MERGING OF THE SOULS 2

One week passed since Sakura and Mei Terumi merged souls. Sakura had gotten used to using Mei's Lava and Boil-style Jutsu, while Mei was enjoying being young again.

Sakura was resting from a five-hour-long training session by a stream when Mei's image appeared on the water. "I can't believe how far you've gotten in your training."

Sakura smiled. "I know. I guess the soul-merging thing made it easier for me to adapt to your style. Anyway, I think I'm done with training for today. I'm ready to…"

"Sakura! There you are."

Mei's image disappeared from the stream as Sakura looked up to see Naruto Uzumaki heading toward them. When Mei laid eyes on Naruto, she couldn't believe how handsome he was. He had some quality about him that made him…likable. Nothing like the Jinchuriki she'd heard about from others.

"Wha…What do you need, N…Naruto?" Sakura stammered.

"I just saw some guy looking around the village. I want to ask him what he's doing here, and I'd like your support."

"Sure. Anything for you, Naruto."

"Great! Follow me." Naruto ran off with Sakura right behind him, a small smile on her face.

(Inside Sakura's mind)

"Mei, what are you doing? I didn't want to go with him."

"I'm sorry, Sakura, but he's just so…unique that I wanted spend more time with him."

"Look, those may be your emotions, but it's still my body."

"Our body, Sakura. You and I are one in the same now, in case you've forgotten."

"I can't believe how childish you're being. Fine. If you want to help Naruto with this, then by all means, take over. I'll take a nap."

"Really? You'd let me control your body?"

"Just don't get us killed or do something I wouldn't do, all right?"

"Okay."

(In the real world)

"Sakura, are you okay?" Naruto asked, waving his hand in front of her face.

Sakura's eyes blinked a few times. Mei, now in control of Sakura's body, smiled, wrapped her arms around Naruto's arm and said, "Oh, I'm fine, Naruto. Are we close?"

Naruto, though surprised at Sakura's attention right now, said, "Yeah, he's right over there."

Mei looked and saw someone familiar. Chojuro had made it to Konoha, so soon after Sakura mastered all of Mei's skills. She frowned as she realize the time Sakura had been dreading had come.

"It's okay, Naruto," Mei made Sakura say. "I know what he wants, and it isn't anything destructive."

Naruto asked, "How do you know?"

Naruto watched Sakura as she got up from her hiding spot and walk over to the strange man. Naruto thought that Sakura had been acting weird for the past week, ever since she got that new body and wardrobe. He wondered if this guy had anything to do with it. He remained hidden and observed the scene.

Chojuro sighed. He had been searching for nearly two weeks for his Mizukage's new host body and hadn't had any luck. This was the last place he checked and he was determined to find the Mizukage here.

Naruto watched as Sakura sat down next to the man and held his hand. "Thank you for following my orders, Chojuro," he heard her say. Naruto didn't like this Chojuro character and wanted to kick him out of the village right then and there for even talking to Sakura.

Suddenly, Naruto saw Chojuro kneel before Sakura and cry in joy. "At last, I've finally found you after two weeks of searching! I thought the jutsu didn't work, but now I see it did!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down, Chojuro. I don't want anyone knowing about this yet."

"Knowing about what, Sakura?"

Mei turned to see Naruto heading towards the pair. She could tell Naruto was confused by the look on his face, but now she was saddened. She would have to say goodbye to Naruto forever to live in boring old Kirigakure again.

Chojuro reached to draw his weapon, but Mei raised a hand to let him know to not bother.

Naruto reached the pair and started asking questions. "Sakura, who is this guy and why did he treat you like royalty or some…"

Naruto was cut off when Sakura suddenly hugged him. He felt tears streaming down her eyes. She then looked him in the eyes.

"First of all, right now I'm not Sakura. I'm Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage."

Naruto cleaned out his ears and said, "Wait, could you repeat that? I thought you said you were a dead woman."

Mei sighed. "I didn't think that would work. Come with me, and I'll show you what I mean."

Mei led Naruto to Sakura's house, with Chojuro following. Hinata walked along the road and saw the group. Wanting to know what was going on, she joined the three as they gathered in Sakura's bedroom.

Mei drew in a deep breath and said, "Here goes nothing." Sakura's body then blinked a few times and looked around the room.

"Wait, what's going on here? How did I…Who are…Why…Mei, what happened?"

Mei's image appeared in the mirror next to Sakura, causing Chojuro, Naruto and Hinata to be startled enough to jump a little. "I'm sorry, Sakura, but I needed to let Naruto know what was going on. Hinata's here because she's just as curious."

Sakura looked at Chojuro and said, "So I'm guessing this is the Chojuro you've told me so much about."

"Yes, he is. Sakura, the time has come for us to leave."

Naruto stood up and said, "Wait, leave where? Tell me what's going on!"

(Ten minutes later)

Naruto and Hinata sat in awe of what they had just heard. Sakura now housed two souls in her body and would soon be leaving to become Mizukage of Kirigakure.

Chojuro stood and said, "Sakura, are you okay with becoming Mizukage?"

Sakura stared down and said, "I hadn't planned on it, but Mei thinks it's best for Kirigakure, so I've got to go."

Naruto stood up and said, "That's not fair! You were forced to accept this, weren't you? That's really Mei talking, isn't it?"

Mei called out from the mirror. "I'm right here, you know. I told her all of this beforehand and she accepted it without my coaxing her. The least you could do is accept her decision and move on."

Naruto sat down, dejected. Hinata tried to comfort him, but couldn't think of the right words to say. Meanwhile, Mei stood in the mirror, ashamed of what she had yelled at Naruto.

Sakura turned to Chojuro and said, "Let's go to Lady Tsunade's office. She'll want to know of this. Naruto, Hinata, I believe you can let yourselves out."

Hinata led Naruto to his favorite ramen shop and treated him to whatever he wanted. Naruto didn't seem as hungry as he usually did, but it didn't discourage Hinata from trying to make him happy.

"D…Don't worry about it, Naruto."

"I'm losing one of my best friends, Hinata. I just can't get over that."

"I know how you feel, Naruto. Sakura's one of my best friends, too. But if it's her decision, what can we do?"

Naruto looked at Hinata and said, "We do the right thing."

(One day later)

Sakura sped behind Chojuro on their way to Kirigakure. Tsunade was convinced of Mei's plans and allowed Sakura to assume the title of Mizukage. Although it made Sakura depressed to have to leave her home, she did it for the good of Mei's home.

Mei talked to Sakura in her mind. "So, there's no turning back now. You're going to be named Mizukage first thing tomorrow."

Sakura said, "Yeah, I can hardly wait."

"You don't sound so happy about it. Of course, that's understandable. After all, I did pretty much force you to accept the role."

"That's not why I'm upset, Mei."

"Well, why are you upset, then?"

"Naruto…"

"Oh, I see. You were in love with him."

"Y…Yes, I was. I wanted to marry him soon after the war was over, but now…"

"You'll never get the chance because of you two now living in rival Shinobi villages."

"Yeah."

Chojuro suddenly stopped, which caused Sakura to ask, "What's wrong?"

"We're being followed. Get behind me, Lady Mizukage."

Sakura cringed at what Chojuro had called her. It was just another reminder that her life would never be the same.

Sakura then looked and saw Naruto and Hinata racing to catch up to her and Chojuro.

"There you are!"

Naruto landed right next to Sakura, with Hinata not far behind.

Chojuro pointed his Hiramekarei at Naruto and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Naruto held up a letter. "Just delivering a letter to the new Mizukage."

Sakura took the letter and opened it. She and Mei read the letter in their minds.

"Sakura,

I hope you do well as Mizukage. I know how painful it is to be torn away from those you care about. That's why I wanted to spare you that same burden. I have approved a transfer of two shinobi, Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga, to reside in Kirigakure. With your permission, this transfer will be made as soon as possible.

Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure."

Sakura started to cry, but this time they were tears of joy. She showed Chojuro the letter, and he put his sword back in its scabbard. He then extended his hand and said, "Glad to meet you, comrade."

Naruto smiled and took Chojuro's hand, saying, "Likewise."

Hinata walked up to Sakura and told her, "Naruto asked for this, you know. He didn't want to be separated from one of his closest friends, so he begged Tsunade for that transfer. I volunteered to be transferred because I can't stand the thought of being away from Naruto. Please don't be upset at us."

Sakura wiped tears from her eyes and said, "I'm not mad; I'm actually very happy. Hinata, Naruto, thanks for sticking by my side and being true friends."

Naruto smiled and said, "Hey, that's what friends do: look out for each other. Now, come on. We've got to get you home."

Sakura nodded and Chojuro led her, Naruto, and Hinata to their new home, Kirigakure.

Mei was happy at this recent development. "So, Sakura, you've got a pretty good bunch of friends, huh? That's good. Cherish those friends, for they'll be your greatest allies in the years to come."