Chapter 3
Sakura woke up after her restless night's sleep. An idea about how to help Sasuke was beginning to take shape. She had been told by a nurse as she left the hospital last night that she wouldn't be able to visit for a few days, just while his mental state was re-affirmed by the T and I department before his return to active ninja training. Thus, she had time to enact something. But first, she had to get up and go to Academy to head off the others (mostly Ino's) questions.
When she got there, all of her friends were at the gate looking worried. As she approached, Ino called out "Hey Sakura! What's going on, where were you yesterday? We were gonna train, remember? And how is Sasuke? What has happened, anyway, my daddy wont even tell me anything?!" She cut off the quick fire questions with a raised hand.
"Look Ino - I will tell you later, when there are less people around." Even though Shikamaru, Choji and Hinata had formed a loose circle around her with Ino right ahead, There were loiterers around the gates (civilians, she muttered internally, the nosy, gossiping ones too) and a few people were watching her from inside the building too.
As Sakura went through the Academy lessons that day, dry theory mostly (it was a theory week) and Taijutsu at the end of the day. Although it was mostly kata and general exercise, Sakura found that this was one of the subject she found herder. Harry had never had to do much exercise except running from Dudley's lard-arse and was naturally skinny as magic burnt many calories in its use. Sakura was unused to this level of physical exertion in her day-to day life - he training with her clan friends had been mostly chakra theory and strategy via shogi (thanks to Shikamaru). It left her behind the clan kids and in the middle of the pack civilian-wise.
After her third lap of the grounds and 20 press-ups in, Sakura decided that this had to change. She was going to start physically training seriously. How was she going to help Sasuke if she was about as dangerous as a pushpin? And, that aside, how would she survive? As Harry, he had seen war, and it was doubtless that there was war here - she was learning about the Third Shinobi War in History for Christ's sake! She refused to die now, having being given this second chance. And she wouldn't let any of the others die as well. Whether it was Sasuke at his brothers hand (because he would try to avenge his clan by killing Itachi, she wasn't stupid), or Shika to his own laziness or Ino or…anyone she cared about, she would not let them die. Not without a damn good fight.
"Haruno-kun, are you well?" The kind voice of her taijutsu sensei cut through her internal monologue and she realised she had collapsed face first into the hard earth a few minutes ago.
"Yes sensei." She weakly replied. As she got up to continue, she firmed her resolve. She would work so hard, she would be the best she could be, she would..protect. She would protect them. With all her will.
As she and the others went to the Nara forest for their usual after school training she saw Shino Aburame walking home as well, sparking something in her mind. Her Plan To Help Sasuke (Whether He Wants It Or Not) from this morning. Well, she would explain it all to the others and then they could work on it together. When they were all set up in a clearing, she sat down against a tree trunk and explained everything about the massacre, going to see Sasuke in the hospital, how he had changed, and finally, her plan.
It was simple.
Sasuke had hardened. That wouldn't necessarily change completely, and if they was going to complete the goal of killing his brother, then he probably shouldn't. Thus, they were going for a multi-pronged plan. Firstly, they needed to show that they were serious about helping him. This meant that they were going to have to step up their training, especially physically (which nicely coincided with her goal of self-improvement). They were also going to have to respect his new attitude - no fangirling! Sternly directing this at Ino as the other girl pouted, she also glanced over at Hinata who looked thoughtful. A key part of this, she felt would rest with Shikamaru. As a quiet person himself with an incredible intelligence, Sakura thought that he might be able to help Sasuke as a friend - and this was where Shino came into the plan.
Because, while Shika was clever he was incredibly lazy. Almost horrifyingly so. Shino on the other hand was had a lower IQ but was still very intelligent, was quiet, and was excellent at all aspects of ninja life althought not totally outstanding in any of them. Furthermore, and potentially equally importantly, Shino was an Aburame. He was in a clan that specialised in bugs and it was well known that (much like the Inuzuka who lived in a pack hierarchy) they lived in a hive like family structure. It meant (she hoped) that he understood that family and friends made you stronger.
Now she just had to approach and ask him to help. But that would be a thing for tomorrow.
As she took a breath for air she looked around. Choji (and all of them to some extent) looked horrified. A kind, gentle boy from a loving, hearty clan he couldn't consider life without his family. But he had resolve there too, in the lines of his face. He would help. Shika on the other hand looked more calculating. He always had a plan, and it seemed his big brain was beginning to kick in as took in all she had said, then looked up and gave her a nod. He too would aid her. Ino seemed to be in shock. As a Yamanaka she had been trained since she could speak in psychology and understood very well what the loss of a familial structure would mean to Sasuke - let alone the loss of it to his brother, whom he had idolised. But as Sakura knew this about Ino, so too did she know that she would definitely help her and Sasuke. And finally Hinata, shy Hinata who did not look as she had imagined at all. Hinata was thoughtful and resolved, and spoke up as Sakura looked at her.
"Sakura-chan, what has happened to Sasuke-san is terrible. As a clan member, it is horrifying and wicked. I understand your plan to help. I agree with it. But I think you should consider something else. Even with Shino-san and Shikamaru-kun helping Sasuke-san as a bridge to us as friends, he needs a light. He needs someone to bring light into his life, to help him throw off the burden of training for a goal that is so far off in the future that anything can happen." I knew what she was getting at. Uzumaki Naruto. He was undoubtedly the dobe of the class, even 3 years in. Terrible at Chakra control, wouldn't put effort at book work, disturbed the class. He was sloppy in Taijutsu at best. What was worst was that he had some talent. His pranks were ingenious and he was amazing at the trapping and evasion course they did in second year. A few weeks ago he had made a pornographic henge! He wasted his talent and ability, much like she did as Harry (although Harry was less obnoxious about it) and that coloured her interactions with him. Wasting ability led to a wasted life. And they were training to be soldiers so it would lead to wasted lives. By the somewhat dubious look on my face, she could tell I had understood her.
"Please. Give him a chance Sakura-chan, he is amazing! He has a good heart, even when p-people are cruel to him, he is kind without thinking. He won't care about Sasuke-san's hard exterior, he will just keep going. He can help! P-please…" As her voice trailed off and her stutter came back, I stared at her, a little surprised despite myself. Hinata has never said so much in one go before and definitely not without stuttering. And…she had a point. Sasuke would need someone who didn't care that he was the 'last Uchiha', and the others were all from clans who would be only too aware of his status.
"Ok. Ok Hinata-chan, you've persuaded me. Shika, can we bring Shino and Naruto here tomorrow after classes?"
"Of course. But you will want to contact him early tomorrow; his clan always take him to school so you could catch them and get permission then. But explaining all this is going to be pretty troublesome…"
Sakura smiled and looked at the darkening sky. "Ok guys, I should definitely go home now my kaa-san will be worried sick. But if you have any worries or want to contribute to The Plan, then lets do it tomorrow." After they all said their goodbyes and wandered home, each had something new to think about.
When Sakura got home, it was dinner-time. Tucking into a hearty bowl of unagi and rice opposite her Mum, she began to think about Uzumaki Naruto. He was the dobe, yes. He was distractible, true. But Hinata had the right of him when she said how innately good he was - in fact, 'light' was just the right phrase. If Sasuke was to be the moon, cold and mysterious, then Naruto was the sun, warm and bright.
Tossing and turning in bed that night, Sakura began to consider her promise earlier, namely her training. She wouldn't be able to change overnight, but she would have to put in more effort…perhaps pre-school training? Well, she could consider it if tomorrow went well. And with that, Sakura dropped off to sleep.
The next day, she had got to school early and had got Shino's agreement and his clans approval to meet her after school for a few hours. She also asked Naruto if he was free and he…exuberantly… said yes, he would come, dattebayo! In the morning, she was in class and watching Naruto. well, more precisely, Naruto and Kiba. Inuzuka Kiba was another she had written off in her first year at the Academy. Loud, distracting, good at Taijutsu in his clans style (and not much else) he had become even less bearable with the gain of his nin-dog Akamaru. Very cute and very useless as a puppy, he was protective of him to the point of antagonism towards other people (she had just wanted to cuddle him, Sakura grumbled mentally, he didn't have to break her nose for touching). But with her revelation about Naruto in mind, she looked at him again. Yes, he was all of the above. But she didn't ask before touching Akamaru. He was pretty good to Naruto. Undoubtedly he would be very willing to help Sasuke, as a lone-dog who had lost his pack. She slanted a glance at Hinata next to her and saw her nod her head a little too. The others gave a similar affirmation at lunch.
As lunch break ended, she grabbed him and asked him if he wanted to meet for training after classes. Kiba boisterously agreed, on condition that his sister who was picking him up let him go. he had a healthy respect for the clan hierarchy. He liked his balls where they were. As it turns out, Inuzuka Hana was fine with the arrangement provided she "didn't let Kiba get away with any stupid sh-stuff."
So after classes, the three joined her friends and they all went to the now familiar clearing in the woods. There, they explained Sasuke's Problem, The Plan and how they hoped they could help. Unsurprisingly Naruto was the first to speak up. "Ok, so the plan is to…be his friend?" His face was determined and hopeful as he looked around the group.
"Exactly. And I, we, hope that we can all be friends too, not just because of this plan, but because we like you. And we, well, just want to get to know you." Ino spoke up, ever silvertongued and gregarious, and Naruto looked at her like she hung the moon and stars.
Shino then began to speak, "I agree to this plan. Why? Because I too value comrades. Sasuke has no hive, and we are stronger together. If this happened to his hive then it could happen to mine. I also wish to become allied more closely with you for this reason." His stilted speech made Sakura feel even more guilty. She had ignored Shino for years because he was so quiet. Well, no more! He would be their friend now.
Finally Kiba piped up. "Look, everyone knows that you're stronger in a pack. I don't mind helping Sasuke out, but I ain't gonna go easy on him! He wants to get stronger, me and Akamaru will help!"
And with that, the eight of us had our first pact. We didn't know then of course, but later we would look back on that sunny day in the forest as the start of something life-changing. But as Sakura made arrangements to meet up early the next morning to go running with Kiba and Naaruto insisted on going along, she could tell. They were going to do something great.
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Hello dear readers! It has been awhile. I had some very nasty flames, a family death, University and more to deal with so I will spare you the story.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I have done a quick spell check but there may be errors, do let me know. I have a tumblr also, username classicalcassiopeia , chack it out. Mostly I reblog fandom stuff, but you can send me asks about my FFnet as well.
Anyway as ever, please review! They make me happy inside.
Lots of love
NL x
