Chapter 1

The Start Over

He never wanted to be so separated from everyone and at the moment he was happy that he didn't have to be this way anymore. All he wanted now was for things to get a quickly back to normal as they could get. As close to normal as they could get. After being on probation for so long and being sent mission after mission left him no time at all to mingle with his once friends. That's right everyone. Sasuke Uchiha missed his old friends. He wanted to see everyone again so that he could mend the broken bonds, fix everything that he broken. He hoped to start that today.

On his way to the one place Naruto always loved to go and invited Sasuke to meet with him there, the Uchiha couldn't help but feel that this occasion is one where he should try his best to hear about everything that he had missed or never knew about. He was certain that by at first paying full attention about everything he can figure out just exactly he need to do to make up his departure to everyone. Including one special person he has been dying to see since his appearance in the Hokage's office saying how he would like to help and come back as a Konoha Shinobi again.

Feeling this way, you can safely assume just how grateful to the blondheaded idiot he was when he saw him waiting for him. No, awkward waiting for this man.

He walked into the Ramen Shop and was greeted with a big hug. "Sasuke! You made it!"

"Wasn't like I had anything better to do."

"Sure you could have. Grandma, could have putted you on yet another of the many missions." Sasuke always found it interesting how Naruto talked about the Hokage. So loosely as if he would hear any trouble about it afterwards. Can't blame him, after all he gotten into so much trouble from the day he started school. Getting yelled at for name-calling the Hokage probably wouldn't be a first to the blondey.

"She seemeds to be giving me some free time now that my probabtion period is over." Three years of mission after mission and being under constant eye can get pretty annoying.

"Cheers to that!" He stated taking a drink from his cup.

"So what have you been up to lately Naruto?" He seemed to have almost choked on his beverage at the question. The shook of how much his "best friend" changed. The fact that Sasuke is now caring about other and actually wants to hear Naruto ramble one and on.

"Same as you. Missions. Nothing real special."

"Yeah?"

"Me and Hinata have been getting close lately though." He blushed. "I've been spending my free time with her. She is a pretty interesting girl. Shy but she is nice."

Sasuke smiled as Naruto continued with the story about the dates the two have been on together. It was cute how Naruto was talking about her. Sasuke had to give him some props for finally getting a girlfriend. But what Sasuke was mostly interested in was Team Seven. If there was still a Team Seven.

Once Naruto was done talking about Hinata, Sasuke asked something that he would be more interested in hearing about. "So how are you with missions coming along?"

"Kinda boring counting that they won't let me battle it out with some Akastuki zombies." Ah, the truth is revealed!

"Why is that?" Sasuke asked curiously.

"They fear that if I were to be captured then they have won."

"I'm sure that should be the last thing they should be worrying about."

"I feel the same, but I pretty much have no say in the situation. No matter what they are doing out in the war field." Naruto has gotten stronger and seemed to have improved in maturity as well. What Sasuke knows for certainty is the first one. During the time Sasuke was under Mandara, Naruto has become the Village hero and became pretty well known anywhere. "Things will probably get more interesting counting that your back."

The war has been raging for sometime now. Just another reason why Sasuke hasn't been seeing most of his friends. They are all to busy fighting zombie, to come and say "Hi.". Since Sasuke choice to finally return home and is willing to help any way he can to make up for anything, they should soon be given an oppurtuntiy to completely end the war. Avantage to the Shinobi Alliance.

"I would rather just have this war end by now anyways." Naruto said whining a little bit.

"Why do you say that?"

"Cause I haven't gotten to see anyone lately. Just Hinata counting that she willingly volunteered to try and keep me out of walking straight into the war."

"She must be doing a pretty good job then."

Blushing the blond stating a fact that was already clear. "You sure did miss a lot Sasuke."

"Tell me."

A frown formed on the blond. "So much that I don't know where to begin."

"Does it matter?"

"In this sort of case, I would say it does." The serious tone in his words shocked Sasuke. Something happened that most likely wasn't a good thing at all.

"Start from the beginning." Sasuke said suggestively.

Naruto then began the story. From the very beginning to Gaara and his war speech. From the Turtle Island to his return to the village. He continued until thye were told that the shop was about to close.

"I'll just tell you the rest another time, Sasuke." Naruto stated getting up out of his chair.

"Alright. See you around."

Just as Sasuke was about to turn and walk out of the restaurant, Naruto raced up to him. "Wait Sasuke!"

The Uchiha turned to face the blonde.

"I should be the one to tell you this so that you don't have to find out on your own… I-it's about Sakura." The name made the Uchiha immediately interested. Where is she? How is she? Can he see her? Questions raced through his mind making him get slightly dizzy. He shook them off to be sure he can pay very close attention to the blonde's words.

"She is missing."