Chapter 1
Team 7 was standing in the hokage office waiting for their next assignment. It was probably going to be a B rank mission. And although it was extremely rare for a genin team to receive such a high ranking mission team 7 was special. Stories were already spreading around the world about them. They had been called the rebirth of the legendary sanin more than once before. It wasn't surprising considering what was happening to the genins. After Naruto had brought back an extremely embarrassed Uchiha who just had his butt handed back to him by Naruto the three separated. After Sasuke's week of recovery in the hospital Jiraya had put a seal on the boy in such a way that was much stronger than Kakashi's. But that was not the main difference with team 7 of 6 months back, no, what had changed was that all three were now getting exclusive training from one person. Jiraya taken Naruto under his wing and had been planing on leaving the village immediately but after a talk with the boy he had agreed to stay in the village an other year before leaving. Sakura was receiving personal training from Tsunade and her training was coming smoothly, she had done impressive progress both in medical ninjutsu as well as in combat. As for Sasuke he was learning from Kakashi. The avenger had said something along the lines that "if I couldn't get away then it means that fate doesn't make me an avenger but a Konoha shinobi." He had opened up a bit. As for Kakashi well he the same good old Kakashi apart that he didn't play favorites with Sasuke anymore. Although true that he was the only one he was currently training after the blonde had defeated the Uchiha the jonins eyes were opened and he know pushed his squad to have meetings every so often outside of mission, he would enjoy the time passed with his students.
"Alright Kakashi, this time it's an B rank as you were expecting. A small village who's economy was based on the gold mines in the mountains of the region has suffered a few attacks from a group of chunin rogue. They have wounded but no casualties yet, you are to go there and make sure those rogues are not a problem ever again, am I clear?" the busty fifth hokage asked.
"Hai!" team 7 replied in unison.
"Sakura, they still have wounded from the previous attack and being a small village they don't have a hospital adapted for those kind of injuries so I shall expect you to make Konoha proud and put what I taught you to good use." The legendary hime exclaimed.
"Hai Tsunade-shishou!" replied the only girl of team 7.
"Good, you may go when ready."
The squad left. The fifth sighed.
"You can come out now." she said outloud.
"I'll never know how you know I'm there." joked Jiraya before jumping in through the window.
"And I'll never tell you how but why are you here?" she asked eagerly.
"No particular reason, we haven't seen each other in some time, I was wondering if you willing to go out have a drink with your old friend eh ?" the hermit asked. A small smile found it's way to her lips.
"Yea... Why not?" she said before getting up and turned around. She looked down through her window at the squad as they were marching away from the tower.
"They really are growing up aren't they?" Jiraya said softly.
"Yea..." she returned softly as well. "Do you think... Do you think we could've..." she started
"Been the same if we had made Orochimaru see reason?" he finished for her. She nodded silently. "I don't know, but let's just make sure they don't finish like we did." he added.
"They won't." she said with so much confidence that it surprised him. Feeling his gaze she continued. "Naruto, each time I see him... He's growing more and more to be a fine young man, I know he won't let them fall apart." The old man found a smile slip on his features as well.
"He is something isn't he?" he asked to no one in particular. "But come on were still young!" he laughed before picking up the hokage bridal style had jumped out the window.
"Jiraya!" the hokage yelled to no avail. He just laughed as he got them to a small bar. She would never admit it to him but his childish nature was something she had always appreciated.
As he made his way to his house Naruto found himself being talked to.
"Hey kit, going on a mission?" the fox's voice rang through Naruto's mind.
"Oh hey Kurama. Yea, B rank! But it's rare that you actually come to me to talk."
"Yea well you haven't talk to me in days and I get bored in this prison." he grumbled slightly.
"Sorry, been busy lately, I'll try to talk to you more fox." he replied
"Yea, in any case if you need help during you mission let me know."
"Ha, I won't need your help, don't forget you're staring at the future Hokage!" he exclaimed proudly.
The fox sighed but then let a small smile appear, the boy's joy was contagious, everyone around him seemed to be affected by it. He packed everything he needed before looking at himself in the mirror. He chuckled at himself he had come a long ways but yet here he was strong and alive despite the many times others thought he was done for. He had proved them all wrong again and again.
"I know you like to look at yourself in the mirror kit but you're going to be late." the demon warned
"Oh crap you're right!" the blonde answered before leaving his apartment and locking it.
He ran to the gate as happy as could be. When he approached them he saw Sakura waving at him saying something he didn't even try to understand he was just happy to see someone that was happy to see him. Even the Uchiha had a small smile when he saw him. His grin couldn't get any bigger. He stopped running and put his hands behind his head before chuckling as he approached them. They waited like that talking and laughing waiting for Kakashi to arrive. Sakura smiled gently to him, although she still was on Sasuke, ever since Naruto had brought him back she had seen him in a new light, she couldn't really define where he stood now in her heart but she wasn't in a hurry to find out for she had time. For the moment she just enjoyed seeing them together like this, they were still young, feelings could be sorted out later. She was just happy that everything had gotten back in order, after their fight on the hospital roof and Sasuke's attempt to leave she really thought that they had failed. But they were here together and that was all that mattered. Their sensei arrived shortly after and they started they mission leaping through the trees.
They spent the day jumping through the trees and Kakashi decided that it was time they take a break, even thought there was just a small chance that the rogue were dangerous the jounin was not going to take any risk. They entered a small inn. It wasn't very big or luxurious but it was cozy and welcoming. The reception had a counter with some candles here and there. It was an old lady that greeted them, she looked nice and her voice was a little old but soft at the same time. Their sensei asked for three bed rooms but unfortunately there were only two bedrooms left, one with a one place bed and an other with a two one place beds.
"Doesn't matter, I'll go sleep outside Kakashi-sensei, I've slept outside before and I'll be right under your windows so you know if anything happens." he said.
"I don't think that such a good idea Naruto... I mean we're out of Konoha it might not be safe..." the pinkette said quietly, she didn't like the idea of letting Naruto sleep outside.
"Yea dobe, it might be dangerous..." added the Uchiha.
"Oh come on guys trust me a little more willya? I'm strong!" he whined.
"Alright alright Naruto, you can sleep outside if you want just, if anything happens come to us right o way, am I clear?" the cyclops asked, the blonde just nodded before walking out of the inn and going outside before stopping. He walked back to the group.
"Where are your bedrooms going to be?" he asked scratching the back of his neck nervously. All team 7 sighed, could he really sleep outside like that?
"Your rooms are on the other side so you just have to go around the building boy and I'm sorry for this inconvenience." the old lady apologized.
"Don't worry, it could happen to anyone." Kakashi replied. "Listen go back there Naruto and we'll open our windows and show you were we are ok?" he asked, the genin nodded before leaving. They got their key and went to their bedrooms.
Sakura was the first one to open her window, there he was, he had just laid down his sleeping bag. Seeing this got the kunoichi on her nerves, what if it rained, didn't he thing about anything?
"Baka, put up the tent in case it rains!" she exclaimed.
"Look at the sky Sakura-chan." he replied and she looked up, the stars looked beautiful. "It's not going to rain, I've slept outside many times Sakura-chan, with a sky clear like that were safe, but if it rains I'll nock at your window, happy?" he asked
"Fine, just be careful..." she replied, she had a bad feeling, Naruto was always the kind to rush in a fight for others without thinking about the consequences for himself. "If anything happens Naruto you come to us ok? Anything!" she finished
"Alright alright Sakura-chan geez..." he sighed. He laid down before smiling. At least she cared about him. The thought made heat raise to his cheeks.
"Night Naruto." she said.
"Night Sakura-chan." he replied as he smiled it wasn't all bad.
