The days went by and Kakashi trained them hard. He knew that they needed to get stronger, and he put aside reading until further notice. He made them study Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu scrolls to get better at knowing how they worked. He made them run laps to get their endurance up. He made them walk up and down trees to help their chakra control, even thought they already had it down. If they wanted the best control, they would.

He also gave them a choice on other weapons. He suggested it during one of their breaks.

"Okay. This break will be an hour, but I wanted to know if you had any preference towards another type of weapon."

The three actually looked thoughtful, which was a good sign.

"I kinda think a sword would be cool."

That was Sakura.

"Ma. But I am going to take you to a store that has great service, prices, and equipment. That's why this break is longer."

He took out his book while walking with them, finally able to get in some reading time. He listened to their conversation along the way. They sounded excited.

"So, what do you think you are looking for?"

"Hn. Dobe, I don't know yet."

"Oh. Well, Sakura, what about you?"

"Not sure. I actually don't know much about other weapons. I only use kunai, sometimes my throwing stars. Other than that, regular stuff."

"Hm. I want to find a giant sword that only I can wield!"

They all laughed at the obvious joke there, and they grouped nervously around the door to the shop when they got there. Naruto had been the first one to get fidgety, and the couldn't guess why. So they all became nervous. Kakashi sighed and walked in, looking about with a deep breath. He never told anyone, but he loved the smell of fresh ninja gear.

"Hatake-san?"

Tenten looked at them from the other side of the counter, a smile on her face. She hadn't seen the avid reader here for awhile, and it was about time.

"Ma. Please, call me Kakashi. Really."

They could tell he was embarrassed, even though they couldn't see a blush because of his mask.

Tenten grinned and nodded.

"Whatever you say, Hatake-san. Hey, you three look familiar. I'm Tenten. Who are you?"

Naruto could see the curiousity in her eyes, but he withheld his name till last. He still didn't trust her yet, even if Kakashi did.

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke." He grunted, looking around the shop admiringly. He had to admit, it was small but held a lot.

"I'm Haruno Sakura" she said shyly. This girl looked older than she was, and even though she didn't know for sure, she thought that she could feel her underlying power.

"And I'm Uzumiki Naruto, future Hokage!" he shouted out, finally introducing himself. He waited with a foxy smile on his face for her to frown and kick him out.

"Welcome, you three. Nice to meet you." Naruto almost dropped him smile from surprise. She had never heard of him? Part of him was disappointed that someone didn't know of his dream, and part of him as cheering at the thought of someone being kind.

"Are you here for anything special?" the brunette asked kindly.

Kakashi shrugged. "I want to see if they can use anything here with great skill. Do you know what they might be able to use?"

Tenten looked thoughtful. "Well, I think I know what Sakura-chan might use…."

Sakura gave her a large smile before letting her gaze wander, her mind trying to figure out what Tenten meant.

"Naruto and Sasuke, you may look around. You can try things out, but please do not break anything. We just got anew shipment today…"

She beckoned for Sakura to follow her as the boys set off. She brought her to a secluded area of the shop. "I have more space in the back if you'd like to try it out" Tenten said, picking up a staff of sorts.

Sakura nodded absently, wondering if she was supposed to wield something so light. Tenten caught her worries in her facial expressions and used it to bonk her on the head. Sakura, shocked, rubbed her aching head.

Tenten grinned sheepishly. "It's not a weak weapon, Sakura-chan."

Sakura sweatdroped. "Oh, sorry…" she didn't know how the other girl had known what she was thinking, but she shook her head slightly and watched.

"Okay. Since girls are seen as weak and pathetic, I use this weapon a lot. It surprises people when a girl kicks their ass with such a light weapon. It's certainly my favorite, even though I use just about everything."

Sakura's eyes were wide as Tenten handed her a staff, watching her reaction. Before she had time to even do anything, it was wrenched out of her grasp to be replaced with another. She blinked and watched as Tenten swiftly switched it again, waiting only a second before handing her a fourth one.

"Aha! This one works!"

Sakura didn't hear her as she felt the staff. Her hand fit comfortably around it, and the weight felt right. She didn't know why, but she knew that this staff was perfect for her. It was a little taller than she was, but it didn't feel odd. It felt natural.

Tenten had a smirk on her face. "I knew it. Perfect."

Sakura heard that and she nodded slowly. "Yeah. Thank you, Tenten-san."

Tenten suddenly blushed and nodded. "Uh, sure. Glad to help. I'll go help Naruto and Sasuke now" she blurted out before pushing Sakura into a wide room to practice with it.

Sakura smiled and started swinging it around, testing her abilities.

Meanwhile, Tenten had found Naruto swinging a sword around. It was inadvertently aimed in a wide circle, now heading for her. Naruto's eyes went wide, and he tried to stop himself. But his momentum was too much, and it was on its course.

Tenten reacted like she usually did when this happened, grabbing the nearest weapon and settling in a defensive stance. It happened to be another sword, and it clanged against Naruto's and held its ground. She grinned and shrugged.

"I'm fine. Now, does that feel right to you?"

When it took more than a few seconds to answer her, she nodded. "Kay. Didn't think so. I'll find something else for you."

Naruto tilted his head as she took the smaller sword from him, handing him the one she held. When he shook his head, she looked around their stock.

"It's too light" he finally said, making her mind go somewhere else. She had just the thing for him.

"Naruto, wait here" she said, hurrying off to get what she needed.

When she returned, Naruto was waiting patiently, having replaced the swords on their racks. She grinned and held out a sword to him. It was longer than the others, and it was much heavier. Not many people could even hold their one, let alone swing it around correctly. It was actually one of a kind, and it needed two hands to lift.

She had never seen anyone other than her and Lee lift this sword, which is why her shock made her drop the small pile of other swords she had when she saw him lift it. It wasn't that it came as a shock, he looked like the strong type, but it was how. He had it in his left hand, and his right was used to lovingly stroke the side. She felt eyes on her, and she blinked her surprise away to see him watching her curiously.

"So-sorry. Uhm, so, do you like it?" she asked weakly.

"I do, but do you have anything else? I don't feel just right about it…"

Tenten nodded slowly and picked up the pile of other weapons she dropped. She handed him one that was the same length, but this one was thinner, and the tip was deadly sharp. It was perfectly suited to taller people, but so far she hadn't found one person that liked it. He looked thoughtful, but shook his head.

"Sorry" he said, sounding regretful as he handed it back to her. She smiled and shook her head.

"It's okay, it's what I'm here for. To help you find something." She picked one that she was about the same as the last one. The only difference was the weight and color. The color was actually very odd, which is why he brought it back to him. The color was a mix between black and silver, a solid color but somehow seemingly changing. It was also a bit heavier than the previous one, and she handed it to him wordlessly.

He took it and she immediately saw the difference. His eyes were accepting and calm, and his body seemed more relaxed. She watched as he used the long sword, swinging it and watching its path. He brought it down in a chop, and she picked up the heaviest sword with both hands and blocked. Grinning she gestured towards the training dojo she used frequently.

"Go try it out. After I help Sasuke-kun, I'll spar with you. See how good you are."

He nodded and hurried off, a smile present on his whiskered face. She smirked and yelled after him, "Naruto-kun, watch where you're going!"

He slowed down before he crashed into a little stand and blushed, walking around it before continuing on. She grinned and probed her chakra around, searching for the Uchiha. She found him easily, since it was a small store, and headed in his direction.

Her fingers traced the wooded stands that held all the metal, an unknown grin on her face as she made her way down the aisles. She had always loved this place, not just because she grew up here, but also because her love of weapons drew her in naturally. Her father said that she was born elsewhere, but they moved here shortly after. She had been running around and helping sell and use weapons since she was four.

--

Tenten looked at the Uchiha boy, wondering with all her heart which item she could give him to use. He had tried swords, but she didn't think they suited him. She tried a few other things, but they didn't work either. Now she was examining him, trying to fit a weapon in his stature. His body was thin but strong, and she knew he was capable of speed faster than she. Not faster than Lee, but still pretty fast for a Genin.

She smiled inwardly as she noticed him becoming uncomfortable under her stare, and she sifted her position slightly, hoping he would do the same. He unconsciously moved with her, shifting his feet to a wider stance. He was difficult, but she wouldn't give up until she found something for him. All their customers went home happy, and she wasn't about to break that rule of thumb.

"Uchiha-kun, can I suggest a heavier sword?"

He shrugged, and she pulled over the one that the blond had held up earlier. She watched disdainfully as the raven attempted to lift it. He couldn't even lift it with both hands.

"Here, let me show you" she said, trying not to let her frustration take over. She had never taken this long to find something for someone. Bah.

He sputtered random words as she held her hands over his, telling him how to grip it. She bent down and shifted his stance a bit, making the weight distribution more even. When she stood up, she glanced briefly at his faint blush.

She rolled her eyes. "Uchiha-kun, I'm not here to flirt. I am a weapons mistress, and I am only here to serve the customer. Besides, I rather fancy your friend in the back, practicing. Very cute."

His blush got wider.

"Uchiha-kun, did you know that Naruto-kun could lift that sword with one hand?"

His face grew stony and she knew she had hit something. She watched him struggle to lift it, only mildly surprised when he managed to heave it off the ground with both hands. She eyed him a bit, trying to see what else would fit in the place of the Master Sword. Nope, nothing yet.

"And he didn't even look winded, either. Just gazed at it like it was a kunai."

His stance grew a little wider and she grimaced when he started to drop it. She lunged out and caught part of the handle, dropping it carefully as she watched his reaction. His shoulders dropped and she felt a small sense of pity for him. He was the prodigy of the year, and the 'dead last' could hold more weight than he could.

And then it hit her. "Thank you, Uchiha-kun!" she had the perfect thing for him. He stood there, panting slightly as she ran off, searching for her second favorite weapon. Not many people used them, because they were so easy to miss with. She was amazing with any weapon, really, so she had no problem. She hoped he didn't either.

Sasuke watched her run back, holding three things. A package of kunai, a package of throwing stars, and a package of needles. She had a wide grin on her face. She ran past him, heading for the back room. "Follow me" she spoke as she passed him, continuing on. He followed, sighing as he applied speed to his body.

--

Naruto watched Sakura gracefully dance around with the Bo staff, hitting things with practiced ease. She wasn't perfect with it, obviously, but she was really good.

Suddenly Tenten ran in, holding things in her arms. Sasuke followed shortly after, trying to figure out what she wanted. She stepped about twenty yards away from a small target. She set down the items and opened a package of kunai.

Sasuke watched as she threw all three in her hand at the target, hitting dead center. Grinning, she held three out to him. Determined not to lose to a girls challenge, he threw his as well. They hit dead center as well, wedging them all in tightly. She walked over and withdrew them, setting them apart. She held out three stars, taking three for herself.

They both hit center again and she nodded, not noticing that the other two Genin were watching with interest. She took the last package out and opened it, sliding out six needles.

"Senbon?" Sasuke asked, surprised.

She just nodded and threw her needles all at once, hitting the center yet again. She waited for him to do the same.

He took a moment to get used to the weight before he let one of them go. He didn't dare throw all of them at once, since he'd never even held one before. He knew how deadly they were, however.

It didn't even hit the target, and he grimaced and threw another one, angling his arm differently. It hit the edge of the target and he let a small smile slip, proud of himself for hitting something other than the floor. He focused on the same height again, but this time more to the right, as he flung his arm more to the left when he threw things. It was closer than the second one, but it was still better.

Tenten wordlessly handed him the rest and he threw them as well, learning how to use them as he went. Then they were all gone and he was collecting them, keeping them to his side as he walked back to the strip of tape indicating twenty yards.

Behind him, Tenten was making her way to Naruto.

"Okay, you three. I have a deal for all of my customers, and you are no different. If you can beat me with your weapon, you get it for free. Just to let you know, I have only lost ten times. And I have been working here all my life."

Naruto was up for the challenge, but Sakura beat him to it. "Okay! Me first!"

Tenten nodded and took out her own staff, preferring to be on the same general level as her opponent. That way, when she won, it didn't look like she used a weapon made for opposing theirs. She waited for Naruto to back off a bit, and she watched Sakura charge forwards with no hesitation. She admired that.

Tenten easily blocked the first downward strike, twirling to toss Sakura to the side. She grinned and waited for the pink-haired girl to come at her again. Sakura's eyes blazed as she charged again, faking a right swing and then slashing down. The sound made her ears ring, and she let them for a moment before blocking again, this time pushing forwards with all her might. She faintly heard Sakura's body hitting the wood through her still ringing ears, and she grinned and held her staff against Sakura's throat.

"I win" she rasped, trying to talk while not able to really hear herself.

But Sakura wasn't about to let herself go down. Her right hand tightened on her weapon and she jammed it down against Tentens foot. Finally able to hear, she heard the low chuckle at the other end of the room. Grimacing in pain, she kicked out at the staff and knocked it out of Sakura's grip.

"Like I said. I win."

Sakura scowled but nodded the best she could while in a headlock. The pressure on her throat was released and she rubbed the spot. Not even a mark. Tenten pretended not to notice and leaned down to pick up Sakura's staff. She rubbed her sore foot quickly and then pressed the wood into the females hands.

"Okay, lemme just get a drink and then I'll face Sasuke."

Naruto pouted but sat down, leaning against a wooden log. She quickly got some water and smiled as the cold liquid ran down her throat. Ahhh. Perfect.

"Okay." She spoke between gulps. "Sasuke's up next."

"How are we supposed to fight with senbon?" was his question.

She rolled her eyes and gestured to the targets.

"Best shots win. However many you want to throw."

"Okay."

The Uchiha withdrew three senbon needles and handed them to her. He took three for himself and gazed at the target. He narrowed his eyes and tossed them in quick succession, hoping they would be better than Tentens. She shrugged a few times, lossening her shoulders. She grinned and threw all three at once, laughing when they all hit the center.

"You and Sakura-chan both have to pay. Let's see how Naruto-kun does."

Sasuke scowled as well, and she wondered if this team hated anyone that beat them. She mentally shrugged it off and found her swords. She usually only used one, but she wanted a real challenge.

Naruto heaved himself to his feet, picking up the long sword with ease. He swung it a few times with one hand and then held it in his right hand, forming a Taijutsu stance with the rest of his body. She noted that his center of balance was right in his chest, and as she walked past him to oppose him, poked him.

He stumbled backwards and glared at her for a moment before breaking out into laughter. He grinned and got into a better stance. She held her twin swords out menacingly, ready for this to continue.

Kakashi popped his head into the room, eye looking at Tenten. "You have a customer."

She cursed and dropped her swords, running for the door. She thanked him and found said customer, helping them quickly.

Naruto watched her run off, glancing at his sensei with a sweatdrop. Way to kill the moment.

Tenten finished and quickly locked the door, putting up a sign that said "Out to lunch, be back in ten minutes."

She ran back to her training dojo, picking up her swords and rushing at Naruto. "Go!"

She faintly noticed Kakashi slipping into the room, sitting down on one of the training logs. She slashed downwards with one of her swords while keeping the other drawn back so she could thrust into him with it. He moved with speed she didn't know he had, blocking with his sword and then bending backwards and falling over to defend from the tip of the other one.

She stood over him and aimed into his stomach with both, only to be blocked again. Her feet were swept out from under her, and she fell onto Naruto with an 'oomph!'. She grunted and hit the top of his head with the bunt end of her sword, rolling away when he brought his sword over to her head. She rolled to her feet, waiting patiently for him to get up.

When he charged at her, she swiftly dodged to the side, grinning when she sliced into his right hand lightly. He dropped his weapon and swung down to retrieve it. She laughed as he picked it up with his left hand, not bothering to bandage his cut.

She blocked his sword with hers in an X shape, holding out with all of her strength. She was forced back a few inches, but she stood her ground.

"Guess what" he suddenly whispered, close enough to her that only she could hear. She tilted her head a bit, still keeping all her focus on the swords.

"I'm left handed" he whispered, trying to conceal a giggle.

Her eyes widened and she felt something, not knowing until it was too late. Chakra was forced through his sword and threw her backwards. She landed on the ground in a heap, breath gone out of her lungs. She lifted her head to find Naruto staring at her in shock, not moving until Kakashi was standing over her, offering her a hand.

She accepted his help up and Naruto came running over, his blue eyes full of concern.

"I'm sorry, Tenten-chan! Are you okay?"

She grinned. "I'm fine! I was just surprised.."

She trailed off and she gestured to his sword.

"Guess what?" she asked, leaning in close to rest her forehead against his. He blinked a few times before she answered. "You don't have to pay for that"

She drew back and picked up her tossed away weapons. She knew that if she was ever thrown back like that she should keep hold of her weapons, but since she was training, she didn't want to risk getting hurt from her own equiptment. She also knew that she had to ask Naruto to come back every once and a while, just to spar.

She never really had anyone to train with since no one knew how to use so many weapons, but she never minded training alone. But the thought of finally having someone to spar with made her grin grow.

Naruto gazed after her before letting his gaze drop to his sword. He blinked and grinned. He had won. He had finally won something, and he got to keep the sword, no charge.

"Tenten-chan?"

"Naruto-kun?"

"Can I come back and train with you another time? I want to see how good I can get, and…."

She turned around and looked at him with a neutral expression. She saw his face fall a little, but she didn't let herself smile yet.

"Why would I do that?"

"Well, because…. Um…."

"Silly! Of course you can!"

Hope filled his face and she smiled. "I'll see you at least once a week. Now, Sasuke-kun, would you like some help on how to throw those? It's actually quite simple…"

--

Kakashi waited for the three to be on their way out the door before he slid two packages onto the counter. One kunai set and one shurukin set. She raised her eyebrows, surprised, but he spoke before she could say anything.

"Naruto's stuff isn't made right. I've noticed it every day, but now he really needs some new ones, and you wouldn't sell him faulty things…"

She looked over to the laughing blond, who continued to laugh even though Sakura bonked him on the head before they walked outside.

"Hatake-san?"

He sighed and pushed an example of what horrible metal he had to work with every day. She picked it up and immediately knew that it was made wrong.

"Why..?"

"I can't tell you. But I can assure you that he is a kind young man. I just want him to continue with his goals and dreams…"

She glanced down at what Kakashi had put on the counter between them.

"You don't have to pay for them, Kakashi. He deserves better than this."

(Since the longer lines don't work I have to use these...)

So. I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I went on a surprise vacation and forgot to upload the newest chapter before I left. So now, instead of just one, I'm going to upload the next one, too! Yay!

Also. I'll attempt to upload every Monday, but only this story. I have put the other ones on hold for now. They will get finished, but I think this one holds priority. AlsoIhavetenchapterswrittenforthisone.

Have a great day! Please review! They keep me going!!