Hello people! Hope you guys like this chapter and sorry for not updating in a while. I've been very busy working on my art projects and finishing my portfolio. It's almost the end of the school year and I have a huge load of work to do. Anyways, thanks to uchiha black, Hibiki-chan, Mayan, Mizu Hime, lovingo0Kawaii0oGirl, Valinor's Twilight, Lyris88, ruler of dragons, Mai-'-Kawaii-'-Ai, and unknown player for reading and reviewing. Please review and tell me what you think. The more reviews I get the more I write.

I started a new original story. It's my first original story and it's on . If anyone is interested in reading it PM me or tell me in a review. I'll give you the info you need to find it. Now on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but the lovely Rei and my other OC's.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Rei sighed and let herself fall on the grass. She stared up at the sky as she laid there panting. She had been training for hours and she was starting to feel tired. She sighed once more as she stood up slowly and headed out of the field. She supposed it was time to visit Sasuke.

Although he was still unconscious she couldn't help but feel that she had to visit him. It had now become a routine for her. She would wake up early, yes early as uncharacteristic of her as it may sound. She had a quick breakfast went out to train visited Sasuke and Kakashi then headed home.

She arrived at the hospital a while later and after a quick visit to Kakashi she headed to Sasuke's room. She frowned slightly at the sight of the boy laying in bed. There was no sign that he would wake up soon and she had to wonder how long it would be until Naruto returned.

She felt a bit guilty as she thought about how much she was relying on Naruto, but if she had gone with him she would have just gotten in the way. She looked out the window hoping he would return soon. Naruto had been gone for a while and she wondered how long it would take him to return.

She wasn't just concerned about Sasuke she was worried about Naruto as well. Apart from that, she missed the hyperactive blond. With Sasuke and Kakashi injured and Naruto gone there wasn't much to do. The only good thing to come out of this incident was the fact that she was on slightly better terms with Sakura. Apparently her concern for Sasuke made her somewhat sympathetic to how Rei felt at the moment.

Rei yawned as she looked out at the setting sun and decided that it was time to go back home. With one last look at Sasuke she turned and headed out the door.

The sun shone brightly through the window signaling a bright and sunny day. Unfortunately no amount of sunshine would put Rei in a good mood, at least not in the morning. As a matter of fact as soon as she woke up she glared at the sun and muttered a few curses at it. After her morning routine which included a quick breakfast she headed out to train for a while.

As she walked through the town and headed to the training grounds she had a weird feeling. It was as if something would happen that day, but it didn't seem like it would be something bad. On the contrary she felt good about the day ahead. She smiled a bit and continued on her way.

"Rei-chan!"

Rei stopped and turned around to look at the person who had called out to her. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise as she saw the young blond running towards her. She smiled widely and ran to meet him with a hug.

"Naruto-kun! You're back!" She said happily.

Naruto grinned as she held him. He had missed his teammate as much as she had missed him.

"Yeah, I just got back with the perverted hermit and I brought back Granny Tsunade. She'll be able to heal Master Kakashi and Sasuke." He said cheerfully.

Rei smiled and Naruto grabbed her hand and began to pull her along. They headed to the Hokage's house and Rei wondered what they were doing there. They ran into a blonde womam and Konohamaru. Rei was surprised to learn that she was to be the new Hokage. Naruto urged the woman to go to the hospital and heal Sasuke and Kakashi.

After a slight delay as they met Shikamaru outside while heading to the hospital they made it there and Naruto led them to the room where Sasuke was. Rei watched attentively as Tsunade healed Sasuke. She waited anxiously and smiled when she saw Sasuke opening his eyes. He blinked a few times and then sat up with a dazed expression. Rei turned to Naruto and hugged him tightly.

"Thanks for helping Sasuke, Naruto-kun." She said.

Naruto blushed and Rei just chuckled before walking over to Sasuke. She heard Naruto and Tsunade leave as she sat stood next to Sasuke's bed. He turned to her and looked at her with confusion.

"Rei? What happened?" He said in a low and tired voice.

Rei smiled sadly at the state he was in, but reminded herself that at least he was awake. She resisted the urge to hug him and contented herself with sitting next to him on the bed.

"You fought Itachi and he used his Sharingan on you. Luckily Naruto brought back Lady Tsunade and she was able to cure you." She said gently.

Sasuke stared at her for a moment and then looked away. She knew he was thinking back to what had happened. She sighed and waited until Sasuke turned back to her and this time his eyes weren't as tired anymore. She was sure she could see a hint of irritation, if not anger, in his eyes.

"Why did you follow me?" He said in a stern voice.

Rei frowned as Sasuke gave her a serious look.

"I was worried. I knew that you were after Itachi and Naruto was also in danger. I had to make sure you guys were alright."

Sasuke frowned and looked at her reproachfully.

"You shouldn't have followed me, it was dangerous. Besides, what could you have done to help? It's not like you could actually beat Itachi."

Rei furrowed her brow and gave Sasuke a small glare.

"I don't care if it's dangerous I couldn't just let my teammates fight by themselves. I'm a shinobi, I don't care about things being dangerous or not."

Sasuke scowled and she knew that he was feeling better.

"Well, I don't care about what you think. What you did was stupid. I'm the only one that can kill Itachi so just stop worrying about what happens to me."

"Why do you act like you care? Before you left you didn't even want me around you."

Sasuke looked like she had just stuck him. Rei looked away as he looked at her. She looked out the window cursing herself for bringing up that incident. The room was silent for a while as an air of awkwardness hung over them.

"When I saw you there, I was worried."

Rei turned to look at Sasuke. She was surprised by how soft his voice was and by the sadness in his eyes as he refused to look at her.

"I saw Itachi attack you and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to see you again. I was scared of losing you before apologizing."

Rei looked at him and all she wanted to do was to forgive him, but she couldn't forget how much he had hurt her.

"I know what happened between you and that guy was an accident. I trust you and I know I overreacted. I'm sorry."

Rei was surprised by his words. She knew it was hard fro Sasuke to apologize like that. She sighed and hugged him. She felt Sasuke stiffen in her arms as he clearly wasn't expecting the embrace. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.

"You're an idiot." She said as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Sasuke gave her a small smile as he let her go.

"So are you. You'd have to be pretty stupid to try to attack Itachi in such a forward manner."

Rei smiled and let the insult slide. She would beat him up later when he felt better. At the moment she was just happy to have him back.

Rei yawned as she rested against a tree. She stretched and stood up dusting her clothes with her hands.

"Shouldn't you be training?"

Rei smiled and turned around to see Sasuke smirking at her.

"You of all people should know that just because I say I'll do something doesn't mean I'll actually do it." She said with a grin.

Sasuke shook his head and sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder how you became a shinobi." He said with amusement.

"Hey! For your information I'm very strong!"

"Yeah right, just because you're stronger than most of the other kunoichi doesn't mean you're strong."

Rei stuck her tongue out at Sasuke and he just chuckled.

"You're so mean to me!" She whined as she sat down again.

Sasuke sat next to her and gave her a smug smirk.

"I like to think I'm honest." He said.

"Maybe you're too honest."

She leaned against him and he just smiled and wrapped his arm around her. She sighed as she looked up at the sky. Sasuke glanced at her and frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She said.

"Really, then why are you so quiet?"

"Well, this is new, you're actually complaining about me being quiet." She said with a grin.

Sasuke just sighed and shook his head a bit as he gave up. He knew Rei well enough to know when it was hopeless to argue with her.

"Sasuke?"

"Hn."

Rei ignored his use of his favorite phrase.

"What are you going to do now?"

Sasuke looked at her questioningly.

"About what?"

"About Itachi." She said after a moment of hesitation.

Sasuke frowned and looked away.

"I guess I'll just have to keep training. I have to get stronger." He said although the last part was more to himself.

Rei frowned and stood up. He looked up at her and she gave him a small smile.

"I think I'll go home now, I'm kind of tired."

Sasuke looked at her carefully before standing up.

"I'll walk with you."

"No, it's alright, I'll be fine."

Sasuke frowned, but said nothing as she walked away.

Rei didn't go home like she had told Sasuke. Instead she went to the memorial in the training grounds. She stood before it and frowned. She needed time alone to think of what she should do. She wanted to stay with Sasuke, but she knew that his main goal in life would become a problem in the future. He was fixated on getting revenge for his clan and she didn't think she would be able to stay with him knowing that he was basically following death.

Itachi was powerful and although she believed in Sasuke's ability to become stronger she knew that it would be very difficult for him to defeat his brother. She was worried about him and she would always worry as long as he went after Itachi. Still, she knew that he wouldn't change and she would have to accept that. All she could do to help was support him and grow stronger. She sighed and said goodbye to her father as she turned and headed back home.

End Chapter Fifty-Three

Hope you guys liked it and sorry for not updating and for making this chapter so short. I'll try to update soon, but I've been busy. Please review, reviews make me happy. Sayonara!