Duty, Honor, and Truth Chapter 13: Breaking it Down, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: Naruto, Bleach, and all other intellectual properties are the rightful property of their respected owners and creators. I am thankful to them as I play with the elements and realms that they have labored to provide us with.

This work contains elements that warrant a mature rating of 'M'. Discretion is advised to all potential readers. You have been forewarned.

Duty, Honor, and Truth

Chapter 13 – Breaking it Down

Patience…patience was not one of his virtues. Every fiber of his being seemed to be screaming at him to do something, anything, but rather than give into the feeling Uchiha Sasuke merely folded his hands before his face and leaned his elbows on the long desk he was sitting at. Frustration was building within the lone Uchiha as he waited, frustration at being forced to wait to be assigned to a team, frustration at having to assigned at all to a team, frustration that too many fangirls and wannabe lackeys had been fawning over him since he had received his forehead protector, and last frustration at the fact that he had been unable to get in touch with the only person who came remotely close to being called his friend…one Shugorei/Uzumaki Naruto.

Of course Sasuke had heard about the incident involving the whiskered blond and the attempted theft of one of the village's most prized possessions, the story had been making its way around the village for nearly a week now. However, like any type of gossip the story had seemed to grow and take on a life of its own so in truth he had little idea as to what had truly happened other than a few bare facts. What Sasuke did know for sure was that after the incident Naruto had been hospitalized for a while afterwards and kept in seclusion by a number of ANBU, two things that had kept him from talking to the blond. Even more frustrating was that when the Uchiha heir had tried to contact his friend at home he had been rebuffed by an imposing HK-47 and having witnessed what the guardian was capable of first hand the raven haired boy had decided that pressing the issue about talking to Naruto could wait…but oh how he hated to wait.

"Good morning Sasuke-kun," greeted Sakura happily as she moved to sit in the chair next to the raven haired boy. "Aren't you excited? We finally get to be real shinobi and go on missions and…."

Tuning out the girl and rising up from his seat suddenly the lone Uchiha turned to walk down the small stairs and out of the classroom despite the concerned questions that were suddenly being directed to him by Sakura and the annoying taunting that the pink haired girl was now receiving from Ino. Walking swiftly down the hall past many of the other new genin that were making there way towards the classroom Sasuke ducked into the nearest boy's restroom.

"Why does she always seem so, so…clingy?" the Uchiha heir furiously wondered as he marched over to one of the sinks lining the wall.

Turning on the water and leaning down to splash some on his face Sasuke looked up through the water droplets to his mirrored reflection.

"Her and Ino have barely given me a day's peace ever since I started listening to Naruto and went to that damn lunch," thought Sasuke as he gazed into his own black eyes. "She's so damn persistent, what with that stupid party and…."

Sasuke stopped his complaining suddenly, allowing his annoyance and frustration to drop away as he thought about the party he had been dragged to by Sakura. Originally the girl had only wanted to introduce him to her family, more specifically her mother and grandfather. However, before he had realized it he had been swept up by the commotion of happiness and pride that the Haruno family had felt seeing one of there own becoming part of the forces of Konoha. The Uchiha heir had spent much of the night in a whirlwind of eating, story telling, and old fashioned revelry as he watched Sakura be congratulated and toasted by her many family members. The pink haired girl had laughed with joy as she was picked up and put on the shoulder of one of her larger uncles to be spun around. Graduation gifts had been given and Sasuke would have sworn he had never seen so many new dresses, kimonos, or jewelry in his life. Yet throughout all of it, throughout the attention being focused on her, Sakura had kept grabbing his hand and pulling him along further into her world. It had been an experience that had touched something that had long laid dormant in the lone Uchiha.

"It was so, so…different, not being the center of attention. Almost…fun," Sasuke thought as a small smile slipped out onto his face. "The last time I experienced such a thing was when…."

Somberness suddenly fell upon the Uchiha heir as he recalled that the last time such a thing had occurred had been at a party hosted by his parents to celebrate Itachi's promotion to ANBU Captain, something that seemed to have occurred to someone else in another life.

"You look like someone with a problem," a familiar voice spoke, suddenly breaking the raven haired boy from his thoughts. "That or your breakfast is disagreeing with you."

Looking into the mirror Sasuke caught the reflection of a certain whiskered blond before turning around quickly to point and accusatory finger.

"You! How did you? Where the hell have you been?!" Sasuke exclaimed as he narrowed his eyes.

"Me?" asked Naruto, feigning innocence. "I was where I always am."

Storming forward to grab the blond boy by the vest and slam him backwards into the wall Sasuke's voice took on a dangerous tone as he said, "Don't give me such bullshit! You missed the genin exam, went and got into some sort of debacle over one of the village's prized possessions, and then don't even have the god damn decency to bother talking to me for a week! I had to listen to that psycho you keep as a guardian rattle off excuses before threatening to eviscerate me as usual!"

"Yeah he does have a way with words doesn't he?" joked Naruto as he was held by the cloth of his vest.

"This isn't a fucking joke Naruto!" yelled Sasuke, pulling the cerulean eyed boy forward before slamming him backwards into the wall once again, this time with enough force to cause some of the plaster to chip.

Preparing to say more Sasuke's voice fell silent as his eyes suddenly widened in surprise as he felt the cold steel edge of a kunai touch the soft flesh of his throat.

"You had best take a moment to calm down Sasuke," cautioned Naruto as he stood behind the lone Uchiha as his Kage Bunshin dispersed in a puff of smoke. "Breath easy now, wouldn't want for you to accidentally cut yourself."

Trying to glance to the side and perhaps catch sight of the Shugorei heir in his peripheral vision Sasuke growled, "You're threatening me again and yet you always try to tell me how we're friends. What a load of…."

Putting a bit more pressure on his kunai Naruto cut off whatever Sasuke was about to say before withdrawing the blade completely and placing it back into its holster.

"We are friends Sasuke, but you also have a serious memory problem," Naruto stated calmly as he watched the raven haired boy rub the spot where the small knife had been pressed. "You have difficulty in remembering that certain details are supposed to remain confidential. I don't go around letting slip your secrets so do take care in not revealing mine."

Examining his hand for blood before letting his piercing gaze bore into his friend Sasuke remarked, "We're alone, what harm could…."

"More than enough!" Naruto exclaimed as his displeasure seethed. "We are not in the security of my home or yours, but rather in a public restroom in the middle of the Academy. Someone could easily take notice or overhear. You would do well to remember that."

While he hated to admit he was in the wrong Sasuke gave a small nod of acquiescence. Naruto had a valid point, one that was reinforced by the fact that they both knew things that were at best highly classified and at worst…criminal.

"What the hell has gotten into you?" the whiskered blond asked. "I told you before that there are times when I have business that needs my direct attention, business that is not any of your concern unless I tell you otherwise."

Pivoting on his heel to turn away Naruto dragged a hand through his hair in frustration, refusing to look at the Uchiha for the moment.

"Business? That's your excuse?" questioned Sasuke as a hint of annoyance crept back into his voice. "When the Hokage told us that tale I had a feeling that something wasn't right, but now, hearing it from you, I know there's something important you aren't telling me."

Throwing a glance over his shoulder Naruto remained silent.

"You missed the genin exam, you missed out on becoming a shinobi with the rest of us, and for what…business?" the Uchiha spat. "That's a load of shit and you know it. You owe me a better explanation than that!"

Narrowing his eyes further Sasuke added, "When we met you told me about trust, but it seems you are not only incapable of trust but also a liar!"

"Leave it alone Sasuke," warned Naruto as he felt the weight of the forehead protector he wore on his brow in place of his cherished goggles.

"Or what you'll threaten me again? Perhaps this time instead of a kunai or locking me away in a room for a couple days you'll tear me apart like the Kyuubi!" yelled Sasuke as his anger got the better of him, though as the words left his mouth he immediately began to regret them.

Looking at the still back of his friend the Uchiha heir spoke slowly, "I…I shouldn't have said that. I'm…."

Sasuke's apology was cut off as he was slammed backwards into the same wall he had previously held Naruto against. However, this time instead of chipping the plaster the impact caused a small, body sized crater to form.

Staring into the rage filled eyes of the Shugorei heir as he was held by the throat in a tight grip Sasuke felt something that was akin to what he had felt under the gaze of Itachi…guilt mixed with fear. Guilt over the fact that he had blatantly stabbed at the only person he called a friend with something that was the daily nightmare of the boy. Fear over the fact that he had most likely just caused the end of their short friendship. Yet it was surprise that seemed to dominate the Uchiha's mind as his throat was released and he was let to drop onto the floor as the blond turned away.

"You want to know? You want to know where I was and what I was doing instead of taking some stupid little test with you and the others?" rhetorically asked a cold Naruto as he stared into the eyes of his reflection in the bathroom's mirror before turning sharply to stare at the low form of the raven haired boy. "I skipped the exam because I decided to cut my losses. You're weak and useless to me Sasuke…just like the others, not worth my time. I should have left you to rot in your own drug induced hell."

"Why…(cough)…why are you…?" the dark eyed boy tried to wheeze out.

"Because you're weak Sasuke, because you're afraid," the whiskered blond said with a smirk as his eyes seemed to flash red for a moment. "I have no use for those who are weak, for those who lack…hate."

Glaring coldly down at the surprised boy Naruto growled out as his voice deepened, "You're pathetic Sasuke and you always have been. And that is why I chose to leave you behind, to leave you alive…ototo."

His mouth going dry Sasuke watched as the Naruto that stood in front of him transformed into a visage that was hated and at the same time dreaded, his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.

"Seems that you can't protect anyone my foolish little brother," Itachi spoke cruelly as he tossed the bloodied body of Naruto forward to join the unmoving body of a pink haired girl in a familiar red dress.

Looking to the bloody faces of the two, catching the sight of blue eyes that had lost the shine and sparkle that they had held in life now lying next to a head of pink hair that seemed to have been caked with rust colored patches of drying blood, Uchiha Sasuke let out a soul-wrenching scream.

"Guaahh!"

"Hur…uaaaah!"

Puking his guts out while barely holding himself on his hands and knees Uchiha Sasuke did not look like the proud clan heir that he was. His body racked by the heaving the raven haired boy found himself spitting out the disgusting mixture of his foodless stomach. Having taken the order of his new jounin-sensei seriously Sasuke had not eaten a thing for breakfast before coming to the training field for the final test to determine who was worthy of being a genin.

"I shouldn't have fallen into Kakashi's Genjutsu so easily," the dark eyed Uchiha berated his self as he wiped the back of his palm across his mouth. "I should have seen it coming when he started dodging me."

Shakily making his way back to his feet Sasuke tried to shake off the vision that had been a culmination of his worst fears.

"Itachi's not here and Naruto…Naruto wouldn't abandon me. He wouldn't," repeated Sasuke silently, trying to reassure himself and focus back on the task at hand.

It was only an hour before noon, before time ran out for the test that Hatake Kakashi had set for his new students, only an hour before they were potentially sent back to the Academy and stripped of their status as genin. It was just less than a day since Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Uzumaki/Shugorei Naruto had been told that they were the new Team 7, less than a day since Kakashi had shown up three hours late to collect them and then inform them that they had one final test to take.

"And of course he makes us show up early only to arrive close to four hours late," Sasuke bemoaned as he hobbled over to lean against a nearby tree. "Then he tells us about those stupid bells."

It had been quite the morning so far for Sasuke and his new teammates. After Kakashi had presented the hungry genin with the prospect of being returned to the Academy should they not retrieve a bell things had gone from bad to worst. The trio had dispersed into the forest surrounding the small clearing that was in the training grounds, hiding and waiting for the opportunity to snatch one of the small, silvery bells away. Of the three, Sasuke had been the first to try and the first to get decimated by the tactics of the lazy looking jounin.

"He used a Kawarimi to avoid my kunai and shuriken and then handled my Taijutsu as if I were a mere babe," recalled the raven haired boy.

Having tried to attack the grey haired jounin outright Sasuke had made a gamble and lost. Pushing through with his Taijutsu rather than admit his mistake the young Uchiha had come ever so close to touching one of the silvery bells that hung at the waist ofthe half-masked man. However, putting his focus on the two small objects had left him completely open to the Genjutsu that had been woven before his eyes and taken him to a place that haunted his nightmares, nightmares that had changed since he had gotten clean, nightmares that had now carried with them a new fear.

"He wouldn't abandon anyone that he calls his friend," Sasuke thought as he recalled the confrontation he had had with the blond. "Naruto's code of honor forbids leaving comrades behind, but at the same time he desires challenges…the same as I do. He did what he did because he thought it necessary, just as I would in his place."

The day before the two were to meet at the Academy to learn that they were to be teamed with Sakura to form Team 7, Sasuke had been waiting near the border of the Shugorei lands to intercept Naruto on the way back from the Hokage Tower. It had been a tense moment as the Uchiha had yelled and berated the only person he called a friend on leaving him the dark about the genin exam. However, the annoyance and anger he had felt had calmed when Naruto had revealed a Konoha forehead protector with his fox like grin, though the annoyance returned quickly when the Shugorei heir suddenly asked how the party with Sakura had been.

"One of these days I'm going to find out who's doing all of that spying for him," resolved the Uchiha heir as he lightly pushed himself off of the tree, remembering some of the taunts that had been directed to him during the sparring session that the two had engaged in afterwards."She's an annoyance, nothing…."

The denials came to a halt as Sasuke recalled the party that Sakura's family had thrown to celebrate her graduation from the Academy, a party that he had been dragged to by the pink haired girl after she had introduced him to her mother and grandfather. He had sat quietly most of the night, listening to the wild stories being woven by the traders that made up most of the Haruno merchant family. Other than a few introductions to family members that Sakura was particularly close to and being pushed forward to join in on some of the events Sasuke had been left in relative peace as he observed the festivities centered upon family and the pride that was felt on Sakura's behalf. It had been an odd sensation to not be the center of attention, something he hadn't experienced since before that night long ago. Having not been one for things that reminded him of better times Sasuke had stayed partly to not seem rude and dishonor the name of his family, but more so as to not back down from the challenge that social situations presented him.

"Naruto is right," the Uchiha heir sighed as he leapt up into the tree branches and began to move in the direction he thought he sensed Kakashi in. "One of my greatest challenges will be learning how to deal with people again. If only…."

Unfortunately before he could think more on the subject a feminine scream pierced the woodlands causing Sasuke's eyes to widen with concern.

"Sakura!" the raven haired boy breathed out in an exasperated whisper as he sped towards where the scream seemed to have originated.

Rushing across tree limbs and diving around thick trunks the Uchiha heir came to another small clearing that seemed to exist in the large training field that Kakashi had selected. Landing quietly in a guarded position on one of the branches of a tree that was perched on the edge of the small meadow Sasuke spied a sprawled out form with pink hair and a familiar red dress.

The lack of movement from the girl caused a small knot to form in his stomach as unbidden images from the Genjutsu he had just broken out of came back to dance before his eyes.

"No, no! That wasn't real! She's not…she can't be," Sasuke tried to reason as he shook his head to try and dispel his fears, dropping down in a light crouch just inside of the clearing before letting his eyes take on a firm resolve.

Moving quickly towards the pink haired girl Sasuke was only a few steps from her side when he felt something snag his ankle.

"Doton!" the voice of Kakashi suddenly boomed as Sasuke looked down in surprise to see a hand wrapped around each of his ankles. "Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu!"

"Gahhh!" yelped the startled Uchiha heir as all but his head was pulled downwards into the ground.

Struggling to try and move even an inch so as to break free of his imprisonment Sasuke felt a shadow fall over his face. Looking up he saw Kakashi giving him a one eyed stare.

"Hmm, you broke out of that Genjutsu I put you under," the grey haired jounin said as he crouched down slightly to look at his student. "I wasn't expecting you to break out of it so easily, but here you are…trapped."

Standing up and dusting off his pants Kakashi continued to comment, "Well I guess I should go track down Naruto now and share the fun we're all having with him as well."

Turning to walk away the jounin paused for a moment to look back over his shoulder with his eye to his two downed students.

"Remember to be safe if you two get up to anything while I'm away," the half-masked man teased before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

His face bright red at the implication that had just been aimed at him, Sasuke nearly missed Sakura beginning to stir and awake from unconsciousness.

"Oh my head," the pink haired girl muttered as she pushed herself over onto her knees and rubbed at her bleary eyes. "I should just say no to that sweet wine that Jiji and Kaasan like so much."

Rising up to her feet and stretching slightly Sakura suddenly seemed to remember where she was and the horrible images of a mortally wounded Sasuke that had been conjured in her mind by the Genjutsu Kakashi had hit her with.

"It wasn't real, but…," the girl trailed off nervously as she recalled a bloody Sasuke emerging from the bushes calling for her help.

"Um, Sakura," Sasuke asked looking upwards to the pink haired girl, breaking her out of her thoughts.

Looking down and letting her eyes go wide seeing only Sasuke's head and the ground Sakura immediately froze as the color in her face drained away.

"Ah, little help here?" the raven haired Uchiha asked in a puzzled voice as he noted the odd way the girl was looking at him, a way that wasn't any of the ways that she or Ino normally looked at him.

"Sas…Sasuke-kun…," the young kunoichi whispered slightly before fainting dead away at seeing the talking head of the boy she so often dreamed of.

"Aw damn it," Sasuke grumbled as he saw the pink hair girl limply sprawled out.

Trying to twist and turn to get out of the predicament he was in Sasuke looked back to the once again unconscious kunoichi. Staring at her and trying to will her to awaken once again and help him out, the young Uchiha suddenly froze up. His eyes going wide a small part of the raven haired boy noted that he could see the crotch of the tight black shorts that the pink haired girl wore beneath the red dress she favored. His blush returning twice as bad as before Sasuke turned his head away abashedly.

"Calm down now, you didn't mean to do that Sasuke. You're just trying to get free and…," the young adolescent boy tried to rationalize. "It was an accident, besides you're a healthy young man and…."

Sasuke's mind suddenly seemed to freeze up just like his body had as he felt a warm trickle come running down his nose to hit his upper lip. Eyes widening slightly the dark haired boy slowly extended his tongue and tasted the coppery flavor of blood. As the implication reached his brain a total shut down seemed to occur to the trapped Uchiha as his eyes rolled backwards into his skull, falling blissfully into unconsciousness.

Nearly an hour had passed since his test of the new genin had begun and already Hatake Kakashi was feeling a little disappointed. Perhaps it was from the fact he had been able to deal with Sakura and Sasuke so easily or rather it may have been because despite his best efforts he could not seem to locate his final student. It was even possible that it originated from yesterday's events when the young whiskered blond had berated him heavily for being three hours late to meet the newly formed team, even after said blond had hit him in the face with a dust filled chalk eraser. Whatever the circumstances were it seemed that only one thing could alleviate the grey haired jounin's spirits, his favorite series of novels.

Leaning up against a tree that was on the edge of the clearing where the exam had first started Kakashi broke out one of the little orange Icha Icha Paradise books as a sigh escaped him only to be replaced by a tiny giggle as he got back to one of his favorite scenes.

"You know some people would find it irresponsible of you to be reading such a book around young and impressionable minds," stated a familiar cerulean eyed boy who seemed to be lounging nicely on one of the larger branches that was over the head of the odd jounin.

"Hmm," hummed Kakashi in response as he shifted an eye upwards to catch sight of the blond. "Well some would say it is irresponsible for you to give away your position so easily when it would have helped you to secure your objective."

"Perhaps," Naruto responded as he shifted into a sitting position to look down at the head of the grey haired man. "But I do realize that if I had moved to try and take those bells on your hip you would have immediately noticed me. One way or the other I was going to be discovered so I see little point in arguing over the semantics of it."

Giving a small push and dropping down into a crouch on the ground only a few feet away from the tree Naruto began to stand and turn to once again see his new 'teacher'.

"I've already dealt with Sasuke and Sakura," Kakashi commented calmly as he flipped a page, his eye not straying from the book in his hand.

"I noticed," replied the Shugorei heir as he reached back to stretch out his shoulders and arms. "I also noticed that they are beginning to recover while we have this little conversation, you shouldn't allow yourself to be distracted so easily."

"So then, care to try your own luck?" asked the jounin as he used his free hand to hold up the two small bells with a slight jingle.

"I've actually been thinking about that and the little test you set out for us," the blond replied. "It's odd that you would make a test that at the most would only allow two genin to pass, especially since genin teams have traditionally always been a set of three students to one sensei."

"Traditionally yes, but jounin-sensei are given the option of taking on an apprentice rather than a full team of students if we so choose," countered Kakashi as continued to scan the pages of his book.

Taking a moment to reevaluate his ideas with the new information Naruto shook his head slightly as he remarked, "An apprentice maybe, but why then go through all of the trouble of actually testing all three of us? You're already familiar with each of our backgrounds and abilities, not to mention you know two of us personally. Making us compete against each other like this seems…wrong."

"You would have to ask Hokage-sama about why the three of you were put together," Kakashi commented as he glanced up from his book as he heard the young boy hit on part of what the test truly meant. "I am merely seeking a chance to pass on my learned wisdom to some eager young minds…."

Ignoring the false tone of innocent sanctimony coming from the man Naruto asked, "I thought you had told me that you weren't going to try and press me to learn from you?"

Closing his book slowly and pushing gently off of the tree he had been leaning on the grey haired jounin came to stand fully upright while directing his gaze onto the blond before him.

"I'm not trying to press anything upon you Naruto. However, you are a genin of Konoha now, so who better to teach you a few things than myself," the man said calmly as he slid his book into the pouch at the small of his back. "Besides from what I've seen of you these past few months, not to mention that stunt you tried to pull regarding the Academy exam, you need a good bit of direction in your life."

"And I take it you hope to be the one to provide that direction?" Naruto replied with a small smirk.

"I will do what I have to," Kakashi remarked as he tied the bells back to one of the small loops at the waist of his pants. "Now then, are you going to try for one of these bells or am I going to have to start teaching you using the hard way?"

"I see little point in trying for a bell," the blond responded as his hand inched up to behind his shoulder to grasp Konoe's hilt. "In many ways failing this exam would let me join the ANBU like I had originally desired. However…."

Letting his words hand as he drew Konoe in a flash and used Shunpo to speed past the unsuspecting jounin, coming to halt between the jounin and the tree Naruto smiled as he held the blade out, saying, "Failing in such a way doesn't interest me right now. In fact I'd prefer the challenge that comes from facing you…sensei."

As a wide eyed Kakashi seemed to falter in silence for a moment he suddenly burst in a poof of smoke to reveal a thick log that had a small, sharp hole piercing through it.

"Hmmph," the blond Shugorei snorted, his small smile still on his face, as he sensed the signature of the Kawarimi.

Before the boy could move in an attempt to pursue his quarry he felt the cold steel edge of a kunai press to the soft flesh of his throat causing his eyes to open wide in surprise.

"Senka, a move that utilizes Shunpo to allow the user to deliver a piercing strike at the blind spot of an opponent's back. It is one of the preferred quick kill strikes of Clan Shugorei," Kakashi stated calmly as stood behind the blond, watching as a small bead of sweat dripped down the side of the boy's face. "I've seen it used quite the number of times and your speed is only a fraction of a true master's. You telegraph your move, alerting your opponent despite your quickness, and on top of that…I can see your movements anyways."

As the revelation hit the whiskered blond his eyes widened slightly further and a second bead of sweat traveled down the small path traced by the first.

"I commend you for being able to use such a fine technique, but it simply won't work against the likes of me," the grey haired jounin said as his voice took on a low, serious tone.

Shutting his eyes for a moment and then opening them to show a renewed determination Naruto spoke calmly, "Byakurai."

His eye widening in surprise Kakashi barely dodged out of the path of the beam of light and electricity that would have pierced through his gut. Sliding to a stop a few yards away the jounin looked to see a small, singed hole coming from just over the right hip of the cerulean eyed boy. Watching as Naruto slowly turned to the side displaying that at the front of the hole a pair of fingers had been pressed to the vest covering the boy's torso Kakashi's eye narrowed.

"In an effort to take me by surprise he fired that shot through his own body," the jounin noted silently as all vestiges of his playful attitude were pushed aside. "It's a flesh wound that will cause him some discomfort and slow him…."

The man's thoughts were halted as he watched the small hole seem to fill back in with new flesh, throwing his assumption completely out the window.

"He took the gamble knowing that he could rely on the Kyuubi to heal up the wound," Kakashi thought as he stood up straight and continued to watch his student.

"You shouldn't inflict such wounds on yourself even if you can heal rapidly," the half-masked jounin admonished. "The consequences could be far greater than you ex…."

A sword strike came in for Kakashi's head before he could finish speaking. Parrying the strike with the kunai he was holding the jounin lashed out with his free hand it a backhanded punch, catching Naruto square in the face. Hearing and feeling the small crunch that came with the blow hitting the boy's nose Kakashi felt a mixture of satisfaction and concern, right before they were replaced by surprise as Naruto blew up in a burst of smoke.

"Yaaah!" yelled the whiskered boy as he came flying in through the smoke left by his clone only to have his new strike blocked by the kunai held by the grey haired man.

Looking up as he used both hands on his sword to try and push back the kunai held in Kakashi's one hand Naruto let a small smile cross his face.

Quirking the eyebrow over his right eye Kakashi didn't have long to wonder what the smile was about as a second Naruto suddenly came in from his left and a third gave a yell as it descend towards him from behind. Utilizing Shunshin to disappear in a swirl of leaves the three Narutos came together in a clanging and screeching of metal on metal.

Glancing around to try and sense where the jounin had made off to the three identical boys did not have long to wait.

"Kunai Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" yelled Kakashi in the air above the trio as the kunai he threw multiplied to cause a rain of deadly metal.

Two large puffs of smoke burst forth underneath the hail of kunai clones just before multiple smaller puffs erupted. Looking into the cloud of smoke and dust as he landed in a crouch Kakashi suddenly felt part of him seize up before being pushed to the side as he saw the shadowed form, just the right shape and size of a familiar blond, become visible. Leaning on his Zanpakuto, as the tip of the blade was pushed into the ground, Naruto stood with multiple gashes crisscrossing his body.

"It's over Naruto," Kakashi stated calmly as he stood up from his crouch. "There is no shame in admitting that someone has bested you."

"Never," the boy said defiantly, letting go off his sword before pulling both of his armored hands together to point palms forward. "Soukatsui!"

The whitish-blue flames seemed to dance upon his hands for a moment before being released in a torrent. The ball of flame rushed forward like a shooting star only to pass harmlessly through where Kakashi was standing as his form seemed to waver slightly.

Before he could register just what had happened Naruto felt a heavy blow connect with the back of his head, slamming him down onto the ground.

"Surprising how just a basic Bunshin can be such a useful distraction," remarked Kakashi as he stood over his student as the boy tried to rise. "Now are you going to stay down or am I going to have to start playing rough?"

Kicking back with both of his feet as he pushed off the ground with his arms was the only response the Shugorei heir gave.

Adjusting his hands down to block the double kick aimed for his belly Kakashi was surprised when the blond pushed off of him as if he were nothing more than a spring board. Steeping back to better absorb the impact the grey haired man saw his student use the forward momentum gained from the maneuver to tuck into a roll before spring back to his feet. Preparing to charge after the boy Kakashi paused as he was forced to reach up and pluck several shuriken that had been launched by the blond from the air.

Gazing with his single visible eye to his student the half-masked jounin said, "You are only delaying the inevitable. You don't even have your sword any…?!"

Eyes going wide in shock as he saw the weapon that was stuck in the ground suddenly pull outwards and fly to the waiting hands of Naruto, Kakashi thought furiously, "How did he?!"

"Oh, but it's only just beginning Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied with a smirk as he spit out some blood that had dripped over his lips from the few cuts on his face that were beginning to close up.

Giving his sword a slight flourish to clear it of any dirt sticking to the tip of the blade Naruto gave one of his patented fox like grins. Reversing his grip so that the flat of the blade rested just on top of his right forearm as the tip pointed behind him Naruto shifted slightly to extend his right arm and move the reversed griped blade to point upwards from slightly behind his back.

"Now it begins," the Shugorei heir said smugly as he brought his left hand up in a fist before his face. "Buchikowasu…Konoe."

Bringing his hand up to shield his face from the pulse wave that came from the eruption of power Kakashi silently berated himself, "Damn it! I forgot he unlocked his Shikai!"

Pulling his hand down as the dust began to settle Kakashi began to move it towards his slanted forehead protector but halted the movement as he caught sight of the cerulean eyed Shugorei heir.

As small swirls of power died down around him Naruto flexed his now armored hands as he felt the weight of the black and platinum colored bracers and gloves.

Watching the boy carefully and scrutinizing the new additions to his wardrobe the jounin silently remarked, "So that's exactly what his Shikai looks like. Iruka was pretty accurate in his description, light armored gauntlets that cover his hands and forearms while not seeming to encumber him at all. What else was it he said, something about the armor…morphing?"

Dropping his hand away from his forehead protector and leaving it in place Kakashi commented, "That's quite impressive Naruto, but if I remember correctly your Shikai is still limited to close range combat. While I can sense that you are a bit stronger and faster that still won't gain you victory over…."

Kakashi's words broke off as he was forced to flip backwards to avoid a descending punch from the spiked right fist of the whiskered boy. Skidding to a stop and spying the Naruto pulling his fist from the ground and shaking off the dirt and stones that clung to the small spikes the half-masked jounin noted that the impact of the blow had left a two foot wide crater on the ground. The sight didn't even begin to compare to the large craters that he had seen created by the phenomenal strength of Tsunade, but Kakashi made a mental note that getting hit by the boy would still hurt.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu," the jounin said as he raised a hand to his masked mouth and blew out a large fireball.

Rolling to the side to avoid being incinerated Naruto pushed off quickly to spring forward towards his opponent. As he pushed forward a double-edged blade extended from the gauntleted wrists.

Quickly pulling a kunai out as he dodged a swipe to his midsection from the blond boy's right blade Kakashi parried the piercing stab from the blade on the left arm. Feeling the contact of metal on metal as the kunai and short blade screeched off one another the grey haired jounin lashed out with a backhanded swipe that caught the Shugorei heir once again in the face with an audible 'crunch'.

"He's definitely a bit faster and stronger, but still…," the grey haired jounin noted as he saw the large gouge that had been left in the hard metal of his kunai while noticing that the still extended blade from the boy's left arm seemed to bare no blemish of any sort. "It's nothing that I can't handle."

Throwing the kunai as he saw Naruto focus on snapping his broken nose back into place Kakashi watched with a bit of pride as the boy knocked it away with one of his armored forearms, not letting his opponent gain an advantage.

"You would be proud of how skillful your son is for such a young age, Minato-sensei," Kakashi thought as he charged in to barely miss the young blond with a snap kick. "If only you were still here for him."

Ducking beneath the kick that had been launched at him Naruto pushed forward to begin rapidly striking with his bladed limbs. However, despite the fury with which he struck he couldn't seem to actually hit anything as the grey haired man seemed to move just quick enough to avoid everything by at least an inch every time.

"Rrraaah!" Naruto yelled out in frustration as he tried to slice the man's legs only to slam both of his blades down to lodge the tips into the ground.

Not having the chance to pull free from the hold the earth had on him Naruto felt his head snap backwards as one of Kakashi's knees caught him in the chin to send him flying. Leaning with the path of his flight the Shugorei heir was able to maneuver into a backwards flip. Landing with his palms down Naruto pushed off and rotated several more times before ending in a crouch. Looking up, expecting to have to block or dodge a follow-up attack, the whiskered genin was surprised to see his opponent standing still with his eye closed and his arms crossed over his chest looking completely at ease.

"I'm giving it my all and he's still playing with me!" internally growled Naruto as his blades finished the slide back into the metal of his bracers that had begun when he had started his flips.

"What did you expect?" Konoe asked calmly despite feeling the anger radiated by his creator."He's an elite jounin with years of experience. This is…."

"I'll teach him not to underestimate me!" the whiskered jinchuuriki raged, interrupting the calm words of his Zanpakuto.

Falling into a stance that had his feet shoulder width apart and rooted him to the ground Naruto pulled both of his armored fists back to rest on either side of his hips. Glaring with enough force that it would not have been surprising to see twin holes burned through the jounin a strange thing began to occur. As his arms seemed to shake with rage the air surrounding Naruto's gauntlets began to shimmer with small translucent waves akin to when one was looking at the shimmering waves near an area being affected by a great amount of heat.

"Raahh!" the young Shugorei roared as he stepped forward with his right foot and thrust his arms forth.

As his arms extended out fully Naruto's fists opened up to reveal his palms as the shimmering air around them seemed to suddenly be released.

It was only the slight shimmer effect on the large pulse had that alerted Kakashi to the fact that something dangerous was moving towards him, fast. Not sure what to make of it the grey haired jounin quickly used Kawarimi to replace himself with a rather large stone on the side of the clearing.

"Did Naruto just release a wind based chakra attack?" Kakashi wondered as he pulled his forehead protector up to reveal a gift that was a constant reminder of the painful lessons he had endured.

His mature, three tomoe, Sharingan contracting and then dilating slightly as it was exposed to the light the elite shinobi stared as the wave pushed forward to hit the stone he had used Kawarimi with.

"It's not wind based, though it's still definitely some form of chakra,"Kakashi reasoned as his gifted eye took in the patterns of the pulse wave."At any rate it doesn't seem too danger…?!"

Before he could confirm his evaluation the grey haired jounin was forced to quickly roll to his right as the stone he had been watching suddenly rocketed past him to go crashing into the woods behind him.

Turning his head to survey the damage caused by the large ballistic piece of rock Kakashi felt his mouth tighten into a hard frown as his eyes narrowed. The stone had ripped through two rather thick trees before impacting the ground and tearing up a small furrow several feet in length. While part of him was amazed at the power that had just been displayed another part, the part that marked him as a combat hardened shinobi, felt concern mixed with the hint of fear.

Looking away from the bit of destruction caused by the ballistic stone Kakashi let his narrowed gaze fall onto a half crouched, panting Shugorei heir.

"It seems that little display took a toll on him," the half-masked man silently noted as the Sharingan in his left eye took in the depletion of the chakra that shadowed the blond boy's body. "I don't sense any of the Kyuubi's chakra, but whatever it was it definitely wasn't a normal jutsu."

Deciding that he couldn't chance another of the attacks, he had barely noticed the first in time to avoid it, the grey haired jounin used his speed to appear directly behind the young blond, who was starting to rise on wobbly legs. Noting that Naruto was already tensing at his close proximity as he gave a heavy chop with his hand to the spot where the boy's skull attached to the neck Kakashi let free a small sigh as he watched the genin crumple back down to his knees.

His vision slightly blurry from the blow Naruto struck out blindly from where he was crouched towards the spot he thought he sensed the jounin, only to get a kick to his back in return. Getting a face full of dirt and grass the Shugorei turned Uzumaki felt himself being turned over onto his back by a kick to the soft spot on his left side just below his ribs.

"It's pointless to continue," the half-masked jounin stated as he grabbed the boy's armored wrists with his left hand and pulled him up to stare him in the face through the dirt and blood that almost covered the distinct whisker marks.

Hearing the words and feeling his wrists held in a solid grip Naruto lashed out with his legs to try and land a kick that would hopefully set him free. Unfortunately, Kakashi easily predicted the desperate attack and turned his body enough to let the wild blow glance harmlessly off his hip.

"That wasn't very nice Naruto," the jounin said firmly as he drove his right fist into the boy's stomach, hard, and watched as a heavy gasp of air left the blond.

Feeling a small burning sensation coming from underneath the fingers on his left hand Kakashi looked to see the gauntlets disappear in a small burst of chakra. Hearing the light clang of metal the man looked down to see a sword lying on the ground.

Unceremoniously dropping Naruto next to his resealed Zanpakuto Kakashi let out a small sigh as he thought, "So young and yet so much trouble."

Moving away Kakashi was stopped as he felt a small weight on his ankle. Glancing downwards to see a small hand grasping just below the bandages that wrapped around his shin the jounin was surprised to see half-lidded cerulean eyes staring up at him.

"Where…(cough)…do you think…(cough, cough) you're going?" Naruto rasped out as he tried to push up off the ground with his other arm while still holding onto the ankle of the man who had just driven him into the dirt. "I'm…(cough)…I'm not…."

The blond boy's words trailed off as the blackness of unconsciousness finally swallowed him and his hand went slack to fall from where it had been holding tightly.

Checking over the boy with his Sharingan eye Kakashi noted that other than being unconscious nothing else seemed out of place on the blond.

"You certainly are your parents' child," Kakashi remarked as he pulled his forehead protector back down to its slanted position and thought back to the unwavering determination that had been a trademark of both Minato and Kushina.

Kneeling down next to the unconscious boy the half-masked man reached back into the supply pouch at the small of his back as a certain memory flashed across his mind. Rummaging around for a moment his hand emerged holding a small spool of ninja wire as a smile fought to remain hidden beneath the fabric of his mask.

Blackness was all that was seen and yet it seemed warm, comforting, even…safe. Yet despite the wish to stay amongst the dark for a few moments longer a small dot of light burned forth brightly to disrupt and herald the return to reality. It didn't help that someone was calling her name.

Rubbing at her green eye as they adjusted to the renewal of the light Sakura tried to focus on the voice that seemed to be speaking to her.

"So familiar…it sounds almost like…," the pink haired genin contemplated as her mind began to process data only to suddenly become alert as several key points clicked together.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled suddenly as her mind recalled the images of seeing the young Uchiha first bloody and dieing from having been pierced by countless kunai and second nothing more than a talking head sitting on the ground.

Trying to push up as concern gripped her Sakura felt a small tug on her left wrist. Catching the shape of a person sitting not only just behind her but also grabbing her arm the young kunoichi did what came natural to her…she struck out hard with her free hand.

"Saku…Gaah!" Uchiha Sasuke exclaimed as he tried to inform the girl who had been crushing hard on him for the last few years about their situation only to get a massive slap to face for his trouble.

Trying to steady her breathing after being surprised to find someone right next to her and apparently trying to molest her Sakura shifted her gaze to find that the supposed perverted was….

"Sasuke-kun!" the pubescent girl shouted at seeing her dark haired 'love' rubbing at a large welt the size and shape of her hand.

Blushing heavily both for having struck the Uchiha and the fact that he hadn't let go of her wrist, even after having gotten slapped, Sakura began to mumble apologies.

"S'okay," Sasuke slurred as he shook his head to try and clear his slightly blurred vision. "I'm just glad that you're awa…aaak!"

Before he could finish speaking the raven haired boy was tackled in a fierce hug as two arms wrapped tightly around him. Struggling to breathe in the death grip that he was being held in the Uchiha heir strangely noticed that the smell of the pink head of hair pressed under his face was surprisingly pleasant.

"I…I thought you were…I thought you were dead!" Sakura wailed as small tears fell from her eyes to be soaked up by the blue shirt that Sasuke was wearing. "Sasuke-kun, um…Sasuke-kun?"

Glancing to the face of the boy she was holding tightly the pink haired girl noted that said boy was starting to turn a shade of blue that was coming close to matching the cloth material of his shirt and forehead protector.

Releasing the boy suddenly and bringing her hands up to barely cover her mouth Sakura spoke quickly, "Oh no! I'm so sorry Sasuke-kun! Are you okay? Here let me…."

"No!" the Uchiha heir exclaimed as he jumped back a few inches where he was sitting before giving a few coughs and trying to return to his calm, collected demeanor. "What I mean is…I'm fine thank you."

"Are you sure? You're breathing heavily," the young kunoichi noted as she leaned in towards the raven haired boy. "And there's…there looks to be some dried blood under your nose."

Rubbing the back of his hand furiously under his nose Sasuke responded rapidly, "It's, it's nothing…just um…I, uh…I got hit in the nose earlier before getting knocked out. It must have started bleeding a little when I was blacked out. Yeah, that must be it."

Watching Sakura tilt her head as she mulled the answer over Sasuke coughed lightly into his fist as he asked, "What about you? I didn't see any injuries on you other than a few small bruises, though you were unconscious for quite awhile."

Jumping to her feet and flexing her right bicep as she patted it with her left hand Sakura responded cheerfully, "I'm always fine when I'm with you, Sasuke-kun."

"Right," the Uchiha boy drawled as he stood up as well.

Her eyes widening suddenly Sakura cried out, "Oh no! What about Kakashi-sensei's test?!"

Stretching his neck muscles just enough to hear a small 'pop' Sasuke answered, "We still have just a little over twenty minutes left before the timer rings. If we want to get a bell we're going to need to go all out."

Giving a determined nod Sakura's demeanor shifted to curiosity as something suddenly clicked in her mind.

"Um, Sasuke-kun?" the girl asked slowly as she glanced about the woods surrounding the pair. "Where's Naruto?"

"I don't know, I thought I felt his chakra signature earlier but it was…it was different somehow," the raven haired boy responded quietly. "Right now I can sense him but it's really faint."

"Do you think he got a bell already?" inquired the pink haired kunoichi demurely.

Sasuke did not immediately answer the girl who was standing near him. Part of him wanted to believe that Naruto, being as strong as he was, could have gotten a bell. Another part of him, a part that was his pride as an Uchiha, seemed to scream that if he hadn't been able to then no one could. However, a third part overruled both parts, telling the boy that an elite jounin like Kakashi couldn't be defeated by a genin…even if that genin was himself or Naruto.

"I don't know," the Uchiha heir replied firmly as he turned to where he sense Kakashi to be, oddly the faint signature of Naruto also seemed to be near that point. "But I'm going for a bell regardless."

Walking towards the nearest tree the dark haired genin glanced over his shoulder to his kunoichi compatriot, asking quickly, "You coming along or what?"

"Hai!" Sakura said quickly as she moved to flank Sasuke as the two leapt up into the trees.

Moving from branch to branch the two genin soon came to the edge of the forest surrounding the clearing from which they had begun the exam. Preparing to leap down into the meadow Sakura was stopped by an outstretched arm from Sasuke. Before she could protest the dark eyed boy silently pointed out into the field. Following his finger Sakura let out a small gasp at what she saw.

Standing calmly reading his little orange book was Kakashi, completely at ease. However, what disturbed the girl was that just behind the jounin was the beat up looking form of a certain blond genin.

"Seems Naruto didn't get a bell either," Sasuke said in a hushed tone as he noted his friend seemed to be tied somehow to the center post of three training logs.

"What do we do?" whispered Sakura as she glanced from the unconscious looking blond to the laid back Kakashi and then to the raven haired boy next to her in the tree.

Sasuke was silent as he contemplated the situation before coming to a decision.

"Sakura, I'm going to attack Kakashi from the front," Sasuke said as he narrowed his eyes on his target. "Try to use the treeline to flank him. If we catch him between the two of us hopefully one of us will be able to grab the bells."

"But what about Naruto?" the pink haired girl demanded in a sharp whisper. "We can't just leave him. If we set him free he could help us and our chances would improve."

"Not necessarily," the Uchiha heir stated. "There are still only two bells and awakening Naruto could mean that either of us will fail. Besides, even if we were able to free him we would still need to wake him and that would take time we don't have, not to mention it splits our effort against Kakashi to the point where he can pick one of us off and then deal with the other."

"All…alright," the young kunoichi hesitantly agreed.

Focusing on where Kakashi was standing and reading Sasuke let a single word slip, "Go."

Even as the word was passing from his lips the dark haired Uchiha was already leaping forward out of the tree and rushing towards the grey haired jounin.

Making quick handseals and pulling in a breath as he closed in on his target Sasuke jumped upwards before raising a hand and yelling, "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!"

Breathing out Sasuke launched five melon sized balls of fire down towards his opponent. However, his feeling of triumph at taking Kakashi unaware turned sour as he watched the fireballs pass through the fading from of a Bunshin before impacting the ground and burning out.

Landing on his feet the Uchiha quickly spun to try and see where the jounin could have gone when he heard a familiar cry.

"Sakura!" the dark eyed genin exclaimed as he realized that the attempt to outflank Kakashi had failed, turning the pink haired girl into the prey.

Turning to sprint towards where he had heard the cry come from Sasuke's eyes widened a kunai with a seal tag tied to its handle landed in front of him. Leaping backwards the genin felt confusion enter his mind as the tag not only failed to explode but didn't even begin to smolder.

"A dud?" wondered the boy before he heard a small hissing noise.

Shifting his eyes downwards Sasuke spied a second tag placed on the ground. However, unlike the standard explosive tag this one did not seem to be burning, rather it seemed to be crumbling away as the paper appeared to turn dry and brittle. Quirking an eyebrow at the sight the idea of a dud passed though his mind once again until Sasuke noticed that his body no longer seemed to be responding.

"Gas," Sasuke wheezed out in realization before slumping over paralyzed. "Shit."

Unaware that here backup was currently sprawled out unable to move Sakura was flinging every kunai and shuriken she could get her hands on as she backpedaled away from where Kakashi had suddenly appeared before her in a swirl of leaves.

"Did I get him?" the young Haruno girl wondered out loud as she no longer saw the grey haired man in front of her.

"No, I don't think you got him," Kakashi said calmly with just the hint of amusement as he leaned over the young kunoichi's right shoulder as his right eye seemed to turn upwards as a smile was hidden beneath his face mask.

"Gaah!" screamed Sakura in surprise as she leapt away from the sound of her sensei's voice.

Standing up straight and holding his book in his left hand the jounin used his free right hand to rub the back of his head as he said, "Oops, I was just answering your question…didn't mean to startle you. I'm not used to the whole teaching thing really."

A small bead of sweat rolling down the side of her head Sakura silently wondered, "Is he serious?"

"Hmm, seems like you're the only one left to try for a bell then," Kakashi noted as he reached down to flip a page. "Naruto's tied up at the moment and Sasuke is…well let's just say he should be a bit more careful where he steps."

Hearing that Sasuke wasn't going to be showing up the pink haired kunoichi's eyes widened a bit in worry, not only for the boy she loved but also because she was now completely alone against the jounin before her.

"Well this is a bit anti-climatic," the half-masked man remarked as he looked up from his book to where Sakura stood frozen. "I guess I can end the test right now seeing as both Naruto and Sasuke are down and out. I mean really, those two were the only real threat."

Eyes widening as her fear warred with the surprise at being dismissed so easily Sakura stuttered out, "Wha…what are you talking about?"

"You're just not worth the concern," commented the jounin as he turned his eye down to continue reading. "Sasuke is an Uchiha, a natural shinobi, as well as the top of his graduating class. Naruto possesses skills and talents that have been gained through his travels, skills and talents that easily put him on par with Sasuke in many areas and beyond in others. Compared to the two of them I have nothing to worry about…I mean really, you were the best on the written exam but all of your other skills are just the basics from the Academy, average ones at that."

Sakura felt her world falling away as she was being verbally picked apart.

"He's right…I'm not like Naruto or Sasuke," the pink haired girl thought as her body began to shake with despair."I've got nothing to use against him that isn't from the Academy."

"What the hell are you doing?!" a part of Sakura's psyche suddenly screamed across the self-doubt and despair that was taking hold of the girl's mind. "How can you give up so easily? Kick his ass, Shannaro!"

"I…I can't," Sakura thought as she hugged her arms to herself, despite the small push of confidence. "I'm worthless…just like everyone said."

"Those girls were wrong!" the defiant part of the young kunoichi responded as images flashed of a much younger Sakura being teased by a small gaggle of other girls."We proved it, we proved it with…!"

"No!" Sakura fired back as small tears began to form in her eyes. "Ino was there, it was because of her that I…."

"She helped us, but we proved to be her equal many times," replied the stronger version of the pink haired girl. "She's not the one on a team with Sasuke! She's not the one who had him come to her graduation party; she's not the one who just formed a plan with him to gain a bell!"

Hearing those words Sakura seemed to go rigid. Though a few tears fell from her eyes the kunoichi let her arms drop down from where they had been cradling her.

"That's right…that's right…that's right," whispered the girl as her eyes blinked several times before suddenly shouting, "That's right!"

Dropping down into a fighting stance that she had learned at the Academy Sakura turned a defiant gaze towards a surprised looking jounin.

"I'm part of this team just like Sasuke-kun and Naruto are!" Sakura exclaimed as her tears dried up, her confidence flared, and her knuckles let loose small 'pops' as she tightened her fists. "I'm taking one of those bells and you're not going to stop me, Shannaro!"

"Are you sure?" the grey haired jounin asked seriously as he shifted his eye up to direct a narrow gaze at the girl. "I won't be any easier on you then I was with Sasuke and Naruto."

Charging forward in response the young kunoichi kicked out with her left foot, aiming for the chest of her antagonist.

Catching the girl's foot with his right hand and holding it tight to force Sakura to balance on one leg Kakashi spoke with a hidden smile, "Well it seems that all you needed was little push to get going. However…."

Twisting to bring her right leg up in an attempted kick Sakura ignored the comment only to miss as Kakashi ducked his head back. Falling into a crouch the young Haruno pushed up to throw a left fisted uppercut.

Catching the kunoichi's wrist and giving a small pull to throw her off balance the grey haired jounin looked directly into his student's eyes.

"I guess there's more to you then your file says," Kakashi said, finally catching Sakura's attention again. "But unfortunately this test is over in 3, 2, 1…now."

As the word escaped his mouth Sakura heard the brassy ringing of an alarm clock. Not having to look over at the stump that Kakashi had perched the small device on at the beginning of the test the pink haired kunoichi knew the harsh truth…Team 7 had failed.

It wasn't the familiar blackness of unconsciousness that greeted him, no it was something very different. Standing in waist high grass the Shugorei known to many as an Uzumaki looked around to see rolling verdant hills with granite boulders sticking out, thick copses of bamboo grew down the slope of one hill only to rise up the slope of another as it stretched out into the mists that seemed to circulate about everything. As the mist wrapped around him Naruto spied a distinctive black tower with red terracotta roofs and platinum sculptures guarding its edges. He had been here once before.

"So the conquering hero returns, eh?" Konoe asked with a distinct sarcasm as he stepped out of the misty grove of bamboo that was perched on the hill the two stood upon.

"Why am I here?" Naruto asked, ignoring the sardonic tone of the hulking, demonic looking samurai.

"What no droll comeback, no witty retort? Don't I at least warrant a 'hello Konoe, thank you for talking to me and lending me you power in my hour of need'?" the Zanpakuto responded with mock hurt.

"If you don't have anything to say then I'm leaving," the whiskered blond said as he moved to walk down the hill.

"One cannot go anywhere if they do not know the way," the armored warrior soul commented sagely. "All paths may begin with a single step, but that assumes you know how to walk."

"My legs work just fine," Naruto retorted as he turned around to face the soul only to find no sight of the being.

"Is that so?" Konoe asked as he suddenly seemed to appear behind his creator. "What about your brain?"

Jumping slightly at the sound of the gruff voice Naruto spun to face the Zanpakuto.

"You charged in against an opponent you knew to be far superior to yourself," the Oni styled samurai remarked as he crossed his arms over his well muscled chest, the crimson markings on his body glowing slightly."You did it not for a clear objective or even survival, but for pride."

"I don't need the lecture," the young Shugorei interjected stubbornly.

"If I did not think it needed to be said I wouldn't say it," Konoe added, a resolve settling into his gruff voice. "You let your rage get the better of you again…you know what can happen if…."

"I know!" Naruto interrupted abruptly, his voice a mixture of annoyance and fear as the thought of the Kyuubi played through his mind. "I know…."

The sound of despair crept into the blond boy's voice as his words trailed off. It had been nearly the better part of a year since he had last had a confrontation with the Kitsune, time that had been greatly appreciated.

"I can't help it," the cerulean eyed Shugorei spoke quietly. "My emotions are part of me. I can't just…."

"I am not telling you to give them up, to become a detached void of a person," the Zanpakuto responded calmly as it looked to its worried creator."However, you must not let them get out of hand in combat…especially now."

Hearing those last two words and the importance that seemed to hang on them Naruto felt his curiosity spark.

"What do you mean, 'especially now'?" the blond heir asked.

"You've come farther much faster than I expected," Konoe answered slowly. "You weren't supposed to; you aren't ready for it yet."

"Stop it with the vague answers," Naruto said as he stood directly in front of the large samurai like spirit. "Tell me, tell me the truth."

A sigh seemed to escape from the heavily muscled, armored warrior as he looked down to his smaller creator.

"When you learned my name and unlocked my Shikai form I told you about the primary level of abilities it granted to you," Konoe explained as he uncrossed his arms and flexed his armored hands. "That level is called Henryo. It allows you to create the variable weaponry from the Shikai form. As I expected, you have begun to experiment with it to learn which forms work the best for you. "

"You just said that it was the primary level, you didn't tell me that originally," the boy stated with suspicion. "What aren't you telling me Konoe?"

Either not hearing the young Shugorei or just ignoring him, Konoe continued speaking, "You were supposed to spend at least a year experimenting with the variable, you weren't supposed to get this far so soon."

"Konoe, tell me," Naruto almost demanded as he heard the soul seeming to digress into rambling. "What is the other level?"

Turning away the demonic looking samurai seemed to shake the heavy helm that was his head, the long and spikey, platinum hair swaying lightly.

"It's too soon," the Zanpakuto spoke firmly. "You aren't ready."

Hearing the resolve in the soul's voice Naruto knew that it was pointless to argue, when Konoe didn't want to reveal something it seemed that nothing could get him to budge on that position.

"If there is nothing else then," the blue eyed blond said calmly.

"Remember to be more careful," Konoe remarked as Naruto faded from the mental plain.

Standing silently alone the demonic looking samurai seemed not to move forever until he lifted his right, armored fist. Holding the appendage up as if for inspection the air about it began to shimmer and turn wavy. Pulling his arm back and planting his feet firmly Konoe seemed to brace himself as suddenly all of the air about him began to shimmer and swirl.

"Makaze," the Zanpakuto soul spoke quietly before punching the armored fist forward and opening it to reveal his palm.

The effect of the movement was almost instantaneous as a large pulsing torrential wave was released.

Flying across the hill the wave flattened the tall grass as deep furrows appeared in the ground in the pulse's wake and oddly brown lumps and pieces were thrown up into the air. Hitting the bamboo forest the tall plants seemed to bend under the pressure before not merely snapping but seeming to turn into a blizzard of splinters as the pulse carried onwards. Pushing through the thick mists to reveal the dark shadows beyond the wave seemed to suddenly take on a few electrical arcs, setting the destroyed bamboo ablaze.

"Truly a storm caused by the devil," Konoe remarked as he surveyed the damage caused by his actions.

Turning to walk towards the tall red and black tower the demonic looking samurai heard the small clatter as the odd lumps and pieces that had been torn up by the wave fell back to hit the ground. Focusing on the shadowed mists behind the structure the Zanpakuto seemed to pay little heed as skulls and bones, stained brown by having been in the earth too long, seemed to get pulled back down into the soil as the tall grass began to grow once again.

The sounds of birds chirping was the first thing he noticed as his mind returned to reality. Blinking several times to allow his eyes to adjust to bright, noon day sun Naruto recognized that he was on the edge of the field where Kakashi had begun the test for the bells. Attempting to step forward as his body felt stiff the blond suddenly noted that despite feeling his feet touching the ground the rest of his body seemed to be tightly bound.

"Don't strain your self," Sakura said sullenly from where she was seated to the boy's left. "Kakashi-sensei told us that he used ANBU wire instead of standard grade when he tied you to the post, seems he didn't want us to get any ideas on trying to cut you free."

The blond genin's mind took in the information and a few glances downwards revealed that the pink haired girl's words were true. Relaxing his muscles Naruto recalled what his Hijiji had told him about the properties of ANBU wire. Unlike standard grade used by most shinobi the wire used by the ANBU was far stronger and more resilient. Trying to use chakra against it was foolish as the wire would react on a molecular level and tighten, even to the point where the thin cable would begin to cut into the person bound by it.

"Where's Kakashi?" Naruto asked as he began to concentrate on relaxing his body to loosen the hold the wire had on him.

"Don't know," came the slow reply from a sluggish looking Sasuke. "Haven't seen him…the timer went off…dragged me…."

Turning to glance to his right the Shugorei heir spied his Uchiha counterpart sitting on the ground and leaning heavily on a training post similar to the one he was tied to.

"What the hell happened to you?" the blond genin asked in confusion at hearing the other boy speaking with a slight drawl.

Flopping his head over in the attempt to turn and look at his blond friend Sasuke responded brokenly, "Step…gas…paralyze…."

"Huh?" the whiskered boy grunted in confusion.

"Sasuke-kun stepped on a seal tag that released paralysis gas," Sakura supplied as she pulled her knees up to her chest. "We were going for the bells after we saw you tied up and tried to catch sensei between us. It didn't work as planned."

"Ah," Naruto acknowledged.

"At least now he can talk and move slightly," the pink haired girl added. "Fifteen minutes ago he couldn't even sit up."

"Hmmph," snorted the Uchiha boy in annoyance before tilting slightly to fall over on his side slowly.

"Oh you fell over again Sasuke-kun," Sakura noted as she crawled over to the boy.

Seeing Sasuke develop a small tick in a vein on his forehead as Sakura propped him back up against the training log Naruto was suddenly struck by an image he found both hilarious and at the same time disturbing. It had the two taking care of one another as an old married couple. Snorting in an attempt to control his laughter Naruto received a confused look from Sakura and a look of annoyance from Sasuke.

"Well I'm glad to see you're all in high spirits at the moment," Kakashi remarked as he appeared in a puff of white smoke. "Considering not one of you was able to gain a bell."

The three genin all took on a small look of abashment as their failure was spoken of, though each still held as small hint of fire in their eyes.

"All three of you made a similar mistake in your attempts," the grey haired jounin noted. "And all three of you experienced the consequences of those mistakes."

Each of the genin cringed as they recalled how they had been beaten. Sasuke remembered getting caught in a Genjutsu after charging in at the jounin. Sakura let her head fall slightly as she recalled trying to set up some traps only to get ambushed and then placed under a Genjutsu. Naruto recalled the conversation he had with Konoe and how the Zanpakuto had been correct about him letting his pride and anger get the better of him.

"However, despite those failings each of you hit on part of the true meaning of this test," the half-masked man interjected into the melancholy that had befallen the three. "Do you know what they were?"

Catching the looks of confusion on the faces of the adolescents Kakashi began to explain, pointing to each in turn, "Sasuke, after you failed in your initial attempt you came after me only to find Sakura and a trap. However, when you freed yourself you helped her and came after me together, going so far as to make a plan to try and take me from two directions."

Shifting to point at the kunoichi of the group Kakashi continued, "Sakura, while agreeing to Sasuke's plan you still raised the concern over Naruto when you saw him tied to the post. Despite wanting to gain a bell you thought of helping him both as a tactical advantage and as his friend."

Wondering how the man knew she had raised that concern to Sasuke before they had attacked, Sakura let a small blush form on her cheeks.

"Naruto," Kakashi said calmly as he turned to look the boy tied to the log. "You recognized that there was something wrong with the test and tried to gain further information to clarify what you already knew. At the same time you recognized that fighting me would give your teammates time to recover, though you did have your own reasons for pressing the attack."

Naruto looked to the ground as Kakashi talked. Truthfully he hadn't been trying to buy time for Sakura and Sasuke to recover. His fit of pride and love of a challenge had been his one true motive, something that he suspected the jounin knew. Why Kakashi was making so much out of the small comment he had made before they had fought puzzled him.

"The three of you showed an amazing amount of determination," the jounin remarked. "From Sasuke making attempt after attempt to Naruto pulling out something new whenever I thought I had the situation figured to the major effort Sakura put in just before the end despite being alone and scared.

"What do you mean sensei?" the pink haired kunoichi asked with puzzlement.

Giving a small, hidden smile beneath his mask Kakashi answered, "At the end I was using one of the most devastating tools a shinobi can have in his or her arsenal, psychological warfare. Despite my attempt to break you down by degrading you and your skills you fought back. I've seen battle hardened troops break and run when put in similar circumstances."

Feeling a bit happy at the praise Sakura blushed a bit when she caught a small nod of approval from both of her teammates, though Sasuke's nod looked more like his head slumping as he was still having difficulty from the effects of the gas he had inhaled.

"So I feel I have to congratulate you three," the jounin said happily, causing the genin to perk up.

"Wait, we passed?" Sakura asked hopefully

Giving a small wave Kakashi responded, "No, you three definitely failed this test."

Losing the sense of hope that had suddenly come to them the three genin let their heads fall back down to look at the ground.

"Do you know what that is?" the jounin asked as he pointed to something behind the trio.

"Well considering I'm still tied to the post and Sasuke is still somewhat paralyzed you're going to have to humor us a little by explaining," Naruto quipped to try and hide the disappointment he and his teammates were feeling.

"Oh, forgot about that," the grey haired man stated with a small chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head.

"That's the Memorial Stone, right?" supplied Sakura as she looked to the large obsidian piece of rock.

"Correct," the half-masked jounin said with a nod. "On that stone are many of the heroes of Konoha, heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during a mission. Many of the people I have ever cared for are named on it."

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke did not speak as Kakashi paused for a moment. All three knew that the only way to be put on the stone was to die in the service of Konoha. The fact that the jounin was sharing his loss with them was something that shouldn't be cheapened by words.

"Do you know why they made such a sacrifice…," the jounin asked as he shifted his only visible eye over to the three failed genin. "Even when it meant the disobeying of orders or the failure of a mission?"

Not knowing what to say the three remained silent. At the Academy and even in their families the three had been told that any shinobi who would abandon a mission were trash, unworthy of being called a shinobi let alone a hero.

"It was because of those whom they were with, their teammates, their comrades, their friends," Kakashi said quietly as his stared out beyond them, like he was seeing something no one else could. "Those who break the rules may be trash, but those who would abandon their comrades are far worse than trash."

"That's why there were only two bells," Naruto remarked softly drawing the attention of the jounin and his two teammates. "You were trying to divide us when really we should have been working together."

"Exactly," the jounin said knowingly. "You all touched on that idea, but you didn't follow through on it. Had you done so, you could have gotten the bells."

Seeing the despondent looks on the young faces the jounin suddenly perked up saying, "So I guess that is something we're going to have to work on when we practice in between missions."

"What?!" said Sakura loudly, displaying the confusion that both of her teammates were also experiencing.

"While you did fail to get the bells you three did come far closer than I ever expected," the grey haired jounin replied. "That and the fact that you almost figured out the test puts you heads and shoulders above many if the other genin hopefuls I've seen over the years. So you see I'm inclined to keep you and write this off as a learning experience that has taught you a lesson that would be far worse and tragic to learn in the field under someone else."

"We get to remain genin? We get to remain genin!" the pink haired kunoichi cheered as she leapt up, pulling Sasuke with her to grab Naruto in a team hug.

"Naruto and Sasuke wouldn't have let failure deter them. They'd have gone into Bunji's new program and Sakura would have gone with them just so as to be not left alone," Kakashi silently noted as he watched the two boys being held in a death grip like hug by the ecstatic girl. "Better they stay where I can keep an eye on them and make sure they develop like they should."

Watching the three genin the grey haired jounin was suddenly struck by how the scene was very reminiscent of one he himself had been part of.

Turning his head to look at the Memorial Stone and just beyond the jounin silently added at the sight of his three new students, "You're laughing your asses of at me right now, aren't you Minato-sensei…Obito."

"Well then, starting tomorrow Team 7 will officially begin taking missions," the half-masked man said with a bit of mirth to his voice. "Now why don't we all go for a late lunch before I have to report our activation to Hokage-sama?"

Giving a cheer Sakura jumped with her arms above her head at not only having passed but also because of the thought of food after having not eaten a thing for breakfast because of Kakashi's orders and having skipped most of dinner because of a new diet she wanted to try. The girl's actions had interesting consequences as both Sasuke and Naruto began to greedily breathe in the air Sakura's hug had deprived them of, though at the same time Sasuke crumpled to land on his hands and knees because of the weakness he still was feeling due to the gas he had inhaled.

"To lunch then!" Kakashi cheered as he seemed to become infected with the happiness that Sakura was radiating.

"Hey! What the hell about us?!" Naruto yelled as Sasuke tired to climb to his feet and steady himself against the log the blond was tied to. "We're still tied to a post or suffering the effects of paralyzing gas here!"

Unfortunately for the two boys it seemed the other members of their new team didn't here the Shugorei's yell as they left the clearing.

"I think we were better off failing," Sasuke commented softly as he slumped back down to the ground.

Nodding his head Naruto wordlessly agreed.

The late afternoon was just beginning. It had taken the better part of an hour before the effects of the paralysis gas had worn off and Sasuke had been able to walk, thankfully it had only taken half as long for Naruto to slip from the ANBU wire binding him to the post. Having both eaten before with Kakashi the two boys had found the man and Sakura in a small café favored by the jounin, unfortunately the two had just finished eating and the grey haired man had already paid the bill.

"Stupid, always late, vague as hell, jounin," Naruto cursed silently as he walked down a street on the edge of the bustling marketplace. "Couldn't spring a little extra for the two students he knows best, could he?"

Glancing up at a street sign to make sure he was headed in the right direction the Shugorei heir recalled how his new sensei had disappeared in a puff of smoke after citing the need to inform the Hokage about the new team.

After Kakashi had disappeared Sasuke and Naruto had been bidden farewell by Sakura, who had been embarrassed at forgetting the two. Annoyed the two young ninja had made a promise right then that those two were going to pay…somehow, some day they were going to pay.

"At least I can always count on old man Teuchi and Ayame-neechan," the whiskered blond thought as he recalled the meal he and Sasuke had just had. "They know how to help a guy who's hungry."

The Ichiraku Ramen Stand was becoming something of a second home to not only Naruto but also Sasuke, who not being a particular fan of ramen enjoyed many of the other dishes the Ichiraku father-daughter team was now selling. Due to the patronage of their favorite customer, and a discrete loan from a bank that Clan Shugorei had a controlling interest, the small ramen stand had been expanded out into a rather large restaurant and bar. Overseeing a dozen of cooks and nearly thrice as many other employees Teuchi could still be found behind the counter of the original stand which had been placed at the center of the restaurant. It had been an interesting decision, but Ayame, who had moved into being the general manager, had argued that it gave a distinct flare to the establishment and was a reminder of the spirit that the Ichiraku name symbolized. Many of the new customers to Ichiraku didn't realize that, seeing the stand as being a status symbol for VIP's to dine at considering the new restaurant had become the new trendy place to dine in not only Konoha, but also the Country of Fire. However, despite the expansion and the rave reviews that were received Teuchi and Ayame had made certain that one stool was always open for their favorite blond, going so far as to not only put a small name plaque on it but also surround it with a red velvet rope to keep it clear and ready for him at all times.

Stopping in front of a long street that had several large buildings with thick smokestacks Naruto knew he was closer to his destination. Taking a look at the small piece of paper he had written directions on the boy walked down the street to the last building.

"This must be the place," the Shugorei heir thought as he glanced to the sign that stood in a window that had a myriad display of metal workings.

Opening the door and hearing the jingle of bells the new genin tried to tamp down the annoyance that came at being reminded of the test he had just been put through. Stepping quietly the blond Shugorei ignored the large displays of weapons that surrounded him, making his way to where a girl was silently looking over a scroll behind a counter.

She was just about his age, maybe a year or two older. Wearing a pink, high collared sleeveless shirt that had red piping outlining it the girl showed off an athletic build. With her chocolate brown hair done up in a pair of buns on either side of her head the Konoha forehead protector that she wore across her brow was easily visible.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" the kunoichi asked as she looked up from her scroll revealing brown eyes that nearly matched her hair.

Giving a friendly smile Naruto replied, "Well I was led to believe that you do work on armor and…."

"Yes we have plenty of armor," the bun haired girl interrupted happily with a small smile as she pointed to several display cases. "We have mail, which is perfect for shinobi who want something light and flexible but still able to provide some defense, there's the light leather and plate armor that is preferred by the ANBU, or maybe something else. We do have heavier armor, as well as individual pieces such as forearm protectors, shin guards, helms…."

"Actually I have what I need," the whiskered blond interjected calmly. "I just need it repaired and refitted for me."

"Oh, well we can do repairs easily," the brown eyed girl said. "Or if you like we sell repair kits if it is only a minor job. You'd be surprised how many shinobi come in thinking they need something brand new or repaired when…."

"Actually this is something of a custom job that needs an expert touch," Naruto remarked, cutting into the girl's explanation.

Tilting her head in curiosity the girl asked, "Do you have the piece you need repaired with you?"

Letting his fox like grin cross his face Naruto reached into the pouch at the small of his back to pull out a bound scroll. Biting down on his thumb to draw blood as he used his free hand to open the scroll in a flourish the blond drew his bloody digit across the seal that were revealed.

Coughing lightly as the smoke that erupted from the scroll dissipated the bun haired girl's eyes went wide as she beheld the sight before her.

"Sugoi," the girl exclaimed as she unknowingly looked upon an old set of Shugorei armor. "Look at that."

Laying the pieces of armor on the counter Naruto watched as the girl began to examine each.

"This is amazing craftsmanship," the young kunoichi remarked as she looked at the pieces before picking up the breast plate and marveling. "It's so light! I've never seen armor like this before…where'd you get it?!"

"It was…a gift," the Shugorei heir supplied hesitantly as he thought back on how he had come to be in possession of the armory that the armor had come from.

"Wow, I wish someone would give me a gift like this!" the chocolate haired girl commented. "I can see why you said this is a custom job, only a true master armorer could handle a job like this."

"So can your shop do it?" Naruto asked.

Giving a grin like the cat who had just swallowed the canary the girl turned to the open door behind her and yelled loudly, "Okaasan! Otousan! We've got a special order!"

Quirking an eyebrow at the volume the girl had just displayed Naruto commented, "That's a pretty good set of lungs you have there."

"I have to yell pretty loud sometimes to get through to my sensei and one of my teammates sometimes," supplied the bun haired kunoichi. "By the way the name's Tenten."

"Naruto, pleased to meet you," the blond Shugorei said with a small nod.

"I take it by the armor and your forehead protector that you're a shinobi," Tenten stated as she leaned on the small part of the counter not being occupied by the pieces of the Shugorei armor. "But I don't think I've seen you around Konoha be….

"I was traveling for a while with my great-grandfather," the cerulean eyed boy explained, missing how the girl trailed off in her statement.

"Oh wow, you have a sword!" the girl said with delight as she spied the hilt over Naruto's right shoulder. "Not many shinobi our age seem to take the time to learn how to use weapons other than shuriken and kunai. Do you mind if I…?"

"Not at all," the Shugorei heir answered as he pulled the sheathed Zanpakuto from his back, presenting it with a bit of pride.

"Sugoi," Tenten cooed in amazement as she slipped the blade from its sheathe and examined it. "It's, it's beautiful."

Naruto watched with a small smile as Konoe was handled expertly by the girl. She let her eye follow the length of the blade and the sharpened edge. Lifting it up and holding it with one hand she tested the balance.

"I'd kill for a sword like this," the bun haired kunoichi stated as she sheathed the weapon. "It's perfectly balanced and the edge…I've never seen one that's been sharpened so finely. Who forged it?"

Accepting Konoe back and strapping it to his back once again Naruto replied, "Sorry, family secret."

Pouting slightly at not being told exactly where she could perchance get her own the adolescent girl suddenly perked up saying, "Wait, you mean your family is focuses on Kenjutsu?"

Naruto paused before he answered. The girl seemed to be very knowledgeable on weapons and their usage. From what she had said about not many genin taking the time to learn skills beyond the basics of kunai and shuriken she probably had some knowledge of which clan's and families had a weapon using heritage. His heritage was going to come out sooner or later, but….

"Best to be careful just in case," the Shugorei heir thought.

"They did…a long time ago," the cerulean eyed boy responded. "I'm the first one in just over a decade to take back up the sword. My Hijiji taught me, but he's gone now and I'm…."

"Sorry," Tenten apologized softly as she caught the meaning of the boy's words. "I didn't mean to pry."

"It's alright," the blond Shugorei replied. "Things happen…. Anyways, you were talking about others our age not taking the time to learn."

"That's right, all they seem interested in are kunai and shuriken, but there are so many great weapons out there to learn and use," the girl remarked with joy. "I'm training to become a great weapons mistress like my grandmother. She was a great kunoichi just like my idol, Tsunade-sama."

Naruto let an easy smile cross his face as he heard the girl talk a mile a minute about her idol. In many ways it wasn't to surprising. Few kunoichi ever made it to the level of power and fame that their male counterparts did, so for many girls hoping to live the life of a shinobi the Slug Mistress of the Sannin was the greatest example of what they wanted to be.

"It's so hard being a kunoichi," Tenten said, not realizing she was crossing into the territory of ranting. "I want to become great and yet sometimes it seems that the boys on my team get all of the attention and good parts of a mission. It's not fair!"

"Now honey, what was it we talked about with regards to ranting," a slim yet well muscled man said as he hobbled through the door that was behind the counter.

"But you know its true Otousan!" the bun haired girl said not skipping a beat.

Watching her father trying to calm Tenten down slightly Naruto took in what he could see about the man.

The man was a good height, perhaps just under six feet, and somewhat slim despite looking to be made of tight muscle under the blue t-shirt that was soaked with the sweat that seemed to roll off of him. He didn't seem that old, most likely in his late thirties. With lighter brown hair and hazel eyes the man had a warm smile. The way he moved with a certain fluidity screamed that the man had shinobi training, but seeing the cane he held in his left hand and leaned heavily on said that those days were probably behind him.

"Where's Mom?" the young kunoichi asked quickly as her father pulled out a small stool to rest upon. "She has to see this custom order."

"She's on her way up from the forge, but wanted to check to see how some of your cousins were doing making that new batch of kunai," the man said as he rubbed at his left thigh under the heavy leather apron he wore as protection from the sparks and heat that came from working near fire and hot metal. "You know it would do you well to start learning the trade during the times you aren't out with your team just like they are."

Puffing her cheeks out slightly in annoyance Tenten remained silent.

"So where's this great project you want me to take a look at," Tenten's father asked, seemingly wanting to change the subject swiftly.

"It's this armor," the bun haired girl said, pointing to the various pieces that cluttered the counter. "Naruto here brought it in and…."

"Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto?" the man asked slowly.

"Yes sir, that's me," the blond boy said, drawing the attention of the arms maker for the first time. "I need to get this armor put back into fighting condition and was told to seek out this forge by the Hokage. He told me that I that this shop was the best in terms of quality and honesty."

Tenten seemed stunned as she heard that the Hokage had recommended her family's shop and forge so highly.

Looking the boy over for a moment the brown haired man responded in a neutral voice, "Hokage-sama is too kind sometimes."

Staring into the man's hazel eyes Naruto wondered silently if it he hadn't made a mistake. Some people never openly discussed what they thought about him, but he had learned quiet easily since returning to Konoha that just because it wasn't said didn't mean those people weren't apprehensive about him.

"Well if Hokage-sama sent you here then he must have thought that it was a job worthy of our skill," the armorer remarked before pulling out a pair of gold wire rimmed glasses. "Now let's take a look see at…."

"Shinji! You've got to tell those nephews of yours that they have to be more attentive 'cause they ain't listening to me apparently!" a loud female voice hollered through the door that lay behind the counter and apparently led to the shop's forge.

Emerging from the door way came a woman that could make many men appear weak in comparison. While standing only about five foot six inches tall it appeared she had far more muscle then her husband and hers appeared to be more like coiled steel. Her hair was a dark brown bordering into black that was tied back into a small bun at the nape of her neck and matched the color of her eyes. Wearing what appeared to be a dark colored tank-top under a leather apron the woman's ample cleavage was evident as her tanned skin stretched as she took in the cooler air of the shop.

"Those two are going to ruin my forge and the name of my shop," the woman complained as she rotated her shoulder, trying to loosen the large muscles that covered it. "That last batch of kunai had far too much slag in them. We're going to have to reforge the entire lot."

"You were the one who made the suggestion of having them work here to Jia my dear," Shinji remarked with a small cringe as his glasses settled on the end of his nose. "If they aren't working out then we'll just have to hire someone to…."

"No, no…they aren't that bad…yet," the woman now identified as Jia resolved with a sigh. "Tenten honey, why can't you take after me more and work alongside me in the forge? You know all the basics since you spent so much time with me there when you were smaller. If you'd only just…."

"I don't want to be a smith like you Okaasan," Tenten said stubbornly as her cheeks puffed back up. "I want to be a great kunoichi, like Obaasama and Tsunade-sama."

"This is you mother's doing," the muscled woman remarked firmly as she shot a glare at her husband. "Tenten gets it from your side of the family."

Waving his hands a little to try and ward off his annoyed wife Shinji said, "Now, now we've been over this before and we agreed that if Tenten wanted to become a kunoichi we were going to be supportive."

"It's my choice Kaasan!" the adolescent girl shouted as she stomped her foot hard on the floor.

"But honey, what if you get hurt?" the older woman asked worriedly. "I'd die if you got injured like your Otou…."

"Working as an armorer and weapons smith can be just as dangerous, beside my injury occurred back during the war," the brown haired man said, though he lightly rubbed at his left knee.

"Um, if this is a bad time I can come back," Naruto offered, feeling a bit odd being the observer to the small family argument.

Hearing the words Jia turned to look at the hidden Shugorei heir, suddenly seeing the boy for the first time.

"Oh it's okay, we go through this a couple times a week," the female armorer said sweetly. "Now what's this job you need done?"

Blinking a couple times at how the woman had gone from being argumentative to kind in less than a heartbeat Naruto answered slowly, "Well I need this armor repaired and refitted for me. I heard that you…."

"Well let's take a look see," the muscled woman interrupted happily, echoing the words her husband had said just before she had come up from the forge.

Giving a sigh at the way his wife had just switched gears completely Shinji adjusted his spectacles slightly and joined her in examining the pieces of Shugorei armor that had been laid out before them. Going over several of the metal plates the pair paused as something distinct caught their eye.

"Tenten, go down to the forge an make sure those two cousins of yours aren't ruining another batch of kunai," Jia said slowly.

"But Okaasan," the bun haired girl whined slightly.

"Do as your mother asked," Shinji said, putting his foot down on the issue.

With a small 'huff' Tenten retreated past the door that her parents had used to come up from the forge that they toiled in.

Taking a few moments to make sure that their daughter had complied and wasn't trying to eavesdrop the silence was finally broken by the glasses wearing man.

"Where did you get this armor?" Shinji asked as he traded a glance with his wife.

"It was a gift, a family heirloom. I'm not sure where it originally came from," the Shugorei heir remarked, telling only half of the truth. "My Hijiji said before he died that it used to be more common for shinobi to wear armor. I got it from him in his will and was hoping to wear it in his honor."

Pausing to digest the blond boys answer Jia was the first to respond, "This armor is very old, and of quality one doesn't normally see."

"Do you think you can repair it?" Naruto asked hopefully, trying to avoid any further questions on where it had come from.

Trading glances once again with his wife Shinji answered, "We can, but it's going to cost you more than it would just to buy a new set. The armor we produce for the ANBU isn't as light or encompassing as this is, but it would cost you far less if you really wanted the protection on your vital areas."

"Cost isn't an issue," the blue eyed Shugorei remarked calmly. "My Hijiji left me…."

"Look, Naruto is it?" Jia cut in as she set down one of the shoulder guards. "Every armorer dreams that one day they can create armor like this instead of the standard issue that most shinobi want. While we can do it the thing that stops us often is that it will take time and money we don't have, it's the reason we only do these as custom jobs and not as standards."

"Armor like this would be a boon to any shinobi and most groups would love to be equipped with it, but it's easier and cheaper to buy armor that is of lesser quality," Shinji added to his wife's explanation. "While repairing and refitting it won't cost as much as recreating it in a brand new set, it's still very expensive. You could buy nearly a dozen of our ANBU class armor for that cost. It's just not…."

'Thunk!'

The sound of something heavy hitting the counter cut off the man's words and drew the attention of him and his wife. Pulling his hand away from where it rested on the counter Naruto revealed an ingot of gold that was three to four inches in length, two to three inches in width, and nearly an inch to an inch and a half in height. The two master armorers' eyes were transfixed upon the sight.

"As I said before, cost isn't an issue," the whiskered boy said calmly.

Picking the small brick of precious metal up Jia examined it with an eye that could immediately read the entire story about a piece of metal. The way here eyes widened indicated to her husband that the gold was indeed real.

"Where did you get that?" the slim man demanded firmly as he eyed the boy before him.

"My Hijiji knew what I wanted very well," Naruto replied slowly and deliberately, keeping his answer vague enough as to not reveal too much but at the same time belay the concerns of the people in front of him. "Along with the armor and a few other things he left me with a nice pile of bricks like that."

What Naruto didn't say was that said pile took up three large rooms in the hidden vaults beneath the Shugorei ruins and was not simply limited to gold. In those vaults was not only the wealth that the Clan had procured since coming to Konoha but wealth it had secreted away during the fall of the Empire it had served so faithfully, 'back pay' as Jinjiro had called it. It was more than enough for the young blond to live like a king for several lifetimes if he chose, but that would be easy and every member Clan Shugorei preferred a challenge to easy.

Giving his trademark fox like grin the whiskered blond added, "I'm pretty sure that this will cover the costs."

Nodding silently the two master armorers knew that the ingot would not only cover the costs but also leave some left over. The armor would not only be repaired but returned to its full glory.

"It's, it's…," the muscled woman stuttered.

"Who was your Hijijisan, Naruto?" Shinji asked solemnly as he eyed the blond carefully.

Giving a small smile the Shugorei heir replied, "You know, one other thing that Hokage-jiji said in his recommendation of you was that your shop knew how to be discrete."

The statement hung in the air as a small staring match occurred between the two males. It hadn't been said exactly, but it had been implied that this job was not to be well spread knowledge and that certain details couldn't be revealed even to the ones undertaking it. This wasn't anything really that new for Shinji as he had grown up in the shinobi community under the tutelage of his father and mother, both well respected jounin. Secrets could mean a great deal.

As Jia seemed to swoon over the idea of being able to really apply her talents to the armor and blabbered lightly to herself on what she needed to prepare to begin work Naruto casually pushed the gold ingot back forward from where it had been place on the counter by the woman.

"I'm sure we can come to an arrangement," the genin said as the gold bar was placed directly before the brown haired man. "Hokage-jiji seems to be rarely wrong about people he trusts."

"It will probably take us a few months to get it fully repaired and refitted for you," Jia said, ignoring the silent stare her husband threw her way.

"That is more than acceptable," the blond Shugorei remarked with a nod. "I don't plan on needing it for awhile anyways, not much need when you're a genin who will be doing D-rank missions."

Grinning happily the well muscled woman said, "Well if you have the time I'd like to get some measurements from you and we'll need to talk about coloring and preferences on materials that have rotted away and…."

"Jia," Shinji interrupted abruptly, catching her attention, as he folded his hands before his face and looked across them to Naruto.

Looking at the boy for a few moments, as if looking for something that only he could see, the man finally spoke, "What exactly do you want Naru….aack!"

Before the man could finish he was silenced by a fist to the top of his head delivered by his loving wife, who coincidentally had fire burning in her eyes.

"Shinji-kun," the woman growled threateningly. "This fine young man has come here looking for my expertise and yet you continue to pester him with questions. I'm taking this job and if you don't approve then remember that technically you work for me as this is my forge."

Watching her husband rub at the large lump that had formed on his head the muscled woman turned to look at her customer, who had gone wide eyed at the scariness that she had displayed.

"Now then, why don't we step into one of the other rooms and begin going over some of the particulars," Jia said as she pulled the stunned boy around the counter after gathering the pieces of armor up and resealing them into a scroll she had on hand.

Hearing his wife ramble about ideas she had for improving on the armor as she disappeared with the boy through the doorway, Shinji let out a small sigh before steadying himself and rubbing at his knee and the prosthetic lower half of his left leg. It had been quite some time since he had lost it defending Konoha during the last major war. It had been a time when he had seen sets of armor similar to the one that had been laid out before him with much more common frequency.

The tinkling of the bells by the shop's door called the former shinobi from his thoughts. Looking up the man let a small smile cross his face as he easily recognized the person who had just entered.

"Hi Kaasan," the man greeted the woman tiredly with a easy wave thrown in.

"I see Jia has been working you just as hard as she did before you officially became a smith," Ayeka noted as she walked over to her second oldest son. "You didn't get into an argument again over the training I've been giving Tenten a few times a week?"

"No, no," the brown haired man said as he closed his eyes and picked his spectacles off of his nose. "Though she is a bit disappointed by the fact Toji wants to go to the Academy when the new term begins."

Chuckling lightly at the news about one of her grandchildren the Shugorei Steward commented, "I'm sure I'll get the blame for that as well, guess I should offer to teach him a few things like his sister. That should really get Jia hopping around."

"You just love making things difficult for me," the slim man joked as he slid his glasses into a small wooden case in the pocket of his leather apron.

"Just returning the favors you, your brother, and your sister did for me and your father when you were younger," the old auburn haired woman teased.

Sighing at that Shinji asked, "So how's Bunji-ojisan doing?"

"You uncle is alright, in fact we're going to have lunch at the end of the week," Ayeka supplied as she tilted her head slightly in thought. "He'll probably be complaining about the program he's in charge of so it will be good to let him vent a bit."

"Well say high to him for me," the brown haired man said calmly. "He doesn't come around much and I don't get to talk to him very often, but that might be a good thing as Toji would probably start begging him to teach him Ninjutsu."

Giving a laugh the two were suddenly interrupted by an annoyed holler.

"I heard that!" Jia remarked as he came through the door quickly.

"Now honey, let's be reasonable here," the man said as he brought his hands up to ward off any hits he might receive from his overprotective wife.

As the two began to argue, well Jia doing most of the arguing and Shinji merely trying to calm the situation down using logic, Ayeka chuckled for a moment or two as she was reminded of how her son and daughter-in-law had a unique way of showing their affection at times. Sighing to herself the old woman was reminded of a few times she had playfully fought with Oda when her children were growing up.

"Um, Jia-san?" the voice of Uzumaki/Shugorei Naruto cut in as the boy stepped through the doorway and into the shop. "You were telling me about…?"

"Oh right!" the muscled woman exclaimed happily, doing almost a complete turn around with her mood. "Now it will take a few months to get it all done, but I'm sure if I put in the orders for some of the required materials tonight I can start work by the end of the week."

"That will be more than fine," the whiskered blond said in acceptance.

Stepping out from behind the counter Naruto caught the slightly hidden glance that was thrown at him by the new person in the room.

"Ah you must be the Shugorei Steward. Ayeka-sama is it?" the Shugorei heir asked with a friendly smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes. "Hokage-jiji has mentioned you a few times when I visit him after he has been to a council meeting."

"Yes it is," the woman replied guardedly, surprised to see the boy emerge from where the shop's forge lay. "And you're Uzumaki Naruto, I've heard quite a bit about you. In fact your name comes up quite often at council meetings."

"Ah…yeah, I suppose it would," the blond genin said as he rubbed the back of his head with his hand.

"May I ask what you are doing here at my daughter-in-law's shop and forge, Uzumaki-san?" the Shugorei Steward inquired slowly as she looked the boy over.

"He has a special project," Jia interjected, using terms that would tell her mother-in-law not to press for details as it would violate the privacy that was offered to customers.

"Oh, a special project, eh?" Ayeka remarked, hoping the boy would reveal some details. "What would that be Uzumaki-san, not something that would be part of one of your elaborate pranks now?"

"Nothing like that, just a piece of family history that I wanted fixed," the cerulean eyed genin replied with a grin as he played the small game of words. "And please, call me Naruto."

Throwing a glance to the large clock that hung on the wall behind the counter the hidden Shugorei heir suddenly exclaimed, "Wow, I didn't realize it was getting to late in the day. If you'll excuse me I really need to be getting home, chores won't do themselves."

Giving a small bow to his three elders the blond left, a hidden smirk playing on his face as he mentally cheered about his accomplishment.

"Such a nice young man," Jia commented as she watched the blond walk away from the shop. "If only Tenten could be so lucky as to…."

"Dear you're planning on meddling again," Shinji warned from where he was seated. "Remember what happened last time; I don't think Tenten has forgotten it yet."

As her daughter-in-law and son began to descend into another lopsided argument over what was proper parenting Ayeka's thoughts were elsewhere.

"So that's Naruto," the Shugorei Steward mentally noted. "He doesn't seem as bad as he is often mad out to be. Though there was something…something oddly familiar about him."

Dismissing the thought the auburn haired woman suddenly caught the flash of a distinct yellow luster on the shop's counter. Shifting slightly to get a better look the old woman's eyes widened as she saw what it was that had caught her eye.

Moving over the rooftops of the village Naruto suddenly felt the distinct urge to chuckle as he made his way back to his hidden home thinking,"Another step down, only a few hundred more left to go."

AN: Okay then, sorry this chapter is a bit later then I had originally planned. However, to compensate I have included several things that I had debated on holding off until next chapter. Anyways, I want to just say that Wave Country will be making an appearance, but it will be under different circumstances, circumstances that are going to really test Team 7 and its members. Keep the faith and I won't let you down.

Tyrchon
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