DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO, IT'S CHARACTERS, OR ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO THE SERIES. PLEASE SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE.

Chapter IV: The Art of Deception

Sneaking out of the village hadn't been that difficult. With everyone looking for Kenichi most people didn't even notice him as he ran through the streets. Now finding Kenichi in the dense forest around the village. Now that had proven difficult.

"Arrah! Where is he? Naruto fumed. He must be here somewhere.

He'd been running and jumping through tree's for several minutes with nothing to show for it. Don't tell me I went the wrong way…No he's here. I'm sure of it.

He continued moving forward only to be stopped as the forest opened up into a large clearing. Stopping on the branch overlooking the clearing, he quickly spotted the rundown cabin at its center

Looks abandoned.

Scanning the area for anything of note, he quickly spotted a patch of spiky brown hair behind, what appeared, to be a massive scroll.

Got him. Feeling even more aggravated than before, Naruto silently dropped from the tree limb into the clearing itself. Kenichi remained unmoving a few dozen yards away.

Still as dense as ever. Crouching low, he ever so slowly began creeping to his target; however, just before reaching the boy he stopped and slowly reached into his holster and drew out a kunai.

Just in case He seriously doubted he'd have to use the weapon but being out here like this, he couldn't take any chances. Steadying himself with one last breath he stood at full height made his presence known.

"Kenichi!" He yelled, startling the figure enough to make them drop the oversized scroll.

"Wha!" Kenichi yelled in shock before narrowing his eyes. "Namikaze. What're you doing here?"

"What do you think?" Naruto replied with his own narrowed gaze. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm taking you and that scroll back to the village."

"You aren't going to stop me from passing the exam this time Namikaze, I'll beat you to a pulp before I let that happen again." Kenichi said standing up. "And with my new jutsu it'll be easy."

"What're you talking about?" Naruto angrily questioned as he cautiously took several steps towards Kenichi, only to stop once he could get a good look at the young boy.

"Your exhausted." He said aloud with a hint of disbelief.

No it's more than that. He noted while looking over the boy in front of him.. His cloths are a mess and his breathing is pretty ragged,. Has he been…training? Without a second thought he put away his weapon. Even if he wanted to fight, I doubt he could

"I'm not surprised someone who relies on his parents for everything wouldn't know of the secret test for passing the exam." Kenichi bragged, pulling Naruto from his thoughts as he approached the boy with a scowl.

Just a little closer Kenichi smirked. Just make one move and I'll show you what a real ninja can do.

"The exams over you idiot, you failed. Deal with it." Naruto spat as he grabbed Kenichi by his collar. He couldn't put his finger on it but being out here put him on edge. So much so that it wouldn't take much convincing to just knock Kenichi out and drag him back to the village unconscious.

I doubt I'd get in any trouble for doing it either. Considering the circumstances.

"Not yet." Kenichi challenged with a smirk as he met the blond shinobi's cold gaze. This only seemed to infuriate him more as he tightened his hold on Kenichi's shirt and intensified his glare.

"What are-" Naruto's retort died in his throat as his ears picked up a low noise behind him. It almost sounded like…a whistle.

Instincts taking over, he pushed Kenichi back as hard as he could and lunged himself to the right. Barely dodging several kunai that embedded themselves in the cabin behind them.

Kenichi's POV

Kenichi continued staring at Naruto as the blonde's grip on his shirt tightened. Once he makes his move, I'll make mine. Kenichi re-affirmed I don't have much chakra left but it still should be enough to-

Suddenly he felt himself being thrown away causing him to release a painful groan as he landed heavily on what felt like the stone walkway leading to the cabin. Sitting up, he felt his anger rising and he looked around for the blond who had disappeared from where he had been a moment prior.

W-what?

Eye's widening in disbelief, as he turned to look behind him, he saw several weapons buried into the cabin mere feet behind where both he and Naruto had just been standing.

Those weren't there before!

"Damn it! Mom's gonna kill me, this was my new shirt." He turned his head to see Naruto holding his right arm with his left hand.

Naruto's POV

Naruto crouched on one knee while holding a hand to his arm. He thought he had dodged all the thrown weapons, but one had managed to scrape him. Luckily, it was just a scratch…too bad it cost him his new shirt which now sported a good size tear.

Still if I hadn't dodged, this'd be the least of my worries. He moved to steady his breathing and clear his mind. He had to think tactically about what just happened. Come on Naruto, just like Itachi taught us.

Glancing back at Kenichi's shock expression to the woods ahead. He quickly taking stock of the situation.

Kenichi's exhausted and scared half to death. It's obvious whatever's happening wasn't his idea. That means whoever this is, wants us both dead and considering all the fuss everyone's making about the scroll; it's a safe bet that, that's what their after.

Standing up, He quickly moved between Kenichi and the forest ahead. His hand that had been holding his arm now hovering dangerously close to his weapons holster.

"Who's out there?" He called while scanning the woods for any reaction. "We're ninja from Konoha!"

"So am I." A familiar voice responded a few seconds later, as a man in his early 20's with white hair and a flak vest appeared on one of the branches.

"Mizuki-sensei!" Naruto yelled in surprise, as Kenichi finally snapped out of whatever trance he'd been in

"S-sensei" Kenichi called out in a shacky voice only to be ignored by his teacher entirely.

"I never expected to see you here Naruto." Mizuki said with a small smile.

"Did you attack us?" Naruto calmly asked, hand not moving from above his holster.

"Attack you?" Mizuki asked feigning shock. "I'd never do that! I only just got here a few seconds ago. With the village looking everywhere for Kenichi I thought it'd be best to look in the woods outside the village."

"I thought the same thing and came here after I heard about Kenichi stealing the scroll." Naruto explained while maintaining eye contact and pointing a thumb over his shoulder to Kenichi. "But when I finally found him, someone tried to skewer us with Kunai."

"These woods are dangerous, even more so given the situation.' Mizuki reasoned. "I'm only a Chunin but I should be able to escort everyone back safely."

"Mizuki-sensei!" Kenichi yelled louder than before, this time getting Mizuki's attention.

"Be quiet Kenichi." The elder ninja gently scolded while turning his head to the boy. "You're already in enough trouble for stealing the revered scroll of sealing. The best thing you can do now is stay silent."

"But I-"Kenichi started but Mizuki quickly cut him off.

"Naruto why don't you give me the scroll?" Mizuki kindly asked while ignoring Kenichi's shocked expression. "It'll be safer if I'm the one guarding it."

"Yeah, sure." Naruto said nodding as he turned and grabbed the unfurled scroll from the ground and wrapped it back up. Sensei must've scared the other guy off. We need to get out of here before they come back, or worse bring friends.

Picking up the massive scroll in both hands, he began moving towards the Chunin who waited patiently with a smile.

"Wait!" Kenichi yelled causing the blond-haired boy to stop and turn in annoyance.

"What now?" Naruto angrily questioned. "Didn't Mizuki-sensei tell you to shut up?"

"This isn't right, sensei's the one who told me about the exam in the first place!" Kenichi yelled.

"What exam? What are you talking about?" Naruto asked.

"The secret exam to graduate. Sensei said that if I stole the scroll and learned a technique from it before he showed up I would pass." Kenichi explained with a desperate look on his face.

"This is crazy." Mizuki said shaking his head as he jumped off the branch and approached with an extended hand. "Naruto give the scroll now, we have to get moving. Your parents must be worried sick."

"You have to believe me!" Kenichi pleaded. "I don't know what's going on but it's the truth."

Naruto kept his gaze on Kenichi before shifting it back to the approaching Mizuki.

Why would Mizuki-sensei tell Kenichi to steal the scroll? But that would explain how Kenichi knew about it and where to find it? Naruto's thoughts raced while he began slowly moving away from both people.

This makes no sense!

"Naruto!" Mizuki yelled, taking both young boys aback by the anger seeping into his voice, "That's enough, give me the scroll!"

I've never heard sensei scream before. Looking between the student he couldn't stand and his teacher, Naruto strapped the scroll to his back and made a decision he knew he'd regret.

"My ANBU." He said loud enough for both people to hear. "I got away from them before I got here, they should be able to find me soon and then we can all go back to the village together."

"I won't tell you again Naruto." Mizuki threatened as he moved even faster, before finally lunging towards him with open arms.

Whoa! Naruto mentally screamed in alarm, barely dodging the elder ninja and moving back to Kenichi who was once again frozen in shock. Looking back Naruto could see Mizuki going for his holster which set off more alarms than he knew what to do with.

"We have to go. NOW!" He screamed at Kenichi, snapping the boy out of his trance upon seeing his teacher aiming knife at them. Thinking fast Naruto drew 2 kunai of his own and threw them at his teacher who dodged them easily.

"Run!" he shouted as loud as he could, which finally seemed to get Kenichi in gear as he heard the boy running away.

"No you don't!" Mizuki yelled and sprinted at the two boys, only for Naruto to throw several kunai at the ground between them.

"Wha-" Mizuki said aloud and broke his charge just in time to see Naruto forming a devastating hand sign. As the pieces of paper began to burn, Mizuki quickly sprinted in the opposite direction and lunged behind the cabin, hoping to take cover from the paper bombs.

He remained behind the cabin for several seconds, waiting on an explosion that never came. Ever so slowly he peeked from the corner of the cabin to find both of his targets gone and the fearsome paper bombs had fizzled to nothing more than ashes.

"Argh!" He ground his teeth in anger. Not only had he been fooled by training notes, but he had also lost both of his targets because of it.

If anyone finds them, I'm finished. He mentally raged before jumping into the woods in search of his wayward students.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A short distance away

"Did we lose him?" Kenichi asked with ragged breath. He was already tired from learning that new jutsu but add running the way he had on top of his teacher trying to kill him and he was ready to drop.

"Of course, we didn't." Naruto retorted. "He's a Chunin, we're lucky he even fell for that trick at all."

"H-how long before, before your ANBU show up?" Kenichi asked between breaths.

"They aren't." Naruto answered simply as he peeked outside the brush, they were hiding in. "I lied to try and buy time and see who would make a move for the scroll first."

"W-well isn't that great." Kenichi sarcastically commented. "I say w-we beeline for the village. G-get help"

"He'll catch us." Naruto pointed out. "The moment we leave this cover and start moving he'll find us in no time."

"Alright then Nami-kaze what's your plan." Kenichi questioned in annoyance, finally catching his breath. "We'll be caught for sure if we stay here."

Naruto looked down in deep thought. As much as he hated to admit it Kenichi was right, stumbling onto this denser than average foliage might have given them a breather, but Mizuki would find them eventually. Then again if they tried to make it back to the village, especially given Kenichi's condition, they'd be caught for sure. Especially if Mizuki really hadn't been throwing those kunai at them earlier, that would mean someone else might be hunting them as well.

There's no way we can make it. He admitted before a dark thought suddenly crept into his mind.

With widened eyes, he turned towards Kenichi's tired form. If he didn't have him dragging him down, he might be able to make it. Being the 2nd fastest in his class, he'd have a greater chance of making it by himself with the scroll then Kenichi could ever have.

But that would mean abandoning him here. His mind flashed back to Mizuki pulling out a kunai against them. Mizuki isn't taking prisoners. If he find's Kenichi, he'll kill him.

He thought as hard and fast as he could on what to do. Dad's tearing the village apart for this scroll, it must be important. I can't afford to lose it no matter the cost…but if I have to sacrifice someone is it worth it? What would mom and dad do? Could they live with themselves if they did that...can I?

"Hey, err Namikaze." Kenichi awkwardly said under Naruto's intensive gaze.

Releasing a low growl and grinding his teeth Naruto mentally cursed at the decision.

"Alright here's the plan, but you have to follow it to the letter if it's going to work. Understand?" Naruto asked with a raised finger and a smirk

Receiving a nod from Kenichi, Naruto began explaining his idea…while silently praying that he wasn't making the worst mistake of his young life.

END CHAPTER

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Pretty short chapter on this one compared to the last, but still important to the plot. I'm going to try to rap up the Mizuki Ark next chapter and from there on we're on the formation of Team 7 and the Bell arc and after that…we'll I guess we'll just have to see won't we? I haven't decided if I'm going to post next chapter this week or wait for a few days to post it like I did this one. I want to give a big shoutout to everyone who favorited / alerted me and my story. You guys are awesome! I also wanted to give an even bigger shoutout to Sabastian Burlis, and Oceansensei for taking the time to review!

As always, any suggestions are welcome! If I get enough reviews or PM's I may do another FAQ in a few chapters but until then please continue to read, review, but above all enjoy.

-Guardians Blade Out!.