Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book 1: Dissension

Chapter III: Reunion Amongst Comrades

******Konoha – The Following Morning******

"Naruto, Naruto, Naruto!" Naruto awoke with a start as Lady Tsunade yelled his name and hit him on the head. "Wake up boy," she said, "you plan to sleep the day way? We have work to do today!"

Naruto rolled over in his bed and hugged the pillow hoping Tsunade would take a hint. "Aww, Granny it's been weeks since I've slept in an actual bed. Can't I sleep a little longer?"

"Sorry," she said, "but there is much to be done today" Tsunade gestured to a small table at the foot of the bed. "Breakfast was prepared and a hot bath was drawn at the back of the house, hurry. Sakura already stopped by but left on an errand. She'll be back soon."

With that Tsunade rose and left the room. Naruto immediately groaned and buried his face into the pillow. Five more minutes won't hurt, he thought.

The thunderous voice of Tsunade proved otherwise has her voice seemed to shake the very foundations. "NARUTO!"

Naruto leapt out the bed at the sound of Tsunade's call, "I'm up, I'm up!" he screamed.

******Konoha – Home of Shikamaru Nara******

"Hurry up and finish your breakfast Shikamaru," his mother said, "You need to start the chores I have for you."

Shikamaru was sitting at the dinner table and yawned. "Man, how troublesome," he responded. "I'm a Jonin of Konoha, I shouldn't be doing chores."

"I don't care if your Hokage," she screamed, "the roof needs repairing and your father's on a mission!"

Shikamaru sighed deeply and stared at his half finished plate. Thanks a lot dad, he thought. It was then he heard a distant familiar voice, "Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru rose and looked out the window to see who was calling him. It was Choji. Choji was standing, slightly bent over and breathing heavily. It appeared Choji had run from wherever he came from and was in a definite hurry. "Shikamru," Choji continued, "the Hokage has just made an announcement."

"An announcement?" Shikamaru responded.

"Yea," Choji said, "Uzumaki Naruto has returned to the village and his banishment is lifted permanently!"

Shikamaru felt his jaw almost hit the floor. "Naruto is back?"

******Konoha – Home of the Hyuuga Clan******

"Again," came a stern voice. "Not good enough try it again," he said. Standing in the courtyard of the family of the Main branch Hiashi stood watching over his eldest daughter. They had been up for hours despite how early in the morning it was. He was getting impatient with her inability to grasp this Jutsu but he was also proud. After all, she had come to him asking to learn this technique and the fact that he agreed to teach her was proof enough that she had come far in her training.

"Hinata," he said, "This technique is one of the most difficult in our family and requires a greater amount of chakra control. You must focus!"

"Yes father," she responded as she attempted to maintain her form.

On the other side of the grounds Neji had just arrived and was observing Hinata's training. He recalled having to learn this technique two years ago. It was one of the few he considered difficult. It took five weeks for him to master. Hinata has been trying for over three months. The fact she was struggling with it did not surprise him. The fact she refused to give up didn't as well.

Without looking Hiashi addressed him, "I doubt you have come to monitor your cousins training Neji. What do you want?"

Neji stood forward, "I apologize for the intrusion Hiashi-sama. But Lord Hokage has made an announcement you need to hear." Making sure to make direct eye contact with Hinata, Neji continued, "Uzumaki Naruto returned to the village last night and his banishment has been reversed indefinitely."

Hinata stopped training and stood stock still staring back at Neji in utter amazment. "Naruto-kun," was all she could say.

******Konoha – Residence of Tsunade******

She can't recall ever moving this fast. The entire time, since she heard Neji's words, has been a blur. It took her a moment to process what he had said and the next thing she knew she was in motion. Faintly, she remembers' her father calling after her but she couldn't stop. Something wouldn't let her. She had to see him.

Quickly, she bathed and put on her cleanest outfit and was out in the streets heading towards Lady Tsunade's compound. She couldn't help but notice the village was buzzing with gossip. The news had obviously spread to everyone and there was an air of excitement all around. Naruto had returned!

When she arrived she quickly entered the compound. Using her Byakugan she located the lone male presence on the compound and knew it was him. Taking a deep breath she made her away to the back of the house but paused suddenly. Naruto was in the back washing himself and was completely naked. Quickly she ducked behind the wall. O my god, she thought. I just saw Naruto-kun naked. Immediately she felt her face flush and she knew she had turned beet red.

It was then she heard his familiar voice, "Hinata?" Hinata turned to see Naruto standing near her in a robe. Realizing it was her Naruto smiled intently. "Hinata," he said, "how have you been?"

Hinata turned to face him and then bowed slightly "Naruto-kun," she said, "I'm so glad your back."

Hinata looked at Naruto and couldn't believe how handsome he'd become. She always thought he was cute but now he had become so much more. She found him almost, breathtaking. Everything she wanted to say, all the emotions she had began to build in that moment. Her mind felt flooded with every memory of their brief times together. Her eyes began to mist over with tears of joy.

And she embraced him, tears flowing freely. Hinata sudden move took Naruto off guard and he nearly fell back. But, regaining his balance held her and smiled. "Thank God you're safe Naruto-kun!" she exclaimed.

At the same time Sakura had just arrived at Tsunade's home with Ino by her side. "I can't believe he's back," Ino said.

"I know," Sakura replied, "I missed him so much."

"O really," Ino said with a bright smile on her face, "Just how much have you….missed him?"

Sakura blushed, "It's nothing like that you pervert! I just missed my comrade!"

"Sure," Ino replied jokingly.

"Whatever Ino," Sakura exclaimed now visibly annoyed, "One thing's for sure, with Naruto around things are going to get…." Sakura and Ino turned the corner to the back of the building just in time to see Naruto and Hinata hugging. Ino looked at Sakura who seemed to stare at the scene blankly.

Suddenly Sakura seems to snap out of it and had a look of annoyance on her face. "Why is Hinata here so early," Sakura said. "Naruto just got back yesterday; he's tired and should have some space."

"I don't think Naruto minds," Ino said teasingly, "In fact that smile on his face is pretty obvious that he doesn't mind."

"That makes it worse," Sakura said, "Hinata is a very emotional girl and he's trying to take advantage! Look at him; he's not even properly dressed! He's just being perverted!"

With that Sakura made her way over to Naruto and Hinata. "Naruto!" She said as she headed for him. Hearing her voice Hinata and Naruto let go of each other and seemed to blush at the same time.

"Good morning Sakura-chan," he said with a smile.

"Don't good morning me!" Sakura yelled as she punched him in the face knocking him to the ground.

"What the hell was that for!" he screamed.

"How dare you try to take advantage of Hinata!" she replied.

"Take advantage?" he said "Your crazy!"

This seemed to enrage Sakura more. "Crazy?" she said. Immediately Naruto realized his error and began to run with Sakura in pursuit. "Get back here Naruto," she screamed.

Hinata stood watching as Sakura chased Naruto around and Naruto did his best to avoid being caught. "Sakura," she said, "Naruto wasn't-"

"Whoa Hinata," Ino interrupted as she walked up and placed her arm on Hinata's shoulders. "You don't wanna get in the middle of that. Sakura's just a little confused right now. Trust me they'll work it out."

******One Hour Later******

"Wow, Naruto-kun," Hinata said, "you look nice." Naruto had emerged from Tsunade's home and was finally fully dressed.

"Thanks Hinata" he replied.

Ino nodded in agreement "Yea," she said, "he cleans' up pretty well, right Sakura?"

Sakura was sitting on the low wall in front of Tsunade's house still trying to calm down. "Hmpf," she said as she turned slightly and crossed her arms.

Naruto was dismayed by her lack of attention. Why is she so mad, he thought, I've never seen her so mad before. What did I do?

Though still upset Sakura couldn't help but peak at him out the corner of her eye. Naruto's clothes were now clean and repaired. God, she thought, he does look amazing.

Naruto had on red and black pants with a simple black shirt that hugged his body slightly which highlighted his toned body. Over the shirt he wore his red coat that had a black collar and black flames at the base. His hair was now clean after his bath and had that naturally un-kept look that was his trademark.

It was then he heard a voice in the distance, "Naruto!" Naruto turned to see Shikamaru, Choji and Neji making their way to them. Naruto ran over to them and shook hands and hugged his friends. "Man," Shikamaru said, "I can't believe your back. It's good to see you man. I guess things are gonna get a lot more troublesome around here huh?"

"Well," Naruto responded, "I'll try to keep things interesting!"

"Naruto!" Hearing his name called Naruto looked past the others and saw what at first looked like a big green blur. After a closer look Naruto realized it was in fact Lee heading this way moving at an inhuman speed.

"Lee!" Naruto said. "How have you….been?" It was just then Naruto realized that even though Lee was getting closer he didn't appear to be slowing down. In fact Lee had gotten a mere three yards away when he suddenly leapt into the air feet first and kicked Naruto in the stomach causing him fall to the ground. Naruto looked up to see standing over him menacingly.

"So," Lee screamed, "You think you can just show back up here after all this time and avoid your greatest challenge! I have trained day and night Naruto and I know I have surpassed you! I don't care how long or where you went to train!" "I just hope," Lee continued as he began to cry profusely, "that after your defeat we can still be comrades Naruto!"

Still seated on the ground Naruto stared up at Lee dumbfounded. "Leave it to Lee to overdo things," Neji said.

"Get up off your ass Naruto," Tsunade said as she exited her home, "It's time to go see Danzo. C'mon Sakura, let's go." Naruto got up and dusted himself off and began walking with Tsunade and Sakura.

He turned to everyone and said, "I'll meet you all for dinner at Ichi's!"

"Hey Naruto," Shikamaru said as he ran up to him, "Be careful around here ok. Konoha isn't what it used to be."

"No," Naruto replied, "it isn't. But I'll take care of that too." and with his trademark smile he turned and walked away.

End of Chapter 3

Next Time: Revelations Under the Star filled Sky