Chapter 2
Sleeping in somebody else's room wasn't exactly something that made Naruto all that comfortable, in fact at the moment he felt very awkward about it. It was a lot more awkward when he was sleeping only inches from said person. As it turned out, the guest bedroom had been wrecked by a collapse a few days ago, and they had yet to fix it. So now he and Tenten were forced to share a bed. 'Just like you used to when you two had sleepovers here' were Ms. Higurashi's exact words while she sported a delightful smile that screamed perverted hopes. Needless to say Tenten wasn't exactly excited about the arrangement; though it wasn't as uncomfortable for her which would be strange to others. When she and Naruto had been young and very close she'd become a bit more guy-ish in ways. This didn't mean that she found the prospect of sharing a bed with someone of the other gender; especially at her age. It would take a few hours until the two went to sleep, and felt slightly more like their younger selves. The next morning Naruto found himself meeting his team after having a nice breakfast with Tenten and her family. The blonde sighed as he hadn't had a good breakfast in so long. Now he, Sakura, and Sasuke were waiting for Kakashi in silence. Silence however wasn't exactly what Sasuke and Sakura were used too when it came to Naruto, it was like he wasn't even acknowledging their existence. It was a bit odd to say the least. "Naruto…" Sasuke called only to receive no response "Hey baka!" still no response. "No, point in poking and prodding, if he wants to be left alone then I say we let him." the Uchiha said turning away. Sakura, deciding to follow Sasuke's led, also chose to leave the blonde alone. Yet she couldn't help but wonder what the blonde was thinking about that could make him ignore them, but at the same time she couldn't help but not really care. After a few more hours Kakashi finally showed up, if only five hours late.
"Sorry I'm late everyone, a black cat…" Kakashi's voice was caught when his eyes went to Naruto's outfit; it was definitely different from what the blonde usually wore. But the question begged; where did the blonde get it? 'Better to be blunt than to avoid asking' He concluded. "Interesting outfit there, Naruto, where did you acquire it?" he questioned "It isn't like anything I've ever seen in Konoha; it's…unique" this gained Sasuke's attention as he hadn't even noticed that the blonde was wearing something different, it wasn't like anything he'd seen before either.
"Oh, well my mother gave it to me as a gift." Naruto said with a small smile, but his words caught everyone's attention.
"Your mother?" Sasuke questioned.
"That's what I said." Naruto said.
"Aren't you an orphan with no parents to speak of?" Sakura questioned causing Naruto glare at her, only to quickly pull his anger back as he was having too much of a good day to be mad.
"No, I'm not an orphan, you all just assumed I was because I live alone." The blonde stated "Legally the old man is my guardian because my mother has been incapacitated since my birth, but I live alone because I chose too." He pointed out. "Besides, I've seen my mom on multiple occasions, granted she's still in a coma. Just ask the old man." He finished leaving a very interested Kakashi who planned to ask Sarutobi about Naruto's personal effects, he hadn't been told anything about Naruto's parentage. Granted he hadn't cared enough to even bring it up in the past, but now that Naruto had set them right him not being an orphan, Kakashi now had incentive investigate. Snapping back to the info at hand the silver haired Jonin then informed his team about the chunnin exams before leaving them faster than he'd arrived. Sakura expected Naruto be jumping for joy at the prospect of taking the exam for the chance to acquire a higher rank, but he didn't do anything. In fact all he did was sit there quietly like a statue, he wasn't even trying to ask her out. It was something that she'd come to expect , in fact it was something that she was used to, and something that she'd put into the daily routine in her mind. Something about the blonde had changed, and it wasn't just his clothes.
'Well, I guess now's a good time as any to start training with my powers.' Naruto silently concluded he wouldn't avoid it any longer. Getting up he prepared to jump off to the forest, but before he could do it he was suddenly grasped by Sakura, much to his and Sasuke's surprise. While usually he would've melted in joy at the very prospect of Sakura giving him such attention, at the moment it wasn't exactly welcome as he had much to do before the exams even started. "Um, Sakura could you let go of my arm?" he politely requested.
"Oh! Sorry, it's just that I thought that the three of us should go and get something to eat, like a team building exercise kind of thing." Sakura said with a forced smile that she was sure would get Naruto to say 'yes'. 'Hook line and sinker, he can't and won't refuse a chance like this.' her inner self-declared.
"Sorry, Sakura, but I've got plans for the rest of the day." He stated much to Sakura's shock, Sasuke couldn't help but give a very quick smirk; but even he was surprised by Naruto's refusal. "Now if you'll excuse me." With these parting words the blonde was gone.
"Well… that was unusually creepy." She said only for Sasuke to smirk.
"What, Naruto's refusal to eat with us or the fact that you nearly crushed him arm in an attempt to try and keep him here?" Sasuke questioned letting out an unusual laugh. 'Still… something's changed in Naruto's attitude and demeanor, it's strange to say the least, I'll have to keep an eye on him just in case this change turns out to be for worse.' Usually the Uchiha wouldn't bother with such things, but this was a special case.
Konoha - Training Ground 19
Concentration was the key to using his powers, discipline was the method, power was the force to apply actions, and imagination was the key to using his powers to the fullest. Now all he needed to do was pick up where he left off. Hands aimed at his target, a large boulder, it's shape, size and weight were things that he knew well. Golden energy enveloped his hand as he reeled it back "Stasis" he commanded thrusting the energy forward. The effect was the boulder floating helplessly in the air only a few feet from the ground. "Cut" this command was similar to the first in terms of movement, the difference being that Naruto made a slicing motion sending a speedy wave of energy forward. The target was now split in half. This was his power, Psychokinesis, and this was only the beginning of what he would be able to do with such power. Looking down at his hand he began concentrating once again, his imagination constructing what the blonde wanted. In moments a blade made of psychic energy had materialized into his hand; it's form golden and solid in a way that a normal blade would be. The handle however was circular and didn't cut into his hand. "Kage Bunshin!" he exclaimed calling ten clones into existence, each wielding blades of their own. Though he had no actual form he got into a defensive stance, and hoped for the best. "Come at me fuck faces!" he exclaimed taunting the clones. In that second they charged their creator.
Naruto's senses went crazy much to his surprise; everything seemed to go slower as if time was slowing down. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, he sidestepped a downward strike that would've likely cut into him. Sensing another attack from behind his blade struck as his body went over the clone's failed attack that would've gone into his leg. 'I can see it all… their moves are mine to know before they even make them, it's all so easy to dodge because they're my clones.' He concluded. If this was a true fight to the death then he'd need to be a lot more careful as even now as he dispatched the last cone with a stab to the gut, he could feel the effect of channeling his psychic energy and a bit of chakra into all his senses. The effects were amazing, but the cost was horrid exhaustion, a headache, and a bloody nose. "I can feel the regeneration in my head, but it'll take a while." He noted with a sigh.
After he'd recovered he went for it again, only this time with twenty clones. Ten more each time, and no less; such a dangerous training exercise that pushed him to his limit, but the results were worth it granted he was now covered in still healing cuts and stabs. Now he knew that he could go at best an hour, but at worst twenty minutes before he had to give out to exhaustion. Now he wanted to go home and get a long sleep, tomorrow he'd take on the chunnin exams.
Hokage Tower
Hizuren couldn't help but laugh with happiness as he watched Naruto train "The boy truly does have the potential to be an amazing shinobi… much more than the Uchiha boy." Hizuren exclaimed in a haughty tone, and while he wasn't allowed to show it, he did favor Naruto like he did his own family. But now after watching the blonde's rather brutal training, he found himself wondering how strong the boy could truly get with enough training.
"That's a very bold statement Hokage-sama." Kakashi said coming through the door "But sadly I didn't come here to speak with you about his potential, it's about his parentage." For but a moment Hizuren's expression turned to that of shock, but then it took a form of suspicious anger. "I wasn't informed about, his parentage at all and I certainly wasn't told that he was not an orphan as we believed." He stated.
"It's likely because Naruto's parentage is classified beyond your pay grade and because you shouldn't poke your nose where it doesn't belong; all you need to know is that Naruto's personal contents are classified, and going any deeper will result in some very tragic accidents." Hizuren's voice had turned cold and his glare could kill if need be, he made the message very clear as well.
'Dig any deeper and they won't be able to find my body much less recognize it.' Kakashi silently concluded 'For Hokage-sama to make such a threat is… terrifying because I know that he'd order it and do it himself if need be.' He sighed. "Forgive my impudence, Hokage-sama, it won't happen again." Kakashi apologized giving his superior a bow.
"Forgiven, but tread lightly Kakashi, we're watching." He stated still glaring at the Jonin who quickly thanked him and left as fast as he could. 'Vendra, please wake up soon, I don't know how long I can protect him from any more emotional attacks; I know too well that someone will try and find something about the boy that will hurt him.' the old Hokage sighed as he clutched the bridge of his nose. "Tomorrow the chunnin exams start… let's get this party started." He smirked as a devious plan came to mind. Not knowing a certain Space Witch stirred a bit upon feeling her child's psychic power becoming so strained yet strong. At the same time, Tenten felt an odd sensation of anticipation run through her body; it was so very exciting. Soon Konoha would be rocked to the very core.
Chapter 2 End
AN: For future reference, Naruto and Tenten will be using weapons/guns, but Tenten will use them more than Naruto. Here's how it will likely be.
Tenten = Heavy Artillery
Naruto = Light Artillery
