Happy Belated Narusaku Day!

I enjoyed all the creativity shared for this lovely couple, albeit a little late!

NaruSaku Tattoo AU Again! Going to update that story sometime this month, at least... story can be found here. Other NS Tattoo AU Pics here.

I like drawing Sakura with shorter hair than usual.

I’m so sorry about being late with my updates! I’m trying to write them, then school or work get in the way. :( I also do community service and help injured or less fortunate youth by training them in volleyball! It’s been pretty busy with everything, and I haven’t slept more than an hour for the past couple days. ;_; 

Thank you for enjoying  my fanfic! I have a fall break coming up, and then I should have enough time to finish those chapters I’ve been working on. It’s getting more difficult because now the individual peoples’ stories are starting to intertwine, and if I don’t get these next chapters right, everything turns to poop. ;D I will try not to let you down! Here’s an excerpt from one of the next chapter, though that I approve of:

“Who are you?” 

Shinachiku turned slowly, as not to startle the intruder into doing anything ‘regretful’. It was dark in the hallway, but he could see two glowing points of light. They were eyes.

Angry eyes.

“What do you want?” Shinachiku’s hand moved slowly at his side to grab the kunai in his pouch then suddenly he was in the wall, his bones clacking behind the weight of the man who was now imprisoning his throat with his forearm.

The man’s face materializes from the shadows and his strange eyes stare straight through Shinachiku’s as he felt the oxygen depletion setting into his body.

Anon, you just saved me!

My last post just twenty minutes ago was so angry and unlike myself. I felt incredibly sad as well, and I wondered why I ever started writing and drawing fan stuff when there are so many mean people out there who use and hate my work…

then you came along and gave me this ask! ;_; 

And, I remembered that I didn’t write or draw for credit, but contribution to a fandom that I’ve loved and enjoyed. 

You are very special to me and have graced my day with joy and renewed energy! I will update with two more chapters this week of Child of the Leaf just for you. :)

Thank you so much for being so kind. Thank you thank you thank you.

Someone named FieryCherry on ff.net used my art on their story without permission and credit, and I PM’d them because I uploaded my MenSaku fanfic with the same picture that I drew... I thought it was a glitch...

I did NOT give them permission, especially since she’he did not credit me or change anything. I asked them to politely change it or I offered to draw them another (I was trying to be nice!!) and here is the response I got:

“Hey. Again, I didn't knew it was yours. I searched for MenSaku pics at web, I saw that one, I used it. The end. As to the button 'Have Artist's Permission', I only pressed because it was necessary to upload the pic, otherwise I'd never do it because it's not my picture and I didn't knew the artist to ask for permission. I never said the image was mine and gladly gave you the credits when you asked, so no need to be so dramatic. Now, let me give you an advice: When you draw something you must sign it. That's how you claim the picture as yours. How was I or anyone supposed to know it was your image without at least a signature in there? In fact, I don't even know if is actually yours since this image is in another places with other artists names. So before being mad at me, you must realize that not me or any of the people who used your pictures intended on hurting you. If we used it is because we admire your work. I wouldn't use an image I don't like it. I completely understand you but unfortunately, if you want people to see your work, you must be aware of its consequences, such as lovers, haters, criticizes, plagiarism, etc. Just like I was the moment I solved to post my fictions. Since you gave me permission, I'll ...”

AND THEN SHE/HE BLOCKED ME FROM SEEING THE REST OF THE PM. My PM talked about why it was important for artists to get credit, because it’s like a slap in the face to all of our hard work not to. 

Then, this is what I receive in return. AFTER I drew him/her an icon...

FieryCherry, if you’re reading this, you are crazy. 

“Now, let me give you an advice: When you draw something you must sign it. That's how you claim the picture as yours. How was I or anyone supposed to know it was your image without at least a signature in there?”

I did sign my art, it was YOU who didn’t do your research. Search the web... that’s called STEALING. 

“I completely understand you but unfortunately, if you want people to see your work, you must be aware of its consequences, such as lovers, haters, criticizes, plagiarism, etc. Just like I was the moment I solved to post my fictions. Since you gave me permission, I'll ...”

There’s a difference between me posting things online to be SEEN and to be STOLEN. I post to be seen. I have NOT given you consent and permission just because I posted it to tumblr or deviantart, and because web searches pull it up on their images. That is the stupidest reasoning I’ve ever heard! Were you born in a box? Are you five years old? Are you just an ignorant S.O.B. to accept this as a poor excuse for taking my art?

“In fact, I don't even know if is actually yours since this image is in another places with other artists names. “

My name is KIANA H. There’s the K and H in my signature in the signature I sign in real life. HOW DO YOU KNOW IT IS MINE!?!? It was the only place you found it, right? My tumblr? My deviantart? Do your research! You lazy bum!! Don’t just press on something you searched on the web and automatically think it was yours to use!!

I spent five hours on that MenSaku picture, and I can prove it because I have the layers in photoshop, on a psd. Does anyone else on the internet have that, you lying sack of poop? NO.

"Hey... you look nice."

"Y-you do too, Kiba." 

Sakura hastily wiped the tears from her eyes that she tried to pass off as tears of joy. Kiba tugged at the collar of his formal attire uncomfortably as he neared her.

"Nah. I hate wearing this stuff." The Inuzuka male snorts, scratching his head casually. 

"If it wasn't for Hinata getting married, I'd be shirtless." He smirked boyishly as he swore he saw Sakura blush a little, clearing her throat before speaking.

"So, uh, what can I help you with?" The pink haired woman turns her eyes towards the happy couple who were saying their good byes to their wedding guests. 

"If you're coming by to tell me I should leave my husband..." She laughs softly, her eyes ever trained on her former team mate and his new bride. "Sai beat you to the punch."

"Geez!" Kiba laughs sharply in response. "That guy has even less of a filter than I do..."

A few moments of silence transpire between them as they watch Naruto and Hinata in their merriment before the burly ninja starts to speak once more.

"So... why'd you let Naruto go?"

Sakura flinches at his question, then answers with a response that Kiba was not prepared for.

"Naruto deserves to be happy..."

--

Hinata fell asleep on Kiba's shoulder while he sat, gently stoking the fire with a long stick.

A feral, triumphant grin spread across his face as his eyes turned up to look at the shadow clone spying on them from atop a high tree branch.

A moment later, the blonde clone was gone.

A few hours earlier, in Konohagakure...

With Ayaka’s door slightly ajar, Shinachiku easily popped his head in to survey the situation with his girlfriend. To his dismay, she looked like she was still resting peacefully, so he decided not to disturb her slumber, opting instead to poke his head back into his mother’s room once more.

“Are you sure that you don’t want me to get you anything for now?” His green eyes sparkle with admiration. He had just spent an entire hour finding out that his mother was just as amazing as he could ever dream she’d be.

She was a medic-nin, like he was! 

When she was in good health, she volunteered her services to the hospital.

She was part of the legendary team that ended the great ninja war.

She was, like he made in his mental note the first time he saw her, one of the prettiest ladies he had ever seen...

“No, I’m fine, sweetheart.” Sakura smiles kindly at her son. As she began folding Naruto’s white cloak on her lap, her eyes snapped open, as if she had an idea. “Wait, Shinachiku! Can you actually do two things for me?”

She held the Seventh’s coat towards him.

“Can you give this to Naruto for me? I heard from my old sensei that it looks just like the coat your grandfather Minato wore when he was also Hokage...” Shina’s eyes grew as wide as ramen bowls as he tenderly took the white cloak form his mother. “This is very precious to your father, so it'd be nice if returned it to him.”

“Wow... my grandfather was Hokage, too..." He whispered in awe, shifting the folded material in his hands.

“Okay, the second thing I need you to do is very important as well.”  Sakura waves her hand to focus her son’s attention back on her. “Please find Sarada and take her home. I should be released in the morning, so I just need you to practice those big brother babysitting skills for just one more night.” The pale woman pulls boy’s head down so she could give his cheek a tender kiss.

“I... I love you, Shinachiku.” Sakura sighs, tears brimming at the water line of her eyes. “I always have.”

Shinachiku's smile sparkles with life, almost stealing her breath away at its brilliance.

“Thanks, Mom. Now, get some rest.”

Outside of the room, Shinachiku let out a deep breath that he had been holding. He was emotionally exhausted from the chaotic quagmire of a day that he was experiencing.

“Now, where is that sister of mine..?”

For some odd reason, he couldn’t find his bespectacled, little sister anywhere in the entire Hospital. He decided to peek in on his Ayaka-chan to see if she was awake, and if she could use her sensory skills to find Sarada.

“She’s still sleeping.” He whispers to himself, checking on her through a crack in the door. “I’ll come back later... Sarada is probably still in the hospital somewhere. I told her to tell me if she was ready to leave.”

Shinachiku holds the Hokage’s cape to his chest as he decides to fulfill his mother’s other request.

--

Bolt was a little more tolerant of his father’s presence after he saved the girl he liked by giving her some of his blood.

“Thanks, old man.” Bolt bids farewell to Naruto as the Hokage smiles and waves before setting to the rooftops for faster travel across the city. It was at that time that his shadow clone had picked up on two interesting chakra signatures that were leaving the front gates of Konoha.

One was his wife, Hinata, whom he was currently searching for, and the other was that of his genin days chum, Kiba.

“Follow them... but keep hidden.” Was Naruto’s suspicious reply to his copy over mental connection, who nodded and took off after the runaways.

The shadow clone found it easy to keep downwind of the dog nin’s nose, but he wasn’t sure how he was escaping his estranged significant others’ rather problematic and all-seeing sensory technique. Upon closer inspection, he could see her eyes clouding with tears, and his guilt was piqued once more. The clone, being a facet of Naruto himself, knew that the tears and sadness were because of his loud mouth, and the strong feelings he still held for Sakura...

Then she tripped.

Worry touched his mind as she lost all visuals of her. Before he could see where she had disappeared to, Kiba rounded on him and slammed the Hokage’s double into a tree.

“Go away, Naruto.” The large man growled menacingly, bearing his fangs at the clone. “If you can’t tell, your wife is trying to leave you.”

The Seventh was taken aback at how angry his friend was with him.

“It’s all just a big misunderstanding...”

“Oh? Is it? I’m one of your oldest friends, one of your first ones, and I know exactly how much you love Sakura.”

“I love Hinata. I'm married to her...”

He should have been angry that his friend liked his wife, but he did the same towards his best friend’s wife, and it caused him to shrivel back like a coward.

“I want you to give her to me to protect.” The dark haired ninja growled in a commanding voice.

“NO!" He shouts at the top of his lungs. "I’m not just going to hand you my f*cking wife!!”  Kiba’s expression turns more serious, his arms settling under his chest as he began to speak again.

“Sakura still loves you.” The dog nin says suddenly, changing the direction and momentum of their bantering.

“...” Naruto was rendered silent as his heart hummed. Sakura's voice echoed in his remembrance.

"I still love you..."

“At your wedding, she and I were the only one’s celebrating on the outside, but mourning on the inside.” Kiba continues with a solemn expression. “ I could smell the grief coming off of her, and since her dead beat husband was nowhere to be found, being the amazing friend that I am,  I comforted her...”

"You b*stard... if you laid a hand on her--" Naruto's fists clenched angrily. Even though this version of him was a shadow clone, he seemed to be channeling all of Naruto's emotions, anger swirling about him in a danger cloud of chakra.

“I asked Sakura why she let you go.”

Then the anger morphed into guilt.

“She said, ‘Naruto deserves to be happy’.”  

Then regret. 

“I felt like an idiot, because I had no clue what she really freaking meant until long after Hinata had bid me farewell and rode off with you into the sunset...” Kiba's fang-like teeth glinted in the oncoming twilight as he spoke. “I realized that Sakura did exactly what I did... we sacrificed our true loves for the people we thought would make them happy.”

The Hokage slumped against the bark of the tree. His heart thumped against the rough wood.

“It was the hardest thing to do, but so noble, if you ask me.” Kiba’s voice turned into a passionate, heartfelt plea. “I think now it is your turn to do the same.”

It was then that Naruto realized precisely what the Inuzuka was saying, and the choice that he was forcing him to make at that second.

“Let me take care of Hinata, because I will love her with all I got.”

He wanted him to let go of his wife so that she could get what she deserved, and what he truly couldn’t give her.

"If you let anything happen to her... I will kill you, Kiba."

"Yeah, right. I'd like to see you try!"

Even if it hurt... he decided to let Hinata go.

She deserved to be happy.

But, he felt like dying.

The Naruto that stayed in Konohagakure sat in his office with only the light of the moon illuminating the space. He sat in the cold darkness, his head in his hands, quiet sobs escaping him. Recent events involving his newly separated wife circling about his thoughts, mixing with feelings of sadness and inadequacy. 

It was cold, and he was now very much alone. His children hated him, with good reason. His love was still married to his best friend... and he was acting as pathetic as he had grown to be, all these years.

Pathetic.

Alone.

Afraid.

Cold.

Then the noise of the door opening broke into the quiet dark.

“Dad..? Are you there?”

It was Shinachiku. Naruto decided to act like he was asleep so that he could avoid his new found son in order to continue his wallowing in peace.

“Oh, he’s sleeping.”

A familiar warmth flooded his heart as he heard the sadness in his child’s voice, and then the warmth covered his body. His eyes shot open to find that Shinachiku had covered his shoulders with his white cloak. 

“Shina... chiku.” 

The young sand nin turns the lights on, causing his father to groan, covering his reddened, water logged eyes, shielding them from the sudden brightness.

“Sorry for waking you, Dad! Mom just wanted me to give that back to you!!” Shinachiku flashes one of his father’s trademark grins as he nervously waves and begins to leave. “Uhm, I’m sorry for bothering you! I’ll let you get back to your nap...”

“No! Wait!!” Naruto swiftly moves to his eldest and grabs his shoulder. “Don’t go! I...well...”

“I have a little free time right now.”  The Seventh rubs his eyes with his sleeve before mirroring his son’s grin and patting his back. “I’m going to take you on a tour of Konoha!” 

Shina’s hands hug his own midsection as his stomach growls, sounding much like cat if someone sat on it’s tail. 

“Sounds like you need something to eat.” Naruto laughs as he leads the younger boy out of his office. “What would you like to eat before we see the sights?”

“Ramen.” He responds, a fast as lightning. “It’s kind of my favorite thing to eat.”

“Boy, you really are my son, aren’t you?”

-The End of Chapter 22 Part 2.

--Story by ODG

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