Behind The Veil

Chapter Seven

"Its been nearly a week since the fight kakashi. When will he wake up!" An angry Sakura was pacing the hallway in front of Sasuke's room. The stupid girl didn't even care to ask about naruto after she found out what happened. Tsunade stared at her in disappointment.

"We don't know. Naruto went through a lot." Kakashi mumbled as he fiddled with his hands.

"Nobody cares about him! He's just a mons-" she started, her voice fading as Tsunade stood up, her fist slamming against the bench.

"I will not listen to you bad mouth him young lady" she spat out. "You still do not know of what happened so you will sit here. You will wait patiently for all three of them to wake up. And you will keep your mouth shut. Do I make myself clear?"

Sakura nodded her head and slumped to the ground. A swirl of sand appeared and then Gaara and his siblings stood in front of her giving her a cold glare.

"Not the kind of team mate I'd want" Temari murmered and walked towards kakashi. Gaara stood there looking down at her as if she were a piece of chewed gum he'd just scraped off his shoe.

"How's naruto?" He spat out as he turned towards the godaime.

"Asleep he hasn't moved an inch. Hinata is in critical condition and sasuke is in a coma." Tsunade said softly, traces of sadness spilling over.

"I tried to stop it but I was too late" kakashi said not able to hold anyone's gaze.

Gaara nodded his head and turned towards Naruto's room. Shikamaru, kiba, and Choji sat by his side, sodemly staring down at the sleeping teen. He was wrapped head to toe in bandages, it seemed painful.

The pale room smelled of death Naruto's blonde hair was tinted blood red. Shikamaru stood up and pat Gaara's back knowingly then left the room followed by the other two.

The young kazekage sat by his only friends side. Tears pooled in his eyes. Tears?

'I'm crying?' He thought to himself.

"You can not die before me Naruto." His voice cracked.

***

It's so dark, why is it dark? Naruto held his sides with tembling arms as he crouched down. It's too dark.

"You can't die before me Naruto."

"Who is it?" He yelled out, hope filling his chest, someone else is here in this darkness with him at least. Pain shot through his wrist, as if someone was gripping him desperatly,

"You just stay here, don't go yet Naruto. I still need you. Just wake up and this will be all over with."

Wake up? But he is awake!

"Don't leave me." Another squeeze, more pain.

"Wake up!," The voice yelled, "You have yet to become hokage! I'm beating you, your so far behind", the voice was overcome with a sob, "I'm beating you, so hurry up and show everyone the strength we both know you have and survive this."

What?

"You saved me. I have to save you. Wake up, fulfil your dream, and when you're in danger, i'll rush to your side."

His whole body felt as if he was being shook, pain racked up his spine. Who did he save? Warm, wet drops scattered over his face. His chest felt heavy, he couldn't breathe.

Gaara.

***

Everyone sat in the hallway, shocked to the core by Gaara's outburst. The Kazekage was in tears, yelling at Naruto till his voice cracked. They all sat in silence allowing the young man his moment.

"Please, wake up. Wake up. Wake up." His voice echoed down the silent halls. After an eternity of quietness he appeared in the hall, a quick glare to Sakura and he was gone in a swirl of sand. Temari gave a pat to Shikamaru's shoulder before quickly following with her other brother.

Neji came out of a closed door at the end of the hall with a young girl who shared the same eyes as he. Neji let out a breath as he walked towards kakashi whom was leading the mission.

"Luckily your little run away isn't that good with his chidori." He spat out then frowned apologetically when he noticed the jounin flinch. "He barely scraped her heart. With tsunadae's level of expertise she should recover. She just can't push herself."

Kakashi finally lifted his head. Both of his eyes were visable,his striking white hair was tussled he looked as if he hasn't slept in days. His face was contorted with sadness.

"Naruto will be glad." He let out a sigh of relief and just shook his head when Neji cocked an eyebrow at him puzzled. "We should keep Naruto and Sasuke away from each other for the time being."

Sakura scowled, "More like we should protect sasuke from naruto!"

All of rookie nine stared at her in disappointment. Ino kicked herself up from where she was sitting and walked in front of sakura. Her gaze fell on her childhood rival in pity and disgust. She reared her arm back and slammed her fist smack in the middle of Sakura's face. Ino reared back again and punched again. She snuck in three wicked punches before anyone realized what was happening.

Shikamaru hauled her over his shoulder and she thrashed, wanting another go at her, Choji reluxtantly helped Sakura to her feet. The three left without another word, Kiba gave her a hard shake of the head before walking to Hinata's room.

A loud clank filled the silent shock, stopping everyone in their steps, Naruto's door creaked open and he limped out, a wide smile on his face, "Sorry Sakura. I did a bang up job at bringing him back." His voice was a forced whisper.

The boy looked horrible. His wounds appeared like they were still bleeding even though he usually heals fast. He slowly began walking towards Hinata's room. Tsunade tried to stop him but he shook her off. Kakashi gently grabbed his shoulder. "No!",Naruto yelled a tear slipping down his pale wiskered face, "Let go of me. I need to see her."

Everyone backed away and he began to limp slowly to the door.Kiba opened the door for him and once he walked in closed it behind him.

Ino tried to wiggle out of shikamaru's arms but his grip only tightened. Everyone shared gazes and then sakura stood and stomped into sasuke room and slammed the door.