Naruto's Betrayal: "You Thought Sasuke Was Bad?"

Ino P.O.V.

As Sakura attempted to sit up, no doubt to rebuke me further, the nurse quickly walked to her side, easing her onto her back.

"Ms. Haruno you have to rest, you're lucky to be alive right now and you must be careful."

Surprisingly, Sakura did as she was told, laying down and crossing her arms. Her complexion was paler than normal and I could tell she was feeling weak and exhausted... But, as always, refused to let it show.

I looked at the nurse than back to Sakura, who did everything in her power to not meet my gaze. The nurse began rifling through her papers, finally stopping near the end of the large stack on her clipboard and looking to me.

"It turns out you are indeed a blood match for Ms. Haruno, if you really are interested in being a donor Lady Hokage."

I nodded, sitting down at the desk near the door.

"Of course I'm interested... Sakura is a member of this village and if I can help her I will."

Almost as if on cue, Sakura sat up and glared at me. I could feel her hatred just through a glance. I looked at her, trying my best not to flinch at the crater that once held her eye. She stared me down, before speaking in a tone that could only partially suggest just how little she thought of me.

"You horrible bitch... How dare you act like you care about me... ABOUT ANYONE FROM THIS VILLAGE BESIDES YOURSELF."

Sakura quickly jumped from her bed over to me, taking me by my neck and lifting me into the air. She had grown stronger since our last fight, that much was certain... But in that moment she failed to neglect that I had grown as well. She continued to speak as she held me above her, her one remaining eye pouring out tears of anger as the nurse fled from the room.

"MY ENTIRE LIFE YOU MADE IT YOUR MISSION TO MAKE ME MISERABLE... AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ACT AS THOUGH NONE OF IT HAPPENED? AS THOUGH YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT ME? LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT WHAT I'VE BECOME BECAUSE OF YOU!"

She balled up her fist, swinging with all her might in the direction of my face. I braced for the impact, but was stunned to see that she had instead punched the wall beside me, creating a hole that showed through to the hallway outside her room. She suddenly dropped to a knee, dropping me as well only moments before I surely would have blacked out. I took a moment to catch my breath before placing her arm around my shoulders, and helping her back to her bed. She quickly wiped the tears from her eye, before turning to her side, crossing her arms to avoid having to look at me. I forced myself to speak to her in that moment, despite the chances that it would get me killed.

"Everything you said... Is true, Sakura."

She didn't respond, but I continued to speak regardless, knowing that she and I both needed it.

"As children I was threatened by you... Not just your skills as a shinobi... But your beauty as well. At first, I thought it was a friendly rivalry, but at some time or another I suppose it turned into more than that... Probably around the time we both met Sasuke..."

After saying his name, her voice pierced the brief moment of silence like a serrated blade.

"Both of you can go to hell... But especially him."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her words, a small smile emerging on my face as I responded.

"You sound like Konohamaru earlier today... And honestly, I don't blame him or you... Despite his charms Sasuke can be a real asshole sometimes... But what happened to you is neither my fault nor Sasuke's... And you know that."

She turned to me, balking up her fist again, but not moving toward me.

"So... You're saying it's my fault you pig?"

I looked at her for a moment, and nodded.

"That is exactly what I'm saying."

And, with those words, she jumped up, swinging her fist and missing as I gracefully sidestepped. As she stumbled, I spun around, attempting a kick that she easily grabbed. She smirked as she held my leg, but I quickly flipped backwards and onto the bed, before jumping from the mattress and landing a swift kick to her arm. I made sure to be gentle, seeing as she was already injured... But in that moment I knew a fight with me is all that would calm her down. She recovered quickly from my kick, dashing toward me and throwing me up against a wall without holding back. We stood there for a moment, looking at each other before she backed off, turning her back to me and laying back on her bed. She spoke five more words to me before quickly falling asleep.

"Get out of here. Now."

I chuckled a bit, nodding before turning and heading out the door. As I shut Sakura's door behind me, the nurse who was previously tending to her was walking back towards the room with Lady Tsunade at her side. I smiled and spoke to them both.

"She's resting for now, but the sooner we can get my blood into her system the better."

Tsunade shook her head and pulled me aside, speaking to me softly.

"Lady Hokage while I appreciate you wanting to step
up for my former student, we have another donor lined up that involves less risk to you."

I looked at her, then Sakura's door, then back to her.

"Who did you find?"

Out of nowhere, Kakashi Hatake appeared next to me, putting an arm on my shoulder.

"She promised me she'd find Jiraiya's archive of unreleased Icha Icha novels if I did it. Besides, I've always said it's not too late for Sakura."

I smiled at him, nodding slowly.

"If this is what you think is best Lady Tsunade, then you have my blessing as Hokage."

Tsunade smiled softly, pulling me into a hug and placing her hand on the back of my head before slowly pulling away. When I looked, I noticed her hand was stained red.

"Lady Hokage, why is the back of your head bleeding?"

I touched the back of my head, realizing it must have been bleeding from fighting with Sakura. I laughed a bit and smiled.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."