A message to my readers. It a part of this seems familiar do not flame me. I used it because I honestly found it hilarious. And I gained permission from the author of the story it was in. So I better not getting any messages complaining or accusing me of coping and stealing. I'll be using Gai comic relief in this story quite a lot. So get used to it!

Thank you and enjoy. Mira~

PAIRINGS!

Jiraya/Tsunade [Kinda you know they are in denial.]

Ita/Naru!

Pein/Ita/Naru [Eventually, maybe before his Jounry?]

Kyuu/Pein/Ita/Naru [Probably around the time of Shippuuden.]

Aiko/Kimimaro.

Chapter 1. The End of the Beginning.

"Once upon a time there was a lonely boy. This boy was very sad and of course lonely…He had never had a family or anyone to care about him. He grew up hated and ignored. He wished for attention even from those that were cruel to him.

He made a mask. One that was always happy no matter what. One that would never let anyone get to him. He pulled pranks for attention. Even if it was mean and angry attention, it was better than none. The mask was used so often, that the boy himself became the mask.

However, one person broke that mask. Another lonely boy. One who had his family his taken from him. Because of this the boy thought they could be friends. This did not happen.

The other hated everything and everyone, especially the masked boy. Because of this no matter what he did, the other boy always brought him down. While with anyone one else, he would bounce back or ignore them. He couldn't ignore the one like him.

Time passed on and he found others like him. Lonely, misguided, angry, fated. He helped these people with the inner light he possessed. All but the boy that hated him. That boy became the traitor. Turning his back on everything and everyone…He allowed his hatred and darkness to take control becoming absorbed with it. He left, hurting the masked boy physically and mentally.

The boy was sad, but swore to save the one that had called him his friend. His very first and best friend. And even though he said it while trying to kill him, no one had ever said something like that before to him. He promised the flower girl that he would bring him back.

Masked boy loved flower girl, but flower girl loved the traitor. Masked boy knew this would never change, but he would rather flower girl be happy. Even if it was without him.

Masked boy left his village. To become stronger. Against the people that hunted him, for the flower girl, and to save the traitor. One of the first days out he met the blind girl.

The blind girl's mind had been warped and twisted into believing the ancient one. She did his biddings without complaint. Killing all as she was ordered, judging them as he saw fit. Going against her very nature because she had become blinded by the affection, trust, faith, and lies he told her.

The ancient one had saved her. Making her feel useful and worthwhile. She swore her life to the ancient one. She was blind to his true malice. She gave the boy advice and left leaving behind a mess of destruction.

The masked boy and his teacher lay the judged to rest. The teacher stopping the boy from mistakenly taking the dead's payment toll.

Two and a half years passed. The masked boy grew up, starting to harness the great power of the nine-tail's. He returned to his home. Greeting the flower when he arrived."

Three blurs appeared in the forest, all surrounding the shadowed beast that was crouched before a tree sniffing the ground.

One was a girl with pink hair, wearing a red dress and green spandex shorts.

The second was a boy with black/blue hair wearing a blue shirt and white shorts.

The third was a blond boy wearing a dark blue and orange jump suit. An orange head band holding his bangs up.

From each of their positions they could watch the shadowed creature. Each had a collar like wire wrapped around their necks that hooked to an ear piece. All three ducked around what they used as cover and looked to the beast.

A distance away two people crouched in a tree. A male with grey/silver hair and a Jounin uniform, crouched on the left side of the tree. While on the right was a girl with silver and black hair. She wore black baggy pants and a blue kimono top lined with light blue, a blue sash held it closed. She wore a crimson body suit underneath.

The man sighed, his voice coming over the earpieces a moment later.

"Grey-Haired bastard to his cute students. Come in cute students. Over." He called a frown heard in his voice.

Sakura glanced over the tree she was hiding behind. She had to hide the chuckle that almost escaped her throat. That was until she remembered her code name. She grits her teeth clenching her fist. Kagami didn't do much on their missions. She mainly just watched. Because she was an 'uninfluenced' member of the team, she made their codenames. 'Uninfluenced my ass.' Sakura thought in annoyance.

"Pathetic fangirl. The target is in sight, 3.2 feet away. Over." She whispered heaving a sigh.

Kagami had proven that she hated Sakura deeply. And she still hadn't found out why yet. She wasn't alone in this hatred. It seemed the only one Kagami liked was Naruto…

Sasuke looked down from the tree branches he was hiding in. He crouched leaning forward slightly, to spring at the target.

"Foolish Traitor. Target in sight. 3 feet away. Over." He stated calmly.

He twitched as he said his name. Every time he said foolish it reminded him of his brother. Kagami would call him nothing but traitor, betrayer, or emo. She was an asset to the team with the fact that she was strong. However, her hatred of him proved that she wouldn't help or teach him anything. He had demanded her to help him once…that hadn't ended so well…

Naruto slid from his tree, and slinked around it smoothly. This was something familiar. Something he had hoped to never do again. He supposed that this was the only casualty he hadn't regretted in the war. He sighed smiling fondly as he spoke.

"Cute little brother. Target in sight, 4 feet away. Over." He called. "Should we move in Grey Haired Bastard? Protective big sister?" He questioned.

Kakashi wasn't sure how to react. Ever since he had gotten this team he had been paranoid and abused. Kagami had a deep rooted hatred for him, as she did with the rest of the team. Only Naruto escaped her wrath, and she was so protective and possessive of him it was dangerous to say a word against him. He should be grateful that Sakura wasn't as abusive toward the boy as he had feared. And he wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry about the situation or not.

The basic Team Seven Love Triangle, only it wasn't basic. And it didn't really fit its legacy…

Sakura didn't have as much of a temper as he had thought she would, and she wasn't abusive toward nor did she hate Naruto. She was still a fan girl, and still in love with Sasuke. That seemed to be the only thing correct with his original theory of his team. She was the best with chakra control and Genjutsu. Taijutsu wasn't her strong point and she was okay with kunai and shrunkin. She could perform low level Ninjutsu, but was limited because of her lack of stamina and chakra reserves.

Naruto, liked Sakura but it was in a friendship way instead of an obsessive crush as had been for the previous team 7's. He still pulled pranks, but was polite and although he could be cheerful it wasn't the loud obnoxious type he had feared. The boy was the Ninjutsu specialist of the team and shockingly the seals expert. Genjutsu was his weakest point but he wasn't useless against it, and he actually had chakra control down. Not as perfect as Sakura's but shockingly better then Sasuke's. He had a feeling Kagami had helped in this.

Sasuke seemed to be the only one in the correct role; he was an obsessed rival with Naruto. And even then he had changed that with liking Kagami in a way. Kakashi knew that was only because he considered her the only one good enough for Clan revival right now. Not to mention the only one that won't hold him back. He was their Taijutsu user on the team. He had large chakra reserves, not as insanely big as Naruto's, but his control was barely stable at best. He had an affinity to fire already and showed it with the Uchiha Clan fire jutsu's. Genjutsu was acceptable with him, not the best like Sakura and not as bad as Naruto. He seemed to stick with fire jutsu's instead of broadening himself.

And Kagami…She hated everyone but Naruto. He should have known that this team would break the years of tradition when it came to team 7. Her part on the team wasn't really clear. She never really showed her true potential. Whenever she did have to do something she made a show of how much she was holding back. It was obvious he had no clue on her power level. All he knew was that Healing was one of her worst abilities, she couldn't use sealing techniques to save her life, and Genjutsu was right under sealing and above healing. Ninjutsu she had a limited arsenal, but he found that wasn't a bad thing. With the Ninjutsu she did know she knew to such a level of mastery that no one could beat her with her techniques. Weaponry was her strongest ability under taijutsu.

And even then he couldn't get a read on her level's, and until her probation was up her records were sealed by the Hokage.

It was a huge difference, but the team was basically the same.

Only instead of a hyperactive loud idiot, there was a calm cheerful kid.

Instead of a loud banshee, there was a fangirl that was calm and rather confident.

Instead of the brooding Emo, there was an avenger who actually thought of his future Clan.

And add an evil little girl.

Yea, he had a feeling Team 7 would never reach the cycle it had been. A part of him was happy, maybe this time the Team wouldn't suffer tragedy. A part of him mourned the chance to see his past replayed again.

He settled for shaking his head, and eye smiling. "Okay. Target confirmed. Move in and apprehend my cute students." He said cheerfully.

Three separate heads nodded. A mere second later, two blurs dashed toward the area. A dark blue duck like one, from above. And a pink and red one going on the ground. They both landed near the target at the same time.

Said target's eyes had widened and it jerked its head toward the scary looking enemies. The target was then grabbed by the pink haired girl, who was smart enough to hold it tightly to where it had trouble breathing. It tried to squirm out, scratching and clawing. The girl merely growled and squeezed harder in annoyance. The target looked around for anyone to help it. All it saw was the blue boy, and another boy with blonde hair. Blonde boy was watching him with sympathetic eyes, but made no more to help him. He had never felt so betrayed…

Naruto watched the scene and shook his head. There was no way he was going to be the one to grab Tora again. "Target captured." Naruto said.

Kakashi nodded, as he glanced through his book, leaning against the tree. "Are you sure this is the target, Tora? Ribbon on the left ear?" He asked lazily. 'Just how long is this cat going to live? I swear the Hokage was complaining about chasing it back when he was still a Genin.' He thought with a grimace. He himself still remembered that demon cat… Though he couldn't blame it…

"Yes, positive." Naruto's voice came over the ear piece.

Grinning happily, Kakashi snapped his book closed, placing his hand to the ear piece. "Excellent! Missing pet 'Tora' search mission… Complete!"

Kagami snorted from beside him. "Don't act so happy. You didn't even do anything useful, worthless sensei." She said as she jumped from the tree.

Kakashi's head dropped with a sigh.

"Ohh, my cute little Tora-Chan I was sooo worried." The woman cooed out, as she cuddled the cat to her chest. Said cat cried, and tried to get out of her arms. It was dying slowly dying… It hated this torture.

Sakura watched the cat with an expression of vengeance, though she kept a polite smile on her face. 'That damned cat deserves it. Just how many times are we going to go after that cursed thing? I don't get how no team has accidently killed it just yet. How is it even still alive? With how much that woman squeezes it… Not to mention from what I've heard that cat was alive when the Hokage was a Genin. How is that even possible?' She wondered watching the cat be squeezed to the woman's chest. Inner Sakura was cackling and sticking pins in a voodoo doll of the cat.

Sasuke stood sideway, watching the scene in disinterest. This had all happened before. Only this time it had been Sakura to catch the cat. Usually he was the first to it. Although he felt disappointed that he hadn't completed the mission, he was relieved he hadn't been the one to get clawed at. The only one that hadn't caught it was Naruto, he never seemed to get to the scene on time. He would have accused him of purposely being slow… However, if he did Kagami would use him as Senbon practice again.

Naruto just watched sadly as the poor thing was tortured. He felt bad for it. It was no wonder it always ran away. He shook the thoughts away and turned to more important thoughts. Naruto was thinking about what would be happening next. He couldn't wait. He would get to meet Haku again, and Kagami already knew Zabuza. That would help things along this time around. At least he hoped so. Kagami had gone out of her way to accept her contract with him this time, for Naruto's sake. 'At least this outfit isn't as bad as the one I had…' he thought picking at his sleeve.

Kagami's hand drifted up the place her chocker had been. It had stood out and she had to forget the past. She no longer needed a sign of ownership. After all she didn't belong to anyone. Still...she felt oddly exposed without it. She couldn't wait for the Chuunin Exams. She missed her old red kimono. They had agreed she could start wearing it at the Exam. Blood wouldn't show up as easily on it anyway. Right now red would just gain too much attention and Sakura already did that with her outfit. No, Kagami would stick with her blue outfit for a while longer.

Kakashi merely stood there with a blank expression. 'That poor cat…' He thought. He wondered if it would ever be free from that...woman… She might be the Fire Lords wife, but she wasn't the best with animals.

Sarutobi leant back in his chair. His pipe rested in his mouth, as the smoke swirled up and clung along the ceiling. He picked up a paper on his desk, and allowed his eyes to skim over it. "Now… Team Seven, led by Kakashi… Your next mission is…" He said trailing off and glancing over the paper once more. "Hmmm… Babysitting an elder's grandson… Shopping in the neighboring village… Help with the potato digging… And, helping Maito Gai find his missing outfit." He muttered.

Kakashi froze, and twitched slightly. 'His… outfit is missing? Then what...' Kakashi's face lost all color and he swayed slightly.

A tall male went running down the street, with a bath robe on. Behind him was a mini him, in a green leotard. "Come LEE! Even if I have lost the outfit of YOUTH, we must still continue!" He shouted, as he turned his head and grinned at the other. His teeth glinting in the sunlight.

The mini him, nodded back, face serious. "Of course, sensei. That fact that you would continue even with only a robe, proves you are in the SPRING TIME OF YOUTH!" He shouted happily.

The man cried, tears falling down his face. "I have taught you well, my pupil. You two pick it up!" He called to the other members of the team.

Both were running after him. The female was wearing a large jacket, which had the hood pulled over her face, and a hockey mask. The male, was wearing a cloak. He had on a pair of sun glasses, and a fake mustache. His hair had been pulled up and stuffed into a hat. Both had the same thought.

'I don't know them. I don't know them… At least no one can guess who I am….'

They both blanched when Lee suggested trading his outfit for a robe as well.

'Oh god no!'

'I think I'm going to be sick…' Kakashi thought.

"No."

Everyone turned their attention to the team before them. And to the shock of those in the room it had been Kagami who spoke. She was picking at her nails, cleaning what looked to be blood from under them. Though they couldn't be sure if that is where she was looking, after all she did wear her headband over her eyes. The new plates on the back of her gloves glinted in the light.

"We have completed the necessary amount of D-Rank missions for a C-Rank mission at least. And I do believe I 'requested' the next C-Rank we could 'Receive'." She said.

Sakura jerked from her thoughts and turned to look at her with wide eyes. 'What is she thinking? You can't refuse the Hokage. She's going to get us into trouble.' She thought panicking. Inner Sakura was quiet as she usually was around Kagami. She wanted to demand that she show the Hokage the proper respect he deserved. However, if there was one thing she had come to learn it was that Kagami was stronger than her. She kept her mouth shut though; there was no reason to get on her bad side again.

Naruto blinked tilting his head in thought. His eyes brightened when he added up the timeframes. 'Haku… I'll get to see you again soon.' He thought smiling softly.

Sasuke turned to the Hokage with a serious expression. "I must agree. These D-rank missions are getting us nowhere. We can already work like a team if needed. And Kagami explained that was what D-Rank Missions were for. At the very least could you give us a chance to prove ourselves?" He asked.

Naruto glanced at Sasuke and smiled slightly turning back to Hiruzen. "Sasuke and Onee-San's right. How can we ever show you that we are ready for harder things if you don't give us a chance to prove ourselves? We have come a long way for the short time we have been together. The training we have done proves that we can work together. All we ask for is a chance." He said.

Sakura looked at her teammates in slight shock. She looked down smiling softly. 'We have all kind of become friends. Even though Sasuke hates Naruto, he doesn't care if I make friends with him. And now that were on a team together I don't have any excuses. Since I asked Sasuke for some Taijutsu tips he's been a bit nicer in me, at least he notices me from time to time now. And although Kagami hates me she had never hurt me. She's even given me advice… We do make a good team.' She thought smiling brighter.

She looked up with a determined expression. "I agree with my teammates. If we are supposed to be a Genin team, then we need to see how far our trust in one another goes. And how good our skills have improves. And how else can we do that, then by new situations and chances to prove ourselves." She said in a steely voice.

Kakashi couldn't help but blink at the team. They weren't best friends, but they did help one another. Everything he had seen so far was that of a true team. He couldn't help but feel proud of them. In the very beginning they had been a bit awkward and unsure of each other.

Kagami's blatant hatred for them. Though her protectiveness and obsessive tendencies toward Naruto.

Sasuke's disinterest, although he showed rivalry with Naruto and interest in Kagami. He had even started helping Sakura when she asked, because he didn't want to be held back.

Sakura was in an awkward stage of leaving her fan girl self behind to become a true Kunoichi. He had a feeling that Genjutsu Kagami had used on her their first training session had something to do with it. She had been trying harder ever since.

Naruto seemed to be making an effort. At times he seemed to avoid the two of them. Kakashi thought it was just a part of the boys shy nature that he had read about. But sometimes he gained this haunted look. As if he was afraid of them or of what would happen if he got too close.

They did work perfectly as a team however, and he couldn't be prouder to be their sensei.

The room was silent.

Even Iruka couldn't think of anything to say. They had given very good reasons to be given a C-Rank mission. Even Sasuke and Sakura had agreed on it. And most shocking of all, Kagami had suggested it. Iruka knew she was only a Genin for probation. So he knew their team was better off than others. However, he still worried. What if something happened to them? What if they were hurt? Naruto was like a little brother to him, and he had grown fond of Kagami. She always came to him if she needed help or advice. It wasn't often but it was enough.

And he knew they were form the future. They had told him bits and pieces. The Hokage himself had said it was all true. While they hadn't told him everything he knew about what the future was like. And even though they had survived all that… They were still his stu-well ex-students. Still people he worried and cared about. He didn't want to see any of them hurt. He couldn't help but lean back and sigh in his chair. There was nothing he could do. It was up to the Hokage.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked looking at them with serious eyes, concern and desperation swirling in them.

Sarutobi hid his face with his hat to hide his smile, as Sakura filched slightly but kept her face straight, and Sasuke looked off to the side, Naruto slowly smiled brightly at him, and Kagami turned her gaze toward him. Together all four nodded, causing him to sigh. Iruka glanced at the Hokage and sat back in his seat correctly.

The Hokage sighed, and leaned forward in his seat again. "Alright." He called calmly. Looking up he smiled at the four. "You've stated your case. However, it's not only up to me." He said. Sarutobi looked over the team a last time. "As long as your sensei agrees." He said.

Sakura looked up at the Hokage in surprise, while Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. They turned to look at Kakashi. Naruto coping their motions with a small smile, while Kagami's face seemed to be turned toward the window.

Kakashi blinked slowly, and reached up rubbing his chin. "Of course. I don't think a C-Rank will be a problem…" He said with an eye smile. "These three, four, have proven that they can take care of themselves, just now. Not that but I think a change of scenery will do them good. It's only an escort mission. And the new experience should help them toward their teamwork if something comes up." He said happily.

Naruto couldn't help but blink slowly in slight shock. 'Kakashi never spoke that way before… But I guess things could be explained better. Originally the Council ordered him to train Sasuke. This time I'm close to the Council, and learning of my past they aren't in a hurry to give Sasuke power again. So that order never came. And although the changes have been small and minor, things have changed this time around. We are a better team.' He thought slowly and smiled brightly at his sensei instead. 'Seems I won't suffer too badly this time around.' He thought.

Sakura just stared in shock. 'He actually agreed. We get a higher mission…' She thought in shock. 'HELL YEA! NOW WE CAN START PROVING OURSELEVES! SHOW THAT WE AREN'T THAT WEAK LITTLE GIRL ANYMORE! WE'LL GAIN THE OTHERS RESPECT AND BECOME STRONGER!'Inner Sakura shouted, causing a small smile to appear on Sakura's face.

Sasuke merely smirked. 'Finally a chance to prove myself. If I can prove I'm ready we can get stronger missions, and stronger mission's means I get stronger. And he would be one step closer to killing Itachi!' he thought. 'Though I can't forget about restoring my clan. If I don't do that and face Itachi, if by some chance I die then there will be nothing left of my clan. So I have to get strong and start recreating my clan.' He thought with a nod crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

Kagami continued to stare out the window. 'I wonder if Itachi will want beef stew tonight or another rice dish? I'll have to remember to buy some ramen as well. We've all gained an addiction to the junk; we can't go a meal without it. That and Pocky, but that's more Itachi's fault then anything…' She thought.

Sarutobi leant forward, as he laced his fingers together. "I'll give you the C-Ranked mission you asked for. It's the protection missions for a certain individual." He said, with a slight smile. He had a feeling Naruto had been waiting for this. He would have to thank Kagami for reminding him of this mission.

The Team's attention was drawn back to the Hokage. Sakura stood there, a determined gleam to prove herself in her eyes. Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets. Naruto stood at attention and smiled slightly at the Hokage. Kagami turned her attention from the window, tilting her head in wait. Kakashi stood there, slouched over from the shock of it all. He had not expected this to happen so easily. He thought the Hokage would have put up more of a fight. He usually would.

Sarutobi nodded, and turned his head back to the door. "Hey, will you come in here, please?" He asked.

The door was slowly opened by scarred hands, and a bottle of alcohol. "What's this?" The figure asked as they entered the room completely. It was a male. He looked to be around 40 or 50. He had glasses and short grey hair, and a rope tied around his head. He swayed slightly as he stood and reeked of alcohol. "They're a bunch of super brats. How are they supposed to protect me?" He asked. He turned his attention t the three midgets again. "Especially the shortest one with the weird face. Not to mention the blind girl, what use could she possibly be? One looks like a bubblegum princess who probably can't even hold a weapon and the other looks weak and girly. Are they really ninja?" He asked, in disbelief.

Naruto blinked slowly and sighed. It would seem that he would always be short. At least this time his jump suit wasn't insulted. 'Although I suppose Dark blue, red, and burnt orange isn't as bad as neon orange, red, crème, and navy blue. At least it doesn't burn any one's eyes.' He thought.

Sasuke glared at the fool. 'How dare he call me girly?' He thought seething. Perhaps a misplaced Kunai would change his mind?

Sakura grit her teeth and clenched her fists. 'I'll show him bubblegum princess.' She thought. Inner Sakura was hissing and cursing in anger. However she was also a bit disappointed that even someone she didn't know thought she looked weak.

Kakashi eye smiled at the man. "Although they are beginners, they really are ninja's." He said, happily. Although he couldn't help but shiver at the killing intent rising from Sakura and Sasuke. He was prepared to stop them if they tried to attack.

The male arched a brow and sniffed slightly away from them. "We'll see about that. I am the super expert bridge builder Tazuna. I expect you to provide me super protection until I get back to my Country and complete the bridge." He said, as he stared down the three children.

Naruto, offered a polite smile. "Might I ask where we are escorting you?" He asked, calmly.

Tazuna blinked, and shrugged. "Wave Country."

Naruto nodded once more. However, inside he was jumping up and down and grinning. He would get to see Haku soon!

A few minutes, later Kakashi dismissed the team. He had decided to leave tomorrow, to give everyone time to prepare. After deciding a time, the team split up. Sasuke heading home. Sakura starting to stalk Sasuke, but changing her mind and heading to the training ground. Kakashi to stalk up on books. And Naruto to with Kagami to have lunch then head home to spend time with Itachi and tell him what they were doing tomorrow.

Pairing votes:

Kagami/Kakashi 4

Rock Lee/Kagami 2

Neji/Haku 2

Hinata/Gaara

Shika/TenTen

Hinata/Haku

Sasori/Deidara

Neji/Gaara

Hinata/Sasuke?

Past Kakashi/Obito?/Rin?

Deidara/Ino

Oi! I got really dizzy remembering all of these! So sorry if I missed someone...

Meh. Chapter three will be the last one you can vote for a pairing. After that it's all over!