The End of the Beginning

CHAPTER 2 - Homecoming

• • • • •

Izumo and Kotetsu were stationed in front of the village gate.

During their usual duty. A figure passed in front of them and was about to call out to him but he was the first one to greet them.

"Yo! Izumo! Kotetsu!" A tall young blondie greeted them cheerfully.

The two were left confused as they stared at the blondie running further in the village.

They had thought he looked familiar and then they saw the Toad sannin following him.

"Jiraiya-sama!" Izumo and Kotetsu called out and it caught the Toad sannin's attention and turned his head toward them.

"Oh! Don't worry he's just excited to come back" Jiraiya said with a chuckle.

Izumo and Kotetsu were confused at first and then they realized that a certain blonde they knew was training with the sannin.

"Wait...is it Naruto?"

Jiraiya waved his hands in goodbye to them and followed Naruto.

He looked at Naruto's back long away ahead of him as he watched him with a smile.

"He must really be excited"

• • • • •

"Naruto? Is that you Naruto?" a female voice called out to the blond standing at a top of a pole.

'Hmmm?'

Naruto looked down and saw the familiar faces. He then jumped down to greet his teammate.

"Sakura!"

'Seems the pinkie didn't regain her memories yet...' Kurama spoke out observing any thing that could be a help of them.

'Kurama? I thought you were taking nap'

'Hmmm, Nah... I decided to watch'

Naruto wanted to try and confirmed what Kurama had said but wasn't able to. He reminded himself to try to access his modes later on.

Now in front of him stood a 15 years old teen Sakura with 11 years old Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon.

'They looked so young dattebayo!'

Naruto thought. Chuckling at the sight before him causing a questioning looks toward him.

"When did you get back, Naruto?!"

"Just now! Long time no see, Sakura!" Naruto responded with a bright grin.

"You've gotten taller than me, haven't you?"

"Huh? Oh! You're right..."

'Though for me I think I got shorter' Naruto thought to himself with a sweat dropped.

'Oh! Hahaha! Good acting Kit! Keep it going' Kurama said impressed and amused while the blonde sweatdropped at how it giving him deja vu.

'This conversation is giving deja vu 'ttebayo!'

• • • • •

"So? You think I've become a bit womanly?" Sakura asked shyly.

'Ah! I remember this...I need to be careful what I say'

Naruto noted to himself. Preparing a reply knowing what will happen if he give her the wrong response like last the last time.