Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, all rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto and whoever else.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

"Tailed beast, summons, second consciousness speaking"

"Tailed beast, summons, second consciousness thinking"

'Jutsus'

Naruto CH35: Hospital Visit for Chunin

Team Seven, Sensei and all worked their way through the white halls of the medical section of the tower, not yet deciding to leave. Reason being for this was Naruto requesting that they go visit Haku, well more like demand that they come along.

Sakura decided she wouldn't mind visiting Lee, he did help save her and her teams lives. She dreaded to think of what might've happened if he hadn't shown up when he had: the thought made her feel a bit chilly.

She saw the door number that the nurse gave her "hey guys this is it" she said, pointing to the door.

Kakashi nodded "okay, be careful around Guy if he's in there" a sign escaped him "he can be a bit of a handful at tim-well all of the time"

Naruto grinned, blue eyes shining "have fun and tell him thanks from us!"

Sasuke gave an agreeing grunt to that.

Sakura nodded "okay, see you in a bit" she said. They would meet back up at the reception in an hour at most. With that Sakura pulled aside the door and stepped inside.

The rest of Team Seven made their way along the hallway and turned, they paused when they saw a familiar figure leaning back on a wall, arms folded, eyes closed looking lost in thought. She turned to them, seeming to have felt their collective gazes "oh Kakashi Hatake".

"Yugito Nii" returned the Konoha Jonin, his voice much lighter than hers "funny meeting you here".

She let out a huff at that "I could say that more so than you" she looked at the two boys in front of him, "none of your team was injured in the slightest". She looked back up at him "so why are you here?".

He reached a hand down and tapped a finger on top of Naruto's head, poking through the yellow spikes of hair and making him squirm and try to bat the hand away. Kakashi chuckled at the woman "this one has a friend he wants to see, he was seriously hurt in the match".

She cocked a blonde eyebrow at that and looked down at her fellow blonde "the boy with the bowl cut, Rock Lee?"

He shook his head "no, Haku" he said.

There was a brief look of surprise on her face "a Mist Ninja? How surprising, I wouldn't have thought: it's uncommon for ninja to have friends beyond borders" she said, pulling herself from the wall.

Naruto scratched his head, tipping it slightly to one side "really?" she nodded. He grinned "well I guess I'm just really awesome then!" he near yelled, and began laughing, almost madly, like he heard a once in a lifetime joke.

Despite herself a chuckled escaped the woman "must be" she said. Her attention was taken by the movement of Kakashi in the corner of her vision. A look near both disgust and disappointment moved her features at seeing what he was holding, her thoughts then become audible as she saw him open it and saw how far along he was with it. It only worsened from there when she noticed how worn the book seemed, beaten edges, dulled corners, a softened spine, this book had seen some use.

His head lifted and his single eye gazed at her lazily "something the matter?" he asked, sounding oblivious to what was bothering her, but the spark of amusement in his eye told her that he knew full well what it was.

Her arms folded, her brow crossed, creasing her flawless features. "I honestly expected someone of your reputation to be above reading such trash" she said, her voiced disapproval like a dozen knife.

"Well" he started, the humor he kept out of his voice now having moved in "not all of us can live up to the world's expectations no matter how famous we may be, after all this book here was written by Jiraiya of the Sannin". Naruto growled beneath him at that, but he ignored his student's denial.

Yugito signed heavily at that, her eyes dropping "how truly disappointing to hear" she said.

"NO!" yelled Naruto, the single word seeming to hit like a boom that made everyone turn to him and take a step back. His hand rushed for a pocket of his flak jacket, to which he like his Sensei pulled out a book. He stomped towards the lady Jonin and held his book up at her, the movement borderline aggressive as he shoved the book in her face.

Yugito had leaned back at this, looked down at the boy then the book and read the title, all in the same moment. "Tales of a Gutsy Ninja" she read. She looked at the boy, the frown on his face, the fire burning in his ocean blue eyes, the passion shaking his body and the book before her. It raised her interest on what it was that was making this young Jinchurriki act this way.

Naruto brought his other hand up and opened the book, with familiarity, able to feel they exact page he wanted.

Her eyes briefly widened.

"See! This book was written by Jiraiya!" he said, like someone trying to show the truth to the world "I refuse to believe he wrote those smutty crappy romance novels when he wrote something like this!". Each word of his was filled with belief and passion on what he was talking about. Naruto closed the book and held it to her.

She cocked her head at this "what? You're not giving it to me, are you?".

Naruto shook his head "no, this is my favourite book so I expect you to return it, you're coming back for the third round, right?" she nodded, he grinned "good give it back then before you leave, okay!". He smiled brightly at her.

Yugito nodded, she honestly didn't have it in her to say no to that. Yugito was also filled with overwhelming curiosity at the book he showed. She had heard about those other books written by Jiraiya of the Sannin, and here was this boy, this Jinchuriki who didn't believe they were written by him. It made her wonder how different this book was from his other reads that had people so stupidly hot under the collar. A book written by one of the world most infamous and legendary Shinobi that wasn't some cheesy romance flick.

She took the book.

Naruto smiled "take care of it okay".

Yugito nodded and placed it in her pouch "I will".

"Thanks" he said and began walking passed her, waving as he was going "bye".

Sasuke began following

but stopped when he noticed Kakashi wasn't following "you coming, Kakashi?"

The Jonin shook his head "no I think I'll stay and talk with miss Nii here for a little while longer"

She shrugged "if you wish".

Sasuke also shrugged "okay, don't be late to meet up with us" he said, a touch of a demand in his voice.

The Hatake eye smiled "okay" he said, but it sounded more like he was waving the Uchiha's demand away then actually listening.

The boy grunted and stalked off after the Uzumaki. His footsteps tapping against the smooth off-white floor, hands in his pockets.

Sasuke fought to ignore the heavyweight between the nape of his and his shoulder, the itch it brought with it any time he thought about it, the fuzzy pulse it sent through his coils and into his bones.

The urge to use it, the urge for violence and the want to go mad. The whispering delusions of power and revenge that he could just take now without having to think of the consequence for all that he has built. No Sasuke couldn't allow those sick temptations to take him, he had too much to lose if he did, he resolved to have something to come back to when all was settled on his hunt for vengeance against his greatest demon.

Right now Sasuke just had to wait a little longer and the mark should be dealt with in due time and hopefully, these feelings will be gone.

It got dangerously close to being exposed during his match, it seems no one had noticed his slip up, he was quick to pull it back in but his opponent Karui saw it. Now Kakashi was with her teams Sensei, what if she said something to her Sensei? What if she then says something to Kakashi and then he tells the Hokage and that steals his chance of learning to tame this cursed power.

These stacking thoughts began to press down on him, his left hand clenched tight, his knuckles turning white as he tried to push the thoughts away. None of that would help him. He just had to hope that Kakashi doesn't find out unless it's on his terms, no one else's.

Soon him and his Grandfather will get this thing under control. The mark will work for him, do what he wants! Not Orochimaru!. Sasuke will not become that criminals puppet, Sannin or not he does not belong to him: this mark does not make him his slave, it will not steal his free will.

He let his fist unwind back into a relaxed hand. He felt the seal, his link to his Grandfather stir: seems he felt his distress. He sent him a message telling him he was alright and the seal went quiet.

He saw Naruto round a corner and he followed. He heard the tap of his friend's feet come to an abrupt halt and Sasuke picked up his pace and turned the corner. Seems they now stood before another Jonin Sensei.

This one though gave them both the creeps.

He looked like a younger version of Orochimaru. He was leaning against the wall, his jet black hair tied up into a high ponytail, a sound headband wrapped around his head, his skin a more healthy peach colour, his eyes a light brown and no purple markings. He looked down at them and smiled, the expression sinister in every sense of the word and the smile a perfect sardonic.

They were quick to move passed him after that and avoid starting any conversation with the sound nin.

The Jonin smirked at their backs, his eye briefly turning a murky yellow. His tongue lolled out, thick, moist and licked his lips before retreating back in.

Naruto and Sasuke said nothing to each other about that guy back there. Nothing needed to be said they both knew what they other thought about him. They turned another corner and found the room number Naruto was looking for.

The blonde grinned and slid it open and stepped inside. Everyone inside turned to them.

Haku was perched up in a hospital bed, his arm in a cast, bandages practically mummifying him all over, one of his eyes was bandaged over leaving only one eye exposed. He was dressed in plain cloth clothes provided by the hospital and his hair was poking out of the back of his bandages in a thick chestnut ponytail.

Beside Haku's bed was all his team, Junichi sitting quietly on a chair with his hands on his lap. Chojuro Sitting on a windowsill, his sword perched up by the wall next to him. Finally, their Sensei Ao leaning against the wall, arms folded, his expression held in its inveterate frown that now seems especially intense.

Everyone stared at the two boys for a minute, heavy silence taking hold as everyone just remained quiet. Until it was broken by Naruto as he waved at Haku "hey".

Haku smiled, the motion seeming to sting him as he did "h-hey Naruto". He lifted his arm to wave back, but it didn't get very high up barely and inch of the bed, it shook like he was trying to lift a lead weight. It fell and Haku huffed in disappointment.

Naruto stepped in, now completely clear of the doorway.

"So your Naruto"

He stopped at the voice and turned and saw it was the Sensei who said this, he didn't sound too pleased to meet him. "Um yeah" Naruto confirmed.

Ao grunted "so you're the boy that Haku holds so much gratitude towards, he said he had a friend here he was hoping to meet" the man sighed, his single eye closed "I guess Mist owes you thanks, Haku says you practically saved his life". Ao didn't sound like he truly believed in saying any of that.

Naruto nearly rocketed back at this, he started scratching his head nervously "w-what?" he said dumbly before shaking his hands "no, no! No thanks are needed, I just did what any friend would do is all" he turned to Haku "right!?".

Haku just smiled at him, ignoring the pain "I think you underestimate how much you helped me Naruto" started Haku.

Naruto lowered his hands and stood still as Haku started talking to him with such a somber air around him.

The ice user looked down at his white sheets "I was in a really bad place after Zabuza died, you know that, I didn't want to move on I just wanted to die, I almost ignored Zabuza's final wish to me because of my grief, the crushing loneliness I felt after his death, but you" he said, lifting his head back up. He smiled, almost brightly at him "you reminded me, you didn't let me betray Zabuza's last wish, you gave me your friendship and lifted my loneliness and for that, I thank you, Naruto Uzumaki"

Naruto stood silent. All this gratitude was honestly making him feel something he hardly ever felt so vividly, self-conscious. He fidgeted, moving from side to side on each foot, he looked anywhere apart from the people before him, his hand reached back and scratched the back of his head, and his lips got sucked into his mouth before he pushed them back out so he could say something.

"W-well, you're welcome...I guess, but no thanks are necessary, really!. You're a good guy Haku and I just couldn't stand to see you give up like that". Naruto could feel the smile being sent his way. He turned to Haku and forced himself to quit fidgeting and grinned "So how ya feeling?" he asked, gesturing at the injuries and wanting to changed the subject as quick as possible.

Haku shuffled in his bed, trying to get comfy, but proofing difficult by the obvious pain he was in. "Not well, that Rock Lee-" he paused, his eye closed and a grunt left him "hits hard" he finished.

Naruto stepped closer and now stood at the foot of his bed. "I saw!" he said, his hands grabbing the railing of the bed and leaned forward on it. Sasuke moved over to lean on a wall, right beside Chojuro who seemed nervous with the Uchiha's close proximity.

"He was sending you this way and that way" rambled Naruto, doing hand gestures to try and mimic how Haku was flying through they air "there were all these 'BANGS!' and 'BOOMS!' like they air was exploding"

Haku cocked his head "oh really, I hadn't noticed" he said, sounding almost sincere but that was his rare sarcasm.

It was lost on Naruto "yep! And they were loud too"

. Haku and Sasuke inwardly sighed, he should be able to pick up on these things.

"You're tougher than you look Haku" cut in Sasuke, speaking for the first time since he entered the room. Everyone turned to him as he looked at the injured Yuki with oxen eyes "I am amazed you're not dead from all that".

Haku let out a slight chuckle "I would have been if he had managed to hit me with that um- what was it?" he paused as he searched for the name he heard during the chaos. "Oh!" he seemed like he was gonna snapped his fingers but was unable to, his eye turned to his one questionably good arm with slight annoyance "the Reverse Lotus" he said with lost joy.

Naruto snickered at him, all his teeth on display "yeah that's the one". His expression suddenly went more somber as he looked the boy over, this wasn't lost on everyone in the room. "So" he started, his voice lower than before "will you be able to fight next month? What with all your injuries?" he asked, concern in his voice and eyes.

It wasn't Haku who answered this but instead Ao "he will" he said, his voice stern "we have good medics back in Mist they should all be able to get him back into fighting condition in no time, with plenty of time to train to".

Naruto grinned "that's great" he turned to Haku, his eyes challenging "you better not slack off cause I ain't gonna! Ya got that Haku".

Haku wasn't one for challenging stares, or boastful words, but even so that friendly smile and the kind way he gave his response still somehow managed to carry his stepping up to the Uzumaki's challenge. "I sure do" he said, his eye closed with a pleasant smile and his words as soft as any other time he would speak: and yet the challenge was there.

Naruto grinned, his k-9's standing out "good".

A few minutes ago

Sakura stepped inside and closed the door and found-push ups.

"come on Lee! Just another 900 to go!" roared the bigger Lee.

"Yes Guy-Sensei!"

Sakura just stood in silence, utterly baffled by the fact that Lee even had the stamina left to even stand up let alone be doing any sort of push up. "what is he made of?". The girl's attention was snatched away from the pair of rising and falling green blurs in front of her by a cold and unwelcoming voice.

"What are you doing here?" it asked, she turned to it and found it belonged to Neji Hyuga as he stepped from behind a curtain. His question seemed to grab his Sensei and Teammates attention as they stopped in their exercise.

Lee turned and upon seeing her was right on his feet like his had springs for arms. "Sakura!" he yelled and cheered "what are you doing here?" he asked, still sounding utterly overjoyed to see her.

"Um I came to visit you and thank you for your help back in the forest of death" she said, feeling more free to step further into the room. His warm welcoming presence seeming to thaw away Neji's arctic greeting and making it feel safe to step further in

Lee nodded "do not worry, I could not simply look away while you were in danger dear Sakura" he said in earnest, as he stood tall and gave her a near painfully blinding smile.

Sakura smiled at his chivalrous attitude. She couldn't help but think that if it wasn't for those eyebrows and that bad hair cut she could honestly consider giving him a shot. She snapped out of that thought as something else invaded her thoughts "hey!" she said, trying not to shout "shouldn't you be in bed!" her voice was nearly reprimanding and that made Lee cock his head slightly.

"That's what we said" came another voice from behind her, Tenten walked into the room sounding annoyed and holding a bottle of water. She sighed "but he wouldn't listen and Guy-Sensei's no help at all" she said nodding towards the full grown man.

When Sakura next turned she was frowning at Lee, "back in bed!" ordered Sakura, a hand on her hip and they other pointing at the vacant hospital bed with sheets that clearly hadn't been much used.

Lee stepped back at this "but Sakura I'm fin-"

"you're not fine!" she cut in before her pointing hand lashed out and slapped his arm. Any other day Lee wouldn't have even felt that but after using all the gates he couldn't help but let out a high yelp, he clutched his arm and his face scrunched up in pain. Sakura humphed at the pitiful sight "see, you're not fine at all! You need to rest not train!".

Lee looked at her, his body shaking from the now visible strain of standing up he was so cleverly hiding a moment ago "but Sakura I need to get stronger!"

She leaned in, a finger came up and began poking him in his chest: lightly. But for Lee her finger might as well have been a red hot poker. "You" she poked and he stepped back "are not" another "going" she poked and he stepped back again "to get" she gave one final prod and Lee felt himself fall.

"Stronger by working yourself into the ground like this" finished Sakura, looking down at Lee as he layed back on the bed that he should've been in the first place.

"She's right Lee" said Tenten, smirking in the background of Sakura as she watched the girl rebuke her usually uncontrollable teammate "they Eights Gates have already taken their toll, don't worsen it".

Lee turned to Guy, looking for help. His eyes were closed as he seemed to be thinking hard. They opened and when he next looked at the boy he shook his head "she's right Lee, you should rest" he folded his arms "it was irresponsible of me to not force you to rest, let your body heal don't ruin it by pushing yourself right now".

Lee's head fell back, defeated and he pulled his legs onto the bed shakily. He layed back, his head falling onto the pillow provided "okay Guy Sensei" he said, his voice unusually quiet.

Guy laughed at this "ahh don't worry Lee you'll be able to get straight back to training once you have fully recovered!" he declared, with a gleaming smile.

"Yes Guy-Sensei" said Lee, with more energy as he struggled to lift a fist into they air.

"So hey, Sakura, right?" asked Tenten from behind the girl, a hand on her hip as she gave her a friendly smile.

Sakura nodded "um yeah, Tenten correct?"

"That me!" she smiled "so I gotta ask" she started, stepping a bit closer, their slight height difference showing itself "what's the deal with your teammate, Naruto?"

Sakura was taken aback by the suddenness of this question "w-what do you mean?" was all she could say as she went stiff.

"She's asking about that aura of chakra he emitted during the exam" cut in Neji from his place by the wall, his intense gaze level and unwavering.

"Yeah that! How'd he do that?" Tenten asked, eager to know.

Now Sakura was fidgeting. She hadn't a clue, she didn't even know it was chakra! So that was news to her. She should've figured really. So Naruto had so much Chakra he could literally wear it: it almost made her laugh from they absurdity of it. She scratched her cheek as she looked away from everyone, feeling really uncomfortable under all theses gazes. "I'm not sure" Sakura confessed "I don't have a clue on how he does it really".

In the back, unseen to everyone, Guy was cautious. Tenten was cut off from asking further when Guy stepped in, his voice like an avalanche that rolled over her following question. "Now, now let's not interrogate the nice girl on the abilities of her teammates!" roared Guy, back to his normal self.

Tenten stepped back, finally seeming to notice Sakura uncomfortableness. "Oh!" she said with dawning awareness before a sheepish grin appeared on her face "eh, sorry if I made you feel uneasy".

Sakura waved it off "oh it's okay, I'm fine" laughing nervously.

"So" said Neji, his eyes hard "you have to fight that Garra in the Third round huh?"

Sakura froze at that, words failing to take form as she thought about Garra and his sand. They only thing leaving her mouth was a drawn out "Ehhh".

Tenten scratched the back of her head as she looked at the girl beside her "I'd be scared too"

Another few Minutes Earlier

"I would seriously take care of that book, Naruto really loves it" said Kakashi standing in the hallway with the Kumo Jonin, his book put away.

She nodded "yeah I will".

He cocked his head, his gaze falling on the pouch where Naruto's book was. "I'm honestly surprised he would lend that book out to anyone, he always has it with him" he shifted his gaze back up to her "I thought him and that book were almost inseparable".

Yugito hummed in interest at that "really now" she reached back into her pouch and pulled out the book "this book really means that much to him?". She gave a good studying look to the book, noticing the use it has seen, it almost seemed more used than even Kakashi's. "it must be a good read than" she commented looking up at the Jonin.

Kakashi shrugged "I wouldn't know, never read it myself"

Yugito smirked at that "I see, so you're only into crappy books then: nothing more sophisticated" she poked, her smirk shifting into an almost cat'ish sneer.

A grunt left the Elite, it was hard to tell if it was a truly annoyed one, one that said that she actually got under his skin. Seems it would forever remain a mystery as he smiled at her the next instant. "I will have you know that the Make-out Paradise Series is very much a fine series of literature".

She huffed at that, her eyes flat "yeah right, I'll believe that when I see origami turned into weapons".

"It could happen, after all we already have paper bombs".

Yugito looked away "bad metaphor" she muttered to herself. She looked back at him, the book put away and her arms folded, a question playing at the front of her mind itching for be asked. "So, you have a Jinchuriki for a student?" she said, coming more flat out than she intended.

This caused a sharp look to be sent her way by the Hatake "now that was a bit blunt of you, wasn't it?" a humored noise left his mask "didn't take you for the type to ask so up front like that".

Yugito smirked "well I don't always like to beat around the bush".

"Right" said Kakashi. He next looked at her with a more unreadable expression "yeah Naruto's a Jinchuriki, I guess there is no hiding that after his little display at the preliminaries" confessed Kakashi, leaning back on the wall.

"Doesn't it bother you?" asked Yugito, her voice low and there was something in her tone.

Kakashi picked up on this, he wondered what it was. He shrugged it off "no, yes the Kyubbi did terrible damage to the village, but I'm not ignorant enough to pass the blame on to Naruto, he's just a kid, grew up an orphan. The day he was born was the day he became the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki, most people have avoided him like a plague ever since".

Every word the Jonin said came out with sad weight, pity he never dare show Naruto bled into his words. Memories of young Naruto flew slowly through his mind, the way people looked at him, the way they avoided him, the way they tried their damnedest to ignore him. A chuckled left him when he thought about all the times the blonde challenged this with plenty of creative pranks, he was never lucky enough to see them but he heard the stories.

"Now doesn't that sound familiar" Yugito stiffened at the comment that echoed from within her.

It did sound familiar, uncomfortable so. Her, Bee and now this happy blonde boy all shared a similar past. The life of a Jinchuriki, a life where the world tries to erase you with loneliness: your life a blank spot in the minds of many. It just makes the value you give to those who do accept you all the more stronger, it's hard not to cling to them, to try and give them space because you want them to stay with you and let you know that you exist to them. At least that is how it was for her some time ago when she finally took over the role of being the Nibi's Jinchuriki.

Yugito realized that silence had fallen and rushed to break it "well" she said, her voice somber "you are a very understanding man Kakashi".

He chuckled at that "you flatter me, so I suppose your respect for me has grown a little"

She smirked "I would say it's been more, restored".

He stared at her flatly "oh". He seemed disheartened by her response.

She inwardly smirked at the sight: a feeling of pride rising in her as she stood their arms folded. "Kakashi Hatake: The Copy Ninja looking downtrodden cause of me, I guess that's a victory all in itself"

"This woman is harsh" thought Kakashi.

After much conversation, everyone decided it was time to leave.

"See ya Haku, get better soon okay!" waved Naruto as he and Sasuke exited out of the door.

Haku sluggishly waved him goodbye.

"Well he was nice" said, to everyone's surprise, Junichi. Everyone remaining in the room was near bug-eyed at that. "What?" was all he could think to say to this.

"Well see you later!" said Sakura from the door as she slid it open "make sure you rest up". The air around her immediately shifted as she slowly slid the door closed "or you'll pay" was what she let the door close on.

"Well she's nice if not a little scary" commented Tenten with a twitchy grin and a bead of cold sweat crawling down her cheek.

"But plenty youthful" added Guy, almost solemnly.

"Well have a safe trip back home" said Kakashi as he decided to take his leave, give an over the should wave as he walked off. Sasuke and Naruto having already passed him and told him to hurry, so a last he must leave.

"Oh you don't need to worry about me, I'll be fine" said Yugito with something like pride dripping from her words, smirking as he walked off.

He smiled under his mask, he paused and he felt that she noticed. He turned and looked back at her, he scratched the top of his spiky white head seeming a bit bashful. "I have to admit something" he said his tone strangely sheepish "I have never really read any other books besides ninja scrolls, ninja books and Make Out Paradise novels, hehe".

Yugitos jaw slid down slightly at hearing this: disbelief.

His hand fell back to his side, his single eye wandered off to the side "so I was wondering if maybe you could give me some recommendations, since you are so very sophisticated in your tastes".

After a second of taking this in Yugito's jaw lifted back up and a smile spread across her painted lips, and the fingers of one of her hands lightly touched her chest. "Is the great Kakashi Hatake asking me for help?" her tone was intentionally teasing.

The tone didn't stir him at all. He shrugged, his eye bored as his hands slid into his pocket "hmm I could always ask someone else I guess".

Yugito's smile disappeared "I'll do it" she said not a moment later.

Kakashi guessed that something about the weirdness of a famous ninja asking you for reading suggestions was just something that couldn't be passed up. He gave an eye-smile "thanks" he said happily "so what would be your first suggestion?".

Yugito smirked "well-"

All three Genin of Team Seven were sat down, arm's crossed, scowls on their faces that just made everyone passing by curve a little out of their direction.

"He's late" they all said, like robots set for synchronized speech.

End of Chapter

So yeah this chapter was just a little check in chapter, I didn't feel right not having Naruto go in and check on Haku after the brutal beating he just took, same with Sakura and Lee considering he did come to her rescue and all plus this also gave me the opportunity to write more Kakashi and Yugito interaction which I find kinda of fun to write.

Next chapter will be the official start of the training month.