Naruto sat calmly as usually, overlooking the sunset of another day of training. He and his teammates recently had been on a pretty exciting outing together, working hard throughout their teamwork when faced with foes that could challenge their expectations. It was surely an incredible dynamic he was sharing with the three people he was to train with and saw everyday. But yet, something on his mind and in his heart troubled him. He was thinking a lot lately about his parents, their courage to risk their lives for the well-being of not just him, but an entire society. The stories his mentor, Jiraiya, had spoken off tugged roughly at his heart. What would his life had been if they were still alive? Would he have gotten as far in the acknowledgement he had to overcome trials and error for to find his place?
A tear dripped down slightly on Naruto's whiskered cheek. He tried to retract it with a sniffle, but it already soaked in like a puddle on a rainy day. Sakura, the hot-blooded but good-hearted kunoichi, took notice of Naruto's dismayed emotions. "Naruto? Are you okay?" She asked, softly putting a hand upon his shoulder in blonde-haired boy who was generally optimistic and stubbornly outgoing, looked upon her.
"I've just...been thinking a lot about my parents, 'ttebayo..." Naruto muttered. "I feel like it would've been great if they were still here. I know they'd be proud of me...but sometimes, I wish like everyone else I had a family..."
Sakura took a soft breath, then hugged him. "You do have a family. It may not be biological, but it's one that's there for you when you need it." She added. "You've got me...and Lee."
"Yeah, we love you. Don't feel down." Lee added. The boy clad in a light green jumpsuit with orange leggings, tried to return a smile. From his shakiness, Lee himself was emotionally-struck on Naruto's pain.
"Sometimes family is being with the people who care and enjoy you." Sakura further commented. "Kakashi-sensei looks upon you in dedication and pride for you as well. To him, he considers us more than children sometimes."
"Yeah...you guys are right. Thank you." Naruto said, a boost of confidence in his attitude returning. He wiped away the remaining tears, sharing a big hug with both Sakura and Lee.
"Now, let's go have a family dinner together!" Lee added. Naruto smirked at the offer that they were going to get some ramen to enjoy. "Alright!" Naruto smiled, leading the way as the others followed after him with bold smiles and warmed hearts.