Hey all!

I knows it's been ages since i updated, but thats cos I was away on a gureling expedition, and had my other stories to think about too.

However, I finally got round to this chapter, hope you guys enjoy it!

On witht he story

Chapter 4

Naruto, Kiba and Shino sat at the table, a cup of hot herbal tea nestled in each of their hands

Naruto, Kiba and Shino sat at the table, a cup of hot herbal tea nestled in each of their hands. Hinata lay on a couch, just off to the side, still out cold. Naruto glanced at her prone figure for a moment, let his eyes wander over her form, feeling blood rush to his cheeks as he realised what he was doing. Hinata lay on the couch, making few movements. Her eyes were closed, her hands lying on either side of her body, and her hair was splayed.

Naruto shook himself slightly and looked back to Kiba and Shino, who were watching him carefully. Kiba was obviously still shocked ad unsure of how exactly to react. Shino had quickly recovered from his expression of shock, and it had disappeared, and it almost seemed as if the expression had never graced his face. His face was as neutral as ever, giving away nothing, yet perceiving so much. Naruto felt nervous as Shino seemed t almost analyse his very person with his weird gaze.

"Are you just gonna sit there, or tell us something?" Kiba, asked, his impatience was evident in the tone of his voice.

Naruto chuckled, "Still the same as every, huh, dog-breath? Always straight to the point, and severely lacking in patience and finesse. Looks like you haven't changed"

"He may not have changed, but you certainly have," Shino said monotonously. "If I remember correctly, you were once worse than Kiba, but it seems as if you have reformed your character slightly. You no longer have the overwhelming need to put..." Shino paused for a moment, obviously thinking of a way to phrase what he wanted to put across, "...you foot in it. I suppose such a term would suffice to describe your previous brashness and lack of thought before acting."

"Huh, seems like you haven't changed Shino. Still as monotonous as ever, and you still even use those big-ass words that hardly anyone else understands," Naruto smiled. "But, I suppose you are correct. I have reformed slightly, but my primal ambitions, and character is still there Shino, I am sure you'll be able to see that if you look closer."

Shino nodded, as Kiba asked a question, "If you still have your old ambitions, does that mean you're still a wannabe Hokage?"

Naruto's eyes instantly darkened, and Shino caught a brief flash of pain in his eyes, as the blonde shook his head, "No Kiba. That dream died with my exile, 9 years ago. I have new ambitions, and I found new precious people to protect."

"So, do you no longer consider those that you left behind in Konoha, your precious people any longer?"

"I don't think there is anyone left in this village who would think of me in such a way, so I'm pretty sure the answer to that one is a definitive 'no'."

"I believe you may be mistaken there, Uzumaki-san," Shino said. Naruto looked up at him in surprise. "There were some who did regret your leaving. You may not know this, but you made a stronger impression on the Rookie Nine, and Team Gai, than even you could comprehend. Your actions, and the strength and drive you showed, whilst protecting us and Konoha were certainly inspirational, and rove us on to better ourselves. Even Kiba and I, on a smaller scale, were affected."

Naruto chuckled dryly, "Perhaps there may have been hope for us to form bonds before I left, but I'm willing to bet all u guys forget me within a week."

Kiba shook his head, "You dobe! You don't know anything about how you affected us. The way all of us were on that final mission, and saw you fight with everything you had to bring back the Uchiha. Even when he was a traitor, you still believed him to be worth it. I suppose Neji was one of the most affected. Ever since your match with him in the Chunin exam, he's forgotten about all that fate crap. He trains harder than an of us, except for Le and Sasuke, of course. He's put his everything into protecting Konoha, and Hinata," he said, gesturing to the sleeping girl.

Shino carried on, "Lee was spurred on to train harder by your 'youthfulness'. Team 10 train daily ever since you left. Shikamaru knew you deserved honour after your performance on his mission, and he vowed that he would train harder, in honour of you. In our own team you have affected us all, although perhaps one more than the other two."

"Yeah! Hinata's probably the one who changed the most ever since you left! She only heard from me after I got out from hospital, she went into shock, and became a recluse for almost two months," Kiba explained, a slight hint of accusation in his voice. Naruto's eyes widened, simply unable to believe that anyone in Konoha, would actually waste so much time for him. "When we finally got her out of her depressed state, it was by telling her you would not have wanted her to act like that, and she got thinking about you, and realised it was true. She made a pledge to herself, and from tat day she has remained dedicated to it. She vowed that she would fight in your memory, to protect the precious people you were forced to leave behind and to carry out your promise to Neji, to change the Hyuuga Clan. She trains as hard as Neji, and she's actually quite the Konuichi now."

Naruto was shocked, and allowed his gaze to drift to the girl who lay on his couch, his eyes softening as they perceived her form, drinking in her every feature. He was shocked that she would actually do such a thing for him. He had never talked to the girl much before he had left, but what he knew of her allowed him to know that what he was hearing was a complete reform for the once shy girl. He vowed to himself he would find more out about the lavender eyed Hyuuga before he left the village. He returned his gaze to the two other men in the room.

"You've told me about everyone, except for my own team. However, I'm guessing that there isn't much to be said about them, I pretty much know about their reactions anyway. Sakura would have forgotten about me, and instantly went to Sasuke, trying to suck up to him. She may even have been happy I was gone, so that she could get closer to Sasuke easier. And Sasuke, he would be happy that I could no longer be in the way of his progress, and would have started training instantly, huh?"

To Naruto's sh9ck, Shino shook his head, "Your thoughts on the Haruno, are in fact correct, however you have misjudged Uchiha-san completely. You may be surprised to know your exile had a huge impact on him. He woke up from a coma, four weeks after his retrieval, and with two more weeks, Jiraiya-san, and some other Fuuinjutsu users, had put enough seals over the Curse Seal to repress its affects on him. The first thing he asked for was you, much to the annoyance of the Haruno, I can assure you. When he discovered of your exile, Sasuke instantly approached the council, and expressed his outrage at your exile, emphasising the fact that without you he would be in the clutched of Orochimaru. He expressed that you were his good friend, and that he wished for charges against you to be dropped. The council refused, saying he was still affected by your misguidings and words in the battle, and his head was still addled from his coma and repressive seals." By this point Naruto's jaw was hanging wide open, and he just stared at Shino, in absolute shock.

"Sasuke retired from service ad remained in the Uchiha compound for over 3 months, completely outraged at the councils disregard for his opinion, even though he was the supposed victim. He returned to active ninja duty after a while."

"Are we actually talking about the same guy here? The guy started out as my bitter rival, then became best friend, and ended up attempting to stick a Chidori through my chest?" Shino and Kiba nodded. Naruto took a moment to quell his pounding heart, before changing the topic. "So what rank are all you guys now?"

Kiba instantly spoke, breaking his silence, "All of Team Gai are Jounins, and Neji and Lee are also special operatives for the ANBU Secret Ops department. Shikamaru's a Jounin too, but he mainly works as the strategical advisor to Hokage-sama. Ino and Chouji are both Chunin's, although they are going to be taking the Jounin exams in a month. Shino's in ANBU Recon Squad never tells us anything about them, top secret and always a lid on everything them lot. I'm working as a field Jounin, and have been part of a few squads doing frontline skirmishes with Iwa. Hinata's a Field Jounin too, but she's also a medic-nin. The Haruno's a Chunin; she'll be taking the Jounin exam with Ino and Chouji, she's also a mid-level medic-nin. And finally, there's Sasuke. Sasuke's the present ANBU Commander. After he returned from his isolation he trained under your old sensei, Hatake Kakashi, for two years, before taking the Chunin exams and winning them. He then trained under the Copy-nin for another two years, before finally finishing his apprenticeship to the man. Afterwards he trained by himself, and rose p the ranks, to his current position. He is considered by many to be stronger than the Hokage, and perhaps even the strongest in the village. I've worked on a couple of missions with him, he's good," Kiba finished.

Naruto smirked, "I knew Sasuke wouldn't disappoint me, otherwise he would've been a pretty rubbish rival for me, huh? He may be the strongest in Konoha up till now, but now I'm back on the scene, I think it's time to show him who's boss, don't you?" Naruto asked, flashing the two boys a foxy grin. Kiba grinned madly at him, while Shino gave him a barely perceptible nod.

Sorry if that was boring for you guys, but it was necessary to update Naruto ont he happenings in town while he was away.

I bet u lot were surprised about Sasuke, huh? Most of you thought I'd give him severe bashing in the reviews, but I went for another option. Hopefully you find it interesting.

Review, and please give me jutsu ideas!!

Satansrogue