Author's Note: So I updated this pretty quick, but that's only because I started working on this chapter directly after publishing the first. Hopefully, you enjoy it!

PS: Fair warning, I don't have a beta and because of the rapid posting, I probably won't. However, I read through each chapter a couple of times before I publish it, for grammatical errors or what not. So hopefully there aren't too many glaring mistakes, but there will most likely be a few things I didn't catch. So I apologize in advance!

Chapter 2

At the age of six, Sakura was already enrolled in the academy along with a class of 30 of her peers, half of them being from prominent clans. Each of them unique from one another, but none as different as her.

Sakura experienced how different she was firsthand when they all but seemed to distance themselves from her. She caught faint whispers of them calling her the "weird girl", which she didn't understand, but nonetheless it bothered her. Well, more like upset her.

Sure she didn't get along with the neighborhood kids, but she thought that was because she more serious and more mature for a child her age– something that she assumed would be the norm for those wanting to be a halfway decent shinobi.

Unfortunately, she didn't have any friends to ask about it, so instead that day when she got home she asked her mother. "Okasan", she asked. "Why am I so different than other children?"

Her mother, not expecting her to ask that sort of thing, looked in her daughter's direction noticing just how distraught her daughter appeared. Not knowing what to do, she took her daughter into her arms and held her tight. Sakura caught the slight smell of mint from her mother's shampoo and she relaxed.

A few moments passed and was only broken when her mother pulled away slightly.

"People fear things that they cannot understand, and instead of trying to comprehend, they often dismiss them as weird or abnormal. You are neither Musume, you are merely just misunderstood." She stroked her hair.

She then pulled further away to look at her daughter's face. "I've always known that you are different, but it doesn't make us love you any less."

"You can't live your life trying to fit in with others." She let out a breath as if tired and continued. "It will take a while, but you will find people who will accept you for you."

"Thanks mom", Sakura said, and in another rare show of physical touch she gave her mom a tight hug and Mebuki couldn't help but return it. While Mebuki couldn't stand her child feeling hurt and vulnerable, she could appreciate the rare moments of Sakura acting her age.

"Well, why don't you help me with dinner."

Her mother's words rang true two months later when Uzumaki Naruto literally landed in her life.

She was on her way home from school, lost in her own thoughts, only to be knocked down.

Looking to see what ran into her, her vision was overcome with the sight of thick blonde hair.

He looked up and all she could see was sparkling blue hues.

His eyes reminded her of summer skies, laughter, and something else both familiar and forgotten.

She was suddenly assaulted with quick scenes of a blurry blonde haired man with a warm and infectious smile and the strong smell of ramen.

"Don't worry Sakura-chan, we'll bring him back dattebayo", he smiled wide as if trying to reassure her.

"Give up trying to make me give up Sakura-chan, I never go back on my word", he looked determined.

"I'm so sorry Sakura-chan." His dazzling eyes were clouded by unshed tears, which for some reason grasp at her heart.

She didn't realize that she closed her eyes clutching her head trying to bat away the onset of memories until the blonde was asking if she was alright while apologizing profusely.

"I'm okay", she responded opening her eyes slowly. His eyes were indeed very blue, she again noted.

This was the first time that her "visions" affected her outside of her dreams. It was concerning to say the least. And before anything more could be said, the sounds of angry shouts could be heard. She looked up to see a group of men rounding the corner. "There he is", one of them shouted pointing to the boy next to her. She looked at him quick enough to see a flash of panic and fear on his face before he darted off. The men no sooner ran after him.

Sakura watched them run with mixed feelings. "That was not her business", she thought getting up. But she couldn't get the desperate look on his face out of her mind.

"Crap." She raced after them. She knew that even if she caught up to them, there wasn't much that she could do. Something in her told her that she still had to try, and so she ran even faster.

She somehow managed to catch up to them just in time to see them cornering the small boy in an alley.

"We got you now boy", one of them said cracking his knuckles. "No one will help you", another said.

Sakura reacted before she could think and put herself between them and the boy.

"Run along little girl, you don't need to be protecting that thing."

"This girl must be one of his little friends, they were both together back there."

Sakura didn't know what to do, these guys were both bigger and stronger than her. And even if she managed to get away from them, she doubt the same could be said for the blonde haired boy. Why they would be so focused on the little boy, Sakura may never know, but what she did know was that something deep in her wanted to protect the boy.

They then stepped closer and she did the only thing she could think of.

"Perverts!", she loudly screamed, scaring herself slightly with the shear volume for she couldn't remember ever talking loudly–let alone screaming. In response, the group of guys froze mid step. Seconds later, people started appearing all around them.

"There they are, those perverts!"

"So you think you can gang up on innocent little children!"

"We'll show you what happens to perverts and pedophiles!"

Sakura used the distraction to take the boy's hand and race passed the guys. She didn't want to stop until they were far enough away to be deemed safe. In the end, they both ran until they reached the park.

In between catching their breaths, she could hear the little boy. "That was so cool... You were like perverts! And then they were in trouble", he said excitingly, his eyes sparkling. "How did you know that would work?" He looked at her with childish curiosity.

She contemplated answering, after all she wasn't use to talking to children her age, or any age really. "My Kaa-san said that if I'm ever in danger, yell that", she finally finally said.

"Ha-ha, well it worked!" He had a large smile on his face making the lined markings on it appear more prominent, and then there was silence.

"So why were they after you", Sakura asked out of curiosity and to distract from the awkward silence. Naruto looked between sheepish and sad when he responded. "I'm not sure", he said, "this happens every once in awhile. If I'm not ignored then I'm chased off like a stray dog." And, although he tried to make a joke out of it, Sakura could generally tell that he was hurt and confused.

"Come on", she grabbed his hand and headed towards the swing. He flinched upon contact making Sakura loosen her grip a little bit. She then turned back towards him. "I'm not going to hurt you", she said. "I've never been on a swing before, so would you show me how to use it." That caused Naruto to brighten up.

"Don't worry, I'm the bestest at swinging!" Naruto all but shouted, and they continued their journey to the swings. Sakura had never seen someone change their mood so quickly that she didn't even bother to correct his grammar.

Sakura wasn't sure how long they stayed there, but she knew that it was becoming the most enjoyable time she had in awhile.

When she finally deemed it too late to stay out any further, Sakura was surprised with slight sadness she had over saying goodbye to her friend. Her friend looked even more disappointed than her as he took a while to make it out of the park.

"This was the funnest I've had with someone. Will I ever see you again?" His big blue eyes looked straight at her, almost into her very soul. It was a very personal experience, one that she wasn't sure that she was comfortable with, but despite that, she still felt an indescribable fondness for the boy.

It was that moment that she realized that she never got said boy's name.

"Of course, we will see each other again." She gave him a small genuine smile. "By the way, my name is Sakura, what is yours?"

"My name is Naruto!"

"Naruto, you say…" She wondered what influenced his parents to name him that. Were they perhaps fans of her favorite book? But judging by his bashful attitude, she realized that: "It's a fitting name."

It seemed as though their meeting was fated. No sooner after the day at the park, Naruto was put in her class, which she found out when he was introduced one day.

Sakura normally sat off to the side near the window, and although mostly everyone else sat in groups, she sat alone. Of course, it wasn't by choice, it was mainly because no one wanted to be associated with the dubbed "wierd" girl. So when Naruto was introduced, she tried to do her best to make herself unnoticeable–not because she didn't like Naruto. In fact, he was her first potential friend. She simply didn't want to ruin his chance at making new friends and being ostracized by the class by being associated with her. So she said nothing and kept her head down. But the same couldn't be said with him when he recognized her.

"Sakura-chan, I didn't know that you we're in the academy! Hey teach can I sit by her", before the sensei could reply Naruto was already making his way towards her. Of course it was slightly embarrassing with all of her classmates staring at her, but Naruto didn't seem to care about the whispers and stares as he took his seat beside her.

Sakura curled into herself, inching away from him. He looked concerned, and from his facial expression she could tell that he knew what she was doing. She didn't want him to think that she didn't like him, so she decided that she owed him an explanation.

"Naruto, you didn't have to sit with me." Her voice was low, her bangs hiding her face from him. "You won't be able to make friends if you do." She was prepared for him to switch seats, to go and become friends with someone just as outgoing as he seemed. But he surprised her.

"What are you talking about, we're friends, and friends sit together...right?" His blue eyes locked with her own and Sakura could only nod entranced by his stare. They held so many emotions–innocence, nervousness, intrigue, and most of all hope. Sakura snapped back to reality when their sensei called them out for not paying attention. But Naruto's reassuring grin caused a smile to creep onto her face, one that she couldn't help but to return to him.

It took a week for Sakura to deduce that having Naruto in her life was entertaining to say the least. It was a good thing that he seemed content with having mostly one-sided conversations. As long as every once in awhile she would look like she was somewhat paying attention– which she was–he seemed happy and giddy.

His optimism was well needed when they would go through physical conditioning. They were required to run 6 laps around the academy field, which wasn't as bad as it seemed at first but the sit ups, push ups and stretches they had to do afterwards, it made for tiring work. Sakura was able to push through the work, with the help of Naruto.

Although Naruto was determined and energetic, he was pitiful when it came to everything involving school. So Sakura decided to provide him "extra" help. She invited him to study with her three days out of the week. She hoped that if she helped him, at least when she would say certain things or talk about certain subjects, he wouldn't look so lost. So when she brought the young sunny haired boy with her back home, she was greeted by the beaming smile of her mom.

"So you are the famous Naruto-kun that Sakura talks so fondly of." The normally energetic boy shrunk from her mother's attention looking unsettled and confused. Her mom wasn't discouraged by it, in fact she seemed to give him a soft look when she said, "I have extra cookies that I made, why don't you help me eat them." That seemed to brighten his mood, and although he was suspicious, he eventually followed her to the kitchen. Sakura gave her mom an appreciative smile when she caught her attention.

And when her father came home, he seemed at first surprised by Naruto's presence, but soon welcomed him with a warm pat on the head. It startled Naruto, and he looked to Sakura. "It's just a nonverbal form of encouragement Naruto. Don't look so confused."

Naruto's eyes became glossy. "Thanks for allowing me over."

"Hold on Naruto so that Sakura and I can walk you home." Her father called as Naruto and Sakura opened the door. Before Naruto could answer, another voice answered. "That is unneeded", they heard. At the front of the door stood a shadowed figure with a white mask. Sakura's father pulled Sakura back and attempted to pull back Naruto, but before he was able to, Sakura ran from behind him.

"Naruto", Sakura called uneasily while making her move to step in front of Naruto, but he halted her. "Don't worry. They will make sure that I get home safely Sakura-chan, afterall it's their job." He said. He then squeezed from behind her towards the man. "See you at school tomorrow, Sakura-chan." With that, they were gone leaving a confused and worried Sakura and her father surprisingly disjointed.

Sakura was unsure what to think about the whole ordeal. She was beyond worried for Naruto, but he didn't seem in any danger and he claimed to know the person.

"Otou-san", she called. "Yes", he answered staring at the empty doorway. "What was that?", she asked.

"Anbu", he answered mutedly after a moment of silence. "You shouldn't be worried, he will get home safe." Sakura's father disappeared into his study no sooner after, leaving Sakura and her mother to silently clean up.

The next day, Sakura was happy to note that Naruto was at school visibly unharmed and just as bright. He talked about how much fun he had at the dinner and Sakura didn't bring up the masked man who came to get him, not wanting to spoil the mood.

Despite what happened, Sakura was happy that her parents seemed to like Naruto, something that he was initially worried about. She could understand why he would be because adults seemed to have a high distaste towards him, at least that's what she gathered from the constant heated looks he received anytime they were walking in the village. Even when those glares turned towards her, she still stood by him. Sometimes she would glare back at them other times she would stare them down until they averted their gaze. Naruto deserved a friend who would always be there for him, and she would be that person.

Their first year together continued like that. Naruto spent more time at Sakura's home than his own. Some times was spent doing homework and studying, much to Naruto's distaste. But most of the time they just enjoyed each others company playing out in Sakura's huge backyard or even helping her mother cook. Sakura's mother even bought an extra futon for Naruto, so that he could comfortably sleep when he would spend the night–which turned out to be at least once or twice a week.

So when year two came around, both were excited and relieved when they found that they were in the same class once again. However, at that point they already made a reputation for themselves that warned off potential friends. Naruto was known for his pranks and troublemaking, while Sakura was known as being withdrawn and bookish. But as long as they had each other, they were more than fine with it.

Year two was also a time when Sakura's father became an active role in her training.

"Musume", Kazashi called out one morning. Sakura followed the voice to one of the grass spots in their backyard.

"Yes Otousan?" She was curious as to why he called her. She became even more curious when she noticed that his normal formal attire was swapped for looser and more comfortable looking clothes.

Her father noticed her stare and answered the unsaid question. "I think it's time for me to start playing a more active role in your training. So starting today I will start training you."

"But Otousan, you are not a ninja. And I don't mean to sound insensitive, but what could you possibly teach me that would help me as a shinobi?" She genuinely wondered.

"Shinobi is nothing but a title, something to describe contracted killers who thrive off of the art of deception." Sakura flinched.

"But they are necessary and keep this village afloat." He added after seeing his daughter's reaction.

"You don't have to be a shinobi to learn how to protect or even fight. But you do need to be well disciplined, intelligent, and ready for anything. That, musume, is something that I can teach you."

Sakura had a newfound respect for her father–not that she didn't respect him before. Sakura never thought her father was soft, but she knew that one day, when the shinobi life hardened her, she would have to pick between that life and her family. She felt that he wouldn't understand the commitment of being a shinobi was, but now she understood that he knew what it meant to be a warrior.

"Okay otousan... Teach me."

Her father looked pleased.

"The style that I will be teaching you is called Tai Chi, I learned it from my kaasan. You could say that it is a family style." Sakura said nothing knowing that her father didn't like talking much about his family.

"What they will teach you in the academy is how to kill and carry out your mission. What I will teach you is the importance of balance, patience, strength, flexibility and most importantly how to disarm your opponent without killing them. In the end you will realize how much better of a shinobi you are for it."

Sakura could only nod her head.

"There are 108 moves to this and each week I will teach you 6 forms at a time. Each and every day you will practice this before school, even if I'm called away on business. Understood."

"Yes Otou-san."

"Good, then I will show you the steps today and we will start practicing tomorrow morning."

With that Sakura's father stepped back getting into a relaxed position. Then he started moving.

Graceful is a word she never thought to associate with her father. While he definitely had his more serious side, he was known for being easy going and slightly clumsy. But when she watched her father go through each form, she felt as though she was watching a stranger. For he was water with a relaxed posture that helped him lengthen, lift, and pull his body to what would seem to be uncomfortable positions–had anyone else attempted them.

The style was completely different than anything that she had seen, and most likely anyone else since leaf was built on quicker and hardened moves. She even remembers reading taijutsu books–in preparation for her second year–and the closest thing that resembled the style would be Gentle Fist. But she knew that her father wasn't an Hyuga, especially with his silvery pink hair, and even the Gentle Fist was practiced with some form of aggression.

He finished what seemed like an hour later, but was probably only 3 minutes. It didn't make her any less entranced.

"I haven't done that in a while." He off handedly said wiping the sweat off his brow. He was breathing a little bit heavier after, but he didn't seem to be tired. In fact, he seemed to be more alive than she ever remember seeing him. His skin seemed to be glowing in the sun and his eyes twinkling happily as he look at her expectantly.

"That was so cool dad!" It was all she could say because... well it was.

Her dad looked thrilled "I'm so glad you think that your old papa is so cool!" He stooped down to pat her head affectionately.

He slowly stood up, straightening his posture again. "So, that Musume, is what I'm going to teach you… It will be hard at first because it requires a lot of discipline. After all what you just saw was 20 years of ingrained practice. But I believe that you have the patience to master it all the same."

He smiled at her, and she could only smile back.

"But that means, Hime, that you're going have to forfeit sleep and your book time if you want to master it quickly." That in turn made her scowl, he could only laugh in response.

"Now let me teach you the first few forms."

In the end, Sakura found that waking up an hour before she normally did wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. In fact, the trade off was well worth it because she was able to spend that time with her father, especially since he's been getting increasingly busy.

But regardless of his tight schedule, he was able to make extra time just for her. And that thought warmed her.

So they practiced the steps together.

A week passed before Naruto commented on her more lifted mood.

"Did something happen Sakura-chan", Naruto asked one morning and Sakura look confused. "For these last couple of days, you seemed...happier", he continued. Sakura was shocked by how perceptive he was.

"It's nothing Naruto, just a little morning exercising", the smile she gave him was slight but it was breathtaking.

Author's Note: I will probably be posting the next chapter in two days. However, inspiration can be very motivating, so depending on how will this is recieved, I will try to update sooner.

Word count: 3,728

Total word count: 6,238

Targeted total word count: 150,000