The Fox And The Tiger

Ninja Skills

"I can't believe he did so well against sensei..." Yugito said aloud as she watched as Naruto lay on the ground unconscious. He was far better than she thought he was. Despite not displaying any Taijutsu or his Kenjutsu...it obviously wasn't necessary to fulfill his goals. Almost getting a win from a mostly Fuinjutsu based attack plan.

It all made her intrigued more and want to know more. Naruto was acting off of a plan, so what else could he do? This was one strategy, but what were his limits? So many questions, so little answers...always the case with him.

"Eh, he got duped. Falling for a Lightning Clone? Come on. He's nothing special, Sensei was just humoring the situation."

Yugito shook her head at that and went to go help Naruto out. For some reason she just felt inclined to do so...normally she'd have joined in and made fun of Naruto...yet all she wanted to do was help him out.

"It's only because he saved me! I could care less if he was hurt, I just want to get even."

When she got to Naruto, she kneeled and placed a hand on his shoulder. Lightning sparked at her contact, forcing her to pull back. The effects of that Lightning Clone dispersing in such proximity and being unguarded was still apparent.

"How could the most guarded guy I know, be completely surprised by that? There's no way he would let his guard down this much...even if he was entirely confident that he'd won...Naruto wouldn't do that..." Yugito thought about it as she pushed chakra around him to remove the electric current flowing through him. Then rolled Naruto so that he lay on his back.

After a few moments, Naruto opened his eyes slightly to see her looking down at him. He gave that fox grin and chuckled "Well, I didn't win."

She shook her head. "How could you let your guard down? You never do that."

He looked past her and to the sky. "So you're starting to see things more." He smiled, "Yes I never let my guard down, he enhanced his speed with Lightning Chakra, it let him surpass my own, allowing him to hide while he left the Clone behind. I noticed it...but-"

"You didn't want to reveal everything just yet..."

He nodded with a smile. "You're catching on. Soon enough, you'll finally solve those 'riddles'. But, that really hurt...Yugito, if you ever notice that Jutsu, a word of advice, just avoid it. It is not worth taking."

She giggled a bit and shook her head. "I never even thought about taking it. You're always one to surprise. You bastard."

Naruto smiled before falling into unconscious once more. This time, Darui came and kneeled beside Naruto, opposite to Yugito. "You are definitely going to be an interesting student, Naruto Uzumaki. Will you be better than Yugito, I am unsure of. But you definitely gained my attention."

"Should I tell Sensei about what I know? What I just learned and figured out?" She looked at Naruto again and shook her head. "No, if I do, Naruto may only ever show that much, keeping it a mystery means he would aim to surprise."

"Good work today, you guys are dismissed." Darui said. Rin didn't need to be told twice as he immediately bolted away to go home. Yugito however remained. "Something wrong, Yugito?"

She shook her head and straightened up. "No, just he needs to get taken home." She went to get him up and noticed that he was surprisingly very light. Yeah he was shorter than her but she still thought that he'd weigh more than what he did.

Darui nodded and smiled. Glad that she ahead some sort of care towards her teammate. "That's nice of you, but he is my student now and therefore my responsibility. I put him in this state so I'll take him home."

Yugito just looked at him. "Do you even know where he lives?" Darui chuckled and rubbed the back of his head "That's what I thought. What, were you going to just sit here and wait for him to wake up?"

Darui smiled sheepishly "Maybe...that's besides the point."

"I'll take you." She stood up and Darui helped her by holding Naruto up from the left side as she was on the right. They slung his arms over their shoulders and began the walk.

The walk took a little while since they had to carry Naruto, and Darui was making sure to remember the route. "You did pretty well. Far better than Rin did. You just need to get faster and think more."

"Naruto did the best..."

"Yes...he did."

"It's always like that." She said reminiscent "In the large scale and when it matters, he's always beaten me."

"You have more wins...for every 20, he's won only one."

Yugito laughed to herself. "He was right."

"About?"

"Things like that don't always show the whole picture. I have won all the spars, but when we have had a large-scale fight, team battle, and just no restraints in general, he wins...decisively and precisely. It started off as jokes and goofy ways to win...things that were ridiculous, but after that incident...things really changed. He became something else...when it came to the fights and battles, he either didn't care and didn't try, rather lazy. Or he actually tried and would win in a devastating fashion. Destroying his opposition...I was always on the opposite side so I witnessed firsthand, the effects of a Naruto when he put effort. Even then, I don't think he ever took it truly serious."

Darui was thinking from that. So Naruto was someone who really put forth no effort. Obviously the kid trained a lot and showed that he was far more skilled than he let on. Still, there were things that didn't make much sense in his eyes. Why be the dead last if it wasn't true? Why did he never try? "How did he know so much about my methods during the fight? Was he really so cocky to think he won?"

Yugito smiled, for once she wasn't the one being lost when it came to Naruto. "Well. I thought he was being lazy...all this time I thought he was lazy, only putting effort at times to pass...today proved that I was wrong. He acted lazy, with Naruto It's all an act. He was studying us all this time and that's why he knew how to defeat us at every turn when he tried. He watched and analyzed mine and Rin's fight with you, he learned your tendencies, then he confirmed your Jutsu by having me use the scroll."

"Confirmed?"

"Yes, he had said that he thought you were a Water Style user because you chose training ground 7. He said it was the one with the largest water source and most moist environment. He confirmed it by seeing you do Jutsu with very little signs."

"If he was smart enough to deduce these things and skilled enough to exploit those deductions, then was he just arrogant in the end?"

"Sensei, I think that curiosity drives Naruto."

"That's the reason Boss said for leaving Naruto to himself..." Darui thought.

"He told me when he woke up, that he noticed you switch with the Clone, but let it strike him down."

"Why?"

"I bet you didn't know that he didn't even know you were using the Substitution Jutsu, or any Jutsu really." Darui raised an eyebrow "He never paid attention in class and Omoi said he slept mostly. Naruto knows no Jutsu, he understands chakra and it's manipulation, understands the natures and their manipulation, but knows no Jutsu."

"Wow. Then the Clone?"

"The dumb bastard probably wanted to see what it would do. He goofed around by recommending that I avoid the Jutsu rather than just take it like he did." She said shaking her head while giggling.

Darui facepalmed. "You're joking...right?"

"Wish I was. But sensei...I know there's way more that he could do. Naruto's a really closed off and seclusive person. Keeping to himself a lot means that no one really knows his full capabilities. I just know he didn't show it all because he didn't even use his sword or anything else but those scrolls really. He's a weapons master..."

"Right. Although I held back a lot against you guys, he did push me a lot with only that method."

"Which is why I think he refrained from showing anything else. It's annoying how much he hides everything."

"Well, we'll see what he can do. It's my job to get you guys stronger, therefore I need to see you all at your best before you can surpass that."

"You'd be the first if you get it out of him."

"Your sensei is going to crash and burn." Matatabi said, excited for the show that would ensue. Yugito smirked but didn't say anything.

They arrived and they got him in. His door was unlocked, no one ever ventured up his mountain peak and would never even consider entering his house. For the most part, not many even knew he lived there to begin with. With no windows or anything, it wasn't all that noticeable. The stone door blended in from a distance, as well as from the village level. You didn't notice the etchings on the door until you were standing before it.

They set him on the couch and he began to leave. Noticing that she wasn't following, he turned around and asked why she wasn't coming along.

"I want some answers, and to ask a few things. He can't run away here." Darui nodded and chuckled, then left.

Once he was gone, she looked down at him to see him crack open an eye. Seeing this she punched his shoulder. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

"How long were you awake?"

"Uh...thirty seconds?" Naruto said averting his eyes, She got annoyed and threw another punch at him but this time he caught it. "Enough. I won't be your personal punching bag when you so choose." He said seriously, having slammed her into the couch and stood above her.

She smirked at causing a reaction to the ever bored and stoic Naruto Uzumaki. "Oh? Finally some reaction? A little aggressive there, Naruto."

To that, he turned away and sat on the table in front of the couch. "Sorry...I'm frustrated in the results of the Chakra manipulation."

"What do you mean? It looked great, quite effective and cool that you can make explosive chakra."

"Yugito, it is only explosive because it was unstable. I still have a lot of work to do."

"Oh? I thought you had done great...better than I could."

Naruto frowned slightly. "Yugito, you're a better fighter than I am."

"You say that, but then you out do me using solely Fuinjutsu."

Naruto sighed and shook his head, "Because you allowed me to analyze him. From what I saw, I knew how to exploit is defensive approach. It was thanks to you that I did well."

Shaking her head she sighed "No, Naruto. Take some credit for once, today you were the best out of us three."

"If you weren't so focused on trying to live up to the title you earned and the fact that you're a prodigy, you would have been able to slow down and notice what to do. You just gotta slow down, Yugito, and I promise you, great things will happen."

"When did you get so good? How do you know a field that very little know?"

Naruto looked at her and for the first time, she noticed that he wasn't going to dodge her questions. "I've spent three years straight of daily studying and training in Fuinjutsu. It's highly complex but I've learned to break down seals to their single components and put them all together. Through knowing the exact makeup of each seal, I understand every aspect to what functions what and how they all come together to make a seal."

Her eyes widened and she looked him straight in the eye "Isn't deconstructing seals like that dangerous?"

"It can be."

"Naruto, will you lie to me forever?"

Naruto sighed and stood up. She thought this talk was over but was surprised when he looked back at her. "I haven't been lying right now. I don't do it to be a jerk..."

"I'm your teammate now...for better or for worse, we need to be there for each other. It also means less secrets between us. All of us."

Naruto sat down beside her and shook his head. "In time, not now, ok?"

She rest her hand on his knee and smiled, "Alright then. I'll hold you to it. Oh, and don't expect to out do me again!" Yugito giggled and stood up and went for the door. Naruto watched as she left and sighed to himself when she was gone.

"Really Kit..."

"What?"

"Just don't. What now?"

"Now we see if taking that clone's attack was worth it."

"If it did, you'll have recreated the Sharingan's copying ability through Fuinjutsu."

"Yes, and without the downsides of the Dojutsu."

"Although I doubt the Clone will be usable since it is not yours. It won't be able to do anything most likely."

"Well it'll have served it's purpose at least. Think I should do as she says, Kurama? Not hide so much?"

"That's up to you, Kit. I have your back no matter what. But I do think you should acknowledge your own abilities and accomplishments more often. Every time you reach one goal, you immediately set another and never bask in the moment."

Naruto took out a scroll and noticed the seal had something within it. activating the seal and taking a step back, he saw Darui's Lightning Clone standing in front of him. It worked, he managed to recreate the Clone through Fuinjutsu. Flicking a kunai at it, it dispersed in Lightning which showed that it still had the same traits. Smirking that it was successful, he was glad that it wasn't meaningless to be defeated in that way. But at the same time, this was only half the reason he let the Clone get him. In his mind, there wasn't much else he could do with what he had shown, in order to get further, he would need to reveal more but wasn't looking to do that. The Clone offered and easy exit from the fight, one that he took immediately.

"It would be lame if you let those two think you were stupid enough to fall for it."

"It would, but when have I ever cared about that?"

"True. So what now?"

"I replicate this seal and the sealed Clone, and we surprise our new Sensei tomorrow. Oh, and get to work on that 'Loop Cast Seal'. The tests should be able to begin in a week, two at most."

"Which first, explosive or kunai?"

"Start small, so kunai first. Besides, I need to add more to my arsenal that is practical. Everything I have is destructive but better for ambushes or widescale destruction."

"You have a point, but that also is why I think you are more powerful than your peers, Kit. You say that girl is a better fighter but given the open range, I know you would decimate her."

"Not all fights can be solved by having the more destructive capability. Sometimes I wonder so destructive is a good thing."

"Why so?"

"It takes control and a lot of responsibility is in my hands to not over do it."

"It isn't always such a bad thing, Kit. My power is why I went off on my own so much, but my power also allowed me to protect what was mine...until...well that's another time. Just don't make the same mistakes I did. You hold a great power within you. You are pure and true, let others see the light within you that I have gotten to see. Some will fear you as you get stronger, but even more will follow you. At the end of the day, what they see is up to you, you constantly make them think you weak, lazy, and dumb, but you are anything but those."

"Yes, but that that is what gives me the edge."

"Naruto, these people here aren't your enemy. This isn't you against the world, Kit."

He didn't respond, instead he just began getting to work on his seals. "Man, wish I could make Clones...Imagine how much I could get done." Spending all night on the seal, he managed to replicate it. Now the hard part was done, since his memory was perfect and photographic, he could use the scroll without worry since he can recreate it with ease. Looking at the time, he saw that he had a few hours to kill. Getting up and showering and getting dressed in an identical outfit, he left to Trey's.

"Hey, Naruto! How did yesterday go?"

"Morning, Trey. Yesterday was good. I am teamed with Yugito and Rin, under Darui-Sensei."

"Ah, Darui. Good customer."

Naruto quirked an eyebrow and jumped to sit on the counter. "He comes here?"

"Yep, has been for a few years now. I'm the one that made him that cleaver he carries around."

"Hmm interesting. Where's Kira at?"

"She's on a mission. Left a few hours ago."

Naruto nodded and hopped down. He looked at the many weapons and sighed. "Why is the kunai so boring?"

"Hmm?"

"Like, the shape is good for throwing I guess, but I don't see it as a very practical design for combat. I'm sure there are other ways that can still be thrown. I've tried to research shinobi that utilized a different kunai type and for the most part, it is extremely uncommon."

"Well, Naruto, that is partly because the general kunai is so readily available and abundant. If you wanted a different one, you would need to constantly wait on more to be developed, while these are always available anywhere you go."

"Hmmm, I don't like it. Think you can make me something I design?"

Trey raised an eyebrow in interest and stood straight, "Sure, just give me the design and I can get to work on it. I'll make a few from different materials and see which you like best, then I can produce that one more."

"Sounds good, I'll come by with a design some other time. I should get going, we need to meet up in a bit."

"Sure thing, see you around, Naruto."

Naruto walked out of the shop and began heading down the street. When he walked by, people quickly entered their homes or shops in order to avoid him. This was part of the reason he took the long routes, normally being out of sight, so as to not have to witness everyone hide in fear. Even though it had been three years, they still treat it like it was yesterday. Just the thought that he could lose it at any point had them worried. He was just glad that they weren't trying to come beat him up constantly, but it did suck to see that they feared him. Was it that way for all Jinchuriki? To be feared, it would make sense, they did hold the world's most powerful beings within them. Still, it didn't mean that they were those beings.

Based on what Kurama had told him, they Biju weren't really that bad. They fought each other constantly and flaunted their power to one another but they never bothered humans. It were the humans who attacked, they just fought back. Self defense was twisted into being blood thirsty demons that craved chaos and devastation. Whatever it was, in the end, the perception of the Biju would seem to forever be the same. The perception of Naruto though, didn't have to be.

Arriving at training ground seven, he realized that again, he was early apparently and was the only one there. Laying in a tree branch he closed his eyes to think. Today, he wouldn't hold anything back...but he wasn't going to just throw everything around for no reason, if the opportunity presented itself and he had the ability to do something, he would now. But it would need to be forced in a sense. Then a thought came to mind.

"Hey, Kurama. You must have come across many Uzumaki before they went near extinct...what is the special chakra?"

"About damn time you ask. I was beginning to think you never would. Part of it, you are already experimenting with. Being able to make pure, physical chakra. However you are making your own spin by trying to dive into Negative Chakra."

"And the other part?"

"The Adamantine Sealing Chains."

"What do they do? Do they actually seal things?"

"Not exactly. They can be used to seal things, but they don't seal things themselves. They are practically indestructible and suppress chakra. If wrapped around a victim, they are as good as finished, they can't overpower the chains, and their chakra is unusable since the chains block it all off."

"Wow...I need to figure out how to use those."

"Yes...they even stopped me...I managed to eventually get out but it is no easy task...the only limit to the chains is the chakra pool of the user. But Uzumaki are known for their high reserves...so as you can see it wasn't too bad. But it does eat at their chakra fast, faster depending on what they have trapped."

"Right, and those that possessed the special chakra probably had an even higher reserve than 'normal'. I wonder how to awaken the chains then."

"I'm not sure, but maybe whenever you make that trip, something may be there to help guide you."

Naruto mentally nodded and continued to lay there patiently. Mind drifting back to Fuinjutsu, as always. It then soon drifted to the thought that he'd need to learn actual Ninjutsu soon. It could add to his Fuinjutsu, but it just was about versatility at this point. His fighting ability was based on his weapons, and Fuinjutsu at this point, not bad but he didn't like the thought that it was all he had. Especially since he still relied heavily on scrolls and prewritten seals. Until he could place seals with only his chakra, it wouldn't ever be as deadly.

Honestly getting tired of waiting, he jumped off the branch and landed on the floor. It would be a good time as any to work on his senses. There was nothing but nature around and this was a peaceful and quiet place...no telling how long it would stay that way...He sat down, crisscross applesauce styled and rest his hands on his knees. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths as he tried to listen to something. He didn't know how his sensing worked but tried to find what it was that he was drawn to. After a long while, he noticed that the sounds and smells of the wind was drawing him in, the more he focused on the wind itself the more he began to "control" the wind. The way it moved, the way it travelled painted the picture of everything around him. It was how he sensed that kunai before, from how it travelled in the air and broke the wind. It wasn't always so precise since he never understood where this sense was coming from, but now that he knew it stemmed from the wind, he could strengthen his connection to this sense.

His hair waived from a breeze and he took one last inhale before opening his eyes to reveal those slitted blue eyes. He took in his surroundings and cracked his neck, what the hell was taking them so long? It was definitely way past noon by now. Then he felt the presence of three people nearby. Grabbing the handle to his katana he lowered ever so slightly to a more controllable and ready stance. In this position, he could dodge, or strike with ease, he tried to key in on the wind once more but was having trouble as he kept losing focus from hearing different things all around him. Despite feeling only three signatures, he kept feeling like he was surrounded.

"Looks like I need to concentrate in order to listen to the wind...so then where does the sensing come from if obviously it wasn't that before?"

Kunai from three directions, in a triangular formation came at him in bunches of five. He raised an eyebrow as he stood, well there was an interesting attack, he couldn't simple put down a scroll as they would reach him too soon. Dodging wouldn't be too simple as it is from three sides and due to the numbers.

"Use the Chakra Dispersion Jutsu now!"

"It's still not perfect! Success rate is only 45%"

"Well you better hope you're on the good side of that! OR THAT'S ABOUT TO HURT!"

Naruto groaned and began gathering chakra all around him, a slight purple haze was clouded around him as his arms were brought into his chest tightly. He bent forward from his back slightly and his head was leaned downwards. Every muscle flexed and just before the kunai reached him, he spread outwards and jumped slightly into the air. His arms were extended from his body at a 45 degree angle and he looked up slightly. The chakra shot out from all around him and in a 360 degree area, it dispersed outwards and sent all the kunai to the ground. Chunks of earth and grass were sent up and away.

When he landed on the ground, he began panting. "Holy shit, that worked."

"Yeah, didn't knock yourself out that time. But now's not the time to try to relax."

"Come on, that Jutsu hurts my body..."

He looked up to see a torrent of water coming at him, he sighed and threw down a scroll that shot earth up to block the water and turned around to receive a kick to the chest. He was sent through the makeshift earth shield which caused him to be hit by his own attempt at a shield and also be hit by the water attack as well, sending him forward into that attacker again. This time he was punched in the jaw from his left side, sending him into the tree that he laid in previously to his right. Groaning as he sat up, he looked to the person standing over him. They were in all black with a black hood and black cloth mask.

Coughing as he spoke, "You the one, who's been...following me?"

They went to kick him in the face but he tilt his head to the right, grabbing their ankle he stabbed a kunai into their upper inner thigh. He stood and shot into a double leg takedown and went to stab the attacker in the heart but his right wrist was caught. "That's enough, Naruto."

He looked over and saw another person, dressed the same way but significantly taller than the other standing there. "What is the meaning of this?"

"It was just a test, Naruto." The third person came out and took off the hood and lowered the mask, revealing a familiar blonde girl with black eyes.

"Hmph, better go take care of whoever this is, they may bleed out." Naruto stood up and began walking away.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Yugito came running and grabbed him by the wrist, when she did this though, he turned back sharply and glared at her, so coldly that she recoiled slightly.

"I'm done for today. I could have killed whoever the hell that is!" he forced her to release her grip on his wrist by swinging it hard towards himself and walked away.

"Naruto, I'm sorry...we didn't think that...sorry." Yugito thought as she balled a fist. Maybe it really wasn't a good decision for them three to just ambush him out of nowhere.

"He will be fine, Yugito...we need to-"

"No, you can take him to the hospital Sensei. Your approval of Rin's stupid plan was dumb."

"You guys will need to learn to deal with these situations..."

"We should have warned him though! Now he's probably pissed and will resent us."

"Yugito, he will be fine. Naruto isn't some little bratty child, he will move on. Maybe we could have gathered first but he never tries unless forced. This was a sure way to get some effort out of him. Besides, you will eventually need to learn to handle these situations, better to start sooner rather than later. He handled himself well, and would have survived such an encounter. Can you honestly say that Rin could? Could you say that you would adapt well enough to survive? To create your own opening to deal a killing blow before you yourself are killed? Can you say that when it comes down to it, that you can get the resolve to kill a man? Naruto just showed to us and to himself that he was willing and able to kill another in order to survive. That is what he is upset about...the first kill is always the worst...it doesn't make any other that follows any easier but the disgust, and self doubt on your own humanity afterwards is what makes it so bad on the first one. You question on if you're even 'good' anymore, if you can be 'normal'. Being so close to having actually done it, and showing no signs of stopping, he must feel like shit about what he was willing to do, questioning himself. Especially since he found out that this was a comrade..." Darui sighed and removed his hood and mask. "Naruto will be fine."

Yugito didn't know what to say in response. She just stood still, unsure of what her answer was. She can't say that she would be willing to kill if the moment called for it. Only in that moment would she truly know. She could say she as all she wanted, but until she is thrown in that situation, there is no truly knowing. If she couldn't then...she would be killed. After not knowing what to say, Yugito just walked off.

Naruto sat on the cliff above his home and was looking at his hands. "I was so close..."

"It's ok, Kit...you didn't. At least you know you would have survived. Don't beat yourself up over your actions. You did exactly what was expected of you."

"I almost killed a fellow Kumo Nin...how is that ok?"

"Because you didn't. Relax, you're ok. That person is ok. You need to accept that fact."

He didn't respond and just looked out into the distance.

-Two Days Later-

Naruto walked into the training ground and watched from a distance as Darui supervised a spar between Yugito and Rin. In reality it was more like a punching bag act for Rin. There was nothing he could do against her as he was royally outclassed. He smiled weakly as he watched then slowly approached the group. Darui noticed himself first and nodded.

"Welcome, Naruto. Perfect timing, I want to see what all of your chakra natures. We will begin Ninjutsu training today." Naruto nodded and the two stopped fighting. Rin looked at Naruto in disgust and Yugito was giving an apologetic look, both of which Naruto ignored.

Darui handed each of them a piece of paper and explained how to reveal their natures by channeling chakra into it.

Rin went first as Yugito was still looking at Naruto, hoping he'd give some sort of look to her. So that she'd at least know what he was thinking. Rin showed to have Lightning from the paper wrinkling up. He smiled and put a fist in the air. Lightning was a great nature, and one if Kumogakure's specialties.

Yugito went next and hers burned but a blue flame also appeared. This surprised Rin and even Darui slightly. Apparently she took the blue flames of the Nibi.

They all looked to Naruto who seemed deep in thought, he shook his head and looked to the paper. He channeled chakra and everyone watched in awe and in Rin's case, jealousy. The paper was cut up, showing Wind, wrinkled to show Lightning, burned to show Fire, got wet to show Water and crumbled to dust to show Earth. Naruto possessed all five chakra natures.

They had thoughts that he maybe did due to his Fuinjutsu. That was just a thought though. It wasn't confirmed and they didn't really believe it until now.

"Wow, Naruto! All five? That's unheard of in Kumo." Yugito said trying to get some reaction.

"Yeah, you're a Kumo first. Very few in the world even get three natures." Darui said, adding to Yugito's comment.

To Yugito's disappointment, Naruto said nothing. Just waiting for what was to come next. The bored look and act of Naruto was back and that made her frown. She turned to Darui to await orders.

"Well, Naruto, since you have all five natures, where do you want to start?" Darui said and again everyone looked at him.

With his eyes shut and arms crossed in a defensive manner he slowly opened them slightly. "I'll go with fire for now."

Yugito smiled slightly, maybe he didn't hate her for being a part of the plan the other day. Darui nodded and sighed slightly, "Since I am not a Fire Style user myself, I have some scrolls that you two can work from. I'll work with Rin on Lightning."

Yugito got a little nervous since she never had to try learning solely off of a scroll. Normally there was always some tutor or instructor around. Naruto though, he didn't mind, this was how he learned Fuinjutsu and all about chakra. This was second nature at this point and he liked the self taught aspect.

They all broke off, Darui with Rin, and Yugito followed Naruto. At first he kept his distance and seemed to walk aimlessly, she wondered if he was waiting for her to leave and just as she was about to, he stopped at a beautiful river and the surrounding area was really nice. Flowers bloomed along the river and in the shrubbery, it was really green and plenty colorful.

Naruto set his bag and katana down against a rock. "This will be good for us here. It's secluded and the water will stop it from spreading."

She was completely surprised when he finally spoke that she didn't notice him pulling her along the bank. She only realized what was happening when he splashed water in her face.

"Hey! Why did you do that?" Naruto just had a smirk and chuckled lightly.

"I am not mad at you. I just...didn't know what to really feel. Now, let's learn these Jutsu."

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, but I've never had to learn on my own like this."

Turning to face her, he held the scroll, "You're not alone. You have me." Naruto smiled and the two began working on the Jutsus.

Naruto having a photographic memory only needed to take that one look and was good to go. He was learning remarkably fast and due to having already been manipulating fire for his Fuinjutsu, it was easier for him to draw on.

Yugito though, was a little slower. She had issues trying harness enough fire for the Jutsu. Her frustrations only made it worse. The more she got frustrated, the worse she did which in turn began a downwards spiral.

"Easy there Yugito. Relax. Fire is energy, it fuel itself. All you have to do is let it breath."

"Not everyone is a guru with this, Naruto." She said annoyed. Naruto shrugged and began walking away. "Wait! Stop...don't leave please. I'm just frustrated that I can't get this. You did it so easy."

Naruto stopped walking and turned to her. "I spent three years manipulating the fire nature. Of course I would be better at the moment. I already told you what you need to know for now. Call for me when you make progress." He then turned away and left.

She frowned and got angry at herself. "Damnit! I let my frustration get the better of me! He's only leaving to be considerate for me...he doesn't need to..."

For another few hours she went at her training and was making more progress. She got curious as to what Naruto was doing and went to look for him. When she was searching, there were low rumblings and distant explosions. Following that, she came to a clearing that didn't seem like it used to be one. It was utter destruction, the area was black from being charred and signs of life were very low. Craters and cracks in the earth were apparent. In the middle of it all, stood Naruto.

"Did he cause all this?" She was about to step closer when a kunai came flying at her. She dodged and saw that Naruto wasn't in the same place, he came from her right and was about to stab her when he realized that it was only her.

Naruto stumbled backwards and dropped the kunai to the ground. He looked at his hands, trembling and looked up at her. "I-I'm sorry!" He threw a smoke bomb down and was gone when it cleared.

"What is going on with him?" Naruto sat against a tree trunk and looked at his hands. He still trembled and was confused. "What's happening to me?"

"Easy, Kit. The more you panic, the more it'll take a hold."

"W-what will?"

"You're cursed, Kit. You can overcome it, but it won't be easy."

"Why can't anything ever be simple?"

"Nothing, will ever be simple for you."

He looked to the sky and just watched as the clouds moved and everything began to slowdown it seemed. Being back alone, and focusing on the nature around him, calmed his mind.

"I'm ok now. What's next, Kurama?"

"Another day, Kit. For now, relax. Get back to your team before questions are asked."

Naruto nodded and stood up. He entered the original clearing that they all met in, and apparently arrived before them all. Sitting down and drawing more seals, he sat patiently. After a little while, everyone began gathering and was describing their progress.

Darui nodded having expected them to get the Jutsu down. Naruto and Yugito had both left out his little incident and only spoke about the Jutsu.

"I'll bring by another scroll tomorrow."

"Darui-sensei, Could you bring me some for the other natures as well?" Naruto said.

"You sure? You don't want to wait?"

Naruto shook his head. "I'd rather keep learning all I can." Darui nodded and agreed to bring the material. "Best to be kept busy anyways." Once they were dismissed Darui immediately disappeared in a puff of smoke and Rin quickly left as well. Naruto lazily stood and began walking away.

"Not going to explain what happened earlier?"

He sighed as he turned to Yugito. "You know, I know you said we were teammates and all, but you never had this much interest in me or what I was doing. No need to start now."

"It isn't just about that! You are acting more and more aggressive lately."

"Ok, first off, I only started getting like that because they recklessly put in danger. Then YOU ALL attacked ME, so how is it my fault?"

"You never cared about anybody's well being."

Naruto looked to the sky and sighed. "You, Omoi, Samui, and Karui aren't just anybody." She looked confused slightly "I actually care. Is that so bad?"

"You're acting very strange Uzumaki, and I will figure it out."

He turned away and began walking off "I wouldn't count on it, if I were you."

"You're definitely hiding something, I'll find out." Yugito then left as well and Darui watched from a tree with some interest on what was going on. He then disappeared again.

"If you really wish to hide it, you may want to do a better job at keeping it in."

"Oh? And how do you recommend I do that? HUH?"

"Maybe start by not bottling so much up inside. You already saw how that went three years ago. This will only be worse."

Naruto huffed and continued on his way. They spent a week just learning and training in their Jutsus. Progression was really fast for the trio, after Yugito had a slow start, she began to really accelerate into her learning. Showing more of the prodigy that she was, it only took that day to really get used to things. After that day though, Naruto became a little more distanced, he didn't outright avoid anybody, just when they broke into their training, he dove in fully. Rin though, was really becoming stronger and since he had Darui personally training him, he always picked at him for different tips and knowledge.

Today Darui gathered them and decided a check up on them was due. In similar fashion to when they met, he wanted them to take him on. No holds barred. Rin smirked in excitement and Yugito began to crack her neck. Naruto stood aloof.

"Ready. BEGIN!"

Immediately Rin dove in head first trying to send a strike to Darui's gut. To Naruto's surprise, Yugito didn't dive in with Rin. He looked over at her slightly and noticed she was watching for an opening.

"Hmm, somebody learning?"

"Well, when it works so great for you, and the results you always show, it is hard to deny it's effectiveness."

Naruto nodded and he looked back at Darui. "Well, let's throw a curve." He then went through ten handsigns and a unleashed a fireball at Darui when Rin was thrown away. Darui dodged and Naruto ran in with a kunai in his left hand. He slashed at Darui's gut but was blocked by Darui's own kunai. The two held in place in a battle of strength that Darui eventually won. The kunai in Naruto's left hand was broken free of his grip, Darui smirked but frowned immediately when Naruto had one himself. Naruto caught the flipping kunai with his right hand and slashed upwards, Darui narrowly jumped back in time but wasn't unscathed, a cut through his clothes appeared from his lower stomach to upper chest, it even drew a little blood.

"You knew you couldn't overpower me?" Darui said but it wasn't so much a question as it was a statement.

"I'm a twelve year old, fresh out the academy, of course I would never overpower you, an elite Jonin. But I can hide my intentions." Darui nodded and was confused even more when Naruto took a knee. "Such as..." He opened up a large scroll that had a prewritten array on it. It was opened and curved into a semicircle fashion around him, spanning seven feet. He rubbed the blade of the kunai over the center of the seal which had a vacant circle, the blood was shown there and immediately, the array glowed in reaction.

"W-What are you d-doing, Naruto?" Darui asked hesitantly. Fuinjutsu was not something to mess with, and at the moment, Naruto had all the power, it was too late to do anything, the moment Naruto got to place the blood on the seal, whatever was going to happen was already in motion.

"I haven't gotten to test this seal out yet...want to see?"

"Naruto! What the hell are you doing!" Rin said from across the way but Naruto ignored him.

"Shall we see, what happens to you?" A seal now began to appear out of the cut on Darui and was glowing. Darui felt a cold chill spread from the seal.

"Naruto, you need to stop! Now!" Yugito was demanding but before she could step forward to stop Naruto, earth shot up from the ground like a wall, blocking her movement.

When she stepped back, the earth stopped shooting up, taking another step forward, it happened again. This was going to be an issue, as it was seemingly reacting to her, and she presumed that even if she threw a kunai, it would activate to block it. She wondered when he had managed to set that seal up.

"There's another lesson for you, Yugito. Always have a plan, even when gathering information, always be planning. Don't be to infatuated with what you are trying to learn otherwise...you'll miss things." Naruto ran through sixty handsigns in a matter of six seconds and brought them into the ram seal. The array that was beginning on Darui spread all around him, sending the chill all throughout his body. Naruto got very serious and had a malicious smirk on his face, it even managed to place a small sense of fear into Darui, given his position. Then a single word petrified Yugito and Rin. "Fuin!" Naruto said.

Yo Ryan, c'mon gimme a break. Perhaps next time I won't cut things off at the end like that then. Well, that's a lie, I won't stop that but I guess it does make things seem so lame. I don't know, I always intended for it to be him allowing it to get him but decided to let it end there, maybe it still makes it lame, but at least now you know there was a reason to it being lame? haha I don't know if that fixes anything lol.

Ark, yo I absolutely love playing that game, not sure if it is meant to be a reference to that but if so awesome! Especially now that I have a gaming laptop, it is so much better on here than it is on Xbox! But yeah...probably no Jesus hahaha, kinda normal world talk coming out a bit.

BookOwl, the goal was to make Yugito smart but smart doesn't translate to like the broad worldly perspectives that I wanted Naruto to have. So that she will outclass him in the classroom and in the small scale, but worldly things and the bigger picture would be Naruto's domain.

Glad you like it BlackDragon

So depending on how things go for me today, next chapter out tomorrow? If not, definitely Tuesday. Till then, see you next time.