I would like to apologize for how slow the plot seems to be moving. I promise that it will get better, and I beg your patience, especially with grammar and spelling mistakes. I have not had a chance to go and fix anything. Oh, and more of a time setting: This is AFTER the Chuunin Exams, but Sasuke has not left, and Lee has made a full recovery already o0'

Lets see…. Reviews would be nice, since I haven't received any yet. But even if I don't get any, I will continue to write the fanfiction, because, well, this one really makes me excited xD Enjoy chapter four: "A Change of Pace"

"I don't see why she wants me to do this. She said I was going to get a mission…" He thought angrily, hands shoved in his pockets in a moody fashion.

"Hrmph. Well, some mission!" The statement was yelled at the top of his lungs with no care about who heard it, or who got mad about the noise. After all, it would be better if someone heard it, than he wouldn't have to deal with his misfortune all by himself. The boy grinned, revealing a more carefree side, rather than the grouchy one shown previously.

As you might have already guessed, this was Naruto Uzumaki, at his antics again. Tsunade had sent him on a little "mission", which turned out to be less than thrilling. All he had to do was go and get someone. What fun…

"Why couldn't she have done this herself? It's not like she's doing anything," Naruto muttered, still talking to himself. He would know after all. Hadn't it been him who had brought her back? He knew her ways. Especially with duties like paperwork. She hated it.

"So while she's off relaxing I'm doing her petty work!"

There seemed to be no end to his misery.

Still grumbling, the shinobi approached the entrance to the house where the girl was said to live.

"It's not even that far from her office," he sighed reaching up to knock on the door. He tapped three times then waited. And waited. He stood in front of the door, hands in pockets, leaning slightly back with his eyes closed. This was a common position he went into.

After several moments, he opened one eye to look at the door. No one had come to answer him. Puzzled, he knocked again, both eyes open now. He waited, and when there was no reply he looked down both hallways to his left and right then quickly opened the door and entered; closing the door behind him silently.

The building seemed devoid of life, and the only movement was that of a few strands of string tied to the top of an open window. Naruto could feel the warm breeze course through the house, but he ignored it.

"Hello?"

His voice echoed emptily in the barren structure. "Hmm…" He scratched his head, which was covered with a spiky mess of yellow hair. A quick glance around told him he was utterly alone, so he started to explore a bit.

Everything seemed to be in order. In fact, it was a bit too neat. His own apartment was a jumbled mess. It was one thing to be clean, but it didn't even look like someone was living there. "Maybe Tsunade was wrong," he said aloud. "Wouldn't be the first time!" Naruto grinned at the thought, and, putting his hands behind his head, he turned with his eyes closed once again. Upon turning, he opened his eyes to slits, then completely. He stopped suddenly, for he realized he was no longer alone.

Just inches from his own face, was another. They stared at each other. His large blue eyes looking into her gray ones. Several silent moments stretched between them, making the situation extremely awkward. After awhile, Naruto did a little back-jump-step to escape the closeness. "Err….." The blond shinobi fidgeted in discomfort. "Are you Kinko-chan…?"

The girl nodded in reply, a small smile beginning to form on her lips.

"Oh, um great…. Well…" He forced himself to look straight at her, despite how difficult it was.

"Tsunade wants to see you," he blurted out, keeping eye contact with her. She nodded again, and the strange smile widened. "Okay, lets go then," Naruto said, inching around her and exiting. He had recovered from his initial shock and felt well enough to act as he normally did.

Kinko followed him silently, listening to him speak as they walked down the hall. He was in front as she hovered slightly behind. This unfortunately only gave Naruto reason to speak even more loudly than usual.

"So Kinko-chan, you must be important or something if Granny-Tsunade wants to talk to you…"

Silence and smiling.

"Actually, come to think of it, I don't remember ever seeing you around." Naruto looked up thoughtfully, trying to recall a time when he'd seen her; none came to mind. "Hm. Well, you must have come from somewhere else. Did you?"

"Yes," she said quietly. Her voice was soft, but it seemed to vibrate. It was by no means weak sounding.

"Oh. Well, where did you come from?"

"Here."

"But you just said…"

"A different Here."

Naruto was now utterly confused, and didn't know how to reply to this, so, he stayed quiet; a very uncommon thing for the young boy to do.

They traveled the rest of the way in silence, both wrapped up in their own thoughts until they reached the Hokage's office. "Here we are." Naruto said rather cheerfully, despite his previous confusion.

"Yes," was her reply. She remained standing before the door, staring at the wood, her gaze unmoving.

Once again silence was between them for several moments, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"Aren't you going in?"

No reply.

"Look, Tsunade might be crazy sometimes but she isn't going to bite. Just go on in."

When she showed no sign of entering, Naruto sighed noisily and opened the door himself. Grabbing Kinko's arm he dragged her in. "Granny Tsunade!"

She looked up from her desk and blinked at the spectacle before her.

"Granny Tsunade, you wanted her here?" Naruto asked, letting go of Kinko's arm and pointing his thumb in her direction.

"Yes Naruto, thank you for that."

"Yeah, well whatever," he replied grumpily and turned to leave.

"Wait, Naruto!"

"Hm?"

"Stay here a moment, this involves you too."

"Oh, now what does she want?"

Tsunade sighed irritably, "don't worry Naruto, you can handle it, just think of it as…. A mission."

"Oh no, not again!"

"Just be quiet and hear me out," she said angrily, rising from her chair.

"Fine," Naruto said in a tone that made it obvious that it was certainly less than fine by him.

"Okay, here's the deal. Naruto, you know Kinko now and she knows you. Kinko had a bit of… an accident that has left some… damage. She's already a genin but—"

"What!"

"Naruto!"

The scolding caused him to settle down a bit, but he sent a confused look in Kinko's direction anyways. But she either ignored it, or did not see his look for she did not so much as glance in his direction.

"Anyways… She's already a genin, but because of the accident, I have decided that she will be returning to the academy for a short period of time."

"What accident are you—"

"That is not important right now," Tsunade interjected, ignoring his frustrated appearance. "Just do what I tell you. Now, please escort Kinko to the academy. You know the way."

"Yeah yeah…"

Tsunade motioned for them both to go. Kinko exited and Naruto followed her.

"Naruto! Don't even think about asking her—"

"Yes, I know!" He was already rushing off.

"Naruto!"

But he was already gone, holding Kinko's arm again and racing down the steps into the streets of Konoha.

After awhile, he slowed his pace and released her arm. She followed suite and soon they were walking in the same fashion as they had going to Tsunade's office. Only this time they walked in complete silence.

A few minutes later, after keeping the silence they approached the academy. It was relatively early in the morning, so classes were not yet in session. But Iruka would be there no doubt, preparing for the day's lesson. "Hello! Iruka-Sensei?"

Naruto entered the building with Kinko close behind him.

"Oh, good morning Naruto. I wasn't expecting to see you here today…" He gave Naruto a puzzled look before spotting Kinko behind him. "Oh, I see." Iruka nodded and smiled, motioning her to come forward, which she did. "So you must be Kinko."

She nodded.

"Tsunade told me you would be arriving."

No motion.

"Well, class hasn't started yet, but you're welcome to stay here until they do."

She nodded once more.

"Thank you for bringing her here, Naruto."

"Oh, it was no problem, Iruka-Sensei," he grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I guess I should go… I think Kakashi-Sensei wanted to train today…"

"Well, you better get going then," Iruka smiled.

"Yup, okay, see you later Iruka-Sensei!"

And with that he turned to go, leaving Iruka and Kinko alone in the room. He glanced back only to see Iruka absorbed in the papers strewn over his desk, and Kinko sitting alone in the back of the classroom. Right before Naruto was going to turn away again, Kinko looked over at him. Her stare might as well have been a thrown kunai knife. It was so piercing, and yet cold. Empty of all emotion.

A shudder went through him and he forcefully turned away, making his legs carry him off.

But as he walked away, he could still feel her stare, boring into the back of his head.