At a tender age of seven he was quite a brilliant boy.

Too clever for his age.

Too aggressive.

Too curious

...

..

.

"Mom, tell me…did you love my father."

It was more like statement than a query

.

..

"Yes, I did."

..

.

"Did he love you."

He asked again.

.

..

But he got no reply, just a faint smile.

He might be young, but he knew well than what his mother's telling him.

His father is too famous to conceal.

..

.

"I love you."

'I'll protect you; I'll give you the things my father failed to give you.'

..

.

X & | & X

R

E

V

O

L

V

E

R

Think of me

Think of me fondly

When we said goodbye

Remember me

Once in a while please, promise me

You'll try.

X & | & X

Chapter Two: First Blade

X & | & X

Shoving his dark locks atop his head, the young boy snickered.

"Mom! Stop hugging me!" He hissed while prying Sakura's hands off his neck.

Long pink hair tied over a high pony tail swayed as emerald clashed with jade, she smiled slightly pinching the young one's cheeks that earned her a scoff. She really liked teasing him- a lot.

His scrunched face didn't hide the spitting resemblance of his father, and somehow- seeing him smile makes her imagine Sasuke's face in the same way- that emotion of happiness she failed to see in him.

No- Sakura doesn't compare him to his father… Kiro, he's way different in more ways than one, and Sakura loves him for that. She loves him and will always will- after all she had sworn to protect Kiro at any cost, that one thing she failed to do with Sasuke.

Protect.

Sakura had grown to like Kiro's shrugs and scoffs; it's like some sort of endearment. The past seven years has been a real rough road for her, specially when she gave birth-with only Shizune to assist her during labor, it's a fatal gamble- she's young. Sakura knew what implications would happen if something have gone wrong.

But the hard part comes years after birth, specially when Kiro's curiosity gets tickled once in a while-that was when he's still four, miraculously his queries grew faint as years pass by. It made a lot of help.

Although The Council (Koharu and Homura) had been successfully annihilated by him, Danzo still had his paws on the search, although his sugar-rush had died down quite a bit, still Sakura couldn't gamble on Kiro's life.

"Sorry, you're just too cute, little man." She whispered, standing up. Sakura went into the kitchen.

"Im not a little boy anymore! I've grown two inches taller since my birthday." He hissed.

Sakura raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Okay then, big boy! Giddy up. Someones coming over, ne?" her voice faded as she went over the kitchen.

Grabbing the nearest object-more like the vase over the table to dodge the incoming kunai over the window, the boy threw it on the air and leaped backwards.

He smirked.

Just like his father…

"Naruto-jiisan." He muttered, and as if on cue, the door swung open.

"How's the little brat!" He cheered.

"He's grown taller for a bout two inches since his birthday." Sakura mocked as she giggled, giving Naruto a light hug.

"You're getting prettier since the last time I saw you! Sakura-chan!" Naruto chuckled as he tempted for a joke kiss on the cheeks, not until he felt a kick hit his leg.

"Stop. Hitting. On. My. mom, idiot." Kiro emphasized every word.

Naruto snorted, it's a good thing Naruto knows his language- and if he didn't he would've yelled something like 'much like your bastard of a father!' line.

But the blonde could admit…Kiro's definitely a gene from his father, from the body language, and the slightly foul vocabulary (which would grow to be more unlikely in the future, at least that's what Naruto thinks), hair…spare the bright green eyes, and that sweet smile-the smile Naruto was sure Kiro got from his mother.

Naruto had his chance with the Shinobi society and is now in ANBU rank together with Sai- the blonde being a candidate for Hokage title; since Tsunade had proclaimed her approaching retirement.

The blond never failed to visit every week, taking Kiro back in Konoha once in a while- the fact that Sai carries Kiro around helps a lot, having slightly same features makes the two a little less suspicious. At first Sakura's hostile about the idea, but not until Kiro demanded for it and Naruto ensuring her that nothing will happen.

"Can we go now?" Kiro rushed to the approaching pinkette with a grin on her face.

"Not until you promise me some things." She spoke sternly, scrunching her brows staring at her son's eyes.

"I won't pick on any kids, stay discreet, and no Sharingan." Kiro stated and promised with his as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

Sakura giggled and gave him a peck on a cheek, gave him his back pack.

"Hey, Mom." Kiro called as he turned his back when he reached the doorway.

"Yep? Sweetie?" Sakura grinned.

"I love you." And ith that Kiro turned his back and walked over to Naruto.

Yeah, the big difference of Kiro and his father is quite also-too spitting.

I'll love you…give you everything he failed to give you.

Naruto smiled at the kid, as they walked out of the house.

'You've got ten times a genius for a son, teme.'

And Naruto meant that literally,after all Kiro activated half of the age Sasuke activated his Sharingan.

Six.

And Sakura could still vaguely remember how furious Kiro was when Rouge ninjas attacked them. And Sakura had a hard time defending Kiro- she was badly wounded that Kiro was dead furious.

The latter accidentally activated his Sharingan in the process, but got himself drained for three days.

And from that day forward, Kakashi took Kiro under his wing for tutelage; Sakura hated it, but ended up doing nothing otherwise.

Kiro is tad far too persistent, and Kakashi had advised Sakura to let him be. Kiro's a growing boy and as time passes by; it's getting harder to defend him by herself, Death is a little less something he'll end up with.

XOXOX

Target Found.

..

.

Get the boy

.

..

Roger, Captain.

..

.

I'll get her.

She held her the knife tighter in her grasp.

'Rouge ninjas…no. far too strong.'

It may have been seven years-but she knew exactly how to sharpen her tools.

Kneeling at the wooden plank floor, pushed hard-opening a secret compartment, stealthy hoisting her kunai pouch on her leg. Sakura heaved a sigh. Discarding her pink frilly apron she clutched a kunai in hand.

She wondered- at that moment, that night… Sasuke knew she knows one of the biggest secret in history-far too confidential, yet he didn't do anything to keep her shut about it. Holding it as a kernel of hope- then something snapped her back to reality.

ROOT

So Danzo didn't really forget about her existence, then suddenly she felt chakras infiltrate her house.

'One-no two…oh fuck…six.' She mentally counted as she grunted in reply.

Suppressing her chakra, Sakura knew ROOT works for Danzo, and judging by Sai's capabilities…Sakura could handle three…but six? It's suicide, it's a good thing Kiro's with Naruto, he's more capable of protecting Kiro in these kinds of situations.

She heard steps approach her, a couple of hand seals and a replica of her appeared. It's a gamble, but heck! She's hell of one-unlike her mentor that is.

She held her kunai tightly as her replica jumped out as at the same time Sakura jumped out of the window.

XOXO

"Hey, Kiddo…" Naruto chuckled as he jumped from tree tops to another, with Kiro just right beside him.

The dark haired boy smirked, and snagged a look at the blond.

"You can use some Sharingan practice." Naruto knew Kiro felt them too.

Naruto could admit, Kiro's a genius… and somehow, He's a sweet boy. Sakura didn't need anymore company when she had Kiro around, although naruto doubts that Kiro knew nothing of his father. He's once a very curious kid- asking things about Sasuke. After all- Sasuke is far too famous to conceal. Here says about Uchiha Sasuke is inevitable.

How Kiro loves fighting which he probably got from Sasuke's DNA too, ever since he found out that his Sharingan isn't just a run-of-the-mill ability, the boy wanted to pursue Shinobi society. But Sakura protested.

Rouge Ninjas are always good for training.

XOXO

She never thought she had her first kill after seven long years, but she could swear she's bleeding to death. She lost massive amount of chakra with those four, and now she's still running for her life.

She snickered, well at the very least she got rid of four. A digit bigger than she expected.

Sakura gave herself a credit for that- after all she still stayed in shape all this time.

'They don't have interest in captives, they're here for a kill.' She thought.

After all, isn't Danzo going to interrogate of how much damage she made? But then again his men are out to kill her, not to capture her.

XOXO

"Kiro, stay back." Naruto hissed.

The scenario is getting way out of hand, It was ROOT that's responsible for the attack.

It's one tough fight, Naruto could admit. ROOT isn't a piece of cake, but he managed to swell their butts out of the mess, Kiro sure had been impatient and activated his Sharingan for the longest time- which on the process got him drained.

"Tiny Uchiha…I see." His cool voice tore the silence.

Red and black cloak covered his body, his lone Sharingan eye peaked through the hole behind his mask.

Kiro gritted his teeth, this man…he's an Uchiha too.

He must've known his father…for he had seen an identical cloak in her mother's closet.

"Kiro, go back to Sakura-chan. Now." Naruto hissed, this one's going to be one harsh battle, and whatever the result is- Kiro isn't old enough to know.

"I won't." Kiro answered straightly, anger traced from his voice.

"Stop being a brat, Sakura-chan needs you. Now go."

"B-b-but-."

"I said go!"

"Tch. You better not die." And with that Kiro sprinted off in his tiny steps but with immense speed.

"Is that Sasuke's son…how cute."

"Lay your fucking hands off the kid, I fucking swear I'll rip you into pieces. Asshole." Naruto spoke, with emphasis on the last word.

"I doubt about that, Naruto-kun…"

XOXO

Somehow, ROOT stopped tailing her for quite a while, her eyes were drooping low from exhaustion and blood less. She could feel her legs starting to get numb- her breathing was labored. Trying as hard as she can to at least lessen the bleeding on her chest; Sakura exerted her remaining chakra to it.

"Ki…ro…"

The hardness of the thick tree trunk behind her back and the cold breeze against her cheeks

Her eyes claimed shut, and darkness consumed her vision.

The sky starts to darken, making her look paler and paler by the minute, her clothing nearly concealing only the necessary areas. Pink locks scattered behind her back and her face. Her breathing starts to slow its pace.

XOXO

The door swung open as he kicked it hard. His eyes still blood red, few bruises and abrasions marred his cheeks.

"Mom! Where are you!" He yelled as he stomped inside the house, holding a kunai in hand.

When he realized that Sakura was nowhere inside the house, Kiro started sprinting out of the house, with all his rage. Searching for his pink haired mother.

Tears welled up at the corners of his jade eyes, yet he did his best to contain them. His face still emotionless-yet anger and worry can be traced.

'Mom…damn it! You can't be-no!you just can't be dead!'

He sprinted as fast as he can, looking for clues.

His heart was heavy…all he had was his mother, his ever dearly beloved mother. Kiro could clearly remember her face when he asked her about his father. The very first time he asked her about him…Sakura couldn't find the right words.

'He's a shinobi…and a good man…'

She lied, he knew she's a liar. But he loved her anyhow. Whenever he's at the village, Kiro takes his chances.

'Hey, do you know someone…Uchiha?'

'That fucked up bunch of traitors, what of them?'

Traitors, killers, Akatsuki. Those were a few inklings he found out about them. He knew his father's the only living survivor of his clan, left the village for revenge…and left Sakura as well.

'Did he love you? Mom.'

He never got an answer, just a smile, and a very tight hug. Whenever he asks her that; Kiro never fail to notice her eyes turn into sadness. Her bright green eyes…

"Why did he leave us…didn't he love us…Mom."

"He's on a mission, sweetie."

When he knew it was all a lie, Kiro never asked again.

Her bright green eyes…she was all that he has in this world.

Kiro always knew how much she tried to protect him from harm.

He knew how hard it is…

'I love you, Mom. I'll protect you…I swear.'

And it fueled him to get better… to be stronger. Strange how Uchiha's love for power is such a gasoline.

No- he only wanted to protect his mother. That's why he need to get stronger…stronger with no shortcuts.

Stronger with just plain hardwork.

Just stronger.

If only his father didn't leave the village, he might be able to protect Sakura.

'I hate you…for all that you are,'

If only he didn't leave, Sakura isn't miserable.

'You made her cry…'

He stopped on his tracks, massive amount of blood stained the grass in the clearing.

Red scrapped cloth stained with nothing but blood lay there limply.

His eyes turned crimson as he froze, they were wide in disbelief.

He knew that scent…it belongs to his mother.

If only…

.

You stayed…

.

Bastard

.

If only…

.

You stayed…

.

You could've protected her

.

I hate you

.

You killed my mother.

.

I'll kill you…

Uchiha Sasuke, You will never be my father.

He broke down into his knees, and for the first time. He cried out loud…sobbing. She always spoke fondly of Sasuke, wanting Kiro to love him as much as she did. But damned all hell… that will never happen.

"Mom…I'll kill him…for you."

I'll get stronger…to kill you!

TZUZUKU