Naruto grumbled as his pencil tapped the note book. "Sakura…" The girl sat at her desk looked over to the older lad. His face rather glum, "I need your help okay with this homework." She turned to face him fully.

"It's only maths Naruto… It can't be that hard." Naruto nods, he may have studied… Well, slept in most of his classes, but maths and numbers were a few things he had trouble with. "What am I going to do with you…?"

"Couldn't you have just asked you're…" Kero was shoved into the desk draw by Sakura before he finished as she scowled. The 'F' word was forbidden to be said; Kero still seemed to lack common sense. She looked to Naruto sadly, she knew that Naruto wasn't that well of an adjusted lad to schooling, having spent time with him way back, she knew how hard he took to it and even though she took it in and helped, she wasn't a genius, she couldn't help him with everything.

"Let me see…" She stepped over to help, and for once she felt giddy, to be the one helping Naruto than him helping her when it came to things like he does with the clow cards. "Now…" She sat beside him and Naruto explained and she nods as he did, helping him by explaining the equations… To Naruto, it was even harder than he ever thought possible, to think he'd find maths this hard. But then again, maths between one world and another were a little bit different. "Does that help?"

"Well it explains now where I was going wrong… I just never expected maths from two years below me to be so difficult." Sakura smiled, she was the brains while he was the brawn in a sense. She patted his hand, he'll get used to it. "Thanks…"

Returning to her work, both continued quietly till she released Kero from his location and moved onto other things. And as night fell, Sakura retired to bed before looking to Naruto, who stared to the night sky for several moments in the dark, his eyes looking and almost trying to see if something would happen. "What's wrong?" He glanced to her, and then looked to the sky.

"Nothing, just thinking…" About what, she wondered. "Just, stuff. I'm just still trying to get my head round it all… Being here for so long has been, restricting." She looked confused. "I guess I just miss being a ninja, as opposed to being a student in school… I need that feel of combat." Didn't he get that with the clow cards? "No, I need to really get the feel… To fight with my life on the line like it was my last every day, to be pushed to my limits and fight with my team… I guess… I'm just, really wanting to get home, even if it's still a long way from doing such." Sakura nods slowly as she lay there, she understood his home sickness.

"Naruto…" The male turned to her as she smiled. "Don't worry about your home… I know you want more than anything to just get home." He nods; she knew he wished to know something. "Everything will be alright, they'll be glad to see you again… Your sensei… Sasuke… Sakura…" Sakura yawned before tucking into her warm bed. "Everyone will be so happy to see you…"

He felt really happy about that, and hoped she was right. 'Thanks…' Taking a step through the dark, Naruto stepped into his sleeping quarters and closed the door. 'Too bad you can't come along to meet everyone…'

Chapter 4

"I'm so excited!" Sakura cheered in a grand mood as Naruto awoke to Sakura's yell. He knew all too well why, today was picnic day. "The morning is so nice…" The sound of the window opening as Naruto sat up and opened the door to the wardrobe was quickly followed.

"It looks like it never rained last night." Kero retorted as he stood on the ledge, it was true, having been hammering it down yesterday, the sun this Sunday morning really made a difference. Sakura turned to Naruto with a smile.

"Excited?" How could he not enjoy the thought? He got to lay back and enjoy food with Sakura and everyone. Something he rarely did. "I'll go have breakfast and come get you when we're ready to go." Naruto nods as he began to pack stuff with Kero before they left.

As time passed, the door opened and Sakura walked in, but the good mood had vanished. She looked rather upset. "What's wrong?" Naruto asked concerned.

"We can't go out today?" How come? "I… Promised to do today's chores, I had made plans…" She slid against the door sadly. "Oh…" Naruto looked on sadly and stepped over and crouched down beside her.

"Don't worry; I'll help you out… Did you ring Tomoyo?" Sakura shook her head. "Call her and I'll meet you in a bit." Sakura nods slowly. She left quickly as Naruto headed for the window and Kero looked to him confused. "How else can I get in?" With that he jumped down and walked up to the front door.

As the door bell rang, Sakura began to speak to Tomoyo and apologies. "Are you ringing Naruto and Tomoyo?" Her father asked as he walked to the door. Sakura nods as she continued to speak. Opening the door, he found Naruto smiling, in true fashion from having met him a few times.

"Is Sakura ready?" Her father explained about Sakura's error and Naruto nods. "Mind if I come in? I can help her out." Well that was kind of him… Least Sakura wouldn't be alone. "Thank you." Walking in, Sakura looked to Naruto surprised, the male quickly winked to her so she could tell his plan from this.

"Naruto has offered to help you Sakura, so least you won't be alone all day." Sakura smiled and nods to Naruto thankful for it. Her father walked down the hall as Naruto walked over.

"Even though you didn't have to do it like that, thank you…" Naruto chuckled, he had to do something. Walking down the hall as Sakura 'showed' Naruto where everything was, Toya stepped out of the kitchen door and both males eyed each other.

While Toya may not like Naruto much, he'd forgiven him to an extent for saving Sakura, heck even though he lied, Yukito even still held Naruto in friendly terms. But Toya knew that there was something about this boy that wasn't said, Sakura knew the truth for sure. But he couldn't say anything, least not to sound odd. But he will give the boy credit, he could hold his ground when it came to facing Toya down, he doesn't like lads getting close to his sister, but with that unflinching gaze, he gave Naruto respect for not flinching.

This stare off was cut off quickly as Sakura pulled Naruto along and both got to work tidying up. "Okay, I'm off… Have a good day!" Toya yelled as the door shut, Sakura gave her goodbye before walking up to her father who carried a clothes basket full of stuff.

"You two will be okay right?" While he was happy to see the pair at work, he was also worried if something might go wrong with just them here. Sakura shook her head, they'll be fine. Fujitaka smiled. "I'll leave some money on the table, if you wish to order food in."

"Thank you sir..." Naruto spoke up and bowed behind Sakura, showing surprise to Sakura at his very less than often shown manners. The adult smiled and headed to the kitchen and then the door. Both Naruto and Sakura bid fair well to the oldest Kinomoto, before they really got stuck into the house cleaning.

"So why did you choose to come through the front door?" Sakura asked as Naruto washed the plates and cups. She herself was busy sweeping the floor before she mopped it.

"I thought that if your dad was a little worried about you being left home alone all day today, but with me being there will give him some peace of mind. Also it means that they get used to me being around, even if I am sleeping in your room every night. Plus, now we can get a take out in later." He finished with a grin as Sakura nods slowly with a smile.

"Okay, but not till we're done…" He wasn't going to complain, and as Sakura finished up sweeping, she headed for the lounge to tidy in there while he put the cups and plates away.

Having dusted and moved objects around to clean under, Sakura began hovering as Naruto entered the lounge. "I'll head up stairs with this clothing Kero's finished washing while he works on the next batch." Sakura nods to Naruto who quickly left, and as he did, Sakura noticed something at the corner of the carpet.

Nabbing the corner, she flicked it up and stared at the back, no way was her thought was she flipped it round and she was right. 'A clow card!' The text read 'Wood'. How lucky could she be? To find a clow card and not have to fight it or anything, she'll have to show Naruto when he came back down. But first, time to rub it in Keros face. "Kero! Kero!"

Said guardian was busy setting up the next wash, when he heard Sakura's call. But before he could respond the wash stopped working… 'Huh? Did I do something wrong?' Lifting the lid, he looked inside only to get the lid dropped on top and sending him into a spin as the wash started working.

"Kero… Huh? Where is he?" Not seeing Kero in sight, Sakura forgoes the face rubbing about her getting a clow card and begins her next task. As she stepped out of sight, Kero got free from the wash, that was it, he'd had enough of washing up, no more, he was going to tell Sakura he was done and go sleep, but was cut off as Sakura muttered walking by the door. The thought of having ice-cream when all was done, might make this job more worthwhile.

Heading with a duster to the basement, Naruto by passed Sakura and headed to Kero. "Got anything else to come up?" The small guardian huffed as he shoved the lid down.

"I'm working as fast as I can… Go do something else." Naruto nods before heading about the house, in search of Sakura.

Sakura meanwhile had begun to dust the books and desk after opening the basement window. "I can't believe I found a clow card, this makes up for today's issues… Huh?" Her vacuum seemed to near halt as she was cleaning, and upon pulling the tip out, she found a flat card attached to it. But the print on the back she knew, and while covered in ink, was definitely a clow card! "Hoe!" She had to tell Naruto and Kero about this now.

"Oi Sakura!" Speak of the ninja. "Your dads on the phone..!" Setting the cards down, she'll tell them in a bit. Like they were going to cause trouble like they are.

Oh how wrong she was…

Upon reaching the top of the staircase, Naruto stepped aside as Sakura ran by. "What took you so long?" Sakura glanced to him as she picked up the phone.

"I'll tell you in a bit… Hello?" Turning her attention to the phone, Sakura listened quickly before looking to Naruto. "My dad's left a blue folder somewhere, you seen it?" Naruto pondered for a moment.

"I know now, yeah I put it aside when I was cleaning the kitchen." Relaying the response, she set the phone down and turned to Naruto.

"Grab it and let's go. Kero! We're just popping out, be back soon!" As Sakura latched her skates up, Naruto stepped passed her and both were out the door with a bang. Kero poked his head out, what did he miss?

"Do you think we'll make it? It's going to be close." Naruto stated as he ran with Sakura, this being a breeze having ran like this on many occasions back home. Sakura nods, she had no doubt they'll make it in time. Sakura had by now in their haste completely forgot about the clow cards she'd found, and Naruto had let it all slip passed his mind as it didn't seem important if Sakura didn't seem too bothered to mention it again.

Reaching the bus stop, both were greeted with a relived face of Sakura's father as Sakura passed him the document. Sakura a bit out of breath, while Naruto seemed fairly unfazed by their dash to get there in time… Once her father was on the bus and off, both began to make their journey back. "Good day Naruto, Sakura." Both stopped and turned to the voice, Naruto and Sakura knowing all too well as her face flushed up at the sound.

There stood the friendly older male, Yukito. "How are you two this morning?" Both merely responded in the same manner, thought Naruto's a little different. "Well, if you have time. Want to join me for lunch?" Sakura didn't even think to pause on her response, while Naruto didn't mind. He could do with a meal.

Once sat down in a quiet café, all three chatted quietly before a menu was brought to them, and were surprised to see Toya being the waiter for them. "Big brother…?" Sakura was dumb founded, only to find out that with what was still being sorted at the Aquarium, he needed a new job to earn his savings, which was understandable, the place was still weeks from being 'safe' again after what Watery did to the glass container. There was so many issues going on, it was a good thing that they were able to get that card with little problem.

"So what would you three like?" Yukito quickly ordered a fairly big meal. Which surprised Naruto as well as Sakura, this man had a huge appetite.

"Not to sound rude, but you seem to be eating as if it were for two." Sakura gave Naruto the 'look'. Knowing full well he could eat his fair share of Ramen when he wanted to. "Hey, I'm just saying." Naruto spoke out defensively and Yukito chuckled at the pair. There was no harm in the comment, it was very much true to fact he ate a lot.

After they had finished, the younger two bid good day to Yukito and headed home, well aware that Kero was busy at work and they had stopped from a break. "He might not be too happy if he finds out…" Naruto stated, but Sakura's happy daze seemed to block out all sound. Naruto chuckled as he rested his hands behind his head, guess he can't really moan about it… He'll just make sure she doesn't roll into anything till she snaps out of it.

Getting home, Naruto and Sakura glance about for the small guardian. "Kero?" Heading up stairs, they find Kero resting on the bed, the clothing all out drying and the rest all tucked up from prior. She smiled; glad to have been so nice to do that. "I'll make you a special lunch Kero, for all the work you did." Kero muttered in his sleep and both Naruto and Sakura chuckled.

But their chuckle died as a creaking was heard. Both stopped and froze, Naruto glanced about for the location. "What's that noise?" Sakura muttered worried as she stepped closer to Naruto. The sound got louder and she took his hand as Naruto glanced about still.

"Sounds like down stairs…" Heading for the door, he felt Sakura freeze and hold his movement. Glancing back, she didn't seem keen to go. "Don't worry, besides…" Naruto said grinning as he thumbed his chest. "You're looking at a future kage, so don't panic." Guess so, but still, he still had to be careful.

Taking up arms with one of her batons, both descended the stairs slowly. "What do you think that is?" Naruto commented curiously. Sakura thought for a moment and Naruto sensed her freeze. "What's wrong?"

"C-could it be… A-a ghost?" Naruto stared blankly, seriously? He thought they got through this? The creak echoed louder and Sakura jumped, literally into Naruto as well.

"Come on, we got over the 'ghost' phase didn't we?" Guess not, that or she fell back into it. "Look, I doubt it's a ghost. So let's go deal with this noisy jerk." With slightly stiff steps, Sakura followed Naruto to the bottom step. Both stared down the hall, "Looks like it's coming from the basement…" Walking forward, Sakura stepped in toe, behind him. Thought if it was a ghost, she would be long gone afterwards. "Hm…" Taking his grasp of the door handle, Naruto wondered what it was also. It didn't seem normal.

Taking a step back as he pulled the door open, both stared into the darkness, Naruto trying to find something to settle this, and Sakura looking for something to run from. But as a mass became visible, both stared curiously till a branch poked out the darkness.

Wait… branch?

The door was slammed shut by the pair of them before it was started to be pushed against. "What the world is going on?" Kero yelled having been startled by the sound.

"Um… Well you see…" Sakura muttered as she stepped forward to explain. Only for the door to creak open.

"Oi!" Sakura stepped back and shut the door on the branches causing them to snap. Kero caught one as he flew over. What would a tree be doing growing in the house? His answer came when the twig faded from his hand.

"Wood card…! It's a clow card that's doing this." Wood… Wait, the card she found a while ago? "You found wood? Did you sign it?" Well… That did slip her mind, she was side tracked by Naruto after she found the second one. "What..? You're telling me that you left two clow cards alone without signing your name?" She didn't think it would cause any trouble as cards. "Clow cards only listen to their owners after you sign them… But what could be causing wood to act this way?" Kero pondered. "Wood is such a gentle spirit…"

"Look, while this conversation is interesting indeed." Naruto muttered as he leaned against the door. "We still have the issue of the tree down stairs, how do we stop it?" Sakura saw his foot slide and she stepped back against the door hard.

"Wood will stop growing once she's in the sun light." Sakura didn't like that, there had to be another way. "I don't know really."

"We've got to do something!" Sakura retorted, as her day had gone up in smoke with this clow card event, it didn't help that if someone came home now, how was she going to explain this? There was a long silence before the door bell rang. 'Oh no…' Sakura wanted to move, but with the pressure behind them…

"Is the door locked?" Naruto asked curiously, and no… No it wasn't. "This isn't good." The door bell rang again.

"If they come in, what do we do Naruto?" Sakura questioned, Naruto glanced over to see her worry. How do they deal with this? "Maybe if we?" Sakura stepped forward and the door pushed open. One of the branches encircled her foot and she tried to pull her ankle free.

"Hold on." Naruto commented reaching over to help, but trying to hold the door had long since passed as it pushed open and the branches ensnared the lot and carried all three down the hall. "Woah!" Coming to a stop, leaving Naruto dangled by his ankle while Sakura was held at the waist, and Kero was in the same bind of equal manner… "Everyone okay?" There was a muttered agreement, but Sakura's tears began to fall as the door rang again. "Sakura?" She glanced over; this was all way over her head now and all because she didn't sign the clow card.

He wasn't about to have her break down now. "Sakura…" She looked to Naruto as he smiled. "We'll get through this, remember the motto." Everything will surely be alright… Sakura nods slowly, and Naruto crossed his arms. "Let's get out of this bind." Reaching over his back as the seal appeared in his palm and the sword appeared on his back.

In one swing, all three were cut loose and Sakura dropped into Naruto's waiting arms. "Okay then… We better now?" He asked setting her down on her feet. She nods slowly as Naruto wiped the tears away, he didn't like seeing her cry. "Okay then, let's deal with one thing at a time."

"Okay!" There was a light chuckle and both Naruto and Sakura turned to a camera poking at them.

"That was well done there Naruto." Tomoyo spoke as she lowered the camera. "Very knightly of you..." Naruto chuckled as Sakura relaxed at it being Tomoyo. The camera girl quickly turned and locked the door. "I thought I'd bring the lunch here. But seems everything has run a mock?" Very well put.

"True, but right now…" Naruto started as Kero flew between the three, as it was time to seal wood. Sakura quickly took up stance with her sealing wand.

"Clow card!" The trees glowed and began to shrink away and back into the basement. With a sigh of relief all walk steadily to the basement door. But Naruto stopped still, getting everyone's attention. "Naruto?"

"Something's coming…" At that the branches came back with force, "Up the stairs now." Naruto called as Kero chimed in quickly and all ascended the stair case, with the forest building just behind them.

As they jumped onto the open platform on the roof, the branches stopped chancing them and they all watched as a tree formed from it all. "Looks like you were right Kero." Naruto started as they stared at the sight. "She just wanted sun light…" All three relax after that, well that was till Kero yelled in shock.

All the clothing he'd washed ruined in a moment.

"Least now the worst is over." Sakura commented, now was time to get to the centre of all this. Well, that was until a creaking noise echoed out. "That… Didn't sound good…" Naruto glanced down, the house was shaking.

"Now that wood has found sunlight, she'll want to grow more, so if we don't stop this… The house will be blown apart." Everyone stared quietly till Sakura stared panicking. If that happened, how would she be able to explain the tree standing over her house then?

Naruto's palm rested on her shoulder. "We do this now then. We head to wood and find out what's going on." Sakura nods slowly, that's the best choice.

A sudden clicking noise and they turned to see Tomoyo reaching into the basket she brought. "Then you'll want to wear this…" With that she displayed the outfit; Naruto on the other hand felt this wasn't the time for this. But Tomoyos cheery smile seemed to send a chill down Naruto's spine, like he could feel her eyes burning him up, which quickly forced him to crumble much to Sakuras thoughts. "Thank you…"

Naruto disappeared from sight to see just what damage was being done. Luckily, nothing much and was happy to see the three now making their way after him. "I'll lead, come on." All three nod and follow the ninja in toe through the dense forest of the house. "This is probably the closest to home it's been so far…" Naruto mused as they crawled about. "The thick forest here remains me of the forests round konoha. Though I can't really do much leaping around here…" Sakura mused over this as they travelled, wondering what it must be like to jump from tree to tree like that.

It wasn't long before they reached the entrance of the basement, but the creaking of the house didn't help them at all and only made them want to speed this up. "Now or never huh..?" Sakura muttered to Naruto who agrees, time to deal with this troublesome wood card.

"So what was the other card then?" Tomoyo asked curiously as they headed towards to basement. Sakura stopped for a moment, the card she found after was covered in ink. "Maybe this is what's affecting Wood?" That could be right.

"Well it can't be watery…" Kero muttered as he tried to locate a name for this card that could be affecting wood. "I wonder…"

"Have an idea?" Naruto asked as they stepped out onto the basement floor, their feet ankle deep in water. That sound… Looking to the noise, Naruto and Sakura eyed the small cloud raining on wood. "Wait… Rain?" Kero nods.

"It's the rain card alright." Sakura stepped forward with staff in hand; she had to take action here.

"Good luck Sakura." Tomoyo called as she recorded it her best friend in action. Sakura glanced to the creaking and then back to the cloud as Naruto sat down and Kero watched.

"Okay Rain, that's enough now! I challenge you!" The rain stopped and a small chibi clown girl poked her head out the cloud. It almost looked to cute to capture, but knowing what would happen if she didn't stop it. It weighed the choices out.

"This shouldn't be too hard Sakura. Do your best." Naruto called out and Sakura nods as Rain flew over her. She flinched as droplets of rain fell, so it wasn't too bad.

That all changed as it turned into a full blown waterfall. "Hoe!" Jumping back, Sakura watched as Rain gave chase and Sakura out run it. "Stop it!" Naruto chuckled and Sakura looked at him annoyed.

"It's just water, Sakura..!" Naruto stated and Sakura stopped, that was it! Taking a step faster and turning on her feet, she knew just what to do now.

"Watery…" Sakura called as Rain stopped as Sakura threw the card forward and the seal beneath her appeared. "Become the binding chain, use Rains own power and contain it with your own. Watery!" Striking the card, the water spirit that had given the pair trouble in the past appeared, giving the same creepy look as before, but a smirk appeared as Rain gulped nervously. Naruto was sure Rain was well aware of what this card could do.

Around Rain, the water began to be sucked upward to Watery and in an instant the spirit attacked and Rain tried to escape, only to find it quickly being engulfed in a sphere. "Good job Sakura!" Kero called out as Naruto nods with a smile as Tomoyo continued to record.

"Finish it." Naruto commented and Sakura nods with a smile.

"Return to the guise you were meant to be in, clow card!" With that Watery faded away as Rain was sucked into the seal and returned to card form. "Phew… Now." Turning to the last one, Sakura stepped up to face wood card. "Now wood, your turn…" The spirit appeared and smiled as Sakura prepared to seal it.

"Wait, Sakura!" Kero called flying over. "There's no need to fight." Sakura looked confused as Kero looked to Wood. The spirit smiled and turned into a clow card before Sakura's eyes. And as the clow card landed in her hand, the wood faded from the house and all the chaos was over. "Wood is a gentle spirit. Rain was acting up and encouraging Wood in its fun."

"Well they do seem to work alongside one another." Naruto commented as he walked up. "Rain and wood go hand in hand it would seem." Sakura nods, that was true. "Now before we do anything else." Sakura nods, it was time to deal with what she needed to do before.

"Sa...Ku…Ra…" Finishing off the last letter, Sakura set the pen down and relaxed as Kero nods. She'll remember to sign her cards from now on.

"I hope you'll think twice next time…" Sakura nods and both turned to leave and return to main floor. They found Tomoyo standing at the top of the staircase staring out at the hall. "Something going on..?" Kero asked as both stepped up beside her.

Both watched amazed as Naruto was busy cleaning up a storm. "What…" Tomoyo glanced over with a smile. Since all their hard work had been defeated by Wood and Rains mischief, Naruto had got to work cleaning while he waited. "Naruto…" Sakura smiled lightly, though things had been bad yes, but Naruto was trying to sort out all the mess as fast as he could. "Tomoyo… Thank you for coming round. I have to help Naruto now." Tomoyo nods, understanding that they had some work to do. She bid her farewell and Sakura sighed before taking a breath.

"Don't burn yourself out Naruto, I'll do the lounge."

XXXXX

"Sakura… We're home." Her father called as he stepped into the house. Toyo and his Father stepped into the very clean house, and would never suspect what had happened, Naruto and Sakura made sure of that. "Sakura?" Heading up the stairs, her father tapped on the door lightly and got no response, so turning the handle slightly, he opened it and glanced in side.

"She there..?" Toya asked curiously as his father stepped back and closed the door with a smile. Toya looked confused.

"She's fine, looks like she's warn out." Toya stilled felt there was more to come. "We'll let her sleep, though… We might have to make space at dinner for one other…" Toya glanced to Sakura's room.

Inside, Naruto and Sakura lay sleeping on the bed. Naruto was all spread out, arm and legs stretched put. Sakura lay beside him, tucked up close with her head rested on his arm and against his chest, content with not moving from her space.

Just like many years ago when she would nap, Naruto would be there with her. His presence was ever calming for her, that she could sleep with no issue in the day.

These were the moments she loved, back then… And now…