"Speech"

'Thought

Ninjutsu and Kido

Flashback (())

Disclaimer: I do not own in anyway Naruto or Bleach. Inspired by James D. Fawkes' Sit upon the frosted heaven and Case13's Crimson edge (Which needs to be updated!)

Dameus: I do it because I am Fanfic God and will smite you if you oppose me again. Fear my anger!

XPGamer: I Can't fathom it either..... Thanks for the PM!

Geetac: I like it too!

Zerodragon: I'll eat your Cat!

Sweet Heavens: Yours too!

It happened in a blink of an eye. To fast for him to even realize it. One instant he raises his hand. The sand wraps around the girls leg the way it did so many others before her. She stared back. Fear finally creeping in to replace the blinding emotions of courage and drive of determination from before. Courage? Pride? Love? Such useless emotions. It was why he didn't even entertain them. The only emotion that anyone else should know is fear. If they had any pride it should be in the fact they were to become one of his victims. Their blood soaking deeply in to his dense sand. Marking their place in it like a right of passage.

He raised the hand even further in to the air. The sand creaping up as such. Wrapping her even more. She struggled against the bonds of it. Trying desperately to free her self from it. No more chakra dome for you little girl. One was your limit. It would fail you here just like it did your relative just the match before. And like him you would bleed. Yes. Bleed that glorious red blood of yours.

Ah. There it is. The fear. Her skin finally going pale to match those disgusting pupil less eyes. Finally showing him what he had desired so much. Now he felt alive. A wave of intense pleasure soaking him from head to toe. This is how it should always be. They should always fear him in this way. They should always scream like this.

Forfeit? Oh no, no, no. There is no more forfeit little girl. Your time for that is long gone. Now was the time for his enjoyment. Scream it all you want. You won't survive. In fact scream louder. That's it! Just like that. Let me hear your howls of fear. Let me see your scarlet tears. Let me feel alive! Show me! Show me your crimson stream! Show me your-

Blood?

B-B-But how? He hadn't.... His sand was.... Where did she go? And who's blood was this?! Wait. That feeling again. Like the day prior. That intense feeling of unpleasant stinging. This time in much more abundance. It hurt. He looked down. Oh. It's his blood... From this large scar on his chest. But where did it come fro-

That bastard. That blond bastard had his prey! Glaring at him with those cold blue eyes. Girl in hand as he clutched her to his chest. That bastard! THAT BLOND BASTARD HAD MADE HIM BLEED AGAIN!!!

"Aaarraaww!"

'You fucking freak!' Naruto thought angrily as the jounin finally appeared. Having dropped down on to the arena floor. The sand jounin that had just rejoined the party instantly making a break for the boy screaming in pain and fury. The boy who the Hokage had fixed his cold tired eyes on to. Killer intent looking him on to the floor.

His glacier blue eyes darted down on to the head of the girl in his arms. Gripping his shirt tightly as she bawled her eyes out in fear. Having been so sure her life was gone just seconds before hand. And it would have been. Those damn jounin are slow. She would have been dead if he hadn't moved when he did. Shunpo helping him to close the gap with ease. Anything less and she would have been a heap of blood, bones, and muscle.

Anger boiled up inside of him and he clenched his sword even tighter in his grasp. The blade humming deeply as his partner in crime voiced her displeasure as well. The fucking freak! He would really give something to scream and holler about now. He'll see all the blood he wanted for those last seconds his brain had oxygen after it had been cut off. Look at your own blood. Feel the pleasure of having yourself bleed as your life dried away. This he promised he could do without a single thought.

"Naruto." The cool voice of Harukaze calling out as a firm hand grasped his right shoulder. He hadn't even known he was taking a step forward. Intent on destroying pathetic boy's life. Now Haeru was positively screaming herself. Calling for him to give the command that would sever his head before anyone else could blink. "That's enough. Let the other handle it."

"Let the others handle it?" He found himself grounding out. "They sure have handled it well enough to this point haven't they?" Anger the like he had never felt before seeping in to his bones. No, he had felt it before. On the bridge in wave. Except this time he would have no reason to stop. He would not spare this one like he had did Haku before.

"Think of the girl will you." Haru commanded sharply while looking down at the bush of dark purple pressed in to his little brother's chest. "Take her from here and cool off. Save your anger for another day. Killing him now will only cause more harm then good." The grip on his younger brother's shoulder even tighter. "Don't forget. There still put off about what you did to the other Hyuuga. This won't help one bit. Your only make yourself look even more heartless. Even more of the enemy.

Naruto turned his head and Harukaze took an unconscious step back as his breathing stopped for a millisecond. The fury in Naruto's eyes where like a chorus singing the song of a million broken souls. And the sand boy would be one million and one. "Don't you know. I am heartless." His voice leaving little doubt as to if he were serious or not.

Harukaze blinked in surprised and released his hold as he took a step back. Obviously not expecting to have heard those words from his younger brother. Still he recovered quickly and shook his head to show his dissatisfaction with the situation. "Then show that later on. Just not now. It won't help. Not even you."

Then the boy closed his eyes and sighed heavily before sliding his sword away. Dropping a bit as he swept the girl off her feet bridal style. The next thing Harukaze knew he was gone. Just as quickly as he had appeared. Despite himself Harukaze felt his eyes going wide in shock. It was so similar to the one his father had used years before. And yet he could easily tell it was not the legendary Hirashin. That ninjutsu lost in the flow of life and time along with the knowledge of how it had been created.

'What the hell is that?' He found himself asking the question as he turned his head and his eyes burned a path to the sight of his little brother standing next to the girls frazzled jounin sensei. The jounin snatching the girl away and hugging her close as if she was a life line. Babbling something to him over and over again. No doubt a 'thank you'.

"And for that matter just what the hell are you Naruto?"

It was the question of the century.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" The woman muttered as she pressed her face even deeper in to her gennin's royal purple hair. The blond just backed away having gotten tired of saying your welcome or no problem. Having done it nearly a hundred times in five minutes.

By now the others had walked back up to the arena balcony. Each wearing an emotion of either shock, disgust, or admiration for him. Human beings sure are funny creatures. Just minutes before they had been silently cursing his existence after the brutal end to his confrontation with the other Hyuuga gennin. Now they were praising his quick actions. Whatever.

Truth to be told he didn't know why he moved. He could have just let the girl died and cared nothing about it. But something about the way the sand gennin had gone about it all sickened. And that turned in to anger before evolving in to righteous fury. It took all the self control he had before to keep from jumping down in to the ring. Watching as the gennin toyed with the girl who had so much pride in her eyes. Fighting to be noticed in ways that nobody, including himself, had ever noticed her before. He could respect that drive to fight. That drive to live. But he couldn't respect the cold and detached way the sand gennin held her in his grasp. It was one thing to be ruthless in battle. Another to enjoy watching someone suffer. Smiling a sick smile as she screamed for her release. Intent on killing her despite the forfeit.

He handn't been able to hold it much longer. And less then ten seconds later he was slashing the boy across the chest with the girl in his grasp. This time, unlike the confrontation with Hyuuga Neji, he was intent on cutting the sand gennin in two.

'Sabuka no Garra.' He thought as he walked past the other gaping gennin and towards his own team. The gennin from sand and his jounin sensei having been removed by the Hokage himself. 'The next time we meet I shall be the one with the satisfaction of watching you squirm. And just as you had done to her I will enjoy watching you beg for your pitful life before I snuff it out..'

"Naruto?" Kakashi began hesitantly. "Good job." The blond simply looked to him before nodding in response and walking past him to the wall.

Kakashi had been just as upset when the blond had returned from the arena. Watching from his place on the balcony as the medical crew rushed to collect the then unconscious gennin who had started to bleed profusely from the swipe to his back. It was sure to leave a disgusting scar. And from his view point entirely too brutal.

But now he felt ashamed at himself for even thinking like that. The blond now leaving no doubt with the way he moved that had he seriously been trying to kill Hyuuga Neji he would have done so with terribly frightening ease. The jounin himself was still mind boggled. Trying to find some explanation as to how his gennin had did it.

One minute he had been standing beside him, clenching the railing hard with grinding teeth. The next he was standing in front of the sand gennin mid swing. Girl tucked under his other arm like a duffle bag. Then before the jounin could blink properly he was standing at least twelve feet away with the girl holding on to his shirt. Glaring hatefully at the now screaming sand ninja.

It had been amazing, outstanding, awe inspiring, frightening, regal, creepy, and fucking scary all rolled in one. Never before had the jounin seen someone who could move in such a way. Even his sensei, the boy's father, had the tell tale whoosh of chakra and stripe of yellow that had given rise to his title. This was nothing like that. The boy just moved. No sound, no light, no warning. As if he had always been standing there in the first place.

It was fucking freaky man!

"I wouldn't want to go up against that technique." The jounin admitted in a murmur. Even the Sharingan would have a hard time tracking the technique. And where the blond learned it from he was incredibly curious. Although he knew better then to ask. Seeing as how it was probably some ancient Uzumaki clan technique.

He turned his head to the side and smiled beneath his mask as the other leaf gennin congratulated the blond in hurried voices. True to form Naruto just stared past them all, leaning against the wall with arms crossed. He truly was the definition of one cool and cold mother fucker. An ice cube that refused to melt in a furnace settled in a sea of lava.

And Kakashi was glad that he was on his team.

Three Days Later....

The bright and early morning sunshine fell over the leaf village like a blanket being pulled off a bed. And for the brief second Naruto stopped what he was doing to look over the village. Then he went right back to work. Standing on the nose of the man that was both his father and legendary leaf hero. He spread his arms and released a breath that he had been holding. And then without another thought he tilted forward and released his chakra hold. Detaching himself from the stone face of the Yondaime Hokage on the monument.

The blond fell, eyes closed as the air whipped past him on his decent. Barely hearing a surprised shout from someone who had seen him. Then, about thirty feet from the ground he pulled his body in to a ball and began to expel chakra through his now open tenketsu. With the chakra seal that Orochimaru had placed on him now long gone it was easy for him to flood the air surrounding him with chakra. And his body responded in true form. The technique he had been practicing for over two months, even before his memory release, now coming in to play. And his reason for creating it was simple enough. What you ask?

Naruto wanted to fly.

Stupid right? And he knew he would never be able to fly on his own. It was for fairy tales, anime, and mangas. All well and good. But no one ever said a damn thing about floating. And he meant floating. Not that using spiritual pressure to hold yourself in to the air. He meant with chakra alone.

And to an extent it had been working. As it was now, his body slowling in it's decent before he fell like a piece of paper in stead of a bowling ball. Landing lightly on his feet and skidding forward to stop the excess momentum instead of slamming head first in to the ground. A grin at the thrill of it all popping up on to his face as he stood up straight and brushed his hair out of his face.

That was simply-

"N-Naruto?" He blinked in surprise before turning his head slightly. And in a rare show of genuine surprise his eyes widened just a bit.

"Haku-san?"

Jiraiya of the Sannin sneered openly at the figure in front of him. And it was returned in kind. The two glaring at each other. Each ready to pounce on the other at a moments notice. The toad sannin twitched his left hand, a move that was mirrored by the person's own right hand.

"What do you mean no?" His voice holding a dangerous edge. "It shouldn't hav-"

"I said no." Harukaze repeated. His three gennin taking several steps back in case a conflict should start. "Your not going near him with any kind of seal. I don't care if it's to make him in to a god or save his life. No seals. He's had enough of those in his life."

"It shouldn't have dispelled." The sannin repeated for the fifth time. "He should still have another five years before it even begins to wain. Let alone fall away the way your telling me it did."

"Don't give a damn." Harukaze repeated as well for what was the tenth time. "He's fine the way he is."

"What if somethings wrong?" Jiraiya protested. "What if the seal has been tampered with? By the Kyuubi?" Blinking as he shot a glance at the three gennin who had heard the last bit. Damn it.

"It hasn't." Harukaze said in confidence. "He's fine. No Kyuubi." Not caring if they heard it.

"But you say he's been acting strangely." Jiraiya pointed out. "Doing things he shouldn't be able to. The Kyuubi isn't to blame?"

Haru hesitated before nodding his head. "No it's not."

"Positive?" Jiraiya pushed.

"Yes." He responded without a shred of doubt. "Naruto is fine as he is."

"So it's okay he suddenly has a weird sword and can fight with it as if he's an expert." Jiraiya asked deadpanned. Still trying to make a point. "Even though he's never trained with one before?"

"Yep." Replied brightly.

"Then your insane too." With a shake of his head.

"Jiraiya." A soft voice chimed in. And the sannin blinked in surprise before turning around. "I agree with young Harukaze here. Naruto is fine."

"Not you to sensei." He whined. Rubbing his tired eyes. "What makes you so sure?"

"Perhaps you'd like to see yourself?" With a smile and puff of his customary pipe. "Let's go see Naruto now."

The sannin's eyes hardend in to stone. "Fine." Before blurring away. To which Sarutobi sighed before moving as well.

"And no damn seals!" Harukaze called out.

"How have you been?" The blond asked while looking at her. "How Zabuza?"

She smiled. That stunning smile. "Great. We both are."

"Then why are you here?" He asked looking deeply in to her eyes. "Aren't you kinda of missing ninja? Rouge?"

"Nope!" She chirped happily before leaning back. And the blond drew his eyes her throat where a gleaming head band depicting the symbol of the hidden mist shined brightly. He blinked again in surprise for the second time that day and leaned in to inspect it before pulling back with a raised eyebrow.

"How?" He asked plain and simple. She just smile brighter.

"We have a new Kage!" She exclaimed in genuine joy.

"Zabuza?" He inquired. She quickly shook her head.

"No. A female. She's completely changed the way we do things. And has changed the stance on kekkei genkai." Her smile dimming a bit. "Even took me and Zabuza-sama back in. After everything we did...." Her eyes staring off in to the distance.

"I bet those things made her popular." He inquired gently. She shifted her almond eyes back to him.

"Not so much at first. But once she revealed why Zabuza-sama did what he did that changed. Even named him the new head of the assassination corps. Citing his loyalty to the village and drive to do what ever was necessary to protect it." Her smile going brighter again. He smiled in return as well. Mesmerizing her for a few seconds.

"That's all good to hear." Leaning back on his place in the ground and catching himself on his elbows in the soft grass. Looking up at the sky with smile still in place. "Things that calm rarely ever happen. Almost like a fairy tale." He said happily as his eyes traced a cloud. Her smile dimmed again.

"Yes." Her voiced subdued as she looked towards the ground. Naruto blinked before looking down at her.

"Haku." He said softly while reaching a hand out and tilting her face up to look at him. "What's wrong?"

"I-It's." She stared. Already hypnotized by his eyes. Those gorgeous blue eyes of his... "I feel bad."

"About?" He pushed on. Trying to figure out what was going wrong if her life had been so great up to this point.

"About you." She admitted. "I've been going so great and you've been..."

"Oh?" He asked half amused. "What's wrong with me."

"I've seen Kakashi already." She admitted. "He told me about your fight in the forest... With a sannin? Where you insane?" Waving her hands for emphasis.

To her utter and complete surprise he laughed. A hearty sound that came from deep in his stomach. She stared in amazement as he laughed for nearly a minute straight, head tossed back and eyes closed as his vocal cords vibrated rapidly to make the loud sound coming from his mouth.

"Perhaps I am." When he finally stopped. His body still trembling as she blinked. "But I would not hesitate to do it again. For you as well."

Her brown eyes went wide. "For me?" Sounding like an awed child. He smiled in response and nodded.

"For you as well. A friend." A gentle tone with gentle smile to match. She couldn't help it. She blushed, ever so slightly but noticeable all the same. And his smile shifted from gentle to mischief filled. A playfull twinkle filling his eyes. They stared at each other. And she made the mistake of looking deeply in to his eyes. Those sky blue eyes...

It was strange for Naruto and he wondered if this was how Hanami had felt. One minute he was looking at her. The next thing he knew her soft lips where pressed against his own. Still, he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. And without missing a beat wrapped her in his arms and pulled her towards him. Rolling over to put her underneath him. His tongue demanding entry to which she readily complied. Feeling the contours of her mouth as his tongue danced with hers.

And then, just as he had did with his friend days before, he pulled back. Haku gasped deeply as she stared up in surprise. Breathing returning to her as her lungs refilled with air. Looking up at the playful glint in Naruto eyes as he pulled away, leaving her wanting more. Just as he had planned.

The bastard.

"Oh. Another one? You sure work fast Naruto-kun." A voice came form above her. And Haku felt her head tilt back as she looked upside down at the figure. Clothed in white robes the Hokage looked at her with a lopsided grin. She squeaked in surprise as she rolled up right and hurried to her feet. Dusting her self off.

"H-Hokage-sama." With a bow to match. "I'm sorry I hadn't kno-"

She trailed off when something dawned on her. Her eyes looking down to her left where Naruto still sat. But instead of surprise or embarrassment. It was the cold indifference she had the unwanted privilage of being on the other end of at the bridge. Gone was the warm sky replaced with a raging sea of destruction. She followed his gaze, past the Hokage and in to the trees. Where a man was standing. Leaning against a tree with arms crossed and a cool expression.

He seemed familiar. As if she had seen or heard his apparance before despite never having acutally met him.

"Jiraiya of the sennin." The blond said coldly. "What an honor."

The legend stood from the tree and walked in to the sunshine. Cold eyes looking on to the blond. "Naruto. It's been a while." The wording had been pleasant but the tone had not been.

She felt the color drain from her face.

This was not a good day. Not a good day at all.

"So what's the real reason your here?" Kakashi questioned absent minded as he flipped another page in his book.

"In actuality? Instead of just visiting?" The newly appointed head of the assassination corps in water country asked. "To prepare for the chunnin selection exams."

"Oh?" Kakashi turned his eye to him. "Prepare how?"

"Checking to see if the village is a safe place. And how the competition is supposed to stack up."

"Oh? Why so curious?" The jounin inquired.

"I'm not so much. But the Mizukage is." Zabuza responded while looking off in to the distance. "She wants to visit all the other villages she has never before if possible. And Konoha is the largest on the list." A reasonable request. To see just what they were up against. Nothing more nothing less.

"You must really like this new Mizukage." Kakashi inferred. "Speaking so highly of him."

"Her Kakashi." Zabuza corrected amidst the surprised look. Really silly seeing as he had just said 'she'. "And yes. She isn't bad. Doing what I always wanted too. Cleaning the village and country up." He paused. "Far better then when Yagura was in charge of the place." A fierce look in his eyes. Showing his dislike for said person.

"Yagura?" Kakashi asked when his surprised had faded away. "That was the name of the last Mizukage?"

"Yes." Zabuza answered. "A cold son of a bitch. Jinchurriki of the three tailed demon."

Kakashi again looked surprised. "Really? A jinchurriki as Mizukage?"

Zabuza shrugged. "Why not? We were a war filled country and strength made the place go round. What's stronger then a jinchuuriki?"

"I suppose so." The leaf jounin agreed. "Although I wouldn't know."

"Oh?" Zabuza began with a grin although Kakashi couldn't see it. "And Naruto?"

"You know?" A useless question.

"Yes. It wasn't hard to figure out considering how good the assassination corps had gotten in my absence. They have them all there. In fact..." Reaching in to his new ANBU attire chest plate and pulling out a small book. Black and small in size Kakashi figured it a bingo book until he had opened it himself. Eyes going wide after reading it for a few seconds.

"This is..."

"Yep." Zabuza said with a confident smirk beneath his bandages. "A list of the jinchuuriki. Or bijuu in general since Yagura is dead and the Sanbi is simply being held in a rather large lake. The work of the assassination squad that has come far sense I left it. They've got the complete list. Pretty good huh?"

"It is." Kakashi admitted as his eyes scanned the list. Stopping near the top. "Wait a minute."

"What?" Zabuza questioned while raising a non-existent eyebrow. "What is it?"

"This kid. The one tailed..."

"Ah yes." With a nod. "Crazy Suna bastards. Kid is the Kazekage's son. They purposely fucked his seal up to let the demon free for added power. Poor kid is supposedly completely unstable mentally."

"This is the kid who nearly killed the Hyuuga clan heir three days ago." Kakashi said in all seriousness. Zabuza blinking in surprise. "During the chuunin exam. She would be dead now if it weren't for Naruto's fast work." Looking back at the picture. Yep. Same damn kid indeed. Damn it.

"Really?" Zabuza asked incredulously. "The blond brat saved her? How? Heard no one escapes when he has you."

Kakashi shrugged. "He just did. Cut the kid up and grabbed her."

Again Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't seem right. Heard the kid's never been touched before. In Suna, they became afraid of him and tried to kill him off. But they couldn't. Sand acts like some defense as well as an attack. Automatic. So you can't even touch him if you wanted to. Impossible to scratch him."

Kakashi looked at him right back with his one eye. "Well this is the leaf. And Naruto can touch him. Has twice now, using extreme speed. Got in past the sand and sliced him up real good before grabbing the girl away. Kid was screaming his head off from his future scar wound." Depicting it with a motion across his chest.

"I guess the Kyuubi is really all that then." Zabuza countered with a shrug. "Makes sense. Nine owns one."

"No." Kakashi said with a shake of his head. "That was no Kyuubi. I'm not sure if Naruto can even use the Kyuubi's chakra. That was his skill alone. You don't understand. He got through with some EXTREME speed. Just moved and sliced. Kid was bleeding. That's how you get through his defense. Using speed. Move to fast for the kid to realize it and for the sand to keep up. After that he's dead meat." It made perfect sense the more he thought about it. Can't hit or defend what you can't even see let alone touch. And with such a powerful tool the kid probably couldn't use anything else.

"Then that makes the kid the perfect solution to him." Zabuza interjected. "He can get in and out in a hurry. Would probably win that conflict."

"Yeah." Kakashi agreed. "But Naruto doesn't have to worry about him. At least not yet. It's Sasuke who's in serious trouble."

"The Uchiha?" The swordsman inquired. "He's up against the sand brat?"

"Yep. One of the last matches. And he has only one shot at beating him. So in the next day or so I'm taking him with me to teach him a technique. Something that can get through the sand instead of going around it."

Zabuza narrowed his eyes again. "Raikiri?"

"Close. The less powerful form of Chidori. It'll have the same effect. Get through and hit the boy. If he's fast enough that is. Which is another problem."

"Is it really wise to teach a kid as emotional as the Uchiha a technique like that?"

"Not really." Kakashi admitted. "But I have confidence in his ability and drive. And he'll need any advantage he can get. Speaking of which. Mind if I keep this?" Waving the black book.

Zabuza shrugged. "Sure. If I can ask what for."

"Naruto. I figured he should at least know about the others like him. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Naruto. Your doing well." Jiraiya said with a bright smile. "Eating your veggies?"

"Cut the bullshit." Solid tone.

The sannin's smile shifted into a frown. 'At least he seems the same so far.'

Naruto had never quite gotten along with Jiraiya. Respected the man's strength? Of course. But he never liked Jiraiya in the times that he had meet him. Jiraiya had adored his golden haired student and was greatly hurt when he was lost. And so naturally he saw Naruto as a sort of replacement for his father. Always comparing him and the like.

Naruto hated that. He was his own person and more then just his father's son. He believed in creating his own path and creating his own legend. Not living up to the expectations set for him. And so he never liked the way the Sannin seemed to put him in to every sentence involving his father. Claiming how they were so much a like and yet so different. What he took from his mother and what he took from his father. And always trying to get him to match up to the Yondaime Hokage in some way, shape, or form.

"Okay. Who are you?"

"Naruto dumbass." Simple and too the point.

"Are you really?" Jiraiya inquired with a narrowed gaze. "Or are you-"

"The Kyuubi?" The blond interrupted proving how predictable the man was. "I can assure you I am not a giant fox demon." It was true. He wasn't.

"Then why did the seal fail." Pressing the point.

"Don't know." With a shrug of his shoulders. Although he did indeed know. "And don't really care. Your not putting another one on me."

Jiraiya's frown deepened. "It shouldn't have fallen until you were around eighteen. Your mother-"

"Is dead." Naruto interjected with a cold gleam in his eyes. "And no damn seal is going to change that. I'll make my own path so you don't have to worry about anyone trying to control me."

"And if Uzu finds you?" Jiraiya added.

"They already have." Naruto countered. Savoring the look of genuine surprise. Wasn't he supposed to have some super spy network? "Or else they wouldn't have sent such a talented team to the exams. They would have just promoted them. Each of them made it to the final round. And if that isn't a show of power during the chuunin exams then I don't know what is." Again another valid point.

Jiraiya's frown went even deeper.

"Look. Not trying to be rude but you interrupted while I was in the middle of something."

The Gama Sennin's face brightened. "Oh ho. Indeed you were. My mistake." Thinking of the pretty young women the Hokage had taken on a tour of the village. "A pretty thing isn't she?"

Naruto smiled somewhat. "Yes, she is. But I wasn't talking about that. I was training before she even came along."

"Training?" Jiraiya questioned. "For your match? Against another leaf ninja?"

"Leaf ninja? Oh no my task is much harder then that..."

"So. What's rule number one when fighting your brother sensei?" Saichi asked. Anxious to return to training now that the Sannin had left.

Harukaze turned his eyes to him. "Stay back. From what I've gathered he's a beast with that sword of his. And taijutsu isn't smart either. You have the edge because of your various ninjutsu. But mid and long range is your only option. Get in to close and your done for." Stating the points to winning the confrontation. "Although be wary. Naruto knows many powerful ninjutsu as well. And has the stamina and chakra capacity of a Kage."

Saichi looked at him deadpanned. "Your fucking kidding right?"

Haru grinned. "Nope! Us Namikaze boys are beast when it comes to the throwdown."

"So basically I'm the underdog here?" Saichi thought with a frown. He was never the under dog.

"Yep. But I plan to change that." Before reaching behind him and in to a pouch. Holding the object up for his gennin to see.

Saichi's eyes went wide upon inspecting it. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yes. It is." With a bright smile. "I've chosen you to be my successor one day. Even over my little brother. And as such will tutor you in my own personal shinobi arts. Think you can handle it?"

Saichi grinned. "Is the sky blue?"

"This sucks." Ganjou complained as he stared at the sky above. "I don't even know what the fuck my guy does."

Hanami did not respond instead sitting still Indian style with eyes closed as she rested her head against the tree behind her. The three gennin of Uzu where sitting in a rather secluded clearing in the forest surrounding Konoha. Having been left there by their sensei as she attended to urgent business. Each focusing on their next opponent rather then the actual mission. No use getting bent over it. He was safe in the village at the moment. They couldn't do a damn thing about that.

"I mean." Ganjou continued despite the lack of response. "He finished the fight way too quick. Just a kunai through the leg? Pathetic. At least one in the arm."

"Don't complain." Colite snapped. "I get bug boy and Hanami gets the green clad wonder. She doesn't know what he does either. At least we know your guy is good with a kunai."

Ganjou snorted. "As if the green guy is of any consequence. Anyone who dresses like that has gotta be a horrible ninja. Makes you think that girl in the purple was either a) stupid, b) a coward, or c) just down right damn pathetic." Flicking off each one with a finger.

Colite shook her head. "You should never underestimate anyone. We did that Naruto guy and he whooped us up pretty good."

Hanami's eyes snapped open and shifted to the girl. A dark glint appearing that Ganjou also mirrored.

He glowered. "He didn't whoop my ass."

Colite snorted. "You got the worst ass whooping. Without me you would have been crying on the ground. And Hanami can't say shit either, she was getting tagged in the face too."

The girl just joined in the glaring.

"Face it. We were getting thrashed together. Pure numbers wearing him down. Two on one and were dead. God forbid one on one. We'd never beat him. He's too strong."

"Then we have to make you all stronger." A new voice. They looked up as their sensei returned. A devilish grin on her face.

"And how pray tell will you make us strong enough in a months time?" Colite asked as she stood up.

"With a little help." A voice said as she was gripped tightly on the shoulder. The girl froze before tilting her head backwards. Eyes going wide upon visual conformation.

Kimori Aishu. Number six. Of the Curators.

And behind Hanami, leaning against the same tree was number five. Kigamaru Shitori.

Oh shit. They were getting training from the Rex Regis.

She couldn't help it. Hanami grinned. Followed by Ganjou and Colite.

Oh yeah. That's why Uzu was the best bitches.

He fell to his knees. Panting heavily as he struggled to stay upright. The toll of today's training finally bearing down on him. His body heavy and sluggish as he tried to lift his head. It wouldn't do him any good to pass out right here. No telling what was out there. With a sigh he used what energy he had left and stood straight as he walked.

At least he was pleased with the results. It was a very useful skill to have. One that could no doubt save his life many times in the future.

But damn it all if summoned creatures weren't annoying.

"Yes?" He saud out in to the dark forest night as he walked towards the gates. The two guards posted there looking at him bewildered before Kakashi fazed in to view beside him. "Can I help you with something Kakashi?" He asked the leaf jounin. Completely focused on staying upright.

Kakashi looked over him with a critical eye. "Shouldn't you be resting?" He questioned. Taking in the blonde's struggling body and tired posture.

"Not really. Already about eighty percent. Or at least I was when I started today. I heal rather quickly because of my furry addition." He explained as the two crossed in to the village.

Kakashi hummed in understanding. "What were you learning?"

"Summoning ninjutsu." Naruto answered in kind. To which Kakashi blinked in surprise.

"Oh? Jiraiya-san let you have the toads?"

Naruto smiled. "Not exactly." As they passed one of the last open establishments. "He offered but I turned it down in favor of something much more fierce."

"What?" The jounin inquired. Honestly curious.

"You don't want to know. Or rather I would rather not say." He admitted. To which the jounin nodded at let it go.

"Well. I came to let you know I'm taking Sasuke to train for his match up. He can't afford to have it easy. And I won't be here for you so is there anything you ne-"

"Ninjutsu." The blond answered immediately. "One of each element. At least low B-class please." Who better to ask then the walking ninjutsu arsenal when you needed new ones? Kakashi probably had more in his head that the whole village, save the Hokage, combined.

"Okay." With a nod. "But I doubt you'll be able to learn five B-class ninjutsu in a month while working on summoning."

"Don't worry. I learn fast. And besides, I'll focus on my elemental strength first and foremost."

"Ah. Smart move. Oh and one more thing." As he reached in to his pouch.

Naruto stopped and looked at him curiously as he held out a small black book. Flipping it over looking for a cover feature but finding none.

"What's this?"

"Look and see." The jounin answered with a hidden smile before leaping on to a nearby roof top and away.

Naruto watched him go before looking at the book curiously. Opening it to the first page and reading the first few lines while walking. About ten feet away he stopped on the spot and blinked in surprise before flipping to the next page and then the next. All the pages were the same. Detailing a single shinobi. And they all had one thing in common.

"All the jinchuuriki." He muttered as he look through them. Even he was in here although the info was out of date. Stopping on the page of a familiar red head. One that he was fully prepared to kill just a few days before. 'Of course. That explains his extensive control over the sand ninjutsu. He's the Ichibi jinchuuriki.'

He closed the book with a snap and slipped it away as he walked on his merry way. This was certainly a useful tool to have. After all, knowing the opponent was over half the battle. And with this he had that half down front and back, side to side. After all, nothing was more dangerous then a jinchuuriki.

'Wouldn't you agree?' He thought of the figure in the alley to the left. Watching his every move. 'Sabuka no Garra?'

"Garra." The stern voice behind him started. "Let's get back. You heard what their Hokage said."

Indeed the Hokage said something worth attention. If he caught them in the village before the finals he would personally kill them. Obviously the gennin didn't think much of the threat but Baki did. After all, the man was known as the god of all shinobi. It wouldn't do them any good to test that theory now despite his old age.

"Whatever." The gennin muttered as he stared at the figure walking along. Knowing that he knew he was standing there watching him. Uzumaki Naruto. You would die. That was a promise.

"Let's go." The jounin urged with a hiss. And Garra turned a wild eye to the man forcing him to step back before he suddenly dissolved in to a flow of sand. Baki swallowed before he followed suit. Anxious to get out of the village as soon as he could. No use getting on their nerves now. Just wait a month.

And then they would be the ones holding all the cards.

"Haeru?" He questioned as he observed his partner. Pacing back and forth. "What are you doing?"

She stopped abruptly and turned to him with a seductive smile. "Waiting for you."

"Oh?" He questioned. "And why is that?"

"You have a meeting. With the fox demon." She replied. "Come quickly. We don't have much time before the connection is closed."

He frowned openly but followed after her, trusting her without hesitation. They reached the large pool of water and she slipped a dainty foot in to it before sinking down completely, motioning for him to follow. He did so, stepping in after her before falling through completely.

They appeared on the other side. Dropping in to what looked like a sewer of some sorts. Bare walls and the awful stench of death filled the air and caused him to gag for a brief second. But it was quickly put away as he followed after Haeru's quickly retreating form. Weaving in and out of hall ways. The stench progressively getting worst as their steps slapped in to the dirty water.

Then they reached it. The large room with it's towering cealing seeming larger then any they had ever visted before. And as he stared straight at the large gates the blond knew that he had truly entered the domain of the legendary nine tailed fox demon. If the gate was any sign.

From behind the bars with their cold iron exterior two blood red eyes the size of a three story house appeared. And following them a wide smile that revealed teeth half the size of the Hokage's tower. It took a step forward and the room shook in response. It's massive face coming in to view as it stepped in to the light. Dark red coat the color of blood and ears coming in to place. It truly was an awe inspiring creature. And yet for some reason the blond didn't feel the least bit afraid.

"Ah. Here you are." It's booming voice and foul breath nearly knocking him to his knees. "I was begining to wonder if you would ever come."

Naruto didn't answer and instead looked in to the large eyes with conviction. This only served to amuse the fox demon if the increase in the size of it's grin said anything about it.

"Oh ho! And not a shred of fear. Truly a brave one. Almost as much so as your father had been...." Sneering now as it thought of the man that put it there.

"Can we get on with this?" Haeru asked rather annoyed. The demon's eyes moved to her before it's big head nodded.

"Ah yes. Of course." Turning them back to Naruto. "We've come to test your valor Naruto. A game of sorts."

"Game?" He questioned.

"Oh yes. Just a simple wage. Although it holds a lot of weight." Smile returning.

"And this game is?"

"The rules are simple. Win and you gain complete control over the fox demon summons. Lose.... And not only does your soul get eaten but I am released."

"I see. And who will I be fighting."

"Me."

He turned his head and towards a dark corner where a figure stepped in to view. Eyes going wide as he looked at his appearance. The same as his. Except for the black hair, golden eyes, and pure white sword in his hands. Standing tall as he grinned at Naruto. Obviously enjoying the reaction.

"You..." Something deep inside of him clicking in to place. "I know you." The figure snorted.

"You should Kioshi." He stopped before grinning again. "Or is it Naruto now?"

"Naruto." The blond replied firmly. Hand moving to grab his own sword. "But you already knew that. Right Kuro?"

"Of course." The newly appointed Kuro replied. "And you know how this thing goes. You lose you go bye bye. You win and you gain my power plus the fox demon's. Agreed?"

"Can you do it young Naruto?" The fox demon boomed. "Risk the lives of billions for more power? Or will back out and stay at your current level forever?" Obviously trying to get in his psyche. It wouldn't work. The kid was too calm and cool for that. "Of course I'm hoping you lose." It admitted at the end.

"I won't." The blond said as he pulled his blade free. Haeru disappearing in to Kuro's body. "It's not an option. I can promise you that."

"So you say?" The demon replied as his blood red chakra swirled around the pair and created a doom barrier to prevent escape. "So you say."

"You ready captain?" Kuro asked mockingly as he slipped in to the usual stance.

Naruto snorted. "Enough talk rat. I guess I need to remind you why I am indeed the captain and you the second in command."

And in a flurry of movement their blades collided.

The Kyuubi no Kitsune was old. It had seen many things. Civilizations rise and die. Species breed and evolved. The end of planets and the beginning of star systems. The age of demons and the rise of humans. All had been impressive and fairly entertaining. That much was certain. But even it would admit that what it was watching... Owned everything he had ever seen before.

Despite it's self it grinned as the two combatants in it's chakra control environment clashed again and again. The occasional flash of skin searing flames or red bolts of lightning adding a flair to it. But the two did not complain focusing entirely on each other as they attacked with earnest.

Naruto spun low, sweeping his blade across the soaked ground and splashing water in to the air. And with ease Kuro hopped up and over it while lashing out with a kick. The blond blocked with his other forearm before snaking his hand around the angle and slamming his opponent down. Pouncing at him with blade mid thrust. But Kuro held up a hand and fired of a chant less kido, the flames slamming in to the blond and knocking him back.

'Oh yeah. This is good action.' With a large grin to match.

Naruto recovered quickly to his knees in time to roll side ways. Succeeding in both putting out the flame and dodging the follow through. Slamming the tip of his sword in to the ground and lifting himself to his knees as he threw a hand out. The bolt of lightning that followed signifying the number four hadou. It was useless though as with a sweep of his blade Kuro dispelled the technique before raising his own hand and shooting one right back.

The blond was quick again, pushing off with his sword and in to the air as the attack struck the water, electrifying the entire area. He landed, on top of it as the attack faded away. Looking across to see Kuro doing the same with an annoying all knowing smirk. Naruto scowled.

'Damn! He has my shinobi skills as well!'

As if to put his thoughts in to practice Kuro flipped his forearm and tossed his blade in to the air before beginning a set of seals. Naruto cursed as he cartwheeled out the way in time to avoid the stream of fire that followed. Landing again on his feet he shot forward with shunpo just as Kuro caught his own sword, the swing to the head missing as his alter ego ducked and swiped himself. With a hiss Naruto flashed backward, looking down at the shallow cut on his stomach. Kuro just smiled back in response before lifting his sword and pointing it at the blond.

'Fine.' Naruto thought. 'That's how you wanna play it?' As he ripped his shirt away and went bare chested.

Flash stepping forward the two met again in a dead lock before both pulled away. The sound of clanging blades ringing annoyingly in the giant fox demon's ears. Kuro swiped at the chest and Naruto leaned back to avoid it, foot coming up and catching his opposite in the chest. Kuro gasped as his breath was knocked away and he stumbled back. The blond quickly righted himself before dashing forward in shunpo, coming out already in a spin with blade pulled back. The two swords clanged together and ringed loudly as if singing a chorus. Dead locked again.

Kuro began to pull back but could only blink in surprise when Naruto's hand firmly gripped his wrist and he was pulled forward in to a head but. Head ringing and nose now bleeding he was barely able to raise his own blade up to block the swipe at his neck, still it knocked him to his knees with the force and he received a kick to the chest that sent him flying back against the flooded ground.

'Damn him!' The darker side thought as he raised his sword and held it at both hands horizontally, catching the airborne Naruto's swipe on it despite his own blade sinking in to his flesh.

With an impressive show of his physique the dark side pulled his legs up and double mule kicked the original in the chest before carrying him over head, flipping upright and on to his feet in a crouch. Naruto skidded across the ground but threw a hand out and pushed himself to his feet, holding up the other as his sword that had been sent flying fell in to it. The two combatants stared at one another before flashing forward and clanging together.

'This is real good action!' The demon thought with wide smile as the two of them went back and forth with a flurry of blocks and attacks that caused sparks to fly. Naruto slid a foot back and ducked a swipe for the head before bringing his blade upward like an upper cut. Kuro snorted as he hopped back and away from the attack, hand flashing out as he prepared his next technique.

"Shakkaho!" The red ball of energy suddenly appearing before firing forward. Naruto raised to full height before placing his blade against his left shoulder and holding out his right hand.

"Seki." He replied calmly. The shield of reitsu forming in thin air and holding back the explosion. "Useless." He muttered.

"Oh yeah?!" Kuro howled suddenly from behind him, using the smoke as a distraction. His sword going true as it stabbed through the blond's back. "Useless huh?" He taunted from behind the boy.

To his surprise Naruto turned his head and grinned brightly despite his bloodly mouth. "Yes." As his eyes suddenly flashed.

"Shi-" He didn't get to finish as the clone exploded in his face sending him flying back having taken it full force. He hit the ground hard and tumbled back until he slammed in to the barrier. The corrosive chakra of the nine tailed fox burning him. "Fuck!" As he pulled his back away and sat upright. Looking up at the last second to see Naruto.

"Fuck indeed." Naruto agreed with his sword stuck in to the ground and he formed the last seal. "Suiton: Mizu Kamikiri!" (Water Release: Rising Water Cutter)

With a wave of his arms the water in front of Kuro suddenly surged upward before rushing toward him, slamming in to him and pushing him further in to the barrier. Still Naruto wasn't stupid and ducked at the right time as a sword swipe from behind flowed threw the air where his neck had just been. Throwing his foot back behind him he felt it connect again as Kuro doubled over. Turiing and swinging in one step as he beheaded his opponent.

Blinking in surprise Naruto scowled before falling to the ground as another fire ninjutsu rushed past him. So he was hit with the last one. That had been a mizu bushin. Impressive use of technique. That much he admitted openly. Throwing his arms out the blond did a six step before bringing his feet up and kicking Kuro twice in the face as they went by. Finishing up by pulling of a one handed stand and grabbing his sword before thrusting it forward an in to the gut of his alter ego.

This time it was legit. Pushing out one side and out the other. Kuro blinked and gagged before flash stepping away. Falling to one knee to hold his stomach as the blond pushed himself up right and on to his feet. There was a moment's pause as Kuro gagged and coughed blood and Naruto watched. Then they moved again, the blond flashing forward and Kuro leaping back. Naruto's sword pierced the ground where his enemy had just been and he cursed in annoyance before pulling back and following in pursuit.

Kuro flash stepped back and started to back peddle. Naruto hot on his heels as he swung his blade. It was like a shark going for the kill. The blood in the water signifying the weakness. And he was hungry. Why beat around the bush when you can go straight through it? Or so his mother always used to say.

Kuro hissed loudly as he batted away another strike. This wasn't good. He was losing badly. And that was unacceptable. Especially when he had come so far. There was only one thing left to do. The only thing he was able to do. Skidding to a halt the darker side suddenly lunged forward with sword pulled back. Caught off guard it was all Naruto could do to hold up his sword in a double grip and block. Still the force knocked him off balance. And it was then that he realized his mistake. Looking up in time to see a grinning Kuro as he held his sword horizontal and began to chant.

"Haeru, Da-ku Crepusulum!" He shouted.

And all Naruto could was curse and leap to the side as a blinding light filled the area.

"What are we working on?" Sasuke asked as he looked to his teacher. It was late night and they were in a rocky cavern. Choosing it for cover as they were without tents. Being that they had to beat a hasty retreat since Kakashi had illegally 'checked him out' a bit early. Kakashi hummed before looking up and away from the paper. Rolling it up and throwing it away.

"Nothing really." He stood up and walked toward his gennin. "Here." Pulling out a sheet of paper that looked more like cardboard.

Sasuke took it and looked over it before glancing at his jounin sensei. "What do I do?"

"Use chakra on it." Kakashi said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. And it kinda was for ninja. "It'll tell you what you need to train in."

Sasuke looked it over again before shrugging. Pushing chakra form his finger tips in to the card. And then watching as it crinkled up before forming a smoking ball. He turned it around before throwing away. Looking at Kakashi's genuinely surprised face. A smile forming behind his mask.

"Well well. What do we have here." The jounin teased as he took a step forward.

Sasuke frowned. "What?"

"Your elemental affinity. It isn't just fire. In fact fire isn't your primary one." The jounin explained.

"Then what is?"

"Lightning elemental ninjutsu." He explained. "It means your body is more aligned with lightning type then any other. Lightning ninjutsu should come easiest to you."

Sasuke blinked in surprise. "Really?" Looking over at the ball of cardboard. He was sure he was a fire type.

"Yep! You should be proud most don't have one as potent as your lightning let alone two." Kakashi's eyes appraising him. "It means you have real shinobi talent."

"Of course I do." Spoken proudly. Kakashi rolled his eye.

"Enough talk. This actually makes it easier."

"How so?" The Uchiha boy inquired.

"Because it helps me to teach you the technique I wanted too. My only personal one. I'm sharing it with you." The jounin replied just as proudly as the boy before him had.

"What is it?" Leaning forward.

"It's called Chidori..."

"You asshole. You ever living asshole."

Naruto frowned. "Keep talking bitch."

He sat on the wet ground. The barrier now absent. His clothes ripped and body bleeding yet he was still victorious. Beside him lay Kuro, a missing arm and leg on either side. Breathing rather slowly as he tried to stave away the pain. He had loss. Badly when Naruto too used the shikai release. He couldn't understand it. How could there be such a gap still?

"What are you?" He questioned. "Some sort of super man?" His body already beginning to fade away in to black particles that were being absorbed in to Naruto.

Naruto smirked before responding. "Of course."

"Whatever." Annoyed. "You already know the deal. Full use of my power yada yada. That sort of thing. And by design you get full control of the fox contract." A large gruff snort sounding from the angry fox demon. Upset at it's loss of a chance at freedom. Who wouldn't be?

"Nice doing buissness with you." Naruto said brightly.

"Fuck you too!" As his body finally faded away. Instantly the blond turned his now glowing eyes to the giant fox demon.

"Pay up bitch."

The fox growled but said nothing. A wave of blood red chakra flowing out before forming a large scroll. The first name on it becoming blood red as the deal was sealed. Naruto grinned victoriously before reaching for it. Picking it up along with his sword that he slid away in to his sheath.

"Good work jeeves."

"Leave damn it!" Before a wave of blood red chakra pushed him away. The last thing in his vision the angry scowl of the fox demon.

Ah!!! Gotcha!! Thought you were gonna see Haeru didn't ya? Man I'm an ass.

Anyhow. This chapter took me about five hours to write. So that's good work. I've got this buzz for this story right now. My thoughts finally flowing through my fingers. Great right?

And here are the techniques. All from their respective series.

Shakkaho: Way of Destruction Thirty-One. Shot Of Red Fire; Ball of red spiritual energy that explodes on Contact.

Seki:Way of Binding Eight. Repulse; Defensive Bakudo that creates a shield that repels or paralyzes what ever it touches.

Suiton, Mizu Kamikiri:Water Release, Rising Water Cutter; Suiton ninjutsu that rises up and fires off like a slicing jet.