Hi guys sorry it's been so long, here's the unbetaed but re-edited version.

chibichibi98 - Kakashi is a bit slow on the uptake I will admit, and Naruto will have so fun at his expense that's what plan anyway.

I have two minds on Sasuke he's an evil git I think, but he does see something in Naruto that he's not sure he likes. That's how I view him in this story at the moment. But he is generally an evil git.

Naruto holds back whenever he and Sasuke fight.

I love writing Asuma, Naruto, Konohamaru moments because it's fun and they really adapted to being a family, and yes it was my favourite part.

Does that answer some of your questions? I don't want to give too much away, also it might make sense in my head but not to others. Cat is my own creation, I don't why I picked the cat masked ANBU but I did. He was a small child when the fourth was hokage, that's all you're getting from me. I like being different with the ANBU masks like Itachi is a Rabbit (Hare), rather than a weasel.

Thank you for the alerts and reviews.

Naruto = flash back

'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking

"Naruto" signing/sign language

"Naruto" speaking.

"Naruto" Demon

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.

Chapter 25

Naruto looked up suddenly a cold chill had descended around him. His back became ramrod straight as his head snapped to the side. Something had happened, something bad had happened to team Takeru.

(Line)

Nami's head spun round, ears twitching as it faced the window; the Hokage looked up as the cat startled. Nami only ever did that when something bad had happened, quickly he ran through what teams where out and where. He stood up as he recalled that team Takeru had been given a mission which Naruto couldn't accompany them on.

(Line)

Naruto got sent sprawling as he his was hit in the jaw by Kiba, he flipped onto his hands and bounced over him and kicked out sending Kiba back, Naruto spun and grabbed Akamaru by the throat when the dog had lunged at him. He threw Akamaru at the dog ninja knocking Kiba back as he caught his partner. Naruto's eyes darted about over the waterfall when he saw them, Ume and Riku. They looked terrible their clothes were all cut and ragged and they were bruised and bleeding but worse than that was the fact that it was just the two of them.

They made eye contact, and then he found himself with an arm full of Ume as she flung herself into his arms. He looked over her shoulder at Riku who couldn't bring himself any closer to the pair. He motioned Riku nearer as he held Ume her body wracking with sobs as the tears fell down Riku's face. Slowly Riku walked into Naruto's one remaining arm and hugged him tight letting his tears flow freely now.

The teams watched as the two sort comfort from Naruto. It was strange that two older taller ninja had fallen to pieces and need the support of the smaller, younger Naruto. They were silent as they watched the anguish of the two team mates.

"Will it ever stop hurting?" Ume finally spoke into his chest.

"No, but we move on. We learn to live, but we never forget." Naruto spoke

"But…"

"Sometimes there's nothing you can do to change it, thinking about the 'what ifs' and what you could have done, won't change anything. Blaming yourself won't make it easier it'll just prolong the hurt." Naruto spoke coolly at Riku.

"How do we get through it?" Riku said through gritted teeth.

"Together. It'll take a while, it always does, but as long as you are together, as a team you'll pull through."

"Naruto, how did you ever get through this?" Ume asked wiping her eyes on his shirt.

"I had help." He smiled serenely. "Now you too aren't the only ones grieving your sensei will be too. It's hard loosing a friend and team mate but it's just as hard loosing a student, he'll need you too. Find him, and make him understand that you're both hurting just as much as he is, and remind him you're still here and that you need him too. It took me a long time to realise that." Naruto looked up at the turtle masked ANBU he stood a little distance away from them, a small smile graced his face.

"Thanks Naruto." Riku extracted himself from the hug and pulled away as Ume kissed Naruto on the cheek and stepped back reaching for Riku's hand. Naruto blushed but smiled raising a hand to the back of his head sheepishly; he watched them walk away together.

"You okay?" Turtle asked as he knelt in front of Naruto.

"I will be." He smiled a small serene smile at his ANBU as he stepped forwards into a hug.

(Line)

Takeru had reported to the Hokage dismissing his team as he went, then after being dismissed rather than going to the hospital as instructed he found an open bar and had been drinking since. His fringe covered his eyes as he dropped his head. He was 22 years old and he had lost his first ever student from his first ever team. Granted he was one of the only ones from his original genin team still alive now but, he'd never lost anyone under his command before.

He downed another drink slumping forward. The door opened and Takeru found he was now flanked by his two remaining students.

"You know we've never lost a friend before too sensei." Riku started.

"But we still need you. And it's gonna hurt like hell for a while but together we'll pull through." Ume smiled teary eyed at her sensei.

"We're not gonna let you wallow alone sensei, we're a team, that's the only way we'll be able to make it through this, together as a team." Riku smiled.

"I thought you two would have been grieving longer." Takeru slurred slightly.

"We're still grieving sensei." Riku shrugged as the sadness crept up again.

"But we've got a really great friend who's there for us. And knows what we're going through." Ume replied.

"Who's that?" Takeru slurred again.

"Naruto." Riku replied.

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Naruto." Ume wiped her tears. "Come on sensei." She hugged him tight. "Please Sensei we need you now more than ever."

Takeru sighed and wrapped his arm round Ume and pulled Riku into a one armed hug. "Okay, let's go."

(Line)

Team 7 walked through the gates of the village in a huff ever since the land of waves their teamwork had been off, Sasuke was starting to revert to his old ways of annoying Naruto.

Naruto sighed his hands tucked into the pocket of his white hoodie. The Hokage had presented him with the hoodie randomly. It had two green stripes, one running down each arm, and it was soft and warm and he wore it all the time now that it was winter. He glanced out the corner of his eye at Sasuke who had appeared to be going into a bit of a strop as he glared daggers at Kakashi. Sakura was stood off to the side her hands hiding her mouth in worry. It didn't really matter to Naruto he had missed whatever the argument was about.

Sasuke had been getting fiercer in his anger towards Naruto, which he couldn't figure out why. He shrugged and walked past his team, waving goodbye as they were dismissed, looking up he found Hinata and Konohamaru stood waiting for him. Oh yes Konohamaru popped his clone before another one could take its place.

He strode over to Konohamaru and clipped him on the back of the head before ruffling his hair in an affectionate way; he smiled up at Hinata, and was shocked when she hugged him. Slightly shocked and unsure what to do, he slowly returned her hug.

Hinata finally released Naruto from her hug. "I was wondering if you would both like to come to dinner at the Hyuuga compound." She started to become shy as she started talking about her home.

The two boys looked to each other and as one turned and accepted the kind invitation.

- We'd gladly accept your invitation as long as we don't cause too much bother. –

(Line)

Naruto and Konohamaru shuddered as they left the Hyuuga compound Neji was very icy, and Hanabi was …mean, if they were being polite. At least they had been civil enough for Hinata. And thankfully so had the Hyuuga's who in their usual manner disliked Naruto, even if he had been going there receiving eloquence lessons from Hiashi along with Konohamaru for years now. Being the Hokage's grandson meant you had to have a certain way about you. "Naruto, why do they hate you so much?"

"It could be any number of things I suppose." Naruto shrugged.

"Is it because you have the nine tails fox sealed inside you?" Konohamaru asked staring at his feet.

Naruto stopped dead in his tracks and turned shocked. Konohamaru had never brought that up even after Naruto told him about it. Naruto looked up and ran his hand along the back of his head as he figured out how to address this. He hadn't noticed that everyone who had heard this tiny little question had stopped and was waiting to see what happened next.

"Ko…"

"Can't they see you for you not the thing you contain. I mean how many people could do what you do and the way they treat how can you stand it!" Konohamaru had tears in his eyes.

"This is my home Ko, this is where mum and dad are from this is what they died protecting this village and everyone in it. That's what be a ninja is. It's not about neat tricks and how strong or smart you are. It's about protecting what's precious to you." He paused. "Mum said this to me once 'Family isn't just about blood and who you're related to, it's about people you trust and care for and they become your precious people. People who you trust and care for, they're the ones who become your precious people the one's your willing to give everything for. You may not understand it yet but you will one day and that's why you'll make such a great big brother to Konohamaru.' That's why I don't care what they say or how they treat me because even though I'm not related by blood to anyone, you, grandpa, uncle 'Suma, you're my family. And Iruka, Hikaru too." He smiled at Ko. "one day I hope that they will look at me and see me not the demon, I hold back every day that I'm alive. It just takes time. And I've got my entire life time to prove it."

Ko nodded, "well I wish they'd hide it better then. I mean they don't even know you yet they judge you." He wiped his nose.

"I don't I'd rather know what people really thought of me. That way I know where I stand. I've said this before you should never judge a book by its cover. Now we should really head home Grandpa's waiting to teach us a new composition on the piano." Naruto smiled brightly.

(Line)

Takeru walked into where team 7 was training, he walked over to Kakashi and joined him as they watched Naruto and Sakura sparring against Sasuke. He settled next to Kakashi and crossed his arms.

"You know you've got an amazing kid there right?" Takeru said watching Naruto.

"Hmm." Kakashi feigned interest.

"If it wasn't for Naruto I don't know how my team would cope. He's a great kid and an excellent shinobi. You really need to open your eyes and see him for who he really is."

Kakashi nodded his head absently.

"I'm going to be borrowing Naruto for a while, just to let you know." Takeru smirked as Naruto sent Sasuke flying. He turned and walked away as Kakashi turned after him. Naruto smiled slightly over hearing the conversation.

(Line)

Naruto stood in between Ume and Riku as the faced Takeru. This was one of the last missions they'd be on together as Naruto had to return to his team and team Takeru were assigned somewhere else. Naruto knew they were involved in the chunin exam coming up. You couldn't be the Hokage's grandson and not know.

Naruto looked up as Takeru continued to speak to them. He'd miss them after this, but his missions had improved greatly because of them. He nodded as Takeru dismissed them. They jumped up into the trees splitting off into separate directions. Naruto moved gracefully through the trees, as he kept an ever eager eye out for the missing caravan convoy. It was carrying precious materials needed for Konoha and had not arrived at the village three days ago. They had been sent out two days ago to find and retrieve the convoy.

The split up always with in radio distance trying to cover as much distance as possible. So far there had been no sign of the convoy. Naruto paused balancing on the branch of a thick tree. His head titled up as a rustling noise assaulted his ears.

Tsubasa dived down through the canopy above him soaring past him before wheeling round in mid air to land on the branch Naruto was now crouched on. Naruto watched Tsubasa as he gestured and fluttered around trying to tell Naruto something.

"Have you found the convoy?" Naruto whispered.

Tsubasa jumped up and down. Touching his radio Naruto sent the approved signal broadcast to the others that he had found it. He waited for a signal back, he wasn't going to go off on his own, there could be untold problems waiting at the site and by going off alone would mean that they others wouldn't know that something had happened and be prepared to rescue him. It had taken a while before they were even willing to let him out of there site, since Kenta died. But slowly they had allowed it, now though he knew if he moved that they would panic and ninjas in a panic, is never good.

At last the signal came through on his radio 'stay put we're coming to you.' He settled on his branch and sent Tsubasa to help lead them to him.

He didn't have long to wait Ume arrived first with Tsubasa flitting about her head. Takeru arrived with Riku just after, silently they followed behind Tsubasa. They found the convoy in a ditch abandoned. They waited checking to see if anyone was coming. It was eerily silent, not a bird or animal making a sound, that's what un-nerved them the most and where were the people who had accompanied the caravans.

Naruto sniffed the air the smell of blood faint in the air. The wind had changed direction since they arrived it was now blowing away from them rather then towards them. That meant any element of surprise they had was now gone. Naruto realised this as the shuriken came flying towards them.

They separated Naruto transforming into a squirrel as he ran down the tree out into the open. He stopped and sniffed the air his heart racing. He pranced forwards like squirrels do 90% forwards run all the way back. He edged forwards again darting into the caravan he made it to the steps when more shuriken came flying at him. He scuttled back into the bushes on the opposite side from the clearing.

He searched out his teams chakra signatures finding them barely hidden in the undergrowth around him. He could make out a feint trace of an unknown chakra somewhere near the caravan. He released his transformation with minimal effort and moved position again so that his minimal amount of chakra didn't give him away. His radio faintly buzzed, telling him not to move as they figured out a plan.

Tsubasa fluttered in a tree above the caravan where shuriken were once again shot out towards him. He flew off squawking in alarm. Takeru zeroed in on the direction they were thrown from, what he needed was one more distraction so that they could do something about them. He caught Naruto's attention, Naruto was the fastest of all of them, and so signalling what he wanted he prepared his own projectiles. With a nod Naruto shot out to the caravan he reached the steps and glimpsed the inside of the caravan which was all he needed before the shuriken came flying towards him. He flipped up and over the shuriken as Takeru released his landing in a ready position as they sailed past him. He sprang forwards twirling his chakra blade in his hand. He stopped as a mammoth sized man jumped out of the bushes, as Naruto stood to his full height, which didn't reach past this guys knees. Takeru joined him and barely reached this guys gut which was protruding out from his body. A fat guy with muscles great. The mammoth guy smiled he'd figured out that he'd got them at a disadvantage.

As he drew closer to them others appeared from behind him all smiling sinisterly. They moved round forming a circle around Naruto and Takeru waving weapons manically, but all of them were concentrating on the two in the middle they didn't seem to notice or didn't care about the other two. If they could take out the smaller guys then they could concentrate their attacks on the big guy. Although if the took the big guy out first the smaller guys moral might disappear leaving them running and easy pickings. There was a tall slim man with a thin moustache and long hair and a pair of scimitars to Naruto's right his view was partially blocked by Takeru. If he attacked him he would be slightly unawares which would give Naruto the slight advantage.

Riku and Ume glanced at each other in their hiding places; Naruto was the ideas person and Takeru their leader they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. They had been just as shocked as Naruto when the mammoth man stepped out from the bushes.

Naruto tucked his face into his scarf, he was trying to figure away of doing this, he caught a glimpse of Ume as he did, she'd always been good at figuring out what it was he was doing of he thought of a plan she would pick up on it and inform Riku. His thoughts were interrupted when the mammoth guy started advancing towards them.

Takeru looked down at Naruto it was his fault that Naruto was in over his head. He stepped forward to meet the mammoth guy.

"I trust you Naruto." He whispered "Try not to take too long, okay? I don't think I can hold him off for long." Naruto nodded. He shot to guy he'd targeted earlier and with a clash his chakra blade meet the scimitars of his opponent. Ume like Naruto hoped understood his intentions perfectly. She threw shuriken at Naruto's chosen mark.

Riku appeared behind Naruto blocking the sword swung at him with his metal plated gloves holding it off as either Ume or Naruto threw him a kunai. He pushed off of the sword pushing it away as he grabbed the kunai. He would not let anything happen to Naruto or his team. Naruto spun behind him appearing at his assailant's throat he ducked down turning on his knees swiping out for Naruto's assailant's legs. The metallic smell of blood hit them at the same time as he wrenched his kunai into the enemy's jaw sending it up as far as possible he rolled to the right as another enemy joined in the attack. Ume was dashing up and down the tree line throwing projectiles at her team-mates next intended targets. There was a wrench as she was grabbed unceremoniously from her vantage point Tsubasa dived at her assailant. "Get help!" she shouted as she was dropped from his grasp she turned releasing a fire jutsu at her enemy.

The smell of charred flesh assaulted her as he continued towards her his eyes bloody where Tsubasa had sunk his talons into them when he dived. She danced back her hand reaching behind her blindly. She backed up into a tree her eyes glued to her adversary. His grinned down at her his kunai glistening menacingly down upon her. She wouldn't be quick enough to counter her opponent or the blow he was sure to make. She brought her arms up as the warm liquid hit her she looked up to see Naruto chakra blade extended with his blue chakra in the middle of her enemy's gut and Riku with his kunai sticking out either side of his neck in a freakish Frankenstein manner. They were both looking at her worry in their eyes. She smiled reassuringly at them as they both dropped him when they removed their weapons. Naruto handed his chakra blade to Ume and twirled kunai into his hands nodding he jumped at the furthest attacking man. Riku made sure Ume was alright before taking out the closest man to them. Ume tightened her grip on Naruto's precious weapon and danced into the middle of her two boys, her worry gone.

Tsubasa flew into the Hokage's office landing on the head of Nami who opened an eye warily as the little bird puffed. Choza and the Hokage watched this interaction in puzzlement. Nami rolled its eyes and rolled tapping the bird on its leaf head band, closing its eyes solving that matter for them. The third Hokage at last realised who the little bird was.

"You're Tsubasa, the bird Naruto saved." Tsubasa nodded, still puffing, "Has something happened?" he turned away from the bird that was nodding vigorously he walked over to the cupboard where his crystal ball was stored. Pulling it out, he concentrated on Naruto's familiar chakra signature. Nami's ears twitched as Naruto came into focus along with team Takeru. They watched as Takeru was sent flying by a mammoth of a man, pausing the battle that the three younger ninja were involved in.

"Choza, find your old team mates, you're going to assist this team, lets see if Naruto's intuition is as good as it seems.

"You know it is old man now hurry up with the reinforcement's already poor Takeru sensei is getting pummelled over here." Naruto turned as though he knew he was being watched.

The Hokage and Choza looked at each other in wonder then before nodding Choza left to find his team mates.

Naruto grabbed and spun with Ume as Takeru was sent flying back where Ume had been standing. They all watched as he flew between them and the mammoth man cracked his knuckles as he walked towards Takeru he shakily got to his feet. He'd taken quite a beating at the hands of mammoth guy. And so far he'd not been able to find any weakness in the guy either. He wiped the blood coming from the corner of his mouth.

Ume danced under her assailants arm and flexed her leg bending over at the waist she kicked up with her flexed leg knocking the guy charging in the middle flying backwards, she twirled round Naruto's Chakra blade flashing as she moved.

Naruto pushed away from his opponent and split away creating two more of himself which fled off in different directions he smirked when his opponent stopped short. He loved it when he surprised someone, which wasn't that hard considering how easily everyone wrote him off. Dead last my arse. He dodged a sweeping axe as the ground shook around them, Ume and Riku were both fire natures so it couldn't be them. He jumped up over the axe burying it into the ground as Ume ran up its shaft and knocked the owner into the advancing mace wielder. This she followed up by sending a fireball after them. Using Naruto's chakra blade she swung down knocking another enemy back as Naruto with chakra infused kunai hit the guy pinning him to a nearby tree, his kunai still glowing as the enemy's eyes dimmed.

Takeru was knocked back from the mammoth guy he coughed up blood as he held his hand to his chest that last hit had really taken a lot out of his lungs. The was a loud slam as where the mammoth guy had been moments before a giant sized hand was now in it's place, he looked up past the hand to see a familiar crop of red hair, he allowed a smile to grace his lips as he turned to where his team were.

Choza with his long red hair and purple markings on his cheeks nodded as his two team mates joined in the fray. He wore a samurai like outfit (a black suit with armour with the kanji for food on it. He also had a rope belt, hand guards and a hachimaki (styled head band) where his forehead protector should be. He swung his other hand where his first one had been when he felt something tickling his palm.

Naruto cocked his head as the mace stopped just inches from his left ear he watched as the mace retreated away from before spinning round and taking out the axe wielder who was currently attacking Riku. Riku blinked and glanced round at Naruto who shrugged and moved over to help Ume as the guy she was fighting was gain an advantage over her. Riku turned round to see a long blond haired ninja wearing a Konoha flak jacket, over a black outfit, complete with hand guards, and a red haori, but the item he was most glad to see was the Konoha forehead protector which stood out from the spiky hair on top. He smiled and jumped on the guy Naruto and Ume had knocked down.

Inoichi holding his hands in the required signs for his clan technique nodded at Shikaku Nara. Shikaku had two scars on the right side of his face. He had dark hair tied up into a spiky ponytail and a goatee. He was wearing a mesh shirt underneath his flak jacket with a deer skin coat over the top and hand guards. He nodded back and held his hand in the rat hand sign as the enemies were all caught in his Shadow imitation technique, he didn't do it quick enough though.

Naruto's head band was knocked off as he flew back. Stood there in his white hoodie his hair blowing in the wind he looked exactly like a younger version of the fourth which caught the enemy and the jounin's off guard. He frowned knowing instantly what they were thinking; he moved from one opponent to the other and landed back in his original spot his kunai dripping.

"I'm not him!" he growled as he stood up flinging the blood from his kunai as he glared at the jounin who stood in awe as each of the remaining enemies fell down where they were held by the shadow bind extending from Shikiaku.

The elder Ino-Shika-Cho trio were amazed at Naruto they never realised just how much he was like the fourth till that moment. Naruto noticed idly that they all had pierced ears much like their children, probably a clan thing flashed through his mind. The trio stared at Naruto as he made his way over to his male team-mate. It was strange how eerie it was that they and the enemy had had stopped short when they saw Naruto with out his head band. And that he knew instantly what they were thinking.

"Scary how uncanny it is isn't it?" Inoichi whispered leaning into Shikaku.

"More scary how much he knows about it." Shikaku nodded.

"Did you see how fast he moved? That was incredibly Choji mentioned that people underestimated him but…"

"Can't believe just how good he is can you?" Takeru smiled as he walked past them to join his team.

Ume walked over to Naruto handing him his head band, he nodded kindly at her as he retied it around his forehead. She smiled and handed him his chakra blade back which returned his sincere smile to his face.

"What now, Sensei?" Riku asked, indicating the forgotten convoy.

"Now, we bring it all home, after we tidy up the battle field, Ume, Riku if you please." Takeru explained.

Ume and Riku set about removing the evidence of their battle as Naruto watched on. Takeru shifted his head towards Naruto who nodded and creating clones began to move the convoys so that they could begin the journey home.

The group arrived at the gate where the convoy was released from the scrolls, and the Hokage was waiting with Turtle, a medical team and Kotesu and Izumo sat trying to watch what was happening. The medical team rushed over to Takeru he sighed in relief as the glowing green chakra healed his damaged torso.

"Could you kindly take these away please Turtle." The Hokage said.

Nodding Turtle stepped forward with Sparrow appearing behind him they both ruffled Naruto's hair as they passed and taking the convoy from Choza disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Naruto, Ume and Riku looked to Takeru who dismissed them. The Hokage held Naruto's shoulder a moment as he whispered in his ear. Naruto shook his head and laughed walking away from him and joining his waiting team mates.

"An eventful mission." The Hokage puffed oh his pipe, "Thank you, Ino-Shika-Cho the mission office has the required paper work for you." He dismissed them. As the medical team finished it scan of Takeru, with orders to go to the hospital when he was finished.

"You know you have one hell of a grandson there lord Hokage." Choza remarked.

"I can't wait to see him in the chunin exam." Inoichi agreed.

"I agree, who's up for drinks?" Shikaku asked, as they walked past.

"Takeru about the chunin exam?" the Hokage walked away with Takeru to the Hokage tower.

Izumo and Kotesu looked to each other and smiled if Naruto made it through the exam to the finals they would be fighting for seats to watch him. They had a bit of a soft spot for the blonde haired boy who was forever following the cat masked ANBU.

Sorry about the mistakes and grammar and things. Once again sorry to keep you all waiting so long, (I hate it when you wait forever for a new chapter) please forgive me, I don't kill anyone off for a while...I think.

Sorry I forgot I did that to Kenta, my sister kept saying he rminded her of a character in a comic she read. (Naruto heroes path, Lee's son. Blame my sister for his demise,) which happened accidently, I might add, but I was always going to get rid of one of them sorry. No one else dies! For a while...

Review if you like, Suggestions for beta's if you want, I know I need it. See you soon.