Chapter 11

Naruto's Arrival

It was finally the day that Naruto was coming back from training with Jiraiya. Akina was excited to see her good friend and godfather. Akina was feeling more at home at the Hidden Leaf. Her and Shikamaru were closer then ever and she went of missions with him and his team. She was always welcomed at the Nara house for supper or Shikamaru came over to Tsunade's house and they did supper with her mother. Akina was becoming skilled with creating atidotes for poisons just like her mother. Tsunade was impressed. Sakura and Akina were becoming skilled Medical Ninja under Tsunade's watchful eye. Mushu seemed happy with the new home and seeing Akina happy for the first time in a long time.

Akina and Temari were walking to the Hokage office. Temari and her became close. They knew each other when she went on a mission to the Hidden Sand. Temari had come to the village as an advisor for her brother. Akina was the one that walked with her or Shikamaru did when Akina was needed at the hospital. The two were now good friends.

"I don't plan to stay long. I have to get back. I'll probably be here for a few days." Temari said as they walked. Akina had been called to the Hokage office for something and Temari decided to tag along since the two were going for lunch.

"It be sad to see you go but I'm sure we will see each other again." Akina said.

"You seem very happy here and Shikamaru seems not as lazy. Glad your happy." Temari said. Akina smiled.

"Hey." Akina's smile grew wide as her and Temari turn around to see Shikamaru heading their way with his hands in his pockets. He smiled seeing a good friend and his girlfriend talking and enjoying each others company. "You going to see the Hokage as well?"

"Yes. Akina said as Shikamaru joined the girls as they head for the Hokage office. Shikamaru walked next to Akina. Shikamaru knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Tsunade called. Shikamaru opened the door to the Hokage office. Akina's eyes lit up when she saw that Sakura was in there, but Naruto and Jiraiya were in there also. Naruto had a huge smile when he saw Temari and Shikamaru, but it got bigger with Akina in between them with a Hidden Leaf headband on her forehead.

"Hey." Shikamaru said.

"Hey, Shikamaru, Temari, Akina. Look what the cat dragged in." Sakura said.

"Akina! You joined the Hidden Leaf?" Naruto said. Akina smiled.

"I did." Akina said. Jiraiya noticed she seemed happy. She always seemed unhappy in the Hidden Stone. He couldn't help but smile.

"Guess you were right, Tsunade." Jiraiya said, looking at the Hokage. Tsunade smiled.

"I'm always right, especially when its about Akina." Tsunade said.

"Naruto. Good to see you." Shikamaru said with a smile.

"Shikamaru. Temari." Naruto said.

"Is that the same little squirt?" Temari asked. Akina nodded.

"He's all grown up." Akina said.

"Well. Well. You're back, huh?" Shikamaru said as Naruto came over to the three. Akina came up to him and hugged him. Naruto returned the hug.

Mushu perked up at a familiar Chakra.

"Well. Well. Fox. Still caged up, I see?" Mushu said with a smirk on his face to the 9 Tails. The 9 Tails opened his eyes.

"Well. Lizard. Still being a pet to the girl." The 9 tails said.

"Least I'm not caged up like you." Mushu said with a smirk. Akina and Naruto sighed.

"Their arguing again." Akina said, earning a chuckle from Jiraiya.

"What do you mean?" Sakura said.

"The 9 tails and 10 tails are arguing." Naruto said.

"They can talk to each other?" Tsunade said.

"They do. Don't ask how. We still don't know." Akina said. Akina walked up to Shikamaru and stood with him.

"So you just got back today?" Shikamaru asked.

"Yeah." Naruto said.

"Look at you. Who'd ever believe you're the same idiotic..." Akina elbowed Shikamaru, who grunted in pain, but rolled his eyes. "Well, I mean to say, you've changed haven't you?" Naruto laughed.

"He hasn't changed at all." Sakura said with a look.

"He didn't?" Akina asked.

"He did. He did the Sexy Jutsu with Konohamru." Sakura said. Akina facepalmed.

"I didn't think so." Shikamaru said. Naruto sighed and hunched over as Sakura crossed her arms.

"Give me a break, Sakura." Naruto said. Akina went to give Jiraiya a hug as Tsunade laughed.

"Glad to see you here with your mother. You seem happier." Jiraiya said.

"I am. With some help." Akina said, giving Shikamaru a smile. Naruto didn't miss the look shared between the two.

"Wait." Naruto said as he looked between the two as Akina put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you two... together."

"Yes. Been for awhile now." Shikamaru said. Naruto was impressed, but he knew Shikamaru was way better then Daku.

"What about Daku?" Jiraiya said.

"He serving his time in Blood Prison for Akina's fathers death and trying to kill Akina." Tsunade said. Jiraiya sighed in relief.

"I'm glad you found someone and your here in the Hidden Leaf. Now we can train together at times." Naruto said.

"Not if the two tailed beasts don't stop arguing." Akina said. Tsunade laughed.

"Hey, wait. Does this mean you're my opponent, Shikamaru?" Naruto said.

"Opponent? What are you talking about? I'm just here to drop off some paperwork and me and Akina are going to lunch with Temari before she leaves." Shikamaru said.

"Well, if it's not you, then is it you Akina? Temari?" Naruto asked, looking between the girls. Temari and Akina shook their heads no. Tsunade sighed.

"Naruto, you won't find your opponent in here." Tsunade said. She points to the window. "He's out there."

"Heh?" Naruto said as they all look at the window. Naruto walks to the window and opens the window. Naruto grinned when he saw Kakashi sitting on the roof.

"So, Naruto. You went and got all grown up. " Kakashi said, putting his hand up. Naruto gasps.

"Kakashi-sensei! You haven't changed a bit, Sensei." Naruto said. He jumped onto the roof. "Oh, wait a sec." Naruto starts digging into his backback as everyone gatehred at the window."Hold on. I got something for you, Sesei. I think your going to like." Tsunade joined Sakura and Akina at the window. Shikamaru was looking out to, curious on what Naruto had for Kakashi.

"Hmm?" Kakashi said.

"Just like old times, huh?" Tsunade said.

"It's good to have him here." Akina said.

"Yeah." Sakura said. Kakashi's eyes widen when Naruto pulled out what he had in his bag.

"No way!" Kakashi said. Akina smiled. "Is that... is that really..." Kakashi wasn't sure of he was seeing things as he reached for the book. Akina realized it was Jiraiya's new book.

"The first new issue of the Make Out series in three years." Naruto said. Kakashi grabs the book. "Pretty boring, if you ask me, but I know you like this stuff, so..." Jiraiya let's out a hmph and turns away. Akina rolled her eyes at him. Kakashi was freaking out as he opened it.

"Calm down. This is no time to be fooling around, Kakashi." Tsunade said. She turned away and walked back to her desk.

"Should we go get our lunch?" Temari said.

"Yeah. Let's." Akina said, pulling Shikamaru away from the window. "We'll catch you later, Mom. See you later Jiraiya. We'll catch up later?"

"Yeah. I want to know what happened with Daku and how you got here. I knew you were heading here with the letter you sent, but I want to hear it fully." Jiraiya said.

"Lunch tomorrow. Just the two of us then." Akina said. Jiraiya smiled. Akina was a daughter he never had like Naruto was a son he never had.

'She is more happy here. I'm glad her and Tsunade are getting along and seem close now.' Jiraiya said watching Akina head out with Shikamaru and Temari.

They sat at one of the restraint in the Village. Temari sat across from Shikamaru and Akina and Temari was embarassing Shikamaru.

"Wait. So he caught you in his Shadow Possesion Jutsu and he gave up?" Akina said, nearly choking on her food. Shikamaru sat with his arms crossed as he glared at Temari.

"Yep. Shocked me and the rest of the audience that was watching." Temari said, sending a smirk at Shikamaru.

"This is a drag. I didn't come to eat lunch and get embarrased." Shikamaru growled. Akina and Temari laughed.

"But I see a change in you, Shikamaru. Your not as lazy as normal and have a smile, especially when Akina is around. Nice to see a change in you." Temari said. Akina leaned against Shikamaru, who seemed to relax.

"He's still lazy at times." Akina said. Shikamaru poked her in the check, gently. Temari smiled. "I'm happy Naruto is here." Temari and Shikamaru nodded. The three enjoyed their lunches, not knowing what is to come with what was to happen.

AN: I'll end it here. We are now in Shipuden. I got a lot of plans especially when we get into the war. Till next time.