I dont own Naruto... (sobs in corner)

This is a naruto temari fic. I like the pairing, if u do too then plz read. thnx

Naruto was lounging about on his favorite perch on top of the Hokage monument. It was a peaceful day in Konoha, the weather warm for the middle of March. He needed to get away from the town at times, just to think and get things sorted out before he had to go back to town and put on his mask. The villagers gave him enough hell, they cursed the very ground he walked on. Even after arriving back from his trip with Ero-Sennin, the villagers cursed him even more that he had decided to come back.

They had rejoiced at the fact that he had left even threw a village wide party. "The demon is gone!" they shouted repeatedly. The rookie nine wondered about this. (Not even Naruto was that hated... was he?) All the childish pranks he pulled they couldn't have turned all of the adults against him right? They eventually came up with the conclusion that it was possibly a missing-nin that was recently captured and killed or maybe some old hated bastard had just died. The remaining rookies attended the party and celebrated there hearts out for a purpose they didn't know.

But Naruto was back now and things were the same as they had always been. He was spat on abused cursed. But Naruto kept up the Mask around all the people he knew and even around the villagers. He wouldn't let on the pain he held, it wouldn't solve anything, only cause more problems for the people he cared about. But he was stronger now, three years of training had brought his height up considerably, his muscles were toned and strong, he had also gained the the use of many new jutsus, many of which the fourth had been fond of using. After he had perfected the Rasengan, Ero-sennin had begun to instruct him of what he knew of the fourth's "flash step" jutsu. The flash step was made and only known to the Yondiame himself but over the years Jiriaya was able to work out the basics, but he would leave most of the perfection of the jutsu to Naruto. Naruto had mastered the Rasengan and the Flash step jutsus, along with many of the Kanton and Wind jutsus.

Naruto was relaxing and recovering from this days fair share of torments. "Sakura..." he thought out loud. He was hoping that maybe now that he was more powerful and skilled Sakura may take notice of him. But...

(Flashback... don't you love these things?)

"Oi, Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved to the pink haired Kunoichi grinning like he always did with that big goofy smile.

"Ohiyo, Naruto." she said humoring him. She had a lot of work that had to be done for Tsunade-sama and was really impatient.

"Ne Sakura-chan..." He put his hand behind his head still grinning. "I was wondering... you know, if you'd wanna go and get something to eat later?" he stammered out the question nervously. She put her hand on her hip "Naruto, im really busy you know how Tsunade gets when people are late..." Naruto remembers getting hit through several walls. "Eheh yeah..." he said nervously, he rubbed a cut on his back. The Kyuubi was laughing so hard in his head that he wouldn't heal him. " well then Naruto, I really have to get going-" she was cut off by Narutospuppy dog eyes. "Onegai sakura-chan?" he said now on his knees.

She knew nothing was going was going to change his mind. "Fine Naruto, but it has to be somewhere other than Ichiraku ok? Just meet me at the Akamatchi barbeque ok? Round nine, I really have to go though ill talk to you later Naruto." she said getting him off her back. He jumped in the air, grinning once again. "What am I getting myself into..." she thought as she quickly left Naruto, for Tsunade's tower.

"Wow I cant beileve she said ok! What time did she want to go again..."

"Brat weren't you listening... nine, I swear I help you too much... without me you would be plastered on some wall somewhere with an imprint of Tsunade's fist on your" Naruto tuned the Kyuubi out after he had gotten the useful information from his dronings.

"Shut up teme!"

"Why you little" Once again Naruto cut him off before his head was flooded with all sorts of profanities.

It was 8:50 and Naruto was waiting at the door wearing just his black shirt and his regular pants. He didn't really have the luxury of buying nice clothes, especially when the villagers charged him nearly triple for everything or simply threw him out of the store. This was the best he could do.

Sakura came walking up after a minute or two of waiting. "At least he doesn't keep me waiting, that Sannin taught him something at least." she thought as Naruto held the door open for her.

The waitress seated them quickly making glares at Naruto, but he ignored them completely, after all he was finally on a date with his childhood crush. Sakura was still wearing the same thing from before. "Why should I waste my time dressing up for Naruto... he does look really good in just that black shirt though...WOAH wait there Sakura, Saskue is coming back and theres only room enough for one in my heart" she thought.

The waitress came by again and took there orders. Naruto was disappointed by the severe lack of ramen. Sakura saw him grimmace and she laughed at his discomfort, she knew almost instantly that it was over ramen. "He was just that simple minded. Unlike Sasuke, who was so bold, mysterious, and very cute." she thought.

"Sakura-chan... Sakura-chan, Oi you there?" Naruto asked waving a hand in front of her face. "Your face looks a little red." he said again.

"It's nothing Naruto... well what are you going to order? I'm going to have the yellow fin tuna grilled." she said smirking, it was one of the most expensive things on the menu. After all he was paying.

Naruto knew Gama-chan was going to feel this in the morning. "I'll have the barbecued chicken." It was considerably cheaper and Naruto didn't know anything else on the menu here. "And to drink?" the waitress asked.

"Water." said Naruto

"Tea for me." said Sakura

They waited forere food by talking about most of the recent events, like how there teammates were and gossip about Ino and that stuff, at which point Naruto zoned out. Then the food arrived. "This is pretty...mmmmff ...good." Naruto said between mouthfulls.

Sakura nodded, it had been awhile since she was last able to eat some good food. They finished there meal quickly, and payed the bill.

They walked out of the store and Naruto stopped her. "So, Sakura did you have an ok time?" he gave her one of his trademark grins. "Yeah, Naruto it was rally good."

"Well then Sakura-chan, they're having a party down by the river, I was wondering if you wanted to ...dance or something?" If anything his training made him have more courage to talk with women, he had to after dealing with them to get out of sticky situations Jiraiya would leave them in. Sakura sighed. "Naruto... look I don't want to lead you on, or anything like that but my heart belongs with Sasuke and always will. I don't want to sound hard on you but thats the truth Naruto." she waited for his answer.

"Then why did, you come here tonight..." he said his face was emotionless.

"Honestly?" she asked.

"Yes. Honestly."

"I wanted you out of my hair Naruto. It's time you realized... its not working. Just stop ok?" and with that Sakura left she didnt want to stick around anymore, it was time he realized the truth. It wasn't going to happen.

Naruto stared blankly after her. He had known, he wasn't stupid. He knew in his heart she had always been out of reach, and not even time could change that. He resigned himself to that fact. He was hurt no doubt but he half expected it to go like this. People didn't like him, that was the way it was, he was meant to be alone. But that wouldn't stop him from protecting his friends, he would always stay by there side but he needed some time alone. He walked back to his apartment, counting how many steps it would take, to take his mind off of her.

"I told you Kit, that wench has a thing for traitors."

"Go die in a fire, Fox..." Naruto said quietly. The fox only snickered.

He was a block or so from his apartment. "2389...2390...2391." He glanced up, he was close to his house but Ichiraku was close too. He decided on the latter, and change direction to Ichiraku. "Oi Naruto!" It was Kiba.

"Sup, dog breath?" he replied quickly becoming cheerful. "Thought you had a mission today."

"Na just Shino. So I decided to take the day off with Hinata."

"Hinata-chan?"

"Yeah, took her out for once... damn missions they usually keep us from relaxing together."

It just then hit Naruto, hinata and Kiba were...together. "Eheh, well I guess its because team 7 was out for a while and they were dumping missions on you guys. Sorry bout that Kiba. But I think you needed the training though hahahahaha" laughed Naruto

"Whatever loser. See ya." Kiba waved him off.

He didn't feel like eating anymore now. (Weird for Naruto right?) He wanted to go someplace quiet. He flash stepped out Of here and was instantly on top of the 4ths head.

(END flashback )

He heard a rustle behind him. "Come out Skikamaru."

"Eheh didn't think you'd detect me"

"What do think I've been doin these last three years?"

"The Hokage has a mission for you." he changed to serious tone.

Naruto jumped up. "Finally Baa-chan is going to give me some super A-rank mission!" and Naruto was gone. "What the hell was that technique?!" wondered Shikamaru

"Baa-chan!!" Naruto suddenly appeared in the room. Tsunade was instantly behind him and sent him through the floor. "Sneaky little Flash stepping bastard..." she muttered and took another swig of what looked like vodka. "Naruto! Hurry up! This is an important mission."

"Itai itai! Too hard..." he muttered climbing back up in front of desk.

Naruto, this is an A rank mission, normally I would not have given this mission to you but the Kazekage requested it be you. This is a joint mission with Suna. You know of the war between the Hidden mist and Suna, right?"

Naruto nodded. "Well being allies of Suna we must put forth some of our shinobi to help them. The war has escalated since you were gone. The Kazekage will brief you on the details when you arrive in Suna... You will have no partners from Konoha, your pay will be 'S' rank pack accordingly."

"Why wont I have any partners?" he put down the urge to shout at the chance to show off his new prowess to someone. "One, Most of the Jounin are on the front lines or on missions. Two, Gaara requested that it be so and im not the one who would disrupt relations with our new allies. So you leave tomorrow, I don't know when you'll return but I am expecting you too...ok Naruto?" she looked at him softly. "Count on it Baa-chan!!" he replied enthusiastically. A vein twitched on the side of Tsunade's head, that meant it was time to leave.

Naruto pondered on flash stepping back to his run-down apartment but then he decided that he might not see Konoha again for awhile so he took the slow way, walking. He wandered through town and saw lee and Gai on there daily runs around the village and joined them for a short jog. "Lee, im going on a mission to Suna tomorrow so i wont be back for a while, let everyone know where ive gone ok?" It was nearly 7 o'clock and it was getting late so he decided to leave Lee and Gai. As he left he heard something about 'flames and youth'. This made Naruto laugh a bit, at least they never changed.

He stopped jogging after a while and enjoyed the night, it was peaceful. "This is how I want to remember Konoha. I will protect Konohas peace no matter what...dattebayo." he felt good saying his old catch phrase. He quickly arrived at his apartment and packed his equipment, an assortment of kunai and shuriken, his basic clothes for 5 days he packed into a scroll to save space. Besides he didnt have much more clothes than that. Clothes can always be washed. He also brought a 45 pack of instant ramen wich he also sealed into a scroll, something he instantly regretted, he liked having his ramen in sight. Then after packing other necessary things he went up to over to his bedroom and pulled on his pajamas and went to sleep.

Naruto was not particularly a morning person but the suspence of getting an A rank mission and getting to see Gaara again was to much so he left early, and at the gates in the dark was a figure. It was about 430 in the morning. "who would be up at this hour?" Naruto thought to himself. "Oi, brat." Naruto looked closer and saw the grinning face of Jiriaya. "Sensei!? Why are you out hear?" Naruto asked.

"Tcheh and hear i was going to give you a present before you go..."

"a present? What is it? A scroll , or some cool new jutsu?" said Naruto excited.

"something equally as good." said Jiraiya pulling out a box and handing it to Naruto. "Open it."

Naruto quickly unrapped the paper and he saw a cloak, it was white with flames at the bottom. He moved the cloak and a book fell out. "HEHE my newest novel Icha Icha Desert paridise!" said Jiriaya triumphantly. "read it im sure youll find some of it...useful." Jiraiya laughed again.

"That was what you wanted to give me Ero-sennin!? A book!?" yelled Naruto

"Brat i told you not to call me that! Besides that book is one of a kind not even in stores yet, but i guess the cloak is useful too, after all it was the fourth's."

"Yondiame's?" Naruto looked at it in awe.

"Hai, the cloak does not tarnish rip or burn, so i feel it is safe with you... unless you find new and inventive ways to destroy it... it will also double your speed. But please Naruto only wear it if you have to, it is a relic of Konohakagure, very valuable and well i thought it best be safe with you. The cloak is only meant for a Hokage, he wished that i gave it to you when you surpassed him. Take care of it Naruto." and with that Jiriaya left.

The first thing Naruto did was seal it in a scroll and put it in a secret pocket in his vest. The good thing about scrolls is that if the scroll is destroyed the object sealed will not be destroyed, all he would need to do is visualize it and then summon it. This is a very hard technique though, but it was a good backup in case he lost of destroyed the scroll. Now Naruto was even more pumped, he grabbed his backpack and ran off into the forest.

It was about noon when he stopped for a rest, his training in endurance had really helped him. He ran full throttle for 6 hours before tiring out. He was nearly out of Fire country. He filled several canteens with water at a nearby stream, hopefully wouldn't have to use any water jutsu, he was really bad at those. Water jutsus were good to know if you are dying of thirst. (see where im going with this) It was only an hour later that the edge of the woods was in sight and a vast sea of sand met his eyes. It was stunning to see how the scenery changed so fast. A lot of things have changed in the time he was gone, Hinata, Kiba... but a lot of things hadn't, Sakura and her feeling s for Sasuke... and this endless desert.

"Kit those women weren't meant for you, one vixen loves a traitor and the other, she was just weird." the fox actually spoke some truth, for once.

"Yeah, i guess your right." Naruto replied quietly.

"So! The Brat finally realizes that what i've been saying is true. Good maybe you'll listen to me next time."

"Shut up fox! If i remember right you were the one who told me to ambush four 'A' rank missing nin, i would have got the hell beaten out of me, if it wasnt for Jiriaya!"

"HEHE, I just wanted to see how strong you were..." the fox grinned innocently in his cage.

"Go fall in lava or something baka kitsune..." Once again he could hear the fox snickering.

Naruto began his run across the desert, it was fairly easy after he used a wind jutsu to make the wind go his direction, speeding him up. He didn't want to use his flash step, and exhaust his body. He wasn't worry about exhausting his chakra, because of his 'tenant'. Traveling in Suna was uneventful just sand, sand, and more...sand?

He was sinking, and fast. He heard a voice. "Quick sand jutsu!" It was a sand nin. "Oi it's me Uzumaki Naruto!"

"Eheh i know demon, your just like the Kazekage Gaara. I've had enough of your kind in Suna! Desert Wind Decapitation!" Blades of wind appeared above the Sand shinobi's head and began racing towards him. Naruto dispelled the enemy's quick sand and dodged just in time.

"Your good brat. But you will die here! Desert blades!" blades of wind came at him. Naruto reacted fast "Katon; Gamayo Emudan(Fire blowing)!" a massive jet of flame issued from Narutos mouth absorbing the wind to make the fire fiercer. The flame missed the nin by inches, but he didnt stand there he threw several kunai while Naruto was finishing his jutsu. They stuck in him with a solid thud, then poof. "Kage bunshin Damn. I didnt even see him do it! Suna Dotonidoryo(Sand Cannonball)!" he launched a huge ball of sand at the newly appearing Kage bunshins. They dodged. "My Kage bunshins can do jutsu, so how are you going to tell which is the real me!" shouted the clones. "They just keep appearing! Damnit!." the clones closed in for taijutsu. In a fury of blow several of the clones were dead. The Sand nin was panting, and his left eye was black.

"Getting a little beat up are we? Then lets finish this!" yelled the Naruto clones. Three clones formed rasengans in hand and charged behind the others. The sand nin jumped and stabbed a clone in the back as he ran under him, hearing a poof, but as he landed he was hit with three mini tornadoes. The sand nin flew a good 50 yards away. His chest was covered in blood, and blood was coming out of his mouth as Naruto approached. "Bastard, Suna will fall! And you accursed demons with it. Our organization is everywhere." He saw the shinobi pull out a mist headband throwing away the sand's. He tied the mist headband on his forhead.
"Traitor!" shouted Naruto.

the bleeding man laughed. "Traitor? No, i was a spy for the Mist, there are hundreds of us in Suna now, we've been preparing for this for a long time. Not even the Kazekage will expect this. But now that you know, ill have to kill you!" The ninja opened his vest. It was full of explosive tags. "bye demon." the man grinned and lit the tags.

A large explosion went off. Large enough to be seen from Sunakagure. "Kazekage-sama!" said a saluting sand nin. "I know, I will look into it personally." Gaara jumped from his tower letting the sand carry him out of the walls. "Hai...Kazekage-sama..." said the sand nin as he watched Gaara go.

"I hope this works! Suiton Suijinheki! (water element; water barrier wall.)" A wall of water collided with the flames of the explosion it fended of most of it but Naruto was throw several yards away. "Damn Kakashi, why didnt you teach me more water jutsu. Well he did say i was a wind type, but I want to learn all the jutsu." his clothes were scorched but other than that all he had was a few minor cuts. The Mist nin was gone, there was nothing left of him.

"You want to learn all the jutsu, Naruto?" Gaara was standing behind him. "Ambitious as always Naruto-kun." Naruto grinned.

"Come Naruto..." said Gaara with an impassive face.

Naruto flashed his trademark grin, and followed Gaara.

End of chapter one, well it was long and I wanted to put a battle scene in at the end. Sorry if it was boring at first, but i had to set the stage for the pairing. Let me know if im to ooc or whatever, i know the new episodes are out but personally i think naruto needs variety in techniques. Anyway hurl some slings and arrows at me if you dont like it, but dont bash the pairing. No cannons please they hurt too bad. Heheh next chapter within the week if i get a couple reviews. Thnx guys. PLEASE REVIEW! I need encouragement, this is my first fic afterall.

P.S. Lemme know if i have spelled anything wrong, and ill fix it right away thnx.