As we Mature (Naruto x ???)

Setting:

It has been one month since Naruto had returned from his training with Jiraiya. He's grown a lot in many ways. He's become more tall, skilled, and strong. Mature? Well, lets just put it this way: Jiraiya to Naruto is like a flat tire to a car. Obviously he now knows about "mating" and stuff like that. I mean, the car can still run on a flat tire, it just doesn't go as far…Anyway, on with the story.

Chapter 1 - Part 1: Finally Home

'1…2…3…' Naruto sat on his bed, gazed affixed on his window. '4…5…6…' He sat there, counting the little droplets of water dribble down his window as a gentle morning rain showered all of Konoha. "I hope," said Naruto, "that today won't be as hectic when I first got home…"

--- 1 day ago ---

"Is…Is t-that…what I think it is?"

"Yup, that's it alright. The village hidden in the leaves: Konoha!"

"YATTA!!! WE'RE FINALLY HOME!!!"

Uzumaki Naruto, Konoha's number one knuckle-head ninja had finally returned home after three years of absence. Him, along with one of the legendary three: Jiraiya, entered the wide gateway to their beloved ninja village.

"Hey, Ero-sennin, I'm gonna go ahead and take a look around!" yelled the blonde

With a big smile and nod of approval, he sent his pupil off to explore and discover the various things which had changed in the past three years. 'That boy better not cause trouble on his FIRST day back… Haha, oh well, he'll be fine. I should go report our arrival to Tsunade.'

SWWISHHSWWOOSH

Naruto jumped rooftop to rooftop quickly looking for any signs of change in Konoha.

"Wooh!"

Just then, Naruto found himself looking at the Hokage's face – a stone face that is.

"Haha! Wow, Tsunade-baachan's head is on Hokage Rock!" Said Naruto, "Hmm…that carving is pretty good. I wonder who made it? Haha, I spent half of my childhood days cleaning the thing, and I STILL didn't know who made the things."

"N-Naruto? I-is that R-really you?" said a voice from behind

Naruto quickly turned on his heel to determine who it was.

"A-Ayame!"

It was none other than Ayame. Worker and daughter of Ichiraku of the Ichiraku Ramen stand stood before the Uzumaki holding a bag of ingredients for her father's new Ramen recipe.

"Haha it is you Naruto! Your finally home!"

"Yup! It's me in the flesh baby!" exclaimed Naruto

"Baby?" said Ayame tilting her head to the side

Blushing and scratching the back of his head, "Oh, haha sorry. I guess Ero-sennin's attitude really is rubbing off on me."

"Hehe, it's alright Naruto, I'm just glad that your back." Said Ayame smiling, "C'mon, how about we celebrate your long awaited return with my father's new recipe!"

"Woohoo! You bet!"

With that, the two walked (well, at least Ayame did) to Naruto's favorite Ramen stand. Fortunately for him, a surprise awaited him.

"Wooh! The Ramen stand got bigger!"

Naruto stood in front of his favorite eatery excited to see that it had changed. The old ramen stand was no longer a little stand, but now the size of the local bar. A classic red sun roof stuck out from the top of the building The small drape-like cloths that hung from there were now replaced by a beige wall and red door. On it in white said "Ichiraku Ramen, best ramen in all of Konoha."

Said Ayame smiling, "Haha wait until you see the inside Naruto."

"Alright! Lets go!"

Ayame smiled following the blonde ninja into the home of Konoha's best ramen. Once inside, Naruto was greeted by one of the few people who acknowledged him when he was young.

Taking his usual spot behind the counter, stood old man Ichiraku.

"Oi! Ossan! Did you miss me?"

"N-Naruto? Haha Naruto it is you! Welcome back!" shouted the ossan

"Hehe, glad to hear it."

"So, how do you like the new and improved Ramen stand huh?"

"Haha lets see…Woah!" said Naruto finally taking a look around.

Naruto stood there in awe, scanning his surroundings taking a good look at the place. There stood two seated tables lined up against the walls, which were layered in softwood lumber, four seated tables arranged around the floor, and a bar's usual long counter with stools beneath them. What surprised and actually brought Naruto close to tears was the poster, encased in a wooded frame hung up to what appeared to be a kunai up by the entrance. It was a picture of him. Not just any picture, but a picture, which made Naruto happy to have known old man Ichiraku as a child. In the center was Naruto, posing as if he were the coolest guy in Konoha. And directly above him bore the message: "Gifted with great power and trained by a legend, Uzumaki Naruto – a future Hokage"