Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto characters, though I wish I did.

A/N: Well, I'm happy to say that I got enough reviews for the first chapter. I really appreciate it. Anyway, on with the story! Read and review please!


Two:

Upon the return home, Sakura was still in tears as she entered the gates of her home. She was so embarrassed. She could believe that woman was so mean like that. Not to mention, that she had dishonored her clan just because she wanted love. Was she really that foolish to desire love? Did no man care for love but a perfect wife to do whatever he told her to do? And there was another question that she wanted to be answered.
"Who in the world are the Hatake Clan?" She muttered as she made her way past the gates, wiping her eyes.
She was so embarrassed. She had seen Ino watching her as she hurried past the blonde, watching her cry. She had seen the raise of her eyebrow, yet there was just a little confusion and worry on her face, as she glanced uneasily towards the door of the matchmaker's chambers. Sakura knew sooner or later that the entire village, maybe even the Country of Fire would hear about her disgrace. News travelled rather fast around those parts.

"Sakura, my little cherry."

Sakura groaned when she heard her father call to her softly. She didn't want to face him just yet. She didn't want to let him know that she had just dishonored his clan. So she picked up her pace and hurried towards the orchards, still not looking at Suka.

Luckily, he did not pursue her.

She hurried towards the gates of her garden, pausing to look over her shoulder to see what her father might have looked like, and he was speaking to her mother. They both looked a little upset, so she knew that her mother had just to him what had happened with the matchmaker. They knew that she, Sakura, had cost them a lot of respect and honor.

Sadly, she went into the garden to be alone. She went to her favorite cherry tree and sat under it, crying. She couldn't believe herself. She hated the fact that she might have been a weakling, a foolish dreamer who desired love out of a marriage. The words of the matchmaker had hit her heart pretty hard. She knew that her parents loved each other, knew that they were matched up for a reason. She remembered how her mother had said she had been just like her, not wanting to get married to some stranger, but then again, she and Daisuka had not been strangers.
She was there for an hour, crying under her tree when she saw her father enter the gardens. She winced before burying her head into her arms, not wanting him to look at her face. She was too embarrassed and ashamed.

Suka spotted her under the tree and faintly smiled as he walked over to her and bent down next to her, sitting by her. He looked at her for a long time before looking up at the tree's lovely blossoms. "My, what beautiful blossoms we have this year." He said thoughtfully. He saw Sakura lift her head a little, still not looking up at him. "They grow beautifully every time you shed your love and nurture them, my little cherry."

Now, Sakura looked up at him, a merely glance. She was trying to figure out where he was going with this. Her father was not very easy to read or figure out, in her opinion.

"Love," Suka started, seeing her flinch with a pained look. "Is a marvelous thing, Sakura. It is what makes a marriage work. Many may not see it the way you do, but I'm glad you cherish it." He reached down at gently pulled one of her arms loose so he could hold her hand. With his other hand, he reached up and gently pulled her beautiful pink hair out of his bun so that it would spill down her back. "You are a beautiful bride, Cherry."

Sakura finally smiled as she shook her hair out of her eyes before she leaned against her father, tightening her hold on his. "I'm so sorry, father, for dishonoring you. I just wanted to be matched up who saw things the way I do. I wanted to find love before marriage." She told him.
"I know." Suka told her smiling, his arm wrapping around her, giving her a comforting squeeze. "And you did not dishonor me, cherry. You have actually honored me more than anyone realizes. You desire the most powerful element and that's the most honorable way a daughter can give to her old man."
Sakura just smiled before she remembered the name that the matchmaker had given her. She still wanted to know who that was. It was a clan she was not familiar with. But maybe, more than likely, Suka did know who they were. "Father, who are the Hatake clan?" She saw the surprised look that Suka gave her at the question. "It was a name that the matchmaker told me about. She said that if I wanted love, I probably would want a…."

Before she could finish, they heard the sounds of a bell on the outside the residence. Both looked up to see one of their hands hurry towards them, looking flustered. Suka and Sakura stood up, looking at him with concern, both wondering what was wrong. But the hand just pointed towards the gates. "Master Suka-san, there are visitors here to see you! They want to see you and your family right now." He looked even more flustered. "They're Shinobi."

Sakura's eyes snapped wide open with surprise. She had heard of the Shinobi but never seen them before. She knew that if they were coming around, there was definitely trouble or urgent news to be told. She looked up at her father with worry but there was a gentle look on his face as he started towards the gates. She quickly followed after him, wanting to see them for herself.

Outside, in the courtyard there were at least six Shinobi, almost all of them dressed in black garb. Their forehead protectors with the symbol of the leaf were shining in the sunlight. Each Shinobi looked very proud as they stood tall and around the only Shinobi who wasn't wearing black. This one stood out in the ground the most. He was a tall and strong looking man, a little younger than her own father. His wild hair was the color of gold and his eyes were cerulean blue. He was wearing deep blue clothing under a white sleeveless jacket that fell down around his ankles. Fire embroidery surrounded the hem, making its way up but not entirely. He was a very handsome man for his age, kind and yet firm.

Sakura did not know him at all but Suka sure seemed to.

Daisuka looked surprised to see him at first but them smiled brightly as he moved forward with his limp and bowed delicately to the Shinobi. "Ah, Namikaze Minato. What a grand surprise to see the honored son of my old friend, and the greatest Shinobi in history. What brings you here for a grand visit?"

The man, Minato just smiled at the flattery as he bowed back to Suka before standing up straight. He pulled out a scroll from his belt and held it. "Hmm. You flatter me, my father's old friend. But it is you who was to be the greatest, as far as I'm concerned, Honorable Haruno Daisuka." He now frowned as he lifted the scroll a little towards Suka. "But I'm not here for a visit. This is not a social call. I'm afraid that I have terrible news to spread all over the Fire Country. The tyrant and enemy of our enemy, Orochimaru has invaded our country and war is unavoidable. He has brought scores of enemy nin to attack our humble home." He shook his head when he saw the alarmed looks on the Haruno clan's faces. "I'm afraid that every son of every clan must report to the Konoha Ninja Training camp for duty. There, they will be trained for battle. They will be trained by the finest Shinobi we have." He held out the scroll to Suka. "Have your son report to the camp near the Forest of Death, where he will be trained."

A deep frown curled on Suka's face but he reached for the scroll anyway. He didn't even pay attention to the look on his daughter's face. "No son, Minato-san. I, myself, will report to the training camp." He told the blonde, who looked a little surprised at what was said but then he nodded as he pushed the scroll closer to Suka.

"NO!" Sakura gasped as she hurried forward. She ignored some of the looks she got from some of the Shinobi and the surprised look on Minato's face. She saw how a few were scowling at her for stepping out of her place and saying anything, while the blonde looked thoughtfully at her. "Father! You mustn't go!" She begged before looking at Minato, shaking her head. "Please, sir. My father has already served in the war for the honored village of leaf. He's too old to fight. There are other young men that can fight this war. But not my father….."

One of the Shinobi in black stepped forward, glaring at her in rage. It was obvious he was highly annoyed with her and looked like he was getting ready to strike her. "Silence! You speak out of place, girl!" He then went quiet when Minato shot him a look and held up a hand to him, telling him to step back into his own place. But then he turned his eyes onto Sakura, looking stern but kind at the same time.
"You would do well to keep silent, young lady. It is dishonorable to your clan. So use your head." He then looked at Suka. "Better teach her to stay in her place, Master Haruno-sama. Not everyone is always kind towards women as I am." He warned him.

Suka looked grave but nodded in agreement. His eyes flickered over to Sakura, looking rather serious. "Sakura, you dishonor me. Keep silent and speak no more."

Sakura stepped back, looking surprised and hurt as if she had just been punched in the stomach. But she knew that she had embarrassed her father and felt guilty for it. So she lowered her head and stepped back with a sigh. "Forgive me, father."

Daisuka just shook his head as he looked back at Minato and took the scroll firmly in his hand. "I will report to the Ninja Camp as ordered, Master Namikaze Minato-san." He bowed before turning and limped back to the house. He knew that people were watching him but he showed no weakness, or at least tried to.
Sakura watched her father from the corner of her eye before she turned away to go back to the gardens. She already saw the Shinobi taking their leave already. Her mother was following her father into the house to speak to him about the matter.
With a sigh, Sakura made her way towards the garden, but before she could get too far, she felt someone grab her arm. She was startled for a moment but realized that the hand on her arm was not being threatening, but kind. So she knew it wasn't one of the Shinobi trying to punish her for speaking out of term. But before she could turn to see who it was, a hand pressed against her back to keep her from doing so.

"Just wise advice, young lady," She heard the voice of the golden haired Shinobi, Minato say gently in her ear. "But do not do anything foolish. At least something too stupid. If you wish to do something, use your heart to decide but your brain to do it wisely." And then his hand was gone.

Sakura turned around to look at him but to her surprise, he was gone. There was only smoke and leaves curling around her, showing that he had dematerialized away from her. She stood there for a long moment, letting his words settle in her mind. She wasn't sure what he had meant but she would think about it later. So she went inside, still thinking about Minato's words.

That night, the three members of the clan were sitting at the table for dinner, all silent as ever. Usually they would be talking to one another, laughing about their day. But since the visit of the Shinobi, no one had spoken to one another. Sakura kept glancing at her parents, seeing how tense everyone was. Her mother looked upset, while her father sat up tall and serious like.

But finally, the silence got to her. It had to stop.

"Father, you are not going to war. You're too old to do so. There are plenty of young men to fight for the Fire Country. But you can't…." Sakura was saying as she placed her tea up down. Suka raised his serious eyes and looked her right in the eye. "And who do you think is head of this family? If you didn't know better, I am the man of the house and you are my daughter." He said sternly. Sakura just frowned at him. She never argued with her father like this but she was too stubborn to let it go. "Father, you will die fighting…."

"I would die fighting for my family, Sakura." Suka said, his voice starting to raise. "My family and the Hidden Village of Leaf's honor. That's all that matters to me." He told her.

Sakura shook her head as she stood up sharply. She was not going to let him win this argument and let him throw away his life when he could not fight. "Daddy, I don't want you to go! This war will kill you! You have a limp from the last war and it has slowed you……!" She was saying.

Suka slammed his fists on the table and forced himself to stand up, his eyes glaring fiercely into his daughter's. His actions spilt the tea all over the table. "I know my place, Sakura! So know yours! You are a woman! I am a man! Men serve in wars, protecting what is rightfully theirs! Women do what they are told to do! So be silent or so help me, I will show you what happens when a woman questions a man!" He shouted at her. Sakura stepped back with shock and fear. Never in her life had her father threatened her before. Never had he rose his voice to her, yelled at her, or even looked at her like that. She couldn't help but just stare at him with a trembling lip before she turned and fled the room, tears pouring from her eyes. She was hurt. Her father was going to die and she couldn't do anything about it.

It was very late in the evening when she heard him in his small dojo. It had been a long time since he last went in there. Sakura was trying to go to sleep in her room but couldn't from the troubled feeling she felt deep within her heart. She had nearly cried herself to sleep. But now, hearing him enter the dojo, she was curious.
So, Sakura got up from her bed and crept down the hall to the room. She carefully peered around the sliding door and found her father trying to practice ninjutsu. He was punching at the air, trying to have a battle with invisible enemies. He looked very strained though. He hadn't done it for such a long time now. He had taught Sakura a little ninjutsu and she was pratically a natural but still, he hadn't done any jutsu for a long time. Suka tried to make a few kicks into the air but then he flinched from pain and cried out as he fell to the ground. He was very unaware that Sakura flinched herself and was watching him struggle to get back up. With a sigh, he leaned against the wall, half way standing up and half way bent over. He knew he was in no shape for any war.

And Sakura knew that too. She watched in pain as her father tried again only to fall to the ground again, breathing hard from pain in his limp leg. She couldn't stand this anymore. She knew that if he went to war, he would not last very long. She knew that he would die and probably be dishonored, and if that happened, if he did survive, the heartache would kill him if the war didn't. The only hope of saving him and his honor was to have his son go in his place. But the problem was, Sakura was the only child.

There was no son of Haruno.

Sakura's eyes flashed sternly as she watched her father even longer, with pain etched on her face. She wiped whatever tears there were on her face before shaking her head. "If there is no Haruno son, then I will have to become him." She thought before she rushed back to her own room. "I will become a man."

Anyway, a quick shout out.

LufflyEmi: Thank you! I really appreciate that compliment.

Seriv: Yes, it is Sakura centered, because I totally love her. She's so interesting. But there is actually a pairing. I just hadn't mentioned it yet. You'll probably catch on sooner or later though.

Hououza: Thank you. I'm really trying. Like I said in my last chapter, this is the first Naruto fanfic that I'm doing, so I'm still not too used to writing the characters. The training at the camp will be very interesting either way. You'll just have to wait and see.

Nagneto: Hehehe. I love the story of Mulan! And in a way, this story follows that storyline. Anyway, thanks!

Dovesary: Thank you, Dove. I'll keep that in mind.

Ink'dFairyWings: Wow, interesting name. hehe. Thanks, though. I'm really trying to capture Tsunade's personality, though it's not entirely easy because I've only read the Manga, and haven't seen any of the TV shows or movies, -- which really bites but I'll keep trying. Thanks!