I appreciate the comments. I appreciate them so much I wrote another chapter to clarify some concerns. :) I am a Narusaku writer so something good will happen by the time its over. I don't think the story is worth writing unless they have some hurdles to make life interesting. This story is really focused on Sakura's point of view about Naruto so don't get too mad at Naruto. He's not going to get to tell his side. I have some notes for a lighter Narusaku story from Naruto's perspective. I might start that next and try to finish up Sealing the Deal.
Don't read to much into the quick update. I might vanish for weeks on end again.
Enjoy.
Naruto was none too pleased about her spying at the hospital and made it clear. She was on every miserable mission he could assign her. She was in the village very little for a month. She was returning in the early evening happy to be free from a perverted noble that needed help with a medical problem. The noble technically had a medical problem but it was a result of exhaustion. The pervert had a harem of over thirty women. He was determined to share the pleasure of his company with each of them as frequently as he could. His body was just worn out. She provided him recommendations for a better diet and some herb concoctions that would enhance his energy. She felt poison would be more appropriate. He was a vile man that was far from easy on the eyes. The worst part was his constant innuendo and suggestive gestures. His eyes were constantly wandering over a woman's body.
She walked back into the village looking forward to a bath. She hadn't bathed during her time at the noble's house. She had easily detected peep holes all around her room. When she found the first, her instinct was to teach this man a lesson. She tamed her usual response to perverts and went about her mission. She didn't want Naruto coming down on her for failing a mission.
Sakura made it to the gate. She was checking in when she heard a familiar cry. She looked around the street. Children were at home at this hour either eating dinner or preparing for bed. It was odd to hear a child's cry.
"Haruno-san?" asked the chuunin at the gate.
A wagon pulled by bulls was approaching the gate. It was ornate like a noble's wagon. Guards were around the wagon. The rosette was about to dismiss the sound as a child in a nearby house making a point to her parents when she heard Amaya's voice.
"I don't want to go," yelled the little girl.
Naruto's happiness was in danger. She had to act. Despite being tired, her training kicked in. She was past the guards and on top of the wagon faster than a normal person could track. She grabbed the door from above and pulled it open. The door hit the two guards knocking them away. Sakura put her head over the edge to see Amaya being held by a woman. The girl was struggling. In a fast movement, Sakura separated Amaya from the woman. The woman screamed in surprise. Sakura saw a blade coming from the corner of her eye. She pulled Amaya out of the wagon and tossed her into the air. Sakura withdrew from the wagon dodging the blade. She immediately went into the air cradling Amaya before sticking to the side of a nearby building. The guards finally found her. They drew bows and arrows. Sakura pushed off the wall and landed on a roof across the street before they could load their bows.
"Stay down. I'll deal with this," said the medic placing Amaya on the roof.
Before Sakura could move again, ANBU landed around her.
"Surrender immediately," commanded an ANBU in an owl mask.
The rosette grabbed Amaya. This was going to be a hard battle if she had to protect Amaya and fight opponents at the ANBU level. They moved like ANBU but they could be rogues that infiltrated the village.
"Enough," said a voice that tormented her thoughts.
"Hokage-sama," said the ANBU as they dropped to their knees.
Amaya struggled in Sakura's arms. The rosette released her. She ran to Naruto and grabbed his leg.
"I don't want to go. I want to stay with you," she pleaded.
Sakura watched as he knelt down. He calmly explained the situation. The noble's wife was her aunt. She was family by blood. She needed to be with her family. The girl nodded reluctantly.
"This isn't the end, Amaya-chan," he said lovingly. "This is just a change. We will see each other soon enough."
The girl whimpered.
"Amaya-chan," called the woman's voice from the street.
It was a desperate cry.
"Come. Your aunt is worried," said the Hokage.
He lifted Amaya into his arms. He was off the roof and on the street a moment later. Sakura tried to move toward the edge of the roof but the ANBU stopped her.
"Get out of my way," she growled.
She was ready to attack when she heard the Hokage's voice. She didn't hear the specific command but the ANBU vanished. Sakura was off the roof and next to Naruto.
"I want this woman arrested. She assaulted my guards, attacked my wife and niece and destroyed my carriage," he bellowed.
His sword was drawn and pointing at Sakura.
"Please put the sword away," said the blonde. "It's dangerous to be waving a sword around in front of a child."
The noble glared at Naruto. The woman that was holding Amaya in the carriage put her hand on the man's sword arm.
"Please," she said.
The noble sheathed his sword and took a calming breath.
"My niece was already distressed about leaving the village. We did not need an incident like this," he said angrily.
Sakura put her head down. She tried to help but she made things worse. She bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry. I thought…Amaya means the world to the Hokage. When I thought she was being taken from him…I will not let anyone take anything else precious from him," said the rosette.
She heard the noble grunt.
"Please come, Amaya-chan. We will return to Konoha in a few months for the harvest festival," said the noble's wife.
"Do you promise," asked Amaya meekly.
"I do," replied her aunt.
Sakura watched as Amaya slowly released Naruto and walked to her aunt. The woman smiled.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Sakura. "Why are you taking her away now?"
"Sakura," said the Hokage.
The rosette closed her eyes.
"Forgive me, Hokage-sama," said the medic nin.
The woman looked at the green eyed kunoichi.
"You care deeply for the Hokage. I can see that," said the nobleman's wife.
Sakura met her eyes.
"My sister and I never saw eye to eye. She left one night looking for a more exciting life without a word. I was angry. We didn't speak again. I've regretted it every day. I heard she was killed during the war. I didn't even know she married and had a daughter until I received a message from Konoha. A part of an adoption turned up a possible blood relative."
The woman was tearing up. The noble put a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"We had to come immediately," said the noble. "Amaya is our family. Mistakes were made in the past and we cannot change that. All we can do is try to do better by Amaya."
Naruto bowed his head.
"I apologize, my lord," said the blond.
The noble shook his head.
"No need to apologize," said the noble. "I understand that she was acting to protect Amaya."
Naruto nodded. The nobles re-entered the carriage with Amaya. The driver tugged on the reigns. The bulls began to move. The guards and carriage were out of the gates. Sakura stood next to Naruto and watched. His heart was broken yet again and she made it worse. As the wagon disappeared into the darkness, Naruto turned.
"I'm sorry," said the rosette.
He gestured and she walked next to him. She deserved a chewing out. He negotiated a way to keep Amaya in his life despite having no tie to her. It was the sincerity of his feelings that won over the nobles. How had she been against him as a girl? How had she not felt the power of his feelings as a teenager?
As they walked, she considered what would happen when they were alone. She attacked a carriage with nobles in it. This was a high ranking offense that could lead to prison time and demotion. This was not the way she wanted to get out of Tsunade's shadow. They entered the Hokage tower and walked toward his office. He walked past it without a second thought. She followed him to his apartment. Once inside she started to explain her motives. He wasn't looking at her. After she finished, she waited for him to say something. He said nothing. They were within a few feet of each other in his apartment. No one could hear their conversation. He could say anything and he chose silence.
"Say something. Look at me and say something," she said firmly.
His back was still turned.
"Damn it, Naruto. Look at me. Don't I mean anything to you any longer," she roared losing her temper.
She saw the shutter along his back.
"Naruto…I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean," she started when he looked over his shoulder.
"My life would be much easier right now if you didn't mean anything to me any longer," he said in a sad tone.
She reached out for him. He didn't pull away. It started with a hand on his shoulder. A second hand followed. She wrapped her arms around his waist a moment later. She rested her head on his back.
"I'm so sorry," she said softly and lovingly.
She felt his body tremble. Tears soon followed. He was so powerful but so vulnerable at the same time. People kept stealing his happiness. Tobi was the first by taking his parents. The villagers took his hope for living a normal life by casting him out. She treated him like a tool. Nagato killed his master. Tsunade hid him away during the war. At every turn, he grew stronger and showed everyone that he was able to endure. Endurance was enough for a time but it seemed that time was over. He needed to feel more human. Normal was his desire. He wanted her to help him with normal. When she failed, Amaya took her place. The little girl had no choice. She could not decide her fate at such a young age. She was stolen from Naruto like his parents. There were other orphans but after this heartbreak it was hard to believe he would rush into adoption again. There was something about that girl that bonded her to Naruto quickly. Was it the same strong feelings he developed for her at such a young age? Why did he latch onto certain people?
He turned in her arms and she continued to hold him. He grabbed the back of her vest and clung to her. The last time she saw Naruto cry was when Jiraiya died. She was sure he shed tears for Sasuke but she was too wrapped up in her own grief to help her teammate. She held him quietly while he let out all the pent up emotions that were troubling him. She wished to do more. As he calmed down, his grip on her vest relaxed. After a few moments, he released her. She released him in turn. His eyes were bloodshot and tear stained.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," he muttered.
He wiped the tears off with his sleeve. She gave him a loving smile.
"Don't apologize," she assured him. "I wish I could do more."
He nodded almost angrily.
"We need to figure out how to be together before more can be done," he said.
His voice sounded frustrated. It was a pleasant change. His emotions were starting to show through the neutral mask he wore around her since the festival.
"I don't see how we can be together. I don't know that I can trust you like I did," he said.
Her eyes closed and she let out a sigh.
"I've been miserable since the festival. Work and thinking about how to answer your question have filled my every thought," she said.
He grunted.
"I heard you and Tsunade had a falling out," he said.
Rage flashed in her eyes recalling her master's words.
"Shishou and I see things differently. I realize that now. I was too wrapped up in being her apprentice. I need to move out of her shadow. I need you back."
Naruto nodded slowly.
"I need the same," he admitted. "I just don't see how to do it."
She smiled sadly. The discomfort in the room was growing. The issue was clear between them. The resolution was the problem. She wanted to stay and hold him until everything was better.
"You should go home. I'm sure your family misses you," he said.
She couldn't resist the opportunity to try and lighten the mood.
"I'm sure they do. I've been out of the village a lot lately," she said with a hint of playfulness.
He started to smile but stopped it.
"Take a couple days off to rest. I can't have you too tired," he said.
She smiled at him just a little. There was still hope. In a bold move, she took a step toward him. A soft kiss on his cheek was her parting gesture. She tasted the salt of his tears. Without a word, she left his apartment. He cried alone far too much. That was going to change when she found the answer to his question. They were going to be happy. She was not going to give up on them.
Sakura made her way home. Her mother was waiting up as was her way. It took only a moment for her mother to ask about her lighter mood.
"I saw Naruto," said the rosette feeling slightly lighter.
There was still a long road ahead but she could see a glimmer of hope. He wanted to fix things with her. She had to find a way.
"You seem a little happier," said her mother tentatively.
The rosette nodded.
"He and I want the same thing. I need to find a way to prove myself to him."
Her mother smiled.
"I'm sure you'll find a way."
The elder woman went to her room to retire. Sakura showered thoroughly before crawling into her bed. The warm water relaxed her muscles. A bit of her burden felt washed away. She looked out the window of her room for a few moments. A shooting star crossed her window. She reached out toward the flash in the sky.
"You will be mine again, Naruto Uzumaki. No matter how long it takes, I will have you back."
Sakura squeezed her right hand tightly affirming her promise. This was the first step to her recovery. She had to be in a better mental state before she could find the answer. The darkness that filled her heart and mind only slowed her down. Nothing was going to slow her down now. She had two goals. She would be a greater kunoichi than her master and she would have Naruto.