Chapter Seven: Pressing Concerns

(Two hours after the Bell Test)

"Kakashi... Care to explain why I have reports of you using a B-Ranked Suiton Ninjutsu during your training today?" Sarutobi all but demanded from his seat behind his desk, staring sternly at Kakashi who stood with his hands in his pockets.

"Well..." Kakashi hesitated, a few sweatdrops forming down his head. "I... Got... Carried away?"

"You don't get carried away with yourself Kakashi. Why did you do such a thing?"

Kakashi gulped slightly. His killer intent is still potent even in his old age... "I wanted to test my Teams ability to evade a powerful attack." He started to sweat a bit. "I..."

"I saw the whole thing Kakashi. You were focusing on Naruto the whole time." Sarutobi gestured to an innocuous crystal ball sitting on a pedestal near the desk. "You aren't ready to be a Jonin Instructor if you cannot let go of your favoritism over Naruto."

Kakashi opened his mouth, before closing it and hanging his head.

"Glad to see you understand the seriousness of the situation Kakashi-san." Sarutobi lessened his intent before looking to the door. "Send her in." He told the ANBU standing in hiding near it.

Shortly afterwards, the door opened of its own accord to the untrained viewer, but really the ANBU who was hiding in the wall did so. The red-headed Genin from Team Seven walked into the room, looking around.

"Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here?" Akane inquired with confusion.

"Don't speak Kakashi, take a seat." Sarutobi lit his pipe and lifted it to puff a few drags of the tobacco treat. "Good evening Akane-chan. I believe you requested to meet with me over something important?"

"Uhh... Right. Sir... It's about Naruto-kun." Akane took a seat in the chair across from the Hokage as Kakashi moved to sit on the couch to the side of the office near the window overlooking the village. "I've noticed he's... Becoming more arrogant. Yesterday he treated his Taijutsu Exam against Sasuke-san like a game, not taking it seriously until Sasuke-san managed to put enough pressure on him. And today he even tried to take a leadership role without asking either myself or Ryouken for our own ideas on how to handle the bell test that Kakashi-sensei put before us."

Sarutobi hummed quietly. "Go on." He encouraged.

"This isn't the Naruto I remember from when we became friends at the Academy. It's almost like he's become a different person over the past few weeks as we came closer to graduating."

Kakashi frowned at this. He's becoming arrogant? Why would he do such a thing? The Naruto I met when Itachi came to me and informed me I could start visiting him was always such a friendly and accepting child. He then remembered a brief scene from the bell test. The Kyuubi. He was displaying some of its traits... The image of the stance Naruto took on all fours, and the way he was trying to literally claw the Elite Jonin to pieces, flashed through Kakashi's mind.

"This is most troubling then if that is the-"

An ANBU moved out of his wall, the Falcon mask showing who it was to the Hokage. Kakashi and Hiruzen both saw the Mangekyou Sharingan spinning slightly. "Don't worry Hokage-sama, Kakashi-sempai. I'll go inquire as to why." The Mangekyou stopped spinning, revealing simple brown eyes to Akane. "Thank you for informing us." And then he vanished instantly, without any smoke or swirling of leaves.

Kakashi frowned, before getting up to walk near Sarutobi. "Umm... Sir..." He whispered quietly. "Is it wise to allow Falcon-san to use his Sharingan in such a way?"

"It is no problem Kakashi. I trust Falcon explicitly, he bears the Will of Fire strongly."

Akane frowned as she had a mild sweatdrop form on the back of her head, while a tic-mark formed on her forehead. Do they have to talk like I am not here? What are they even talking about?

(Three hours after the Bell Test)

Naruto hummed as he entered Itachi's house. "Itachi-niisan! I'm home!" He called out.

"Welcome home Naruto-kun. How did your first Team Meeting go?" Itachi inquired from the kitchen.

"It went alright I guess. Kakashi-sensei gave us a test for teamwork, and I think we passed with flying colors." Naruto stated confidently.

"So you might have." Itachi agreed as he looked out of the corner of his eye as Naruto entered the kitchen to look at the collection of riceballs.

"Can I have one?" Naruto asked.

Itachi shook his head. "Not quite. We need to talk about something."

"About what?"

"First," Itachi turned to face Naruto while he removed the cooking apron he was wearing. "We have to talk about your little stunt of Substituting with me yesterday for your Ninjutsu Exam."

Naruto frowned. "What about it?" He asked warily.

"Don't do that with anyone else." Itachi watched as Naruto's frown deepened. "It is a risky maneuver, and I only let it happen because I could recognize your chakra a mile away at this point. And I hoped the near-miss with Shisui would make you realize that it would be a bad idea to replace with something you couldn't see with your own eyes."

"But-"

"No, seriously. Don't do it with another person. It is incredibly dangerous to attempt on an experienced Shinobi in the first place." Itachi was dead serious in tone and facial expression.

"Uh... Okay?"

Itachi let out a sigh. "Try it then, replace with me."

Naruto blinked, before nodding slowly. He formed his hand seals quickly, and with a poof of smoke tried to switch places with Itachi.

Only for a hand to wrap around his neck and Itachi to push him to the ground. "Basically, that. However I am an ANBU level shinobi, but anyone worth their salts should be able to do the same, but with more lethality."

"Grrk... 'Kay, okay. Lemme up please?" Naruto gasped as he held onto Itachi's wrist. After a moment of quick pressure on his windpipe, Itachi released Naruto and let him stand up.

"So... Are we done? I can have a riceball right?" Naruto asked.

"No, there is another thing to speak to you about." Itachi said as he turned away.

"And that other thing is your attitude, Naruto-kun." The cool voice of another stated behind the blond.

Naruto went stock still, paling slightly. Shit... He looked over his shoulder and up, smiling weakly. "H-hey Shisui-nii... Umm... What about my attitude?" He asked as innocently as he could manage.

"It sucks." Shisui's Sharingan flared to life, and Naruto felt the room become incredibly dark and cold as an aura of danger flowed from the older Uchiha. "What have I told you about becoming arrogant? What have I told you about playing with your opponent?"

"N-not to." Naruto stammered, hands raised in a placating manner while backing away from Shisui as the other ANBU-level Jonin in the room marched towards him. "You told me it was a fallacy to firmly believe in your superiority..." I'm so fucked...

"Yes, you are fucked Naruto-kun." Shisui said sweetly. "I think I'll bring back your favorite Genjutsu Monster. Your punishment will last until midnight." And then he vanished while the room became pitch dark in its entirety.

The Citizens of Konoha all heard the strangled scream of fear echoing until midnight.

(The Next Day)

Itachi shook his head as he watched a very shaky Naruto jump at the sight of Shisui entering the room and ran out of the kitchen with a slice of toast and some rice dumplings. "We tried to tell him not to get too cocksure of himself."

"Yep." Shisui agreed as he poured a cup of coffee. "Look at it this way, he's going to be early to his team meeting and have plenty of time to think about his attitude."

"Hnn..." Itachi sipped from his own coffee. "You're still not going to tell me what you have been tormenting him with for the past few years whenever he irks you to no end, are you?"

Shisui just gave a self-satisfied smile at Itachi. "Nope!"

"Fair enough. Same with Kakashi-san?" Itachi asked, and couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Shisui nod in the affirmative. He wouldn't be telling a soul. He has a sadistic streak, but it should be sourced in the best of interests... I hope.

Such a waste, letting that Uchiha walk all over you. You are a powerful Shinobi in your own right, what is letting a small bit of arrogance into your ideals hmm? The Kyuubi questioned while Naruto was hurrying towards the Training Ground.

Shut it furball. Unlike you, he scares me more. Naruto directed to the Kyuubi, and frowned in thought. Have I really been acting like such a pain lately? I'll... I need to apologize to Sasuke soon. And my Team... I can't believe I fucking used them.

Used, abused, and all of the above monkey.

Don't make me come in there! Naruto threatened, before he heard an exclamation call out his name.

"Naruto-kun!" Akane called out jovially. "Good morning!"

Naruto hesitated, looking around. Ryouken isn't here... He realized, before he resumed walking towards his red-haired team mate. "Hey Akane-chan..."

"Hmm? Something wrong Naruto-kun?" Akane asked curiously, tilting her head in confusion at the dejected tone of Naruto's voice.

"Yeah... Something is." Naruto let out a sigh. "I am sorry. I should have asked if you had an idea to use for the plan I told you yesterday. I didn't let either you or Ryouken do as much as you could've, opting to instead do most of it myself."

Akane blinked slightly.

"And I was an ass," A major one. Quiet! Come in here and make me. "So... Again. I am sorry." Naruto then bowed to Akane, who blinked more.

"Well... I accept your apology, if you agree to buy me and Ryouken dinner tonight after whatever Sensei wants us to do." Akane said with a wide grin.

"Umm... Okay." Naruto said weakly. Push. Over. Ignoring you now.

Do it, it'll make my day.

"Oh yeah... You're here early Naruto-kun." Akane commented as she moved to sit down leaning against a tree.

"Well, so are you." Naruto started. "But yeah... I'm early. Had a bit of a rough night, and yeah." He shifted uncomfortably.

"That thing you never wanna talk about?"

Naruto answered with a nod, sitting nearby and sighing as he leaned his head against the bark of the tree. "Yeah... Shisui-nii was not happy with me."

Akane giggled. "Gee, that lets me know that it was you who was screaming non stop for the five hours leading up to midnight."

"Just twist the knife deeper why don't ya..."

"So you're going to apologize to Ryou-kun too right?"

"When he gets here... Yeah."

"Well he's almost here." Akane pointed to the trail, and sure enough Ryouken was seen striding slowly towards the Training Ground with his hands in his pockets.

"Better get it over with..." Naruto muttered as he moved to stand up and walk towards Ryouken, who paused in his steps.

"Morning Naruto-san." Ryouken greeted lightly.

"Morning Ryouken..." Naruto started, shuffling his right foot. "I'm... Sorry."

Ryouken tilted his head, a small frown tugging at his lips. "What for?"

"I was an ass. I pretty much made you and Akane follow my lead... We weren't actually a real Team yesterday. For how I acted, I am sorry." Naruto bowed.

Ryouken looked a little perplexed, before adjusting his glasses. "You're forgiven Naruto-san. Your instinct about the test had merit, so for your attitude I accept your apology." There wasn't much to forgive is there? Banrai asked within the boy from Nazo. No, I was perfectly fine with it. Just not becoming his friend.

Naruto let out a relieved sigh, standing back up. "Well now that I have apologized to you and Akane-chan. I'll have to apologize to Sasuke-san for my attitude."

"Well Naruto-kun." A new voice said, startling Naruto and Ryouken as they both looked to see Kakashi standing on a branch of the tree Akane was still sitting against. "You'll get that chance. We have a D-Ranked mission in unison with Team 11, and that is to spend the next few hours or so helping a sewing factory clear out the rodent infestation they have."

"A D-Rank for that?!" Was Naruto's outburst.

"There is a minimum amount of D-Ranks before we can accept any higher-ranked mission Naruto-kun," Partially my fault. Thought Kakashi. "So everyone get ready and lets go." He hopped down from the tree and started walking away.

"Why didn't you inform us sensei was nearby Akane?" Ryouken asked with an almost idle expression. "Surely your sensor ability would've told you he was there."

"It did, he just told me to be quiet while you two talked." Akane commented as she stood up and straightened her qipao, which is a pale shade of blue and had two black 'bars' circling her waist.

Ryouken tilted his head as he acknowledged the answer, but he nodded. "Ah..." He watched as Akane moved around him, grabbing Naruto's arm and dragging the blond away as they both followed Kakashi. Hesitating for a moment, Ryouken glanced towards the side where he could see the damage to the training field from yesterday's 'Test', and the cracked ground. Hmm... Trace amounts of Youki were used when he got pissed with Sensei, barely noticeable to the average shinobi... But Naruto doesn't know how to access his Bijuu's powers, does he? He wondered. Before shrugging and moving to follow his team.

Akane and Ryouken stood off to the side with a pink haired girl, and a somewhat short black haired girl who had the Uchiha blue shirt with the Clan Emblem on the back, while Sasuke and Naruto stood face to face.

"What do you want?" Sasuke demanded, glowering at Naruto.

Naruto glowered right back, his glare petulant, before he let out a sigh. "I want to apologize." Naruto began. "For my attitude before we graduated the Academy."

Sasuke frowned, blinking in confusion. "You're... Apologizing?" He questioned, disbelieving.

"Yeah, so what. I can admit when I am in the wrong... Will you accept my apology?"

"Pfft... Whatever. I'll just kick your ass once this mission is over with."

"You'll try!" Naruto shouted.

"Ah," Kakashi muttered from where he was leaning against the wall of the backroom of the factory where the team members were situated watching the standoff. "Young rivalry. Reminds me when I was a Genin myself."

Aoba was only slightly shorter than Kakashi, and chuckled a bit. His red-rimmed sunglasses perpetually obscured his eyes. His attitude exuded a laid-back overall personal tone, and he had a smile on his face. "Well Kakashi-san, I remember who your 'rival' was back during your Genin days. He's still your rival I'd say."

Kakashi nodded, looking pleased as the students stopped bickering and began working on scouring the factory floor searching for the infestation and beginning to clear it out. "True enough, Guy still keeps attempting to drag me into his annoying challenges. So do you know why you got another Uchiha as a member of your team? I mean, I understand Sasuke and Sakura, being the top male and female students at the Academy for their year."

Aoba hummed as he crossed his arms, tilting his head side to side before shrugging. "Not quite sure, but from what I managed to get from the files on Kaida, and what little I've seen, she is lazy."

"Lazy?"

"Mediocre scores in everything, just enough to pass the Academy really. Only excelled in the Academy Jutsu department, because really there's no failing those for most Clan Members. I think Hokage-sama assigned the team to have the combined intelligence of Sasuke and Sakura possibly make up for the 'lack' thereof for Kaida. And with Sakura, having Sasuke on the team should help her grow stronger. You wouldn't believe the 'diet' she is subjecting herself to."

"Hmm... Makes sense I suppose. And the reason for having two female team members?"

"While most teams have one kunoichi, it's primarily because there is a two-thirds disparity for the genders." Aoba pointed out. "But you know that Kakashi. Really, it's because it was necessary."

"Mhmm. Suppose so."

"D-Ranks are so boring..." Naruto complained as he and his team left the Factory, followed by Team Eleven.

"Agreed..." Akane grumbled.

"There's no reason to complain about it." Ryouken commented.

"Get used to the boring for now Naruto-kun." Kakashi said as he walked with his team, a hand in his pocket and holding his favorite book in his hand while reading. "D-Ranks are the perfect missions to build rapport and trust with your Team before moving on to the more difficult missions where trust and intimate knowledge in how the others work are required."

"Sensei, is it really necessary to read that?" Akane groused with disdain.

"Hmm, say something Red?"

"Damnit, I'll rip that book in half!" Akane shouted, leaping over Naruto in order to try to grab the book from Kakashi, who just stopped walking and raised his hand to hold it above his head while his other hand moved to grab the red-head's shoulder to hold her down from climbing towards it.

"Akane, chill." Kakashi said, before pushing her back with enough force to make her back-pedal and stumble back into Naruto. The red and blond haired Genin took a tumble, and fell onto the ground with dual exclamations of pain.

Ryouken let out a sigh. Of course I get stuck with the hotheaded duo.

"Wow, what a dysfunctional team." Kaida said while holding her arms behind her head. "We aren't that bad, are we sensei?" She asked while looking up towards Aoba.

"No." Aoba said while rubbing his chin. "But you're not that much better yet. We still have more to do before you are a Team, just like them."

Well, here is the next Update. I hope everyone enjoys the Chapter, it was actually fun to write this out despite not much happening yet.

Coming Soon: Chapter Eight – C-Rank Disaster: Bandits in Fire Country?!

For Beastyd22 and anarion87: Glad you enjoyed the previous Chapter, here's hoping this is enjoyable for you guys as well.

Unwanted Writer: Consider that Genjutsu a running gag that I enjoy using, and probably won't be revealed for a very very long time. If you think you might have an idea what it could be, just send me a PM. Who knows, if you (or anyone for that matter) can guess right, I might do something neat.

Novrier: I've already addressed most of your Review in PM, but still going to keep shouting out my appreciation for the Reviews you leave. Hopefully you can understand the problems I addressed with this Chapter.

~Veloran-Darkfyre

EDIT: Fixed some minor typos.