Tears fell on her palms in a continuous trickle as she pressed hard on his chest, the green glow of her chakra shrinking and fading fast. She could barely feel the beat of his heart as she fought the emotions that threatened to weaken; her own words resounding inside her head, a prayer of her own making.

You mustn't lose.

You're strong.

You'll definitely survive.

"Naruto… Please… please don't die!"

The light dimmed and was leaving her as a fresh wave of tears flowed that no amount of control could hold in. Her fingers - useless and unable - clutched at the fabric of his jacket. She looked to the man who had called upon her and, sensing her unease, he looked straight into her tear-filled eyes.

"Gaara, I … I can't! I'm too weak and I can't-" her words drowned in a fit of sobs as she lowered her head to Naruto's chest, her whole body shaking at the unfairness of it all. She wanted to say she wasn't ready, that she did not sign up for this. She wanted him to tell her that Naruto wasn't the body she was hopelessly clinging to; barely breathing and unresponsive. "I can't…"

Until now, she can only do the dumbest things for Naruto.

"Sakura, you're better than that. You can't let him die."

She raised her head to him and he knew he struck a chord. Somehow his words meant something more; something deeper that was known to only Sakura, and perhaps Naruto. Her eyes glistened but her tears have stopped, and she nodded at him with new determination.

I won't let you die.

The world still needs you.

I still need you.

She took a deep breath and clasped her fingers together; the seal on her forehead glowed anew as marks drew itself from the seal, to line on her face, and extended to her hands and the tips of her fingers.

"Creation Rebirth: Regeneration Transfer!"

Palms lit with green chakra, she released her hands and pressed down on his chest. The chakra spread from her hands to his whole body, lighting up in the brightest of green; before it imploded in a flash – drawing itself back to her fingers before completely disappearing.

Sakura collapsed in his chest, breathing heavily as she felt the last of her chakra draining. She could feel his heartbeat through her hands, stronger this time, and it brought fresh tears to her eyes.

"Naruto…"

Her cries were abruptly silenced when she felt a hand gently stroke her hair. She jerked upward, heart thumping inside her chest as her green eyes met his cerulean; a small smile lighting up his face.

"Sakura-chan… Your forehead is even more charming with that seal."

"Naruto!" she sobbed, arms wrapping around him as relief washed over her.

He lifted himself to sit and embraced her, burying his face in her shoulder; the wind blowing around them as he opened his eyes with renewed life. He remembered a terrible pain, followed by a strong, overwhelming fear. He had been trapped, running in the darkness that seemed no end. He couldn't remember what brought him here, only that he was now in the arms of his love, and that, more than anything, his weakened state was beginning to wake up all the more stronger.