Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor will I ever.
Summary: AU Naruto's the young prestigious Rokudaime Hokage while Sakura's a normal non-ninja teenage. With Sakura's entrance into the ninja world, their fates collide. Two people, from two different pasts, become entangled when each discovers the other's locked secrets and pain. It was the start of something forbidden…
Pairing: Naruto X Sakura X Sasuke, One-sided(?) Hinata X Naruto
AN: Thanks for the reviews
Ninja were known to have kept records and records of their history, but even this small section of the library caused Sakura to gape. There were thousands of manuals stuffed and jammed onto the shelves. Most were merely written by hand. The scratch marks and tears were seen throughout, showing clearly under what circumstances these papers were written at.
And the Hokage expected her to find documents by herself? Everywhere she looked, there were ninjas. They seemed busy with their own work, probably too busy to help her out. She didn't know anyone too…except for the Uchiha, who was currently reading over some type of odd manual. It was written on particularly old paper for she noticed most of it had turned a grayish brown.
Curious as ever, she moved over, peering over the Uchiha's shoulders. The parchment was quickly turned over and a black pair of eyes soon met hers.
She backed up instantly and put her hands up in defense, "I-I was only curious."
The Uchiha did not say anything. He stood up and walked past her. Sakura would not allow that. After all, he was the only one she knew around the whole library.
"Hey, wait up!" she jogged up to him, "Can you help me find some books around here? This is my first time here so I'm lost…"
At first, Sakura thought he was merely going to ignore her again, but he stopped his footsteps. "Which ones?"
Sakura smiled inwardly. At least she wouldn't have to run around now trying to search through thousands of papers.
"You left her there--alone?" Naruto rubbed his forehead and sighed. Sai was clueless as ever when it came to treating people.
"I was following commands, Naruto-san," answered Sai in his smile.
Naruto nodded weakly, tapping his hand on his desk. He stood up and pushed his chair away.
"Naruto-san, would you like me to assist Haruno-san then?"
"It's alright," Naruto said, "I need a break anyways." He eyed the paperwork and grimaced, jumping quickly out of the window before he could change his mind. It was cruel to have left Sakura by herself in that big library. Naruto personally had never stayed there long for he felt it seemed more like a prison than a place for learning. But, it wasn't as if he had a choice in the matter. Danzo had come and for some strange reason, he felt that he should have protected Sakura from seeing that man…
Oddly, he found it normal to be in her presence. He frowned. That was odd. How could he feel normal with someone constantly giving him death glares and shaking fists behind his back?
Before he could answer that question fully in his head, he was there and he was shut off. He had given Sakura his key and had forgotten to bring another one. The Hokage peered into the windows, looking for that pink-haired female.
For all her life, Sakura had never seen someone as efficient as the Uchiha. It was like he went to this library everyday and knew the place inside out. It didn't matter what kind of book popped in her mind. The Uchiha always managed to get it for her and waited until she was ready to ask for another book.
At the end he muttered something about 'not bothering him', but she figured she'd give him credit about being nice. She grabbed all the books in both hands and proceeded to walk out the front door. According to Sasuke, the library usually never made any due dates. Furthermore, since some of the books were borrowed by the Hokage, he could use them as long as he wanted. He could possibly even keep some of them if he wished. So Sakura was there, with her swaying tower of books. With her left leg, she kicked open the door and stepped outside into the hot day.
She wished she hadn't gotten so many books that she could even see where she was going. She scolded herself for that, but refused to forfeit any books. After all, they seemed to have a lot of vital information…
"Do you need help with that, Sakura?"
She jumped and the books flew from her hands. From the left, she could see a flash of yellow spring from the wall and the books were in someone else's hand in a few seconds.
"Careful!" said the other. "You borrowed quite a lot…"
"Hokage-sama?" she asked, "I didn't know you were waiting…why didn't you come in the library? How long were you here?"
"Eh…" his voice seemed reluctant to continue, "Do you get the book I wanted?"
Sakura nodded, proceeding to pull a book from the middle—not the smartest decision. The upper books wobbled and would have fell if she had not grabbed on and steadied them.
"Sorry," she apologized, "Here's the book on herbal medicine."
"Alright, that's good. Let's head back," said Naruto, "There're still piles of paperwork to finish…"
Sakura nodded and trailed behind the boy. With the herbal manual still in hand, she opened it and flipped it open. The pages were soggy, like someone had spilled some type of liquid over it. She sniffed it and found it extremely bitter smelling.
Instead, she decided to concentrate on the content of the words. They were scribbled on lightly. The writing was brief and concise, noting all the properties of each plant. She looked over to Naruto. What reason would the Hokage need this?
"Sakura!"
She would recognize that voice from anywhere. Ino.
"I'll go on ahead," volunteered the Hokage, quickening his pace.
"Thank you," she said in return, turning over to Ino. "What are you doing here Ino? Don't you have to watch the shop today?"
"Ever heard of taking a break?" Ino shrugged, "What are you doing then Sakura? I hope you don't come up with some lame excuse like you're an errand for Naruto."
Sakura frowned, "Yes I am. His is here as well." She pointed in his direction.
"I don't see anyone," said Ino, crossing her arms. She put on a sly smile, "Did our Sakura learn how to lie already?"
"What?" Sakura turned around and pointed at the direction, "He's right…there…." Her finger was pointing at invisible space. "I'm telling the truth. He was here a few seconds ago…"
"And what do you have in your hands anyway?" Ino grabbed in and flipped through the pages.
"Interesting," said Ino, handing it back to Sakura, "I never knew you were interested in this kind of stuff."
"I'm not," Sakura said, "As I stated before, it is for the Hokage." She looked on to the path, knowing she had better hurry before she got scolded by the Hokage. "Bye Ino."
She quickened her pace once again, leaving her friend behind.
When she got back to the Tower, Naruto was leaning against the wall, with none of the books in his hand. His arms were crossed with his head on the wall, staring up into the roof of the tower. Occasionally, he would tap his fingers on his arms as if deep in thought.
"Hokage-sama!" It wasn't Sakura. A ninja had appeared instantly in front of the Hokage, kneeling and brining a scroll, "A message, from the council."
"Tell them we'll be there soon," Naruto said, "And that scroll, there's no need for an official reminder."
"Nevertheless, the council requests that Hokage-sama know the importance of this meeting."
With those words, Sakura quickened her pace and was side to side with the Hokage, "Sorry, I shouldn't have chatted with Ino for so long…"
He shrugged, "It's okay. It's not like you harmed anyone." He stretched his arms upward into the air, deliberately not picking up the scroll, "The council is too sensitive sometimes."
"Should we go then?" Sakura asked.
Naruto nodded though he sighed afterwards. "Just tell me I understand and stop trying to hand me that scroll." Sakura realized he wasn't talking to her.
"Let's go," he said, this time looking at her. It was better than his glare at the ninja, Sakura supposed. They entered another tunnel of the tower, talking a right turn instead of a left, going downwards. The lights were dimmer this time and Sakura swore some of the lights went off every other second or so. She laughed it off, of course. If a bunch of elders walked through this everyday to get through their workplace, then Sakura should be able to breeze through this. She glanced at the Hokage's back. He was walking as if he been here his whole life, which Sakura figured was very possible.
If he was made Hokage, she assumed that the council would have had a thorough inspection. Even her, an assistant was being inspected. The Hokage probably had to go through even harsher ones.
"Scared?" Naruto asked all of a sudden. Sakura shook her head.
"Were you?" she asked.
"Pardon?" Naruto blinked, scratching his cheek.
"When you came here your first time," Sakura said.
The Rokudaime looked up the ceiling and touched a light or two, causing them to stagger back and forth. The hallways dimed and lightened again during those few seconds.
"I remembered seeing them when I was six. It was intimidating. I was short at that time so being forced to stand in front of the whole council, which looked like a bunch of empty chairs from my height at that time, was very…weird."
"Why is there a council?" Sakura asked.
"Well, would you think it'd be wise to have only one person in charge?" asked Naruto, giving her a look. She blinked, knowing that she had said something childish.
"Don't worry about it," said Naruto as if sensing her embarrassment, "I asked that too—and in front of the council. Imagine how bad that was."
"Wow, that is stupid," laughed Sakura, freezing. "Um, I mean—"
"It's okay," shrugged Naruto, "I've been called stupid many times. Though…I never was fond of the nickname…"
"I see…" Sakura trailed off. The Hokage was so distant to Sakura. Even though they were right next to each other, he felt so far away.
"And here we are," he said, opening two doors wide. Sakura moved to enter, but hesitated at the sight of the elders seated around the rectangular table. The top seat was empty though two of the elders were seated to the left and right of it. Catching a look at the window, to the outside world, Sakura took a huge breath, telling herself she could do this and walked in as gracefully as she could manage.
Behind her, the doors slammed shut.
She was stuck in here, whether she liked it or not.
"Let's get started," said one of the elders from the left, "If the Hokage would get to his seat…"
Naruto moved to sit at the top seat, saying nothing as he walked up. His eyes glanced towards Sakura while once there. There was assurance in his eyes. "Sakura, can you stand next to me?"
She moved immediately, but stopped when yet another elder spoke.
"That is fine," said the elder, "We can all see Haruno Sakura."
Naruto looked at the elder, "She is my assistant. Where else would she stand?"
From his words, the elders exchanged glances for a while. Sakura clenched her fists, but slowly relaxed them, knowing it wouldn't do her anything go to be nervous over something that could not be controlled.
"Very well," said the elder. "She may proceed."
Sakura took three big steps and stood behind Naruto. She looked down at the floor and waited for the elders to comment. It was almost certain that the elders did not like her.
"Here," she heard the Hokage say, "Her profile, which I'm sure you read. She might not be a ninja, but from always working in some many different jobs, it is bound to give her some sense of responsibility and loyalty."
She looked up hearing the words "responsibility and loyalty", but Naruto did not look at her. Instead he was looking at the council.
"We would like to hear Haruno Sakura herself speak. What do you think of the Hokage?"
Sakura faltered at the question. What did they mean by that? She groaned inwardly. They were all looking at her, expecting an answer the moment they ask a question. She barely knew the guy!
