Hello everyone! It feels good to be back! Even though the break wasn't that long...Anyway! I have been very busy writing this sequel, although I believe that a good story writes itself and since it wasn't too difficult to write this, I believe it came out good. I hope this sequel lives up to everyones expectations, but we won't know unless you get to read the first chapter! Also, this story shall update on the same schedule as Redemption, i.e. on Saturdays and Wednesdays, however, since I will be busy all day tomorrow, I decided to be nice and give it to you today. So, without further ado, here it is! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just my own characters.
Chapter 1
Kakashi smirked under his mask as he read his Icha Icha just outside of Tsunade's window but hidden from the newly returned Naruto. He was surprised how much his former student had changed in the two and a half years since he had last seen him. He was definitely more powerful, that much he could sense, but it still seemed like he was the same old goofball.
'But he looks much more like Minato now…' Kakashi thought solemnly.
He had been hiding out there ever since Naruto entered Tsunade's office and he found himself amused by the proceedings inside, especially when Naruto noticed Sakura. Much like Naruto, Kakashi mused, she had changed over the years. Of course, training constantly with Lady Tsunade would do that to anyone.
'Well, constant training isn't exactly true. Many times Ayumi would help her in strength training by launching boulders or walls of earth at her,' he mentally added.
"There'll be someone else happy to see you return, Naruto," Tsunade stated and Kakashi could only assume she motioned to the window, for he heard footsteps approaching it.
He kept his attention focused on his Icha Icha, taking full advantage of one of the few times he could read it now and smiled when Naruto looked at him.
"Hello, Naruto."
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed before he climbed out of the window and crouched near the man, "How've you been?"
Kakashi shrugged and closed his book, "Well, I can't complain really. Aside from my limited reading time thanks to Ayumi, I can't complain. And you?"
The blonde gave a broad grin, "Never been better! Now, before I forget, I got you something!" He began digging in his kunai pouch, "I read it and didn't like it, but I knew you would! It's signed and everything!" He exclaimed before pulling out a green book and handing it to Kakashi.
"W-What? This is the latest installment of the Icha Icha series! Not even released yet! How-!" Kakashi babbled as he opened the new book, relishing in the sound of the spine of the book cracking for the first time.
Naruto chuckled, "You seemed to forget who I trained with, Kakashi-sensei. But I knew you'd like it!"
Sakura shook her head from the window as the man already began reading it, "You know Ayumi-sensei won't like that, Kakashi-sensei."
He glanced up at the pink-haired girl, "What she won't know, won't hurt her."
The girl scoffed, "But it'll hurt you later."
Kakashi narrowed his eye at her before continuing to read; however, he was interrupted by Naruto asking:
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, where is Ayumi-san?"
"She's on a mission," Tsunade grumbled from inside her office, "Now, how about you three go somewhere else and leave me alone to speak with Jiraiya, hmm?"
Kakashi smiled, "Perfect idea, Lady Tsunade," he looked up at his former students, "how about we go to the old training grounds, hmm? I'd like to see what the two of you could do now. Perhaps the old bell test again?"
Sakura and Naruto both smirked, "You got it, sensei!"
The three of them leapt away towards the old training grounds. Tsunade, Shizune, and Jiraiya watched them go before the Hokage turned to her former teammate and stated:
"Now, tell me what you've learned about the Akatsuki."
Ayumi greeted Kotetsu and Izumo as she walked through the village's eastern gate. She sighed as the sunset's rays warmed her body after her brief mission before she pulled out her mission report scroll that she had completed while camping out last night. She gripped the thin black scroll tightly in her hand and began walking towards the Hokage's office.
As she strolled leisurely through the streets, she couldn't help but notice that the village seemed to be busier and more gossipy than usual. Finally, to her relief, she saw Iruka doing some grocery shopping at a fruit stand.
"Iruka!" She called while waving.
He noticed her and motioned her over, smiling, "Ayumi, glad to see you're back. Everything go well?"
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, very well. Now, what's going on? This place seems more alive."
The chunin smiled, "Of course, you wouldn't have heard yet. Naruto and Jiraiya-sama have returned."
Ayumi smiled, "That's wonderful! I'll see you later, Iruka. I need to report in and find Kakashi. We'll hang out soon!"
As she began leaping off, she heard Iruka shout after her, "We better! It's been too long!"
She smiled before increasing her speed.
Ayumi arrived moments later at the door to the Hokage's office. She quickly knocked and, once invited in, entered. She nodded to Shizune before bowed slightly to Tsunade.
"I told you years ago, Ayumi, stop with all that," Tsunade stated as she took the scroll from her.
The kunoichi just smiled, "I know, but manners are hard to get rid of. If you don't mind me asking, Lady Tsunade, do you know where Kakashi is?"
The blonde woman nodded, "I do know and don't mind telling you. He's at his team's old training ground with Sakura and Naruto testing their abilities."
Ayumi smiled, "Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
As she turned to leave, however, Tsunade stated, "By the way, I'll have a mission for you tomorrow. Come by around lunch if you could, Ayumi."
The young woman smiled, "I'll see you then," and with that, she left.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei! You know how I read the Icha Icha book? Well, at the end-"
The silver-haired man quickly covered his ears, 'I can't hear the ending! Oh no…I can read his lips! Damn you, Sharingan!"
He quickly closed his eyes and stepped further back from the blonde idiot before opening his eyes again after he felt a tugging on his belt. He dropped his hands at the sight of Naruto and Sakura holding a bell each and smirking proudly. He sweat-dropped and straightened up while chuckling:
"Well…uh…Good job, you two!"
He heard a feminine chuckle from behind him and turned in time to see Ayumi leaping down from a nearby tree branch and landing a few feet away from the three of them.
"I knew those books would lead to your demise, Kakashi. I told you to give them up," she said with a smirk.
The sharingan user blushed faintly beneath his mask, "You…You never really pressed the issue…"
Ayumi rolled her eyes and began to say something else before something hit her chest and embraced her in a hug, "Ayumi-san!"
She laughed and hugged Naruto back slightly before they released, "Yes, hello Naruto. It's good to see you again."
The blonde smiled, "It's good to see you too!" He grinned before blinking and staring at her with a slightly confused look on his face, "Something…. Something is different about you…"
Ayumi laughed, "I assume you mean my hair."
"Ayumi-sensei, why did you cut your hair?" Sakura questioned, having not seen the older woman in a few weeks.
What was once long, lavender hair was now a short, spikey ponytail with two short sections of hair framing her face over her headband. Ayumi smiled menacingly at Kakashi:
"Yes, Kakashi, what happened to my hair?"
Kakashi blushed even more beneath his mask, "It was an accident…"
Sakura blinked while Naruto exclaimed, heavily confused, "Can someone just tell us already?"
Ayumi chuckled, "During training one day, Kakashi set my hair on fire with a fireball jutsu."
"Oh…so was that the week no one saw you with your porn, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura questioned.
The man grumbled, his head down turned, "Maybe…. possibly…. Hey! I have an idea! Let's all go to Ichiraku's for dinner!"
While Naruto cheered and led the way with Sakura shaking her head slightly beside him, Ayumi and Kakashi followed behind them.
"Nice way to change the subject," Ayumi stated while glancing up at Kakashi who was reading his book.
He smiled and shrugged, "I try my best."
As Naruto downed another bowl of ramen as the other three watched, Sakura looked at Ayumi and questioned:
"So, did Tsunade finish up your treatments last time? I noticed you didn't wear your armor when you left for your last mission."
Naruto leaned forward with a mouth of ramen and stated, "I knew somefing else was different about you, Ayumi-san!"
She chuckled and took a small sip of sake, "Yes, she did. My arm is fully healed now. She explained about how the medics didn't set the bone properly last time and that led to the weakness, but it's all taken care of. Anyway Naruto, how was your training with Jiraiya?"
And so, over the course of dinner, Naruto told of his adventures and training with Jiraiya and when he finished, Sakura related her training with Tsuande. All while Kakashi and Ayumi listened, amazed at how much these two genin, the pink-haired one now a chunin, had grown up.
Unbeknownst to the four of them as they dined, Tsunade's work was interrupted by two messenger ANBU members from the Sand Village.
"Lady-Tsunade, we have a report from the elders of Suna," a hawk masked ANBU stated.
She nodded, "Go on."
"Lord Gaara has been kidnapped by two members of the Akatsuki and Lord Kankuro is injured severely by a poison we cannot cure. Suna is requesting your assistance in accordance with our peace treaty," the other ANBU member, a cat masked wearer, replied.
Tsunade's eyes widened at the news before she stood up and looked out her window at the clear night that had befallen the village. Several thoughts clouded her mind as she pondered the implications of this kidnapping; however, the clearest thought in her mind was of whom she was going to send. She turned, facing the two ANBU who were now gazing silently at her, and spoke:
"Yes, Konoha will give aide. A team shall be sent out in the morning."