So I should probably mention that this story has a slow progression, it won't be fast paced like my other stories because I want to try something different. Some plot twist take place in this chapter which I hope will throw you for a loop, as the story starts spiraling away from canon and into AU I hope you enjoy yourselves, and please leave a review telling me what you thought. Other than that Orihime please do the disclaimer for me

Orihime - R-right! Author-sama doesn't own any person, place, thing, or event from Naruto. All right are reserved for Kishimoto-sama!

Aint she a doll folks?

Ch 4 - School is in session

"Naruto wake up, you'll be late for school!"

Naruto woke with a start, rolling off of the couch with a loud crash, followed by an equally loud "shit!", it was 7 in the morning, and Naruto in his weary state realized he could've been asleep for another twenty minutes at the very least. Maybe thirty if he was feeling brave. But no, he was living with a school teacher for the foreseeable future, and Iruka was gonna make damn well sure Naruto was gonna be on time. And prepared, and made sure he did his homework and studied...'ah shit what have i got myself into?'

"Im up Iruka-sensie, please just be quiet."

Iruka grinned, he had no intention of being a father, till later in his life, but he thought this is what one must feel like. "Now Naruto, I am going to go take the first shower, if I come back and you have fallen back asleep I am grabbing a bucket of ice. And I will show no mercy, there's cereal in the cabinet above the fridge, or fruit on the table if you want a light snack. Oh and Good morning."

Naruto sat up, his back stretching against the remarkably soft fabric of the couch, before standing up. 'Well a good night's sleep is better than what I got at my old house, plus I might actually be able to take a warm bath. But before that there' something I need to see if I can do.'

Naruto stretched his still sleeping muscles, and sat down in a meditative stance, closing his eyes and breathing deep. 'I should be able to reach my mindscape by meditation. When I was this young, the only time I managed to meet Kurama was when I was knocked unconscious. But that's besides the point, I need to talk to her.'

He started breathing out at an even rhythm, long deep breaths until his sense of time started to blur, and the noise of the apartment, Iruka whistling while taking a shower, some random person walking their dog, started to fade away. he felt like he had been at this for at least thirty minutes, before all sound faded away entirely, and he opened his mind to see the sewer he was so familiar with. the bronze pipes leading straight to his favorite fox.

"Yes! I did it, now I just need to find Kurama and explain to her that: Yes I know she's a woman, that I'm from the future and I need her to open a mental link. That should be easy, all before Iruka get's out of the shower. Great, now I haven't had to do this much in a while, but I need to following the pipes and I should appear in front of her cage."

Naruto followed the dimly lit sewer entrance, wondering if their were anything he could do to change it, but for now he would stick to his simple goal, talk to Kurama, figure out some sort of training regimen, and now learn how to wield a sword. 'So much is already different than my past, I stopped a mob, I'm staying with Iruka, if he's to be believed Hokage-jiji is more confident, Neji's going to make things different as well. I need to plan, because my future is sure to be different than the one I will be facing, and my knowledge will only get me so far for so long. I have to admit this is exciting. Knowing things, yet not knowing what's going to happen, hm..is this what it feels like to be Shikamaru? Hm...'

"It is good to see you kit."

Naruto had been o lost in his own thoughts, that he didn't realize that his walking had lead him to Kurama's chamber, and past her cage, he would've walked right into her paw had she not called out to him. "Oh Kurama! We need to talk."

"About the mission Kami sent you on, yes I am already aware about it, I too was sent back in time. To help guide you kit, guide you towards the best path to save as many people as possible."

Naruto just blinked at the giant fox. "Oh, well that makes things considerably more easy for me, saves me the confusing argument and debate."

Kurama let out a barking laugh, "it is good to see you kit, I must admit that not feeling the mental link has left me a bit disorientated."

"So then why haven't you set it up yet?"

Kurama grimaced, letting a slight bit of chakra leak out, small tendrils of her demonic chakra reaching for Naruto, they got within an inch away from the bars before the seal glowed and they disappeared. "You're seal is to strong, without you willingly calling upon my chakra, I don't have the strength to set it up, and you don't have the control to to use it yet. In your past it was the battle of the bridge, all that anger you felt against Haku was able to weaken the seal ever so slightly, it was then I was able to chip away at it. Maybe things will be different, but at the moment it's going to be a while before the seals weak enough this time around."

"What if I just tear away the seal, like I did beforehand?"

"I would advise against that for the time being. When you did it last time, your body had completely adapted to my chakra. I can confidently say if you did tear away the seal now, my chakra would tear you apart. Literally, you're just not strong enough to take my chakra, even half of it, full brunt."

"Well damn, how do you think I should fix it then?"

"Well you're swordplay I can't help you with, you'll need Yugao, the anbu chick to help you there, but I can help come up with a training regimen. The first thing you need to too, start chakra control exercises and get the shadow clone jutsu in your arsenal as soon as possible."

"Well you're right about the Shadow clone jutsu, the moment I get that I can start really getting into chakra control, and maybe some elemental techniques, I might want to look into learning some more wind style ninjutsu. and maybe a little earth style?(1) And am I still able to change my chakra to the other types or will I have to wait for Hagoromo to give me that ability? Ugh...so many questions and so little answers."

"Well the chakra one can be solved with chakra paper, as well as I'd have iruka visit the nearest ninja archive for scrolls on techniques, because the people don't see you as a hero yet, then they're probably going to be against you learning anything even close to ninja related. "

"Again, you're right, and-"

"Hey Naruto, are you awake, I told you I'd get a bucket if you fell asleep!"

The voice of Iruka rang through out the small chamber area, echoing slightly, making Naruto jump and look around wildly. "Is that what it's like for you? Kami that was loud!"

"Eh after seventeen years, you get used to it, I'd go see to your teacher, I don't think he was joking about that ice bucket."

Naruto nodded his head and closed his eyes concentrating again, letting the sounds of the sewer fade into the sounds of life inside and outside of Iruka's apartment. The sound of Iruka collecting ice from the freezer getting Naruto on his feet fast. "Wait, wait, I'm up, I'm up Iruka-sensie. Sorry didn't think i'd fall asleep sitting straight up."

Iruka, who had been bent over, picking up said ice bucket smiled, and put it down, "good to see you're up Naruto. Go take a shower before we go to the academy." He reached over and grabbed a bowl, "I'm making cereal, did you eat?"

Naruto grunted before grabbing his clothes, having changed into a pair go shorts and a plain T before going to sleep, "nah, thought I'd grab an apple, and have a big lunch." He pointed to the paper bag he had prepare the night before.

"Ah ok, well hurry up, I'm always early to school, and I won't have you changing that because you decided an extra thirty minutes of sleep were worth it. A good ninja is always early."

'Yeah and one of the strongest from my future was always two hours late. I'll never understand adults.' Naruto quickly headed to the shower, and relished a quick ten minute hot shower for once. 'Man, this my just be worth the lost sleep after all.' He stepped out and dried off, looking at himself through a foggy mirror. He looked at his blade. 'Should I wear this? I mean, until I learn how to actually use it it'll just be eye candy, maybe make me look cooler. It can't be much different from using kunai. Just really long, heavier kunai.'

He picked up the blade, slowly drawing it out of it's sheath. 'A little to heavy to throw accurately, and definitely not in a reverse grip, and I'll need to keep in mind the length difference, but yeah basic kunai swings should do me until I learn an actual style.' Having decided that, Naruto clipped on the sword, looking at himself. Completely different from how he sed to look already.

He stepped out, and into the living room, were Iruka could only stare, he was only eleven, but his serious eyes, and the way he carried himself. 'Dear Kami he looks like a veteran. What the hell.' He coughed into his fist and placed his bowl down. "Well Naruto you look nice, like an actual ninja. Shall we get going?"

Naruto nodded and opened the door, feeling for the first time, ready to take on the future.

In a small building in a disclosed area.

They had become such an integral part of his life, cared so deeply for him Hiruzen had not bothered with them. But now, he had to make sure. The old man he was not to worried with, he was sincere, he had left that life behind him, all he cared about was his business and his daughter. But his daughter on the other hand he didn't know about. She had been young when her father came to the Leaf, but how much did she know? How much had he told her about his previous life? Surely his village had turned their backs on him after discovering his betrayal, maybe? Hiruzen just didn't know.

Hiruzen walked into the room, Ichiraku staring at the wall opposite to him coldly, a small cardboard box in front of him. Hiruzen had no idea what was in it, but Ichiraku had insisted on bringing it with him. Analyzes showed it wasn't any sort of explosive. "Do you know why you are here?"

"You learned I used to be a spy for Iwa and you are are trying to discern were my loyalties lie." Short and to the point and honest.

"Oh that's a rather blunt declaration Ichiraku-san."

"You think I've given up that life, so I'm giving you the same curtesy Hokage-sama, the truth. If you believed other wise I would be talking to a trained interrogator instead of you. Here, this will give you everything you need to know." He pushed the box towards Hiruzen, who gingerly opened the lid.

Inside was a bunch of portfolios and photos of different politics Hiruzen knew to be in the Daimyo's inner circle, and some were high ranking people on the civilian council. And at the bottom he found an iwa headband next to a ninja identification card, it read "Tukugani Ichiraku - Rank: Tokubetsu Jounin - Specialty: Alchemy, medicine and poison". The picture depicted a very serious, a very young Ichiraku wearing the signature Iwa red uniform as well as their flack jacket. The rest of the papers were a list of missions he had gone on the last one reading: Long term B-ran infiltration of Konohagakure no Sato.

Seeing Hiruzen reading the list Ichiraku spoke up, "my last mission given to me by the Tsuchikage was to infiltrate Konoha and to give him regular reports of high ranking officials as well as tell him the opinion of the general public. I think he was going to try and start a smear campaign against you Lord Hokage and try and lead a revolt. Though I was never told, so that is just my opinion."

"And did you follow through with those orders?"

"Yes for a time Lord Hokage, I decided the best way to do so was by opening a ramen stand and using my father's old recipes, he was famous among old war veterans back in Iwa when i was growing up. I was to maintain my cover at all cost, then we entered the third war. By then Ayame's mother was pregnant and I began questioning things. Iwa called on me to try and sabotage Konoha from within. You know, small things to try and disrupt the chain of command. But Shieasa-chan she found out, I told her the truth. I don't know, that woman had a way with words, and she fully believed that Konoha would win the war. So I ignored my orders a bridge was blown up thanks to my efforts and the tides of battle began to change."

Hiruzen sat back and waited patiently, listening to the old man's story, Ichiraku reached into box and grabbed his old headband, looking at it. "After Ayame's mother died during birth I knew if it ever became public that I was a spy for Iwa Ayame would be treated like an outcast. The last message I sent to the Tsuchikage was an injured messenger carrying my resignation. The most contact I've had with Iwa since then has been retired veterans who come to visit Konoha. That was my story, now I'm just Teuchi Ichiraku, owner of Ichiraku's Ramen, father to a wonderful daughter who has no idea the life I used to lead. That is the Truth Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen didn't say anything, he stood up, stretched slightly, and walked out, Ichiraku going back to giving the wall a cold stare. Hiruzen walked into an adjoining room, were a two sided window gave him a perfect view of the room and it's occupant. Ibiki was there, looking over several monitors. "Well Ibiki was he being truthful."

Ibiki looked back to Hiruzen before handing him a clipboard, "yes Hokage-sama, very truthful. Had a look at the box while you were away, some of the mission details are over thirty years old, looks like he never did any serious damage to Konoha, but he may have been the cause of death for several ninja during the second war. All under the Tsuchikage's orders, because it doesn't look like he harbors any animosity towards us. What do you want to do?"

"Well by rights, we should have him imprisoned, but he gave up his life for his daughter who by all rights is a Konoha citizen. And I believe him when he says she's not part of his old life. Keep up on the other spies, especially those who came in after the Kyuubi attack. For now I'll let him go and keep him under surveillance, see if anything changes."

He walked in the room and sat down staring at Ichiraku, who stared right back, not even flinching. "I should charge you with treason, espionage, and a whole litany of crimes we think you may have committed during the second war. But I won't" he looked towards Ibiki and made a motion with his hand, a horizontal slash across his throat, signaling to cut the audio and video feed "you have had a profound impact on Naruto's life, been a positive influence on him when he needed it. For now I am going to allow you to go home, continue your business. You'll be under surveillance of course, and if anything changes that makes us suspect you're trying to contact Iwa we will arrest you. Understood?"

Ichiraku nodded, and grabbed the box, looking into it before sliding it over to Hiruzen, "thank you Hokage-sama. Please burn this at your earliest convenience."

Naruto was unsurprisingly the first one to the classroom, Iruka having gone to some other place to prepare for his first class. 'Well this is rather boring, class doesn't start for another thirty minutes and I don't know when anybody else is supposed to be here. Great, well maybe I can catch up on some sleep.' Naruto went over to his desk, taking his blade off of his back, as sitting down the way it was positioned as rather awkward. He laid his head down, and closed his eye, breathing deeply. The sounds of teachers and other students ambling their way throughout the halls fading. He remembered this feeling, time slowing down, his heart beat, his rushing blood, his thoughts going a thousand miles an hour just seemed to stop.

Meditation, the coming to a complete balance inside yourself, concentration, focus and patience. This is what Jiraiya had taught him, what the Toads had taught him to gather nature chakra. He hadn't had the chance to meditate since coming back, which really wasn't all that bad. But this feeling? With the war going on he had forgotten what it felt like. It had been too long, and just at the precipice of his senses, almost unnoticeable except for those who knew it was there. Nature chakra, Naruto could feel it surrounding the academy.

He dare not attempt to take any in, with his piss poor control, he'd turn to stone in seconds. No he was no were near strong enough to enter sage mode. 'Man I was weak this time around, I mean how many fights was I in that I relied on Kurama's chakra to win?' Without realizing it, Naruto's body followed through with what long years of memories remembered. Sitting cross legged, his on his knees and his held held high, slightly pointing down.

This was the scene one Hinata Hyuga walked in one, she was so used to being the first one to class, she almost gave a startled yelp, only stopping herself, by bringing her hands to her mouth. Naruto..he looked so much more mature, so much more peaceful, so much more handsome! Hinata's blush came on full force as her fingers started poking each other. 'Should I sit next to him? What no, no. I can't do that! What if I disturb him, I'm going to sit over there.'

Hinata ended up sitting in the row besides the one Naruto was in, at the back of class. Though her entrance was less quiet than she had hoped. Naruto just didn't let her know. 'So that must be Hinata, quiet and shy like always. Though I guess i was to blind to see how far she pushed herself out of her comfort zone to try and improve.'

It was then Hinata noticed the blade laying wrapped across his lap, which in her eyes only made him look cooler. It was then her ears picked up the sound of two arguing ladies, making their way to the door fast. Naruto also noticed a his eyes snapped open, examining the room, and when his eyes laid on Hinata's form she had her head buried deep in her hands, though he could still feel the blush radiating off of her.

So it was that a certain pink haired banshee and blond haired wonder clashed at the doorway at the exact same time, both proclaiming eternal love for a certain duck haired boy. 'Oh now I remember why all the other reasons why I hated school. The Uchiha fan club, who have a particular hate boner for me because Sasuke's hate boner for me means he gives me more attention than them.'

Behind the two girls was the loud boasting form of Kiba talking to the ever passive Shino, as well as Choji, Shikamaru, and the rest of the civilian portion of the class. Most of them took their seats but it was Sasuke who noticed Naruto first. "Hn...what's with the new clothes Dobe? Finally pick up a sense of fashion and ditch the orange?"

That got the classes attention as all eyes went from Sasuke to Naruto. Who stared back with a blank face. He raised his arms and aid "yeah Sasuke, I decided that i was gonna take this serious. Which meant actually dressing for the job I want. Problem?"

"Hn..no just an observation. Though you'll never amount to anything compared to me." Like a silent cue, all of Sasuke's fangirls started freaking out about how cool he was, and how lame Naruto would always be.

'Right Sasuke's also a major, arrogant pompous prick. And I'm going to have to deal with this for at least a year. At least until he tries to go to Orochimaru.'

"I-I-I th-think you-re pr-pr-pretty cool N-N-Naruto-kun."

It was said so quietly, almost inaudible, but Naruto's refined hearing picked it up. His eyes cut to Hinata who was still blushing, but he knew her voice. "Keep talking tough Sasuke, I actually trained during the break. You'll see how much stronger I've gotten during the afternoon sparring session."

The whole class broke out into 'oohhs' and 'ahhss' at Naruto's declaration, which in the classroom was basically like declaring war. Everyone knew that Naruto and Sasuke had somewhat of a rivalry going on, though know one knew why Sasuke was so fixated on Naruto.

"Alright kids return to your seats." Iruka walked in, with a new instructor behind him, thought Naruto knew him as Mizuki, he was a stranger to the rest of the class. He entered the class and gave it a once over, stoping on Naruto and scowling for a brief second. Naruto caught his look, and simply winked at Mizuki. "This is Mizuki class, he will be my assistant and your taijutsu teacher for your final year here. Now I know that you all had fun over your break but I must see who remembers what from last year, Mizuki if you will?"

Mizuki handed out pieces of paper to the students, a small test the class realized with many complaints and groans. and as he passed, Naruto saw the sly smirk Mizuki tried to hide as he handed Naruto the test. Naruto immediately saw the reason. The questions on his test were not anything a Chunin could answer let alone an academy student. Naruto could answer these questions no problem, but that's because he literally had future knowledge.

Without saying anything, Naruto picked up his pencil an answered the questions in record time. Mizuki scowling as he saw the blank expression the demon brat was wearing. 'Don't tell me the fox knows the answers!' He scowled deeply glaring at the blonde. "Is everything alright Mizuki-san?"

Mizuki turned towards Iruka, and smiled, "Yeah everything's fine Iruka, say how about you start prepping for today's lesson while I grade the classes answers huh? split the work?"

Iruka nodded his head "oh thanks Mizuki-san, that would be a big help."

"Hey what are assistants for right?"

Iruka turned around and started righting on the board behind him. "Hey Iruka-sensie I have a question?"

Without turning around Iruka replied "Now Naruto, any questions will be answered after the allotted time is up ok?"

"But Iruka-sensie, when did we go over Soujoro Akimitchi's revolt during the second Ninja war, and how a Azama Muchiri thwarted his plan with a senbon?"

At the Iruka stopped, in fact most of the class stopped, he turned around confused, "what are you talking about Naruto? You were supposed to learn that during this years course."

Mizuki paled ever so slightly, since when did the Kyuubi brat complain about his test? He had never done that before according to Iruka's past assistants. "I'll check it out Iruka continue please." Iruka narrowed his eyes before stepping back.

"And the other instructors are going to try like hell to make sure that doesn't happen." Naruto's words from yesterday came back to Iruka and his eyes darted over to Mizuki for half a second.

"It's alright Mizuki, I'm finished anyways. Naruto come here, let me see your test." Naruto quickly stood up, making sure his blade stayed hidden out of sight, he was saving that as a special surprise for sparring. He quickly made his way to the front. Handing his paper to Iruka, Naruto just kinda stood there awkwardly.

"Mizuki-san, it seems you handed Naruto the graduation test instead of the one he was meant to have. How strange, how did it end up their?"

Mizuki laughed nervously, "must have been an accident, I am sorry Iruka-san, Naruto-san, it won't happen again."

Inwardly Mizuki was cursing the both of them. 'Damn him, making me apologize to the demon of all things!'

Iruka laughed, "it's fine as long as it doesn't happen any more. Take your seat Naruto, and bring this with you." Handing Naruto the actual test he was meant to take Iruka looked towards Mizuki with a forced smile "you know Mizuki-san, I don't want to doubt your ability as a teacher, but I think I will grade the test while you're out making sure what the kids remember from their previous taijutsu instructor last year."

Mizuki nodded his head slowly, a pained look on his face, "yes Iruka-san."

Thirty more minutes passed before Iruka went around and collected the paper. "alright class, there's going to be a small break while I collect my notes. Take Ten minutes to stretch and what not while I finish ok?"

Naruto looked over to Hinata and said "psst Hinata?"

Hinata meeped before looking over to the blonde of her dreams. 'He's actually talking to me! what do I do? Ok Hinata calm yourself! You can do this don't sound stupid.'

"Y-y-yes Naruto-kun?"

'damn my stutter!'

"I'm going to take a quick nap, do you think you could wake me up when Iruka starts class again?"

"Oh, of-of course Naruto-k-kun! You can co-count on m-me!"

Naruto smiled brightly, which sent Hinata's blush over the edge. "Thanks Hinata! You're a good friend!" He then laid his head down, and to the rest of the world, within seconds was asleep. Hinata's fingers started waging war against each other.

'He called me his friend, yes!'

Naruto was going deep within himself, towards his mind, he needed to talk to Kurama. He needed advice. He needed to get away from this world and go within. Much like earlier the sounds of talking students started to fade, time seemed to distort and bend, and Naruto found himself in a place between the two. He opened his eyes and found he wasn't in the sewer of his mind, nor was he in the academy class room. He found himself staring at a desolate plain, and in front of him it look like three wars had been waged at once, all around him lay thousands of dead bodies.

"W-what?"

"This is my own personal world. The place people go when they call upon my power, and sell their souls to gain my aid."

Naruto spun around to come face to face with the Shinigami, in his true form, the purple Oni with the white robes, and horns. "Shinigami-sama, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I assume my sister has already found a way to warn you of the two demons I sent here?"

"Yes she did, why did you do that?"

"At first I thought to give you a challenge but that is not the real reason, let me explain. Time is a series of cause and effects. With you back and changing things, there will be new causes and therefore new effects. Still with me."

Surprisingly Naruto nodded, he may not be the smartest person but he certainly wasn't as stupid as most people thought he was. "Time itself is a fickle mistriss, to put it another way imagine time is like a river, it flows in one direction. What you are trying to do is divert that river, change it's course, and time won't allow that. It will try as hard as it can to maintain it's course."

"So what you're saying is if I'm not strong enough, then the same things are going to happen again despite how hard I try?"

"You catch on fast boy good. Yes, for instance say you wanted to save Asuma Sarutobi who was killed while you were away, he fought the undead duo Kakuzu and Hidan. So you take away Kakuzu and Hidan and he dies fighting some bandits trying to save his students. He still dies. What I'm trying to say is that if you aren't strong enough to beat these demons when they find you, then you will be nowhere near strong enough to change the course of time."

Naruto looked at the ground deep in thought. "If that's the case then why bother if I can't save everyone? I'd need to be watching all of them at once."

"That's the point boy, you're trying to be a guardian to a people who a: don't want your protection or b: don't think they need it. You won't be able to save everybody, because in war there are always casualties. There will always be death, me."

"Then might I ask a favor Shinigami-sama?"

"What would you ask of me boy?"

"When I was conquered Kurama's chakra, and pulled him out of his hate, my mother helped me. She showed me the Uzumaki Gekke Genkai. Pure chakra manipulation. I want you to unlock it within me."

"Oh you realized it was not chains but chakra manipulation? Hmm..fine" He snapped his fingers "done boy. Now I must be going things to do."

"Wait how do I use it?"

"I will let you figure that one out boy. But here's a hint: your rasengan. Though i will tell you, that it is not just chakra manipulation it is more like Iron manipulation. Have fun."

Before Naruto could as what he meant, he felt a tug at the back of his mind, and then hi eyes opened, the sounds of the classroom came back to him. Hinata was sitting right beside him shaking his shoulders lightly. "W-wake up N-Naruto-kun, Iruka is starting class again."

Naruto looked forward as Iruka entered the classroom, then he stared back at Hinata and smiled "Thanks again Hinata. I owe you." To make things even more interesting, Hinata had actually made the decision to remain seated for the duration of the class, silently taking notes and taking sneak peeks at Naruto whenever she was sure he was to busy taking notes, which was a big surprise since when did he take notes?

Naruto for his part, having been quiet a bit more mature this time around decided to wait patiently for this portion of class to end. From eight to ten was Iruka's portion, where the class learned all manner of history, math, science, important figures throughout history and current village leaders. from ten to ten thirty was a lunch break, and then from ten thirty to eleven thirty was ninja hour, were they would go over the basics of chakra, chakra control, taijutsu and low level ninjutsu, and then from eleven thirty to twelve was sparring.

Plain, boring and uneventfully dull were the words Naruto would use to describe school life, that's what it had been when he went, and he honestly didn't know why he expected the second time through to be any different. Ugh this was so booooorrringgggg. Then the clock struck ten and Naruto's head perked up slightly. Iruka was just finishing up a lecture about notable coup's that had taken place throughout the history of the Leaf. 'Yeah and none here know that the Leaf's biggest coup was stopped by it's worst villain.'

"Alright class, go ahead and eat your lunch and be at the training grounds before lunch ends got that?" he gave a pointed stare at Kiba and Naruto. "See you in thirty minutes, Mizuki if you would follow me I need to have a word in private with you."

They two adults left, and the class began to filter out to their preferred eating spots. Naruto for his part always ate in the classroom, which was mostly deserted within a few minutes. This time though he would do things differently, as she was getting up Naruto looked towards Hinata. "Hey Hinata would you like to eat lunch with me?"

To Hinata the whole world seemed to stop, and just disappear. Here she was having finally manage to sit next to th guy of her dreams, and now he was asking her to eat lunch with her. 'He-he wants me to-to eat with him. ohmykamiohmykamiohmykamiohmykamiohmy-'

THUMP

'And she's out like a light. Wow was this really how much I could influence her back then?' His mind went to her chunin fight with Neji. 'I guess I have had a profound impact on her. And now I have to wake her up hm...what to do? oh I have an idea!'

By now the entire classroom was empty save for one blonde and a blue haired girl. Naruto went forward a couple of rows and said in a voice several pitches different than his own "Did you hear? Naruto asked Sakura out on a date and she said yes! Their on their way to Ichiraku's right now!"

Like a switch Hinata was sitting up, a fire in her eyes "redrum redrum!" She was looking around wildly before Naruto walked up holding his lunch bag.

"Hey Hinata, you're awake, you gave me quiet the fright, I was just about to go get one of the teachers. Are you feeling alright?" Naruto had crouched down to get a closer look at Hinata, whose face got redder the closer he got. She quickly backpedaled away, trying to get her heart to slow down, and her face under control.

"N-n-no it's o-o-ok N-Naruto-K-kun. I-I'm fi-fine really!"

Naruto smirked, "Ok then Hinata, if you can tell me something about yourself without stuttering, I'll believe you."

'Oh kami he probably thinks the stutter is annoying! But it's not like I can help it.'

"Um..." Hinata took a deep breath and steeled herself. "I have a younger sister named Hanabi!"

'I did it!'

Naruto nodded is head. "Nice, I don't have any family. What's it's like to be an older sibling?"

Hinata smiled and looked at the ground "well fulfilling I guess? Hanabi is so young and doesn't understand the world, but because my clan thinks I'm weak they've been grooming her to be clan heir for a while. But she's so young, and impressionable. I don't often get to act like the older sister I aught to be. She's so mature."

Not one stutter, Naruto was impressed. 'It appears when she's talking about something she believes in deeply she's more confident. Let's keep this going.'

"What do you mean you're clan thinks you're weak? Don't they know you're like the top female of your class?"

It was true, even though Sakura had the slight edge when it came to books smarts, she didn't hold a candle to Hinata on the battlefield. "I'm a very meek person I guess. I don't have a lot of self confidence. Every time I feel like the spotlights on me I freeze up." Hinata shook her head, "that's why my clan thinks I'm weak. Because I don't act all hot headed like Sasuke does."

Naruto shook his head "it's a damn shame is what that is. The Hyuga clan have the Byakugan said to let them see everything. Yet they can't even see how awesome you are Hinata!"

Hinata's blush came back full force, even redder at the compliment. "oh th-thank you N-Naruto-K-kun."

'And with her blush comes her stutter. Though I have to admit it's kind of cute.'

RING RING RING

"Oh looks like we need to get to the sparring grounds, but let's do this again huh?"

"Tell me Mizuki what do you think of Naruto Uzumaki?"

"What about him?" Mizuki was barley able to hold in his disgust. Of course he hated that thing, his whole purpose of joining the academy had been to make sure it never passed. The fact some greedy rich guy was willing to pay him for it only added money to an already great deal.

"Most in the village see Naruto as the fox, and I wanted to know where you stood. Because in my classroom his isn't a boy, he isn't some great fox demon, he is my student, and as a teacher it is my duty to make sure he reaches his full potential. I see him for the young child he is. But what about you?"

Mizuki laughed good heartedly, "look Iruka if this is about his test I'm sorry it was an honest accident. It won't happen again."

Iruka's eyes narrowed "you see I don't believe that, I don't believe you Mizuki. So I will be keeping an eye on you, you're job is to teach my class, ALL of my class, how to fight and use basic weapons. If I feel or see for one moment that there is prejudice going on for any reason I will have you fired and get myself a new teacher. Understood?"

Mizuki smiled with all of the confidence and bravado of a fool. "yes Iruka, please do tell me where you will find a teacher that will even call Naruto by his name, let alone even think about teaching him? I came here with a job, and I intend to do it regardless of whose class I am teaching."

Iruka took a step back, took a deep breath and said "if I have to fire you, then I will do the teaching myself if it comes down to it. Do not forget Mizuki, that at the end of the day I can make that decision and if needs be I will make that decision." He turned around and headed towards the doorway, "now I finished all of those tests, and have some free time, I think I would like to watch you teach. I'm sure that won't be a problem now will it?"

He stepped out and Mizuki scowled deeply, rage clear on his face. 'Who the hell does that man think he is to threaten the likes of me!? I have the entire civilian council baking me on this mission! And he will regret that when they come knocking down his door. I swear I will be the end of him someday.' Mizuki took a deep breath to try and calm his frazzled nerves. 'Calm yourself Mizuki, you've got an entire class of children and one thing to teach. I'll have my chance to sabotage it later.'

From behind him Mizuki never saw the shadow flicker ever so slightly, nor did he see the the figure who had been watching the entire conversation leave.

"Alright everyone, you know how this works partner off with someone, contact sparring only, no ninjutsu, no genjutsu and..."

Naruto drowned Mizuki out, trying to center himself, he had heard this hundreds of time, he now had his sword on full display strapped to his waist instead of is back, which was what most of the students of his class had been staring at. When Mizuki finished it was Kiba who pointed it out first. "Ok Naruto what the hell is up with you? First you ditch your orange jumpsuit which was basically your staple and now you have a fuckin sword?"

Naruto grinned and pulled it out an inch so that light glinted off the metal. "Well Kiba like I said, I'm taking becoming a ninja serious, which means I gotta have my own unique thing, you guys have your clan techniques and Sasuke has an entire clan library to study from. But no one here uses a a blade longer than a kunai. So I thought I might do that. I haven't learned any more than basics with this thing but it'll do in a spar. Right sense?"

Naruto looked over to Iruka, who held out his hand, "Let me see it Naruto." They had agreed to make it look like it had been Naruto's idea instead of Iruka's. He gently placed the sheathed blade in his open palm. In one quick motion Iruka had the blade out examining it's sharpness. He then resheathed the blade, and pulled out some string, tying a basic X over the sheath and handguard. "I will allow it Naruto, if your opponent is allowed to use blunted kunai, then I don't see the harm in a wooden sword. No drawing your weapon or you'll be disqualified though understood?"

"Hai iruka-sensie!"

This was the time every one had been waiting for, the first fight, everyone knew what would happen. Iruka would ask for some Volunteers, to which Sasuke would challenge Naruto. The blond idiot would accept like he had always done then he'd get his ass kicked, like always. This was a spectacle that never failed to lift the classes spirit after arduous hours in the classroom.

"Alright class, first we will do one vs one spars, are there any volunteers?"

Sasuke jumped into the ring and pointed at Naruto "I challenge the dobe! I want to prove that his words were just empty talk earlier!"

Naruto smirked and stepped in to the ring, "fine Sasuke I accept your challenge, and when I kick your ass from here to Suna and back I don't want to hear you complaining!"

Iruka stepped in between the two "alright you two that's enough, I want a clean fight, no ninjutsu allowed, no low blows, no cheap shots. First to exit the ring or give up, loses and when I call the match that means stop understood?"

Both boys glared at each other and in unison said "hai Iruka-sensie!"

Iruka looked to Naruto, who had his feet spread shoulder length apart, wielding his blade perpendicular to his body. Sasuke was in the common Uchiha fighting stance. He raised his left hand chopped the air jumping back shouting "HAJIME!"

Much like the class was expecting Naruto charged Sasuke, raising his blade and swinging down when he was in range. Sasuke had brought out a kunai during Naruto' charge, and blocked the sheath and grinned. "Just because you have a new weapon doesn't mean it make sup for the difference in our power dobe!" Sasuke quickly ran his kunai down the length of the sheath, before raising his hand up fast.

A basic disarming technique, but it worked, Naruto's weapon flew from his hands and into the crowd of students. Outside the ring. Naruto wouldn't be able to use it. 'Ah well it wasn't to last anyways.' Naruto did a quick backflip away from Sasuke. "Well that was a neat trick Sasuke. Disarming a beginner from his weapon such skill."

"Are you going to keep talking like a dog with his tail between is legs or are you going to fight dobe?"

"Oh geez that's exactly what I was thinking Sasuke, but then I realized I really can't hit a lady, it'd be dishonorable." That got the class snickering, and an annoyed mark appeared over Sasuke's eyes.

"Come say that to my face idiot!"

"You always tell me to come to you, but I don't see you in any rush to get near me Sasuke, could it be? Are you afraid of me?"

Sasuke growled "like hell I'd ever be scared of a loser like you!" He charged straight at Naruto, which Naruto grinned.

'Temper, temper Sasuke, such things make you predictable.'

Within a second Sasuke was in front of Naruto swinging wildly, left jab, feint right, kick to the abdomen. It was then Naruto realized something, whenever he had fought Sasuke in the academy he could never read him, which made fighting him impossible. But now that he had the mind of a mature seventeen year old ninja that had literally fought gods...Sasuke was almost as slow as a turtle.

Naruto was ducking and weaving and rolling out of the way, much to the class surprise, the only strategy Naruto had ever employed was to take the hits and try and outlast his opponents. Wear down their stamina, and take them down when they were to tired to defend themselves. But this? Actively trying not to get hit? Showing some skill.

"He must have done some real intensive training over the summer." This was said by Shikamaru as Naruto caught one of Sasuke's fist's and returned fire with a sweeping kick.

"So Sasuke believe me now when I say that I am nothing like I was last year?"

"I will admit you are slightly better but that's all you're still a clanless loser."

"No Sasuke, I have a surname, I'm an Uzumaki. Probably the last Uzumaki alive, just as you are the last Uchiha."

"That's different Naruto!" Sasuke threw a couple of practice shuriken in an attempt to catch Naruto off guard, to get close. It didn't work, Naruto easily side stepped the kunai and ducked under Sasuke's flurry of blows, using a strong palm thrust to push hime back.

"You're right, it took Villages combining their armies to kill my clan, were as it took one man to do in yours." The entire class went deathly quiet as Naruto said that, even the bugs stopped buzzing. You could've cut the tension and silence with a rusty butter knife.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Sasuke had given any form or grace, rage had completely taken over his form, he charged Naruto, fully intent to beat the blonde idiot to death. He thought he knew Sasuke's pain? he didn't know what it was like to have everything, then it be taken away in one moment. He didn't know what it was like to sit up late at night thinking about nothing but pure murder of you're older sibling!

He would teach the blonde the meaning of suffering for that remakr rules and laws be damned! He was Sasuke Uchiha, the last loyal Uchiha of the Leaf Village, the council bow down and kiss his ass if it meant keeping the Sharingan in the village. They wouldn't care about some poor orphan. Those were Sasuke's thoughts as he pulled out a real kunai, not the blunted pieces of shit they were supposed to have. No this one was pointed and sharp, and kill worthy!

Naruto learned this the hard way as he went to block one strike and ended up with a nasty looking cut on his right forearm. Iruka decided at that point he would step in, but then he saw the look in Naruto's eyes. Something in them made him pause for just a split second. He didn't see fear in them, hell he didn't even see them register the pain of the cut. He saw sadness as Naruto gazed upon Sasuke's huffing form. Then behind that he saw the determination.

Naruto held out one hand, the hand holding his kunai and dropped it and pointed to Sasuke. "I bet you feel so big and bad holding that, cutting me and making me bleed but look at this" he held up the hand that HAD been cut, as it had seemingly closed up all on it's own. "I'm an Uzumaki, I have a regeneration factor. If you think you can do that little trick Sasuke than by all means come on."

That was all the invitation Sasuke needed as he charged Naruto. What he was not expecting was for Naruto to take a quick step forward, and throw Him over his shoulder. Nor did Sasuke see Naruto pull out the kunai he had hidden up his sleeve, but boy did he see it pointed at his throat. "I think that's my win right Iruka-sensie?"

The whole class was dumbfounded, not only had Naruto positioned himself at the edge of the ring, and therefore disqualified Sasuke by flipping him outside of the ring, he had mad a conclusive victory with his kunai. Nothing like that had happened before. Nothing like that had come close to happening when Naruto and Sasuke sparred in the past.

Iruka quickly stepped in between the two boys "ok that's the match! Winner Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto started walking away, towards the other end of the ring where he saw Hinata had picked up his sword he smiled at her, not seeing Sasuke get up, nor did he see the rage in Sasuke's eye. And he certainly didn't see Sasuke making hand signs.

But he felt the heat as Sasuke said "Fire style: great fire ball jutsu!" As a giant ball of fire went flying towards Naruto. He turned around, and his first thought had been to dodge, but he had students behind him, and they wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time. 'Shit!' Had been his only thought as he brought his arms to form an X over his chest, in a last ditch effort willing his chakra to protect him.

The last thing he remembered was seeing a blue form take shape in front of him, before it and the fireball clashed and it sent Naruto rocketing backwards. Into a tree. And then Darkness consumed him.

And cut! What did you think? Ichiraku is not the benevolent old man we have come to know him as, Sasuke's a bit broodier and a lot more hostile than one would think, and who is that weird person watching Mizuki? All of this and more in chapters to come! Also like I said at the beginning, slow progression. Naruto's not just gonna start being able to whoop ass right from the get go. He may have the mind of a war veteran, but he only has the body and reflexes of a young boy, still undergoing training.

So R & R and have a good one, Ja Ne!

1) Naruto's elemental affinities before the Sage are Wind and Earth. Complete polar opposites. Huh neat.