The boy tossed and turned in the dark. His recurring nightmares of his friends, his people, dying, would not allow him the luxury of calm sleep. It would end the same way every time. He would be watching a giant red light and look down to see a mop of blond hair in his arms. Before he could catch a glimpse of the face he would wake up to see the sunlight bathing his meager existence in its warmth. This morning was no different. He woke and stretched lazily, unsatisfied with what sleep he had been able to gain after returning home from training late the previous night. He knew he needed to meet his team soon. As usual he would arrive early and watch one of his teammates swoon over the brooder of the group. He would try and encourage conversation only to be shot down. He wonders if his team will ever acknowledge him and what he would have to do to gain their trust. He knew that at least his brother-in-arms and rival had gained a marginal amount of respect for him following the recent successful mission to Wave country where he had managed to beat the ice manipulator Haku. He's still not sure how he managed to draw out the power to do that but suspects it has something to do with his prisoner. He will find out however.

Naruto dressed in clothes two sizes too small, he hadn't managed to save up enough of his genin pay to buy a better outfit yet, and leapt off the rotting balcony of his apartment to roof-hop down to his team's training area. On arriving he found Sasuke had already begun his morning ritual of glaring at the water below the bridge. He walked up and tossed a glance sideways at his companion before joining him in staring at the water. He really did not having anything to talk about to the arrogant boy next to him so he contented himself with just waiting for Sakura to arrive. Surprisingly, after some minutes of silence, Sasuke posed a question instead.

'How?'

'Hn? How what bastard. Don't expect people to read your mind.'

'You beat Haku. How?'

'I don't have to tell you.'

And that was all the conversation they were about to have that morning. In truth Naruto could not tell Sasuke about using what he thought to be a demon's power. That combined with the fact that Sakura had just arrived and latched onto the avenger prevented any further exchange. Kakashi arrived a few hours later and, after a standard greeting from Naruto and Sakura, announced that they would simply be required to train for the following week. Sort of a time off from the D rank missions he called it. Being rejected as a training partner for Sakura, Naruto left to find a half-decent spot in the nearby woods where he could practice his Taijutsu with a Kage Bunshin. Sandaime had suggested this as a good way to better his skills and control and he had immediately latched on to the idea.

Walking out into the forest, he heard loud banging sounds, like someone was taking a sledgehammer to the trees in the forest. He followed the sound and as he arrived at the source, the sounds stopped as the person responsible had obviously sensed him. Suddenly, he felt something behind him and whipped around to attack. Before he could move too far however, his hand was grabbed and forced behind his neck reminding him of the speed Kakashi-sensei had employed the first time he tried to attack the man. This person however spoke slowly and reassuringly.

'I do not intend to harm you. I apologise for startling you but you have intruded on my training.'

'Dammit! Let go of me and face me!'

'As you wish.' Naruto felt his arm released as he spun around to face the assailant.

'Hi. I'm Rock Lee.'

Unable to actually express his disgust at the sight of the mutations on the poor boy's face, Naruto resorted to gaping and pointing. He finally stammered out his name and managed to proceed to ask what illness the boy had that made his eyebrows go quite that ugly and if it was contagious. Fortunately, Lee was not easily offended and simply responded that he had never been in the best of health and he was simply following the latest trends of fashion like his amazing Gai-sensei.

-Crap! How is he allowed to walk around like that?- Naruto thought.

Being more focused on training however, Naruto immediately began questioning Lee on whether or not he could fight him. Lee, being just as enthusiastic, immediately agreed. They entered the clearing and faced each other. Lee relaxed into his favorite stance with one hand behind his back and the other beckoning. Naruto simply stared for a minute and charged. As he threw his punch directly at Lee, he briefly considered the reason that his opponent has yet to make a move was that he was again moving very fast like when he fought Haku. This train of thought was brought to a crashing halt however as Lee stopped Naruto's punch with the palm of his hand and then grabbed his wrist and flung him overhead into the tree at the opposite end of the clearing.

-What the hell! How can he be that strong? Dammit! How weak am I? Does my training mean nothing?- Naruto's mind whirled with shock and disappointment as he comprehended the full difference in power between the two boys.

-Well that's not all I've got.-

He put his hands together in his favorite seal and yelled 'Kage Bunshin No Jutsu!'

He managed to pull out seven clones that immediately swarmed around the green clad boy. Not at all fazed however, Lee disappeared for a fraction of a second and only puffs of smoke as Naruto's bunshins exploded were any indication that he had moved. The blue – eyed boy twitched at the perceived insult. That was when Lee spoke up.

'Sorry Naruto-kun but you don't seem to be up to the level I was hoping for. I require a sparring partner but your abilities are still sub par. However I can see your determination and I am certain that someday you will become stronger. Yosh! I must leave now…'

And before Naruto could respond, Lee was gone. He slumped to the ground, shocked, confused and most of all, discouraged. He had thought he was a lot faster than that after being able to keep up with Haku. He knew now that the reason for that was definitely the burning red chakra that fed his rage at seeing Sasuke die. He would find answers. He wanted to harness that power and he knew for that he needed answers. The only problem was, if he was right about the source, he could not talk to anyone about it. Anyone but…the person who made the law! Of course! Sandaime Ojiisan!