Healing

"Dammit," He thought to himself as he raced through the trees "I am so late, they're gonna kill me." He sped up trying to reach his destination on time. That was until he missed a step and went crashing down to the forest floor. Nursing a sore shoulder he dragged himself to his feet and started to dejectedly walk no longer caring he was going to be late anyway. We he finally reached where he was going, a small clearing with a black stone on the eastern edge, he took in his surroundings. There were two people in the clearing a girl who look close to his age, with a great figure and the most amazing pink hair he'd ever seen. She wore a hot pink t-shirt and a black silk pants, on her feet were shinobi sandals and her head band was tied onto the top of her head, to hold her hair back.

The second person was a boy, about his age maybe a year older, he had long shaggy and spiky blonde hair. He wore a blood red t-shirt and black pant; flat thong style sandals were on his feet. On his head was a blue head band and the right side of his face was covered in heavy bandages. The girl turned to him, her face angry.

"Late again Kaka…" she cut her self off "Hey you're not Kakashi-sensei. Who are you?"

"Is this Team Seven?" he asked a bit shy.

"Yes," the girl replied "Why do you ask?" He hesitated, however before he could give his reason, a voice behind him cut him off.

"So, you must be Haru." Haru turned to see a tall man with silver hair and his head band over one eye standing behind him with his hand tucked into his pockets.

"Haru?" the girl asked.

"Yes, Sakura, Naruto this is Haru Muri," said the Silver haired man. The blonde looked at him with suspicion. "He's the newest member of Team Seven." the Blonde's face contorted but he stayed silent. The Pinkette, however, did not.

"But Kakashi-sensei I'm not sure if that's…" she cut herself off again glance nervously and the blonde. Haru glanced at him again and saw the boy had his face down, his blonde hair masking his eyes. Haru didn't have to be a mind reader to see that the boy was against this idea. He just hoped he would blame him, it wasn't his choice. He'd been placed on this team because on his last team he was fighting more and more with a teammate and it had already jeopardized several of their missions. So to end the bickering. The squad had been broken up and Haru had been assigned to this team. He knew some of the history behind the infamous Team Seven.

Sasuke Uchiha had once been a member of this team, but he died in the Land of Waves on a mission that had escalated far beyond the abilities of any Genin. He had been fighting the enemy on his own while the Uzumaki boy stood by and watched, it was because of the blonde haired boy that the Last of the Uchiha was dead. Balling his fists Haru glared at the boy, but try as he might, he couldn't get the young man to raise his gaze.

"Alright," said Kakashi "Let's get on with today's training, it'll be relatively short. Combat training, You'll fight each other for three hours, do not hold back, if you do you will get injured because chances are, because your opponent won't." Haru stared at the man. They were expected to fight each other. He glanced at his new teammates. Neither of them seem phased in the least. "However since Haru is new I'm adding a second rule: For one hour two of you will pair up and attack the other, this will also help work on cooperative fighting and teamwork. First will be Haru and Sakura against Naruto, Naruto." the blonde finally looked up. "Don't use it, that's the only restriction you're not ready, all other jutsu is allowed though." Naruto nodded.

"Got it, Kakashi-sensei," he said. Haru noticed Sakura almost seemed to breath a sigh of relief.

"Ok then on the whistle," said Kakashi. Sakura walked over to stand next to Haru and the Naruto stood across from them.

"What are his weaknesses?" asked Haru. Sakura stared at Naruto for a second before turning to reply.

"Genjustu," she said. Well there went that plan, Haru didn't know any genjutsu. He would just have to figure something out. A shrill whistle sounded across the clearing. Naruto leapt straight for them, a kunai in hand. Haru noticed he was coming right for him, he froze he was hardly any good at close combat. He closed his eye waiting for the cold bite of steel. That was until a ringing met his ears. He open his eyes and say Sakura standing in front of him blocking Naruto's kunai with her own. To looked over he shoulder at him.

"Don't just stand there, help me." she said. Haru nodded and drew his own kunai. Naruto leapt away from them and threw his knife, which Sakura deflected easily. Naruto lnaded about fifteen feet away and stated flashing through hand signs.

"Fire Style: Fireball jutsu!" he yelled at brought his hand to his mouth, he place two fingers on the corner of his lips and exhaled. A massive ball of flame launched at them. Sakura and Haru leapt out of the way in opposite directions. Then Naruto crossed his fingers. "Shadow clone jutsu!" nineteen clones phased into existence. Then they charged.

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Kakashi sat in a nearby tree watching the three Genin fight. He could help but smile. In the two months Naruto had been training to use Sharingan, he had come a rather long ways. Even though he was more withdrawn and quieter since Sasuke's death, there were somethings about Naruto that Kakashi believed would never change. Like his unbelievable work ethic. Kakashi had had to physically force Naruto to stop training three times, or risk total Chakra depletion. It was true that Naruto had a substantial amount more Chakra than Kakashi, but the hours Naruto put into his training would put a normal person in a near coma state. About a month into the training Kakashi stumbled across another change in Naruto. When Sasuke had given Naruto Sharingan, he'd also inadvertently transferred his own prowess with fire jutsu to Naruto. Naruto could now use fire jutsu so powerful it rivaled Sasuke's hell it even Kakashi's. Kakashi watched as Naruto attacked with his shadow clones, like he said some things never change. Like Narutro's ability to create a ridiculous amount of Shadow clones. The three battled had battled for fourty five minutes now and so far, Sakura and Haru had been able to fight Naruto to a stand still. Though Naruto had improved in leaps and bounds, Sakura had improved quite a bit too. She said that her total inability to do anything against Zabuza and Haku had opened her eyes and she had committed herself to training, even joining Naruto and Kakashi at times when they were training with Sharingan. The buzzer went off.

"Alright, SWITCH!" yelled Kakashi "Naruto and Haru vs. Sakura." the transition was flawless Naruto and Sakura just leapt into the air and switched places. They resumed battling, Sakura struggled a bit more than Naruto did. But that was to be expected, Naruto was the strongest Genin on their team. Haru on the other hand, well…

Flashback

"You wanted to see me, Lord Hokage?" asked Kakashi stepping through the door to the Hokage's office.

"Ah yes Kakahsi," said The Hokage "I have news for you."

"What is it?" asked Kakashi curious.

"I've found a replacement for Sasuke on your team," he replied. Kakashi had been afraid of this.

"Lord Hokage I don't…" started Kakashi but the village leader cut him off.

"You don't think Naruto is ready," he said "Kakashi we need team seven up to full strength again, we need you to start taking missions again. Here this is a dossier on your new student." Kakashi took the papers from the Hokage and began to flip through them. "You can see why I put him on your team."

"Yes, this boy," said Kakashi "is terrible. Only five successfully completed missions, all D-rank, he has almost no fighting skill, his scores were worse than Naruto's."

"Exactly," said The Hokage "He's quite behind and since you have two of the most advanced Genin of their generation I was hoping they could rub off on him." Kakashi saw his reasoning but still wasn't sure it was a good idea.

"Lord Hokage, Naruto won't like this, he doesn't want to replace Sasuke," said Kakashi "I'm afraid he would just push Haru away." but the Hokage was having none of it.

"Kakashi I've made my decision," he said. Kakahsi bowed.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," he replied and turned "We'll have a training exercise tomorrow, please have him meet us at training field seven." the Hokage nodded.

End flashback

Kakashi had been right, Naruto wasn't working with Haru at all, he was fighting Sakura on his own Haru was being left behind.

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Naruto threw three more kunai at Sakura as he flipped over a branch and launched him self at Sakura. Haru stood on the ground watching not believing what he was seeing. Naruto was good, really good. Naruto dropped to the ground in a crouch his left knee bent, his right leg straightened out to the side. He looked over his shoulder.

"You plan on helping any time soon?" he asked Haru. Haru hesitated. Naruto scoffed and raced at Sakura. "Why'd I even ask?" He leapt at Sakura aiming a kick at her head, she ducked it. He landed behind her. She turned and swung at his head. Naruto leapt backwards, landing on his shoulders and kipped right back to his feet. He threw a round house at her head which she spun under drawing a kunai. Naruto drew his own kunai and parried the incoming attack, they stood locked like that for a couple seconds before a buzzer sounded.

"Alright, last switch," said Kakahsi from his tree. "Sakura and Naruto vs. Haru." Naruto heard Haru gasp. Sakura and Naruto stood side by side before looking at each other and nodding. Naruto threw three shurriken. Haru gasp again and leapt to his left. Naruto and Sakura sprinted at him, Naruto leading. Naruto dropped to one knee and delivered a hard straight right to Haru's stomach. Haru doubled over and stumbled backwards several feet. Sakura jumped onto Naruto's shoulder and leapt into the air, she caught Haru in the side of the face with a hard kick. Haru flew another several feet to his right and landed hard on his back. Naruto jumped into the air spun a couple times and fell straight at Haru, his right leg bent. Haru rolled to his right and avoided the deadly knee which landed only a couple inches from his face. He leapt to his feet. Sakura ran at Naruto, who was still in his crouch, placing a hand on each of his shoulders she cart wheeled over him and caught Haru with each of her feet. Naruto jumped to his feet and rolled across Sakura's back. He brought a right punch down on the top of Haru's head, snapping the young boy's head down, then delivered a left uppercut directly into his face. Haru hit his back hard, his breath rushing from his lungs.

He laid on his back looking up at Naruto and Sakura who were standing over him. Neither breathing really hard.

"That's enough," came Kakahsi's voice "We're done for the day, meet at the bridge tomorrow, we have a mission." Naruto didn't say anything as he turned and started to leave. Sakura gave Haru a glance before turning and leaving as well, it didn't go unnoticed by either Kakashi or Haru that neither offered to help him up. Kakashi sighed.

Naruto left the training field with his hands in his pockets he didn't even seem to notice Sakura walking with to him, both her arms wrapped around his upper right arm. He just stared at the ground, putting one foot in front of the other. Sakura frowned, since that day two months ago Naruto had fallen even deeper into himself, the only time he seemed to open up was when he was training. Whether it was with her or Kakashi, it seemed to help, but the second it ended, he would shut them out again. She knew where he was going without him even telling her.

"Hey Naruto," she said "Once you get done visiting him, come find me? I'll be in the town market, ok?" he nodded and continued on his way. Sakura gave him a squeeze on the arm and left him. Naruto kept walking letting his feet guide him, his mind traveled to the boy they'd trained with. What right did he have to replace Sasuke, he was terrible. Sasuke was a hundred times better. He and Sakura hadn't even been going all that hard, but almost everything they threw at him found it's mark, did Kakahsi really think they could go on a mission with him? He reminded him of himself, his old pathetic self who hadn't been able to protect Sasuke. It made him so angry. He looked around and realized he was standing at Sasuke's headstone.

"Hey man," he said squatting down and brushing off the few leaves that covered it. "Sorry I'm late, I had to train with Kakahsi-sensei and Sakura."

"You always talk to yourself?" asked a voice behind him. He turned.

"What are you doing here," Naruto asked the visitor. It was none other than Shikamaru Nara. Shikamaru shrugged.

"Came to pay my respects," responded Shikamaru "My team's be gone for awhile and I thought I'd come say hey." he walked up and stood next to Naruto who had stood up by this point. "How long you been here?" Naruto shrugged

"Not long," he said "but I can't stay long either, I have to meet Sakura," Shikamaru nodded.

"Well it was great seeing you again Naruto," Shikamaru said. Naruto nodded and turned to leave. He tucked his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders. After walking for a good ten minutes, he's the village market. Was a wide area in the middle of town full of stall vendors and street shops. Naruto scanned the area for Sakura's distinct pink hair, he found her standing at one of the stalls, next to a girl with blonde hair. Ino. Naruto turned to walk away but Sakura must have turned around because she called out to him.

"Naruto, there you are," she called he turned to see her racing towards him. Ino held back her mouth a firm line. Naruto knew what was going on, in the past four months he'd been back, Ino had tried extremely hard not to listen to the rumors that said Naruto had let Sasuke die, she tried so hard not to blame him. She slowly walked over to Sakura and Naruto.

"Hey Sakura, I'll see you later ok?" she said and without looking at him she added "Nice seeing you Naruto." And like that she was gone. Sakura let out a small sigh as she wrapped her arms around Naruto's. She did it quite often now, neither really knew why but it was comfortable. Sakura figured she did it to protect Naruto, give him something else to focus on than the harsh words and cruel whispers that always surrounded him every time he went out. They walked through the Market for awhile, Sakura stopping occasionally to look at something at a stall or admire a item at a street shop. Naruto never said anything, he just walked with her, stood by her and watched over her. A silent escort.

As the night wound down Naruto decided it was probably time he got her home. She agreed and together they walked to her house. It was a good thirty minute walk. As they walked Sakura couldn't help but look up at Naruto's calm stoic face. He was actually quite handsome and Sakura knew that if she hadn't been so obsessed over Sasuke when he was alive, she probably would have been quite attracted to Naruto while they were in the Academy. Though part of her was glad she wasn't back then, because she knew if she had had a silly school girl with a crush like she had been with Sasuke, she wouldn't have been able to put her ridiculous behavior aside and help him like she was now. Smiling to herself she looked back down at the ground, slightly tightening her grip. Naruto glanced at her from the corner of his eye before turning his gaze back forwards. In time they reached her house. Naruto walked her up the stairs and stood at the doorway as she reached for the door knob. But just before she could grab it, the door opened and none other than Takashi Haruno stood there waiting. Naruto went a couple of steps down, not want to get into a confrontation with his, since his last one his last one, he'd been avle to avoid the man, but now they were standing face to face.

"Naruto," he said. All Naruto could do was just blink. The man had never used his name, no one really did. Takashi looked at the sky. "It's kinda cold tonight, care for a cup of tea before you head home?" Naruto and Sakura both looked at Mr. Haruno liked he'd gone crazy. "Come on in," the man said a disappeared inside the house. Naruto and Sakura shared a confused look but went inside anyway. They found Takashi and Aki in the kitchen talking in low whispers, however as soon as they say them enter, the husband and wife fell silent. Takashi turned to the stove where he was heating up water, while Aki turned to Naruto.

"Why don't you come sit down Naruto?" she asked with a kind smile in her face. Naruto let her lead him to the couch in the living room while Sakura stayed in the kitchen with her dad.

"Ok Daddy," she said "What's going on?" Takashi looked confused.

"What do you mean Sakura?" he asked in return.

"The last time you saw Naruto you punched him in the face" she said her hands on her hips "now you're inviting him in for tea?"

"Sakura," her Dad said not looking up "You don't know this but I've been watching him for awhile, I hurt him and I feel terrible for it. I'm trying to make amends for what I did." Sakura was silent for a long time."You promise Daddy?" she asked "Because Naruto doesn't need people messing with him right now, he's bad enough as it is."

"I promise Sakura," he replied a bit taken aback at how protective his daughter was of the boy. Sakura seemed to except that and moved to help him finish with the tea. Once they had four steaming cups of tea, they left the kitchen and went into the living room where Sakura found a very uncomfortable Naruto sitting on the couch playing with the hem a of his T-shirt, a nervous habit of his. She handed him his tea and sat down close next to him, their hips almost touching.

"So Naruto I meant to ask you, why do you wear those bandages?" asked Takashi genuinely curious. All the Harunos saw the boy stiffen. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Naruto shook his head.

"It's alright," he said but didn't provide an answer. The four drank their tea in relative silence, Naruto would shift every now and then trying his best not to be rude, but he couldn't help but feel like he was being examined by Sakura's father. He would take nervous glances at Sakura but she would just smile at him. After they finished their tea Naruto stood up to take his leave. Quietly thanking them for the tea he made his way for the door, stepping into his sandals. Sakura walked with him and as he opened the door she put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention . He turned to look at her. She was smiling, a small smile, but a genuine smile. Then she stood on her toes and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. A small smile ghosted his own mouth and her turned and left the house.

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Naruto leaned against the railing of the bridge, his arms and ankles crossed. Sakura was next to him sitting on the railing looking at the water. Their newest member Haru was across from them cross legged on the bridge.

"Is Kakashi-sensei always this late?" he asked.

"Yeah pretty much," said Sakura not looking from the water. Naruto nodded in agreement not looking at him. Haru let out a sigh looking back down at his lap. He'd been trying all morning to connect with his team, the beating he'd took the day before showed just how far behind he really was. They had worked completely together, all with out saying a single word to one another. He sighed again.

Naruto was watching Haru from under his bangs. He watched as he took out a kunai and a whetstone and started to sharpen it. He snatched his hand back and stuck his thumb in his mouth, he'd cut himself. The boy was terrible. When he had first arrived today, Naruto had had every intention of telling him he wasn't wanted and to go away. But something had held him back. He had been the same way once.

Flashback

"But there are three of us that's what you said," yelled Naruto from where he was tied to a post.

"We're all on this squad and we're all in it together," said Sasuke his look of defiance ever present.

End Flashback

A small smile played on his lips.

"Dead for half a year," thought Naruto "and still showing me up." Naruto had been tied to a post and his team had been told not to feed him. Yet Sasuke knew they would need to work as a team and if Naruto was hungry it would hurt the team. The same was true here. Haru was weak and behind, that hurt the team. He had to do something. He straightened and walked over to the boy and knelt down in front of him. Haru looked at him curiously, Naruto picked up his abandoned kunai and whetstone.

"Here," he said "When you're sharpening a kunai hold the whetstone like this," he showed him the proper grip "That way you don't have to worry about cutting yourself." Haru stared at him. "Don't look at me, try it." Haru took the Kunai and whetstone from Naruto and gripped it the he had showed him and started to sharpen the blade. He smiled as he continued.

Sakura couldn't help but smile as she watched over her shoulder. Naruto was opening up, it was so nice to see him open up to someone besides her. Last night she'd laid on her bed for hours thinking about the small kiss she had given him. It had taken a lot of courage on her part but that small gesture of the caring she had for him had seemed to help him a little bit. This morning when they had met at the bridge, he had given her a small smile. She was brought out if her musing by Kakashi walking on the bridge.

"Hey," he said. Sakura let out a sigh.

"You're late again Kakashi-sensei," she said.

"Sorry about the, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way," he said. Sakura shook her head, did he even realize he used the same four excuses over and over.

"I'm sure you did," she said not feeling like arguing and ruining her good mood.

"Well let's get going," said Kakashi turning towards the Hokage tower.

Haru put his kunai and whetstone away and made to get up, get he saw a hand palm up being held out to him. He followed the arm and saw Naruto looking down at him. With a small grin Haru took his hand and let him pull him to his feet. Sakura Had to smile again, Naruto was getting there true was wasn't there yet. But it's a long road to a healed heart and Sakura would be there for him, every step of the way.

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And that's a wrap. Kinda short I know, I hope I didn't disappoint. More about Naruto's knew found fire abilities will be in the next few chapters. A little side note I almost didn't have Naruto use Shadow clone any more but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Also I've got a poll posted and I really need you guys to look at it, it's pretty important and will have larger effects down the road.

Until next time.