Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This privilege goes to Masashi Kishimoto.

This story will stay fairly close to the animie/manga story line.

This is my first fanfic so here are few details:

"Here we go again" – normal speech.

"And I thought it was over" – thoughts, flashbacks.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Missile" – jutsu names.

"Listen here kit" – Kyuubi talking to Naruto in his mind.

- Konoha - –names of the places or time indicators

All names of jutsus/techniques will be given in English as well as all titles or nicknames. That is due to my incredibly weak knowledge of Japanese language. The only thing borrowed from Japanese will be honorifics as I think they provide better insight into relationship between characters then English ones and maybe few other small things like names of the five main villages.

Please excuse my shogi names for pieces and moves; I am still learning how to correctly move shogi pieces. This will be used in a later chapter.

My concept of money value is 100 ryo would be like one dollar. Therefore, 1000 ryo would be ten dollars and so forte.

My version has all the characters to be around 16 years old; I cannot see a twelve-year-old doing a lot of the material seen in animie & manga. My pairs will be decided at a later date.

Chapter 7 - The Picture..

"Everybody close your test booklets, the written part of the exam is now over," Mizuki announces to the class. Naruto had watched his classmates taking the test and by observing their body language, all of them had passed.

Reaching over to shake Shikamaru awake, "Shikamaru, test's over, so quit drooling on it."

"Troublesome, and just when I was getting to the best part of the dream," a yawning Shikamaru.

Closing his test booklet, Naruto asks, "So were you having that dream where you crowned world shigo champion again?"

Stretching his arms over his head Shikamaru says, "yeah, and my prize was my own private hill to watch clouds go by. So did I miss anything exciting?"

Leaning back in his chair Naruto replies, "Beat Sensei in Shogi again. You just got lucky, Beginner's Luck. Yeah, I gotten lucky the last 360 games now." "Nah, the 'rookies of the year' took 2 hours to finish the test. Shino and Hinata finished theirs in about an hour and half. Choji and Kiba both finished about twenty minutes ago. Looks like everybody is happy with his or her answers. Seeing that you finished your test in less than thirty minutes and snoring shortly there after."

Shikamaru trying to sound offended, "I have you know I don't snore, I just breathe deeply."

Standing up and putting on his trench coat, "I think Mizuki was trying to use an 'Anti-Deep Breathing' jutsu on you; but, like usual his jutsu sucks and didn't work."

"Maybe he should have gotten the 'rookies of the years' to do it for him. He could have given them 'gold stars'." walking toward Mizuki's desk to hand in his test booklet, Shikamaru says over his shoulder.

Placing his test booklet in front of Mizuki, Naruto bows, "it has been an honor to be your student, sensei." Mizuki smirks at Naruto as he walks out the door.

"Why did you even bother answering all those questions, you know he just going to fail you."

"I know; but, like Sensei Marika said any test is a good challenge to one's knowledge."

"I'll have to tell Marika that you remember her words, she will be happy."

"I damn well will remember her words, as many times as she hit me in the head with her tail for forgetting any of her Fuinjutsu lessons. Come to think about it, all you sensei like to hit me in the head with your tails."

"Those were just 'love' taps and if you would have paid more attention, you would not have gotten so many."

"Yeah, yeah, call them what you want, they still hurt."

Catching up to his classmates, who were gathering under a oak tree to have lunch, "So what's for lunch?"

"I have made everyone some rice balls and hot ginseng tea to drink," says Hinata. As she passes out the rice balls, Naruto pours everybody a cup of tea. Munching on the rice balls, Choji see Kiba staring at the Hokage Mountain, "Kiba, will you quit looking at that picture."

"I can not help it, she is the woman of my dreams. Come on Naruto, tell me who she is so I can go confess my love to her," Kiba pleas.

The group turns to look at the giant mural painted on the side of Hokage Mountain that had appeared four weeks ago. A painting of a young dark haired kunoichi with her hair up in a bun held in place by two ivory sticks. A couple of strands has escaped the bun and look to being blown back gently. Her eyes were a hooded hazel green which most of the male population were calling 'bedroom' eyes. She had a small nose with a rosy glow to her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted and full with a glossy cherry red look to them. The kunoichi is standing in relaxed pose, one hand was holding a katana on her shoulder. While her other hand resting on her hip as if she is waiting for something to happen. She was wearing a form fitting black combat kimono with a jonin vest on. Her Konoha headband is loosely tied around her neck causing it to rest on top of her ample chest. Bottom half of the kimono was blown back slightly to exposed one leg in a black mesh hose. Most of the population after the seeing it thought it was excellent picture of a Konoha kunoichi. She represented not only being a powerful ninja; but also she was all woman. The civilian council automatically demanded that it be removed and Naruto be punished. However, the Hokage and elder Homura said no to the removal and there would be no debate.

"Please, Naruto tell me her name.." Kiba giving him his best 'puppy dog' eyes look.

"How would I know who she is? And what makes you think I painted her?," Naruto says between bites of his rice ball.

Almost whining Kiba, "P-P-Please, Just tell me her name."

"Looking at her, I would say she is a little old for you, Kiba", Shino says as he sips his tea.

"So she a couple of years older, true love knows no boundary," Kiba dramatically gripping his heart.

"Oh, I think she a little bit older then you think," Shikamaru, says with a nod.

"Do you two, know who she is?" Kiba says hopefully.

Snickering Shikamaru, "yeah, I have a pretty good idea, who she is; but, you are not going to like it."

"Damn it, who is she," Kiba jumps up to glare at Shino and Shikamaru.

Shino pushing his glasses back in place, "well based on the style of her jonin jacket, kimono and hair style. My logical guess is it is Elder Koharu, taken sometime after she made jonin. Considering her teammates were Sandaime and Elder Homura that would also explain why they did not want the mural removed. Do you agree Shikamaru?"

"Yeah, that was my guess, " Shikamaru looks over at Naruto for conformation. Naruto just slides a finger across his nose and winks.

"You did well on that picture, I had my doubts that you could do it."

"Ye, of little faith sensei, painting it was easy. Using and maintaining the right genjustsu to keep it hidden and undetected until the right moment was the hard part."

"Sensei Ruki is proud of your genjustsu skills, she sends her compliments."

"Next time I see her, I'll have to thank her again for her excellent training."

( Flashback three weeks earlier )

Sitting in the Hokage's office, Sandaime and Elder Homura are sipping sake looking at the mural. When they had both seen it, they knew 'who' the mysterious kunoichi was instantly; but, were not going to tell anyone.

"Koharu looked good back in our younger days," Sandaime said between sips of his sake.

"She still good even today," Homura says with a grin. Sandaime looks over at his teammate and friend with a raised eye brow. He knew that Homura and Koharu had feelings back when they were teammates. He just never picture the two together now. Homura raises his glass in a silent salute towards Sandaime.

Sandaime senses someone entering through one of his office window, both shinobi turn to face the threat.

Sandaime groans, "Kami, Jiraiya how many times must I tell you, use the door."

Sitting in the window frame is Jiraiya, the Gama Sennin and former student under Sandaime. Rushing up to the Third, Jiraiya says, "Sensei you must tell me who she is so that I can go confess my 'undying love' for her."

Looking at his former student the Third questions, "who are you talking about?"

Pointing at the mural, "when I first saw her I knew she was the 'one' for me, so please, please tell me who she is and that she is not married" begs Jiraiya.

Seeing a opportunity to tease his former student, Sandaime pauses, "well, I got some good news and some bad news for you about her. Which do you wish to hear first?"

Jiraiya thinks for a second, "good news."

"You are in luck, she is not married," Sandaime says with a smile.

Putting his hands over his heart Jiraiya say, "Kami, that's great news, now I won't have to fight a jealous husband." With a worried look, "what is the bad news?"

Putting a sad look on his face Sandaime says, "She is currently 'involved' with someone and she has already rejected your offer for marriage."

"What, when, how…I just saw her today, how can she reject a offer of marriage?" sputters Jiraiya.

Sandaime explains, "Jiraiya, she rejected your original offer of marriage over thirty years ago, when you were a member of my genin team."

Jiraiya gets a confused look on his face, "rejected thirty years ago? Wait, you don't mean…that…that…" Moving a pointed finger back and forth at Sandaime and Homura.

Trying to hold back his laughter Sandaime says, "Yes, that is Lady Koharu in her jonin days and remember she rejected you then, she will probably reject you now."

Homura shaking his head , "Kami, Hiruzen you have over loaded Jiraiya's brain."

Jiraiya is standing there with his mouth open, staring at the mural. Sandaime was wishing he had a camera so he could take picture of the look on Jiraiya's face.

Sitting in his classroom, listening to Mizuki drone on about how shinobi should show the proper respect to the civilian council members, Naruto says, "Seems my 'godfather' is in town."

"Yes I sense him too, so do you think Jiraiya will actually stop by to talk to you this time?"

"Probably not, why should he change after 16 years. I mean he has not talked to Shima the Toad Elder, who would of told him that I have signed the Kitsune Summons contract eleven years ago. He probably here to give his monthly spying report, do 'research' over at the female spa and then leave. Knowing him, he has 'fallen in love' with the mural like Kiba."

"Hee..hee. I love to see the look on his face, if Sandaime tells him who she really is."

"Yeah, that would definitely would be a picture worth framing. Kami, you would think Mizuki could not find any more boring or worthless subject to lecture on."

"Shikamaru has the right idea, wake me up when it's lunch time."

( Present )

Choji shaking his head , "Kami Shino, you have overloaded Kiba's brain."

Kiba standing there with his mouth open, staring at the mural, Akamaru is whimpering.

Hinata grins, "Well Kiba, you did say age was not a issue."

"She is technically is single; but, I think your mother would object to you marrying someone that 'mature'," Naruto says innocently.

Comparisons of kissing a young Koharu to kissing the elder Koharu were flashing through Kiba's mind. Finally, Kiba passes out with a slight nosebleed.

Hinata looks down at Kiba with concern, "think he'll be ok?"

Shino looking down at unconscious Kiba, "once he wakes up, he'll be in love with another woman of his dreams in no time."

Sitting down beside Hinata, Naruto leans back against the oak tree, "so what new with the council this week?" Naruto already knew because years earlier, part of Kyuubi's training required him learn how to spy on others and not be detected. However, he liked to hear his friends' version of council meetings.

"Councilman Weber gave the monthly merchant's report causing most shinobi members to be envious of Nara Shikaku, who fell asleep despite Weber's whine voice," said a groaning Kiba as he sat up and Akamaru jumping into his lap.

"I'll let you in on a clan secret," leaning forward Shikamaru whispers, "earplugs."

" I bet that report kept everybody riveted to their seats," Naruto says as he closes his eyes.

"No more like 'glued to their seats'," chuckling Choji. Opening one eye to look at Choji, "glued?"

Shino sitting down beside Choji, "Yeah, seems somehow somebody managed to 'glue' all the civilian council to their chairs, they were literally stuck to their seats. My father said it was the most entertaining sight, he has seen at a council meeting in a long time."

Blowing on her cup of tea Hinata added, "Once the civilian council found out they were all stuck to their chairs, they started screaming and yelling for the Hokage to free them and for him to punish you, Naruto. However, the Hokage demanded proof that you were guilty and they could not provide any against you. They still insisted that you being punished."

That prank had taken Naruto over eight months to get everything in place for it to be executed with perfection. From asking Shino 'innocent' questions about a certain breed of insect, that had the ability to make a natural glue by combine two enzymes. To studying books on biochemistry to help him make the two enzymes. Coating all the chairs in the council chamber with one enzyme. Then adding the other enzyme to all the civilians council clothes, knowing that body heat and sweat would activate the process. And then to sit in class to have a alibi.

"That prank was definitely one of your best ever."

"The civilian council still has a long way to go before they get out of my 'Payback' book."

"Agreed."

Sighing Naruto says, "Pull one little prank eleven years ago and you are labeled for life."

Choji starts to choke on his rice ball after hearing that statement. Shikamaru slaps him on the back a couple of times; once he can breathe again he looks at Naruto, "ONLY ONCE? Who are you kidding?"

Putting one hand behind his head and grinning sheepishly, "Well, just for the official record, I was only caught once. So how did everybody do on the written part of the exam?"

As a group, they all acknowledge that they thought that they had done well and passed.

"There were a couple of history questions, that I could not remember the answers," Hinata says shyly.

Not opening his eyes, Naruto asks, "which ones?"

Looking worried, Hinata, "well, what was the significations of the Kannabi bridge?"

Both Shino and Shikamaru look at each other and shrugged.

Without opening his eyes, Naruto answered the question. "The Kannabi Bridge, literally meaning "Bridge where Kami would not help" was a large bridge, spanning a river just southwest of the border with Kusagakure. During the Third Shinobi World War, this bridge was a vital to Iwagakure's supply line. Team Minato ( Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Inuzuka Rin) , led by newly promoted jonin Kakashi, were given the mission of destroying it. They eventually succeeded with the aid of the team's official leader, jonin Namikaze Minato, Konoha's Yellow Flash, although it did cost the life of Obito. Thus crippling Iwagakure's means of receiving reinforcements / supplies and ending the war sooner."

"Wow, when did you learn that Naruto?" asks a amazed Choji.

"When you get sent to the library for detention, you either read or sleep. I been told by some 'wise individuals' knowledge is power. You would be amazed at what you can find in the library and village history archives," as Naruto glances at the mural.

"The other question what is the importance of "BLACK TUESDAY?"

Again both Shino and Shikamaru look at each other and shrugged.

In a quiet voice, Naruto begans to speak. "Black Tuesday happen 16 years, six months and two days ago. It was the day that Kyuubi no Yoko, the Nine-Tailed 'Demon' Fox attacked Konoha. Kyuubi no Yoko killed over five hundred shinobi and villagers during its rampage. The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato used a forbidden jutsu to 'kill' Kyuubi no Yoko thus saving the village; however, at the cost of his own life. You all know Black Tuesday better as 'Namikaze's Day', a day in which the village celebrates the Fourth's victory over the Kyuubi no Yoko."

"And on that day try to make my life more miserable if possible."

"I'm sorry about that kit."

"I know it was not your fault. We will make amends for that now that we have cured your problem. Now we are on the hunt for him."

Sipping her tea, Hinata notices the look of pain on Naruto's face as he recites the answer for that question. "Naruto-chan I know why that date and subject pains you, because I know the truth about you and Kyuubi no Yoko."

In my story, Hinata's mother is still alive, so I will need a name for her other than Lady Hyuga. Looking through the web, she was always referred to as Hinata's mother. So for my story, she will be known as Hyuga Senna.

In addition, Rin will be alive and a member of the Inuzuka clan. I am still working on her relationship to Kiba. Right now, I'm leaning towards her being Kiba great aunt's daughter. She wasl be in age range of Kakashi since she was on his genin team.