The Lost Chapters

I'm Naruto Uzumaki and this is my story, but um... don't tell Kishimoto-sama he kind of owns everything in my universe and I don't want him to sue

Chapter 699.1:

I walked toward Sakura-chan and Kakashi-sensei. Unlike the last time Sasuke left, this time we were all conscious.

"Don't cry Sakura-chan" I said placing my good arm on her shoulder. "He'll be back. Last time he left under the cover of darkness so he wouldn't be stopped. This time he didn't leave without saying goodbye."

Sakura nodded wiping at her eyelids.

"I know" she said softly.

I don't like seeing her so sad.

"Come on, let's go to Ichiraku's first bowl is on me" I said.

Sakura snorted cutely. "Ramen for breakfast?"

"Of course, Ramen can be eaten any time of the day!"

"Ok," she said looking down quickly.

It was something I already knew but seeing the dejected look on her face just drive home the fact that she'd never stop waiting for Sasuke's return. If she were to fall in love with someone else they'd always be second in her heart. A part of my didn't care. Who am I kidding, all of me didn't care.

I liked Sakura for so long I don't know what it's like to not like her.

"Naruto," Kakashi called, "see me in my office after breakfast."

Today is Kakashi's official first day in office. Yesterday there was a big ceremony and all of the Jonins were there. Afterwards a meeting was called for all shinobi. Kakashi gave a post-war speech looking utterly bored. Then he talked about the changes that were going to be made during his reign.

I didn't really listen I was too busy wondering why he looked so bored. He's Hokage, he'd not supposed to look bored. He's supposed to be on-top-of-the-world happy. Sigh, the title is totally wasted on him.

Sakura and I walked to Ichiraku's not hand by hand, but we were still pretty close.

I wonder if this can be considered a date. I've asked her out before but she usually says no. This time she said yes so I'm going to look at it as a date.

Teuchi was happy to see me. I am his number one customer. Two miso ramens were placed in front of us almost as soon as we sat down.

I picked up my chopsticks wondering how I was going to break them. I had gotten used to eating with one hand in the past few days but it wasn't easy. I'll be glad when Tsunade finishes my new arm.

"Here let me." Sakura took my chopsticks and broke them for me.

I stared at her like a creep, probably drooling while she held them out for me.

I remember when I messed up my arm after using Futon:Rasenshuriken on someone for the first time Sakura wouldn't feed me and Yamato was left with the task.

''Um, thanks" I said wondering if it was getting hot in here or if it was just me.

Sakura placed the chopsticks in my hand and we aye in silence for a while.

"I guess you're happy Tsunade-sama is going to be done with your hand today."

She had no idea. This morning I wrote up because my arm itched but when I went to scratch it nothing was there. Plus things like getting dressed is now harder to do.

"Yea. I was going to get a mechanical arm. Imagine how cool it'll be to be able to launch rockets from my palm or poisoned needles from my figure tips! Kankuro offered to make me one like his puppets but and I was all for it, but then he started talking about how much maintenance it would need if I ever broke it and has I'd constantly would have to replenish the ammo. So then I was like no thanks. That's when Tsunade decided to make my arm from The First's cells and that made me think cool, I wonder if I'll be able to use wood release now like Yamato. I'd be able to make little houses when we go out on missions or build my own path when a bridge goes down. Eh, why are you looking at me like that? Do I have good in my teeth?"

I pulled out one of my kunais. It took me forever to clean then last night one-handedly. Nope, nothing in my teeth. No good spoiled down my shirt, either.

"It's just that you're haven't changed at all" Sakura replied.

Eh, that still didn't make any sense. When was I supposed to have changed?"

"Why would I change?"

"War changes people, and you played the major role."

I couldn't stop my blush. I tried to scratch my head before I remember that hand was missing.

"Well yeah I'm sad we couldn't save Neji and all those other people who died. And Kakashi was right, war was like nothing I ever experienced before. There was nothing glorious about the battlefield. I don't think it was as bad as when I first saw the destruction Pein caused when he destroyed Konoha. That was mostly civilians. Not saying war wasn't bad, but I already knew what it felt like to have my whole world destroyed, so when the war started I already knew what to expect. Besides, Team 7 got back together, if only for a little bit. And I got to fight with my dad. And we won."

Sakura was just looking at me again. There was something weird about her eyes.

"What's-" before I could finish Sakura leaned over an kissed me on the cheek.

"I was wrong, sorry."

She left before I could even process what happened.

It took a moment for it all to sink in. Sakura kissed me. Me! Naruto Uzumaki! Sakura Haruno kissed Naruto Uzumaki! Who cares if it was only on the cheek? Her lips touched mine and it was AWESOME!

Teuchi winked at me and I ordered another bowl.

I entered Kakashi-sensei's office and already noticed some changes. The carpet was different and some of the pictures on the wall were different. Sitting on the desk nearly obscure by the stacks of paper was three connected frames. In the center was Kakashi and his nin-dogs. To the left was a picture of team seven and on the right was team Minato.

"As you know the five great nations have signed peace treaties. Even the minor countries have signed and is looking forward to an everlasting peace. However ranks are still needed, so there will be a Chunin Exam coming up..."

I paled. Holy crap, I'm still a genin. I'm probably the only sage in the history of sages who is a genin. This sucks. Sasuke's still a genin too but he's out traveling the world, who is going to take the test with me?

"NARUTO!"

"Huh?"

"Are you paying attention?"

I shook my head, "You lost me at Chunin Exams."

Kakashi sighed and rolled his eyes at the same time.

"The location hasn't been decided yet. It's going to be completely random. Tsunade's advisors have retired," I have a feeling it was by force, "and the people I trust most have either fallen in battle or they're still recuperating in the hospital. I however have discussed it with the Feudal Lords and the jonins and we decided to promote you without taking the exam."

"Yes!" I fist pumped into the air.

Kakashi finished in his bored voice, "this is a one time special favor. But everyone knows you're abilities are on par with a Kage. So the idea is to make you a jonin."

"Seriously? A jonin?" I was to excited not to celebrate again.

"Being a jonin is a serious responsibility. They are our teachers and they handle the most dangerous missions. That's why you still have to take a test."

I deflated like a punctured balloon. I hate test.

"No matter which country hosts the Chunin Exams you have to go and be an instructor. Everyone will be watching. Do a good job am the promotion is yours."

It didn't seem so hard when he put it like that.

I knew the Feudal Lords didn't think of this, and Kakashi set it up with the Jonins too. So I hugged him.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."

For the first time since I entered the office Kakashi smiled. Mushing up my hair he added, "I'm proud of you and I know Jiraiya and your parents would be too."

It's like he knew exactly what to say. I knew they'd be proud of me, too.

"Go spread the word and celebrate. I got a lot of paperwork to do."

Ha, who did he think he was fooling? The second I leave he's going to pull out a copy of Icha Icha and put off his paperwork until the last second.

I turned to leave but before I grabbed the door handle I hesitated. "I know you're going to be busy now doing Hokage stuff but of you get some free time do you think you can tell me stories about my dad?"

Kakashi's face softened. "Yeah, I can do that."

What, are you disappointed there's no Hinata in this chapter? I told you it didn't happen overnight. Besides aren't you excited to see how awesome I am as an instructor? There was at least a kiss in this chapter. No? Kiss on the cheeks don't count? Okay, there will be more romance in the next chapter, I think.