The Exception

Well this is my first Naruto Fanfic. I have a whole bunch of other Fanfics but those can wait for now. Well I won't dwindle on this introduction, I hope everyone likes what I got here. The next chapter will be released as soon as possible. I am already half-way done with it. Anyway, have fun reading this! YAY!!!! Comment if you wish, whether it be mean or nice. Either way, this is my creation and no critic is gonna tell me what I can and can't do.

Oh yes. DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO IN ANYWAY! The characters involved are creations of Misashi Kishimoto, not of my own.

Oh yes, The dialogue will be different in the next chapter. I keep forgetting to space that out a bit different and I was way too lazy to fix it by the end. So deal with it right now please. Have fun guys and girls.

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"So our mission is to..." "Take some Shinobi..." "Out on our A-Rank so he can get a taste of what being a Shinobi is all about..."Naruto, Sakura, Neji and Kakashi all walked steadily down a dirt path. "Tsunade-Sama said this is a special case, and the only reason he's being taken with us is because of that reason..."Kakashi said as he looked to Naruto and Sakura, Neji really didn't care. "Has he even been to the academy?!"Naruto asked, he was looking bewildered by all of this. Why was this guy able to go out on a mission, an A Rank at that, for some special reason?! "No he has not..."Kakashi said as he looked up into the sky. Naruto rolled his eyes, "So what are we training him to?!" "Yes..."Naruto fell over. He then jumped back up, "WHAT THE HELL KAKASHI-SENSEI?! Why is he allowed to do such a thing?!"Naruto exclaimed. "Just shut-up and go along with it Naruto, Tsunade-Sama said that it had to be done so..."Sakura looked back at Naruto. "Follow the orders, and let's get this over with!"Sakura exclaimed. "Couldn't of said it better myself..."Neji added. Naruto gave them both looks, Kakashi chuckled.

Moments later, they reached they're destination. It was a small cottage located off the very outskirts of Konohagakure. A woman was sweeping the porch outside. She had long brown hair, pale skin and dark brown eyes. She was humming a silent tune and had a small smile on her face. She blinked, looking up to see Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura and Neji. She smiled, waving over at them. "Are you the Squad sent to pick up my son?"She yelled over to them. Kakashi waved back as he and the group approached her, "Yes, we are the Squad sent by Hokage-Sama to come pick up your son, Kojima Ariyama..."Kakashi closed an eye and smiled under his mask, stopping a few feet away from her. She smiled and nodded, "Kojima-Chan!!"She exclaimed. A head popped into view in the window. A wide smile on his face. Sakura and Neji saw him, Naruto and Kakashi were out of view. Sakura glanced at Neji, whom shrugged and crossed his arms. Sakura looked to the door as a boy hopped out, a large smile on his face. He was as tall as Naruto and had shoulder length blue hair. His eyes were a Kabuki red color and his skin was as white as Sakura's. He has a lean body mass, not very muscular but muscular none the less. He was wearing a blue short sleeved shirt made of a special material and black leggings, also made of a special material.

"This is my son, Kojima Ariyama..."The woman said as she walked over to him. She laid a hand down on his head, he just smiled. Kakashi nodded and smiled, "Tsunade-Sama also instructed me to go over a few things with you when I arrived...So..."Kakashi Looked over at Sakura and the others. "Everyone, get acquainted with Kojima-Kun here, you're going to be spending a lot of time with him after all..."Kakashi nodded. The woman opened the door and led Kakashi inside, leaving Kojima, Sakura, Naruto and Neji to become 'friends'. There was a long awkward silence, it made everyone but Neji nervous. The silence was broken by Kojima clearing his throat, "So um...My Name is Kojima Ariyama as you already know! I am looking forward to working with you on this mission!"Kojima nodded and smiled. Naruto instantly got in his face, "Why are you so special?!"Naruto exclaimed. Kojima blinked and stepped backward, his hands up defensively. "W-Whaddya mean?"Kojima laughed nervously. "I went through the Academy, Sakura went through the Academy and Neji did too! SO WHY DON'T YOU?!"Naruto exclaimed, poking him in the chest. Kojima stumbled back, blinking. He looked away, not saying anything. Sakura looked from Kojima then back at Naruto. Her face suddenly turned angry, "NARUTO! BE NICE!!"Sakura grabbed him by the collar. Naruto blinked, "Gah! Sakura-Chan!!"Naruto exclaimed, struggling to get away. Sakura gritted her teeth and threw him in the direction of Neji. Neji just stepped out of the way as Naruto flew past him, hitting the tree behind him.

Sakura then bowed to Kojima, "Please forgive Naruto-Kun's rude behavior! He's always like that so don't take it personally..."Sakura said with a small smile. Kojima blinked again, watching Sakura. "Y-Your really strong!"Kojima exclaimed, his eyes wide and in awe as he stared at her. Sakura blushed from embarrassment, "Ahh...Training From Tsunade-Sama can do that..."She laughed again. "I am Sakura Haruno, the moron is Naruto Uzumaki..."She bowed again. "Nice to meet you Kojima-Kun!"Neji grumbled. "I'm Neji Hyuuga of the Hyuuga Clan, branch family...Nice to meet you...Just don't get in my way..."Neji added. Kojima blinked then nodded. "Y-Yes I will not get in your way Neji-San,"He said with a gulp. Sakura laughed nervously, "I promise we won't be too hard on you, do you have any experience as a Shinobi?"Sakura asked. Kojima quickly nodded, "Yes! Yes of course I do!"Kojima said nodding. "Hokage-Sama wouldn't of let me go on this mission if I didn't!"Sakura blinked, surprised that he had experience. "Really? But we were told that you never went through the Academy."Kojima looked away, then nodded. "Yes...That is true...But if I were to go in I would be considered a graduate...Watch!"Kojima slapped his hands into a seal. "Henge no Jutsu!"Kojima exclaimed, a poof of smoke erupted around him. He transformed into Sakura, a peace sign formed with his left hand. He smiled and reverted back. He slapped his hands back into another hand seal, "Bunshin No Jutsu!"A clone appeared next to him. He smiled and made the clone give a thumbs up. The clone disappeared. "See? I know all the basics, I know more but I won't bore you..."Kojima said smiling. Sakura still looked surprised, Neji was surprised himself. "Maybe this won't be as bad then..."She smiled and nodded. Kojima turned red, scratching the back of his head as he turned away.

"...So he has to take these pills twice a day...Once in the morning, and the second in the evening...In the morning, at Seven. At Night, seven. Got it..."Kakashi said as he took a bottle from the woman's hands. Kakashi and the woman were in the kitchen of the cottage, she looked somewhat disturbed and anxious. "Make sure he get's these EVERY time...There is no telling what will happen if he doesn't get them..."She said with a saddened tone. Kakashi lay a hand on her shoulder, "I promise I will make sure he gets these pills and stays stable..."He nodded. "And...About it a--" "I will keep it secret. The others will not find out about the problem..."Kakashi nodded and turned to walk away. She watched him, "Wait!"She stopped Kakashi. Kakashi blinked and turned around to look at her, "Hm?" "Bring him back safely..."Kakashi blinked at her, then nodded. "I promise..."He walked out. He noticed Sakura talking to Kojima, Neji was standing behind her and Naruto had his head stuck in a tree. Kakashi shook his head, "Looks like Naruto-Kun got himself acquainted..."He said quietly and shook his head. "Alright everyone, we have to head out now!"Kakashi exclaimed, waving at them from the porch. Kojima and the others looked over at Kakashi and nodded. Naruto forced himself off the ground, grumbling low. Kakashi walked over to them all, "Cmon then you four, we have a long way to go..."Kakashi said as he turned and headed down the dirt road. Kojima and the others followed after them, Naruto kept to the back, still angry.

Four hours later, the group was well out of the Fire Country and into the Land of Grass. The sun was setting, casting a peaceful glow all about the area. Kakashi stopped them, they were in a clearing in the middle of what seemed to be a forest. "We'll sleep here tonight..."Kakashi said with a nod. "Hai!"They all exclaimed. Moments later, they were all sitting around a fire. Kojima was sure to sit next to Sakura, he would rather be sitting next to someone nice then a grumpy person, an old man or a blonde moron who apparently hated him. Kakashi was standing though, his back pressed against a tree. All was quiet, Naruto was eating his dinner, Neji had already eaten and Sakura and Kojima had been done a long time ago. Naruto often sent glares to Kojima, he was able to become a Shinobi without even going to the Academy and he was becoming a bit too close to Sakura for his tastes. Naruto grumbled and continued eating. "So Kojima-Kun, how do you like traveling? I remember you saying that you had never been out of the Country of Fire while we were walking..."Sakura said nodding. Kojima smiled and nodded, "I like it! I love seeing the animals and all the scenery, it's really to die for..."Kojima nodded and grinned. Sakura smiled, "I'm glad you like it so much..."Sakura said nodding. "We have to be on our toes you four..."Kakashi said suddenly. Kojima and Sakura looked up at Kakashi, "We are in the enemy territory now..."Kakashi said quietly. Neji looked to Kakashi, "There are six all together, they don't seem too strong...One of us could take all six out..."Kakashi nodded to Neji. "Good...Should be nice and easy then..."Kojima looked from Neji to Kakashi. "How did he know that?"He looked to Sakura. "He's a Hyuuga, he has the Byakugan. A bloodline ability from Konoha. Kakashi-Sensei must of told him to look out with the Byakugan, must of found something..."Sakura said nodding. Kojima looked to Neji and nodded, "Ah I se--"A small pain jolted inside him. He gulped down, his pain was noticeable. Sakura raised a brow at him, leaning over, "Are you alright?"She asked, noticing his body begin to tremble. "I-I m fine...Kakashi-Sensei?"Kakashi looked to Kojima, then nodded. Kojima stood up slowly and walked over to Kakashi, Kakashi led Kojima out into the forest.

Sakura and Naruto watched them, "What do ya think is wrong with him?"Naruto finally asked. Sakura shrugged, "Not sure..."She said quietly. She wasn't worried, just curious. A clang noise rang through the air. Neji jumped up, "They're here!"Neji exclaimed. Kojima suddenly flew through the trees, landing back in the campsite. He had been thrown by one of the enemies. "Kojima-Kun!"Sakura exclaimed, jumping up once Kojima hit the floor. Kojima gritted his teeth, slowly sitting up. "Are you alright?!"Sakura dashed over to him, kneeling down next to him. Kojima managed to nod, Neji and Naruto had already jumped into the forest. "Cmon Kojima-Kun, we have to help them!"Sakura said as she followed soon after. Kojima nodded, standing. He stopped, his body twitched. His hand gripped the skin over his heart, "D-Damn..."He dashed into the forest. He entered the forest, it was dark, there was only a faint light from the fire at the campsite. He gritted his teeth as he stopped. He reached into his pouch, pulling out a Kunai, holding it close. A twig snapped from behind him, Kojima turned quickly around, just in time to see one of the enemy rushing by, his arm outstretched. His arm was rammed into Kojima, forcing him to the ground. Kojima caught himself before he hit and jumped back up. He turned back around to see where the enemy had run off to, he was gone. "Damn it..."Kojima scanned the area, his eyes frantically searching. Another twig snapped, "Not this time!"Kojima lept high into the air, the enemy rushed right underneath him. Kojima threw the Kunai, hitting the enemy in the back of the neck. He hit the floor and rolled into a tree, blood spewing from the newly formed wound. Kojima landed on the ground, smiling slightly. A fist was suddenly smashed into his face, sending him spinning to the ground. As soon as he hit the ground, he was picked up and thrown into a tree. He was trying to get a hold of what was going on, too much too fast. With his back to the tree, Kojima looked up to see the enemy rushing at him, fist ready to smash into his face. He closed his eyes tight and waited for the impact. Moments passed, and he hadn't felt any pain. He opened his eyes and saw Kakashi standing infront of him, the enemy was laying on the ground infront of him. Kakashi looked back at him, "You alright Kojima-Kun?"Kakashi asked calmly. Kojima looked up at him and nodded, "Y-Yeah...K-Kakashi-Sensei I need the pill..."Kojima said quietly. Kakashi nodded, turning around to hand him one of the pills. They were blue in color and had some writing on it. Kojima popped it into his mouth and closed his eyes, sighing heavily. "Arigatou Gozaimasu..."He said with a smile. Kakashi nodded, Neji landed infront of Kakashi. "We finished the lot of them off,"Neji said with a nod. Kakashi nodded, "Good..."He began to calm down. "Sorry about all that Kojima-Kun..."Kakashi said looking at him. Kojima shook his head, "Just wasn't ready...I'll be ready next time..."Kakashi nodded to him and looked back to Neji. "Get everyone back to the Camp site, we're off to sleep for the night..."

Sakura awoke, slowly sitting up. She looked about, seeing Naruto and Neji still asleep. Sakura didn't see Kakashi or Kojima though. With some effort, she forced herself up and slipped on her shoes. She stood and scanned the area, trying to find Kakashi or Kojima. She heard voices not too far from where she was standing, they were familiar. She turned and began walking toward them, curious as to why Kakashi and Kojima were off all the way over here, if it was even them. She stopped next to a tree, seeing Kakashi standing infront of Kojima. "Come at me faster, don't hesitate..."Kakashi said quietly. Kojima nodded and dashed forward, he threw a punch. Kakashi stopped the blow with his left hand, and with one motion flipped Kojima to the ground. "Still the same...Cmon, get up and try again..."Kojima stayed on the ground for a moment then nodded. He stood and walked back to his place, "Alright...Here we go..."Kojima said quietly. Sakura smiled and turned, walking back.

About an hour later, Kakashi and Kojima returned to Neji, Naruto and Sakura all eating. "Good-morning everyone,"Kakashi said to them all. Naruto managed to say 'good-morning' with his mouth full. Sakura gulped down what was in her mouth and smiled, "Good-morning..."Sakura said. Kojima pushed his back against a tree and sighed. "Once your all done eating, we're going to head out alright?"Kakashi said to everyone. "Hai!"Sakura and Naruto shouted. Neji just nodded. Off in the forest somewhere, three Shinobi lie watching them. They were dressed in black, white and black masks with no eye-holes were on they're faces. "...One is Hatake Kakashi, son of the White Fang of Konoha...The blonde is not important, same with the girl...The only other we have to worry about is the Hyuuga..."One of the Shinobi said with a nod. "And what of the other boy? The blue haired one..."They were quiet for a moment. "We need more information first, so far he seems to be nothing close to a minor threat..."The other Shinobi said. "...Find out, we're not rushing into battle without all the information..."The other two Shinobi nodded. They dashed off, the 'leader' was left behind. "They must not escort the Speaker to Getsugakure..."He then dashed off.