It had been a rough day for Sakura Haruno, had not only she seen what the great power of the Kyuubi could do, not just its destruction, but its effect on Naruto, saddening her to see Naruto suffer so much.

Sakura was also especially down when they confronted Sasuke, only for him to renounce himself from the leaf.

And while she knew it wasn't Naruto's fault, her arm was still a little bit sore when he had attacked her in his Four Tails form.

'Poor Naruto.' Sakura thought as she walked home, part of her still unable to believe what she saw was the same blond haired Shinobi who would never give up, while another part of her felt sorry for Naruto, to have to live with such a curse.

When she reached her home, after removing her shoes, Sakura called. "Mom, dad, I'm back from my mission."

"Welcome home, honey." Kizashi greed his daughter with a hug, only for Sakura to remain in place.

Worried for his daughter, Kizashi broke from the hug, looking at Sakura to see her sweating a little.

"Sakura, is everything alright?" He asked.

"I don't feel too good, so I think I'll just go to bed." Sakura said, unsure what had caused the sudden heat to build up, but wanted the day to be over, where in Sakura then walked up the stairs, to the second floor and entered her bedroom, looking out the window to see the sun starting to set and decided to go to bed early.

Still a little sore from where Naruto had attacked her, Sakura collapsed onto her bed, too tired to change and decided to just slip out of her clothing, leaving her with her shirt still on, but had relieved herself of her shorts, showing off her tone legs and the red panties she wore underneath.

'I just hope Naruto is okay.' The pink haired Kunoichi thought as she put her hand on her left shoulder, before feeling the combination of tiredness and her sudden feverishness took over, causing Sakura to close her eyes and immediately fall asleep, her surroundings fading as she drifted off, oblivious that the wound were Naruto had struck her began to glow with a faint red aura of Chakra, which slowly spread and enveloped Sakura's being.

-Moments later-

Sakura let out a small moan as she regained consciousness, puzzled when she felt her back was wet, causing the pink haired Kunoichi to sit up, open her eyes, where she was left bewildered to find she was no longer in her bedroom, but what looked like a massive sewer.

Getting up, Sakura looked around, still confused, before questioning aloud. "The last thing I remember is going to bed. How did I end up here? And where is here?"

"You are within my kit's mind." Sakura heard a powerful voice say, which both surprised her, as well as sent a chill down her spine at the words, before the pink haired Kunoichi turned, feeling nothing but fear upon seeing a massive and familiar fox.

And though it was sealed behind a powerful blockade, Sakura was still fearful.

"Ky... Kyuubi...!" Sakura managed to let out, making the Bijju smirk darkly at sensing the fear of the Kunoichi.

But focusing, Sakura then asked. "Wait. What do you mean I am inside Naruto's mind."

"After our little encounter earlier today, some of my Chakra was placed within you, allowing me to link you with my kit so I could speak to you." The Kyuubi said in reply, which relaxed Sakura a little, but still not trusting the Nine-Tails, Sakura remained cautious.

"Why do you want to speak with me, Kyuubi?" sakura ask

"I wanted to talk to you about the brat I am trapped within." The Kyuubi replied, before teasing. "Although he is a pain in my neck, he has matured and become quite a handsome and strong man, or haven't you noticed that just yet?"

From the Kyuubi's words, Sakura blushed, but tried to remain focused, remembering something the Bijju said, which made her ask. "Wait. If this is Naruto's mind, why does it look like a sewer?"

"It's because of those villagers who kept comparing him to me. Their constant abuse to the brat when he was younger drove him to loneliness and made him subconsciously bring up this area as his psyche." The Kyuubi explained in reply, the words leaving Sakura silent and saddened at learning just how much Naruto had suffered in the past, remembering when she little she saw all the adults keeping their children away from the blond, while others would yell, calling him a demon.

And though Sakura didn't know why, now she knew they saw Naruto as the Kyuubi, as a monster, which made Sakura start to tear up a little bit.

"Oh, Naruto. You have suffered so much." Sakura said sadly, feeling not just solemn and empathy for the Uzumaki, but guilt, feeling bad for the way she too had treated him, yelling, hitting, the insults, every memory made her that more regretful.

The Kyuubi spoke up, making sakura look at it. "The brat have suffered alone when he was little but he's not alone anymore. Being trapped inside this wretched seal, I can see through his mind to see all those he has who he says are precious to him, his Senseis, his friends and the person who he cares about so much."

From the words of the Nine-Tails, Sakura smiled, for she knew the Kyuubi was right Naruto not being alone.

But thinking about it, the pink haired Kunoichi wondered who the person Naruto care so much about was, making her ask who it was, which just made the Nine-Tails smirk at her obliviousness.

"I thought it'd be obvious." The Bijuu replied, taking the moment to enjoy Sakura's confusion, before telling her.

"It's you."

From the reply, Sakura was surprised and shocked, left stunned at what Nine-Tails had said and left her thinking. 'I'm the person who he cares so much about?'

Thinking about it, Sakura remembered how Naruto was always there for her, how he unknowingly took on one of the Sannin in the Forest of Death to keep her and Sasuke safe, how he encouraged her in her fight against Ino, to never give up and to keep fighting, as well as all he did to try and bring Sasuke back to the Leaf.

And though he had failed, Sakura remembered how, despite such injuries he had taken, Naruto ensured he would keep his promise and would get the Uchiha back one day.

Seeing Sakura coming face to face with her own feelings for Naruto, the Kyuubi decided to go a little further, focusing on Sasuke as it said. "Why do you deny your feelings? Is it because of the Uchiha? Even with the burden he went through, he could have tried to get to know you, compliment you just once, something to show that he wanted to get close to you, but he didn't! However, Naruto did everything for you! He even saved your life and put his in great danger, just for you."

After that, Sakura was surprised, finding their surroundings change from the sewer-like area to a forest, where she saw Naruto fighting against Gaara, while stunned to see herself, unconscious and pinned to a tree by what looked like a massive claw made of sand.

And while Sakura was thrown off by such a turn, it was then she realized she was watching one of Naruto's memories.

"Oh, Naruto..." Sakura let out solemnly, watching as Naruto continued to fight, determined to keep her and Sasuke protected.

"As you can see, my Kit truly cares about you, while the Uchiha holds no place in his heart for you. All he cares about is revenge. Relationships are built on trust and love. You can deny it all you want, but you too have feelings for my Kit, I can tell . That is all I wished to say to you. If you desire to speak to me again, my Chakra within you will allow us to speak." The Kyuubi said.

"For now, farewell, Sakura Haruno." It then added, just before Sakura found the surroundings around her fade, leaving her in an empty void of darkness.

-The next day-

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

With the alarm suddenly blaring in her room, Sakura quickly awoke, almost falling out of her bed, before regaining her composure and turning off her alarm clock.

'Was that all just a dream?' Thought Sakura as she sat up, only to stop and freeze up when she heard the familiar voice say. {That was no dream.}

Stunned, Sakura looked around.

"Kyuubi?" She called, trying to find the Nine-Tails.

{I told you that we now share a link. Now we can talk whenever you wish.} The voice of the Bijuu spoke within Sakura's head, before the tone of the Kyuubi turned sly as they said. {I also gave you a little 'gift' as a sign of our new relationship.}

A little confused at what Kyuubi had said, Sakura was about to ask, only to stop when she felt something moving behind her, causing Sakura to turn her head and almost scream at what she saw.

"A tail?" She called in shock, looking at the pink fox-like tail that swayed around, making the Haruno then question. "Why do I have a tail!?"

{I hope you like my gift, my kit. That tail is not just a symbol that you now hold a fraction of my power, it allows you a link with Naruto.} the Bijuu explained, sounding a little sly as it then added. {Not that he'll notice though.}

Curious, Sakura, focusing, then asked. {And what does that mean?}

{It means you have access to all of the brats memories. You will be able to experience every thought he has had, every battle he has fought, as well as every dream he has had about you.} The Nine-Tails replied, smirking at the last part when Sakura blushed a little.

But quickly getting out of such thoughts, Sakura, curious, decided to test the power of the Kyuubi, closed her eyes and focused, opening her eyes a moment later to find the scenery around her had changed.

No longer was she in her home, but in one of Naruto's memories, finding she was staring through Naruto's perception, just as they had become Team 7.

Through Naruto's eyes, she found him tied up, struggling against the ropes that held him around the log for failing in their test with Kakashi, staring at the past remnants of Sasuke and Sakura, who were sitting around and eating their meals, while the Uzumaki's stomach growled loudly.

"This is no big deal. I can go eating for days. Believe it, this is no big deal." Naruto stated, his pride getting the better of him, only for him to fall silent when his stomach began to rumble again.

"No problem." He then said, looking away from Sasuke and Sakura.

And though it was only a memory, subconsciously, Sakura began to feel hungry herself

"Here." Sasuke spoke up, breaking Naruto from his somber mood as he held up his bento box to the Uzumaki, leaving Naruto bewildered, while Sakura's past memory was in shock.

"What? No sasuke, you can't do that. You heard what the Sensei said." Sakura said, looking around nervously.

"Kakashi's gone. We need to get those bells as a team. If Naruto's hungry, he'll be weak and ineffective. That hurts the team and jeopardizes the mission." Sasuke pointed out in reply, which stunned Naruto to hear Sasuke actually being a teamplayer and not wanting to work alone.

'Sasuke. Sakura.' Naruto thought, smiling as both offered their food to him, which made the present Sakura smile at seeing her, Naruto and Sasuke once again as a team, even if it was just a memory.

"Thanks." Naruto then said, causing Sakura to say in reply. "Don't thank me. Just hurry up and eat."

"But isn't that your lunch?" Naruto had to ask.

And though Sakura was still a little hungry, being nice in her own way, the pink haired girl then ordered. "Just take it, Naruto!"

"I can't take it!" Naruto said back, past Sakura thinking Naruto to be thinking about his comrades, until the Jinchuuriki pointed out and said. "Because I can't move my hands. You'll have to feed me."

"Wha!?" Past Sakura let out with an astonished expression.

"Hurry up." Sasuke interrupted, before informing. "He could come back any minute."

Annoyed, Sakura gave in.

"This is one time only, that's it, I'll never do this again, is that clear?" She then questioned, making Naruto smile.

"Clear as a bell, Sakura." Naruto replied, while part of him was enjoying the aspect of the Kunoichi feeding him, which Sakura picked up on.

Sakura laugh as she watch her younger self start to feed Naruto, actually tasting the food herself from the memory, which amazed her that she not only could see Naruto's memories, but experience them as if she was him, feeling his senses become hers'.

And though Sakura was glad to know Naruto was happy, she couldn't hide a smile, knowing what was next.

After her past form had fed naruto, a giant burst of smoke erupted before the three, revealing Kakashi, who glared at the three.

"You!" He called, sounding highly displeased.

"You broke the rules, hope you're ready for the punishment." The copy nin then said, running through several hand signs, which caused the clear skies to turn dark and thunderous, scaring the past forms of Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke.

Looking ready to attack, Kakashi asked. "Any last words?"

"But..." Naruto managed to say, Kakashi's focus drawn to the blond as he asked. "Yes?"

"You said there were three of us, and that's why..." Naruto began to say nervously, before Sasuke stepped in and said, defending not just naruto, but Sakura. "We're all on this squad, and we're in it together."

"Yeah! We gave our lunch to him because the three of us are one!" The past form of Sakura added, which made Naruto stare at her, amazed that she was actually showing care for him, while the present Sakura felt proud to see her standing up for her friends.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Believe it! That's right!" Naruto then called, supporting his friends.

"The three of you are one, that's your excuse?" Kakashi questioned, his glare remaining on the young Shinobi, while in Naruto's mind, Sakura was unable to hold back her smile, finding it funny now that Kakashi went to such extremes to scare and test them.

"Hmm, you pass." Kakashi said as he closed his right eye, using it to smile in replacement for his masked mouth, which caused Sakura to continue to smile, both at the joke kakashi had pulled on them, as well as remembering the pride she felt at becoming a Genin.

Seeing and experiencing enough, Sakura focused and used her Chakra to leave, opening her eyes to see she had returned back to her room.

{How was visiting one of the brat's memories} The Kyuubi then asked.

{It was interesting.} Sakura admitted.

{And it's not just the past you can see firsthand, but you can also see what Naruto is up to whenever you want.} The Nine-tails added in reply.

From the words of the Bijju, Sakura closed her eyes, using her Kyuubi Chakra to enter Naruto's mind once again, now seeing him walking towards the training areas and listening to the blond's thoughts.

'I need to train, to get stronger so I can bring Sasuke back for Sakura I fail her I couldn't bring him to her but I will not give up so I will keep that promise to her I need to start improving my Rasengan. I will get stronger, believe it!' Sakura heard Naruto think, his words causing Sakura to cease her actions, returning back to herself, put her hand on her mouth she started to tear up.

'He's still keeping his promise to me.' Sakura thought solemnly, still tearing up.

{The kit trains every day and night. He never let go of that promise he made to you, but...} The Kyuubi began to say, only to stop, unsure if should tell her.

Sakura was surprised at what the Kyuubi had said, but was confused as to why they had stopped talking.

{But what?} Sakura asked.

Kyuubi sighed, but decided to tell her. {The brat would kill me for telling you this, but do you remember that day you asked him to bring back the Uchiha?}

Sakura nodded to Kyuubi.

-Flashback-

"Naruto... this is a once in a lifetime request... Just bring him home... Please bring Sasuke back to me... I did everything I could... I tried, but I couldn't stop him from leaving the village... At this point, there is only one person who can stop him, only one who can save him... Naruto, it's all up to you..." Sakura said, still crying

"Sakura, you must really care about Sasuke, huh?" Naruto asked in reply, smiling as he added. "I get it. I can see deep down that this must be really painful for you, I know you must be suffering."

"Naruto... thank you so much..." Sakura replied, still in tears, but felt some assurance from the words of the Uzumaki.

"Don't you worry one bit, I'll bring Sasuke back, I promise that on my life, Sakura." Naruto said, giving her a thumbs up and a confident smile

-End Flashback-

{When you asked Naruto to bring Sasuke back to you, I could felt that behind his smile, the kit was sad because he loves you and knows the feelings he has are not the same as yours'.} The Bijju said, while Sakura didn't say anything, for she was stunned at what she heard.

'Naruto is in love with me?' She questioned herself, knowing that when they were younger, he showed an obvious crush on her, but three years later and his feelings for her had only gotten stronger.

{That's right. The kit still loves you, but he feels he doesn't deserve your love, not until he has brought Sasuke back for you, which is one of the reasons he is undergoing more intense training.} The Nine-tails then told Sakura, before adding. {The other reasons are to protect those he cares about and to show those wretched villagers that he and I are not one.}

From hearing that Naruto was not just getting stronger for her, but practically for everyone, Sakura started to tear up just a little more.

But shaking her head, the pink haired Kunoichi wiped her eyes as she got up, decided to stop feeling bad and do something about it.

"Transform!" She called, her room enveloped in smoke, which when it died down, revealed Sakura, who looked completely normal, lacking the fox tail she had obtained from regular eyes, hiding it with a Transformation Jutsu.

And after putting her shorts and sandals back on, Sakura headed out of her bedroom, out of her home, where she rushed through Konoha's streets and to the Training Grounds, with a determined expression on her face.

'Naruto, I know your training will but hard, but I will be there, not only to assist you, but to show my strength. With what I have learnt from Lady Tsunade, I will make sure you don't push yourself.'