Title: Transitive Closure

Author NotesI decided I really didn't like the end of chapter two and where it was taking the story.  So I took the time and rewrote it.  I hope you like it.  Please, any suggestions will be taken under consideration.  Also, I rewrote the end based in part because many reviewers didn't like it.  So there is an example of your reviews at work.  Anyways, I will point out that questions based on inconsistencies with the manga will either be answered or will just be considered nonexistent.

Chapter 2: Flow

       Unlike Sasuke's mostly impassive face, Sakura did not even attempt to hide her concern for Naruto. Their blond teammate had returned several hours ago, but had not spoken a word to either of them since he arrived.  Normally such silence from the often hyperactive ninja would be a welcome gift, but under the circumstances she wished that Naruto would just start his normal routine of bragging about how much better he was than Sasuke.  Sakura wanted to ask Naruto what had occurred between him and the group that ambushed their team, but the look on his face told her it would not be a good idea.  It wasn't the fact that Naruto wasn't smiling that concerned her, but the fact that his brow was scrunched tightly as if thinking.  Thinking was something she had never seen Naruto do for any prolonged period of time.                    

        The three continued walking in complete silence through the night with an unspoken agreement between them to get as far from the site of the ambush as possible.  By first light of dawn the next morning, the team was surrounded by the familiar sites leading up to the Hidden Leaf Village of Fire country.  By noon they had crossed the multiple checkpoints that had been added since the war with the Sound left much of the village in ruins.  In the end the Hidden Sound Village was defeated as was the Leaf traitor Orochimaru.  However with other missing-nins such as Itachi still being sighted in and around Fire country, the village could not afford to become lax in its protection.

        With their mission complete, the three genin headed to see the Hokage to give a mission report and determine if they would be proceeding on another mission soon.  As was the case with class C and D missions, the ninjas normally returned uninjured and refreshed, ready to earn some more money from another mission.  They had to wait a short while before the Hokage could see them and Sakura decided now would be a good time to question Naruto about what had happened.  Sakura had just opened her mouth to speak when the Hokage's door opened and they were ushered into the room by some unknown chuunin.

            "Welcome back.  I trust things went well."  Tsunade, the 5th Hokage said to the group.  While she was expecting a curt nod or verbal confirmation, all she received were three strange looks.  'Sakura looks upset, Sasuke looks annoyed, and Naruto looks…thoughtful?  What the hell is going on?!?' Tsunade asked herself.  "What happened?  Did you complete the mission?" The old aged but young looking woman asked the group, focusing the question mostly on Naruto.  After a few moments in which he did not show any signs of responding, Sasuke stepped forward to explain.

            "Shortly after the mission was completed we were attacked by an unknown group of shinobi.  They did not wear the symbol of any village, nor was I able to determine their attack styles or juutsu.  To escape the ambush, Naruto created shadow clones to fight the ninja while the three of us ran.  However, we soon discovered that the one we thought to be Naruto was actually a clone and Naruto was still fighting the attackers.  Before we could head back for him, Naruto found us and we ran overnight back to the village."  Sasuke told her in a dull voice.  His expression was void of any emotion save his eyes, which seemed to show his reluctance to continue.  Fortunately, he didn't have to do so.

            "Naruto has not told us what happened as of yet.  In fact, he has not spoken since he met up with us.  I checked to make sure he wasn't an enemy in disguise, therefore I am sure it is him."  Sakura told the Hokage, her voice betraying the worry that had built up over the past night.  In his first sign of emotion since returning, Sakura saw Naruto flinch slightly when she spoke about him worriedly.  She wanted to see if she could provoke a greater response, but the Hokage stopped her.  "Very well then, you two may leave.  I will speak with Naruto here."  Tsunade told Sakura and Sasuke, who knew that was their cue to leave.  With a glance towards the chuunin at the door, the room was soon empty with the door closed and locked.

            "She couldn't see it, but I can.  You may look the same, but your Chakra has changed.  It is still familiar on the surface, but it seems as if your Chakra was completely rearranged.   What happened to you, Naruto?"  Tsunade questioned the boy sharply.  Rather than start an embellished story or change the subject, Naruto just looked at the woman and assertively replied.  "The team was attacked so I created a diversion to help the others to escape.  Then I fought and defeated those that ambushed us.  The mission was completed and I am ready to accept another mission at your discretion."

            'Naruto seems to have matured almost overnight.  He isn't taking the bait or responding the way he normally would.  There was one way that you could get him to open up in the past.  Hopefully, it will still work.'  Tsunade stretched her body and prepared herself for the ultimate technique she would use against Naruto.  "Wanna go get some ramen?  My treat.  As much as you want!"  Tsunade said in a cheerful voice.  Slowly, Naruto's impassive face struggled to keep its composure until finally a grin appeared and warmth filled his eyes once more.  'Perfect, I knew it would work!'  Tsunade bragged to herself.

            The two headed towards the closest ramen stand they could find, which luckily for Tsunade, was only a block away.  She knew that Naruto hadn't eaten ramen in several days, making it even harder for the boy to control his impulses.  Once they were within sight of the ramen stand, Naruto moved at a speed so fast that even Tsunade couldn't see him until he reappeared in front of the stand.  Tsunade took her good time to walk to where Naruto was, further wearing on the patience of the boy.  'This should be funny.'  The Hokage thought to herself.  She started to slow her steps even further, until her speed was that of a baby.

            This was all it took for Naruto to snap.  "I'm hungry!!!" He shouted before running back to Tsunade, grabbing the woman, and returning to the ramen stand.  Tsunade looked at the boy fondly, raising her hand to rub the hair on his head.  "I'll take ten bowls of pork and beef ramen, please."  She told the man behind the counter.  At this statement, Naruto's whole face lit up.  Tsunade couldn't help but joke around with him again.  "Would you like a bowl too, Naruto?"  She mockingly asked the boy.  At this Naruto's jaw dropped and face went pale, until he realized the joke and broke out in a smile.  "No, nine will be enough." He told the woman, countering her last statement perfectly.

            Within three minutes, they had all the ramen they wanted, and the two found a quiet bench to sit on in a nearby park.  Once the ramen was eaten, which took Naruto only four minutes for all ten bowls, Naruto looked up to see Tsunade looking at him with serious eyes.  The boy met her penetrating gaze, and the two were locked in unspoken battle.  Finally, Tsunade broke the silence that reigned over them.  "Naruto, I can tell you have changed.  I know I have only known you for a couple of years, but I want you to know that I care about you.  No matter what happens, that will never change.  So I am asking you to please tell me what is going on so that I can try and help you."  Tsunade said, finally revealing the feelings she had been bottling up since Naruto had returned.

            It could have been no more than five minutes, or it could have been hours before Naruto crafted a reply.  Naruto's face displayed the conflicting emotions that went through him as he made his decision.  Finally, his face once again took the look he had worn back in Tsunade's office, and he let out two words.  "Follow me."  He told her, as he stood up, and began walking to the nearby forest.

End Chapter 2