"You sure you want to do this?" Sakura called out as she looked down the cliff side. She gulped nervously, not wanting to fall.
"You know I've been planning this!" Naruto called out, dangling from the rope, his paint can in hand with the paint brush in the other. "I had this set up and you were okay with it!"
"I-I know! It's just…" True she liked his idea, in fact it sounded fun. Painting on the hokage monuments had an odd thrill to be reckless and do stupid things. Thought she wouldn't' say it was stupid to Naruto."I'm just worried for your safety!"
"Hey, I'm going to become the greatest hokage, these guys will be nothing compared to me and only I have the courage to do this, 'cause everyone is so scared that they…" Naruto stopped and jumped at the next thing to come.
"Naruto..! What in the world's name, do you think you're doing?" Naruto panicked.
"Oh no, it's Iruka sensei!" He dropped his paint and quickly began the climb up, Sakura watched on worried, he better hurry up. "I know, I know!" Taking her hand, he pulled himself up and untied the rope. "Let's get out of here!"
Sadly their running did nothing from getting away from the trained ninja. So here he was, stood in the hall. Sakura stood by him, who felt responsible and while no one could see her and blame her also. She felt like it was partly her punishment. "Sorry I held you back." It was true, if he wasn't keeping at her pace, he might have gotten a good run out of them.
"It doesn't matter," Naruto stated with his arms behind his head. He grinned with a chuckle and Sakura looked to him. "Did you see the look on all their faces? Priceless…" She smiled; it was some amusing looks he got. Then again, she found the paintings to be truly amusing. From looking at the paint job from ground level, several bloody noses, scars and an eye patch were covering them. He was very good at what he did and she found it fun to watch.
"So what do you want to do after this?" She knew he wanted to start on his next plan of action, he enjoyed the pranks and the actions he did. It got the attention he wanted, and she didn't hold him back, letting him have his fun…
True, back then in konoha she didn't mind helping him.
But in her world, maybe not…
She sighed as she looked to the floor. Naruto stood there with his arms behind his head. "I can't believe I let you do this, and I joining you also." She really felt stupid, what was she thinking. Letting Naruto get into the gym and painting those huge drawings…
Now here she was, caught red handed with him, she couldn't believe what she did. "Oh come on, you enjoyed it." She sighed, she did a bit. "Hey, I told them it was my entire fault; I just dragged you into this." He did pull a lot of blame off her, but she still held some responsibility. And worst of all, her family would know of this…
She sat on the floor with her hands on her face. "Why did I do this?" Naruto chuckled. "It's not a time to be laughing you idiot!" She rarely snapped at him, but Naruto just grinned.
"If you always followed the ways of the world, fun would never happen. You followed because in some small way, you felt like I did, wanting to do something big and outrageous! Come on! You can't tell me you didn't have fun."
She groaned, she really did, and that's what was worse. "Please, don't do this regularly." She didn't want to get in tons of trouble. He understood that, this was his breaking away from normality even though; he could have done something better about it.
"Here she is…" She froze as the footsteps came along; she looked up to see her father. Looking mildly curious as to her rebellious actions…
"It's my entire fault sir!" Sakura looked to Naruto. "I'm telling you, Sakura had no part in my plan to paint that huge ugly mug on the wall of the gym. It was bad luck she just walked in. Please, don't drag her down with my actions." He really wanted Sakura to be held away from the blame, he could get round it. Sakura couldn't. "Please, don't blame her."
Fujitaka glanced to the teacher, who seemed to really not want to do it, he had said that the pair had seen going in together. "Is this going to happen again, mister Uzumaki?" The teacher asked Naruto seriously.
"Not again sir, I won't get caught again. I swear!" He said grinning, Sakura bit back a giggle, why dig yourself a hole, she wondered… "Okay, okay… I won't do it again. I promise…"
"I should hope not, your new yes, but I won't have trouble in my school. And you miss Kinomoto, I will over look this, since you're a good student. But if you are caught in this with him again, I will have to press forward and deal with this."
"Thank you for being so kind on Sakura…" Fujitaka commented kindly, letting Sakura go with him. Naruto quickly left also and soon all were walking along.
"Father… I'm…" Fujitaka shook his head. "It's partly my fault also… I helped Naruto…" Fujitaka smiled slightly.
"I can't say that I'm happy with what you did, and Naruto, I don't want you and my daughter doing this again." Naruto waved his hands in defence. He wouldn't think of it.
"I won't sir… But, that's if I do it again…" Sakura sighed; she knew Naruto would break away again. It was only a matter of time.
XXXXXX Chapter 6
Naruto groaned as he heard Sakura explain in her worried panic. "Ghosts, Sakura…" She nods vigorously; she was going with her friends to see this ghost for herself, though it wasn't fully in her to do so. Hence why she was getting her ninja to come to her aid… "Okay…" She thanked the blond ninja and headed off the get changed while Naruto finished up at his afternoon class.
He hoped that this 'ghost' thing had faded. He helped so much to clear it from her; it had to be Toya! That mean, elder brother who put it back into motion. All his hard work had faded and it could only be him that did it.
Once he was changed, he met the girls out front. Sakura was more than pleased to see him, though considering his recent actions to the gym when he painted it and got Sakura in trouble. Sakura's friends were a little worried about her still hanging out with Naruto. "So we ready to go?" With no other choice, they began their walk.
As they walked, the conversation picked up from Chiharu asking about what to get her mother for her birthday. Naruto idly walked, it wasn't something he needed to be bothered listening into. Though that was cut away when he heard the next comment… "Sakura got any…" There was an instant hush, as the group realised what they just said.
"Don't worry about that…" Sakura responded, she understood that and it didn't bother her. Naruto glanced up a moment, he then realised something and glanced to Sakura. Wasn't her mother's birthday coming up soon? Sakura stopped and looked to Naruto surprised he remembered… How could he not? He was here with her because of this very reason. "True…" While she did miss her mother, she was glad that Naruto came into her life also… He was such a good friend.
Naruto crossed his arms curiously. He should take Sakura out for something fun to do, something nice to celebrate on her mother's birthday. 'Hm…' He smiled for a moment, having remembered the picture Sakura had shown him the first time. It made him glad she trusted him so much, then again, he trusted her also. And wouldn't question her… Well, maybe sometimes.
"We'll, this is where it is." They all came to a stop, and instantly before their eyes, an orb of light appeared and Sakura stepped just a bit behind Naruto.
Now Naruto wasn't one to believe myths like ghosts, but this was looking somewhat believable. And before his eyes, the figure of a woman became obvious.
There was screams and all the girls scarpered. When they came to a stop, they all retold of what they saw. Though Tomoyo killed it when she said she saw her favourite food. Sakura looked to Naruto, who had followed them, though he was curious, he and Sakura had seen the same thing. "I-it really was a ghost." Naruto pondered.
"It can't be, I've never believed it yet and I really doubt it could just be coincidence. There's got to be an answer to what we saw." He didn't want to believe that he just saw a ghost; it had to be an illusion or something, as every one of them saw something different. But them…?
It puzzled Naruto to his core, how could he have seen a ghost, he didn't believe in them… Then again, believing was only a case of denial… Though that's what Sakura said anyway.
"Ghosts huh…?" Kero mused after listening to what the pair entailed. But what made it weird was that only Naruto and Sakura saw the same thing, so he too was curious as much as Naruto was.
"What do you think it could be?" Naruto had a bet on what it was, but he wanted to see if Kero was going to be on the same level he was. And sure enough, it could be a clow card, but what, Kero wasn't sure. "So we need to return at one point or another soon?"
"You know…" Sakura retorted as she walked in with some drinks and snacks. "Almost anything that happens that's not normal. Is automatically labelled as a 'clow card'… You just put everything down as it." Naruto shrugged, it was true… But then again, it was also true that anything that's happened weird so far has always been a clow card. "I hate it that you're right…" Naruto pondered now on when they had to go and take a look. "Let's save it for another night." Sakura wanted nothing to do with what she had seen till another night.
With that, the phone rang. And her night was ruined because Naoko had gone back with another group of people and has their lives scared out of them.
That settled it, they return tonight.
XXXX
"I so don't like this?" Sakura responded. Tomoyo smiled behind the camera, marvelling Sakura's new attire. Kero responded to Sakura that this had to be settled soon, otherwise people could get hurt. "And if it's not a clow card?" Kero shrugged. "You know I can't deal with ghosts."
"Sakura…" Naruto responded with his arms crossed. He sighed; guess that time when he spoke to his sensei Iruka way back about this. With Sakura beside him, he explained about how the super natural was merely made off people's minds, and that such things couldn't happen. Yes, there were demons, but ghosts were not something to be feared. 'Sensei…' Iruka was a guy Naruto wanted to see also, to enjoy a ramen meal and tell his tales.
He wishes he could see him again.
Sakura sighed at Naruto's comment; she knew he was trying to calm her. But, she felt really worried about this. She hated ghosts… But Naruto was right, and she knew it also, it was just that… "Naruto, lets…" She stopped, and Naruto glanced to her. "Wh-whats…" Naruto's gaze turned to the location she was looking. Naruto gripped his sword and Naruto froze.
"No way…" Naruto blinked, that figure walking away. "It can't be…" Naruto took off. "Wait!" Sakura turned to Naruto, her mind broke free from looking at the white orb vanishing into the forest. "Iruka-sensei!" What?
"N-Naruto!" She chased after him. Tomoyo and Kero following. "Naruto wait for me!" She couldn't keep up with him and he was gone. "Naruto!" She couldn't see him; the darkness cloaked the blond ninja. "I-it couldn't have been… I-I didn't…" She didn't see Iruka, all she saw was an orb of light.
"Sakura! There!" Turning to Kero, then to where he was pointing. There was an orb of light, it swirled round her and took off. "After it!" But Naruto? "Don't worry about him, after that!"
"Fly!" With that she gave chase after the light orb, quickly taking off away from Kero and Tomoyo.
Elsewhere, Naruto was looking round through the forest. He saw Iruka-sensei. What was he doing here? Could he be showing him the way home? "Wait…" Naruto stopped, something seemed wrong here.
"He went off this way, but he was walking? And then… He only vanished briefly and then appeared away off and then the same thing again. Like he was an illusion…" Naruto pondered, he felt like something was plaguing his mind. "Wait…" He glanced about. "Sakura? Kero? Tomoyo?" They were nowhere to be found. "Damn it… I've been played!" He had to find Sakura fast. His seal on his palm glowed as he glanced about, almost instantly he could tell where Sakura was.
He didn't know how, but he knew he had to hurry.
XXXX
Sakura stared in shock… Having followed the orb to the edge of the cliff, there was a flash of light and before her eyes… "It can't be…" There, exactly as she could picture her. "Mother…" The woman she had seen this evening had been her mother. She knew that the woman looked familiar, though she didn't want to see it again. This made it all better. Her eyes watered up, so happy to see her mom. "Wh-why are you here?" She had to know what she was here.
"Sakura?" Tomoyo called out. But Sakura was oblivious to it. Kero flew forward, to see what was going on. But a barrier that Kero flew into sent the guardian flying backwards. "Kero!" She looked to Kero as she caught him, and then to Sakura worried.
Sakura stepped forward once more; unaware of how close she was getting to the edge. "What do you want?" Did she want something; did she want to tell her something? Her mother flew back more. "Wait!"
"Sakura! Stop!" Tomoyo stood quickly, panic visible as she watched Sakura walk forward. Tomoyo turned to the forest. "Naruto! Hurry!" She knew that if Sakura didn't snap out of it, Naruto had to hurry and come to her aid. As with the barrier Tomoyo wouldn't be able to budge it, but maybe, Naruto could.
Sakura stepped forward more as her mother went beyond the edge. And was she reached her arm out, her mother vanished. "Mother...?" Sakura's vision faded as she fell forward off the edge.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo screamed in panic as she rushed forward regardless now. But she blinked, as faster than the wind. Naruto was passed her. 'Naruto…' She watched as Naruto, who she knew didn't have any powers apart from his sword, leapt from the ledge.
"Sakura!" Naruto roared out.
How he could let this happen. He was meant to protect her and now here they were. Naruto reached his arm out and he got close, he felt a presence reach out with him.
"I'll help…" Naruto's eyes widen. What was that? The seal on his palm glowed and then the sword glowed also as the hilt expanded and spread out. Revealing broad wings… It was amazing, how could the sword do this?
Throwing that thought to the wind, Naruto dived and grabbed Sakura and held her close and came to a safe landing on the floor below.
No scratches or anything.
The presence lingered for a couple more moments. "Thank you… For being there for her…" Naruto wondered for a moment at the woman's voice. That maybe, this was someone looking out for Sakura. Like maybe?
"Gah! It can't be!" Naruto roared throwing his arms up. "It can't be a…" Naruto blinked. "Woah!" He quickly caught Sakura. "Well that was stupid… But…" Naruto looked up the cliff. He shook his head; no it wasn't time to think on this. The thing to do now…
"Naruto!" Naruto looked to Tomoyo, who looked on with relief. "Are you guys okay?" Naruto smiled.
"Yeah, but take care of Kero! I'll see you later!" With that Naruto took off with Sakura in his arms. Tomoyo watched on worried, but knew Sakura was okay with Naruto there.
Naruto took to the rooftop, it was his fault, and he should have stayed with Sakura. Now his foolishness let Sakura almost get… "Ugh… Damn it!"
He didn't know what to do, though the easy thing would be get Sakura to bed and rest, but what if she didn't wake up like normal. What if this might have caused her harm? If this did something that put Sakura in a position that could corner her, and it be his fault this would happen. Maybe, maybe it was time to get some help…
With a final leap, he landed on the door step to Sakura's home, slightly out of breath due his rush, but now wasn't the time to think of himself. Resting Sakura slightly on her toes, he thumped on the door. 'Please, let it be him…'
The door opened, and as Naruto had hoped, Toya stood there.
But the next few minutes turned into Naruto's hell. The older male was on Naruto like a bad rash, asking what had happened to Sakura, was it his fault and so on. Naruto for his better part was able to keep cool… Well, near enough as he yelled back in defence, and told Toya all would be answered, but he needed to put Sakura to bed.
Amazingly, the male shut up, "But you better start talking afterwards." Naruto agreed, guess he should at least come clean.
To Naruto's amazement, Sakura had slept through it and made no peep, when he put her under the covers, though the outfit made a ridiculous outline. But once down stairs, he and Toya sat face to face, it was quiet and the light was dim.
"I can honestly say I hoped this conversation never came to head…" Naruto started. Toya just stared, and before Naruto continued, the male butted in.
"Just answer me this… Naruto…" Naruto waited for what he knew would come. "You're 'that Naruto' from two years ago aren't you? The 'friend' that Sakura spent her early years around." Naruto smiled lightly, that was easy to answer. "So why are you here now? Why can we see you? And what are you doing to my sister?" That last one was very focused on.
"Why am I here?" Naruto repeated slowly. "I came when she needed me…" Why did she need him? "To protect her, to help her…" Why? "That is not my right to say." Toya wanted an answer. "That, is Sakura's choice, and as her friend and guardian. I will not go and say anything she should say herself." Toya and Naruto stared at one another. "Why you can see me?" Naruto started afterwards. "Because we made a deal and till the link can be built again. I'm stuck here, and for how long. I don't know." Toya stayed quiet. "And what am I doing? Nothing, just helping her… Looking out for her as I would before, only now I can look out for her and if someone was a threat to her, they would feel my wrath." Naruto smirked, "Since I can do it better than you can." Toya glared, it was his job to watch over his sister. "More like you torment her."
That was true, but he was the older brother and had many rights only he could do, torment and protect were his placements, but Naruto seemed to want to step on his toes.
"I will tell you this." Naruto started again. "I let Sakura come to harm, and I hate myself for that. I am meant to be her friend and protect her as I promised and I failed to do so." He looked at his palm and clenched it. "As a ninja, I would give my life to protect her, that's how much she means to me as a friend. My first friend…" He muttered, but it was easy to hear. "She stuck by me, and I will do what I can, even go so far as to jump off a cliff to save her with no care to my safety as long as she is okay and unharmed."
Toya stared for a long while; he would give the kid credit. And he could sense that honesty and the lad's feelings he was sat on when he spoke to him just now.
But the two were unaware of the figure in the shadows, Sakura stayed quiet, having awoken to her door shutting, she had listened quietly and was fearing the worst when her brother confronted Naruto.
But to what she heard, she couldn't help but go red faced slightly at the end. But also, she felt ill at her core, to know Naruto would go so far. And even knowing he has no powers but his physical enhancements. She was worried, just how far he would go for her…
Stepping quietly back to her room, she lay down and thought for a long while. She had to get better, to protect Naruto also. Protect him, from any foolish mistakes she would make.
But she had to wonder, why would her mother put her in such a spot? Why would she risk her own daughters safety, she had to know.
The door to the front door opened, and she listened quietly. Outside, Naruto looked to the window before looking to the floor. And with that, he took off into the night. Sakura waited, but the window did not open, so she hoped Naruto was okay.
XXXX
The new day, and Sakura was told to stay home by Toya. Though she would have, but after last night. She felt like she needed to.
Naruto had not come back; she hoped that this wouldn't affect him badly. She knew how bad he felt for not keeping his promise.
Her bedroom door opened and she lowered her book to see her friend Tomoyo, happy and glad to see Sakura was okay."I'm just glad Naruto was there…" Tomoyo nods, but Sakura could see her worry, for Naruto had not turned up to school. "He must not have felt like going after last night.
With Kero's display of apology, Sakura felt better, but they wanted to know just what happened? To Sakura it was simple, her mother was there, and Sakura now wanted to know why?
"But why would your own mother, wish to harm you?" The three in the room looked to the window and saw Naruto just climbing in. Only to be tackled by Sakura who had been worried about where he'd gone and was thankful he'd been there.
Tomoyo smiled at the actions between the pair, and found it cute. But once Naruto and Sakura stood and he'd got her back to resting, they discussed the situation.
"If she was your mother, why would she harm you?" Sakura was about to say something, but Naruto stopped her. "I've known you for many years Sakura. And on her birthday, you would tell me of the things about her. She doesn't sound like a woman who would do that. Plus…" Naruto stated slowly. "We need to remember, that ghosts don't exist."
"You made such a good statement Naruto…" Tomoyo started. "But, what makes you believe they don't exist?" Naruto was about to respond, when Kero jumped in.
"You say you don't believe in spirits. Yet, demons roam your world. And what did the fox say it was sealed a fox in to you by? A shinigami?" Naruto nods, annoyed while Kero smiled amused and kept his gaze on Naruto. "Why do I sense denial…? Someone who would rather deny the possibility, than accept it like everything else spirit related..." Naruto glared, this wasn't supposed to be about it him.
True, many years ago, he was scared of ghosts, and maybe… Still is deep down somewhere in him. But back then, he was all alone, with no one to comfort him, the voices and yells in the night, of which left him uneasy. And maybe now that he thought about it, with the fox within him, it might have been the souls of angry spirits that had hate focused on not maybe him, but the nine tails.
But when he met Sakura and found out about her fear of ghosts. His fears seemed to become a thing of the past, if he was scared, it would do no help to Sakura.
So to show face here, he would not.
"Oh shut it you little…" Naruto growled annoyed when Sakura spoke up. She smiled and he looked surprised.
"It's okay…" He stared, before looking down. She understood perhaps? "Anyway, I must go back tonight, and find out the truth of what I saw…" Sakura looked to the photo on her desk. "I need to know, if that is my mother or not and find out why she's there…"
As night fell, the group gathered at the cliff side. Naruto tapped his foot lightly, feeling nervous as to what could happen. Sakura could tell he was worried for her, sensing the shift in Naruto's demeanour. "Sorry, but I don't want something to happen to you. After all, I doubt I could sprout wings and save you if something happens." She chuckled, but she wondered if he was serious or joking to keep the mood light.
"I don't think we should worry." Kero stated aloud. "Knowing what could happen, means we'll be more prepared. And I doubt Naruto will let such fate happen, he can't let it happen again." Kero hoped Naruto wouldn't let it happen again. Kero himself felt bad enough that he couldn't save Sakura.
The winds howled over the ledge, and they waited till what they knew would come. Though while they all wanted to see if Sakura's mother did appear. Naruto couldn't help but wonder, if Sakuras mother appeared though this strange event. Maybe it was reacting to ones heart or feelings?
After all, he had thought about Iruka at the time, and he saw him. And with Sakura's mother's birthday nearing close. Sakura would no doubt be thinking of her, so maybe…
He may not be the smart one, but he was beginning to piece things together. A reaction of will…
Wasn't long before they saw it, an orb, floating before them, and both Naruto and Sakura stepped forward. "Let's see what we see…" Naruto stated aloud, with his mind and thoughts set on one thing he wanted to see.
There was a flash, and before Sakura's eyes, her mother appeared once more. Kero and Tomoyo were surprised also, it was her. "Mother…" She stepped forward slowly, what did her mother want to say?
But as she did, a firm palm held her own and stopped her. Sakura turned quickly to Naruto, who shook his head. "But it's her, can't you see that?" Naruto closed his eyes.
"What we want to see, and what we see, are too different things. I don't see your mother there. I see something else." Naruto and Sakura made eye contact, she looked for something to show that maybe he was wrong.
But his gaze didn't change and she could tell he meant it. Slowly, she turned to Naruto, turning her back to the image of her mother. "I understand you miss her…" Naruto spoke up, she nods slowly. "But don't let your heart control you here. It would have got you killed."
"Thank you…" Naruto smiled, feeling glad to get through to her quickly. Both turned to the image, it hadn't faltered. Sakura clenched Naruto's hand before staring the image down. "Stop using my mother image to mess with my heart! Reveal your true form before us!"
There was a moment, where Sakura's image faded and a weird pattern appeared. Kero instantly recognised it. "It's Illusion! I recognise that pattern anywhere!" Sakura stepped forward at that, feeling better now that everything was being answered and she brought her sealing wand forward.
"Return to the guise you were meant to be in! Clow card!" With a resounding ping, the spirit faded into the clow card. And upon the image was the very pattern they saw.
"Well done…" Sakura glanced to Naruto. "I know it was hard not to believe me, but I'm glad that this will settle any issues…" She nods slowly, for she really wanted to see her mother so much. "I think she would be glad you're doing so well. Unlike literally seeing her…"
Tomoyo watched the two interact before asking Kero some curious questions. Like how they could see Sakura's mother? Why did this barrier stop Kero and why Naruto was able to see past illusion before they could?
Kero pondered, it was obvious that Illusion displays what's in one's heart, and what they want to see. Seeing as they had seen the image of Sakura's mother on the photo, they had all been expecting to see it. And due to Sakura's will on wanting to see her mother so much, the barrier was a symbol of her hearts own strength of will. But why Naruto could bypass Illusion so easy? If he had to guess Naruto had wanted to see something far greater than what Sakura did, and he could see a conflicting image over Sakura. So by seeing what he wanted to see, he could tell that he and Sakura were not seeing two different things.
If it hadn't been for that, maybe things would have taken a different turn.
With a night passing a new day came and Sakura descended the stairs quickly, "You're up early…" Toya commented half heartedly as he drank his tea. She stopped; she was heading out early today with Naruto and Tomoyo to clean the class this morning. The teen shrugged, that answered the question.
"Happy birthday mom…" Toya glanced to Sakura who was looking at the photo, before taking a sip, and nearly spitting it out as he saw her, their mother, watching over Sakura.
It had been a long time since then, and it made him feel glad. "I've got to go now, bye." Their mother watched Sakura leave with a warm smile, before turning to Toya.
"She had me scared for a minute…" She looked to where Sakura had went, and knew who was there that just jumped from the window. "I'm glad Sakura made such a good friend… He cares for her a lot…" She giggled before looking to Toya. "Don't worry Toya, she'll be fine, as I believe in that boy. And don't they look so cute together?" Toya stared blankly at his mother as she faded away. That was… so not like her…
Taking a sip once more, he decided that he would try giving Naruto hell, whenever he was around his sister. After all, it was his sibling duty, to cause trouble was it not?
Well… Without trying that is…