AN: A little bit of filler that I've added. I'll warn you ahead of time nothing too terribly exciting happens I just wanted to showcase a little bit more of how Kakashi likes to operate. Obviously in fan fiction things happen differently than in the show however I am defining this as filler because the mission they go on doesn't have a larger impact on the overall story.

Chapter 9: B Rank

The next few days were marked by rigorous training. Naruto and Sasuke threw themselves into their training routine with a vigor that surprised even Kakashi. Both of them had felt that the mission to the Land of Waves had slowed down their training because they couldn't push themselves to exhaustion every day. With the weights on they would run miles, do hundreds of pushups, crunches and exhausting calisthenics. Their jutsu training wasn't slacking off either. Sasuke had the Chidori down perfectly and Naruto had mastered the Futon: Reppusho (Wind Release: Gale Palm). Naruto could summon the chakra and race through the hand seals in under a second. Even blunt kunai that Kakashi threw at him at combat speed could be countered with the jutsu.

Sakura continued her conditioning but wasn't as crazed as the two boys were. Instead her focus was on Genjutsu. She drank up the additional training Kakashi had provided and she was close to pulling off the Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique). The C ranked jutsu was rarely used in combat but was often used as part of the security around a shinobi camp while they travelled. Kakashi had used the jutsu while the team had travelled to and from the Land of Waves as an extra security precaution.

Kakashi had poured over potential missions that were near Konoha. One particular one caught his eye. There was a rank C mission that had a group of bandits that had made their base only two days out from Konoha. What made the mission interesting was that the bandits had operated there for some time but only recently had become bold and actually attacking heavily armed caravans. The only reason it was listed as a rank C mission was because no shinobi had been identified as part of the band.

The jonin knew that something had to explain the bandit's new aggression. By scanning the other missions he gave it a high probability that a missing nin had joined the band. This missing nin wasn't foolish enough to use jutsu in combat and draw attention to himself. Kakashi reviewed the list of missing nin that had recently left their villages and identified a likely candidate.

A chunin level shinobi from Takigakure (Hidden Waterfall Village) was the most likely candidate. According to the most recent bingo book he was a skilled chunin possessing higher than average tactical talent. Tomonori did not have any documented elemental affinities or skill with ninjutsu. He was however quite skilled in taijutsu and kenjutsu.

Takigakure had a mission listed as a B rank, the return of Tomonori alive. Bringing him alive would be worth three times the paltry bounty that was currently listed for him. 'Interesting… could be several reasons for this ranging from a relative in a position of power or he has information that someone in Takigakure needs.' Team 7's goal would be to make the capture and wipe out the bandits completing a rank B and C mission at the same time.

Kakashi didn't particular care about the additional income but it would prove a solid lesson on being aware of what was happening. A simple C rank mission had led to Zabuza and now another C rank mission would lead to Tomonori, who was no Zabuza but would be much more dangerous than bandits.

Kakashi informed his team of the mission, both parts of it. Officially they were only going on a C ranked mission however Kakashi's instincts told him he would find the missing chunin with the bandits. He explained the reasoning to his team and they looked excited. Even Sakura was eager to get out there, the fact that they were to bring the chunin back alive was even better in her mind.

Bright and early the next morning team 7 was ready to go. They removed the chakra seals on their weights, Kakashi meant for them to travel light and fast. After leaving sight of Konoha they began racing through the trees. As was typical Naruto's clones surrounded their formation giving the team an added layer of security as they traveled at near top speed. The plan was to push as far as they could on the first day, allowing them to hit the bandits on the evening of the second day. Finding the bandits would be very simple. That many people made tracks in an area that everyone but Naruto would be able to locate. And even Naruto who had missed that lesson in the Academy could just flood the area with clones until the bandits were found.

That night Sakura helped with the camp's protections. She used Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique) to hide their presence. Kakashi gave her a nod of approval. "Very impressive Sakura, you captured all of the details perfectly. Most chunin don't make their Genjutsu techniques that flawless. Kakashi of course was thinking of the chunin exam trick on the wrong floor to weed out genin who weren't ready. That Genjutsu was not nearly as detailed as the one Sakura had just completed. Sakura beamed at the compliment, proud that she was useful to her team. It was even nicer that Sasuke-kun was in ear shot when Kakashi had recognized her.

The night passed without incident and with team 7's speed they were able to get to the bandit infested area by noon. Kakashi was the first to spot the tracks of a large group and he had his team follow. Soon enough they spotted the bandits camped in the distant. Based on the number of tents the band numbered about seventy to eighty criminals. Kakashi told Sasuke to use his Sharingan to see if he could spot their quarry. Sasuke took a careful look and then whispered to the team, "I didn't spot him but one of the tents has a Genjutsu over it, I'm betting that's where Tomonori is."

"All right Sasuke, you know the mission parameters. Kill or capture the majority of the bandits and capture the waterfall missing nin alive. You make the plan and we will execute." Sasuke didn't see this mission as too difficult however he knew Kakashi would be testing him. Sasuke would have loved to test himself against Tomonori but that wasn't how Kakashi liked to do things. He wanted the mission completed with minimal risk.

"Here is the plan. Kakashi you have the best stealth abilities, you'll sneak a clone into the camp and wait for us to make our move. Naruto you'll flood the area with about 50 clones. Make sure they stay far enough away not to draw attention, in 10 we'll let the clones charge out. Then the four of us will advance and eliminate any pockets of strong resistance." Kakashi gave Sasuke an eye smile, the plan was exactly what he wanted Sasuke to do. He was under no illusions that this was Sasuke's preferred way of doing things but he would settle for his acquiescence.

Naruto made the required number of clones and they began to fan out. As of yet the bandit camp had not been alerted of the imminent attack. The Kakashi clone easily slipped into the camp and waited by the tent with the Genjutsu on it. The attack began with a tide of orange katana wielding Naruto's screaming their heads off. The bandits were shocked but quickly drew weapons. Blades, spears and a few bows were their primary weapons.

Bandits were often made up of failed genin. Some were dropouts from the academy. Others were disgraced samurai or just village toughs. The failed genin were perhaps the most dangerous but disgraced samurai depending on their skill with the blade could also pose a challenge. It became immediately clear to team 7 however that the majority were trash.

Most of the bandits never even got a blow in. The Naruto clones had almost as much speed and skill as the original. And despite being new to the blade he was simply faster than his opponents. A perfectly executed cross cut could be dodged before the blade even came close. The counter attack by the Naruto clone would either be a fatal stab, slice or a non-fatal bludgeoning with the hilt to the head. There were however a few isolated areas of resistance. One area had a samurai who wielded his blade with enough skill and speed to dissipate a clone. Naruto pointed him out and team 7 literally blew him away with their jutsu combination. Sasuke and Naruto's wind/fire combo actually popped a half dozen more clones but ended the samurai's disgraced existence in a fiery explosion.

Meanwhile the Kakashi clone saw its prey exit the tent. The clone sprung out at top speed. To Tomonori's credit he actually blocked the first attack with a hasty draw of his blade. He instantly used the substitution jutsu to get away but the Sharingan saw it all. Kakashi instantly used the body flicker technique to stay right on top of the chunin. Tomonori slashed with impressive speed and strength but it was to no avail. The attack was parried with a kunai and then Kakashi was on him. He grasped the waterfall nin's neck and applied pressure to the carotid artery. Tomonori knew he only had moments before he lost consciousness. His struggles were in vain and soon he collapsed unconscious.

The rest of the bandits broke and fled, scattering in all directions. They ran headlong into the Naruto clones that had circled the camp. A few escaped but the vast majority were killed or incapacitate. After everything was taken care of they had a band of prisoners they would need to march to the local police force. They kept Tomonori unconscious with a mild coma inducing poison that Kakashi had concocted.

Sakura asked if they would be going to Takigakure to drop off the missing chunin. Kakashi shook his head, "Negative, the mission was originated from there but drop off points included our village since we are allied with them. I don't intend to take you to any of the other villages right now. Even if we are at peace right now it doesn't mean there aren't shinobi spying on each other. We believe we know who watches Konoha but our intelligence is limited with Takigakure."

They team accepted this and proceeded to drop off their prisoners and then return home to Konoha. That evening Naruto had difficulties sleeping. The deaths of the bandits were necessary and it was done in the heat of battle but the sheer number… and the burnt bodies afterwards... Just thinking about it made him nauseous. Kakashi saw the boy's inner turmoil and addressed it.

"You know what you did was necessary."

"Hai Kakashi-sensei but I can't get it out of my head. The attack me and Sasuke hit them with… it burned them so badly. I remember when you first showed us the attack I was so excited to use it in a real battle. Now that I have… I almost wish I never learned it."

Kakashi let the boy's words hang in the air.

Naruto punched the ground. "Why do I feel this way? They were murderers and scum, they deserved what they got! They killed people, they tried to kill us, what we did was good!"

The elite jonin thought about his words and then answered, "You're human Naruto. You have compassion for other people. As long as it doesn't interfere with your missions, that's fine. Like I told Sakura, it gets easier just make sure that you never come to enjoy the killing."

Naruto had a shocked look on his face, "Who could enjoy that?"

Kakashi grunted, "You'd be surprised. What we do puts strain our minds, it affects people in different ways. Some turn to drink to suppress their memories. Others cease to care about anyone not from their village. Others revel in the power they have. Some say a good shinobi have no emotions, I disagree. Emotional decision making on the battle field is foolish but to be without emotions is to cease to be human."

Naruto wrapped his arms around his own shoulders and shivered. Naruto had wished to deaden his feelings when he thought about the burning agony he inflicted on his enemies. But the way Kakashi said the word human resonated with him. If he stopped feeling, stopped caring would he become the demon the villagers thought he was? Naruto dug into the core of his being and pulled out the determination and never give up attitude that defined him.

"I won't lose my emotions Kakashi-sensei! But I won't quit either; I'm going to be the next Hokage!"

Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. Naruto was going to be just fine. Both he and Sakura were accepting of the harsh reality that was shinobi life. You killed people. He wasn't concerned about Sasuke. Sasuke had experienced death up close and personal when his entire clan was massacred. The deaths of others would not bother him unless he had a close bond. Kakashi considered this an actual asset to shinobi life… as long he did form those close bonds with the team.

Kakashi wasn't a fool. He knew Sasuke was doing what he wanted in order to get more training and not out of his own personal desire. Going to the ramen stand with his teammates was just a way for Sasuke to show he was willing to play ball. Kakashi was willing to give it time but he was also in quandary. The quickest way to form close bonds it to truly depend on the team. Sasuke needed to save his teammates in battle; he needed his comrades to save Sasuke. That is how lifelong bonds of friendship and trust were forged between shinobi. However Kakashi was unwilling to put their lives as risk as this early juncture. The more often someone's life was as risk the more likely they were to die, a fairly straightforward perspective. Kakashi's goal was to bring that chance to as close to nil as possible. One day Kakashi would not be able to watch over them during a mission, one day they would have to face threats that would demand Kakashi's full attention but he needed them trained up before he would allow those risks to occur. It was dilemma with no immediate cure.

The journey home was quick and team 7 was praised for their good work. Kakashi did not include in the mission report that team 7 knew they were completing a B ranked mission ahead of time. He also left out the elemental jutsus his team used. He did verbally inform the third Hokage of all the actual details. Hiruzen wasn't pleased that Kakashi had sent his team out on a probable B ranked mission but considering how it turned out there really wasn't much of at risk with Kakashi personally handling the chunin.

Team 7 now officially had over a dozen D ranked missions under their belts, 1 C ranked mission 1 B ranked mission and 1 A ranked mission. For a fresh genin team that was rather unorthodox. Granted both times they had officially set off on C ranked missions. One had remained a C rank mission that was done in tandem with the Rank B retrieval mission. The other C ranked mission was removed as a C rank and made an A rank due to Zabuza's presence.

With his team safely back within Konoha it was time for… even more training! Kakashi would keep his team within the village for the next two weeks for some heavy training. The paths for each of the genin were laid out in his mind. Naruto would improve his blade work while continuing to rapidly increase his weight to maximize his speed and strength. While he pushed his body to its limit over and over again each day his clones would be working to refine his chakra control even further.

Sakura was to master at least one combat worthy Genjutsu. Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu. (Demonic Illusion – Hell Viewing Technique) was not useful against shinobi, though it was handy against non shinobi threats. 'And for testing fresh out of the academy genins,' Kakashi wryly thought. Once Sakura mastered strong Genjutsu his team could easily and quickly take out threats. If she could hold the enemy in the Genjutsu for just a couple of seconds the kill could be delivered with the fire/air jutsu combination or even a close in Chidori from Sasuke. Beyond the Genjutsu focus Sakura would also work on improving her taijutsu. No one expected a Genjutsu user to fight well in hand to hand, while she would never be as good as Naruto or Sasuke it was still a needed skill for her.

Sasuke now had enough chakra to successfully use the Shadow Clone technique though he would only be able to create one clone and the life span was short. It would never be the training technique for him as it was for Naruto however Kakashi wanted Sasuke to use it in combat. Being able to deliver a front line attack with a clone while you stayed back was just common sense in Kakashi's book. It would also be a good training tool in the fact the Sasuke clone could watch Sasuke spar and then when it dissipated Sasuke would be able to reflect on how he performed from his own perspective. Kakashi would also be training Sasuke's body hard. The Sharingan allowed Sasuke to see jonin level movement easily now his body just needed to keep up with his eyes.

Plan in place for his three genin Kakashi decided to enjoy a few rounds with some of his former comrades in ANBU. He wasn't particularly close to any of them but they had served together doing the most treacherous and dangerous missions. While they couldn't go into details they could certainly enjoy the quiet (and not so quiet depending on who was there) companionship.

AN: Nothing too terribly exciting – a MAJOR divergent point is going to occur soon. I have a feeling that many people won't like what I decide to have happen with the chunin exams but please stick around! As always I LOVE reviews.