A.N: First off, if you are going to complain about it not following the manga or anime please get off this story. This is made for fun, and I really don't think criticizing me because I changed things should be right. I know the story isn't amazing, and I probably need a lot more work on it, but I am writing to not only improve my writing skills but to see if the way I write can be entertaining. This story doesn't really follow the show since Itachi DIDN'T murder is family, the Uchiha's are still alive. Naruto still has the nine-tailed fox in him though, and his parents are still dead. He isn't "Stupid" though. As for Sakura...she is different, in a big way. I do have a OC in here, but he isn't really a main character. I hope you guys enjoy my story though! And please remember to review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!
Tough
Chapter One
X X X
"Sakura, dear. I'm going to have to leave for a few weeks for my job, okay? I usually bring you with me, but your dream is to become a ninja, so I have to leave you here for class." A male says, smiling down kindly at his daughter. He places a small hand on top of her head and ruffles her pink hair and laughs loudly when she starts to protest. "I'll be home soon, okay?"
"Okay, daddy. Is someone suppose to watch me?" Sakura asks, tilting her head to the side and staring into his eyes with her own soft green eyes.
"Kind of, darling." He answers kneeling down to her and smiling lightly, "I'll explain it later, okay? Before you go off to the academy, do you want to see me off?" Sakura nods happily.
X X X
"I guess this is goodbye now, daddy?" Sakura asks while tilting her head to the side and smiling lightly, "I promise to behave, and I will do my best in the academy!" Sakura promises, her smile growing bigger.
"I know you will do great, sunshine." He replies with a small smile of his own. He kneels down to the ground next to her and pulls her into a hug. "Remember our next door neighbor?" He asks watching Sakura nod once, "He promised to keep an eye on you while I'm gone, so behave for him." He places a small kiss on her forehead, "I also want you to remember the rules. You are to be nice to a boy named Naruto Uzumaki, got it?"
"Of course father. I've never met him yet, but I promise to be nice and become a friend of his!" Sakura says grinning.
"Good, I also want to remind you to brush your teeth daily and-" He mutters quietly, trying to give more advice to his daughter.
"Daddy. I understand, I'm getting older, and I promise to be good and everything." She places a kiss on his forehead, "Now you should go before you are late. I also have to get to class." She turns on her heel and starts running towards the academy, "Love you daddy, bye!"
"Love you too!" He shouts out to her and waves back. Sakura glances behind her for a minute and smiles. She'll miss her dad, but he'll be home soon.
X X X
"Daddy daddy! I wanna join the ninja academy, please!" A little pinkette girl yells happily, jumping up and down. "I wanna be able to protect the people I love and care for!" She turns to her father and smiles with her head tilting to the side, "Please?"
"Well, I guess it's not a problem, Sakura-chan. As long as you really want to do this. You won't be able to go with me all over the countries again though. You'll have to be a big girl and stay here, and go to class." Her father, Ryuu Haruno, explains to his daughter gently.
"That's fine daddy! I'll be a big girl and go to all my lessons, stay out of trouble, and do my homework. Not to mention work hard to become the best!" Sakura promises pulling her father towards the sign up sheets, "And when Ami-chan becomes a bully, I'll be the big girl and not fight back."
"I'm sure you will do just fine, Sakura-chan. I'll have to see if Kenji-san can watch you when I leave for months though." Ryuu says before picking up the sign up sheet and walking home with his daughter.
X X X
"Daddy daddy!" Sakura yells, running into the house and skidding to a stop, "I aced my history test! I got the best score!" Sakura announces giggling happily and handing him the perfect paper, "I worked hard studying for it, and it worked out well!" Ryuu hangs the paper up on his fridge before walking over to his daughter and ruffling her hair.
"Good job, Sakura-chan. I want you to meet Kenji-san though. He is our next door neighbor, and will help me take care of you when I'm gone." Ryuu motions towards the young male at the table. Sakura turns her head and stares at the man in surprise before blushing from embarrassment.
"I~I'm sorry, sir. I didn't notice you here." Sakura apologizes bowing down before smiling and straightening out, "My name is Sakura Haruno! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Kenji looks down at the girl and laughs, ruffling her hair.
"The pleasure is mine." He replies with his deep voice, "Like your father said, I'm Kenji. He asked me to help since I'm an retired ninja. So I can help you train with that too." Sakura looks up at him with her eyes widen from surprise.
"Will you help me mister? With training?" Sakura asks hopefully.
"I guess I can, as long as you listen. I'm not a very patient person." Sakura smiles and nods once, staring up at him with her emerald-green eyes flashing with determination.
X X X
"No, Saku-chan. You are doing it wrong." Kenji says sighing and running a hand through his messy black hair, "You are supposed to hold it like this." Kenji places his hand over hers and readjusts her hands before smiling, "See? Now try to throw it." Sakura nods once and mumbles something under her breath before throwing it towards the target. Thankfully, it hits the middle.
"Kenji-chan, Kenji-chan!" She yells giggling, "I did it, look! Look!" Kenji laughs and ruffles her hair.
"Yes you did, Saku-chan. We should probably get going though. Your father is probably waiting."
"Hai!" She agrees grabbing Kenji's hand and walking out of the training grounds and heading towards their house. After they arrive, Sakura runs over to her father and jumps on his back, explaining her day to him with a big grin on her face.
X X X
"Sakura?" Kenji asks, walking into the house with a frown. "Sakura? I brought dinner, and I have to tell you something." How am I going to tell her? She's going to be so heart-broken. It's going to be hard to watch her cry... Kenji thinks frowning even more.
"Kenji-chan?" Sakura asks walking into the living room and sitting down, "Is something wrong? You seem like you're sad. Is dad going to come home late? He had to leave immediately to do another mission?"
"Sakura. I really don't want to tell you this. I really wish I could just tell you a lie, and make you believe everything will be alright." He looks into Sakura's eyes, "Your father... won't be coming home after all, Sakura."
"Why isn't he? You aren't making any sense, Kenji!" Sakura screams, tears falling down her cheeks, " You probably heard wrong! Daddy promised to be by my side! Daddy promised he wouldn't leave me like mommy did!"
"He didn't want to leave you Sakura! He died! He was murdered!" Kenji yells, slamming his fist on the table, "Damnit child! Your father would never want to abandon you!" Sakura looks up at Kenji, her eyes over-flowing with tears.
"Y~You yelled at me..." Sakura whimpers fearfully, "I hate you, Kenji!" She screams, running out of the house.
X X X
"She...hates me?" Kenji whispers softly to himself while sitting down on the couch and groaning. "Of course she hates me. Her father died and I yelled at her. Not only that I cursed for the first time in front of her. " He sighs, putting up the food he bought, "If I go after her now she might try to do something stupid, and we wouldn't want that. I just hope she doesn't run into any trouble..." I really am an idiot. That poor girl, she's all alone now. Her mother left them for another man, and now her father is murdered. Is she not to have a good family? Is she suppose to suffer all through her life? Should I adopt her?
X X X
Daddy left me, mommy left me, Kenji probably hates me, the kids at my school hate me because I'm the pink-haired giant forehead freak... Sakura thinks to herself while sitting on the swing with tears falling, No one even cares that I'm crying. I'm all alone, and no one will ever like me. My mom even left me! Why does the world hate me so much? Did I do something to deserve this?
"Hey, are you okay?" A young boy asks standing in front of the crying girl, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and this teme right here is Sasuke Uchiha, although I'm sure you already know him..." Sakura looks up and stares at the male, blinking away her tears, "See? We won't hurt. Would you like to tell us what's going on?" Sakura looks up and stares at the two in front. One has spiky blond hair, dark blue eyes, and whiskers on his cheek. The other one has spiky hair in the back with his bangs straight, black eyes, and pale skin.
"Y~You won't care. Uzumaki-san, U~Uchiha-san..." Sakura whispers, her voice cracking, "Anyways i~if Ami-san sees U~Uchiha-san talking to me I might get beat up..."
"Ami-san? Oh Teme's fangirl. You go to the ninja academy?" The blond asks surprise. Sakura nods once.
"Yeah... you two are the most popular..." Sakura points at Sasuke and smiles shyly, "And he is the boy all the girls hate each other for. Although, he doesn't seem like my type. He's too quiet."
"Haha, teme! She isn't a fangirl! I told you!" Naruto yells chuckling about the girls comment.
"Dope, shut up." Sasuke grumbles running a hand through his hair before taking the swing next to hers and smiling softly, "Listen, Sakura-chan, whatever is bugging you we can help with. And if you are hurt we can go to my mom, she'll be glad to help." Sakura shakes her head quickly, feeling her heart split in half.
"I'm sorry, Uchiha-san... but I'd rather not see your mother." She whispers, standing up . "I'm going to go home now, d~daddy might be-" She stops, remembering the earlier events, "I just need to get home." She runs off, heading back to her house. Kenji...does he still hate me? Sakura thinks, shyly looking down.
X X X
Well, that's the end of this chapter. Most of it were flashbacks and memories of Sakura's. The next chapter should be more interesting since she'll be able to react with more characters. I'm not sure how fast my updates will be since I am usually busy, but I promise I will update it soon. Hopefully in the next few weeks! Don't forget to review and tell me what you think about it! Also, I want romance to be in the story too, but I don't know who she should end up with. So, if you have an idea leave it in the review. It could be Itachi, Shikamaru, maybe even Naruto. I am a huge fan of Sakurax anyone anyways, so it really doesn't matter to me. I just thought maybe I'll give you the chance to tell me who you want her to end up with. Who knows, maybe the couple you want will happen!
Kimi-the-Writer