Metamorphosis

His eyelids were closed, but he could hear everything again; he felt a softness beneath him, his hands clenched, and his fingers tensed at first, but then relaxed. He listened to the chirping birds and sensed the presence of other animals - from the footsteps of a large creature to the faint hum of a tiny bee. He couldn't open his eyes yet; the light would irritate his vision. The fox within him was already awake.

"Kid, don't open your eyes yet; do it gradually and cover them with your hands," the fox instructed in his mind.

Naruto mentally nodded. However, when he tried to lift one hand, he felt resistance. A clip was attached to his index finger, holding him in place. Naruto knew that moving his hand further would pull something; a cable was taut.

Naruto imagined it was the device his grandmother had mentioned before he fell asleep. He smiled slightly, knowing she must have visited him. With his free hand, Naruto covered his eyes to shield them from the light and slowly opened them, using his hand as a makeshift shade to protect his pupils from the harsh sunlight streaming through the window.

As he took in his surroundings, he saw that he was in a large room with a big window, sky-blue walls, and a small pendant light hanging from the ceiling. Movement caught his attention - someone or something was on his bed. He turned his head toward the intruder and saw his grandmother's summon, the slug.

"Naruto-sama, he's awake," the slug said. Naruto responded with a gentle smile, knowing his grandmother would appear soon. The slug must have already informed her.

And so it was, minutes later, Tsunade appeared along with Sakura and Shizune, directly in his room. The two younger women already had tears in their eyes.

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed, already by his side. The blonde gave her a loving smile. She sat down beside him and carefully removed the device from his finger, helping him sit up.

"You look beautiful, Sakura," Naruto said with a hoarse voice, due to the long sleep, and he wasn't lying. His best friend looked stunning. Her hair was shorter than before, she wore a pink shirt and black pants, and around her waist was a thick black belt. The seal on her forehead made her look even more beautiful.

She let out a laugh and hugged him tightly. Naruto melted into the hug and looked at his grandmother alongside Shizune, who were smiling at him. As they parted from the hug, Naruto gave them a smile and asked them to come closer.

One by one, they hugged him.

"Hello, kid," his grandmother whispered in his ear and kissed his forehead. Naruto hugged her tightly. Shizune received the same treatment.

"How long did I sleep?" he asked.

"A year, sweetie," the dark-haired woman replied. Naruto's eyes widened, thinking it had only been six months. "That's a long time," he whispered to himself.

"How do you feel, kid?" his grandmother asked.

"I'm feeling pretty good, I can move my whole body, I can hear you perfectly, and I can see just fine," Naruto recited.

"Good, I still want you to stay here for a few days until I talk to Kakashi and figure out how to make your return public, Naruto. Sakura will stay here with you," the Fifth ordered, and Sakura nodded in agreement beside him.

Minutes later, Tsunade left with Shizune, leaving the two best friends alone. Naruto got out of bed and noticed he wore an orange loose-fitting shirt and black cotton pants. He didn't remember going to sleep in those clothes, but he didn't want to question it yet.

"Where's the bathroom, Pink?" he asked his best friend, and she pointed to a door on the left. Naruto nodded and entered.

"Call out if you need anything, Naruto," she requested, and he nodded firmly, knowing she'd burst through the door in an instant if needed.

He entered the spacious bathroom with a mirror above the sink and approached it. He still looked like himself, no doubt about that. But his hair had grown a few centimeters longer, almost reaching his shoulders. His eyes seemed bluer than he remembered, and his skin tone was slightly fairer.

Naruto raised his arms and stretched, feeling great to move his arms fully again. His back and shoulders cracked, and he let out a weak, almost purring sound. He looked at his reflection and decided to trim his hair slightly, just the ends. After washing his face, he exited the bathroom, eager to do something.

He saw Sakura sitting on his bed. "Tell me, what's happened in the past year I was asleep?" he asked, searching for new clothes in what he assumed was his wardrobe. He pulled out a black shirt and matching pants.

"Not much," Sakura replied. "Peace has prospered, we have occasional missions, and Kakashi is now the Hokage." Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, and he burst into laughter. 

"No way."

"Believe me, blonde," Sakura said with a smile. "You'll see him in a few days." She stood up. "I'll go prepare something to eat. Change and come downstairs."

Naruto nodded, and Sakura left the room. He removed his shirt and examined his abdomen; it was lean, but he'd always been slender. The seal of Kurama was in perfect condition. His arms were slightly thicker, but not dramatically so.

After changing into the black shirt and pants, he exited the room and found himself in a hallway with stairs leading down to the living room and kitchen. He could hear Sakura's footsteps and the sound of her chopping ingredients. His keen senses allowed him to pick up every detail, from Sakura's breathing to her heartbeat.

"Why?"

Naruto whispered, hoping the fox in his mind would respond. He closed the door behind him.

"During your year-long sleep, your only source of vital energy was my chakra and that of my brothers, kid," Kurama explained in his mind. "Your body evolved in certain ways; your senses are now sharper, and your Sage Mode will be much stronger and more durable due to your direct connection to natural chakra."

Naruto descended the stairs, astonished. The scent of strawberries wafted into his nostrils, confirming Kurama's words.

"Thanks," he silently thanked his friend, entering the kitchen.

Sakura was chopping strawberries for what appeared to be a fruit salad; he could smell kiwi, green and red apples, grapes, mandarins, and bananas.

"No need to thank me, kid," Kurama replied.

"What are you cooking, Pink?" Naruto asked his friend, now standing in the kitchen.

"Just chopped fruit, Naruto," Sakura responded with a gentle smile, continuing to chop strawberries.

Naruto moved beside her and asked, "How have you been, Sakura?" His tone invited an honest response.

"I've been fine, Naruto," she replied, chopping the ingredients with more force.

"Sakura," he called again, looking directly into her eyes.

"I'm fine! My missions have gone well, I became a war heroine, I'm in charge of all the hospital departments, I'm fine, Naruto," she responded, cutting the strawberries into even smaller pieces.

Naruto didn't need to hear her heartbeat to know she was nervous and upset.

"Sakura, I know there's more," he said, taking the plate of fruit and heading out to the patio he had seen when descending the stairs. "Talk to me; you know I'll never judge you."

Pink followed him with a tilted gaze and approached where Naruto had already sat down. The house had a balcony with an overhanging floor section.

They sat there with the plate of fruit between them.

"I'm still in love with her," Sakura said softly, gazing at the sky with nostalgia. "During this year, I haven't made any moves. She took leadership of her clan, and I rarely see her. I moved out alone; my parents would never accept me dating a girl, and I really don't know if I'll ever be with that girl."

Finishing her words, she bowed her head. Naruto looked at her with nostalgia, took her hand, and Sakura looked up at him.

"Pink, you have to try, you're one of the strongest women I know, you fought a war, helped seal a goddess, defeated an Akatsuki, you're intelligent and kind. And above all, you have a beautiful heart, Sakura. If you don't try, you won't win, trust yourself," Naruto said, looking at her with a caring gaze.

"I tried, but seeing her left me speechless, she's so beautiful," she whispered.

"Trust yourself, Sakura, you're absolutely beautiful, don't underestimate yourself. As for your parents, it's good you distanced yourself; every family tree needs pruning," he finished, embracing her with one arm. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Naruto, I really missed you," she said, her voice trembling.

"I missed you too, Sakura," he replied. They sat in comfortable silence until she spoke again.

"Sasuke left the village; Kakashi mentioned something about atoning for his sins, and I don't know when he'll return," she said.

Naruto's heart stuttered in his chest. He'd been in love with Sasuke since he was twelve, and despite his departure from the village and their brutal fight, his feelings remained.

"Is he traveling alone?" Naruto asked after a few seconds.

"As far as I know, yes, blonde," Sakura replied.

"Did he ask about me?" Naruto's nerves were on edge, knowing Tsunade and the other Kages had forbidden anyone from telling Sasuke about him.

"No," Sakura said slowly.

Naruto's heart ached. It was unfair; he loved Sasuke desperately, and now that the war was over and Sasuke was far away, he had disappeared without asking about him, without staying to say goodbye. The pain was overwhelming.

"That's okay, I'm glad he's traveling by his own will and not imprisoned," Naruto whispered, releasing Sakura from the hug to start eating the fruit. Sakura watched him with empathy.

Naruto savored the fruit, trying to shake off the bitter taste. Sasuke had helped significantly in the war and protected him, even holding his hand occasionally. It wasn't fair that Sasuke had left without acknowledging Naruto's feelings.

His heart stuttered again, and he paused eating for a moment. Sakura noticed.

"What's wrong? Are you okay? Should I call Tsunade-sama?" Sakura asked rapidly.

Naruto smiled to calm her. "I'm fine, Pink. I was just thinking about him."

Sakura huffed, "I don't know how you still love him, thank the gods I opened my eyes, and now he's just another idiot."

Naruto rolled his eyes, amused.

"I love him too much, Sakura. From the moment I saw him, it was like a click inside me. Since we were twelve, I loved him, but I didn't want to. That's why I was angry and competitive with him. A bond formed, Sakura, a bond still tied to my heart. I'll always love him, no matter what. It's perhaps pathetic, maybe I am."

"You're not pathetic, Naruto," Sakura replied. "You're just deeply in love. I'm scared for you because he doesn't deserve you; he's an idiot, and he doesn't understand."

Naruto chuckled softly.

"He was hurt, his clan, his brother, losing his parents... I understand why he did what he did, and after learning the truth, I cried for him because he was even more hurt than before. I understand, Sakura, and I'll keep loving him and caring for his well-being, no matter if he doesn't want anything to do with me."

Naruto finished speaking and gazed up at the sky. His heart still ached, but he would be okay. He had many things to do: test his chakra limits, visit Gaara, return to his missions, hope Sasuke was doing well wherever he was, hug his best friend, tend to his flowers, and enjoy ramen with Iruka. He wanted to keep living, despite his broken heart and ongoing love for Sasuke, who left without looking back.

"Later, I'd like you to cut my hair, Sakura. I also want to change my apartment and decorate it to my taste, and buy new clothes," Naruto said, thinking of all the things he wanted to do. He would also use the money his parents and Jiraiya left him, including the profits from Jiraiya's books. It was time to start living again.

Sakura nodded, a gentle smile on her face. "Of course, Naruto. Whatever you need."

Naruto's determination grew. He would move forward, embracing life's joys and pains, and cherish the love he held for Sasuke, even if it remained unrequited.