Chapter 1 - They Return

A/N; This is my first story, so go easy on me, kay ? ?

I'm not super awesome writer and I'm young. So don't bash me :[ i won't be surprised if i don't get any reviews anyways lol :]]

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto ;[ Sad, isn't it ?

Sakura woke up and stretched her arms over her head, yawning. She looked to her side to see the picture of Sasuke, Naruto, and herself smiling with Kakashi-sensei. Naruto was making a face at Sasuke and Sasuke was acting as cool as ever. Sakura was in the middle of them both smiling with her long pink hair. A lot has changed since then.

Sakura and Naruto are best friends like they always have been, and Naruto is better at controlling the nine-tailed fox within him. Naruto has been gone for a while on a mission to try and bring Sasuke back once again, trying to fulfill his promise to Sakura. But, of course, Sakura knew he'd come back unsuccessful. She didn't mind.

She put on a tight red shirt and black shorts. She has wrap bandages around her legs and arms. She looked herself in the mirror and her emerald orbs were staring straight back at her. She brushed her hair back and put on her headband. Her hair has grown a lot since the chuunin exams. Her hair is now below her shoulders. She didn't know if she was going to go get it cut or not.

Sakura looked at the clock above her bedroom door. It was 6 o'clock in the morning and she didn't want to be late for Naruto. But, she enjoyed being early. She liked watching the sun rise above the trees outside the village.

She walked outside and walked to the front gate of the village. She looked at the sun rising above the trees and she heard little birds chirping in the distance. Naruto, Hinata, Neji, and Kakashi-sensei would be back today. Naruto of course would be sad that he failed on bringing Sasuke back, and she wanted to be there to tell him it was okay. What I silly promise she made him make.

For crying out loud this is Sasuke Uchiha we're talking about! He killed Orochimaru easily and not too long ago killed his brother, who has been his ambition since the Uchiha Massacre.

Sakura looked around and smiled as in the distance she saw some figures walking slowly. Guess she'd have some healing to do when they got here. Sakura sat down right in the middle of the road, seeing how she could barely see the figures; it'd take them just a little while to get here.

Sakura smiled at the thought of Naruto wanting to get some ramen and Hinata would be dragged along through the streets of the village. Neji would probably be tired but would be stubborn and just go training again.

"Silly, silly people we have in this village." She heard a voice behind her say. The voice was soft and warm, but strict at the same time.

"It's like you read my mind." Sakura said, smiling. Tsunade sat down beside Sakura, putting her arm around her. She stared at her master, admiring how beautiful she was. Still, it was like cheating her age since she used a special jutsu to stay young all the time. Sakura's mind instantly went to Naruto's ambition, Sasuke. "Do you know if they have Sasuke?" Sakura decided to ask, ready for the answer to be a normal one. 'They couldn't bring him back and Naruto is dissapointed.' "Actually, I don't know this time. They never sent a message on if they did or not. Not usual for Kakashi." She said, staring at Sakura with hey honey orbs.

Sakura shook the idea off, knowing that Kakashi was probably too busy reading that stupid pervert book to remember to send a message.

"They're always so determined. And poor Hinata had to be dragged along for the ride with Naruto. I won't be surprised if she's beat up pretty bad. I bet she felt kind of useless with Naruto and Neji there with her." I said, thinking about how long it's been since Sasuke left the village.

"Hinata is a strong girl." The hokage said surely, smiling up at the clouds.

"Ma'am?" Sakura said, looking down at the ground. "Hm?" Tsunade said, her eyebrows raised. "Do you ever think they'll bring back Sasuke? And Naruto, do you think he'll ever stop trying?" she asked. The hokage was shocked to hear these words from Sakura's mouth, but she knew she'd ask eventually. "Naruto won't give up. He'd rather die then give up. And, he will never become hokage if he doesn't retrieve Sasuke. You should know that. Naruto is stubborn, a knucklehead, and one of a kind." She said, smiling as the picture of the blond hyper boy jumped into her mind.

'Naruto, you've grown up so much.' Sakura thought. She smiled with her master and they both watched the figures come closer and closer. Sakura stood up and squinted into the distance. She waved her hands in the air frantically. "Hey Naruto!" She yelled. She swore she heard a voice is in distance yellign her name back.

She squinted her eyess trying to see the figures out. She saw a tall figure with gravity-defying hair with one hand in his pocket and the other reading an book up to his nose. Kakashi-sensei no doubt.

Next to him she saw a smaller figure then the rest. She had long hair and her hands were behind her back. She walked small steps and she was hunched over. Hinata.

Next to Hinata was a figure taller then her. The figure had long hair and was walking casually. He had this aura of stubbornness and cockyness. Neji.

Next to Neji were two people though. One was Naruto she knew for sure, but Naruto had his hands over another figure's shoulder. He was helping the other figure walk and her heart stopped. The figure he had with him was hunched over and was walking limply.

"Who's that?"Sakura and Tsunade both said. All the figures finally came into view. And next to Naruto was a beat up man with raven hair, looking as pissed off as ever. He had a smirk on his face and he was punching Naruto playfully and Naruto was smiling in return. She looked at Naruto and he looked straight back at Sakura. He gave her the thumbs-up.

Then, she knew, it was Sasuke Uchiha.

Yeah, yeah i KNOW It sucks. I'm apologize for wasting your time with my boring dialogue and stuff. But reviews will make me happy ;o

I'll give you a chocolate chip cookie with a cherry on top o-o

Yummm