Chapter Three

Surprising Information

"So she is from the Village Hidden in the Lightning right Naruto?"

"Yeah that's right. It was weird though, I just kind of knew that she was there."

"All that means Naruto-kun is that you are getting better at sensing others."

"No this was different. I knew exactly where she was and it was stronger than what I normally sense. It was weird."

"Maybe we will find out what is going on later, but for now we need to focus on training otherwise the other teams will get us."

"Don't worry Sakura-Chan none of the other teams are anywhere within 100 yards of us."

"How do you know that?"

"I can sense it, can't you?" Both Hinata and Sakura shook their heads.

"Not that far Naruto-kun."

"Well it's probably just because I've been training with Kakashi so much." Suddenly they spotted a clearing up ahead through the trees and began their descent to ground level. "You two stay here at the edge for a little while I will go scout out around in front of us. The team Kurai is about 250 yards south west of us moving toward us at a pretty good pace other than that no one is near us. Follow me after two minutes."

"How can you sense Kurai's team?"

"I told you it is stronger with Kurai for some reason. Well I better head out, and remember 2 minutes."

"Ok!" They both say at the same time. He turns and heads north until they couldn't see him anymore then headed straight for Kurai's group. He can move faster without those two, but also this gives him a little head start so he can catch her team before they get there. For some reason he had a weird feeling about her. He knew that how she had appeared at the field was probably not how she really looked, but why would one Ninja be in Konoha in disguise? It just didn't make sense. He would get to the bottom of this right now. He pulled out the weakest tranquilizers he had and prepared for a fight.

Suddenly Kiba sensed a follower. Just one? Why didn't Akamaru let me know someone was coming earlier? Something was wrong. Suddenly he felt something sharp hit his neck. He was able to turn just in time to see Shino fall unconscious before sleep took him. Kurai turns and sees her team mates on the ground for no apparent reason. She went over to them and found a familiar tranquilizer in each of their necks.

"Tamara Sensei what are you doing? I'm training with these Ninja, and I am finding out a lot of different things that are surprising yet useful."

"I'm not your sensei Kurai" Naruto says stepping out from behind a tree. What is going on! I can't sense him at all! My team was taken out that easily? Maybe he is too much for me to handle by myself.

"Where did you get these tranquilizers?"

"I made them."

"Yeah right! Where did you really get them, because my sensei is the only one who knows how to make these?"

"That can't be true because I learned how to make these from my sensei." He responds holding up more of the little darts.

"Why didn't you knock me out too? Take out the whole team and then they are done, why leave me conscious?"

"I had some questions to ask you."

"Well get it over with quickly because I intend to protect my team mates with all I have."

"Interesting. Any way who are you and why are you here?"

"I told you already who I am stupid, as to why I am here I really don't know. My sensei and I came here and she told me it was an important mission, but could not tell me what the mission was. I was checking out the strength of Konoha when I was invited to participate."

"Who is your sensei?"

"Hatake Tamara. She is the last Hatake alive to my knowledge. She is also a Genius." She says cautiously.

"Did you say Hatake?"

"Yes I did why?"

"Do you know a Kakashi?"

"The only thing I know about Kakashi is that he is your Sensei."

"That is not all he is…hmmm. His full name is Hatake Kakashi." He says still a little confused.

"Hatake! That is not possible; Tamara is the only Hatake left alive." She says quickly

"Naruto-kun! You should not have come after this team alone. We are a team and you should include us all." Hinata says scorning him. "Isn't that right Sakura…? Sakura what's wrong with you? Did you even hear me?"

"Wha… What Hinata I wasn't paying attention?" She had in fact been looking between Naruto and Kurai with a look of wonder on her face.

"Never mind."

"Naruto did you notice how much alike you two look?"

"Eh? How much alike?" He looks over at her and gives a start. He hadn't realized that she was no longer in disguise. He took in the blonde hair the green blue eyes and the face structure. "I guess we look kind of alike, but not that much." He says softly.

"What is your last name Kurai?" Sakura asks softly. Kurai looks at them suspiciously. Is this some kind of distraction? No the whole team is here. I guess it would be ok to tell them my last name.

"My name is Kurai, Uzumaki Kurai." Naruto nearly falls over in shock. "Why? Is there something I should know?"

"Yes Kurai, I believe there is something you should know. Naruto?"

"Sakura-Chan…that isn't possible…I can't…No this isn't possible!"

"Naruto-kun you need to tell her." Hinata tells him softly. Naruto nods, stands to his full height, and then walks over to Kurai. When he reaches her he holds out his hand.

"Hello Uzumaki Kurai, I am Uzumaki Naruto." She stares at him in shock. No! No! This isn't possible! My entire family died in a fire when I was young! There is no way! He… He… NO... NO... NO... NO! NO!

"That can't be…. NO it isn't possible! Why are you doing this to me, my family is dead." Flames rear up in her minds eye and she collapses. "No, no, no, no, no. Mother, Father please don't leave me NOOOOOO! I CAN'T DO IT ALONE PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!" She is screaming and crying hysterically. Suddenly she turns her emotions on the group in front of her. "WHAT EVERYONE SAID IS TRUE! THE KONOHA NINJA ARE REALLY HEARTLESS WHEN IT COMES TO BATTLE, EVEN WHEN IT IS JUST TRAINING! YOU'RE ALL EVIL BASTARDS! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME? I HATE ALL OF YOU!" Then she collapsed all of the emotion draining her more than a full day of rigorous training, and began to sob uncontrollably. Suddenly she was in someone's strong embrace and she tried to struggle but the person was too strong. Finally she allowed herself to be embraced.

"Shhh…It'll be ok. Shhh…I'm here my sister, I'm here it will be ok. I know how you feel and it is hard, but you will be a better person from it." Naruto's soothing voice had a magical effect on her, she began to calm down and breathe more evenly. Soon she was snuggling close to him while encircled by his protective embrace. She looked up into his blue eyes and saw nothing of the hate and evil she had believed would be there, all she saw was concern and strangely enough love.

"Why do you care about someone you have barely met? Especially since I just called you evil and told you I hated you. Why?"

"I told you it's because he has the strange talent to make friends with anyone. He may seem brash and rude but he has a big heart and those that have found a place there are lucky indeed for he will do anything to ease their suffering, and I mean anything." Kiba said rubbing his neck where the dart had hit.

"You are family after all." He said giving his unique grin.

"I have a family! It doesn't seem real." She whispers softly.

"I know what you mean. I thought that I was all alone in this word too. This was a big shock for my, but I have acquired a family over the years. I have Kakashi, Sauske, Sakura, Iruka, and all of the Ninja you saw in this group. Is there anyone in your life that feels like family?" He asks.

"Yes I do. Tamara Sensei, but she is the only one."

"One is all you need. One person to trust in you, believe in you, and can empathize with you. One can make the difference." He says smiling encouragingly. "It is kind of weird though I have a sister. I wish I could have known you all my life. Hey, how old are you anyway?"

"I just turned 21 a little a while ago."

"Cool I have an older sister! Well Sis sorry, but this is training." He says smiling. At first she didn't understand and then she felt a little prick and looked to see a dart in her arm.

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About an hour later Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata are sitting in front of the monument eating lunch when the other three teams show up as angry hornets in a jar. Naruto smiles at Kurai and stands.

"Naruto what the hell is this!" Kiba says holding up a tranquilizer dart.

"Yes Naruto, I would like to know the meaning of this." Lee says.

"Well let me explain." He says smiling. "This is a tranquilizer dart." He says holding up a full one. "These can be really useful in battle, especially when you are out numbered. If you can neutralize the enemy before engaging them then you save time and possible unnecessary injury or fatality. These can be used long range so you can get in and out before the enemy knows what is going on. This can increase the success rate and decrease the fatality rate, a sleeping enemy can't slit your throat. Very simple, yet very effective."

"This is amazing! How did you come up with this Naruto?"

"Actually I didn't, Kakashi did. He explained it all to me."

"But Naruto doesn't that take away what it means to be Ninja? It seems like anyone could use these darts and we Ninja would become useless and unneeded."

"I asked that same exact question Lee. Kakashi told me that this was only a tool to be used when time was of the utmost importance as well as if you are severely out numbered. I wouldn't have used them today except for the fact that Kakashi and Old Lady Tsunade asked me to. The out come would have been the same had I not used the darts though." He said the last as simple fact, not in boast.

"Oh really? I doubt that Naruto. You are good but not that good." Kiba says in disbelief.

"If you would like me to prove it I could, but first I would like to introduce someone. Kurai could you come here please." She nods and comes up, holding her head held high in defiance of everyone there. She was strong, she could do this. "Everyone this is Kurai how she truly looks. She and her sensei are here on a mission and I think we both know what it is, but that isn't important. As you all know she is a Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Lightning, but what you don't know is that she is also my older sister. We both just found this out a little over an hour ago."

"She's your older sister? I thought that you were the only one in your family left alive; maybe she is trying to trick you to get close to you. After all she is from another village." Kurai began to cry muttering softly "This is what always has happened. No one has ever trusted me." Naruto was the only one close enough to hear her.

"Shut up Tenten! Can't you see what you are doing to her?" He asks putting a protective arm around his sister. She buried her face into his chest and began to sob; he stood patiently holding her close. Tenten blinked in surprise and muttered a soft apology turning slightly red. "None of you except Hinata, Kiba, Sakura, and Shino were there when we found out. The way she reacted leaves no doubt that what she says is the truth. She was like a lost child. Now I don't care what any of you think of me, but you will not disrespect her or you will deal with me. If anyone doubts my ability to fulfill my promise you can talk to Neji."

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"Hmm… Interesting. I thought that Kurai would be the one protecting Naruto, not the other way around."

"Sister you don't know Naruto very well so you wouldn't have know that this is how it would be, but I did. Naruto helps others see the weakness in themselves, and sometimes it takes a while for his talent to take hold, but when it does the change is like day to night. He helped Gaara of the Sand in this way. Gaara was once bent on destroying all those that stood in his way, now he is the Kazekage and he died protecting his Village. Naruto does have a very interesting talent."

"Well…do you think that we should intervene now before he gets to 'proving' his strength? I don't really think that the outcome would be the same, so we better step in and spare him the humiliation."

"Hold on sister. He could take all of them by himself if he really wanted to. He works extremely hard to improve himself as a Ninja because everyone in this village has underestimated him. Even if both of us went after him in real combat one of us would be dead and the other severely injured, and being as I'm stronger than you, you would probably be the one to die."

"You can't be serious brother, surely this child could not…."

"Do you so easily forget who this 'child' is?"

"Ahh…that's why I see now."

"No. You are still underestimating him. He has gained control over the Fox's chakra not the other way around, plus I think he could beat us without the aid of the Fox."

"How hard did you push him brother? Surely if what you say is true then you pushed him way beyond the point of strain his body could handle."

"Because of the Fox he can regenerate at a rapid rate. He can work to the point of dropping and have one nights rest and be ready to do it again the next day. Most people would need two to three days to heal. He has gotten to the point of having five tails and still retaining consciousness. He is steadily gaining control of the Fox."