Where All Paths Lead
Chapter One
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto and I own nothing but the OCs.
A/N: Sorry for the grammar problems, this is unbeta-ed. The story will have LOTS of Original Characters and I will try to avoid mary sues & gary sues! If you have suggestions for any couples, please say so in your reviews. I won't write any yaoi! Sorry guys & gals!
Naruto sighed as he walked out of Tsunade-baba's office. After the defeat of Akatsuki and returning of Sasuke, he was still required to take the Chuunin Exam instead of Kakashi-Sensei suggested which was to skip it all together and just to take the Jonin Exam now. The Council had managed to stop that and so he had no choice but to take a test with a few Genin that's teammate was out of commission for the next four months. It was a Rookie team, the first one to enter the Chuunin exam since Rookie Nine.
"Naruto, what did shishou tell you?" Sakura asked.
"They won't let me skip the Chuunin Exam," Naruto told her.
"They had been considering let you skip it?" Sakura asked, obviously shocked.
"Hai, Kakashi Sensei said the Chuunin exam would have been too easy for me," Naruto said rubbing the back of his head. "Especially since everything that we've already gone through with Akatsuki."
"I guess that makes sense," Sakura admitted.
"So Obaa-san found a Genin team to throw me in for the Chuunin exam. A rookie team."
"Nani?!" Sakura said with a shocked look on her face. "But the Chuunin exam isn't for four months!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah, the genin I'm temporarily replacing will be out of commission for like six months," Naruto admitted. "He got really messed up on his first C class mission."
Naruto and Sakura hadn't noticed a Jonin with short black hair approaching with two Genins. He dressed similiarly to Kakashi Sensei's, sans the mask. One was a boy who had a, I'm a genius and I'm better than you, expression written all over his face. He had red hair and green eyes and was dressed in neutral colors. He had the minimum equipment on him and his headband was around his neck. The other was a girl who dressed more like a boy and her jacket had had a large circle divided by a cross within it. The colors she wore consisted of violet and yellow. She had silver hair and violet eyes.
"So you are Uzumaki-san?" The man called to Naruto and Sakura.
"Hai, who are you?" Naruto asked looking at the Jonin infront of him.
"Kurisawa Kiyoshi," The jonin stated. "Hokage-sama stated you will be working with the team from now until the conclusion of the exam."
Sakura was shocked to hear this, so for the next four months, Naruto had to work with another team. She wondered if this was Tsunade's suggestion or Kakashi Sensei. It had barely gotten out that Kakashi Sensei was to be the next Hokage following the Chuunin exams.
"Hai, Obaa-san just told me," Naruto told the sensei, not remotely pleased that he had to be in a new team of rookies. He noticed the Jonin's confused expression.
"He means Hokage-sama," an overly familiar voice stated.
Naruto turned to see Kakashi Sensei sporting his favorite book in hand. "Kakashi Sensei," He said with a smile. "Congradulations."
Kakashi looked as though he had expected that. "Thank you Naruto," He said. You could tell he was smiling because his only visible eye was closed like an upside U.
"Kakashi Sensei, was it Hokage-sama's idea about placing him on another team for that long period of time?" Sakura inquired.
"No, no, it was mine," Kakashi admitted. He didn't bother explaining his reasons for such.
Kurisawa didn't look amused in the highest. "I understand the need for a three man team for the Chuunin Exam but why in the team for months beforehand sempai?"
"You should know the answer to your own question," Kakashi stated plainly.
Kurisawa nodded and he and only one of students accompanied him as he walked away. The girl instead of doing as her team mate and sensei had done, approached them.
"Kakashi Sensei," the girl said and bowed to both Sakura and Naruto. "Sempais, I am Kikite Taro," She admitted.
"K-Kikite?" Kakashi asked, obvious shock in his face. "I thought Kikite clan perished eight years ago."
"Ano, who is the Kikite clan?" Naruto asked.
"The Kikite clan was considered one of the most important clans to Konoha's survival," Kakashi admitted. "More so than the Hyugas and Uchihas."
"Nani?!" Naruto shock evident in his face.
Tora's face was pink with embarassment. "We just maintain alliances between man and wild animals." She admitted semi-quietly.
"I see," Sakura admitted. "Shouldn't she speak with shishou then?" She asked.
Naruto's confusion was written all over his face.
"I will speak to Hokage-sama about this first," Kakashi stated. "And she will decide how to proceed on this."
Tora didn't exactly look sure about this matter and simply nodded and watched the future Rokudaime walk into the office and close the door behind him.
"Do not worry about it Kikite-san," Sakura told her.
"Please don't call me Kikite-san, it makes me sound old and I'm only twelve," The silver haired girl remarked. "Tora is just fine."
"Alright Tora-chan!" Naruto piped in and saw the girl laugh.
"Much better!" Tora admitted with a wide grin. "What do I call you two?"
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, dattebayo!" Naruto announced.
"Haruno Sakura," Sakura said introducing herself.
"Nice to meet you Naruto-san, Sakura-san," Tora told them.
"No -sans if we can't use it on you Tora-chan!" Naruto told her.
"Hai, Naruto-kun," Tora told him noticing his wide grin.
"Tora-chan, what is that symbol on your jacket?" Sakura inquired.
"Oh it's the symbol of the Kikite clan, it's not tradition to wear the symbol in public." Tora told them. "Though, clan tradition isn't really important anymore, seeing as I'm the last one in all."
"What happened to them?" Naruto asked.
"Sickness, death at childbirth, and missions." Tora told them both.
"She said her name was Kikite?" Tsunade asked.
"Hai, though she doesn't look like she belongs the clan herself. Where as they typically have red hair and gray eyes. She has silver hair and violet eyes. She does however, wear the Kikite emblem."
"It's a common symbol, others would think is just a random symbol," Tsunade admitted. "Where is she now?"
"Outside talking to Naruto and Sakura," Kakashi said rather calmly.
"Send her and Naruto in," Tsunade told the months away from being Rokudaime man.
Kakashi opened the door to see the three talking away. "Naruto, Kikite-san," He said and swore he saw the silver haired girl's vein almost pop at hear her name called. "Hokage-sama wants to see you both."
Naruto and Tora both nodded and walked into the office. Kakashi stepped to the side to let them in and shut the door behind the two of them. Naruto and Tora stood infront of Tsunade.
Tsunade could swear she was looking at a page from the past. "You look like your mother Tora-san, except you definitely have your father's coloring." She noticed the obvious cringe from the gakki and she let out a laugh. "Your clan never liked being referred to with -san or -sama."
The Hokage had Tora's immediate attention now. "Y-You knew my parents?" She asked.
"Yuuki Arashi and Kikite Akina, they were constant companions of... Well that's unimportant," Tsunade trailed off. "The council will most likely want proof that you are from the Kikite clan."
"But you believe me?" Tora asked.
"Hai," Tsunade simply said. "They will most likely want to meet with the Jushingi council."
"The Jushingi won't allow it," Tora immediately said. "They refuse to meet anyone other than myself and the Hokage."
"Why?" Tsunade asked, already knowing the answer the question but it was a test of the Kikite.
"They don't trust humans to not try and manipulate the situation and exploit them." Tora immediately informed them. "Their words."
"Why haven't you come before?" Tsunade asked.
"It's only recently that the Jushingi saw that I could be acknowledged as something that wasn't a pup." Tora admitted.
Naruto was still so very lost.
"Naruto, your new team mate belongs to a clan with a rare blood limit, able to hear and speak to wild animals. That makes her a rare commodity in Konoha and therefore priceless. In the Shinobi Wars, it was the wild animals that helped maintain protection from forces that attacked." Tsunade explained. "When the time comes Kikite-san, I would like you to arrange a meeting between the Jushingi Council and Kakashi."
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Tora told the woman in front of her.
"How far are you in training with your team?" Tsunade asked.
"Ano, Sensei focuses solely on Seiichi-san's training," Tora said and she swore she saw a vein read read to pop on Tsunade's forehead.
"Naruto you will help get Kikite-san up to par for Chuunin exam," She bit out as an order not a request.
Naruto was shocked to hear that Tora-chan's own sensei was training her properly but even more shocked that Tsunade-baba wanted him to serve as a Sensei to the girl. Even Kakashi Sensei had done the Chakra Control Training. He had no idea what he was going into now. He knew that when she yelled he had the instinct to yell back but this once, he simply agreed. After all, it didn't do anyone very good if the team was so unbalanced. "Hai," He told her.
"You're dismissed," Tsunade said and watched the two leave. When they were out of hearing range and Kakashi shut the door. "What do you think of the situation?"
"Senseis like Kurisawa are weak links and could easily become a threat for Konoha," Kakashi stated.
"You're thinking about Ikou-san," Tsunade said.
The room seemed to drop a few degrees. "Hai," Kakashi stated coldly.
If you're slightly confused about who Ikou-san is... Then stay tuned!