This chapter has also been edited! If you're a new reader ignore this but if not than you've got to check where I've changed it!

Yo, minna-san! Gomen-nasai for the long wait... or the week... hahahha whatever... sidetracked kuz of homework but =] too stubborn to not write a chapter... heheh

Disclaimer: I may own a few pairs of socks and maybe a character in here, but I don't own Naruto.

Author's response...

Toki mirage – wow what enthusiasm ahhaha, - I'm delighted u like the fic though! Thanks for the review!

Inu-chan 613 – hahaha yea... the tattoo is hard to explain, but hopefully, this chapter will clarify the tattoo when I get to it. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!

TomokiG – hMm... never really thought of it as an original path but I guess it is one... although I was attempting to add a bit of originality with it... =b but it all works out hehehe. As for the POV, I'll try to keep it in mind... it's pretty sound advice but I probably will forget... x-X hahaha I'll probably just put some sort of reference to a change or something... well we'll just hafta see I guess... thanks for the advice and I'm glad you like the story

Stoictimer – yea that's what I was thinking about doing, too. Hmmmm... maybe but it doesn't seem a strong enough purpose but chances are, I'll be so stumped I won't be able to think of any other excuse to get Jiraiya back into the story... thanks for the review and I hope you like this chapter!

Hopeless Romantic – hmm... I don't really think jiraiya at all is a fatherly figure to naruto... it just never clicked in my head like that, you kno? Hahah but anyways I believe jiraiya is a bit too... arrogant to admit hes there to check up on naruto, but I think it's obvious he's smarter than he seems. Thanks for the review and hope you enjoy the chappie!

Wind Runner – I never gave the cloud nin, Miyu, a specific age really... she's about twenty-ish though, as I said in chapter two. =b those are some pretty good ideas... heheh maybe I'll have them meet jiraiya at a village... hmmm idk Xb hahaha thanks for reviewing and im glad you like the story

Anbu Dr J – really? oOo ehhehe stop it ur making me blush! Hahaha jk!! =b but thanks for likin the story (if that makes sense) I'm overjoyed you think this is a potential favorite of yours - hahaha thanks for the review and hope to see more from u =b

One Azn Dragon – hahahaha you're right... Xb sorry but I'll try to progress the story... as for the love part, I doubt there will be any romance so I don't know where u got that from... plus, if u have any suggestions for what u want to see in the ficcie go ahead and add it to any future review or just email me it or something. I hope you enjoy this chapter and find it more suitable to your liking. Thanks for the review!

Kashisenshev - =b thanks for the review!! Hehehe I'm glad that you're gonna keep reading and thank goodness ppl like this ficcie =b hehehe I hope to see more reviews from ya and hope you like this chapter

NightOwl123 – .:squeals:. Wow! I feel so spoilt w/ all these compliments... of course I'm not telling u to stop or nething... hahaha jk I'm so glad you like the fanfic and =b I hope you like this chapter too!

Kori Nibiki – you're probably right... this kind of does work as a filler... but hahaha I think it was worth the time to explain it a bit... haha hearing u use all those literary terms makes me feel so incompetent as a writer... ahahha all I'm doing is typing up stuff and I don't think I even know what I'm doing... hahaha well either way I'll probably use the typical as u said... the konoha swim suit contest is very appealing... =b hehehe we'll just hafta see now wont we? Thanks for the review and the advice - I totally appreciate it!

Hinanaru – hehehe will do! Hopefully, it'll answer any questions or confusion on the tattoo thanks for the review and hope you enjoy the chappie

Gopu – hahaha thanks for the compliment =b I hope u like this one too! Thanks for the review!

Rubymoon17 - - hahaha yea sorry for the wait =X hahah hope you like this chapter and thanks for the review!

Refused – hahaha thanks for the compliment =b I'm glad the ficcie suits your tastes and hope to hear more from you! -

Public Mayhem – genius eh? I like the sound of that... hahhahahah jk!!! He now officially knows of Kyuubi residing inside him, but he cant access his chakra... hehehe.. However I'm not sure bout summoning... we'll see how it goes as the story progresses... thanks for reviewing and enjoy!

Mahina – hmm coincidentally... that was what I was thinking of doing... but I'm not sure... we'll see as the story progresses now wont we? Hehehehe thanks for reviewing and enjoy the chapter!

Gelionlegends – hahah. It'll be explained what Miyu can and can't do in this chappie (hopefully) thanks for reviewing and enjoy!

Now on with the story!

Chapter 5: Curse of the Crimson Crescent Moon

"Ugh... Ohayo..." said Sakura in a sleepy tone.

Sasuke made no comment as he walked.

"Yo..." said Naruto, arriving lifeless and drained of energy.

The three genin all walked from different directions to the center of the meadow. The sun hadn't even risen and the sky was still dark, stars still apparent. The air was chilly, and the field was quiet, with only the early birds crying a few calls every now and then.

Sasuke seemed to be the only one unaffected by the early morning, Naruto noted. Sakura was tired and he himself had been unable to get a blink of rest the night before. He was in constant pain throughout the night, getting the chills, headaches, numbness and some heat flashes. Also, every time he began to drift into sleep, he could hear a cackling laugh of some animal, mocking him in the back of his mind. After this, he would instantly awaken and frown. By the time it was four in the morning, he realized it was hopeless and he should just get up and do something. He had wandered around the city, forgetting breakfast, before he arrived at the meadow where they were to meet.

So the trio stood or sat there on the spot and waited for their sensei's arrival.

A few hours later, a passerby would see the trio still waiting. Naruto had started to check Jiraiya's work again, as a way to advert his attention from the pain on his back. He would look up once in a while to see Sakura pacing around, sighing in annoyance with their teacher's chronic tardiness. However, when he turned his attention to Sasuke, the blue-haired boy was simply just standing there, his face emotionally devoid. Then, finally, he saw Sakura stop and then stomp her right foot.

"Where the hell is Kakashi-sensei!?" she cried aloud, the frustration dripping all over her comment.

Naruto got up and turned to his right. The other two followed his gaze to see Kakashi land on the ground, not really even making a thump.

"Speak of the devil..." Naruto commented casually.

Kakashi smiled beneath his mask and waved.

"Mornin' everyone."

"..."

Sakura was the first to explode.

"MORNING?! IT'S PRACTICALLY THE AFTERNOON! YOU--"

She was about to throw a fit when Naruto interrupted.

"So what are we here for?"

"That's a good question, Naruto. You see, this is a test to see which team deserves to be rewarded with the title of genin."

Sasuke looked up at this and responded,

"Deserves to be a genin? Isn't that what the test at the Academy's for?"

"Well... it's a preliminary test, sort of..." Kakashi started. He went on to explain how only nine people—three teams—were allowed to pass to become genin officially. He then brought out two silver bells tied to a red string. They rang in the air as he raised them for the three genin to see.

"You three are to attempt to steal these two bells from me. Whoever can get a bell gets to have lunch," he explained as he pointed to the rock with a few sets of lunches. "However, if you don't get a bell," he paused and gave a sadistic smile, "you will be tied up to one of those three poles and will be unable to eat while I finish your lunch for you. And of course, you will be sent back to the Academy, too."

He gave the three a few seconds to register what he had just told them right now.

"But why are there two bells?" Sakura asked, after a moment's hesitation.

"Only two of you will pass," was the response from Kakashi.

The students looked at their teacher, taken aback that one of them would have to be sent back to the academy.

"You won't be able to get a bell unless you come at me with a killer intent."

Out of his pocket, he produced a small alarm clock and turned the knob.

"Begin!"

The three disappeared instantly. Kakashi smiled, readying himself. He reached into a pocket on his utility belt and pulled out a book. One that Naruto recognized instantly.

'Icha Icha Paradise. Hehe, just wait 'til he reads Icha Icha Violence,' he thought, smirking to himself. He looked down to his left and a little ahead to see Sakura hidden beneath the bushes. He then turned right and up into the trees to see Sasuke covered by the trees. He smiled.

'So I can still sense specific people. Hahaha, I'm not losing my touch.'

The blonde boy then started to move and left, to set up some traps.

Kakashi giggled. This was the good part.

"Hehehe.." he snickered, covering his mouth with his free hand and blushing a light pink.

He then got up and walked towards the trees, around Sakura's direction. The silver-haired jounin already knew she had begun her search for her love interest, Sasuke. He would get her first, for not paying attention. He quietly made a genjutsu that gave the appearance of a mangled and scraped Sasuke and had it in position to make it look as if it was dying—her worst nightmare, in other words. He quickly ran to hide as he sensed her coming his direction.

"Hmm... I wonder where Sasuke-kun went..." she mumbled to herself. She shoved aside some branches and walked toward the small clearing. Her head was looking through the trees and then, her gaze stopped at the mangled up body of her beloved idol.

"SASUKE-KUN!!!!!!!!" she cried out loud and fainted.

The genjutsu dissipated and Kakashi stepped out and chuckled to himself quietly.

Naruto, who was up a tree stalking Kakashi wherever he would go, gave a sadistic smirk in amusement. He had hidden his chakra and covered all tracks he could have possibly left behind. On the leafy tree, his attention was on the silver haired jounin's actions. It was, after all, rather interesting to see their teacher manipulate his student. His eyes followed his sensei as he began to fight with the other member of team seven, Uchiha Sasuke. He was interested in the boy's fighting capabilities and was impressed when Sasuke hands tipped the bells a little, surprising Kakashi. But Kakashi easily defeated the Uchiha as he used his underground jutsu to pull the boy underground.

Sasuke, who was irritated by this, glowered at Kakashi as he laughed at the Uchiha's demise. He then turned around and pulled out his book, leaving Sasuke squirming with his head above the ground.

"Grrrr... damn that Kakashi-sensei," he muttered under his breath.

"Thump," he heard as he saw Naruto land on his two feet from the tree.

"What? Since when were you there?"

"Shhh. You'll get me caught," Naruto replied. He then grinned and seemed to laugh inside at the boy half underground. He then walked away before Sasuke could stop him to have him help dig him up. He then turned to see Sakura walk by. She stopped in her tracks and starred at the boy's head.

"Oh good Sakura, you're here. Help me out of—" he started. He stopped after she fainted again.

"... Ugh!!"

Naruto smiled as he saw Kakashi standing alone in the clear field.

'I guess its time to get the action started.'

He then reached into his shurinken holster and pulled three out. He stood from the branch he was standing on and threw them consecutively at Kakashi.

Kakashi jumped up, with the book still in his hand, but moved to his right a little to avoid the shurinken. Naruto pulled a few more out and threw them at his sensei, forcing Kakashi to move more and more to his right.

'And it has begun.'

One more shurinken came flying but headed a different direction. Suddenly a crashing sound was heard.

"What the--"

Kakashi's eyes widened as a pillage of kunai started flying at him. He jumped to left rapidly, but it was useless as he heard a snap as a kunai cut into a rope. He had an expression of shock when a net pulling up from where Kakashi was standing.

'How did I miss that?!' he thought in his mind rapidly, trying to think of a solution.

Kakashi cut through the net, forcing him to land heavily onto the floor. Then, he heard a few twigs snap beneath him as he fell into a hole in the floor, covered by leaves. As he fell, he instantly made a hand seal.

"Kawarimi no Jutsu!" he cried, and was instantly replaced by a log that fell into the hole. But even though he got out of the traps, he was amazed by whoever set this up.

'The traps were efficient and set up in so little time. I was even forced to move exactly as he wanted me to. I guess he didn't plan for me to use kawarimi.'

He started clapping and stated blatantly, "Wonderful, Naruto. I'm impressed. You can come out now."

Naruto grinned from the tree he was on and jumped down to land gracefully in front of Kakashi. He took a sweeping bow and widened his grin as he looked up at his sensei.

"Glad you enjoyed it," he replied, "but it looks like I'll have to get serious soon."

"That you do."

Kakashi and Naruto both got into a loose fighting form. Kakashi, however, was unable to recognize the form the blonde boy had chosen; Naruto created it himself, based on what he had learned from in his travels and studies. But Naruto easily identified Kakashi's fighting style, based on his form.

[A/N: would it be dumb for me to just make up some sort of name for these things? I'm afraid if I do, it will be too difficult to believable...]

'Golden Tiger Fist,' Naruto thought. 'Can't be a match for the Uzumaki Fist. Tested it on Jiraiya before I think...'

'What fist is that?' Kakashi asked himself, stumped. But he was determined not to lose to a genin, whether he was Yondaime's son or not.

A light wind blew and a few leaves fell from the trees surrounding. A big, orange maple leaf was the last one to fall, lightly spinning in the wind. The moment that leaf landed, the two shinobi lunged at each other. Kakashi would attack with cautious, yet powerful attacks, while Naruto's fist tended to be somewhat more reckless with a lot of power. Though reckless, Naruto had an advantage. Kakashi would not know what to expect from his form. Kakashi, however, still was able to land his precise and powerful blows. One would push the other back, and then when he thought he had the lead, the other would push him. In the sparring match, it seemed impossible to figure out who was winning.

On the sidelines watching were the other two members of team seven, forgotten and discarded after their defeats. Still, the two were in awe as they watched the jounin and genin fight at what seemed to be equal grounds. The sounds of their clashing kunai could be heard once in a while, but the two were moving blurs, as they were moving as quickly as possible to try to gain an advantage in vain.

Then, the two shinobi jumped at each other, their kunai meeting, before jumping back.

Naruto did some hand seals and called out, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

Five Narutos appeared next to the original in a cloud of smoke.

They ran around the jounin, surrounding him before all doing seals and crying,

"Katon, Karyuu Endan!"

All at once, they took in a deep breath and blew fire out of their mouths. A huge flame engulfed the area where Kakashi was standing, but pulled another replacement technique, Naruto realized, seeing that a burning log had replaced what was supposed to be a burning body.

Then, one by one his copies were being destroyed. Naruto grabbed his kunai and attacked the air around him. When he did so, the silver hair jounin appeared where the kunai sliced and forced the jounin to jump back, having not expected the blonde to see his attack coming.

The observing genin were also astonished that their blonde teammate had seen it coming.

'Oh my goodness! It's as if he's almost at Kakashi-sensei's level,' Sakura thought. 'But he must be going easy on him. I mean Naruto is still just a genin.' She looked over to Sasuke, who was apparently wrapped up in watching the match.

'At least I have one teammate who won't hold me back completely,' Sasuke pondered, 'but I wonder between the two of us which is the better.' He frowned at the thought of losing to Naruto, who hadn't even gone to the academy and seemed to be a complete idiot. But the fight was proving otherwise, as though the blonde had never needed the academy's training.

Suddenly, a huge explosion erupted from Kakashi and Naruto's fight.

"What?! What happened?!" exclaimed Sakura. She jumped down from the branch she was perched upon and ran into the dark smoke. She waved her hands in vain to find the two.

Sasuke, who was still watching, was deciding whether he should do the same thing as the pink-haired genin had done, or watch to see what would happen. Choosing the latter, he intently watched the clearing smoke. In a few minutes, he saw the kunoichi at off on the side and two figures still fighting against each other. The two had kunai and were clashing as though the smoke wasn't there. Kakashi, then, swiftly kicked his student but Naruto slashed him where the bells were. His fingers caught the bells before Kakashi could react. The genin soon flew back onto the floor, sliding back from the force of the kick all the way to the back of a tree that blocked the blonde's path. Naruto then smiled triumphantly and rang the bells tauntingly before his teacher. Sakura and Sasuke both ran to where Naruto fell.

"Are you okay?" Sakura asked.

"GIVE ME THE BELL AND SASUKE THE BELLS!!" Inner Sakura yelled.

Sasuke, who was standing to Naruto's right, looked over Naruto.

"He's okay. There doesn't look to be any injuries other than a few scratches," Sasuke said.

Kakashi then got up and strolled over to where his students were talking.

"Well done, Naruto. You took me on yourself and actually achieved to get the bells," Kakashi commented, "but now, it is up to you to decide who gets the bells."

The blonde listened as he got up and brushed himself off. Naruto thought carefully, closing his eyes and bringing his hand to his chin in a thinking pose.

"Hmm..."

Sakura clasped her hands to her chest and closed her eyes, praying that she wouldn't have to be sent back to the hellhole. Sasuke, however, just waited for the blonde's response, standing to the side with his hands in his pockets.

"You have a choice to give it to the two of them and return to the academy yourself, or you can choose one of them and send the other back. It's your choice."

'That's tough. Who to choose? Well they both have their good and bad abilities... But who would be the most beneficial team member?' Naruto asked himself.

His eyes then lighted up and he grinned.

"Yatta! I know what to do!" he yelped. He then turned seriously to the two other genin. Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke awaited his response.

"..."

"Eenie, meenie, miney, moe."

Sakura clobbered him and yelled, "You can't choose like that!"

Naruto fell forward, and collapsed stiffly onto the grass, face forward. The three other shinobi stood shocked at what happened.

"Oh my god! I didn't kill him did I?" Sakura screeched.

Kakashi bent over to the blonde's body and lightly tapped the boy.

"No, he's just unconscious again. We should get him to see a doctor though. He's burning up."

His eyes creased before the smoothed out. He opened his eyes, revealing two unfocused blue orbs wandering around the room to see where he was. The blonde boy turned his head both directions to see if he could recognize the place. He then looked down to see that he was on someone else's bed, well, at least not his own. The room he was in was white and the curtains were blowing every time a small gust of air burst through the open windows. There was a leafy tree outside the window, and perched on a branch outside was a small bird, chirping. Naruto's eye's searched for a clock and found one, seeing that it was late. The door then opened and in walked the Third Hokage with Kakashi following behind.

"Oh. He has awaken," the Third said.

"Where am I, Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked, curious.

"Where are you? Have you never been inside a hospital?"

"A hospital? Oh! One of those! I've heard of them from Jiraiya and my travels!" he said, excitedly.

He then paused before speaking again.

"But why are they so bleak? It's so dreary in here," he noted. "Eh, whatever. What am I here for?"

The Third turned to Kakashi, giving him the stage to talk.

"Hmmm... After you got the bells, you collapsed and you began to burn up. We had to take you here for them to cool your temperature," Kakashi stated.

"Mmm, Kakashi, have you gotten rusty? You let him get the bells from you on his first try?" teased Sandaime.

Kakashi coughed.

"Anyways, we would like for you to clarify what exactly happened. Whats going on, Naruto?" Kakashi asked, solemnly.

The blonde looked up at the two, unsure.

As if the Third Hokage read his mind he said, "Do not fear, Naruto-kun. We are doing this for your own good."

Slightly reassured, the boy smiled, and started recalling the memory of the mission.

"Truth be told, I really don't know. I think it started after my last mission in Hidden Cloud. Jiraiya and I were mostly wanderers most the time I was with him. We rarely actually stayed for more than a month in a city, always traveling. But we had to get money and we did it by doing jobs for Hidden Villages. Jiraiya was pretty famous, not just for his book series, as much as I hate to admit it. At that time we were staying in Lightning Country, we needed some money, so as usual we went to the Raikage's palace for a job...

::Flashback::

Naruto frowned. The lavishly clad Raikage grinned widely at the spectacle. The blonde and his sensei were requesting for a mission from Hidden Cloud, even though they weren't Cloud shinobi.

'I bet that baka of a Kage is going to make us do an A-ranked mission and pay us from what'd we get from a C-rank mission in Hidden Mist. That cheap old—"

"Ah! I've got it! I know the perfect mission for you two!" cried the giddy Raikage. He stood up and put a serious expression on his face. "I'm afraid it will be an A-ranked mission though."

Naruto sweatdropped.

"What's the compensation?" Jiraiya asked.

"I'm afraid our country is a little on the poor side right now," lied the Raikage, in his silk robes and glittering jewelery.

Naruto turned to Jiraiya and gave him a glowering look. Jiraiya smiled nervously in response and shrugged, as if saying that there was no other way, causing the blonde to sigh in defeat.

"What are the details, Raikage-sama?"

"Hidden Cloud asks for you to assassinate an S-class missing-nin for us. Her name is Miyu Akimomo of Hidden Grass."

.:Pause Flashback:. [A/N: if there's sucha thing. Hahah it just means a lil break while the characters return to the present time before resuming and oh my gosh! I totally hate the idea of the last name akimomo xb next time I'll make a better name]

Kakashi and Sandaime looked at eachother. The two nodded. Naruto looked at them, curiously.

"Go on," Sandaime urged.

Naruto nodded and started up once more.

"Well, anyway, the Raikage gave us the details of where to find her, which was the bathhouse. Of course, once Ero-sennin heard bathhouse, he immediately jumped at the chance. The Raikage mentioned that Akimomo would always bathe at famous Seinji Mountain Hot Springs Bathhouse. When undercover, things got out of hand when Ero-sennin began to forget about the mission and some girls were coming down the hall..."

::Resume Flashback:: [A/N: this is from chapter 2. you can skip this if you want but I'm rephrasing it a lil so its in Naruto's POV]

Naruto and Jiraiya's eyes widened with fear.

Naruto quickly did some hand signs.

"Henge!" he said quietly.

Jiraiya stared at the sight in front of him.

"Stop staring! Do something!" Naruto hissed. But it was unfortunate that Jiraiya was drooling like an idiot and giggling as he moved closer to Naruto in his Sexy no Jutsu form. Naruto sighed.

'Jiraiya's going to kill me but it's the only way.'

He took a deep breath and then,

"PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERT!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock.

"What are you doing?!" he yelped, but not before long, the women coming down the hall had screamed as well, as soon as they saw the old white- haired man.

Soon, all the women ran out screaming and they all chased Jiraiya out of the building while a few consoled Naruto in his sexy no jutsu form.

"Y-y-yea! I-I'm fine!" Naruto insisted, while nodding quickly.

His eyes caught a wandering figure of a slender 20-ish woman walking out with dark brown hair and green eyes.

Instantly, he jumped behind her and held a kunai to her throat while twisting her arm behind her back, thus making her unable to make a run for it or make any hand signs.

"Hello Miss Akimomo Miyu. So we meet alas."

The brunette snarled at Naruto.

"Who are you? How do you know who I am?"

"How could I not know who you are? You're only one of the youngest most wanted S-class criminals around. Who I am doesn't matter."

The other girls were shocked at the scene and began to run away.

"Oh. That." Miyu smirked deviously. "Well I was wondering when I'd be caught. Congratulations."

"Why thank you. Now if you don't mind," Naruto said. Quickly, he drew the knife across her throat. Miyu then reached up and placed a kiss on Naruto's lips. Her body went limp and she died instantly.

"...?"

'Wonder what that was about...' Naruto thought. His eyes suddenly saw a flash of red before his vision cleared up. But he shrugged it off as his recent inability to sleep the night before.

"These missions are getting tiresome," he mumbled to himself. He deactivated the sexy no jutsu and threw the body of the S-class criminal over his shoulders and started to head out of the bathhouse.

::End Flashback::

"We went to talk to the Raikage and collected our pay after. But ever since that day, I've been having these pains. I don't know where they're from but..." he hesitated for a moment.

"But... I've been hearing growls in my sleep, too. And usually, after my pains, it drains me of all my energy. I think that's why I've been falling out of consciousness. I hear the growls mock me, I think. I think I'm going crazy." The young boy looked down to his hands clasped on to the sheets. "What's going on with me?"

The two adults were silent for a moment. They were severely concerned with this problem.

"Naruto?" the Third said.

"Mn?"

"Was there anything strange that happened during the mission? Did Akimomo do a jutsu?"

Naruto thought hard and silently, trying to recall.

"No, I'm sure of it. It was really her, too. Not just some clone."

Kakashi asked, "Do you have a disease?"

The boy scowled and replied, "A disease?! Me? Ha! No!"

The third frowned.

"Hmmm... Maybe it would be a good idea for you to get a blood test. Just to see if maybe you are infected. I'll call for a doctor for a check up for everything."

"Isn't that a bit extreme Hokage-sama?"

"Well, we'll just have to see."

The old man turned and walked out to summon a doctor.

TBC

A/N: YATTA! I'm done!! .:does a little dance:. Hahahah. There was actually more I was going to add but then yea... hahaha I got bored of writing it... took a while for me to think of this... I hope it doesn't sound too bad... consider this a rough draft kuz I don't want to read through it but I'll fix anything when I find a mistake or something.... And Jiraiya will come back into the picture in the next chapter so - don't get behind! Okay, I don't update that slowly... hahaha just kidding.

I hope you guys liked the chapter! Please R&R! I'll try to update sooner next time!

Okay those are the edits... sorry for the delay..... hahahah I don't know if it's a bad ending but yea...