A.N. This chapter is going to be short, but its an emotionally overwhelming chapter for me, and so I want to post it separately, to give myself a bit to recover for the next chapter; I'm going to need to harden my heart for the exposed hurts there. I'll type it out, and post it tomorrow. If anyone can't understand the ANBU hand sign conversation, I'll summarize it at the bottom.

Ch 3:

Naruto slunk in, surprisingly discreet. He responded to the snippy comment from Shikamaru, (and it was obvious the lazy Nara was fishing for information), but slipped into the seat Shino and I always left between us. It had been that way forever, us attempting to act as a buffer.

With Naruto next to me, trying to be relaxed, we waited for teams to be called. I could tell something was bugging Naruto, but while he watched in an observant manner, he didn't say a thing.

Iruka-sensei came in, moving in a way that I could tell he was still tender. Without a overabundance of medicnin, only the vitally important things would be healed, I knew. That didn't mean that all the cuts were healed, and anesthetic was largely unknown to this place, and always reserved for important civilians. (Ninja were dangerous when drunk, let alone loopy. It was not something they did often, drinking, desiring their senses to stay clear.)

As he list off name after name in their group, I cross my toes and fingers. Naruto stayed dead last, due to sabotage and pure disregard to tests. I didn't like how those words tasted "dead last". They were bitter and wrong, applied to his sunny face.

"..and for Team Seven, we have Aburame Shiki, Uzumaki Naruto.." at this Naruto leapt up and cheered happily. Iruka continued with little to no pause; "And Uchiha Sasuke." I grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled him down with a warning shake to my head.

Most jounin sensei were in the hall, and so gathered their potential genin almost immediately. Well, not immediately, really. One at a time, they'd come in and gather their students. So Naruto took the time to flick his fingers is aggravated Anbu signs.

Here I must elaborate; ANBU signs were more like specific key words that you had to know the person to be able to make the mental connection, and create a phrase. This is why no one could just memorize the code and immediately spy on others conversations. This is also why ANBU were even outside the mask, so close. It was a level of personal contact that was necessary to function as a cohesive and trustworthy unit.

This same issue is why ROOT agents had a short life span and were quickly replaced, and why in canon, Sai, a new agent, had gotten a valuable position in team seven; there was simply no one else with the mental flexibility, skills, and age range to fit. And he was no where close to compatible. This is why when Naruto penetrated his shell he cracked so totally, and was reformed into a person and not a automated machine. (This was something I was actually concerned about deeply. If I had my way, Sasuke would not leave, and if Sasuke doesn't leave, Sai would never escape.)

So I watched Naruto's hands as he conveyed his frustration. "-Why Stop Punishment Fire-Jutsu Clan-" he aggravatedly asked.

"-Team Promote Unity ; Division Promote Disaster-" I signed. I gave a hold on gesture as I thought. "-Three Injured ; Three Team Unity Whole ; Heart Wound Healed- " And Naruto fell into solemn contemplation.

Hesitantly, he changed the subject to what had really bothering him. I had indeed always stayed with him, at least my silver kikaichu had. I had overheard Mizuki rant at Naruto, and his eyes were full of fear as he signed.

"-Knowledge Storage-Seal Negative Chakra Inside - Unity Continued ? Clan Comrade Unity Forever?-" His eyes asked me not to reject him, and a sad smile crossed my face.

"-Obtained Knowledge At Time-" at this I flicked my fingers in a confused manner before continuing. "-Forever-" I finally stated. "-Forever Unity Start At Forever End at Forever-"

His brow furrowed as he looked at me, both full of hope and hurt. "-Knowledge Forever - Not Delivered - Wound Heart-" and his fingers twisted in the manner at each end that made it questioning. I sighed and slumped.

"-Knowledge Delivered Team Clan Comrade Target Equal Death Wound - Hokage Law Rule Warning-" His eyes lit in comprehension, and the hurt faded as I mouthed. "I'm sorry." "-Death Me Clan Empty Heart Wound Comrade Target-"

A subtle cough brought attention to the last person in the room; Sasuke had been watching us with irritation on his face. He knew, by the expressions on our faces, we'd been communicating, but unable to see our hands, not how.

So I stood, gently tugging Naruto over to the young man who was attempting to disguise his sulk. I knew we had to connect as a team, and that I was going to have the be the glue that united it. It was time to take the emotional plunge.

A.N. Basically, Naruto asks why he was stopped from harassing Sasuke, followed by a short discussion on the kyuubi being sealed inside him, and if I am going to abandon him. I told him I had known forever, as long as I've been born, and that I would not leave him ever. He did not understand why I had not told him; And so I wearily told him that the Hokage's law was absolute; it would be too easy to be caught out telling him. With that heartened knowledge the rest of the story begins, in the following chapter.