haha, soz bout being so late with updating, ive been busy nd all so ya, chapter 3. i seem to have run out of ideas for time for change, so as soon as i come up with something, ill update! short chapter, i just wanted to write bout naruto, oh ya some naruhina bits here!^_^ neway,enjoy!

Team Hebi's 5th Member

Chapter 3: Back In Konoha

Naruto slurped happily at his ramen, looking over at the violet-eyed kunochi sitting next to him. He was glad to have finally noticed Hinata's feelings for him. Said kunochi felt his stare and smiled warmly back at him. A few months ago, Sakura had set himself and Hinata up for a date in a fancy restaurant on the far side of Konoha. After a few dates, Naruto finally had the courage to ask Hinata to be his girlfriend. She had accepted immediately, though slightly worried for his sake. Ever since the chunin exams a few years back, her cousin Neji had become quite overprotective, even if he was already going out with Tenten. He wouldn't leave her alone with a boy with him a few yards away. This scared off many young suitors, but Naruto was different and persisted to continue seeing Hinata. He wasn't scared of Neji, heck he beat him in the chunin exams!!!The happy couple sat close together, eating happily and were about to leave when an ANBU member came up to them.

"Uzumaki Naruto, and Hyuuga Hinata, Tsunade-sama would like to see you immediately." Both ninja's nodded and disappeared in a flurry of leaves.

Arriving at the hokages tower within seconds, Naruto looked around to see all of konoha 11 (coz sasuke gone) looking at Tsunade with serious faces. He then noticed one more thing. "Baa-chan, where's Sakura-chan? She should have been home from her mission by now." Tsunades face grew glum, as did most faces in the room. "Naruto, the reason I called you here is to tell you that we have received word that Sakura is travelling with Uchiha Sasuke and his team." Gasps emitted around the room, and were soon followed by whispers.

"Quiet! Now, we don't know if she is hostage or willingly gone with him, but all we know is that if she spends more than one month with him, she too will be considered a threat and enemy to Konoha." Naruto shook his head in panic. "No, no, no! Sakura-chan would not betray Konoha! She wouldn't, its her home! I'll bring her back, baa-chan! And Sasuke-teme too! Then we'll be together again!" Naruto's cries were becoming more and more desperate as he went on. Hinata bit her lip, looking at her lover in pain, tears dripping from his cerulean eyes. She slowly approached him and gently touched his arm. "Naruto-kun…?" At her words, he clung his arms round her thin form and sobbed into her shoulder. She patted his back and wrapped her arms round him, tightening the embrace. The rest of Konoha 11 (now 10 coz sakuras not there) looked at Naruto in sympathy and many had tears in their eyes.

It seemed to Naruto that everyone he loved or that was close to him, left him. His family, Jiriaya (1), Sasuke and now Sakura. He promised himself long ago he would protect his loved ones around him, and now it seemed to him that he broke it. He sniffed and let go of Hinata. He rubbed the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand and looked up with determination burning in his eyes. "Baa-chan, I WILL get my family back, even if it kills me while doing so." Hinata looked at Naruto with respect and admiration, as did everyone else in the room. Tsunade smiled at the future self-claimed hokage and sat up straight.

"You all will leave tomorrow morning at Konoha gates." All nodded and left the tower. Naruto walked Hinata home, and jumped on the great hokage stone faces (2). He smiled to the sky and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he threw open his eyes and pumped his fist to the air. "I will get you back, Sakura-chan, and you Sasuke, believe it." He flipped off the cliff, and went home.

The next morning, Naruto arose quickly and packed his things. He met Hinata and the others at the entrance gate and together, they headed off to find they're missing team mate. Before leaving, Naruto glanced to the sky and whispered "I'm coming, Sakura, Sasuke."

(1)=jiriayas(sp?) is dead in this story (2)=the tower/building naruto stands on at the start of shippuuden cant remember the name. anyone know?

thanks for the reviews so far! love ya!!

omg, this is bad! soz i couldnt think of anything. i actually cried writing it! im a woss,i know_ haha so if ya would simply press the little green button over there, over a bit, yep, that one! thanx ttyl SasuSaku15394