Warning list
COPYRIGHT
In Soviet Russia, you own Naruto. Here and now, Naruto owns you.
YADA YADA
You know the rest. Otherwise, refer to 1st chapter.

Foreword:
Last chapter was focused on introducing the Naruto for this story. This chapter is the main focus piece for how the timeline changes and will introduce Kakashi, a bit of Sakura and a signette of Ino. Sasuke gets the short end of the stick this chapter but he'll get his piece soon enough.

Fox Identity
by Arkhe

Chapter Two: Apprentice I / Outlining Your Goals

Today's air had a crisp smell, for it was a new day, full of new suprises, new starts and new horizons. Truly it was all blue skies and sunshine on this very day.

"You'll have to come at me with killing intent to win."

And with that one statement, the genin of Team 7's bubble was burst and a cloud was to start raining on their parade.

How are mere genin supposed to defeat a jounin?

The genin in orange however, regarded this statement with growing interest. He knew Mizuki had been a chuunin caught by surprise and considered how he would fare against a jounin. Deciding on wanting to begin now (on the premise that if his teacher isn't able to defend himself, then the man didn't deserve his title), he whipped out a kunai and rushed head on...

("NOTHING WILL STOP ME FROM BECOMING HOKAGE!" Was Naruto's idiotic obligatory war-cry.)

...Only to take one step and have his own arm-wielding kunai pointed into the back of his own head.

"Maa... I haven't even said to begin yet." Kakashi's voice complained from behind the astounded fox-boy.

Begrudingly, the genin eased his muscles. When his teacher was satisfied, he had let go of Naruto's arm and then indicated to begin the test.

Smoke immediatley flooded the vicinity and Kakashi was satisfied at how his team had dispatched to hide.

"Hey!"

Except...

"I don't think you're quite getting this..." The masked jounin remarked. He waved his hand in a circulating motion, futiley trying to gesture his student about remembering ninja ethics -namely hide.

Only Naruto had no reason to hide. He wanted a fight and was raring to get it (what happened before didn't count as he had telegraphed his moves).

When actually engaging his teacher in combat, he'd been thoroughly surprised; the cycloptic teacher had been quite fast paced at reacting -especially when all the attacks were directed at his blind spot. Naruto had penned it down as battle experience; something he himself was sorely lacking.

From here, Naruto had left himself open to take one of Kakashi's attacks. Namely, an asspoke that sent the poor fox-boy into the river. Fury brushed his thoughts at being humiliated like that and Naruto had employed his Kage Bunshin on the jounin; knowing full well that his knowing of this particular technique would become common knowledge. The stunned reaction had stroked the blond's pride, however when Kakashi had used Kawarimi to swap positions with a shadow clone, Naruto's interest waned and he purposely messed around until the test ended.

Watching the preceedings had been a curious item. Whilst he had pulled out of the game and consequently ended being strung up, Naruto couldn't help but feel something had slipped him by. His research into genin teams years ago had him learn about this test -a test to find out whether a genin team was ready for jounin tutelage. He was unable to get the information out of his prior classmates and it was only now he that he experienced it that he learned about it.

But something didn't add up.

He knew Genins were put into teams of three, yet Kakashi had said that someone would still fail. But he knew of people who went into the test and the ones who graduated stayed in the same teams and not mixed into the theoretical amount of people who got a bell.

Meaning...

It hadn't been a test of skill.

Naruto had furrowed his eyebrows, finding there was more to this test than what he had expected. In retrospect he should've known, but was quick to shrug it off, as now that he fails, he would be able to ensure a better team and then prepare to pass for that test.

Leave it to Sasuke to shove a snack in Naruto's mouth to have the team barely pass Kakashi's test.

And so, Team 7 begins the D-Rank Missions.

"Gardening is boooooooooooring!" Whined Naruto.

The team had winced. They had all unanimously agreed with their loud team member, but none did so vocally.

"Shut up, idiot." Said Sasuke.

Once again the team had winced and there was another unspoken agreement about their dead-last teammate.

Naruto muttered some obscene language under his breath and continued to pull out more weeds. Though seemingly unwittingly, he did note to pull out some herbs out of spite for the (fox-hating) owner.

"I really, really don't like dogs..." Naruto growled.

"Fool. Serves you right for picking the biggest dog." Sasuke rolled his eyes.

The dog Naruto had chosen to walk had turned the tables on him and instead the dog had taken Naruto for a walk...

...Through a chuunin training ground.

Though the dog emerged fine, Naruto looked like he had been one of the academy's test dummies for a long duration.

Bringing the dogs back was a quiet affair and though Naruto had a frown on his face, it was only for show as he revelled in learning that his academy genjutsu had worked into coercing the dog into taking him through the training field (as he was unable to test it on anything else if he were to keep with his role). Though happy with the mind trick, he felt a little disappointed with his endurance, as it fell a little below his expectations when he had purposely set off a number of traps in the test area.

The dog served his purpose without bringing suspicion to his plans and so he decided against giving it fleas like he had originally intended.

-Whoosh-

-Thunk-

"And that's why you're dead-last." Sasuke remarked about Naruto's last attempt at target practise.

"Shut up, jerk." Naruto spat.

The arrogant boy only smirked in response.

Kakashi looked up long enough from his perverted novel to announce that training was over and promptly disappeared in a flurry of leaves.

Sasuke had no reserve to leave with a word on his part, so he began his trek back home. Sakura saw her chance to ask him for an outting, to which he shut her out.

Awaiting Naruto's advances to replace her idol and just itching to brush him off, Sakura waited stiffly. When no such suggestions from her teammate came forward, she looked over to see that he was too busy beating on a dummy to even notice training was already proclaimed over. Thanking a minor deity for small conveniences, she had walked off to her own devices.

It's quite well-known that Hatake Kakashi's a genius. Sharingan aside, he had done exceedingly well without it for the half of his life he had yet to recieve it. Many people had attributed all his achievements as to perhaps the way he thought, or maybe he was striving hard for his father's sake and that was the drive to make him grow up quickly. True, all above contributed to Kakashi's successful career, but when it came down to it, there was one thing that the Hatake prodigy kept at his beck and call.

Gut instinct.

It goes without saying that he could easily recall all kinds of rules and procedures, but he would truly shine when there was nothing holding him back.

It was rather unfortunate that only during that one mission with Obito he had favoured regulations over his instinct...

...And it had cost him the death of his dearest friend.

Well, perhaps they weren't exactly close friends before the mission, but it's said the strains of friendship can be measured how far one would be willing to go for the other. Clearly, in the time they knew each other, Obito went that one step further than Kakashi would have ever reciprocated. Nor now will the jounin ever get the chance to repay the debt.

And so it is ironically enough, it was his friend's eyes that allowed him a new look to the way he saw things. The Sharingan not withstanding, he saw a new appreciation for things. And with this new insight, he held close to his gut to make sure nothing would threaten these things as long as he had something to say about it.

And that's the reason why he was watching one of his students from afar. Granted, he'd observe his students from time to time outside team-related matters as to subtley get to know how they think and to take advantage of the knowledge to prepare them better. (Actually, the reason he would be late to meetings was simply to build teamwork between the members -even if it was against himself. Though this was his rationalisation for either taking his sweet time at the epitaph or giving him time to read his 'sweet' novels.)

But his gut had been rather adamant about the blond-haired boy still training at the field. It's been over a week and he'd spend more time observing the boy than any of the others simply because something had felt amiss...

Drawing blanks, Kakashi decided it was time to take a break from his look-out and return with a full stomach. After all, though a vessel, the boy was still a genin. With the distance between himself and the clearing ever widening, Kakashi couldn't help but think that it was that kind of irresponsible thinking that got Obito killed.

A few minutes later, Kakashi had been roof-hopping when he found himself joining the company of the other jounin teachers at the usual eatery that was quite popular among the more experienced shinobi. Inevitably, the subject of their teams had arisen.

"My team's gotten off to a good start." Kurenai said before pausing to take a small bite out of the simple cake she had ordered. "Inuzuka Kiba is kind of a hot-head, Aburame Shino is very single-mindedley focused and Hinata of the Hyuuga is self-destructively polite."

She again paused to take another prim bite, taking brief glances at her audience's eyes.

"Their problems are rather easy to solve, although they already get along pretty well only..." She winced at what was coming ahead. "They all have blood-limits and I'm quite stumped as to how I should be teaching them."

All the instructors within earshot nodded. They all knew exactly where she was coming from, as they'd all been there or atleast reminisced about the old days being in genin teams and considered how hard their own teachers worked for them. It was unanimously agreed that with tutoring those that had vastly alternate skills than your own, you just have to wing it, give it your best shot and hope it's enough. Families usually trained their children in their arts anyway.

Sarutobi Asuma bit off a piece of meat on his skewer and then pointed it the female jounin.

"Well, you sound pretty unlucky. I've got the Shika-Ino-Cho team. Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chouji. They all don't have a drive in training. Infact, I play shogi against the Nara all the time!"

For some reason (possibly known only to him), Asuma puffed his chest out, preening at the (disbelieving) attention.

"That's really not something to be proud of." Kurenai rolled her eyes and was quick to add under her breath. "I wonder if you even gave a test, or how they managed to pass it..."

The bearded instructor shrugged it off and turned to address the final person that made their company.

"How's your team, Kakashi?"

Kakashi was about to speak when his coffee and sandwich finally arrived. He thanked the waitress kindly with his standard happy, close-eyed nod and added the necessary additions to his beverage, ignoring the sandwich for the moment.

Kurenai paid extra attention to him, considering that she'd never seen this jounin without the mask and -of course- the cup to mouth movement required a drinking motion, that a barrier should not get inbetween, for it be successful. (Actually, you could say she was trying to look underneath the underneath.)

"Oh, just an odd group. Haruno Sakura, Sasuke of that clan and the Naruto."

The air had been pregnant with silence between the three.

"Damn."

Asuma found his voice and spoke what first came to mind. This response was the most obvious choice for this moment.

"Yep." Kakashi replied, now picking the mug up.

"Two missing nins and a vessel."

Kurenai added in her two cents. She was glad that she was up-to-date with this kind of knowledge (as being recently promoted to jounin had you privy to alot of new gossip restricted from below the rank), however she cursed at her lapse in concentration at the sight that now coursed her masked companion's face.

"Indeed." Kakashi nonchalantly took a sip from a straw that went underneath the mask.

"Did you know Itachi?" Asuma asked, completely missing whatever subtle event that took place.

"Not personally." Kakashi shrugged.

"I knew Sakura's aunt." The only female in the conversation interrupted. Both gave her their attention. "From what I can remember, She was the first Haruno since the establishment of the Leaf to become a ninja." She gave pause to a stray memory. "She was such a nice person. I don't think she ever became a missing-nin... In all honesty, I think she was one of the ninjas lost during that attack since I wouldn't know for the life of me why she'd ever leave the village." The lapse in concentration had cost her again.

"They say that her relationship had her go into hiding." Kakashi mumbled whilst chewing. His coffee now empty and straw sitting idly by, Kakashi waved his sandwich that procurred a bite-mark somehow, though his mask had not look to have shifted in the least.

"Relationship?" This was the first Kurenai had heard it. Thinking back on some old memories, she could swear she saw the now proclaimed missing-nin with someone else once or twice.

"I think I remember someone, but I'm not quite sure..." This time she made sure not to blink to miss the masked jounin's antics this time.

Kakashi dubiously averted his gaze, considering his next choice of words. Both Kurenai and Asuma leaned in. Although the male of the listeners had already heard the rumors, he knew if it was coming from Kakashi then it was likely that they were true.

Kakashi moved his sandwich to his face but then was surprised to find his mask blocking the exchange, as if he had forgetten he was wearing a mask at the time. Looking up to see both teachers staring expectantly and a little surprised themselves, he (assumedley) grinned awkwardly.

"Sorry bout that, I forgot I keep it on."

Kakashi proceeded to wrap his sandwich up with a napkin and added it to one of his vest pockets. Kurenai twitched an eye, completely unbelieving of the events, but she put it aside as to hear about what had happened to her old aquaintance.

"You see, she was seeing..."

But before Kakashi could continue, his eye had caught someone at the edge of his vision and stopped.

"Speak of the devil..." He murmured before he casually waved back.

His present company turned to see who he was adressing.

Kakashi seemed a little dazed, but he gladly gave a little wave right back at Haruno Sakura.

The generic thought of 'Who knew that teachers had private lives outside teaching?' crossed the little pink-haired ninja's mind, as does all students who meet their teachers outside any type of educational premise. Then she turned to continue along the district when...

"Forehead girl." A voice came from behind.

Sakura's back stiffened.

"Ino-pig." She replied just as curtly.

The blond girl's (presumably Ino's) eyes narrowed and she eyed her adversary warily.

"Well, I hope you're not up to gorge on something. Your waist looks bigger from the last time I've seen you." Said Ino haughtily.

Sakura recoiled but was quick to repay the debt.

"Were you talking to me or perhaps to your reflection in the window?"

Lightning flickered between the two as neither was determined to back down from the challenge...

-Growl-

...That is, until both their stomachs simultaneously voiced their independant opinions.

"W-well I'm sure that place nearby d-doesn't pack pounds." Ino had managed, her face a nice shade of red at the unexpected outburst.

"Y-yes. I-I agree. I'm sure their dumplings are practically f-fat-free." Sakura stuttered, her actions mirrored her blond counterpart.

And so, they both made their wounded pride way to do something about their complaining organs.

Now it's generally known that the Yamanaka and Haruno girls have been rivals for a number of years now. It's a little less known that both girls started off as friends prior to their rivalry and that a certain Sasuke is the cause of it (as is the cause of many a several other strained relationships).

Now, what's not known is that despite their differences in showboat distaste for the other, is that their rivalry only extends to either the previously mentioned Uchiha survivor or ninja training. So despite all appearances, they are, in all terms of the word, (sort of) friends.

Thus, now they had seated themselves at the same table and proceeded to order. Of course, leave it to rivalry to also affect how they order as not to show weakness to the other.

"I'll have two pork buns and a glass of water, please." Ino went first. She briefly glanced at Sakura, making sure that her pink-haired rival waswatching her before hastily adding. "The second bun for take-away. For my brother."

"And I'll have some steamed dumplings." Sakura chose then decided on adding a drink. "And a glass of cola." She saw her friend raise an eyebrow at this. "Diet cola, that is."

After jotting down the notes, the waitress left and some of the tension drifted, allowing for small talk between the competing ladies. By the time the food arrived, they'd both were now speaking on common subjects like that of boring D-Rank missions, lazy teammates and even lazier teachers, training and 'Sasuke did this the other day'...

"He did! Aaaawww... I wish I was there to see that!"

"Haha, it was something alright!"

"Doesn't mean anything though. This seperate teams thing is a setback, but it doesn't mean Sasuke and I aren't destined for each other!"

"In your dreams! Sasuke's mine already, you just haven't caught on yet!"

"Fat chance! Sasuke would only look at you if you're a real ninja!"

"Well, good thing my uncle got me the new top-of-the-line Kuna..."

"...Something wrong?"

"My kunai! I must've left them at the training site!"

Sakura abruptly stood up.

"I'm really sorry, but I got to get them! Naruto was last there and if that weirdo found them, he would probably add them to some sort of stalker-shrine of me!"

Ino chuckled (though the irony of themselves having shrines to their 'beloved' flew right over their heads). Sakura then pulled out a couple of bills to cover her meal and started for the exit.

"Well, you best hurry then! I'll see you later!"

"Take care!"

When Sakura finally arrived at the training area, she was surprised to see her blond teammate was still there, still in a one-man war against his perpetual motionless-foe (suffice to say, though both combatants were quite haggard, Naruto's more sluggish movements had made it look like the dummy edged the boy out in endurance).

She took a moment to pause in her search for her weapons to eye her teammate warily. Though it was admittedley cute that he had a crush on her, it was offset by the fact that he'd be annoying in any possible way and it's practically typical for him to just somehow spoil any type of 'alone time' she found with her Sasuke. Still, she had nothing against him personally and she (silently) respects his (loudly self-proclaimed) determination.

"Hey Naruto!"

He paused and turned to look at her. His eyebrows lifted and a grin replaced the serious barred teeth.

"Hey Sakura-chan!" He waved at her exaggeratingly.

It was then that Sakura had noticed the condition of his hands. They were heavily bruised and lightly bloody. The scabs weren't given a chance to form as he had abused it over and over. Gasping at the sight, she hurriedly reached into her pack for a roll of bandages. (Sakura's mother had been very adamant about treating injuries and illnesses, so it shouldn't be surprising that her daughter had taken after her in that respect.)

"Quick Naruto, hold out your hands!"

He did so without question and Sakura went about adding ointments before wrapping them up.

"You shouldn't over do it, Naruto..."

"No way! I'll keep practising and show that jerk just yet!"

Sakura stopped herself from correcting him about her handsome teammate.

"Yes, but pushing your body past what it can't handle is terrible. You might not heal right. Infections or even your chakra points in your hands will misalign or something."

It showed on his face that the explanation flew over his head but she saw him nod, grateful all the same. "Thanks Sakura-chan."

She smiled at his soft spoken expression. There were never times that he'd be quiet like this. Oh sure, he'd be quiet when he'd plot or when he'd sulk, but never when he'd just be content.

Without having much else to add to the small talk, she looked to the clouds. "Well, I think it'll rain tonight. You might want to head in."

"I can take my break later! I've got to keep practising to become Hokage someday!" He returned to pummeling the hapless dummy and Sakura saw it as a signal to take her leave.

It was only when she reached the edge of the clearing did she stop to watch him for a few more moments.

"You could learn a little from him, Sakura."

Startled out of her thoughts, she turned to the newcomer. "Kakashi-sensei?"

The jounin nodded in Naruto's direction. "On some days like this, he practises til he falls unconscious and stays overnight."

"You can't be serious!" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"I am very serious. However, somehow he just doesn't improve as quickly as other people do. His stamina on the other hand is impressive. I dare say he would be quite the juggernaut should he master it."

Sakura had nodded and turned when she heard him shout out his prize technique; Kage Bunshin. She watched a little longer as just over a handful of clones unorganisedley attacked the dummy, some getting in the way of others and one had attached itself to the head of the dummy and bit down hard from on its perch. She giggled at his antics and looked to gauge Kakashi's action.

He wasn't there.

Seeing that he had left, she resumed back on her way.

Upon her leaving, a Naruto (the one biting on the dummies head) exploded causing a chain reaction of explosions from the remaining clones. Having confirmation from his replications that she wasn't watching, he launched back into his normal attack. The bandages turned red very quickly.

Unknownst to Sakura, the Hatake genius had stuck around, but settled from a different post to watch the Uzumaki boy from a distance again. The boy had him truly perplexed. The lunch break had allowed him some space for thought and he had come up with two theories.

On one hand, Naruto was an idiot. Loud, crude, linear thinking and downright clumsy. He had glaringly obvious attack patterns and would more often than not, inflict more damage to himself than his opponent, but could still outlast them! The boy lacked direction but was determined to get to places. A dangerous combination.

On the other hand, Kakashi narrowed his eye, the boy was a genius. A very motivated, completely subtle and far more cunning than anyone on some level. None of this could be proven though, the jounin could only guess some possibilities considering he had based it solely on the genin knowing a forbidden jounin level technique inconjunction with his gut instinct. Just no solid evidence whatsoever.

Eventually, the Jounin shrugged it off. His book called to him and after watching Naruto do hours upon hours of punching the dummy, did he give the boy the benefit of the doubt and concluded that Naruto just might be a field-genius, evolving far more quickly in situations than he ever could with text. An Uzumaki were always known for that sort of thing.

When the jounin left, a few rocks surrounding the area exploded in a burst of smoke and Naruto finally made his move, leaving the training field.

It had taken him the better part of just a little under an hour of tree-hopping before he found his destination; a clearing that hosted an old and extensively large tree with a sort of creeper sapling coiling itself around its host.

Naruto created a clone to turn into a bucket and used it to draw water from a nearby stream. All done with a ginger grin, focused on the results of the secret he had planted there 2 weeks ago.

Some few days after the Mizuki incident, he'd read across some simple instructions about a certain set of seals.

Particularly how to add an element to a weapon.

The scroll had been vaguely specific, but he had reasoned that the method was common (high-class) ninja knowledge and it was only the method of how to make specific (and powerful) result was what each Hidden Village adheres to keep secret.

So, though the art should technically take years to make, Naruto had planned shortcuts he had access to. For example, a most effective weapon would require the element to be infused long before the blade is made and then infused time and time again for each time it is molded, until it is its final product. In this sense, a blade with a burning edge could be made by adding liberous amount of fire and sealing flames into the unmolded metal, then careful manufacturing of the metal into a sword, whilst adding more heat and fire techniques throughout the molding process. Tada! A sword with a fiery edge!

In Naruto's case, he alternated the method a little. He reasoned that if a weapon can be sealed with an element, then why can't an element be sealed with a weapon? His reasoning was to swap the key ingredients around; much alike having the fire and molding a weapon out of that. Thus a fire with a wieldable sword-like edge! It was sort-of the same effect in the end!

With all this in mind, Naruto purchased a second-hand kunai that had seen many a battle (as it would be more subjected to chakra coursing it) and wrapped some silk around the handle that had been soaked in water meshed with chakra. From there, he'd located a sapling-creeper plant, that grew quickly and an age old tree to host it. Then he'd bury the kunai at the roots of the creeper so that it would theoretically absorb the chakra from the kunai and slowly become attached to it, possibly merging with it.

That was a little over 2 weeks ago and since then, Naruto had returned here to pour it water and chakra every day. And just like every day, the plant danced ever so faintly to the whims of a breeze that wasn't there, whilst tightening its grip around the tree.

A little excited at the development, Naruto was still a little disappointed with the speed of the progress. At this rate, the weapon would only be halfway decent by the end of the year! Having to pay so many visits would undoubtedley bring up unwanted attention, so it would be in his best interest to try to finish this project within a handful of months. No need to risk his life over something that wasn't working.

So Naruto decided to play his short-cut card.

His eyes turned slitted as he called on the red chakra. Years ago, he'd already learned to tap into the seal to pull red chakra out for his benefit. It was always signalled with the tinting of the eyes and would also give him minor boosts in Taijutsu as well as a little faster healing rate. He'd never dare to test how much he could pull out, as the village might be a tad sensitive towards sensing demonic chakra -as was the case now.

He then he pulled away Sakura's bandages and swiftly drew a kunai over his unprotected wrist. When the cut bled freely, he held it over the creeper.

The instantaneous effect had been amazing but almost beautifully dangerous to behold.

If the earlier movement had been likened to that of a whimper, than the results now were akin to that of a scream. The blooming green foliage had tinted to an ominous red, leaves shed and buds grew and the tendrils wrapped itself further around the tree, squeezing like that of a deathly forbidden embrace.

Naruto couldn't help but be very impressed. His corner cutting had done better than he had predicted! And so he repeated shedding blood again and again, encouraging the sapling to grow and grow. It was only when the effects slowed down, did he take it as a symbol to stop.

He stood back and admired his work. Before today, it would appear the creeper was merely a growth, hugging at the age old tree as something perhaps looking up to it; a guardian for the little plantling. But now it appears differently. Now it appears more to be a parasite; the red leech wrapping its vines in a deceitful and painful hold. In the coming months, it will eventually overwhelm the tree, choking the life out of it until there was nothing left to take and then it would start choking the others out of its reach.

Then it should be ready for harvesting.

Naruto gave a nod and made a quick mental note to change his cultivating schedule accordingly and left satisfied for the day, heading back to his original training area to pick up where he left off.

By the time he arrived, it was fast approaching nightfall and the genin dug into his stamina training with vigor. The first few minutes were fine but he was starting to notice the signs of faint. Looking to his bandaged hands from earlier and then his wrist, it had sunk in that he had lost more blood than he really should've gave.

Without time to get home, Naruto retrieved his canteen and downed as much water as he could before unconsciousness takes him. It was mere seconds later he keeled over trying, and failing, to keep himself upright using the dummy as support. But he was content with all of his accomplishments coming along nicely and that everything would be right with his world soon enough.

Though, he could stand to keep more blood next time.

When looking to describe Sakura, one is quick to remember that she is kind and cordial to her family, friends and generally anyone she comes across. The exception being her temper, raised against those that really grate her nerves. This kind attitude of helping others and rough-housed competition has helped her excel to vast heights. This is in reference to her most obvious attribute her intelligence and analytical thinking. Because of this, she had graduated second to the top of her class (second only to Sasuke) and around third in her graduating year.

Though it's a feat for the amount of information she digests daily, it is because of a certain trait that had aided her kindness and competitive style is the real reason of why she's so knowledgable.

The reason behind this reasoning is her simple curiousity.

It's the reason why she knows of the brink of war all the Hidden Villages are planning for.
It's the reason why she knows of Kakashi's preceding reputation.
It's the reason why she knows of Sasuke being the last survivor of the Uchiha Clan.

But she still doesn't know the reason of Naruto's 'never say die' attitude.

So when the sun had long since set and Sakura was starting to prepare for bed and she happened to look outside, catching the moon just before it hid behind some thick, foreboding clouds, she briefly thought of rain and it reminded her of her meeting with Naruto earlier, followed by Kakashi's claim to her teammate's training regime.

And her curiousity got the better of her.

The pink-haired ninja then donned some of her usual ninja garb and (out of habit) retrieved her pouches. She was still attempting to pack more bandages and kunai and reaching the front door when an obstacle had appeared before her exit. Namely, her mother.

"Where are you going at this time?" The Haruno matriarch asked.

Knowing that it would be a bad idea for her to be out at this time for any boy, the younger Haruno female paused, considering what would make a more appropriate answer.

Luckily, her mother answered for her when noticing the various implements she was in the middle of storing.

"Training tonight? I guess I shouldn't wait up for you, daughter." She assumed. "Don't forget the bandages and ointments."

Not wanting to push her luck, Sakura hastily agreed and left.

Doubt had wedged itself firmly into her mind that Naruto would still be there at this time but she trudged on, firm on the decision 'just to see'. Her curiousity spurned her forwards and if he (likely) wasn't there, she'd just sneak back into her home. Yep, just get over there, 'whoops stupid me, he's not here' , and head ba-...

Sure enough he was still there and unconscious at the dummy's base.

"Oh Naruto... After all that, you still lost to a dummy." She quietly admonished.

She changed his bandages and was surprised at how fast he had healed, but she penned it down to Hinata passing by and giving him some her of home-made cream. A smile played on her lips as the thought of how the shy Hyuuga girl would go about giving it to him, stuttering and turning red as a tomato.

Once done, she then thought to just leave him there overnight, knowing full well that it was pretty normal for him to do that. The loud rumble overhead pulled on her conscience and she tried to wake him. Seeing how it wasn't working, she grabbed him by his arms and manuevered under him, as to give him a piggy-back for her long trek to his home.

On more than one occasion along the way, did Sakura wish she had knew Kage Bunshin too.

The reverberation of movement and the sound of footsteps had caused Sakura to return to the waking world. Blinking away the sleep, she was at first confused with her surroundings up until she remembered that after the tiring effort of bringing Naruto home, the rain had started. Without an immediate umbrella in view, Sakura sat to relieve her aching muscles and went to close her eyes for a second. Needless to say, she accidently closed her eyes until morning.

Sitting up, her eyes scanned the room, noting how a handful of Naruto clones had set out doing a number of tasks. One was making breakfast, another was assisting the former with relative jobs like setting a plate and utensils, another was going through some paperwork and the last was starting on cleaning.

The cleaning one had approached the couch to straighten some cushions when it froze, staring at Sakura wide-eyed. Another had sighted the unexpected guest and it, too, froze. Eventually the rest had caught sight of her and stuck rooted to their posts.

The real Naruto had finished with using the bathroom and stepped out to the living room entrance. He already wore his standard orange and blue garb and was in a completely clean, albeit linearly focused state. All the clones realised his entrance and went back to their designated jobs. Naruto hadn't made any effort to greet Sakura or perhaps he just didn't notice her, as he continued to the open space between the kitchen and lounge area. Upon getting to the middle, he had moved into a practise stance.

The movement had Sakura move a hand to cover her mouth. She recognised it as a stance of the Jyuuken; the Gentle Fist! Mesmerised at the sight, she watched on silently as Naruto correctly went through a few motions of attacks with his eyes closed and brows furrowed in concentration. She felt the tell-tale signs of chakra being used in some of his motions and wondered if he really did pick up on the fighting form reserved only to the Hyuugas.

"You know the Jyuuken?" She couldn't help but exclaim while he was halfway through practise.

"SAKURA?-!"

Inwardly, Naruto's mind had gone a mile a second, cursing up a storm. Quickly trying to take hold of the situation, so he strived to backtrack for how and why Sakura was here.

His mind was quick to regret giving his clones separate commands instead of the standard mental connection -but who could blame him? He didn't want to know how he had to control how something should be cooked or even which way this should be scrubbed when he could set them to automatically do things he would have done they he he'd done. Thus, when he created these clones with specific tasks in mind, he never expected anything like this should happen. Then he himself had overlooked her when starting his ritual morning practise and his mind was more focused on the results of the day before. He never expected her to be here nor did he ever pay her any attention aside from what his stupid side required of him.

So when his thoughts resulted in a blank, his final effort to get his rising panic under control, Naruto turned to the closest clone who (in an effort to help) held up the frying pan, showing clearly more than the regular amount of food it had cooked.

"Hey, uh, want some breakfast or something?"

Much to her chagrin, Sakura's stomach had agreed loudly (a thought about that happening too many times lately flitted briefly). Letting her question slide in favour of immediate satisfaction, she settled at the table with the real Naruto. The chef-clone began serving and she boggled at the food at the table. Scrambled eggs, bacon, miso soup, rice and toast with it's compliment of half a dozen condiments!

"This is alot of food!"

The chef-clone had taken the time to throw a grin her way. It was easily assumed that the clones out of view were throwing her the same smug expression too.

"Well, breakfast is the important meal of the day." Naruto stated, helping himself to a serve of eggs, bacon and rice.

Sakura took the cue to start with something familiar to her own mornings; toast. Though she did help herself to the more exotic jams her own home did not stock.

The pause to eat allowed Naruto more thought on this... situation. Sakura now knew too much and he would be compromised. Unless he somehow finds a way to open his seal soon, his mortal body would not last in the midst of a village of ninjas. Racking his mind for a solution, he found that there was still a way to stop word from getting out... And that involved his hands getting dirty.

Instinctively, his doppelganger handed him a glass of milk to which Naruto gratefully downed to try to drown out that distasteful thought.

Sakura had finished two pieces of toast before looking over to see Naruto gulp down a glass of milk in one sitting. Their serving clone had noticed her eyeing the glass and went to offer her a beverage. She accepted, and despite her wishfulness on staying true to her diet (her own family never had extravagent breakfasts) she settled for a little indulging and took a bowl of Miso as well.

Sipping delicately, her thoughts had reviewed that up until now, she went with the flow trying to figure out where this Naruto fit. Seeing Naruto imitating a prestigious fighting form, making clones first thing in the morning and one was now serving them breakfast was just insane! If Naruto was really capable of all of this, just how much was he hiding?

Finding her resolve, she went on to ask her previous question.

"So, how do you know the Gentle Fist?" She asked right after she finished the last sip of her soup.

"I don't know the Gentle Fist. You must be imagining things." He replied grimly, wishing she'd drop it and forget everything.

"I know that's the art! I've practised with Hinata a few times!"

With her accusation hanging stale, her eyes directly on the boy infront of her, Sakura didn't see the other clones tense. However, the hair on her neck began to prickle.

Naruto demurely placed his chopsticks down and his eyes lifted, looking deep into hers.

"Okay, I only know the bits of the style and what it's supposed to do, easily enough. The Byakugan lets someone attack the Inner Coils and with little chakra to waste. Without it, attempting the same thing would be stupid, since it's hard enough to pinpoint the Inner Coils by normal means and near-impossible when in a fight..."

Sakura nodded. He was right so far. She motioned him to continue.

"The thing is, without that, I can't see how to do the same effects, so I'm still experimenting. I've also seen enough people practising the Gentle Fist to do similar moves and I'm figuring counters should I ever fight them."

He neglected to mention that he'd heard of the 'Chakra scalpel', a technique that required precise control to produce a cut inside the body without breaking the skin (which was undoubtedley engineered by a Hyuuga and adapted by non-Hyuuga medic ninjas) and when he'll eventually learn it, he would reverse-engineer it to redefine the style to his taste.

Nonetheless, his audience mouthed a 'wow' at the impressive lengths made to steal a prized fighting style under their nose! He hoped that she'd be awed enough to never mention it again. But just in case...

"You can't tell anyone."

She raised an eyebrow. "And if I do?"

Of course she knew what would happen. All hell would break loose at the knowledge of an outsider Genin stealing a prized family's art form. What she didn't know was that the fiasco would be much a bigger foray, considering this was the same demon-boy that knew it.

"You won't tell anyone." He stressed again, ice underlined his statement.

Sakura's survival instinct screamed at her to leave and she looked up to finally notice that the clones had surrounded her. Fear reached her eyes as she desperately tried to come up with a plan to leave.

"What i-"

"Sorry Sakura, but you've become a liability."

Her eyes widened at those words. They both stood at the same time and her hands went to start a handseal, her eyes never leaving his...

A Kunai stuck out of her neck. Her breathing becoming laboured. Vision was going red. Naruto was pushing it in harder heart stopping chest feeling sopainfulworldspinningcantbreathegoingtoDIE

Sakura gasped. Naruto hadn't moved an inch.

Her thoughts swam in circles. She was sure it felt real!

Naruto withdrew a Kunai and she moved to act. Her hands were only inches apart to complete the seal, allowing her to use Kawarimi, so WHY COULDN'T SHE MOVE IT?

"You can't move out of fear." He said, drawing close.

"What do you mean...?" Her voice came out hoarse, almost a whisper as her mouth was still locked in it's panicked vice.

"Your arms. I've stopped you with killing intent." He was standing infront of her now.

With tear-stricken eyes, she pleaded. "Please... Don't do this..."

He had merely frowned sadly. "I don't want to."

Tears streamed down her face. "Then don't..."

The kunai was now at chest level. "There's no other choice."

She took a shuddering breath as he closed her eyes for her and his arms started moving of their own accord towards her neck.

"Then train me."

And he froze. Stopping at the last action.

"Train me." She repeated again. "So that I can help you with your research."

"What?" Mostly confused and a little skeptical.

"Not only having two view points would help move things along quicker, but though I'm weak now, if you train me, I could become a good sparring and test partner."

Naruto calmly mused upon the girl infront of him. Everything she said rang true. Thinking back on it, he would have to revise his opinion on the ordinary girl. Ordinary meant she wouldn't have a one-up on him with any special bloodlimits. This was good when he requires a testing partner or a second opinion, as they would have a similar base of comprehension without complicating things on being too knowledgeable of what their bloodlimit was more privy to.

And if Sakura ever discovers him being the Fox Demon, the faster all his best laid plans fall to ruins. No... Not an 'if' but a 'when'. She would undoubtedley find out some time.

But... Could he have a hold on her when the time comes...?

Coming to a conclusion, he grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her rigid body to pivot to face him.

"Do you swear you won't tell anyone what I SAY or DO, to anyone?"

"Yes!"

"Do you swear you won't USE the techniques without my say so?"

"Yes!"

"Do you swear to uphold ANYTHING, I, as your teacher, say as law?"

Sakura had swallowed hard at the possibilities of the last one.

"Yes!"

Naruto took a deep breath, hoping that this gambit would pay off someday.

"Then I accept you as my apprentice."

Sakura grabbed her mentors hands and held them together, smiling.

"You won't regret it!"

They continued to stare into the others eyes knowing that something big would come about out of this, though Naruto hoped it wouldn't be something along the lines of a kunai in the back and a festival for doing so.

Naruto was first to break eye contact, bafflingly glancing at her hands that his acceptance had brought enough will to procure herself out of his technique, but he waved it off to get back on track.

"Time for some rules..."

Holding out a finger, he started. "Like what I made you promise, you cannot repeat anything you've learned from me, even if it's words or techniques without my permission. This goes especially for when we take the exams."

She nodded.

Two fingers up. "You can't let anything be traced back to me. And I mean anything. If you keep a diary..." A little bit of red crept up her cheeks. "You can't write down what we do. If someone asks, lie about it. If you're followed, don't lead them here."

Nodding on her part again.

Three fingers up. "Though I am now a teacher to you, you will not call me that. We'll just stick by our names so that we won't accidently say something else when we're not supposed to."

A little odd but she had no qualms, so again she nodded.

Four fingers up. "You can't act differently outside of us training." She tilted her head at this one. "Yes, that means you'll have to act the air-head around the ass-" She gave him a deathly glare. "-and reject me when I ask for dates or training. Don't hold back when you feel like hitting me then either."

An incredulous look but she nodded all the same (she'd later learn to abuse that rule whenever she was particularly angry with her mentor's teachings).

"Okay, once I decide how to train you, I'll find you and key you in the details. Now it's 6am and Kakashi'll be expecting us in an hour and a half. Don't be late." He motioned her to get out.

"What? That sounds like an excuse to blow me off for a while yet! The sooner I learn something, the better I can be for when we spar!"

A little taken aback at how easily Sakura had went from fear to joy and now threatening in a matter of seconds.

"Being seconds away from death, how can you act like this?" He had said what was on his mind. He needed to know at this point.

She smiled and her hands went behind her back.

"I already figured you won't do it." She replied a little snootly.

He folded his arms awaiting her to continue.

"I figured you can't kill me because an investigation would occur and they'd have to check on you since you're my teammate. Undoubtedly your neighbours might know or hear something and then there's still the possibility that someone saw me carry you home last night. It's too risky, so you'll have to do something like put me unconscious and sneak me back into my room!"

Naruto was very impressed. She had described his plan word for word. Except she missed the part about driving a stake through his head once people hear it was the teammate of the demon kid that got killed, but she wouldn't have known of that part.

"And when did you figure this?"

"When you froze me. You closing my eyes just set it in stone."

Naruto let a smirk cross his face. He had to give her credit for thinking so far ahead and acting so well.

"Perhaps you're more perceptive than I realised."

"You forget, I graduated second to Sasuke because I lacked stamina in Taijutsu!"

No, he couldn't forget that. He felt a little respect for her in that case. Second to the top of the class, without a bloodline.

"So c'mon! Teach me already! I need to become stronger for Sasuke!"

Naruto snorted. At a time like this and she feeds him an ulterior motive of doing so. For a boy no less!

"And I'm supposed to be the idiot." He muttered shaking his head.

She raspberried him indignantly and he chuckled. Giving in to her demands, he placed a foot on the wall. Followed by another, he kept on walking until he was looking at Sakura eye-to-eye at a 45 degree angle.

She said nothing, watching with great interest.

"The point is to put Chakra into your feet. Not too little or there's no traction, but not alot cause it'll damage the surface and push you away, so you probably shouldn't practise on a wall inside your house."

She processed it thoughtfully, as he made his way down.

"Do it enough and it'll help build your chakra. You'll need alot to keep up with me. Now get out. I've got alot to prepare for, especially now when I also gotta figure what to do with you."

Agreeing completely, the pink-haired Genin left elated on the idea that if she had advanced techniques under her belt, Sasuke would be sure to be impressed by her! Then there'd be love and then comes marriage and then a ninja baby in a baby carriage!

Somberly in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but feel that she made a deal with the devil himself.

Meanwhile, Naruto had closed the door and leaned heavily on it, not liking the turn of events.

His 'relationship' with Sakura had been easy enough from the beginning. Just latch onto some girl who'd been nice to him and if her parents didn't follow it up, he'd stick with it. He'd seen it happen with multiple people and had easily discern that those types were the most annoying; thus it wouldn't look out of the ordinary of an idiot his age, as the ruse would keep well with his outward image.

Choosing to graduate where his age wouldn't be suspicious, Sakura had happened along and things became convenient. Then came graduation and he was on the same team as HER and he'd have to KEEP acting as the love-struck moron instead of spending that time 'getting over her'. And now...

The demon-in-man's clothing had brought a hand to his chest, wondering just how keeping his body on auto-pilot had become troublesome. In the past, his mind would not give a second thought to some of the body's reactions, but as of late...

He couldn't ignore it.

On occasions of when Sakura did him ill, there was brief twinges in his chest and of when she did him good, he could feel his heart beat faster. He had long since gone out of his way to bottle the emotions but his guard had broken when Iruka had came to his aid.

But just now...

When she was here...

His chest tightened just a little...

A little to an emotion he couldn't control...

The same emotion that engulfed him when Iruka defended him...

That rampaging emotion he couldn't identify that was threatening to become stronger...
.

And it scared him.

End Chapter Two.

Feedback, constructive criticism and flames welcomed.
I'll take it like I'll like it take! (Err... Whatever that means)

Author's notes:
I'm sorry this is so late. I got lost on the road to life. Literally. Applied to a (somewhat) prestigious University and got rejected. For people into certain anime, this is my third time as a Ronin (rejected twice by the same school in the same week!)... Doing the math? lol

Back to the fic, again I'm still not sure whether I'm completely satisfied but I guess I'm satisfied enough. I've ended on an odd note but incase some of you are thinking 'OMG NARU-SAKU LUVVV I HATE J00!' the feeling is actually a more 'friendship' and 'familial' base since Naruto would not know it since he never had any of that. But is it a Naruto-Sakura? Sorta. There'll be a little heat between them, but there's also Sasuke and I got to get him ship-shape in the coming chapters.

And is it just me, or is it easy to forget these guys are only 12? The vast amounts of related hentai says otherwise...

Also Sakura's confrontation here was originally more amusing. Not humorous, but amusing. Basically Naruto throws her out, she jams a foot in the door and they start a shouting match until she negotiates for him to train her. Of course, this didn't fit in, as the Fox would likely not respond in such a manner with someone who's a potential risk. This still needs a clean revision.

Okay, for the next chapter, expect an introduction to Sasuke and another for Sakura under Naruto's tutelage. I'll also possibly throw in Ino and others of the Rookie 9 for interaction pending but other than that, it'll end on Tazuna's entrance.

Once again, feedback is always welcome. Yes, throw me a negative curveball and watch me strike out!

FAQ Section
:For Answering Questions:
A section for less common questions. (Common questions can be referred to the FAQ in the prologue) (removed August 13th '05)

Special thanks to the following people;
Arnoldstrife
nameless
Viky
Licht Sieger
madnarutofan
granite69
Quin
Archangel Rhapsody
G-Man
SHoop shoop
RockFox
GOD OF HATE
omnikaze
kageryuunohakke
Fei-sama

Thanks for the support! All of you!

Stats
'Classic WITH CHE word counter'
Vers. 01.4 (14/7/05)
Fic: 8,720
Notes: less than 905

(Does not include stats)

Have a Great and Happy day!