I'm really, really, really, really sorry I took this long to update. It's just that I got a job to which I have to go straight from school so I can have enough money to get my girlfriend a nice birthday present. My shift ends at 8:30 and as soon as I get home, I have to start doing my homework, so I have almost no time to update. From now on, my updates may take longer, but don't worry, I won't stop writing. I'll balance my time to finish this story. Anyways, here's chapter 10 and sorry it's so short, but it's like a transition between arcs, so that's why it's so short compared to other chapters.
"Normal speech"
"Thoughts"
"Inner Sakura"
"Kyuubi"
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
The way back home was much faster as there were only shinobi traveling. They made it in less than half the time they did when they went to wave. During the trip, Team 7, Zabuza and Haku got to know about each other's past. They were all shocked to learn that most of them shared similar pain sometime, either losing someone important or not having them at all.
Zabuza and Haku were also told that the chakra Naruto released while on the bridge was Kyuubi's and that he was its host. They were surprised but said that they didn't look at him any different. They learned about how life was in Konoha and both were eager to get there, even Zabuza.
After some hours, the gigantic gates of the village were on sight and Team 7 managed to recognize the three figures standing next to the traffic control shack. They were Minato, Jiraiya and the Sandaime. Naruto had mentioned that he was the Yondaime's son, but both ex-Kiri nin didn't expect to be welcomed by three shinobi who were recognized as some of the most powerful to ever live.
"Hey dad" said Naruto grinning "Sup, Ero-sennin, Ojii-san"
"Hi Minato, Ero-sennin, Hokage-sama" said Sakura as Jiraiya wailed at being disrespected by two genin while the others laughed at him.
"Hey, kids" said Minato "You must be Haku and Zabuza"
"Yeah, I'm Zabuza and this is Haku" said Zabuza motioning to his surrogate son
"Alright then, please come with me to my office so we can fill in the required paperwork" said Sarutobi "Kakashi, you come as well so you can leave your report"
"Hai, Hokage-sama" said Kakashi "Guys, we're taking a break from missions for a couple of days, so just relax"
"Naruto, your mom is waiting for you at home, so don't make her wait so long" said Minato "She misses you"
"Alright" said Naruto to his dad, who was leaving with Jiraiya to make sure he didn't go peek on the women's hot springs.
"I guess we're free now" said Sasuke
"Yeah" replied Naruto "What now?"
"I'm going home" said Sasuke "I just want to relax for a while"
Naruto and Sakura looked at him like he had grown a second head, which made him a little uneasy "What?" he asked
"Who are you and what did you do with Sasuke?" asked Sakura
"What do you mean?" he asked
"Whenever we get a break, you train" said Naruto "It's like an unwritten law. You would never want to relax"
"Even I need a break" said Sasuke before turning around and walking away, but not without a little wave.
Naruto and Sakura grinned to each other "He's opening up" said Naruto
"Slow, but steady" said Sakura. It was true. Sasuke had been talking more during the course of their last mission and became more expressive. The unemotional shell he had created was slowly shattering and he was becoming who he was before the massacre.
They started to walk aimlessly while holding hands, until Sakura yawned cutely while leaning onto Naruto's shoulder making him chuckle. She shot him a playful glare "What?"
"You look like you want to drop on your bed and not wake up until tomorrow" said Naruto
"Well, that's exactly what I want" said Sakura
"Then I'll walk you home" said Naruto kissing the top of her head after she nodded
Halfway there, Naruto spotted Kiba, Shikamaru and Chouji going out of the BBQ restaurant that Team 10 goes to quite often. They were hoping to go by unnoticed, but their pleas were not answered.
"Oi, Naruto!" shouted Kiba, making Naruto and Sakura groan after having their time together interrupted
"Hey, Kiba, Shika, Chouji" nodded Naruto while walking towards them with Sakura
"Wait, what are you doing with Sakura?" asked Kiba confused "Didn't she like Sasuke?"
"You didn't tell him?" asked Naruto to Shikamaru and Chouji
"It was too troublesome" answered Shikamaru shrugging
"Forgot when I opened my chips" said Chouji munching his chips
"Tell me what?" asked Kiba while Akamaru barked, clearly annoyed to be left out of it
"Well, Sakura-chan and I are dating and have been for a few weeks" answered Naruto
"I would never have expected her to like you, ya know?" said Kiba
"Hey, people change" said Sakura shrugging
"Anyway, Naruto, I believe you wanted to tell us something important a couple of weeks ago, but you never showed up" said Shikamaru "It was troublesome to get there for nothing"
"Ehhh, sorry, guys" said Naruto "But we had a mission assigned to us and had to leave the village"
"We just got back a while ago" finished Sakura, shocking the other three genin that they had already gone on a mission that required leaving the village.
"Anyway, Naruto" said Kiba "We want to know what you wanted to tell us and there's also something we have to tell you"
"Alright" said Naruto "Just give me half an hour. I got to take Sakura-chan home"
"It's alright. Go with them, I don't mind" said Sakura smiling at him "Besides, I think I can manage to get home on my own"
"Fine then" said Naruto "See you tomorrow?"
"Sure" answered Sakura before kissing him "Bye, I love you"
"I love you too" Naruto kissed her again before she then turned around and resumed her walk home. Neither had noticed the expressions of the other three teens standing there.
"Troublesome" muttered Shikamaru "Let's just go to the park we used to go to when we were kids"
"Alright, but I don't have much time" said Naruto "My dad said mom was waiting for me and she's scary when she's mad"
"Let's get going, then" said Kiba "I believe all of us know what happens when our moms get angry"
They shivered before nodding and starting their way to the park
At the Hokage's office, Zabuza and Haku had signed the papers that classified them as Konohagakure villagers and had been given a two room apartment to live in until they could move somewhere else. Sarutobi had also said that, while Zabuza was obviously above jounin rank due to him being a former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Haku had to be tested for his rank. They had sworn loyalty to Konoha and ensured that if by any chance Konoha went to war against Kiri, they would not betray them. Sarutobi was pleased to see they had gotten their hands on such strong allies and not once did he regret his decision.
After the two had left, Kakashi was going to report the outcome of the mission, but the Hokage stopped him.
"Now, Kakashi, I don't really think it's necessary for you to say anything else about your mission" said the old leader
"Then why did you call me here, Hokage-sama?" asked a very confused Kakashi
"I want to know what your thoughts are about your students' progress" replied the Hokage
"I'm really proud of them" said Kakashi "Over the time we spent in Wave, I taught them jutsus based on their element, which they learned fast"
"I see" Sarutobi smiled "How strong would you say they are?"
"I believe they are able to take down chunin easily" said Kakashi "Their teamwork is really good as is their individual strength"
"So, would you say they're ready for the chunin exams?" asked Sarutobi with a smirk
"Yeah, I believe they can easily manage there" said Kakashi "But the other village's shinobi will start to come in around two weeks, so why are you asking this so early?"
"Because earlier today, I was talking to Minato and Jiraiya and we all agreed that your students had the potential to become even stronger than the Sannin with the right training"
"Yeah, I was able to see that during their training" said Kakashi
"I want your team to stop taking missions and focus entirely on training" said Sarutobi "They already passed the requirements"
"Hai, Hokage-sama" said Kakashi "Starting tomorrow, I will train them everyday"
"Very well" said the elder "You are dismissed"
The four friends arrived at the park after some time and sat down near the swings they used all those years ago. No one talked for a while and Kiba decided to break the silence.
"Naruto, what did you want to tell us?" he said
"It's about what I have sealed inside me" said the blonde "I wanted to tell you before everyone knew, but the announcement was made and I had to leave"
"Heh, funny thing that's related to what we wanted to tell you" said Chouji
Naruto then started to get a little worried because he was afraid of what they would say and he fidgeted slightly, but Shikamaru managed to notice, being the observant guy he is.
"Don't worry, Naruto" said the lazy boy "What we wanted to tell you is that we are your friends no matter what you have inside"
"Yeah, that and that we're happy that you finally have parents" said Chouji
"Thank you, guys" said Naruto trying his best not to cry, but he failed and they laughed "Sorry, but I got to leave or my mom will kill me"
"Yeah, same with me" muttered Shikamaru "Troublesome woman"
For the two next days, Team 7 were able to just kick back and relax after their long mission. Sasuke surprisingly didn't train. Naruto and Sakura had spent both days together since early in the morning until almost midnight. Naruto had shown Sakura his house and after he remembered that his room was still decorated as a guest room, she offered to help him customize it.
The day after their break was over, they were supposed to meet at the bridge for their usual missions and they arrived two hours late, expecting their sensei to be two and a half hours late as always, but they found Kakashi already waiting for them and by the looks of it, he had been there for a while.
"You guys are late" said the jounin simply without looking at them "Save the excuses. I have something really important I need to ask you"
"What is it?" asked Sakura, the three of them confused at seeing their sensei that serious
"As you may know, the Chunin Exams are coming soon" said Kakashi, waiting for them to nod before continuing "By request of Hokage-sama, we will spend the time until the exam training. That is, if you accept to take part in them"
The three genin looked at each other, silently communicating, and then at Kakashi.
"We accept" said Sasuke
"Yeah, we wouldn't pass up the opportunity to advance in the ranks" said Sakura
"Besides, if I become a chunin, I'll be a step closer to the Hokage!" said Naruto
"Alright, then we will start training right away" said Kakashi
A/N: Next chapter will have a time skip to the start of the chunin exams
R&R