Tick, tick, tick, slowly passing by, steps. They run to the beat of the clock. Otherwise you don't hear anything. The clock keeps on running, blue eyes keep looking at the hands. It was two hours ago that the door to the operating room had closed behind Tsunade and Shizune. Naruto had been pacing restlessly for two hours. She was driving him crazy, the uncertainty whether Sakura would make it and the fear of what to do if she couldn't. His gaze shifted to Yamato. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed and head bowed. How could he stay so calm? Naruto couldn't understand. A rustle to his right. He turned his head and saw Sai pulling out his book. He too was perfectly calm and relaxed. Although that didn't mean anything to Sai, he was always like that. Naruto looked at the door again. Was he the only one worried about Sakura? Was he the only one who felt this fear?
His mind wandered to the moment his blood froze and his heart stopped beating for a moment. Sakura's scream. He still heard it clearly in his head. Full of pain, full of horror. Even now he got goosebumps from it. Naruto slowly closed his eyes. Fog. A figure that broke away from this fog and fell to the ground. A few seconds after the scream. He saw it right before his eyes. Sakura, lying lifeless on the floor, her eyes closed. The fog cleared. A second figure appeared. She stood next to Sakura, looking down at her. Naruto's face filled with hatred. At that moment he knew immediately who was standing there. The last sparks from Shidori had given him away. Sasuke.
Naruto opened his eyes. His anger grew more and more. How could he have done that? He lowered his angry gaze, clenched his fists. How could Sasuke have done such a thing to Sakura? You who always believed in him, who fought for him. His hands relaxed. Naruto raised it to his face. And why hadn't he protected her better? Sasuke's attack should have hit him and not her. His anger gave way to doubt and guilt. He was still not strong enough to protect those he loved. If Sakura didn't get well when she died, it was his fault. He wasn't strong enough. Tears welled up in his eyes. Then Naruto felt a hand on his shoulder. His head turned back, his gaze fell on a face full of pity. Yamato smiled at him.
> Don't worry, Tsunade will make sure Sakura comes through. <
His voice didn't sound convincing and yet these words calmed Naruto. He nodded and looked back at the door. The group leader now also turned his eyes to them. Both prayed, hoped, and yet could not do more than wait.

Another hour passed before the door opened for the first time.Quiet and careful. As if struck by lightning, Naruto turned and stared at the person who came out. Yamato, who had leaned against the wall again, also turned his head towards the door. Only Sai continued to look at his book, not taking any notice of what was happening.
Tsunade stepped out into the hall. She was infinitely tired and at the end of her strength. Sakura's injuries were severe and it had looked like she wouldn't survive for a long time. But Sakura was strong and a fighter. She had not given up and Tsunade and Shizune had done everything in their power to heal her. In the end they did it. Although her student was not finally over the mountain, she was well on the way. Only this night she had to survive. The Hokage was confident. But the operation had robbed her of a lot of strength. She would have loved to lie down now, but when the Hokage raised her head and saw Naruto, who was looking at her with fearful eyes, she knew that this would remain a wish for the time being. She sighed. Got ready to face the onslaught of Naruto and, most importantly, to find out what had happened. As soon as Tsunade had gathered the last of her strength, he came running towards her.
> What about Sakura? Is she okay? Will she get well again? <
His voice boomed in her head: despair, hope, sadness, guilt. Everything sounded in that voice, sounded in her head.
> Naruto ... <, she got no further.
> Can I see her? Why did it take so long? Why don't you say anything? Wouldn't you ...? <
He kept talking without a period or comma. In any other case, Tsunade would have given him one so that he would finally be calm. But she had no more strength, just waited for him to take a breath and tell her how it was with Sakura. Now. A second respite. The Kunoichi looked Naruto in the eye and spoke in a choked voice.
> We were able to operate on her successfully. The worst injuries are treated to some extent. If she survives tonight, she will be out of danger for good. But it looks good. Sakura is strong. Don't worry, she will make it. <
A stone fell from Naruto's heart. Sakura would survive. He wanted to scream for joy, wanted to tell the whole world. Relief spread across his face, followed by a big grin. The ninja looked at the Hokage, her gaze was blank, eye rings were drawn on her face. But also something loving. She was happy too ... of course. Now he looked at Yamato. Without Naruto noticing it, Naruto had come to stand next to him. Relief was also reflected on his face. His gaze now met the Narutos. He smiled, nodded and wanted to show him that everything was fine, he didn't have to worry anymore. The ninja nodded in relief and turned to Sai, beaming at him too. He had put his book aside and grinned at Naruto.It was artificial, but that's what Sai always looked like. Naruto didn't care at that moment. He was just happy.
Tsunade cleared his throat. Turned to Yamato. She needed to know what had happened, why she hadn't received a single report, and why Sakura had returned in this state. She looked sternly at the group leader.
> I would now like to find out what happened in the first place. Yamato? <
> Well, it was ... <
> Sasuke, this is all the work of Sasuke. He messed up Sakura like that. That bastard. >
With anger in his eyes again, he had interrupted Yamato and stood in front of the Hokage. She looked at him first, then at the other ninja doubtfully.
> So and is Sasuke also responsible for not receiving a single report? <
Naruto and Yamato looked at each other in confusion. They had sent reports to Konoha and not just once - four. Four should have arrived. When the Konoichi heard this, she too looked confused. Now Sai got up and told her that he had personally written and sent the messages. But she just shook her head. Not a single one had arrived. There was silence. No one could explain why the news hadn't reached Konoha.
Suddenly the door to the operating room opened. Shizune stood in the passage and looked for Tsunade with a haunted look. She had turned around and looked at her student.
> Tsunade quickly. We found something at Sakura, you should check it out. It seems like some kind of seal. <
Without letting another second pass, Tsunade walked through the door again. She fell to. For the second time that day, Naruto, Yamato, and Sai were left alone. Only fear and hope remained with the three again. Again they had to wait.
Oh how Naruto hated this. He finally wanted to go to Sakura, wanted to see her, touch her. What had happened again? Hadn't the Hokage said five minutes ago that everything had gone well? A seal. Naruto considered. Since when did his best friend have a seal? She had never mentioned anything, not even remotely. All of this overwhelmed him. He had to sit down. Whatever was going on in there, he prayed it wouldn't be bad. He waited, staring at the door. Just the sound of the clock in the background, tick, tick, tick. After an endless eternity, his eyes finally closed and he dreamed. From Sakura who gave him a headbut because he had done something again. He had to grin.


so chapter 3 is done ... hope you like it ^^
I'm happy about Kommies here too :)