Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"There are men who struggle against destiny, and yet achieve only an early grave. There are men who flee destiny, only to have it swallow them whole. And there are men who embrace destiny, and do not show their fear. These are the ones that change the world forever." - Dragon Age "Flemeth"
"I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them." - Magic the Gathering card
Naruto swung his blade at Jiraiya's mid-section, only for the man to jump over the attack. On Jiraiya's way up, he managed to grab Naruto's flak jacket. In a show of strength, Jiraiya hurled the boy over his head and straight towards Haku and Suigetsu. Just as Naruto was released a smile crept into his face. Jiraiya suddenly found a chain of chakra wrapped around his body. "This chain?" Jiraiya's thought was interrupted when he heard Naruto scream. Gravity pushed the man's head down, as Naruto pulled the chain up. Just as Jiraiya reached the climax of his climb a shadow fell on him. Looking up, Jiraiya saw Suigetsu swing Zabuza's broken sword at him. Naruto suddenly found himself being lifted off the ground, as Jiraiya pulled on the chakra chain. Suigetsu and Naruto crashed into one another as Jiraiya managed to lift Naruto off the ground. As Jiraiya landed on the ground, the chain of chakra evaporated. As Jiraiya was about to jump, he felt a chill in the air. Turning around he narrowly avoided being swallowed up by a wave of ice. "They're taking advantages over the openings the other one makes." Jiraiya didn't have a second to relax as Naruto swung a slicing wave of wind at him, but just as he jumped, he was grabbed from behind. Turning around, Jiraiya found the source of his binding; Suigetsu. The attack smacked into Jiraiya consuming the two in wave of deadly blades.
Haku started to move towards the impact zone, but stopped when Naruto raised his hand. "Suigetsu is fine," Naruto spoke with such certainty it scared Haku. "Just worry about Jiraiya's counterattack." With a look of confusion, Haku returned her eyes back to the dust cloud. Just then, a fireball roared to life. Before the flame could collide with Naruto, a wall of ice erupted between it. Even behind the cold wall, Naruto could still feel the heat coming from the attack. "That was close." The nonchalant reply earned Naruto a smack in the head by Haku. As the smoke finally faded, the two caught a glimpse of Jiraiya. He was unharmed, except for some minor cuts on his clothing.
"You held back," Jiraiya replied causing a predatory smile to appear on the blond. "Is it because that your teammate was in the way."
"No," Naruto's reply earned him a narrowed eyed look from the Sannin. "If need be, that could've ripped your arm off, but of course, you're holding back. I'll be the first to admit it, but I have a very prideful side. I guess you can blame that one on the fox side of me." As Naruto said this, Suigetsu appeared behind Jiraiya swinging his blade down. Jiraiya jumped back, but still received a slight cut from the blade. "Now, we will be fighting seriously. I suggest you do the same." With the warning issued the three charged. Jiraiya noticed that Suigetsu's blade was longer then before, but paid it little attention. He ducked just as Naruto's wind blade sailed across his head, but just as he went to deliver a counter, he found himself staring at Haku. Just as he jumped over the series of ice spikes, he saw Suigetsu.
"This is ridiculous," Jiraiya thought as he spun in mid-air avoiding the blade, while kicking Suigetsu back to the earth. "They just started working together, but it's almost like they've been together forever." Jiraiya landed on the ground, but jumped back to give himself breathing room.
"Why don't you use your summons?"
"Don't worry," Jiraiya consoled as he directed a smile at Naruto. "I don't want to hurt you that much." The toad sage gave a chuckle, but didn't notice the dark look, that loomed in Naruto's eyes.
Haku and Suigetsu shared a look of worry, but Naruto's eyes were hidden behind his hair. "What should we do," Haku questioned, but Naruto never answered. Instead, the boy began a slow a steady approach towards the man.
"Suigetsu fill her in on our Korijon Arashi (Collision Storm) plan," Naurto's blade at that point vanished as the area was suddenly filled with a dense energy. "I'll handle him while you two get ready." Jiraiya watched as Suigetsu nodded before taking Haku away from the area. As he returned his eyes to Naruto, Jiraiya found a disturbing scene. The seal on Naruto's stomach was visible. "I'm going to make you regret taking it easy on us." Naruto allowed Jiraiya to look at his eyes and saw, that the blue was now replaced with a blazing orange. As confusion began to feel everyone a burst of chakra erupted from the boy. Jiraiya watched as the yellow flame-like chakra cloak surrounded Naruto.
"This chakra," Jiraiya's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene in front of him. "This is Kyubi's chakra, but judging from the cloak, he nearly as control over it." Jiraiya shared one look with Sarutobi and knew the two were thinking the exact same thing; Kinkaku and Ginkaku. "Did they teach you how to do this?" Naruto didn't reply, except for suddenly appearing beside Jiraiya. Just as Jiraiya swung around, Naruto punched the man in the ribs sending him into the tree-line with a destructive result. The trees shook from the impact and some even bent and broke. Naruto stood rooted to his spot as he waited for Jiraiya to emerge.
"You can't hide," Naruto stated as he punched the ground, causing the earth to crack and a stand up in spikes. Naruto watched as a shadow jumped from his hiding and landed a few feet away. "My ability to sense emotion is even greater in this state. There is no place you can go, that I can't find you." Jiraiya let a weary smile enter his facial features.
"I guess you were right," Jiraiya's statement caused Naruto to stare at the man in suspicion. "I have been too lax in this training." As Jiraiya smeared blood onto his palm, Naruto prepared for the summoned creature. "This is where I get serious." As Jiraiya slammed his hand on the ground, the area was bathed in smoke. Naruto's eyes followed the shadow until he was looking at the top. "Sorry, but I'm going to need your help, Gamabunta." The toad in question stared at Jiraiya with a deeply disgusted look.
"The first time you summon me in years," Gamabunta's voice boomed and echoed across the area. "And you have me fighting against a mere child." Just as Gamabunta finished his sentence, Naruto was standing on his nose. Everyone held their breath as the two looked each other in the eyes.
"Goodbye."
Gamabunta was puzzled, that was until Naruto punched the toad on the nose. The ground shook as Gamabunta tried to stay standing from the impact. Jiraiya jumped as he shot another fireball at the boy, but two chakra hands appeared and crushed the ball, before it could reach its target. Naruto went to attack, but was thrown off, when Gamabunta threw his head up. As Naruto landed, Gamabunta took out his dagger. "Time to pay," Gamabunta roared as he swung the oversized blade at the boy. Right before the blade connected with Naruto, Jiraiya saw a worrying sign. Naruto was still smiling. The earth shook as Naruto took the impact head-on, but once the smoke cleared, everyone saw a sight they wouldn't forget. Naruto managed to block the blade with one hand.
"You shouldn't play with knives," Naruto direct his smile to Gamabunta as his chakra cloak wrapped around the blade. "You could get hurt." With a snap of his wrist, Naruto broke the blade in half. Just as Gamabunta leaned back, Naruto threw the piece he was holding at the toad chief.
"Doton: Doryƫheki (Earth Release: Earth Style Wall)!"
The thrown blade suddenly found itself embedded into a wall of earth. Naruto jumped on the wall and began to run up, but once he got to the top, Gamabunta exploded into smoke. "Where did he go," Naruto questioned, but the answer came in the form of a tag being slapped on his back. As Naruto turned the glowing chakra cloak dispersed and was drawn into the tag.
"That's more like it," Jiraiya stated as he stood face-to-face with Naruto. At the sight of Naruto's look of anger and confusion, Jiraiya explained. "That tag is designed to absorb a specific type of chakra. Since Kyubi's chakra is fire based I simple made a tag designed to absorb fire chakra." Naruto looked down at his hand as he flexed it. "In short, you can no longer use Kyubi's chakra so long as that tag is on your back."
"That's okay," Naruto answered as he looked at Jiraiya. "I already bought them enough time." The answer came in the form of water being wrapped around Jiraiya's legs. Just as the man looked down, the water froze all the way to his waist. "You see I needed to buy Suigetsu time to get Haku ready for our Jutsu. Whenever, we tried this without surprising the opponent, they always got away, but this time we don't have to surprise."
"I'm ready on my end!"
Jiraiya turned and saw Suigetsu's arms swirling around in front of him in a vortex of water. "Futon: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)," Naruto announced his Jutsu as Suigetsu fired his.
"Suiton: Hahonryƫ!"
Jiraiya watched in horror as the two attacks reached their target at the same time. The explosive force was enough to crack the earth wall and send it crumbling down to the ground below. Naruto landed back on the ground next to Suigetsu. "Nice timing," Naruto commented as he looked at the two with a proud look in his eyes. As the three turned back towards the rubble, Jiraiya appeared next to Naruto. Before they could react, the three we sent flying back. Naruto gritted his teeth and dug his feet into the ground. Seeing this Jiraiya pulled out a kunai and charged. Narrowing his eye, Naruto created his wind blade once more. The blades stopped mere inches from the other one's throat. A grin suddenly became apparent on Jiraiya's face as he put his kunai back.
"You three are not bad," Jiraiya responded earning himself a mirroring grin from the blond boy. He turned towards the council and walked towards them. "I think you could give them a Genin status and put them on a team."
"What about the Chunin exams?"
This caused an air of anticipation to surface as everyone waited Jiraiya's assessment "They would do okay in the exams," Jiraiya finally said earning him mixed emotions from everyone. "But as for passing them, I don't know." Sarutobi nodded his head and turned his eyes towards the team.
"You are to stay within Konoha," Sarutobi stated as he turned along with the other council members. "I will have a Jonin placed with you, so you can become a complete team." The confusion was evident on the team's faces, but they didn't voice it. Instead, the team took to they're new found freedom and explored their new surroundings. During all of this though, they still noticed the shadows following their ever move. As the group turned a corner, they ran into some familiar faces. Hinata, Sai, and Shino all stared back at them.
"Well, if this a pleasant surprise," Naruto announced with amusement in his voice. "How have you guys been?"
"We've been doing fine," Hinata answered back with a smile. "We've been discussing the upcoming Chunin exams."
"Oh, yeah my team is entering that."
The other three stared at the Uzumaki in shock at his statement. He hasn't been in the village more then a day and his team was already in the exams. "What did you do during that training assessment with Jiraiya," Shino questioned with a lack of emotion, but Naruto could still sense the small trace of shock. As the group walked, Naruto explained what happened, but just as he reached the end of his tale; a noise caught their attention.
"Look I'm sorry!"
As they rounded the corner that the noise was coming from, they saw a boy wearing face paint with a small boy in his hands. Behind him was a girl with blond hair in a ponytail and a giant fan on her back. "Not as sorry as you're going to be," Before the boy could make good on his promise, a small cut appeared on his cheek.
"That was a warning," Naruto's voice sounded as his wind blade began to gouge a line in the ground. "Next time, I remove the head." Stunned at Naruto's statement, Kankuro released Konohamaru. The moment the boy's feet touched the ground, he ran behind Naruto. After that, the groups stared at each other, until Kankuro spoke up.
"You're going to pay for that."
This threat made Naruto chuckle as he took one step forward. "I would love to see you try," The tone in Naruto's voice was very dark. It was almost like his very voice wanted to kill at that point. "I can't stand someone who tries and hurt someone who can't defend themselves." Kankuro actually shivered from the glare Naruto was giving him. It felt as if Kankuro was staring into the eyes of a apex predator, but before they could continue; a new arrival appeared.
"Kankuro, I warned you," Everyone turned towards the voice; only to find the source hanging upside in a tree. The boy had red hair and the kanji for love on his forehead. He also carried a giant gourd on his back. "We're not here to cause trouble."
"They started-."
The boy suddenly vanished in a swirl of sand, before reappearing next to Kankuro. "Be quiet," The two locked eyes for the briefest of seconds, but that was all Naruto needed. Kankuro was terrified of this newcomer. "Or I will kill you." Finally, with Kankuro subdued, the boy turned his attention to Naruto. "My name is Gaara and yours."
"Naruto Uzumaki."
Gaara gave Naruto a once over, before turning back to his team. "You look strong," Gaara responded, before turning one of his eyes to stare at the blond. "Don't disappoint me in the exams." With that the Suna nins vanished in a swirl of sand.
"Whoa," The new voice turned out to be Kiba. Kiba was in standing next too Sasuke and Sakura. "The day just started and you already made some enemies."
"What can I say," Naruto shrugged as he turned to Konohamaru. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Konohamaru spoke with a timid voice, but caught himself. "Of course I'm okay. I'm going to be the next Hokage." Naruto chuckled at the boy's bravado. The boy struggled as Naruto rubbed Konohamaru's hair flat.
"You remind me a lot about myself," Naruto released the boy as he smiled down at him. "Better get out of here and try to stay out of trouble." The boy stood there for a few seconds, before nodding and running down the street. With that done, Naruto returned to Kiba and the others.
"Hinata, Shino," Kiba's voice brought his teammates attention back to him. "Kurenai wants to talk to the three of us." The two nodded before departing, but Hinata cast a small glance towards Naruto. Naruto turned his eyes towards the Hyuga, but saw her look away with a slight pink to her face. Tilting his head in confusion, Naruto made a mental note to talk to Hinata later. Sai joined his team as their team leader wanted to speak to them. Before departing though Sasuke turned his eyes towards Naruto.
"My mom wishes to see you."
Not giving Naruto a chance, Sasuke and his team disappeared in a show of speed. Confused, Naruto shrugged his shoulders before heading out towards the Uchiha compound. On the way, Haku spoke up. "Naruto," Naruto nodded his head, turning on a dime, Naruto threw a kunai towards their follower. The shadow leapt from its hiding place, landing a few feet from the team. No one could see the individual's face, because of the dark cloak, but judging from the outline; Naruto guessed he was a man.
"Whoever you are, I feel obliged to warn you," Naruto's glare deepened making his slits look darker. "I don't like being followed." The person didn't speak only stood up, before drawing a kunai. In a flash Naruto and the stranger had clashed their respective kunai together in a shower of sparks. With a grunt the man dislodged the Uzumaki before kicking him away, but just then a chain of chakra was wrapped around the assailant. In a show of strength Naruto swung the individual over his shoulder, but just as the attacker was about to hit the ground a wooden pole erupted out of the ground. Shocked looks filled the team as he landed on the pole; perfectly. Before Naruto could react a second pole erupted out of the first, heading straight for him. Haku and Suigetsu both jumped in front of Naruto as Suigetsu turned his body into water.
"Try not to make it too cold."
Haku didn't answer as Suigetsu jumped in front of her. The ice user then slammed her palms into Suigetsu's back, freezing him solid. As the pole smacked into the frozen Suigetsu, cracks formed on the ice. Tilting his head in confusion, the man used the wood to break out of Naruto's chain. Jumping to the ground the man charged, but once he neared the team, Suigetsu attacked. Using the cracks, caused by the pole, Suigetsu wrapped himself around the attacker. The man grunted as he was slammed into the ground, but before he could attempt to get up; he found himself surrounded. He was wrapped in Naruto's chain once again, Haku had created a spear of ice which was pointing at his chest, and Suigetsu was pressing his blade against his throat. With a chuckle, the assailant suddenly erupted into smoke. When the smoke cleared, Naruto and the others found themselves staring at a wooden dummy. "Nicely done," The team turned and faced they're attacker. The man had finally taken off his cloak to reveal a Konoha nin. He wore a standard flak jacket with a mask-style forehead protector that framed his face. He had brown hair with black eyes. "I expected nothing less from my new team, by the way the name is Yamato."
XXX
Gaara sat patiently as he watched Baki go over the plan once again. As Baki was about to finish, Gaara stood up and made his way to the door. "Where are you going," Baki's question seemed to take a second to reach Gaara.
"To prove my existence," With that solemn answer, Gaara left. Gaara's siblings looked at the ground with saddened eyes, but stopped when the door opened again. Looking up, Kankuro and Temari saw the face of their father. With a quick glance around, the elder narrowed his eyes realizing who was missing.
"Where is he?"
XXX
As Naruto entered the compound with his new sensei, he saw Mikoto waiting for him. In her hands, Naruto saw her holding something wrapped up. "I heard that you guys passed," Mikoto stated as she gently unwrapped the package and revealed what lay inside. A new flak jacket with a vortex that ended with a fox's head, the color was orange with a little tinge of red. It was shaped the same as Naruto's old flak jacket, but without the old wear and tear. Haku and Suigetsu looked down and saw their gifts. Haku received a pendent in the shape of a snowflake, but with the symbol of Konoha inside it. Suigetsu's gift was some bracers, but at the ends the bracers were colored red. As the red trailed upwards it became the symbol for Konoha. "A new team needs some new gear."
Naruto was speechless to say the least. Mikoto was standing there giving them gifts, but expected nothing in return. "We can't accept this," Naruto stated as Haku and Suigetsu nodded.
"When Kushina learned she was pregnant she confided to me," Mikoto started as she looked up into the sky. "After talking I promised to give you something when you were born, but I can afford to give your team something as well." With that Mikoto virtually shoved the items into Naruto arms. As Naruto passed the items around, he put on his new flak jacket. It fit exactly like his old one, but still had some room for him to grow into.
"Thanks."
Mikoto nodded, but stopped when a shadow fell over them. Looking towards the source, they all saw Gaara standing on a nearby rooftop. With eyes as cold as ice, he stared directly at Naruto. The boy turned his body around, just as Gaara erupted into sand. As he appeared next to Naruto, the two continued to stare each other down. Finally, Gaara spoke up. "You have the eyes," Naruto furrowed his brows in confusion as Gaara continued. "You have the eyes of a killer, but your attitude suggests something different. Just who are you."
With a chuckle Naruto answered Gaara's question. "A fox can be a killer," Naruto started as the others watched intently. "But at the same time it does not bare its fangs all the time. Sometimes, it wishes to have a friend or family to protect. So, you have to ask yourself; which side do you want to provoke, the protector or the killer."
"Are you saying you're not a killer?"
"No, I'm saying there are two sides to every coin."
Gaara chuckled, but not out of laughter. "You amuse me, Uzumaki," Gaara looked directly into Naruto's eyes, but before they could continue a new person entered the fray.
"Gaara," The voice yelled directing the attention of everyone towards the Kazekage. "Leave them be and get back to our hotel!" Gaara glared at his father, but did as instructed, but not before leaving Naruto a final message.
"You shall prove my existence."
Naruto's response was one combined with a look of predatory and a tone of enjoyment. "I look forward to it," With that the two parted, leaving the group behind with nothing more then silence to greet them.
Hey guys I hope you enjoy, I had a little problem, but hopefully it all turned out good. Oh, I need suggestions on what to name Gaara's father, in the manga all he is called is Kazekage, so I need something better to go by. Anyway, hope to hear from all of you. Until next time.
