Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Flame of Recca. They belong to their respective creators and TV networks.
A/N: Costume Changes – All characters except Naruto will be having the clothes made for them after the time skip in the Manga/Anime. I'm just too lazy to think of anything new for each individual plus I think it looks cool especially Gaara's when he became Kazekage.
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Chapter 3: Return to the leaf
The chuunin guard yawned as the end of his shift came nearer as dawn approaches when he saw four figures approach the gates, three of them cloaked with the hoods up.
"Halt, state your business in the village." He asked warily but politely.
"Don't tell me you don't recognize me?" Jiraiya asked incredulously. "I'm the great Jiraiya-sama returning to the leaf after a training mission with his three students." and handed him his travel papers.
The guard was surprised, as Jiraiya is known to not have taken any student since the fourth. "Gomen, Jiraiya-sama, the Hokage has left instructions for you to proceed to her office when you arrive." The guard bowed then quickly signaled for the gates be opened.
"Well, it's still two hours until the Hokage office opens, so you're all free for the time being. Meet me at the Hokage tower at exactly 8 Am." Jiraiya waved and set off towards the bathhouses.
"Damn, ero-sennin, its still too early and his already off to peep. Ne, Gaara, Temari-chan, want to get some breakfast?" Naruto cocked his head at them.
"Hai, let's get some ramen." Gaara stated while Temari sighed in frustration. She's glad they still eat other food but they will definitely have ramen at least in one meal everyday.
"Fine, lead the way Naruto." She resigned to the fact that Gaara is already deep in with Naruto and his ramen addiction.
Naruto grab hold of their arms and dragged them towards Ichiraku. His jaw dropped as the once regular ramen stand expanded into a decent restaurant. Ramen is still the main dish served but they now also offer a variety of cuisines much to Temari's relief. They went in, straight where the signature bar remained where patrons can sit and eat.
"Hey, Ojiisan, since when have Ichiraku grew so much?" Naruto quickly asked the familiar chef.
"Eh? Naruto, you're back! Ayame, come quick, Naruto-kun have returned." He exclaimed happily. "I'm glad my number one customer is back. The bar grew to a restaurant thanks to you. You see I have saved enough money for minor renovations and expansion from what I earned from you and the times Iruka treated you. After you left, some of your friends came often to at least have a bowl of ramen; my next best customer was your friend Akimichi Choji. He became my best customer for barbecue when the restaurant expanded the menu."
"Anyway, the real change came when a business man from wave country arrived with a recommendation letter from the mayor Tazuna six months ago. He said you told him often how great the ramen was here when you often bought grilled squid and yakisoba at his bar. So he got the idea to see me when he went here on business. So we pulled our resources together and the rest was history, he also built the same restaurant in the wave and is as successful as this one." He finished.
"Ne, otousan, you called?" Ayame, his daughter, approached him. "Welcome back, Naruto-kun, I see you have friends with you." And she nodded to Temari then Gaara. They're eyes locked and they stared into each other, both started to blush. Gaara looked quite handsome now. There were no longer deep bags around his eyes due to lack of sleep.
"Ne, Ayame-chan, Gaara, you both alright?" Naruto asked. "Both of you looked flushed."
"H-hai, Naruto-kun, I'm fine." She composed herself.
"Ayame take their orders on the house, sky is the limit." Teuchi said chuckling.
"You sure about that Ojiisan?" Naruto asked beaming.
"Of course, I owe my great business thanks to you, I doubt I'll be bankrupt if I treat you from time to time." He patted Naruto's shoulder.
"Arigatou, Ojiisan, Ayame-chan. Oh, and this are Temari-chan and Gaara, my friends." Naruto introduced them formally. Gaara and Ayame said a soft hello to one another. Ayame took their order and sat talking with them as they enjoyed their meal.
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They met Jiraiya at Tsunade's office exactly in time and were immediately ushered in. They found her asleep at her desk.
"Gaki, wake her up will you?" Jiraiya ordered, all too familiar with how dangerous waking her up can be.
"No way, I'm not that stupid, ero-sennin." Naruto retorted.
"Hahaha, so you admit to being stupid gaki," laughed Jiraiya.
"That's not what I meant!"
"Will the two of you stop bickering!" Temari hit them on the head with a halisen.
Gaara ignored them and formed a hand of sand that shook Tsunade lightly. Naruto's stories already gave him a vague picture of her unusual habits. Tsunade woke and threw a punch not hitting anyone.
"Huh?" she mused as her blurry vision adjusted.
"BABAA! I'm back!"
"Gaki!" she clobbered Naruto then hugged him tightly. "Otouto, your back beside me at last!" she exclaimed, tears welling up.
"Better let go of him Tsunade, he's turning blue." Jiraiya warned while chuckling.
Naruto was unceremoniously dropped on the floor. He took big gasps of air. "Damn, Tsunade-babaa, I missed you too but you don't have to kill me."
Tsunade wiped a tear away as she looked over Naruto's changes. 'He certainly grew and is now a perfect clone of Arashi.' She mused. She motioned them to the seats and settled in.
"Tsunade-babaa, how's the village? What's new?" Naruto quickly asked.
"Well before anything else, here you go Temari, Gaara. It's a bit presumptuous of me but at the time it was the best solution for the both of you not be listed as nuke-nins." She handed them Konoha headbands.
"Arigato, Hokage-sama," Gaara spoke. "Me and my sister decided long ago to come with Naruto and settle here. We were going to request this when we report to you. It just saved us time." He bowed to her. They tied the protectors on their left upper arm unlike Naruto who have his on the right thigh. They'll change it later to a black cloth instead of blue like he did.
"Glad that you chose to do so, Gaara. You still need to sign a few papers and get your Ids at the administration building but that can be done later and wont even take you fifteen minutes or so." She turned to Naruto. "Well as for your question, gaki, not much has changed. Only a few of your batch mates took the chuunin exam at the hidden rain a year ago since we can only spare a few and the others chose to train more. Shino, Neiji, Tenten and Lee were sent. All three passed. I took care of Lee's problem with molding chakra and he completely healed over time but he still mainly a taijutsu expert but can now easily use basic ninjutsu and genjutsu when needed."
"Neiji just became a jounin about a week ago. The teams are reorganized due to their promotion and with team 7's disbandment. The teams are as follows Choji, Ino and Sakura, and Kiba, Sasuke and Hinata. I made it a requirement for three-man cell teams formed to have at least have one medic non or be trained as one. I took back Sakura as one of my apprentice as you requested and seem to be sincerely guilty of how she treated you. I have forgiven her but you just have to see her for yourself."
"I forgave them a long time ago. I see Sasuke-bastard has recovered." Naruto commented. He's not angry anymore with him and still considers him his rival/best friend. Deep inside he knows Sasuke feels the same, it's just that damn cursed seal that's messing things up.
"Hai, he was placed under house arrest and anbu watch for over a year. We took care of the seal and were able to place a stronger sealing bind to it before Jiraiya went to fetch you. It grew greatly weaker as time passed and his mind became more stable. He still wants revenge but good news is it's no longer his main driving force. He also shunned the villagers attention and trained harder to become stronger and as he once said, to become a deserving rival, whatever he meant." This comment earned a foxy grin from Naruto.
"Lastly, the chuunin exams is once more being held here and will start after a week. All the teams have been nominated. Can I safely assume that you three want to participate and will be a team?"
"Of course we will!" Naruto exclaimed at the news. "You were going to nominate us, right, ero-sennin?"
"Hai, hai, I was going to tell you three about it later. Now do any of you object?" All three shook their heads. "Fine then, I'm officially nominating them Tsunade. I guess I will have to stay longer as the team sensei then?"
"Right you are, Jiraiya." Tsunade handed them the forms. "Fill these up and submit them at the administration building and here are your pay checks for all those missions you did. You're accommodations also changed otouto." She tossed some keys at him. "Those are the keys to your parents estate. Jiraiya knows where it is. Its huge enough for you and your team."
"Arigato, oba-chan!" he waved at her. "Lets go Temari-chan, Gaara so we can take care of these paperwork and get settled in our new home." He ran out bouncing on his heels. The rest bid farewell to Tsunade and went to catch up with Naruto.
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"Wow, this is amazing Naruto-kun." Temari gasped. "Your family estate is huge and the location is perfect."
"Yeah, I never expected it to be this huge." Naruto meekly replied. The estate is located in the more affluent section of Konoha the same as the Hyuuga compound but is a bit farther away, a little hike near the base of a mountain. The compound is a traditional Japanese estate but made to blend with the forest thus it enclosed vast land with huge trees.
They explored a bit after they settled and chose the rooms they wanted. The estate is well maintained and clean. The backyard is enormous and encloses a plain training ground and a forest. Deep in the forest is a waterfall a bit smaller than the waterfall where Naruto and Jiraiya first trained, ideal for the water walking exercise. They're currently lounging in the living room, Gaara was lying on the couch, and Temari was sprawled on the carpeted floor leaning back on the couch while Naruto was sitting on a large, plush chair, feet propped on the armrest.
"Thanks, for letting us stay here, Naruto." Gaara said.
"Eh, its nothing, we're a team and also a family now. Anyway, I'm bored, want to go around the village or something?"
"Are you sure it's safe for you to do so?" Temari looked up. "I mean, not that you can't defend yourself but the villagers might be still stupid enough to try and harm you."
"I'm sure it will be fine plus hardly anyone recognized me while we were in town earlier except for Teuchi-jiisan but he knows me a bit well." Naruto waved lazily. "Plus, if worse comes to worse I can use henge or Shunshin to escape. So anyone want to go?"
"I pass, I'm sleepy and my body seems to be catching up to all those years of not sleeping." Gaara declined.
"Me, too, I'm tired from our travel plus I don't have the usual unlimited energy you and Gaara has."
"Ok, I'll get some groceries and return here before lunch. Ja ne!" He opted to wear loose, long sleeved, black jacket instead of his usual cloak from Tsunade. It hid the tattoos on his arms and his flame protector quite nicely while also giving him a look no one would easily recognize not that he looks the same anymore. Naruto waved and went off to town.
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Meanwhile, back in town, the former Rookie Nine and Team Gai are meeting at Ichiraku. Sakura and Sasuke were the first ones to arrive. They've grown closer as both felt guilty for what they've done to Naruto and were waiting for his return so they can rebuild the friendship they once had. They went on dates once in a while but being a couple isn't their priority for now.
Hinata arrived a few minutes after. "Ohayo, Sakura-chan, Sasuke-san." She greeted. She no longer stuttered as she gained more confidence. She threw herself to training and becoming stronger, fueled by Naruto's absence and constantly missing him. 'I swear I'll confess my feelings to him once he returned' was her usual mantra when training.
"Ohayo, Hinata-chan. How are you?" Sakura greeted.
"I'm fine. It's been two years since he left. I wonder what he's been doing?"
"Hai, I hope he forgives me and still wants to be my friend when he returns." Sakura sadly replied.
"Gomen, Sakura-chan. It was insensitive of me. I knew it was still a tender topic for you." Hinata placed a hand on her shoulder.
"No need to apologize, I've already accepted it and am determined to ask for forgiveness."
"That's right, I'm sure wherever the dobe is he already forgave us a long time ago. I just wish he returns soon so we can formally say it to him." Sasuke spoke up. "Anyway, enough gloomy talk. The other's would be here soon."
After he spoke the Inoshikacho team arrived. Choji became slimmer and fit after he recovered from using the Akimichi clan pills but he's appetite is still the same. Ino was still loud and kept berating Shikamaru for being a lazy ass. Kiba and Shino followed, the former as loud as ever and the latter still silent but conversed a bit more than usual. Team Gai arrived last. They sat around their usual table near the window. The girls already absorbed in their girl talk.
"SASUKE-KUN! Let's duel using ninjutsu only after this so we can see how much we progressed. I promise I'll beat you as I now know more jutsu and if I can't do that then I'll do 1,000 push ups and if I can't do that then…" Lee ranted.
"You were saying something Lee?" Sasuke asked, imitating Kakashi-sensei, but he heard Lee. He just wanted to annoy him.
"Ooooh, I can see Kakashi-sensei's cool, hip attitude rubbed off on you but the power of youth Gai-sensei gave me will prevail!" Lee exclaimed as he gave a nice guy pose.
"Give it a rest will you, Lee." Neiji sighed. "It's rare for us to have a day off at the same time so let's enjoy the time catching up."
"Hai, Lee, I agree with Neiji-kun." Tenten pat Lee on the shoulder as he face-faulted. "Besides, weren't you saying you'd duel with your official rival Naruto first when he returned?"
"Gomen, Tenten-chan, but Sasuke-kun is also my rival as well as Neiji. However, you both are right. I wonder how Naruto-kun is doing?"
"That dobe better be stronger when he returned cause we'll certainly beat him good, right Akamaru!" Kiba burst up as Akamaru barked in approval.
"I'm sure he would be stronger." Shino commented. "After all, he officially became Jiraiya's apprentice and it's known that He is the fourth's sensei and has not taken any student since then."
"Heh, it's troublesome wondering how strong he is now but I have to agree with Shino. Who knows how many jutsus he learned from one of the Sannins and the experience he has traveling around the elemental countries, it'll be difficult to gauge. I even heard a rumor this morning he got two other students with him."
"(Munch) What I (munch) want to duel with him is (munch) for the title of best customer of Ichiraku." Choji piped in while finishing of his last bag of chips before they order.
"I thought you already were Choji-kun?" Ino asked her boyfriend. They've been a couple for a year.
"Nope, I'm only the best customer for their barbecue but that was just a recent addition to their menu. Naruto is the best one for Ramen, the main dish, as Teuchi-san told me."
"Oooh, is that so?" Ino teased. "Anyway, I certainly can't wait for the chuunin exam, too bad the famous InoShikaCho trio won't be seen fighting. Big-Forehead girl is a decent replacement though."
"Shut up Ino-pig." Sakura responded good-naturedly. They are still rivals but are better friends now.
"Ohayo, Ayame-chan!" Hinata spoke as the waitress came. "You seem to be blooming today?"
"Oooh, You're right Hinata-chan. You got this really dreamy look on your face. Watch out Hinata, you may have some competition against Naruto." Ino teased with Sakura.
"W-what are you saying?" Hinata stuttered, feigning ignorance.
"Hinata-sama, I think everyone knew about it except for that baka. He is very dense." Neiji said.
"Don't worry Hinata-chan, rest assured I'm not a rival." Ayame joined. Hinata blushed a deep red. Everyone snickered.
"So, who is it you're dreaming of, Ayame-chan?" Sakura prodded.
"Au, it's embarrassing… but… it's… Naruto-kun's hunky friend." She replied blushing and giggling.
"Eh? Which friend? Kiba or Shino, or kami-forbid, Lee?" Ino asked loudly, thinking about the remaining eligible male in their group, getting an indignant hey from Lee.
"Oh, it's not one of them." She sighed dreamily. "It's his friend he brought with him at breakfast this morning, Gaara-san."
"WHAT HE'S BACK?" everyone exclaimed excitedly except Shino. "Is he crazy, I mean were talking about Sabaku no Gaara here?" Shino mused.
"Oh my, you didn't know? I believe he arrived this morning with his two friends, Gaara-san and Temari-san." Ayame informed them. "I'm sure he will see all of you soon. He mentioned they have to take care of something with the Hokage first before settling in."
"Heh, can't wait to see that dobe. I'll definitely ask him and Gaara for a spar." Sasuke reacted followed by Neiji, Lee, Kiba, and Shino. The girls were concerned that he's with the blood thirsty Gaara. Surprisingly, Shikamaru assured them that he's fine and perhaps Gaara has changed after all Jiraiya was with them right? Ayame took their order after they convinced a hyperactive Lee that they'll look for Naruto after they've eaten their lunch. Their table erupted once more with discussion about the blond.
Somewhere, the said blond sneezed loudly.
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Naruto went back to town with Temari and Gaara after he dropped off the groceries and had lunch with the sand sibs. As they were walking around the shops, they stumbled upon a group of girls, some Naruto knew from the academy while others were younger. One blushing girl was bold enough and approached them.
"Ano, My I ask for his and your names?" she asked.
"Eh? I'm Naruto and this is Gaara. Aren't you Miyu-san from the academy?" he asked the pretty brunette. Gaara just looked on suddenly having an uneasy feeling.
"Naruto? Wow, you look handsome and stronger now, you both do." She blushed then ran back to her group of friends.
"What was that about? I recognize her from the academy days but I can't place specifically how I knew her." He mused. He shivered as the answer hit him suddenly while looking at the giggling girls.
"Temari-chan, Gaara."
"Hai, What is it Naruto-kun?" Temari asked amused at his antics as she already caught on earlier what the girls were about.
"I think it will be better we start walking away now."
"Huh?" was all Gaara said.
"Yosh! From now on we are also known as the GaNa FC (Gaara/Naruto fan club). We love you Gaara-kun! Naruto-kun!" the group yelled at their two new crushes.
"Too late, Gaara, RUN! They're the Sasuke FC!" Naruto exclaimed, ignoring the additional club name, grabbed Gaara and ran. Temari calmly stepped aside as the group gave chase, laughing at seeing a horror stricken Gaara. She took out her fan and with a wave, rode it following the boys, watching amusedly.
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The Rookie Nine and Team Gai were gathered in training ground three. Shikamaru proposed they set up a plan on how to look for Naruto instead of blindly scattering about town. They thought he was just being lazy but he does have a point and it would save them time. However, they don't have to wait for long as a yellow flash and a swirl of sand interrupted them.
"Finally, (hahh), we, (hahh) lost them." Gaara spoke up as he and Naruto panted. 'We're not easily winded but damn those fan girls must be using some kind of transportation jutsu.' He thought.
"Ne, Gaara, (hahh), I surely wasn't (hahh) expecting that." Naruto lamely replied.
"What? Do you think I did? I was feared as a killer remember." He playfully smacked Naruto on the head. "At least you didn't lose a jacket to them!" Naruto retorted with nothing else better to say.
"Hahaha, that was the funniest thing I ever saw!" laughed Temari as she descended near them.
"N-naruto-kun!" a soft exclamation caught his attention as a sudden blue blur tackled him.
"Eh? Hinata-chan!" Naruto blushed. He was sprawled on the ground with Hinata on top hugging him. Hinata gave a small 'eepp' as she got off Naruto blushing furiously. Her finger twiddling habit made a one-time appearance. Naruto heard snickering and chuckling from behind.
"Welcome back, dobe!" Sasuke greeted, hiding his nervousness behind his usual smirk.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT, SASUKE-BASTARD!" Naruto retorted as he got up, still blushing. "I've become stronger than before!"
"Heh, I sense that you did." Sasuke smiled sincerely. Naruto did too as a silent agreement passed between them. Putting the past behind. "You owe me a spar dobe."
"Anytime, bastard. I'll kick your ass!" That started the recovery of their friendship.
"Yosh, Naruto-kun, the power of youth still blaze brightly from you! I also challenge you to a duel!" Lee gave his nice guy pose. Soon he was barraged with greetings from the others, the usual 'this is troublesome' comment, an eating challenge from Choji, and more requests for a spar from Neiji, Kiba, and Shino. Ino, Tenten and Hinata was gushing over his new look, Hinata was drooling inside. Sakura was silently watching.
"Ne, Sakura-chan, don't I get a greeting from you?"
"Naruto, I'm…" She started, tears welling up. The others were silent
"I forgave you a long time ago, both of you." He smiled sincerely. "So what do you say we start over?"
Sakura burst into happy tears as she hugged Naruto who gently patted her on the back. "Arigato, Naruto." Sakura wiped her tears away.
"Oh, where are my manners. Guys, you met them before. Please say hello to Gaara and Temari-chan." They greeted Temari and Gaara nervously.
"Don't worry guys, I'm not a blood thirsty killer anymore." Gaara snickered at their reactions, which surprised them. Gaara was smiling and acting normal! Soon all awkwardness was put aside and they were happily catching up with each other.
"Cool tattoos and arm protector Naruto. Where'd you get them?" Kiba asked. He then proceeded to read each kanji loudly. "Unique names."
"Eh, I had them done during my travels." He grinned foxily to avoid further inquiry as the rest complimented him more. Shikamaru was surprised and became more attentive unnoticed by the rest. 'That was just a legend, I wonder how Naruto knew about it."
"You look great, Naruto-kun. Your travels did you good." Hinata said meekly. Ino, Tenten, and Sakura exchanged looks then giggled but before they can do anything Naruto spoke.
"Thanks Hinata-chan. I was wondering, well, if you're not busy later, would you like to go to dinner with me?" he asked sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. The group was surprised once more and set the girls on another giggling fit.
'Auuu, Naruto-kun is asking me out on a date' she brightened up "Hai, I would love to, Naruto-kun." She said happily.
"Cool it's a date then." Naruto gave her a dazzling smile making her weak at knees.
'Auuu, Don't faint, Hinata, you became stronger for him, its now your chance.' She berated herself.
"So, dobe, what were you and Gaara running away from?" Sasuke asked. Suddenly they heard "I found them!" and approaching steps getting louder. Sasuke sweat dropped then pinched the bridged of his nose
"You just had to ask, do you bastard?" Naruto sighed exasperatedly. Temari began giggling which became loud laughter and Gaara went pale. The others looked at them confused.
"Look, Sasuke-kun is among them!" a fan girl exclaimed and soon all broke into a run. "We love you! Sasuke-kun! Naruto-kun! Gaara-kun!"
"Kami-sama! Sasuke, Gaara, let's run for it! Guys, let's rendezvous at our house, Temari will take you there." He shouted as he grabbed Sasuke and Gaara, A trail of dust smoked after them followed by the fan girls. The guys face faulted while Ino, Tenten, and Temari burst out laughing. Inner Sakura appeared shouting at the fan girls to leave her Sasuke-kun alone while Hinata shouted in her mind the same thing at them but for her Naruto-kun.
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A/N: This is a long, a bit humorous, filler chapter but I hope you all enjoyed it. The action will come hopefully soon. I'm just planning the scenes and choosing the jutsus carefully. I don't want any characters to be overpowered; it just kills the excitement and suspense. Oh, and please tell me good sites for English-Japanese dictionary thing, preferably where I can type in a word then it will be translated to Japanese, if anyone knows one, I greatly appreciate it.
To Dan Inverse: I understand and will do my best to keep Naruto powerful but not overly so. Thanks for the review and hope you enjoy.
To minxy-ko, Goyana, G-man, M.C.A.M, Toenail and Miyata: Thanks to all of your reviews and suggestions. Hope you all enjoy and keep on reading.
To the DragonBard: I made Sakura act harshly as a sort of rude awakening for her to change and want to become stronger but I may not detail much on how she did it though. As for Naruto not making any flames, well I stuck on the Naruto plot part on how when Kyuubi was sealed into him, it messed up his chakra molding ability that he mess up on even simple jutsu so I thought it may also be a damper on him flaming up.
To Hecate-19: Thanks for the review. The site really is great! Hope you enjoy and keep reading.