So, just a random story I'm writing and I thought it would be fun… idk how far I'll go and I might stop this after a while if I regret it enough, who knows. But anyways, this takes place after the ending of Naruto (the manga) and before the next gen, but in a world in which Neji does not die like seriously why is he the only one of them to die? But anyways, enjoy however much of this story I plan on writing… or not; idk it's up to you. Criticism and suggestions are welcome, as well as anything in between (or not in between idk).
Disclaimer: Kishimoto-san owns Naruto.
Chapter 1: Reunions Are a Pain
Temari trekked through Konohagakure's familiar forest, following the same trail her two younger brothers were currently taking, just a few steps ahead of her.
"This will be boring," Kankuro vowed, his purple-painted eyes scanning for any potential threats.
"You say that every time," Temari said, watching as the clouds in the sky slowly floated by. They reminded her of a certain lazy shinobi residing in the village they were heading to. She could already see his expression: his furrowed eyebrows as she greeted him by calling him a crybaby; his normally bored brown eyes betraying his excitement even as he refused to say anything aloud; the slight turn of his mouth in its signature frown as he led them through the village.
"Please tell me you're not thinking about Nara already," Kankuro said.
Temari started to protest, but Kankuro held up a hand.
"No, don't deny it," Kankuro said. "I can see your expression, you know. You always make that face when you think about him."
"I do not," Temari insisted. She paused. "Do I?"
Gaara let out a small laugh. "You kind of do, Temari."
"Ugh, whatever," Temari muttered, speeding up her pace so she was ahead of her brothers.
"Can't wait to see him, huh?" Kankuro hollered after her. He was blown away by a sudden gust of wind and Gaara shook his head as Kankuro caught up again.
"You know better than to tease her," Gaara said. "Please behave yourself for the Kage meeting."
Kankuro rolled his eyes. "I always behave during the meeting; I'm your bodyguard, after all."
Gaara smiled. "I'm glad you are."
.
Naruto waded through the stacks of paper in the Hokage's office before finally reaching his destination: the desk where his former sensei was seated.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto called out. "I'm back with the report, dattebayo!"
"Naruto, he's the Hokage now," a male voice slowly drawled. Shikamaru was standing behind the Hokage's desk, looking disinterestedly at a piece of paper in his hands.
"But he'll always be Kakashi-sensei to me," Naruto whined. "And you don't mind, right?"
Kakashi shrugged, looking just as disinterested as his advisor as he flipped through a mission file.
"It's good to have you back, Naruto," Kakashi said, getting straight to business.
"It's good to be back, dattebayo," Naruto grinned. He handed the Sixth Hokage a piece of paper.
"There wasn't much to it," Naruto said. "There was a slight problem with some of the farmers there, but I took care of it. It's written on the report, dattebayo."
Kakashi accepted the paper and read it over. "This will do. There haven't been as many S-rank missions lately, so you'll have to accept another A-rank one later. The Kage summit is tomorrow and I want you to pay attention to the things going on, but that's not too high a priority for you. For now, just take a few days' rest. I'll have Shikamaru call you over when the mission is picked."
Naruto nodded and when he still hadn't left, Kakashi addressed him.
"Is there something else you need, Naruto?"
Naruto looked around, avoiding Kakashi's eyes, and then asked hesitantly, "Uh, he wouldn't happen to be back, would he?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow in question, but Shikamaru had no trouble understanding what his friend wanted.
"He sent a falcon saying he'll be here tomorrow morning," Shikamaru informed. "He has things he needs to report to Hokage-sama in person, but afterwards, he's all yours."
Naruto couldn't help the wide grin spreading across his face as he bounded out.
"See you later, Kakashi-sensei, Shikamaru!"
.
"Look, it's going to be fine," Tenten reassured her friend as she walked.
"But what if he doesn't like it?" Lee asked, fidgeting nervously with the box in his hands.
"Guy-sensei will like it," Neji said calmly, and then added under his breath, "When has he ever refused anything from you?"
"But I don't know if he'll like the taste of this tea," Lee said.
"Lee-kun, you went all the way across the world to get them," Tenten reminded him. "How can he not appreciate your effort?"
"Technically, he was on a mission and just so happened to come upon them," Neji said.
Tenten shot the Hyuuga an annoyed look. "That was not the point. Besides, it's the thought that counts."
Lee nodded reluctantly. "You're right."
The trio arrived at Guy's current apartment, where he had been recuperating for the past few months.
"Lee-kun!" A loud voice rang out, and Tenten winced while Neji sighed.
"Guy-sensei!" Lee shouted in response as a man in a green jumpsuit wheeled himself over.
"You should be resting, Guy-sensei," Tenten reprimanded.
"I'm fine, Tenten," Guy boomed, embracing his students in a hug. Neji was the first to back away, with Tenten hurriedly following suit.
"Guy-sensei," Neji said, "Tenten's right. You shouldn't be doing exercises for so long."
Guy dismissed his concerns with a wave. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Why don't you all come inside?"
Tenten and Neji exchanged looks.
"Actually, we just stopped by," Tenten said quickly. "Neji and I have to report for guard duty today."
"Oh, that's right!" Guy said. "The Five Kage Summit is soon, isn't it?"
"Tomorrow," Neji said.
Guy nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. I'll see you two later!"
Neji and Tenten nodded and made their retreat as Guy pulled Lee into his apartment, no doubt ready to have hours of conversation.
"If it's not training, it's retelling stories," Tenten said, shaking her head as she and Neji made their way to the Hokage's office.
Neji shrugged. "I don't understand how Lee can stand it."
The two stopped at the entrance to the Hokage's office. There were two figures making their ways down and the faster one waved at them as they came into view.
"Neji! Tenten!" the orange-clothed shinobi yelled, running to them.
The figure behind him approached at a much slower rate, nodding his head in acknowledgement. Neji nodded back and Tenten gave them a little wave.
"Naruto, you're back already?" Tenten asked.
Naruto grinned. "You bet! I gave my report just now, and Shikamaru and I are going to go see Gaara."
"He's the Kazekage," Shikamaru said. "Can't you show a little respect?"
"But he's Gaara," said Naruto. "He was my friend before he was Kazekage!"
"You never change," Shikamaru muttered. He turned to address the two older shinobi. "Are you two here to see the Hokage-sama?"
"Is he busy?" Neji asked.
"Nah," said Shikamaru. "In fact, I think he'd be glad for the interruption."
"More paperwork?" Tenten guessed.
Shikamaru nodded. "Anyways, we have to go. The Kazekage-sama will be here soon."
"Along with Temari," Naruto said slyly, jabbing his friend with his elbow.
Shikamaru sighed. "Shut up, Naruto."
.
"Hey, look who's here!" Kankuro said, gesturing to the two Konohagakure shinobi standing by the entrance to the village. The one on the left was waving at them, his yellow hair trimmed shorter than what they were used to. The one on the right was leaning against the gate, hands in his pockets in a display of boredom.
"Naruto-kun," Gaara said, extending a hand.
Naruto shook it excitedly. "I heard you were arriving today, so I had to come see you, dattebayo!"
"What, and not see us?" Kankuro asked, and Naruto took Kankuro's hand and shook it.
Temari withdrew her hand from Naruto's reach. "I'd prefer to skip the hand shaking, thank you very much."
"Kazekage-sama," Shikamaru greeted. "Kankuro-san. Temari-san."
"Nara." Kankuro replied coolly. "We're not late, are we?"
"No," said Shikamaru. "The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at two in the afternoon."
"Told you we'd make it," Temari said. "Hokage-sama doesn't like having early meetings, does he?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "I'm surprised he's always on time for these meetings."
"Anyways, I'll show you to your rooms, I guess," said Shikamaru.
"No need," Gaara refused politely. "We know the way. I'd like to report directly to Hokage-sama."
Shikamaru shrugged. "Sure."
He trailed behind them as he made his way to the Hokage's office for the sixth time that day.
"Crybaby," Temari said, slowing down so that she was walking besides Shikamaru.
True to Temari's predictions, Shikamaru's eyebrows furrowed together. "Must you still call me that?"
"You know I'll never stop calling you that."
Shikamaru sighed. "Mendokusei."
"But, where are the others?" Temari asked. "Were you the only one available to see us?"
Shikamaru returned her gaze defiantly. "Maybe I just wanted to see you."
"Okay, that's nice and all, but can you two save that for later?" Kankuro interrupted. "Like, later, as in, just the two of you?"
Temari smacked her brother with her fan, slightly embarrassed. "No one told you to listen."
.
After informing Kakashi that the Kazekage and his entourage had arrived, the two groups of shinobi parted ways.
Shikamaru cleared his throat. "So, uh, you want something to eat, Temari?"
Temari smiled at him. "That sounds like a great idea."
"Oh, no, you don't!" Kankuro said, stopping his sister after she had taken a few steps towards Shikamaru. "You're coming with us! You've literally been dating him for two months now, and you've already visited him four times within those two months! Just how many 'diplomatic' trips can you make to Konohagakure in a month?! You're just lucky Gaara's the Kazekage so he can allow you to make such ridiculous trips! I mean, come on, it takes three days to travel here, so six if it's here and back. That's six days wasted, and then you have to include the days you spend here with your boyfriend!"
Temari frowned. "Those trips were necessary."
Kankuro rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure they were. And even if they were, that still means you got to see him all those times. You can last a few hours more without him. Besides, you're going to be staying here longer than us, anyways."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you are?"
"Oh, that's good, 'cause I'm pretty sure I recall Shikamaru begging for a few days off," Naruto said. "And they just so happen to coincide with the days you're here."
"Naruto," Shikamaru said.
Naruto looked innocently at his friend. "Yes?"
Shikamaru sighed. "Mendokusei."
Naruto laughed at his friend's misery. "Man, I never thought Shikamaru would be the first of us to get a girlfriend!"
"Shut up, Naruto," Shikamaru said. "Don't tell me you aren't excited for a certain someone arriving tomorrow?"
"W-What? No, I'm not!" Naruto denied. "Who said anything about that? I mean, he hasn't been in the village for so long, is all!"
"So, you miss him," Shikamaru stated, glad that he had turned the tables on his friend.
Naruto went red in the face. "No, I don't!"
At Gaara's curious glance, Naruto ran off, stammering excuses about how tired he was from the mission.
Shikamaru smirked. That was one victory for him.
.
The rest of the day went by with little incident. Temari managed to snag a few hours away from her brothers so she could "discuss diplomatic business" with the young Nara head. On the other hand, Naruto had latched himself like a persistent leech to Kiba and Shino's side, whining about how he had no other friends to hang out with since they were busy.
"Dude," said Kiba, "We're kind of busy, too, you know?"
"You guys don't seem too busy," Naruto countered, holding back a yawn.
"Naruto-kun, if you're tired, then go sleep," Shino said.
After much persisting from his two friends, Naruto finally took their advice and was soon fast asleep in his room.
.
It was the day of the Five Kage Summit. While most of Konohagakure's shinobi were busy guarding their village from unseen dangers, the world's war hero was standing by the entrance of the village, watching the horizon impatiently.
"Where is he?" Naruto demanded to no one.
"Where is who?"
Naruto jumped slightly, and a young man appeared before him, his hair already longer than Naruto's after months of wandering around.
"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled gleefully, running to embrace him.
The returned shinobi raised an eyebrow and deftly avoided him. "Excited much?"
Naruto shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "You've been gone for three months, dattebayo! Of course, I'm excited!"
Sasuke smirked. "Three months isn't that long."
"For you maybe," Naruto mumbled.
"I have to report to Kakashi first," Sasuke said, halting any plans Naruto had for him.
"But after?" Naruto asked hopefully.
Sasuke said nothing, turning his back on Naruto as he entered the village. Naruto stared after him, watching his cloak move mysteriously in the wind. Just as he was about to disappear from Naruto's sight, Sasuke turned his head back a few degrees so that Naruto could barely make out the ghost of a smile on the other man's face.
"I make no promises."
.
The five Kage met in some obscure room for their meeting, and after the meeting was over, the other Kage slowly made their ways back to their respective villages. Only the Kazekage had decided to stay a few days longer, and now he was taking a stroll through the village with his brother.
"Where did Naruto go anyways?" Kankuro asked. "I would've thought he'd be at the meeting, but instead we got good ol' Nara and Hyuuga Neji."
"When will you stop calling him 'Nara'?" Gaara inquired his older brother, who merely shrugged.
"I have the right to call him whatever I want," Kankuro said, crossing his arms. "Especially if he's dating our sister. We need to keep an eye on that kid."
"Shikamaru won't do anything," Gaara said confidently. "He knows what'll happen to him."
"I'll kill him if he ever hurts her," Kankuro promised.
"After Temari's done with him, you mean," Gaara said. "If there's anything left of him."
Kankuro grinned. "Right you are, my brother."