DISCLAIMER – Naruto and Naruto Shippuden belongs to Kishimoto alone. Anything resembling this fic is purely coincidence


Past

INNER SAKURA

Thoughts

Jutsu


"Too late we learn, a man must hold a friend. Unjudged, accepted, and trusted to the end." -John Boyle O'Reilly


As Naruto continued to sink deeper and deeper into the lake he was just launched into, his anger had gotten the best of him. He was not about to let Kakashi get away with this insult. How dare he humiliate Naruto, just by sticking his fingers right up his rear!?

As Kakashi continued reading his book, two shurikens launched its way towards the jonin instructor, only for the masked jonin to simply catch the shurikens in his index and middle finger, without looking away from his book.

Seeing this, Sasuke eased his hands down to his side. Launching ninja weapons at him too soon was a no-go. That would only make the young Uchiha give away his position. Sasuke was not the only one who thought so, Sakura saw the result of trying to surprise Kakashi, as well.

Naruto finally emerged from the lake, and climbed back to the surface, seeing Kakashi was still reading his book. "You know, if you keep this up, you're going to miss your meal," Kakashi reminded, making Naruto's stomach growl.

Naruto was not the only one. Sasuke and Sakura were suffering the same thing. "Kakashi-sensei is just torturing us," Sakura complained to herself.

Naruto had finally had enough. He was sick of Kakashi humiliating him. "That's it! Now you're going to get it!" Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!! Using the signature hand sign for the technique, Naruto created numerous clones of himself and charged towards Kakashi. Sasuke and Sakura were aware of Naruto's progress. They had heard that he was able to quickly learn a technique that was not of genin level, but of jonin level. This was the first time they had seen Naruto use the technique, and against a jonin.

"You know, that's not going to cut it," Kakashi sighed. However, what Kakashi hadn't expected was something restraining him. Turning around, he found Naruto, or rather, a clone, restraining Kakashi's arms from behind, leaving him wide open for an attack.

"A shinobi shouldn't let his enemy get behind him, right?" Naruto taunted, as he kept Kakashi's arms restrained. Naruto was now free to give Kakashi his just-desserts.

Sakura couldn't believe her eyes. Naruto, you did it!

However, Sakura couldn't have been more wrong. Upon the sound of a fist connecting to the jaw, Naruto took another look to see who he hit. Much to his dismay, it was another one of his clones. What the--? How did that guy get out of there? Naruto's clones had hit the ground after receiving the unexpected "friendly fire."

"Hey, what's the big idea!?" yelled his outraged clone.

"What are you talking about!? I bet you're just Kakashi-sensei in disguise!" Naruto pointed accusingly at his clone.

"The hell I am! You've got the old man's scent all over you!" his other clone accused.

Soon, Naruto and his entire clones started to have a free-for-all amonst themselves. This was solid proof that a divided group was a way to great defeat. Naruto and his clones continuing fighting each other and yelling amonst themselves was not just worst, it was an embarrassing sight to see.

"Hey, wait a minute, why don't we just disappear, then we'll see if there's two Narutos!" a clone realized.

"Why didn't you think of that, idiot!?" Naruto yelled.

"Hey, if I'm an idiot, then you're an idiot, too!" his clone retorted.

"Just cancel the jutsu already!" another clone reminded.

Doing as he was told, Naruto canceled out all of his shadow clones, leaving him all beat up and full of bruises on his face. Sakura watched the whole thing from the bush and can only shake her head in disapproval. Naruto...that was just embarrassing...

Naruto looked around him for any signs of Kakashi. Naruto was getting fed up with his jonin instructor making a fool out of him, a hokage-to-be. But even more, he was getting frustrated that he wasn't able to get a bell, and he was so close.

"Where is that guy?" Naruto wondered as he scanned his surroundings for his jonin instructor. As he continued to search for Kakashi, a light reflected into his eyes, blinding him a little bit. Looking for the source of the light, he found something shining on the ground. Much to Naruto's surprise, it was actually one of the bells that Kakashi was holding onto, lying on the ground, next to a tree! "Hey, a bell!" Naruto exclaimed in joy, "Kakashi-sensei must've dropped it when he fled. Heh, heh, it's mine now!" Naruto walked up to the bell and attempted to pick it up from the ground, now that it was right there for the taking.

Unfortunately, as soon as his hand was nearing the bell, Naruto felt something grab his ankles. Before Naruto could react, his entire body was suddenly hoisted up into the air and the blond shinobi found himself hanging upside down from a tree branch. "What was that!?" yelled the outraged Naruto. Sasuke witnessed the scene and shook his head in disapproval. While hanging upside down, Naruto desperately tried to reach for the bell that continued to lie on the ground. His struggle was futile, for he was inches away from ever reaching the bell in his condition.

Kakashi then walked into the scene and simply picked up the bell. "Shinobis should always mind their surroundings," lectured Kakashi, "Oh, and one more thing...don't fall for simple traps like that."

"I know that already!!" yelled the angry Naruto.

"I'm telling you this because you don't know, okay?" responded Kakashi.

As Sasuke watched Kakashi give Naruto a stern lecture about his actions, he noticed something about the situation. All of Kakashi's attention was turned to Naruto. He hasn't even been paying attention to either him or Sakura this whole time. And to make it even better, Kakashi's back was turned towards him. He's wide open! Now's my chance! Sasuke readied three kunais in each hand and thrust them towards Kakash's back. You want my intention of killing you? Well here!!

"Geez, what's the matter with--" Kakashi was soon cut off when six kunai pierced him in the back, sending the jonin instructor falling forward to the ground.

Sakura gasped in shock, covering her mouth, horrified at the scene. Naruto was shocked as well as he continued to hang upside down. "Sasuke, you went too far!"

Sasuke watched as Kakashi's corpse was falling slowly to the ground, with blood flying from the fatal wound he had received. Kakashi did say come at him with a killer intent, and Sasuke had did exactly as the jonin instructor ordered. However, Sasuke was surprised to find out something new about Kakashi. Before his corpse had hit the ground, Kakashi's corpse changed. All that was left was a pile of logs. It was nothing but a substitution jutsu. Sasuke immediately changed his position, jumping from tree to tree. Damn it. He must have used a substitution jutsu to make me give my position away!

Sakura saw Sasuke making his move. Wishing to see Sasuke safe, Sakura secretly followed after her best friend. She knew that Sasuke could take care of himself, but Kakashi was a different story. They may be official shinobis, but Kakashi was way out of their league. Even Sasuke probably couldn't compete against a jonin like Kakashi.

Unknown to Sakura, Sasuke was already being watched. There you are... Kakashi reached into his pouch for something...


Sakura continued to race through the forest to search for Sasuke. She became increasingly worried that Sasuke might have been beaten by someone as strong as Kakashi. She had lost track of Sasuke as he moved faster than her. Where is Sasuke-kun? Did Sensei already get to him? Sakura didn't want to think of that. There was no way Sasuke would lose to someone like Kakashi, even if he is more powerful than the Uchiha shinobi. No, that can't happen to Sasuke-kun.

Sakura continued racing through the forest, until she saw a familiar figure up ahead. Was it Sasuke or...? Sakura hid behind one of the bushes in the tree. Looking up from behind the bush, she saw Kakashi standing about about fifteen feet away, just reading his novel. Looks like he didn't notice me...

"Looking for me, Sakura?"

Sakura jumped at the sound of an adult male. Turning around, she saw Kakashi standing behind her, almost looking like he was about to strike her down at the next second. Seeing Kakashi standing right behind him caused Sakura to shriek in fear.


Meanwhile, Naruto continued to hang upside down, thanks to Kakashi's simple trap.

"'Shinobis should always mind their surroundings,' huh?" Naruto recalled to himself, "Well, I'm not going to fall for his trap again!" With that declaration, Naruto took a kunai out and managed to cut himself down from the tree. Now that Naruto was free, the blond shinobi landed on his feet. Naruto grinned in victory. Unfortunately, that "victory" was short-lived. Because upon landing, Naruto was once again caught in another snare trap. Naruto, once again, found himself hanging upside down, just as he had seconds ago. "KAKASHI-SENSEI!!"


Kakashi had Sakura right where he wanted her. Using a ninja hand sign, Kakashi had a whirlwind of leaves hover around her. Sakura blocked herself from the incoming leaves. Soon, after the leaves had ceased, Kakashi was nowhere to be found.

"What? What happened?" Sakura looked around her surroundings, looking for Kakashi. "Where did he go? What's going on?" Sakura was no confused. If Kakashi was right there, why didn't he strike her down?

"...S-Sakura..."

Sakura recognized this voice, and she was overjoyed to hear who it was. "Sasuke-kun!" Sakura turned around to the source of the voice. Sakura was now overjoyed to know that Kakashi hadn't reached Sasuke.

But what Sakura saw next horrified her beyond belief. Sasuke's body was covered with red. Sakura watched as red liquid was pouring out of the holes of his body, caused by kunais and various shurikens that were still pierced in his body. "...S-Sakura......help......me..." Sasuke writhed in pain, before his body collapsed to the ground, and his body had ceased to move.

Sakura watched in horror as her best friend was no longer among the living. She couldn't believe what was happening. She couldn't believe that her best friend was now dead. Tears had begun to flow out of her eyes, and all she could do was scream in terror, before collapsing into unconsciousness.

Watching from above, Kakashi had witnessed what had transpired. I think I went a little overboard. But, then again, she should have been able to tell the difference between illusions and reality...


Sasuke turned around at the sound of screaming. That was Sakura just now.

Kakashi appeared behind Sasuke, with the two bells dangling on his vest. "Shinobi basic tactic number two: taijutsu," said Kakashi, as he continued to read his novel, "And Sakura fell for it easily."

Genjutsu...Sakura mentioned that to me. It's an illusionary technique. Yet, Sakura fell for it easily... Sasuke was disappointed in Sakura. Sasuke was the one who had trouble with genjutsu back when they were little kids, and it was Sakura who tutored the young Uchiha about the basic things about genjutsu. Sakura, having a knowledge about genjutsu, superior to Sasuke, should not have been able to fall for Kakashi's genjutsu. "But...I'm not like Naruto nor Sakura," proclaimed the cold Sasuke.

"You should say that when you've grabbed one of these bells," reminded Kakashi.

It was now between Kakashi and Sasuke. Naruto and Sakura were now incapacitated, and Sasuke is their only chance of passing this training exercise. Kakashi and Sasuke stared each other down, both of them ready to make their move against each other. With fast reaction, Sasuke threw a number of shurikens towards the jonin instructor.

As expected, Kakashi dodged the shinobi tools easily, skidding off to the side after dodging. "Using normal tactics isn't going to work on me," declared Kakashi, as he continued to skid off. However, Sasuke threw a kunai towards a rope, which looked like it was just set up a few minutes earlier. The kunai slashed the rope down, and Kakashi realized what was going on. "It's a trap!" realized Kakashi. Kakashi quickly dodged an incoming barrage of kunais and shurikens. Kakashi was now in a clearing, away from danger, but the jonin instructor had no chance to rest for a few seconds. Behind him, Sasuke appeared out of nowhere, surprising Kakashi. The young Uchiha struck with a left roundhouse kick to Kakashi, only to have it blocked. As soon as Kakashi grabbed Sasuke's ankle, Sasuke continued his attack with a right straight punch, which was caught with Kakashi's left hand. The young Uchiha turned himself upside down to strike with a right kick above Kakashi's head, only to have it blocked with Kakashi's left arm, which still had Sasuke's right hand in his grip. The worst part: Kakashi was now wide open. It was Sasuke's chance! Kakashi realized it at the last second. The young Uchiha reached forth to grab one of the bells. Sasuke would have quickly grabbed a bell, if Kakashi hadn't backed off in time. Sasuke was only able to touch the bell, but not take one. As soon as the jonin instructor backed off, Sasuke landed on his feet, crouching on the ground. This kid's good. At this rate, I won't have time to read my book.

Sasuke gritted his teeth in frustration. He was so close...


Meanwhile, Sakura opened her eyes. She felt drowsy upon waking up to the real world.

"What happened?" asked the groggy Sakura. Sakura tried to remember what happened before she fell back asleep. Then, it hit her. That's right! I saw Sasuke-kun hurt and...! "Sasuke-kun! Where are you!? Please, answer me!" Sakura tried to call out in the middle of the forest, before running off to find her best friend.


Naruto was getting frustrated even more as he, once again, fell for Kakashi's simple trap. There had to be a way for Naruto to be Kakashi at his own game. If only there was something that Naruto could do. As Naruto was trying to think of a plan, he noticed a stone tablet that lied between two bushes, in front of three logs.

"Now that I think about it, I've never seen the back of that stone tablet before," Naruto realized to himself. Truth be told, Naruto never knew what that stone tablet was. However, his thoughts were immediately broken when he saw something at the base of the stone tablet. "Wait, is that...?" Naruto realized what it was. It must be the lunches that Kakashi was hiding from him and his teammates. A face of mischief immediately cross Naruto's face. "Shinobis must always mind their surroundings," recalled Naruto, as he grinned in mischief. Naruto looked down to the ground and found no more traps set up by Kakashi. It was now his chance to sneak in...


Sasuke and Kakashi continued to stare each other down. From what they perceived, Sasuke was almost a match for Kakashi, in terms of speed and taijutsu. It was safe to say that Kakashi might have underestimated the young Uchiha's strength.

"I'll admit, you are different from the other two," admitted Kakashi, "

Seeking to end this rivalry once and for all, Sasuke resorted to one last trick up his sleeve. The young Uchiha then used a number of hand signs that he was all too familiar with. In fact, it was a jutsu that he had practically practiced all his life. Katon: Goukakyou no Jutsu!!

Kakashi knew this technique. However, what surprised him the most was the fact that Sasuke could use it. What? This technique isn't meant for a genin! He shouldn't have enough chakra for this!

Sasuke, however, proved him wrong. Like he was trained to do, Sasuke blew out a gigantic fireball, which engulfed the jonin instructor. Kakashi had nowhere to run. He was officially defeated. Sasuke dispersed the technique to find the jonin's body. Unfortunately, much to his surprise, Kakashi was nowhere to be found. Sasuke couldn't believe it. Not even the Uchiha Clan's powerful fire jutsu can disintegrate a body, but even so, Kakashi's body just vanished. He's gone! Sasuke looked everywhere for any possible hiding places the jonin could be. Behind me? No. Above? Where is he? Kakashi couldn't have gone far from Sasuke. The young Uchiha kept himself on alert. Perhaps this jonin wasn't an average one.

"Right under you!"

Sasuke immediately felt someone grab onto his ankle. "What the--!?"

Doton: Shinjuuzanshu no Jutsu!!

With full force, Sasuke felt his entire body sink below. Soon, his entire body, save for his head, was engulfed in the ground. Sasuke couldn't move an inch. Sasuke gritted his teeth in frustration as he saw Kakashi appear before him. "This is the shinobi basic tactic number three: ninjutsu," explained Kakashi, "You can't move, can you?"

"Well, what do you think, Kakashi?" retorted Sasuke.

"I'll give you credit, though," said Kakashi, "You've got amazing talent." Kakashi once again took out his book to continue reading, now that Sasuke is incapacitated. "But, you know what they say, 'Stakes that stick out of the ground should be forced back down.'" With that said, Kakashi walked away, eying his book along the way.

"Hey, Kakashi!" Sasuke yelled out, "Get back here! I'm not finished with you!"

"Well, I'm finished with you," responded Kakashi, not even taking his eye off of his book.


Naruto was all set for his "victory meal." With Kakashi busy with Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto can now have some food to rejuvenate his strength. He can now face Kakashi with his full strength. Naruto sat right behind the stone tablet, completely out of sight from everyone else.

"All I have to do is eat and hide without getting a bell," snickered Naruto, "Itadakimasu!"

"Hey, you."

Naruto jumped from his spot upon hearing the sound of a certain jonin. "It was...just a joke..." Naruto tried to convince.

"Too late," replied Kakashi.


Sasuke tried to struggle out of the ground. Unfortunately, even with the strength of the Uchiha, Sasuke couldn't get out of the ground completely. His only hope was to dig his way out, but reaching for a tool wasn't going to be easy, even when his mobility was strained.

Are we this different...? Sasuke was frustrated with himself. How can he ever hope to defeat Itachi, if he is like this? As Sasuke struggled to reach for a kunai in his pouch, he heard the sound of footsteps running. Turning to his right, he saw Sakura run out of the woods. Upon seeing Sasuke's head, Sakura froze right in her tracks.

Sakura couldn't believe what she was looking at. Oh my-- Oh, I'm sure it's just a dummy......right??? Sakura tried so much as to turn away, but she still couldn't help but wonder to herself...

"Sakura..." Sasuke tried to call for assistance.

"AAAHHHH!! IT'S A SEVERED HEAD!!" Sakura shrieked, before passing out completely.

Sasuke gave a weird look upon seeing Sakura's reaction. "What is wrong with you, Sakura?"


Sakura's vision was blurry at first when she opened her eyes. Fortunately, as her vision regained its focus, she saw Sasuke looking over her and checking for her injuries. To her relief and joy, Sasuke was okay.

"Oh, Sasuke-kun! I'm so glad you're okay!" Sakura exclaimed in joy, as she threw her arms around his neck.

"S-Sakura, would you get off," ordered Sasuke, as he struggled out of her grip. Finally, after being released from her grip, Sasuke brushed himself off from the remaining dirt he had while he was buried. "There's only minutes left before noon," realized Sasuke, "I'm going on ahead."

"Are you still going after the bell, Sasuke-kun?" asked Sakura.

"I managed to touch one of the bells a while ago," replied Sasuke, "I can get it the next time."

"Really? I can't believe you were so close," Sakura praised. AND HERE I AM SITTING ON MY BUTT!! I COULDN'T EVEN GET ONE!! IF THIS GOES ON, I WON'T BE NEAR SASUKE-KUN!! "You know what, Sasuke-kun? I know you're not going to like this, but maybe we should try harder next time and give up for now. We don't have much time left anyway, right?" Sasuke stopped in his tracks and glared at Sakura, as if he were insulted by the mere thought. Sakura knew that glare anywhere. It was the same glare he had when he declared that he would kill his elder brother. You're still thinking about it...aren't you, Sasuke-kun?

Sasuke was not going to break his vow. He swore his life that he would kill Itachi, make his pay for taking his family away. If Sasuke can't beat Kakashi, then how can he hope to beat Itachi. "This isn't about passing or failing, Sakura," said the cold Sasuke, "I have to defeat Kakashi, at all costs. Because if I dont--" Defeating Kakashi is Sasuke's proof of his progressing strength. "I'm the only one who can kill him."

"You mean...Itachi?" realized Sakura.

"I was crying that time," recalled Sasuke, "He took everything away from me. I am an avenger. I have to surpass him, no matter what. I don't have time to play games."

"Sasuke-kun...you've really...changed..." Sakura whispered to herself sadly.

Suddenly, the sound of bells caught the two friends' attentions. Sasuke clenched his fists in anger. "...I've wasted my time talking," muttered Sasuke, before walking off.

"......Sasuke-kun..." Sakura said quietly.


Two lunch trays were left untouched in front of Team 7. Sasuke and Sakura sat beside the two side posts. Meanwhile, Naruto was tied to the middle post, due to his attempts to go behind Kakashi's back. Unfortunately, the three members of Team 7 had their stomachs growling.

"The three of you are hungry, eh?" asked Kakashi, "Oh, by the way, about the results of this training exercise, there's no need for any of you to return to the Academy."

Naruto gasped in delight. That means that Naruto and his group had passed the exercise. "What? But, all I did was faint," Sakura reminded, "Was that okay with you?" WHO CARES!!? WE PASSED THIS THING!! Sakura couldn't believe her own ears. Realizing that she passed this training exercise caused her to jump and dance for joy.

"So then, does that mean the three of us...!?" asked the excited Naruto.

"Yes, the three of you..." Kakashi began, "......should quit being a shinobi!"

Naruto and Sakura ceased their movements. Did they just hear it right? Did Kakashi tell them to just straight-out quit? Sasuke, on the other hand, just glared at the jonin instructor.

"What are you talking about!?" asked the outraged Naruto, "We didn't even get a bell, and now you're saying that we have to quit, just like that!?"

"That's because the three of you are just kids," remarked Kakashi, "The three of you don't even deserve to be shinobis in the first place."

That did the trick. What Kakashi just said was a mere insult to Sasuke. Without a second thought, Sasuke got up from the ground and charged at the jonin instructor. This time, Sasuke was going to take down Kakashi and make the jonin eat his own words. Kakashi, on the other hand, merely stood there, not even fearing that he was going to be injured by the Uchiha shinobi.

Naruto and Sakura were shocked to see that Sasuke was about to beat down their sensei. "Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled out in distress.

Before the hit could connect, Kakashi effectively restrained Sasuke and pinned him to the ground. Sasuke was now rendered immobile, especially with his arm twisted behind his back. "You see what I mean?" asked Kakashi. Now, Sasuke's pride was just hurt.

"Hey, you leave Sasuke-kun alone!" demanded Sakura, not wanting to see Sasuke hurt.

This time, Kakashi dropped his carefree attitude, with that of a strict teacher. "Do you think being a shinobi is a joke?" questioned the strict Kakashi. This question managed to grab the three's attention. "Why do you think we broke off into groups for this training exercise?"

"What do you mean?" asked Sakura.

"I'm saying that the three of you don't even know the 'true answer' to this whole exercise," answered Kakashi.

"The answer?" asked the confused Naruto.

"That's right," replied Kakashi, "The very same answer that determines your ability to pass or fail."

"We've been wondering what the answer is, Kakashi-sensei," said Sakura.

"That's why your head is there in the first place, to use it," remarked Kakashi, "Do you even know why we broke into groups?"

"Just tell us already," demanded Naruto, "Why were we broken into groups anyways?"

"Teamwork," Kakashi simply answered.

Naruto and Sakura were completely surprised by this simple answer. It was the most simplest thing on Earth, yet they never realized it in the first place. Sasuke seemed as if he knew the answer, yet he didn't want to grasp it. "As in 'working together,'" realized Sakura.

"Exactly," answered Kakashi, "But it's too late now. If all three of you came at once, you might have stood a chance and probably have gotten one of these bells."

Sakura realized that Kakashi was right. If all three of them had fought Kakashi together, they would have passed this training exercise in the first place, rather than suffer through all the trouble that they just went through. However, Sakura realized something about the bells. There was one two of them. Just two. "Why is there a need for teamwork if there is only two bells?" asked Sakura, "If the three of us attacked you all at once, then one of us would have to sacrifice ourselves. We would have fought amongst ourselves instead of working together."

"Exactly," agreed Kakashi, "This training exercise was designed to pit the three of you against each other." Naruto and Sakura had finally realized everything. It all made complete sense to them now. "In scenarios like these, we select only the ones who can make teamwork their primary objective above all else. That was the real answer, yet all three of your were the worst. Sakura, you were only concentrating on Sasuke the most, even though Naruto was right in front of you the whole time and Sasuke was nowhere to be found." Hearing this made Sakura wince at being told the harsh truth. Even though she was looking after her friend, she completely ignored Naruto. "Naruto, all you did was work on your own." Kakashi put more pressure into his foot on Sasuke's head, pushing him a little further into the ground. "As for you, you took everything upon yourself to try to succeed all on your own, completely ignoring Naruto and Sakura just because you claimed they would be a burden to you. Missions are done in groups. While it's common that all of you need well-developed abilities of your own, it's teamwork that is the most important part. A group member that strays from the group can mean danger, it could even cost his members' their lives. For instance..." Kakashi pulled out a kunai from his pouch. Suddenly, Kakashi faced the blade towards Sasuke's throat. "Sakura! If you don't kill Naruto, Sasuke dies!" Kakashi threatened. Sakura gasped in shock, while Naruto was fearing for his life. Sakura was about to step in to stop her jonin instructor from taking her friend's life. "Things like that could happen," Kakashi explained, regaining his usual tone and placing his kunai away.

Sakura sighed in relief as she realized it was just an example. "Don't scare me like that," sighed the relieved Sakura.

"Don't scare you? Don't scare me!" Naruto muttered to himself.

"If your enemy takes a hostage, you will be forced to make a decision, and someone will end up in even worst situations," Kakashi continued to explain, "In every mission, lives are put on the line." With that said, Kakashi finally got off of Sasuke, now that the young Uchiha had finally learned his lesson. The masked jonin approached the stone tablet that Naruto was hiding behind. "Do you see this?" Kakashi pointed out the stone tablet, "On this stone, there are numerous names carved into it." Sasuke turned to see what Kakashi was facing. Sasuke instantly recognized the stone. "The names that are carved into this stone are revered as heroes of this village."

Naruto seemed to like that idea, considering that Naruto wants to be a hokage. "Hey, that sounds cool!" exclaimed the joyful Naruto, "One day, I'll have my name carved into that! That's right! I'm not going to go out like a sucker!"

"These are not just any heroes, Naruto," interjected Kakashi, "These are the heroes that were K.I.A."

"K.I.A.?" asked the puzzled Naruto.

"Killed in action," answered Sakura. Naruto immediately frowned when he realized what he was saying. This wasn't just a stone tablet, it was a memorial stone.

"The names of my friends are on this memorial stone as well," said Kakashi, as he remembered the faces of his friends.

Sasuke remembered it all too well. Numerous names of my clansmen are also carved into that stone. ...All of them. But not my mother...nor my father's. They weren't killed in action. They were murdered.

Kakashi turned his head towards the three genins. "I'll give you all one more chance," announced Kakashi, "But, after lunch, this battle will be more intense than before. Eat only if you're up to the challenge. However, Naruto does not get any food!"

"What!?" yelled the outraged Naruto, "Why!?"

"Because that's your punishment for trying to break the rules and eating lunch early," answered Kakashi, "Anyone who even feeds him a bite will suffer the consequences." Sasuke and Sakura saw the seriousness in Kakashi's face, except for Naruto who was still upset about not getting any food. "You mess with the rules, you mess with me. Understood?"


Kakashi had left the field to rest up for a while and leave Sasuke and Sakura to eat the lunch trays. All was quiet as the two genins were eating and rejuvenating their strength. However, the sound of growling managed to get their attention. Naruto did all he could in his power to stay strong, while still tied to the post.

"This is nothing, I can do this with no food at all!" declared Naruto. Unfortunately, this only caused more growling from Naruto's stomach. "Seriously...I can take it..." groaned Naruto.

After swallowing a bite, Sasuke could see just how much Naruto was suffering. Placing his chopsticks on the tray, the young Uchiha lifted the lunch tray to Naruto. "Here, finish it," advised Sasuke.

Naruto was completely surprised by Sasuke's unexpected generosity. Sakura was shocked as well. Since when did Sasuke become the caring type? Sasuke wasn't this caring since they were little kids. "Sasuke-kun, what are you doing?" asked the shocked Sakura, "Don't you remember what Kakashi-sensei said?"

"It's okay," assured Sasuke, "I don't sense Kakashi nearby. Besides, I'm not that hungry, believe it or not."

"Huh? Why is that?" asked the puzzled Naruto.

"While I was hiding in the trees, I ate an apple that was growing nearby," replied Sasuke.

Naruto and Sakura were shocked beyond belief. They couldn't believe what Sasuke had done. "Sasuke-kun, you mean all this time you--" asked the shocked Sakura.

"Yeah, I broke his rule in the first place," answered Kakashi, "'Don't eat or I'll throw up?' I never bought it. Besides, if we're going to pass this exercise, then we need to work together. All three of us. Naruto will slow us down if he's hungry."

Sasuke-kun... Sakura took a look at her lunch tray and realized that Sasuke was right. All three of them need to be at full strength to beat the jonin instructor. Sakura offered up her lunch tray to Naruto, which seemed to almost bring tears to the blond's eyes.

"Sakura-chan..." asked the near-teary eyed Naruto, "Thank you." Naruto felt as if this lunch tray was a completely miracle. He can now have some food, for the first time today.

"You can thank me later, just hurry and eat, okay?" advised Sakura.

"Well, um..." stammered Naruto.

"Don't worry about me," said Sakura, "I'll eat something else later."

"No, it's not that." Naruto motioned his restrained arms.

"Oh, that's right, you're tied up," realized Sakura.

"Hurry up, he might come back any minute," warned Sasuke.

"Open wide, Naruto," ordered Sakura, as she picked up a ball of rice in her chopsticks.

Naruto gladly obliged and opened his mouth to receive the rice ball. As Sakura placed the rice ball in his mouth, Naruto gladly began chewing the white rice, happy to have eaten some decent food he had not received since last night. Naruto shuddered in relief when he finally swallowed the rice ball. "Feel better?" asked Sakura.

"Much better," sighed Naruto.

Suddenly, an explosion appeared before the three genins, alerting them. Was it what they think it was? Suddenly, emerging from the smoke was someone they had not expected to come back, and in a fit of rage, as well.

"YOU THREE!!" Kakashi yelled in complete rage. Naruto yelled in complete panic. All three of them were dead meat. They were not going to pay for cheating behind Kakashi's back. "The three of you completely broke the rules. I hope you're ready for the consequences." Kakashi then began forming hand signs, ready to perform a powerful jutsu. As soon as Kakashi prepared the last hand sign, the sky itself opened its way to dark thunder clouds. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

Sasuke was ready to make his move. Despite the overwhelming power that Kakashi was demonstrating, Sasuke showed no fear. Meanwhile, Sakura was covering her head, fearing for what their punishment was. Naruto continued to struggle in his restrained form, panicking for his life. "But...but..."

"What?" questioned Kakashi.

"But...but...you said...!" Naruto couldn't find the right words, "And then, they..."

"We're a three-man team, are we not?" Sasuke challenged Kakashi.

"...Yeah, that's right!" Sakura joined Sasuke's side, "We three are one!"

"Yeah, what they said!" Naruto agreed, not knowing the right words to say to Kakashi.

"You three are one, eh?" Kakashi questioned, as if not convinced of their statement. As the three of them were prepared for Kakashi's next attack, the three of them didn't expect Kakashi's next move. "You pass!"

All three of them were left speechless. Did they just hear it right? "What was that?" asked the speechless Naruto.

"You pass," repeated Kakashi.

"We...passed? Why?" asked the confused Sakura.

The dark thunder clouds dispersed throughout the blue sky, giving way to the shining sun, once more. "The three of you are the first to pass my training exercise," declared Kakashi, "The students that I had before you three were simpletons who listened to every word I said. 'Shinobis must think beyond the normal.' In the shinobi world, there are those who break the rules, called scums. But, those that don't care about their friends are worst than scum." All three of them couldn't believe it. Now they realized the true meaning of being a shinobi. To be a scum or worst. If being a true shinobi means that you must be scum, then they are scums for life, and proud of it. Sakura felt the need to jump for joy and shout out to the entire world of her greatest success. Naruto felt the need to cry for joy, to come one step closer to his ultimate dream, all thanks to this jonin instructor. Sasuke simply smirked at the fact that he passed with his teammates.

"You know what? He's kind of cool," said the near-teary eyed Naruto.

"Your training ends here," proclaimed Kakashi, "Starting tomorrow, Team 7 will start their first official missions!"

"Yes, sir!" Sakura exclaimed in joy.

Sasuke's smirk simply dropped. He knew exactly what kind of 'missions' they were going to do. You call 'those' missions?

"Yes! Yes! I did it! I did it!" yelled the triumphant Naruto.

"All right, time to head back," Kakashi commanded his newly formed Team 7.

Sasuke and Sakura followed after Kakashi. Now that their training exercise was complete, the genins now had time for a well-deserved R-and-R. However, it seemed that they completely forgot a comrade...

"I knew they were going to do this!" growled Naruto, "Hey! Get back here! Untie the freaking ropes!!"

Wanting to shut Naruto up, Sasuke threw a kunai towards Naruto. Naruto flinched his eyes, afraid of where the Uchiha's kunai was going to land. Surprisingly, the kunai hadn't made its mark on Naruto's body. Rather, the kunai zipped passed him, cutting the ropes and setting the blond free.

After Naruto got some feeling back in his arms and legs, after being tied up for a long time, Naruto yelled out to Sasuke. "Hey, Sasuke! Thanks a bunch!"

Sasuke seemed to have ignored him as he continued to walk in the same pace. "Hey, Sasuke-kun," Sakura spoke up, grabbing Sasuke's attention, "About what you did, you know, about giving your lunch to Naruto, I mean, did you do that because you were concerned for him?"

"...No," Sasuke denied, "I meant what I said. He was going to slow us down if he was hungry."

"But still, you at least thought about the team," Sakura pointed out, "That does mean you at least care, right?"

Sasuke seemingly ignored the question. After a moment of silence, Sasuke finally answered. "I'm still not content with having a team, Sakura," admitted Sakura, "But...I'll at least tolerate it. That's all."

Hearing this caused Sakura to smile a little bit. Even though you never wanted a team, you at least showed some concern...even if you don't want to show it. ...Sasuke-kun, maybe you haven't lost all of the good in you. You may have changed so much...but not entirely... I bet if Mikoto-san saw what you did for Naruto, she would be very proud of you...


To be continued...