The Atma Chronicles

By

Narakusnoone

Disclaimer: Today is the first day of the rest of your life and often filled with nothing but pure hell whether it come from work or even your own homelife. But hey, You can always to find a sweet release from reality in the world of stories like this and other great ones across the board. And on this wondrous site one can write anything they desire. It can follow the storyline or you can take it in any direction you desire as long as you add these words in as many words you desire. I do not own anything. That's it. A few simple words that basically give you the freedom to create a world as you see fit based on the lore you've assimilated through your various experiences. Oh Fanfiction, I thank you for allowing me to make a world that I control using my imagination based on the hard work of others by saying these sacred words. I own nothing. It's kind of a thrill to write them and then write away at a keyboard and a blank canvas upon which epic worlds filled with epic people are created, altered, or improved.

Anyway, I'm ranting here. I've just been taking care of what seems like endless errands and finally able to get back to something that I actually enjoy. So yeah, I By Pen Name am Narakusnoone, and I do not by any extension own anything about Naruto, or various other elements that may or may not make an appearance in this fic. Thank you and sorry for ranting there.

Chapter 10: Meeting Anko And The New Training Regiment

It had been about a week since Team 7 had had emancipated. So far only Naruto and Hinata had met together for training. Sasuke was still trying to figure out where he really stood and had no real testament to skill. He was going to petition the Hokage about finding a suitable sensei so he could get stronger faster. So far he had been denied because no ones team had an opening, or at least that was what the Hokage told him. He had been approached earlier By one the Elders, Danzo, about training but for some reason Sasuke refused. And yet the reason wasn't even known to Sasuke. It was like he had a natural distrust for him.

Meanwhile at a communal training ground

"Come on Hinata, quit trying to hit and hit me!" He had a prankster smile on his face while his hands were at his side. You see he had on him a timer. He was acting like a living target for Hinata to practice her Jyuken on. So far it had been almost fifteen minutes and she had hit him only 5 times. But she seemed to be having a good time. Naruto may be the punching bag but, he never said he'd be stationary while she practiced on him. Just then the timer went off. "Alright, let's take a rest. That's been three straight 15 minute sessions.

"Hai Naruto-kun." said Hinata feeling winded. Naruto had been training her endurance for the past week. According to him, she was getting better. And he always praised her whether she succeeded or failed. She was truly inspired by him to reach for greater heights. Her thoughts were broken by an audible growl coming from her stomach. Now she started to blush because Naruto heard it too and was looking at her with an understanding smile on his face. "I'm sorry." she said barely above a whisper.

"Not a problem Hinata. What say we go to that bakery you like and get a snack." he said a little excited. She had taken him there a few days ago. And it seemed that they liked him there. The owner of the bakery was a career Chunin, Mazasuko, Who had twenty years experience, as well as several commendations who retired eight years after the Kyuubi was "Killed" at the behest of his wife. But he wasn't like the rest of the people. He trusted in the Fourths seal, therefore he trusted Naruto. He didn't say it, but his actions proved his character.

Hinata's initial reaction was to blush and look down. Meanwhile her thought process was of this mind. "Is he asking me on a date? He's offering to take me to my favorite place. What should I do?" It was about that time she noticed Naruto had grabbed grabbed her hand and was heading toward the village. At first she wanted to faint but something told her to enjoy it. She tried her best to keep up.

They reached the bakery at about noon. Oh how Hinata loved this place. It not only made the best cinnamon rolls but it also made some the best cakes in town. They had just entered the shop when they were nearly mowed down by a woman wearing a long tan trench coat who rushed past them and went straight to the counter. "15 Sticks of Dango. And a sweet roll too."

"Ah, Anko. We were wondering when you'd come in. I'll have your order ready in five minutes." The counter girl went to get her order.

"So what do you want. I'll pay." Naruto asked Hinata, not knowing that this caused a new cycle of thought through Hinata's mind. "Oh No. He's offering to pay. If I let him he might think I'm spoiled. But this is Naruto. He's always so generous. Offer to pay this time. See if he offers again." "I'm okay Naruto." said Hinata. But Naruto said, "No really. I'll Pay. You pay next time." He was smiling. He always seemed to smile more when he was around her and reverse was most definitely true. "That's alright." she said still blushing.

They made their way to the counter all the while deciding what they were getting. Now Naruto was never one to like sweets, mostly because the ones he was offered had poison in them, but he was starting to rethink that at least where this place was concerned. The counter girl was back at the register when Naruto and Hinata finally made it down to her. "Hi miss Hinata. Hello mister Naruto. What can I get the both of you?"

"6 cinnamon buns with the sweet glaze on them for me please." Said Hinata. Naruto was still debating what to get when he noticed a slight disturbance. Now Naruto always had a bit of a 6th sense about him. He felt that they were being watched. And as the only other patron in the shop was sitting at a table eating Dango he was quite sure he knew who was watching, but he wasn't entirely sure why. But he didn't want to let on that he knew he was being monitored so he said, "I'll have slice of that carrot cake with the cream cheese icing."

After they received their order they went to a table in the far back of the shop and sat down. Naruto put his back to he wall so as to get a good look at the rest of the shop and so he could keep an eye on the the only other patron.

Now here's the thing about this kind of observation. You need to be good at multitasking in order for you to attempt this kind of observation. You have to be able to hold a conversation while you keep your eyes on your intended target without letting them know they're being watched and basically act as if nothing is out of the ordinary. It's a hard game to play but a master in the span of a few minutes can create a detailed dossier on their intended target. And considering how many people even acted like Naruto actually existed, which he could probably counted on both hands, he had become a master of covert observation. He kept his eyes on Hinata but moved his eye every so often to the booth at the far end where their fellow patron sat. And he saw her looking directly at them while eating her dango. If he were to describe her in one word, all he could think was dangerous. Based on the way she dressed, she was probably one of those people who were skilled enough to wear a bulls-eye one her back and never let it get hit. She openly wore her ninja gear so she was also someone who didn't believe that just because you were home, that didn't mean you were safe. Her eyes were just as observant as his so she was probably trying to divine as much about him as she possibly could. But she was making no secret that she was watching them but to what end, he was unsure. For all he knew she was probably just bored and looking for a way to pass the time. But still, something in her her gaze was putting him on edge. "Ne, Hinata? What say we enjoy this at the park?" she was looking at him when he started, to out of the view of the other person, using hand code. Roughly translated Hinata made out, 'We're being watched. Act natural.' Hinata had her back to the other patron. She covertly activated her byakugan, and caught sight of the other patron. Silently she picked up a cinnamon bun as to make a distraction and silently mouthed, "How long." to which naruto replied in hand code, 'Since before we sat down.'

"Let's go get some drinks to go with this. There's a mini mart around the corner, and then head to the park." he said as he rose from his seat. Hinata packed up the food ad made to follow him. That was when they saw that there obserer also rose from her seat. "So much for that. I think she knows were on to her."

"And I can hear you plain as day." said the woman. "Sorry about that, but I wanted to test your observational skills." she had a huge smile on her face. "Mitsarahi Anko, Special Jonin, and assigned to be your new sensei for the time being. But I was told there was to be a third. Where is the third little fucker?"

"As far as he's concerned, we have next to nothing to offer him, and he doesn't see the point of trying be with the team unless absolutely necessary. Now as much as I would love to say 'Fuck Him', he's still our teammate and I have approached him multiple times about joining us but he just blows me off. So it's his loss." Said Naruto casually. "Also, for the record, we already dislike one sensei for playing with our heads in the wrong way, and we don't want a repeat of it thank you very much. And further more, shouldn't the old man tell us about a change in the team line-up?"

"You don't trust that the Old Man sent me? Alright. I'll tell ya what. We'll go see the Old Man right now so you know I'm for real. How's that sound?"

They arrived at the Hokages office. The normal secretary was out and the temp was not someone who liked Naruto. But the look of fear she gave Anko instantly killed any jab she had ready to throw at our favorite little knucklehead. You see Anko was one of those people who refused to put up with any type of bullshit whether it be aimed at her or at someone else close to her. And like Naruto, she was one of the few people in the village who could enter the Hokages office without an invitation. So without so much as a knock she opened the door and walked right in. "Hey Old Monkey.! Miss me?"

"Ah, Anko. I see you found two of your new charges already. Yet I seem to remember you saying that they might be brought before me hogtied. What changed?"

"The Blonde Brat was on to me before I could even try and he doesn't look like the kind of kid who goes down without a fight. I've been watching these two train all day. And I gotta say, they have potential. But do I really need to train the little prick too?" She spent the previous day watching Sasuke and she didn't like what she saw. He was arrogant, self-serving, and didn't treat his superiors with the proper respect. I mean sure there are those who probably don't deserve it but there were plenty who had through a lot of hard work and determination earned there place in the village and he refused to acknowledge that.

"Unfortunately, our stated agreement states that you have to train all three of them. You want that promotion to full jonin don't you?" asked the hokage with a smile.

"All right." said Anko in a resigned tone.

Suddenly Naruto got a very devious smile on his face. "I have a Wonderful idea on how to get him interested in training with you." he looked directly at Anko. "Train just me and Hinata for a full week and then when I see Sasuke again, I will challenge him to a spar and then decimate him. Then I'll claim that it was all because of your help that I was able to beat him. I'll then drop a hint that we can't take missions because we don't have a full team. He'll jump at the chance to join and will be become like putty in your capable hands."

Anko as she was listening, her grin got bigger and bigger. She liked how this kid thought. "I like how you think." But then she got deadly serious. "I want it understood though. The kind of training I put you through will not be easy by any means. I don't plan on training you like Genin. I'm going treat as if you were at least chunin and you may end up hating me for it. I will not tolerate any complaining from you because you asked me to train you. I'll expect your best effort and beyond. Any problems you may have about my training you can shove up your ass right now. I'll give you two the rest of the day to get ready. I want you at Training Ground 44 tommorrow at 9AM. If you don't show, I come looking for you. And you won't want me to find you if I have to waste my time looking. Got it?" The 2 barely teens just gulped nervously and nodded their heads. "Good. See ya then."

"Just what the hell did I get us into?" asked Naruto soundly a little nervous. The Old Hokage smiled to himself and thought, "Ah, Karma. Let's see how Naruto handles being the victim of a devious mind for once."

Hello all. This Chapter brought to you by the birth of my new Niece Elizabeth Sky born just this week. Anyway You know the drill. R&R.