A/N: Gaara will be a little OOC in this, but it works.

"speech"

'inner sakura or thoughts'

"Shukaku or Kyuubi"

Prologue: Tears in the Rain

A single tear runs down the pink haired kunoichi's face, a testament to the pain inside. Yet not one of the attending shinobi notice, for

this day, the day Sakura Haruno lays her parents to rest, it is raining. "Come on Sakura-chan," Naruto says quietly, pulling gently on

her kimono sleeve.

"Ok Naruto," Sakura mumbled, walking away with him. She follows him blindly, not caring where he takes her.

"Sakura-chan, you need to eat. Come on, it's my treat," Naruto says 'cheerfully'.

"Ok Naruto," Sakura mumbles quietly, lost in her own world. Neither one notices when Kakashi comes up behind them.

"No, its not 'ok' Sakura, Naruto is right." Kakashi interjects, "You need to go on with life, eat something. I know you haven't

eaten in three days. Life will go on. The pain will lessen with time." He enfolds her in a warm hug, letting her cry into his vest.

"No, it won't Kakashi, I know it won't," Sakura sobbed miserably. "They are gone, and they were all I had left of my family." He

just kept on holding her, not caring that he was getting wet again.

"Yes, it will Sakura, I promise." Kakashi said with a blush, holding her tighter. "Now, come with us, Naruto has promised to pay for dinner."

"Nani? I agreed to pay for Sakura-chan's dinner, but I never agreed to pay for yours, dattebayo." Naruto yells. Sakura smiles a

little at the antics of two of her 'boys', now only if Sasuke had been well enough to leave the infirmary for the funeral. She missed

having all of her boys around.

"Alright, alright. Keep your trousers from knotting, we'll go out to eat, Naruto's treat." Sakura said mischievously. She suddenly

darts off in the direction of Ichariku, surprising both of them.

"Well Kakashi-sensei, it seems we have a foot race." Naruto says, surprised at her mood change. He runs off after her, calling out,

"SAKURA that was not fair to us. Dattebayo!" Kakashi just grinned underneath his mask, and followed at a leisurely pace.

Well, you all know the drill, you read, and you review. Please. I'll appreciate any suggestions on how to continue this, as I have the

middle, but not really the beginning. To flame or not to flame, that is the question. I don't mind them, but not too many. Ok?