Lies Beneath

Summary: After Naruto's failed attempt to bring back Sasuke from the valley of the end he goes on a training trip with Jiraiya for 6 years. When Naruto returns as an eighteen year old to Konoha he finds several things have changed, one of which will affect his life, forever.

Homecoming

The sun rose on the Village hidden in the Leaves as the first golden rays bounced off of the surfaces of the buildings bathing Konoha in light. As the sun rose the villagers stirred and set about their everyday lives of work, school and ninja missions.

"Come on! We are going to be late again!" yelled a female villager as she burst out of the front door yelling over her shoulder.

"Yeah yeah...calm down billboard-brow." replied another female as she strolled out of the apartment she shared with Sakura. "We still have at least 20 minutes to get to Tsunade-sama before we are late."

"Either way, I'd hate to be late again." said Sakura, "And the only reason I'm freaking on you is cause last time you caused us to be late, Ino-pig."

"You win that argument billboard-brow, but seriously...chill." replied Ino as she yawned and both started walking towards the Hokage office near the northern cliffs. Sakura was now eighteen and almost nineteen and stood at 5'7'', she had decided to regrow her dark pink hair out to the middle of her back. She wore long black gloves, a short, pink skirt with biker shorts underneath along with her short sleeved, skin tight shirt (imagine Shippuden Sakura but with longer hair). Ino on the other hand was 5'10'', had left her hair at waist length while she wore her regular attire of a purple skirt with white wraps and a purple, tank top like shirt that showed mid-rift and some cleavage (again, think Ino from Shippuden). They both reach the office right on time as Sakura knocked on the door.

"Come in!" yelled a voice from inside the office. Sakura and Ino entered the office and Ino closed the door after they entered. "On time this time huh?" mused Tsunade as she grinned

"Yes Tsunade-sama." said both girls as they stood waiting for their master to speak.

"Well...you are probably wondering what I called you two here for this morning so I'll get right to it, I want you, Sakura, to to begin training for becoming the head of the hospital and Ino, you her second in command."

"Wha.." burst out Sakura stunned as Ino also stood with a surprised look on her face, "You want me to run the hospital?"

"Yes Sakura. I will be stepping down in a few years as both Hokage and head of the Medical Core, as such I want you to take over." said Tsunade looking calmly at Sakura as she stood gaping at her master.

"Well...that...it's an honor...I barely know what to say." stammered Sakura still shocked

"Well billboard-brow...seems your getting a promotion in a few years huh?" grinned Ino, "And I am right beneath you."

"I never thought it would happen this early..." thought Sakura to herself

"Yes, now, form other bit of news." Tsunade looked at both girls, but concentrated on Sakura mostly just waiting to see her reaction. "It seems 'he' is going to be home within the week."

"He?" querried both girls

"Do you mean Sasuke?" piped up Ino, hope in her eyes.

"No Ino, so far as we know Sasuke is still wandering the country with Orochimaru." stated Tsunade, "Although you are on the right track." Tsunade grinned as relisation sunk into Sakura as she went wide eyed.

"You can't mean..." began Sakura as Tsunade nodded

"If you are thinking what I think you are, then yes. Him." said Tsunade still grinning. At that moment a messenger hawk flew in and Tsunade took the scroll it carried then opened it. Her eyebrows raised as she read. "It seems 'he' just returned."

"Come on...tell me who!" yelled Ino, mad about not knowing who Sakura and Tsunade were talking about.

"Why...Naruto of course." stated Tsunade as Sakura bolted out of the door towards the main gates

Flashback

6 Years ago:

"Good bye everyone..." whispered Naruto as he turned to walk out of the village gates with Jiraiya. He had left a note in his apartment saying he was leaving on a trip for a few years, he had said good-bye to no-one and just left.

"Are you sure this is ok Naruto?" asked Jiraiya as they walked out of the village.

"Yeah." replied Naruto, "Saying good-bye would just be to painful for everyone. Let them hate me for a while, I'll be back and I can explain it to them then."

"Very well..." sighed Jiraiya as both Naruto and Jiraiya left for training.

End Flashback

"Naruto...so you're back..." thought Sakura to herself and gritted her teeth as she hopped across roofs to reach the main gate, "I am going to get you for leaving without saying anything though...so be prepared."

Meanwhile, Naruto walked through the village looking around and taking in the sights of his home as people stared at the newcomer whom they did not yet recognize. "It sure has been a while...huh Ero-sennin?" said Naruto as Jiraiya smiled and looked around as well.

"Indeed. How about we hit the hot springs?" said Jiraiya with a glint in his eye

"Ok. But you know I'm gonna keep an eye on you, you damn pervert." grinned Naruto. Naruto was now 6' tall and at eighteen, looked nothing like he did when he was twelve. He had longer, wilder hair and in his hair he had a tinge of red, mainly around the tips although in some areas he had red streaks. He wore dark orange pants and a lighter colored jacket with a black undershirt. He wore the standard black scandals and also still had the necklace Tsunade had given him on. He wore no head band, as to his shame, he had lost it over the years of training after a battle where it had fallen into a river and been washed away. "So...if we are going...lets go." stated Naruto as he headed off to the bath house followed by Jiraiya.

Back at the Main Gate Sakura had just arrived at slammed her hand on the check-in table startling the two Chunnin. "Has anyone named Naruto Uzumaki come through here yet?" demanded Sakura staring at the two ninja as they quickly check the days records.

"N-no Sakura-san." stammered one of the two chunnin obviously afraid of Sakura.

"Did anyone pass by here without checking in?" asked Sakura trying to keep herself under control.

"N-no..."answered the Chunnin as Sakura breathed in and seemingly calmed down.

"Thank-you." said Sakura as she ran off to look for Naruto at the other two gates. As she was heading to the west gate Ino spotted her and called out to her and Sakura stopped to see what her friend wanted.

"Sakura! Come here!" whispered Ino as loudly as she could and motioned her to come to her. She looked like she had just found the worlds greatest treasure, very excited.

"What is it Ino-pig?" whispered Sakura as she got close enough to Ino so she could hear her wondering why they were whispering.

"That's why." breathed Ino as she pointed into the bath house from the tree they ended up in.

"Hmm?" wondered Sakura as she gasped slightly at the sight of the hottest guy she had ever seen. Little did she know she was looking at Naruto, although, he knew they were watching him.

"Seems I have some girls looking in on me..." though Naruto as he grinned and took off the towel resting on his head as he shook his head spraying a bit of water as his hair whipped around.

"Oh my god..." though Sakura, "This guy can't be real..." Sakura caught herself looking at the mans muscles and back and the medium length, yellow, red streaked hair. "This guy is out of a dream..." suddenly he stood up and walked out of the bath as he turned and motioned to the other man in the bath. Sakura only had eyes for his face, a kind looking, yet determined face. And his eyes, Sakura was practically mesmerized by the depth of the mans deep, clear and bright blue eyes.

"See?" whispered Ino to Sakura who was practically drooling over the Naruto, "Perfect man right?"

"Almost to..." replied Sakura as she watched both Naruto and the other man walk into the changing room. She then shook herself out of her want to know the man and returned to her errand to the west gate to check for Naruto.

"So...Naruto...did you catch those two vixens looking in at you?" rumbled a voice inside of Naruto's head.

"Yes I did Kyuubi." whispered Naruto to himself as he smiled at the thought.

"Just making sure...they seemed...interested." yawned the Kyuubi

"Well...that is them." thought Naruto as the Kyuubi rolled his eyes

"Just say it...you're happy about being spied on by a couple of young vixens." stated the Kyuubi flatly

"I would lying if I said I wasn't." replied Naruto as he grinned mentally at the Kyuubi. "Ok...time to meet up with Granny."

"Naruto...I don't think Tsunade would like that even from you." said Jiraiya grinning as he pulled out a pencil and paper a he made some notes.

"I see you got some 'research' in Jiraiya?" asked Naruto with disdain in his voice

"Yes." grinned Jiraiya as he started to get a hint of a nosebleed, "And you know its for my books." Naruto shook his head as he finished getting dressed. Both men then left to see Tsunade for a surprise visit.

Hello all! This is my first Fan fic ever! Constructive Critisism and opinions are open. Any flaming...it will ignored. So, have at it.

~Sepherif