You're growing your hair out." Naruto said with a smile.
"Yeah, you said you liked when my hair was longer, so I thought I'd give it a try." Sakura said as she ran a hand through her hair, which now went past her shoulders.
"Well it looks great, Sakura-chan." Naruto said as he gave her a chaste kiss. "Now get some sleep, we're leaving early tomorrow."
"Okay Naruto, but you need to get some sleep too." Sakura said as she stood up.
"I will don't worry." Naruto said with a grin.
"I love you Naruto." Sakura said as she walked over to her sleeping bag.
"I love you too, Sakura-chan."
Naruto stared into the flames for a few more minutes before he to got up and went to bed.
(The Next Day)
A sandstorm had delayed the groups departure by several hours. They didn't arrive in Suna until the sun was setting. As the group approached the village entrance several guards appeared in front of them.
"Halt! State your names and business!" The lead guard said as he held up his hand.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and this is my team," Naruto said as he gestured towards the rest of the group. "We're here on a mission directly from the Hokage. So we need to see Gaara immediately."
"You will address the Kazekage with respect you little." The guard was stopped when a voice spoke up behind him.
"That is quite enough Baki."
Baki turned to see Garaa standing behind him.
"Kazekage-sama!" Baki exclaimed before he quickly bowed to Gaara. "These Konoha shinobi were asking to see you. They said something about a mission directly from the Hokage."
"I know. Kakashi sent word that Naruto and his team would be coming soon. I've actually been expecting them for a while now." Gaara said before he turned his gaze to Naruto.
"You and your team can follow me to the Kazekage tower."
Everyone on Naruto's team nodded and followed Gaara through the village. Since it was past sunset the streets were mostly empty. It only took the group a few minutes to get from the village entrance to the Kazekage tower. After being led through the halls our group eventually found themselves in Gaara's office.
"Alright Naruto what is your mission here. Kakashi alerted me that you'd be coming, but he didn't give me details as to why you're here."
"Well this mission is supposed to be the first step in my Hokage training. My team and I are to travel to each of the hidden villages with bijuu and check up on their current situation."
Gaara closed his eyes and nodded.
"I see I'll be happy to inform you of our village's current status," Gaara said as he turned his gaze to the rest of Naruto's group.
"But I'd rather discuss this in private. So I'll have Matsuri escort the rest of your team to their rooms."
Tenten was about to speak up, but Naruto stopped her.
"That's fine Gaara," Naruto said as he turned to his girls and smiled. "You girls go get some rest it's been a long day."
All of the girls nodded and followed Matsuri, who had just shown up, to their rooms. But before Choji, Sai, and Shisui could follow them Naruto stopped them.
"You three make sure nothing happens to any of them."
"Hai!" The three boys said simultaneously.
Naruto nodded and the three of them left to find their rooms. When Naruto turned around he saw a rare smirk grace Gaara's face.
"What?"
"You have a lot to tell me later."
Naruto sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Sure we'll talk about 'that' later, but right now I have something important I need to discuss with you."
"Oh, and what would that be?" Gaara said as he leaned back in his chair.
Naruto took a deep breath before he spoke.
"Shukaku wishes to be sealed back inside you."
Gaara's eyes widened slightly as he sat back forward.
"What did you just say?"
"I've spoken with Shukaku and he wants you to be his jinchuriki again."
"Why would he want to do that?"
"He said he wants to try and make amends for what he did to you as a child. I've changed all the bijuu's view on humans, and they all wish to give their jinchuriki another chance."
Gaara clasped his hands and closed his eyes.
"I hold no ill feelings towards Shukaku. If he wishes to be sealed within me again, I'm willing to give it another chance," Gaara replied making Naruto smile.
"However I will need to speak with council about this, so give me a few days to prepare."
"Sure thing Gaara, I'll contact Shukaku and inform him of your decision."
"Very well," Gaara said as he leaned back in his chair. "Now let's get down to business."
Almost three hours had passed before Gaara had finished briefing Naruto on the village's status.
"Well that's about everything." Gaara said as he sipped from a cup of tea.
"Good I'll send a report to Kakashi-sensei tomorrow," Naruto said as he stood to leave. "Well I'll see you tomorrow Gaara."
Right before Naruto could walk out the door sand pushed the door closed. Naruto turned to see Gaara smirking at him again.
"Where do you think you're going Uzumaki? You still have some things to tell me." Gaara said motioning for Naruto to take a seat.
"Dammit I was hoping you had forgot." Naruto muttered under his breath as he sat back down.
"So what's going on with you and those girls, you seem awfully protective around them."
Naruto scratched the back of his head in embarrassment as he spoke.
"Well you see I'm the last male Uzumaki, and the last Namikaze. So before Tsunade-baachan stepped down as Hokage, she put me in the CRA."
Gaara nodded in recognition.
"I've heard of the program."
"Well those girls are all my future wives." Naruto said as a blush spread across his face.
"Even Sakura-san?"
"Yes, Sakura-chan was the first to join actually." Naruto said causing a small smile to grace Gaara's face.
"I always knew you two would get together. I could tell you really loved her, especially after you fought against me."
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