UZUMAKI SHIPPUDEN!

[2.] The Mysterious Opponent!

We were in Tsunade's office for the first time in two years, and nothing really changed. 'Tsunade looks exactly the same, I guess she still uses her young form.'

"Long time no see you three," Tsunade smirked "I trust that your training holds good results?" She asked and I chuckled lightly looking over at pervy-sennin and Naruto. 'Training with them, it's impossible to not get things done.'

"Of course! We wouldn't come back without results!" Jiraiya boasted and Naruto eagerly backed him up.

"I agree, we've come a really long way Granny," I teased watching as her face dropped the pleasant smile. 'I guess old age is still a sore spot then,' I giggled as I listened to her scold me about respecting her new title.

"Anyway," she sighed lacing her fingers together "I want to see your results, so I've had an opponent on standby for this exact day!" Tsunade said getting us all hyped up, I was ready for a new sparring match to show off a little bit. 'I actually learned a lot from Jiraiya, he's helped me understand things about myself.'

"Well who is it then!" I exclaimed feeling slightly impatient which raised a couple of brows.

"I see Naruto's rubbed off on you" Tsunade smirked making me blush, "your opponent is—" she was interrupted by a knock on the door. 'Wait no maybe that's them..I can't see' I thought looking over Naruto's shoulder.

"Shikamaru?" I gasp seeing that he was way taller and wearing a standard flak jacket. 'He's with a girl!' My eyes widened upon seeing a blonde female by his side with four pigtails. 'Familiar....'

"Mito! Naruto! You guys are actually back huh?" Shikamaru smiled and we both nodded eagerly.

"We just got back this morning," Naruto said putting his arms behind his head. 'Wow he's not complaining about things being a drag..what happened?'

"It looks like you're a serious ninja now," I sighed "I miss the old Shikamaru saying things were such a drag and how—"

"Troublesome," Shikamaru mumbled and I smiled widely. I guess he didn't change, I was just mistaken 'kind of glad, he looks like he's doing well.'

"You don't look like such an idiot," Shikamaru smirked pointing at Naruto. "Is it safe to say he's changed?" He asked and I shook my head gently.

"No, same Naruto" Sakura said shaking her head in disappointment. 'She really admired him for a second didn't she?' I thought giggling when I remembered the girl next to him. I stared at her from the corner of my eye, but I still couldn't put my finger on it. 'The pigtails, the large fan, the sand symbol....'

"Temari!" I decided hitting my fist against my palm "I forgot for a second, but it's pretty hard to completely forget you." I smirked putting my hands on my hips "how's Gaara?"

"Uh very well," Temari said with a small blush and that's when I remembered we were supposed to be fighting someone.

"Wait are we supposed to be fighting you two!" I asked in disbelief, Shikamaru wouldn't even use his full strength. 'I do wonder how far he's come I bet he's way better at the shadow jutsu,' I thought looking at his shocked expression.

"What're you talking about I'm here to drop off some documents," he yawned, but before I could ask who are opponent was, Tsunade interrupted.

"He's over there," Tsunade pointed to the window and I wondered if she was ok. 'Are they outside or something' I thought hearing a Naruto open the window and peek.

"Kakashi-sensei!" He exclaimed immediately gaining my attention. 'No way, wow it's been so long!' My eyes went wide as I looked out the window to see him reading the books Jiraiya writes. 'Not going to lie I slightly question his taste now.'

"Yo," Kakashi waved and that's when I remembered the gift.

"Naruto give sensei the thing," I smiled and he quickly pulled out the limited edition of Icha Icha. It hadn't even been released yet and it was the first one in three years.

"W-what" Kakashi-sensei looked to overjoyed to even touch the book. 'I couldn't touch it either when I first saw it,' I sweatdropped shivering when I thought about the "inspiration" behind it.

"Yeah it's limited edition dattebayo!" Naruto grinned "you haven't changed at all Sensei!" He said and I decided to hop on the roof and join them. 'He really hasn't...I think I've been most excited to see him again.' I thought thinking back to all our good moments together.

***

"It's alright Mito I've got you."

"You know Kakashi-sensei I might have a little crush on you."

***

"I-I'm sorry if this is a burden-"

"Not at all it's my job as your sensei to help you," Kakashi close-eyed smiled. "Thing is I don't really know how I'm bad at this kind of thing too."

***

"You shouldn't thank me, I'm not much of a lifesaver" he said bending down to my level. "They would've been so proud of the person you are, and if it means anything you've taken good care of Naruto it's time for a break."

"I thought you said you were bad at giving advice," I laughed grabbing his hand.

"I'm full of surprises I guess."

***

I smiled back fondly at each memory, 'arigato Kakashi-sensei you're part of the reason I'm still here today.' I thought gratefully, but of course my mood was dampened.

"Mito why're you spacing out like that!" Naruto said waving his hand in front of my face. "Mito you're drooling, just what are you thinking about pervert," Naruto teased pinching my cheeks and I tried pushing him off.

"I'm not a perv!" I huffed karate chopping him on the head. "Can I not think back to good times dattebayo?"