It was another day in the village hidden in the leaves. Another day where the boy who was the jailor of the Kyuubi no Kitsune was getting chased by the angry villagers. 4 year old Naruto Uzumaki was running for his life. He was on his way to go to meet his best friend Sakura Haruno. However he unfortunately ran into one of the villagers who hate him for a reason he doesn't understand. The villager got a few more villagers together and they started to chase after the boy. They were chasing him with pitch forks and all types of weapons they can get their hands on.
Naruto already had to take a beaten not too long ago but today he just couldn't afford to do so. He promised Sakura that he would hangout with here at the park today so he had to make it on time or she would start to get worried. Eventually after running through alley after alley. Naruto lost the angry mob. He made his way to the park. Sakura was sitting on one of the swings, looking around for her blonde best friend.
'He's late again. I wonder if he got chased on the way here?' Sakura thought to herself.
She kept looking out for him. She was about to go look for him but she saw his blonde spiky hair from the distance. Naruto was running towards her. Sakura's face beamed a big smile. Ever since the day Naruto protected her from the bullies who was making fun of her forehead. Which was a few months ago. They have been the best of friends. While Naruto was one of if not Sakura's closest friend. Sakura was Naruto only friend. Naruto had tried to make friends but they kids either make fun of him or their parents tell them to don't play with him.
Sakura also had noticed that. So she tried to introduce Naruto to Ino. Ino was a bit judgmental but she can be a kind person. When Naruto and Ino first met. Ino wasn't the friendliest person towards him. However after a few days of hanging out. She has come to think of Naruto as someone who is actually fun to be around. She wouldn't necessarily call him a friend yet but their relationship was working towards a solid friendship.
Naruto also had problems trusting people. Since people are always out to get him for some reason. He has to always watch his back to try to avoid trouble.
"You're late again Naruto-kun." Sakura said.
Naruto gave her a sheepish grin. "Hehe sorry Sakura-chan. I had to run from the villagers again. I really tried to get here on time but it was a pain trying to lose them this time around." The blonde explained.
"I wish we knew why they did that to you. My mother is trying to keep me from hanging out with you but I'm not going to listen to her. She's keep calling you a rotten boy and a demon. I don't understand what makes you a demon?" Sakura said.
Naruto just shrugged. "I don't know even the people at the orphanage called me that. It got so bad that the hokage thought it was best if I don't stay there anymore. The caretaker there always tried to put some nasty stuff in my food or drinks. It usually made my stomach hurt for awhile. I think hokage-jiji called it poison or something." He explained.
"Poison? From the books I've read poison is supposed to be attack you from inside your body and kill you slowly. How many times did they try to poison you Naruto?" Sakura asked with a bit of concern in her voice.
"Umm probably almost 10 as far as I can remember. She used to beat me too and tell the other kids to not talk to me and to make fun of me. It was one girl who never did tho. She was pretty nice, her name was Tenten or something like that." Naruto said
"Wow Naruto you're real lucky that you didn't die. It's odd how only you can survive what most kids our age can't." Sakura said.
"Eh I don't really think too much of it. I just hate how I have to go through it for no absolute reason. I get called a demon when I didn't even do anything. Maybe a couple pranks here and there. But that's only to get back at people who try to harm me." The blonde replied.
"Well enough of that, we can talk about that a different time. Let's play a game or something." The pinkette voiced.
The two young children played games like tag, hide and seek, ninja and many more. It was getting a bit late and Sakura knew she had to get back home or she would get yelled at.
"Hey Naruto, I have to go back home now before it gets too dark. We can hangout tomorrow like usual." Sakura told him.
Naruto nodded. "Ok let me walk you home. I don't want you to be by yourself just to be on the safe side."
"You don't have to. You should try to get home yourself." Sakura retorted.
Naruto looked down on the ground. He took a deep breath. "I don't have a home to go to..." he muttered.
Sakura looked shocked by what Naruto had just said. "What? Didn't the Hokage take you in? Or put you in a different orphanage?"
"Jiji said that he can't adopt me because he's the hokage and he can't play favorites. All of the other orphanages will just do the same as the last one...so he told me that he knew somebody who would look after me. I met with the person and at first the seemed really nice. But once we left Jiji's office and got back to their place. They started to yell at me and beat me. I was only there for about a week until I couldn't take it anymore. I tried to put up with it Sakura I really did but I just got tired of being hurt for something I don't understand." Naruto explained to Sakura with a few tears falling from his eyes.
Sakura was only four years old but she was pretty smart for your typical four year old. She knew that Naruto was a strong person but a person can only take so much. Not to mention that he's the same age as her. She did the only think she could think of to help Naruto and gave him a hug. Naruto was a bit surprised by the sudden hug but he hugged her back.
After a couple more minutes he finally stopped crying. Sakura thought of what she could say to make Naruto feel better. She didn't like seeing her friends sad. But for some reason, seeing Naruto cry made her feel more upset than normally. She couldn't explain it but she just knew that it hurt a lot more seeing Naruto cry than any of her other friends.
"Don't cry Naruto, I know it's hard and I can't imagine what you have to go through everyday. But please don't cry, I don't like seeing my best friend cry. It makes me feel sad too. Just know that no matter what I'll always be your best friend. Nothing will ever make me leave you alone by yourself. I don't care what my mother or father or anybody else says. I'll always be there for you." She spoke out the words that popped into her mind. She even held him tighter.
Naruto couldn't help but blush. No one has ever said anything like this to him. Sure the hokage is nice but this is something different. All he could do is tighten his hold on her and say. "Thanks Sakura-chan. Let's hurry up and get you back. I've already kept you here longer than I should've."
The two left the park and made their way to Sakura's house. It was only a 15min walk from the park. They made conversation during the walk so it wouldn't be awkward. Eventually they reached the Haruno residence.
"Thanks for walking me home Naruto. But where are you going to stay since you have nowhere to go?" Sakura asked.
"The only place that I'm able to calm myself down and feel at peace. Which is the hokage monument. The fourth hokage's head to be more specific." Naruto answered.
"Oh why there? I mean it's not a bad place to relax at or anything I'm just wondering why there of all places.?"
"Well one day while I was still in the orphanage I was wondering around the village aimlessly. I was kinda sad about something that happened with the caretaker. Not to mention the villagers were not making it any better. So I just ended up on the fourth hokage's head somehow. It's weird but whenever I'm upset I just go there and try to calm myself down. It's literally the only place in the villager where I feel completely safe. It's almost as if I'm drawn to it somehow. But like o said it's weird. I can't really understand it that much since I'm only four." The blonde explained. "But that's where I'm going to be heading for the night. I'll probably be up there for awhile tomorrow. So just come up there to find me whenever you want to hangout tomorrow. If I'm not there then I'll be somewhere in the villager. Knowing you it won't take you long at all to find me. I don't know how you do it Sakura. None of the adults can ever catch me no matter what they try. But you for some reason can just find me without even trying."
Sakura giggled. "I'm just that cool you know. Also I can tell whenever you're close by if I'm paying attention enough. Don't know why it only works with you tho. But I should get inside. I'll definitely come see you tomorrow. Maybe we can find some other things to do." Sakura said.
"Heh yeah maybe we could. But ok see you tomorrow Sakura-chan. I'm going to make my way to the monument." Naruto replied.
"Bye Naruto-kun, be careful ok? I really don't want to find you in another situation with the villagers tomorrow." She said while waving at him.
Naruto gave her a smile that make Sakura's cheeks turn red. "You got it Sakura-chan." He voiced while giving her a thumbs up. With that Naruto made his way to the monument.
Sakura laughed at her best friend response. She was happy she was able to help him out. Naruto deserved at least one person to be there for him. If the whole village was against him then she will stand by his side no matter what. Sakura opened her front door and walked inside. She took her shoes off then started to head to her room. When she opened the door she saw her mother Mebuki Haruno and her father Kizashi Haruno in her room. By the looks on their faces she could tell they were not happy. She had a good feeling they weren't mad about her being a bit late either.
"Sakura where were you and why were you with that demon boy?" Her mother questioned.
"I was just at the park mom and his name isn't demon boy. It's Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki." She answered.
"Sakura how many times do we have to tell you to stay away from that thing? All he's trying to do is trick you into doing whatever it wants. Eventually he'll keep using you until he's tired of you then he'll probably hurt you." Kizashi spoke.
Sakura shook her head. "He's not an it dad. Naruto is just a kid who wants somebody to be his friend. He doesn't have any friends besides me because every time he's tried to make friends. The kids either call him names like demon or freak. Or they'll just flat out ignore him or tell him to leave saying that he doesn't belong here. Even the adults say mean things to him. They say means things about his mom and dad even tho he's an orphan who doesn't even know his parents."
"I don't care for the last time Sakura stay away from that boy or you'll be in big trouble do you hear me?" Kizashi said with a harsh tone.
"I can't dad, Naruto is my best friend and he knows me the most out of all of my friends even Ino. Plus I just can't bare to leave him alone like that. He's already alone enough as it is." Sakura retorted.
"That's it!" Mebuki shouted, she walked up to Sakura and started slapping her repeatedly. "You will listen to us do you understand me?! We forbid you from hanging around that demon brat! And that's final!" Mebuki screeched.
Sakura was crying because this is the first time her mother has ever hit her this hard and it hurt worse each time she felt a slap. But she held her ground. "No! No! No! I'm not going to stop hanging out with Naruto-kun! He needs me just as much as I need him. I don't care what you have to say mom I'm not going to stop hanging out with him!" Sakura yelled.
"Then you leave us no choice." Kizashi said as he walked up to Sakura and punched her in the face. Mebuki backhanded her with much force. Kizashi punched Sakura in her face again then he hit her in the stomach. Mebuki kicked her in the stomach to make her fall onto the ground. Sakura was bleeding from her face and mouth. While hot tears were flowing down her face. She was scared that her parents were going to kill her. Never before have they done this to her whenever she kept hanging out with Naruto.
Meanwhile, Sakura's aunt Ayase Haruno who was her mother's younger sister. Also the better looking one out of the two. Was watching in absolute horror. Sakura who absolute adorable four year old niece was getting beaten in a way no child so ever be. She wanted to move when she saw Mebuki slapped her. But she was in too much of a shock about her older sister harming her daughter that she didn't move while they began beating her. However when she saw Sakura on the ground coughing while getting kicked by her parents. That was enough to get her to move. Ayase pushed the door open and yelled out. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO MY NEICE?!" The only thing Ayase was feeling at that moment was absolute rage.
Mebuki looked up and scoffed. "My disobedient daughter decided to go against our wishes for the last time. I will not stand by while the heiress of our once strong clan is being tainted by that Kyuubi brat."
"Plus she needs to learn to always obey the wishes of the ones who brought her into this world. In order for us to get more money brought into the clan she needs to have rich suitors willing to marry her." Kizashi added.
"So you're telling me those are the reasons that you believe justifies beating a fucking FOUR YEAR OLD who can't defend herself." Ayase asked in anger.
"Yes and as a matter of fact until she decides to put start acting like an obedient child instead of a rebellious little bitch. She is herby banned from the clan. If she ever wants her way back in she'll have to beg and beg for forgiveness." Mebuki stated.
Sakura heard her mother's words. She had been banned from her clan? All because of her friendship with Naruto? Her parents just disowned her at the age of four years old and to make matters worse. They don't even care what they are doing to her. All Sakura could do was cry.
"Yes that's it cry you little devil. That'll teach you to disobey us ag-" before Mebuki could finish those words. She was punched hard in the face. She fell to the ground holding her face. She looked up to see her younger sister looking at her with her fist out. Mebuki could see the rage in her younger sisters eyes. It was nothing there but absolute rage for Mebuki in Ayase's eyes. It honestly scared Mebuki since Ayase never got this angry before at her.
"What the hell was that for Ayase?!" Kizashi yelled out.
"Are you fucking kidding me? You've not only beaten your only daughter as if she was a thief in the night but you FUCKING BANNED her all because she wants to keep her most important friend?! Naruto is just a child who wants some fucking attention and not to treated as if he has a disease! You know what I've had it with you two. I'm reporting both of you to the Hokage himself. Come on Sakura." Ayase said as she picked up Sakura gently and began to walk out the door.
Mebuki and Kizashi both froze when they heard Ayase say that she was going to the hokage. If he got word about this then both of them may as count themselves as dead. If it's one thing Sarutobi Hiruzen does not tolerate. It's hard to the village and child abuse.
"W-Wait Ayase!" Mebuki yelled. "Please don't tell the hokage! I beg of you please don't! If he finds out about this then both of me and Kizashi are as good as dead! You sure wouldn't want to see you big sister dead would you?" Mebuki asked her younger sibling. She knew how Ayase was like. She wouldn't dare betray her no matter what.
"You know Mebuki maybe I would be willing to consider that if I hadn't been noticing how you two been treating Sakura lately. All the constant yelling and belittling. I tried I really tried to not do anything about it and just hope it passes over but this time you've both gone too far. Sakura will be scarred by this for the rest of her life. A four year old girl shouldn't have had to go through this. No four year old should. I love Sakura as if she was my own daughter. I will not stand by and not take action any longer. Sakura deserves better than that. My poor baby girl will forever remember her parents in a negative light. Now if you'll excuse me." With that Ayase had left with Sakura in her arms.
Once Ayase had gotten the blood cleaned up off of Sakura's face. She made her way to the hokage tower. Both Mebuki and Kizashi were scared out of their minds right now. All of their plans were out of the drain. They knew they couldn't flee because they were only civilians and shinobi would easily catch them without breaking a sweat. Plus the shinobi in the Haruno clan were very very slim.
Ayase was walking while holding Sakura in her arms. Whispering words like 'it'll be ok' and 'they won't hurt you anymore'. Once they reached the tower. They entered and went straight to the hokage's office. The secretary had seen Ayase and a very distraught Sakura.
"Hello miss is the hokage seeing anyone right now?" Ayase asked.
"Now he's actually free right now. Go right ahead and knock on the door." The secretary said.
"Thank you." Ayase voiced as she knocked on the door. She waited until she heard 'come on'. Once she entered she shut the door behind her.
Hiruzen looked up to see Ayase Haruno holding what seems to be a scared Sakura Haruno. The Haruno clan heiress. He noticed something had happened so he decided to speak.
"Well what do I owe this pleasure to see you Ayase-san? Is there something the matter?" Hiruzen asked.
"Yes there is something wrong. My idiotic sister and stupid husband has beaten the daylights out of my niece Sakura. They even banned her from the clan." Ayase spoke out.
Hiruzen's eyes widen a bit at the news. He had known that the Haruno clan head and his wife were very greedy people. Just two civilians who think they can ease they way into anything that'll
make them even richer. Although he had never known them to be violent towards their child.
"Let me tell you what has been going on Hokage-sama. Kizashi and Mebuki as of lately has been becoming very violent towards Sakura. At first it was only a little bit of yelling. Nothing more than a parent punishing their child. However it quickly turned into full blown arguments. Both would yell and belittle Sakura. Mebuki started to get upset at Sakura for petty reasons as to why was she born with pink hair or why is she bothering her. You know Sakura would just asked her mother questions like any four year old child would do. However Mebuki would get fed up with it quickly and just start yelling at Sakura or even slap her once. Kizashi would do the same thing as Mebuki. As clan head he wanted to make sure the Haruno clan was a wealthy one. But he saw Sakura as a failure who would never get any worthy suitors. Luckily Sakura wouldn't be home whenever they would talk really bad about her. I would normally try to tell them that they shouldn't say such things about their daughter. No parent should say such things about their child. Today however, Sakura was hanging out with that boy named Naruto Uzumaki. I believe they started hanging out with each other a few months ago. From what I've heard they are best friends. Sakura is Naruto only friend while Naruto is Sakura's most important friend. Kizashi and Mebuki would constantly tell Sakura to stop hanging around Naruto but she would never listen. She would constantly defend Naruto. Today however, both Kizashi and Mebuki finally revealed their true selfs to their daughter. The told her to stop hanging out with Naruto again when she came home. Once again Sakura said no and it lead to her getting slapped numerous of times by her mother and punched in the face by her father a few times. She got punched and kicked in the stomach and they started stomping on her while she was on the ground. I wanted to
stop it before it got too bad but I just couldn't move, I was too shocked by what was going on to even move. I couldn't believe those two would go this far. Then just when I thought they had went the farthest. They decided to ban her after I confronted them. As soon as they did I hit Mebuki dead in the face." Ayase explained her story with tears in her eyes.
Hiruzen was absolutely livid. He couldn't believe those two would cause so harm to this child. They didn't deserve to be parents. Hell they didn't deserve to be head of a clan. They deserve nothing more than death.
"I will make sure to handle this Ayase. You have my word those two will pay for their crimes." Hiruzen stated.
Ayase nodded while Sakura looked up. "Does this mean that you'll have to kill my parents Hokage-sama?" Sakura asked.
Both Hiruzen and Ayase were shocked that Sakura asked this question. "They will have to pay for their crimes little Sakura. I honestly don't know myself what I'm going to do with them. But believe me when I say it will have to be very severe. Child abuse is something that is not tolerated in this village. But rest assured when I say you won't have to worry about them harming you again." Hiruzen said in a soft tone.
"Well Hokage-sama, I think it's best if I stayed banished for some time." Sakura said.
Hiruzen and Ayase were once again surprised by this young girl. "And why is that little Sakura?" He asked.
"Well it's about my best friend Naruto." Sakura answered.
"Naruto? What about him?" Sarutobi questioned.
"You see Naruto doesn't have a family or a home to go to. None of the other kids play with him. All of the adults say mean things about him. I don't like seeing Naruto be by himself all the time. And I know I can't invite him to stay at the compound because something just tells me it wouldn't sit right with some people. And Naruto won't do it because he won't do it because he doesn't trust people that much. He trusts me and I think you too somewhat Hokage-sama. But he won't feel safe inside of our compound. So I think what he needs is someone who will complete understand him and sees the things that he actually goes through. I think I'll be able to relate to him more now because of what my parents did and I was banished. If I stay out of the streets with him I'll be able to understand him even more. Naruto is my best friend so I want to do whatever I can for him. The best way is to understand what he goes through day to day." Sakura told him.
Hiruzen had to admit that Sakura was very intelligent for only being 4 years old. He knew that he couldn't risk Naruto becoming so distant towards the village to the point where he would leave without a care in the world. As of right now the only solid bond he had keeping him here was Sakura by the way everything sounds.
Ayase on the other hand. "But Sakura-chan even though what you say is very true and I'm proud of you for thinking that far. You are only four years old. I can't just let you stay in the streets willingly."
"I know I'm only four Auntie Ayase. But I also don't want to stay at the compound anymore for awhile. After everything that's happened. I feel like I'll only think of the bad memories all the time I'm there. I think this banishment will also help me grow and humble myself for the future. If I'm to still be the clan head eventually in the future than I need good character I think or that's what it said in one of the books I read." Sakura voiced.
Hiruzen raised his eyebrow hearing this. "How often do you read books Sakura-chan?"
Sakura put a finger to her chin and thought about it. "Hmm I say almost everyday cause I like learning about things."
'This girl will be a genius by the time she is even allowed to enroll into the academy.' "That's impressive Sakura. Very well indeed." He stated.
Sakura blushes at his praise. "I've come to a decision. I'll allow you to be with Naruto if you would like to Sakura. Normally there's no way I would agree to this. But you drive a hard bargain. I'm sure you've heard from Naruto that's he's been on the streets for awhile now due to his problems at the orphanages. So I was planning on getting him his own apartment. It's a working process because of so many other things going on right now. But I'll try to have it ready for you two as soon as I find something available."
"Hokage-sama you can't be serious? She's only 4! And she's an heiress. She could get killed outside in the streets at night." Ayase tried to counter.
"I have an Anbu at all times watching over Naruto Ayase-san believe me when I say they will be safe. I'll even add an extra guard due to Sakura being there. I can't really provide any money to them until I get them a place to stay. I know this is all sounds crazy but I think this could have some impact for the future. For the Haruno clan and for Naruto and Sakura themselves. Now Sakura please go find Naruto and tell him whatever you want to tell him." Sarutobi said gently.
Sakura nodded. "Ok oh yeah I have another question. Do you know why Naruto is hated?"
Sarutobi and Ayase both looked the other way. Sakura picked up on it but didn't say anything. "I'm afraid all I can tell you is that Naruto's pranks have caused some villagers to act ill towards him. But remember when I say when Naruto finds out the truth I'm sure you'll find out right along with him." Sarutobi answered.
Sakura looked confused at his answer but just turned around and left. She needed to go fine Naruto and tell him everything that happened.
As the pinkette left, the two adults were left in the office. Ayase was still not entirely convinced about this whole situation. Sarutobi could see it by her facial expression. So he tried to convince her to trust him.
"Look Ayase, I know this isn't the ideal situation believe me I know. Under normal circumstances I would never allow such a thing to happened a child. Let alone a four year old girl and boy. But this particular development may have a lot more pros than cons in the future." Sarutobi said.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I think it's safe to say Naruto doesn't know he's a Jinchuuriki yet. I'm sure he'll end up finding out sooner than I want him to. We can not afford to lose him due to the villagers ignorance. They fail to see the boy as a simple container and not the demon himself. All they see is that Naruto is the demon Kyuubi itself. Which is completely idiotic. Sakura has brought up very valid points that a girl her age shouldn't even be thinking about. Let alone reading as much as she does. I think it's safe to say that it's something special about that young lady. Never have I seen a child so young but so intelligent. It's quite a rarity. She says she wants to humble herself for the near future for whenever she decides to return to the clan. She'll be a great clan head if she keeps studying like that. But she's also the key to keeping Naruto from abandoning the village. If she's as close to him as she say she is. Then she is the only one capable of gaining a stronger bond with the boy. I'm not thinking of using him as a weapon or anything but we still can't afford to lose the Nine tails. I'm going to give them an apartment as soon as I can with an allowance that should last atleast 2 weeks. They'll receive the allowance every 2 weeks to spend on whatever they will need. And you can't blame the young girl for not wanting to return home after what she's was just put through." Sarutobi finished.
Ayase sighed. "Yes I know hokage-sama. I'm just worried about Sakura that's all. I mean she's only 4 and has already had to go through things like this. I love her as if she were my own daughter."
"Well at least she knows she'll always be able to count on you."
While the two were talking. What they didn't know that Sakura was still by the doorway. She kept quiet and listened to the whole conversation. It confused her as to what they were saying about Naruto. But then she remembered reading a book about the fourth hokage and the Nine tailed fox fighting. The book said that the fourth killed the fox. But Sakura thought if what she just heard was right. Then it confirmed the reason why she heard the villagers always being mean to Naruto. If Naruto contains the fox from being set free in village than that necessarily means he's protecting the people from the demon. Why would you want to hurt the person who is protecting you? It just didn't make sense to Sakura. She supposed that she should tell this to Naruto. It was about him after all.