AN: Hello to all to whom know me, I'm back! Er...well mostly. Clearly this is not my normal stories, but there's a good reason! I've had this idea in my head for a while, and after rereading some things, I realized that I miss writing fanfiction...but I need to repractice my writing skills to get back on par with where I once was. As such, this story is going to be a "practice" story as well as allowing me to have fun with a storyline i've had for a while.

So, to all those who've asked...yes. I WILL be coming back and continuing From Darkness!

You see, after seeing a lot of the amazing fanfiction here, I've long since decided to write my own (obviously). Getting this story to this point now that Naruto is "complete" (hehe, yeah, because Boruto won't go on for a long while), I have a complete list of info to use, and will be able to roll things as I so please!

Now, this story was influenced in some ways by several stories; the one I remember best influencing the original idea being Roku Naruto by Anthurak. It hasn't been updated in 5 years, but the story had some exceptionally depth that made me want to try my own hand at a bit of madness...granted, I won't be doing quite the quirky over-the-top randomness they did as often. I'm thinking more along the lines of Yet again, with a little extra help by Third Fang, if any. However, I'm going to try focusing more on my own style rather than imitate to much of theirs.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I do own the voices in my head that influence me to write these stories. I - don't talk back to me! We have a story to run here!

Chapter 1 – Hinting at Madness

"Team 7 will be made up of Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke."

The announcement was met with varied results from the three newly promoted Genin. When Naruto and Sakura were called, Naruto shouted in glee, while Sakura sounded absolutely dejected. When Sasuke's name was called though, Sakura's face quickly switched to one of delight while Naruto…began cackling.

More than one head was turned to him to give him a strange look, seeing how that was not the reaction one would expect from Naruto. But then again, maybe it was? Naruto and Sasuke were rivals, er "rivals", so now Naruto would have a chance to fight or challenge him any time he wanted. Deciding that it would be better to just ignore it, everyone turned back to Iruka as he gave them the rest of their team placements.

"Your sensei's will be arriving shortly to get to know you." Iruka said, looking over them with a look of pride. His smile seemed to grow ever so slightly when he looked at Naruto, and had to refrain from chuckling when Naruto grinned back. "Meet back here in a few hours. In the meantime, relax, and if you don't know your teammates very well I'd recommend you get to know them. Until then, dismissed."

His students – no, his former students – filed out and began grouping up according to the teams he'd assigned them. One group seemed much less organized about it as one (Sasuke) jumped out the window to avoid any fangirls, Sakura tried to keep up by running out the door only to be held up by everyone else leaving the room, and Naruto…

Naruto had fallen asleep.

Iruka shook his head and sighed, tossing a piece of chalk in his hand thoughtfully before setting it down and exiting the room. While it'd been a bit since that night, Naruto was more than allowed to be tired and get some sleep during his break. Still, Iruka glanced back at Naruto worriedly before leaving him…no, not alone. Just resting for the time being.

No one would ever say that Naruto was "alone" anymore; that much could be said for certain.

-x-

Kakashi glanced around the apartment calmly, single eye taking in every detail of the room. Naruto's room was remarkably not as Spartan as some people might've thought from how little the boy had, but it wasn't necessarily filled to bursting either. Picking up a milk carton from the trash, he gave it a shake before raising his brow. Spoiled.

"At least he seems to have some good sense. Doesn't mean much in the field, but then little details like that can mean a lot." Kakashi said, not quite sure whether he meant that to be a compliment or an insult. While it was true what he said, the fact that it was spoiled before reaching his trash meant Naruto likely didn't know it until after the fact; a little detail that could have dire consequences should the habit continue.

"True, but then he's…"

Kakashi glanced back at Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage (Third Fire Shadow), curiously. Noting a small change in his expression, he set the carton down and gave the Kage his full attention. "Hokage-sama? Something wrong?"

Hiruzen slowly rolled his pipe between his teeth, thinking over what he was going to say before nodding. "Somewhat. Kakashi, have you been briefed about the incident?"

"Of course." Kakashi responded immediately, eye narrowing as he recalled the information. He hadn't needed to read it more than once, but he'd gone over it several times simply because of some of the details. "Are you referring to the…damage?"

Hiruzen blew out a small puff of smoke as he sighed. "Yes. While normally I'd have one have to remove one for similar injuries due to its nature, Naruto…"

"He's stable." Kakashi finished, knowing that while it was something good, it wasn't what Hiruzen wanted to say or hear. "For what that's worth. Have the doctors been able –"

"No, they haven't." Hiruzen cut him off, clearly disgruntled about having to admit that. "I've sent a message out to Tsunade…but…"

Kakashi watched Hiruzen's grip on his pipe tighten and flinched, glancing away uncomfortably. Tsunade and Hiruzen hadn't really had an amazing relationship when Tsunade left, and even with the "addition" of the debt collectors in searching for her that wouldn't change. If anything, that fact might actually make it harder to bring her back, seeing how she'd be actively avoiding people from approaching her.

"I'll have to take my chances with what has been placed before us it seems." Hiruzen finally relaxed, a sad smile on his face. "You'll need to keep a close eye on him, and report if Naruto begins changing for the worse in any way."

"If he and his team pass, of course." Kakashi said it reflexively, as he'd likely said any time anyone had tried to insist something about a team placed beneath him for testing. Hiruzen simply chuckled at that and shook his head, prompting Kakashi to shift warily. "Is, there a joke I'm missing Hokage-sama?"

"Mm, a joke? Maybe. The reports aren't complete on it seeing how Naruto likely doesn't know it all himself…but no, that's something I'm not even certain he could fully explain yet. Which is why, should he pass of course, I need you to keep an eye on him." Hiruzen replaced his pipe and nodded towards the door. "In the meantime, I believe we have Sasuke's home to look into, and then you can meet your students."

Well, eventually meet his students. As Kakashi followed, he idly wondered which excuse he'd use for this team? There were oh so many to choose from after all, and he had to make a…well, an impression.

-x-

Naruto made disgruntled noises as he finally woke up, scratching his cheek in annoyance before glancing around. He could've sworn he'd felt someone hit him, but that couldn't be right. Yawning, he slowly pushed himself up and glanced around. No one was around? Where…

"Oh yeah," He muttered, stretching and heading to the door. "So, time to get to know my team right?"

Yeah sure, get to know the number one chicken and its fangirl. What could go wrong?

Naruto frowned and smacked his head. "Oi, don't say that!"

*Yeah, for all you know, the worst will happen with our luck! *

"Hey!" Naruto smacked his head again, growling softly. "Hey, cut it out!"

Cursing under his breath, Naruto glanced around worriedly. No one saw him smacking himself or talking to himself, so he was…safe. For now, anyways.

Glancing up to the clock, he groaned as he thought over what he'd missed. Most people would've eaten lunch already, which meant the idea he'd had the other day to try and get close to Sakura by ambushing Sasuke and taking his place was no longer useable. Hopping up, he had one leg out of the window when the other teams suddenly began walking back in. Grumbling at his hungry stomach, he walked back over to the middle of the table and dropped his head down onto it again.

Watching everyone, Naruto found himself quickly growing annoyed with himself as he had a barrage of thoughts for each as they came in. Eventually he grabbed his jacket and dropped it over his head and hid himself away.

'Aw, you're no fun!'

"And I shouldn't have the running commentary every time someone comes into the room!"

Despite his grumblings, he distinctly heard when Iruka came in and peaked out from under his jacket. Tiredly waving to Iruka again, he got comfortable beneath it and waited to hear who his team would be given as their sensei.

Speaking of his team…

Lifting his jacket to the side, he grumbled when he realized that he'd sat where the only reasonable spot for Sasuke to sit was right next to him. And actually, that meant that Sakura…

Turning to the side, he grinned when he saw Sakura giving covert glances his direction. It was – no, no wait. She didn't even notice him. Never mind, she was clearly looking at Sasuke. Well, back to peaking the other way and glaring at him then. And of course, Sasuke also ignored him. Again.

He perked up slightly as he felt something, but then relaxed upon recognizing it. Refocusing on Iruka, he took a small breath and listened for his team. The instructors were showing up, so he might as well see who his would be.

"Team 7's instructor will be Hatake Kakashi."

Each member of Team 7 turned towards the door, waiting for Kakashi to step in. And waited. And~

"It appears Kakashi-san is…running late. Um, Team 8's instructor is Yuhi Kurenai."

Naruto frowned, narrowing his eyes as the next team left with their team. Late? What kind of instructor was late on the first day? Pulling down his jacket, he grumbled and cursed as the room was emptied.

*Does that mean we get to have some fun? *

He considered it, chewing on his lip before the last team left. Then, a devilish grin crossed his face. "You know what, fine. Let's have some fun with this."

Every five minutes?

Make it fair, ever ten.

"Alright, let's finally have some fun!"

-x-

When Kakashi finally showed up at the Academy, he found himself feeling slightly apprehensive. After reading over the names of his friends for three hours, he found himself mildly concerned with how he would handle the team if they passed. A very uncertain maybe, but the possibility was there.

As he walked into the Academy, he blinked as he just avoided the bucket that dropped down behind him. A poorly placed trap/prank, but not really –

He didn't flinch when a second bucket dropped onto his head and covered him in chalk dust, but then he supposed he should've expected that. Well, underneath the underneath and all that. Still, how had they found materials for two?

As he made his way up to the room, he found that they'd had plenty of time to make trap-pranks. 18 in total, with the last one being a simple eraser falling on his head as he entered the room. He'd allowed himself to be hit by more than a few to allow his "cute potential students" a bit of a bad impression, but that meant he was walking in looking white as a ghost. That was certainly a new one.

Looking them over, he was all too easily able to pick out the culprit. Uzumaki Naruto, the one who'd recently stolen the Forbidden Scroll, was laughing his ass off and falling back in his chair until it collapsed and dropped him in a squawking heap. Lovely. He did have a history of pranking people, so he should've known.

Glancing to the other two, he was mildly amused by their reactions. Sasuke was a like an unreadable stone wall, but there were small flicks of amusement in his eyes. Sakura was absolutely mortified, looking like she'd had a fuuma shuriken thrown at her face covered in explosive tags.

"S-sensei?"

"My first impression of you…is, I hate you. Meet me on the roof."

Kakashi moved up to the roof, his actual opinion of his students still half-formed. However, it wasn't quite what he said. He didn't hate them; hate was such a strong word. He was simply…perplexed by the tenacity of his students. Being pranked that much was definitely not what he'd expected from young Genin. Still, that just meant his next questions would be all the more interesting to hear.

Once they were on the roof, Kakashi sat back on the railing. "Alright, let's start with a little 'get to know you' exercise. You on the left first."

"Um, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura pipped up, looking rather confused. She even raised her hand of all things; she was going to have some very bad habits she'd need to break. "What sort of things to do you want to know?"

"Hm? Oh, well your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams."

"Could you give us an example?"

"I suppose." At least she didn't just dive in and start rambling; A for effort, but failure on the wording. "My name is Hatake Kakashi. My likes…I don't really dislike anything. I have a couple hobbies. And I guess I have a dream. Okay, your turn again on the left."

All of them gave him a deadpan at that, to which he just stared back. Hey, she didn't say to give a 'useful example', just an example. Which meant

"Well, my name is Haruno Sakura. The thing I like is…well the person I like is…" Her eyes immediately went to Sasuke and a blush crossed her face. "My hobbies are…my dreams…OH YEAH!"

"Good lord, the kunochi of this time were far too focused on love than ninjutsu." Kakashi thought, having to avoid shaking his head in embarrassment.

"And my dislikes are Naruto."

Naruto looked incredibly offended by that, even to the point of pouting as she looked away. Sasuke just ignored the fighting between the two of them as he began his introduction. "My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are lots of things I don't like, and I don't really like anything. And…I can't really call it a dream…but I have an ambition. The resurrection of my clan, and…to kill a certain man."

"But you can't kill a man and resurrect your clan if he kills you." Naruto said, looking really confused. "So which one are you going to do first?"

Everyone blinked at the sudden comment by Naruto. To Sasuke and Sakura it was just Naruto being dumb, but Kakashi noticed something off. Rather than Naruto's normal expression and mannerisms seemed to shift slightly. Kakashi wasn't sure which he should worry about more; Sasuke's clearly continued obsession, or this…change, in Naruto.

"That's none of your business." Sasuke said, trying to brush Naruto off.

"Okay, but you better think of something later." Naruto shifted, leaning back and relaxing before his mannerisms shifted again and he leaned forward eagerly. "Oh, oh, I'm next! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! I like ramen, and I like it even more when Iruka-sensei pays for ramen. I dislike the 3 minutes it takes to wait for ramen to cook. And my dreams…is to swim in a giant bowl of ramen!"

There was complete silence as everyone took that in. Kakashi was rather skeptical about Naruto's mindset seeing how it seemed to revolve around ramen. Sasuke seemed to take that as just another reason to ignore Naruto's early prodding for the time being. And Sakura –

"Be serious baka!" Sakura chose to reach over and smack her fist into his head.

"Ow, I am serious!" Naruto moaned, reaching up to rub his head before pausing and dropping his hand before glaring at her. "He asked for us to tell our dreams, not our dreams for the future!"

Oh. Well it seemed that Kakashi wasn't the only one who was good at dodging the intent for the letter of the law. Perhaps he was smarter than he was given credit for. Still, that didn't mean he'd make it as a shinobi. Now that they were done with the introductions, it was time to let them know the truth about their "graduation". The upcoming reactions were always quite enjoyable to watch.

"Ok! So, that does it for the introductions. Tomorrow we'll start our duties as shinobi."

Naruto jumped up, eagerly saluting with a ridiculously large smile on his face. "Yeah! What kind of duties!? Duties! Duties!"

"Settle down, I'll get to that. But first, we are going to do something with just the four of us." Seeing Naruto settle back down and bounce in place almost made Kakashi wonder if this would get the 'kicked puppy' expression. "Survival training." All three of them looked at each other with confusion, clearly not understanding, so he pressed on. "Before anyone can truly become genin…well, when I tell you this you guys are going to freak out. Of the twenty-seven graduates, only nine will be chosen to become genin. The rest will go back to the academy. This 'training' is a very difficult exam with a sixty-six percent failure rate!"

And cue the freak out. At least from Naruto and Sakura. Sasuke was cool as a tomato. Kakashi smirked beneath his mask, prepared to reminded that that he had warned them, when Naruto suddenly covered his mouth to stifle out what was clearly a laugh. A very full bellied, bending at the waist and trying so very hard not to let it out.

"Um…are you dying or something?" Kakashi asked, clearly not sure what to make of this development.

Sakura looked like she was about to smack him again, but was more than a little disturbed by his sudden meltdown. Naruto meanwhile…

"Guys stop! I can't – I can't breathe!"

But it's true! If you pass doesn't then that mean more than one person passed!

*Hey, it could be fun! I mean, we'll have a better chance won't we? *

~It does make some sense though. We have basic knowledge, so a second test would make sure only the best get through. ~

'Hey, what if – and it's just an if – what if they say us passing gives others a chance later? Hehe, the more the –!'

"HEY WHEN ARE WE GETTING WAFFLES?"

"Um, yo?"

Naruto blinked, finally relaxing enough to take the paper Kakashi was giving him. Looking it over, he frowned at the information. "Wait, so this is where we're meeting? And…why does it say not to eat? Oh, or we'll throw up. Wait, we might THROW UP?! What the hell kind of –"

Naruto snapped his head up to throw a thousand questions that came to mind, only to see Kakashi ignoring him and walking back down the stairs. Frowning at their departing, he turned back to the other two, only to see them following suit. That shot down getting other opinions on that front. Well…

"Alright, I guess we'll have to figure this out then!" Slamming a fist into his palm, he took a deep breath as he tried to avoid thinking too hard about it. Yeah, tomorrow was going to be a long day.

AN: So, this was chapter 1. I know that there's plenty of little details that are seemingly scattered and such, but bear with me. I promise not to leave you in the dark for too long. But, till next chapter, let me know what you think about this! Also this chapter was fairly short, but this is being built up so hopefully the later chapters will grow in length.

Also, due to some of the changes to the Naruto world being flexible, I'm honestly curious to know what you all think about these points:

Pairings

Haku/Zabuza living?

Haku's gender

Those are the main 3 things, but if more things come up, I'll make sure to let you know if I don't already have a plan for it. These things though are very, very flexible for the time being.

Thanks for reading!