Okay so here's another update, Oh and I got in trouble with the last chapters lol my little sister who goes by the name of haruai who has been helping me write lol so anyway we had a bit of trouble with words and disappearing names on the last update so hopefully it will be safe this time lol. Anyway hope you guys enjoy this chapter as much as the last two, we had a lot of trouble with taking bits out to make it not so long and boring lol but somehow it got longer T_T anyway enjoy

Disclaimer: I wish I did but I still don't


Chapter 3

It would be another five years before the two self proclaimed avengers would cross paths again at the assigning of genin teams.

Sakura was strolling along the road to the academy, not in any hurry to get there knowing full well she would be late to the team assignments but she didn't care. She knew whoever was on her team would only just slow her down from her goal, and she wouldn't let them.

As she neared the academy from one side another figure came from the other side, she was used to meeting the dark haired boy at the gate every day as it was their only interaction and they were both happy with it that way. They both reached the door at the same time, glaring at each other for a moment before either spoke. "Uchiha" Sakura gruffly greeted "Haruno" Sasuke greeted back with the same tone as the last Haruno. (Sakura was wearing what she wore in Shippuuden only redder and Sasuke same as what he wore in the first one)

After the greeting if you could call it that, the pair entered the class. Now each avenger usually sat at the opposite end of the room to each other, but today would be different. Before they even got to take their seats Iruka-sensei made all of the academy student's stand and line up against the wall. This was so he could call out the teams and have them sit together.

Upon their entry Sasuke and Sakura were almost immediately swamped by fan-girls and boys, this aggravated them to no end. Sakura even went as far as beating her fans to a pulp a month ago but something about being the bad girl drew more fan-boys to her, it was to 'tame the untameable' 'conquer the unconquered' 'ride the wild wind' and stuff like that.

But there was always one fan who never got the message no matter how much you beat them, lucky for Sakura his parents moved away taking the freak with them. She looked over to the boy next to her and smirked, he was being smothered by two girls. One's name was Ino who had long blonde hair in a pony-tail and bright blue eyes and the other...Hoshi who she hated with a passion.

"Get off of my man bitch!" Ino growled pulling Sasuke closer to her, "For your information...pig" Hoshi spat "He is my man" it was like a tug-O-war match with Sasuke as the rope. Sakura thought it was very hilarious that the Uchiha had to deal with this on a day to day basis, he even had to hide at lunch from his rabid fans. Although she knew where he hid because it wasn't far from where she went every day...in a way she felt sorry for him because she had to go through what he was going through as well, but she'd never tell anyone that.

Anyway she had to chuckle at the sight...that is until Hoshi yanked Sasuke hard causing Ino to let go and the pair went flying back colliding with a certain pinkette.

They all fell to the ground Sakura under the pair and Sasuke sandwiched between the two girls "Oh Sasuke you care about me that much to break my fall" Hoshi squealed as she hugged him ignoring the squashed girl under them.

It was a moment of silence as everyone stared at the mound of flailing limbs from two very pissed off genin and the squeals of one very happy fan-girl before the others joined in.

"Get off my Sasuke you bitch!"

"He's not your Sasuke, he's mine!"

"Get off me Hoshi...Sakura stop hitting me!"

"Sasuke?...who cares about that creep what about my Sakura"

"Would you both get off me and no not until you get off me"

"Sakura can't breathe...I'll give her mouth to mouth and bring her back to life and she'll love me forever"

"Oh Sasuke I knew you cared for me...we're going to get married and have lots of beautiful children wi..."

"How about...you get off...him so he can get the hell off me!" Sakura almost yelled cutting Hoshi's rambling off as she tried to push Sasuke and the red head off her but the pair were too heavy for her alone. Sasuke winced at the volume of her voice as her mouth was close to his ear, so she had literally shouted into his ear a smirk immediately found it's way to his face.

"What's the matter .ra...you scared to let your fan-girl out?" he said as he held Hoshi's face away from him who was trying to plant one on him. He knew she wasn't a fan-girl but he couldn't help it, they were rivals for the top spot of the academy and all so anything to rile her up.

A growl was heard from under him causing his smirk to widen as Hoshi was hoisted off him by Iruka. He got off the fuming pinkette and turned to look at her with his cocky smirk, if looks could kill Sasuke would have found himself six foot under with a body covered in kunai and shuriken thrown with just Sakura's eyes.

"In your dreams Uchiha" Sakura growled as she stepped forward closing the gap between them so they were that close they could feel the hate radiating off of each other. "Your just an egotistical bastard who thinks he's the best"

The room became deathly quiet, not even the fans made a sound as they all stared at the pair glaring at each other.

"At least I'm not a pa..." Sasuke got cut off as Iruka pulled the two apart "Okay settle down you two" he said moving Sasuke to the other side of the line (he was now having a glaring match with Sakura who promised much pain when no one was around) before he began placing the genin into their teams.

"Okay team six Hoshi Nankobo, Tennai Nankobo, and Kanon Tokugawa" Hoshi and her brother who looked so much like her that it was hard to tell he was a boy moved to sit at a desk with Hoshi's lackey.

"Team seven Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno" Naruto a spiky haired sun-kissed blonde with bright blue eyes and three scar like whiskers on each side of his face and too hypo(?) for his own good cheered at the name of his teammate, Sakura rolled her eyes and moved over to the boy giving him a glare which shut him up before he even spoke to her. "And...Sasuke Uchiha" all three faces dropped two thinking 'Great anyone but him' and the other 'why those two? The outcast and her' as Sasuke moved to his team and sat on the other side of Naruto away from Sakura who was glaring at him.

Iruka sighed a nervous sigh 'I hope you know what you're doing putting those two together lord Hokage...they could end up killing each other'


After all the teams had been picked (Most of the fan-boys and girls complaining that they didn't get onto their beloved's team) Iruka had the jounin pick up their teams. The last team in the room was team seven as their sensei had yet to show, "Man when are they going to get here" Naruto whined as he drew on the blackboard "All the other teams have their sensei's and gone to do team stuff...even Iruka-sensei's gone"

Both Sakura and Sasuke rolled their eyes as it was the fifteenth time the blonde had complained in half an hour. The pair were on either side of the room Sasuke sitting on a desk with one leg bent up and his elbow leaning on it with the other leg hanging and his head hanging down as if he were sleeping. Sakura had her arms crossed across her chest with her eyes closed and leaning against a wall "I hope we have someone as cool as that guy the scary Sasuke-fan and her team had...did you know he was smoking in the room, how cool is that!"

Sakura opened an eye when she heard Naruto chuckle closing it again when she saw what he was doing, "That won't work, the jounin won't fall for it" Sasuke said not even lifting his head to look at the boy "How do you know what I'm doing" Naruto said as he stood on a chair at the door placing a duster between the door and wall so when someone came in it would hit them fair and square on the head. "You just watch, whoever it is won't see it coming believe it!" Naruto gave a thumps up and a big goofy grin as he stepped away from the door.

Not even a minute later they heard footsteps coming towards the door, all three looked at the door two silently wishing the trap would work and the other snickering while covering his mouth. As the door opened a silver haired man poked his head in only to have his entire head turn white after the duster fell. Naruto was bent over holding his stomach from the laughter "I can't believe it...he...he totally fell for it" he managed to say before another fit of laughter, and Sakura and Sasuke were looking at the man with shocked faces 'It actually worked' Sakura was in disbelief 'He can't be a jounin' Sasuke thought staring at the man.

The jounin walked in shaking the dust off to reveal a mask covering from his nose to the base of his neck where his standard jounin clothes covered the rest. His headband was covering his left eye so the only part of his face showing was his right side and unamused black eye along with his gravity defying silver hair that slanted to the left and spiked out.

The man picked up the duster from the floor and looked at it for a moment "Hm...how do I put this" he said in a bored calm tone. Placing the duster on the desk, he closed his eyes and placed his hand on his chin in a thinking pose "My first impression of this group...you're a bunch of idiots" He said finally looking at all three "Meet me on the roof" and with that the leader of team seven disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sasuke and Sakura glanced at each other-well more like glared-with the same thought running through their minds 'This is going to be interesting' they began to make their way out of the room followed by a grumbling Naruto "I'll show him who's an idiot" he mumbled, a smirk appeared on Sasuke's face at that.

They reached the top where their sensei was waiting, all three sat down Sakura and Sasuke on either end and Naruto in the middle all a good distance away from each other. Kakashi noticed this 'Looks like we need to work on team work' "So...why don't you introduce yourselves...one at a time," the jounin suggested.

Naruto spoke up first "Introduce ourselves? Well... what are we supposed to say exactly?" Kakashi looked at each of his students thinking of what he wanted to know "How about things you like...things you hate...dreams for the future...hobbies...stuff like that," he explained. "Why don't you go first...I mean show us how it's done before we go" Naruto said.

Kakashi pointed his finger at himself "Who..me?" Naruto nodded sweat-dropping, "I'm Kakashi Hatake. Things I like and things I hate...I don't feel like telling you that. My dreams for the future...never really thought about it. As for my hobbies...I have lots of hobbies" he then pointed to Naruto "Your turn". Sakura sighed 'All he told us was his name'

"Okay so I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I like instant ramen in a cup, and I really like the ramen Iruka-sensei got me at the Ichiraku ramen bar...but I hate the three minutes you have to wait after you pour the water in the ramen cup. My hobby is eating different kinds of ramen and comparing them...and my dream for the future is...to be the greatest Hokage! So then the whole village would have to stop disrespecting me and start treating me like I'm somebody! Somebody important!" 'So the Jinchuuriki of the nine-tailed fox wants acceptance' Kakashi thought

"Good, okay next" Kakashi said pointing to Sasuke.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha" he said hands clasped together and chin resting on them, the atmosphere began to grow dark around him causing Naruto to move away "I hate a lot of things, and I don't particularly like anything" Kakashi and Naruto sweat-dropped, and Sakura wasn't really listening as she played with a kunai "What I have is not a dream...because I will make it a reality" Naruto backed away from Sakura as she glared at him "I'm going to restore my clan...and destroy...a certain someone" By now Naruto was almost sitting on Kakashi as he feared for his life not wanting to go near either Sakura or Sasuke in case he was that person Sasuke wanted to...gulp...destroy or becoming the new owner of a kunai.

"Oookaay...last but not least" Kakashi said eyeing the boy off and pushing Naruto away from him.

"My name is Sakura Haruno...and the only things you need to know about me are I don't want nor need any of you and I am going to avenge my clan so stay out of my way"

Once again Kakashi sweat-dropped 'So I have a jinchuuriki that is crazy for ramen and wants the acceptance of the village and two avengers with lots of issues...what have you gotten me into Sarutobi?'

"Okay we have our first mission tomorrow" Kakashi said after a moment of silence. All three genin looked at him, Naruto with the most excitement "What kind of mission?" he asked with a big goofy grin. Kakashi folded his arms and looked up to the sky before he spoke looking back at his students "It's more of a task than a mission that the four of us will do together" Naruto becoming more excited "What is it, what is it!" he almost looked like he was going to jump on Kakashi. The aura around Kakashi became darker "A survival exercise"

Naruto's grin fell "Wa...survival exercise? I thought we were supposed to have a real mission" he whined "We already did that stuff at the academy I want a real mission!" Kakashi sighed 'Are they sure he's a twelve year...oh that's right he's supposed to be thirteen' "This isn't a normal exercise" 'so if it isn't normal then what the hell is it?' Sakura thought, lucky for her Naruto voiced her question for her.

The answer he got was a chuckle from Kakashi, 'Good one Naruto...you broke him' Sakura thought. Sasuke sweat-dropped 'Okaaay...we have a seriously mental teacher' Naruto on the other hand scratched his head not understanding why the silver haired man was laughing "Okay I don't get it...did I say something funny?"

Kakashi stopped laughing and with an amused tone answered him "Well if I tell you, you won't like the answer" this peaked the other two's curiosity and they paid attention to him.

"I warned you...Of the 27 graduates that just got assigned teams only 9 of you will actually be accepted as genin" Kakashi said in the most serious tone they had heard from him so far "The other 18 will be sent back to the academy" his tone lightened a little "In other words this is a pass fail test, and the chances of you failing is...high" All three scowled.

"See I told you, you wouldn't like the answer" Kakashi said in a teasing tone as he smiled at them. It was silent for a moment before Naruto spoke...well more like yelled "That's crazy! We worked hard to get here believe it!" he babbled, the other two agreeing with him. "What was that graduation stuff for?" Kakashi looked amused at the voiced thoughts "Oh that, that was just to select the candidates who might become genin...or not"

"WHAT!"

Okay so that was an over the top response. "That's the way it is" Kakashi said pulling his finger out of his ear "I decide whether you pass or fail...be at training ground 7 at 5am...be prepared and don't be late"

Naruto looked like he was ready to lunge at Kakashi...come to think of it they all did. 'Well I'm not going to wimp out...I have to do this to become Hokage and be treated like somebody' Naruto thought, 'I never back down from a challenge'

The same thoughts were going through both Sakura and Sasuke's minds 'I am not failing this test I will become stronger and when I do I will find them/him and make them/him pay for what they/he did'

Kakashi watched as the look of determination crossed all of his young student's faces 'this is going to be...interesting'

Kakashi stood and faced the village "Okay that's all, you can go" he turned and with a mischievous look on his face "Oh and if I were you I would miss breakfast tomorrow...or else you'll puke" All three looked at him with wide eyes as if to say 'You have got to be kidding me', and with that said he disappeared only to reappear before the Hokage "You know when I said I wanted a challenge after ANBU I didn't mean impossible".


The next morning Sasuke got up early to train before the supposed jounin-who couldn't avoid the simplest pathetic trick the blonde set up-arrived for their 'training', so he set out for the training ground they would all meet up at in an hour. As he got closer he could feel someone's chakra fluctuating 'Someone else must be here training...can't be the ramen lover so...' he hid his chakra and crept into the bushes to get a closer look at whoever was there.

Sakura had trouble sleeping at night from the dreams that plagued her mind from all those years ago, so after two hours of tossing and turning she went to her new teams designated training ground-after visiting her special place...lucky for her they were close to each other-to work on her skills. She had been trying for the last two hours to recreate the bubble of wind and lightning she created when she was six, but she just couldn't get it right considering wind wasn't one of her elements. She was only able to control water at the moment, heck she even had trouble with bringing out the full power of her kekkei genkai at the moment.

After another hour she gave up with a defeated sigh "I'll work on it again later...if only I could remember what I did to create it" she mumbled as she closed her eyes and breathed deeply concentrating on the water now under her feet. As she concentrated she could feel the water rising and swirling around her, it was very easy for her to manipulate the water especially after her grandfather taught her the jutsu to do it.

Sasuke looked through the branches of the tree he was now sitting in to see water dancing around the female member of team seven 'how is she doing that?' he thought as he watched. It was a mesmerising experience to witness, Sasuke felt so calm as he watched the water dance, swirl and dip around the pinkette. Only after the dance of sorts stopped did he feel all the anger and hate return to his body.

"I know your there, so stop hiding...Sasuke" Sakura called as the water went back to where it had come from, Sasuke was shocked to say the least 'How did she know I was here?' he jumped down from the tree after readjusting his emotions "Hn...how long have you been here for?" he asked walking over to a tree near the girl and leaning on it watching as she pulled out some shuriken and throwing them at the wooden dummy hitting the centre.

"A while" was all Sakura said as she went to retrieve her weapons, Sasuke watched her for a moment before he asked the question he had been wanting to know "How did you do that with the water?" Sakura looked at him with a scowl "Look Sasuke" she said her voice laced with annoyance "Just because we were put on the same team doesn't mean I have to be nice and tell you anything about me and what I do...got it" Sasuke glared at her.

There was silence for a moment as the pair glared neither one moving or backing down. But in that moment something changed for the pair...something just clicked and a new feeling was starting to bubble to the surface, was it sympathy for each other they didn't know but as they looked at each other they could see themselves it the other's eyes. All the pain, betrayal, hate and sadness reflected from coal and emerald orbs were the same.

"I..." Sakura began to say but stopped herself 'What is going on' she didn't know what was wrong with her all of a sudden but she didn't like it.

Sasuke on the other hand was trying very hard to push this new feeling into the back of his mind to be locked away. The only feeling he would allow himself was hatred and nothing else was welcome especially not sympathy care and compassion. 'Nothing will get in my way'

Sakura turned away from him and began walking away, but was stopped by a whisper.

"I'm sorry" he whispered before he even knew what he was doing, the instant those two words came from his mouth he froze.

She froze 'D...did he just apologize?' No he couldn't have it was just the wind playing tricks on her..or so she told herself. Sakura slowly turned herself around to look at the frozen Uchiha "Did you say...something?" she asked a little hesitantly. "I..." Sasuke couldn't bring himself to say anything "No" he finally managed before turning and walking away "I'm sorry too" was heard and a small sad smile found its way onto his face as he kept walking to the other side of the training ground.

What those few words meant to each of them was "I'm sorry you went through what you did but you also understand why I can't have distractions in the way of reaching my goal...I' sorry"

It wasn't long before their rivalry kicked back in and all previous encounters were forgotten and they were trying to outdo each other in most bullseyes.

Naruto joined them an hour later, he was careful not to go near the two. From the glares they were throwing to each other whenever they caught each other's gaze, and from their dark auras he knew they were pissed off and that he might get a kunai or shuriken lodged into his body if he happened to get into their paths 'This is payback for painting the Hokage mountain isn't it Iruka-sensei' Naruto thought as he watched his teammates.

The sun was almost to the middle of the sky signalling late morning and their sensei still hadn't showed up yet. By this time all three were sitting on the grass oddly close to each other. Sasuke was sharpening his weapons while Sakura was reading a scroll, Naruto on the other hand had found a mouse looking thing and was playing with it.

"Ouch! That's it" the blonde growled after the rodent bit him to escape the clutches of the evil giant blonde thing and scurried away. Both Sasuke and Sakura looked to the boy as he held his finger "It's not fair...he tells us to be here so early and not to be late and not have breakfast" he rambled, Sasuke and Sakura went back to what they were doing also silently cursing their sensei as well.

"He can't even be on time to our first training as a team...I got out early and missed my ramen to be here on time..."

As Naruto rambled on he and the other two were unaware of the silver haired jounin sitting in a tree not far from the group half watching them half reading a little orange book. He had been there since just before Sasuke had gotten there, watching how his team interacted, which wasn't a lot...except for that interesting moment between Sasuke and Sakura earlier. Naruto began shouting and Sakura and Sasuke started threatening to beat him to a pulp when Kakashi decided they had had enough team bonding time so he poofed into the field.

"Good morning everyone, ready for your first day...sorry to be la..." Kakashi got cut off by an actuary finger pointed at him "You're late!" Naruto shouted, three sweat-drops and 'No shit Sherlock' 'What gave you that idea' and 'He really is an idiot' went through the three's minds.

"Well a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way around" Kakashi said with a smile "Hm and which road would that be?...the road to rain country" Sakura mumbled, Naruto started laughing and Sasuke smirked but Kakashi ignored it...for now at least.

"Okay so let's get started" Kakashi said as he walked over to a tree stump and pulled out a timer "Here we go" he said placing his hand over the start button "It's set for noon" he turned it on and faced them "your task is very simple" he said holding up two bells "You have to take these from me" the bells jingled in the breeze "If you don't get them by noon then you go without lunch"

"WHAT!"

Again with the over the top response.

"But if it's set til noon than we only have an hour to get them...wait what about lunch?" Naruto asked scratching his head

"You'll be tied to those posts" Kakashi pointed to three posts off to the right of them ignoring his blonde student and shook his head at the cluelessness of the boy "And watch while I eat mine"

All three sweat-dropped "So that's why you told us not to eat breakfast" Naruto grumbled as three stomachs growled in protest, kakashi nodded his head with a pleased smile on his face.

A thought came to Sakura's mind "Wait there's three of us and only two bells...what's the catch?" Kakashi smiled "Well that's easy my dear sweet little Sakura" Kakashi said sweat-dropping at the look Sakura gave him "that's so one of you will be tied to the post and have to still watch me eat before being disqualified and sent back to the academy" three scowls were his response "although you all could flunk" the bells jangled again to emphasize the task.

One thought went through their minds 'that won't be me'

Kakashi just smiled "Okay you can use any weapons including shuriken and kunai. If you're not prepared to kill me, you won't be able to take the bells."

Naruto snorted.

"Those weapons are too dangerous... especially since you couldn't even dodge that duster!"

"Class clowns are usually the weakest links. You can safely ignore them. Lowest scores...losers..." Kakashi said in his soon to be well known bored tone.

"When I say 'start', you can begin."

Naruto growled noisily at his sensei, his face red with anger.

He quickly pulled out a kunai and lunged for his teacher.

In a flash, Kakashi had the boy's hand caught with it turned so that the kunai was pointed at his own neck. His free hand was holding Naruto's head, making sure that the kid wouldn't be able to escape from his grasp.

"Don't be in such a hurry," Kakashi spoke as if he was lecturing a baby. "I didn't say 'start' yet."

Both Sakura and Sasuke glared with anticipation and backed a step away 'I don't have time for these games' Sakura thought as she watched the jounin with her idiot of a teammate. 'He's so fast I didn't even see him move'

'So he is a jounin...he's fast' Sasuke thought

"But... you came at me with the full intention to destroy me so...I think I'm actually going to like you guys," Kakashi complimented as he let Naruto go.

Kakashi stood up straighter and gave them a little bit of a heads start.

"Get ready..."

All three tensed.

"Start!"

They all leapt off into different directions.

Kakashi stood in the same spot in the open field. "Ninja must know how to conceal their movements and hide effectively," Kakashi recited from memory 'well at least they have that worked out'.

"HEY YOU AND ME RIGHT NOW! I CAN TAKE YOU ANY TIME...LET'S GO!" Naruto declared after jumping out of the tree's and landed right in front of him.

Found Naruto...

"You know...compared to the others...you're a bit...weird" Kakashi observed.

"Oh yeah?" Naruto shot back. "The only thing weird here is your haircut!"

Naruto began running at him with a kunai, Kakashi sighed 'I guess there's no better time like now for this'

Naruto spotted Kakashi's hand slip into his pouch. Assuming the worst, Naruto stopped in his tracks and jumped back, ready for any weapons thrown at him.

"Shinobi Battle Techniques: Part One, Taijutsu; The Physical Art," Kakashi recalled from a book he had once read.

Naruto heightened his guard. 'Taijutsu! That means hand to hand combat!' he thought in alarm. Kakashi's hand went deeper into his pouch and grabbed something. 'Then why is he reaching for a weapon?" Kakashi pulled his hand out of his pouch to reveal...a book!

Icha Icha Paradise...to be exact.

Naruto was completely befuddled. "What the...?" "What are you waiting for?" Kakashi asked while reading. "Make your move."

"But...I mean..." Naruto stammered. "Why...are you reading a book?"

"Why?" Kakashi let out a breath of exasperation. "To find out what happens in the story, of course."

"Don't let it bother you," Kakashi continued. "With your weak pathetic attacks, it doesn't matter whether I'm reading or...whatever."

A scowl marred Naruto's already annoyed face, and he pulled up his sleeve, rushing for his sensei.

"I'M GOING TO CRUSH YOU!"

He punched.

Kakashi caught his fist.

He kicked.

Kakashi ducked.

Naruto gathered his strength, jumped "Now you're mine!" and punched...nothing.

"Huh...?"

The space where Kakashi once had been was empty.

"Don't let your enemy get behind you all the time Naruto" came a voice from his posterior.

Kakashi's eye flashed, his hands in the seal of the tiger.

From the bushes a little way from them Sasuke was crouching down, he recognised the hand sign as a fire jutsu 'that jutsu will annihilate him' his body went rigid.

From the other side of the field Sakura was watching from behind a tree 'That's the hand sign for the tiger...he can't do that...how can a genin like him go up against a jounin and win' She thought, she was about to yell and tell him to get out of there but it was too late.

"Leaf Village Secret Finger Jutsu! A Thousand Years of Death!" Naruto was sweating a river as the voice said that 'I'm going to die' went through his mind just before he found his sensei's fingers poke painfully into his rear end and catapulted him into the air.

"AHHHHHHH!"

Was heard as Naruto went flying over the trees and into the pond.

Sasuke and Sakura both sweat-dropped.

'They are both idiots' Sasuke thought as he shook his head

"Now where was I...oh there" Kakashi said as he pulled the book back up to his face and began reading again.

Under the water Naruto was fuming 'I'm not going to let it end like this' he thought with renewed determination as he swam to the surface 'I'll attack from the water...NOW!'

Two shuriken flew out of the water at Kakashi's head, but right before it hit, he skilfully caught them.

Naruto pulled himself out of the water, panting.

"What are you doing now?" Kakashi questioned lazily as the shuriken twirled around his fingers before stopping. "You're not going to get lunch unless you take a bell in." he looked to the sky "Forty minutes"

"I know, I know! You told us already!" Naruto shouted in anger.

"Well you look kind of wobbly for someone who's going to Hokage one day."

"You told us not to eat breakfast!" Naruto protested. "How can I fight when I'm starving to death?"

Both Sasuke and Sakura's stomach grumbled in agreement with the blonde.

"So, you caught me off guard, that's all it was, believe it!" the hyperactive ninja yelled, with his hands in the air. "I'm...so hungry I don't have any strength...but I can't let that stop me! I gotta get that bell no matter what! I'll find the strength somehow, believe it! I'm gonna pass this test, and I'm not going back...to...the...academy?"

Naruto sweat-dropped for Kakashi was giggling like a school girl while reading his book "HEY! I was making a really cool speech!" Naruto yelled and stomped his feet while pouting.

Kakashi looked up at him "Oh sorry were you saying something?"

"I...you...ah forget it!" he said in exasperation "Just know this"

The water behind Naruto started stirring.

"I will become a ninja!"

All at once, seven shadow clones burst out from the water.

"Haha! You're overconfident, sensei!" one of them exclaimed. "That's why you weren't ready for a shadow clone attack, my best jutsu!"

'What seven Naruto clones' Sakura thought in disbelief 'How could he do that when he couldn't even create one at the academy...wait they're real clones' the two other team 7 members watched as seven Naruto's race towards Kakashi.

'So what they said was true, he mastered the forbidden shadow clone jutsu...interesting' Kakashi thought as they got closer to him.

"Very impressive jutsu" Kakashi complimented and in the next breath "But...I don't think you can maintain it for very long though" this riled Naruto up more "You talk like you're the best Naruto...but in reality you still are the worst student out there...you wont beat me with this jutsu" he said in a lazy tone.

While Kakashi was talking he didn't notice the Naruto sneaking up on him until it was too late, he was now sporting a Naruto as a backpack 'What...he got me from behind' The Naruto's were gaining on him and he couldn't move.

"Hehe...didn't you say to not let the enemy get behind you sensei?" Naruto said as six of the seven Naruto's latched onto his legs making sure he wasn't going anywhere while the other got a fist ready to pound him. "I had one of my clones come out of the water and sneak up behind you super quietly."

As he came down on Kakashi he yelled "Now this is for nailing me in the butt earlier!"

'Diversionary tactic...nice...' Sasuke thought.

His fist connected with a face, the body fell to the ground with an oof revealing...Kakashi was no longer there and a Naruto clone was in his place causing Naruto to actually hit...himself.

"What...hey where'd he go?"

'You idiot, He got you with a replacement jutsu...' Sasuke thought as he shook his head and began to look for where the silver haired jounin was now. "A replacement jutsu" Sakura whispered to herself as she watched the eight Naruto's fight over who was the man they were looking for.

"JUST RELEASE THE JUTSU!" two Naruto's yelled after what felt like five minutes of puching kicking and hair pulling and a puff of smoke later and there stood a beaten and battered Naruto. 'You really are an idiot' three people thought at the same time.

Naruto looked around for the man but something caught his eye near a tree, he looked over to see a bell there 'hehe he must have dropped it when I attacked' He ran over to it and was about to pick it up when a rope found itself around his ankles and in the next instant he was hanging upside down leaving him flailing around at the end of the rope like a fish on a hook.

"Hey, HEY! Lemme' down! What is this?"

'Of course it was a trap...' Sasuke rolled his eyes. 'That jounin never lets his guard down. Even when he's fighting a fool like Naruto...'

"Hey! The bell!" Naruto stretched and clawed for the bell, but he was just too high up to reach it.

"Think before you use a jutsu Naruto...or else your opponent might use it against you" a bored voice said as a hand came out and grabbed the bell, Naruto looked up...well down, to see Kakashi standing there with a disapproving look on his face. "And also" Kakashi said throwing the bell up in the air before catching it again "if the bait's too obvious...don't take it" he said with a smile.

Naruto moaned in frustration.

"A ninja must see through deception..."

Waving his fists, and trying to slip out of the trap, he yelled, "I...GET...IT!"

The jounin shook his head.

"I'm telling you this because you don't get it. You think you get it, which is not the same as actually getting it."

'This is my chance' Sasuke thought at the jounin had his back to him and was preoccupied with the idiot, he was about to throw some shuriken at him when Kakashi was hit from the other side with four kunai. "Sasuke you went too far!" Naruto yelled as their sensei fell to the ground "It wasn't me you idiot" Sasuke growled, but all thoughts were replaced when the man poofed into a log.

'Another substitution jutsu' Sakura thought 'does he ever let his guard down...now he knows where I...well they think it was Sasuke' a smirk went across her face as she made a move to hide herself again.

'So that's where she was hiding' Kakashi thought as he watched the pinkette run off unknowingly towards her dark haired comrade. He looked over towards Naruto as the boy was able to free himself from the rope only to be caught in another one, Kakashi shook his head and chuckled before following the female member of team seven towards the Uchiha 'Two birds with one stone'


She knew he was following her, but Sakura couldn't sense Kakashi's chakra anywhere near her 'Where is he...man he's good' she thought as she kept running through the trees. There was no sign of anyone and not a sound in the trees when Sakura came to a stop.

"What the hell's going on?" she said as she looked around, the forest became eerie through the silence and the forest began to grow darker. A chill ran up Sakura's spine as a twig snapped and the sound echoed all around her.

She whipped her head from left to right unable to find where the sound had come from. She could feel the fear that had left her seven years ago at the back of her mind but she wouldn't let it come forth. "Who's there?" she said, but was met with silence. "Sasuke? Naruto you better not be playing games or I swear you will regret it!" Sakura started to get agitated when there was once again silence as her answer.

"Come out you cowards!" she yelled, there was no movement so she slowly began walking with her guard on high alert.

A deep sinister chuckle broke through the silence causing Sakura to freeze up 'I...I've heard that before' the laughter came closer but Sakura couldn't move her body an inch. "W...who's th...there?" the fear was taking full control of her body now.

"It's good to see you my child" came a very familiar voice from all around her, making it extremely hard to pinpoint the location of the vile being who helped take her family away "I told you we would be keeping our eye's on you" the voice said. "C...come out you bastard" Sakura said looking around.

There was a snap of a branch to the left of her, Sakura's head snapped to the branch but all that she could see was the branch moving. A snap to the right, her head followed the movement only to be met with the movement of the branch "Why are you hiding, too scared to show yourself?" Sakura could feel herself regaining control over her fear as she became agitated at the cowardice of this monster who calls himself a man.

"Why would I come out when playing with you is so much more fun" the voice chuckled, Sakura's anger and hate came back full force "SHOW YOURSELF SO I CAN KILL YOU NOW!" she screamed as she pulled out a kunai from her pouch and prepared for a fight.

What came out of the brush was not what she expected to happen.

A familiar woman with long red hair and deep green eyes stepped out of the tree line and took a step towards Sakura. Sakura stared at the woman for a while before her mind registered what was happening "M...mother?" she whispered as the woman smiled at her. "My baaabbbbyyy" the woman almost sang in an eerie tone but that didn't register in Sakura's mind, all she cared about was that her mother was alive and standing in front of her.

"Mummy your alive!" Sakura cried as she ran into her mother's open arms not registering the coldness of the woman's skin. A hand found its way to running through Sakura's hair the way her mother did when she was a child "I...I missed you so much...I thought you were dead"

Sakura burrowed her head into the woman's neck and let the familiar peppermint and strawberry scent wash over her like it used to, as the woman continued to caress the pinkette "I knew you wouldn't leave me" Sakura felt her eyes watering up but she didn't care.

"Oh the poor, poor little girl" in her happy moment Sakura forgot about the man that was playing with her, she whipped her body around to stand in front of her mother to protect the last member of her clan. "I won't let you touch her again you bastard!" the adrenaline running through her body was pumping to pulverise the coward.

Two cold arms wrapped around her shoulder's "My bbaaabbbyyy" her mother sang, "Please mother stay behind me, I will protect you" Sakura said as she put her free hand on her mother's arm.

The man chuckled again "You poor child...you can't see what's really going on" he said "Or is the torment of losing those you loved clouding your mind to what's happening around you" one of the arms around Sakura's shoulders moved to her neck and tightened as he chuckled.

"M...mother please...let m...me go" Sakura began to struggle as the grip on her began to cut off her precious air supply. 'W...what's happening' the arms around her became wider and stronger "Oh I'm not your mother" came a masculine voice next to her ear. Sakura's vision started to grow dimmer as her consciousness slowly started to leave her.

He released her from his hold and she fell to the ground in a heap gasping for air. When she regained her breath she looked to where her mother was supposed to be but found the dark haired man of her nightmares standing in front of her with a malicious smirk on his face as his red eyes watched her every move.

She couldn't help the fear for her mother rise inside her "Where's my mother?" she growled as she struggled to sit up but found her strength had left her. The man chuckled as he stepped closer to her and knelt down so he was level with her, Sakura flinched away from the hand that moved to her face.

"Don't worry dear little Sakura, I'm not going to hurt you...yet" he grabbed her chin "So much like your mother yet just like your father" "Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me!" Sakura growled as she violently shoved him and shakily stood up, holding her kunai in front of her.

In the next instant Sakura found herself pinned painfully against a tree with her hands held above her "No need to get a mad now...anger doesn't suit your face" the dark haired man whispered

"Sakura!"

"Looks like someone is missing you" the man chuckled, Sakura tried to get free of the man but he was just too strong for her. "W..who are you?" she asked looking into his eyes.

"Sakura!" the voice was coming closer.

"It looks like our little bit of time together is over hm" he said as he caressed her cheek "Don't worry you will have your chance again soon...but you are still too weak" he released her and she fell to the ground. Another figure was seen coming into the clearing and upon seeing the pinkette hunched over it came at a fast pace towards her.

The last thing Sakura seen before she passed out was Kakashi's covered face and the last words she heard were.

"I'm called Madara"


Okay so how was that haru and I hope it wasn't too boring for you guys, we tried to take it down a bit but most of it was needed for us to set up for the next chapter. Anyway a big thank you to the guys who reviewed and added our story to your favs and alerts. You guys rock.

Christiansrose awww we made you cry lol it was a bit emotional wasn't it, and as for Noki he is a jerk isn't he but there is a twist in upcoming chapter's lol and yeah it is Madara.

Cowgirl137 haru and I hope that quenches your curiosity for their teamwork and thank you for the review

Caga2007 yep its Madara but please don't poke you eye lol or you won't be able to read anything, but I will tell you he isn't the only bad guy just don't tell haruai lol.

Loveorhate thank you for reviewing and no you're not being pushy lol

Kare Love 4ever thank you for the review and we hope you enjoy this instalment.

If there is any confusion or questions that pop up into your heads don't hesitate to ask and it shell be answered lol

Oh and the next chapter may take a little bit to update but as soon as it's done it will be straight up, also I need some help with an idea...I was wondering should I use one of the guys that are already bad for Sakura cos I can't have them both go to Oro...that's if Sakura leaves, I'm not sure about that yet. I was thinking of Itachi cos he was Shiro's teammate or should I just make up a bad guy...what do you guys think?

Thank you for taking the time to read