A/N: This is my first Naruto fic, be gentle XD. (this chapter was edited and resubmitted, sorry if it caused inconvenience)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters… I can dream though, right TT?

WARNING, THIS MAY CONTAIN : Swearing, violence, yaoi/shonen ai/what ever you call it, and traces of peanuts.

PAIRINGS: I really don't know the pairings yet as I need to get a bit more into the story but I promise there will be ITANARU. If you guys want other pairings or have suggestions on the main pairing don't hesitate to suggest though I am leaning towards ItaNaru. (Vote for them in your reviews n.n)

LEGEND:

>>>>SCENE CHANGE/P.O.V. CHANGE>>>>

"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Kyuubi talking in Naruto's head"

'Kyuubi thinking in Naruto's head'

CHAPTER 1 - Returning Home:

The noon sun hung lazily in the sky as two figures approached the looming gates of Konoha.

"Eh! Ero-senin, we're almost at Kohona! Hurry it up!" The blonde, and shorter of the two shouted and stopped to wait for the other.

"Damnit, Naruto!" The older one growled as he caught up to the Blonde at his own pace. "The damned city isn't going anywhere! Slow down or I'll beat your ass!"

The blonde, now revealed to be Naruto, turned his back to the old man and let out a huff of frustration. "You're old age is getting to you… Legendary Sannin my ass… Stupid Ero-senin…" Naruto continued to mumble to himself but waited for the old frog hermit.

'That's Jiraya to you, you ungrateful whelp!' Jiraya thought angrily finally catching up to the annoyed blonde.

They finally reached the gates of their hometown, with Naruto still mumbling about Jiraya's slowness. The two guards halted them at the front gates.

"Please show identification and state your reasons for your visit." Stated the darker haired guard monotonously.

"I am Jiraya! The most talented ninja of the legendary 3 Sanin, and the writer of the famous book 'Come, Come Paradise' which you all have heard of by now…" Jiraya announced, proudly waving his ID card in the guards' faces.

The two guards seemed surprised and a little impressed but Naruto just looked at him like he was a raving, perverted lunatic… and he was…

"And you?" Asked the other guard, a female with short mouse brown hair.

"Uzumaki Naruto… I've come back from training with Ero-senin" Naruto said, saying the last part more to himself then to the guard.

Naruto had gone off to train with Jiraya after he had brought Sasuke back successfully from Orochimaru 3 years ago. He left almost immediately after he half dragged Sasuke's sorry ass back to the city so he never really had time to talk to Sasuke about they're unpleasant encounter. Though in the end it had been Naruto's stubbornness that had made Sasuke come back, the fight had not been a pleasant one. Now 16, 3 years later, Naruto was feeling nervous, not just to see Sasuke, but all his other friends as well.

Naruto showed the guards his ID card and a disappointed look crossed both of they're faces. Like they where disappointed that Naruto had come back at all. Yes, it was a look Naruto was very familiar with.
Naruto's eye's flickered a bit. Being away from this town for 3 years had dulled his defenses to their cold glares and harsh words.
Jiraya cast Naruto a concerned glance. He knew that Naruto had a short temper and a loudmouth sometimes, but he hoped that the villagers wouldn't set him off on a verbal rampage.

"Very well, you may enter…" The guards said reluctantly and signaled for the gate to be opened.

It took a few seconds for the gate to open but soon Naruto and his sensei where once again walking the streets of their hometown of Kohona.

"Well kid, I have to in and report to Tsunade-sama about our trip. See you later brat." Jiraya said, adding the 'sama' onto Tsunade's name almost mockingly.

Jiraya walked off to the Hokage tower, probably going to get a few drinks be for he reached Tsunade's office.

Naruto sighed, not quite knowing what to do with him self. He had been moving around for the past 3 years and the thought of a sudden permanent place of residence didn't appeal to the blue-eyed wonder. The crowds of the streets where beginning to bother him, the glares more than the lack of space to walk. Despite him being away for 3 years the blonde hair, blue eyes and whisker like scars on either cheek where a dead give away for who he was—err… is.
Deciding to take the scenic route, Naruto jumped atop the nearest building, using the roofs of the clustered buildings as a walkway.

He made his way to Ichiraku Ramen, more on instinct more than anything else. Naruto speed upon the roofs noticing the old hags features carved in stone along with the other previous Hokages. Smiling to himself he jumped off of a shorter building, onto a less crowed street, and traveled the rest of the way to his favorite Ramen stand on foot and at a slow pace.

>>>>>Tsunade's Office>>>>>

"Sakura, I appreciate your help today. It was very— noble of you." The elder of the two women said.

"It was…my…. Pleasure Tsunade-sensei…." The young pink haired girl named Sakura gasped as she placed a rather large stack of paper on her teacher's desk.

Tsunade smiled and sat at her desk. It was more like Tsunade had helped the poor girl, as Sakura had done most of the work. It was also supposed to be Sakura's day off, but she had managed to guilt the girl into doing her work.
A soft knock on the door snapped Sakura out of her exhaust-educed daze as she stood to answer the door on instinct.

"Yo!" said Jiraya as he entered the room. "I see Tsunade has been exploiting her young student. She already has you answering doors. Can you do any other tricks?"

Jiraya dodged a punch from both the pink haired menace and the blonde leader.
He lifted his hands in defeat. He almost smiled as the realization crossed both of their faces. Like they had finally put two and two together.

"So if you're back… then Naruto is back as well?" Sakura was the first to ask.

"Yes, yes. I left him to his own devices and headed here. He's probably getting something to eat by now." Jiraya laughed, remembering that was the first thing Naruto always did when he got to a new place. "You should probably check out that little ramen shack he was always visiting."

Sakura nodded and turned to her sensei, waiting for a response.

"Yes, you may go." Tsunade waved the teen off and watched her eagerly walk out of the door to see her old friend.

"Are you here to report on your trip with Naruto?" She inquired as the door clicked closed behind the medical-nin in training.

"Yeah I am. All in all nothing big happened. Naruto has definitely grown to be quite strong, definitely at chuunin level by now." Jiraya stated proudly.

"There's something else isn't there?" Tsunade asked, usually Jiraya was more explanatory in his reports.

"Well… yes there is…" Jiraya said.

'I knew it' Tsunade thought

"I have reason to believe that the organization known as the Akatsuki may make an attempt to capture Naruto in the near future." Jiraya said bitterly. "The Akatsuki have been very active these past couple months…"

"I see… So that's why you bought Naruto back here 3 months early…" Tsunade mused.

She had heard previously from Jiraya him self that he and Naruto would not be returning to Kohona for a few more months.

"Yes, I was beginning to get nervous. I have no problem being able to defend Naruto from two Akatsuki members long enough to escape… But I was afraid, because of the organizations recent restlessness that they might do something drastic." Jiraya shifted his feet. His left foot was falling asleep.

"Strength in numbers, eh?" Tsunade smiled knowingly. For Jiraya to get nervous about the Akatsuki… they must really be acting up. "They still might try something you know."

"I know that, but the odds are against them if they do try something." He nodded, smiling at his own brilliance.

"Of course you're right. You're going to be placing Naruto back in Kakashi's care then?" Tsunade asked.

Jiraya simply grunted in confirmation.

An annoying knocking sounded, officially ended the little meeting between the two former team mates, as two jounin entered the office with a small stack of paper work.

"I see you have work to do." Jiraya smiled teasingly. "Another time Hokage-sama. I'm off to 'collect data'. "

With a book barely missing his face Jiraya disappeared in a puff of smoke.

>>>>Somewhere in Town>>>>

Sakura speed walked through the small crowds that filled the wide streets of the hidden leaf village. There where many new looking buildings littering this part of the city. This was the part of the city that had been hit pretty bad during the Sound invasion and most of the buildings had to be completely replaced. In other parts of town there was less drastic changed as a result of that unfortunate encounter with the Sound. Some buildings had another floor added, or new rooms. While other buildings had something as minimal as a new paint job. Either way, someone who had lived here their entire life would be able to see the little changes here and there.

Sakura was walking in almost the complete opposite of Ichiraku Ramen. She was, in fact heading for the Uchiha district of town. When she had learned that Naruto had returned to town the first thing that she had thought of was not going to see the loud blonde, but to notify all of his friends, especially a certain raven haired teen.

Reaching the Uchiha district Sakura skipped up to Sasuke's house. She knew the way to his house by heart and could probably reach it blindfolded. Sakura had visited the stoic genius many times over the three years Naruto had been gone and the two had become closer friends.

'Sigh, all these years of devotion and I still can't get past the damn 'friend' barrier.' Sakura though.

She hopped up to the front door and knocked gingerly on the door, using a small rhythm she always used when she knocked on the boy's door, to let him know it was her visiting and not one of his fan girls. Though after the fight with the Sound Sasuke's fan girls had dropped in numbers. Even that damn Ino was out of the picture.

After a couple seconds there was the scrapping of a chair being pushed across a wood floor, the rhythmic patter of sock feet and the turn of a doorknob.
Sasuke stood in the doorway of his home and looked at Sakura. It wasn't the 'I'm-To-Good-For-You' look. No, Sasuke had stopped that a while ago. Though he didn't openly smile, laugh, or show much emotion he wasn't a stuck up bastard who cared nothing for his friends. That chapter in his life had passed when Naruto had brought Sasuke back from Orochimaru. But he was a bit more open to others, and Sakura was thankful for that.

"What is it?" Saskue asked.
"I thought Tsunade would have you doing her paper work for the rest day."

A smirk made its way onto his features as Sakura crossed her arms, obviously annoyed.

"I just wanted to tell you that Jiraya's back in town… so that means that…" Sakura trailed off letting Sasuke piece the rest of it together.

"So Naruto's back in town is he?" Sasuke said.

There was obvious hesitation in his voice, a kind of nervousness. Sakura could completely understand why. He had barely been able to see Naruto after that 'incident'. It was a kind of unspoken rule between the friends that they wouldn't talk about that and Sakura was perfectly fine with it.

"I just though you'd like to be the first one to know." Sakura smiled "Want to come and help me look for him? Starting at Ichiraku's of course."

"Thanks, " Sasuke smiled. "Yeah, lets go look for the dobe."

On the way to Ichiraku's Naruto made his way to the ramen stand slowly. He walked most of the way there looking up at the clouds, they where very pretty clouds. But as usual Naruto should have been paying more attention to where he was going, rather than the clouds. There was a chorus of 'Oof's' as Naruto bumped into two people.

"Watch where you're going stupid!" A feminine voice yelled.

"How bothersome…." Said a rather annoyed voice.

Naruto looked up from the ground, which his butt was now firmly planted on.

"Eh? Shikamaru, Ino! Long time no see." Naruto laughed, his had going to the back of his head nervously.

"Is… that you Naruto?" the pale blonde girl called Ino asked.

"Err… yeah…" Naruto answered, brushing the dust off his butt as he stood up.

Shikamaru just grunted in confirmation, then let out a sigh of annoyance.

"When did you get back?" The dark haired chuunin asked.

"Just a couple minutes ago." Naruto said

"I see. Heading to Ichiraku?" Ino asked.

Naruto just nodded.

The two Naruto had bumped into looked at the blonde curiously. He was being rather-- quite, I guess you could say. No loud out bursts. No loud bragging about his special training. They where even able to carry a decent conversation with Naruto, if only for a short time.

Ino was busy looking the boy over her self, not that she was interested. Naruto had definitely gotten taller; he was almost a head above Shikamaru. His face had definitely matured, though it still held a boyish charm. He still had his blue eyes; she had not really expected that to change. He was wearing a new outfit that was just as annoyingly orange, but it looked better than his old one. And his forehead protector was different from his old one.
Shikamaru had also noticed that Naruto had grown taller than him, but nothing more.

Naruto had also noticed the changed in his friends. Shikamaru looked almost the exact same. He was probably too lazy to have changed his look. Ino was wearing purple outfit, though it was a bit different from her old one… though, thinking back, Naruto couldn't remember what kind of outfit she used to wear. He had never paid attention to the girl, except when she was screaming and arguing with Sakura over Sasuke.

'Ugh.. Sasuke...' Naruto though. He was thinking of the last time he and Sasuke had seen each other. Thinking about it now he really didn't want to confront the boy after 3 years.

"Are you okay Naruto? You seem really quite." asked Ino.

Shikamaru was curious about his quite behavior as well, he was just to lazy to ask.

"Oh, really?" Naruto laughed. "Well I guess it's because I've been on my own mostly for a while. Ero-senin would just tell me what to do for training and walk off some where to go 'gather data' and leave me to my own devices..."

'Stupid Ero-senin.' Naruto grumbled.

"Ero-senin? You mean Jiraya?" Ino asked

Naruto nodded.

"Well I guess I better get going. I can hear the ramen calling my name." Naruto laughed and walked past the two.

"See you later Naruto!" Ino called after him.

Shikamaru 'hmph-ed' and began walking in the direction they had previously been walking in.

Once again left to his own devices Naruto began to close the distance between him and his favorite Ramen stand.
The Ichiraku's was probably 1 minute away when he noticed pink hair in the crowd just ahead. Naruto of course knew who it was and picked up his speed to catch up to Sakura. When he got closer he also noticed that Sasuke was walking closely behind her. Naruto consciously slowed his pace a bit, he wanted to deal the inevitable as long as he could, which wasn't very long.

"Naruto!" Sakura called out, having spotted the blonde when she had turned around to see if Sasuke was still behind her.

Sasuke also turned around to follow his friends gaze and saw Naruto. He smirked and waved to his friend.
Naruto was a bit surprised at his stoic friends behavior but he ran over to the two anyways.

"Oh! Sakura, Sasuke! I didn't expect to see you yet." Naruto called as he ran over to them.

"We where just on our way to see if you where at Ichiraku's" Sakura informed him whe he reached them.

"You knew I was in town?" Naruto asked.

"Jiraya told me when he came to talk to Tsunade. Oh yeah, that reminds me. I'm Tsunade's student now. I'm training to be a medical-nin." Sakura said happily.

"That's great Sakura." Naruto said enthusiastically.

"How was your training? Get any stronger?" Sasuke asked

"You better belive it! I could probably beat your ass." Naruto exclaimed.

"We'll see..." Sasuke smirked.

Needless to say Naruto was feeling a bit better about coming back to town to see his friends. He has expected Sasuke to be all quite and avoid him, like that time when he had saved Naruto's life in the Wave Country. But talking to Sasuke now, it kinda felt like old times.

"Well I'm hungry. Lets hurry up and get to Ichiraku's. I've been stopped twince now and I don't wanna wait any longer!" Naruto smiled and continued walking on.

Naruto thought he head Sasuke say something that sounded alot like 'typical'.

"Fine Naruto...but you're paying." Sakura said and followed him.

"Fine." Naruto pouted, yep, he definately felt much happier.

Sasuke just sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, but he followed too.

>>>>At Ichiraku>>>>

Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke had already ordered they're ramen. Saukra and Sasuke had ordered one bowl of beef ramen each while Naruto had ordered 5 bowls of miso ramen.

"So what did you guys do while I was gone?" Naruto asked as they waited for they're order.

"Nothing much for me. I've just been training with Tsunade-sensei mostly. I've got the odd mission here and there but nothing big has happened." Sakura said.

"What about you Sasuke?" Naruto asked and turned his gaze to the Uchiha.

"I've been training with Kakashi-sensei but other than that nothing much." Sasuke answered, not even bothering to look back at Naruto.

'Hm.. Saukra and I have both had training with a legendary Sannin. I guess I'm just glad that Sasuke didn't recieve training from the only other remaining Sannin out there.' Naruto shuddered at the thought of Orochimaru.

"Here you go." the owner of Ichiraku's said and gave them they're ramen.

"Finally!" Naruto smiled and practically inhaled his first bowl of ramen.

Sakura sweatdroped and Sasuke just looked at Naruto funny.

"What?" Naruto asked seeing they're faces.

"How can you eat like that?" Sakura asked

"How can you eat that much?" Sasuke asked as Naruto began his second bowl.

"I dunno... I guess I use up alot of engery doing whatever I've been doing. Plus my stomache is practically a bottomless pit." Naruto joked, but Sakura and Sasuke could probably believe it.

"So do you guys still do missions together?" Naruto asked between mouthfuls of ramen.

"Not really, not since we became chuunin anyways." Sakura said.

Naruto nearly chocked on his food,

"You guys are chuunin?" Naruto yelled.

"You make it sound like its a bad thing." Saskue said.

"Well its just..." Naruto trailed off.

"Actually Naruto, you're one of the only people who arn't chuunin. Even Choji and Ino are chuunin." Sakura said.

"Ah." Naruto said, this was a bit of a blow to his ego.

There was no doubt that Naruto was as strong or as capable as a chuunin, but he didn't have the title and that means that if he wanted to get it he would have to take the chuunin test by himself.

"But how will I get to take the chuunin exams again? I mean, I don't exactly have a team to enter with now that you guys are already chuunin." Naruto pouted as he began his fourth bowl of ramen, he had been eating during the conversation.

"You'll probably get paired up with two other genin. Me and Sasuke were paired up with a genin when you wern't here." Sakura explained.

Naruto just grumbled something about not needing any stupid just-out-of-the-academy genin and returned to fininshing off his ramen.

Sakura just smiled, Naruto really didn't change at all. And she went back to finishing off her ramen.

End Chapter 1--

Kind of Imporant - read please

There my first chapter! I'm glad I finally go that out of my system. But now I have to start on chapter 2, not that its a bad thing...

I don't really have a plot yet. I kinda just know all the obstecles on the way. Naruto has to pass the chuunin exams, Orochimaru is probably still after Sasuke now that it's been 3 years and then there is the whole Akatsuki thing. If you guys have any ideas on what could happen that you've always wanted to see in a fic don't hesitate to tell me, I need the ideas x.x... well.. I don't need them, It'd just be helpful nn

I dont' really know when I'll update as the end of the school year approaches and exams come up. I'll try to update once everyother week. If I don't update then please don't hesitate to bug me by emailing me to update... as I may forget...

PLEASE REVIEW!

Thanks