A/N: Hi, folks! Here's an attempt on Naruto fanfiction that's derived from the anime's storyline. I haven't watched the entire thing so I may be lacking in some aspects. You'll have to forgive me for that. I haven't written in a long time, so I figured I'd try one-shots first, but this story just urges me that it has to be read! So anyways, enjoy. :)

Disclaimer: I do NOT on Naruto (the plot along with its characters). I also have included a reference to Lady Hanaka's story Shades of Grey on Naruto's imagination of Sakura in this story. That part's definitely not mine.


Chapter 1: Afternoon Recollections

It was busy on this particular late afternoon in the village of Konoha. Some of its inhabitants meandered about, what with nothing better to do. Others went about their usual business, be it attending to their shops or running errands and the like.

Sakura trudged through the streets after finally being left off of work. She set her pace as she headed straight for Hokage Tower, determined to get her meeting over with and afterwards head straight home to rest. She had been cooped up in the hospital since yesterday, with shinobis coming in one after the other. Apparently a few of the dispatched teams sent to locate the current whereabouts of the ever elusive Uchiha had a sudden skirmish with a passing group of S-rank missing-nin.

Those stupid, stupid idiots. Just because of a few blows to their ego, they just had to retaliate with violence. Didn't they realize the situation they were in? They could've died for Kami's sake!

Such were the thoughts that ran through the pink-haired kunoichi's head. In her opinion, they should all be grateful to make it back alive, sporting only broken ribs as the worst case for wounds. The previous teams hadn't been so lucky. Quite a few of the shinobis came back with mangled limbs and gaping holes on some parts of their bodies.

The sudden influx of powerful missing-nins had caused a strain on their missions. Instead of coming back with their jobs finished, most return with their tasks incomplete. This had then brought so much headache for the current Hokage, her shishou, causing her to down more liquor than her usual intake. And it is not good to face a drunk Hokage who is under stress.

Evidence of this can be seen in the fissures in the walls of the Hokage Tower, having caused by a certain loud mouthed blond getting punched through.

She understands Naruto's need to find Sasuke as soon as possible, but pestering the Hokage who is already doing her best in finding the missing Uchiha is definitely uncalled for.

Reaching the heavy double doors of the Hokage's office, Sakura can hear Naruto's loud voice in a boisterous conversation with the Godaime, no doubt annoying her on the search for Sasuke's whereabouts once again.

"We have to find the teme, baa-chan." Having entered the room, Sakura was not surprised to hear this coming from the floor, where the blond was sprawled on, sporting a rather large bump on his forehead, while stating this.

Though one would have the urge to laugh at Naruto's usual antics, the man had such serious eyes that Sakura didn't have the heart to. His determination reminded her of the time the Uchiha left, as well as the prolonged duration of his absence.

This particular day marks the tenth year since the Uchiha left her unconscious on a cold stone bench on the street. Such memories suddenly popping into her head should have brought tears into her eyes, but none came.

She's a ninja now. She has long started wearing her hitai-ate on her forehead and not as a hairband like long ago. She's already a full-fledged shinobi, fully capable of handling her emotions as well as having refined her skills. She certainly is no weak genin like back then, with her being anbu like the rest of her batch. But she has to admit, there were the times when she still acted like a kid, although those were rare occasions.

The Godaime leaned back on her chair, fingers rubbing her aching temple. "Naruto, how many times do I have to tell you that we are putting as much effort we can provide to this? What you should be really focused on right now is to aid me in helping you for your preparation to be the next Hokage. I can't do this forever. Honestly, I'd really like to retire someday soon."

Naruto grimaced. His priorities right now involve retrieving Sasuke. Knowing that he would be the next Hokage anyway, being the Hokage could wait. But Sasuke, finding Sasuke, there's no guarantee. He'd really like his best friend back.

He wanted to boast to the teme that he already had a family of his own. He'd finally gotten married to Hinata a few months after her eighteenth birthday, and a year after, they had their twins. He'd like to tell Sasuke all about them. He'd like to share his own experiences throughout the years the Uchiha was gone. He'd like to tell their raven-haired teammate everything, anything at all.

And he'd especially like to tell Sasuke about Sakura. He'd been quite worried about their pink-haired teammate, thinking that she'd take a turn for the worse throughout the years the Uchiha was gone. He was afraid he'd see her take on a much more aggressive approach on finding their missing teammate that'd suit her abilities, like joining Ibiki in the Interrogation Unit and doing certain things to make the captive ninjas talk.

He shuddered at the thought. Thank Kami he was wrong. His bond sister had such a wonderful personality and role in this life, he'd hate to see her as anything else.

Plopping himself on a chair, he trained his attention on the conversation the two in front of him were having.

"I've been telling him, but it looks like the idiot does otherwise. Seriously, he's supposed to be paying more attention to his family." Sakura groused.

Tsunade stood and turned to begin addressing Naruto. With her arms folded in front of her, it made her chest appear bigger than it usually does. And Naruto, being a natural pervert and knucklehead, his attention span was limited to the two hills in front of him.

Tsunade was in the middle of her speech when she thought it strange for Naruto's silence. Noticing the blonde's customary grin, her eyes followed his gaze and she felt a vein in her temple start to throb. "Naruto, you ought to be paying more attention to more important things and not on another female's anatomy!"

And with a punch, Naruto has once again flown through the wall and onto the street. "You've got a wife for Kami's sake!"

Sighing, the Hokage turned to her apprentice. Sakura just gave her a lopsided smile. "Just leave it to me, I'll take care of him."

Sitting back down, Tsunade went back to reviewing the reports on her desk, the task she was bent on before Naruto barged in through the door. "We'll have to talk some other time. Shizune's been stacking me with so much papers that I actually had to work. You can hand me your report tomorrow, I don't think I'll be getting out of this office anytime soon."

"Hai, shishou. Well then, if you'll excuse me." With a respectful bow, Sakura left the room and bounded to where Naruto was still sprawled on the ground.

Shaking her head in exasperation, the medic helped her teammate up. "And here I thought you were over those antics of yours after marrying Hinata." Supporting her frazzled bond brother, she led him in the direction of her house.

"Come on, let's head over to my apartment since it is closer. Let's fix those bumps of yours, you wouldn't want to worry Hinata with her hands full of the twins, would you?"

Rubbing his aching head, he tried to steadily walk along with Sakura, "Gomenasai, Sakura-chan. I just can't help but worry about Sasuke. It's been so long."

Watching the sun set in the distance, Sakura was flooded with a feeling she couldn't describe. "I know, Naruto. I know."


A/N: I apologize for the shortness. I've decided to write out the setting first. I'm not sure if this is classified as AU, but I'm following the anime's storyline up to the part where Sasuke forms Team Hebi. I have to warn you that my updates won't be constant, but I think I can have Chapter 2 up by next week.

On another note: I'd really appreciate it if you left reviews. No flames please, I'd be discouraged. I'd like to know how you think I'm doing, since this is only the second story I have posted (and i haven't really done much on the first, it's on my profile page if you're interested). Thanks for reading :)