-1Chapter 2: After All This Time

slurp! The blonde headed ninja sat at his favorite ramen restaurant, enjoying a bowl of ramen noodles and barbeque pork.

Naruto had a day off from missions. Even though he disagreed at first it was still nice to just relax. He thought about meeting up with Sakura later and maybe going on a date.

'Not much to do so far' Naruto thought as he finished his fifth bowl. 'Maybe if I bother Tsunade-sama enough she'll put me on a mission.' He sighed realizing she would just get mad.


At her house, Sakura got ready for a day of training with the fifth Hokage. Sakura put her hair back with her headband and went downstairs for breakfast. It was such a beautiful day outside. As usual the sun was shining and the sky was clear. For some reason this made her happier than usual.

Sakura helped her mom cook breakfast for her and her dad. Once her chores at home were done she set out into Konoha's streets. The Hokage's tower stood proudly overlooking the Hidden Leaf Village, the hidden village of the fire country.

For some reason, seeing that tower made her feel proud to be a ninja.


Naruto ran in to the Hokage's office and leaned over her desk. It was still early and the sun had just made it to the top of the sky. Tsunade was still rubbing her eyes in order to wake up. Shizune, her assistant, had already stacked a large pile of paperwork on her desk.

"Naruto! It's your day off, don't tell me you want a mission!"

The genin just crossed his arms and stood up straight in front of her. "Well why do I need a day off. My missions haven't been real missions lately! More like chores," he jutted out his jaw like he did when he was pouting.

Tsunade rubbed her head. It was trouble enough going through this paperwork, but she had to deal with him everyday he was in the village and Kakashi was out on a mission. So this meant she was stuck with him. Or was she?

"Naruto, I just might have something for you." She smiled hoping her plan would work.

As expected Naruto was interested. But he was dumb and would undoubtedly fall for any trick. "Yeah," he replied looking at the Hokage suspiciously, "Now no tricks, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade smiled, "Of course not, Naruto-san." She pretended to shift through papers like she was looking for something. "Ah! Here we go. It's perfect just for you."

Now Naruto was interested. He was smiling and leaning over her desk to see what the paper said. His eyes reaching over and prying at the paper, wanting it to bend his way.

'Got him! Maybe now he will leave me alone.' "Are you ready, it's very difficult to do. Especially for you." 'Now he'll definitely do it.'

"Just leave it to me! I can do it. Believe it!"

"Okay, here it is…" She leaned closer to him as if it were a secret, and whispered in his ear. "Go to the park," she moved her eyes around the room as it to see that no one was listening, "and, listen carefully."

By now Naruto was wondering why she was being so secretive. "Uh, huh!"

"Ok, go to the park and, and, relax, have fun," then she yelled, " It's your day off!"

Naruto stepped back and rubbed his ears. "Ow!" Naruto knew she could be loud, but this was right in his ear! "That's not a real mission! I want a real one!"

"This is a real one. Now Naruto please leave my office." But Naruto wasn't going to back down.

"Tsunade-sama! I can do that when I have free time! Give me a mission!"

All of a sudden Tsunade's face got real dark and scary, Naruto gulped. "Naruto, this is your day off. Now either you enjoy or you spend it in the hospital. So, what do you say?"

"I'll be going, bye." He turned to leave but kept an eye on the scary Hokage.

Just as he was about to open the door Sakura walked in. "Hi, Sakura-Chan!" Naruto smiled.

"Oh, hi Naruto-kun. I thought you were on a break from missions." Naruto gave a look at Tsunade.

"Unfortunately, yes," he mumbled.

Tsunade sighed at the ninja. "Sakura-san, is there something you would like?"

"Yes, I was wondering if you were going to teach me any new medical techniques today? Or if you wanted me to practice?"

Tsunade thought about it. She had nothing planned, so that means Sakura would be free, maybe? "Sakura I'm sorry but I don't have anything for you to do at the moment." Sakura looked a little disappointed. "But, maybe you and Naruto can do something for me."

Naruto was interested in doing something with Sakura. The two looked at Tsunade.

"Ok" The two replied at the same time. "Good, Now as you might know the Academy had a little contest. Who ever won got to go on a trip to a festival in another village. What I would like you to do is chaperone the trip. All of our ninjas are busy today."

Naruto wasn't happy with the idea of watching a bunch of snot nosed little kids. "Babaysitting! You want me to babysit some bunch of little kids! C'mon!"

Sakura smiled, she just needed something to do. 'Better than nothing.' "Thank You, for the assignment."

Naruto still wasn't happy about it. "But why ME and Sakura-Chan?"

"Because, Naruto, YOU have nothing better to do and Sakura can use her medical techniques in case the kids hurt themselves. OK? Good. Now they will be ready to leave at... 11:30. The festival starts at 2. That gives you three hours." She waved her hand at the door singaling them to go.


He sat on a branch of an oak, right outside the village. After all this time he found it. The Hidden Leaf Village, Konoha. The hidden ninja village of the Country of Fire. Before entering the village he started jumping from branch to branch, surveying the wall that protected the village.

Then he stopped. At a building with a sign that said "Academy" were two of the people that he was hunting. Two of the people that were at the bridge that day. Two of the people he would take his revenge on. Two of the people that aided in his death, and the death of his dear friend, Zabuza.


Hope you like it so far. More chapters to come soon. Please R&R. P.S. It gets very violent in chapter 4. Prepare for your stomach to churn. Graphic descriptions.

Read on.