The dim lamp lights hanged overhead the sweating, dirt covered, and drenched Yuma. Standing over his downed body was Danzo, a passive expression on his face. Danzo remained standing over him, until he saw Yuma began to stir, moving his hands beneath him to push himself up. Danzo sighed in relief, glad the boy hadn't died during the training.

'Unlike so many others that had.' Danzo thought, impressed in the boys endurance.

"How...How long was I out?" Yuma asked, not remembering anything.

"fifteen hours, its now Thursday morning. Or to be more precise, nine in the morning." Danzo stated.

"W-What!? B-But how!? All I remember doing is sparring against Sai with only a kunai!" Yuma exclaimed in shock.

"You are right, but that wasn't the last thing you did. After I had came back once your spar with Sai was over, I trained you until five in the afternoon with target practice. I then trained you in chakra endurance by having you constantly spam your shadow ability. You lasted an entire hour before collapsing in exhaustion." Danzo said without flinching, his expression unchanging.

"I...don't remember that."

"Not surprising, memory blockage is quite normal for those who have undergone chakra exhaustion; its quite taxing on the mind and body after all."

"O-Oh...That makes sense..." Yuma said, rubbing at his eyes.

"Although now we know your shadow use limit has increased, albeit not by a lot, but its a start. Now, your ready for these."

Danzo turned to Sai, who handed him three scrolls, then back to Yuma with a glint forming in his eyes. He threw the three scrolls at Yuma's feet, causing him to jolt. Yuma looked at the scrolls littered around his feet in wonderment, pulling one open for examination.

"Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique...Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu...Taijutsu Form: The Acrobat...Danzo, what're these?" Yuma asked.

"They are self study; homework for you to practice on. I want you to master at least one of those by the end of this upcoming weekend. You will need at least one of these techniques to even make it through the second phase of the Chunin exams next week. Decide on which you wish to learn before the end of the day, its up to you to decide."

Danzo turned to Sai, nodding at him.

"Take Yuma home, our training is done for the day." Danzo said.

"Yes, lord Danzo..." Sai said, picking Yuma up and placing him on his back, as he was most likely too tired to walk.

"W-Wait, how am I supposed to decide on which one?" Yuma asked in confusion.

"Talk to those in your team, and ask your comrades what they think you lack. That will help you in your decision, young Yuma." Danzo said, as Yuma's vision began to fade from the exhaustion coming back to him.

"Go to sleep Yuma...You deserve it..." Sai whispered to Yuma, and before his mind descended into slumber...

"Thank you...Sai..." Yuma said, his consciousness fading away.

Sai flinched at his words.

Sai climbed up the stairwell, Yuma sleeping on his back. After a couple minutes, he finally reached the top, walking into the quaint little dojo that deceived and distracted others from the ROOT dojo below. He left the Shimura dojo, a passive and unsmiling expression taking form on his face. He made his way down the streets of Konoha, navigating his way to Yuma's apartment apartment complex.

He climbed the apartment steps, arriving at Yuma's apartment room. After picking through Yuma's back pockets to find the key, he unlocked his door. Walking in, he noticed the abundance of ramen cups littered all over the floor, and the usual roaches in the corner. He made his way to the futon Yuma usually slept in, and placed him gently in it. After doing so, he stared at the pile of roaches passively, before huffing and walking over to get rid of the pests.

He threw the unwanted vermin out the window, uncaring of any passerby's below unfortunate enough to be underneath the window on the street below. After that, he set himself on a cleaning war path, picking up the mess in Yuma's room. He walked into the bathroom and saw the broken, bloody glass on the floor. He picked it up using a dust and pan, and threw it into the trash. His cleaning over, he smiled lightly in content, before the sound of beeping in his back pocket causing him to freeze.

He pulled out the beeping device, a ear piece communicator, from his pocket. He stared at the device with contempt, before bringing it to his his ear with a sigh, re-adopting his passive and uncaring persona. He pressed the small, near tick size button on its left side, the beeping ceasing instantly.

"Hello...Lord Orochimaru..." Sai said, slight disgust sneaking its way into his tone on accident.

"Hello young Sai, I called merely to ask how my little project of mine has been faring. Tell me, is Yuma well?" Orochimaru asked, his voice as sinister and darkly seductive as usual.

"He is doing well...Thanks to Danzo's teachings, his skills are improving little by little." Sai said, biting his lower lip in disgust for some reason unknown to him.

"I can see that...His muscle mass appears to have increased by three centimeters it seems." The voice of Orochimaru sounded from behind Sai, causing him to whirl around in terror and shock.

There, by Yuma's side, bending over to study Yuma's body stood the traitor of Konoha himself...

Orochimaru.

"L-Lord O-Orochimaru!? W-what are you doing-!?"

"Here? Why checking up on my little experiment of course. What better way to gauge ones results then in person, right?" Orochimaru said, poking through Yuma's bandaged arms with fascination and a sick grin.

It was a grin akin to one a scientist would give a lab rat.

"Hmm, interesting, so this is what those cells mixed with my curse mark were able to create huh? Interesting, I wonder if the results of this ability are due to his particular lineage. This requires further study." Orochimaru mused, making Sai's skin crawl.

Sai began to shake, an unfamiliar emotion welling up in his chest as he watched Orochimaru stand over Yuma. His left hand hovered over his tanto blade, shaking with fear.

'W-What is w-wrong with me...Why a-am I freaking out!? I-I d-don't understand. Before I met Yuma I was calm, cool and collected...But now..."

"If only this boy wasn't already claimed by that old codger Danzo, oh well, I did make a deal with him I suppose. Still, what a waste of such a specimen..."

"I'd love to see how many body parts I could rip off of him until he stopped regenerating."

Sai's eyes dilated, the words leaving Orochimaru's mouth causing Sai's blood to freeze.

Sai's hand clasped onto his blade, silently pulling it from his sheath.

'W-What are you doing Sai! W-Whats wrong with me...'

Sai saw Orochimaru begin to poke and prod Yuma's body in various places.

'W-Whatever...I don't like this...I don't like how he looks at Yuma...I just have to...'

"Stay your hand, young Sai, unless you wish to die that is?" Orochimaru suddenly said, making Sai drop his blade in a panic.

Orochimaru now stood before Sai, less then a foot away and looking down at him with a grin. His head stretched out like a snake, wrapping around Sai's head and began to whisper into Sai's ear.

"Remember our deal? You keep an eye on ROOT affairs and I let your brother live to see another day?" Orochimaru hissed.

Sai froze, a picture with him and an older boy in Root attire hugging an smiling flashing through his head.

"I-I...-"

Knock. Knock.

The sound of knocking from the apartment door rang through the room, Orochimaru's head retracting back to his body. Sai froze in fear, unsure what to do. Orochimaru chuckled, and grinned.

"What are you waiting for? Answer it."

"B-But-!?"

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

The knocking increased, making Sai jolt slightly. Orochimaru's eyes became slits, eyes resembling much like a snakes.

"Answer. It."

Sai turned to the door, walking to it, his heart thumping in a way it never has before. He took a few shaky steps before standing directly in front of it. He reached out his hand...

And opened the door.

"Jeez Yuma! I was waiting forev-!?" Naruko froze upon seeing who had opened the door.

Sai froze, trying to think up an excuse that could accurately explain his presence. Naruko narrowed her eyes at this, noting that she had never seen him before. She placed her foot between the door frame just in case he tried closing the door.

"Who are you, and why are you in Yuma's room?" Naruko asked in suspicion.

"W-What?" Sai asked, confused.

"I said, who are you, and why are you in my team mates apartment room?" Naruko asked, a tick forming on her head.

Sai looked behind himself finding no trace of Orochimaru. His body immediately relaxed as the fear and stress left his body. Naruko looked at the boy strangely. She noticed his attire resembled that of what the Anbu would usually wear, making the boy even more suspicious in Naruko's eyes.

"Hello? You still there?" Naruko asked with a look of annoyance.

"O-Oh, yeah. Yuma is...asleep." Sai said opening the door for Naruko to walk in.

"And you are?" Naruko asked as she walked into the apartments room.

"Sai, I'm Yuma's training partner during Lord Danzo's lessons." Sai said, noticing Naruko flinch at the mention of the old mans name.

"So...Your with that old bastard huh..." Naruko said, her fists clenching at her sides.

"Yes, what of it?" Sai said blandly in response.

"...Forget it, I'm here for Yuma. Kakashi-Sensei is calling us for a team meeting." Naruko said, crossing her arms together underneath her chest with an annoyed expression.

"Yuma is currently resting." Sai said with a touch of annoyance at Naruko's presence.

"Well then I'll wake him up." Naruko said rudely, briskly walking past Sai.

"Wait, he was training all day yesterday, let him get some rest!" Sai exclaimed, a confused look over taking his features, not understanding why he was doing what he was doing.

"Yuma, hey Yuma, wake up!" Naruko said with a slight growl, purposefully ignoring Sai.

"W-What...is..." Yuma stirred in his sleep, eyes opening slightly.

"Kakashi needs to see us, come on." Naruko said with a frown.

"S-Stop it, he needs to-!?"

"Shut up." Naruko growled.

Sai did not like that.

The tanto blade whizzed past Naruko's surprised face, embedding itself into the wall over Yuma's futon. Naruko turned to the frowning Sai with an intense scowl. Yuma's eyes shot open, the sound of the blade puncturing the wall above him waking him up.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Naruko screeched with fury.

"I said do not wake him up!" Sai screamed back with a panicked look on his face.

"Don't tell me what to do bastard! You dog of Danzo!" Naruko snarled.

"Don't call me a dog you fake friend!" Sai blurted out, his body shaking as a rush of unfamiliar emotions began to bombard his psyche.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" Naruko said, her eyes flashing crimson.

"It means what it means! A real friend doesn't make their friend feel inferior to them, nor do they force expectations upon them!" Sai screamed.

"What the hell are you on about!" Naruko said, rushing to Sai to scream in his face.

"Yuma told me everything during practice! How you forced the expectations of being a medical ninja on him! How you think him lesser then you or your Uchiha friend! How you believe he is not strong! Well your wrong!" Sai said, his face a mixture of panic, fear, and fury; the words leaving his mouth shocking even himself.

Naruko lifted Sai off the ground, a red aura engulfing her body as she became enraged. Sai's eyes widened in fear, realizing everything he had said. Yuma quickly got out of the futon, facing the both of them with a furious expression.

"LET HIM GO NARUKO!" Yuma screamed at the top of his lungs, causing Naruko to drop Sai in shock.

"Y-Yuma!? I was just...I didn't mean to-!?"

Yuma walked past her, not even sparring her a glance.

"Sai! Are you okay! Here, let me check you for injuries. Fuck, why couldn't I have woken up sooner. I'm sorry this happened." Yuma said in a panicked tone of voice, checking over Sai with wide worried eyes.

"Yuma, I-!?"

"Shush, its okay, thank Kami your not injured." Yuma said, heaving a sigh of relief.

"Y-Yuma, I didn't mean to-!?"

"No. You don't get to say anything. Out of my apartment. Now." Yuma said, glaring at Naruko harshly.

"B-But I-!?"

"No, no buts! Get. Out." Yuma said sternly.

"Yuma please I-!?"

"No. You do not get to say anything. I gave you a chance, and you just proved to me that I was right about you the first time, now go." Yuma snarled as Naruko's eyes began to water.

Naruko quivered as her red chakra dissipated and tears spilled out of her eyes. She hid her face behind her hands as she ran out of the still open apartment room. Yuma glared in the direction she left in, before helping Sai back up to his feet. An overwhelming feeling of guilt began wading over Sai's consciousness, realizing the Hokage's daughter had every right to be distrusting of him.

"Yuma...You shouldn't have done that...It wasn't her fault." Sai said.

"I don't care. There is no excuses possible that gives her the right to threaten you the way she did."

'If he knew you were conspiring with Orochimaru, he would be singing a different tune.' Sai's guilty consciousness spoke up.

"Still...It wasn't entirely her fault..." Sai said, rubbing his arm awkwardly.

Yuma looked at the ground, sighing. He realized how rude he was being, but still...

"As I have already said, she was wrong for doing what she did." Yuma said with an edge of finality.

"...O-Okay..." Sai said back.

"Why was she here anyway?" Yuma asked.

"Your sensei has summoned you all for a team meeting, she came to bring you." Sai explained.

Yuma sighed, standing up on his tired feet.

"Then I guess I have to get going." Yuma said with trepidation.

"W-Wait...I uh..."

"What is it?" Yuma asked.

"...T-Thanks...for sticking up for me..." Sai said uncertainly.

Yuma smiled.

"Don't mention it, us not prodigies need to stick together." Yuma said, walking out of his apartment room.

Sai lowered his waving hand, slamming it into the floor. He kept his hands on the floor before clutching his aching head. Emotions began to boil in the melting pot known as Sai's brain. His face scrunched up in disgust as his stomach began to feel sick. After a while, he stood to his feet, his head hanging low in self disgust. He left Yuma's apartment, closing the door behind himself, not noticing a snake slither out with him.

'You should've told him the truth...'


The first sight Yuma was met with was a harsh glare by Sasuke, the second sight was a Naruko who refused to look him in the eye, the final and third sight...

Was Kakashi giggling while reading a porn book.

How unusual.

Yuma ignored the harsh stare from Sasuke, opting only to stand next to him in silence. Naruko stole glances in his direction, twiddling her thumbs in an anxious manner. Yuma chose to ignore that as well, making her gaze go downcast realizing he would pay her no mind. Kakashi finally, after many awkward minutes, put his book back into his pocket, looking at his students with a serious expression.

"I ordered all of you to come here for an announcement, but before I tell you all anything, I want to test all three of you." Kakashi said, making Yuma narrow his eyes.

"If I may ask sensei, what are you referring to when you say you wish to test us." Yuma asked.

"Good question, and the answer, is simple. Sparring. All three of you will take turns sparring against one another." Kakashi said.

"...What?" Yuma said, suddenly fearful as Sasuke smirked.

"Before I announce what I wish to tell you, I need to make sure all three of you are ready. That is why each of you will spar against one another. First up is Sasuke vs. Yuma." Kakashi said, a dark glint forming in Sasuke's eyes.

"Are there any limits on what we can do sensei?" Sasuke asked darkly.

"Yes, no killing and the spar will only last five minutes. That is it." Kakashi said with a frown.

"Sounds fun." Sasuke said, turning to Yuma with a smirk, annoyance overcoming Yuma's fear at being obviously looked at as easy prey.

"Yeah, it does doesn't it?" Yuma snarled back, smirking as well.

Sasuke did not like that.

"S-Sasuke..." Naruko began to start, but stopped herself, Sasuke looking back at her.

"Don't worry, I wont be too rough on him, despite how much he deserves it." Sasuke said, making Yuma scoff.

"So Naruko told you huh? What you expect me to beg for forgiveness?" Yuma said with a smirk.

"Why wouldn't you? Don't you wanna make this as easy on you as possible?" Sasuke said back.

"I'm not scared of you." Yuma said, an image of the bone wielding psychopath Kimimaro surfacing in his mind.

"I've fought much worse." Yuma said, his smirk morphing into a frown, his bandages unraveling to expose his shadowy arms.

Sasuke smirked.

"What weakling thinks he is so big and strong after one little scuffle on a mission, what a joke." Sasuke said, making Yuma scowl.

"Don't call me a weakling!"

"Then prove to me you aren't." Sasuke said with his trademark smirk.

Both moved away from each other, getting into stance. Naruko looked at the two of them in worry. Kakashi held up his hand in the air.

"Are the two of you ready?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes!" Both of them shouted.

"On your marks..."

Yuma tensed.

"Get set..."

Sasuke smirked.

"...BEGIN!"

Sasuke dashed forward, intent on beating Yuma into the ground. Yuma however, anticipated this and began weaving his shadowy hands through hand signs, then slammed them into the ground. A wall of stone appeared in front of Yuma, shocking Sasuke. This did not deter the raven haired boy from his assault, jumping over the wall to look down at Yuma, however...

No one was there...

Sasuke was brought down to the floor by the power of gravity. Lightning encased his fists as he shouted 'Chidori', smashing the stone wall, but still no right of Yuma. He was confused before...

Yuma arose from Sasuke's shadow, slamming his fist into Sasuke's face, making him fly across the field with a shocked expression.

"Impressive...I see what he did there." Kakashi said.

"What did he do?" Naruko asked, confused as to how he got a hit on Sasuke.

"He used the stone wall as a distraction to make it seem as if he were defending. He predicted that Sasuke would jump over it, making a shadow for Yuma to morph into. The momentum of Yuma pulsing out of the shadow made his fist strong enough to make Sasuke go flying." Kakashi explained.

"I see..." Naruko said, too amazed to say anything else.

Sasuke finally regained his footing snarling in frustration, only for water to shoot out at him from the tree line. He was sent rolling from the force, only for Yuma to pulse out into the air from the shadow created from the water jutsu that had flew over the ground in the air. He used a harsh geyser of water jutsu to propel himself straight to Sasuke at an incredible speed, not wanting to lose the momentum he had gained in the fight.

Once he was right above the the downed Sasuke trying to get back up, he pulled out his kunai, slicing into Sasuke's cheek before the Uchiha boy kicked up dirt, and rolled away. Yuma wiped the debris from his eye, as Sasuke touched his now bleeding cheek, scowling.

"You think your so much better then me! Yet looks who's bleeding!" Yuma shouted.

"Shut the hell up!" Sasuke barked back, bringing his hands together, and welling up his stomach until...

"Fire Style: Greate Fireball Jutsu!"

A entire column burst forth from Sasuke, heading to Yuma at alarming speeds. Yuma rolled away to the side, his side slightly burnt as the fire whizzed past him. He looked forward, only to feel the rough sting of Sasuke's fist slam into his face. Yuma grounded his feet making sure to not go flying, Sasuke immediately started unleashing a flurry of hits, intent on finishing the fight. Yuma bobbed and weaved, trying to analyze the furious Sasuke's attack patterns. His eyes lit up on seeing through Sasuke's attacks.

'Punch left, punch right, punch right, punch right...Predictable.' Yuma thought smugly, begging to dodge every hit Sasuke attempted to dish out.

Finding an opening, Yuma slammed his fist into Sasuke's gut. Sasuke, learning from his mistake, grounded his feet into the ground. Twisting his body to the side to dodge another punch from Yuma, then slammed his knee into Yuma's side, making him slide across the forest floor. Sasuke, seeing an opening, dashed at Yuma, and kicked him into the air. Yuma, having no time to react was caught off guard, as gravity brought him down to Sasuke who kicked him into the tree line like a pinball machine.

Yuma grabbed onto a branch, and catapulted himself back at Sasuke. Sasuke crossed his arms in front of himself, expecting a punch, only for Yuma to meld into his shadow. Sasuke, before Yuma could jump out at him, quickly wove through hand signs, and then slid away, using another great fireball jutsu, the light from the fire erasing the shadow, forcing Yuma out. Yuma rolled away, before...

"This ends now!" Sasuke roared.

Yuma looked up to see a fist right in front of him. Sasuke slammed his fist into Yuma, putting him into a daze, before Sasuke slammed both fists into Yuma's head, forcing him into the ground. Sasuke pulled out a kunai, trying to intimidate Yuma into surrendering, but his kunai met only dirt as Yuma used water jutsu to propel his downed body away from Sasuke, using the water like a propeller.

"Whats wrong Sasuke! I thought I was just a weakling!?" Yuma mocked the now red in the face Sasuke.

"I said shut up Yuma!" Sasuke roared trying to hit Yuma with fireball jutsu after fireball jutsu, too angry to think.

"Why!? Why did you treat Naruko like that!? She was worried about you and you treated her like a nuisance!" Sasuke yelled.

"Worried about me!? She assaulted my training partner!?" Yuma yelled right back, dodging another fireball.

"Because he works with that lowlife Danzo!" Sasuke roared.

Yuma's eyes grew engulfed with fury at Sasuke insulting his master. He erected several walls of stone and melded into shadow, hopping from slab to slab to get closer to Sasuke. He appeared above the crazy eyed Uchiha, wrapping his legs around Sasuke's head and dragged him to the floor. His shadowy fists morphed into sharp, knife like appendages, and became solid. Sasuke moved his head to the left, eyes widened in shock upon seeing Yuma's limb stabbed into the earth, a look of pure hatred in his eyes.

"Don't ever call mister Danzo a lowlife again." Yuma snarled.

"Why do you trust that old bastard so much?" Sasuke asked with a genuine look of disappointment on his face.

"Because that 'old bastard' has been there for me when no one else was. Because that 'old bastard' actually sees potential in me..."

Sasuke's frown deepened.

"Because that 'old bastard' doesn't think i'm weak." Yuma finished, a scowl on his face.

Sasuke averted his eyes, a look of shame forming on his face.

The sound of whistling sounded out, as the two turned to Kakashi, waving the two of them over. Yuma glared down at Sasuke, before getting off of him, and walking away. Sasuke pulled himself up with a deep frown on his face, walking back over to Kakashi as well. Kakashi stood wide eyed, gazing at Yuma with surprise with pride and shock.

"I can't believe i'm saying this, but Yuma, you won the sparring match."

Sasuke flinched.

"Sasuke, sad to say you lost. Do you know why you lost?" Kakashi asked.

"Please enlighten me oh great one." Sasuke replied with snark.

"Its because you underestimated Yuma, and you weren't thinking. You are more talented and more powerful, yet lost, because you weren't using your head. You thought so little of your teammate, that you ended up giving him the advantage. That's why you lost Sasuke."

"...Fine, your right..." Sasuke admitted, crossing his arms and scowling at the ground.

Kakashi turned to Yuma.

"Even though you won Yuma, I noticed many inconsistencies in the way you fought." Kakashi said, causing Yuma to arch a brow.

"What do you mean?" Yuma asked, genuinely intrigued.

It seemed like your body was trying to keep up with your brain. You're a strategic type, yet your body is still too weak when it comes to keeping up with the plans your brain concocts." Kakashi explained, Yuma's eyes lighting up in realization.

"Talk to those in your team, and ask your comrades what they think you lack. That will help you in your decision, young Yuma." Danzo's words from earlier in the day now became crystal clear to Yuma.

"I don't feel good when saying this, but, next time you train with Danzo, I'd recommend learning a Taijutsu style. Also, remember, you only won today because Sasuke wasn't using his head. You have a long way to go to being his equal and an even longer way to go til you are Naruko's equal." Kakashi finished.

"Thank you sensei! I appreciate your guidance!" Yuma said, surprising everyone by bowing to Kakashi.

"Y-Yuma, what're you doing?" Kakashi said, feeling awkward.

"Oh, Danzo says its always best to bow to your teacher, its a sign of thanks and respect for all they have taught you after all. Why, you don't like it?" Yuma responded, confused as to why Kakashi reacted so negativly to the bow.

"No, its just shocking coming from you, but I appreciate it, good work." Kakashi said back with an eye smile of relief.

'At least the old coot is teaching the kid some manners. Though i'd never thank the bastard to his face.' Kakashi thought with a twitching eye.

'Now I know what I gotta do. Taijutsu Form: The Acrobat, that was in one of the scrolls mister Danzo provided. I'm gonna learn that form of taijutsu even if its the last thing I do!' Yuma thought in his head, a look of determination billowing in his eyes.

"Well, I think that settles it, we will have a thirty minute break for lunch then back to the last sparring match between Naruko and Sasuke, sound good?" Kakashi suggested.

"Yes sensei!" Yuma said.

"...Whatever." Was Sasuke's answer.

"Fine." Was Naruko's answer.

"Good, because I got somewhere to be, see ya guys later!"

"...Well shit." Was all Yuma had to say as an awkward silence settled in.

"Come on Naruko, lets go get something to eat." Sasuke said.

"O-Okay, hey Yuma, wanna co-!?"

"Don't worry about him, lets go." Sasuke said with a scowl, turning Yuma's mood sour.

Yuma scoffed and just walked away from the scowling Uchiha and the frowning Naruko, too miffed to care. He plopped down beneath a tree and pulled another book Danzo had lent him labeled "The Art of Silence.", and began reading. Naruko, while looking back at Yuma, formed a small smile, watching him read his book enthusiastically, a weird beat sounding in her heart.

"Hey, Sasuke...It really isn't Yuma's fault, I told you that already." Naruko said.

"Stop that." Sasuke said.

"Stop what?" Naruko asked in confusion.

"Stop making excuses for him. He shouldn't have-!?"

"Shouldn't have what!? Protected his training partner!? Are you honestly listening to yourself, who are you and what have you done with Sasuke!?" Naruko said, finally having enough.

"No that's-!?"

"No, you listen here okay! Look, I realize you're just trying to look out for me, but the truth is I made a mistake okay!? Its you who's the one making excuses for me!" Naruko said.

Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and walked to a tree, kicking it with all of his might. He cursed aloud, and winced in pain and regret, realizing how stupid and petty he was acting. He faced away from Naruko, glancing in the direction Yuma was, sitting beneath the tree and reading his book. He frowned, before sighing in agitation, sulking over Naruko.

"I-I guess you're right, for once. I just don't like when people look down on us or you, its a pride thing." Sasuke admitted.

"Yeah, well that pride is gonna get you killed one day. I know I can be a dunce sometimes, but you can be really petty about the most weird things. Besides, you know as well as I do that Yuma rarely looks down at anyone. I mean come on, its Yuma!" Naruko said in exasperation.

"...Yeah, I guess your right..." Sasuke relented, looking at the forest floor in shame.

"So? What are we gonna do?" Naruko said with a grin, asking a rhetorical question.

"We're...apolo..." Sasuke said, averting his eyes from Naruko's and turning red in the face.

"Huh? I can't hear you!" Naruko said, her grin widening.

"Ugh! Fine, I'll say it! We're gonna apologize to Yuma!" Sasuke forced out, red covering his face.

"Bzzt, wrong!" Naruko said jokingly, bringing her arms into an X-formation.

"T-Then what are we gonna do!" Sasuke asked, thoroughly embarrassed.

"We're gonna talk about it over lunch with him!" Naruko said back, turning away from the red faced Uchiha to head over to Yuma.

Sasuke grumbled and followed after her, feeling like he was being dragged along. Yuma, sitting beneath the tree, continued reading the book, a small smile on his face as he read the gift from his grandfather-like figure. In it were tips and tricks on how to be quiet during a stealth mission, and he was finding the read quite informative. Suddenly, two shadows hovered over him, causing him to sigh. He looked up with an annoyed look in his eye, but it did nothing to deter the bright eyed Naruko.

"What do you want, I told you I was done." Yuma said, trying to ignore them.

"I know, but please, just hear us out." Naruko said.

"...Fine, tell me what you want." Yuma relented, setting the book down by his side.

"I realize what I did was wrong, and I'm sorry for it. I just want us to go eat lunch and talk this through, okay?" Naruko asked, holding her hand out.

Yuma stared at her hand for a few seconds, before relenting with a huff and grabbing onto her hand, a smile widening on her face. Sasuke averted his eyes from Yuma, hand covering the cut on his cheek. Yuma, seeing this, narrowed his eyes and walked over to Sasuke, his wrapped hand gaining a green aura around itself. Sasuke stood still in shock as Yuma pressed his palm against Sasuke's cheek, the cut closing up, returning his face to its normal, stoic self.

"There, now we're even. Lets go eat." Yuma said.

"Y-Yeah, sure." Sasuke said, wide eyed.

Yuma walked ahead, leading the pack, causing Naruko and Sasuke some minor confusion.

"Um, Yuma? Where are you going?"

"In order to properly have a discussion, we need to be equals, and that can't happen if you both pay for me. And there is no way I can afford Akimichi Diner, so we're going somewhere cheaper. Just follow me." Yuma said.

Naruko turned to Sasuke with a grin, as he shrugged his shoulders. They followed after Yuma, curious as to where he was going to take them to. The sun shined down on the members of Team Seven, as if Kami himself was curious as to what they would discuss. As they walked through the grassy trail leading from the training grounds back to the village, a tiny white spider followed after.


Minato sat behind his desk filtering through the many piles of paperwork alongside a shadow clone of himself to make the process easier. He was almost done sorting through the pile, before the window behind his desk opened up, causing a gust of wind to ruin his hours of work. He frowned in extreme anger, before taking a deep breath. He glared pointedly at the wall in front of himself, refusing to turn to the person behind himself.

"What do you want Kakashi." Minato said aloud with a tinge of anger reflecting in his tone, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration as his clone set about picking up all the papers from the floor.

"I just wanted to ask a few things, I won't take up too much of your time." Kakashi said jovially, ruining Minato's mood even more.

"You knew this would happen." Minato said.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Kakashi replied with an eye smile.

"Please Kakashi, explain to me why you are here on this fine evening." Minato said sarcastically.

"Its noon actually."

"Just answer the question." Minato demanded.

"Fine, I came to say that I don't like how close Yuma is to Danzo." Kakashi said.

Minato sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose once more.

"This again...Kakashi, I already told you, who Yuma wishes to learn from is of no concern to me. As long as the boy is willing to improve his skills, who am I to deny him the right?" Minato said.

"I just, have a bad gut feeling about this sensei. I don't trust Danzo, and having him want to train my student isn't helping it."

"Kakashi, plea-!?"

"You were the one who told me never to ignore my gut, remember?" Kakashi tried.

"On the battlefield yes, but not when judging others." Minato responded.

"But still-!?"

"You and I both know this isn't about Yuma, this is about Rin isn't it?" Minato said, finally getting to the crux of the matter.

Kakashi went silent. Minato realized what he had said, and stood up to hug Kakashi. Kakashi remained still, before hugging his sensei back, he had always viewed the fourth as a father figure after all.

"I know, its been hard, believe me, I know. But until there is sufficient proof of any wrong doings on his end I can't do anything about it. Danzo is good at hiding his tracks and has the village elders underneath his payroll." Minato said.

"Its not fair sensei. We know it was his doing, we know and yet we can't prove it. Its not fair..." Kakashi said.

"I know. But when Rin had the three tailed beast sealed within her by the mist...There was nothing else we could do..." Minato said.

"I saw them sensei, I saw them kill her, those ROOT ninja..." Kakashi whispered.

"...I know, but an eye witness testimony is not enough to incriminate someone like Danzo. Don't worry, one day he will slip up, and then..." Minato said, looking at Kakashi face to face as the man regained his eye smile.

"And then, we will finally arrest him, right?" Kakashi asked.

"Right, but until then there is nothing we can do. All we can do is wait and hope he isn't conditioning Yuma or anything like that."

"Right as always sensei. Sorry for bothering you. I'll get going now, need to tell my students about their enrollment into the chunin exams after all." Kakashi joked, jumping to the window.

"Can you just ever come through the door?" Minato complained.

"Nope." Was all Kakashi said in return, leaping out the window as Minato chuckled.

"Keep an eye on those kids, I have complete faith in you...my star pupil."

And with that, Minato set back to filtering through his paperwork.


The sound of loud and intense slurping could be heard beneath the flaps of Ichiraku Ramen as the blonde haired hero of Konoha Naruko and the pale skinned Yuma were engaged in an intense bout of competitive eating between the both of them. Sasuke looked at them with a green face, grossed out at their sloppy eating, feeling ready to puke as Naruko ordered her twelfth bowl. Yuma was not far behind, starting on his eleventh.

"Whats...wrong...Yuma, can't...catch...up?" Naruko said between gulps and swallowing.

"Don't...underestimate...the power...of a poor person who...never gets to eat a lot..." Yuma said back, starting on his twelfth bowl as well.

The ramen chef laughed heartily making several bowls in the back with a large smile spread across is face. He was filled with vigor as he watched the idol of Konoha eat his ramen like it was the most delicious meal on Kami's green earth. He slammed another bowl in front of the blonde hero with a large grin, as she finished another bowl.

"Hahahaha, I never thought I'd see the day when the Hokage's daughter would eat at my establishment!" The ramen chef sung with chair.

"I...should've...come here sooner!...Your...ramen...is amazing!...Thanks!" Naruko complimented through gulps.

"No, no, I should be thanking you! Having the hokage's daughter and the second heir of the Uchiha clan attend my establishment is sure to bring in more customers! Thanks!" The man said, going back to making bowl after bowl for the two eating maniacs to wolf down their gluttonous gullets.

"I think i'm gonna be sick. Where do both of you even fit all of that!" Sasuke said.

They chose not to answer and merely continued scarfing down bowls left and right. It was a long and arduous battle, but, eventually Naruko came out as the victor, having eaten thirty-five bowls when compared to Yuma's thirty-three. Naruko grinned, patting her stomach with satisfaction, relishing in the sweet taste of victory. Yuma also patted his stomach in satisfaction, not even caring so much to losing, more concerned on how much money he'd have to pay up now.

"Hey, where's the receipt?" Yuma asked.

"Don't worry about it kid, its on the house. Besides, once word of the Hokage's daughter and the second heir of the Uchiha clan spreads in the village, i'll have a whole legion of customers! That's payment enough kid!" The ramen shop owner bellowed in a jolly manner.

"Thanks...now then, what did you guys wanna talk about." Yuma said, catching Naruko's and Sasuke's attentions.

"...We wanted to know why you don't like us." Naruko said, breaking the ice.

"That's easy to answer then, I don't dislike you, i'm more indifferent to the both of you if anything else." Yuma stated.

"Why, I thought we settled all of this in the wave mission?" Sasuke interjected.

"You have to be more dense then Naruko if you think years of hate on my side can disappear in a matter of weeks. Look, I don't hate you guys, not anymore, but that doesn't mean I like both of you either." Yuma huffed.

"Why do you have a bone to pick with both of us in the first place. I know why you hate me, but why Naruko? Why do you not like her so much?" Sasuke said.

"Sasuke, you don't have to-!?"

"You're the one who wanted to have a discussion Naruko, let me ask him. We're never going to solve anything if we're constantly beating around the bush." Sasuke explained.

"...I guess your right. I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't wanna know why you hate me." Naruko relented with a sigh.

Naruko looked at Yuma in the eyes, a look of real sadness in her eye. Yuma froze, instinctively averting his eyes from hers as guilt filled his heart. Yuma looked at the bowl of leftover broth in front of him and gulped it down, trying to steel his nerves before answering her question.

"Because...And I don't think this way anymore mind you...I'm actually very ashamed I thought this for the longest...But, I used to blame you for the death of my parents." Yuma finally said.

"W-What?" Naruko asked, her eyes shaking.

"When I was little...someone told me that the Nine Tails Attack is why I became an orphan. I know that isn't the truth now, but...Hear that as a kid, and you start to try and find anything at all to pin the blame onto." Yuma said.

"I-I...I don't-!?"

"Please Naruko, just let me finish. Look, when I got my apartment at the age of six, I was then burdened with a bunch of things. Things like food, electricity, apartment upkeep. I was shouldered with a lot of responsibility, so much so that...I sometimes had to steal or even eat out of the garbage to survive."

"Yuma..." Naruko's eyes began to water, realizing how hard Yuma's childhood must have been.

"The stipend the village gave me for funds was not a lot, which I don't really blame anyone for, the village had tons of orphans they had to feed after the economic crisis the Nine Tails' Attack put our village in. So I understood why, but eventually...I let the anger and bitterness consume me, and began blaming everything else in the world for my problems." Yuma said, frowning sadly at the bowl in his hand.

"Then, one day...I just became sick and tired of it all. Kiba beat me up, and I saw the two of you just walk away, not even bothering to help me. I then had to walk home with a limp leg, but found my pantry barren, and had to eat out of an alley way dumpster. And...That's when it happened..."

"I saw the both of you on a float during the nine tails defeat festival, being bombarded with praise and lavished with gifts and love...That's what finally did it for me...I saw the two people, the two great hero's of Konoha who abandoned me when I needed them most earlier being treated like saviors...And that really stuck with me..." Yuma said, beginning to tear up.

"I thought, why? Why is it always them? Why do they get the loving family? Why do they get the adoration and attention? Why do they get full bellies and a wealthy home? I thought...Why not me? Why didn't I get any of that. What did I do to deserve this?" Yuma said through choked sobs, tears spilling out.

"And...before I knew it...I began to blame the both of you for every unfortunate event in my life...I know now that it was wrong of me...But I couldn't help but be envious of you both..." Yuma said.

Naruko stood up.

And wrapped her arms around a shocked Yuma.

"It must have been so hard...I can't imagine...How terrible you must have felt..." Naruko cried, hugging the surprised Yuma who was at a loss for words.

"N-Naruko?" Yuma said, stuttering, not knowing what to say.

Then the unthinkable happened.

Sasuke joined in on the hug.

"W-What!?" Yuma said, startled by the sudden showing of affection by Sasuke.

"I'm so sorry I didn't help you Yuma! I didn't realize you experienced such hardship!" Sasuke suddenly exclaimed much to Yuma's surprise.

"W-Wha-!?"

"I swear to never do that again...Back then I was an arrogant idiot. Even my brother got onto me. I severely regret my actions on that day. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I still hope to one day be able to call you my friend..." Sasuke said.

"You guys...Thanks, I know that at the moment I can't promise to be your friend...but I know...one day...I'll be able to let go of all this stupid jealousy. Can you guys wait til then?" Yuma said, hugging them both back.

"Of course Yuma, after all..." Sasuke began, turning to Naruko with a knowing smile.

"We're not gonna give up till you become our best friend ya know!"

And with that, Yuma's heart opened itself up, at least a little bit more.


Kakashi sat on a tree stump, checking his watch in annoyance. He tapped his foot on the ground, trying to dispel his boredom, but to no avail. Eventually, he saw his students down the trail, headed his way. He stood up waving them over.

"I thought I said thirty minute break! You guys were gone for an hour!" Kakashi complained, earning an obnoxious grin from Naruko.

"I don't wanna hear about being late from you Kakashi! Besides its like you say, We just got lost on the path of life is all." Naruko replied jokingly.

"Ha ha. How funny. Now since you guys are late, i'm cutting this team meeting short. No more sparring. I was only using that as a way to test if Yuma was ready f what i'm about to announce anyway." Kakashi stated, gaining Naruko and Sasuke's attention.

Yuma however wasn't interested, already knowing what was going on.

"And that is?" Sasuke asked dryly.

"I have officially nominated the three of you for the Chunin Exams, of which will begin this upcoming Monday." Kakashi stated, gaining a wide eyed look from Naruko, a narrow eyed look from Sasuke, and a determined gaze from Yuma.

"I heard of those before! Isn't that those really hard tests that take place over three months and are meant to gauge who is ready of the Chunin rank?" Naruko asked.

"Spot on as always Naruko. Your right. But these tests are more then hard. They will push all of you to your upmost limits both physically and mentally. Are you all sure you are ready for this?" Kakashi asked, his tone dead serious.

"I know I am Kakashi!" Naruko replied with a determined grin.

"As am I." Sasuke replied with a smirk.

"I will not let you down Kakashi-Sensei!" Yuma proclaimed.

Kakashi looked at his students with pride, remembering his time as Genin alongside Obito and Rin. Smiling with pride shining through his one visible eye, he nodded at the three of them his approval.

"Good answer! I can't wait to say what all three of you got!" Kakashi said.

And with that, the story of Yuma entered into its next chapter. The wind billowed through the training grounds, Yuma's eyes filled with an intense fire, determined to become a Chunin.

'Wait for me mother, I will obtain the rank of Chunin and find out where you are. I promise...'


A/N: Yo, hope you enjoy the chapter! Its a long one I know! Remember to review, and stay shiny you magnificent bastards of the internet!

KingOfShame out!