Chapter 14

"Okay, then Sakura, how about a date?" Naruto asked, clearly happy and motivated, thinking he might finally have a chance.

Looking at his expectant face, I knew it was time he knew the hard truth. Besides, I always felt it was a shame he never realized Hinata's feelings for him for so long even after she had rushed out in front of Nagato Pain for him.

Just because I became Sakura did not mean I'm was going to follow canon and have Uchiha Sasuke bang me; In spirit, I was still a dude and still straight. Or was I now gay because I preferred girls? Paradox. That also meant there would no longer be an Uchiha Sarada or at least not born from me so that meant bye bye to the original canon in some way.

If so then I could mess up canon a bit more without affecting future events too much. After all, my knowledge of future events would be one of my weapons till I grew strong enough to completely ignore all future butterfly effects.

"Listen Naruto, I know you like me but I need you to understand something, I don't like boys. I prefer girls." The blonde-haired boy completely clueless to what I had just said, tilted his head to the side, seemingly unable to comprehend to mechanics behind it, or maybe he just did not understand me. He had seen me, or more precisely, Sakura, freak out and fangirl over Sasuke. Deep in thought about what I actually meant, I waited for a bit until he finally understood, evident from the deep blush on his face.

"You understand, now don't you?" He nodded at my question as I continued.

"Good, then I would be happy to be your friend, Naruto." The shock on his face was evident, followed by excitement as tears began to flow down his face. The kid was extremely happy.

After calming himself down, he asked, "By the way, if you like girls then why were you always trying to get that Sasuke bastard's attention like all the other girls in the class?" He asked, tilting his head confused.

"It's called trying to fit in. Everyone has their flaws. Don't worry, I have no intention of doing that anymore." I answered with a smile and continued, "Besides there is someone who has a secret crush on you so bad, yet you have been too dense to notice."

"Really, who?" His face eager to find out.

"Someone who has been trying just as hard to get you to notice her just as you have been trying to get me to notice you. She is just too timid to show herself." I continued on with the curiosity on his face growing ever strong. No matter how much he tried he could not think of anyone. Dunderhead

"I am not going to tell you, maybe I'll just have her for myself." I said, teasingly. Maybe. I may have said so just to tease Naruto, but I was beginning to actually consider it. Besides, Hinata was truly not bad at all.

'Maybe I should just go after her. I mean, screw the canon right, I have already messed it up a bit just by existing already, right? Whatever, let's see how it goes.'

"…kura. Oi, Sakura. Are you listening?" I was brought back from my thinking with Naruto right in from of me, waving across my face.

"Huh, sorry Naruto, I wasn't listening. What did you say?"

"I said you can't have her. She is mine." He said with a serious, matter-of-fact face.

"What are you talking about? You don't even know who the person is." I said tiredly, massaging the bridge of my nose.

He probably never imagined there would actually be someone out there aside the old man Third Hokage, who not only had for the longest time probably already acknowledged his existence, but actually had a crush on him. He had just been too preoccupied with trying to get acknowledged by others to notice. His wide and happy childish smile threatened to tear his face as he giggled here and there.

"By the way, what's with the paint?" I asked, although I knew what they were for, I decided to ask anyway and pointed at the cans that had flown to different directions.

"Hehe, one of my latest pranks." Puffing out his chest, he replied proudly.

"Why?" He scratched his head to show he did not understand my question.

"I meant why are you always pulling pranks?" My question made him sad as he looked down, his body shivered almost unnoticeably, seemingly trying to force down his tears. I might have reminded him.

Before he could try and speak, I cut him off, "You have done nothing wrong you know." His head snapped up at me. Tears he was fighting so hard to stop, already at the rim of his eyes.

I intended to properly talk to him since my fatherly mode had almost been triggered all the way, but suddenly had a weird idea. It was most probably wrong. No, it was definitely wrong.