Morning came, Aceso, Tonton, Shizune, and Sakura kneeled beside Lady Tsunade, she was still comatose.

"Don't worry, Sakura," Shizune said. "Lady Tsunade will recover, I'm sure of it."

"Yeah," Sakura breathed as Tonton sat down. They heard the door open.

"Hi, guys," Naruto greeted, they looked back to see Naruto and Choji. "We brought you lunch."

"Here," Choji said, Tonton drooled looking at the mountain of rice balls.  "We got all of the rice balls we could, I hope it's enough."

"Thanks, but there's only the three of us," Sakura said. "We'll never eat all these." She stared at Choji as he chowed down on a rice ball. 

"Then I could always eat some," Choji said. 

"That was your whole plan, all along, wasn't it?" Sakura growled as Tonton jumped to Shizune for safety. 

"Yeah, okay?" Choji laughed, putting a hand behind his head. "You caught me. But you really should eat Sakura. Goes best with a little bit of salt."

"All right," Naruto stretched. "Guess, I'll go help rebuild Ichiraku, if I do, I'll get a free bowl of ramen."

"Boy, you really do love ramen, don't you?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah," Naruto laughed grabbing Aceso's wrist, he bolted out of the tent. "I need it to keep up my strength. By the way, little sister I told a few of the injured I would bring you over as soon as I found you."

"Oh, thank you, you should have gotten me sooner," Aceso said. As Aceso worked she recalled an incident coming home to the leaf. Right around the time Granny Tsunade came back to the village, Aceso had to go out and gather some herbs. Hours later when she came back there was an entire wooden barrier around the village, she later found out that they thought Naruto was carrying around a dangerous chakra virus.

"Doctor Matsuba?" a voice asked. Aceso glanced back to see Kotetsu. 

"Oh, Kotetsu," Aceso greeted. "Izumo should just be in the next tent, he should be fine by tomorrow."

"Thank you," Kotetsu nodded, he remained standing there.

"Is everything alright?" Aceso asked.

"I saw some ostrich footprints earlier," Kotetsu answered. "It made me think of that mission I went on with your brother."

"As I recall, you two, Shino, and Rock Lee went into the animal district to retrieve a lost ostrich named Candor," Aceso recalled. "That was certainly a sight."

"If it wasn't Izumo, we probably would have been done for," Kotetsu laughed before walking out.

****Flashback****

Sasuke had left the village for Orochimaru about two weeks ago, Aceso was now sitting at the front desk at the hospital, it was an easy day.  

"Room 117," Aceso instructed handing the people a sheet of paper and pencil.

"Thank you," the lady nodded rubbing her belly.

"Uh, Aceso?" a voice asked. She looked forward to seeing Izumo, Shino, Naruto, Kotetsu, and Lee; but all of them were injured.

"What happened to you five?" Aceso asked.

"Remember Candor, that Ostrich I told you about?" Naruto asked.

"Uh?" Aceso asked.

"Lady Hokage had us go looking for it at Training ground zero," Naruto explained.

"I thought humans weren't allowed in," Aceso recalled.

"Only for this mission," Kotetsu said. "We almost got killed by the Four Ninja Animal Warriors?"

"The Four Ninja Animal Warriors?" Aceso repeated slowly.

"We are telling the truth," Lee proclaimed grabbing her collar; pulling her close. " Look! Evidence of the boxing Kangaroo and her joey!" He pointed at a bump on his head. 

"I believe you," Aceso said as she put a hand on his head, treating it. "Especially with the state Shino is in." They looked over to see Shino frantically mumbling names. "I'm guessing his bugs have gotten eaten."

"By bug-eating plants and an anteater," Naruto said.  

***Flashback over***

"Red Rose?" a voice broke her out of the flashback. Standing at the doorway was now Lee, he had medicine with him. "I was on my way to see Lady Tsunade, are you able to come with me?"

"Uh," Aceso began as she looked at the door, everyone in the room had been treated. "Yeah, I can spare ten minutes before I go to the next tent." She got up walking over to the doorway.

"How is Lady Hokage?" Lee asked.

"No signs of improvement, but I'm sure she'll come around," Aceso answered. "She's strong."

"Her youth is strong," Lee said. "If she keeps using her youth to fight through this, I'm sure she will come around." They reached the tent, they opened the door, they saw Sakura kneeling beside Lady Tsunade, they both glanced at each other. "Sakura." She looked back at them. "How is Lady Hokage doing?" Sakura remained silent. "Oh, I see. This could help." He held up the bottle of medicine. "Gai-sensei made this special medicine for Lady Hokage. So please, would you give it to her?"

"Thanks, Lee," Sakura smiled at him. 

"Lady Hokage helped Aceso figure out a way to heal me when one else thought it would be possible," Lee said. "I want to do whatever I can to help her get better."

***Flashback***

They were in the rehab room, Lee was trying his best t get across, using the bars to help him.

"Lee, you really need to take it easier," Aceso advised as she stood on the end.

"No," Lee grunted as he made his way toward her. "I must get better."

"But doing this will only damage your leg more," Aceso said.

" I do not care," Lee said. "I will not let my youth slip away!" They heard the door open.

"Yo! Little sister! Bushy Brow!" Naruto greeted as he walked in with Sakura and Ino.

"Oh, Sakura," Lee greeted. 

"What about oh, Naruto?" Naruto asked as Ino closed the door. "I'm here too, you know."

"How's it coming Lee, feeling better?" Sakura asked. 

"Oh, yes," Lee answered leaning on the back bar. " I am fine." They looked at him. "Oh, no! Really I feel great!" He held out his hand in assurance. "Especially since Gai-senseis started making me this medicine!" He picked it up, showing it to the others. "He calls it his special youth drink!" Pain shot through his body, causing him to drop the bottle, Naruto caught it, as Aceso stepped closer to him in case he was to fall over. Lee started laughing. "Thank you. I guess my hand just slipped."

"Lee can you please sit down," Aceso requested. "Take a break." 

"Why would I do that if my rehab session isn't over?" Lee asked as he looked at her. 

"Fine, at least move on to a different section of the rehab," Aceso requested.

"Not till I finish going back and forth 500 times," Lee insisted, they heard the sounds of someone drinking. They looked down to see Naruto gulping down the medicine. 

"Yuck! Gross!" Naruto exclaimed taking it away from his mouth. "This is the worst energy drink I've ever had." Sakura punched him on the head.  

"What are you doing idiot!" Sakura demanded. 

"If you are going to scold me, can you do it before you hit me?" Naruto requested. 

"Lee?" Aceso asked tears streaming down his face. 

"But-but that was my last special youth drink," Lee cried. 

"I didn't realize it was so special," Sakura said. 

"Oops, sorry about that," Naruto apologized. 

"Up till now, I've drunk 5 liters a day and never missed a single dose," Lee cried. 

"That much," Sakura said.

"Everyday," Aceso nodded. 

"Really? This awful tasting stuff?" Naruto asked looking at the bottle. 

"If I kept on drinking it then without any doubt, I know I would recover," Lee said. "Gai-sensei swore."

"Look if you have the guts to keep drinking this stuff, you'll have no problem getting well," Naruto said. "That's your ninja way, right? Never giving up, no matter what."

"Yes," Lee bowed his head a little, looking away. "I suppose so." Ino, Sakura, and Naruto all left to go on their mission.

"You can go," Lee said. 

"Lee?" Aceso asked. 

"Without my drink--" Lee began.

"Lee, you are going to get better," Aceso assured.

"But when?" Lee asked as he stared at his hand. "When will I get better?"

"In a few days," Aceso said walking over to the door. "When I'm ready I'll Lady Tsunade know to tell you. Until then, just have a little more patience, please." She walked out closing the door behind her. She left the hospital to go over to Gai-sensei. Aceso got there to find Naruto heading towards the door as well. They opened a door to find Gai-sensei crushing up some herbs.

"Uh, Papa?" Aceso asked. 

"Oh, Naruto, Aceso," Gai greeted as they walked in. "Can I help, you two?"

"We aren't here for us," Naruto denied. "Uh, I actually came for that medicine, that you make for Lee."

"I see," Gai said. "You've already done your research then. Nicely done! The special youth drink for Lee has one main ingredient, and that is the Jofuku flower."

"What's that?" Naruto asked.

" A mystical plant that only grows in place, the mounting of Jofuku on the border of the land of fire. It's said to glow in seven colors. And heal all sorts of illnesses," Gai explained. 

"I think I know the herbologist that lives there," Aceso said. "I heard that flower was rare."

"Indeed," Gai confirmed. "And as a result, it's difficult to retain. So-"

"So if you had those flowers you could make more medicine," Naruto gathered. 

"Huh?" Gai asked.

"All right, tell you what. I'm going to go and get some of it for you right now," Naruto declared running out of the room. 

"But wait!" Gai called out, they poked their heads out the door. "Naruto, you didn't even let me finish my sentence!"

"I should probably join him," Aceso stated.

"No need for you to go get your hands dirty," Gai denied. " I already sent out a request, a team should be heading over there at this very moment."

"Well, I'll head back to the hospital now," Aceso said.

"And after come do a mid-day marathon with me, kiddo," Gai insisted giving a thumbs up.

"Sure thing," Aceso agreed as she returned the thumbs up. 

"How's Lee?" Gai asked.

"He's doing better, but he's not exactly listening to me," Aceso mumbled.

"He's ignoring you?" Gai asked in shock. 

"He's not exactly taking it easy," Aceso said. "He's been giving me a tough time lightly about it."

"I'll go talk to him and get some sense into him," Gai said. "You take it easy for the rest of the day as well." She left the room, then went down to the village gates.

"Where's Naruto?" Ino asked as Aceso walked up to her and Sakura.

"I thought he'd be here by now," Aceso said. 

"Naruto's late," Ino noted. 

" I can't believe that idiot," Sakura complained. "What's he doing? I know he's worried about Lee, but we have a mission to complete." They saw someone running towards them.

"Is that--" Aceso began. Aceso looked closer, she could have sworn it was Lee running toward them. Aceso rubbed her eyes, she looked again to see it was Naruto. He wore that green suit, orange leg warmers, ninja headband around his waist. 

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Naruto apologized. " I had to change."

"Uh, Naruto, what's with the get-up," Sakura asked. 

"It kind of does look familiar," Ino said. "I gotta some medicinal herbs for Bushy brow. And this outfit I'm wearing will help me get in sync with him. Not too shabby, huh?" His teeth sparkled.

"You'll need one more adjustment," Aceso said as Naruto gave a thumbs up. She put her hands on his head, she tried to flatten it down, shaping it into a bowl cut. "Now you're more in sync."

"Sure whatever you think," Ino agreed sarcastically. 

"Can't you tell how much the two of us like it from our reaction?" Sakura asked. "What is the deal, Naruto? Have you forgotten we were given a mission?"

"Sorry, I already told you, I have to go to Mt. Jofuku to get some medicinal herbs," Naruto said.

"Mount Jofuku," Sakura repeated

"Yeah," Naruto repeated. "Weren't you listening?"

"Great," Ino said. "Our mission is actually going to take us right to Mt. Jofuku." 

"Good luck!" Aceso dismissed them as those three set off on their mission.  Aceso went back to the hospital, she saw Lee walking down the hall to his room.

"Done with rehab?" Aceso asked.

"Huh?" Lee asked glancing back. "Uh, yes." His optimism was fading. They went into his room, he sat on the bed, staring at his hand, clenching it. " A few more days right?"

"Right," Aceso nodded. "Until then, please take it easy."

"It may be frustrating, but I will be taking it easier," Lee said. "Gai-sensei came and talked to me earlier." She started to leave the room. "Where are you going?" 

"Get some rest," Aceso requested. "Please."

"I will start listening to my doctor more," Lee said. "I have been giving you a hard time, I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologize," Aceso denied. "I would be the same way if I was in your shoes." She left the room, closing the door. 

A few hours later Aceso was heading back to her room after doing laundry. She got there to find Naruto.

"How did the mission go?" Aceso asked taking off her apron. 

"A success," Naruto smiled holding out two flowers that glowed seven different colors.

"Woah," Aceso breathed as her eyes grew wide. "Pretty."

"I knew you would like it," Naruto laughed.

***Flashback over***

"Well, I gotta get back to helping the injured," Aceso said. 

"See you later," Sakura nodded.

"Let me walk you there," Lee insisted grabbing her hand as they walked out of the tent.

"You know, you still aren't very good at listening to the Doctor," Aceso brought up.

"Am I not listening or are you just too easy on me?" Lee asked looking down at her.

"A little bit of both," Aceso laughed. 

"Lee!" a voice called, they looked forward to seeing Ino. "We could really use your help."

"Coming!" Lee shouted waving his hand. 

"Oh, Lee," Aceso breathed. "I need a favor."

"Hm?" Lee asked looking down at her. 

"If it's possible--" Aceso said pulling out a folded piece of paper and handing it to him. "I don't want to overwork you or anyone." Lee opened it; a smile formed on his face

"This will be no trouble, Red Rose, anything for, you," Lee said squeezing her hand. He kissed her cheek, and let go of her hand, speeding off towards Ino.