Chapter Four

"Alright good work today guys, dismissed."

Kakashi gave them an eye smile as the three genin looked a bit worn after a long day of work. Sasuke sat against a tree quietly panting to himself, Naruto laid on his back exhaling and Sakura was on a knee calming her heart rate. It's been a week or so since they became genin and this was the second day Kakashi decided take things seriously.

He's been getting them a custom to the work of a genin, such as D-ranks and for fiive days none of them complained once even after totaling a total of 50 D-ranks so far. That was worth a reward in itself considering Asuma and Kurenai's teams have done nothing but complain about the amount of work they got to do. But not only did his team not complain, they worked effectively with one another, to the point it made Kakashi wonder if they were closer than they really seemed. From what he was observing so far, Sakura was the one that kept things in check and made sure things went smoothly. Kakashi could tell she excellent leadership skills, which is quite surprising to him.

As for the other two, he would need to observe them much more to get a proper reading on them. But for now, it was time for him to give his report to Sarutobi then find a nice spot to relax and read his book. "We'll meet here tomorrow at eight and jump right into training, later," he waved before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Once the Jounin was gone, the three genin managed to get themselves together somewhat. Sasuke gave a light pained grunt, his body sore from the extensive physical workout Kakashi put them through. He rubbed his shoulders before he gave a quiet grumble and walked off without a word to his teammates.

Sakura stood straight and rolled her neck as well as twisting her back. Taking a few more deep breaths she looked to see Naruto was standing up and rolling his shoulder. She watched him curiously as he gave a slight huff then put his hands in his pockets before going in the opposite direction Sasuke walked. As he began to leave Sakura, called out to him which gained his attention. "Mind walking with me? Maybe grab a quick bite?" she offered. Naruto gazed at Sakura for a moment before he gave a small false smile.

"Thanks Sakura, but maybe next time." with that he walked off leaving a somewhat surprised Sakura. She watched after the blond as he soon disappeared and Sakura gave her own sigh and headed home herself. She put her hands in her own pockets and put her body on autopilot while her mind began to wander, wander to her blond teammate. She's noticed how...off he's been, which made her raise a brow.

Reason being was he seemed much more easier to irritate as of late, which often started spats between him and Sasuke. When a spat was taking place it was up to her to stop it since Kakashi wouldn't, just standing back and observing. She would usually have the two shut up with a single look, or reminding them about the important task at hand. But earlier today, neither method worked with Naruto. She could tell he really woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, because even the clients who treated him with such disrespect could not get away with it today. One client used some rather nasty and crude language towards Naruto, even threatening not to pay him and Naruto gave him the most hateful look she had seen him use. She also noticed that the client choked a bit before giving an apology which seemed to calm Naruto down a bit but he ignored it overall.

However it was later that raised her concern. It was during a team excercise against Kakashi, Sasuke had made a rather rude comment towards Naruto's lack of skills. Before she could scold Sasuke in the least bit, Naruto already had Sasuke's throat in his hand, pinning him against a tree. She had tried getting Naruto's attention to make him let go, but he ignored her as he choked Sasuke. This left her with no choice but to focus a pressure point that caused his body to painfully tense then crumble to the ground, leaving him a twitching mess for a minute or so. She didn't make sure Sasuke was okay or nothing, instead she scolded him then scolded Naruto and reminded them to get a grip and put their egos to the side.

Though it was pretty tense for the rest of training, they managed to complete the exercise. Sakura however wanted to talk with Naruto to get a good idea of what's been going on with him and why he's been so...angry lately. She was used to him being quick to annoy and even dark and cold at times, but to see him so...hateful is rare. "Ah, Sakura your home," she heard and blinked to see her father smiling at her. Sakura's own smile came upon her lips as she walked to her father and gave him a hug.

"Hi Papa," she greeted. Kizashi gave a pleased smile as he kissed her forehead. "Where's Mama?" she wondered with a curious eye. Kizashi pointed to the kitchen and she nodded taking off her shoes then walking to the kitchen. Kizashi watched his daughter and gained an observant eye as he did so, a flame of curiosity brimming in his eyes. Sakura walked into the kitchen to see her mother was chopping up some onions, "Hey Mama," Sakura greeted kissing Mebuki's cheek.

Mebuki tensed lightly before she gave her daughter a smile, "Hi dear, how was training?" she wondered, never halting her chopping as Sakura leaned against the counter with a small sigh. "Stressful?"

"More than usual today," Sakura admitted with a nod as Kizashi walked in. "Naruto-kun and Sasuke got into it again but this time it was...bad," Sakura frowned with her parents looking to her curiously. "Naruto-kun actually attacked Sasuke and I had to stop him before he actually hurt Sasuke," Sakura frowned. "Something has been up with him, but he won't give me the chance to talk to him to figure it out,"

"Boys aren't that difficult dear," Mebuki grumbled with Kizashi raising a brow. "They're actually pretty simple, and sometimes you have to treat them like so," Mebuki shared with Sakura looking a bit curious.

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah, what do you mean?" Kizashi questioned, crossing his arms.

"You have to be blunt with boys Sakura," Mebuki said as she chopped a bell pepper in half. "Straight to the point. For example, your father," Mebuki brought up with Kizashi giving a grumble. "We had been dating for a year or so right? And this was after six months of pestering me to go on a date with him," Mebuki mumbled with Kizashi sticking out his chest in pride. "Well we hit a point in our lives in our relationship, we weren't sure if we should start taking things seriously or not. I mean we're young, in our prime, and I was even more beautiful than I am now,"

Sakura nodded her head in understanding as Mebuki went on, "I had fallen in love with your father, but he didn't know that. I didn't want just casual dating, I wanted something serious, something everlasting. But I'm a girl, and boys like to play with girls emotions. They will do anything to get the pussy,"

"That's not true!" Kizashi barked out, "And can you please be a little less crass?"

Both Haruno women looked at him with blank expressions before they turned back to each other and Mebuki went on, this caused Kizashi to cry in the corner. "I hadn't had sex with your father, because I didn't want to give my first time to someone I didn't love. But even though I loved him, I didn't want to confess, we do it, and then he leaves, because then…"

"You would have to kill him," Sakura finished for her and Mebuki smiled as she sliced a cucumber in half making Kizashi flinch.

"Exactly!" she grinned and Sakura shared her mother's grin. "So I tried doing things to get your father to say it first. We went on so many dates, we talked a lot about other peoples relationships, the future all kinds of dumb lovey dovey shit right?" Mebuki shared and Sakura nodded. "I did this for two weeks and not once...not once did he even hint to being in love with me like I was with his baka ass," Mebuki growled as she cut the cucumber again, earning another flinch from her husband.

"So," Mebuki took a breath. "I figured that he didn't feel the same way I felt, which hurt...alot. I didn't talk to him for two days or so. I had even looking for other guys to date and all that, because I figured we weren't serious. It wasn't until he came to me annoyed and demanding why I was acting like that, that I got angry and told him that I loved him and I did all that shit so he could say it first and then I could say it," Mebuki explained. "Do you know what his response to me was?"

"No, what?" Sakura wondered as she glanced to her father who had a small smirk on his face. Mebuki's brow twitched at the memory, her grip on the knife tightening.

"Oh, well why didn't you just say so?"

"Eh?"

"My response exactly," Mebuki nodded her head with a disgruntled sigh. "The baka explained to me that he had been in love with me even before our first date, and he was just scared to say it because he didn't want to scare me off. Our relationship reached a new level later that night and three months later, he proposed to me," Mebuki smiled softly as she glanced to her husband. "Then nine months after that, we had you," Mebuki smiled as she kissed Sakura's forehead, making the girl smile happily.

"Wow, I never knew that," Sakura said softly to herself. Both Mebuki and Kizashi could hear the undertone of sadness and regret in her voice which made them both wonder why she seemed so down. Sakura then shook her head, and looked to her mother. "So what are you saying Mama? You think I should just go to Naruto-kun and tell him how I feel?"

"Well not exactly, at least not yet dear," Mebuki shook her head. "I think you should go to Naruto-san and tell him that you are worried about him and want to know what's going on with him," she shrugged. "Beating around the bush and trying to make him tell you without showing him you want to know is just going to stress you out. You should be straight to the point with him as best as you can," Mebuki shrugged, "Keep it simple."

Sakura hummed to herself as she slowly nodded to herself, "You're right, thanks Mama." Sakura smiled as she hugged Mebuki then kissed her on the cheek. Once again Mebuki seemed caught off guard just a little but did her best to not show it. "I'm going to go wash up," Sakura told her parents before heading to her room. Once she was gone and out of ear shot, Mebuki gave a soft sigh.

"I'm still not used to it Kizashi," Mebuki muttered with Kizashi nodding his head in understanding, seemingly in thought. "I mean, I don't mind, in fact I love it; but it's just a bit weird still," Mebuki shared her thoughts and Kizashi nodded her head. "It's as if she's a whole different person,"

"Or the same person who is just appreciative of what she has," Kizashi said in a calm tone. "Honestly, I like this new attitude of hers. I don't why she changed it, but I hope it doesn't change," Kizashi shook his head with Mebuki agreeing with him. "Though I am curious why she went from the Uchiha to Naruto, that seemed like overnight."

"Everything seems like overnight with her," Mebuki responded with a thoughtful expression before giving another shrug and finishing her vegetables. "Though I like her change in taste, the Uchiha wouldn't be good for her,"

"No boy is good enough for my little girl!"

"Yeah yeah."

"Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage is your father…"

"Tsk," Naruto scowled to himself as he sat on his couch in darkness, thinking to himself. He had been in the same position since training had ended. He had tried to clear his head with meditation, or even a long hot shower but it just wasn't happening. There was no way he could go back to the Shrine, not when his thoughts weren't clear enough for him to focus on his studies. Lucky for him Mito could understand his anger and was allowing him to clear his mind, letting him take as much time as he needed.

After passing the bell test, he figured he could just continue on with his training but he couldn't. He simply could not do it when the knowledge of his parentage invaded his thoughts, clouding his judgement and reason with anger and hate. He was hurt mostly, so hurt and feeling betrayed. It was one thing to learn he had the Nine tailed fox sealed within him and he is hated for it; it's another to learn the person you had respected your entire life so far was not only the person who put it there, but was your father. His father was the Fourth Hokage, a noble honorable kind and immensely skilled man who was respected by friends and foes alike. To learn that your own father is the reason why your life has been miserable and surrounded by hate…

It makes it hard not to be angry, to not feel betrayed.

But not only did he feel betrayed by the man who was his father, he felt betrayed by Konoha as a whole. The Yondaime gave his life and basically the life of his son to protect the village, and yet the village scorns him. Was it a secret that everyone else knew but him? Was he knowingly the Yondaime's son but no one cared? Because as he thought about it, it wouldn't be hard to put together. He looked alot like Minato Namikaze, the hair, the eyes, the convenient fact that he was born the same day the Hokage sacrificed himself, or even the fact that it was him that was chosen. No one else.

Knock Knock Knock!

Naruto's eyes focused a little as he turned his head towards his door and gazed at it with a blank expression. He frowned then turned his head back forward and lost himself in his thoughts again, in his anger…

Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock!

...or at least he tried too.

His frown deepened as he gave a small sigh. Whoever was at his door was clearly not going to leave him alone it seemed. He stood up and flexed his fingers, not even bothering to use the Force to get an idea who was on the other side of the door. It honestly could be anybody considering nobody ever dared to make their way up to his place unless they were trying to screw with him. He gripped the door handle and opened it, he blinked in a bit of surprise when he saw it was Sakura.

He was taken back a bit to see her standing in front of him wearing a decent length red dress with sandals, her long pink hair falling down her back as she gazed at him with a curious look in her eye. "Sakura? What are you doing here?" he questioned quietly and Sakura gained a soft smile which made his heart thump a bit.

"I came to check on you silly," she told him which actually took him off guard. "I know when you're bothered you don't eat which is unhealthy, so I brought you something," Sakura smiled as she showed him the container of food. "My mom made it tonight so it's still fresh, nothing special just some chicken and vegetable rice but it's still something," Sakura smiled and Naruto gazed at the container for a long while, speechless. "Can I come in?"

"Huh? Oh yeah," Naruto nodded as he let Sakura through and she gave a light bow in thanks. Naruto gained a curious look when she flicked on the light then took off her shoes putting them next to the door. He watched her in silence as she then headed to his kitchen, opened a specific cabinet, pulled out a plate and a cup. She put ice in the cup, going into his fridge and filling it with juice before putting food onto the plate. She heated it up in the microwave, humming quietly to herself while she found his silverware on the first try. Once the food was done she set the table then paused in thought.

She blinked, cursed to herself lightly then stood straight and looked to Naruto giving him a smile, "Are you going to come eat or no?" Naruto stood there for a few moments, closed his door then made his way to the table where Sakura was already sitting. He sat down eyed her for a few moments as she eyed him back and he began to eat, slowly. Soon the twenty questions he had in his head and even his anger was put on hold when his taste buds registered the food in his mouth. It was delicious. "I'm glad you like it," Sakura said softly and Naruto looked to her, did she read his mind? "When you like something new the corners of your lips twitch and your nostrils flare a bit, plus you gain this look in your eye. That's how I know," Sakura shared.

Naruto chewed a bit more before he swallowed, gazing at her in wonder. "Sakura...have you been stalking me?" he questioned with Sakura chuckling as she slowly shook her head.

"No Naruto-kun, I just…" Sakura paused closed her eyes then slowly shook her head. "That's not important right now," Sakura redirected with Naruto raising a brow. "What is important is the fact that something is going on with you, and I'm worried." Naruto looked away and made a light grimace face,

"Why would you be worried?"

"Because you're my friend Naruto-kun,"

"So you worry like this for Sasuke too?"

"Naruto-kun," Sakura said in slightly sharp tone which made him look up at her. "What is wrong?" she questioned. Naruto shrugged as he began to cut into his chicken,

"I'm fine."

Sakura watched him for several moments as if she was studying him before she finally spoke. "You know, I never apologized to you," this made Naruto hum, raising a brow as he looked to her.

"What do you mean?"

"I never apologized for treating you like you were some kind of monster," Sakura explained her eyes on the food while his eyes were on her. "For bullying you, mistreating you for years. For hitting you whenever you annoyed me, or I was annoyed. For calling you out your name when you didn't deserve it. For playing with your emotions, for every wrong I committed against you. I never apologized." Sakura then looked into his eyes while he had a stunned expression.

She then reached out and placed her hand on his whiskered cheek with a sad smile, "No words can relay how much I truly wish none of it happened, and how much I wish I could start over so I could never have played a part in hurting you." Naruto felt his cheeks get warm as he leaned into Sakura's touch, he even grabbed her hand.

"Why? Why are you being so kind to me?"

"Because I…" Sakura bit her lip and Naruto furrowed his brows, able to see there was some kind of confliction in her eyes. She took a steadying breath before she finished, "Because you deserve better. You deserve an actual friend who is going to stand by your side and support you. A friend who you can rely on and depend on when there is no one else," Sakura caressed his cheek. "I want to be that friend Naruto, but you have to let me,"

"Tsk, you wouldn't understand Sakura," Naruto frowned as he looked away and he was surprised when her hand trailed down to his chin and she made him look at her. Naruto was captivated by her powerful mature jade green eyes that were purely focused on him. He could see nothing but passion and conviction burning in her eyes, which made his heart thump even more.

"Naruto, I know about the Nine tails," Naruto's eyes widened a bit and was going to look away but she went on, "And I don't give a damn about it. You are you, and it is what it is," Sakura shared with Naruto gazing into back in her eyes. "I will never be able to understand your pain Naruto," Sakura said softly and Naruto caught sight a flicker of regret in her eyes. "But it doesn't mean I can't keep trying to do my best. It doesn't mean I can't help you in anyway I can to the best of my ability." Naruto was seriously speechless as he gazed at the beautiful young woman who held nothing but confidence and determination her voice. "So please Naruto, at least give me a chance before you disregard my ability,"

"I am the son of the Fourth Hokage."

"That makes sense," Sakura answered a moment later after releasing his chin. Naruto studied her, seeing that she was digesting this information but he had a feeling that it wasn't what it seemed. Sakura's eyes then focused once more and she raised a delicate brow, "How did you figure it out?"

"Wait, you believe me?"

"You're the only one I've seen with the same shade of blond hair and blue eyes besides the Yondaime," Sakura shrugged. "Plus he was the Village leader, it would make sense why he would seal a Biju into his own son," Sakura shared with Naruto humming. "The fact it seems no one else has been able to piece it together is...not as disturbing as it seems."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because, the village is too busy hating you and the nine tails to bother themselves with logic," Sakura shrugged. "I'm sure there are people out there who personally knew the Yondaime, don't hate you, and were able to piece together a long time ago," Sakura shrugged with Naruto actually thinking about it, it made sense. "Is that what has you so upset?"

Naruto didn't answer vocally he just looked away with Sakura frowning lightly. "It's okay to be angry, it's okay to hate him," Sakura said calmly with Naruto frowning then looking to her confused. "Just because he is your father and he was the village hero doesn't mean you have to like him. He fucked you over before you were even a day old," Sakura went on and Naruto slowly nodded in agreement. "But that's life sweetheart," Sakura added with Naruto looking a bit surprised. "Life is not fair, to anyone. Everyone is dealt different cards, some worse than others. But it is up to you to decide how to play that hand,"

Sakura put her hand on his giving him a small determined smile, "Do you curse, bitch and moan? Wasting away your life angry and bitter? Or do you put your big boy underwear on and play that hand as best you can?" Sakura wondered with Naruto taking a deep breath. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy and there won't be times where you feel like killing something, but it's not impossible unless you allow it to be," Sakura gripped his hand. "It's okay to be angry Naruto, just don't let that anger weaken you, make it your strength."

Naruto finally allowed the Force to flood his system, calming him even more and putting him in a certain head space. As he did so he felt something, strange. He slowly opened his eyes to see Sakura gazing at him, but his eyes were studying her, taking in every little detail. This feeling, this...presence that he sensed around her it was...very familiar. He tilted his head and his questions from earlier began to flood his brain. "Sakura…" he called softly and she hummed, wondering what he wanted to ask.

She raised a brow when his hand moved forward and he pulled on her crystal necklace. She kept her expression even, even though she was curious as to what he was doing. Naruto gazed and felt on the crystal, it felt very familiar. It was as if he had seen it before, in a dream maybe? His eyes then traveled from the necklace to her beautiful face, then focused on her wonderful eyes which were locked with his own. There was something in those eyes that was not there three months ago, there was this feeling in his heart that throbbed every single time he gazed into her eyes.

His hand then left the crystal and slowly caressed her cheek and she instinctively leaned into his touch, closing her eyes physically relaxing as she then kissed his hand. Naruto watched with insane curiosity and interest as he had a million and one questions, however only one left his lips which made her open her eyes, debating if she should respond.

"Who are you?"