Darkness Falls

Chapter 13

Hokage's Office

Hiruzen studied the two genin that now stood in front of his desk. He could see in the change of posture between the two that something had happened between them, though in an obvious good way. The pink haired kunoichi now stood much closer to her blonde team mate, almost wrapping her arm around his. The old man could only inwardly smile at this.

"Now, Sakura-san, Naruto-kun. The reason I have summoned you here is to discuss something important regarding the current state of Team 7." The village leader began. "Due to the recent events, I am giving the two of you the opportunity to become part of a different team."

"I understand Ji-ji." Naruto replied before looking to his pink haired mate. "But it is up to Sakura-chan if she wants to move to another team or not. As she was the one who was most affected."

The pinkette frowned at the memory, with only a minor flinch. Thinking over the multiple possibilities with being on an actual team with a sensei who would actually train them to become stronger. It was then she realized she already had a sensei who did just that.

"I don't trust the Uchiha or Taida-sensei." Sakura spoke. "And it is for that reason, I will stay with Team 7."

Naruto merely smiled, as he had a feeling why she was making this choice. Hiruzen on the other hand was completely shocked that the girl would choose to remain on a team with those she didn't trust.

"Care to explain your decision?" He asked.

"Of course, Hokage-sama." She replied. "If Naruto-kun and I were to move to another team, Team 7 would have to get two new team mates that will put their trust in Sasuke and Kakashi. Which runs a high possibility of the Uchiha sacrificing them to save himself, maybe this time even killing one or both of his new team members. Naruto-kun and I know not to let our guard down around them."

"Very well thought out." The Hokage smiled.

The old man was proud that the girl had thought that far ahead. He also couldn't fault her logic, as he knew the arrogant boy would attempt something similar once more. It only infuriated him further when the Elder Council blocked all efforts to punish the boy in any capacity for his actions, citing that it was a necessary sacrifice to protect the Sharingan.

"I accept your decision, Sakura-san." Hiruzen stated. "You two are free to go, have a good day."

"Thank you Hokage-sama/Ji-ji." They both replied at the same time before departing the office.

'You're turning into a real lady killer, Naruto-kun.' The old man smiled as he went back to reading his favorite orange book, whilst his shadow clones continued their ever lasting battle against the dreaded beast known as paperwork

With Naruto and Sakura

"So, what are your plans for today, Naruto-kun?" Sakura asked as they left the Hokage Tower.

"Well, I still have to go through the Namikaze compound and see if there is anything useful the bastard left." Naruto replied, not hiding his disdain toward his father as Sakura already knew. "But before that, I have someone I need to talk to."

"I am guessing it's another girl?" She smirked.

"Yeah." The blonde chuckled. "Ayame-chan has had a crush on me since I was 7, and has turned down every other guy who has approached her. So I made a promise to myself that once I was in the CRA I would talk to her, and see where it goes from there."

"To be honest, I am unsure how she will feel about her having to share me with other women." He sighed.

"If she loves you as much as the rest of is, I am sure she will accept it." The pinkette reassured the blonde.