A Second Chance

1: The Wish

"Why did it have to be this way..." I asked myself. I turned to the right and looked at my family photo. "Why did I have to be this way." I lifted the picture frame and put it near my face. My fingers caressed the glass holding the picture in place.

"I really fucked up huh?" I chuckled. My friends...family....gone. And it's all my fault. I pushed them away when I all they were doing was trying to help. Now when I need them the most, they're not around.

"And it's all because of me..." I took a deep sigh and sunk into my chair even more.

I put my finger upon my deceased husband's face and managed to crack a smile. 'He was my everything. It was like nothing could ever separate us.'

Nothing except death

The very thought of the word death put a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't always dislike the idea of death because I knew it was coming. I've came face to face and cheated death many times in my prime being a Shinobi. But when he died....

Tears form at the corner of my eyes every time I think back to that faithful moment in the woods. It was supposed to be our very last mission. I guess it was in a way...

After he died, I became a depressing mess. All I wanted to do was be alone which made matters worse. I was so selfish back then only thinking about my feelings and how I felt so much that I neglected my children's feelings. They were grieving too. They lost him too. So why was I acting like they didn't understand?

"Stupid."

I regretted my actions so much. While my kids were healing together, I was alone. Pushing my pride and joy further and further away. How could I be such a terribly selfish person? What kind of mother am I?

I let the picture drop into my lap and look up into the ceiling. I could feel myself getting weaker by the days and I knew that my time was coming to an end. All alone. In a cold and lonely house.

How tragic.

I closed my eyes and managed to get a few words out of this rigid and old body. "My only wish is that....I could...I could go back in time. Where it went wrong... I just want my friends and family back.

And went that, I spoke my final breath and gave in to the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I awoke to birds flying and chirping peacefully around me. I slowly sat up taking in the scenery for myself.

"So beautiful..." I said in awe.

The atmosphere felt... light. Like I had all of my worries just gone. Just like that. I was surrounded by fluffy pure white clouds and a breathtakingly bright baby blue sky. I got up to my feet and took a few steps forward.

"So this is what heaven looks like..."

"So I see you're taking a liking here huh?"

I froze in place after hearing that familiar voice. That bright and cherry voice. My husband's voice. I quickly turned around and almost broke down crying. It was my loving husband Naruto five feet away from me. I dashed into my husband's arms, squeezing him like never before.

"It's you! It's really you!" I exclaimed.

"It's me Sakura-chan. I've missed you..." He said.

"I've missed you too..." We separated and looked into each other's eyes. His eyes were as vibrant as the day I met him. We closed the gap between us with a loving and passionate kiss. Oh how much I've missed his lips. After a few moments, we parted and sat down, still looking into each other's eyes.

"I'm so glad you're here with me again... You have no idea how much I've longed for this moment..."

"I feel the same way... I've waited for you so long to be here with me." He kissed my forehead and graped on to my hands. "But...we need to talk."
I was confused. 'Talk'? What did he mean by 'talk'?

"Talk about what?" I genuinely asked.

"About what you said...before you died."

"My...my wish?"

"Yes. You wished you could go back and make amends with our friends and family. Before all went wrong?" He said.

"Yes I said that but...wait you think I could..."

"Quite possibly yes." Naruto confirmed

I removed my hands from his gentle grip and covered my mouth in shock. I could go back and make this right! I can go a right my wrongs!

'But what about Naruto?'

I look to my husband uncovering my lips. "I have a choice to make. Don't I." I asked rather plainly.

"Yes. Either go back in time and right your wrongs or," he grabbed my hands again and brought them up to his lips giving them a gentle kiss. "Stay here with me."

"I just died and I still have to make hard choices. Ain't that bout a bitch?" I chuckled dryly.

On one hand, I had the love of my life back into my arms again. I could be with him for as long as I wanted! But my family.... I know what I need to do.

"I love you so much Naruto....but I can't leave our family broken like this. I choose to go back!" I declared. Naruto smiled brightly and hugged me tight surprising me.

"I respect your decision Sakura-chan. I'll be waiting and watching you. I love you." He said.

"I love you too." He caressed my cheeks and kissed me. Then everything went blank.