Thanks for the feedback guys. I really appreciated it. Well, I decided to turn it into a story.

Kiba: Yeah, and expect me to be in it too.

Me: Why? This is a Naruto and Sakura fic.

Kiba: Because everyone knows I'm can beat Naruto any day

Me: No you can't, remember in the chunnin …

Kiba: Shut up that was a glitch.

Me: Don't tell me shut up, or I'll make you cry

Kiba: You can't make me cry

Me: -mischievous smile-

Kiba: Get her Akamaru!

Me: -runs away-

Naruto: Hey Kiba, I just came back from training … why is Akamaru chasing the writer?

Kiba: Um … Here's ramen, Naruto

Naruto munches happily.

Me: No good Naruto

Chapter Two:

A Return

Sakura was in the hospital helping a few patients. She became a part time nurse there. She was patching up a patient when Shizune came in.

"Sakura-chan!"

"Shizune-chan…" She said surprised.

"Naruto-kun has returned to the village." Sakura froze. "Naruto?" She looked over at her patient who just simply stared at her. "Um … you are in good hands" Sakura said thrusting the clipboard filled with the medical conditions at Shizune. Shizune watched as Sakura left with an overly pleasured smile.

Suddenly Shizune entered the room, "Sakura ….? Who are you?" She said taking out her needles. Shizune transformed into Jiariya. Shizune quickly dropped her guard, "Jiariya-sama, what are you doing here?" Jiariya handed Shizune the clipboard and left.

Sakura ran through the village looking for the blonde. It has been a month. He came back just like he said he would. She reached the ramen store, "Have you seen Naruto?" "Naruto just finished, he said something about having energy for a duel."

Sakura eyes widened, "Arigato."

She ran into an open field and there she saw Naruto and Sasuke standing facing each other. They smirked as they began their battle.

"Kage-bunshin!" Naruto said as five clones appeared around him.

Sasuke jumped in the air as he started his hand signals for his fire ball jutsu.

Sakura ran into the field, "STOP"

The two boys looked over at Sakura. Naruto's clones disappeared and Sasuke stopped his hand signs. "We were just training," Sasuke said in a monotone. Sasuke walked by Sakura and gave her the cold shoulder.

Sakura winced at the thought of their last "duel" on the hospital rooftop.

"Naruto … you're back."

"Yeah, Ero-senin had to gather some information. Oh, Sasuke said Kakashi-sensei wanted us to meet him at the bridge in the afternoon."

Sakura nodded, "Let's go together."

They reached the bridge and as usual Kakashi was late.

"Why does Kakashi always make us wait?" Naruto whined.

"Stop being so restless, and try to be patient for once," Sasuke said.

"We didn't finish our fight last time," Naruto said in his fighting stance.

Sakura giggled. The two stopped arguing and looked at her.

Usually Sakura would be yelling at Naruto, but she smiled this time. It was just like three years ago. They were waiting on this bridge for Kakashi.

Kakashi appeared, "Hey guys, I'm sorry I had to help an old lady–"

"Liar", Naruto and Sakura said. Sakura smiled in the end. Kakashi looked at the oddly cheery girl. "Sakura, you seem happy today." "I'm just glad everything is back to how it should be."

"Well, since the whole gang is back together … Sasuke and Naruto you two need to take the chunnin exams, seeing here the girl in this team is a higher rank than both of you." Naruto laughed nervously. "When is the next chunnin exam?"

"In three months."

"Don't we need three people?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes we do, that is why Sai will accompany you."

"Sai is still a genin?"

"He never took the chunnin exam, so yes."

"Do we have any missions?" Naruto said excitedly.

"We do have some D-rank missions you two will attend to."

"Two? What about Sakura-chan?"

"She works in the hospital; she contributes to the community enough."

"I will give them to you tomorrow."

"I want to help …" Sakura said cutting in.

"With the missions? It isn't anything exciting Sakura. Your help in the hospital is a lot more needed."

Sakura shook her head. "We are a team; we are supposed to do missions together." Kakashi sighed. "Alright Sakura."

Sasuke left the bridge without saying a word. Kakashi looked over at the two and said, "Go to the field when the sun rises." He disappeared right after he said those words.

"Naruto, let's get something to eat."

"What about Sasuke?"

"He … has … to do some … uhm … community service for the village because of all the years he has been away." Sakura lied.

As usual Naruto bought it. "I'll buy dinner," he offered. Sakura smiled as they walked around Konoha.

After a while of walking, Sakura realized they were not heading towards the ramen store. "Naruto, this isn't the way to the ramen …"

"You want ramen?" Naruto said as he began to turn around.

Sakura grabbed his arm, "No … I just …" Naruto shrugged and continued to lead her down the village. They stopped at a barbeque.

Sakura looked at the restaurant. She had never been in there before, or knew it existed. All the years that she had lived in Konoha, how could she miss this exquisite restaurant?

Naruto went inside, while Sakura admired the restaurant. It lit the whole street with its lanterns and colorful designs. A red fox was above the restaurant's name. She examined the name, "The Nine-Tailed". Before Sakura could ponder about it any longer, Naruto came back out. "Sakura-chan?"

Sakura looked at Naruto, "Sorry".

She entered the restaurant and inside was equal or prettier than the outside. She wonders how Naruto could be able to afford it. Naruto suddenly waved at someone. Sakura looked at the direction Naruto was waving at. A girl about their age came towards them. "Naruto-kun, you came!" The girl chirped. She was slightly shorter than Sakura and had short black hair. She had round, innocent brown eyes.

"Sakura-chan, this is Chiyo-chan."

"Is this your girlfriend?" Chiyo asked.

Naruto smirked and before Naruto could utter another word Sakura said, "Hi, I'm Naruto's team-mate."

"Nice to meet you, today is our grand opening. I told Naruto he could bring his friends for the tryout. After all, this dream would not have happened if it weren't for Naruto!"

Sakura smiled.

Chiyo led them to a private room. Sakura admired all the decorations. "Chiyo-chan, did you make all of these?"

Chiyo smiled, "Nope, my mom and I had help from the villagers." Chiyo opened the door for them. "I was expecting more people, but knowing how Naruto eats, I don't think it would be a problem."

Sakura sat opposite from Naruto. She began eating silently. Naruto ate to his content, which happened to have little manners. He did not eat like Choji, but he had his fill.

Sasuke has returned for a month and he still acted secluded. He was slightly friendlier than usual and that was a bonus for her if she was her old self.

Her old self … she was like a cheerleader on the sidelines. She screamed for them to succeed, never participated in the actual fighting. She changed now. She no longer dreamed or fantasized about Sasuke. He was there, as a friend and nothing more.

During the month he returned, the villagers were cold to him. They would have spat at him if it were not for Kakashi. Her sensei always placed him with other teams. It was not because Kakashi thought Sasuke was incapable of caring for himself; instead he thought that if he gave Sasuke the right connections, the villagers would trust him again. His plan slowly worked. He worked with Shikamaru's team to help deliver flowers for Ino. Ino's clients first rejected the former traitor, but they were friends with Ino and they accepted Sasuke help for Ino.

He worked with the rest of the teams. Although all the missions were D-ranked, it was within the village and Sasuke took in favors as well. Now, when the villagers saw the young Uchiha boy past by, they no longer gawk at him. Sasuke still continued with his D-ranked missions, how much longer would he have to continue? She was not sure. Now that Naruto had returned, Sasuke probably no longer had to take missions with other teams. His team was back together again.

Naruto placed down his empty bowl of rice, signaling that he was finished with his dinner. Sakura placed down her chopsticks too.

"Naruto, I don't want to go home yet. Do you want to walk around the village?"

"Sure", they exited the restaurant after they said their farewells to Chiyo.

They walked down the streets of their village. Lanterns still lighted the night streets. It was peaceful during the night. Sakura loved how the stars gazed down on her. They passed by tents for people who had small business. A painter called out for them to stop. Sakura turned around towards the painter.

The painter was in his mid fifties. His hair was completely white. He had lining on his face that suppressed his age. "I have not seen two young people together for a long time." He said gloomy.

"We aren't–" Sakura began.

"Let me paint you two, free of charge. It's nice to have a change."

Naruto looked at Sakura waiting for her response. She looked at the depressed old man and felt sympathy towards him. She grabbed Naruto's hand and dragged him into the tent.

She posed next to Naruto, almost like they were lovers. The painter painted passionately. He said several adjectives along the way most of them were "perfect". He finally placed his brush down.

Sakura waited for his response. He just stared at the painting. His expression did not show disappointment or happiness. "Well?" Sakura asked.

The painter smiled, "It's great, thank you."

"May I see it?"

"See what? What you need to see is right next to you. What is your name?"

"Haruno Sakura."

"Sakura … Sakura … ah I have the perfect name. The sun that made the flowers bloom. He is the sun, and you are the flower."

Naruto gave his usual blank, confused stare. Sakura had a light shade of pink that matched her hair forming around her cheeks.

They said their goodbyes to the painter. Naruto walked her back to her house. Sakura smiled, "I had a really good time."

Naruto blushed and rubbed the back of his head, "me too".

The next day

Hinata was walking down the busy village streets. She had to buy some groceries for her father. She had just finished and was heading back home. She looked through the tents. She admired the homemade clothing and some of the paintings.

Fate lead her to the very tent Naruto and Sakura were in. She glanced over the paintings of the landscapes. That's when she saw it. She dropped her groceries and she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. She blinked, but to no avail. The painting was real. She had always been, the girl that was …

Right here Waiting

Kiba: Well, since the author is currently preoccupied…

Me: Since when?

Kiba: Where is Akamaru?

Me: Your sister took him. –takes out frying pan–

Kiba: This can't be good –boink–

Me: Stupid Kiba, I'll make sure Naruto beats you.

Naruto: We are having a duel? I need to train! –scurries off–

Me: Naruto … I never … ah forget it. Anyway

REVIEW&REVIEW

My response to my reviewers:

pr0t0man, thanks

full-metal-sousuke, Yeah, sorry about that. Well, since I'm turning it into a complete chapter fic, I will make a pairing. Since this was originally an oneshot, I'm not really sure where this story is going. Depending how I will be writing this story, the pairing might change.

wolfs pack, Lol, you got your wish ;D thanks for the review.

got-ramen, It's a full fledged story with a lot more than two chapters. Hope you keep reading

angel, The idea for Naruto coming back more than a month is a good idea, but I want Naruto to seem trustworthy and truthful. He told Sakura that he would be back in month in a way that seemed more like a promise to her than a simple statement.

Animaman, well, now its longer ;b

Vijii,well, I wasn't considering to make a full-fledged story until I got the feedback. I would like for you to continue reading, but if you feel this continuation is wrong by all means tell me that the direction of this story is horrible.

dbzgtfan2004, Woot Naruto and Sakura!

ChaosLink, I hope you continue reading

19bLuEoRaNgE9, what you mean by disarrayed?

Thanks you reviewers, I love feedback.

Love,

iMMATURE