Hiashi was annoyed. After the conversation with the Hokage and the realization that his daughter was far older than he met her in the morning and clearly had grown more confident. So he wished to speak with Hinata to see if she had grown into the confident heiress she was to become. And perhaps, distantly he had hoped, to patch up the estranged relationship.

Only to find out after sitting thirty minutes in his office after sending a branch member to fetch the girl that she was not in the compound. He waited another fifteen minutes entertaining the thoughts that the boy lacked gentleman skills and the girl walked with him to his apartment before returning home before it hit him like a Raiton jutsu.

His precious not so young anymore Hinata was so used to sleeping near the boy she probably even hadn't entertained the thought of returning home. Even as he attempted to ground his own teeth to dust he forced himself to remain calm. The Hokage only had told him the short story in the highest confidence but he was certain there was more to it by the subtle tells the Hokage's face displayed.

That didn't change the fact for Hiashi it was really, really hard not to rush out and double check his daughter was not just sharing the room with Konoha's resident demon container. His mind was already conjuring up horrible scenario after horrible scenario. After the third. 'Father I am pregnant' visions he grabbed the knockout pills to catch some night's sleep.

His noble daughter having more than a platonic relationship with a commoner as unpopular as the demon container was a horrifying thought, and the less he had to think about it the better it was.


Naruto woke up stiffly. He couldn't remember his couch being this bad. Only the wooden church banks he was forced to bunk on once because he lost janken to Genis was worse than his own couch. With a grumble he levered his stiff body off the couch and started stretching exercises to get the newly build in kinks out of his body.

"Good morning Naruto-kun." A soft voice greeted him from his bedroom. "Good morning Hinata-chan" he returned. He wasn't overly worried about the time. Travelling made you wake up at the crack of dawn regardless of where you slept. "You want to use the bathroom first?" he offered. Hinata gave a thankful nod and quickly made her way past him.

He returned to his stretches and pointedly ignored Akane's attempt to make him blush when she joined him. "Naruto." She started in a more serious voice after they completed their stretches. "Could you run out and get some groceries aside from instant ramen?" she asked. Naruto managed to withhold expressing his embarrassment to much as he was once again reminded how slobbishly he lived.

He initially loathed Raine's hard work to straighten him out, but he appreciated it in the end. The older half elf school teacher truly turned him around from a loudmouthed idiot to someone competent Hinata could rely on. One of the arguments Raine had used to force him to stop charging into things head first.

"Alright, Il be right back, anything specific?" He asked as he donned his vest. "No, just anything I can cook with." Akane replied. Naruto made the mental note to make sure by the time he was back Hinata was done in the bathroom. Perhaps even subtly shove Akane into it. She wasn't that bad of a cook, not compared to Raine who for all her elderly sister strongpoints just could not cook to save her life. Naruto was certain Raine would be able to overcook water and make it taste bad. Once again Naruto idly wondered as he moved silently through the awaking village how Genis had survived the years before he could cook.

Hinata on the other hand was a goddess in the kitchen if you asked Naruto. An opinion Lloyd and Zelos shared with him. The thought of Zelos made him flinch for a moment before he mentally moved on. The shop was barely open and Naruto walked right in. He was grateful he kept Gama-chan and the Ryo in it as a reminder of his home in the case he could never return so he had the money ready to pay the shopkeeper who looked at him oddly. Naruto wondered if something was off before remembered he was home again.

Thankfully the shopkeeper decided the blond whiskered man, despite the obvious similarities could not be the demonic brat and he did not attempt to overcharge him. With an oath under his breath Naruto quickly made his way back with a foul look on his face.

"Here." He said in a clipped tone. Akane looked surprised by his brusqueness as she took the food Naruto had bought. Naruto turned around to catch some fresh air on the roof before Hinata stopped him. "Naruto… I understand you are angry but do not take it out on us." She spoke firmly. Naruto sighed and apologized. Hinata reached out and gently stroked his whisker marks as Akane looked on slightly uncomfortable. "Don't care about what they think remember." Naruto nodded. "Thank you Hinata for reminding me" and pulled her into a hug. He turned his head and quickly flashed Akane a smile to remind her he didn't blame her.

Whatever happened during the night of the sealing was a sour subject for Akane. Naruto did not know the specifics, nor did Akane know that his birth was the catalyst for her short freedom. Naruto did know that she was used against her will and he quickly lost all his anger towards her after learning that. He vowed to be better than the villagers and refused to lay the blame towards the fox for being used.

He was thrown out of his thoughts by a set of sharp knocks on the door. He saw both woman where as surprised as he was and he quickly grabbed one of his blades before carefully opening the door. Upon seeing a ANBU he opened the door wider. "Uzumaki Naruto, for your actions yesterday night I am here to inform you the Hokage agrees with your field promotion to genin by Chunin Umino. He also provided a second headband for your summon and instructions to explain your change. He expects you at nine thirty at his office." The man spoke clipped tones.

Naruto took the package and before the words "Thank you." Could slip off his tongue the man had already disappeared in a whirlwind of leaves. "How rude." Naruto said with a fake pout. "Didn't even wait for me to thank him." Behind him Hinata giggled that Naruto seemed to have his carefree spirit back.

Naruto realized that meant Akane was manning the kitchen and resigned himself to 'Okay' food instead of 'Awesome' food. "I wonder what kind of excuse the old man cooked up for us suddenly aging and the skills we gained." Hinata nodded at his side as he unfurled the scroll containing the excuse. By the time they were done Naruto had to agree the old man deserved his title of 'The Professor.'

Akane put the rice on the table to go with the dish and took the headband without a word. Naruto having used the mind link to inform her what happened. She considered making a quip about the headband but decided to drop it. She was not completely insensitive to Naruto's inner turmoil. She pocketed the headband, not wishing to wear it with all it implies.

"I wonder what the old man wants to talk about." Naruto during the meal. Hinata gave it a moment of thought. "Hokage-sama most likely would want to confirm that we understood the cover story." Akane nodded in agreement.

They finished they meal and quickly cleaned up before preparing all the gear for the day. If Akane had not pointed out that they would not be leaving the city they would have packed everything they had to continue travelling again.

The group moved throughout the city without accident. Naruto's changed looks had risen suspicisons but the connection was not establish. Akane's beauty drew its own attention which she was proud off. The cap the group had improvised to keep her large ears down prevented problems from breaking out.

"Jiji, you wanted to see us?" Naruto asked politely as they closed the office door behind them. Hiruzen smiled. "Indeed I was, are there any problems with the cover story I have given to you?" the group shook their head. "Good." Hiruzen said pleased. Glad that the story was worth the effort dragging the reluctant Nara Shikaku early out of bed. Who found the entire situation, unsurprisingly, 'troublesome'.

He took in the group and once again marveled at the changes Naruto and Hinata underwent before he spotted the lack of headband on Akane's person. "Hmm, I see I was a bit presumptuous with the headband was I?" he asked. "Correct." Akane started. "I am a summon spirit. Our kind allies with individuals, not organizations or city states. Should I be unable to return to my own realm I will most likely make a new pact with one of Naruto's children or somebody worthy."

Hiruzen ignored the blatant disrespect and gave a slow nod as he mulled it over. It was comparable of the slug, snake and toad summons of his former students. "I understand." He said neutrally. "Indulge a curiosity if you will." He asked. If it was comparable to his former students, the spirit would not feel obliged to pay him respect or listen to him because her summoned should. Akane gave him a nod to continue. "Are summon spirits capable of coming to this world now you are here?"

Akane shook her head as she reinforced her and Naruto's shielding and hoped Hinata could guard her thoughts should the mind reader escaped her senses. "No, they cannot. People who wish to form a pact come to our homes and overcome the obstacles we placed in their way to test their worthiness before we face them personally." She explained. Naruto couldn't help but smile slightly as it was true in its own way.

He did go to her lair in his mind after he was forced to use her power to protect the group against the first cardinal the group fought, Magnius with his devastating skill with his axe. It however also allayed Naruto's fear that he was somehow the Kyuubi. After Mizuki dropped that surprise on him he was left doubting for a long while with no-one around to truly correct him, only Hinata's belief in him kept him from crippling himself self-doubt.

Hiruzen smiled and misinterpret it. "Oh, I suppose your home and tests involved pranks somehow if it got Naruto smiling." He said in an amused tone. He paused in thought. "Although that sounds rather independent, why would this Origin.. the ruler of your kind if I remember correctly.. be involved in the pact?"

Akane smoothly replied. "Because Naruto is from this world, not mine." Even as her mind whirled how she would cover up the minor hole that appeared now in her story and when Naruto supposedly challenged her. Unknown to her Hiruzen had noted the hole, but was uncertain if he misremembered or that Naruto had forgotten to tell him in the attempt to keep the story brief. He gave a nod in understanding.

"Although I understand your situation, I ask that you wear the headband." Akane made a show of looking at Naruto while mentally telling him to say yes. "Put it on please" he responded and Akane made a show of putting the headband on her forehead. In her mind she was trying to figure out where she could put the thing without being in the way.

Hiruzen nodded pleased that the spirit did not make a big fuss out of it. Yet at the same time realizing she had admitted with no doubt she was not loyal to Konoha in any shape or form. 'Another order for Kurenai it seems.' He noted in the back of his mind. "Since the pair of you have aged quite a bit, at four PM a photographer will be present on top of the tower for a new picture." The trio nodded "Well then, let me no longer detain you from seeing the rest of your classmates after a long time." Hinata smiled faintly while Naruto's expression stayed neutral. With a short bow the group set off.


Iruka stiffly hobbled his way towards his classroom. The bruises, sore muscles and freshly healed wounds made his entire body protest in pain against any kind of movement. But like a true shinobi he endured. He had taught the class and would see them out of his classroom as he handed the freshly graduated genin to their jonin sensei.

'Well… most of them are freshly graduated.' Iruka thought as he thoughts went out to Naruto and Hinata. He had been send away to the hospital and only caught they had been gone for two and half year in thirty minutes.

An ANBU in full gear suddenly appeared in front of him. "The is the new list of graduate assignments chunin Umino." The ANBU spoke blankly as he handed over a list before disappearing again. Leaving a dumbfounded Iruka to eat the man's leaves he left in his wake.

Shaking himself out of his stupor as he realized why the list had changed he slowly scanned it until he saw an entry he never expected to see.

"Team 8: Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata, Akane. Jonin: Yuuhi Kurenai"

Now Iruka as a teacher had a good idea about the names of every student in the higher classes, and none of them contained a person name Akane. 'Could it be that woman with Naruto and Hinata?' he asked himself. Now he really was curious what happened.


Kurenai nervously double checked if everything was in order before she set out towards the academy. Earlier in the morning an ANBU had arrived with very limited updated information on her students. The sudden aging of two and half year in an unknown combat environment made their previous dossiers only useful as toilet paper.

She wondered for a moment if she truly was capable of handling a flight risk demon container. Granted the useless files told her the boy had no chakra control at all thus should be vulnerable to genjutsu, but what could he have learned during this journey.

She shook her head. 'He is not an enemy. It is my job to make sure he will never become one.' she repeated to herself. The idea of Hinata going rogue with the Uzumaki unnerved her. She paused as she wondered if Hinata would still look up to her like she did yesterday. Whatever happened did break the girl out of her shy shell and actually gain the attention of her crush.

When the girl managed to admit it privately to her she had encouraged the girl even if she personally thought Naruto was rather unsuited for the Hyuuga Heiress. She could however not deny the positive effects the boy had on Hinata's self-confidence and in a way she loathed his thick-headedness of not noticing the girl.

'I wonder how he behaves now.' Kurenai idly noted as she entered the academy and went towards her assigned room to prepare. 'I need to keep an open mind.' She repeated to herself.


Duo their conversation with the Hokage, the party barely arrived on time. As they opened the door to the class room they were greeted by a gaping Iruka who was hit by how much his favorite prankster had grown. Iruka's gaping attracted the attention of the rest of the class who all started staring.

Naruto and Akane where not effected so much, Naruto had had plenty of glaring in his younger days. Akane had massive amounts of experience to draw upon. Hinata however was uncomfortable despite everything she had experienced during the journey and stepped closer to Naruto who sensed her nervousness and grasped her hand to reassure her.

'He… he noticed?!' Iruka yelled in his mind as he saw the supportive gesture. The rest of the class was now thoroughly confused. An older Naruto look alike was holding hands with an older Hinata look alike and she wasn't fainting like she usually did when the oblivious blond touched the shy Hyuuga.

Naruto just stared blankly back towards his classmates. In their younger days a small group of usually 'dead lasts' where sort off friends, but as they got older they drifted away leaving him alone again. He didn't mind that, he suspected parents, or the rumors of other children drove them away because of the Kyuubi.

'Heh, they truly all knew yet none of them decided to drag me away from the pink haired bitch and tell me there was a girl truly interested in me.' He thought bitterly. 'They were all happy to see me get whacked around and only laughed at me.'

His expression would have turned cold if Akane did not give him a mental prod to behave. Iruka had recovered at spoke up. "Naruto, Hinata…. Akane" he guessed "... take a seat." He ordered, not realizing there were only two seats left.

"But Naruto failed!" Sakura shouted and several classmates nodded in agreement. Iruka shook his head in disappointment. "The current details of why he was promoted are classified. But the promotion was backed by the Hokage himself." He said sternly. He turned towards Naruto. "Are there any details you can tell us?" he asked.

"As you can see, Hinata and I aged a couple of years. This is because of a jutsu Mizuki used on us when he stole the forbidden scroll and framed me for it. He also sabotaged my grades to cause me to fail for his plan." "You are still a dead last" Sakura sneered from her seat. Naruto snorted and merely walked towards the seats available to stand behind him. Regal had taught him to be a gentleman after all. Although you would not expect a shackled man to be the owner of a worldwide company.

Hinata however had other plans and used the hand he was holding to press him onto the seat and promptly sat down on his lap, blushing at her own boldness as she sat down she took in the jealous expression of Ino and Ami. She didn't blame them, Naruto had grown up to have a handsome face, his preference of loose baggy clothing did an excellent job hiding the well-shaped and toned muscled body underneath. Otherwise Hinata was sure she would have more competition.

Akane meanwhile cracked up in her mind as she saw Hinata stake her claim as she sat down beside the pair. The class gazed dumbfounded for a moment before Sasuke recovered first. "Did you experience those years?" he asked, wishing to learn more about the jutsu so he could perhaps use it against him. "We did, we were stuck in an unknown place and survived out there."

Sasuke scoffed, if the dead last and the shy weakling could survive it was no use against him. A few more class members asked them about their 'adventure' which Naruto blandly responded with general platitudes . Akane was slightly annoyed everybody seemed to be ignoring her. Sensing the annoyance Naruto responded over the mind link 'I think you caught enough attention last time you were here Akane.' Akane rolled her eyes. 'I don't remember any of it.' She said back blandly.

Iruka saw the questions becoming more and more inane and decided to put a stop to it. "That's enough questions." He interrupted. "For anyone doubting, Naruto deserved the headband and Mizuki turned out to be a traitor, let that be a lesson to always keep an eye on your comrades." He finished sternly. "Now you have learned, Konoha works in a four man team, you will be assigned to one now or you will be assigned to a department in Konoha."

He rattled off some names, including Shino's for those who would work at internal security. "… and the team Sensei will be Raido in room 304." Iruka took a breath "Team 7 will be Uchiha Sasuke…" multiple girls in the class held their breath. "…Haruno Sakura…" "YES!" Sakura shouted at ear wrenching volumes. Akane nearly whimpered in pain despite her ears being covered. "…and Inuzuka Kiba." A load groan and a whine emitted from the boy and his dog. "Your team sensei will be Hatake Kakashi in room 305." He saw an annoyed glare from Sasuke, a half happy, half annoyed Sakura and Kiba sending him a look asking if it was a joke.

"Team 8 will be Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata and Akane." Naruto smiled widely while Hinata's smile was more restrained. There was some grumbling as the class realized Akane was there and there was some curiosity who the woman was. Before somebody could speak up a glare from Umino who seemingly seemed to target every talking genin silenced the class again. "The sensei of this team is Yuuhi Kurenai in room 306."

"Team 9 is still active, so team 10 will be Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chōji" Ino groaned loudly at being stuck with Shikamaru and Choji. Shikamaru looked like he was expecting it and Choji looked pleased. "Your team's sensei is Sarutobi Asuma in room 307." He looked if anybody was somehow forgotten by the system and was pleased it wasn't so.

"Dismissed, head to your assigned room and meet your sensei." He ordered. Inwardly he hoped for team 7 that Kakashi would be on time, but he doubted it.

The party got up with the rest of the class and quickly made their way out to avoid the other students from asking more questions. Their assigned room was fairly close and they arrived soon. Akane closed the door behind them and the group walked into the empty class room. "She isn't here." Naruto noted. "At least Raine won't try to push another test through our throats."

Hinata shook her head. "Be nice Naruto, she meant the best for you when she did that." Naruto could only nod in agreement. "Still.. Kurenai-sensei is usually on time." "You know her?" Naruto asked. "She was hired by my father to help me. She specializes in genjutsu." Hinata answered

Kurenai meanwhile was hidden by a genjutsu and nearly gasped out loud when the group entered her room. As she heard Hinata describe her she slowly snuck up towards Naruto from his side who was closest to her. She was about to reach out and shake his shoulder to startle him.

Naruto was about to ask more about Kurenai when he sensed something getting close from his right. On instinct his right arm grabbed the handle of his sword on his left side and as he turned to face the unseen threat he slashed out. Kurenai seeing the movement retracted her outstretched arm barely managed to backpedal away far enough to avoid getting cut by the wild slash.

Naruto didn't let up, he knew something was in front of him even if he couldn't see it, his left hand grabbed the handle of his sword on the right and in one fluid movement he drew and slashed. Hinata meanwhile grabbed the chakram at her side and dashed forward to assist, her Byakugan flaring. Getting unbalanced by the wild attack Naruto used his right blade in a large horizontal downward slash as he shouted. "Up and over!" The tables limited their ability to move around easily. As his blade dug into the wooden floor he ducked.

Hinata jumped over his prone form and with a cry of "Duel Ray Thrust!" Hinata launched both chakrams with outstretched arms. Energy flared around the weapons as they roared forward. Kurenai barely managed to sidestep the initial assault. She attempted to dispel the genjutsu she used on the trio so that they would recognize her. Hinata clearly only saw her chakra network and that didn't make her stop. She was forced further back at the furious close range assault Hinata attempted to hit her.

If Hinata wasn't currently trying to kill her, Kurenai would have gaped at the once shy girls determination and willingness to hurt her.

Hinata suddenly leapt to the side as she caught her returning weapons. Kurenai raised her arms to form the release seal, only to be forced to awkwardly block with her forearms to prevent Hinata's sudden kick from breaking all her fingers. She winced as she felt Hinata's new choice of footwear. 'Iron boots?!' Kurenai thought confused.

Hinata kicked herself away make Kurenai stumbled backward. She managed to dispel the genjutsu she had on the group. Just in time to avoid getting impaled by Naruto, whose attack was checked by Hinata's startled "Kurenai-sensei?!" He faltered and looked surprised as his head snapped between Hinata and Kurenai.

Kurenai discreetly rubbed her forearms where Hinata had hit her. And she belatedly noted the team's position. Both Naruto and Hinata staying on her right so that Akane, who had barely moved was on the left, giving her a clear lane of fire. "Impressive reaction Naruto and you followed up well Hinata." Kurenai praised after a moment of thought. "Although, why did you not attack as well Akane, did you know?" she asked. The kitsune woman was using an illusion to hide her tails so perhaps she noticed Kurenai thought.

In response Akane made a small fireball that hovered in her hand. "Would you prefer I started throwing fireballs in a wooden room then?" she asked mildly. Kurenai managed to keep a sheepish expression off her face and gave a nod to concede the point like it was a debate. "Good teamwork, although you want to work on your deductive reasoning Hinata." Kurenai pointed out. Hinata nodded meekly.

"Now, I am Yuuhi Kurenai your jonin instructor. Now I certain you know each other very well, but I do not. So let us do a round of introductions. What do you like, what do you dislike and what your goal is. And how about the favorite part of this journey of yours?" she suggested. "Why don't you start Naruto?"

"Uzumaki Naruto at your service." Naruto said with a small bow. 'Damn, I really should have thanked Regal more for teaching me this.' Naruto thought as he spotted the small approving smile on Kurenai's lips. "I like my friends, Hinata's cooking…" Kurenai managed to keep her face straight as she saw Hinata's blush. "… and fighting the good fight. I dislike those who give up, betray others and those who judge others without knowing them. My goal… my goal is to have a big family." Kurenai did not miss how his eyes quickly flickered towards Hinata before he focused on her again. "My favorite part of the journey… I.." Naruto mulled over it as his eyes darted quickly to Hinata again."… the bonds and friendships gained throughout it."

Kurenai smiled approvingly and gave a nod in acknowledgement even as she mentally filed everything away. 'He has given up on becoming the Hokage, something his files noted was his life goal.' She gestured towards Hinata.

"I am Hyuuga Hinata." Hinata started confidently even as her blush persisted. "I like Naruto-kun, the rest of group, cinnamon buns and pressing flowers." 'Well, she hasn't given up on those two things.' Kurenai thought. "I dislike those who harm others and people who see human lives as playthings." The distaste was clear to see on her face. Kurenai could not help but wonder what the girl had seen even as Naruto gently held her hand. "My goal is to re-unite my clan if it is possible and… " the blush deepened. Akane smiled widely at Hinata's embarrassment and how her confidence could still falter when it came to Naruto. Naruto blushed too as he knew Hinata would say it out loud. "…startafamilywithNaruto." Hinata said quickly. Kurenai was torn between smiling that the girl managed to confess while she was away. And frown as she realized that politically Hinata might never get her wish. Hinata meanwhile took a deep breath. "My favorite part of the journey was what happened in Flanoir."

Kurenai was about to open her mouth to ask what but Akane cut her off. "Well, I am Akane.. I suppose it could be Uzumaki Akane since I am bound to Naruto." Naruto just shrugged, as far he was concerned Uzumaki was just a random name. "I like fighting strong enemies, my summoner, my siblings and my father. I dislike my mother and hate people who control others against their will." Kurenai was intrigued by the woman's dislikes. "My goal is to reconnect with my siblings and earn their forgiveness for my arrogance." Akane had a momentary distant look and regret was written all over her face. " and to fulfill my father's last wish before he died."

She perked up after a moment of silence as a savage grin played across her face. "My favorite moment of the journey was in Flanior, about five minutes before Hinata's moment." The pair of teens paled as they knew what Akane was going to say. "Seeing Naruto stress around in room as I, Regal and Kratos watched him worry about how he would ask Hinata to be his girlfriend. I had to double check if he didn't buy a ring and wanted to marry her in the cathedral of ice with how much he worried about it."

Kurenai had to smile at how Naruto pointedly looked away while Hinata blushed deeply again. Naruto stopped his pouting and gave a quick peck on Hinata's cheek to the girls surprise. "I still beat Lloyd." Akane snorted. "Oh yes, you are slightly less dense then Lloyd, congratulations." Akane said mockingly. Naruto crossed his arms with a pout. "Well unlike Colette Hinata did not need to use a pow hammer to get her point across." Akane laughed. "No, you didn't notice the girl crushing on you for who knows how long. Prescea the girl who lost all her emotionless figured out Genis's crush far quicker than you did.

Kurenai stared at the incredibly odd by play as Hinata seemed to try and disappear into her coat while her megawatt blush persisted, although Kurenai was not sure if it was out embarrassment or her memories of whatever happened in 'Flanoir'.

Naruto meanwhile sputtered as he failed to muster a counter argument and settled for pulling Hinata close to him. "She said yes and that's all what matters in the end, right Hinata?" Hinata merely gave a shy nod as she leaned her head against his chest. At her response Naruto childishly stuck out his tongue to Akane.

'Embarrassment it is.' Kurenai thought as she saw the girl hide her face in the boy's chest. Akane looked like a pleased cat who just caught a bird but to Kurenai's surprise did not tease them further. 'Is she trying to get them closer together?' she couldn't help but wonder.

"Well then, I would love to hear more about the journey later on." She started to get back the attention. "Tomorrow I will assess your skill on training ground at 9:00 AM. Pack for a week long mission. Any questions?" A trio of 'Hai' chorused back to her, although Hinata's affirmation was slightly muffled.

"I see you tomorrow then." Kurenai said before she disappeared in a gust of wind and leaves.

"Is she really gone?" Naruto asked as his hand slowly went to his blade. He hated ambushes with a passion. A muffled "Byakugan" into his chest alerted him to his girlfriend's bloodline activation. "She is gone." Hinata confirmed after a moment and quickly let her bloodline fade out. Naruto sighed in his mind, one stupid comment from his side and Hinata was reluctant to show her bloodline around him. Only because Colette explained the stupidity of his comment afterwards he understood. 'Kami, was I really that dense?' he thought. 'Yes, you were' came back from Akane.

He put a gentle kiss on Hinata's forehead. "Come, let's check if we got enough supplies before hitting a training field to make sure none of our abilities work differently like my shadow clones did in both worlds." Hinata nodded shyly as she stepped back from his warm chest.


Kurenai finished up the last of her notes on her team. Like the Hokage had ordered she had written down everything, yet at the same time she could not help wonder what the two had encountered. 'A girl who lost all her emotions ?Did they run into the other worlds version of Orochimaru for Hinata to be so specific with her playthings comment?' Kurenai asked herself.

She looked at the clock and saw it was nearly time for the informal and unofficial yet traditional jounin meeting at a local bar. To her surprise, and after a subtle check to make sure she wasn't under a genjutsu, Kakashi was on time for the meeting.

It seemed the other jounin were also rather surprised by this, but quickly started discussing the potential of their teams, or lamenting how horrible the team was going to fail regardless of how easy they would make the test.

Kurenai frowned slightly upon hearing that. 'Using the standard bell test will be useless, perhaps even counterproductive.' She thought. 'Perhaps use three bells so that they won't be forced to work against each other.' He thoughts where interrupted by Asuma. "So Kurenai, how is team otherworld?" "Otherworld?" Kurenai echoed surprised.

The man shrugged helplessly. "One of the other jounin came up with the term, since they travelled to another world and all." He explained lamely as the table quieted and focused on the woman. "They are good, very good." Kurenai said after a moment of thought, realizing she might as well try to gain some assistance with her problem. "I hid myself with a genjutsu to see how aware they were of their surroundings." She grimaced, remembering the extremely focused expression the pair held as they tried to kill her. The group of ninja turned even more interested in the team's reaction. "I nearly touched Naruto's shoulder before he just.. reacted. He nearly cut me in half with his swords before Hinata seamlessly followed him up."

"Oh?" Raido sounded interested. "The boy is good with a blade then?" he asked. "He knows how to use them and isn't using a pair of them because it is 'cool'. He is fast, but I can't say much more until tomorrow." Raido nodded. "How do you plan to test them?" Kakashi asked of all people. Kurenai paused for a moment before responding. "I am going to use three bells." She saw Kakashi's frown. "That incident gave me enough to believe they know how to fight as a team, and I need them to trust me for obvious reasons."

The other jounin thought about it for a moment before the majority made approving sounds. "Not many blade wielders in Konoha. When you pass them..." He said, knowing the conclusion was foregone. If Kurenai failed her team there was a chance Naruto would leave town before the day was up if he was truly a flight risk. "…feel free to call me to test him and help him." Kurenai gave a grateful nod, missing the short glare Kakashi shot to Raido. "Thank you, I will."

"Heh, and did they tell anything interesting about their journey?" Asume asked. Kurenai frowned again to the curiosity of the table. "Not much." She admitted. "Although it sounds like they ran into the other world's edition of Orochimaru if Hinata's dislikes was anything to go by." The mood dampened at the thought. Most of them had become genin at a young age due to the third war, but none of them wished dealing with the madness of men like Orochimaru at any age.

"Ah." Asume said awkwardly as he attempted to change the subject before he remembered a specific line in the files. "Did the Hyuuga girl managed to get the attention of Naruto, the files mentioned a crush." Kurenai smiled faintly. "I believe in the end Naruto finally noticed and asked Hinata before she could confess in a town called Flanior if Akane's story was anything to go by." Several jounin snickered, having heard the stories from the chuunin teachers how oblivious the boy was.

The discussion meandered on for a while before Kurenai called it a night, she had an unique team to test tomorrow, who would truly be capable to kill her if she told them to come with the intent to kill.

"Burn! Eruption!" Rang over the clearing as Naruto back flipped, narrowly avoiding getting burned by the spewing magma that erupted from the ground near his feet. He had a single blade in his right hand as his left hand formed the half-seal of a shadow clone.

Two clones popped into existence beside him. All three of them changed their stance so that their swords touched the ground slightly behind them and in synchrony all three slashed upwards with a cry of "Great Demon Fang!" A large U-shaped blue colored wave shot away from the trio, slashing through the sputtering remains of the magma volcano as it rushed towards Akane.

The woman narrowed her eyes as she danced around the wave before focusing again for a moment. "Fireball!" she shouted after an intense burst of concentration, launching a trio of burning orbs towards Naruto to slow him down. It didn't work, he slashed right through them. She made to grab the bells near her shoulder when Hinata shouted. "Times up!"

Naruto leapt to the side to avoid running into Akane. With a series of quick movements his blades slid into their sheathes again as he checked himself over to make sure none of his clothes where burning. "Good fight, I don't think we are hindered in any way." Naruto commented after he was sure everything was intact. Akane made a sound of agreement as Hinata walked towards the pair.

"It is getting late." The Hyuuga girl spoke up. Naruto nodded while Akane spoke up. "It is indeed, I shall head home and prepare dinner, why don't you two have another sparring 'session'." She finished with a wink. Before either teen could properly extract the extra meaning from her statement the kitsune woman disappeared.

Hinata blushed again as she could not help to shoot a hopeful glance at Naruto. Naruto resisted the urge to grit his teeth as his mind worked overtime on what to do. A quick glance at the sun's low position reminded him of sunset soon, and an idea hit his mind. "Let's watch the sunset from the Hokage monument." Hinata gave a shy nod, and the pair set off.


Naruto cranked his eyes open at the first rays of sunlight. As he pushed himself off his couch he made the mental note to buy a soft one or a futon soon. His back wouldn't take much more of the abuse his current couch was.

"Ah, you are up." He heard Akane say as he started his stretches. He shot the woman a particularly foul glare. The woman just soaked up his anger with a smile. "Aww…" she cooed. "Is little nawuto-kun still angry about yesterday night?" she asked innocently.

Naruto resisted the urge to growl at the woman. The moment he and Hinata returned from watching the sunset after Akane dropped the romantic moment on them she had been teasing them relentlessly throughout the dinner afterwards. In his opinion it stopped being funny halfway through.

Akane caught his thoughts and immediately sobered up. "Sorry." She apologized. Naruto sighed and waved it off. "It's alright, just try to restrain yourself." He replied. "Il try." Akane said softly as Hinata entered the living room. "Good morning." She greeted as she moved towards the kitchen to Naruto's delight. "Morning Hinata-chan." He chirped happily at the thought of Hinata's cooking. Akane opened her mouth, thought for a second before promptly closing it again.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle, earning him a mock pout from Akane before the pair returned to their stretches. An excellent breakfast later the party gathered their equipment and started to make their way through the city towards the training ground.

"Did you see?" Naruto and Akane suddenly heard one woman gossip behind them. "The demon boy aged thanks to a ninja jutsu by someone who tried to kill him." "It is a shame whoever did it failed." Another woman gossiped. "It looks like the Hyuuga Heiress is effected to." The first woman noted. "Her death would be worth the death of Konoha's shame." The second woman replied dismissively. Naruto grit his teeth, it appeared his 'cover' only lasted a full day before the glaring and the 'subtle' vocal harassment was back.

He restrained himself however, he did not want to upset Hinata in any way and to his relief they soon arrived at the training ground. They had arrived early and to their surpise they saw Kurenai already present. The woman looked pleased. "You are early, good." She commented.

The three lined up before their teacher. "Today I will test you skills." She spoke as she revealed three bells. "The goal of today's test is to either take these three bells off me..." She instructed as she tied one bell to each of her side and one to her wrist. "…or capture me in order to succeed." She finished. "Are there any questions?" the trio shook their heads. "Then begin!" she exclaimed, before disappearing in a storm of leaves.

Naruto instantly drew his blades as Akane took a battle stance and started to focus. A red ring forming around her ankles that circled slowly on its axis, inscriptions in an unknown tongue quickly filling up the circle. Hinata activated her bloodline as she took a defensive stance. "Do you see her Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked. She shook her head. "She is not close." Hinata answered. "Akane?" Naruto asked. In response she let the circle dissipate and closed her eyes. A few moments later she pointed roughly forward and to the right.

"I sense two people." She answered. Up in the tree's, the second person pointed to froze. Not expected to be seen. Kurenai hiding under a genjutsu near a set of bushes was surprised too, not expecting the trio to detect the hidden ANBU the Hokage had send to give her an extra set of eyes to judge their abilities.

With a click of her tongue she dispelled the genjutsu hiding her and started weaving signs to ensnare the trio. She was less surprised they acted the instant she dispelled the genjutsu hiding her. She saw the odd red ring she spotted earlier. It lasted only for a second or two before Akane stretched out her arm. "Burn her! Fireball!" she shouted as a triplet of basketball sized fireballs sprouted from outstretched arm.

The triplet flew over Naruto and Hinata who were eating up the ground between them and Kurenai, who finished her hand seals and spread her genjutsu over the trio. Hinata momentarily stumbled as her vision changed before her bloodline pierced through it. Naruto started to slow down before Hinata tapped his shoulder, disrupting the genjutsu with her chakra. Akane was completely unaffected to Kurenai's hidden annoyance.

'Her nature must make her immune. Naruto was the only one effected but Hinata took him out of it quickly.' She thought as she leapt to the side to avoid the fireballs hitting her. To her surprise they changed course to intercept her and she quickly replaced herself with a log. Who shuddered and shattered under the blows. 'Do the fireballs do physical damage too?' Kurenai wondered as she quickly took in the remains of the log.

Her observations were interrupted by Hinata. Who used a series of quick jabs and sweeping kicks in an attempt to hit Kurenai. Knowing better then to take hits from a Hyuuga and having learned the previous day Hinata could put a deceptive amount of force behind the kicks Kurenai handily avoided the attacks while giving ground.

From the corner of her eye she saw Naruto attempting to circle her before he suddenly stopped. A short bark of "Hinata!" caused the girl to backflip. A moment later Kurenai saw why and was forced to replace herself again. Half a second later the second log she used was burned by the erupting magma. On instinct she made the release sign and shouted. "Kai!" but the lava kept flowing to her surprise. The whistle of a blade reminded her that there were more threats and she ducked under Naruto's attempt to carve her up.

A pair of kunai where grabbed from their hiding places as she redirected or blocked the next series of strikes. She saw Hinata approaching, blue chakra gathering at her feet. A dual strike from Naruto entrapped her, forcing her in a deadlock with the blond boy and she braced her body with chakra for Hinata's attack. 'A kick by the looks of it, this is going to hurt.'

"Crescent Moon!" Hinata shouted as she did a back flip, a blue line of chakra tracing her feet forming the moon. Kurenai was hit on her upper harm and winced even as her body was launched straight upward, breaking the deadlock with Naruto who hopped back. Knowing he would follow her soon, she twisted her body and grabbed a nearby branch and pulled herself clear. Naruto had shouted "Tempest" as he launched himself into a spinning barrage of blades. Chopping away the rest of the branch.

'What part of capture do they not understand.' Kurenai asked worriedly to herself. So focused on trying to figure out she did not notice the wavering shape approaching her until the last moment. Her instincts screamed and she jumped away, taking the blow from the heavy bell Akane wielded to her side instead of her head. A clear tone rung over the forest and Kurenai's world shifted despite the pain. Reducing it to a distant throb even as she saw a beautiful tree demanding all her attention with its exotic looks.

She choked her chakra before unleashing it like a broken dam. Clearing away the sight just in time for her to see Hinata dropkick her into the ground. She prepared to roll away before a set of sharp swords discouraged her. Moments later Hinata placed an iron boot on the sore spot she had kicked moment before. Despite the pain Kurenai managed a smile. "Good job." She congratulated them while making a large, bold sign saying. "Do not underestimate them ever again!" in her mind.

Naruto withdrew his weapons and sheathed them as he stepped back. Akane dropped out of the tree she had launched Kurenai from while Hinata stepped off the woman and helped her to her feet. "Well done indeed, for a moment I was wondering if you would capture me at all. Making me focus on the pair of you while Akane snuck up on me." She turned to Akane. "You live up to the abilities your kind has in our legends." She said with praise in her voice. Akane made a show of raising her eyebrow. "You knew?" she asked as she freed her tails and unfurled them. Displaying the nine bushy tails like a peacock.

"I did, Hokage-sama told me after you 'told' Inoichi." She admitted as she carefully observed the party's reaction. To her surprise Naruto and Hinata looked unworried while Akane looked slightly relieved. "I am glad you knew." The woman admitted. "I hate hiding them away and it's hard to resist not unfurling them while fighting. I don't want to tie my tails up like I have to do with my ears!" she finished with a mock glare to the teens as she ripped off the cap, her red ears springing upright straight away.

Kurenai took in her full form with surprise and interest. "It is still an amazing coincidence your looks and abilities are so closely to how the legends described them despite being from a different world." Kurenai said with a tinge of awe. Akane shrugged. "There are more coincidences nobody gave a thought about, like language, the food being edible for Naruto and Hinata and so on." She gave a moment to fake mock thought. "Perhaps Naruto is a very lucky person and we should drag him to the casino to make a killing." She joked.

Kurenai train of thought crashed as Akane made her point and she realized how right she was. "That is amazing." She breathed out as she was hit by the possible scenario what could have gone wrong. Going willingly on a two and half year adventure suddenly seemed like a very good option if 'everything' could possibly happen to you.

She forced herself to return to the present. "Well since you found me and defeated the test far quicker than I expected. I shall fight each of you one on one to get a better feeling of your strengths and weaknesses."

The first fight was against Naruto, who showed admirable skill with his blades. However when Kurenai ordered him to fight without his blades she was in for a surprise.

Naruto handed his sheathed blades to Akane to hold them and his right hand disappeared into the kunai pouch, but instead of the kunai Kurenai was expecting, he was holding two paper tags. He gave the pair of tags a look before putting them back. "What was that?" Kurenai asked curiously "Nothing sensei." Naruto replied cheekily. "Just making sure I don't put something lethal on you." Kurenai blinked before the sank into combat stance. She was doing this in the first place to find out what they could do.

Naruto sank into his own stance and even though she was not Gai. She saw that this was either something he worked on for a long time, or somebody showed him how to do it. He rushed forward as Kurenai stayed cautiously distant, unsure if he could throw the papers or not. And if they could, what their effects where.

The first exchange went as Kurenai expected from his swordplay. A solid offensive with a weaker defense. Naruto seemed to rely on his ability to take damage and keep going. When he stepped back Kurenai expected a short charge or kick of sorts until his right hand shot down and pulled out a tag which he threw towards her. Kurenai side stepped as she did not see the tell-tale burning of an explosion tag. 'What kind of…'

Her thoughts where interrupted when the tag exploded with a powerful shockwave as Naruto exclaimed "Pyre seal!" Kurenai barely kept her balance as Naruto shot forward again. Landing several hits as she worked to recover. With a strong combination she forced him back. "Enough!" she shouted and Naruto ground to a halt.

"That was an interesting seal Naruto, when did you learn the sealing arts?" Kurenai asked intrigued. None of the files, new or old indicated any interesting in sealing "Sheena taught me, but after all in Derris-Kharlan I didn't have the time to make new ones. So I only got these pyre seals left." He admitted with a shrug. "I am pretty good at it, Sheena was jealous on how quickly I picked it all up." He bragged. Causing Akane to shake her head. "Didn't she threaten to kill you and eat your brains so she could learn it quickly as you did?" she asked. Hinata giggled as she remembered Sheena's vivid threats as she watched Naruto's ability to learn so quickly.

"Impressive Naruto." Kurenai said after a moment of thought. "Hinata, you are next." She ordered. As Kurenai had felt with her earlier two encounters Hinata's kicks packed a punch while her hands still used the traditional Hyuuga gentle fist. Modified by experience to support her kicks and non-standard footing. With her chakram Hinata showed solid ability despite the rarity of the weapon in the elemental nations. Using it to give herself an edge against opponents her gentle fist would not work on.

As Kurenai ended the fight, allowing Hinata to catch her breath Kurenai silently marveled at the progress. No longer did Hinata carry her flaws, instead they replaced by strong points. 'She truly came back as a young woman, instead of a shy girl she left as.' Kurenai mused. "Do you have any other skills outside combat?" she took a teasing smile. "I understand you are a good cook from Naruto." Hinata smiled embarrassed as her eyes briefly wandered to Naruto who was smiling sheepishly. "Raine-sensei taught me the basics of field aid." Hinata said after a moment of embarrassed silence.

"That is a good skill to have." Kurenai said. "Well then Akane, shall we spar?" Akane nodded and moved to take Hinata's place. The fight started soon afterwards, putting Kurenai on the defensive. However the genjutsu using jonin soon learned that Akane was all about attacking, fierce hand to hand attacks and whenever a small distance opened up, Akane would pause shortly to launch a volley of fireballs, barely taking a moment to defend herself or guard against possible traps.

Kurenai broke up the fight quickly when she realized the woman wasn't showing anything new and after she caught her breath she asked. "Do summon spirits disappear when they take damage?" Akane was silent for a moment before responding. "In a way we do. Naruto holds something that will allow me to return to his side." Seeing Kurenai's inquisitive look, and certain the hidden ANBU was leaning in to hear everything. "If I should be 'dispersed' I will not return to my own world. I am bound to Naruto." She repeated.

Kurenai frowned before speaking up. "I don't fully understand. But I ask you not to take needless risks. This is a different world from your own and you cannot be sure everything works as it should be." She wanted to press more about what this binding item was, but she was certain that question would be received poorly.

Akane bowed slightly "I will consider your advice" she said neutrally. Kurenai sighed in her mind, translating the real statement well enough. 'I wonder if their overwhelming favor for offensive action comes from her.' Kurenai asked herself.

"Well, I have a good idea of your skills unless there is something you have forgotten to tell me about?" she asked. She received a set of headshakes in return. "Very well, you are dismissed for today, tomorrow we will start at sunrise at this training ground. Any questions?" Another set of headshakes. "Well of you go." She said kindly. She saw Hinata give her a brief smile before following Naruto and Akane, who went deeper into the surrounding forest.

Kurenai briefly wondered what the pair was up to, but she had a training plan to improvise and a report to make to the Hokage.


Sarutobi waited patiently for Kurenai to arrive as he silently worked his way through the stacks of paperwork, his hidden ANBU he had send had already given his report that gave the old Hokage much to think about. The door opened silently revealing the genjutsu mistress. He acknowledged her with a nod as he gestured her to sit down as he finished the last part of another report.

He waited for the woman to set down. "How did the test go?" he inquired. Kurenai's expression took a thoughtful frown. "As a team their teamwork is excellent, very offensively minded and it is clear that they have been fighting a together for a good time. Just like they told us." Kurenai looked distant as few small twitches hinted to a myriad of emotions as she remembered the day. "They never discussed their plan out loud and I did not see any hand signals. Yet somehow they coordinated well enough to get Akane behind me while invisible by a genjutsu of sorts I did not recognize or sense." She finished with a frown. "Only when she moved to attack I sensed her, but it was too late then."

Sarutobi saw the frown and idly wondered if Kurenai was upset she was outmatched in her chosen field or that a group of 'genin' actually beat her during the infamous bell test. He gestured for her to continue, shaking the woman out of her own thoughts.

"Individually they are quite skilled in their chosen fields and they are surprisingly diverse and skilled in others. I did not expect Naruto to be skilled in fuinjutsu or Hinata to be so skilled in first aid should her claims be true." Kurenai frowned again. "Akane has not shown or told any supportive abilities or knowledge aside from esoteric knowledge about her own kind." Her frown deepened. "Not that she needs it with her unique… magic." The woman spoke the word magic with some distaste. For the civilians who never had seen a ninja in action, jutsu might as well be magic for them. Hiruzen raised an intrigued eyebrow, interested what Kurenai 's take would be on the lava based attack.

"I still have trouble believing a fire wielding person could suddenly make the ground erupt with lava like she did." The genjutsu mistress admitted after a moment of silence. "It was that my instincts warned me, otherwise I doubt I would have seen the attack on time." Hiruzen silently disagreed, his ANBU reported the cracking of the ground moments before the attack, but he could not blame Kurenai, she was focused on a pair of genin attacking her.

Kurenai paused for a moment to think before resuming on the subject. "There might be abilities or things that these summon spirits lend to their summoners that she will not tell me about. Or things about her kind that she considers well known while we don't, like her supposed immortality."

Hiruzen put up a show of looking surprised and intrigued as Kurenai repeated the story. "That is interesting indeed. "the old kage mused at the end of the tale. "I am curious myself what kind of item could do that, but you made a good call reigning in your curiosity and not to press the pair for more information." He smiled faintly. "It is good to hear they are opening up and trusting you to reveal such information." Kurenai paused for a moment before nodding in agreement. 'I had not thought of it that way.' She thought with a faint smile.

Hiruzen's expression turned stern. "Despite the process you have made so far we much make sure we do not lose it to the villagers bigotry." Kurenai made a sound of assent. "It is unuasual, but I am reserving as many D-rank missions as I can outside the village walls for your team. Try to gather your team before the village properly wakes up and return if possible during the less busy hours." Kurenai nodded her understanding. "Try to get them ready for C-Rank mission as soon as you can." Kurenai looked slightly surprised at the pushed schedule.

The old Hokage smiled wryly. "Going from world saviours to local patrol and training field maintenance is quite a demotion." Kurenai chuckled in agreement before speaking. "They are capable enough in battle and they are quite aware of their surroundings." Hiruzen nodded. "Indeed, as expected from people who fought so much, make sure they remember the politics of this world and how to behave as a shinobi should, instead of an adventurer." He paused for a moment to think. "As soon you think they are ready, or they seem displeased with the situation let me know, otherwise I am leaving it in your hands."

Kurenai rose and gave a small bow. "I will do my utmost Hokage-sama." She spoke formally.