A Possible Future by Jason Corley

DISCLAIMER

I do not own Naruto. Do not attempt to make money off of the original story or off my work unless you get permission. Thank You.

NOTE

This fanfiction is written following chapter 238 of the manga.

For an idea of where the story is, chapter215 of the manga is about episode126 of the anime.

So if you have not read the manga and don't want the story ruined don't read any further in this fanfiction.

This story will contain at least a few spoilers if not several. You have been warned.

I am operating under the assumption that the characters aged through the manga chapters 1-238. Let us assume that at the end of chapter 238 they had all aged by one year from chapter 1. Thus the rookie 9 are all 13 instead of still 12. Follow the idea respectively with the rest of the characters.

The current timeline is two and a half years after chapter 238. So the rookie 9 are 15-16 years old. All references to time are in regards to this current time I have set. Some parts the characters will talk about times that happen after chapter 238 but before the main timeline of the story.

END NOTE


Chapter One

Naruto walked into the usual ramen shop he frequented. Iruka was there. Naruto sat down next to him and ordered a bowl of ramen. Iruka looked over at Naruto and thought about how he had changed since Naruto graduated the academy.

"Rumor has it you and Sakura have been seeing each other a lot lately." Iruka

Naruto nearly choked on his food.

"Where did you hear that." Naruto asked in is normal loud obnoxious voice.

"Its fairly well known considering you are dating the 5th's apprentice." Iruka

"Does everyone know about Sakura?" Naruto asked.

"Pretty much. She has become quite popular." Iruka

"Hehe. Sakura deserves it." Naruto

"And rumor also has it that she has turned down all that ask her out except you." Iruka

Naruto blushed and rubbed his head.

"Well we have been going out for about 2 years now. She has become a great medic-nin. You would expect it, training under the 5th." Naruto

"So how is your training coming along?" Iruka

"The pervert-hermit has taught me a lot." Naruto answered and started eating his ramen.

Iruka looked at Naruto with a worried expression and wonder what Jiraiya has been teaching Naruto.


Sakura and Ino were sitting in a little cafe having lunch.

"Who would ever have thought that you would actually go out with Naruto and only Naruto for 2 years?" Ino

"Who would ever have thought that you would actually go out with Chouji for a whole year?" Sakura

"Well, he's better than Shikamaru." Ino

"Isn't he dating Temari?" Sakura asked

"She can have him. I couldn't stand his attitude towards women. I don't know how she can put up with him." Ino replied.


Akamaru barks as he and Kiba approach Shino.

"Alright. Today is the day." Kiba announced

Shino just looked at Kiba through his sun glasses.

"Today is the day I will ask Hinata to go out with me." Kiba.

Shino continued to look at Kiba and felt sorry for Kiba knowing how much she cares for Naruto


"You don't have a mission in the hidden village of the leaf. Why are you going." Kankuro

"Because I feel like it." Temari

"You're going to see him, aren't you?" Kankuro

"And what if I am. Its not any of your business." Temari replied.

"He isn't good enough for you. He's a lazy piece of trash." Kankuro

"But he out ranks you and you are 2 years older than him." Temari

"I could still beat him in a fight." Kankuro

"I wouldn't be so sure." Temari


AAAAACHOU

"Someone must be talking about you." Chouji.

"How troublesome." Shikamaru.


"Why do you insist on following Naruto?" Neji

Hinata didn't say anything.

Neji sighed then put on his Chuunin Jacket before heading off to see what mission he was to be sent on.

Hinata wished that she was good enough to wear the Jacket of a Chuunin. She then left to walk around the village.

As Hinata walked along the streets felt that someone was following her. She quickened her pace. She felt that the person quickened there pace also. She finally turned around to face who was following her. When she turned around she was face to face with Kiba.

"Kiba?" Hinata asked surprised that he had not called out to her.

"I...uh...that is...will you go out with me?" Kiba stuttered to get out.

Hinata looked at her teammate. Who had participated in the final matches of the Chuunin Exam 3 times. The last time he didn't because again Naruto beat him. She considered him a very good friend and if her heart was not for Naruto only she would gladly go out with Kiba. But she just couldn't get herself to. It felt to much like she was betraying Naruto. Even though they weren't going out. And then there was that rumor that Naruto was seeing Sakura. But she thought they are just teammates, nothing more. She gave his question some more thought.

Kiba stood there sweating bullets. He was so nervous. The different facial expressions that Hinata made, made him think that she couldn't make up her mind but it looked like she was going to decide against dating him.

"You...you do know that Naruto is dating Sakura right?" Kiba asked in a nervous voice.

Hinata was actually considering going out with Kiba because she would want Naruto so say yes. But once Kiba said Naruto was dating Sakura, he lost all chances.

"I'm sorry. But I only see you as a good friend and team mate. I don't want to ruin what we have." Hinata said the line she had heard other girls say to boys they didn't want to go out with.

Kiba looked like he had been kicked in the gut. He just wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

Hinata said she was sorry and turned to continue on her way. She walked for a bit more and she still felt like she was still being followed. She turned around ready to tell Kiba to please quit following her. But when she turned around, she didn't see him. She only saw the crowd of people on the street. Hinata resumed walking. After a bit more of still feeling like she was being followed she activated her Byakugan then turned and scanned the streets. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary. She turned back around and continued walking. She still felt like she was being followed but she couldn't tell if anyone person was following her. She would turn around every so often but she never saw the same person there that had been there last time she looked. She finally deactivated her Byakugan and walked on with the persistent feel of being followed. She finally came to a corner and stopped. She peeked around the corner at the ramen shop Naruto was in. She then listened in on Naruto and Iruka's conversation as she watched Naruto.

"If you would just use your head more and not charge in all the time I'm sure they would promote you to Chuunin." Iruka

"I wont change because that is my way of the ninja." Naruto

"Naruto. Even though you grow stronger everyday training with Jiraiya. Unless you learn to use your head they wont promote you. While a Chuunin's individual strength is important and it does have to be a certain level. What is more important is there ability to lead." Iruka

"Then why was fuzzy eyebrows promoted to Chuunin? He's not a leader." Naruto.

"While Lee does act like Gai he does think about his actions more than many think. When he was teamed with Neji and Tenten, Neji was there team leader but Lee also makes a good leader. And so does Tenten. That is why all of them are Chuunins." Iruka explained.

"Well what about Shino? He wasn't even the leader of his team. Kiba was and he's not a Chuunin." Naruto questioned.

"Kiba pushed to be leader. Both Shino and Hinata didn't care about leading. Kiba has a tendency to charge in like you do. Shino thinks about the situation more and conducts himself according to the situation. That is why he was promoted to Chuunin. Because he uses his head. I think Hinata would make Chuunin if she had more confidence in herself." Iruka said the last sentence louder than he had been talking and had turned so his voice would carry more in the direction of a certain corner.

Naruto looked a little put out.

"Maybe when Sakura makes Chuunin this time you will be little more inclined to use your head." Iruka said.

"Why would Sakura make Chuunin and not me?" Naruto asked.

Iruka looked a little disappointed that Naruto didn't understand that being a Chuunin doesn't mean you are stronger than a Genin. It means you have the skills needed to be a leader. That Chuunins are really just Genins that are leaders.

"While Sakura did lack the individual strength needed to be a Chuunin she has attained that strength and she has the wits required to be a Chuunin. If she had trained in fighting as much as you did she would already be a Chuunin. But because she has been training as a medic-nin instead, her progression was slower. But I fully expect her to be promoted to Chuunin at this next exam." Iruka said.

Naruto looked deep in thought.

"And if you are wondering about Chouji and Ino, I don't think they will make Chuunin this time because they just aren't displaying the attributes needed to be a Chuunin." Iruka said.

Naruto went back to eating his ramen. He didn't take note of the person who sat down next to him. After Naruto finished his ramen he and Iruka left the ramen shop.

Hinata made sure to stay hidden. When they had passed her location she was getting ready to follow but something made her stop and look back at the ramen shop. She didn't see anyone there. And she was sure that she saw someone sit down next to Naruto. She didn't let it bother her. She then started after Naruto.


"Do you think you will make Chuunin this time?" Ino asked Sakura.

"Yes. I think so." Sakura answered.

"Do you think Naruto will?" Ino asked.

"Probably not. He never uses his head. He always just charges in." Sakura answered.

"Chouji and I wont be competing this time." Ino said.

"Why not? You've made it past the preliminaries every time. So why not?" Sakura asked.

"We obviously don't have what they want in a Chuunin. Why bother?" Ino said.

"That's exactly why you wont become a Chuunin. If you are just going to give up you will never make it." Sakura scolded.

Ino didn't say anything.

"Are you just giving up. You know that Sasuke isn't going to want someone that isn't a skillful ninja. Are you just giving up on Sasuke?" Sakura said trying to get Ino fired up.

"Yes. Yes, I am. I've given up on Sasuke and so should you. He's gone. He's not coming back." Ino responded heatedly.

Sakura slapped Ino across the face. Ino reeled from the hit. Ino turned with her hand to her cheek to face Sakura who had tears in her eyes. Ino realized that she had hit a nerve.

Ino started to walk away but stopped before doing so and said "You have Naruto now. He's not someone to be ashamed of anymore. It's ok that you like him. He's there for you. You shouldn't let that slip away. Be happy for what you have." Ino then walked out of the cafe she and Sakura were in.

Sakura sat back down. The tears wouldn't stop flowing. She continued to cry. She didn't want to admit that her feelings for Sasuke had started to diminish with him not there. She didn't want to admit that she had grown fond of Naruto. Not only for the skills he had learned but for his never give up attitude. After awhile the tears stopped and she walked out of the cafe to wander the streets of Konoha.


Shino saw Kiba walking towards him. Kiba looked up at Shino and realized he wasn't going to get any sympathy here. So Kiba decided to keep walking. Shino watch Kiba with a puzzled expression and decided to follow his friend who always said what was on his mind but for some reason wasn't this time. Shino felt this was the time when Kiba needed to talk the most instead of not talking.
Temari was proceeding towards the Hidden Leaf Village with some pep in her step. She wasn't sure why she was excited to be going there.
"I still think you and Ino should take the Chuunin Exam. But that is up to you." Shikamaru said.

"Ino doesn't want to. And I'm not smart enough to be a Chuunin." Chouji answered.

"You can be one if you put your mind to it. You just have to work at it. I'm sure you can do it." Shikamaru said to his friend.

"Thanks. You are the only one to think I'd make a good ninja." Chouji.

Shikamaru looked at his friend and decided not to push on the topic since he knew that all the members of the team had to want to do the Chuunin Exam and he knew that Ino just was not going to do it this time.


Neji, Lee, and Tenten were searching the forest to the north east of the Country of Fire which borders the Country of Sound because there had been reports of increased activity in the Sound. Lee wore his Chuunin Jacket like Gai wore his. Neji favored the blue jumpsuit with the Chuunin Jacket when on missions. Tenten wore her usual garb under her Chuunin Jacket.
Hinata followed Naruto and Iruka for a ways. Naruto and Iruka finally went there separate ways. Naruto was heading towards his apartment. Hinata thought that this would be her chance to confess her feelings to Naruto. As they neared Naruto's apartment Hinata was about to go up to him when she saw Sakura standing outside Naruto's Apartment. Hinata decided instead to hide in a small alleyway and watch what happened.

"Sakura. How..." Naruto didn't get to finish his sentence because Sakura had run up to him and wrapped her arms around him. Naruto didn't know what to do, he stood there for a moment and then Sakura started crying. Naruto put his arms around Sakura and pulled her a little closer.

Hinata felt her heart plummet but she continued to watch.

"Sakura? What's wrong?" Naruto asked concerned.

"I'm..sorry." Sakura said while crying.

Naruto was confused.

"What? Why are you sorry?" Naruto asked.

"For..for..treating..you..the..way..I..do." Sakura said between sobs.

Naruto didn't know what to say. He did feel that he didn't deserve to be treated the way that Sakura treated him but he didn't care. She was Sakura after all. The girl he loved.

"Do you want to come inside. Its a little chilly out here." Naruto suggested not knowing what else to say.

Sakura nodded and they walked to the door to Naruto's apartment. Naruto let them in and the door shut behind them.

Hinata didn't activate her Byakugan because she didn't want to know what was going on inside. She instead started running home with tears in her eyes.


Inside Naruto's apartment Naruto lead Sakura over to his bed for them to sit down since Naruto only had one chair in his apartment. Sakura lead against Naruto and the tears continued to flow although the sobs had died down.

"You have always been there for me. I never had anything nice to say to you. I was always mean to you when you were so nice to me. I was always chasing after Sasuke and never realized that it was you who was there when it really counted. It wasn't Sasuke. It was you. I..I'm..Sorry." Sakura said the last part as she started to sob again.

"Don't worry we'll get Sasuke back." Naruto said thinking this would make Sakura feel better.

Sakura shook her head.

"Ino's right. Sasuke's gone." Sakura argued.

"He'll come back." Naruto responded.

"He's not coming back." Sakura retorted.

"Then we'll bring him back." Naruto said.

"And I don't care if he does come back. As long as I have you." Sakura said quietly.

Naruto sat there staring at Sakura replaying in his mind what was just said.

"What are you saying. That just like that you are giving up on Sasuke." Naruto asked.

"I'm saying I don't love Sasuke anymore. I love you." Sakura said with a wild look in her eyes.

"You love me?" Naruto asked confused.

"Yes. Why can't you accept that?" Sakura said grabbing Naruto by the collar of his orange jacket and shaking him a little.

"But..." Naruto started to argue but was interrupted by Sakura pressing her lips to his. Naruto decided that he didn't care what happened. He was happy this was happening. Naruto kissed Sakura back. While for them it felt clumsy at first it still held a passion that neither of them had experienced before. They broke their first kiss and looked each other in the eyes. Naruto noticed that the tears were gone and a blush had come across Sakura's cheeks. He thought it was cute so he kissed Sakura again. Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck and deepened the kiss. Naruto reached his arms around Sakura's waist and pulled her closer to him. Naruto didn't want the moment to end so he just continued to kiss Sakura. Sakura didn't want it to end either but she had to break the kiss for air. And a split moment later Naruto kissed her again, which she returned eagerly. They both repeated this for a quite some time.

Eventually Sakura pulled away and said "I need to get back. If I'm not there Tsunada might not teach me a new move for the Chuunin Exam."

"Hehe. Yeah, I need to get to sleep anyway. I have to get up early to train. I don't know why the pervert hermit insists on training so early." Naruto relied.

With that Sakura saw herself out the door. Once the door was closed Naruto yelled with joy and jumped up into the air right into the ceiling, falling down only to hit his chin on the table, knocking himself out cold. Naruto was in a deep sleep the rest of the night with dreams of doing this and that with Sakura..


Sakura walked into the Tsunada's office to find Tsunada drinking.

"I dint think you wre comin." Tsunada said with a slight slur.

"I'm sorry I was late. Please teach me." Sakura said bowing to her teacher.

"Suree I'l teach ya. I jus dint think you wre comin. Yourr neve late. I thought ya might be witt Naruto or someing." Tsunada said the last part jokingly.

Sakura blushed a deep crimson and said "How'd you know?"

Tsunada looked up and said "I was joking."

"Oh. Oh. Of course." Sakura said nervously and then started laughing.

Tsunada smiled and whispered to herself "Hmm...I might have to start teaching her some other things also."


As Hinata ran she only watched to keep from running into anyone but she wasn't really running to anywhere specific. She just ran. When she stopped she found that she had run into an abandoned part of the village. It was the Uchiha manor. It was made up of many homes all of which belonged to the Uchiha but all of them were empty because only one Uchiha survived the massacre and that was Sasuke who was no longer in the village. Hinata started walking along the streets that made up the Uchiha manor. No one every came here because they feared what might happen to them if they did. Hinata had been here many times when looking for someplace to be alone when she didn't want to be found. There weren't many places like that in the village and this was the most unfrequented of the places. As she walked the streets she felt like she was being followed again. She knew that Kiba wouldn't follow her in here and not make himself known since she knew that he didn't like this place so she activated her Byakugan. She looked all around but didn't see anyone.

"Who's there?" She asked of the wind.

There was of course no reply but the wind itself.

Hinata had been here many times but never before had she felt this afraid of the place. All of a sudden she had a rush of memories of when she was younger.