Disclaimer: Whoops, forgot to put the disclaimer in...again. I do not own Naruto...obviously.

Author's Note: I had a couple questions from my reviews and I will now take a couple seconds to answer them. Yes, Shukaku is gone. I'm trying to keep as much of the manga's platform as I can. And as you may know, Shukaku, is taken out of Gaara by the Akatsuki around 2 and 1/2 years after the Kimimaro fight. Sasuke/Naruto? In the final author's note of Devil in the Sand, I mentioned that I refuse to write Naruto with anyone but Sasuke+wink+ On to chapter two!

Lee stood outside the house of his brother-in-law, a smile plastered on his face as he rapidly pounded on the door. "My youthful brothers! It is time for us to depart!"

Lee heard a crash, a curse, and a bark, minutes before the door was actually opened. Kiba stood in the doorway with Akamaru a step behind. Kiba's hair was a tousled mess, his clothes were in a state of disarray, and his face was dyed red from panting. "What do you want Lee?" Kiba glanced behind Lee and noticed Gaara with the three little ones. His mouth formed an 'o' before he turned and shut the door. His voice could easily be heard through the wooden frame. "KANKURO! Get your lazy ass out of bed! It's time to leave! YES, already! Your brother's waiting outside and those kids aren't going to wait forever! Yes I'm sure it's him. You can't exactly miss the man in green spandex knocking on the door! What did you just say!? GET THE HELL OUT OF BED!" The sound of running feet could be heard and a loud screech soon followed. Barking was the only thing heard for a couple minutes before Kiba reopened the door. He gave a mischievous grin as he and Akamaru left the house. "Kankuro's coming."

Moments later, Kankuro stepped out of the door holding two large travel bags. "These are yours. Make Akamaru carry them. I already have scrolls to carry on my back."

"Heh; it's not my fault you chose to play with dolls."

Kankuro's eye twitched uncontrollably as he tried desperately to hold himself back. "When we get to Konoha…" his voice trailed off with a mutter.

Kankuro threw the bags onto to Akamaru's back, much to the dog's annoyance. He waved it off and started ahead, everyone else close behind. Less then five minutes into the trip, both Aya and Hiroshi were at Kiba's side, asking their uncle for a ride on Akamaru's back. Lee by then had walked up next to Kankuro and began talking to the puppet master who looked none too pleased at the situation.

Gaara brought up the rear, Kichiro walking in step beside him. Gaara stared straight ahead, gazing at his other children who were busy whooping atop the white beast's back. Without looking down he began to speak. "I know you hate everyone in Konoha and I understand that you do not like Lee or your siblings. However, I am warning you right now, you will listen to me when I say that you are not to cause trouble while at Konoha. Don't you dare think that I am stupid enough to have forgotten what happened the last time we had a celebration such as this." It was only then that Gaara looked down, his face emotionless. "Your insolence will not be tolerated a second time."

Kichiro smirked. "Whatever you say father."

Break-

By the time they reached Konoha, Kankuro was nearly out of his mind, Lee was so excited that it was scary, Kiba was whining nonstop to his lover, and Gaara was annoyed at how active the kids seemed to be after a five day trip. As they reached the gates of Konoha, they glimpsed a flash of yellow, and Naruto appeared at the entrance, smiling. His face seemed to glow with an inner fire, and it was apparent that life was treating him well. "Hey guys! How was the trip?"

In a whirl of speed, Aya and Hiroshi had zoomed past their parents and latched onto Naruto's legs. They looked up at him with wide eyes, smiling the entire time. "We want ramen!"

Naruto let out a laugh. "Alright then; how about we go to the ramen stand after we drop off your things at the hotel okay?" The two nodded as the others approached. "Long time no see. You guys need to visit more often!"

Gaara nodded his head and Kankuro answered for his brother. "It's hard for the Kazekage to get time off. Getting vacation time just isn't something that happens."

"Well, everyone's been waiting to see all of you! Your teammates all miss you!"

Kiba let out a snort. "Oh, I know just how much my teammates have been missing me all right."

Lee, completely missing the sarcasm, lifted his fist. "I am sure your teammates miss you very much Kiba! Do not doubt it!"

Kiba rolled his eyes before turning to the group. "Kankuro and I will see you guys around. We're stopping by my parents place before going to the hotel."

Kankuro turned and gave him an incredulous look. "Whoa, wait a minute. When was this decided? When did I ever say I wanted to go see your parents?"

Kiba laughed and started walking away. "I guess Akamaru and I can go there all by ourselves. I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind having me over for a night or two…"

Kankuro growled low in his throat before following the dog-nin, muttering the entire way. Gaara turned to Naruto. "You said something about a hotel?"

Naruto's face lit with another smile. "I sure did!"

Break-

Gaara, Lee, Naruto, and the children were all sitting down at the ramen stand. Their orders had been taken and now the group was sitting and talking. Steps were heard behind them and they turned to find the laziest ninja known to man. Shikamaru nodded his head before sitting down. "How's it going in Suna?"

Lee was quickest. "It is fantastic! How about here in Konoha? How is your wife?"

Shikamaru let out a small groan. "God, she's like the devil! So I bought the wrong damn crackers! So what! She nearly blew me through the side of the house! Notice the gash on my arm? Lesson one; do not go near a pregnant shinobi. They are deadly."

Gaara placed his hands under his chin and closed his eyes, a soft smile playing on his lips. "So Temari has been that bad has she?"

"Truthfully? She's a nightmare! I wonder at times why I went through with all this. She's just like my mother sometimes."

A cold voice spoke softly from behind the group. "Am I really now? I hope you planned on getting a workout today."

Shikamaru froze and turned around. "Umm…shit. There really isn't anything I could say right now that would save my ass is there?"

"I'll give you a 10 second head start." Shikamaru jumped up and immediately sprinted off. "One…Two…Ten…" Temari leaned down and gave her brother a little peck on the cheek. "Good to see you again little brother." With that, the very heavily pregnant Nara Temari chased after her husband; as fast as an eight month pregnant woman can run anyway. Naruto merely laughed while Lee and his kids looked on in shock.

Hiroshi tugged on his dad's sleeve. "Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"Aunt Temari isn't going to kill uncle Shikamaru is she? I hope not, cause I really like him."

Gaara smirked. "We'll see."