On their second day of travel back home as they neared the Leaf Village Asuka noticed birds were flying away from the village. Guy Sensei signaled for them to stop. Asuka was too focused on what could be happening in the village to really hear what Guy was saying but she did catch that they needed to hurry back.

Once they arrived back at the village they were not prepared for what they saw. It was gone. It was just gone.

"Where is Naruto?" Asuka asked finally.

"He's headed toward one of the high points around the village." Neji said.

"That's right." came a high pitched voice from the ground. "My name is Katsuyu, I've been with Naruto this whole time."

"Please tell us what happened." Guy requested.

Everyone listened in disbelief as Katsuyu recounted everything that happened in the village.

"How's my dad?" Asuka asked.

"Your father is fine I was able to get to him in time."

Asuka began crying tears of joy.

"We must go help Naruto!" Lee said valiantly.

"No, you must not. He wants to do this alone and asks that we trust him." Katsuyu responded.

"Is there anything we can do?" Tenten asked.

"Not at this point I'm afraid."

About fifteen minutes later an ugly giant face appeared at the center of the village. It stretched up tall and shot green lights out of its mouth.

"What's going on?" Tenten asked.

"Pain has enacted some sort of revival jutsu everyone who perished in the battle is alive again!" Katsuyu said.

"Way to go Naruto!" Lee exclaimed. "Come on! Lets go greet him when he returns!"

"A swell idea Lee!" Guy agreed as they raced off.

"Hey wait for me!" Tenten called out as she ran after them.

Asuka giggled, "Come on Neji we can't let them beat us." she said playfully.

Neji just grinned and the two of them took off. They didn't beat the others because of the head start they got but they managed to make it a tie. Not too much later Kakashi appeared with Naruto on his back. Everyone shouted and praised Naruto.

'Naruto you are going to make quite the Hokage.'

Once they had stopped throwing Naruto into the air Asuka say Masato approach Naruto.

"Good job Naruto. I know your father would be proud." Masato said giving Naruto a big hug.

"About that... Why didn't you tell me my father was the Fourth Hokage?" Naruto asked.

"Ah! So you met him then! I kept quiet because it was what Lord Third wanted." Masato answered pulling away from the hug. He looked at Naruto "I've always thought of Minato's family as my own so I see you as the son I never had and I hope one day you'll see me as family too."

"After how much you and Asuka have been there for me, you bet I count you as my family."

Asuka decided that now was her time to step forward.

"Asuka! Thank goodness you're alright!" Masato said hugging her so hard she could barely breathe.

"I was on a mission outside the village." Asuka replied once her father had loosened his grip.

"Was Neji with you?" Masato asked almost panicking.

"Yes sir." Neji replied stepping forward.

"Oh thank goodness." Masato went and gave Neji the same treatment.

"Mr. Nakamura could you stop hugging me please." Neji managed as he was being bear hugged.

Asuka giggled.

"Sorry Neji," Masato apologized as he released Neji from his death grip. "I forget not everyone likes hugs."

Neji straightened his clothing.

There was an awkward silence between the two of them.

"So, dad, what should we do now?" Asuka piped up.

"I think we should start working to rebuild the village."

The next few weeks everyone worked together to start rebuilding the village. Asuka was on the roof working on fixing the bath house because after everything that happened it would be a nice treat for everyone.

"Asuka!" Naruto called.

Asuka peaked over the edge of the roof. "What is it Naruto?"

"I have a surprise for you! Come and see!"

Asuka put her hammer down and met Naruto on the ground. Before she could say anything Naruto grabbed her wrist and dragged away. To Asuka's amazement they stopped right in front of Asuka's home an exact replica of what it had been.

"I described your house to Captain Yamato and asked him to build it for you. It just needs a coat of paint and some furniture and you're good to go."

"Naruto this is amazing! Thank you." Asuka gave him a big hug.

"You should go inside, Neji's waiting for you."

Asuka released Naruto and went inside. She found Neji sitting on the floor of the living room in a corner with pillows pilled against the wall to make a nice comfy spot to sit and lunch was spread out on a blanket.

"I thought you would like some lunch." he said.

Asuka sat down beside Neji and they had a quiet lunch together. Once they had finished eating they laid back on the pillows and Asuka cuddled into her boyfriend.

Neji played with Asuka's navy blue hair. Asuka looked up into his pale cream eyes and Neji leaned in a planted a kiss on her lips. Asuka brought her hand up to the side of his face signaling him to continue. He gently moved his hand onto her stomach then all the to her side and pulled her to face him. Asuka was on cloud 9. This time there was no one watching and she could just relax and embrace his every kiss. There was no rush it was just Neji showing his affection for her.

"Well I see you've made yourselves at home." Masato's voice broke the silence.

Asuka and Neji jumped and Asuka blushed.

"Relax Neji, I just wanted to check on you two and see how you liked the house."

Asuka saw Neji relax a little bit. "It's wonderful. It's exactly the way it used to be."

"Then you must be sure to thank Captain Yamato when you see him next." Masato reminded.

"I will."

The next day, after Asuka thanked Captain Yamato, she started making her way to the bath house. Just as she was about to take her next step an arm stretched out in front of her.

"You should be more careful where you step." Shino's voice.

Asuka looked down to see that she had almost stepped on beetle.

"Sorry about that Shino, I'm used to watching out for that stuff." Asuka stepped back and watched the bug as it scurried across the road safely to the other side.

Shino lowered his arm. "I'm surprised you remembered my name." he said changing the subject.

"You're a friend so I do my best to remember everyone's names."

"You count me as a friend?"

"Well, ya, I don't know you very well yet but I like to count you as a friend."

"Then as a friend can I ask you for some advice?"

Asuka was a little shocked. Normally, Shino was so quiet.

"Sure." Asuka answered and signaled him to follow her.

"There is a girl that came into the village not long after the attack by Pain. She's remembered my name after only being introduced to me once and she is always aware of the insects around her." Shino explained matter of factly.

Asuka smiled. "You have a crush on this girl don't you Shino?" she asked bluntly.

The insect user was silent for a moment.

"Yes, I guess I do." he answered.

"Well then my advise is get to know her better."

"The problem is I have a hard time talking to her."

"Why is that?"

"Because she's beautiful."

"Is she a shinobi?" Asuka asked.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Train with her, its how Neji and I broke the ice."

"Is that supposed to be a joke because you're an ice user?"

Asuka giggled. "No the joke wasn't intended."

"You really think training will help?"

"I do."

"Alright then. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Shino then wondered off in a different direction and disappeared from sight.

When Asuka reached her destination there was gossip about Danzo becoming Hokage since Lady Tsunade hadn't recovered yet and no one was sure if she ever would.

Asuka didn't know what to think of Danzo because she hadn't met him but his reputation spoke for itself.

By the end of the week the bath house had been finished and the owner decided that anyone who worked on it would be the first to enjoy it. Asuka took advantage of the soak and they went home. When she arrived at home Masato had just set some homemade ramen on the table for dinner. Asuka noticed there were four places set at the table.

"When did we get a table and chairs?" Asuka asked.

"I made them earlier today out of some scraps I found."

"That's wonderful dad..."

"But?"

"But why are there four places set?"

"Because I invited Neji and Naruto to join us."

Then as if on cue they entered the room.

"Sorry we're late there was a few things we had to finish up." Neji explained.

"You made ramen!?" Naruto said mesmerized by the food.

"Yes, Naruto I made ramen." Masato confirmed.

"Oh Boy! Lets eat!" Naruto exclaimed as he quickly sat himself down at the table.

"Naruto, don't be rude. Mr. Nakamura was kind enough to invite us over the least you can do is say thank you." Neji lectured

"It's alright Neji, the food's ready anyway." Asuka said.

They all sat around the table and dished up.

"This is really good Dad."

"Yeah Mr. Masato this is awesome." Naruto agreed.

Neji nodded his agreement because his mouth was full.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Dad what's the reason you invited them over dinner?" Asuka asked picking up on her dad's tone.

Masato reached into a bag that had been hanging off of the back of his chair and pulled out three kunai that looked exactly like the Fourth Hokage used.

"I want to give these to you guys. I don't trust Danzo as Hokage. I want you to have these with you at all times because then if you find yourselves in trouble I can teleport to you."

"I thought only the Fourth Hokage knew that jutsu." Neji said.

"Minato was kind enough to teach it to me. We were best friends after all." Masato explained.

They each grabbed a kunai and placed it in their pouches.

The rest of the meal was enjoyed with bonding conversation and even a few jokes here and there.

Time Skip

The Five Kage Summit was over and the village had just heard about the up coming war. Asuka was laying on the grassy field that was above the stone faces. Her hands were behind her head as she began to thing. 'I can't believe there's going to be another Great Ninja war. I hope we'll be ready for it.'

"Hey, Asuka!"

Asuka looked to see Naruto coming her direction and sat up.

"What's up Naruto?" She asked.

"I wanted to tell you that I'm going on a mission and I'll be gone for a while."

Asuka's heart sank.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

"I guess I'm just going to miss you. And promise me you'll be careful. You're like my brother and I don't want anything to happen to you." Asuka said as she stood up.

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" He said with a brave face.

Asuka just gave him a big hug and a tear escaped her eye. Naruto hugged her back. She really did see Naruto as a brother and she knew she was going to worry about him while he was gone. Asuka wiped the tear from her eye and released Naruto from her hug.

"Promise me you'll be safe."

"I promise. I still have to become Hokage after all." Naruto said reassuringly. "Well I need to go pack so I'll see you when I get back!" he waved goodbye.

Asuka waved goodbye and laid back down on the grass.