Author's Note: Alright I've decided to continue with this since some of you are interested. Also some of you thought that the story seemed a little rushed. I am slowing down now because, for the most part, I've finished all the expository knowledge you need to know. Also please excuse names if they are wrong. You know who they are. My disclaimer carries over from the first chapter I haven't used anything else. The deal with numbers you might find is to help me explain things about the story without going off on a tangent. The explanations will be at the horizontal rulers if there was a number.

Chapter Two

(About a year later)

Naruto had been training by himself in the northern forests for while. Through his training and perseverance he was really starting to improve. Sure he hadn't really fought anyone out there, but he took solace in the fact that his families jutsus came easily to him. Some of them took more work then others to master because of his poor chakra control, but he had almost mastered many. Naruto after many, many tries finally was able to use his family's trademark technique, the Hiraishin no Jutsu¹. This jutsu allowed him travel a lot easier and get the supplies he needed quicker. It also made it less risky to meet with his informants being in and out of a meeting in a flash.

Not only did he advance as a shinobi, but as a guitarist. Having the reflexes of a ninja was definitely helping learn fast, except on how to curve his fingers. Still after some minor problems no one would guess that it was him actually playing. Many travelers heard it from time to time, but know one knew who it was; they would just listen to sound rolling out of the forest. Many people wondered if this person would ever play in public. They really wanted him to. It even inspired the lazy to play.

Shikamaru was many things, but what most commonly known about him, besides the fact he was a genius, was that he was lazy. One day when he was returning from a mission he heard the music, with Kiba, and they were both inspired to learn how to play something. They ended up going to same music shop that Naruto had gone to and were both sucked up by the new instruments that the owner was desperately trying to get people interested in. Shikamaru bought a bass guitar; he liked it because seemed the easiest to play and let's face it, if there was an easier road that could be taken Shikamaru was there.

Kiba on the other hand went straight to the drums. It gave him a way to release all that pent up energy he had. After making their not so cheap purchases they were on their way home.

Naruto was just finishing his training for the day when he received a letter from a messenger hawk. The letter was longer than normal updates, so Naruto knew something was up. He took the letter and opened it up to find, some disturbing news.

Naruto,

I thought that you should know that Sasuke came back to the village. It seems that enacted his revenge on his brother. The council well Danzo and the citizens wanted him to be kept alive instead of killed. They won the vote and Sasuke was sentenced to THREE years in jail if he had good behavior. The funny thing was he just waltzed back into the village. Also the first thing he did was try to find Sakura. Naruto didn't like that Sasuke went to Sakura even though he was trying to seal his heart from her. What I found disturbing was that my apprentice didn't even throw a punch at him. She seemed dazed while Ino captured him. This might not be ominous if Sasuke uses Sakura like before he left the first time. Still he acts as if his feelings are genuine around her. Maybe there is something she isn't telling me. Stay in touch we might need you.

-Tsunade

Naruto felt so many things run through his mind at once. Sasuke returning and acting like nothing had ever happened. Also the false idea, which he believed, that Sakura still liked Sasuke, made him shake down to his very core. Instead of immediately going back training to get over these thoughts and working his already fatigued muscles, he pulled out a scroll and began to write. He wrote notes, chords and lyrics. He was so upset by this he came up with music for instruments he didn't own. He would work on this project for the rest of his 3 years out alone.

¹ The Hiraishin no Jutsu allows Naruto to essentially jump from place to place at almost the speed of light.

Meanwhile back in Konoha, Sakura was lying in her bed crying into her pillow wishing for the comfort her bed and pillow couldn't give. She had missed Naruto in his year of absence, and Sasuke coming back reminded her once again of the blond boy she loved and what he told her when he left, but he would still be gone for a while to come she could feel it. The one thing she wanted was for Naruto tell her everything is going to be fine. Now that Sasuke was back and flirting with her, it made her really uncomfortable. Maybe Sasuke was telling the truth that he was back to his old self and not an evil, betraying snake. Suddenly her heart began to ache. She realized that if it had gotten out about how Sasuke was acting around her to Naruto, she knew that Naruto would think that she finally got to him and that they were dating. This hurt her and the tears continued to flow.

That was far from the truth though. Even though she was 17 she had turned down every offer for a date she got. She was waiting for Naruto. She loved him. There was no more denial she had gotten past that stage a year ago. All she wanted was him.

"Naruto… where are you? Please come back to me," she whispered as she finally sobbed herself to sleep.

(3 years later) (Why so long? Because I can)

Three years later Sasuke was released form jail and was all over Sakura like Iron filings to a magnet.

"Sakura why didn't you come visit me more often in Jail that really hurt me," said Sasuke to Sakura trying to start a conversation. The weirdest part of Sakura hearing that was that it sounded sincere.

"I told you Sasuke, you're a traitor and I don't have that crush on you anymore," she shot back at him.

"Don't give me that," he replied with a hint of anger.

"Give you what?" she asked.

"Lies"

She sighed. "Sasuke leave me alone I have to report to the hospital. Don't follow me," she demanded.

"Alright I'll just get into an intense spar and see you there," he yelled right back at here.

At basically the same time across town. Naruto walked back into Konoha. He was definitely a changed man. He stood a bit taller now about 6'2". He also wore a cloak that was orange with black flames down towards then bottom of it. He also changed the color of his headband to a reddish brown color with the toad sannin symbol. He was also wearing black shinobi pants with a stone colored shirt. His hair was longer now making him seem older and was getting a few glances from the ladies of the village.

He was heading home to unpack his things so he could have a meeting with Tsunade when he heard something with his chakra enhanced ears. It sounded a little like a guitar.

Suddenly his disappeared and reappeared in front of a very surprised Shikamaru.

"Naruto! What? How? When did you get here?"

"Yes, it's me, I used my Hiraishin no Jutsu to get here and I just got back."

"The Hiraishin no Jutsu, but only the 4th and his family know how to do that," said a still dazed Shikamaru.

"Wait my new name hasn't gotten out to the public yet?" asked Naruto.

"What new name?"

"Instead of Uzamaki it is now Namikaze" replied Naruto as he let out a big grin. "I see you got yourself a bass guitar," stated Naruto staring at the guitar in Shikamaru's hand.

"How did you that this was a bass, many people don't know the difference."

"Simple," he pulled out a scroll and summoned his guitar and amp. Even though both the amplifier and guitar were four years old they still looked like new. Naruto really took care of them. "That's how," he said smiling.

"When did you get this?" asked a wide eyed Shikamaru

"About four years ago."

"I see. You didn't happen to be playing in the northern forests did you?"

"Yeah, why?" asked a confused Naruto.

"You're the reason, Kiba and I bought our instruments. We heard you playing returning from a mission. Once we hit the town we found a music store that ripped us off put never the less we were still captivated by the instruments."

"Sounds about like what happened to me from that shop owner. Sorry I would stay and play some, but I have to go report to Tsunade. I have an idea why don't you meet me at the Namikaze Estate later and you can bring Kiba as well."

"Alright sounds good. Remember to check up on everyone don't go flashing around avoiding people," said Shikamaru as Naruto sealed his stuff up.

"Alright see you later" he said as he disappeared.

Tsunade was sitting in her office trying to find a way to get out of all the paperwork she had to do. Shizune never let up on it, but for once the legendary sucker's luck would be good. Naruto suddenly flashed in surprising everyone.

"Hey guys sorry about that I meant to end up outside the door," Naruto stated with his huge grin.

"Naruto your back!" screamed Tsunade. 'Yes now I won't have to do paperwork'

"Well it's good to see you to Granny," Naruto replied then dodged a punch from her. "If you wanted to spare why didn't you say so."

"Since your back why don't we go see the village, Shizune take care of this paperwork while I show the Toad Sannin around."

"But… But," Shizune stammered.

Tsunade and Naruto both walked out of her office leaving Shizune all by her herself. While they were walking down the street Naruto decided to start a conversation.

"We're not touring the city I hope, this place never changes."

"You guessed right, I just wanted a break from paper work. How 'bout something to eat?" asked the Slug Sannin.

"Sure why not," said a smiling Naruto.

"Ramen?" asked Tsunade not really knowing what to expect he was twenty now. Many things can change in four years.

"Well I was kind hoping for more of a sit down meal so we could talk. Even if you're not doing your paperwork you still have a job to do."

"Alright fine," she said looking for someplace acceptable to eat.

They found a place and sat down at a booth.

"What would you like to drink?" asked their waiter.

Tsunade answered with sake. Naruto figured as much.

"I'll have water."

"Yes sir. Here are your menu's I'll be right back with your drinks."

They both sat reading the menu in quiet. It was hard for Naruto to make up his mind. He really didn't eat out much. For four years all he had was his cooking which wasn't really that bad.

"Here are your drinks. Would you like to order now?" asked the waiter

"Yes," Tsunade responded, "I will have some baroque meat please."

"And you sir?"

"The same for me as well please."

"Yes sir. It will be out in a few minutes."

"So Naruto how did your training go. I see you learned how to do the Hiraishin no Jutsu."

"Yes I did and many other jutsus as well."

"And the spy network?"

"Acknowledged that I'm the new leader, the mission was a success."

"I see well that is good to here," Tsunade then took the liberty to catch Naruto up on things like the Akatsuki and such until their food arrived. "Great now our food is here. Let's dig in."

By the time Naruto and Tsunade finished, it was getting late the sun was setting and Naruto knew he had to get back home. Shikamaru and Kiba would be arriving soon. "See you later Tsunade. I would also like to request some down time for a while if that is okay?" Naruto awaited her answer because he really hadn't been home for long and didn't want to leave so soon.

"Alright fine, not too long you're still the main way we receive information," replied the Hogake.

"If you need me I will be at my estate for now. That goes for the council too."

"Alright, good bye Naruto."

"Good bye Granny," he waved then disappeared.

Fate seemed to be on Naruto's side tonight. Shikamaru and Kiba showed up right when he had.

"Hey guys welcome to my new home," Naruto said as he pushed open the gates to the compound.

Kiba whistled, "Nice place you got here. A little big don't you think?"

"Well that's what happens when you the last of your clan," replied Naruto. "Well if you both will follow me I will show you around a bit. Here is my home." Naruto walked up to one of the many houses.

"You mean mansion right," Kiba remarked, while Shikamaru you seemed in awe.

"Moving on, here is the living room and kitchen area. Up stairs there is the Master bedroom and for now 3 guest rooms with full baths. Right out the back door there is the hot spring and this room right here is what I wanted to show you guys." Naruto opened the door to reveal a studio where had unpacked all of all the instrumental equipment he had collected. There was his guitar, a couple of amplifiers now, Naruto even had a Microphone and stand and a few shelves that held his replacement stings, wires and pretty much everything you needed all organized. Plus there was plenty of space.

"Wow Naruto it looks like you quite the set-up in here," Shikimaru noted.

"I also plan to make a recording studio so I can record a few things. It will take a little renovating, but that's a project for another day."

"Alright I am so ready to play," Kiba then took at a scroll and summoned his drums into the room. Shikimaru followed suite and summoned his bass guitar.

Naruto walked over to get his guitar and asked, "What do you guys want to play?"

"I don't know there hasn't been many songs to reach the land of fire yet," replied Shikamaru.

"Well I have something that might work. I don't really know too much about your instruments, but I found a few players to help me write the song for your instruments." said Naruto somewhat embarrassed, he really didn't want to bring up his song yet.

"Naruto you wrote this?" Shikamaru asked, looking at it wide-eyed. 'How could Naruto write something like this, he always seemed like an idiot' thought Shikamaru to himself.

"Alright let's do this," said Kiba getting his own copy of the sheet music.

They all got ready then Naruto asked, "Who's going to sing?"

"Well you should obviously. You wrote it" replied Shikamaru.

"Alright," mumbled a discouraged Naruto.

For their first time they didn't play that bad. Sure it was rough around the edges, but it was their first time together. Also Naruto sang pretty well his voice had deepened up and everyone thought he did well.

Suddenly Naruto asked out of nowhere, "Did we just become a band?"

They both just said, "Uh huh."

Author's Note: Well I hope you liked it. The song that I have been hiding will make its appearance next chapter. Also Naruto will meet Sakura. How will these two re-act after not seeing each other for so long a time? Will Sasuke get in the way? You bet he will.