Hee, here's the next chapter! Love to all of my reviewers! -glomp-

Um, I'm making Naruto, Naru, Gaara, -Garra fifteen okay? You guys can figure out everyone else's ages from there.

Don't own Naruto.

Chapter 4: The Onsen

The other boys looked up to stare at the newcomer also. -Haku had long black hair that reached down past his shoulders, and extremely feminine features. Only his obviously male chest and the fact that he was in the men's bath proved that he was, in fact, male. -Haku continued to speak.

"We don't get many human males here, believe it or not. It's really unusual to see a large group. So where do you guys come from?"

Naruto chose to speak for the group.

"Ah, we're from Konoha! I'm Naruto and these people are Gaara, Neji, Shikamaru,Chouji, Lee and Kankuro."

"…I need my glasses."

-Haku took out his glasses, put them on, stared, blinked, and stared again. Then (to everyone's surprise) he started to laugh.

"hehehe! Kami-sama…"

-Haku got into the water.

"So, who did you come here with?"

"Garra and Naru."

"Did you meet Shika yet?"

"Uh, kinda. All she did was introduce herself and then she went with Garra and Naru."

"Are those all the people you've met so far who look like you guys?"

"Well, no."

"Who else?"

"…You. Your name's -Haku, right?"

"Yes. Is my other self a girl?"

"Nope, he was a boy."

"Was?"

"…He died."

"...How?"

Naruto stared at him. While -Haku had seemed really cheery earlier, he seemed dead serious now. He was alot like the other Haku...

"Well... The Haku in our world died protecting someone who was precious to him, a man named Zabuza. He took a killing blow for him and in return Zabuza killed his killer. Then he died alongside Haku."

-Haku's lifted his head and gazed at the sky.

"So he died for love? ...Thats good. If I could die protecting a precious person, then I would be happy to die. Just like a couple of people I know..."

-Haku pondered for a bit.

"So, how much do you know about Garra and Naru? Or Shika?"

"Um, not much. It's not like we've really had a chance to talk or anything…"

"You should. They're all pretty interesting, especially Shika. Hey, do you want me to show you around after the bath?"

-Haku had his cheeful face on again, and Naruto smiled at him.

'If things had been different... Haku might have lived like this one.'

"Yeah! That would be awesome!"

Temari turned around when Garra,Naru, and Shika entered the bath. Shika looked exausted and the other two were deep in thought. The three girls slipped into the bath. Temari watched Garra intently; there was something that she wanted to ask…

"Garra-san?"

"You can call me Garra-chan if you want too. Yes?"

"…What are your siblings like?"

Garra seemed startled by the question, but then her face changed; she smiled warmly and her eyes shone with caring.

"…Well, Temari-nee pretty much raised me and Kankuro-nii. She was strong and independent, and the best big sister I could have hoped for. I looked up to her a lot."

There was obvious affection for her sister in her voice, and Temari felt horribly guilty. Her Gaara never spoke about her like that… not that she deserved it.

"Heh, Kankuro-nii was fun to tease. He was always playing around with his stupid puppets, so I had to practically drag him away from them. He always told me I was a pain, but I knew that he cared… They both did."

"What about your father?"

Gaara's eyes faded, and she had a dead expression on her face when she spoke.

"…I hated him. He's dead now."

Temari decided to drop the subject. Naru put a consoling hand on Garra's shoulder, and she leaned into the comforting contact. They looked over to their friend Shika and noticed that she was asleep.

"Shika! You're going to drown one day if you keep doing that!"

(Back in Konoha)

Tsunade stared at the ceiling with disbelief.

"W-what the hell happened?"

"Tsunade-sama? Is that you?"

Everyone in the room looked toward the speaker. Several jaws dropped in amazement; it was Sakura. Except she was older. She looked about twenty-one, and had long pink hair twined into a braid that reached her waist. She was wearing baggy black pants that reached to her ankles and a short sleeved red shirt, with a bag hanging off her shoulders. She was still Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade put her head in her hands, her headache now reaching maximum pain level.

"Too much…"

She felt hands on her forehead and suddenly the pain in her head disappeared. She felt calm flow through her, and when the hands left she was all better. She looked up to see a smiling older -Sakura.

"Feel better? I'm surprised; you can usually heal your own headaches. How are you? It's been what, five years since we last met?"

"…I'm sorry, but I'm not your Tsunade."

"Nani?"

"Do you recognize anyone else in the room?"

Older Sakura slowly turned around. Her gaze landed on Sakura and Ino, and she gasped.

"Oh no, you're kidding me. Iruka-sensei was telling the truth…?"

"Did you say Iruka-sensei?"

-Sakura turned toward Kakashi.

"Yes, she let me stay with her after… she let me stay with her for a while. She used to be an active guardian, but now she helps people get back on their feet if they suffer through… stuff. She's also quite knowledgeable about fighting techniques, history, and medicine. She knew some things that even Tsunade-sama didn't know! She's taken care of practically everyone I know."

Regular Sakura looked thoughtful.

"Come to think of it, Naru mentioned something about a 'Ruka-sensei', didn't she? She also mentioned a Sakura-baachan…"

"WHAT? Grr, that gaki (brat), I'm only twenty-one! Wait, Naru was here? Was Garra with her?"

"Yes."

"Those two have better not have injured themselves again, I will kill them if they did!"

Her face suddenly looked scary and she had a tick above her eye. Some of the room's occupants shrank away in fear. Tsunade ventured to speak.

"No, they were not injured. However, they seem to have disappeared into the sky taking some of our young shinobi with them. Do you have any idea where they went or if they're okay?"

"I have no idea where they went, it could be anywhere, but if -Gaara and Naru are with them they'll definitely be okay. At least, I hope they will be... you never know with those two.

"…Do you know when they will be back?"

"I-

Suddenly a scroll appeared in front of older Sakura. She opened it and started to read out loud.

Dear Sakura-baachan,

Gaa-chan and I were sent to some other world again where we helped them out. Suddenly we were sent to the Harusame Yadoya with some of their people. Guess what? They are a bunch of other selves of people we know! It's kinda weird but also cool. Anyway, we met Shika and I hope that we can find -Neji too. We'll prbably have a gathering for that world, and I was wondering if you were sent there? Hope to see you soon, remeber that yelling gives you wrinkles like and old 'baachan.

Naru

"That little… Well, at least they'll have a medic-nin with them this time. Last time... Its a miracle none of them died.

Tsunade felt panic rise in her.

"So the demons aren't gone? There's going to be more of them?"

Sakura smiled kindly at her.

"Unfortunately, yes. You'll have help though, don't worry. The girls can be... interesting at times, but they're all skilled fighters. Has this world ever had a guardian gathering?"

Tsunade frowned and shook her head.

"...So has this village ever hosted demons, half demons, or spirits?."

TBC

Now, what could Sakura be talking about? -innocent look- Hee, I'm excited… I can't wait to put Iruka and Neji in this! And certain other people who shall remain unnamed… Keep with the story if you want to find out who else makes appearances! -grin-

Please review, It feeds the soul!