I don't own Naruto or any other it's characters! If I would, after Sakura's little confession they would've lived happily ever after. And kicked certain emos ass back to Konoha...
WARINING! This chapter might contain some OOC. And also being little lame and boring.
Not So Different
Chapter 1
I'm Uzumaki Naruto! And I'm going to become Hokage!
"Why?" that was all Sakura could wonder. Ever since she was kicked out from orphanage, she had been teased and even being punched a little and called by many names. Most of them had been like "Giant Forehead girl", "Wierdo" and some people had even called her "Green Eyed Imp" or "Demons Little Helper".
Everyone were always mean to her. What did she ever to do to them? She wasn't even let in inn. The first nights she had spent somewhere around the village. Either being somewhere on the street or in the woods. But she soon met a man, whose face she recognized from the Hokage Monument. This was their Third Hokage who had taken the place of their deceased Fourth Hokage.
At first she was really frighten. Had the Third Hokage come to make sure that her little miserable existence was swept away from the village. And what next happened made her whole mind to a stop. The elder Hokage had asked her to stay with him!
At first she thought it was someway his plan to get rid off her, so her first night was rather stressful. After spending two more days at Hokage's place, she was able to calm down. But even if Hokage had given her a place to stay, people still treated her badly. Some became ever worse. But she now had some hope that not all people hated her. But she was still sad that she couldn't have any real friends.
But there was something else that had happened when she had started to live with the Hokage. Those few nights, she had these weird dreams. It was, what she guessed was the night when the Fourth fought the Kyubi. She was in some sort of forest.
She was carried by a pink haired woman, who she guessed was her mother. And man next to her who could have been her father. They both looked like they were in the hurry. Next thing she knew, they collapsed on the ground. She was dropped into ground. She heard baby crying, which she guessed was her. She saw her parents were pierced with many kunais on their backs. Her mother tried to reach for her but few more kunais were stuck into her back and she didn't move anymore.
Now Sakura felt like she wanted to cry, why would someone do this? What did they do? But she didn't think about it long as she felt some dropped behind her. "No one can't escape my revenge." she heard someone talking, almost to himself.
The next thing she knew, her throat was hurting and she was lying on small pool of blood. She then realized that it was her blood!
She then saw as her younger self turned around just to see a glimpse of a orange mask. And then it just disappeared. And she could feel her world going dark. Even if this was just a dream it just felt so real.
But then she felt a presence. It was really powerful presence, like some sort of giant creature. From her weak eyes, Sakura could see an enormous figure looming over her. She then felt when something warm and nice started radiating through her body. Then she heard it. "Don't be afraid child. You will be fine." the voice sounded like a caring mother who was always there for her child. Always there to comfort her if she was being bullied, after seeing some terrible nightmares and even having heart breaks with their crushes.
She soon felt the wound on her throat was gone and it was little easier to breath. She then felt when something large grabbed her and lifted her. After that everything was rather blurry. She was on the air, flying really fast, but then something strange happened. There was this bright light and the green figure that was holding the small Sakura started shaking. Then it had started shrinking, until it had disappeared.
Then she had woken. The same dream had haunted her few times. But, last night it ended little differently. This time when she fell, she didn't woke up immediately, instead she saw dark green eye watching her, covered in some strange green aura before it disappeared into the darkness.
After those dreams more strange things had happened. One day Third told Sakura that she couldn't live with him anymore, this had made Sakura of course really sad since she enjoyed living with the old man. And she didn't want to go back to streets. But then she learned that Hokage had prepared for her, her own apartment. And if that wasn't enough she learned that he had also put her into the Ninja Academy.
Sakura didn't know what to do, but did give huge "Thank you!" many times and one big hug. But even when she had moved, she was still being made fun off and bullied. Although now it seemed that for some strange reason they all of sudden left her alone. Like they found something better to do than attack her. To this she was thankful.
But one day, when she being chased again. She was soon trapped to a small and dark alley. By a small group of people. "Why don't you just get your Demon friend and get out of here!" one of the bullies yelled. He was around fifteen years old, so Sakura could guess he was a Genin from the Academy.
And she didn't get the idea what they meant with "her Demon"? Was there someone like her? She had wondered that many times. But she hadn't seen anyone. But she soon tried to defend herself by raising her hands when some adult was closing on her.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" she heard someone yelling. "It's the Demon!" she heard the same adult yelling who had been close to beat her up. "Get him!" some young boy screamed and everyone seemed to forget about the pink haired girl. "Wha… What just happened?"
Had someone actually stood for her? She then remembered how everyone had reacted towards the boy. "He must the one they call 'Demon'!" she said to herself.
She slowly got back to her feet and quickly tried to follow the mob that went after her rescuer. It wasn't so hard to look for them, since their footstep's were somewhat easy to recognize. She soon heard people yelling and kicking and punching. Also heard the whimpering of her rescuer.
She quickly hide behind the corner while watching. She slowly felt as her sight became blurry and her eyes watered. As she didn't know what to do, she didn't know how to help him. After maybe what felt like an hour everybody started leaving.
After every single person had left, Sakura came out of her hiding place. Now she could have a good look on her rescuer. He had spiky and messy blond hair, almost identical like Fourth Hokages hair. He was wearing a simple white short sleeved shirt with swirling flame on it. He also had light blue pants. But what really Sakura wonder were strange whisker marks on his face.
"Are those things real, or just some sort of tattoos?" she wondered. But quickly remembered the injuries he might have. She quickly ran to him and laid her hands on his chest. She had learned this strange healing process few days ago. When she was badly hurt, she had felt the same warm presence like in her dream.
It was rather easy to use it on herself, but now she had little difficulty to radiate it to the boy. "Don't worry child, in time you will learn how to use your gifts on the others." she heard again that voice, but it felt like a really quiet whisper. She stopped for a moment trying to find the one who talked to her. "Where are you?" she asked.
"Not now child. And you need to go somewhere else. You and him are still in danger." the voice had a point. If she stayed here more angry people might show up and that might not been a good thing. She picked up the boy and walked fast as she could towards her apartment. He made small voice as Sakura put him on her back, she turned to look at the boy, only to find two bright blue eyes looking at her.
She halted her walking while looking at those eyes. In those eyes she could see the same loneliness she was going through. Then the boy grunted something that Sakura couldn't make out of it. But soon as the boy had said something he had already closed his eyes. Sakura then started running again.
Sakura's apartment.
Sakura sighted. It have been few hours and the boy still hadn't awakened. Few times he had made some sounds, but those were mostly sleep talking. She hadn't left his side at once, she wanted to make sure that he was fine.
As she stared at him again, she noticed those strange whiskers again. And an urge to touch them, to fell if they were some sort of tattoos or even a birthmarks or some sort of scar. She slowly raised her hand and brought it closer to this boys face. But then the boy moved and it looked like he was waking up. Her hand was just inches away when those blue eyes opened up again.
Naruto didn't felt good at all. Every place hurt like hell and he felt really dizzy. But he also noticed that he wasn't lying on hard and sore ground, instead he was lying on really soft bed. Was he at the hospital again? He didn't hear any kinds of sounds that would give away that he was in hospital. It was far more quiet.
He then remembered! The cute pink haired girl that he had been helping out few times now. He had taken away those people that were going to hurt her. He couldn't understand why would anyone want hurt someone pretty looking like her. It had just made him angry and wanting to make sure that she would be save, but also making sure that she didn't see him.
But didn't think about it, when felt someone near him. He quickly opened his eyes and was greeted by the green eyed and pink haired girl, whose hand was just few inches away from his face.
There was a silence between them as they looked at each other with confusion. But that changed fast as they both reacted rather rashly. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
While Naruto jumped right other side of the bed and his back hitting the wall, the pink haired girl on the other hand dropped on her back. Both now looked at each others with shocked expressions.
"Sorry I didn't mean to…" they both almost screamed in embarrassment, but quickly shut themselves when they talked at the same time. Both of their faces were red. Once again an awkward silence filled the room.
Sakura decided to break the silence. "Uuuum… sorry about scarring you. I… didn't mean to…"
"Uuum… yeah." the boy laughed nervously, rubbing back of his head. "No, need to worry. I just hope you are okay." he said, his face getting redder.
This of course made Sakura's face go also little redder. "Yeah. I'm fine. And I guess should thank you about saving me." but then Sakura lowered her head in shame. "What's the matter?" the boy asked.
Sakura hated when she was crying, it made her feel weak and useless. And she also hated it when people were especially watching her crying. "I… I wished that… I could helped you when those people hurt you." the boy looked at her with surprised look.
"But you kinda already did." he said with wide smile. Sakura then looked at him with watery eyes. "I mean that, you did took care of me." he said pointing himself. "But I don't only meant this time. You were the one who lead those people away from me right?" she asked, still with watery eyes and sad voice.
"She figure it out?"
"Uuuuuumm, yeah, I did. But it didn't matter. Oh! By the way, my name is Uzumaki Naruto!" boy named Naruto said. Having large fox like grin on his face.
Sakura looked at him with surprise. The way he just changed the subject. And then again it was little impolite not to tell who she was. "My name is Haruno Sakura." she smiled, while trying wipe away her tears.
"Nice to meet you Sakura." Naruto said still grinning. "Same here Naruto." Sakura smiled.
"Do you live here all by yourself?" Naruto asked, looking around the apartment. He was surprised how much it looked his own. It actually looked almost too much same as his did. Could be that they lived in the same apartment house?
"Yeah. I've lived here only about a week. Why would you ask?"
"Well, this place just reminds me too much of my own apartment." Naruto said, still looking around. How he could not notice her living here before?
"Really?" she couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't notice him before. Well, now that she thought about it, she didn't leave her apartment that much because she was afraid that she might be getting attacked again.
"Yeap. But why haven't I seen you before?" he asked. Well, had seen her outside many times, but never actually seeing her entering in the same "house".
Now Sakura looked little embarrassed. "I mostly stay here, so that the people can't hurt me."
Naruto looked at her wide eyes. Was she actually that hated by the villagers? Was really just like him? "I mean after I met the Hokage, I thought things would calm down, but it only got worse." Sakura said sadly.
"Wait! You also met the Old Man?" Naruto asked with wide eyes.
Sakura gave an odd look to Naruto. What kind of name is that? She actually gave Naruto a little nasty look. "If you meant the Third Hokage, then yes. He actually gave me this apartment."
Naruto then all of sudden laughed, throwing his head backwards. "That's funny. I also got my apartment from him. He also gave a chance to attend at the Academy." Naruto said with his wide grin and eyes closed.
Sakura stared at him wide eyed. Why the Third didn't mention about him? Maybe just forgot about him. But Sakura couldn't help make a small giggle at Naruto's energy. "Same here."
Then Naruto's face all of sudden seem to got brighten. "What you say if we became friends? I mean, we both are kind of alone and the Old Man had given us a place to stay." he said.
Sakura stared at him surprised, nobody hadn't wanted to be her friend. Almost everyone had just called her by names and hit her. She could feel her eyes watering again. But this time from happiness and again she tried to wipe her tears away before Naruto noticed. But it was too late. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" he asked little conserved. He didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"No. It's… its nothing like that. But I never had any real friends." she sobbed a little.
"So, does this means we will be friends?" Naruto asked.
Sakura nodded with sweet smile on her face, which strangely made small blush on Naruto's face. "Yes." she simply said. The blush on Naruto's face seem to redden a little, but he still gave her, his grin. "Great! What you say if we should go together to the Academy?" asked little nervously.
Now it was Sakura's turn to blush, she knew it was an innocent question, but it somehow had this effect on her. To this she only nodded. "Great!" Naruto said. "Then I get you tomorrow Sakura-chan!" Naruto said as he got out of the bed and ran to her door and went outside.
Sakura stared dump folded at the door, Naruto had just used. But then blushed madly, realizing what Naruto had called her. Then she remembered what he had said. "Tomorrow? Oh no!" how she could have forgotten that the Academy was tomorrow. "I need to buy myself new cloths!"
She quickly got up and left her apartment too. Trying to get the necessary cloths she needed.
Next day.
Sakura was little nervous. Since she was going to Ninja Academy and it sure that everybody wouldn't still leave her alone. But she knew that she had at least Naruto would go with her and that was somewhat comforting. She then put her dark blue shirt and pants. And small clothing on her head so it would cover her pink hair. She felt stupid to do this, but at least the people might leave her alone.
She walked outside and waited. After maybe waiting for fifteen minutes, she heard someone running really fast behind her. When she turned around she noticed it was Naruto, but with little different cloths. "Gah! Too much orange!" was all she could think.
"Hey Sakura-chan, why are dressed up like that?" he asked. Looking strangely at her new clothing. "I'm just trying a new look." she lied.
"Oh, to tell the truth it kinda looks little stupid." Naruto said, rubbing back of his head nervously. Sakura gave Naruto a mean look, while her left eye was twitching a little. "But I think you looked better in your red outfit." he quickly added, when noticing the mad look she gave him.
Sakura's expression changed, but she still little bit ticked off that Naruto had so bluntly told her about outfit. But she decided to drop that argument. "Thanks, I guess, but should we be heading towards the Academy now?"
Naruto's eyes went wide and next thing Sakura knew was that, she was being forcefully dragged by the orange suited boy who was in the hurry. After what felt like few minutes, she was surprised when they were soon at the Academy.
She couldn't believe how many people were there. For a short time she tensed up and got nervous. She didn't know if she could do it. But she then felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She found looking at the ocean blue eyed Naruto. Who gave her reassuring look and smile. This encouraged her. And so, two of them entered Academy.
At classroom.
Sakura looked interested around the classroom. Both, she and Naruto had took their places at back side of the classroom. Mostly since Sakura still didn't feel like being middle of the class and maybe the spot light.
After waiting about ten minutes, their classroom door opened and two people stepped inside. First teacher had dark brown hair and a large scar across his face. Sakura couldn't help but wonder if he was some veteran. But then again, he didn't look like that old. He was probably somewhere around over thirty years.
Same with the second person, he had blonde hair and pale face. But there was something about him that didn't feel right. "Maybe it's just his face." she thought.
"Greetings everyone." the first person talked. "I am Umino Iruka and this is Mizuki." he pointed the pale haired and faced person next to him, who gave the class one big smirk or a grin.
"So, I want you to tell me a little bit about yourselves." he said, giving them a warming smile. Sakura could already tell that she and Iruka might come along. "So, let's start with you." he pointed at Sakura. She immediately tensed up. "Please, raise from your seat and introduce yourself." he gave her insuring smile. Possible trying encourage her, possibly seeing her looking little nervous.
Sakura then carefully raised herself, the whole classrooms attention on her. "Hello, my name is Haruno Sakura." she said nervously. Since she didn't have many ideas she decided to go with a simple answer. "Well there are few things I like." she decided to leave them out so she might not embarrass herself. "And what I greatly dislike are rude or any kind of people that treat others badly." she tried to give the impression that she wasn't someone to mess with.
She then sited herself. Iruka looked rather pleased. When he turned his gaze on Naruto, Sakura noticed that his expression had changed a little. Same with Mizuki, although his expression looked more like disgusted. As Sakura slowly seated herself. Then it was Naruto's turn.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to become the next and strongest Hokage Dattebayo!" he yelled out. Sakura, Mizuki and maybe the whole class looked at Naruto like he had grown a second head. "And I also like Ramen." he added and took his seat. "What?" he asked when he saw Sakura looking at him with a weird expression. "What was that about?"
Naruto laughed a little and gave Sakura his familiar smirk. "I'll tell later." he said. Sakura stared Naruto for a moment. Since there was something changed in his attitude. "Well, these might interesting years" she thought. Since she was possibly going to spent lot of with Naruto. "Indeed child." a quiet voice said. But Sakura wasn't paying attention right now.
Yeap. Kinda lame, I know. But I'm not so good at starting stories. But don't worry as the story goes on it will get better. Hopefully :P
And the next chapter is going to be little short.
But I still hope you someway liked this.
Oh! And this story was inspired by a story "A New Tomorrow" by gotmilk113
So, ARIGATO TO OYASUMINASAI!