After reporting to the Hokage, Naruto, Sai, and Sakura went out for a stroll around the village, awaiting their next mission. However, like any other day, a casual stroll between the three became a friendly reunion, this time it ended up being with Team 10, after all they haven't seen Team 10 since after their revenge mission for Asuma. And it, usually lead to someplace to eat, and when it did, neither Sakura nor Naruto were hungry. Which surprised Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino, when was Naruto ever NOT hungry?
"What do you mean you're not hungry?!" Ino exclaimed.
"Well, we stopped at a little cottage on the outskirts of the village and the lady that lived there made the best stew! I think I ate a little to much, because I can't eat anything even if I tried." Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.
"When is that ever new? You always eat your heart out wherever you go." Complained Sakura.
"Yeah, but I mean I really think I ate way too much" Naruto said.
"Wait, you guys visited some random cottage on the way home?"
"Well, there was this lady that was outside working in a HUGE garden and then she invited us in for dinner. She cooked as if she was expecting to feed an army! It was really good though."
A large garden on the outskirts of the village?" Shikamaru questioned.
"It was a large plantation. But it wasn't just one thing there. She grew all sorts of things like cabbage, carrots, diakons, onion, celery, all sorts of things! She said she grew everything there to make the food." Sai said. "It was really delicious."
"Huh, guess we'll have to stop by this little cottage on our next mission then, right Shikamaru?"
"What was the girl's name?"
"Captain Yamato said her name is Sayuri… Wait, now that I think about it, we never told her our names."
"You're right, Sakura!" Naruto said with a shock.
"After a long day of weeding another part of the plantation, nothing is better than a relaxing bath and homemade truffles." I said as I soaked in a bubble bath, popping a chocolate truffle in my mouth. "That reminds me, I need to go into the village and get more chocolate soon… Man, it's too bad I can't grow it!" I said pouting on the side of the tub grabbing another truffle.
It was another peaceful day in the fields. No ninja strolling by, but I also didn't have anything in a pot today. I only had leftovers from the four ninja that visited yesterday. So after my hard day in the field, I threw some stew into a pot and let it heat up while I took a warm bath to soak off the sweat and to relax my muscles. A smile appeared broke out on my face. I love seeing the smiles of satisfied ninja after they rest and get a little food in their bellies.
My mind drifted to the dream I had this morning. My spirits fell and the smile slipped from my face. My mother didn't want anything to do with me after I proclaimed I wasn't going to be a shinobi. And soon I left the village and started my little farm.
I found a small area of open land and a little shack, so I went to Lady Tsunade to claim it. Of course I had to tell Lady Tsunade that I wasn't leaving the Hidden Leaf, I was just moving to the outer side of the wall so I could farm freely. She said I had to grow medicinal herbs for the benefit of the Leaf and their allies. Which I didn't mind. At the time, I didn't know what I was going to farm when I came out here. So I started a little herb garden right outside of my front door. Then I cleared the grass from the fields and I got to work. Eventually, I got off of my feet and built an add on to my home, which first ended up being the bathroom. And then I built a bedroom. So my little shack turned into a one bedroom and one bath cottage. Soon my little garden became a large farm. Now I have three acres of farm.
I got out of the tub and dried off. I wrapped the towel around my body and I walked out to the kitchen/dining area and got my pot off of the hearth. I set the pot on a smaller towel on the table, picked up a spoon, and started eating my dinner. The sun was starting to get low in the sky, so it was almost time for bed. A farmer's life is never over. With a full belly, I grabbed a candle and a book and headed for my bed.
Tsunade knew my mother since long before I was born. I'm pretty sure they went to the academy together and graduated together. When I was born, Tsunade was there to deliver me and she was there for just about every birthday after. Until I turned eight, and she informed my mother she was leaving for a while. I had already had the fight with my mother that I wasn't going to be a ninja shortly before then. So when I heard that Lady Tsunade was returning as the Hokage, I was shocked to say the least. By then I was at least thirteen. Now she's been in power for five years. I left home when I was sixteen, and I've been living outside of the village for two years.
Soon, I put my book down and drifted away to sleep.
Team Ten and Team Seven soon parted ways soon before the sun went down Shikamaru and Choji separated and went towards their home, Sai left to go his way, so that left Naruto, Sakura, and Ino to walk together. That usually meant Sakura and Ino fighting about something or another, but today it didn't happen.
"So, how are you guys holding up with Asuma's passing?" Sakura asked thoughtfully.
"It's been rough. Especially on Shikamaru. He not only lost a mentor, he lost a shogi player, and a second father. And he picked up on Asuma-sensei's nasty habit.."
"He picked up smoking?"
"Yeah. It's kind of annoying, but I guess it helps him cope. He hangs around Kurenai a lot too, since she's having Asuma's baby and all."
"What about Choji and you?" Naruto asked.
"As I said, it's hard. We really aren't Team Ten anymore, but we are making it through. Oh, here's my stop. Thanks for walking with me!" Ino said with a smile as she walked up to her home.
"See you soon!" Naruto said.
"I don't think I'd know what we would do without Kakashi-sensei. He is the glue that keeps Team Seven together most of the time." Sakura said staring at her feet as she and Naruto walked to her house.
"Kakashi's in the hospital more often than not most of the time. We usually have Captain Yamato as our leader on recent missions." Naruto replied.
"Yeah, but he's still around if we ever need him."
"I guess."
"All right, here's my stop. See you tomorrow, Naruto."