Of Tales now and Long Ago

Of the Fifth Hokage and the Kazekage

Chapter TWENTY

After two and a half years, Naruto returned to Konoha with Jiraiya.

Jiraiya had sent a letter before them to alert them of their return, and he was greeted by his father at the gates. Sakura, Kakashi and Itachi were there too.

"Sakura-chan!" The blond launched himself at his teammate, who brought him into a tight hug. Everyone was sure they heard a few cracks, but Naruto was ignoring it, so they would too.

Minato sighed as he was completely ignored. Kakashi placed a hand on his chest in mock hurt.

Itachi just nodded with a small smile on his face.

"Ruto! You've grown. Your'e taller than me now!"

Naruto drew back and placed his hands on his hips. "Of course!" He winced.

Minato snatched his son back and gave him a hug. "Hey, tou-chan!"

Minato smiled. "Welcome back."

"Hey, Itachi-teme. Where's Ka-chan?"

Minato tensed. "Naruto, I know you've jut returned, but I have something to tell you."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Ka-chan!"

Kushina looked up from where she had been reading a scroll. Bed confinement was boring. Still, that was Naruto's voice...

"Naruto!" Kushina tossed the scroll aside when Naruto burst through the door, flying at her. Kushina caught him and brought him into a choking hug.

"Ka-cha...you hug almost as hard as Sakura-chan. I think she broke a few bones."

Kushina sighed and pulled back. "How was your trip?"

Naruto grinned. "It was great. I'll tell you all bout it later!"

Kushina nodded. Minato entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"But before that, are you okay? Tou-chan told me about everything."

Kushina nodded. "I'm fine. Minato's just a worry wart."

Minato pouted.

"And I can't believe it! Tou-chan passed the Hokage seat to some random woman! I was supposed to be Hokage after him!"

Kushina shot Minato a dirty look. She was still angry that he had tossed his title away.

"Naruto, it wasn't just some 'random woman'. Remember Tsunade-sama?" Kushina asked.

Naruto frowned. "Uh...nope. Doesn't ring any bells."

Both his parents sighed. "The woman you, Sakura-chan and Sasuke-kun were sent to bring back."

Naruto's eyes brightened. "Oh! The drunk with the pig."

Minato shook his head is exasperation. "Well...yeah...her."

"She's Hokage now?" Naruto whined. "What else changed?"

Kushina tugged her son down so that he was sitting beside her and Minato dragged a chair over.

"Well, first, Sakura-chan has a new team."

Naruto jumped to his feet. "What?"

Minato smiled. "She's still Team Seven." He told him. "But to go out on mission, she needs a team."

"Oh." Naruto calmed down. "So, who's on her team." He scowled. "They better be good people."

Minato nodded. "Her teammates are Nara Shikamaru, Hyuuga Neji and Uchiha Itachi."