Greetings from the Shadows

I apologize for my absence. Taking two math's in a semester is challenging enough, even without and English class as well.

To the DragonBard – I didn't say lightning doesn't cut. I said wind was better. Also, the levels of Sakura's charka reserves were implied as low.

To Zabuchar – True, I haven't seen many with only one blade. Naruto has learned Jar'Kai (Dual blade combat) but prefers to use Shien/Djem So, which only uses one blade. I must confess, it was my intention to have Naruto give Hinata and Sasuke Force powers. Due to your review, I have decided to change my plans.

To Dragon Man 180 – Yes, Kakashi will cry over not getting Hinata, but a replacement for Sakura is already planned, something never done before… I hope. There is a method to my madness, you'll see. Also, Naruto could very easily still Sakura's vocal cords. Luke Skywalker pulls a similar stunt in The Courtship of Princess Leia against an enemy Force-using Dathomir witch.

Thank you to all who have left comments.

For those who didn't… you know who you are… so do I.

Ahem… On with the Fic!

Naruto grinned as Kakashi looked about, trying to locate him. Force concealment is such fun, he thought, forming a cross seal.

Fourteen Narutos appeared, all using the Force to remain hidden from their teacher's sight. They drew their shikomizue, grinning as Kakashi continued his search, unaware of the danger he was in.

Nodding at them, the original dashed away, a pair of clones following him, booming sounds accompanying them as they used the Force to launch themselves away.

The other dozen formed a circle around their cycloptic teacher, settling into the stances of the six styles of single bladed combat. All smiled as they began to whisper. "Let the bodies hit the floor…"

With Sasuke…

Hidden by the green foliage of the tree, Sasuke watched as Naruto disappeared from sight. He's really using those Force powers of his. Great.

Sasuke shook his head. "Now, I gotta work harder to get to his level," he muttered to himself.

What he wasn't expecting was a response.

"Not really."

Sasuke spun around to see a trio of Narutos hanging from a branch by their feet, a familiar shit-eating grin across his features.

Sasuke looked back down to see his teacher being swarmed by a dozen shadow clones, each wielding a blue tinted blade with the faintest outline of charka around it. Wind chakra?

He looked back up to the Naruto trio. "Which one is the real you?" he asked, putting two fingers to his temple as he felt a headache coming on.

The two outer Narutos pointed at the center one, while the indicated one pointed a thumb at himself. "Why?" they chorused, each cocking their heads to the side.

"Stop doing that!"

"Stop what?"

"Never mind. You got a plan?" Sasuke asked, searching around in his pouch for the headache pills he was sure he had packed. Naruto decided to lend a hand, using the Force to raise the bottle from the bottom of Sasuke's pouch.

"Thanks," said Sasuke grabbing the bottle and proceeded to toss back a pair of pills. Swallowing the pills dry, he winced. "Well?"

Naruto shrugged, gesturing the two clones over.

Both looked over to Kakashi's battle with their brothers and poof'ed away.

Back with Kakashi…

What the hell did I sign on for, thought Kakashi as he flipped, whirled, ducked, and ultimately tried to dodge the blades of the supposed 'dead last' of the academy.

A pair of Narutos rolled to either side and swung at his angles, attempting to slice Kakashi's Achilles tendons. Kakashi pulled a cartwheel to avoid the crippling blows, passing over the blades with hairs to spare.

Only to receive a kick in the back, sending him into a tree.

Kakashi rolled off the tree, landing on his back with a ringing head. Sure, step back to Jonin. All I gotta do is teach a trio of kids. How hard can that be, huh? Can't be that hard, can it? No, gotta be a team Jonin, not an assassin. What the fuck did I sign up for?

Kakashi looked up to see a circle of Narutos surrounding him, blue blades reflecting blinding light into his eyes. "Parlay?"

The circle laughed and raised their blades.

"Didn't think so." Kakashi launched himself off the ground, palmed a handful of shuriken and tossed them at the circle.

The Narutos either dodged or deflected the shuriken, making Kakashi dodge his own throwing stars.

Kakshi landed outside the circle, making the clones turn after him. One dashed forward and slashed at Kakashi's leg, moving too fast for Kakashi's eye to see it until the clone had completed the swing. A gash opened on Kakashi's thigh, causing the Jonin to wince and stumble.

Other clones began raining blows on the Jonin, forcing him to one knee as the multitude of the slashes began to take their toll. The sound of displaced air filled Kakashi's ears as the Naruto mini-army dashed back and forth, slashing at any opening Kakashi left.

Kakashi nearly wept when he heard the timer ring to signal the end of the exercise.

Sakura came out of hiding to find her teacher covered in tiny gashes and cuts, surrounded by Narutos, blood dripping from his fingers from some deeper gashes on his left arm. Kakashi trembled as his body threatened to collapse, legs burning from sweat mixing in his wounds.

Groaning, Kakashi dropped into a sitting position. He looked down and saw the pair of bells still at his waist. "Maybe I'm not that bad after all."

"What did you do?" asked Sakura, her shrill voice causing all birds in a mile radius scatter and take flight.

"We won the test, no thanks to you," said the Naruto clones, sheathing their swords with sinister hisses.

"What do you mean, won? I still have the bells," panted Kakashi, looking up at the assembled clones.

Two Narutos lifted a bell each, identical grins on their faces. Kakashi gaped at the clones before looking back down at the bells at his waist as they transformed back into Kage Bunshin.

"When?" he asked.

"After he disappeared, nearly hitting you in the process. He used two Bunshin to Kawarimi the bells," said a clone as he pointed at the other. The clones dispelled, leaving two Naruto clones, their pink-haired team mate, and the bloody Kakashi.

Looking around, Sakura asked, "Where's Sasuke-kun?"

The second Naruto poofed, Sasuke undoing the Henge of his team mate. "Here."

Cue flying fan-girl tackle attempt, thwarted by a well-timed crouch.

Sakura hit the ground hard and slid a few feet from the inertia of her leap, causing the friends to share a quick grin.

Kakashi began to chuckle before bursting into laughter. "Me! Brought low by a pair of Genin! Ha!"

Naruto walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Kakashi. You underestimated us. Hopefully, you won't make the same mistake twice."

Kakashi looked up at his student as a warm feeling spread from Naruto's hand. Naruto smiled and pointed down at Kakashi's arm.

Kakashi looked down at his wounds and found them knitting themselves, healing without a scar fast enough to see. Impressive, thought Kakashi, flexing his arm, feeling as if he had just got out of bed rather than fought a dozen clones.

I know.

Kakashi started as he heard Naruto's voice echo through his mind. He looked up and caught a wink from Naruto.

I'll explain later, said Naruto's voice.

Nodding at Naruto, Kakashi stood and surveyed his team: an enigmatic blonde warrior with amazing powers and fighting styles, an Uchiha who shared fighting styles with said enigma and mounds of untouched potential, and a pink-haired fan girl who hung on the Uchiha's every word and does not focus on her training.

Looking over at Sakura, who was picking herself off the ground, dirt smeared on her face and red dress, Kakashi sighed. The only one who needs work is the girl.

Kakashi looked over to the blonde and black haired ninja, who were now playing a game of extreme hot-hands, meaning hot hands with blades. "One question," said Kakashi, smiling beneath his mask. "What was the point of this exercise?"

"Teamwork," chorused Sasuke and Naruto, not even looking away from their game, Naruto carving a gash into Sasuke's hand with a lightning fast slice. Sasuke flinched, looked at his hand to gauge the damage, and then stuck out his hand to continue the game.

Sakura looked a mixture of confused at the answer and horrified at the potentially dangerous game her crush was partaking in. Seeing Naruto add a second cut to Sasuke's hand caused her to throw herself between them. "Stop hurting Sasuke-kun!"

Naruto looked down into her eyes, blue eyes flashing. "Did Sasuke ask for your help?" he asked, restraining the urge to send her flying, courtesy of a Force push.

"N-no," stuttered Sakura, suddenly feeling very afraid at the coldness in her teammate's eyes.

"Then move and let us continue the game."

Sakura immediately left the immediate area as Sasuke scowled at the pair of gashes on the back of his hand.

Naruto smirked as Sasuke stuck his hand back out, ready to continue the game. "Ready to go on?" he asked, lifting his blade.

"Just go," said Sasuke, preparing to dodge.

Kakashi shook his head. "Sakura didn't get a bell, so she's going back to the academy," said Kakashi, looking over at Sakura, who began to cry at the mention of leaving her crush.

Naruto pulled a third slash with one hand and tossed the bell he held at Sakura, making it bounce off her forehead. "We're a team. We pass or fail together. Besides, there are no three-man teams."

"Self sacrifice for your teammate?" asked Kakashi, inwardly smiling. "Well, I am impressed. Congratulations, you've just become Genin. We start missions tomorrow. Be at Shozen Bridge at seven."

"Hai, shisho," chorused Sasuke and Naruto, bumping fists in celebration. They sheathed their knives, both sporting a few cuts that were rapidly healing and began walking away. Sakura immediately trailed after them, asking Sasuke for a date.

Sasuke and Naruto outran the pinkette, leaving her confused in the middle of the road as their after-images faded.

Ichiraku Ramen Bar…

"So… score thus far: Naruto in the lead by two games," said Teuchi, serving his best customers, smiling at the scowl the Uchiha heir shot him.

"Yeah, yeah, he's winning, so what? He's been practicing for a year to get that speed," growled Sasuke, digging into his ramen.

"And I still hold back," remarked Naruto, finishing his fourth bowl. "Another, please."

Sasuke dropped his head to the countertop with a clunk, his scowl deepening. "Thanks for that."

"Don't mention it."

Teuchi set another bowl in front of him, appealing scents filling Naruto's nose. As he reached for his chopsticks, he felt someone watching him.

A quick look behind him sighted a figure in a brown hood, face hidden by its shadow, a cloak hiding one side of his body. A few knives were strapped to his side, hilts down, along with a short sword at his hip.

The man knelt atop a building three hundred meters from Ichiraku, staring at Naruto.

"Sasuke, I gotta go," said Naruto, standing up. He tossed a few ryo down on the counter. "Next one is on you."

Sasuke looked up in time to see Naruto vanish into thin air. Sighing, he turned back to his meal. "There's always something."

With Naruto…

The brown cloaked man knelt at the edge of his building, watching the newest member to the Niwashi. He doesn't look that impressive, thought the man as the blonde disappeared.

"Appearances can be decieveing, Niwashi-san," said Naruto, settling onto one knee beside him. "Your stealth technique needs work."

The Niwashi turned his head from the ramen stand and looked at Naruto, a sense of newfound respect rising within. "My apologies."

"Why are you here?" asked Naruto, looking the ninja over, appraising the weapons his ally carried. All were well crafted, sturdy, and looked as if they were well used.

"A meeting has been called. All the Jusan will be there. That means you must attend," said the Niwashi, holding out a pair of knives.

"What are these?" asked Naruto, holding the knives up to the light to examine them. Engravings on the blade immediately drew his gaze. "These markings… a map?"

"Very good. Kyu said you were smart," said the man. "I am Roku. I'll see you tonight."

As the newly introduced Roku began to leave, Naruto asked, "What is my number?"

"Binbokuji Jusan."

~Unlucky number thirteen, eh? Sounds fun,~ said Kyubi, waking up from a long nap.

Lazy kitsune, thought Naruto, placing the dual blades into a loop on his belt. Should we tell them that there are really Juyon?

~Nah, it's funner that way.~

That night, undisclosed location…

The full moon cast shadows in the forest, branches and leaves thrown into contrast against the pale moon. An owl hooted and took flight, wings as silent as the footsteps of the thirteen shadowy figures who stepped out of the trees, all walking to the center of the clearing.

A stone with twenty six slots sat in the center of the clearing, weather-beaten and worn. The thirteen circled the stone and drew steel.

"A pleasure to see you again, Jusan," said Roku, holding his blades loosely, casually, face hidden by his hood. "Glad you found the right place."

"The pleasure is mine, Roku," said Naruto, his sandy-colored cloth wrapped around his face.

"Enough," said a man four positions away from Roku. "We have a meeting to call to order."

The assembled Jusan Niwashi placed their blades in the slots, activating hidden mechanisms beneath the stone. The stone dropped a few feet and moved underneath the rim of the hole.

"Follow us, and do so without hesitation," said Roku, stepping forward. Crossing his arms, he jumped into the hole, hurtling out of sight.

The rest of the Niwashi followed suit, dropping down into the subterranean cave.

~Hidden meeting place. Check. Cloak and dagger theme. Check. Now all we need is a guy to show and say "There's a traitor among us" and we'll have a full set.~ said Kyubi, filing his claws.

Naruto dropped into the hole, landing on one knee with both hands up his sleeves, fingers resting above his saber seals.

Plain stone walls surrounded the Niwashi, empty except for the wooden table and thirteen chairs around it.

Roku started clapping, smiling beneath his hood, the sound echoing off the walls. "Very theatric, Jusan. Very nice."

"Arigato, Roku," said Naruto, walking over to a chair at the end of the table. The others assembled around the table, each drawing their weapon of choice. Naruto was surprised when Roku did not pull out his short blade; instead he pulled a punch dagger from under his half-cloak.

The others drew short blades and katanas. There were other surprising weapons, needles, a pair of metal cestus and a blow tube among them.

Naruto drew his lightsabers from his arm seals, idly spinning the handles between his fingers.

As one, the Niwashi sat and placed their weapons on the table.

The man at the head of the table spoke first. "Ne is on the move. The former Jusan was the casualty of our last battle, when he and two others stumbled onto a Ne base."

"What is to be done, Ichi?" said one, his voice known to Naruto. Sukoppu.

"Hopefully, San, our newest acquisition will be able to tell us something."

Roku leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "What 'acquisition' are you talking about, Ichi?"

Ichi reached beneath the table and pressed a release.

With a grinding of mechanics, a table rose into view. Strapped onto it was a struggling man, trying in vain to break out of his bindings.

"He was snooping around my house three nights ago. I got the drop on him and brought him here," said Ichi, gesturing to the man.

"How do you know he's a Ne?" said a female voice at the end of the table. Naruto looked over at her, interested that there was at least one female member of the Niwashi. Her face was covered by a hood, like Roku, but she also included a mask like Kakashi. Only some of her violet hair and brown eyes were visible, eyes alight with curiosity. I wonder if Kakashi knows his kanojo is working for the Niwashi…

Ichi tossed an object wrapped in a piece of cloth, landing in the center of the table with a thunk. She picked it up and removed the cloth, revealing an ANBU style mask.

Engraved in the forehead was the symbol for Ne.

"He was wearing that, Nana. If that doesn't prove it, he also has a tattoo on his tongue. All Ne have that," said Ichi, gesturing to the mask.

Naruto leaned forward at the mention of the tattoo. "That seal on his tongue prevents him from talking about Ne, correct?"

"Yes. I've been thinking about finding a seal master who could try and counter it, though I am unsure of who to trust," said Ichi.

~Oh, oh, pick me!~

"What if I told you I knew a seal master, one who can be trusted to our cause," said Naruto, placing his elbows on the table, clasped hands in front of his face. "He could be here in seconds, if necessary."

The Niwashi all turned and looked at him with incredulity in their eyes, particularly Nana and Ichi.

"You have a seal master at your beck and call?" asked Nana, her voice incredulous.

"Well, I do provide him room and protection. He does the same for me whenever necessary."

~Nice cover.~

"Very well," said Ichi, settling back into his chair. "Summon this seal master. Hopefully we'll learn some more about Ne."

Naruto stood and collected his saber hilts. "I'll be back in a moment," he said. With those words and a flourish of his cloak, he leapt out the hole in the ceiling.

Once he was outside, he created a clone. Kyubi took over and stretched his neck, cartilage popping. "Excellent. I finally get to torture someone!" said Kyubi, a fanged grin on his face.

Naruto leapt down, landing on one knee as before. Nana handed Roku a sheaf of ryo, muttering under her breath.

"See, I told Nana you'd be back in a few seconds," said Roku, smiling beneath his cowl as he counted the ryo before tucking it beneath his half-cloak.

"The Niwashi request, I deliver," said Naruto, gesturing behind him.

Kyubi landed on one knee and rolled forward, springing to his feet at Naruto's side. "Somebody call a seal master?"

Once again, the Niwashi were incredulous. "This guy is a seal master?" asked Ichi. "He barely looks older than you."

"Nevertheless, he's the best. He's also older than he looks," said Naruto, throwing a sidelong glance at Kyubi. Kyubi merely smiled, yellow eyes amused.

"Very well then," said Ichi, waving Kyubi over. "Let's see what this seal master can do."

Kyubi walked over to the restrained Ne and shot him a glare loaded with killing intent.

The Ne passed out.

Kyubi opened the Ne's mouth and took a look at the seal on his tongue. After a few minutes of silent contemplation, he looked back to the Niwashi.

"Naruto, you called me for this? The counter-seal for this, very simple. A few more minutes and you can try to get whatever you want concerning Ne out of this guy."

Kyubi turned back to his 'patient' and proceeded to create the counter seal.

After two minutes, Kyubi stepped back. "It's done."

Roku, Naruto and Nana stepped back as Ichi and the others crowded around the prisoner.

Nana stepped closer to Naruto. "How did he know that the prisoner is a Ne?"

"Uh…"

Roku and Nana shared a glance. "What aren't you telling us?" asked Roku, slowly reaching for his sword.

"I really don't want to kill all of you, so I would really like it if you would drop it," said Naruto, leaning forward to whisper it into their ears.

"You will tell us," said Nana, her fingers itching towards hidden blades beneath her dark cloak.

"You guys talking about me?" asked Kyubi, throwing his arms around Roku and Nana.

Both looked at him as if he was crazy.

Kyubi looked over his shoulder towards the rest of the Niwashi and dropped his voice to whisper to them. "If you continue to press the issue, the Niwashi had better start looking for a new Roku and Nana," he said, slipping knives from beneath his sleeves.

"Thanks, Kyubi, make the situation worse, why don'tcha?"

Kyubi smiled, baring fangs for all to see. "That's my job."

"Kyubi?" chorused Roku and Nana, looking from Naruto to Kyubi and back.

"You're the container of Kyubi?" asked Roku, surprise evident in his voice.

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Yon told us that we had a strong new member to replace Jusan. He didn't say he was the Jinchuuriki of the Kyubi!" said Roku, staring at Naruto with a newfound respect.

Nana looked confused… well, as confused as someone with a full mask can be. "If you're the container, how is he out?"

Kyubi spoke up, making Nana and Roku flinch. "I possess a Kage Bunshin, transform into my human form and then I can do whatever I want… within reason, since Blondie there won't let me go to a brothel."

Naruto shook his head, tired of the long standing argument. "Enough, Kyubi."

"Fine… for now," said Kyubi. Removing the blades from Roku's and Nana's throats, he stepped back. "Since my work here is done, I shall be leaving. Goodnight, Niwashi."

Kyubi leapt out of the subterranean meeting room, leaving the Niwashi focused on their prisoner and Nana and Roku focused on Naruto.

"So… anything else you're not telling us?"

"I know who you are."

So sorry for the long wait.

Translations:

Kanojo - Sweetheart

If you have any complaints, criticisms, requests, questions, concerns, parting remarks, et cetera, et cetera… hit the review button.

Until next time…

Shadow Master Seek