Legend:

DISCLAIMER: Last episode of the manga I read had Kishimoto's name on it. So I guess that means it belongs to him. Oh bugger…

A/N: Yes, the battle scene was a bit of a massacre. NO, Naruto is not overpowered! Trust me!

A/N: I want to thank all of my reviewers for their support and their comments, particularly JH24 who has provided me with several insightful critiques, and ArmorOfGeddon who helped me with a grammatical correction with my Japanese.

Final A/N: Poll on Sasuke's fate is now CLOSED! Thank you all for voting!

"Speaking"

Thoughts / Speaking to inner demon

Sealed demon speaking / Inner personality

"Jutsu"

Chapter 6: Return of an Outcast

Tsunade was in her office issuing orders to ANBU Squad Two. "Alright team, you know the drill. Do three rings around the village, near, medium and far, then report back. Anything out of the ordinary gets reported. Dismissed."

The Tiger-masked captain replied for his team. "Hai, Hokage-sama." All four then disappeared.

Her office now empty, Tsunade leaned back with a sigh and wondered absently where Shizune might have put her saké this time. Discarding this train of thought, she pulled out Squad Two's folder to file the mission report. She liked Squad Two; most of the current ANBU had gone through the system while she was away, but these four had been genin when she returned to Konoha. It was nice to see talented young ninja working their way through the system.

She pulled out the team listings for the four-man squad and smiled fondly at the names at the top.

Inuzuka Kiba; Mask: Inu.

Akimichi Chouji; Mask: Rat.

Harano Sakura; Mask: Eagle.

Hyuuga Neji; Mask: Tiger.

Tsunade smiled briefly. Truly Konoha had raised excellent young ninja, but her greatest pride of the four was her protégé, Sakura. She had come far from her fan girl days, and had thrown herself into her studies. She was so busy training, working with her team and helping at the hospital that she still hadn't had a relationship, unless one counted the two-week stint with Rock Lee. That must have been scary…

She put the files back in the folder and decided to take a quick nap. Shizune couldn't begrudge her that, right?

The four ANBU members soared through the trees with chakra-enhanced leaps from branch to branch, scouting the area. Normally this would be a duty reserved for chuunin, but the last patrol had noticed evidence of human activity, and so they were sent, ANBU, the best of the best, to investigate.

Sakura was happy with her squad. She rarely thought about Sasuke anymore, and neither did most of the Konoha nin; it was only due to the council's insistence that he wasn't listed as a kill-on-sight missing-nin. She did, however, remember her other old teammate, and was still haunted by her final memories of him. All poor Naruto had done was try to please her, and she had shunned him for a boy who could have cared less. She still had trouble sleeping; every time she closed her eyes, she saw his pained face as she slammed her door in front of him.

The only one who refused to give her any measure of forgiveness was Hinata. The girl had been crushed when Naruto had left, and as a result had thrown herself into training with an even greater passion than Sakura had. There were only about five or six kunoichi in the village that Sakura knew were stronger than she was; Hinata sat second from the top of that list, following only Tsunade.

She often wondered if Naruto was still out there, somewhere; if he would ever come back…

Her train of thought was interrupted by a deafening explosion that knocked Neji and Chouji to the forest floor, unconscious.

Later it would be discovered that Iwa-nin had used shielded exploding tags to hide them from the Byakugan. It would be the one of the final steps toward a greater conflict, but for now, Sakura and Kiba fought for their lives.

Immediately after her teammates were taken out of the fight, the two remaining squad members were set upon by eight jounin bearing Iwa hitai-ates. She was too busy trying to defend herself to see what Kiba was doing, but the ones surrounding her…three of the Iwa jounin were female, and looked almost identical; the only difference between them seemed to be hair colour. All three were extremely fast and fought using the same bizarre style of taijutsu that involved windmilling arms and spinning kicks. The fourth was a massive mountain of a man who had excellent earth mastery; every time she managed to 

evade her close-combat attackers, boulders would launch themselves at her, mudslides would erupt from nowhere, and the earth itself would reach up to grab her.

She dodged an elbow, attempted a counter only to have her elbow kicked, launched a chakra-enforced punch at the blue-haired woman, missed by a hairs breadth, ducked under a blow from the redhead, was hit in the stomach by her green-haired assailant – and suddenly the green-haired girl froze up and began to fall off the branch she was standing on. A singed Neji hit her again in the spine, and she crumpled.

Sakura and Neji stood back to back, waiting as the three opponents circled them. Both knew that Neji had only taken out the first so easily because she was taken by surprise; the others wouldn't be a pushover. Out of the corner of her eye, Sakura saw Kiba and Chouji in a similar predicament. At least they're alive…

Suddenly a massive gout of flame appeared, blasting the Doton user into a tree. He fell and didn't move. Sakura was looking around, trying to spot the rescue party, when one of her assailants, the blue-haired young woman, yelled.

"Oni Squad! Retreat!"

It was to be the last time she ever spoke; the next fireball hit her and left nothing but a bit of ash and some carbonized metal. The five remaining Iwa-nin began to run, but none made it far. The first to fall, a cloaked and hooded fellow, was ensnared in a massive whirlwind. The air gusted with such ferocity that sticks, rocks and other nearby debris were sucked in along with the helpless nin; he was pummelled mercilessly and went limp, bleeding from a multitude of small injuries. The remaining four redoubled their efforts, but a massive water dragon appeared from nowhere and engulfed them. The redheaded taijutsu specialist managed to batter her way out of the gaping maw, but the other three were still inside when a spiralling torrent of air whipped its way around the dragon, freezing it solid and crushing the ninja inside. The final kunoichi began making the necessary hand signs for a Shunshin, but stopped, horror-stricken. Sakura looked down to see that her hands had been cut off, just before she was beheaded and fell to the ground, her body still twitching.

She knew they were unable to fight off this new force. They probably could have beaten the eight rock nin; the jounin weren't anything special, but after seeing all of them taken apart like that…

Her fears were alleviated when four sand ninja appeared on a nearby branch, all wearing bizarre ANBU masks. The first three each had the same stylized design (1), differing only in colour, while the fourth…was something else. Easily six feet tall, he was clad in black shinobi pants, a full length mesh shirt over a grey "wifebeater" shirt that did nothing to hide well-defined muscles, steel-bottomed getas, and for decoration, a patch of red embroidery on his left shoulder; she was too far away to see what it depicted. Two hilts stuck out from over his right shoulder, and his mask, instead of the default ANBU white, was black with a snarling wolf in red. Spiky golden hair with red highlights covered the rest of his head. Wow…I wouldn't mind getting to know this guy.

After tearing her eyes off of the divine male specimen in front of her (and thanking Kami for the eagle mask that hid her blush) she noticed a rather familiar hairstyle worn by one of the team's two kunoichi, the one with the white-and-green mask. "Temari? Is that you?"

The kunoichi in question gave a little wave. "It is. Hello, Sakura; seems you still can't take care of yourself very well."

Sakura suppressed a wince. Even now, Temari still teased her about how useless she was in that first chuunin exam when the two had met. Temari was also one of the people who hadn't fully forgiven her for her treatment of Naruto.

She decided to respond diplomatically. "Well, I'm grateful you happened to be in the area; we were –"

Neji cut in at this point; re-asserting himself as team leader. "Yes, it is appreciated. Please state your reasons for coming to Konoha."

"We're delivering letters of correspondence between Kazekage-sama and your Hokage, and will also be observing your academy and its teachers." This came in a deep yet somehow musical voice, tinged with a bit of humour. Sakura looked for the source, and sure enough, it was that gorgeous red-blonde squad leader.

The wolf-masked shinobi continued. "The Hokage has already approved the second part of our mission. I assume that your squad was the escort sent out to meet us?"

"Hardly. Our mission details are classified." Neji delivered in a rather clipped tone, no doubt annoyed at being thought a mere escort.

Inner Sakura raged. Neji! Don't piss off Ookami-kun! He'll kick your ass!(2)

"Of course. Nevertheless, you are here, and whatever poor chuunin Konoha sent out to meet us is late. We can simply enter Konohagakure with you," the wolf ANBU informed them, still with that slight hint of humour in his voice.

Neji clearly hesitated, but he couldn't refuse them; it would be a slight not only on the four allied ninja but also on Sunagakure. Besides, he can be a bit of a stuck-up prick, but he's a decent guy once you get to know him…

The trip to Konoha was mostly silent. Neji was in the lead, slightly ahead of everyone else; it was obvious to Sakura that he was still grumpy over being thought an escort. Kiba and Chouji were to the left of their little group, chatting quietly about nothing in particular, and she was with the four Suna ninja.

She had made several attempts to engage the wolf-masked leader in conversation, to no avail; any questions were replied with single-word answers, and he didn't bother to say anything else. Sakura could have sworn she heard Temari laughing at her, but by the time she looked around, her fellow 

kunoichi was perfectly composed. The final two members of the Suna team, a male and female, were together, and perhaps closer than mere teammate status afforded.

They arrived back in record time due to the blistering pace set by Neji. The blonde wolf then thanked him for the escort. "Arigatou, Tora-san (3). We appreciate your escort, as unexpected as it was, and I will mention it to Hokage-san to ensure you receive payment for both missions."

Neji was somewhat mollified by this; as a Branch member, he was hardly rich. "Sayounara, Ookami-san."

All four Suna ninja then used Shunshin to disappear; the turquoise- and red-masked ninja with swirling flames marking their departure, while Temari and the captain simply vanished into thin air.

Kiba whistled appreciatively. "Fuuton: Shunshin; nice. That's supposed to be really tricky."

It was, as far as Sakura knew. It was the only variant of the technique that actually required elemental chakra; the others could all be performed without it. That Temari was a wind-mistress was no big surprise, but it was an interesting thing to learn about the wolf-masked captain. I always thought wind-element jutsus were cool. So very true. Now if you could just figure out what his name is…

Tsunade woke up with a start as four ninja appeared in her office. Her first impulse was to flatten the lot of them for disturbing her nap, but then she noticed the Suna hitai-ates. It wouldn't do to assault the Kazekage's shinobi…

"State your business in Konoha."

The leader with the red-on-black wolf mask responded. "Kuroi-taichou and squad, here for mission C-291."

ANBU? Here for a C-rank? Is Gaara out of chuunin? And why does that voice sound familiar? I've never heard it before; never seen this guy before either. He sounds so emotionless…

She quickly found the correct mission-detail scroll, and scanned over its contents. "Very well. Accommodations are ready in our barracks; speak to the secretary outside for directions."

"That won't be necessary, Hokage-dono. We know where it is located.

Finally, some emotion; there was a hint of humour in that. Now it really sounds familiar…who is he?

"That will be all, then. Dismissed."

"Hai, Hokage-dono."

Grr, this is annoying…I'm sure I know him…

"Wait a moment, Kuroi."

The four ninja paused.

"The rest of you go on; your captain will catch up with you in a few seconds."

After glancing to Kuroi and receiving his nod of approval, the three departed.

Tsunade had to know. "Kuroi-taichou…what is your real name?"

He seemed surprised, then warily answered her. "That is classified, Hokage-dono."

"Very well. I order you to tell me your full and true name."

He was shocked by this, and rightly so. "You would use the law for this?"

"I would."

Suna and Konoha had an agreement in place; no more than once every two weeks, the leader of one village could order one ninja from the other village provided the order did not conflict with any other directives given by the ninja's home village. It had only been used twice before, and Tsunade had just invoked it again.

"Why do you ask me this?"

"Because I wish to know. Now answer me. What is your true name?"

He looked around, seemingly scanning the walls for loophole. Finding none, he slumped slightly, even that meagre hope taken from him. Defeated, he reached up and began to remove his mask. When it was undone, he held it in place, keeping his face from sight. "I want your word that you will not order any hostile action against Sunagakure as a result of this."

At her confused nod, he sighed, and lowered his head. The mask came off, but his face was still obscured by his long red-blonde hair. His head came up, and she gasped. She knew this face. There were some changes; his whisker marks were gone, and his pupils were slits surrounded by blue instead of the former circles. But she knew who it was beyond any shadow of a doubt.

"My full and true name is Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto stared defiantly at the wide-eyed Hokage, mentally daring her to do her worst. He had once thought of her as a mother figure, but that had changed the day she sent a team of assassins after him. It didn't help that he'd seen a Konoha bingo book with himself in it, however outdated the picture and description were. So he was completely surprised when she leaped clear over the desk not to attack him, but to hug him.

"Hokage-dono, what are you doing?"

Her tear-streaked gaze met his. She's crying? What the hell… "I thought you were dead! I sent an ANBU retrieval team after you, and –"

He cut in angrily. "Yeah, to kill me! Your so-called retrieval team ambushed me three hours from Konoha! I survived purely by luck!"

She shook her head, though. "The team I sent was discovered less than an hour from the village. They had been attacked from behind. I thought whoever sent them would have tried to kill you as well."

Naruto wasn't about to forgive and forget, though. "And the Bingo Book? B-rank missing-nin, alive or dead bounty?! Explain that one, baa-chan!" His old nickname for her was now used mockingly.

She couldn't meet his eyes. "I tried, kid, I really did. Remember Danzo? He waited until all of the council members who would have supported you were out of the village, then got a unanimous vote to give you missing-nin status. When the council is unanimous, there isn't anything I can do."

A small smile returned, though, and she pulled out a current Konoha bingo book for him to flip through.

"I'm not in here. What, are you telling people I've been killed off?"

"Do you think so little of me? I had Shikaku go over the old laws; he found a loophole, something dating back to the Shodaime's time. Even if the council makes a unanimous decision, if at a later date at least two council members side with the Hokage against the council that earlier unanimous decision is rendered null and void. I got you out of the bingo book, Naruto."

He was still staring at her. Oh right; Naruto never was the sharpest tool in the shed. Better explain in simple terms. "Basically what happened is –"

"I understand, Hokage-dono. Thank you. It really is appreciated."

"R-really? You followed me through that?"

He smirked sardonically. "I'm hardly the idiot I portrayed myself to be. Let's face it, if Konoha had thought I was smart enough to be a threat, they would have killed me off without a second thought. If I was an idiot, though…well, I'd be a perfect scapegoat, but nothing worthy of much fear or attention."

Tsunade could hardly believe her ears. "You mean…all this time, you've been dumbing yourself down?"

"Essentially, yes. It's not like I had much of a choice…"

Flashback Begin

Eight-year-old Naruto was starting his first day at the ninja academy. He was really excited; being a ninja would be so cool! He picked a spot at the front of the class and sat, attentively waiting for the instructors to arrive, chatting happily with the students on either side of him.

A young man with jet-black hair and a chuunin vest walked in. He introduced himself, and then passed out textbooks. Somehow, Naruto never got one while the rest of the class did.

"Sensei, I didn't get a textbook. Please could you –"

"I don't tolerate that kind of behaviour! Get out!"

"But –"

"OUT! NOW!"

Naruto got up and walked sadly to the door. He didn't even know what he'd done.

"Sit out in the hall."

"Yes, sensei."

Before he shut the door behind himself, he heard the instructor beginning to talk. "Who can tell me what chakra is? Anyone? Ok, you, in the red…"

Fast Forward

Naruto had just finished his first year at the academy. Despite the teacher's best efforts, he had managed – with a little help – to learn all of the assigned material, and then some. He sat down to write the test.

Wow, this is really easy.

He finished quickly, well before any of the other students. The boy on his right was still puzzling over the second question, while the other boy on his left was doing only slightly better. He got up and turned his paper in.

"I'm done, sensei!"

"W-what is this?!"

"What do you mean, sensei?"

"You blatantly cheated off of Sanzu!"

"No, I didn't! How could I cheat off of anyone? I'm the first one done!"

"You lie!"

The man ripped Naruto's paper into pieces, and then threw it in the garbage. "You will stay here after school for your punishment for cheating."

Naruto didn't argue; he'd learned the hard way that arguing with sensei never helped him, especially when he hadn't done anything wrong in the first place.

"Yes, sensei."

Fast Forward

The second year went much like the first, and Naruto came to a decision. Since they hated him when he did things right, he should try doing things wrong…maybe then they would leave him alone.

It seemed to work. He was still sent outside during the more important lectures, but he could easily work around that in his spare time. No more was he dragged in front of the class to be beaten for 'contempt' or 'cheating' or any of the other myriad excuses they had used. Of course, the majority of his classmates' attitude towards him worsened, but that wasn't a big deal; their parents hated him, it was only a matter of time. He consoled himself with the knowledge that he worked harder than any of them.

Fast Forward

The third year improved slightly. He had two teachers now; and one of them, Iruka, wasn't prone to tossing him out of the class whenever something important was being taught. With this new, unbiased instructor he learned at an even greater rate, but was still careful to hide his intelligence. The other instructor, Mizuki, obviously hated him, and he had found that the citizens were less likely to attack him if he appeared to be an idiot.

Fast Forward

The fourth year had a major problem. He was told to learn the Bunshin no Jutsu, a simple, intangible clone of no real combat use. The problem was that he was unable to create one. He had found out long ago that his chakra levels were far superior to his classmates, almost all genin and even most chuunin, while his control was still at a med-genin level. The Bunshin no Jutsu, however, required that the user have a high control to strength ratio, something he didn't have. When he discovered this was on the final exam, for the first time, he realized that he might not be able to pass regardless of what the instructors did or didn't do to him.

He failed the test. It hurt, but he was hardly surprised. It came as a bit of a shock, though, when Mizuki came to him and presented him with an alternate method of passing. Prepared to give the man the benefit of the doubt, Naruto succeeded in stealing the Scroll of Sealing and quickly memorized the Kage Bunshin technique as well as some of the other jutsus listed in the Forbidden Scroll. Knowing that an "idiot" would have a hard enough time learning one, he decided on the Kage Bunshin as the one to show the world, while committing the others to memory for practicing on his own.

It was at this point that he was betrayed by Mizuki. Iruka showed up, proving his integrity when he tried to protect Naruto, but he ultimately failed. Naruto knew the pitiful academy jutsus were useless against Mizuki, and he was unwilling to use his privately learned techniques unless he had to. That left his new Kage Bunshin. He quickly overwhelmed the chuunin with sheer weight of numbers, and he realized something interesting about the new technique – he remembered every blow he had hit Mizuki with. This could prove invaluable in training. He had to test the limits of this later…

Fast Forward

His time on team seven was a joke. They did pathetic D-rank missions, little things that he could finish in minutes with his Kage Bunshin. That would annoy Kakashi-sensei, though, as it would be "showing off," something only the 'mighty Uchiha' was permitted to do. Even more to his distaste than being placed with the stuck-up Uchiha avenger was 'dear Sakura-chan.' Early in his idiot period, he had established a 'crush' on her to complete his persona. Now, she was hopelessly obsessed with the Uchiha asshole, and immensely enjoyed hitting him, insulting him, and generally making his life miserable, all because she knew he would never fight back. And finally Kakashi. He was nice enough, but all the man ever taught him was the tree-walking exercise; while a useful chakra control training tool and a potentially useful combat advantage, it was nothing compared to the massive arsenal of jutsus the man could have imparted – and did impart, to the Uchiha anyway.

Over time, it mellowed out. While Sakura continued to be a bitch, Sasuke became a bit less moody, a bit more open and friendly (relatively speaking). It was a better existence than running for his life, and for that, he was grateful.

Until Sasuke decided he was bored with the village that worshiped the very ground he walked on, and took off to find Orochimaru. Naruto, unwilling to let even this semi-friendly acquaintance be used to house the soul of such a horrible man, was one of the first to volunteer to retrieve Sasuke, even though he knew an ANBU team would be the ones to bring Sasuke back. For some reason, though, a group of genin, led by a chuunin Shikimaru, was sent against the jounin Sound Four and Kimimaro. Sakura, despite her loud professions of love for the avenger, decided to stay in Konoha due to the ever-so-serious (insert sarcasm here) neck injury given to her by the self-same avenger.

They fought their way through, somehow, and Naruto ended up in a one-on-one duel with Sasuke in an effort to make him see reason. Unwilling to kill Sasuke, he eventually threw the duel, merely scoring the Uchiha's hitai-ate instead of aiming for a fatal blow.

He watched as his teammate wandered off into oblivion, and eventually staggered back home, bleeding from multiple wounds. Without Kyuubi's healing factor, he never would have survived.

He made it back home – and was set upon by a mob, the leaders of which having cleverly decided that it was Naruto's fault their precious Uchiha had left. They managed to catch and beat him before he escaped, as he was still unwilling to harm civilians. His older wounds re-opened and newer ones still bleeding, he happened across his other teammate's house. Hoping that she would, at the very least, provide him with shelter from his assailants, he knocked.

Flashback End

"And the rest, as they say, is history. That answer a few questions, Tsunade?"

She was happy to hear him refer to her a little more familiarly. "Yes, it does. And I am going to personally execute your old teachers – Iruka excepted, of course – as well as the masterminds behind each mob, and –"

"Look, Tsunade, it's not important anymore. I won't have to deal with them again."

She blinked. Then blinked again, slower this time. "Naruto…I don't really think they've changed their opinions. When you move back here –"

"Tsunade…I'm not staying here."

"Of course you are, don't be silly. Konoha is your home."

His eyes flashed. "Sunagakure is home. Konoha may have been where I lived, but I never had a home here."

"But – Naruto, please, you're being unreasonable."

"Excuse me? You now know a fraction of what I went through. It would take years to sum up every hateful stare, every rock thrown, every sadistic trick played on me, and everything else I was subjected to here. I live in Suna. I'm appreciated in Suna. You know what? I'm loved in Suna! I'm a local hero! The biggest threats I faced in Suna were getting raped by crazed fangirls and Jiraiya kicking my ass when I slack off after–"

He realized exactly what he'd given away. Tsunade sat back with a satisfied smirk. "So that's where the old perv was hiding. I figured he was with you after you mentioned your family name; he's one of the few who knew Minato was your father."

"Hey! He may be an old perv, but that's my godfather you're badmouthing, and he took seven years of his life and devoted them to me. Give the man some measure of respect; he deserves that much."

"…Yeah, I suppose he does. Is he still alive?"

"Huh? What kind of question is that? Of course he's still alive! The old guy should be here in a few days, actually…he had a few errands to run first."

Tsunade smiled, a genuine smile. "It'll be good to see him again. Life hasn't been the same without that hellraiser around."

Naruto laughed at this. "He's a good guy, really…just a little crazy in some ways."

Tsunade nodded. "Quick question…what was this about you having fangirls all of a sudden?"

Naruto grimaced. "Dammit. Never should have mentioned that…"

"But you did mention that. Spill."

"Well…I'm rather…popular. Especially with the Suna kunoichi and civilian women."

"You'd better not be turning into a perv like your godfather…" Tsunade let the threat remain unspoken.

Naruto snorted at this. "You really have no idea what you're talking about. A pervert would be in heaven. I'm practically beating them off with a stick."

Tsunade quickly scanned him, then winked. "Yep, you are one fine piece of shinobi."

He recoiled. "Dear god, baa-chan, never say that to me again!"

She just laughed.

"I'm serious! I'm 19, and you're, like, really old!"

Her laughter died, to be replaced by a menacing expression. "I'm what?"

His tanned face went pale. "Umm…yeah, so, my squad's probably wondering where the hell I am…see you around, baa-chan."

He leaped out the window, evading her fist by less than an inch.

"Namikaze Naruto, get your ass back here!"

"Not a chance! You already used your one command on me! Later, old woman!"

"Naruto!"

Hinata was walking back to her clan compound when she heard it.

"Naruto!"

The voice came from Hokage Tower, and sounded an awful lot like an angry Tsunade. She remembered how close the two blondes were before Naruto…left…and the Hokage would probably be one of the first people he would try to see. Maybe…just maybe…he's back.

Completely forgetting her current task, she took off towards the Tower with a speed that would impress Maito Gai.

Sakura turned around to find the team from Suna standing at the door to the ANBU barracks. "Umm…can I help you guys?"

Temari answered her. "Yeah, actually…there should be two rooms prepped for us. If you can direct us to those?"

"Yeah, sure. Two rooms, each with two sleeping cots. Bathrooms are communal, I'm afraid, but there's a good number of them for the number of ninja currently staying here. Kitchen and mess hall are down the east hallway."

The group arrived at the reserved rooms, but instead of the two males going in one while the two females took the other, Temari walked into the west room with Ookami – her Ookami-kun! – while the other two, who she had seen rather close together already, took the east room.

Trying to hide her disappointment, Sakura followed Temari and Ookami into the west room.

"Umm…is it the best idea to put them together? People will be trying to sleep, so…" Sakura trailed off. Oh no. What if Ookami-kun and Temari…no!

Ookami and Temari looked at each other, then burst out laughing. Kami, even his laugh is sexy. Why does Temari get this drop dead gorgeous guy?

Temari answered her. "Yeah…about that…Nariko and Hiro are twins. I don't see that being a problem. And to answer your unspoken question, me and the big guy here" – she patted Ookami on the stomach – "are practically siblings as well. We – meaning my brothers and I – kind of adopted him. So don't worry yourself."

Inner Sakura was doing a victory dance. He's not taken! We think, anyway…

"So…umm, big guy…" she laughed, "mind telling me what your name is?"

"Actually, I do mind. Sorry."

Ouch. What's his problem?

"Hey, who's the new guy?"

Sakura turned to find Shikimaru and his squad peering in the doorway. Lee, Tenten and Shino waited expectantly…well, that is, Tenten and Shino waited, while Lee twitched. Supposedly Shikimaru made him go a day without training every time he uttered something about "youthfulness" or anything affiliated; for Lee, this was probably the worst punishment possible.

"Sakura? Wanna fill us in?"

"Eh? Oh, yeah. We're hosting a Suna ANBU team for a little while; they're going to be doing something with the academy. Guys, you all remember Temari, and this is…Ookami, who hasn't yet graced us with his name yet." This comment was delivered with a bit of a glare. The effect was largely spoiled by her blush, and although he never moved, Sakura got the distinct impression that Ookami was laughing.

"It's not Ookami."

Hey, do we finally get to put a name to this…this god among men?

"Please call me Kuroi. Members of Team Oni use colours as their callsigns."

Damn… Tell me about it.

Lee piped up enthusiastically. "Kuroi-san! It is very…it is…it can be..gah! We would appreciate knowing your name, Kuroi-san!"

Wow. Shikimaru really did beat "youthfulness" out of him…mostly.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

"But, Kuroi-san…"

Lee stopped as Kuroi stretched, reaching his arms for the ceiling. At the same time, his chakra, tightly suppressed before, spilled out of him. It reminded Sakura vaguely of killing intent, but there was no malice in this. He was simply stretching his tenketsu as well as his muscles. Holy shit, he's strong… I don't have a tenth of that, and this is just him stretching? I knew he was tough, but…this is unreal! Wow…

"Please. I'm tired from a long trip, and would like to rest. If you would excuse me…"

Reluctantly the five Konoha ninja left the room. Before Kuroi could shut the door, someone new came rushing in and kicked it all the way open.

"Is it true?!"

Sakura looked with astonishment at Hinata, for indeed it was her, slightly out of breath, staring at Kuroi with blistering intensity.

"Is what true?" came Kuroi's reply.

Instead of answering him, Hinata grabbed his mask and pulled it off his head.

Uzumaki Naruto stared back at his old friends. "Uh…hey. Long time no see?"

Hinata stared at Naruto. Some small part of her brain registered the exclamations of her friends, a dumbstruck Sakura, and a worried Temari. She ignored all of it, and simply focused on his face. Naruto was back. Naruto was here. And she had absolutely no idea what to say to him.

The small part of her brain that was still conscious of everything not Naruto picked up Shikimaru's comment. "So, Uzumaki Naruto finally returns to Konoha. What took so long? You get lost?"

Naruto gave a small smile. "Actually, it's Namikaze Naruto now."

Time seemed to stop for Hinata. Why did his name change? Why? Oh Kami…he married into a clan! He's married!

Everyone stared as Hinata made hurried excuses as to why she had to leave, none of which made much sense. She backed away, still making excuses, then turned and ran.

"Namikaze?"

"Why the name switch?"

"Why does that sound familiar?"

It was Shikimaru who figured it out. "Naruto…you're related to the Fourth, aren't you?"

The blonde nodded. "Yeah. Turns out he was my father. Small world, huh?"

Yeah, I'm an asshole. I brought poor Hinata's hopes up only to crush them again. Please forgive me! Besides, she isn't really crushed, she just misunderstood a bit of the conversation!

And I gave you a longer chapter than normal. An extra two thousand words!

No poll this time.

One final point: to my fellow Sakura bash-ists, it will seem that I was uncommonly nice to her this chapter. That's because I was! Don't worry though, for it is all a part of my grand master plan. Fear not!

(1)Another bit of my fic that was inspired by Bleach; the mask is basically Ichigo's hollow mask, without the teeth. It looks badass.

(2)Ookami: Wolf

(3)Tora: Tiger (also the name of the Fire Daimyo's wife's cat…lol)

Alrighty. Remember that the number of reviews I obtain is inversely proportional to the wait time between updates, and directly proportional to the length of said updates, decreasing the period and increasing the amplitude of the linear wave function that is my writing.

And to think I only passed math by a meagre four percent...figures. I spend twice as long on calculus as I do on all my other courses combined, and I get a D in calc and nothing lower than a B+ everything else, with my highest mark being a 93 percent A+ in Inorganic Chemistry. Damned math prof can rot in hell.

Oo

Well now, with that little bit of happiness out of the way, please review! I beg you! And if you understood my random math jargon you will understand that you get a quicker, longer, better update if I get lots of reviews! And everyone wants that, right?