A/N: Hey, y'all. Before we get started today, just a couple of things that I'd like to point out to you. First: This is my first fic. So please be gentle with the reviews, okay? And, while constructive criticism is appreciated and welcomed with open arms, flames will be ignored, and used to boil the water for my ramen. Number Three: This fic takes place after Naruto and Crew become genin, but before cell seven's infamous "Bodyguard Tazuna" mission. And, finally, Number Four: I am assuming that you have a basic knowledge of what Naruto and the rest of the Rookie Nine look like. And if you don't, well... what are you doing reading fanfiction? Go out and read the manga! Okay, that's the end of my rant. Please remember to keep all hands, feet, legs, and articles of clothing inside the car at all times. Thank you and have a nice ride! And remember, I don't own Naruto!

The Tale Of Three Outcasts

Chapter I: A fourth teammate?

By: Del'Cera Osirin

"Immediate: visual contact with subject, fifty meters away from my current position. Recommend a flanking maneuver, over."

"Roger that, flank is a go, repeat, flanking maneuver is a go. Naruto, Sakura, how far are you from Sasuke's current position?"

"Fifty meters and closing, Kakashi-sensei. Surrounding the target now." Naruto answered.

"Ditto that." Was Sakura's reply.

"Roger, capture the target at your discretion." Was Kakashi's response. Sasuke began to flash hand signals, meaning: 3... 2... 1... LET'S GET HIM! As one, they jumped the cat, which ran away, leaving Sasuke and Sakura to bump their heads. Naruto saw the cat tensing and, on instinct, turned his jump trajectory ever so slightly so as to land in the perfect position to follow the cat. In the mad scramble through the underbrush, Naruto thought he caught a glimpse of something. A boy, actually. He was no older than Naruto, but was pretty tall for his age. He had red hair and a ponytail. But when Naruto looked back at where the boy was, he had disappeared. In his place, he saw the cat, stuck to one spot with what looked like paper shackles binding it. However, they were starting to come loose, so Naruto decided to just grab the cat and forget about the boy. He must've been seeing things. And, as if to add insult to injury, this was the third time that week that very cat had run away. Naruto was getting very sick of finding in the forest. So Naruto picked the cat up and walked over to his comrades.

"Kakashi-sensei, subject captured. We're ready to go home now."

"Excellent. Then mission: "Find the lost cat" is complete! Let's go home."

Once inside the mission assignation chamber, Naruto began to complain about all of the D-ranked missions that they were getting, and the other members of his cell were inclined to agree, though they would never admit it aloud. After the Hokage's long-winded explanation of the mission class system, he saw Naruto sitting down, mentally discussing what type of ramen to have for lunch that day. Sensing the entire team's distress about the level of missions they had been getting, the Hokage decided to give them a chance and let them do a C-rank mission. After calling Tazuna in and knocking out the introductions, he dismissed them all, except Kakashi.

"Kakashi, can I see you this afternoon?" The elderly Hokage asked.

"Of course, Hokage-sama." Was the reply.

That afternoon, Kakashi made his way back into the round office of the Hokage.

"You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?" He asked.

"Ahh, yes, Kakashi, please take a seat. I have a very grave matter which I wish to discuss with you. A new boy has shown up in the village and he is more than qualified to be a genin. However, he has had a rough past, and he needs a jounin sensei that he can trust. And I feel that you would be perfect for the job."

"I appreciate the offer, Hokage-sama, but aren't genin teams only allowed to have three members?"

"Usually, that is the case. However, in this case, I will make an exception. There are special circumstances surrounding this boy, and, if my suspicions are right, he will be more of an asset than a hindrance on your team's current mission."

"I will trust your judgement, Hokage-sama. Can you have him meet us by the front gate tomorrow morning? At nine o'clock?"

"I will tell him to meet you there and then."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"Kakashi, it is I who should be thanking you. This boy will be a great asset to the village, I can tell. Train him well. Take care of him."

"I will, Hokage-sama."

"Thank you, Kakashi. That will be all."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

With that, Kakashi disappeared in a poof of leaves, presumably to his apartment to prepare for the upcoming mission.

After receiving the message from the Hokage that he would meet his new team at the front gate at 9 AM the next morning, the soon-to-be ninja checked to make sure that everything was prepared for tomorrow. His kunai and shuriken holsters were filled, his clothes ready, and his bag packed. He was told that this was to be an extended mission, so he packed for every possible contingency. There was only one thing he didn't plan for. One of the most shocking, yet pleasant, surprises in his life.

The three genin that comprised Cell Seven waited by the gate with their new charge, Tazuna.

"Where is Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto yelled, his patience for the silver-haired genin wearing thin.

"Naruto, calm down. He'll be here soon, and then we can be on our merry way." Was Sakura's answer to the hyperactive blond.

At that moment, they caught sight of Kakashi walking toward them, with somebody following him. It was a boy, no older than Naruto, and he was slightly taller than Sasuke. He had red hair with black bangs, and they hung down far so that when his head was bowed even slightly, like it was now, his face was completely obscured. He had a long, red ponytail that swung behind him as he walked. He wore somewhat baggy clothes, enough to allow easy movement, but not baggy enough to get caught on something. They were a strange matte black, and they reflected no light, even though there were obviously bits of metal sewn in. His kunai and shuriken were strapped to his right thigh, and he had on a belt with strange, almost book-shaped objects strapped to it. His eyes were an unusual purpleish color, with slit pupils, almost like a cat's. He wore his hitai-ate across his forehead and his left ear, seemingly hiding something. His hands were covered in angry, red scars, as if they had not healed properly when they were fresh gashes. His gait had a hint of a limp to it, as if he had broken a leg and set it almost, but not quite, right.

"Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, this is a new genin. He will be joining our team, and will be participating on this mission. I guess we can call this your 'baptism by fire', huh?" Kakashi asked jokingly. "Anyway, would you care to introduce yourself to your new teammates? You know, likes, dislikes, dreams, things about you that we should know, stuff like that."

"Sure, Kakashi-sensei. My name is Akira. Just Akira. There's really not a whole lot I like anymore. Only the clouds. And darkness. Let's see, I dislike people. Please don't take it personally, as I'm perfectly willing to give you guys a chance, but, as a whole, I just don't like people. I really don't have any dreams, and as for the things I think you should know, I'll wait until the time is right to tell you guys that. And, before we get started, I'm going to tell you right now. I like to be alone at night. But I will stay within earshot of the campsite. Is that okay?"

"Yes, that's fine." Was Kakashi's answer, sensing something behind that desire to be alone, other than just his antisocial nature. "Well, now that that's over, let's go!"

And with that, they were off.

A/N: Phew! Glad that's over, lol. Now, please remember, this is my first fic, so please be gentle. And remember, constructive criticism will always be welcomed with open arms. I will jump at any chance to make my writing better. And sorry this is kinda short. I'll try to make the next chapters longer, if I can. Sooooo... you know what you want to do... PRESS THAT BUTTON! Lol.