Lotus Blooming! Book 2

Chapter 3 -- Homecoming

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"Hey, Shikamaru! Ren! Temari!" Sakura coos. "Look what the cat dragged in!" Sakura gestures to the confused blond.

"Is that--" Shikamaru wondered aloud.

"Naruto!" I cried and launched myself at him. I wrapped my arms around his neck in a tight hug. "Long time no see!"

"Ren, you're back! When did you get back?!" Naruto cried as he shook me by my shoulders. "Why'd you leave?!"

I laughed happily and stopped him from shaking me. "I got back three days ago, but I'll explain everything later, okay? Man, you shot up like a weed! I used to be taller than you!" I recalled. "You got in today?"

"Yeah," Naruto chuckled.

"Look at you," Shikamaru smiled. "Who'd ever believe you're the same idiotic-- well, I mean to say, you have changed, haven't you?" Shikamaru asked.

I looked up expectantly, but Sakura shot him down. "He hasn't changed at all." Sakura confirmed with a stern look. I snorted and chortled at Naruto.

"Gimme a break, Sakura..." Naruto whined. He hummed after a few moments. "Hey, wait-- does this mean you're my opponent, Ren?" Naruto asks hopefully.

"Huh? Opponent? We just came here to drop off some paperwork." I explain as I hold up a small file and scroll.

"Oh, well, if it's not you, then is it, uh---" Naruto stared over at Temari closely. "What's your name again?"

"You don't remember me?" Temari snapped.

"Wow, how rude," I hum.

"Naruto, you won't find your opponent in here. He's out there," Tsunade pointed towards the window. Naruto peered out the window curiously, and a large grin wiped over his face.

"So, Naruto-- you went and got all grown up." I hear Kakashi hum.

"Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto cheered. "Well, you haven't changed a bit, sensei!" He leapt out the window. "Oh, wait a sec--" Naruto hummed and rummaged around his side pack. I leaned against the window sill with a smile. "Hang on, I got something for you, sensei. A little present~" He pulled out a small teal book.

"Just like old times, huh?" Tsunade asked softly.

"Yeah," I sighed.

"No, way!" Kakashi bellowed as he stared down at the small book. "Is that-- is that really--"

"The first new issue of the 'Make Out' Series in three years!" Naruto claims. "Pretty boring, if you ask me, but I know you like this stuff, so--"

"What the hell?!" I cry out loud. I whirl around on the old man behind us. "Can I get a copy?!" I ask excitedly as I clasp my hands together.

Jiraya held up a small book with a triumphant smirk. "Did you think I'd forget about my favorite pupil?" He tosses the book over, and I catch it with a delighted squeal.

"How am I your favorite if I went to the Lightning Country rather than your training mission two years ago?" I question with a sly smirk.

"You actually enjoy my work." Jiraiya grins down at me.

I slowly crack it open with a giddy laughter. "Calm down," Tsunade snaps. "This is no time to be fooling around, Kakashi, Ren." I quickly snapped the book shut like a scolded child.

"So I guess, you're my opponent?" Naruto hummed.

"Well, you're half right." Kakashi hummed. Kakashi leaned against the window as Sakura and I stared up at him. He hummed softly. "Been a long time, hasn't it, Sakura?"