WOW. I don't know f I should be sad or happy that this fic got the number of hits my other fic garners in a month in one day. I guess that there's just a bigger naruto fan base on fanfiction than for Final Fantasy. I'm glad that the story had a lot of positive feedback. I have good news for Mzr90 and Izanagi, the way I have structured the three year gap will allow for a Naruto/Karin pairing, just a little notification for the things to come. I will later post pictures on my deviantart account of the dorm room Naruto now lives in, which is very similar to a college dorm complex. I will also post Naruto's new appearance later on when he gets a little older. I'll let you readers know when I post something and where. Enjoy!


10:22 am, October 11th, Konoha hospital

After the ANBU had scourged up any of Naruto's belongings, they left them in a bag near his bed. Which wasn't much by the way, mostly consisting of a few notebooks, an art set, and a plush toad. All the rest...were not in any presentable condition. Clothes-wise, all Naruto had left were three Green cargo shorts, four black shirts that were a size too big for him, along with five pairs of boxers and socks. Anko had to cut a hole in the back of his shorts to let his tails go through. After they got Naruto dressed, Kakashi gathered all his things in a small duffel bag and the odd three man group went off to find their new accommodations.

The streets of Konoha were bustling with life, a sharp contrast from last night. Even though fall was well underway, today there was a crisp warm breeze flowing through Konoha. Kakashi and Anko walked towards their destination, each one holding Naruto's hands. Kakashi noticed they were drawing many odd looks, but first passed it off as shock at Naruto's new appearance. But upon closer inspection discarded the thought after passing a newstand.

"Jinchuriki snaps! 29 villagers dead in the aftermath!"

"Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki placed under shinobi surveillance!"

DAMNTHOSECOUNCILMEN! Kakashi mentally shouted. While Sarutobi had placed laws that restricted the distributionof Naruto's status as a Jinchuriki, the law allowed said information leak only under the pretense that it concerned the villager's safety. The council had obviously used this loophole in hopes of further distancing him from society, until Danzo's plan received more backing. Kakashi had to fight the urge to shove a Raikiri down the news vendor's throat. Upon a glance of his fellow shinobi he saw that Anko had similar problems, if the snake heads barley protruding from her trench coat sleeves were anything to go by. After hearing the hissing from said snakes, some villagers got the hint and gave them a wide berth. Luckily though through the rest of the trip nothing eventful happened. Whether it was due to the fact that several ANBU guarding them visibly from the rooftops, or the two pissed off jounin, or the potentially homicidal Jinchuriki is up for question; or maybe a combination of all three. Regardless, there they were, in front of Shinobi dorms block A. Kakashi noticed that it was relatively seperated from the civilian districts, requiring a shinobi id card to gain access through the checkpoint. It was a quaint neighborhood, having several shops and restaurants, as well as a park and the nearby residences of the shinobi clans.

Third floor, Shinobi dorm block A, room 5. This was it. After a brief moment of fumbling for the keys the old landlord had given him when they came in, the group entered their new home. They found themselves standing in a hallway that lead to a living room/kitchen/dining room. The place had a warm ambience, the soft cream colored walls along with the leather couch and chairs creating a relaxing aura. There was also a decent sized flat screen T.V., along with a glass coffee table. The dining room contained a large oak table, able to seat six people, and was separated from the kitchen by dark wood island that also served as a sort of bar judging by the barstools. All in all it was the definition of a bachelor pad, and had Naruto been his normal hyperactive self, would have had to been quickly remolded. On the other end of the place was another hall leading away, three bedrooms on each side, ending at a final door that must have been the bathroom. No sooner than when they stepped foot in the living room when a green blur busted from one of the rooms and enveloped Kakashi in a bear hug.

"KAKASHI! MY ETERNAL RIVAL! IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE THAT YOUR FLAMES OF YOUTH BURN BRIGHTLY WITHIN!"

Kakashi managed to barely pull himself out of Gai's death grip,"Uh...Gai...why are you here?" Kakashi asked, dreading the answer.

"I AM YOUR NEW ROOM MATE! I VOW UPON MY FLAMES OF YOUTH THAT I SHALL BE THE BEST ROOM MATE EVER! IF NOT, I SHALL RUN-UMPH!"

Gai never got to finish his sentence as a red tail flicked him across the room, making him smash face first into the living room wall, making a Maito Gai imprint on the wall. Kakashi and Anko turned slack jawed towards Naruto who was covering his fox ears with his hands. A six year old had swatted a Jounin across the room like a fly! After a few second Gai had managaed to pull himself out of the wall.

"AH! I SEE! YOU WISH TO CONSUMATE OUR FREINDSHIP IN THE FALMES OF-MPHH!" Kakashi slapped a hand over Gai's mouth, silencing him as one of Naruto's tails rose threateningly.

"..Loud." Kakashi hissed, jerking his head in Naruto's direction. Gai got the hint and nodded, though Kakashi waited a few moments before removing his hand, afraid that Gai would go off on another tangent involving "youth" and whatnot. Gai flashed a toothy grin as he stooped down to Naruto's height.

"Yosh! I am sorry my youthful friend and roommate. I am the green beast of Konoha, Maito Gai!" Gai announced, in a voice that was on the borderline between shouting and an indoor voice, while extending his hand for a shake. Naruto didn't respond, and instead ignored him, walking up to Kakashi pointing towards the duffel bag. Kakashi gave it to him, who then began going through its contents until he pulled out a large sketchbook and a marker. After writing for a few seconds he held it out for Gai to read a message scrawled out in children's writing.

"Hello"

Kakashi and Anko looked at one another. Now that they thought about it, ever since that night Naruto had not uttered a single word after that event. This worried them, and they decided to contact Inoichi about it. Though they were relieved that the incident had not reduced the poor boy's mind to that of a newborn. They were broken from their hasty conversation at the comical sight of Gai enveloping Naruto in a bear hug while crying tears...of joy? They both sweat dropped.

Godthatguycrieseasilyboth of them mused. Naruto stood stiff as a board, and after some hesitation, patted him on the back as if trying to console him. Their attention though turned to a shrill familiar voice erupting from the hallway.

"GAI! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO OUR LIVING ROOM!" Gai dropped Naruto who covered his ears again. All three young adults turned sheepishly towards an angry Kurenai and Asuma, resembling scolded children more than shinobi. Even though Kurenai was generally known as one of the most calm and collected Kunoichi, '..

"It...was an unforseen consequence of our flourishing flames of youth?" Gai ventured, but quickly shrunk under Kurenai's gaze.

"YOUTH MY ASS! YOU BUSTER, ARE GOING TO-UMPH!" Kurenai was stopped mid rant by a crimson tail flicking her into the wall right next to Gai's imprint. Everyone looked bug eyed at Naruto, who was busy drawing in his skecthbook, oblivious to the situation he had just caused.

"You think she'll develop acute amnesia and forget the whole thing?" Kakashi ventured hopefully.

Asuma, Gai, and Anko shook their heads.

"…shit..."


Man, making Gai's script is hard. It's hard making him sound...well, Gai-like. I wanted to get this piece done, and decided not to merge it with the next event since it doesn't connect well. In that sense this is sort of like a filler, not a really important event but provides a little background and some interaction amongst characters between big events.