Dislcaimer: I don't own anything native to the Naruto world.
The trees flew past at the quick pace the shinobi set in urgency. Her muscles ached and her breath came in ragged gasps, as she pushed herself forward to keep up with Jiraiya bearing the failing Naruto. The moon shone overhead granting a faint light to navigate by. No time to stop, must get to Tsunade-sama! They had been moving quickly for hours, Sakura pushing past her limit even factoring the soldier pill. She felt light headed, her legs trembling with each jump from a branch. Jiraiya stopped on a nearby trunk, turning toward her with a stern expression. "Sakura. Don't push yourself so hard, you can rest here. I can – "
She sucked in a deep breath, and jumped forward. Wavering on her legs, she looked to the blondes limp form over the sage's shoulder. Tightening her fists, she coughed out. "No! I'm going and I don't need help! Naruto always pushes past his limits; I won't slow him down anymore." The sannin looked at her for a moment then smiled, signaling them to move on.
An hour after the sunrise the large town where Tsunade was staying appeared on the horizon. Hang on Naruto… you promised… I won't be a burden anymore!
Another dull morning as the blonde checked her case sifting through the many debt slips. Well I should have used up about all of my bad luck now. She glanced at the ugly, but bulging frog wallet. And at least there's one bet I won. Tsunade smiled and grabbed the frog, filching through its contents. He had quite the amount, this should give me a good start on earning back my losses – I was afraid I'd of had to take another loan. "Tsunade-sama! It's only been four days since you made the bet!"
She scoffed, rolling her eyes toward the ever-so-proper Shizune. "Meh, it's as good as mine. Don't tell me you believe that brat can do it?"
Shizune's eyes were downcast. "Why did you make that bet? And your necklace? Hasn't he gone through enough with… Konoha?"
Tsunade stared forward. That brat… saying the same damn things. He even looks alike. "To save his life. Death is the only end for those who dream to be Hokage."
"Tsunade-sama…" Shizune muttered, when the door swung open.
"What is the meaning of this… Jiraiya?" Her teammate staggered in carrying the brat in question, the pink haired girl bolting behind, gasping for air, and collapsing on the floor. Shizune stammered, and bent over the girl helping her up and inspecting. "Jiraiya, what happened?!"
"Naruto, a sound medic nin attacked at his heart. He's failing; his tenant and his will are all that's keeping him alive." He laid the boy out on the bed and she stared at his still face, his chest rising erratically in shallow broken breaths. No! Not again! Her hands trembled as she reached over. "Tsunade, please!" She hesitated, flashbacks and memories of Nawaki and Dan – their dead faces staring up at her.
"Tsunade-sama… please… please… save Naruto! He's all I have… He protected me… he mastered… the rasengan! We don't… care about the… bet but please save him!" Sakura choked out between heavy breaths, collapsing back to her knees tears stinging at her eyes. He mastered the rasengan in so short a time? This kid... She stared at him. "Tsunade-sama… don't let his dreams die!" She wavered watching Sakura break down into sobs, something inside her moving.
The blonde sannin swallowed, and gathered chakra in her hands. One more time, I'll trust their dreams to you, Naruto. Then the legendary medic went to work in saving the boy.
Minutes later, she wiped the sweat from her brow sitting up. "He's ok now. He just needs rest… he's going to make it…" Sakura instantly brightened, sitting up.
"Thank you!" She threw her arms over the blond genin laying against his chest. "Thank you so much!" Tsunade nodded slowly and gave the girl a soft smile, as Sakura drifted to sleep overcome by the exhaustion.
She whipped around and growled at Jiraiya. "Now you! How could you let them get in that condition? Why was she so tired? Were you just going to let her run herself to death?" She rolled up her sleeve, stalking toward her teammate.
"Tsunade, wait! It wasn't like that." He backed against the wall, putting his hands up in front of him defensively. "We were inspecting in different areas, Naruto got in over his head. That I'll take responsibility for. But for Sakura… she did it to prove herself strong enough. The girl doesn't want to live in his shadow; she wouldn't take help or a rest. You know how proud a kunoichi of Konoha can be. Both of them have the will of fire."
The blonde medic looked back to the slumbering kids, and clicked her tongue. "Those kids… Naruto used the rasengan?"
The white-haired man stared out the window. "I didn't witness it, but Sakura did. At this point, I'd believe anything from this brat. The first real frog he summoned was Gamabunta himself, he's quite the kid. You're going to follow your word on the bet?"
She bit her lip, "A Hokage eh? At least he's got the guts for it." Jiraiya grinned and chuckled. "Let's go get some sake."
His back ached, and it felt like a weight was pressed on his chest. He opened his eyes slowly, not having the strength to sit up. Something stringy and pink blocked his sight. "Sakura-chan?" She's asleep? On me? We made it? What happened to Kabuto and the town? His eyes scanned the room and he turned his head. Another hotel room.
Not wanting to disturb his crush, he stayed still content to be her pillow for the time being. He laid back thinking. Kabuto a traitor… and he had a bag of leaf protectors… the others are in danger. We have to find them and stop the sound. He lay still for minutes, running over what had happened. I have to get stronger.
"You're awake now, eh brat?" He turned his head to the voice. "So I heard you used the rasengan." The rasengan… Oh yea I did! I won the bet!
He grinned widely. "You bet Tsunade-bachan, I win the bet!" He mumbled glancing at the pink head of hair on his chest. "But uh, is it ok if I prove it later? Uh… what happened by th—OW" He yelped at the blue crystal striking him in the face.
"Don't call me bachan!" She sighed and flopped onto a chair. "Meh, I wouldn't have believed it if you said it, but I think I can trust Sakura…"
He nodded. "I see ok… WAIT what do you mean you wouldn't have trusted me?" He shouted, jerking up causing Sakura to stir, who promptly planted a fist in his face.
"You're too loud!" She yawned out then blinked; looking around then frowned at the dazed blond. "Oh… sorry Naruto…"
Tsunade only cackled at the sight, "Oh don't apologize to him, he had it coming I think."
Sakura pushed herself up, and straightened her disheveled hair with a blush. She then looked straight toward the sannin clearing her voice. "Tsunade-sama, would you take me as your apprentice? I am willing to go through anything!"
Naruto blinked, and looked questioningly at Sakura, seeing the determination of her expression. Sakura-chan wants to train under bachan? "No, I'm not interested in babysitting." He watched Sakura's resolve get crushed into a crestfallen expression and she turned away.
He growled out, pushing himself up. "Tsunade-bachan! Sakura-chan would be perfect! Please take her!"
"Naruto… its ok, Tsunade-sama has her reasons I'm sure." Sakura turned to him and tried to give a reassuring smile which failed miserably.
I won't let Sakura-chan be sad. "Tsunade-bachan, take the necklace back. Let winning the bet take her as your apprentice instead! It's valuable right?" He watched the blonde stare at him unblinkingly. "You can keep the money too!"
"Naruto! It's ok really!" Sakura pulled on his shirt.
Tsunade stood up and walked to the door, and turned around. "Sakura can be my apprentice. But it won't be easy. I'll work you hard!" Sakura brightened and stammered. "And Naruto, it's your necklace on one condition. You become a good man and do the Hokages proud." The blonde smiled, and shut the door on the two.
His mind worked out what she had said, then he exclaimed. "That's great Sakura-chan… she'll train you!" Naruto beamed to his friend.
"Naruto… thank you!" She glomped on him in a tight hug. "I'm sorry I've been a burden…" He tried to interrupt but she shushed him. "Don't say I haven't, I know you believe in me, and now I'll be worthy of that. It may take some time but this is my promise to you; I don't want to just watch your back."
He returned the embrace. "Sakura-chan… I know you'll become strong. And I'll get stronger myself! Believe it!"
"I won't ever doubt you again." She whispered under hear breath laying against him. "Naruto… I misjudged you for so long, you always were the strongest.""Sakura-chan?" He heard a slight snore, and looked down. I guess she was really tired. He blushed pushing his fingers together. This is happening a lot now, being Sakura-chans pillow. He thought with a grin, and laid back to rest himself after fastening the necklace around his neck.
Naruto awoke to find the room empty; his growling stomach told him it was time to search for food. His eyes passed over a black and orange jumpsuit hanging in the corner with a small note for his name. He quickly ran over. Wow! Did Sakura-chan or Ero-sennin get this? He put it on with a wide grin, tired of the plain clothes he wore and relieved of the new garb. Orange just felt right.
"Humph, wearing orange again already. At least that is mostly black." He turned around to see Jiraiya sitting back in the window sill.
"Ero-sennin, did you get me this?"
He shook his head. "Hell no, Shizune bothered Sakura about your favorite color and went and found it. Tsunade's out corrupting your little friend right now. I wouldn't be surprised if she develops a gambling problem. Whose bright idea was it to train under Tsunade anyway?" Naruto had the sudden image of a drunk and busty Sakura whining about losing all her money gambling and had the uncontrollable urge to shiver. Be strong Sakura-chan!
He frowned remembering the fight with Kabuto. "Hey Ero-sennin, we fought a sound spy.. named Kabuto. And he… dumped a bag filled with leaf protectors. He said it was a trap… and our people are dying in these traps! Ero-sennin, I want to stop this. And I want to become stronger"
The large man set his hand on his shoulder. "A good point Naruto. I'll be on the lookout for all leads. I can supervise some of your training while we search. Naruto, you realize that you may be seeing less of Sakura while she is learning from Tsunade right?"
He nodded slowly. "Sakura-chan's strong and wants to get stronger too. And… this will be safer for her, if we go up against strong guys like Kabuto. Then when she thinks she's ready we can be a team again." His stomach growling ruined his serious speech. "And uh, can we go eat?"
After a pleasing meal, Naruto wandered the town killing the afternoon before returning to the room. He let out a loud yawn; his usual boundless energy depleted from his recent injury, and settled down for a nap.
He woke up with a start at the sound of his name. His eyes locked on his crush, thrashing in the throes of what he figured was another nightmare. "Sakura-chan? Wake up!"
"Naruto…?" She mumbled, opening her eyes, her face flushed with sweat.
"You were having another nightmare?" She nodded slowly, and he sat next to her.
She let out a weary sigh and slumped against his shoulder. "Sorry… Naruto, what's the most scared you've ever been? Other than the wave mission…?"
He thought for a second, remembering the night they discovered Konoha. "When you passed out at the arena… you were feverish, and the rain wouldn't stop. I was so worried and afraid I'd lose you then."
Her lips quivered, and she poked him. "You won't get rid of me that easy." She jested, but with little spirit. Sighing again, "What about something… not involving me?"
His face scrunched in thought. "Well… when Ero-sennin threw me off the cliff as part of the training, I thought I was going to die. That was pretty scary." He shrugged sheepishly.
Sakura nodded pensively, then growled, "He did WHAT? Why would he toss you off a cliff?"
"Err, he meant well! He was teaching me to use the Kyuubi chakra… and use the summon jutsu."
"Summon jutsu? You can summon like Orochimaru?" She said excitedly.
"Yep! The frog boss helped me thrash Gaara! Want me to summon something?"
"You summon frogs?" Her face twisted into a repulsed look. "Eww, no that's ok I believe you!" She laughed a moment. "Thanks Naruto, I always feel better just by talking to you."
"Sakura-chan… no problem!" He gave her his signature grin. "Sakura-chan, Ero-sennin and I will be going to find our friends, and stop the sound. Is your training going alright?"
"You're leaving?" A frightened look crossed her face.
He grabbed her hand. "I have to, but I promise I won't stay gone long! I'll make sure Ero-sennin lets me come back every few days or something! I promise I'll always return, and I keep my promises!"
She nodded and after a moment smiled. "I can live with that. And if you don't, I'll never forgive you!" She poked at him again. "Let's get back to sleep."
A/N: Ok this one is posted a bit later today than originally planned. I was toying more with dialogue. Note this is not the prelude to the timeskip (yet). Enjoy this for now, and many new things will be happening soon!
On a sadder note, Robert Jordan passed away this week ( He is one of my favorite writers, and the Wheel of Time series more or less pulled me back into the world of written fiction.
