A/N: Yay! I updated! Nothing much to say about this chaper.

Anyway, I would like to thank everyone for their glorious reviews! I answer every single one of them but I'm not sure if you actually get them or not. Maybe I should answer them in my author's notes? I dunno.

Also, sorry if some of the characters are OOC. It is an AU and I think I got the basis for each character's personality at least. So...enjoy!

Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto.


A Drop of Kindness

Mother


"So, Sakura-chan," her blonde savior gestured to a lump of holey, old blankets. "You can sleep here!"

Well, it wasn't much but Sakura smiled anyway. It was certainly an improvement from cardboard boxes, the ground, or of course, not sleeping at all. On many occasions Sakura found herself lying awake through most nights and sleeping as much as she could during the day.

"Thank you, Naruto."

"Anytime!" he said before bounding off to bother Sasuke, who was deep in conversation (if you counted a few syllables as conversation) with Gaara.

Sakura bent down to straighten out her new make-shift bed when she heard someone clear their throat behind her.

Jumping slightly, she spun around to see Shikamaru slouching with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Sakura," he said calmly.

"Yes, Shikamaru-san?" she questioned.

"You can go ahead and cut the formalities. You'll be living here for a while, I assume."

Sakura nodded and he continued, "Obviously, Naruto wasn't able to acquire food on his last trip out…"

Sakura's cheeks flamed in embarrassment and slight guilt. It had been her fault that Naruto didn't get food for them like he was supposed to.

"So, you know, maybe you could share that box you got over there," he lazily lifted his arm and pointed at the shabby cardboard box nestled in a corner.

"Oh! Oh, yes of course! I'd be glad to share!" she spoke eagerly. It was the least she could do for them.

"Thanks," he said before walking off into another room.

After all the introductions and such had been done, Sakura finally got a good look at her surroundings. They had lighted a few oil lamps spread around the room that granted enough light for them to see.

In the far back of the house, is where their sleeping quarters were kept. The room next to that was a fairly decent room that Sakura assumed was once a kitchen due to the tiled flooring and wooden cupboards. They even had a small bathroom that (surprisingly) had working plumbing.

The whole house was musty and a cloud of dust rose whenever she took a step. Spider-webs occupied the corners and mice lived in the walls. She could hear them scurrying about, bumping along the ceiling. Sakura didn't mind the thought of mice or bugs...she had dealt with them numerous times and they're not that bad once you get to know them.

In the front room where Sakura had first come in was the living room/dining room. It housed a termite-eaten wooden table and a couple distorted chairs where Gaara, Sasuke, Shikamaru and Naruto were now sitting at.

She slowly walked over to them, dust trailing behind her, unsure of what to do now. Usually, Sakura never had any down time for she was constantly on the move. What did they do when there was nothing to do?

They were quietly talking among themselves (besides Naruto) and looked up when Sakura had sat down at the remaining chair at the far end of the table.

"Sakura-chan!" said Naruto, none too softly. "So, how do you like it here so far?"

The other three looked at her curiously, waiting for the complaining or whining they were expecting.

"I like it very much," she answered truthfully. Considering what she could compare it to, this place was a palace.

Naruto snorted slightly at her answer and Sakura looked at him questionably.

"This place is a dump…" said Naruto strangely quiet. "I can't wait to get out of here."

The other boys only exchanged looks but Sakura stared.

Get out?

Never in her life had Sakura considered leaving this place. Of course she hated it but where could she go besides here? Where else was there to go? She assumed this was the only way people lived and she dealt with it.

She voiced her thoughts, "Get out?"

"Yeah, get out!" yelled Naruto, suddenly enthusiastic. "Escape! Leave! You know? Someday we're all gonna get outta here!" He pounded his fist on the table for emphasis.

Sakura was confused still, "Where would you go?"

Naruto opened his mouth to speak but Gaara beat him to it, "Away from here," he spoke quietly.

"Yeah…" agreed Naruto.

"Oh," said Sakura, at a loss for anything else to say.

Shikamaru decided to break the silence. Standing up, he said, "Well, it's getting late. I think we should eat something now."

That sounded like a good idea to Sakura and she straightened in her seat. Ever since she discovered her box of treats, she still didn't eat much of it and was still quite hungry and a little bit thirsty. She wondered if they drank water from the working sink.

"Eat what?" said Sasuke skeptically. "The dobe didn't do his job tonight." Naruto immediately began protesting.

Sakura's cheeks flamed again and she decided to look down at her hands. She didn't mean to be a burden to them and Sasuke almost sounded mad. Mad at her or at Naruto she wasn't sure.

"Don't worry. Sakura decided to share her food with us." Shikamaru then stepped out from his chair and walked into another room, bringing the box back out with him. He spread the contents upon the table.

Sakura's mouth watered. The box contained more goodies than she imagined. Chips, cereal, candy, even dried fruit and more. Not the healthiest or nutritious eating but it was food none the less.

Sasuke's eyes widened a little at the sight of treats before him. He wondered how she acquired so much food and immediately banished the thoughts of regretting letting her stay here. "Thank you, Sakura."

"WOAH! Sakura-chan, you hit a jackpot! Thanks!" Naruto began to dig in.

Less enthusiastic than Naruto, Gaara nodded his abrupt thanks and slowly began to ingest the sweets. Shikamaru thanked a second time and joined in as well.

"You're welcome. It's the least I can do." She spoke calmly before grabbing the bag of stale cereal she was previously eating. Actually, it was the very, very least she could do.

They ate in peaceful silence until everyone was mostly content. They couldn't indulge until they were full since food was so scarce. Instead, they set aside the left-overs for another day.

Shikamaru got up again and came back with water in grimy plastic cups. So they did use the water from this house. Sakura assumed it was safe to drink and she took a small sip, quenching her thirst.

Naruto drank noisily and slammed the cup down on the table with a loud, "Ahhhh".

Sakura giggled into her glass at his actions. None of the other boys were as exuberant as Naruto was that was for sure. They quietly drank their fill and set their cups down on the table with a sigh.

Being the naturally kind person she was, she took everyone's glasses before Shikamaru could even sit up. Sakura smiled in assurance and Shikamaru grinned slightly back and leaned back in his seat.

"Here, Sakura-chan, let me help you!" Naruto got up from his seat and followed her into the 'kitchen'.

Naruto told her and pointed to where everything was kept. Sakura nodded in understanding and committed everything he said to memory.

"Oh yeah! I forgot you tell you. In this house we sort of take shifts in work," Sakura looked up this time to look at him and he continued, "Every couple of days we take turns doing things. Like, me getting food today…" Naruto laughed.

"Also, Shikamaru was getting up a lot today 'cause it was his turn to play 'mother'," Naruto chuckled again and Sakura laughed a little too.

Sakura grinned suddenly had an idea. "Oh, so when is it my turn to be 'mother'? I could do it all the time!" she said excitingly. She could pay them all back that way…doing the house work. There wasn't that much work to do anyway. Bring food to the table, piece of cake. It's not like they cleaned the place.

"If you want to…then sure!" he smiled toothily.

Sakura smiled slightly back and they went back to the dining table. The three of them were just sitting quietly, enjoying the peaceful silence.

Sitting down, Sakura suddenly felt a little more comfortable around them. She felt more braver and out-going then she has ever felt before.

She was about to speak, but Naruto beat her to it. "You're off the hook, Shikamaru!" Said person looked up at the blonde questionably. "Sakura-chan says she wants to be 'mother' from now on!"

The whole table turned to her and Sakura shyly nodded.

"Wow, thanks Sakura. It was troublesome to keep standing up." Said Shikamaru.

Both Gaara and Sasuke only smirked, "Not that you have to do much, anyway." Assured Sasuke.

Quiet settled around the table again and Sakura took this opportunity to speak. "What do you guys do around here?"

"Nothing." Said Sasuke.

"Nothing?"

"Yes, nothing."

"Oh…"

"It's sad but true. But, I agree with the dobe when he says that this place is a dump."

Naruto nodded exuberantly.

"Maybe.." Sakura thought for a moment, "maybe…we can do something."

"Any idea to what that is?" said Gaara suddenly.

Sakura shrunk back in her seat, "I don't know…something..."

"Well, tell us when you think of it," said Shikamaru, pushing back his chair and standing up. "I'm going to bed." He said simply and walked off.

A small chorus of 'me too' rang out and soon Sakura was left alone at the table with Naruto standing up to leave too.

"Heh, they may seem sort of harsh but they are really cool guys once you get to know them." Naruto rubbed the back of his neck.

He pushed his chair in and walked to the back room, stopping at the doorway. "Goodnight, Sakura-chan." He disappeared over the threshold.

Sakura smiled at his retreating back and continued to sit at the table. They seemed to trust her already considering they left her alone and unwatched.

A small smile stretched across her lips as she contemplated the day's events.

Discovering the box of treats was supposed to be her highlight of the day but instead she was granted with a home. She met new people just like her and now she lives with them in this palace.

Surprisingly, she was disturbed at the thought that they didn't do anything. It's not like she didn't do anything herself but she did more than sit around and wait for time to pass by. They sat here, rotting, waiting for something to happen but nothing ever would.

Sakura suddenly felt more bad for them then she did for herself.

She suddenly felt determined. Determined to help these people somehow do something. Make something out of their dreary lives more than she ever did with her own life.

She clenched her fists in determination and stood up from the table. She quietly pushed the wooden chair in and paced around the room.

What could she do? She didn't even have the faintest idea. Maybe she could go out…and find something. But after all these years of searching, she still hasn't found anything herself.

Maybe she could just make life around the house a little more…home-ish. Maybe she could make 'dinnertime' a little more lively.

They could learn to talk to each other.

Laugh together.

She could make them smile.

Sakura's eyes gleamed. That was it. Maybe she could make their home feel more like a home. Even if just a little.

As snores wafted from the room next door, Sakura set to work.


A/N: Soo...how'd you like it? Sorry it isnt so exciting at the moment...It will get better! I promise!

I'm also trying to make the chapters a little longer and yeah...

Please review!