Chun's POV

He was once again sitting in a meeting with Kaiser's men. He was bored out of his mind and wanted nothing more than to leave. The second Chunin exam should have finished and he wanted to see if the boy made it to the finals. He wanted to stop his student from facing the pain of the activation. He could tell it was going to happen any day now. Hell all of Murim could tell. No one could practice martial arts safely.

They all stood when Kaiser entered the room. Everyone had beenk unusually subdued because of the way their ki had been acting. Kaiser waved for them all to sit.

He said looking to each of them in kind," You all know why i have called this abrupt meeting. A powerful guardian vessel has not only appeared but is close to an activation."

They all nodded. Everyone had been feeling the effects for awhile now. They had been rapidly worsening. To effect all of Murim just proved how powerful Naruto was. They all hissed suddenly when they felt the tension that had been rising snap. It was a resounding snap felt throughout all of Murim. The howl that was heard signified that the Guardian guardian of forest had gone through an activation.

Tiger's POV

He was searching the village when he felt the resounding snap. It nearly sent him crashing to the ground in surprise. The howl that followed shocked him to his core. He never heard such a pain filled cry. Not even during his own activation.

He followed the large ki presence to an abandoned training field. There stood a blond haired boy that he recognized. Naruto Uzumaki. So he was the forest guardian's vessel. He wondered what had caused such a pain filled look to appear. Too bad he would have to kill the boy. They all went insane due to their pain. This one would be no exception.

As he moved closer preparing to kill the boy he looked up. Instead of insanity filled eyes all he saw was a child who was hurting. The boy asked sounding confused," Yoochun? Why are you? Oh... you are here to kill me aren't you?"

The boy didn't even seem surprised. As if he was expecting it. The more he stared at the child the more he found his assumptions to be wrong. There was no madness in his eyes. Just pain and heartbreak.

He sighed as he said," I was. Then i saw your eyes. They weren't what i expected of a newly activated guardian. There is no madness in them just pain."

Naruto said sorrowfully," My sensei was killed last night. He was the closest thing to a father i had. I feel alone again."

So the boy already knew the loneliness of being one of the guardians. No wonder he had an activation at such a young age. The boy reminded him so much of himself. If it wasn't for his own master he would have lost himself in his activation.

He said sighing," I understand the feeling," he watched the boy for a moment more.

The boy didn't meet his eyes instead choosing to bow his head. No doubt waiting for him to kill him. He should kill the boy that's what he came to do. And yet, he couldn't help but think of how alike they were. He couldn't bring himself to kill the child.

Yoochun said aggrevated with himself," Don't let yourself get caught with that tattoo. Just because i didn't kill you doesn't mean the others won't."

The boy's eyes shot up to meet his. Sky blue met ocean blue assessing each others intentions. As long as the boy didn't lose himself in his grief or to the guardian's madness then he saw no reason to kill him. Maybe one day that would change. Then again maybe it wouldn't. He had fulfilled his lifedebt to Chun the night before. Now he went one step further by sparing the man's disciple.

With those words he turned away from the boy. He was thinking a good barbeque lunch would lift his moods.

Naruto's POV

He just stared after the strange guardian. As soon as the activation happened he fully expected the man to kill him. Instead the man let him go as if he didn't care. Actually after being around Chun for so long it wouldn't surprise him if he didn't care. Maybe not all of the guardians were cold hearted bastards.

He couldn't hold back a snort at the thought. And maybe Kiba would get a cat. Still why the man choose not to kill him was a huge mystery. What was he to do now? Hayate was gone.

With a sigh he made his way back to the village. He should probably apologize to the old man. He shouldn't have run out like that. Though if the ki he released was any indication it was probably a good thing he did. He might have destroyed the entire tower with the pressure he had given off.

The only indication that he had gone through an activation was the dull ache in his heart. Hayate sensei... He wondered how his precious person had died. Likely he would not get a truth answer if he asked.

He did not see the pityiny looks that people gave him as he passed. He almost bumped right into Konohamaru in the street.

The brown haired boy said happily," Hey boss! Let's play ninja today."

Naruto barely glanced at him before he said moving past him," Not today Konohamaru. I'll see you later."

He missed the hurt look in his friends eyes as he passed. It was too much for him to look at his friend. He made his way down the street not meeting anyone's eyes. Vaguely he could hear people talking about the exams. He just couldn't bring himself to care.

When he was in his apartment though he barely made it inside before tears began to spill down his cheeks. No matter how hard he tried he couldnt get them to stop. It hurt too much. Hayate was gone. He collapsed there in the shoe room. He could only wrap his arms around his knees and let the tears pour down his cheeks.

There was no telling how long he sat there. Eventually though a knock on the door drew his attention away from his inner pain. His tears had long since dried but he ran a hand over his face trying to scrub it. Oh well. If they didn't like it they could kiss his ass.

He opened the door and was surprised to see Iruka standing there. The man said noticing his tear stains," Hey, Naruto. I'm sorry about what happened to Hayate. He was a good man."

Naruto nodded dumbly. He really couldn't say anything for his throat was too tight with emotion. Iruka bent down to a knee so that their eyes met.

The man said," Don't let yourself fall, Naruto. Hayate cared more for you than anyone else in the world. Every time you went on a mission he worried for your safety. Every time he had to leave the village he wondered how you were doing. He would not want to see you like this."

Naruto swiped at his eyes as he said," I can't stop them. It hurt sensei. I've never felt hurt like this before. How do you move past it?"

Iruka sighed as he said sitting close to the blond," I won't tell you the pain the pain will go away because it won't. It will always be there. With time though it will diminish as you heal. Like you I lost my parents when i was young. For the longest time i kept the pain locked up inside. Don't be like me Naruto. Don't keep the pain to yourself. Trust those of us who care about you to let us in. Even if it's not me you should talk to someone."

Naruto couldn't help it as he launched himself at Iruka. He wrapped his arms around the older ninja his head hitting his chest. Iruka awkwardly held him as he cried again. The man placed his chin on the top of the blonde's head. He let the other's pain and sorrow come out. Out of all that could have comforted him he knew the pain the best. The loss of a parental figure is one that will never be forgotten. They could only be there to help ease the pain.

In Naruto's mind eye he could see the happy memories of being with Hayate. The first time the man had taken him to Ichiraku's ramen stand. He remembered the suspicion he held for the other. The next memory was of receiving his training blade. Then there was when he saved the man.

So many memories the good and the bad passed over his mind. He had a difficult time accepting that Hayate was gone. Iruka said petting his hair trying to calm the flow of tears," When someone we care about dies it hurts us to think of them. But you should never let that stop you from remembering them. For as long as one person thinks of them they will always have a home in the hearts of the village. Gone but never forgotten."

Naruto repeated softly," Gone but never forgotten. I will never forget the man that showed me what kindness felt like. Will his name be put on the stone memorial?"

Iruka nodded and said," Yes, they will be doing that tomorrow morning at 7. You are invited to attend."

He then pulled away from the man and said swiping at his eyes," I'll be there. If it's okay with you sensei i want to be alone for awhile."

Iruka was taken aback slightly but understood where the younger was coming from. He would allow the other to grieve before approaching him again. Blue eyes watched the other leave with a downtrodden look.

It wasn't until later that afternoon that he remembered he still had to get a sword. He still had to fight in the finals of the Chunin exams. Hayate had believed he had what it takes to be a Chunin. He would honor the man's memory by getting promoted. To do so he needed a sword.

After washing his face he made his way in town. He made his way to the well known blacksmith and weapons seller. The man had always given him a fair price when he came in for equipment.

Opening the door to the shop he noticed immediately that the old man was there. The man was in his late fifties with brown hair that held more grey than before. The man's eyes were grey and met his when he came forward. His name was Tsukatchi.

Tsukatchi said with a rare smile," Naruto Uzumaki. It's been a long time since I have seen you in my shop. How have you been?"

Naruto said not even trying to smile," I'm... I'm not well, Tsu."

The man's eyes narrowed as he put down what he had been working on. He said," I heard what happened to Gekko. He was a good man. I had heard the rumors that you were his student. I had hoped that they weren't true for your sake. What brings you to my shop lad?"

Making sure there was no one to overhear or see them he pulled up the sleeve to his shirt. The man's eyes widened at the sight of the tattoo that now lay on his wrist. It was a black wolf with its nose pointed to the sky. Very similar to the one Chun had on the same wrist.

Naruto said pulling the sleeve back down," I got this, this morning after the news. That's not why I'm here. I need..."

The man said interrupting him," I know what you need. Your need a guardian's weapon. One that can handle both the pressure of ki and chakra. I think I may just have the weapon for you. Wait here."

The man left without another word. He was gone for about twenty minutes before he returned. Placing a bundle on the counter he said," This has been passed down to the best blacksmith in the village for generation by the Hokage. No one has been able to sell it though. To sell this blade the person must be able to draw it. I want you to try."

Naruto began to undo the folds that protected the sword and sheath. The sheath was all black but when he turned it over he saw something that surprised him. On the sheath was a silver wolf, tiger, and Dragon. He fingered the designs silently. Just the sheath was beautiful.

After a moment his hand went to where the hilt was. He tugged at the blade and to his surprise it came free of the sheath. The blade was made of tempered steel and Naruto could feel both the chakra that had made it. It felt familiar but yet strange at the same time.

He took a step away from the counter to give it a few test swings. The balance was perfect. It was as if the blade had been made for him. After he was satisfied with it he replaced it in the sheath.

He asked hesitantly," How much is it?"

Tsukatchi said consideringly," Normally at least 500k ryo. For you how about if you win against your match we will call it even. If you lose you will pay it off over time. I was going to bet on you anyways."

He knew he was getting the better end of the deal but also knew the man wouldn't budge on this. He said shaking his hand," Deal. I'll win i promise you."

As he left the blacksmith he heard," You better!"

He exchanged the swords once he got home. He would continue to use the belt given to him by Hayate. It would honor his fallen teacher in ways he could not. Tomorrow he would start working on creating a new swords technique. One that would go hand and hand with Dance of the Crescent moon.