I'm sorry if I left you readers in a bit of a depressive slump from the last chapter. Don't worry; we will be seeing Naruto again, perhaps very soon. Geeze, the story's about him and Sakura for God's sake.

It was daytime in Konoha. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and people were happy to be outside on the streets enjoying the beautiful late spring weather. One person in particular loved the weather just as well.

The tall, pink-haired girl with lively green eyes walked along slowly with a basket of flowers she had been picking in the forests of Konoha village. The wind gently flapped her traditional red dress that she was accustomed to wearing while she hummed a happy tune, the same tune she'd been humming for years, ever since she's woken up in that strange, blonde boy's apartment.

She smiled at the thought of Naruto. How could she not smile? He made her so happy, even though she'd not seen him in almost five years. She pulled some strands of hair from out of her eyes as she entered the flower shop that Ino helped to manage with her mother.

"Hey Sakura!" called the blonde from the entrance of the store room

"Yo! Ino," she replied. "Brought some more flowers."

"Cool," said Ino. "Just bring them back here and we'll sort them out." Sakura had been working with Ino at her flower shop as aside job for a couple years now. Both she and Ino' careers as Shinobis came first, but when there was free time, they enjoyed their hobby of flower sales.

Of course, Sakura had also been receiving tough training for almost five years from the Hokage, Tsunade, in the arts of medical jutsus and techniques.

"How's Tsunade-sama?" asked Ino as they knelt over the basket and picked flowers out of it.

"She's tough as ever," said Sakura. "Still over works me, but it keeps me busy I guess. I'd be bored if I didn't have something to do."

"I hear ya'."

It has been five years since Naruto left Konoha village to train and hide with Jiraiya. Everyone had changed, of course in their own little ways. Sakura had grown and matured much over the years, as anyone could expect.

Nothing had been revealed concerning Akatsuki. They were almost considered a forgotten threat, almost, because they'd not shown themselves since their attack on the Uchiha kid.

Kakashi, looking the same as ever, stood in the Shinobi memorial cemetery. He had just finished his visit with Obito, so he stood in front of Sasuke's grave. "Yo, Sasuke, I'm back, again. Just had a chat with Obito." Kakashi sighed. "I've chosen to not take another team again. You and the others were the only team I've ever had… I don't think I'll ever take another."

"I wonder how Naruto's doing," he continued. "You two were always fighting, but I know it was just pushing each other to do better. I know he's not dead. I can just tell, you know?"

But I still wonder what's going on out there.

Somone vary familiar to Konoha was standing atop a chimney on top of a tall building. He was, at the moment, the tallest person in Konoha. He looked down at all the people going around. The town seemed a lot more lively than it used to. The man ran a hand through his shaggy, spikey blonde hair as he closed his eyes and soaked in the wind.

He was wearing a black, skin tight t shirt with an orange jacket over it and orange and blue pants.

"Is it good to be home?" asked Jiraiya from behind him.

"Yeah," said the blonde. "I can't wait to see everyone."

He walked into a street corner flower shop and inhaled the sweet aroma of all the mixed flowers in the air. It was damn near intoxicating. He smiled and walked up to the counter, where a familiar girl with pink hair and a red dress stood with her back to him. She was arranging some flowers that he couldn't see.

"Be with you in a minute," said Sakura, still working on the flowers.

"Well hurry up," said Naruto impatiently, joking.

"Well, you'll wait," said Sakura.

"But I want Sakura now," pouted Naruto.

"We're out of Sakura anyway," she said. She still busied herself with the flowers. "Sorry, but I'll be receiving some later this afternoon, if you'll come back then.

"I'm not here for some flowers, Sakura," said Naruto, leaning over the counter.

Sakura grew tired and turned around. "Well, this is a flower shop, so if you're looking for anything but f-

She was staring into the blue eyes of Naruto, the eyes she could never not recognize, the eyes she couldn't possibly ever forget. She couldn't forget that big, stupid smile of his either, the million-dollar smile he was giving her now."

She dropped the vase of flowers she was holding and couldn't move. Her eyes were wide opened, her mouth trying to move. "As I said," continued Naruto, "I am not looking for the Sakura flower. I'm just looking for Sakura." He smiled even wider.

"Sakura, what did you drop?" asked Ino, walking in. "You're so clumsy you idiot…" She looked up at Sakura, who was still struck dumb and motionless. "Sakura, what is your problem?" She looked at Naruto. "Hi, who are you?"

"N-Naruto," gasped Sakura.

"Naruto!" shouted Ino. "Oh my God! Naruto's back!"

Sakura fell backwards and fainted. Naruto peaked over the counter at her unconscious form on the floor. "Well, I wasn't expecting to knock her out," he said honestly. "I just wanted to surprise her."

Naruto followed Ino into the back with Sakura in his arms, still asleep. A moment later, they placed a cold, wet towel on her forehead as she lay with her head in Naruto's lap. He stroked the hair out of her eyes as she began to wake up.

"There we go," said Naruto. "Let's try this again. Hi Sakura."

"Naruto?" asked Sakura. "Y-You're back? I can't believe it." She jumped up and wrapped her arms tight around his neck, squeezing as tight as she could. Naruto resisted the urge to choke, so he let her have her way, until she released him.

"You've been gone too long," said Sakura, breaking away. "Where've you been?"

"Around," said Naruto with a smile. "Come on. You and Ino are the only ones who know I'm back. Would you care to join me for a walk?"

"Yeah sure," said Sakura quickly, jumping up and running out of the store room. "I'll tell Ino."

Ino allowed her off work to be with Naruto, and the two walked along the roads of Konoha. Naruto wasn't easy to recognize because of his growth, so no one looked at him funny like they used to. It was like he was in a new town, because he wasn't treated with a neglect like he always was.

"Wow, I can't believe how long I've been out," he said mostly to himself, but loud enough that Sakura could hear him. She had her arm wrapped around his. "Konoha's not very different."

"No, it isn't," said Sakura. "It's mostly remained as peaceful as ever. Nothing's changed. Tsunade's still the Hokage."

"I know," said Naruto. Sakura questioned him. "I've been keeping tabs on this place for a while, just checking up on things. For instance, I knew exactly where to go to find you."

"Ah," said Sakura. She couldn't say anything more. She didn't know how to talk or act. She was still in a state of shock, and she found it very strange to be finally standing next to Naruto after he'd been out of town for so long.

"So how have you been Sakura?" asked Naruto.

"Good," said Sakura plainly. "I've been training with Tsunade-sama for a long time now. She's been my new sensei ever since you left."

"Yeah, I wondered how that was going," said Naruto. "Are you stronger?"

"Yes," she answered. "Loads. She's taught me all sorts of medical jutsus and attacks too. It's been really rough though. She's very demanding."

"Tell me about it," said Naruto. "I'm on my way to her office. Wanna come with me?"

"Are you kidding?" asked Sakura. "Now that you're back, I'm never letting you go."

"That's a yes then," replied Naruto with a hearty laugh. "Tell me about everything on the way."

Sakura talked about everything she knew of that Naruto had missed over the years. She described how Kakashi had taken to just jounin missions and no longer was an instructor or mentor. Much to Naruto's delight, his favorite Ramen stand was still up. Iruka, he learned, still was an instructor at the Academy.

"And everyone's at Chuunin rank or higher by now," added Sakura.

"No way," said Naruto. He recalled that he was still just a Genin.

"Yeah," said Sakura. "Shikamaru and Neji and Rock Lee made it to jounin level this past year. Every other student attained Chuunin rank at the tournament after you left."

"You're Chuunin level then?" he asked.

"Err, no, I'm still a Genin," she replied embarrassedly. "I never took the exams. I've been so busy with Tsunade."

"Wow," said Naruto. "So you and me kinda got left behind." Sakura nodded silently as they entered the office building of the Hokage. "Wait out here for a minute. I'll try and keep it quick."

He strode up to the door of her office, which was guarded by two masked Anbu. "She's in a meeting at the moment," said one of the Anbu. "You'll have to wait to see the Hokage."

"It's little important," said Naruto.

"Sorry, but you're not allowed to enter," said the other Anbu.

"Then tell the old hag someone's here to see her!" shouted Naruto loudly. Inside, the Hokage was holding a meeting when she heard someone call her an old hag in a strangely familiar voice. The voice was a little different, but it sounded awfully like someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Who dared call me an old hag?" she asked, rising from her desk and walking to the door.

She flung open the door, seeing Naruto arguing with the two Anbu, who seemed ready to kill him if only he would provoke them.

"Naruto!" she shouted suddenly. They stopped their argument and looked up. Both the Anbu saluted, while Naruto straightened himself.

"Hey there, you old hag," said Naruto with gusto. Sakura covered her mouth to stifle a gasp. She just saw him call the Hokage a nasty name.

"Why you little- Tsunade looked about ready to explode. "You little twerp!" She pulled him into a hug and rustled his hair with a smile. "You're back. How long have you been in Konoha?"

"A few minutes," said Naruto. "It's good to see you too, Tsunade-sama."

"Naruto?" asked someone behind them in the office. Naruto peered around and saw Shikamaru standing there with a few other ninja.

"Hey, Shikamaru! How's it going?" asked Naruto with a grin. "I heard you became a Jounin. I couldn't believe it until I saw it. Damn. You look good." Shikamaru had indeed grown another foot since he last saw him. His black hair was still tied in the traditional short pony tail, and he wore his green, Konoha flak jacket.

They touched fists as they greeted each other. The meeting had officially been disturbed, much to Tsunade's displeasure, but she was too happy to see Naruto back in her town, so she postponed the meeting for later that evening. She knew people were too distracted anyway to take anything seriously.

Everyone but Naruto left, who stood in her office at attention while she took her seat.

"Well Naruto, I imagine there's a reason for you having come here," said Tsunade. "So tell me. What have you been up to?"

That's it for this chapter. Sorry it isn't much. Just a little BS. We'll find out how much Naruto has really grown next time.