Welcome to the next chapter.

joharasbel; Thanks.

JhotoLoraxius; That's how Temari is yeah. We'll be seeing Gaara and Pakura's developments happening pretty soon.

TheRagFromTheCrag; Yeah, I guess so haha. And yeah, they seem to have too huh.

ShadowUzumaki55; They are yeah, Ino and Ryouta's relationship has developed a good deal. Inoichi was concerned, but seeing what Ryouta did he's now more accepting and understanding. Pakura's got some thoughts about it, and we'll be delving into that pretty soon. Izumi's trying her best yeah.

danielsnow; Yeah, quite fun~ Hinata was pretty cute there huh. Glad you liked the date. Yeah, he could take someone there. Glad you're looking forward to more.

Silver Crow; Thanks. Hinata did yeah. Glad you liked their date. Temari's curious about Gaara, and why she interactions with Ryouta the way that she does. There's reasons why Hayate is the bodyguard, stuff we'll be getting into very soon. I can't say anything about what will happen with the Sound Four/Five and that arc in general yet. Ryouta's Jutsu's been hinted at in a few scenes over the past good few chapters. Yeah, Ryouta's able to relax now and then, knowing that it is necessary to recharge. Hinata does yeah. They did yeah, they both can see Gaara has real emotions. Ino did yeah, she was pretty cute~ Inoichi was just trying to be a protective Dad, but saw the error of his ways when seeing how Ryouta treated Ino. I can't say about the three Oto Genin yet, we'll see how their story plays out. Karin did yeah. It seems the Leaf are yeah. Izumi cares for Lee, and she knows what she's doing, she wouldn't risk it if she believed there was any chances of getting caught. We'll see how that goes with the Tailed Beasts. We'll see what happens yeah. The two water brothers will come back into the story in the near future, so we'll see how their story plays out. I'm sure Tsunade will remember meeting him, however brief it was. I could see Karin doing that yeah. Yeah, Ryouta's Mother could have. During the time skip, Ryouta could do a few things like that, would explain about the Sound. Those would be cool outfits. That could be a funny scene between Naruko and Satsuki. Haku would definitely have earned the rank by then. Thanks for the harem suggestions!

Hinata fan; Thanks. Glad you liked the Hinata moments. Ino did yeah, she also received a confidence boost as well. It seems that she does exist here yeah. We are, we'll be going to the exams pretty soon.

Guest 1; Yeah, I've seen them and they're pretty cool. I'd like to do stories about them, just need some good ideas before doing it.

makotoxvalerie; Yeah, that could be his signature technique. Kakashi does know the Rasengan so Ryouta could get inspired to create a unique version all his own. It would be cool if it had that kind of power.

TheGreatGodzilla; They're friends, we'll have to see where Kisame and Izumi's friendship goes. Read the beginning parts of the story to get more insight to Lee and Izumi's friendship. Konan will do yes. All I can say about her is to wait and see. Glad you liked the parts between Ino and Ryouta. Yukie could appear, that's all I can say. We'll see who has his first kid when we get towards that part in the story. I've got plans for both Samui and Mabui. I've not checked it all yet, I've read some of it and it's pretty cool.

Guest 2; Yeah, those stories will be cool to do.

War Sage; Thanks! Glad you enjoy them~ Glad you liked the date. Yeah, Ryouta and Hinata had a nice moment. I haven't decided about the first child thing yet. Yeah, I guess they'd be half Uchiha through Ryouta's side. Haha, I guess it would be quite like that~ Karin is yeah. Yeah, Ryouta's signature move will do. Itachi passing them onto Ryouta would be a nice scene. Orochimaru's not finished yet. Jiraiya could do yeah. Thanks for the harem suggestions!

Andrew123456; Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

FDFAN; Hard to say, yeah Tsubaki did, maybe some of the friends Yuki had.

With those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!


Secrets exposed!

Days after the event of being told about what's going on, with Satsuki and Ryouta now having some bodyguards just in case, Ryouta walked through the village, together with Hayate following after him from the shadows.

His eyes glanced up towards Hayate and while he understood why he needed a bodyguard, he also felt like that Hayate could also be used in other places to try and locate what was going on with the person that attacked them.

Ryouta right now was using his Sharingan more.

He was trying to see if there was any chakra colour that he remembered from the enemy that attacked them.

But he hadn't come across anyone in the few days that he had been looking.

If anyone was in the village, they made it an effort to hide away from his eyes, and also Satsuki.

He even heard that Karin was the one who initial told Hiruzen about the feeling.

But, like the other two, Karin hadn't felt anything either since then.

"Hayate-san."

Hayate appeared beside him, as the darkened street held no one on it.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing major, I was just curious if there's been any updates on the mystery man?"

Hayate shook his head.

"No, there haven't been any updates. Have you found the chakra with your eyes?"

Ryouta gave an unfortunate shake of his head.

"No, nothing. I haven't seen anyone that resembles the chakra that I saw back in the forest. Though, I guess they'd not try anything right away either."

"Yes, that's right, they probably wouldn't give such a movement right now."

Ryouta inclined his head slowly.

"By the way, you're partners with Yugao-san, right?"

Hayate did a spit take.

Usually he was calm.

But when he heard that he looked to be slightly embarrassed.

"What's wrong?"

Asking the man directly, Hayate did his signature cough and shook his head.

"N...No, it's nothing..."

"Ooh...you thought I meant...well, I don't know if you are or not, but I remember that she used to speak about you. When she watched over me as a child, she said that you were a great swordsman and she learned a good bit from watching you."

Hayate adopted a light hearted smile, scratching his right cheek.

"I...I see, Yugao-san is pretty strong. And I do recall that she was your guard for a while."

Ryouta nodded.

"She was yeah. I think she's a really great person..."

Ryouta glanced at Hayate, seeing that he was looking surprisingly shy.

It wasn't something he was used to seeing from Hayate.

"I taught her Kenjutsu and she is...someone that I can rely on when the time comes for me to need such help."

Ryouta gave a gentle smile.

"You know...Yugao-san really is great."

Hayate's eyes shot for Ryouta who glanced away.

A small smile appeared on Ryouta's face.

Hayate didn't say anything back, but gave a small acknowledgement to what the boy said as they continued on towards his home, seeing that Ryouta was quite wise.


A few days later, Ryouta and Satsuki continued their training efforts, with Hayate and Mikoto watching keenly on from a good distance.

Though thanks to Kakashi also being there, they were also able to move around the village when they were there, so this was their opportunity to go and search for anyone that shouldn't be there in the first place.

With those two leaving for the moment, Ryouta and Satsuki watched as Kakashi looked between them.

"Satsuki, since I assessed your current combat level yesterday, Ryouta it is time for you to come at me and I'll see your current level, so I know which way is the best way to go."

Ryouta nodded, and pulled out his sword.

"I'm ready when you are Sensei."

Kakashi nodded, as his lone eye went towards Satsuki.

"Then you can continue the exercises that I had assigned you, okay?"

"Sure."

Satsuki didn't have a problem with it.

With Satsuki going off to do that, Ryouta stood before Kakashi as he looked ready to face off.

"Though since this is training, I don't have to tell you that killing shots isn't allowed. However, you may try and damage me, otherwise I might not be able to get an accurate read on what your levels of power truly are."

Kakashi pulled up his headband and showed his Sharingan and while it did cost a good deal of chakra to use, it helped predict Ryouta's movements. And right now, he needed to face against another Sharingan wielder like Kakashi, if he had hopes of fighting other Sharingan wielders in the future that had incredible skills like Kakashi had, and beyond him.

"So you're even going to be using the Sharingan?"

"I recall your speed during the Zabuza incident, and I presume you might have even gotten faster. I'm not going to be taking any chances, so lets get on with it. Because I'm not an Uchiha, this drains me more than it would you."

Ryouta didn't have a problem with that, and revealed his own Sharingan eyes.

The blood red colour burned into Kakashi's lone Sharingan eye as Ryouta took a stance.

"Begin!"

Ryouta charged at Kakashi with his sword in hand, not going to do anything other than his best. Of course without using the Mangekyou, as he still needed to use that for the future as well, and because this is training, he didn't need to use that right now.

Kakashi followed him with his Sharingan eye, and saw him coming from the right with his blade.

"Got you."

Predicting where he'd go, Kakashi went to intercept with a kunai, when Ryouta switched it up, and vanished in a burst of speed.

However, Kakashi saw the afterimage clone that Ryouta left behind, made contact with his kunai for a few moments, while the real Ryouta switched it up, and came in from the left hand side.

"An afterimage, what Shisui was able to do...the way he uses it as well and how he's able to switch between attacking from one area to another, in a completely different manner is something that I have to praise. To keep the opponent guessing, he doesn't do the exact same kind of attack, and that's really impressive."

Kakashi mused within his mind, quite happy to see that Ryouta was able to use such a technique that would be difficult to pull off in the most normal of circumstances, but seeing how he was able to do it in the middle of a fight was what really impressed Kakashi, and was able to use it in such fine ways that even Kakashi was surprised.

"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Exhaling from his mouth after weaving through the hand signs, a giant mass of flames shot out of the boys small mouth, and went towards Kakashi at high speeds. Due to the speed Ryouta was going, Kakashi saw that it helped propel the sphere at even greater speeds than it usually would have done beforehand.

Kakashi knew he didn't have time to dodge it, but he saw a nearby water source, and weaved through some hand signs.

"Water Release, Water Wall Jutsu!"

Creating a huge wall before him from the borrowed water source, the flames and the water clashed together, creating a blanket of steam around the pair of them, hindering their movements for a few moments.

But then Ryouta came in from the right, cutting right through the steam and used his Sharingan to see exactly where Kakashi was at, who also saw the boy coming in, so he whipped his kunai in that direction.

Ryouta deflected it with his blade, causing it to lose its momentum in the air, and then he swung his sword at it, catching it up in the blade, and then fired it right back to Kakashi who wasn't expecting that to happen.

"Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."

Kakashi mentally praised as he dodged out of the way of the kunai by flipping backwards.

But as he did, Ryouta used that chance to appear behind Kakashi, with his blade already swinging it for him.

"Earth Release, Earth Wall Jutsu!"

While in the middle of a back flip, Kakashi managed to do some hand signs, and slam his hand down, causing the earth to rise out of the ground, blocking Ryouta's blade, but the young man breathed fire onto said blade, increasing its ability to slice through objects thanks to the burning quality, and with only two slashes, he managed to get through the wall, where he saw Kakashi going through some hand signs.

So he took out a shuriken and tossed it forward.

"Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!"

Turning one shuriken into many, all of the shurikens went towards Kakashi.

He took out a kunai to try and deflect them all, but Ryouta threw another shuriken in, and caused one to bounce off of it, and then that went towards another one that ricocheted off of it, and came up to Kakashi's right hand side, cutting into his leg.

Ryouta smiled…

But then saw the body of Kakashi burst into smoke.

"A Shadow Clone, must have done it when he was hidden behind that earth wall...clever Sensei."

Ryouta thought, and looked for Kakashi.

Trying to see where he had hid himself with his eyes he knew Kakashi was a tricky opponent and he was very glad that he was.

But remembered from Satsuki about a certain trick Kakashi did.

He jumped high as hands shot out of the ground, trying to grab him and pull him down, but thanks to his quick reflexes, and foreknowledge thanks to Satsuki, he avoided Kakashi's grabbing attempt all together, and turned his eyes down towards the coming out of earth Kakashi.

He flew through some hand signs, before directing his mouth downwards.

"Water Release, Water Dragon Jutsu!"

From his mouth, water came shooting out and formed a long Dragon.

Even Kakashi was stunned and was impressed as it not only gave him quick access to the Jutsu, but also the element of surprise as most would assume he'd take water from nearby and shoot it with that.

The water Dragon came at him at high speeds, so Kakashi took out several kunai's, and attached paper bombs to them, launching them into the water Dragon, causing them to explode and allowed the water to rain down towards him.

As it did, Ryouta shot from the air, propelling himself off of a Shadow Clone, and came down towards Kakashi at such high speeds, that Kakashi was stunned for a few moments, before he brought up a kunai and blocked Ryouta's sword.

However, as he did, the colliding metal caused a shockwave to release between the two of them, causing the water in the air and on the ground was blasted away, Kakashi also felt the good deal of strength pushing him down as well.

Looking up at the boy, the pair stared hard at the other, showcasing a willingness to not back down either way that it was going to go.

Kakashi pushed him back as Ryouta flipped in the air, landing on the wet ground as Kakashi exhales slowly.

"Fire and water, they definitely are something you're strong at. Creating water as well, and not having to use a source nearby is a skill that is generally reserved for more master users of such Water Release. But you are able to do it, and at such a young age, it is something that I have to praise you for. The volume of the attack doesn't even lose any power despite having you create it with your chakra. I can see the level you're at, and it's quite impressive."

Kakashi pulled down his headband so his Sharingan wasn't seen any longer.

Exhaling slowly, feeling the drain on his chakra, he could process what he had to work with and what strengths Ryouta had, and what he thought would be best to improve upon as well.

"Thanks Sensei. I train hard."

"Yes, I can see. Now lets continue."

"Yes Sensei!"

Ryouta replied energetically, Kakashi lightly smiled underneath his mask.


They then continued doing their training until time was set for them to leave.

Ryouta and Satsuki took one another's hands, as they began walking away together.

"Can you feel it Ryou? I'm becoming stronger. It seems Kakashi did have a good amount of knowledge after all."

Ryouta gave bemused eyes.

Ryouta could understand what she was feeling deep inside.

"I quite like Sensei too, Satsuki-chan."

Satsuki's eyes went towards his own.

"...He's alright."

Ryouta knew that for Satsuki, that was one of the best things that she could say.

"Yeah, plus it is nice that we have someone else with the Sharingan in Konoha, huh."

"I wonder how he got it though."

Satsuki murmured, Ryouta shrugged.

"I don't know, but I can't see someone parading around with the Sharingan and being known as Kakashi the Copy Ninja if he stole it, especially around us who are Uchiha."

"Yeah, I thought the same thing. Makes me curious as to how he got it though."

Ryouta had to admit that he was also curious.

But he didn't want to rush Kakashi, as he remembered how in pain he looked when he spoke about the Sharingan that he had.

"I'm sure when Sensei is ready, he'll tell us how he got it. Until then, we can guess...but all I could come up with is if Kakashi-sensei was friends with an Uchiha or a lover and they wished to give their eyes to Sensei for whatever reason. Maybe they were dying, or it was a last request before they died, or something like that."

Satsuki gave a bemused look.

"Some imagination you've got."

"It's all I could think of, got any ideas?"

Satsuki shook her head.

"No, beyond just stealing it for himself which we both doubt, I'd have to go with one of your theories."

"Yeah...well, I'm sure we'll find out sooner or later...aha, I'm hungry now. I was thinking about going to get some ramen, I'll even go and see if Naruko-chan can come. Want to come?"

"Mom wants me to go home, spending a night together. Seems like she wishes to talk."

"Ooh I see, then I'll leave you two alone~"

"Yeah...well, see you later."

Satsuki crushed her lips onto his own for a few moments, causing the pair to lightly smile at the contact, before she pulled back.

"See you later Satsuki-chan."

Ryouta waved, as the young girl walked off.


Later that evening, Ryouta was sat at Ichiraku's together with Naruko. Because she had been training so hard, Ryouta thought it would be best to see how she is, and what she's been doing until this point, so he thought treating her to some ramen would be the best way to go.

Hayate was in the background, keeping keen eyes on the pair of them due to the fact that someone might try and come after Ryouta.

"So, how's the training going Naruko-chan?"

"Eeeh! I don't know, I'm trying to summon a toad, but I don't know why it isn't really working. Though Pervy Sage has been teaching me a bit about Taijutsu as well, I reckon I'll be able to take even you Ryou!"

Ryouta smiled at her enthusiasm.

"That's good, I'm glad that he is giving you a lot of help."

"Yeah, totally! He even said something a super call awesome Jutsu that I might be able to learn pretty soon! He doesn't know if I'll be able to do it by the time of the Chunin Exams, but he promised to teach me afterwards! It's really weird Ryou, he's...I dunno! He's just different!"

Ryouta gave a curious stare, wondering what it was that Naruko was speaking about.

"How's he different?"

"Eeh...it's weird, but I kinda get what he's about, you know? He's kinda like me! Though he is a pervert!"

Ryouta snorted at how Naruko casually said that, as Ayame was walking by.

The young woman glanced at the pair of them, before exhaling slowly.

"So, how are you two doing tonight?"

"Great Ayame-san! I might be able to summon toads soon!"

"Really? That's really great Naruko-chan. And what about you Ryouta-kun?"

Ryouta scratched his cheek as he replied.

"Well, I can summon a snake now, and I'm learning together with Satsuki-chan."

"That's wonderful~"

Ayame smiled out excitedly while Ryouta and Naruko continued eating their food together, enjoying their time with one another.


Meanwhile, Gaara sat within her room, as thoughts shot through her mind.

Thoughts about the exam, what happened in it.

And all of those thoughts kept going back towards Ryouta.

What he was doing.

And then she thought about Lee…

She didn't kill him.

She stopped by Ryouta words.

"Why..."

Gaara kept asking that over and over again.

Why did she stop?

What was it that compelled her to not go through with the attack?

Why did Ryouta still occupy her thoughts?

Why wasn't he afraid of her?

She needed to know, so she thought about Lee.

Perhaps...if she went to Lee, then maybe she'd get answers.

So that's what she began to do...


Kabuto had been able to move around the village relatively freely for the past few days, and was able to get a good number of things into place in regards to avoiding the Uchiha's eyes, specifically Ryouta and Satsuki as they both had seen him, and he was able to also avoid being close with Karin just in case.

Because he hadn't been outed, he continued doing his best for Orochimaru and making preparations.

Including that of a meeting that he was currently in.

Because he was in a meeting, and didn't want to be seen as anything other than that in case others came by, he disguised himself as a simple merchant. One that was known in the village, and where he knew the man was at that time of day, out of sight and out of mind, so he was able to use this disguise for himself.

He had several people that he could use depending if it was day or night.

Kabuto wasn't a fool, and he knew it would be best to cycle through several disguises in case someone did begin to suspect him.

"You have another assignment."

Kabuto began as he looked towards Pakura who was sticking to the shadows.

"We have to make this quick, I am still being tailed by Anbu of this village."

"You've been detected?"

Kabuto said in an angry manner.

Pakura sharpened her brows, and gave a stern look.

"Who do you take me for? I haven't been detected, it is because I am doing something's for the village, that's all."

"What?"

Kabuto hadn't heard of this, and was even more curious than ever.

But Pakura didn't want to reveal about Haku so she dismissed him.

"My problem, that's all. I'm gathering information like Kazekage-sama had wished for me to do."

"As long as you don't expose yourself then it isn't an issue."

"I wont, but what is it that you wish for me to do?"

"First, before that. Baki has been telling me that you aren't fully on board. Are you forgetting what this means to your village? To that girl-"

"Don't you dare bring her into this."

Pakura's words were stern.

They were angry.

Whoever Kabuto was speaking about, it was very clear that Pakura didn't wish to speak about her.

Kabuto let out a small laugh.

"Then do as I say-"

At Pakura's sudden glare, Kabuto was rather surprised.

He even felt intimidated for a few moments.

How Pakura looked was a mixture of fear, and one that was gentle.

A scary combination as either could have been true and Kabuto didn't know which one was the true one.

"You're very angry, what's wrong with you?"

"When people question my loyalty, and speaking to me in the way you did, I do everything for the sake of my village. Do not question my motives."

"I understand, sorry for my words. I have to be sure you're on board."

"I am, so tell me what it is that you wish from me?"

Kabuto opened his mouth to speak, when Pakura stopped him.

She showed her cool looking eyes that held a hint of seriousness in them.

She knew that the people tailing her had arrived, so she made Kabuto stay silent as she began walking past him, as if she didn't even really register his presence, all to make sure the Anbu didn't believe anything was going on between them.

Pakura then left and Kabuto began doing the same.

As he did however, he noticed that he was beginning to be followed by one Anbu.

"Shit...one's tailing me. Even though it looked as if we were strangers passing by, perhaps they're just making sure nothing had happened...alright then, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve to fool even you Anbu."

Usually it wouldn't be a big deal, but with the Anbu following him, he'd have to remain as calm as possible, but it also meant that he'd have to look inconspicuous so he'd have to detour from what he was going to do now, and continue on.

However, he was rather prepared for cases such as this, so he used a decoy.

When he moved towards a semi deserted area, he walked behind a wall, and when the Anbu saw him again, the Anbu followed what she saw.

However, what it truly was, was a corpse doll that Kabuto was able to control, and he used that to place the corpse doll back into the house of the person he was disguised as, knowing the man was there himself, but caused the corpse doll to disappear and leave the man as he was.

Thankfully, because of that he was able to remain hidden and even if the Anbu followed the man, they'd be none the wiser and even more, Pakura would still be safe and be free to walk around the village to her hearts content.


Meanwhile, as that was going on, Karin was walking casually through the village, and wondered what she was going to do.

However, while she was walking, something came over her...

The same feeling she felt before.

It was close.

For a few seconds she felt it, so she ran through an alleyway and went to see if she could feel it.

"Where is it...?"

She whispered to herself, going through the semi large crowd surrounding her, looking at each of them.

But nothing came of it.

"It's so close...I can feel it...but I can't at the sane time...If I could find it then maybe..."

As she thought about it, she happened to bump into someone that came shooting out of an alleyway that seemed to be in a hurry for some reason that she currently wasn't aware of.

Even with the fact that she was usually so keen in her sensing, the fact she was ambushed genuinely shocked her.

She looked up to see a cloaked young man.

But she couldn't see his face due to the hood being rather long.

"Sorry about that."

The young man said, Karin waved her hand.

"No, it's really fine. My fault, I wasn't looking, I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Have a good day."

Replied the young man.

Karin smiled as he walked by…

That's when something went off in her brain.

Her natural sensing came to her, and picked up on the man's signature.

A signature that she recognized immediately.

As if she was frozen in time, she watched as the man walked away, placing a hand on her chest.

"...That man has the same chakra as the one that attacked us in the forest...and now that I can sense him close...yes, it is, it's that creepy guy back from the first stage of the exams, even with my senses not being the best right now, there's no mistaken it now...it has to be Kabuto."

Karin identified him, and immediately went towards some Ninja as inconspicuously as she could do.

But the man in the cloak, Kabuto, saw the suddenly change in her demeanour, and believed he knew why.

"Her sensing ability is amazing, she detected me, despite our best efforts to hide myself from sensor types such as her...her talent in sensing exceeded expectations, even with what Orochimaru-sama gave me. I need to make myself disappear quickly. Fortunately, the Anbu didn't follow me here...but if it hadn't of been for that Anbu, I wouldn't have had to make this detour...damn."

Kabuto quickly fled the scene, as Karin rushed towards the Hokage's office at once.


Having returned back to her own residence for the time being, Pakura saw that Temari and Kankuro were looking pale about something, so she walked over towards them.

"What's wrong?"

"Kankuro was supposed to be watching Gaara, but..."

Kankuro placed his hands together, looking regretful about what was going on inside of him.

"You're saying that Gaara is missing?"

Pakura was being quiet.

But if she was...and if something happened.

Then she knew it wasn't going to end well at all.

"Y-Yeah, that's right. Baki is out searching for her now, he's taken the south side of Konoha, he asked us to tell you to search the north side of Konoha."

Pakura tightened her hand.

"Damn it, if she does something..."

Shaking her head, Pakura turned and rushed out of the doors, to try and do her best to find Gaara, before anything happened.


After finishing up at Ichiraku's, Ryouta and Naruko walked out together, and Ryouta turned his eyes towards the hospital.

"I think that I'm going to go and see Lee-kun before I head on home."

"Ooh I'll come!"

Naruko cheered out, Ryouta lightly smiled.

"Sure, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you Naruko-chan~"

Naruko showed a cheerful smile, and pointed forward.

"Lets go!"

Ryouta nodded, and walked off together with Naruko towards the hospital.

As they got there, they walked into the entrance, when they saw that Shikamaru was stood there, with a basket of fruit in hand.

"Yo Shikamaru! What are you doing here?"

Naruko loudly asked, Shikamaru rubbed his ear with his right hand.

"Geez, it is night you know?"

"Eh? What are you talking about?"

Shikamaru sweat dropped.

"It doesn't matter. Choji needed to come here that's why I'm here."

"Is he okay?"

Ryouta wondered, Shikamaru sighed.

"He's fine, I'm sure he'll sleep it off. So what are you two doing here?"

"We came to see Lee-kun and see if he can be discharged yet, or when he knows he can be discharged."

"Well, I have some time, I'll come with you."

"Yeah, I'm sure that Lee-kun would be up to seeing you Shikamaru-kun."

Shikamaru offered a slight smile, as he and the others went to go towards her room.


As they did, Gaara walked through said hospital, and walked towards a certain room.

Standing outside of it, she opened the door, and looked towards the sleeping Lee as she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.

Due to being asleep, she didn't make a sound as she approached the bed, her sand slowly but surely going towards the young man. The sand crept up onto the bed, beginning to curl around his form with the bed sheets being confined even more than ever before.

Remembering how hard he fought, and remembering something else as well.

Something about the fight that she didn't understand.

What happened when Ryouta called out her name.

Why she was stopped by such a trivial thing when it hadn't happened beforehand.

"You are...someone that I should have killed...yet, I stopped...why did I stop…?"

Even after all of this time, she was trying to understand what was deep within her.

Staring at Lee, she didn't get an answers.

She didn't understand what she was supposed to do.

How she was supposed to feel.


In another part of the hospital, Ryouta, Shikamaru and Naruko all head towards the place Lee's room was in.

"You think he's going to make a full recovery?"

Naruko asked Ryouta, but he didn't have an answer.

"I wish that I knew, it seems even the doctors aren't certain. The injuries Lee-kun has are extensive, and if they worsen then it could be something that would stop his Ninja career."

"Poor Lee-san..."

Naruko hung her head down as Ryouta placed his hand on top of her head, giving her a gentle affectionate pet.

"Don't worry right now, we aren't sure of the outcome. We'll be there for Lee-kun and do everything we can to support Lee-kun."

Naruko nodded strongly.

Shikamaru watched the interactions between them, seeing how Naruko and Ryouta were, and thought that they had a good dynamic between them.

However, when they arrived at the door, they sensed something was wrong.

"There's someone else in there."

Shikamaru spoke to Ryouta, as Naruko tilted her head.

"Guy-sensei?"

"No, it doesn't feel like him. It feels like something else." Ryouta activated his Sharingan eyes, and looked towards Lee's room, seeing the chakra colours and knew who it was. "Gaara-san...her sand infused chakra is going towards Lee-kun...but something isn't right...I can sense something's going on..."

Shikamaru tightened his hand as Naruko's eyes widened open.

"Ryou-kun, you're the fast one, you get between them, I'll immobilize her."

"Yeah."

Ryouta nodded, and thrust the door open, dashing inside so fast that Gaara was blind sided.

He got between Gaara, and Lee, dispelling the sand that was surrounding Lee's body.

"You..."

Gaara menacingly spoke up, and went to move, when Shikamaru came into the room, and used his Shadow Possession Jutsu, capturing the young red head in place. The shadow extending from Shikamaru to Gaara, Ryouta gave a slight movement of his head, knowing what he wished for, brought Gaara out of the room.

As Gaara was forced to walk out, her eyes went towards Naruko who gave a hard look towards her right back.

Ryouta walked outside, and placed his back to Lee's now closed door, in case Gaara tried to attack Lee once more.

"What are you doing? Attacking Lee-san!"

Naruko demanded, but Gaara didn't answer right away.

Gaara growled as she looked between the three of them that were present.

"I didn't have a particular reason."

"That's a lie! Someone doesn't go around killing people for no reason!"

Naruko pointed out, while Ryouta focused on the young girl, wondering what was going on inside of her head at that moment.

"I do. It is how I assert my own existence."

Ryouta became even more curious as to what that meant.

"We wont let you go any further."

Shikamaru spoke directly to the girl, but she showed an unconcerned look.

"You wont have a choice, I'll kill you all."

Naruko and Shikamaru both felt intimidated from the threat.

But Ryouta didn't, as he had his life threatened a good deal when he was young. Though he could see that behind her eyes, she didn't seem like she had murderous intents.

Even when he looked at Gaara when she was having her sand surrounding Lee, it seemed as if she didn't have the desire to kill him. It felt more as if she was perplexed by something and that she needed to understand something.

"W-Why would you kill us?"

Naruko demanded with a slight hesitation in her voice.

Gaara, with an eerie look to her eyes, spoke words that would shake Naruko to her core.

"Because I'm a monster."

"Monster..."

Naruko murmured as Ryouta looked over Gaara's demeanour.

Thinking about what she said, and what he had gotten to know about her, things were fitting into place.

Remembering how he felt something was off with her, what she had said, what he had seen, and what Karin had said about her chakra, all of it fit into place, and while he thought about it before, believing that it might be true, he was almost convinced by now that this girl was someone that was like Naruko.

"Gaara-san, do you think you're the monster? Or is there a monster inside of you?"

Ryouta's question brought Naruko perplexity.

Shikamaru didn't know exactly what he was speaking about.

But Gaara's eyes broadened ever so slightly.

"When did you figure it out?"

"You just confirmed it for me, but I've suspected for a good while now, since the forest."

"Eeh, I don't get it. What's going on?"

Naruko asked, Shikamaru wished to know the same thing.

"You're right...there is a monster inside of me. Even my own Mother, her life was given in exchange for mine, for the monster inside."

Naruko's eyes began to fall.

Shikamaru wasn't entirely sure what that meant, while she continued.

"My Father, came to despise my existence and didn't want me around, believing that it was a mistake. So, people try to kill me, several assassins came for me, but each time, I killed all of those that tried to kill me. The villagers fear me, everyone does, besides you, and I don't know why."

Ryouta lowered his brows.

He also remembered when he was attacked as a child, for something that he couldn't control.

"Killing others that are a threat, asserts my existence. And if you get in my way, then I'll kill you all!"

Her threatening tone, accompanied by her sand beginning to swirl around her caused Naruko and Shikamaru to prepare for a fight.

As they did, Pakura came running through the corridor.

She saw Gaara looking as if she was going to fight.

Panic came to her, but she paused when she saw Ryouta take a step forward.

She wondered something's about him, so she didn't step in to stop Gaara immediately.

But she knew she would if she needed to do it.

"Gaara-san, you can't fight here. First, if you do, then you'll be kicked out of the tournament, even beyond that, doing this, is only going to give you punishment and could cause conflict with our villages, is that something that you want?"

Shikamaru thought his words were rather validated, and made sense to say.

However, what amazed Shikamaru was the fact that Ryouta didn't seem to be frightened.

Gaara's intense eyes went towards Ryouta, and stared at him hard.

"You figured me out...yet, I can't understand anything about you..."

Ryouta folded his arms, but kept a keen watch out for what could happen if she did launch an attack.

"If you want to know about me, all you have to do is ask."

Ryouta's words, caused Gaara to become even more conflicted on what she was supposed to do.

She hadn't even thought about asking him anything.

She didn't ask people questions, she usually used her sand to attack and defend herself.

Gaara's conflicted mind, only went even more conflicted as she heard a voice deep within her, telling her to attack Ryouta. To kill him. To do what she always did.

"Kill him...Kill him...Kill the Uchiha before he kills you...kill him or I'll take over your body and kill him myself..."

Hearing the menacing voice compelling her...

She didn't wish to do it.

She didn't want to kill him as she didn't understand fully by what was going on inside of her mind.

Her hand began to shake, as Ryouta saw something within her eyes that he had seen before.

But it became even more prominent at that moment, and that was pain.

It was as if she was in true pain, and Ryouta noticed that Shikamaru's shadow had stopped possessing Gaara's own, so she was free to move her hand once more, which she did and placed it to the side of her head.

"Gaara-san, you know if you want to talk to me, about anything. Then I'd speak to you. I can see inside, you're in pain, aren't you?"

His words brought new surprise to Naruko.

She hadn't seen it much before.

But now that Ryouta said it, despite Gaara wearing what could be called a cold menacing look, it seemed as if she did have something about her, with her eyes they displayed a look that Naruko could empathize with.

A look she herself had displayed when the villagers said something about her, ignored her, and treated her as an outcast.

Gaara held the same look.

"I'm in no pain!"

Gaara's sand came swirling up, and shot for Ryouta.

Naruko and Shikamaru gasped, while Pakura summoned one of her Scorch Release orbs to stop Gaara.

But what she saw next surprised her.

Before the sand reached him...it stopped.

A few inches from his body, it didn't land against him at all.

Gaara herself seemed to be perplexed by this.

As if she didn't wish for her sand to hurt him.

Or something else she didn't understand.

She pulled back, as did her sand.

Confusion wrote itself all over her face, and she looked away from Ryouta.

Hiding what she was thinking, not being able to even meet eyes with him as she didn't understand what was going through her mind.

Pakura had many thoughts going through her, as she moved closer towards Gaara.

"Gaara, there you are."

Ryouta and the others looked back at Pakura.

She then bowed her head.

"I'm sorry for any inconvenience that Gaara may have caused you all."

They didn't know what to say.

Pakura could understand that very well.

While not having seen what Gaara did previously, by their demeanour she could understand a good bit that something definitely wasn't right.

"Gaara, we're leaving now."

Gaara didn't answer.

She kept her eyes going between the three Genin with her.

She then turned to Pakura who extended her hand.

"Come, lets go."

Pakura's words caused Gaara to follow her.

Pakura looked back at the three Genin, and could see that each had some thoughts about Gaara.

"Don't worry about Gaara, I'll be keeping my eye on her."

"Yes...we understand."

Ryouta's words brought some relief to Pakura.

But Pakura knew that they'd not forget what happened, and knew that something's might have to change, due to them seemingly knowing a bit more about Gaara. She didn't know the full details, and she couldn't ask, but she knew she'd have to report about it so plans could be adjusted accordingly.


Having escaped for the most part, Kabuto met up with the Oto Genin. It seemed as if Dosu still had his doubts about Kabuto, for as soon as he entered their secret hiding spot, Kabuto's eyes met with Dosu's own.

"What's going on?"

"We most likely have been detected."

Zaku tightened his hand.

"Shit..."

"Rather, I should say that I have been detected. But, the effects of what Orochimaru-sama has given me is still in effect, so I am sure they haven't been able to locate me. However, it means that we'll have to wrap up our business and leave this land before we are caught, and then follow Orochimaru-sama's instructions."

"And what are his instructions? What is it that he wished for exactly?"

Even now, after everything that they had done, they still didn't know what they were there for.

Dosu was brave enough to ask, Zaku seemed to be loyally following, some would say blindly following, and Kin, she was in the middle, and unsure exactly of what she was supposed to feel and how to move forward next.

"All in due time. For now, follow what I say Dosu."

Dosu crossed his eyes upon Kabuto.

Unable to believe what he was saying and what he wasn't saying, Dosu decided to listen to Kabuto.

But his loyalties were dropping.

His body couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't going to be able to do anything against Orochimaru.

But he also felt like he didn't want Orochimaru to keep winning, so he thought deeply about what was going to happen next...


Karin eventually arrived where Hiruzen was, and was let in once having explained the situation.

As she did, Hiruzen didn't like it one bit.

In fact, if her words were true, then what they had thought about a spy in the village was becoming true.

And if that was the case, then Hiruzen didn't even know what he was going to do if they couldn't find Kabuto.

"And you're sure of this?"

"Yes, I'm sure that Kabuto-san was the one that attacked us in the forest. I also sensed that he might have attacked Lee and the others back in the forest as well when that creepy snake guy was trying to kill us. Back when we were doing the first exam, I didn't pay too much attention to his chakra, but I always remember every chakra I come into contact with, even if it is a minor thing in the back of my mind. Everyone's feels different, and unique. Because I didn't take much notice at first, I failed to make the connection before...but, now that I have been up close with him again...it had to be Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen grit his teeth.

What she said was entirely plausible.

They hadn't suspected Kabuto.

They hadn't put him under surveillance as he had failed to do anything.

"Kabuto..."

"H-Hokage-sama, this guy...he couldn't be after Ryou-kun, right? I mean he was working with the snake guy, and he was so..."

Hiruzen waved his hand.

"We currently can't be sure, but it is a possibility that might be the case."

She couldn't be told the entire truth.

That Orochimaru was after Ryouta for his eyes.

"Then what are we going to do Hokage-sama?"

"I know that this is distressing. But do not forget what happened back in the forest, and what you all managed to achieve. I have already made preparations with Ryouta-kun being guarded, the same with Satsuki-san. And you as well Karin-san, because if Kabuto noticed you noticed him..."

Karin understood what was going on through his mind and why she'd need to be guarded as well.

"Y-Yes...I understand. I'll cooperate anyway that I can. I have tried sensing for him, but it seems that he's even able to evade my senses at a good distance. Usually it isn't that hard..."

"With Orochimaru, it is entirely possible he might have a way to fool even your senses to a degree. However, we do also have some sensors in this village, may I ask you cooperate with them, and lend us your talents?"

"I-I'll do anything to help Hokage-sama. But you should know, even when I was close, it took me a good few seconds to sense him, and as soon as he moved a small radius away from me, it got even harder to sense him when I was concentrating."

"I see, even then we'll try our best."

"I'll do what I can."

Hiruzen gave a thankful nod, and wondered what was going to happen next.


Meanwhile, the young man known as Dosu kept thinking about why they were doing this in the first place, and why they had to do what he said. Risking themselves time and time again, it didn't sit right with him, so he called his comrades, Zaku and Kin together to speak about it.

"What are you saying?"

Kin demanded, as Zaku folded his arms.

"You can't be serious, can you?"

Dosu with his lone eye gave a hard look.

"Are you so willing to die for a cause that we aren't going to benefit from?"

Zaku and Kin both give an incredulous stare.

"What do you mean?"

Kin was the one to ask, so Dosu spoke up.

"Think about it, what are we going to really do for Orochimaru-sama? The fact that we also had that mission in the forest….why? Orochimaru-sama didn't want us to do anything with that Uchiha's, he wanted to put the Curse Mark on them. So, he couldn't have wanted us to get rid of them."

Zaku and Kin gave one another uncomfortable looks.

"Then why would he ask us to do it then?"

Dosu growled as he thought of a reason that he didn't like.

"Because he wanted us to be sacrificial lambs for him to test the powers of the Uchiha, or to distract them. I mean, why else was Kabuto there? He didn't lend us any assistance beyond making sure that we got away, and even then that felt as if it was more by chance than him actually trying to help us out."

Zaku and Kin thought about it.

And the more they did, the more it sounded as if Dosu was making sense.

Even now, they didn't really know what was going on and what they were really doing. It seemed like Kabuto did know, but he wasn't divulding any information to any of them which made it worse that they couldn't even know why they were risking their lives.

"Are we really that much of a Pawn that we don't matter?"

Kin was the one that finally asked it.

So Dosu nodded and continued with anger in his voice.

"Orochimaru-sama...no, Orochimaru gave us power, but he never gave any of us a Curse Mark. He didn't deem us worthy enough for it. And we were only put here due to our unique circumstances of being official Ninja of Oto, and being a Genin class. Apart from that, I feel like he only was going to use us for his own deeds."

"We already signed up for it, didn't we?"

Zaku spoke, Kin's irritated eyes going for him.

"What are you saying?"

"I was taken in by him, and he granted me power. He wanted our loyalty, and you're going back on that now?"

Dosu tightened his hand.

"We all were, but look at what's before you Zaku. We aren't equals to his other henchmen. We aren't like the Sound Five, Kimimaro, and the others are treated with more respect than us. We are merely there to do grunt work, and I have suspected for a good while now, that we're disposable, amusement for him."

What he said, did make sense to Zaku.

Though he wished to deny it, it was clear as he thought more that he was probably right.

That they weren't anything but pawns for disposal, and doing menial tasks.

Kin folded her arms.

"Suppose that we are disposable, what can we do about it? We can't change our fate now."

Dosu nodded, his hidden lips curling more and more upwards.

"Yes, that's right. We can't. We can't oppose him...but, we can make sure he doesn't get what he wants."

Kin furrowed her brows.

"Meaning?"

By now, Dosu had gained a full blown smirk.

"Meaning, we kill what he desires more than anything. His little Uchiha's."

Zaku and Kin's faces became more and more sadistic looking.

If they could do that, even though they couldn't defeat Orochimaru, they could at least show that they weren't weak people, that they did something that Orochimaru wouldn't expect them to do at all.

Now, they were going to go forward and do their best to make sure that Orochimaru never got what he wished for.

However, what they didn't know was that Kabuto was quietly listening in, and he had thought of the perfect chance for them to get what was desired, using these three for his own desires.


After Gaara had gone and making sure that Lee was fine, Ryouta and Naruko departed from Shikamaru, thanked him for the help. Naruko looked preoccupied with what was going on and what she heard from Gaara.

Ryouta also could see that she was deep in thought, and wondered if she had figured it out yet.

So when they got to Naruko's apartment, Ryouta and Naruko went inside, after Ryouta said "Lets talk for a bit." to which Naruko wondered what it was that Ryouta wished to speak about though she presumed it had to do with Gaara.

"Did you realize what she said Naruko-chan?"

Naruko tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"Her life, doesn't it sound a lot like yours? Someone that was hated by others, her village and while thankfully this hasn't happened to you to this degree, someone that has been targeted, and attacked for having something inside she cannot control."

"Y-Yeah, but...is she being truthful? I mean...does she really have..."

Naruko began, as Ryouta placed a hand on top of her own.

"She's like you, Naruko-chan."

"L-Like me huh..."

Naruko murmured, believing she understood, so Ryouta confirmed it for her.

"Yes, she is also a Jinchuriki."

"S-She's also got a Tailed Beast?! Which one?!"

"Yes, she does. From what she said and from what I also have learned about Tailed Beasts, I believe she has the One Tailed Beast."

"One Tailed Beast..."

Naruko spoke with a far off voice.

Trying to understand everything that she was thinking and feeling, Ryouta could understand why she'd begin feeling conflicted, as this was the first person she had met that was like her, that had a Tailed Beast, and she wasn't able to speak about their experiences together.

Ryouta confirmed it with a nod, and went onto explain.

"Yeah, I've been researching them, for you Naruko-chan. And from my research, the One Tail has the ability to use sand, and I believe the One Tail also has Magnet Release, but I couldn't fully confirm that with the little data that I have."

"So...she is really like me..."

Ryouta allowed his fingers to curl around Naruko's own, bringing her some comfort as he spoke to her.

"Yes, I suppose she is a lot like you. But it seems that she's not really had anyone around her."

Naruko nods.

"I had you...and Hinata, and my friends...the Old Man Hokage, Iruka-sensei and Mikoto-san, my team...I at least had a few people...but she really didn't have anyone? What about her own siblings? She had them, didn't she?"

Ryouta shook his head.

"From what I could tell of their interactions, Temari-san and Kankuro-san are frightened of Gaara-san. I can get why they would be, I'm sure they're also aware of their sisters status. I guess that also makes sense as to why Pakura-san was placed on the team, since she is very strong, she might have the ability to stop Gaara-san and she has done beforehand from what I've seen."

Naruko's face lowered.

She began feeling sad for Gaara.

Having no one...it must have been so tough.

"She...She can't control her Tailed Beast, right Ryou?"

"I think that she has a hard time. Perhaps it is a combination of that, and how her life has gone which has shaped who she is right now. Those rings around her eyes, I wonder if the Tailed Beast haunts her when she's sleeping, if she gets to sleep at all, sometimes when I look at her, it's like another being is staring back, like the One Tail is right there behind her eyes ready to kill...but I'm sure more than me, you can understand what it is like to have something inside of you Naruko-chan."

Ryouta recalled the woman inside of him, but he didn't know what she was and how he was going to deal with her at that moment in time. So right now he thought about Naruko and her situation in regards to Gaara.

"Yeah...but, what do we do? Do we do anything Ryou?"

"I truly don't know. But I do know that I'm going to tell Hokage-sama about her, just so he is aware in case something was to happen. Though it isn't like it is illegal for her to be here since you're here as well. Still, it would be best if he knew about her Jinchuriki status."

"What if she tries to kill someone? We would...have to stop her, wouldn't we?"

Naruko gulped, and thought about the idea of fighting Gaara now.

She wasn't afraid per say, but she did think about how Gaara's life was like and why she was the way she was.

When Ryouta went to answer, Naruko continued with a sad tone.

"...She...She didn't ask for it after all...I didn't ask for it..."

Seeing the internal dilemma that she had, he moved closer towards her, and placed his hand against her now blushing cheek. When he did, he heard a small purring sound coming from her, it was a rather cute thing that she did whenever her whisker marks were brushed against.

Peering into his dark eyes, she couldn't help but be sunk into such a darkness, yet it wasn't frightening, his eyes felt comforting to her.

"Naruko-chan, if anything ever happens...use your best judgement. You do what you think is right. That's all I can tell you, because I don't know what might happen. But since you and her have such a connection, I'm sure if anyone can understand her, and think about what's best to do and maybe even get through to her, then it is you Naruko-chan."

Naruko placed a hand over her chest, and thought about what was the best thing to do.

As she did, she looked deep into Ryouta's eyes.

She was glad that he knew about her status as a Jinchuriki, because she understood that he was able to help her understand things she might not understand, or come to him for advice about things that she would feel awkward to ask people such as Hiruzen.

While staring into his eyes, she felt her cheeks heating up more and more, as a resolution came through her body.

"R-Ryou! I'm going to do it!"

"Do what?"

Naruko jumped up, and got before him. Placing her hands on both sides of the bed, her body leaned forward, so they were face to face with one another. They were so close that Ryouta was surprised that she was so close, but it seemed that her excitement and her renewed determination had taken over and she hadn't realized that she was so close to his body.

"I'm going to summon toads! And I'm going to become even stronger! I'll do everything I can!"

Ryouta smiled, believing he understood what was going on inside of her mind.

"I'm glad Naruko-chan."

"Yeah! That's why, keep watching me okay? No matter what! Because...you were my first friend, I want to show you how strong I am!"

Seeing Naruko blushing as she said it, Ryouta couldn't help but smile.

"I know you will Naruko-chan. Remember, trust what you think is right. Gaara-san and you have this connection only very few in the world can say they share."

"Y-Yeah, you're right...Gaara...Ryou, I want...I want to understand more about her...about myself..."

"You will Naruko-chan, I know you will."

Ryouta continued to smile in Naruko's direction, as she simply fell onto his shoulder.

Thinking about what had happened, Ryouta knew he and Gaara would have to speak soon.

Now that he knew for sure she was a Jinchuriki, he now fully understood what was going on with her, and wondered if he could help her out.


In another part of the world, the young swordswoman named Ameyuri was travelling on her own, doing her own kind of life, and taking care of business.

Doing her duties as hired help, among other things.

That was, until an unexpected parcel arrived for her when she got back to one of her hideouts.

"So I've got a package huh..."

Becoming intrigued with what she saw, she moved closer and closer.

When she got there, she placed a hand on it, and saw a letter.

"I wonder what he wants now..."

Ameyuri giggled to herself as she read the letter.

After finishing it, she showed a dangerous smirk.

"Ooh my, then that means...ooh, then I'll see him, I'm so excited~"

Laughing sadistically, Ameyuri licked her lips.

Grabbing her twin blades, she swung them out with a bloodthirsty smile on her lips, prepared to do what was necessary, and perhaps even have a little bit of fun in the meantime.


End chapter!

So this chapter had a few things packed into it, with Karin and Kabuto finally meeting by chance, and thanks to Kabuto having to evade others as much as possible, with the Oto Genin also having resolved to discard away and do their own plan, we'll see what happens there. Ryouta, Naruko and Shikamaru had a clash with Gaara, which ended after Ryouta figured out what she was, having suspicions about her for a while, and then expressed them to Naruko who could relate very well.

Then at the end, Ameyuri made her return! What she's going to be doing, we'll soon see.

Well until next time, thanks for reading!

Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui, Hanabi, Mabui,