Chapter 88

Naruto turns to Sakura, expressing, "it took me a week to learn tree-walking and even if it takes the teme less, I bet you he won't get it on his first try."

"Hardly anyone can get tree-walking on their first try," Kakashi states looking to relieve the tension, only for Sakura to flinch as Naruto adds even more tension by replying, "Sakura-chan got it on her first try, and I learned how to walk on water a week after I learned to walk on trees."

"Don't be so fucking full of yourself you idiot!" Sasuke yells. "You think I care you learned one thing all shinobi have to learn?! I don't! Because no matter how many lifetimes you train for, you'll never gain the power of the Sharingan!"

"Yeah well, when you do finally decide to get your pink eye you can copy this," Naruto yells as he gives Sasuke the middle finger. Naruto walks away as Kakashi holds an absolutely fuming Sasuke back.

Though Sakura would much rather stay with Sasuke-kun, to cheer and support him—to be his strength—Sakura doesn't want to risk Ino's retaliation should the platinum blond inadvertently learn from Naruto that she stayed with Sasuke when she didn't have to. With a muscle-tearing hurt in her chest, Sakura glumly tells Kakashi, "Sensei, I'll stay with Tsunami-san." She turns to an absolutely seething Sasuke-kun and tells him with pitiful cheer, "I know you can do it Sasuke-kun-"

"Just shut up and leave!"

Though hurt, Sakura is empathetic to Sasuke-kuns feelings of embarrassment and so truly knows he doesn't mean to snap at her. She leaves her sensei and her love.

HAKU

From behind Haku, Gatō and his two guards enter the moderately room unannounced, though the Kiri-nin heard them well before they reached the room. Zabuza is laying in bed while Haku tends to his wounds.

"You Kiri-nin must be worthless," Gatō spits. "I'm not paying you to lay about."

Zabuza says nothing so then neither does Haku.

Walking up to the bed like he's in no danger, Gatō is about to place his hand on Zabuza. Sensing the kunai in his master's hand, Haku takes it upon himself to act angered and irate for the Zabuza's injured state, grabbing and breaking Gatō's hand. Haku not only wanted to keep Zabuza from aggravating his injuries further, but he also wanted to keep his master from brashly jeopardizing their future plans for the Fourth Mizukage with the money they'll earn here.

"You have a week," Gatō yells, holding his trembling injured hand. They talk of their target's family as they leave, but Haku is more concerned with his special person. He can't care about a family he's never met more than the person resting before him. His special person is suffering. Grabbing a basket after a quick change, Haku heads into the forest.

"Oh, nee-chan, you woke me," Naruto mumbles. He rubs his eyes of sleep as he informs her, "ne, you shouldn't be out here by yourself. It could be dangerous."

"What about you?" Looking at his headband, Haku gently asks, "are you perhaps a ninja?"

Far more awake, Naruto smiles greatly as he adjusts his forehead protector. "Sure am! I'm going to be the greatest Hokage ever!"

"Oh," Haku smiles at the cheerful blond. "Is that why you're out here? Training?"

"Yup! There aren't any shortcuts so I need to become super super strong if I want to be the greatest Hokage."

"Mnnn, but why?" The question makes Naruto tilt his head and Haku adds, "you already seem very strong."

Naruto shakes his head at the pretty girl, vocalizing with passion, "no, no, no. I need to be super strong! I have precious people I need to protect."

"Do you believe you can only be truly strong when you have a precious person to protect?"

"Mmm," Naruto hums questioningly, thinking about Naru-nii. Certainly, he didn't know everyone he's protecting but his precious people are among everyone. "I don't completely know," Naruto admits before he clarifies. "I'd definitely do everything in my power to protect my precious people, so yes, but there are also friends I haven't met yet, right? Just because I haven't met them yet doesn't mean I wouldn't protect them too… right? I don't know. Like, I just met you today but we could totally be friends. We could be the best of friends!"

"Maybe we could," Haku smiles prettily, making Naruto blush a bit and miss Kurenai a lot.

"We definitely would," Naruto states, extending his hand. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"

Humored by the very upfront attitude, a smiling Haku takes Naruto's hand as he introduces himself, "I'm Haku."

'No way!' Naruto mentally screams, expression of shock clear on his face. "Haku!"

"Uh, yes," Haku states slightly apprehensively and on alert. "Is there something wrong?"

"Eh? Oh, no," Naruto tries to recover. "I was just surprised is all. You're way cute!"

Haku actually blushes as he looks to the ground and recalls why he was out there. "I have to collect some medical herbs."

"Can I help?" Naruto asks, wondering how to help Haku. "I'm actually pretty good at picking plants. Just show me what it looks like." After Haku shows him the plant, they both begin searching and picking all the while Naruto tries to wrack his brain for a plan to help Haku.

"Thank you for your assistance Naruto-kun."

"Ne, can we meet tomorrow," Naruto asks. "Same time and place?"

Surprised, Haku simply nods before leaving.

SAKURA

Guarding and assisting Tsunami-san was going well until she courteously comments, "you must be very strong if you don't need to practice with your other teammate, Sakura-chan."

It irked Sakura that she immediately pictured Sasuke-kun rather than Naruto, but as Sasuke is the only one who can't tree-walk yet, the Rookie of the Year is the only one in training while Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura are on guard duty.

Tsunami-san continues, "it's rather lovely to see someone so pretty who is also ninja."

"…ah, um, thank you," Sakura manages around her trepidation.

"I've heard from father your teammate has defeated all the attackers you met along the way here. Naruto-kun must also be very strong."

Internally, Sakura heaves as she makes a mental note to switch with Naruto tomorrow and weakly mentions, "we're all very strong."

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