Author's note:

I recommend reading Ramen Delightsby AlysiaStorms, especially for those who want to read and learn how to write an intimate scene. Most readers will notice a serious difference between an artistic intimate scene that turns on a reader, and awful pornography that makes a reader hit the back button ... repeatedly

Chapter 02: Emergency Care

Two guards patrolled the eastern gate of Konoha. The day began as a normal routine, which consisted of checking visitation papers, and watching shinobi leave on various missions.

However, someone activated one of the traps that Konoha set after the Oto invasion, with the explosion clearly visible from their post. After giving a report to the Hokage Tower via a genin messenger, Tsunade sent a tracking team to confirm the damage.

The day returned to the typical pattern of checking visitors, until one familiar person passed through the gate.

"Out of my way! It's an emergency!" A young blond male yelled as he ran past the gate, carrying an unconscious girl on his back. In his haste, he almost knocked down two guards.

"Watch where you're going!" One of the guards yelled as she regained her bearings, while the second guard brushed off his pants.

"Was that who I think—" The second guard said as he stood up, looking at the blond run into the town.

"It was him," the first guard interrupted as she nodded. "He's taller, but that was definitely Naruto. He's supposed to return today with Jiraiya." A smirk formed on her face. "This place will get more interesting again."

Most chuunin would disagree with that sentiment if they heard it. Everyone remembered the chases from when Naruto was an academy student. They were often D-rank missions posted by civilians that were always C-rank or worse in difficulty.

"Was he carrying a girl on his back, or am I seeing things?" the second guard said. When the first guard nodded and brushed her hair away from her face, he added, "Haven't seen her around Konoha before. Maybe he met her on that trip he took with Jiraiya."

"Can't say I'm surprised," the first guard said as she rolled her eyes. "He traveled with the biggest pervert in Konoha. He probably picked up something from him." She shivered at the thought, remembering when she and a group of kunoichi caught him peeping at the hot springs. He lived up to his status as one of the Densetsu Sannin, as he escaped the mob of violated women.

"I resent that!" a man said as he strolled past the gate, towards the guards. "I'm the greatest paramour of women in all the elemental countries!"

"Ah," the first guard said with slight hesitation in her voice as both gave the man a bow. "Welcome back to Konoha Jiraiya-sama!"

"I take it that Naruto went to the medical center?" Jiraiya said.

"Actually," the second guard said as the first guard folded her arms. "He ran past us carrying a girl. We thought she was with you."

"We found her on the outskirts of Konoha with a broken leg and burns," the perverted hermit said, while the guards absorbed the information. "Naruto didn't notice it because he slept through it, but I saw the explosion. She may have triggered it."

"We'll send a report to Tsunade-sama," the first guard said. Under normal circumstances, the guards would have chased the boy throughout Konoha to apprehend him and the girl. However, neither guard looked forward to an extended chase, and it was apparent the girl needed medical attention, as she noticed the burns and splint on her leg.

"In the meantime," the second guard said as he handed Jiraiya a clipboard, "I need your signature to confirm your return, as well as Uzumaki."

"Well, if you just want my autograph," Jiraiya said with a smile as he reached for the pen. "All you have to do is ask. Anything for a fan of my series—"

"Just sign the damn form," the first guard said through her teeth, visibly annoyed by the sannin. Jiraiya grumbled as he signed the form, then walked to the Hokage Tower.

x X x

At Konoha Hospital, Sakura finished with her final patient for the day. Under normal circumstances, she handled the afternoon shift in emergency care, while she trained with Tsunade during evening hours. However, two days earlier, she received word from Tsunade that Naruto would return. For this day, she switched with Ino and took the morning shift at the hospital in order to meet Naruto at the gate.

Walking through the halls of the hospital while taking off her lab coat, she thought about her teammate. He was irritating at times, but she liked his sincerity and positive outlook. He, along with the promise to get their wayward teammate to return home, is the reason she trained to become a stronger kunoichi.

Sakura wanted to see Naruto again. She missed him, and wanted to show him how much stronger she became.

"Haruno-san! Haruno-san!" an assistant said as he found her in the halls. As Sakura turned toward the man, he continued with a stern face, "We need you in EC-05 now!"

"Where is Yamanaka-san? She should be in emergency care!" Sakura said with a frown, cursing her friend and rival in her mind as she walked down the hall with the medical assistant. While she wanted to see Naruto, she could not abandon a patient in need of care.

"Yamanaka-san is tending to a civilian with multiple fractures from a fall," the assistant said as Sakura put on her lab coat again without hesitation. "Shizune-san is currently in the operating room with another ninja to repair torn muscular tissue. The only personnel in the hospital right now with enough skill to handle the patient is you."

"What's the status of the patient," Sakura said as the two entered the emergency care section.

"The patient is an anonymous young female, possesses an active chakra network, currently unconscious with multiple second-degree burns and lacerations and possible blood loss. She also has an open fracture on her lower leg," the assistant said as he flipped through a clipboard. "The person who brought her in is uncertain of her home village, but he is clearly a Konoha shinobi."

"That's enough info for me," Sakura said as she passed through several patients, the majority of which were civilians. "I'll get to work on healing and reviving the patient, but I need an assistant medic-nin in case my chakra reserves get low to mend the fractures and cuts." As she reached the door to room EC-05. "Go file the paperwork for the authorities to notify them about a potential foreign ninja. Tell the shinobi that brought her in that I will speak to him after the procedures are done."

"Yes Haruno-san," the assistant said as he walked away at a brisk pace while Sakura looked at the medical charts. Glancing at a window into the waiting room, she saw the assistant speak with a young man with spiky blond hair.

As the blond turned his face, she noticed three distinctive lines on his cheek that resembled whiskers.

"So much for greeting him at the entrance," Sakura muttered to herself as she entered room EC-05 to undergo the advanced burn victim procedures. She took another quick glance at Naruto before she closed the door behind her, noticing that he grew several inches since she saw him last.

She glanced at the unconscious patient, as a smirk formed on her face. Despite the burns on her face, Naruto rescued a girl that she considered cute.

After she confirmed all the injuries, Sakura realized that outside the burns that required her direct attention, the rest was a matter of basic healing techniques, a transfusion and natural rest.

x X x

Naruto sat in the receptionist room for thirty minutes to find out the status of the girl. He decided that as soon as he learned that she was okay, he would go to the Hokage tower to meet Tsunade, and explain the situation.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a woman with enter and walk toward him. He recognized the pink hair color a mile away.

"Sakura!" Naruto yelled as he left his seat and embraced the girl in a hug. "What are you doing in the hospital?"

"It's part of my training," Sakura replied as she wrapped her arms around her teammate as her lips formed a smile. "While you were away, I became a medic-nin."

"That's awesome!" Naruto said. After he released the hug, he added, "Oh yeah, I'm here because—"

"I know about the situation Naruto," Sakura said as she placed her hand on her lips, cutting off his words. The smile vanished as she continued with an authoritative tone. "I treated the woman you brought in, and I must inform you about her. I healed her burns, and she should be conscious again in a few hours. She'll need to stay in the hospital for a few days to rest."

"That's good news," Naruto said as he released a low whistle. "Jiraiya and I found her unconscious on the road to Konoha, so I carried her to the hospital first before something worse happened to her."

"However," Sakura added, "Since she has an active chakra network, we can only assume that she is a ninja from another village. I'll let you visit her, but she must speak with authorities."

"I understand," Naruto said as he placed his hands in his pockets. "I'll go see baa-chan, then come back to visit the girl."

"Actually," Sakura said as a smile appeared on her face as the two walked toward the exit. "I'm done with my shift and have to see Tsunade-sama. Mind if I walk there with you?"

"Sure!" Naruto said as the two stepped outside. As the midday sun hit their faces, he continued, "I have so many stories to tell you!"

"I have plenty of stories myself," Sakura said before a giggle escaped her lips, noticing how much he has grown as a person immediately. "Hey Naruto, how much have I changed since I saw you last?"

"You look the same to me," Naruto said with an honest tone as they walked along the streets of Konoha. Sakura scrutinized her body, wondering how he hasn't noticed the feminine changes of her body as Naruto spoke again. In her mind, she also surmised that Naruto is the same person that remained oblivious to the blatant feelings that a certain kunoichi held for him over the years.

"That's good though," Naruto continued, oblivious to Sakura's reaction to his comment. A smile formed on his face as he added. "You're still as beautiful as I remember you when I left."

Sakura traveled slightly behind Naruto, to make sure he avoided seeing the blush forming on her face.

x X x

That marks the end of this chapter.

I tried to go for an ER/Grey's Anatomy feel for the hospital scene. I don't think I came close, but still, hospital dramas are good reading and TV.

No perverted jutsu in front of Sakura means that Naruto doesn't immediately disgust her. That means she actually believes he grew up. Consider this another AU point.

Next chapter: Naruto meets Tsunade and others for the first time since returning to the village. The tracking team gives their report on the explosion, and Hinamori awakens in Naruto's presence.

As always, I ask that you reveal your thoughts, questions, and critique about the chapter (or story overall at this point) in a review, as I take the time to answer and make necessary considerations.

Until then, have a good day ... or night.