AN:do NOT own Naruto nor any of characters, but DO own the plot

Sakura's heart pounded hard enough to make her think it will jump right out of her ribcage. 'OhGod. That's definitely a burglar. Ah here you are and not helping at all. Burglar you say and what on earth could he possibly steal in here? Dust by any chance. You never know. What if he takes notice of us? Oh my, he's going to murder us.' She froze for a second, before moving to a half open door. 'Where do you think you're going? Stop it! I don't want our body to be found in a Lower ring ditch! Will you please for the love of my sanity stop screaming! Even if it is one what could he get from murdering us? … Speechless I see. Well I'll tell you. Nothing, he could get nothing except for ANBU unit taking him down. And if he's that desperate, it's not like I don't have enough jewellery. Bracelets, rings and hair pin won't make a difference. He could take mother's locket...' That comment set her dead in tracks. 'Over my dead body. See I knew we're going to die! Oh, shut it!'

Before moving again she took a silver chain of her neck. On the end of it you could see circle shaped locket. Left side represented crescent moon and was made of silver. While the other side represented sun and was made of gold. Back of the locket was formed into Haruno's emblem that had 3 tiny jewels (sapphire, ruby and diamond) embedded into it. She put it in the hidden pocket of her cloak and continued towards the door.

When she reached the door, she heard voices and peeked inside of the room. First thing that caught her eye were scattered pieces of a broken pot all over the room. 'What did he do? Threw a pot at burglar.' She rolled her eyes at that. Next was Konohamaru picking them up and blond boy, that seemed to be Sakura's age, waving his hands around like that would help get his point across. She wanted to know what were they talking about, so she got a bit closer, but was far enough so they wouldn't notice her.

''Naruto, we are mates and all, but this is third pot you broke this month! Continue like that and I might lose a house as well!'' Konohamaru yelled at the boy who was currently rubing back of his neck. Sakura had to guess if he at least had decency to look embarrassed because she couldn't see his face.

''Sorry, I'll get you a new one.'' he said. Konohamaru sighed.

''You sure about that. You said that for the other two as well. In the end Yahiko was the one who gave the new ones'' Naruto opened his mouth to speak but Konohamaru cut him off. '' Yes, I am aware that they aren't new and like you could actually afford one. And no, mark my words Naruto, I will NOT ask him to give me another one. Honestly, how many spares do you think a man can manage per person?''

''But the old man will be angry with you.'' he answered in a tone that said 'Konohamaru I like to pull practical jokes on the old man but to break his favourite pot, and not replace it, is entirely mad.'

''Oh really, I don't think so.'' he said with mischievous grin that didn't suit well with Naruto. He was one of his best friends and they did lots of things together, hell he even lived with him from time to time, but when either had that look on his face the other knew it meant trouble for him.

''And why is that?' Naruto asked. He knew there was no way out of it.

''I said I'm not going to ask, but I didn't say anything about someone else doing it. For instance, someone that already owes me, lets say two pots.'' Konohamaru said while pretending to count them on fingers and then showing him two and Naruto turned as white as sheet.

''A a. I'm not going. Do you want me dead? Do you remember what he did to me the last time? He almost murdered me!''

''Please, you're overreacting'' Konohamaru waved him off. '' While we're at it, do you remember why he did it?''

''So I'm the one overreacting when he was the one who threw 6 shurikens in my face with no obvious reason! And you have proof of it, on my face, dattebayo!''

''Right, right and of course you wouldn't remember because it was to traumatic to even think about it, ne?'' Konohamaru said sarcastically but Naruto nodded his head anyway. ''Ahhh, I'm going mad here! You went to a warehouse Naruto and you knew, no you know, it's not allowed to go in since that fire had broken out! And if Yahiko had wanted you dead you would have been! But you're not, you're alive and well and obviously annoying the hell out of me!''

''You know it's a bit humiliating to be scolded by a thirteen-year-old.'' Naruto said. He was amused and he wanted to anger him further but unfortunately he didn't have time to speak.

''Mhm. Didn't know that word existed in your vocabulary. Back to the matter at hand. You will go and bring the pot this evening. You and Nagato are like brothers and he and Yahiko are even closer, if that's possible, so it should be easy.'' Naruto paled again. 'I'll get him later on for that, now to ask him why did he come.'

''Naruto that aside, for now.'' Konohamaru added when saw Naruto's eyes had brightened. ''Now, what was so important that couldn't wait for me to come?''

Suddenly Naruto was completely serious. That showed how important the thing he had to say was. If you know Naruto you'd say that he's never serious, but this was apparently no laughing matter.

''It's Outer ring...'' Naruto paused. 'Outer ring? Since when Konoha has 3 rings?' Sakura thought confused. Konohamaru stood up and looked Naruto in the eyes, hoping to find an answer, but his eyes were unreadable.

''What's with the ring Naruto?'' Konohamaru asked with rising panic.

''Actually, ring isn't the problem. It's the wall...''

''Naruto-''

''I know. You better sit down. Everyone was taken aback but it will hit you the hardest. You're the youngest and yet you helped the most when it was built.''

''You mean...'' he trailed off looking lost.

''Yes. We...North tower was knocked down. Deidara suspects it was small amount of gun powder that brought it down because it wasn't restored. They still can't tell if the responsible is one of the bandits, that we saw last week, or we have a traitor around and Sasori is working on it as we speak. And there's one more thing... Old man's there as well.''

''Is he hurt? What was he doing there anyway? What-''

''Stop it. He's fine. I don't know what was he doing but he's the one who saw the tower being blown up.''

''Has anyone reported to Uchiha?''

''As usual ANBU stoped us before we voiced a thing. But we all know he's aware of everything.''

''We have to leave now.''

''Yes, but don't you have a guest.'' That brought Sakura down to earth and she went to stand where he had left her.

''Ah, I'll be right back.'' Konohamaru almost ran out of room and Naruto decided to follow.

There in the middle of corridor stood most interesting girl Naruto had ever seen. She had most beautiful emerald eyes. Colour of her eyes clashed against her porcelain white skin and made them look bigger. Slightly wide forehead framed with pink, braided hair that fell to her knees. She wore black cloak and white dress made of silk at least what was left of them after mud bath.

Now, when she could see his face, Sakura was in same condition as Naruto. He had blond hair that stuck out in every direction, warm and clear cerulean eyes that looked as if they were smiling and 3 long scars on every cheek. He wore linen, short, reddish brown tunic, black pants, boots and pouch that was tied to leather belt.

Konohamaru approached Sakura with clothes. Giving the items he started to explain. ''Naruto meet Sakura, Sakura meet Naruto.'' they nodded at each other. ''Sakura here's the clothes. There's a skirt, a camisole, a bodice and piece of cloth so you can cover your hair because walking around here without it, for you, will be like you're screaming 'I'm a noble come and mug me'. Leave your clothes here I'll send them back to you tomorrow. You can wash and change in that room to your right.'' he finished she thanked him and tried to change as fast as possible so she could leave. When she finished she took locket and went out. Konohamaru and Naruto were waiting at the doorway.

''Do you know how to read a map?'' Naruto asked and she only nodded feeling offended. She was noble of course she knew how to read a map. She was the one that actually wanted to learn how to because of these kind of situations. If anything she wondered if he knew how. It was miracle, to her, that he even owned it.

''Great. Take this and follow path marked on the map and you'll be out in Upper ring in no time. Now excuse us we have something to take care of. Good day.''

''Good day'' she retorted.

Sakura followed the path and true to his words, she was out in no time. The only thing that she was interested in right now wasn't peasant dress she was wearing nor how was she offended by Naruto. Those held no importance at the moment. The thing she was focused on was Outer ring. She had never heard about it before and now she wanted to hear and know more. And who is Yahiko? That was the moment she decided she's coming back tomorrow. But before that she'll have to find some clues and is there a better place to find them than her father's (not so) secret ANBU archive.

Sakura, Sakura, haven't you ever heard of saying: curiosity killed the cat.