Here's the next chapter. I almost didn't post one today. I had allot of research to do. I realize that it was never really said that Sasuke died but I killed him anyway. It was necessary for the story to progress. I did allot of research on this chapter to be sure that the fact were straight before just writing them. Mind you I have taken some creative liberties so please roll with me here. Still no pairing but I;m open to suggestions. Thanks to all my reviewers, follower, and favorites your the people I'm writing this for. One more thing I know that I usually pump out two chapters a day and I'm glad you like it but there may be some times where I go a couple of days without updating. Well enough of me here is an update for those of you that have been waiting.
The sun by all means and definition was in Naruto's opinion an ass hole at least this morning anyway. Grabbing his sheet, that he swore was always stolen by some sort of gremlin while he slept, he threw the sheet over his head. He had a very long night and decided that he deserved to sleep in. Apparently his body completely disagreed with that. Instead it made him reflect. Giving up the battle he sighed. First the incident with Sakura, then his agonizingly slow walk to his favorite ramen stand with Tora. Needless to say that was a waste of time. The man barely ate, but that wasn't the reason he invited the sour man. The hidden reason came about fifteen minutes after they arrived. Hinata had shown up catching the hint before they left the Hokage tower. He often used others as an excuse to spend a short period of time with the object of desires. Yet last night he wasn't able to enjoy her company as he usually did. He had Kakashi and Sakura's hospitalization fresh in his mind. Then when he was finally able to contribute to the conversation Tora had reminded him that they would have to send word to each of the hidden villages of Sakura's success. The man tried to act as though he was proud of Sakura which further drove Naruto into a fit of rage. But no he did not touch the man. Nor did he snap at him. Instead he politely smiled and explained that he would send the hawks directly after dinner. This as expected caused him to spend the entire night on the difficult task. He had no idea how to begin writing such a letter. He couldn't simply write 'Hey Sakura is now bringing people back to life so bring out your dead and stop by.' That sounded like a horse trainer trying to pedal his animals. Yet it was agreed that it was necessary to do so. This research did not solely belong to Konohagakure each of the five great nations and the land of Iron had sponsored Sakura's jutsu creation much to Naruto's disdain. Still it was necessary if she was to obtain the required information to finish the revival jutsu.
She had began her research about a month after Konoha had finished rebuilding, and Sasuke's body was brought back if you listened to rumors. The irony that he died of infection was to much for Naruto. He had begged Sakura to forgive him for breaking his promise. Ino had picked at her fresh wounds stating that she just wanted something to occupy her time. Something to torment herself with a little more. Still Naruto had know about Sakura's goal before their lost comrade's corpse was brought in. In truth she had been secretly researching revival techniques since Asuma's death. She wanted to bring him back so that Kurenai and there son would have a complete family again. She was also doing this so that Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru would have there second father back. The depression was to much for her to see on her friends faces. This had driven her even deeper into her research and antisocial tendencies that had begun emerging the closer she got to success. He knew that Asuma would be the first person she would petition to bring back.
A sigh escaped Naruto's lips as he covered his face with a soft golden orange pillow in a futile attempt to let sleep reclaim him. He tried to clear his head and relax his restless yet fatigued body. A growl escaping his firm lips he was trying so hard to sleep and yet he knew his body and mind had betrayed him. Throwing his pillow across the room angrily he sat up growling. A growl back was his reward as Pakkun emerged from beneath the offending pillow. In his old age and without Kakashi around Pakkun, Bull, and Bisuke become Naruto's house mates. To which Naruto would occasionally tease them stating that they were more pets than anything. Which would lead to a fight between the four. Akino had taken up with Shikamaru whom he regularly went over battle strategy Urushi and Uhei had decided to become Negi's partner when he joined Anbu's ranks. Guruko on the other hand had decided that he was to become Naruto's ninkin and was Naruto's favorite sleeping in bed with his new master most nights.
"You come in late, toss and turn all night keeping everyone awake smelling like Kakashi, and then when I finally fall asleep you wake me up!" Pakkun growled with distaste as he closed the distance between himself and Naruto.
"Hush now and go back to sleep Pakkun." Naruto's voice soft as if speaking to his own child he picked up Pakkun and gently scratched his nails over what he deemed Pakkun's 'sleepy spot'. A gentle look in his eyes was not lost to Pakkun as he moved to the bed and went to sleep. "I wonder how Sakura's doing."
Meanwhile said medic nin was stirring as well. He eyelashes fluttering as she fought to open them. Her muscles were sore and her head ached. Darting her tongue to wet her now dry lips she stretched. Finally registering where she was she growled noting the anbu sitting at her bedside. Judging by the blank canvas that displayed as she peered into the space left vacant for eyes, and the frustrated air he held she could tell that this in fact was Neji Hyuga. With a huff she placed her palm over her face rubbing it lightly. She was to worn out to be lectured yet she had a feeling that what she was going to get.
"The Lady Hokage will be in to speak with you shortly miss Haruno." Yep it was Neji alright, but to her surprise he simply stood and walked to the door pausing for a second to look back at the blossom laying within the hospital bed. He wondered to himself what had happened to the beautiful cherry blossom he had once harbored a crush on unbeknownst to her of coarse. Her short locks of magenta now a dull pink. Her emerald eyes that held passion now were tired and sunken. Her figure was once alluring and sensual now to thin and frail looking. Her sun kisses skin was almost sheet white. He wanted to yell at her to scream, but he was not Neji Hyuga at the moment he was the Anbu squad leader Hawk. Hawk had no ties to Sakura Haruno. Giving her one last glance taking a moment to take in her sad eyes and nip nervously at her bottom lip he left to alert Tsunade that she had finally emerged from her slumber.