Review. Review. Review for me

Patrick. dejong94: Sorry but that was never the plan. To leave anyone alive, sorry.

I have no idea who I want to pair Naruto up with. Maybe Shino, or Gaara or even Kiba. But not Sasuke, no way.

Disclaimer: I own nothing


Before I could even process what was happening, I was being unceremoniously shoved under Sasuke's bed. If I had blinked I would have missed Sasuke's movement. One second he was staring at the door as if it had kicked his grandma and the next, he had his hand on my head and was shoving me under the bed, among all the dirty clothes and unwanted junk.

I heard the door swing open and Sasuke's father enter. He didn't really make any noise when he moved, but it would have been hard to miss his presence. It was suffocating and demanded attention. I probably could have picked him out of a busy, crowded market place.

"Hi, Father. What did you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to talk to you about your studies. Your mothers been telling me that you are spending an awful lot of time outside of the house, messing around with frivolous activity that serve no purpose in the long run. I want you to know that I will not tolerate this kind of behavior from one of my sons. You should be much farther along in your studies than you are now."

"But I am-"

"Don't lie to me. I looked over your work and counted no less than three mistakes made, on basic problems, I'd say!"

"You looked over my work when I wasn't here. You went into my room. "

"It is my job as a father to make sure that my children do not grow up to tarnish the Uchiha family name. That means that I must do somethings that I would rather not do, like search your room on a daily basis."

"But dad-" Sasuke's father just talked over him. He was so loud that I couldn't hear the rest of what Sasuke said." Especially since you have told me that you do not want to be a Shinobi. That alone has brought shame upon our family name"

"Dad, I-"

"Do you know what kind of position you have put me in when you decided not to become a Ninja?"

"Yes, it-"

"It made us the laughing stalk of Konoha. Your careless decision has-"

"I changed my mind, okay" He said that in a rushed blur of word, knowing full well that with his father, he would never get a full sentence out. There was a long, empty silence following those words.

"What," Sasuke's father sounded just as shocked as I was.

Sasuke hated Shinobi's, a lot. Mostly because they never stop the mobs from beating me. Sasuke told me that he hated violence and that his dream was to be the Uchiha's first -well known- scholar. I couldn't imagine Sasuke ever actually hurting someone. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body.

"I changed my mind. I do want to be a Shinobi."

"What brought this up?"

"I don't want to talk about it. I've changed my mind and that's all there is to it"

"Well, this is a welcomed change. I am glad that you have come to your sense. I will enroll you in the Ninja academy, as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Father"

There was more shuffling "I am proud of you my son. I am glad that you have decided to follow the right path, the Uchiha path, if you will"

More shuffling and the door creaked open, once again. "Oh, and tell your friend hiding under your bed, thank you from me, for putting my son back on the right track" I froze, not even daring to breath.

"You knew" Sasuke croaked out.

"Of course, I would be dead already if I wasn't able to sense if someone was hiding near me."

"Dad, I am so sorry-"

"No need, my son. But you should send your friend home, I bet his or her parents are worried."

The wheels in my head started turning. He knows I'm under here, yes . . . but he doesn't know who I am. That might be our saving grace." Of course. I will do that right now. Goodbye father."

"I am not leaving. I would like to see the face of the one who changed my son for the better." So much for saving grace.

I moved slowly, trying to delay this meet up for as long as I could.

Before I was even half-way standing, Sasuke started shouting at the top of his lungs "ITACHI, ITACHI, ITACHIIIIII"

When I was fully standing, Sasuke's father wasn't even looking at me. He was instead staring at his son. "Sasuke, what are you doing?"

Then Itachi was in the doorway. "Yes, little brother may I ask what yo- " Then he caught sight of me, standing in the back corner, trying desperately to not draw his father's attention, and his confusion cleared up instantly "Never mind, I understand now " Itachi was a blur of movement as one second he was in the doorway the next, he was standing between me and the head of the Uchiha clan.

That was went, for the first time, their father looked at me.

I gulped at the intense dislike I felt in that one look. I wanted to run, to scream, to cry all in the same second. I felt like this man in front of me was a monster . . . and I knew deep down that he wanted me to die in the most painful way possible and that he wanted to watch it happen.

I let out a strangled gasp and took a half step back, crashing into Sasuke's wall. I have to get out of here.

"Sasuke, what are you doing with IT. Why is IT HERE?"

'IT'. Is he talking about me?

"SHE'S my friend"

"No, it is not. It is a monster that should have been put down long ago."

I flinched back from the hate in those words and stared into those soulless black eyes. How can Sasuke and Itachi be related to him. There both so nice and he's so cruel.

I flinched back when I felt a hand slip around my waist. It was only when I realized that it was Itachi that I stopped panicking.

"Naruto, I'm so sorry that you had to hear that" He said quietly, picking me up and cradling me in his arms. "Sasuke, we're leaving"

"NO you are not" The scary man yelled, starting toward both his sons "You have no right-"

Not waiting for his father to finish, Itachi picked up his little brother with one hand and jumped out of the window, falling at least 2 stories, right into their backyard. Then he took off running like it was nothing.

I didn't know where we were going and I didn't care. I had to know somethings. Like now. "Why do you care about me?"

"Wha-"

"Why did you go against your father to help me" I don't understand. Why are they so nice to me when it brings them nothing but trouble? I don't understand. This isn't how people are supposed to act around me. There supposed to be mean and nasty and horrible. So why are they the exception? I don't understand. Why don't I understand them?

"Because you're my little sister. And that means I have to protect you no matter what" Itachi said simply.

"What's a- What's a sister" I asked

"A sister is . . . Big brother, how do you describe a sister" Sasuke asked

"Hmmm, I never thought about that before. Let's see . . . A sister a member of my family, of our family."

"I don't like that definition, Big brother. A sister . . . . A sister is a forever friend. I like that better. Someone you can call when things aren't right. That defines you to a T "He said looking at me. I looked back at him like he was nuts.

"But . . . That's not me. I'm a monster. That's what everyone's said" A finger flicked me across the forehead and I yelped in surprise, not knowing who it was that actually flicked me. I think it was Sasuke but I couldn't be sure. It happened so fast, too fast"

"I smile because you're my sister." Sasuke said, with a huge grin on his face "And I laugh because there's nothing you could do about it. Sorry, but you're stuck with us."

"But . . ."

"No but's. That's the hand you've been dealt. Live with it"

I don't know why I was arguing so much but I still didn't understand. I knew that they loved me now, but what on earth possessed them to help me originally, especially with a father who would hate them for it.

Yet, right now, being held by my new big brother, all the questions I had, didn't seem important anymore. I just never wanted this moment to end.

"We'll be together forever, right"

"Of course"

"Forever. Are you kidding me? We'll put the word forever to shame. We'll go beyond forever" Sasuke laugh, pumping his fist into the sky

That sounds really nice actually. Sister Naruto. So that makes them my big brothers, right. Big brother Itachi. Too formal. Big bro Itachi, I like that better. Big bro Sasuke. Yes, I really like that. So we're family now. I have a family.


2 months later


I stretched luxuriously across a park bench, basking in the warm sun light. With My head in Sasuke's lap. Sasuke was in the middle of doing his homework, and was resting the back of his book on the side of his face. He had jumped right into the school life and despite coming in late was already top of his class. I sat up, causing his book to fall down and smiled at him.

"You did that on purposes"

"Maybe"

He tugged on a strand of my hair and I laughed at his disgruntled expression when he tried and failed to find his place again.

"I'm hungry" I said, out of the blue random

"He nodded and put his pencil down." I could use something to eat too. Let's go to the market place and get some bread from the baker"

My eyes widened and my mouth fell open "Fresh bread, really. I never have that" I tried not to drool

Sasuke looked equally as shocked "You don't. Why not. "

"The baker won't sell to me. I tried once and he chase me away with a knife."

Sasuke eyes suddenly got a blank, almost angry look "Why is everyone in the village is like that. I don't understand why they don't see you for you."

I shrugged. I used to bother me a lot that no one got to know me before they judge me but not anymore. Now I have Sasuke and Itachi. What more could I possible ask for. There more than I deserve. Wanting anything else would make me selfish. "Doesn't matter anymore no that I have you. They can't do anything to me, not anymore"

I waited until Sasuke's shoulders relaxed before getting up and offering him my hand "You coming or what"

"So impatient" he muttered as well walked down the street.

"I'm hungry" I whined, practically jumping up in down in anticipation of fresh bread. I tugged at his arm to make him move fast "Come on hurry up" I insisted.

"Don't be in such a hurry, the bakery will still be there in the 2 minutes it takes for us to walk there"

I huffed and shifted my face into a pout. "You're not nice" I said, giving him my puppy dog eyes. The ones I know he can't resist.

"Oh, fine" Sasuke said, giving up with poor grace, wisely knowing when he's been beat.

"Yay" I stated running again, and this time Sasuke kept pace with me. I guess all that training in the ninja academy must really be paying off. He was almost as fast as I was. And I ran away from vicious mobs for a living.

We arrived at the bakery a minute and 14 second earlier than we would have if we had walked. I smiled cheekily at him and he stuck his tongue out at me. I ignored that and pushed open the Bakery door. In a flash I was surrounded by the delicious smell of baking bread and cooling cookies. Now I was in real danger of drooling.

I could feel my smile growing bigger by the second as I took in all the option I had before me. I had never been in such a glorious place, so many color and smells and even sounds, I thought that there could be no better place. Until I saw the look the shop keeper was giving me.

Normally, had I been alone I would have froze, and then bolted when I saw this man coming towards me but Instead of cowering and running, this time I looked the man right in the eye and I didn't back down. Within seconds, Sasuke was right next to me, ready to help should the man try something.

"What are you doing here?" The man snarled

"I-I-I've come to buy some bread" I mentally cursed myself for stuttering and promised myself that it would never happen again.

"I don't sell to monsters"

"She's not a monster" Sasuke shouted "Are you going to sell us some bread or not"

"Nev-"

"Daddy . . . What are you doing"

I glanced under the mans out stretched arms to see a pink haired little girl with a huge forehead and a pretty but plain face.

"Sakura, go back upstairs sweetie, let Daddy handle this." Instead of listening to her father the little girl walked forward until she was standing directly behind her father. She didn't say anything, just stared at us.

"Hello" She said enthusiastically "I'm Sakura. What's your name" I was so taken back at her question that I didn't answer.

"I'm Sasuke, This is Naruto. It's nice to meet you"

"Do you want bread? Daddy makes the best bread in all of the world" She threw her hands up in a wide sweeping gestures, maybe trying to indicate the whole world with her little arms.

I finally found my voice "Yeah, We would like some bread, thank you"

She grabbed my hand and started pulling me behind the counter. Her father had no choice but to let me pass. He didn't dare say anything in fear of upsetting his daughter so he had to settle for shooting me dirty looks as I passed "How many pieces do you want."

I looked back at Sasuke before answering "Six" If we have any left over, I'll take them home and have them for breakfast tomorrow"

"Coming right up" Sakura giggled. I looked over at Sasuke, only to find him and the bakery owner in a heated glaring match. I swear that if looks could kill, both of them would be dead. There was so much hate flying between these two that I wanted to shrink back into a corner and let them duke it out among themselves. But at the same time I didn't want Sasuke to get in a fight because of me. Or to get hurt because of me.

"Sasuke." I said meekly, grabbing his arm. "Stop it, don't fight"

He didn't look at me, merely nodded, not taking his heated eye's off of Sakura's father.

"Here you go. Six piece of freshly baked bread to go. That will be "She started counting off on her fingers ". . . One . . . Two . . . t-three . . . f-five . . . t-six. Six dollars "She announced proudly, holding up five fingers for me to inspect.

Not bothering to correct her, I pulled out my wallet and gave her six dollars. "Thank you and come again" She chanted as I exchanged my money for the bread, grabbed Sasuke by the arm and literally dragged him out of the store and down the road.

We were halfway down the road before I started in on him "What is the matter with you. You can't almost get into a fighting match with every Village who is a meanie to me"

"Why not"

"WHY NOT. Because then you'll be fighting against everyone in the village. Including your own father" He flinched at that and I felt my face soften a little." Are you ever going to tell me what happened when you and Itachi got home that night" I asked quietly.

"NO."

"Are things getting better with Itachi or is he still being distant with everyone" I asked, not having seen Itachi in weeks

"I don't want to talk about this. Not now, okay" Sasuke said, sadly

I sighed but decided to let it go. I really didn't want to ruin the rest of today by making him sad so to get his mind off it, I decided to change the subject. I started rummaging around in the bread bag" Here" I said, offering him one.

"Thanks." He said taking a big bite out of the warm bread, moaning. "I'm sorry about what happened. The bakery guy was nice to me whenever I went in there to buy bread. I thought that maybe if he got to know you, he wouldn't treat you so bad"

"Not your fault" I munched thickly, making my words come out in a garbled mess.

"Uh, Thanks. That means a lot to me, I think" I was laughing so hard at Sasuke's confused expression that when someone shouted our names, I jumped.

"Naruto, Sasuke. Hey you two, long time no see" We both turned as one to see Iruka-sensei walking towards us with a grin

"Iruka-sensei" I said

"Hey, Naruto. How are you feeling, you all healed from that beating you took"

"Yep" I pounded my fist against my chest "I'm all healed up"

"Well that's good to hear. I was worried. So did you two hear the news? I assume that's why you're out here today"

I looked at Sasuke, who shook his head "No. What news"

"Representatives form Sunagakura or the village hidden in the sand are arrive here today. Want to go see them. They should be arriving here through the south gate in a few minutes, if there not here now."

"Sure" Sasuke shrugged "Got nothing better to do"

"Except your homework. Hey, where is your homework" I asked, amused at how forgetful he is.

"Oh, crap. I let it on the park bench. My dad will kill me if I don't have it done. You two go ahead. I'll catch up a little later, okay"

"Sure. See you there" So me and Iruka-sensei set off towards the south gate while Sasuke ran back to the park to get his homework.

"Who's coming?"

"I told you. People from-"

"Not that" I waved him off "I meant who. The Hokage of their village?"

"Sunagakura doesn't have a Hokage"

"They don't" I gasped "Then who leads them"

"They have what is called a Kage. The full name for the position is Kazekage. "

"Does he make that rules"

"Yep"

"So he's the Hokage of their village, just under another name."

"You could look at it that way or you could say that our Hokage is the Kazekage of our village, just under a different name too"

"My heads starting to hurt"

"Ha ha ha. Don't worry about it too much, kid. . . . What were we talking about again? Oh right, I think the Kazekage is coming along with his son. I think his son is about you age, maybe older."

"Anyone else"

"There protection detail of course. Consisting of their best Shinobi's I'd bet, so don't go trying to play any pranks on them or whatever your planning, ya got it."

I huffed and crossed my arms in a clear pout. "Fine " I finally grunted out with poor grace.

"So you were planning something. What was it? Out with it. Gonna paint there carriages green, like you did the school building. Gonna throw smoke bombs at them and trip them as they stumbled past with a hidden wirer. Gonna steal one of the Ninja's Tool pouch and then let them argue over who has it. What. What are you going to do?"

"You actually just gave me several new ideas as to how to prank people. Thanks, Iruka-sensei"

"NARUTO" He said as a warning.

"Just kidding Sensei" He started walking again "Mostly"

"NARUTO"

"Kidding again"

He watched me out the corner of his eye for any signs that I was messing with him again. I just smiled and waited for him to be done. Eventually he finished and then, satisfied that I wasn't going to get into any trouble, he reached out and ruffled my hair with his hand. I started giggling and he chuckled right along with me.

"Are we almost there" I asked

He looked at me in surprise" You've never been to the south side of the village before."

"Nope" I said still skipping "Never had the time or a reason too"

"Well, yeah. We're almost there" We turned a corner and almost ran smack dab into a tight group of people, they, like us, have probably come to see the people from Sunagakura arrive" and just in time too. I think there here"

I jumped up and do and strained on my tippy toes but I couldn't see of the ocean of people in front of me "What do they look like. DO they have big ears and squinted eyes?"

"What"

"Sasuke told me that everyone outside the Village has big ears and broken teeth and squinted eyes" I said, seriously.

"I think he was just messing with you. Here" Iruka-sensei bent down so that he was on my level. "Get on my shoulders. You'll be able to see better"

"Okay." I climbed on his shoulder and Iruka-sensei stood up. From this height, I could see everything. I could see a huge, horse drawn carriage riding through the middle of the street and a young boy, a little older than me with red hair and pretty blue eyes, timidly peeking out one of the windows. I probably wouldn't have even seen him if I hadn't been on Iruka-sensei's shoulders.

For one second our eyes met and without thinking, I brought both my hands up and started waving at him.

His eye widen, now full of shock and uncertainty but still, without hesitation, he nervously wave back at me and gave me a tiny smile.

Then someone behind him, grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him away from the window, none too gently and a red curtain appeared atop the window covering the interior from view.

"Iruka-sensei, did you see that little boy. The one in the window

"Little boy. You must mean the Kazekage son."

"Must be" I watch for a few more minutes until the carriage moved out of sight.

"No, I didn't see him" Iruka-sensei bent down and let me off.

"Where are they headed?"

"To the Hokage building."

"Can we go there too" I wanted to speak to the little boy again and maybe learn his name. He just seemed so sad and when he looked at me, it was so familiar. It was the same look I had had on my face before I met Sasuke and his brother. That poor boy is lonely and scared. Just like I was before. And I want to change that. To help him, if I can.

"Why"

"I wanna meet that little boy."

Iruka-sensei didn't seem so hot on the idea." I don't know, Naruto. This is the son of a village leader. It could be bad for everyone, in both villages, if somethings happened to that young man, and even worst for you, if you're around when it does."

"I don't care. I wanna meet him"

He just looked at me, then groaned "There is nothing I can do to stop you is there."

"Nope"

"(Sigh) lets go then. It's this way" He led the way through the dispersing crowd with ease, muttering all the while about how "I was going to be the death of him " and " How he can never catch a break" with me around. I was fight a smile the whole way to the Hokage building, tying to be sympathetic to his plight. I can't be easy, dealing with someone like me. I glance back several times throughout our walk, looking for Sasuke. But he didn't show up and I began to worry. I wish he would hurry up and find us again. I was becoming impatient.

We arrived at the Hokage building in a little under ten minutes. Just in time to watch the Kazekage and his son unloading from the carriage. I noticed, abruptly that I wasn't the only kid around. There were several more, at least 5, probably coming from the playground, not 2 minutes from here. They probably followed the carriage here.

When the little boy came into sight, all the other kids started whispering behind their hands and making mean faces at him. The other man, the one, I assume is the Kazekage and his father, bent down to speak to the boy. Whatever he was saying the red head cleanly did not like it. He shook his head desperately and pointed at us.

The man raised his voice "Just do as you are told, son. I do not have time to deal with your spoiled nonsense "The boy's head dropped, and I couldn't hear exactly what he said but he obviously agreed because he then turned and started heading in the direction of the other children.

I cocked my head to the side and tugged on Iruka-sensei's arm "What"

"Is that how all fathers are"

"What. I don't understand"

"Well, it's just that . . . Sasuke's dad and now him, there both really mean to their sons. Is that how are fathers are. Are they all mean like that?"

"No, not all, just some"

"Oh, that's good." I am never going to have kids if this is what they're going to be treated like. My husband will never do that, I won't allow it.

As the red hair boy approached the other kids they all started backing away from him. He stopped a short distance away and crossed his hands in front of him "H-Hi, everyone. W-w-would you like to p-play with me" I could tell that this was all new to him. "M-m-my name is ga-"

A big, heavy rock hit the boy on the side of the head, opening a large gash on his face. Or would have if a thin cover of sand hadn't blocked it. The rock dropped harmlessly to the ground and the sand and the boy just stared at it.

"Y-you're a freak" yelled the boy that had thrown the rock "Come on, we're getting out of here" He grabbed the hand, of what I assume to be, his little sister and they both take off. The other kids soon followed, until the red hair boy was left alone.

I suddenly remember how my legs worked. I wish I had thought to introduce myself to him before everyone else had left or even before the boy had thrown the rock and called Ga a freak. But I can't change that now. I walked up to him at a quick pace.

The Ga hadn't looked up once since the boy threw the rock at him. Not even when I approached him. I stopped when I was about a foot away and that's when he first spoke to me "You're that girl. The one from the crowd. Did you come to throw things at me too?"

"No, I'm Naruto. You're Ga, right. It's nice to meet you" He looked up at me for the first time since I got here and all he saw was this big, joyful smile directed right at him. "So do you want to play?"

Numbly, he just nodded at me so I took his hand "There's a playground not too far from here if you want to go there"

He shook his head "No, No playground" I wondered briefly if he's scared of running into those kids again. I couldn't really blame him seeing as they weren't very nice to him.

"Then what about a park, there's one not very far from here. It's really pretty and I can teach you how to make a flower crown" When he didn't respond, I squeezed his hand "Come on, it will be fun" and I started leading him to the park.

"Naruto, do you want me to come too" Iruka-sensei asked, stopping me in my tracks

"Actually could you go look for Sasuke, I'm starting to get a bit worried"

"Yeah, now that you mention it, he has been gone for a while. Sure, I'll go see if I can find him"

"Great, we'll be at the park, send him there when you find him, okay" I gently tugged on Ga's arm and we set off again.

He followed obediently, not saying anything. But he didn't let go of my hand. If anything he squeezed tighter. I kept up a steady stream of things to talk about through the entire walk. Not once did he respond to me.

When we arrived at the park, I gasped in delight. It looked breath taking. "Isn't it pretty, Ga?"

The green of the tree were illuminated and enhanced by the bright beams of sunlight that caused everything to have a faint glow to it. You could hear the laughter of small children echoing across the many acres of trees and grass, as well as the soft barks of a couple of Inuzuka clan dog in the distance. My favorite sound was the scraping of a jogger's sneakers on the dry gravel road. This was a popular jogging spot because of its beautiful scenery. I took several deep breaths, taking in the sweet aroma of the flowers that decorate the meadow to our right, and I briefly noted that there was young couple having a picnic over under a shady olive tree. I would make sure to find a place away from them, so they don't make Ga uncomfortable.

"Yeah, really pretty"

I smiled at him for a second before realizing that he had actually spoke to me "Hey. It's nice to hear your voice."

Before he could respond something happened. Someone was behind me, I had only turned half-way, when something large, wooden and heavy connected with the side of my head. I went down and because of our hands being connected, I brought Ga down with me. The jogger, I had noticed before was now standing over the both of us, with a tree branch in hand. "I'm going to kill you, you monster" I man raised the branch again. I rolled over, on top of Ga, so that I could block him from getting hit. I heard the swishing of the branch and a solid "thunk" as it hit something hard. I turned my head to the side. All I could see was sand, a wall of sand. It covered us from above but I could still see the jogger's legs and his sneakers.

"Wha-" I head the man shout and I watched as his legs turned around and took of down the well-worn path.

Slowly, almost reluctantly the sand broke apart. I got up and stretched my limbs, uncomfortable having been in the position for so long.

"Was that you? Did you do that? That thing with the sand"

He didn't seem to want to answer but he did "Yes. It's a power I've always had." Slowly, he lifted one hand and some sand fallowed, almost like it was a puppet and he was the master.

"Tha-that . . ." He flinched when I started speaking and was now studying his shoe "That's so coooooooool" I moaned, reaching out and touching the floating sand. Ga's head snapped up and he stared at me "IT'S WHAT"

"It's so awesome. I saw you do it before back at the Hokage building but his is something else." I reached up and stroked it, kind of like I would a cat or a dog.

"So, you're not scared"

"Scared, no. I have a big brother who can do some crazy things with his eyes. They turn all weird and he can affect people. You're not much scarier than he is. Me and my bro's . . . we don't fear power like yours, we respect it." I poked at the sand again, feeling how rock hard it was. "I think you would like them"

"But I'm weird"

"So"

"Many people in my village, say I shouldn't be allowed to live because I'm so different." He moved the sand around some more too demonstrate.

"Yeah, but you protected me with that weirdness." I pointed at my chest "I'm weird too. Or so people tell me " I traced the cat line on my face with one finger " Weird looking, I act weird too, and people treat me like I'm a monster so that also makes me weird" He didn't look at me "So does that mean I should go die in a ditch now too."

He grabbed my hand "No, no. You can't die. You're the first person who ever been nice to me . . . . Besides my uncle Yashamaru"

"He sounds really nice. He must be just like my bro's, Sasuke and Itachi. There one of the first people to be nice to me too." I jerked my head over towards the meadow "Wanna sit. We can talk some more there"

"Sure but first" He pulled out a handkerchief and started dabbing the side of my face. Ga's touch seemed to increase the pain by a lot, and I flinched back in pain. "Ow, that hurt"

"Sorry, I didn't know"

"You shouldn't press so hard next time okay" I took the hankie and started gently wiping away the blood on my face. I walked over to the meadow and sat down, Ga followed me a little slower.

"I-I was trying to be nice but all I did was hurt you. I'm sorry."

"No big deal. You didn't mean to. And giving me the hankie was a nice thing to do so thank you" Ga's face lit up and I smiled back at him. I was glad that I could make him happy.

"Your welcome" Right in the middle for wel and come, Ga's stomach gave a loud grumble and his face turned bright red.

"Here" I pulled out some of the left over bread and offered him one "There's more where that came from if your still hungry afterward"

"Thank you" he said already munching in the bread "This is good, Are those nuts and raisins in here"

"Nuts? Raisin?" I said, confused. The one I had didn't have anything in it. I reached into the bag and pulled another one out and broke it in half. Inside it was filled with nuts and raisins like Ga said and was still slightly warm. Sakura must have given us the good bread, mixed in with regular bread by mistake. Or maybe she did it on purpose just to be nice. Either way it was a lucky break for us.

"Yep. " I popped some of the bread into my mouth and sighed as the flavor spread over my tongue and down my throat. "Mmmmmm" I sighed "This is good"

"Yeah"

"Hey, didn't I promise to teach you how to make a flower crown on the way here"

"Yeah, yeah. I think so"

"Okay so gather up as many flowers as you can, at least two dozen. Keep their stems on okay."

"Okay"

For the next ten minutes we hunted around in the meadow for pretty flowers that we wanted out hats to be made out of "Aren't there any red flowers"

"Sure, Ga. There are some over here. Do you see any light blue flowers?"

"Yeah, a few. There over there and there's some right behind you"

"Thanks"

Once we had collected all the flowers needed we started on the difficult part. Putting it together. (Keep in mind that I do not actually know how to make a flower crown. I just thought it was a cute idea)

"Uh, I don't think I'm doing this right"

"Ha, ha, ha"

"What"

"Nothing. Nothing. You just looked so lost. Never mind, never mind. Here let me help"

"Ohhhhhh, I see what I did wrong. Thanks"

"No problems. . . . Urgh, I need more flowers"

"Yeah me too"

As I reached for another bunch of forget-me-not's to complete my crown, an enraged yell filled the air causing me to jump "What happened. WHAT DID YOU DO" Sasuke and Iruka-sensei came speeding down the dirt road towards us.

Immediately the sand around us shot out, towards them. "No" I shouted, standing up and waving one arm at Sasuke and placing the other one out towards Ga. "it's okay. It's okay"

Sasuke slowed down a little when he saw my waving. "Naruto, are you all right."

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine" The sand slowly backed off, letting them both come through.

"No, you're not fine. You're bleeding. Who hit you? Are you seeing double. How many fingers am I holding up" Iruka-sensei said holding my face tightly, looking panic-stricken.

"I'm fine." I said trying to wiggle my way free from his grip

"Just answer the question"

"4. Now let go" Finally he released my face.

"Did you do this" Sasuke demanded of Ga. Ga shook his head and looked at the ground, retreating inside himself again like he did when we first met.

"Sasuke, Ga. Ga, Sasuke. Sasuke is my older brother. Ga saved me from getting hurt. He protected me" I said quickly before this could escalate into a fight

"Really, what happened" Iruka demanded.

"We had just arrived in the park when a villager attacked me."

"He tried to break her skull or something with a tree branch. I stopped him and then he ran off"

Sasuke did the last thing I expected him to do. I mean he was just yelling and screaming and Ga and now he's . . . . . hugging him. And he was chanting "Thank you, thank you, Thank you" over and over again.

"I'm so sorry I accused you. Thank you for protecting my sister"

Ga froze and looked at me, unsure of what to do next "hug him back" I mouthed, giving him a thumbs up.

Slowly, awkwardly, Ga hugged Sasuke back.

"Hey, me and Ga where just making flower crowns. Do you want to join us?" I said, once they broke apart, trying to relive the tension.

"Man, I haven't made a flower crown since I was a kid" Iruka-sensei said, plopping down next to me. "I'm not sure if I even remember how to do it."

"I'll show you." I promised

"No, I'll show you. I'm better at it" Sasuke gloated "I'm the one that taught her how to make a flower crown after all"

Ga looked at me "Is that true"

"Yeah, but I'm just as good as he is, if not better."

"Oh, really. Care to put your money where your mouth is and make a little bet"

"Fine, Ga can you hold this for me" I said passing my half-finished crown to him.

"Oh, sure"

"A contest." I declared. "The first of us to make a flower crown will be forever known as the best flower crown maker EVER" I shouted the last word, pumping my fist in the air. "We both start from scratch. The first to make a good flower crown wins. You can't make no second rate on and expect to win because you finished first. It must be an awesome crown. "I said. I pointed at Sasuke "You're going down" I promised him

"Yeah, right. That's my line"

"Is this normal" Ga asked Iruka-sensei looking confused

"For them, yes"

"Okay, just checking"

I won the flower crown making contest. It wasn't easy. It wasn't pretty. But I did it. I didn't have time to put an elaborate pattern on but it was well made and more importantly, I was done before Sasuke.

"Yes" I got up and stared dancing, at the same time chanting "I won, I won. I won. "

Sasuke got on his hand as knees with a purple depression aura surrounding him "How could I lose "He pounded his fist into the ground.

Ga looked back at me and then at Sasuke "No offense, Naruto but I like Sasuke's crown better." I gasped at that, pretending to be offended.

Sasuke Immediately got his second wind. "See I told you my crowns were the best. Ha, ha. In your face" He cheered, laughing his head off. He turned and picked up his crown. I had to admit. His crown looked nice. It had a simple pattern to it, it was pleasing to the eyes and it was well made, and even more impressive is that it was done only seconds after mine. "Here" Sasuke said, offering it to Ga "If you like so much, it's yours"

"Really "Ga said, reaching for it with shaking hands "Thank you"

"No problem"

I took the half-finished blue crown from Ga and carefully started weaving more forget me not's into the gaps until it looked like a real crown. "You want mine too."

"You mean it"

"Sure. Take it" I placed the blue one in his outstretched hands. I'll keep the one I made during the bet.

"Thank you, both of you"

"Your wel-"

"Here you are, you monster" Immediately 4 or 5 different Shinobi appeared. Iruka-sensei and Sasuke immediately stood up and both brandished weapons. "Your father sent us to find you."

"Ga." I asked "Do you know these guy's" No way was I sending Ga with these people unless I knew it was safe.

"I-I-I-"

"Shut up you little brat. " said the blond hair guy with the green eyes. He held a katana and was ready to attack with it.

"Hey, you leave him alone" I shouted "Don't talk to him like that"

"You shut up too" and a different Shinobi, a girl this time, back handed me across the face.

I stumbled back four or five steps before falling into Sasuke. "Hey" Sasuke shouted indignantly, glaring at the sand Shinobi that surrounded us.

"Stop. Stop. Don't fight "Ga shouted "I'm coming. I'm coming" Slowly he walked toward that new comers

"Ga wait. You don't have to-"

"I know them. They are my father's personal guards. He must have sent for me. "

"But . . . But we were having fun" I said, quietly more than a little upset that he was leaving. I didn't want him to go

"Yeah, we were but I have to leave now"

"Bye, Ga. See you later" Sasuke said sadly

"Yeah bye" Ga said not looking at us.

I stared at him for a few seconds before speaking. I just had to ask him, o it would haunt me forever. "We're friends now, right Ga. We're friends"

Ga looked at me for a second before nodding "Yes, yes. Of course. We're friends" he looked delighted by my statement. "We're friend's now." he waved at me "I'll see you all later, I promise."

I watched as they walked away, I watched until they disappeared from my line of sight.

"He's gone, Naruto. He's gone" Iruka-sensei said. "I'm sorry."

I turned and smiled "It's okay. We'll meet again. He promised"

Sasuke nodded "Yeah, I know we'll meet again. I can feel it"

Iruka-sensei smiled at us and shook his head "Alright. It's getting late. You two should probably start heading home, okay" I looked up and was surprised to see that the sun was indeed setting. Time fly's when you're having fun, I guess.

"Yes, Iruka-sensei"

He waved at us heartily and then took off down the path.

Me and Sasuke started to head to my place. But there was something bothering Sasuke. Anyone could see that. Eventually he said "Hey, Naruto"

"Yeah bro"

"Can we hurry up?"

"Why" I said surprised. He's not usually this impatient. That's my thing,

"I don't know. I just have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. "

"A bad feeling"

"It's probably nothing but I just want to get home as soon as possible, okay"

I smiled "Okay. Race yah" Then I took off

"Hey, Naruto, wait up" Sasuke shouted, laughing despite himself.

"Nah uh. You'll have to catch me"


Please give me feedback on how I'm doing.

The next chapter will be the Uchiha massacre as I'm sure some of you have guessed.

I liked the moments with Gaara. I found them to be very sweet, though kind of O.O.C. Sorry.