Rider: Konbawa minasan! How have you all been? Sorry about the slow update. Graduation parties kind of over took my life for a short while, and then I got my hands on the latest volume of .hackGU, so yeah…

Wraiths: You're going to let me borrow that game right?

Rider: Only if you do it again.
Star: Does what again?

Wraiths: I can't do it with her here.

Rider: Then no game for you. (turn back to readers) Ok, one last thing before we begin. I've grown tired of having people asking me who's getting paired with who, and when I get tired of something I avoid it like the plague. I do not want to avoid this story, so you all win. If you haven't already guessed by the summary, SasuSaku and NaruHina will be the main pairings. Everyone else you'll just have to wait and see. Enjoy the story everyone.

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Disclaimer: Negotiations are currently in effect for me to assume ownership of the Naruto-verse, but until it's official I have to state that I still do not own Naruto. But it's only a mater of time now…

Spoiler Warning: If you're not to the time skip and Team Seven adjusted line up there are hints at the spoilers. You have been warned.

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A Shinobi's Decision

Chapter Ten: Growth

They stood silently and at strict attention. Even the glaring visage of the now brown eyed Hyuuga Hiashi was not enough to make them break their stance. Though they had all resolved to own up to their actions from the previous day and steeled themselves for the worst, they failed to consider just how scary their often friendly Godaime could really be when she put her mind to it. And so, the rookie nine along with Team Gai stood quietly awaiting their punishment in her office.

Tsunade for her part was wondering why she hadn't thought to use fear more often to get her more unruly subordinates, namely Naruto, to act a bit more restrained and respectful. Truthfully, if it weren't for the fact that Hiashi threatened to all but declare war on the newer Haruno she would have kicked him out of her office and moved on to the other business of the day. She hadn't been so laid back yesterday. But upon hearing the full story from the gennin she had relaxed. For Hiashi's actions she personally thought she would have removed more than just his Byakugan, a punishment she usually reserved for threatening her toad summoning teammate. Her eyes shifted once again. "Would you like to come down and join us?" Her tone was harsh and was clearly not a request as she fixated on the instigator of this entire debacle.

"Nah, I'm good right here." Daiki replied disinterestedly as he utilized his chakra to sit cross legged on the ceiling above the others.

"That wasn't a request." Kakashi looked up at the boy. "Get down here now."

Daiki turned. "Unless you became a thousand times more powerful in the last few days, don't bother me with hollow threats."

Sakura sighed. "Daiki, get down."

Daiki frowned at the girl a moment. "Hai…" He dropped to the ground, turning in mid-air, and sat on the floor. He shifted his gaze between Tsunade and Hiashi. His gaze lingered on the man for a moment before he turned back to the Hokage. "Just don't expect me to stand up because of him."

Tsunade reminded herself to thank Kami that she normally only had Naruto to deal with. At least Naruto put humor into most of the things he said when he was being rude. She let the thought pass as she looked out over the other gennin and their instructors. "I assume we all know why we're here so let's cut straight to the heart of the matter." She waited a moment to gauge their reactions. "The Council wants to charge you all with treason." She looked down at the seated Haruno. "And you with instigating an act of war."

Daiki shrugged. "You guys would lose that war."

Tsunade raised an eye brow to this, but continued. "For better or worse, no civilians were involved with the incident making it purely a shinobi incident and under my direct authority with no interference from the council." She watched as the room seemed to give a collective sigh of relief. "So tell me, why I shouldn't have you executed on the spot for attacking your fellow villagers?"

Kakashi grimaced behind his mask. "Laying it on a bit thick aren't we?" He thought silently.

Tsunade looked around the room. "Well?"

Naruto looked over at Sakura and smiled weakly before getting ready to take a step towards their leader. "It was my…"

"I can give you one hundred and sixty-two reasons." Daiki stated evenly. "And three of them are in the room right now." His eyes darted back towards Naruto.

Naruto caught the glance, suddenly wondering what Daiki knew that he didn't about their predicament. He nodded almost imperceptibly to the pink-banged man. "Hope you know what you're doing…" He thought silently.

Tsunade looked down at the boy. "Really? I'll settle for those three at the moment."

"One, that guy," Daiki pointed to Hiashi. "Is the biggest piece of kuso I've ever met."

"You insolent…" Hiashi raged at the boy and would have tried to assault him if not for the timely intervention of both Asuma and Gai restraining him.

Daiki continued unfazed. "Said man has been trying his best to keep both his nephew and his own daughter ignorant of their history to increase his own power. Along with trying to break their spirits to his will along with the other members of the Branch Family."

Tsunade now understood the number of reasons Daiki mentioned must be the number of Hyuuga clan members still bound by the seal. "Compelling arguments, but you still violated the terms of our agreement."

"Not really." Daiki grinned. "As you've already heard, the Byakugan and the Caged Bird Seal is as much my legacy as it is the Hyuuga's. Hiashi had perverted the gifts my ancestors had given to his, and in turn has forfeited his right to wield them." He turned to look the man in the eyes. "I will not see my Clan sullied by his actions against his own kin." He shrugged. "On top of that, the rest of the group was restrained by the Hyuuga guards once we entered the foyer. Only I myself actually injured one of their number, and the elder is fine now. I am the only one that can be punished as had I not been there we would not even be having this conversation."

Naruto wasn't sure if he should be thankful to Daiki, or strangle him. "He's getting us all out of trouble by taking the blame on himself." He thought to himself. "But he's making himself look to smart and noble doing it!"

"Very well then." Hiashi finally calmed enough that he was let go. "Then you will be the only one to be executed."

"Remember your place Hiashi-sama." Tsunade's tone warned more so than the words themselves.

Hiashi bowed his head, grudgingly. "Hai, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade returned to her seat and looked over her charges. "Given the evidence that's come to light, there is only one course of action I can take in this matter." She looked at Daiki. "You are to serve fifty hours of community service for your assault on the Hyuuga Elder."

"Nani?!" Hiashi raged again. "He has attacked my Clan! He attacked me and took my eyes!"

"Your eyes are still in your face." Daiki replied. "Baka." He stood slowly dusting off his pants as rose. "You know, fifty hours is a lot of time. Quite frankly, I can't be bothered with it." He flexed his hand as chakra began to circulate around it as he looked between Tsunade and Hiashi. "I wonder if you'll be willing to make a little deal?"

Hiashi glared at the boy. "What could you possibly offer me?"

Daiki shrugged. "I don't know, maybe your Byakugan?"

Tsunade and Hiashi both jerked at this.

"It's not just for my sentence though." Daiki continued. "Your eyes are worth far more than just that." He looked at the ceiling in thought. "What else could I ask for?" He looked into the room of gaping gennin. "Any suggestions Hinata-san?"

Hinata startled as her name was called. She had not expected to confront her father about the issues on her mind so soon, but gave silent thanks to Daiki that he had forced her to speak before fear had paralyzed her as it had so many times in the past. "O-otou-sama…As y-you can see the s-seal can be removed without k-killing the one it was placed on." She swallowed hard trying to control her stuttering. "Daiki-san has already shown the procedures to Hokage-sama as well as Sakura-chan and some of the more advanced med-nin at the hospital." She forced her hands to her sides and looked up at her father with the most determined gaze she felt she could muster. A part of her felt some regret at strong arming her father like this, she knew he would pay almost any price to have his Byakugan returned to him. "I would like for all members of the Branch Family to be immediately informed of the procedure and give them the option of having the seal removed if they choose. Also, given original intentions for the seal, I would like the sealing tradition to forbidden unless in the case of criminal proceedings."

Hiashi glared at his daughter for her proposal. "You…" He took a step forward, and gasped in shock as the remaining eleven gennin closed rank around Hinata to protect her from his backlash. Had he still had his blood limit, there would have been no trepidation. But now, especially with the spiky haired, blond, demon vessel at the very front and center radiating waves of killer intent at him, Hiashi knew fear in all it's dark glory. He stepped back, attempting to maintain the appearance that he was still in control.

Daiki nodded his head in satisfaction. "Yeah, that sounds like a better trade." He knew full well he had the Hyuuga leader over a barrel and, unlike Hinata, felt no remorse in using it to the fullest. "Unless anyone else has some suggestions?"

"I have one." Neji stepped forward. "I would like Hinata-sama reinstated as the true heir of the Hyuuga Clan."

"No." The room turned to Hinata as she spoke. The young girl looked around the room at all of her friends. Her gaze lingering on the three she had talked about with Sakura. "If I…" She paused to shake her head. "When I become the heir, I want it to be because I have proven my strength and earned it." She looked down at the floor. "I have no desire to fight Hanabi-imouto again. The very thought of fighting against her, of hurting my little sister, turns my stomach. Demo…" She paused. "There are things that must change in our clan and I can not trust them to be completed unless I see them through myself. Besides," She looked up and looked at her father.

The look sent shivers down the spines of the others present in the room. There was no malice, no killer intent, but all the same it scared everyone. Hinata's eyes were blank of emotion to her father aside from pity. Until this point, no one had really been sure how big of a break this incident had cause to the fragile relationship between father and daughter. It became all that much harder to watch as she smiled at him.

"I think, I've been far too lax in keeping my promise. I just hope…I'm not too late to make it up to Hanabi-imouto."

"Hinata…" Kurenai whispered softly. She shook her head and a sad smile tugged her lips. She was happy that Hinata had finally found a reason of her own to stand up for herself. Yet at the same moment, she was upset that it had taken an event such as this to bring about the change. She knew then and there that Hinata would never be the same, for better or worse would only be revealed with time. She looked around the room, noticing three sets of eyes on Hinata intently. "At least you won't be alone." She thought silently.

Naruto turned back slightly, and grit his teeth against the sadness he saw in Hinata's eyes. He was sorely tempted to run over and bash Hiashi across the face for putting one of his friends through something like this, but he knew that there were bigger things at stake here at the moment. Even if trying to wrap his head around everything that was being said made his head hurt. Forcing himself to turn forward again, glanced at Daiki and nodded.

Daiki caught the nod and subtly returned it. It occurred to him that that he and Naruto worked well together when it came down to it, and thought along very similar wavelengths in their reactions to others. A small shudder coursed through his body at the thought of being in anyway similar to the ahou. He'd deal with that later, for now the end game was in motion. "Well? What do you say?"

Hiashi turned, knowing that the statement was for him. He bit at the inside of his cheek to refrain from releasing the choice thoughts he wanted to spout at the moment. He could not remember the last time he had been this angry nor felt so helpless to defend himself. "Very well. Hokage-sama, on behalf of the Hyuuga Clan I would like to rescind and drop all charges against the accused. The plea he has placed before us is acceptable. With your permission I would like to see it carried out immediately."

Tsunade had to fight hard not to smirk. There was no love lost between herself and the Hyuuga Clan head, a fact that was only compounded by his actions over the last twenty-four hours. She would never be able to admit it openly, but she took great satisfaction in Hiashi being outmaneuvered by this group. She glanced between the two parties and finally nodded. "Very well. As Hiashi has dropped all charges I see no reason to issue punishment. Daiki, upon completion of your required tasks you will be free to go."

Daiki shrugged his shoulders. "Like you would have been able to stop me." He muttered under his breath. Beckoning Hiashi forward he brought up his chakra enveloped hand. "This is going to hurt, a lot." Staring Hiashi in the eye, he showed no remorse. "Think of it as penitence for your own crimes."

Hiashi frowned. "I am no stranger to pain boy. Finish what is begun."

"Like I said yesterday," Daiki grinned. "I'm just getting started." Bringing his hand up over Hiashi's face, the chakra pulsed brighter and faster. "Brace yourself."

Gai and Kurenai shielded their eyes as the chakra overflowed in a blinding flash of light.

Kakashi raised his forehead protector off his eye, hoping to learning something of how Daiki was capable of such things.

The gennin cringed as Hiashi screamed in excruciating pain. Hinata turned away quickly, a few tears spilling from her eyes. In her blind turn she collided with someone and cried into his jacket. She turned back again as she heard the scream begin to die down. The light also began to fade, revealing Hiashi slumped against Daiki for support.

Hiashi stood slowly and on shaky legs. He grimaced slightly as he opened his eyes, revealing their newly restored lavender-white coloring. A moment later the tell-tale sign of bulging veins became visible as he activated his kekkai genkai and looked over the room. A minute later his features returned to normal and he turned to face Daiki once again. "Everything appears to be restored back to proper order."

"I keep my word." Daiki returned Hiashi's gaze evenly. "I expect you will do the same."

Hiashi grunted.

Tsunade shook her head slightly at the bravado exhibition taking place before her. "If that takes care of everything on this issue I would like move on to other business."

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Hiashi turned and bowed before heading for the door, but not before allowing a venomous glare to fall on Daiki, Neji, and Hinata.

"Oh, baka." Daiki called as Hiashi reached the door. "If I hear that you pull any crap like this again…" He turned, his eyes cold, hard steel. "I really will take your eyes from your head." He expression changed instantly as he smiled. "Wakaremashitaka?" He grinned wider as Hiashi slammed the door.

Tsunade rubbed her temples, already imagining how much grief Hiashi was going to cause her now that his blood was literally boiling in his veins. "Ok, now for the real reason you've all been summoned here."

Naruto turned, confusion clearly readable on his face. "The real reason? What are you talking about Tsunade-obaa-chan."

Tsunade sighed, knowing that this was going to be rough. "As I'm sure most of you have noticed, your Jounin-sensei have stepped up your training over the past few months. The reason being that the Chunin Exams begin in a little over a month…"

"The Chunin Exams!" Naruto hollered excitedly.

"Sit down Naruto." Tsunade replied, somewhat sadly.

Ino looked over at Shikamaru. "But, how are we going to participate? Two of our teams don't have the right number of people."

Tsunade nodded, and readied herself for the backlash. "I'm aware of that Ino." She paused and took a deep breath. "Though the make up of the team is highly unorthodox, Sakura will be assigned to Team Ten for the purpose of this exam."

Sakura blinked. "I'm being reassigned? Why?"

"Yeah!" Naruto seconded quickly. "Why is it that…I'm being…singled…" His argument faded as he began to understand.

Tsunade nodded sadly. "Naruto, you already know the reasons. You will not be taking part in the exams this time. I'm sorry."

"Wait a minute!" Kiba took a step forward. "What reason?"

Neji nodded. "I'm curious to know why myself."

"As am I." Lee asserted.

"I can't tell you that." Tsunade replied quickly.

Daiki grunted. "Your course of action is flawed." Tsunade turned slightly in her seat, her slightly red as her anger began to rise. Daiki choose to ignore this as he continued. "Naruto was an unknown at the previous tournament. Yet he was able to defeat the elite genius of the Hyuuga Clan, and then the crazed ninja Sabaku no Garra when even the elite genius of the Uchiha Clan could not." He paused as he heard some of the gennin murmuring amongst themselves. "Naruto is going to be looked for this time around. He's going to be a major player in this exam, he more-so than anyone else in this room needs to go." He glanced over at the Hokage. "You know as well as I do what will be implied should he not attend."

"I really hate this kid now." Tsunade thought silently as she had to admit there was far to much truth to Daiki's statement. "It does not change the fact that there are still not enough people to complete the teams." She finally replied aloud.

"Of course there are." Daiki replied with a grin.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, nervous as to where this conversations was going. She decided to test the waters in the least likely avenue first. "Are you offering your services to the Leaf?"

Daiki gave a semi-amused snort. "Though I would love to assist Sakura-sama in wiping out the competition, that situation is not realistic at this point. Besides, she doesn't need my help to clean everyone else out."

The other gennin, with the exception of Choji, turned to stare at the now blushing Sakura.

"Hold on, why can't you join Naruto and Sakura on a team?" Shikamaru jumped at the chance to try and glean some new information from Daiki.

"I would think that would be rather obvious for a master tactician for yourself. I can't very well be on a team for Leaf…" He looked over at Shikamaru, grinning to let the chunin know he was on to the little game. "If my own team is to enter the exams ourselves."

"Your team?" Kakashi asked, concerned over the boy's skill level. "You will be going as a Jounin-sensei?"

Daiki seemed to stiffen slightly at the question. "No." The reply was soft and almost unheard before he found his voice again. "I will be entering along with my two gennin teammates. They are already on route to the exam site, I will meet them there."

Shikamaru didn't let his expression change, but he saw the momentary change in Daiki's attitude. Something about the mention of his Jounin-sensei had clearly hit a chord. He'd have to remember that later.

"So then, where are these other team mates going to come from?" Ten-Ten asked.

"Your Hokage already has one selected." Daiki looked over the room before resting on the disguised older woman. "Isn't that right?"

Tsunade clenched her teeth. "How did you know about that?"

"Did you really think I would know about Konoha's Leaves, and not know about it's…Roots?" Daiki paused at the last word, letting it drive home just how much he knew. "I think his skills would compliment Sakura-sama and ahou nicely."

Tsunade nodded. She had already reconciled the facts in her mind, this really was the only viable course of action to defend all fronts. "I'll send notice to him immediately, along with the Rookie of the Year for the latest graduates. They really are the best candidates for the testing anyway." Standing and rounding her desk she looked out over the teams. "It is approximately a five week trip to the exam site. Make your preparations, you leave tomorrow morning. Remember that you represent Konohagakure not only in the exams but in all your actions. Make us proud, and good luck. Dismissed."

Naruto turned to Kakashi as they all began to leave the Hokage's office. "Why is it a five week trip? Aren't the chunin exams given here?"

Kakashi felt a slight pang of disappointment that his student was still so clueless about the basics of the shinobi world. "No Naruto, just the last set of exams were held here. The Chunin Exams, as well as the Jounin Exams, are rotated between the villages so as to allow each village a chance of territorial advantage."

"So then, we had an advantage over the other villages last time, and we didn't even know about it?" Kiba had been listening as they went down the stairs. "So now we'll have to be even more on top of our game than we were last time." He scratched the back of his head, visibly annoyed.

"Where are the exams taking place this time Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked, hoping it was somewhere that she had read about during the academy days.

"The exams are in Kumogakure." Replied a soft voice from behind them.

Naruto turned and saw Hinata standing alone a few stairs above the others. Her eyes were on the floor and he could see she was shaking slightly. Memories from his conversation with Neji began to come back to him from the back of his mind. Naruto couldn't remember all of the details, but something had happened between the Hyuuga and Cloud. Whatever it was he couldn't remember, she clearly did and it upset her. So he did what he always did, try to play things off. "Wow, Hinata's already got the competition scoped out." He smiled warmly at her. "Maybe you can help me prepare later?"

Hinata's head jerked up so fast she feared she might have broken her neck. She also felt her face begin to burn and knew she must be blushing fiercely. "I…I don't know that m-much about Cloud, but I would be happy to s-share what I do know with you Naruto-kun."

Kurenai smiled. She knew about the attempted kidnapping. Not only had Sandaime-sama told her when Kurenai about the event when she became Hinata's Sensei, but Hinata herself had talked with her at length about it. Even the nightmares that still plagued her from time to time, a detail she had revealed to no one else. She was glad to see that Naruto was able to get her to look at the event in a different perspective, even if neither of the children were aware of that.

Asuma glanced sideways and saw that Shikamaru was still focused on Daiki. Shikamaru wouldn't actually look at the other boy, but Asuma knew how Shikamaru would operate. The lazy chunin could gather information without people being any the wiser. Asuma reached the street outside and lit his cigarette. He knew that if any one would be able to find the proverbial chink in the other boy's armor, Shikamaru would be the one to do it.

Sakura turned as she saw Daiki stop in the middle of the road and looked up into the sky. "What's wrong?"

"I'm thinking about some of the things I said." Daiki looked down again and turned to Hinata and Neji. "I don't get the feeling I'll be to terribly welcome at your home any more."

Neji nodded slightly. "Perhaps not, but you are still technically confined to our care. Even if Hiashi-sama does not like the situation, he will allow you to remain because of the Hokage's orders."

Daiki nodded. "Still…"

Hinata turned slightly, she had not seen that expression on Daiki since the previous morning when he had been cutting himself. Something was deeply troubling him. "Daiki-san?"

Daiki startled, as though pulled from a deep thought, but quickly hid that away. "Hinata-san? Come here."

The girl walked forward to the boy, only to be flicked lightly in the forehead by Daiki as she approached. She startled back slightly confused.

"You jerk!" Kiba moved to take a step forward. "Why'd you…" He stopped as he felt Hinata raise an arm to block his way.

"What have I told you?" Daiki replied with a smile.

Hinata wondered how many times she had seen that look on her own face. A forced smile to try and make everyone think everything was fine. It hurt to see it on someone who had helped her so much and know there was nothing she could do to return the kindness. "Not to call you -san. I'm sorry."

"It's all right." He turned his back to the group and walked a few steps away. "Hinata-san, Neji-san, I need to take care of some things before tomorrow. I'm wondering if you two will allow me to do that in private."

Neji frowned, Daiki was still supposed to be under constant surveillance even if it was just for show.

"Rather," Daiki continued. "There is something I need to do with Sakura-sama's assistance."

Kakashi looked up from his book at this. Memories of the conversation at the hospital came to mind quickly.

"My help?" Sakura asked curiously. "What could I help you with?"

Daiki continued to look out into the street. "I'd…rather discuss that in private Sakura-sama."

The others looked between one another all seeming to ask the same silent question.

It was Hinata who finally stepped forward. "Neji-onii-san or I will come to look for you later." It was the least she could do after everything Daiki had done for her.

Daiki turned and bowed his head slightly. "Domo."

Sakura quickly said her goodbyes to her friends and everyone began to head their separate ways. She walked next to her cousin at a slow pace with Kakashi and Naruto following behind them. Sakura resisted the urge to frown, knowing that Daiki would not start talking until the two had left.

"You're not going to leave are you?" Daiki stated casually.

"There's no way I'm leaving you alone with Sakura-chan with how weird you've been acting." Naruto folded his hands behind his head and kept walking, keeping an eye on the boy.

"I just happen to be going in the same direction." Kakashi didn't look up from his book, but he saw the three sideways looks directed his way. Though they didn't say anything, he could practically hear them silently screaming "Uso!" at him.

Daiki grunted. "Whatever."

Sakura sighed, but hid it from the others. "So, what was it you wanted my help with?"

They walked a few minutes more until they stopped in front of a small grocery store. Daiki looked into the store and placed his hands in his pockets. "I said some things in the office. And I'm feeling like quite the hypocrite now."

Sakura blinked, unsure of what to say.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto griped angrily. "You're nothing like Hinata's dad."

"Not quite so extreme and at the same time even more so. I have more in common with him than I care to admit." Daiki looked up at the sky again. "I have spurned my own Clan, had events gone differently when we first met I would have likely laid waste to my own kin." He looked down at the ground and smiled sadly. "Everything I criticized Hyuuga for I have done and planed worse."

"But you've…" Sakura began.

"I don't want to be that person." Daiki followed, to deep in his thought to hear Sakura try to say otherwise. "That's why I'm hoping you will help me Sakura-sama." Walking in to the store he began to look at the various gift baskets on display. "I would like to meet with my…my aunt and uncle. If that's all right with you."

Sakura smiled, she'd been trying for a good long while to get him to this point. She walked up toward the gift baskets and looked over them carefully. "Mom really likes pears, and Dad likes oranges." She pulled a basket from the display and handed it to Daiki. "I think this will do well."

Daiki smiled, but it was different. Soft, perhaps slightly sad, but genuine. "Arigatougozaimasu."

Naruto watched from a respectable distance as Daiki and Sakura talked quietly and paid for the large fruit basket. He looked over at his sensei, and was shocked to see Kakashi's nose wasn't buried in is little orange book. He walked slowly behind the two cousins as they left the store and began to walk towards the Haruno household. It irked him to see Sakura smile at Daiki the way she did. He knew it was unfounded, but it still bothered him. Still, it made Sakura happy so he remained quiet. A few quick blocks later he stood on the street with Kakashi watching the elder generation of Haruno meeting the younger. He declined the offer to join them for tea, saying it was better for them to be able to talk in private. Though if that was his true reasoning, even Naruto wasn't sure. He started to walk as the door shut slowly. "Ne, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi looked up from his reading, his eye shifting slightly in the boy's direction. "Yeah?"

"You're coming on the trip for the exam's right?"

Kakashi nodded. He studied his student's face discreetly, and was surprised to see a slight trace of worry. He wondered if the recent lifting of his ban from leaving the village, and the exposure to Akatsuki was on his mind now. In an instant however, Naruto had steeled his expression so well that the Jounin almost thought he had imagined it.

"I've been training with Daiki for a while now, but if he's going to be entering the exam…" Naruto paused. "We know each other's moves pretty well, but I'm sure he's still got some jutsus hidden away. You think we could train along the way to Cloud? Maybe learn a few new jutsu of my own?"

Though it was hidden behind his mask, Kakashi smiled. "Just don't pester me to learn Chidori like you did last time."

Naruto grinned and made a slight scoffing noise. "I don't need to learn Chidori Kakashi-sensei. I already have the Rasengan."

Kakashi raised his visible eyebrow at this statement.

Naruto continued to walk forward. "I don't have the right skill set for Chidori anyway. I'll let Sasuke-teme have that one, but you have to teach me everything else!"

Kakashi laughed lightly as they continued to walk down the street. The way Naruto spoke, sometimes so experienced and mature, sometimes childlike. Kakashi wondered just how much of Naruto's open personality was genuine, and how much he played up to gain attention from others. The jounin got the sense that meeting Daiki had, for better or worse, forced Naruto to mature a bit. If all these assumptions proved to be correct…Kakashi smiled as he envisioned what kind of shinobi Naruto could become. "All right Naruto. I'll teach you as much as I can during our hike. For now go home and pack. We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning."

"Right!" Naruto nodded just before Kakashi vanished into a burst of smoke. Leaping up to the roof of the nearest building, Naruto decided to make a little side trip first. He stood atop the Hokage monument moments later and stared out at the forests and the land beyond. "I'm coming for you. I'm going to get you back. For everyone." He brought his hand up and slowly closed his fist, as though grabbing something only he could see. "Sasuke."

OOOOO

"Shishi Rendan!" Sasuke leapt back as he delivered the final blow into his sparring partner burying him into the floor. He quickly moved into a middle guard back stance and waited for the next opponent. He didn't have to wait long as another boy rushed in from the left. Sasuke sidestepped and grabbed the wrist as it passed his chest and twisted it roughly before bringing his right knee up into the man's chest. As the man toppled over Sasuke spun and delivered an inner crescent kick that caught the victim on both the upstroke as well as the more powerful down stroke. Landing into a front stance Sasuke continued the spin to sweep the next two assailants with his back leg. As the fell he dashed between them and delivered simultaneous elbow strikes to the back of each attacker's head. He stood slowly as he heard the bodies fall to the ground with dull thuds. A moment later the lights in the underground complex switched on.

"You become stronger everyday." Orochimaru looked over the room of roughly two hundred prone bodies on the training floor with Sasuke standing at the middle of the carnage. "You still refuse to kill."

"Killing them gains me nothing." Sasuke replied calmly as he made his way though the fallen. "By leaving them alive they will train harder in the hopes of beating me next time. I find there are no challenges amongst their ranks any longer. Even Kabuto no longer challenges me as he once did. I can only hope that one will become strong enough to challenge me in the future." He picked up a towel that he had placed on the side of the room and wiped his face and arms. "Besides, any fool can twist a kunai though flesh. Killing takes no skill. Disabling them takes more skill and control, especially without the use of the Sharingan."

Orochimaru laughed lightly. "So, you do not find my subordinates challenging anymore. Perhaps you would prefer to train against me?"

Sasuke smirked at the offer. "I would. How better to see how far I've truly progressed?" In truth he knew that he was not yet a match for the Sannin, but he wasn't about to admit that. Better to allow the snake summoner think he believed himself to be invincible.

Orochimaru chuckled. "Another day then." He turned and motioned for Sasuke to follow after him. They walked the dimly lit and moldy hallways in complete silence for some time before stopping over the slave pens. "As you can see I am running low on suitable subjects for my works."

"That is no concern of mine." Sasuke replied quickly. "Our agreement was you will train me to be strong enough to defeat Itachi, and in return you get my body to house your mind." The very thought would have made Sasuke's skin crawl if he had any intention of honoring that agreement. "Your other works mean nothing to me."

"Oh? I would think you see it otherwise after what you just said Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru continued with a grin. "I will be sending Kabuto and a few of my troops out to collect more subjects very soon."

"What does this have to do with me?" Sasuke was getting annoyed now.

Orochimaru turned and began to walk away. "I believe it would be good for you to go and select a few subjects that you would believe would make beneficial training partners for you."

Sasuke again found himself resisting the urge to shiver in disgust. It was true he was willing to sacrifice anything of himself to gain his revenge on Itachi, but the thought of sacrificing others to achieve his goals sickened him. He could not risk exposing that thought however if this was some form of test by Orochimaru. "Very well, if you believe it will help my training. Where are we heading and when do we depart?"

Orochimaru smiled. "You will beheading into Lightening Country for this culling. I have heard that the living conditions in that region produce subjects that are…" He licked his lips in anticipation. "Quite durable."

For the countless millionth time, Sasuke considered himself fortunate that the dobe and his friends had delayed him long enough that Orochimaru had been forced to transfer into another body. Had he come here unopposed, all his planning would be for nothing. Should he ever meet Naruto again, he'd have to find some way to honor that debt. "We will be heading to Hidden Village of the Clouds then. The Chunin exams should provide an excellent cover for us to infiltrate and operate unopposed."

"Yessss." Orochimaru hissed slightly as his excitement started to get the better of him. "You will leave with Kabuto tomorrow morning. Kabuto already has his team selected. You may join them or select a team of your own to work in conjunction."

Sasuke thought for a moment. With the Chunin Exams active, there was a good chance that Konoha would send representatives. If he was discovered they would try to apprehend him. "I will take a team of my own, I will also need a disguise in case there are Leaf-nin present." He stopped and bowed. "With your permission Orochimaru-sama, I will go and gather my team."

Orochimaru nodded. "Very well." He waited until Sasuke neared the corner. "And Sasuke-kun, if you have the chance, finish what you started before you came here."

Sasuke stopped for a moment as the image of Naruto's deathly pale face at the waterfall played before his eyes. He quickly dismissed it. "Hai, Orochimaru-sama."

OOOOO

Rider: Good? Bad? Otherwise? If you have a moment, please leave a little something to tell me what you think.

Wraiths: Do I really have to do this?

Rider: Yes.

Wraiths: (grumbling, assumes Haseo's pose) Come on…Come on…I'm right here. SKEITH! (Looks down and pales)

Star: (putting her digicam away) YouTube here we come! (runs away)

Wraiths: (horrified look on his face, followed by utter defeat) Gimme my game. (takes game walks away)

Rider: It was so worth it. 'Till the next, live well all.