I don't own Naruto or anything else from any anime/manga, movie, show, book, or game.
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Bijju/summon"
Hey everyone thanks for the reviews I appreciate it a lot. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the story so far. Ok then here is the next chapter, enjoy.
XxX
Chapter 9
Shortly after returning to the Village Hidden in the Leafs team seven was directed to the Hokage tower which is where Kakashi and his team were as Kakashi finished giving his mission report.
"I see" said the Third Hokage. "It appears that you had a difficult mission Kakashi, I'm glad that everyone is back safely and that the mission was a success. All of you will receive a mission pay for an A rank mission."
"Hell yeah! That will buy me lots of ramen" yelled a happy Naruto.
"Ok we get it Naruto, settle down. Now all of you take the rest of the day off. Meet me tomorrow at our usual spot at 7:00 am sharp, now go" said Kakashi.
After the Gennin had left the room Kakashi turned to the Hokage and spoke. "Lord Hokage there's something I would like to speak to you about" he said.
"And what may that be Kakashi? Is it about Naruto?" asked the Hokage.
Kakashi thought about it and realized he completely forgot to tell the Hokage bout Naruto's incident with the fox. Oh well he would tell him later. "No it's actually about Sakura Haruno sir" he said.
The Hokage mentally groaned at this. "Great, I wonder what he wants to complain about this time. What is the girl too smart for him or something? Last time he complained that the girl WASENT a fan-girl' thought the Hokage. "Very well Kakashi, what do you wish to talk about".
"I'm worried about the way she's been acting Sir. I have seen her as she and Naruto train together and she shows knowledge that no Gennin should have no matter how gifted they may be. Her training methods are of very high caliber and her battle tactics are not those of a recently graduated Gennin, they are more like those of someone that has seen war and death. She slaughtered about 100 men and didn't even bat an eyelash. She acted like it was something she has been doing for years and that concerns me, she's hiding something, I know it" he said.
'Interesting' thought the Third. "May be we have another prodigy in our hands. You said she appears to have a gift for chakra control, and that she was interested in training as a medical ninja. Maybe she would be interested in some training with the Medical core" said the Third. "If we could train her to be a Kunoichi of Tsunade's caliber it would be of great benefit for the village". Yes the thought of a medic the level of Tsunade was something that had great appeal to the Hokage.
"That's not what I meant Sir. She is hiding secrets, I know it. I know over a thousand jutsu and not one of them could stop my Lightning Blade, not completely anyway. Sakura's jutsu, a water jutsu, stopped it dead in its tracks" he said.
This got the Hokage's attention. The Third Hokage was known to many as The God of Shinobi or The Professor. He knew even more jutsu than Kakashi and knew that they weren't many that could stop Kakashi's prized jutsu. Of all the jutsu he knew there was only one that was a water jutsu with enough defensive power to block the Lightning Blade, and even he could not perform that jutsu. The Hokage took a more serious demeanor and said "Did you happen to copy that jutsu?"
"Unfortunately no since she was out of my sight when she cast it, I was able to copy her second jutsu" said Kakashi.
"What are the names? You did catch those didn't you?" asked the Third.
"Yes the jutsu I was able to copy is Water Style: Water Shuriken Jutsu. The one I couldn't copy was Water Style: Tidal Shield Jutsu" said Kakashi. The Hokage's eyes grew wide with the naming of each jutsu. Kakashi could see the recognition and surprise in the Hokage's face. "Do you recognize the Jutsu Lord Hokage" asked Kakashi.
The Third removed his hat and began to rub the side of his head with one hand. "I do recognize them, they are both A rank water jutsu that she should have no way of knowing" said the Third. He stopped rubbing his head and crossed his hands in front of his face as he thought about what Kakashi had told him. He could see now why Kakashi was suspicious of the girl. How in the world could she know those jutsu? The only person he knew that could ever use them has been dead for years. "Where did she tell you that she learned these Jutsu?" asked the Third.
"She said she learned them from a scroll belonging to her family. Apparently her great grandmother was married to a Ninja during the first Great War and she got it from him. I was planning to asker to let me see it but I believe she's lying about it" said Kakashi.
"Don't bother asking her more about it. I will look into her family background and see what I'm able to find out. For now keep a close eye on her but don't confront her about it. I want to make sure that we have as much information as possible before we question her about it. Hopefully it won't be anything we have to worry about. From what you told me she and Naruto are getting close, I would hate to have to do something to separate the two of them" said the Third.
"Yes I haven't seen anything too compromising but I believe that their relationship is something more than juts friends and teammates" said Kakashi in a slightly perverted tone of voice.
"Very well keep me informed, for now go and get some rest you deserve it after such a mission" said the third. Kakashi bowed and was about to leave when the Hokage spoke to again. "Kakashi have you tried to perform the jutsu you copied from Sakura?"
Kakashi sighed and said "I tried to but for some reason I was unable to use the jutsu. My Sharingan was able to copy the signs and the way to mold the chakra but when I tried it was impossible for me to make it work. It has never happen before so I don't know what to tell you Sir".
"I see, it's just like I thought. The reason you were unable to use the jutsu is because it requires an incredibly high affinity to water. The only person that I have ever seen that was able to use those jutsu and only a handful of times was my old sensei The Second Hokage."
"The second? but if they were the Second Hokage's jutsu shouldn't they have been known to the leaf village? I have never heard of them before."
"The reason for that is because they were not originally his jutsu or from his clan. He never told me where he learned them, only that they were not his to give to anyone. He told me this when I asked him to teach them to me. Besides if you aren't able to do it then he was right and only someone with a high water affinity can perform them so they are useless to most of our ninja."
"I see, well then I will take my leave Sir" said Kakashi as he bowed once again and disappeared is a swirl of leaves.
XxX
Sasuke had left as soon as they left the Hokage tower without saying a word. Naruto and Sakura were making their way to Ichiraku's since Naruto could not wait to get ramen.
"Het Sakura you want to go do something after we get some ramen?" asked an exited Naruto.
"Sorry Naruto but I promised Hinata that I would meet up with her when I got back so I could tell her all about our mission" she said.
"Ahhh but I wanted to hang out with you today" wined Naruto.
"Well why don't you hang out with us today? I'm sure Hinata won't mind if you come."
"Eh no thanks, I think I'll just go and work on my chakra control" he said. What Naruto didn't tell Sakura was that the reason he didn't want to go was because Kiba pissed him off and Shino gave him the creeps.
"Fine then have it your way. I promise we'll do something together later ok?" When he still had a pout on his face she looked around to see if anyone was looking at them. When she saw nobody looking at them she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. This shocked Naruto before he went into a dream like haze. Every time they kissed it felt wonderful to him. He had never been so happy before. He had a team and a girlfriend he loved and she loved him back. The only thing that worried him was that he had to tell Sakura about the stupid fox. It was a miracle that she didn't find out in wave and he knew he had to tell her soon, he feared that when she finds out that she would hate and fear him. The very thought of that scared him to death. He knew she needed to know but it didn't help him feel any better. He would tell her he promised himself. She loved him and she wouldn't leave him, or that's what he hoped at least. These were his thoughts as he made his way to Ichiraku's.
XxX
After having lunch Naruto and Sakura went their separate ways and she was now in team eight's usual training ground waiting for them to finish their practice.
"Great job everyone that was an excellent practice. Keep this up and I'll see about getting you a C rank mission" said Kurenai.
"But Kurenai sensei if Naruto's team can do a C rank mission then we should be able to handle one no problem. After all none of us are the dead last loser of the class like him" said Kiba with a smirk on his face.
Kiba's statement really pissed off Sakura, Hinata was also mad at her teammate but did a better job of hiding her feelings then Sakura, who got up with a pissed off look on her face.
"I wouldn't talk about Naruto like that Kiba; you have no idea of what he can really do. In fact from what I have seen you couldn't even beat ME in a spar much less beat Naruto" she said with a smirk of her own since she knew he would fall for her trap.
Like Sakura thought Kiba fell for it hook line and sinker. "As if a girl could ever beat me in a spar" he said.
"What was that Kiba?" came Kurenai's icy voice. Kiba turned to see his sensei glaring at him while Hinata had a hurt look on her face.
"It is illogical to think that gender alone can overcome skill, experience, and ability Kiba" Shino said as he pushed up his sunglasses.
"Well Kiba if you're so confident then why don't we make a little bet? You and I have a spar, you win and I'll do anything you want. However WHEN I win you have to do anything I say, deal?" asked Sakura confidently.
"Are you serious? You think that a fan-girl like you can beat ME? Ha Ha Ha, fine by me. When you lose you have to get Ino to go on a date with me" he said. That made everyone give him questioning looks, even Shino raised an eyebrow. "What? I happen to like blonds, and Ino is HOT" was his only answer.
Sakura shook her head; even she didn't see that one coming. "Fine whatever, but when you lose I get to cut off all your hair got it" she said.
"What? Why?" he whined. Kiba really liked his hair and didn't like the idea of being bald. That was like a dog having no hair, it was wrong, just wrong.
"Because it will look ridiculous that's why" she said. 'And it will serve you right for insulting MY man' she thought.
"Fine whatever it's not like I'm going to lose anyway" he said.
"Great, Kurenai sensei would you please proctor the match for us?" she asked.
"Ok but this is just a spar so if it gets out of hand I will put a stop it got it" said Kurenai. She was worried that Sakura would be hurt. She didn't know what Kakashi has been teaching his team but he is famous for being lazy. Kiba is strong and short tempered; she only hoped that the girl wouldn't get hurt. Kurenai had been worried when the pink haired girl showed up and befriended Hinata. From what she heard from Kiba and Shino the girl was obsessed with boys or should she say a certain boy. Kurenai was afraid she would be a bad influence on Hinata who already had issues to deal with as it was. Fortunately it had been for nothing, Hinata's friendship with Sakura had been nothing but positive. Hinata was more relaxed around the pink haired girl and had been coming out of her shell more. Sakura's encouragements had made Hinata trained harder and make vast improvements in her skill. She only hoped that this spar didn't do anything to ruin what has been so good for Hinata.
Kiba and Sakura took their positions on the field while Hinata, Shino and Akamaru who Kiba said he didn't need to beat a fan-girl stood near a tree to the side.
"Ok if both of you are ready" which was answered by both combatants nodding. "Begin!" yelled Kurenai.
Immediately Sakura took the standard academy Taijutsu stand which brought a frown to Kurenai's face and a smirk to Kiba's. "Ha I knew she was all talk, I'm going to finish quickly. I can't wait to get my date with Ino' thought Kiba as he placed his hands together and said "Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All Fours Jutsu". Kiba became more feral as he went on all fours. His hair and teeth grew longer and sharper. His nails grew long and became claws. Sakura was not impressed since Naruto looked much scarier when he was using the fox's chakra.
"It appears that Kiba is going for the quick victory" said Shino in an emotionless voice.
'I hope Sakura will be ok' thought Hinata.
Sakura just smirked at Kiba. When Kiba saw Sakura's smirk he growled as he disappeared in a blur and reappeared in front of Sakura as he delivered a powerful elbow to Sakura's sternum. Kiba smiled as he felt his attack connect expecting Sakura to be sent flying and land unconscious. What he didn't expect was that all that was sent flying was a log. " A log?" was all Kiba thought before a fist connected with his face and sent him across the field landing in a world of hurt.
'She performed a Substitution Jutsu without hand signs and her timing was flawless. I guess that the pervert has actually been teaching her something' thought Kurenai.
Kiba rose slowly in a lot of pain. "What the hell is she made of? I feel like I just got hit with a sledgehammer. If this is how hard she hits Naruto I feel sorry for the kid' thought Kiba. He finally straightened up to see Sakura standing in a few feet in front of him with her arms crossed in front of her chest in a very Naruto like fashion. Her grin never having left her face. "What? You think because you got one lucky shot that this match is over? I was going easy on you but now you're in for it" he yelled at the still grinning Sakura only to have her start laughing.
"Ha ha this match is already over and you don't even know it" she said as her body dissolved into Sakura blossoms.
'What the hell?' thought Kiba as a swirl of wind surrounded him while the Sakura blossoms danced around him.' What is this? Where did she go? WHAIT this is…' he thought as Sakura's voice came from all around him.
"It's over" was all Kiba heard before his world went black. The Genjutsu dispelled to reveal Sakura standing over an unconscious Kiba with her hand still glowing green.
'High level Genjutsu and Medical jutsu? Just what has Kakashi been teaching this girl?' thought Kurenai.
"Well guess I win hu?" said Sakura as the rest of team eight looked at her in shock." He he looks like I get to give Kiba a haircut" she said with a disturbing smile on her face as she pulls out a kunai.
"S-Sakura your n-not actually going to c-cut it are you?" asked Hinata.
"He insulted my teammate Hinata. Besides he could use this lesson not to underestimate your opponent. His attitude can get him and all of you killed in a mission if you're not careful" she said.
"Sakura is right Hinata. Kiba needs to learn to control his emotions and to not be so reckless" said Kurenai.
Hinata didn't looked too sure but she didn't complain as Sakura happily relieved Kiba of most of his hair.
XxX
After cutting Kiba's hair wile Akamaru wined the whole time Sakura and Hinata left for Hinata's favorite tea shop. Hinata told Sakura about the missions they had while she was gone and Sakura told Hinata of the mission to wave. She made sure to keep some things secret but told her most of it. "That's sounds exiting. I'm not sure that I would have done so well" said Hinata.
"Hinata you're a smart and strong kunoichi, I'm sure you would have done an amazing job. You only need to have more confidence in yourself and you will see just how amazing you really are" said Sakura. Hinata looked down and played with her fingers not convinced. "I know why don't train with me? With your Byakugan and chakra control I could teach you medical jutsu in no time" she said.
"Medical jutsu? How do you even know medical jutsu?" asked Hinata.
"Don't worry about it, we can meet at my teams training ground and I can start teaching you the basics" she said. Hinata reluctantly agreed to train with Sakura and they both left for the training ground.
XxX
As Sakura and Hinata were heading for the training ground Naruto was training near the hot springs. He and several of his clones were practicing water walking and he had been making grate progress when his training was interrupted by loud giggling. Naruto decided to look into it and followed the sound to see an old man with long spiky white hair peeking into the women's bath. If there is one thing that Naruto hates above all others, especially now that he has a cute girlfriend, it's defiantly perverts. That why he invented his anti-pervert jutsu which he was going to put to use on this guy. Naruto sneaked around while the old pervert continued to peek and giggle like a girl wile scribbling feverously on the little note pad he carried. He was so busy he never noticed Naruto get behind him.
Jiraiya had been having a great day. He had been traveling close by so he decided to sneak into the leaf village and pay a visit to the hot springs for a little "research". The Leaf Village after all had some of the most beautiful women you could ever find anywhere. He had been enjoying the wonderful view so much that he didn't notice that someone sneaked behind him. All of a sudden he heard someone yell out "Sexy Jutsu". Jiraiya turned to see a cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared the old pervert saw the most wonderful sight he had ever seen (well since the time he peeked at Tsunade but she almost killed him for that so it doesn't count). In front of him was a gift from Kami itself as far as Jiraiya was concerned. She was a gorgeous young blond girl with two long ponytails and cute whisker marks on her face. There were only small clouds of smoke covering her most privet areas much to the pervert's frustration. To Jiraiya she was the picture of female perfection, unfortunately for him he could only handle a few seconds of this godly sight before he was blasted back by the mother of all nose bleeds. It took all his willpower to stay conscious and did so only barely, when he heard a girly voice yell out "Oh no there's a pervert peeking into the girl's bath!" Jiraiya knew he had to leave but his body was slow to respond after losing so much blood. When he finally managed to sit up he felt a massive killer intent directed at him. He looked around to see he was surrounded by a bunch of pissed of women. Unfortunately for Jiraiya it appeared that several of them were ninja as they began to pull out several weapons from god knows were. The one with purple hair in a spiky ponytail and a huge rack was especially scary since she wore a disturbing smirk as she liked her kunai. Jiraiya could only whimper as the women came in for the kill and his world erupted into pain.
Naruto could only smile as he saw the women come down on the old pervert like a pack of angry wolves. As he walked away with a smile on his face, Naruto could hear the ungodly howls of pain coming from the pervert. 'Serves him right' he thought. With the thoughts of the pervert gone Naruto went back to his training, he was not looking forward to doing stupid D rank missions at all. Maybe if he complained he could get a better mission. Those were Naruto's thoughts as he finished his training.
XxX
The following morning after Kakashi finally showed up team seven made their way to the Hokage Tower to request their next mission. They were surprised to see that when they got there the Hokage was not alone. Kurenai and Hinata were there looking confused to see them as well.
"Ah Kakashi I'm glad your finally here" said the Third." I called all of you because earlier today we received word that a small village in the north western part of Fire Country was attacked by bandits. We are not sure but they may have some ninja training but it doesn't look like anything special. What we do know is that they burned the small village to the ground and killed nearly everyone in it. They did however take several prisoners, almost all of the young women and young girls are missing. We believe they were taken to be sold as slaves. That's means that they plan to head for The Land of Earth since it's the closest country that permits it. With the prisoners they will have to travel slowly especially if they want to travel in hiding. We cannot allow them to leave Fire Country. Your team should have enough time to intercept the group and rescue the people taken. Their safety is top priority but don't let the ones responsible for this get away, we must show that this kind of thing will not be tolerated by the Leaf"
"So we are to hunt them down and rescue the prisoners and take out the bandits as well?" asked Kakashi.
"Yes, I originally had intended to give this mission to Kurenai's team since her team is built for this type of missions. However there were some unforeseen complications" said the Hokage.
"Unfortunately Shino had to leave yesterday for an emergency mission with his clan. And Kiba is taking some time off to deal with a… shall we say traumatic experience he had yesterday" said Kurenai as she noticed the smirk on Sakura's face.
"So my team is to deal with this mission then?" asked Kakashi.
"Your team yes, you on the other hand will go on a solo information gathering mission in regards to the discussion we had yesterday" said the Hokage. "Your Gennin will go with Kurenai and her student and will complete this mission."
Kakashi was a bit reluctant to let his team go without him but this was a chance to get to the bottom of Sakura's secret. With Kurenai with them at least they would be in good hands. "Very well Lord Hokage" he said.
"Great, team seven will be under Kurenai's command and will join her and Hinata on this mission, you all have one hour to get ready and meet in the front gates. Dismissed!" said the third.
After they had left Kakashi looked at the third." Where will I be going on my mission Sir?" asked Kakashi.
"I have looked into the Haruno family and it looks like they came from a small village in the far southern part of Fire Country. At least that's as far as we can figure, you are to go there and find out anything you can about them and were they came from. More importantly find out anything you can about Sakura's great grandmother. I want to know everything about her and her supposed husband" said the Hokage.
"I understand Sir" said Kakashi. He then left in a swirl of leaves.
The Hokage turned and looked at the picture of his former sensei. The towns were the Haruno's appear to come from is one that he and his sensei once visited during the war. Something told him that his sensei was somehow involved but the old Hokage could not for the life of him tell how that could be. He would just have to wait and see what Kakashi finds out. With that the Third returned to his paperwork.
XxX
Well that it for chapter nine. Sorry for the wait but work has been hectic for the last couple of weeks. Anyway let me know what you think please review or PM me with any ideas you might like or that you think might improve the story. Till next chapter see yah!
