Disclaimer: There are two things I will never understand, Lady Gaga's fame and why I don't own Naruto… ah well.
We're getting out of the Forest!... early? What happens when you put a lot of excited kid ninjas in the same building? Hopefully nothing explodes…
101010
When the mirrors and the lights and the smoke clear,
I'd never guess how we ever could have got here,
You can say what you say when the lights go down,
So shake, shake, shake and shut your mouth.
I wonder why, why, I wonder why, why I outta,
Let you wreck, resurrect whatever you wanna,
I can't depend in the end you know I thought you were my friend,
Just stop, just stop, just stop, I think I got it.
Celebrity Status – Marianas Trench (This song is stuck in my head.)
101010
After Team 10's easy defeat of the Mist team, they headed back to where they had left the bedraggled Team 7. The three met Aiko and Sasuke at the temporary hiding spot, and handed the grateful Uchiha girl the scroll. Sakura was still sleeping peacefully.
"Thanks for helping us out like this," Aiko hugged Naruto, who blushed.
Ino complained, "You don't blush like that when I hug you!"
"You hug everyone!" Naruto shot back, "A hug from Aiko-chan is special!"
"What's that mean!"
"No fighting." Shikamaru ordered, "We need to get to the tower, I would say we're three quarters of the way there… are you guys good to run?"
"I'm pretty well rested." Aiko said, glad to drive the subject away from Naruto's 'hug life,' and Sasuke grunted as well.
"Was that a positive or a negative grunt?" Ino asked curiously.
"Positive," Naruto confirmed, "You get used to telling these sorts of things with him."
Sasuke glared.
"See, he's angry now."
Thankfully no more arguments were started as Shikamaru got them back on track. Naruto was the freshest, so he carried Sakura in his arms bridal style, her head resting in the crook of his arm.
Ino pointed out, "You didn't carry Sasuke that way."
"That's because Sakura-chan deserves better treatment than Sasuke-teme." Naruto replied with a grin.
"Shut up Naruto."
"Okay Sasuke, next time I'll carry you like this… I didn't know you were like that though." Naruto raised a suggestive brow.
"Stop messing with Sasuke, Naruto." Shikamaru ordered although he too was smiling.
Aiko patted Sasuke on the back, "It's alright Sasuke-chan, I always expected as much."
"…Hn. You're not funny neechan."
Using the same tactic as the day before, they avoided all teams using Naruto's bunshin as perimeter guards, whenever the clones saw a team or were attacked; the genin shifted their route to go around the team. It was very difficult for Naruto to communicate with his bunshin, but if he concentrated and spiked his chakra, he could give one word orders to adjust for a new position.
It took more than a few hours, but they finally made it to the tower. There was only one entrance, and it opened into a large bare room. The only thing that adorned the white walls was some kind of saying or quotation.
"If you lack…" Ino started, but there was a word missing, "Seek wisdom and become prepared."
"And if you lack… something," Naruto continued, "Run through the fields and gain strength. I recognize this quotation from an academy textbook."
"You can read, Naruto?" Ino mocked, but Naruto grinned good naturedly.
"Yes I can, Ino-chan. We all can't do our hair all day… anyways, the missing words are 'Heaven' and 'Earth,' this is a quote from the Third Hokage. It's one of his favorite sayings."
"Maybe that means we should open our scrolls." Shikamaru suggested.
"All at the same time?" Ino asked, but Shikamaru shook his head in disagreement.
"Just one of the Heaven scrolls and one of the Earth."
Aiko opened an Earth scroll, and Ino opened the Heaven scroll she was carrying. Sasuke recognized the basic seal array, "Quick, throw those to the ground!"
To their amazement, Iruka-sensei appeared before them.
"Hey Iruka-sensei!" Naruto said happily, "We passed the second test, right?"
Iruka looked surprised to see them as well, "Well looks like all of the rookies passed… I have to say I'm impressed with you guys! All together?"
"We helped them out," Sasuke quipped, and Naruto glared at him but he noticed Sasuke's smile.
"Was that a joke, teme?" Naruto asked in disbelief.
"I'm very funny, you know."
"Hn." Naruto mocked.
"Come now boys," Iruka shook his head, "Haven't you grown out of this from the academy?"
"They're still little kids, Iruka-sensei." Aiko rolled her eyes.
Suddenly Iruka noticed that Sakura was passed out in Naruto's arms, "Sakura! Is she alright?"
"Chakra exhaustion only," Shikamaru assured, "Is there a place we can rest up?"
Iruka nodded, "Yes of course, it must have been quite an ordeal… that forest has been known to tear genin apart."
"It wasn't so tough," Naruto bragged, "I've gotten way stronger since the Academy, Iruka-sensei."
"You'll have to tell me all about it," Iruka smiled, "But let's get Sakura to a medic to ensure she'll be fine."
Iruka led them through the tower halls, it seemed pretty empty. "Where is everyone, Iruka-sensei?" Aiko questioned.
"The genin who have already passed are either in their private rooms or training, the mess hall should be empty around now, since dinner finished an hour ago."
"I'm starving." Ino moaned, "Look, I'm practically emaciated."
"That's a big word Ino," Shikamaru observed, "Maybe Naruto isn't the only one whose been learning to read."
"Now you have jokes." Ino retorted, "You never smiled once in the damn forest."
"People were trying to kill us in the forest. I'm looking forward to some good rest and relaxation now."
"Here we are," Iruka interrupted, opening a nondescript wooden door. The genin shuffled into a medic bay, with several beds. A female medic-nin met them at the door, "Oh my, another one?"
"I'm afraid so Matsuko-san." Iruka replied grimly, "Luckily she's only suffering from chakra exhaustion."
"That's good." Matsuko sighed in relief, "None of the… others, need anything, do they?" Naruto didn't miss the faint look of distaste sent at him.
"No, we're fine." Aiko assured her, missing the look completely. The rest were tired as well, only Shikamaru caught it. He had noticed that most people in the village treated Naruto like crap, but he still didn't know why.
Matsuko gestured to a bed, "Put her down… carefully." As if she expected Naruto to drop her on the floor or something. Naruto laid Sakura down as gently as possible on the bed, and then stepped away silently.
The medic-nin immediately began to run some simple diagnostic jutsu, "Minor chakra exhaustion." Matsuko confirmed, "She'll be fine in a few hours."
"Good." Iruka smiled, "Let's get you kids settled, you have a few days before the exam officially ends."
The genin left the ward, leaving Sakura behind under the careful watch of Matsuko. Iruka now led them into a new area; this one had signs and directions. Iruka began to point stuff out.
"Here is the training area that you'll be allowed to use during scheduled hours." Iruka pointed to a door, "Over there is the mess hall…"
"…and here are the dorms." Iruka finished, entering an area with more doors. This was a bit more open, like another room that was surrounded by doors on all sides. In the middle of the area sat Team 8 who waved them over to the grouping of couches.
"Took you guys long enough!" Kiba grinned.
"W-Where is S-Sakura-san?" Hinata asked worriedly, they assured the timid girl that Sakura was just resting off chakra depletion. The genin began to chat, and Iruka interrupted to point out their rooms.
"Ino, you and Sakura will be bunking together. Hinata I hope you don't mind sharing a room with Aiko?"
Hinata shook her head, it wasn't a problem.
"Alright, Shikamaru, you will bunk with Sasuke. Naruto you will be alone for now."
"Yes!" Naruto cheered, "My own room!"
"Naruto you have your own apartment," Iruka rolled his eyes, "Don't act silly. Most likely another team of genin will show up and you'll be sharing."
"Aww but you wouldn't do that, Iruka-sensei… I'm your favorite!"
"Oh Naruto…" Iruka muttered, but he was smiling, "You are indeed one of my favorite students."
"Hah! I'm the favorite." Naruto bragged.
"I thought I was the favorite?" Aiko gave Iruka her patented puppy dog eyes.
Iruka sputtered, "Naruto you're one of my favorites! Aiko, you are also one of my favorites-"
"What about me?" Kiba asked, enraged.
Iruka quickly threw his hands in the air, "You're all my favorites! I promise!"
The genin were silent, and then Naruto coughed something that sounded suspiciously like 'I'm the real favorite.'
"I give up." Iruka groaned, "I have to go now, in case I'm needed to greet another team." Iruka quickly exited the room after promising Naruto that he would visit them at breakfast the next morning. A few minutes later, a Chuunin delivered some dinner for the hungry genin. It was simply leftover chicken and rice, but to the genin it was heaven after badly cooked forest critters.
"You should have let me cook, Ino-chan." Naruto complained, "You really burned that rabbit."
"Oh please! Everyone knows that boys can't cook!" Ino retorted.
"I can so cook!" Naruto shot back, "Definitely better than you! My rabbit doesn't taste like charcoal!"
It descended into petty bickering before Shikamaru insisted that Naruto could prove later that he could cook better than Ino, because right now they were giving him a headache.
The genin spent the rest of the evening in the little common area, swapping stories about what had gone on when they had entered the forest. Team 8 had a relatively easy time getting through, tricking a weak team in a similar way that Team 10 had to get the second scroll. Kiba's nose and Shino's bugs allowed them to make it around other enemy teams to get to the tower without another battle.
They listened with open mouths as Aiko explained how they had run into Orochimaru and how he had defeated all three of them without even trying. Team 10 had already heard the story in summary, but this time Aiko explained it fully. Sasuke displayed his seal reluctantly on Aiko's command, but none of the genin knew much about seals, it wasn't really a subject genin covered while they were still trying to get a handle on the basics.
"Speaking of freaky ninja," Kiba glanced around furtively, "We saw that Gaara guy in the forest… and his team is the only other one here so far."
"H-He… k-killed three R-Rain-nin…" Hinata whispered, looking fearful.
Even Shino nodded, "My bugs tell me that we must be wary of him."
"Why?" Naruto asked curiously.
"They have trouble communicating the specific reason, the best way I can translate it is 'danger.'"
Kiba shuddered, "Akamaru is afraid of him… he smells like blood. A lot of blood… all the time."
Naruto was silent; he really didn't know what to make of Gaara. The boy was strange, he always looked emotionless… yet Naruto remembered the brief moment their eyes had met, and Naruto had felt the bloodlust pouring off him… how could someone be like that all the time?
Gaara killed without hesitation or discrimination it seemed, completely different from the way Naruto believed a ninja should fight. He always gave his opponent a chance to surrender, to leave. It was only fair… people made mistakes; they should be given a chance to correct them.
Sakura appeared a few hours later, being led by Anko. The girl had been a bit confused why she had woken up in a medic bay and not in the forest, at first fearing that they had failed. The medic-nin there had assured the pink haired genin that they had passed, and commandeered Anko to deliver her to the genin rest area.
"I don't see why I had to bring the pink haired brat." Anko complained to them, "Do I look like a damn babysitter? I'm a Jounin!"
"Special Jounin." Kiba put in helpfully, "Doesn't that mean you're like a… I dunno, lesser Jounin?"
"No!" Anko growled, "It means I was elected to Jounin by Hokage-sama himself! When he chooses, I will be upgraded to full Jounin status!"
"Oh so you are special!" Naruto nodded in understanding, "You're not good enough for Jounin yet, but the old man felt bad for you so he made a special section for you to make you feel better!"
"THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL!" Anko shouted, "You stupid brat! You'd never get it, you're too dumb!"
"Take that back!"
"She's kind of right Naruto," Ino smiled, "You are pretty stupid."
"You too?" Naruto pouted, "No one's on my side!"
"I-I d-don't think y-you're stupid, N-Naruto-kun," Hinata put in helpfully, with a blush.
Naruto swung around and pulled the very surprised Hyuuga girl into a hug crying, "Oh Hinata-chan! At least you love me- eh?"
Hinata had fainted.
"Hinata-chan? Oh no she fainted! Is she sick or something! Her face is all red!"
Kiba shook his head in disgust, "Geez Naruto, you are an idiot." Aiko gently took Hinata from Naruto's arms.
"We should go to bed," The Uchiha girl suggested, "It's getting kind of late."
"What's wrong with Hinata-chan?" Naruto whined, worried for his friend.
"She's fine," Ino rolled her eyes, "Aiko is right, let's go to bed…"
"Help me with Hinata, Ino."
Ino and Aiko carried Hinata into the room she would be sharing with Aiko for the night. The other genin also retired to their own rooms, Naruto bragging again that he had his own.
Despite his boasting, Naruto tossed and turned in his unfamiliar bed that night. In some ways it was much comfier than his lumpy mattress at home, but Naruto had grown used to feeling of his own bed. Even the smell felt off, Naruto was used to smelling either his apartment or nature; he either slept under the stars or safe in his own apartment.
It didn't help that even though they were on a little reprieve from the competition, they were still in it. A few rooms away a dark killer slept, Naruto didn't understand Gaara, and he didn't understand what drove him to kill. What would stop him from waking up and deciding to kill him? Or even worse, one of his friends?
He thought of Gaara's sand, as Kiba described it. Moving autonomously it would wrap his friends up and squeeze the life out of them. Naruto didn't want to die, but he would toss his life away in a second if it meant protecting one of his friends. They all had such wonderful lives to continue… families, friends, and talents that Naruto had none of.
Naruto loved his village, from afar he had watched and seen the true faces of the Konoha villagers, they hated him because they didn't understand him… and he could forgive them for that. They didn't love him, but they loved his friends… they revered Sasuke and Aiko. Yes, he would give his life for any one of them.
He posted a Kage Bunshin on watch outside in the common area, if Gaara tried anything to harm his friends, then Naruto would retaliate. Even if he couldn't beat the Sand-nin, he would ensure that the adults heard the ruckus and came running before the insane redhead could harm anyone else. With his bunshin in place, Naruto eventually fell to sleep, content for now.
101010
Sakura yawned as she awoke, sunlight was streaming in through the window of the room she and Ino were sharing. It was dim through the thick trees of the forest outside, but Sakura felt the warmth on her face. With a contented sigh, she pushed away the rough covers of her bed. It wasn't the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in, but it was fine.
The pink haired girl felt fully recuperated from her experience in the Forest of Death, she was proud of herself… sure she wasn't able to defeat all three Sound-nin alone, but she had done her part to protect her team.
'You would have died without Naruto and Lee.' A contemptuous side of her pointed out.
She argued, 'There were three of them.'
'You're still too weak, Sakura-chan.'
'I'm going to get even stronger after this.' Sakura promised, but she doubted herself even now. It wasn't the first time she had assured herself that she would get serious about training. Sure, she had really gotten into it before Wave… but afterwards she was barely keeping up with conditioning her body. Instead Sakura had taken to spending more time with Ino, Hinata, and Aiko, while constantly checking to make sure that Sasuke was still there.
It had been a terrifying experience, Sakura didn't know if she loved Sasuke… but she cared for him deeply. To see him dead, to see Aiko cry over him, and to feel her own tears wet her cheeks… it was one of the worst moments of her life.
When he had awoken, she had hardly believed it. Sasuke wasn't dead, he was alive… how could she possibly let him out of her sight again?
"Ino wake up," Sakura whispered, shaking her blond friend by the shoulder.
The other girl groaned, but her ninja training forced her to open her eyes. Squinting in the sunlight, Ino smiled at Sakura, "Good morning Sakura-chan."
"Mmm, I think you slept in the wrong bed to be calling me that." Sakura replied playfully.
Ino laughed, "You're still funny, Sakura."
"Why did we stop being friends?"
"You know why." Ino replied quietly, the laughter gone. "We both wanted Sasuke-kun."
Sakura grimaced; it was a cutting reminder of why Ino and she could never be best friends again.
"And you've won." Ino continued, and Sakura's head snapped up. Ino's expression was serious, "Sakura-chan… you obviously love Sasuke-kun."
"But you-"
"I liked Sasuke-kun," Ino admitted, "I still do… but what you did for him in the forest… I was so afraid of him, I couldn't even move. You brought him back. Sakura you accepted him and brought him back."
"I just…" Sakura helplessly searched for the words to express herself. "I knew he wasn't himself, I just stopped him before he could do something he would regret."
Ino smiled and gave her a hug, "I couldn't have done what you did." Ino admitted, "In that moment I realized that I couldn't feel the way you did."
"Ino-chan…" Sakura hugged her, "I've missed you, you know?"
"I've said you've won Sasuke-kun, not me." Ino's lips tugged into a smile, her voice had regained its playfulness.
"Friends?" Sakura asked.
"Best friends." Ino confirmed, "Now let's get dressed. You can peek if you want."
"Don't tempt me!"
101010
"You know Hinata-chan, you have a great figure." Aiko noted, the other girl froze up like Aiko had figured she would.
"I don't know why you hide it under that huge jacket." Aiko continued, "I bet Naruto would definitely notice if you dressed a bit more like Kurenai-sensei…"
"I… um…" Hinata was more than a bit speechless, blushing like a tomato.
"Or Anko…"
"I-I couldn't!" Hinata looked horrified, imagining wearing the skimpy clothes of the Special Jounin. What her father would say alone… never mind Naruto!
"Oh Hinata," Aiko laughed, "You're very cute when you blush like that. Naruto is an idiot for not noticing what a great girl you are."
"B-But Aiko-san…" Hinata responded, "Naruto-kun… h-he likes you."
"What?" Aiko replied, confused. "Naruto doesn't think like that about me."
"I-I w-watched him…" Hinata whispered, "A-At the academy… I-I saw him l-look at you… I d-don't know a lot, b-but… I w-wished he would look a-at me like t-that…"
"I'm sure you were just imagining it." Aiko denied, "Naruto doesn't… I mean, he doesn't look at anyone that way. Especially me."
Aiko was trying to convince herself as well. Ever since teaming with Naruto, her feelings for him had been more than a little confusing. It didn't help that any time she suggested they go out to eat alone or something, Naruto refused. Aiko had thought that Naruto didn't like spending time with Sakura or Sasuke because they didn't exactly treat him well in the academy, so he didn't eat with them when they went out together as a team… especially considering all Sasuke ever wanted was udon.
But why did he deny her? Sure she hadn't talked to him in years… but she had barely talked to anyone in years since the incident, except Sasuke.
Hinata was wrong, Aiko decided. No matter what her feelings for Naruto, he definitely didn't like her like that. Hinata didn't press the topic, probably already feeling embarrassed from the direction it had gone. Aiko felt bad for her remarks, Hinata was a good girl, and she obviously didn't think that way. Like Naruto, she was an innocent spirit.
'They would be good together,' Aiko realized. It was such an unlikely pairing, the shy Hyuuga heiress and the loudmouth orphan. It was something out of a love story, coming from such different backgrounds but they seemed to mesh in some weird way in Aiko's mind.
If anyone deserved Naruto as a husband, it would be Hinata. He was sweet, caring, and he would be a great father… for a second Aiko pictured blond haired children with Sharingan eyes.
'Sharingan eyes?' Aiko panicked, 'What am I thinking? I DON'T like Naruto like that… I don't!'
The girls dressed in silence, but their thoughts were both on a certain orange clad ninja.
101010
"Naruto?" Sakura questioned, "You're already awake?"
"Hey Sakura-chan!" Naruto greeted her happily from the common area couch, "How did you sleep?"
"Fine," Sakura responded slowly, "I hope you slept too, we're still in this you know."
Ino popped out of the room too with a yawn, "Hey Naruto! Awake already?" The other blond plopped down next to her friend and temporary teammate and continued before he could reply to her query, "When is breakfast? I'm starving!"
"Hinata mentioned eight, I think." Sakura replied thoughtfully, "It's still a bit too early."
"But I'm hungry now!" Ino whined.
Sakura sighed, "Honestly, sometimes you act just like Naruto."
Ino grimaced, "Thanks Sakura. That makes me feel good about myself."
"Hey!" Naruto protested, "What's wrong with me?"
"You can't dress." Ino pointed out.
"You're too loud." Sakura added.
"You're obsessed with ramen, it's kind of scary."
"You're also really oblivious." Sakura scolded.
Naruto grimaced, "I'm not that obsessed with ramen… and what's wrong with the way I dress?"
Ino scoffed, "You're a ninja you idiot. How can you hide when you can't blend into the environment?"
Sakura nodded, "Plus you are obsessed with ramen. You talk about it like every day… but don't worry Naruto, that's why we love you."
Sakura ruffled his hair affectionately, in a manner that reminded Naruto of his sensei. The three genin quietly chatted and waited for breakfast; soon Shino and Kiba joined them, then Sasuke. The Sand girl Temari emerged from her private room, glared at them, and then went into her teammates' room. Aiko and Hinata emerged from their own room last, and there were a few minutes until breakfast would begin in the mess.
"Where is Shikamaru?" Ino asked Sasuke, who shrugged.
"He didn't wake up when I shook him."
"You have to punch him." Ino instructed, "Or he won't move."
Before they could go wake up Shikamaru, the Sand team appeared from the boys' door. All were dressed; they shuffled past the Leaf genin without looking at them. This was fine for the rookies, who went completely silent. Without a glance back, the Sand team left.
"…someone should wake up Shikamaru." Sasuke suggested finally, "I don't want to do it."
"I'll do it." Ino got up from her seat on the couch. She went into the room and they heard a clatter and a yell, "Wake up dumbass!"
"Troublesome…"
"Shut up and get up! Its time for breakfast, we're not going to wait for you!"
Ino exited and went back to the group smiling, "He'll follow us. Let's go."
"Right, I'll tell boss." 'Naruto' popped out of existence. The other genin blinked in surprise, "What…" Ino was confused; "It was a bunshin the whole time?"
They heard a thump and muffled curse from Naruto's room. The boy dashed out in a few seconds, wearing boxers and a t-shirt. He had a hideous… thing… on his head. The other genin realized it was some kind of monster nightcap or something.
"Let's go, guys!" Naruto said cheerfully, "I'm starving!"
"I was lecturing a bunshin?" Sakura scowled, "Seriously Naruto? You, er, it couldn't mention that it wasn't you?"
"Uh well I know what you guys were talking about." Naruto replied helpfully, "So it was pretty much me."
"Why aren't you dressed?" Sasuke asked, "Your bunshin was dressed. Why was your bunshin even out here?"
Naruto shrugged, "I just pictured him dressed. Now let's go eat!"
The blond avoided questions by rushing out in his boxers. The others followed their friend, Sakura groaned, "I swear he has no tact."
"What's tact?" Kiba asked curiously.
"You have no sense of tact either!"
Shrugging, Kiba let it go, girls were weird some times. The mess hall wasn't too far from the dormitory so the group of Leaf genin made it there relatively quickly, chatting happily. Naruto had gotten his food already and was already chowing down; the Sand team was eating in their own corner.
The little circular tables weren't meant to seat more than six people, so the genin sat at two different tables, near each other.
"So Sasuke-teme, what's up with that seal?" Naruto asked curiously.
Sasuke scowled, "Don't worry about it."
"Maybe you should get Kakashi-sensei to look at it." Sakura suggested worriedly, "What happened in the forest… that seal is bad news, Sasuke-kun."
"Hn."
"Hi kids!"
Iruka sat down at one of their tables with his own food, "This whole exam business is hectic," The Chuunin teacher shook his head, "The preparations for the third exam are giving me a migraine."
"What's the third exam, Iruka-sensei?" Aiko asked curiously.
Iruka smiled, "That would be telling, you will find out soon enough."
"Iruka-sensei, do you know where Kakashi-sensei is?" Sakura asked, Iruka shook his head, "I'd assume he's still in the village… he'll be here when the second exam officially finishes, why?"
"Sakura…" Sasuke said, warning in his voice.
"No Sasuke, she's right, Kakashi-sensei has to know…" Aiko was firm, "Iruka-sensei, Sasuke got this seal thing on his neck from some fake genin in the forest."
"Seal?" Iruka asked in alarm, "On the neck?" Iruka's mind jumped to the one person who had a seal on their neck, and the purple haired woman suffered immensely from it.
"Let me see it." Iruka demanded, the genin were surprised at the urgency in his voice, Sasuke wordlessly moved his collar so the seal was visible.
Iruka let out a heavy breath, "Sasuke… the fake genin, what was his name?"
"Orochimaru."
Iruka rubbed his brow, "You should have said something right away! That seal… its dangerous, don't you know who Orochimaru is? Did anyone even listen to my lectures?"
"You don't mean he was Orochimaru of the Sannin?" Aiko said in disbelief, "What could he possibly want with us? Why would he bother to find us in the exam out of everyone?"
"I… don't know." Iruka replied, but he had a shaky suspicion, "But you're right, Kakashi-san must look at that seal right away. Hopefully he'll be able to block it off…"
"Block it?" Sasuke's voice was suddenly dangerous, "What if I don't want him to?"
Iruka looked afraid, "Sasuke… you haven't used its power, have you?" The genin was silent, but his eyes told Iruka everything. Iruka cursed inwardly, Sasuke had been his best student in the academy, and now because of Kakashi's rush to stick them in the exam he might die, or worse.
"You must never use it again." Iruka urged, "You do not understand what kind of power Orochimaru now holds over you…"
"You mean that purple chakra stuff?" Naruto asked, remembering when Sasuke had seemingly snapped and nearly killed the Sound-nin. "Is that what the seal does? It gives Sasuke power and makes him crazy?"
"In a nutshell, yes." Iruka was grim, "I have to inform Kakashi and the Hokage. I have to go, I'm sorry kids." Iruka waved and walked away, the other two members of Team 10 and Team 8 had been sitting on the other table and looked at them curiously.
"What was that about?" Shikamaru asked, and Sakura told them what Iruka had said about the seal. Sasuke's mood darkened and he didn't talk for the rest of the meal; instead he spent the time glaring at his teammates, as they had told Iruka about the seal.
"Kakashi-sensei has to know about this, Sasuke." Aiko persisted, "You know he does."
"..."
Sasuke didn't talk to them for the rest of the day; Kakashi arrived late in the evening and shuffled the boy to parts unknown for a good few hours. When he came back, the seal had been confined in a circle, and Kakashi-sensei assured his team that it wouldn't cause trouble.
'Unless Sasuke lets it.' Kakashi thought grimly. He could tell that Sasuke wasn't happy about having that power cut off from him; Kakashi wished he had a better seal to use, but he was hardly a master.
Naruto had insisted on a spar against his sensei to show off his new wind skills, but Kakashi passed. His 'official' reason was that Naruto should be resting up for the third exam, the real reason was he was dead tired from putting that seal on Sasuke. The last thing he wanted to do was go up against a stamina freak like Naruto, if it went on for too long, he might actually lose.
Might. But probably not, Naruto was good, but not that good.
Denied by his sensei, Naruto tried to train alone. But the only training area was occupied by the Sand-nin, who glared at him when he tried to enter during their time, which was apparently forever. So instead Naruto moved restlessly, bothering anyone who would give him the time of day.
"So Shika..."
"What Naruto?"
"Uhm… hi."
"…Go away, I'm trying to sleep."
So Shikamaru was no good.
"Sasuke open the door!" Naruto banged on the locked door, "Shika is sleeping on a bench, at least let him in so he can rest!" Naruto waited, but his ploy was unsuccessful, the door remained closed. Naruto frowned, why was everyone avoiding him today?
"Hey Aiko-chan! Sakura-chan!"
The girls had been whispering quietly to each other, they glanced at him, then at each other.
"Er… Naruto…" Sakura started.
"We're kind of having girl talk." Aiko finished.
"What's girl talk?" Naruto asked curiously, "Can I join in?"
"No, Naruto." Sakura sighed, "Its girl talk."
"I can be a girl-"
"Don't you dare do that sick technique!" Aiko ordered, her eyes going dark with rage, "I told you never again!"
"Erm," Naruto gulped, "I remember, Aiko-chan… never again, I swear!"
Naruto scampered away, he tried Team 8 instead, but Shino said nothing, Kiba had Akamaru pee on him, and Hinata fainted… again. Naruto put her on the couch next to Sakura and Aiko who rolled their eyes and sighed at him.
"It wasn't my fault!" Naruto protested.
"Naruto," Sakura shook her head, "You're so clueless sometimes."
"I'm bored!" Naruto complained, "No one wants to do anything!"
"We just want to relax, Naruto." Aiko shook her head, "Honestly, not all of us have unlimited energy."
The training area was still taken by the glaring Sand team; Naruto escaped the foreign nin back to the mess hall, where he found Ino practicing her kunai skills lazily, by tossing a single kunai at a wooden frame of a nearby door.
"Hey, Naruto." Ino greeted.
"Er…" Naruto looked around, "You're not going to tell me to go away too, are you?"
"Why would I do that?" Ino looked at him strangely, "I'm bored! Of course I want someone to talk to."
"I know right?" Naruto agreed, taking a seat by her, "Everyone is all like, 'oh man Naruto we have to relax go away,'"
"Usually when Asuma-sensei and Shikamaru are playing shougi, I talk to Chouji." Ino admitted, "He always tries to persuade me to eat more… I have to admit, I kind of miss him."
Naruto pouted, "I'm sorry your team got stuck with me, even my own team doesn't want me around… sheesh!"
"It's not that, you idiot!" Ino retorted, "You're not a bad teammate at all. I just miss Chouji; he's a lot nicer to be around than Shika. He's so lazy!"
"Shika's not that bad." Naruto defended his temporary teammate, even though he had just been dismissed by the lazy genin not long before.
Ino smiled, "You know Naruto, you're a pretty nice guy. I don't know why I didn't hang out with you at the academy."
"You were busy competing over Sasuke with all the other girls." Naruto pointed out.
His fellow blond grimaced, "Well, I've realized that me and Sasuke aren't going to happen."
"Really?" Naruto was shocked, Ino giving up on Sasuke? It just didn't seem possible. "Why not?"
"Sakura." Ino looked wistful, "Sasuke is in love with her."
Naruto laughed, "Sasuke doesn't even like anyone, except his sister. No way he's in love with Sakura-chan! I mean she's great but…"
"He is." Ino insisted, "A woman can tell these things!"
"If you say so…" Naruto replied dubiously.
Ino's eyes glittered, "You know Naruto… now that I'm done with Sasuke, we should go out sometime."
"Wh-What?" Naruto nearly fell out of his chair as Ino's gaze turned almost predatory.
She purred, "Think about it… we could have beautiful blond children together!"
"Children!" Naruto yelped.
Ino laughed, "Oh Naruto… you're so easy to tease."
She leaned in close, and his heart thudded wildly in his chest. "It's cute." Ino kissed his cheek, and Naruto's face took a shade of red that was worthy of Hinata.
He fainted.
"Naruto?" Ino toed his immobile form, "Hmm, I'll have to remember that one." Ino smiled deviously, "At least he reacts. Sakura can have Sasuke."
Ino sat back down, gazing at her new prey, "After all… Sasuke's not the only cutie on Team 7!"
101010
Naruto spent much of the next few days quickly glancing at Ino, and blushing furiously whenever she caught him. He weathered the winks, air kisses and suggestive faces she made… it was so foreign to him.
The genin had never had a girl like him before, and it was just weird! In his life he only had himself, ramen, his friends, and his training to worry about. Now instead thoughts dominated about Ichiraku and whether the training area was open, Naruto kept thinking about Ino.
Her face, her voice, her hips which she swayed ever so wonderfully…
'What am I thinking!' Naruto was horrified, he had read up on hormones but he didn't really realize that it could happen to him. Didn't the Kyuubi protect his body from getting sick? Hormones were obviously dangerous if they could control him like this!
Naruto realized the only way he could fix this was talking to the obvious expert.
"Sasuke?"
"Hn."
"How do you control your hormones?"
Sasuke turned his head to look at him like he hadn't quite heard him, "What?" Naruto rolled his eyes, wasn't he clear enough?
"When all those girls chase you, how do you always manage to stay so calm and stuff? I mean, is it just practice? You never even blush!"
Sasuke had seen Naruto's 'problem' with Ino, but was more than happy about it. It meant one less fangirl to worry about.
"It's easy." Sasuke's face darkened, "I think about my goal… no… my ambition. To kill Itachi."
"Er…" Naruto frowned, "What if I don't have an evil older brother I want to kill…?"
"I don't know, take her on a date. Then she'll see what a loser you are and dump you."
"Hey!" Naruto only half glared, he knew Sasuke wasn't serious about the loser part… mostly.
Sasuke of course wasn't the only one to notice Ino's shift from Uchiha to Uzumaki. Most didn't care, but some did, deeply.
Hinata was devastated, she watched as Naruto blushed every time Ino looked at him… obviously he was smitten, hadn't she looked the same every time Naruto looked at her? The Hyuuga girl realized she had waited too long, and now someone else had realized how great her Naruto-kun was. Ino was so much better than her, shy, dark Hinata… how could she compete?
She couldn't, and Hinata fell deeper into her silent despair.
Aiko noticed as well, but she wasn't silent about it. The Uchiha girl cornered Ino after dinner.
"Hey Aiko." Ino greeted with a smile, but Aiko frowned.
"Ino, you shouldn't do this."
"Do what?"
"Play with Naruto's heart." Aiko replied furiously, "He's not like my brother; if you mess with him and then ditch him… you'll hurt him, badly."
Ino rolled her eyes, "Again, Aiko?"
"What?"
"First I'm not allowed to chase your brother." Ino's own smile had disappeared, "And now I finally stop, but I can't go after Naruto either. Don't you think that's a little selfish?"
"You know that Hinata-" Aiko began, but Ino waved her off.
"I'm not going to marry him, Aiko. Maybe go on a few dates, have some fun… and what if I do? Hinata will get over it."
"She loves him." Aiko replied, but her tone was less than certain.
"No she doesn't." Ino firmly retorted, "Hinata thinks she does, but it's a crush. She doesn't even really know Naruto. How could she possibly be in love with him?"
"And you know Naruto so well?"
"I would like to." Ino shot back, "But I can't. You want him all to yourself!"
"What!" Aiko nearly shouted, "That's ridiculous!"
"You think Sakura hasn't mentioned it?" Ino replied triumphantly, "She told me how you've tried, 'Oh Sakura, he turns me down every time… why doesn't he like me?'"
"I…" Aiko sputtered, "That's- I just want to be friends with him!"
"Keep telling yourself that," Ino stepped around the frozen girl, "But just remember, he didn't say no to me."
101010
Oh dear. Ino wants Naruto? Can this really be happening? I think so. Don't expect them to last forever though. This will be NarutoAiko, I just don't think its realistic that they end up together now and stay together forever, that's not how real relationships work. Both Naruto and Aiko have to mature before their ready to really sustain a relationship.