Kizna: Yay! I actually got reviews! Can you believe it? Thank you for your reviews, reviewers! You've given me more youthful passion to continue my youthful story! But to all who didn't review...pwease review... thank you...
Yes, I kept most of the initial Naruto/Sakura reunion part the same. Sorry.
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She stared at the scroll, not really reading what was on it. Sakura's mind was wandering elsewhere, thinking about the former team 7. She occasionally saw Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke was back...and different, and Naruto was no doubt stronger. A part of her worried that he too would become different, just as Sasuke had.
Her thoughts were cut short when the door to the scroll room opened and Hinata came in.
"Hi Hinata-chan!" Sakura said to the Hyuuga as she entered.
"Oh! Hi Sakura-chan! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here," the white-eyed kunoichi said sheepishly, fiddling with the scroll she was holding. "Shizune-san wanted me to put this back."
"Don't worry about it. I can't seem to focus anyway," Sakura assured the timid girl. About two years ago Hinata had admitted to Kiba that her dream was to become a great medical shinobi, and in turn Neji somehow found out. Being the assertive person he is, he went right over to the Fifth Hokage and voiced his cousin's request.
Since then the two had become much better friends. On the larger part the two usually trained together under Tsunade, but there were occasions where they trained separately, Hinata going with Shizune.
Sakura rolled up the scroll, seeing how it was useless anyway. She couldn't learn the jutsu with this much filling her head. "Hey Hinata, want to go get something to eat?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sakura, I kind of have plans..." Hinata said shyly, trailing off.
"With Kiba?" Sakura added, a grin spreading over her face as Hinata blushed deeply. It was no secret that the two were an item. They had been officially going out for about a year so far.
"So...bye," Hinata said shyly, heading through the door. She felt extremely guilty and regretful. Sakura was her friend, and she was no doubt depressed about Sasuke's condition. She felt like she should've tried her best to cheer Sakura up.
Sakura was staring through the window at the village when the door opened again. She thought maybe Hinata had left something, but she turned to see Tsunade come in, a smile on her face.
"Sakura...That Naruto seems to have returned to Konoha," she said joyfully.
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He's certainly cheerful today, Jiraiya thought as his student stood on one of the roofs, staring examining how his village looked after two and a half years of absence.
"I missed this place!" Naruto yelled ecstatically. "It hasn't changed one bit!"
"You've grown a lot, haven't you...Naruto," a familiar voice said. Surprised, Naruto looked to the speaker to find it was none other than Kakashi.
"Yo," the jounin said, the ever-present Icha Icha Paradise in his hand.
"Kakashi-sensei! You haven't changed a bit!" Naruto yelled in greeting, jumping toward the older in. Suddenly he stopped short of Kakashi, rummaging in one of his pouches. "Wait. I have something for you," Naruto said happily, presenting Kakashi with the next Icha Icha novel, Icha Icha Tactics.
"Whaaat? You...h-how...t-this...is..." Kakashi stuttered.
"If you ask me, it's really boring. But I think you'll like it," Naruto said, ignoring Jiraiya, who was pouting off to the side.
"Now! Next stop: Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto yelled, marching forward.
"As promised," Jiraiya said to Kakashi. "I'll leave Naruto back in your care."
"..."
"I fear the Akatsuki has been growing impatient... they may make an attempt on Naruto soon...I'm going to head out and gather as much information as I can..."
The toad sannin's words were cut off by a loud yell. Kakashi and Jiraiya looked forward quickly to see just ahead of Naruto were the unmistakable backs of Tsunade and Sakura.
"Sa...Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, stunned. She had changed... she was a lot prettier. Her hair was still short... and her outfit was different. But both in a good way.
"Eh? Naruto?" Sakura replied, equally as stunned.
"So...how do I look?" Sakura asked after recovering a bit. "Do I look more like a woman now?"
"You look fine! You haven't changed at all!" Naruto joyfully replied, being oblivious to the answer Sakura had wanted.
"Ah Naruto...you still don't understand a woman's mind..." Sakura muttered. Then she realized something. "You've... you've gotten taller than me!" she exclaimed.
"Hehe...yeah," Naruto answered sheepishly, comparing his height to hers.
"Naruto nii-chan!"
All turned to see Konohamaru finishing hand seals, then shouting "Oiroke no Jutsu!" Of course Jiraiya's reaction was the same as when Naruto had done it, but Naruto's face was the picture of disappointment.
"That was a drool of a jutsu, wasn't it?" the younger boy asked eagerly.
"I'm sorry, Konohamaru, but I'm not a kid anymore," Naruto answered solemnly. "And you shouldn't use that jutsu either."
...So...Naruto hasn't just matured in appearance and strength... This makes me feel a little sad. You've really become strong, Naruto, Sakura thought with a bit of regret.
"THAT'S NOW A MEDIOCRE NINJUTSU!" Naruto yelled. "BEHOLD, A NEW PERVERTED JUTSU I'VE BEEN DEVELOPING!"
"Hehe... new perv-.." Sakura repeated before the words actually registered. When they did, she screamed "PERVERTED NINJUTSU? YOU IDIOT! YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED A BIT! TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND ALREADY YOU JUMP RIGHT INTO THAT!" while punching him. Naruto went crashing into the ground, but Sakura didn't stop, instead proceeding to choke him to death.
"Hey...Sakura, calm down," Kakashi said shakily. "Konohamaru's terrified."
"Jiraiya...Naruto has grown a lot like you in these past two years, hasn't he?" Tsunade asked.
The beauty and the strength, Jiraiya thought, it seems you've raised another Tsunade.
"Ok, enough of nostalgia," Tsunade said, cutting the mood short. "Kakashi?"
"Right," the jounin answered. "From now on, we'll be a team again, though now it's not teacher and pupil. Starting today, we're equal Konoha shinobis. But first..." he produced the bells from so long ago, "I'm curious to see how much stronger you are."
Naruto and Sakura both grinned. This time it would be a lot easier. Suddenly Sakura remembered Sasuke. She had been so caught up in seeing Naruto again that she had forgot about Sasuke. Remembering her fear that Naruto would change just as Sasuke had, Sakura felt oddly happy about Naruto's still-existent immaturity. But Naruto had to find out about his teammate...
"Naruto..." Sakura said quietly. "I forgot to tell you... we got Sasuke back."
"WHAT!" Naruto basically screamed.
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Kizna: Sorry that it was just a repeat of the manga. I didn't know where to start. But for the next chappie, which might contain some repeating, I'll try to make it better!