Welcome back to Naruto the Guardian, sorry this one took a while to upload compared to the rest of the chapters, but I got my xbox 1 and I've been busy with some games...any way nothing new to report but let's see what happens after the cruel cliffhanger in the last chapter.

Ch 5 - Everybody's consequences

Naruto's was in the familiar environment of his mind. The lat thing he remembered seeing, a great big ball of fire headed straight towards his face. "That was uncomfortably similar to Kagyuya. Ugh.." He looked around in the maze that made up his mind. "Why do I always end up here though? Why can't my mind have the decency to drop me off in front of the fox?" He sighed and looked at his reflection in the water. "Well I'm gonna be here for a while, might as well see what she's up too."

He started the long trek through his mind, walking through deep, dark, wet halls. 'Man I really need to find a way to fix the, it's so depressing, I mean I know my childhood was shit but damn. You'd think that it would fix itself overtime.' It wasn't long before he found the central chamber, the fox resting on her front paws. "Oy Kuramaaaaaa!"

The giant fox opened eye, staring down at the small human. "Oh hello kit. What brings you here?"

"Eh, fought Sasuke, beat him for once, he threw a tantrum and launched a fireball at me and I think it knocked me into something hard. Woke up here, have you really been asleep this entire time?"

"What else am I to do while I'm locked behind this damned cage?"

"Speaking of that is there any way I can change that? I mean don't get me Wong, I absolutely LOVE the sewer look my mind came up with, a real work of art there, but I think it could do with some renovations. What do you think?"

"It's your mind kit" Kurama shrugged her shoulders "I'm no Yamanaka, but I think if it's going to change it needs to be done by you."

Naruto stared dumbfounded "wait are you being serious? How would I do that?"

"Again, you're mind. Just think really hard, that's the best I could come up with."

'It can't be that easy can it?' He stared at the murky ground hard, concentrating as hard as he could. Try to mentally imagine the scene around him changing.

To Kurama's amazement, the sewer was chasing, shifting, colors brightening and darkening. The bars fazing out of existence, then coming back. Naruto's eyes were clenched tight, and the sewer started shaking, like an earthquake was happening. 'He's not just changing his mindscape, he's changing how his mind views things!'

From Naruto a bright light srarted growing, dim at first but soon expanded to look like a small sun, blinding Kurama, and so hot! Kurama was naturally attuned to fire, but this was different, like something was trying to burn her soul. When the light finally went away Kurama realized she was the size of a large Bear, but that wasn't the biggest surprise the sewer was gone.

Naruto opened his eyes, and grinned "Ha! I did it! what do you think Kurama?"

Kurama was to stunned to respond, the sewer had gave way to a beautiful traditional rock garden, cherry blossom trees spread throughout, a small wind leaving a constant trail of falling petals. The seal that held back Kurama's power was found at the center, the shikifujin found on a small stone monument. Kurama herself was the size of a large bear, still towering over Naruto, but no where near her normal Goliath height.

'Naruto managed this on his own? This is more beautiful than anything else I have ever seen.'

"Well Kurama? I remember seeing one of these my visit to the land of the Samurai. Thought it was awesome and always wanted one of my own. What do ya think?"

"I think it's beautiful Naruto. Where did you even think to come up with this?"

"Again, the Land of Iron. On the way to the Kage Summit, we stopped by a small town. I saw this rock garden outside of some sushi bar, I thought it was so beautiful." Naruto walked over to the monument. "This was a shrine dedicated to the owner's late husband. It reminded me of the one I built for Jiraiya, kind of stuck. It's one of my favorite places I've visited outside of Konoha."

"Well Kit I must tell you how impressive hit is and all, but did you really have to change my size as well? I liked being a giant fox, not an abnormally big one."

Naruto shrugged his shoulders "I mean does it really matter? I'm the only person who sees you. No point in looking scary if their's no one to scare."

Kurama gave Naruto a blank look before her eyes had fires in them "BUT IT WASN'T YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE YOU IDIOT!"

Naruto grinned and stared back at Kurama. "My mind, my rules Kurama. and besides that, am I wrong?"

"Of course not Kit, but I LIKED being super big. Looking down on you!"

"Hey you still can do that."

"This is different!"

"How can this be any different than the time you changed your own size and said and i quote 'this isn't so bad?'

"Because I willingly made that decision and had the power to control when I returned to normal size!"

"ok maybe but-"

"No but's Naruto! Now change me back!"

Naruto turned around his head held high, "No."

"What? What do you mean no!"

"I mean no, I like the thought that one day I'll be big enough to look you in the eye. So I'm not changing you back and that's that."

"And why must you be so stubborn?"

"Because I can be. Now do you know how long I'll be stuck here?"

"How the hell should I know? Just because I fix what's broken doesn't mean I know how long it'll take to fix!"

"Well what the hell am I supposed to do in here in the meantime?"

"This can not stand Hokage-Sama! Naruto is in the hospital with borderline second degree burns. It's a miracle that just didn't straight up kill him! What's to be done with Sasuke?" For the second time in just as many days Iruka was in the Hokage's office furious. One of his students had basically tried to murder another one.

"We have laws for a reason why aren't they being enforced?"

For the trillionth time that week Hiruzen sighed. He stood up and walked over to the window, lighting his pipe. "I am the Third Hokage, my actions effect the numerous lives inside these walls. Do you want the honest answer Iruka? The Civilian Council won't lay a hand on their precious Uchiha."

"But he's a student at the academy, a ninja in training. He falls under your authority, not theirs!"

"You are right, but if I make a move against him, it will incite rage into the council, not from the major clans but the smaller ones. That is not something I have the ability to face just yet. I am playing a dangerous game of politics against the council and don't have the support just yet to put my plans in motion."

"Council be damned Hokage-sama! He's my student and he hurt another one. There will be discipline in my classroom!"

"I understand your outrage Iruka, but please try and calm down. I will talk to the young Uchiha, see if there is any remorse for his actions. If I find none than he is yours to do with a you please ok?"

Iruka bowed. "Yes Hokage-sama. There is one other matter I would like to bring to your attention."

"Speak."

"I have reason to believe Mizuki plans to try and sabotage Naruto at every given opportunity."

"Oh that is interesting didn't you personally brief every candidate? I didn't think anyone of such mindset would get past you."

"I am ashamed to admit it Hokage-sama, but he tricked me I think."

"Do you have any substantial proof?"

"Well no but-"

Hiruzen stopped Iruka by turning around and looking him in the eye "look Iruka-san I trust your judgment, if you think Mizuki views Naruto as the fox then by all means keep an eye on him. But until you bring hard evidence there is nothing I can do, and I hardly doubt that the school board will do anything about it."

A hard look entered Iruka's eyes. "yes Hokage-sama."

Just then Hiruzen's secretary knocked on the door. "Um..Hokage-sama Councilman Shimura is here to see you. He said you'd be expecting him?"

Hiruzen nodded "well Iruka continue to keep an eye on Naruto and the school. If you find any solid proof of sabotage or bias come to me understood?"

Iruka bowed deep "yes Hokage-sama." And he left just as Danzo entered the office, an Anbu trailing behind him. Though the strangest thing to Iruka was her mask. Since when did Leaf Anbu wear blank masks?

"Hello Hiruzen."

"Danzo how good of you to make an unscheduled appointment. To what do I owe the pleasure of you and your friends company?"

Danzo nodded over to the Anbu who immediately kneeled "This is one of my ROOT Captains, Sora Shirato. As a sign of good will I put her in your hands, to be part of the Hokage's guard. I honestly believe that this truce of ours is doomed to fail Hiruzen. We view things to differently but this gesture of faithl should keep the peace for a while. As well as this."

Danzo placed a sealed document on Hiruzen's table, labeled Protocol Anathema in bright red. Opening the folder Hiruzen was surprised to see a list of names, followed by rank and all who were on active missions and where those missions where. A full data book on some of Danzo's operations. He wasn't foolish enough to believe Danzo would honestly hand him that much ammunition.

"I must say Danzo I wasn't expecting to see this much information on you operations. Though I am pleasantly surprised by it."

"You thought I would back down on my end of the agreement?"

Hiruzen shook his head, and pulled out a flask of sake and two saucers. "No Danzo, I expected a little bit, just not this much." He poured some sake into the saucers and passed one over to where Danzo was sitting. He raised his up and said "to yesterdays enemies and todays friends."

Danzo lifted his up and said "agreed."

Iruka left the Hokage's office and was surprised to see Mizuki was there waiting for him. "Hey Iruka-san judging by your reaction thing didn't go so well with the Hokage?"

Iruka shook his head "no there's nothing he could do without sparking outrage in the council."

Mizuki scowled "that's a damn shame, that's what it is. It's pitiful that Uchiha-san can put another student in the hospital and get off scot free. I guarantee you if it had been anyone else other than Naruto-san things would be different."

Iruka was honestly surprised to hear Mizuki say that, had he been wrong after all? "Well I wasn't expecting you to care so much Mizuki-san."

"Well can you blame me? If Naruto hadn't taken the attack head on who knows how many students would be in the hospital room right now. and then we'd have half the village split over what to do about Sasuke. I do consider myself a teacher first. Besides people like Sasuke who think that the world owes them something always piss me off." In truth what really bothered Mizuki was the fact the demon willingly made the decision to take the hit. Demons didn't do that did they?

"I must admit Sasuke's ego has put him in dire situations with his classmates before." Who was he trying to kid, unless Sasuke was in charge of whatever team he was put in than his ability to work with and as a team was near non existent. Iruka had tried to help the boy where he could but had ultimately been unable to reach the boy.

The most emotion he had ever shown was with his rivalry with Naruto, and not even the Yamanaka were insane enough to try and understand what THAT was.

Mizuki shook his head "he'll never make a good ninja if he can't work with the other students. So Iruka-san what do you suggest?"

Iruka grabbed his chin "the only way I can think of that to happen is for Sasuke to get a much needed reality check. He needs to see he's just a kid and not some hotshot savant."

"Well Iruka-san I think we should grab a bite to eat, I know this great sushi bar on the south side of the Village they have the best fish from here to Kiri."

Iruka narrowed his eyes, he hadn't been expecting the show of camaraderie from Mizuki. But this would be an opportunity for him to try and understand his assistant a little better. "Well I guess I can spare some time, though I can't stay long, I need to prepare the classes history portion for tomorrow, I'm having trouble deciding whether or not they should go over..."

From there to the South side of town the two teachers talked about possible lectures or improvements to the training, and soon enough Iruka seemed to forgo mistrust to likeable banter, then the conversation turned towards a certain blond in the class. "I really don't think starting with that coup is a good way to start the one-time alliance Iwa and Konoha took against Suna."

Mizuki looked towards Iruka aghast "what are you talking about? it's the perfect way to do it! It's that coup that would lead to the peace we have today being possible in the first place. Plus it was all the mistrust from that mission that would lead to Iwa and Konoha being enemies in the last war."

Iruka grabbed his chin in thought "hm...you may be right Mizuki, but remembered even before then, one village was accusing the other for espionage, assassination. There was mistrust and and hate all throughout that little battle. The alliance lasted for a week before our forces were fighting together. It took Hokage-sama and Tsuchikage-sama working together to stop it from turning into a three way war. Hell even with the two kage it only lasted for another week."

Mizuki put hi hand up "I know, I know, that's when we made peace with Suna to make Iwa back off and prevent another war. Though that back fired horrible. You really know you're tuff Mizuki."

Mizuki grinned "Well I didn't become a teacher for the pay you know? Besides you remember our academy days, even though I was technically the top academic student in the class I was always right behind you. You were just to worried about the next stupid stunt you would pull."

Iruka sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Yeah I guess. I see a lot of my younger self in Naruto."

Mizuki leaned in and whispered "So you really don't see him as the fox?"

Without a second thought Iruka shook his head, "of course not! If he was the fox I believe he would try and be discreet about himself. Instead you have a loud mouth braggart who pulls pranks because it's the only way he can get people to even acknowledge his existence. Why? I already asked you? Were you lying?"

Mizuki looked away "Well I'll admit it, yeah I was. I saw the fox, and I still do.." Mizuki trailed off and Iruka looked at him warily.

"I feel a but is coming Mizuki-san."

"Yeah, but what he did today. He took Sasuke's attack, but demons would have jumped out of the way right? I don't know what to think you know? You hear something about someone for so long and that's what you believe."

"Well Mizuki let me tell you a story that happened over summer, up until last years term, I was indifferent about Naruto. I believed he was the fox too, but during the summer before last year I was in a small town near the border, Chiaki town. a suna nin had gone rouge and was holding hostages, and unnamed ninja and I had to work together to save everyone. Turns out we had many of the same interests."

"Ok and how does this have to do with Naurt?"

"Let me finish, as it turns out that man, was a former Iwa veteran. I learned not to listen to others, and I told him almost the same thing you told me when I learned that. Let me tell you what he told me. Step away from other people and their opinions and form your own. Talk to Naruto and make your own thoughts of him."

"I don't know Iruka. Even you must some things against him?"

Iruka smiled "my only problem with Naruto is the same one I have with my entire class, one you'll soon have if you're a true teacher, and one every teacher has. He doesn't strive to reach his full potential. He wants to get strong but because he believes there's no one he can go to to get that help, he sticks with a screwed up regimen."

"Really that's it?"

He shrugged his shoulders "other than that, Naruto's just a kid, who thinks he's alone in this world. Most of his current faults he will grow out of with time and maturity. Iruka downed the last bit of his drink, and stood up "look Mizuki, I won't fault you for how you thought of Naruto, but spend some time thinking about it ok? If you feel like you can't be an unbiased teacher tomorrow, don't come in."

With that he walked out, leaving Mizuki to his own thoughts.

"So Danzo before you leave let's you and I discuss business."

"What would you have Hiruzen? I'm a busy man, though I may not look it."

"I read here you have a few assets in Iwa, is that correct?"

"I have three, one jounin, one construction worker and one medic nin, why?"

"I assume you are already aware of the ramen shop owner, Ichiraku?"

"I learned of him a long time ago, and identified him as a non threat. The man hasn't been a ninja in some time, let alone use chakra. He's retired."

"Did you validate the claims of him being a spy?"

"Of course, what do you take me for a fool?"

"Never my friend, I want your people to dig into whatever they can find, see if he's truly inactive as a spy or not."

"I was made aware that you'd already interrogated him Hiruzen, did you not believe him?"

"No but you should know as well as I, that the only true retirement for spies is death, very few actually manage to cut ties and quit. I want to know if Iwa still has a way to contact and give him orders. Work under the assumption that he's still a spy, and i want one of your ninja to become a regular at his store, keep an eye on him."

Danzo got up dusting himself off, the half empty bottle of sake all but forgotten at the moment. "Before I leave may i ask why my ninja, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen gave a very political smile, "you know why Danzo, I can disavow the actions made by root ninja who shouldn't be operating in the first place, but also you like to keep your ninja out of sight, only you really know whose part of the program. Ichiraku's Ramen has become a favorite of sorts for my ninja. Too much a chance he'll notice someone watching him directly. He already knows I have a ninja watching the place. I don't think he'll expect this though."

Danzo nodded saying as he reached the door "understandable Hiruzen, I would do the same thing actually. Which is why I'm surprised to be hearing you say it. You'll be getting the same reports I do." He opened the door and headed out, leaving behind his nina who had been bowed the entire time.

"Rise Shirato-san, Owl!" An owl masked anbu flickered into position. "Yes Hokage-sama" Hiruzen looked to Owl an smiled.

"Please integrate missis Shirato into my personal guard, and have Coyote go home on paid leave for the time."

"Yes Hokage-sama, but if I may, I don't like this."

"I understand Owl but trust me. Teach her all the things she'll need to know and get her a proper Anbu mask, I think Sparrow will do. That will be your callsign from now on understood?"

She nodded "Hai, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen nodded to Owl, "Take her to get properly outfitted, and have her go a psyche evaluation, no hard feelings I hope, but I need to make sure I have your loyalties when on a mission. I don't want Danzo's programming to overwrite my commands."

Shirato got up from her bow, "hai Hokage-sama."

"Ok blue blood follow me."

As they left, Hiruzen turned his chair around to stare at the faces of the past Hokage. 'Am I doing the right thing Tobimara-sama? You would never approve, but it's for the interest of the Leaf that I do everything possible while I sit in this chair. The next Hokage may not have the same strength as me.' He stared hard hoping that those inanimate object would somehow give a sign to his prayers.

All he got was a small gust of wind that suspiciously lifted the end of the Fourth's picture, slightly revealing the safe Hiruzen had hidden behind it. 'What no! He's not ready to face your enemies just yet Minato-san. Though he does deserve to know the full truth, but not yet. When's ready and strong enough I will personally show him to your estate.' He let out a long breath and started taking a puff off of the pipe.

"Smoking will kill you one day old man" A deep voice, one he hadn't heard in a long time forced Hiruzen to snap around.

There in his office was Jiraiya of the Sannin. "Jiraiya boy! What brings you here in my office, your next report isn't do for another two weeks, let alone the next face to face visit."

It was Jiraiya's serious face that gave it away. He wasn't here on business, certainly not pleasure. No he was pissed off about something. "You're working with Danzo." Not a a question, but a statement he knew. SO that's why he was mad.

"Yes Jiraiya I am, his Root anbu make for an effective tool. I take it you disagree?" He wasn't surprised Jiraiya found out so soon, Hiruzen had been expecting this for some time.

"Of course I fucking disagree Sarutobi-sensie! How long have the two of you been enemies? And for no reason all of a sudden your friends?"

"Well jiraiya friends is a bit to strong a word, more like allies at the moment. I fully expect Danzo to betray me the moment it suits his purposes. However I am the Sandaime Hokage, and I have let me village go astray for too long. I will do what it takes to get control of MY village and do what is right for MY people. What is best for MY ninja. I am known far and wide as the Professor, master of all the hidden Leaf ninjutsu! It's time I start acting like it!"

"But not like this sensei! You may be the professor but going down this road you're going to have to make choices you'd never choose to make."

Hiruzen's eyes hardened over, "you're right Jiraiya but I walk down this path because that is what is best for the Leaf."

"Now you're starting to sound like Danzo to sensei! How long will it be before you disregard the Will of Fire, prioritize power over peace? How long before you start making sacrifices of you're own people?"

"You go to far Jiraiya! I may be making hard choices, but I am not completely lost! I am still me and-"

"Are you so sure of that sensei" Jiraiya turned his back to Hiruzen walking towards the door, "because I'm starting to have trouble seeing whose in front of me, the Professor or the Warhawk."

Hiruzen watched Jiraiya leave before slumping in his chair. Looking towards the portraits he asked again out loud this time "Am I doing the right thing Sensei? Lord First, Minato? Am I?"

Naruto opened his eyes to the white noise of a very familiar hospital room. "Great not even two days in and I'm already in the hospital." Naruto sat up looking around the empty room, his chest screaming to get back down, making Naruto flinch. 'Man did Sasuke really do this much damage to me? Shit!' He reached over the end of his bed, aiming for the doctors report, which is when he learned of the massive sore spot just at the base of the back of his neck.

The doctors reports told Naruto everything he already knew. 'So it's only been a couple of hours huh? That'd explain why I still hurt though.' The most interesting thing on the report though was a side note at the bottom which read 'lucky to note have serious and crippling burn wounds.'

'Man Sasuke was aiming to do some serious damage. Is this what Shinigami meant when he said time would try to fix itself? Because Sasuke never did that before, hell the closest thing he did was at the first battle at the Valley of the end, and even then he couldn't bring himself to actually kill me. man I really need to train, so that this doesn't happen again. Also I'm really going to have to thank Kurama for healing the burn damage first, normally she treat the the other injuries before healing my skin.'

Naruto stood up against the judgment of his body making him flinch. 'He really did a number on me though. I need to start some endurance training, well first I need to learn how to use this body, because my mind keep trying to make it use moves it doesn't know yet. Man the back to the past stuff is super hard."

Naruto headed over to the window, stopping for a brief second to look at the golden colored sky as the sun was just tarting to set. Hey was that Iruka walking down the street with Mizuki? 'Eh it's not like I knew ever knew much about Iruka's personal life. He'll learn eventually the person he really is, I just hope this time I can stop Iruka from being injured. Well here goes nothing!'

He leapt out the window and on to the roof of a near by shop a couple stories down. He had places to be, to train at were he wouldn't be interrupted. But first he needed some books...the library should still be open.

skip

Naruto grinned as he exited the library, he had never actually had any interest in going there before, the fact the lady who owned the shop absolutely hated Naruto didn't help. But a quick application of a hinge jutsu, some cash he 'borrowed' off of Iruka, and Naruto had a scroll detailing the basics of wind, earth and water style ninjutsu, as well as a basic defensive sword style. While Naruto's chakra Nature hadn't been aligned to Water style, he happened to know that after earth style the easiest element for him to learn to use was water.

Putting the scrolls in the empty storage scroll he had kept, Naruto started waling in the direction of Iruka's house, training would have to wait. His body was in no condition to train. He'd only hurt himself worse. Though he did keep out the kenjutsu scroll. It was known as the tortoise style, keeping a short to medium length blade close to the body to deflect all attacks and then counter when the opponent left themselves open. Very basic and easy to over come if one where fast enough or strong enough to over power the user, but Kakashi had told Naruto that Danzo's Root Anbu used a modified version of this style, and Naruto had seen first hand how deadly Sai was when he used his blade.

The kata's were indeed very basic, it was more about timing when to dodge, when to deflect and when to counter attack, it even went over some more advanced techniques. 'And if I incorporate dad's flash step then I can easily keep up with faster opponents. So really using this style all I have to worry about are people who are physically stronger than myself. Use some clones as a diversion cannon fodder, yes this has potential and-" *thud*

Naruto was so caught up in his thoughts he hadn't seen the other person walking down the street Caught up in her thought on the way to the hospital, to see her friend. They collided head on, and both fell to the ground. "Oh, I-I I'm so-sorry!"

"Hinata?"

"N-Naruto-kun?"

She was genuinely surprised to see the blond out and about, and reading. He should still be unconscious, but no here he was having apparently been to a scroll sotre or maybe library, actually getting into knowledge. "Oh my! I'm s-s-sorry N-Naruto-kun!"

Naruto got up quickly and held out his hand to Hinata. "No, no- Hinata it's my fault I'm sorry, here let me help you up." He swiftly grabbed Hinata's hand, bringing her to her feet. The close proximity contact however was to much for Hinata's brain. 'He-he's holding my-my hand!' When she was on her feet she promptly feel forward, onto Naruto's chest.

'Oh great she fainted, and I have no idea where the Hyuga compound is, because I never had a reason to go there. Great, well might as well bring her with me.' He picked up Hinata bridal style. He was lucky the street he was walking wasn't occupied at the moment, Kami only knows what number of rumors would have started. Well little did Naruto know there was a set of eyes watching, an older set of eyes. Pupiless white eyes watching as the jinchuuriki picked up the Hyuga heiress and began walking towards the training area.

Hinata had the best dream ever, she was whisked off her feet by a blond night in shining armor. Until she heard the sounds of forest life, and felt soft grass beneath her. She heard the grunting of a male somewhere to her right. She was obviously in some sort of shade, as every so often spots of sunlight would hit her eyes, for a brief second. Mumbling to herself about a good dream ruined she sat up rubbing her eyes. The last the she remembered was talking to Naruto before he...before he...

Her face went flush as she remembered the feeling of his firm grip on her hand. The kind, and sorry, look in his eyes. How did she end up here? Looking around she seemed to be in some sort of training field. She had been right about her assumption of shade, she had been placed underneath a tree. The sound of some guy training were somewhere behind he, behind the tree.

She took a peek and nearly fainted again at the sight of a bare chested Naruto swinging his sheathed sword, swinging it down then making a right to left, taking a step forward then bringing the blade back so it was held diagonally against his chest, taking a step back, Then he would repeat the maneuver again. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the signs of injury on Naruto's body, had he been fighting someone?

Then she saw him put the blade down, and take a deep breath. It was still noon time if the sun setting was any indicator. She hadn't been out for very long. Her eyes were drawn again to Naruto as he made the weirdest hand sign, he made a cross sign with his left and right index and middle fingers. She heard him say "Shadow clone jutsu!" And what followed was two explosions on either side of Naruto blowing him back a couple of feet, much to his rather loud cursing. 'That explains the injuries, he's practicing some sort of ninjutsu.' And from what she saw one that required a large amount of chakra.

He was laying on his back staring at the sky, "Damn it I need this jutsu! Well chakra control it is." He sat up, grabbing a few stray leaves and attaching them to his body. The very basics of chakra control, what would later be used to teach young ninja how to walk on water. Hinata being the Hyuga heiress was trained how to do all of that years ago, it was an effective tool to help hone the Gentle fist fighting style her family was known for.

'It makes sense for Naruto to require extra chakra control lessons, his chakra stores were almost bigger than tour entire class's combined, teachers included.' Naruto had about six leaves attached to several different parts of his body. But his face was distorted into a grimace, as he held them for a couple of seconds before the leaves fell. He balled his fist and hit the ground growling, before picking the leaves up and placing them on his body, one after the other.

Hinata made a few quick hand signs and activated her Byakugan examining Naruto. Almost immediately she saw the problem. He was rushing the exercise, not establishing a proper connection from the leaves to his body with his chakra, before placing the next leaf. He was causing a strain almost, because his chakra control was trying to catch up to his actions, he fell short.

'Here's my chance to try and get closer.' She started walking forward, but her mind flashed to her actually having to talk to Naruto and she paused, anxiety welling up in her. 'Bu-but can I? i mean what if he does-doesn't want my help?' She shook her head "If I don't take a step, I'll always be behind him.' She took another step forward, and then another.

Three steps is all it took for Naruto to notice her presence. "Oh Hinata! You're awake finally. How are you feeling?" She was nervous about something, but he did notice her eyes never left his chest, never actually meeting his gaze. "What's on your mind?"

"Um...you're cha-chakra control."

Naruto grinned and rubbed his head. "Yeah I have a lot of chakra, so I have to train really hard, and chakra controls the hardest training I can do. But as you can see, I'm having a little difficulty"

"You-you're rush-rushing I-it." Though it took a total of five minutes to say a few sentences, Hinata managed to explains what she had seen to Naruto, who stared at Hinata for a full five minutes, before giving her a big kiss on the forehead.

"Hinata you're a genius! I could use you for training more often!" He didn't get a response, in fact he had moved out of Hinata's line of sight, and she was staring at one spot, but looking a thousand miles away. A blush was creeping it's away through her face. It was then Naruto realized what he had done. 'oops'. He gently, ever so gently poked her forehead. Of course she fell back, fully erect like a statue, on to her back, not flinching, not blinking, Not response what so ever.

'I think I actually broke her this time...Welp I better find out where the Hyuga compound is, I don't think she'll be awake or even active for much longer..great.'

"Hokage-sama, what can i do for you?" Sasuke's monotonous voice carried throughout the empty Uchiha compound. He had expected someone to show up a teacher or maybe the principle, but definitely not the freaken Hokage himself. They were currently sitting in Sasuke's living room.

"Hello there young Sasuke, you and I need to have a talk about your actions at school earlier. You seriously injured Naruto."

Sasuke looked away, "if you know what happened then you know what he said."

"Sasuke being angry is not an excuse for the level of damage you intended to do to him. He's still your comrade."

"Pff, comrade? The dobe's lucky I talk to him at all."

Now Sasuke, I need you to understand, in this matter you meant deadly harm to another student. Those carry serious consequences."

"And why should I care? Up until a few days ago Naruto never took anything seriously! He acts like an idiot all the time with no care for how others think."

He noticed the slight shift in Hiruzen's face. "And do you know why Naruto acts out so much?"

"Simple because he wants to be the center of everyone's attention. He want's people to think he's going to e the greatest ninja every with out admitting he's nothing but a loser who can barley control his own chakra."

"So close to the truth, but thousands of miles away."

"What's that supposed to mean Hokage-sama?

"It means you're wrong Sasuke. Or at the least partly right. Naruto is a young boy deprived of attention by an entire village and almost his entire class. Acting a fool is the only way he knows for others to acknowledge him." Hiruzen stood up, "he acts out so other will notice him. Even you must have noticed that most of the village hates Naruto."

"Yes I have Hokage-sama, but I cant figure out why. Everyone dislikes him, but no one is willing to talk about it. Why?"

A glint appeared in Hiruzen's eye "I'm not at liberty to say Sasuke. But a smart boy like you? I'm sure you can figure it out. I will leave you with two things Sasuke, Naruto is nothing like he appears to be. And finally I will let you go with a warning, this time. The next time there will be serious consequences, the first of which will be your immediate expulsion from the ninja corp." Having said that Hiruzen made a swift exit, one single memory playing through his mind.

"Are you so sure of that sensei" Jiraiya turned his back to Hiruzen walking towards the door, "because I'm starting to have trouble seeing whose in front of me, the Professor or the Warhawk."

ANNDDD CUTTTTTT! So those are the consequences of just a few slight differences in the cannon universe and this one. I got a PM and I will dress it, I fully intend for this to be a long story, 80-100 chapters is what I am shooting for, each reaching at least 6,500 to 10,000 words each. There will be some more chapters on naruto's academy life, but trust me the next chapter will have some time skips, I don't plan to go day to day with this.

Other than that though please tell me what you thought

Ja'Ne!