Naruto is fighting, and he is training. He now knows that he has a demon fox inside of him, and he refuses to lose. He now knows why the villages hate him and look at him with dark, cold eyes. He's training to become stronger so that the demon fox can't consume him.

He's going to prove all those people wrong. He's going to surpass them all.

: - :

Sakura is staring in to the mirror. In her left hand she's holding her new leaf head protector. She looks at it and then to her reflection in the mirror. Slowly, she reaches up and undoes the ribbon and replaces it with the forehead protector. She's holding the ribbon in her hand now, and she thinks she'll need to return it to Ino.

When she looks up, she is crying.

: - :

Kakashi is staring down at the three who are now under his command. He has orders to train them and make them warriors, and he does not intend to fail. He asks them to tell him about themselves so he can grasp what to do and if they'll pass.

They are still young and naïve, they trust him when he told them not to eat for the next day. He recalls not trusting anyone when he was at that age.

: - :

Sasuke didn't like his teammates at first, and he hadn't liked the Jounin chosen to instruct them either. These people were too carefree, too lighthearted and not skilled enough. But he sees differently now. Kakashi is strong, Naruto has potential, and Sakura has control.

Now he thinks, maybe, he could use them.

: - :

Hinata is shy, and hesitant, but when Kurenai-sensei comes to pick her up she is ready. She told her that she doesn't need to speak with her family, but Kurenai insists to be polite. Her sister is training with her father when they go to speak with him. Kurenai says she would like permission to take Hinata away, and grandfather says she's welcome to do it.

When they leave, Hinata's head is bowed, but she is glad they are leaving that house behind.

: - :

Neji is training. He is focused and unrelenting in his punches. He is sparring with Lee, but neither of them is pulling their punches and Gai watches the two so they do not go overbroad. Ten Ten watches nervously from the side and she wishes that this was over already.

They're going to take the Chuunin exam this year. Neji is determined.

: - :

Kakashi hadn't wanted to use the Sharrigan, he hadn't wanted to with them there. But he did once, and again. And the three little soldiers under his command are watching him as they fight their own fights. He can feel the ability becoming activated and running through his veins.

He wonders if Sasuke understood the implications.

: - :

It's Father's day and Naruto has bought a present with some of his meagre savings. He wonders if it is appropriate and if he should just go home. He had bought a present for Iruka-sensei because he was as much of a parent that he has ever had. And he smiles as Iruka-sensei meets him halfway and says they'll be going for ramen for dinner.

Naruto is happy, because for now this is enough. But deep down, he wishes that he knew who is father had been.

: - :

Sakura's hair is short and chopped, and her parents had been shocked when they first saw it. But Sakura touches the jagged ends and thinks; maybe she likes it better this way. Dinner is almost ready but she run out anyways, telling her parents she would be back later.

She and Ino were going to have dinner together.

: - :

Sasuke acknowledges that he has gotten strong, but still not strong enough. He recognizes his past fears, and he's tired of being the scaredy cat that Naruto had accused him of. He wants revenge and he wants to ask his brother why.

He needs power, he thinks, and touches the curse seal on his neck lightly.

: - :

Hinata is hurt and is in pain. Her charka is blocked, and her healing is coming very slowly. She's coughing blood and she's in the hospital and she has broken bones. But this is nothing new to her.

She recognizes that she has changed. And that means everything.

. : - : .