The first day of having a best friend had been a day to remember. Any free time was spent with the other and an immensely enjoyable time was had, it didn't matter that the other children became more vicious in their assaults, both verbal and physical, because they drew strength from each other. It was odd, though it was their first day of being best friends or friends for that matter they acted as if they had known each other for all of their six years. Of course it might just have been that they had never had other friends before and didn't know how to handle the situation 'normally'.

After a long lecture on chakra by Iruka-sensai Naruto was hard pressed to sit still, he hated lectures, far too boring to be anything important anyway. "Naruto?" A quiet whisper reached his ears. Turning he regarded the pink haired girl. "Do you want to come over after school?"

Before Naruto could respond Iruka noticed the side conversation. "Sakura, what did I just say?"

Sakura blushed prettily before sinking down in her chair while saying, "It will be a while before we build up enough chakra stores to use a more complex jutsu."

Iruka gave a small nod and continued on with his lecture. Slowly she sat up in her seat and the blush dissipated, "Do you?" She inquired again though quieter this time and with a quick glance to see where Iruka-sensai was.

Naruto was torn. On one hand he was overjoyed to be spending more time with his best friend but then there was the fact that everyone in the village hated him, what if Sakura-chan's parents didn't like him and then she stopped being his best friend?

Sakura fiddled her fingers waiting for his answer. "Sure Sakura-chan." He spoke slowly as if it was a great labor to do so. Giving the boy a grin she returned to taking notes on the lecture currently in progress while Naruto tried to shut off his mind lest his sparse courage waver.

A few hours later found the two meandering their way to Sakura's house while Naruto pointed out all of his favorite places. "There's I eat the best ramen in the world! And there…" He gestured excitedly while Sakura giggled at his antics. Subtly guiding him to her house so not to interrupt him she tried to contain her exhilaration at being able to introduce her first friend to her mother, that and the shock of actually having a friend hadn't quite worn off.

"We're here!" She beamed unable to contain her joy. Naruto paled considerably at this, he had hoped to delay the meeting of her parents; it hadn't work as well as he hoped. "Come on Naruto-kun!" She tugged at his arm expectantly. Looking at her emerald eyes as they danced in delight he found that he couldn't deny her this, he seriously doubted anyone could right now. Give in a tired sigh he resigned himself to his fate. Maybe a few curses as he was thrown out, maybe a cold glare that would pierce into him and deflate his hope, perhaps they would warn Sakura against him. The possibilities were endless.

Dejectedly he allowed her to pull him along, through the front door, past the family pictures, and into the living room. There sat a woman with slightly faded pink hair, much akin to Sakura's, sipping tea contently. She dragged him over in front of the woman and fidgeted while waiting for the woman to put her tea down. "Oka-san, meet my new friend." It was when he looked up he realized it, she was blind. He could only guess that she had once had green eyes as the color had paled so that they were only a shade darker then the white that encircled it. "Naruto this is my mom, Mom this is Naruto." He bowed slightly in greeting before he realized that she wouldn't be able to see the gesture, scratching the back of his head bashfully as he straightened he tried a more verbal approach.

"Hello Mrs. Haruno." Giving a nervous side glance to Sakura he plowed forward, "It's nice to meet you."

"Why hello Naruto, it's nice to meet you also." A smile stretched its way across her lips and Naruto couldn't help but return the gesture.

"We're going to play in my room, ok Mom?" Sakura asked all smiles.

"Of course sweetie, I'll call you down for dinner." True to her word they were called down just as the delicious scents had started to waft up the stairs. They raced down to the food, tying in the end. "Sakura, set the table please." Mrs. Haruno requested softly.

"Sure Mom!" Grabbing some plates, cups, and chop sticks Sakura was out of the room and Naruto was left alone with her mother; a fact he didn't neglect to notice.

"You're her first friend." Mrs. Haruno said it plainly as she tossed the salad. Idly Naruto wondered how she had managed to prepare the meal but brushed the stray thought aside and focused on answering the question.

"Well she's my first friend too so I guess it's a good thing." Scratching the back of his head nervously he started to slowly edge his way out of the room.

"You make her very happy." Her eyebrows drew together slightly as she seemingly stared into the bowl of salad, her whole demeanor screaming sadness. "She works very hard, ever since her father died…" The older woman trailed off. Naruto took in the new fact. It clicked suddenly why the family pictures had never featured a man; he had meant to ask Sakura about that but had forgotten. He was glad he did.

"Poor girl, has to take care of a blind mother and deal with the loss of a father to the demon." At the mention of demon a jolt of shock shot through his body putting every hair on his body on end. He resumed his slow edging out of the room. "You make her happy Naruto; I couldn't care less what you are as long as who you are makes her happy."

He was shelled shocked, she knew and she didn't care! Her husband had died against Kyubi and she didn't care! Tears sprung unbidden to his eyes as he stood frozen as a feeling he had never before experienced washed over him, acceptance. Complete and total acceptance, she knew his darkest secret and it didn't matter. Before he himself knew what he was doing he was hugging her around her waist as it was as high as he could reach. His tears had long since overflowed and were now being absorbed by the soft fabric of her skirt as she soothingly rubbed his back; words weren't needed.

Dinner at Sakura's turned out to be a very enjoyable experience.

Chapter two, voila! Well I must say that this is turning out to be a hazard to teeth what with all the sugar and fluff. If your teeth haven't rotted out yet you must have some pretty awesome tooth paste! Comments are always welcomed and appreciated. –Cloey Marie-