It was a beautiful day in Konohagakure.
The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and all just felt right in the world to one Naruto Uzumaki. With a smile that shined brighter than the sun, the newly graduated Genin practically skipped out the Academy doors with three thoughts running through his mind: (1) He was awesome, (2) he needed Ichiraku Ramen, the food of the Gods (and may all who say otherwise burn like the heretics that they are), and (3) now that they were on the same team, maybe Sakura Haruno, the smartest kunoichi in his class who also happen to be his crush, would finally agree to go on a date with him! Naruto had been trying for years to gain the girl's affections, but every time, the pinkette would rebuff him. However, today would be different. Today would be the day! He was feeling on top of the world and nothing could bring his spirits down!
So, with that in mind…
"Hey Sakura-chan! Now that we're on the same team, would you go out with me?" the boy casually asked his crush as he followed her outside. Surely, she would have time, right?
After all, their now former Academy Instructor Iruka Umino, had just informed them that they had a couple months before their teams began active duty. Apparently, there had been a recent attack on the Daimyo and as a result, the man had requested for some of Konoha's top shinobi to help protect him and eliminate the threat. This, unfortunately, meant that most of the new teams' Jōnin Captains/Instructors wouldn't be around until they could ensure the Daimyo's safety.
However, on the plus side, this also meant that he had two entire months to kill besides training and stuff. And what better way to fill that time than going out on a date. And besides, even if she refused, they could still just try and get better acquainted. After all, they were on the same team now.
Unfortunately, Sakura wasn't thinking along the same lines as Naruto. In fact, aside from getting on the same team as Sasuke Uchiha (proving that true love does conquer all, SHANNARO!), the girl had had a horrible day. It had started when she overslept and, thus, did not have the time to apply her makeup so that she could look good for Sasuke. Then, she realized that unless she skipped breakfast and left right away, she would be late for the team announcements and also lose her chance to sit next to the Uchiha, something her rival, Ino, would no doubt take advantage of being the vicious bitch that she was. And Sakura refused to let the Yamanaka get the best of her in anything. Unfortunately, once she got to class, it was as if the Gods themselves were trying to make her life miserable as she witness the most horrible of incidents.
It had been so horrible, so terrible, so unforgivingly wretched that her heart had shattered and somewhere deep in her soul, something shriveled up and died… Or puke. She wasn't sure which.
What happened, you ask? Well, she witnessed Sasuke's first kiss… Stolen by Naruto. BY NARUTO! That kiss was supposed to be hers, dammit! That action had immediately put her on end with Naruto, so when he, in his oh so ignorant and stupid mind, pranced up to her and asked her out… AGAIN… well, needless to say, she snapped.
"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP YOU STUPID, ANNOYING, USELESS SHINOBI WANNA-BE?! YOU'VE ASKED ME A THOUSAND TIMES ALREADY AND I'VE REJECTED YOU EVERY SINGLE FUCKING TIME! WHY DON'T YOU JUST GET IT INTO YOUR THICK HEAD THAT I DON'T WANT TO GO OUT WITH YOU AND NO GIRL IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EVER EVEN CONSIDER GOING OUT WITH SOMEONE AS UGLY AND PATHETICALLY WEAK AS YOU!"
Sakura huffed in exasperation and left to track down (cough, cough… read: stalk… cough) her other teammate. While she did feel better after venting her frustration, a part of her couldn't help but think on whether she had been too harsh. She eventually shrugged off the concern for her blond teammate and focused on catching up to Sasuke, confident that Naruto would bounce back. He did that every single time she rejected him, so why would this be any different?
~ Scene Break ~
It hurts.
This feeling… It hurts so much.
Why?
Why did she say those things? Did she really mean them?
Naruto felt his heart shatter. His elation from today's events disappeared while what little pride he genuinely possessed was utterly crushed. He had never felt so low nor could he stop the negatives thoughts that now ran rampant in his head, questioning his self-worth and Sakura's claims. Was he really that bad a shinobi? Was he truly that despicable and ugly that no girl would ever go out with him? That one truly hurt… Sakura had never been so harsh out of all the times he had asked her out. Aggressive, frustrating, and even a little mean, yes, but never so cruel as to say that no girl in their right mind would go out with him.
But then, what girl would willing go out with the Kyūbi vessel? It was something Naruto had never thought of before, but now, he realized just how dangerous it would be for a girl to show interest in him, especially with how negative and, occasionally, violent the villagers could be.
Closing his eyes, Naruto bowed his head and valiantly fought the tears that threatened to fall. He had not cried for years from the hate of the villagers and he would not cry now. He was stronger than that despite the hurt he felt and despite the depressing thoughts that refused to leave his mind.
"Naruto?"
Startled, the blond boy looked up to see his favorite teacher walking up to him, a concerned look on his face.
"Are you alright, Naruto?"
Putting on his best fake smile, which failed miserably if the frown on Iruka's face was any indication, he said, "Of course I am, Iruka-sensei! Who do you think I am? I'm going to be Hokage someday, after all!"
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