Chapter Four - The Fate of the World

- One Month Later, Hogwarts -

It hadn't been all that long since the events of the Christmas holidays joined ranks with that of Halloween. It was hard trying to put all of those events behind them - especially for Sasuke - but things were slowly beginning to work out (that and Tsunade wasn't about to let the three of them sulk…)

So as fate would have it, the three genin of Konoha would find themselves seated at Gryffindor one morning in late January. For Naruto, he was in the middle of eating breakfast and complaining with Sakura about upcoming tests in the worst classes they had.

It seemed that in History of Magic, the ghost Professor Binns was planning on doing a recap of the Goblin Revolutions. Normally that class would have given the trio, like everyone else, the perfect opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep, but this time with tests in Transfiguration, Potions, Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts to worry about, they would need all that precious time to study.

Sasuke too wasn't pleased with his lot in it either. Professor McGonagall was less then pleased with his standard of work in her class after failing to turn a peach into a miniature pig. To add insult to injury, Naruto's had turned out perfect and Sakura's had been good enough (save for the fact that it was still the same color as the peach).But his? His peach had only grown its own pair of eyes - ones that glared daggers at him for not getting the spell right. He wasn't even allowed to use his Sharingan - which McGonagall had gotten wise to - and forbid him to use it unless he wanted to be failed for cheating!

If only it had been Charms class…

"It isn't fair" Sakura whined. "I don't like DADA. Lockhart-sensei always gives tests about those stupid books of his or what his favorite color is! I can't take it any more - even Inner Sakura hates him! She's been at me for weeks to let her out so she can kill him..."

"I agree with her - I'd like to kill him too. The man is an annoying fruitcake after all - what do you expect" Sasuke replied stoically, not looking up from the sausages he was currently eating.

Upon hearing that, Naruto started to chock on a piece of bacon. Sakura had to beat him over the back till he coughed it up, laughing his head off.

"Fruitcake! I never thought I'd have the honor of ever hearing you use that word!" he roared. "It was just about as good in the time you called McGonagall-obaachan an old hag!"

He could help but grin wider when the dark haired boy glared back at him. He was about to keep razing Sasuke when a large barn owl descended from above and dropped an envelope onto his plate.

"Who's it from?"

"Beats me. Maybe Harry's written us. Hermione said would try to give us any updates from back home. I personally hope that they've managed to figure out the rest of the prophecy…"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Well if they don't, at least you have Sakura to help you figure it out. She's gotten far with it so far since you finally told us about it dobe. Now are you going to open that letter or what?"

Sticking his tongue out, Naruto picked up the folded piece of parchment and tore it open. Disappointingly it wasn't from Harry, but surprisingly it was from Professor Dumbledore. It was simple enough, instructions really.

Please come to my office at 9:00 am. I have already

alerted your professor that you three will be absent

from class. The password is 'Snickers'.

Do not be late.

- Albus Dumbledore

"What does Dumbledore-sama want with us?" Sakura asked, a confused look spreading across her face.

"Do you think Snape-sensei realized that it was the twins and I that left those Dungbombs in his cauldron last week and ratted on us?" Naruto asked sheepishly.

Sasuke frowned. "If it was that dobe, why would he also want Sakura and I as well?"

"I don't know. Witnesses to my demise?"

His teammates sweatdropped before finishing their breakfast and got up to leave. Bolting down the last of his too and grabbing a few more pieces of bacon for the road, Naruto jumped up from his seat and followed them out of the corridor.

Five minutes later, Naruto noted that Sakura was beginning to frown and Sasuke began muttering darkly about following fools. It finally become apparent that they had been walking around in the circles whole time when the portrait of a wizened old witch asked them if they were lost or if there were more children that looked liked them in the school. They just ignored the painting and tried to remember which way it was to the headmaster's office.

"Just my luck…"

"Oh stop complaining Sasuke-kun" Sakura growled.

"Yeah!" Naruto found himself smirking. "Who's worse? The fool or the fool who follows?"

"Why you!"

The blonde fox-boy dodged and tried to hide himself behind Sakura.

"It was Kyuubi's fault!"

"I don't care if it was that stupid furball's fault or not dobe," Sasuke snarled. "Those words came out of you're mouth!"

"Do you realize that you're acting like a girl with PMS?"

Naruto howled in pain as Sakura bopped him over the head.

"Enough you two. Do either of you know what time is now?"

Both boys dug for their respective watches at the same moment. Sasuke pulled his watch out first and read the time aloud, "8:50"

"That only gives us five minutes!" the pink haired girl suddenly shrieked. "The letter said not to be late!"

Sasuke glared "Well don't get pissed at me"

"Don't worry Sakura-chan!" Naruto grinned foxily at her. "We can always use some of Kakashi-sensei's excuses!"

Sakura moaned and held her head in her hands, repeating the mantra 'we're going to be late, we're going to be late…' over and over. Remembering suddenly the one thing that was never off his person, Naruto let out a whoop and dug the Marauder's Map out of his robes.

"Why didn't I think of this before!" he laughed and began to dig around for his wand.

Sasuke looked at the grubby piece of parchment in Naruto's hands and smirked. He remembered.

"Its an old piece of paper. How is that supposed to help us?" Sakura frowned.

"Quite, I'm busy!"

He finally found his wand; as well a few candy wrappers stuck to it, and pulled it out. Interested in what he was about to do, Sakura leaned closer to get a better look. Naruto smirked, touched the parchment with the tip of his wand and with his best commanding voice said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"

The pink haired girl rolled her eyes.

"Nothing's happen - "

Sakura suddenly gasped and staggered back as the tip of Naruto's wand flashed and the parchment began to bleed with the ink that would reveal its secrets. The familiar heading of the map appeared and they just got a brief look at it before Naruto opened it up to its full length. The first floor was spread out before them and it was only seconds before they were able to find the corridor that they kept forgetting to take.

"Where did you get this?" she babbled, and Naruto was pleased to see that she was having a hard time hiding her awe.

"I'll tell you later" he grinned. "Right now we have a meeting to get to"

Folding the map and stuffing it back into his robes, the blonde led the way at run down the corridor and down the next that would lead them to the object of their search. Stopping before the stone gargoyle, Naruto smiled.

"Snickers"

Without hesitation the statue sprang aside to reveal a passageway only accessible from behind its stony back. Sighing with relief, the trio entered the passage, followed it till they found a stairway leading up and began to climb. It was exactly nine o'clock when they reached the door that would lead into the Headmaster's office.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke was the one to reach forward and knocked on the door. When no reply came, the dark haired boy took the doorknob in his hand and turned.

Opening the door, however, was another thing. The room on the other side blazed with color and was still filled with an odd assortment of sleeping portraits, glowing trinkets and other accessories they had seen months ago. Perched on a golden stand was a magnificent bird that caused the three kids to gasp in amazement. It looked at them with its wide black eyes and let out a thrill that made them shiver because of its beauty. They hadn't seen it the first time they had been here.

"It seems you three have fallen in love with my phoenix. Fawkes has that effect on everyone"

Naruto gave a start and could feel Sasuke and Sakura next to him do the same. At the top of a stairway, Professor Dumbledore smiled down at them. The elderly man laughed at their startled and descended the stairs to come and sit down behind a large wooden desk.

"Please sit, we have a lot to discuss"

Still flabbergasted, the three young shinobi dropped into the closest chairs they could find.

"Well now" Dumbledore smiled again. "Care for a lemon drop?"

"Hunh?"

"Candy"

Sasuke and Sakura immediately shook their heads with a polite no at the same time that Naruto belted out a yes. As soon as the blonde was sedated with a few of the sticky candies, the Headmaster folded his hands upon the desk.

"Now I'm sure you three must be wonder why I've called you here"

They nodded.

"The reason," the elderly man continued, "Is due to a letter I myself received late last night. I have read it, agreed to the terms and have sent an affirmative reply back"

"What was the letter about?" Sasuke asked, trying not to sound suspicious. "Why are telling us no about decisions you've made without consulting us first and only telling us now?"

Dumbledore smiled widely then, his blue eyes twinkling madly.

"Time was of the essence child. I was sure that you wouldn't mind me sending reply to your Hokage stating that you three would be more then willing to travel home for the duration of the Chuunin Selection Exams"

"What!" Naruto blurted, jumping up so fast he knocked his seat over. "You mean you're actually going to let us go?"

"Yes. Why would withhold an important part of your learning just because it isn't with this school?"

"But what about Harry, Ron and Hermione?" Sakura asked. "What will they be doing?"

"They will also be partaking in the exams as well"

Excitement for Naruto suddenly died when he remembered his appearance. Hands shot up to grope his head, feeling out the furry fox ears that stuck out of his hair on either side of his head. Feline eyes then stared at clawed hands that came back down to dangle at his sides.

"I-I can't go back" he stuttered. "Once the villagers see me, they'll really try to kill me this time"

Dumbledore smiled softly. "Don't worry, I'm sure simple spell could hide those ears of yours... and maybe sunglasses or goggles could hide your eyes. Plus, the exams are not being held in Konoha this time"

"What? Then where?"

"I'm sure you've heard of Yukigakure"

Sakura gapped. "Yuki? But Hidden Snow Village rarely hosts the Chuunin Exams - they prefer the Jounin Exams. What could have made them change their minds?"

Dumbledore shook his head.

"Alas, I am not an expert on shinobi governments. Such decisions are made without proper understanding. I hope for everyone's sake that nothing bad will become of it"

There was a silence before Sasuke finally found his voice in which to speak. "What about Orochimaru?"

His two teammates and Dumbledore turned to look at him.

"From the information compiled, spies all over the globe confirm that something is indeed coming. The power of the Snake Sennin and that of Voldemort are not something to take lightly - as you three have already come to understand. Since it's not certain as to whether either of them will attack, I shall send Fawkes with you for protection"

Having given his teammates the chance in the past few months, they had actually become good friends albeit they still had their differences. Goals in life had changed. With what he was learning in the wizarding world, the revenge he wanted against his brother could be gained without killing him...

Dumbledore nodded knowingly. "I also see that you've come to understand the reasons why Sarutobi and I decided to send you here. We hoped that havens could be provided for you both. It seems that you six have a fate that will decide everything. I also know about your prophecy and I'm most willing to give you the last of it. It turns everything on its side. Tell me, from your experiances, have you figured out who they are yet"

"You mean…" Sakura gasped. "They're the Dying Ones?"

"Very good. Voldemort and Orochimaru are opposites, one wizard and one shinobi, both with power not easily countered" he paused a moment before turning to Naruto. "They are the Dying Ones of prophecy. When one is seeking immortality, they are always dying. As for those who are Precious, you will find that they happen to yourselves and those you love. Sincethe threat of darknessthreatens them, only with the help of your wizard counterparts can you stop it"

There was a pregnant pause as Dumbledore allowed what he had just said sink in.

"Now I know it is a lot to lay down on you, but it is something I must do. You'll need to participate in the Chuunin Exams in order to build your strength, and should you meet your enemies there at the end of the road, hopefully you'll be able to together work through the darkness to come"

"What about our studies?"

Sasuke had a valid point. How could they travel to Snow Country for the Chuunin Exams, which could take up to two months, while they learning their wizard magic.

Dumbledore chuckled.

"A simple Seishin Bunshin should cover that"

"But that's one of the forbidden clone jutsus!"

"So?" Naruto laughed. "Did that stop me from learning the Kage Bunshin? No. I think it would be kinda fun to have another one me to learn everything!"

The Uchiha paled. "Another you? Heaven forbid"

When the six left the office - two hours and a three clones later - it was only so that the clones could head for their classes and for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura to pack up some clothes and be ready to leave the school by Floo Powder at noon.

"Its always us isn't it" Naruto finally sighed as they headed down the hall, sounding extremely forlorn, his clone nodding sympathetically. "No matter what we do, nothing ever seems to work out right. Really, it's a curse"

"You think?" Sasuke's clone replied dryly whist the real Sasuke rolled his eyes. "The thought of you having the fate of the world in your hands makes me fear for my life"

The 'twin' blondes growled dangerously as their gazes tried to burn holes in the 'twin' brunettes next to them, before the Naruto's clone snapped back with a "Shut up you bastard. You're in the same boat as I am"

Sakura and her clone just shook their heads with disgust, their Inner Sakura's doing the same.

"Well with you two as heroes, the world really is doomed"