Shippuuden: Koi Chronicles

Chapter 1

"Out of my way, ttebayo!" The young boy exclaimed, running down the street. He was late for his meeting with his partner of Team Kakashi. They were to meet at Ichiraku Ramen Shop at one o'clock for lunch and discuss their new mission. Naruto glanced towards the town square clock. It was now one thirty. "Gaghh! I knew I shouldn't have slept in!" The blond frantically picked up the pace, fearing his punishment for being late. "Sakura-chan is going to kill me!" He thought to himself. The kunoichi had always been impatient. What would change now? The boy pushed through a bit more traffic, finally making his way to the little shop with a skidding halt. Naruto bowed quickly and apologized. "Gomen Nosai, Sakura-chan…I got caught up-" Sakura sat sighing, her brow twitching in a raging fit. Naruto knew that was his cue to stay quiet and sit down.

"Naruto, I'm sick of you always being late. I know you have training and missions, but when you say a time, I expect you to be there." The blond nodded and looked to her with a very sorry expression. Sakura smiled kindly and let a calming sigh out. "Ok, forgiven. Time for the details of the mission. I have good news!" Naruto's ears perked. "What kind of mission is it?!" She smiled wide. "We're going on a camping excursion!" Naruto fell off his stool. "Geez, Sakura, make it sound so important." He chuckled. "Well, it IS for two weeks-" The blond jumped to his feet. "Two weeks?! Alright, ttebayo!" The boy jumped around in utter excitement. "This is going to be awesome!" Sakura let out a giggle. "Yeah, I guess it will. I haven't been let out of Lady Tsunade's office for vacation in quite awhile." This was true. The poor girl had always had a knack for surviving the hokage's drunken fits and temper tantrums.

"Sai's going with us." Naruto stopped in his tracks. "B-but, that'll ruin the whole trip!" He huffed, folding his arms in aggravation. "Come on, Naruto. You know I don't like him either but we have to deal with it if we want this break." The blond was defiant still, sitting back down. "Yeah, yeah Sakura. Just make sure he doesn't get in my way, ttebayo." Sakura nodded, smiling with a rather large sweat drop rolling down her forehead, and finished her ramen broth in the bottom of the bowl.