Disclaimer-I don't own anything from Naruto or any other anime that I pull stuff from.

Coming Home

Naruto

I woke up panting. Quickly looking around, I realized that I was just having at nightmare. 'Damn, that was too realistic for my taste' I thought. Looking around at the hotel room that we rented, I noticed that Ero-Sennin was back. He was crashed on the couch, with his feet hanging off the end; he was too tall to fit.

I laugh mentally at that.

Glancing outside, I see that it's dawn. I sigh and decide it's not worth it to try and go back to sleep. I push the covers off me and stretch. Walking toward the kitchen, I decide to get some ramen before Ero-Sennin gets up. He'll just throw it away and tell me to eat something 'healthy.'

Psh, ramen is defiantly healthy. Stupid Ero-Sennin.

I eat quickly, incase Ero-Sennin wakes up, and then head to the bathroom to take a shower. I grab my clothes and a towel on the way. Turning the water on, I let the warm water relax my still-tense muscles from the nightmare. Unconsciously, I grab my right arm, and shiver slightly, even though the water is burning hot.

I step out of the shower and dry off, with the thought that in a few hours, I'll be back home. I get dressed and head out to wake Ero-Sennin up, he's probably still asleep.

I've gotten taller since I've been gone, I don't know how tall everyone in Konoha has gotten, but I bet I'm as tall or taller now. Finally hit a growth spurt!

My clothes have changed a lot too (mostly because Ero-Sennin burned my other clothes.) They are now long, dark orange shinobi pants (surprise!), a long sleeve-fishnet undershirt with, of course, my now dark, orange jacket. But instead of blue, there is black on the shoulders and sleeves. The black also comes farther down by back too. I wear the jacket unzipped. Instead of my blue shinobi sandals, I have switched to a black pair. Of course, my look is not complete without my hiate. Instead of being blue, I changed it to a black one with the fabric being longer than normal in the back. Of course, the bandages on my right arm too…

'Snap out of it, it was just a stupid dream.' I tell myself.

Surprisingly, when I walk out of the bathroom, Ero-Sennin is up already and fully dressed. He gets right to the point.

"You had a nightmare last night." Straight to the point, it's just like him.

"Yea, so?" I challenge.

"So, you gonna tell me about it? It helps, you know." He does try, but this isn't something I want to discus right now.

"No, sorry I don't want to talk about it." I know its cold, but it's not something I want to discuss.

He sighs but I think he catches on and lets the topic drop. "You ready? We're only a few hours away y'know."

I smile real big and say, "Hell yea, let's go Ero-Sennin!" and run toward the door.

He scowls at me and says, "Gaki, I told you to stop calling me that!"

I laugh as he runs out after me.

Hinata

I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around me. Sighing, I dry off and dress. I had that nightmare again. Well, it wasn't a nightmare, more like memory. The one where…

'No' I shouldn't think about that. It's in the past. Instead I focus on getting dressed.

I have changed my clothes in the past two and a half years, Ino and Sakura practically forced me to. Not that I mind much anyway. I now wear dark blue, almost purple long shinobi pants. A fishnet undershirt with a black t-shirt over that. I still wear a jacket, but it's different now. It's a light purple, like lavender, but it has white sleeves. I wear it unzipped now, too. 'But you can't forget my left arm, all wrapped up in bandages' I think bitterly. My height is nothing special. I'm average for my age group; I stand at the same height as Ino and Sakura.

I'm halfway through eating before I remember what today is. Today is the day that Naruto comes home. I choke a little bit on my food and I hastily excuse myself, saying I'm late for training with Kurenai. I'll be late soon anyway.

I make my way to training ground 8 to find that Kurenai and Shino are already there. Kiba and Akamaru are nowhere to be seen. "A-ano, Kurenai-san, where are Kiba and Akamaru?" Kurenai is our sensei and team caption, but everyone has gotten used to me not using –sensei on anyone's name. Naruto too, neither of us uses it. Over the past two years I have almost eliminated my stutter too. Keyword: almost.

"He's not here yet, he's almost late though." She said with a slight frown.

"O-oh."

We fell into an awkward silence, until… "Hinata, may I suggest some light sparring until Kiba shows?" Shino. Him of all people breaking an awkward silence. I laughed mentally at that.

"S-sure," we slide into our respective tai-jutsu styles, and start. It's nothing that energy wasting, just some light sparring.

Around twenty or thirty minutes into our sparring session, Kiba and Akamaru show up. They stand by Kurenai and watch our spar. I don't really have to concentrate that much, I've been fighting people since I was little anyway…

This thought distracts me just for a second, and in that second, Shino throws a punch at me. Out of instinct, I throw up my left arm.

Shino's fist connected with my arm and you could hear an audible 'CRACK.' He recoiled and gripped his hand.

Having heard the crack, Kurenai and Kiba came to see what the problem was. Kurenai examined his hand, "Nothing's broken, just badly bruised." Kurenai was looking at me funny though, just like any other time this has happened.

Oh, yes. This has happened before, a few times actually. She tried once to figure out what was under my bandages, but I didn't let her find out. She's dropped hints that she knows I'm hiding something to, like once she told me similar things happened on Team 7 with Naruto. But that's pretty much it.

"Ok team, just take the rest of the day off, and report to the Hokage's tower tomorrow at 8:00, we've been requested for a mission. Come on Shino, we should get your hand looked at anyway." She walks away with Shino trailing behind, casting one last look at me, and shifting her gaze to my arm before she leaves.

"Aw, man, we just got here too, right Akamaru?"

"BARK, BARK!" Said the not-so-tiny dog.

Yep, everything has changed in the last two and a half years since Naruto has been gone. Akamaru was not a tiny little puppy anymore. He came all the way up to the middle of my chest; he's big enough to ride now. Kiba changed too. He still has the red triangular marks on his face, but his brown hair is wilder now. He wears black shinobi pants and he wears a fishnet undershirt with a black jacket over it.

We started walking back toward the village in silence. When we reached the outskirts that were near the edge of the training grounds, Kiba said nervously, "S-so Hinata, you wanna go somewhere. Y'know and hang out, or something…?"

"Ah, s-sure but I have to be somewhere in a f-few hours." I responded. I was no idiot, I knew he was asking me on a date but I didn't comment on that. I don't want to be in a relationship with anyone anyway, the only one I would trust with something like being in a relationship would be Naruto. I blushed slightly at that thought, don't ask me why 'cause I have no idea. But I quickly push that thought from my mind.

He looked surprised for a minute before he broke into a huge smile.

And that's where I was for the next few hours, hanging out with Kiba.

Currently, one Haruno Sakura was making her way to the Hokage's office. For the past two and a half years, she had been learning under the Hokage to be a medic-nin. She was very good, apparently. It took awhile, but after she got it, it became second nature to her. Of course, there were still lots that she could learn and she was always studying.

She had changed too, since Naruto had been gone. Her unusual pink hair stayed short, like it had since the chuunin exams. But instead of the dress type clothes she wore before, she now wore a zip up red tank top/jacket. She wore black shorts that stopped at her knees with a tan skirt that was slit at the sides. She wore her hiate in the same fashion, on top of her head and had knee high boots. She had black gloves and elbow braces.

She reached the Hokage's door and knocked, "Come in!" was the cheery response.

'Hm, Hokage-sama must be in a good mood today' thought Sakura, 'she sounds like she is.'

Sakura was right. Tsunade was in a good mood. She had received a message last night saying that Naruto and Jiraiya would be home midday today, which was any minute now. Now, Tsunade could be very patient when she wanted to be. But this was a special case, her adoptive little brother was coming home, and even though she would never say it she missed her perverted team mate as well. Minus the pervertedness.

So when she heard the nock on her door she assumed that it was them. She had completely forgotten that she had summoned her apprentice Sakura just a moment ago. That was why, when she walked in the door, she was greeted with a big smile and an "Ohiyo, you guys are finally back?"

There was an awkward silence as Tsunade realized that she was not talking to Jiraiya and Naruto. So she did the only thing she could think of to retain some dignity. She cleared her throat and pretended that she said nothing. "Ohiyo Sakura-san, I have some important news for you."

Sakura inwardly sighed; her sensei could be very absent minded. "What kind of news, Hokage-sama?"

"Last night, we received news from Jiraiya," That got Sakura's full attention, "They should be back any minute. I'm giving…" But there was no one there to talk to anymore. Sakura had left when she heard, "They should be back…"

At the gate…

Two figures approached the gate, both male, and both wearing leaf hiate's. The shorter, sunny blond one yelled, "Finally, we're back!"

He had a giant grin plastered to his face as he attempted to run forward, through the gate that was just up ahead, but the taller, white haired one grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back, "Baka, we have to check in first!"

The blond turned his head and stuck his tongue out at the white haired man and said dejectedly, "I knew that, Ero-Sennin…" His face broke into a grin as he added the nickname to the end.

"Damn it gaki, stop calling me that!" The man yelled.

Now the whole time this was happening, the two shinobi guarding the gates, Kotetsu and Izumo, where wondering what nut jobs where coming in the gate this time, yelling like that. That was, until they came into view.

The first thought that came to their heads where, 'Holly shit, Yondaime?' They were in the graduating class of the academy when the Kyuubi attacked, but they remembered seeing the Yondaime a few times.

But their theory of the Yondaime coming back to life was proven wrong when the face turned around and they spotted the six black whisker marks on the young man's face. They relaxed slightly, "Kami, I thought…" said Kotetsu.

"I know…" Izumo replied.

The blond and the white haired shinobi walk over to them, snapping them out of their trance. "Ohiyo, this is Jiraiya and Naruto returning from extended training." The white haired shinobi, now recognized as Jiraiya, said. The blond, Naruto, was pouting behind him, complete with his arms crossed over his chest. Despite his age of sixteen and a half, he pulled it off completely.

Kotetsu and Izumo both smiled and signed them back into the village, "At least it won't be so boring around here anymore."

In response, Naruto only smiled evilly. Kotetsu and Izumo both shivered. They hoped they were not the victims of his next prank…

"Well, I'm off," says Naruto as he starts to run away.

"Just a minute, we have to go see the Hokage, I'm sure she misses me" Jiraiya says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world as he , once again, grabs the back of Naruto's shirt and starts to drag him toward the Hokage Tower.

"Whaaaa! Let me go! I can walk myself!"

Sakura was currently walking toward the gate. She figured that she would check to see if they had got here yet and if not she'd wait there for a few minutes. But as she was walking toward the gate, she spotted to very familiar figures-one blond, the other white haired. They were walking side by side, arguing about something.

Sakura started running toward them, "Naruto! Is that you?"

The blond one turned to the side facing her, looking down at her even if it was just slightly. "Sakura?" He asked, "Is that you?"

"Ah, forget it, you go catch up with your friends gaki, I'm going to go see Tsunade." Jiraiya grumbled as he walked off.

Naruto stuck his tongue out at his retreating figure, "Psh, irritating perve."

"Ha ha, Naruto you sure have gotten taller, but you're still the same lovable idiot. Come on lets go get something to eat and catch up." 'It wouldn't hurt, I haven't seen him in a while' thought Sakura.

Naruto's face instantly brightened, "Really? You mean it? Let's go! RAMEN!"

They went to Ichiraku (The most awesome ramen shop in the history of awesome ramen shops) they talked about what went on in Konoha since Naruto had been gone. Things like who had become chuunin and jounin. Sakura pointed out that Tsunade's face was put up on the Hokage Monument. She also mentioned that she had gotten good enough to work in the Konoha Hospital.

After they finished eating, Naruto excused himself saying he had to go see Tsunade.

As she was walking away, Sakura couldn't help but think that she could maybe, just maybe, give him a chance at being more than friends…

Jiraiya and Tsunade inside Hokage office

"So, how is he? Mentally, I mean." asked Tsunade, gesturing for him to sit.

"Mentally? He's good. Or as good as you can be after going through what he has. He's not a homicidal maniac though, if that's what you mean." He said as he plopped himself down in a chair.

"What a nice way of putting it, I'm glad though. I don't think I could stand it if he went crazy, he's gonna be my successor, you know." Tsunade reached under her desk and reached into a secret compartment (formerly used to store Sandaime's Icha Icha collection) that now held Tsunade's sake. She pulled out a bottle and two cups, filled them both up and passed one to Jiraiya. "How's his arm?"

"Fleshy and human like."

"The other one dumbass."

"He he, same as always, why?"

"No reason." They lapsed into a comfortable silence after that, sipping their sake quietly. "How is his control on Kyuubi." She asked suddenly. It wasn't a question.

Jiraiya sighed, "That depends on the Kyuubi."

Tsunade pursed her lips, "What do you mean?"

"It's strange really; I don't fully understand it myself. But it depends on what the Kyuubi wants at that particular moment. It knows that if it tries to escape, Naruto will die before it can break out, resulting in its own death, but if it's board when Naruto tries to call on it, it will give him too much chakra, which overloads his senses , just for some entertainment. Then there are the times where it just doesn't care less and either gives him the chakra without complaining, or doesn't give it to him at all. I think it just likes messing with our heads."

Tsunade placed her elbows on her desk and rested her hands on her face, "How irritating."

Naruto

After I said goodbye to Sakura, I started to make my way to the Hokage Tower. I only got like, a third of the way there before, 'Oh, screw it, I'm going home, it's night anyway!'

And it was true, we had gotten back at about noon and I had spent the rest of the day catching up with Sakura. I jumped onto the rooftops and started running toward my apartment. I glanced around as I was jumping, Konoha had changed. All the damage from the Suna-Oto invasion looked like it was repaired, and Baa-chan's head was indeed on the Hokage's Monument.

Before I knew it, I was in front of my apartment building.

I walked in and up the stairs to the second floor. My apartment was the last one on the left, Number 9. I opened the door and examined my room. The first thing I notice is that it's clean; Baa-chan must have sent someone to clean up.

Then I look around, I haven't been here for two and a half years, but nothing's changed. It's not a big apartment, but it's not super small either. Just right for a bachelor. When you walk in, the living room is right in front of you, which is also the kitchen in the far left corner. The room extends into the wall slightly and only the essentials for cooking are there. A microwave, oven/stove, and refrigerator. In the living room part, there's only a black couch pressed against the far wall below a window. On the opposite side is a TV, but I never remember using it. On the right side is the door that leads to my bedroom, I quickly cross and enter.

I turned on the light and observe my room. It's a simple room really, there's a bed (quite a big one to) in the middle of the far wall, my dresser is next to it. I wince slightly when I see a medium-sized silver box on top of it. Damn that thing brings back some memories.

Moving on, the left wall is a balcony with a glass door. They have dark black curtains draped over them. The bathroom is to the right; it has a shower, sink, and toilet. Simple.

By this time, it's late out so I change into a grey t-shirt and black shorts and head to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

Before I get there however, I hear something. A tapping, coming from the balcony window. I smile, 'I was wondering when she would show up.'

Hinata

Me and Kiba hung out all day. Around 2:00, Shino came back and said his hand would be better in the morning, just a little sore. I think Kiba was upset about him appearing though. Oh well. We went back to the training grounds eventually and practiced our nin-jutsu for awhile. After awhile, I said that I had to go.

It was about 5:30. He had to be back by know, Naruto I mean. I wandered around the village looking for him for awhile, but that got boring and I decided to just go to his house.

I jumped up on the rooftops and headed in his apartments direction.

Naruto walked over to balcony and pushed the curtains apart. His smile widened when he saw her. 'She has definitely matured' thought Naruto as he opened the balcony door, quickly shutting it when she was in. He pulled the curtains closed again; it wouldn't do to have her seen inside his house.

They turned toward each other, drinking in each others' appearance. "Hmm, you're not a shrimp anymore, eh Naruto?" The girl said, "You grew out your hair, what are you doing, going for the girly look?" she smirked.

Naruto growled, "Hey, not fair I can't pick on you for having short hair anymore, Hinata!"

It was true though, Naruto did grow his hair out, the sides were chin length, and he had a short ponytail in the back, it was definetly not even a third of the length of Jirayia's though. If it was possible, his hair was spikier too.

The now identified Hinata laughed at the pouting expression on his face, "Ha, our positions are flipped, you used to make fun of me for having too-short hair, and now I'm making fun of you for having too-long hair." Indeed, Hinata's midnight blue-black hair now reached mid-back.

They were quiet for a minute before a soft smile graced Naruto's face, "Hey, I haven't seen my old team mate in two n' a half years, no hug?"

Smiling, Hinata quickly closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him. With a slight blush, she realized that she could feel his toned muscles through his old grey nightshirt.

Naruto's thoughts were along the same lines as he wrapped his arms around her, even though Hinata was still in her regular clothes.

They released each other and sat down on the end of the bed, Naruto grabbed her left hand with his right one, entwining their bandaged fingers, "I missed you Sunshine."

"Yea, I missed you too Fox boy."

They talked deep into the night, until Hinata had to leave. She had a mission in the morning, and had to have at least a few hours of sleep.

And that concludes Naruto's first day back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

AN: Here's the official first chapter of Secrets of Former Jounin. I want to thank Uzumaki Ricky for being my first reviewer, it means alot!