1st Chapter:

1st Chapter:

Night Time a month after Naruto got back from his training trip.

"I gotta get stronger…….." A certain tanned blonde sighed, as he looked out at the moon shining forlornly in the sky. He blinked his azure eyes and smiled. "Well….I spose its time for another training trip…no…that would be too painful to say good bye to everyone…" "Ah…I got an idea…..but…..Sakura…." He shrugged. "Sorry….Haruno-san…" He said as he rolled out of his bed and started packing his bags for the next seven years of his life.

Next day: On the bridge where Team 7 used to meet…

"Morning Haruno-san…" Naruto said with mock cheeriness

"Ah…Morning Narut….wait…since when did you start calling me Haruno-san? You ok?"

"Eh…..ah….right….yeah I am fine" He said as he smiled flashing his white teeth briefly.

Sakura's blushed inwardly.

"Ah ok Naruto if you say so…"

"Yo…Naruto…Sakura."

In unison for old time's sake Naruto and Sakura screamed.

"You're late!!"

The silver, mask wearing Jounin chuckled, "Ah gomen, I was lost on the road of life…"

"Wait…..Kakashi sensei have you been hanging out with Gai-sensei lately or have you gone nuts…"

"Eh Sakura he seems normal to me" Naruto chuckled as he walked over to his sensei.

"Ne ne Kakash-sensei what are we doing today? Neeeee??"

"Well our mission today is a fun one ready?"

"Its not trying to catch a cat is it sensei? Cuz if it is I might as well go home." Sakura said irritably.

"Hey Sakura don't you think that it would be nostalgic even if we went on the cat mission? I mean it would be fun to do it one last time before…Ah…I mean you know just the two of us or something like that…" Naruto said catching himself scratching his head awkwardly hoping no one caught that.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Must be at that age or something" he thought to himself.

Sakura sighed "I suppose you're right Naruto…" She said smiling.

"Well both of you shouldn't get your hopes up." Kakashi said happily. "Because our mission...is... to…. set up…. for the lights festival….iiiiiiin Konoha!"

Naruto and Sakura's eyes widened! The festival of lights in Konoha was one of the best festivals in the whole region.

Sakura eyes widened in excitement and then dulled

"I wish Sasuke kun were here…then we could go together…" She said as she gazed out at the river swirling and churning beneath the bridge.

"Heh...really Haruno…" Naruto said under his breath loud enough for Sakura to hear as he rested his elbows on the side and propped and cocked his head to the side watching the wind ruffle the trees and his hair.

"What Naruto do you have a problem with me wanting to see Saskue-kun!?" She said.

"Naruto looked at her from the corner of his eye and saw her obvious enragement. "Not…at…all" He said annunciating each word turning to face his sensei. "So what do we do today? S.e.n.s.e.i.?" Naruto said as he smirked at his teacher.

"Well…we were supposed to help out. But while you two were getting all irritated with each other, I got a message about how our mission was given to team Gai instead…Ah…oh well…."

"Ah…really…..?" Naruto said sounding sad. "Mah….but I suppose we have to just wait and try some other time right?" The blond teen chuckled. "But since we have the day off….." He glanced at Sakura

"No." She said as the pink teen walked away.

Naruto shrugged, "Don't flatter yourself Haruno." He said as he soon disappeared in a wisp of smoke.

Sakura glanced behind her and stuck her tongue out at the now non existent Naruto.

Kakshi sensei leaned on the side of the bridge, "I wonder what happened to Naruto…what is he planning…." He sighed, shrugged his shoulders and vanished.