DISCLAIMER: No matter how much I want it, I do not own Naruto. I am still only borrowing the characters and I promise not to kill any off in this chapter!I also promise to return them in good condition – well, maybe slightly used!

Huge thanks to my brilliant beta - COOKIEMONSTER77!

This chapter is dedicated to one of my readers (JuzzyA), who didn't like that Kiba was left behind. Well, I didn't necessarily like it either - so you got your wish buddy. I really liked your suggestion and went for it. Hopefully you like it!

Chapter Sixteen:

The Place Where I Belong

How can I be lost
In remembrance I relive
How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?

Forgive me, why can't I forgive me?

~Metallica~

Gaara's fight was a bit disturbing to watch. Nothing could touch him; not any weapon, exploding tag, taijutsu move, or ninjutsu technique. His sand countered every move the genin attempted. Shēn was nearly crushed to death before his sensei, Genma stopped the match. It took the combined efforts of the sand siblings to stop him from attacking the jonin as well.

Watching the near death happen before their eyes, was something the boys were not prepared for. Naruto distractedly picked at the frayed edges of his clothes for several long minutes before he finally stood up and announced that he was ready to leave. He could tell Sai and Sasuke were of the same mind as they also readily nodded in agreement. It was just too soon.

~~O~~

Sakura and Ino stood outside the medic's room waiting for news on Sakura's teammate when she saw him walking with his family. Her breath caught in her throat and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. "Naruto," she whispered.

He raised his head and met Sakura's gaze. His eyes were the same searing blue, but for an instant, appeared as cold as death. His grim expression shocked her.

Then he smiled.

In a blink, the initial impression of coldness was replaced by one of genuine warmth. In fact, Sakura was overwhelmed by the clear, sky-blue color, and the beauty of his eyes; she instinctively knew as she was peering through them that she was looking at a warm, gentle soul.

"Hey," he said awkwardly. As excited as he was to see her, now simply was not a good time for him. He pushed those feelings aside and grinned at her.

"You're back. I can't believe that you're finally back where you belong; home."

"Did you miss me?" he teasingly asked.

"More than you'll ever know…"

"Tch."

Sakura's gaze drifted to where the disbelieving snort came from. The pair of pale, dark haired boys stood flanking Naruto. "It's good to see you guys," she said and then took an involuntary step backwards at the hostility that seemed to radiate from the two. She sent a bewildered look at Naruto and caught the tail end of a frown he directed at them.

"Don't mind them Sakura, they're just tired from our trip, is all."

His heart grew a little lighter as he looked at her. Sakura had always been focused and determined. She possessed a self-confidence far beyond her years. It was one of the many reasons why he liked her so much. She was completely different from the other girls at the academy in his eyes. But he sensed her bravado was a cover for her insecurities. That realization had always made him feel protective towards her. He sent a glare at his brothers. They knew how he felt.

"O-Okay."

He ignored the annoyed gaze of his brothers. He knew they didn't like her because of her past actions towards him, but he didn't care. He knew the Sakura from the past was different from the girl she had become. He knew they would see it in time too.

"I saw your fight, it was amazing."

"Thanks. Hopefully it was good enough to make chunin."

"You'll do it. I believe it." they stared at each other for a moment and then Naruto said, "So, um…on the way over here, Ayame told me that you have something interesting to tell me."

Sakura's brow furrowed. Perplexed, she turned and asked, "I do?"

"The job…," prodded Ayame.

"Oh, that's right… I hadn't had the chance to write you about that. I am going to be helping out your mother at the ramen stand since your father doesn't want her to work anymore."

Anko and Mikoto shot evil glances at the copy-nin for his domineering ways. "Mah, don't try to kill me," he said pleasantly, "It's for her own good and only until after the baby is born."

"If Ibiki tried that with me, I would neuter him," growled Anko with a significant look at her husband.

At that memory, he tried to justify his actions, "I didn't want you to interrogate that prisoner anymore because you had him too terrified to even speak, much less give us any information. I simply suggested that you wait until you had your hormones under better control."

Naruto completely tuned out the adults as he stared at Sakura with stars in his eyes. "You work at Ichiraku?" he asked with a croak. "And you're going to learn how to make ramen?" At her nod, Naruto thought he had just died and gone to heaven.

"Oh Sakura-chan…" he threw his arms over her and hugged her, "You're the most amazing… most incredible… most… most…!" He sighed and then; realizing what he had his body pressed up against, hastily backed away.

"Well, I don't know about that," she said with an embarrassed laugh, "I just want the extra money and the chance to help Ayame. She's always been very nice to me. You know, she told me about that little incident where you talked Sai into spitting…"

Naruto practically flew back over to her to cover her mouth, refusing to let her tell anyone that little tidbit. "Please," he begged under his breath, "Ino will kill me if she ever finds out that was my fault."

Sakura smirked and whispered in his ear the details about a certain photo she still had in her possession. "I should just tell everyone how adorable you were with your little teddy," she teased. Their faces were mere inches apart and she could actually feel the heat from his blush coming from his face. They heard a snicker and broke apart again.

Feeling awkward, she asked, "So what are you guys doing?"

"Oh, we're going home now. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"No we're not," interjected Sai with his usual deplorable tact, "We are standing around suffering from an uncomfortable encounter."

"Shut up Aho," said Naruto after jabbing him in the ribs with his elbow.

Sai rubbed his chest and added, "Well, it is the truth. Do you two need some privacy? I am sure we all can accommodate you both for a few minutes."

Naruto gaped and then turned bright red. His eyes promised murder and mayhem when he got the other boy alone.

Ino tried to break up the uncomfortable silence. "Uh…so Sai, you look good. You've really gotten taller."

"Yes I have increased my height. It is due to the fact that I have finally begun the transition to adulthood through puberty."

Sasuke and Naruto snickered while Ino and Sakura turned slightly red. "Um…that's nice," stammered Ino, "Uh, well… good for you…?"

"Yes it is. My brother's like to say that I do not have any balls, but they are incorrect. For the record, I do have genitals. They are quite functional and, if I may I say so; aesthetically pleasing."

Sasuke and Naruto couldn't hold back any longer. They took one look at each other and burst out in laughter. Tears ran from their faces as they fell to the ground, howling and clutching the stomachs. The amused adults standing around had to turn their heads and walk away quickly before they too lost it.

Years of self-restraint were the only thing that prevented Ino and Sakura from pounding them all into the ground. The perverts…

Naruto gasped out between chuckles, "How… would you… (he laughed again) would you… know they're… functional?" Fresh laughter had him slamming his head down and rolling.

"Or aesthetically pleasing for Kami's sake?" added Sasuke in between his own laughter.

"I have been informed that those nocturnal emissions are quite common during adolescence and early young adult years," said Sai with a casual shrug. "Jiraiya sensei told me that it happens to all young men after puberty begins." As everyone turned to stare at him with looks ranging from increduality to shock, he calmly stated, "I'm not crazy, my father had me tested."

Anko hurried forward and slapped her hand over his mouth as he was about to open it again. "Okaaay, I think it's time we get home."

They all heard him say as she dragged him away, "But mother, I wanted to know if they have done it too."

With a chuckle, Kakashi held his hand out to Naruto and helped him up. "That is one very odd kid," he said slowly.

"No, that's just our brother," said Sasuke as he stood up. As he walked away with his mother and brother, he paused and said, "He has more strength and confidence than any other shinobi I know."

"What he's trying to say is Sai is ballsy – he's not afraid to say anything to anyone," laughed Naruto. As everyone started to leave, Naruto suddenly remembered something. "Wait, don't leave yet!" he yelled, making Sai and Sasuke stop. "We really should at least find Kiba and say hi to him. I'm pretty sure he'll be mad if he knew we were here and didn't try to find him." He turned and looked at the adults for their agreement and saw to his amusement that Kakashi was trying to make Ayame sit down again.

She brushed his hands off her with a roll of her eyes. "You boys go on ahead. We'll just wait here for you." She added with a wry look and while making air quotes, "…while I sit here and relax."

"I need to stay and wait for news about my team mate. Ino, why don't you take them to team eight's box?"

Ino eyed Sai distrustfully and finally agreed with a sniff.

Naruto draped his arm over Sai's shoulders and commented, "I gotta tell ya brother, you really are nuttier than squirrel poo! I can't think of anyone other than you who would announce to everyone that he has wet dreams."

"The proper term is nocturnal emissions."

"Call it whatever you want Aho, it still a wet dream!"

"Mah, boys…perhaps you should discuss this later when not in the company of two young ladies," said Kakashi while pointing at the girls, who stood a foot away fuming in annoyance and anger.

"Oh hehe, sorry… So where to?"

~~O~~

The stood at the top of the stairwell when a voice spoke loudly behind them, "Well, well, well… look at what the dog rolled in!"

Naruto's eyes lit up. He would recognize that voice anywhere. "Kiba!" he exclaimed with pleasure. He turned around and spotted the Inuzuka leaning against the wall with his arm slung around a girl and Akamaru perched precariously on top of his head. His friend had grown very tall in the past two years. He was even taller than Sai. The casual familiarity with which he and the girl touched each other had the trio raising their eyebrows.

"So…uh Kiba, who's your friend?" asked Naruto as he walked over to them.

"Oh sorry guys, this is my mate, Chūjitsuna."

"What?!" shouted Naruto in disbelief and a little bit of jealousy.

"Tch, yeah right…" muttered Sasuke under his breath.

"Aren't you a little young?" said Sai.

"Well, she's going to be as soon as we turn fifteen. My sister Hana decided that she didn't want to become the next clan head, so I'm the next in line. Chūjitsuna and I have an arranged marriage."

"Oh man, you are a god!"

"I told you I had animal magnetism. Too bad you guys had to leave for two years. I'll bet you would be in the chunin exams like me and had girlfriends by now." He gave then all a proud, smug look and folded his hands behind his head and added, "I'll bet none of you even know how to kiss a girl."

"You've kissed a girl too!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. He snickered, "You're such a dobe. Can't you tell he's exaggerating Naruto?"

"I'm not lying! Chūjitsuna is my fiancé. Of course we've kissed!"

The girl's face had been getting redder and redder. Finally she had enough. She shoved him back a step and yelled, "Don't you dare go telling lies, Kiba Inuzuka." She held up a finger and continued, "I let you kiss me once…once! And let me tell you something, mister… that will not happen again until you start having better hygiene!"

"Dang," said Naruto with a humorous grin as he watched the girl stomp off in a huff, "And here I always thought it would be Akamaru who would become the boss of you!" he petted the puppy and smirked, "Isn't that right little buddy?"

"Yip!" barked the puppy.

"I am the boss!" snapped Kiba with a blush. He repressed the urge to chase after his girlfriend and beg her forgiveness and instead growled out, "No treats for you tonight, you little traitor."

"Wh-psh…" said Sai while making a whipping motion.

"What the hell does that mean?!" yelled Kiba.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai shared a smirk and chorused, "We'll tell you when you are older."

"Kiba? Are you out here?"

Hinata rounded the corner and stood in shock for a few seconds before letting out a squeal of surprise and delight. "Sasuke, Naruto, Sai! It's so good to see you all!" she took several steps forward and stopped in front of them, smiling bashfully.

Naruto; blunt as always, remarked, "Wow Hinata, you got rid of your stutter…and some clothes." It was true. Gone was the jacket she had always worn and in its place was a tiny little crop top. Although she still obviously very shy, she exuded a quiet poise and assurance that hadn't been there before.

Sasuke's eyes about bugged out. He smacked Naruto's head as he passed by him and took off his jacket. He tried to wrap it around Hinata to cover her from their eyes. "What are you wearing?" he hissed. "As the future clan head, you must maintain your dignity and decorum at all times. What you're wearing is…is…"

She stepped away from him, removed the jacket and threw it at him. "Sasuke Uchiha, don't you dare take that tone with me! You have no right to tell me what to do. There is nothing wrong with what I'm wearing. You had better back of, or I'll…I'll…"

"Yeah Sasuke," said Ino hotly, "There's nothing wrong with what she's wearing."

Sasuke eyed Ino's tiny purple outfit and smirked. Ignoring her, he turned his back and faced Hinata again. "You'll do what?" he challenged.

"I won't let you intimidate me."

Sasuke mentally kicked himself. This was not going as well as he had envisioned it. He just knew Kiba was enjoying seeing him being chastised by this girl and it galled him to no end. Quietly, in hopes that none of them would overhear him, he said, "I'm not trying to intimidate you Hinata, I swear. I am just concerned that you may be giving people the wrong idea when they look at you."

Hinata, sweet wonderful Hinata gave him a warm knowing smile. "It's all about preconceived notions Sasuke. If my opponent thinks I am just a pretty little girl, then he or she will underestimate me. Anko Sensei taught us that."

Sasuke would never be the type of man to praise a girl for her beauty, for it meant nothing. That's not what counted in his mind. There were other things that mattered more. "You are a clever person, Hinata," he said firmly. "It is good to see you again."

"Come on," she wrapped his hand in hers and led him into the box. "You should meet my Sensei, Kurenai and say hello to Shino. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

Sasuke couldn't give a shit less about meeting her sensei or Shino again, but he happily and willingly followed. She was holding his hand…

It's good to be back where I belong.

Kiba and Sai shared a look of disbelief. "How the hell did he manage to diffuse her anger so quickly?

Naruto grinned and then mouthed the words, "He's slick!"

AN:

I was so excited – I finally found the right place to use one of my absolute favorite sayings – "nuttier than squirrel poo!" Yay!

This line here is totally from Big Bang Theory. I just had to put it in my story somehow because I found it so hilarious: "For the record, I do have genitals. They're functional and aesthetically pleasing." Can you not just picture Sai saying that?!

P.S. everyone – I just had my internet shut down because of bit torrents (pirated songs!). So if any of you lose your internet – blame it on Pink's song, Blow me one Last Kiss! Luckily they turned it back on - hopefully there is no fine to go along with it! Dang Pink song…

Ja Ne,

AZFAERYDUST