Chapter 14

Naruto has been in that spot for an hour, pacing back and forth then he'll stop to stare on that thing in the glass window for a full minute, wearing that weird squint on his eyes, pursing of his mouth and tapping of his feet. His ocean-blue orbs were boring holes on a set of cute baby stuff which was on display in that particular new baby shop in western Konoha. It may looked as if he was hesitating and can't decide if he'll just go inside the shop and asked for the help of the sales lady who were beginning to show worried on their faces as they followed his relentless figure outside of their shop, or just buy whatever he'll picked. Other people, inside and outside the premises were starting to notice and fuzz over the flashy orange and black figure of him, who was beginning to dug a peculiar pattern on the road with his pacing. They all have one thing on their mind…

…what is the infamous village Hero doing in front of a baby shop?

Some people began to stop just to look at him, some girls were even giggling and women were murmuring. It doesn't even help when few people began crowding around near him. He didn't notice what's happening around, indicating how concentrated he was on whatever it was on his mind. The village people knew his whirlwind love story, how he was infatuated with the Hokage's apprentice, Sakura, back in those days, almost begging for her attention. Sakura was her first love after all but came to realize his feelings towards the Hyuuga heiress. He's dating Hinata…that is…supposed to be secretly, but knowing there are a few loudmouths in Konoha 12, all of the people knew about it, except Neji. How the infamous prodigy and genius never figured out about his dear cousin dating the self-proclaimed Hokage was still a puzzle to everyone these days. Looking at Naruto who was pacing back and forth in front of a shop surely stirred the people's curiosity.

"N-Naruto-kun?"

He stopped his pacing and turned to see who called him. His eyes brightened upon seeing the Hyuuga heiress among the people who he had finally noticed crowding nearby. The first thing on his mind was if there was something interesting around he didn't know. It finally sinks in that he was the reason for it. The combination of him and the baby shop surely is interesting!

He scowled at the people, narrowed his eyes and then throwing sharp glares which made them feel the Jinchuuriki's killing aura. They dispersed themselves one by one and the busy road comes back to its normal busy traffic.

"Hinata-chan!" he barked afterwards, his smile so wide now ignoring the side glances of a few people who passed them by. He scratched his head which made Hinata giggle. "Hey," he approached and greeted her, noticing that she was carrying a bag of groceries.

"H-hi, w-what are you doing here, Naruto-kun?"

"Oh…" he scratched his head, "I'm thinking of buying something but can't decide what,"

"In the baby shop?"

"Yeah. I got in a fight with her and I'm thinking of buying something as a means of reconciliation,"

"Her? You got a fight with a…baby?" HInata furrowed her brows in question. No matter how weird it sounded, she just had to ask that stupid question. Thinking how absurd that was, and seeing the dumb expression on Naruto's face, she blushed, "Oh, I-'

"No, no! What I mean was, I had a fight with Sakura-chan," and then his voice toned down a bit, "—and I want to say sorry to her, so I thought of giving her something,"

"But why a baby stuff?" HInata asked innocently, "I didn't know she likes baby stuff nowadays,"

"Eh? You mean you don't know?"

Hinata paused and stare at Naruto's awed expression. Then she realized it.

"Ohh my…" Hinata smiled and blushed.

"OH NO…," Naruto's shoulder fall upon realizing that he just blurted out something he shouldn't have, "I'm doomed,"

"Oh d-don't worry! Please, I won't tell anyone! B-But this is great news! Oh my—"

"Hinata-chan," Naruto cried. "I think I just signed my death certificate. Sakura-chan's gonna kill me. No, Baa-chan's going to kill me too!"

"Silly. T-They won't kill you…" Hinata laughed half-heartedly, "…would they?" Then she whispered, worry evident on her irisless eyes. "W-Was it supposed to be a secret?"

"Uhh, yeah? Since you didn't know, and I guess a bunch didn't know either and I realized that things were really complicated from the start, and that's the reason why Sakura-chan and I were in bad terms. It's actually my fault that's why I'm here. Anyway, since you're here, help me!" Naruto said then grabbed Hinata's free hand. All that the Hyuuga heiress could do was to utter a cute squeal and blushed profusely as she eyed her wrist gripped by Naruto's big hand. Together, they entered the baby shop, much to the people's stunned expressions.

SxS

"Mom, I'll be going now!" Sakura shouted as she exited the door of her childhood home. She heard her mom shouted back a farewell to her so she stepped outside, closed the door and inhaled deep. It's a good day today, she thought as she gazed at the cloudless sky. She's going to miss this, Konoha's familiar air, the busy people in the neighborhood, the discreet shinobis jumping from roof to roof, the eager Genins who are doing some D ranks nearby, the squealing and shouting of the kids, the alcohol smell of the hospital…everything…everyone.

She visited her parents that day to bid farewell. She'll be going to the Tea Country tomorrow and she has to bid everyone goodbye. Tsunade tried to talk to her about it in the last minute but she told her Shishou that her decision was final. She had already informed the hospital about her 'study grant' in Tea Country and even though everyone was sad, they wished her good luck. It was another story with the Rookie 9 and everyone had different reactions. Lee cried a river upon hearing this and tried to hug her but was later sent to the hospital, thanks to the reflex reaction she did with her super strength ability which she had momentarily forgotten. Kiba, Chouji and Shino just wished her good luck and didn't make too much fuzz about it, while TenTen had a sad face trying to ask her why she had to study in such a far-away country. She had already talked to Ino about it, who was the only one who knew what was really going on, and she just gave her a sigh and a tight hug. On the other hand, Shikamaru and Neji were looking at her seriously without uttering a single word which made her tense…she was so nervous. It was like they were reading her, and somehow, the pinkette had this eerie feeling that the two genius knew what was going on.

The only people she needs to talk to are her Team mates. Now where in the world are they when you're looking for them? No need to look for Sai. She learned that he was assigned with another team in a mission and it would be another week before they return. Also, she had been looking for Naruto for the past days to talk to him, but it seems he finally managed to beat his title of being the loudest ninja in Konoha. He was nowhere to be found on his usual places. Sakura tried to surprise him on his place but all she had found was a bunch of trash scattered around his apartment. She looked for him in Ichiraku, asked the folks there about him but it also seemed that Naruto has been dodging the ramen these past days, much to Sakura's amusement. At the end, she gave up. She might leave Konoha without talking and clearing whatever misunderstanding they had and that made her sad.

So, her feet brought her to the cemetery, surely to find her former sensei here.

And she's right, she saw the tall silver-haired man, standing before the black stone monument. She approached him silently.

"Kakashi-sensei,"

Kakashi turned to see her and his exposed eyes curved indicating a smile, "Yo,"

"I know I'll find you here," Sakura stood beside him and stared at the black stone which had the names of the people, shinobis who had died on duty were carved on it. Sakura knew that the names of Obito and Rin were there. "praying for them?"

"Well, yeah I guess. But honestly I was just staring at them. Old habit I guess,"

"Old habits are hard to die huh?" Sakura said. She went silent for a while.

"What's up?" Kakashi broke the silence between them and looked at his only female student.

"Kakashi-sensei, are you…are you like…mad at me? About me having Sasuke's child and everything?" she said softly, her eyes fixed on the black stone in front of them.

Kakashi didn't answer right away. He stared at the pinkette beside him then he sighed. He then turned his gaze towards the black monument stone, staring particularly on Rin's name. "Sakura, what's with the –sensei thing, I'm not your sensei anymore, and no I'm not mad,"

Sakura lifted her head, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Old habit I guess," she copied what he had said and laughed. Kakashi smiled.

"I've heard you're going to depart to Tea tomorrow? Want me to do an escort mission?"

"No sir, I have nothing to pay for your services, thank you,"

"Who says I'm going to ask for a payment? I'll talk to Tsunade about it. And I insist that you need an escort going there, now don't look at me like that," he winked, " I know how strong you are but you are my responsibility, and I just wanted you to be safe,"

"Thanks sensei," Sakura giggled, "…oh, have you seen Naruto around? I've been looking for him for days! I need to talk to him. Actually, w-we haven't spoken to each other since the incident in the Hokage tower. And I'm leaving tomorrow. I don't want it to leave it that way,"

"Oh, yeah. I remember he told me to ask you to go and see him in Training Ground 3 by four today.

"Really? Thanks Kakashi-sensei! I'll go find him!" she shouted as she run off towards the training ground.

Sakura found him, his back facing her and he was standing on top of the plump pillar, the one where Kakashi tied him while she and Sasuke ate their lunch in their very first survival training, It was so familiar to her that she stood there smiling. This place brings so many memories and looking at Naruto, who seemed occupied with his own thoughts, she can't help but wonder how lucky she was to have met him.

"Naruto," she called. The blond Jinchuuriki turned around to see her and for the first time, after his disappointed look in the Hokage tower that day, he smiled to her. She knew that moment that what happened between them was long gone. There's no need for explanations, no need to go over it. Just a smile and everything that happened between were forgotten.

Naruto jumped from where he stood and approached her. He stopped when he was just a few feet away, looking intently on her, then he hugged her, a warm big hug.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I was just….I know I acted like a kid, but—"

"I should be the one saying sorry Naruto. I know what happened was my fault, I should have told you everything," she hugged him back, holding her tears.

"Let's forget about it okay? I won't do it again, I promise," Naruto said. Sakura brushed off the tears that stung her eyes and laughed.

"Okay," she just said.

"As a sign of my apology, I bought you something,"

"Really? What is it? Don't tell me its ramen?"

Naruto laughed as he scratched his head then grin sheepishly, "Actually—"

"S-Sakura-san…" the pinkette heard a soft voice. Sakura looked to see Hinata peering behind a tree.

"Hinata-chan, what are you doing there?" Sakura asked curiously. Hinata walked towards them

"U-Uhm, Naruto-kun wants you to have this," Hinata said as she handed her a yellow box wrapped in mint green ribbon.

"What's this?" Sakura asked to the both of them. Hinata stand beside Naruto now and gave him a smile, "I won't find a trap or a paper bomb on this right?"

"Just open it, you'll see" Naruto said in a big grin.

"A-Anou…S-Sakura-san, u-uhm…I know you might get angry or something, but I swear I w-won't tell anyone. It's not Naruto's fault! I-I just…I just found it out…a-accidentally, gomenasai…" Hinata said as her voice slowly dying down as she lowered her head in apology.

Sakura furrowed her brows, trying to decipher what Hinata was trying to say to her. Then it clicked…Hinata knew about her pregnancy. It was no wonder actually, being a Byakugan user who can identify chakra signatures. That's why she was so nervous around Neji these past days. Even though he wasn't activating his Byakugan, his stares alone were intimidating. Now she understands what Naruto was feeling around the Hyuuga genius. She knew Naruto won't tell anyone about it, so long as it involves Sasuke, so Hinata must be telling the truth.

"Oh, uhm…it's nothing. I-I just don't want people to pry on my private life that's why,"

"I promise Sakura-chan, I won't tell a soul," Hinata said as she gripped the shirt on her chest. Sakura smiled to her.

"C'mon, open the gift, you'll like it," Naruto said. And she did what she was told. Inside the box was an infant garment, a mitten, a shoe and a bonnet. Sakura was so surprised, her mouth agape as she stared at it. Everything was in pastel yellow, a neutral color for the gender, except for the bonnet…its orange. Sakura laughed, but it went as a sob.

"S-Sakura-chan, a-are you okay?" Hinata asked while Naruto's face went panicked.

Sakura snort then sniffed, "An orange cap," it was more of a statement than a question, " I knew you love that color," he said to Naruto.

"You didn't like it?" he asked worriedly, "It looks okay right? Hinata chose the other ones,"

"Silly, I love it! So much! Thank you so much Naruto, Hinata-chan!" Sakura said, her eyes wet from crying, as she stared at the mittens while her fingers feeling its fabric.

Naruto smiled.

"So, I heard you're going to Tea tomorrow," Naruto started.

"Yeah, I'll be gone for five years Naruto, but don't worry for me. I can take care of myself…and…and my baby…" she said as she touched her flat stomach. Hinata stared at her lovingly. Naruto's lips quivered.

"Sakura-chan, I—"

"Don't Naruto," Sakura started, "what happened between me and Sasuke has ended. It's over. I already cut my bond with him. So don't promise me with anything that has to do with him. I want to move on with my life and now I have a reason live. My baby…so I don't care about him anymore," she said.

"That's not true right? You love him. You still love him," Naruto said. There was sadness on his voice but he knew he can't do anything for his friend right now. Sakura will be going to Tea, far from her home, from her friends, to burden that one mistake she had made when she met him.

Sakura smiled bitterly, then tears fall like a stream from her eyes, "Yes, I love him…I will always love him. But how long do I have to wait? How long do I have to hope? I guess this is enough," she smiled as she wiped her tears, "I'm just glad that I have something from him,"

Naruto chuckled, "I guess teme had already restored his clan. That is without him knowing it"

The three of them laughed.

Just then, they heard a loud sound coming from the forest in eastern part of the village. It sounded like a bomb that went off. Few seconds later, they can see a patch of smoke rising up in the air as some birds flew away indicating they were disturbed and flight. From their spot, they could even feel the tremor it made.

"What was that?" Hinata asked as she went still, a characteristic of a ninja to assist her surroundings.

"Are we under attack?" Sakura asked nothing in particular. Then they heard a falcon's cry in the air. The three of them distinguish the bird as it encircles in the air, went pass and flew away. It was a direct summon from the Hokage. The reddish brown falcon indicates that all present shinobi, on duty or not are summoned by the Hokage and those who are captain levels are to meet in the tower as soon as possible, and if it was a security threat in national level. The falcon's color indicates the risk and danger of the situation. They are categorized in 5 levels….1 being the highest. Akatsuki's attack on Konoha was under level 3, but turned to be level 1, for they didn't expect the Shinra Tensei attack from Pain that flattened the whole village into rubbles and dust.

"Level 3? Who in their right mind would attack Konoha?" Hinata asked, activating her Byakugan.

She suddenly felt that chill on her system upon hearing Hinata's question. She realized she had stopped breathing. When her lungs protested, she gasped. Her heart was beating so mad she thought it would leap out from her chest. All she could hear was the drumming of her heart, deafening her ear. She swallowed hard. Her mouth went dry and her throat became rasp like a dried leaf. Her hand turned into a fist and she gritted her teeth. Then she turned to look at Naruto. From his eyes, she could imagine what she looked right now…pale as a ghost. Naruto stared at her, without batting an eyelash. All of a sudden, blue orbs turned to blood red. He was smiling, he was quivering…a pure bloodlust. And she knew. They both knew…

Sasuke is attacking Konoha.

TBC.

012713. 616

Hello, sorry for the long wait. Please forgive me. I've been so busy with a lot of things. I'm back to being a working citizen too (goodbye vacation) so I only have my day-offs to work on this FF. Don't worry, I'll finish this, yakusoku!

Anyway, I failed to mention, that some may find possible spoilers in here. Also, there are things that are not canon anymore, seeing that Naruto is an on-going series, things could happen to any of the characters. That's why this story of mine is called FICTION (and it won't make any sense if I post an original in FFNet :DDD). Lol . So, like in Neji's case (spoiler), he died in the war, but in this FICTION of mine, he's still alive and that none of the Konoha 12 had died in the 4th Nin War. Lol. Am I making any sense? Hahaha. Anyway, maybe I should indicate the Manga chapters as of the time I wrote a chapter in this story.

Anyway, just so you know the numbers I wrote after the "TBC" (to be continued, NOT confirmed lewl :), it indicates the date and time I finished writing the story. For example, above, you'll see 012713.655A means I finished writing the chapter on January 27, 2013 at 6:16 AM. Now, I'm going to add the recent chapter of Naruto I have read prior to the writing of the chapter I posted

So, thank you once again for reading this chapter. Hope to hear from you too!

XoXo