Passionate Misfortune (Naruto Fan-Fiction/ SASUXSAKU)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 is finally here!

(I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does. I only own the two adorable OCs)

Enjoy!

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"Haruno-san, can you help me with these tools?"

Sakura gave the skinny, wide-eyed boy who had asked for help a kind smile, before picking up the metal bucket filled with tools that lay by his feet. The boy's name was Haruto; Sakura had heard people call him Haru for short. He was a few years younger than her, with teal-colored hair and kind, brown eyes. Sakura's opinion of Haruto was that he had a cute and gentle character and was very polite.

The rest of the workers had already finished for the day, leaving only herself and Haruto in the newly created training-ground. Before leaving, Atusne had trusted Haruto with the task of cleaning the tools and taking them back to storage, so they were ready to use the next day. He had already cleaned them, evident by his soaked vest and slightly muddy hands. Now it was time to put the tools away.

Haruto thanked her with an almost inaudible mumble and a tired smile before leading the way. Sakura watched as the boy struggled to carry the two hefty buckets in his small, scrubby hands. Beads of sweat fell down his scorched face, his scrawny arms shook and his legs trembled. Haruto had little muscle on him, which meant little strength.

"Haruto. I'll take these tools back. So please go and rest" Sakura offered in concern. She was a medic and could clearly tell that Haruto was unwell and over-working his body. "Drink lots of fluids and make sure to eat a cooked meal."

Haruto looked at her with a blank expression, clearly taken aback by her sudden medical demeanour. "Go Haruto. I'll take these tools back" she repeated generously.

"A-Are you sure, Haruno-san? Won't they be too heavy for you? Do you even know where the Minami Forest is?" Haruto asked hesitantly, while slowly placing down the heaving buckets.

"I'm a lot stronger than you think and yes, Suzuki-san showed it to me. Go Haruto, I'll be okay" she reassured him. Sakura saw the relief that flashed across the boy's expression.

"Thank you" Haruto beamed, throwing the key to the storage. "I can see why Aron-Senpai talks so highly of you."

Sakura caught the key and forced a smile, waving to the boy as he made his way back towards the new training-ground. After Haruto disappeared from her line of sight, Sakura walked to the two buckets that had been left behind and picked them up with a displeased sigh. She couldn't believe Aron had talked about her in front of Haruto. She quietly groaned, wondering who else in the village had heard Aron talk "highly" of her. After hearing what the man had to say about her the previous night, she didn't trust that his words were any less "pleasant" when sober; or at least, she hoped he was sober.

Though she didn't care for him, Sakura was curious as to the whereabouts of Aron. She wondered if he was still in the alleyway, sprawled across its dirty, cold floor and smelling grossly of alcohol. Or had someone found him, cleaned him up and put him safely to bed. She suddenly felt guilty and regretted leaving him in the alleyway. She should have at least taken him home.

Sakura stepped into the Minami forest, heading deeper into the dark shadows created by the tall, looming trees and the burning sun. She could feel the intense heat even within the forest, her clothes sticking uncomfortably to her damp skin. She was parched and desperately needed a cold drink of water. She spotted the storage space in the distance. It was an out-building, created to hold the tools and equipment needed to craft the southern-most part of the village. Sakura walked faster, wanting to rid herself of these buckets so she could finally go and quench her thirst.