Fate and Saturdays

As it was Saturday I finally had some time off from school and my last day of relaxation before Itachi demands I give him every last detail about the massacre. I'll admit I don't blame him for his nervousness I mean if I was told that I almost ruined my little brothers life I'd be trying to fix that mistake every way possible. But on my day off I had three things on my to do list. First of all I wanted to head over to the Hyugga compound with al of the craziness surrounding Itachi, the prank war, and Kidomaru I feel that I've kinda left Hinata behind in the chaos.

Which led me to the present grinning madly as I went to annoy the gatekeeper of the compound a thin man who's only hair was his sideburns. "Hey buddy one ticket into the Hyugga residence."

He rolled his eyes "Go inside kid and for the last time you don't need a Kami damn ticket."

I pouted "And here I was wanting a souvenir. Oh well here's your tip baldi."

"I'm not bald you damn brat!" He yelled "And I don't take tips either! Do I look like a waiter to you?!"

"Do you really want me to answer that honestly?" I muttered.

"And if you aren't here again terrorizing the locals."

I sighed as Neji Hyugga The "Prodigy" was blocking my path. "oh hey it's only my least favorite person." I said sarcastically "Do you know where Hinata is? I'd rather not wander aimlessly like I usually do."

Neji smirked "She's currently showing why she's a failure of a heiress."

"Training yard got it." I said ignoring him. As much as I would love to punch him in his stupid Hyugga face I'd much rather wait until the Chunin exams where I won't have to worry about the repercussions. Not to mention that he's much stronger then I am."

But as I walked to the trading Felix Neji followed after me seeming to be scrutinizing my very movements. "I don't understand why you continue this ploy. Don't you know that you're fated to fail? From what I've heard you're the dead last in your class."

"Oh great" I said sarcastically "How did I know that I was fated to have this conversation?"

Neji growled "Don't mock me like that!"

"Don't mock me like that." I mocked "It is not your destiny to mock me."

"I can't believe-"

"Hey Hinata!" I called interrupting him.

The Hyugga froze up and looked at me nervously from where she was practicing in the field. "O-oh hi Naruto" she greeted "I-I didn't know you were coming."

"I know but Neji did apparently." I sighed "Anyway are you training right now?"

"Y-Yes the clan elders said that m-my Jukken ne-needs to b-be at proper Hy-Hyugga levels." Hinata stuttered.

"Hey calm down" I reassured her "No need to have a panic attack. How about this, instead of you training alone I'll do it with you."

"O-oh" Hinata blushed "I'm not sure if that's the best idea... I'm not very good so.."

"Perfect!" I said cheerfully "I suck too! But if we train together we'll suck less."

Neji scoffed "No amount of training will improve your skills. You are fated to be a failure."

My temper flared before I gained a mischievous smirk. Hinata looked at me alarmed and looked at Neji knowing he made a mistake. Neji May be stronger then me but I had one thing that could put him on edge. 'This'll teach you to brag about fate.' I thought. "Hey Neji you think that people's fates are determined at birth correct?"

Neji narrowed his eyes "That's right"

"And you're also a prodigy right?"

"What are you getting at?" Neji asked.

"Well I was just curious if you're a branch house member wouldn't you be destined to be lower then the main branch. And if Hinata is the Hyugga heir shouldn't she be destined to be stronger then you? So if that's the case... shouldn't it be impossible for you to be a prodigy and for her to be weaker then you?" Neji didn't answer and I smirked "Unless maybe not everything is fated the way you think it is."

Neji snarled, then grimaced, then panicked, before deciding to sit on the hard ground trying to find a flaw in my argument. But I knew he wouldn't find one at least not one I couldn't come up with a counter for. I re-watched and reread the Chunin exams more times then I can count and Neji's fate schpeal always bothered me due to the hypocritical nature of it.

I shook my head 'I can complain about it later' I thought. "Well how do you want to do this Hinata?"

"Academy rules I guess..." Hinata suggested "Neither of us know any jutsu anyways."

"Got it" I agreed "But we can also use any style of Taijutsu we want to." This was to both our benefits since I wanted to experiment with new Taijutsu styles outside of the academies' standard. Only clan kids are aloud to use different styles in the academy, civilians are stuck using the academy style so this was my only way to branch out."

"Okay" Hinata agreed and she eased into her standard Jukken stance. While I stretched my muscles and got ready to try something I'd been working on.

Hinata stood her ground and I quickly realized I'd have to make the first move. 'Alright' I thought 'I'll just have to surprise her.' I rushed forwards and Hinata prepared to strike but instead of continueing the head on assault I jumped over her and swept her legs. "Dead that's my win."

Hinata shook her head and stood back up. She steeled her resolve and we started again. My style was simple, thanks to the training tips I'd been following in Gai's book I've grown marginally faster and stronger. Combine that with the almost unlimited energy I've obtained ever since I became Naruto and people being able to jump ridiculously high in this world I was able to make a custom style of fighting focused on surprising the opponent with hyperactive movements and jumps.

I charged Hinata again but instead of jumping over her I tried to preform a dropkick. However learning from last time she moved out of the way and I crashed into the dirt. She then placed her open palm near my face and said "Dead, I wi-win"

I laughed "Looks like we're tied"

Hinata nodded but before she could say anything Neji walked towards us "Where did you come up with a style like that?"

"Impressed?" I smirked.

"No it's the most stupid style I've ever seen." Neji said.

"Eh?"

"That only worked because Hinata wasn't using the Byakugan." Neji explained "And in the field higher class ninja won't fall for such simple deceptions."

"O-oh" I sighed, he had a point, I didn't really know anything about Taijutsu so I didn't know why I thought the first thing I tried would work.

"However" Neji said "I want to try something."

"What's that?" I asked.

"I realized that you were right." He said surprising me. "If Hinata is destined to be stronger then me anyway I will train her to be that way. And to prove my philosophy I will train you as well." Neji explained.

"I don't really see-"

Neji ignored me "And when she grows into a competent ninja and you don't it'll prove that everything is fated to happen."

I facepalmed 'Oh great I didn't change his mind about fate I just made him change his mind about who's fated to succeed.' "Fine, but just because I want to say I told you so."

"Alright then let's start with you." Neji said "You have the basis of a Taijutsu style but there is most likely already an existing style that suits your... talents. Luckily for some weird reason Hiashi seems to like you so it probably won't be hard to get him to give you some training scrolls."

"Thanks I appreciate it" I said honestly.

"I still don't like you." Neji clarified "But I'd rather prove you wrong then simply argue."

'Oh I can't wait for the Chunin exams' I thought 'I'll prove you wrong alright.'

Meanwhile

Ino, Sakura, and Ami were wandering Konoha's clothing district. "Ino why are we here?" Sakura asked "I barely have any money left after our last shopping spree."

"This isn't for you Sakura you look fine this time we're shopping for her." Ino said.

"Me?" Ami asked offended "What's wrong with the way I dress?"

"Are you kidding?" Ino asked "I don't know what made you think something that ugly would be acceptable."

"Oh I'm sorry I try colors that aren't purple." Ami smirked "you're almost as bad as Gai and his jumpsuits."

"Don't even think of comparing me to him." Ino said offended. "First of all I'd never go so low as to get a bowl cut. Of course the jumpsuit might be right up your alley."

"I really shouldn't have compared you to Guy Ino at least his teeth sparkle." Ami sneered.

The two glared before smirking, then shaking, before finally busting out in laughter.

"you're not bad at this" Ino said "Usually Sakura can't keep up with me."

"Are you kidding?" Ami asked "I've been trained in the art of comebacks."

"Alright then o master of fashion what other colors do you prefer?" Ino asked.

"Blue, light pink, pale green, the usual." Ami shrugged. "What about my outfit?"

"Ditch the blouse, and if you want to wear stripes do it horizontally not vertically." Ino said "Also try some blues or browns. How ironic that you're lecturing me about color when you don't seem to understand it yourself."

"Oh please like you're any better, all that purple makes you look like a big nasty eggplant."

"At least their friends..." Sakura sighed "in their weird way at least..."

Itachi decided to spend as much time at home as possible. With the massacre fast approaching Itachi requested some much needed down time. Luckily the Hokage aloud it since he could use it as a way to keep a closer eye on the Uchiha's coup.

So Itachi was happily proctoring over the training match with Sasuke and the Aburame clan. But at the moment the duo were taking a break as they had been sparring for about an hour already.

"How'd I do Itachi?" Sasuke asked excitedly.

"You did fine Sasuke" Itachi reassured "Your Taijutsu is top notch almost better then me when I was your age."

"Really?" Sasuke had stars in his eyes.

"Although I was quite surprised with your skills Shino. I never thought the Aburame were particularly proficient in Taijutsu." Itachi admitted.

"We aren't" Shino confirmed "I'm only good at it since Sasuke and I can't spar with jutsu. Why, because his fire attacks burn my hive upon contact so we agreed to wait until I learn other jutsu."

"Other jutsu?" Itachi asked "But don't Aburame usually stick to just using their colony?"

"Yes but it has become apparent that fire is a huge weakness for me." Shino said "Why,"

"We know why" Sasuke interrupted "It's what this entire conversation has been about."

Shino glared at Sasuke before continuing "Anyway as I was saying I plan on learning some elemental jutsu once I become genin. Why, cause I can't access the jutsu part of the library until I do."

"Wait here for just a second." Itachi said, he shushined away before reappearing a second later. "Here channel some chakra into this." He handed both Shino and Sasuke a piece of paper "It'll let you know your elemental affinity."

"Really?" Sasuke asked excitedly snatching a paper from Itachi's hand.

"In all honesty this was one of the first things we did in the academy." Itachi said "So there's no harm in letting you try it now."

Shino nodded in understanding before following the instruction. The paper turned to dirt and crumbled away.

Itachi nodded "Earth release that's pretty uncommon around here."

"Whoa! What about this?"

Itachi turned and was surprised to see that half of Sasuke's paper had crinkled while the other half turned to ash. "That means you have two affinities which is much more rare. You have affinity for both fire and lightning."

"Ha! Take that Shino!" Sasuke boasted "My rare thing was rarer then your rare thing!"

"Yes now you have something else to overcompensate with." Shino said sarcastically.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Maybe I shouldn't have set them off" Itachi sighed.

I sighed as I sat on the sidelines of the training yard where Neji was continuously drilling the Jukken into Hinata. As much as I hated to admit it he was helping her a great deal. Even though I wasn't a Hyugga I could tell that her moves were more precise then before and she looked a bit more confident too.

'Maybe it was because Neji was sticking with her instead of just giving up like her other instructors.' I thought about it for another few seconds 'No that was definitely the difference. Neji was offering the one thing the elders and instructors hadn't, positive reinforcement. Which was really all she needed to shine.'

I sighed agian bored out of his mind at the training he had given me. While I realize how important chakra control was and I knew that I needed it I was also bored out of my ind after sitting on the dirt for three hours. 'Although it is still better then the alternative.'

Three Hours Earlier

"So before me and Hinata start sparring I want you to stick this leaf to your head." Neji commanded.

I rolled my eyes and did as he said but the leaf almost immediately flung off of me.

Neji blinked in surprise "That's... unexpected, most people don't have enough chakra to do that at this level. Here try these." He have me a whole stack of leaves and once agian they flung away. "Wait here for a second." Neji left and returned a few minuets later with a large plank of wood. He placed it on my back and it stuck on perfectly. "My Kami how much chakra do you have?!" Neji asked incredulously.

"I dunno do you want to find out?" I asked.

"Against my better judgement..."

And that was how I ended up like this sitting alone in a field with a multitude of random objects stuck to me. Irritatingly enough this gave Neji a pretty good idea for a way for me to train my chakra control. Instead of putting on more and more thing progressionally I should remove them instead until I'm finally able to stick a singular leaf.

I chuckled when I realized that I have part a broken refrigerator door stuck to my back while a singular leaf remains too much for me to handle. I then threw said door to the wayside as keeping all those objects stuck had become to easy.

Shukamaru sighed as he moved another piece on his shoji board. On the outside he may have seemed uninterested but internally his mind was racing. Meanwhile his six armed opponent was not hiding his stress nearly as well. 'I'll have to thank Naruto for the suggestion later.'

Although Shikamaru did find it suspicious that Naruto knew that the new guy would be intelligent he supposed he could ask about it later. Shikamaru had figured out a counter for his strategy early on but it was more challenging then anything his other friends had to offer.

"You know I was wondering." Kidomaru said "Why'd you invite me to play shoji anyway? Aren't we like pranking rivals or whatever, and we barely know each other."

"Troublesome" Shikamaru sighed "When the prank war started we all agreed that on Saterdays we'd call a truce. By the way" Shikamaru held up a bag of Naruto's sleeping powder "Tell Naruto he'd need to try harder if he wants to fool a Nara."

Kidomaru sighed "You know I'm expecting this war to end in about a week or so."

"It's Troublesome but I doubt it's going to end that quickly." Shikamaru sighed "It's more likely that the two will destroy themselves trying to prove who's best."

Kiba snorted "Is anything not troublesome to you?"

"Cloud watching, sleeping, shoji" Shikamaru listed off.

"What are you even doing here?" Kidomaru asked "I understand Choji."

The Akimichi gave a friendly wave before returning to his snacks.

"But you you have no real reason to be here."

"Everyone else was busy" Kiba shrugged "Naruto is at Hinata's and I don't want to get between them."

"Good call" Choji agreed.

"Ino's going shopping and I'm not getting involved in that."

"Another good call" Choji agreed.

"Shino and Sasuke are sparring again and I really don't want to get involved with that."

"We have some weird friends" Choji noticed.

"And I figured that Shikamaru wouldn't care if I came over." Kiba finished.

"He's right I don't" Shikamaru clarified.

Kidomaru sighed "Troublesome"

Another 3 Hours has passed and both me and Hinata were real eased to get a break. "Finally I can rest my legs." Hinata sighed.

"Finally I can stand up agian." I sighed "Man this is not what I had in mind when I came over."

"Y-Yeah well I didn't know you were e-even coming." Hinata said.

"Well that's your dad's fault." I smirked "If he wants to give me 24 hour access he better expect me to use it."

Hinata laughed "That's true"

"Anyway I'm starving, want to help me steal some food from Neji's house."

"I'm right here." Neji said making his presence known.

Hinata shook her head "I don't think I can do that."

"Your loss" I shrugged.

"Seriously I'm right here."

I ignored Neji and ran as fast as I could towards the Hyugga's fridge.

"Stop ignoring me you blond haired bastard!" Neji yelled.

I chuckled as I heard the Hyugga yelling after me 'It's nice to relax sometimes' I thought 'Especially when their's a massacre right around the corner.'