Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Naruto.
A/N: Okay since I felt bad about the slow updates I decided to release the beta of Chapter Seven. This update has not been fully proofread and will be revised when I have time. I have noticed that my plotline has been very slow so I will try to get the main plot started in this chapter and hopefully start the Arc I have been planning out. One last thing is anyone interested in being a BETA reader for this story. I need someone to proofread chapters and revise mistakes and errors I might have overlooked. If your interested e-mail me at f o r e v e r z e r o (at) h o t m a i l . c o m .
Revised and Updated 11/27/05
-----Konoha Village-----
The last rays of golden sunlight are replaced by the silver strands of moonlight as a cool night sky envelops the Hidden Village of Konoha. The cool brisk wind flows into a bedroom window blowing the curtains apart. Uzumaki Naruto closes the window and then falls back onto his bed, arms stretched out behind him supporting his head. A look of sincere content can be seen on the young genin's as he recalls the events following the bell test.
-Flashback-
"Yippee! Sakura-chan we passed!" Naruto grabs both of Sakura's hands and he immediately starts spinning her around in circles.
"Heheheh Naruto s-stop" giggles Sakura trying to stop her excited teammate.
"Aww you two make such a cute couple! Naruto I have two extra tickets to the premiere of 'Come Come Paradise' if you want to take Sakura on a date" says Kakashi picking fun at his two students.
In a blink of an eye both genin's were suddenly five feet away from each other, their faces flushing red and their attentions focused on the interesting landscape around them, or what's left of it.
"Okay since you both did so well on the test how bout I take you guys out to dinner?"
At the mention of free food Naruto's attention quickly snaps back into attention. "Dinner! Yay come on lets go to Ichiraku!"
"Um how about we have something other then ramen, Naruto?" questions Kakashi
"WHAT! No Ichiraku? No fair! Sakura-chan you want to eat ramen too, right?"
Sigh- "Naruto I agree with Kakashi-sensei we should eat something other then ramen."
"Nooo you're all against me!"
"Ok then its settled how about we go to that BBQ restaurant that they recently opened?
"Ok sensei" replies Sakura
"…" replies Naruto
Sakura and Kakashi walk back toward the village, a devastated Naruto slowly trudging behind them.
-----Twenty minutes later, BBQ Restaurant-----
The newly reinstated Team Seven was currently seated at one of the Restaurants many comfortable booths. The Restaurant was small quaint place that was nice and warm due to the many open BBQ pits in each booth.
Naruto and Sakura were sitting on one side of the booth and Kakashi across from them. The copy-nin was currently cooking their food as the three of them shared stories of their experiences in the past two years.
While Naruto and Sakura were immersed in a conversation concerning Sakura's first experience as a medic-nin, Kakashi expertly pops a piece of cooked meat into his mouth without anyone noticing, or so he thought.
-----Outside BBQ Restaurant-----
Hiding in the shadows near the window is a random shinobi with a camera poised to take pictures of Kakashi. When Kakashi pulls down his mask to eat the BBQ meat the shinobi quickly takes a snapshot.
"Hehe the Kakashi-fans would pay millions of dollars for the 'ONLY PICTURE OF KAKASHI'S FACE'!"
Giggling in glee the random ninja waltz off to develop the 'ONLY PICTURE OF KAKASHI'S FACE'.
-----Back to Naruto and Co. -----
"So Naruto how did you spend your last birthday with Jiraiya? I hope he didn't make you train on your special day" questions Sakura casually.
"U-hh why do you ask Sakura-chan?"
"No reason I guess I just wanted to know, wait is there something you're not telling me?"
Naruto suddenly finds his napkin very interesting… "I can't let her know she would kill me…but I can't lie to her either…"
Bringing his attention to Sakura Naruto prepares to answer her. "Um well last October Jiraiya took me to a brothel claiming I was 'of age' and saying that I needed to refine my sexy no jutsu…."
"YOU WHAT! You went to a brothel on your birthday!" screamed Sakura wielding what suddenly seemed very dangerous eating utensils.
"Wa-wait Sakura-chan nothing happened it turns out that the brothels in Mist Country didn't even allow anyone under 16 to enter so Jiraiya was forced to get me something else instead"
"Oh and I suppose he took you to some sleazy bar instead huh?"
"No surprisingly Jiraiya said that the brothel was just one of my presents and since 'the best present he could give to a boy my age' was ruined he decided to buy me some custom weapons"
This caught Kakashi's attention "What kind of custom weapons Naruto?"
"Um a few weighted Kunai and Six pointed Shuriken but he did get me something special…"
Sakura was apparently out of her "kill Naruto" mode and a special custom weapon for Naruto caught her attention "Well what kind of special weapon did he give you, a Katana?"
"Nope not a Katana, maybe I'll show you when we spar sometimes, I still can't use it well yet..."
"Hmm it's not a Katana huh, then I guess it's not an ordinary ninja weapon…oh well Naruto, Sakura the food is ready."
Kakashi places the plates onto the center of the table. Each person then helps themselves to their share of the food.
Naruto splits his chopsticks apart and brings a piece of meat to his lips. He suddenly stops and looks at his teacher expectantly. "Hey Kakashi-sensei aren't you going to eat your food."
Seeing what Naruto was trying to accomplish Sakura joins in the ruse. "Yeah sensei you must be hungry after the Bell Test."
"Yes you are both right I am hungry…" Kakashi takes his chopsticks and splits them in half with one hand while his other hand grasps the top of his mask. Slowly the copy-nin starts easing the mask down while both genin's stare at him with hungry looks on their faces. Suddenly Kakashi stands up and points behind them a look of immense surprise and excitement on his face.
"Oh my god! Both of you look behind you, Jiraiya and Tsunade-sama are making out!"
Both Sakura and Naruto jump up and turn around expectantly. The excitement is wiped of their faces as all they see is an empty booth behind them. Turning back the looks of disappointment are quickly replaced by horror as they both see the sight before them.
Kakashi is neatly folding up a used napkin and places it back on the table. His plate is wiped clean of all food and the mask is still on his face. "Ahh that was a very good meal…" Looking up Kakashi notices Naruto pointing at him accusingly.
"Is their something wrong Naruto?"
"Y-You tricked us...and we fell for it…."
"Huh I have no idea what you are talking about." replies Kakashi
"You said that Hokage-sama and that Perverted Hermit were making put right behind us! Yells Sakura shaking her fists at the Jounin.
"Oh my mistake, I could have sworn that I saw them….anyway I had a good time today but I have to leave because of a mission I have tomorrow."
"Oh no you don't!" yells Naruto and Sakura at the same time. However the elusive Jounin has already disappeared in a cloud of smoke leaving only a check to float down onto the table.
-----In a Darkroom-----
"Yes once I develop this photo I will sell it to the highest bidder and become the richest person in Konoha!" schemes the Random shinobi.
Using a pair of tongs to take the photo out of the development fluid (I have no clue how pictures are developed so I don't know if this is how it's done) the Random ninja places the picture on a tray to dry. Once the picture starts to appear the Random shinobi holds it up expectantly.
"At last the 'ONLY PICTURE OF KAKASHI'S FACE' is finally complete! W-what h-h-how noooooo it's impossible!"
The picture is fully developed and we can see Kakashi sitting in the booth, chopsticks poised to place a piece of meat into his mouth. However where his face should be is a red circle with a slash. (Like the one in the back of the "Icha Icha Paradise book)
"This cannot be happening….he must have used some kind of jutsu….no matter I still saw his face, I can get an artist to sketch it out for me!"
Turning around the Random shinobi starts prancing toward the exit. However he slips on some spilled liquid on the floor and bangs his head on the counter, knocking himself out. One hour later the Random shinobi is diagnosed with acute memory loss.
-----Outside of the BBQ Restaurant-----
After admitting defeat and finishing their meal, which Naruto had to admit was pretty good but nothing compared to his godly ramen, both genin's prepared to go their separate ways.
Stretching both his arms up high Naruto lets out a big yawn. "Ah that was a good meal, but to bad we couldn't see Kakashi-sensei's face right Sakura?"
"…"
Turning around the blond genin faces his teammate and friend. "Hey Sakura-chan out alri-"
Naruto is cut off by a sudden hug from Sakura. After what seemed like eternity in heaven to Naruto, actually a few seconds, Sakura steps back and turns around, hiding her face from view.
"I-I'm sorry Naruto-kun it's just that watching you these last few days made me realize how much I really missed you…"
"Um I missed you too Sakura-chan…"
"…Well I have to get going now, it's nice to have you back Naruto…"
Before Naruto could reply Sakura disappears in a flurry of Sakura petals.
"Damn it does except me know how to do that?" Making up his mind to get the Perverted Hermit to teach him a "flashy exit", Naruto heads back to his apartment.
-End Flashback-
Naruto closes his eyes, a smile on his face as he slowly drifts off to sleep.
-----Dark Bedroom-----
A figure sits at the edge of a bed quietly sobbing. In her hands are two photos, one of a scowling boy with raven black hair and onyx eyes wearing a blue shirt and white shorts. The second photo is of a blond boy wearing an orange jumpsuit and a pink haired girl wearing a red dress. They are sitting on a ledge staring at the sunset. Both of them are holding between them a battered headband with a slash horizontally through the center.
Brushing a few strands of pink hair away from her face Sakura wipes her tears with the back of her hand. Then placing the two photo's on the table next to her bed the confused teen slowly drifts to sleep.
----- Following Morning, Hokage Tower -----
Caution: Spoiler Alert, Chapter 282
Due to some very important news the Hokage has called for a meeting with the former Jounin's of Teams 7 through 10 and Jiraiya. Tsunade, Kurenai, Asuma, Gai and Shizune are currently waiting in the Hokage office for the last two members called for the meeting.
Asuma takes out a cigarette and hastily puts it back when he is met with a double death glare from Tsunade and Kurenai. "Jeez waiting for those two is bad enough but I can't even have a smoke?"
"Smoking is very bad for you Asuma but I agree with you on the other matter. The lateness of those two is most embarrassing especially that of my rival. It must be my fault for not emphasizing the importance of being on time. Oh I am so ashamed at my incompetence and as self punishment I will do 10,000 no arm pushups and if I can't do that I will do 50,000……."
By this time all other members in the room have already placed earplugs in their ears to block out Gai's ranting.
A poof of smoke signals the arrival of Kakashi carrying a very 'hung over' Jiraiya. "Sorry I'm late I found Jiraiya here collapsed in front of the tower so I had to stop and take him with me."
"Well that would explain the situation if you were five minutes late but not TWO HOURS LATE!" in her anger Tsunade smashes her desk in half sending papers and all sorts of office supplies flying through the air.
Shizune tries to calm the angry woman down "Calm down Tsunade-sama that's the fourth desk this week…"
"Agh Tsunade would you mind not screaming so loud I have a killer headache…"
Sighing Kurenai grabs Jiraiya by the ear and drags him toward Tsunade "Tsunade-sama I think you should give Jiraiya some medicine to relieve him of his…hang over…"
A dangerous glint appears in Tsunade's eyes "I have the perfect solution to you problem Jiraiya…" suddenly Tsunade punches Jiraiya on the head and sends him flying through a wall.
All the Jounin members of the room flinch at the sight of Tsunade's "medicine".
After Shizune wakes up Jiraiya and gives him some real medicine to relieve him of his headache the Hokage begins the meeting.
"I have called you all here today because of some recent information that I have received. Some of our spies and ANBU reconnaissance has revealed that Orochimaru has once again become active. You all remember what happened the last time Orochimaru decided to attack Konoha and this recent activity might mean that he is planning to try and attack again. A report from a recent ANBU scouting has pinpointed Orochimaru's location to the Hydra Marshes (I still regret giving this place such a lame name…)."
Tsunade points to a map of the territories of Sound and Fire. South of the Valley of the End is a large area of swampland labeled the Hydra Marshes.
"'This area is known for its poisonous creatures and the toxic fumes released from the swamps. Thanks to a sample that Jiraiya managed to retrieve I have developed a tonic that will neutralize the poisonous fumes thus allowing us to enter the Hydra Marshes."
Kakashi raises his hand (heh this is starting to sound like a College lecture) "Hokage-sama I assume that you are planning on sending us into the Hydra Marshes?"
"Correct, each of you and your former students will be given separate missions all taking place in the Hydra Marshes."
"But Hokage-sama wouldn't it be wiser to send teams of Jounin's or ANBU instead of Chuunin's and five Jounin's?" (Reading chapter 282 of the manga revealed that Neji is a Jounin and everyone but Naruto is a Chuunin. Due to this new information I will change Neji to a Jounin in this story but keep Sakura a Genin for my own reasons.)
"Yes that might be true but I cannot risk sending ANBU or too many Jounin's incase Orochimaru attacks while they are gone. Anyway I have extreme confidence in all of your abilities and your former students have all proved that they are not to be underestimated."
Tsunade takes out four sealed folders and hands them out to the Jounin.
"These are your mission briefings be sure to report them to your teammates. Kurenai your team's mission is to infiltrate the Hidden Village of Sound and find any information regarding Orochimaru's plans."
"Asuma your team will be attacking various Sound encampments; I want you to interrogate anyone that may have information sabotage and way that the Sound may be communicating with each other."
"Kakashi your team will be aided by Jiraiya and you will both serve as team commanders. Gai your team will also participate in this mission. Your mission is to infiltrate Orochimaru's main base and plant exploding tags in key targets to maximize the damage. The goal is to wipe out as much of Orochimaru's forces as you can. After the initial explosion you may exterminate any surviving ninja's you encounter. However if you encounter Orochimaru I want both teams to immediately retreat."
Stopping Tsunade bring her attention to the Copy-nin "Kakashi if it so happens that you come across Uchiha Sasuke I want you to first try and convince him to return with you. If he resists I want you to kill him…"
Closing his eye Kakashi lets out a sigh "…I understand Tsunade-sama…"
"Very well you all have until tomorrow afternoon to prepare; all four teams will be leaving at 2200 hours (I hope that this is 10 PM military time)."
Everyone nods their head in agreement.
"Ok good luck you are all dismissed"
All the Jounin disappear in their own "flashy exits" leaving Jiraiya alone with Tsunade.
"Kill Sasuke if he resists…do you think Sakura and Naruto will allow that?"
"I have no choice Uchiha Sasuke betrayed Konoha and went off to learn from Orochimaru, he could serve as a major threat to Konoha…"
"I agree but I don't think it will be that easy, Naruto and Sakura promised themselves they would bring him back…"
Sigh- "…I know but I have no choice…I want you to take them away if Kakashi is forced to kill Sasuke, watching a teammate die is something no one should have to see no matte how much wrong he has done.."
"Ok but have you considered Kakashi's feelings on the matter?"
"Yes, no doubt killing Sasuke will bring back memories for him, lets all hope the need to doesn't arise…"
A/N: Hmm I think this may be my longest chapter yet. Anyway I wanted to try something new so I used Naruto's flashback to show what happened after the Bell Test. I hope the Naruto Sakura moment wasn't too corny, you might have figured out from that scene that I'm not to good with intimate scenes. By the way the "Random Ninja" thing was totally not planned out it was just a scenario that appeared in my head and I couldn't get rid of it so I decided to add it. For all of you that are confused the "Dark Bedroom scene is about Sakura crying while holding a picture of Sasuke and another picture of Naruto and herself. This is supposed to symbolize her confusion because she used to "love" Sasuke but now she isn't to sure. I will try to get the next chapter out soon so until then Review!