Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book 1: Dissension

Chapter II: Red Leaf in the Moon Light

"Naruto!" She screamed as she ran to him and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest. In that moment no one else mattered. No one else was there. In that moment it was just her and Naruto.

She felt a warm hand touch the top of her head. Through her tear filled eyes she looked up to see Naruto smiling back. That same familiar smile was still there. Through everything that amazing smile hadn't faded. "Sakura-chan," Naruto whispered to her.

Still sitting in her chair Tsunade stared in amazement at Naruto. "Naruto," she said, "is that really you?"

Naruto looked up still smiling and responded "Of course, Granny Tsunade."

It was then, hearing his voice, seeing that smile that tears began to well in her eyes. "Naruto," Tsunade said, "you stupid boy, how have you-"

"As much as I'd love to see this reunion," Danzo interrupted, "we still have business." Danzo's harsh voice seemed to bring Sakura back to reality. She stepped away from Naruto and wiped the last of her tears from her eyes. It was then that she was able to look Naruto over and realize just how tall he was. Over the past few years Sakura had grown a couple of inches but Naruto in that same time seemed to grow about half a foot.

She then remembered how he felt in her arms and knew that he was muscular and solid. His face was still youthful with the slightest hint of a beard. His clothes were unremarkable and he wore a long dark red coat that was covered in dirt. Wherever he had been these past few years he was not living comfortably. But beneath the dirt Sakura noticed how very handsome he'd become and the realization of this thought made her blush slightly.

Danzo eyed Naruto menacingly and seemed on the verge of saying something but seemed to think better of it. He walked back to his desk, sat down and leaned forward in his seat. Tsunade spun back around to continue her conversation while Sakura turned to face Danzo still standing next to Naruto. "I'm sure Sai has filled you in on the situation," Danzo continued. "We believe Akatsuki is influencing our enemies into war."

Naruto smirked, "And supplying them with their own Jinchuricki as well." Danzo seemed to regard Naruto with surprise.

"You knew about that?" Danzo said trying to hide his shock.

"Of course," Naruto replied. "I've been following Akatsuki's movements ever since I left."

Surprised, Sakura exclaimed, "But, that's extremely dangerous Naruto! Why would you do that?"

Still smiling, Naruto said, "How else do I find Sasuke?"

Sasuke….of course it was Sasuke. Even after all this time, after that last great betrayal Naruto hadn't given up. She could see it in his eyes; he still believed Sasuke could be saved. For years she had believed the same thing. But ever since that day, learning what he had done. She now had doubts.

"So," Danzo continued "What else do you know?"

"Uchiha Madara," Naruto began, "has been using the Biju Akatsuki stole and fusing them with hosts. The process however, takes time and he has only done this to two of them as far as I know." Everyone's face turned gravely serious.

Tsunade then spoke, "Two of them? This is not good. If our enemies have two Jinchuriki's at their disposal then all the land is in jeopardy."

"Which is why we will need your assistance," Danzo said. "Naruto, you will have to investigate this further, we have gathered intelligence that…"

"Wait," Naruto interrupted, "last I checked I'm no longer a member of Konoha yet you appear to be ordering me."

Danzo smiled, "Very well. As of now the banishment is lifted."

"Not good enough!",Tsunade screamed. "Tomorrow morning you must make the decree to the entire village. Ukumaki Naruto is now and forever a citizen and shinobi of Konoha."

Danzo's face became sour. Damn you Tsunade, he thought. She knew that if he did that he could not, without extreme cause, reverse that decision. "Very well," he said, "First thing tomorrow."

Tsunade smiled as she rose from her seat. "Then we will see you tomorrow afternoon."

"One last thing," Naruto said before turning to leave, "If you insist on having bodyguards hidden in the room, make sure you choose better ones." At that point the two ROOT shinobi hidden in the shadows fell into the light, limp. And out of the shadows emerged two of Naruto's clones, who then promptly disappeared.

Danzo quickly rose to his feet, "When did you…?"

Naruto smiled, "Since before I entered. You'll find the two outside are napping as well, along with most of the Ninja I encountered on my way to your office." Danzo broke out into a cold sweat. He had stationed almost twenty of his best ninja between the main gate and here. Did Naruto defeat all of them soundlessly in a matter of minutes?

Silently Naruto left the office. Danzo sat in his chair and looked at the two unconscious men on the floor. Slowly a smile came to his face. That all right, he thought. Believe what you want Nine-tail, I still have the upper hand.

Out in the cool night air Sakura's head was spinning. Two new Jinchuuriki, Konoha at the brink of war. But it was Naruto who dominated her thoughts. Naruto was back, walking next to her again. Despite all the terrible things she had heard she still couldn't help but feel so happy. His presence reassured her like no one else ever could.

Once again she found herself staring at him. He had gotten so tall; he seemed so strong and focused. She couldn't imagine the hardships he faced while gone, but he seemed stronger because of it.

Naruto looked at her and she realized she was caught staring and looked away all the while turning red in the face.

"Naruto," Tsunade said, "you can stay with me until you get a flat of your own."

"Thank you Granny," Naruto replied. "If you don't mind I would like to walk Sakura-chan home."

"Of course dear," Tsunade said. "My home is the large one at the southeast of town. You'll know it because the grounds have many lilies." With that she turned and left them. As she got some distance away she looked back and watched the two of them walking away and she smiled to herself.

She never thought this would be so hard. She always assumed that if she saw Naruto again speaking to him, being around him would be easy, like second nature. But right now she felt awkward, unsure what to say or do. The silence between them as they walked towards her home was deafening. The moon was full tonight and for a moment the light played off Naruto giving him an almost angelic look. She couldn't help but wonder if this were all a dream.

Luckily Naruto was the first to speak up, "How have you been Sakura-chan?" She looked up at him to find him staring intently at her, his eyes had returned to the normal piercing blue she had always known. It was then she noticed how beautiful they were and she wondered why she hadn't noticed that before.

"Everything's been fine Naruto," she said while smiling back. "I should be asking you that. Where have you been? What have you been doing?"

"I've been training and looking for Madara and Sasuke," Naruto replied.

"Any luck with that?" she asked.

Naruto frowned and looked as if his thoughts were now far from here. "No," he said. "Every time I got close they seemed to get away. In fact I haven't gotten any clues to where they are for almost six months. It's as if they've disappeared." Sakura looked up into the night sky and breathed deeply.

It was always like this with Sasuke, so close and yet so looked at Naruto and realized he was smiling at her again. "Don't worry Sakura-chan," he said. "I'll find him. I haven't forgotten my promise." Sakura, felt like her heart had sunk. The promise. How many times had she thought of that day? Crying to Naruto, pleading for him to bring Sasuke home. Had she had known then what that meant for Naruto, the pain he has put himself through just to fulfill it; she would never have done it.

Once again Sakura felt on the verge of tears and hated herself for it. For years now she had trained to become stronger; to be someone that can be relied upon. Yet, now she felt so weak, so small. "For someone so strong," Naruto said, "you really cry easily."

This made her laugh a little. "Yeah," wiping her eyes, "but at least it's because of happiness."

"I said don't worry Sakura-chan, I'm sure Sasuke's all right."

"Naruto," She said somewhat surprised, "I've been worried about you this entire time not Sasuke. You're the one I've been thinking about." Naruto was surprised by this. In all the years he'd known Sakura she never said this to him.

As they came up on Sakura's front door Sakura turned to say good bye. "Thanks for walking me home Naruto," she said.

"Don't mention it," he said, "I've been thinking about you and this for so long." Hearing these words Sakura couldn't help but blush. Never before had she heard Naruto speak to her like this. It was obvious he had grown up quite a bit while away.

"Naruto," she said, "do me a favor."

"Anything," he responded.

"Please be here tomorrow," she said, "If you aren't here, if this was all some sick dream. I'll never forgive you."

At first Naruto had a very confused look on his face, but then, he smiled and said, "Sakura-chan I don't plan to go anywhere."

It was then they embraced each other, hugging tightly. Once again, Sakura noticed how strong Naruto felt and how small she felt in his arms, how warm. She looked up at him and realized he was again staring at her. His face drawing closer, she realized she too was drawing closer to his. Their lips, now mere inches apart, Sakura, at that moment, thought to herself, Wait, what am I doing? This is Naruto for gods' sake! This is wrong!

Suddenly Sakura, opened her eyes, realizing she was a mere instant from kissing Naruto, Sakura pushed him aside and punched him with such strength that he flew backwards some twenty feet, landing hard on the ground.

Instantly Sakura knew she had over-reacted and went to Naruto to help him to his feet. Naruto was already sitting up when she got there and was rubbing the small knot forming on his head. "Naruto! I'm so sorry, I just….I..." she said obviously embarrassed.

"Heh, it's all right Sakura-chan," Naruto said with a smile. "That didn't hurt at all!" Naruto got to his feet and dusted himself off still smiling. "Guess you haven't lost that strength Sakura-chan," he said. Sakura smiled and went to her front door opened it and looked back at Naruto.

"Sorry Naruto," she said.

"See you tomorrow Sakura-chan," Naruto said and then began to make his way to Tsunade's home. Sakura, stood at the doorway and left the door open a crack and peeped through. She just stood there watching him walk away and smiled before closing the door.

Like hell she hadn't lost her strength, Naruto thought while heading to Tsunade. She seemed to barely touch me but it felt like I was kicked in the head by a horse. If anything Sakura-chan has gotten stronger! As Naruto walked down the silent streets of Konoha nursing the bump on his head, he couldn't help but smile to himself. "Sakura-chan," he whispered to himself, "you haven't changed at all."

******End of Chapter II******

Next Time: Reunion Amongst Comrades