Demon Children (working title)

CH 3

Sakura ran down the street, heedless of the annoyed glances being thrown her way. She didn't care that she'd accidentally bumped a few people here and there. She needed to find Naruto. She needed to know what the hell was going on. It was a prank, right? How could someone like him house the spirit of one of the most terrifying beings ever created. He was always so happy, so carefree. There was no way someone like him held a demon inside. If someone had told her the same about Sasuke, she might have found it more believable but this was Naruto. This was the boy who never failed to smile, even when he wanted to collapse; the very same boy that had a crush on her since she'd known him.

What a horrible way for his secret to be exposed. He had obviously wanted to tell her himself, in his own way, but that had been ruined by one ignorant old man. Now, she had to track down Naruto and find out the rest of the story. It didn't even occur to her to be afraid of him or angry at him. He was her friend and some demon couldn't suddenly change that. At least, not without attacking her but she knew Naruto would die before that happened.

She looked up, wondering when she'd left the confines of the city proper. Without noticing, she'd made her way to the river that bordered the training grounds. It was the very same place they?d met so often before missions during their days as team 7. It would certainly make sense to look here, but alas, he was nowhere to be seen. In all her haste to catch him, Sakura had forgotten one key ability; the ability to sense chakra. Unless she missed her guess, Naruto would be in no fit mind to remember to suppress his chakra.

Walking to the center of a small bridge, Sakura performed a few quick seals and concentrated, seeking Naruto?s unique chakra signature. Almost immediately, a trail appeared in her mind?s eye headed farther north towards the Hokage Monument. It was a spot she?d found him several times before, usually when he had something big on his mind. He always said that the stone faces inspired him when he was up there; something about his dream becoming clearer when surrounded by those who shared it with him. If he wasn?t there, she was out of ideas.

~*~

?Stupid old man,? Naruto sighed, his legs dangling over the edge of the cliff, ?Now Sakura hates me and I wasn?t even the one who told her. Why?d she have to find out like that?? The sprawling streets of Konoha lay before him, bustling with people. ?Does everyone down there hate me?? he wondered until he looked over at the cliff?s newest addition. ?No, I guess not.?

He sighed again, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands, ?I guess I?ll have to ask Tsunade-baba to find someone else to come along.? There was always Neji. He had already witnessed Naruto?s power first-hand so it would be easier to explain, but he was always away on missions now since he was a Jounin. Shikamaru would be a good candidate. He was so smart that he probably already figured it out for himself. Of course, he was a proctor for the Chuunin exams, so that left no time for a mission that could possibly take months. ?Maybe she?ll just let me and Gaara go alone.?

?What, I?m not good enough to come on this mission?? asked a female voice from behind in mock hurt.

Naruto winced. Sakura?s was the last voice he wanted to hear at the moment. She was probably here to yell at him or tell him that he was a monster or something like that. ?Did you come to make fun of me, Sakura-chan? If so, say what you have to and go. I still have to get a new team mate.?

Without warning, Naruto was hefted up by his collar and tossed through the air, landing back in the middle of the cliff?s viewing area with a thud. When he regained his senses and looked up, it was to see Sakura looking positively livid. So she hated him so much she was going to try and kill him now. At least he wouldn?t have to deal with her hatred. What she said, however, shocked him to the core.

?You-you idiot!!? she screamed. ?You really think I would do something as stupid as that? Is that all the credit you?ll give me!?? Storming up, she slapped him across the face, ?Idiot! We?re friends.? He ire began to wan, replaced by tears, ?Even if you have some sort of demon inside you, you?re still the same person I?ve been working with since I was twelve. You?re still one of my precious people, demon or no.?

Her tirade was cut short when Naruto pulled her into a fierce hug. She knew she had shed some tears but the occasional hiccup from Naruto told her that he was crying harder than she?d ever seen any boy over the age of ten. She was surprised, to say the least. She?d never seen Naruto cry. He hadn?t even cried openly when he found out that the Third had died. All she wanted to do now was hold him and take away his pain. He had always protected her, now it was her turn.

~*~

It had taken nearly ten minutes for Naruto to regain his composure and even now, he was still sniffling every so often. He and Sakura sat quietly on the bench, neither really knowing what to say. He had dropped his fa?ade for her entirely and she had gratefully accepted him. He couldn?t have been more relieved when she?d held him and let him cry, not to mention what she?d said before-hand.

Surprisingly, it was Naruto that broke the silence, ?You know, I?ve never had anyone my own age know about the Kyuubi. Sandaime made a rule that no one could ever tell their children about it or me so I wouldn?t have to put up with the same hatred from people my age.? Looking down, he placed his hands on his stomach, ?When Yondaime sealed this thing inside me, he wanted me to be seen as a savior, but it didn?t work out that way, but I could always pretend it was ok, especially after I met you guys.? He looked up into the sky with a wistful smile, ?You know, if it wasn?t for Iruka saving me from Mizuki I probably would have turned out like Gaara. Then it was you guys. You, Kakashi, Sasuke; you accepted me too. It made life bearable.? He turned to face her, giving her a soft, heartfelt smile, ?Now, having you know my secret and still sitting here with me,? he shook his head in disbelief, ?You can never know how much that means to me.?

When she saw him smile at her like that, she couldn?t suppress the blush that came to her cheeks. He was certainly cute when he looked like that. It wasn?t his usual prankster smile, but one that showed how he really felt deep inside. It was the type of smile she wouldn?t mind seeing directed her way more often. ?I meant every word of it, Naruto. You?re my friend and you always will be.?

His smile widened and he nodded, ?You too, Sakura-chan.? In his mind, Naruto added that he hoped for more someday.

Looking at his watch, Naruto gaped, ?Wow! It?s so late! You?d better get home before your parents get worried.?

Sakura looked at her own watch and nodded, ?You?re right.? She stood and brushed the imaginary dirt from her dress before heading toward the steps, ?We should get up early tomorrow and prepare for the mission. It?ll take all day to buy what we need. I?ll meet you tomorrow around ten on the bridge and we can get what we need, ok??

Smiling broadly, Naruto nodded and waved after her, ?Yeah. See you tomorrow, Sakura-chan. Sweet dreams!?

___________________________________________________________________
Hrm. I wonder what I?ll do next for them. I?m gonna work their romance up very gradually I think. I?m tired of reading the, ?Oh. I love him. Why didn?t I notice it before!?? stories. Though they?re amusing, they?re overdone and I wanna try to be a little different. We?ll see if I succeed or not.

#21 Wrathchylde

#22 Smiter

#23 Rathgar

#24 Tsunade

#25 Faucon

#26 Shinyu

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