumaki Naruto has proven himself to be an interesting subject. It would appear he is showing some very surprising potential. I shall be monitoring him closely before I determine his use. We may even see signs of something magnificent surfacing. After all, he is 'her' son."

'Her?' Thomas asked himself blankly, knowing Danzou would not clarify for him.

Still unable to control his trembling, the perspiring shinobi gave his renown confusing smile for possibly the last time as he stared into the rotating sharingan, "Very well. My will is your bidding, Danzou-sama."

---

A blinding white light.

That was the very first thing Sakura was greeted to when her heavy eyes opened. When they focussed, she met a spotless cream ceiling. Turning her numbed head, she squinted to see the source of brightness, being the sunlight from the great window. Once again adjusting to the change in light, she was able to see the familiar view she always could remember witnessing from within Konoha's hospital.

Turning her head around easier this time, she studied the room she was in to discover she was alone.

'How long have I been out for this time?'

Sakura tried to sit up, but struggled to do so because of a wince causing shot of pain from something pressing down in her arm.

Raising her left hand, she recognised the fine bandaging securing an IV needle in place. Dropping her gaze a little to follow her sleeves, she discovered she was dressed in the standard white hospital pyjamas. Sighing, she let her hand fall to her side and just stared up at the ceiling, feeling as equally empty as its appearance. A part of her felt she would end up staring at it for quite some time. Since she was stuck here, she tried to piece together everything that happened, with the memories almost painting on the bland ceiling.

'I remember slipping unconscious when Tsunade-sama was half way through the procedure. I hope Naruto didn't freak.' She knew the truth to her prayer, but could only hope reality wasn't what her gut was telling her.

Hearing the door to her room slide open, her eyes met a platinum blonde. Sakura was equally surprised as her guest, "Sakura?"

"Ino?"

Walking in, Ino slid the door shut and grinned, "Good to see you finally woke up forehead, we were considering shortening your hair since its significant growth over time."

Gasping, Sakura instantly was running her hands through her hair to check it's apparent 'significant' length, but upon feeling it's normal shoulder length, she growled, "Ino! don't do that!"

Chuckling, Ino crossed over the tiled floors to help Sakura sit up, "Still easy as ever to tease."

"That's not funny! how long have I been out for?"

"...Just four days, relax already."

Breathing out the air she was holding in, Sakura pouted at her friend, "That really was not funny Ino."

"Alright, sorry, jeez. Lighten up forehead."

Sitting on the bed, Ino began examining the rosette. Once satisfied, Ino stood up and walked to the end of the bed to pick up the clipboard.

"Well?" Sakura asked eagerly.

Ino decided not to jest and walked over to the cabinet to pull out a syringe, "Well your reactions appear normal, that's a good sign. I am just going to take a blood sample to see how you are internally. We have done this check up every day." She explained.

While Ino was doing so, Sakura continued to ask questions, "So how about the previous days? Am I cured?"

Ino was about to start, but knew there was a better way to handle this, "Give me a minute." Bagging the blood sample to take away with her afterwards, Ino grabbed the clipboard and handed it to Sakura.

Ino knew Sakura probably understood more about her results than even she did, but Ino would be damned to ever admit it to her face. Nearly snatching the clipboard off her hands, Sakura began reading.

"I still have some of the poison throughout my system."

Poison being an area Ino had an advantage in, she chose to take over from there, "We have been giving you antibiotic dosages by the day through your IV. When you are cleared, we will be prescribing you the medication in capsule form for the following fortnight."

"You almost make it sound like it's an ordinary illness. How will I tell if I am improving?"

"Try and mould chakra for me." Laying down the clipboard on her lap, Sakura formed a seal and waited for Ino to overlap her hands to check.

Sakura felt she didn't need to wait for Ino to announce the empty feeling, "There is nothing there."

"Not entirely, I still feel some chakra being formed. "

Ino just could not resist the tease, "How humorous, the person always bragging about her superior chakra control now can't even sense her own chakra."

"Ino."

Patting the back of her friend's head, Ino sighed, "Oh come on forehead you know I'm only joking. I am sure in a couple days your control will be blowing mine out of the water...as always."

Accepting Ino's apology, Sakura continued reading, but then noticed her friend looking at her oddly.

Lowering the clipboard, Sakura questioned it, "What is it Ino?"

"...It sounds like me and Choji missed something unreal."

Momentarily stunned, Sakura looked at her sheets as if they could help her find something, "How much do you know?"

"I have heard pretty much a rough summary from Shikamaru."

'Does that mean she knows about Naruto?' Sakura mused, but didn't dare ask that question.

Thinking of her teammate, Sakura nibbled her lower lip, "How has Naruto been Ino?"

"Naruto?" Ino asked in surprise, looking at her friend curiously.

Of all the people to ask about first, Naruto?

"Yes, Naruto."

Deciding to just answer it, Ino stood up while walking over to the sink, "Not the greatest at first, but I think he is coming around now."

The beginning part of that answer made Sakura show worry, Which Ino casually pointed to the couch, "He has mostly been on that couch every day. For three days straight he never even left the room. Tsunade-sama forced him to leave after that, and pretty much banned him from staying here for more than an hour."

The couch itself was nothing outstanding, but the rough embedding into the cushions showed evidence of someone sitting and sometimes lying there on a regular basis. Sakura swore she could faintly see Naruto sitting there, albeit restlessly on the couch.

Sakura's reaction was delayed when a steaming cup of her favourite drink was offered before her, "Drink?"

Taking it and muttering thanks, Sakura continued to look at the furniture, "Did someone tell him I would be ok?"

"You do remember who we are talking about right?" Ino answered rhetorically.

Nodding, Sakura took a sip of her hot beverage, "He was too stubborn to listen to reason?"

"Yep."

"Naruto, you silly baka." Sakura muttered to herself, although Ino heard it well.

"How about mum?"

Now this was the question Ino initially was expecting, "She is alright. Worried no less, but alright. She usually visits here twice, sometimes three times a day."

'Twice to three times a day?'

"Has she met Naruto yet?"

"Huh?"

These constant questions regarding Naruto were really becoming odd.

"Umm-" Ino shrugged, "-I have no idea."

Nodding dismissively, Sakura nibbled her lower lip as her eyes met that boring ceiling again, before lowering her head to drink.

Still holding interest in her best friends attitude, Ino carried on the topic, "From what I was told, Naruto sure had a hell of a time on this mission."

Sakura choked in surprise, but recovered, "I-Indeed..."

Noticing Sakura's nerves rising, Ino decided to cut to the chase, "Relax forehead...I know."

"You know?"

'Know about the Kyuubi...about us?'

Sighing, Ino clarified, unaware of the rosette's train of thought, "I know Naruto has a Bijuu sealed inside of him."

"Y-You do?"

"Yeah. Naruto told me."

"H-He what?"

"On the day Tsunade booted him out of the hospital, he spoke to me, Choji, Neji and Tenten."

"D-Did someone put him up to doing it?"

"To my understanding no, he did it all at his own call."

'He did it.'

Sakura was caught off guard, but her mouth was starting to form a smile proud for Naruto. What felt long ago, she remembered him not being able to talk to her without cowering on the topic, and that was even with her discovering it herself.

How much he had changed was amazing, "Was he nervous?"

"Hmmph, he was serious about it when he told us, but otherwise I would say he was quite composed. Probably a bit flustered, but surprisingly he was ok."

Sakura tried to hide her widened smile with having another mouthful, but Ino could still see the news brought ecstatic bliss to Sakura.

Suppressing the smile, Sakura lowered her drink, "So what did you all think when he told you?"

"...I admit I was confused at first, but he explained it to me as best as he could..."

The trailing made Sakura look eye to eye with her friend, "Ino...you know what I am asking."

Grinning, Ino took a sip of her drink, "He's still the goofball Naruto to me Sakura. I mean come on, even I wouldn't want to tell anybody if I had a secret like that. Neji had an interesting reaction though."

Taking another mouthful, Ino continued, "Do you remember the chuunin exams and what Naruto and Neji argued about?"

Nodding to the question, Ino then resumed, "Neji quoted Naruto about that time being the only one with problems here...and then he bowed to him, saying something about Naruto having better eyes than him."

"No way-! Neji, as in the Neji I know?"

"Yeah...that bit at the end though, I don't know what it meant, but Naruto shed a few tears from it."

Looking down at her hot chocolate, Sakura's smile widened as she took another sip, 'So now everybody knows, and just as I predicted, nobody saw you in the way you feared. I told you Naruto...and I am proud of you.'

Seeing Sakura wearing such a genuine smile was truthfully something Ino had not seen on Sakura in a long time, or at least nowhere near as frequently or emotionally. She wouldn't say her best friend was depressed, but there was always this impression she was given around the rosette as if something was bothering her. Finally digging out the secret of Sakura's guilt with how she treated Naruto Ino guessed was the issue. Now with Naruto's recent confession, Ino wondered if there was something else that had been weighing down on Sakura.

"Sakura...how long did you know about Naruto and the Kyuubi?"

Wincing, Sakura decided not to lie to Ino, "I...I knew about it since six months after he left with Jiraiya-sama."

"Did he tell you? I mean like with a letter-wait-no, he never wrote to you...how did you find out."

"It was an accident."

Sensing Ino forming a scowl, Sakura tried to explain, "I wanted to talk to you about it Ino, truly I did. But-...I couldn't."

Deeply sighing, Ino shot Sakura a grin, "I'm annoyed. It now makes sense why you were acting the way you did all this time. I even so much as mentioned Naruto and you would go quiet and sometimes even get blindly mad about something. I had pieced together it had something to do with Naruto, and only now do I finally understand."

Sakura's silence made emerald meet firm bright blue, "I wished you spoke to me about it. But I understand why you didn't. If I was in your position, I would have done the same to respect Naruto's choice. I would have tried to keep it to myself for as long as possible, so I can't point the finger at either you or Naruto. The issue is you always get hurt when you hide your problems Sakura, and it ticks me off, since usually I'm the one who becomes victim of it when you burst."

That scold for some bizarre reason truly sounded so familiar, and from more than just one person. Kakashi being the first of her recollections. Yet Ino had known this about her from probably when they first met. Knowing already this was something she had to work on, she put it as reinforcement to her promise.

Now in the present, she grinned at Ino, "It's all about you, isn't it?" She teased, which instantly was met with a snort.

"Speak for yourself, billboard brow."

"Pig."

Both finished their drinks, which Ino then took to the sink. Turning back, Ino yet again saw Sakura smiling softly while looking out the window. It thrilled her to see her friend's burden finally cleared, but Ino clearly was clueless how it happened.

"That reminds me Sakura. Did you solve your issue with the knucklehead?"

Turning, Sakura was about to say something but instantly stopped, 'No way. I tell her, it will officially be the chitchat of Konoha.'

"Well he really was shocked with the ramen."

"I bet he was, but that's not what I asked."

"I-umm...tried to apologise."

Ino's loud groan made her frustration at Sakura clear, "Forehead! Let me guess. He said 'what the hell are you apologising for?'"

"Well-"

"-well nothing! I'm right aren't I?"

Gritting her teeth, even though Sakura still was smiling, she knew she never was going to hear the end of this. Admitting Ino was right and she was wrong was not going to be something the Yamanaka would EVER let go.

Dealing with it as a lesson to be learnt, Sakura reluctantly nodded, then instantly looked away as Ino squealed, "HA! You see! I told you so!"

"Don't you have some patients to go check on or something-"

"-Off duty."

Cursing, Sakura arrogantly continued to stare out the window with her arms crossed.

Giggling as she reapproached, Ino rubbed a hand up and down Sakura's back in exaggerated support, "Ah hell, I'm just glad that is all behind you now Sakura. My god it's like your face is stuck in a constant smile!"

"Why are you making it sound I've been depressed?"

"Neh, you may as well have been described as that-"

"Ino."

"Whatever. I am just damn well relieved."

"...Me too Ino."

Again surprised by Sakura's strange behaviour, Ino knew there was something amiss. The way Sakura's mind worked was so transparent to Ino, she could guess with fine precision when her pink haired friend was leaving something out. Putting her intuition to the test, she decided to start pressing Sakura's buttons.

"So you and Naruto must have gotten pretty close after all of this?" Sakura instantly span around, for a moment showing her shock at the question, but returned recomposed before it was blatant.

Already too late for Ino's sharp blue eye, "Eh, we certainly have become much closer and good friends out of this. I wish it didn't have to be due to this, but it's great."

"Hmm, yes I am sure...good friends." There was something about that 'good friends' at the end that didn't sit well with the rosette.

Choosing to not bite only made Ino inwardly smirk, 'It literally is as if your billboard brow is TELLING me what is going on up there Sakura.'

Placing a hand on her own chin, Ino innocently shrugged, "You know, thinking about it, Naruto actually has become kind of cute."

Sakura's entire body jolted, as her left eye began to twitch at this random announcement, "W-W-What?"

"Well he was a bit of a midget at first, and he was ridiculously loud-"

"-He still is!" Sakura quickly added, as if she was trying to get Ino off the case. Only Sakura didn't realise she was playing right into Ino's game.

"He is still loud as he always has been?"

"Heh, I think he got even louder Ino."

"Whoa. Oh well, goes with his charming personality." Ino saw the vein starting to emerge on Sakura's forehead, but feigned ignorance.

The rosette now was starting to get the hint what Ino was doing, and she was just walking right into it. Trying to end this, Sakura huffed, however appearing to be speaking to the ceiling now, "Think what you want then, Ino pig." Sakura conclusively murmured, only Ino translated the gesture as 'reaching the boiling point.'

She needed one more thing to push Sakura over the edge, and she knew the perfect question to turn that push into a lunge, "Hmm, what would you think of me and Naruto, Sakura?"

Sakura's eyes could not have gotten any bulging wider with surprise, "Say what?" she growled.

"You know, you're his teammate, you should know if his and my personality clash. I think we would make a great cou-"

"You stay the bloody hell away from him Ino!" Sakura harshly cut in, that vein literally snapping in half in the process. It was then that Sakura received the smack in the face of realisation that she had yet again fell for Ino's plan.

The Yamanaka made it clear what she had discovered when the left side of her mouth perked literally to touching her ear, "Eh-h...why so defensive about your 'friend', Sakura?"

"Oh Get over it!"

"Oh my god Sakura!"

Said rosette groaned into her hands, "Just shut up!"

"You've got a crush on him!" She said in a cheerful sing-song manner.

"No I don't!"

"You are so busted forehead!"

"Damn it Ino pig!"

'Seriously, am I just advertising me and Naruto to everybody?' Sakura inwardly shouted, trying to ignore all of Ino's meaningless teasing flying her way.

She should have known Ino better, even Sakura's mother couldn't read her as well as Ino. Now possibly one of the biggest gossip girls of Konoha was on her trail, and Ino was going to drive Sakura insane until she had picked her brain apart. Clicking her tongue, Sakura decided to comply, and turn this all around. She knew how to push Ino's buttons just as precise as the Yamanaka did, only Sakura's goal was to leave Ino awestruck.

"You are wrong Ino. I do not have a crush on Naruto." Sakura felt her nerves fly, but she remained calmed and composed.

Ino cackled, "You are still trying to hide it, come off it Sakura."

"I am in love with Naruto."

Silence was all that filled the room after Sakura's calm announcement. Ino's teases and childish antics literally were smacked away to bring gaping wide disbelief.

Sakura surely succeeded in shutting Ino up, "S-Sakura...y-you...What?"

Violently shaking her head, Ino poorly recovered with a chuckle, "Another 'I love him' announcement Sakura? Really? what are we still twelve here?"

Smiling softly, Sakura insisted, "Ino...I am serious. So serious about it, that I confessed to him."

Ino let out a weak yelp, but her dry mouth made it more a squeak, "Y-You con-con-confessed?...What-what-did he-..."

"Hehe, He was a little at a loss for words...because I kissed him first." She didn't need to say that, but it felt satisfying to just rub it in on Ino due to their rivalry kind of friendship.

Ino's strained sharp gasp was beginning to make Sakura wonder if they were going to need another hospital bed in a moment, as Ino was turning ghostly white.

It was only now that Ino realised this was not a joke, "K-Kissed him..."

Feeling the urge to say it, Sakura just let her pride speak, "That means I was the first of us to kiss a boy. Looks like once again I am ahead of you In-"

"Don't joke about this Sakura!"

Returning to her genuine expression, Sakura waited for Ino to catch up.

Finally, Ino remembered to breathe, "Y-Your not lying to me."

Even though it was a statement and not a desperate question, Sakura became serious, "I am not lying to you Ino. I would never joke about this, as I would expect you to do the same, like you said...we aren't twelve anymore."

Deciding to bring something from the past back up, Sakura never looked away from Ino, "I never answered your question back then Ino. Do you remember that time, where you asked me what would have happened if we swapped teams at the beginning?"

"..."

"I will swallow my pride and confess what I couldn't bring myself to answer you that day. You would have been in my shoes right now, Ino."

"S-Sakura..."

"I now understand my true feelings Ino, and I owe you for that. I realise now my love for Sasuke-kun is brotherly. I know what it is I feel for Naruto is real, it's different."

"Different?"

Looking out the window, Sakura continued with a flush, "He makes me really happy, while he equally gets on my damn nerves at the same time. Whenever I am around him I always feel this urge to laugh. I can't describe it well, but it just so comforting, it-...-it just feels right." She said softly, not feeling as mystified or uncertain as when she explained this to Kakashi.

Ino finally pulled herself back to reality, "Does that mean you and Naruto are..."

The smile answered it all for the Yamanaka, 'We are together.'

Frantically shaking her head in disbelief to this all being the real deal, Ino voiced her shock, "I-I don't understand."

"What do you mean?"

"H-How? How did?-..."

"Hehe, I still don't know how Ino, it just...clicked, I guess."

"'Clicked'?"

"You don't believe me?"

"I have never seen you so narrowly certain Sakura, I know you are not making this all up. But Sakura-...It has only been just over a month!"

'A month?' Sakura mouthed out, as signs of her own surprise were noticed. Mentally counting up the days only made her repeat the two words.

"A month?..."

Starting from the beginning, and flying through every twist and turn she had taken in such little time, Sakura's mouth slightly hung agape. The reality of the time was before her, but with so much that had happened, she recovered with a warming chuckle.

"It was the longest month of my life Ino."

For now well over the third time she had walked in, Ino stared at her friend like she barely even knew her. It daunted Ino that the Sakura she knew had changed so much. Grabbing the chair next to the bed, Ino dragged it to facing Sakura and sat down.

"Alright forehead, start at the beginning. Tell me everything."

"Huh?"

"You have changed."

Why Hinata's conversation flickered over her jade eyes bewildered Sakura to that comment.

"For the Sakura I know to all have all of a sudden come back, answered a question she refused to answer long ago, and even found love with the last person I expected something drastically must have changed. I want to know everything that made this all possible. I'm not leaving until it makes sense to me how this all came to be."

---

Upon reuniting with Orochimaru, Sasuke returned with the snake sannin back to the border of Lighting country to resume his training at the tip of that stormy mountain. Orochimaru asked for an explanation as to where Sasuke had disappeared to, however the Uchiha never amused him with such. Karin went against her gut feeling and followed Sasuke's actions in suite, remembering before they were reunited with Orochimaru that Sasuke had said for her not to mention anything.

Lying to Kabuto was one matter, if anything it was satisfying, but lying to Orochimaru was one such issue Karin would do anything to avoid. Her life may have been ruined by the old snake in the past, turning her from an ordinary kunoichi into the kind of freak she was now. However, to even her own surprise, an odd level of respect was formed since that day.

Karin already was aware though Orochimaru was going to question her on what happened when Sasuke was out of earshot. She was just going to have to be able to work out what to say that she guessed Sasuke would approve of.

"You have come a long way, Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru praised while near drooling in satisfaction. Sasuke was now getting the gist of shaping the lightning into the great face of a chimera beast, allowing the lighting to strike a huge area.

The smoking crater before them was enough proof of the Jutsu's chaotic effectiveness. Karin begged to ask if it was even sane to have a jutsu so devastating just to kill an individual, when this potentially could destroy a city block.

"It is not useable enough." Sasuke said flatly, not holding as much enthusiasm as his sensei.

"What is it you find not remarkable about the jutsu?"

"It requires a thunderstorm to be present. I am not going to leave this jutsu to chance on any occasion."

"So what it is you are asking is to manipulate the weather itself? Kukuku, that is no simple fee-"

"Can it be done?" Sasuke coldly interrupted.

Snickering with little care of the Uchiha's antics, Orochimaru stared up at the black clouds in contemplation, "...Perhaps. I am sure Kabuto can put his bright intellect to use to conjure up means to achieve the impossible. That is if you don't impress me, and discover the means for yourself."

"Then let's return to the hideout as soon as possible. "

"Hmmph, your motivation is admirable. Karin, we are leaving." The silent Karin walked out from under the shade of a cavern, her specs being met by the light spray of rain.

Adjusting them, she nodded, "About time-Sasuke!"

Hearing a splash, Orochimaru followed Karin's turned worried expression to see Sasuke was down on his knees, desperately breathing for air.

Orochimaru didn't even care to move, while Karin had ran over to kneel next to him, "Kukuku, it would appear you are low on chakra Sasuke-kun. I am sure your body is exhausted as well, having real lightning flowing throughout yourself is not to be considered healthy after all." If Karin didn't know any better despite the rain and humid temperature fogging her glasses, she could swear Orochimaru was baring a scolding expression towards Sasuke.

"Karin, see that he is brought up to good health."

The only thing missing from that bland and expecting order was the snapping of his scaly fingers.

Rolling up her sleeve, Karin offered her wrist before the Uchiha. She blinked though when Sasuke's gasps ceased near instantly after doing so. Shivering to her cape starting to get soaked by the down pour, she shook her arm.

"Hurry up a-"

"Karin...what is this?"

Her red eyes widened at the clear emotion of shock in Sasuke's voice. Sasuke still had not looked away from Karin's arm. It was because instead of seeing smooth, delicate and soft skin, he was staring at an arm that looked like it someone had tried to devour it. Rough, and deep bumps of tooth marks were literally scattered all over Karin's arm. The sight was horrific, even for the near emotionally controlled Sasuke. He thought he had seen it all being within Orochimaru's grasp for two years, and he frankly did not pay attention to most things he had witnessed. However not even his ambition could ignore some ghastly sights, and this was no exception.

Frowning, Karin looked elsewhere, "It does not matt-"

"Explain!" Sasuke harshly interrupted, but quiet enough so only she would hear.

Sighing, Karin obliged, "My chakra has regenerative capabilities thanks to Orochimaru-sama and Kabuto-sempai. By biting my body, I can heal an individual's wounds no matter how severe, along with restoring their chakra."

Still staring now blankly at the arm, Sasuke continued his questions in a flat tone, "Such a thing has to have a cost, other than this."

"...It uses both my chakra and life force."

Digging his nails into the muddy surface he was near collapsing on, Sasuke had to resist forming a glare at Orochimaru's back. He didn't even know why that cost made his blood boil, but he so badly wanted to kill the old snake for doing this. Using his anger to give him strength, he swotted away her hand and forced himself to stand.

Surprised by the action, Karin shrugged, "What's the big deal?"

"I'm not on my deathbed!" Sasuke snapped back, as he marched away, not caring at Karin's shocked ruby eyes staring at him.

Did Sasuke just refuse being instantly revived for her own sake?

It truthfully had her at a complete loss, since she had never seen such actions come from Sasuke before. She was confused. Orochimaru caught eye of Sasuke approaching, however was none the wiser.

"Good, now let's hurry."

Sasuke just sharply nodded in agreement, as they took off, Karin lagging a little behind. During the journey, Karin was staring at Sasuke's back, still baffled with his action. It was not as if she had a choice in the matter, Orochimaru and Kabuto always were utilising her ability to bring near dead experiments and subordinates back to life. This wasn't the only action that she was bewildered with Sasuke about, as she remembered the other big questioning action.

"...Everything that she had said Sasuke...she spoke it from the heart. I can tell when somebody is lying even the slightest, but not one word she said was such the case."

''I don't care...neither of them will be a concern to me anymore.'

It didn't make sense.

Karin sensed the girl and the owner of the inhuman chakra miles away. She distinctly remembered Sasuke earlier wanted to avoid them, so she warmed him they were approaching the pair, and mentioned one was very weak. Sasuke instead of making a detour shot right towards them. When they were closing in, Sasuke told her to stay hidden, and when she questioned what he was doing, the Uchiha left her in the dark about it.

Why did Sasuke go to them?

That was just one of so many questions she still had no answer to. While the conversation between Sakura and Sasuke was commencing, just as Karin had told him earlier, Sakura was speaking from the heart. There was not an ounce of telltales to what the kunoichi had said.

There was one thing she didn't dare say to Sasuke However...

...How he wasn't as honest as Sakura was.

Sasuke surely was very well trained in hiding his true thoughts, and she could agree to an ordinary person they wouldn't see anything amiss. However chakra itself to Karin was a psychology. Chakra was something no other person than herself could describe so well. Karin still had yet to meet a single individual who could mask their chakra's activity from her senses. This was one of the many reasons she had dubbed herself as the human lie detector.

Sasuke's chakra to her was saying very different words to what was actually coming out of his mouth throughout parts of the conversation. There was one inconsistency that drew her interest towards however, and that was his threat he made. His actual voice was cold and upmost serious, just as his eyes. Sasuke's chakra however was reading something different.

Discomfort and conflict.

'You keep saying to everyone that your bonds with your old village have been severed by your hand Sasuke...but I don't think your heart has caught up to you, or possibly is resisting your words will.'

Sasuke was oblivious to all of this, nor was he giving it any thought. Sensing another pair of eyes however that weren't Karin's or Orochimaru's, he halted and instantly turned in the direction he felt them coming from. Sasuke only was met with the fixed eyes of a hawk. Narrowing his gaze on it, Sasuke could notice the hawk was still glaring at him, and only him.

Karin landing on the branch next to him didn't break the stare off, "What is it Sasuke?"

"Karin...are there any chakra readings nearby?" Blinking, Karin closed her eyes to concentrate.

Soon, she shook her head, "There is nobody here but us Sasuke."

"Hn. " Was his only response, as he broke the staring contest and left with Karin. The hawk let out a loud squawk, as it stretched out its great wings, and flew after them.

---

The guests walking around the hospital corridors were beginning to become scarce, as it was approaching late afternoon where visiting hours were over. Saying goodbye, Ino closed the door to Sakura's room, but held her hand on the door knob.

"Sakura..." She muttered to herself, as her hand let go and rested at her side.

'Wow.'

Walking down the empty corridor, Ino still was replaying their entire conversation, as well as Sakura's long retelling. The Yamanaka's frustration only grew as Sakura continued telling her everything that had happened. She could not believe she missed out on something so life changing to not just Sakura, but to all of them.

Her friend's change still caught her off guard. Sakura had matured and grown mentally so much in this one month than her personality had in two years. Ino just could not believe it. From what Sakura had told her as well, it would seem Sakura had been learning new jutsu as well at a frightening rate. Elemental affinity discovery of both Earth and Water element, also finding out she was equal strength in both. Sakura also pursuing in suiton jutsu along with mastering mizu bunshin. Then there was not to mention a completion of a coordinated rasengan with Naruto, and her practicing in a method Ino was purely baffled with. Dual jutsu's was what Ino saw it as, while Sakura was more so explaining it as being able to heal two patients at once. Considering each medical jutsu treatment was unique to the patient, you may as well have gone with Ino's assumption.

The first emotion Ino felt out of all of this. Disbelief. The second one that was now eating away at her?

Jealousy.

Ino followed in Sakura's footsteps two years ago because Ino felt their rivalry was incomparable, yet now once again that same belittling feeling was falling on her conscience. Sakura's 'it's all about you' joke made Ino snort involuntarily as she walked outside of the hospital doors to meet the orange lighting of the late afternoon.

While walking down the streets, Ino still continued to recollect. Sakura's growth to Ino however was merely the tip of the iceberg. Naruto and Sakura being in a relationship was literally like dropping a bomb on everything Ino thought she knew about her best friend.

Of all the people in the world...Naruto?

Truly she hadn't spent as much time with him as Sakura had, but Ino still was given the impression he was the same old loud Naruto. Ino could not argue however that her friend was in doubt about her feelings. Their conversation about this went very differently than when the topic was about Sasuke. Sakura wasn't desperately reaching out at fine details to hold onto this time round, if anything, she near had too many qualities about the blond to both compliment and whine about. Then there was just the manner in which Sakura was speaking about Naruto in. Ino could tell the rosette was being very serious and genuine about it.

Perhaps she needed to see Naruto for some form of understanding to finally switch on, which was why she was at this very moment looking for him. Seeing the familiar blinds of Ichiraku's approaching, Ino looked to the stools to see orange legs. She didn't know anybody else in all of Konoha who wore orange, so it was safe to say that it was Naruto. He was sitting next to somebody she roughly guessed was younger than him. Now only meters away, she heard voices.

"Can't...Eat-...anymore."

"HA! serves you right for betting you could best the king of Ichiraku's around here!"

"Boss...where the hell are you putting all that?"

"Where's my coupon?"

"Aw man. Take it."

Lifting up the blind, Ino gaped at what her eyes met. On the bench next to Naruto was a tower of lick cleaned ramen bowls nearly touching the ceiling of the place, while the 'lump' next to him was only four ramen bowls high. The thought of someone eating four bowls already made her sick, but the awe striking tower that easily was a dozen was going to make her faint.

It only made looking at Naruto bring more shock. How on earth was he so thin when he ate near-no-EQUAL to what Choji eats? Shaking her shock away, she looked at Naruto now seriously. He was grinning as if he was superior to a pouting and apparently gut hurting Konohamaru, however the little dullness in his eyes still showed he was not fully his old self.

Ino grinned as she announced herself, "Hey Naruto."

Hearing his name, the blond turned to return the gesture, "Hey Ino. You eat here too?"

"Err-no, I just came to see you."

Mouthing on 'oh', Naruto's grin faded away, "How's Sakura-chan?"

Leaning against the wall and crossing her arms, Ino smiled, "She doesn't seem too bad." Ino knew that was not exactly what he was asking, but she had her own agenda of questions to ask him.

"So how have you been Naruto? You sure seem much better than a couple of days ago."

Naruto was about to respond, but Konohamaru talked over him, "Nah, he still is down in the dumps."

"She was talking to me!"

"Hmmph, I think I agree with you Konohamaru. What is troubling you Naruto?" Yet another obvious leading on question, but Naruto didn't seem to pick up on it.

His grin was midway to becoming half-hearted, but Konohamaru gave him a nudge, "Hehe, he is just worried sick about 'his' Sakura-neechan."

"KONOHAMARU!"

Ignoring Naruto's flaring cheeks, Ino went wide eyed in feigned shock, "Really?"

Glaring at Konohamaru, Naruto was scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "Hehehe, yeah."

"Aww, that's sound's sweet. Looks like someone here has a little crush on a certain billboard brow."

Teasing this turning red in the face soul was just too amusing. Ino knew very well if Sakura was here the rosette would have hissed at her to back off. Too bad she wasn't here right now though, basically meaning poor Naruto is left open for picking on.

Whistling after her tease, Ino chuckled with Konohamaru as Naruto tried to hide his embarrassed face by looking up at the ceiling semi arrogantly, "I don't-"

"You know he scored a date with her?"

"DAMN IT KONOHAMARU!"

Ino's laugh made Naruto's already flushed face deepen to solid tomato red, while said embarrassed blond was harshly bashing the Sarutobi next to him on the head, yet Konohamaru was just impishly grinning while shielding himself from the blows.

Calming herself, Ino rubbed the tear out of her eye, "Oh? A date hey? So what do you have in mind?"

"he's-MMGHH!"

Konohamaru was gagged by a napkin from the blond as he grumbled curses at him. Following that, he bashfully answered, "U-Umm, we were going to eat here, Hehe."

"Here?" Twitching her eye, Ino was about to scold him for having no romantic sense, but decided to restrain herself for now.

Brushing it off, Ino shrugged, "Interesting choice." She mumbled, her lie blatantly clear to all but the dense blond.

Deciding to move forward, Ino sat herself down on the stool next to him before casting a 'cheerful' look at Konohamaru, "My, you look bloated Konohamaru, maybe you should walk it off for a while."

"Huh? You out of your mind? I can barely even-!"

The sudden cheerful facade showed its true, dismissive colours, "Scram."

Konohamaru gulped at the evil look he was receiving, "U-U-Um-You're right!-great idea! Ha-ha- I'll be back in a minute boss- Hehe- good-luck!"

Struggling to run out since he almost tripped over his scarf, Konohamaru stumbled out as quick as he could, 'What the heck is her problem? She was joining in with me teasing niichan a second ago?'

With Konohamaru now apparently gone, Naruto was now looking a little freaked out at the Kunoichi sitting casually cross legged next to him. Fortunately her expression returned to that smile, whether it was fake or genuine was a question he didn't know, "Wow, you actually look like you're going to have a heart attack or something. I just want to talk."

"O-Oh."

"I am curious, not that it is any of my business. Are you serious with all this?"

Focussing on Ino's firm gaze, Naruto blinked, "Say what?"

"I said are you serious about her?" she repeated.

Ino groaned into her hand though when he still showed he was perplexed, "Need I have to spell it out for you? I am asking do you love Sakura?"

Now understanding the question, Naruto froze in the stare off between blue eyes. Perhaps Ino was being intrusive, but she had to know for her own comfort. She knew Sakura was being genuine, but she wanted to know if it was the same from the other way.

Naruto looked away for a moment to think, but as he turned his head back after a moment, Ino raised a hand, "I don't want to hear some goofy or corny speech, all I want is a simple, and clear answer. Think about it before you say the next thing...I will know right away wether you truly mean it."

"A-Are you going to read my mind or something with one of those freaky jutsu's?"

"Huh?"

Perking an eyebrow, Ino soon understood and waved a hand, "Ha, while I have to say that is a pretty good idea...I am nowhere near surpassing my dad yet. If you know what is good for you, you will not tell Sakura I said that. Just be honest."

Scratching the back of his head, Naruto didn't understand what was the purpose of this question, "Why do you want to know?"

Sighing, Ino looked elsewhere, "Well, let's just say I am just looking out for my best friend. Don't take that personally or see it as I am picking on you, I would probably ask this same question to anybody if it regarded her."

"Best friend? You two are always at each other's throats though-well, at least from what I can remember back before I left? You're both usually fighting over something."

"Are you and Sasuke any different?"

Gaping, Naruto really had no come back to that, and instead sheepishly chuckled, "I think I see where you're coming from now. If you are saying it's like that, then you and Sakura-chan are nearly like sisters."

"Hmmph, dysfunctional at best, but that's a good way to look at it...although she is the one always needing to be looked out for, nor is she the bright one of us." Ino's ego just could not suppress itself from adding that unneeded pointer.

She wasn't expecting Naruto to put his index finger up, "Hey Sakura-chan's pretty smart. She was the top Kunoichi graduate in the academy after all, that's got to be some credit there."

Surprised and a little impressed to see Naruto sticking up for Sakura, she almost called him out on bias, until her brows furrowed at something incorrect, "Wait a second, 'SHE' the top kunoichi graduate? I admire you sticking up for her, but the top kunoichi graduate was ME. I will cut her slack and admit the difference was by four points and she was ahead in theory...but it still means I was the top kunoichi." She even pointed at herself for emphasis.

Naruto's eyes showed him trying to remember something, "Nah, I'm pretty sure Sakura-chan bragged to me far back she was the top, tying with Sasuke."

Ino's face formed a scowl, "Ermm, no, she did not. I was the one who tied grades with Sasuke."

'Typical of you Sakura, stealing my fame to talk yourself up. Sigh. Some things just never change.'

Realising they were going way off track, Ino shook her head, "Forget about that. Would you please answer my question?"

Naruto slowly nodded, soon letting his shifty eyes look elsewhere, his mind doing just as Ino had told him to do, as he soon got lost in his recollections.

'I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad you're still you, Naruto.'

' ...Kyuubi or not, you will always in my eyes be Naruto. The annoying, loud, and hyperactive juvenile that I am glad I was put on the same team with...or I never would have been able to see how wrong my beliefs were about him.'

'Y-You really mean that?'

'Of course I do you idiot.'

'That's not what I am worried about Naruto!...I am worried about you!'

'What do you suggest then?'

'...we could shar-'

'Naruto!'

'Do you believe in me, Sakura-chan?'

'I-I...of course I do Naruto.'

' Yes Naruto...I...I don't know how or when but... I'm in love with you baka.'

Slowly forming a smile to his rush of only a handful of an ocean's worth of memories, Naruto looked back straight into Ino's eyes, with his own showing his genuine and unyielding beliefs.

"Yeah, I really do love Sakura-chan."

Ino continued looking through those firm and story filled oceanic blue irises, as she finally smiled, 'I think I understand now, Sakura.'

"Alright, I believe you." she replied, agreeing both to what he just strongly told her, and to her mind's own questions.

"Hehe, boss you look so embarrassed right now."

"W-Wha-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING BACK?"

"I said a minute remember?"

"You never left from the side of the joint, you little ease dropper." Ino harshly shot down the Sarutobi, who didn't seem to have listened to her as he was still teasing Naruto.

While the two were arguing, Ino decided it was time to let Naruto know, "By the way Naruto, you should cheer up-..."

Silencing the pair, Naruto now held bafflement to her unfinished statement.

Smiling wider, Ino beamed, "Because she is awake now!"

Naruto on reflex shot right out of the stool, knocking it over, "REALLY?" he shouted, his skyrocketing relief and joy clear as day.

Nodding, Ino answered, "Yes."

Ino must have blinked or something, since the blond before her had disappeared in an instant. Snapping her head to down the street, she saw Naruto making a bolt for it, "THANKS INO!" He shouted out, as he got further and further away.

Shaking her head clear of shock, she tried to stand and call back, "H-HEY! VISITING HOURS ARE OVER-...oh who am I kidding."

Picking up the stool and sitting down in defeat, Ino chuckled, "Jeez, I should have expected that. Too bad though, since Sakura is not alone at the moment."

---

Sakura was getting used to these guests coming to see her as the day went out. During her conversation with Ino, her mother visited her. It was a welcoming reunion, but Sakura never mentioned Naruto to her. She felt now wasn't the best time to bring that up with her mother just yet, at least not after just waking up. Promising to come back tomorrow, Sakura's mother reluctantly left, allowing Sakura to talk a while longer with Ino.

Soon after Ino had departed, her master arrived with questions of her own. Tsunade even was sitting in the same position Ino was before she left. Unlike Ino though, Tsunade was asking specific questions about the mission in general. Perhaps it was for the sake of just getting consistency with the conclusion the Godaime no doubt had read from both Kakashi and Shikamaru's reports.

Leaning back against the chair, Tsunade sighed at the ceiling, "What a big disaster."

Sakura responded with a nod while staring at her sheets in deep thought. She hadn't retold Tsunade everything at this point, she was only up to the part where they first encountered Sasuke.

"So Naruto nearly was killed?"

"Yes..."

"But you lived up to my expectations and kept his condition stable, I must applaud you for that. A critical wound such as that is a task very few medic-nins can mend, especially alone."

"Thank you shisho."

"However-"

Sakura practically winced at that sudden change of tone that held scolding behind it as the hokage now continued, "You also broke so many guidelines in the process I would almost feel deemed to forbid you from practicing medicine ever again."

Sakura knew this was coming from so long ago, she just continuing looking down at her sheets in shame. This is exactly how Tsunade always was after all.

"As I said I am proud of you, remember that, but you were equally quite foolish with your actions. Continuous use of drugs that you know are dangerous, ignoring your own wounds, including one that was poisoned from the Kyuubi's chakra. Not to also mention letting a patient with such a significant injury walk around before full recovery. From what I also heard he was taking more care of you than the other way round."

Sakura nibbled her lower lip, as she weakly nodded in acknowledgement of her errors. She knew they were reckless, and she also knew her master was not going to accept any excuse she could give. Tsunade always expected the best from her, and Sakura respected that. Sakura didn't even realise Tsunade had stood up until the hokage's hand was ruffling her hair gently.

"He must be really important to you to make you act so recklessly." Tsunade stated coolly.

Even so, Sakura still went gaping wide in shock at the change of both tone and topic. Her master chuckled at her stunned expression, " I am going to let you off the hook this time Sakura, because I do understand why you went against those guidelines and did what you did. I will be honest with you, I have done the same thing for a person that once meant the world to me so long ago...I know you understand the guidelines and respectfully would follow them, so I shall not lecture you what you already know. I am blaming that gaki instead."

Feeling her mouth going dry, Sakura closed her agape form and looked away with a light flush, "Don't blame him too much Tsunade-sama."

"Hmmph...so?"

"So?" Sakura looked back at her master to see Tsunade smirk.

"Do I really need to be specific?"

Widening her eyes for a moment, Sakura returned her gaze to the early evening sky, "You already know about that."

"Yes I am aware about that, but what I want to know is how this has came to be. When did it happen?"

"You know Ino asked me the exact same question."

"Well good, you can explain it better to me."

Tsunade's smirk perked at the side, "Was it love at first sight?"

Sakura snapped her neck around so fast Tsunade even heard the bone crack, "N-N-No! W-Well I mean he looks so different now, and he is also so-"

"Handsome?"

Sakura's cheeks deep flush was hidden mostly by the orange light coming from the window, but Tsunade could still see it, "I-I was going to say matured!"

The Godaime was enjoying teasing her apprentice about this new development far too much it would seem, "Hehe, how careless of me to think that way."

"Shisho!" Sakura whined.

"When did you realise?"

"...A few days after the incident with Sasuke-kun."

Now rubbing her apprentices back affectionately, Tsunade asked a real question she was curious about, "Do you love him?"

The question at first caught Sakura off guard, but she recovered with a smile, "I do."

Feeling that was too little, she added, "Naruto can be so stupid, and even sometimes is silly and immature. He is a stubborn baka. However he is loyal to everyone, never gives up even in the toughest of situations, supportive and protective of those he cares about. Most of the time Naruto's silly attitude can bring a smile to people even in the worst state, it also surprisingly makes him really fun to be around. And I love that baka more than anything."

From what felt a while ago, she would have struggled to simple answer that question, more so justify. Her talk with Ino gave her more solid of an understanding, but saying it now again gave her a chance to put more thought into it. Perhaps that was the reason Tsunade had asked that yet obvious question. Did she feel her justification made sense? perhaps not, but it was what she had come to believe.

Tsunade brought her apprentice into a one hand but fond embrace, snuggling Sakura's head against her chest, "Ahh, my young apprentice is growing up."

Sakura smiled while resting in the embrace, "Why do you all make it sound like you weren't expecting it?"

"Because I sure as hell wasn't. I saw your mother in the corridor earlier, did you tell her?"

"U-Umm, no- I didn't. I am going to need a little bit of time with that."

"Fair enough. Nervous?"

"You could say that. I wasn't before about Naruto meeting my mum, but since we're...together, it's different. Shisho, do you think she'll..."

Looking down at her apprentice to see Sakura's worry, Tsunade grinned knowingly, "Approve of the gaki?"

Nodding, Tsunade snuggled Sakura closer, "Hmm...that's a tough one. Do you know how she felt about Naruto previously?"

"She has never met him Tsunade-sama."

"Did she ever ask about him?"

"All the time. She's been interested in knowing about him because I didn't really talk much about him much."

Pulling out of the hug while still rubbing her apprentice's back, Tsunade grinned, "What kind of questions did she ask?"

"What was he like, how did he usually act. Sometimes when I was telling her about missions she would ask what did he do during the mission."

"Interesting. It almost sounds to me like she was trying to get a picture on his personality. Seems to be the typical sorts of questions to me."

Looking at her sheets, Sakura's eyes flickered, "Shisho. I didn't think about it clearly back then, but now with what I know..."

"Yes Sakura, I am thinking the same thing. Your mother was probably very curious to know how he acted because of the rumours she heard about him...because of the Kyuubi."

Swallowing the hard lump that had formed at the back of her throat, Sakura clenched her hands on the sheets.

Seeing her apprentice growing worried, Tsunade pressed on, "So what was your response to those questions?"

Sakura felt a little guilty when she sheepishly answered, "Umm...I didn't exactly say the best about him previously."

"There was good things to say? Come on, try me."

"...He is short, loud, at times annoying. He is always goofing around, and usually acts very silly."

"Hmmph. Unsurprisingly quite accurate. Anything positive?"

Flushing, Sakura nodded, "I did tell her how he was very stubborn with his dream, and his admirable determination...and he always inspired me to do better, although I really was reluctant to admit it at that time."

Chuckling, Tsunade ruffled Sakura's hair again, "So basically, you've described him as an ordinary brat. I truthfully cannot answer your question, but I am sure you don't need to fret that much."

"Thanks Shisho."

Satisfied with their discussion, Tsunade walked over to the end of the bed to pick up the clip board, "Now let's discuss your condition."

Sakura casted a glance out the window while Tsunade was trying to find the recent paper, unconsciously smiling at the dusk sky to an approaching silhouette, "Shisho...I think you better open the window, unless you want it to break."

Tsunade rose an eyebrow in question at the sudden request, but shrugs and puts the clipboard down on the bed. Heaving open the great glass to receive a rush of evening breeze, Tsunade catches a glance of people walking down on the street below. Other than that there was nothing of interest. Shrugging, she stepped to the side to pick up the board again, "Anyway Sakura, your conditio-"

"SAKURA-CHAN!" An ecstatic and bliss filled voice screamed right up Tsunade's ear, forcing the hokage to shield it with her hand.

While the ringing didn't cease, she soon realised that Naruto was the cause of the disturbance. Glaring at him initially, Tsunade was about to give the blond a mouth full for nearly blowing her ear drum. Upon sight of his ear to ear smile though, she resisted doing so, allowing him to continue yelling his surprise and praises. What caught her eye more so was her apprentices reaction to the blondes sudden appearance.

She possibly had never seen Sakura wearing such a genuine and joy filled smile in all her times with the rosette in two years. Sakura during being under Tsunade's wing always had a shadow over her personality. She rarely was as open with Tsunade as the Godaime wished, but it was clear to tell Sakura always had something heavy carrying on her shoulders. Seeing her right now almost caught the hokage off guard to how much difference there was in such a small expression Tsunade nearly was a stranger to witnessing. Sakura finally realised where Naruto was semi shouting in at the time, and her smile was subdued to a half hearted scowl.

"Naruto! Keep your voice down. There are people trying to sleep now...and visiting hours are over baka!"

"-I wasn't worried at all- Huh?" Naruto caught himself up to reality that Sakura just scolded him, and was at such a loss he didn't even see she was suppressing a snicker to his spaced out expression.

"Uhh-err- but I-"

"That's right you loudmouthed gaki! You are aware WHY we have visiting hours? People are also trying to sleep, they don't need to listen to your mindless rambling. Can it!" Tsunade this time had her own say, only unlike Sakura, Tsunade was being serious.

Defensively waving his hands the blond muttered his protests, "B-But I-"

Sakura once again interrupted him, but this time it was with light laughter, "Oh, I am sure Shisho we can forgive him this once. Just keep your voice down Naruto, there are people trying to sleep."

Backing down, Tsunade shrugged it off, 'Hmmph, you were just teasing him Sakura.' she concluded.

Naruto scratched the back his head sheepishly, "Err-my bad."

"Hehe, baka."

The Godaime crossed her arms and leaned against the window she had now closed. It struck her odd though the teens were suddenly silent, with an awkward sensation brushing over her. Both teens were still smiling at each other, but Naruto didn't appear to be acting. Reading his body language, Tsunade could see he was hesitant about doing something, and somehow felt her presence was the cause of it. The hokage perked an eyebrow as the blond scratched his head again and widened his smile to its traditional fox like sparkle.

"It's great to see you're up Sakura-chan! You feeling much better now?"

Sakura's signs of disappointment of him not acting were noticed by the older kunoichi, but Sakura chose to ignore it and smiled softly at her sheets, "Eh, just a little tired, but compared to before, I am good."

As they began small chit chat, Tsunade's perked eyebrow did not ease seeing how nervous and shy Naruto and Sakura were. Putting it down to being shy because she was here, Tsunade decided to continue what she was discussing with Sakura before.

"I suppose it's better off you are here as well Naruto. Saves me explaining it more than once."

That got both to turn their heads as the hokage picked up the papers and began flicking through the pages.

"Shisho, Ino already explained it to me, there is no need."

"True for you. However I want THIS guy right here to understand."

Naruto didn't say a thing as Tsunade began, "Well first news that is most important is that you are no longer in danger Sakura. Most of the poison has been removed, however you will be prescribed some antibiotics that will need to be ingested with your food daily for a fortnight. Chakra control wise you are pretty much unable to use it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it comes back really soon."

"Am I at risk of infecting others?"

"You would have been when the poison was strong, now you are at no risk."

Even though that was relieving, Sakura concern was already rising, but Tsunade answered the brewing question, "You were only able to pass infection via your saliva, I trust you didn't kiss this brat on the lips after your fight?"

Both members of team 7 flushed their cheeks in embarrassment, but Sakura shook her head, which the hokage just sharply nodded and pressed on with little interest of their predicament.

"You will be staying within the hospital grounds for a few days for rehabilitation and to ensure a healthy recovery."

Tsunade then points a firm finger at Naruto, "Meaning she is not to do anything outside these grounds, and that is my final answer."

Naruto pulled the classical 'who me' look, "Eh, but-"

"NO exceptions gaki! I am holding you responsible for if something happens."

"Wha? Me? Why would-"

"My apprentice knows these things and understands to follow protocol...you however seem to have an effect on making her break the rules."

Tsunade declared, hinting on certain events Naruto guessed was all the medic-nin rules Sakura broke. Naruto was talking about protecting Sakura from a firm scolding by Tsunade a while back, but he never saw it coming that HE was going to be the one needing protecting.

Sakura was at his defence though, "Tsunade-sama, that was all my choices, don't pick on Naruto for it." "Did he have a hand in you making those choices?"

"No-well, mostly not...You said you understood, shisho."

Tsunade expression softened, "Very well, if you say so."

Naruto tried to mumble something, but Tsunade turned to leave, "Remember we are in a hospital, meaning there are others here trying to rest. One complaint from a patient, and I am banning you from entering this building until Sakura is cleared."

Naruto could only stand there at the constant pounding he was being given, but Tsunade then waved a hand and chirped, "By the way Naruto, may I speak with you for a moment."

Casting a look to Sakura who shrugged at her masters strangely protective attitude, Naruto followed Tsunade out into the hall, as the hokage closed the door.

Tsunade's 'official' figure does not fade when it was just her and Naruto, "I am being very serious with what I said in there, Naruto. She will make a full recovery in those couple of days if you leave her be."

"What's with the attacks already Tsu-Tsu-Tsunade-sama? I promise I won't do anything stupid."

"You and not being stu-?..what the hell did you just call me?"

Tsunade literally choked when her mind replayed what Naruto had just said.

Tsunade-sama.

Albeit troubled to pronounce it, but she still classified it as the proper annunciation. The godaime had been getting caught off guard a lot recently these past couple of days, but this was one thing she wouldn't even dare betting on to expect. Blinking blankly several times, she recovered with a perking smile forming, as she crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall for support. This was too amazing to be happening, not from a person like Naruto to suddenly call her in respect, so she took a stab at what the reasoning was.

"Are you trying to suck up to me?"

"Huh?"

"I admit I was drinking before you barged into my office with Sakura, but my ears swear they heard you shout out 'Tsunade-baa-sama!'."

Stunned with what to say, Naruto shrugged uncaringly, "What? I thought you would like being called in respect?"

"'Respect?' you?"

Naruto yet again shrugged in bafflement, but Tsunade continued, "Hmmph, not bad, but that doesn't work on me."

Tsunade chuckled once more at the antic, as she gave a more genuine smile, "Guess I may be being a little harsh on you. I confess this recent...development, has me a little on the defensive edge for my apprentice. Heh, sometimes you would think I am her real mother. Even I am shocked to admit that."

Ruffling his hair made the blond half jump in fright, but instead he relaxed as she chuckled, "Perhaps I am just overreacting. It seems Jiraiya may have been more so telling the truth you aren't as much of a brat as you used to be."

Naruto pouted, while forming a scold, "I'm not a brat, Tsunade-baa-ch-!"

Naruto semi froze when the hokage death gripped his chin, bring his entire face to look up at her vein pulsating expression, "What were you just going call me, Gaki?"

Naruto only closed his eyes in preparation, but his eyes shot wide at the soft contact on his cheek, as the hokage released him with a smile.

"I think I see why she likes you. "

Naruto could only hold confusion to that, as the hokage turned to leave. Naruto was about to open the door, until the echoing of Tsunade's high heels in the hallway stopped again. Feeling a heavy presence, his head slowly turned to see Tsunade standing there. Her very flat and emotionless tone paralysed him.

"I admit you are like a son to me...just like Sakura has become the daughter I never had. I only wish for the best for both of you, and a part of me knows you will be great for each other."

Naruto almost smiled, until Tsunade partly turned her head so he could see just her eye. That firm, protective expression filled iris matched the cold atmosphere very well as Tsunade spoke out, "However Uzumaki Naruto...if you break her heart...It will be the last one you break."

Naruto's audible gulp was the only thing heard bounce around the hallway. Naruto now knew very well where Sakura had gotten 'that' tone and threatening line from, only in comparison, Sakura's was considered nice. This one literally was border lining him in embarrassing himself right then and there, that is if he was not going to have a heart attack first. Naruto never even registered the light mysteriously returned in the hallway, as the 'evil' Tsunade disappeared behind a genuine smile again.

"More importantly though...would you go back in there and hug her for goodness sakes? I know you have been worried sick these couple of days despite my ranting. Also don't think just because she was unconscious she felt no effects of time either."

"U-Uh, Y-Yeah sure thing-"

"And don't be so shy to be affectionate to her with others around. Jeez, you looked like you were scared to even touch the bed a minute ago."

Desperate to escape, Naruto just nodded his head frantically, muttering his agreements as he literally jumped into the room and semi slammed the door shut as if to contain a monster.

'I thought Ino was scary, I think I just met the shinigami itself!'

Quickly recovering, he tried to ignore Sakura's raised eyebrow in curiosity, "What on earth were you talking about out there that took you so long?"

Naruto tried to speak, but Sakura dismissively waved her hand as she chuckled, "I have to apologise about Tsunade-sama, I am not quite sure what is up with her to have such a go at you like that." "Meh, it doesn't matter."

'I am going to be sleeping with one eye open tonight...that's if I can even get to sleep.'

Putting that behind him, Naruto walked up to the side of the bed. Sakura sniffed the air as he approached and giggled, "Strong spices and a scent of noodles...yep, you have been at Ichiraku's. Doesn't surprise me. How does it feel to be reunited with your 'precious' ramen?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head with a semi embarrassed grin, "Neh, not as epic as I was expecting it to be."

Sakura at first showed curiosity at his less than bright tone, but then understood with a soft smile, "I see. Sorry Naruto, I am keeping my word though, we can go together when I am cleared."

"Hehe, it's all good. Gives me time to find some money."

'That coupon Konohamaru stupidly bided might actually come in handy.'

Sakura lightly laughed at that, "You idiot, I was only joking about that, I know you have no money."

"Oh really? does that mean-"

"You are still paying me back for our first date, you little opportunist."

"Aw man."

She cackled at his whine, "The man is meant to be the one who pays for the ladies meal baka. It's called chivalry."

"Heh, sounds like you're just being a gold digger."

"W-Wha? did you just call me-?"

She stopped herself when Naruto abruptly but gently hugged her, finding his hand guiding her head from behind to snuggle under his neck. Recovering from her surprise, she brought up her hand that didn't have the needle embedded to wrap around him.

"You really enjoy riling me up don't you?" She muttered, melting into his relaxing and missed hold, knowing her actions were doing the same sensations for him.

"I might."

"Of all thing's though, a gold digger? Really?"

"Ha-ha, you actually took that seriously?"

"That's not a nice thing to say Naruto."

"You are getting all moody again Sakura-chan."

Leaning back, Naruto kissed her forehead as if to give an apology, before returning back to their embrace, "Better now baka-chan?"

Feeling her cheeks heat up from the affectionate gesture, she smiled, "Hmmph...Don't think I didn't miss that name you just called me."

"What name would that be Sakura-chan?"

"Not even a minute alone and already and you're really getting on my nerves. You're freaking annoying."

Naruto let out a warm chuckle as his hand threaded through her soft hair, "Love you too Sakura-chan." He chirped, hearing that complaint as if it was a compliment.

Sakura's cheeks turned pink as she snuggled in, her smile widening, "That's the first time you have said that to me."

"I have?"

Sakura nodded against his neck, as Naruto's fingers continued to run through her hair, while his conversation with Ino flickered over his eyes, "I really mean that you know?"

Feeling light headed, Sakura's perked firmly upwards mouth couldn't physically widen any further, "I know you do. I love you too."

Feeling a lone tear fall as she blinked, Sakura quickly rubbed it away, although Naruto noticed it, "Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?-"

"No silly...I'm just really, really happy."

"O-Oh."

Kissing his neck, Sakura soon relaxed, neither saying a sound as Naruto continued stroking her hair. Occasionally he was rubbing his thumb across her smooth cheek, feeling it sometimes being a little moist.

Soon after the chirps of socialising birds were heard from outside, Naruto ended the serene moment, "I am so glad to see you're better Sakura-chan."

"So am I, lord knows what you have been up to these couple of days. Ino and Tsunade-sama told me you were driving them crazy."

"Neh, I wasn't that bad."

"Have you even been back to your apartment since we returned to Konoha?"

The silence said it all, as she brought her hand forward to pull away and look up at him, "Bah you baka, you shouldn't have been so worried."

Naruto flinched as her finger traced one of his whiskers, but he sheepishly grinned, "Are you ever going to stop calling me that?"

That question made her eyes partially widen in surprise, but she snuggled back into under his neck, missing his secure bringing presence already, "Maybe...when you actually don't fit the name so perfectly well."

"Quit being such a bully Sakura-chan."

"Eh, now look who is being moody."

The serene silence was all that was needed for words after their small exchange of laughter, as Naruto pulled his head away to kiss her forehead. Sakura unconsciously smiled at the gesture she was growing to love, as he pulled away to stare into her eyes. It was breathtaking for Sakura, as she could see Naruto was in the same state as they continued to study the others alluring eyes.

Feeling his face getting hot from the rush of blood, Naruto nervously grinned, "I-errm-better let you rest-"

He was forced to stop when Sakura affectionately rubbed her hand against his chest, "No, please don't ruin the moment, just-...-just shut up."

She cemented any argument by her hand gripping his jacket, and sitting herself up higher so their noses were touching. The small contact already sparked an electric like sensation through both of them, as their breath's were tickling against each other's faces. Still fixated at the other's irises, both sheepishly grinned, as the joy in their eyes disappeared behind their closing lids.

A sudden pencil writing made both suddenly shoot their eyes wide open, both to see the other's shared surprise morph into annoyance. They knew exactly where that sound was coming from by the frantic pace of the scribbling against a notepad, coupled with a perverted chuckle, making both snap their heads around to the window. The intruder didn't seem to acknowledge the murderous glares flying his way.

"ERO-SENNIN!"

"What? Don't let me get in your way, this is just ace research material I am making notes of here. Such blissful and passionate emotion cannot be ignored you know!" Sakura so-o wanted to knock that perverted hermit right off his 'perch' on the open window with all her strength, but Naruto's hands still resting on her shoulder's stopped her. No chakra strength be damned, she had enough rage in her to match a chakra hit right now for ruining a perfect kiss.

Naruto however beat her to a verbal vent, "What the hell Ero-sennin? you are spying on me again?"

"Spying is such a harsh word, I like to call it observing the interaction between two youths in lov-"

"GET THE HELL OUT!" Sakura semi shouted, her murderous intent hissing out with it.

Before the sannin could say one word, the door flung open, "What's going on here-Jiraiya?"

Naruto and Sakura both snapped their heads again around to confirm that familiar voice. True to what they had heard, it really was Tsunade. Realising she had just revealed herself after 'apparently' departing, the hokage was bearing that expression as if to say 'oops', however, she quickly returned to her normal posture.

"I-ahem. Just realised I left something behin-"

Jiraiya however was bursting out with laughter, knowing very well his old teammate was lying in cold blood, "So you were spying on them too!"

"-Didn't you just say you weren't spying?" Naruto mumbled in annoyance, while Tsunade instantly objected.

"I was not spying, I-well you see, I forgot I had to run some more tests-"

"That's not what you just said a moment ago Shisho!"

"Do not correct me Sakura!"

"So Tsunade, always the quick one to put down others for their bad qualities, yet look what we have here-"

"Say one more word Jiraiya, go on, it will be your last."

"Peeking through key holes eh? That's so your style-"

"How dare you relate me to your filthy antics Jiraiya!"

"-And you were doing...what exactly then?"

"...I was only listening." She stated as if it was fact, jamming her hands together in a firm crossover to match her scowl.

Sakura in defeat dropped her hand that was holding Naruto's jacket, while her other was cupping her head as she was shaking it back and forth.

'Really...Unbelievable.'

Naruto however didn't muse his own rant, "HASN'T ANYONE HEARD OF PRIVACY AROUND HERE!"

---

AN: Now there is one more thing I wish to bring up.

Very recent manga talk

the latest chapter actually has made a portion of my plot no longer following the cannon story. While its true you cannot perfectly keep them the same realistically, I see one of the clashes being Ronan's first flashback to before the Kyuubi's attack.

Now I would really appreciate your opinions here, should I modify this particular flashback to try and keep it consistent with the manga, or simply let it go and resume it from my own perspective with a notice of 'pre chapter 500' in the prologue?

I look forward to hearing your feedback.