Chapter 7, Dirty Paws


Author Note: Fanart avaliable on my Ao3 version!

Currently: Un-betaed, so there will be a few errors.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto


Sasuke has never met someone who actually liked dirt.

Being brought up in a prestigious family, he was strictly taught that as a shinobi- getting messy was inevitable, but it should be avoided whenever possible. Getting the job done cleanly was a way of showing evident sophistication and professionalism.

Yet, in the last week since being promoted to genin- he's almost continuously been covered in grass stains, dirt scuffs and soil. The grime would probably take days to get out from under his fingernails. It's not even earth- just a disgusting mix of dust, paint and lacquer from when they were forced to paint someone's fence.

The blonde teammate clearly had different thoughts on the matter. He mostly spoke with a flat tone, the only indication of expression being a slight facial twitch- but since they were humiliatingly assigned their first D rank mission, he was twice as energetic as before. His short and monotone answers were still few and far between, but were now replied with higher tones than before, strikingly different compared to Sasuke's own unenthusiastic grunts. His light-hearted chirp "Un!" as Hatake points out a spot of weeds he missed betrays his obvious enjoyment at pulling at the upturned ground.

According to his female teammate, who had taken a liking to entirely one-sided conversations with Uzumaki in the mornings before their sensei arrives- They had so far been spared the babysitting missions the rest of rookie nine had been assigned to. He's not an idiot, he has no doubt it had something to do with their strange teammate continually being the target of the hawk-like gaze of their sensei. The boy was unpredictable, and since the bell test, hasn't been allowed to participate in any of their physical training. But he was powerful, that was for sure.

The red eyes from their test bore into where Sasuke hid in the underbrush and thrashed his heart against his bones. Full of bloodlust, cold- deadly, and eerily similar to the haunting memories of his past.

"I want to spar with Uzumaki."

Kakashi regards him with a sidelong glance, bemused. "And why's that?"

"What's the point of teaching us of the importance of teamwork if we're only a team when picking weeds?" Sasuke counters, smirking.

Sakura enthusiastically agrees, as he knew she would.

Naruto stands with a stiff jaw, almost shy to look up at their sensei, knowing his excitement would be clear.

A single grey eyebrow raises, before he sighs, sliding his small orange book into pocket on his thigh.

"Okay."

Victory.

"Taijutsu only, no chakra." He adds.

Both boys withhold an irritated frown, but agree to the terms nonetheless.

Naruto walks with a bounce in his step, the ball of his feet raised.

Sasuke has only seen the other fight once before, but without having to worry about the strange red chakra manipulation, he's able to focus on beating his Taijutsu- which by the looks of it, resembles the Inuzuka.

He's beaten his old classmate, Kiba Inuzuka, at every match they'd ever been paired for.

Unlike their previous sparring matches, Hatake watches with a calculating stare. On the signal to start, Naruto freezes, immediately taking on the defensive. Frustration ebbs at Sasuke's already tested patience and pushes him to move, a head-on bound at the blonde.

They engage in a one-sided hit and miss game that infuriates him further.

A chapped, pale lip curls into a snarl. "Fight me!"

The demand has the younger boy pausing in his dance of footwork, and his opponent throws a white-knuckled punch at the opportunity.

It lands, and Naruto's body slams into the hard ground. Sasuke pants the breath he'd unknowingly been holding, momentarily shocked by the success.

The smile threatening to slink onto his face melts away with realisation.

"He told you not to fight back, didn't he?"

Blue eyes drilled into him as the lithe body lifts himself upright, keeping his entire torso close to the ground.

Sasuke can't remember the last time he's felt this much rage. This much, of anything. It both invigorates him and scares him, burning in his gut as he greedily revels in it.

Placing his pride aside, he goads the other between his hits, ocean pools tracking him intensely.

"Come on, usuratonkachi, try your best."

"Did they not teach you how to fight where you came from?"

"What are you? Scared?"

When the edges of gem blue irises ripple with red, Sasuke lands a kick with far more force than necessary, determined to force the other into disobeying orders. A typical teacher's pet, he thinks.

He fights in the other's personal space, and with hushed breath, whispers,

"I'll break the rules if you do."

Chakra floods the veins in his right arm, and Naruto instantly notices. Nostrils flare and the teetering cool burns under crimson orbs. His small body bends grotesquely, twisting away from the Uchiha and then snaps like a forced elastic band. He feet fly towards Sasuke's face with no doubt enough force to break his jaw-

It never lands, caught in the grip of a fingerless glove, a centimetre from sweaty skin.

Both youths are panting heavily. Sasuke can hear his blood thrumming in his ears, sweat darkening the shirt fabric under his arms, sticking uncomfortably along his chest and back. His pristine combed hair is array, plastering to his face and neck.

He feels alive.

He gives little regard to the shoe, not an inch away from his face, ready to shatter his bones. He won't, can't, tear his eyes from the frenzied look of his teammate.

Feral, would be the best way to describe it.

Sasuke is sternly dismissed for the afternoon, told to go home and cool off.

Kakashi doesn't know whether to be relieved or worried about the outcome of the genin spar. He'd let the match commence because he needed to know if Naruto would disobey orders.

In one hand, it was reassuring to know he still could break direct rules in almost childish acts of rebellion. A sparkling hope that Minato's little boy could have what remains of a personality. In the other, it was worrying to see how easily it was to aggravate him into doing so. It made sense, seeing as ANBU dealt with cases that were an instant kill, the target is rarely given a choice to verbalise. But his short fuse made him a hazard to the other genin.

When he goes home, he lays his head in Umino's lap and meditates his breathing to the pace of the light finger strokes through his hair. He tells the other about Naruto, how the boy is doing and what Sasuke pushed him to do earlier that day. How Sakura yelled at him to stop the two boys, and he ignored her pleas and the small tug in his chest. Naruto's nervous skittering after the match, wary of Hatake's space but carefully and desperately seeking discipline for his actions. Routine, order.

Tanned fingers caress his scalp and tell him that Naruto has probably only worked with negative experiences in breaking the rules. With such a left-hand view, it was to be expected.

"He looks to you for direction in his actions. He's probably feeling lost. Maybe try positively enforcing him for doing the right thing, rather than negatively punishing him for not."

It's not something he has an awful lot of experience with, but it's better than awkwardly telling the boy off when he seeks Kakashi out.

Iruka gets up to make a cup of tea, and a single lazy gaze trails perfectly toned calves into the kitchen from his spot on the couch.

"It's unusual for Sasuke to be impulsive, though. He was always very controlled and reserved for almost his entire time at the academy. Honestly, it might be a good thing for him to finally start showing himself more. It was worrying for a kid so young, especially given his circumstances." Iruka voice echoes from the breakfast bar.

He doesn't reply, but when the brunette returns a few minutes later and passes him a steaming cup, he hands Iruka a coaster and asks if he wants to trade jobs.

- o - o - o - o -

They end up getting a C rank mission when Sakura speaks up in their meeting with the Hokage. Sasuke had regained his cold exterior, but even he couldn't help vouching for the suggestion of a challenge. They don't see Naruto straighten until it looked like a spike had been stuck down his spine.

The Saidame chuckles heartedly in amusement. "What do you think, Hatake-san?"

Sakura sends him the biggest babydoll eyes he's ever seen, and Sasuke tilts his head to cooly stare his way. It reminded him of the look he'd only seen on cats, as they peer you dead in the eye and uncaringly swipe your glass off the table.

Naruto doesn't dare move.

He sighs, "they're ready."

The client is sent in, and Tazuna promptly offends everyone in the room.

Later that evening, when they arrive at the meeting point, everyone notices Naruto has no gear.

Only Kakashi realises that he doesn't have anything to take.

He tells the team to wait while he takes Naruto quickly to the supply shop, getting him standard packing gear.

They return half an hour later, and Kakashi calmly dismisses Tazuna's furious expression, cheeks cherry pop red from alcohol and anger.

Sasuke turns to Naruto and scoffs.

"Dobe."

He doesn't see the large furred ear that flicks. Half in irritation, half in confusion.

When the demon brothers appear from a puddle, Naruto stands idle as they seemingly shred their sensei to pieces, but doesn't step foot to engage with them until one of them goes from Sasuke.

He shoots forward, and with a clawed hand dipped in bubbling carmine, thrusts his nails into the nin's exposed neck- skin slicing like warm butter. Blood spurts from the wound and the man gags- a wet gurgling sound, before Naruto's fingers clench around his trachea and a firm tug rips flesh and sends the man's innards flying from his body with a pointed hand. Matter and blood bathes tanned skin to the shoulder, drenching the soil beneath them.

Sakura gasps a scream at the pure sudden and vileness at the action. The pitch of fright drawing Sasuke's attention from the other nin- sprinting towards the bloodbath, a battle cry of his brother's name.

Naruto zips to the remaining enemy at the sound of Haruno's voice, ears twitching as small, deadly nails flex- but before he can land a critical bow, a blur of grey intercepts the foreign nin and promptly knocks him out cold.

The atmosphere is stale, thick under the weight of shock.

"What the hell are you kids…?" Tazuna looks pale as his focus bounces between the genin and the unmoving corpse.

"Maa, what a mess."Kakashi drawls, inappropriately calm for the situation as he rounds on the shocked client.

"I do believe you have some explaining to do, and I suggest-" He casts an indicated look to his blood-soaked student, "-you don't leave out any details this time."

Sweat beads down stressed and dewy skin as the older man tells them of the peril his village is facing. How the people are starving, grappling for scraps at the equality caused by the businessman, Gato. He expresses how the bridge he's building is the only hope for trade, to bring some money to the desperate people of the wave. As the sole man in charge of the construction, he's being hunted by Gato's men and ninja hired by him- to keep the dependence of the country on his wealth and exploits.

Sakura is in tears, the panic of the slaughter just minutes ago and the sticky situation of an entire nation weighing on her. Sasuke isn't saying anything, but he's slack-jawed, a bob of his throat as he pretends to scan the treeline.

Confused, scared. Rightfully so.

"Legally, we were only paid for a C rank. This mission is, blatantly- out of the league of a fresh genin team, and while unfortunate, not of our concerns." Hatake explains.

"Please! I can't afford anyone else! You're our only hope- you don't understand, I have a daughter, a grandson! Even if I die, they need this bridge! Gato, that vile man, he- he will do the most unspeakable to them! I can't just stand by!" Spittle flies from his lips, tears pooling in his eyes.

The jounin glances over the pleading man, he's dealt with situations like this in the field, but never with three kids with him. He'd be risking the lives of people he doesn't have the right to gamble with, but-

He briefly peers over at the blonde, the drastic action had shocked him, but the timing had confirmed one thing- the Uchiha of the team would be safe. He will need to ask for permission from the Hokage to be able to utilise Naruto's skills in an unauthorised situation- but they might be able to turn the tables.

"I will need to send a letter of notice to the Hokage, if he allows it, we will help you under the pretence that the rest of the team are comfortable doing so. They will also need to send someone out to...deal with our remaining company." He subtly juts a finger towards the unconscious demon brother.

"But s-sensei-"

"Naruto-kun here, as you've seen, is not from our academy. Trained and managed by the Leaf's council, he and I will be within our bounds to take on this mission- however, the responsibility of all other members will need to be taken into account."

He indicates Naruto to move towards the group, away from the carnage at his feet.

"We will camp at dark and decide from our options when the village has replied."

For the peace of mind of his students, he doesn't make them take shifts. It's no hindrance on him to stay awake, having done it plenty of times under higher stakes before.

Sasuke evens out his breathing, feigning sleep- but the lack of movement under his eyelids gives him away. Clearly disturbed by the murder earlier, but keeping to himself about the impact. Sakura, on the other hand, spends hours tossing and turning. When midnight comes and passes, she lets out a forced, and frustrated huff. Unzipping her sleeping bag, she worms her way out of her swag and wordlessly slumps next to the jounin on a log by the fire.

For a few minutes, they merely sit in comfortable ambience under the soft crackling of flames. She holds her heavy head in the crook of her fisted palms, exhaustion weighing her eyes lids at half mast.

"Hey sensei?"

"Mm?" He answers, keeping his tone dull. Not sure how to approach the situation, but knowing the girl was probably seeking comfort of some sort.

Kami help him, he halfheartedly pleads.

"You said...that Naruto-kun was trained by the council. Is that why-" She pauses, hesitant. "-why he's...like that ? Would they really…" She fidgets, uncharacteristically shy with her words, "-really do something like that…?"

"I'm afraid it's out of my authorisation to say." Which it is, really. But it's also the fact that it's not just the council. He doesn't know what they did to Naruto- all he knows is the knot in his throat, woven by the strings of guilt at not being able to stop it.

She gives a small nod of sad understanding, the tiredness under her eyes abandoning the energy for pursuit. Shaded jade eyes gaze nervously over the third sleeping bag across from them, hands moving to bunch in the knees of her pyjama pants.

"Is he...safe?"

The only people that need to worry are those intending to harm the Uchiha boy. He gives her a curled eye smile.

"For you, totally."

After a little while, her chin starts to droop towards her chest as she slips into unconsciousness. He steels himself, gently nudging her awake again. She groans in protest, but nonetheless lets him guide her back to her sleeping bag, burying herself in the inviting warmth of her covers.

Once the two gennin had finally fallen to the depths of sleep, Naruto decided to take a walk. He made no noise as he carefully slid from his covers, taking extra precaution not to draw attention to himself as he padded through the shadows into the forest.

'Can't these kids at least keep some routine?' Hatake thinks exasperatedly.

He hasn't heard anything about Naruto trying to escape, disobeying orders on purpose wasn't exactly the boy's style. However, if he was trying to run- Kakashi had a severe migraine of a situation on his hands. Especially when he isn't sure whether he'd help the boy or catch him.

He tailed him for some time, the small blonde not once moving to stand on his two feet through the foliage. He paused every few steps, head held high above his body as he scanned the surroundings.

'He's looking for something.' It's just not him .

Kakashi knows the second Naruto finds what he's looking for, the small body darting in said direction, impossibly quick for someone on all fours.

'Shit-!'

When he felt Naruto's signature finally stop, he felt his pulse do the same. There were two signatures, one significantly smaller but it was quickly smothered under the boy's raging inferno. Uncaring of his secrecy, he closes in on the gruesome scene.

The small boy is dwarfed by the body next to him, still kicking, squealing for freedom. Red eyes are glowing, slanted, teeth locked in a bite to the neck, claws tearing at the struggling body. His ears have dropped their henge, furred appendages sitting flat against his hair.

'How does one positively reward a boy dead set on killing things?'

"Naruto."

The animalistic boy does not take well to being disturbed. He releases a guttural snarl of warning at the approaching man, dark liquid painting his lips.

"If you were that hungry you should've just eaten your ration bars. I mean, that's just wasteful."

He also doesn't seem to appreciate humour either, giving an audible crunch to the victim's neck. Hooves skid desperately into the dirt beneath it.

He hardens his tone, this time, it was an order. "Release it."

Neither parties move, but Kakashi sends a wave of killing intent to convey his seriousness. Naruto is obviously hesitant, annoyed- more than likely, and not entirely himself by the looks of it.

The deer is heavily bleeding, but the moment Naruto's grip loosens, it bolts from the scene with a skid of panic. Naruto watches it go as he fists one hand in the dirt.

"Sorry, no savagely culling animals tonight."

Head to toe in dirt, blood and grime, he pouts like a toddler caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"You're going to scare Sakura-chan if you go back like that." He indicates towards the still damp rivets of crimson down his shirt and skin. He's not sure Naruto has ever felt self conscious before, because for a second, he looks scared. Outwardly, and uncaring for his usual cold exterior as he looks down at himself.

His nose crinkles in distaste, and he starts undressing.

Kakashi can feel his headache throb under his eyes and he can only sigh loudly as he pinches his brow.

He picks the boy up before he can get his shirt over his head, and after an initial yelp of surprise, he settles in the hold. They set off in the direction of the sound of water flow, and once they arrive, the older drops the boy into the shallows.

He jolts at the icy slap of cold water against his skin, but gets the idea quickly enough and begins to rub the drying blood from his scalp and goosebumped skin. His shirt is beyond salvageable, ironically stained pink from the carnage.

Once they get back at their camp, Naruto is quick to position himself in front of the warm flames and attempt to shake water droplets from his hair.

Kakashi, full well knowing the boy didn't bring a spare set of clothes, leans over to his pack and tugs out his extra navy blue nin shirt.

He chucks it at the boy, who is still peering at him curiously.

"Good job today, kid."

Sopping wet, and a shiver oh his skin, he cradles the ball of dry fabric in his lap.

And beams.