Innocent Ignorance

CHAPTER EIGHT - Smol Youth

'...' Inner

'...' Outer

I am definitely not the owner of Naruto cuz I can't even hold him back when he spots ramen. But little OC chan is mine ~

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"Ahhh, that was so good, ya know!" Naruto exclaimed, rubbing his full belly. "Thanks, Mr. and Ms. Haruno!"

"Don't mention it dear," Mebuki replied, trying to hide the gleam of delight from finding a new adorable playtoy that was dancing in her eye. "And please, call me Auntie."

'I actually see similarities in the two of you,' Inner snickered.

I shrugged. 'Can't deny that.'

"Oh, and call me Uncle! Uncle Haruno," Kizashi laughed, giving Naru an affectionate noogie on the head. My little ball of sunshine laughed, happiness radiating from his infectious smile. "You too, you little... ah, what did she call you... emo duckling," Kizashi continued, shooting a playful look towards Sausage. Sausage scoffed and looked the other way, only to glance back over his shoulder with a tiny smile.

I grinned. Looks like I didn't have to worry about a thing.

For now.

"Sakura, sweetie, isn't it time for your afternoon training?" Mebuki said. I glanced towards the clock.

And promptly screamed.

"Oh no! I completely forgot about my training session this afternoon with Gai-sensei! Ugh, how could I? I never forget!" I moaned, pushing myself out from the chair and dashing towards the door.

"Training?" Naru and Sasuke asked simultaneously, shooting me looks.

"Oh yeah, training. You didn't think that I got my monstrous power from doing nothing, did you?" I winked at them before opening the door. "You guys are free to stay over as long as you want. Actually, why don't you guys sleep over for tonight?"

Naru's eyes flashed with excitement. "R-really?" he stammered, unable to contain his joy. "For real? You sure? Absolutely?"

"Yes, fluffy," I responded, rolling my eyes with a smile. "And our sleepover won't be complete without you, Ducky," I said to Sasuke, who merely gave me a snort.

"Anyhoo, don't you guys dare leave! See you all later!" Waving towards the smiling faces wishing me goodbye, I ran out the door and towards the training grounds.

'Hey, it's too early for memory loss, kid. Keep it together,' Inner said, chuckling.

'I know, I know, it's just that I'm honestly kinda scared for what's coming up,' I responded, growing somber. 'After all... as you say, I'm just a kid. I don't think I'm ready. What if I fail? What if... '

Inner cut me off. 'Kid. You already know the answer to your questions.'

Slowing down for just a second, I raised my head. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, and waited for my heartbeat to slow. Then, I opened them.

'I know. Who cares if I'm not ready...because I will be ready.'

~*~

I reached the training grounds in about a minute. Woah, all that training really did pay off, huh, I marveled as I skipped up towards the familiar bouncing blob in the distance, waving my greetings. I'm barely out of breath, too.

"Hey there, Gai-sensei!" I was barely finished with my greeting when I saw, from the corner of my eye, someone else standing farther off towards the edge of the field. I then turned to look back at Gai, whose face was scrunched up, trying to contain his excitement. "Um, Gai-sensei? What's up—"