Weight of the World
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Chapter 3
Teammates
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Trauma hit three days later.
"Breathe Naruto, Breathe."
I'd officially been released from the hospital and was raring to go. My muscles sung at the very idea of getting another workout, chakra bubbling beneath my skin, energetic and eager. I'd even gone so far as to take the time to throw my hair back into a French plait, the tail tucked back in on itself so my wild blonde hair would remain up and out of the way.
Kakashi had been happy enough to meet up with me at our usual training ground, and he was only an hour late. I suppose that went to show just how much he'd worried about me, the fact I'd ended up in hospital after taking what should have been a lethal blow. Had it been anyone else, then they would be dead.
Which made me ever more thankful that it wasn't Kakashi who'd ended up getting stabbed in the back.
I'd been happy enough to start off with a warm up spar, and it'd been going well until Kakashi had switched from taijutsu to kunai. The second he'd gotten past my guard with that sharp blade, I'd just frozen up, and it was only due to Kakashi's quick reflexes that he'd managed to abort the movement and not actually stab me. Quite clearly he'd been expecting me to move out of the way, something that had unfortunately not happened.
Hunched over as I was now, my mind was swirling and my thoughts unclear. I was finding it very difficult to think, and instead had to focus on Kakashi's voice, the only thing that was making any damn sense at the moment. Breathing sounded good. Air in my lungs meant oxygen in my blood, which meant cells working correctly which meant I'd be able to do some bloody thinking and find out what the hell was happening.
Gritting my teeth, I quickly inhaled before letting it out again, listening to the sharp whistle that came with air passing between my front teeth.
"Naruto, are you back yet?"
Taking another breath, I mulled over the question, twisting my head this way and that, considering the question. Was I fully back yet? Not quite, I still didn't have a bloody clue what'd just happened.
Something was drastically wrong with me. I should have been able to dodge that. But, but I'd just locked up. My body had refused to move the second my brain had just shut down.
Folding my legs as Kakashi guided me down onto the worn earth of the training ground, I looked up into his lone black eye, registering the two palms that had come to rest upon my shoulders.
"Naruto. You're currently in Konoha, training ground three. There are no other ninja within a hundred feet of us, no hostiles at all. Breathe."
Nodding, I sucked in another breath, acknowledging that the tempo was becoming more steady as time went on, as Kakashi talked.
It took a few minutes before I was fully aware again, before I could really start to think. And even then I didn't know what had happened. Something, clearly, but what, I didn't know. Kakashi though, he sounded like he knew.
Turning to look at the tall male, who hadn't moved an inch from where he'd crouched down to steady me, I grimaced.
"Kakashi-sensei, what just happened?"
"Trauma Naruto-chan. You've been through a traumatic experience and the sight of a blade being so close to your ribs sent your mind reeling back to the near fatal injury you suffered not even a week ago."
Trauma?
But, but I wasn't allowed to get trauma. It wasn't a ninja way. Ninja were going to get hurt, that was a universal fact. If I froze up every time something sharp came at me, I'd end up dead before my next mission. Uzumaki Naruto of the manga hadn't gotten traumatized at any point, and he'd faced far worse than me.
Was I that inadequate that I'd trip at the first hurdle? That I'd panic at the very thought of something sharp possibly breaking through my skin? Aichmophobia was the fear of sharp pointy objects.
Did I have Aichmophobia? Or at least, a sub division of it? Possibly. Was I allowed to keep it? No.
It was a terrible, it spelled disaster in regards to everything I'd worked for.
"How do you get rid of trauma Kakashi-sensei."
He grimaced. That was not promising at all.
And then, he slowly handed me a kunai.
Cautiously, I accepted the metal, staring at the sharp edge. It didn't seem dangerous right now, laying between my fingers as it was. But the second I considered the pointy end being driven towards my body, I could almost feel the cold sweat threatening to break out across my skin.
"It differs for each person Naruto. I... After a mission gone bad I couldn't stand to be underground. It took a great deal of over exposure to move about below surface level. But it is possible to overcome, nee?"
He was talking about Obito.
Kakashi had a reason to be scared of caves, even if it was in the past. He'd actually lost a team-mate. Or, so he thought. I didn't. I'd nearly lost my life but it was damn selfish to think that way. I... I needed to get over the trauma.
Before I could think clearly, I thrust the kunai towards my free hand, feeling Kakashi flinch instinctively beside me but not going to stop the movement. He didn't need to.
My own muscles locked up, the blade an inch away from the tender flesh of my palm. I was scared. I didn't want to get pierced by a blade again.
Getting over this, was going to be troublesome.
.
It took four weeks.
Kakashi had pulled me from the active mission router, barred me from seeing Tenten and by extension, Team Gai. I wasn't even allowed to visit Shisui to give him the daily bentos. Instead, all that was left to my clones as Kakashi squirreled me away to a little training ground up behind the Hokage mountain. It was hidden in a thick patch of forest, a small freshwater spring acting as our only water source.
The desensitisation training I was put through as hell.
That was the simplest way to put it. I hated ever second of it, but it worked. You couldn't argue with results. I could once again stab myself with a kunai to escape a genjutsu. I didn't freeze up when Kakashi came at me with a blade. I was cured.
Didn't mean I'd ever want to go through that training again.
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Landing in a crouch atop the wooden posts of training ground nine, my eyes scanned the trio of shocked faces, amusement surging through my veins when Lee and Tenten leapt to their feet as soon as they recovered.
"Naruto-san! You have returned! Gai-sensei informed us that our spar would have to be put on hold until you returned from your most youthful training with Kakashi-sensei!" Kakashi hadn't told them what training I was being put through, only that it couldn't wait. That was good, I didn't need anybody looking down on me for my lack of mental fortitude. I'd never heard of another ninja suffering from something like this, but then again, only Kakashi and the Hokage knew I'd frozen up. Was everyone's kept quiet? So it wouldn't alert the masses just how unstable their shadow protectors were? That was a bit of a terrifying thought in all honest.
Grinning, I ran a sheepish hand through one tail of blonde hair, the other dropping the four bentos I'd brought with me. Gai had been kind enough to inform me that not only was he leaving his team a free day in which it would just be the three of them to train, but what each of their preferred foods were. So the bentos were acting as a 'sorry I had a mental breakdown and ruined our sparring date' apology. Only, they didn't know about the breakdown bit.
"It is good to see you are well, Uzumaki."
Nodding to Neji, I hopped down from the post, jamming one hand into my pocket and the other scratching at my whiskered cheek.
"Okay, so who's up first?"
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We continued to spar over the next year or so. And I won. But it took a bit more effort every time, especially with Neji, I really had to think things through.
Sparring with Lee was just a rapid trade of blows, each one of us increasing the complexity and power of our taijutsu until we reached a level the other could not match. It was the same with Tenten, only I had to use ninjutsu whereas she liked throwing sharp and pointy objects. I didn't have enough weapons to try and beat her when it came to throwing them about.
It had been a good call on Kakashi's part, to keep her away from me while I was still traumatized. I frowned at the thought, I really didn't like describing that experience, but there was no other way to say it, no way of getting around it. Because I had been traumatized.
Fighting with Neji was the most difficult of the three. I had to be fully conscious of where he was aiming to strike, and how to dodge back and away from whatever blows he was planning to land. If I let him get the wrong combo in, I'd be down. Or at the very least unable to use chakra from my arms. Which would be a very big no-no when it came to finishing out spar. So yes, I did have to work for it. But I'd been a genin for nearing six years now. Near enough six years under Kakashi-sensei's wing and there was no way I'd shame him by getting beaten by a rookie.
"So, the next batch of graduates are being released into the ranks next week."
Looking over at Tenten, I nodded in acknowledgement to her statement. It was an unusually hot October, the summer heat having lasted far longer than recorded before in the past decade.
Currently, I was laid across a picnic blanket on my stomach, head nestled in one arm and an ice pop clutched in the other. Tenten was sprawled out in a similar manner beside me, our eyes lazily following the two males of Team Nine that were still sparring.
The four of us just so happened to have a day off right now, and had come the agreement that we'd meet at Team Gai's usual training field and spend the day relaxing. Yet, it seemed that only Tenten shared my definition of the term 'relaxing'.
Letting out a low whistle as Lee was blown back by another of Neji's movements, I rolled my eyes, casually returning my gaze back to the only other sane genin around here. How they were working in this heat, I didn't have a clue.
"Will you finally be getting a team then?"
Snorting, I took a bite of the ice pop and tried not to shiver at the feel of the frozen treat against my teeth.
Would I be getting a team? Yes, I would. Did I know what to expect? Not at all.
"I think so. Kakashi-sensei hasn't mentioned it yet, but it makes sense I would, right?"
Tenten hummed, turning her gaze back to the boys and then shooting to her feet.
"Damn it you two! Cool off!"
Looking up, I scowled at spotting Lee, who'd collapsed on the ground and was breathing rapidly. Snatching up two jugs of ice cold water, I dashed over, pouring one over the dark haired boy and smirking when he spluttered.
These days wouldn't last. The thought nagged at the back of my head. As soon as I was assigned my team, then it'd all start kicking off. That business with Wave, then the Chũnin exams. It'd really heat up after that, because that's when the Akatsuki would show up. And, it'd be up to me to stop them when it came down to it. I couldn't let them get the Kyuubi. It'd be the end of the world if I did. Kaguya would come back, and then it'd be every ninja for themselves. The threat of war, of losing a war, was hanging down on my head. And I was the only one that knew it was coming right now. I needed to be strong enough to face it.
Looking up from where I'd been crouched over Lee, I focused in on Neji.
"Wanna spar Neji?"
"Let's go Uzumaki."
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Arms hooked under a pair of legs, I walked along down the side streets of Konoha, lugging Neji Hyūga along with me, piggyback style.
The dark haired boy had trained with me until he'd collapsed. Even now I could still feel his brain whirling, trying to figure out why my stamina was so much greater than his own, especially since I was female. It wasn't a matter of sexism, just a case of the fact that usually, men outlasted females on the stamina front when it came to fighting. A year ago, he'd have passed it off, come to the conclusion that it was because I'd been a genin for half a decade and was used to the strenuous work. But a year of working under Gai, of being pushed to the limits...
Well, no doubt he'd come to the conclusion already that I wasn't entirely normal. That there was something off about me. If he asked, I was more than willing to point him in the direction of my Uzumaki heritage, and that should put the questions off for a little longer.
I knew no one else would understand me better than him in our age group, considering that he too wore a seal forced upon him by family. But I was still hesitant, and not just because I wasn't legally allowed to speak of my secret. The Hokage had said anyone I wished to tell had to be investigated by him personally, until I got to the point where I could use the Kyuubi chakra in such a way that it was impossible to hide.
Maybe I'd tell him before the Chũnin exams. Because while Tenten may have been a good friend, one I could speak openly too, Neji was what I'd consider my best friend. Even if he was closed off, he just seemed to understand better. Unlike Tenten and Lee, he'd suffered. And he recognised the fact that I had too, even if it were unconsciously. As for the crush thing... Well, I wasn't sure if it was what Gai had said it to be, but I wasn't going to stop spending time with him just because of those suspicions.
Skidding to a halt by the front gates of the Hyūga compound, I knocked as gently as I could with my left foot, balanced precariously on my right.
Neji huffed from his spot on my back, and if he were anything other than bone tired, I knew for certain he'd had fought tooth and nail to get off my back by now.
Another Hyūga, no doubt branch family from the way his forehead was wrapped up with a bandage, opened the door, white eyes widening slightly at the sight the two of us no doubt made.
"Hi there, I think this belongs to you."
Neji growled on my back, but didn't seemed able to find the energy to voice his complaints over my words.
The Hyūga blinked, clearly still startled before stepping aside, allowing me into the house. I felt my eyebrows shoot up. I was being invited into the compound? That was a strange thought. While they'd never actively shunned me, the Hyūga clan had never really gone out of their way to interact with me either, so how I'd be treated was anyone's guess.
"Please follow me Uzumaki-san."
Looking up at the branch member, I grinned, hefting Neji further up my back and scowling when he closed one of my tenketsu in retaliation.
"Nice to meet ya' Hyūga-san. You can just call me Naruto."
"Then it is Iroha to you, Naruto-san."
Grinning, I followed after Iroha Hyūga, making sure to slip my shoes off at the hallway. The Hyūga household was very traditional, the layout, the colour scheme. The plan wasn't as open as what a ninja usually preferred, but considering these people could see through walls, the structure of a building meant nothing to their paranoia. From the looks of it, they'd focused on making any guests feel uncomfortable, and any unwelcomed guests confused by the layout.
Already I wouldn't be able to find my way back without a guide. Not that it'd stop me from escaping if I was attacked, I'd just exit via ceiling. It was one of Kakashi's favourite tricks when it came to escaping. Up or under.
Smirking slightly, I looked up as Iroha stopped suddenly.
"A-Ano, Iroha-san..."A very quiet voice stuttered out.
Poking my head around Iroha's taller form, I cocked my head to a side at the girl stood nervously before us. Hinata. She looked, well, kinda like a mouse if I was honest. She was painfully shy, that much was obvious. Her confidence was pretty much zero, it was easy to see from the slump of her shoulders to the was her neck curved forwards slightly, like her head was used to facing the floor. She was a tiny thing, all big doe like eyes and cropped short, dark hair.
She was so pretty.
"Hello Hyūga-san! I'm just dropping Neji off then I'll be on my way." Hinata went pink.
Blinking, I grimaced. I'd forgotten my bow.
Anxious to make up for my mistake, I bowed at the waist, jostling my passenger and getting another tenketsu sealed up for my efforts.
"It's nice to meet you."
"H-Hello g-guest-san... B-Brother Neji." Hinata bowed quickly, far too low than she really should have done when we were meeting for the first time in her house.
"Hinata-sama, this is Uzumaki Naruto, she was gracious enough to bring Neji-san back from their training session." Hinata had left rosy pink behind. She was now approaching blood red, her pale skin disappearing with the blush on her face.
I don't know why she would react in such a way when it came to knowing my name. Hell, I was pretty sure I'd never met the girl before today. Maybe passed her in the street, but never actually talked to her before.
"So this is Uzumaki Naruto?"
Twitching, I twisted around to look at the next Hyūga to join our little group discussion, eyes instantly flying to the unmarked forehead. Main branch it was then. And from the way Neji had tensed on my back once again, then I was going to lean towards the fact this man was his uncle, Hinata's father then.
"That's me," bowing once again, but careful not to displace Neji any more than necessary, I offered my politest smile.
"Iroha, take over Uzumaki-san's burden."
I frowned. Not only was that sentence missing a please, but that word, 'burden', could be taken the complete wrong way. But I couldn't make an enemy out of the Hyūga clan, that really wouldn't be smart. It really wouldn't...
Oh forget it.
"It's okay Hyūga-sama, it's kinda my fault actually, we sparred and I didn't realize that other people don't have the same obnoxious gifts that I do when it comes to stamina in battle. I've got no problem helping Neji out when it's my fault he's this tired. Can you point me to his room please, Hyūga-sama?"
Hiashi Hyūga's face was practically unreadable, and I could feel Neji still tense, taunt as a bowstring on my back. The stifling silence last for a few seconds, before Hiashi gave the smallest nod of his head.
"Three doors down on the left." And then he walked away. That was weird.
I'd never be running Neji into the ground again, this was far too awkward.
.
Drumming my fingers on the wooden armrest of the chair I was sat in, I looked at Kakashi out of the corner of my eye, pushing the memories of last week's visit to the Hyūga compound from my mind. I hadn't been back since, nor had I had a chance to see Neji, since Team Gai had gotten a month long C-rank the next day.
I had a nagging suspicion that Kakashi had somehow forced his fellow Jonin to take the mission so that I'd be free to interact with my new team instead of heading off after Team Gai, but who was I to say that and call it fact? The only reason I was suspicious was that it seemed like something Kakashi would do.
"These are very good Naruto-chan, but I honestly can't quite see the problem."
"Kakashi-sensei said the same thing."
The Third Hokage was sat opposite me, Kakashi leaning against the wall of the Hokage's office and lazily flipping through his book.
Out of the entire village, there were very few proficient with Fūinjutsu. Even fewer were those that I'd trust with what I was currently working on. Right now, my grand total of trusted people was two, Kakashi, and the Third. I'd already had Kakashi take a look over the seal, but regardless of how close my sensei had been to one of the original users of what was perhaps one of the most famous jutsus in the Leaf, he was left scratching his head over the problem. And it appeared the Third was just as clueless as we were.
"But there's still a problem."
Standing up, I summoned a clone, walking to the other side of the room and placing my hand against the wall, leaving a seal on the surface. There was a flash of yellow as my clone activated the jutsu, reappearing right on top of the seal. But also sliced into two pieces. She was only visible for second before disappearing, and the lovely memories of being torn in half hit me for the third time that day.
Trying to recreate the Flying Thunder God technique was hard, far harder than what I'd thought the day I'd taken the project on. Not long ago, Kakashi had gotten my started on the Rasengan, and even though I had a basic understanding of the different steps, I was struggling with it.
So, in the face of slow progress, I'd attempted to take on the signature jutsu of my father.
Only to find it was far more work than I'd been expecting.
I had to start completely from scratch, because the seal had to be set perfectly to fit me. That's why the markings of the Fourth and the Second were so different. Because they had to be specifically designed for one person to use, to manipulate the space–time continuum. The kind of seal work that it took to figure it out was why there had only been two users in Konoha history. The only people that had a chance at recreating it were the Third, Jiraiya and Kakashi, though I was a bit uncertain if Kakashi actually had enough knowledge of seals to actually manage it. The amount of work that went into creating the seal tag was astronomical.
It was a damn good thing that I'd tried it with my clones first. I did not fancy getting torn in half.
The only problem was, that I couldn't figure out where I'd gone wrong. I'd used the classic Uzumaki spiral for stability of the seal, drawing inspiration from the one upon my stomach. I'd managed to condense it down to a set of five points, but from there, I was stuck.
"I'm afraid this is beyond my knowledge Naruto-chan. Though I'm sure Jiraiya will be happy to help when he's next in Konoha."
"And that is?" I knew he visited during the Chũnin exams, or was at least scheduled to if I remembered correctly. But maybe he was in the village before then?"
"My wayward student will be back in the village around June, I'm sure you can hang on until then."
Slowly nodding my head, I let out a little sigh before a thought struck me and a grin spread across my face.
"Or maybe I'll figure it out myself by then?"
"Maybe you will. Good luck Naruto."
Bowing, I got to my feet, twisting around to face Kakashi.
And was just in time to watch my silver haired sensei plough the hidden Mizuki into the floor when he tried stabbing him in the back. Well, this seemed like it hadn't changed at least. Mizuki had still tried for the forbidden scroll, only he'd been stupid enough to attempt it not only with Kakashi present, but the actual Hokage in the room. That was suicide really.
He didn't even get to rattle off about me being the demon not the container, Kakashi just knocked him out with one graceful move, Icha Icha never leaving his hand. I couldn't quite ignore the amusement that bubbled up inside me, pulling out a roll of ninja wire and tying the Chũnin's hands behind his back in the secure hold Kakashi had drilled into me years ago.
"We need a new ID photo by the way Naruto-chan, you've grown up a bit since you were six." That, that was a good point. It had been quite a while since I'd last gotten an ID photo.
Last time I'd actually gotten a photo taken was when it was just myself and Kakashi, a photo to commemorate a year of our apprentice/sensei relationship. It was framed on my nightstand, by my bedside. I kept it close, because in all honesty, I treasured it. Whenever the stares of the villagers got me down -and it did, no matter the mask I put on- I'd just look at it, and the one person that'd accepted me before anyone else, and the tight band around my heart would slacken slightly. Kakashi really was the older brother I'd never had, as soppy as it sounds.
Speaking of crybabies-
"Do I get to come to T&I when you drop him off?" Gesturing to the Chũnin Kakashi had lazily slung over his shoulder, I waved goodbye to the Hokage, following after my father's student.
"Maa, do you really want to Kaichō-chan?"
"Bring in the traitor? Sure, sounds like fun."
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It was two days before team orientation, and I was once again stood in line for an ID photo, for the second time in my life. It was a yearly event, which saw newly gradated ninjas turning up for the photos, and ninja who'd been in the system for long enough that their appearance had changed getting their new little ID card.
Currently, I was in the second line, drumming my fingers against one thigh whilst the other toyed with the empty lollypop stick that was stuck out from between my lips.
"Hey there Kaichō-chan."
Twisting my head, I grinned at the sight before me. Shisui Uchiha had made his way over, a roll of forms held in one hand. Looked like he was here to get a new photo done too.
"Hi Shisui-sempai. Here for a photo too?" I already knew he was, but it never hurt to make simple conversation.
The teenaged Uchiha rolled his eyes, a teasing smile stretching across his lips as he reached over and ruffled my hair. In response, I just dug another lollypop out of my pocket, offering it up.
That was another thing my underground market had started working on, sweets. It was a little something I'd just dreamed up in a spur of the moment, when my thoughts had been focused on Itachi and his suffering. So I went about creating plenty of sweets and other candies, allowing merchants to buy them in bulk and go off into the outside world selling them. The thought that Itachi could at the very least try something new as a result of my actions made me a little happier, even if it meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
The fact Shisui seemed to have gotten a little addicted to the lollypops was just a bonus really.
"You can drop the sempai now Naruto-chan, you've been a ninja for long enough."
Pouting, I turned my big blue eyes up on the older teen. It really wasn't a matter of respect for me now, calling Shisui my sempai. It'd gotten to the point now where it seemed to be more a term of endearment.
The Jonin rolled his eyes, but nevertheless stopped pushing for me to drop the address.
"So, do I get to host your eighteenth birthday party, or are you going out for a wild night with the big kids now that you're an adult in civilian land."
Shisui almost chocked on the lollypop he'd just stuck in his mouth.
"Why would I go out on the town when you're so graciously offering to bake me a cake? Do I look crazy enough to turn down your cooking?"
"Well..."
Scowling, Shisui elbowed me in the ribs and I laughed, poking him back and ignoring the looks that the other ninjas nearby where sending the two of us.
Some were still weary of my status at the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, but since I'd been a genin for half a decade now, they'd gotten used to seeing me pass by now. I was a common sight in and around Konoha, proudly wearing my headband whenever I was on duty.
"Next." Another trio of ninja disappeared around the corner to get their photos taken. Stretching my arms above my head, I paused at the triad of freshly minted genin leaving. Two of them I didn't recognise, but one I did.
With brilliant blonde hair shades lighter than my own, Yamanaka Ino was admiring her new photo ID, before her pupiless blue eyes caught sight of the two of us. Or rather, Shisui.
"Shisui-san!" She bounced over, a brilliant ball of energetic sunshine and I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my lips. She looked so happy at her achievement, at the fact she'd become a ninja after putting in so much effort that I couldn't help but smile along as well.
"Hello Ino-chan. I see you finally became a ninja." How did Shisui know Ino though? Unless something drastic had changed, it couldn't be through Sasuke. Sasuke, last I'd seen him when the Bento Fairy, as Shisui lovingly referred to me, had struck again. And he'd certainly not seemed like he was friends with Ino. Well, hopefully Shisui would offer me an explanation at some point in the future.
Almost as if hearing my thoughts, the two turned to look at me and Shisui's smile grew that little bit more.
"Ino-chan, this cute little Hime is Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto-chan, this is Yamanaka Ino, her parents sell the best flowers in town. She's your fellow genin now."
Oh, that's how Shisui knew her. Of course he'd buy flowers for his clan... Should I have started buying flowers for Minato and Kushina's death now that I knew? Well, I'd already missed it this year, the date having past not four days ago, along with my birthday. That'd gone by quietly, seeing as I'd only let Kakashi and Shisui know the actual date. Both had gotten me a small present each, but I didn't like making a big deal out of that day. It'd seemed disrespectful, what with both my parents meeting their death's that day.
"Oh! So are you one of the graduates from last year? How do you know Shisui-san?"
Blinking, I looked over at Ino and blushed slightly, running one hand through my blonde bangs.
"Not quite Yamanaka-san, I graduated five years ago. I know Shisui-sempai because we've run some missions together."
Blank stare.
Luckily I was saved from answering any more questions when I was called forwards with two others, leaving Shisui to speak with the Yamanaka girl. But not before I said my farewells.
How strange, I'd not seen any of the rookie nine except Sasuke before this month, and then I meet two within a week of each other. That was pretty interesting. Belatedly, I wondered who I'd be running into next. Hopefully it wouldn't be until after I was assigned my team. Every time my thoughts turned to the idea of team placements, a stone settled in my stomach, my body almost trembling with nerves. Who would I end up with? Sasuke, well I was ninety percent sure on him, but the other? That was anybody's guess. Would it still be Sakura, despite the fact there was already one girl on the team? Or would it be another male, leaving me the sole female of Team Seven?
"Right then kid, three, two, one."
I flashed a smile, the bright light of the camera sending black dots dancing across my vision for a second as my pupils fought to readjust to the sudden difference in light.
"Next!"
.
A brilliant flash of sunlight bounced off the small metal pin in my hands as I twisted it back and forth, one fingers running along the edge of the little Leaf Symbol. A decorative pin, a reward for five years of service to Konoha and her interests. I didn't know much about the pins, only that they were made from kunai that were no longer serviceable due to over exposure to chakra, the metal melted down and used in pins.
One of which I was now the proud owner of.
I had no idea what the next 'reward' would be, probably when a decade came around.
Come to think of it, Kakashi-sensei should have a decade reward by now, perhaps a medal of service? Hell, if I remember right, he'd should have been in active service for twenty years by now. He had just turned twenty six last month. Twenty years as a ninja was a rather grand achievement after all.
"You've grown up a lot Naruto-chan."
Eyes drifting over to the Third Hokage, I gave a lacklustre shrug, trying to beat back the blush that stained my cheeks. I was growing up, at long last. It was about bloody time in all honesty, it seemed like I'd been a child forever. But, with the ageing of this body, came the threats of the future drawing near like a shark to blood.
"I guess I have."
Running a thumb over the new set of dog-tags I'd been given, I looped the thin metal chain around my neck, dropping the metal plates down the collar of my shirt and clipping the thin Leaf Village pin onto the simple black shirt I was wearing. Considering the fact today was my off day that I couldn't spend with Team Gai, I was in my civilian clothes and planned to track down Kakashi, to bug him for one last meal before we became a quartet instead of a duo. I was feeling nolgastic. Brushing down the burnt yellow shirt that came to rest just above my knees, I stuck one hand into the pockets of the skirt a clone had made several days ago and grinned.
"It doesn't seem like too long ago that you were a little brat asking to join the academ-"
The door banged open, armed with a shuriken and I reacted before I'd even recognised if the intruder was a threat. I shot forwards, snatching up the obnoxiously long scarf at the same time I stole the enemy's weapon, stabbing it into the thick blue material and trapping the assailant to the ground.
It was at this point that my brain finally caught up with my body and it's reactions enough to register that if the ANBU had let them in, then they were probably safe.
Looking down into the tearful black eyes that burned with a hint of something, I let out a sigh.
"Sorry Hokage-sama."
"It's okay Naruto-chan."
The Hokage's long suffering grumble let me know that, disregarding my reaction, this scene was a common occurrence.
"Hey! You attacked me!"
Turning to look at the small form I'd immobilized, my lips twitched up into a smile without my permission. The boy, who I was pretty sure was the Hokage's grandson, was wrapped up tightly in his scarf, having tripped on the floor
"I thought you were a threat to Hokage-sama. Trust me kid, if you were I'd have you unconscious and in T&I by now."
"Uzumaki! That is the Hokage's grandson!"
My eye twitched.
Yeah, sure the brat might be the Third's grandson, but I was the Fourth's daughter. Even if only three people in this village knew it, I wasn't going to be taking stick from anyone.
"So?" Folding my arms across my chest, I arched my eyebrow at the Jonin, leaning back on the foot so that my weight was placed there. Ease for quick movement if needs be.
The Jonin seemed to splutter for a second, mouth flapping open and closed before he made a humm sound in the back of his throat. Slowly, my eyes drifted over to look at the Hokage, and I gave a low nod.
It was obvious what he was trying to say with his eyes. Had it been known that Minato Namikaze had fathered a child, not only would there be assassination attempts galore, but I'd have had to deal with this. No one being truthful to my face because of my father's status as village hero and martyr. I didn't like it, but in the long run, I guess this was better overall.
"What do you mean so?! You little brat!"
"I don't care if he's the Hokage's grandson. Let's face it, if it came down to a hostage situation between the two of us, and there was only one that could be saved, the council would go for me. And from the sneer on your face, I see you know all about that."
Of course the council wouldn't want their Jinchuriki out of reach. From what my spy network of clones had been able to gather, it was blatantly obvious that the trio were exceptionally happy their little Jinchuriki was such a genius. That I'd graduated early, that I'd gotten so strong, that I was oh so good at Fūinjutsu. Slowly but surely, I was becoming a 'real Uzumaki' in their eyes, an asset to replace the major one lost during the Kyuubi attack. They'd lost a seal master, but I was growing into that role for them.
Ha. I'd like to see their faces when they realize that I was actually the daughter of that asset they'd lost.
"Thank you for five years of active service Uzumaki Naruto." The Hokage offered me a little head nod and I smiled back, giving a respectful bow.
"Thanks for having me. Any tips on where I'll find my errant sensei today?"
.
Making my way down the main street of Konoha, I juggled the small picnic basket in my hands about until I'd gotten a comfortable grip on the handle. A clone had dropped it off a few seconds ago, jam packed full of food, and now I was making my way to the Third Training Ground of Konoha. Or more specifically, the memorial stone.
The Hokage had been kind enough to point me in the right direction, so with luck I'd be able to pull Kakashi out of his funk with copious amounts of brilliantly cooked food. And how could it be anything else when I had clones forever working on the skill. There was little that couldn't be improved through practice.
Unfortunately, singing appeared to be one of those things. Oh well. At least I knew how to play the flute now.
Stopping just before the training ground entrance, I let out a low sigh, twisting to get a look at my tail. He'd been following me since the Hokage's office. It was kinda cute really, and I could feel my maternal instincts, long buried under the fact that I was pretty much a child myself, roar back to life.
"You can come out now kid."
"Impressive, to see through my disguise like, especially for a girl!" The kid, the Third Hokage's grandson, got closer, pointing at me with a scowl on his face.
"Grandpa said you've been a ninja for five years! But you're not that much older than me!" It wasn't really posed as a question. Still though, my smile didn't drop. He was a right brat. But then again, so were most kids his age.
"Yes, I've been a ninja for five years. What's your name kid?"
"Sarutobi Konohamaru! And now you've gotta train me!"
Raising a brow, I folded my arms, a position made awkward by the large basket in my arms.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah! And I'll make you my boss in exchange!"
Oh god. There was that word again. Boss.
"Sorry kid, I'm busy right now. Try again later."
.
"Maa, why is there a brat following you around Kaichō-chan?"
I sighed.
Konohamaru hadn't listened to a word I'd said, instead he'd continued to follow me, badly, until I'd finally found Kakashi-sensei. The silver haired man had been lying on his back on the thick grass of training ground three, staring up at the cloudless sky and no doubt enjoying the peace that a Gai-free village brought him.
I can't really say I blamed him. I'd taken part in a few of the challenges, just because Lee was doing so as well. And while Kakashi's were okay, usually something stupid like hide and seek or rock, paper, scissors, Gai's on the other hand were complete evil. What idiot wants to climb up the Hokage mountain using only one hand and one foot? No, I wouldn't be stupid enough to sign up for Gai's challenge again.
Unless it was cooking. I rocked at that. Speaking of-
"He wants me to train him." Elbowing the older ninja when he let out an amused snicker, I turned to the general direction that Konohamaru was standing in, holding up a sandwich as I did so.
"We know you're there kid. If you're going to stick around anyway you might as well get some food for it."
At Kakashi's glance, I looked away, pouting. So maybe I'd taken a liking to the brat, so what? There wasn't a problem with that, not really.
After a moments hesitation, Konohamaru came scampering out of the shrubbery, stopping before the two of us and looking cautiously between my face and the sandwich I held out. It was a simple enough thing, basic ham and cheese, both of which I'd made myself, completely from scratch. The clones had to find something to fill their time with.
"Thanks boss!" And he plopped himself down beside us, chomping away with all the gusto his little body could manage. Blinking in a startled manner, I turned to look at Kakashi and frowned.
"Is this how you felt when you got me?"
"Maa, you were a bit more annoying."
"Hey!"
.
We sat in a friendly silence for a while, just eating my rather brilliant packed lunch and enjoying the natural heat of Fire Country. Kakashi was probably musing over something rather serious, and while my thoughts probably weren't on a very heavy topic in comparison, I still considered Konohamaru important. If I remembered right, he was going to defeat one of Pein's bodies. So, he kinda needed to toughen up.
"Alright kiddo, what's your story then?"
"Grandpa gave me the name Konohamaru... I'm named after the village. And even though everyone knows my name, nobody calls me that. When someone is talking about me, or calling me, all they ever see is the Hokage's grandson. No one sees me as me. I'm sick of it, so that's why I want the Hokage title."
I could feel Kakashi's interest without the need to look at him, could feel him wondering how I'd be responding to this.
"Konohamaru. You can't just become Hokage because you want people to see you, to get them to respect you. To become Hokage, people have to already respect you. The First made the village, it was his dream and it was he who extended his hand of friendship out to Uchiha Madara to make the village in the first place. He took the first step towards peace. And his brother, the Second, continued to protect that peace. You Grandfather was chosen by the Second because he was so respected by everyone, because he was willing to sacrifice himself for his team-mates. And the Fourth, he was chosen because he protected everybody in the war, because he fought and cared for the village above everything else. The Hokage is someone who looks after every person in the village, from the toughest ninja to the weakest orphan. If you only want the title to make people see you, then you'll run our village into the ground before you get the slightest bit of respect. You don't become the Hokage for acknowledgement, you become Hokage because you were acknowledged."
Rubbing at the back of my head in an awkward, gauche movement, I turned my gaze towards the Hokage mountain, sighed slightly as I did so.
"So really, you need to train hard, become the hardest working ninja in the village, to protect everyone. And if you start with that, then next time we see each other we can have a spar, alright?"
"Right! Then from now on, you're not my boss anymore!" Konohamaru shot to his feet, fists clenched and a thoughtful frown on his face.
And then I suddenly had a lap full of child, Konohamaru's arms wrapped around my neck in a tight hug. It only lasted a few seconds, and he leapt away with bright red cheeks but a determined grin on his face.
"You give really good advice... So you can be my nee-chan from now on, okay?" And he was gone before I could say otherwise, not that I really would have done.
Still a bit bemused, I turned back to look at Kakashi, raising an eyebrow as I did so.
"What just happened?"
"Well Kaichō-chan, you went from being a sempai to being a nee-chan, I thought that was obvious."
"But I just wanted to teach him a few things, correct his view of the world!"
Shrugging, Kakashi pulled Icha Icha out. No doubt he'd predicted that the Third would be watching us through that crystal ball of his, and reading porn around his grandson was a big no-no.
"So does this make you my nii-san then?"
Kakashi chocked. Actually chocked.
Turning to get a better look at the Jonin, I frowned internally. Was that such a bad thing? There wasn't anything wrong with that, was there?
"Maa, sorry Kaichō-chan... Sensei..."
Ah, he didn't need to say anymore. Of course Minato would have wanted Kakashi to see me as a little sister. Hell, had he lived I'd probably have grown up with Kakashi as an older brother.
"Well if Tousan wanted you to be my big brother then I guess that's just how I'll have to refer to you from now on."
.
Laying on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling.
I'd bought myself a cosy little house, not too far from the main street, but far enough away that I didn't feel claustrophobia. I still paid rent for my old apartment, seeing as the room had now pretty much become a little sweatshop for my clones to work in. They were churning out all kinds of produce now, and it was best to just send a batch off to work there for the day then try and set everything up in my new home.
Life now, was strange. Tomorrow something monumental would be happening; I'd be getting some teammates. What if Kakashi changed his mind and decided he liked them more than me?
It was an insecure thought, but I couldn't help but let it run through my head for a second. Then I snorted, rolling over until I was lying face down in the pillow.
No, Kakashi would never do that. I sounded like an older sibling, about to be introduced to the new born baby sibling. Kakashi might not favour me anymore when we do form an official team, but I'd spent the most time around him. He was my sensei first, he knew how to interact best with me. I'd had a near death experience, Kakashi had been the one to help me through it and the resulting trauma.
Looking back on it, we'd been through quite a lot together. No, he wouldn't leave me.
But thinking on that near death experience..
Lifting up my hips, I placed a hand against my stomach, taunt muscles flexing. In my old life I'd never had a need for real exercise before. And while it was hard work here, by god did it pay off. Even if doing five hundred squats first thing in a morning, followed by a mile sprint at top speed, was evil in training routine form. And that was just the warm up.
Really though, I needed to talk to the Kyuubi.
I'd been putting it off, something I most certainly shouldn't have done.
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, exhaling at a slow and steady rate. I was going to talk to the Kyuubi. I was going to fall into my mindscape and I was going to talk to the Kyuubi.
.
I woke up in the same sewer as I'd visited last time. Grimacing, I stood atop the water, running a hand through my hair. It came to rest mid way down my ribs now when it was unbound, the spiky bangs brushing against my cheekbones. It was horrid in here, so dark and dismal.
Something squirmed in my stomach, but I pushed the feeling back, focusing on what I was here to do.
"So, the jailor returns."
Pausing for a second, I twisted on my heel, turning to look at the huge golden gates that sealed the Kyuubi, a tiny scrap of paper placed perfectly between the two. The seal. Scanning the hulking form behind the bars, I grimaced upon realizing the Kyuubi didn't have his eyes open. I literally couldn't tell head from tails.
"Kyuubi-sama," I stepped forwards, swallowing the lump in my throat before dropping onto my knees, my limbs smoothly falling into the Dogeza position. I remained still, determined not to move until I was acknowledged.
It was silent for a few seconds, but with my forehead pressed against the water as it was, I could tell the exact moment hat the Kyuubi opened his eyes, because I could feel the ripples of the liquid from where he drew in a breath. He didn't speak for a moment, though I could feel heavy eyes settling on my shoulders burning into my form. If it weren't my mindscape, I'm sure I'd have broken out into a nervous sweat by now.
Hell, if nothing was vocalized soon, I probably would anyway.
"What are you doing brat." It wasn't a question, not really. I'm pretty sure that the Kyuubi knew exactly what this position meant, a position that acknowledge the fact he was of greater standing than me. It was the greatest thing I could think of, as thanks for saving my life and potentially, Kakashi's as well.
"I am apologizing for not saying this sooner. Thank you. For helping me. You had no reason to, especially when I cried and screamed like a child throwing a tantrum. People say that you are a demon and feel nothing, yet you still gave me aid when I asked it of you, regardless of if it were for me or for your own purposes. I should have said thank you earlier."
The fox snorted and I took that opportunity to sit up, still remaining in a formal position, but no longer bowing. I looked up and up and up at the two red eyes that hovered above me, the orange fur of the Kyuubi's face now visible in the dim lighting of the sewer. I wished could change it, but no matter how hard I focused, the environment remained the same.
"Erm, hi. My name's Uzumaki Naruto and I'm a genin of Konoha. I like my sensei and sparring with my friends. I dislike traitors, the cycle of hatred and running damage control for my sensei's challenges with his eternal rival. My hobbies are cooking and training. My dream for the future is to lessen the hatred in the world as much as I can. It's nice to meet you." I offered a nod of my head in greeting, unable to help the shy tinge to my smile as I looked up at the Nine Tailed Demon that'd destroyed so much of Konoha, regardless of it'd been used by Obito Uchiha.
The fox was still quiet, but it'd shifted around, head coming to rest upon his paws and nose almost pressed up against the thick bars of the cage.
"You're not like the others. What are you after?"
"We're stuck together. I'm not fond of the situation because of the repercussions it's had in the waking world for me. I doubt you like it in here either. I'd like to get along though, seeing as we're stuck together?"
The Kyuubi snorted, and after five minutes of sitting, I got the impression that I wasn't going to get a verbal answer.
So, registering the cramping in my legs, I slowly stood up, stretching them out. My eyelids felt heavy with sleep, even though my body was unconscious right now my mind was still working. And I needed really sleep.
"The history books said that Madara Uchiha," -and wasn't there a growl at that name?- "brought you to Konoha to fight the First. That he put you under his control. And then Uzumaki Mito sealed you into herself... I'm sorry that my kind used you as a weapon Kyuubi-sama."
And then I was gone, lost to the land of sleep.
.
Walking into the Hokage's office, I blinked at all the Jonin mulling about, a good many stood around the Hokage and his crystal ball. Slowly, I made my way over to stand beside Kakashi sensei, nervously fiddling with a kunai, running my thumb up and down the handle. Team placements. This was okay. I could deal with this.
"Settle down!" The Iruka inside the ball called, glaring out over the class that scrambled to obey his command.
"So, who do we reckon got the Uchiha then?" Sarutobi Asuma was tall, easily over six foot. And to my tiny frame, that seemed gigantic. He also happened to be the only other person with a wind affinity in the village. Funny how we'd not met before today.
"I think he'll be with Kakashi-sensei and me, what with the Sharingan thing." Dark coal eyes turned to me at the man gave an amused smirk.
"So you're Konohamaru-kun's new nee-chan then?" Damn that boy.
"I didn't really get a choice Sarutobi-san, but I guess someone has to keep him out of trouble. Or at least teach him how to deal with it."
The Hokage gave a low chuckle under his breath and we all proceeded to turn our attention back to the crystal ball as the teams were announced. I listened half-heartedly to the first six, stood close to Kakashi but completely focused on the crystal ball.
"This one's a bit unusual, Team Seven will be led by Hatake Kakashi and will consist of his apprentice, Inuzuka Kiba and Uchiha Sasuke."
I winced at the slight hitch of Iruka's tone when it came to the whole 'apprentice' thing. Apparently he didn't want to say my name. Frowning, I ran a hand through my hair, trying to push down the hurt. I'd not been in Iruka's class at the academy that first year, seeing as I'd blasted through the whole thing with determination and hard work as my aids. I'd not had the chance to cultivate a relationship with him, so he didn't know Naruto. Only that she was the Jinchuriki of the demon that killed his parents.
"Maa, Naruto-chan, do you want to do a little spying?"
Only just hearing that a Haruno Sakura had been placed on Team Eight instead of Kiba, I nodded, more than happy to follow Kakashi off to god knows where.
.
Sat on the roof of a rather tall building, myself and Kakashi were eating from bentos a clone had dropped off ten minutes ago. spread across my lap was the academy reports on both Kiba and Sasuke.
"Nee, Kakashi-sensei? Why did Team Eight end up with two girls?" I already knew that with the Naruto of this world being a girl, there was one extra girl in class that should have been a boy, to make even teams. I had thought until now though that we'd still have Sakura on our team, balancing out her abysmal taijutsu grades with my own. Apparently I'd thought wrong though.
"Truth is Kaichō-chan, you messed up the system. One girl too many, but the most promising three have to pass really. Something about politics, I wasn't really paying attention. Kurenai got the team with two girls because normally, females lean more toward precise chakra control. There are very few females who specialize in full frontal assault, which given the fact that you house the Kyuubi no Kitsune, is right up your street. They just don't have enough chakra to follow the same route, so they look to genjutsu and medical ninjutsu, both of which require excellent chakra control. Something Kurenai is very good at. Out of all the other Jonin, I have the most ninjutsu under my belt, so I train the heavy assault team. out of all the other graduates, the Uchiha and Inuzuka were the best choice for our team."
That made sense. In the manga, Sakura ended up on the team because a girl was needed to even the numbers out, and she could provide medical support for Sasuke and Kakashi. Because with the Kyuubi, I could heal from anything other than death on my own.
Suddenly, Kakashi got to his feet, though I was unsurprised to see an empty bento box abandoned by his feet. Sealing both it and my own, I got to my feet too, cocking my head to a side in a curious manner.
"Maa, I'm feeling mean. Let's turn up on time." Oh yes, so that they'll hate you tomorrow when you're extra late. Well, at the very least, it'll be amusing to see the rest of the Jonins faces when Kakashi arrived on time.
.
I was right, it was amusing. Asuma had subtly sliced his thumb on a kunai to check it wasn't a genjutsu and Kurenai had stared, mouth open in surprise. Trotting beside my sensei and looking like the ever eager student, I grinned, offering up a lazy wave at the exact moment Kakashi did.
"Yo." We spoke as one.
"That team is doomed."
Snickering at Asuma's mutter, I followed after Kakashi as we were led into the empty room by Iruka. Apparently all the Jonin arrived before the students, just so they could get gawked at. Tenten hadn't mentioned that. Then again, maybe Iruka ran things differently here?
"Ah! Shisui's Hime!"
Jolting into a state of alertness, I spun around to face the person addressing me and smiled when I found Ino smirking at me.
"Yamanaka-san, it's good to see you again. Are you happy with your team-placement?"
My fellow blonde snorted, flipping her long tail of hair over her shoulder and sighing.
"I got stuck with the lazy bum and eats-a-lot."
Feeling brave, I reached out, patting the girl on the shoulder in the same awkward comfort that Kakashi had offered me at some point.
"It's okay Yamanaka-chan, at least your sensei is nice enough."
Asuma and Kakashi both cuffed me around the ear for that remark, while the Yamanaka seemed to brighten slightly, looking between the two males who'd responded to my taunt.
"Wait, are you Hatake Kakashi's apprentice?"
"If you're asking who got saddled with the brat, then I'd say you're right, it is I who suffers that fate."
Scowling, I elbowed the older ninja in the ribs, who took it with a good natured 'oomph'. Ino was watching with a raised eyebrow, eyeing her own sensei was a sly smile. I could appreciate why, Asuma did appeal to my adult mind in appearance, but the smoking thing? Yeah, not for me.
Regardless though, I got the feeling Ino would appreciate the eye-candy, if what I'd read about her personality was correct.
"Are you interested in Sasuke-kun?!" Suddenly Ino was all up in my face, pupiless blue eyes narrowed and I flinched back, feeling Kakashi's arm clamp down on my wrist to stop me from reflectively going for a kunai. Ino didn't notice.
"I've not had a crush on anyone but Kakashi-sensei before, Yamanaka-chan, and even if I did I'm not interested in a love life until I'm strong enough to protect my precious people."
The blonde's eyes were still narrowed, scanning my body language, but she seemed to find whatever she was looking for, because a grin overtook her face.
"That's great Naruto-chan! Let's be friends! Call me Ino!"
"Okay Ino-chan. It was nice to see you again." And off she went, bouncing to retake her seat as the rest of the class began to make their way in.
"Good luck with her," Kakashi grumbled under his breath, lovingly ruffling my hair with the hand not sat in his pocket, "my little apprentice knows she's not allowed any boys until she thirty." Then, sensei turned to address the room at large, handing moving from where it's been sat at the top of my ponytails and coming to rest on my shoulder.
"Team Seven, meet me on the roof."
.
The Body Flicker was a brilliant jutsu, though not so great when your sensei insists on pulling you along with him. Rather discombobulating if I'm honest.
Shaking my head from side to side, I dug my knuckles into the tender flesh of my temple, trying to force the headache away. In my previous life, the one before this, I'd never really suffered from headaches before. I'd been damn lucky now that I considered it. Head-aches were a pain in the rear end.
Looking up at the two boys entered from the stairwell, I straightened from where I was sat on the railing beside Kakashi.
Sasuke looked, well, not brighter per say, but something in his eyes said he hadn't entirely given up on life as a whole. That was good.
And Kiba, Kiba looked like a savage with his spiky brown hair and red fang tattoos.
In fact, we all looked very different, each and every member of our team. Kiba was wild looking, I resembled sunshine and all thing sweet, thanks to the damn whisker marks, Sasuke was all refined darkness, and Kakashi-sensei... Well, he was the eccentric weirdo in all honesty.
"Yo. Let's begin by introducing ourselves."
"What do you wanna know? You look kinda suspicious, you go first." Kiba's eyes were narrowed and I bristled at his aggressive tone, eyes narrowed at the boy.
Kiba was an Inuzuka, and Inuzuka ran on pack mentality. Logically, he was assessing the situation, seeing where he stood in this pack ranking. And quite frankly, he was at the bottom as far as I was concerned. If I had any say in the matter -and being stronger than my two teammates, I most certainly did- then it was Kakashi at the top, then me, then the two of them. I wanted to get along, but I wasn't going to be putting up with any disrespect. Not when I'd worked so hard under Kakashi's command already. Sweat, blood and tears had made me into what I was now, and I refused to be treated as anything less than a proud genin of Konohagkure.
"Oh, me? Well, my name is Hatake Kakashi. I have no desire to tell you my likes and dislikes. Dreams for the future? Hmm... And I have lots of hobbies."
Kiba spluttered, and even Sasuke looked a little irritated at being so obviously blown off. However, before complaints could be raised, I was elbowed in the side, and it was only thanks to a quick application of chakra to my buttocks that I didn't go flying off the railings.
"Hi, my name's Uzumaki Naruto. I like spending time with sensei and sparring with my friends. I dislike traitors, the cycle of hatred and running damage control for my sensei's challenges with his eternal rival. My hobbies are cooking and training. My dream for the future is to lessen the hatred in the world as much as I can. It's nice to meet you." Offering a quick nod of my head, I scratched bashfully at the back of my neck, grinning.
"Okay then, dog boy, you're up."
Snorting because that description could also be applied to Kakashi himself, I sat forwards, watching Kiba with obvious interest. These two were my teammates, it would be in my best interests to know as much about them as possible.
"The name's Inuzuka Kiba. I like my partner Akamaru," at this, a tiny little yip came from inside Kiba's hood, a furry white face peeking out from atop Kiba's head, "steak and beef. I don't like anyone who looks down on Akamaru! I spend most of my time with Akamaru, and my dream is to become Hokage!" Slapping one fist into his palm, Kiba grinned up at Kakashi, spurred on by his canine partner barking in agreement.
A smile twitched at my lips. He spent a lot of time with his dog, but honestly, that was quite cute.
"And last up," Kakashi hummed, gesturing at Sasuke with a lazy flick of his hand.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are lots of things I dislike and I don't really like anything. And... I can't really call it a dream. But I have an ambition. The resurrection of my clan and... To kill a certain man."
I frowned. It seemed like Sasuke hadn't changed that much at all with Shisui here. If anything, he seemed furious at the older boy for not going after Itachi himself. I could understand why Shisui wouldn't, and I could understand why he wouldn't tell Sasuke his reasons. When it came to Sasuke and the Uchiha massacre, there really wasn't any right answer. Just a lesser evil.
I listened only half-heartedly as Kakashi explained the basics of the bell test, my arms folded across my chest.
This team would either sink or swim. There was no certainty, no script now that it was Kiba instead of Sakura. Every interaction from here on out would eventually mount up until it was time for the grand conclusion. I'd be lying if I said fear wasn't pumping through my veins at the thought, but I forced my limbs to not shake with the thought. I could manage this. It was possible. I'd prove it.
"Make four bentos tomorrow Kaichō-chan," Kakashi whispered before he disappeared, leaving me alone on the rooftop as both male genin left to make their plans for tomorrow.
Well, this looked like it was going to be a long ride.
.
"Good morning sensei." Stood up to the kitchen stove in my pyjamas, I gave a blurry eyed blink at the silver haired man, flipping the bacon that was sizzling away in the pan. It was the first time in several weeks that I'd taken the time out to cook breakfast personally, instead of just having a clone do it. Kakashi had rocked up about a minute ago, but I'd been sleepy that I'd only just realized he was sat up to table.
Pulling out a carton of orange juice, I poured two glasses, pushing one across the table to Kakashi before returning to the stove.
"Eggs?"
"Sunny."
I went about the movements in an almost mechanical way, so engraved into the brain were the different stages of a cooked breakfast. Green tea came next, followed by two sausages on each plate, tomatoes, baked beans, then the bacon and eggs. A traditional English breakfast that'd been gaining popularity as my business empire grew more and more. Kakashi was certainly hooked, and nothing pleased me more than watching -or as was the case with my much beloved sensei, not watching- him woof back the food I made.
A damn good shinobi he may be, but Kakashi struggled to be a person. He struggled to live like a normal person. He'd been dealt blow and blow, death after death. He wouldn't suffer any more, not if I had anything to say about it.
I wasn't allowed to die for that reason.
"How late are we?" Dropping into my seat, I gave a lazy stretch before pushing Kakashi's plate over to his side of the table.
"Three hours."
Nodding, I shovelled a spoonful of beans into my mouth, idly chewing while flicking through the latest report I'd gotten from a clone on my finances. I'd have to make my rounds soon enough in person; there was a hell of a lot of money to donate to different parts of the village again.
"Do you think this team's got a chance at passing the bell test?"
Kakashi snorted, eating his breakfast while I got up to refill his orange juice.
"Not a chance. The second part? Maybe."
Which was Kakashi speak for 'I believe in them'. Well, it was off to a promising start then.
"And what am I doing during this bell test?"
"You are going to sit off to a side and do nothing. I have one bell and I'll be telling them that the one that gets the bell gets to stay a genin. Though I doubt they'll ask, if they do, you can help them. But only if they ask. If they do that, or aid each other, they'll pass." I considered Kiba and Sasuke's personality.
Yeah, that wasn't going to happen.
.
As predicted, it didn't happen. Instead, I was sat in the shadow of a tree-stump after watching my two idiot teammates go at a Jonin level shinobi all on their own.
The highlight of the day though had to be Kiba getting struck with the 'Hidden Leaf Ancient Supreme Taijutsu Technique, 1000 Years of Pain'. Yeah, was I pleased that I wasn't canon Naruto. No super powered ass poke for me. Which, considering I'm a girl now, would be a little weird. No, scratch that, it'd be a lot weird.
Kakashi-sensei was currently sat on Kiba, who'd charged him after being informed he should retire as a shinobi and go back to the life of a civilian. Of course, there was a kunai pressed to the Inuzuka's neck, and with Akamaru unconscious, no one would instantly be jumping to his defence. I already knew Kakashi didn't mean it, and I could hear Sasuke's common sense screaming at him not to challenge the scary Jonin.
"Individual play that disrupts the team can put your comrades in danger. And even get you killed. For example, Sasuke, kill Naruto or Kiba dies. You see, if a hostage is taken, you will have tough choices and one of you could die. You'll be risking your lives as ninja."
Kakashi casually stepped off of Kiba, running a hand through his hair and then smiling.
"You didn't even think to ask your third teammate for help. Naruto-chan has been a ninja for five years, her skill level is much greater than yours, and not only that, she has spent those five years with me. She was a gold mine of information and you just ignored her."
Which kind of hurt. They hadn't even looked in my direction when it came to getting a bell.
"But hey, I'm a nice guy, so I'll give you another chance after dinner. Only, Naruto doesn't get any. That should make this a little harder."
Hang on, he hadn't mentioned me not getting any of the food I'd taken the time to make. Scowling at my oh so manipulative sensei, I folded my arms across my chest and slumped back against the training log.
Kiba had shakily made his way over, carrying the sleeping form of Akamaru with him as he sat down. Kakashi disappeared in a flash of leaves, resulting in two hungry genin sat beside me as they opened bentos I wasn't allowed to touch.
There was a pause, and I instantly realized what the problem was. I'd made Sasuke's bento like I did every other one.
"It's you!" Sasuke's head had snapped around to glare at me, eyes shifting from bento, to me, and then back to bento. "You're Shisui's stupid Bento Fairy!"
Nosing wrinkling at the name because damn it -why had he stuck with that?- I gave a low shrug of my shoulders.
"Shisui-sempai sucks at cooking; I've never let him cook on a mission again since the first time. And seeing as I was making bentos for Kakashi-sensei and myself, it wasn't that much effort to add two more onto my to-do list."
Sasuke scowled, but before he could say anything more, Kiba joined the conversation too.
"You made these?! They're awesome! you even put in little steak slices!"
"You said you liked steak yesterday Kiba-san."
It was in that moment my stomach let out a ferocious growl. I'd made more shadow clones than I probably should have when leaving for the training grounds today, sending them off to complete various tasks and the chores that came with running a stupid empire. Maybe I could pass it off to the Leaf Village to look after now? I was steadily running out of ideas on what to introduce to the whole thing.
"Here." Sasuke was offering his bento box to me.
Blinking slowly, I turned to gauge Kiba's reaction. I needn't have bothered. It was, well, explosive.
"Sasuke you idiot! Didn't you hear what Kakashi-sensei just said?!"
"Don't worry, I don't sense him near here. After lunch, we'll all work together and get the bells. He was right, Naruto knows him the best, and she's been a ninja longer; she'll have more experience when it comes to dealing with him. So she needs to be in top condition for it."
"Tch, fine. Have some of mine too. If we don't open the other box, he'll never know."
Kiba gave a sly grin, wiggling his eyebrows which looked ridiculous under that stupid fur hood of his. While Sasuke had said he couldn't sense Kakashi nearby, I could. And I knew he'd heard every word of it. No doubt waiting until I'd taken my first bite. But before that-
Looking at the two boys, I grinned, grabbing their arms and pulling, so that we were sat closer together.
"I'm glad that out of all the genin I've been lumped with, it's you two. I think we'll make a great team."
And I took a bite.
"Well Iruka-kun?"
The Chũnin instructor sighed, rubbing at his face with his fingertips, watching in the crystal ball as two of his students passed the infamous bell test.
Kiba was dancing around, the newly revived Akamaru prancing about at his feet. Sasuke looked satisfied, arms folded across his chest and leaning back against the tree stump, while every so often sneaking a mouthful from the, until recently, unopened bento that'd been all but forgotten about in the face of Team Sevens new victory.
But that wasn't what caught his eye.
Instead, it was the blonde girl stood before Hatake Kakashi, a look of complete adoration on her face. It wasn't the same kind of expression poor Sasuke-kun's fans wore, instead it was the face of a younger sibling, looking up to the elder as if they could do no wrong.
Uzumaki Naruto, the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi...
She loved Hatake as if he were blood family. That much was obvious from the way she interacted with him, the way she moved around him and always looked to him whenever she was unsure of something. Like most geniuses he'd seen, she wasn't certain on how to react to other children her age, but she was trying. She was nothing like he'd been expecting, and that made him feel horrible.
He'd been so judgemental, when all she was really striving for was acceptance from the rest of the village. He'd gone up to the academy roof yesterday, just to have a word with Hatake on his apprentice seeing as he'd personally never taught her before. He'd overheard her speaking of her dream, to lessen the hatred in the world. It was a noble goal to aim for, she was so much more mature than what he'd been at that age. So much tougher, and that was because life had made her tough.
And Hatake. Hatake had latched onto the girl just as tightly, though for what reason, Iruka didn't know. Clearly though the Jonin saw her as his own to protect, because when Iruka had pulled him to a side after Team Seven had finished up their introductions and left, the silver haired ninja had clammed up instantly when he'd asked after the girl. He'd only asked if Hatake thought that Naruto would get along well with the boys, to which he'd received an indifferent shrug before a verbal reply.
"It doesn't matter to me. They may be my team, but Naruto is my apprentice. And if they dare start anything with her then I'll finish it if she can't."
Sighing, Iruka pressed his forefinger and thumb into his forehead, slowly moving them about in circles.
"Grandpa! Is Naruto nee-chan finished with her team yet? She promised to spar with me and I've been working super hard!" Sarutobi Konohamaru was one of the students in his new class, and Iruka could only sigh at the sight of the boy before his words registered.
"Konohamaru, did you just call Naruto nee-chan?"
The brown haired boy paused for a moment before responding, head bobbing up and down.
"Yeah Iruka-sensei, Naruto nee-chan is awesome, she's really smart and she's promised to spar with me when I did some training so I trained all of yesterday and I'm totally ready to face her now!"
Iruka doubted that. Uzumaki had been a genin for well over half of Konohamaru's life. It'd take more than a full day of training to catch up to her.
"Konohamaru, Naruto and her team will be busy for the rest of the week. Though I'll pass on the message that you're looking for a friendly spar with her next time I see her, okay?"
There was a small pause, before an affirmative came back.
Yes, he'd definitely judged Uzumaki Naruto wrong. He needed to do a bit of research on his own before forming another opinion.
Hopefully, he'd be able to find the time to talk to the girl that, had it not been for her hard work and early graduation, would have been his student too.
Meeting up at the training ground the next day at the time Kakashi-sensei had set but wouldn't be sticking too, I stopped before my two teammates and grinned.
Sasuke and Kiba were both sat on the ground, looking around as if expecting Kakashi to pop up out of the ground should they attempt to leave. To be honest, I wouldn't put it past him.
Tying the second tail of my hair up and tightening it until it was in secure against the top of my skull, I grinned, rocking back on my heels.
"Good morning."
Kiba grinned, Akamaru barking and approaching almost hesitantly.
Crouching down, I held out a hand for the puppy to take a sniff of. I already knew what it's smell, along with my scent. There'd be the smell of bacon and eggs, from my breakfast today, the cool iron of the kunai I'd been handling so far, and the slightest hint of fox. Kakashi had mentioned it, but it'd take a very, very sensitive nose to notice it. A nose Kiba wouldn't have until he was at least sixteen. He might be a tracker, but he wouldn't be good enough to threaten my secret yet.
Akamaru seemed to pause for a second, before happily licking away at my fingers. Giggling at the sensation, I sat down, rubbing at the dog's head and scratching behind his ear.
"I was thinking the three of us could have a talk," I mused, looking between the two boys and noting their interest, "Obviously the two of you attended the academy together, but that doesn't mean you know each other's skill set. I know for fact that Shisui-sempai has some Uchiha moves that you wouldn't have gotten to show off at the academy and I assume that it's the same for the Inuzuka clan?"
"Your right! Akamaru and I have been working extra hard since we graduated! We're gonna be the best!" He was so confident. His first real life and death mission would break that. His first kill would dampen that enthusiasm. It, well, that sadden me I guess.
Neither I or Kakashi were innocent like that, hadn't been for a long time. And Sasuke, Sasuke had seen death too.
"Right, so then, let's say our best skill, like Kakashi-sensei's would be his vast arsenal of Ninjutsu, then your best jutsu, and then a weakness. Inuzuka-kun, want to go first?"
The brunet scowled, folding his arms across his chest and pouting. But after a raised eyebrow, he started talking soon enough.
"I'm great at partner jutsus with Akamaru, and right now our Fang Over Fang Technique is our best. Weakness? Don't really have one." He laughed, but Sasuke and I were frowning.
Before the Uchiha could step in and snap at the boy for being an idiot, which he kind of was, I held up a hand to stop him.
"Inuzuka-kun, everyone has a weakness, from you all the way up to the Hokage. Only by knowing our weakness can we overcome them." He was just a kid. He was allowed to not know this, up until now that was. Because now he was a ninja, childhood had been left behind. Grumbling, Kiba grit his teeth but surrendered an answer.
"I guess I rely on Akamaru too much. And it's Kiba to you!"
"Great, your turn Uchiha-kun." Adjusting my legs until they were crossed before me and thus allowing the adorable white furred puppy to sprawl across them, I focused on Sasuke, waiting for an answer.
"My taijutsu and ninjutsu are on equal ground, but my speed was the best of all the graduates. My best jutsu is the Great Fireball Technique. My stamina and genjutsu could use some work."
Nodding, I leaned back slightly to wiggle a scroll out of my trouser pocket, having to shoo Akamaru from my lap in order to unroll the paper.
"Right, well I was recently acknowledge as a Fūinjutsu specialist, sealing," I expanded, upon seeing Kiba's confused look, "and my chakra levels are the greatest of anyone in the village, so my stamina is insane. My best jutsu is the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, with which I can create three thousand clones when pushed. I'm dreadful at genjutsu because I don't have the chakra control to cast them, and I find it difficult to break them too. Also, I'll never be able to become a user of medical ninjutsu; my chakra is highly toxic to the point of lethality, so if you want a medic on this team, one of you will have to look into it. Kakashi-sensei said we were to be the heavy assault team of your graduating year. Kakashi-sensei is also notorious for always being late, so I was thinking we could spend the morning sparring with one another until he turns up. Is that okay?"
Both Sasuke and Kiba nodded, the former mouthing the words 'three-thousand' with a look of disbelief on his face. For some reason, I feel like I'll struggle to get him to believe me on that without him witnessing it.
"Sparring sounds good, yeah, let's do it! Come on Akamaru!" Kiba leapt to his feet in a burst of energy, and I could feel my chakra begin to buzz beneath my skin in excitement. I was ready to start too. Even Sasuke looked eager.
"And guys! Call me Naruto!"
Super long chapter is super long. In fact, this is a stupidly long chapter. I know I had what I wanted to put in this chapter wrote down, but it just kept growing and growing and well, here we are.
With this chapter, I've wrote over 1,000,000 words on this account. And that's a scary thought. Also, I made a sketch of how I see Naruto, so take a lookie at this cover?
This was wrote over three days, so please excuse any mistakes. Be kind. Because, now I need to go work on my essay and I really don't want to do that.
Thanks for reading,
Tsume
xxx