The very first time Naruto Uzumaki laid eyes on Sakura Haruno, he knew that she was the one.
She was being manhandled. Her candy-pink hair roughly pulled back by another girl's hand, while the rest of the girls slapped her face and stomped on her toes.
"Take this!" Smack. " Who do you think you are, getting our precious Sasuke-kun to look at you?"
The sound of flesh meeting flesh and the angry comments of the rest of the girls filled the atmosphere of the small clearing they were hiding in, drowning out the whimpers emitting from the small girl who received this treatment.
Unable to stand back any longer, the spiky-haired blonde burst from the bushes where he was hiding and confronted the offending young girls.
As soon as they realized they had been spotted, the girls screeched and ran off in the direction of the academy. Barbed words flew out of their mouths, threatening to tattle to Iruka-sensei for 'spying' on a group of girls, all the while proclaiming him an idiot in their haste.
Naruto paid no attention to them, for he had something, or rather someone, who was much more important to take care of now.
Gently bending over, he scooped his arms underneath the sniffling girl before hoisting her up, tossing one of her small arms around his neck to support her. He couldn't help but notice how utterly broken she looked right then. Deciding against asking her about the incident, he silently helped her limp over to where Iruka-sensei was on recess duty.
Their teacher couldn't hide his surprise at seeing the orphan-brat carry over the small girl from a civilian family. His face morphed into one of shock, as he quickly ushered the children into the building, leading them through the colorful hallways until they reached the nurse's office.
Without another word, Iruka pulled Naruto out into the hallways, demanding an explanation for the many bruises and cuts that littered poor Sakura's body.
Realizing his teacher's intentions, the boy spilled about everything he had seen the girls do to their victim.
"... and I'll never let anyone hurt my Sakura-chan again!" He pumped his fist into the air for extra measure. Iruka smiled at those words, proud that his student had shown a piece of his true character. As if acting on instinct, he reached down and ruffled Naruto's hair.
Surprised at his teacher's antics, he couldn't control the million-dollar grin that slowly spread across his face.
Sakura-chan, I'll protect you no matter what!