Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, which is good. I don't think it would've been anywhere near as good if it were mine.

Sakura couldn't remember the trip from Nami back to Konoha, she couldn't remember anything after Sasuke's death to be honest, she was so emotionally exhausted her body was working purely on instinct. Her mind felt…

Numb

Numb was the best way to describe it, she had thought so much about everything and nothing at all after Sasuke's death that now she couldn't force herself to think anymore.

Is this what grief feels like? Maybe; she had heard everyone grieves differently, maybe this was her way of dealing with things, not thinking.

Denial?

It's really hard to describe what's going on through her mind, If there was something going on through her mind. That's probably why she hasn't spoken at all since Sasuke's final words after giving Naruto his eye, now that she actually starts to think about it, she didn't say anything back then, not even goodbye.

She was so shocked about everything she couldn't find it in herself to say goodbye to the person she loves.

The Hokage was half listening through his Elite jounin's report, he's a shinobi after all and shinobi must be able to multitask, so even if he looked like he wasn't really paying attention to him, everyone would be able to tell he was focused on two things at the same time, one of those things clearly was Kakashi's retelling of the events transpired in his team's C-rank turned A-rank mission.

To say the Hokage was already preparing himself to give the gravity-defying silver-haired Jounin an earful about his questionable decision making was an understatement; that could definitely wait, he was very aware of how gloom the two genin in front of him looked and he was very very aware of the lacking member in the room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen hasn't go senile, he's perfectly able to interpret what the absence of one of his Genin and the looks on the other two meant, that didn't mean he wanted to accept it, but it had to be done, if appereances were to be believed.

Konoha's last loyal Uchiha was Killed In Action.

His head was already starting to hurt just thinking about this.

It wasn't long after the old Hokage's musing that Kakashi finished his retelling of the story including Sasuke's death much to the chargrim of the old Hokage and his hidden ANBU guards all throughout the room, those were shocking and concerning news, not much that could be done now.

Hiruzen sighed "Naruto-kun, Sakura-chan. You're both dismissed" Sarutobi had half a mind to check on both of them later.

Both genin started to leave but a hand on Naruto's shoulder stopped him from leaving, he looked up to see that hand belonged to his Jounin-sensei.

"Hokage-sama, can you please have the ANBU leave and activate the silencing seals in the room? There's something important we need to discuss."

The Hokage was taken aback by the request but complied either way. With a quick wave of his hand four masked figures showed themselves in the room and then left through the door. The Hokage then performed some quick hand signs and the corners of the room glowed a light purple before quickly going back to normal.

Naruto was impressed by this, he could recognize this was the work of fuinjutsu, what his clan was the most good at, he never really paid any interest to it because he thought it was boring; what would he know about something like that? He decided he was going to look into it later, his Jiji had given him some material along with some of his family's history after all.

"What is it you want to talk about, Kakashi?"

The Jounin's response was motioning Naruto to lift his headband and show the old man his new Sharingan eye.

The old Hokage just sighed, that headache just started to get worse. This was going to be a long day.

"Did you t-" Half asked the Hokage before being interrupted.

"No!"

Kakashi took a deep breath to regain his composure before going on.

"Sasuke's last wish was for Naruto to take his eye, what I told you about Naruto losing his eye during the battle was completely true, that was what motivated Sasuke to give up his eye when he knew it was too late for him…"

The Hokage felt like slaming his head on the table, really really hard. That headache was already a migraine for Kami's sake.

After some time to sort his thoughts the Hokage looked at both men in his room and gave his instruction.

"There's other important things I need to discuss with you but I understand your concerns, Kakashi." The Hokage instructed Naruto to cover his eye and did a few hand signs to deactivate his silencing seal. After doing that an ANBU stepped in the room and kneeled in front of the Hokage.

"Please go to the Hospital and tell Dr. Teruya I need her here as soon as possible, if she's not doing anything of importance bring her here yourself" The ANBU just nodded and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Minutes later the same ANBU reappeared in the Office this time with a disheveled woman by his side.

"Naruto, let me introduce you to Dr. Kaiya Teruya, currently Konoha's most accomplished medic, a highly intelligent woman, completely trustworthy and an old friend of mine." The Hokage graced her with a warm smile and the blonde boy merely nodded at her, whatever was going through his mind was clearly eating at him.

"Teruya-chan, Naruto here lost an eye in his last mission and got a… special replacement for it, I need you to look at it and make sure everything's okay with him. You're to speak to absolutely no one about this, is that clear?"

"Yes Hiruzen-kun." Said the woman, giving the old Hokage a wink.

"Well Naruto-kun, from now on you are to come to me whenever you have any sort of health related issue although I wouldn't mind if you just came to me to talk okay?"

The boy once again nodded and both of them walked out of the door on their way to the hospital.

After they both left Kakashi decided it was time to address his concerns.

"Hokage-sama I- I don't think I'm capable of leading a Genin team" His only response was a contemplating stare.

The Hokage stood from his chair and motioned the Jounin to follow him as he walked out of the tower.

Hiruzen led Kakashi all the way to the memorial stone and stood there just looking at it for a few minutes that felt like hours to Kakashi before speaking.

"You know, for all the good you are as a Shinobi you're as predictable as they get" Meaning he was perfectly aware of Kakashi's intention to disband the team even before the man himself talked to him about it.

"You let yourself be consumed by grief, and I stood by watching, hoping you'll get over it yourself at some point, now I see the error of my ways" Silence, there really wasn't much you could say when you were getting an earful from 'The Kami No Shinobi' himself.

"Sasuke's death was avoidable. I knew from the very beginning team 7 was not ready to take on a simple C-rank. Not because of their lack of skill, which was very lacking mind you, but because of the inexistent level of maturity they displayed during their time doing simple chores around the village" You could tell when the old Hokage was serious if he himself undignified the D-ranks he has bowed to protect over the years, for whatever reason that is.

"I allowed you to take on that mission despite my better judgment even when I knew you were lying through your teeth about them being ready. Now you'll make yourself responsible for this team."

No team disbandment?

"I'm not going to allow your team's disbandment."

No

"From now on you're being ordered to make sure they get the proper training they deserve."

"And while i'm already ordering you to do stuff I must confess I'm growing tired of your attitude Kakashi, always being late making up some funny excuse when all you ever do is stand in front of this rock moping about your mistakes and the way this world has done you wrong; that stops today, along with your team you're going to be getting the counseling you so clearly need."

It was honestly a testament for Kakashi's strength how he's been able to stop himself from showing any kind of reaction during the Hokage's rant, Kakashi was not a sentimental man and that much was obvious, but it takes a mountain of a person to keep yourself standing up when someone as important as Hiruzen Sarutobi is dissecting your very being.

Despite it all Kakashi took it like a champ, he gave the old man a simple but respectful nod and started to walk towards his apartment.

"I don't think I told you it was okay for you to leave yet" Apparently Sarutobi wasn't yet satisfied with the dressing down he gave him, but there's not much he could do about it, adding insubordination to his already very large list of flaws wasn't exactly on Kakashi's 'to do list'.

Hiruzen sighed and turned to look at him for the first time since they got here, it was impressive how easy it was to forget how old this legend of a man really was, Kakashi couldn't remember the Sandaime ever looking this… old.

"I'm done chewing at you as the Hokage already Kakashi, but there's a few things I Hiruzen Sarutobi still have left to say to you" Kakashi was already bracing himself for the impact of whatever this man had left to say.

"I'm sorry"

'Huh?'

"It is easy to look for someone to blame when situations such as this present themselves, but the truth is, there is no point in looking for someone to place the blame on"

"Hokage-sama I-"

"Please let me finish Kakashi. I don't blame you, Sakura doesn't blame you and Naruto doesn't blame you, Kami knows that boy doesn't have it in himself to hold grudges; he forgave this old man for keeping his heritage a secret, after all".

It really is hard to explain just how reassuring this man was, 'The Professor' was a man as wise as they came.

"It makes no sense to sugarcoat the truth. Sasuke shouldn't have died, that's for sure, but you're no more guilty for his death than I am for allowing you to go on a mission I knew you weren't ready for. Naruto-kun was very adamant on continuing the mission for whatever it is that he felt like he needed to prove, is he to blame?"

"Sakura-chan apparently had no sense of self-respect and allowed herself to continue on a mission she wasn't ready for only to please a single boy, is she to blame?"

"Speaking of the boy, Sasuke made it a point to let everyone know his only ambition in life was revenge and power, continuing a mission to test himself against worthy opponents clearly wasn't what anyone would call 'sound logic', is he to blame?"

"..."

"I know what you're thinking Kakashi, I know you want to take the blame like you always do, I know you feel like it's your responsibility and I would be lying if I tell you it's not but… you need to learn how to let go Kakashi, you're clinging on to the ghosts of your past, coming here every single day to stare at the names of those long gone, that's not living. I care greatly for you my boy and I know you've been through a lot." Said Hiruzen.

"I didn't order you to continue with the team as a punishment, quite the opposite actually. Do you know why I put Naruto on your team?" Asked the old Hokage with a tone Kakashi couldn't quite discern.

"No." Replied the Jounin with a thoughtful look on his face

"I figured as much, Naruto shouldn't have been placed on your team, his performance in the academy was very average, nothing to be proud of but nothing to be disappointed of either. Team 7 is always formed by the two top Shinobi of the class and the Dead-last, admittedly I refrained from repeating the formula considering how disastrous it has been over the years but I also thought you both deserved a chance to form a bond. Naruto has no one other than me to call a family, and while I love the boy dearly and I'm beyond honored he chose me to be his grandfather, I am not enough nor am I going to live forever, he needs to have more people he can rely on and so do you. I didn't expect you however to push him away the farthest. I can't claim to know why you did and I'm not even sure if you realize you did it but the truth is you did."

Was Kakashi creating a distance between himself and Naruto because he couldn't bear to be so close to someone who looks too much like his sensei? Was he keeping a distance because he couldn't bear the guilt of never making himself present for the son of the Man he viewed as a father?

Both?

"I want you to think on this Kakashi, I want you to make yourself available to your students, especially Naruto, you are both lonely and you both clearly need it. The Will of Fire still burns in you my boy, you just need to reignite it's flames." Said Sarutobi placing a hand on Kakashi's shoulder.

"You will keep the team, you will start training them and yourself, in your misery you have allowed yourself to go rusty" He pointed out.

"Finally, you need to let the souls of the people you're clinging to rest, there's no point in clinging on dead people, you're only hurting both them and yourself. Team 7 has a 2 week vacation, take the time to think on what I've talked to you about and speak to your students."

The Hokage gave the seasoned Jounin one last look and started to walk away, leaving Kakashi to his thoughts.

That clearly didn't go anything like Kakashi expected but he felt like a weight was taken off his shoulders, he had needed to hear that for a long time now, and perhaps the Hokage was right.

Rin, Obito and Minato wouldn't have wanted him to be like this, right? He was starting to feel like he had been doing a disservice to their memory for a long time now, but no more, from now on he would try harder. It just now started weighing on him how wrong he had been pushing people out of his life, but there was no time like the present.

'I should probably pay a visit to Gai'

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Said the Hokage before leaving.

"I was talking seriously when I ordered you to receive counseling along with your students, all three of you need it, especially you, and I know you wouldn't have gone if I didn't order you to. This is a very serious order I know will help you immensely, you can schedule your own individual appointments tomorrow morning, I'll ask Inoichi to personally oversee your case, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal… Hokage-sama, thank you."

"No need to thank me, I'm only doing what I should've done a long time ago, I'm sorry it took me this long." The old Monkey started to leave again, his next objective already in mind, dealing with whatever was going on in the self-destructive ninja's head was the top priority, but he needed to make sure his dear grandson was doing okay, at least as close as okay as possible, 2 weeks was definitely not enough to put one's mind at ease, but he truly believed it would do them good to have some one on one time with both Inoichi and his wife Tsutsuji, he would know, they did help him and his son mend their relationship after all.

"How is he doing?"

"Medically speaking he's in excellent condition Hiruzen, after I fixed what was left unfinished by Kakashi-kun on his rustic transplant the boy's healing factor did the rest by itself."

She was fascinated when she found out Naruto has a healing factor, apparently the boy himself wasn't aware of that fact. What surprised her the most was the way it worked, it seemed to be an automatic process but it was also… smart.

The damaged tissue around his new eye didn't heal until Dr. Teruya made sure everything was perfect, it was almost like his body knew healing that part without proper intervention could turn out to be counterintuitive, it wasn't something she wouldn't be able to fix herself but it was still impressive.

"Oh yes, Uzumaki's have a very strong life force and some have some kind of special chakra, in his case a very useful healing factor it would seem, the boy's mother was able to survive injuries that would've been lethal to any other person." That is not to say they were unkillable, nobody really was, they were just notoriously good at surviving life threatening injuries more often than the common folk.

"Will he have any problems with his new eye?"

"Highly unlikely, the boy's body assimilated the eye without much problem, I would even go so far as to say he is more in tune with his transplanted eye than Kakashi is with his." Dr. Teruya didn't exactly know the reason why that was but she guessed it had something to do with his Uzumaki genes, he was of course never going to be able to use the eye like an Uchiha would, but the strain on his chakra Network was definitely a lot more smaller than it was for Kakashi.

"That's great news Teruya-chan and it's honestly what I expected, that's not what worries me."

Dr. Teruya sighed "He's… heartbroken, Hiruzen, he's been cooperating with me during his examination and hasn't complained at all, not even once; he isn't really talking to me, all he says is 'yes' or 'no' whenever I ask him something."

Sarutobi was expecting this, he could see the boy in the room in front of him sitting on his bed, facing the window.

He looked lost.

The Hokage gave his old friend a court nod and walked in the room.

'I'll become your eyes and see the future for you…'

"Naruto-kun?"

The whiskered boy was cut from his musing by the old man standing in front of him; he didn't even hear him come in, how long has he been standing there? How long has Naruto been there?

Minutes?

Hours?

"How are you feeling dear?"

Bad, he's feeling bad, he's feeling guilty, he's feeling stupid, he's feeling…

Unworthy

"I'm feeling good Jiji, just a bit distracted that's all" He wasn't going to look sad in front of his grandfather, he couldn't let him see how affected he was.

"That's good, I wouldn't want you feeling that way, seeing as it was Sasuke's fault it all happened."

What?

"Oh? No reaction? I must have gotten it wrong then, is it Sakura-chan's fault then? I hear she just wanted to keep going to impress Sasuke-kun."

Naruto was livid, how dare this stupid old man come to him only to blame his teammate for Sasuke's death

"WHA-"

"Her either? Then it must've been Kakashi's fault, he was in charge after all, he was the one who chose to keep on doing the mission.

Naruto flinched at the accusation, his rage temporarily interrupted. It was him and Sasuke who begged Kakashi to continue the mission; he wanted to prove himself he wasn't a coward.

Naruto unknowingly gave Sarutobi exactly what he was looking for with the way he reacted to his last words, it pained him greatly to rile his surrogate grandson this way, but it had to be done, he needed to let his frustrations out.

"Oh! I see it now, it was your fault-"

"IT WASN-"

"You convinced him to continue with the mission, you wanted to do it right? It was all you-"

Hiruzen couldn't finish his speech due to an enraged Naruto lunging forward intent on shutting him up and hurting him a lot in the process.

Naruto didn't stand a chance.

The Hokage grabbed the fist coming towards him with one of his hands and twisted the boy's arm, then he turned the boy to look at him and he could see the tears flowing in his cheeks, he let the hand go and smiled warmly at him.

Naruto hugged the old man and let himself cry on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Jiji I didn't mean to, I didn-... I-"

"It's alright my boy, I know you didn't mean it and I know it wasn't your fault."

"Jiji I- I didn't want Sasuke to die I- I'm sorry…"

"I know you didn't want him to die Naruto, you need to stop blaming yourself, if you really want to blame someone for this you can blame me"

The boy stiffened and turned to look at the man he viewed as his grandfather, face asking for an explanation.

"I knew your team wasn't ready for a C-rank and I shouldn't have allowed you to go no matter what Kakashi thought"

Naruto just hugged the man tightly and let the tears keep on falling, he just couldn't understand how the old man was blaming himself for his death.

"It wasn't y-your fault Jiji" Explained Naruto between sobs.

Sarutobi knew Naruto wasn't capable of holding a grudge but it was truly surprising to see how huge his heart really was.

"I'm sorry I said what I said Naruto-kun, you're not to blame and neither are your teammates, Sasuke knew the risks and was as excited as you were."

"I knew you wouldn't have opened up to me and would've kept your guilt to yourself otherwise, that's not good, you need to let what's eating you out and you need to let people help you. Can you forgive me?"

Naruto nodded once again with tears still falling from his eyes, he didn't cry after the battle on the bridge, he didn't cry when he buried Zabuza and Haku, he didn't cry when he made Sasuke's memorial and he didn't cry on the way back to Konoha, this really felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

Naruto tried to convince himself it wasn't his fault over and over again but he just couldn't, having his Jiji tell him exactly what he's been needing to hear was relieving.

They stayed like that, hugging on the bed for as long as Naruto needed, when he finished crying he was so exhausted mentally and physically that he fell asleep on the spot.

The Hokage just stood up and placed the boy back in his hospital bed to get his well deserved rest.

Uzumaki Naruto was truly something else.

It had been a day since Hiruzen and Naruto had that very important conversation in the boy's hospital room.

Much to Naruto's dismay he was forced by Dr. Teruya to stay another day so she could watch and closely monitor his condition.

She didn't understand much about Naruto's healing factor and neither did Hiruzen, he had explained to her that Uzumaki's have peculiar chakra and it manifests in different ways, sensor abilities were not unheard off for them and the old Hokage had thought that was Naruto's quirk when it presented itself.

Apparently he was wrong.

Still, both seniors decided to play it safe and Naruto stayed one more day, nothing out of the ordinary happened; Naruto's condition was not what was troubling the old man.

Upon asking Naruto about his remaining teammate he found out she hadn't visited him during his stay in the hospital, it was then he remembered Kakashi telling him she hasn't spoken a single word since Sasuke died.

Hiruzen had to do something about that.

The old Hokage strongly believed caring about every single shinobi under his command was his duty and a young and troubled Kunoichi needed his help so he would provide.

After informing Naruto of his upcoming counseling sessions with Yamanaka Tsutsuji, Hiruzen made his way to the office; he needed to find the girl's address after all.

The 'Kami No Shinobi' didn't know everything.

I can't remember much of what's been going on these days, we returned from Nami….

When did we return?

It feels like weeks, months even; it also feels like it was just this morning.

Inner has been silent ever since he died, is she not talking to me because I'm not talking? Maybe she's mad at me because I couldn't help anyone.

Is she mad at me because I couldn't save him?

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

Nothing new about that, Tou-san and Kaa-sand will sometimes come and try to get me out of the room to have lunch with them. I never understood why they wanted me to eat that badly, couldn't they see I'm dieting so he will…

Oh, right. I keep forgetting about that

This time I will humor them, maybe if I go down to eat this one time they'll leave me alone. I walked up to the door and slowly opened it to see an old man wearing white robes with red stripes on them; and a red hat with a white tip and the kanji for 'fire' marked on it.

The Hokage?

What was he doing here? Did he come to release me of my duties? Did he realize how pathetic I really am and is going to berate me for my failure?

"How are you doing Sakura-chan?" Asked the Hokage, that wasn't what I was expecting. What is he playing at?

"I talked to Naruto-kun today, he said you hadn't visited him at the hospital. He thinks you're angry at him and you blame him for what happened."

I was stunned, I couldn't believe Naruto would think that, all this time I avoided him because I didn't want to face him after everything that happened. I know it was my fault and I just couldn't stand the thought of him or Kakashi-sensei being angry at me.

"You know… Naruto blames himself for everything, he thinks it was his fault for convincing Kakashi to continue the mission."

How could that idiot think that? It was Kakashi who made the decision in the end, for all we know he could've just asked us for the sole purpose of letting us think we had a voice in the matter. And even if we managed to convince him, it was my fault for not telling them how scared I was.

I just didn't want to disappoint him.

"I hear you haven't been talking to anyone, we all grieve differently but I hardly think isolation is a wise choice. I was hoping you would open up to me… I guess I could order you to speak up to me, you're an active Shinobi and I am your Hokage but… that would be rude wouldn't it?" The old man chuckled.

In all truth I don't know why I stopped talking, when it all happened I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't find it in myself to speak up.

After we got back I was so tired of thinking that I just couldn't form any coherent form of thoughts, let alone words.

Now I just got used to it, I think. It's funny, the people who know me would be pretty weirded out by me not talking at all, I did make a name for myself by talking a little too much, almost as much as Naruto.

Not that they would know since I haven't left this place.

"Do you really blame him, Sakura?"

"NO!"

I didn't even have time to think, no matter how much I wanted to keep it all for myself, how much I wanted to just be alone, there's no way I will let Naruto blame himself for his death.

"It's good to hear your voice again Sakura-chan" The hokage gave me the warmest smile I have ever seen, scratch that, the way Naruto smiled at the orphans back in Nami whenever he played with them or got them gifts was probably as warm as the sun.

"Even if it's a little loud for these old bones." I couldn't help but blush, it wasn't my intention to yell at the Hokage and it probably wasn't wise to do so (maybe that's what he meant when he said I'm loud) but I wouldn't let Naruto's grandfather think I hate him.

"I-I'm sorry Hokage-sama"

"Don't be, I'm glad to be the one you were able to open up to even if it took a little goading on my part."

The effect that man's smile has on me is incredible, they should probably add 'The Counselor' to his titles.

"Do you know what it means to be a Shinobi Sakura-chan?" I honestly don't know why he asked that question but I can't help but feel that the answer is important, 'Being a Shinobi means to fight and die for one's village' feels like the obvious answer but I really can't be sure, it's moments like this that make me miss inner, she at least always had some input.

"A Shinobi is one who endures"

He must've seen me struggling to find an answer.

"Being a Shinobi means to endure?" Sometimes I feel like I ask stupid questions but I can't stop myself from doing so anyway.

"That's right. It means enduring for one's sake, to fight everyday for the good of your village knowing it could be your last day. It means to protect, to fight for those whom we hold dear and give our lives for what we love if it means keeping it safe. And finally, it means to be burdened, it means to carry on despite what you lost, to protect the dreams of those we lost and hope to make the path to achieve them."

To be so wise and powerful… it makes you wonder just what this man has gone through.

"I understand what you lost Sakura-chan; and I can guarantee you're not the only one to have lost the one you love."

I would've asked him how he knew about my love for him but I guess the Hokage knows what he needs to know, it's not like I kept it a secret.

"An old friend once told me that this type of wound never really closes and you never really forget, but that's okay, it means they are still inside of you. It means he is still being kept safe in the bottom of your heart."

I don't know when I started crying and I don't know what possessed me to hug the man in front of me but I don't regret it, he makes me feel safe. I can really see why Naruto talks so highly of him.

"It's okay Sakura-chan, let it all out. You need to understand it wasn't your fault. Everyone played their part in young Sasuke's death, looking for someone to blame just isn't worth it."

"I-I keep seeing h-him lying on the floor, t-there was so much b-blood I- I couldn't…"

Why can't I stop crying damnit?

"It makes no sense to blame yourself for this, you lacked the training to even attempt to help him. He accepted it and moved on. If he found the strength to give Naruto-kun a piece of himself before moving on to the pure world, why can't you?"

This man was speaking nothing but the truth, I have to be strong for him, I have to be strong for Sasuke.

Some minutes passed and I released him from my embrace after I calmed down.

"Go see your teammate Sakura-chan, he needs as much reassurance as you do, the only way you'll both move on and grow from this is together."

"Speaking of Naruto, I already talked to him about this but starting next week, the whole team - and that includes Kakashi - will be having counseling sessions, I believe it's for the better and I know for a fact Tsutsuji-san is a lovely lady."

How can I deny him after what he's done for me in so little time? It would do us good to find a healthy mechanism to cope.

I never noticed when he left - that's a shinobi for you - but I'm grateful for it, I need a moment for myself but after I finish getting my business back in order I need to go to the hospital.

There's someone I need to hug.

"I really like Tsutsuji-san, she's very kind and doesn't pressure me into saying things I'm not comfortable with, y'know?" Said Naruto after getting out of today's therapy session.

They have been getting counseling from Tsutsuji for a little over a week now. Sakura would go one day, Naruto the other and then they'll both get a session together. Kakashi had even been a part of this one but he left as soon as it was over because the Hokage called all the Jounin in charge of a team to a meeting.

"Yes, she's really nice to me too" Replied Sakura with a warm smile, these sessions had helped her out of her shell and had helped her calm her urges down, although they would resurface from time to time.

It had also helped both her and Naruto to cement a healthy relationship with one another. It was no secret Naruto has had the biggest crush on her since the academy, but she being completely in love with Sasuke would've never returned his feelings, said feelings also led her to be rude and insensitive towards Naruto, going so far as to hit him and abuse him constantly.

Tsutsuji however had talked to her about it in one of her individual sessions and after making her see the error of her ways Sakura was very sorry and full of regret for the way she treated her kind and lovely teammate. That's why she apologized and made peace with him in their first shared session under Tsutsuji's watchful gaze and started a friendship.

Sakura wasn't ready to pursue a relationship let alone love someone anytime soon, and Naruto just didn't feel like it was right anymore, he felt like it was a disservice to Sasuke's memory to do so, even if he wouldn't have minded at all. Naruto still thought Sakura was a beautiful and amazing girl like no other and liked her very much but the situation wasn't the same anymore.

At least for the time being, they both were good with being friends.

"I think I'll learn the guitar, what about you Sakura-chan?" Asked Naruto.

Tsutsuji had just told them it was important to have a way to cope out with the strein of their line of work, she explained all shinobi get one at some point but she would prefer it if they leant towards a healthy one so she suggested they learn how to play an instrument.

"I've always wanted to play the piano"

Both teens went to the music store and bought their respective instruments and what they needed to properly take care of them without much problem, Sakura got her piano in a sealing scroll while Naruto got his guitar in a black case, nothing fancy.

The blonde offered to store Sakura's piano in his apartment since he didn't have much stuff and space wasn't an issue, so after they got their respective things they walked together towards Naruto's place, each sporting their new outfit.

After their first session together they both decided they would become more serious about being Shinobi, Sakura wanted something more functional and she said that while orange wasn't a problem, Naruto's hideous jumpsuit was so they went to a shinobi clothing store together.

Sakura was now wearing high black shinobi sandals; tight black shorts covered by a beige skirt; a mesh undershirt with sleeves just past the elbow and a red sleeveless blouse with cherry blossoms in it. She also got herself a new haircut and was now wearing her hair shoulder-length. Her headband's cloth was now red. A Kunai holster in her right leg and her tool pouch on her lower back.

Naruto now wore high black shinobi sandals; black ANBU-style pants tied in the heels with bandages; a short sleeved mesh shirt and an open short orange jacket with sleeves just past his elbows. The cloth of his headband was now black and at the moment he wore it the same way Kakashi did to cover his sharingan eye, he however didn't want to look like his teacher so he was going to grow his hair enough so that it would cover the eye on it's own. A Kunai holster in each leg - Sakura had just pointed out yesterday that Naruto didn't seem to favor any hand - and a tool pouch on his lower back.

"Well that seems to be it" Said Naruto after both him and Sakura finished setting up the piano in his living room, they managed to assemble it without much trouble following the manual's instructions without any extra pieces.

"Ne Sakura-chan, after we both learn our instruments we can teach the other, and we can also sing together, just the two of us y'know?"

Sakura was really liking having Naruto as a friend and regretted not approaching him sooner, the way he just cared for her well-being and how he's just naturally kind to others made her feel safe.

She also wanted to know if the boy was a good singer.

"Yes… yes, I would like that very much Naruto-kun."

AN: Not much to coment about this chapter. I wanted to make Sakura the main focus which is why she got an inner monologue. She had been basically a background character up until this point, which makes sense given the length of the story so far but still, this her introduction.

Speaking of Inner, I don't fully understand the concept of the Inner Sakura. I believe she was meant to be just a comedic prop (which worked cuz Sakura was actually funny when she wasn't bitching about something, Pierrot did her wrong.) and I don't exactly know what to do with 'her' which is why she won't be here. When Shippuden starts Inner Sakura is completely gone, I think her dissapearence represented Sakura changing her mentality to that of a serious shinobi... Whatever that means.

There won't be Sakura bashing, Sakura is actually a great character and even tho she was unlikeable in the first part which was greatly exagerated by Pierrot for some reason (you can look it up). She let go of all of that and she's a damn capable Kunoichi.

Also, I forgot to mention this but, even if I'm not set on a pairing for Naruto (be it male or female) yet, I can tell you who won't be.

Hinata.

I don't hate her but I don't particularly like her either, she's a great character though and I will try to make her justice.

NaruHina it's just so overdone...

Also, Naruto's outfit.

Many fanfics go out of their way to explain why Orange is such an uncool color and stuff, sometimes people say the villagers wouldn't sell Naruto anything but that and others say Naruto just likes orange cause he's an idiot.

I don't get what the fuzz is about, subtlety is not really a thing in Naruto, specially if you consider the fact that shinobi wear a piece of cloth that identifies as them as ninja, I didn't change Naruto's outfit because of the orange, I changed cause I genuinly think both of the Jumpsuits he wore are hideous. (His outfit in The Last was hella cool ngl).

Well that's it for this note.

I hope you're all doing great.

Be safe everyone!