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AN: Wow! Life sure gets busy. It did take some time to get this chapter done. It started out as a bunch of slice of life moments set between the last chapter and the wave mission and still gives that kind of feel but I wasn't satisfied, which most likely caused my week or so of writer's block.

Anyway, thank you for waiting and I hope you enjoy.

AveonThorn

Chapter 9

As life moves on

The Leaf was not an easy village to navigate. Its many paths wandered through forested parks, market districts, fenced-in clan lands, civilian homes, government buildings, and random training grounds. It was an organized chaos meant to confuse enemy intruders and provide defense.

Being a ninja village was only a part of the reason why Naruto was having trouble remembering where things were. The other part was that she had a twice rebuilt village in her memories. So when she turned to where she thought was a lumber yard she found a grassy hill.

Not just any hill either, it was a certain Nara's favorite place for cloud watching. And it was currently occupied by said Nara and his chip eating friend. The blonde tried to leave before they noticed her. Not that she disliked them. She just had a lot to do on her day off.

She was halfway down the path when she heard Choji call after her. And there went her day. 'Or maybe' she grinned 'they can help.' She turned to see them waving her over. Even Shikamaru was up and looking interested.

"Hey, guys. You've got the day off too?" She questioned as she sat in the grass between them.

"No" Choji voiced. "We have team training this afternoon."

"Oh? How is it going by the way? It's only been a week but… ah, you're with Ino, right?" She heard a muttered 'troublesome' to her right and snickered. The blonde lay back in the grass joining the Nara who was already staring up at the sky. "It can't be that bad, can it? I mean your clan's techniques work well together. That's proven by your dads' teamwork, ya know?"

The lazy boy glanced at his fellow cloud watcher, wondering how the blonde knew about their fathers, before returning his gaze to the sky. "That's not it. It's the constant nagging." Shikamaru sighed. "It's…"

"Troublesome?" she finished for him.

"Yeah, but that's not what I was going to say." Naruto turned to her side and looked at him expectantly.

"Well, don't leave me hanging." The boy turned his head the other way and she noticed the slight reddening to his neck and ear. 'What?' That's when Choji entered the conversation again.

"We'd rather have you on our team."

"What? Why!?" She shot up from her spot. No one had ever said that they wanted her on their team. Ever. It was shocking to hear. And it didn't help that both boys were not answering her. Choji was scratching the back of his head as he looked away and Shikamaru had rolled back up into a sitting position as he glared at his larger friend, the redness now gone.

The Nara sighed. "You're not that troublesome." He answered after a few minutes. Naruto looked away as she rubbed the back of her neck. That was a first for her as well. "Besides, Sasuke gets two kunoichi on his team. I still don't know how I feel about that." He mumbled the last part.

Naruto grinned at the old joke shared between the three. The 'luck' of her male teammate could go either way, depending on one's perspective. She found herself falling into old habits as she began to say her piece. "Yeah, well the teme's got all the luck doesn't…" Her eyes popped open and locked onto the Nara. "What!?"

Her blue eyes seemed to sharpen as she looked between the two. 'Do they…? No. They can't! Can they?' Her fingers twitched and she clenched her jaw as the boys waited for her. 'They do know. Crud!'

Naruto's fingers laced through the grass beside her, tearing the tender blades from their roots, as she quickly processed the swirl of emotions that hit her. A part of her wanted to run, to deny that they saw through her. The other part left her itching to grab a kunai and 'end' the possible threat and it scared her completely.

The boys noticed the quickening of her breaths and the tension in her body. They exchanged worried glances before Choji spoke her name in concern. The found-out-girl flinched as she was brought out of her thoughts. The boys, her friends, were watching her.

Her friends.

She could trust them but still, the doubt was there. She let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and running both hands through her hair, bits of grass sticking to the golden strands.

She spread her senses both to see if there was anyone close enough to hear them and to draw some comfort from the natural energy that was so abundant in the great forest they lived in. The tension in her body left and when she was sure that they were alone she mumbled "How long?" before she pulled her hands from her hair and looked up to the boys.

Shikamaru shifted into a more relaxed position when he saw her relax. "Since the day you ran out of class and lost your lunch. But I suspected it before that."

Naruto blinked as she processed what was said. From day one, they knew! And not only that, but Shikamaru had suspicions about her gender before the whole time travel thing happened? Which meant that he most likely knew that she was a girl before she told everyone in her past. "Tch, you stupid smart ass! Why didn't you tell me before?!" She back-handed her lazy friend on the shoulder, making the boy grunt in both surprise and pain.

"I thought you wanted to keep it a secret." He hissed as he rubbed the now sore spot.

"And you bring it up now…?" She crossed her arms and stared the boys down.

The two shared glances then looked back to her. "You've been acting... different." Choji finally said.

"More… girly." Shikamaru added.

Naruto's shoulders slumped. "Am I slipping?" she spoke more to herself. 'Or did I have any control, to begin with?' The mask she had on so tightly as a child. Has it broken? Or did she not care enough to keep it up? Her mind had been on so many more important thing. Should she let it fall now? 'No. It's still too soon.' She looked up at the two boys. They were waiting.

She licked her dry lips as she settled on what to say.

"Shika, do you know the consequences of the village knowing my true gender?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "You're smart. You saw past my mask. You must have seen the way the villagers treat me? What do you think they will do?" She saw the boys' eyes widen after a moment of thought and she pressed her lips together. "That's only scratching the surface. I can't let this get out. Not now. You understand?"

"You're not going to kill us are you?" It was meant as a joke, dark as it may be. But they all know with the world they lived in, it was still a possibility. Naruto, in particular, winced at the statement. The dark thoughts that had filled her only minutes before rushed back and clenched at her heart. She shook her head to push away the dark feeling and smiled gently at them.

"I could never do that to you, either of you." She looked down to her hand as she again ran her fingers through the crisp grass. "Believe it or not, I count you two among my precious people. I-I just don't want this…" she pulled again. "Please. Don't tell anyone."

Well, her afternoon ended up a little heavier than she thought. She sat between the two in silence until they had to leave for team training. It wasn't uncomfortable but after the boys agreed to keep her secret the three couldn't think of anything to talk about.

They promised to meet up for dinner the next evening as the boys stood to go. Though, the two seemed hesitant to leave, which would have been sweet if it didn't tick the newly confirmed girl off. She wasn't helpless! So to prove her point she, quite literally, kicked the two down the grassy hill. Telling them to get their butts in gear and train.

As they diapered around the corner she heard a mumbled: "just like my mother".

The mind is a tricky thing. There are no neat compartments to file away memories. No guides to help find your way through the complicated networks of the brain. And of cores, Naruto hadn't calculated this when she created her memory seal.

Therefore, the sight of a familiar face, a simple gesture, even a slight scent; could bring up unwanted memories. This predicament was the reason why Uzumaki Naruto was often seen meditating. Not that anyone knew why.

One particular young man had noticed the Uzumaki's strange change in habits. At least, that's what he thought. The dobe was never seen meditating before, let alone staying still for more than five minutes. So here he was, watching the blonde from underneath a tree in training ground seven as the two waited for the rest of their team.

The boy's brow twitched as he glared. Why did the dobe irritate him so much? He was dead last. No talent. A dobe. Yet since the few weeks that they had become genin, Naruto had improved faster than himself. And all he saw the blonde doing differently than himself was sitting on his butt every morning!

He was there before anyone else sitting, eyes closed, back straight. Not moving an inch. It was not… normal!

The young Uchiha's eyes narrowed slightly as the blonde took in a long breath and released it slowly and when he heard the approaching footsteps of his other useless teammate he did nothing to acknowledge her.

Sakura walked up to the brooding Uchiha and sat down beside him. She followed his gaze and frowned. "What do you think sensei will have us do today, Sasuke-Kun?"

Nothing.

She didn't like it. Sasuke never paid any attention to her no matter what she did. "I made a snack for today. You like tomatoes, right?" That earned her a 'hn' but her crush still watched the blonde that sat a distance away.

He was always looking at Naruto. It was disgusting. 'Why not me? Look at me!' Her inner-self shouted as she also glared at the blonde.

Neither of the two genin knew that this little bit of time the Uzumaki took each morning to focus her mind was what was keeping her sane. And today she found it hard to concentrate. 'Do they have to stare?'

Naruto heaved another long sigh. "I hope you're not developing a crush on me." Even with her eyes still closed, she could tell the two were flustered after hearing her sudden statement. Sakura sputter and Sasuke huff. She spoke again as she stood up and brushed any dirt from the backside of her pants then took the first stance of a set of basic kata. "Though, I am flattered if that's the case."

"Who would have a crush on you?" Sakura finally spat out. The blonde suppressed a flinch in response to the hateful words. Really, the day was starting out to be a crappy one. Not only was her meditation incomplete but she had sensed a presence watching her from the moment she left her home and, try as she may, she could not figure out who it was.

In short, she was ticked off.

"You wound me, Sakura-chan." The Uzumaki stopped her practice to place her hand over her heart. "You speak as if I'm unlovable. Just because I'm not tall, dark, and broody, doesn't mean I don't have my admirers." She wasn't blind. It's just that when she was a kid she didn't know how to handle the little crush from a certain Hyuga. And she was sure the blush she saw on Shika the other day meant something. But she didn't want to think any further on the topic.

"I seem to remember a certain dobe always asking Sakura out." Sasuke chimed it. Naruto raised a brow at the Uchiha's addition to the conversation. He's really gotten chatty.

"Yeah, I guess your right about that." Naruto scratched her chin then grinned. "Gave that up when I realized that the cute little girl I first meet turned into a raging banshee."

"Say that again!" The pink haired girl screeched as she moved to hit the blonde. Naruto dodged and grabbed the girl's arm, twisting it behind her back.

"Where did my cute little girl go?" She teased, shedding a fake a tear. Honestly, she wanted the girl's verbal abuse to stop and with the mood she was in, well, this may not be the best way to resolve it but hopefully, it will stop the snide comments for a few day. "Sasuke-Kun, it's all your fault. Fix her."

The boy's eyes widen slightly. "No way."

By this time, the captured girl was as red as her dress. A mixture of anger and embarrassment filled her body. She couldn't get away no matter how much she struggled. 'Why is Naruto doing this?' the girl then felt herself being swung around to face the blonde.

"You've got so much potential, Sakura. I'd hate to see it wasted, pining away for someone who does not love you." Naruto heard a 'tch' from the detection of the boy and her gaze moved to him for a moment before returning to Sakura.

The hands clenching the girl's shoulders released as Naruto stepped back. Blue eyes looked up to an equally blue sky. Curse her emotional imbalance! She was once again bombarded by memories. A tear slipped, finding a path past her cheek and down her neck. "I gotta go… tell sensei I'm not feeling well."

Before her two teammates could react the Uzumaki was gone, a swirl of leaves in her place.

D-rank missions. Not the most sought-after assignments for one who has begun his career as a ninja. Even the most experienced shinobi would sulk if given a D-rank mission. These menial chores are given mostly to new genin. Squashing any hopes of ever going on a 'real' mission.

Anyone who'd meet one particular new genin would expect the blonde to complain and cause a ruckus about having to perform so many 'stupid tasks for stupid people'. In fact, the Uzumaki child welcomed the simple tasks which confused her teams thoroughly.

At the moment, the three genin were painting a fence. Well, one was, Sakura was complaining about the possibility of getting paint on her new dress and Sasuke was glaring at the paint can.

"Sensei, I can't do this. Papa will get angry if I get my clothes messy. They're new." She frowned at the paint bucket set before her then turned to the black haired boy of the group. "Do you like it Sasuke? My dress?" She held her hands behind her back and swayed slightly. Waiting for him to look at her.

The Uchiha picked up his brush and looked to Kakashi. "Sensei, how is this supposed to help me get stronger? You have not started any real training yet." Sakura seemed to deflate and she scuffed her shoe against the ground, only to stop when she saw her shoe getting dirty.

Naruto had already started her task. The white paint glided down the wood planks as she worked the brush. She waited to hear the man's answer before she made her comment. Kakashi had seated himself in a tree nearby to read his book and watch over his students. "This is training." He stated as he looked down to Sasuke. "Working together to accomplish a goal. Now, go train."

Naruto couldn't hold back a laugh. "See? Just like I said. Teamwork freak." She ignored Kakashi's 'hay!' and continued. "And you, Sakura, if you didn't want the dress to get dirty then why did you wear it? This isn't the first messy task we've had to do."

The girl blushed and glanced at Sasuke then huffed. "Oh! Shut up Naruto. You know nothing. I-"

"Nothing?" Naruto whirled around. Flecks of paint flying from her brush. "I'll tell you what I know. We are shinobi. Shinobi go on missions. They fight. They kill. They die. They encounter things far worse than mud or paint on their clothing. Blood, brain matter, bone shards. And for kunoichi…" Naruto stepped closer to the stunned girl. Locking their eyes as she tried to get the stubborn girl to understand.

"…Especially ones who wait around to be rescued by some prince, most possibly semen. Unwanted, of course. So stop complaining and wear something suitable for the job." She looked down at the other girl's dress and pressed her lips together. "You'll have to replace that one anyway."

The pink haired girl screeched when she saw the white spot on the red dress and moved to attack the one responsible. Only to be grabbed by the collar and lifted into the air by their sensei. Kakashi settled his gaze on his blonde student. "That was quite detailed, Naruto."

The blonde turned her gaze to the man and wondered if she could get him to flinch again. She smiled and shrugged, deciding it was not worth the trouble. After her attempt at neutering Kakashi during the bell test, he had become wary of her. That would not do, no matter how much fun it was seeing him flinch.

"It's all true, though." The blonde returned to her painting, resisting the urge to paint a target on the man's pants. "Everything I said is taught at the academy, just not so bluntly stated."

The girl captured in Kakashi's grip stilled as what was said sunk in. He nearly forgot that she was there because he was studying the Uzumaki. Intent on solving the puzzle the boy gave him.

"Um, sensei, can you put me down?" Sakura's voice was low as she also watched her working teammate. Naruto had changed. Yes, she did notice the boy. Who wouldn't? He was loud, bright, and had a passion that borderline insanity. Not to mention annoying, loud, loved pranks, loud, and…. Just then she realized that she hadn't felt her ears ringing because of the boy for some time now.

They'd been genin for almost two months and in all that time Naruto seemed, well, calm? No that's not it. Focused? It fit but wasn't what she was looking for. She then realized that she didn't really know anything about him.

When her feet touched the ground she mechanically grabbed her brush and joined the others in painting. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts and the atmosphere became tense. 'Great.' Naruto sighed. She didn't like this. It had to change. She glanced over to Sasuke than moved her brush in a way to splash a bit of paint of the boy's high collared shirt.

When the dollop made its mark, the boy froze then glared at her. A smirk spread across her lips. "I heard that only the best of the best can get through a mission without even a speck of dirt. Looks like I win!"

And so, the paint wars began.

The two sides spared not a glance at the unfortunate casualties of battle. Villagers unlucky enough to step into the warpath were left yelling after the fighting genin. Naruto even swore she heard a cat's yawl at one point. She grinned at the thought that it could've been Turoa.

In the end, team seven stood in front of the Hokage looking as white as snowmen. Even Kakashi was not spared. "It seems you, painted more than the fence." The Hokage settled his gaze on Naruto who was the least painted. She had a wide grin on her face and held up her fingers in a V.

It was only supposed to be a simple observation mission. A check up on the demon container. The child had apparently graduated from the academy and had been placed on a team with the Uchiha survivor and Kakashi of the sharingan.

The last time the hidden man was given this particular assignment was when the child first entered the ninja school. He did not expect much but Lord Danzo still held hope that he could utilize the boy.

So here he was, three days into his mission. Watching the blue-eyed, blonde demon container as he set out for morning training with the rest of team seven. The man looked away for a moment to observe a small commotion down the street. He was confused to see a mountain of bubbles coming out of a shop's door and windows. His eyes narrow slightly behind his white dog-like mask and he turned quickly to see his target gone.

Naruto sprinted away the moment she heard the shop keep's cry of distress. She sort of felt bad for using him as a distraction but that was quickly buried as she focused on the task at hand. She weaved through alleyways not hiding her trail at all. The man was in pursuit once again trailing after her like a shadow.

Naruto reached her destination and ducked down behind a stack of crates. Minutes later she heard the light steps of her stocker as he entered the secluded path then a slight yelp as her trap sprung.

The man had no time to react as tendrils of light shot out from the ground and walls around him. He had tried to escape by jumping up to the safety of the roof but it only left him dangling a foot off the ground. When the light faded he was in what looked like a black web of vines. As he was trying to free himself he saw the blonde peeking out from around a pile of debris.

"It's useless. You can't even move your lips in that seal." Naruto walked up to her prisoner, looking up at what appeared to be your average ANBU but she had doubts about that. "But you just had to jump, didn't you?" Her face scrunched in thought as she looked around the alley. Spotting a lone crate a few feet away she quickly moved it to set it in front of the man and stepped up onto it.

She peered into the dark holes of his mask before removing it slowly. It revealed a surprisingly young face. He looked to be in his teens, maybe fifteen or sixteen. His eyes were a light shade of amber and the hair that framed his face was auburn.

Her breath hitched as a flash of memory surfaced and the teen watched as blue eyes unfocused for a few seconds before a look of pity crossed the blonde's face. She had seen this boy before though he had already been dead, a sacrifice for Kabuto's Reincarnation technique. She grit her teeth at the thought of the man but she had no time for that.

Her fingers grazed his cheek before she gripped the teen's chin and forced his mouth open. As she had suspected there was a strange lined pattern on his tongue. Danzo's curse mark. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'll have to use you for a time before I can free you from this curse." She bit her own thumb before grabbed the exposed muscle, placing her bloody digit in the middle of the mark.

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AN: Can anyone guess who this mysteries root member is? And what do you think Naruto did to him?

The next chapter is the beginning of Wave!