Enjoy chapter 11!

Talking: “...”

Thinking: “...”

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

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Chapter 11: It Just Begins

“Give your report.”

“Sir! We indeed found Naruto Uzumaki. But it seemed he was too strong to defeat.”

“Even for Sasuke-kun?”

“Well... it seemed that Sasuke was weaker at that moment...”

Orochimaru closed his eyes and grinned. “Seems like our Sasuke-kun isn’t fully learned as he thought he would be...” He opened his eyes again and looked straight at one of the men who were with Sasuke that evening.

“What caused Naruto-kun’s kyuubi form?”

“Ah, sir, it apparently was caused because Sasuke hurt his friend who was with him that evening.”

This caught Orochimaru’s attention. “So you’re saying Naruto-kun went crazy because one of his friends got hurt?” He asked the men in a evil-like tone.

This made the men gulp, “Y-yes, sir. It was a girl. She had pink hair.” One said.

Orochimaru knew who she was. ‘Of course, so obvious...’ He thought as he stood up, walking towards the door.

He looked at the two men, “You are dismissed.”

“Yes, sir!” The two men said, quickly making their exit, glad that they were still alive.

“Well, Naruto-kun, it seems that I found your greatest weakness.” Orochimaru said to himself as he walked through one of the long halls of his lair. “Let us test her skills...” He said as he disappeared into the darkness.

It was fall in Konoha, as the leafs fell down on the ground, and the air became colder. But that was not the reason for not going to Ichiraku’s for some ramen.

“Say, Naruto, do you believe in guardian angels?”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked Sakura, while finishing his ramen. Naruto had invited Sakura to Ichiraku’s for some ramen.

Sakura continued, “Well...you know... someone who looks over you... from heaven. Someone who protects you from danger?”

Naruto had put his bowl down and looked at Sakura. It looked like he was thinking of his answer. “Mh...No, no, not really.” Naruto finally replied, somehow disappointing Sakura.

“Oh, really...? Not even a feeling that there was?” She continued to ask.

“No, not that I can remember. Why do you wanna know, Sakura-chan?”

“O-oh, well.. no reason, really. I just wanted to know... that’s all.” She replied, ending her sentence while laughing nervously. Naruto just shrugged as he finished his bowl.

Sakura wasn’t sure if she should tell him that she met his mother, let alone that she is his guardian angel. He would probably think she was crazy.

“Naruto, I have to go. I have to run some errands for my mother.” Sakura said as she stood up, putting her red scarf around her neck.

Naruto stood up as well, “Do you want me to walk you home?” Naruto offered, but Sakura shook her head.

“Thank you, Naruto, but I’m fine. Besides, it’s still day, so there’s no danger.” She said as she smiled.

Naruto smiled as well, “You’re right, Sakura-chan. I’ll see you soon, right?”

“Of course!” Sakura smiled as she took a step forward to give Naruto a kiss on the cheek. She pulled back, only to see a shocked Naruto with a blush on his cheeks. She giggled as she blushed as well.

“Bye.” She said as she walked away. Naruto was still shocked as his mind failed to remember what just happened.

“I knew she was your girlfriend!” The manager said as he saw what happened. This remark made Naruto’s face even redder.

He turned his face towards the manager, “She’s not!” He defended. The manager just shrugged as he continued his work.

“But I wish she was...” Naruto whispered as he walked out Ichiraku’s, on his way home.

Sakura never felt this good. She kicked the fallen leaves away that were on her path, as her scarf danced with the wind.

She knew why she felt so good; because she was able to spent time with Naruto. She never want to lose him, ever again.

While she walked on a leaf-covered path, she noticed something strange; there was no one around her. Normally, there would be a few people who would make their way to the market or the other way around.

‘This is strange...’ Sakura thought, as she unconsciously began to walk faster.

The wind began to blow harder, as the leaves started to twirl around her. She came to an abrupt halt, as if someone grabbed her feet.

“This chakra... It’s enormous!” She knew only one person who had this chakra.

‘Behind me?!’ She quickly turned around, only to see-

“Sakura-chan!” Naruto yelled as he ran towards her.

“Naruto?” She whispered, surprised to see him. She looked before her again, only to notice that the huge chakra was gone. Although it was gone, Sakura had still an uneasy feeling.

Naruto finally caught up, “Sakura-chan! I’m glad I still got hold of you.” He panted.

“What’s up, Naruto?” She asked, actually surprised to see him. Her heart began to beat faster, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of what just happened, or because Naruto’s here.

Naruto began rubbing the back of his head, while blushing a bit, “Well... I don’t have anything to do, actually, so if it’s ok if I help you with those errands?” He held his eyes closed while grinning.

Sakura softly smiled, “Of course you can, Naruto.” Naruto’s blush disappeared and he smiled as well. He walked besides her, kicking away some leaves.

But Sakura’s uneasy feeling didn’t go away, “Naruto, did you felt something strange, just before you caught up with me?” She asked him.

Naruto looked at her, “Mh? No, I didn’t feel anything.” He replied.

“Oh, than it’s just me.” Sakura smiled.

More leaves began to fall down, and Sakura loved every sight of it. But somehow, the leaves were also slippery.

Sakura took one step forward and, with her luck, she stepped on one of the wet leaves. She fell backwards, giving a little shriek.

“Sakura-chan?!” Naruto said, as both of them didn’t noticed that Sakura grabbed Naruto’s jacket, bringing him down with her.

They fell down with a thud, with Naruto on top of Sakura.

“Ow, ow, ow...” Sakura said, her eyes still closed. She felt something heavy on her; that can’t be good. She slowly opened her eyes, only to be looking in Naruto’s bright blue eyes. She didn’t even noticed that he was blushing, but she felt that she was.

“Are... you ok, Sakura-chan?” Naruto almost whispered, speaking with a soft voice.

“Y-yeah... I’m fine... How about you?” She also whispered, never looking away from his eyes.

“Yeah...” Was his only answer. Sakura couldn’t blame him; she couldn’t get much out as well.

Without them noticing, their face were drawn closer. “Naruto... I think...I...” Sakura began, but more than that didn’t came out.

Their lips barely touched each other, as she felt Naruto lips moving on hers while he whispered; “I know... I do too...” He closed his eyes, as she did the same. He finally touched her lips, giving her a soft kiss.

It wasn’t a passionate or hard kiss, no, it was a soft kiss, an un-experienced kiss, like they were scared to go any further.

Naruto never felt this happy; he finally kissed the girl he had a crush on for so long. But he now knew it was no longer a crush; it was real love. He loved her.

Sakura felt the same way. They way he was kissing her, made her feel like she could fly. Her arms made their way to his neck, kissing him deeper.

Unfortunately, it couldn’t last forever. They were out of breath. They slowly pulled away, wanting to taste each other lips just for a little bit longer until they broke away. They opened their eyes at the same time, seeing each others gorgeous eyes again.

“Sakura-chan...” Naruto whispered as he lifted his head just slightly.

The wind began to blow harder again, as the leaves twirled around them. Suddenly, Sakura’s eyes went wide, as she felt that same chakra again.

“Naruto, this chakra...!” Sakura said, fear in her voice.

Naruto looked at her confused, “What...?” But she didn’t had to answer anymore; he was here.

There was an evil laugh being heard from behind them. Naruto quickly stood up, while helping Sakura as well to stand up. He immediately stood before Sakura to protect her.

“Naruto-kun... seems like you are enjoying your day...” Naruto was now sure that it was him.

Naruto gritted his teeth, “Orochimaru...” Another evil laugh was heard as Orochimaru’s body became visible right before Naruto and Sakura.

Naruto began to sweat; he knew he was no match for Orochimaru. Sakura wasn’t taking this light either; she knew what Orochimaru could do, she knew what he had done.

Tears began to form in Sakura’s eyes, tears of fear.

“It seems you were too strong for Sasuke-kun, am I correct?” Orochimaru grinned, as he took little steps forward.

Naruto actually growled; he didn’t knew from himself what happened, but he heard it in the hospital.

“What’s it to you?” Naruto asked, trying not to show his fear.

Orochimaru grinned, “Well, that just means I have to train Sasuke-kun harder, right?” Naruto didn’t say anything, he just glared hard at him.

Orochimaru continued; “But I don’t need him to know your true weakness, right, Naruto-kun?” He said, as he glared over Naruto’s shoulder, right to Sakura who was frozen to the ground.

Naruto noticed he was talking about Sakura; that made him even more angry. “You leave her out of this!” He yelled, forgetting his fear for a moment.

“Oh?” Orochimaru said, and without warning, his neck became long and changed into snake skin, aiming for Sakura.

Naruto quickly grabbed a kunai from his side pocket to defend her and himself, but Orochimaru was too fast. He practically pushed Naruto away with his head, making Naruto fly backwards.

“Naruto!” Sakura screamed as she wanted to go after him, but was stopped by Orochimaru.

“You are coming with me...” He said as he quickly moved his head around her, making his neck some kind of rope to hold Sakura. He moved so quick, that she hadn’t had the time to grab a kunai.

Orochimaru had Sakura tightly in his grip, making it impossible for Sakura to escape.

“Let... go!” She said while struggling. But Orochimaru didn’t move an inch. His head appeared on the right side of Sakura’s head.

“Now, let’s see if your prince can save you from this.” He said, as he pulled his neck back in, making Sakura fly towards him. She shrieked as she couldn’t escape.

As Orochimaru’s head was back on his lace, his neck turned normal, and for a split second, he let Sakura go. Only to make his arms longer and capture her again. His arms were a few times around her, so that she couldn’t escape.

“You let her go right now!” Naruto yelled, and began to attack him. Orochimaru could see his cold, red eyes.

Orochimaru grinned, enjoying the show. “You can have her back, Naruto-kun... only if you are able to find me... and able to kill Sasuke-kun.”

This shocked both Naruto and Sakura; he wants Naruto to kill his pupil?

Naruto was still outraged; “No!” Naruto screamed as he charged at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru still grinned, as he jumped backwards, slowly disappearing with Sakura. Sakura noticed this, and began to struggle more.

“Naruto...Naruto!” She screamed. She was able to free one arm, wanting to reach Naruto. Tears were falling down her face, as she wanted desperately to grab his hand.

Naruto did the same, as he reached out to her, while jumping towards her. “Sakura-chan!” He almost reached her, and when he did, Orochimaru disappeared, together with Sakura. Orochimaru left while his evil laugh was still heard.

Naruto landed on his feet, his eyes once again turning back to blue, as he fell on his knees. The only thing he caught, were Sakura’s tears.

“Sakura-chan!”

To Be Continued