Asuma was seriously doubting his decision from a week ago. When he looked at the four students in front of him he felt awkward. He could only imagine how it must be for the new girl.

"Right so. We did our introductions." More like muttered our name and hobby without sounding too interested. He glared at Shikamaru.

Squealed about hair and flowers and boys. Ino was his next victim.

Kept munching on chips but had a decent tone and friendly attitude. Choji my dear student, I thank you.

Had to clear her throat three times and stuttered her name. He could forgive Chi. She had gotten used to the gray walls and cold demeanor of the surroundings. To be here in the open with just a team must be strange. Poor kid.

Her arm twitched slightly and her other hand went to keep it still. Something shone from underneath her sleeve. Asuma's inner mother hen jumped awake.

Was she hungry? Or tired? What kind of training does she have to do? Is this the result of their test? I need to talk to Ibiki about this stuff if this becomes a thing. What if I push her too hard and she faints? Well, she probably has more than enough chakra so she won't faint that easily but still. Should I give her some of my blood? How do I do that?!

Asuma shot the damn chicken.

He smiled broadly "Now, you have all trained this morning so let's go get a mission!"

As expected, all four groaned. Asuma grinned and lead the way to the mission desk where it turned out that their despair was well placed.

"SPREADING MANURE?!"

Ino shrieked and made everyone in a ten meter radius wince. Well, it was their fate for today and they had to abide it. One can not simply defy fate.

In the distance a young Hyuuga sneezed and got youthfully blessed by two green beasts.

They had to leave the village and the entire trip took nearly half and hour. The weather was nice and all but their moods turned more sour every passing second. When they arrived on the farm, all four looked ready to storm off. The farm consisted of three ramshackle constructions made of moldy wood. To the left, there was a field that didn't look like it would be able to grow anything. Just in front of the fence on the far left corner, laid their working material.

The amount of manure was staggering and the smell made them scramble around Asuma to catch some of his cigarette smell.

"Ahh, sensei's smell is much better than that!" Ino snuggled closer to his vest.

The sensei wasn't sure whether to feel insulted or not. Probably not.

"Well then. Let's meet the owner and get started." He cheerfully lit another cigarette, wondered if he should be worried that the kids sighed in relief, and walked to the shed.

The farmer turned out to be a grumpy, wrinkled old man who smoked a huge pipe. He noticed Asuma walking up to him and waggled over to meet him halfway.

"Spread the manure over the entire field and make sure that you spread it evenly!" He spit on the ground and turned away, deeming more words unnecessary. The shinobi mutely watched him stagger back to the shed on bony legs, bouncing up and down over the uneven ground. Asuma turned to the kids to make a joke but he found them with their jaws open.

"He has a glorious chicken butt." Ino whispered and the other Genin nodded in awed silence.

What.

Asuma coughed and pushed them to the field.

"Off you go now, make me proud." He smirked and went to sit in a tree far away from the stench to smoke.

I am so glad that I'm a sensei now.

From the distance he could see Shikamaru scratch his head and scan the surroundings, the rest was busy complaining. Then he interrupted the fervent wails of despair from his team and made quick work of explaining his strategy. Chi perked up and added something and the black haired boy nodded thoughtfully. They spoke for another while, Choji put his snack away, and then got to work.

Asuma watched in content, though he had to scoff when thirty clones appeared.

Chouji appeared from behind the mountain of manure with two wheelbarrows that looked about as useful as a bucket without a bottom. Ino slapped her forehead and Shikamaru shook his head, no doubt muttering something with 'troublesome'. He turned to Chi. Two seconds later, the normally calm girl let out a yelp and tried to run away.

Too bad her shadow was already caught.

Asuma could hear Ino shout some promise about soap and flowers but only understood when ten clones transformed themselves in proper wheelbarrows. He could only pray for her soul and dignity.

Choji rummaged in his backpack and pulled out what looked like small trash bags. He made a seal and his body doubled in size. It turned out that the bags were gloves. With his giant fists, he grabbed two handfuls of manure and dropped them in two transformed wheelbarrows. Another clone grabbed the device and started going towards the field. The rest lined up and did the same.

Once they had arrived, Shikamaru climbed on the only decent looking pole from the fence and started shouting directions. The ten remaining clones started throwing out the manure on their designated positions. Ino went to every one of them and made sure that it was even and pressed down correctly.

Now this is a proper showcase of technique. Good teamwork, excellent plan, great use of each other's skills and a perfectly executed mission. Asuma nodded approvingly.

The transformed wheelbarrows changed back and immediately dispersed together with the other clones. Chi cried out and nearly fell over from exertion and most likely the memories. Choji patted her on her back and offered a chip.

It was all because of the genius brain of the Nara being used which was because a certain mother had threatened to make her son caretaker of the famed Nara deers. Still, Asuma giggled like a child.

I am so going to shove this in Kakashi's face. His brat can make hundredths of Shadow Clones and he doesn't even use them to their full extent.

He continued grinning like a madman when they reported to the farmer and even on the way to Konoha. All the kids gave him a wide berth. At the gate he was stopped by Izumo and Kotetsu but they let him pass as soon as they realized his mood. He decided to ignore the pitying looks they gave his students.

Once they reached the Hokage tower, he gave his report with a shining smile, reassured his father and Iruka that he was not taking after Gai ("Look, no spandex!") and left to treat his team to dinner. He had a great story to tell tonight.

The town was packing up and getting ready for the evening. The kids were darting about, Chi was still traumatized and Ino had taken to comforting her. Looking at the backs of the small shinobi he felt his heart swell.

You kids make me so happy.

In the restaurant~

"You kids make me so poor."

Ino rolled her eyes and continued discussing various flower types with Chi. Shikamaru was half asleep and Choji drooled at the thought of meat. Asuma could only think of his wallet that was soon going to be emptied. It couldn't be normal right? For a bunch of twelve year olds who reached just above his waist to eat more than he did?

Iruka had told him about how Naruto effortlessly shoved six large bowls of ramen down and could still go on, but he had a giant fox living inside his stomach. These kids had no such thing!

"Your order please." A kind voice called out his doom.

As the kids called their orders (and Choji just went on and on and on) Asuma decided that a diet along with their training regime wouldn't hurt. He sighed and looked at them again. He wanted to get grumpy but he couldn't. Somewhere deep down he felt nostalgia come up.

How often had he not been in their position? Tired, dirty and starving. He had always looked forward to the end of the day when they were free. That was the best part and not just because he could go home. After a terribly boring C-rank his sensei would make up by buying ice cream or dinner. He'd always complain that they would ruin him one day. Asuma had always thought that the man meant it and that taking them out was simply part of the job, but now... Now he knew and felt the same way.

His sensei died in the war, shortly after Asuma became a Chuunin. He never found out about it and it was a painful memory even now. He clenched his fist under the table. These kids are not going to die before me and I will not die until I see them become Jonin at least!

It was false hope, he knew that very well. But hey, a man can dream!

He smiled fondly when the food arrived and all four dug in. He slowly started eating as well and listened to whatever they were saying. The discussions varied from today's strategy to the old lady with bright green hair that always shooed them away when they came too close. The tempo in which the subjects were changed was quite impressive.

All in all, today was a pleasant day and Asuma was happy to see the pleased smiles on their faces. He remained happy until the waiter came to him and handed him the bill.

Asuma was no longer happy.

Some time later~

It was nearing nine o'clock in the evening when they walked out of the restaurant and a cloaked figure with a porcelain mask flashed in front of them. Asuma's senses went on full alert. Behind him, his three students had tensed. Chi frowned but sighed when the ANBU signaled at her. Asuma calmed down a bit but still couldn't help fingering his trench knifes in his pocket. The cold metal gave him a sense of assurance.

Meanwhile the signed discussion was going at a steady pace until Chi apparently messed up and gave up.

"Tell the man I'll be there in a minute." She grumbled but the ANBU shook his head. Before any could react, he had Chi flung over his shoulder and- ignoring her protests- nodded at Asuma before flickering away.

"Damn Black Ops." He growled and looked at his team. All three were looking nervous to various degrees. He sighed and ushered them.

"I'll walk you guys home. Don't worry, Chi probably just had a meeting with her sensei."

It better be that. Damn Ibiki with his methods. Couldn't he just pick her up?

He lit a cigarette and walked with his students in front of him. He had a lot of fellow Jonin to talk to.

Ibiki, meanwhile, was waiting for a certain Genin to show up so that he could talk to her. After last week's drama (Inoichi's words) he had been unable to get more than two words out of Chi. She just went about her chores and training without so much as a weary smile. She didn't even react when he told her about the intruder near her compound. (That intruder was still held captive due to the Hokage's orders.)

Inoichi had send some meaningful glances his way that did nothing to help him. He knew that it was his fault and it stung.

The girl really hated ANBU for some unknown reason. Unfortunately she had already been picked to get enrolled in the program in case Danzo's plan to incapacitate her would fail.

"What better place to polish a weapon?"

Ibiki cursed the man. The Hokage had managed to keep Naruto away from him but the annoying man had brought too many arguments for Chi. They were all lucky that he didn't take her straight out of the Academy.

A spike of chakra alerted him. The masked ANBU walked in the empty office with a figure over his shoulder. He had a vague feeling that sending an ANBU after her was a bad move but if he went it might have been worse. Ibiki cocked his eyebrow and the man just signed 'It was easier this way.'

"I hope you told the Jonin who was with her today."

"..."

He sighed in defeat. For elite shinobi they lacked some serious tact.

"Put her down and leave."

Without much elegance the girl landed on the chair in front of Ibiki. Her yellow haori looked discolored under the pale light. She scowled and fixed her clothes. One of her sleeves rode up and the protective brace around her wrist became visible. The rings around her fingers reflected some light on the floor. She had chakra conducting braces around her entire body, fastened around the mesh armor for both support and to the restrain the spasms.

Ibiki felt a weight settle on his shoulders.

"Chi."

"Sensei." Her eyes were dark and nothing showed that she had forgiven him. "I will bring my report tomorrow."

Ibiki waved it away tiredly "No need. I'll just read your group report."

A tense silence fell. Jonin and Genin simply avoided each other's gazes. Ibiki managed to keep his posture straight but he saw her hands wringing the hem of her clothes.

Of course she would be nervous. She's just a kid.

"ANBU were always there."

He looked up with a slight shock. He had not expected her to speak first. Her voice was devoid of emotion but he could almost feel the trembling of her body.

"They saw everything and never did a thing. Not just me. Naruto suffered so much and not once did the try to help him. Not even when he got beaten or threatened!"

Her eyes faced him with a feint shimmering. The color was still muddy.

Ibiki's features softened a bit. So it is about her friend huh? I can understand. This is not how that person's legacy should have grown up.

"I am not aware of this, but I can tell you that I cannot approve of their behavior. Yet, every ANBU can react the way they want to. It is not like you will have to do the same."

Chi's eyes became bright and her hands became fists. "They watched. Watched as a child got beaten. Watched as the villagers discriminated him. Watched as the Uchiha's were slaughtered. Watched as my clan was murdered. How can you tell me those were not orders?!"

Ibiki's could feel the blood drain from his face as her voice grew louder. Tears threatened to fall down her eyes.

"How can you tell me that, sensei?" Her voice was soft and shaking, very unlike her usual demeanor. A silver droplet made its way down her cheek.

Ah. What a sensei I am.

He got up and put his hand on her head. "Forgive me, Chi."

The girl froze but he was gone before she could say anything in return.

He reappeared in the usual bar, face downcast and eyes sombre. Even as he looked at how Gai and Anko tested their pain tolerance with dango picks, he felt sullen. His eyes scanned the crowd but he could not find the Academy teacher. Probably busy with work.

"Do you plan to go in or not?"

Kakashi's voice woke him up. The single eye studied him briefly before he focused on his orange book. He turned around and walked the night back in, waiting in front of the entrance.

I'm getting too easy to read.

Ibiki followed and together they walked in silence for a while. Kakashi didn't seem hurried to speak and simply kept walking. It was comfortable and gave him time to prepare his words. It was to no avail because once he tried to speak everything got jumbled up anyway.

"He wants her. In the ANBU, I mean. She hates them, doesn't your kid too? Uzumaki I mean." Smooth.

Kakashi silently flipped a page with his thumb before he spoke "Hmm, I don't think Naruto can hate anyone. No matter how hurt he gets, he can never hate them."

It was clear to both who 'them' was.

"She told me she hated them because they won't do anything without an order. Anything to help."

Kakashi hummed and nodded, putting his book away. "Yeah. Unfortunately, that is true. ANBU are trained machines that only follow instructions."

Somehow that image did not fit Kakashi, Ibiki thought. Especially the 'follow instructions' bit.

"Did you join willingly?"

"Something like that." The copy cat stopped at looked at Ibiki. "My friends talked to the Hokage and got me out of it. I have no doubt that her friends will do the same."

"What do you mean? Should I get her in?" Ibiki felt the weight grow heavier.

Kakashi's eye curved slightly "I am just saying that since her friends are quite stubborn, it would be a wasted effort."

Near a shabby apartment complex in Konoha~

A blond mop peeked over the trashcan. There were a couple of drunk men in front of the door. Naruto hid in the opposite alley, waiting until they were gone. When he was a kid, he was often found because he sneezed or hit something. Him being a Genin assured him of his invisibility. And it was a good thing, he found. The men had brought bats with them and he was pretty sure that they weren't throwing those broken bottles away, not it the trash at least.

A familiar dullness came over him and for once he did not try to shake it off. After all, he was alone now. No need to smile when he didn't want to. He sunk against the dirty wall, barely missing a suspicious, dark puddle. His head hurt. Not because he was hit or something. It simply hurt because it could. Just like his chest felt tight at times. It just happened.

Naruto pulled out a kunai and started scratching the rust off with his nails. Kakashi had looked at them once during training and told him to get better once. When he explained that he couldn't, the man had given his own as a replacement during training. His kunai was dark and shining, sharpened to a point where Naruto was sure that staring was enough to get cut. He had treated it with utmost care.

A small prick announced the tiny cut on his finger. A drop of blood appeared. Naruto wiped it clean on his pants. The wound was gone.

He swallowed to get rid of the lump in his throat but he failed. I want to see Iruka-sensei or Jiji. But would they want that too?

The cleaned spot on his kunai reflected his blue eyes. Even in the night they were clearly visible. Naruto looked at them. They were lifeless, he thought. Lifeless and made of glass.

If only they shattered.

Yes, the blond Uzumaki was envious of blind people. At least they didn't have to see all those eyes. They could still hear though. But being both blind and deaf sounded scary and if he had to choose, then he'd choose blindness. Perhaps then his nightmares would become invisible as well.

A dog howled in the near distance and, ninja or not, Naruto shrunk. He was bound to be found if they used a dog.

He tried to cover himself but much to his horror, a finger tapped on his arm. He never heard the person close in on him!

Preparing to get hurt, he didn't dare to peek at the figure looming over him. He squeezed himself in his corner and prayed for a miracle.

"You're Uzumaki Naruto, right?" A rough, lady voice whispered. He opened his eyes. A huge dog appeared next to her, a single eye drilling into his. Naruto was stunned and too frozen to react.

When the lady moved, his stupor was broken and he flinched. The woman stopped and a sigh escaped her.

"You don't have to worry about me hitting' ya. I am not like those empty headed bastards." She scowled at the drunkards who were still waiting for him.

Naruto was still in shock. The lady looked at him and suddenly moved. Within seconds Naruto was seated on the back of the huge dog.

"I can't leave a kid here out on the street, right? Wouldn't do much good for my conscience." She didn't look at him and jumped up a roof with the dog following. In surprise, Naruto clutched the thick fur tightly.

"Careful kid. Can't have you pulling my hair out." A deep graveling voice resounded from underneath him and Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin.

"YOU! You can talk?!" His eyes grew huge.

"Speak softer and don't pull." The voice replied.

Naruto hurriedly relaxed his grip and almost toppled off. He then settled for an awkward back hug and tried to ignore the chuckles from the lady.

Only when they arrived at the Inazuka clan compound, did he realize how lucky he was. He jumped down and bowed clumsily.

"Haii! I am sorry to trouble you! Eeh, thank you a-and I'll try to be a good guest and stuff..." He trailed off.

The lady looked at him for few seconds and then burst out laughing. It was a warm laugh, loud and uncaring.

"You're a funny one. I'm Inazuka Tsume, Kiba is my brat." She turned to a large house and gestured for him to follow her. "Come on. I'll get you some dinner and a futon. You can sleep with Kiba, he won't mind."

She flashed a feral grin and walked ahead of him. Kuromaru nudged his back and walked to a separate entrance, disappearing in the shadows.

Naruto's cheeks flushed but he followed Tsume suit. His mind was in jumbles and he felt his eyes burn for some reason. Tsume was the miracle he hoped for, ironically when she approached him.

The house was warm and smelled like fur. It was nice, he thought. He kicked his sandals off and walked in. He managed two or three steps before he was tackled by a brown and white blur. "

The air was knocked out of him, leaving him gasping. Naruto pushed whatever it was off him and jumped up, ready to fight anyone. Kiba looked at him from the ground, his teeth bared in a grin. Naruto looked at him for a second and launched himself on top of the boy without a warning. Akamaru barked from the side while the boys wrestled.

Tsume walked back to the hall and stood still to watch them for a while. Then she decided that it was enough and hit both on the head. As the kids fell apart and rubbed their heads, she looked at the skinny boy.

Kiba's eyes were narrowed, almost as if he was expecting a villain to pop out of nowhere. Tsume walked up to him and flicked his head.

"What's gotten in your pants?"

"Mom!" He growled and rubbed the sore spot. His annoyance was short lived however as a dark cloud washed over his eyes again.

"You know that restaurant we always go to?"

"Hmm, Akamichi owned and very nice beef?"

"Yeah, that one." Kiba sighed. "We went there with the class, you know, everyone who passed. At first I didn't notice but then I saw Naruto trying to hide from the owners. He even made Shikamaru order for him and hid under the table! And then he told us some lame excuse about a prank he obviously never played. As if he was scared they might kick him out or something!"

Tsume looked at her son sadly. She didn't hate the blond. She was fully aware of the sacrifice he was and could only pity him. Kuromaru stretched and walked away, his tail down. Akamaru was confused but followed the older dog.

"The kid must have had a good reason."

Kiba gave her a sharp look, as if to demand an explanation. Tsume sighed and shook her head.

"Say, you can always invite him here, ya know? He and his team took some of the dogs for a walk. I don't think I ever saw the old Buromaru that energetic before."

Kiba grinned "Yeah, I hear that he dragged Naruto in a minefield."

Tsume smirked and ruffled her son's hair. "Dinner's ready."

"HA! I totally got you!" Said son shouted and paraded in their living room. It was a large room with a comfortable couch and wooded furniture. Naruto saw many framed pictures on the wall, all of the family.

It's nice.

"Oi Blondie!"

He looked up with a start. Tsume waved a spoon at him from a different door opening. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Ehh..."

"Thought so. I'll make you some ramen. You like that?"

Naruto's entire face lit up "You bet I like that! It's the best food in the world'ttebayo!"

Tsume grinned "Well then gimme a couple of minutes and then you can dig in." She left and the blond let a large smile split his face.

"Your mom is awesome'ttebayo!"

Kiba shrugged "She can be pretty tough too."

An idea popped in his head. He grinned widely "You wanna meet Buromaru?"

"Who?"

Kiba's eyes twinkeled "Wait and see." He grabbed the orange clad arm and ran out of the room. They ran through a long hallway with many doors. Kiba ran to the second to last one and opened it.

"Oi Buromaru! Guess who's back!" Without any mercy, he pushed Naruto inside and closed the door. Kiba pressed his ear against the door and listened.

A confused howl sounded but it quickly changed in excited barking.

Naruto just screamed very loudly.