A/N: Ahem people, if i could, i would've put this chappie up in the morning, but alas, i got sick... well in the US when i get this chapter up, it should b around noon anyway, but here in Indonesia it's midnite already... sigh, i'm tired... also i wanted to put two chapters at the same time but decided not to anyway... It's gonna be too troublesome P ahem... So yeah, thanks for your patience for a whole month, n oh yeah, altho i ain't christian and it's still faraway, but merry christmas to those who celebrate it E

Diclaimer: NARUTO equal Kishimoto Masashi, DreamReality equal Uncle T.


Chapter III- We Meet Again

Temari has been standing near the gate waiting for Suna's VIP guests, namely Jiraiya and Naruto. Her heart was beating faster by the minute but she couldn't do anything about it. She gazed below to the ground and then looked up, glancing toward the gate 's corridor.

"Mou… How long do they wish to make me wait?" she told herself impatiently.

"Hmm… Why do I feel so nervous? It's not like I'm waiting for someone really special to me… I think… I mean, it's only Naruto and old leech Jiraiya… but… why do I feel like I want… to see him? Aaaah!! I don't understand!"

A few moments later, two figures appeared on the horizon. Suna guards reported to Temari about their arrival which made the blonde kunoichi to jump slightly, her cheeks turning pink. She nodded and headed toward the gate.

"Jiraiya-sama, welcome. We've received your message and I, Sabaku no Temari is at your service." The sand kunoichi bowed politely, she tried to avoid looking at the other guest.

"Areh? Temari? Ne, Ero-sennin! What's going on here? You didn't tell me anything about this on our way here!" a retort cut through and made Temari to unwillingly look at the source of that voice, her cheeks turning a tad of pink once again.

"Naruto…"Temari thought silently, her face still flushed.

"I didn't? Oh well, it doesn't matter now anyway… Well then, Temari-san… We'll be under your care for this whole month." The white-haired Sannin smiled leaving Naruto stunned and Temari rather indifferent.

"Yes. Please come this way, we've prepared a room for you." Before Temari turned around she stole a glance toward Naruto for a second, but the blond genin didn't seem to notice.

"Ero-sennin…" Naruto tugged Jiraiya, his eyes showed a hint of irritation.

"What?"

"You'd better explain to me everything, and I mean EVERYTHING!"

"Yes… Yes… it's not like it matters much whether I explain or not… you still want your training, don't you? So shut up and just follow me… Geez, brats these days, no patience whatsoever…"

"Tch, fine… but I expect you to be serious about it, because I am…" Naruto said warningly.

"Fine, fine, let's just get some rest first, okay? I'm beat…"

Jiraiya and Naruto kept walking for a few more minutes in silence while they were being escorted by three Suna chuunin and Temari.

When they arrived, Temari spoke again, "Well, here you are Jiraiya-sama… Naruto. If you need anything, just call me or use these chuunins, they are at your disposition. Also, Kazekage-sama kindly invites you to join him in dinner tonight. I shall come and pick you up at 7. Then if you permit, I shall take my leave. Rest well."

After Temari bowed and quickly closed the door, she ordered the 3 chuunin escorts to scram and return later and then she leaned back against the door. She could still feel her heart pounding, her face flushed and her body was shaking as well.

"Mou! Why can't I even look at him on the face? Why did I feel so nervous around him? Mattaku! This isn't like me at all!" with that said she finally went about her way, still feeling flustered.

"… Ne, Ero-sennin… Why was Temari acting like that? I mean, it's only you and me right? It's not like she doesn't know us, also it's not like we're VIP right?"

"Well, one thing for sure, YOU are NOT important AT ALL, but I AM. And because of the fact that I AM a VIP, she's got to act like that, it's politics… you don't want to know further… at least for now…" Jiraiya explained, putting strong emphasis on some words.

"Hmm… that's weird… I don't know why but, for some reason… I think that… she's been trying to avoid my regard…" Naruto said sadly.

"You're just imagining it, Naruto… Well, just get some rest now and be ready for dinner tonight, alright? I'm going to sleep for a bit… Wake me up at 6.30…" with that said the white-haired Sennin went to sleep and snored like there's no tomorrow.

"… Stupid perverted old man…" Naruto said in irritation.

Meanwhile in Konoha; inside a Yakiniku restaurant sat Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Neji, and Lee. Akamaru was waiting outside because the restaurant prohibited pets inside.

"… Mind telling us why you gathered us here, Shikamaru?"

"Yeah, Neji's right. And this better be fast 'coz I sure can't let Akamaru wait outside for too long!"

"Calm down, geez… it's already too troublesome to gather you guys here… It's even more troublesome to make you guys shut up and let me do the talking…"

"Yeah, just let Shikamaru do the talking while we just listen and eat… Look! The meat's cooked already… itadakimasu!"

"…"

"So what is it, Shikamaru-kun? The Spring Time of Youth does not wait! Let us start already!"

"Yes, yes..."

A few seconds of silence reined at the table where they sat before Shikamaru opened his mouth to talk.

"Well, I gathered you here to discuss about Naruto…"

All eyes stared at Shikamaru, but the lazy shinobi remained calm, he was expecting it.

"What about him?" the beast master asked, sounded slightly angry.

"… What do you think?" Shikamaru asked back questioningly.

"What do you mean what do I think?! You're the one who asked me!"

"Yeah, what do you think of him? A fiend? A liar? Or… A friend?" The strategy genius shot back at the beast master, who jumped a little.

"W-what?! I…"

"You don't know. Your past memories conflict with your current memories which make your mind confused."

"… I see where you're getting at…" the Hyuuga prodigy crossed his arms and closed his eyes; the others were confused except for Shino.

"What do you mean, Neji?" the self-proclaimed green beast asked.

"It's just my theory but… I'm guessing Shikamaru thinks if we have been somewhat deceived concerning the truth about Naruto… Or am I wrong, Shikamaru?"

The brown-haired shinobi smiled slightly and pointed a finger at Neji, "Bang, exactly my thoughts, Neji… as expected from a Hyuuga… bright as always…" Neji just shrugged.

"Deceived? What do you mean deceived?! Don't you remember that time? Naruto was…" Kiba shouted but stopped midway.

"Exactly, Kiba… he was not Naruto… well, not the Naruto that we knew at least."

"As impressive your theory may be, Shikamaru… but do you have at least a proof or anything? Because clearly, theory alone won't be enough to convince me… although I personally do prefer your theory to be true…" The bug master spoke.

"I know what you mean, Shino. I don't have any proof with me, but I may know one witness…" the chuunin genius said confidently.

"A witness… you say? But… the only person that time was…" Lee asked outraged while Chouji stopped eating his meat, Shino and Neji stayed indifferent and Kiba confused.

"Yes. Haruno Sakura"

Back in Suna, it's already a quarter past six and Naruto was lying on his bed. He still couldn't sleep, instead, his mind was filled with thoughts of his near future. Ever since he left Konoha to pursue a Sennin path, Naruto couldn't reminisce anymore.

"… if I successfully become a Sennin… my whole life will change… but will they? Even by being a Sennin I still can't see my future… Am I making another mistake now? Feh, so much for being Konoha's number 1 most unpredictable ninja…"Naruto stopped his thoughts for a second, "Ninja? Huh… what the hell am I talking about? I'm not a ninja anymore… I'm… right now I'm… nothing…"

A knock shook Naruto out from his thoughts,"Who might that be?" he thought but answered the knock nonetheless. "Yes?"

"Excuse me, Ji… Ah…" Temari's eyes shot wide when she saw Naruto sitting on his bed not wearing his forehead protector and without his jumpsuit or his shirt covering his top half. The view made her to blush but Naruto didn't notice and stayed silent for awhile. "Ah... s-sorry… I-I thought Jiraiya-sama was awake already… um…"

"Aah, Ero-sennin? Wait, I'll wake him up for yo-…" Naruto couldn't finish his sentence as he got cut off by Temari, "No! I-I mean… um… it's- it's not necessary, I just w-wanted to tell you to get ready b-because it's dinner time soon… and uh…"

Now Naruto noticed how red her face was and was about to ask her if she's alright when Jiraiya woke up, "Hn? What is it?" he rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"Ah, Ero-sennin… Go get yourself ready… Temari-san's here to pick us up…"

"S-sumimasen!"

"Ha? What are you apologizing for?" Naruto asked confused.

"Hn?"Jiraiya thought as he looked at Temari's red face.

"A-Ah… n-nothing… I-I'd better wait outside…" Temari rushed outside with a red face and closed the door behind her with a slam.

After she closed the door, Jiraiya took a look at himself then at Naruto who was oblivious to whatever just happened."I see" the Gama Sennin smirked and went to the bathroom leaving the blond-haired boy even more confused.

A few moments later, Naruto and Jiraiya met with the Kazekage.

"Ga… Ah… Kazekage-sama…" Naruto tried to cover his excitement for meeting his red-haired friend.

"Naruto… You don't have to act so formal around me. How are you, my friend?" Gaara replied and formed what seemed like a smile at Naruto.

For a moment, Naruto felt calmness and relief. It felt as if he has found his refuge. The past few months had been hard for the cheerful genin, however, when he realized that faraway from his village, there are still people who cared for him, he felt really happy. Gaara still cared for him. He was still considering Naruto as a friend.

"Yeah, I'm fine dattebayo!!" For the first time in the last few months, Naruto showed his cheerful grin that came from the bottom of his heart, Jiraiya noticed and smiled.

"Yo, Naruto… It's been a while, eh?" A brown haired man wearing all-black attire greeted Naruto, who looked confused.

"Eh? You're… uh… Who're you again?" Naruto asked, smiling sheepishly.

"What the hell?! It hasn't even been 3 months ever since and you already forgot about me?!" the puppet master said irritated.

"Naruto, that's Kankurou, I thought you met him without his puppets and face paint that time? Is he really not that recognizable without his puppets and face paint?" Temari asked sounded amused.

"Aaagh Temari-neechan! Are you suggesting that I should have permanent face paint on or something? No, rather… is it that BAD to use face paint?!"

"Not at all, Kankurou-kun! These people just don't understand the beauty of face paint!" Jiraiya cut through and put his arms on Kankurou's shoulders and started crying (A/N: Just imagine Gai and Lee scene together but with Jiraiya and Kankurou in their place, yeah… It's somewhat disturbing)

"Jiraiya-sama! I knew you would understand the beauty of face paint!" Kankurou said, crying as well.

"Kankurou!"

"Jiraiya-sama!"

And then they hugged each other with tears of happiness pouring down their cheeks while Gaara, Naruto, and Temari could only stare in complete disgust.

"Ero-sennin…" Naruto said twitching.

"Kankurou…" Gaara continued.

"That's…" Temari said twitching as well.

"Gross/Disgusting" The three said at the same time with utmost disgust.

And then dinner started. They sat across each other, the sand trio on one side, while Jiraiya and Naruto at the other side. Jiraiya sat across Gaara; Kankurou sat across no one and Temari sat across Naruto. Once again, Temari started to feel nervous, she's starting to sweat nervously and she couldn't even raised her head fearing to look at Naruto face to face.

"Well then, let us eat, shall we? Jiraiya-sama, please help yourself" Gaara commenced.

"If you say so then, ittadakimasu!" Jiraiya said as he grabbed his chopsticks to devour the food.

"Saa, Jiraiya-sama, please try this! It's a delicacy from Suna!" Kankurou offered something that has a 'very interesting' form for Jiraiya's 'kinds'.

"Hoo, and what might this be?" asked interestingly.

Kankurou stood up and walked toward the white haired Sannin. Everyone just looked up and then he whispered something to Jiraiya. The others kept on looking at them as if it became somewhat important. As Kankurou kept on whispering, Jiraiya's face started to change into his perverted façade and a perverted grin appeared on his face.

"ITTADAKIMASU! ITTADAKIMASU! ITTADAKIMAAAASU!!!" he said happily still with that grin on his face. Kankurou also started to have a perverted grin on his face.

"Kankurou, I'd wish to have a word with you later, so come to my office after dinner."

"Ah? Y-yes…" The puppet master shuddered at his younger brother's sudden request.

"My brother's the worst…" Temari slapped her head and looked away in disgust and embarrassment.

"I understand, Temari…" Naruto looked at Jiraiya and continued, "My sensei embarrasses me too…" Naruto sighed then looked up and coincidentally met with Temari's gaze.

Temari shot up steams from her ears and her face became redder than tomatoes. Her siblings didn't seem to understand her sudden behavior and just shrugged. However, Jiraiya smirked and glanced toward Naruto, "I thought so… Naruto you lucky dog, you…"

Naruto was, being who he is, wondering what might have happened to Temari. He wanted to ask her about it but decided to leave it for another time as he started to dig in as well; he hasn't been eating anything since afternoon. Dinner went fast without anymore scene and Kankurou tried to runaway as fast as he could but got caught by Gaara's sand and the latter excused himself while dragging Kankurou, fully covered in sand toward the Kazekage's office.

"T-Temari-neechan! Help me…" Kankurou pleaded but his sister ignored him completely.

At the same time inside the Hokage tower, the busty Godaime was having a problem; she was sitting, her fingers folded together and her hands holding something, "What should I do? Nawaki… Dan… please tell me… what should I do?" she kept on repeating these words as she tightened the grip of her hands.

It was a necklace, the exact same necklace that she owned and later gave to Naruto.

Rain started to fall when near a Yakiniku restaurant; a group of six people were heading somewhere, they let the rain poured on them. Their determination was serious and strong.

"Shikamaru..."

"Hn? What is it, Neji?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"... Yeah, sure..."

"If you can think of such theory... Why now? Why not a day or two after that time?Why did it take you two and a half months to tell us?"

"... Guess I've been busy... You should know yourself, no? The amount of missions we've all received since then became ten times much more than usual... So bottom line is, I've been busy yeah..."

Neji just sighed and shook his head, although he also didn't want to admit that Shikamaru was right. They did receive more solo or team missions ever since that day. The group kept on walking under the heavy rain, not caring for their wet clothes.

Meanwhile, a couple of blocks away, a figure was lying down on the cold wooden floor. A girl with pink hair and green eyes was lying down on the floor in Naruto's apartment. Tears were still fresh on her cheeks.

"Naruto… Where are you? Please forgive me…" and a few more tears made their way down, toward the cold, wooden floor.

A/N: Well there you are, I'm sorry if it looks kind of short or anything... Also I'm sorry if one of the characters' gon OOC beyond belief but 'ey, i told ya didn't I? This ain't no Naruto Shippuuden, I'm just taking their teenage forms and characters from Shippuuden... It ain't no continuation from the manga or anything, just a whole new different plot... ah shit, enough blabbering from me, I'm feelin too tired to even type correctly and i'm still sick... well, you know the drill... Holla!