(I don't own anything, but the plot.)

Summary: Naruto becomes stronger than he has ever thought possible, only because of the one choice he made when he was young: merging with the Kyuubi. One catch is one can't live without the other. One has to endure treacherous training, while the other one has to be allowed to leave its "home." You choose what pairings. (1st one is the main; I will involve the others. OR. What ever the majority is, I will do.)

Chapter 10

*Naruto POV*

. . .

Between training with Kyuubi and Kakashi, I was booked from dusk until dawn (and later). I didn't have too much time to myself, which may have been a blessing. Well, at least training kept me busy and kept me from causing so-called trouble. Kakashi had an unique approach to my training. Even though he trained me, helping me increase my skills; he also helped slightly in my memorization.

He'd ask me various questions, sometimes about past events, such as The First Shinobi World War and its armistice treaty ending it, and more. Sometimes, he asked about present news. I'd always come up with an answer, each and every single time... except one. Only one question that he ever asked me, even if it was simple, I never answered him. It was about who my parents were and what they did.

I've heard that my parents were Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, but I wasn't a hundred percent sure, so I didn't know how to respond. I wasn't going to say my parents were them, just to find out that they weren't. I was not taking any chances. It was best if I kept quiet, especially about my doubts. I knew who they were and what they did, but I didn't know if they had any relation to me.

They aren't here, so I could not ask them, could I? Despite that one question, I told Kakashi the correct answers and worked to half of my ability during training. He, being Kakashi, knew that I wasn't pushing myself entirely, but I sensed his astonishment when I only showed him half my power. We had agreed that he could train me if I tried every exercise, and we would meet far away from the village.

It has been like this: Wake up at five, Get up and Eat, Train with Kakashi, Work my butt off for Kyuubi, and then Sleep the rest of the time I had until five, which usually wasn't much. It was my routine now, since a few weeks ago right after the explosion. Except, today was different. Kakashi was finally allowing Team 7 to go on a C-Class mission, and not a D-Class one.

People didn't want to do their chores, so they would put up missions for unsuspecting genins to do. We had to do it, even if no one else wanted to. No matter what, it had to be done. Doing a different rank mission was great because the ones we usually did just reeked. It was our first "real" mission, at least the team's. I say real, as in no combat, but better working conditions and circumstances than what we're used to.

. . . .

I walked behind my teammates, glaring at the ground. How could he?! He knew I was a greater than them, yet Haruno and Uchiha were still in charge! That's bull. They didn't deserve to be leading any team. And who leaves their team for a mission?! Of course, it was supposed to be something small like capturing this troublesome -great, thanks Nara- animal that's causing a ruckus for a nearby village, but still.

Kakashi wasn't even with us; he had "more important things to do." I sighed slightly. Oh, the best part, was that I had to make sure the new kid got home uninjured. I had to protect him, from an animal? Wow, so dangerous. Kakashi didn't think the kid was ready, yet he still didn't bother to show up to even meet us. I was informed by the two so-called-announced-leaders.

It had to be that kid. Of course, but at least he didn't say anything to me when I first met up with the others. He was smart enough to realize that I didn't have my mask on, and I was not acting like before, so he played it off as if we never met ever. That's a good thing. The others didn't need to figure anything out. I raised my eyes up to glance forward at the others.

They were walking in a line, well pretty close to a line anyway. All I had to do was pretend and get out of this intact, along with the others (especially Sai). Great, just great, here's goes nothing.

. . . .

The mission was relatively easy. I didn't even know why I was so stressed about. It blew over with no problems. We just had to capture the creature, remove it from the village, and put it far away. No injuries other than a few scratches. They were minor, if we had any at all. I just couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I went to the deep part of the water. It had been a long day. And a hot one. I was just trying to wash away the dirt.

I submerged most of my head, tilting it backward. It was somewhat refreshing, I guess. It would be better if I was alone, away from those two. My eyes drifted to gaze at Uchiha and Sai. I got out of the water by hoisting myself up on the rocks. Water dripped off my hair as I shook it dry, well drier. I barely heard Sai. "Why do you have a scar there?"

I yawned softly. "Hm?" I didn't care to engage in a conversation with the kid, especially about my scar. "Because I wanted it there," I rolled my eyes at Sai's questioning look. "It happened when I was younger, that's it." I stood up and put on my clothes with a glare toward the boy who went to speak again.

"Since when are you sensitive about it," I heard Uchiha's voice as I turned away. Most likely, he was raising a brow at my behavior. Truthfully, I didn't particularly care. I didn't even know where my scar came from, so why talk about it to other people? Exactly, they didn't even need to know.

I left them, but didn't go too far. I had to still watch over Sai. I fiddled with my forehead protector around my waist, as my mind drifted. I started with how Haruno was gaining too much attention. First, Sasuke, now Sai?

I'm not the greatest on that subject, but Sai seemed to have a thing for her. I could attempt to "like" Haruno when there was one person, but two? No, I draw the line there. All I needed was to locate someone else to pretend to like.

My eyes closed as I raked my brain for an eligible kunoichi. I initially thought about Ten Ten. She was amazing at using Ninja weapons, once again I mention it, so if I did choose her, I'd get more benefits.

However, the Hyuga had eyes for her. So she was out. I could not stand to try so much for nothing important. I grunted once, trying to find someone. Then, I paused. There was Hyuga's cousin (first name Hinata). That Hyuga was quietly there, caring, I suppose, but she didn't seem that interested in anyone, except as friends.

For some odd reason, my mind dropped the subject of fake "infatuation" and speed off to a new one. Red flashed into view. My eyes snapped open then. Blood, was it? I closed my eyes again to let the image form. It flowed down, swaying some to show the paleness underneath. My brain turned off as the full picture came into view. It showed those pale green eyes.

It seemed as if I were staring directly at her. It showed her impassive face, suddenly it quirked up slightly. I would have blinked if my eyes weren't closed. I've heard stories about that girl. She'd murder you just because she could. She'd accomplish the murder easily and felt no remorse for anything. Then, why... why didn't she kill me..? Hm. It was perplexing to me.

I shrugged it off. Maybe she wasn't in the mood. I didn't realize that someone came up to me I was so deep in thought. It was Haruno, even before I opened my eyes I knew it was her. She greeted me, and I stared with a raised brow. I watched her smile up at me. "What is it, Sakura?" I managed to keep the exasperation out of my voice and even fake a grin.

Haruno started talking about something, which I pointedly ignored until I heard Sai's name. "... Sai's acting weird. I'm worried." She started.

I could have laughed. She actually cared for someone other than that Uchiha. What a surprise. Next thing that'll happen is that she'll be concerned about me.

She continued. "In your opinion, do you think he is..? And since you've known he was coming, I was wondering how." Her green eyes drifted to meet mine.

I shrugged a shoulder. "I guessed," I laughed like an idiot. Both the laugh and my response weren't true, but it seemed to satisfy her enough.

She nodded. "Oh-okay, thanks Naruto."

I didn't have a clue what she was thanking me for, maybe she suspected that my response would result in making me seem clueless like usual. There was familiarity again. Clueless Naruto was normal, the perceptive one, not so much.

. . . .

We presently walked toward the village (Konoha), still there was a feeling of being watched. I couldn't shake it. All the others didn't feel it, though. Haruno kept up a constant chatter with Sai responding every once in a while or Uchiha would make a noise. It continued until I sensed something coming at them. As if slow motion, I saw something sharp, and I darted forward.

With one palm perpendicular to the ground, something connected with it, and my other palm broke it in half in the exact moment. Silence filled the area after that for a few moments. 'Behind you,' I heard Kyuubi's voice for the first time that day. I whirled around as another thing flashed toward us from behind. And I thought this mission was over.

I almost smirked.

. . .

(Next chapter, some of Naruto's skills/ small fight scene.)