Being Stood Up Isn't That Bad After All
by Taijutsudemonslayer
Naruto finds that there is at least one Haruno woman who is glad that he is around.
Chapter 1 - Grateful For The Rescue
Naruto Uzumaki smiled sadly as he watched the time slip by on his watch, his supposed date, Tako Fabuto had stood him up, not that he was surprised. Sighing, he paid for his drink before getting ready to leave the bar.
When suddenly he heard a woman's voice from outside, she sounded like she was in trouble.
"Please, leave me alone, I am not interested in going anywhere with the likes of you." Naruto heard her say.
Quickly, Naruto went outside, seeing the blonde woman whom he recognized as Sakura's Mom, Mebuki was being harassed by three men, two of whom were Shinobi.
"Hey!" Naruto shouts, the men's eyes turned to the blonde.
"Get lost kid, we're gonna have some fun with the old hag here." one of the men said mockingly.
"Why are people always so dumb?" Naruto asked no one.
"What did you say you brat!?" the second man bellows, but he is cut off by Naruto appearing behind him and using a nerve chop to knock him out. This stunned the other men into silence.
"You're...a Shinobi? the third guy asked fearing for his safety, as he is not a Shinobi before running away, leaving his friends behind. The other two scramble to their feet and run away from Naruto.
"Mebuki Kaa-san, are you alright?" the blonde asks gently, helping her to her feet.
"I am now, thanks to you, Naruto-kun." Mebuki answered with a slight blush.
"Would you like me to walk you home, Mebuki Kaa-san?" Naruto asked with a kind smile.
"Yes, thank you, Naruto-kun." Mebuki said gratefully.
Sakura was furious, her Mom had gone out and stayed out, well past a reasonable hour, making her worry. With her Dad out of the picture it was only her and Mebuki and Sakura found herself wanting to protect her Mother.
Just then, the front door opened and Mebuki entered the home with-Naruto on her heels.
"Mom! Where have you been!?" And then she eyed the blonde behind her.
"Why is he with you!?" the pinkette said, glaring at him.
"Naruto-kun here saved me from some rather rough men when I was coming home from the market."
Sakura ground her teeth in rage, but her rage was not meant for Naruto.
"Thank you, Naruto." Sakura replied.
Naruto nods before turning to walk out the door.
"Naruto-kun?" Mebuki asked, stopping in his tracks, Naruto turns and glances at the older blonde woman.
"Yes Mebuki Kaa-san?"
"Would you have dinner with me tomorrow, as Sakura would be out of the village in Suna for over five months."
"Yes, Mebuki Kaa-san, I would like that a lot, I will see you then." the blonde said, smiling warmly.
Sakura was stunned, never would she have thought that her Mother would ever ask Naruto over for dinner.
Naruto heads home and showers before going to bed.
The next day, Naruto gets up, showers and going to train, he is training diligently when Sakura came up behind him and places a gentle hand on his left shoulder.
Naruto stops his Taijutsu katas and turned to face the pinkette.
"Yes? What is it, Sakura?" Naruto inquired.
"I...just wanted to thank you again for saving my Mom, Naruto."
"It was nothing Sakura, I was happy to help." Naruto says seriously and without the use of chan at the end of her name, which she noted with a bit of sadness.
Later...
Sakura left Konoha for Suna for her five month long mission, Mebuki saw her daughter off at home before going to the market to shop for ingredients for the dinner that she had planned for herself and Naruto.