Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

My beta was very good and gave me this one back too. Anyway this is the re-edited version of this chapter not a lot different but I feel this works better for my storyline later on.

Kuromaru-kun - I really struggle on the fight scenes actually, and am rather pleased that you enjoy them so.

Please enjoy it, lol.

Thank you for the alerts and reviews.

Naruto = flash back

'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking

"Naruto" signing/sign language

"Naruto" speaking.

"Naruto" Demon

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.

Chapter 23

Iruka was beside himself at first he'd had parents complaining to him that Naruto had been anywhere near their precious children. It had gotten so bad that the Hokage had to step in but now the children had nagged and nagged both their parents and him about having Naruto back as a classroom assistant. So now he was sat for another day facing his very disgruntled class. It didn't help that Naruto had been away for almost two weeks in a row, now. He snapped from his thoughts as an eerie silence fell across the room.

"Right class today we're going to go outside for lessons. We'll going to the Hokage building to view the Hokage monument." He spoke out to his students, a hand rose up. "Yes."

"When can Naruto come back?" was asked.

"I don't know. He's rather busy at the moment with his own missions and training." Iruka shrugged. "Are you all ready to go to the monument?" he changed the subject. He saw several frowns but they all proceeded to follow him out the door.

Naruto shuffled about his apartment, he really needed to decorate the place, the paint on the walls was peeling, and all his appliances were either broken or unfixable. And his furniture was pretty shabby too. Why have I let it get into such a state? He looked to the time he had training but Kakashi wouldn't arrive for a couple of hours, he could strip it bare surely, he'd need to get permission and he needed to speak to Aiko as well.

He created two clones one went to speak to Aiko and the other to Mrs. Yamamota. Moving into the training room he started moving things into his main room. He had boxes of shuriken and kunai scrolls and books and a recently acquired scarecrow dummy, a desk and table too. He created another clone that he sent off to the Hokage tower. He felt his clone burst; ah Mrs. Yamamota had agreed to let him redecorate his apartment. He created more clones that set about ripping the main room apart. His furniture was removed carefully and stacked neatly outside his door.

Both his remaining clones burst at the same time. The Hokage's coming over, as are some of my neighbours. He released his clones when his room was empty. He looked up as a shadow fell across his door way. He smiled at the sight of the old man, who was struggling to decide whether he should be in Hokage mode or Grandfather mode.

"What brought this on?" he asked.

"It was just time." Naruto shrugged.

"Don't be late for training." He was in Hokage mode. "And dinner is at seven tonight." He smiled in his grandfatherly way holding his arms out for a hug.

Stepping into the embrace Naruto was squeezed tightly as the Hokage whispered in his ear. "Behave, Naruto." He smirked, knowing that Naruto had been becoming annoyed with his team lately.

The old man pulled away ruffling Naruto's rather longer shaggy hair. As the Hokage left the apartment, Naruto's neighbours appeared. They were all former residents of the orphanage, and were with Naruto's help training to become masters in their chosen careers. Currently he had a plumber, an electrician, a painter/decorator, and an interior designer. But the two young people who wanted to become engineers had accompanied them, he smiled at his neighbours. That's why this block of apartments was so good they all helped to refurbish the building, while improving their skills.

"Don't worry we'll strip it down, paint and get the furniture and appliances either fixed or get new one's in." the young male interior designer smiled.

Naruto nodded creating a clone to leave with them; it was easier than them sending messages all day and turned to head for the training ground with his team.

He arrived to be reprimanded by Sakura stating how late he was; he shrugged explaining that Kakashi Sensei wasn't here yet. Then with a poof of smoke Kakashi appeared, Sakura pointed and screamed.

"YOU'RE LATE!" Naruto winced at the loudness of her banshee scream; it hurt more when he was stood next to her than when she was screeching at him.

"Sorry I'm late, I'm afraid an old lady needed help crossing a road and who am I to refuse an old lady?"

"A porn reading loner, who shies away from people and only seeks out the comfort of the dead, who loses track of time while staring at a stone where everyone that is closest to him rests." Naruto snorted his arms crossed and eyes closed.

They all stared at him mouths agape.

"That's a bit mean don't you think Naruto?" Kakashi moaned.

"It's just an observation." Naruto shrugged.

"Well at least he isn't a short, idiot with ridiculously blonde hair and amazing blue eyes!" Sakura snapped.

The three guys gaped at her. Naruto straightened his spine and strode up to Sakura. "Amazing blue eyes?" He smirked, standing level with her at exactly the same height.

"You've grown?" Sakura stated. Naruto had since they last saw him over two weeks ago, grown taller and his hair was longer too. Two weeks and he's changed that much, was a thought running through their heads.

"Yes we do that, now about the amazing blue eyes?" Naruto chuckled at Sakura's shock.

"I didn't say that!" Sakura shrieked.

"You did," the males all nodded. "So what you like is someone like Sasuke but with my blue eyes." Naruto smiled his rare smile catching Sakura off guard.

"I... no... Shut up Naruto, just because you have a crush on me!" she screamed.

Naruto held his hands up in surrender he wasn't going to push Sakura too much. He felt he didn't know her enough to be able to.

"So training?" Sasuke prompted, annoyed that his team had developed into love struck children.

"Seeing as we are already late." Kakashi began.

"Whose fault is that?" Sakura muttered.

"We're supposed to be meeting the other genin and their teachers at training ground 13, the one with the waterfall." Kakashi trailed off as Naruto paused, his eyes dimming then brightening up again.

Back at Naruto's apartment, his clone had created another before popping; allowing Naruto to know what was going on. He now had perfect running water and electricity so his heating shouldn't turn off anymore. He had freshly painted walls and his furniture and appliances were just being replaced or refurbished.

Team 7 gaped at Kakashi he had not only kept them waiting but two more teams too. They were used to him being late but this was unfair on the others. In a burst of speed team seven left a cloud of dust behind them as they ran to find training ground thirteen. Kakashi blinked in surprise and shook his head he pulled his book out and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Asuma was sat crossed leg on the ground staring across the shogi board in front of him Shikamaru his opponent was sat across from him craning his neck to observe the clouds passing above their heads. Choji was sat next to him munching away on potato chips while Shino was stood in the trees conversing with his bugs. Ino was sat on the floor leaning back on her hands as her feet dangled in the water her face was aimed towards the sun. Hinata was with Kurenai as they chatted quietly together. Kiba, the most impatient out of the students gathered, was getting annoyed. Akamaru yipped at his annoyed owner trying to calm him down. He realized that Naruto would not take to an over exuberant dog so he was trying to stay calm, which Kiba either wasn't getting or just didn't care about at the moment.

Naruto arrived first out of his team mates he walked into the training ground and took notice of where everyone was. He shrugged and walked over to the edge of the tree line near where Shino and Kiba were. Akamaru turned his head as his ears pricked it was small but he felt something shift. He looked towards Shino to realize that Naruto had arrived, his tail wagged in excitement not that anyone noticed. He sat down annoyed at how easily Naruto could hide himself when he wasn't even trying.

At last Sasuke arrived followed by Sakura the gathering of teams looked up at their arrival. Kakashi leant against a tree as Asuma and Kurenai turned icy glares his way.

"Sasuke!" Ino screamed racing over to throw her arms around him.

"Back off Ino pig!" Sakura screeched

The genin all winced as they started their argument over Sasuke.

"Didn't tell your team did you Kakashi?" Asuma blew a puff of ash at him rising from his defeated game of shogi.

"It may have slipped my mind." Kakashi raised his hand to the back of his head in apology.

"Now we're just waiting for Naruto." Sakura moaned having finished her argument with Ino.

"Actually Naruto arrived before all of you he's there next to Shino". Akamaru barked his tail wagging excitedly. He slowly trotted over to Naruto and waited as Naruto raised his hand and started to tentatively rub between his ears.

"When did you arrive?" Kiba exclaimed causing everyone to turn to face Naruto.

"How do you do that?" Asuma moaned, he hadn't seen or sensed him arrive.

Naruto shrugged sheepishly and continued stroking Akamaru who had rolled onto his back exposing his belly. Kurenai blinked as Hinata went over to Naruto she hadn't sensed that Naruto was there. She watched as Hinata nudged his shoulder with hers as she too stroked Akamaru. She would have to find out what was going on with these two she decided.

"Right now we're all here. We're going to be training together, we're going to be testing you all throughout this training." Kurenai spoke.

The genin all nodded.

"Right first up is hide and seek. You have to hide in the forest over there while team 8 attempt to find you and tag you. Seems easy enough right?" Asuma continued. He looked at Naruto telling him with his eyes he expected him to put his all into this training. "Right ready go!" He shouted.

Teams 7 and 10 moved off into the forest with a blur in some cases, Shikamaru and Choji casually walked into the forest. The jounin took note of what area the genin were hidden in before they allowed team 8 to begin their hunt.

They worked together in tandem Hinata activating her Byakugan as Shino set his bugs to work and Akamaru and Kiba used their heightened senses. They set off keeping to the edge of Hinata's range of sight allowing an overlap of talents. Hinata noticed Shikamaru first but it was the apparent argument that two certain girls were having that led the boys to find and effectively tag the two girls. Hinata glanced round for Sasuke who must have been near but was now unable to find him, meaning he had moved outside her field of vision. She turned her attention back to where she knew Shikamaru to be she landed next to him and tagged him along with Choji who was across the way munching quite loudly on his potato chips she quickly tagged him out too.

That left Sasuke and Naruto; she knew she wouldn't be able to find Naruto they had practiced trying to improve her range but Naruto was too hard to find, so they had resorted to clones and standing at the edge of her vision and slowly moving out every time she focused on one, expanding her range of vision a step at a time.

Shino's bugs buzzed suddenly and hovered around a spot on the ground covered by bushes. Hinata moved to stand next to Akamaru who was digging intently at the ground. Kiba was crouched eagerly next to him a smirk plastered across his face. Hinata realised suddenly that Sasuke had moved underground which is why she hadn't been able to see him. She stood ready hoping that he would come flying out of the ground, which he did right in front of Shino who tagged him. They all made their way back to the clearing, Hinata's byakugan still activated as she tried to find Naruto.

Sasuke smirked as he walked out the forest last one to be found.

"Well that's it done a lot quicker than I expected." Kakashi stated

"Actually there are five people here when there should be six." Shikamaru stated.

"Yes Naruto is rather difficult to find." Shino stated. "Hinata can you see him anywhere?" Hinata shook her head knowing that she couldn't find Naruto but still trying anyway.

Sasuke's smirked dropped he looked round and couldn't find sight of Naruto anywhere and what did they mean they couldn't see him.

"That idiot probably never even went into the forest." Kiba smirked "Oww!" Akamaru bit him and they began a heated argument.

Shaking his head Asuma turned to Kurenai who smiled apologetically. He lit a cigarette which caused Kurenai's face to wrinkle up in disgust.

"Naruto you can come out now!" Asuma shouted.

"Wait shouldn't we let the team finish?" Kakashi stated.

"There have only ever been two people who could find Naruto, one of which is the Hokage," Asuma replied.

"When Naruto doesn't want to be found you won't find him." Shikamaru shrugged from his lounged position on the ground.

"Naruto?" Asuma called out.

Naruto walked out of the forest his hands in his pocket as Tsubasa fluttered around his head. He nodded as the bird chirped at him and they watched as it flew off above the trees. He strode towards them he stopped next to Hinata, his usual smile on his face, she frowned at him her byakugan still active she had finally been able to make out his blurred form as he stepped out from behind a tree, he became clearer and clearer as he walked closer. She nudged his shoulder as he drew level with her.

The genin watched the way they interacted with each other some shocked, others amused. Kurenai eyed them carefully she had a special relationship with Hinata but the way she was around Naruto was so different so calm and confident, when had she stopped being so shy and blushing around him?

"Right now we're all here; it's time to begin sparring practice, seeing as someone forgot to tell his team." Kurenai eyed Kakashi. "We'll have to skip the team exercises for another day."

"But there are an odd number of us, we can't just pair off." Ino explained.

"Well you'll have to rotate round then won't you?" Kakashi eye smiled.

"But you will still have someone sat out!" Sakura moaned.

"Kiba you're with Sasuke, Shino against Choji, Sakura against Shikamaru and Ino versus Naruto. So Hinata will sit out then swap with Ino." Kurenai explained a glint in her eye as she looked between Naruto and Hinata.

They paired off with Hinata walking over to stand in between Asuma and Kurenai; Kakashi had his head in his book as the spars began.

"Hinata I've been meaning to ask you about Naruto?" Kurenai ploughed in causing both Asuma and Kakashi to listen in while they kept an eye on the sparring.

"W...w...what about Na... Naruto, sensei?" Hinata asked blushing.

"I mean you and Naruto?" Kurenai sighed "You're so different around him."

"That is so unfair, when did Naruto get so good." Ino moaned as she dropped down next to Hinata.

"He's always been good, y... You've just never noticed." Hinata walked over to a smiling, waiting Naruto.

Hinata fell into her stance her face set into determination. Naruto smiled and fell into the same stance. Shikamaru, Shino, and Kiba all noticed that Naruto had dropped into Hinata's stance. Choji noticed that both Shino and Shikamaru had paused and their attention was now riveted to Naruto. Sakura who had been sneaking glances at Sasuke finally noticed that her opponent and his had stopped sparring, they where all watching Naruto who was stood in the same position as Hinata.

Hinata shook her head at him smiling, he shifted his stance so that he was in his normal stance, left foot forward and his right foot sweeping back in a circular motion to be planted behind him his left hand held up his palm curved and facing towards him but pushed out towards his opponent, as his right hand was held in a fist bent up at the elbow.

Hinata waited she had a huge amount of patience but she knew Naruto did too she wondered if he'd move first. He smirked as he shot forward; she didn't blink as he moved to her elbow where she knocked him back. He pivoted on his foot and swung out with his knee bent, she knocked back causing Naruto to pirouette kicking his other leg out towards her which again she knocked back causing Naruto's knees to buckle underneath him. He rolled away trying to find a way to land a hit on her. They both knew that he knew how to win against her.

He smirked and pushed up so that he was stood on unsteady legs; he wavered before flipping onto his hands and pushed forwards aiming towards Hinata she knocked him down so that he skidded through her legs he popped up behind her kunai in hand pointed at the back of her neck. The people assembled stared in shock, they hadn't expected it to be so quick or to result in that.

Naruto's legs crumbled beneath him again as the kunai he held clattered to the floor he was breathing heavily as he looked up at the shocked Hinata.

"Didn't ... think... I'd do ...that ... did you?" he puffed holding his chest with his one working hand.

Hinata shook her head at him, as she turned, she'd hit the tenketsu in his knees, hand and chest when she pushed him down and he turned it into a skid. Her eyes widened as she realized that she had restricted his breathing. She dropped to her knees as Asuma and Kurenai rushed over.

"You didn't stop when I took out your legs?" Hinata panicked as Asuma picked Naruto up carefully pulling his legs out painfully allowing him a more comfortable position to breathe.

"You need to hit the tenketsu again." Kurenai stated as Hinata started to panic.

Nodding Hinata reactivated her byakugan and concentrating on the closed points she released his knees easily, his hand was slightly more difficult as it was hit at the wrong angle. The worst was his chest she must have hit him with her whole hand as it was just a clump where it had been shut off.

"Just take your ... time and... do it ...one... at a ...time" he puffed held in Asuma's arms.

Asuma tried to help regulate his breathing, as the rest of the team gathered round them. Hinata took a deep breath and focused hitting the tenketsu in his chest one at a time. She hadn't meant to hit his chest it was dangerous she could have killed him, her eyes made contact with his briefly he smiled at her his breathtaking smile that had everyone gasping.

"You could have died I'm so sorry Naruto." Hinata cried.

"Its fine, besides it was an accident I know you wouldn't have intentionally tried to shut off my chest tenketsu you know how dangerous it is. You just reacted to my attack is all?" Naruto smirked. "I lost you know." he laughed.

"Perhaps you should rest now Naruto." Asuma stated still supporting the boy.

Naruto nodded as he was helped by Asuma back to the sidelines as the teams all switched round, Hinata was still a bit shaken but continued with her new sparring partner Choji.

"Naruto I wanted to know about your relationship with Hinata?" Kurenai asked cornering Naruto at last.

"Were just friends, we've been friends for years and we're comfortable around each other, which is why we slipped up when we fought just now. She knows what I'm like and I know her I just played it too close is all." Naruto explained. "Kinda like you and Asuma." Asuma and Kurenai blinked at him, as he rose to change places.

Naruto swapped out with Sakura soon after, who swapped with Kiba, who swapped with Sasuke, then Shino then Choji and finally Shikamaru. Shikamaru sighed as he watched Sasuke against Naruto. Naruto had quite literally just proven that he could hold his own against Hinata so why was he taking a beating from Sasuke? He sighed as he realized that Asuma was watching Naruto too.

Asuma frowned as he watched Naruto. He knew Naruto could take down an ANBU but his team mate was beating the crap out of him. He looked over at Kakashi, whose head was buried in that book of his. Naruto landed on the floor as Sasuke held him down his red eyes spinning. Sasuke had awakened his Sharingan. That explained a little bit, Naruto obviously hadn't come up with a strategy to beat it yet.

They called training to an end Naruto sat on the floor where he was defeated by Sasuke. Asuma puffed out his cigarette and shot forwards tackling Naruto. The teams all turned round at the sudden movement and watched as they tumbled about on the floor.

Konohamaru stood on the crest of a hill overlooking where the genin were training. He watched as Naruto appeared to be on autopilot. He shook his head in dismay. It wasn't till Uncle Asuma tackled Naruto that it got interesting. He shot down the hill running past the other senseis he flew up into the air and landed on Asuma who was taken by surprise which allowed Naruto to take Asuma's feet from under him.

Asuma threw Konohamaru at Naruto, who caught him easily enough, and set him down; they hadn't had a chance to muck around with Uncle Asuma for weeks. They both jumped back as Asuma sent kunai at them, they were edging towards the waterfall. Naruto chucked a kunai at Konohamaru who grinned as Naruto spun two into his hands they shot forward towards Asuma who now hand his knives on his hands.

He blocked Naruto crossing his hands and sent a kick towards Ko who ducked under it and swung at his remaining leg. Asuma jumped up and over Naruto his back now facing the waterfall he kept blocking their attacks as the pushed him back when at last they had him at the edge of the pool they dropped their weapons and launched themselves at him. He caught them both in a big bear hug as he toppled into the water taking the two boys with him.

There was a huge splash as they went under the water followed by the sound of giggling as Konohamaru emerged he pushed his wet hair up so that it was sticking up in typical Sarutobi style. Asuma popped up next to Konohamaru splashing the youngster with water he ran his hands up over his head through his hair, Naruto popped up next to Asuma, he ran his hands through his hair it stuck up in the Sarutobi style for a second before falling flat on his head. The water rippled as the Third Hokage walked across the water towards them he crouched down so that he was level with their bobbing heads.

"You three have no shame making complete idiots of yourselves in front of your team mates." He sighed.

The three in the water looked at each other before with a tug the Hokage was dunked into the water, causing the three to laugh uproariously at the now very wet very angry head of the village.

"You have five minutes to get ready; dinner is at the Hokage quarters." The third scowled. His wet robes dripping down onto the three still submerged in the water. There was a squelch sound with every step the Hokage took, which made them laugh even more.

Naruto looked at those still stood in the training ground.

"We'll see you later Naruto, Asuma sensei." Ino waved.

They waved back as the teams went their separate ways Asuma splashed his two nephews causing more laughter and giggling. Naruto watched as Konohamaru tried to evade Asuma's wave of water. He laughed pushing up on the water and pulling himself out of the water followed by Asuma doing the same as Konohamaru pouted at them. Laughing they bent down and hauled Konohamaru up they held his hands as they walked across the water, slowly he attempted to gather chakra in his feet. Once at the edge Naruto and Asuma shook themselves like a cat sending water flying as Konohamaru stood ankle deep in the water his chakra flaring around his feet. He smiled at the two astounded shinobi as he stepped up onto the bank flinging water at them as he shook himself dry. Asuma ruffled his hair as Naruto threw his arm around his shoulders as they made their way towards the Hokage residence.

(Line)

They looked around Naruto's apartment it was finally finished the walls had a calm, pale green on the walls, an island separated the kitchen from the main room , the island had enough stools to seat them all. The appliances where all new and clean and the fridge had been restocked as well. There was a sofa where his bed used to be and a bookcase that was filled, a coffee table and a TV and a bigger Mr. Ukki on the window sill.

The training room had been turned into his bedroom; a single bed occupied the end of the room under the window. He had doors leading out to his balcony, and a closet. His birthday presents from years gone by sat on a shelf at the back of the room. The goggles and Ro his first teddy and Cat's mask where pride of place. There was a small book shelf where his sketch pads were placed. Asuma placed Konohamaru on the bed and returned to the main room where the Hokage and Naruto had sat on the sofa.

"Nice place, told you the training room would be better as a bedroom." Asuma smirked sitting next to Naruto.

"Thanks I thought it was time for a change." Naruto shrugged.

This is it last one till the New Year.

I would still like for you to pick out your favourite parts if you wouldn't mind. It's quite interesting reading how many of you have the same parts or if it's the same as mine.

Please review and let me know what you think.

Thank you very much