Prologue-

Sakura, now a strong, twenty-year-old woman, works at the Konoha hospital. Though so young, she's already become one of the top doctors there, because of her skill level. She lives in an apartment by herself. Her work had become her life, aside from her friends, Naruto, Ino, and the others.

Sasuke had returned home about a year ago. He brought along a young red haired woman named Karin. Orochimaru is still alive. Sakura was relieved that Sasuke had returned safely, but mostly glad because Naruto was so happy, having his best friend back-

Chapter 1

The first Thing Sakura noticed when she opened her eyes was the sunlight, it was so bright she immediately shut them again. Then she jerked upright, franticly looking for the clock. It read 9:37. She flew out of bed only to remember that today was her day off. Groaning, she crawled under the covers again. After lying there awhile, she decided it was already too late to go back to sleep.

Sakura slowly went about the house, getting dressed, choosing a grey tank top and a pair of jeans. She put her pink, shoulder-length hair up in a ponytail before preparing some breakfast. As she ate the cereal, she began wondering what she was going to do with her day.

She started by cleaning up the house. By the time that was mostly finished, it was 12:30. Sakura went outside and started walking towards the training grounds. Like Kakashi sensei had told her all those years ago, it was good to train the mind, but it was also important to train the body. She started with a few minutes of stretches, then proceeded to battle with an imaginary foe.

"Care if I join you?" a familiar voice sounded behind her. She stopped, turning to see Naruto, grinning like he didn't have a care in the world. "Sure, but don't blame me if you get any broken bones, you asked for it," She smirked back. "We'll see about that!" he laughed, before launching himself at her.

She easily dodged a punch by leaping above him, and got in a whack while she sailed over him. Naruto didn't even flinch, instead he grabbed her ankle before she landed and threw her back the way she came. Sakura righted herself and landed gracefully about ten feet away. Naruto made the necessary hand-signs and moments later three of himself appeared behind Sakura, grabbing for her arms.

Sakura quickly dispatched two of them with a kick and punch to the gut. They shrieked before disappearing in a puff of smoke. The third one managed to get a hold of her waist from behind. While she was struggling to get him off, a huge weight slammed into her, knocking her flat on her back.

"Shoot, I had forgotten about the real one…" The last doppelganger also disappeared, and the real Naruto sat on top of her, pinning her to the ground, a kunai pressed to her neck.

"No fair!" Sakura protested, playfully shoving him off her. "I didn't bring any weapons today." "Aww, I would have beaten you anyway, Sakura." He stood up, stretching his arms above his head. Sakura saw her chance and tackled him. One second later, he was the one on the ground. Sakura was over him, pressing her hand into his neck just enough to cut off his airway for a moment. Naruto stared at her dumbstruck, she raised an eyebrow, grinning.

Suddenly, they heard a gasp. Looking up, Sakura saw a red-faced Hinata dart behind a tree. "I-I-I'm sorry!" she stuttered. Sakura looked down at Naruto, he raised an eyebrow back at her. "Oh!" she jumped up, quickly realizing how that must have looked to Hinata.

"We were only training, don't worry." Sakura laughed. Hinata walked out from behind the tree. " Oh, I knew that, I-I was just… surprised to see someone else here." Naruto popped up from the ground. "Hey Hinata!" he grinned. "Hello, Naruto." Hinata, smiled looking at the ground. "Were you coming to train too?" he asked. "um, well, yes, I was." she said timidly.

"Great!" Naruto exclaimed. "Will you spar with me? Sakura doesn't fight fairly." Said person shot him a dirty look. "I-I don't know." Hinata said shyly. "go on, do it!," Sakura encouraged. She knew Hinata would be dying to. The girls feeling for Naruto where obvious to everyone except the man himself.

They both stood for a moment, facing each other silently. Sakura went to sit in the grass to watch. With a, "Get ready!' Naruto jumped at Hinata. She quickly leaped out of the way, backing up as she went. Naruto threw some punches and Hinata blocked them gracefully, blushing each time their hands touched, though the contact was violent in nature. He made a grab for her and she danced out of the way again. This continued for a few minutes. Soon Naruto became frustrated. " Why aren't you fighting? You're only dodging!" Hinata lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

Naruto took the chance and again leapt at her with incredible speed. A moment later Hinata was on the ground looking up at Naruto who was holding her to the ground. Hinata's face turned tomato red. Naruto peered at her in confusion, "Are you… blushing?"

Impossibly, poor Hinata's face became even redder than before, and she turned her face away. He too, turned slightly red and quickly jumped off of her. "Sorry," he said quietly. "N-No, it's ok, This match was, fun!" she smiled before quickly running into the woods.

'Poor girl', Sakura thought, "She's probably hyperventilating over there." "Oy! Sakura!" Naruto bellowed from across the field. "Lets go get some ramen! I Haven't had any since yesterday, and I'm starving!" Sakura sighed, " Well, only if you're paying." "No fair, taking advantage of me like that." Naruto grumbled. They both headed back toward the village and soon arrived at the Ichiraku ramen stand.

-chapter 1 end

Ok, this was the first chapter of my first story, I hope it doesn't suck too badly. lol

*I do not own the characters or anything,

Uhh…. Yeah that's it for now! ^_^