An Uzumaki Tale Chapter 25: The Rocky Road to Success, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto if I did Naruto would have learned seals and used them more

An Uzumaki Tale

Arc 5: The Path of a Ninja

Chapter 25: The Rocky Road to Success

Author's Note:

To the guest that gave me a NaruHina idea please make an account and PM when you want to say stuff like this and also don't write in all caps your review is hard to read. While I welcome ideas even if I'm not going to start them for who knows how long, please don't use the review in less you mention something about the posted chapter as well.

For anyone who is interested the idea guest reviewer gave was something like this.

Naruto doesn't realise he loves Hinata after the war.

She falls in love with Sasuke, then two months later they get married and Naruto confess to her only to be rejected by both of them.

Naruto can't bear to see them together commits suicide only for Kurama to send him back in time.

While I admit the idea has its points I don't like the idea that Naruto has to go back in time to fix everything and it is unlike Hinata to outright reject Naruto. If I did the story, Hinata will still love Naruto and is conflicted about moving on, where when Naruto confess Sasuke reply's without giving thought to Hinata's feelings. Hurting Naruto will confess again saying that he's always loved her and rages that all Hinata needed to do was claim his heart and that she was breaking her Nindo. Naruto will leave the village for a few years still in love with Hinata, but come back because he can't bear to betray Hinata old feelings for him and his Nindo.

Or Hinata and Sasuke wedding was stage to make Naruto realise he loves her, but Sasuke who is jealous of Naruto takes it too far ending with Naruto leaving the village breaking Hinata's heart.

Why a time travel idea has it's points you need consider when Naruto will be sent back and what difficulties he will have to face to get the future he wants. If Naruto is sent back too just after war or when Hinata and Sasuke have just started getting close it will be no contest and Naruto would win her love. Honestly if you write Hinata genuinely then there is no way that she would reject Naruto after he confesses, but there is always room for misunderstanding and drama.

What I gave was only a brief summary of ideas I came up after reading guest if I was going to write it out it would be different, but I also wanted to share the idea in case someone else wants to write it up.

Now before you read warning this is a long chapter of over 18,000 words please remember to take breaks at the section breaks.

The Next Day

Naruto walked down the path to training ground 9. Like most training grounds, the area was pretty huge and surrounded by forests. However, the landscape was mostly gravel under the trees, with specks of grass in a few places that got a lot of sun. In the distance Naruto could see a huge mountain formation which marked the border to another training ground.

While he was up, mostly thanks to Kurenai's threats from yesterday when he was late, Naruto was still irritated, not so much from being tired, after all when it came to stamina and recover he was in a league of his own. But his muscles were stiff from not being able to finish his sleep cycle properly. It didn't help that not even ramen could quench his irritation at his sensei, if he should even call her that. Being in an empty apartment by your own really doesn't give you the chance to forget and he spent most of the night thinking about how his sensei views him as inferior to his teammates.

Up ahead, he saw Kurenai speaking with what looked like a blob of green. Getting close he finally realised it was a person, though the fact the caterpillar like eyebrows made him do a double take on whether it was human or not.

"Ah and here is your student now! Don't worry boy my protégé and I will show you the glorious spring time of YOUTH!"

Poor Naruto almost jumped out of his skin as the man with the bushiest eyebrows he's ever seen shouted out about youth. A weird one would describe exactly what Naruto thought of the man. The Jonin was a good few inches bigger than his sensei, a bowl cut hair that even Naruto thought was out of style, wearing a dark green jumpsuit with a Jonin vest over it. From his appearance and outfit, he was just plain weird, but the striped orange leg warmers made Naruto do a second take, wondering where he could get some. After all, anyone that wears orange is surely good, right?

As the unknown Jonin rambled on about the so-called spring time of youth, Kurenai pulled Naruto along. "Ok, I know he is…" Doing a double take as she looked at the shouting man who was now crying waterfalls and sunset slowly appearing into existence behind him. "..Strange, but he is one of village's best Jonin and leading Taijutsu specialist." Naruto found that hard to believe as he looked at the man, feeling a burn in his eyes as the sun appeared to be right behind him when it was still rising in the distance.

"Don't look, you'll hurt your eyes." Kurenai quickly brought his attention back on her before he suffered from OEG syndrome (Over Exposure to Gai Syndrome). "Starting today, you will meet up with him here train for two hours before you met up with us at the usual training ground." She told him. Naruto looked at her dumbly and a slightly sad expression.

"Wait you're not going to train me yourself!?" He said a little louder then he wanted.

Kurenai could understand his concerns, but wasn't aware just how much what she was doing was affecting Naruto. "Don't worry, I will train you with Shino and Hinata later, but it's for the best if Gai takes over your training in the morning."

She said that, but Naruto couldn't believe her, after all his newest sensei was dumping him only after one day. It was so similar to how his past academy sensei treated him. Not wanting to teach him, always trying to push the work on to someone else and it seemed Kurenai was just like them. She would rather dump him on to another teacher instead of teaching him herself.

Hands clenched in outrage, not even realising Kurenai's hands were on his shoulders until her face was right in his. Up close Naruto would call her beautiful, but at the moment his anger prevented him from having any thoughts about that.

Her ruby eyes pierced his sapphire blues, an intensity burning behind them. "Now listen, if they try and get you to wear that jumpsuit or change your hair style, refuse." Her voice was full of seriousness that made the boy confused. After all, while the jumpsuit was weird, it wasn't that bad, especially with the leg warmers. As for the hair, he liked his the way it was. However, despite how confusing the statement was her next word were even more so as she said them with dread. "And for the love of Kami, if they start shouting each other's names LOOK AWAY." Her eyes lacked the usual confidence, instead were filled with unbridle fear.

Both ninja turned back to Gai who just finished his monologue. "Ah, Naruto-Kun! I am Gai-Sensei the Konoha no Kedakaki Aoi Mōjū (Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey)." He introduced himself, giving a nice guy pose that made Naruto wonder how his teeth sparkled so much.

While his mind was overloaded Naruto shrugged it off, figuring it would be better to just go with the flow. "Yo I'm Naruto Uzumaki the future Hokage- Dattebayo! It's nice to meet you Bush brow- sensei." Naruto introduces himself, giving the strange man a strange name to go with his trade mark brows.

"Naruto! Don't be rude!" Kurenai shouted her eyes piercing into the boy's head, but he didn't care.

"Now, now Kurenai it is quite alright. I don't mind a nickname or two after all I am quite proud of having the bushiest eyebrows in Konoha." Gai smiles his brows, moving on their own bobbing up and down separately.

The two-normal ninja looked at him, their faces clearly expressing What the Fuck.

Not caring about mind blown ninja Gai continues as normal. "Right, Lee!" With a blow of wind and leaves a clone of Gai appeared, at least that was what Naruto thought as second person wearing the same jumpsuit and just as bush eyebrows appeared.

"YES GAI-SENSEI!" The boy Lee saluted and it was only then that Naruto realised this was a real person and not some clone.

"Lee this is Naruto. Kurenai has requested us to share some of our youth with him and teach him the honourable art of Taijutsu!" Gai said dramatically bringing tears to the young lad's eyes.

"Naruto, this is Lee, my protégé. Follow his example and you will soon become a youthful practitioner of Taijutsu like us!" The two boys met eye to eye.

Lee stuck the nice Gai pose thumb up and a great big smile with glistening teeth just like his sensei. "It is wonderful to meet you Naruto-Kun. I am Rock Lee Konoha no Utsukushiki Aoi Yajū (Handsome Devil of the Hidden Leaf)"

Copying his pose strangely, even managing to get the glistening teeth part right Naruto introduced himself as well. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki the future Hokage-Dattebayo." The two just stood in their nice guy pose Gai crying tears of joy as a new youthful friendship was born and Kurenai was as white as stone.

"Right Lee, take Naruto-Kun here through the usual warm up!" Gai ordered, pointing to the empty clearing.

"Yes, Gai-Sensei! Come Naruto-Kun!" Lee sprinted off Naruto following with a shout of-

"Alright Bushy Brows!"

Turning back to Kurenai, he said. "Don't worry, your student is in safe hands. I will make sure to turn him into a fine shinobi just like Lee and I." However, instead of the grateful thanks he was expecting, Kurenai was instead glaring at him, with the same look she gave last night when she made her request.

"Gai do you remember what you promised not to do!" Gai gulped, he did remember the vague hint of promise, but he couldn't remember what it was. Seeing this Kurenai decided to remind him just what was off limits for Naruto and to his dismay that included jumpsuits, bowl cuts and getting him to convert to youthism.

After twenty minutes of warm ups and stretching, Naruto and Lee returned to Gai-Sensei, Kurenai having left after she reminded him that should Naruto end up wearing his stylish jumpsuit there would be hell to pay.

"Gai-Sensei we're done!" Lee waits for his next task. Normally they would more strenuous exercises now, but with a newcomer Lee was wondering just what they would do.

"Right, Naruto, you and Lee is going to clash your youthful spirits together in a spar!" He declared Lee getting excited, it wasn't often that he got a chance to fight with people other than his sensei and teammates.

"Alright, just wait I am going to show you what I've got!" The orange loving ninja shouted jumping up, his blue eyes ready for action.

Gai inspected Naruto, seeing that despite this being his first-time training with them, he wasn't even breaking a sweat yet. This was impressive to Gai and even more to normal people who know that Gai's warm ups are equivalent to a normal full work out.

Both Lee and Naruto stood across from one another doing the Seal of Confrontation and then getting into their traditional stances.

Lee with his Gōken(Strong Fist) left hand forward and his right hand behind his back, standing sideways with his feet making an L.

Naruto entering the traditional academy style Senpuyo Ken (Whirlwind Leaf Fist). A hand forward and his other around his waist. But Gai frowned, seeing the boy's legs in the wrong position and a big opening between his two arms.

Lee noticed as well, but ignored just in case if this was a trap or not. "I hope you're ready Naruto-Kun, I won't be holding back.

"Bring it Bushy Brows, I'll show you and your brows just what I got." Trash talking done Gai lifted his hand dropping with a shout of begin the spar started.

Seconds later Naruto felt the force of something hitting him and sending him backwards with a trail of dust and dirt.

As the dust cleared Lee and Gai saw Naruto still standing after the hit arms in a cross guard with the right hand forward and the left behind it.

Naruto gulped, looking at his numb arms which seemed to be smoking at the point of impact and at the trail he left behind a good few meters away. 'Shit I couldn't even see him!' Naruto was panicking, he didn't know how he managed to block the attack, he didn't even realise he was hit until he came to a stop.

'Impressive. I was right to suspect there was something to his bad stance. He completely blocked my first attack.' Lee smiled at his opponent, feeling the rush of fighting a new and worthy opponent for the first time. Gai was impressed as well, but his Jonin eyes saw more than Lee or Naruto did.

Lee disappeared again from Naruto's sight, feeling a tingling sensation Naruto blocked to the left, narrowly stopping a cross punch, but his victory was short lived as he was forced to jump back as Lee threw a round house kick with his opposite leg. Before his feet even touched the ground, Lee was barraging Naruto with a flurry of punches.

Naruto was competently overwhelmed, each hit felt like a sledge hammer, his arms getting heavier with each block, not a second's peace was given to counter. This continued for a few minutes, Lee was surprised that Naruto was keeping up and managing to block all his punches. With a jab Lee made his move, going for another round house.

But to his surprise, Naruto stepped forward, his body cutting Lee's kick off as he entered his range with a punch heading for Lee's face. The punch narrowly avoided Lee, cutting the boy's face, leaving slight mark with just how close it was. Undaunted, Lee uppercut Naruto right in the chin, sending him back.

Expecting Naruto to be dizzy Lee went for another attack with a left roundhouse, only for Naruto to duck and dodge it before it hit leaving Lee wide open or so Naruto thought until within a fraction of a second Lee twisted into a back kick thanks to the force of his missed kick, hitting Naruto for the second time.

With a kick to his gut, Naruto lost his breath as he was launched and Lee disappeared once more. Not having time to recover Naruto kicked to the empty space to his right, Lee stopping moments before the kick hit him. But not stopping as Lee went for another attack just like Lee did before Naruto used the momentum from his kick to land a spinning back fist on Lee.

Jumping back a trail of blood dripping from his nose, but otherwise fine showing that Lee still managed to dodge the blow somewhat. Wiping the blood away Lee entered his stance again.

'Naruto is impressive, every time I think I got him, he counters or dodges, but not this time.'

Lee disappeared again appearing in front of Naruto in mid-air launching kick. Naruto made no reaction as the high kick shifted direction as Lee span sending a low kick instead. 'Konoha Senpū (Leaf Whirlwind)' One of Lee's signature moves a high faint followed by a spinning low kick. He was confident this would hit, distracted by the high kick Naruto wouldn't even realise the low kick was coming.

Right when the low kick was going to hit though, Naruto's legs disappeared, Lee's eyes going even wider if that was possible. Naruto was in the air, having jumped his Konoha Senpu one leg swinging back his body shifting the future Hokage kicking Lee right in the head, landing a clean hit for the first time. Lee's momentum making it even more devastating as the handsome devil was sent back.

Managing to recover doing a back flip and landing on his feet already in his stance. His eyes never left Naruto wonder in them at just what Konoha most unpredictable ninja has to offer next. Unfortunately, though before Lee could discover more of Naruto's hidden talents, a booming voice broke his concentration.

"Lee that's enough!" His role model shouted, much to his dismay. It's been ages since Lee got to fight such a new and worthy opponent. But like the good little disciple he was, he stopped putting his hands in to the Seal of Reconciliation. A tired and bruised Naruto followed, swaying a bit as he did.

"Good." Both Lee and Naruto walked up to Gai. "Both of you performed splendidly and with the power of youth!" Gai shouted with the usual vigor making the boys smile.

"You were impressive Naruto, there aren't many who could keep up with my speed yet you did despite only just graduating." Lee said his voice going from usual joyful tone to downcast. Right when Naruto about to speak up Lee's big eyes came into view with what looked like fire in them. "I need to increase my training and meet you my excellent rival!"

Taken back by the declaration, for the first time in his life someone one was recognising him as a worthy rival. The smile that broke on his face was after was big and most of all real, for the first time in a while it felt like his efforts were being recognised.

"Well said Lee!" Gai responded, pointing to the other end of the training ground. "Now let your flames of youth burn with passion and training to face your rival!" His speech was followed with the background behind him turning into flames.

"Yes, Gai-Sensei!" Lee rocketed off to train the flames of passion burning brightly around him.

Naruto watched the two in silence, no idea what to do or say to Konoha's two odd beasts.

"Now Naruto, you did brilliantly against Lee." Gai started the boy's blue eyes looking at him in slight wonder. It's been a while since his sensei genuinely praised him, well…besides Iruka-Sensei, but Iruka was just plain nice. But this stranger complimenting him really meant something to Naruto.

"But you still have a ways to go." There it was the, but and the joy he felt quickly faded. Of course, there was a but, why would anyone ever truly praise him. It wasn't long after that Gai put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Now don't get discouraged, your Taijutsu style needs a lot of work, but the mere fact you were able to keep up with Lee, who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of further improving Taijutsu just shows the amount of talent and hard work you put in my boy."

"Talent…" The shine in Naruto's eyes came back.

"Yes, my boy, you see Lee has no ability in Ninjutsu or Genjutsu…" Naruto's eyes widened almost to the same size of the boy in question.

"W-what?" Naruto stuttered, not believing what he was hearing.

"Yep it's true Lee can't perform any jutsu at all, only having Taijutsu. During his academy days he was only subpar at that as well." Naruto's eyes only continued to widen if that was possible, looking to the training boy who was blitzing through push-ups. In his mind the spar they had was playing in his head, the overwhelming force Lee had the speed and power that even Sasuke paled against.

Yet this boy was an even worse loser than him back in the day. "Yes, but even without the basic skills a ninja needs Lee kept working at his subpar Taijutsu day in and day out and now he is one Konoha's most gifted genin in the art, truly my little Lee is a genius of hard work…" Here came the water works the full-grown man was crying over his pride and joy all the trials the boy faced to get to where he was now.

"It wouldn't be a stretch to say that almost no genin can match him in pure Taijutsu, especially none of the rookies in the newly graduated class." Naruto couldn't believe it, his class had quite a few talented people yet none would stand up against Lee.

"Not even Sasuke?" Naruto voiced, even if he hated the guy, Naruto recognised that Sasuke was the best of their class. Though no one would hear him say it out loud, not even over his dead body.

"Ah the last Uchiha, Kakashi's new protégé. While the Uchiha is gifted, he wouldn't be able to keep up with Lee at his current level."

"Wow" Naruto looked at the odd boy, having been a loser at the academy. He knew all too well how hard it was when you weren't good at anything. But seeing someone who was not only like him, but also worse off having only graduated a year before him surpassing Sasuke through pure effort was really inspirational.

"So, while I say that your Taijutsu needs a lot of work, I doubt that any other genin who could keep up with Lee like you did, even with their perfected stances and styles. You may not be a master yet, but the potential is there and with my help, you will shine like the rising sun and show the world the flames of your youth!"Gai shouted to the heavens Naruto hooked on every word, he just knew he had the potential for greatness, but someone else saying it just felt amazing.

"Alright!" Naruto jumped agreeing with the eccentric teacher.

"Good my boy, we may not be talented like others, but we make up for it with effort and that my boy will always win in the end." Gai began explaining his plan for the boy.

"Now to start off, with you need a new style to go with your spontaneous and agile movements."

Naruto eyes never left Gai as he demonstrated the perfect style for Naruto practice. It was more complicated than the academy's style, but Naruto instinctively knew this was the style for him. It was awesome, spontaneous and showy, everything Naruto was.

Once done demonstrating and explaining what each move was used against and how you do perform the moves it was Naruto's turn to try. Naruto side blocked to the left and then punched with the right hand, which then turned into a kick, turning around with a back fist before repeating the same set the other way. With the second set done, Naruto did a back kick to the front. The form was unconventional with lots of spins, turns and exaggerated movements that would be seen as unnecessary movements, but to a train master you would see that exaggerated moves were done to maximise both power and efficient, allowing attacks, blocks and counter attacks from positions and movements that would normally leave ninja undefended.

When Gai spotted a mistake which surprisingly wasn't often, he would point it out and help Naruto perform it right before continuing with the rest. They repeated this process again and again, Naruto going through the form Gai fix the mistakes, the mistakes getting less and less until finally Naruto was more or less doing it perfect.

There was a void of space, no light was around at, nothing could be seen. But then like magic, a ninja came running from the left, right fist raised to strike.

Naruto blocked, his left arm coming across his body and knocking his opponent's arm away, throwing his own punch with his opposite hand the enemy brought his other arm up to counter. However, it wasn't a punch from hand he met, but a kick that hit his open ribs, knocking the ninja back.

Another ninja came for Naruto from the opposite direction, using the momentum from his kick the blond genin turned back fisting the new opponent. A third ninja came from the right corner and another 90 degrees to the right of where Naruto was faced. Naruto stepped to the side, blocking with his right hand before punching with left. Just like before when the opponent came up to block Naruto switched to kick attacking the exposed ribs, but he wasn't finished there even after his kick was finished, Naruto kept turning right into a back kick that hit the fourth ninja that was coming at him knocking him back a few paces.

Capitalising on this Naruto, hopped off his back leg back fisting the fourth ninja stunning him further giving him the time to follow up with a devastating combo with a hook to the ribs with his left-hand twisting with his hips for maximum power. He then finished off the opponent with an elbow uppercut to the chin with the opposite hand twisting his hips back from his last move while doing it, knocking the ninja out cold.

A ninja coming from behind at his exposed back, whether it was a new one or one of the ones he stunned early he didn't know and didn't care. Twisting on his back foot right from his elbow strike back kicking with his front leg. Back fist, hook elbow Naruto repeated his killer combo once more knocking another ninja out.

The two-remaining ninja coming from both the left and the right at the same time, spinning around he blocked with a high block with his left-hand countering with a straight punch following it up with a one two combo, taking care of the third ninja. Turning, Naruto did the same to the last remaining opponent. Once the last ninja was down and out Naruto's right-hand stayed extended his stance unmoving.

Clapping was heard and slowly the void disappeared the black expanse changed to rocks and trees and from the side was Gai-Sensei applauding.

"That was perfect Naruto-Kun, you really got it down fast. Just like the name implies, this form seems made for you." Gai said, a sweaty and slightly worn out Naruto existed his form with a smile.

"Yeah, I can't believe how easy this is and the best thing is the style is named after me." It wasn't really named after him the style was called Uzumaki (Maelstrom) Style and the form he did was called Saisho No Uzu (First Vortex) One of the basic forms for the style. But to Naruto all that matter was the style had his name and to him it was like it was made just for him.

"Yes, it's surprising how well you're picking it up, unlike most styles the basics for Uzumaki Style are a bit more advanced. However, don't get too ahead of yourself learning the style isn't enough you need to practice and practice until you can do it as natural as breathing. Otherwise you won't be able to use it in battle." Gai's words of wisdom showed exactly why, he was a Jonin and Taijutsu specialist, they were the true knowledge and skill of the odd ninja.

"Yes, Bushy Brow-Sensei!" Naruto responded with respect a smile on his face. While Gai was weird it was the first time someone ever gave Naruto one to one attention and he could truly feel that Gai wanted to help him as well feel that he was improving.

"Now Naruto-Kun, we have to end our session today and get you back to Kurenai!" The green clad ninja said, making Naruto's smile do a reverse. He was enjoying getting help and being taught properly as soon as his own Jonin sensei was brought up all Naruto could think was that she wouldn't teach him anything.

'I wish Busy Brow-Sensei was my Sensei instead.' This was the thought he had, he wanted a teacher that would help him achieve his dream that would encourage him when he trained, instead of the harsh and discouraging words that his sensei had to give.

"Morning Gai-Sensei." A feminine voice called out. Turning around there was girl around his age a bit taller than him. She had brown hair tied in two buns with a short fringe framing her face. Her outfit was a pink qipao-style blouse without sleeves with red trimming on the armholes. The blouse was fastened by yellow buttons. Her pants were dark green with a brown pouch at the thigh, she wore the traditional blue ninja sandals. Her Hitai-ate was tied to her forehead with a blue sash.

"Ah Tenten it is good to see you on this fine day." The sensei greeted his other student, which the girl identified as Tenten responded with a nod.

"Hello there I'm Tenten Higurashi, a member of team 9." Tenten greeted Naruto with a smile surprise the boy slightly.

"N-Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki the future Hokage." He responded, a slight stutter since people aren't usually so polite to him, let alone girls.

"Naruto here is joining Lee and I for our morning sessions for Taijutsu training." Gai said Tenten eyeing the newcomer.

"Whatever you do not let him convince you to wear that jumpsuit." Tenten told Naruto her eyes full of seriousness. And there it was again, sure the suit was weird and a bit overwhelming, but after spending over two hours with Gai Naruto first impression of his choice of clothes was improving.

"What is wrong with my youth jumpsuit!?" Gai shouted, tears ready to fall that not even his own student could see the glorious youth of his attire.

"Yeah… I'm not even going to provide an answer to that." Tenten turned looked away, embarrassed at her Sensei's antics.

She was brought back by Naruto's voice. "Hey, are you a Taijutsu specialist as well."

The girl gave a menacing smile that gave the boy a shiver down his spin. "Nope…" She pulled out several kunai holding them between her fingers. "This is my specialty." With that and flick of her hands she threw the kunai, doing a spin more kunai magically appearing in her empty hands throwing them as well. Several more spins and flicks of her hand later in less than ten seconds she was done.

Naruto turned to where she threw the weapons only to see a perfect Konoha symbol in a tree at the far end. "Wow…"

"I specialise in weapons kunai, shuriken, staff, kusarigama. If it is a weapon I'll know how to use and even if it isn't I'll turn it into one."

"That's so cool!" Naruto pulled out his own kunai, throwing them like Tenten did, but more clumsily. He then tried spinning and throwing them at the same. He only managed to throw no more than two before he trips over his own feet landing on the ground. When his eyes met blue like his eyes it was accompanied by a silhouette baring down on him. "AHHHHH!" Naruto's eyes closed as one of his kunai hit his forehead protector.

"Ah ha ha ha ah…" Tenten laughing till she was out of breath. "Man, that was just hilarious." She said still laughing and holding on to her stomach.

Naruto was glaring at the bun haired girl, who was making fun of him. Seeing this glare, the girl stopped with one final giggle.

"Right, sorry, but you're throw is all wrong and you're not even aiming at all." The boy's blue eyes continued to pierce the girl. "Here." Offering her hand to the blond boy. "I'll show you how it's done."

Naruto took the hand, Tenten pulling him up as soon as he did. Next, she pulled out a kunai. "The trick is all in the wrist, give it a little flick at the right time adds more balance and precision." She demonstrated this by throwing a single kunai that hit dead centre in a nearby target.

Taking out his own kunai Naruto took his time to aim this time and with a throw and flick of his wrist he threw the kunai. "That's it!" He heard the weapon mistress say as soon as he threw it. The kunai hit the targets outer ring which was pretty good for Naruto. However, instead of piercing the target a clang was heard the kunai bouncing off and landing on the ground with another clang.

"What, but I thought you said I threw it right?!" Naruto shouted in frustration, when you're told what your doing is right, but it doesn't work it hurts. The minute Tenten said, he got it right his heart was racing with excitement only to sink the next moment his kunai came in contact with the target.

Tenten looked at the target perplexed, the throw was right the aim wasn't perfect, but the speed and power of the projectile were there. There is no way a kunai would fail to sink into a target when it was moving at that speed.

"Hey let me see your kunai?" Naruto begrudgedly got one of his kunai out of his pouch handing it to the weapon mistress. Tenten keen eyes inspected the weapon with the precision of a master. Griping the knife, she held the blade atop her palm and slashed across it.

"Hey, what are you doing!" Naruto shouted at her attempted to cut herself, only for him to see a perfectly fine hand with no so much as a graze on it.

"It's no wonder it didn't work, you couldn't even cut a piece of bread with this knife!" Tenten stated angrily a fire behind her brown eyes. "Why are you using such shabby equipment when you're a genin, this couldn't even be used for practice!"

Naruto frowned, sulking. "It's not like I can just go and buy a brand-new pair, this was all I could afford!" Those kunai cost him a small fortune and he didn't like it when people pointed out his money problems. What would a child who has had their parents pay for everything know how hard it is to afford proper equipment.

Tenten's brow raised a question mark appearing above her head. She was well acquainted with weapons prices always up to date on the latest sales and stock prices. A set of kunai of this quality would be sold cheap at 500 ryo as toys. A proper set of ten well sharpened set cost around 2,000 Ryo minimum 1500 with a ninja discount. After all ninja needed to buy weapons, even junior ninja like genin, so it was easy to get kunai made with low quality iron at an affordable price with just 1 D rank mission.

"How can you not afford them you only need one D rank mission to buy a set of ten!" Tenten, shouted thinking, he was tricking her when in fact he wasn't taking being a ninja seriously and was spending his money on other things.

Sadly, that was not the case and the anger, she was shown only made Naruto angry himself. Which too bad, he was starting to like Tenten after her first impression, but that was quickly fading "Well sorry, but that is not the case! It would take me multiple missions just to pay for one of these kunai!"

Tenten was about responded when her sensei cut in. "Now children, don't let your flames of youth be doused by anger."

Tenten looked away going quite after one snide remark. "I bet you spent the money on other things like toys or something. I hate people like you who don't take being a ninja seriously."

Naruto was seeing red, snatching his kunai back almost roaring at the girl. "Well, sorry if I'm not spoiled like you and can't afford to spend to over 10,000 ryo for decent set of kunai!" Naruto stormed off Tenten huffing as he did. To her he was obviously full of hot air the price he stated was 4 times the amount you would need for kunai heck with that she could buy high quality katana and still have money left over.

Tenten turned to her sensei ready to train and burn off some aggression, but Gai was giving her a pitying look. "What?" She asked.

"Tenten not all people have the same circumstances." He was already aware of Naruto's situation as Jinchuuriki, but never did he think stores would go so far as overcharge him so much for ruined kunai.

"But sensei, he's not taking being a ninja seriously-" She was cut off by a roaring shout and not her sensei's usual joyful ones.

"TENTEN!" The girl almost jumped out of skin, she could count the number of times, she saw Gai angry on one hand and she positive that was zero.

"Naruto spent the past 2 hours training diligently nonstop in Taijutsu, what you are saying is an affront to his efforts and hard work, I won't allow it!" Tenten couldn't understand why she was the one getting shouted out, she was only making a point low quality weapons could get a shinobi killed the kid would be thanking her for setting him straight in the future.

Tenten turned to her green clad teammate, who stopped to watch the commotion. Who had the same pitying expression on his face as Gai. Lee nodded solemnly, making Tenten feel like someone was gripping her hearts. Gai and Lee were Konoha's biggest weirdo's, but also kindest people she met and the best judge of characters she knew. Even though her pride wanted to disagree with their opinions after a year with them she knew all too well that their respect and friendship could only be earned with hard work. For the two to have warmed up to a boy in only two hours spoke volumes of integrity.

Tenten spent the rest of the day sulking on whether what she did was right, maybe there was more to Naruto's story that meets the eye.

The enraged Naruto arrived at training ground 8 just in time for team training. He was so angry, he had a know it all girl telling him off when she knew nothing of his life and his own sensei dumped to another a bit more capable one, but he still had to go back to the no-good sensei.

He needed an outlet for his anger now usually that would be training, but training with one of the sources of his anger would only make him madder so he chose his other favourite past time. A big grin appeared on his face as he made a hand sign.

His team was waiting for him, when they suddenly heard Naruto's arrival. "A youthful day isn't it!"

Kurenai shivered in disgust at those words with Naruto's voice, shitting herself. Turning to Naruto her disgust was well warranted as her worse nightmare came to life. "What youthful morning it is." Naruto said, looking at the open sky. But gone was his orange clothes instead replaced with Gai signature green jumpsuit and orange leg warmers. His spiky her was now in a bowl cut a powerful glare from the sun shining off it. Turning to his team Naruto smiled, showing sparkling teeth to them.

Both Hinata and Shino were gapping at Naruto's transformation. Even the Aburame couldn't keep cool when faced with something like this. They were only smacked out of their stupors by an overwhelming killer intent. "Damn Gai! I warned you what happen if you messed up Naruto!" She spat with gritted teeth, that was it she would put the Jonin and his student under a genjutsu so powerful that it shocks them into being normal.

Right when she was about to rush off to punish the green clad Jonin an explosive laugher was heard. "Ah man, ha ha ah!"

"Your faces. I can't believe this worked, I can't wait to see Jiji's reaction to this prank!" Naruto fell over in laughter a cloud of smoke popping into existence. Gone was horrible green jumpsuit and bowel cut instead replaced with the good old Naruto orange and trademark spiky hair.

Kurenai's eye twitched, her mind overloaded and taking a moment to get back together. Shino had to close his gaping mouth with his hand to recover his composure and Hinata well Hinata was breathing a sigh of relief. Yes, she loved Naruto immensely, but a bowl cut was where she had to draw the line, however the tight jumpsuit that clearly showed his rippling muscles were something she definitely wouldn't mind seeing again. Hinata quickly wiped away some blood coming from her nose before someone noticed.

Finally regaining her composure, Kurenai's anger to Gai came back 10 times as much for Naruto. Bearing down on the boy like Mt Fuji about to erupted Naruto held his ground, ready for his so-called sensei's anger.

"Naruto!" She growled out, but what came out of mouth was what he expected. "Do not pull pranks." She said calmly, her voice weak as if she lost a few years off her life. Naruto, it seemed like she was going to ignore it and continue like he didn't exist like his previous sensei. But that was far from the case. "However, answer me this, why did you prank work so well?" While she wouldn't encourage the behaviour she'd at least teach him lesson from it and not the discipline kind.

Question marks hovered above the boy's head, what was happening? "Huh?" Was his response.

"Surprise, despite it being a simple transformation jutsu we all fall for it because it was unexpected, but also worked on a Jonin because you made use of the fact I knew you were with Gai this morning."

Naruto stared at her blankly. "Huh?" He still had no idea what was going on.

"In other words, surprise is a valuable weapon for a ninja and using information you have to your advantage no matter how small is also a weapon. Now let's get to training." Naruto only looked confused as Kurenai started their training session.

Both Hinata and Shino noticed that the Naruto's clothes were dirty and the sheen of sweat he had from his morning workout. Kurenai took note of this as well and was going to see if there were any results from Gai's training.

"Alright, we'll start with Taijutsu again followed by ninjutsu spars like yesterday." Everyone nodded, except Naruto who was looking the other way.

"Right Hinata and Shino will be up and then a five-minute break before switching Hinata with Naruto."

Hinata and Shino sparred like before and while Hinata still had the advantage, her vigour from the other day was all gone since Naruto was too busy mulling over everything that happened this morning.

Next was Naruto and Shino like before it seemed Naruto was charging ahead throwing a punch, but when Shino went to block he instead felt a kick to his unprotected ribs knocking him back along with his breath.

The match continued like this while Naruto's form was anything but perfect, there were improvements that cemented that getting Gai to teach him was the right choice. Throughout the fights Naruto made use of feints and spinning moves which kept Shino on his toes. He still had a ways to go and was still getting used to his new style, but Naruto's fighting style was much better from the mess it was the day before.

Next was Naruto and Hinata, like their previous match the sparring was much less instance compared to Shino and Naruto's. However, to Naruto who was still learning a new style, this actually proved better for him. Naruto was taking his time thinking each move and was demonstrating a few more complicated combinations that, he wasn't skilled enough to do under the pressure of a fight. At first, she was worried that Naruto and Hinata not taking their sparring seriously would be detrimental to their future progress, while they couldn't go on like this forever there were some benefits of letting them go at more relaxing pace. For Naruto fighting Shino will hone fighting instincts and fluent movement, while the slower pace with Hinata will improve Naruto's thinking during battle and let him practice the more complicated moves on an opponent that he has yet to incorporate into his style. Naruto wasn't the only one benefiting, fighting Naruto like this will steadily improve Hinata's confidence and easy her into fighting seriously as Naruto improves, but she will still get a decent workout with Shino.

Once the Taijutsu sparring was done they moved onto ninjutsu sparring, which was no different from yesterday with Shino getting overwhelmed by Shadow clones, though he did try and keep a distance, but he could only run so far from the Naruto army. Hinata was able to hold on for a few minutes against the Naruto army, but was she still far from her best. As where the Shino and Hinata fight show some improvements with Hinata taking page a from Naruto's books going in with clones as distraction. However, clones they maybe they weren't solid like her love's and after the initial surprise wore off, Hinata was back to square one.

Finally came Kurenai's report commenting on Hinata's and Shino's improvements, before she spoke to Naruto. "Alright Naruto, while your Taijutsu has improved a bit…" Naruto was nodding in a more cheerful mood after sparring and getting some anger out. "But your use of Kage Bushin no Jutsu still needs to improve. You can't just rush in use the basic tactics taught at the academy in tandem with your clones." She lectured causing Naruto's mood to plummet again his face going dark.

'Of course it wasn't good enough! No matter what I do, there seems to be no pleasing her!" Naruto thought, remembering how his sensei dumped him onto Bushy Brow Sensei. She was more discrete then his other teachers, but Naruto could see she didn't care for him, what few compliments she gave him were always followed by negative comments. To anyone else it would seem like she was being fair, but after being dumped Naruto was positive his so-called sensei didn't want to be his sensei.

Kurenai took note of Naruto's angry face, which was no surprise no one liked getting told that what they were doing wasn't good enough and they could improve. But for a second, she thought she saw something else in his eyes, that there was more to it, but she shook it off. Naruto was fine so far and they needed to get on to the next exercise.

Once more team 8 was doing the tree climbing exercise, Shino was running up the tree at a steady progress, Hinata was running up and down it. Naruto smiled at the girl, she was really amazing, he never noticed it at the academy just how good she is, and cute as well. Naruto blushed, shaking the last thought away closing his eyes, putting his hands together, he made a hand sign concentrating calming his mind like Hinata told him.

Finding serenity, Naruto was determined to climb the tree today.

'Why bother, it's not like it would do you any good.' The voice of his sensei whispered in his head.

'Take it seriously, people like you who don't work don't deserve to be ninja.' This time it was the girl he met this morning.

The grass beneath his feet rustled a translucent blue breeze blew outward.

'You're just a loser! Give up already and stop getting in our way!' Hearing the voice of his ex-crush his eyes snapped open, teeth grinding. With a powerful step Naruto ran to the tree the grass flattening from a force of chakra.

Naruto's feet touched the tree without feeling the force of gravity. Creak! Was all Naruto heard as he was rocketed away right across the field. "AHHHHHHHH… Oomph!" He screamed before he crashed into another tree the air knocked out him, pain racking his back as if it split open. "AAAHHHHHHH!" The scream echoed across the training ground, a worried Hinata dashing to Naruto's side as he held back in tears.

THRAAAAAAAA…SWOOOOOSH…. CRACK! The sound of wind getting pushed back, thousands of leaves rustling and branches snapping in quick succession. Hinata looked at the source a dark shadow looming over as she did. Eyes widening Hinata leaped out of the shadow then BOOOOOOOM!

All of team 8 looked to now fallen twenty-meter tree in shock, Hinata quickly regained her mind as a pain filled moan whispered in her ears. "Naruto-Kun!" She shouted, rushing to his side once more.

Kurenai and Shino inspected the tree, seeing it having been smashed cleared through, splinters of various sizes scattered about from the explosion. But despite the destruction there was no burn marks, ruling out the use of explosives. Kurenai's searched the area, making sure this wasn't an attack some kind until she spotted the most likely cause. There in the ground was a burnt indent of a foot right where Naruto was standing moments ago before the accident.

'No way…' Kurenai approached investigating the indent, sure enough though her suspicions were confirmed. The indent was exactly Naruto's shoe size, the ground and grass around it flattened. 'I've heard of breaking bark by putting in too much chakra, but never bringing the whole tree down.'

Walking over to her injured student. "Naruto are you alright?"

"Why do you care…" Naruto snapped, hissing back the pain.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise, deciding to ignore it for now and get back to her injured student. "Naruto, I do care, we can't have this happening again." The boy only muttered something not looking Kurenai in the eyes. "Naruto!" She said forcibly grabbing the boy's attention. "What happened was because you put way too much chakra into your feet, please be careful." She told him, worry in her voice, the tree walking was supposed to be easy and one of the more non-dangerous chakra control exercises. Looking back to the tree though that was clearly not the case for Naruto, if it happens again he won't get away with a bruised back, she was surprised his back wasn't broken from the impact. She would hate to explain how it happened to Hokage-Sama.

"Hinata take care of Naruto." She ordered, leaving the two with a slight smile. Taking one last look, she saw Naruto glaring at her looking the other way as soon as he noticed her sight. Frowning, Kurenai, was going to have to watch Naruto more carefully today hopping her new suspicions were unfounded.

"Naruto-Kun…" The pale eyed girl whispered to her crush. As soon Naruto looked at her, his anger at Kurenai dissipated.

"I'm alright." He told her, attempting stand only to be brought back down to his feet as pain racked his back.

Hinata's eyes welled with tears at her beloved in pain, searching her pouch she located a container, offering it up to Naruto. "H-here it's some ointment it should help with the pain.

Looking at a light brown container with a Konoha symbol on it, he unzipped his jacket taking it off followed by his shirt. Red faced, Hinata's eyes were glued to the boy's muscles that were shinning slightly with a sheen of sweat. A blazing blush was developing as her mind went fuzzy. 'N-Naruto-Kun…shirtless.'

So entranced, she didn't notice Naruto taking and unscrewing the container dipping his fingers in them. Reaching his arm to his back, he tried to rubbing on the aching bruise. However, his arms stopped short as they would not reach the spot, twisting and turning into different positions trying to reach that spot only to have it hurt more. "Oooow"

Coming to her senses with Naruto's moving about ruining her show, Hinata noticed his predicament. "I-I can do it for you Naruto-Kun."

He turned to her, breathless. "Th-Thanksss." He hissed, more pain racking through him as it started to fade.

Taking back the container Hinata gently took some cream, spreading on Naruto's back a blush darkening her cheeks still. Feeling the boy jump in response. "S-Sorry…d-does it hurt?"

"N-No just cold." Naruto smile and Hinata got back to rubbing it in.

Her hands moved across his red skin, feeling his muscles against her fingers, her hands glided back and forth and under thoroughly rubbing it in. The fact she got to not only touch, but feel Naruto up was just an added bonus. As if by magic the red and purple bruise faded back away, she couldn't believe how fast it was working already, it was as if her Naruto-Kun was never hurt in the first place. She pouted that her Naruto-Kun time was going to end so soon, but then she had a thought, surely Naruto wouldn't know if she pretended to rub in for a while longer.

Naruto was blushing, his mind racing 100 miles an hour, 100% percent focused on girl's hands as they rubbed across his skin. Man, it felt so good, the pain faded really quickly replaced by the soothing warmth of her hands, the softness of her skin. Naruto was not missing a second of it. Suddenly her hands changed, her hands and fingers were no longer just rubbing, but were caressing him almost sensually. Biting his lips, he urged back a moan. God, what was he thinking, losing it over his teammate doing an act of kindness and helping him. He needed to calm down he told himself, but he felt her hands slide down his waist, stopping just at spine of his back. "Aaah…" He moaned not of pain, but of pleasure.

As if lit on fire, Hinata's hands jumped away, a daze like expression fading, the moan didn't sound like a painful one and in fact she liked it, even more that she was the one that made Naruto moan out. She shivered in pleasure, a tingling sensation in her body, a heavy blush on her cheeks. "S-sorry…" She eeped.

"N-No, thank you…" Naruto said, sporting a blush of his own. Grabbing his shirt, he quickly put it on along with his jacket. Both refused to look at each other which was quickly becoming a habit as of late.

After that Naruto and Hinata continued training with the same routine as usual, but it was as if all the progress Naruto made the day before disappeared over night, not even able to reach half of what his was record.

Displeased by this, him and his team went to the Hokage office for today's mission. "Ah team just in time, I have your next missions ready and waiting." The old man smiled.

"I hope this one is worth our time Jiji." Naruto bragged despite all the bruises and grass stains that covered him.

"Well, it is a D rank mission." To this Naruto's arms flopped, his mouth opening to moan his displeasure.

"But don't worry unlike yesterday's mission, this one will give you a lot of trouble." The aged kage's eyes twinkled with mischief that made even the village number one prankster shiver.

'Oh no.' Kurenai thought, knowing exactly what the mission was, feeling pity for her team already. 'I shouldn't have cut training short if this was the case, no genin deserves that Detestable mission.'

Kurenai was ready to try and make run for it, but faster than she could blink the mission scroll appeared in her hand.

"I leave your sensei to debrief you, have fun now." He waved off, team 8 got ready to leave, but not before Kurenai had a word with Hokage-Sama.

Outside the Tower

Kurenai opened the scroll readying the most hated mission in the history of Konohagakure. "Right, our mission is to find the lost cat Tora."

Naruto almost fell face first. "A cat, come one sensei we are ninja, not animal control." Shino and Hinata didn't speak while they silently agreed that this mission was outside the job description.

"Then you should be able to complete this easy." She said with a cocky smile.

"No problem gives us five minutes and the cat will be back home." Naruto told her.

"We shall see, the cat has brown fur with a line going down its back from the forehead and three lines on the forehead, it's has amber eyes and a red ribbon on her right ear." With that Hinata activated the Byakugan locating a few cats, but none matching the description. Making a hand sign she focused her sight reducing the field of vision and focusing on the spots were a lot of cats were gathered.

"F-Found her!" Hinata eeped, pointing in the directions.

"Nice Going Hinata!" Naruto shouted.

Watching Tora, Hinata's eyes saw two cats playing nearby thinking it was cute Hinata focused on them as one jumped on the other. 'Oh my' Turning her face red that rivaled a tomato Hinata quickly turned off her Byakugan.

"Hinata what's wrong you're red, are you not feeling well?" Naruto asked with worry.

"N-No I-I'm a-alright." She followed behind her team heading in the directions she pointed to, she hoped by the time she got there the cats would be finished with their play.

Arriving at the place Hinata saw Tora last with a quick look of her Byakugan, it took seconds to find his new position, in a dark alley with no way out the perfect spot for an ambush.

"She's in there." Hinata pointed, Naruto stepping right up pulling his sleeves up ready to catch the cat.

"Right give me a few seconds to grab her." Kurenai smiled as he said this knowing it would take a lot more than a few seconds.

"Be careful Naruto, don't underestimate her." The boy shrugged, picking up his pace ignoring his sensei completely.

Naruto entered the dark alley, quickly disappearing from the sight of his teammates. Seconds went by with no sound. "AAAAAAAH! STOP! STOP AHHHHHHH!" Shouts were heard, clangs and bangs as stuff crash to the floor.

Suddenly Naruto came tumbling out like a wreck, covering in dirt and blood, his face scratched up. Turning on all fours, very much like the creature he tried to catch he bee lined for the safest place which was right behind Hinata, making the girl blush.

"That thing is no cat!" Naruto shouted with fear, hiding behind the girl like a child or animal.

Kurenai giggled at his reaction, while Shino just raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said it would only take a few seconds." The Aburame commented earning a glare from the boy.

"I find it hard to believe you can't even catch a cat." Pushing his glasses up, as he said it in that know it all tone.

"As I said, that thing is no cat!" Naruto pointed at the alley still behind Hinata. Shino walked slowly entering the alley disappearing like Naruto did.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHH! NO, NOT THE GLASSES!NOT THE GLASSES AAAAH!" Like Naruto before him Shino tumbled out with scratches and dirt, his shades broken and face revealed.

Soon joining his teammate behind Hinata, pulling out another pair of shades. "Uzumaki-San…" Looking at him with new shades in place. "I owe you an apology, that thing is truly no cat, but a demon spawned from hell." The emotionless Aburame stated, their wish for harder mission was granted.

Kurenai giggling like a school girl in the corner wondering if her Jonin instructor found her genin days as funny as this was.

"S-Shino-San, N-Naruto-Kun…" Hinata spoke up blushing as the two boys hid behind her. Both backed off, realising what they were doing.

"I-I'm sure s-she's not that bad." To their horror, Hinata walked towards the alley.

Like before silence followed, yet no sounds of an epic fight came from subduing the feline. "Oh no you don't think she…" Naruto gulped worryingly to Shino who had a similar expression of fear.

Both boys bolted to the alley intending to rescue their teammate, nearly crashing into said teammate in the process. "Wooow" Both came to halt seeing a perfectly fine Hinata instead of a unconscious and nearly scratched to death like they expected to see.

"Meow." The sound came from Hinata both boys looked in horror as the demon cat nestled itself into her arms.

"What the hell?!" Naruto and Shino jumped away from the subdued cat in fear.

"C-Come on guys, s-she's… not that bad." The Hyuga princess said not getting what was the big deal with the cat that was sleeping in her arms.

Naruto eyed the beast with fear. "Hinata just keep it away from us." Shino agreed, not caring that it was a normal cat at the moment the terror of the demon feline was etched into his scratched face.

Hinata pouted in a way that made Naruto think was cute, but he was far from ready to give in and get close to the demon cat. Kurenai herself pouted, disappointed that the show was over and she didn't get to watch Naruto and Shino be beaten by the Konoha's demon cat more.

Team 8 made its way back to the Hokage office.

Walking into the mission room seeing it was team 8 along with the objective for the Demonic mission in hand. With a look of shock, he reached for the nearby stopwatch, pressing the button down reading the time. "What the hell… five minutes 43 seconds. You beat Itachi's record by 2 minutes." He said, sounding surprised.

"What the hell happened?" He questioned Kurenai, who only looked to Hinata.

"Our little Hyuga seems to have a way with animals." Was all she could say, the Hokage looked at a peaceful Tora for the first time since Itachi did the mission.

"Maybe I should have team 8 handle all Tora missions from now on." He joked earning a reaction from Shino and Naruto.

"NO!" Both boys shouted waking the cat up who meowed, both stepping away before the feline lost it again.

"That thing is a demon." Naruto whispered, the irony that a demon container was calling something else demonic.

Telling one of his subordinates to get the client, he congratulated team 8 marking down the new record for the Tora capture mission.

"Tora! Oh, my Tora!" A lady's voice sounded, said cat looking ready to bolt as soon as it reached his ears. She struggled to get out the comfortable arms of the girl and make another escape. But her owner arrived much faster than her size would allow. A large woman swopped the cat out of Hinata's arms squashing the poor thing to her face.

"Oh Tora, mommy was so worried!" Rubbing the crying cat to her face.

"Serves the cat right for the hell he put us through." Naruto smirked in revenge Shino doing the same, watching every sweet second the cat was squashed by her owner.

"Emmm…Mrs…" The women glared at Hinata for interrupting her and her Tora's heartfelt reunion. "I-I think you're h-hurting her." She struggled to get out thanks to the women's glare, the Hokage and Kurenai give her shocked looks.

"What do you know girl." The women said spitefully, before noticing Hinata's eyes and unmarked forehead.

Hinata withdrew from the women's spiteful voice, Naruto was about to respond and protect his friend when at that exact moment Tora was freed jumping into Hinata's arms and nestling itself there quietly, much to her owner's surprise.

"I-I just thought if you held her gentler s-she wouldn't run away any more." Hinata whispered, almost ready to burst into tears from lady's earlier words. The women scooped up Tora gently, this time the cat not protesting at all. Walking over to the Hokage she thanked him and gave him a wad of cash, leaving the room without another word.

"Hinata?" Hinata looked to the Hokage realising she may have done something wrong. "The woman you just spoke to was Madam Shijimi, the wife of the Fire Daimyō." Going pale recognising the name and the trouble she caused not only for village, but for her clan as well.

Vision darkening, she fell back into a warm embrace fainting once more, Naruto being the one to catch her.

"Well by the looks of it Shijimi-Sama wasn't too upset. She actually gave you quite a bonus." Said Hiruzen, sorting out their payment and giving it to them Kurenai taking Hinata's and the next mission scroll.

Minutes later Hinata awoke, echoes of voices about and a single one standing out from all other that promoted her to wake up sooner.

'Not again.' Was Hinata's thought as she woke up with terrible blush. Seeing Naruto talking with Shino, well more like Naruto speaking out loud while the Aburame stood like a statue.

"You awake Hinata-Chan?" Naruto asked, seeing her move.

Nodding, embarrassed that for the second day in a row she fainted in front of her crush. "Good…" Naruto with honest relief, he was sure it wasn't the norm for a girl to keep on fainting and was starting to get worried.

Hinata looked at Naruto's face as best she could seeing scratches from Tora through mostly healed and no longer bleeding the dry blood and indents made them look worse than they were to the girl.

"N-Naruto-Kun." Offering him the same ointment she applied earlier.

"Thanks!" He gave her that smile that sent her heart throbbing. Taking the container Naruto spread some on his hand with a sizzle and light smoke what was left of his scratches disappeared in seconds.

"Wow this is amazing!" He exclaimed opening and close his hand that was literally spotless besides some dry blood.

"I-It's n-nothing that special…j-just some herbs mixed together." Hinata said, Naruto looking at her in awe.

"Y-You mean you made this by yourself?" Blushing from having his intense gaze on her, she nodded.

'Oh, why did his eyes have to be so blue.' The more she caught his gaze the more it seemed to suck her in.

"That's great Hinata! This stuff is great I hope you'll make some more for me." Naruto smiled at her, making her dizzy. Applying more to his face, his scratches vanished even quicker.

"I-I'd love to!" Was the girls answer.

"Great, I'll come to you for all my injuries, you'll be like my own personal doctor." If Hinata took care of him, he'll no longer need to go to that dreadful hospital and eat the abomination they call food.

Her face steaming up, she nodded her agreement much to the boy's delight, but in her head, she was having different thoughts. She herself walking up to a bed ridden Naruto wearing a sexy nurses outfit. 'Let's see how I can make you all better Naruto-Kun.' Her dream self-whispered seductively as dream Naruto grabbed her by the hip whispering in her ear. 'Oh, how could I not feel better with you here.'

While Hinata was imaging what a patient Naruto would do to nurse Hinata Naruto offered Shino the ointment.

"That won't be necessary, my insects have already taken care of it." Naruto blinked at that.

"How?" He asked, Shino pushed his shades up as he started to talk in length about the glorious being's insects were.

"Insects are able to generate a wax substance in their bodies using the substances they digest, they then use this wax to repair and build their nests. My kikaichu can do the same using my chakra and substances in my body to producing a substance that aggravates cellular generation." He finished up which was the most he said all day.

"Soooo your bugs heal you." As usual the boy simplified the long-winded explanation.

"Yes." Shino answered with one word slightly annoyed at his summary.

"Good Hinata's awake." Kurenai walked into the room. "Any longer and I was going to have Naruto carry you again." She told her, making a red Hinata even redder.

Handing Hinata her mission money she went on to brief them on the next mission. "Right team 8 next mission is two-step, will first be handing delivers on the way to our second mission point where the client wants use to fix up their house."

"Not again." Naruto moaned, Kurenai looking at him.

"Well, if you want to chase another… cat I'm sure it can be arranged." She said slyly, Naruto visibly shivered changing his tune quickly.

"Good Naruto go and wash your face first." Kurenai told him.

"Why?" He responded, both Shino and Hinata could tell why though Naruto's face was still covered in blood.

"Because you can't show up in front of clients covered in blood. You don't see Shino covered in blood." Both Hinata and Naruto looked realising she was right Hinata assumed he got cleaned up after she fainted, but for the life of him Naruto couldn't figure out when he left to wash up.

Leaving for the bathroom, Naruto quickly went to wash up.

Team 8 made deliveries of letters and packages on a route given to them by the assignment desk workers.

"Here it is." Hinata said Naruto handing her the package from the bag they got.

Hinata walked to the door, her eyes glancing at Naruto as she did. Every delivery they made today Naruto refused to step on the client's property purposely avoiding having to deliver the letters himself.

With a knock the client opened the door, Hinata handed him the package with a smile which she happily returned. But his smile turned to a sneer as he spotted Naruto like the rest their clients. "I better find everything there." The comment was obviously not for her, making the girl angry.

"Sir, I assure you that we have delivered the packaged given to us by our superiors in perfect condition if something is wrong take it up with them and not the ones doing their job." Hinata stomped off it was the same with every client. They were nice at first until they saw Naruto making accusations and other rude remarks. Luckily, this was the last delivery otherwise someone was going to end up with a Juken strike soon.

Making her way back to her team Naruto didn't walk in step behind the others Hinata matching her pace to join him, but he was unusually quiet. It was easy to see why, in the crowded streets, the villagers made no attempt to hid their disgust and hate for the boy.

There next destination was a house with an overgrown garden and a broken roof tiles. "This is it." This time Kurenai walked to the door knocking once an old man answering the door.

"Yes?"

"We were sent for a D rank mission to clean up the place." She stated professionally. The old man smiled, looking at the genin team, at his age this wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last he hired a genin team. But much to his shock, he saw the demon child standing there along with Konoha's young ninja.

Noticing the glare before the man even had a chance to deny or say anything she shot him down. "Sir, I assure you that the genin will complete the mission with me as their supervisor…" A simple genjutsu to make her eyes glow, the old man relented knowing that lying to a ninja wasn't a bright idea.

"Fine, but everything better be perfect when I get back." The old man got ready to leave and leave the genin to their work.

"Weed and trim the garden, fix the roof tiles and do the dishes in the sink." He said walking past her, the old man shoved past Naruto with a whisper of demon. Despite the insult, the boy stood there taking the mockery, but unable to hide what happened to his teammates. However, before they question him Kurenai put them to work.

"Right Hinata, Naruto, start on the garden you'll find some tools start for weeding and the trimming. Shino you'll with me on the roof." Team 8 split up on their tasks.

Kurenai was watching Shino fix the roof, with some spare tiles and cement. It was an easy if not a tedious job. She could have had Naruto or Hinata do it, but she thought it best to leave it Shino. While both Naruto and Hinata like gardening, she didn't know if Naruto would be able to tell the weeds from the flowers and the boy had a habit of using more strength than necessary something the tiles wouldn't be able to take.

Happy with Shino doing the job, the boy using his bugs to help lay the cement as they ate and mixed their own stronger wax with it, she turned her thoughts to another problem. Naruto, while at first glance the boy looked fine at first, they have been subtle and not so subtle hints that something was wrong and whatever it was it was pointed at her. The boy got along great with Shino and Hinata, but the young Jinchuuriki always questioned her when she asked him to do something. Not only that, but his reaction to her attempt to help him after the accident this morning was met with hostility. Kurenai needed to find the problem and get rid of it at the source.

"Sensei?" The voice of the boy she was thinking about sounded. Turning, she saw Naruto standing on the ladder.

"Hinata asked me if you wanted any help?" He asked, not caring much.

Looking down at Hinata wondering why the heck she would send her crush over here, the answer came as she saw ten Naruto's following Hinata's orders as she pointed away with Byakugan active. One of the clones went up to present Hinata with a flower much to the girl's delight.

This made Kurenai literally shocked, she was familiar with the principles of the Bushin no Jutsu and that was that while most clones made of an element could fight, they could only do simple commands or be controlled directly by the caster at the tenth of the casters strength. "Are you a clone or the real thing?" Kurenai asked and the Naruto answered clone. She saw it yesterday, but this confirmed it his clones were capable of speech and independent thought something even the most seasoned ninja can't do with other forms of clones. She had no idea if this was because of it being a Kage Bushin or not, she would need to teach Naruto varieties of the jutsu as well as look up Shadow Clones herself.

"No, we're good here, tell Hinata that once the weeding is done, leave Naruto to trim the garden and go do the dishes." The clone went to leave with a nod. "Wait…" She ordered. "Naruto is something wrong, you seem…distressed lately."

"I'm fine." The clone said bluntly with a slight glare, it wasn't like she cared anyway. He left before she could ask more, this wasn't going to be easy.

Seeing the clone approach Hinata with a smile talking happily as he railed her orders Kurenai got an idea.

Later

Inside the house Hinata was cleaning the dishes. It was a simple one which she tried to help her clansmen do only for them to tell that such chores are beneath her. While she cleaned, her mind was filled with one thing, Naruto. In just three days they've gotten so close and she was enjoying every minute of it. Her hand touched the flower Clone-Kun gave her. While they looked like Naruto, once she calmed herself down, she could tell them apart which made it a million times easier to talk and be around them.

"Hinata?" The voice of her sensei called, turning around she saw Kurenai looking at her with a soft smile.

"Thinking about Naruto?" As if a switch was flipped, Hinata turned her famous red.

"Don't worry Hinata, I'm rooting for you, but I have concerns with Naruto." In a span of minute Hinata went from embarrassment to cold Hyuga eyes that Kurenai didn't know the girl had in her.

"Concerns?" She stated bluntly, hopping that Kurenai wasn't thinking of kicking Naruto off the team. Her tone was monotone that made Kurenai wonder if Hinata was switched out somehow, because she was like a different person.

'I better be careful, where Naruto is concerned Hinata will react aggressively to defend him and I don't need two of my genin hating me.' Looking at Hinata's unmoving eyes. "Yes, I feel that Naruto…dislikes me and I am hoping you can help smooth things over since he's close to you."

"Were not that close." Anger slipping now that Hinata thought on it knowing a specific reason why Naruto would hold a grudge on their sensei.

"Please Hinata, Naruto has been all over you since the test. Regardless, if it's training or missions he makes an effort to stay near you." Her cold demeanour faulted at this. "He is also the first to your side if you faint." Kurenai smiled, loving watching young love, but she had business to take care of first.

"Anyway, I need to know why Naruto doesn't like me, I tried asking, but he shrugged it off and ignored me." She said sadly, Hinata almost found herself pitying her until an image of a broken Naruto crying recoiled in her mind.

"No!" She stated with no hesitation. "You deserve this after what you did and you even forgot about it." The shy girl all but spat, causing Kurenai to withdraw.

'Shit, what was happening? Hinata seems to know what it is and is angry that I don't know. Just what the hell did I do.'

"Do you really not remember?" Hinata questioned glaring at the women with pupil-less eyes. "During the test y-you used a genjutsu to torture my Naruto-Kun!" She all but shouted, not carrying that she said my as if Naruto was hers.

It didn't take long for Kurenai's brain to connect the dots, from Naruto's reaction to her genjutsu. With cause of the situation known, she could now defuse the tension between them.

"Hinata look that was an accident." The genjutsu mistress tried to defend, only to be shocked.

"Bullshit!" Hinata anger speaking for saying words she normally never says. "You're a Jonin and a genjutsu expert, there is no way you would not realise what that genjutsu would do to him."

"Hinata! The jutsu was only supposed to trap him and not hurt him." By the glare she received the Byakugan princess was far from believing her. "Listen Hinata I was worried about Naruto's reaction as well-" A bit for a different reason. "And spoke to Hokage-Sama, he mentioned that genjutsu effect was magnified by an event Naruto suffered the day prior I meant no harm I swear."

Kurenai pleads seemed to reach her, as Hinata stiffened at hearing the term event and Sakura's harsh words came to mind.

"I-I see… did you really mean no harm?" Hinata asked, her reaction giving away that she knew what transpired to make her genjutsu affect Naruto the way it did.

"Yes, believe me I would never hurt my students." Kurenai answered honestly.

"Alright, I'll speak to Naruto, but whether he forgives you is up to him." Kurenai smiled leaving Hinata to her work. That was stressful, but once they get passed the rocky road the team will only get stronger. But she really wanted to know what happened with Naruto, but like the Hokage said, getting from anyone, but Naruto would hurt his trust in her and she didn't need that now.

It was almost evening the sky turning fiery orange as dusk set in. Hinata finished her task, Naruto was still doing the garden, but would be finished soon. Planning to help Hinata took a step towards her crush.

"Hinata-San?" The voice surprised her having not noticed the presence of another. She turned to her teammate Shino, who by the looks of it finished his own task.

"Yes Shino-San?" Hinata asked, she took note of how Shino said her name and not clan name, but the use of san honorific still implied a sense of politeness that was beating into them as children of noble clans.

"I wish to discuss something with you?" The Aburame asked, Hinata smiled and nodding, giving her confirmation happy to help out her teammate.

"It's about Uzumaki-San, the villager's treatment of him seems odd." Hinata understood, she wonders for years about it and was still no closer to the truth.

"Yes, the villagers hate Naruto-Kun, but I don't know why." Hinata said sadly, if she knew just maybe she could help her Naruto-Kun after all identifying the problem was the first step to fixing it.

"Yes, but the hate seems to be far too much and widespread for a mere problem child." This earned him a glare from Hinata for referring to her Naruto-Kun as a problem child.

"Agreed, even my Otou-sama and my clan know of Naruto even though Naruto has never really done anything to us, not only that, but opinion seem to be split." She told him remembering her Otou-sama reaction at her graduation celebration and how he defended Naruto if indirectly.

"Very peculiar, for major clans to have a reason to hate him or even argue about it means that it is something far more complicated then pulling mere pranks." Shino responded, thinking heavily on the matter.

"N-Naruto-Kun only pulled pranks for attention… if it wasn't for the villagers and everyone ignoring him Naruto-Kun would have never done them!" The Hyuga added her two cents. After practically stalking the boy, she knew Naruto's antics better than anyone else and the reason behind them.

"I asked O-Otou-sama about him, but he refused to talk saying I would need to ask Naruto-Kun myself." Hinata hands pulled up to her chest in worry.

Pushing his shades up Shino responded with a plan of action. "I doubt Uzumaki-San is ready to trust us with that information just yet considering his recent actions it is highly likely, he will do all he can to hide it from us." Hinata frowned at this, knowing he was right just by how Naruto avoided talking about the villager's reaction to him and tried to ignore it. It was sad that her crush didn't trust her, despite the fact that all she wants is to help and be there for him.

"The only option is to find out ourselves." Was the Aburame's final suggestion, his teammate was conflicted between wanting to know and help her beloved, or to trust him and wait until he was ready, even if it didn't come. Would peering into Naruto's privacy be betraying him? What if he found out? What would she do then…?

The mission was over the team returning to the Hokage's tower for their reward, this time receiving it directly from the Hokage himself. Naruto was surprised to be given an envelope with over 10,000 ryo in it, but the look of the old man as he received let him know it wasn't a mistake.

Team 8 went their separate ways, except for Naruto, who was stopped by his shy teammate. "N-Naruto-Kun?"

Turning to a blushing Hyuga who was fidgeting slightly. avoiding looking at him so much that he would doubt if he was really called. "C-could I talk for you f-for…a minute."

"Sure, but could we do it over ramen, I'm starved." As if on cue his stomach was growling making Hinata release a giggle. Nodding, her face turned bright red as Naruto leading the way asking herself one question.

Did this count as a date?

As the two walked along, Hinata found herself walking a familiar path, one she walked many times as she watched Naruto from afar.

Soon a small brown stand with a white banner came into view. Naruto lifted up the banner, waiting enough for Hinata to enter before he put it down. Hinata knew he was just being a gentleman and no romantic feelings were behind it, but still it took her breath away with how considerate he was to her. This was the side that none of their classmates knew of, they didn't know just how kind and caring Naruto really was.

"Hey old man, I need some ramen!" Naruto shouted in the store.

"When don't you ever need ramen Naruto?" Teuchi smiled before noticing a pretty girl with short blue hair and pale eyes. He blinked twice to make sure, but the girl was still there. "My my Naruto, you brought girl around and pretty one at that, you better be sure keep her." He laughed as the boy and girl blushed, Naruto saying that wasn't so while the girl just looked away.

"It's not like that at all, she's just a teammate!"

"Sure…" By the boy's reaction it was obvious that wasn't entirely true. Finally, Naruto brought a friend and not just any, but a girlfriend from the noblest clan the village had who was equivalent to a princess.

Hinata frowned slightly at the mention of just being a teammate, but quickly took a seat next to Naruto. "One miso ramen please! Hinata what will have? My treat."

Hinata looked in surprise that Naruto was offering to buy her dinner, Kami-Sama this was really turning out like a date. "Y-You don't have to do that…N-Naruto-Kun." She told him, despite how delighted his offer made her feel.

"Nonsense, I just got a big pay check and besides a man is supposed to pay for the woman's food." He told her quoting what his Nee-san told him.

She couldn't refuse partially due to the fact she wanted him to pay for her as if it were a date and partially because the words he said meant he was looking at her as a woman.

Giving the ok. "I'll have a miso as well then please." She told the chef in a quiet voice. Teuchi went about preparing the two bowls.

"My, my Otouto what do we have here?" Ayame came from the other room smiling slyly at the boy.

"Ayame-Nee-chan!" Naruto said happily, waving a hand towards Hinata. "This is Hinata, my teammate."

Ayame eyed the girl getting closer she looking the girl up and down, making her fidget uncomfortably in her seat. Until finally... "I approve. You got yourself a good girlfriend Otouto." She stated, making the boy almost fall from his seat.

Hinata was blushing madly, her fingers poking together embarrassed, but happy about being mistaken as his girlfriend by some of his closest people. Hinata inspected the girl, having seen her from afar before, but up close she looked truly beautiful and was slightly jealous of how close the woman was to her Naruto-Kun. But considering how she had good taste, Hinata was sure the two would get along.

Hinata watched the two argue like real sibling that reminded her of her own. Right when Hinata pulled a sad face two bowls of ramen was placed before them.

"Come now Naruto you even insisted that it was the man job to pay, that isn't something you do for a normal friend." Teuchi laughed as the boy whispered traitor.

"Ah, I see all my lessons on how treat girls are finally paying off." The waitress stated smugly, knowing this day would come.

Naruto ignored that comment, going straight to more important business, his ramen. Hinata joined him finding that it was one of the best things she ever tasted, ordering a second right after finishing her first.

Several Bowls Later

Naruto was looking on in wonder after Hinata finished her 10th bowl, two more than him. Noticing her crush's gaze, the Hyuga princess blushed, fidgeting after realising just how much she ate and how un-lady like it was. Kami if her Otou-sama saw this.

"Wow, that is amazing Hinata, I thought I was the only one who could put away that much ramen." It wasn't long after that comment that Hinata started pushing her hands together at the praise.

Naruto paid for their meal, leaving him with only half of his original pay, but still it was worth it. Eating with a friend was so much better then eating alone.

"Hinata, make sure to visit again. Naruto's girl is always welcome here!" Ayame gave one last shout as they left, embarrassing the couple more.

Teuchi had ryo signs for eyes as he looked at the big pile of bowls left from his favourite customers. He was also well aware that was far from the max Naruto could eat and by the looks of it, this Hinata girl could keep up with Naruto bowl for bowl. Teuchi had a vision of the future a little blond boy sitting in-between an older Naruto and Hinata, behind them mountains upon mountains of ramen bowls. "Hehe, I'm going to be rich."

Ayame looked on worryingly as her Tou-san laughed creepily.

'What would work best to get them together a romantic table with candles, or a single bowl romantic special ramen.' Even if it was the last thing he did, he was going to get those two together. The money he'll make would be enough last two life times and if their children loved ramen just as much as them then Ichiraku's will live on for forever. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha…"

Ayame slowly stepped away from her hysterical father.

Hinata and Naruto were about to part ways when, talking as they surprisingly Hinata was most vocal wanting to know more about Naruto and his surrogate family.

"T-They… were really nice." Hinata told him, mentally patting herself on the back for starting up the conversation with her crush.

"Yeah Ayame-Nee-chan and Teuchi-Jiji are super nice, though Ayame can be a bit annoying at times wanting me to eat my veggies." Despite his complaint, the smile on his face showed that he was truly touched about how much they cared and that Naruto cared about them just as much as they cared for him, maybe even more.

"Oh, Naruto-Kun, veggies are good for you, you won't grow otherwise." She giggled with her eyes closed and hand to her lip. When she next opened her eyes, Naruto was gone looking behind her she saw her beloved unmoving his mouth wide open.

"Noooo! Hinata, not you too!" He cried anime tears. "Veggies are evil, but don't worry, I will save you from them and show you the food of the gods that is ramen." He declared proudly, hand in the air.

"Te Te Te Te Te…" Hinata giggled, before blowing into all out laughter, Naruto soon joined her.

"Naruto-Kun, they aren't that bad." Hinata told him with a twinkle in her eyes, she was chatting and laughing with her crush and it was wonderful.

"Yes they are, veggies are the food of the devil or disgusting and gross I can't stand them." The whisker boy exaggerated.

"Well then I will just have to cook some for you and show you that even veggies can taste good." Being brave, drunk off the happiness she feels, Hinata challenged Naruto's opinion.

"Yeah right, as if! You may be amazing Hinata, but even you can't make the greens taste good." His words made the girl blush, looking away, she whispered just enough to be barely audible.

"Challenge accepted."

Naruto kept smiling, catching up to her, once more walking by her side. The Hyuga princess wished this moment could last together, but sadly the time to part came all to quick, not surprising considering Hinata lives in the richest part of the village and Naruto the poorest. It was almost as if the village itself was telling them they can't be together, yet the two got along better than anyone else.

Hinata wished to stay with Naruto even a bit longer, and then suddenly she remembered why she asked to speak to Naruto. "Ummm…Naruto-Kun?"

Oceanic blue turned to her and she felt herself sinking to their depths, her mind fogging up, but she managed to get her words out. "Do-do you not…like Kurenai-Sensei?" She asked, Naruto's smile vanishing, replaced with a frown. Hinata was cursing herself, wanting to bring back his smile. A frown didn't suit him, his sun kissed hair and oceanic eyes were made to shine and smile like the sun.

"Yeah…" He stated half-heartily the mood killed as he remembered their so-called sensei.

"I-Is it because of the genjutsu from the test?" Naruto looked up, remembering that embarrassing moment where he broke down in front of Hinata. So much has happened and he's been having so much fun with Hinata lately that he forgot all about those traumatising illusions.

"No, no I forgot about that…" His blue eyes, dulled slightly as the memory.

'On no what have I done.' She just reminded her Naruto-Kun of some painful memories all because she misunderstood. She was ready to apologise and cry when Naruto kept talking.

"I-It's just Kurenai…Sensei…" He corrected himself, his heart heavy yet he still talked. The Jinchuuriki didn't understand why he was telling Hinata, all his feelings and resentment just came flooding out, his heart opening for the girl, secretly longing for something. "She doesn't seem to want to teach me."

Hinata was surprised by this. Naruto's hair was now a dull yellow, his eyes were also full of sadness. She thought back to what Kurenai said to her earlier, to Hinata it seemed their sensei really did care for Naruto and how he thought of her. "W-What makes you think that?"

Fisting his hands, his eyes darkened with anger that drove his sadness away. "Because she doesn't want to teach me!" Tears welled up to fall, but they just stayed where they were as if frozen. He was strong, he wouldn't cry so easily not again, crying never solved anything and was a waste for him. "No matter how hard I tried she always complains about what I'm doing wrong. She gives nothing but praise to you and Shino, even though I was the one winning!" He growled slightly with each word, his heart hammering and blood pumping in anger. "A-And…"

"And she dumped me on to some else!" Naruto practically shouted, feeling a feeling he hasn't felt for a long-time, abandonment of his teacher, just like all the sensei he had before Iruka.

"What?" Hinata said surprised. This was the first she heard of it. If it was true, it was no wonder Naruto was so upset, he's been abandoned by sensei's and villager's one after another to have it happen again must hurt so much.

Hearing her what Naruto explained further. "This morning Kurenai called me out to train…" His breathing was heavy from the emotions he was restraining. "B-But not with her with another Jonin, because I wasn't good enough, she didn't want to teach me herself!"

Seconds after he said that, warmth enveloped him along with a sweet smell that made his anger dissipate. He felt the weight of a body on him as arms squeezed him tightly. "I'm sorry Naruto-Kun." Hinata said, hugging him tightly trying to convey her feelings to him.

She felt his arms wrapping around her, his weight leaning on her as his face buried itself in-between her neck and shoulder. "I-I don't know what Kurenai wants, but I-I think you need to talk to her and make your feelings clear." Naruto listened and was conflicted. He was afraid of hearing another one of his sensei say they didn't want him, but the fact that it was Hinata who said it made him want to do it just to make her happy.

The two stood together hugging under the moonlight for a few minutes before they finally thought they were stood there too long. Both pulled away, clinging to one another with an unsaid desire to stay in the other's arms. Both went their separate ways, one to place with no waiting for him, the other going to family that didn't care for her. In truth, the only ones that truly matter to each was the one they were walking away from.

Next Day

Hinata was walking into the training ground, spotting Kurenai already there, but no sign of Shino and to her great disappointment Naruto as well.

"M-Morning Sensei…" Hinata greeted her politely, Kurenai returning it with a smile.

"Morning Hinata." Hinata was inspecting Kurenai, she was truly a beautiful woman that even Hinata couldn't help but admirer that crimsons eyes that sparkled like rubies and long silky black hair that one would just love to touch. Not to mention a figure that would have any man drool over her. But it wasn't just her looks she admired in the few days she known her, she's seen Kurenai as a kind and respectable teacher even if at times she could be strict she seemed to truly want help her and Shino out. Yet this made her question why was Naruto treated differently the thought that someone she came to respect could be no different than all the teachers that purposely ignored or sabotaged Naruto made her feel angry and betrayed.

For a second, she hesitated, but she needed to know just whose side was Kurenai Yuhi on. "S-Sensei…" Stuttering as she spoke out the word, her heart a mixture of several feelings. Once Kurenai looked her way, Hinata continued what she wanted and needed to ask.

"I-Is…it true y-you…d-dumped Naruto-Kun on someone else?" Her voice was quiet and unsure, stuttering every word, but the closer she got to the end the more strength and resolve that she found nearly shouted out the last bit.

Kurenai's reaction was one of shock. Her eyes wide as her mind put together what Hinata meant and it wasn't long for her to put together what Naruto's point of view was. Honestly, she felt like trapping herself into one of her torture genjutsu. She studied psychology for kami's sake yet missed the obvious signs of Naruto's discontent and why a genjutsu user needed to learn how their target thought yet she failed to apply that to her teaching. She hated to admit, but in her desire to teach she failed. Too caught up in actually being able to be a Jonin sensei despite her lack of experience. Her hand covered her lips guiltily showing in her eyes and self-loathing.

Hinata's keen eyes were watching Kurenai like a hawk, her family would say that her ability to read the opponents inattentions were subpar at best, but when it came to emotions and empathising there was no better Hyuga. This was especially so when the matter was about her beloved Naruto-Kun, years of watching him she saw the not so hidden feelings of the villagers and it was easy to spot, not even train ninja could keep themselves in check completely. The guilt she saw from Kurenai made her happy knowing this was all a misunderstanding and Kurenai didn't purposely neglect her Naruto-Kun, but also sad, because she still ended up the neglecting the one person who has been neglected his whole life.

Calming herself down, Kurenai now corrected her way of thinking was going to explain just what she intended for Naruto. "Hinata, I'm sorry. While it is true I sent Naruto to someone else for training, it was by no means me dumping him off." She spat the word out with venom and shame knowing that was how Naruto and anyone else who didn't know Gai would see it.

"Naruto's training till now as far been the best thanks to some sensei's not doing their job right…" More venom was spat just at the thought of what teachers were doing when they are supposed to help and guide their students not make them fail. "The amount of time it would have taken to fix and re-teach everything that Naruto was taught wrong would take a long time. So, I enlisted the help of specialist that would be able to get Naruto up to speed and over what he should already be at."

Hinata seemed to accept that answer, but… "I'm not the one you need to tell that to." Those words pierced deeper than any kunai. Kurenai made a mistake and would now have to confront and fix it.

Kurenai let the training continue like usual with Taijutsu and Ninjutsu spars, it was only when they reached the chakra control session did she make her move to right her wrongs.

"Naruto please come here for a second." Kurenai asked kindly. Naruto walked over in discontent, that now that she was looking for Kurenai could see. It surprised her how well the loud boy was when it came to hiding his emotions, she highly doubted that if she didn't study psychology for genjutsu that even she would be unable to spot just what he hides.

She took him away to a separate clearing so as not to disturb Hinata and Shino.

"Look Naruto, I believe there has been a misunderstanding between us." Naruto brows raised slightly, but the boy made no other outward reactions.

"When I handed you over to Gai for training it wasn't to… dump you." She had a hard time saying those words and making sure Naruto accepts her apology was going to hard.

"Oh really?" The sarcastic voice proved her thoughts.

"Yes, Naruto I really do want to be your teacher-"

"Then why don't you teach me anything!" Naruto shouted cutting her off. "I learned more from Bush Brow-Sensei than in the few days you've been my sensei."

"That is exactly why I sent you to him." The genjutsu mistress replayed. "Look Naruto, you have the potential, but your academy teachers never helped bring it out and instead taught you wrong. This especially goes for your taijutsu." She told him, Naruto paused, taking in her words, but still glaring at her.

"As I told you on the day we meet, I specialise in genjutsu the polar opposite of taijutsu. Gai on the other hand is the villages leading expert on that. While I could re-teach you myself, it would consume a lot more time just to get the basics, while with Gai you can get caught up and even further than what you're already supposed to be at." Kurenai told him sincerely her crimson eyes filled with honest intent to make up.

Naruto couldn't deny that, he knew besides Iruka none of his other sensei ever gave him half the attention they gave other students. He was also learning a completely new style that he could literally feel the improvements he was making but…

"Then why is it that you always give compliments to Shino or Hinata, yet you almost always say something negative to me!" He cried, he hated how she toyed with his heart, telling him did good only to turn it around being harsh.

"I'm sorry…" That was the first thing she said. "I didn't mean to sound harsh Naruto, it's…it's just so aggravating seeing your potential being wasted." The Jinchuuriki was taken aback, yesterday Gai said he had potential and now Kurenai was saying the same thing.

"You don't understand it Naruto, but what are doing against Hinata and Shino is impressive and something most other people will never be able to emulate. Your Taijutsu, despite being a mess, you are still able to push them in a corner." Naruto didn't like being called mess, but her next words appeased him. "If you fix the basics and get a proper style, you would most likely be more than a match for Sasuke."

"Then there is your Kage Bushin no Jutsu. Naruto it is a Jonin B rank jutsu. Most Jonin can manage one or two without feeling the drain yet you can use dozens with no problem." Until now the boy didn't realise his new signature jutsu was so hard. Sure he trained really hard, but once he had it down it was piece of cake for him to use it.

"But you don't use them effectively, if you face a genin you can easily overpower them with numbers, but against Chunin or higher that won't work. If you used tactics and strategies with your clones, you'll be able to beat Chunin and once you improve even Jonin won't be able to stand up against you. You are literally a one-man army, you just need to act like it." Naruto was looking down now, he was happy to hear her say that, but didn't know any other way to use shadow clones.

Kneeling down to his level. "Naruto, the potential is there, but you are handicapping yourself. I don't say what I say to be mean, but because I truly want you to improve and become the Kage that I am sure you will be."

Her words meant a lot, but what mattered most was that she believed he could be Kage which meant more than anything else. But Naruto was still far from ready to trust her, but Kurenai was on the right track.

"Alright. As an apology I will teach you a new jutsu." Hearing their words, the blond boy instantly perked up.

"However, from now on if you feel something is wrong with how I am doing it say and I will properly explain it. Agreed?" Naruto nodded, eager to learn a new jutsu.

"Alright, what I am going to teach you is the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Jutsu)" With that she made hand seal for tiger. Disappearing in a puff of smoke. Looking for her Naruto couldn't spot her when.

"Behind you."

"Aaaaaah!" He jumped for the sudden voice.

"This jutsu is high speed movement, do you remember what you did to make the tree fall over yesterday?" Receiving an embarrassed nod of no she explained. "You poured so much chakra into your feet that it exploded out. This Jutsu uses a similar technique, you focus a large amount of chakra through your whole body, vitalising it and then releasing a large burst of chakra from your feet. This propels you forward, giving the impression you teleported." The starts Naruto had in his eyes told Kurenai that she had his full attention.

"This a D rank, but useful jutsu that once you get the hang of it can be done without seals, ninja also add an element to it like smoke you saw or leaves to hide movements. Now make the tiger sign."

Naruto did as she said, eagerly ready to learn such a cool jutsu. "Now focus your chakra like you do for tree climbing, but through your whole body as if a little explosion was going off from your navel." She could almost see the air around the boy humming, if someone with large chakra it was better to start off big and work down. With so much chakra in his body it was easier to focus on bigger area rather than a smaller one.

"Now, next release a small amount of it from your feet while visualising the direction you want to go." The next seconded Naruto disappeared with a rush of speed, followed by loud…

"OW!"

She smiled. Even if it was D rank the distance for travelling more than a meter was hard to reach even more to control it perfectly. "Good, but you need to work on distance control. Try again, but with a smaller burst of chakra from your feet. Continue until you can get the right amount to travel without crashing into anything."

The two-continued practising until Naruto could safely travel up to five meters away from his position.

Heading back to the other two members of team 8 both out of breath, both looked to see Naruto worn out for once and slightly bruised, but with a big grin on his face.

Hinata smiled knowing that meant everything was taken care of between Kurenai and Naruto.

Team 8 stopped for lunch which just happened to be prepared by their own princess. Hinata handed Naruto's bento who took it with his heart stopping grin.

Opening it looking forward to another one of Hinata's lovely meals, he was shocked to see nothing but green. Looking at her with dismay, she leaned over and whispered. "Y-You…better it eat all or no more Bentos for you."

Naruto forgot one of the basics rules for men, all women where scary and kind hearted Hinata was no exception to the rule. Regretting challenging her, he silently ate his greens.

'Damn it.' He was wrong. Hinata did the impossible and made veggies taste good, but they were far from the juicy taste of meat. Luckily for him, Hinata added some of his favourites underneath that he would only be able to see after he finished all the veggies.

Author's Note:

God that took so long to do and proof read, over 18,000 words when I only had five points in total to cover when I planned this chapter. Well first so sorry for the wait and not posting for not one, but two months, but got a huge chapter so it evens out.

Also as for Tenten's surname I honestly have no idea where it is from I just know that fanfics use it a lot so I used to since it sounds natural, the name itself means cicada or the cry a cicada makes, there is also a anime and visual novels with it in.

Second, I would like say that I added more ideas to my profile, which is making me go for god sake since I don't have time to write them even though I am so tempted to start them. Anyway, to share the love if anyone wants to use them my ideas are…

A Kunoichi's Greatest Weapon- Where Hinata kidnapping by cloud succeeds, but she escapes and ends up in the care of a mercenary unit. Years later team 7 captures her after the Sasuke retrieval arc only for her to seduce Naruto and escape.

Kingdom Hearts: World of Shinobi – Note not a crossover, but heavily inspired by the game. Starts in wave arc. Basically, Heartless start to appear and Naruto gets a keyblade, but will only stay in Naruto verse may be sequel about traveling to other worlds though.

A Demon Baby(AU) – Inspired by Beelzebub manga which I recommend, basically same story/concept just with Naruto characters and some twists haven't really planned it out yet. Besides Oga being Naruto and Aoi being Hinata.

Blind Fox - Blinded in an attack by the villagers Naruto awakens The Mind's Eye of the Kagura and Kurama's emotional sensing. With his new powers Naruto find out that his blindness is both a blessing and a curse.

More details can be found on my profile and I am free to discuss if anyone wants to use my ideas.

I am going to try and shorten the coming chapters so I can post quicker.

Please Review:)

Naruto and Hinata Forever:)