Howdy folks. Sorry for the delay. Finally got around to starting my job shortly after the last update and time to finish up this installment got pushed away as reality set in. Don't worry, I won't be stopping, but expect updates to be slower. I work on a computer for close to 10 hours a day, so I have little incentive to even look at a computer when I'm home other than for essentials.
Once again, many thanks to TheWatcherAndReader for acting as my beta and for correcting my horribly bad grammar.
She ignored the first rays of light that hit her face, curling deeper beneath the covers of her bed in an attempt to keep her old nemesis away. She knew it was now futile, as now that she was partially awake there would be no going back until much later that evening. It was a momentary delusion she allowed herself every morning. Sometimes it lasted longer than others, as she was well-versed in the various degrees of morning hangovers. Nothing was worse than being awoken by the sun's light with a hangover that made her wish she was dead.
However, she felt no such feelings as the light's warmth shined down. Instead of a pounding hangover or some sort of morning headache like usual, she actually felt comfortable for a change; like she could simply lie in bed all morning and feel absolutely no need to move. She drew deeper into the bed; as she would never 'snuggle', with a sigh of contentment. It was only when her head somehow shifted into an oddly shaped alcove that her mind truly began working. What the hell? This doesn't feel right.
With that thought, Mitarashi Anko slowly opened her eyes with a degree of trepidation. She tentatively shifted her body upwards, blinking a few times as she took in her unfamiliar surroundings. Three things were made clear immediately. The first being that this was not her shitty apartment. It was too clean; too organized to be hers. No markings on her wall in the shape of Konoha's leaf symbol made out of dango sticks, no empty boxes of take-out food littering the floor. This wasn't exactly discomforting to her, as it wasn't the first time that someone had offered her a guest room after a night out on the town with the others. Though, she had to admit she was somewhat curious as to whose it was. The second was that she was naked. She only realized this as she finally registered the touch of fabric against her bare skin. She didn't find this particularly distressing either, as she usually slept in the buff, the oppressive heat and humidity of the lands of Fire Country being far stronger than she had to admit she was comfortable with, especially since her apartment had no air conditioning or fans to help alleviate that.
In fact, she usually took her clothes off when hanging around in her apartment. It wasn't like she advertised that fact, but it was a source of a near-famous incident among Konoha's black ops. The ANBU had been chasing an escaping infiltrator through the village with ruthless efficiency that day. In a desperate gamble, the man had jumped through Anko's covered window, heedless of the fact that the woman who owned the apartment was relaxing on her couch in the nude, eating dango as she preferred. The man had broke her window and blinds, only to lose his balance from a stray shuriken that had struck him in the leg. He only groaned before noticing that one of Konoha's kunoichi was standing before him with no clothes on.
The ANBU who were there to witness the events that followed never openly spoke of it, for fear of the kunoichi's wrath. Suffice to say, the man's inability to look past his hormones in those few seconds did not end well for him. The captain who led the pursuit still couldn't look at dango skewers without turning a sickly green color. Thus the legend of Mitarashi Anko grew even further, much to her annoyance and her friend Kurenai's amusement.
It was the third thing that she noticed that caused her mind to shut down as she simply stared. She blinked a few times before a rising sense of horror and shame welled up in her. Her eyes latched on the area that she had been sleeping against and simply stared at the nude figure of a clearly unconscious Nanashi in what she would only later be able to describe as abject horror. Oh fuck no...
She wasn't sure how long she simply sat up in his bed staring at him like that until the headache that hadn't hit her as she was waking decided to make its appearance, like it had been waiting in the shadows for her to realize exactly why she had felt odd waking up. She grabbed her head, removing the few covers she held and swung her legs off the side of the bed, leaning forward as the headache seemed to laugh at her expression.
Fuck. Calm down, Anko. Just find your clothes and get out of here. Calm down first, then come back and flay the bastard alive. Anko knew that her thought process probably wasn't working as well as it should, but for some reason she found herself profoundly uncomfortable at what the scene had implied. Probably more-so than normal because one: she couldn't remember most of the night before, and two: it was Nanashi that she apparently slept with. Anko couldn't determine which bothered her more so she decided to figure it out later. With a last look over her shoulder at the man, she stood up and began looking for her clothing, only to find that it didn't seem to be present on the floor, or anywhere else in the room for that matter. Her panic tempered slightly at this, giving way to curiosity more than anything else. What the hell happened last night? She gave another quick glance around his bedroom before venturing out into the main area of his apartment.
She had crashed on his couch a few times in the past, so she vaguely remembered what the placed looked like but she felt her eyes widen again when she took in the room. It had looked like some sort of hurricane had blown through, with crap all over the floor, including one of the couch cushions. She blinked a few times, idly thinking, Wait, this is nameless wonder's place? The guy's a neat-freak, right? She then noticed his and her clothes thrown across the room, scattered by the door, the kitchen area, the couch, as well as several other spots in the main room. It was only then that the memories of the previous night came back to her.
Her back slammed against the door, her legs wrapped around his waist as she used her arms to pull him deeper in the ravenous lip-lock that was like a passionate battle for dominance between the two before he moved to her neck, nibbling gently and eliciting a groan of pleasure as one of his hands roughly groped her fishnet covered breast, her hands tightening their grip from the different sensations of heat hinting at the ecstasy that were already beginning to rise in her as he ground his hips against hers...
For a few moments, had someone been watching her, they would have been treated to the rare sight of a glazed-eye Anko with a growing blush on her face. Oh... yeah. Damn... the doorway, the kitchen, the countertop, the couch... That would also explain why our clothing is so... damn, we were like fucking rabbits in heat! She shook her head, trying to clear away the images that were coming back to mind's eye and failing miserably, allowing the hearty blush to grow even deeper. She quickly gathered her clothing and dressed herself. Okay, so he didn't take advantage of me... but... shit. She shook her head, pulling out a hairband from her coat's pocket to tie her hair back into its usual style, desperately trying to push away the amazingly tempting thought of simply taking her clothes off, heading back into that bedroom and continuing where the two of them had left off last night. She shook her head one last time before heading towards the door. She paused there, tossing one final look back towards the bedroom, and wondering if she should wake him but decided that she didn't want to deal with it. Whatever the odd relationship the two had before, Anko knew that something in that had changed last night. She opened the door and closed it as quietly as she could, not wanting to wake her, What now? Friend? Comrade? Lover? Fuck-buddy? Damn it, girl, you really know how to make a mess of things.
If one listened closely they could hear the soft footsteps as the woman walked away from the apartment. Once those sounds faded, Nanashi opened his eyes and simply stared up at the ceiling of his bedroom. Without really thinking about it, he reached for his nightstand and grabbed his pack of cigarettes. He removed one, tossed the rest of the pack away, and lit it. He took a long drag, still lying back in his bed before saying one word.
"Fuck." Smart move, jackass...
He wasn't sure how long he stayed in bed, but it had to be a while as his cigarette was mostly finished by the time he decided to move. He slowly rose, leaving the cigarette in his mouth as he got out of bed and made his way towards his bathroom. He ignored the state of his apartment, remembering the previous night, probably far better than his serpentine 'partner'. As he entered his bathroom, he flicked the remainder of his smoke into the toilet and took a quick shower. He purposely didn't think about what had happened with Anko; he knew that he would probably spend more time thinking about it than was healthy later so he put it off for now, focusing on simply waking up completely. The simple and repetitive motions involved with cleaning oneself were enough to keep his mind at bay for the moment.
He stepped out of the bathroom when he finished, a towel around his waist and water dripping freely from his hair. He was actually startled when he heard a loud knock on his door. For a moment he debated whether to simply answer it, but then again, he was almost nude for all intents and purposes. Finally, he simply asked, "Who is it?"
The person didn't seem to want to answer right away, leading to Nanashi wondering if Anko had come back to kill him. Then a dull voice sounded through the door, barely loud enough to be heard. "It's Uchiha Sasuke, Nanashi-san."
Nanashi froze at the boy's voice. What the hell is he doing here? Calm down, he's not a threat at the moment... at least until you get dressed. Chuckling at the thought, he hollered back, "Should be open. Come in. Make yourself useful and put on a pot of coffee." With that he turned towards his bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him.
Sasuke opened the door with a frown on his face. He looked around the department in disgust at its state. This is as bad as Naruto's place... He found it insulting to be asked to perform such a menial task but began rummaging through the man's kitchen for the coffee pot and grounds as requested. Within a few minutes, the device was plugged in and working away. Sasuke took another glance around before leaning against the, somewhat clean, kitchen countertop, waiting for the masked shinobi to show himself. Probably getting dressed. A shame, Sakura has been wondering what he looks like without the mask. If I could show her with a henge, maybe she would stop bothering me.
He looked up as Nanashi's bedroom door opened and the man walked out, dressed as he usually was, down to the mask. Sasuke felt a flare of annoyance, but kept it reigned in. It wouldn't do to lose his cool before he made his request.
Nanashi simply stared at the Uchiha before turning away to start doing some cleaning of his apartment. Taking the scattered clothing and throwing it into a pile near his bedroom, moving the couch back into the correct position, fixing the cushions of said couch, moving the coffee table back into place. Without looking at the boy, "Shouldn't you be training with the copycat by now?"
Sasuke scoffed at that. Like he would even be around at this point. "Kakashi-sensei gave us the day off."
"Ah." Nanashi fixed up before heading back into the kitchen, ignoring the teenager as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He paused for a moment before venturing a look towards the future vessel of the bane of his existence. Well, no need to be rude yet. "Coffee?"
"No, thank you."
Nanashi shrugged, ignoring the suddenly interested look that the Uchiha was starting to send at his mask. "So, what do you want?"
Sasuke bit his lip. He didn't really want to do this, but considering Naruto's rapid growth since he began training in his off-time with the man, he knew he had to swallow his pride. "I want to make a request, Nanashi-san."
The man simply raised an eyebrow, still not sipping his coffee. "Oh?"
Sasuke moved off of the counter to face the man fully before bowing his head. "I wish to work with you, as you are with Naruto." Dead silence followed his words and Sasuke fought the urge to look up. He knew that the request would be a shock, but knew that looking at the man's eyes would be a sign of disrespect. Not especially wise, considering he was asking a favor of the shinobi. So he never noticed the odd expression on the man's face as he lowered his mask, took a sip of coffee and put the mask into place.
Nanashi, on the other hand, was speechless for a far different reason. This... the bastard has the balls to ask ME for training? The bastard who cut out Hinata's eyes! He had to stop himself from releasing a wave of killing intent as the realization hit him, among other far more dangerous reactions that his subconscious was whispering for him to do. He took a deep breath, remembering the Sandaime's words regarding the Uchiha, and began listing the number of ninjutsu that he knew. Far from an ordinary countdown, but sufficient enough for calming him.
Sasuke was starting to get worried. He still had not raised his head, but the silence was starting to get to him. This isn't just shock. This is something else. Finally, he heard the man scoff. Taking that as a sign to raise his head, he was surprised to see the strange mixture of amusement and disgust in the man's eyes.
"No." The response was cold and filled with something that Sasuke couldn't place but it did make him uncomfortable. Sasuke flushed before glaring at the older man. A mistake, as he soon found himself pinned face-first against the countertop, his arm twisted behind his back into a painful position, a kitchen knife at his throat. The man spoke again, his voice still speaking in that disturbing tone. "Bit of advice, Uchiha. Don't glare at your betters, especially someone who you want something from."
Sasuke grunted out a single question, despite the bad position. He knew that if Nanashi wanted to kill him, he was already dead. "Why?"
Nanashi scoffed, releasing the boy and stepping away. He watched in indifference as the teenager pulled himself up and turned to stare him in the eyes. Nanashi put down the knife near his resting coffee mug and crossed his arms as he stared at the boy. "You really want to know?"
"Yes."
"Fine. I will not train you because I do not trust you. You're a little punk with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Hokage's monument."
Sasuke looked openly confused about that before frowning. "You don't even know me."
Nanashi only rolled his eyes. "I know far more about you than you and your clan than you can possibly fathom, Uchiha Sasuke. " Seeing the boy's look of disbelief, he decided to have a little fun with his future antagonist. "Son of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, brother of Uchiha Itachi. Arrived to watch his older brother Itachi murder his parents to be put under the nukenin's Tsukiyomi technique, one of the techniques granted to one who has achieved the first stage of the Mangekyou Sharingan."
He ignored the look of astonishment and surprise from the teenager as he continued speaking, "You were placed in a hospital following the massacre of your clan, and upon awakening, swore to hunt down and kill your brother. Despite your hatred of him, you followed his advice and searched out the Uchiha clan secret archives, and found the document detailing how to unlock the Mangekyou Sharingan. So, to answer your question, I will not teach you anything as you plan to use it to kill your best friend, which by the time you will actually think to try, will most likely be Naruto."
Sasuke simply stared at the man in shock, his jaw opening and closing as he tried to put together just how this man could know so much. Not even the Hokage knew the Uchiha clan's secret. "How do you know that?" The teenager demanded.
Nanashi simply glared at the boy, and this time didn't hesitate to let out a little killing intent, watching as the Uchiha suddenly had trouble breathing. "Because I know everything, you arrogant little brat. Now get the fuck out of my apartment before I feel like ridding Konoha of a liability."
Sasuke shuddered as he was able to breath again, the man's pressure fading. He didn't hesitate in the slightest, already moving towards the door, his hand gripping his chest as a reflexive action. As he closed the door behind him, Sasuke could only think one thing to himself.
I couldn't even get answers from him! Why am I so weak?
-/-/-/
It was late morning when Naruto found himself inside the Sandaime's office, fidgeting uncomfortably. The only reason he wasn't reacting more was because Iruka was sitting in the office next to him. The man seemed tired, but lacked Naruto's nervousness, though he did seem confused. "I wonder why Hokage-sama wanted to talk to both of us."
Naruto nodded quietly. He hadn't been in the old man's office other than for missions since graduation. He quickly began running down a list of pranks that he may have done recently, but nothing came to mind immediately. Maybe some of my old traps finally got sprung? I mean, some of those people Anko wanted pranked were out on missions... He wondered if maybe the old man had some sort of mission, just for him. Hey, maybe that's it! I'm going to be Hokage soon enough, maybe he has some near-impossible mission that I can shove in Sasuke-teme's face!
"Hokage-sama will see you now." Naruto's attention was diverted from his little fantasy to the old man's secretary, who was giving him a pleasant smile. Naruto gave her his own foxy grin in response, knowing that the woman was one of the few who didn't seem to dislike him for no apparent reason. Though, that didn't protect her from his pranks when he was younger. Naruto rose to his feet along with his favorite sensei and entered the old man's office. The Sandaime was sitting behind his desk, his hat resting on the desk and his pipe in his mouth. Naruto was about to make a comment about the man's thinning hairline but he stopped himself when he noticed that it wasn't just Hokage-sama that was there. Standing off to the side, not looking at the new arrivals but rather staring out the window, was Naruto's 'tutor', the strange man known only as Nanashi.
"Ah, Iruka, Naruto. Good to see you." The elderly man began, placing his pipe on the table and folding his hands in front of his face. "How are things at the academy, Iruka?"
Iruka let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I have to admit they're somewhat calmer, compared to the last group." Iruka and the Hokage only chuckled at Naruto's accusing pout before Iruka calmed himself. "Hokage-sama, is there a problem?"
The old man shook his head, shooting a quick glance at the door. Iruka looked behind him to see the nice woman who had escorted them in close the door to the office. Shortly after, the blond whose name Iruka did not know walked up to the door and began inscribing seals on it in black ink. When he was finished, he went through a series of hand seals before finally finishing up on the ram seal. The ink seemed to glow a pale blue before the seals, ink and all, vanished into the door frame. "Room is sealed, Hokage-sama."
Iruka began worrying even more at this. A silencing seal? What could Hokage-sama want to talk to us about that would require such lengths? "Hokage-sama..."
"What's going on, you old geezer?" Naruto accused, knowing the serious expression on Nanashi's face could not mean anything good.
"Take a seat you two." The elder ninja waited until they pulled over a pair of chairs and sat down. Nanashi simply stood behind the two, his face unseen due to his mask but from his eyes it was easy to tell that he was serious. "Naruto... There are some things that you should be made aware of."
Naruto blinked in confusion. "Like what? Don't tell me there's a list of requirements to take your job old man!"
Iruka bopped his former student on the head, ignoring the yelp of pain. "Show some respect, Naruto!"
"No, nothing that is like that..." The Sandaime trailed off, and although Iruka couldn't tell for sure, his intuition was telling him that the man wasn't sure how to phrase his next words.
Finally, the man behind the two of them spoke up. "Hokage-sama, there's no easy way to say it. You might as well just tell him."
The old man glared at his troublesome subordinate from the future and couldn't help but wonder how exactly the man had convinced him that this was a good idea. He was somewhat surprised that the man had attended the meeting in person, as they had not discussed his presence. Especially since the man currently looked worse for wear, at least in the way he moved and spoke. The Sandaime had a sneaking suspicion that the man was recovering from a hangover and wasn't too pleased to be there.
He would never know that he was both right and wrong. Right, in that the man was suffering from a hangover. Wrong, because the man would rather be there than hunting down a certain kunoichi and trying to patch together whatever odd relationship they had. Not to mention my screw-up with Sasuke. Damn it, that was not a bright thing to do.
"Naruto, what can you tell me about Kyuubi no Youko?"
Iruka flinched at that visibly and stared at the Hokage in shock. The Sandaime only gave a slight nod, as if confirming the man's suspicion. So he's going to tell Naruto the secret... I can only hope Naruto doesn't react badly.
"The Nine-tails fox attacked Konoha about twelve years ago and nearly destroyed the village before the Yondaime Hokage killed it." Naruto said, his tone of voice showing a mixture of confusion at being asked such a random question, and certainty from knowing the fate of his idol, the Yondaime Hokage.
"Not quite, kid." Naruto and Iruka turned their gazes to Nanashi as he walked around the two to lean against the side of the Hokage's desk. He met the boy's eyes and continued, "He was able to defeat Kyuubi. Not kill it."
The blond frowned. "Then..."
"The history that is taught the shinobi academy and civilian schools is modified, for several purposes. The end result is the same though; a demon defeated at the cost of a Hokage's life. The truth is much more complicated. The reality of the situation is that, long story cut short, the Kyuubi was not a life form that could be truly killed. The Yondaime may not have known this, but he did know that no one in Konoha could kill it. Thus he devised a different method of dealing with the demon."
The Hokage nodded, picking up where the blond man ended. "He created a seal capable of sealing the fox away. However, due to the fox's nature, as well as its strength, he could not simply seal it into a stature or urn, like it has been done with demons in the past. He needed something that was alive."
"Alive... like a dog or something?"
"Close... he needed something that had a chakra system, one that was not yet mature and would grow to adapt to the Kyuubi's influence." Nanashi answered, his gaze now locked on the boy. "Naruto, do you understand what we're telling you, and more importantly, why?"
Naruto frowned, his mind trying to piece together the hints that they had given him. Something with chakra... a person then? Not yet mature... that means someone young, right? But why would they be telling... The answer hit him like one of Sakura's right hooks. He tried, he really tried to fight the trembling that seemed to rack his body as the realization hit him. He immediately lowered his eyes, trying to fight tears that he knew were coming. So that's why everyone hates me.
"Naruto..." Iruka looked at his little brother in everything but blood, with concern, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. It was a testament to how much the boy was disturbed when he didn't even react to his teacher's hand. Iruka shot a look to the Hokage, concern evident in his face.
"Kid..." Nanashi didn't know what to really say. He had learned the truth while trying to stay alive, and in the end it had been Iruka's kind words that had made him accept who he was fast enough to save him from Mizuki. That was the reason that Nanashi had requested that Iruka attended this meeting, but now that the bomb had been dropped, he didn't know what to do. How should I feel about this? I mean, at least no one is trying to kill him as they reveal it. How would I have felt to find out this way?
"Naruto, look at me." The elder shinobi spoke, his voice firm, but still kind. Naruto slowly raised his eyes and the Sandaime had to fight from flinching at the lost look in those blue orbs. "Whatever you are thinking, stop. You are not the Kyuubi; you are its jailor. You are a hero, even if the villagers are too foolish to realize this."
"I'm... not the fox?"
Nananshi scoffed at that. "Kid, if you were a demon, do you really think I'd be teaching you anything? Do you really think that Iruka over there would treat you like a little brother if he felt that you were the demon that killed his parents?" Nanashi ignored the glares from both the Hokage and the one that felt even deadlier from 'Iruka.
Iruka turned his eyes back to his student. "They're right, Naruto. You aren't the demon. Don't ever think otherwise."
Naruto nodded, his chest uncoiling in release as he realized the truth. "Then... why do-"
"Because they're fucking morons, kid." Nanashi said, a smirk in his voice. "The villagers are too bitter to get over what happened, and the shinobi aren't much better." He paused for a moment, his fingers playing with an unlit cigarette as he answered, "In reality, even if the Kyuubi hadn't killed anyone in the village, the shinobi would probably still act the same way. It did the one thing that's unforgivable in a village like ours. The Kyuubi's sheer presence was enough to drive men into shock, so much killing intent and hatred that you can't even begin to imagine at your age. It made this village of warriors feel powerless, and that's the ultimate sin against a village born to fight."
There was an odd silence in the room before Naruto spoke up. "God damn, Nanashi-sensei. You sounded like old man Hokage there. Are you also ready to retire?" There was silence before there was laughter, all three men glad to see that the boy was taking the news so well. "So does everyone know?"
"No one of the younger generation knows. A law was put in place to protect you. Speaking of the true nature of the Kyuubi's defeat to anyone who didn't already know the truth was punishable as treason against Konoha. I wanted you to have a chance to grow up as a normal child." The Sandaime explained, a sad smile on his face.
"You're probably wondering why we decided to tell you this now." Nanashi said, putting the cigarette away at Iruka's frown. "Well, you know those scrolls I've been having you read?"
Naruto frowned. "Umm, the basics of Fuinjutsu... and the theory behind reactive tags?"
"Exactly. As you know, my specialty is in Fuinjutsu. I'm not going to teach you more beyond what I've shown you unless you want me to. However, I figured that currently you know a little about a very tricky subject, and I know that eventually you would've put together what exactly that tattoo on your stomach was. I figured it was best to inform you before you accidently did something... unwise in an experiment or something."
"You're learning Fuinjutsu?" was combined with a "You're teaching him Fuinjutsu?" from Iruka and the Sandaime respectively. Naruto blushed slightly at the attention, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly while Nanashi merely smirked.
"Figured it'd be fun, if he's interested. If anything, we could have fun scaring the shit out of the council." Nanashi replied, a grin beneath his mask. Not that he won't be interested. Hell, all Ero-sennin had to show me was how to make explosive tags and I was hooked.
Iruka frowned at that, wondering what the man could mean, while the Sandaime simply shook his head. Trust Naruto to come up with a way to cause the council even more headaches. He paused at that thought before chuckling, both past and future.
-/-/-/
Anko internally groaned as she sat at the small cafe with Kurenai. She had wanted to simply get home, go to sleep again, and push away what scattered memories she had of the previous night remained. But no, it can never be that simple, can it? Of course 'Nai-chan has to be out and of course she has to invite me to lunch. She pouted internally as she stabbed another sweet dumpling, and I'm still too easily bribed.
She wasn't really listening too closely to her friend as she went on about her genin team. She had met the brats once, and she personally thought that 'Nai-chan got the short end of the stick when it came to genin. That idiot Kakashi gets the Uchiha and the brat, and 'Nai-chan gets stuck with an un-talkative walking hive, a mouse of a Hyuuga, and a mutt in what seems like permanent heat. She really has more patience than I ever would in her situation...
She was snapped out of her thoughts when her friend poked her in the shoulder. "Wha?"
Kurenai simply repeated her words, "I said, I heard you were tapped as an examiner."
Anko shrugged. "Yeah. Old man Hokage wants me to officiate the second part of the exam," she shot a sadistic grin at her friend, hoping to unnerve her a little, "and no, I can't tell you what that is. Fairness and all."
Kurenai only grinned back. "Like you ever gave a damn about that."
Anko grabbed her chin as if in thought. "True, but I still ain't telling you. I've got bets active on the number that make it through my part. I love ya like a sister 'Nai-chan, but I've got a reputation to uphold after all." She punctuated her statement with an evil sounding cackle that caused more than one head to turn in her direction, only to pale upon realizing who had laughed and then go back to their business.
"Oh, and what would that be? Konoha's biggest exhibitionist? Most sadistic kunoichi to ever walk into Hokage-sama's office? Inventor of the Thousand Years of Pain?"
Anko only chuckled. "I wish I could take credit for that last one! Old lady Tsunade beat me to it!"
Kurenai only shook her head. "Well, I don't expect my team to become Chuunin or anything, but I think it'll be a good experience for them."
Anko gave her friend a level glance before saying, "You sure about this, Kurenai? I may not like them, but you really like your bratlings. The exam is going to be dangerous, after all."
Kurenai only raised a single eyebrow, "No faith in my teaching abilities? I'm hurt, Anko."
"Don't you be trying to guilt-trip me; I'm a master at that." Anko grinned at first before losing the smile. "I just know if something happens to one of those kids, you'd never forgive yourself. Are you sure they're ready? After all, we examiners do plan on breaking them." Her grin widened a bit, "Into many little pieces. Bloody, if possible."
Kurenai nodded. Anko didn't show it, but was glad that her friend was so confident about the words that came out of her mouth. "Like I said, I doubt they'll become Chuunin at this stage. However, their teamwork is top notch and I have no doubt that they'll make it through the main trials without too much difficulty. The final tournament will probably be tougher on them, but that's fine. At that point its controlled and if they really do get in over their heads, I can stop them."
Anko lips twisted into a small smile. "You're assuming they'll make it through MY test, 'Nai-chan! I guess I'll have to take extra special care to break them." Her smile grew as she took another bite from her dumplings before she spoke up again, "So what do you think of the idea I had a few days ago? About me becoming a sensei?"
Anko was slightly amused at the twitch at the woman's eyebrow, "You still remember that?"
"Takes more alcohol than what I drank that night to make me black out." She finished off the last of her dango before pushing the plate away. "Seriously though. I may not have taught that brat a whole lot, but I have to admit it was somewhat... satisfying?" She frowned at that, "Not sure if that's the right word."
Kurenai shrugged. "It's your choice, Anko. Just remember that it's a big responsibility, and that you'll be leading a team of teenagers. Not shinobi. It's your job to turn them into real shinobi, after all." She then glared at her friend, "That would mean cutting back on your drinking and other bad habits."
Anko only rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, yeah."
"I'm not joking, Anko-chan."
"I know, stop playing mother hen. I have cut back, woman." Anko frowned at that. Shortly after Kurenai had passed her team, Anko had found the woman coming out less often. Well, at least to drink. She still goes out with that bearded smokestack enough. When Kurenai found out that Anko hadn't altered her drinking patterns afterwards, she forced the woman to agree to cut back on her drinking. Apparently she had not known of Anko's near-alcoholic state and had been horrified. Anko wasn't really sure why she agreed to the deal, probably because 'Nai-chan is the closest thing I have to a best friend or sister, but Kurenai always seemed to know when she had broken it. Like now, for instance, Anko thought with a roll of her eyes. She also doesn't seem to appreciate the fact that the nameless wonder finds drinking with me entertaining, Anko grimaced at the sudden thought.
Kurenai let out a sigh, swirling her cup of tea. "You get annoyed because I worry, but you keep drinking like that and one morning you're going to wake up in some guy's bed having no idea how you got there. Or worse."
For a moment, Anko's mind blanked and she couldn't help but wonder if Kurenai knew something she didn't about her current situation. Don't fucking say anything stupid! Anko ignored the voice in the back of her mind and the images that the thought had invoked before merely smirking at her old friend. She tried to keep a teasing tone in her voice, "Speaking from personal experience, 'Nai-chan?"
Kurenai rolled her eyes, "Says the exhibitionist." Kurenai let out a thin grin and decided to mess with her friend a bit, "Besides, from what I heard from Takara-san this morning, you were really enjoying yourself last night."
Anko tilted her head at that, wondering if her friend was teasing her or was genuinely remarking on what happened last night, a good portion of which still eluded the serpentine kunoichi. Just play along for now. With a frown, she simply asked, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Kurenai only grinned, her inner voice cackling in a way that would make Anko proud. "According to Takara-san, you were making out with some guy right on the bar, in front of the crowd. Supposedly there was some cheering before the bartender threw the two of you out."
Anko paled, her eyes widening in sheer horror. No fucking way... kami, how much did the two of us drink last night, for fuck's sake? It was only then that she noticed the odd look in Kurenai's eyes and cursed inwardly. Shit, she was just messing with me. "That a fact?" Anko tried to play it off casually, but had a sneaking suspicion that she was already too late.
Kurenai simply stared at her friend. "Perhaps I should be asking you that? Have a little fun last night, Anko-chan?"
Anko averted her attention to the cup of green tea that she had been drinking, refusing to look Kurenai in the eye. "Not really."
Kurenai only looked at her friend, rather amused by the situation. She's so childish about certain things. "I see." She paused for a moment, watching her friend carefully before venturing a guess, "So was it Genma?"
Anko glared at her friend. "We are so not discussing this."
"Ah, so you did have a little fun last night? So, not Genma... Kakashi, perhaps?"
"Shut up." Anko couldn't fight the crimson blush that began developing on her face and forced herself to stare at her tea in an attempt to ignore her friend, who seemed to be having far too much fun with this.
Kurenai was highly amused by this turn of events. Judging from her friend's reaction, it was obvious what had happened. As she seemed more embarrassed by it, rather than angered, Kurenai had to assume that it wasn't as if Anko had been taken advantage of, but rather she and her... 'bed-loaner' had simply been drunk off their ass and one thing had led to another... "Raidou? Kotetsu?" Kurenai began listing off the names of several Chuunin and Jounin, a slight pause in between in order to watch her friend's annoyance rise. Finally, she threw out, "Nanashi?" Kurenai stared in shock as the cup in the hands of the purple-haired kunoichi began cracking at that name before shattering from the pressure of the woman's grip. Kurenai blinked and watched in silence as her friend cursed and reached for some napkins to wipe away the small amount of tea that had spilled on her when she had cracked the cup. Well, I can't say it was unexpected, but the way she's acting... "Nanashi, then?"
"'Nai-chan..." Anko trailed off with a growl, a warning present and Kurenai decided to leave it at that for now.
"Fine, fine." The two sat in silence, Kurenai with a slight grin and watching her friend in amusement; Anko with a snarl as she continued to wipe away the tea, not meeting her friend's gaze. "So, h-"
"We are not discussing this anymore, Kurenai. Not right now, or I'm going to hurt you."
Kurenai merely ran her hand near her lips, in the motion of a zipper, amusement still on her face. Despite what Anko said, Kurenai couldn't help herself. "How was he?"
Anko leveled a glare at her friend that lasted for several minutes before she tossed the napkin away and raised a hand to her forehead, as if experiencing a headache. "From what I can remember... Best damn sex I've ever had."
Kurenai couldn't help but laugh.
-/-/-/
"That went surprisingly well." Naruto had already left the Hokage's office, dragging his academy sensei off to Ichiraku's. This left the Hokage and Nanashi alone in the office, both considering the boy's reaction to the news.
Nanashi merely shrugged, reaching for a cigarette, but hesitating as he was in the presence of the old man. "Told ya it'd be fine. I was far more mature than anyone ever gave me credit for."
The Hokage simply chuckled at that, "And considering all your pranks, we were supposed to believe that?"
"Point taken. What's your take on this? I have to say that I'm somewhat surprised that you agreed to tell him when I brought it up the other day."
The Hokage reached into his desk and removed his pipe. As Nanashi watched the man light it, he decided to take it as permission and pulled out a cigarette for himself. The Hokage raised an eyebrow at the man's habit, evidently not knowing that he smoked, but eventually gave an answer to Nanashi's question. "All things considered, you came out alright, more or less, when finding out under far more intense circumstances. With Akatsuki moving and Kakashi's report of Naruto's unconscious use of the demon's chakra in Wave, it would better if he knew. Especially if you really are teaching him Fuinjutsu."
Nanashi took a drag, exhaling the smoke, before answering. "Only the basics for now. Basic stuff like storage seals and reactive tags. Figure I'd whet his appetite and if he wants to learn more, then I'll teach him more."
The Hokage chuckled at that, "You say that as if you aren't positive that he'll take it up."
Nanashi shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe my original interest in Fuinjutsu was based on something I wasn't even aware of that hasn't happened yet. As much as I would like to believe it, I can't predict 'my' actions." He frowned at that last part, "I still can't believe he knows the Bunshin Daibakuha..."
The Hokage chuckled once more. "Regretting introducing the two now?" He took a puff off of his pipe, ignoring the strange look that crossed his time-traveling subordinate's face. "Actually, I'm quite pleased with how Naruto has turned out. He's had a good effect on Anko-chan as well, surprisingly." The elder man smiled as Nanashi looked at him in disbelief, "She's actually calmed down quite a bit since taking Naruto on as a sometimes-student."
"So she doesn't threaten your messenger boys with threats of castration now?" Nanashi asked, sarcasm prevalent in his tone.
"Oh no, she still does that. She does, however, no longer poison them for gawking at her... attire."
Nanashi snorted, "One day, I'll ask. I really will."
"There are some things that one is better off not knowing, my young friend."
-/-/-/
Nansahi found himself leaving the tower not too long after Naruto and Iruka. He and the old man had discussed a few things, including how to deal with the council once they learned of Nanashi's teaching regiment for the young jinchuuriki. As he went to reach for the door handle, he sensed it opening and leaned back into order to avoid having the door open into his face. He took a step back as Team 10 walked in, with Asuma in the lead followed by Ino, Chouji and Shikamaru respectively. He gave a small nod to Asuma as a hello, but didn't intend to say anything else.
All in all, he was somewhat surprised when Ino spoke to him. "Ah, Nanashi-san. Good afternoon." She was giving him a bright smile and her voice was very cheery, something that set the blond on edge. A cheery Ino usual ends with someone being injured... As if confirming his thoughts, the special-jounin noticed Shikamaru shiver and take a step away from his female teammate.
He gave the girl a smile beneath his mask. "Good morning, Ino-chan. Mission day?"
She gave him a nod, still beaming as she raised her fist in triumph. "We're going to be receiving a C-rank today." Nanashi blinked at that before looking at Asuma, who was rolling his eyes in amusement at the girl's antics. His eyes travelled to her two male teammates who seemed to be having a similar reaction to Ino's words as their sensei. He then turned his disbelieving look on Ino, who seemed to notice expression, despite his mask. She fidgeted under his gaze before adding, "Well, Asuma-sensei said he'd try to get us one."
Nanashi chuckled to himself at the girl's antics. It was still odd for him to deal with his peers who were no longer his peers. While he had expected some different treatment from his old friends than what he was used to, it was really strange the ways that they reacted. He chalked it up to the whole mysterious special-jounin theme he had going. He still remembered when he almost choked on the cigarette he had been nursing when Kiba had actually bowed to him at their 'first' meeting.
Of course, that respect turned to hatred very quickly once he began to run Team 8 through the paces. Or rather, Nanashi's paces. Nanashi was fairly confident that Shino now had a pathological fear of bug zappers. Kiba and Akamaru probably twitched every time someone held an unopened scroll in their hands. And Hinata had fainted rather quickly when he sent a compliment her way. It had been oddly nostalgic in a bittersweet way to the time traveler.
Nanashi nodded, as if acknowledging the girl's answer, noticing that Asuma had already walked to the mission desk. He turned his head to Chouji and Shikamaru, "And you two? How have you been?"
Chouji seemed to shrug, at least around the motions of extracting chips from his bag and chewing. At least the... corpulent boy had the decency to chew with his mouth closed and finish swallowing before answering. "Good. Asuma-sensei says our teamwork is progressing well."
Shikamaru only rolled his eyes, as if annoyed by answering the man's question. "Ino is still too troublesome." He was rewarded by Ino with a smack on the side of the head for his complaint, who was glaring at him with murder in her eyes.
Nanashi was about to provoke Ino a bit more for fun before Asuma returned, a bored look on his face. "Well, there are no open C-rank missions right now, Ino. They do have a few D-rankers, but I doubt any of you are in the mood to deal with them."
"Damn right!" Ino all but yelled, her face twisting to disgust at the thought of doing more D-rank missions. Chouji and Shikamaru simply exchanged glances before shrugging, although Nanashi thought he heard the genius mutter 'troublesome' under his breath.
Asuma nodded. "I figured as much. So we can do some team training, break out and you each can work on your own skills, or take the day off." Asuma then glanced at Nanashi and the blond almost shuddered at the evil grin that formed on the bearded-jounin's face. "Or maybe Nanashi could teach you guys something again?"
Ino's face lit up at that last prospect, in a disturbingly familiar way to Naruto but not one he could place. Her two teammates on the other hand, paled at the suggestion, Chouji even dropping his bag of chips to stare at the special-jounin in complete fear. Shikamaru wasn't looking at Nanashi, but his glare was targeted on Asuma, with a level of venom that one would see from one meeting a traitor.
Nanashi for a moment, felt pity for the two boys. He knew that Ino would force them into training, especially his 'hellish' training, as his associates referred to it. Then he forced himself to remember what was upcoming in their Chuunin exam and the pity fled. Couldn't hurt them to get a little more intense training. "I suppose I could give you three a little test or two. Meet me at training ground 16 in ten minutes." He watched in amusement, along with Asuma, as Ino all but dragged her two teammates out and towards the training ground in question. After they had left, Nanashi looked towards the man who taught him the basics of wind manipulation. "You enjoyed that, didn't you?"
The man didn't even attempt to deny it. "Shikamaru has been winning in our shouji matches too quickly recently."
Nanashi chuckled. He scratched the back of his head before asking, "So... what limits should I use?"
Asuma shrugged. "Just don't do any permanent or lasting damage. They're tougher than they look."
Nanashi nodded. He finally asked the question that had been bugging him for a while. "The way that Ino looks at me... it's rather disturbing. Is that what I think it is?"
Asuma let out a bark of laughter at that. "Don't worry too badly. I'm sure once they get through training with you, that even Ino will lose that little crush of hers."
Nanashi couldn't help the sigh of relief. "Thank kami. For a moment, I thought I had turned into an Uchiha pretty boy."
"Nah, it's more of a respect thing." The two adults began walking towards the training grounds in question. Asuma brought out a cigarette and lit it, prompting Nanashi to do the same. Asuma paused slightly at seeing the man's unmasked face but said nothing as he lit Nanashi's cigarette for him. "Ino, more than the others, feels as if she has something she needs to live up to, because of their parents. Even more so in her case since she is a kunoichi and kunoichi aren't known for their battle prowess. The others don't really have the same drive, but they work well together. Chouji just doesn't like to hurt others and Shikamaru's just lazy. Thought if they were ever placed in the right situation, they would both rise to have the same level of enthusiasm as Ino." He paused to glance at Nanashi before finishing, "You treat her as another kunoichi, and don't look down on her because of that. That's probably where it's stemming from."
Nanashi took a drag, exhaling slowly as the two continued walking. "You came up with that by yourself?"
Asuma only chuckled, the cigarette still between his lips. "Nah, that's Kurenai's theory. She finds Ino's crush on you... cute."
"Women."
"Yep."
-/-/-/
Several days later, Nanashi found himself summoned to the Hokage's office. He walked in and watched the man he once considered a surrogate grandfather, now to become something more of a combination of that and respected teacher. The man was smoking his pipe as he stared out his window overlooking the village. Nanashi closed the door behind him, and seeing that the old man was smoking, lowered his mask and lit one of his own. "What's up, old timer?"
The Sandaime looked at his shinobi from the future in his window's reflection before twisting in his chair. The two sat and stared at each other, neither saying a word and the stare down only being interrupted when one would take a hit from their respective sources of tobacco. The Hokage sighed, putting his pipe down on his desk and pulling out a folder from his desk drawer. "Here."
Nanashi shifted his smoke to the other side of his mouth, taking another drag as he grabbed the folder. He opened it, exhaling slowly as he read through the papers within. "Is this what I think it is?"
"Yes. These will be the conditions that they asked for, and ours as well."
"Heh. Wish I could see the look on old man Hyuuga's face when he hears the news." He looked up at the elder with a raised eyebrow. "They aren't going to be pleased by this, you realize."
"Of course not, but with that scroll you have written out for me, I think I'll be able to keep them quiet. As much as Hiashi himself detests that blasted seal, politically the clan elders will force him to follow my terms in order to keep that scroll of yours out of the branch family's hands." He paused for a moment before placing another scroll on the desk. "I need you to head back there and bring this with you."
Nanashi frowned at that, his eyes narrowing. "The exams are coming and with that..."
"I know. This shouldn't take you that long though. A few weeks at most, and even then that should give you a few days before they begin. And don't give me any grief here; you are Konoha's contact to Kumogakure no Sato at the moment as well as the only one capable of stabilizing Nii Yugito's seal, as per the agreement."
Nanashi flinched, muttering a curse under his breath. He pulled out his cigarette and ground it out on the palm of his gloved hand, before tossing it in the trash can. "So what's the move?"
"I have plans for several contingents of ANBU to patrol training area 44 during the second part of the exam. They will be focused on following team 7, should Kakashi choose to nominate them. If not, they will simply patrol and wait. If they see anything suspicious, they will terminate with extreme prejudice."
Nanashi nodded, "It was a team from Kusa... if I'm remembering correctly. The snake's 'teammates' will be carriers of curse seals, I would suspect."
"Yes... When you return I will be placing you in charge of one of the teams while Tenzou will head another. You'll get your chance. If you plan on engaging him though, do not do it alone. Summon as many allies as you can before attacking. Then crush him."
Nanashi couldn't help but grin like a madman beneath his mask at that. Screw that. The snake is mine. He'll never even see me coming. Then everyone..."As you wish. I take it that I'm leaving immediately?"
The Hokage shook his head. "No. Wait until tomorrow afternoon before leaving. At the rate of travel through Lightning country, if you leave too early you'll get caught up in the monthly storms that surround the outskirts of Kumogakure no Sato. Those storms are impassible, even to experienced Kumo-nin. Leaving tomorrow afternoon should have you arriving shortly after they finish for the month."
"Alright. Looks like everything is coming together."
The Hokage nodded. "I'll inform the council at the proper time. For security purposes, I plan on having Tenzou initiate a rat hunt. If we can round up some of his spies now, then in the case where he does escape he'll lose information on our activities."
Nanashi nodded. "I can already tell you one now, though I suggest leaving him alone until later. A 'genin'," Nanashi stated, winking at the old man when he mentioned the rank, "who goes by the name, Yakushi Kabuto. Trained in medical ninjutsu; he's at least on par with Kakashi. A damn good spy who actually used to be a dog of the Akatsuki, but now works for the snake."
The Hokage frowned at that. "He becomes a threat?"
"The bastard's right hand man. Sadistic fucker too."
"I see... you believe that if we eliminate him now then Orochimaru won't show himself?" The silence in the room was deafening at the question. The Hokage watched his subordinate flinch at the open question, as if ashamed that he 'wanted' Orochimaru to come knocking on Konoha's doorstep. I really wish I could blame him, if even half of what is to come is true. This is a risky gamble that he's willing to try. When no response was forthcoming, the older man simply sighed. I suppose it's a good thing I'm not Tsunade-chan. "... You have your mission."
"Hai, Hokage-sama." The blond haired special jounin simply gathered up the folder and left the office.
The Sandaime watched him leave, reaching for his pipe once again. As he took another puff from the sweet smelling tobacco, he turned in his chair to look out of his window that overlooked the village. As he stared, a small grin came to his face. He would never know why, although he would later guess that it was the feeling of upcoming victory over one of Konoha's enemies, he suddenly felt years younger, like when he first took the title of Hokage. I'm sorry, my wayward student, but your days are numbered. Bring yourself here and be consumed by the will of fire that our shinobi possess and will continue to possess far into the future.
-/-/-/
Naruto only groaned before pulling himself to his feet again, his arms and legs already beginning to recover from his exhaustion. "Alright bastard, let's try this again." He brushed his jumpsuit off a little before settling into a stance and facing down his opponent, is ever-present grin already back on his face.
Sasuke merely rolled his eyes at his teammate's enthusiasm. "Whatever. Ready to lose again, dead-last?"
"Always, bastard. Always." The grin was starting to annoy Sasuke but he settled into his own stance, waiting for the blond to charge him as usual. His eye color twisted into the even more familiar colors of the sharingan, with two flecks of black circling the pupils quickly. He may not have appreciated Naruto's constant attempts to try and surpass him, but he had to admit that the blond was giving him ample chances to practice using his clan's doujutsu. He mostly used it to defend against the blond's improved taijutsu, but occasionally he was able to sneak in a new ninjutsu from his teammate. Although he now could perform the kage bunshin no jutsu now, he refrained from ever doing so, despite the usefulness of the technique. The first time he had tried to use the justu, it had knocked him unconscious from chakra drain and he only woke up in the hospital a few days later.
It was only when Kakashi explained to him exactly what the technique did that Sasuke's respect for his teammate rose. To be able to use the kinjutsu as he did... it spoke incredibly high of his chakra reserves, as even his sensei, the legendary Copy-nin Kakashi, had admitted that it would be impossible for him to use it as his hyperactive student did. Sasuke had merely nodded in understanding, but was slightly torn by the revelation.
On one hand, he was jealous of his teammate's potential. Chakra was the lifeblood of a shinobi and it spoke of everything from one's potential to the level of techniques one could use without killing themselves. The more chakra they had, the faster they could move, the stronger they could hit, and the longer they could fight. On the other hand, he realized that the blond-haired idiot could prove to be a useful teammate (moreso than the last member of Team 7), as well as a valid measuring stick of his growth. He knew that Naruto was the type to improve in spurts rather than at a steady rate, but it wasn't until after his teammate had learned a new Fuuton ninjutsu from his 'tutor' that Sasuke really understood it. To learn jutsu that fast without the aid of an advanced bloodline was impressive by itself.
The thought of Nanashi left a bitter taste in Sasuke's mouth, having a feeling that he had been only moments away from death earlier that one morning. Nanashi is not someone I should mess with. He was more than willing to follow through with his threat this morning if I had said another word. But why is he so willing to teach the dead-last? He pushed the thought out of his mind as he waited for his teammate's attack.
Sakura and Kakashi merely watched the two sparring from the sidelines. To be more precise, Sakura watched the two spar while cheering for her crush (and sometimes Naruto as well, when he pulled off an impressive move. She was nothing if not fair in giving him credit when he actually deserved it), while Kakashi rested on a tree-branch, happily reading his book with only an occasional glance towards his two students. He had to fight a grin as he let out another giggle, pleased with how his two students were progressing. They may have not had the raw skill that Gai's two prodigies had, but they also hadn't been genin as long. He trailed his uncovered eye to his last student and had to fight from letting out a sigh. What am I going to do with that girl? I would've thought that the mission in Wave would have snapped her out of that mindset, but perhaps they need a few more C ranks before she finally gets it. A shame she wasn't put with Kurenai, the girl would excel at genjutsu and Kurenai would love to pass on what she knows.
Sasuke dodged Naruto's punches with little effort, occasionally being surprised despite the sharingan's predictive abilities. He retaliated in kind, sending blows back at his opponent, but was surprised when Naruto was able to block or dodge his blows for the most part. He's getting faster, Sasuke thought in surprise as Naruto actually parrying one of the Uchiha's punches before delivering a punch aimed at Sasuke's face. Sasuke raised his own arm to catch the fist, but the amount of force in the blow itself was startling and it broke through Sasuke's weak guard. The Uchiha stepped back with the punch, allowing himself to gain distance before reconsidering his next move. He watched as Naruto seemed to beam in pleasure at finally getting a good hit on his rival in this round and Sasuke couldn't help but smirk, hoping to mess with him. "That your best punch, Naruto? Sakura can hit harder than that!"
Naruto blinked at the odd taunt before grabbing his chin as if in thought. He nodded sagely before agreeing with the boy, "Yeah, she does pack a mean right, doesn't she?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes, internally annoyed that the idiot hadn't truly reacted to the taunt. "Let's make this interesting, Naruto!" His hands snapped up into seals and he was pleased that he finished the ninjutsu faster than he ever had before. Training is paying off it seams. "Katon: Gokakyu no jutsu!" The blaze filled Sasuke's vision and he couldn't help but smirk in his mind at his teammate's shocked expression.
Naruto cursed as the ball of flaming death approached. It wasn't the first time he had seen his teammate use this technique, but it didn't make it any less dangerous. He knew Sasuke well enough that he wasn't expecting to hit Naruto with this jutsu, but rather to force him into a position where Sasuke would have the advantage. Deciding that it was time to meet Sasuke's raise, his own hands began snapping through seals before finally locking on the final hand seal. "Fuuton: Kaze no tate!"
Sakura covered her eyes as Sasuke's inferno impacted against Naruto's wind shield. She mentally chided Naruto for his choice of jutsu, Fire beats Wind, Naruto! You should know that! Hence why she was surprised when the fireball looked to all but shatter around the column of wind surrounding her blond-haired teammate seemed to be consumed by the flames before they dissipated, leaving the normal column of wind still standing and a grinning Uzumaki Naruto in its center. "That's..."
"Surprising, isn't it?" She almost jumped when the voice of her sensei reached her ears. She looked up to see him watching the fight with a degree of interest now. "Katon techniques, in theory, should overpower Fuuton techniques. Most impressive that he was able to use that shield to disperse Sasuke's Gokakyu." Actually, it's amazing he didn't incinerate himself. I really need to work on Naruto's strategies a bit more. Had he pumped any less chakra into the shield, it would have cooked him.
"I was just thinking the same thing, sensei." Sakura agreed, turning her eyes back to her two teammates who had once again locked themselves in a physical battle. Apparently Sasuke had taken it personally that Naruto had been able to use a weaker element to protect himself. "I'm actually kind of surprised that Naruto didn't somehow blow himself up doing that."
Kakashi grinned at his female student. "Maa, wouldn't be the first time, now would it?"
She only grinned at that. "True." She paused for a moment before asking, "I wonder what else Nanashi-san taught Naruto."
Kakashi remained silent at that. Truth be told, he wasn't sure how he felt about that. Naruto was 'his' student after all, and in a sense, it was an insult to him for the boy to be accepting training from someone else. If it had to do with clan hijutsu or something else along those lines, he'd probably be able to accept it. But the sheer fact that not only did Nanashi go behind his back to train his student, neither blond thought it necessary to inform Kakashi of this until Naruto had almost killed himself by practicing one of the Fuuton techniques that Nanashi favored.
Apparently, it was unwise to use the shearing winds technique while surrounded by large trees, as said trees have a tendency to fall after being sliced to ribbons. Especially if one had more chakra than he could safely use, creating a far bigger radius than the technique intended. Kakashi still remembered the look of success on the boy's face after the remainder of Team 7 was able to dig out their buried comrade.
"Maaa, it'll be fun to find out." Kakashi replied, bemusement in his tone as he focused his attention back to his book. As interesting as the pissing contest between the two boys was, the story of the lovable rogue Kyoshi being seduced by a beautiful priestess named Reiko was far more entertaining. Especially when it turned out that Kyoshi was really a woman disguising herself as a man to escape her possessive fiance. Jiraiya-sama, you are a true genius!
Naruto broke away from the Uchiha prodigy, his right hand rubbing the underside of his jaw from Sasuke's last kick. Likewise, Sasuke was merely watching his teammate, breathing heavily as this was only one of many spars that the two had already had that day, not including the training that Kakashi had given them. Naruto only grinned once more, as if pleased that Sasuke was still taking him seriously before his hands began moving into seals. "Hey bastard! Here's a new jutsu for ya! Designed it just for you!"
Sasuke only scoffed, his sharingan spinning as he, as if by the instincts provided by his blood, began matching the blond, hand seal for hand seal. He only smirked, "I'm always up for learning another of your jutsu, dead last."
"Good. Hope you liked your eyesight, Sasuke!" With those words, both boys hands froze on the final seal and Naruto called out, "Ninpou: Flashbang Technique!"
Sasuke barely had time to register the words before the burst of light filled his vision and forced him to scream in agony. Even more so when he had duplicated the technique so close to his own face. Sasuke stumbled back, desperately rubbing his eyes, blinking away the white spots in his vision before something hit him in the chest hard. He tumbled back a few feet before crashing into the ground on his back. He wanted to get up and return the favor to the idiot, as he knew the boy had taken advantage of his blindness to get in a cheap shot. When he felt someone close to him, he immediately threw a blind fist, only to have it caught.
"Maa, calm down Sasuke-kun." Sasuke relaxed slightly at the voice of his sensei, though he still couldn't make out the man. All he could see was white and the occasional shadow. It was starting to give him a headache. "Good fight, both of you, but this one goes to Naruto."
"Tch."
"Heh, how'd you like that one, bastard!"
"Naruto, when I can see again I'm going to kill you." The Uchiha's voice growled out in promise.
"So, Sakura, as an exercise, tell me what happened." Kakashi continued, undaunted by the two boys already falling into a familiar pattern of bickering, albeit more on Naruto's part than Sasuke's.
The pink-haired girl frowned at her crush on the ground, who was still rubbing his eyes frantically, before looking back up at Kakashi. "Well, as much as I hate to admit it, Naruto tricked Sasuke-kun." She paused for a moment, as if digesting the idea before continuing, "While Sasuke-kun clearly held an edge in taijutsu, Naruto knew that if he used ninjutsu that Sasuke-kun would just copy and use them against him. So he used that technique, thinking that Sasuke would duplicate it without thinking. In essence, he used the sharingan against Sasuke-kun." She paused before shaking her head, "I suppose it helps that Naruto can take a big beating like he can."
"Exactly! I hope this shows the danger of relying on your doujutsu, Sasuke." Kakashi seemed pleased at this outcome. Far too pleased in Sasuke's opinion. "Nice planning, Naruto. Where'd you learn that jutsu? I have to admit that it could prove rather useful in the future."
Naruto only grinned, chuckling slightly. "Something I've been working on for a while. Mostly to get away from psycho-bitch when she has the urge to 'improve my taijutsu.'" He shivered at the thought, "I wasn't sure it'd actually work, to tell you the truth."
Kakashi only shook his head, as if amused by his student's antics. Well, considering Anko has apparently taken a shine to him, I suppose that makes sense. Kami help me if she had ever shown interest in me. Kakashi couldn't help but shiver slightly at that last thought, ignoring the strange looks he received from his students. Sasuke merely scoffed, his vision starting to come back. "You got lucky, dead last."
Naruto glared at Sasuke. "And you're dead, prick. Take a look at your chest."
"Idiot, you fucking blinded me!"
"Now, now. Calm down children." Kakashi stated, amusement in his tone. As trying and aggravating as Naruto could be sometimes, he secretly got a kick out of it when the boy actually was able to beat Sasuke in something. The byplay between the two was like watching his own personal comedy show. "And I think he means the tag on your chest, Sasuke." Kakashi reached down and pulled the tag off before examining it. "Hmm, an unarmed shock tag. Yeah, this probably would've killed you if he had armed it, Sasuke. That or shock you unconscious."
"Shock tag? What's that, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura, ever the inquisitive kunoichi, couldn't help herself.
Surprisingly, it was Naruto who spoke up. "Neh, Sakura-chan, you know what an explosive tag is, right?" He waited until she nodded before he continued, "A shock tag is another reactive tag, just like an explosive tag. Only instead of fire chakra and explosive force, a high powered electric discharge is sealed into the tag. So when it goes off, the target, instead of being blown up, is electrocuted." Naruto blinked at the ensuing silence, before realizing that all three, including the now-recovered Sasuke, were staring at him as if he suddenly grew another head. "What?"
"Who are you and what have you done with Naruto?" Sakura's question was blunt and Sasuke seemed to nod in agreement.
"Hey!"
"I imagine Nanashi-san taught you how to make these?" The question was voiced by Kakashi, who was staring at the tag with interest. Tag making is a pretty basic Fuinjutsu skill, but still requires a decent amount of technical skill. Especially since it's considered a Chuunin-level skill. He spoke up, not seeing it but knowing that his students were all staring at him now, "Nanashi-san is a very skilled Fuinjutsu specialist, and probably knows more about it than even the Hokage. I have to admit that I find it surprising that he's teaching you this stuff. You don't strike me as the type."
Naruto shrugged. "It's actually pretty interesting. I still don't understand a lot of the stuff he talks about, but they're kinda like puzzles in a sense."
It was a simple statement, made by only a boy. He couldn't have possibly known the effect the words would have on the masked shinobi. Kakashi froze at those words, and his visible eye glazed over for a moment as his mind slipped back into the past, remembering another blond who had said the same exact thing. Minato-sensei used to say the same thing... He couldn't help but watch as the image of his sensei covered his boisterous student for a few seconds before he snapped back to the present. Minato-sensei... it seems your legacy may be following in your footsteps. "Is there anything else we should know?"
Naruto rolled his eyes at his sensei, already knowing what the real question was. Mostly because Nanashi-san had told him about it, "Yeah, but don't worry. He said to tell you specifically that he hasn't taught me any offensive-based jutsu. Said that the old man would kill him if he taught me any of his attack ninjutsu." He paused for a minute before his eyes lit up, "He's shown me a few though. Kakashi-sensei, he can do that water dragon thingy of Zabuza's without seals!"
Kakashi only shook his head, more amused by his student's reaction than anything else. He shot a quick glance towards his other two students. Sakura seemed impressed by what Naruto was saying, if not a bit disbelieving. Sasuke on the other hand was practically seething and Kakashi knew that embers of jealousy were already forming the Uchiha's mind. He bit it off before the boy could ask though, "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Nanashi is... a very unique shinobi within Konoha. I have no doubt he has more tricks than even Hokage-sama knows."
Kakashi only smiled beneath his mask. He clapped his hands together, "But enough about him. Good work, both of you. Keep up the good work and I may be tempted to enter you three into the Chuunin exams. It's very rare for rookies to be allowed to take them."
Sasuke only smirked, accepting the compliment for what it was. Sakura only smiled slightly, but as if hiding something. Hmm, perhaps I should have a talk with her. Naruto threw a fist in the air, a large grin on bursting forth on his face, "Hell yeah! Team 7 will kick ass and take names! And it'll bring me closer to being Hokage!"
"As if an idiot like you could ever be Hokage."
"That wasn't really necessary, Sakura-chan..."
Kakashi only laughed silently beneath his mask, watching as his pink-haired student smacked her teammate over the head. Why did I refuse to teach for so long? This is prime entertainment, second only to the masterpiece of Icha Icha.
-/-/-/
Long fucking day... Nanashi sighed at the thought as he pulled himself towards his apartment building. Receiving the diplomatic mission from the Hokage, preparing for said mission as well as swinging by the training grounds in search of Naruto. When he arrived, the boy was hard at work and it was refreshing to see the boy applying himself at some of the ninjutsu that Nanashi had taught him.
He had pulled the boy aside, making sure to commend him on his progress. He chuckled at his younger-self's embarrassed grin at the praise. He still remembered the conversation that followed. He knew that he probably wouldn't be able to give Naruto any last minute advice before the exam, even if there were no complications on his mission.
"Listen kid, I'm not going to lie to you, I really wish I could teach you some of my better jutsu. You're a damn natural for ninjutsu, so much that it's scary. Hell, you've even turned a basic wind manipulation skill into an attack."
"Yeah, yeah. But the old man won't let you teach me that stuff. That stuff on explosive tags was pretty interesting though."
"Not just because you like causing explosions, I would hope." He chuckled as the Naruto looked away, a blush rising to the boy's cheeks at being found out so quickly. "Well, to each their own. I found it quite cool when I was your age." Nanashi had to bit his lip after stating that, Yeah, no shit. Idiot. "But there is something I do want to teach you. Something that will become your trump card if you learn it. A powerful A-rank ninjutsu developed by the Yondaime Hokage himself."
The boy's face lit up in excitement. "Really? Awesome! I'll show that bastard who's the better shinobi yet!"
Nanashi frowned. As much as I would love that, if anyone sees him use this yet, it's going to prompt a lot of questions. Questions that will lead them back to me. "Not so fast. Naruto, I'm going to teach you this technique, but you have to make me a promise."
"Promise?"
"Yes... promise me that until I tell you otherwise, you do not show anyone the jutsu, or allow anyone to see your training for it." He held up a hand to forestall the protest. "Naruto! I'm not trying to be an ass, or hold you back. But like I said, this was one of the trademark techniques of the Yondaime Hokage, one of the strongest shinobi the Elemental Countries has ever seen. Only two other people, besides myself, know how to perform it, and to the outside world, the technique is believed to have been lost with the Kyuubi attack. If people see you using it, its going to raise a lot of flags, especially considering your... circumstances. Questions will be asked that you won't be able to answer, that I won't answer, and it will cause an enormous amount of trouble for both of us. Do you understand?"
Naruto frowned. "Not really... but I promise. But..."
"What is it?"
"If this is supposedly a lost technique, then how do you know it?" His younger-self questioned before following it up, "Now that I think about it, I don't really know anything about you. How can you do ninjutsu without seals? When did you start studying Fuinjutsu? How come Kakashi-sensei seems freaked out by you?"
Nanashi stared at his younger self for quite some time before answering. "Tell ya what, Naruto. After the Chunnin exams are over, I'll answer all your questions. It'll make sense in time, I promise. Is that okay?" After all, I won't need to keep my identity a secret after that, unless we fuck up and the snake survives.
"I guess..."
"Good. Now listen up, this technique is called the Rasengan..."
Nanashi shook his head, clearing his mind of the events with Naruto and his promise. If the old man knew I was starting him on the Rasengan, he'd probably murder me. Considering how fast I learned it before, he'll probably have it done before the match with Neji if I show him the last two stages during that month reprieve. As his apartment building came into view he began to review what he still needed to do to prepare for his mission. His thoughts were once again derailed when he noticed someone waiting outside his building, leaning against the wall with her hands behind her head. He felt a shiver go down his spine as he walked closer, but made no movements to note his discomfort. Apparently she had sensed his approaching presence as she pushed off of the building with one leg, lowering her arms as she turned to face him. He couldn't read the expression on her face and he was once again glad for the mask that the Hokage had given him when he had left the hospital after his time jump. He stopped in front of her when he came close enough but didn't say anything at first. In truth, he really had no idea of what to say to the woman. He hadn't been deliberating avoiding her, but they had not spoken for a few days.
Her eyes shifted to the ground, as if unsure of what she wanted to say before she let out a sigh. "We need to talk."
He stared at Anko but didn't really know what to say. The old pervert did say that nothing good ever started with those words. Then again, it is Ero-sennin. But, then again, Hinata never opened a conversation like that either, so maybe he's right. He offered a nod before leaning against the wall of his building. He pulled down his mask and pulled out a cigarette, lighting one for himself. When he noticed her stare as she took a place next to him, he offered her one. She shook her head and he shrugged. "So..." He trailed off, having no idea on what to say to the woman. They were friends and comrades, but that night had probably changed something. It could explain why instead of her usual attacking him style greeting, he was being met with this more subdued reaction.
"How much do you remember from that night, and don't try to deny anything. As fucked up as the both of us are acting, we both know something happened." The question was honest, and still that underlying current of sarcasm that he had long-since associated with the woman's voice.
Well at least she's trying to act normal. "Honestly, not much until we were... testing my kitchen counters." He nervously stated, scratching the back of his head with his hand as he made sure not to look at her. He took a drag, trying to gather his thoughts and out of the corner of his eye noticed that the woman he had once thought of as shameless held a heavy blush on her face, as if thinking of the exact 'testing' the two had done. "You?"
The blush only deepened as she replied quietly, in a tone so unlike the Mitarashi Anko that he knew so well, "Umm, the same."
"Ah."
There was a long period of silence, in which the only real sounds that could be heard was that of birds chirping and the breeze blowing. Hello awkwardness... The thought was immature, but Nanashi found it enough to lift his oddly heavy spirits. The way we're acting seems like a pair of brats' first crush. If only the old pervert could see me now. The silence was broken when Anko pushed off the wall, growling words that he couldn't make out under her breath, though from what he knew of her, he imagined them to be curses of some sort. "Fuck, this is annoying. Shit-for-brains, why the hell are we acting like this?"
He only shrugged, amusement in his features as he looked at her. "Who knows? Though, I am have to admit, I'm somewhat curious as to why you're so irritated."
She only glared at him, "Because, you stupid prick, you're one of the few friends a psychopathic bitch like me has and I'm afraid I fucked it up somehow." The words evidently slipped out of her mouth without her intention, because as soon as she realized what she had said, she immediately looked away, as if ashamed to meet his gaze. He only stared at her for a moment before looking upwards towards the sky, his cigarette hanging loosely in his mouth, as if doing an impression of Genma. That... was unexpected. I was under the impression that she was pissed at me, or rather that she would be desiring to kill me right now. The silence between the two dragged on after her outburst before she finally shook her head, "Forget it." She then turned and began walking away.
Nanashi watched her for a moment before speaking up, "Oi, snake-bitch." Odd how that is starting to sound more like a term of endearment... She looked back over her shoulder, her face impassive, but seeming to expect something. He dropped his smoke to the ground before grinding it out. "I've been tapped for a mission. Tell you what, if this is still bothering the two of us by the time I get back, then we'll figure it out. Otherwise, I'll treat you to a drink to celebrate the future mental scarring you'll inflict on the Chuunin examinees. We cool?"
She looked at him, her face twisted into one of shock before a very familiar grin lit up her face. "Deal, nameless wonder. I'll tell you all about the tests Ibiki and I have in store for those snot-nosed punks." She then let out a maniacal cackle before walking away, leaving a bemused Nanashi.
However, as he entered his building, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had somehow just avoided an explosive tag of immense proportion.
-/-/-/
Thunk. The repetitive sound of kunai striking a tree echoed through the training grounds. It was not uncommon, as trees were nature's original non-moving targets. Thick and hard, they were preferable to be used as targets where the blade would sink in rather than the stone of the mountains where, although a powerful shinobi could easily sink one in, most would simply have the blades damaged or even bounce back at them.
As preferable targets as that may be, there were not too many forests near Kumogakure no Sato. The village was high up in the mountains in the northern part of Lightning country, built into the side of a cliff within a strange hollowed out portion. No one who lived in the village knew how the cave-like structure came to form, as it happened no where else in the mountain range. Local legends spoke of the power of Izukuichi, the legendary thunder hawk who had long ago hollowed out the mountain to build its nest of gold. Some claimed that it was the work of the first Raikage, who used his immense strength to dig into the mountain with his bare hands for several years. Others simply believed that the near-constant storms that plagued Lightning countries northern mountains had simply weathered the structure down in time, over many, many years.
It truly was an odd work of nature. Although recessed deeply into the mountain, natural lighting was formed due to a type of fungi that grew on the cave walls, providing an eerie light that glowed a constant, soft yellow. It was this glow that provided the light that allowed the denizens of Kumogakure no Sato to see. Long ago, before the great shinobi wars, the village had been known by a different name due to this everlasting light. The Village of Light.
The same fungi somehow broke down the ground that the village was built on, allowing for limited spots where plants could grow, against what seemed like all laws of nature. After all, how can plants grow without soil, rather than rock? Kumogakure researchers long ago speculated that it had to do with the flux of chakra that the fungi gave off, breaking down the materials into different properties altogether. Nothing could really be confirmed though, but it went without saying that these rare places of flora were to be treasured.
Of course, that didn't stop the Kumo nin from using the strange looking trees as target practice.
And it did not stop the Konoha nin who was obviously irritated beyond belief. With a repetitive motion, his hand lashed out, throwing yet another kunai which struck only inches away from his prior blade. He growled when he reached for another only to realize that he had thrown all of his weapons. He glared at the tree as if a hated enemy before slowly approaching to retrieve his weaponry.
It was only then that his watcher spoke. He had known she was there for a while, but said nothing. He wasn't really in the mood to deal with anyone, and just wanted the damn Raikage and its council to finish what needed to be done so he could head back home. "Interesting picture. Is that a spiral?"
He glared at the container of the Nibi before turning his eyes back to his 'art'. Gathered there, a grouping of kunai and shuriken formed a tight spiral that looped around. "What the hell is taking your boss so damn long, kitten?"
Yugito glared at the leaf nin before shrugging as she walked up to be a few feet from him. Crossing her arms, she stared at the strange design as he began pulling out his weapons. "Calm down, tree-hugger. The old pricks on the council will bend. They always do." She then looked back at him before raising an eyebrow, "What's got you so pissy?"
Nanashi ignored the challenge from the kunoichi. He had been in Kumogakure for almost two weeks now while the Raikage and his advisors bickered with the governing council. This should have been done before I got here. I should have been in and out. This is fucking ridiculous. And the snake is going to be in Konoha in less than a week. I'm going to fucking miss my chance if these stupid bastards don't hurry up. Instead of speaking his mind, he simply spoke in a bored tone of voice. "Don't want to get caught in the crappy weather you guys have here on the way back. I've got work to do back home."
"Tch, you think we'd let you stay that long, treaty or no? It's not advisable to have foreign shinobi wandering around your home."
Nanashi only smirked beneath his mask as he stared into the eyes of Kumo's resident Jinchuuriki. "Aw, no trust for me, kitten? I'm touched."
She punched him in the shoulder hard enough to make him wince. "Don't call me that, bastard."
"Is that really the way you should treat a diplomatic guest of your village? Not to mention one that saved your life and stabilized those pitiful markings your previous Kage called a seal."
Yugito went silent at those words. Everything the man said, at least in regards to her, was correct. She still remembered the way Nanashi had effortlessly dealt with those missing nin back during their first encounter, as well as how easily he was able to keep up with her while carrying her teammates on his back. She was even more stunned when the blond revealed to her after only seeing her seal for a few seconds that it was unstable and would kill her before she reached the age of thirty if left unchecked. She also knew that the man had informed the Raikage of this little fact, prompting an offer to fix said seal as part of the village's deal with Konoha. She hated the fact that she was, in a sense, being used as a bargaining chip against her village but the Raikage told her to not worry about it.
"In fact, I have the feeling that he would fix your seal, even if we turned down this offer."
She shook her head before looking down at her stomach. She was wearing her normal uniform, only now with some sturdy leather armor over her chest and arms. She couldn't see her seal with her eyes, with her clothing in the way and all, but she could see it in her mind. However before the strange, disturbing, and damn painful ceremony, her seal had resembled an odd shape that looked oddly like a cat (at least if you looked at it sideways) surrounded by strange sealing script that she had long since given up trying to understand. The ceremony had changed the shape of the seal itself, and now beneath her clothing her stomach and chest looked as if she had been the victim of a crazy and drunk tattoo artist. The symbol of the cat was still there, but it was now tied into markings that she was even more confused about. One resembled a dragon with its wings unfurled, located on her right breast, while others looked like spirals similar to the one that Nanashi had been carving into the tree with his throwing practice. All of them were linked with the same sort of odd sealing script she had seen before.
She didn't remember much from the ceremony itself, other than the intense pain. However, the difference when she had awoken was like hot and cold. Her chakra flowed easier, and a slight tinge in her mind that she had never been aware of before was gone, as if she had been released from a heavy burden she had no idea existed. Her movements were just as swift and quiet as before, yet she no longer had to try for that effect, the silence coming effortlessly. Her eyes remained the same shape and color, but they no longer gave the appearance of shifting when not looking directly at someone.
"Why are you so impatient to get back?"
Nanashi gave her an even stare before turning around and leaning back against the tree he had been using. He put his hands behind his head and answered, "You know of the stipulations of the agreement?"
"Yes. Raikage-sama has informed me."
"I believe that our little snake is going to making a surprise entrance in Konoha in a few days. I want to be there to... greet him."
That prompted a raised eyebrow. "A hunch, or do you have information?"
"I know everything, kitty cat."
"Arrogant tree-hugger."
"Don't make me throw out your litter-box."
"I will hurt you one of these days."
"Do that and I'll be forced to declaw you, kitten."
The two's verbal bantering was interrupted by a non-distinguishable shinobi appeared before them. In his hands he held a sealed scroll, the symbol of Kumo and the blood signature of the Yondaime Raikage on the outside. The man spoke, his voice even. "Raikage-sama has agreed to your village's terms. Here are the details of that agreement."
Nanashi didn't hesitate, grabbing the scroll and giving Yugito one last nod before vanishing in a flash of shunshin. He reappeared outside the village gates and broke into a full run back towards Fire country. Konoha was roughly a week away at his top speed with the terrain in Lightning country as it was. Will I make it in time?
-/-/-/
Naruto had experienced a wide range of emotions in his young life. He knew the true face of hatred, both from the villagers who tormented him as he grew up, as well as his own personal hatred of those villagers that he hid from everyone, even the grandfatherly old man who treated him as if he were his own kin. He had known true joy, when he had finally passed the academy examination and earned his mark as a Konoha genin. He knew despair from his younger days of wanting to know why everyone hated him, and sadness from the passing of the apprentice of a nukenin from Mist who, in another world, would have been his brother in everything but blood. He knew fear, in various levels, from dealing with unbalanced ninja (mostly Anko) and the resulting wrath of said ninja when he provoked them. He had known apathy from the bastard, contempt from his former classmates. He was in awe of his various teachers' abilities, and still held a sort of affection for his pink-haired teammate.
However, as he stared at the form in his hand, he didn't know what he felt. Although the man had hinted at it on more than one occasion, Naruto didn't actually expect his lone-eyed sensei and team captain to enter them in the Chuunin exams. It still seemed rather sudden, but the training he had done with Anko over the last two years had drilled him to take his breaks when he could get them.
He would take this exam, pass it and become a Chuunin. It would simply be the next step on his path to Hokage. Failure didn't even register in his mind, his path set long ago. Uzumaki Naruto would be the Hokage one day, and kami help anything that stood in his path to the tower.
He shook his head, the whistle from the tea kettle crying out in its shrill pitch. Absentmindedly, he walked over to remove the container from his stove, shutting the device off as he poured the hot water into the cup of instant ramen that had been resting near the stove. After adding enough water, he took the cup and a pair of chopsticks back to the place where he had been reading over the entrance form. He broke his chopsticks apart and began eating, probably a bit too early as some of the noodles were still hard when he took his first bite. His mind drifted over the events of the day with detached interest.
After Kakashi had dropped the explosive tag on them, in the form of the exam form, Naruto had been thrilled. He had actually sought out the insane kunoichi that had nearly killed him on more than one occasion to tell her. She had grinned at him, not in the usual insane and creepy way, but much more like the talk they had exchanged after the Wave mission. She had ruffled his head a bit, offered her congratulations and given him one bit of advice.
"Don't die, Naruto. Life would be too boring here without someone to torture."
He had wanted to inform Nanashi-sensei of his entrance to the exams, but the man was nowhere to be found. He found out from Anko that his part-time sensei had been tapped for a mission a few weeks back and was out of the village. The woman seemed irritated by this but Naruto didn't question her; knowing when to keep you mouth shut was one of the first skills he had learned from the woman. Granted, it was a skill he didn't use as often as he probably should, but it was enough to avoid waking up in a snake pit. She had actually done that once after he had been ambitious enough to replace all her trenchcoats with pink counterparts.
Between that and the 'survival training' that followed, Naruto never pranked the former student of Orochimaru ever again.
Naruto snapped back to the present, putting the empty container down as he once again examined the form. After a few moments, he couldn't find the stupid grin that crawled onto his face. Without hesitation, he found a pen and signed his name, following that up by biting his thumb and placing his blood on the form, as per the instructions. As he licked away the remaining blood from his thumb, he finally realized what that feeling in his heart was. It was the same sensation he had felt when he had finally managed to cause that damn water balloon to burst.
Pride. If Naruto had grown up slightly differently, he would have understood the feeling much better.
He also would have known that pride often comes before the fall.
So that's it for the installment. After my beta's initial comments, I was highly tempted to redo the scene between Nanashi and Sasuke. My beta believed that Nanashi would be torn between rage and desire to manipulate Sasuke as part of his plans. He has a very valid point, and the only reason I kept it the same was that Nanashi has already alluded to, multiple times, his desire to kill Sasuke before the Uchiha can fall.
The short paragraph or two about Anko's nudity was something that came to mind when reviewing his comments. It amused me, so I put it in. Hopefully others got a chuckle out of it. If not, well, my mind is very twisted...
Thanks for all the positive feedback. I'm hoping to figure out some sort of schedule that I can hold myself to in regards to writing in the future, but like I said before, updates will probably still be slow.
Stats prior to this post (For those interested):
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Like I said before, thanks for all the positive feedback.
Rurouni
EDIT: I'm only adding this part because already a few people have asked about it. When Kurenai and Anko were talking earlier in the story, and Anko claimed to be a virgin, it was supposed to be her busting Kurenai's chops, hence why Kurenai 'called bullshit'. Maybe I'll go back and twist that so its clearer.