The Harem Jutsu

Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto series at all.

Chapter 16: Mizuki meets Sakura.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, Mizuki took a walk. She was looking for a job.

Sakura saw her walking and ran towards her.

"Hey," she said. "Aren't you that girl from before? Umm… Michiko, was it?"

Mizuki looked at her. "Umm… yes…" she said. "Oh, now I remember. You're a friend of Naruto's, right?"

"Yeah," Sakura answered, a little confused about her knowing his name. "I'm Haruno Sakura."

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"Nice to meet you," Mizuki said. "And umm… my name's actually Mizuki."

"Eh?" Sakura asked confused.

"I changed my name," Mizuki explained. "But I'm a friend of Kakashi's, so…"

"You're a friend of Kakashi-sensei's?" Sakura repeated.

"Yes, we were friends when I was little," Mizuki answered. "But anyway, are you and Naruto close friends?"

"Umm… yeah," Sakura said. "We became teammates after graduating from the Ninja Academy. Kakashi-sensei became our teacher."

"Really? Wow," Mizuki said with a smile. "Let me guess: he was really strict about teamwork, right?"

"That's right!" Sakura said. "How did you know that?"

"Well… I know Kakashi," Mizuki said with a smirk. Sakura recognized someone in her. She just didn't know who.

"I guess he hasn't changed at all since I left Konoha," Mizuki said.

"When did you leave Konoha then?" Sakura asked.

Mizuki's smile disappeared. "Umm… when the Kyuubi attacked the village. All children were evacuated."

"Oh," Sakura said. "But… why didn't you come back to Konoha?"

"I couldn't," Mizuki answered, forcing a smile. "I was staying at an orphanage. I ran away because I thought my parents had forgotten me. I just heard a few days ago that they're dead."

"Oh," Sakura said again. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok," Mizuki said. "At least now I know they did love me."

Sakura didn't know what to say. Mizuki looked at her and felt awkward.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I'm talking to you so casually while I don't even know you."

"Ah, that's alright," Sakura said. Mizuki forced a smile and scratched the back of her head.

There it was again. Who did she remind Sakura of?

"Anyway," Mizuki said, "it was nice to meet you, but I really have to go now."

"Oh, ok," Sakura said.

"See you around, ok?" Mizuki said while winking. Sakura smiled.

"Ok," she said. She stared after Mizuki while she was walking away.

The village had changed so much. Mizuki couldn't remember anything of the houses and buildings that stood here.

She walked in an open field. Or… what was left of it. There was barely any grass and there were no flowers at all. Children were playing here, though. Mizuki sat on a bench and watched them play. This must be a day care class, since three women were also carrying babies while keeping an eye on the other children.

"Keiichi-kun, don't go too far!" one of them said to one of the kids. But all the boy did was laughing and he ran further away.

"Keiichi-kun! Get back here!" one of the women said. All three of them already had their hands full.

Mizuki stood up and ran towards the boy, who was coming her way anyway. She stood still, making the boy stop again. He looked at her without saying anything. Mizuki just looked at him with friendly eyes and said: "You heard her, right?" The boy didn't answer. He just stared at her.

"Come on," Mizuki said. "You don't want to cause these nice people any trouble, do you?"

The boy shook his head.

"Good," Mizuki said with a smile. She reached out her hand. "Let's go back, then."

The boy took her hand and Mizuki walked him back.

"Oh, thank you very much," one of the day care women said.

"No problem," Mizuki answered.

"You're great with kids," the woman said.

"Ahw, well," Mizuki said. "I love kids."

The woman looked back at the other day care women. Then she looked at Mizuki again.

"Say… we're a little short of staff here," she said. "Would you like to work at the day care?"

"Me?" Mizuki asked.

"Or… you're not a shinobi, are you?" the woman asked. "Because I've never seen you here before."

"No, that's right," Mizuki said. "I just moved in this week. But umm… yes, I'd love to work at the day care."

"Really? That's wonderful!" the woman said. "My name is Asuka."

"I'm Mizuki," Mizuki said. "Pleased to meet you."

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