Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
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Sakura told herself it was enough, it was enough to just hear about their lives through rumours and the strangers she saw on the street. But she was a masochist and it was not enough to hear they were doing well, she needed to see it for herself. She wanted to be apart of their unfolding lives.
The academy was alive with the sounds of celebration and in every direction children were laughing happily as parents swarmed the crowds trying to find their sons and daughters.
Sakura stayed away from the masses of people by hugging close to the for once forgotten swing set. Her white sundress hugged her curves and allowed the sunlight to kiss her exposed skin. She felt strangely naked in non-ANBU wear and longed for at least a weapons pouch on her hip.
But today was not about war or fighting or death, today was purely about happiness, the happiness she made possible. There were many visits scheduled to other timelines today and all was to rejoice. For once.
A blonde haired boy shouted eagerly at his parents as they fought through the growing crowd. Everyone stopped the Hokage to congratulate him on his son's accomplishment, just as everyone stopped Kushina to gush over her amazing family.
Eventually the couple pushed through the thick of it with courteous waves and smiles to reach their most precious little man.
"Oka-san! Otou-san! I did it! I'm a genin now!" His voice filled the outdoor area with its sheer volume, bringing an endearing smile to everyone's face.
That Naruto had always been a troublemaker, learning most of it from his equally mischievous mother and still the boy was absolutely adored by everyone. The two proud parents beamed at their son.
Minato ruffled Naruto's unruly blonde hair, which the boy frowned and grumbled at. "Good job, son."
Kushina eagerly grabbed her son into a hug. "We are so proud of you sweetie!"
The boy looked up with a toothy smile slightly embarrassed by his overly loving parents. The will of fire shone brightly in his eyes, knowing he was one step closer to his dream.
"Ne, I will be Hokage soon! Believe it!" He enthusiastically yelled, making sure a certain raven-haired Uchiha overheard.
Sakura bit hard on her cheek. It was not a day for tears she reminded herself. Today would be about them and only them. This exact moment was one of the reasons she convinced herself to keep up this mission. Naruto with his parents on the day he graduated from the academy.
All of it, the pain she endured daily, the consequences that tortured her very existence, was for right now.
Sakura waited until Naruto was alone. His parents once again made rounds to congratulate the other students at the academy and to greet their parents. At first she thought she would need to lead him away when his numerous friends surrounded him. A familiar blonde pony-tail, a lazy slouch, and pitch black eyes joked and laughed together.
All the people she once knew and saidgood-bye to were once again genin. The children were enjoying their first taste at being true shinobi. Before long all would be incredible ninja accomplishing their life's goals.
Luck was on her side because Naruto couldn't resist one last ride on his favourite swing before he needed to depart the safety of school and start going on missions. She waited until he was seated before making herself visible. His eyes widened the moment she stepped in front of him.
"Hello Naruto. Do you remember me?" She smiled shyly at him. It was a long shot, she was only ever around him when he was a young child and those were sporadic meetings.
"Aunt Sakura!" He jumped from the swing and threw his arms around her waist.
Sakura almost fell back at his sudden weight, gosh he was big, but eagerly returned his warmth. After a minute she loosened her hold and knelt in front of him to view the boy better.
"Congratulations on making genin Naruto-kun. You must have worked very hard." Naruto's cheeks reddened and he sheepishly scratched the back of his head, just like his father.
Sakura continued, "I'm so happy you've made it to this point and so, I have a present for you."
The boy's eyes lit up and he visibly shook with excitement at the promise of a gift. "Really?" He asked.
She nodded her head. Her hand came out and a small ball of dark red chakra formed on her palm. It took the shape of Kurama, the fox demon inside of her but miniaturized to fit in the palm of her hand.
"This is the Kyuubi. He's a dear friend of mine but he's needs a new place to live." She explained.
Naruto all but ignored her with his eyes trained on the small fox demon. "It's like Gaara's." He responded in awe.
He held out a tentative finger to touch the pure chakra and very slowly stroked the Kyuubi's fur. The animal growled low in its throat and lashed out to clamp down on Naruto's finger with his sharp fangs.
"Ouch!" The genin pulled his hand back immediately. The Kyuubi chuckled darkly and Naruto threw an annoyed glare his way. "You baka! Do it again I dare you!" He reeled on the small demon with blue chakra flaring.
Sakura laughed at the pair of them and dispelled the red chakra in her hand. She felt the tug of the telepathic voice in her head.
'Pinkie, you aren't seriously thinking of giving me to this twerp?'
'Hush now Kurama, he's exactly the kind of person you need.'
"Naruto-kun, how would you like to have Kurama become a part of your strength?"
His brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Sakura brought a finger to her chin like she was seriously pondering her response. Her eyes lighted with mischief and leaned closer to the boy. He leaned closer in expectation.
"Well you see it's like a partnership. You have to protect and care for Kurama and he will do the same for you." She explained.
'Haruno…' The Kyuubi warned.
'Shut it! I'm asking you to be his guardian, the same way I've been yours.'
His heavy sigh filled her head. 'This is the end isn't it?'
Naruto pondered over this peculiar gift but like always his curiosity won out. Besides maybe this was exactly what he needed to become the kind of shinobi that could protect his entire village and all his important people, like mom and dad.
His mind firmly made up, Naruto beamed at his Aunt. "What do I need to do?"
She playfully ruffled his hair just like his father did an hour before.
"Hold out your hand." She softly commanded.
He quickly complied and brought out his right hand. Sakura removed the only weapon she had stowed on her from the tall boots she was wearing with her dress. A kunai glittered in the morning light.
Naruto's hand trembled when she pressed the blade into his palm to draw a small line of blood. But he did not cry out. Her mind distantly recalled a memory of the first mission she ever had outside the village with Team Seven, when a same aged Naruto pledged with a bloody hand.
She made sure he kept his hand up while she rolled up his orange jacket to expose his belly. She bit hard into her own hand drawing more blood than her kunai did with his.
With precise swipes she drew the appropriate symbols on his belly leaving only a circle in the middle blank. She brought down his bleeding hand and completed the final swirls in the middle of the seal. Now all that was needed was her and the Kyuubi's chakra.
'Sakura.'
'Feeling sad Kurama? You've never said my first name before.'
The Kyuubi ignored her. 'You will be alone after this.'
She frowned at his awfully concerned tone. 'It's not like you to worry, so don't.'
'You've lessened my anger but I never made a dent in your's.' He argued.
'Please stop.' She all but begged him. 'Today is supposed to be a happy day.'
He growled at her. Actually growled, the likes of which he hadn't done since long ago.
'You are more than this mission and you need not walk alone. Don't forget that." Were his final words to her.
Sakura smiled sadly then gathered all of the burning hot chakra she possessed and pushed it through the seal into Naruto's adolescent body.
The resulting light show and chakra lightning was hard to miss. The Hokage, the ANBU guards, and just about every ninja within a five-mile radius were on scene in seconds.
After assuring that Naruto was unharmed, Sakura made herself scarce before she could be seen and watched from the cover of the leaves. Kushina bulldozed through them all to where an unconscious Naruto was beginning to stir.
"My baby! What happened?" She frantically checked his body for injuries.
Minato was at her side instantly also scanning his son for any visible wounds. All he could find was some dried blood on his right hand. The blond-haired boy slowly sat up, his blue eyes opening to the worried faces of his parents.
"Otou-san, Oka-san, Aunt Sakura gave me a gift." He grinned at them, shifting the whiskers on his face in a charming and unforgettable way. Kushina sighed with relief that he was in fact all right and crushed him to her.
Minato rapidly stood up, scanning the tree line for that tell-tale colour. He spotted her immediately most likely he realized because she was allowing herself to be seen by him.
Sakura raised a hand to wave goodbye. All the Yodaime could do in return was offer a smile and silently thank her for everything she did for this village and for him.
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