Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything related to it.
A/N: Enjoy.
Chapter four: Reunion.
"I hate the way I could never hate you."
It was quite the sight as a group consisting of a tired blonde, a motivated redhead and an annoyed white-haired sannin made their way through the forest, walking through the borders of River and Fire country.
They were finally on their way back to Konoha after three years of training, blood, sweat and tears… well, make that two years for the kunoichi.
Jiraiya was for once in a great hurry to get back to Konoha. As soon as they returned to the village the two teenagers would so be someone else's problem!
It wasn't that he didn't like them or anything. He had grown to love them both like they were his own grandchildren, but they were teenagers. They had been teenagers for three years. No one had told him it would last that long!
Annoying, hormonal teenagers who didn't respect their elders. Well, Amaya did to a certain degree, but the blonde… He didn't even want to think about the lack of respect he was getting from the young jinchuuriki. But on the other hand… He had gotten used to it.
"Hey… Ero-sennin… How…how long until we reach Konoha?" A hopeful Naruto was looking up at his sensei while breathing heavily. The poor boy had to carry everything... again. It was his punishment though, so it really was deserved.
If he even thought about using a kage bunshin he'd be dead within seconds.
The hermit rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Another seven hours, at least. Maybe six if you just stop the whining and get a move on."
The blonde sighed. "Geez, it was just a question. No need to get grumpy…You're not the one who's carrying all this damn shit. Besides, I would complain less if I got a little help."
Jiraiya clenched his fists while walking a little faster. Sweat dripping from his forehead. "You know, I wouldn't be that grumpy if a certain idiot hadn't eaten my god damn lunch! I'm hungry, tired and sick of your whining, so just shut up and walk would'ya?"
Naruto shook his head and tried to catch up with the old man. "Heey, I was hungry and you were sleeping! And by the way, pervert. Who's whining again?"
"Hey, you two! Knock it off already… You know, hun. Jiraiya-sensei has a point. You've been kind of whining for twenty-four hours strait now and you did in fact eat his lunch…"
Amaya was tired of hearing the two boys arguing about everything all the time, completely ignoring her. It couldn't be helped, could it? The bow user walked over to her boyfriend, hugging his arm in an attempt to calm him down. It usually did the trick.
"Ow, Amaya-chan, you're supposed to take my side, not the pervert's!"
The kunoichi kissed the blonde's cheek which made the boy soften in an instance. She knew all his weak spots, that's for sure. And since Jiraiya was unable to do such things, he was grateful for having Amaya so he didn't have to use unnecessary violence.
The blonde turned to face his girlfriend who looked as innocent as ever "You're evil, you know that..."
The red-haired chuckled and lend in for another kiss, but paused as soon as they felt strong chakra signals nearby. Naruto looked over at their sensei who obviously felt it too. "Jiraiya?"
"Shhhh, get down!" Both Jiraiya and the two teenagers quickly got down behind a bush, nearly holding their breaths.
Amaya had a tight grip around her bow, ready to strike at any moment. "Is it Leaf shinobi?"
The sannin was carefully scanning the area for enemies. "It could be, but I doubt it. They're trying to suppress their chakra… All tough, I have to say, they're doing a lousy job trying to hide it. The chuunin exams are coming up next week in Konoha so it could actually be anyone from any village."
Naruto smirked while grabbing his kunai. "Guess we'll just have to find out then."
The white-haired nodded in agreement. "I hope it's sound nins. It's been a while without fighting."
Amaya looked at her sensei in shock. "It's been ONE day!"
"Yeah, but sweetie… It's fun to kick some asses once in a while." The blonde grinned at the annoyed kunoichi who only raised an eyebrow at the stupidity she had to put up with on a daily basis.
"I seriously don't get you guys… I doubt that I ever will…"
Back in Konoha sat a completely worn-out Tsunade behind a pretty large stack of mission reports that needed a serious readthrough. She was about to take one of her usual, quick naps when someone suddenly knocked on the door, disturbing her slumber.
"What is it?" She said firmly, irritation written all over her face.
Shizune walked through the door. "Ehm, Tsunade-sama? The team you required is here…"
"Fine, send them in." The blonde sannin just wanted to get this over with so she could get back to her long wanted nap. Being hokage wasn't exactly a dance on roses. Why did she agree to this again? Oh yeah… A certain brat had convinced her.
Shikamaru, Ino and Sakura entered the office, taking a stance next to the wall.
The Godaime sighed and began to explain the mission. "Sakura, since Akimichi Choji is in the hospital at the moment you'll have to fill in for him on this mission. I know you haven't been in action for quite some time, but we're short on chuunins at the moment."
The pink-haired kunoichi nodded. "Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade took a sip of her coffee, frowning as she noticed the fact that it had been cold for a few hours.
"As you might already know, we've been having difficulties with unwanted guests sneaking around the village and attacking some of the gennins who're going to participate in the chuunin exams next week. Their reason for doing this or how they even managed to enter the village unnoticed is beyond me, but I want an end to it now!"
Ino took a step forward. "But, how do we know who these intruders are? I mean, the village is full of foreign shinobi because of the chuunin exams. We can't just attack anyone who's not from Konoha…"
The hokage rolled her eyes. "Well, that's your mission to find out. Just find the bastards and get them out of my village."
Shikamaru crossed his arms and sighed. "Man, do you have any idea how troublesome that is? I mean it'll take days."
The Godaime took another sip of her coffee, not bothering to ask for a new. She was getting rather addicted to the caffeine. "Don't care. Now, any further questions?"
The three Chuunins shook their heads, not seeming the least bit pleased.
"Fine. You're dismi-" Another knock was heard from the door.
'Sheesh, what the hell is it this time?' Tsunade was starting to get really annoyed at the constant traffic in her office this morning.
"Geez… enter." The door opened slowly.
A large grin appeared on the old woman's face as she saw a blonde, young man leaning against the doorway grinning as well.
Now that just made her day. The three leaf chuunins weren't able to see the person as the door blocked their sight.
"Long time no see. When did you get back? Oh, what's up with the clothing? Looks good on you."
Naruto stepped inside the room, hands tucked in his pockets. "It's good to see you too. As for the clothing, I'd rather not discuss it, heh." The teen whispered, not wanting the wrong people to hear him. Luckily for him she wasn't here yet.
"Actually, we just got back. We ran into some trouble on the way, though. How have you been, baa-chan?"
If the blonde demon container had cast a look over his shoulder he would've noticed three of his fellow rookies staring at him with priceless expressions on their faces.
He looked so different now. The once hyperactive knucklehead was wearing a pair of black, standard shinobi pants with some orange bands tied around his right leg. His hair had grown a little longer too, which made him look a lot more like his father according to Tsunade, and instead of wearing his hitai-ate as a headband it was now tied around his left upper arm.
The long-armed shirt, all though he had folded up his sleeves, was in a pure white colour with his usual orange spiral symbol on the back of it. The young man had become quite handsome over the past few years, no one could deny that.
"Naruto? Is that… really you?" Ino nearly dribbled at the sight when the blonde turned to face her. He hadn't noticed the three of them, which was kind of alarming.
"I-Ino? Shikamaru…" Naruto paused as his eyes met the emerald green that had been haunting him for a long time.
Sakura was the last person he'd expect to see right now, and judging by the look on her face she was thinking the exact same thing.
He'd been hoping to avoid her for as long as possible, which was a stupid thought really. After all, she was the student of the Godaime hokage… and his teammate.
But somewhere deep down… he was subconsciously happy to see her well.
"Sakura…" His voice had turned cold and emotionless as he gave her one last stare.
The pink-haired had to catch her breath at the mentioning of her name. No… The one thing she'd feared during the past three years had happened.
He really had taken the words she'd said seriously. The kunoichi felt her heart ache as he shifted his gaze away from her, he seemed more distance than ever. She'd lost him.
No one seemed to notice the cold tension. No wonder though, only Tsunade knew about what had happened three years ago. Sakura hadn't even told Ino. Her best friend.
"Wow Naruto, what happened?" Ino was still in denial.
"Should I take that as a compliment?" The blonde raised an eyebrow, a half-hearted smirk present on his face.
Ino then noticed the big cut on his left cheek. "Geez boy, you're hurt…"
Naruto sighed. "Like I said, we ran into some trouble along the way, it's nothing… just a scratch."
Ino wouldn't let an opportunity like this slip away. "Don't worry. I'll heal it for'ya."
The blue-eyed walked over to the blonde and put her hand against his cheek. Naruto's eyes widened as her hand started to glow with green chakra. A warm, relaxing feeling swept over him as she made the hurt go away.
Naruto looked surprised, but did nothing to stop her. "So, when did you become a medic, Ino?" He asked, a bit amazed.
"Well, forehead has taught me some. I'm still learning though." Ino grinned.
Naruto looked over at the pink-haired who was currently gazing at her feet. If he just knew how bad she felt. She had to tell him when they were alone, if she ever found the right words.
It may have been faint and went unnoticed by everyone in the room, but the girl was smiling. A sad smile, but she was happy. Having him home safe and sound was comforting, even if he hated her.
Jiraiya suddenly walked through the door and immediately spotted the two blonde teenagers in the middle of the room. 'Not good.' He thought.
"Ehm Ino… If you want the boy to live you better stop doing… that…" Amaya had a way of misunderstand things when it came to jealousy. Both the sannin and Naruto had learned that over the past few years during their training trip. The redhead wouldn't usually hurt a fly if she didn't have to, but this could get dangerous…really dangerous…
The jinchuuriki looked terrified over at his sensei. "Shit! She's going to kill me…"
Too late. Amaya was already standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and a pissed look on her face. Seeing her boyfriend practically in the arms of another beautiful blonde kunoichi wasn't exactly every girls dream now was it?
Amaya was gazing at the two blondes. "So… Honey… You left me with the pervert just to go and cuddle with the leaf chicks, huh?"
Naruto instantly backed away from Ino and held up his hands in defence. "N-no… that's not it at a-all, sweetheart. You know you're the only one for me... r-right? Ino was just healing me after the fight you know… I got hurt." The blonde stuttered, pointing a finger towards the injury. "You don't want me to suffer, d-do you?" Naruto gulped.
The Waterfall kunoichi looked as if she wanted to hit something… or someone. Jiraiya decided to try and help his blonde student. After all, he too had felt the effect of her poisoned arrows. Hell, he was numb for a week, but he guessed he deserved it. Sadly, not everyone was a big fan of his research.
"Relax, Amaya. You know he'll make it up to you tonight." The pervert winked at the bow user. Naruto's whiskered face went pale.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean, sensei?" She had a threatening look on her face as she turned to stare into her teacher's eyes.
"You're only making it worse… Shut up!" 'Please…' Naruto was carefully walking towards his not so satisfied girlfriend.
Jiraiya crossed his arms. "Oh come on… You have no right to call me that anymore, brat. You're just as bad as me, you know. Don't you think I can hear you two at night? For the love of God, I'm sure the entire hotel heard the-"
The office suddenly became awkwardly quiet. "Hey, your face matches your hair now, Amaya. Nice." The sannin grinned, but took a few steps back when he took a second look at the red-haired he'd just insulted.
Why couldn't he ever learn? He was screwing it up for both himself and Naruto. Now he was getting himself killed. Besides, he was giving out the wrong message. They hadn't had sex yet. Didn't mean they didn't like to experiment, but they were still young and Naruto had his reasons for waiting.
Amaya was about to reach for an arrow but changed her mind as she felt a couple of arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her back.
"No need to kill the pervert, hun. Besides, we'll need him for later, you know… Can't train with a dead sensei. At least I don't think so…" Naruto whispered softly, which caused her to calm down in a weird kind of way. He too, had learned a thing or two about her weak spots during the past few years.
Sakura watched the whole scene with questioning eyes. He had a… girlfriend? The pink-haired swallowed. He'd really moved on hadn't he? It… hurt. She felt so abandoned. As if she didn't knew this person anymore. Her biggest fear was losing him as well, and by looking at him now, she realized it had happened long ago.
Sakura tore her eyes away, not wanting to watch him. He looked happy…content. And she supposed she should've been happy for him, but… She couldn't bring herself to be. Even if this was her own doing, she wanted to be a part of his life. To be his friend. She didn't want to feel left out.
Tsunade coughed behind her desk just to remind the three of them that they weren't the only people in the office. Amaya was the first one to notice and immediately blushed.
"I'm sorry, hokage-sama. My name is-"
"Tokushima Amaya. Welcome to Konoha." Tsunade grinned. The red-haired kunoichi blinked. How could she know her name?
"Jiraiya has told me quite a bit about you. I admire you for being able to stand those perverts for two whole years. I'm sure it must have been a real pain."
Naruto groaned at the insult. He wasn't that annoying and he was definitively not a pervert.
Amaya laughed nervously. "It's not that bad really. They've been treating me really well."
The Godaime smirked. "I see that you've taken an interest in our blonde knucklehead, eh?"
This wasn't making the kunoichi's face any less red than it already was. She nodded and looked over at her boyfriend who was smiling at her.
The female sannin took in a breath. She really didn't want to ruin the mood, but she had important news. It was going to break the poor girl's heart, but she was the hokage and this came with the job.
"Amaya?" Tsunade suddenly looked a lot more serious.
"Yes, hokage-sama?" curious as she was the red-haired took a few steps closer towards the desk.
"I've got some important information from a village in Grass country this morning. It's about your clan…"
Author's note: Go do your thaaang. It's a subtle way to say go review.