AURA
by Random Writer 46

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Well, I don't think there's been any issues addressed to me in the reviews recently, so... I decided to make jutsu list for Naruto, counting only his many Bunshin jutsu. Well, many of you have been wondering where he's getting all these Bunshin jutsu from, and I want to tell you guys that it's not his dad. Most of them came from the scrolls that Akira bought him, but there are some that he created himself. Kage Bunshin was Naruto's favourite jutsu in the manga, and I think learning the Rasengan kind of took away from that (though the Rasengan he learns does require a Kage Bunshin) so I've decided to make him a bit more Bunshin-oriented in this story.

Kage Bunshin (Shadow Bunshin): The least chakra-consuming, so good for swarming the enemy with.

Hagane Bunshin (Iron Bunshin): Used mainly for defense due to being able to take a life-threatening injury before poofing and several small injuries.

Seirei Bunshin (Spirit Bunshin): Used mainly for reconaissance, sends the user into the body of a Bunshin.

Nenshou Bunshin (Burning Bunshin): What he used against Kakashi last chapter, mainly utilized to inflict damage on the enemy.

Bakuyaku Bunshin (Explosive Bunshin): A ticking time-bomb Bunshin, though the user could choose to make it go off faster.

Mizu Bunshin (Water Bunshin): He has practically no use for this, since it's just like the rest of his Bunshins except weaker. But the good thing about them is since Naruto needs water for the rest of his Suiton jutsu, he could use these as ammo.

Hirameki Bunshin (Flash Bunshin): Just like the Bakuyaku, except when it blows up it's more of a flashbang effect.

Kage Bunshin Sakari (Shadow Bunshin Prime): ?

Jigoku Bunshin Sakari (Hell Bunshin Prime): ?

Bakuyaku Bunshin Sakari (Explosive Bunshin Prime): ?

That's all, now. Hope these will keep you in suspense!

Oh, and the reason that Kakashi didn't call them back when they left was because they left one at a time, and he really wanted to see their reactions to Naruto giving up his bell. That's all there really is to it.

Anyway, I really do want to become a writer when I grow up. I'm thirteen right now, so that's kind of far away. I do this writing stuff because I love playing god with characters that exist in my head, and I love manga, and Naruto's my favourite. Still, if you really think I'm gonna become famous one day, maybe I will! Oh, and I'm not catholic, I'm athiest. Dunno why somebody would wonder about that.

So, keep reading, my loyal book-monkeys! Let them all remember the name of Random Writer 46!

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Chapter 6

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"Kakashi-sensei..." Naruto said, frowning. "I don't think this qualifies as a job."

They were standing in the back lawn of some old lady. Naruto held a hoe in his hand, Kiba had a watering can, Shino had nothing (his bugs could do the job fine), and Hinata was carrying a few bags of seeds.

Kakashi reviewed the little slip of paper that described the job.

"Wait... 'Help Sadako-san plant petunias'... Yep, this is the right job alright." Kakashi verified, and returned the slip of paper to his pocket.

"Kakashi-sensei..." Shino said. "I don't think that's what Naruto means."

"Yeah! Yeah!" Kiba yelled. "When are we gonna get a real mission, huh! And I don't mean all this cat-catching, grocery-buying shit! I want some blood, sweat, and tears!"

Hinata just covered her face with her hands, embarassed at her teammates lack of etiquette.

"Kiba, there's a lady present." Kakashi said. Kiba looked around a little bit before his gaze landed on Hinata, and then he scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. "Alright then... If you're really in desperate need of a higher ranked mission I guess I'll have to ask Hokage-sama about this. But don't get your hopes up, and you've still got to finish this mission."

With a sigh, each one of them went to work.

After the genin test that they had, everybody had thought they had failed, though proudly. Hinata was yelled at by her father, Shino's family as indifferent, except his mother who fussed over him (she was non-Aburame), Kiba's dad congratulated his kid for displaying loyalty worthy of an Inuzuka, and Naruto's dad just tossed him a book and told him to study it for a while. It turned out to be a guide on teamwork, and Naruto read through it a little.

Imagine their surprise when next day Kakashi-sensei popped up on their doorstep, two hours late, asking for his students.

Hinata's dad had ignored her, Shino's dad was still indifferent, Kiba's dad gave him some fatherly advice, and Naruto's dad had been sleeping in. But that didn't matter to the newly-graduated genin. They hadn't failed, they had become full-fledged ninja. It had been one of the best days of their life, until they had recieved their first D-rank mission.

It quickly went downhill after that.

---

"Alright then... That's another mission finished." The Sandaime said as he filed away some papers. "I suppose you'd like another mission then? Well, one just came in... It seems like the Fire Lord's wife has lost her cat again, and has asked for a team of ninja to help her find it."

Naruto sighed. They've had that mission at least twenty times already... And seeing the Fire Lord's wife really explained why the dumb cat kept running away. He could feel Kiba's raging fury beside him, Shino's cold anger, and Hinata's irritation (though she wasn't going to express it, of course). It seemed like it was time for him to be the mediator again.

"Hokage-sama." Naruto said. The old man rose his head to look at him. "I think we've had enough of these D-rank missions, and I'm pretty sure my teammates share my sentiment as well. So, may we please have a C-rank mission for once? I don't see how it'll hurt..."

Sandaime thought about this for a while, and turned to Kakashi.

"I have seen my students in motion, and they're definitely ready for a C-rank mission." The gray-haired jounin verfied. "They also have incredible teamwork for a genin team. Though I might suggest that we invite another team along."

Naruto glanced at Kakashi. The silver-haired jounin just raised a finger to his lips. The silent sign.

The Hokage looked at the two, and down at the papers on his desk again.

"Yes... Well, let's see here." Sarutobi said. "Ah, here's a pretty good mission for a first-timer. It's a protection mission. I'll have a look through the other genin teams' records and see who else has applied for a C-rank mission. I'll have to trust in your judgement then, Kakashi. I know you won't let me down."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kakashi saluted.

The Hokage looked towards Naruto.

"So, what do you think of the village, Naruto-kun?" Sarutobi asked. "You've only recently arrive here. Have you gotten used to it yet?"

Kiba feigned disinterest, though Naruto knew he was listening to every word they said. For some reason the dog-nin had always been curious of what the fox-nin's life was like before he came to Konoha.

"Well yeah, it's great not having to move around all the time." Naruto said. "And life in Konoha is a lot more stable than being a wander-nin. There's no worries about running out of clients and stuff... It's great."

The Sandaime smiled, looking a lot like somebody's favourite grandfather.

"Good, good. I heard from your father that you both used to live in the Wave?" The Sandaime asked. Naruto nodded. "Then it might be of interest to you that it's the destination of your client. You might be able to see your old neighbourhood again."

Naruto nodded.

"If that's all then, Hokage-sama." Kakashi said, and Sandaime nodded. The gray-haired jounin began to usher his students out of the room, before a loud explosion marked the entrance of something quite strange. The door to the room swung open, and standing on the other side was a short kid, probably still in the academy, wielding a sharpened kunai in one hand.

With a battlecry, he charged fowards, intent on bringing the Hokage down. Both Naruto and Kiba were about to interrupt, before Kakashi put down a hand on their shoulders, and made a motion for them to stop.

"Shh... Just watch."

The boy assassin seemed to be frothing at the mouth.

"DIE YOU OLD BASTARD!" The kid yelled. "TODAY'S THE DAY YOU'RE GOING DOWN AND THE DAY I'M GONNA FINALLY BECOME HOKAGE!"

The Sandaime sighed, and just returned to his paperwork. Moments before the boy was about to thrust the kunai into the old man's neck, he tripped over his own two feet and landed on the floor. The Hokage looked over the top of his desk.

"Must you always do this, Konohamaru?"

"Shut up, old man! Your stupid trap might've gotten me today, but I'll get you next time!" The black-haired boy yelled.

Naruto and Kiba looked at each other, incredulous, and Kakashi just shrugged. Shino was indifferent, as he always was, and Hinata just fidgeted.

Konohamaru looked around the room, before his eyes landed on the blonde fox-nin.

"YOU!"

Naruto pointed to himself.

"Me?"

"Yes! You! That was your trap, wasn't it? I thought so! Come over here, let see you duke it out with me like a man!"

Naruto stared, incredulous.

"But... you just tripped over yourself!"

"THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT ME TO THINK!"

Naruto looked around the room, as though begging for help. Kakashi shrugged, Kiba grinned, Shino as still indifferent, and Hinata blushed.

"C'mere! So you're too afraid to fight me, now that I know you're the one who set the trap! I knew it... Chicken! Chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken...!"

Naruto felt anger flaring up within his chest. He had learned a long time ago to control his emotions, but this kid was starting to piss him off. Nobody... not even a kid... dared call Uzumaki Naruto a coward and got away with it. Rolling up his sleeves, he made his way towards the kid.

"Alright! Bring it on, punk-wuss!" The kid cried, and launched into a boxing stance, making little jabs and crosses. Naruto looked at him and sweatdropped, he was hardly intimidating. Hinata giggled a little, the scene was kind of cute. "I'm gonna kick your ass so hard you're gonna be kissing the moon!"

Naruto sweatdropped again, and made a motion as if to punch the kid.

Suddenly, a jounin burst in from the doorway. He was wearing black sunglasses, and seemed to carry an elitist air.

"Young master, Konohamaru-sama!"

Naruto looked down at the kid, confused.

"Konohamaru-sama?"

The little pipsqueak grinned as if he was taunting him.

"That's right, I'm the Sandaime's grandson!"

Naruto looked at the Hokage, and the old man nodded, sighing. Then he looked back at his fist, and at the kid again.

Konohamaru grinned, cheekily. That's right. Nobody would dare ever punch me after hearing something like that!

"So? Like I give a shit."

And with that said, Naruto decked Konohamaru the hardest he had, and sent the little midget flying out the window and over yonder.

Kakashi groaned, Kiba grinned, Shino was still indifferent, Hinata gasped, the Hokage looked at the midget's exit point with a touch of relief on his face, and the jounin with black glassese that had just burst in turned white.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE!"

"Yeah, I booted a spoiled brat out the window, big deal." Naruto said, and walked out the door, cool as you please. Kiba's grin had turned into all out laughter, Shino was-- you guessed it-- indifferent. Hinata was gaping, and Kakashi just shrugged. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

---

"Hey, I'm the super bridge-builder Tazuna, and you guys are the ones that are going to be protecting me?"

They were to meet the client outside the mission house, so that's where they went. The chubby old man in front of them, however, did not look like the type of bridge-builder that they had expected. After a few rounds of checking the photo ID and proving that the drunk old man in front of them was actually Tazuna the bridge-builder, finally they had sat down to listen to his story.

"Yeah." Kakashi said. "Though there will be another team joining us later."

"Right... Better be. Are you sure these kids are gonna be enough?" Tazuna asked.

Naruto could feel a little bit of irritation coming up, though it wasn't as bad as Kiba's seething. Seriously, the dog-nin could be really expressive when he wants to be, and all the other times too. Kakashi seemed to sense this too.

"Well, these are my students, and they're really very powerful." Kakashi said. "They aren't exactly jounin level, but for a C-rank mission, they will definitely be enough, and if all fails and worst comes to worst, I'll be sure to protect you and get you to your destination. After all, these are just bandits we're going to be dealing with, right?"

Naruto saw Tazuna twitch nervously at this proclamation, though he didn't think much of it.

"...Oh yeah, good then. When's the other team coming?" Tazuna asked.

Kakashi took a look at a watch that he had taken out of his pockets.

"Funny, they should be here right..."

Three shinobi appeared with a poof.

"...now." Kakashi finished. "How're you doing, Kurenai?"

The busty kunoichi ignored the silver-haired jounin, and surveyed his students. As her eyes passed over Hinata, Kiba, Shino, and Naruto, they seemed to take on a glint of recognition.

"So, these are the genin that took the bells from you?" Kurenai asked.

Kakashi coughed.

"Well, I went easy on them so..."

As the two jounin conversed, Naruto locked gazes with one of the genin that had come with Kurenai. Uchiha Sasuke stared back at him intently, and Naruto could feel his Bloodline Limit acting up again. This kid was filled with the spirit of revenge... It wasn't natural. There had to be something here... Not even the worst of betrayals could cause problems like this one.

"Hey." Naruto said.

Sasuke acknowledged his existence with a nod.

Both Kiba and Sakura looked between the two, as if sensing the tension and the imminent fight in the air. Moments passed, and neither did anything except look at each other. After a while they got bored, and started conversing with each other.

A period of uncomfortable silence followed.

"...You had better graduation marks than I did." Sasuke said, finally breaking the raging quiet.

"Oh, really?" Naruto asked. "Iruka-sensei didn't tell me what my marks were. All he told me was that I passed."

"...Student records are public. All you have to do is to ask for them." Sasuke said.

"Thanks for the info. Might wanna check up on that later." Naruto said.

There was another period of steady silence. Though it was a bit less awkward now.

"So... uh, is there any reason you wanted to talk to me?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke thought about this for a bit. Inwardly, he didn't know either. He had barely ever talked to this kid before, so why was he so interested in him? Going through all that trouble of tracking him down to talk with him, checking his marks... But deep down inside, he knew the reason. He just didn't know that he knew, that's all.

"How do you know so much about me?"

Naruto smiled slowly.

"Ah, so that's what you want to know." Naruto realized. "I know nothing about you, nothing at all. Maybe a bit, but that bit doesn't just apply to you. It applies to everyone around us, because we're all human. You've got the look of betrayal on you... It could either be you betraying or somebody that has betrayed you. It could be both. But it can't be neither."

Sasuke seemed genuinely disturbed by this proclamation. It hit a chord deep within him. He had been betrayed, and, with a little bit of shock, he knew he was willing to betray as well as long as he would be able to wrought revenge on the one that betrayed him.

"...I want to help you." Naruto said. "Everything happens for a reason. The day that I met you, when I sat down beside you on graduation day, I could tell that you're hurting. Betrayal is bad... not only for your mind and heart, but for the soul too."

Sasuke clenched his fist.

"...As for how I can tell... I guess you can call it a Bloodline. Anyway... nobody betrays without a reason. You're hurting because you don't understand why this person would betray you, right? You can't understand their reason, and so you are always confused. When you're confused you're easily taken advantage of, and so the spiral into darkness begins."

He didn't want to hear this, yet he couldn't get his body to stop.

"C'mon, Naruto!" Kakashi cried as he started walking away. "Pack your stuff and meet back here in thirty minutes. We'll be leaving then."

Naruto wove at the gray-haired jounin. Shino and Hinata had already gone to pack their belongings.

The fox-nin turned back to the Uchiha avenger, and said one final thing.

"Think about it. And when you've calmly and rationally thought about it, come talk to me."

And with that, Naruto started walking away too, leaving behind a weak-kneed Sasuke, his eyes wide and breathing fast. He felt his resolve begin to weaken, and realized, for the first time, somebody had challenged his ideal of vengeance.

---

"Oh, by the way." Kakashi said to Kurenai as they walked down the street together. "What about your third student?"

"Mononoke Konpaku?" Kurenai asked. "I don't know. I don't think I've ever met him before, and his name..."

"Really..." Kakashi said. "Haven't you heard about him in the academy?"

"That's the funny thing. There's no proof that he exists at all. There're no birth records, no students records... Nothing."

Kakashi thought about this for a second or two.

"Then why haven't you applied for another third member, if this one doesn't 'exist'?"

"Hokage-sama doesn't seem to accept this excuse, for some reason... It seems like some cosmic force is bent on making my team two member only."

Kakashi grinned.

"Yeah right, that sounds like something out of a bad novel."

Kurenai glared at him.

"I'm totally serious!" She cried. "And even if it was it's still better than that... that... smut you're always reading!"

Kakashi put a hand to his heart, as if he had been shot.

"What! Icha Icha Paradise is a wonder of modern literature!" Kakashi defended. "Jiraiya-sama's like the Shakesmaru of today!"

Kurenai just groaned.

---

Mononoke Konpaku... I guess some of you will be wondering about him. Let me give you a hint here, Mononoke means 'specter', as in something that doesn't exist, and Konpaku means ghost. Happy wonderings! Oh, and don't worry, you'll see a lot more of Konohamaru later, and he won't be so spoilt after Naruto's finished with him.

By the way, Shakesmaru is a parody of Shakespeare.

Oh, by the way. Thanks for calling me a goody-two-shoes! That's the highest calibur of compliment I've ever heard. I pride myself on being a nice guy, you know!