Homecoming and Reunions

Naruto was grinning from ear to ear as the gates of Konoha came into view. It had been so long, but now he was home again. He ran ahead, causing Jiraiya to chuckle at his eagerness. As he neared the entrance, the genin spied a familiar pinkette standing there. A few more steps and she spotted the blonde and his orange jumpsuit, and began waving enthusiastically.

"Naruto!"

"Hey, Sakuruhhh--Sakura-chan?" Naruto had to do a double take.

"Who else?" She answered as she walked up to him.

Or perhaps 'bounced' might've been more appropriate. Those two years had been incredibly generous to Sakura. In fact, Naruto was pretty sure his teammate's chest was now as big as Tsunade's. Not to mention her top was unzipped partially, giving an enticing window to her enhanced cleavage. For a moment, Naruto was completely hypnotized by the sight, only snapping out of it when he remembered her temper. He quickly jerked his eyes away from her new assets and was relieved that she hadn't seemed to notice.

"I mean of course its you, its just-you've grown."

"Oh? You mean I've become more womanly?"

She took a step closer.

"You certainly can say that, you really are beautiful, Sakura-chan," Naruto answered honestly, trying his best to maintain eye contact and not to stare at her rack.

"Thank you," she blushed at the compliment, before giving him the sweetest smile he'd ever seen from her. "You're not looking too bad yourself."

Now it was Naruto's turn to turn red. "Umm...thanks, Sakura-chan," he stammered, he almost couldn't believe how friendly she was being to him.

He gave an embarrassed laugh. Whatever the reason was for her new attitude, Naruto wasn't going to complain- or question it.

"Well, aren't you lovebirds just getting along," butted in Jiraiya as he strolled up to them, getting both to blush even harder and Sakura to give a harsh shriek of a rejection at the Sanin. Jiraiya simply gave a laugh at their reactions. "I'll leave you two alone, I'm going to get a drink now."

And with that he walked past them and wandered off into the village. Sakura continued to glare at the back of Jiraiya's head until he was out of sight, before returning her attention back to Naruto. The Uzumaki couldn't help but notice the harshness in her eyes dissipate when she looked at him. It made him feel warm on the inside.

"Anyway, while I'd love to talk, there's actually something important we have to do. I was waiting here for you on Lady Tsunade's orders."

Naruto gulped. That fling he had with the Hokage had become a complicated memory for him. On one hand, everything about in that moment was amazing, he had never felt so good ever. On the other hand, that was his first time, and he had always wanted it to be with Sakura. Also, considering Tsunade was acting under the influence of a love potion, and she was aware of its effects; Naruto was scared of what she might do to him now that the potion would've worn off. He could only hope that the two years apart had cooled her off. Or, maybe even better if she forgot it entirely. He shook these thoughts from his mind as he answered Sakura.

"What for?"

"She didn't say beyond that we were supposed to go meet with her immediately upon your return."

Naruto gave a groan. But he still followed behind Sakura, getting to appreciate her butt which, like her breasts, had significantly developed since he'd last seen her. The way her hips swayed as she walked was so tantalizing, Naruto was sure she was doing it on purpose. He already wasn't really in any hurry to meet Tsunade. Especially now, with Sakura being as nice as she was currently, he didn't want to waste any time away from her.

They reached the Hokage's tower in no time. Shizune was waiting to greet them.

"Hello, Sakura! And welcome home, Naruto-kun," she smiled warmly at them before turning to just Naruto. "Lady Tsunade would like a word with you, alone."

Uh oh, thought Naruto as he recognized this could be bad. He glanced over at Sakura who merely gave a shrug. The blonde sighed as Shizune opened the door for him. He entered her office on high alert. Inside was Tsunade, nonchalantly skimming through some paperwork. Noticing her guest, she looked up with an amused but kind look on her face.

"Welcome back, brat."

"I'm glad to be home," he replied, still on guard, unsure what she was planning.

"I assume you know why I had you report to me right away?"

"Does it have anything to do with what happened right before I left?"

"Well, you at least got a little sharper while away," she commented before clearing her throat. "But, yes. Actually there is something I wanted to say before anything else..."

(Author's note: If it's not obvious, I cut this one chapter in half. Mainly because I keep tinkering with the 2nd half of it and figured might as well put something out now. Also ending right before Tsunade's reaction felt like a decent place to let branching paths occur-although the next chapter will have a couple choices stemming off of it so, hmm... Anyway I also am looking to go back to Anko's hijinks with Ino, as well as the Mind Scribe route. Also, as always I welcome any additions to this story or feedback.)