Disclaimer- I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters, but unfortunately for them, I do own this storyline, and heh, there's nothing they can do about it XD

Storyline- Naruto, after retrieving Sasuke, begins to learn a little bit more about why he's hated, who his friends really are, and why his attitude is beginning to change.

Morgri: Haha, a quicker update, like I promised! Enjoy the chapter, and tell me if you like it! I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, concerns, flames, whatever, thanks!

By the way, this story takes place mostly in Naruto's POV, and for those that didn't read the first chapters comments, there is alooooot of Naruto OoC! I'm a Naruto OoC lover :p

change in time or POV-----
"Character Speaking"
"Kyuubi Speaking"
'Thoughts'
Flashback

When Did You Change?
By Morgri
Episode 7: Friends

Unfortunately, Sasuke wasn't the end of my day. As I drearily walked back to my room, I was swamped by Tsunade-nee-chan's angry fit.

"What are you doing out of your bed!" She yelled, demanding an answer. I didn't want to make her even angrier so I decided it was best to just give her a reply.

"I was visiting Sasuke," I said flatly. I mean, it was the truth… Well if you don't count my visit to the other teams and well, Sasuke's screaming fit. Come to think of it, all the fighting made me a little noxious, and it was after Tsunade-nee-chan's second scream that I began to fill dizzy. Despite the Kyuubi's incredible healing powers, it seemed that I still hadn't fully recovered. Well duh, even Tsunade-nee-chan had told me that.

"Naruto, are you all right?" She questioned me. I looked up to see a worried looking Tsunade-nee-chan, and instantly felt her holding me up. I had realized I had tripped, "Naruto-kun, if you use up all your energy, you'll never recover." She looked at me lovingly; is this what it felt like to have a mom?

"Sorry," I replied reluctantly, the dizziness starting to get to me. Her look of concern disappeared quickly as she helped me tumble back to my room. I hadn't realized how tired I really felt until I reached my room. To my relief I didn't have to endure the glares of the angry nurses; it seemed like they kept away after seeing me with Tsunade-nee-chan.

When I reached my bed, she helped me get back into the covers. Despite how I felt, I didn't find myself wanting to sleep, so I politely asked Tsunade-nee-chan to help me sit up in the bed. Shocked by my polite answer, she finally agreed to help me sit up.

"Shizune should be coming soon with something to eat," She spoke, "DO NOT MOVE FROM THIS BED OR ELSE!" she gave me her strict command, leaving me with no choice but to follow her order.

"Yes ma'am," I replied, to save my self from an argument. Once again she eyed me strangely and left, leaving me wondering if I had done something wrong.

Not much time later, just as Tsunade-nee-chan had said, came Shizune-san with some food. Despite my current situation, I was more than glad to eat something, as it had been a good week since I had eaten.

"Here, a bottle of water. It's the lightest liquid to drink at the moment and it's healthy!" She said, setting the bottle on the table that sat ret next to my bed.

"Thankyou," I answered, grabbing the water and opening the bottle to take a drink. I was grateful for the water, as I profusely enjoyed the cold water splashing down my throat.

"And here, your ramen diet isn't very good, so I brought you something new," she handed me a plate of rice balls. Contrary to popular though, I did eat things other than ramen, but only once in a while. Ramen was cheap, so I could easily afford it, that's the main reason I ate it so much. One thing I had never tasted was rice balls, or whatever traditional name they used for this things. "It's Onigiri. I made it myself, Naruto-kun." She said.

I brought one up to my mouth, and tasted it. To my surprise it was great, and I quickly took another bite. Shizune-nee-chan chuckled at my reaction, obviously figuring that I had liked the food. I smiled gratefully at her, and continued eating my snack.

Not a minute later came Iruka-sensei, startling us both when opening the door.

"NARUTO! Are you all Right!" He said, in an almost screeching noise, "What happened? I thought you were fine when you arrived!" Iruka-sensei continued loudly, causing my head to spin, I had heard enough yelling for the day. I was about respond when Shizune-nee-chan decided that there was already enough racket in the room.

"Iruka-san, please calm down," She spoke calmly, appearently aware of how I was feeling, "As you can see, Naruto-kun if fine. It would to his advantage if we could be a little more quiet," She finished. I turned to Iruka-sensei.

"Ne, Ne, I'm fine Iruka-sensei, no need to worry about me," I laughed nervously and gave him a sheepish smile. Much to my dismay, however, I knew that a barrage of questions were about to be thrown my way, and I honestly didn't feel like talking about my current problems. I especially didn't want to mention Sakura; I wasn't exactly in great terms with her at the moment, and even the mention of her name to seemed to depress me.

I understand she tried to apologize, but for some reason I just couldn't muster the strength to hear her, much less stay around her. I know, I probably sound like some kind of jerk right now, but I can't help it, maybe some of you would understand.

"Are you all right?" Iruka began his battalion of questions, "The nurses couldn't explain what happened, and wouldn't give information! Why didn't you get a check up when you arrived? What if you'd a…"

"I'm fine!" I shot back. Needless to say, I was beginning to get kind of annoyed. "One question at a time please!" As much as I knew the questions were coming, I was powerless to stop them. That, and he was my sensei, and at least he acknowledges me… Well sometimes.

"Na-Naruto!" He looked at me concerned, "Just make sure to stay alive," he sighed, "I have to report my mission to Hokage-sama. Get well soon, Naruto." With that, he made his exit, leaving me with Shizune, and my more than welcome treat.

I was a little disappointed that he had to leave so soon, but all he was going to do was ask me questions anyway, nothing really that interesting. When I first graduated, he would always tell me stories and stuff about past Hokages and other great ninjas; but after the chunin exams and the war with Orochimaru, the shortage of ninjas forced him into countless missions. Suddenly, he didn't seem to want to be around me anymore. Maybe the occasional trip to the Ichiraku, but that was only every few months.

Despite all the commotion, the rest of the day progressed rather quickly. Nightfall came sending everyone to their own dreamland. However, I ended up in my prison, facing the Kyuubi as I had done many times before.

Maybe this was what started my strange relationship with Kyuubi. When I went to sleep, I always ended up at the same place; Kyuubi's prison; the supposable home of the devastating demon.

I was eight when I first met Kyuubi-san. When I had first met him, the great demon fox had terrified me. After that night, I had gone to ask oji-san what it was. He told me I only had a nightmare, that it would be alright. Being as naïve as I was, I would always believe him; until Mizuki-sensei told me the truth. I was devastated when I found out, not because the fox was inside me; it was more because even the people I though I could trust had lied to me.

Of course, before all this had happened, I had visited the Kyuubi countless times, and every time I was hurdled with threats and insults. Fortunately, the beast would always calm down as soon as I would sit against the wall closest to him and smile. I think the idea that he couldn't scare a young boy aggravated him; so he would just let it slide and mutter some excuse to himself. It was a constant routine, and when I got used to it, I was able to really sleep with out fearing that the demon would do something to me.

"Hmph—Child, you should be glad I healed you, or it would be much more than that weak body of yours dragging you down,"

"I-I guess your right, Kyuubi-san, thanks- I guess." Despite the fact that he was a demon, I really had no other choice but to thank him. I realized that if it weren't for him, I would've been dead. Not only here, but maybe during the fight with Sasuke, or against Haku and Zabuza. There are many places that should have died. The Kyuubi's healing powers though, always kept me alive.

It always made me wonder though. Thinking back to it, if I would have died, then the Kyuubi would have had a chance to be reborn, and come back to this world. However, every time I asked why he saved, he would always avoid the question and bring something else up.

"You should be more careful, boy, I can't save you forever; even my healing powers have their limits."

"Sorry…"

"Say no more, brat, next time I won't save your pathetic human body."

"Now boy, rest, for soon you must return to the ninja world."

"But Kyuubi-san, I was removed as a ninja."

"Remember who you're talking too, boy! I will not have my vessel being weak, no matter the condition! Understand?"

"I-I understand, Kyuub-san."

Despite the fact that Kyuubi was only trying to fend for himself, I felt in debt to him. He had saved my life, more than once. Not only that, Sasuke was counting on me… and really, relationships aside, I didn't want to let Sakura down again. Even Ino had cheered me on. I guess it really did mean a lot to me, even though I didn't realize it at the beginning.

Morning came, and fortunately the headaches and dizziness had diminished greatly. However, I still felt a little drowsy, and slightly sick. However, today I wad determined to get my ninja rank back, and as soon as I saw Tsunade-nee-chan, I would ask her to reinstate as a genin. Despite my injuries, I decided that Ino was right, and that it was better to continue chain my dream than to do nothing at all, after all, there was really nothing left for me.

Luckily, it didn't take long for Tsunade-nee-chan to arrive at my room, and it would be just a matter of time before I would once again be a ninja.

"So you've finally come around, Naruto-kun," Tsunade-nee-chan spoke gleefully, "Feeling any better now?" She questioned.

"Yeah, just a little sick."

"Well that's expected, you've had a rough week."

I took this conversation as my chance to ask for reinstatement. Surprisingly, she answered with a very assured and strict "NO". Surprise held me back for a moment, before I was able to protest.

"Sorry Naruto, I will not allow you to be a ninja."

"Why not!"

"Because you'll die, and I won't be having that!"

"B-But Tusnade-nee-chan; You just can't take it away with out my consent!" I made my case.

"I can and I will," she shot back. Obviously, getting my genin status back wasn't going to be as easy as I imagined; However, I wasn't going to take no for an answer, and I would be damned if I were to lose this fight.

"It's the only thing I've got left! Please!" I begged. I really had no other choice, "Please…"

She looked at me guiltily; I knew I had one at this point and tha…

"Under once condition! You must pass a test."… WHAT?

"A test, W-What kind of test?" I asked, a bit fidgety.

"If you can touch me once, with your own hands, before your heart gives, then I will give you your genin rank back."

"T-Touch you once?" Despite how easy it sounded, I figured there would be a lot more difficulty to this test than one would expect. If I remember correctly, the last time I fought her, I was the only one that got hit… and she used only one finger. If she was serious, this was going to be far from easy.

"Do you accept the conditions?" It was clear that she wasn't playing around anymore, this wasn't a game; I had no other choice but to accept.

"Ok!"

"Good, Next week at the team seven training ground," She said, "You'll need all the strength you've got if you even wish to stand the slightest chance. However, it's only one chance. Fail and it's over, am I clear?"

I smiled arrogantly, "That's all it'll take."

"Good, now rest, I'll bring you some breakfast soon," She said more lightheartedly, leaving the room. There was nothing left for me to do, except to begin developing strategies. It would take a lot more than a little bit of speed to beat Tsunade-nee-chan, and I was going to be prepared…

"Will you be ok?"

Snapped out of my trance, I looked towards the door to see a very concerned Sakura standing next to an even more disheveled Ino.

"I'll manage."

Once again that feeling of bitterness possessed me. This time though, I wouldn't leave her standing guiltily. I may have been mad at her, but I wasn't heartless; she was my teammate after all, and we needed to trust one another, no matter how hard it seemed.

"N-Naruto, I-I just…" She quieted down. Honestly, was it that to give an apology? It wasn't that difficult for me. Then again, I've been apologizing for as long as I can remember, with out knowing what I did.

"I'm- I'm sorry, Naruto," she spoke almost pleadingly. Instantly, I had calmed down, and my bitterness towards her began to cease… "Thank you," she continued, suprising me with her sudden gratitude, "Thank you for everything." She paused, carefully selecting her words, "For everything you've done."

It felt nice, to be thanked. I guess Sakura isn't… that bad. A small smile crept to my lips. "Nah, nah, Sakura-chan, It was nothing."

"I- Idiot! How can you forgive so…"

BAAANNNNGGG!

Ino slammed her first down on Sakura's head, "Don't you know when to shut up, girl, he already accepted your apology, Sheesh,"

"Don't do that, Ino-pig, what do YOU know?"

"I OBVIOUSLY KNOW MORE THAN YOU?"

"Ehehe…" I laughed nervously, hoping this wasn't the start of some drastic fight.

The rest of the week passed by quickly and fairly uneventful. Being that every piece of clothing I owned was now either torn or ruined, Tsunade-nee-chan had brought me some new ones. Sadly, she had despised the bright orange colors I had been wearing before, so instead she brought me some black ninja pants and blue t-shirt with a neat symbol on the back (Hey, my sense of style sucks… sorry :p). I had no other choice but to give up my jumpsuit… sigh.

I took my headband from the table and tied it around my neck (sorry guys, I like this look too :p), and then tied Tsunade-nee-chan's necklace around in it.

When I arrived at the training field, I found Tsunade-baa-chan, Shizune-san, and Kakishi-sensei waiting for me. The test was about to start, and I had already come up with a myriad of strategies that I could use. The question was which one would be the most effective without wasting a lot of energy.

"Naruto, by arriving here, you signify that agree here-by agree to the rules of this test," Tsunade spoke, "One, you can use anything and anyway necessary to defeat me. Two, you must come at me with killer intent; it's the only way you'll ever defeat me. Three, I can dodge using any means necessary, I will not attack. Four, no soldier pills or otherwise any means of recovery apart from that of the Kyuubi. Five, you have only one chance, if you fail; it's the end of the road. Are we clear?"

"Yes," The air changed from calm and beautiful, to one filled with determination and seriousness. Everything was on the line now.

"Kakashi and Shizune have agreed to judge this test, if any rules are broken on my part, then you automatical pass, if you break any rules, then you automatically fail. All said and done, your time start now. You have until exhaustion beats you down. Kaksashi, Shizune," She looked over at them, signaling them to start the test.

"Good luck Naruto-kun," Everything tensed as turned to my battle stance. This battle would decide my future.

"Begin!"

End Episode Seven
Morgri: All right guys, thanks for reading. I hope it wasn't disappointing. It was a little bit longer than the last one, so at least you have more to read. I hope to hear your comments, idea's, complaints, and concerns, about this story. Tell your friends to read! By the way, I think I did a good job on the grammar this time, if not, beat my butt and send me to my grave, I'll try better next time.

Stay tune for Episode Eight: Challenges.

Ja Matta!