"Konohagakure," Guy shouted enthusiastically. "Home sweet home! Let's go in and get our friends enrolled." The team of Konoha shinobi shot forward at full speed, leaving the 'mercenaries' behind to stare on with confusion.
They walked forward with Yahiko at point. The other three, despite hiding it, they were rather scared. They always talked big about taking on Konoha and Danzo, but now that they were actually at the village's gates, it was a bit more nerve-racking then they cared to admit.
"Just calm down," Yahiko whispered, turning his head back to the three young ones. "You can't show fear, otherwise we may get more attention than we're already gonna get. Just breathe, and calm down." The three nodded then swallowed a nervous lump down their throats as the stopped in front of the gates.
"Who're these people Guy," one of the guard shinobi questioned.
"These are some friendly mercenaries I met outside of the village," Guy boasted. "They wish to enter the Chunin Exams."
"You know how lord Danzo feels about-,"
"I vow for these mercs," Guy stated, his eyes hardening on the guards. They both looked to each other then back at Guy before stepping aside. The Jonin spun around, smiling with a raised thumb, "No problem at all! Just follow me and we'll get you and your boys signed in and registered!"
"Thank you very much Guy-san," Yahiko said, bowing his head slightly. "I assure you though that you don't have to-,"
"Nonsense, you're guests, and I always tend to guests of Konoha!" Guy moved forward with his students, Yahiko, and his team following behind them.
Kakashi and Anko walked out of the Hokage's building, having just finished their report on the Kurosuki mission to Danzo. Both of their teams followed out shortly after. Anko spun around, walking backwards with a wide smirk on her face.
"Alright team, who wants to go out and eat after a successful mission?"
"Successful mission," Kakashi repeated, shaking his head with disbelief.
"Yeah, we got our payment, came back with half the weapons and supplies we were supposed to deliver to those Kurosuki goons, and nobody died. Sounds like a successful mission to me."
"What about those rogues you 'forgot' to mention to lord Danzo? They got away and could very well leak information that Konoha forces are in the Land of-,"
"Yeah, yeah, Danzo sure is upset since he has half the world on his side," Anko muttered, waving her hand about dismissively. "Way to tattle to him by the way. Team, not Kakashi who can sod off, team, who wants to go out to eat? My treat."
"Your treat," Zaku repeated.
"I'm there," Dosu exclaimed, raising his arm high in the air.
"Make that two," Zaku added with a smile. Sakura slowly moved her eyes towards Sasuke, trying to not make it obvious to her Uchiha crush. Zaku quickly grabbed the kunoichi's arm and lifted it up, "Sakura's going too."
"Hey," the pink haired kunoichi snapped, prying her arm away.
"Alright, let's head out!" Anko turned then moved down the street. Dosu and Zaku grabbed Sakura by her wrists then dragged her away from her beloved Sasuke.
Kakashi turned to his team, eyes and cold and hard as steel, "Unfortunately for you I'm not as nice of a sensei as she is. We're heading to the training grounds and we're going to practice every skill you three morons are capable of doing until nightfall. Understood?"
"Yes Kakashi sensei," Hinata replied with a firm nod. Kakashi moved his gaze to Shino, who also nodded, and then to the brooding Sasuke who huffed with approval.
"Let's go…" The masked Jonin turned and walked towards the training fields with his three students following closely behind him.
Anko walked down the streets with a grin on her face as she hummed a cheery tune to herself. Dosu and Zaku were behind their sensei, talking about training exercises while Sakura sulked behind them.
'What if Sasuke-kun was doing something…I could've joined him and been on a date with him! Ugh, if those two IDIOTS didn't have to drag me along I could be with Sasuke-kun right now!'
"Earth to Sakura," Zaku's voice shouted through his cupped hands. The pink kunoichi jumped a bit and stared at her teammate in front of her with confusion. "This is your best friend Zaku: stop pouting!"
"I'm not pouting," Sakura snapped.
"Yes you are," Zaku's voice echoed.
"I concur," Dosu's voice, also enhanced by cupping his hands, added. Sakura smacked the boys' hands away, glaring angrily at them. "Whoa, someone is an angry kitty."
"DOSU," Sakura shouted, throwing a punch at the hunched boy's head.
"WHOA!" The boy ducked and swerved to the side, narrowly avoiding Sakura's strike. Sakura hated Dosu and Zaku's nickname 'kitty.' She had no idea where they got it from either, but it annoyed her to no end.
"Leave her alone Dosu, she's mad because she wanted to spend time with a jerk who pays no attention to her whatsoever rather than her only two friends in the entire village," Zaku stated. Sakura glared at Zaku, causing him to chuckle and move two steps ahead of Sakura.
"You jerks know I like him," the kunoichi snapped.
"And we know he doesn't even know you exist," Dosu replied. Sakura crossed her arms and huffed with annoyance. "Come on, go for someone else. That Rock Lee guy likes you." Sakura and Zaku both made a noise of distaste, looking at Dosu with utter shock. "Hey, at least he likes you and he realizes when you're around!"
"He probably has her scent down too," Zaku said, jabbing Dosu with his elbow. "He can smell Sakura-chan within a four mile radius." Dosu shook his head and laughed.
"I hate you both," Sakura seethed.
"What about Shino," Dosu continued. "He shows less emotion and attention to anyone more than Sasuke does!" Zaku threw his head back and laughed, slapping his knee once. "Or that lazy ass Shikamaru!" The two started laughing hysterically, unable to walk straight. Sakura sighed then walked down another street, away from her team. Anko stopped and snapped her head to the girl while Dosu and Zaku stopped laughing and looked on with confusion. "Awe man…"
"I'll talk to her," Zaku stated, chasing after the girl. The black haired shinobi ran down the street then walked next to Sakura who was ignoring her. After a few steps of silence, Zaku put his hands in his pockets and looked to the sky. "Wanna hit me?"
"I want you and Dosu to shut up," Sakura snapped.
"We can do that," Zaku replied. "Coming to eat with us?"
"No, I'm going home."
"Oh come on." Zaku moved in front of Sakura, causing her to stop. "After we've been teammates for, how long, you still can't take a joke? Dosu and I are dickheads; you should know that by now."
"I want to go home," Sakura muttered. Zaku shoulders slumped then he stepped aside as Sakura moved past him. Zaku rolled his head and groaned before walking back up to Dosu.
"Well, she hates us again." Dosu groaned and shook his head. "Still wanna go eat?"
"Free meal, duh." Dosu walked forward, catching up to his sensei that started walking as soon as Zaku came running back up. The black haired shinobi sighed then caught up with Dosu.
Sakura walked through the streets of Konoha, head lowered and mind elsewhere. Right now she just wanted to get home and go to sleep. Maybe she was overreacting, but she didn't care. Her teammates knew how much she liked Sasuke, and they know they crossed the line.
Naruto was looking at everything around him. Never before had he been around so much of everything happening at once. It was exciting to an extent, but at the same time the Jinchuriki couldn't help but feel that someone was watching him. Maybe that was paranoia? The blonde smiled, enjoying all of the excitement it all as he turned his head. His eyes widened and jaw dropped as he saw a familiar pink haired kunoichi walking in his direction. A blush formed across his face as he quickly turned his head away and stopped gapping, but kept his eyes on the beautiful young girl. She seemed upset, Naruto could tell that much, but even then she was so beautiful.
Sakura brushed her hair behind her ear then looked up, just as someone popped up in front of her on one knee. Sakura groaned and rolled her eyes immediately seeing who it was.
"Sakura, my darling, my rose," Lee exclaimed loudly and nervously. "Will you go on a date with me?"
"Not now Lee," Sakura said, opening and closing her fists to control herself.
"Then how about tomorrow, or even tonight? I am available whenever you are Sakura!"
"I'm in a bad mood Lee," Sakura seethed, a vein popping out of her forehead. She was about ready to hit him if he said one more word.
"Perhaps I can bring up your spirits, WITH THE POWER OF YO-," Sakura pulled her arm back, but someone suddenly pulled Lee out of striking distance. The kunoichi gasped with shock, seeing an unfamiliar blonde with spiky and messy hair, blue eyes, and a foxy grin.
"Hey buddy, how about a foot race," Naruto asked with a nervous chuckle.
"You do not even know where we are going," Lee stated.
"I mean to the border and back," Naruto replied.
"YES! That is a most worthy challenge!"
"Alright, on your marks, get set, GO!" Lee shot off down the road, dirt flying up behind him while Naruto and the others stood and watched.
"YES GO LEE," Guy shouted. "Huh, wait…" The Jonin turned around, seeing Naruto standing there. "You're not chasing after him…"
"I know," Naruto stated. "Lee may be gone for a few days…"
"No, Lee, LEE WAIT UP!" Guy went chasing after Lee in the same fashion. Shikamaru sighed while Choji only chuckled.
"We just got done running to the gates," Shikamaru stated. "Those two I swear…Choji, go to the barbecue shake and get a table for you and me. I'll show these guys to the registration booth to get visitor's passes."
"You got it," Choji exclaimed before running off.
Sakura watched as Lee and Guy became two tiny dust specs in the distance before turning to the blonde who saved Lee from a beating. "Thank you," Sakura said. Naruto turned his head with wide eyes. "For getting Rock Lee away from me."
"N-no problem," Naruto stuttered. "I could tell you were about to knock his block off…" Sakura cracked a small smirk before looking at Yahiko, Kiba, and Neji.
"So you all are visitors?"
"Y-yeah, we're here for the Chunin Exams," Naruto stated. "Maybe that's where you can knock Lee's block off?" Sakura's smirk widened to a full smile. Naruto's blush widened, praying that the makeup Tsunade put on him wouldn't melt off.
"I'm Sakura," the kunoichi said.
"I-I'm R-Ryu," Naruto replied, almost forgetting his alias.
"Well I was just heading home. It was nice to meet you Ryu. Bye Shikamaru." The lazy genius grunted then waved his hand uncaringly. "Thank you again."
Sakura smiled to Naruto before turning and walking off. Naruto watched her, his heart beating like a drum in his chest. Sakura smiled to herself before daring to look back once again at the blonde. Naruto's heart nearly back flipped as he waved nervously to her. Sakura giggled then waved back before turning back around.
The moment was ruined when Kiba, aka, Fang, pounced on the blonde, cackling like a madman, "HA! Dude, you're blushing so badly!"
"N-no I'm not, shut up Fang!"
"I wouldn't waste your time," Shikamaru stated. Kiba and Naruto turned their heads to the lazy boy with his hands in his pockets. "She's completely in love with Sasuke Uchiha. Some people call him the 'prince of Konoha' because of how Danzo treats him. He's a great shinobi and all for his age, but he acts like people are floor mats and hardly says more than two words to anyone not on his team."
"I hate people like that," Kiba growled. "So arrogant."
"You're preaching to the choir," Shikamaru stated. "Anyway, let's go."
"Right, thank you Shikamaru," Yahiko said. The Genin took the lead with Yahiko following behind him. The orange haired man couldn't help but turn around with a mocking smirk directed towards Naruto. The Jinchuriki scowled angrily as Yahiko turned back around while Neji and Kiba snickered quietly.
Sakura couldn't stop smiling for some reason. She just met a complete stranger who made her smile in seconds flat. It didn't make sense. Even if he was a cute stranger, with a manly name… Sakura shook her head, trying to get the nonsense filled thoughts out of her mind. The kunoichi got to her front door and sighed. Now she felt bad about ditching her team just because Zaku and Dosu were being jerks. But then again, if she hadn't left she would've never met Ryu. She shrugged then opened the door and walked right on in. Sakura looked around, seeing no one in sight as she took her shoes off and shut the door.
"Sakura," a voice called out.
"Yeah," the kunoichi called back. A man poked his head out of the kitchen to confirm. The man had shoulder length, light brown hair that was swept back, green eyes, stress lines on his face.
"Oh, you're home earlier than I thought you'd be. Doesn't your team usually train or eat after a mission or something?"
"I decided to come home early Uncle Higure." The man nodded with acknowledgment then shot back into the kitchen. Sakura walked into the living room then took a left to the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway, placing her hand over her mouth to keep from exploding with laughter. Her uncle turned around from the stove with a confused look on his face.
"What," he asked.
"Why're you wearing a pink apron," Sakura questioned.
"Because we didn't have any clean aprons…" Sakura rolled her eyes then walked through the kitchen into the laundry room.
"You don't know how to do laundry? Really?"
"Hey, they didn't teach me that, EVER!" Sakura rolled her eyes then started up the washing machine.
"It's not that hard, warm water, soap, throw the laundry in, shut the lid, let it run, and you're done."
"Right, it's THAT easy. Last time I tried to do laundry that damn thing made it halfway into the kitchen somehow."
"That's because all the weight was on one side, so when it spun it moved," Sakura laughed as she shook her head. "What're you cooking anyway? It smells yummy."
"Well at least I can do something right," Higure muttered. "I'm making stir fry vegetables with optional chunks of pork. I didn't know if you were a vegetarian this week or not." Sakura rolled her eyes then started throwing aprons into the washing machine.
"That was just a temporary thing," Sakura exclaimed.
"Yeah, it was on and off again for nearly a full year."
"So you just have vegetables and pork going?"
"I'm making noodles," Higure replied defensively. "Noodles are fine right?" Sakura leaned back to the doorway and nodded with a look of 'duh' on her face. Higure rolled his eyes then stirred the vegetables around on the skillet. "So why did you come home early?"
"Teammates were being jerks," Sakura replied, pouring the soap in before closing the lid.
"What'd they do this time? Call you kitty?"
"NO!" Higure flinched then looked to the laundry room, seeing Sakura clutching the sides of the doorway and breathing heavily. Her uncle ALSO knew that she hated the name, and she was starting to detest the word now too. "Well…" Sakura turned back to the laundry room, still standing in the doorway, "yeah they did call me that once, but that's not why I left." Higure groaned, shoulders slumping over. Sakura stopped then turned her head around with confusion.
"Nope, I'm not going to say anything," Higure told himself. "Just stay quite." Sakura then groaned and her shoulders slumped down. She knew Higure knew exactly what it was about. She decided to not say anything and remain in a silent, yet dignified rage. Sakura started throwing the dirty clothes on the floor into a hamper so that there would be room to walk around. "So, how did the mission go?"
"It went over alright," Sakura stated. "There were three masked people that were spying on us though. They got away though, and no one was really hurt. Except Kakashi's pride that is…" Higure huffed with a smirk on his face. "He's most likely punishing his team right now…"
"Well, just be thankful that you don't have him for a sensei," Higure called out. "So if Zaku and Dosu made you mad, then why aren't you still angry? Did you punch someone on your way here?"
"Almost," Sakura called back with a smile on her face. Higure shifted his eyes over briefly to the laundry room, hearing the smile in Sakura's tone. "I bumped into Lee on the way here."
"And yet you're in a good mood?"
"I met this one guy who save Lee then made him run to the border of the Land of Fire." Higure let out a brief laugh at the thought.
"Who made him do that? Might Guy?"
"Nope, some other boy named Ryu. He had a team with him and they were here for the Chunin Exams."
"What village were they from?" Sakura stopped for a moment to think.
"I don't remember seeing a headband anywhere on them actually…"
"Most likely mercenaries," Higure told her. "Weird how one of them helped Lee. Usually they only look out for number one. At least they have in my experience."
"Well this one was nice," Sakura said, still smiling.
"Sounds like someone has a little thing for mister-young-mercenary," Higure replied with a singsong voice. Sakura grinned and blushed a bit. She was thankful there was a wall between her and her uncle.
"No I don't," the kunoichi replied, still smiling.
"Yeah-huh, sure, that's exactly why you don't sound like a schoolgirl right now."
"Shut up…you're a schoolgirl." Higure rolled his eyes then took the skillet off the stove and put it on pot holders.
"Food is almost ready."
"Alright, let me go change first." Sakura quickly ran out of the kitchen, her uncle watching her with a smile. Maybe she has a chance not to fall for that Sasuke jerk. Sakura ran upstairs and closed the door to her room so she could change.
Yahiko and his team walked out of the registration booth with Shikamaru, each of the rogues looking at their new IDs curiously. "Alright, well I've got to go hang out with Choji. I hope you enjoy your stay, make sure to not get in trouble…all that stuff…"
"Thank you very much Shikamaru-kun," Yahiko said with a slight bow. "Thank him."
"Thanks," the three students replied with a wave. Yahiko rolled his eyes and groaned. They couldn't even show respect towards their own age group. Shikamaru simply chuckled then walked off with another wave.
"So what now, do we train and then kick some Konoha butt," Naruto shouted. The outburst caused his entire team, Yahiko included, to pounce him, all trying to cover his mouth.
"What part of 'undercover' is hard for you to understand," Yahiko hissed. "We're grabbing a hotel, although you're lucky we don't end up skinned and hung up in the city to be put on display!" Yahiko got up and dusted himself off while Neji and Kiba kept their grip on Naruto's arm, and each one having a hand over the blonde's mouth. The group moved nervously through the streets, watching everyone who walked past them carefully.
In a few moments, the team got to a hotel and booked one large suite with four bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, and a small living room. Naruto looked around with wide eyes at how simply large the entire area was.
"How do we have money to afford this," Naruto questioned.
"Don't worry about the money. Just try to get as much information during the Chunin Exams as possible," Yahiko sniped. "I've had enough of Konoha's filth around me for one day."
"I'll say, most of the shinobi out there reek of bloodshed," Kiba stated, wrinkling his nose.
"We should all get some rest," Neji suggested. "We're all a bit tense and tired. Some time in an actual bed might do all of us some good." Yahiko and Kiba nodded in approval then went to their rooms. Neji looked over to Naruto who seemed focused on something else. "What's wrong Naruto?"
"Nothing," the blonde replied. Neji examined the boy for a moment in silence. Naruto finally sighed then turned his head to Neji slowly. "You can't tell Kiba or Yahiko okay?" Neji nodded once. "I…I can't stop thinking about that girl."
"You're joking," Neji said with a sarcastic tone. "You were acting like a total idiot while you were around her. It's not surprising that you'd still be thinking about her less than an hour from when you met her."
"B-but she's from Konoha…it would never work out right?"
"That's what heartbreak is," Neji sighed. "Sorry, but this isn't a fairy tale Uzumaki. You should head to sleep. I promise you'll completely forget about it once you wake up." Naruto nodded as Neji walked into his room. The blonde sighed then walked into the last room and shut the door.
Higure was washing the dishes while Sakura was putting the leftovers away. "So, did I tell you Anko sensei put us in the Chunin Exams?" Higure's head snapped up, then slowly turned to his niece.
"No…you didn't…"
"Oh…" Sakura blinked, unsure of what to say next. "Surprise!" Sakura quickly threw the food in the fridge then bolted for the door.
"Wait," Higure shouted. Sakura froze outside of the doorway as her uncle walked up to her. "Why are you waiting until a week before the exams to tell me?"
"I…didn't want you to worry." Sakura let out a weak, nervous giggle. Higure's eyes narrowed for a moment before he turned and headed back into the kitchen. Sakura's shoulders slumped down as her uncle went back to the dishes. Usually his silence meant that Higure was plotting something, or at least burning with rage inside. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner! I promise I'll be safe! I have Zaku and Dosu with me and you know they won't let anything bad happen." Higure remained silent, causing Sakura to throw her head back with frustration. "Fine, be that way, I'll be in my room." Sakura spun around then stormed to her bedroom and slammed the door.
The kunoichi grumbled as she walked over to her bed and lied down. She glared at empty space before looking to her wall. Her room was painted yellow on three walls and the back wall was a light green which matched her eyes. She had a desk with a lamp on it as well as a few papers and writing utensils. Above her desk, hanging from the wall was a calendar with a giant red circle around tomorrow. Sakura's eyes softened a bit, knowing fully what tomorrow was. She sighed then rolled over on her other side, staring out the window as the sun began to set. She closed her eyes and decided to get some sleep.
Kakashi stood across from his students, eyes hardened and arms crossed over his chest. The three Genin were dirtied and bruised up a bit. They had been training for the entire second half of the day, and were about ready to collapse. Kakashi shifted his eyes to the sun then back to his students. If he forced Danzo's prized Uchiha any further there could be consequences to pay…
"That's enough," Kakashi stated. "You all can go home now." The masked Jonin turned around, took a few steps then vanished.
Shino let out a sigh then brushed himself off, straightened up and placed his hands in his pockets. Without another word, the silent boy walked off. Hinata scowled angrily, slapping the dirt off her legs angrily.
"This is such bullshit," she shouted. "You're the last of the Uchiha, and I'm the heiress of the Hyuga Clan! He can't just treat us like shit and then expect to just walk away!"
"As long as he's kissing Danzo's ass he can," Sasuke stated.
The young Uchiha turned his head to perhaps the only person in the entire village he could be considered friends with. Hinata had always been short tempered and foul mouthed around those she felt most comfortable with. Others who were on the higher end of the food chain, such as Danzo, or her father, she was always a kind, well behaved girl who gave a charming and deceiving smile. Due to her high status as clan heiress, many people didn't dare to approach her, and those who did usually got eaten alive. Many girls attempted to befriend her due to her close relationship with Sasuke, and all of the girls were jealous of Hinata for the same reason. The only reason Sasuke tolerated Hinata was because she wasn't a shrieking banshee of a girl, and Hinata tolerated Sasuke because of his status as the last of the Uchiha Clan and the fact that Danzo focused on him more than any other Genin.
"Stupid Kakashi," Hinata muttered, crossing her arms in a fuss. "Can't you say anything to Danzo about telling Kakashi to pull that stick out of his rear?"
"Kakashi pushes us to be the best we can be." Sasuke snapped his head to Hinata, eyes hard as steel. "That's why your father allowed you to be trained by anyone besides himself. That's why we have one of the best Jonin in Konoha as our sensei." Hinata scoffed then turned her head away. Granted they were as close as they allowed one another, but sometimes Sasuke's arrogance irritated Hinata.
"Whatever, I'm heading home." Hinata walked off while Sasuke huffed then walked the other way.
Hours passed and the village of Konoha was all but asleep with only a few people walking through the streets in the dead of night. A few ANBU patrolled the city in the cover of darkness just as a precaution that Danzo ordered. With the Chunin Exams coming up, one couldn't be too careful.
It was nearing morning as light tried desperately to break through the dark clouds hovering over Konoha. Sakura woke up at dusk, got dressed in her ninja attire and snuck out while her uncle still snoozed soundly.
Naruto was tossing and turning in his bed. He'd been unable to sleep through half of the night. He couldn't stop thinking about the pink haired kunoichi that tormented him every waking hour since he'd seen her. Naruto sat up and growled angrily, ruffling his hair in some vain attempt to get the thoughts out of his mind. He looked outside and noticed that the morning had already begun. Naruto sighed then stood up and started getting dressed. Yahiko would be pissed if he found out, but there was nothing else Naruto could do. He decided to take a walk through the village of Konoha.
In the streets, Naruto tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, but made it a bit harder for himself, constantly looking over his shoulder and looking at all the dead space around him. Luckily he didn't think there was anyone watching him…or at least he hoped not. A loud crashing sound was heard, causing Naruto to shriek with fright and bolt through the nearest alleyway. A cat on the opposite side of the street stood next to a knocked over garbage can and meowed to itself.
Naruto stopped, placing his hands on his knees then panted heavily, unsure of where he was at this point. He looked around for a moment before seeing a sign that hung overhead. The sign read 'Konoha Memorial Cemetery.' Naruto blinked a few times before looking over his shoulder. Just how fare had he ran? The blonde straightened up and started walking away. Still, Naruto couldn't fight the curiosity to look into the cemetery, seeing countless tombstones with all sorts of different names carved in. The young Uzumaki stopped when he saw a small red ball sitting in the middle of the cemetery. Naruto looked around to see if anyone else was around then jumped over the fence. He landed quietly then snuck up quietly, tombstone to tombstone until he got closer to the red ball. As he moved closer he heard a quiet muttering from the ball of a person. Naruto's eyes widened upon seeing a familiar head of pink hair blowing in the breeze.
Sakura had knelt in front of a pair of tombstones, tears running down her face. The tombstone on the left read 'Satoru Teki' and the one on the right read, 'Saiki Haruno Teki.'
"So the Chunin Exams are coming up," Sakura said. "Uncle Higure freaked out as usual, but there's really nothing he can do about it right?" Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes then sighed. "He's still a great caretaker though. Just a little overprotective sometimes…"
Naruto's eyes softened a bit. He felt as though he should leave out of respect. The boy turned and took one step forward, crunching a few dead leaves under his foot. Naruto flinched then spun around just as Sakura did, the two meeting eye to eye. Sakura blinked with confusion and tilted her head while Naruto waved nervously.
"Ryu? What're you doing here?"
"Um, I-I was just walking through the village and I saw you here. I-I swear I didn't know it was you Sakura-chan." The pink haired kunoichi couldn't help the urge to smile as a faint blush crept across her face.
'Sakura-chan eh?' Sakura stood up, brushing off her legs as she turned to Naruto. "It's alright, I'm just visiting my parents." Naruto lowered his head, feeling ashamed that he interrupted her.
"I'm really sorry, I thought…I didn't know you were visiting your parents…"
"It's alright," Sakura said, placing her hands behind her back. "I visit them at least once every month. There's this one spot outside the village that has very pretty flowers. I sometimes go there and pick some to place on their graves…"
"I'm very sorry. Um…when did they die…?"
"My mother died after child birth," Sakura replied with a small shrug. Naruto noticed the sadness in her eyes as she said this. "And my father was killed before I was born." Naruto lowered his head a bit. "They were both shinobi for the village, but my mom had to retire after she became pregnant. Dad had to downgrade most of his missions to stay closer to home more often."
"I'm surprised Danzo would let him," Naruto murmured. The blonde's widened slightly before he pressed his mouth into a tight line and looked up to a confused Sakura nervously. "Uh, I-I mean I've heard some things about how Danzo runs the village and I didn't think he'd be so kind. Do you know how good of a shinobi your dad was?"
"He was fairly good from what I hear. He was apparently the Kakashi Hatake of his time."
"Wow," Naruto stated with a surprised nod. "What about your mom?"
"She was better than my dad." Naruto smirked as he folded his arms over his chest. "She had perfect chakra control, which I guess I inherited. She was one of the best kunoichi in Konoha during her time." Sakura shook her head, brushing a strand of hair back into place. "I'm sorry, I must be making you feel really awkward."
"No, no you're not…" Sakura crossed her arms and gave a questioning smirk. "Alright, maybe a little bit…" The pink haired girl giggled a bit before moving her hands back behind her back.
'Okay, why am I opening up to a complete stranger? This is so not me!'
'CHA! It's because he's hot!'Sakura mentally groaned. Not inner Sakura, not now at least…
"Um…well I'll leave you alone with your parents," Naruto finally said. The boy turned around to leave.
"W-wait," Sakura called. Naruto froze then turned back around with a confused look on his face. "Um…would you maybe want to get together later? I could show you all the cool spots in the village, and then you could show off to your teammates." Naruto grew a bit nervous and shuffled a bit.
"Y-you mean like a d-d-d-date?"
Sakura placed her hand over her mouth as she giggled, "No. More like me showing a guy, who seems nice, his way around a village he's never been to before."
"Um…o-okay, yeah sure!"
"Alright, around three-ish maybe?"
"That works," Naruto replied with an eager nod.
"See you at three-ish then." Naruto grinned then began to walk away. "Bye Ryu…"
"Bye Sakura-chan," Naruto said as he turned back around to wave. Sakura gave a brief wave back as Ryu jumped over the fence then strode off down the road.
"So…" Sakura spun back around on her heel then knelt down in front of her parents' tombstones. "I suppose I have some explaining to do. That's a boy I met yesterday, his name is Ryu. He saved Rock Lee, that boy I told you is really annoying but likes me, he saved him from a beating yesterday because my teammates were being jerks. You remember Zaku and Dosu right? We visited you once remember? But yeah, Ryu seems really nice doesn't he?" Sakura smiled then knelt back down. She placed her hands together and started giving a little pray for her parents.
After a few moments of silence, Sakura jumped as she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. She looked up, seeing her uncle standing over her, eyes focused on the tombstones. Sakura stared up at him for a moment, expecting him to say something about her being up so early and sneaking out of the house. Instead he just stood there, staring at the tombstones.
Finally, Sakura decided to speak first, "How long have you been there?"
"I just got here," Higure replied. "I did some thinking…about the Chunin Exams." Sakura sighed, sensing a lecture on 'be safe' and 'don't do anything stupid,' and so on in that fashion. "I'm going to help you." The kunoichi whirled her head around, eyes widened with shock.
"You what?"
"Well the Chunin Exams are life threatening even to those who are ready for it. I figure I could train you a bit so then maybe I'd have a niece by the end of it all."
"So wait," Sakura said, standing up and facing her uncle. "You're going to help me train for the Chunin Exams?"
"Well I could whine and complain and give you a lecture, but you'd just do it anyway. Besides, I've been out of the game too long. I go for a test run to make sure everything works correctly."
"Yeah, fighting your thirteen year old niece who's a Genin will surely reignite your flames of youth." Higure smirked then looked down at Sakura who returned a taunting smile.
"Are you two okay with this," Higure asked, pointing between Saiki and Satoru's tombstones. The breeze blew gently through the cemetery. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on Sakura, we start training now."
"Right," Sakura replied with a wide smile and a firm nod. Higure turned and started walking away. Sakura took one step after him then stopped. She turned around and gave a small wave goodbye to her parents' graves before following after her uncle.
So, I was kinda nervous introducing an OC into the story. He's not going to play a huge role just yet, right now he's just a parental figure for Sakura. The next chapter will go over some of the training of Sakura and other characters, and will lead up to the first part of the Chunin Exams.
Oh, I also like Hinata a lot better as a semi-psycho lol. And her infatuation with Naruto will be…very interesting to say the least. Muahahahaha!