AN: Here's another chapter that I hope you readers enjoy.

And, since I forgot to add a disclaimer in the beginning, I'll add it here...

Disclaimer-The world of Naruto and all of its characters belong to its creator: Masashi Kishimoto.

(The only character that's originally mine is Sekiya, but I based her on the shinobis of Naruto)

"Don't worry Naruto. I'll back you up."

Sekiya breaked and her feet touched the ground again, but she was quickly blocked by Kiba and Akamaru.

Good thing Akamaru isn't a puppy anymore, Sekiya said to herself before she added, "The fear I had for him is now long gone. Too bad Kiba can't let go of the past. He turned out to be pretty hot."

The dog-ish shinobi was a lot taller than he was about two years ago, and with his previous hoodie style now off more than on, Sekiya saw that his hair was much better looking than she'd originally remembered.

Yet, while Sekiya found Kiba now appealing, Kiba had no such feelings whatsoever; his wary, narrowed eyes and scowled mouth indicated as much.

"I'd hate to wreck his fiiiiine features, but since I can't tell him that..." Sekiya reasoned with herself before she said, out loud, "Back off Kiba. This is between me and my brother."

Sekiya hoped she'd sounded as intimidating as Kiba's expression portrayed.

"I don't give a cr*p about your sibling squabbles," Kiba admitted before he pointed a finger at her and added, "But I owe you a beating for all the times you've tried to hurt Akamaru here."

Akamaru barked in agreement, and seemed ready to tackle Sekiya if Kiba ordered him to.

Sekiya rolled her eyes before she assured them, "I'm over that now, and I can guarantee you two that it won't happen again."

"I'm not over it," Kiba stated as he started to make a hand sign.

Only Lee intercepted him as Lee firmly grasped Kiba's wrist.

"What—!" Kiba began.

"Let us not be too hasty, Kiba," Lee interrupted before he proceeded with, "I am sure Sekiya is sorry for her previous attempts at Akamaru."

"I've only apologized about a dozen or so times," Sekiya said.

Inwardly, she added, "The other times I just managed to avoid him."

Kiba jerked his wrist from Lee as Kiba disconnected them.

"Like she actually means it," Kiba retorted before he shot an accusation at her: "And it's not like I can trust her not to go after Akamaru the next time."

Akamaru barked in agreement again.

"She only goes after cute things, so just drop it already," Neji explained.

His tone conveying a hint of impatience.

"I hope he's annoyed at Kiba's stubbornness and not me," Sekiya hoped.

Naruto decided to step in as well. He scratched the back of his head as he said, "It's true Kiba. Akamaru will be fine, and Sekiya's apologized already."

"Y-you're not going to a-actually attack Sekiya," Hinata inserted.

As if her statement coming true was ridiculous and impossible to happen.

"And we're going to be late meeting up with Kurenai-sensei," Shino interjected.

And the look he gave Kiba showed that, if they were late, Kiba would be to blame.

"Tch. Fine. Next time," Kiba swore as he glared at Sekiya before he departed along with Akamaru.

Hinata gave Sekiya a concerned glance before she followed Kiba and Akamaru.

"I apologize for his...rudeness," Shino said before he explained Kiba's behavior. "He can hold a grudge, as you can see, but he'll calm down...eventually."

Then, Shino left as well.

"Annnd how was that for a reunion? Huh?" TenTen forcefully joked as she tried to lighten the atmosphere.

Sekiya played along and pretended to consider TenTen's statement. "Hmm. Well, since a fight didn't break out, I'll give it a...six. And a half."

"No. It should be a ten out of ten," Lee corrected before he explained himself. "Naruto has finally returned to us after over two years of training with Master Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin. He has probably gained invaluable experience, and I would love to spar with you someday, Naruto, to see how strong you have become."

"Heh-heh," Naruto began as he enjoyed the praise, before he continued with, "I'm sure you—and everyone here—learned lots of stuff, too. And I'd love to spar with you, too. But I'm actually supposed to meet Kakashi-sensei for...whatever he wants."

Sekiya grabbed the back of Naruto's shirt and told him, "You can meet with Kakashi-sensei later—after you buy me lunch."

"B-b-but—!"

Sekiya began to drag Naruto towards the nearest restaurant before she stopped, faced him, and solemnly said, "It's the least you can do to repay me for all the crud you left me to deal with."

Naruto gulped and responded with a reluctant, "Sure."

He remained downcast as Sekiya restarted to drag him.

"Thanks for the free meal, Teuchi—and you too, Ayame!" Naruto said in gratitude to the Ramen Ichiraku chef and his daughter.

After he'd finished two large bowls of his favorite.

Miso ramen with extra pork.

"It's the least I can do for my favorite customer," Teuchi replied.

With a wink, Ayame added, "And for his one and only sister."

Sekiya gave the joyful father and daughter duo a grin of her own.

And, after she'd placed her wooden chopsticks on top of her emptied large bowl that once contained miso ramen as well—only mildly spicy and with chicken, Sekiya told the two, "We appreciate the meals."

"Delicious as always," Naruto added before he began gulping down his glass of water.

"But we'll be glad to pay for them," Sekiya concluded.

Then she stared at her brother.

Naruto drank the remaining water much slower as he avoided Sekiya's gaze.

"No need," Teuchi assured them with a wave before he said, "Consider this a welcome-back gift."

"But—" Sekiya began.

Only for Naruto to cut her off. "But we'll pay you for the next one—with extra tips."

As Ayame picked up the emptied bowls, stacked them on top of each other, and took them to the back, Teuchi chuckled in response to Naruto's promise before he said to him, "I'll hold you to that, then."

Since he noticed Sekiya glaring at Naruto, Tenuchi told her, "And I'm sure you'll help remind him, eh?"

"Of course," Sekiya replied, her eyes still narrowed at Naruto.

Only this time, her lips formed a smirk.

Naruto laughed nervously.

Until...

"Where the h*ll have you been, Naruto?!"

Sakura's screeching voice lingered in everyone's ears.

After he'd recovered from her sudden outburst, Naruto replied in both fear and admiration. "S-Sakura!"

He took in her new look. "Y-you've changed."

She ignored his meek tone and continued with her venting. "Kakashi-sensei and I have been waiting over two hours for you to arrive! When he told me to go fetch you, I knew I'd find you here, stuffing your face."

"He needed to eat before going on a workout," Teuchi insisted lightheartedly as he came into Naruto's defense.

"And I'd asked him to join me for lunch," Sekiya spoke up.

Careful to not reveal to Teuchi that she'd forced Naruto to come here.

"I understand your frustration," said Sekiya. "But if anything, it's my fault. I'm the one who kept him, catching him up on everything that's been going on in Konoha."

"I don't blame you," Sakura assured Sekiya in a soft-spoken voice.

Before Sakura shot Naruto a lethal glare and said, "I. Blame. You."

"B-b-but Sa—owowOW!" Naruto cried out as Sakura yanked on his earlobe.

Naruto shot his sister a "saaaavvvvveeee meeeee!" look as Sekiya purposely ignored him.

"Sorry for stealing him away from you," Sakura apologetically said to Sekiya before she promised her, "But he'll be back later tonight."

And with that, Sakura hurriedly led, her fingers still yanking on Naruto's earlobe, an agonized and pleading Naruto towards the sparring grounds.

AN: Thanks for reading. I appreciate both constructive criticism and praise, please.

And for the next chapter, there will be some hint at pairings!^_^