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Q: Tsunade knows he left, but what was everyone else told?

A: Everyone else was told that Naruto had been transferred to another village for the sake of his training. Or something along those lines. ;)

Q: Why didn’t the others check out Naruto more closely when they knew he had been transferred to another village?

A: They didn’t check because they don’t know WHAT village, they only know that Naruto has been gone without a word for four years, chances are they wouldn’t even think about it after four years.

Q: But it was mentioned that Naruto and Gaara were in Konoha before…

A: Yes, true enough. But in the series itself EVERYONE seems to make a trip to Konoha. Half of the sand village would have been there, seeing as they took part in the chuunin exams there at one point or may have been there for missions. Its not an uncommon thing.

Q: How much of the series has taken place?

A: To be honest, I’m not really relying too much on the series, but I’d say that Shippuden doesn’t come into effect here. It is before Sai’s time. Yes, Sasuke did leave.

Q: So why is Sasuke back?

A: You’ll find out…eventually.

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“…You…” the raven rang out. “What the hell are you staring at Sabaku?” Sasuke snarled out at Gaara, who was standing right in front of him with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown on his face.

“Nothing impressive. Just a whiny little boy who has yet to discover the miracle of a hairbrush.” Sneered Gaara, effectively placing himself in front of Naruto who had dashed over to the desk where Shizune now sat, filling out forms.

“Watch yourself Kazekage, you’re not in Suna anymore. I remember what you’ve done, I promise I’ll make you pay.”

“Perhaps you should watch yourself Uchiha, from what I’ve heard, you’ve done some rather inexcusable things yourself as of recently.” Came the cool response.

“Whatever, I have no time for you now.” He stomped out of the room, paying no attention to Naruto who stood only a couple of feet away.

Naruto let out a breath he had no idea he had been holding, and shot a nervous smile at Shizune. “…Hey, uh, I suppose you don’t remember me…”

“Oh, I do.” Came the quick reply. “Naruto Uzumaki, I feel sorry for you. I dare not do more than whisper your name, as soon as she finds out you’re here she’s gonna-”

“UZUMAKI!” the shout was followed by a rather unmanly shriek and the sounds of a tussle. By the end of it, Naruto was laying flat on his back covered with bruises and lumps forming on his head.

“What the hell was that for you old hag?!” Naruto shot up, his old characteristics coming back at the sight of the woman he considered to be family. “Geez, you’re going to give me a concussion or something!”

“Don’t you give me that! FOUR YEARS! What happened to ‘oh yes, of course I’ll write and keep contact, I’ll make sure you know I’m not DEAD’. I suppose that went right out the window as soon as you had taken off to Suna, right? And YOU!” her furious gaze levelled on Gaara. “You were supposed to give me monthly reports on him, yet I received nothing! That was part of the deal for letting him go. It seemed quite suspicious that he was transferred to another village when I didn’t receive the reports I’m supposed to get. Do you have ANY idea how hard it was to keep Iruka from hunting him down? Well?” she grilled the young ruler.

“I simply found it of little importance to write to you each month when he was progressing normally and causing no problems. If there had been any major issues, you would have been informed.” Gaara stared her in the eyes.

“Heeeyyy, I didn’t know anything about reports being written on me! You never told ME about that!”

“Shut up Naruto.” Came the reply from both Tsunade and Gaara.

“…Fine. So hag, where is my room? I’m tired and looking forward to some sleep.” Naruto yawned and stretched just to make his point clear.

All it earned him was an eye roll. “Its only 3, far too early for you to be sleeping. Shouldn’t you be catching up with your old friends or something? They’ve missed you.” Tsunade said pointedly.

“Oh, yeah…I guess I’m supposed to. But can it just wait for a bit longer maybe? I mean, I don’t want to interrupt everyone and I need to stay with Gaara…”

“I’m fine here Naruto. I believe it better to go patch things up with your comrades.” Gaara cut in, sending that excuse right out the window.

“Ugh, you’re all plotting against me aren’t you? Fine, I’ll go see Iruka sensei, I mean, he was the first to find out about me going missing wasn’t he? I owe him the biggest apology and explanation. With that he climbed the window sill and jumped out, landing on the nearest rooftop and making his way to Iruka’s old home.

“He’s hiding something.” Tsunade pointed out grimly.

“Yes, I know. This is why I brought him back. There is something wrong and I fear he won’t be able to face it until he confronts his past. I only hope I made the right choice. That Uchiha…”

“Do not worry about Sasuke, he has no idea about Naruto’s return. If we are lucky he will not find out quite yet, the last thing we need is for him to do something stupid again.”

“I hope you’re right. Now, I suppose we should be going over that treaty now that the main focus of this little venture is missing.”

“This way Sabaku, we have much to discuss.”

With that the two of them walked into the Hokage office, calling Shizune in to take notes as well.