Hey everyone!! A new Naruto story from yours truly. I'm going to be updating 'Keep Holding On' pretty soon, so readers of that story; Nope, I have not given up on it. I just had writer's block for awhile. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this new story; it's AU, they are both fifteen (15). No ninja/Konoha. Please R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto but I do own this plot and crap so back the hell off ya penguins!!
Chapter 1: Temper Tantrums and Creased Dresses
'Amazing, just amazing.' Sakura thought angrily as she stuffed the coral colored duffle bag with anything in her room she could get her hands on.
"Sakura…" trailed her best friend Ino exasperatedly.
"Shut it," Sakura bit out and shoved a pair of baggy capris in the bag.
"Sakura, just stop and breathe for one second. Come on, you can get through this."
Tears began to well up in the pink-haired girl's eyes as she threw the now stuffed duffle bag to the ground angrily. Turning to her best friend she shouted in aggravation, twisting her hands in her hair. The other blonde haired girl did not move a muscle, she didn't even flinch. Her blue eyes bore into Sakura's own sad green ones.
"Why?!" Sakura yelled angrily, "Why?! How could she do this to me?!"
Ino closed her eyes briefly and opened her arms to the other teenager. Wailing pathetically, Sakura threw herself in them, trying desperately to find solitude in the strong blonde. Sobs ripped through the teenager's body, shaking both her and Ino. Tears began to prick at Ino's eyes as she fought to stay strong, knowing that she was one of the few left in the world for this girl.
"I'm sorry baby, I'm so sorry," she whispered lovingly and tightened her arms around Sakura.
"How could she leave me all alone? I'm her fucking daughter! She left me…" Sakura's shouts began to subside to small whimpers and cries.
"Baby, you're not alone. You'll never be alone as long as I'm around."
Sakura smiled sadly, "I'm so sorry for depending on you like this Ino."
"Depend on me all you want Forehead."
Giggling, Sakura pulled away slightly, "I'm so…angry."
"It wasn't her fault, you know that."
"I know," she sniffled and picked at Ino's sweater.
"Are you all packed?" Ino joked slightly.
Sakura pulled away completely and glanced at the three bags she had packed in her tantrum. Nodding, she sat down on her bed and began to fiddle with the blue and pink sheets. Her black dress had creased and wrinkled, her collapse on the bed hadn't helped much either.
Ino sighed, "Look at you." Reaching out a hand, she tucked a stray pink hair behind her friend's ear.
Sakura smiled and looked down at her dress, "It took me an hour to iron this damn thing."
"Hey," Ino said softly, "It's worth another hour; it was her favorite of yours."
A lump formed in Sakura's throat as she nodded and smiled up at Ino tearfully, "Yeah, she loved it on me."
"Take it off and put on your robe; I'll take care of it. Besides, Naruto and Shikamaru should be here any minute."
After following Ino's orders, Sakura heard a knock on her room door. Pulling the knot to the belt of her robe tight, she opened the door to reveal a well dressed Naruto.
"Hey Sakura-chan," Naruto smiled gently and kissed the top of her head, "Where's Ino?"
"Ironing my dress for the second time this morning," Sakura gave a small smile, "Shikamaru?"
"In the car, he's too lazy to come up."
Sakura laughed gently, "Sounds like Shika alright."
"Are these your bags?" Naruto gestured to the two duffel bags and one book bag on the floor.
"Yeah," she said softly.
"Okay, I'll bring them down to the car while you finish getting ready," he smiled gently and bent down to pick them up, "Don't take too long, Shikamaru will start whining."
"I won't," she smiled back.
xXxXxXxXx
An hour later, the foursome was packed in Naruto's small silver car. Sakura sat in the backseat with Ino while Naruto was driving, Shikamaru sleeping in the passenger's seat. The window was rolled down, causing the wind to tousle her cotton candy colored hair violently. Every time a piece flew in her face, she swatted it away absentmindedly. Ino's head was tilted back, her eyes gazing lazily at the back of Shikamaru's head as she played with his hair. Naruto's eyes were glued on the road but his thoughts were somewhere else. Every few minutes, he glanced at the rearview mirror to check on Sakura. A small smile spread on his lips as he saw the girl swat away what seemed to be the same damn piece of hair that got into her face every few seconds.
The one thing that worried him was the anguished look in her eyes that seemed to stay put and never waver. He cared for her deeply; she was like a sister to him. In a way he understood her pain, not just because he had cared for Ryoko-san too, but he had this sort of connection with her. He always knew what she was feeling and vice versa. Sighing tiredly, he rubbed the bridge of his nose, holding the wheel with one hand.
A screech of tires awoke everyone in the car as Naruto slammed on the brakes quickly. The car stopped just an inch behind the truck that had stopped suddenly in front of them.
"Shit!" Ino exclaimed as her body shot forward and bumped into the back of Shikamaru's seat.
"What the hell?" Shikamaru shook his head and looked around.
Naruto was panting hard and glaring at the truck in front of them. His head pounded violently; mimicking his heart. A frightened Sakura stared at the back of Naruto's head, her breath caught in her throat.
"God damn it Naruto!" Ino shouted angrily, "Why don't you just kill us all huh? Boost up the body count by four you bastard!"
"It wasn't my fault!" Naruto roared back at her, "That asshole in front of us stopped out of nowhere!"
"Or maybe it was that you weren't paying any damn attention!"
"I was to paying attention! Get your nose out of the damn air Ino! If I wanted to kill you I could've just pushed you out of the damn car! Actually, that sounds pretty damn appealing; I can't wait till we start moving again!"
The sound of skin on skin echoed throughout the car, causing everyone to freeze. Naruto stared at Sakura in confusion, a red mark forming where she had just slapped him on the cheek.
"Don't you say that!" she yelled angrily, "Both of you just stop it!"
Ino and Naruto stared guiltily at Sakura, Ino's hand against her mouth, "Why can't you two just get along for one day?! One damn ass day! Is that so hard? Is it too much to ask?! My mother is dead! She's not coming back! Do not make this harder for me, for any of us, than it already is…"
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered and reached out a hand to her.
Sakura moved away and glared out the window. Ino nodded, agreeing with Naruto and fought back the tears forming in her eyes.
"Sorry Forehead, let's just…try to get through today. What do you say?"
"Just," Sakura closed her eyes, "Please just get me to my mother's funeral."
xXxXxXxXx
The service was long, tiring, and hot. Sakura sat in the passenger's seat next to Naruto after dropping off Ino and Shikamaru at Ino's house.
"Take care," Ino whispered and kissed Sakura on the cheek before heading into the house with Shikamaru.
Sakura continued to stare out the window for the duration of the ride, "I don't know why Ka-san wanted me to stay with these people."
Naruto sighed, "You know Ryoko-san was best friends with Mikoto-san."
"I never really talked to the woman…"
"She's very nice," Naruto offered and tried is best to smile, "You'll like her, and her family. Well, most of them anyway."
Sakura nodded, "What do you mean; most of them?"
Naruto winced, "Just…stay away from the youngest."
She raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"Well, he's just not that friendly is all," he said quickly.
"As long as he doesn't mess with me; I'm fine," she sighed, "How old is he anyway?"
Naruto coughed slightly, "Our age."
"Our age? Do I know him?"
"Maybe and then again; probably not."
Sakura gave him a funny look, "What's that supposed to mean?"
He sighed and scratched the back of his head, "What I mean is, you'll probably recognize him but you don't really know him."
She shrugged, "I get it…kinda."
Laughing, he reached over and ruffled her hair a bit. She frowned playfully and swatted his hand away, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Heh, I can do that too," he stuck his tongue out at her, causing her to laugh gently.
A few minutes later, they had pulled up to a large mansion. The black iron gates began to slowly open for the small silver car. Naruto drove through them and parked up front. Stepping out of the car, he handed the keys to the valet and gestured to the trunk for the butler.
"Hey Sano!" Naruto waved with a toothy grin, "How are you doing?"
Sano smiled, "Pretty good Naruto-sama, and you?"
"Good! The pretty lady's things are in the trunk. There are two duffels and a book bag."
The older man nodded, "I'll take care of it, go on inside."
"Arigato!" Naruto grinned and opened the passenger's side door for Sakura.
She smiled at him timidly before stepping out of the car and gazing at the huge mansion in front of her. Naruto glanced at her and laughed at her expression.
"Oh…wow," she said breathlessly.
Chuckling, he grabbed her hand and led her to the door, "Welcome to the Uchiha mansion…"
Angie: Well, I know it wasn't much or that intresting. But it'll get better; I promise. Okay then! Review please; I'm quite the review whore if I may say so myself. Okay, I'll bribe you with a cookie or two. Maybe three? And ramen?
Sasuke: Would someone shut her the hell up?!
Angie: Sorry, hehe... Hey! You're not supposed to be in here till next chapter! Get the hell back in the box because I'm damn well thinking outside it!!
Sasuke: Shit, not this again...
Angie: -begins to chase Sasuke around with a box in hand- See ya! And remember: drop me a comment!