A Hero's Come Back

Chapter 1: Return

Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own Naruto. If I did, I would've went more in depth with the Uzumaki Clan. And that's what fanfiction is for.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Jiraiya Sensei said, walking beside me along the dirt road. "Yeah," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "Almost three years, ya know." Really, I was kinda nervous about returning home. And it wasn't just the fact that more than half the village still hated my guts. It was the fact that it had been three years. It hadn't seemed like a long time when I left, but now, returning.....I'd changed. I had to wonder how my friends had changed. I wondered if I'd even be able to recognize them.

We were almost in sight of the gate. I began to walk faster, my nervousness mixing with excitement. Jiraiya Sensei, who I only called that in my head, snorted and matched my pace. "If you run through that gate, we're going to get in trouble," he warned humorously. "I know that, ya know!" I said, impatient. But still, I reigned in my enthusiasm and resigned myself to having to wait a little longer to see everyone.

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"Hello, Sakura!" I looked up from my training to see Konohamaru sitting in the library's windowsill. "Konohamaru. What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised. "The Old Lady asked me to bring you to her office before I went on my next mission." I sighed, slightly annoyed. Then, I casually lifted my fist and punched him. He went sailing backwards, creating a crater as he landed. I jumped out the window after him and started jogging towards the Academy, dragging the stupid boy behind me.

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"Sakura, what happened to Konohamaru?" Lady Tsunade asked when I walked in, still dragging him behind me. His team stood behind her, wincing as they took in his unconscious state. "Oh, just a little disagreement," I said, smiling innocently. She sighed, shaking her head. "Ebisu, let Shizune heal Konohamaru before you go on your mission," she ordered the Jounin. He bowed to her, as did the other two Genin. "Yes, Lady Hokage." He then took Konohamaru from me and left, closing the door behind them.

"So, Sakura, I have an errand I need you to run for me," Lady Tsunade said. "My reserve of deer antlers is almost gone and I need you to go to the Nara Compound and get some more." I nodded and bowed. I would've turned to leave if Lady Tsunade hadn't have stopped me.

"Sakura." I looked back up. "Yes, ma'am?" "What did Konohamaru do to warrant you punching him?" I sighed, straightening. "Sometimes, he reminds me of Naruto so much it's frightening." Lady Tsunade nodded, smiling wryly. "No other explanation needed. That speaks for itself." I laughed and looked out the window. "It's been almost three years." Lady Tsunade nodded. "Yes. It has." "Isn't it almost time for him to come home?" She got up and walked to the window, staring out at Team Ebisu who was just walking out. "He should be popping up at any time now."

I nodded. I missed the knucklehead. No one had as bright a smile as his. I bowed again to my Sensei and left, closing the door behind me. And as I walked out of the tower, I got the feeling that any time would be very soon.

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"I don't get it!" I huffed. "How could they not recognize me?! You'd think blonde hair, blue eyes, and whisker marks would stick out in their memories, ya know!!" Jiraiya Sensei coughed again for the fifteenth time. I was pretty sure he was laughing at me. I glared at him, sulking. He cleared his throat unnecessarily. "Well, you have changed since you were thirteen."

I scowled, unwilling to admit he was right. I had changed. I had ditched the jumpsuits and went for a orange kosode with a sleeveless black haori and grayish-blue pants and boots. My forearms were covered with black and red bracers. A red sash held my haori in place. My forehead protector was now held with a long black cloth instead of a short blue one. The First Hokage's necklace now showed proudly around my neck, no longer hidden behind my clothes. I also wore a black choker with a red gem in the center, which was given to me as a gift.