Haru's POV

I woke up in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep. Something was hindering from falling asleep and I don't know what. I went to the kitchen and made myself soem tea. Once it was made, I sat at the table and drank my cup of tea, giving a small sigh of relaxation.

I continued to sip my tea until I heard a scream come from Naruto's room. I quickly ran to his room and opened the door as I found Naruto sitting up in bed. He was panting whiel beads of sweat rolled down the sides of his head. 

"Naruto, what's the matter?" I asked, rushing over to his side. "I'm fine, Mom. I just... had a nightmare." Naruto said as she stared wide eyed at his bedsheets. "It's okay. You're okay." I assured him as I pulled his head to his chest. 

I gently stroked his hair as Naruto found it comfortable and closed his eyes. I softly smiled down at him and continued to hold him.

'Naruto... I made a promise that I'd always protect you. I intend to keep that promise and live up to it. I swear, I'm not going to let anything happen to you.' I thought as I closed my eyes. 

*****

"Bye, Mom! I'll see ya later!" Naruto called. "Naruto, clear your place at the table!" I called back as he exited through the window. But he was already gone. I sighed and shook my head with a smile. "You'll never change, my darling boy." I said. 

I cleared Naruto's plate and began washing the dishes. After the kitchen was cleaned, I watered my plants in the living room, then heated myself some tea. I sadly stared at the tea kettle as I waited for the water to heat up.

I wasn't feeling my usual happy and smiling self because of what Aoi Tori informed me when he returned to me from the Land of Waves; He returned the same time Naruto returned. He told me that Zabuza and Haku had died by the hands of a madman named Gato.

I wanted to get revenge on him, but Aoi Tori also informed me that Zabuza took him down with the remaining strength he had. I couldn't help but feel guilty. I'm the ones who asked them to watch over Naruto, and I go them killed.

When I can, I'll go to their graves and pay my respects. This is all my fault. 

When the water was ready, I made myself some tea and sat down on the couch, reading a book. As I turned the page and gave a sip of my tea, I heard a loud and annoying voice yell, "As if!" 

I looked towards the window, then got up to investigate what the commotion was. I spotted Naruto on the ground with blood running down his chin while Sakura had steam coming out of her fist. "Just what kind of a girlfriend are you?!" Konohamaru yelled at her.

I sighed. "I see. So, that's what this is. I warned you, Sakura." I said as I stared at her with a deadly gaze. I vanished behind her and hit her over the head, making her hit the ground hard while making a hard thud.

Konohamaru and his friends stared at me in shock as their jaws were dropped open. Okay, I'll admit. I don't know my own strength. "Hey, what was that for?!" Sakura yelled. "Doesn't feel too good being hit, does it, Sakura?" I said. 

"What the hell are you talking about?! What gives you the right to just me like that?! I didn't do anything!" She said as she stood up. 

"Oh? So, you're saying you didn't hit my son just now?"

"But he-!"

I interrupted her by slapping her across the face. Her cheek turned red as she stared at me with wide eyes. "For every time you hit my son, I'll hit you. Got it?" I said.

"But you can't do that! That's child abuse!" Sakura yelled. "Then, stop assaulting my son." I commanded, crossing my arms over his chest. "You just can't go hitting people like that for every little thing they do!" She said.

"Sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it, hypocrite."

"Hypocrite?!"

"If you hurt my son, I'll defend him and hurt you."

"What?!"

"Listen, you bratty little girl," I said, getting close to her face. "I really don't give a shit for what Naruto said or what he did that offended you. If you hit him again, I'll kill you. Not to mention, if you do anything to piss me off, I'll kill you for that, too. Are we clear?"

I pushed past her and ran over to Naruto. "Naruto, are you all right?" I asked as I kneeled down in front of him. "Yeah, I'm fine, Mom." Naruto said as I helped him stand up. "You're bleeding! Here, open your mouth. Let me see." I instructed. 

"But I'm fine, Mom. Really," Naruto insisted before opening his mouth. "Plus, I'm a ninja now. So, I deal with these kinds of injuries all the time. I'll be fine. Trust me." 

I looked at Naruto as he closed his eyes. "If you say so. Come on, let's get some lunch." I said, standing to my feet. "All right!" Naruto cheered as he jumped in the air. "Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon. You three are welcomed to join us if you'd like." I offered with a smile. 

"Sure!"

"That's so nice of you!"

"Thank you, Miss... uh?"

"Haru. Haru no Hana," I introduced. "Come on, let's go."

"Sure!" They all chorused. I gave a closed-eye smile and walked them to Ichiraku's. "Hey, last one there's a rotten egg!" Konohamaru announced, then took off, running. "Konohamaru, slow down." I warned. 

But he ignored me and bumped into someone who looked like a black cat with makeup on. "Do you need something?" The boy asked. 

"Oh, my." I said. I gasped when the boy picked up Konohamaru by his scarf. "So, does this hurt, punk?" He said, making Konohamaru grunt in pain. "Put him down, Kankuro. Or you know you'll pay for it later." The girl with him warned. 

"Sir, please let him go. He wasn't looking where he was going, so please forgive him." I said. "And who are you? His mom?" Kankuro said. "No, but he is my responsibility at the moment. So, I'd appreciate it if you let him go. Right now, please." I requested, politely. 

"You better take your hands off of him right now!"Naruto yelled. "Let me handle this, Naruto." I said. "Just let him go, Kankuro. This is pointless." The girl said. "We got a few minutes before he gets here. Let's mess with these punks, huh?" Kankuro said to her. 

'I really don't like it when people pick on younger kids. It's just wrong. Well, I tried being nice. Time for Plan B.' I thought with a closed-eye smile. "This is your last warning, Mr. Kankuro. Let the boy go now before I get very upset. And you wouldn't like me when I'm upset." I said, giving a glare. 

"H-Hey, man! You should really do what she says. You wouldn't like to see her when she's angry." Naruto warned as he took a step back. Of course, Naruto was the only one who's seen my bad side. But that was only when he didn't clean his room like I told him to. 

"You have until the count of three to release the boy, Mr. Kankuro. One..." I began counting down as I gave another closed-eye smile. "What, are you trying to scare me, lady? It's not gonna work." Kankuro said, holding Konohamaru tighter. 

"Two..."

"You're wasting your time. I'm telling you." 

"Three... Time's up," 

I was quickly in front of Kankuro as I grabbed his wrist, making him drop Konohamaru. "I warned you, Mr. Kankuro." I said. I punched his jaw, then spun around, kicking him in the stomach. Kankuro's back hit the fence and slid down until he was sitting on his bottom. 

The girl who was accompanying him looked at him, then at me. "Consider this a warning. Next time, I won't be so forgiving," I turned around and kneeled down in front of Konohamaru, turning my attention towards him. 

"Are you all right, Konohamaru?" I asked. "Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Miss Haru." He thanked. "You crazy bitch," I looked back as Kankuro was getting up. "You're gonna pay for that." He said, taking some wrapped object off his back. 

"What?! Are you gonna use the Crow for this?" His female companion said. "What is that? I'm not sure if I wanna find out. I've gotta stop him before he uses it," I pulled Konohamaru behind me and frowned at Kankuro. "Naruto, kids. Stay behind me." 

Maybe I could use the Time Manipulation and quickly grab it that weapon from him before he has a chance to use it. Yeah, that might just work. 

"Kankuro. Back off."

"Huh?"

I looked towards a tree, spotting a red-haired boy with dark circles around his eyes and a gourd on his back who was standing upside down. "You're an embarrassment to our village." The boy spoke. "Uh... Hey, Gaara." Kankuro greeted, nervously. 

"Gaara?" I repeated, quietly. Why does that name sound familiar?

"Have you forgotten the reason we came all the way here?" He asked Kankuro. "I-I know. I mean, they challenged us. They started the whole thing, really. See, here's what happened-"

"Shut up... or I'll kill you." Gaara threatened. "Uh, right. I was totally out of line. Sorry, Gaara." Kankuro apologized. "I'm sorry for any trouble he caused." Gaara apologized as he looked at us. "It's okay..." I said as I tried to remember where I've heard his name before. 

Sand surrounded Gaara, making him disappear, then reappear on the ground. "Let's go." He said to Kankuro and the female companion. The three of them began to walk away. "Hmm... Gaara, huh?" I closed my eyes and hummed to myself while gently taking my chin in my hand. 

"Ah, I remember now. You're Gaara of the Desert. From the Hidden Sand Village." I said aloud. The three of them suddenly stopped walking and Gaara slowly turned around. "Hi, there. Long time no see." I greeted with a closed-eye smile. 

"Who are you?" He asked, slightly frowning at me. "You don't remember me, do you? That's okay," I said, opening my eyes. "Here, maybe this will jog your memory."

I took out an hourglass necklace I had hidden in my shirt and showed it to him. "Now do you remember? You gave this to me on the day I left." I mentioned. 

"That necklace... No, you couldn't be her..." Gaara said. 

"Wait a second, Mom! Are you saying you know this guy?" Naruto asked. "Of course I do. I was his babysitter once." I confessed. 

"Say what?!" Everyone yelled.