Disclaimer: Disclaiming Style: Disclaimer no Jutsu! I do not own Naruto…sorry, I had to do it at least once…
Chap. 8: Memories and Reunions
(Naruto's P.O.V)
I opened my eyes and saw the familiar faces of Choji and Shikamaru.
"Geez, we thought you were in a coma." Choji said as he gave me a hand and lifted me up from the ground.
"Yeah, sorry about that…I'm a heavy sleeper." I laughed, "So, what's up?"
Shikamaru frowned, "We have that required visit to the academy to teach the students about techniques and battle combat…" he sighed, "Choji and I were going to ask Kiba to come with, but he was suddenly 'too busy' with the with his family's dogs to help…and being that you are now an official Jonin of Konoha, we're asking you to come with."
"Yeah, and when we asked Ino, she said she and Sakura had some special classes to teach the kunoichi Chunin today…" Choji added.
"Wait, let me guess the class…how to seduce the male gender into a false sense of security to obtain information or kill them?" I suggested. Choji nodded while muttering 'she practices it with me all the time'.
"Temari's there with the two as well, since she came here to come to your party, she and her brothers figured they'd stay for another day." Shikamaru continued.
"You know, about six years ago, I would have never imagined us like this…all of us being whipped by those girls…" Choji groaned, but I knew he wasn't all that upset.
Choji, out of all the Rookie Nine and Team Guy, had changed the most physically. He lost about seventy pounds and gained most of it back in muscle…and yes, he was actually big-boned. He became the second-place powerhouse out of all of us, with Lee obviously being the strongest physically. From what I heard, Ino was quite pleased with the change from when he was younger. However, he still was able to use his family's jutsu styles, which was good. It just hurt more now when he turned into a ball, being that muscle is more solid than fat.
"Well, I guess we should get going then." I shrugged, and we started off towards the academy.
We arrived at the academy during the kids' recess. I spotted Iruka standing by the door, scolding three boys who seemed to be either ignoring, or smirking at him.
"I don't care if those where training kunai! You do not go throwing them at the other student's without supervision!!" yelled the academy teacher, who had a vein throbbing on his temple.
"Hoo boy, Iruka-sensei's already on another tirade of his" Choji commented.
"Are you three even listening?!" continued Iruka, raising his volume and blood pressure ever so steadily.
"Iruka-sensei, we're here!" I called out. Iruka turned to us, smiled, and then quickly grabbed the boys as they tried to escape.
Shikamaru took a look at the three kids, then asked, "So, who are these three? They seem to be quite troublesome students…" Shikamaru knew all too well what Iruka went through, since he had been asked to teach for a few months while Konoha had been short on ninja, making Iruka needed for missions.
"None of your business!" yelled one of the boys.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, the lazy, yet bothered look still on his face, "Really? Well, I guess I'll make it my business then," he then used his Shadow Imitation technique to hold the three in place, "Now, why don't you stay here and wait for recess to end?"
"Hey, let us go!" they yelled, but Shikamaru put a hand over his mouth, which they did as well, and their voices became muffled.
I couldn't help but laugh.
We went into class and stood before a rather large group of students. Iruka had since then tied up the group of delinquents with rope.
"Heh, that looks familiar." I said, referring the numerous times I found myself tied up by Iruka and placed in front of the class. Choji and Shikamaru both laughed.
"All right class, today we have three Jonin of Konoha here to help us with our field activities today. Their names are Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Naruto Uzumaki. Now, first we'll be working on throwing weapons with moving targets." Iruka spoke, then gave us an apologetic look as our faces paled. The class was even scarier though being that every one of them had a grin on their face.
Ooooooooooooooooooooo
"That's the last time I ever do work for the Academy." Shikamaru grumbled as he sat on a patient's bed in the minor injuries unit of the hospital.
"Shikamaru, please sit still. You're only making this harder to do." Shizune ordered as she wrapped a bandage around his arm.
"How troublesome…" he sighed.
"Shizune-san, when is Sakura done with work?" I asked with pleading eyes.
Shizune smirked, "Hmmm…well…I suppose she could end her shift early…she does have a mission tomorrow." She laughed as I groaned.
"Shizune-san…" I pleaded.
"Fine, I'll let her go early today. Just let me finish, and then I'll go get her for you." Shizune finished. Three minutes later she was done with Shikamaru and headed down to the rooms with patients who needed more attention. Sakura was usually down there.
Six minutes passed when Sakura came into the lobby followed by Shizune.
"Sakura-chan!" I smiled as I picked her up by the waist and spun her in the air.
"Naruto, stop it! Not front of everyone!" Sakura said with a deep blush on her face.
Choji got up from his chair, "Well, I suppose I should go and see how Ino is. I'm guessing she's pretty tired after all those classes on seduction with the kunoichi." He laughed, "I'll see you guys later."
We all waved goodbye as he headed out the door. I then turned to Shikamaru, "Hey, you going to be all right?"
"Heh, don't worry…Temari's done much worse than this to me." He smiled.
Shizune sighed, "Okay you lovebirds, off you go now. I need to check on my patients now."
We left the hospital and Shikamaru turned to Sakura and I, "Hey, Temari wanted me to tell you that there's a party at my place tonight. Pretty much everyone's coming."
"What's the occasion?" Sakura asked.
"A farewell party to them, they're leaving tomorrow I guess." Shikamaru added.
"Aw, already? We didn't even get to go shopping." Sakura whined.
"Don't worry, they're leaving with you and Kakashi tomorrow. The escort on your mission has relations with Sunagakure, so Gaara needs to verify a few things with the person. You know, Kazekage business." Shikamaru replied.
"So, what time's the party?" I asked.
"Um…eight or something…it's too troublesome to remember little details like that…just be there before nine I guess." Shikamaru replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Okay, we'll be there at eight then." I nodded, and we said goodbye to the Jonin as he headed home.
Sakura and I walked over to an all-to-familiar bridge, and I leaned against the railing.
"This is where we had our first date…" Sakura reminisced.
"I remember…it was early September I think…" I said with a nod.
Flashback
"Naruto, will you take off that goofy bow-tie already? Geesh, you don't have to try and impress me with looks, you know that." Sakura said rolling her eyes.
"S-sorry Sakura-chan." I grinned, throwing an orange bow-tie into the river.
"I do admit though, you do look good in that black outfit." She added, scanning over me with a pleasant smile. She herself was dressed nicely, wearing a formal kimono with red cherry blossoms decorating the green cloth.
We watched the stars shine in the sky, and a thought crossed my mind, "Sakura, can I ask you something? Be honest about it."
"What is it, Naruto?" she said, turning to me.
"Do you think I would make a good Hokage?"
"I have no doubt in my mind that you will make a good Hokage. It will be a while though, I mean, Tsunade-sama isn't going to just hand over her title to you. The day that you can truly stand against in a match and win will be the day that she truly recognizes your strength…but she does believe in your dream," Sakura said pointing to the necklace the Fifth Hokage had given me, "I believe in your dream too, and I know you'll reach it someday."
"That will be a great day when I can finally wear that hat." I smiled.
"Yep, and you'll have all the responsibilities that Tsunade-sama has, including a weekly to bi-weekly meeting with the kunoichi of Konoha."
"I'm sorry?" I said, turning to her, trying to catch what she just said.
"Well, the village's kunoichi meet about once a week to discuss issues or concerns they have. Since you will be the Hokage, you'll have to hear these concerns at one point of time or another." Sakura explained.
"………"
"Don't worry, just be attentive and try to be understanding. Most of the kunoichi will give you the support of being Hokage anyway. You may not know it, but many of them are betting on you taking the position within the next twenty years at most." Sakura smiled.
"All the Rookie Nine kunoichi and Tenten are part of that committee, aren't they?" I asked.
"Yep, can you name anyone else?" Sakura asked. Great, she was testing me.
"Well, there's Kurenai, Shizune, Tsunade, Anko, Kiba's sister Hana, um…" I couldn't name any others at the moment.
"That's good enough Naruto. I think you're off to a good start with being a Hokage. Now, let me tell you about some of the concerns with us kunoichi right now…"
End of Flashback
"Heh, I learned that kunoichi are concerned about not getting discounts at clothing stores in the village." I commented.
"Well, you made me very happy that night. I learned that you are truly concerned about the interests of the kunoichi in our village, as well as all of the rest of the shinobi and ninja." Sakura added.
"Well, I have the experience of knowing that it's dangerous to get on the bad side of a woman with throwing a kunai holster."
Whack!
"Ow…"
We let time roll by, just sitting next to each other until the sky had darkened.
"Hey, let's get going, Naruto. I want to get ready for the party." Sakura said, poking my side. That was her way of saying 'I want you to carry me on your back because I'm too tired'.
"Sakura, do I have to carry you?"
She simply laughed, and pecked me on the cheek. She had a knack for being persuasive I guess.
Sakura spent a good half hour fixing her hair up and the like. I then attempted to comb my hair, and threw my comb across the bathroom after five minutes with no results. Sakura said my hair was best the way it was anyway.
Sakura gave me a praiseful nod as she looked over me. She had decided to dress up and wear a formal kimono, the same one we wore on our date. I decided to wear more formal ninja attire. She laughed, "I have to admit, I might have to fend off the other girls with a stick to keep you in one piece."
"Heh, I don't think there's a need. They already know I'm taken. I'm practically screaming 'property of Sakura Haruno' with how much you cling to me." I smirked.
"Is there a problem with that?" she asked in a slightly dangerous Inner-Sakura tone.
"N-no! Not at all!" I laughed, quickly hiding my fear of being pummeled.
"Good, because you are my property," she said, brightening up, "Got it?"
"Yes ma'am."
Sakura gave me a mischievous grin, "In turn, I belong to you…got it?"
"Sounds good to me." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist and giving her a hug.
We headed out of my apartment and over to the Nara residence. It sounded like we were early, seeing as we couldn't hear the loud yelling of Kiba or Rock Lee. I knocked, and Shikamaru opened the door.
"You're here already? Hm, well, come in." he said, opening the door completely so we could get inside.
I looked into the living room to see Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara all sitting on the floor, with a chess board in front of Gaara.
"Gaara, why are you bothering with it? Shikamaru has never lost a single game." I heard Kankuro ask, reaching for a handful of chips.
"Exactly, and I must be the first to beat him. I have his strategy down to a science; take out his knights, then he's done for." Gaara replied, his chin resting pensively on his hand. He didn't lift his eyes off of the board, but spoke, "Hello Naruto and Sakura. Good to see you made it."
"Gaara, you're queen's open for an assault from Shika's bishop." I said as I looked at the Kazekage's situation. The young Kazekage looked at his queen, then at Shikamaru's bishop, then muttered something that sounded like 'that genius did it again?'
"Well," he said, looking at his pieces, "if I moved my queen…"
"…then your king's done for…" I finished.
"That Nara had planned this out the whole time, didn't he?" Gaara asked to no one in particular.
"That's the thing with him; he's always ten steps ahead of everyone." I heard Temari say as Shikamaru walked in.
Gaara frowned, "You're not helping me, Temari."
She merely laughed, then said, "Well, I probably wouldn't do much better anyways."
"That's true…" Kankuro muttered. Gaara grinned a bit at the comment.
"What's that supposed to mean??" the Suna kunoichi asked, unconsciously putting a hand on her fan strapped to her back.
Before the puppet user could further dig his own grave, a knock came from the door, followed by a "Hey, open up, Shika-kun!"
Shikamaru groaned, "Ino and Choji…and Ino's already getting impatient…how troublesome." The shadow using Jonin headed for the door which threatened to break off its hinges. A loud barking could be heard from outside.
"Akumaru isn't going to fit in here!" Sakura said.
Luckily, Akumaru was fine with staying outside, seeing as he was unable to fit through the door frame. Kiba was a little saddened, but managed to brush it off.
Half an hour later, all of the members of the former Rookie Nine and Team Gai were at the party. We were all just laughing and such, nothing in particular. The girls were off in their own corner while me and the guys sat around the couch, groaning over the squeals from the opposite end of the room. Squeals meant bad for us.
"Hey, Naruto, come over here for a minute!" I heard Ino call to me.
The other guys immediately looked at me with expressions saying 'good luck' and don't say anything stupid about me'. I got up, took in a deep breath, and headed over to the kunoichi.
"Hiya, Ino, what can I help you girls with?" I said, putting on grin. I gave a quick glance to Sakura, who was smiling slightly, and had a huge blush on her face…uh oh…that meant something involving me.
"So, Naruto…you lost it to Forehead here, eh?" Ino asked, which received a giggle from the group, even from Hinata.
Quick, act dumb, "Lost what?" I asked, hoping that maybe Ino was talking about something else. Yeah, right, and maybe Hiashi Hyuuga was going to bust through the front door and tap dance for us.
She grinned, "Do I have to spell it out for you?"
"I…uh…"
"Your V-I-R-G-"
"Okay, okay! Yes, I did." I said, trying to speak over the second loudest shinobi in Konoha. Luckily, I still held the title for loudest.
All the kunoichi laughed, and I felt embarrassed for Sakura, maybe a little uncomfortable as well.
Apparently Ino noticed this, "Aw, don't be embarrassed Naruto. From what Sakura says, she has no complaints."
"Really? I mean…what's it matter to you??" I stammered.
"Oh relax, will you?" Ino said as she shook her head, "I'm just teasing you. The point is," she got up and looked to see that Sakura had decided to talk to Temari at that moment, "don't go and hurt her feelings now. She's my best friend, and if you do anything dumb, you'll be speaking to me about it." She softened up after giving me a dead serious look, "However, I want you to know that I do trust you Naruto…and when you two get married, I want to be in charge of making the bouquet arrangements."
"Ino, please, we'll worry about that when it comes around. Don't worry though, I'll stay by Sakura's side no matter what." I said quietly so no one else heard. Ino smiled knowingly. I guess knowing Sakura meant becoming good friends with the kunoichi as well…yep, love is weird that way.
Time went by at a slow, comfortable pace. I sat with Sakura while we all swapped stories of our various missions. Strangely though, Shikamaru and Gaara had managed to disappear.
"Hey, Sakura, I'll be right back, okay? I'm going to find Shikamaru and Gaara."
I didn't have to go far though, since just down the hall came the familiar voices of my two friends.
Gaara's could be heard first, "Well, I don't know why you're asking for my permission. I mean, she is older than me."
Shikamaru's reply came, "You and Kankuro are her only living family members left. Kankuro already said he thinks that I should, so I figured I'd ask you next, since you are her brother, and her village's leader.
Gaara grunted in acknowledgement, "Well, if that's all you have to say, then you have my blessing as well. Make Temari happy…she deserves it."
I grinned; I couldn't believe it. Shikamaru was going to propose to Temari. I guess that was bound to happen sooner or later. They acted like they were married as it is.
I heard their footsteps, so I decided to make myself look like I was looking for them, "Oh, there you two are. I was wondering where-"
"Naruto, since you overheard everything, can you go help me get Temari?" Gaara asked, walking down the hall to indicate his request.
"Heh heh, sure." I laughed. This would be an interesting night after all.
End of chap.8- Well, there you go ShikaxTemari fans…an indication of things to come. Yeah, I plan on maybe one more filler chapter before the mission, but hey, who knows? Please R&R, or I'll make Lee sing 'Staying Alive'…yes, this is an empty threat…but…it's the thought that counts.