Ch. 8 - Nothing Goes as Planned.

*Yep, after a long delay the next chapter is finally here (whether or not you read it is up to you). Anyway, enjoy.
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"Hey." Ryu looked up to see the overly energetic Naruto running heading his way. Ryu grunted and lowered his gaze back to the ground. He had barely moved since Sasuke had saved him from the snake, even after he had gotten over his excitement of training to be a true ninja. The truth behind his words had been harsh.

"What do you want? Don't you have an exam to finish?"

"I thought you might want this. I found it inside that snake." It wasn't a pretty sight. Ryu's guitar was covered in reptile innards and the metallic shine it used to have was now almost non-existent. With great reluctance, he took the guitar and looked it over.

"Thanks. But you didn't have to climb inside a dead snake to get it for me." Naruto sat down beside him.

"I meant to ask you something, you seem pretty calm. If you really are from another world, why are you so calm? I'd be a little hysteric myself. And just how did you manage to beat Sasuke? Also, why is Kakashi acting kinda strange around you" His eye twitched before he answered.

"It was a fluke, sheer dumb luck. That is, if you consider trapping him beating him. And I don't know anything about Kakashi. But as to why I'm not too surprised about being here, that's a pretty long story."

"That's not a problem, we've got a little time."

"Well, the first thing you might want to know is I didn't just learn this stuff right off the bat a few days ago. I've been practicing for a few years now, not very diligently though. It took me a while to put two and two together, I mean since it has been almost seven years since I saw any of you guys. Anyway, you might find it a bit more believable once I finish the story." Ryu sighed and closed his eyes before beginning his explanation.

**********

"Are you okay?" The young boy dried his eyes and looked up at the blonde haired boy standing over him, smiling like an idiot.

"You're the new kid right? The one that came here yesterday?" He nodded slightly.

"Don't be so shy, I'm not going to hurt you or anything. Come on, I'll show you around." The blonde boy helped him up to his feet and guided him around the schoolyard.

"I know what it's like, not having any friends and being alone. I've been alone all my life, so I can relate to how you probably feel right now. Why'd you come here anyway?" The boy shrugged.

"I fell asleep and when I opened my eyes again I was here, where is here anyway?"

"Konoha Village, I'm Naruto. Who are you?" The boy looked back at him.

"Ryu, Ryu Tanabe. My mom died about a year ago, and I don't know what happened to my dad. I've been all alone ever since they left." Naruto nodded.

"You're scared because you're in a strange place and don't have anybody that will comfort you. Don't worry; I'll be your friend if that'll make you feel any better. I don't have any friends either, so it would be nice. What do you say?" Ryu nodded, Naruto returned the gesture. They stopped as Naruto began to point out individuals.

"I can't really introduce you to anybody, but let me show you some of them." He pointed at a young boy with jet-black hair.

"That's Sasuke, stay away from him. He's a really self-centered person, but everybody seems to like him." He pointed to a pink haired girl.

"That's Sakura, and the girl next to her is Ino." He pointed to a group of three more people.

"From left to right: that's Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba. And-" Ryu cut him off.

"Okay, that's good. Thanks." Naruto nodded. Iruka came out a few minutes later and called everybody inside. Ryu looked to Naruto before doing as instructed.

********

Naruto cut Ryu off there.

"Now I remember you! Yeah, you were only here for maybe two or three weeks." Ryu nodded.

"Right, now you get it." Naruto scratched his head.

"But we went over only basic Jutsu those weeks. Where did you learn the water clone and water prison?" Ryu rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation.

"I told you already, I saw them in the manga. I memorized the seals for the water prison from a video. But anyway, that's where I first learned. When I got back to my own dimension, or whatever you wish to call it, I couldn't remember where the hell I had learned it. I couldn't even remember I was here until when I returned a few days back. That doesn't matter though, I'm still inexperienced. I'm quitting the exam." Naruto shook his head.

"Don't do that. You may be inexperienced, but you still have the potential to be great." Ryu smirked.

"That doesn't really matter to me right now. Won't mean anything if I die here. And some of these teams are out for blood, so I think quitting would be the best thing I can do." He stood and smiled at Naruto.

"Naruto, be careful. You've got a dream to fulfill, and you shouldn't blow your chance here and now. I'll see you later. And do me a favor: tell Sasuke I want a real match after I finish my training." The guitar slumped against his back as he slung it over his shoulder and headed off into the woods. He raised a hand in farewell.

"See you, Ryu."

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"Ryu!" Gado growled and looked back at Lina. She was conscious now, but the shuriken had injured her and he didn't want to take any chances moving her through the woods. This was turning into trouble; he was beginning to wonder if Ryu had ended up like their last teammate, dead.

"He won't be coming, sorry." They both looked up to see Iruka standing a few feet up on a tree branch.

"Iruka-sensei? Is he okay?" Iruka nodded.

"Of course, but I have been ordered to extract him from the forest. He is inexperienced and I have orders to train him. These orders came straight from Hokage-sama. And don't worry, you two will still be able to go through the exam. Anko said there would be no problem, but that it would become harder on you without a third member." Gado growled.

"We might as well give up now." Iruka sighed.

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that Gado. What happened to Lina?" Gado looked at her, she was still bleeding. Lina looked away and decided to let Gado answer for her.

"Somebody ambushed us; I don't know who it was. He was looking for Ryu." Iruka nodded slightly.

"I'm sorry to leave so hastily, but if there is somebody looking for Ryu I should find him first." Gado nodded at him and he was gone.

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"Let's see what I've got here." Ryu fished into one of the deep pockets on his cargoes and pulled out a CD player. He smirked and checked what CD was inside.

"Perfect, I didn't even remember I had this on me." He placed the headphones over his ears and put the player back in his pocket after hitting play. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught somebody moving, but he ignored it and continued walking. It was still a rather long walk back to the entrance. After the explanation he had given Naruto, he was beginning to feel better. Those few weeks now slowly returning to him, but he still had no idea how he had come here or why. Not wanting to brood over it anymore, he brought his attention back to the present. Another inexperienced rookie in the forest? The idea of it being possible didn't really stick with him.

"Ryu." Iruka called as he watched from the branches above. Ryu continued walking.

"Ryu." He called again, this time louder. Ryu continued walking as he shoved his hands into his pockets. His head was bobbing lightly to the music. Finally growing tired of trying to subtly get his attention, Iruka jumped down and landed a few paces ahead of him. Ryu cried out in surprised and fell backwards.

"Don't do that! Who are you!?"

"You're Ryu right?" He nodded as Iruka helped him up.

"That's right, who're you?"

"Iruka, Hokage-sama sent me to retrieve you." Ryu shook his head and continued walking. He growled softly when Iruka grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Strict orders, you are returning whether or not you want to." After a long pause, Ryu sighed and relaxed.

"Fine, but this better be important. Kakashi is waiting for me to complete my mission." Iruka smirked.

"Not anymore he isn't. Ryu, Kakashi asked Hokage to put me in charge of training you. We will begin your training as soon as we are out of this forest."

"What about Gado and Lina!?"

"Don't worry, they've already left." Without another word, the two made their way to the nearest exit gate.

**********

"So tell me, what do you already know?" Ryu rolled his eyes as he took a seat beneath a nearby tree and looked up at Iruka.

"I know that Chakra is the combination of your mind and body that can be emitted to perform different abilities. I know the basics of ninja tactics. Taijutsu, hand to hand techniques. Genjutsu, hallucination-type techniques. And there's also Ninjustsu, which is ninja techniques including anything from clones to summoning skills. I know the basics, lets just get on to the teaching." Iruka frowned.

"You also have to know patience and discipline, and I think that will be what we cover today." Ryu raised an eyebrow as Iruka began to walk off.

"I want you to wait here; I'll be back in a little bit. Don't move from this spot until I return." Ryu smirked.

"I get it, you're going to test my patience by seeing how long I can wait." Iruka turned around and smiled.

"No, I just need to go get something to eat." Ryu looked at him, dumbfounded. He grunted and shrugged it off as he watched Iruka leave. Since he figured he'd be waiting a while, he picked up his guitar and began playing softly to himself.