The landscape lay bathed in a surreal silence, broken only by the distant rustling of leaves on the Divine Tree as it loomed, casting shadows across the ground. Every step was an agony for Hinata as she leaned against Sakura's arm. The two warriors, battered and blood-stained, stumbled together to the base of the immense tree, surrounded by countless souls suspended within its roots. It felt like they were walking through a nightmare, the enormity of what they had to do pressing on them like the weight of the entire world.

Hinata's eyes scanned the people ensnared in the roots, her gaze haunted. Her voice was raw as she whispered, "Sakura, let me go."

Sakura hesitated but finally loosened her grip, supporting Hinata as she leaned against a gnarled root to steady herself. The tree towered above them, filling Hinata with an intense dread she'd never felt so acutely before. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face as she stared at the twisted branches reaching for the sky, almost as though the Divine Tree sensed her intent.

But the soft pressure of Sakura's hand on her shoulder grounded her. Sakura, whose tired, bruised face bore a gentle but unwavering look, nodded. "We're ending this," she whispered. "I'll give you all the chakra I've got left."

Sakura closed her eyes, tapping into the last reserves of her Strength of a Hundred Seal. Her hands glowed with energy as she placed them on Hinata's shoulders, letting the chakra flow into her friend. Hinata gasped, feeling Sakura's warmth and energy infuse her system, breathing life back into her weakened form. But the strength was short-lived—Sakura was spent, slumping to the ground and leaning back against a root, breathing heavily.

"That's all I've got," she murmured. "Finish this, Hinata. For everyone."

Hinata swallowed, glancing down at Sakura, her oldest friend. "Thank you," she replied softly, her voice filled with gratitude and resolve. Kaguya could control the tree at will from wherever she was on earth. Hinata however, had a long way to go before she could even dream of doing something like that.

She turned to the tree, still nursing her injuries, and placed her hand on the gnarled bark, feeling the ancient, insidious life force pulsing beneath it. Hinata took a steadying breath, and for a moment, memories of the despair that had driven her here flooded her mind—Sasuke, Neji, Kurenai, Naruto… the countless lives lost in Konoha, the pieces of herself she had lost alongside them.

The temptation to give up, to let herself be absorbed, hovered in her mind. But then, in the corner of her vision, she saw Sakura, lying there, looking up at her with exhausted but trusting eyes. The memories faded, replaced by a steady resolve. She had one person left who believed in her, who had fought to bring her back from the edge.

Hinata activated her Tenseigan, her blue eyes blazing with light as she connected with the Divine Tree's life force. Instantly, she was plunged into a vast ocean of consciousness, a deep, collective pool where every trapped soul lingered, every lost spirit throbbed. The sensation was overwhelming, and she almost lost herself. She could feel the soul of everyone on the planet, trapped in the Tsukuyomi and beyond, hear the faint echoes of voices as she searched for the tree's core, its essence—the place where its power could be severed.

Sakura watched, her heart pounding in her chest. For a few moments, Hinata was completely still, her hand pressed to the bark, her face focused. But then, suddenly, Hinata's legs buckled, and she slumped to the ground, motionless.

"H-Hinata?" Sakura scrambled to her feet, ignoring the pain lancing through her body as she staggered toward her friend. "Hinata!"

Before she could reach her, the earth rumbled beneath her feet. She stumbled, catching herself against a root as the ground began to quake more violently. A chilling energy filled the air, crackling with an ancient and unknown power, twisting the skies above in unnatural, swirling patterns.

"What… what's happening?" Sakura gasped, struggling to keep her balance, her heart racing with panic as she looked around. The Divine Tree began to wither, its leaves shriveling as though some unseen force were draining it dry. In the fading branches, countless souls lifted from its roots, floating up into the darkened sky like wisps of light, each one spiraling free from its cursed captivity.

The entire tree began to recede, the once-mighty limbs crumbling, disintegrating, until all that remained was a massive, decaying husk, gradually sinking back into the earth.

"It's… it's ending…" Sakura whispered, awe-struck as she looked up at the collapsing remains of the tree.

But as the last of the Divine Tree's husk disappeared, her relief was quickly replaced by dread. A glowing circle began to form around the ruins of Konoha, a ring of light pulsing with an eldritch energy that seemed to defy reality itself. The air grew heavy, thick with something ancient and dark, and Sakura could barely breathe as she staggered back from the blinding light.

"No… no, it can't be…" she muttered, memories flashing through her mind in fragments, racing toward a conclusion that made her blood run cold.

This power, this darkness… She had seen it before.

A memory surfaced—Pain's assault, months ago, when Hinata had risen from the dead, possessed by a sinister force. That time, Kaguya had taken control, twisting Hinata into a terrifying vessel.

And now, here it was again, creeping back like a haunting shadow. "Kaguya…" The name fell from her lips like a curse, her voice trembling.

She turned, her heart sinking as she saw Hinata lying motionless, her eyes still open and glazed, staring vacantly into the sky. Blood trickled from the corners of her eyes, smearing her cheeks in streaks of red, and her body convulsed with small, erratic twitches.

Sakura knelt down beside her, paralyzed by fear but desperate to help. "Hinata," she murmured, voice cracking, reaching out but hesitating, torn between helping her friend and fearing what touching her might unleash. "Come back… please…"

But the glow around Konoha intensified, a fiery ring of light encircling the village, sealing it within a barrier of pure, unearthly energy. Sakura's breath hitched, and dread clawed at her heart as she looked back down at Hinata.

The twisted power in the air, the ominous light around them—it was unmistakable.

It was Otsutsuki Kaguya's power.

Hinata stirred, feeling the faint echo of her own heartbeat as her consciousness slowly resurfaced. Her eyes fluttered open, vision blurred, and she squinted against the endless white void surrounding her. A strange silence pressed down around her, hollow and all-consuming.

"Where... where am I?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her gaze shifted around the blank plane, searching for any sense of orientation. Then, a voice pierced the silence, deep and calm, reverberating from all directions.

"Young girl..."

She stiffened, the sound of her name echoing in a tone that felt both ancient and knowing. "Who... who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling. The silence stretched, yet there was no answer—only the echo of her own question hanging in the empty space.

"Hinata," the voice called again, firmer this time, resonating through her body like a heartbeat. She froze, breathing heavily. How did this voice know her name? Her chest tightened as she clenched her fists, grounding herself against the strange fear building inside her.

The voice spoke once more, its cadence slow and deliberate. "You, who have been entrusted with the Eye of Creation, you speak to the One above All."

Hinata's breath caught, and her hand instinctively brushed against her eyes. The Tenseigan, she thought, realizing what he was referring to. But how did he know? And what exactly had she stumbled into?

She bit her lip, her voice small as she spoke. "I… I didn't… I didn't choose this. It was Kaguya who used the Tenseigan, not me. She controlled the Divine Tree. She…" Hinata's words trailed off as the gravity of her own confusion sank in. She knelt, uncertain of what she was facing, a shiver of reverence and fear running through her.

The voice responded, unbothered by her hesitation. "When you connected to the Divine Tree, you called to me."

"I... I did?" she murmured, looking down, her fingers digging into the unseen ground. A wave of helplessness washed over her. She had never intended for this, never thought herself capable of reaching something so powerful. The voice continued, his tone as vast and detached as the space around them.

"The Tenseigan is yours now," he said, his words an undeniable declaration. "You slew the one who bore it before you. The Eye of Creation has chosen you."

Hinata's eyes widened. "Wait… because I defeated Kaguya? That... that's why?"

"You are now the caretaker of the immortal eye," he answered with the finality of an unmovable truth. "As the Divine Tree has been awakened and the Infinite Tsukuyomi is cast, you have earned the right to make your request."

Hinata felt a cold chill as the voice continued, its words a realization settling heavy on her heart.

"What is your heart's deepest desire, Hinata Hyuuga?"

Her breath hitched as she grasped the enormity of what Kaguya had planned. This… this power, this being, was what Kaguya wanted all along. She was ready to sacrifice the world for this wish, to gain godhood and all that it meant. Hinata's mind reeled, the weight of it overwhelming.

The voice repeated the question, its tone unchanging. "Speak, bearer of the Tenseigan. What is your heart's desire?"

"I…" She stammered, her thoughts scattering. Her mind filled with the faces of everyone she had lost—Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Kurenai, the lives and friendships that had all been shattered. For a moment, the temptation washed over her like a wave. If she asked, could she bring them back? Could she undo the loss, restore everything that had been taken from her?

But then her thoughts landed on Sakura, waiting in the real world, the only person she had left. She thought of all the people trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, held hostage by this dream that had cost them everything. "I… I don't want anything for myself," she said, voice shaky. "Please… just end the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Free everyone who's trapped."

The voice was silent for a beat, and then it spoke again, almost amused. "End the Tsukuyomi? Free them all?"

Hinata closed her eyes, gathering her courage. "Yes," she said, her voice firmer. "I have lost so much, but I don't want anyone else to suffer. I just want everyone to be free."

The silence hung thick, and when the voice spoke again, there was a subtle shift in its tone, an almost curious edge. "And if I told you that I can grant you anything? That I could make you a goddess, restore all that you've lost?"

Her heart ached as images of those she loved flashed before her eyes. The offer weighed on her soul. To see them again… to have them back… But she shook her head, hands trembling. "No. I can't accept anything that comes at the cost of others' lives. I can't…" Her voice cracked. "I can't let them suffer, not when I've already lost so much. My mind… my heart is set."

For a moment, silence.

Then, the voice, quiet and profound, spoke again. "You are... an interesting mortal." It paused, as if contemplating her, and then continued. "I see your truest desire, the one that you do not voice. It is deep within you."

Hinata's breath caught in her throat. My truest desire? She gritted her teeth, dismissing it. "My request is what I have spoken outright. Not my selfish wants."

The voice seemed to consider this, as if weighing her resolve. "Very well, I will act as I deem best for you, one with such a selfless heart. But you must consider that it will still come at a cost "

She felt a strange fear creep over her, but she steeled herself, nodding. "Whatever sacrifice you need, I… I accept. If it means they'll be free, then… I accept it." She blinked, a tear slipping down her cheek as her voice strengthened, leaving her doubts behind.

The voice intoned slowly, as if in approval. "I will honor your wish, caretaker of the Eye of Creation."

With that final declaration, a wave of exhaustion swept over Hinata, dragging her down into darkness as the voice's presence faded around her. The last thing she heard was its parting words, resonating through the white void.

"Sleep now, child. I will honor your request."

And then, the world fell silent.

Hinata's consciousness flickered back to life, slowly and painfully. She heard voices, muffled and distant, as if she were underwater. Her vision, blurred and hazy, struggled to focus. Bit by bit, the world around her came into view—the open sky, the familiar architecture of Konoha, standing once more as if untouched. Gone was the divine tree, the monstrous roots that had twisted through the once destroyed village.

The noise of a crowd gathered around her was becoming clearer, and she could make out one voice—Sakura's. Her dear friend's voice was hoarse, yet steady, carrying a fierceness Hinata had only heard a handful of times. She forced herself to look, her eyes finding Sakura standing directly between her and the crowd that had formed.

"Sakura…," Hinata murmured, her voice barely audible.

In front of her, Sakura's stance was defiant. She stood guard over Hinata's sprawled form, her fists clenched, and her gaze sharp. "Stay back!" Sakura shouted at a few shinobi attempting to approach them. "Any closer, and I'll engage you!"

A Jonin stepped forward, his expression rigid and unyielding. "Haruno Sakura, this is an order. Step aside and let us handle this… threat." He glanced pointedly at Hinata, disdain coloring his words. "You know as well as anyone what she's done."

"I'm not moving," Sakura spat back, voice seething with anger. "You think you can just make an order like that? I don't care if it's from the Hokage herself. You're not laying a hand on her."

Someone in the crowd called out, their voice laced with contempt, "Why are you even protecting that demon spawn? She's the reason we were nearly destroyed!"

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. "Sakura, stand down!" the Jonin barked, his patience wearing thin. "Or do you intend to defy us all?"

Sakura glared at him, jaw clenched. "If you lay a finger on her, you'll regret it."

A wave of tension rolled over the crowd, the animosity building as people began closing in, some muttering curses under their breath, others leveling hostile glares at Hinata. Someone shouted, "This is the best chance to kill the demon before she wakes and destroys us all!"

"Get rid of her, Sakura! She's done enough damage already!" another voice demanded, echoing through the air.

Sakura's fists tightened, her entire body rigid with barely controlled fury. "No one… touches her," she hissed, raising her voice. "Not while I'm still breathing."

The Jonin took another step forward, his own anger flaring. "Sakura Haruno, step away from the Hyuuga girl, or face the consequences of insubordination. This is your last warning."

Sakura's breath was heavy as she scanned the growing group of shinobi circling them. She counted at least two dozen—all poised, waiting for her to make one wrong move. Her exhaustion weighed on her, but she shook it off, her gaze flitting to Hinata lying behind her.

She remembered the promise she'd made, the way Hinata had looked at her in trust. A spark of determination lit within her, and she clenched her fists, feeling the energy of her Sage Mode surging through her once more. She took a step forward, putting herself even more firmly between Hinata and the crowd. "I won't abandon her," she whispered to herself before meeting the Jonin's gaze. "I'm afraid I can't follow that order."

The Jonin narrowed his eyes, his face twisting in frustration. "Do you understand what you're risking?"

Sakura nodded, steeling herself. "I know exactly what I'm doing." She lifted her hands, preparing to form seals, her resolve evident. Her legs trembled slightly from fatigue, and sweat gathered on her brow. Yet she remained unyielding.

Suddenly, a firm yet gentle touch rested on her shoulder, causing her to turn abruptly. Behind her, Hinata was slowly rising to her feet, her body still weak and shaky, yet a soft, serene smile rested on her face. Her eyes held a quiet understanding that made Sakura's heart ache.

"Sakura," Hinata said, her voice faint but filled with warmth. "It's okay."

Sakura's eyes widened, disbelief flickering across her face. "Hinata, what are you—?" Her words stumbled as she tried to process her friend's actions.

Hinata stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Sakura in a gentle, grateful embrace. "Thank you… for everything," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But… this is my fate. I can't bear to see you hurt because of me."

Sakura's face twisted with a mix of anger and sadness. She pulled back, searching Hinata's gaze, desperation shining in her eyes. "Hinata, please… don't do this. I promised I would protect you. Let me keep that promise."

Hinata shook her head softly, a tender yet resolute look on her face. "Sakura… don't risk your life for mine. If this is how it ends, then… then I want to face it alone. I don't want to pull you down with me." Her voice trembled, her eyes shimmering as she spoke, but her expression remained calm.

Sakura's heart clenched painfully as she listened, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "You think I'd just walk away? I'd fight the whole village if it meant keeping you safe," she choked out, her hands trembling as she grasped Hinata's shoulders. "Please, don't make me let go."

Hinata smiled weakly, a tear slipping down her cheek. She reached up, brushing Sakura's hand softly. "I won't forget you, Sakura. Not until my last breath."

Sakura's sage energy flickered, the power waning as the full weight of her exhaustion returned. She blinked rapidly, struggling to keep her composure, her voice breaking as she whispered, "Then… I'll never forget you either. I… I'll hold onto you as long as I live."

A heavy silence settled between them as Hinata gently stepped back, her gaze shifting to the crowd. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stand a bit straighter, her eyes meeting the angry glares and harsh whispers with newfound resolve. She took one step forward, her heart pounding but her spirit unwavering.

Hinata took a steadying breath, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with a piercing intensity. Even as she felt their resentment, fear, and loathing radiating back at her, she forced herself to step forward, closing the distance between herself and the angry mass. They recoiled, unease flashing across their faces as her presence challenged the distance they sought to keep. A hush fell over them, and even those who clutched their weapons in anger hesitated, some beginning to tremble and, one by one, dropping their weapons in fear.

Hinata's lip curled in frustration. "Hyuuga Hinata," she began, her voice carrying despite its quietness. "That's my name. But I imagine you all know me by other names." She gave a bitter laugh, her tone dripping with irony. "Demon spawn. Devil. Witch. Monster. I know you've whispered them behind my back—shouted them to my face."

She took another slow step forward, letting her words sink in. "I know what you see. Power," she murmured, her eyes flickering with traces of the Tenseigan's energy, causing a few in the crowd to flinch. "And a threat. Because I am the one Otsutsuki Kaguya used to bring you suffering, to tear through your homes and lives."

Her voice softened, and a sorrowful expression crept across her face. "Your anger... it's justified." She clenched her fists, her remorse palpable. "But this?" She pointed at Sakura, who stood tense and vigilant behind her. "She's not part of it. She's innocent, a friend who's risked everything for me. All you want is me, so let her go."

Sakura made a small sound of protest, but Hinata held up a hand, silencing her. "Please," Hinata continued, almost pleadingly, as she turned back to the crowd. "Let her walk away. I'm here to accept whatever judgment you have for me."

The people in the crowd exchanged glances, their rage simmering yet tempered by uncertainty. They shifted back as Hinata lowered herself, knees sinking into the earth, kneeling before them. It was a stance of surrender, and the crowd began to murmur, confused but wary.

The shinobi closest to her, visibly hesitant, glanced back at their jonin leader for direction. As they took hesitant steps forward, wary of her every move, she didn't flinch. Their fear almost hung in the air, feeding her sense of guilt.

But just as one shinobi reached forward, a firm voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Stop."

All eyes snapped to the source, revealing the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, striding through the crowd with ANBU guards flanking her. Gasps rippled through the crowd as her authority emanated, silencing their anxious murmurs. Tsunade's gaze swept over them, her expression a mixture of anger and purpose as she walked with an unwavering stride, parting the people who shrank back in deference.

Sakura's eyes went wide. "L-Lady Tsunade…?"

Tsunade didn't respond immediately; her eyes were on Hinata. Her gaze was hard, calculating. Hinata's breath caught as she tried to decipher the Hokage's intentions, her heart hammering with a mix of apprehension and confusion.

Finally, Tsunade turned to address the crowd, her voice commanding. "As the Fifth Hokage, I hereby grant Hyuuga Hinata an official pardon," she announced, her words echoing in the stunned silence. "This is the Konoha shinobi who fought against Akatsuki and against Otsutsuki Kaguya herself. The person who channeled Kaguya's power—not once, but twice—to restore this village and bring back the lives lost in those battles."

The crowd gasped, disbelieving murmurs rippling through them. Hinata stared at Tsunade, her expression caught between awe and shock. She hadn't expected Tsunade to stand up for her like this, not after all that had happened. Her throat tightened with an overwhelming rush of emotion.

Tsunade held her ground, her face stern as she glanced over the uneasy villagers. "Hinata has paid her price, and she's done more than any of you understand. So let me make this clear: I am placing her under my protection." She paused, scanning the faces around her, each one shrinking under her fierce gaze. "Anyone who questions this decision or acts out against her," she continued, her tone like ice, "is challenging not only me, but all of Konoha's leadership."

The crowd shifted uneasily, but one voice dared to speak up, a man's voice echoing out in frustration, "But Hokage-sama, she's still a threat! We can't let her roam free with such power—she's a danger to all of us!"

Tsunade's lips curved into a wry smile, but her gaze was steely as she gestured toward Hinata. "Then, by all means, try to contain her." Her tone was deadly calm. "But understand that if you do, you'll be facing not only the Tenseigan's power but the full weight of Konoha's government forces."

The man swallowed hard, his eyes darting to Hinata, who met his gaze with her icy blue Tenseigan stare. The color drained from his face, and he quickly averted his gaze, stammering his surrender. Others in the crowd exchanged nervous looks, their eagerness rapidly fading into resignation.

Tsunade exhaled, a slight smirk of satisfaction crossing her face. "ANBU," she called out, her voice a clear command. "Escort Hyuuga Hinata. She's to be held under Konoha's protection and secured in a guarded location." She fixed her gaze on Hinata. "Temporarily," she added, a hint of warmth flickering in her eyes.

Hinata, still stunned, felt herself gently guided by ANBU guards who appeared beside her, their touch firm but respectful. Her wide eyes caught Tsunade's gaze, unable to form words to express her gratitude.

Tsunade only offered a small, reassuring nod. Then, she turned to the crowd, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Disperse," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. Slowly, grudgingly, the crowd began to break apart, their frustrated whispers fading as Konoha's ANBU nudged them along.

When the last of them had scattered, Sakura moved to Tsunade's side, her shoulders sagging with relief. She managed a tearful, "Thank you, Lady Tsunade… thank you for protecting her."

Tsunade turned, fixing Sakura with a gentle but firm gaze. "You're a good friend, Sakura. Hinata is fortunate to have someone as loyal as you," she said softly. "But it's only right that we stand up for our village heroes, instead of casting them aside in fear and paranoia." Her eyes turned pensive, and she murmured, "I've made that mistake before. I won't make it again."

Sakura blinked in surprise, watching the Hokage with a newfound respect. She straightened, determination filling her expression. "Thank you," she said, voice thick with emotion. "Hinata deserves this… she deserves to be safe."

Tsunade nodded, a faint smile touching her lips as she placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "And so do you," she replied warmly. "Come with me, Sakura. You look like you could use medical attention yourself." Tsunade gestured toward the road back, a path that led to the Hokage Tower's private medical wing.

Sakura hesitated but then nodded gratefully. "Yes… I'll come with you. Thank you, Lady Tsunade. It means so much."

Tsunade smiled, giving Sakura a gentle nudge as they began their walk. "Besides," Tsunade added with a faint smirk, "I think you'll appreciate the private treatment in my hospital wing. I suspect it will be more… restful than the general one."

Sakura chuckled softly, wiping a stray tear. She glanced back at Hinata, who was being escorted protectively by the ANBU, and exhaled in relief. As the sun's rays began to peek over the village's rooftops, illuminating the newly restored Konoha, Sakura felt a surge of hope. With the defeat of Kaguya and the end of the Tsukuyomi, a new chapter was dawning—a future filled with challenges, but one that, for the first time in a long time, held a glimmer of peace.

Hinata lay in the quiet of Tsunade's private medical wing, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling the air around her. She had been cleaned up, her worn, battle-torn clothes gone, and her body resting at last on soft sheets. Yet, even as her body relaxed, her mind buzzed with lingering echoes of the past hours, struggling to process everything that had happened.

Just a little while ago, she'd knelt before a furious crowd, ready to surrender herself, to face whatever judgement they had for her. She had expected to be cast aside, perhaps even be torn apart by those she'd once sworn to protect. She thought that was her fate—she thought that was her sacrifice.

She remembered her final conversation with the One Above All, the omnipotent being who'd granted her the power to end the Infinite Tsukuyomi. He'd warned her that lifting such a curse would require a price. When she saw the mob's angry faces, their weapons raised, their fear masked by violence, she was convinced this was it. And then, in an unexpected turn, Tsunade had intervened, saving her and bringing her here.

Hinata's heart still swelled with gratitude, yet confusion lingered. If that wasn't the sacrifice, she wondered, then what was?

Deciding to leave those thoughts for another time, she turned her head towards the window. The first rays of sunlight spilled into the room, bathing it in a soft, warm glow. The clock on the wall read 7:12 AM. She allowed herself a small smile, the memory of Naruto surfacing in her mind. She'd once discovered that he almost never woke up on time, thanks to a broken alarm clock he was too stubborn—or too lazy—to replace. She'd gotten him a new one as a gift, and he'd been so happy, beaming with that boyish grin that never failed to warm her heart.

But now…Naruto was gone. A lump formed in her throat, and she couldn't stop the tears from spilling over as the crushing reality set in. He had died in the battle to save her, sacrificing himself to end the nightmare that had gripped their world.

"Naruto…" she whispered, her voice breaking, "I'm so sorry…our story shouldn't have ended this way." Her sobs were quiet, but raw, each tear a tribute to his memory. She placed her hand over her heart, vowing to honor him however she could, to carry his memory with her always.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she quickly wiped her tears as the door creaked open. Sakura entered, pushing a trolley draped with a pristine white tablecloth. A warm, if slightly worn smile spread across her face, though her eyes betrayed a hint of redness, as if she'd been crying recently herself.

Hinata looked at her in surprise. "Sakura…you should be resting. How did you even manage to come here?"

Before Sakura could respond, Tsunade entered the room, her usual strong, knowing gaze softened with warmth. She offered a reassuring smile as she nodded towards Hinata.

"Your friend here insisted," Tsunade said, motioning to Sakura. "I thought a visit might lift your spirits."

"Thank you…both of you." Hinata's voice was filled with gratitude, though she couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her as she looked at Sakura more closely. "Sakura…are you okay?"

Sakura tried to hold herself together, brushing a hand across her eyes as fresh tears gathered. "I'm fine," she said, though a chuckle slipped out as her emotions got the better of her. Tears ran down her cheeks as she half-laughed, half-sobbed.

Hinata, now fully awake and concerned, began to sit up, but Tsunade's gentle but firm hand on her shoulder held her back.

"Relax, Hinata," Tsunade said with a knowing smile, "everything is alright. Just…be patient."

Hinata frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Before Tsunade could respond, a muffled voice, laced with irritation, came from beneath the trolley's white cloth.

"Ohhhh brother Granny, will you stop dragging this on and get me out of here already? It smells like bleach and acid!" the voice complained.

Hinata's eyes widened, her confusion only growing as she glanced at Sakura, who was barely containing a laugh, and then back to the trolley. And then, slowly, the cloth lifted, and out from under it came none other than Naruto, blinking in the light and wrinkling his nose.

"Surprise!" Tsunade said with a playful grin, her eyes twinkling as she watched Hinata's reaction.

Naruto took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air, before his eyes landed on Hinata. The teasing smile he had been wearing softened as their eyes met, and for a moment, his words failed him. A single tear slid down her cheek as she stared, unblinking, her lips forming his name in a breathless whisper.

"Naruto…"

They stared at each other, time seeming to suspend itself. In that single heartbeat, the world faded away until it was only the two of them, their eyes speaking a thousand unsaid words.

Naruto finally broke the silence, a lopsided smile appearing as he opened his arms, and with a laugh that wobbled between joy and disbelief, he whispered, "Tada…?"

Hinata moved without thinking, throwing herself off the bed and tackling him to the ground, wrapping her arms around him as she buried her face in his shoulder, her sobs pouring out as tears of joy soaked his shirt.

"Y-you're…you're really here!" she cried, her fingers gripping him tightly, as though afraid he might vanish if she let go.

Naruto chuckled, one arm around her shoulders as he stroked her hair with the other. "Hey, I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here, Hinata. I'm here."

"How?..." She could barely speak, overwhelmed by the relief and happiness that flooded her heart. "I thought…I thought I'd lost you…"

Naruto held her close, whispering softly, "Shh…I'm here, Hinata. I'm here."

As they held each other, the door creaked open again, and in walked Sasuke, his left arm in a sling. He paused, taking in the scene with a sigh, and muttered, "Looks like I missed the main event."

He strolled over to Sakura's side, wrapping his good arm around her shoulders as she leaned into him, smiling as they both watched Naruto and Hinata's reunion. Sasuke scoffed, casting a sideways glance at Sakura.

"Can you believe them?" he murmured, a hint of playful sarcasm in his voice. "They're laying it on thick."

Sakura nudged him, rolling her eyes as she chuckled. "Don't be so insensitive, Sasuke." She gazed back at Hinata and Naruto, her voice softening. "They've…both been through so much. They're dealing with it in their own way."

Sasuke's teasing expression softened as he glanced at her. "Yeah…guess we could all take a page from them," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

He glanced down at his arm and then back at her, pulling her a bit closer. Sakura leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes glistening with quiet happiness as they watched their friends.

Naruto finally pulled back slightly, his hand reaching up to brush away Hinata's tears. "You really thought I was gone, huh?"

She nodded, wiping her face as she gave a weak, tearful smile. "I…thought I'd never see you again."

"Well, guess I'm tougher to get rid of than that," he said with a grin, his hand cupping her cheek as he looked into her eyes, his voice softening. "I missed you, Hinata."

A fresh wave of tears filled her eyes, but this time, they were tears of happiness. She pressed her forehead to his, her voice trembling as she whispered, "I missed you too."

Naruto grinned, his arms holding her close as they lay together, wrapped up in each other's warmth. In that moment, the painful memories, the sacrifice, and the doubts melted away, leaving only the joy of their reunion.

Nearby, Sakura let out a soft sigh, leaning against Sasuke, who raised an eyebrow and murmured, "We definitely weren't this corny when we reunited."

Sakura laughed, swatting him lightly. "Maybe not. But it's good to see, isn't it?"

Sasuke smirked, shaking his head as he looked at Naruto and Hinata. "Yeah…it's good to see."

As dawn crept through the window, casting a golden glow over the room, there was a sense that, despite everything, a new beginning was unfolding for all of them. Tsunade watched them with a soft smile, her heart swelling with pride as she silently closed the door to give the four friends a little more time, knowing that after all they'd faced, they deserved it.

END OF ACT 2