Bonds

Confusion

"Why do you think Itachi hates me?"

Naruto looked at his best friend with a surprised expression. Never once had she brought up her brother if it didn't have anything to do with kicking his ass and surpassing him. This was surprising, and slightly alarming.

"Itachi doesn't hate you Sayu. You're his little sister, he's always going to love you!" he exclaimed. Sayu shook her head.

"If that were the case, he would be helping me become strong. He's always telling me about how he'll teach me one day. He'll teach me when he isn't busy. I've heard it all, and it's very upsetting. It makes me feel like he's building up some sort of false hope that I can't help but believe in every time." she muttered as she looked off at the village.

The blonde seven-year-old looked over at Sayu. She had a distant expression on her face, a more common look that she had adopted as time's gone on. Naruto looked at the village again. They found themselves sitting atop the Fourth Hokage's head. The bright lights that represented the night life of Konoha danced in his eyes before sighing.

"What if he's just trying to protect you?" Naruto whispered to himself. It wasn't quiet enough, however. Sayu turned to him with a confused expression.

"Protect me...?" she questioned. Naruto looked at her and began to shake his head but was quickly stopped. "What do you mean protect me?"

"Well, I mean..." he mumbled as he searched for the correct words. Naruto looked at Sayu with a calm gaze. "What if he doesn't train you because he's worried about what the life of a shinobi could bring you?"

Sayu was silent as she looked at him. With no response, Naruto continued.

"He's already seen plenty of things, right? He's been on countless missions. You mentioned that he's come home with injuries from time to time. What if he doesn't train you because he doesn't want that to happen to you?"

Sayu looked down at her lap.

"Itachi...just wants to protect me?" she whispered as she closed her eyes. Naruto watched her quietly, thinking that he had gotten through to her.

"No, Itachi knows how much I would give to be a shinobi, he wouldn't cut my dreams down for something as silly as that." Sayu confirmed as she looked over Konoha. Naruto noticed a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

Maybe...Maybe you're wrong Sayu...

*Current Time*

Naruto looked up at the sky with a frown on his face. He had found himself laying on the grass, attempting to pass time in some village that he hadn't bothered to read the name of when he entered.

He sighed as he quickly sat up. He wanted nothing more than to get out and train but knew it would seem odd to the villagers to see some random kid throwing justu's around. He instead chose the other option of what to do.

*Jiraiya*

"No, thank you ladies!" Jiraiya exclaimed as he exited the establishment. A faint blush was glued to his cheeks as he smiled like a madman.

"Now, to collect the kid." he mumbled as he put his wallet in his pocket.

"So, this is what you had to leave me behind for..." Jiraiya nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned to his left. Naruto was leaning against a nearby wall with a disapproving look on his face.

"I thought I told you to stay in the field Naruto!" he exclaimed. Naruto pushed off the wall.

"I got bored. So, where are we off too now?" Naruto asked as he stood next to the Sanin. Jiraiya sighed as he pulled out a small scroll and crossed off two names.