"So, how about we introduce each other first?"

Naruto's eyes sparkled and he, once again, declared his undying love for ramen and his equally undying dream of becoming Hokage. The day had finally come for Team 7 to take on the wandering member of Team 11. Kakashi and Ibiki had both received a crash course by Kurenai and Iruka on how to deal with the girls (and boys as well) on their respective teams the night before and the copy cat had paid close attention. No one knew, but he had had a bad dream a couple of days ago. It involved an angry squirrel and Sakura's blood curling scream for help before she got dragged in a tree. When he woke up, he vowed to turn the skirmish, shrill and pink girl in a tough, pink and independent one. So he took notes and revised them with Kurenai who was very happy to see his dedication. It was safe to say that he was so ready for this.

I think.

After Naruto's passionate speech had finished, Sakura started. Kakashi had already tuned the blond out and was about to do the same to Sakura- she was still loud and skirmish and he really did not need to hear about how much she loved Sasuke again, thank you very much- when the girl straightened her back.

"I am Haruno Sakura. I like shopping, reading, chocolate and uuhh..." She glanced at her stoic teammate for a second. "I don't really have a dream right now because I haven't figured out my fortes, but I will definitely become a good kunoichi! I would also like to train more in genjutsu." She added shyly.

Her sensei was pleasantly surprised and nodded in approval. He could swear that he saw her light up at his reaction. Is my opinion really that important to her?

His eye turned to the forever grumpy member of his team and Kakashi felt a flash of annoyance regarding the boy. It seemed that after spending more time with friendly and smiling people like Naruto and Asuma for example, had made him more sensitive (read: allergic) to the opposite. He would never go as far as saying that he disliked the boy, but man, the kid was pushing it. He could only imagine what would happen as soon as Kakashi revealed his Sharingan. He hoped for that day not to come any time soon.

"Well, Sasuke?"

The boy scoffed "You already know and she doesn't need to know."

Naruto was about to say something, but both girls grabbed his arms. Sakura's shoulders were slumped again, something that strangely affected Kakashi in a bad way. Chi gave the raven haired boy a sideways glance and shrugged.

"You're right, I don't. You're not interesting anyway."

Naruto snorted and got reprimanded (gently) by Sakura. Sasuke's chakra spiked angrily. Chi merely dismissed his presence and turned to Kakashi. He looked at her and decided that he could work with her attitude.

"Though I am sure that you already read my file..." He eyed her amusedly as she had the good grace to cough embarrassedly. "I am Hatake Kakashi, Elite Jonin. My hobbies are none of your concern, you're not old enough anyway... My hopes and dreams... Yeah, I got a few of them."

"Geez, you still have that lame introduction." Naruto huffed annoyed. Chi looked confused but in the end sighed.

"Pleased to meet you, sensei. Please take care of me."

An eye smile was send her way. "Pleased to meet you too. Now, how about we start with our training?"

Chi glanced at the sun, it was already high in the sky, and looked at him "Eh we already did some before."

"Oh? You did?" I know you did. I was spying on you.

Sakura nodded hesitantly "Yeah, we all did some training since you were late. It was Chi's idea."

"We ran some laps and did some stretching, nothing much." Naruto put his hands behind his head. "I'm not even tired'ttebayo!"

Of course you wouldn't be.

"Well then, I suppose we can get started with some sparring huh? Sakura you go against me, Naruto and Chi are against each other and Sasuke can take the tree."

Another spike of chakra flared and Kakashi noted Chi's eyes flitting over to the Uchiha.

"Why am I against the tree? I should be against you, let Sakura hit that thing." He all but snarled.

Ah he must still be angry that both Chi and Naruto managed to explode a tree this morning and he couldn't. Silly kid, they were supposed to walk up the trunk. Those two failed the exercise, you did it perfectly.

"Well, because those two know each other best and I believe that they were on about the same level during graduation." Chi muttered something about not being that bad, Naruto let out a cry of indignity.

"Sakura needs extra guidance and against me she can go all out while I give feedback. That leaves you and making a clone is useless since it would pop anyway. So that means hitting the tree." He concluded with a smile. Sasuke scoffed and twirled on his heel, stalking to the furthest tree to beat up. Kakashi looked at his retreating back. It's a good thing Iruka warned me. I am not teaching you any jutsu while you're like this, you could kill someone.

"Let's get started."

The kids shuffled to their spots. He looked at all of them, Sasuke would no doubt be in need of bandages again, and looked at the pinkette. "Shall we?" Sakura nodded once and got in her starting position. He smiled, and got in his stance as well. Let's see how much I can work with you.

Half and hour later~

Naruto growled and charged at his opponent again. Chi grinned and flickered away again, reappearing right behind him with a firm kick to his back. The blond flew through the air, twisted around and landed on all fours. He didn't even hesitate to launch himself again. This time his fist met Chi's and they engaged in a long close ranged fight. Chi wasn't sure how long they were sparring already but she was enjoying every bit. At least Naruto was on her level and had the stamina to match. It had been a while since she had a good fight like this.

The boy ran to her left but promptly disappeared, only to reappear at her right. Naruto spun around and kicked her away with a kick to her face. She performed a one handed cartwheel and landed again. Both wasted no time in attacking each other again, completely unaware of the rest gathering around. Sakura stared at them and looked back at herself. She was sweating and puffing in exertion and she had only sparred for ten minutes. She looked at her sensei -who was as ruffled as always: not- and sighed. She had a lot of catching up to do.

Sasuke looked interested and it worried Kakashi. He shook his head and placed a hand near his mouth.

"Naruto! Chi! Come over here."

Sakura was confused "But sensei, they aren't done yet and they don't seem tired."

The one eyed Jonin let out a chuckle "If we would wait until those two got tired, we would be sitting here for the rest of the day." He hadn't figured out why, but it seemed like the girl had monstrous reserves as well. Probably not as much as Naruto but still, a lot.

He looked at the approaching duo, neither looked terribly exhausted. They were winded and had some light bruises but they could probably go for another couple of rounds. Sasuke had apparently figured that out as well and faced Chi as soon as she was close.

"Fight me."

Kakashi wanted to groan and send the kid flying at the still not destroyed tree. He was just too proud for no good reason (at least to a Jonin) and it made the man want to throw a sandal at him -after he had thrown him against the tree. As much as he wanted to help the kid, the last loyal Uchiha was just a snobby little sh-

"Why should I?" Chi retorted without missing a beat. Next to her, Naruto was biting his fist to stop himself from exclaiming whatever it was that he wanted to shout at the world. Kakashi appreciated the effort. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Scared I might beat you?"

That's not even an answer. His hands were itching and so he pulled his book out. He stared. That is a kunai, Kakashi. Put it back.

"I'd be disappointed if you couldn't. You were the top of our year, I was near the bottom."

"So? Fight me." Wow Sasuke, one track mind much? Even Sakura sweat-dropped.

"What? No! Why do you even need to fight me?" Chi wiped her forehead and looked at the boy with growing frustration. First he gets pissed and now he wants to spar? And they call me bipolar.

"I want to practice." Sasuke answered coolly.

Chi scowled "On me? Don't kid around, Uchiha. You never do things just for the sake of practice without some darker, bloodthirsty and slightly worrisome reason behind it."

She's right you know? The entire group (minus Sasuke and Chi) agreed inwardly.

Sasuke twitched "Fine, I want to test how my fighting is compared to yours."

"Go fight Naruto!"

"The dobe is the dead last. You can actually fight at times. So fight me."

Naruto had taken to jumping on his spot, his only sane teammate patted his back apologetically.

Chi glared the the raven, her eyes turning yellow. "You're really annoying."

"Just fight me already!"

"FINE!" Chi stomped to her earlier spot, leaving smoking footsteps in her wake. Sasuke smirked victoriously and Sakura looked worried.

"Sensei?"

"Just let them be Sakura." Ibiki trained his team well. I hope the brat's head gets deflated a bit. He put his book away and grabbed Naruto. "Let's cheer them on." I know who I am cheering for.

"GO CHI! Beat the arrogance out of that bastard!" Ah Naruto, a boy to my heart.

"Don't hurt each other!" Aaah, the medic inside of her is speaking. "Red does suit you two but it is a drag to wash it out." Or sociopath...

He send a small, worried glance at the girl who was seemingly unaware that she had said that out loud. Naruto slowly made his way to Kakashi's other side. He patted their heads and called out.

"Start!"

Sasuke had just enough time to put on his trademark expression and get in his stance when the signal was given. The moment the words had left Kakashi's lips, Chi flickered away. Sasuke gritted his teeth.

"Running away? Come and fight me!" He challenged the girl, who was still nowhere to be found. He too made good use of the latest addition to his repertoire and flickered to various spots on the training field. They like that too much. The Jonin wanted to cringe, he knew exactly what was going to happen.

Chi appeared right behind the boy and held a kunai to his neck. "It's over."

Called it.

Sasuke went rigid and exploded in anger. "How?" He growled.

"I hid and waited for the right moment. Practiced it often at my own training." She explained curtly, still holding the weapon dangerously close to his skin. The faint smell of blood reached her nose and she willed Kakashi to call the match. He did, after he ensured that Naruto would remain quiet.

"Chi won. Come over here now."

Sasuke, now freed, twirled around "What? That wasn't even a fight!"

Kakashi waved his book "Maa, the best battles are won without a fight." Or something.

"But how can I get stronger without a fight?!" Sasuke was fuming.

Chi frowned "Chill out. We all want to get stronger and tactical battles are just as much training as beating the daylights out of someone."

"Tactic won't help me achieve my goal!" The group stilled, all remembering Sasuke's morbid dream.

"And what's that?" Of course, Chi hadn't been there at the time.

"To kill the murderer of my clan."

Chi rose her eyebrows, looking unimpressed. "Why?"

Sasuke was scandalized "Because he killed my entire family!"

"You're still alive?"

"HE LET ME LIVE! He told me to hate him, to grow stronger until I could defeat him!" Naruto turned pale at that.

"...So you hate him?"

"YES!" Sasuke was panting. His eyes were shimmering with a suspicious look.

Chi's expression was devoid of anything "Then why do you listen to what he says?"

Sasuke's eyes widened but his face quickly contorted in rage "I don't. I don't need to listen because I hate him. Because I want to kill him. Because I want to avenge my clan."

"Who did it?"

Sasuke glared at the ground, fists clenched so tight that blood started dripping on the ground. Sakura felt her insides go queasy at his answer.

"Itachi. My brother." He spat the name out like venom. The color drained out of Naruto's face and Kakashi felt his stomach turn at the memory.

"Huh."

The group fell in an incredulous silence, only Kakashi had a slight clue of what might have caused the last known Ketsueki's reaction. Sasuke did not.

"What did you say?!"

Chi was already partly turned away and looked back, her eyes ruby. "In my case it was my old geezer."

The birds ceased their songs. "...What?"

Naruto's eyes turned dark, he had heard this before.

"My grandfather found it necessary to teach me how to kill. So he killed everyone in the compound." She explained nonchalantly. Kakashi's eye narrowed.

"Why did yours do it?"

Sasuke was stunned but he managed an answer "H-he wanted to test his capacity."

"I think that's a load of bull." Her answer was blunt. His team held their breaths. Kakashi sensed an ANBU nearby almost losing his balance. His insides felt cold as his brain started working in overdrive. The massacre had always felt suspicious to could very well be a dangerous SS-rank secret, but most of his knowledge was a result of his unhealthy curiosity anyway.

"Huh?" Sasuke had lost his stoic composure. Sakura realized with a start that he suddenly looked a lot more like a lost child than a brooding 'avenger'.

"I read his file." Chi closed her eyes for a second "Uchiha Itachi, genius, ANBU captain, special notes were that he was actually too kind to be a shinobi and abnormally loyal to Konoha. Abnormal compared to the other Uchiha's." She looked back at him again. "That's why I think his reason is a load of crap."

"B-but he told me! He killed our parents and he told me!" Sasuke shouted, hands trembling.

"Tough. But we're shinobi."

Chi left it at that and passed Naruto, clapping him on his back in a jovial gesture. The boy didn't react, just let her go to stand in the shadow of a nearby oak. Sasuke looked at her and then at Kakashi. His eyes were so wide and so pained that the teacher had to go to him. He looked small and helpless.

He rested a hand on the boy's head "Calm yourself Sasuke. Chi has a different approach to this. We all do." Sasuke looked up to see the lone eye staring down at him sadly.

Kakashi took a deep breath. "Naruto and I are also the last known members of our own clans. Everyone has a different way of dealing with it."

Sasuke's eyes grew watery and he turned away. His palms stung from where his nails dug in but the burning in his chest was way more potent. The memories resurfaced, brought him back to the night and filled his nostrils with the sweet metallic scent of blood.

"Take a break. We will continue in five minutes." Kakashi turned to the group. The kids nodded and scattered. Sasuke walked off as far as he could, occasionally bringing his sleeve up to his face. Sakura went to meditate in corner, probably to process all that happened. Naruto decided to spar against a tree and Chi just sat on the spot. Kakashi sighed deeply.

The group gathered after five minutes again and this time, they got together for a round of a special lesson. The kids were subdued but none of them seemed eager to touch the previous subject. Kakashi decided that it was for the best and didn't poke. He reached inside his pocket, felt an evil snicker come up when Team 7 tensed warily and Naruto stood standby to cover Chi's eyes, and pulled out a couple of sheets. Ibiki already tested his trio but it couldn't hurt to do it again.

"It is time to check your elemental affinity."

Naruto already had a question prepared.

At lunch time~

Kakashi mulled over the four papers. Or actually, six papers. Naruto was, much to his heart's agony, a wind type. Sakura had water and Sasuke had lightning (again, much to his agony though for a different reason). Chi turned out to be a surprise when her paper tore in half as well. His shock must have been evident because the girl found it necessary to inform him that most of her clan used to be wind type. They just never thought it was necessary to use since they had their bloodline that could do a lot of strong, fast, disturbing, creepy and deadly attacks.

Kakashi privately thought that if Asuma ever heard of this (he most likely would for obvious reasons) he would pack up and move to become a monk in order to deal with the pain and stress. Or have a seizure. Wind types were rare and thus often looked each other up for practice or to mourn the lack of fellow shinobi with the wind-affinity. To learn that an entire clan had this affinity, and that they were reduced to a single Genin (for all everyone knew) would be mortifying. He definitely needed his camera ready for when he would break the news to the bearded Jonin.

He looked at the eating kids one by one, wondering if they had any more surprises in store for him. His eye stopped at Naruto. His heart would give out if the boy showed any more similarities to his parents, he was sure of that. He stacked the paper sheets, being extra careful with the soaked one, and put them in a pocket hidden inside his vest. His finger touched a smooth surface. It was the seal from the bell test, put inside a slip cover. His curiosity piqued, Kakashi decided to take his chances.

"Chi?"

Said girl looked up.

"Can you tell me what this seal does?"

As it turned out, no one dared to activate the mysterious seal. Kakashi had examined and just carefully pocketed it in the hopes of meeting the girl. He really wanted to know what it did and to determine how dangerous it was. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her reaction to the slip of paper. Chi took one look at it and paled several shades. Her chopsticks dropped and, with the agility of a cat, she jumped up and smacked Naruto on his head. The other kids looked up in wonder.

Naruto whined "What was that for?!"

Chi's eyes burned yellow "Stupid! I told you to never use this seal inside the village!"

"What seal?!" Naruto jumped up as well and both Genin glared at each other. The ground cracked from around their feet.

"This one." Kakashi supplied, very curious now.

Naruto took one look and frowned "What did it do again?"

Chi groaned and hit him again "That, you giant mushroom, is a seal that could defeat a Kage."

Kakashi was very glad he didn't touch it. Naruto was excited. Sasuke's eyes had a certain glint to them that made him feel worried.

"Oh that's so cool!" The orange clad ninja paused "But how?"

Chi threw her hands up and plopped down on her spot again. "It seals away the life force of everyone who touches it. It was used in battle where shinobi would often had chakra residue and blood on their body. The moment they touched it, all of their blood or chakra- depending on what touched it first- would be sucked out and sealed away." She recalled from memory, eyes scanning the sky as if to the words were written there.

Kakashi was very, very glad he didn't test it. "Why do you have it?" He asked because this should be a kage-level kinjutsu and not known to someone as reckless as Naruto or to any Genin for that matter!

"Huh? Oh, my clan has developed blood seals."

"Blood seals?" He had heard of a few. Disturbing stuff. "How come?"

Chi flashed a grin "My grandmother on my father's side was a sealing master and she brought it in the clan. She was an Uzumaki after all."

The Genin looked interested. Kakashi was dizzy.

"Oh yeah! We're basically family'ttebayo!"

"No we are not? Uzushiogakure was large ya know?" Chi frowned. "At least before it was reduced to a

ghost-town."

Why the flipperdyflipfrack do they know about this?

Naruto apparently sensed the confusion and helped his sensei. "Since my last name is Uzumaki, and I can't go to the Archives, I asked Chi to help me. I found some information in her clan's library'ttebayo."

"This is also why I have unusual chakra reserves." Chi smiled as if that made everything better.

It didn't. It really did not.

"So, your chakra is like a kekkei genkai?" Sasuke almost looked smug for some reason. However, Chi refuted his comment.

"Nah. Uzumaki chakra is like the Uchiha's black hair. It's completely natural and everyone of them has it. Much like the Senju clan."

Sasuke's smirk was gone again. Sakura looked at her teammates and sighed. "So now what?"

Her words brought Kakashi back to the real world. There was really not much to do about this news. Except: "Chi, next time you make Naruto draw a seal, please come and consult with either me, Ibiki or the Hokage. And Naruto, don't ever do this without supervision from me or the Hokage."

Both nodded sheepishly. Kakashi shook his head, feeling glad that any gray hairs would be invisible on him. "Finish up your meals. It's almost time for a mission."

I can understand why Ibiki is drinking so much now. This girl is a headache. He got up and dusted his pants. Speaking of headaches, I need to go and report all of this to the Hokage... Damn, I need some sake.

Naruto's face contorted almost immediately at his words. Much to the loud Genin's credit though, he kept his complaining to an angry eye twitch and cracking knuckles throughout the entire way of walking to the Hokage Tower. Sakura eyed her teammate and sped up to walk next to Kakashi "Say sensei? Couldn't we just use the Body Flicker to get there?"

He spared her a short glance before looking at his book again. Sakura could swear that she heard him smirk "Hmm? Oh right, but then we might miss any kind, old ladies who need our help."

He had to spend the remainder of the walk carrying her over his shoulder as the girl rounded on him looking ready to dismember him. All his hard work had finally paid off as his Genin (only one unfortunately) had snapped. This didn't mean that he had won though, since his responsible adult side made him put his precious (and re-stuck together with tape) book away whilst carrying his student. It didn't stop her from making his back feel like a giant bruise.

He looked back to find Chi warily clearing the path for a steaming- no literally, there was steam coming off the boy- Naruto and Sasuke pulling at the bandages around his hands. The boy hadn't spoken much since his outburst and Kakashi had seen the redness of his eyes along with his puffy face. At times like these he wished that Iruka was tied to a summoning contract. All it would take was a scroll and boom: Iruka arrived to avert the crisis.

Perhaps we can trick him. He mulled on the thought for a while before shaking his head, much to his student's confusion. Nah, he has worked with Anko before. Nothing will get past him now.

They arrived- not a second to soon because the moment the word 'D-rank' escaped Kakashi's lips, Naruto exploded and left the windows vibrating violently and two ANBU masks cracked (Kakashi heard it happen). After making sure that his eardrum wasn't damaged, the copy cat scratched his head and looked at the Hokage. Said Hokage was not in the least bit disturbed but Kakashi figured that age was finally catching up to the man and Naruto's loud voice was just enough for him to believe the boy was simply shouting. Not that he would ever say that out loud, of course.

"I want a C-rank!" Naruto demanded and this time Kakashi whacked his head "We got that, Naruto. Now be quiet."

"C-rank huh? I suppose it wouldn't hurt." The Third Hokage smiled gently. Kakashi feared that his own age was catching up too.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, I have just received a C-rank that should get your team the necessary experience on these kind of missions." Sarutobi reached out and placed the scroll in the hand of a numb Kakashi. He never imagined looking at the man like that. He really needed a camera for this. Naruto had been too quiet these past weeks, I am actually glad he asked for one.

"It is an escort mission to the country of Wave. Our client has just arrived as well so I will introduce you to each other."

When the drunk-out-of-his-mind client named Tazuna came in, Kakashi simply greeted him and introductions were exchanged. The man then called Naruto short and demanded to know why he was given a bunch of kids as escort and it all went downhill from there on.

"Meet me at the gate in two hours, pack for at least two weeks and don't bring any extra stuff." He send a pointed look at Sakura and Naruto before dismissing them. He himself went to grab his always-prepared backpack and decided that it was only polite to inform his team that he would be going out for a mission.

Alas Team 7 plus Chi went their separate ways to get ready. Naruto was jumping up and down in joy and went to grab some lunch as well. Sasuke was glad that he was finally allowed to do something he felt was on his level. Sakura was nervous and decided to pack her pink-with-flowers med-kit as well as extra toiletries. Chi cursed her luck and raced to the T&I building to report and get a list of what to pack, then flickered all the way to her compound (conveniently located at the opposite side of the village, lucky her) and started storing everything haphazardly in the seals on her armor. She was barely aware of her sensei standing behind her and thus jumped when he spoke.

"Take care."

"Huh?" Her hand with her toothbrush missed the seal and stabbed her stomach. Ibiki allowed a grin on his face at his student's antics.

"Remember that you are the student of an interrogator. If it comes to it, be sure to take on that role. I am sure that Kakashi would be able to guide you there."

Chi nodded, feeling strange. This was the first time that he had directly acknowledged her as his student. "I will, sensei."

Ibiki nodded and then tilted his head "Say, what was usual in your clan when a Genin left for a mission outside the village?"

Chi startled "Not much as far as I remember. A pat on the back maybe?"

"Hmm. What was used as a means of communication?"

"Communication?"

"As in way to stay in touch with each other from a long distance."

"They would exchange blood to keep in touch, I think."

"I see." He walked up to her and rolled his sleeve up, revealing his scarred arm. "And how did they do that?"

Her heart swelled.