Sakura hated getting groceries. If it weren't for her ninja training it would have been far too heavy and bulky for her to even consider getting them in the first place. As it was though it was her job to get the groceries once a week and it didn't matter that she didn't like it, she had to do it. Though it could be concluded that the task was made even more unpleasant by it having to be accomplished at late dusk, the time just before the street lights switched on. Glancing fearfully side to side she tried to pick up the pace as much as her short legs would allow.

As she hurried by she almost didn't hear it, almost. Coming from an alley just to her right were the sounds of a struggle of some sort, peering somewhat dubiously at the entrance she noticed a few important things. One, it was darker than the road she was now on. Two, the general appearance of the alley didn't denote peacefulness it bespoke very bad things. Three, there was a boy who appeared to be guarding the entrance his shifty eyes seemingly everywhere at once.

This all came together in the form of a little voice in her head that was positively screaming for her to get out of there and erase the incident from her mind. However something in the pit of her stomach compelled her to set her groceries down in a safe place, this being behind a bush, and to stealthily make her way to a spot where she would be able to see what was going on in the alley.

Safely hidden behind a nearby stand she witnessed a beating. It was three to one, the three being significantly larger than the one in a small ball on the ground. Red clouded her vision as she saw the dirty blonde hair. She had to think quickly, they didn't look like they noticed the fact that the blonde was becoming increasingly unresponsive to their abuse.

A moment of despair consumed her when her when she drew a blank on what to do. What can I do? I'm just six! They'll beat me up too! She caught a flash of filthy blonde hair breaking her from her thoughts. This is Naruto-kun, I have to help him. He's my best friend. Her resolve restored she wracked her brain for something, anything that would help. Got it!

Quickly doing some seals that Iruka-Sensei had shown them a few weeks ago she transformed. No longer was she a petite little girl with pink hair. Now she was an Iruka look alike. Puffing out her chest and putting on a 'scary' face she marched over to the alley opening. The boy on lookout bolted but not before shouting, "Bail!"

Encouraged by the fact that she at least looked real enough to fool someone in the dark she marched into the alley listening to the faint sounds of running. She almost vomited when she saw her best friend. He was covered in wounds, blood was practically pouring out, not to mention dirt and other unpleasant things were smeared over his body. Dispersing with the Henge she made her way to him on shaky legs.

Tears ran freely as she sobbed out his name. "Naruto-kun." As gently as she could she lifted the boy, shakily she stood. Even more unsteadily she started walking with him cradled almost comically in her arms. "Naruto-kun. Wake up, I-I want to see your pretty eyes. Y-you gotta be alright."

As she carried him the remaining block home she pleaded with him to open his eyes, to be ok, to laugh with her, anything. She wouldn't care if he turned mean and made fun of her like everyone else as long as he was ok. The groceries were long forgotten.

Sakura thanked her lucky stars that her mother had been out on the porch enjoying the now night air. Sobbing hysterically she staggered on, her goal well in sight.

"M-mom. Naruto, he-e…they beat him up and-and I can't get him to wa-wake up!" Sakura wailed as she struggled up the stairs as every movement sent fire shooting up her limbs.

Blindly Mrs. Haruno held out her arms her mouth set in a grim line. As gently as her tired arms would allow Sakura placed Naruto in the capable hands of her mother, it was if she was both physically and mentally relieved. Her mother would save him; she was Mom, the one who could make everything right.

It was a long night for both Haruno women, Sakura refused to go to sleep and insisted on helping and acted as nurse handing her mother whatever was required and Mrs. Haruno had to do the best she could with what she had. The morning found two exhausted woman surveying their patient. They had cleaned him up of all the grime that had covered him and clean white bandages now snaked their way around the poor six year-old's body.

Against her will Sakura felt her eyes close; her fatigued body had had enough. She woke some time later in her bed tucked in snuggly. Blearily she rubbed at her eyes as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her mind caught up to her then. "Naruto-kun!" Jumping up she was off like a shot to the guest room where he was.

The second she entered the room her eyes found his, wide cerulean met watery jade. With a shout of joy she was throwing herself at him giving him the fiercest hug she could as her eyes overflowed. They stayed like that though Sakura's grip eventually relaxed much to his lung's enjoyment. No words were spoken, the moment transcended them.

"Time for your medicine Naruto." Mrs. Haruno interrupted softly as she made her way over to the bed.

"Again? That stuff is gross!" The boy looked vaguely squeamish at the thought with his face screwed up in distaste.

"Mom's medicine is good though!" Sakura protested giggling at the blonde's antics.

"To you maybe." Naruto pouted cutely crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.

Mrs. Haruno gave a small chuckle as she stuck the spoon full of 'gross' liquid into his unsuspecting mouth. Instantly he began choking but managed to keep it down. "Now we get to check the bandages." The woman said almost happily.

The bandage inspection found all save the more major wounds having disappeared completely. He was deemed fine to which he whooped loudly before launching himself out of the bed. "I want you and Sakura to go and get all your things and bring them here, ok?"

"Why Mom?" Sakura asked genuinely puzzled.

"Naruto will be living with us from now on. I've already got everything all sorted out." Neither child moved though their eyes had become the size of dinner plates. "You'd better get started or we'll have to do all the unpacking at night." Mrs. Haruno warned.

With exuberant yells they were off racing to Naruto's apartment marveling at their luck.

Alrighty, no doubt there will be questions so let me answer a few of them.

Why does Sakura have to get the groceries? Can you imagine a blind woman trying to shop?

How can Sakura do Henge at such a young age? I'm banking on the fact that Iruka would have showed them in a "This is what you'll be able to do later." kind of thing. Also Sakura's chakra control and memory are her true strengths so…yah.

Why don't they take Naruto to the hospital? Personally I wouldn't as most everyone in the village hates him so what's there to prevent a "Woops, we didn't mean to give him a lethal injection, we swear!" incident.

This chapter is specifically dedicated to Genesis D. Rose who in fact gave me the idea. I would like to pay major homage in addition to everyone else who reviewed. Coffee and cookies for all! –Cloey Marie-

(P.S. reviewing is still appreciated an insanely large amount.)