Disclaimer? I don't need no stinkin' disclaimer!
Hey everybody, I'm back! Bad news...
My MicrosoftWord trial membership ran out so I'm using WordPad, which has no spell check. Sorry in advance for any mistakes.
This is the sequel to Domino Effect. Please read that first if you haven't yet.
Fated Meetings: Third Time's The Charm
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Naruto crouched in the branches of a tall oak tree as he calmly waited for the signal. Every year Sasame gave them his own version of the genin exam and refused to let them take the Academy's version until they could pass his. So far they had failed twice and if they failed this time then they would miss graduating with their official class. Naruto clutched his kunai nervously. Not passing a Sasame's exam would take them straight from the top three, a position that he loved to rub in Uchiha-teme's face, to the class dobes. He couldn't let that happen! Each year Sasame would take them to a different part of fire country and give them a mock mission: steal a scroll from him without getting caught and return it to the Hokage.
The first time they had taken the test they had gotten caught and had engaged Sasame in battle. Defeat had come when Naruto had used his Fire Cage Jutsu, a series of crisscrossing fire columns that trapped the opponent in an dome that could not be broken by a simple Suiton Jutsu, at the same time that Haku had tried to use his Makyo Hyosho. The resulting effect was a spectacular explosion which had distracted the two enough to get captured. Gaara was caught moments later when he had attempted to rescue the two and walked straight into a Genjutsu. He was not amused when Sasame released him and calmly informed him that he had been attacking a boulder.
The next year the trio had actually been able to capture the scroll but had been attacked by Kakashi-san just steps from the main gate of Konohagakure. The trio had focused their defense around Haku, who was holding the scroll, but Kakashi had instead captured Naruto and demanded the scroll for Naruto's life. Haku had no choice but to hand over the scroll and accept their failure. Naruto had contested Kakashi's involvement but Sasame had pointed out that most ninja worked in teams and that they should be wary whenever they saw only one opponent. Sasame had given him a comforting pat on the back and told him he'd get it next time.
A crow cawed in the distance and Naruto got ready. That was Gaara's signal that he had spotted Sasame with his Daisan no Me. A glint of light later showed that Haku had been successful in using his god-like speed to retrieve the scroll. The lack of commotion also showed that Naruto's genjutsu had been successful in drawing Sasame's attention away from the scroll long enough for Haku to switch it with a fake. Naruto raced to the meeting point and took up middle guard with Gaara on point and Haku in rear guard. Each boy carried a scroll so that if they were attacked there would be a two out of three chance that the attacker would target the wrong one. The real scroll was quickly tucked away in Gaara's sand gourd, where Shinigami himself would not be able to reach it without taking Gaara's life first. They raced back to Konoha, stopping every now and then to allow Gaara to scout the area. Twice, Sasame almost caught up with them but the boys set traps that ended up delaying him long enough for them to pull ahead again. Finally, the boys spotted the Hokage Monument in the distance late that evening. They moved to the highest branches and sped up to avoid any help that Sasame may have set up.
Gaara stopped suddenly and motioned for them to hide. They quickly concealed themselves in the leaves and waited. Moments later two figures stopped near them, both locked in battle. Iruka-sensei was attacking Mizuki-sensei, who had a large scroll on his back. Iruka-sensei was quickly overwhelmed and was knocked out. Gaara, meanwhile, had eased the cork out of his gourd and silently sent his sand out. One minute Mizuki was gloating over Iruka-sensei and the next he was trapped in Gaara's Sabakuro. The scroll had been liberated by Haku's senbons and had been caught by Naruto in that time. Haku went to check over Iruka-sensei while Naruto opened and read the scroll.
"What is it?" asked Gaara curiously.
"I think its one of oyaji's kinjutsu scrolls," answered Naruto. "This Kagebushin no Jutsu looks pretty cool."
"Naruto!" cried Haku in shock.
"Sorry, sorry. Anyways, let's get this traitor back to the village."
"Poor Iruka-sensei," remarked Haku as he picked him up. "He has such bad luck with co-workers."
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Sandaime puffed his pipe thoughtfully as he regarded the three boys before him. On his desk were two scrolls: the stolen kinjutsu scroll and their exam scroll. Sasame stood to the side of the room waiting for the verdict for his sons/students with a proud look. Sandaime finally removed his pipe and spoke. "Congratulations on passing Sasame's test boys. I've decided to automatically make you Genin so you won't have to take the test tomorrow. Just make sure that you show up to the team assignments so that you can meet your sensei. As for tonight, your capture of Mizuki will be marked as a B-Rank mission, since that is the rank that I would have needed to assign the Oinins. Your pay will be automatically credited to the accounts that Sasame has set up for you. Take some time off tomorrow and enjoy the money. I'm very proud of you boys," he finished with a grin. The boys mock saluted and accepted their hitai-ate from the Hokage. "So where will you boys go to celebrate?" Sasame jumped.
"I know," he cut in desperately. "Let's go to the hot springs!"
"Yeah!" cried the boys excitedly. Sasame sighed in relief and sent up a silent apology to Ichiraku-san. He ushered the boys out of the office and left the Hokage alone. Moments later a figure appeared in the room.
"So those will be my subordinates?" asked the Jonin casually.
"Yes, that's them," answered Sandaime. "I have no doubt that they will rise through the ranks quickly. They are already very strong. Please teach them well." The Jonin gave a sadistic smirk.
"Don't worry. If they survive me then they'll survive anything. Just trust me." The Jonin poofed away and Sandaime shivered slightly. He hoped he had made the right decision.
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The hyper trio was running through the streets of Konoha on their way to the Academy. Although they were already a team, they still had to meet their Jonin-sensei and the bell would be ringing any minute. The three had overslept because Gaara, who was not a morning person, had used his sand to kill the alarm clock and had gone back to sleep. Sasame had finally had to resort to using a bullhorn to get them out of bed but by then they were already significantly behind. Finally reaching the Academy, they scaled the walls of the building and dove through the open window into Iruka-sensei's classroom. "Safe," announced Naruto. The rest of the class sweat dropped at their appearance.
"What are you dobes doing here?" drawled Sasuke finally. "This meeting is for graduates only." Naruto grinned and pointed to his hitai-ate.
"And what do you call this Uchiha-teme?" Sasuke blinked.
"But you didn't even take the exam," Sakura protested.
"There were extenuating circumstances," explained a smirking Gaara. "We graduated a day early and have already completed our first B-Rank mission." The class was completely silent as they gaped at him. Haku grinned and winked at his brothers. He walked to Sasuke.
"Don't worry Sasuke, we'll still train with you. You're bound to learn something from us." Sasuke sputtered and Haku formed the ram seal. A quick transformation technique later he had slightly longer hair and generous female curves, which were just barely covered with a draping, pink kimono. "You'd like that wouldn't you Sasuke-kun?" she asked in a seductive voice. She lifted a delicate hand and placed a slim finger under his hanging jaw, snapping his mouth shut. Sasuke quickly turned a bright shade of red and Haku changed back satisfied. "Pay up," he ordered his brothers. They groaned and reached for their moneybags.
"Damn," muttered Gaara. "And here I was sure that he was gay." He and Naruto handed their losses over to a smirking Haku. Sasuke quickly went from embarrassment to anger and prepared himself to attack them but Iruka entered the room before he could.
"Okay everyone, take your seats," he ordered briskly. Sasuke took his seat grumbling while the rest of the class watched the trio take their seats in awe.
"So who do you think our sensei will be?" asked Haku once Iruka began assigning teams. "I hope that it's Genma-san." Gaara smirked.
"You would," he teased. "If he is, just promise that you won't start holding senbons in your mouth like he does."
"I hope that we get Kakashi-san," whispered Naruto excitedly.
"Fat chance," said Gaara. "Uchiha-teme graduated. Kakashi-san is the only one who can train his sharingan, if the baka ever actually manages to activate it, so he'll most likely get saddled with Uchiha-teme."
"Hey you three, pay attention!" yelled Iruka at them. The boys groaned and turned their attention to the front as Iruka-sensei continued. "Team Seven: Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura. Since we are short a graduate you will only have a two man team. Hokage-sama will assign a third member once the coming chunin exam creates openings in the old genin teams." Sasuke frowned at the thought of being paired with a failure. Sakura, however, was practically dancing at the thought of having Sasuke to herself for a while. Iruka sighed and continued. "Team Eight: Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, and Hyuga Hinata. Team Nine is still an active genin cell and so it won't be reissued today." Iruka and the trio shuddered at the reminder of Team Nine's, or rather Team Gai's, instructor. "Team Ten: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino." Ino groaned at this while Shikamaru muttered his usual 'troublesome' complaint. "Team Eleven: Sabaku no Gaara, Haku, and Uzumaki Naruto." Iruka set the list down and smiled to his students. "Minna, it has been a pleasure being your sensei. Your Jonin-sensei's will be here momentarily to assist you on your path as genins. I ask you to work hard for them and make this Academy proud." Suddenly, a cylinder crashed though the window and landed right in front of Iruka-sensei, causing him to yelp and dive behind his desk. The cylinder suddenly exploded, releasing a small fireworks display. The class watched in shock as a woman in fishnets appeared in front of the fireworks just as they began tapering off.
"Team Eleven," she called out loudly. "I'll be your Jonin-sensei. Follow me!"
"Was that really necessary," groused Iruka as he stood to look at the intruder. He froze as he saw the woman look back at him sheepishly.
"Gomen," she replied with a grin. "Anyways, team eleven needs to meet me on the roof in thirty seconds." With that she poofed away.
"Great," cried Naruto as he jumped for the window. "We had to get the crazy one!"
"What are you talking about?" laughed Gaara as he followed. "She's just like you."
"What!" came Naruto's voice from outside? Haku sighed and disappeared with a well-placed teleportation jutsu. The class starred at the disappearing wisps of smoke left behind and thanked Kami that the crazy kunoichi wasn't their sensei.
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The trio stood in front of their sensei as she regarded them sternly. "Twenty-three seconds?" she bit. "And only one of you thought to use the teleportation jutsu even though I used it right in front of you! I expect much better from my subordinates. Next time it better be ten seconds. Do you here me?" The boys nodded nervously. "Well, I guess we should get the pleasantries out of the way then," she said, switching back to her crazy grin in less than a second. She motioned them to sit. "My name is Mitarashi Anko, Tokubetsu Jonin. This is the first time that Hokage-sama has asked me to lead a genin team. He said something about wanting them to live beyond the first week. I like dango and I hate traitors and deserters. Okay, now you guys." Haku and Naruto were still in shock so Gaara started.
"My name is Sabaku no Gaara. I specialize in sand attacks and information gathering. I can summon tanuki and ravens. I like my family and I hate the Kazekage." Haku took his cue.
"My name is Haku. I specialize in ice and speed attacks, as well as defense and medical techniques. I can summon dolphins and ninken. I like my family and senbons. I hate close-minded people." Naruto brought up the rear.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I specialize in Fire and Power Jutsus, as well as distractions. I can summon kitsunes and frogs. I like ramen and my family and I hate Uchiha-teme."
"Good," said Anko with a smile. "The brains, the defense, and the brawn. I can work with this. Or at least ensure an explosive end." The boys blanched. "Okay, meet me by the Hokage Tower tomorrow at nine. We'll be running our first training exercise. Ja ne." The boys watched her disappear and tried to repress the whimpers that were rising in them. A poof of smoke appeared and the boys jumped, thinking that the crazy lady had returned.
Sarutobi Asuma regarded the trio in front of him and smiled comfortingly. " I take it you just met Anko-san?" The boys nodded sadly. "Good luck," said Asuma gently. Then much quieter: "You're going to need it." The boys groaned and left to make room for team ten on the roof.
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Okay, first chapter is here. Don't get used to the length because that's probably not happening again. Chapters won't be tiny but if I want to do one a week they won't be this long either. I'm gunning for an eight chapter story for the wave arc with updates every week or so. Please point out if I'm making any mistakes. I got 2131 hits and 42 reviews for Domino Effect so I'm hoping that this fic will get even more. Please Review!