Chapter 3 The mastermind of pranks
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto but I own some video games about the series.
Bold letters inner Sakura
It was another beautiful day in the village of Konoha, the sun shining bright the villagers working in their daily jobs and their ninjas doing their usual missions. But for Naruto it was a whole new day indeed, he who has been shunned feared and hated he has finally found some friends to play with. People who have accepted him and chose not to hate him, the thought made him the happiest boy in the village it made him cry for joy. His new friends Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba have told him to meet them at the playground to play with them, but that wasn't all his best friend Sakura has also told him to meet her there she also told him that her best friend was also going to be there. It didn't bother him the more kids he meets the more friends he will make, now he was heading to the park to go meet them and play with them.
He ignore the glares the villagers were giving him, he was so happy that he completely forgot that the villagers were giving him killer glares he was only thinking in going to the park to play with his new friends. The only person he was thinking the most was the pink haired girl Sakura, she smile remembering when she saved his life from the angry mob throwing a bee hive at them, ever since that day she has become someone very precious to him not to mention that she was an equal prankster like him. He also thought that she was the prettiest girl in the entire village; to him she was unique because of her pink hair just like her mother and forehead, although it was big and wide he thought it made her look very cute fitting perfectly with her angelic face. He blushed slightly thinking of his precious friend, he has never felt so happy to be alive than right now.
When he finally reached the park he notice two little girls on the entrance, he smiled recognizing his best friend Sakura the other girl had short blond with aqua eyes wearing a purple dress and blue sandals. Sakura saw the blond heading their way and she smile brightly waving at her new friend, while the other girl was a little unsure what to do or say with Naruto after all her mother has told her to stay away from him just like the rest of the adults in the village.
"Naruto-kun over here" Sakura said sounding very happy to see him.
"Hey Sakura-chan" the blond said giving his fox grin at his most precious friend.
"Naruto-kun this is my best friend Ino she also help me from those mean bullies"
"I'm very happy to meet you Ino-chan"
Ino smile a little at the blond" nice to meet you Naruto" (I don't know what to do my mommy told me to stay away from him that he was a bad person but he doesn't look like one)
"I'm just happy to meet another friend come on everyone is waiting for us at the playground" he left running while the two girls were following him.
"Sakura I don't know if it's right to be with him, my mommy says he's a monster although my daddy hasn't said a thing about him"
"I don't care what they say about him Naruto-kun is my friend he saved me from the bullies just like you Ino you both think my forehead is nice"
"Not nice I think is very pretty" Naruto said joining them in the conversation.
Sakura smile while her cheeks blush and Ino was staring at him (I guess he's not a monster he's kind of nice those whiskers on his cheeks make him look different)
They continued walking until reaching the playground, they saw the trio Shikamaru was lying on the ground doing his usual watching the clouds, Kiba was using the slide and Chouji was eating a bag potato chips next to him was a grocery bag with more potato chips.
"Hey everyone" said Naruto getting the attention of the trio.
"Oi you're here Naruto now we can finally play" KIba said.
Chouji finished eating his potato chips" what are we going to play?"
"Anything that's fun" replied the blond with his fox grin.
Shikamaru stopped looking at the sky gazing at the new faces" hey Naruto who are these two?"
Naruto felt like an idiot for not introducing the two girls" sorry about that this is Sakura-chan and this is her best friend Ino-chan"
"Nice to meet you" Sakura said trying not to sound too shy she was still not used to have a lot of friends.
"Hi" Ino said with a friendly smile.
"Oh we have more people to play that so cool" Kiba said.
"Hey Shikamaru come on and join us" Chouji said calling out to his friend.
"Count me out" the lazy kid said" playing is troublesome" he went back to look at the sky.
"Don't be too lazy you should play with us staying like that doing nothing will make you feel bore" Ino said.
"Better being bore than being tire from playing" he said with a yawn he didn't notice that Naruto was next to him.
"We are going to play tag and you're IT Shikamaru"
The group laugh as they started running while the lazy boy sweat dropped" come on I don't want to play" he finally sighed in defeat" fine I'll play…..troublesome" he got up and started chasing the group around the playground.
They were running for a couple of minutes, but unfortunately for Chouji Shikamaru caught up with him.
"Oh no" Chouji whined.
"Sorry Chouji but you were the closest"
"Hey it's not my fault I can't run fast like the others so I can't help it"
The group went back to them" looks like Chouji is it" Kiba said.
"Let's play something else Chouji is not good at playing tag" Shikamaru said.
"All right what else can we play?" ask Sakura.
"We'll take turns in the slide then we'll play with the swings" Naruto said.
They all started playing in the slide, each took their turns while laughing even Shikamaru was having fun not feeling so lazy to go back to his cloud watching. Afterwards they went to the swings having a friendly challenge who can swing faster, Naruto won the challenge as he swing twice faster than they were impressed and Sakura giggle at his action. While they continued playing they were being watch by the two ANBU who were continuing their mission watching over Naruto's safety, both Kakashi and Itachi were happy to see the blond toddler finally making friends and slowly being accepted in the village.
"It seems the young generation is treating Naruto like a hero" Kakashi said.
"They are the ones who are fulfilling the fourths final wish" Itachi said.
"In time I guess he will make more friends"
"Perhaps he will start today, my little brother is supposed to be here any minute" Itachi said.
"Your brother Itachi you mean Sasuke he's coming here"
"Yes he keeps asking me to trained him so I did but all he wants is to train so I convinced him to play outside and make friends"
"And speaking of Sasuke…." Kakashi said as he spotted someone arriving at the playground.
The group stop their playing in the swings when they saw a small boy who seems to be the same age, he had raven black hair in the form of a chicken's butt and onyx eyes, he was wearing a blue shirt with black pants and blue sandals. He gaze at them who were still looking at him since they didn't recognize him, however Ino blush when she saw him thinking that he was cute. The raven haired boy frowned at them why did he have to make friends when he's only interested in becoming strong and surpassed his older brother, his brother along with his mother told him to go outside of the house and play with some friends but that's not what he wanted. Naruto smile seeing another kid coming to play with them, he didn't hesitated to make more friends so he went to him giving him a friendly smile.
"Hey what's your name?"
The raven haired boy frown but he still stare at him" it's Sasuke"
"Sasuke okay you want to play with us?"
Now Sasuke hesitated to answer, why should he has to waste his time in fooling around with a bunch of losers instead he could use his time and train to become strong. Once he enters the academy he will be the best student there is, there was no reason why he has to be here he has only one wish and that's to become strong so he can make his parents proud of him as an Uchiha. He glared at the blond and before Naruto reacted he pushed him hard making him fall to the ground, the group gasp as they went to him.
Sasuke snorted" I don't have time to deal with losers like you"
"What a troublesome person" Shikamaru mumble.
"Hey that was not nice why did you do that?" ask an angry Kiba.
(Wow he is soooooo cool) Ino though while blushing.
"You could've seriously hurt him" Chouji said.
Sakura went to the blonds side" Naruto-kun are you all right?" she help him stand up.
"Yeah I'm okay don't worry Sakura-chan I had worst than this" Naruto said.
The pink haired girl nodded but then she glare at the little Uchiha" hey you big meanie why do you have to do that to Naruto-kun he was just asking you if you wanted to play with us you didn't have to push him like that"
"I did it because I felt like it I'm wasting my time here what you're all doing is stupid" Sasuke said with a scowl.
"Say that to my face you meanie" Sakura said in anger.
(CHA let me at him let me at him I'll punch that meanie for hurting Naruto-kun)
"It's okay Sakura-chan don't get angry with him" Naruto said as he looked back at the Uchiha with a smile" hey it's all right if you feel that way, but if you change your mind we'll be here"
The group was surprise to hear this comment coming from the blond, after the way Sasuke pushed him he's not angry with him in the least, Naruto didn't care he used to be push around and beat up there was no need to get upset because he has found friends. Sasuke stare at him for a moment, he notice the whiskers on his cheeks he knew who he was his parents have told him that he was a monster and he should stay away from him. It seems his parents hated him for reasons they didn't wanted to tell him, now as he gaze at Naruto he didn't look like a monster why should he hate him. There was no specific reason to hate him at all; he hasn't done anything to him only to ask him if he wanted to play with the group of kids.
The other kids were angry with him for pushing their blond friend Kiba was glaring at him the same with Chouji, Shikamaru was muttering troublesome person and Ino was still looking at him with a dreamy look and blushing and Sakura was giving him the deadliest glare ever. Sasuke ignore all of the hateful glares and slowly walk away from Naruto and the group, when he was just a few feet away he looked back at him.
"Hn…..whatever your all still a bunch of losers" with that said he finally left the playground while they were glaring at him for being a meanie.
"What a jerk" Chouji said.
"Yeah he calls us losers the only loser I saw was him" Kiba said with a snort.
"He was very cute" Ino exclaimed (so his name is Sasuke I wonder if I will see him again)
"He was the meaniest of the meanies who does he think he is coming here and calls us losers and then he pushes Naruto-kun without any reason" Sakura said not sounding one bit happy.
"Nah I don't think he's a jerk" Naruto said getting the attention of the group" I think he's embarrassed to make friends and he doesn't like showing his true feelings at least that's what I think"
"I think he's too troublesome to understand" Shikamaru said.
Chouji nodded as he pick up a bag of potato chips from the grocery bag, he open it and started eating" hey anyone wants some chips?"
"Oh me I want chips too Chouji" Naruto said happily along with the group.
They all started eating except for Sakura who was still looking at the direction that the Uchiha took, she was still upset at what he did to him to blond friend.
(That meanie is going to pay I will get even with him)
(CHA no one pushes Naruto-kun and gets away with it NO ONE)
From the shadows the two ANBU was sweat dropping at the behavior of the young Uchiha.
"Well so much for making friends if this keeps up he will only be gaining enemies instead"
"Forgive my brother Kakashi-kun its not his fault that he acts this way, my parents they keep pushing him that he trains so he can become strong like me I don't like it when they compare him to me though"
"I see trying to make the family proud of him and training at such a young age he should spend his early childhood playing like one, after all you only have one childhood in your life"
"Sasuke will become strong in due time I just know it"
After they were done eating with some of the potato chips that Chouji gave them they continued to play in the playground, minutes later their parents came to pick them up Shikamaru went with his father Shikaku while Chouji went with his father Choza, Kiba left with his older sister Hana and Ino went with her mother Miyori. Ino went to her mother saying goodbye to Sakura and Naruto, she got a little scare Miyori was glaring at Naruto she sold her daughter for being with the demon child. Soon Naruto and Sakura were left alone; they went to the slide a couple of times followed by going to the swings, after they were finished Sakura took his hand leading him away from the playground and the park.
"Sakura-chan where are you taking me?"
"We are going to get even with that meanie"
"What, you mean Sasuke Sakura-chan is all right I'm not angry with him for what he did to me"
"No but I am no one messes with my friends no one"
Naruto sighed but he chuckle he could sense a prank coming to the Uchiha and he had a feeling it was going to be a good one, Itachi and Kakahsi sweat dropped when they heard that looks like trouble was about to happen.
"Did you hear that looks like Sasuke is about to have a taste of his own medicine"
The ANBU Uchiha captain sighed" what am I going to with him I will have to talk to him later"
They both vanished following the two children.
Sakura took Naruto to a forest area in the village; Naruto was confused why she would bring him here if she was going to get even with the Uchiha for what he did to him. He saw the pink haired girl checking some of the bushes like she was searching for something; finally she cheered spotting a familiar plant, he went to her not knowing why she was so happy.
"What is it Sakura-chan?"
"I've been here before my mommy brought me here and she has told me a lot of plants Ino has also told me about plants"
"That's great Sakura-chan but what does that has to do with Sasuke?"
"Take a look at this plants right here" she pointed to the strange plants with leaves that has pointing sharp teeth.
Naruto letting his curiosity get the better of him was about to touch the plants, until Sakura stop him" no don't Naruto-kun don't touch it my mommy told me that they are dangerous, these plants right here are called poison ivy if you touch it your body will get all itchy"
"Oh I get it boy that was close you're so smart Sakura-chan but I still don't get it what does this has to do with Sasuke"
The little girl gave Naruto an evil grin, the blond finally got her message behind her grin and started laughing" oh Sakura-chan you are truly a genius you should be the mastermind behind the pranks in the village"
Sakura giggled while blushing at his compliment" stop it Naruto-kun you're embarrassing me I do these things to defend my friends now all we have to do is find that meanie and lure him here I'm going to leave that up to you, find him and bring him here then I will do the rest"
"Right leave it to me Sakura-chan I'll find Sasuke" he left while Sakura giggle.
(This what he gets for messing with my friend Naruto-kun)
(CHA like I always say don't get mad get even)
Naruto was running through the village looking for Sasuke, he search in every corner of the streets as usual ignoring the glares from the villagers. He searched the village square and the center area, after an hour of searching he still hasn't found the Uchiha the only place that he still haven't search are the training fields. One by one he went to all of the training fields, when he arrived in the next one he saw the young Uchiha throwing a couple of kunais on of one of the slumps. He saw how concentrated he look, he thought that maybe playing a prank on him wasn't the right thing to do knowing that he didn't meant to act so mean with him in front of the kids. But on second thought the chances of seeing Sasuke scratching like crazy was so funny that he couldn't pass this chance, he went to him and the Uchiha notice him not looking at him continuing his target practice.
"What do you want loser?"
"That some impressive shooting you have"
Sasuke frowned at his comment looking at the tree slump it didn't have any kunais that he throw at it, his aim was bad and he needed a lot of practice he growl" are you mocking me dobe?"
"No I'm not I think is great that you're working hard that's all"
Sasuke stood quiet before picking the kunais from the ground" well are you leaving I need to be alone so I can concentrate now leave loser"
Now Naruto this time he didn't like his comment, here he is trying to compliment him and he tells him to leave him alone calling him a loser again. He frowned he has earn to be a victim of Sakura's prank, so it was time for him to make his move he was going to enjoy this.
"Well sorry to say this but I'm not the one missing to hit the tree slump so I guess that will make you the loser" he smirk.
The young Uchiha glare at him" what did you say dobe?"
"I said that you are a loser"
"Take that back dobe" Sasuke said angry.
Naruto blow him a raspberry" ha you can't catch me loser" he started running from the field with the angry Uchiha following him by.
Naruto was running with a smile on his face, so far the plan is working all he needed to do now is to lead him to the forest where Sakura is waiting for him. He ran faster and surprise that Sasuke was keeping up with him; he was impressed to see somebody running faster than him. He reached the forest heading to where the poison ivy plants are, Sasuke charge at him in a attempt to catch him but from behind him came Sakura and push him to the poison ivy. Naruto dodge him preventing to get caught by him in the prank, as soon as they saw him getting up the two kids left running. As they made it back to the village they were laughing so hard tears were falling from their eyes, Naruto has never had so much fun doing prank like this one he could imagine poor Sasuke scratching himself till no end.
Sakura dried her eyes" see Naruto-kun I told you it was going to be fun"
"Sakura-chan that was so cool you are awesome"
She blushed while giggling" thanks Naruto-kun that's what happens to meanies that mess with my friends"
(CHA I'm the queen pranks)
(I wonder how Sasuke is doing.) Naruto thought.
Back at the forest Sasuke for some reason felt himself itchy, he started scratching himself like there was no tomorrow.
Itachi appeared in front of him" Sasuke are you all right?"
Sasuke recognize the voice of his brother" big brother it's you something is wrong with me, my whole body feels so itchy I can't stop scratching it so itchy…"
"What happened?" he asked calmly.
Sasuke growl" that dobe with the whiskers call me a loser I chased him here then somebody push me from behind and I feel to those strange looking bushes over there" he pointed to the poison ivy.
The ANBU captain gasp recognizing the deadly plant he took his brothers hand" come Sasuke were going to the hospital and whatever you do don't scratch yourself"
"What but I can't stop it itches so badly I have to scratch myself" Sasuke said scratching his entire body.
"I told you to stop scratching you will only make it worse now come on" he left the forest with younger brother while sighing (Naruto-kun you really know how to make trouble don't you)
Naruto and Sakura were walking in the streets still laughing about their prank on the young Uchiha, suddenly his stomach started growling it was a sign that he was hungry while Sakura giggled at his hunger.
"You must be hungry Naruto-kun how about we go to eat some candy"
"All right candy…um but wait I don't have any money" he sighed sadly.
"Don't worry Naruto-kun my mommy gave me money so let's go buy some chocolate"
Naruto's eyes lit up" all right chocolate I love chocolate next to ramen that is"
They went to the nearest shop; Naruto told her that she should go to the shop alone because the workers always overcharge him. Sakura wasn't happy to hear that but she did as she told him, while Naruto waited outside of the shop Sakura was buying the candy. A few minutes later Sakura came out of the shop holding a small bag filled with candy, Naruto drooled seeing all of the candy most was chocolate like Twix snickers Milky Way and others.
"Wow Sakura-chan you buy the best candies"
"You bet now let's go to some place to eat"
They went to one of the benches in the village, and began to eat Sakura open a bag of skittles and she share with her blond friend both eating like there was no tomorrow both were tasting the rainbow. When they were done with the skittles Sakura took the snickers and broke into two pieces sharing the other piece with him, both eat while their lips were covered in chocolate. Minutes later Sakura took the last candy which was the Twix, she broke the wrapper revealing the two chocolate caramel covered crackers.
"Oh I love Twix give me Sakura-chan" said the overexcited Naruto.
"Nope like that tv commercial says two for me none for you" she giggle while the blond hang his head in depression.
"Sakura-chan….how could you I thought we were friends"
"I was just kidding Naruto-kun of course I will share with you here" she gave him the other cracker.
"Thanks Sakura-chan" he took a bit of the chocolate covered caramel cracker followed by his pink haired friend.
"Naruto-kun look"
The blond look at her and laugh seeing that she has opened her mouth showing the destroyed chocolate cracker.
"I can do that too" he said while opening his mouth showing his half chew chocolate cracker.
They laugh and continued eating, once they were finished they both got an extreme case of sugar rush and the only thing that came to their minds was running. For the next hour the two hyperactive kids have run ten laps around Konoha, which was very impressive for their age. They reached another bench and got seated, both were laughing from their running it seems the dose of sugar rush was leaving their systems they stood quiet for a while before Sakura started giggling.
"That was so cool Naruto-kun you ran so fast"
"Looks who's talking you were pretty fast too Sakura-chan"
She giggle again while looking at the ground feeling very happy" you know Naruto-kun, I have never had so much fun with someone before I'm very happy to have you as my friend"
Naruto blushed at her comment and smile" thanks Sakura-chan it means a lot to me that you feel that way"
"Before I met you and Ino I used to be lonely I didn't dare to make friends because they all made fun of my forehead I thought I will never find friends, then Ino came and she protected me from the bullies and you too, you two are my special friends" she smile at him.
Naruto smile at her comment, he started thinking about himself how lonely he felt with the entire village hating him and ignoring he was the most lonely person in Konoha. But that all change when he met Sakura and the rest of his new friends, he understood what Sakura has been feeling the pain of loneliness and he was glad he has become one of her special friends.
"Sakura-chan I know what you mean, I used to be so lonely too I thought no one care for me they all hated me and wanted me to die I don't know why the pain it hurt so much I…." he never finish his sentence because Sakura has embrace him sobbing softly on his neck making him blush.
"Naruto-kun you're not alone anymore because you have me, as long as I'm here you will never feel alone I told you already that you're my special friend"
Naruto hug her back feeling a few tears falling from his face" thank you Sakura-chan….thank you for being my friend"
Sakura broke the embrace and smiled at him" and besides who else I'm going to have fun when I'm pulling one of my pranks I like pulling them off with another prankster by my side"
"Yeah that's another reason why I like hanging out with you Sakura-chan" he gave her his fox grin.
"Naruto-kun let's make a promise to each other, that no matter what happens we will always be together"
"Yeah we will always be together no matter that will be our promise of the life time believe it"
"Pinky promise" Sakura said while showing him her pinky finger.
Naruto gave his fox grin while taking her finger with his own pinky finger" yeah pinky promise"
From the shadows Kakashi was watching the whole scene, even with his ANBU mask on he was smiling feeling happy for the blond (a powerful bond of friendship is born and who knows that may become very close in the future)
He notice that Itachi has appeared next to him" so how's Sasuke?"
"He'll be fine I manage to take him to the hospital in time to receive the treatment against the infection of poison ivy, if I have arrive a couple of minutes later I would've been too late"
Kakashi chuckle while looking back at the two kids" that girl Sakura is a real work she's worst than Naruto"
"They are only kids its normal for them to act like that although I guess Sasuke had that coming mother wants him to make friends and he doesn't want to because he wants to get stronger"
"You will have to teach him that he can do both things at the same time"
"Perhaps he will learn in time he can be quite stubborn sometimes"
Naruto and Sakura continued talking while laughing, Sakura started telling him of a prank she made to one of her worst bullies in the village by using a bee give just like she did against the angry mob that was about to beat him up.
"Sakura where are you?" a voice from the distance said.
Sakura recognize the voice immediately and gasp" oh no it's my mommy Naruto-kun you have to go now"
Naruto nodded he knew that her mother warned her not to be with him, like the rest of the village Sakura's mother hated him too.
"Okay Sakura-chan I'll see you later then" he got up from the bench ready to leave.
"Wait Naruto-kun" Sakura said as she gave him a peek on his cheek making him blush he then left still feeling embarrassed about the kiss.
"Sakura there you are oh dear Kami where were you I was searching everywhere for you" she went to her daughter sounding very worry.
"I'm sorry mommy I was playing with Ino and I played so much I forgot about the time"
"You shouldn't have done that I went to pick you up at the park and I didn't find you there I was worry sick don't you ever do that again you hear me" she sounded more worry than angry.
"I'm sorry mommy I promise I will never do it again"
She gave her daughter a big hug when she broke it she frowned seeing something she didn't like" Sakura sweetie were you eating candy?"
Sakura gasp while she gulp" no" she said in the most convincing tone she could make.
Mrs. Haruno smirked" really then why there's chocolate on the corner of your mouth"
(Uh oh busted)
"Oops I'm sorry mommy I really wanted to eat candy"
The older Haruno sighed" Sakura I didn't gave you that money so you could spend it all on candy"
"I'm sorry mommy"
"That's enough apologizing let's go home I'm going to make us lunch what do you say to that?"
"Yay lunch but can I eat it later I'm so full from the candy I ate"
"What am I going to do with you come one let's get going"
Not too far away Naruto was watching as his best friend left with her mother, he smiled thinking of the promise he made with Sakura somehow he knew that it was a promise that it was never going to be broken.
(Sakura-chan we will be together friends forever no matter what)
To be continued
I will make it clear; no Naruto won't fail the academy three times like in the series he will graduate along with the rookie nine. He will become strong but I won't say how strong because of his sensei, who will train him? Well you will find out in the next chapter. Please review and farewell until next time.
Next chapter: New faces new home