Disclaimer: The anime series, Naruto belongs to Mashima Hiro and the video-game, Okami developed by Clover Studios.

Written By: Moon's Phantom.

Rating: Ages fifteen and up.

Warning: Gore, violence, crude language and death.

Setting: Alternate Universe.

The Struggles

Book One: Awakening

Chapter One: Team Zero

Konohagakure

Hokage Tower.

"Are you sure about this, Hokage-sama?"

"I'm sure, Kurenai-chan."

Scarlet eyes scanned the documents again, lingering on the images. The first image was of a fourteen year old boy with bright crimson hair that reach his shoulders- the ends spiked, dark grey eyes with a pupil of an animal's in the centre and a hostile, sly smirk settled on a sharp-jawed, tanned face. The boy's outfit consisted of black pants tucked into standard ninja sandals – black, a sleeveless grey shirt with the crimson Uzumkai symbol printed on and the material of his forehead protector was black as well which covered his forehead.

The second image beheld another fourteen year old boy; he had jet-black hair that was chin-length, a forehead protector with black material that covered his forehead as well and a solemn, blank expression was acquiring his lightly masculine face as he looked into the camera – black eyes void of emotion. He wore a simple dark grey shirt with a high collar that bore the Uchiha symbol on the back, navy coloured pants that was wrapped in bandages at the ends and covered his the top of his navy sandals.

The third picture was of her former student; a pale, fair skinned girl of twelve years stood before the camera with a shy, uncertain smile gracing her softly feminine features and her silver innocent eyes looked off to the side – a sure sign of low confidence. She had her navy forehead protector around her neck, a long-sleeve fully-lavender jacket with a white snowflake on the right upper arm and black pants tucked into navy sandals. Her Persian indigo coloured hair was tied back into a short pony, two pieces of hair framed her face and her fringe went up to her eyebrows making her appearance neat. Strange considering who's raising her…

"And their instructor?"

"Haruno Sakura." He replied rather slowly, studying her shocked body language and quickly countered her outburst, "We'll be watching him. Relax, I have my reasons Kurenai-san."

"…Y-yes Hokage-sama. May I see what he looks like after all these years?"

"Of course. Here." He handed her the male's document and smiled in amusement as she struggled not to rudely snatch the papers from his grasp. Her scarlet eyes quickly zooned in the photograph and took in all the changes that she could.

The man's cherry pink coloured hair was longer; the bangs that framed his face was chin-length now and the layers at the back were two inches long giving him a slight tail at the nape of his neck. His emerald eyes were dulled and lighter than the last time she had seen him than again, giving him a more solemn look. His expression was also painted into that of a scowl. His crimson headband had been turned into a belt that held up his black carpi, he wore a red short-sleeved shirt with his family's white circle on the left side of his chest and his sandals were brown like his gloves which had went all the way to his elbow – metal plates were attached. He looked…dangerous – deadlier.

This was not the Haruno Sakura she had come to know – grew up with. This was another person entirely.

"He's changed." She whispered softly, still gazing at the image.

"Indeed."

"Will they receive a test like other teams, Hoakge?"

"No. The situation demands it."

"…Hinata's guardian isn't going to like this."

The old man's only response was a nervous chuckle.

Training Fields

It looks…ugly…it's almost as if a sick rainbow decided the training field was the best place to throw up. Ugh…absolutely horrible. Do you have no sense in colour coordination, Hokage? These little bastards and that fucking murderer would never make it on an undercover mission. Pink…orangey-red…black…indigo…just ew! Well, they do say outcasts are destined to be together… She sighed loudly from her position, shifting restlessly and placed her hand on her hip – a sign of impatience which the pre-teens immediately caught, all turning their gaze from the man at her side to her. They began staring.

"What?!" Her suddenly scream had the youngest of them wincing in alarm and the oldest sneering in distain.

"Ino-pig! Don't yell at my students!"

"Bastard! I'll do whatever the hell I want!"

"Alright, alright. That's enough you two. You're scaring the little ones." A calm, nearly amused voice interjected. The arguing pair paused and turned their blazing glares to the person responsible for the interruption causing him to flinch – he hoped they didn't take their temper out on him...or the children.

"What a fucking witch." It was faint but she managed to hear the insult loud and clear.

"What did you say?!" She screeched, stomping toward him with her fists clenched and ready to attack, "You little demon! You-"

Puzzlement washed over all three of the pre-teens' faces when the woman was held back, her mouth covered by the grey haired man's hand and pulled backwards into the forest – the man letting out a series of nervous, panicky high-pitched giggles. Two thin trails of unturned grass and sand followed after them giving the situation a humorous twist – emerald eyes glared after them, caution settling in then faced the three children gazing at him who were silently waiting for an explanation.

"The blond was Yamanaka Ino so unless you have a death wish, stay away from her and other was Hatake Kakashi, the legendary copy ninja." He stated, a smirk gracing his lips at the youngest expression of awe. "From today, I'll be your new instructor. I'm Haruno Sakura, pleased to meet you. Why don't you introduce yourselves, your age and your dream?"

"No. Fucking. Way. You are Haruno Sakura! You are the man who-"

His other two students merely watched as their teammate suddenly flew backward and into a tree, startled the girl took a step away from the angered man in fear receiving the same fate. The other male student warily prepared to defend himself when his newly introduced instructor faced him; black eyes bleeding into this clan's well-known bloodline limit which caused the girl to move away from him as well – not that he cared really.

"I'm Uchiha Itachi, third heir to my clan-"

"And I am Uzumaki Kurama! I'm fourteen and I'm going to be the scariest ninja alive." The battered boy stated after suddenly appearing at the Uchiha's side with a wicked crackle, sneering at each one of them and clearly ignoring the injuries he had gotten. Sighing with impatience, Sakura gestured for the Uchiha to continue.

The boy's speech was unintentionally unheard due to the youngest actions; she approached the Uzumaki in uncertainly- a blush dusting her pale cheeks and gestured to his wounds with a small container. Rather reluctantly, the boy snatched the object from her hands quite rudely and opened it to find an intense herbal-smelling substance. Glancing up at the girl narrowly then back at the stuff and back at her again; she nodded, meeting his dark grey eyes only for a few seconds before adverting somewhere else. He frowned and huffed, stuffing the item in one of his pockets before crossing his arms and glaring at the Uchiha who was blankly staring at them.

"What you staring at, you fucking weasel?"

"Such inappropriate language should not be used in front a lady and sensei should have already reprimanded you on it." Sakura flinched when those keen Uchiha eyes turned to him. Being scolded by a child – ouch! Being scolded by your student – double ouch! Laughing loudly and fighting off a blush, he walked up to the girl and lightly patted her on the back. Both male students' watched him mockingly.

"And this is Hyuuga Hinata. She's twelve and I'm not sure what her dream is." The female couldn't help fidgeting under their shocked gazes, that usual blush on her cheeks deepening.

"So this is one of the last remaining Hyuuga? Weak." Kurama mocked with a disgusted snort, openly frowning at the girl who backed away in shame and emotional pain. In the corner of his eye, Haruno noticed the Uchiha tense and a nearly invisible frown grace his stern face. The Uzuamki then attempted to question the female, "Why can't you introduce yourself?"

"She's mute." Sakura responded, feeling his irritation towards the boy rise.

"Weaker than weak."

The other two students watched as their new teammate became airborne again and this time landed within a bush – one with thorns. Their instructor left with an exasperated, dramatic huff and marched out the training field; his strides lengthy and his fists trembling at his sides. "Same time tomorrow, Team Zero!"

The Uzumaki began thrashing around and yelling in pain…then began punching and kicking the plant – receiving more injuries.

"Come Hinata-san." Itachi commanded heading in the same direction their teacher had disappeared in. She nodded however her attention was caught by the screaming boy, pausing her movements. "Leave him." She sighed, reluctantly following the Uchiha but not before leaving a small item upon the ground – inwardly hoping Kurama saw it.

Said male continued his one-sided battle.

A/N

Naruto Characters: Uchiha Itachi, Yuhi Kurenai, Haruno Sakura, Hyuuga Hinata, Hatake Kakashi and Yamanaka Ino.

?: Uzumaki Kurama and Hokage.

Thank You!