This is AM, welcome back! Sorry for the delayed post, I've had a lot going on recently. Just know that I'm NOT finished. Unfortunate for some of you, haha...
No pairings yet; no yaoi
Disclaimer: I can't draw. Go figure.
Chapter 3: A Month or Two
"Naruto."
Blue eyes met the speaker's. Sarutobi stared deeply into them, wondering what could possibly be manifesting in the blond's mind.
"You understand what I'm asking of you, correct?"
"Y-yes," Naruto stuttered, his voice hoarse from disuse.
Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and began to fill his pipe. The Hokage's office looked exactly the same as always; paperwork littered the desk, the portraits of past and present Hokages graced the walls, and unnatural shadows filled the upper corners of the room, signifying the presence of ANBU.
But things are much, much different from before, Sarutobi mused as he examined the silent boy before him. His eyes then flicked upwards and he cleared his throat.
"Come in," he commanded, and the doors of the office opened, revealing none other than Umino Iruka.
"Iruka-san, I'm assuming that you heard the entire conversation?"
Iruka looked sheepish. The Hokage motioned toward the seat adjacent to Naruto and Iruka quickly took it, sending glances at the boy.
"The events of last month have been heavily kept under wraps. Only the jounin are aware of what happened. You of course, are an exception, considering your part in Naruto's rescue."
Naruto looked up at Iruka in confusion. Iruka met his gaze and, at a gesture from Sarutobi, began to explain.
"Mizuki and I used to live together -" Naruto flinched at the name but Iruka continued, "- and we were associates for years. We were never friends; though he was an exceptional teacher I always felt...distant from him. He kept people away and didn't want them close. Having a roommate was, to him, convenient for financial reasons..."
Iruka received a blank look from Naruto.
"Anyway, three months ago he started to change. He started buying up all sorts of gear and equipment that his kind of salary would definitely not cover...trust me, I would know."
Iruka's eyes flicked in annoyance towards the Hokage and Sarutobi blushed and coughed.
"I got suspicious. He was getting the money from somewhere, and the Records office told me that Mizuki's last mission had been four years ago - not exactly current. A month later I found a letter in one of his pants pockets as I was doing the laundry. It was less a letter of correspondence than it was a contract; it seemed that Mizuki had accepted payment by some underground organization for a mission. The letter didn't say what the mission was, but the amount being paid...well, let's just say he wasn't being paid to carry groceries."
Naruto looked confused but the teacher continued.
"A month and a half ago I convinced Morino Ibiki, the Head of Interrogation, to run a background check and investigation on Mizuki, a request which reopened the case of two dead chunin, his ex-teammates. After that, ANBU watched our house 24/7, never leaving Mizuki alone. As I suspected, Mizuki began acting very strange, as though the pressure was getting to him. One day, about a month ago, I came home, pretended to be tired, and went upstairs. I sneaked out a window and came here. By the time I arrived, Hokage-same was leaving his office."
The Hokage blushed deeper at this and Iruka grinned slightly.
"He had blood streaming from his nose."
Naruto's eyes widened in understanding.
"T-t-t-that w-was the night th-that I..."
"Yes," Iruka affirmed. "Upon questioning, Hokage-sama reluctantly admitted that you were responsible, which led to him revealing that you were here...basically, he told me everything and begged me not to tell."
The Hokage frowned and muttered, "Two and a half minutes after promising not to tell anyone, I tell someone. I must be getting old."
Naruto cocked his head slightly and spoke.
"But y-you're already o-old Jiji."
Sarutobi glared at the blank faced boy and Iruka smirked before continuing.
"Almost immediately I knew something was wrong. Uzumaki Naruto breaks into the mother lode of all powerful jutsu and leaves without taking anything? Not exactly something you'd do, am I right?"
Naruto looked down, but his face was still emotionless.
"It was I," Sarutobi began, "who tracked you down with my crystal ball. I told Iruka where to find you and...I watched what happened."
Iruka cut in.
"I was in the clearing within a minute of the explosion...there was nothing left. Mizuki was...definitely not a threat anymore so I tore through the wreckage for you, fearing the worst. But then I found you, and I was shocked at what I saw."
Naruto's head snapped up and he stared questioningly.
"You were completely okay. Besides being totally naked and having a few scratches, you were in perfect shape. Anything you stole must have been disintegrated in the blast..."
Iruka watched Naruto, but the boy didn't betray any emotion.
"W-What n-now?"
Sarutobi sighed.
"The Hospital agreed that you were okay to be released. You may return to your apartment now, I believe that's enough for today."
Naruto rose from his seat and looked ready to leave. Just as he bowed to the Hokage, the doors burst open and a pink-haired man strode in angrily, his teeth bared.
"What is the meaning of this, Hokage-sama?"
Sarutobi looked sour.
"I'm sure I don't have any idea of what you mean, Haruno-san."
The man saw Naruto and sneered disgustedly at him before redoubling his assault on the Hokage.
"I am told that my daughter was ordered to retake the academy courses by some idiotic jounin!"
Iruka got up and led Naruto away with a hand, his face as sour as the Hokage's. Just as the doors closed behind them, they heard the man scream, "And not just her, but the Uchiha as well!"
Iruka shook his head in disbelief before turning to Naruto, eyeing him gently.
"I'm glad you're okay."
Naruto muttered a small 'thank you' and walked away.
"Naruto..."
The blond turned around and looked at his instructor one last time, his face still blank. Iruka gave him a serious stare.
"You left something in the clearing, so I took the liberty to put it in your apartment. It seemed private so I hid it between the pipes underneath the sink. As it obviously was a...possession of yours, I didn't feel it was necessary to tell anyone...was I correct in doing so?"
Naruto's face finally morphed into surprise and Iruka leveled him with a warning gaze.
"I don't have to tell you to be careful."
The words hung in the air and Naruto's eyes bore into Iruka's, determination filling the blue voids.
"Not anymore."
The door of Naruto's apartment opened and the boy's shadow filled the hallway. The place had been broken into again; obscenities graced the walls and crude images of dead foxes were spray painted against the couch and kitchen cabinets. Naruto didn't care.
He opened the cabinet beneath the sink and pawed around. His fingers brushed against a familiar object and he gripped it and pulled. He stared a the scroll for a moment before pocketing it and leaving the apartment, hearing the door creaking slightly behind him.
One Month Later
A figure flew through the trees, making hardly a sound.
"Faster."
The person became a blur as he weaved between the branches.
"Faster."
Falling leaves were split into millions of pieces as an almost invisible force slammed into them. Small grunts could be heard and random cracks started to emanate from the branches.
"FASTER."
Suddenly, the side of a tree exploded into shards of bark and a boy tumbled from its heights, landing with a mighty crash among the fauna shading the cool soil of the forest.
"More control," the Kyuubi muttered, sending out his chakra to heal the unconscious boy. "Otherwise, you've made an intriguing improvement..."
Naruto materialized within his mindscape. It no longer resembled a sewer; instead he was standing on a wide street, a tiny pinprick next to buildings that seemed to stretch into infinity. The city scape around him was silent. Kyuubi's image appeared like a reflection on the side of one of the skyscrapers, his all-knowing gaze focused upon the blond.
"Yes...you're becoming extraordinarily strong in the time you have been given...but with the path you have in mind...it is not enough."
Naruto nodded but didn't speak. Kyuubi grunted in approval at the boy's determination.
"Tell me," inquired Kyuubi, "what do you want now?"
Naruto was silent for a few moments before answering carefully.
"I appreciate all of your help. Without you I would still be...unworthy of the life I've chosen. Without your gifts, I would have become the victim of my own mistakes. Now, all I ask for is the chance to meet you in person..."
Kyuubi looked surprised and Naruto waited for an answer.
"You...want a summoning contract?"
The boy nodded and bowed onto one knee in deference.
"It is my hopes that I can repay my savior. Unfortunately it won't be true freedom, but until I figure out how the seal works, it is the best I can provide. And I will provide it, if you wish. I promise to only summon you when you desire."
Kyuubi was still surprised.
"So you don't intend to use me as a weapon...interesting. I can see the truth within your soul. You are not lying."
Naruto was appraised him for another moment before answering.
"Very well. I thank you, boy, but I must say..."
The reflection of the fox paused and closed its eyes. The clouds above turned orange and red, as though sunset were descending upon the city. Naruto stood and held his arms out, waiting.
The pit-patter of rain could be heard as a curtain of red water raced from the heavens and drizzled the world in crimson. Blue eyes closed, enjoying the warm splashes on his skin. The Kyuubi opened its eyes and finished.
"...it is I that has yet to repay you."
Naruto felt the rain slowly disappear from his skin and he opened his eyes. A forest canvas greeted his vision. For the first time in days, a smile graced his lips.
"I can't ask you to repay me, Kyuubi," Naruto murmured. "I don't deserve it."
Naruto got to his apartment and turned on the shower, wincing at the sudden burning sensation on the skin of his back. He slid out of his rags and turned to examine himself in the mirror. The ghost of a smile slid onto his face.
"Woah."
A monstrous fox tattoo draped itself over his back, its maw wide in anger and claws outstretched. Its blond fur was sleeked back and the eyes were vivid blue, like Naruto's.
"Like your contract, kid?"
Naruto nodded, knowing that the Kyuubi could feel everything he felt.
"Good. I always felt that the other summoning contracts lacked creativity. Hmph."
Naruto bathed himself and had just gotten out of the shower when he heard the doorbell ring. Cursing inwardly, he desperately tried to come up with a solution but the doorbell rang again and he was left with no choice. Quickly, he grabbed a towel and wrapped it tightly around his waist, ignoring the multiple knocks and hoping that the impatient person at the door wouldn't mind that he was half-naked. He strode from the bathroom towards the door and pressed his ear against it.
"Isn't this where the dobe lives?" came a muffled voice.
"This is where Iruka-san told us to go..." came a slightly irritated voice. "Honestly, I don't know why they asked us to get Naruto. If only it could just be us two, Sasuke-kun..."
Sakura? Sasuke? Naruto identified, slightly confused.
"Hmph. I haven't seen that dobe in months. He probably quit being a ninja. That's what happens to most people can't even pass the academy test," Sasuke smugly spoke.
Naruto decided that it was time to answer the door. He placed his hand on the handle just as he heard Sakura start to say something.
"Yeah, he's probably all fat and gross and - "
The door swung open and Sakura and Sasuke turned in surprise. Naruto placed his hands on either sides of the doorway, as though blocking it casually and smiled slightly.
"Can I help you?"
Sakura felt her cheeks getting hot as she watched small droplets of water roll down from Naruto's hair onto his ripped torso and heavily defined abs. His hair was long enough to hang just over his eyes, and his tan gave him the look of an Adonis.
"Yo, dobe, get a shirt on."
Naruto tilted his head at Sasuke.
"I'm sorry, I was just taking a shower. I sensed a pretty girl at the door and didn't want to keep her waiting."
Sakura felt light headed and Sasuke growled slightly.
"What is it you need?" Naruto asked and he folded he arms over his chest, making his biceps expand impressively.
The pink haired girl tried to casually sit on the walkway rail, pretending as though her legs weren't giving out beneath her.
"We've all been called to the Hokage's office," Sasuke spoke, averting his eyes. "I don't know what for."
"Cool. Give me a couple minutes and I'll be right out. Whoops!"
The towel began to slip but Naruto caught it in time. He threw a cheeky grin at Sakura.
"That was close...wouldn't want something like that hanging out in front of guests..."
Sakura's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she almost tumbled backwards over the railing, but Sasuke pulled her back in time. Naruto closed the door behind himself and his grin slid off of his face.
That was easy enough to fake, Naruto mused to himself. You never realize how phony emotions are until you lose them...
Naruto dropped his towel and strode to the closet. He grabbed a black long sleeve shirt and some faded jeans and put them on, pushing the sleeves up to his elbows. He grabbed some sneakers and laced them up, wondering what the Hokage could possibly want.
"Come in," an old voice spoke and the three teens walked into the Hokage's office. Sarutobi sat at his desk, smoking as usual.
"Uchiha Sasuke. Haruno Sakura. Uzumaki Naruto."
They waited patiently as the Hokage withdrew a file from his desk.
"You all have had the required Academy training yet, through various circumstances, you all did not reach Genin rank."
Sasuke seemed to tense up and Sakura looked extremely guilty, but Naruto stared forward blankly. Sarutobi glanced at each of them before continuing.
"I have decided to remedy that. Effective immediately, you are all now Genin rank. Congratulations."
Sasuke literally took a step back in surprise and Sakura let out a half squeal of disbelief, but Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Sir, if I may?"
Sarutobi motioned for him to continue.
"We may all have academy training, but they passed the final exam," Naruto formally adressed the Hokage. "I'm wondering why I should be given any lenience."
Sakura looked at the blond in surprise and Sasuke suddenly felt respect for the blond, though he didn't know why. The Hokage smiled.
"Well, due to the events of late, it has been decided to give you one more chance. I gave you the title of genin on technicality; you would only receive the rank if you could pass the standard academy test."
Naruto paled slightly.
"But sir, I still don't know how to do the Bunshin."
Sarutobi grinned.
"The test is for any kind of Bunshin. Come here for a moment."
Naruto approached the desk and Sarutobi slid him a piece of parchment.
"This," the wizened man spoke, "is the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. If you can make at least one clone on the first try, then you will be irrevocably declared a Genin."
Naruto couldn't help but feel that this was slightly unfair, but he felt that the old man wouldn't give him a chance like this and not expect him to be able to do it.
"Oh, and another thing," Sarutobi spoke up. "Kage Bunshin is very chakra intensive."
Naruto got the point and made an unfamiliar hand seal. Sakura and Sasuke watched in silence, both wondering how Naruto could possibly be able to pull off a technique on his first try. Naruto summoned his chakra, feeling it easily flow in a relaxed current.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he shouted.
Smoke filled the room.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Sarutobi applauded the dumbfounded blond, who saw at least ten copies of himself beside him. The copies walked over and each to a turn putting their hands on his shoulder, nodding in approval.
"The Kage Bunshin makes solid clones, Naruto. It's very difficult because it involves massive amounts of chakra and the mental strain can be difficult...every time a clone is dissipated its memories return to you. This makes it a valuable spying tool, though it is very weak and will disappear at anything more than a playful slap on the back..."
Naruto nodded and stepped back, ignoring the jealous look on Sasuke's face. Sakura just gazed at Naruto with stars in her eyes.
Sarutobi smiled.
"Now that Team Haruzuchiha is finally formed," Sarutobi grinned at his pun, "it's time for your first mission."
The three leaned forward in anticipation and Sarutobi sucked on his pipe.
"You three will work at the internal Shinobi library for an indefinite period of time. You will act as curators, collectors of scrolls and, when necessary, retrieval guards for scrolls that have been stolen or gone missing. I believe that in time you will all realize that you all have certain inherent...skills that make you most suited for this mission. You may report to Iruka-san for full details."
The three blankly stared.
"You may now go."
Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto spilled out into the hallway and the Hokage's doors closed behind them. They were silent for a few moments.
"Let me get this straight," Naruto slowly asked. "Are we...librarians?"
Yes, I saved Iruka. Oh don't worry, I'm plenty merciless. People WILL die. I'm a pretty dark person...expect the worst.
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