'Dragon hidden in the leaves' - A Naruto Fanfiction: Chapter 1: A Child of Fire; Curiosity of Pandora's Box.

Alpha rubs his brow, "I'm starting this story today as an alternative output. Physio/Pseudo Styles has been suffering a lot of backlog. With my patience down right now; I figure I'll try and get the 'stacking deck' off the table."

Phantom glances up before sighing, "You know what? I'll let you and Enigma cut loose on this one. Pull all the Godlike, Overkill, Godzilla shit you want. If people take an interest; I'll pat you on the back."

Alpha glances to the taller man, "Really?"

Phantom narrows his eyes, "Yeah. Mind you; If any of the 'orbital stories' start having adverse affects on the Physio-project; I'm putting you on time out."

Alpha pouts before shrugging, "I don't like strings; but this one's freelance enough. Alright. One monstrous meat grinder: Coming up!"

E.N: Enigma cracks his neck and his whole torso shudders, "One wheel of destruction and One hammer of god: coming up!"

===Chapter one===

-Prologue-

Alpha glances to the 'inner clock'. A kind of energy seems to cut from the empty chamber. Alpha closes his eyes, "Count me in oh 'single drop of sunlight'."

Few-Faraday-Ferry-Faithful-P~PHAZE~~~

The sound of shingles. Dodging and Weaving. A gasp. A plastic bag buffering contents. A barricaded window frame yielding to years of rot and a pair of shiny new sandals.

A pair of less 'green' sandals probed the otherwise silent room's floorboards. The jonin glanced into the stark darkness for the blond trouble maker, "While your stealth is commendable; I'd like to remind you that you're cornered brat." 'Even more so when I can see the flanking corners of this dump.' "What's a kid like you trying to prove? Petty theft is just going to get you grounded."

The walls began to fade in - all but one gigantic mouse hole.

The jonin blinked. Performed a decent double take. Then fumed, "Hey I'm being paid for this you brat! NARUTO!?"

Naruto chuckled as the ninja's shouts receded into the distance, "Nice try old fart. I'm not giving that 'tight wedgied merc' any more than fair price!"

The night wore on and the jonin ended up calling it a night. He entered the grocer's shop before leaving a note regarding the stolen property. Before he departed he noticed a few ryo lying on the counter. He checked the notes to ensure the boy hadn't upped his anti; but his eyes widened at the receipt pinned to the stack, "What kind of petty thief pays the vendor?" After a moment the jonin noticed a particularly rough patch. Drawing out a note; his eyes widened.

-No hard feelings; It's personal-

Naruto pushed his way through a wooden flap - fit for an extra large dog door - before setting his haul on the table. A tub of milk made its way to the fridge. A sack of flour made its way to the pantry. A slab of sausage made it's way to the freezer. But most importantly; An army of ramen cups took over the a number of drawers… ...Three of which; not among the kitchen's domain.

The boy rubbed his hands together, "Another week's rations recovered." He glanced to a window with two layers of cheap lattice and a final standing of rebar, 'Another swindler bites my dust.'

Naruto rolled his arms before settling into bed. He found himself drawing up an old book he'd borrowed - less definitively than he'd expected to - and opened to a page he'd marked as important.

All the while; The image of a 'red-devil of Konoha' guarding against distant shadows.

Naruto had grow up in a village where scorn and scowl were as popular as warding seals... ...Nevermind. They wouldn't have known those if they were repelled via faceplant.

Still; The boy persisted. Furthermore; He'd made it clear - very early on - that he wouldn't be kicked around.

The only time a mob dared try and flank him; the group had blundered through an anbu investigation site. The entirety of the Konoha Village Council had been appalled at the sheer disregard as nearly a dozen people ostracized the presence of a civilian corpse with cries of revenge and murder.

The shame lasted for several days. Sarutobi himself got a very disturbing note.

This was a warning =/~\=

The message hit like a stone fist. Immediately afterwards; the Anbu were called to oversee chunin patrols of the village.

The sight of upper class -four man cells- patrolling the streets, rooftops and even forests was a stark reminder. The village hidden in the leaves was not to be trifled with. Even more shocking when six cases of disorderly conduct and a high tier assault case were brought in by those teams.

The message to the underground was clear: The shadows were getting serious.

The message to the outside villages - albeit spooked - was also bitingly clear: Infiltration teams were screwed.

The messages leveled out as it became clear that a manhunt wasn't underway; but people became slightly wary of the pitchforks they'd seen in market places.

A.N: Alpha cracks his knuckles, "You flip off 'big-brother'; in a shinobi village of all places. Wasn't the Hokage's job to hand you a pacifier. It's his job to keep the little people safe and the big gears in place. You attack a child and slander the dead? I'd be ashamed of and as 'big brother' too."

-Part 1: Rise of the Uncontested-

A few years passed and Naruto managed to keep the 'home invasions' at bay. A blackmailed chunin nearly lost an arm to bear-trap catapult. That was the closest to his door any human short of jonin had gotten. The 'timid' traps on the lower floors paid the price as the stakes were raised.

The only people who knew how to enter his home were either The Hokage or Anbu. While Jonin were close enough to that circle to be civil and smart about his traps; Chunin had a bad streak of getting cocky.

One good thing about fresh genin and children: They don't chase monsters...yet.

Speaking of monsters:

After a few nasty bouts with bullies and less forgiving mercs; Naruto began to take notice that his situation was a rare one. Not simply as an orphan. Not simply as a bully. He was being cast out for something that could not be seen. Something the adults were extremely offended by. So what did he do?

He studied ghosts. When that got boring; he moved on to myths. Legends. Fables. Even 'wives tales'. The last actually shook him. It wasn't that he was something invisible. There was a piece of the story he didn't know.

Naruto began to look into the orphanage. Street vendors. Hell; even gossip 'secrets'. After a while he began to look into the village heroes.

While the wartime stories were definitely gory; Naruto came to realize that it was part of being a hero. At which point; he didn't feel like becoming one. He kept to it though and came across many stories. The likes of Madara Uchiha and the Uchiha clan's history. The likes of the 'Senju brothers' and the Senju clan's ingenuity. One particular story caught his eye like a distant fire.

Naruto flipped a page of the book and remarked a particular phrase, "The red death awakened…"

Hiruzen stuffed a few pieces of paperwork into his ashtray before dispelling it with a single handseal. It became a tradition for him. Every slab of paperwork had it's 'optional' categories. In his growing age; Hiruzen Sarutobi had become adept in uncovering intentions. The army of paperwork was cut nearly in half as redacted segments were set upon by a backlog of medicinal cinders.

A.N: Alpha rolls his arms, "An herb 's an herb. An overdose is an overdose. If you suffer from medicinal substances; It's no different from a set of training weights, resistance bindings or tree punching. All of them assets after you managed to pull the stops off. If the only thing keeping this guy together is his daily shovel of coal; I'll be satisfied when the steam pours out of his ears. Fortunately for Konoha and the better half of wrath; Hiruzen Sarutobi is no push over. The catch this time being the refuse tampering staining his mighty boots. Konoha's a giant. No surgeon alive could cut those shrimp out. I don't care how many millionaires toys you bring with you. You can't defeat a cloud." (That's not to say you can't beat it senseless.)

Hiruzen glanced up as a Jonin returned with a scroll from the graveyard shift, "Long night?"

The Jonin nodded but paused, "The 'Blond bandit' got away with some late night snacks. He managed to shake me in an old shake on the edge of town." He the paper sheath for the stack of bills on the counter, "These were left on the counter. I checked against the inventory; they added up."

Hiruzen turned the paper tag over and chuckled at the doodle. As the mirth faded he glanced up, "I don't suppose your presence drew his ire?"

The Jonin rubbed the back of his head, "It was half passed dusk. Unless he's started planning his 'heists' in advance; The only thing odd was the extra note."

Hiruzen frowned at the remark, "So it is a coincidence?"

The jonin tensed; The turn of phrase not lost on him, "Yeah. Yeah it is."

'We both know coincidence is a shinobi's word for ignorance. That man…'

'Was he trying to get the kid locked up?'

'Using shinobi to cover his tracks. Well he's a shrewd old bugger.' Hiruzen drew a breath from his pipe before checking the leaves, "I think it's safe to say the 'blond bandit' had a standing rivalry. That the debts were settled off book should preserve your mission… But try not to make a habit of underestimating little boys."

The jonin rubbed his head, 'I let my ego precede my pride.' "It won't happen again."

Sarutobi sighed; the valley of the 'send' allotting a few cinders into the tame breeze before dancing in the draft of the swinging door, 'I'm glad contempt hasn't gotten the better of the boy. Still…' Hiruzen glanced out one of the windows, 'He's getting this noble sentiment from someone. Who would be training a boy in his condition… ...and will the ever step forth?'

Alpha cracks his knuckles, "This may not be an S.I. fic; but interloping 'Brazen Shtick' Is up to bat soon. Favoritism flamers and Canonical clutch-holds: Better hold on to something. This is going to be a bumpy ride!" (One lore stone Jettison; Coming up!) Alpha taps the chiseled stone before flicking it into a pipeline, "Since I'm not an original author yet; I'll give you a heads up: 'Troll hunter' and 'Sylvester and the magic pebble' Pegging; FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

Portal: The stone tumbles through the rift. En route; An empty cover appears and tendrils of energy print thousands of durable pages. The folding pages snap shut and the two objects hurtle through the Spatial gate.

Naruto paused mid stride as a sharp clink sounded to his side.

A notebook was caught in the bars of a gutter and necklace rolled precariously close as persistent water rebuked it's significance.

Out of curiosity; Naruto picked up the book and necklace. Noting the black pages Naruto tossed it in his duffle pack. He thumbed the necklace and noticed the metal rings formed a kind of X. After which he tossed the crystal into the gutter.

A.N: Alpha gapes… {Ha ha! You actually thought it would be that easy?!} Alpha rolls his arms; several blasts of wind and the sound water grinding minerals to paste, "OH IT IS ON!"

As Naruto made his way towards the academy; The crystal began to spark and shudder. A chunk of carrot flowing past seemed to bunch up before launching the crystal like a pinball The ricochet sounding all the way through the gutter and into the side of a river bank. As the crystal skidded into a puddle; the chain wove into a number of helices before unwinding like a steam powered spring.

Naruto glanced to a park. He hadn't even noticed his hand rising before a number of kids relocated to a curb on the other side. Naruto's pout was disrupted as a chain dangled in his face. He glanced up and noticed a marble embedded in the tree, 'What is it with people and tacky jewelry?'

As he strode forward the chain began to swing back and forth back and forth. Before tearing a tattoo into the trees limb. The makeshift explosive note acted more like a blowgun than a detonation. It wisped passed naruto's head and nearly struck Hinata if it weren't for a nervous 'Should I...what should I say?' pep talk. The crystal ricocheting through the ass-end of a gutter and punching the open air of the trough.

Hinata paused as Naruto stepped passed her. The blond turned as a mouse squealed. Hinata with a pained smile seemed to flicker in and out of consciousness.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, "Rough night Hinata-chan?"

Hinata shook herself loose before shaking her head again, "I...I uh...It was peaceful."

Naruto glanced down the street as his persistence - Impatience for less enthusiastic - Began to build up, "Aya. Are you going to the academy too?"

Hinata's eyes widened, "Y-You mean...You're going too?"

Naruto rolled his shoulders and grabbed her arm, "Yeah. C'mon We're going to be late!"

Hinata managed to keep her head on her shoulders - survival instinct mostly - as the two wove through numerous morning crowds with a speed and conviction Hinata hadn't thought possible. The wind in her hair. The gentle flow as they wove through roads with a grace she had never seen in her life. They were halfway to the academy when she remembered to breath. It was like two lifetimes had just passed in a single moment. The world came alive as her confidence seemed to billow out like a mouse discovering a pantry for the first time.

The necklace followed in a sequence of slingshots. Several lunges later the necklace made way closer to the ground. Slinging across purses and gestures. knobs and pebbles to keep up with the vigorous pace. After a few moments the movement leveled out.

Hinata glanced to the side as a blue wisp passed by a moment latter it began to keep pace with the two. Out of curiosity; she pulsed her byakugan. The sight of chakra nodes complacing hundreds of times startled her; but at one point, it seemed as though a ball of stars.

Naruto began to slow firmly as the two arrived at the academy.

Hinata noticed the necklace as it seemed to faceplant into the wall. She glanced over the academy before noticing the incredible size. The world seeming to halt before her.

Naruto huffed, "So much for big and fancy. I've cleaned better art from my teeth."

Hinata turned to the boy in horror, "How can you say something like that?"

Naruto looked the girl over warily before shrugging, "It's a pretty dull first impression. Other than plaster, scuffs and a few wooden twigs; this place is more like a fancy box than a shelter. I've been in backstreets that could blow this whole place over in a single crosswind. I'm not about to let a house of cards slow me down! I'm going to be Hokage someday!"

Hinata seemed to burn up as the waves of pride rolled down on her like burning thunder. As the boy moved to breach the front door; Hinata topple forward in abandoned fervor, "Hey wait!"

The necklace chain swung up the wall before teetering down like a pensive leaf. 'I want to be the mollusk that travels the world in leaps and bounds. Watching as the world around me changes. The earth itself stepping back as an endless torrent carves its way through. I want to see the waves grace the faces that only time has been said to know. If I must wait a few hours for that kids attention; By the Hyuga's grace: This feeble wall can bite me for all I care!'

Naruto settled into his seat as Iruka counted people off.

Hinata made her way into the room. Her face softened when she noticed that Naruto was in an isolated seat. She shook herself and looked for a seat on the same Isle and her eyes widened as she found one.

Sasuke noticed the girls hesitation. His breath narrowly escaped as the Hyuga seemed more focused on a 'window seat' than his situation. Four weeks of nagging officials and family friends he'd never met in his life. All to be set upon by - bloodhounds - of every breed conceivable. It was like his families ghosts were abducted and impersonated by remote condoned stalkers. The pleas of which only reminded him… ...of his unmatched brother. The only man he'd ever looked up to. The only elder who would never look down on him; yet would seeming show him things he could never have found otherwise. The single man who could burn his family to ashes… ...Except for one boy. The one boy who he allowed to see it all.

A.N: Alpha rolls his shoulder before blue wings - Quickly flaring red - Billowed out behind him, "Finally. A chance to bring this kid out of hells pits without some Angst-strong phobia slowing me down." Behind him; the wings of chakra pool into a massive ball of chakra. The seven chakras firing sprites of energy like a lancing blender, "Marring Maw; Regenerative Revenge!"

The small necklace practices moulding the rasengan. Several various burst of chakra leaping into a mangled mess. Afterward unraveling like a plasma cutter enhanced breakdancing firehose. 'Fire-style: Fire and forget jutsu!' Bell rings, 'Speak of the bastard…'

Following the hurling mass of endless punks; Naruto made his way over to a swingset. The effect like someone screaming 'spider!'.

As Naruto kicked the dust beneath his feet; Hinata made her way towards the boy.

Given a few moments to gather the situation; Hinata spoke up firmly, "What has you down all of a sudden?"

Naruto glanced up at the approach before asking, "A spontaneous plague? Who knows. Maybe I just burst a bubble and the fear escapes. Either way; I'm alone and everyone's safe…" Naruto glanced up, "Now that I think about it… What has you so chatty?"

Hinata frowned at the clear - nearly frothing - doubts the boy held. Finally she sighed as a blush ate into her cheeks, "I suppose seeing someone so full of life yet so dissapointed is a bit of a disruption." Hinata toed the dirt, "I could barely keep up with you this morning…"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry about that. I race jonins for a living. I guess I got a bit carried away."

Hinata stammered at that, "J...Jonin? You mean chunin right?"

Naruto waved a hand dismissively; although the grin on his face was displaying 'time of his life', "Nah. Maybe if I ran in a strait line those vets could catch me. Chunin have the agility of a bar of soap. One spurred corner and they're eating with the neighbor's chickens."

Hinata paused for a moment before the laughter ate at her throat, "A...I'm sorry. It's just...it's a bit hard to imagine."

Naruto chuckled, "Yeah I guess so. Jonin are fast; but they're also sharp. When they can't keep up; they cut me off. If I run a strait for more than five feet and they pin me like thumbtack."

Hinata paused at that, "How? Jonin are the fastest ninja there are."

Naruto paused as a whistle reached his ears. An old kunai met the air. The crystal necklace punched into a tree like a ball bearing from a blowgun.

Hinata's eyes widened at the kunai. The movement itself she'd actually missed.

Naruto glanced at the tree before yanking the chain down. He narrowed his eyes before pulling out his sack, dropping the booklet to the ground he rifled for a pen.

Hinata noted as the cover opened and a slight breeze found the first pages.

'Vii Nexus… Disc Cone Helix; Chakra Marker.' Within the page an image of the necklace pendant was depicted.

Hinata glanced to Naruto as he drew a pencil. He froze as he saw the image before him.

Naruto glance between the book, Hinata, the necklace, the crowd, before finally turning back to Hinata, "Did I miss something?"

Alpha rolls his arms, "I was going to call it a night; but a few episodes of onepiece and I was reminded that I've still got a few bags of wind in me. That and… ...Some very dangerous advice. Advice that proved more potent and powerful than anything I have ever lived to see realized. Well… ...As the saying goes: What failed to kill you… ...Probably had the strength to move on." Alpha pound his fist together. Stones on either side crumbling to untapped concrete powder, "Fist of the great three: Fire, Water, Earth. Rule of three: Equivalent/Equidistant/Equitable Range!"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "What is this thing, haunted?"

Hinata activated her eyes briefly before shaking her head. She turned to face the wall and reminded herself that this was likely the same necklace she'd seen earlier. Finally she spoke, "Not haunted; but...It's...It's strange."

Naruto glanced up, "Strange how?"

Hinata sighed before lifting a hand to her neck, "As if the crystal is reflecting chakra. Kinda like glass bends light and breaks it; that crystal's mirroring partial chakra paths."

Naruto frowned, 'If this is the same rock from earlier…' Naruto glanced to the distance. Readying his throwing arm he lobbed the crystal over the fence.

The crystal landed with a faint clack. A moment later a spark flew.

Naruto glanced at the booklet and flipped a page.

Hinata glanced to the necklace in the distance a gasped, "Look out!"

Naruto glanced to the fence but but the crystal was already latching onto his wrist. He glanced down to the bead and sighed, "Oh that's going to get annoying.

"Tell me about it."

Alpha glances to the side as a wisp of blue energy flickered from the air. Behind it a shadowy red beast seemed to vanish. Alpha rubs the back of his head, "Ah nuts. I knew letting Remnant laze around would create issues."

Remnant glances up from a hammock in the distance, "Hey? I might remind you that you've kept massive deposits of moon sized 'lore-stones' on the 'edge of space'. Not my fault your such a reclusive case. What kind of brat measures himself against lightspeed?"

Alpha scoffs, "The man who diagnoses the flash with 'relentless persistence' and a variation of 'compounding magnitude' disorder." Alpha glances to the side, "Though this is the first time I've talked to a troll. In or out of fantasy. Anybody interested in a Hyperion Torpedo?"

Naruto flexed his wrist before sighing, "I was kinda hoping this thing would just loop back."

The bell rang and the class made their way inside. Before they made it inside Hinata asked, "Umm...Do...Do you think you might be able to spar with me later today?"

Naruto paused as he looked her over, 'What's with Hinata? First she's all chatty and now she's looking to fight?' Naruto smirked, "Half passed six. Corner of 'Red Light' and 'Green Stop-sign'. I'll be in the park across the street."

Hinata nodded. Already overdosing on butterflies and nervous breaths.

-That evening-

Naruto glanced up as Hinata entered the patch of woods, "I was getting a bit worried you wouldn't show."

Hinata gave a curt nod before poking her fingers together, "Gomen. I was unsure of how I would get here."

Naruto smirked and entered a stance...far less formal than the academy stance.

Hinata took the stance for the gentle fist.

Naruto seemed to pause, 'Really?' He glanced at her open palms before sighing, 'Maybe I'm just imagining things.'

It took his all of three minutes to break Hinata's guard. All the while; the dreaded hand prints narrowly bumping the ridges of his shoulders. Finally a massive shove to her stomach sent the hyuga heiress to her knees; her breath ragged.

Despite the obvious strain; Hinata glance up with a smile, "I think that was a decent warm up." She stood. An unnatural fire in her eyes, "Alright. Again."

Naruto smirked.

Three minutes. Two minutes. Five minutes. One minute.

Suddenly Naruto found himself landing on his back as a particular strike countered his initial strike. His shoulder betraying his for a back spin that tore through his balance.

Hinata paused before asking, "Gomen. Are you alright?"

Naruto shook himself, "And they call me unpredictable? I thought you might have been getting tired…" Naruto stood up, "Alright. No more shortcuts. You won't surprise me again tonight."

The next spar lasted for several minutes. While Naruto's onslaught became much less forgiving; Hinata's attacks and defense began to close in. Each of his attacks seemed to deflect off what could have been a springboard. The battle ended when one of his attacks backfired.

Hinata froze as she realized that naruto had actually been stunned. Her fright spell wavered as his laughter permeated the air.

Naruto sat back a nostalgic smile on his face, "Man, what a rush? It's like...like…" Naruto rubbed his head, "I don't have the words. It's like trying to hit a target covered in butter. I couldn't even tell when I missed!"

Hinata chuckled, "You were fighting like there was no tomorrow. If we keep this up; I might actually pass out."

Naruto nodded, "Thanks for tonight. This was… ...It more fun than I've had in the last six months." With a cheeky grin he added, "Let's do this again sometime."

Hinata nodded, "I look forward to it. I'll see you tomorrow."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "I almost forgot about that. Yeah. I'll see you then!"

The two parted ways. Naruto made his way home before wondering, "What kind of defense was that?"

~Rotary deflection: centripetal variant~

Naruto glanced to the side before speaking up, "Alright. What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

~Adjusting movement to the edge of a guard area. In other words; You were fighting circles around her~

Naruto paused mid stride before glancing to the sides. Finally he pulled a sleeve back to reveal the necklace turned bracelet, "Alright; who the hell are you? Why have you been following me?"

~I am a...library...of sorts. I have followed you because you fascinate me. Your situation is unique and your reactions are formidable. I suppose… ...you impressed me~

Naruto leapt onto a rooftop and asked, "How did you learn about fighting?"

~I've seen a lot of things. In the words of a wise man; The entire world is reflected by a single dewdrop. Let's just say I've had more than my fair share of 'dew'~

Naruto frowned, "How would that work? Dew is stuck to the ground."

~I suppose. But only temporarily. You know how dew collects on the side of a cold glass?~

Naruto chuckles, "Yeah. A 'cold sweat'."

~Well...Sweat comes from water and dust. When the dew dries up; it appears elsewhere~

Naruto frowned, "Like uh...tepo...Topo…"

~Teppoudama. Alternatively; Teleportation~

Naruto scratched his head dubiously, "Er...Yeah. The other one. So it teleports?"

~Moreover; It travels through the wind. What goes up must come down. If not as dew…~

Naruto glanced to the sky, "Rain."

~Right~

Naruto ducked through the back duct. And entered his apartment, "Do you know anything about ninja?"

~yep~

Naruto paused, "Can you tell me?"

~yep~

~Look bud: I could talk all night. Thing is; I get distracted. You get distracted. That info's useful up to a point; but it's useless without the time of day to learn. Tell you what… ...Get yourself to sleep. I'll teach you a few things.~

-Three hours later-

Naruto opened his eyes as a huge chamber appeared. His eyes took in… well ... there wasn't much to speak of. Other than a few shapes in the distance…

~Alright bud. This training's going to put you through the ringer of hell. Do you want to take it slow or full torture?~

Naruto narrowed his eyes, "I never back down from a fight!"

~...This isn't a fight. This first exercise is based on identifying limits. It's basically getting stuck between a rock and a hard place; but without a method of escape~

Naruto sweatdropped, "So I'm stuck here?"

~Only until you wake up… ...that or your subconscious bails you out. It's not so much dangerous as highly frustrating~

Naruto pumped a fist bring it on.

A light pulsed on the ground beneath him. Naruto felt his legs leave solid ground. Around him; numerous stone spires rose up. Clouds above him. A stone ground...several meters beneath him?!

Naruto sweatdropped, "A...I...Oh Kami; don't let me fall!"

~*grim* Blessing granted. Curse annexed. Genjutsu: Activated.~

Naruto felt something slam into him. His 'body' lifted towards the sky. The air seeming to pull him apart. 'Oh no no no no…' Suddenly the pressure lifted. Cue plummeting. 'Oh hell no!?'

The pendulum of rising and falling equalized. The distance between the 'sky' and 'earth' made stable.

Naruto frowned before noticing that the pillars were moving, "W...How do I dodge like this?"

As the tower drew closer; naruto's nerves grew erratic. The illusion twisted and naruto found himself falling towards and around the pillar. His distance changing with every pillar revolving in the area, "Oh crap; oh crap!" The illusion twisted at an unforgiving pace. The effect of gravity being warped an pummeled like a deforming balloon.

The better part of an hour passed. Naruto glanced at an approaching pillar. His gaze hardened, "NO!"

The genjutsu lurched. The tower before him stopped moving. Another to his side was drawing closer.

Naruto held out a hand, "ENOUGH!"

The pillar ground to a halt. The equilibrium began to waver as his altitude fluctuated.

Naruto shook his head, "I won't hold back. I Will NOT LOSE!"

Naruto felt something link him to the two towers. He pulled the link and dragged himself back.

The genjutsu fluctuate twice. The sky and ground spinning about before coming to rest at an angle.

Naruto placed his feet against the 'tethers' and spoke, "Bring it on!"

~Scoff: Dodge this buckler!~

Naruto's gaze locked on the flying orb. He tilted to the side; but the world around him began to shift again. As three further projectiles soared in; Naruto dodged one - Twist - Difflected another - Drift - and slammed a fist strait through the last - heave, "Something...So simple...Will never hold me back!"

The two surfaces crashed together before warping around the boy.

Naruto woke with a gasp. The world sprawling out around him.

~So. How'd you like hell?~

Naruto pouted, 'Venerable' "It was brutal you jerk!"

~I'll take that as a compliment. I'll say this much; your sense of direction and navigation just shot up… Still; I won't put you through something like that again any time soon. Dreams are powerful. Too many too fast can create nasty side effects. They're still useful; but people can only handle so many appointments before something gets dissed.~

Naruto scoffed, "Worst library I've ever been to."

~Eh? Oh! While you were out I redecorated in here. It's still a boat load of 'space' but now it should be a… well… a little easier to navigate. Whether you're just looking for a 'time killer' or a decent trick to practice; The Vii archives are yours to explore.~

Naruto glance to the window, "Vii?"

~I'll tell you about it after the chao - Ahem - Academy lets out~

Naruto's eyes bolted open and a cup of ramen seemed to spontaneously erupt from a cabinet. A kettle screamed as hot water poured down.

~? Did I miss something?!~

Towel. Shlurp. Door. Sandles hit the street before sprinting. Naruto grit his teeth as alley after alley dodged past like wind borne book.

~'...You'd have needed a sharingan to have tracked half of that.' Where did you get so fast? I know chunin get reckless; But it's like you're being propelled by an army of explosive tags!~

Naruto chuckled, "Seize the day. That's what the old man said. I don't plan on letting anybody slow me down."

~'Speaking of…' Beep beep beep beep: Collision!~

Naruto paused before plowing over another person. He tumbled into a shrub before the backhand of a tree brought him to a stop, 'Ow ow ow ow. A little warning would have been nice.'

~Oh yeah. 'Not everyone has automatic brakes at 40mph.' Bad habit I guess.~

Naruto found himself being hauled up by the collar.

Sasuke snarled, "What's the big idea knucklehead? Were you trying to kill me?"

~yes~

"No"

~Aw. Oversight on my part.~

Naruto frowned at that part, "I was in a rush. You turned a corner. I didn't stop. One of us slammed into a tree. How's your morning been?"

Sasuke fumed for a moment; but the steam seemed to level out into warm stone, "Quiet. Seclusive. And a long jump forsaken stream after getting kicked in the head by a mule."

~Holy cow. He's a lonely ass.~

Naruto's eye twitched, "Who you calling an ass!?"

Sasuke scowled, "I call you mule; mutton breath!"

~Me and my big mouth.~

-A few volleys later-

Naruto rolled out a sleeve before checking his pockets, "Well you fell short of a proper mugging. You make a pretty study roadblock."

Sasuke was about to retort - a few gears seemed to click into place - and he fumed out, "Don't let it happen again. I've half a mind to thrash you in today's sparring matches."

Naruto glanced back, "Think we'll be lucky enough to get that match?"

Something foul poured into the air. Something foreign to both of them.

~'Kamibofuu: Is that respect I smell?'~

Naruto turned from the Uchiha survivor, "Show me what you've got Uchiha. If it's worth doing; I'll grind you this afternoon."

A.N: Alpha rubs his brow. (What?) "Oh, nothing to be ashamed of. I'm just reminded that I'm not as 'young and naive' as I was once forgiven to believe. These days I'm 'senile and brash'. Still as 'guilty' as I ever was; and still as 'innocent' as the next literary hero. God and gods forgive my delusions of antiquity. Make brave the present; as it's all we have ever had!"

Sasuke scowled; although a particularly potent shadow graced his face, "We shall see mongrel."

-The sun got all of ten degrees before another confrontation occurred-

"Ino pig." "Billboard brow!"

~'And thus the 'fast' in food was born'~

===Chapter 1: Complete! ;)===

Alpha rolls his arms, "Well this has been a rather short chapter. If you guys want to see more; Drag out some persistence and send some feedback. Till then; My key fingers are itching for 'who knows what' kind of plot. Orbital Fanfic Drag-Canon: OUT!"

E.N: Couple minor tweaks before chapter two gets the ball back. A fair weekend to ya folks!