"Talking"

"Thoughts"

"Flashback"

Dream

Disclaimer: I don't own any thing but my OC.

AN: I am so sorry it took so long to update but with school and then losing my file well things got a bit difficult. Anyway I hope that you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 3: A Growing Love

Dream

The sounds of screaming and yelling filled the air, shinobi were scattered around the area, some dead and some alive. The ones that were standing had an intense look of determination in their eyes that showed no signs of backing down or running away, only the will to fight and protect what was most important to them. The surrounding area was a forest that had turned into a deadly battle field, trees where destroyed along with the very ground they stood upon. "Stand your ground we must wait for the Fourth Hokage" yelled a shinobi to the tired shinobi that stood around him. "Squad A through D use whatever jutsu you know to slow down the target"! With a quick hai they went into action surrounding the target and carrying out their orders.

He stood there watching as one shinobi after another were hit and tossed away and more coming to fight what seemed like a hopeless battle. He watched as they fought and died, trying to understand what was happening around him only to be even more confused. He couldn't understand why they were fighting, why they weren't moving, and why he was even there. Suddenly the scenery changed, he was in a dark room now that was lite only by a circle of candles. He felt himself being carried and when he looked up to see the figure's face all he saw was a face that was half covered by shadows. The mouth and chin were all that was visible to him, making it impossible to identify the figure.

He was set upon a large pillow in the middle of the room with the candles surrounding him in a large circle. Unable to move he could only watch as the figure took out a kunai to cut its finger. With the wounded finger the figure began to draw something on his stomach all the while chanting something under its breath. Seeing how he could not understand what the figure was saying he concentrated on trying to see the face of the one before him. From what he could see it was a man better yet a shinobi that was medium height wearing a long jacket over the shinobi uniform.

As he continued to study the man his eyes drew back to the shinobi's still covered face and to be surprised to see tears falling from the shinobi's chin. Confused as to why a shinobi of all people would be crying, he continued to watch him trying to figure out yet another strange mystery. The man had finished his chanting and now stood in front of him, watching him as though he was trying to gather the will power to do what was next. Suddenly the man began to speak, surprising him more since he was the first person to actually talk to him since the others had not. His voice was deep but light enough for one to tell that this man was one that usually was smiling and laughing, but was now full of the deepest pain and sadness known to any human.

"I am about to do something that I wish with all my heart that I didn't have to do but there is no other choice. If I had the power none of this would be happening but alas I have no regrets for this is for the good of the village. I hope that you learn to forgive me for what I must do and for leaving you alone in this world. Once this task is done there will only be pain and sadness for no matter how much faith I put in them, I know that the village will not acknowledge my words that I leave behind. But remember these words that I speak to you little one."

"You are a hero to this village, no matter what anyone says to you never doubt yourself at anytime. You will grow strong and will prove to the world that you are worth seeing and worth being acknowledge in the eyes others. You will be acknowledged, respected and above all else you will be loved. Grow and become the strongest shinobi that has ever graced this world." With that said the shinobi leaned over him and lightly kissed his forehead.

Slightly leaning back the shinobi began to whisper something only for the scenery to change again. He was still in the same room as before but was now all alone, the shinobi gone and the sound of the battle outside growing in volume. In front of him was a balcony that stood with its doors open and a light breeze flowing into the room. All of the sudden there was a loud roar and a flash of bright light. As the light faded away he could see something heading towards him, what it was he could not be sure.

As it got closer he could see it was a large ball of red light and with one blink of his eyes the ball was suddenly in the room looming over him. As it floated above him he could sense a large power coming from it, a power that was so strong it made the room unbearably hot. Slowly he reached out his hand to touch the ball only snatch it back as the ball began to move at a wild pace. It moved as though something was trying to free itself from the inside but failing miserably. The ball stilled once more and started to shrink in size, it was now the size of a fist and after it finished it struck into his stomach.

The pain he felt was unbearable as though someone was stabbing him through the stomach and burning him from the inside. He yelled out in pain hoping for someone to hear him and come to his rescue but no one did. The room around him vanished and he was now surrounded by darkness. No matter where he looked there was endless nothingness and not knowing what to do he continued to search for anything that was living. All of the sudden he felt breath on the back of his neck, slowly he turned and looked up to see giant blood red eyes glaring at him with unconcealed hatred. Once he looked into its eyes he opened his mouth to scream and heard words from the distance. Be strong Naruto Uzumaki my…..

Dream End

"AAAHHHHHH" screamed Naruto as he jerked awoke from his nightmare. Looking around he calmed when he realized he was still in his apartment and that he only had a nightmare. Taking a slow deep breath Naruto relaxed his nerves and did the breathing exercises that San had taught him over the past few days. Thinking of San brought a smile to his face, as of today it would be one whole year since he had first met San in the forest. He had planned of full day of fun and adventure for the both of them as a way to celebrate.

Smiling brightly Naruto got up and started to get ready for the day practically bouncing with excitement at the thought of all the fun San and him would have. After finishing his daily morning routine Naruto walked over to the corner of his room, bent down and lift a piece of the floor board out revealing a hidden compartment that held all of his most precious possessions inside. Reaching in he pulled out a small hand held box no bigger than his hand. Lifting the lid his eyes fell upon a simple necklace, no one would think it to be special until they really looked at it. The strap was a plain black leather strip that someone could find anywhere, but what the strap was tied to was what would catch any body's attention.

Tied at the center of the necklace was a medium sized tear shape clear crystal that when it hit the light it would shine all sorts of colors. Naruto smiled fondly as he remembered how he came across the crystal.

Flashback

It had been 1 month since San began living in Konoha as the secret adopted daughter of the Third Hokage and ever since then her and Naruto have been inseparable. You would never see one without the other not to far behind. Whenever the two were out walking in the village people would stare and whisper about them when their backs were turned. They had never seen this strange girl before and couldn't figure out what clan she came from. One thing was for certain, the girl was not normal and because of how she looked and who she hanged out with, the villagers decided the girl was too much like the fox demon child to be trusted.

They treated her just like they treated Naruto though sometimes worse since she was a girl. None of it bothered San, she would just smile at Naruto and continue with what she was doing as if nothing had happened. Since they could never play with the other children their favorite pass time was to explore the village from every nuke and cranny they could find. This day they were exploring the rocky mountain that held the four Hokage faces on it. They were not to far up from the ground and were walking very carefully on a small ledge walkway.

"HEY NARUTO-KUN! I SEE SOMETHING UP A HEAD!" yelled San turning to look at the boy behind her. Naruto raised his head and looked in the direction her finger was pointing at, to see a small cave like opening that was covered by bushes and the small trees that grew on the side of the mountain. If someone was to look at the mountain from the ground or straight at it in the front, no one would see the cave entrance. Interested Naruto and San walked over to the opening and observed it, making sure it was safe. The opening was a decent size, the average size adult would have to bend down and crawl through to get inside it.

"Well what do you think, should we go in and investigate?" Naruto asked with a sly smile on his face turning his face towards her to see her expression. "Got to, otherwise it wouldn't be much fun now would it!?" San said who was also sporting the same smile as Naruto. With that said they walked in keeping an eye out for anything interesting and worth looking at. For several minutes there was nothing but darkness everywhere you looked, but being the different children that they were Naruto and San could see well enough not to worry about a thing. The tunnel was just a straight shot and as they continued to walk Naruto was starting to get fed up with it.

"This is stupid!! We have been walking for who knows how long and we haven't found a single thing worth looking at!" raged Naruto who continued to vent afterwards. As he continued to complain, San stopped and squinted her eyes at something not to far up ahead. "Hey Naruto-kun, do you see that?" San asked still looking ahead, when she didn't get a reply she turned towards him and saw that he was still complaining and had not heard a word she said. Rolling her eyes San knocked him on the head and repeated her question this time with him actually listening. Curious they walk further until they entered the end of the tunnel, what they found amazed them.

Inside was a cave like room that was full of crystals that glowed from the light that came through a small hole opening near the top of the room. "Wow!!! This place is so cool!!!" San said as she walked further into the room spinning around so she could see everything around her. "No kidding! I didn't think a place like this was even here, it is way better than all the other things we have found." Naruto agreed as he followed San into the room. After awhile they decided it was time to go but from then on this place would be their secret base that was for them and them alone. As they were leaving Naruto glanced down and notice a few loose crystals on the ground, looking up to make sure San wasn't looking Naruto quickly reached down and picked one up and into his pocket then rushing out after San.

Flashback End

After that Naruto started saving his money so he could get the crystal shaped and made into a necklace for San. It took a good while but he was finally able to do it and with the help of the Hokage he was able to have it ready for San and just at the right time too. To Naruto San represented everything he had ever wanted a friend and family, but as of late he had started getting weird feelings when ever she was around. Not knowing what these strange feelings were Naruto asked old man Hokage, trying his best to describe what he was feeling. Once he was done Naruto looked up at the Hokage's face and saw a smile that was full of understanding.

The Hokage patted his head and told him what he felt was love, the kind that makes people marry and spend the rest of their lives together. It was rare for a children their age to be in love but not impossible and that there was nothing wrong with him to feel what he feels. At that moment after all the confusion was gone Naruto had started making plans for this day, the day when he would finally tell San how he felt. Sticking the present in his pocket Naruto took a deep breath and walked out his of apartment and headed for the ramen shop to meet San. "I hope this works. Please let this work." Naruto prayed as he continued on down the road.

Hokage Tower

Sarutobi was sitting in his office smoking his pipe taking a small break while listening to his daughter playing the piano on the other side of the room. Being the Hokage he was given two offices, the first office was at the very top of the building and was used for everyday things, while the second office was a hidden room right above the first office that was only used for emergency meetings like when the nine-tailed fox demon attacked the village. The first office was filled with scrolls, maps, pictures, paintings and of course the piano and violin. After he adopted San he had decided since he couldn't teach her fighting he would teach her anything else that she would be interested in. When he asked her he was surprised when she said music and politics.

Flashback

"San could you come here for a moment." Sarutobi called out to her from across the room. With San not going to ninja school like Naruto, she spent her time in the Hokage's office trying to pass the time by reading, drawing or training until Naruto was out of school. "What is it Papa Hokage?" San asked once she reached the desk standing at his side. "I have noticed that you have been bored lately and since I can't have my little girl bored I was wondering if there was something you would like to learn?" Sarutobi said leaning down to pick her up and set her on his lap like so many other times. San thought for a moment, "I would like to learn two things, 1.) I want to learn music and 2.) I want to learn politics." She said in a no room for discussion voice.

Sarutobi sat there in surprise for a moment then busted out laughing, San could not see what was so funny and was starting to get very ticked off. Noticing the look on her face, Sarutobi got himself under control before he began speaking. "What made you want to learn those things?" He couldn't help but ask. "When Naruto-kun and me were out yesterday I heard this strange sound, so I asked Naruto-kun what it was. He took me to the sound which turned out to be coming from these things the people were holding. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it." San finished staring at him.

"Understandable but what made you want to learn politics?" He asked very curious of what her answer would be. "Well, I notice that when those people that work in offices like you do come here that there is only a few females in the group when I asked why the old men told me it is because women don't belong in politics. I got real angry so I want to prove them wrong!" she said with a determine look in her eyes. Sarutobi sat watching her and could not feel more proud, "It would seem that my daughter is someone who loves to show people their wrong." He thought as he started to make arrangements for her future tutors. "I wish them luck, they are going to need it to survive San." He last thought with a silent chuckle.

Flashback End

It did not take long to find a music tutor and as he predicted San swept through it like a genius. For what took years to learn she had only accomplished in three months, trying only the instruments that sounded good to her. In the end she learned how to play the piano, the violin, different flutes and the guitar. Sometimes Naruto would stay and listen to them practicing when San had wanted to stay a bit longer, it was a good way for her to learn how to play in front of people. When the lessons were over, San would switch over to politics.

Politics were taught by himself, for who would be better to teach her than the Hokage leader of the entire village. Politics took San a bit longer to figure out but she got the idea of it sooner than some. When she was not playing any music she was helping him with his paper work which was like a gift from Kami in Sarutobi eyes. The loads of paper work he had to do was the down point in being the village leader. But when San began to play her music the tension and stress was more tolerable.

Sarutobi smiled with his eyes closed listening to San play as he remembered that today was day when Naruto first met San in the forest. A meeting that would trigger many other meetings along the way. When he had first brought her to her new home he had taken her to her new room to rest while sent out letters to his sons to invite them over for dinner the next night saying that he had a surprise for them. Unfortunately, only his youngest son Asuma was able to come while his eldest had been sent on a mission earlier that day when he was with Naruto and would not be back for a week. Asuma thought nothing of the invite and Sarutobi laughed to himself as he remembered Asuma's face when he arrived.

Flashback

He was sitting behind his desk filling out his oversized paper work when he heard a faint knock at his office door. After giving permission he saw a tiny head poke itself from behind the door. Smiling Sarutobi ushered San in with his hand and watched as she walked slowly to him in an oversized black t-shirt that came down to her knees which ended up covering her black shorts. Apparently San had a thing for black cloths since that was all she bought the whole day they were shopping for her. They had left early to pick up Naruto and only bought 10 pieces of cloths that were all black and some furniture. San was defiantly different from other girls who would have bought out the whole store.

"Papa Hokage is it time to eat yet? Naruto-kun and I are getting hungry." San asked as Naruto walked through the door to stand beside her. "Yea old man! I haven't eaten since lunch!" Naruto said with his hands behind his head in a relax pose. Behind them a servant announced that dinner was ready and Asuma had just arrived. "Well great timing, let's head to the dinner table now." Sarutobi took their hands and lead them to the dining hall.

As they arrived they saw Asuma already sitting at the table with his usual cigarette in his mouth. "Hi Asuma-sensei!" Naruto said loudly in greeting rushing over to him and gave his knee a quick hug before climbing into his own seat. "Hey brat I see you are the same as always. Hey Pop this wasn't your surprise was it? Cause Naruto-kun eats with us almost every night." Asuma asked starting to look at his father before noticing movement be his side. Blinking in surprise at the little girl that was slightly hiding behind his father's legs Asuma looked to his father for an explanation. Smiling down at the shy child Sarutobi picked her up and brought her in front of his son.

"Asuma I would like you to meet your new sister San, San I would like you to meet your new big brother Asuma your other brother could not be here tonight." Sarutobi said placing her in front of him and leaving his hands on her shoulders. Asuma could only blink at the child before the news finally settled into his brain. Seeing San becoming nervous Asuma smiled down at her, "So I finally get a little sister it's a bit late but oh well. Hello San its good to meet you!" San having now known who the person in front of her was she smiled and jumped in his lap to give him a hug.

Asuma returned her hug and watched as went to the other side of Naruto and began eating stopping to talk to Naruto. Placing himself next to his son at the head of the table he turned to him, "So what do you think of my surprise?" "Well it defiantly wasn't what I was expecting but not to bad. Where did you find her?" Sarutobi began telling him everything from how San was found to what she could do. Asuma and San talked as well getting to know one another. At the end of the night as Asuma was leaving he hugged Naruto and San and called San his little tori (bird), when she asked him why he said it was because of her flying.

Flashback End

After that night Asuma had switched to over-protective big brother mode that seemed to never switch off expect when San was looking at him. His older brother was the same way, but he was less violent than Asuma was when it came to San. Sarutobi had asked Asuma why he never acted like that in front of San he said, "I don't want to give my little tori a bad impression of her big brother." Which in the end it turned out to work, besides ninja missions San thought her brother could do no wrong when he was in the village until someone had mention about boys going after her when she grew up. Not knowing that San was behind him Asuma described exactly what he would do only to stop when he heard laughing coming from behind him.

It was not long after that that the head clan leaders heard about San and her special abilities. From the Hyuuga clan to the Uchiha clan, they all came with the demand of having San betrothed to their sons or nephews. Even the Kazeage from the sand village came for San's hand in marriage to his youngest son Gaara. But Sarutobi had only shaked his head at them saying it would be up to San and San alone. San had agreed that to who ever beaten her in a fight she would marry their son, every opponent was defeated and only by a 4 year old girl.

Sarutobi snapped out of his thoughts when the music had stopped playing, turning his head he watched as San ready herself to leave and meet Naruto at the ramen shop. "Well papa Hokage I'm going now." San said with her usual bright smile on her face. "Have fun and don't by to late getting home." Sarutobi said as he kissed her on the head in good-bye. "Don't worry I will be back on time! See ya later!" San yelled backed as she rushed out of the door. "Good luck Naruto, I hope your plan works." he thought before getting back to the dreaded paper work.

Ramen Shop

Naruto couldn't help but be nervous as he waited for San to arrive to have ramen with him before they left to follow Naruto's plan for the day. Ayame the daughter of the Ramen shop owner, watched as Naruto kept looking from the clock on the wall to over his shoulder to looking at his hands where he kept fiddling with his fingers only to start all over again. Smiling she went up to him and gently placed a bowl of ramen in front of him snapping him out of his daze. Looking at the bowl to Ayame his expression asked why she gave him that.

"You seem a bit nervous and I know the only thing that can make Naruto Uzumaki feel better is ramen! So eat up it's on the house!" Ayame finished cheerfully. Smiling gratefully at her Naruto picked up his chop sticks and began eating already starting to feel better. In recorded time he was finished and once again he was nervous, he was so focused on being nervous that he missed seeing Ayame sit down next to him. "Naruto-kun what is wrong? I have never seen you so nervous before." Ayame asked after sitting down beside him. With a jump Naruto snapped his gaze to her and tried to calm his breathing before he answered her.

"I guess I am a little nervous. Today is me and San's anniversary of when we first met each other and became best friends." Naruto said trying to sound casual but failing. "That's wonderful news! But what are you so nervous for?" Ayame asked slightly confused. "Today I'm going to ask San-chan to be my girlfriend." Naruto stated cutely. With a squeal Ayame reached over and squished Naruto in a big hug and gained the attention of her father.

"Ayame dear I don't think Naruto-kun can breathe." Her father said laughing at them. Blinking a couple of times Ayame looked down to see Naruto's face slightly blue. She quickly let go and apologized with a blush and a smile on her face. "Now Ayame, what has you so excited?" Her father asked with a small smile. "Naruto-kun is going to ask San-chan to be his girlfriend, isn't that so cute!" She finished with another squeal.

"Well then I guess since this is such a special occasion all your ramen will be on the house." He ended with a small laugh. "Really! Cool, thank you but…" Naruto paused, "What if she says no?" He finished with a depressing voice. "Don't worry Naruto-kun, I know she will agree." Ayame said smiling in comfort, "Besides who could refuse an adorable face like yours." She said pinching his cheeks and placing a kiss on his forehead. With his confidence returned Naruto smiled at them and nodded his head in thanks. With one last kiss on the head Ayame returned to the back to help her father cook the ramen.

Not five minutes later San walked into the shop and greeted Naruto who saw her approaching. "So what fun stuff are we going to do today Naruto-kun?" San asked as she placed herself next to him on the booth. "Well I thought we could go play some cool new tricks I thought of on Mr. Taki, you know the one who yelled at us for walking to close to his house. Then I thought we could go to our secret base and play around there for a bit then maybe train. Later we could go to your house and play some there since I have a feeling that the jonins are going to get us sooner or later." Naruto looked to her to see what she thought of the plan.

"Sounds like a good plan to me!" San shouted with excitement. Sensing that now was the time Naruto reached into his pocket and pulled out his present, Ayame and her father stopped to watch what would happen. Taking a deep breath Naruto spoke, "San-chan." "Yes Naruto-kun?" San asked looking puzzled. "I got you a present, I hope you like it." He said gently handing it to her.

Looking down at the gift San said thank you and started to open it. "Wow Naruto-kun it is so pretty! Is it from the secret base!?" She asked holding it up in the light. "Yea, I took a piece when we left the first time we found it. So do you like it?" Naruto was holding his breath as he waited for her answer. "Of course I do silly! What made you think I didn't." San said with a laugh and began to put on the necklace.

"Wait! Before you put it on I have something to ask you." Hearing the serious tone in his voice, San set the necklace down in front of her. "San-chan I have really liked you since the first day I meet you and over time began to love you, so I am asking if you would be my girlfriend?" Naruto was looking at her with a blush on his face that was so red he looked like a tomato.

All was quiet and everyone waited for her answer. After a while Ayame and her father started to get nervous and Naruto began to get scared. Finally San handed back the necklace to Naruto, who took it with a broken heart. "You know, when you ask a girl to be your girlfriend and she hands you back the necklace. You're supposed to place it around her neck and kiss her cheek for accepting." San finished with her back facing towards him, making it impossible for him to see her smile.

Ayame jumped and squealed and her father laughed with joy while making ramen for the new couple. A shocked Naruto could do nothing but sit and stare at her, not hearing the noise from all around him. "Well what are you wanting for? Aren't you going to put it on?" San asked over her shoulder when he didn't do anything. "Forgive him San, I think Naruto-kun is in a state of shock at the moment." Said a new voice that had just walked in. Turning her head San saw both the Hokage and Iruka walking in with Iruka video tapping the entire event. Placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, the Hokage woke Naruto up from his unmovable state.

Snapping out of his shocked state Naruto snapped the necklace in place and gave San a kiss on the cheek. All around them were flashes of light and they turn their heads to see Ayame taking pictures. San and Naruto looked at each other with blushes on their faces before turning to greet Iruka and the Hokage. "Naruto-kun I actually have something for you too." San said after a moment. Naruto watched as San took out a small box and handed it to him.

Opening the lid of the box, Naruto gasped at what he saw in it. Inside was a pair of rings that were made out of the same crystals inside their base. The rings were a silver metal with the crystal stone set on top of it that seemed to glow. "There is one for each of us. When we grow the rings grow with us so we can always wear them." San explained as she took one out, "I will get this one and you will get that one."

"The crystal on my ring has your chakra in it, while the crystal that you have has my chakra in it. That way we will always be together no matter what." Naruto took out his ring and put it on his wedding ring finger. "This is the best gift anyone's ever given me thanks San-chan." Naruto said in rare happy voice. He looked back up at her and with a determine look he leaned forward. Naruto placed a quick kiss on her lips and leaned back as fast as he could, but not so fast for Ayame to take another picture.

San was smiling while Naruto was glowing red like a Christmas light unable to look at anybody for the moment. Naruto had never felt so embarrassed in his life and to make it worse not only did Ayame get a picture but Iruka was video taping everything. When a small hand grasped his Naruto looked up to see San's smiling face and he couldn't help but smile back.

AN: I'm so sorry that I took so long to write this. Even though I wanted to put more on this chapter I decided not to since it has been to long since I have updated. Please review and tell me what you think! I will try to update as soon as I can.