Hello readers, and good day. This will be my first fanfiction, but I'll do as best as I can, and try to avoid all grammatical and spelling mistakes to give you readers some relief. Please read and review, and I hope you enjoy the story.
The story will be an alternate twist on events in the original series, beginning after the timeskip. Italicized text indicates thought. And remember, although characters remain identical to all traits they attained up to the beginning of Shippuden, they may change because my story will split off. That's all.
Disclaimer-Naruto is not owned by me. I wish. Does anybody actually sue for these things?
Thus begins, Naruto Betsu-no.
Enter again, Naruto Uzumaki!
Naruto and Jiraiya were less than a mile from Konoha after 2 difficult years of training. Naruto walked slowly, remembering the village and his comrades. Naruto looked up at Jiraiya. His superior had his eyes closed. "Pervy Sage, do you think I'll have forgotten anyone?"
Jiraiya blinked and opened his eyes, looking down at Naruto, now only slightly shorter than him. "Not really. Do you think you can remember your friends? You don't have all that many people to remember, to be honest." Jiraiya replied. Naruto scowled and looked away from Jiraiya, crossing his arms over his chest in annoyance. He did not keep quiet though. "Do you think Hinata will remember me?" he asked. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "You mean the timid Hyuga heiress? I don't think she'll change unless you ask her." Jiraiya intoned.
"WHAT?"
"Oh, nothing," said a grinning Jiraiya.
"Ok," mumbled Naruto, rolling his eyes. He locked his fingers behind his head, doing his relax-walk. It wasn't long before the main gate to Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves, appeared over the crest of the trees. At first it was only a sliver of red, which Naruto dismissed as the light. Slowly, but surely, as the two weary travelers trudged on, the sliver grew into a bar, then the entire top with the villages name. Ah, at long last our heroes return home.
Not long before, at Hokage Mountain, Tsunade stared up at the carvings, remembering her grandfather, the second. She instinctively touched the spot her necklace once hung, forgetting that Naruto now wore it. Shizune slinked up beside her.
"Tsunade-" she began, interrupted by Tsunade's yelp. "What is it now, Shizune?" she asked, regaining her composure.
"I don't think you were informed, because Naruto returns today!
"What? Are you kidding?"
"No, Jiraiya sent me this himself, Shizune cried, handing Tsunade a small pigeon note. Tsunade read it quickly. Naruto and I shall be home within the day. Prepare anything you may have for us, it read. Damnit, two years without that brat wasn't enough. Hmph. Well, let's get the word out Shizune. Notify anyone who knows Naruto, this is urgent!" Tsunade commanded, emphasizing the last word and saying it more like ürgent. Shizune gasped out a "Y-y-yes milady!" before disappearing.
Shizune blinked. She knew who had to be told first. Hinata would need to know. Everyone except Naruto could see that she loved Naruto, and she was shy to boot. She had seen to Hinata many times before in the hospital, the report same in almost every time. 'Lost consciousness temporarily as a direct result of shock.' Caused by Naruto of course, although unintentionally. Shizune arrived at the headquarters of the courier ninja headquarters. She slammed the doors opened lightly (wait is that even possible?) and leapt in. The head courier stood up upon seeing Lady Hokage's personal assistance. "What is it you need, Shizune? Courier 007 at your service!" he chanted, saluting her like an officer to his superior.
"Naruto is returning very soon and I need your men to simply inform these Konoha residents. It won't take long," Shizune explained, handing the ninja a list of names. 007 scrutinized the list for a moment before grinning. "All these people will know in a jiffy ma'am. Don't worry!" he promised, saluting yet again. Shizune left the building, leaving behind loud shouts of "All couriers on standby, report immediately! We have messages to deliver!" Now, to get to the Hyuga Mansion.
Shizune knocked on the doors for the 5th time. Man, you'd think the richest clan in the village would be able to afford their heiress a person who could answer the damn door! Just as her train of thought stopped, the door swung open to reveal the timid Hyuga heiress. Upon seeing a familiar face, she lit up. Shizune decided to break the news before Hinata began extending courtesies. "I have some good news for you, Hinata." Hinata gasped. Perhaps the beautiful handbag I've ordered for Hana has arrived! But even with the courier ninja speed, two days is a bit fast… Although that's probably why it's good news. "Naruto will be back in Konoha in a matter of hours. I wanted to tell you first and give you time. Well, if you have anything planned, better get it ready. I gotta run, see ya!" and with that, a satisfied Shizune ran off to find Shikamaru, leaving a bewildered Hinata to her problem. "N-naruto is b-back?" she asked to nobody. Her big eyes were open wide, hands interlocked at her chest. Oh Naruto, I missed you so much, she thought. But what am I going to do?
As you'd expect, Shikamaru wasn't very busy. He was lying on the bed in the pint-sized pagoda he'd built on his roof. Originally it was for himself, but he'd constructed another bed once a certain annoying woman had entered his life. His train of thought made him sigh and look left. Temari was on the bed, sleeping peacefully. Man, in this state, it's hard to call her annoying. She is so pretty… Wait, I did not just think that. Augh! Shikamaru shook his head. "Man, what a drag. Even the smartest are muddled by women," Shikamaru muttered to himself. Or he thought he did. Temari rolled over. "Did I hear that right?" she joked, grinning. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and stared at the sky. Man, sometimes I wish I could transform into a cloud, or at least sit on one. Either way, it actually might be useful for spying. The peace was interrupted by a 'clop-clop.' Shikamaru jumped out of his bed and Shizune was paralyzed before she could open her mouth. Shikamaru's mouth formed an 'oops' as he released the hand sign. Shizune's eyebrow rose. Shikamaru opened his mouth as if to apologize, but Shizune held up her hand. "I understand, Shikamaru. Anyway, I have some important news," she began as Temari sat up. "Naruto is returning to Konoha, probably within noon." Shikamaru didn't provide any outward response, so she went on. "If you have any plans, prepare them. You're my last recipient, so I can help you get the word out." Shikamaru didn't adopt his thought pose. He knew what was going to happen. "It's ok, we can manage," he told her, and left. I did not just say we, he thought, glancing at Temari. Shizune hopped away in the direction of the Hokage residence. Shikamaru glanced back at Temari. "You comin'?"
"I wouldn't miss it," she retorted, giggling. Temari stood up and followed Shikamaru.
Shikamaru arrived at the gate, followed by Temari. The Konoha Eleven and their mentors were all there. Iruka was also standing there, as well as Shizune. Shikamaru cleared his throat loudly. 14 heads turned towards Shikamaru. "Guys, I have an idea." Hinata, standing behind a building, perked up her ears as Shikamaru began.
"We all know Naruto loves ramen. Well he always eats at a ramen bar called Ichiraku Ramen, owned by Teuchi and his daughter. Hopefully, if we can get his approval, we can surprise Naruto when he goes to eat there," he explained. "That's a great idea! Let's move!" Kiba yelled. The small army trotted towards the Ichiraku Ramen bar.
When Hinata heard Shikamaru's plan, she grinned widely. If everyone leaves to ambush him at the Ramen bar, I'll be alone with him, the first one to greet his return. It'll be wonderful! Hinata leaned against the wall. She was taller and her face-framing bangs had been let out longer and thicker. The rest of her hair was no longer cut short; it now flowed behind her neck and reached halfway down her back. Hinata sighed and pulled out an apple. I have some waiting to do.
Naruto was finally at the gates of Konoha. He beamed at the gates. I wonder if there's a surprise party. Jiraiya heard the distinct crunch of an apple. He looked down at Naruto's toad summon. "Gamikichi, could you hop on ahead and tell me who's going to ambush Naruto?" He requested, grinning widely.
"Course I will!" responded the talking toad. Jiraiya glanced at Naruto. Clearly, he had not heard a thing. Gamikichi hopped back to Jiraiya. "It's the Hyuga girl," he whispered when Jiraiya put a finger to his lips. That girl already? Jiraiya wanted to avoid ruining Naruto's homecoming, so he decided it was a good time to disappear. "Well Naruto, I have some business to attend to with the Hokage, so I'll see you around ok?" said Jiraiya, and was gone in a puff of smoke. Naruto shrugged it off. "Anyway Gamikichi, you can go home now. Nothing for you to do here," Naruto told his bumpy buddy."
"Ok Naruto, hope to see you around!" Gamakichi disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Naruto walked into the town.
Hinata watched the gate from her alley. A toad hopped through the gate before looking at her and turning around. That was double weird. Toads don't waltz through gates. Then came Jiraiya. Wait… isn't he the one teaching Naruto? Hinata gasped. She threw the apple remains backwards into a bin. Naruto was back!
I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. I'll try to update weekly, on Sundays if not later. This is a parallel universe, to be frank, and aspects of Shippuden like major missions and events will remain.