I don't own Naruto in an way shape or form.

talking: Ya' know

thinking: Ya' know

jutsu: Flying Raijin Jutsu

Summoning talking: You little runt

Summoning thinking: You little runt

Tailed Beast talking/slight possession: Damn you 4th Hokage

Tailed Beast thinking: Damn you 4th Hokage


Chapter 25: The Return Home, and Tension Among Teammates

It was early morning, and Squad 7 had just returned from their mission in the Land of Tea. Sasuke was brought to the hospital, as soon as they came through the Hidden Leaf Gates. Naruto and Sakura were headed towards the Hokage's mansion, to give the Hokage their report on the mission. Naruto looked over to see a worried look on Sakura's face. "Hey, Sakura." Said Naruto.

"Huh? What is it, Naruto?" Sakura asked, looking at Naruto.

"Are you okay? I mean, you look worried." Naruto replied.

"I...I'm not worried. Why do you think I'm worried?" Sakura lied.

"Well, you've been looking at the ground ever since Sasuke was taken to the hospital." Naruto replied, not buying Sakura's lie.

"Sorry. I know I shouldn't be worried, but his injuries didn't seem bad enough for him to go to the hospital."

"Huh. I guess you got a point, Sakura. But we don't know anything about medical stuff."

Looking back at the ground, Sakura replied. "Yea, I guess so."

"Well, if you're that worried about it. Why don't you go and check up on Sasuke? I can take care of the report." Naruto mentioned, trying to cheer Sakura up.

"Really?! Are you sure?" Sakura asked, with her head shooting up so fast Naruto almost thought it would pop off.

"Yea, it's no problem. I got it." Naruto replied, scratching the back of his head and his trademark grin on his face.

"Thank you, Naruto!" Sakura yelled, before shooting off towards the hospital.

"You're welcome!" Naruto yelled, as Sakura rounded the next corner.


-Hokage Mansion-

*Knock..knock*

"Enter." Said Tsunade, after hearing a knock at her door.

"Hey, Grandma!" Yelled Naruto, as he entered the Hokage's office.

"Quit calling me that, brat!" Tsunade yelled, in response to Naruto's outburst.

"Hee hee."

"Where's Sakura? I know that she wasn't injured, was she?" Tsunade asked, once she realized that Naruto was alone.

"Oh, I let her go visit Sasuke at the hospital." Naruto answered, looking toward the floor with a sad look on his face.

"I see. I understand that your mission was a success." Said Tsunade, changing the topic.

Looking back up with a big smile on his face, Naruto answered. "Yea, but we had some trouble with a rogue Leaf ninja."

"A rogue Leaf ninja?" Tsunade asked, a confused look on her face.

"Uh huh. His name's Aoi Rokusho. After he left the village, he became a Jounin for the Hidden Rain Village."

"So I've heard. And he had the Sword of the Thunder Spirit with him when he did." Said Tsunade, as she heived a heavy *SIGH*.

"Yea, I know. Sasuke fought him while he wielded that thing. That's how he got hurt. I managed to save Sasuke with a Shadow-Clone, while I fought Aoi. I started out by keeping him away from the bridge so that Idate could catch up and win the race. Once he was across, I tried to take him out. After a few minutes, I managed to get a killing blow. That's how I got this." Naruto explained, as he pulled out a what looked like the hilt of a sword.

With her widened eyes, Tsunade asked. "I...is that..."

"Yep. It's the Sword of the Thunder Spirit." Naruto answered, handing the hilt to Tsunade.

Taking the hilt from Naruto, Tsunade channeled her chakra into it. Having been activated, a yellow blade appeared. Tsunade inspected the blade. She had no doubt that it was indeed her Great-uncle's sword, but she wanted to make sure it was intaced and well maintained. Seeing that it was indeed intact, but despite that, there was a crack about 4 inches above the hilt.

"Thank you for bringing my Great-uncle's sword back to me and the village." Said Tsunade, with a big smile on her face.

"No problem. I'm sorry about the crack. I was trying not to break it with me 'Wind' chakra." Said Naruto, with a sheepish grin and a hand behind his head.

"I see. How'd it get cracked in the first place?" Tsunade asked.

"I think it was Sasuke's 'Chidori'." Naruto replied.

"I see. Well that shouldn't be a problem." Said Tsunade. Seeing the confused look on Naruto's face, Tsunade explained. "The blade it made of 'Lightning' chakra, yet one doesn't need 'Lightning' chakra to wield this sword. Should it crack or break, one need's a very precise chakra control over their 'Lightning' chakra. Give it some time and this sword will be as good as new."

"No way?! Seriously?! That's awesome!" Naruto yelled, excited that the blade will be repaired.

"That it is. Now, I need you to start from the beginning of your mission. Then I'll take a look at that right hand of your's."

"Yes ma'am." Naruto replied, before he began explaining the details of the mission.


-Hokage Monument-

It was almost sunset in the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto and Hinata were ending thier date the same way the always did. Watching the sunset from atop the 4th Hokage's head.

"That's amazing, Naruto." Said Hinata, as she leaned back in Naruto's arms and listened to Naruto's now finished story over his latest mission.

"Heheh. I know right." Naruto replied, smiling towards his girlfriend. "So, how's the training?" Naruto asked, on a more serious note.

*Sigh* "It's very difficult, but I'm not sure if I've been making any progress." Hinata replied, in an exhausted voice.

"C'mon, Hinata. You're training like crazy. I know you're making progress. You gotta have more faith in yourself, okay?"

"I...I'll try."

"No. Hinata, repeat after me." Said Naruto, turning Hinata's face toward with his left hand of her right cheek.

"Huh?"

"Repeat after me. Okay?"

"O..okay."

"I." Naruto began.

"I." Hinata repeated.

"Will."

"Will."

"Have more."

"H..have more."

"Faith."

"Faith."

"In myself." Naruto finished.

"In m..myself." Hinata repeated.

"Now. Put it all together."

"I...I will have more faith in myself." Said Hinata, with a faint blush on her face.

"There, see? Was that so hard?" Naruto asked, giving Hinata a quick peck on the lips.

"No. It was easy to say." Hinata repied, kissing him again.

"Heheh. *Sigh* I guess it's getting time to take you back?" Naruto asked, as the sun had finally set.

Lookin towards the horizon, Hinata *sigh*ed before answering. "Yea, I guess so."


-In the village-

"We're here. Good night, Hina." Said Naruto, in his usual disguise.

"Yea. Good night, Hiro." Hinata replied, in her usual disguise.

After their usual 'good night kiss', Hinata went inside the apartment comlex. After closing her sensei's apartment door, she heard the usual question that came from Kurenai after a date night. "So, how was it?"


-Next day, hospital roof-

Sakura was visiting Sasuke again today. This time she came with apples and she had been peeling them. Sakura was worried that Sasuke hadn't said a single word since the mission. Despite this however, Sakura didn't show it. So, Sakura just continued peeling apples and trying to make conversation. Eventually, Naruto came into the room and everything changed.

Sasuke challenged Naruto to a fight. Naruto tried to tell Sasuke that this wasn't a good idea, because Sasuke was still admitted to the hospital. However, Sasuke wouldn't have it. He provoked Nartuo, and Naruto eventually accepted. Sasuke then told Naruto to follow him, and left towards the roof.

They were now on the roof, ready to square off. "What's so funny?" Sasuke asked, after hearin a chuckle from Naruto.

"I'm not laughing cuz it's funny. I'm excited, because I know that today is the day that I'll finally beat you." Naruto replied, with a smile on his face.

"Tsk. You are so arrogant! Let's do this!" Said Sasuke, getting more and more irritated with Naruto.

"Put on your headband, and we will."

"There's no reason to put it on, you won't even put a scratch on my forehead."

"That's not the point. The headband symbolized that we're fighting on equal terms as a Leaf shinobi."

"There you go again, acting all high and mighty. You honestly think we're equals!"

"Heck yea, I do."

"Enough! Let's get this over with." Said Sasuke, as he charged in towards Naruto.


Well there you have it, a new chapter. I hope you liked it. Please read and REVIEW.