A.N Sorry for the wait, I got lost on the path of life. I made this chapter longer to make up for my absence. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Three: A Traitor Among Us
There was a large array of symbols and numbers written on the floor of his apartment. He could smell his blood mixed with the ink, claiming the seal as his own. Deadly seals, or more private seals, tended to have some of the makers blood in it. It wasn't the most solid defense from a seal thief but it would help.
He pumped some chakra into the seal. Too much unfortunately, the seal flared to life then fizzed. Startled from the change of event, Naruto did not have the chance to escape the explosion. He yelped and barely grabbed the jagged edge of a broken floorboard, he managed to escape the fate of the rest of his bedroom floor as it crashed into his downstairs neighbor's living room.
Naruto sent the owner; who sat dumbfounded on his couch, book regretfully forgotten, and stared up at the preteen boy, a bashful look and apologized quickly. He scrambled back up into his apartment. He was quite frantic, how was he supposed to explain this to the old man and his landlady? There was a giant fucking hole in his floor.
He grabbed his golden locks in frustration and tugged. "Kurama-sensei! What do I do?"
That's when he noticed the deep laughter coming from his new teacher. He entered his mindscape, now effortlessly, and glared heatedly at him. "This was your idea! You knew this would happen dattebayo!"
Kurama snorted indignantly, "I did not!" 'Well maybe...', though he didn't voice the last two words. "Look you little brat, you're the one who put ten times the amount of chakra into that. It's not my fault your control is shit."
A deep pout crossed Naruto's features when he crossed his arms. "You're supposed to be teaching me these things!"
The ancient fox schooled his face into a perfect mask of indifference. "Listen Naruto, I can't teach some things to you. From what I have noticed you tend to learn with hands on experience. I cannot manifest to show you what to do and mental guidance won't be the best in this case. So chakra control must be taught to you by your Jonin sensei." He almost sounded bored behind his lecturing tone.
Naruto scowled, "ugh, now I have to explain this mess to Jiji. And there's no way to lie about this or hide it, not with my neighbor knowing."
The fox sage just rolled his eyes. His nine tails twitched behind him. "Go to school, you're going to be late."
It was early morning, the sun had risen only a bit in the sky. Naruto felt bored, class work was horrible, he only had one and a half weeks left in the academy. But he was absolutely determined to pass.
After acing the first test Kurama told him to fail the next quiz. Even though he knew all the answers. Naruto had protested but Kurama had argued the point that Ninja's should never reveal their true strength, and that included smarts and strategy.
Naruto slumped in his chair. After a few minutes he laid his head down. He closed his eyes and groaned. "Kurama-sensei? I was wondering… can I please paint the Hokage monument?"
The fox shifted in his cage. He made a deep humming noise. "Are you going to get caught?"
"Mmm, No… I'll try not to."
Kurama sighed, "Fine… but you have to ditch that god awful orange jumpsuit. You can get something that has orange on it but… just… that thing will get you killed."
Naruto rolled his eyes. "But I love this thing." He whined.
"That doesn't matter if you end up dead because of it."
"Oh come on! It has been fine so far."
Kurama snorted and yanked the boy into his mindscape. His nine tails swayed angrily behind him. "I told you Naruto, you can get something with orange on it. Just not in the quantity that this abomination has."
Naruto puffed up his cheeks pouting again. He was a stubborn little git in Kurama's opinion. An intense staring contest began between the two. The Sage's red eyes fixed on Naruto's blue. Minutes passed and both were unrelenting.
Unfortunately for the Jinchuriki, the Nine Tailed Fox, was far more patient and resilient. The boy tossed his hands up in the air and groaned. "Fine! Fuck you, I'll change the jumpsuit. But I better get to paint the stupid monument... Oh, oh, oh, and you better teach me something super cool!"
A loud noise suddenly reverberated through Naruto's mind. He cried out as he was forced from his mindscape. He rubbed his sore head and looked up at an irate Iruka-sensei. "Na-ru-to! No sleeping in my class!"
(I'm sorry I know the jumpsuit is an iconic Naruto thing but I can not stand it. There will be orange in his new outfit but not in as much abundance.)
Tomorrow was the day. Naruto had a busy night ahead of him. He had little desire to study, which luckily Kurama-sensei was not going to force it. Naruto sat on his floor surrounded by dozens of half finished seals. Most were variations of the structure altering seal. He was going over them one last time. His final prank for the academy was in motion. When he graduated he would set it off. It would be hilarious.
Naruto sat back against his bed. He could hear the light breathing of his new sensei in the back of his mind. Over the past few weeks he had really started to reach out to the mysterious sage. He couldn't really tell what it was but he was really starting to feel the power behind those bars. It was influencing him subtly. What he felt the most now was the comfort he found from knowing there was someone finally rooting for him. Sure Iruka-sensei didn't treat him like crap anymore but he hadn't shown his true devotion to Naruto yet.
He shook off his thought and jumped up. The sun was rising. He was going to skip today to paint the monument. Kurama was allowing him to do the act in broad daylight but on the condition that he doesn't get caught by anyone. Even the Hokage himself. If he were caught Kurama wouldn't teach him a new seal until he became a Ninja.
Once again he wasn't too fond of the challenge. Though he was really starting to understand the reasoning behind Kurama's tasks. They were all to make him a true ninja. He pulled on his new ninja gear. They were slightly to big for him. Black sandals, black shorts, and a dark green shirt with steel mesh underneath... he had stolen the mesh. There were orange stripes going down the pant legs and the orange Uzumaki symbol on the back of his shirt. It wasn't hard to find it since most of Konaha's ninja gear had the symbol in remembrance of the once great clan. Sadly they weren't remembered by the youngest generation and some of the older.
He was going to get an orange jacket later. But for now he could deal with this. He picked up the bucket of pain and a brush. He ducked out of his window and heading the the monument. Naruto couldn't help but smirk as he got closer and closer to the large stone faces. He kept to the shadows, not letting anyone see him.
He stalked forward making himself as quiet as possible. He stopped in the shade of a building when a group of young kids and their parents passed by. They didn't even notice him. He took a deep breath before continuing. The road got easier as he got closer to the monument. Less people were out that way since it had a higher population of Ninja and many were on missions.
Unfortunately that meant he had to be extra careful. Naruto grumbled and cursed the sage under his breath. Not only did he have to avoid detection Kurama wasn't going to let him take the easy path up the monument. He had to climb it!
He could practically feel the smirk on that creepy old sage's face.
Naruto gazed up at the cliff side. "Damn... it's a good thing I have been training more..." He stepped forward and found a good starting point. He took a deeper breath then before then started up the cliff face. 'Stupid old sage!' he growled at Kurama. He only received an amused snort.
The way up was not easy. Once or twice he slipped and almost fell. There weren't as many good holding spots as he thought there would be. He just hoped no one had spotted him. "Just stick to the shadows Naruto. It will be much harder to see you then."
"Would you just shut up. I know!" He growled quietly.
"Snarky little brat."
Naruto finally reached the First Hokage's stone visage. He dipped his brush in the paint and started to paint. It was mostly insults but he hid subliminal messages in them. Mostly characters to seals and hints to codes he had found in Iruka's desk. The Hokage and higher ranking ninja would probably notice the code. If anyone knew the basics of sealing they would catch the seal references.
On each face he put something different. He made it so if you picked out the right characters you would be able to make the structure seal he had placed all over the classroom.
He finished the last stroke of paint. "Alright Naruto get out of here before someone notices." The jinchuriki nodded and made his way back down the cliff side. He stayed to the shadows again. His new darker cloths kept him way more concealed then his old jumpsuit. He had to admit that.
The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe. He had taken out his crystal ball to check up on Naruto. He had been concerned for him after getting reports that he seemed to be changing. He had not expected to find him scaling the cliff side to reach the Hokage faces. He definitely was surprised at the final message in code and the obvious reference to sealing.
He stroked his white goatee as he watched the boy descend and rush back home. Only he didn't reach his apartment. Iruka had found him skulking in the shadows. His curiosity was overwhelming. When had Naruto learned anything about sealing? And from what his teachers had all said there was no way Naruto could be that stealthy.
Don't get him wrong, he was proud Naruto was improving. The problem was the knowledge he had gained was mysterious in nature. He'd have to keep a close eye on him.
"Naruto! why did you skip class! And to deface the Hokage faces no less!" Iruka had tied Naruto up and had him in the classroom. "You were doing so well Naruto! Tomorrow is the exam. You have failed the other ones so I hope you pass this next exam!" He shakes his head sadly. Naruto turned his face away and pouted. "Since you missed it everyone will now review the transformation jutsu."
A curious of groans and moans sounded through the class including insults. Naruto brushed them off as he always did. Kurama watched as the class lined up. He wondered if Naruto was going to use that foolish sexy jutsu. Although he was very surprised when Naruto tuned into him! He looked like his sage self exactly, including the nine tails! What was that brat thinking?
Kurama stiffened as he saw the slight fear in Iruka's eyes. Though it disappeared as Naruto shifted back to his normal self. The class was quiet as they had not expected to see such an unknown person. Naruto just shrugged and went to sit down. Kurama growled and pulled him into the mindscape. "What were you thinking?! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to turn into me?"
Naruto crossed his arms, "Hey what's so wrong with that? You look cool besides no one has ever seen you."
Kurama pursed his lips. Naruto did not know why he was so ostracized his hole life. Kurama could not blame him for wanted to show off something he thought of as cool. At least he didn't turn into his true form. But just the tails was enough to set Iruka on edge. His eyes fell on the chunin with worry. Luckily the teacher was busy with the other students.
"Look Naruto... you have to be extra careful tonight... in fact don't leave your apartment. You have enough seals around the room."
"What?! why? I thought you wanted me to check them one more time?"
Kurama shook his head. "Just trust me kid. Besides aren't you happy you painted the monument?"
"I got caught." His mind's voice was full of disappointment. Kurama almost smiled as he could practically see the boys lip sticking out slightly in a pout.
"You know, you still did excellent. Sometimes ninja fail after all no one is perfect. Except for me. But you did well." He felt Naruto perk up slightly. Praise did wonders with him. "And since you did so well I will teach you the next seal." At that any amount of sadness or disappointment vanished. A wide smirk crossed Naruto's face and he was now in a much better mood.
Naruto had not noticed his own change. But for some in the class it was far to noticeable to ignore. There were many who did not pay attention to him because they simply didn't care. For Hinata, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Iruka his change was very remarkable. Hinata was still in deep admiration of the boy who had saved her and inspired her. She was glad Naruto was finally doing better in class. He was amazing to her.
Sasuke was oddly curious of Naruto and his changes. He had even started to follow him to the classroom at night.
He was good enough to avoid detection from Naruto though he had slipped up one night an nearly gotten caught. He was surprised to see Naruto stealing information out of Iruka's desk and well... writing strange seals on the desks and chairs after his little shifting prank was done. It was a bit concerning when the blond started to talk to himself but he had brushed that off.
Naruto had gone through a change. He was quieter, listened more, and- dare he say it- actually quite intelligent in some ways. Sasuke had watched him practice. It was as if he was fallowing some secret instruction. How else would he have found out how to use those structure altering seals. Sasuke didn't even know what they were until he had done some extensive research.
He looked at Naruto now. He had changed his outfit to something far more befitting a ninja. He had a sly smirk on his face suggesting he knew something others did not. Naruto had become an enigma. It was annoying. How could this dead last some how be this good? He found himself hoping Naruto would pass and be on his team. That way he could watch him more.
Iruka was watching Naruto clean the stone faces. "You're not leaving here till every drop of paint has been cleaned off."
"So what! Its not like anyone is waiting for me." Kurama found himself in wonder. Despite his obvious interference some things were bound to happen. He saw the slight remorse cross Iruka's face.
"Tell you what Naruto, after you get this cleaned up I'll take you out to ramen."
"Now that's some serous motivation!" Naruto started to work faster. 'Hey Kurama-sensei why don't you ever take me for ramen?'
"Because I'm in your mind locked in a cage." (I'm not going to do the dinner part because we all know how that goes and I'm lazy and don't want to write it out for everyone who already knows it.)
There was a buzz in the classroom. Everyone was talking to each other. They were very excited for the exam. They were all confident that they would pass the exam even Naruto. A few months before he wouldn't have imagined to be this ready for the exam. He sat on the edge of his seat and awaited his turn. One by one the students went into the exam room. As he sat there Kurama interrupted his excited thoughts.
"Naruto, listen." Naruto left reality and stared at his sensei. The Fox Sage sat behind the bars his nine tails swaying behind him. "This exam... even if you do fail do not give up hope. If they make you do the clone jutsu refuse. You cannot do that one with the amount of chakra you hold. Instead try to show them the other things you have learned. Clone jutsu is not important when you look at the bigger picture."
"Alright sensei... what should I show them? My seals?" Naruto scratched his head.
"No. They would not understand your birthright as an Uzumaki. You can comprehend seals in a unique and unheard of way. Show them your true ninja skills. Jutsu may come in handy but ninja have many more useful skills that can save your life. One jutsu does not determine whether you are ready or not to be a ninja." Kurama stood up. The sewer water dripped off of his robes. Naruto watched him closely. "Go it is your turn Naruto. And remember you can not speak of me."
Naruto left his mindscape and looked up at Iruka. He suddenly became nervous. He took a deep breath and left the now empty room. Iruka and Mizuki watched him as he went through the steps and got great marks on everything. Finally came the time of the clone jutsu. He swallowed and looked Iruka in the eye. "Sensei... that is one jutsu I cannot do. Is there something else you can test me on?"
Iruka raised an eyebrow. "Well Naruto... the clone jutsu is part of the exam."
"Sensei... I can't. I don't have the best chakra control. I have to much chakra for a simple clone jutsu. Please sensei there has to be something-"
In the corner of the room there was a loud noise. It sounded like someone clearing their throat. The three people in the room looked in the direction of the noise. The Third Hokage stood there in his aged glory. "There is something I would like you to show me Naruto. I couldn't help but notice the seal patterns you painted onto the Hokage Monument."
Naruto swallowed while Mizuki and Iruka bowed slightly and greeted the Hokage. All three were surprised to see the Hokage but the two chunin did not question his appearance. Naruto was nervous again. Kurama had told him not to show off his sealing. He rubbed the back of his head. "Uh... I don't know what your talking about."
The Hokage chuckled lightly. "Naruto I know about the little incident in your apartment. You completely destroyed your floor. And I can recognize seals. Your message on the monument was not lost to me. Now show me the seal you have been working on. If I am correct you placed it all around your classroom." He started to walk out of the test room and motioned for them to follow.
The jinchuriki dreaded what was about to come. 'Kurama-sensei what do I do?' The Sage did not answer him though. He sighed and followed the Hokage and ignored the curious glances of the two chunin. The Third stood at the front of the class room rigged with Naruto's seals. "Go on activate your prank."
Naruto pouted, "man I was going to use it on the other kids." He closed his eyes and took a deep breaths. He ignored the Hokage's light chuckling as he gathered up the right amount of chakra for this many seals. He had had plenty of practice to gage the proper amount. He moved over to his desk, the epicenter of the design, and placed his palm to the bottom of it. There was a loud crack followed by dozens more. Within a second the entire classroom was filled with rubble and two shocked chunin, an amused/ impressed Hokage, and an irate Naruto. "There you happy old man?"
"Very... You truly are an Uzumaki. Naruto, I personally will grant you the title of genin. You pass."
His jaw dropped open. A dozen emotions washed over him and his heart skipped a beat. "Really?"
"Yes really." The smile that had crossed the old man's face was proud. He took out a hetai-ate and was about to hand it to Naruto.
"What Hokage-sama..." Iruka had stepped forward. "I would like to give Naruto my own. I'm proud of you Naruto." He removed his hetai-ate and tied it to Naruto's head. "I've been rooting for you."
Those were five words he had been waiting to here from someone. He choked up and almost cried out. He looked down at the floor to avoid eye contact as he teared up. He felt so relieved and happy in that moment. Happier then he has ever been. Someone was rooting for him. He knew the old man cared, but to hear those words from Iruka shook his foundation. "Thank you sensei.. Thank you Jiji."
Kurama smiled lightly as he watched from his cage. Sarutobi coming in was unexpected but a welcome interference. He just hoped the Third could deal with that traitor. He looked out at the white haired man. He had on a scowl and a promise for death in his eyes. Kurama glared at him, he wouldn't let that man mess up what he was working for.
Naruto laid in bed, his stomach full of delicious ramen. He patted his belly before reaching up to his new headband. He was surprised when Iruka had given it to him but very happy to have it. He was so blissfully unaware of the disaster that had happened in the past that Kurama had known. Kurama on the other hand was pacing in his cage. How was Naruto going to learn his signature move now? What was Mizuki going to do? When would Naruto learn the truth? Should he tell him the truth?
He gazed outward. Could he have completely altered everything with this one act? He shook his head. It didn't matter. He would still guide Naruto the best he could. They would face whatever came at them head on. Kurama smirked, this was something he could do. Naruto was his partner. They were part of the Village hidden in the Leaves. Konoha was their home and they would defend it.
He was about to call Naruto into his mindscape when one of Naruto's traps when off. There was a loud noise that alerted Naruto someone had just forced their way into his apartment. His hairs stood on end and he bolted out of bed. He stared around his room. He grabbed his kunai and held it close. "Naruto get out of here... head to the Hokage's office."
Naruto didn't question his sensei's words. He jumped out his window and dropped to the floor below. Right where he had been was soon filled with flying shuriken. Kurama gritted his teeth. It had to be Mizuki. Naruto took off towards the Hokage's office. He faintly heard someone land behind him. He didn't chance looking back, instead he darted down an alley way. He knew this area like the back of his hand. Over the past couple of months Kurama had forced him to learn every crevice, nook and cranny of the alleys.
He twisted his way through the dark pathways. He hid in a tight spot when he thought his attacker was gone. There was an eerie silence as several minutes passed. "Stay where you are Naruto..."
"What's going on sensei? Who is attacking me? Why is there always someone after me?" Naruto tried not to breath loud but he was panicked.
"Keep calm... use your training Naruto. You can get through this." Kurama stretched out his senses. Mizuki was close. He was being quiet, trying to search for Naruto without alerting anyone of his presence. "Go Naruto... get out of here before he finds you."
Naruto slowly made his way out of the tight spot. Thinking back it probably wasn't the best place to hide. It wasn't easy to maneuver through it. While his attacker wouldn't be able to fit they could always throw a weapon. And if that were to happen Naruto would not be able to dodge it. He got out the other side and started to run again. He made a beeline towards the Hokage Tower. HIs heart pounded as adrenaline rushed through his body.
He was not paying attention to where he was going. When a dark shape walked out from the side of a building he was approaching he had no time to stop himself. They collided and fell to the ground with an oomf. Naruto groaned and shot up his kunai ready. "Wait don't!" He recognized that voice.
"Sasuke?"
"Yeah you moron! Why are you running?" Sasuke picked himself up off the ground and glared at Naruto.
"Shh! I'm running away from someone." He took off again not wanting to be distracted. Unfortunately Sasuke followed. "Go away or he will get you too!"
"Who are you running from?"
"I don't know! They broke into my apartment and attacked me!"
Sasuke grabbed his arm and forced him to a stop. "Naruto hold on a moment... Why were you attacked?" Naruto huffed out and looked around. There was no sign of his enemy. He pulled Sasuke to a dark alley.
"I don't know Sasuke... But they are trying to kill me..." His gut twisted with anxiety and fear. It was a fear he had never faced before. Sasuke saw it in Naruto's face. He was going to accuse him of lying but the emotions crossing his classmates face were far to real. He only had a moment to decide.
"Follow me." He grabbed Naruto's hand and dragged him away from the alley. Naruto looked around, they were heading towards a training ground.
"Why are we going to the training grounds? We should get to the Hokage."
Sasuke ignored him at first and stooped in the middle of an open field. "We're going to force the guy out in the open. I want to know who's after you." Naruto groaned slightly. He didn't want to be seen as a coward so he prepared himself for the worst. He saw Sasuke reach into his weapons pouch and take out a kunai. Naruto readied his. Now that he wasn't running for his life he wondered what was going through his sensei's head. Though he didn't ask.
Five minutes later someone appeared in the field. Naruto's eyes widened as he saw Mizuki. "Mizuki-sensei... why?" The chunin grinned and laughed minacally. There was a large scroll on his back.
"Because I hate you. You demon. I figured I'd do this village one favor before I left. And that is destroying you."
Naruto swallowed and was about to ask why again. Though Sasuke beat him to it. "Why? Naruto hasn't done anything to you."
Again Mizuki laughed bitterly. "He hasn't done anything? How wrong you are little Uchiha. Naruto... that thing is the reason this village suffers. Twelve years ago he destroyed half the village and killed hundreds. He's a monster! The Forth Hokage sealed the Nine tailed fox into you! You are the nine tails!" He spit out.
Those words rang through Naruto's head. He was the nine tails? Wait... Nine tails. He went into his mindscape and stared at the Fox Sage. Fox... Nine tails... "You... you're the nine tails? Then I am...?"
Kurama snorted, "Don't get yourself confused brat." He grabbed the bars of the cage. "I may be sealed in you, but that does not make you a demon nor does it make you me. People misunderstand the truth. We will talk later, don't let him shake you or you will die!" He yelled out.
Naruto shook his head and stared at Mizuki, "I am not the fox... You're wrong..." His voice was quiet and unconvincing. He felt Sasuke's eyes on him. He looked over, the other boy didn't seem to know what to make of that information. He gathered himself up and looked at Mizuki. "I'm not a monster... you are! attacking me when I have done nothing wrong. And you said you were betraying the village! You are the monster!" He pointed at Mizuki. He was yelling now and drawing attention.
It was a good thing the ANBU were looking for Mizuki. The white haired traitor growled and rushed the genin. Sasuke and Naruto divided hopping away from each other as Mizuki laded his weapon right where they were seconds before. Naruto looked at Sasuke, "Lets take him down." He called out. To his surprise Sasuke nodded.
"You think you can bring me down? I will destroy you!" He kicked out hitting Sasuke square in the chest. He twisted around as Sasuke went flying and went after Naruto. He raised his massive shurkin and threw it. Naruto barely managed to duck under the twisting blades. Blood pounded in his ears from his raised heart rate. He rolled to the side to gain more distance. He looked at the trees and an idea struck.
He made eye contact with Sasuke and jerked his head towards the forest. He ran towards the trees followed closely by Mizuki and Sasuke. He dived behind a tree though he did not completely avoid the kunai that stabbed into his arm. "Ahhh!" He cried out from the pain shooting up his arm. He briefly pressed his back against the tree then ran forward hiding behind more trees.
He stopped at a tree momentarily. Dipping his fingers in his own blood he started to draw the structure seal on the tree. He finished quickly, moving on to the next tree he drew the same design. Three trees in he came face to face with Sasuke. "Naruto..." He seemed weary as if he didn't trust him. "What did you turn into the day before the exam?"
He looked confused at first. "Why? I turned into a creepy old sage."
Sasuke narrowed his eyed then nodded. "Sorry.. I had to make sure it was you." He stepped closer. Naruto stepped back now. He got why now.
"How many tails did it have?"
"Nine."
Naruto was still weary of him. "What did you turn into?"
"Iruka." There was a moment of silence. They looked into each others eyes for a brief moment. There was a nod of trust and they stepped closer. Naruto extended his hand with two fingers out. Sasuke did the same and they grasped the two fingers together. "you have a plan?"
"Yes its already started. I just need to get Mizuki in the center of my trap." He whispered. "can you do that?"
"I don't like being the bait... I will but you owe me."
Naruto stopped Sasuke right before they parted ways. He drew a small symbol with his blood on his arm. Sasuke raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Naruto had his reasoning behind it. Naruto snuck off so he could keep marking the trees. He did not noticed the ANBU team waiting in the shadows. If things got to out of hand they would swoop in. Though they were curious as to what the jinchuriki was up to.
Naruto finished the last array with his blood. He hoped this would work. He saw Sasuke engaged with Mizuki, the Uchiha was struggling against him. Naruto called out distracting Mizuki. "Come and get me you asshole!" He yelled at the traitor. Mizuki snorted, leaving Sasuke alone, he rushed Naruto.
He took a deep breath, went through a hand seal, gathered the right chakra, slammed his palm into the final array. It blazed bright red. There were at least six loud snaps, like thunder, and the trees Naruto had marked came crashing down. Mizuki made his final mistake. He stood in awe as the trees came crashing down on him.
In the moonlight a black blur rushed in. As the dust settled in the aftermath of the trap four new figures had joined them. They were masked and deadly. One held Mizuki in a death grip, another held the forbidden scroll.
"I suggest you boys go home."
The adrenaline was still running strong through the two genin. It was hard to calm there senses as the four ANBU disappeared with the prisoner. Naruto fell to the ground and covered his face. He didn't look up even though he heard Sasuke approaching him. "You almost killed him." Sasuke's voice was low but sounding like an explosion to Naruto.
"I... I am a monster."
Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. "Moron... you're not a monster. You're a ninja. You do realize ninja kill all the time right?"
Naruto whipped away a few tears and looked up at Sasuke. "But... you heard what he said. That... the nine tails..."
Sasuke folded his arms. "Shut up Naruto. Look I have never seen you go out and purposefully kill something or someone. Just because a few old people are afraid of you doesn't mean you are a monster. Besides... You kind of helped me." It was hard to admit but Mizuki was a bit strong. And that was irritating. He needed to get better. He reached out his hand offering it to Naruto. "That was a solid plan Naruto. You're not that big of a loser."
Naruto stared at him for a long moment. Maybe Sasuke wasn't such an asshole. He grasped his hand and stood. "Well you're not that big of a bastard." He smiled bright.
Sasuke's eye twitched, "dobe."
"Teme."
(A.N Alright guys there it is. So some of you may be wondering why I chose Sasuke to be the one to have followed him into the class. By all accounts hes the one that made the most sense. He would notice the change since Naruto had actively made an effort to beat him. Hes hard to completely ignore. Hinata and Shikamaru would notice. Shikamaru is a lazy ass and wouldn't bother to follow. Hinata is a Hyuga. She is under tight surveillance and wouldn't be able to sneak out. Anyway I really hoped you guys like it and again sorry it took so long.