(A/N: Here is chapter fourteen. Re-edited this chapter to make it longer because I felt like there's a lot of potential to add in this chapter to strengthen Kira's and Sakura's friendship. Enjoy!
fanofthisfiction: Thanks for the review, and yeah... Kira isn't the prejudice type. She finds it stupid.
Kurayami Kanzuo Riddle: I can't read Spanish well, so I had to use Google Translate. And I see that based on Kira's personality thus far...that you like the pairing Sasuke/Kira. I'm still undecided though.
Ravegirl346: Thanks for the review.
ShugoYuuki123: I agree. Sasuke did deserve that slap to the face. Most of time throughout the entire series...I believe he deserved a good 'sit boy' a few times. Referenced by Inuyasha, by the way.
PurpleRawan: I like Naruto/Hinata, but I love Naruto/Sakura more! However, I hate the way Kishi portrayed both characters in the end. I think canon-wise the pairing ruined their characters for me. I like reading fanfics about Naruto/Hinata and Sasuke/Sakura because it's SO much better than the ass-pull Kishi pulled. It just seemed like in the end they were both just simple fangirls in their own right. Sakura, being the obnoxious, loud type, and Hinata being the quiet, stalker type. The only reason that Hinata isn't going to paired up with Naruto is that I think it'll ruin her character, if I did. You know, make her needy and pathetic. Yes, she could grow to be more courageous, but in a canon I also find it also as a drawback when Naruto is involved...going one step forward, then two steps back. Plus, their was so much potential for Hinata, only for it to be thrown out the window in the end. I do like Naruto/Hinata, but there are some fanfics where I just hate the way the pairing is portrayed. Mostly the ones where, Naruto fed up with the village's hatred of him, leaves Konoha hating its residents, then all of a sudden Hinata out of all people comes up to him asking to join, and he accepts without question, despite saying he hated everyone in Konoha. And half the time, Hinata should be unaware that Naruto is leaving, and by some Deus Ex Machina method to get the pairing going, she does. This is especially going by that fact in part one Naruto quoted that he barely knows Hinata. He only starts noticing her during part two. And for Sasuke/Sakura, I can only shake my head in disappointment in the canon version of this pairing. Honestly, to me, despite Sasuke and Sakura being two of my favorite characters, is the only thing good about this pairing is their daughter, Sarada. I absolutely adore her! More so than Naruto's and Hinata's kids, Boruto and Himawari...no offense. When it comes to the pairing of Sasuke/Sakura, I think Kishi was going for the classic angel/demon sort of cliche romance, but took it TOO far on the negative side. I just hate how weak-willed Sakura is around Sasuke. We all know how brave, courageous, and headstrong she could be, but as soon as Sasuke shows up...it's thrown out the window in an instance. Yeah, when comes to canon-wise to these pairings, I'm neutral towards Naruto/Hinata, but I dislike Sasuke/Sakura. Fortunately, fanfic-wise, depending on how plot goes and the story portrays them, I adore them! I guess, you can say the writing either makes me love or hate the pairings. I guess, you can say the reason I like Naruto/Sakura, despite the Minato/Kushina parallels, is that adored the whole acquaintances to best friends to lovers through hardship classic type of romance. And to be honest that's my favorite type of romance. I hate the rush, somewhat unexplained, last minute hook up pairing that Kishi tried to make Naruto/Hinata and Sasuke/Sakura try to be in canon. Those are the kind of romance I hate. I don't hate the pairing as I keeping saying for the umpteenth time, I just hate the canon romance in particular. And I also dislike people's Sakura is 'mean' to Naruto reasoning for disliking her or the pairing. I think that reasoning is stupid, childish, and immature. As almost all anime romance I've seen thus far are shown that way from way one way or another. Inuyasha, Bleach, and Angel Beats are a few examples. Even most people in real life are like that. But really...isn't it any wonder why Sakura is mean to Naruto in the beginning. I, like Sakura, find prank-loving people to be annoying, but I'm more subtle about it. I won't hit them or yell at them. I'll just quietly get up and leave to a different location in mild annoyance as I'm the type that doesn't want to get involved in unnecessary things. Okay, I ranted too much on pairings. Yes, I'm glad you love the Chunin Exam Arc. It's one of my favorite arcs of part one, beside the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. Unfortunately, you are going to have to wait a few chapters before I hit into the Chunin Exam one. Maybe you can call it an original arc called the Uishiki Arc. Why is it called that? I don't know. I just didn't know want to dwell on a name to much, and so just called it the first thing I could think of.)
Girl Talk
Team Seven was walking along a dirty road in a forest. Unfortunately, they had to stop because a certain knuckleheaded ninja lost the free ramen coupon that Kira gave him the other day.
"Where is it? Where is it?" Naruto searched his belongings, frantically trying to find the missing ticket. "I can't find it! It's gone!"
Sakura sighed in exasperation. "Just stop whining about it already!"
"Aw! Don't you understand? Kira gave that to me!"
"Yeah, don't you understand, Sakura?" Kira asked in a sly manner. "I mean, what would you do if Sasuke got lost?"
Sasuke's eyebrows twitched in annoyance.
Sakura rolled her eyes as if Kira just asked the most stupid question in the world.
"Why would Sasuke get lost?" the pinklette asked, hands in her hips.
Kira shrugged. "Because he's stupid."
Sasuke's eye twitched, this time in irritation. And Sakura now glowered at her. However, this time it was the Uchiha who spoke.
"I am not stupid enough to get lost, Kira," Sasuke hissed with controlled anger.
"Well, some people can dream, can't they? And if you do get lost, I'll celebrate! Invent a new holiday! The day that Sasuke got lost!" the black haired female retorted, glaring at him.
She twisted her body in Sakura's direction. "And if you ever find this guy…" She gestured towards the raven haired boy. "…It'll be too soon!"
She walked away, leaving the duo glaring daggers at the back of her head, along with a laughing blonde.
Sasuke clenched and unclenched his fists. He was seething in rage. Kira can really irritate him in the most annoying of ways.
"How dare you insult Sasuke, Kira?!" Sakura shouted in rage.
Naruto was still rolling on the ground, laughing his head off.
"Shut up, Naruto! Stop laughing!"
He quickly quieted down in fear of the pink haired girl's wrath.
Kakashi sighed and shook his head. "So much for teamwork…"
A thought hit Naruto. "Hey! I bet I forgot the coupon at old man Tazuna's place." He ran off without warning.
"Hey, you can't just leave, Naruto," Sakura protested.
"I'll be right back, I swear!"
"He's so irresponsible!"
"What a loser," Sasuke added.
"That boy," Kakashi sighed. "If this takes too long, we'll have to hurry back to make our report."
"Kakashi-sensei, why don't we just leave him behind, and go back ourselves," Sakura suggested, causing Kira to scowl at her. However, she didn't say anything as Kakashi beat her to the punch.
"No can do, Sakura," he replied.
The masked jonin tilted his head towards Sasuke. "Sasuke, you're going to have to go, and bring Naruto back."
"Are you serious?" the Uchiha complained.
The copycat ninja waved nonchalantly. "Now, now… Sometimes detours are a part of being a ninja, too."
All three of the genins looked at him, skeptically.
The Uchiha sighed. "Hn, fine." He took off after Naruto.
It has been two hours since Naruto left, and Sasuke went after him.
Both girls were sitting away from each other. Kira was mad at Sakura for insulting Naruto, and Sakura was angry at Kira for insulting Sasuke.
Kakashi was in the trees, reading his book while overlooking both girls, and their surroundings…in case an enemy attacks out of nowhere.
"Hey…"
"What?" Sakura glowered at Kira
"I was just wondering… Why are you so mean to Naruto?" Kira asked, curiously. "I mean, are you just mean to be mean? Are you just trying to look good in front of Sasuke? Or did Naruto do something to you that deserves such mistreatment."
"Naruto is just annoying!" Sakura answered in obvious annoyance. "He's loud and obnoxious! Plus, he tries to pick fights with my Sasuke!"
"Hmm," the black haired kunoichi said thoughtfully. "You sound pretty shallow to me."
"Shallow?" the pinklette screeched, her voice rising in levels. "I'm shallow?!"
Kira had to cover her ears. "Geez, Sakura! Not need to shout. You could have blown my ears off."
Sakura huffed. "Well, good then."
The black haired girl sighed. "That's not what I was trying to say. I meant to say that you bully Naruto for the idiotic reasons. It is one thing to pick on him, if he did something horrible to you, like a cruel prank or something. But it's another to just harass him because of his personality. What if someone came to you, and ridiculed you because of your giant forehead, or your lack of ninja skills?"
Sakura was fuming in rage. She was about to say something, but Kira put her hand up to stop her.
"I'm not trying to insult you. I'm just saying… Haven't you've been bullied once in your life before?"
Sakura froze in realization. She had been bullied before. She remembered the kids used to tease and say mean things about her because of her forehead.
She drooped in her head in shame. "Yes, I have. When I was just a kid, I used to be bullied because of my giant forehead. That is, until Ino became my friend."
"Ino? You mean that blonde haired Sasuke fan girl from the Academy?"
Sakura nodded. "Ino and I used to be really close friends."
"Used to? What happened?" Kira was quite intrigued. It wasn't like she was trying pick on Sakura. She was just really curious.
"After I developed a crush on Sasuke, and realized Ino liked him too, I ended our friendship," she said, gloomily.
Kira scowled at Sakura. No, she was shaking in fury. How can she just toss her friend away like that? The one who stood up for her, and practically saved her from the bullying? Over a guy she knows little to nothing about?!
"So, what you are saying is that you broke off your friendship with your best friend over Sasuke? A guy you know nothing about?" Kira inquired as calmly as possible. She doesn't want Sakura to think that she's harassing her.
The pink haired kunoichi could only nod in a shame. She never realized it before, but now since Kira said it… It really did make her seem like a shallow, little girl, who broke off her friendship with Ino over Sasuke, and just picks on Naruto just make herself look good in front of him.
Kira sighed and scooted closer to the depressed girl. She patted her on the shoulder. "C'mon! I wasn't trying to be mean or anything," she said, reassuringly. "I was just curious is all. Why do you even like a guy who wouldn't even give you the time of day?"
"I don't know why. I never even knew why I liked Sasuke in the first place. I just did," Sakura answered truthfully.
"Are you sure you like Sasuke, or is it the fact that other girls like him, and you want to join the crowd?"
Sakura's eyes widen. "Hmm, I never really thought of that. I guess deep down I was so afraid of being bullied again that I just decided to just join in with the crowd. If all girls in our age group liked Sasuke, then I should, too, right? I guess, it was just a stupid crush with superficial means."
"For me, if I have to act differently just to get a guy to like me, then he isn't worth my time," Kira said nonchalantly. She turned towards Sakura. Her face twisted in slight disgust. "You know, Naruto really likes you, and yet, you treat him like crap. You treat him the same way Sasuke treats you, and I can't stand that!" She stood up. "Maybe next time…give Naruto a break, will you?"
She walked off after lecturing Sakura with her head held high, giving the pinklette time to register everything. But she felt kind of bad. She could have said what needed to be said in a more subtle manner. She didn't mean to sound like she was biting Sakura's head off. She just didn't like the way she was treating Naruto. And, apparently, for no reason either.
Plus, she was also secretly trying to get Sakura to start appreciating Naruto. Maybe even seeing past his obnoxious side, like Sakura said, and like him like he likes her. She did promise Naruto that she will help him win Sakura over, and to do that, she needed to know why she liked Sasuke so much, and why all the unnecessary cruelty towards the hyperactive blonde.
"Kira…"
The black haired girl stopped in her tracks. She turned to look at the pink haired female. "What is it, Sakura?" she asked.
"Thanks for being honest with me. I'll…try to be little nicer to Naruto from now," Sakura said sincerely.
Kira smiled happily. "That's good!"
Curiosity now shone in Sakura's emerald colored eyes "Why do you insult Sasuke all the time, Kira?"
Kira facial expression dropped. She crossed her arms. "He's an arrogant, self-centered, pompous asshole! That's why!" she replied, but Sakura could detect a hint of anger and frustration laced in her voice. "Well, I'm hungry. How about lunch?"
Sakura smiled. "Sure, I'll like that."
"Good. And Sakura?"
"Yeah?"
"Let's hang out sometime. You know, just us girls."
"I would like that."
Another hour or so later, and the boys finally returned.
"You guys are here," Kakashi said lazily. "Good. We can get going now."
"What? Can't we rest first? I'm starving!" Naruto whined.
"Dobe, you can eat when we get back to the village," Sasuke said, boredom laced in his voice. He just wanted to get back to the village as soon as possible and get back to training.
Naruto scowled. "Shut up, teme!"
"Dead last."
"Bastard!"
"Loser."
"Asshole!"
"SHUT UP! BOTH OF YOU!" Kira roared. Both boys froze. She rubbed her temples, trying to clear away the oncoming headache. She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "Can you guys just shut up and stop bickering, alright? You just got back, and you already giving the rest of us a headache?"
"Sorry, Kira," Naruto said apologetically.
"Hn," was Sasuke's response.
"Oh, yeah…" She pulled out a lunchbox. "Here." She handed it to Naruto and Sasuke.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"You guys missed out on lunch, so I saved some for you guys."
Naruto and Sasuke both stared at the bento box in Naruto's hands.
"Thanks, Kira! Boy, I'm starving!" the blonde ninja eagerly opened it, however, much to his disappointment…there was only two rice balls in it. Animated tears poured from his eyes. "There's only two rice balls in here, Kira!"
Kira had a sly and mischievous look on her face. "That's what you guys get for taking too long and making us wait. Consider that your punishment."
Naruto grumbled something incoherently. Probably saying something about unreasonable and mean girls. Sasuke just stared blankly at the rice ball. Both boys each took a rice ball in their hands, chewed it, and swallowed.
Although, the both gave different reactions after that.
Sasuke continued to eat as if nothing bothered him. However, Naruto's face turned red. There was steam coming out of his ears.
"Hot! Hot! Hot!" Naruto chanted, his mouth on fire. "Water! I need water!"
Kira giggled and tossed him a bottle of water. He drank it vigorously.
"What the hell was in that rice ball?" he asked, terrified.
"Oh, nothing," she giggled. "I just put in a little bottle of super spicy hot sauce."
"How can you be so cruel to me, Kira?" Naruto whined.
"Oh, c'mon, Naruto. It wasn't that bad?" Sakura inputted.
"Not that bad! She tried to burn my tongue off, Sakura!" His eyes then widen. "Wait…! Since when do you two start getting along?"
Sakura smiled. "Let's just say when you're alone with someone, you start getting to know them better."
"Well, now that you guys had a little fun get together. Let's go, shall we?" Kakashi said, and led them on the path towards Konoha. The rest followed silently.
Kira took a glance at Sasuke. "Oh, so mister bigshot wasn't affected, huh?" she thought, mischievously. "Well, he can consider himself lucky."
"C'mon! Let's go out and eat, Mine, Cheri," a young Kira chirped, happily, pulling along two women with her tiny hands.
Kira had short black hair with a small black sunhat. She had on a green, short sleeved shirt, a pair of jean shorts, and green sneakers.
The older girl on her right, Mine, had long pink hair tied into two pigtails with pink ribbons, pink eyes, and wore a pink dress, black stockings, and pink shoes. Everything about her screams pink.
The other girl had a long, somewhat revealing red dress, and matching calf high boots. She had long brown hair and matching eyes. Her name was Cheri.
"What's with you, Kira?" Mine asked.
"I'm just so excited!" Kira replied, gleefully. "I heard there's a new store that sells yummy cookies and other sweets. Let's go!"
Cheri raised an eyebrow "A new store, huh? It's hard to believe a new store would open up."
Cheri's skepticism was understandable. The Capital may seem like peaceful and tranquil place, however, it was the complete opposites. It's plagued by cruelty and corruption. The townspeople were miserable. Some of the houses were rundown and crumbling. This was no way for people to live!
Children were out on streets, faced with the threat of starvation. Sometimes the poor families were forced out of their homes because of high taxes. Because of that, the men were sold off to slavery, and the women became prostitutes.
Some became beggars, pleading people for spare change. They were good people, but fate to these wretched lands had weaken their will to the point where they stopped trying and gave up on living. They walked around with soulless eyes, dragging their dead feet along the pavement.
Kira wanted to change it. This is not how people should live. It is just…inhumane. The Empire just doesn't give a rat ass about its citizens, however, the citizens were too afraid to rebel…otherwise, they will be executed. She wanted to change this hellhole for the better, but it would take time. She wanted a place where everyone was treated with dignity. Not where the strong become lapdogs to the Empire while weak were merely tools for that it can take pleasure in torturing psychology, emotionally, and physically.
The very thought of it made the little girl growl in anger. That is why she joined a group of rebellions to take down the corruption around the Capital.
"Kira, are you okay?" Mine questioned. She studied the little girl walking beside her. Her face was scrunched up in concern. Kira was like a little sister to her. The pink haired female was very protective of her, even though she was more than capable of taking care of herself.
"Oh, don't mind me, Mine." Kira smiled. They sat around a table outside of the desert stand. They looked over their menu as they waited for a waitress to take their orders.
Mine gave her a firm look then shook her head. "Kira, don't lie to me. I know something's bothering you. Now, spill it!"
Kira fidgeted with ends of her shirt, and bit the bottom her lip uneasily.
The waitress came with their orders. Kira had ordered a plate of melon pans with chocolate chips and caramel. She had a glass of chocolate milk. Mine had crème de papaya, and Cheri was served a cookie and cream taiyaki ice cream.
"Are you worried about the orphans living around here?" Cheri asked, understanding in her voice. She was always very insightful.
"Well…yeah…" Kira nodded her head in a lugubriously way. "I don't care what the Empire does to me. I'm already committed to this job. But… I don't want them to grow up, leading a life that doesn't give two shits about them." She gritted her teeth. "Sorry about the cursing, but just thinking about the Empire and how corrupt it is pisses me off!"
Mine sighed, exasperatedly. She flicked Kira on the forehead.
"Ow!" Kira whimpered. She rubbed her head, tenderly. "Mine, that was mean. You didn't have to do that."
"Well, that's what you get for being such an idiot," the pink haired teen said, harshly.
"Mine, don't so critical," Cheri chided. "Kira is still a kid remember. Be a little nicer, will you?"
Mine rolled her eyes. "I know that, Cheri. But still, Kira…" Her eyes softened a bit. "We all have something against the Empire. But it will do us no good to be worry about others and what ifs. The best thing we do is take down the Empire to save as many lives as possible, right?"
"Right, sorry," Kira said, quietly.
Mine smiled, gently. A mischievous glint then shone in her eyes. She snatched a melon pan from Kira's plate and began munching on it.
"Hey!" the black haired girl, protested. "That's mine!"
"Well, learn to be more guarded next time, Kira."
Mine laughed along with Cheri whilst Kira just pouted. But the latter couldn't help, but to laugh along with them.
Kira's eyes fluttered open. There was sweat dripping down her brow.
Her eyes with somewhat clouded with lamentation. "I haven't dreamed about Mine, Cheri, or any of the others in a long time."
The black haired rolled over to her said. She clenched the bird pendant around her neck. The bird was actually a raven with red eyes.
Back then, she had a purpose. She had a true reason for fighting and surviving. It was to stop their corrupt Empire from ruining anymore lives of its citizens.
But now… What is she fighting for? Sure, she is a ninja assigned to go on missions and such, but what exactly was she fighting for? Who was she fighting against?
She groaned, agitated. "There's no point in worrying about it now," Kira sighed. "I guess, I'll just protect my teammates."
It was Team Seven's day off today. After learning about the C-rank turned A-rank mission, the Hokage was generous enough to give them a day off to relax and recuperate.
Kira tossed and turned on the bed, trying to fall asleep once more. However, she was unsuccessful. Damn! Ugh! Sometimes she wished she wasn't such a light sleeper and early riser. She read the alarm clock on the red dresser next to her bed. It said 'seven-fifteen a.m.'.
She stretched her body, and emitted a loud yawn from her mouth. She was wearing a pair of lavender pajamas. "Well…maybe I can go train, or visit the orphanage."
Kira has been volunteering at the orphanage for quite awhile now. Two months to be precise. She used to go almost on a daily basis. Unfortunately, ever since she became genin, she's been having less time to spend there. That doesn't mean she can't go when time is available for her. What can she say? She loves kids!
She climbed out of queen sized, lavender bed, and proceeded to walk into the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and took a quick shower. Kira put on her usual clothes.
The black haired kunoichi checked herself in the mirror placed against the wall above her dresser. She opened to the second drawer then pulled out aqua colored brush. She grasped her fingers around the handle.
Kira brushed through the tangles of her with such meticulous precision, hitting every knot that was in her black tresses. She didn't even know why she took so long to do her hair, or why she even cared. How long has it been since she started brushing her hair? About fifteen minutes. Usually, the black haired ninja would be done in five. She made a quick conclusion that since it's their day off, there's no reason to rush, right?
When she placed the brush back where she found it, Kira paused when her eyes settled on a photograph. It was a picture of her when she was younger, along with Mine, Cheri, and the rest of their friends. It was taken on the grassy field outside of huge building on the underside of a cliff. Despite the harsh times together, they all looked so carefree and happy.
Kira traced her fingers along photo with a nostalgic expression on her face. This picture had so much sentimental values to her. It's one of the few possessions she had left to remember them by, along with the raven pendant she wore around her neck.
"Hey, guys," Kira whispered softly to the image. "Well, it's been quite awhile since I've last seen all of you. Just to let you know, I'm a few years older than you last saw me. I'm a ninja now. Shinobi of a place called Konoha or the Hidden Leaf Village. Weird place, I know. But it's not as bad as it seems. They people here are quite friendly. Sure, there are some jerks lurking around here, but that's not anything new, is it?"
Her blue eyes softened. "I also have a new team. A hyperactive blonde boy named Naruto Uzumaki. He's always so hyper and loud. However, he is entertaining to be around with. He makes everything…less stressful. Then there's a girl named Sakura Haruno. She's…okay, I guess. I mean, she's smart, but that's about it. There many odds and ends she needs help with…that I just can't name them all. What she needs to work on now…is eating healthier and training harder. If you guys saw her now, you might end up mistaking her as prostitute with nothing left to do, but to sell her body to make a quick buck."
She then clenched her fist into a ball. "I have this other teammate named Sasuke Uchiha. Ugh! He irritates me in so many ways! He's a stupid, self-centered, arrogant jerk!" She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "But…I guess… I guess…he has a nice, caring, and attentive side. I mean, he did protect me and Naruto from this boy named Haku, who uses ice and senbon needles to attack. And then there's my sensei, Kakashi. He's so lazy and is always late to our meetings, even though HE'S the one who schedules them. And he always comes up with the most pathetic reasons for why he is fucking three to five hours late. But he is a powerful shinobi, and a reliable teacher when he can be. So, I guess I can let it slide."
Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. She quickly wiped them away. "I miss you guys so much. Maybe someday I'll introduce some of you guys to my new friends. I'm sure you'll get along."
Kira placed the picture back where she found it and closed the drawer. She looked over at headboard on the far side of the wall at the Team Seven picture that they took after they passed Kakashi's bell test. Naruto was glaring at Sasuke…well…at least tried to because Kira had a big grin on her face as she wrapped her arms around him. So, the blonde haired knucklehead also had a slightly embarrassed look on his face. Sasuke was scowling as usual, and sending Naruto a sideways glare. Sakura was beaming in a cutely manner, and Kakashi had a sheepish expression on his face while ruffling Naruto's and Sasuke's hair.
Kira let a soft smile grace her lips.
Kira was hummed an off key tune to herself while she was fixed herself some breakfast. She made herself a plate of pancakes and fried eggs with maple syrup. Pots and pans were sizzling as Kira danced around the kitchen, putting in the necessary ingredients.
About fifteen minutes later, she was done. Kira took the spatula and gently slid the pancakes onto a plate, then the egg to the side. Next, she poured the syrup all around the pancakes and eggs, watching the thick liquid drizzle down in an almost sloppy manner.
Kira was absentmindedly chewing on a bit pancake as she glanced around the house. It was pretty…decent. There was the living with a TV over a small brownish-red cabinet. There was a black bookshelf on the right side of the door in the corner. It was fairly empty, except for a few books and scrolls on the basics of chakra.
"Maybe I should return those?" Kira mentally noted.
There was a brown couch across the TV with a rectangular, black table with unbreakable glass in the center. The curtains by the windows were periwinkle in color matching the doormat. The carpet was velvet red, and finally, the walls were painted midnight blue.
"The walls of my bedroom are purple," she thought, amused. Blue, red, or purple. She couldn't really decide. She loved them all!
Besides the living room, the kitchen, and the dining room, there was still two more rooms… The main bathroom and an extra bedroom. Why were two bedrooms? She would never know. Maybe there was a small family who used to live here before they moved out. Perhaps, this apartment was the only place available at the time.
Kira didn't really mind nor cared. Hey, a home is a home. Beggars can't be choosers. And besides, Kira did a fair and sensible job when it came to decorating the apartment to her taste and style. Something that screams cozy and peaceful, yet distorted and primitive, like her.
Kira finished her breakfast, and threw the plate into the sink. "I'll wash them later," she noted before heading out the door.
Kira decided just who she was going to spend the day with… Sakura. Not only could they spend some girl time together, but Kira could also train her pink haired teammate. God knows she needs all the training she can get because right now…she's a liability. Sakura has best analytical skills out of Team Seven, but that's all useless if her body can't keep up.
Naruto won't really be much use in helping Sakura. He will just be…too over protective. He'll be more worried about keeping his crush safe, and prefer it if she was in the sidelines.
Kira sighed.
And then there's Sasuke, but the Uchiha will be more focused on training himself than anybody. "Yet, he's the one who keeps telling her how much of a burden to the team she is," the black haired girl grumbled.
Kira made it to the doorstop of the Haruno household. The house was of moderate size and peach colored. She climbed up the steps and knocked on the front door. Not too loud, but not too quietly either.
She rocked on the heels of feet in anticipation.
"I'm coming!"
A woman's voice sounded from inside the house.
The next moment, the door opened to reveal a woman in her late twenties with long brown hair tied into a low ponytail. She had fair skin, green eyes, and wore a pink qipao dress with three-fourth length, black leggings underneath.
The woman's smile instantly faltered into a frown when she spotted Kira. "Oh, it's you." There was a hint of disdain in her voice.
Kira gave a sheepish laugh. "Good to see again, Mrs. Haruno." The black haired kunoichi tried to search inside the house over Sakura's mom's shoulders.
Mrs. Haruno, or Akari, just scowled at the girl. She wasn't very pleased to see her. This is the girl who assaulted her daughter at the Academy, leaving Sakura with a few bruises. Of course, being a worried mother, she reported the incident to the Hokage. However, she wasn't pleased that Kira was just left off with a warning, even if she was newcomer to the village.
Ever since then, Akari held contempt towards the girl in front of her. And then to find out that Kira was in the same squad as Sakura along with that demon brat… Akari wasn't just furious, she was absolutely livid. Her daughter was being shoved with bad influences in her life!
"Uh? May I can come in?" Kira asked timidly when Akari just continued to glare at her with heated eyes.
"Mom? Who's at the door?" Sakura asked from inside the house.
"Your teammate, Kira," Akari answered, trying to cover up the aversion in her voice.
However, Kira could detect it. In truth, she didn't care what this woman thought of her. She wasn't here to please her. She was here to help improve her daughter's training, so she wouldn't get killed on a mission and/or become a liability.
Sakura appeared next to her mother at the door. She blinked in confusion. "Kira, what are doing here? This is our day off, remember?"
"Let's spend the day together!" Kira chirped, dragging the poor pinklette out the door without consent.
"H-hey! Wait a sec…!" Sakura protested, but it fell on deaf ears.
Akari frowned deepened even more. By god, that girl is unorthodox!
Kira led Sakura into their usual Team Seven training grounds.
The pinklette furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Okay? What are we doing here, Kira?"
Kira's face twisted into a serious expression. "We are going to train, Sakura," she said sternly. "Just you and me."
Sakura stood perplexed. "Come again?"
Kira just sighed, exasperatedly. "Okay, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Sakura, you need to start taking your training more seriously," she said quite harshly. "You are weak."
"What do you mean weak?!" Sakura shouted, anger rising in her voice.
Kira didn't waver. "The way you are now…you are a liability." She raised her hand up to stop the pinklette from interrupting her. "You may have book smarts, but just being smart is no replacement for training and strengthening your body. You practically have no muscle in your body at all."
Sakura's emerald eyes drooped, dejectedly. "But Sasuke wouldn't like girls with a lot of meat on them."
The black haired kunoichi resisted the urge to facepalm herself. "Look, Sakura. You need to stop thinking about what Sasuke might like and start thinking more about your well-being. I mean, when was the last time you had a proper meal?" Kira looked pointedly at her.
The pink haired kunoichi flinched. "I'm on a diet," she responded hesitantly.
Kira just shook her head, unhappy with that response. "This forlorn attempt to get Sasuke's affection needs to stop now, Sakura! You're a shinobi now. You need to start taking your missions more seriously. Not chase some love fantasy that has an insignificant chance in having any success…from what I've seen."
Sakura lifted her head up. "So, what do we do?" she asked, albeit in a serious tone. Her eyes twinkling with newfound determination. "I will not be a burden!"
Kira smiled, contentedly. "I thought I would have to slap some more logic into her. Looks like my talk yesterday got through to her."
"Let's started off easy for today," Kira suggested.
Both Kira and Sakura started off by sparing against each other. Sakura was using the taijutsu style that was taught to her by the Academy. Kira found so many openings in Sakura's hand to hand combat skills.
The black haired kunoichi blocked a kick that was aiming for her head. In return, she threw a soft punch to the pinklette's chest.
Sakura gasped, as she skidded back a little.
"You need to tighten your guard up, Sakura," Kira chided.
Sakura nodded her head in confirmation.
Kira throw a punch her way, however, Sakura managed to block it and sent a swift kick at her. The black haired girl used both her arms to block the fierce kick.
She smirked. "Not bad, Sakura."
This caused the pinklette to smile, triumphantly.
"However…" Kira twisted her arms to grab a hold of her leg.
The pinklette's face scrunched up in confusion, then a gasp of surprise left her mouth when her sparring partner flipped her over, and pinned her to the floor by straddling her and restricting her movements.
"Looks like I win, Sakura." Kira grinned victoriously.
The pink haired kunoichi just sighed and condemned defeat.
Kira stood up and dusted the dirt of her clothes. She extended her hand out to help her teammate up. Sakura took her hand gratefully, whilst using her other hand to wipe the sweat off her brow.
"To tell you the truth, Sakura, you're taijutsu skills are…a little sloppy. There were many openings," Kira explained.
Sakura huffed a little, trying to catch her breath. "Kira?" Emerald eyes gazed at the black haired girl with curiosity. "Why are you helping me? You know, with my training?"
Kira just laughed, which further confused the pinklette. "Why do ask such a silly question, Sakura?" She patted the girl on the back. "We're teammates, after all. It's our duty to help each other out when the time calls for it. And besides…" She gave a sideways glance in both direction before her sapphire blue eyes redirected at emerald green ones. "…We can't have the boys showing us up, right?" She gave a playful wink.
Sakura just laughed in return. She wiped the tears from her eyes from all the laughing. "You are right, Kira! We girls have to stick together, if we want to beat the boys!"
The black haired kunoichi nodded happily. The wind blew gently, making the leaves in the trees rustling, and both girls' hair dance with the breeze.
It was about midday. Kira suggested that they do some push-ups, sit ups, and a lap around the village to pass the last three of four hours of daylight they have left. They did twenty five push-ups, fifteen sit ups, and one lap around Konoha.
It was near sunset, and Kira decided to stop by a diner, dragging a reluctant Sakura with her. The diner wasn't anything too fancy. It had a warm and comforting feeling.
The two girls took the booth near the window.
"What are we doing at a diner, Kira?" Sakura asked.
Kira just gave her a knowing smirk. "Hey, waiter! Over here!" she ushered a waiter over, ignoring Sakura's question in the process.
Soon, a waiter came over with a pad and pencil. "Yes? What can I do for you ma'am?" the waiter asked, giving her a kind smile.
"Yes, I'll have teriyaki chicken with barbecue sauce, shrimp stir fry rice drizzled with soy sauce, and a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the side."
The waiter wrote all that on his notepad. "And you, ma'am?" He pointed at Sakura.
"Uh?" Sakura said, dumbly. She stirred from her stupor. "I'll like a simple salad with dressing on the side, please."
The waiter nodded in confirmation. "I'll get your orders right away." He walked away.
"Thanks." Sakura turned back to see Kira giving her a sour look. "What?" she asked, feeling a little defensive at the moment.
"Really? Just a salad?" Kira hissed in an exasperation.
"Yeah… So?"
The black haired girl shook her head. "I got to get you off that diet, Sakura. It's going to kill you one day."
The next half hour, the waiter came back with their meals.
"Are you sure you can finish all that, Kira?" Sakura asked, incredulously.
Kira gave her a look. "Course I can! But…" She leaned over and dumped some of her chicken into Sakura's salad bowl.
"Hey!" the pinklette protested.
"Well, you got to eat more than just a boring salad, Sakura," the blue eyed female cut her off.
Both girls ate in a comforting silence.
"Kira?"
Kira's head lifted up, eyes glimmering with interest. "Hmm?"
Sakura self-consciously tugged a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Why are being so nice to me?"
The black haired girl just sighed. "I've told you once before, Sakura. We're teammates. It's our job to help each other out."
"But in the Academy… You…me…we…"
She held her hand up, trying to get her to stop talking. "I know we used to loathe one another, Sakura. But that was in the past. Me, you, Naruto, and Sasuke… We are a team now. It will do us no good to have bad blood between us. It'll only disrupt our friendship and collaboration skills. So, let's just let bygones be bygones! Deal?" Kira held out her hand with a small smile.
Sakura returned the smile with a smile of her own. "Deal!" She shook her hand.
"Now, only if we can get Naruto and Sasuke to get along," Kira giggled.
Sakura snickered, knowing what she meant. "It will take them a million years before they can get along!"
"I know, right? Why are boys always so competitive?"
The pink haired kunoichi shrugged. "You got me there."
Kira set her cup of coffee down after taking a sip. "And you remind me of an old friend of mine. Her name is Mine."
Sakura tilted her head, confusion written on her face. "Mine? Who is she?"
The other girl just gave a blissful smile. She took a bit of her chicken before speaking. "Oh, just an old friend. She has pink hair, was stubborn, feisty, and hot-tempered, like you, Sakura." Kira laughed at the end.
"Hey!" the pinklette shouted, almost offended. Her sudden outburst caused the other occupants in the restaurant to glance at her in bewilderment, making her face flush in embarrassment.
She just grumbled under her breath and stabbed her salad with her fork, chewing it angrily. Kira was laughing all the while. However, Sakura missed the dull look the glazed across her sapphire eyes before disappearing just moments ago.
This was a nice feeling. The tension between those two girls, since their Academy days, had finally been lifted. Both Sakura and Kira chatted along while enjoying the taste of their foods.
"I'm home!" Sakura yelled as she entered her house.
"Sakura! Welcome home, dear!" Akari greeted her daughter. The pinklette's noise was filled with a delicious aroma. She looked over to see her mother making dinner. "Dinner will be ready in a minute, sweetie," Akari said as if reading her daughter's thoughts.
"No thanks, mom," Sakura replied. "I already ate earlier."
"Really?" The woman finally settled her eyes on her daughter. She gasped, seeing the cuts and small bruises on her body. She rushed to her, worry wrinkling her facial features. "Sakura, what happened?"
"Oh? These?" The pink haired pre-teen gestured towards her small injures. "These are just from training. Me and Kira spent all day training together, and then we went out to dinner."
"Kira? The girl you didn't get along with in the Academy?" Akari questioned, puzzled.
Sakura simply smiled in a reassuring manner. "Yeah, it's hard to believe. But Kira and I are really getting along now."
"If you say so, dear," Akari said, still unsure. She still didn't trust that Kira girl. As far as she knew, that girl was out of control. "So, you are not hungry?"
The pink haired girl pondered a bit. "On second thought, seconds would be nice. Just let me clean my wounds, I'll be back down in a bit."
"Alright!" The brown haired woman went back to fixing dinner while her daughter went upstairs to the bathroom to bandage her bruises.
"I can't believe how easily me and Kira can get along," Sakura thought with a smile. "Thanks to her, I think…maybe…I won't be a nuisance. I guess, the only reason I didn't take my training seriously was because I thought I wouldn't amount to anything. But now… I feel more confident in myself than ever before."
Sakura rushed back downstairs, after cleaning her cuts, to eat dinner with her mother.
(A/N: That's the end of chapter fourteen. I told you this chapter may end up short. I was going to make it longer, but then I thought…naw. Why? Because I wanted it to just focus on Kira and Sakura bonding and getting to know each other. That's okay. It's hard for me to explain anyway. The reason for Kira's conversation with Sakura is for two things. One, she wanted to know why Sakura is such a fan girl for Sasuke. And two, she promised Naruto that she will try to hook her up with him, but she's being subtle about it. She doesn't want Sakura to fall for Naruto just because she told her to. She wants her to do it on her own terms. You should remember that promise from earlier chapters. I really like the stories where Sakura isn't so much of a Sasuke fan girl, but still remains in character. That's what I'm trying to do. I am gradually trying to dim down Sakura's fan girl side while keeping her overall character still intact. If any of you are my previous readers, you'll notice that this chapter is about three times as long as it originally was. That's because I didn't know what I was going to do with Sakura before. What I meant it is…how would I proceed with her training. I still want her to have the same abilities as canon, you know, being a medic-nin and all that later on. However, I am still confused on to get started on that. I was initially going to have her try taking her training more seriously during the time skip, but now since I figured it out…I'll make her be more efficient in her chakra control. I mean, Sakura has exceptional chakra control to make her be an excellent medical ninja…surpassing even Tsunade. I'll find out other ways she can use her chakra control skills and also improve in her taijutsu. And also, Sakura's parents are both OC characters I created. Why? Well, since I have first watched Naruto, they have never mentioned Sakura's parents being from a ninja clan, so I always assumed they were plain civilians. No ninja training whatsoever. But seeing Road to Ninja…kind of made my viewpoint turn upside down. Yes, Sakura's parents are civilians now, but the whole concept of them never having any ninja training was thrown out the window. So, I revamped her parents turning them into how I envision them to be. Anyway, please read and review! Constructive criticisms are also welcomed!)