The hokage of konaha paced sullenly back and forth before his window. He gazed out and scanned the surrounding areas for danger. This though, was routine, so much so that he wasn't even sure if he was truly looking anymore. But still... The young man let out an exasperated sigh and continued his pacing. He was twenty-six years old and he had the eyes and battle scars of some one many times his age. Not to mention a ward. He turned his head to his right where just below his desk was a chubby, raven haired baby boy.

"Daisuke"

he called to the infant who perked and turned his head curiously. Cluless to the bloodshed that had surrounded his birth so long ago. Cerulean eyes roved over Daisuke, crinkling in a smile, and in one fluid motion the blonde had scooped him up and held him close. The babe's wild hair was deeply black and beginning to take it's inherited shape. The pain of memory made him reconsider.

"No, not raven. Ravens only know to fly away. You inside you have the will of fire so it must be coal."

"U-um H-H-Hokage sama, ano.."

Hinata's timid voice trailed away as she entered upon the intimate scene.

"Oh f-forgive me sir. I-I'll come back some other time!"

Hinata turned away, milky eyes gazing longingly at the child that looked so much like its mother.

"Hinata-chan I told you call me to Naruto, I mean we've known each other since we were genin."

"N-n-naruto?"

She questioned as if this was a new concept. The idea of Calling the Hokage by his first was enough to send a tomato blush rising to her cheeks. He hadn't changed at all.

"Yes Naruto. Now tell me why you've come here. I know it must be important for the head Hyuga herself to come visit me."

Naruto winked playfully at Hinata as a secret smirk graced his lips at the sight of her deepening blush. He secretly applauded himself for still having such an effect on her. Hinata's countenance, however grew severe and Naruto followed suit. becoming increasingly wary of just how serious this could be.

"There has been a breaching of the northern entrance. One of my men spotted the intruder just minutes ago. I came has fast as I could to tell you."

"Ha! Are you telling me there's a threat so great that not even you can handle it?"

"Not can't, Shouldn't this person has an incredible amount of chakra. And they somehow slipped in undetected without using any of the gates . This could mean a ninja with intimate knowledge of the village itself. I thought it best to report to you first. In case we are dealing with Sas-."

"I see. Thank you."

Naruto's expression was unreadable as he handed Daisuke to a surprised Hintata and disappeared. Once the idea of meeting him again would have sent twinges of excitement running through his finger tips, but not anymore. This time he would kill.

The feeling of the sun on his face caused a feeling of warmth to rise within him. However, it was soon stomped down and replaced by seriousness. He had no idea what type of danger this new threat would yield and in a moment of desperation, he prayed it was not Sasuke. In all honesty he had no clue what would come of a meeting with the rouge nin. Both were such powerful ninjas that a true fight would ensure the destruction of Konohagakure and the death of many. As the Hokage he had made a promise to protect. Though he had once made a different promise to someone else. He had always been able to fulfill it. It was time to finally stop trying. Naruto appeared in a flurry of green leaves and dust, a habit he had picked up shortly before his initiation as Konoha's Hokage. Fortunately this limited his ability to see, leaving the intruders face a mystery and making it easier to kill without remorse. Something he had come to find increasingly useful. He had discarded his Hokage attire in favor of a black bandana and black shozoku. Even without his traditional robes it was clear to any with sight that he was not to be trifled with. The air became still as the leaves fell to the ground seemingly in slow motion and it was as if all that could be heard was the steady beating of each opponents' own heart. Both watched as the final leaf floated slowly down to the brown earth landing there in a feather soft kiss. It had barely brushed the ground when Naruto flicked his wrist and sent a lightning fast Rasengan towards the mysterious figure. The spiraling blue ball flew through the air only to be reflected back to the greatly surprised Hokage. This time there was no silence, in fact it was all painfully loud. Not only had this person not been hit with his attack, he had also deflected it well enough to send it flying back to his own hands. A stunned look washed over his face as he calculated exactly what this would mean for him before he opened his mouth to speak.

"Who are you? Answer me!"

"Naruto? Are you still so angry with me that you would try to kill me? Has it been so long that you could forget me, Naruto?"

The voice that spoke was sweet and soft, yet the words were laced with a meaningful sorrow. A meaning that he could not place.

"How do you know me?"

"Naruto how could you not recognize me. Of all people?"

As the dust began to clear there was slowly revealed to be the figure of a woman. With each passing moment She became more and more tangible. Bright green eyes. Pink lips drawn into a hopeful half smile. Hair that was also pink, was pulled back into a flowing ponytail and draped over her shoulder. In the palm of her outstretched hand she clutched a bright red fan decorated with a single white circle in the center. Haruno. This fan was quickly snapped shut and Naruto's gaze followed the curve of the woman's silhouette to her face. It had been four years since he had seen this face. It was a face he had yearned to forget. A face full of memories, painful ones, and triumphant ones. A face he had once kissed. A face he had tried to hate and failed. He wanted so badly to believe that she was there. A name almost foreign to his mind escaped his lips.

"Sakura?"

The face smiled and arms wrapped around him in an embrace. When had she moved so close? Haruno Sakura had returned, yet he was filled with a stiffness in response to her hug. Naruto found it unnerving to have the girl he had once held so much affection and hate for treating him so tenderly and he pulled away from her. Not meeting her eyes. Seeming to understand his actions Sakura took a step back, suddenly able to feel the vast void which had grown between them. As if they had never known each other at all.

"It truly has been a long time. Ne, Naruto?"

She had said his name again and he was finding that it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the beating of his heart. How long had he waited to hear that voice? Why wasn't he happy?

Hey everyone, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you would like me to continue this story then please tell me in a review, even if its criticism. Tell me what you like and what you don't and I will guarantee that I will keep it going. Next chapter will be longer ^_^