TA-DAH!

Um what can I say? At least I updated before 2009…?

Well truth be told I could say that I've been busy but it's more than that. I've been a little stressed about college (and sometimes life in general) and sometimes when I try to type/write my stories it fails!

So yeah…that's that…

But I decided I simply had to update this sometime so here ya go. It's definitely not the best I could come with but it's something. Sorry for those who cared and if you didn't care at all than that's fine too and if you're just reading this story well…enjoy.

I do not own Naruto. I am only a humble amateur writer.

0o0o0

Sakura walked down the dirt path, her clothes slightly dusty and her heels felling sore. A strong gust of wind blew into her face. It had been windy since morning, the sky overhead a pale blue with clouds aimlessly circling within it vastness. The weather did not match her mood. She was too excited to notice and did not take it as a bad sign.

As she neared the gates she began to absentmindedly fix her hair. It had grown out, lavishly flowing down to her waist. She had always wanted to cut it again. Her long hair reminded her of her younger days, days when she had been shallower, sillier…weaker. She didn't want to be that way again, unaware that was exactly what she had receded back to.

The village gate was wide as it was large. Huge iron doors of metal, they looked forbidding to any foe, towering above the ground. This was all lost on Sakura. If the man was right, if she just kept walking, if God was finally on her side, she would see him again.

Thinking hopefully, her thoughts were suddenly cut short when a young man, about in his twenties, tall and stern, swiftly landed in front of her. Sakura was about to gasp with surprise but stopped herself. It had been so long since she was a simple Kunoichi on missions. She wasn't used to such things anymore.

The young ninja looked her up and down, not at all fazed by her eyes and hair, her most noticeable features. "Your name miss?" he asked none too friendly. He was completely different from the friendly guards at Konoha.

"My name is Huruno Sakura." Sakura answered quickly and unafraid. She dealt with the worse of men. Anything he did to her could not harm her.

The man made a face, one of slight surprise. To her own surprise he stepped in closer, inspecting her face. Sakura slightly frowned and stepped backward, wondering what was with the man's sudden interest with her. After a few seconds he asked again, "You said your name was Haruno Sakura?"

Sakura's hands tightened into fists and her eyebrows slightly pinched together. She did not understand his sudden change of tone and was beginning to feel slightly annoyed. "Yes." She replied briskly. "That is my name. I am from Konoha, Village Hidden in the Leaves, and I don't mean to sound rude but I'd like to get this over with as soon as possible."

She noticed his expression did not improve, his frown turning deeper, his face as cheerless as ever. He looked at her grimly.

"Sorry miss…that's all I needed to know…"

In a flash the scene changed. Ninja began to appear from no where, all of them dashing towards her. Sakura opened her mouth but her reaction was delayed as the ninjas' pounced on her. Before she could even strike back, one of her captors was already tying up her hands. Slowly the large iron gates began to open with a groan.

Sakura glared daggers into the guard she had been talking to. Her heart began to rush madly. "What's going on?" she barked out bravely but inside she was beginning in panic. She had heard stories of ninja playing guard and then taking up women once they reached the gate for their own sick pleasures. Nothing could hurt her. That's what she told herself. But it was all in vain; she didn't want to be hurt again.

"Don't worry Miss." He reassured her calmly. He signaled for the ninja to cease and they straightened Sakura up, only one keeping his hand on her shoulder. "But," he continued. "You have to come with us. Your Hokage from Konaha is looking for you."

Sakura's eyes widened, her head swarming. She knew Tsunade cared for her, thought of her as a granddaughter but to go as far this…Only one ninja could push her hard enough to get other villages involved. She bit her lip and thought bitterly.

'Naruto.'

0o0o0

Not even the sweet smell of her could calm him down. He quickly began to grab things off the selves. Knives,shuriken,kunai, smoke bombs, he'd need them. She looked on at his frantic movements as he moved hurriedly across the room.

He could tell he was worrying her. But after two years; two years of wondering just where the hell they could be…he finally found them.

He felt her delicate hand on his shoulder.

"Do you want to eat something before you go?" she asked. He grunted as he put on his belt and shook his head. Her hand never left.

"Are you sure?" Her voice came out shaky and she began to tremble ever so slightly. "I…I just don't you to get too worked up you know." He still didn't turn around to face her and grabbed his forehead protector instead. "I know." he answered.

Without even looking at her, he knew she was biting her lip now, worry beginning to fill her even more and more. He didn't want to break down, he didn't want fall down in front of her. So he didn't look. Still he began to falter as she said his name, sounding almost as if she were wailing.

"Oh Naruto."

Forgetting his pride and his excitement, Naruto quickly turned around and held her tight. He didn't mean to worry her but this was the day he was waiting for.

He weakly smiled. "It's okay Hinata. Everyone's going to be alright." Hinata threw him a troubled look but she trusted his word. He never lied to her.

"I just want you to come back home safely. All three of you."

"Of course." Naruto couldn't help but be amused by the stern look she was giving him. "I'm serious." she said with quiet authority and Naruto quickly kissed her lips.

"I know you are." He then ceased smiling, and in all seriousness put his hand on her soft cheek. "Hinata…"

Just when he was about to lose all hope and sanity, she came. When he had lost not only Sasuke but Sakura as well, he was just about done with friendships. He started treating everyone coldly, their concerns and their smiles no longer meaning anything to him. What was the point if everyone he cared for went away?

But Hinata was patient with him all the while. She continued to encourage him, still stood by his side and each time she gave him one her beautiful smiles, Naruto began to feel more and more in love with her.

His time with Hinata was a almost perfectly wonderful one but time and time again his mind would wander to his old team mates. They were lost, wondering souls without anyone to lean one, all alone in this world. Didn't they deserve a life like the one he led? Realizing that he was running out of time, he took his hand away and took up his pouch. He began to walk towards the door.

"Naruto…"

"I'll be back Hinata. One way or another we'll all come back home."

Hinata felt her eyes brim with tears but she refused to let them fall. "I know you will Naruto." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You always keep your word. That's your ninja way."

"That's right." He smiled and then turned to walk out the door. The day had finally come and he wouldn't fail.

0o0o0

Well now you see Naruto's point of view. I'm only semi-glad how it came out but it could have been worse. I hope you enjoyed it. I… think I'll try to update soon but I can't make any promises. Till then later!

Moomoogirl1 out (hopefully for a little while:).