Chapter 1 - Saved by the shadow

Hi! I have already posted this on ao3, you can look me up under the same name. I just thought it would be nice to upload this fanfiction here too! So here are the first three chapters!

In a forest in Konoha was a small, pink-haired girl.

Her name was Sakura Haruno.

She was there to pick flowers for her mom. As she sat there, she thought about what to do with her large forehead. Everyone was just so mean about it. She sniffled. As she looked up at the sky, Sakura saw that it was getting quite late, so she hurriedly took her flowers in her hand and ran home.

Had she waited just a moment longer, she would have met Ino, but in this story, Sakura didn't have a friend who stood up for her, who fought off Ami and her cronies, no, she will make other friendships with a boy that shone as brightly as the sun, and one that was living in shadows.

"Wake up little flower, it's time for school."

"Tou-san?"

"Yes, Sakura, your kaa-chan is making you breakfast. Dress up and then come eat, okay?"

"M'kay…"

Sakura slowly opened her eyes. Sigh. Another day of the academy. Sometimes she thought about why she would even go there when no one even liked her. As she got up from her bed, she walked to her mirror. A cute face, shiny pink hair, a large forehead and vibrant green eyes were looking back at her.

"It really is large…" She frowned at her reflection. Arranging her bangs didn't help much. Another sigh escaped her lips before she went to her closet and got her clothes for the day.

When she came out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen, she saw her mother standing there, checking various accounts books. Even though the day only just began, her mother was already so busy. Sakura hoped that she could one day be as self-confident as her.

"Ah, Saku-chan, here, some toast for you, sorry but I can't talk to you right now, but have a great day at school sweetie."

"Thanks, kaa-chan, I will."

A small lie wouldn't hurt kaa-chan, right? She didn't have to know about Ami. Really she didn't. It would only make her worry. With this thought, Sakura strengthened her resolve to never tell her parents about the bullying.

She quickly finished her breakfast and said goodbye to her father. Her mother already left to work. And as she walked out of the door unto the busy street, she truly hoped that she had a great day.

And for the first time, this wish came true.

Kunoichi bane of her existence. Today they were doing flower arrangements. Sakura went to the nice flower spot to choose some when she saw a boy napping under a tree. Weird. What is he doing there?. She looked a bit more closely. Who is this boy? But… nice girls don't stick their noses in other people's business. I guess it doesn't matter.

As she went back to picking the flowers, she saw the reason why she didn't like this class. It was during these classes when Ami and her entourage would become even more persistent. And with dread, she realised they were coming in her directions. Sakura tried to make herself as small as possible, hiding her face with her bangs.

But it was in vain.

"Forehead Girl. You look like you are having fun today."

Sakura didn't know what to say, she was overcome with dread.

"N- n- no…"

"Does Forehead Girl not have any words? Not only do you have an ugly large forehead, but you also stutter! Ha, ha, ha!"

Her cronies Fuki and Kasumi laughed with her. It was a dreadful laugh, Sakura felt as if the cruel laughter was the only thing that was left in the world. Where is Suzume-Sensei? She felt tears prickling in her eyes. No, don't cry! Don't give her any satisfaction!

"Not gonna say anything Forehead Girl? Or are you also stupid?"

Her entourage started laughing again. It became harder to breathe, the tears that she held back burst from her eyes.

"Oh, is the little girl crying? Is she? Ha, ha, just look at her, what a cry baby!"

Why me? I thought this would be a good day. It hurts, why does it hurt so much?

The laughter became more and more unbearable. Whoever said sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me, was wrong. It hurts like a knife that was rammed into my heart and is twisted with every insult.

"Oi, what do you think you are doing?"

The voice ended the laughter abruptly. Sakura slowly lifted her head.

Behind Ami, Kasumi and Fuki stood a boy. Sakura realized with a startling realization that it was the boy that was napping under the tree before.

He was around her age and had his brown hair pulled up in a pineapple-shaped ponytail. He had dark blue pants and a light grey shirt on, that had some kind of symbol. Is this... a clan symbol? I don't know... Even though he was slouching, he looked intimidating. His glare certainly promised death.

Ami seemed to have gotten over her shock of being nearly discovered.

"And what do you want?"

"It depends on what you will do know. Troublesome... Leave the girl alone. Don't think I won't know if you bully her again. You know what happened the last time you bullied Chouji."

Sakura watched as Ami's eyes widened in memory of the event. I wonder who Chouji is... No, don't pry Sakura!

"I guess you got lucky Fore- em, Sakura. Come, girls!"

With that Ami turned on her heel and went to the other side of the field. Fuki and Kasumi stood still for a second, then ran to catch up to her.

Sakura just watched in stunned silence, only waking when the boy turned around to leave too.

"W- Wait!

Her cry wasn't the loudest one, but the boy still heard her. He didn't look all that dangerous anymore. One of his eyebrows rose in a lazy question.

"Who- Who are you?"

He stared at her for a few seconds then replied with a drawl.

"Shikamaru Nara."

The name seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. It didn't matter at the moment.

"Thank you, Nara-san for your help"

She tried to bow, but it looked a bit awkward. A snort came from the directions of the boy and her cheeks flushed red from embarrassment.

"Shikamaru is okay, Nara-san makes me sound like my old man."

"Th- Then Shikamaru-san?"

"You can drop the san if you want."

They stood there for a moment, awkwardly looking anywhere but at the other.

"Tch, what a drag... Mom would have my head if I didn't ask you for your name."

Sakura just stared blankly at him.

"Troublesome woman, I'm asking you for your name."

She slumped in herself.

"Oh, s- sorry, My name is Sakura Haruno."

"Don't apologize, be more confident."

"S- sorry."

"We will help you get some self-esteem soon enough. See you tomorrow."

Then he turned around and left.

Sakura just stood there for a while, wondering what just happened. Did he just say "See you tomorrow"? He did, didn't he?

Does that mean he wants to be my friend?

At that moment hope filled Sakura's heart.