This story has become a bit more popular than I expected. I have received 31 reviews over teh course of five chapters. Not one of my stories has grossed that many per chapter like this one has. I'm very proud. Oh, and I've recently heard a rumor that I'm pretty sure is true, but I cannot confirm it. If anyone can, it'd be great. The rumor is that Naruto, the Anime,is said to finally be coming to the States on Toonami, Cartoon Network, or something like that. I'm pretty sure it's true, but can't be too safe. Personally, I thinkI'd die of heart failure after seeing just one episode. I'd go into shock, start convulsing, then star frothing from the mouth, and then my heart would explode in my chest, sending blood all over the place.

But I'd die happy.

Very

Very'

Happy...Yes

"I'm not sure whether to call it good news or bad news," started Naruto. "It's hard to tell, so I'll just spit it out." Naruto was standing before the Hokage's desk in Konoha. She sat with her hands folded on top of the desk and some papers.

"So, go on," said Tsunade impatiently. "Spit it out boy."

"It concerns both Akatsuki and Orochimaru and the Sand," said Naruto. "Orochimaru has taken on another body, first of all."

"I'm not surprised," said Tsunade heatedly. "Get to the point Naruto."

"Orochimaru and all of his sound nins have been decimated," said Naruto finally.

"They what!" yelled Tsunade. "Decimated? How in the hell did that happen?"

"Orochimaru was a little pissed with Akatsuki for taking his chosen host," said Naruto. "Not long ago, he decided to attack them and Itachi. The Akatsuki and Sound fought a very bloody battle. Many died on both sides, but Akatsuki was better off in the long run. Only a handful of the sound escaped with their lives, including Orochimaru… He was injured pretty bad though."

Naruto couldn't help but smile as he added this last bit.

"Had you seen any of this?" asked Tsunade.

"Afraid I didn't get to witness it firsthand," said Naruto. "The battle was over by the time I stumbled across the warzone. I was sneaking around a rumored spot that Akatsuki supposedly stayed, and I found everything in ruin…

"There was a dying sound nin there," added Naruto. "I found out from him. He didn't seem to know who I was. He just wanted to tell somebody I guess."

"This is a huge development," said Tsunade. "Thank you Naruto. We'll see how this plays out for Konoha. Hopefully, this benefits us."

"No problem," said Naruto. "That's the main cause for my return. I just wanted to tell someone about it. Our two biggest threats beat the crap out of each other. Lucky, eh?"

"Perhaps," said Tsunade. "Now, was there anything else you wanted to say?"

"When is the next Chuunin examination?" asked Naruto. "I'm very far behind in rank."

"Does that mean you're staying?" asked Tsunade with a raised brow.

"I'm afraid I don't know, Tsunade sama," replied the blonde boy. "I just don't know how long I'll be in Konoha. I figured I could risk it with Akatsuki in their state of peril. I also got a bit stronger myself, though."

"I expected as much," said the Hokage with a smile. "The next Chuunin exam will be held in a month, Naruto. If you want to enter, it'd be no problem. We just need to get you fixed up with a team. Sakura was expressing her interest at entering this year as well. I'm sure it's safe to say you would like to be teamed with her?"

"Yes!" said Naruto. "And a third teammate?"

"I'll get working on that," said Tsunade. "I think we don't have a number divisible by three, but we will work something out. If we have to, we can place you and Sakura as a two man team."

"Yeah, I guess," said Naruto. "We're much stronger than the competition."

Outside, Naruto met with Sakura, who was leaning against the wall and humming a happy tune. She noticed he was there and jumped to throw her arms around him with a laugh.

"What's gotten into you?" asked Naruto as she let go.

"I'm just excited to see you," said Sakura. "Is that a problem? I could leave."

"Oh no you don't," said Naruto. "You're not leaving me now." He reached around and picked Sakura up around the waist and hoisted her over his shoulder. She squeeled.

"Naruto!" she said. "What the hell are you doing you idiot? Lemme down! You crazy, no good…"

Naruto laughed out loud as he carried her down the street with a great big smile on his face and a girl slung over his shoulder. "Naruto!" screamed Sakura. "I'm warning you! If you keep this up, I'm-

"You'll what, Sakura?" asked Naruto, letting her down after a minute. Sakura didn't say anything. Naruto laughed again.

A plume of smoke erupted in front of them, and the silver haired jounin arose from it gracefully. He looked up from an orange booklet in his one hand. "Eh, Naruto!" he said with a smile playing through the mask. "I thought I hear chaos in the streets. You must've been the source."

"You bet!" said Naruto. "It's great to see you Kakashi-sensei."

"It's good to see you too, Naruto. My, you sure have grown, haven't you?" He eyed his once young, tiny student. Now the boy was much more mature. "You think he's grown up a lot, Sakura?" he asked.

Sakura blushed a little as she looked away. In her mind, she thought he'd matured into an even cuter blonde than ever before. He looked strong and powerful now, releasing an aura of chakra stronger than ever she's seen from him. At the same time, however, his face still displayed that gentle kindness she'd come to love, like that power didn't mean anything to him, that he just wanted to be the nice guy.

"Uh, yeah, sure," said Sakura in a mumble. Kakashi bowed slightly.

"Well, I'm afraid I cannot stay," he said dismissively. "I have some work to finish up. I'll meet up with you sometime Naruto, Sakura too. See you later!" Kakashi disappeared into thin air, leaving behind the small, grey cloud of smoke.

"He's been taking a lot of missions," said Sakura. "Ever since you left, there haven't been any team duties, so he went on solo missions for the last five years. I haven't even seen much of him myself," she explained.

She looked up at Naruto, who was looking around the place around them. He was enjoying seeing everything again, evidently. She hugged his middle with a smile. "I'm so glad you're back, Naruto-kun." Naruto looked down at Sakura in surprise, but smiled back.

"I'm happy to be back too," said Naruto. "It's been too long."

They walked down the street for over an hour, talking about things like their fellow students and the state of Konoha.

"We've been at peace for all five years," said Sakura. "We've not had any trouble with Orochimaru or Akatsuki, but I suppose that's because you and Sasuke weren't here anymore." Naruto didn't look at Sakura when she mentioned their former teammate's name

He was surprised that she was so easily able to talk about him. She had brought him up like it didn't mean anything anymore. Sakura must've known what he was thinking about. "I got over that a long time ago, Naruto," she said with a smile. "It took a little while, but I always took your advice."

"My advice?" asked Naruto with a quirked eyebrow.

"Yeah," said Sakura. "If I ever felt sad or lonely, I tried to think about something happy. Do you want to know what I always thought of?" she asked, leaning in close to him.

"What's that?" asked Naruto with a laugh.

"You silly," said Sakura. "Whenever I was sad, I thought about you, Naruto-kun. And you know, it worked every time."

Naruto smiled warmly as he looked ahead again. "Thanks, Sakura," he said. "That means a lot to me. To tell you the truth, I thought about you a lot while I was gone."

Naruto wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they continued to walk. "I missed you a lot. More than I thought I would."

"I know you did," she replied quietly with a smile. "And I missed you. But now you're back for good. Now you're home, and we won't have to miss each other anymore, right?"

Naruto's smile faltered as he decided against trying to look her in the face. "Naruto? You're back now, right? You're home for good, aren't you, Naruto-kun."

"Sure, Sakura," he said halfheartedly. He looked over at her finally and put on his well-practiced smile. It warmed Sakura's heart enough for her to be convinced. "I'm home now." She hugged his waist harder and smiled.

Finally, my Naruto-kun has returned, she thought. Finally, home at last.

Naruto doesn't know yet if he'll have to leave yet. He's not explained some things to Sakura that he will have to eventually, like how Akatsuki and Orochimaru had a fight. Yikes! I can't be telling you all this!

This chapter sucked compared to the others. Go ahead and say it. I don't mind. I agree completely with you. Just try and be a bit patient. We may soon be seeing some action in a very heated battle. Give it a while. Thanks to all who've been reviewing this work. You have my undying gratitude, that you do.