Chapter 1: Memory
Itachi walked slowly towards the Hokage's building, taking in every aspect of Konoha. It had certainly changed since he had left. He had been released from the hospital today, and had been summoned by Tsunade. Kabuto had gotten out a week ago, and was now living at the Uchiha estate for the time being. Sasuke was supposed to be released from the hospital quite soon, and Itachi was looking forward to everything being right again.
As he entered the tall building, he found himself walking by Anbu hurriedly walking to their destinations. Finally he managed to reach the room in which Tsunade resided, and he entered it to find her sitting at her desk.
"Ah, Itachi. Come in."
Tsunade said as she motioned over to a chair placed in front of her desk. Itachi shut the door and walked over to sit in the chair. Once he had sat down, Tsunade began her explanation of why he was here.
"As we both know, you have been gone from Konoha for the last four years. Though you have regained your memory of your time away, you still do not know what's changed here and would be pretty lost while wandering around the streets. So I have assigned someone to show you around when you need help and so forth." Tsunade explained. "Shzune, come here."
From across the room, Tsunade's aid came over to where they were sitting.
"Yes Tsunade-sama?"
"I want you to help Itachi when he needs it." Tsunade stated.
"Wha-? Me? Why?" Shzune said, surprised.
"Because I can trust you the most. Is that ok?" Tsunade explained.
"Y-yes..." Shzune finished, not looking all too happy about the decision.
"Well now, you will also be regaining your former position of an Anbu caption. That's everything really. Shzune, why don't you walk Itachi home so you two can get better acquainted?" Tsunade suggested as she stood up and handed Itachi his Anbu uniform.
"Sure..." Shzune sighed. Itachi thanked Tsunade for her kindness and then left with Shzune to go home for the first time in four years.
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Sakura sighed as she stared at the ceiling of her room. It had only been a week since they had returned from what had been called their 'vacation' and was a vacation only in name. Yet still it felt like forever since it had happened. In the time since, Ino and Shikamaru had hooked up. About time had been Sakura's reaction upon hearing it from Hinata. Ever since, the three girls had become close, and it wasn't uncommon to see them chatting together.
*Sasuke-kun...*
Sakura emitted another deep sigh. She still hadn't seen her teammate, and was constantly pestering Kakashi on his health. He was to be let out soon, but it still seemed like she would have to wait another life age before she could see him again.
"Sakura!" Tomoe Haruno yelled at her daughter. "Come help me with the dishes!"
Sakura sighed and rose from her bed.
"Coming Mom..."
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"Naruto-kun! If you eat that fast your going to choke!" Hinata yelled with concern at the blond haired shinobi who was busy downing a bowl of ramen. After finishing his third bowl of miso ramen, Naruto found time to reply to his girlfriend.
"Don't worry Hinata, ramen is more important than breathing!" He replied joyfully. Hinata sighed and smiled.
"Just eat slower ok?"
"Fine." Naruto said, eagerly ordering his fourth bowl. Training had been put off until Sasuke recovered, so Naruto spent most of his time with Hinata. He still couldn't get away from Kakashi though. Without his students to drive insane, he had been popping up all over the village and pestering the other teams.
*Why didn't Tsunade-sama just kill him for stealing her credit card?*
Naruto mentally groveled.
"Naruto!! Slow DOWN!" Hinata yelled as Naruto's thoughts were disturbed by a lack of air. After managing to devour his monstrous bite of ramen, he chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Heh heh...sorry Hinata-chan."
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Gaara walked slowly over to Tenten's house. She had been released from the hospital a few days ago, but had still been too tired to visit him. But today she had called him asking to go for a walk with her, and he gladly obliged. Yet even with the notion of seeing Tenten again, a thought still gnawed at the back of his mind. After all, he was a sand Nin, and his stay at Konoha was almost over. Yet he didn't want to return anymore. The more he thought about leaving, the more he hated the idea, and the more he tried to think of ways to stay.
When he reached Tenten's door, he pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind and rung the doorbell. After a few seconds, Tenten tore open the door and greeted him joyfully.
"Hi Gaara-kun!"
Gaara-kun. It seemed so strange and yet so welcome. He smiled, enjoying the way she had referred to him.
"Hey." Was his simple reply. He stepped out her way so that she could join him outside. She walked out of her house and stood next to him, closing the door behind herself.
"How uh...are you?" Gaara added. It seemed strange to ask about how someone was feeling, heck, everything seemed strange these days. But it was strange in a good way, and even though it was strange it was better than what he was used to. And so he welcomed it.
"I'm feeling much better." Tenten chirped.
"You?"
"I'm fine." Gaara said. "Ready?"
Tenten nodded, and they both headed off to walk around the village.
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Shikamaru stared out the window in a bored fashion. Even after everything they had gone through, it seemed nothing had changed. With the exception that Ino was now his girlfriend. Even he still couldn’t believe that he had fallen in love with such a creepy girl. But then all girls were creepy, so it might as well be Ino had been his reasoning. Ever since they had gotten back, Ino had been dragging him around everywhere.
*I'm more of her pet than her boyfriend...*
Shikamaru had said that to Naruto once while he was talking to him. The blond had immediately collapsed on the ground in a fit of laughter, no doubt imagining him on a leash and Ino as his master. So it was Naruto's fault when him showed up at Hinata's house the next day with a huge bump on his head asking for ointment.
*I guess things never fully change...*
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