Author's Note: I have to get this off my chest

Author's Note: I have to get this off my chest. This story has bugged me for quite a while now. Anyway, for those who are looking for the update on 40 Kinds of Sadness, sad to say, it'll take a while before I upload Chapter 7. I extend my deepest apologies. :bows down: This one's not going to get long (unlike 40 Kinds of Sadness). Plus, it's a NaruSaku fanfic, something I have never done before.

Disclaimer: NARUTO © Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 1

- Keeper –

"I wanna know if I could be someone to turn to,

but could never hurt you."

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- NaruSaku -

First love never dies.

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'Yeah, right…' Uzumaki Naruto chuckled. He remembered that old saying from Jiraiya. The old man whom he spent three years of training with, whom he learned how to peep on bath houses and read Icha Icha (which he found boring) from, whom he considered as a second father, also knew how to love.

Ero-sennin, as he chose to call the old man by that name, was undeniably a pervert. He thought that the old man didn't give a care about anything around him, unless it concerned something perverted. But as the months went by, he found out that this man was no ordinary pervert. He was a real person, a real wise person, capable of understanding him while he voiced out everything he felt while they were far outside their home village.

The old pervert knew his secrets, even his undying love and affection for a certain pink-haired girl who just shrugged him off everytime he tried to express his feelings by doing anything he could. Jiraiya never told him that he experienced the same thing when he and his former teammates were still chuunin. Tsunade had always brushed him off and kept ignoring him because she thought he was nothing but a stupid, perverted idiot.

Naruto had always listened to his advices, even though he never showed it to him. He thought that all those advices would be put to use when they'd go back home.

Months later, Naruto was already an adolescent, and was ready to head back to Konoha. He knew he became stronger than he was when he was 12, and he was all prepared for the next Retrieval Mission for Sasuke.

Yes, Sasuke became a traitor. He left the village when his last string of sanity had snapped off, and went to join Orochimaru and Kabuto in order to obtain power. It wasn't an easy task for young Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba and Chouji to bring him back. The boys had successfully trashed the Sound 5, but unfortunately, they went back empty-handed. They had failed. Kiba was beaten into a bloody pulp, Neji had suffered severe injuries, Chouji was almost dead when the medics found him, Shikamaru had an injured finger, and Naruto was half dead.

He couldn't forgive himself the day he woke up from his deep slumber in the hospital. He had promised her that he'd bring the teme back, but in the end he failed. He couldn't look at her eyes back then, and only forgave himself when Sakura told him that she was grateful because he made it alive.

It almost seemed like she didn't want him back anymore…

But the small tear that cascaded down her left cheek proved him wrong. He clenched his fists and made up his mind. He then decided to train with the old pervert.

After three years, Naruto came back with his mentor, and was welcomed by a 16-year-old Haruno Sakura. Naruto didn't know how to greet her. All he wanted to do that moment was to hug her and shower her face with short kisses, and finally confess his undying love for her. But that was too good to be true; for this Sakura who was standing in front of him wasn't the same Sakura he shared the same team with when they were still kids. They were adolescents now, and things weren't the same anymore.

It took all of his willpower to keep his hands on his sides. He didn't want to spoil the moment. And before he knew it, an arm was already fastened on his. The arm belonged to the pink-haired kunoichi who had been plaguing his thoughts ever since he first laid his eyes on her.

"Hey! I missed you, Naruto."

The following weeks had been the happiest ones he had in his entire life. He and Sakura had spent more time with each other during those days, even though those times were spent mostly with sparring and eating ramen together at Ichiraku.

One night, just when their daily sparring schedule ended, Sakura asked if they could go to Ichiraku for dinner. Being the ramen-tard that he is (yes, until now), he answered her with a big wide grin.

Although they had nothing much to talk about on their way to the ramen stand, Naruto managed to crack some jokes which made Sakura giggle like a school girl. He blushed at the sight before him, yet something deep in him was hurting. He had no idea what it was…

"Ah, Naruto!! I thought you've changed!"

…until Sakura blurted out something he never thought he'd hear that time.

"God, I wish Sasuke stayed here with us."

Of course he also wanted him back. They all wanted Sasuke to come back.

He couldn't understand. Why was he feeling this way? Was he still jealous of Sasuke?

I wish Sasuke stayed here with us…

Yes, he was.

He couldn't help it. He never thought that his feelings for Sakura would grow this way. Right when she said that, he wanted to hold her close to him and wrap his arms around her tightly and never let go. But he couldn't. He just couldn't.

Two weeks after the incident, Naruto realized that he was becoming less and less active in his shinobi life. Tsunade hadn't talked about Sasuke yet. He decided to pay the old hag a visit.

He went inside the Hokage Tower and came across Kotetsu and Izumo who were busy playing shogi near the stairs.

"Hey, guys! Uhm, is Granny Tsunade around?"

The guy with a band on his nose answered him without pulling his eyes off of the shogi board. "Ah yea, she's in her office. But I heard she'd be leaving any minute now. If you have something to tell her, better make it quick."

"Oh, okay," Naruto replied, and bent down to move a piece. "Thank you."

Kotetsu was about to protest about what the blond-haired kid had done, but upon looking at the board…

"YOU'RE WELCOME, NARUTO!!" which was followed by a loud "AH, DAMN IT!!" from Izumo.

Naruto was about to knock the door when he saw that it was ajar, so he decided to peep inside and saw the Godaime sitting in her chair.

"Granny Tsunade, I-"

"What do you want, stupid boy?"

"I was going to ask… Why aren't you giving us another retrieval mission for Sasuke? I mean, it's about time. I've spent three years training with The Legendary Pervert for that." Naruto told her nicely, which was unusual.

Tsunade arched a brow. "Stupid, I hadn't forgotten that. Actually, I was going to tell you about it tomorrow, but since you brought yourself here to ask me about that, I might as well inform you now."

"So, when will it be?" Naruto was giddy, but he retained his formal composure towards the Hokage.

"You know, sometimes I think something has gotten over you. Are you really Naruto?" The Hokage pointed a finger at him.

Naruto sighed. "Ah, I dunno, Granny," He let out a small laugh. "I just thought being formal would do something about this matter."

"Yeah, right. You know how much I hate formalities, Naruto."

"But-"

"Okay, I'll go straight to the point now. Before the retrieval mission, I've already assigned the Rookie 9 to an A-rank mission."

"What is it about?"

"It involves the Akatsuki."

Naruto offered to close the door and continued the discussion.

"No. I can't let that happen!! I don't want her to get involved in this mission!" An enraged Naruto was clenching his fists in front of a glaring Tsunade.

"You don't know how Sakura would feel if we'd exclude her in this mission! Think of the possibilities, Naruto. She's a medic now, a full-blooded kunoichi of Konoha with skills second to mine."

"I don't give a fuck!" Naruto was screaming now. "She might get killed in this mission, and I—"

"Sakura isn't the same weak Sakura you and Sasuke had known when you were still genin. And I have all the time today to prove you what I'm trying to say. Do you know what she'd feel if we don't include her in this? She'd feel horrible. And I know that you are well aware of how Sakura doesn't want to be called 'weak' by her teammates. Just like you, she worked her ass off in the hospital while you were gone! So, don't you dare talk about her as if you knew her struggles while you weren't here!!" Tsunade had already stood from her seat and her hands were splayed on her desk.

Naruto didn't reply. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tighter. The old hag was right.

The deafening silence was disturbed when someone came to knock on the door.

"Shishou? May I come in?" said a familiar female voice.

Naruto's wide eyes went fixed on the door behind him. Did she hear what they were talking about just now?

"Come in," Tsunade answered.

Sakura came in with a box on her hand. Seeing her load, Naruto offered his hand to her and she obliged.

"What is it, Sakura?"

"These are the herbs that you instructed me to get. I have found everything on the list except for the red one." Sakura bowed down. "I'm sorry, shishou."

"It's okay, Sakura. You don't need to apologize. That herb doesn't grow here in Konoha. I made a mistake on listing last night."

"I see, shishou. But, do we really need that herb? I can go to Suna to—"

"You are to stay here, Sakura. You have a mission to accomplish." Tsunade cut her off.

Sakura's lips formed an 'O' shape and looked at Naruto and saw the uneasiness in his eyes. She glanced back at Tsunade and gave her a questioning look.

"What is the mission all about, shishou?"

"You are to eliminate two Akatsuki members next week." Tsunade explained. "Our ANBU had spotted them outside the village and they managed to know their motives."

"They are planning to attack Konoha next week." Naruto added.

Sakura's expression didn't change at all, although the word 'Akatsuki' itself had rung a bell in her head. Naruto was inwardly shocked.

"Sa…Sakura? Aren't you moved?" Naruto choked.

"Is there something that I should be moved with?" Sakura looked at him.

A triumphant smirk was gracing Tsunade's full lips. Her eyes went locked on shocked cerulean ones.

"So, Naruto, I expect the Rookie 9 to assemble in front of the gate by tomorrow morning. 7am sharp. Got it?" Tsunade took out her bottle of sake and poured some on her cup.

"Yes shishou," Sakura bowed.

"You may leave now," Tsunade added. "By the way, if by any chance you see Shikamaru walking outside; please do tell him to drop by in my office as soon as possible."

Naruto just nodded and went for the door.

"Shikamaru!" Sakura waved her arm to catch the attention of a pineapple-headed jounin who was busy talking with a chuunin near Ichiraku.

"Sakura," he walked towards her. "Do you need anything?"

"Lazy ass," Naruto responded. "Granny Tsunade was asking for you. She wants you to visit her office as soon as possible."

"Ah, troublesome," Shikamaru scratched the back of his head and walked past them. "What is it that she wants now?" and continued mumbling until he was out of sight.

"Sakura, let's have lunch at Ichiraku. It'll be my treat." Naruto grinned.

"Yes," Sakura giggled.

Naruto and Sakura quietly ate their meals. It was really unusual for the both of them to be silent, and it surprised Ayame and her father.

Sakura was first to break the silence.

"Naruto," she called.

Slurp. "Yes, Sakura?" he looked at her.

"I suppose we have something quite important to discuss about right now."

"What is it? Uh, I really don't get what you're saying," Naruto scratched the back of his head.

Sakura had a vein popping out of her huge forehead. 'He's obviously hiding something from me...', although she had an idea what it was.

"Naruto," she snapped. "Please, don't ever talk about me like that again. I'm not weak anymore. I'm not the same old Sakura who stayed behind your backs when we had missions."

She heard us, alright.

"But Sakura, I was just trying to protect you. This mission involves the Akatsuki, and I am well aware that they're not ordinary shinobi. I… I don't want you to get hurt, Sakura…" Naruto faced his bowl of ramen.

"I understand what you mean, but please, Naruto, I know I'm strong enough to handle big missions like this." She placed her left hand on his and gave him her warmest smile. "Everything's going to be fine. Believe me."

Naruto faced her with worried eyes. "I'm not-"

"Please," her voice was firm. Naruto could only look back to his bowl.

Wow, that wasn't long. But what the hell, I'm not supposed to rush things. By the way, the chapter title's from Yellowcard.

I'm busy with my college life, but that doesn't really affect my writing hours.

Your reviews mean a lot to me.