Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…You would know if I did

Chapter One

Meeting

"When you meet someone for the first time, that's not the whole book. That's the first page."

– Brody Armstrong

xXx

"Hey Sakura Chan!" Naruto's arm was waving enthusiastically as his boisterous voice carried to her ears. "Over here!"

Sakura's eye twitched.

Leave it to Naruto to make a scene wherever he goes. She smiled nonetheless. She always enjoyed the time she spent with her blond friend.

"Hey Naruto." She returned his smile with her own. As she sat down at the familiar ramen shop she could not help but notice the three empty bowls that already sat in front of his seat.

"You know, eating ramen for every meal of everyday is not healthy." She warned with a frown on her face. "You need to eat some vegetables." Naruto just chuckled at her statement.

"Don't worry Sakura Chan. I'm as healthy as I can be." He banged his fist against his chest for emphasis.

Sakura ordered her own meal and they conversed about their days. He spoke to her enthusiastically about his martial arts training for the day. Of course he could not omit the part about how he kicked his sparring partner's ass.

"I've been working on some new moves." He said slurping some more ramen from the bowl that had just been put down. "Just you wait Sakura Chan. I'm going to win this year's Martial Arts Tournament! I'll show everyone how strong I've become!"

"Not if you jump into the fight without thinking about it first you won't."

Naruto's face fell comically as he rested his head on the bar. "Awe Sakura Chan that hurt." Her giggles were his only response.

She has to admit though; Naruto was a very strong martial artist. Since he joined his dojo at the young age of eleven, he's only gotten stronger. Now nineteen, he was a force to reckon with. In his last two championship matches he had been defeated early. The first time he tied in the Preliminaries with a Sand fighter.

Desert Storm had been his fighting name.

She remembered that fight. The red head had been crazy while fighting with Naruto. Both men were not only exchanging blows, but words with each other, well if she was being honest with herself; it was more like they were sharing yells with one another. The look in her friend's eyes was full of desperation. In the end, both participants had been so roughed up by each other they had not been allowed to enter the Finals due to their injuries. Surprisingly though, Naruto wasn't as sad as she thought he'd be. Instead he left the arena after all the Preliminaries with his head held high and a new friend. Gaara, had been the fighters name, developed a deep respect for the blond and to this day the two remain close friends and often write each other.

His second year went much the same way. The only difference was Naruto's opponent was fighting illegally. His opponent somehow managed to get behind him and delivered a precise kick to the back of Naruto's head. The force had knocked him to the ground where the other man continued attacking her dear friend's head and delivered blows to his exposed spine. Officials ended the fight and Naruto was forcibly medically evacuated. Gaara had been livid and he went on to win the rest of his fights and the entire tournament all together. He was brutal towards that particular opponents teammates; brutal, but completely fair.

"So anyway, what did you want to talk about?"

"Right," Naruto's face turned serious as he turned his entire body towards her on his stool. "I already know you're going to turn the offer down but just hear me out." Sakura slanted her eyes at him but nodded for him to continue. If Naruto is serious about something, it's definitely not wise to just ignore him.

"You've heard about the recent attacks right? About the women being" he paused as if searching for the right word, "assaulted when they are alone?" She nodded. "Well, I'm worried about you." He shut down the comment she was about to say and continued.

"You walk home from work at different times during the night every day." She was about to say another comment but Naruto just held up his index finger and effectively silenced her once again. "Don't you dare tell me your apartment isn't that far because it is." Sakura deflated. She was indeed about to say something along those lines.

"Naruto, I can take care of myself." It was her turn to this time to keep him from saying his own comment. "You should know that better than anyone. After all, you are normally the one on the other side of my punches." She said matter-of-factly.

"Hey now," raising his hands in defense, "I never said you couldn't take care of yourself. I know you are capable of sending any jerk who tried to hurt you to the hospital with various injuries-"

"-And refuse to treat him." Naruto chuckled.

"I still think you should practice at the dojo. Now before you say no, let me finish." Sakura let her breath out yet again in favor of not saying anything. "As I said before, I know you can take care of yourself, but my sensei's can properly train you in self-defense. These criminals are using the element of surprise to temporarily freeze their victims. In that one moment your body can be forced into a position even you cannot overcome. We can properly train you to defend against that if it happens."

"We?" Naruto graced her with another one of his infamous chuckles and placed his left hand behind his head.

"Well yeah. I'm a Captain now and you'll be working with me too."

…. Working with Naruto? She mentally sighed. That won't lead to anything productive.

Naruto's face took on another serious expression as he continued. "Just think about it ok? The offer still stands." Sakura nodded her head and turned back to her meal when Naruto spoke again. He had a grin on his face that made him look like a conniving child.

"And just think, you and I will be sparring and we'll most likely end up on the ground….with hot sweaty bodies…..rolling around on each other…..hands roaming- OW!"

"THAT'S FOR BEING A PERVERT!"

With their meals finished, Naruto insisted on walking Sakura back to her apartment. She figured it would be ok seeing as he would have to pass it in order to make it to his own flat anyway. Their walk carried out in comfortable silence, both being too engrossed in their own thoughts.

Naruto does make a valid point about learning how to properly fight. And it really couldn't hurt to learn something as useful as self-defense. Said blond interrupted her thoughts with his next comment.

"You know Sakura Chan, it could happen again." His posture was relaxed, with his hands in his pockets and eyes forward. "That guy back then was an amateur. He probably just went on impulse." Sakura inhaled deeply. That was never an incident she was too keen on re-living.

They made it to her home a few minutes later and, being the gentleman Naruto is, he walked his best friend up the stairs right to her door. Sakura turned to him after unlocking it.

"Thank you, Naruto. And don't worry; everything you said tonight did not fall on deaf ears."

"If anything were to happen to you Sakura Chan, I would never forgive myself." She put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly and smiled up at him.

"I'm not going anywhere," his sad cerulean eyes looked into her soft emerald ones. "I'm sure your training will prevent that." It looked as though Naruto let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Thank you, Sakura Chan!" Happy he was getting the answer he wanted, Naruto scooped his petite friend up in his arms and gave her a tight hug. She couldn't help but laugh a little at his reaction. Finally setting her on her own feet he continued. "You can stop by tomorrow for orientation and meet everyone."

"Ok, I will." She paused and allowed a mischievous look pass through her eyes. "Although there is one thing I want you to remember the next time I hit you." Naruto's face fell a little as she turned to go inside her apartment. "This was all your idea."

"Yes, Ino you know me so well. I just want to be around sexy martial artists all the day." Sakura's expression was mocking as she held her mobile phone to her ear. Ino called her shortly after she got home that night. Sakura was currently sitting in her bed propped up by the headboard and a pillow tucked to her chest.

Ino had been her best friend since she could remember. As a young child, Sakura was very shy and being new to school did not help her make many friends. Well, no friends actually. Then Ino introduced herself one day. Sakura remembered that day clearly. She had been sitting in a field looking at flowers during recess when a young girl approached her.

"Hey, why are you so sad?" Said girl bent down in front of Sakura's dejected form.

The young pinkette sniffed before answering, "Why do you care?"

"Well, why can't I?" This girl, she's in my class. Sakura couldn't think of her name. The girl was real cute with her short blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Young Sakura watched as said girl sat down next to her on the grass, waiting patiently for an answer.

"It's because I'm a freak."

Ino looked at her honestly. "Well you do look a little weird, with the way you wear your hair." It was something Sakura did to hide her big forehead so no one would notice. After all, it's what all the other girls made fun of her for.

"Here, let me fix it." With that, the pretty girl turned to face Sakura and parted her bangs from her forehead. "There! Much prettier."

"But my forehead!"

"What about it?"

"It's so big." Sakura tried covering it again with her hands but was restrained from doing so.

"That's just silly! Besides, if you wear your hair like that it just draws more attention to it!" She smiled and giggled at the young girl in front of her. "I'm Ino. What's your name?"

"Sakura."She said meekly.

"What?"Feigning deafness, Ino cupped her hand to her ear, "I couldn't hear you."

"Sakura!" She said a little louder.

"That's better!" Ino started giggling again. She stayed and conversed with Sakura until their teacher called them in again.

They've been inseparable ever since, Sakura thought with a smile. Ino's laughter interrupted her little reverie.

"Oh come on Forehead! What other reason do you have?!"

Sakura bristled with the use of her old nickname. "You're just jealous Ino Pig!"

"…"

"…"

"You're lucky I love you."

"I could same the same for you." All joking went away with Ino's next question.

"Is it because of the recent events?"

A pause. "Yes. Naruto is adamant I learn how to properly defend myself."

She heard her long time friend sigh on the other side of the line. "I know. I've been thinking about taking up a self-defense class." She paused. "One of the girls…lives in my complex."

"What?!"

"Yeah, apparently she never came home the other night. The authorities are still looking for her."

"Did you know her?"

"Not really. We only spoke when we randomly passed each other. It really hit home though Sak." Sakura could now say she understood Naruto's worry. Knowing that could've been Ino… Sakura was plagued with the fear of losing her best friend.

"Well, you know where the dojo is. Meet me there tomorrow morning. It's orientation."

There was only a slight pause of consideration before Ino agreed to meeting at the dojo.

"Besides, you really think I'm going to let you have all that sexy meat to yourself? Get real Sakura." The smirk was evident in her voice.

"Ugh, you really need to sort out your priorities Pig."

"Oh whatever!" They shared a laugh together before wishing each other a good night.

That night, Sakura was plagued with nightmares from her past. Things she'd thought she'd forgotten. And those eyes, those deep black eyes.

Jeez! Could this place be any more confusing? Sakura was currently trying to find her way to the meeting room she was told oh, so eloquently this morning by none other than Naruto himself. He had called her around 3 am to inform her the meeting place had been moved to their dojo's 'headquarters', as he called it. Leave it to Naruto to leave out any sort of directions. She was rounding yet another corner in what she hoped to be the right building when she ran into something. Pain instantly shot through her nose as she lost her balance and fell backward.

Wincing in the unexpected pain, Sakura outwardly cursed as she fell on her rear. What the hell! Did I just hit a wall?! A grunt signified that no, she did not hit a wall, but a person.

Sakura opened her eyes to see a tall man looming over her crumpled form. He had rich black hair that stuck out in a weird style, high cheek bones, a strong chin, a very muscular physique, and deep black eyes. This man practically radiated masculinity. His looks were the epitome of handsome.

That image was ruined with his first words.

"Watch where you're going." His voice was full of malice and his eyes formed into slits as he glared at Sakura's form.

She couldn't help it. Her jaw dropped as he stepped over her fallen form as if to continue on his merry way. That jerk! He didn't even offer to help her up!

"Hey!" Sakura yelled at his retreating form as she righted herself. "Hey I'm talking to you!" Her anger got the better of her as he still continued to ignore her. "Hey, bastard!"

The man ceased his retreat. THAT got his attention. Sakura thought morbidly.

He slowly turned around to face her. She didn't think his glare could have got any more intense. She was wrong. "What did you call me?" He hissed.

Sakura deadpanned. "Obviously you heard me."

"What should have come out of your mouth was an apology. Not an insult."

It was her turn to look offended. "Excuse me! An apology for what?! It's not like I ran into you on purpose!" If she wasn't yelling before, she sure was now.

"Hn." He turned again and continued on his way to his destination. "You're not worth my time."

Sakura was still fuming when he walked out of sight around another corner. "That arrogant jerk! Thinking he's better than me." Shrieking in frustration, Sakura turned around and began walking, well stomping, in the original direction she was headed. How dare he? The worst part of the whole encounter was while he was glaring at her on the floor, she was thinking how handsome he was. Hell, she was downright ogling him! She gave and indignant huff as she opened a random door and, not caring one bit, walked right on through.

"Sakura Chan, you made it!" Naruto's energetic attitude took a downfall once he took in his best friend's appearance. She looked livid. He was scared to ask what was wrong as he slowly approached her. "Sakura Chan?"

"It's nothing Naruto!" She snapped at him. He could've sworn he heard her cursing arrogant jerks under her breath.

"Ok." He said rather wary. "Anyway, come on in and meet the guys!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward a small group of people conversing near the center of the room.

The room itself was rather large. Where Naruto's martial arts buddies were congregated looked to be a small recreational area. A small wooden table was at the far wall that was well stocked with water and personal belongings. Down the hall way from this room looked to be where all the sparring happened. She could just make out some equipment around the corner.

"Sakura Chan, this is Neji, Kiba, Lee, Shikamaru, and TenTen Chan. Guys, this is Sakura Chan!" He pointed to everyone accordingly. Neji, had long dark hair that cascaded down his back and looked to be tied back loosely. His eyes were a very pale grey-whitish color. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest and an unreadable expression, but nodded at her when introduced.

The next guy, Kiba, gave a doggish grin at his name. His short brown hair stuck up in different directions and he had triangular markings on his cheeks.

Lee, as Naruto introduced him, wore a ridiculously green jumpsuit. His bowl cut hair style and bushy eyebrows made him look quite odd. But his overly big smile gave him away as the 'good guy' type. He struck a thumbs up pose at her in welcome.

Shikamaru looked as though he wanted to be elsewhere at the moment. His black hair was restrained high in his head giving off the impression of a pineapple. His whole body gave off the feeling of disinterest, with his slouched position, lazy eyes, and hands shoved in his pockets, but he nodded at her in greeting as well.

The female, TenTen, had a very tough disposition but the engaging smile threw the whole look off balance. Her brown hair was styled in two buns on each side of her head and she seemed to have some sort of weapon strapped at her back.

All were wearing appropriate fighting attire.

Sakura bowed in greeting, "It's very nice to meet you."

"Sakura San! Your beauty is one I have never seen before! Please do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend!"

Sakura stared.

An unceremonious 'oof' was heard as TenTen brought her hand rather harshly to the top of Lee's head.

"Lee! You only just met her! Don't scare her you idiot!" TenTen turned to look at Sakura then, "Just ignore him Sakura. He shouts about beauty and youthfulness at random times during the day."

"But TenTen!" Lee was still holding his head and looking at his offender pleadingly.

"No buts'!"

"Yeah, stay away from Sakura Chan bushy-brows! If she's going to go out with anyone it's going to be me! Not some weirdo in green spandex!"

It was Sakura's turn to hit Naruto. "Ugh! You idiot!" Naruto fell to the floor with the force of her punch. A low whistle was heard and she looked to see Kiba grinning like a fool.

"Yeah, I think you should be just fine here Sakura." They all shared a laugh, or in Neji's case, a smirk, at Kiba's remark.

They all conversed amongst each other after that. Sakura found herself instantly befriending TenTen. Similar personality's maybe? Not too long after, Ino walked in. Sakura was glad she had a chance to tell Naruto to call Ino during his impromptu phone call that morning.

"Oi, Forehead!"

"Hey Pig, this is TenTen," she said gesturing to the petite brunette beside her. "TenTen, this is my good friend Ino." TenTen introduced the dazzling blonde to the rest of the group and Ino instantly took to nagging Shikamaru about his laziness. Before she knew it, quite a few people had entered the room and it was full of different conversations.

There are a lot of girls here. I wonder if it's because of the recent events?

As Sakura was looking around the room she noticed two older gentlemen enter. One had silver spiky hair and he wore a mask that covered his left eye. He was reading a little orange book upon his entrance and proceeded to do so. How he managed not to bump into anyone was beyond Sakura.

The other man looked to be an older version of Lee. Green Spandex and all. Both commanded attention as they walked to the front of the room, silencing the various conversations. Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, Lee, and Kiba all went to the front alongside the new comers.

"Good morning everyone," The silver haired man greeted. He seemed to have finally put his book away now. "For those of you who don't know, I am Hatake Kakashi, and this," He gestured to the green clad man next to him, "is Might Gai. We are the head Sensei's of this dojo.

These five men to our right are Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Neji, Nara Shikamaru, Rock Lee, and Inuzuka Kiba," Kakashi gestured to all accordingly, "and they are the Captains."

Sakura couldn't help but smile at the smug smirks that adorned Naruto's and Kiba's faces at their introduction.

"We hope you will all strive for the best in your youthful journey towards becoming a martial artist!"

Sakura raised her brows. Yup, they are so identical.

"Also," Kakashi continued, "There is a member who could not be here today for he is traveling to another dojo at the moment. His name is Sasuke Uchiha and is also a Captain. You'll be able to meet him soon." Sakura heard a couple of girls giggle at this unknown man's name.

She looked to her right to find said girls looking at each other and squealing in delight. Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This was going to be interesting.

The orientation proceeded as any would: introductions, some light paperwork, and instructions on the basics of fighting. It didn't take long to be divided into groups and paired off with different Captains. Sakura herself was in a group with Ino, TenTen, and some unknown females.

They stood in a corner as Kiba walked to their front.

"Alright," He began. "We're going to go over some basic moves to get out of an unwanted hold."

The day progressed like this. Each group traveled around the fighting space to different Captains who fulfilled different purposes. When it was Sakura's turn to be with Naruto, he was nothing but professional in his teachings.

She learned TenTen preferred to use weapons. The one strapped to her back was a blunt staff. She had also learned the bunned girl had been with this dojo for three years and has participated in a few tournaments. A part of Sakura couldn't wait to see the girl at her one hundred percent.

She was able to officially meet her two Sensei's and, much like everyone else she'd met today, immediately took a liking to them. Gai's positive attitude and his bond with Lee were pleasant traits of the muscular man. Kakashi gave off an overwhelming feeling of wisdom and protection that strangely comforted the pinkette. Sakura found herself looking forward to her future in martial arts training.

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