Summary: In a world where everyone should know where they belong, she is the only one who doesn't.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Divergent and the cover picture.
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Aberrant
by cheerry-blossoms
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Chapter Seven – Uzumaki Naruto
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"Fuck you!"
Hinata and I stop sparring to watch the fight currently going on the platform.
Taka is sprawled on the surface, his face peppered with bruises and there's blood coming out from his nostrils and the corner of his mouth. Standing in front of him is Idate, his brown hair in the usual low ponytail is kept neat as if he didn't move much.
This is one of the most anticipated fights; Idate and Taka are in a close fight for the top Transfer title. Their strengths are almost the same, although it seems luck is on Idate's side. Good.
Hissing, Taka attempts to crawl up, shooting the deadliest glare to his opponent. I have never seen such a predatory look from him. They are mostly mischief, but he hadn't given off a murderous aura before.
However, Idate doesn't give him another chance. Idate stomps on Taka's head, rendering the former unconscious.
Seeing the displeasure on Taka's minions' faces, I suddenly fear for Idate's life.
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24. Sakura
I win a fight for the first time.
It was against Hana, a Shinobi-born. She's small, way smaller than me, has light blue curly hair and fair skin. She looks like one of the cute dolls displayed on toy stores sold by the Yasuragi in town.
When I knocked her out, I felt so bad for hurting such a cute person. But she lost the will to fight and someone has to win, I have seen it, thus I ended it immediately, by striking her on her nape. Both of us rank below twenty so I just got eight points. Better than the constant two and three points, though.
I dropped by the clinic after all fights have finished and apologized to her. She was so nice to me, almost like a smaller and less shy Hinata, that's why we immediately became friends, if one could call it like that. I hope she, actually, we make it to the next round, if there's a miracle, indeed.
On my way back to the dorm, I pass by the training room to exercise a bit. Sasuke is unavailable for the entire week because of an occasion in the Uchiha clan, leaving me to do some training by myself.
However, someone apparently got here before me.
I hear loud grunts inside and sounds of fists hitting the punching bag. Curious, I silently peek through the opened door, the sight from inside the room surprising me.
The sounds came from Naruto, who is training alone, and it seems he's been here for hours now.
His entire face and body are sweating profoundly, his jacket and black shirt already discarded on the side. But there's something on him that catches my attention: his face is showing great resolve, I can practically feel his willpower from my location. I've never seen such determination on any of the Genin until now. Such fiery expression on his eyes is not commonly displayed and seen, it feels like this is not the comical Naruto I know. Even I don't make that kind of face, evidently.
Though Naruto is not on the bottom, he's not exactly exceptional. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. He's in the middle and is in the top twenty. Perhaps, his desperation stems from the lack of proper and positive attention on him. I don't know him much, but from the actions of his fellow Shinobi-born, he is treated as an outcast due to some reason I must know of sooner.
Naruto is my first friend in the Shinobi, and I will do anything for him to be happy. But first, I have to know his past.
I decide to postpone my training.
The next night, I spot Naruto at Ichiraku ravishing his third bowl. Since we've been hanging out together frequently, seeing him without our friends has become a little strange. He looks so alone… so empty, without us. He knew he can always ask me to accompany him, so why is he distant these past few days?
"What are you doing here, Naruto? Where are Hinata and the others?" I ask as I sit on the vacant stool next to him.
The blond chokes but recovers easily after handing him a glass of water. Doing that for him seems to be quite frequent recently. Soon, he flashes me that bright grin of his that I have learned to like, somehow effective in making me forget my dilemmas for a while.
"Hi, Sakura-chan!" He greets me casually before returning his gaze on his bowl. For a second, I notice his eyes turning gloomy, only for it to go back to its normal state in an instant. "They're having family affairs. How about Ino?"
I tell the chef my order, and then smile knowingly at my friend. "Shopping."
I laugh seeing Naruto's face scrunch up in disgust. Having known Ino for a month, we have already witnessed and experienced her 'shopping addiction' and since then, we have this silent agreement to avoid topics which might lead for the blonde to drag us to the nearest boutique she sees in The Pit. They say it's normal for girls, though I beg to differ. Then again, normal does not belong to the list of my description. I have never enjoyed shopping.
We eat in silence for minutes, not knowing what to talk about. Naruto and I barely have some time alone because of our friends and training. I figure I kind of miss hanging out with him like this, despite him always sticking on my side everywhere we go.
See, within the month since I met him, I discover Naruto has two personalities. When he's with our circle of friends, he's the stupid and loud kid everyone sees, but when once you get to be alone with him, he can actually be a decent conversationalist. The latter is the reason why I like being close friends with him.
And then I realize, today's a Sunday, that's why our Shinobi-born friends are with their families. It's nice to know the Shinobi give importance to a family day, after all. A sigh escapes my lips remembering the Sundays I have spent with my parents. I wonder how they are doing every Sunday now I am not with them. If Naruto noticed the sudden change of my mood, he doesn't mention anything.
Ichiraku, as usual, is almost crowded, but because Shinobi avoid Naruto like a plague, there aren't many people around the counter where we currently are, so I guess they can't hear whatever we're talking about.
"Um, hey, can I ask a very personal question?" I start speaking slowly and cautiously.
"Go ahead!" He exclaims while sipping what's remaining in the bowl before asking the chef for another serving.
This is it!
"Your parents…?" I use the same tone and tempo. I keep my gaze on Naruto's face in case he shows any kind of discomfort. I have met the parents of our other Shinobi-born friends, but not Naruto's. Not to forget he's always alone during Sundays.
Surprisingly, there is none. He puts down the large bowl on the table, heaving a satisfied sigh after finishing his fourth bowl. A kind and understanding smile forms on his face.
"They died when I was born."
So Naruto has no memories of his parents. "I'm sorry…" He merely shrugs as if he's used to it.
"Is that why you were bullied?"
He shakes his head. "Na-uh! Being an orphan isn't a big deal here," He props his elbows on the table, his gaze fixed on the empty bowl. "But being the son of traitors is," he almost hisses, to my surprise.
Who did they betray? I bite my lower lip. I don't know if I should continue asking; we have reached a sensitive topic, and it seems to have an effect on my friend. Betrayal is one of the heaviest offenses one could commit to another, in any form. No matter what the intention is, a betrayal is betrayal. If Naruto's parents are indeed "traitors," and the Shinobi citizens are venting their anger out on the couple's orphaned child, his parents must have done something to the kumi.
"But I don't believe it," Naruto continues, the fury in his cerulean eyes disappearing, now becoming more solemn. I focus my gaze on him, showing him that I'm listening. "I mean, I know I haven't met them, but 'ya know, they're my parents. In my heart, I know they are good people. I can feel it. Even my godparents said so, and coming from them, that's the truth, believe it."
I smile listening to Naruto's positivity, relieved the atmosphere is gradually lightening. "Your godparents raised you?"
"Kinda. They merely supported my finances," He grins, ordering another bowl. "They took me in until I was five, then they passed me to Pervy Sage who is always out of the village looking for women. So technically, I raised myself."
"Wow…" I can't help but gape at him. My bowl of steaming hot ramen is forgotten for a moment.
Naruto's cheeks redden. "Hey, it's not amazing, b-believe it!"
Shaking my head, I give him a soft smile. "It is. Not everybody who went through the same thing would still be optimistic like you. That alone makes you amazing, Naruto."
"S-Sakura-chan…"
If there's someone I respect other than my parents and Aunt Tsunade, it's Naruto. How can someone like him who hasn't met his parents all his life keep wearing a smile? How can he still laugh despite the people around him judging him for what his parents committed? How can he still keep a positive outlook when life itself seemed to have turned its back on him? Naruto is the strongest person I have ever met.
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Sasuke and I are our way to the training area after dinner. He is supposed to be in an Uchiha meeting, but he tells me he didn't want to be there, that's why he forces-slash-drags me to train. Fortunate of him, he found me when I was with Shikamaru, and my outfit is fit for work out.
Of course we keep our deal as a secret. It was a silent agreement between the two of us. I'm not sure of his reasons, while I intend to hide this from my peers due to a silly personal one. This is something only Sasuke and I share. It is my reason to see him and talk to him almost every night. I get to touch him without him getting mad for it. I like it when the two of us are alone, with no other people disrupting us. Yes, it's selfish, and I feel guilty at times. Still, I've learned not to care anymore.
My friends are strong. All of them are in the top twenty, even shy Hinata is. They don't need Sasuke. They don't need me. I am the only one in a dangerous situation. Is it wrong for me to seek help from the number one guy?
Besides, they have never asked me to join their training.
Shikamaru is the only one I can trust who will not tell what I have with Sasuke to anyone, and the only one who will not bear any grudge for it. After all, he is the one who knew Sasuke and I have interacted more than normal acquaintances would.
"Stop moping," Sasuke sighs heavily.
I cross my arms on my chest, jutting my lower lip. "Am not,"
"Annoying," Sasuke scoffs.
I'm kind of mad at him though for the surprise training. Our sessions were always scheduled, and because I thought he couldn't make it, I was not in the mood for his violent training. Sure I'm glad he wants to see me instead of staying with his clansmen, but the thought of training overshadowed it.
Sasuke looks back at me calmly, an eyebrow arched. "Unexpected things happen in Shinobi."
I control the urge to retort something smart, and then someone catches my attention.
There at the entrance of the training room, I see a familiar blue-haired girl peeking through the opened door as if she's watching out for enemies from inside. I can recognize that black and lavender jacket, and blue hair anywhere.
"Hinata?"
Hinata straightens up and snaps her head to us, her whole face turning red as Sasuke and I step closer to her.
"S-Sakura-san! Sasuke-sama!" She squeaks in her small cute voice.
"What are you—oh." I approach her side but stops when I see a half-naked whiskered blond abusing one of the punching bags. I know of Hinata's crush on Naruto, and it's pretty obvious to everyone, judging from the way she blushes when the blond is around or the fact she's close to fainting once Naruto talks to her. I guess Naruto is the only dense idiot for not feeling it.
"I-It's n-not w-what y-you think... o-of..." Hinata denies while violently waving her hands. I snort. Is there another reason for her to watch Naruto train?
"Dobe." I hear Sasuke call the other guy. I didn't notice him walking ahead in the room. Probably he can't stay with two gossiping girls for a long time.
"Yah, teme?! Are you spying on me?!'' Naruto shrieks.
"Hn. Dream on."
"'Hn' again, believe it!"
I roll my eyes listening to the two boys' nonsense banter. Their rivalry is amusing yet annoying.
"S-Sakura-san..." Hinata fiddles with her fingers, "May I know why… are you with Sasuke-sama?"
It is now my turn to blush. But I manage to somehow fight it and try to appear unaffected by answering playfully, "Oh, we're helping each other in training. Keep it a secret, okay?" I press a finger on my lips and wink at my friend.
Hinata's lavender eyes widen, and she bobs her head quickly. "O-Of course!"
I grin. Looks like another one has made it to my list of trusted people. She has already caught us anyway, there's no point in lying. "Thank you! Now come with us!" It's time to play Cupid!
I reach for her wrist, but she pulls away and faces the other direction. "I-I think I'll pass..."
Before I could ask her why, she dashes away from me. I scratch the back of my head. That's her chance to get closer to Naruto!
Shrugging, I make my way towards the still bickering Naruto and Sasuke inside the training room, my presence stopping the blond's cursing.
"Sakura-chan?! You're here too?!" I swear Naruto has never been this loud before.
"Why, you don't want me here?" I fake a disappointed voice and pout. That technique has always been effective.
"No! No! That's not what I meant! Sorry, Sakura-chan, you can stay!" Naruto sheepishly grins at me before turning to Sasuke who is now picking up a dumbbell from the shelf. "Teme, you can go now!"
Sasuke then carelessly drops the dumbbell on Naruto's foot in response, causing for the blond to scream in pain.
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"How is your foot?" I ask Naruto while we wait for our ramen.
Thankfully, the dumbbell Sasuke threw at Naruto yesterday was not the heaviest, so it didn't cause grave damage to Naruto's foot. Still, I executed precautionary methods just in case a vein was unknowingly popped, reasoning to Naruto that first aid method is basic knowledge in the Yori, just like what I have explained to Sasuke. Of course, he believed it.
I told him, too, to visit the clinic and it looks like he just came from there.
"Nurse said it's just a little swollen but it's nothing serious. And that's thanks to you, Sakura-chan, believe it!"
Sasuke, who is seated on my other side, snorts, catching Naruto's attention.
"Teme! You're gonna treat me ramen because of this!"
"No."
"What!"
I sigh. Why did I sit in between these two?
"How did the two of you meet?" I break the impending fight. I had been curious of their relationship since first day. I watch how the two of them interact, and even if they may look like merely rivals, I can sense deep friendship between them. For instance, Sasuke allows Naruto to drag him to Ichiraku, while Naruto allows Sasuke to mock him and knock his head violently.
My blond friend frowns at me. "You make it sound like we're lovers, Sakura-chan."
"Disgusting, dobe." Sasuke glares at Naruto.
"I didn't imply anything like that!" I laugh. They are so narrow-minded. "Come on, were you really friends?" I press. Maybe it would not be awkward for Naruto to narrate his friendship story with Sasuke to another person. Sasuke, most probably, but not the blond. Besides, I think their friendship is not unknown to others, as they can go out in public, considering their conflicting statuses in Shinobi society.
"Sasuke-teme's my godsibling or whatever it's called." Naruto shrugs, his face beaming when Teuchi, the chef, brings us our orders.
Something clicks inside my brain. "Oh! So the godparents you talked about are Sasuke's parents?"
Naruto nods and hums. He's too distracted already by the food in front of him.
"Then, you two lived under the same roof, right?" I continue asking, snapping the chopsticks into two. In my peripheral, I see Sasuke doing the same thing, though I can tell he's still listening.
"Only for five years," Naruto groans, "Even as a kid I couldn't stand his arrogance. And we were just five! Believe it!" He begins slurping the noodles.
"Hn. And you're stupid." Of course, Sasuke retorts. The only time he speaks is whenever he insults Naruto.
If Naruto is this loud and Sasuke's presence alone is strong, and we attended the same academy at the same time, how come I never noticed them?
'Because you had Sai.'
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I land the last punch on my opponent's jaw, watching with heavy pants as she falls down on the platform, knocked out.
Sayu is the only Genin transfer from Yasuragi this year, and is good friends with Idate. I hold no grudges against her, and she reciprocates it. It is a good, quite friendly fight, I am lucky! She's actually the top twenty, so we're not of the same level. I could only just pray she won't take it against me if this loss will drag her down.
This has been my third lucky win for the first half of round one, and Sayu is so far the highest ranking Genin I defeated. My rank didn't change, but my score is closer to reaching the top twenty spot now!
"Sakura-chan, congrats!" Naruto hugs me and then spins me. When Naruto is excited and I'm the one to receive it, he does that to me.
I grin widely at him as he puts me down. There are a few band aids plastered on his face from his fight with Kiba, which was the most shocking and amusing fight this year, I remember.
At first, Kiba had the upper hand, managing to beat Naruto up; however, just when he was about to execute his last blow (by catching the exhausted Naruto from behind), Naruto farted on his face. Due to Kiba's sharper sense of smell, it distracted him, thus giving Naruto the chance to defeat him.
Holding back laughter had never been so difficult and painful to me.
"Thanks!"
"Yosh, let's go to Ichiraku tonight!"
We immediately hear groans and complaints from our friends. Seems like they're already tired from eating ramen. I am, too, but I can't reject Naruto.
"Looks like it will only be the two of us tonight, then, Naruto."
Wait... did Naruto blush?
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We walk back to my dorm while chatting and laughing. It has been a fun night. We talk about random things and laugh at every weird thing we see. Naruto treats me dinner for the first time despite me going against it, says because I had beaten someone in the top twenty.
We met three of Naruto's older friends, Lee, Tenten and Neji. Lee, a.k.a Bushy Brows, is a black-haired guy with thick eyebrows and black and dark green jumpsuit, his hitae-ate wrapped on his waist. He's the first one to introduce himself, and in an overly enthusiastic manner.
"Sakura-san! Such a perfect name for a woman as lovely as a cherry blossom! Truly a youthful lady of the spring! Your knight in shining armor has finally arrived!" I cringe remembering his dramatic speech of youthfulness.
Tenten, a very nice and cool lady, has her brown hair up in two buns, wearing a long-sleeved white blouse with a high collar and red fastener, edges paired with red, puffy pants. Neji, the stoic one among them, on the other hand, has neat long brown hair and his eyes are similar to that of Hinata's. Apparently, they are cousins.
Lee and Tenten were both Transfers from Yasuragi last year. While Neji, a Shinobi-born, is the top Genin of their batch. They were from the same Genin team.
I heard that those who will pass the last initiation exam will be grouped by threes. After this, the passers will retain the status of Genin, doing general missions, until the time they will be allowed to choose which department they would like to work in. Those from the same team usually end up choosing the same department, just like these three.
Right now, after being promoted from Genin, all three of them are Chuunin-ranked, assigned in the Public Relations for External Affairs. They go out of Konoha for mission requests from other ally villages and countries. Usually, those missions are said to include guarding some VIP or capturing rogue criminals.
We did not notice the time, actually. It was almost eleven by the time we did, and that was our only reason for going back. If only Tenten did not tell us the time, we wouldn't go.
"Hey, thanks for the treat. Next time it's my turn!" I subconsciously rake my fingers on my long hair. The weather is colder now so I let it loose, though it still feels strange to me. Maybe I should buy scarf and gloves tomorrow.
"Nah, you don't have to. I'm the man here, believe it!" He proudly declares. Tch, sexist, shannaro.
"Anyway, I don't want Tobi catching you loitering around here. Go to sleep now!" I playfully push him.
"Oh, right! Night night, Sakura-chan!" Naruto says while running away. I let a smile form on my lips while watching him.
But, just when I am about to climb the stairs, Naruto calls me again. He's already a few feet away from me, waving his hands.
What he says next catches me off guard.
"You look prettier with your hair down! Believe it!"
TO BE CONTINUED
-Can you smell Team 7? /winkwink/
-ANNOUNCEMENT: Updates will be reeeeeaaaaaaaaaally slow from now on. I finally got a job and it's taking up most of my time. Lucky I had time to spare for today :(
Now that we got to know this Naruto a little more, what are your thoughts?
cheerry