A/N
Hello everyone! I really wanted to thank the last couple of reviewers for the kind and supportive compliments I've received for this story! It really makes me happy that you all are enjoying it so far. This chapter is going to start getting the ball rolling on this story as some of our faves will be faced with challenges soon. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Naruto sighed, shaking his head while looking at the number of files he needed to get through. He shadowed Kakashi through several meetings and returned to even more files on his desk than he had in the morning. Shikamaru yawned, stood up, and began stretching his arms.
"Time to head on home. You coming?" Shikamaru asked, turning to look at Naruto.
Naruto shook his head. "No, I've got a lot I need to finish up, y'know."
Shikamaru nodded and grabbed his bag. "Alright, see ya tomorrow."
"Night!" Naruto said, waving his hand before grabbing the following document.
After Shikamaru left, he was the only one left in the office. He looked at the clock and realized he couldn't reach the hospital in time to walk Sakura home. He picked up the phone and dialed the phone number to the hospital, knowing it by heart, and waited. Knowing Sakura's extension from memory, he waited to be prompted to dial her direct extension. To his surprise, the main line was busy. It suddenly went dead, and he looked at the receiver, surprised.
He pressed the switch button on the base of the phone and began redialing the hospital. Waiting again, it was a busy signal and went dead like before. It was the hospital. The phones shouldn't be having an issue, especially if it is an emergency. He put the phone down and stood up from his desk. He would hand in the files he did have that were acceptable to Kakashi and began writing up the reports on the declined documents.
Leaving the office, he walked over to Kakashi's office and knocked twice before being permitted to enter. Kakashi permitted him to enter and found Might Guy sitting next to Kakashi's desk with Kakashi reading a scroll. Guy looked positively bored sitting in the wheelchair, resting his chin on his hand. When he noticed Naruto, he smiled and straightened up.
"Naruto! What are you doing here so late?" Guy asked before grinning.
Naruto smiled, raising the files in hand higher. "Hey, Guy sensei! I just came to turn these reports to Kakashi Sensei, y'know!"
Guy groaned, throwing his head back while Kakashi looked at Guy and shook his head.
"Pay him no mind, Naruto," Kakashi said while setting down the scroll he was reading. "He's ready to go to dinner, is all. Speaking of, you aren't heading out yet?"
Naruto shook his head. "No, I've gotta finish up the rest of these reports."
Kakashi nodded understanding. "It was a busy day today. Alright, I'll be sure to add these to the stuff to look over tomorrow."
Naruto nodded and placed the files on Kakashi's desk. "Alright, I'll-"
The door burst open with a young man wearing an all-white medical garb. Everyone in the office immediately turned attention to the man sweating profusely and out of breath.
"Lord Hokage! Sorry to interrupt, hospital, power, explosions, trouble!" He said between breaths.
Kakashi stood up from his desk. "What's wrong at the hospital?"
The man took a deep breath, still hanging on the door. "We're under attack! I ran as fast as I could! Sakura declared a level ten threat!"
Naruto didn't wait to hear another word. He immediately ran to the window opening it as wide as it would go, and jumped out. Cursing under his breath, he could hear the distant sounds of explosions and smoke rising high into the air! His heart rate sped up quickly, and someone was next to him before he could move. It was Kakashi looking at the smoke rising.
"Wait!" Guy called from the office! "I can come too!"
"Guy, stay in the office! Order the police and all active shinobi to be ready for an attack. And the Anbu to meet Naruto and me at the hospital." Kakashi ordered. "Naruto, let's move! Sakura is probably ordering an evacuation if she declares it a level-ten threat. It's up to us to handle whatever is causing this."
"Roger, let's go!" Naruto said as they immediately started heading to the hospital.
Inside the Children's clinic, the children were still afraid, hanging onto the staff's legs while crying. The alarms were blaring, and the two women inside couldn't move due to the children's fear.
"It's okay, children!" One of the nurses said, trying to sound as calm as possible.
The door to the clinic opened, and everyone looked to see a masked man wearing a black cloak and hood covering his head. Unsheathing his sword, the sound of metal eerily cut through the sound of the alarms blaring. He walked further into the clinic while the nurses and the children backed into a corner. Two other masked figures appeared behind him, drawing their blades.
"There's a young boy here with white hair and blue eyes? Hand him over, and we'll spare everyone's lives." The frontman asked before pointing the blade's tip at one of the women.
Before they could answer, Sakura slid into the room on her side and kicked the three figures' feet from under them. They fell, and Sakura quickly stood up as the one in front jumped up immediately. She knew she couldn't fight like usual due to the confined space and people behind her. He ran towards her swinging his blade, and she dodged it, turning to the side, catching the sword with her gloved hands, and broke the blade by crushing it in her hands and throwing it into the wall away from the children.
He growled, throwing a kick out at her, and she rolled under it. She'd need to move this fight if she wanted to fight freely and get the kids out. Putting a small amount of charka into her right fist, she threw a punch connecting to the man's abdomen.
"CHA!" She shouted, and the man flew back into the other two, who took the brunt of the blow as all three tumbled out of the room.
She turned to the children, who looked at her wide-eyed in awe, along with the two staff members. "Everyone listen to me! It would be best if you exited the hospital immediately. I'll take care of the bad guys so you can go. Don't waste any time, understood?"
They all nodded, and she entered the lobby where the men stood. The children fled the room with the nurses guiding them toward the emergency exits.
"You should've died in that apartment fire." The man growled, holding onto his abdomen with his right arm.
Sakura scowled at the men in front of her. "So it was you three! You've got a lot of nerve! Do you realize how many people could've been killed or hurt!"
"Who cares so long as we get the boy for our client? We know you've been the one protecting him. So we don't mind spilling some blood along the way."
One of the men behind the leader chuckled and tossed his sword to him. "I'll handle the girl. You two go ahead and get the boy!" He did several hand signs before many lightning balls appeared around him. "Ninja art lightning ball!"
Several spheres of electricity went toward Sakura. She flipped backward, dodging several blasts before willing chakra into her arms. Punching into the ground earth underneath cracked in front of her flying upwards and blocking the other attacks. She caught the other ninja trying to sneak around the side to go after the kids. Grabbing a kunai from the holster on her thigh, she quickly attached chakra threads to the end and threw them at the man.
It passed him, but he ran into the chakra string, causing it to circle him, binding his arms to his sides. She pulled him with enhanced strength towards herself and dodged to the left. The man with the sword cut through the earth wall she made just before the man she pulled back flew into him. Sakura lifted the rest of the earth wall and threw it towards the man making more lighting balls. He dodged the wall but not his teammates as they collided with him. Jumping up high into the air Sakura willed chakra into her right heel, deciding to end the fight!
She flipped before landing on the three-man with the heel of her right foot, and the earth cracked underneath, shaking the entire lobby of the entrance to the hospital. All the men were defeated, as she checked to ensure they were out cold.
BOOM, BOOM!
The sound from the ceiling appeared again. The explosions shook the foundation of the hospital, and Sakura grit her teeth. Putting her hand to the ground, she willed her chakra to the remaining parts of the floor, sending the chakra through the building. It appeared reinforcements were arriving as she noticed Naruto and Kakashi landing on the roof. But there was someone left in the Children's clinic. Toshiro was still under the table.
"They left him!" Sakura said out loud in surprise.
She quickly tied the three attackers up with rope from the bag around her waist and went to the clinic. When she arrived, she didn't need to look for Toshiro crouched under the table he usually sat at and found him sniffling into his knees as he rested his head against them. He wore his usual grey short-sleeved t-shirt, blue cargo shorts, and blue sandals. His skin complexion was on the fairer side, similar to Sakura's.
"Toshiro! It's me, miss Sakura! I need to take you to safety!" She said calmly.
BOOM!
She looked up at the ceiling, unsure how much more the hospital could take. Turning her gaze back at the boy, she could see his blue eyes looking at her. They were just as clear as Naruto's were, but she could see the fear underneath the unshed tears. She smiled, sitting down, trying to remain composed through this ordeal.
"I know it's scary, but I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
He shook his head. "They're here for me, Miss Sakura! You need to go! It's not safe!"
Her eyes widened a little, but she scooted closer. "What do you mean they are here for you?"
"They're the ones who killed my parents. Our guards, everyone!" Toshiro said fearfully.
She shook her hands out. "They won't get me! And I won't let them get you! Please, I need you to trust me."
He sniffled again and then crawled towards her avoiding her hands and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She picked him up and stood before running towards the exit. Glad that he opted for her to carry him quickly ran through the halls towards the emergency exit where she could take him to safety.
Naruto and Kakashi landed on the parts of the roof that was left as they looked around the smoke-filled area. The hospital had expanded after Nagato invaded years ago. The building consisted of four concrete towers connected with seven levels of concrete wall between each tower, with a courtyard in the center. The assailant soon appeared, walking towards them with a smirk. He was an older bald man with a long greying beard and was rather muscular with a scar along the left side of his left cheek. He wore a sleeveless black top, red pants, and matching sandals. The man grinned as he looked at both of them before he stopped walking, giving enough distance between them.
"Well, I'd never thought I'd get a chance to see Kakashi, the copy ninja, again. Or should I say, Lord Hokage now? And this brat reminds me of the Yellow Flash."
Naruto bared his teeth at the man for mentioning his father. Kakashi frowned under his mask as they both got into their fighting stances. The last thing he needed was to chase after Naruto if he allowed the man to bate him. He especially wanted to know how this man knew his former sensei.
Deciding to step in, Kakashi took a step forward, still prepared in his fighting stance. "Who are you, and what do you want with the hospital?" Kakashi demanded.
The man chuckled. "That doesn't matter. Besides, I'm the distraction while the runts do the dirty work inside. I'm guessing since the pink-haired girl didn't come up here, my partners are taking care of her."
Naruto smiled, knowing that Sakura was more than capable of taking care of herself. He needed to focus on this task and then get to Sakura after he finished. Whomever this man was, he was an enemy of the village and attacked innocent people.
The man grinned and beckoned Naruto to come forward. Naruto dashed towards him, preparing to strike. As Naruto neared him, he turned his hand outward and shot an explosion toward Naruto. Before he was hit, Naruto made a clone, pulled himself out of the way, and began forming a Rasengan in his right hand. Before the Rasengan could connect, the man ducked and kicked Naruto's hand upwards. As he finished the turn, he pointed his left hand upwards, extending his index and middle finger.
Naruto looked up at his hand, eyes widening as the explosion went off. The shock wave from the Rasengan exploding caused the roof to implode under pressure. The tower they were standing on fell through several floors, and Kakashi caught himself by hanging onto the remaining walls with chakra-covered hands and feet.
He coughed as smoke and dust filled the air, and the sound of debris hit the ground. Looking around, eyes narrowed, he saw the man landing on the stable floor and walking towards Naruto lying on the ground. The man kicked Naruto over so that he was face-side up. Naruto looked still and unconscious the man chuckled and looked up at Kakashi. The Naruto on the ground disappeared into a log of wood as Kakashi felt Naruto appear next to him.
"For an old guy, he moves pretty well, y'know," Naruto grumbled, frowning.
"We need to move with caution," Kakashi warned Naruto. "Luckily, it looks like no civilians or patients were here. But we don't know the status of the evacuation. He knows that as long as we try to approach him, he will keep bringing this hospital tower down."
The man who kept his eyes on them both smiled. "Don't tell me that's all you've got?"
Naruto glared at the man as he continued to hang on the wall. He could engage in the fight how he wanted to if he could get the enemy away from the hospital.
"Naruto, Kakashi Sensei, can you hear me?" Ino's voice rang in their minds.
They looked at one another and nodded once. Ino's telepathic abilities had grown even more impressive since the Fourth War. Her abilities allowed her to transmit messages telepathically and support conversations with other people.
'What's up, Ino?' Kakashi thought, and Naruto was glad he could hear Ino speaking.
'I went ahead and sent a telepathic message threw the village about what's happening. Villagers are taking shelter now, and Sakura has confirmed that seventy percent of the hospital is evacuated. Other shinobi are arriving to assist with the evacuation, as well as Shikamaru, Sai, Konohamaru, and the Anbu to assist in the fight.' She said.
'Thanks, Ino; good work getting that information out there.' Kakashi thought.
The man held his hands out and fired again.
BOOM!
The hospital walls shook, and Naruto and Kakashi had to let go as they crumbled away. The man held his fist before himself, getting into his fighting stance.
"Come on, aren't you going to stop me?" He asked curiously.
"Alright, that gives us more opportunity than we had before," Kakashi said. "Let's go ahead and capture him, Naruto. After we're done, we'll have the interrogation team deal with him."
Naruto smiled as he willed Kurama's chakra began to cover his body. The golden chakra becomes visible, with the black markings becoming more prominent. He'd use the chakra to grab and subdue him or move him out of the village where they could fight more freely.
Suddenly the temperature in the area began to drop dramatically. A kunoichi landed next to the man as the floor they were standing on started to ice over. Her blue hair was styled into a short pixie cut with piercing, sharp, matching colored eyes. She wore a sleeveless blue top with compression arms sleeves exposing her upper biceps and shoulders, black pants, and hoop earrings. Lips stained with glossy red lipstick, she smiled.
"What brings you here, Kagami?" The older asked.
"I'm here to interrupt your geriatric fun, grandpa Takuma," Kagami remarked.
The man laughed. "You've got jokes. Just cause I'm old doesn't mean I ain't good in a fight anymore."
"The boss wanted this finished up asap. But the girl took the boy before the runts could finish the job. There are more ninja approaching. We should retreat for now."
"You go on ahead. Get the runts and scram; I've got a score to settle." Takuma said.
Kagami laughed once. "Mmm, the boss sent me to retrieve you. You don't want to end up on her bad side, do you?"
"I'll be fine, get lost," Takuma said.
Kagami sighed, shaking her head. "Good luck, gramps, you'll need it," she warned before turning in the other direction and jumping back toward the rooftop.
Kakashi prepared to chase after her in the direction she went. However, Takuma noticed this and slid in front of him, his arms out. Kakashi hopped back in time to ensure he wasn't caught in the blast of the man. Naruto immediately used this opportunity to charge in and seize him. Using several arms made out of the chakra as they reached forward to grab the man.
He barely dodged the first two hands but was caught by the third. Naruto smirked as the man struggled in the grasp of the chakra cloak.
"Nice one, Naruto," Kakashi said as he approached them. "The others should be arriving any second. Then let's see if we can chase aster, his partner."
Sai, Shikamaru, and Konohamaru jumped down from the opening of the rooftop and approached them.
Shikamaru smirked, glad to see that job was already handled. "Looks like you didn't need us after all."
Kakashi turned to look at them. "His partner got away. Sai, can you-"
"GAHH!" The older man choked out.
His eyes rolled back as he continued to make incoherent noises. Naruto let him go as they all backed up. The man shook roughly as he fell to the ground, and the muscles of his body convulsed violently.
"Everyone get back!" Kakashi warned.
They all jumped backward in the remains of the hallway they were in. Foam began to spill from his mouth until he no longer moved. His face was completely blue and showed no signs of life.
"What the heck happened?" Konohamaru asked, wide-eyed and slightly afraid.
Sai frowned as his hands bawled at his sides. "It looks similar to what Danzo's marking would do years ago in the Anbu."
Naruto looked to Kakashi, frowning. "His partner just left; if we hurry, we might be able to find her."
"Sai! Can you make us some of those birds? We need to get to high ground and fast! Shikamaru, you and Konohamaru stay here while others arrive. I need Sakura or Shizune to look over this body specifically."
They all nodded, and Sai immediately began some of his signature ink birds. Kakashi, Naruto, and Sai took to the skies flying in the direction of the woman who escaped earlier. They scanned the area from above thoroughly but found no sign of her or any other village after being warned of an attack. The three flew back to the hospital to examine everything that had happened.
The additional ninja assisted the hospital staff in moving the patients back into the remaining part of the hospital. The three of them landed back at the hospital and entered the lobby. The destruction that'd occurred showed Sakura had engaged in battle. The bodies of the three mentioned shinobi looked exactly like the one who died on the roof. Police already had the area roped off and were preparing to move the bodies after collecting evidence. Kakashi led the way to the emergency tunnels, where patients were lifted back into the hospital. There, with Toshiro standing next to her, holding onto her leg, was Sakura.
Naruto relaxed, a little glad to see his fiancé was okay, and immediately went to her side. "Sakura, are you okay?"
She turned her attention from directing traffic to him, surprised at first but smiling as she relaxed.
"I'm okay, Naruto. Were you the one who stopped the man on the roof?" Sakura asked.
He frowned slightly. "Yeah, Kakashi Sensei and I went to get him but well…." He trailed off as he noticed Toshiro at her side.
Sai and Kakashi approached the couple, and Sai immediately noticed. He was explicitly noticing the tear stains that were down his face. He knelt to meet the boy at eye level, and Toshiro looked up to see him.
"Toshiro, what's wrong? Were you hurt?" Sai asked, concerned.
Toshiro shook his head, remaining silent. Kakashi was confused as he looked from the boy to Sakura. Naruto was also confused as he looked at the boy.
"Who's the kid?" Kakashi asked curiously.
Sakura's smile disappeared as she looked at her sensei. "It's a long story, one we need to have in private."
Kakashi nodded before turning around. "Sakura, have your staff take over so we can have that discussion. If he has anything to do with what happened today, I wanna know immediately."
Sakura nodded and looked down at Toshiro. "Hey, we're going to leave the hospital to speak with the Hokage. I want you to tell him what you told me, okay?"
Toshiro nodded and took Sakura's hand. Kakashi started leading the way out of the hospital with Team seven and Toshiro following behind him.
Shikamaru and Ino arrived at Kakashi's office simultaneously to find team seven, Might Guy, and Kakashi in his office. Kakashi looked up at Ino, specifically hoping for some good news.
"Any luck trying to retrieve memories from any of the enemy ninjas?" Kakashi asked.
Ino shook her head, frowning. "No, when I arrived, it was already too late. Apologizes Lord Hokage."
Kakashi nodded understanding as he turned to Sakura and Toshiro then. "Alright, tell me who this boy is and what he has to do with the attack today?"
Sakura looked down at the boy, visibly tired and shaken up. She turned her attention back to Kakashi and decided to speak for him. "This is Toshiro; he is one of the orphans participating in the Children's clinic in the hospital. He's been coming for a couple of months now."
Kakashi nodded. "Continue,"
"We didn't have data on him like all the other children. Birth records, lineage, you name it. He said his family was attacked on their way to the village from his home."
Kakashi's eyes widened along with Shikamaru's as they immediately made eye contact. They nodded as Shikamaru started going through the filing cabinet along the wall. He pulled out a purple scroll with a golden seal and handed it to Kakashi. Opening the scroll, Kakashi read it over carefully. The room was silent as they waited for him. Kakashi set the scroll down and stood up from his desk.
"Toshiro," He said flatly. "Prince Hamasaki Toshiro of the Sun Kingdom?"
Everyone but Shikamaru was stunned by the statement as they turned to look at Toshiro. The boy nodded and pulled out a golden locket attached to his necklace. On the back was a sun design glittered in the light.
"Yes, that's my name." He answered softly.
Naruto looked back to Kakashi. "Kakashi Sensei, what's going on?"
Kakashi frowned. "A month after you all defeated Toneri on the moon, we were notified that a King wanted to visit Konoha and meet you, Naruto. He heard of your feats and traveled here with his wife, son, and some of the guards. They made it close to the village, stopping at a hotel, and were…." He paused, not wanting to make Toshiro upset. "As you all can see, somehow Toshiro made it to the village."
Shikamaru folded his arms, frowning. In truth, he could use a cigarette, but the last thing he needed was to be chastised by Sakura and Ino for smoking. "Your highness, how in the world did you happen to escape from that attack?" He asked curiously.
Toshiro looked up to Shikamaru then. "My caretaker managed to get me away from the hotel we were staying at. We hid in the back of a horse-drawn carriage filled with hay. She had a lot of injuries before we made it to the village, so we had to stop a lot to get there; we traveled on foot. We made it close enough to the village to see the gates and stopped by a tree. She told me to go to the gates and tell the guards I didn't have any family, and she'd find me after she rested. The guards took me to the orphanage, and she never came to get me. My father always said I shouldn't reveal my identity to anyone unless it were someone I could trust."
Kakashi nodded, understanding then. "And the ninja who came to the hospital was here to finish the job. I'm guessing he told you this information today, Sakura?"
She silently nodded, and she looked over at Naruto. He glared at the ground, his hands balled into tight fists at his sides. Resisting the urge to go to him, she knew Toshiro needed her more at this moment than he did.
Sai knelt to look at Toshiro, a question brewing in his mind that he wanted to ask. "Do you know who might've been behind the attack Toshiro?"
Toshiro looked at him and nodded. "My uncle, he and my father got into an argument the night before we left. If my father and I died, he could be our kingdom's King."
"And he can't do that so long as you're alive. The Sun Kingdom requested assistance with retrieving any survivors after the incident. Our teams didn't find any, and we reported it back. But we did report that a boy your age wasn't found. I'm surprised you not only made it here but stayed hidden for so long in the village. I'll have to praise the border patrol teams and the orphanage staff. As well, of course, the mental health clinic staff." Kakashi smiled a little in Sakura's and Ino's direction.
Sakura smiled; certain parts of what happened today gave her cause for concern. Regardless she was proud of her team and for their efforts. When Toshiro first arrived, he hardly talked at all. The staff at the orphanage noted that other children picked on him and the Children's health clinic staff helped to stop that from happening. Knowing what he'd gone through, her heart broke for the boy. She looked back at Ino to see a sad expression on her face.
Sai stood up and looked at Kakashi directly. "Lord Hokage, I'd like to escort Toshiro back to the Sun kingdom with your permission."
Everyone looked at Sai, surprised, and Kakashi nodded. "Yes, I think a group of you should go all things considering this group his uncle may have hired is still out there. Team eight and Guy's team are out right now on missions. I want you to know this isn't a mission you'll get paid for."
"It's fine," Sakura said then. "If it's a chance to get Toshiro back to his home, it'll be worth it."
Ino stepped forward then. "I'd like to go as well."
"You can count me in, too, y'know," Naruto said.
Might Guy grinned, and his teeth gleamed in the light. "Now that's the spirit of youth we need more of around the village! It makes me want to get out of this chair and-"
"Stay seated, Guy," Kakashi said calmly, cutting him off.
Guy sighed in frustration as everyone in the room, but Toshiro cracked a smile. Glad that Kakashi didn't allow him to suggest some off-the-wall training exercises. Sighing, Kakashi continued.
"Alright, prepare to leave in the morning. For tonight Toshiro will stay here in the Hokage building so that I know for sure he's well-guarded."
"Can Mr. Sai or Miss Sakura stay with me?" Toshiro asked.
"I'll stay with him," Sakura said, looking over at Sai. "That way, you can get ready to go in the morning. Naruto, can you grab some of my things at the apartment?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, of course,"
Kakashi nodded. "This isn't a mission, but I want you to treat it like an S-rank mission. Naruto, due to your Hokage Training, I want you to take points so you can get used to leading a team. Sakura, as the only Jonin, if Naruto is making a decision unfit for the mission, you are to take command immediately. Understood?" The four members nodded in agreement. "Best of luck, and your highness, you're in good hands with these four."
After Kakashi dismissed everyone and the empty room, he turned to Guy, who was still pouting in his wheelchair. "Alright, you can stop pouting. Let's go get that dinner I promised."
After Toshiro had a bath, Sakura sat beside next to Toshiro, sleeping in the Hokage building. It was a child's room; she figured this was where Konohamaru probably stayed while Lord Third was alive. Kakashi had two guards outside the door and food brought for them to eat. She was worrying about Naruto as he hadn't shown up with items. Two hours had passed, and she looked over at the sleeping prince.
He looked peaceful, and a smile graced her face. 'This will be a difficult mission, but we will get you home, Toshiro.' Sakura thought to herself.
The sound of a knock came from the door, and she turned toward it. She stood up from the ground, walked over to the door, and opened it enough to peek through. She could easily see Naruto's blue eyes and opened the door wider.
"Hi," Sakura whispered. "He finally went to sleep after a bath. Come on in."
He nodded and entered the room, holding both backpacks in his bandaged hand. She noticed his hair was wet and then smelled the scent of his soap to know that he had already showered before coming back. She closed the door, and they sat before the bed quietly, trying not to wake the sleeping prince.
"I brought a lot of your stuff," Naruto whispered, handing her the larger backpack she recently bought because of the fire.
She took the bag, smiling. "Thank you, Naruto. Sorry I up and volunteered you to get my things. I didn't want to leave him alone after everything had happened today."
Naruto smiled, but Sakura noticed it wasn't his usual smile. It didn't reach his eyes like it usually did. It reminded her of him glaring at the floor when they met earlier in the office with Kakashi.
"Is everything okay?" Sakura asked, concerned.
He sighed and looked down at his folded legs in front of him. His hand rested on his knees with his backpack next to his right hand.
"You noticed that…." He whispered that she barely heard him say it.
"Yes, what's on your mind?"
"His family were coming to meet me…. Why didn't they make a mission for me to travel to them? Why even come here to meet one person? And now…." He trailed off and looked up at Toshiro. "Now, he's been all alone for months now. I know what that's like. I've experienced the feeling of having no one in my life to look after me. To be overlooked as people live normal lives around you, and you come home to nothing. It's my fault his life ended up like this."
Sakura shook her head vehemently. "This isn't your fault, Naruto!"
He looked over at her, seeing the passion in her eyes and expression. "I feel like it is, y'know."
"You had no idea that they were coming here. We've been on dates where visitors stop to ask who you are and to take a picture of you. It's been like this since the War. Despite what's happened, I can tell you firsthand that the boy in front of you now is completely different from the boy I first met."
She looked over at Toshiro smiling, and moved some of the strands of hair out of his eyes that fell forward before she continued speaking.
"Unfortunately, bad things happen in life. And we won't have control over these situations or moments." Sakura said, turning to look at him. "But when this does happen, it is not your fault Naruto. You can't spend every waking moment of your life saving everyone. If I'm honest, Ino and almost everyone, including yourself, is telling me the same thing. We have to find a balance between work and our lives. So now we get Toshiro home, come back, plan our wedding, and find an apartment. After that, we cut back on work a little."
As a smile appeared on his face, Naruto blushed in reaction to Sakura's words as he looked down at his legs. He couldn't think of words to describe how much her words comforted and meant to him at that moment. So instead, he looked up and leaned forward and kissed her softly for a brief moment before straightening up.
"Thank you, Sakura; I brought you something to eat in case you didn't earlier, y'know."
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, what'd you bring me?"
"Some ichiraku ramen of course!" He said happily.
Sakura frowned, already having her fill of ramen yesterday. "Thank you, honey, but Kakashi bought us something earlier. Why don't you go ahead and eat the ramen? Also, did you pack my toiletry bag? I could use a shower after today."
Naruto nodded, already undoing his bag to grab the ramen container. "Yeah, it's in your bag, y'know."
"Thank you so much! If you can keep an eye on him for a moment, I'll be right back." Sakura said as she picked up her backpack and stood up.
He nodded and watched as she left the room before smiling down at his ramen. 'That's right; I'm not alone anymore. Soon enough, Sakura will be wife whenever we get a chance to plan the wedding.' He thought to himself.