Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Guidance ❯ My Guide ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: If I ever stop eating chocolate, I'll invest that money to buy Naruto.

 

Author's Note: Genma is my 2nd favorite male character (even though he isn't a main one) that is only out beaten by Kakashi. Hmmm I mentioned Kakashi in the story and had given him a supporting role.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ = Change of scenery

`…'= Thoughts

 

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One of the best feelings on earth must be being held in the arms of someone you love. She felt that now, lying in bed with strong arms wrapped around her. Those arms were capable of crushing a human being. Yet, when they were around her nothing but a sense of safety, warmth, and care would arise.

 

How had she come to be in those loving arms? To be as lucky to have someone there holding her? It had happened quite awhile ago. Well, a few months generally. She cherished every moment since it began till now, and hopefully for the rest of her life.

 

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*6 months ago*

 

Sakura never dated men her age anymore. They were either loud, aggressive, lazy, closed off, or plain stupid. She had learned that years ago after Sasuke had left. Now that he had returned—she didn't care. Older men were much more satisfying. Finding them wasn't a difficult task. She was a jounin now at age 20. Her standards for dating were basically: good looking, great kisser, and he had to have 5 years on her.

 

Attractive men in Konoha were not a hard find. Her ex-sensei for one had been a wonderful man. Being 14 years her senior was plenty of maturity and experience. As a child she had always looked upon him as attractive, smart, a little spacey, but accomplished all the same.

 

Yes, after Kakashi stopped seeing Sakura as a child they formed a relationship. For awhile, people around the village gave them skeptic looks. Some thought it was wrong for such an older man to date such a young woman, especially after the student teacher situation. Personally they didn't give a crap about any of it. All they cared about were each other, the caresses, and the incredible sex. Although they could avoid remarks and rude glances, the deeper bond between them didn't last. Caring and sex was wonderful while it lasts, but another strong emotion was lacking. After they broke it off, they remained friends and resumed training together.

 

Once that was aside, Sakura didn't have any problem dating older men. She grew accustomed to the rumors. Soon it had gotten to the point where she didn't even keep a man for more than a week before moving on to a new one. `It's just for sex, she doesn't care about their feelings' some would think. Others had another opinion, `Hell yea it's just for sex, but the men sure don't seem to care! As long as someone is getting fucked it's okay. Kakashi must have taught her something other than just fighting techniques.'

 

It was rather true. She'd gone through most of the male jounin/ANBU in Konoha. Any worth dating that is. Asuma hadn't lasted long; his smoking habit had been quite a turn off. Few days and he was out. Izumo, Iwashi, and Tsujimi had been fine for awhile. No way in hell was she going near Gai. Anybody else was probably a one night stand.

 

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Now she found herself in a bar drinking herself silly. `So this is what my life has come to. Sleeping with every guy there is and now getting myself drunk. Oh yes, this has become my shinobi way.' How had she gotten herself in that situation? She didn't know, nobody knew. Psychiatrists would've said: It's a relapse, psychological problems from when Sasuke left. Now, for a further examination pay me $90 an hour. Perhaps in a more professional manner. All the same, she didn't know if she could open her heart to someone again. Just to have it crushed when they left. The only solution— leave them first. Crush their heart for a change.

 

“Hey Sakura, if you keep doing that you're going to end up wasted.”

 

“Good.” Was her simple reply. She really didn't notice who was talking to her.

 

“Come on, you don't mean that! Look at all the hot guys here. You have to be sober and take a look!” It was Ino. The blonde haired girl was very chipper. Apparently Sakura wasn't the only one who had some booze in her.

 

“Agh, I don't feel like scoping out guys with you now, Ino.” Right now was not a good time. Sulking was her main focus, and it was going to remain that way.

 

Grabbing her arm, Ino dragged Sakura over to a table full of jounins. “Come on Sakura! Loosen up. There's gotta be someone in here that you haven't been with yet.” Ino put it the best way she could. What was she supposed to say? `Come on Sakura! Stop moaning about your over active sex drive. There has to be some guy in here that you haven't fucked!' Despite their childhood days, Sakura pulled up in the `guy count'. No matter what it made Sakura feel, it made Ino feel jealous ten times worse.

 

“Hi Sakura. Nice seeing you here! How are you?!” Gai replied with one of his award winning smiles. He definitely didn't give up hope, being the only one Sakura stayed away from.

 

“I'm fine…just fine.” She was still rather upset at her thoughts. Ino stabbed her in the side with her elbow.

 

“OW!...er…um…How are you all doing?” replying with a happier tone, hopefully avoiding another jab to the side.

“We're just fine.” Kakashi said, “Let me introduce you to the table. Asuma, Gai of course, Kurenai, Anko, and Genma. I'm pretty sure you know everyone. Have a drink with us.” His smile was more than reassuring. She sat down and began talking with a more contented feeling.

 

“Hm, yes hi everyone. But I don't believe I've met you Genma.” Sakura replied. It wasn't seducing or sly, just a friendly admission of not knowing someone. Apparently, Ino took it as something completely different.

 

“Yes, I do believe I haven't met you either, Genma!” Ino nearly screamed.

 

“No, I guess we haven't really met. But I was the judge at the chuunin exams after…the incident.” He was referring to when his friend Hayate had been brutally murdered. Sakura saw a slight trace of pain in his face, but it didn't linger long. Ino, being how she was, stepped up.

 

“Oh how sad! But I do remember someone incredibly hot judging the chuunin 3rd exam. I suppose that'd be you!” Practically chirping.

 

“Well thank you. I work out.” He gave her a small wink.

 

Kakashi cleared his throat and gave Genma a warning glare.

 

“Heh, heh, of course we all do…being shinobi and all…” Genma muttered.

 

Anko piped up, “Stop trying to hit on these girls Genma! You need to buy them a drink first!”

 

“I don't think…” Kurenai began.

 

“No, I think that's completely right! Thank you Anko! Ladies, why don't we step over to the bar. I'll buy you both a drink.”

 

Ino was ready to pounce on him and push him to the bar. Sakura wasn't quite as excited, but accepted.

 

Genma went to order the drinks while the girls sat at the bar. Ino's gaze never left the handsome man. However a chuunin being dared to sing the song “Do you know the Muffin Man?” caught Sakura's eye. It wasn't the chuunin himself, it was the fact that he was pressured into singing such a childish song. Rather cute though, she had to admit.

 

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and jumped up a little at the touch. A beer was placed in front of her.

 

“I do know the Muffin Man.” Genma replied. His senbon tilted upwards as he smirked.

 

“Oh really, is he nice?” Sakura laughed.

 

“Yes, he told me that you were a great girl. That I should get to know you more.”

 

“Hm…I'd like that. But where's Ino? She'd probably like that a lot.” She giggled. It wasn't hard to notice how much Ino found Genma attractive.

 

“Muffin Man took her home. Said she should probably call it a day. Apparently she had a few too many drinks.”

 

“Ah, I noticed that too.

 

“Well then, what do you say? Want to go out for a late dinner with me?”

 

“Wouldn't have it any other way. Lets go.” She gave a small smile. Threading her arm through Genma's she let him lead her out the doorway.

 

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This was nice, heading out to dinner with what seems to be a great guy. Sure he flirted some, and he had that senbon in his mouth all the time but he seemed to be wonderful. He was a friend of Kakashi's right? She could trust him. At this point in her life she had gotten sick of sleeping around. Not being able to trust somebody, having the label of `slut' and `whore'. She was ready to give that up. But…could one dinner with Genma change that?

 

They stopped in front of Ichiraku. The ramen shop for a late dinner with Genma… Not the most romantic place to dine, but did she really expect 5 star restaurant?

 

“The ramen shop? Oh Genma, you shouldn't have! You'll spoil me!” Sakura joked.

 

“Well, if you insist, you can pay for yourself.” Genma slyly replied. After Sakura gave him the `better be joking' look he added, “Of course I'm kidding. What kind of date would I be if I let you pay for yourself?”

 

“My point exactly!” Sakura exclaimed. She enjoyed it already, how they could laugh around with each other.

 

2 orders of beef ramen later they sat at the table talking.

 

“I really enjoyed this, Genma. Thank you.”

 

“My pleasure, I enjoyed it as well. You're a great girl. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.”

 

Had he known about the rumors? The rude remarks, the truth? Why else would he have told her all those things? Was it possible that he was a man that liked her for who she really was, other than Kakashi. Until now, Kakashi had been the only man that actually cared for her. Everyone else had just used her. It felt wonderful to think that another man would care for her in such a way. Once again, could one dinner cause an affect like this? Could it be another scam to get her into bed? It didn't seem to matter to her anymore. The want, the need to be needed was too strong. Her will was weak, she wanted to cave.

 

“Sakura, I've heard the rumors. If they're the truth I really don't give a shit. I hope we can be friends, and if it leads to more that'd be great.” Genma said, as if sensing her inner debate. He found her attractive, mature, and smart, major qualities in a good woman, or person for that matter. For all those qualities to be in one person was wonderful. Of course he was hoping that their friendship would escalate to something more. Something more physical, more emotional, the whole package. Right now, she needed to slow down; he knew that even if she didn't. Rushing things was out of the matter.

 

After they left the Ichiraku he walked her home. Her arm wrapped around his, head on his shoulder, the perfect image of a couple. Perhaps it grew to a little more than friendship already.

 

Arriving at the doorstep of Sakura's apartment, she turned to meet him.

 

“Look…Sakura...”

 

“Shhh…” She placed a finger to his lips. Slowly she inched towards him making sure he wasn't going to run away. The travel distance of half a foot seemed to be half the distance of earth. But finally, finally it happened.

 

He stopped her. Someone finally had the guts to stop her. Enough courage not to get sucked into her seductive trap. It would've been so easy to give in, to fall into that trap of pleasure. Her lips had looked so inviting, so beautiful, yet he halted those lips to stay where they were. To him, it was something more important than sex, he wanted a real meaningful relationship with this woman.

 

Sakura stepped back feeling what seemed to be shock. He didn't respond the way she had hoped. She wanted him to let her kiss him, to kiss back. Maybe…he didn't see her the way she had thought.

 

“Sakura, listen to me. I don't want to ruin this night with sex. As stupid as it sounds, it would destroy any chances of this becoming more. Yea you heard me, I want this to be more. This won't be a relationship based on love, it'd be based on sex if we continued with it that way. We need to approach it one step at a time.”

 

No matter how much it hurt to say, to have stopped her, it had to be done. She didn't seem too happy about the decision he made but accepted it.

 

“I understand Genma. This will be good for me…I've been rushing into relationships and things lately. You're just too hard to resist.” It had sounded like she was pulling his leg. But in all reality it was true. One day of knowing him, he had captured her heart.

 

“So, tonight was step one. The introductions and dinner are accomplished. How about we meet for lunch tomorrow to move onto step two?” Sakura said. She really did want this to go somewhere. It was time for the one night flings to end.

 

“Step two it is. I'll meet you here around…let's say 12?” He gave her a slight wink and a kiss on the cheek.

 

As she watched him walk away, she felt oddly relieved. `He stopped me from ruining what could have been. I'm so happy and still…a little disappointing. Tonight would've been fun.' She smiled at her thoughts and walked inside her apartment.

 

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Inside wasn't too glamorous. A small kitchen was visible but she hardly cooked, it was more for show. Her living room consisted of a good sized sofa and a couple of armchairs. The bookshelf was crowded with books. An entire shelf was dedicated to little orange books labeled “Icha Icha Paradise”. Time with Kakashi had definitely grown on her.

 

She plopped down on her couch beginning to think things over.

 

“So step two…I wonder how many steps we'll take. This really is getting to be so much.” She said aloud as usual, often talking to herself in times of needed comfort.

 

“He really is a great guy… We should get to know each other. Ha ha, I should probably learn his last name first.”

 

“Shiranui. Shiranui Genma.”

 

Whirling around to meet the face of whoever replied, she was not at all shocked.

 

“Kakashi, when are you going to stop barging into my home? You lost all those rights after we separated.” She shot out. He really didn't have any reason to be coming in, eavesdropping on her discussion…with herself.

 

“Ok sorry, sorry.” He held his hands up in an innocent defense gesture. “What's bothering you? You haven't been this down since Sasuke left, and I'm sure you're over that…”

 

“Kakashi…do you think I'm a whore? A slut? A bimbo?!” She shrieked. This was what's been eating away at her mind the whole time.

 

“Sakura!” Kakashi was shocked at her sudden burst of…well…slight confession. Yes, in terms she had been sleeping around. Did that qualify her to be a slut though? He walked over to hold her, but she pulled away. Instead, he settled by patting her on the back. “Shhh…Sakura, no I don't think you're any of those things. You're just a little lost and need somebody to guide you. I just wasn't that person, and neither were a lot of other guys. But you'll find him soon. I promise.” He gave her his one eye smiles.

“Your ability to reassure me has never left, Kakashi. I really appreciate it…but, how are you going to keep your promise? Even a great shinobi like you can't be guaranteed.”

 

“Let's say I have a feeling.”

 

“I think…Genma is the one. He's the one to guide me.”

 

“We'll just have to wait and see…wait and see, Sakura.”

 

“I will, I'll make sure I will.”

 

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Author's Note: This was intended to be a one shot, but then it got really deep…I worked harder on this than my other fan fic, which is why it's longer and, hopefully slightly better planned out… I'm not very good at planning out a plot in advance. Anyways, if you like it I'm glad. The next chapter not be out for awhile >.>