Cry of the Rain

The Academy, Girls, and More

Sarutobi's eyes went wide at hearing Naruto but then nodded, his face returning to the wise, knowing face it was. He took a puff of his pipe and sighed, staring at the boy before him. Naruto had changed so much in three years; Sarutobi knew that he would be a great shinobi. He stood and walked out from behind his desk, and moved to stand before Naruto. He spoke nothing yet, just inspecting the boy and thinking of what to say.

"I see, and what are your feelings on this, Naruto-kun?" spoke the voice of Sarutobi after moments of silence. Naruto smiled lightly and said, "Well, beside the anger that it had to be me, I've gotten used to it." Naruto nodded to himself on this and turned, beginning to leave. He looked back at Sarutobi and said, "Shizaru will explain more and go into my training." And with that, Naruto left, walking out and towards his old apartment. He heard voices and stopped, looking around and saw Haruno Sakura flirting with Sasuke and Sasuke was looking not interested. Naruto could only shake his head and walked past them, ignoring them to allow him to get home. He didn't even bother getting the key, for he merely used one of the skills he learned to open the door.

Naruto scanned his first room and saw it trashed and dusty. He snorted and walked in, and began to get to work with some of his scrolls, cleaning all the trash and debris left over. He worked for hours to make it look better, and some could swear they saw a red haired woman helping him. Time passed, and Naruto closed the door as he leaned against it, tired. He smiled to himself as he closed his eyes for a small rest, and to think on some plans he had for his academy days. He then heard noises and his eyes went open, and he grunted as he got up. He opened the door and looked outside and saw that Sakura was trying to get away from Sasuke, who was trying to do something to Sakura. Naruto scowled and launched forward, in a blur, and he had Sasuke at point of a chop to his neck.

"Move, Uchiha." Spoke Naruto, with venom in his voice.

Sasuke's eyes went wide, as did Sakura's eyes, but she also blushed at being saved by Naruto. Naruto watched Sasuke get ready to speak but just walked off. Naruto knew this wasn't the end but turned and smiled at Sakura. He said, "Hello, Sakura-chan, what brings you here?" His smile was so calm and welcoming, this Sakura noticed from the start. She blushed more and said, "I-I came to visit you, Naruto-kun." Naruto nodded at this, smiling and lead her inside. He motioned to the couch as he got out water and moved to the couch, sitting by Sakura. He handed her a bottle of water and said, "What did Sasuke want?"

Sakura sighed and said, "He finally got interest in me but it just wasn't him, so I tried to push him away." Naruto nodded and took a sip of his water and said, "He is a blind teme, not knowing love at all, just going after his goals." Sakura looked at Naruto and said, "Why were you gone for three years, Naruto-kun?" Naruto chuckled and said, "Training, Sakura-chan, Training to become stronger." Sakura nodded and said, "Y-You do seem stronger."

Naruto merely grinned and said, "You haven't seen anything by far." He drank the rest of his water and sat back. Sakura then said, "When will I be able to see the results of your training?" Naruto looked at her and said, "If we're placed in the same team, then on a C ranked mission possibly." He smiled at her and got up and said, "Well, Sakura-chan, I think its time I take you home, can't trust the Uchiha." Sakura nodded as the two left. Naruto and Sakura walked through the village, and Sakura began to get tired, so Naruto picked her up bridal style, and leaped up to the window in her house. He laid her down in the bed and kissed her forehead and said, "Rest, young blossom." He smiled and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

He appeared by a lake, where he found Shizaru.

"It is time."

Shizaru nodded and the two stood in harmony and began to refresh their skills, and into the night, worked their swordsman skills. They worked into the night, until Naruto was tired. Shizaru carried Naruto on his back all the way back to his home, laying him on the bed. Shizaru chuckled and spoke softly, "You are a legacy unknown yet, Uzumaki Naruto." Shizaru disappeared and left to his hotel room he had rented in such manner. As Shizaru prepared for bed himself, he could only think on the future ahead and knew Naruto would have to be prepared for pain and yet also the trials ahead of him. He sighed and thought simple things.

'Sister, I will avenge your death, and make sure your son is a hero, just like him'