Thanks so, so much for the reviews, favs, and follows! :3

Warning: unbeta, English is my second. ASL is my first. I'm Deaf. *jumpy* xD

I don't own NARUTO. Excepts OCs.

Enjoy~ *squeal*

Location: Land of Waves

Team Ten

When Shikamaru and Sakura return to Choji and Wakumi, the pixie-sized girl was beyond relief that she hugged the pink-haired kunoichi. After heartfelt and relief hugs, Sakura almost immediately changed out of the attire while Wakumi was kindly covered by a forest-green short-sleeved haori, borrowed from Choji. Sakura wears a red Chinese sleeveless shirt with a white Haruno symbol on the back, black leggings, and navy-blue sandals.

And much to Sakura's relief, surprise, and happy when Shikamaru gave her hitai-ate from his pocket. The pink-haired kunoichi beamed at her lazy teammate before she tied her hitai-ate around her head as a headband.

And now, Team Ten has been walking for a while discovered that Wakumi is the daughter of the Feudal Lord from Land of Wave. It was fortunate to luck that their mission was to deliver their message scroll to Wakumi's father. Currently, Shikamaru and Sakura are walking side by side behind Choji and Wakumi.

Choji offered some of his snacks to Wakumi who has not been eating for days, accepted with shyly smiling. Sakura smiles softly when she watched Choji and Wakumi talking to each other. Then from the corner of her lime-green eyes, she noticed Shikamaru looked boredom with his hands in his pockets.

The pink-haired ninja gently bumped her lazy teammate's shoulder. "Oi…" Shikamaru glanced at her. "Earlier, when I was on top of the tree… I know that I slipped and fell but… somehow, I was on the ground without any single of pain." This has been bugging her for a while. "…did you have something to do with that?" she asked, curious and interested.

Shikamaru hummed as he half-shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not."

Sakura pouted as she crossed her arms. "It's a yes or no." she slightly whined.

A lazily smirked appeared on the lazy ninja's face. Not saying another word much to Sakura slightly childishly irked.

When they arrived at the bridge, they walked across the large body of water to the Land of Waves. Wakumi quickly speeds up her walking while Team Ten followed her to her house. "FATHER!" the house wasn't too far from the bridge. A door opened, revealed a grown man who has dark brown hair, beautiful golden-honey eyes, slightly sun-kissed tan, and wears a fine grey yukata. Wakumi's father's face lit up when he saw her.

"Wakumi!" his golden-honey eyes teary as he spread his arms open and captured his daughter who jumped into his warm, strong arms. "Oh, thank you kami! Thank you! Oh, Wakumi…" he cried in joy and relief. Wakumi's pressed her crying face against his chest, relief, and happiness.

Team Ten watched the beautiful reunion between father and daughter. After a few minutes of tearful reunion, Wakumi leaned back and stared up at her father. "Father, I was saved by Konoha shinobi." The emerald-haired girl turned her head over her shoulder with a thankful smile to Team Ten.

The Feudal Lord glanced over while his arms wrapped around his pixie-sized daughter. His golden-honey eyes glowed happiness. "You… you must be the team that Hokage-sama's send to deliver a message to me, correct?" they nodded their head and the Lord smiles softly at them. "Consider that your mission is a success as I don't need the message." He noticed their confused looks. "It's merely about my missing daughter, I needed to know any intel from Hokage-sama's knowledge about missing people." Then he chuckled. "Who would've thought that you happened to find my missing princess?" he gently released his daughter and walked to the Team Ten.

The Feudal Lord bowed politely to them. "I, thank you, for saving my daughter and return her to me."

Shikamaru rubbed back of his neck awkwardly while Choji shuffled his feet and Sakura smiles uncomfortably. They exchange their glances, unsure yet somewhat satisfied. "T-that's not necessary, sir." Sakura speaks up as she attempts to assure the Lord who continue bowing to them.

Then, the emerald-haired girl walked up to her father, stood by his side and bowed to them. "Thank you for saving me." She said, gratitude.

"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered and grunted in surprise when Sakura jabbed her elbow to his stomach. "Seriously, woman…" the lazy ninja sends his slight irritated glared to a pink-haired girl who sends him her warning glance. Choji just smiles softly while fighting the urge to grab another snack.

Sakura turned her attention to the Feudal Lord and his daughter. "We are very glad to help you and your daughter." She said, calmly.

When the Feudal Lord and Wakumi straighten up their spines as their nearly matching honey-golden eyes on them. "What do you call yourselves?" the Lord asked with curious.

Sakura was about to say 'team ten' but she stopped herself. She recalled that Choji wanted their name to be something different when they all start their lunch first time together. '…surprisingly, I actually really like to be in this team…' a warm smile appeared on her face. "We're Team Saku—" she paused and glanced at her teammates with a knowing smile.

Shikamaru raised his eyebrows at her with amused then half-lazily smirked. "—Shika—"

"—Cho." Choji grinned widely, he was surprised but pleased.

The Lord and Wakumi exchanged confuse glances but shrugged their shoulders. The Lord smiles at Team Saku-Shika-Cho. "From now on, this day on April 25th shall be a celebration and remembered of Team Saku-Shika-Cho from Konohagakure no Sato, saved my one and only daughter, Wakumi." He announced it, happily.

The Konoha shinobis felt honor and humbled as they accepted with gratitude. The emerald-haired girl jumped into the pink-haired girl's arms. Sakura wrapped her arms around out of reflex with a pleasant surprise. "Thank you, Sakura-chan!" Wakumi beamed at her friend. Sakura smiles at the sweet pixie girl.

Meanwhile, Choji opened his bag of chip with an excited smile and Shikamaru gently bumped his pink-haired teammate's shoulder. The lazy ninja leaned to her ear. "It seems that you are wrong, this mission is not my favorite. It was a pain in the ass, after all." He whispered softly to Sakura's hearing. "But… it's less troublesome and worth it when we are all together at the end of this troublesome mission, Cherry-chan."

Sakura smiles as her lime-green eyes sparkle.

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Team Saku-Shika-Cho

Arc I: Bloom, Deer, & Butterfly

Chapter Seven

"Determination"

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Location: Land of Waves

Later…

Shikamaru, Sakura, and Choji are currently sitting at the chairs along with Wakumi and her father, gathered around for dinner meal on the table. It was a very light, pleasant dinner as Wakumi and Choji are chatting with each other, quietly. The pink-haired ninja smiles happily when her lime-green eyes glanced over to them a few times. 'How cute… Wakumi-chan is attached to Choji…' she mused, amused and enthused silently.

The pink-haired kunoichi glanced over to Shikamaru who lifted his chopstick calmly over the table, grabbed a piece of meats from the bowl. Then her lime-green eyes shifted to the Lord who sips his bowl of soup, content. Then her eyes glanced back to her meal and picked up a small piece of chicken with some rice, popped in her mouth and chew slowly, enjoyed the texture and taste.

Wakumi leaned back and scanned the ninjas. "Please, stay for the night." She offered out of the blue to the Team Ten.

Sakura blinks owlishly.

Shikamaru paused holding his chopstick with meat in the air.

Choji munching on his food.

The Lord chuckled. "I believe that is a wonderful idea, Kumi-chan." Wakumi beam at her father. His golden-honey eyes glanced at the Konoha ninjas. "We have a guest room that you could stay."

The pink-haired kunoichi smiles at them. "Thank you for the offer, we are happy to accept it. It's better than sleep outside." She said, happy that she doesn't have to worry about sleep with one eye open just in case any bugs climb onto her body.

"Wonderful!" Wakumi gently clapped her hands, with an excited grin on her face.

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Nighttime…

Her lime-green eyes stared at the ceiling, laying on the futon next to the bed where Wakumi is currently sleeping. Sakura would've stayed in the guest room with her teammates but, Wakumi begged her to have 'sleepover' with her. So, the pink-haired girl gives in, much to Wakumi excitement and her teammates' mirth.

Sakura sighed silently. She and her teammates didn't expect to stay overnight during their mission. And, she was kind of disappointed that she didn't bring any change of clothes. However, she decided just to sleep in her black sports bra with mesh that covered her abdomen, and pink boy shorts. She closed her eyes, attempt to sleep but it was futile. Because she kept recalled her terrible kidnapped earlier today. 'I was so useless… a burden… I couldn't do anything, except waiting and hoping my teammates come to rescue me.' She opened her eyes, regret. '…what kind of kunoichi am I?' her lime-green eyes shifted to the window and decided that she need fresh air.

The pink-haired girl sat up, run through her semi-tangled back-length hair and stood up from a futon. She walked out of the room with cat steps without alerting anyone up in the quiet house.

Once she walked out of the outside, without caring about her appearance as she went to the edge of the ocean. She plopped on the ground; right leg pulled up to her chest as her left foot barely touch the cold water. Her chin rested on her right knee as she wrapped her arms around her leg. She closed her eyes, enjoying the kisses from the coolness breezes as it also playing with her hair.

Sakura savors the quiet peaceful night for a moment until she senses familiar chakra walking, behind her. A small smile appeared on her face when she felt a soft sheet covered her body. And a warm heat from a body sat down next to her. The pink-haired girl's heart warm that someone actually came out of their slumber, out in the cold night, covered her with a warm sheet, and stay to keep her company. It made her feel very happy. 'He always complains no matter what, but deep down, he is kind.' She mused.

A sighed heard. "Troublesome woman." Shikamaru leaned back with his hands behind him. He tipped his head back; his sharp brown eyes scanned the stars and beautiful white moon. A silent appeared around two ninjas until Sakura opened her eyes and glanced over to her lazy teammate. She was surprised to see his appearance as she is not used to it.

Shikamaru is in a mesh shirt, pants, barefoot and his hair was free from the spiky ponytail. His black hair reached to his shoulders, slightly shifted in the air s it was playing by the breezes. 'He's… not bad looking with his hair down…' she mused, carefully studied his appearance. Then she noticed his expression, his eyebrows are knit with a frown. It concerns Sakura as she is wondering why a lazy ninja looked…moping.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, softly with worried while her eyes stay on his face.

The lazy shinobi's sharp brown eyes stay on the night sky. "It's nothing." He answered, nonchalantly.

The pink-haired girl shook her head. "It's not nothing if you look like that, Pineapple-kun." She said with a frowned.

Shikamaru just shook his head and Sakura sighed softly. She lifted her left hand, touch her teammate's shoulder and gently shook him. "Oi…" his sharp brown eyes shifted to her face. "…please, tell me." Her lime-green eyes are widened with pleading, using puppy-dog eyes.

The lazy ninja mentally groaned when he got caught by her glowing eyes. 'Damn woman… I didn't think she can do that.' He sighed, giving in much to Sakura's silent victory. "I wasn't there for you…" Sakura blinked when she saw his guilty eyes.

'W-what does that mean?' Sakura furrowed her eyebrows with confused until she noticed his eyes glanced at her bandages that wrapped around her left bicep, the wound she got from Jako. Understanding lit in her lime-green eyes. She shook her head and dropped her arm back to her lap. "It's not your fault." She doesn't like that Shikamaru is blaming himself for her injured.

"But you got kidnapped, again. And you got hurt…" he clicked his tongue sharply with anger. "If only… this is such a drag…" he turned his head away from Sakura with an upset frown. "If only I was motivated about this shinobi career, you wouldn't be in that troublesome situation."

Sakura stared at him with a blank face. Then she lifted her left hand to her lazy teammate, ignore the sheet fell from her left side, flicked her fingers at his small hoop earring.

Shikamaru startled as he jerked his head to her with bewilderment. His breath hitched when his sharp brown eyes stared at her serious lime-green eyes, their noses are touching, and his cheeks are slowly becoming light pink. "Listen to me…" he watches Sakura leaned back. "…if you keep blaming yourself that you have no control over it. I'll never forgive you, Shikamaru." His eyes widen in shocked, when was the last time she said his name? A month and a half ago? It seems so long ago to him.

"You are a genius; you know how to handle complicated and hard situations because you believe in yourself. You have strategies prepared in your brain in instant, and always stay calm no matter what." Moonlight shines behind Sakura's appearance. "Because you knew, that in the end, everything will be okay." Her eyes somehow eerily brighten as her semi-messy hair dancing in the air by the breezes. "You are the laziest Genin in this entire world, yet you will do everything in your power and your strength to protect people that you care about." A warm smile appeared on her face. "That makes you, one of the amazing shinobis I have ever met…" she admitted, and strangely, the picture of Shikamaru, it made his heart skip a beat.

Then Shikamaru closed his eyes and a half-lazily smile appeared on his face. "I won't blame myself as long as you don't blame yourself." Sakura blinked in surprise. "You are a kind person; you would do anything with the best of your ability and tried to be useful in the team. You didn't give up, and you still here, staying." He opened his eyes to see her stunned face. "You are a strong troublesome woman."

Red blushes appeared on her cheeks from lazy ninja's compliments to her. Her heart glow with happiness. "T-thank you…" then she turned her head up and stared at the stars, she truly loves stargazing. "…but…" she frowns sadly. "…I don't feel strong though. Not after I got kidnapped again. I felt useless and a burden and the only I could do was depend on my brain." She sighed heavily as her shoulders slumped, ignore the sheets full fell, puddled around her. "The plan somehow worked. Although, I still ended up useless. I couldn't use Genjutsu since I was handcuffed. I don't know anything about Ninjutsu. And Taijutsu is my weakest."

Sakura scoffed, smiles humorlessly as she continued while Shikamaru stared at her quietly. "If anyone says who's the weakest shinobi in Konoha, that would be me." Before the lazy ninja could protect, Sakura covered his mouth with her hand. "I know what you are going to say, you don't have to try to cheer me up." A bitter smile appeared on her face. "It's okay because that is a truth. Harsh, but real truth. I accepted that." She dropped her hand and adjusted her position, her right leg dropped down as her feet now barely touching the cold water. "I want to be strong. I want to protect my family, my friends, and all the innocent people. I want to protect the peace. I realized that being Shinobi is very challenging. I have to work hard for it." Her lips firmed with determined eyes. "I have to." She whispered, strongly.

"Cherry-chan…" Shikamaru watches her lime-green eyes that are swirling with emotions. Then he sighed and glanced up at the stars quietly. No more words exchange for a while until he stiffed by sudden physical contact when he feels Sakura's head touch on his shoulder. His sharp brown eyes shifted down, noticed Sakura's sleeping face as her chest move up and down, slowly.

His shoulders relax as he realized that she has fallen asleep. The lazy shinobi carefully grabbed the sheet from the ground, covered her body in an attempt to warm her from the chilling breezes, and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He took another examination of his sleeping pink-haired teammate. '…I will protect you always, Sakura. I will get stronger and I won't fail you again.' He mused, with resolved self-vowed. And he just registered that this troublesome woman just became one of the most important people in his life.

"How troublesome…" he muttered, fondly with soft eyes as he stares at Sakura then shifted his eyes up at the stars once again while his free hand moved a stray of his hair back behind his ear, content.

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Morning…

Sakura fluttered her eyes open as her sights greeted the wall. She sat up while rubbed her drowsy eyes and noted that she is in Wakumi's bedroom. 'Huh? Did I fell asleep?' she frowned, confused as she recalled last night, when she took fresh air and that Shikamaru was with her. 'Did he carried me here?' she mused, feeling touched that a lazy ninja was thoughtful enough carried her to the futon.

Sakura runs through her hair with her fingers as she carefully scanned the room. Wakumi wasn't anywhere and she assumed that the emerald-haired girl is at the kitchen. The pink-haired girl dressed in her usual attire and walked out of the bedroom to the kitchen.

Her lime-green eyes saw breakfast meal on the table with awake teammates and Wakumi. The emerald-haired girl is chatting happily with Choji and Shikamaru is eating his meal lazily. She took a seat next to Choji as she is across from Shikamaru quietly. Lime-green eyes met sharp brown eyes. Sakura greeted him with a smile as she picked up her chopsticks. Shikamaru just tipped his head while chewing his food.

"Where's your father, Wakumi-chan?" Sakura asked after she scanned the room as she noted the Lord is not present, curious.

Wakumi paused, turned her head to Sakura with a polite smile. "He's talking to someone outside." She informed.

'I wonder who?' Sakura mused, confused. Then she starts eating her breakfast, while they are waiting for the Lord to return.

When the Feudal Lord walked back inside the kitchen with a gentle smile. "Good morning." He greeted the ninjas and his daughter, took an empty seat. "My men have caught the kidnappers. However, one of the kidnappers said that their leader escaped."

The females halted and frowned deeply by this news. "Seriously?" the Lord nodded his head with disappointment and irritation.

"You both knew what this guy looked like." Shikamaru speaks up as he glanced at two females who turned their attention to him. "Maybe you can describe his appearance to the artist. Make a wanted poster of hi, spread it around and hopefully, he will be caught and put in jail." He suggests as he doesn't like the thought of a bastard running around somewhere, kidnapping girls again, and especially when he hurt his pink-haired teammate.

"That is an excellent idea, Nara-san." The Lord approved of the plan.

Wakumi nodded her head, agreed. "Yes." She truly wants justice.

After breakfast, the girls described Jako's appearance to the artist who will make copies of it and spread the towns and villages.

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Later…

Sakura and Wakumi exchanged their farewell friendly hugs. "Promise you will keep in touch?" Wakumi asked, hopeful.

"Of course!" Sakura nodded her head and released the hugs from the pixie-sized girl. Wakumi smiles widely at her friend then went to hug the rotund ninja who shyly hugged back. And then the emerald-haired girl waved friendly to Shikamaru. Sakura smacks her lazy-ass teammate's stomach who grumbled silently and waved back lazily.

"Thank you once again." Wakumi's father said with a fatherly smile. His daughter stood next to him, standing in front of their house, watching the Konoha team who are prepared to return to their village.

Team Ten bid their farewell with politeness and respect and walked down the path to the large bridge. After a few minutes of walking, Choji glanced up and opened his mouth. "Hey, look at the name…" he pointed up at the sign of the bridge.

Sakura and Shikamaru glanced up. The Great Naruto Bridge

-BLINK-

-STARE-

-MUNCH MUNCH-

The lazy-ass ninja tilted his head with contemplative. "I wonder this bridge is actually dedicated to Uzumaki, Naruto or that someone must be really like catfish." He blurted it out, deadpanned.

"I'm pretty sure Naruto might know this." Sakura said, confident.

Shikamaru raises his eyebrow at her. "Really? I bet it's not." He smirked lazily.

"Oh yeah?" the pink-haired ninja playfully glared at him. "Then, let's make a bet, Pineapple-kun." She said, feeling bold as she placed her hands on her hips.

The lazy ninja crossed his arms. "If Naruto knows about this bridge, and if he is the reason for this. Then, I'll eat pineapple with you." Sakura's eyes lit up with mischievous. "If I win, you will eat the cherries with me."

"You're on." Sakura smirked, nod her head.

Choji stared at his teammate with a sweatdropped. 'This is the first time I've seen him act like this…' he mused, surprised and interested.

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Location: Konohagakure no Sato

Konoha Gate

Team Ten have arrived at the main gate of their home. The lazy ninja glanced at Sakura with curious and interested. "Are you interested in shogi?" he blurted it out of the blue.

The pink-haired kunoichi blinked but thought about it. "Hmm, I never play it, but my otou-san played shogi before and I've watched him done with a long time ago." She answered, calmly.

Shikamaru frowned. "That's not what I'm asking, woman."

"Patience, Pineapple-kun." Sakura sticks her tongue out childishly. The lazy ninja groaned while Choji munching his chips quietly as he watched his two teammates.

The pink-haired girl giggled. "I'm actually a little bit interested." Shikamaru perks up at the chance of a new partner. He always plays against his father or Asuma, which he doesn't mind but having a new partner means new fresh strategies.

"I could teach you about it and we can give a shot." Shikamaru offered, it would also nice to spend time with his pink-haired teammate.

Sakura smiles softly. "Thank you, but not today." She felt bad, but she recalled that she did promise to a certain knucklehead ninja. "I promised Naruto that we can hang out after mission." She explains, little guilty.

Shikamaru frowned. "Oh…" he shoves his hands in his pockets and turned his head away. "Whatever." He muttered, sulky.

Sakura blinked at him puzzled by his sudden change of attitude. Choji swallowed his remaining chips with knowing eyes. Then the rotund ninja turned his head to Sakura with a polite smile. "We should report our mission to the Hokage-sama." He speaks up, they have been standing around the gate for a few minutes.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru sighed heavily. "Choji and I got this. You go do your troublesome hang out with Naruto." He grumbled, walking ahead. Choji sends his quick smile to a pink-haired girl then catches up to his best friend.

Sakura stared at them befuddled. 'W-what just happen?' she has no idea why Shikamaru suddenly changes his attitude. 'If he was a girl, I would think he's on PMSing or something…' she just shook her head, turned around and walk down the path to the direction of her home while confusing.

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Later…

Sakura walked down the road with a small smile on her face. She had returned to her empty home, showered and changed into her civilian clothes. She is wearing a maroon-red tank top, black shorts, and red flip-flops. Her hitai-ate is left at her home and even decided to let her hair down, freely. She hummed softly to herself while walking while sensing Naruto's chakra signature.

When she found it, she followed the chakra and stood in front of the Ichiraku ramen shop. 'Maybe I could go to the library later today to research more about chakra…' she mused, decided that she should do it.

Sakura walked inside, duck the papers and blinked in surprise when she saw Naruto wolfing down the bowl of ramen and six empty bowls on the counter, next to him. "Naruto?"

The blonde-haired ninja paused, turned his head over his shoulder and grinned widely. "Sakura-chan! You're back!" the pink-haired ninja nods her head, walks to the stool and sat down next to excited Naruto.

"Hai, I am back." Her attention went to the owner of the ramen shop. "May I have beef ramen bowl, please?"

The owner smiles. "You got it!" he turned around and start preparing the food.

Sakura placed her elbow on the counter, with her chin on her palm while her lime-green eyes are on Naruto with amused and amazed by his unusually large appetite. "You and Choji have the same appetite."

"Me and that guy?" Naruto said after he sipped the last remaining of the ramen soup and set it down with a disbelieving frown. "No way." He pouted, disagreed to be compared with Choji.

Sakura giggled softly and the owner set a beef ramen bowl in front of her. She thanked him, grabbed the wooden chopsticks and snapped it open. She remembered a bridge and is curious if Naruto has something to do with it. "Ne, Naruto…"

Naruto hummed as he focuses on eating on his new ramen bowl. Sakura twirls her beef meat in the ramen somewhat lazily. "I saw the bridge this morning, the name was… The Great Naruto Bridge. Do you know why?" she asked, curious and glanced over to a prankster ninja.

"Hehehe, that mission was awesome!" Naruto chuckled excitedly as his sky-blue eyes shifted to her face. "It was my first C-Rank mission!"

The pink-haired kunoichi raised her eyebrow with intrigue. "Can you tell me?" The knucklehead ninja gladly explained the story about his mission in the Land of Waves.

After an hour and a half, Sakura finished her ramen a while ago as she is engrossed by Naruto's fascinating tale. "…and then the whole town people came with a bunch of weapons! Kakashi-sensei and I made Shadow Clones add more people and now a bunch of those losers gangsters ran away screaming! Haha! So, that's how it ended the mission… although…" his sky-blue eyes soften. "Haku and Zabuza are dead but because of then, me and my teammates did grow a little after that battle. We are starting to understand more of reality in the world of ninjas…"

"Wow…" Sakura whispered that she did not expect to hear such a tale. 'Kakashi-sensei sounds like an amazing Jounin, and he is called Copy-Cat Ninja for nothing. I'm still shocked about Sasuke-kun's battle, and Naruto too… even though Ino didn't play much except she did use her Mind jutsu on Zabuza and guarding Tazuna. So, the bridge was made for hope, and it's all because of Naruto…' she is very impressed and admitted that Naruto has definitely grown up the most out of every rookies nine.

The pink-haired girl shook her head, took out some cash from her pockets and paid her bill. She glanced at Naruto with an impressed smile. "You are really amazing…" Naruto blushes by the praise from his crush.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Th-thank you, Sakura-chan!" he chuckled happily.

Sakura's lime-green eyes soften. 'Why didn't I become nice to him from the start?' she wondered, confused until brief flashback came in her head.

[Flashback]

At the age of five, Sakura stared at the five-years-old blonde-haired boy with bright sky-blue eyes that filled with sorrow, loneliness, and sadness. Tears gathered in his eyes as he is looking at the ground while sitting on the swing.

Sakura's heart sank at the sad sight, she walked forward to reach the sad little boy, but her mother grabbed her shoulder.

"Sakura, dear…" Sakura looked up at her mother with confused.

The little Sakura pointed at the sad and lonely boy. "Mama… that boy is sad." She saw her mother's face became darken when her eyes landed on the little boy.

When her mother shifted her attention back to Sakura, her expression changed to soften. "He's not good, he is a bad influence, you will get in trouble with him." She warned the little pink-haired girl.

Sakura frowned with confused. "But mama…" she glanced at the sad boy. "You said always be kind to everyone…"

Her mother shook her head. "Don't. He is not good." She refused to let her daughter go near the blonde-haired boy.

"B-but…" her lips tremble with confused, lost, and uncomfortable. "…di-didn't you say that kindness is a gift… that everyone can afford to give? S-so… why can't I give it to him?"

Her mother glared harshly at her daughter who flinched in surprise. "Don't. I forbid you to give your kindness to that thing. If he comes near you, run away or tell him to leave you alone, be mean to him or whatever you can to get him away from you. And If I ever hear about you going near him, Sakura… you will be in big trouble and there won't be without consequences."

Sakura cowered in fear of her mother's anger. "H-hai…"

Then her mother smiles satisfied. "Good, now let's go home." She grabbed Sakura's hand, walked away from the playground.

A little pink-haired girl looked over her shoulder with guilty. 'I'm sorry…' she mused, sadly that she can't help the sad little boy.

[End of Flashback]

Sakura blinked. 'That's right, because of my okaa-san said, I have to be mean to him if he comes near me and I shouldn't go anywhere near him… but…' she furrowed her eyebrows with confused. '…sure, he's a knucklehead, troublemaker, prankster, and loudmouth wild kid…but… besides all that… he's just… nice.' But then, why is her mother so strict to her whenever Naruto is involved? Why is he not with other kids? What makes him so different?

"Sakura-chan?" the pink-haired ninja snapped out of it, noticed Naruto is staring at her with confusion and concern. "Are you okay?"

The pink-haired kunoichi blinked then smiles at him. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just got caught up in thinking is all…" she shrugged her shoulders then glanced at the clock. "I got to go. It's nice to talk to you, Naruto-kun." She slapped her mouth with her hands in surprise, then glanced at blonde-haired ninja with sheepishly.

Naruto stared at her stunned then slowly his sky-blue eyes lit up and his smiles wide like a warm sun. "It's okay, I like it. It makes me feel like we became good friends!" he chuckled happily as pink blushes appeared.

Sakura soften. "I'm glad it did make you feel that. Well, then… see you around, Naruto-kun."

"Bye, Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved at her, beaming.

The pink-haired girl smiles with amused that she noticed how excited and happy he truly is. She turned around, walked out of the ramen shop and pushed her hands into her pockets. 'This time, I will be nice to you and be good friend, Naruto-kun.' She mused, avowed. 'Sorry, okaa-san… but you can't forbid my kindness to anyone anymore. It's my right to give whoever I want because it's my kindness.' She will have a talk with her parents when they get home.

For now, Sakura is heading to the public library to do some research to learn how she can become strong.

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Konoha Public Library

The pink-haired kunoichi sat on the chair with a few books and scrolls on the table in front of her. Her lime-green eyes scanned the titles that she picked anything that relates to chakra. She grabbed one of the books and read the title. Understanding of Chakra. She opened the book and turned a few pages. 'Alright… chakra is created when two other forms of energy, known collectively as one's stamina, are molded together. Physical energy is collected from each and every one of the body's cells and can be increased through training, stimulants, and exercise. Spiritual energy is derived from the mind's consciousness and can be increased through studying, meditation, and experience. These two energies becoming more powerful will, in turn, make the created chakra more powerful.' She paused; she knew this as she did cover this from the Ninja Academy.

Sakura tapped her index finger against the book as her lime-green eyes scanned the other books and scrolls. When her eyes found the title. Chakra as Tools. She grabbed it and opened it. 'Hmm…chakra flow refers to both the flowing of chakra through an object as well as any technique that increases the potency of a weapon by flowing chakra through it. Right… this is like using elemental chakra with weapons.' She understood, she doesn't know what her elemental affinity is yet, but it would be very useful to have such skill. Especially that she has perfect chakra control. 'But I don't know what my elemental is yet, but I'll get back to this soon.'

Her lime-green eyes shifted to the books once again, grabbed a different one that said, Invisible Chakra. She opened it with interest. 'Let's see… not a lot of information but… this skill allows the user to suppress their or their allies' chakra to the point that it becomes completely undetectable. This could make it impossible for sensor type shinobi to track them via chakra. However, if having one's chakra suppressed, they will be unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu.' Sakura hummed with interest. So, if she suppressed her chakras and her allies' chakra, except she can't use any jutsu. 'But… what about my allies? I'm the one who suppressed my and their chakras, does that means they can use jutsu?' she decided to keep it a mental note to test it out with her teammates. It might be very useful.

Sakura continued to read different types of chakras from different books and scrolls until one sparks her. She paused at the information and reread the title from the cover. Manipulate Chakra. She turns back to the pages. '…this technique… it allows levitating by using chakra… but there isn't instruction nor explanation much…' however, she has been reading all sorts of different information from all kinds of books. 'I recalled that Tree Climbing method and Water Walking method makes me think of gravity, like… magnetic. What if, I use weapons, manipulate them with my chakras like magnetic?' she mused, with excitement. It would be so useful to have such skills, if she lost her kunai or couldn't reach it, she can use her chakra to 'levitate' back to her or even send it to her enemy. 'Not only that, I can even use my feet if my hands are bound…' her eyes gleam with all kinds of possibilities.

Sakura is very happy that she has decided to check out this chakra in the library, who would've thought she could find such possibilities of having new skills for her career?

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Nara Clan

Meanwhile…

The lazy ninja sighed softly as his sharp brown eyes examined on the shogi board, he is currently playing a match against his father; Nara, Shikaku. He is half-distracted and half-focus on the game while his father is sipping his tea, calmly.

Shikaku eyeing his son quietly. He is not dumb when his son arrived home, he told him that he wants to play shogi. And Shikaku knew there's something bothering his son right now. His son always goes to sleep, or cloud-watching after he returns from a mission, and only play shogi when he is well-rested. Shikaku gently set his cup of tea down next to him with patience.

The father glanced at the clock. It's been nearly fifteen minutes since he made his move and Shikamaru hasn't played yet. Shikaku knew there's definitely something wrong with his son. For sure. The father sighed silently to himself then stared at his son who is dazed. "Is there something bothers you?" Shikaku asked, knowing his son won't say anything first so might a well say it, it's less troublesome.

Shikamaru snapped out of it and glanced up at his father. "Ah…" he hesitated then frowned softly, confused.

'He looks lost…' Shikaku raised his eyebrows at his uncharacteristically son. He never thought he would see his son's expression that before.

Shikamaru's sharp brown eyes shifted back to the shogi board in silence.

Shikaku sighed once again. "Was its mission? Teammates? Your sensei?" then he paled. "Wait… it's not about your puberty, isn't it?"

"What?!" the young lazy jerked his head up at his father in flabbergasted and awkward. "No, old man! No way! Troublesome!" he shook his head, embarrassed.

Shikaku slumped his shoulders with relief. "Oh good. It would be such a pain to explain all this to you early." He said, watch his son who made his move on shogi, finally.

"Well…" Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, nervously. "…I feel like playing shogi against my teammate but…"

The head of Nara Clan blinked as he lifted his piece and made a move on the game. "Choji wants to play shogi? I thought he's more interested in foods than play, plus he always said this game makes him too dizzy with all the rules and knowledge." He stated as he was well aware that Akimichi and Yamanaka aren't interested in shogi.

"No, not Choji." Shikamaru shook his head as his eyes studied the shogi game board. "My other teammate. Ch-Sakura." Shikaku noticed his son's slip up but didn't make any comment. "Sakura is interested in shogi, but she has another plan. Troublesome woman." He muttered with disappointment.

Shikaku's eyes spark with understanding and amused. 'Ah, so that's why he's been sulking. I wonder who she is really.' He mused, interested. "Tell me about this teammate of yours."

The young lazy genius furrowed his eyebrows at the board game and moved his piece. "Her name is Haruno, Sakura. She has analytical strength, Genjutu know-how, and perfect chakra control." He briefly explained his pink-haired teammate.

"Ah…" Shikaku grinned lazily with understanding. "…you want to play against her in shogi because of her analytical strength? What about strategy?" he made another move of his piece and wait for his son's next move.

Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders. "Hai, and I don't know. But it might help her develop new skills, having strategies along with her analytical would be powerful. Which is why I want to test it out by playing shogi against her. She might prove to be a challenge for me. Who knows? Sounds like it might be a pain in the ass but…" he made his move on the game board.

The father raises his eyebrow with lazily smirked as he made his last move and won the game. Shikamaru sighed heavily as he lost the game, again. Shikaku picked up his cup of tea and took a sip. "She must be interesting enough for you to asked her to play shogi against you."

"Wh-what's wrong with that? Troublesome…" Shikamaru looked away with small pink blushes.

Shikaku chuckled softly. 'Even my genius son can be dense sometimes…' he is genuinely interested to meet Haruno, Sakura who caught his son's attention.

Author Note:

Some reviews mention that Sakura has both Water and Earth which I remembered that (oops?), so, if you like, feel free to tell me what animal should Sakura has? I like to keep my mind open and interest to know your knowledge and opinion about it. :)

What animal summoning should Sakura have?

Otter: 4

Meerkat: 3

Raccoon: 2

Squirrel: 1

Quoll: 1

OTHER: (what animal and why?)