Harven (English)

Eighteen

They went through a few moments of anguish until Naruto managed to stabilize the helicopter once and for all as it piloted north, still not sure where to go. They each took a seat and strapped on their seat belts while silence still reigned between them, until Sakura, who was leaning against Sasuke's shoulder, broke it.

"We did it..." - He said softly, letting a small smile appear on his face as each of them looked at each other and slowly let their smiles show.

"We survive!" - Tenten rejoiced, widening her smile. Hinata started to laugh as tears rolled down her face. "After what we've been through here, I'm going to change jobs and I'm never getting on a plane again!" She dried her face while everyone laughed at her affirmation.

"What's the first thing they'll do when we land?" Naruto asked.

"A long, hot bath and a lot of sleep in a safe place!" – Itachi replied as he pressed the wound on his shoulder feeling the same burning.

"I'm definitely going to eat a real meal!" - Jiraiya brightened up. "I think I lost ten pounds on this island!"

"That's it! I'm going to stuff myself with ramen! Naruto felt his stomach growl just from mentioning his favorite food." Tenten felt her face heat up as drops began to fall from her eyes. Neji noticed that, unbuckled his seat belt and lowered himself in front of him, placing his hands on his thighs.

"What happens?"

"I'll never forget what we lived here..." she replied tearfully, covering her face with her palms as she let the tears flow. Neji got up and hugged her consoling her. "I want to tell their family how brave and special they were to us... Sai, Lee, Kiba, Shikamaru, Temari and Ino... and so many others who left that we couldn't even meet..."

"Let's not forget that, and let's put Orochimaru behind bars..." Sasuke added with a dark tone in his voice. "He will pay for what he did."

'Looks like we're not going to rest anytime soon, does it?' Tsunade sighed feeling her body weigh down on the seat.

"Speaking of which, you better get some rest." - Naruto intervened. "On radar, there's only ocean ahead... rest while I look for a safe place to land."

"Thanks for everything, Naruto..."

Hinata sighed, letting her head lean back against the seat back, letting her eyelids droop. The only ones who didn't adhere to the suggestion of getting some sleep were Itachi, for the pain he felt and Sasuke for the disturbance in his thoughts. He spent those long 70 minutes pondering what his life would be like when he landed once more, tormented by the idea that Sakura would no longer have any reason to maintain a romance between them.

His mind troubled him with thoughts that their approach was only due to the situation in which they were subjected and the imminence of their survival, and now he feared that such an exquisite and important woman might want to have a relationship with someone who had not yet found her destiny. . He watched the rough waters around him feeling the growing tightness in his chest as he heard Naruto communicate over the headphones. Sasuke unbuckled his belt and got up carefully so as not to wake Sakura before heading to the seat next to Naruto and putting on another headphone to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Is anyone listening?" - Naruto insisted with a weak voice on the other side.

"Heads up! You are entering a restricted area. Identify the aircraft."

"We are the survivors of Flight 878 bound for Konoha that crashed a few days ago! My name is Sasuke Uchiha and the pilot is Naruto..."

"Uzumaki!"

"We managed to escape the island we were on. Sasuke continued, feeling a surge of excitement growing inside him."

"Can repeat? We need to confirm the information." – the man asked and Sasuke did so. "Are you injured?"