Chapter 31: Goodbye for Now

Groaning I sat in my hospital bed antsy to go home again, Reno, Ren and Hayner were set to come back any day now and I was excited to see them again. Putting on my clothes I went into the room across from mine seeing Gaara in the bed with Temari and Kankuro beside him.

"Good to see you again, you're looking all fixed up." Temari said as I smiled replying, "Yea with my chakra infused blood I mend a bit faster."

I looked down seeing Gaara looking towards the other bed seeing Naruto fast asleep while Kankuro said, "We're going to grab some grub you guys can talk."

Watching them walk out I sat on the chair between the two beds saying, "How are you feeling?"

"Better, I should be out by tomorrow." he said while I smiled saying, "I'm glad, I'm sure you'll be excited to head back home."

"I plan to take on the role of Kazekage when I get back." he said now looking towards me while he said, "You and Naruto taught me it's not how you're brought up it's what you do with your life, and I intend to make the Sand Village a better place."

"That will make you my second favorite Kage..." as I shifted my eyes saying quietly, "The Third Hokage is my number one but don't let Lady Tsunade find out."

"Will you come and visit?" he asked making me smile saying, "Of course, what are friends for."

I saw a small crack of a smile appear on his face as he said, "Yea friends."

"Are you kidding me!" Reno yelled waving his arms in the air as Hayner sighed replying, "How is it all the action starts when we leave?"

I rubbed the back of my head saying, "Well it's not like it's my fault or anything besides I'm sure your mission was fun too."

"It was fine…" Hayner said slightly bored while Reno frowned saying, "Man Tenten is going to be so angry."

We began walking while I said, "Can you believe that Naruto is leaving in the morning… going to miss that knucklehead."

"You still got me!" Reno said grinning while I pat his head replying, "That's true and I wouldn't want to lose you."

He smiled as we heard someone yell, "Why me?!"

Turning we saw Shino, Kiba and Choji standing as Tenten kept trying to attack Lee, looks like she found out already.

"It's not fair you know?" she said punching towards Lee while he said, "What are you talking about?"

"Why was I the only one who didn't get to go on the mission?" Tenten growled as Lee kept blocking her advances saying, "You were otherwise engaged Tenten with Reno, Hayner and Ren-sensei."

She growled frustrated as I stood beside Shino saying, "She seems a little upset about this..."

"It's hard being the only one who's not part of the team." Shino said stuffing his hands in his pockets while Kiba said, "Yea and speaking of which Naruto is leaving us to go train."

Akamaru gave a sad bark as Reno said, "We heard it's with that Jiraiya guy."

"You heard right that little jerk is just going to get stronger." Kiba said while I shrugged replying, "Just means we have time to get stronger too."

Akamaru barked towards me making me smile as Shino said, "Things will be different around here… quieter."

"Hehe that's what you think." I said poking him while he gave me a sideways glance, but Choji cut him off by saying, "Don't ask me why but I'm kind of sad he's leaving..."

"No, there is no time to be sad." Lee said seeing Tenten exhausted on the ground while Lee finished saying, "If I am to keep up with Naruto, I must train harder than ever… 100 times harder if I must."

"Gotcha!" we heard not realizing Tenten had gotten up kicking Lee square in the face sending him flying hearing a small, short laugh from Hayner making me smirk.

"Lee and Yuna are right, we must use this time wisely… we must use each other, learn from each other in order to get stronger. That's teamwork… that's friendship." Shino said as I smiled towards him nodding hearing Kiba laugh saying, "You hear that Akamaru we got our work cut out for us."

He barked as Lee tried to stand while Tenten walked around him saying, "Lee are you alright?"

He gave a thumbs up before falling to the ground as we all laughed… well except for Shino and Hayner.

I stood at the gates with all the other Genin and some of the Jonin as we all came to say our goodbyes to Naruto. I couldn't believe he was going to be gone for at least two whole years but at the same time I was excited for him. Him and Reno fist bumped laughing at each other seeing Naruto's little friend Konohamaru hug him tightly. When he got to Hinata she just began stuttering and turning a bright red as I held back a giggle feeling Hayner elbow me to stop.

"Till we meet again Yuna." Naruto said putting his hand out as I pushed it away giving him a hug as he laughed hugging back as I said, "Be careful out there and don't worry I'll be much stronger too."

"Hehe I know you will, keep the place safe while I'm gone." he replied as I nodded giving him a thumb up letting him finish his goodbyes.

We all watched as he walked out of the gates not looking back hearing Ren say, "Can't believe he's leaving, looks you're down another Kakashi."

Kakashi turned to him seeing a smile under his mask replying, "Oh I didn't tell you I'm taking on an apprentice?"

"Eh?" Ren questioned as I gave him a peace sign saying, "Sorry Ren-sensei."

Ren looked mortified collapsing on the ground muttering about being betrayed as I squatted down patting his back saying, "Don't worry Ren-sensei you'll always be my sensei first… besides."

I leaned down saying in a hushed tone, "This gives you more time with Anko."

"Hmm what was that?" Kakashi asked as Ren and I both stood shouting, "Nothing!"

Everyone began leaving as Reno and Ren walked away with Hayner beside Tenten listening to her talk making me smile feeling a presence beside me.

"Do you think things will be the same in two years?" Shino asked as I replied, "No..."

He looked towards me as I smiled linking my arm with his since his hand was in his pocket replying, "It's going to be better."

Hey guys this is a super short chapter, but it also marks the beginning of where Shippuden takes place.