Definition of Strength Chapter 7: Growth Pains, a naruto fanfic

I would really love to know what you guys think about the story.

Oh and below is a sort of an omake (But it does play a minor part in the story). Review if you like it (or don't like it). It was just how I think the real Team 7 might have reacted if or when it happens, well, in my opinion.

'Italic' – thoughts

"Normal" – spoken

{Bold} – Inner Sakura

Italic - Flashback

Growth Pains

Kakashi is a premier jounin in the village, having graduated from the academy at the top of the class at the age of 5, a record yet to be broken. He became a chuunin a mere year later, creating yet another record; a jounin at the age of 13, joining the ANBU a few years later and eventually achieving the rank of a captain. The enigmatic man had many other titles and achievements, being listed on the Bingo Book at the age of ten, Sharingan Kakashi, Copy-cat ninja, and the holder of a thousand jutsus… But he was honestly stumped by twelve year olds. Seriously, no one on earth can understand these teens going through puberty. Well, them and women. Women were just made to confuse poor men.

He nodded sagely, momentarily side tracked from his musings.

'Seriously though. What could make them do… This?'

Kakashi stared down on the three guilty looking teens that constituted the rest of Team 7.

"It was a simple D-rank mission." He began, shooting each of them The Look. "How is it you three can complete a complicated A-rank mission but mess up and almost fail a D-rank?" He questioned accusingly.

"Kaka-sensei! The dogs…. Minefield…" Naruto rambled on, his orange jumpsuit covered with soot stains and dirt. Rather in contrast with the pristine condition the other two genin were in.

Kakashi paid him no mind, cutting in without giving him any recourse. "In fact what happened to your teamwork?

The three twelve year olds only looked up at him innocently.

"Sasuke."

"The dobe insisted to take all the leads." Sasuke grumbled.

"You should know better. You all worked well with each other in the Land of Waves, but ever since then…" He trailed off, connecting the dots. "Sakura and Sasuke."

The silver haired nin regarded them sternly. "You both have been neglecting your teamwork."

Sakura shrugged even as Sasuke grunted.

The jounin instructor went silent as he considered his possible recourses. Really, these were twelve year olds, kids, in other words, parenting methods may be more effective? In fact wasn't that Jounin sensei meeting last week addressing that topic. It was made compulsory to attend by the Hokage, so he did show up, albeit two hours late, as it was almost over. He narrowed his eyes in thought. 'In fact, weren't they speaking on the merits of positive reinforcement?' Oh, perfect. He did positive very well.

Decision made, he turned back to the three genin, the outline of his lips curving into a sinister smile under his mask.

The genin shivered, somehow sensing his plan, instinctively moving closer together to protect themselves despite their grievances against one another.

"In fact, I think this calls for remedial training!" The masked nin rubbed his hands together in glee. Especially after witnessing three almost identically horrified faces.

"Sensei!" Sakura sprouted out quickly at the frantic beckoning of her teammates. "I… We…"

"Yes, Sakura?"

The two boys pushed her forward, shamelessly sacrificing her to save themselves. She gave them a glare with a twisting motions with her hands, causing them both to flinch.

"Sakura?" Kakashi repeated.

"I'm sorry sensei." 'He has a summoning contract with dogs right?' She gave him her best puppy dog look, complete with large teary green eyes, looking up mournfully at him.

Catching on swiftly, Naruto added to the arsenal, his blue eyes mysteriously becoming larger, a look he practiced often on Iruka-sensei.

Indecision raged within Kakashi at those looks. 'Ahh… I should be immune at that by now, after so many years with Pak-kun... Aww…' He wavered beneath the combined force of Sakura's and Naruto's Puppy Dog Eyes no jutsu (Hurriedly named by the duo). Until they made a critical mistake.

The duo pulled Sasuke to the front of them, trying to get him to deliver the killing blow.

"Hnn." Sasuke only sulkily grumbled, unwilling submit to the indignity, breaking the tenuous spell over Kakashi.

"Nice try." Kakashi ruffled the two male genins head. "But training is still…"

"Sensei!" Sakura cut in again. "It really wasn't my fault!" She blushed, not really believing she was really going to resort to this. "I started menstruating last week."

All possible retorts emptied Kakashi's head at that, and he subtly inched away from his female student.

Observing their sensei's reaction at that statement, the other two genin, Sasuke and Naruto inched away from her as well, concluding that 'Menstruating' was a very Very Bad Thing. Especially if it could scare off their sadistic sensei!

"Right… Sakura, you can…" Kakashi's voice faded slightly as he tried to figure out what to do. "Err… Go home and rest. Come back next week. Or whenever it's over."

"Yes, sensei." She smirked triumphantly at the other two after she spun around from her sensei, trotting of in the direction of her home, glad to have escaped the 'remedial training'.

"Kaka-sensei,"

Kakashi attention snapped to Naruto. The blond seemed mildly disturbed. So did Sasuke really. "Yes?"

"What is 'Mens…ating?'"

Sigh. That. "Menstruating. Naruto." He corrected absently. "That's when women turn into monsters every month because of their body."

"Sakura-chan is turning into a monster?" The normally boisterous ninja was clearly panicking. "We need to stop it! We have to save Sakura-chan!"

"Naruto!" Kakashi chided, calming the blond before he dropped the proverbial bomb. "It's too late. There's no cure."

"Noooo!" He was boinked on the head by Sasuke.

"Shut up, dobe, he hasn't finished yet."

Rubbing the lump on his head, the blond forcibly quieted.

"As I was saying, it's too late." The older nin raised his hand to quell the foreseen protests from the two genins. "But, it's not constant. It only happens once a month for about three to four days."

"Every month?" Sasuke raised his eyebrow, unconvinced.

"Yes. Haven't you seen any signs of change lately?"

The Uchiha combed through his memory. "More irritable, ruthless…" The Uchiha's already light complexion paled further as he was convinced.

"She hits harder, her moods swing from happy to raging mad in a second…" Naruto continued the list, comprehension starting to dawn on him.

"It's not too bad. Afterwards you'll start to see other things changing as well." The jounin hinted with a perverted look on his face.

The males of Team 7 were successfully distracted from Kakashi's original purpose of remedial training that morning as the jounin took out his orange book and began spreading his corruptive influence over them.

Sakura swung her hands happily, her mood lightened from the success of escaping her sensei's remedial training. She really wouldn't have managed to cope with it anyway, what with the constant dull aching on her lower abdomen. Snapping at Naruto and Sasuke throughout the last few days was probably the only thing that kept her sane through all the inane D-ranked missions. Her body was really useless right now, too much exertion and she received pains shooting through her stomach. Yet she really was too annoyed by the D-rank missions, any little thing just setting her off.

'No, it's probably the best to stay at home and study.' {Not waste our time with those stupid missions, Shannaro!}

She absentmindedly strolled past the Ninja Academy, dodging an errant kunai from the side. 'We've already mastered the chakra scalpels, what next?'

Her mind busy pondering her new dilemma, she didn't notice when she strode past a number of foreign nin slightly older than her.

'Genjutsu perhaps? Naruto is weak against it…'

She continued pondering her study material, eager to get stronger than her teammates, not noticing anything out of place.

"No! They're too young, Kakashi!" Umino Iruka's protest rang out. "Even Gai waited a year before recommending his team!"

"They have already completed an A-ranked mission, that had two A-ranked missing nins involved I might add, without any complications." 'Well, any lasting complications.' Kakashi added mentally.

They had been summoned by the Sandaime to a meeting concerning the chuunin exam together with all other jounin senseis' and academy teachers. One of the jounin teacher's responsibilities was to judge on whether their students were ready for the exam. The academy teachers on the other hand were to balance the judgment with their observations of the students from their academy days.

"I recommend Team 8." Kurenai, a beautiful red eyed woman with long flowing hair cut in before Iruka could further protest.

"Team 10 will also participate." A dark skinned jounin called out.

Iruka sputtered before almost exploding. "They're all only twelve! They have all only been genin for less than six months! Hokage-sama! You can't seriously…"

"I'm aware, Iruka-kun." The Sandaime was leisurely smoking his pipe. "However all three teams have completed the pre-requisite number of D-ranks and at least one C-rank or higher…" At this, the Hokage looked pointedly at Kakashi.

Iruka was struck silent at the insinuation.

"However, a compromise will be the best." The Hokage continued pensively. "As much as I trust your judgment, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma, it would be good to prove that your students are indeed capable."

The Sandaime stood up suddenly. "Iruka, you will be in charge of testing the nine rookie genin. The meeting is adjourned."

The shade of the tree she was under was lulling her to semi-sleep state as she was in meditation ignoring the sounds of the world around her. Her nose twitched as a fly landed on it and she shook her head, frustrated with how easily she was getting distracted from the meditation.

'I really should have kept up with meditation during the mission…' The pink haired teen sighed heavily, rusty because of her lack of practice from her one month, almost two months long mission to the Wave Country. Thanks to that oversight, she was now finding it extremely difficult to get back to her routine.

'I've gotten too used to loud mouth blonds and sulky Uchihas.' She thought amusedly. Sakura stretched out slightly, popping her shoulder blade to ease the tension that had built up. Her Chinese style red top crinkled as she sat up straight again, closing her eyes for what seemed like the umpteen time.

She was promptly distracted by a familiar chakra presence approaching, before stopping before her. 'Has a constant chakra cloak. A henge perhaps?'

Frustrated at being interrupted from her meditation yet again, she growled out, "What is it, Iruka-sensei? Hurry up, I'm busy."

She snapped her eyes open impatiently and a surprised looking Naruto came into her view. "Drop the henge. I'm not an idiot."

The dumbfounded Naruto imposter sighed before releasing the genjutsu.

"You were always good with genjutsu and sensing chakra." Iruka admitted reluctantly. "I should have done something else."

"Done something else for what purpose?" Sakura questioned him sharply, immediately suspicious at his motives.

The scarred chuunin's shoulders tensed up before he forced himself to relax. "You're the last one anyway, so I guess there's no point trying to keep it secret."

"Last one?" The roseate's tone was incredulous.

"Calm down." Her old academy teacher tried to pacify her. "It was just for a simple test?"

"Test? Kakashi-sensei didn't mention anything."

"Ah, that's just like him. He nominated your team to participate in the chuunin exams."

Shock rose through Sakura at Iruka's statement. Kakashi nominated them to participate after only six months? She was surprised by the feeling of pride and achievement that coursed through her. {Kakashi thinks we're good!} Inner Sakura was celebrating inside her head.

Sakura attempted to fight down a euphoric smile but lost. Seeing it, Iruka nearly slumped in dismay. He really didn't want to burst her bubble. But… He wasn't going to let Naruto's team go into the chuunin exams that easily! Sure, Naruto and Sasuke had easily passed his test, but Sakura could still easily drag them down. And in the chuunin exams, any mistake could be their last.

Having made his decision, he squared his shoulders. "Since you're so excited, let's do the test now, spar with me. I will go all out so don't hold back." He fell into a ready stance.

'Eh, spar? Against Iruka-sensei? Iruka-sensei is a chuunin and the head instructor at the Academy. This should be good!' Forgetting all about her meditation and the dull pains she had been suffering from, Sakura jumped up from the ground in anticipation.

"Tell me, sensei. How did the others perform?" Sakura asked, eager to measure herself against them.

"They passed." Iruka gave up the information neutrally.

"Good." With a smirk curling her lips, she attacked.

This whole day had been a mix of surprises both good and bad, Iruka mulled as he was heading home.

'I must really be getting rusty if I had to submit to a draw against a genin.' He mused ruefully, reminiscing on his match with the pink-haired genin. 'I guess they really do deserve to go for the chuunin exams.'

The instructor heaved a sigh as he rubbed the scar that ran across his nose bridge. In truth, he didn't want to stop them. But… The memories of his first chuunin exam… The casualties…

'No!' He dragged himself back to reality. 'Naruto and Sasuke did well with the traps I set.' He consoled himself with that knowledge.

'They will be fine. They must be fine.'

Sakura ran haphazardly through the village, using her ability, never minding the strain after the spar, to locate her teammates to spread the news.

'Finally!' She spotted all of them at the red bridge.

"Sakura-chan! We were just about to go look for you!" Naruto even more excited than she felt, if that were possible. He burst out exuberantly. "Kakashi sensei entered us into the chuunin exam! We're going to become chuunins, dattebayo!"

Kakashi rapped the over-excited boy at the back of his head, causing him to topple over with his arms flailing. Almost falling on his face after Sakura dodged his falling form.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Naruto." Kakashi cautioned his eyes back to his ever present Icha Icha book.

"As if the dobe is going to become a chuunin like that." Sasuke scoffed motioning to Naruto's sprawled out figure on the ground.

"Maa, maa… You'll never know." Kakashi giggled as he flipped to another page.

"What test did Iruka-sensei give you?" Sakura grilled Sasuke.

He nearly shrank back at her demanding tone, especially after remembering her current affliction. But, no, it wasn't Uchiha-like to look afraid. "Multiple traps."

"Iruka-sensei gave a test? When?" Naruto had quickly recovered from his fall.

"Dobe."

"He gave everyone a test before allowing them to apply for the chuunin exam." Sakura intervened before a fight could break out.

"But I didn't get a test…"

"And nothing strange happened?" Sasuke's eyebrow was raised in a clearly disbelieving look.

"Well… I saw Sakura-chan earlier by the Academy… Why did I do to you, Sakura-chan?" Naruto seemed slightly hurt at the thought.

"Idiot. I didn't see you the whole day. I was at a training ground." Sakura pinched him.

"Ouch! But…!"

"Dobe, you are useless."

Exasperated, the other two genin turned to leave the bridge.

"Hey! Wait up! At least explain it to me! Wait…!"

After six months of training and useless missions, he would finally be able to do something useful. Though, he did admittedly gain more from his team than he expected. Matching his wits and chakra control against Sakura, fighting against Naruto and his relentless stamina until they were both exhausted. This had increased his abilities far more than his lone trainings. Clearly training with superior, or at least almost equal opponents, as much as he'll hate to admit, is better than training alone.

The traps that Iruka had set earlier and the foreign nin with which he had picked a fight with all seemed like ants after everything else that he had went through. Still it wasn't enough. His team may not be useless, but they are still far from Itachi's level. Kakashi however… He had the only other Sharingan other than Sasuke and Itachi.

'I can still learn more here.' And his team was somehow still keeping up with him, so they weren't completely hopeless.

His eyes gleamed. 'Itachi, I'm catching up. You will have cause to worry soon.'

Authors note:

I was restless today, for some reason or another. Here's another chapter, not quite long, not quite short. At this point, I'm beginning to write without any cause.

I hope you are able to clearly see the differences in this and the canon Naruto.

Please give me your valued feedback, it means more to me than you know.