Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Child at Heart ❯ Morning ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own Naruto. ::sobs::
Title: Child at Heart: Morning
Notes: My first Naruto fic. This is revised, I wasn't too happy how I wrote the story, hence a revised edition. Ta-da! Hope you enjoy! Just to let you know italics means the character's thoughts.

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She walked slowly to the meeting spot. It had been months since the whole team was together for a mission, she pondered as she made her way through the crowd. Every now and then she would hear laughter from children playing, or women gossiping about the latest events. Nothing had changed; it was still a busy morning just like any other morning in the village of Hidden Leaf.

She was no longer a little girl, but a young woman of 18 years. Her pink hair had grown silky and long again, reaching just past her breasts. And her body had filled her clothes out nicely. Gentle curves complimented the young woman that caught any man's breath with one glace at her direction.

She no longer had her childish dreams about marrying a certain someone, a certain someone who happened to be full of himself. She had matured and she was very proud of that. Although she still liked to daydream every once in a while, but it couldn't be helped. It was a way to escape a hard life as a kunoichi.

Each step she took, the more she found herself deep in thought. She quickened her pace, the last thing she needed that morning was to be scolded by her teammates and former teacher because of her tardiness. Tardiness…she giggled at the thought of having Kakashi lecture her about the importance of being punctual.

Not bothering to look up towards the path, which she knew very well by memory, she made a sharp turn and accidentally collided with someone. The impact caused her to land hard on her bottom with a loud thump.

"Ouch..."

"You should pay more attention while you walk, Haruno."

Her head jerked up to the sound of her name. Her green eyes softened to see the man gingerly offer his hand to help her up. She accepted the offer and was gently lifted up only to meet a pair of silver eyes.

"Thank you Neji-san," she shyly said trying to avert his gaze.

Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink, which made Neji smirk.

"I heard from Hinata-sama that your team is going on a important mission."

"Yes," she turned her gaze to Neji, who still had the smirk played on his lips, "we won't be back until a week or so, depends on the weather."

"Good luck on your mission."

"Thank you, well I better get going. I have to meet my team at the bridge. Bye Neji-san."

She politely bowed and started her way once more, but stopped when she heard Neji speak.

"I'll walk you there Haruno."

She felt her cheeks burn and she quickly responded with a stutter.

"O..o..kkay."

Breathe Sakura, stay calm, and control your hormones. Don't let him see you nervous; don't show your weakness to a man, that will just ruin your reputation as a powerful kunoichi and a woman. Oh… I feel like I'm twelve again, oh God I hope I don't embarrass myself like last time!! Ok, breath Sakura, just relax. Try not to think about last time!! Stay calm, act like nothing ever happened between us and that horrible nightmare of a day!

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"What is taking her so damn long?! She's never late!!"

A blonde man shouted to his teammate who merely shrugged. He too had grown just like his teammates. He was no longer the shortest out of the three, but the tallest. His golden hair had grown a bit and his deep blue eyes captivated any girl that looked into them, hypnotizing them in a way. He was still loud and obnoxious, but he was always calm and shy around his girlfriend, Hinata.

His teammate who stood at the bridge's rail had also grown into a man. Sasuke finally decided to stop his quest for revenge. Realization hit him the day he was brought into the village after trying to seek Orochimaru for power. He concluded that seeking power from Orochimaru was not worth it, especially when he found out from the Hokage that he was planning to use his body for his own quest to destroy the Leaf.

"Sasuke!! Aren't you a bit worried about Sakura-chan? She's never late when it comes to missions!!! What if she got kidnapped and we don't know it yet? What…"

Naruto was silenced by a pebble that hit him right between the eyes. Sasuke just stared at his fallen comrade who lay limping on the floor. Even if Sakura was twenty minutes late it wasn't much of importance since after all their former teacher was always late for any occasion, but as hard as Sasuke tried to forget he couldn't shake the feeling that something might have happened.