Meanwhile back at the leaf village, the group of young teenagers left the Hokage's office after receiving orders to lie low and wait.

So one by one they left the Hokage's building. Then as Shikamaru stepped out of the door Ino immediately ran forward and jumped on his back and then squeezed him tightly.

Everyone once again just looked at him.

"Come on Shikamaru." She said as she rubbed her face into his back."Let's go and have a couple's date, then we can plan our wedding." A big red blush came across Shikamaru's face and he began to stutter in reply.

"Don't you think it's a bit early to be thinking about marriage?" asked Kiba.

"When two hearts like ours meet they're bonded forever and ever." Replied Ino as she hugged Shikamaru tighter.

Neji and Kiba both looked at each other with a look of annoyance. Then Ino looked began to walk away and dragged Shikamaru along.

Everyone then watched as the scene unfolded.

"So it looks like we'll be waiting around here for a while." Said Choji."Perhaps it would be best for us to get some down time."

"That's fine by me." Smiled Naruto as he put his hands on the back of his head.

Tenten, Ino, and Sakura stood by as the boys talked amongst themselves. Now that they had returned their hearts were lifted from the dullness they felt when they were gone. And now Ino had gotten Shikamaru, so anything was possible now, if they wanted their man they would have to make their move.

"You know alots changed from what you remember." Said Tenten as she walked up to them, keeping her eyes on Neji."Perhaps I could show you around."

"Sounds like a good idea to me." Said Choji."We'll-" But then he was cut off as Tenten reached out at Neji and grabbed his hand. Then she led him away.

It all happened so fast none of them could do anything about it. Just then Sakura approached Naruto.

"Naruto." She said, he turned and looked at her. He spoke with her head down."Could you come with me I'd like to talk to you about something."

"Sure Sakura anything." Said Naruto.

"Not here." Said Sakjura as she looked over at the watchful glares of Kiba, Choji, and Hinata."Follow me." She said. Then she turned and began walking and Naruto followed.

However now Hinata had missed her chance, she was going to ask Naruto if he wanted to go get some Ramen but Sakura was quicker on the draw than here. She watched on as Naruto walked off with Sakura

But then Hinata was approached by Kiba.

"Hey Hinata." He said breaking her out of her trance of watching Naruto and she turned to her former teammate."I was wondering." He began."If you wouldn't mind showing me around the village."

Hinata looked at Naruto disappearing into the distance and then she turned back to Kiba.

"Sure Kiba." She said. Kiba was delighted to hear that, he had planned to pick up where he left off and would try an woo Hinata.

Hinata then turned and Kiba followed.

"But what about me?" asked Choji as he flailed his arms up. Kiba turned to him and responded with a shrug of his own, then kept on following Hinata.

Then Choji was left all alone as the last of his friends walked off, choosing a girl over him.

"Bastards." Muttered Choji with a smile.

Meanwhile at that time Sasuke was making his way through the woods. Like the retrieval squad he was bound in a mission for home. Sasuke made his way through the bushes and trees and then came upon a hill. Then he stopped for a moment and looked down.

Down in the distance he could see the leaf village. He glanced down at his old home, the last person he ever saw from there was his old teammate Naruto, and the battle they fought. But Sasuke had changed and matured from that point.

Sasuke took a quick breath and made his way down the hill.

Meanwhile back in the village.

Sakura took Naruto to the village gates. Then Sakura stopped and stood there as people just past her by and Naruto walking behind her. She stood there with her back facing him.

"Do you know where we are?" she asked.

"Yea." Replied Naruto."We're at the village gates. The way in and out of the village."

"This is where I asked you to promise to bring Sasuke back." She said. She lifted her head back and sniffled."Looking back I realize I put too much pressure on you and not so much on myself. I was angry and confused then, so for any pain I put you through." Then she turned and faced Naruto, tears beginning to roll down her face."Naruto I'm sorry." She said. Just then Naruto reached out his arms and wrapped them around Sakura.

"There's no need for forgiveness." smiled Naruto."You didn't so anything." Sakura continued to cry and buried her head in Naruto's shoulder.

"Yes, it's all my fault." She said."I drove him away, and I drove you away."

Naruto pulled away for a moment and looked her in the eye."I think you flatter yourself a little too much." Said Naruto. Sakura stopped her crying for a moment."This stopped being about you a long time ago. Sasuke made his decision and I made mine. "

"Are you still going to kill him?" asked Sakura. Naruto fell silent and gave her a solemn stare. Sakura began to cry again."Naruto you can't please don't."

"Like I said." He replied."He made his decision I made mine, these are the paths we walk now."

"But Naruto please." pleated Sakura as she flung herself at him and grabbed onto his shirt."Do it for me, we're friends after all." Naruto took a deep breath and then shrugged his shoulders and Sakura's hands slid off him.

Then Naruto turned and then began to walk away, leaving Sakura there alone.

At that time the object of Sakura's affection was coming closer and closer to the village.

Meanwhile with Hinata and Kiba. The two walked down the village streets. Akamaru right next to Kiba.

"So Hinata." Began Kiba."What's changed here tell me everything."

"Well n-nothing's changed much." Told Hinata with a slight stutter.

"C'mon something had to change." Replied Kiba as he jumped out in front of her and began bouncing around."I don't remember all these buildings being here."

"T-They've always been here." Told Hinata, Kiba then stopped bouncing around here."W-What's really changed is you."

"Me?" said Kiba with a sly smile on his face. Then he turned and looked at her."How me?"

"W-Well your taller, bigger." Told Hinata. Kiba carried himself with pride at the compliments."And you don't look like a kid anymore." She finished.

"What are you saying?" asked Kiba.

"You look m-more, more-"

"Handsome?" begged Kiba in his mind.

"Rugged." Told Hinata. And that brought Kiba down just a notch. The compliemnts started well, but the last and most important piece he was hoping for was not what he wanted. Kiba stood back in his place, as Hinata continued on walking. But then when she realized Kiba wasn't following she turned and looked for him."Kiba are you coming?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm coming." He said and then he continued on and followed her with Akamaru at his side.

Meanwhile on the village walls. Two leaf ninja were walking along patrolling, nothing was out of the ordinary so they kept going. Then once they passed Sasuke climbed up over the wall and into the village.

Meanwhile at Ichiraku Ramen were Neji and Tenten. At that time two hot bowls of Ramen were placed before the two.

"What's new about this?" asked Neji."This isn't anything new to me."

"I just thought you'd like a taste of the good old days." Said Tenten as she dipped her spoon in the bowl."Back when we were kids." Then she looked at him.

"I haven't been a kid for a long time." Replied Neji coldly. Tenten then averted her head away from him and continued eating her ramen.

"Neji." She said after a few moments."There's something I've been meaning to tell you." Neji turned to face her and she looked up at her."Something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time." But then Neji put his hand up and stopped her.

"If we're on the topic." He said."I'd like to go first."

"Ok." Said Tenten. Neji took a deep sigh, and then he cleared his throat.

"Tenten you've been my teammate for years now, always looking after and caring for me when I needed it. And although I never said it I was always thankful. I was too blinded by my pride that I could never see it and I didn't realize it until it was gone." Butterflies began to dance around in Tenten's stomach, this was the moment she'd been waiting years for. Then Neji reached out and cupped Tenten's face in his hand."Simply, what I'm trying to say is-"

Just then in the village square there was an explosion, fire and smoke filled the air. Tenten and Neji as well as all other bystanders looked on in horror.

Just then Neji jumped out of his seat, then he grabbed Tenten by her wrist. Dispite the circumstances Tenten had a slight blush, Neji was never really one for physical contact such as that.

"C'mon let's go check it out." He said. Then the two headed towards the village square.

At the village square was Sasuke and he was on a path of destruction. He walked around and was shooting his Chidori blast at the buildings he passed.

The bystanders ran by in chaotic horror. Sasuke looked to his right and blew up another building.

Fire and smoke flew out and around the building. Sasuke was quite enjoying himself, a devious smile on his face.

At that time Neji and Tenten arrived.

"Look." Said Tenten pointing to a figure before a smoking building."Is that Sasuke?" Neji looked over and saw him Sasuke. The object of his and his four comrades hate, now a wave of anger and rage fell over him.

"Tenten." He said."Get to safety." Tenten looked over at Neji in concern.

"But Neji I-"

"Do as I say." He ordered."It's not safe here, and it's about to get a lot worse." Then Neji walked forward, towards Sasuke.

Sasuke attention was drawn to a figure approaching him, he looked over and saw a large man in white robes. At first glance he couldn't make out who it was, but after studying the character more carefully he guessed it too be Neji.

"Neji Hyuuga?" said Sasuke turning to face him.

"Sasuke Uchiha." Replied Neji as he stopped walking.

"So it is you." Said Sasuke."I barely recognized you."

"Well it's me and I'm real."

"What are you doing?" asked Sasuke a tone of sarcasm in his voice."Come to stop me and save the day."

"No." replied Neji."I'm here to kill you."

"How dark. And how do you plan to do so?"

"I'm going to beat you to a bloody pulp. Sadly the other won't get their chance at you."

"Boo-hoo." Said Sasuke. Then the two stood there in silence and eyed each other down. Sasuke rested his hand on his sword."I recall that you were the top genin of your class." Said Sasuke.

"That's right." Said Neji,

"I guess now we'll see who's truly better." Said Sasuke. Neji said nothing but tightened his fist, Sasule grabbed his sword.

Then everything went at a faster pace, Sasuke pulled out his sword while Neji activated his Byakugan and then the two charged each other. The battle was on.

Sasuke ran forward and swung his sword but Neji dodged. Then Sasuke swung again and Neji dodged again.

Just then Neji jumped up and kicked Sasuke in the chest. Sasuke stumbled back. Then Neji ran up and swung a kick, but Sasuke blocked with his arm. Then Sasuke through a punch, but then Neji blocked. Then Neji grabbed onto Sasuke's arm then jumped up and kicked him in the face.

Sasuke flew back onto the ground. Just then Neji reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out two knives, then he threw them at Sasuke.

Sasuke quickly jumped to his feet, then when he saw the knives coming at him he jumped out of the way. But he barely made it. He dodged one knife but the other cut him across the leg.

Sasuke then stood and looked at his now bleeding leg. Then he looked up at Neji.

Enraged Sasuke swung his arm forward and shot a chidori blast. Neji retorted with shooting an air palm back.

The two attacks hit each other and caused the other to explode. Then the two opponents raced at each other through the smoke and engaged once more.

Sasuke ran up and swung his sword, but Neji dodged. Then Neji punched Sasuke in the face then kneed him in the stomach. But then Sasuke punched Neji in the chin. Then Sasuke leaned back and charged up his chidori. But then Neji swung his arm forward and shot another air palm at him.

The blast sent Sasuke flying back and into a brick wall. After a few moments Sasuke began to stir and get up.

Then Sasuke leaned over and began to charge up his chidori, Neji stood back and stood his ground.

Then Sasuke's chidori was fully charged and was glowing blue and crackling. Then Sasuke ran up and charged Neji.

Then when he got close enough, Sasuke jumped up in the air and dived down at Neji.

But then Neji performed the eight trigrams rotation and began to spin. His rotation and Sasuke's chidori clashed.

Then suddenly there was another explosion and both fighters were hurled across the battlefield. Neji slid across the ground and Sasuke flew into a garbage can.

On the sidelines watching the battle was Tenten and she made her observations about the fight.

The two looked pretty beaten up now, but of the two Sasuke was worse. Neji was covered in dust and had only minor cuts on him.

Sasuke was bruised and bloodied, if he kept on fighting Neji he would most likely lose, if he wanted to win he would have to think of something and quick. Neji was the first back onto his feet.

Slowly Sasuke rose back to his feet holding his side, but then when he looked up Neji was on him. He was in his signature stance for his 8 trigrams 64 palms.

Then Neji began barraging Sasuke with hit upon hit of his ultimate attack. Neji hit him all over his body.

Then it came down to the final hit and Neji drilled it into Sasuke's forehead.

Sasuke fell back onto the ground defeated. He lay there on his stomach back facing Neji.

Neji then stood there triumphantly. He wiped his mouth and then moved over to Sasuke's body.

Then suddenly Sasuke sprung to life, he jumped up and slashed Neji across the face with his sword. Blood poured out of Neji's chest as he fell back onto the ground.

Then a pool of blood formed around him as Sasuke stood over him.

Immediately Tenten came running to the beaten Neji's side. She ran up and held his head in her arms, while his blood dripped all over her. Neji reached up with his blood covered hand and grab onto her arm. Then Tenten began crying tears onto Neji's face. Neji's eyes then rolled to the back of his head and his breathing became strained.

As this happened Sasuke turned and began to walk away. He was planning on leaving the village now before he ran into any other problems. But fate had other plans.

For at that time Naruto, Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru and Choji all appeared on the scene.

They all looked out and saw the chaos and the smoke. Then they saw a downed figure and Tenten close by. Then they saw Sasuke walking away. And simultaneously they all thought the same thing.

Kiba and Akamaru were the first ones in. Kiba let out a fierce war cry and ran towards Sasuke.

Sasuke was totally taken off guard. Akamaru ran up and jumped on Sasuke, then bit at his arm. Sasuke then swung his arm and tossed Akamaru aside.

But then when he turned around Kiba punched Sasuke in the face, then again and once more in the stomach.

At that time Shikamaru and Choji were on their way to the battle, but as they did they passed Tenten.

"Guys." She cried out. The two looked back and saw her holding the bloody Neji on the ground. So then they turned around and headed to their fallen comrades side.

Kiba punched Sasuke in the face once again.

"Kiba." Called out Shikamaru's voice. Kiba turned around to see Shikamaru and Choji on the ground next to Tenten. Kiba quickly lost interest in Sasuke and ran to them.

Then when he got there he saw the three crowded around Neji. And they were trying to stop the bleeding in his chest.

"Apply pressure." Said Choji as he squeezed down on the cut. But blood kept bursting out no matter what they did.

But then Ino came over.

"Ino." Said Shikamaru."Help him. Ino quickly ran to Neji's side, the three boys stepped out of the way but Tenten stayed by Neji's side holding his head. Then Ino held her hands over Neji's chest and began performing medical ninjustsu on him.

Sasuke saw this as his time to make a quick retreat. But when he turned around he came face to face with the last member of the retrieval squad, Naruto.

"Well look who it is." Said Sasuke still with a tone of confidence. Naruto just looked back at him."Your friends dying back there maybe you should go help him."

"He's got all the help he needs, he understands." Said Naruto. Then he slowly pulled out a knife and held it in his hand.

Sasuke knew he wouldn't be able to survive another fight, he would have to think dirty again.

Then Naruto ran forward bearing his knife but then something stood between him and Sasuke or rather someone.

Sakura stood in front of Sasuke using her body as a shield from Naruto. And Naruto stopped in his tracks when he saw Sakura there. And Sasuke hadn't been happier to see her in his life.

"Don't." said Sakura."Don't hurt him."

"Sakura get out of the way." Said Naruto.

"I can't." said Sakura."I won't let you hurt him." Sasuke took a step back.

"It won't work Sakura." Said Sasuke as he rested his hand on her shoulder."He's after my head." Naruto grimaced at Sasuke.

"He won't hurt you." Said Sakura."Not while I'm here." Then Sasuke flashed Naruto an evil smile.

"Then I'll be on my way." Said Sasuke as he turned and slowly began walking off. But then after a few steps he turned and looked back at them."You know I enjoyed this reunion." He said."What do you say we do it again? I'll bring my team and you bring yours, what'll I need a five man team- no wait a four man team." Then he took a look over at Neji.

Naruto became boiled up with anger. He pushed Sakura aside and then charged Sasuke. But then in the blink of an eye Sasuke disappeared and headed off.

Naruto stood in his absence with bottled up rage, but it was broken by Shikamaru's voice.

"Naruto." He called. Naruto and Sakura looked to him."We're moving Neji to the hospital."

Then Kiba picked Neji up and held him over his shoulder then took off, the rest of the group following.

Naruto took a look over at Sakura who stood just as she did when she was protecting Sasuke. Naruto looked at her then looked away and followed the group to the hospital leaving Sakur alone.