Chapter Four: The next step, our first C-rank.

"This is such a drag, why are we following them?" Shikamaru asked as Naruto dragged him across the rooftops behind their team-mates.

Naruto grinned as they leapt the gap between two buildings, "Hey you're the one that said Sensei was weirdly persistent about Hinata's family, we gotta know why!" Naruto exclaimed somewhat loudly.

Shikamaru sighed, "No, we really don't." he complained.

"Down!" Naruto shouted, tackling Shikamaru to the rooftop.

Shikamaru shoved Naruto off of him, "Ow what the hell?!" he asked angrily.

Naruto crawled off of Shikamaru and up to a sign, peeking over it as Hinata led Asuma down another smaller road, "What's down there?" Naruto asked.

Shikamaru sat up next to Naruto and sighed, "The Hyuuga compound and the old Uchiha compound. She's probably just going home." he said with a frown, 'Although, it is odd that Asuma-sensei is walking her all the way there...' he thought as he turned to Naruto.

The blonde slid down into the next alleyway, "Come on! Hurry!" Naruto stage whispered as he ran out and across the street.

Shikamaru sighed as he formed a hand seal, "Idiot." Shikamaru muttered. After a few moments of concentration, he formed a few more seals before dropping into his own shadow.

#########

Asuma smirked as he noticed Shikamaru and Naruto move past them in the shadows, 'Hmm, well I guess if they make it in they can listen, at least it's a free-of-charge infiltration skills analysis.' he thought happily as they approached the gate.

Hinata looked up at the guard who nodded and opened the door for her though he looked pointedly at Asuma, "M-my Sensei." Hinata explained.

The other guard shrugged, "That's not enough to allow entrance-"

"My name is Asuma Sarutobi," he said while placing a hand on his hip, clearly showing them his sash that he had hanging like a belt, "And I'll be speaking to Hiashi now if you don't mind." he said as he smiled politely.

The two guards frowned for a moment before opening the gates completely, allowing the two of them entry and causing Hinata to look up at her Sensei in a new light, "S-sensei?" she asked as she jogged in after him.

Asuma smiled as he lead her to her father's office, "Yes Hinata?" he replied innocently.

She stared up at him wide eyed as most of the people they walked past either bowed to him or walked the other way, "W-why were you let in so easily if you don't mind me asking?" she asked softly.

Asuma raised a brow at her, "Well, I've got a bit of an important position in the land of Fire, you see, I'm one of the few ninja who is solely under the jurisdiction of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and so technically I am equal to the Hokage when it comes to political power and the standard laws of this village don't apply to me," Asuma said with a shrug, "That doesn't mean I don't love my village. It's just the reputation that comes with the role."

Hinata looked up her Sensei in a new light as they continued to wind their way through the halls.

##########

"Are you crazy? I'm not going INSIDE the compound." Shikamaru said with a scowl.

Naruto sat on Shikamaru's back, "Then I'm not getting off." Naruto said with a fake yawn before laying down as if Shikamaru was a mattress.

The Naara member scowled as he formed a quick succession of hand seals, "SHADOW PORT JUTSU!" He exclaimed before they both fell into his shadow.

##########

Falling out of darkness, the two found themselves inside a small closet, "Why'd ya pick here Shika?" Naruto asked as he peaked out the tiny gap in the door.

Shikamaru groaned as he got to his feet, "I haven't exactly mastered it yet, I just aimed for Hinata's shadow and-"

SLAM

Naruto and Shikamaru went quiet as they heard the door slam open, "A Fire Temple Guardian? Here? Why?" a powerful deep voice said angrily.

"I-I don't know Hiashi-sama, he just followed in Hinata and he wears the sash of the Fire Temple." a nervous voice said.

Naruto and Shikamaru stared at each other, "Hiashi-sama?!" they whispered in slight fear, knowing that even a spark of chakra would make the man activate his Byakugan and spot them hiding in his closet.

Knock Knock

##########

Hiashi took his seat at his desk, quickly sitting tall as his Branch Member Assistant moved to the door and opened it.

Asuma and Hinata walked in, the two of them bowing as they approached Hiashi, "Hinata, take a seat. Asuma Sarutobi," Hiashi said with a completely blank face, "To what do I owe the pleasure."

Hinata took her seat at the side of the room with the branch family member as Asuma walked up and sat opposite Hiashi, calmly picking up Hiashi's picture frame which held a picture of him and his father on the day Hiashi achieved Clan Head Status. He smiled at it, "Huh, look how cute you used to be Hinata," Asuma said casually as he pointed to the small girl in the bottom of the picture, "Too strong to maintain cuteness now, too busy being a ninja of true worth to the village." Asuma said with a pointed glare at Hiashi.

Hiashi visibly flinched at his words before a scowl graced his lips, "This is about my daughter then? I understand you have the authority to look into clan business but not the business of specific families." He said sternly.

Asuma smiled at the photo for a moment longer before putting it back on Hiashi's desk and leaning back in a relaxed position, "I don't know what you're talking about Hiashi, I'm just here to go over a few points in my student's training that I need you – as her father – to take care of." Asuma said.

Hiashi scowled, "Student? You applied for Jonin Sensei? I'm surprised you would lower yourself to that standard from being an Honoured Fire Guardian."

Asuma laughed as he took out his cigarettes, "Lowered myself? Please, this way I get to do something that Hana would've wanted, y'know your dead wife?" he said as he offered Hiashi a cigarette.

Hiashi glanced over to his daughter and the branch house member for a moment before looking back at Asuma, "Leave us Hinata, Kabuko." Hiashi said sternly.

The branch family member and Hinata left the room quickly, Hinata waiting outside as Kabuko closed the door behind them.

Hiashi turned back to Asuma and took the offered cigarette, "Why do you bring her up?" Hiashi asked as he dropped his 'Hyuuga façade'.

Asuma offered his lighter to Hiashi, "Because Hinata has the same 'ailment' she had, atleast I'm pretty sure of it." Asuma said.

Hiashi paused after his first drag, "She... the water chakra?" Hiashi asked, obvious shock on his face.

Naruto and Shikamaru shared a confused look as Asuma chuckled, "Yep, so, I'm gonna need you to teach her the water whip like her mother and then whatever she needs." he said as he blew smoke.

Hiashi looked down in thought, "But... it's supposed to be a once in once hundred years occurrence for a Hyuuga to be born with water chakra, this means she has to go into flow training..." he said with a sigh, "No wonder she can't do the Eight Trigrams techniques, she'll need the scrolls on the Eight Rivers Techniques."

Asuma raised a brow, "I've never actually heard the names, the Eight Rivers?" he asked.

Hiashi nodded, "Targeting the body's veins rather then the chakra pathways, the Eight Rivers focusses around eight major arteries; Carotid, Aortic, Subclavian, Axillary, Renal, Iliac and Femoral," Hiashi said as he ashed his cigarette into his empty tea cup and gestured for Asuma to do the same, "To think we'd have another Blood bender so soon." Hiashi mumbled to himself.

Asuma raised a brow at that, "Blood bender?" he asked.

Hiashi shook his head, "Don't think too much into it, it's just a title. Apparently one of the first could not only reverse the blood flow with her attacks but apparently control it after making a connection. A ridiculous notion that has never been replicated, but," he said with a shrug, "The name remains." Hiashi explained.

Asuma nodded in thought, "Cool, but on another note, I couldn't help but notice your daughter is rather depressed at the mere mention of returning home at the end of the day," Asuma said suddenly as his eyes hardened, "Why is that?" he asked forcefully.

Hiashi raised a brow, "Probably due to her intense fear of disappointing anyone. It's crippled her learning ability to such a degree that I had near given up on her..."

Asuma raised a row again, "Near given up?" he clarified.

Hiashi shrugged, "I may seem heartless to her, but to the majority of my clan I am vastly appreciated. So do not expect me to hesitate, even if I have to sacrifice my own child to ensure the protection of my clan's future I will do it. I do not care if I'm portrayed as heartless for my actions. The truth is I will die some day, and if she's not strong enough to protect herself I always thought at least the clan will be strong enough to protect her." Hiashi said with a sigh.

Asuma sighed, "Even if Hinata ends up fearing you? I honestly thought there may have been a case of domestic violence here." he said.

Hiashi looked down, "It's... I didn't know she feared me..." he muttered softly, "I thought... I thought she resented me for not saving her Mother or Uncle..." Hiashi said softly before looking up at Asuma with genuine shock evident on his face, "... She's really afraid of me?" he asked.

Asuma sighed and nodded, "Y'know there was a similar issue in another clan, the heir being afraid of what the Head was capable of." Asuma said.

Hiashi raised a brow, "Which clan was that?"

"The Uchiha." Asuma replied casually, knowing the gravity that his words would carry.

The room was silent for a few moments before a heavy sigh left Hiashi's lips, "I will teach her what I can, but it will be difficult for her as there is no one to teach her with physical knowledge, I will do my best though." Hiashi promised, wanting to rid his daughter of this apparent fear of him.

Asuma nodded as he put out his smoke in Hiashi's cup, "Sounds good to me, but what would you consider her training to be?" he asked.

Hiashi nodded, "I'll have her mastering new Katas daily and-"

"Let me just stop you there," Asuma cut in, "Daily Katas? That's ridiculous, maybe two a week at best."

Hiashi seemed to bristle slightly, "You doubt the Hyuuga teachings?"

Asuma scoffed, "I doubt the Hyuuga's sanity if they think that's a normal learning curve. I will handle the focussing of the chakra itself and jutsu if you just help her learn the basic forms and yeah, then we'll see if she can get to that organ pulverising technique your wife had yeah?" Asuma asked.

Hiashi shook his head as he put out his own cigarette, "That is one of the final level techniques, if you're lucky she might have all the Taijutsu forms down by the time the Chunnin exams roll around." Hiashi said with a shrug.

Asuma smirked, "That's good enough for me Hiashi, I'll be teaching her a few minor Water Ninjutsu and I was wondering what basic Earth Jutsu you have for standard Hyuuga class fighting." Asuma asked.

Hiashi smirked at Asuma, "How about tomorrow I have Hinata take a list to you. If you don't mind... I will be going to reschedule my younger daughter's training. I don't want my eldest to be fearful of me any longer." he said as he stood.

Asuma pushed himself up onto his feet as well, "Yeah that's fine with me Hiashi, I'll put in a good word for the Hyuuga at the next Political Gathering for our Lord." he said, knowing that a good word with the Fire Daimyo was worth more then gold.

Hiashi smiled slightly and nodded, "I thank you then." he said as the two walked out of the office, closing the door behind them.

After a few moments silence, Shikamaru and Naruto stuck their heads out of the closet, "Hinata-chan is like, some kind of legend huh?" Naruto asked.

Shikamaru sighed as he looked back at Naruto, "Didn't you pay any attention in history? Don't you remember Katara the Blood Bender?" Shikamaru asked, earning a blank look from Naruto, "Never mind, it's to troublesome to explain it." he said with a shrug.

Naruto nodded as he looked around the large but now empty office, "So... how do we get out of here?" he asked.

Shikamaru shrugged, "Give me some more time and I'll have enough chakra to get us out. It'd be way easier if we were closer to the outer wall of this place." he whined with a sigh as he sat in a meditative position to try and stimulate his chakra flow.

Naruto looked around bored before seeing a vent against the wall behind Hiashi's desk, "Just like the Hokage Tower," Naruto muttered with a grin before turning to Shikamaru, "I can get us closer to the exit." Naruto said with a grin.

##########

Hinata looked up and stood, prompting the Branch Family member sitting opposite her to do the same as they turned to Hiashi and Asuma as the two walked into the room.

The two came to a stop at the head of the table, Hiashi turned to Hinata and nodded to her, "Hinata, any training I've given you or things I've said about you up until this moment was wrong. You deserve better then what I have given you and your Sensei here thinks now is the time to try and fix things."

Hinata stared up at her father in shock, never having heard her father admit he was wrong before... it was earth shattering.

Asuma placed a hand on her shoulder, "Hinata, your father has realised that the style he's teaching you isn't exactly the best style for you as a person with a Water Affinity, so he's going to teach you a different style over these next two months. While you're doing all your physical training here, you'll be doing all you chakra training and jutsu training with me and the team. Understand?" he asked.

Hinata nodded slowly, "B-but what about the t-team workouts?" she asked.

Hiashi nodded, "Your physical training will take place here Hinata. So mornings will begin here instead of with your team before you meet up with them at a later time." Hiashi said with a glance to Asuma.

"About nine we'll meet up for missions, is that good for you?" Asuma asked.

Hiashi watched Hinata nod slowly, "This means two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon for your training Hinata. I will continue to push you but I realise this style will take long to learn." Hiashi explained to Hinata.

The little girl nodded, a small smile on her face, "You'll train me again father?" she asked with a slight shine in her eyes.

For once in the presence of others, Hiashi let his hard façade fall and he smiled softly at Hinata, "I will do my best Hinata-chan." Hiashi said.

"Hey look!"

Naruto paused as he pointed out the grill he just crawled past, "Looks like Hinata and her Dad made up." Naruto whispered before crawling ahead.

Shikamaru's frown didn't leave his face, "Good for them, but seriously how much further til we get out?"

"Did you hear that?" the two of them heard a voice on the outside of the wall say.

The two froze as Naruto managed to glance back at Shikamaru.

"Yeah, sounded like it was in that wall... scan?"

There eyes widened.

"Yeah, basic scan."

Shikamaru quickly formed hand seals as he took a hold of Naruto's leg. They fell into the darkness of the ventilation system barely making it in time as the Byakugan users looked through the now empty wall.

"Anything?"

"Nah, must've been nothing."

##########

Naruto and Shikamaru fell out of the shadow of a tree near the Hyuuga compound, Naruto landing on his head as Shikamaru landed in a crouch, "Ow! Where's the warning?!" Naruto asked.

Shikamaru sighed as he sat down, "Hey we were about to be spotted Naruto, I just did you a favour." Shikamaru said before lying on his back, not really caring that they were on the side of the road.

"Naruto? Shikamaru?"

The two looked over at Asuma as he calmly turned the corner and smiled at them, "So, what did you guys learn from this experience?" he asked with a smirk.

Naruto went to open his mouth when Shikamaru's hand covered it, "What experience? We'd never admit to breaking laws such as breaking into clan compounds."

Asuma chuckled, "And I'd never admit the slight dampener I keep in my smokes so that Hiashi's chakra sensory ability is de-stabilised. I mean if it wasn't in his system, he'd be able to feel the activation of a jutsu through the wall next to him." he said with a smirk.

Naruto and Shikamaru shared a look of bewilderment, "Wait, you knew we were there?" Naruto asked.

Asuma nodded as he pulled out his pack of smokes, "Yeah, I use the dampener in my smokes as a training exercise, it also lessens the risk of lung cancer by eighty five percent so it's kinda easy to notice the chakra of two people I've been hanging out with for the past three weeks straight." Asuma said with another chuckle as he put a smoke between his lips.

Shikamaru and Naruto shared a look of embarrassment now, "So... are we in trouble?" Shikamaru asked.

Asuma chuckled, "Well normally I would say yes but today, I have some things that we need to do." Asuma said to the two of them, "Shikamaru, I want you to go home and ask your mother and father to be ready for a small meeting. Naruto, we're gonna go back to your place quickly." Asuma said with a grin as he lit his smoke.

Naruto gulped, "You aren't gonna tell Anko-nee are ya?" he asked nervously.

##########

Anko opened the door after a few seconds of waiting, "Asuma? How's it goin?" she asked before spotting Naruto behind him, "Ah this is a team thing?" she asked as she opened it the whole way, letting the two of them in.

Asuma nodded as he walked in and glanced around the two story apartment, "Hold on, that looks like..." Asuma began as he looked closer at the steps up to what used to be Naruto's flat, "Was that renovation legal?" Asuma asked Anko.

The purple haired woman shrugged, "I told the Old Man about it and he just laughed, so I don't really care," she said before putting Naruto in a playful headlock, "What's Naruto-chan done this time huh?" she asked.

Asuma chuckled as he watched Naruto trying and failing to squirm out of her grip, "So there's some things I was hoping I could talk to you about." Asuma began as he stepped past them to look around the room.

Anko raised a brow at Naruto, "Eh? I'm not gonna training your students Asuma." she said, thinking that Asuma was wanting her to come help him with them.

Asuma shook his head with a laugh, "I think Naruto here might be the only one who can handle your... eccentricities," Asuma began with a chuckle, earning a playful glare from the Snake Mistress, "But that said I also think he's the only one among all of the active gennin who can do Jonin level jutsu." Asuma explained.

Naruto grinned at that, realising that Asuma wasn't dobbing him in to Anko, "Jonin level? Like what? I wanna learn more!" Naruto exclaimed.

Anko chuckled and pulled Naruto along by the arm as she lead him and Asuma to the couches, Asuma taking a single chair as Anko used Naruto like a pillow across the couch, "So anything ya need him to learn specifically?" she asked.

Asuma held a hand to his chin in thought, "Well... I was considering teaching him more Wind Jutsu but I think this time he should be filling in the gaps in his skills, like clones and such." Asuma explained.

Anko grinned, "I know what to do, I know three different clone techniques so I reckon he'll have one of them mastered in a week at most," she said with a wink to Naruto, "But when? Cause I don't have that much time on my hands."

Asuma nodded at her words, "Well, at the moment Hiashi is going to be doing two two hour training sessions a day with Hinata so I was hoping you could clear up some time to help out your little brother." Asuma said with a smile.

Anko shrugged, "Yeah, I guess I could. I can push things back til like, nine I guess." Anko mumbled in deep thought.

Naruto wriggle from his place underneath her back and head, "Nee-chan! You're crushing me!" Naruto complained.

Anko smirked at Naruto over her shoulder, "Think of it as karma for crushing me and weights training, start your push-ups." she said to Naruto.

Asuma chuckled as Naruto actually started to do so, making Anko's chest rise and fall in Asuma's direction, something the Jonin noticed, "Looking good Anko." he joked flirtatiously, knowing that any other flirting with Anko may result in dismemberment.

Anko winked at Asuma with a grin, "I know I do, so how's nine-ish?" Anko asked.

Naruto continued doing push ups, with one hand now, as Asuma and Anko kept talking about training plans, "Yeah sounds good, same as Hinata's morning training." he said as he stood and cracked his back.

Anko rolled off of Naruto, making the blonde lose balance and fall back onto the couch as Anko stood and threw her arms around Asuma in an over dramatic hug, "Oh Asuma-chan! Now you'll get to see my work first hand!" she exclaimed happily.

Asuma returned the hug before she stepped away, "And what work is that?" he asked.

"AH!"

A sudden shout from Naruto made Asuma turn his head, seeing the single senbon sticking into Naruto's shin, "Fear Training." Anko said with a playfully malicious grin aimed at Naruto.

Naruto pulled the senbon out, watching the wound heal before he chucked it back at Anko, who caught it in her teeth, "Where was the warning Anko-nee?!" Naruto exclaimed.

"NINJAS GET NO WARNINGS!" Anko shouted before she and Naruto ended up in a game of cat and mouse, running around the apartment a few times before the retreated upstairs.

Asuma flinched as he heard something smash upstairs, "I'd... best be going now..." Asuma mumbled as he left through the front door.

#########

Asuma knocked on the door to the main house of the Naara compound, expecting an answer since the sun had only gone down an hour or so beforehand.

Asuma waited, then waited some more before he noticed a sheet of paper had been left sticking out from under the door labelled 'Asuma-Sensei.'

Asuma raised a brow at it before picking it up and reading.

Hey Sensei, I made the mistake of mentioning Hinata's training and my mom now says I have to do extra training the moment we finish missions, so I guess that coincides with her afternoon lessons right? He's also pretty sure that is actually what you wanted to talk about but he couldn't fit in another meeting today. Talk tomorrow.

Asuma couldn't hold back the chuckle that escaped his lips as he walked away, 'Sometimes the intelligence of that kid scares me, but at least I know where he gets it from...' Asuma thought before leaving the compound.

##########

"Okay, your final D-rank will be your first out of village mission." Hiruzen said to the four across from him.

Asuma raised a brow at that, 'I asked him for a good one for our last D-rank but out of village should make it C-rank right?' he thought in interest.

Naruto grinned, "Cool! Where to?" Naruto asked.

Hiruzen chuckled at Naruto's behaviour, "Not far, it should only take maybe a few hours at most. You see Team Seven have gone on a C-rank escort mission and-"

"WHAT?! Sasuke-teme already is on a C-rank?!" Naruto exclaimed loudly.

Shikamaru and Asuma sighed in unison at his outburst, but Hinata's quiet whisper of 'Naruto-kun, don't be rude.' made the blonde just frown at the Hokage.

Asuma cleared his throat, "So, Dad, what do we need to do?" he asked.

The Hokage smiled, "We were sent word through the Yamanaka Information Link that Kakashi was ambushed by two Chunnin. They're dead, we just need clean-up and I hear that Shikamaru's new technique may be the easiest thing to get this done." the Hokage said.

Shikamaru sighed, "For two bodies? My shadow isn't strong enough for that yet." he complained.

Hiruzen nodded, "But with Asuma's Connecting Buddha technique and Naruto's massive chakra reserves, I'm betting that you can manage," he said before shrugging, "If not, Asuma can just seal them in a storage scroll, but I want to see if this combination works." Hiruzen said.

Asuma blinked before looking between Naruto and Shikamaru's confused expressions, "Well... a mission's a mission." he said with a shrug.

##########

"Tracker, you're up." Asuma said as the four of them stepped out of the main gate of the village.

"BYAKUGAN!" Hinata exclaimed as she glanced at the still unrolled mission scroll in her pouch, practising reading it correctly, "Five hours civilian pace and about an hour forty at ninja pace." Hinata said.

Asuma nodded, "Strategy?" he said.

The Naara sighed, "We can just do the standard movement formation, head tracker at the front, and secondary at the back, me and you in the middle Sensei." he said.

Asuma raised a brow at that, "Secondary?" he asked curiously.

Shikamaru nodded and pointed to Naruto, "His nose, it let us dodge Kiba," he said with a smirk, "Twice." Shikamaru added to prove his point.

Asuma's brows rose at that, "You dodged an Inuzuka?" he asked as they got in formation.

Naruto actually blushed a little as he nodded, "Yeah, just lucky I was able to use my Shadow Clones by that point." Naruto said with a grin.

Asuma smirked at that. Over the past week the at home training had been a hit. Though Shikamaru didn't seem too motivated, his mother's anger was more then enough to get the wheels turning. And the result of that was making his 'Shadow Portal' technique evolve into it's secondary form, the 'Shadow Pocket' technique that held items in his shadow for as long as his chakra could hold it, so far, ten minutes was his maximum while stationary.

Hinata's growth on the other hand was ridiculous. Apparently Hiashi actually had to teach faster then Asuma has thought was necessary due to her natural skill in the Eight Rivers Style, since Hinata was taking to the Taijutsu forms like a fish to water.

Asuma smirked at his little private joke.

But seriously, she was now the best in the team at Taijutsu, and Asuma was more then glad for the new ego-boost her father's training had given her.

Asuma cleared his throat, "Alright, let's move out." he said before Hinata took lead and they leapt into the trees.

"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"

Asuma glanced over his shoulder as two more Narutos popped into existence, forming a line of three so that the six ninja were in a perfect arrowhead formation.

Naruto's fighting style hadn't changed that much, but now his skills with the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu were more then battle ready as were his new-found skill with thrown weapons thanks to Anko's training.

He was the main attack force for all of their combination moves, and boy could Shikamaru plan those.

Asuma ducked his head under a branch as they flew through the trees, glancing at the three gennin around him, 'And even though Naruto is still obviously excited about leaving the village for the first time, he's managed to keep his cool. Good, it seems him and Shikamaru hanging out has managed to calm him down a bit.' Asuma thought with a smile.

Asuma cleared his throat after about twenty minutes, "Continue along guys, I'll be right back." he said before hopping higher in the trees.

Shikamaru moved directly behind Hinata as Asuma disappeared, "What's he doing?" Shikamaru asked.

Hinata focussed her already active Byakugan for a moment before sighing, "He's... using his wind chakra to make a shell in the canopy around his cigarette so he can smoke on the move." she said with a frown.

Naruto laughed, "Sensei'll do anything for a smoke I swear." he said with a grin as they continued out into the forests of the Land of Fire.

##########

"I smell blood." Naruto said, sharing a look with his clones that frowned longside him.

Asuma's brow furrowed, "Hinata?" Asuma asked.

Hinata was silent for a moment as she squinted her eyes, "I... I see a dog with a scroll?" she said before her eyes relaxed, "And a Konoha headband on." she finished.

Asuma smiled, "That's probably one of Pakkun's gang. That mean we're close." he said as Shikamaru turned to Naruto.

"Scout it for us?" Shikamaru said.

Naruto nodded and his two clones dropped to the floor and used chakra to aid their high speed dash ahead.

Asuma smirked, "Well then, how should we approach this?" Asuma asked.

Shikamaru took lead, "Naruto's clones make contact, Hinata watches what happens and relays it to us, we go from there." he explained, earning a nod from Naruto.

"Contact made," Hinata said, waiting a moment before smiling, "Clone-kuns are giving the thumbs up." she said with a smile.

Asuma nodded as they all moved ahead together, dropping down onto the main road just as a small dog ran out onto the road, "Hey Asuma, glad ya made it." the dog said after dropping the scroll from it's mouth.

Asuma nodded to the dog while Naruto and his team gawked openly, "Hey Pakkun, long time no see." he said with a smile.

The dog nodded, "Yeah I guess it is Asuma, look is there anything else you need? I'm pretty tired." Pakkun said with a yawn.

Asuma laughed and nodded, "Hold on, can you give the confirmation to Kakashi? I've got something here for ya." Asuma said with a grin as he reached into his pouch.

Pakkun shrugged, "Eh, maybe, depends what you've...you've..." Pakkun paused as he looked at what Asuma was offering him, "Is that Flame grilled Jerky? I haven't had that since..."

"Kakashi's mission to the fire temple," Asuma said with a grin, "At least someone appreciates the good stuff." Asuma said as he tore open the bag longways and set them on the ground for Pakkun.

Pakkun practically dove into the bag as Naruto stared at the scroll intently, sick of breathing in the awful smelling air, "S-sensei... someone was cut up bad here... and someone got... cooked." Naruto said as he looked like he was going to puke.

Asuma raised a brow at that, though Shikamaru was the first to speak, "Probably Sasuke's fireball jutsu. They did have to fight after all." he said with a shrug before pointing at the scroll in Asuma's hand, "And they're already sealed, what's this bull about needing my Shadow?" he asked with a groan.

Asuma shrugged as he put the scroll in his ninja pouch, "I don't know Shikamaru, maybe plans had to change..." Asuma said out loud before his brow furrowed, "Maybe... someone forced them too." Asuma mumbled before reaching behind his back and taking out the scroll again.

Naruto looked away as tears came to his eyes, "Geez, it reeks." he murmured as he blocked his nose.

Shikamaru raised a brow at his Sensei's actions as Hinata turned to Naruto, "Sensei?" Shikamaru asked.

POOF

The three gennin paled as they looked at the two corpses in front of them. One burned through completely and the other having his shoulder gouged out, though a single stab to the throat appeared to be the death blow on the one armed Chunnin.

Naruto hissed in a single short breath before covering his mouth and nose, "Ewwwww." Naruto groaned.

After one glance at the bodies, Hinata frowned and turned away again, offering a piece of material to Naruto and helping him cover his mouth and nose with it.

Shikamaru frowned, "They're missing ninjas from the Mist." he said, staring over the kneeling Asuma's shoulder at the bodies.

Asuma sighed and unzipped his vest halfway before reaching into it and pulling out a small book from an inside pocket, "Listen up guys, here's another lesson," Asuma said as he began to thumb through the pages of the book, "Actually, firstly I want you to activate your Byakugan Hinata, ensure there is no one in the area." Asuma said.

Hinata nodded and once more activated her Byakugan, "Area is clear Sensei." she said with a nod.

Asume nodded in thanks before going back to the back few pages of the book and looking through the index, "Mist village... found them," Asuma said as he stopped on a page, "Guys, this is a Bingo Book and thanks to it I now know that these two are known as the Demon Brothers, known for working directly under the Demon of the Mist during the attempted assassination of the Third Mizukage." he said, pointing at their picture, "And they are still known to work with him and potentially more people, at least one of them being some kind of field medic." Asuma said with a sigh, "And I don't remember Dad mentioning anything about the identity of these guys, I doubt he knows." Asuma said with a frown as he stood tall from his crouch.

Shikamaru groaned, "This just got a whole lot harder didn't it. What a drag." he complained as he looked up at the sky.

Asuma turned to Pakkun as the dog neared finishing the bag of jerky, "Hey Pakkun, would you be able to run a message to Konoha for us before going back to Kakashi?" Asuma asked.

Pakkun pulled his head out of the bag and blinked, "I dunno... that's like a whole day's running at this point." Pakkun said.

Asuma smirked as he pulled another bag of jerky from his pouch, "If you do and bring our next orders back to us I'll treat you to another bag on your way bag to Kakashi." Asuma offered confidently.

Pakkun nodded, "Hehe, it's hard to say no to that," Pakkun said before stuffing his head back in the bag and continuing eating, "Wan' me do dake a meshage?" Pakkun barely said without pausing in his feast.

Asuma nodded as he sent chakra back into Kakashi's sealing scroll.

POOF

"Yeah, give me a minute to think of something." Asuma said before turning to his gennin team, "Team huddle guys."

The three sat down, Naruto still holding Hinata's cloth to his face, as Asuma began to explain the situation, "As far as we know, Team Seven is prepared for a C-rank mission. We also know that the presence of these Chunnin automatically make it a B-rank and if what the bingo book guesses is true, The Demon of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi will be right on their trail." Asuma said with a serious frown, "Even Kakashi might not fair too well against him." Asuma explained.

Naruto nodded, "So we're going to help them right?" he asked.

Asuma frowned as did Shikamaru, "I don't know Naruto, I mean, we gotta finish this mission right? I'm sure they can handle it." Shikamaru said.

Asuma looked to the ever quiet Hinata, "And what do you think?" he asked.

Hinata frowned slightly in thought before looking at the book in Asuma's hand, "Can I see this Zabuza person in the Bingo Book?" she asked Asuma.

Asuma nodded and opened the book again, flicking back to the same page as earlier to see the reference number on Zabuza. He flicked a few pages back before passing it to Hinata.

Hinata swallowed as she looked at the menacing picture of a man with a massive cleaver-like sword, "He's an A-rank ninja, and one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist." She said with a worried frown on her face as she looked up at Asuma, "Do you honestly think you could beat him?" She asked.

Asuma was quiet for a moment before shrugging, "I don't know. I've already learned a counter-measure to his trade-mark Hidden Mist technique thanks to my control with Wind chakra, it's not a jutsu really, just a sensory enhancing type deal," Asuma said with a sigh, "So... in all honesty I think this is one of the few battles where I would be more useful then Kakashi."

Hinata looked back to Naruto and Shikamaru, "I... we should go help them." she said with a resolved nod.

Shikamaru sighed and raised his arms in surrender, "Fine, fine... well at least this means we don't have to go all the way back to the village for a first C-rank right?" he asked rhetorically with a shrug.

Asuma smirked at the three of them as Naruto cheered, "Yeah! Time to show Sasuke-teme who's boss!" Naruto exclaimed.

"So that's my message then?" Pakkun asked as he finally finished eating, "You wanna go help with Kakashi's mission cause of this Zabuza guy?" he asked.

Asuma nodded, "Looks like it, we'll wait here for final confirmation before we head off any further though... and I think we'll keep this scroll with us for now." Asuma said, making up his mind.

Pakkun nodded, "Kay, well there's a river like one hundred meters up the road, about another twenty off to the right of the trail. Good place for a campsite." Pakkun said before yawning, "Guess I'll see you guys in a couple of hours." he said as he stretched.

Asuma nodded, "Looks like it, see you later Pakkun." Asuma said.

The dog nodded and ran off down the road at high speed, surprising the three gennin at just how fast it could run.

Shikamaru sighed, "So now what? I don't know about you guys but I didn't prepare for a long term mission." Shikamaru said.

Asuma smirked, "Well isn't it a good thing you guys did survival training in the academy," he said with a slight chuckled, "Come on, I still have my emergency pack and..." Asuma said with a look at Naruto.

The blonde grinned and opened his cloak wide, sending chakra into one of the seals on the inside against his lower back.

POOF

Naruto's backpack appeared in a plume of smoke, one arm already hooked in as he put his other arm through the strap, "I got a two-man tent, two spare canteens, food rations and some Ramen cups." Naruto said with a grin.

Asuma frowned, "Ramen cups? What happened to First Aid kit?" Asuma asked.

Naruto grinned and opened the front of his cloak again, showing another storage seal over his heart, "Right here Sensei." Naruto said with a short laugh.

Asuma nodded, "Well, that's good enough I guess." he said before looking ahead, "Hinata, can you spot the clearing?" Asuma asked.

Hinata's Byakugan flexed as she focussed it forward rather then around her, increasing the range by sacrificing the 360degree vision, "I can Sensei, at least... I think I can." she said as she squinted her eyes.

Asuma nodded, "Then let's do as Pakkun said and head to that river and fill our canteens." Asuma said as he began to walk ahead at a civilian's pace.

Shikamaru sighed again as Naruto and Hinata followed calmly after their Sensei, "What a drag." Shikamaru groaned.

##########

Asuma sat with a frown on his face in a position similar to his father's famous 'thinking pose', 'Pakkun should've been here hours ago,' he thought as he looked up at the sky, the sun beginning to set in the distance, 'I guess we'll camp the night. Either way we should be getting to the Land of Waves maybe even before them as long as we leave before eight in the morning and they haven't been travelling through the night.' he thought before looking over to his right.

Shikamaru was taking a nap in the shade of a nearby tree, normally something that Asuma wouldn't approve on a mission, but considering now Shikamaru had no reason to refuse taking first watch for when they camp the night.

Hinata sat at the edge of the river, her bare feet underwater as she practised her first level of water manipulation. Resting her palms face down on the water and rotating the chakra between her two hands, making a whirlpool that was barely stronger then a breeze between her hands.

Naruto on the other hand had been practising a skill that Asuma had to admit he found interesting. Naruto had been trying to combine his Shuriken Shadow Clone with his Shadow Shuriken technique as well as his Quick Launch skill with the weapons sealed into his sleeves. Naruto took a deep breath as he crossed his arms, his claws flashing into view as a rather intimidating distraction before he ran forward at his target tree.

Slashing his arms through the air, a pair of kunai shot from his sleeves, though the moment the two stabbed into the target tree, four more appeared from each shadow, forming a line that crossed in an X shape on the tree. Naruto finished his combo with a leap through the air before stabbing his claws into the tree.

Asuma smirked as Naruto fell back on his butt as he yanked his claws free, 'Always training to be stronger or faster that one.' Asuma thought as he glanced around the group again.

Naruto suddenly jolted into a sitting position as he looked off to their right, "Sensei," Naruto said as he pulled his original pair of kunai from the tree, the remaining eight popping into non-existence, "I think that dog is coming back." Naruto said.

"That dog," Pakkun said as he slid into the clearing, "Is named Pakkun, and he has a mission for you guys." he said as he ran over to stop in front of Asuma.

Hinata took her shoes and joined Naruto and Pakkun by Asuma's side as the man unrolled the new mission scroll from Pakkun's back, "Thanks Pakkun." Asuma said as he opened the second pack of jerky and laid it on the ground.

Pakkun nodded, "No worries Asuma," he said as he licked his lips, but he paused before digging in, "Do you mind if I rest here for a while? I could use a nap." he said.

Asuma shrugged as he unrolled the scroll, his brow furrowing as he read the contents, "Umm... I guess there's another change of plans," he said as he glanced around the group, "Naruto, can you wake up Shikamaru?" Asuma asked.

The blonde nodded and took off his shoe, tossing it over his shoulder calmly as he sat down, "So what now Sensei?" Naruto asked.

"OW!"

Naruto began to chuckle as Shikamaru groaned and climbed to his feet, throwing Naruto's shoe back at the blonde's head, "Yeah, so," the shoe hit his head, but he didn't even notice, "What's the plan?" Naruto asked with a grin.

Hinata giggled as she picked up Naruto's shoe and passed it to him, "What the hell's going on?" Shikamaru complained as he fell into a sitting position next to Naruto.

Asuma smirked as he rolled out the scroll between him and his students, "It appears we have our C-rank early. We're to go swap with a Border Patrol team who specialise in assassination and they're going to go back up Kakashi's team themselves by searching the area around Kakashi's team to try and locate any known associates of the Demon Brothers and if a certain undisclosed company is mentioned they are to take immediate action..." Asuma said before nodding to himself and smiling at the group, "Well, what do you guys think?" Asuma asked.

Naruto frowned as he pulled on his shoe, "So... we're not saving Sasuke-teme?" Naruto asked.

Asuma chuckled, "No we're not, and because of that we won't be resting during the night tonight." he said as he stood, "This is your first exercise of body strain." Asuma said before beginning some stretches.

Shikamaru sighed and began to do the same as Naruto and Hinata watched in confusion, "Sensei, what's body strain?" Hinata asked.

Shikamaru just sighed again as Asuma began to explain, "Start stretching out your muscles and I'll explain," he said, giving the other two a moment to begin, "Now, our best way to ensure Kakashi gets his help is to relieve our other comrades at the border asap. So that means we're going to each have a soldier pill once we start to get tired and that will not only help replenish chakra reserves but will keep you awake for another twelve hours before you get tired." Asuma said.

Hinata sat in a full splits as she reached for her feet in a stretch, "But aren't soldier pills dangerous?" Hinata asked.

Asuma shrugged, "Like any medicinal item, if you abuse it then yes. But I'm saying we'll have one each and once we get there we can grab some sleep at the Lookout located on the border. Then when we get up I'll explain our mission specifics." Asuma explained.

Naruto raised a brow, "How far do we have to travel that we'll actually have a chakra drain?" Naruto asked worriedly.

Asuma raised a brow at that, "About three times the distance we did today, but are you telling me you felt no drain at all from today?" Asuma asked.

Naruto shook his head as he stretched out his arms, "Should I have?" he asked.

Hinata smiled at Naruto's impossible strength as Shikamaru groaned, "That's so unfair, I was nearly halfway through my reserves when we first got here." Shikamaru complained.

Looking at Hinata, Naruto blinked at her for confirmation as she nodded, "It's true, your coils are massive Naruto-kun." she said with a smile.

Naruto grinned as he got back to his stretching, "Hey Sensei! That's why I can do the Kage Bunshin properly right? Cause even Anko-nee looked shocked, but she never told me why." he asked.

Asuma nodded, "Naruto, I meant it when I said it was incredible that Hinata learned a B-rank as only a gennin, and she can only do a full wall three times. The Kage Bunshin is an A-rank Naruto, and technically splitting the coils rather then the chakra. So yeah, I'd say your reserves are pretty big." Asuma said with a chuckle before pausing as he tilted his head in thought, "Actually, you won't be having a soldier pill Naruto. Let's see how long your can run before you really feel it." Asuma said with a smile.

Naruto pouted, "But, what if I get sleepy? You guys are gonna be kept awake and all from the pills." he complained.

Asuma smiled at Naruto, "You can catch up on sleep later if you really need it, but usually as long as your chakra is actively being used you body will not want feel it too bad." Asuma said.

Pakkun's head popped out of the now empty bag of jerky, "So, are you going soon? Can I get a ride with you guys to meet this new team? May as well take them straight to Kakashi." Pakkun said.

Asuma smiled, "You're a good dog Pakkun, and that actually sounds like the best option right now." Asuma said as he stood tall and cracked his neck, "You guys ready?"

Hinata nodded as Shikamaru sighed, "Ready to go Sensei!" Naruto shouted excitedly.

Asuma chuckled at his team before he turned in a direction to the east of where they were heading, "Alright then, we got a long run ahead of us, let's start easy." Asuma said as Pakkun jumped up to land on Asuma's shoulder, a slight bit of chakra being all the dog needed to keep a tight enough hold.

The group nodded as Naruto jogged over to their backpacks, focussing a moment before he flicked out the bottom of his coat, sealing his bag away easily before picking up Asuma's with a grin, "Trade Sensei?" Naruto asked.

Asuma smirked and Pakkun shrugged, "Doesn't faze me." he said as he leapt over to Naruto's head, holding on with chakra as Naruto passed Asuma his bag.

The Jonin put it on as he turned away again, "Alright, let's get moving throughout the night guys. We'll be there round sunrise." Asuma said, earning a nod from his team before they leapt into the trees.

Pakkun looked down at Naruto as the blonde followed behind Hinata, the team in a single file as they blurred through the green surrounding them, "Hey kid, is this really your first C-rank mission?" Pakkun asked.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah it is, why?" Naruto asked.

Pakkun yawned, "Well, I'm starting to think Kakashi is slacking off in his teaching is all, those kids can't even tree hop yet." he said.

Naruto raised a brow, "Huh? They can't tree climb or tree hop? But that was our sensei's first real lesson." Naruto said.

Pakkun chuckled, "Shiiiiiiiit. Yeah, you guys are way ahead then."

Naruto grinned at that, "Damn right we are! Team Ten is the best!" Naruto exclaimed with a laugh as the team continued on through the night.

##########

Chapter End.

Hey everyone, here's chapter four and I hope ya'll like it :)

Yeah, for now Team Ten is on their first C-rank; a four day/three night border patrol. But just in case you were wondering, the bridge battle at the Land of Waves isn't for eight days at this point.

Just saying hehe

Please R&R!